Category: Enterprises News

With stress, anxiety and depression more prevalent than ever amongst the modern workforce, the focus of businesses on the wellbeing of their employees is more important than ever before.

Particularly relevant in light of the upcoming Mental Health Awareness Week 2022 (9^th-15^th May), corporate wellness initiatives can play a vital role in creating a more positive working environment and a more resilient workforce, something that is beneficial to both the individuals themselves and the business as a whole.

With the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) able to provide a stunningly beautiful countryside setting and a wealth of high quality independent businesses working sustainably to offer an array of wellness experiences, corporates should consider the Surrey Hills as a destination when looking to enhance employee wellbeing. Whether it be through team building activities, community volunteering, mindfulness, opportunities to get outside and into nature, to learn a new skill or something more unusual, Community Interest Company, Surrey Hills Enterprises’ new ‘Corporate Activities, Meetings and Experiences in the Surrey Hills’ guide covers the very best of these options and more within the Surrey Hills AONB.

Shown to improve productivity, focus and creativity, working together as a team outside of the usual work or office environment can help to build bonds and create a more cohesive working group. Learning a new skill can be one way of attaining this – and a sense of achievement in the meantime. Hedges & Hurdles Country Skills & Crafts offer a variety of courses for both individuals and groups in heritage skills and crafts, such as coppicing, willow craft and bushcraft. Ideal for taking a break from screens and enjoying a digital detox, courses are held in beautiful woodland locations across the Surrey Hills and its surrounds, including Birtley Woodland Art’s Space in Bramley, Priory Farm Estate in South Nutfield or Sussex Prairie Gardens, near Henfield.

Those looking instead to learn the art of mindfulness could consider an experience with The Forest Bathing Institute (TFBI), also featured in the new guide. An international organisation launched by a Surrey Hills husband and wife team, TFBI helps people improve their mental health and wellbeing by harnessing the benefits of nature, by immersing them in natural settings. With mindfulness having been shown to positively help to manage stress, such experiences can have a powerful impact on the morale of staff, lifting moods, providing a much-needed wellbeing boost and restoring mental energy of a fatigued workforce – particularly useful following periods of intense pressure and stress, such as key deadlines or busy periods of the year. With half and full day events available, as well as team building weekends, there are options to suit all company types and needs.

The family-owned Health & Wellbeing Centre, Surrey Hills Physiotherapy, offers a wide variety of bespoke classes, both in their beautiful studio in The Barn at the heart of Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking, or virtually online. Choose from a range of specialist professional instructors and teaching styles to best suit the team’s requirements, from Pilates to Barre, Tai Chi to Yoga. These calming classes can provide the ideal option for setting a workplace wellness challenge or a regular ‘Wellness Wednesday’ team activity. With one-off wellbeing days or retreats also available, activities can be combined to create a bespoke package, with dining options in the Vineyard Restaurant or overnight stays in The Denbies Vineyard Hotel next door, wine tastings, cycle tours and more.

Active teams may choose instead to explore the great outdoors, with many associated benefits. Spending time in green spaces has been shown to reduce cortisol levels in the body and in turn stress levels, as well as improve energy, increase happiness, create connections and even reduce inflammation. A University of Michigan study also found that group nature walks were linked with enhanced positivity and mental health, reducing occurrences of depression and stress-related disorders. Corporate groups inspired to harness these health benefits could look to Back on Track, a Surrey Hills’ company that provides guided group hikes and walks with drink and dine experiences. Led by Simone, a qualified hiking guide and fitness coach, and working collaboratively with other Surrey Hills Enterprises members, Back on Track offers experiences such as a Silent Pool walk with a gin distillery tour and tasting or Surrey Hills walk and biryani on the patio at Mandira’s Kitchen, as well as more strenuous adventures such as the Surrey Three Peaks Hike with a pub finish.

Improved wellness does not, however, only have to be found in physical or fitness challenges. Doing something good for a cause or giving back to the community can also provide just as many benefits for the body and mind. The Wey & Arun Canal Trust, a registered charity restoring London’s lost route to sea, offer bespoke canal cruises and corporate volunteering days, where teams can get involved with vital conservation work, from restoration to clearing towpaths, painting lock furniture and tree planting. Providing the change of scenery much craved by those teams that feel disconnected due to the pandemic or those who now work remotely, spending time on or close by the canal can improve mental wellbeing whilst giving back, providing a sense of achievement and positivity.

Corporate groups looking for something a little unusual in the Surrey Hills should take part in a Llama Trekking experience with the Merry Harriers in Hambledon. Expect the unexpected whilst walking with the friendly herd of 12 Llamas, the perfect companions to an exploration of the Surrey Hills AONB – whatever the weather! With the chance to learn interesting facts about these beautiful animals and enjoy a picturesque picnic in their company, teams will have the opportunity to bond with the creatures and each other and let their laughter release important endorphins. This quirky experience would work brilliantly as a staff reward, making individuals feel appreciated and cared for, also combined with an overnight stay in a stunning shepherd’s hut or garden room.

The new ‘Corporate Activities, Meetings and Experiences in the Surrey Hills’ guide from Surrey Hills Enterprises features these and many more activities and is a brilliant resource for companies planning to enhance their staff wellness offering. To learn more and to read the new Corporate Guide, visit: https://surreyhills.org/corporate-meetings-incentives-and-events-in-the-surrey-hills. 

Surrey Hills Enterprises and Inchcape UK’s Lexus Guildford are delighted to announce the renewal of their partnership which aims to build a thriving rural business community and strengthen sustainability within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The corporate partnership, which was first launched in 2019, was renewed this month in a positive move that sees the luxury car retailer continue to grow its relationship with Community Interest Company, Surrey Hills Enterprises.

