Nature Calling is a nationally significant partnership project funded by Arts Council England and Defra (Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs), as well as National Landscapes in England. Partners include the National Landscape Association, Activate Performing Arts, Poetry School, the six regional National Landscapes that will act as ‘hubs’ (Chilterns, Dorset, Forest of Bowland, Lincolnshire Wolds, Mendip Hills and Surrey Hills).
Each of the 34 National Landscapes in England will work collaboratively with their local communities, with key activity taking place at the 6 National hubs.
Artist Commissions
We are looking to commission writers and artists to take part in a brand new £2M ground-breaking national project called Nature Calling. We are seeking an exceptional, diverse range of artists to explore and celebrate nature and our National Landscapes (formerly known as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty – AONBs), for a programme that culminates in a Season of art between May and October 2025.
Surrey Hills National Landscape will be playing a key role in this exciting project as 1 of 6 hubs, where a lot of the activity will take place. The aim of Nature Calling is to listen to our communities and ensure our landscapes are a place for everyone. It will engage new audiences across England and inspire the whole National Landscapes family, whilst bringing the special qualities of our National Landscapes to the fore.
Interested artists are invited to our Information Day on Thursday 25th April, 11am – 2pm at the Learning Centre, Box Hill, Zig Zag Road, Tadworth, Surrey KT20 7LB.
The deadline for submissions is Midnight on 24th May 2024.
Find out more about the other hubs and their work here:
Surrey Hills International Music Festival (SHIMF) is delighted to announce the programme for its 2024 season.
Each spring, SHIMF brings world-class musicians to perform in beautiful and unique venues across the Surrey Hills.
2024 is the 15th anniversary of the Festival bringing a host of top-level international performers to your doorstep. The wide range of events includes superb chamber music, fascinating talks, incredible pianist, a new commission by Huw Watkins for clarinet and piano trio, and the return of our Young Composer Competition. With world-class artists such as Dame Sarah Connolly, Wu Qian and the Sitkovetsky Trio, there is so much to enjoy, and all within the stunning Surrey countryside.
2024 season highlights:
• Leading mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly – awarded The King’s Medal for Music 2023 – returns to the Festival to perform sacred arias by J S Bach and Handel with The English Concert and Harry Bicket
• The spectacular setting of RHS Garden Wisley’s Hilltop Building forms the backdrop for an outstanding chamber music programme to include the Mendelssohn Octet and Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence.
• Charles Owen, Katya Apekisheva, Juho Pohjonen and Wu Qian are the pianists in a wonderful evening of piano duos, featuring the winning entry in the 2024 Young Composer Competition at The Menuhin Hall.
• The award-winning Sitkovetsky Trio (of which SHIMF Artistic Director and pianist Wu Qian is a founder member) alongside renowned clarinettist Sharon Kam and friends, perform the world premiere of Three Caprices by Huw Watkins as part of an outstanding chamber programme at The Menuhin Hall.
Supporting young Artists
SHIMF’s on-going commitment to supporting young artists continues with two Lunchtime Young Artist Concerts: the first is an illustrated talk at West Horsley Place by author Anna Beer with Claire Ward (soprano) Kristiina Watt (theorbo), and Miriam Nohl (viola da Gamba) – and the second, at the beautiful medieval church of St Michael’s Betchworth, featuring gifted young students from The Yehudi Menuhin School.
Located in the beautiful Surrey Hills AONB, the Festival invites its audience not only to enjoy the highest calibre of music-making in some stunning concert venues, but also to experience the wider benefits of the local natural landscape with Guided Walks in the countryside around West Horsley Place and Betchworth.
Festival Chairman Julia Pearson comments: “We are delighted to present our 15th season with a fantastic line-up of international soloists and chamber musicians as well as the opportunity to celebrate the future of classical music through our Young Composer Competition. The Surrey Hills are at the heart of our identity both as an organisation and as a musical community, and we hope that our 2024 programme will draw music-lovers from far and wide to come and explore this very special place.”
