March is in like a lion

Welcome to March – whilst the early mornings are still very cold, it’s lovely to see some sunshine and lighter evenings after a very wet winter. It’s been a joy to see multitudes of snow drops and crocus flowers.  Whilst our political world maybe depressingly out of control, our natural, local, world gives us small glimmers of joy and hope to look forward to. Our women’s group is an oasis of calm and common sense.

Last month we had a lovely crafty evening book folding – many hedgehogs and birdcages were cleverly created through the artful folding of pages in old books. We had some impressive results! It was a very therapeutic activity.

So, what have we to look forward to? On Tuesday 11th March at Merstham Baptist Lizzy Maskey will give us a fascinating talk on foraging. This will be a most informative and interesting talk – do book in and come along. Talking of plants and gardening, Merstham Horticultural society are hosting a couple of. Interesting talks that we’re invited to – the next meeting is one on Arts and Craft gardens on Monday 3rd March at 8pm at Canada Hall (hopefully this blog gets published before then!). In April MHS are running a talk on herbs with some herb plants for sale – if you enjoy gardening and want to receive and give helpful tips, do go along to the meetings on the first Monday of every month at Canada Hall at 8pm. All welcome.

In April we have an interesting speaker to talk about the history of crosswords – Should be a good one – In May we’re back in a gardening theme – Gina, one of our members, will chat about practical gardening.

On 5th April we have a very special event a guided history walk around Whitebushes and Horley - we're being led by an experienced history guide from Holmesdale Natural History club - it's a very flat route along an ancient trackway with plenty of stops - it will be 4km long or 2.5 miles - a leisurely stroll with short cuts for those - please do sign up via the website or at our next meeting - lifts will be available - cost £3 a head

Our next pub night is on Monday 31st March at the Bletchingley Arms in (surprisingly) Bletchingly - if weather nice it should be nice enough to sit in the pub garden. Please let is know if you need a lift.

On 17th May we will be hosting a jam making day - all welcome to join us - especially beginners - please sign up with us and we will let you know the location nearer the time.

Do email us if you want to join our book club and out and about WhatsApp group – Suzy can tell you all the info you need about our book group and I’m. open to suggestions for our out and about events. Coming up on 15th March at the Belfry ay 7pm I’ll be attending an American folk night run by Redstart – a local community interest group who are organising low priced new live music events in and around Redhill, Merstham and Earlswood. Tickets for this one are £7.  https://redstart.org.uk/

On 12th April, I’m hoping to attend the Theatre Workshop Couldson production of An Accidental Death of an Anarchist – a very funny play – tickets are £12 (£9 concessions) . Their last production was excellent – more details here https://twcoulsdon.org.uk/

Do tell us if you have any events you’d like us to attend. Our usual events at the Merstham hub are taking place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays during the day. Bring your knitting, crochet or other craft projects along or just come and chat. Free tea and coffee available on weekdays until the end of March – unfortunately there is absolutely no sign of a café contract being signed any time soon. Surrey County Council are really dragging their feet on this one.

Please do write to Surrey County council/complain to local councillors/protest outside Woodhatch Place. Everyone wants a café at the hub, money Is available to make it happen and yet Surrey County Council are wasting money on endless focus groups and residents’ consultations with nothing useful coming out of these meetings. As council taxpayers we deserve to have our money spent on decent leisure facilities in the borough of which the café and Harlequin theatre are 2 much needed meeting venues. 

I hope next month to have news on our autumn folk event. I have big ideas in my head, but whether these are feasible or I need to be brought back down to earth on that remains to be seen! We’ll also host another pub night at the end of March. Work at Aqua sports is coming along nicely and it may be nice to have a gentle walk (or just drive there if you don’t want to walk) and have a drink at the café there – it’s looking amazing. If anyone is up for outdoor swimming or paddle boarding, I’m sure we could facilitate that.   

Put 8th June in your diary as we will be hosting a stall at All Saints fair and Dog show – A lovely event for all the family – we’ll be crafting and making jam for sale, so watch out for our jam making session – beginners welcome – the fair is a great way to advertise our group to potential new members.  

That’s me for this month – we look forward to seeing you at meetings at the Baptist church and other venues during the month. Enjoy pancakes on Shrove Tuesday.