With support from Lexus Guildford, Surrey Hills Enterprises works with local businesses to promote, protect and enhance the Surrey Hills, whilst also awarding the ‘Trade Mark Surrey Hills’, a mark of local provenance and quality granted to those businesses that actively work to support the local environment.

The joining forces of the two organisations reflects their key shared values: a sustainable future for the Surrey Hills and inspiring others to enjoy the outdoors and explore more widely.

Speaking on the partnership, Wendy Preston, General Manager of Lexus Guildford, said:

“I am delighted that Lexus Guildford is continuing the partnership with Surrey Hills Enterprises and reinforces our joint commitment to sustainability. As one of the world’s leading car manufacturers, Lexus takes our responsibility to help protect the environment very seriously. We are creating vehicles which have as little impact as possible on the natural world around us. It is important to us to find cleaner, sustainable ways of making vehicles and disposing of them when they reach the end of their useful life.”

In order to address global environmental issues such as climate change, water shortages, resource depletion and loss of biodiversity, Lexus is promoting measures based on six challenges, aiming to reduce the negative environmental impacts of manufacturing and driving vehicles as close to zero as possible, making net positive impacts on society.

The all-new Lexus NX450h+ Plug-In Vehicle (pictured) is available as Self-Charging and Plug-In Hybrid powertrains which have been developed using Lexus’ extensive knowledge of pioneering electrification experience. The halo plug – in model in the new NX range features a four-cylinder 2.5-litre hybrid engine and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.  It has an EV driving range of in excess of 40miles enabling all-electric driving at speeds up to 83 mph. The NX 450h+ benefits from low BIK taxation while offering the reassurance of self-charging hybrid power when the battery is depleted.

Lexus has received the What Car? Reliability Award for a third year in succession, acknowledging its continued success in the magazine’s annual Reliability Survey, along with the NX450h+ vehicle being voted the What Car? 2022 best plug-in vehicle of the year.

Visiting Wendy Preston at the company’s Guildford showroom at Slyfield Green alongside Wendy Varcoe MBE, Executive Director of Surrey Hills Enterprises, Simon Whalley, Chairman of Surrey Hills Enterprises, said:

“We are delighted to have the chance to continue our partnership with the Lexus Guildford team. The partnership is hugely important to Surrey Hills Enterprises in the work that we do to support rural businesses and local communities within the Surrey Hills. To partner with a business that shares our sustainability values is key and we are thrilled that Lexus Guildford are such trailblazers in this respect. A huge thank you to Wendy Preston and her team at Lexus Guildford for their continued support.”

To learn more about Surrey Hills Enterprises, visit: www.surreyhillsenterprises.co.uk.

For more information on Inchcape, visit www.inchcape.co.uk.

For more information about Lexus Guildford, visit  www.lexus.co.uk/guildford.

The Allianz Tree Planting Day, held on Friday 25^th February at Knowle Park in Cranleigh, saw 1,000 trees and shrubs planted as part of a new scheme to enhance the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and increase regional sustainability.

Held to celebrate the successful efforts of Allianz Insurance – one of the largest general insurers in the UK – in reducing their paper use as a business, including having removed 75% of their printers, the special tree planting event saw staff from the Guildford Head Office come together to help plant the native trees and shrubs.

Part of the Surrey Hills Corporate Champions programme, run by Community Interest Company, Surrey Hills Enterprises in partnership with charitable trust, Surrey Hills Society, the Allianz tree planting is the first corporate event of its kind, marking the first time an organisation has become involved in this pivotal programme to give back to the Surrey Hills AONB.

The Allianz tree planting day took place at Knowle Park, a new 60-acre public park and community project in Cranleigh, run by the Knowle Park Trust charity. Across three different planting sessions, Allianz staff donned their boots, rolled up their sleeves and got involved in digging and planting the native tree and shrub species that included English Oak, Sweet Chestnut, Black Cherry Plum, Scots Pine and Wild Crab Apple seedlings.

The area planted will be known as the ‘Allianz Copse’ and marked with a routed wooden sign, handmade by Deej Carter of Carving Designs, a local company based in Ewhurst. The trees and shrubs will be managed and maintained by Knowle Park Trust for the benefit of the community and future generations.

Attended by the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux, the planting day was a great success and a huge amount of fun for Allianz staff, as well as being an important landmark event in promoting a sustainable future for the Surrey Hills.

Michael More-Molyneux, the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, commented:

“I applaud this excellent partnership between Surrey Hills Enterprises and Allianz, with the objective to plant more trees and to improve the environment and sustainability of our county. This is Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year, and one of the major parts of the celebration is the planting of the Queen’s Green Canopy across the country, calling on individuals and organisations alike to plant trees for the beauty of the countryside, and as an everlasting reminder of The Queen’s service to our country.  I applaud both organisations on their forethought and concern for our environment.”

Commenting on the tree planting, Carolyn Rich, Head of Brand Marketing and Social Responsibility at Allianz, said:

“Allianz employees care very much about the environment and it was great to get together to do something that is both symbolic and practical. We all get 20 volunteering hours a year and more than 120 colleagues used part of that time to plant these trees and secure the future of this area of natural beauty.”

Following the Allianz Tree Planting Day, Wendy Varcoe MBE, Executive Director of Surrey Hills Enterprises, commented:

“It was truly inspiring to see the staff of Allianz gather for the tree planting event at Knowle Park, celebrating their fantastic achievement in reducing their use of paper is a business, whilst in turn pledging their support for a sustainable future for the Surrey Hills. We are sure their efforts will prove to be an inspiration for many.”

The corporate event follows the success of the first public Champions tree planting day last November, which saw 50 individual Surrey Hills Champions plant a new 50-metre long native hedgerow at Clandon Wood Nature Reserve in West Clandon. Champions – both individual and corporate – play an important role in protecting the Surrey Hills AONB for future generations, aiding nature recovery and supporting local wildlife to thrive.