Artistic Director & Festival Co-Founder Wu Qian comments: Once again, we have a very exciting programme for 2024, full of wonderful music and extraordinary artists, performing across our beautiful venues in the Surrey Hills. At the historic West Horsley Place, we feature 17th century Italian women composers whose place in history is being rightfully restored, whilst the RHS Garden Wisley is again the stunning venue for some wonderful chamber music.
As always, we are looking towards the future with concerts by emerging artists from some of UK’s most venerable conservatoires, and, after the amazing response and enthusiasm of two years ago, I am also delighted to be bringing back the Young Composer Competition again. The winning entry in the Competition can be heard in a spectacular evening of music for two pianos at the Menuhin Hall. Finally, to bring this extraordinary celebration of music to a close, the festival’s final concert will feature the magnificent Dame Sarah Connolly, performing glorious Bach and Handel arias with one of UK’s greatest early music ensembles, The English Concert.
Festival Programme
Tuesday 7 May – Lunchtime Guided walk (optional) and talk with music: Notes from the Silence: Italian women composers of the 17th century
Anna Beer speaker; The Portrait Players: Claire Ward, soprano, Kristiina Watt, theorbo, Miriam Nohl, viola da gamba
West Horsley Place
Thursday 9 May
Sitkovetsky Trio with Sharon Kam and Friends
The Menuhin Hall, Stoke d’Abernon
Beethoven Trio No.4 in B flat major, Op.11 ‘Gassenhauer’
Huw Watkins Three Caprices (world premiere)
Mozart Clarinet Quintet in A maor, K.581
With pre-concert talk by Kate Kennedy, featuring live onstage musical illustrations by this evening’s performers.
Saturday 11 May
An Enchanted Evening: Chamber music at Wisley
RHS Hilltop, RHS Garden Wisley
Mendelssohn Octet
Tchaikovsky Souvenir de Florence
Monday 13 May –Lunchtime Guided Walk (optional) and Young Artists’ Concert
Students of The Yehudi Menuhin School
St Michael’s Church, Betchworth
Thursday 16 May
Piano Extravaganza: a spectacular evening of music for two pianos
Charles Owen, Katya Apekisheva, Juho Pohjonen, Wu Qian, pianos
The Menuhin Hall, Stoke d’Abernon
Arensky Suite for Two Pianos No.1 Op.15
Lutoslawski Paganini Variations for Two Pianos
Rachmaninov Suite No.2 for Two Pianos Op.17
Brahms Variations on a Theme by Haydn Op.56
Dutilleux Figures de Resonances
Ravel La Valse
Winning Entry in the 2024 Young Composer Competition
Saturday 18 May
Festival Finale: Sarah Connolly and the English Concert with Harry Bicket
Holy Trinity Church, Guildford
An evening of Baroque arias interspersed with orchestral suites, by Bach and Handel
(Final schedule may be subject to amendment)
Tickets
https://tickets.shimf.co.uk.
About SHIMF
Surrey Hills International Music Festival has been presenting world-class performances in the Surrey Hills since its founding in 2010 by fellow pianists Wu Qian and Tessa Marchington. Over that time, it has expanded from a long weekend of chamber recitals, including in its first year Nicola Benedetti (now a Patron of the Festival alongside Dame Sarah Connolly), to a full fortnight each May, encompassing music, walks and talks in beautiful venues throughout this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The Festival celebrated its 10th season in 2019 with a return visit from Nicola Benedetti, the world premiere of Charlotte Bray’s Trio Concerto ‘Germinate’, specially commissioned by SHIMF for the occasion and performed by the Sitkovetsky Trio and Philharmonia Orchestra with conductor Pierre-André Valade, plus performances by Clare Teal and Tenebrae. Following a Virtual Season in 2020, the festival returned with a full season of live performances in September 2021 including The Tallis Scholars, Jess Gillam, Alexander Sitkovetsky, Paula Chateauneuf, Wu Qian & Juho Pohjonen, and a special expanded 2022 season celebrating the 150th anniversary and Surrey connections of composer Ralph Vaughan Williams.
Following a decade-long headline sponsorship agreement with Investec W&I, which enabled the Festival to expand to bring its audience a fortnight of world-class music in the Surrey Hills each year, the SHIMF is now seeking a new lead sponsor from 2024. For further information, please contact Festival Manager Tracy Lees at tracy@shimf.co.uk.
Surprising Surrey is a new ten-year strategy developed by the county’s cultural sector to champion and strengthen creativity, so that by 2034 Surrey is recognised as one of the country’s most vibrant cultural counties.
Surrey Hills Arts, part of the Surrey Hills National Landscape Family, welcomes Surrey’s new Cultural Strategy which shares our aims of improving wellbeing, removing barriers to creative experiences, developing practitioners and being ambitious in delivering high-quality art. We see ‘Surprising Surrey’ as a catalyst to attract external investment and increase opportunity for all.
Press Release from the Surrey Cultural Partnership
Created by Surrey Cultural Partnership – a collective of people working in culture and heritage in Surrey along with representatives from business, education, health, criminal justice and local government, who together share an ambition to champion Surrey as a leading cultural county – Surprising Surrey is the result of research and extensive consultation with the county’s cultural organisations, practitioners and stakeholders over a two-year period. This identified an urgent need to promote and expand culture in Surrey, reducing barriers and increasing investment so that many more residents and visitors are able to benefit.
Surprising Surrey: Our Cultural Strategy & Vision 2024 – 2034 is the first cultural strategy for the county to be developed by Surrey’s cultural sector. It sets out a framework and action plan with four priorities:
Culture for Everyone, to increase access to culture for all, with a specific focus on reaching residents who encounter physical, social and economic barriers
Resilient Communities, recognising the role of creative encounters in strengthening communities and in supporting health and wellbeing programmes
County-wide Ecology and Infrastructure, encouraging collaborative working and ensuring that creative workspaces are integral to sustainable planning and regeneration schemes
Creativity as Enterprise, to nurture the creative economy in Surrey by attracting new business and investment
At a special launch event at The Horton Arts Centre, Epsom, Surrey Cultural Partnership announced a series of initiatives to deliver the strategy, including:
The development of a new Culture Fund in partnership with the Community Foundation for Surrey (CFS). Research co-commissioned by Surrey Cultural Partnership and CFS identified that Surrey is significantly underfunded by national grantmakers and, given the financial crises facing a number of the county’s borough and district councils, local authority funding is under threat. The new fund will support improved quality of life and wellbeing for the most disadvantaged communities in Surrey by reducing barriers to transformative creative experiences.
The introduction of a Cultural Skills Bank and Volunteer Bank. 95% of UK arts organisations have less than nine employees[i]. The majority do not have all the required skills ‘in-house’ and they are reliant on time and expertise given by volunteers. These Banks will facilitate collaboration and will strengthen the sector.
A new programme of youth-led activity to give young people a voice and to nurture creative leaders for the future. Consultation with young people and education providers revealed county-wide dissatisfaction with the lack of information and support available to enter creative careers. Amongst the initiatives will be encouraging increased youth representation at board level and establishing clear development pathways in the cultural sector.
Commenting, Perdita Hunt and Gavin Stride, Co-Chairs, Surrey Cultural Partnership, said:
“Surprising Surrey is about championing what is already happening here, recognising that the county has much to celebrate. But as we know and despite its reputation for affluence and privilege, Surrey has areas of deprivation and marginalisation that need addressing. This strategy is a response to those needs. It is a rallying cry to all those who believe in the power and the impact of the arts in changing lives in our county.”
Marilyn Scott, author of Surprising Surrey, said:
“During the extensive consultations over the last year some very clear messages came through – the need for better collaboration, networking and sharing of expertise; the importance of placemaking and the enormous contribution culture can make, the value of cultural activity to health and wellbeing in our communities, and of course the need for better support and funding. I hope all of these messages are reflected in the strategy and clear actions that Surrey Cultural Partnership will encourage.”
Dr Rebecca Bowden, Chief Executive, Community Foundation for Surrey, said:
“Our research into the current funding landscape for Surrey makes sobering reading. It is clear that for too long our county has been overlooked by a number of national funders. What is also clear though is the huge variety and vibrancy of the arts and culture sector in Surrey and we believe that there is therefore huge potential to come together to develop a new fund – by and for the sector.”