For a donation of £25, those with a love of the Surrey Hills can sign up to become a Surrey Hills Champion, meaning they too can have the chance to attend a special tree planting day to have a sapling planted in their name, as well as receiving access to special offers with sustainable Surrey Hills businesses, exclusive events and updates.

To learn more about becoming a Surrey Hills Champion, visit: www.surreyhills.org/surreyhillschampion.

Whether you’re having a cosy night in or planning a lavish night out, Valentine’s Day is the ideal opportunity to buy local, showing love for the Surrey Hills whilst delighting someone special with locally-made goodies.

Surrey Hills Enterprises, the membership organisation that works to support local businesses and develop a thriving rural Surrey Hills economy, is encouraging people to shop locally ahead of 14^th February this year, as part of their campaign to ‘Buy 1 in 5’. They’re asking people to take a self-motivated pledge to make at least one in every five of their purchases from a Surrey Hills based business.

The Surrey Hills offers a bounty of products to add a touch of romance to this year’s Valentine’s Day and by shopping locally, consumers will be giving back to the Surrey Hills economy, supporting individual artisans and reducing the carbon footprint of products that they’re buying, all whilst purchasing special, handcrafted products, often made with local materials and ingredients from individuals and companies close by.

Those looking to shop in the Surrey Hills this Valentine’s Day, should consider these locally-made products from Surrey Hills Enterprises members:

Guildford-based natural skincare company, Puremess has created the Romantic Retreat bundle, ideal for those looking to relax and cosy up this Valentine’s Day. Containing a beautiful hand-poured Soy Wax candle with Sweet Orange, Bergamot and Lavender essential oils for relaxation, a mineral-rich Rose Clay Mask to naturally enrich skin and a box of four unique chocolates from Sweet C’s Chocolates. Priced at £30.

Chimney Fire Coffee has teamed up with Ranmore Common neighbour, Ranmore Candle Co., to produce the perfect gift for the coffee lover.

The Coffee Candle Care Pack includes a special candle infused with Chimney Fire Coffee’s directly-sourced El Salvador El Cipres, to create a sweet, subtle coffee fragrance, as well as a bag of El Salvador coffee, plus a bag of Brazil Signature Espresso and a Chimney Fire Coffee tote bag. Priced at £35.

The Surrey Copper Distillery is an independent craft distillery based in Cranleigh distilling a distinctive library of spirits inspired by history and reflecting the essence of England.

They have created the premium Copperfield and Merchant’s Heart Mini Gift Pack, containing three Copperfield Dry Gins (3 x 50 ml) with their perfect pairings of Merchant’s Heart Spirit Enhancers. Priced at £24.95.

Greyfriars Vineyard in Puttenham has teamed up with Kokoh Chocolate to offer two Valentine’s gift sets this 14^th February. The Rose Reserve 2018 gift set (£43.99) or the “X” Blanc de Noirs 2017 (£52) combines a bottle of the premium wine alongside two Greyfriars branded sparkling wine flutes and two bars of decadent, handmade local chocolate, presented in a beautiful Surrey Hills gift box.

Creating sumptuous handcrafted chocolates made with single origin beans, Sweet C’s has put together a tempting Valentines Chocolate Hamper to bring some decadence to a loved one this year.

With specially selected handcrafted chocolates in a valentine gift box, heart shaped lollies in ruby and white chocolate, a treat bag of mini hearts with romantic messages, an I LOVE CHOCOLATE mug with hot chocolate and two bars of their most popular couverture Colombian chocolate in milk and dark, all presented in a wrapped gift hamper. Priced at £35.

Adam Aaronson Glass Studio produces stunning individual glass pieces from his studio in West Horsley. Each piece in is unique and original, created using traditional glassblowing methods, inspired by a love of nature, the play of light on water and the landscape. Making for the ideal thoughtful gifts, there is a wide range to choose from, including this Lavender Fields Heart, priced at £55.

Artisan, Rosanna Clare, works with leather to create a wide range of products for the home, for her and for him, including leather bags and accessories. The Waterproof Canvas & Leather Wash Bag for him, made with a combination of waterproof 12oz canvas cotton and quality leather for a stylish and modern design. Priced at £45.

Spoil the man in your life with the Men’s Traditional Suede Leather Slippers from MateusMonique, the eco-friendly and vegan accessories company. Traditional, comfy and super light, these leather slippers for men are handmade from 100% leather upper and inner, perfect for year-round use and the ideal replacement for artificial, plastic slippers.

Horny Pants range of premium bamboo underwear and organic cotton tshirts for him and her are the perfect gift for a loved one.

With 10% from sales supporting endangered wildlife, through their work with the Born Free Foundation and the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, the products are comfortable, environmentally sound and stylish. Buy the Black Horny Pants for Men for £25.

Making premium rums in the Surrey Hills, Ripping Yarns Distillery is a family business covering the whole rum-making process, from fermentation to bottling, or from ‘molasses to glass’. Their award-winning Premium Golden Spiced Rum (£42.99) is twice pot-distilled and then gently infused with a carefully chosen blend of botanicals and spices. An easy sipping Rum that can also be enjoyed with a mixer or as part of a cocktail, it is lightly spiced so that the rum spirit can still shine through.

The Acorn Earrings from Oddie & Hope make for the perfect nature-inspired Valentine’s gift. Beautiful white freshwater pearls set in sterling silver hand textured acorn caps with a twisted wire ‘stem’, hung onto sterling silver gently textured hoops, they can be worn with the acorn or on their own.

A beautiful silk scarf is a classic choice for a loved one, something to last a lifetime, and those from Kate Lloyd are truly exceptional. Created using images taken by Kate herself and inspired by horses and the natural world, such as reflections in water, stunning leaves or the calming sea, each scarf has its own story and is presented in a gift box with fully recyclable packaging. The Square Shadow Horse Silk Scarf, featuring a limited edition printed image, is priced at £120.

Nourish and Glow Drinks’ Ceremonial Cacao contains 40 times the antioxidants of blueberries, more calcium than cow’s milk and magnesium for a healthy heart and brain.

This vegan drink is luxurious and a natural mood elevator, created from hand shaved Cacao Paste – as unprocessed as you can get. A delicious treat this Valentine’s Day, it’s a wonderful choice for the person that has everything.

To discover more brilliant businesses in the Surrey Hills, visit: www.surreyhills.org/local-businesses.

 

 

Christmas is a time for giving and, this Christmas, one local woman has helped provide more than a little festive cheer to many through her work to produce a very special advent calendar – the Surrey Hills Advent Calendar.

Gemma Cockrell from Guildford has collated 25 gifts from Surrey Hills-based businesses that are fellow members of Surrey Hills Enterprises – a support network for local businesses that works to develop a thriving rural economy – as part of a unique advent calendar to be gifted to 50 carefully chosen, lucky recipients. From charity organisations within the Surrey Hills, to notable individuals particularly deserving of a festive treat, the advent calendar has been created as a way for businesses to give back this Christmas.

Founder of natural skincare company, Puremess, Gemma was named as this year’s Surrey Hills Gold Trademark winner for her work collaborating with other local businesses and in supporting the local community, presented by Sally Ashford of Charles Russell Speechlys, Surrey Hills Enterprises’ Corporate Partner.

Earlier this year, Gemma worked with other Surrey Hills Enterprises’ members to produce a Key Worker Care Pack to give back to NHS staff who had worked tirelessly during the pandemic.

As part of her ongoing work to support the community, Gemma decided to create the Surrey Hills Advent Calendar as a way of spreading the love for local this Christmas, to demonstrate what the Surrey Hills has to offer in terms of independent businesses, products and services.

Presented in a beautiful Christmas box, the advent calendars contain a wide range of festive treats for the lucky recipients, including candles, jewellery, skincare, vouchers for experiences, ornaments, chocolates, crafts, fudge and glass pieces, all generously gifted from independent artisans within the Surrey Hills and with a retail value of over £350 each. Numbered presents will be drawn out each day by the individual or organisation gifted an advent calendar, providing a festive treat and an insight into a special Surrey Hills Enterprises’ business each day in the run-up to Christmas.

This huge project, of coordinating the different small businesses that were to contribute, was something that Gemma worked tirelessly on, with lots of late nights spent collating the items and working with the other Surrey Hills Enterprises’ members to finalise all the worthy recipients. The resulting beautiful offering has been presented to a wide array of individuals and Surrey Hills’-based organisations, including worthy local charity recipients such as Cherry Trees, Shooting Star Children’s Hospices and Re:work. The Surrey Hills Enterprises’ members involved in the project, personally presented a box to a chosen recipient – an emotional moment, with the boxes being very gratefully received.

Gemma said: “Working alongside such an array of inspiring Surrey Hills Enterprises’ members to create this beautiful Surrey Hills Advent Calendar has been a real labour of love. It is wonderful to be able to share those businesses and their amazing products and services with the recipients as part of a month of decadent treats, whilst giving back to the community that has supported us all, as small local businesses, during the pandemic. Made with love and passion for the area in which we all live, it has been a truly special project.”

The Surrey Hills Advent Calendar is part of Surrey Hills Enterprises’ campaign to inspire local people to support local through their ‘1 in 5 Pledge’, urging consumers to buy at least 1 in every 5 of their purchases this Christmas from a Surrey Hills based business. By taking the 1 in 5 Pledge, people can be assured that they are not only supporting individual small businesses and their families, but also helping to boost both environmental sustainability – reducing the carbon footprint of the items they purchase – and supporting the local economy.

Shopping locally this Christmas also ensures that consumers can track the provenance of the products they buy, with many businesses offering the chance to visit their premises for tours and tastings, providing insight into the behind-the-scenes process and ingredients used and, ultimately, a closer connection to the gifts that we are buying. Find out more at: www.surreyhills.org/enterprises/surrey-hills-virtual-artisan-market.

To learn more about membership and the work of Surrey Hills Enterprises, visit: www.surreyhillsenterprises.co.uk.

To learn more about Puremess, visit: www.puremess.co.uk.

Advent Calendar Contents:

INZHO – Soy Wax tealight

Horny Pants – Horny Pants Voucher

Delightfully Decadent – Biscoff Fudge

Abinger Stained Glass – Mini stained glass window ornament and a fused star

Silver Anvil Jewellery – Sterling silver pin

binary botanical – Bottle of botanical beer

Puremess – Lip balm and mini sleep balm

Silent Pool Distillers – Mini Silent Pool Gin

Flourishing Health – Voucher

Chimney Fire Coffee – Taster pack of coffee

Long Acre Preserves – Jam

Lorraine Clifton Ceramics – Ceramic Christmas decoration

Sian T. Photography – Voucher

Sally Rule – Candle

Mandira’s Kitchen – Spice Sachet

Naked Nanny Hand Made Soap – Soap

Surrey Outdoor Learning & Development (SOLD) – Voucher

Sweet C’s Chocolates – Bar of Christmas chocolate

Ruth Wheeler – Aromatherapy oil

Oddie & Hope – Sterling Silver earrings

Rewards Dog Training – Voucher

Hedges & Hurdles – Hedges and Hurdles Voucher

Adam Aaronson Glass Studio – Hand blown glass bauble

Sarah Cox (sjcoxart) – Voucher

Packhouse – Radiator room scenter sachet

The first Surrey Hills Champions’ Tree Planting Day, held on Sunday 21^st November at Clandon Wood Nature Reserve in West Clandon, kick-started the planting of many new trees and hedgerows within the Surrey Hills, supported by the community themselves.