Sir Vernon Ellis, Chair of New Philanthropy for Arts and Culture (NPAC), said:
“This excellent report underlines the importance of investment in the cultural sector. This will require support from the local community (business, trusts and individuals) as well as from the public purse.”
“Our work at NPAC has shown that there is a real opportunity to raise new philanthropy for the arts on the back of the impact that the arts can make on health, wellbeing, education, and the community. This is best realised by heightening a commitment to place (which this report will do) and providing a framework to attract and funnel financial support (which the new fund will provide).”
Saj Hussain, Chair, Surrey County Council, said:
“We welcome the launch of the cultural strategy and the work of Surrey Cultural Partnership, which is helping towards our vision of Surrey as a vibrant home of creativity. We look forward to continuing to work together.”
About Surrey Cultural Partnership
Surrey Cultural Partnership is working to ensure that everyone in Surrey has the opportunity to participate in, engage with and contribute to extraordinary cultural activity, whoever they are and wherever they live.
Introduced in 2022 as a result of work undertaken by the Surrey Lieutenancy’s Arts & Culture Focus Group, Surrey Cultural Partnership was established to facilitate collaboration, to develop a cultural strategy and to identify opportunities for new investment.
Surrey Cultural Partnership is grateful to Farnham Maltings, The Borrows Charitable Trust, Surrey County Council and Andrew Wates OBE, DL for supporting an initial two-year development period.
Wander through the woodlands at Box Hill and be immersed in creative ‘happenings’ showcasing the majesty of the trees. You will be guided along the accessible woodland path and discover creative responses to the theme of ‘Trees’. Expect puppetry, choirs, art installations, theatre, dance, and poetry to inspire you. As darkness falls there will be the opportunity to participate in an awe-inspiring murmuration movement piece. This will involve bird puppets made in one of the local workshops which will then be laid to rest, finishing with a minute silence celebrating the natural heritage of our Dark Skies.
WonderDusk (previously known as Harvest) is an annual partnership celebratory event between Surrey Hills Arts and National Trust. The inclusive, community celebration, connects people through the arts and the landscape. In collaboration with Freewheelers Theatre, the event will be a magical promenade at National Trust Box Hill and the surrounding woodlands.
Ali Clarke, Surrey Hills Arts Programme Manager said “WonderDusk is a joyful event that brings people together to celebrate nature creatively. The evening includes a unique opportunity to participate in the event whether it’s carrying a bird puppet, joining in song, or making a print.”
There is also a pre-event from 5.30pm which is open to all to participate in an art workshop and visit stands with a focus on the Surrey Hills and its special wildlife.
The team at Freewheelers said, “We are excited to be working with other groups in our community and challenging ourselves in our first outdoors performance.”
A 7-screen video installation at West Horsley Place created and directed by Roswitha Chesher and Rosemary Lee
Dates/times: 29 July – 2 November.
See Orchard Portraits when you visit the Manor House for a tour, Open Day or other event. Or- see it on Thursday afternoons from 2pm-5pm for FREE.
Address: West Horsley Place, Epsom Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT24 6AN
Choreographer Rosemary Lee brings her unique sensibilities to both landscape and people to create a new video-work made collaboratively with filmmaker Roswitha Chesher – inspired by and shot in the historic wild orchard at West Horsley Place.
Filmed over a year through the four seasons, ORCHARD PORTRAITS features five senior performers, each in a meditative and elegant duet with their chosen ageing tree. As human and tree become entwined almost as one, there is a sense of deep unity seeming to pay tribute to humanity’s ancient and ongoing intimate relationship with trees. In contrast we are reminded of natures’ cycles of regeneration as 60 school children burst through the orchard in moments of joy and discovery.
Bringing the beauty of outside in, this seven-screen video installation will inhabit the stone hall of West Horsley Place throughout the summer/autumn of 2023.
Performers: Nancy Budd, Violet Clare, Andrew Hamel-Cooke, Jim Tucker and Helen Scalway.
Year 5/6(2022) from The Raleigh School, West Horsley, Surrey.