 

The event, the first of its kind, was held as a celebration of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and of those local people who have pledged their support for a sustainable future for the region by signing up to become a Surrey Hills Champion.

The Surrey Hills Champions initiative was launched by Surrey Hills Enterprises in June this year as part of their work as a Community Interest Company that promotes, protects and enhances the Surrey Hills AONB, as a way for residents of the Surrey Hills to take a more active role in the protection, support and care for their environment and community. Part of the Surrey Hills Champions’ annual £25 subscription contributes to the planting of trees in the Surrey Hills, as well as giving them access to special offers

The Champions’ Tree Planting Day, sponsored by Squires Garden Centres and EnterpriseM3, was the first special event held for Surrey Hills Champions, attended by 50 Champions, alongside Surrey Hills Enterprises’ Corporate Partners Charles Russell Speechlys, Azets, Citywide Financial and Lexus Guildford.

Starting the day with a welcome glass of Surrey Hills’ wine from Greyfriars Vineyard or beer from Binary Botanical in the stunning Glass Pavilion of Clandon Wood, Champions were treated to a delicious Surrey Hills lunch, prepared with produce from Hill House Farm, Dorking – all local businesses awarded the Surrey Hills Trademark, a mark of local quality, provenance and sustainability.

Following the lunch, the group then took the short walk to the tree planting site within the nature reserve, where Champions were guided to play their part in planting a new 50-metre long native hedgerow, the ideal habitat in which to support local wildlife and encourage nature recovery. Taking a shovel, Surrey Hills Champions were presented with a sapling to plant in the pre-prepared soil, aided by Surrey Hills Enterprises’ planting partners, the Surrey Hills Society, represented on the day by Gordon Jackson and Christa Emmett.

Commenting on the tree planting, Sarah Squire, Chairman of Squire’s Garden Centres, said:

“We are so pleased to be a part of this fantastic initiative which supports and encourages nature recovery in the Surrey Hills. We all know how important hedgerows are to birds, insects, hedgehogs small mammals and a host of other living creatures as well as the carbon capture, a function they share with all plants. I would like to applaud Surrey Hills Enterprises and the Surrey Hills Society on this initiative, not just because planting hedges is a good thing to do, but also in the way they bring businesses, individuals and groups together.”

Once 300 saplings were successfully planted, the session concluded with a warming cup of tea or coffee and Surrey Hills’ cake from The Cookie Bar back in the beautiful Pavilion. Here, there was also the chance to meet some of the Surrey Hills’ most sustainable businesses in person and learn more about building a business successfully and sustainability within the Surrey Hills, particularly timely in light of the recent United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26).

Following the Tree Planting Day, Wendy Varcoe MBE, Executive Director of Surrey Hills Enterprises, commented:

“It was wonderful and inspiring to see the Surrey Hills Champions gather for the very first tree planting event this weekend. With so many members of the community rolling up their sleeves and getting involved, pledging their support for the local area, we look forward to the event being the first of many, paving the way for a more sustainable future for the Surrey Hills.”

To find out more about becoming a Surrey Hills Champion, or how to buy a Champions subscription as a gift, visit: www.surreyhills.org/surreyhillschampion.

The Surrey Hills Sustainable Business Conference, held on Friday 22 October at Pennyhill Park Hotel & Spa, sparked important discussion and debate around how businesses in Surrey can contribute to a more sustainable outlook for the county.

With a theme of ‘Zeroing in on a Sustainable Future’, the significant and timely conference was organised by Surrey Hills Enterprises – the Community Interest Company that works with local businesses to support the rural economy and promote, protect and enhance the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) – and hosted by Pennyhill Park Hotel & Spa, the 5-star luxury Bagshot hotel and destination spa.

The prestigious hotel provided the ideal backdrop to proceedings, with a full and varied programme of presentations from informative speakers to inspire and engage the audience to recover, grow and thrive in a more sustainable way, accompanied by refreshments throughout the day from local Surrey Hills’ producers and businesses.

Michael More-Molyneux, the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey and Patron of Surrey Hills Enterprises, formally opened the pivotal conference, and those attending were then welcomed by Chairman of Surrey Hills Enterprises, Simon Whalley, who later commented:

“With the Surrey Hills Sustainable Business Conference, it was important for us to showcase solutions from forward-thinking businesses, providing real life examples of initiatives that achieve both business success and deliver on sustainability goals. This pivotal conference has not only demonstrated that it is not either/or, but that the key to future business success will be to harness a greener approach and use it to pave a more sustainable future for both the business itself and Surrey as a whole.”

Speakers for the morning session of the conference included Andrew Griffiths, Chair of IoD National Sustainability Taskforce and Director of Community & Partnerships at PlanetMark who made the practical business case for sustainability and Danny Pecorelli, Managing Director of the Exclusive Collection, of which Pennyhill Park is a part, about the Pennyhill Park experience of using local produce in their restaurants and the importance of the Circular Economy.

Following the first session, there was a chance for attendees to visit the exhibitors’ stands, which showcased sustainable business practices, to obtain inspiration for their own future sustainability steps and to network.

The second half of the morning session featured four exemplar speakers: Adam Dobson, Global Sales Director of Silent Pool Distillers who spoke about launching a sustainable product internationally; Mark Lebus, Founder of LC Energy Ltd addressing the room on the Roadmap to Net Zero; 6^th-generation farmer, Angus Stovold from Lydling Farm, talking on Surrey Hills Landscape Restoration and farmers collaborating to deliver natural capital investment across the Surrey Hills; and Ian Jones from Hill House Farm about Sustainable Food Production.

A break for lunch was held in the hotel’s Hillfield Restaurant, where attendees sampled sustainable local produce from within the Surrey Hills provided by Surrey Hills Enterprises’ members, including beef from Provenance Cuts, pork from Hill House Farm, micro greens from Eden Greens, bread from Chalk Hills Bakery, ice cream from Moooh Ice Cream and ‘Noor’ white wine from Greyfriars Vineyard.

The afternoon session featured key industry speakers, including Carol Miller encouraging businesses to enter the Crest 22 Business Awards, Surrey’s sustainable business awards, run to celebrate excellence in sustainability within the county; and Jennie Pell, Clean Growth Sector Specialist at Enterprise M3, and Carolyn McKenzie, Director for Environment at Surrey County Council, speaking about the funding available to Surrey businesses for sustainable practices. The conference closed with reflections and key actions by Peter Martin, Board Director at Surrey Hills Enterprises and thoughts from Helyn Clack, Chairman of Surrey County Council.

During interactive Q&A sessions at the end of each section of the conference, the speakers encouraged excellent questions from within the audience, generating important discussions around key topics. At the close, attendees were able to take away valuable tips and ideas to grow their own businesses in a more sustainable fashion and useful new contacts within the Surrey Hills business community. The Surrey Hills Sustainable Business Conference 2021 inspired and engaged the local business attendees and sparked wider consideration and debate around key topics on how to grow greener – something that was proved to be essential, not just for a more sustainable future but also for future business success.

To learn more about Surrey Hills Enterprises and the services that they offer to support local businesses, visit: www.surreyhillsenterprises.co.uk.

Surrey Hills Enterprises has announced Puremess as the winner of the 2021 Gold Trade Mark Surrey Hills Award.  The Gold Award is made to a Surrey Hills Trade Mark member who has particularly excelled in their dedication towards improving environmental sustainability, collaboration with other Surrey Hills businesses and in improving the rural economy.

The coveted award was presented at the Surrey Hills Annual Members Celebration, hosted by Surrey Hills Enterprises member, Surrey Outdoor Learning and Development (SOLD), at their beautiful 56-acre High Ashurst site on Box Hill.

Upon receiving the award, Founder of Puremess, Gemma Cockrell said:

“It is an absolute honour and an amazing surprise to win this award in recognition of our dedication towards improving environmental sustainability, supporting the local community during lockdown and our collaborative support for other Surrey Hills businesses. Sustainability and wellbeing are at the forefront of my priorities and, being a small business, it’s absolutely incredible to have our efforts recognised and awarded.”

Puremess is a natural skincare company, based in Guildford, which produces a range of beautiful handmade products that promote well-balanced and healthy glowing skin, using only nature’s finest ingredients.

Earlier this year, Gemma produced a Key Worker Care Pack, designed as a gift of wellness for frontline key workers, to help alleviate some of the pressure and stress that they were facing with the Coronavirus pandemic and allow them to take some time to look after themselves. Working jointly with other Surrey Hills Enterprises members, the care pack was a great success and an example of the charitable nature and collaborative approach of Puremess as a company and Gemma Cockrell as a Founder.

Gemma went on to say:

“Each local small business that Puremess have collaborated with is extraordinary and inspiring, and most importantly captures the same values that we hold. It’s such a privilege to be part of this truly talented bunch of individuals and we can’t wait to continue joining forces with these wonderful businesses!”

Alongside other collaborations with other small, local businesses, Gemma is looking forward to further expanding the Puremess range by developing even more sustainable beauty products and moving closer to a greener future. It is a vision that is shared by Surrey Hills Enterprises.

Wendy Varcoe MBE, Executive Director of Surrey Hills Enterprises congratulated Puremess on being the 2021 recipient of the Gold Award:

“We are delighted to commend Puremess on their Gold Trade Mark Surrey Hills Award. The Award has been created to recognise their exemplary work in environmental sustainability and support for the Surrey Hills and other local producers and Gemma is a very worthy winner of this year’s award.”

Whilst there is only one Gold Award winner, Surrey Hills Enterprises is proud of all their members for their extensive contributions to sustainability, collaboration and support of the Surrey Hills.

To find out more about Membership, Trade Mark businesses and the role that Surrey Hills Enterprises plays in developing the rural economy and tourism contact Maggie Howell on maggie@surreyhillsenterprises.co.uk or call 01423 661150.

Those looking to learn more about traditional wood crafts and enjoy an immersive day out in the woods, should book to visit the Surrey Hills Wood Fair 2021, being held at Fish Pond Copse, within Cranleigh Showground on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 September.

A fascinating and educational day out, full of rural charm and fun for all the family, the event will cover a whole host of countryside pursuits, including woodland walks, saw mill demonstrations, apple pressing, flying hawk displays, tree climbing, hedge making, axe throwing and bark painting. Taking place in a magnificent setting amongst woodlands and fields, with easy access from Cranleigh, spend time outdoors in the fresh air in the company of family and friends.

Organised by Surrey Hills Enterprises, the Community Interest Company that works with local businesses to support the rural economy and promote, protect and enhance the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the event is part of a range of activities and events put on throughout the year.

The perfect late summer day out, the Surrey Hills Wood Fair provides the chance to celebrate the heritage and beauty of the woodlands of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Smell the wood smoke, see master craftspeople in action and get involved in woodland demonstrations and wood-related games and activities under the canopy of the ancient English woodland.

Children of all ages can try their hand at fire making, whittling, den building, archery, stoneage art, carving and more. Alongside the interactive activities and demonstrations, there will be handmade wood-crafted products from local artisans available to purchase, live music and a wide selection of delicious food and drink on offer from Surrey Hills’ producers.