Original concept and Choreography: Rosemary Lee
Director of Photography: Roswitha Chesher
Editing: Roswitha Chesher with Rosemary Lee
Costumes: Susan Dinmore
For the installation:
Production Manager: Steve Wald
Synchronised Playback System: Rob Prouse
Installation Construction: Richard Rudnicki
Produced by Ali Clarke Surrey Hills Arts with Nicky Childs Artsadmin
Supported by Arts Council England, Arts Partnership Surrey and the Surrey Hills National Landscape.
Special thanks to Matt Link, Clare Clinton and the team at West Horsley Place, Katie Green, Julie Gilbert, Jan Alderman, Douglas Murray.
A TRAIL OF TEMPORARY INSTALLATIONS AT RSPB FARNHAM HEATH.
23 JUNE – 29 OCTOBER. FREE.
Heathland Artworks is an annual trail around RSPB Farnham Heath to view site responsive works by students from the University for the Creative Arts. From June to October each year, you can view imaginative and experimental installations from metalwork, fine art, product design, ceramic and glass students.
The project aims to give participating students a full understanding of working on a real project. They receive a lecture and guidance on putting together a proposal to submit to a commissioner. They go on a site visit and learn about the flora and fauna of that location from the RSPB warden. Then, they carry out their research into their area of interest whether this is the bird species, the geology or history of the place. After working up drawings, technical drawings and maquettes, the students then present their proposals before a selection panel. Those selected go on to build and install the pieces on the heathland.
Heathland Artworks is a celebration of Farnham Heath. It offers a different perspective on this special landscape while informing and inspiring visitors to engage at a deeper level.
HABITAT to be showcased at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show
The Royal Horticultural Society were impressed by the HABITAT project run by Surrey Hills Arts on campus at the University of Surrey last year. They invited us to exhibit the sculptural habitats in the Go Wild Area at the festival recognising that ‘the project shares a lot of similarities to the RHS’s ethos and work across communities, science, education and art.’ The artists involved research specific species and create an artwork to attract and support them. The artworks animate the space while increasing biodiversity and engage the viewer to learn more through QR codes.
The Reclaim network, who aim to ‘turn cities from vulnerable spaces to healthy places for people’ have also noticed the HABITAT project and are sponsoring two new works for the festival as well as talks and workshops at their conference later in the year.
This is really positive progress for the project which we hope to role out in other urban areas across Surrey in the next few years working with communities to improve wellbeing and local biodiversity.
The Surrey Hills Symposium 2022 identified that the Surrey Hills is a landscape for all. During the event, the audience engaged in a variety of polls which indicated we should be encouraging more people to enjoy the area, especially from communities traditionally unfamiliar with it. The Symposium highlighted how we can all learn how to respect the countryside and care for nature.
On Wednesday 23 November, the Symposium began with a marketplace made up of community groups, partners, and Surrey Hills Enterprises members welcoming guests to the University of Surrey. A thriving marketplace with a common goal; to help make the countryside more accessible to all, ensuring it is protected for people and nature. Guests enjoyed refreshments from Surrey Hills Enterprises member Mandira’s Kitchen. Surrey County Council offered sixty free trees for guests to take away and plant in a space near their home. The aim is to plant 1.2 million trees in Surrey, one for every resident, by 2030.
The marketplace was followed by a showcase and debate asking how we can all protect, respect, and enjoy our National Landscape. The event was opened by Professor Max Lu President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Surrey, who celebrated the University’s launch of the Innovation Exploratorium earlier in the day. These spaces provide visitors the opportunity to explore their research showing the impacts nature has on us, and we can have on nature. This is tightly connected to the launch earlier in the year of Surrey Hills Arts’ HABITAT project which is hosted on campus. The HABITAT project tackles the climate and biodiversity crisis head on by working with local communities to develop and sustain ecological green spaces in urban areas.
Heather Kerswell, Independent Chair of the Surrey Hills Board, showcased some of the collaborative projects undertaken throughout the year helping connect different people with nature. Heather quoted Julian Glover in a review commissioned by the government who said that areas of outstanding natural beauty such as the Surrey Hills were just as important and effective as National Parks; he proposed that they should be renamed National Landscapes and given new purpose in reaching out to everyone in their catchment, not just the people who traditionally use them. Acknowledging this, Defra has awarded the Surrey Hills with an access fund to help provide better access and a higher quality experience to those who have barriers to the landscape.