The Surrey Hills Wood Fair 2021 is the perfect fit for Surrey, the most wooded county in England, with 40% of the Surrey Hills AONB itself covered by woodland, of which some 14% is designated as ancient woodland. Showcasing Surrey artisans, woodland management and the important local environment, learn more about the benefits of woodlands for both the planet and wellness and our Surrey Hills heritage, whilst supporting local independent businesses and skilled artisans in the process.

The Surrey Hills Wood Fair 2021 will take place from 10am to 5pm on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 September at Fish Pond Copse, Bookhurst Road, Cranleigh. Tickets are priced at £7.50 when booked in advance or £10 on the gate, with free entry for children under 12. Advance ticket sales close at 12 noon on Friday 10 September. Free parking on site and friendly dogs welcome on leads.

For more information and to book tickets, visit: www.surreyhills.org/events/surrey-hills-wood-fair-2021.

Surrey Hills Enterprises, the Community Interest Company that supports independent local businesses and a thriving rural economy within the Surrey Hills, is delighted to announce that they are now working with Squire’s Garden Centres, the family-owned independent business with 16 garden centres, 11 of which are located in Surrey and the rest in surrounding counties.
The new partnership will enable Surrey Hills Enterprises to launch two exciting new initiatives to further raise awareness of the array of exceptional businesses within the Surrey Hills, whilst protecting the precious landscape of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

There is much synergy to be found between the two organisations, with a shared passion for excellence, the local community, and a commitment to making better choices for the environment. Part of the Surrey Hills AONB family, Surrey Hills Enterprises has the core values of sustainability, quality and local provenance at its heart, all of which are echoed by Squire’s Garden Centres, through their community initiatives as well as their support of local producers and developing environmental programme.

Some 80% of their plants are grown in Britain, many very locally, ensuring their stock is as fresh as possible and reducing the carbon footprint of the plants on sale, from nursery to garden centre.

Following the announcement that Surrey Hills Enterprises will be working in conjunction with Squire’s, Simon Whalley, Chairman of Surrey Hills Enterprises, says:

“We are absolutely thrilled to be working alongside Squire’s Garden Centres. We really value their support of Surrey Hills Enterprises’ members, the local community and a sustainable future for the Surrey Hills AONB, through the shared work that we will doing together. It is an exciting time to forge the relationship and we are extremely proud to be partnering with Squire’s on the forthcoming initiatives.”

Founded in 1936 by D.J. Squire as a nursery and landscape gardening company, and developing into one of the UK’s first garden centre businesses, Squire’s is celebrating 85 years of service this year and is still a family-run business, with D.J. Squire’s granddaughter, Sarah Squire, the Chairman of the company today.

Speaking of the new partnership with Surrey Hills Enterprises, Sarah Squire, Chairman of Squire’s Garden Centres, says:

“We are very excited to become partners with Surrey Hills Enterprises. As a local family business, we understand how important local provenance, quality products, community and sustainability are to our customers, and it is these values that run through our business. We are looking forward to working with Surrey Hills Enterprises on an ongoing basis, and to launch two exciting new initiatives with them this year, which will further raise the awareness of all the amazing local businesses that are located in this very beautiful and very special area.”

Squire’s has 16 garden centres, 11 of which are in Surrey – in Badshot Lea, Chertsey, Cobham, Frensham, Hersham, Long Ditton, Milford, Reigate, Shepperton, West Horsley and Woking.  They provide local communities with a wide range of quality plants and garden products, coupled with genuine service and expert gardening advice. They are proud to be local, supporting regional charities and encouraging new generations of gardeners through their year-round programme of workshops, whilst working hard themselves to achieve high standards of sustainability in all areas of their business. Each garden centre also has a Café Bar, serving breakfast, drinks, snacks, lunch and afternoon tea.

Further information about the initiatives that Squire’s Garden Centres and Surrey Hills Enterprises will be working in partnership on will be announced in due course.

For more information about Surrey Hills Enterprises, visit: www.surreyhillsenterprises.co.uk.

For more information about Squire’s Garden Centres, visit: www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk.

This summer is set to be all about the staycation. With vaccine levels increasing and restrictions loosening, many of us will be looking to escape into the countryside – and where better to head than the Surrey Hills.

Recently named the best place to live in the Southeast by The Sunday Times, this sublime stretch of enviable countryside, just an hour from London, extends across the chalk North Downs from Farnham in the west to Oxted in the east. The Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is famed for its quintessentially English villages, bustling market towns, rolling hills, inspirational views and innovative independent artisan businesses.

Choose from a myriad of places to stay and a wealth of experiences providing the chance to reconnect with family, friends and the environment, whilst supporting the local economy and reducing carbon foot print.  Surrey Hills Enterprises, the support network for independent local businesses, selects some of the very best for a Surrey Hills’ staycation, all of which hold the TradeMark Surrey Hills – a Mark of quality, local provenance, and sustainability.  By choosing any one of these, visitors are guaranteed an outstanding experience, knowing that quality and sustainability are at the core of their business.

Where to stay:

Denbies Vineyard Hotel in Dorking, is offering a relaxing one or two-night Summer Break package between June and October, for those looking to stay at the heart of England’s largest vineyard – Denbies Wine Estate. Voted as one of Britain’s Top 100 Hotels by The Times, stay in one of 17 sumptuous bedrooms, with king-sized beds as standard, elegance and comfort in equal measure and a truly spectacular vineyard setting.

A full English breakfast and a two-course dinner in the Vineyard Restaurant is included, as well as a Wine Tour and Tasting and a bottle of Denbies Sparkling Wine in the room upon arrival.