“Glover challenges us as National Landscapes to reach out to our whole population in everything we do. It is positive to see so much activity undertaken by our Surrey Hills family and partners, but we know that more needs to be done for everyone to be able to Thrive with Nature. How can we open the door wider?”
Heather Kerswell, Independent Chair of the Surrey Hills National Landscape
A new video was showcased featuring a variety of people enjoying and volunteering in the Surrey Hills. As well as enjoyment and conservation, music and arts are key to reaching new audiences. The Surrey Hills Arts ‘Harvest’ event connected hundreds of people to the National Trust’s Box Hill viewpoint, gathered round Diana Burch’s art installation ‘Seeds of Hope’, which we brought to the Symposium to form a backdrop to the speakers.
In-person and online guests then heard from four fantastic speakers about their focus and vision towards making the countryside a place for all, who then answered your questions on their subject matter.
Judy Ling Wong – Hon President, Black Environment Network
“We love what we enjoy, and we protect what we love. Access to nature lays down the basis for the contribution by everyone to the care and protection of nature.”
Haroon Mota – Founder, Active Inclusion Network
“Seeing minorities out in the countryside shouldn’t be strange or a reason to be labelled. Often the biggest barrier is that we haven’t had the outdoors embedded within us from a young age. You can’t be what you can’t see. Community is integral to success and by bringing everybody together, we can find a sense of confidence and belonging in these natural spaces.”
Stephanie Fudge – General Manager, National Trust Surrey Hills
“I believe that the countryside is for everyone- it already is. The National Trust sites in the Surrey Hills welcome a huge diversity of people who come by many means of transport. Our job is to welcome everyone and to share understanding of what they are visiting so they want to help protect it for the future. We have already seen that if visitors are asked to help and know why, they willingly step forward and change their behaviour.”
Ashley Greening – Intern, Surrey Wildlife Trust
“We belong to nature; we don’t own it. We can create a countryside for all by caring for nature but taking out the man-made obstacles that limit some people from enjoying and protecting it.”
This stimulating debate was artistically captured by Veronica Wood, creating a vision of what the future may look like in terms of our access and protection of nature.
Finally, the event concluded with closing remarks from Gordon Jackson, Chair of the Surrey Hills Society. There was a premiere of the new ‘Making Space for Nature’ film, a collaboration between the National Trust and Surrey Hills. This film celebrates the 150-year birthday of the composer of the Lark Ascending, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and the fantastic mosaic of habitat that the Surrey Hills landscape offers.
As guests departed the event, they were asked to write down comments on their thoughts towards how we can improve access to nature whilst protecting the landscape. These responses will help support decision making of future project work made possible by Defra’s access fund towards capital improvements towards access to the countryside.
With thanks to the University of Surrey for hosting our event, and all our partners, community groups and Surrey Hills Enterprises members for exhibiting.
This year’s Harvest event on Sat 17 Sept welcomed hundreds of people to the top of Box Hill to celebrate the outstanding Surrey Hills landscape through the arts. Our connection to each other and the countryside is integral to our mental and physical wellbeing. Harvest aims to bring communities together in the landscape through the arts in an inclusive and diverse environment. The event is a partnership between Surrey Hills Arts, the National Trust and Mole Valley District Council, focusing on connecting us with each other and nature. Harvest is the first event of Landscapes for Life week, an opportunity for us to all celebrate our protected landscapes across the UK.
A striking centrepiece by Diana Burch, ‘Seeds of Hope’, was illuminated at dusk on Donkey Green. This sustainable artwork is made purely from sticks and recycled yarns. The colourful ‘seedpods’ are made up of many smaller ‘cells’, where hundreds of local people, of all ages, backgrounds and abilities have contributed to over the past few months, through workshops supported by Mole Valley District Council and the Surrey Hills National Landscape. The mindful act of binding with the wool encouraged contemplation, as well as an openness with others doing the activity.