A one-night break is priced from £240 (two sharing), or from £195 for single occupancy. A two-night break is priced from £425 (two sharing), or £345 for single occupancy. To book, contact: hotel@denbiesvineyard.co.uk.

The four-star Guildford mansion hotel, Barnett Hill, is offering a range of self-contained overnight escapes until 17^th May – with savings of up to 50%. Stay in the Courtyard (home to ‘The Paddocks’, a series of rooms sleeping four to 10, with private entrances) or the Gardener’s Cottage (a four-bedroom, four-bathroom pet-friendly private residence with woodland and garden views, sleeping eight).

Enjoy daily breakfast hampers, al fresco terrace lunches and drop-off daily supper specials. Swap the familiar four walls for drench showers, tubs for two and Hypnos mattresses.

Stay in one of Barnett Hill’s self-contained rooms for two nights and save 30% off the usual nightly rate (starting at £115.50 per room per night). Savings increase the longer you stay, with up to 50% off for a seven-night holiday (from £82.50 per room per night). To book, call 01342 859702.

Holly Cottage is a luxurious self-catering property set on Coverwood Farm in the pretty village of Ewhurst. A lovingly-renovated former cowman’s cottage, providing a touch of country tranquillity with modern styling, Holly Cottage offers three bedrooms (sleeps six) in comfortable accommodation that includes underfloor heating, a log burning fire and a private enclosed garden. Situated within rolling fields and outstanding Surrey Hills’ countryside, this is the ideal spot for a relaxing staycation.

A laid-back stay at Holly Cottage is priced from £230 per night (based on six sharing), including a welcome hamper. To book, visit www.surreyhillsholidaycottages.com.

The historic White Horse Hotel is centrally-located in the market town of Dorking, at the heart of the Surrey Hills AONB. With the hotel having once played host to Charles Dickens, who took up residence whilst writing the Pickwick Papers in the mid-19th century, history abounds throughout the main hotel and the adjacent Pickwick and Stable Blocks. The White Horse Hotel is offering a two-night Walking Break this summer for those keen to explore the surrounding countryside.

Priced from £72 per person per night, the Walking Break features two nights’ accommodation in a comfy double room, with a hearty breakfast each morning, a selection of walking maps for the best local routes, a packed lunch to take on the trails and a £75 dinner voucher to spend over the two nights. To book, visit: https://www.whitehorsedorking.com.

This summer, The Adventure Zone, is offering Family Glamping Staycations for active families looking to make memories in the great outdoors. Stay in a tepee in peaceful woodland at High Ashurst near Dorking or an authentic Mongolian yurt overlooking Guildford’s iconic Cathedral at Henley Fort, and get involved in a host of adventurous activities as a family. Try archery or canoeing, climbing, abseiling, or a ropes course, mountain biking or learn new woodland and survival skills, whilst connecting with nature.

The two-night staycation includes accommodation, all activities and all freshly-cooked meals, as well as a welcome pack with site information, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, biscuits, torch (to borrow), sanitizer, hand towels, and marshmallows for fireside toasting. Priced at £190 per adult, £160 per child (aged 5-17 years) and £60 per child (aged under 5), to book visit: https://www.surreyoutdoorlearning.uk/the-adventure-zone/glamping.

Waggoners Campsite at Hampton Estate is a family-friendly, off-grid campsite, with a focus on space, seclusion and escapism. Open as a pop-up from 6^th to 12^th July and 14^th July to 31^st August, the campsite is ideally located for those wanting to adventure in the countryside. There is direct access to the North Downs Way for eager explorers, and the Surrey cycle network passes close by, perfect for those wanting to discover the AONB’s hidden gems on two wheels.

The Estate provides a special rural Surrey Hills experience, with home-grown produce on offer, BBQ pits to rent and wild woodland showers and compostable toilets adding to the environmentally sustainable nature of this escape.

Pitches are available for 6 people. Priced from £15 per adult (aged 14+) per night, £10 per child (aged 2-13) per night and free for under 2s. For more information, visit www.hamptonestate.co.uk/campsite.

What to do:

Surrey Hills Artisan Trail  A free self-guided trail taking you on a journey around the Surrey Hills, offering opportunities to meet Artisans, taste local food and drink, and experience traditional artisan craft skills. Activities include vineyard and gin distillery tours, cookery masterclasses, farm visits, coffee tasting and roasting, leather craft workshops, woodwork demonstrations and outdoor cookery experiences.

Hedges and Hurdles  Have a go at traditional country crafts – perfect for connecting with the natural environment, learning traditional skills and creating precious memories. Activities such as Willow Weaving Courses and Wood Craft Workshops are held in the great outdoors at a variety of Surrey Hills’ settings.
Visit: www.hedgesandhurdles.com.

We Fly Fish Fly Fishing Experience Days, for all levels from beginners upwards. The tranquillity of the fisheries and the thrill of the chase are a unique combination, whether for trout, carp or pike, and We Fly Fish lessons are led by expert fly fishers, qualified to coach at all levels of experience. Immerse in nature, disconnect from the digital deluge and enjoy the serenity and excitement that the sport provides. A four-hour Fly Fishing Introduction is priced at £170 for one angler, with additional people priced at £70 pp. Visit: www.weflyfish.co.uk.

The Surrey Hills Adventure Company (SHAC) Re-engage with the great outdoors through activities that teach how to best connect with nature whilst enjoying the associated health benefits. The company has five locations across the Surrey Hills which offer a range of activities, both on and off the water including Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) lessons and Open Water Swimming.

A great way to engage with nature on the water, spotting wildlife, having fun and improving fitness, the activities are suitable for both the experienced and beginners alike. Visit: www.theshac.co.uk.

To plan the perfect Surrey Hills staycation, visit: https://surreyhills.org/staycation-in-the-surrey-hills.