In a world that often feels challenging, Seeds of Hope demonstrates a renewal of optimism by connecting us with each other and the natural world. – Diana Burch, Artist
During the Harvest preparations, over 100 Muslim hikers from community hiking group Active Inclusion Network met at Ryka’s Café at the bottom of Box Hill for their first hike in Southern England. This 10-mile hike was facilitated by the Surrey Hills National Landscape team and the National Trust to provide an opportunity for us all to connect, learn about and explore the beautiful Surrey countryside. Active Inclusion Network brings together people across the UK and internationally with a common goal; to champion diversity outdoors. Led by National Trust guides on their Box Hill hike, they had the opportunity to carefully hop across the famous Stepping Stones, and after the challenging steps up to the viewpoint, they could drink in the stunning sights of Box Hill. Their mid-point respite was at Surrey Outdoor Learning and Development (SOLD), where a welcomed vegetarian fire-pit lunch was provided. Upon the conclusion of their hike, the group joined hundreds of local people and communities for Harvest.
As a group trying to bridge the gap between ethnic minority communities and the outdoors, we were so grateful to the Surrey Hills AONB team for reaching out to us. Not just to invite us to the area, but working closely to understand the needs of our community and then working with us over the course of several weeks and months to help us get there. It was such an incredible experience for our community and we can’t wait to return.
– Haroon, Active Inclusion Network
The Harvest event programme began with a vibrant musical set from 5 members of Ukrainian band Atmasfera. These band members are currently living in Surrey as part of the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ programme, and kindly shared their talents to welcome guests to the event. Four poems were recited; ‘Learn from the Oak’ by Elizabeth Barton, ‘Noticed while driving’ by Helen Overell and ‘Poet’s Sonnet on Holmwood Common’. These Mole Valley Poets had created pieces in direct response to this landscape. The final poem by Simon Armitage ‘Floral Bouquet’ was a heartfelt and special recital by Mole Valley District Council’s Councillor, Claire Malcomson, to mark Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s passing.
The voices from over 10 local choirs sung out across the viewpoint, including a round created by Anna Tabbush with the same name as the installation, ‘Seeds of Hope’. The choirs also sang Anna’s song ‘Harbour’, written in response to the refugee crisis and tragedies happening across the UK and world, which had a huge response following its release.
I would like my song to help all those fleeing war zones. Soon we will be welcoming more refugees into our countries and my hope is that my song will help ensure they are met with warmth, compassion, and generosity.
– Anna Tabbush, local composer
Harvest concluded with a breath-taking gentle walk down the famous Zig Zag Road, home of 2012 Olympic road cycling events, which was encouraged to be partaken in thoughtful silence, remembering Her Majesty the Queen. By carrying small lanterns, the attendees celebrated our Dark Skies, one of the many magical sights that the countryside offers. Light pollution not only limits our views of the stars, but also disrupts wildlife patterns and is a signifier of wider energy issues. The procession was a fitting end to a heartfelt, meaningful event.
Photos by Surrey Hills Enterprises member Martin Bamford
Surrey Hills Arts unveils this year’s Heathland Artworks at RSPB Farnham Heath, an annual event running until 30 October. The Heathland Artworks trail is free and open to the public, celebrating the Surrey Hills landscape and its heritage, materials, and craft. Local emerging artists studying Craft, Fine Art, and Textiles at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) have taken inspiration from the wildlife, geology and history of the heath throughout the year to develop a series of 12 temporary artworks nestled within the heathland trail.
The art trail is a unique opportunity to see the heathland in a new way. This year the artworks include ceramic built columns, miniature outdoor paintings, and thermal images of the trees. There is also a piece inspired by the historical act of turf cutting which has shaped this landscape over time. Up at the viewpoint, you can experience Walter Bailey’s House of the Invisible Hands, a Surrey Hills Arts Inspiring View.
The Heathland Artworks trail enables a deep connection to the landscape through art, and a new way to learn about the heathland habitat. The project gives invaluable experience to the artists from UCA by preparing proposals, presenting them to a panel and developing their skills to create and install the artworks. It also presents an excellent tool to promote the beauty and conservation needed to preserve the habitat for wildlife such as Grayling butterflies, Nightjars and Sand Lizards. Farnham Heath is managed by RSPB who have restored the heathland to support the native species.
It’s always exciting to see how different students are inspired by the natural environment through their art. The Heathland Artworks trail is a great way to experience the countryside in a new light and enjoy the artworks in such a special landscape.
Ali Clarke, Programme Manager for Surrey Hills Arts
Download the 2022 Heathland Artworks map here. The trail is open now until 30 October and free to visit.
Horseman’s Sunday returned to the picturesque church of St Martha-on-the-hill for a unique and special event, celebrating horse-riding in the Surrey Hills.
Both horse riders and members of the community on foot gathered at the top of St Martha’s Hill for a beautiful service led by the new vicar, David Oakden. During the short service, he blessed the horses, and they received a commemorative Surrey Hills rosette.
It was a joy to once again welcome horses and riders to the Horseman’s service. This is an historic annual event which acknowledges the work of the horse from long before cars took over the roads. It is a rural service and helps to bring the community together, so what better way than to celebrate the horse and welcome so many people, their dogs and of course horses and ponies, who all stood so patiently to receive their blessing?
Reverand David Oakden
Horseman’s Sunday is embedded in rich history, the first event occurring at Hyde Park in 1967, which still attracts increasing crowds. This was the first Surrey Hills Horseman’s Sunday since 2019 due to the pandemic, and participants were thrilled to be reunited finally for such a meaningful event. This occasion was especially prominent, as part of the celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
A brilliant congregation of horses and over 50 spectators took part in the service, overlooking the stunning landscape.
I really enjoyed being able to attend the service. Seeing the horses line-up outside the church walls was such a spectacle, and what better setting than in the heart of the Surrey Hills. Horseman’s Sunday is a fantastic event to celebrate horses, horse riding and community in the Surrey Hills.
Mark, an attendee of the event
Being a local rider, Horseman’s Sunday brings home how lucky we are to be able to ride in the beautiful Surrey Hills. To be able to ride right up to the top of St Martha’s Hill for the service, where our faithful horses were honoured and blessed, connected us with all those generations before us. It meant so much for us all, as we looked down on the rolling countryside below, to live in such a lovely part of the world.
Maggie, a horse-rider who took part in the service
Not only does Horseman’s Sunday celebrate horse-riding in the Surrey Hills, but also looks help enable all our communities to connect with their passion for horses. After the service, a collection was made of kind donations to go towards the running and protection of the historic St Martha’s Church, and for local charity Big Leaf Foundation. Big Leaf supports displaced young people in providing opportunities and activities to increase their sense of safety, belonging and purpose in their new environment. The Surrey Hills have been working on a variety of projects with Big Leaf during the last few months, including taking part in the Nature Connections programme, to welcome and connect people with nature. The collections made at Horseman’s Sunday will go towards their equestrian programme which gives displaced young people the chance to spend time with horses- developing skills in communication, coaching, horsemanship and English language.
The Surrey Hills has great pride in the committed equestrian communities that enjoy and help protect the landscape. Later in 2022, the Surrey Hills will be launching a new website which features high quality equestrian routes for all to enjoy. They will also utilise support from their conservation volunteers to help keep the trails safe and protect surrounding habitat.
Visit the webpage here for more information on horse-riding and hacking trails across the Surrey Hills.
Surrey Hills Arts are delighted to announce that the Optohedron by Will Nash has won the Guildford Design Award for public art. Alison Clarke from Surrey Hills Arts and artist Will Nash were joined by Mayor Marsha Moseley and Chair of the judges, Peter Coleman at the ceremony.
The Optohedron can be found on the North Downs Way near to Newlands Corner in the Surrey Hills.
This follows the fantastic news that Surrey Hills Arts has also been awarded funding for their ‘Habitat’ pilot project. Will Nash will be one amongst a handful of artists and ecologists that will work together to create a green zone on campus at the University of Surrey. This project will also work to engage local communities in building innovative habitats to support local species. To support this work further, you can ‘like’ Habitat on Your Fund Surrey, to help secure funding for the future of the project.
