The piece of public art which is the biggest project of its kind in Guildford will cost £70,000 and will be fully funded from developer contributions which are collected during planning process as compensation for environmental losses such as the removal of trees.

The artwork made out of hand-forged steel will be designed for a riverside location at the Ladymead end of Woodbridge Meadows reflecting the nature of the area in an eye-catching representation of fish swimming among tall curved reeds.

Lead Councillor for Economic Development, Tourism and Heritage, Cllr Geoff Davis, comments

“Our aim is to have an exciting and original landmark piece of public art for everyone to enjoy. The artwork will complement existing environmental improvements and will have the potential to become a new local landmark for our town.

“We have appointed an experienced artist for this project with a track record of producing outstanding work.  The successful design  and proposal reflect the aim of our public art strategy, which is to encourage creative and innovative work in the future while conserving, celebrating and promoting Guildford’s rich cultural heritage.”

The artist and his team will work with the Council, the Woodbridge Meadows Public Art Project Board, the Guildford Public Arts Advisory Group on the project. The local community including local schools and businesses will also be consulted on the final design of the project.

Installation is planned for summer 2016.

Artists impression of sculpture from Guildford Council Twitter @GuildfordBC

More information about Charles Normandale and his work can be found at http://www.charlesnormandale.com/

The post Landmark artwork proposed for Woodbridge Meadows appeared first on Guildford.

AV Smith, known to his family as Victor, was born in Guildford in 1891, and his family lived in Guildford, St Albans and Burnley.

The Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Nikki Nelson-Smith, said: “We are honoured to have recognised the outstanding selflessness and courage displayed by Lieutenant Alfred Victor Smith. The people of Guildford came together to commemorate his actions and there is now a permanent reminder of this for all to see.

After leaving school, he joined Blackpool Police and was an Inspector when he volunteered for the Army at the outbreak of war. He was commissioned into the East Lancashire Regiment, posted to the 1/5th Battalion and saw fighting in the early part of the Gallipoli campaign.

As brigade bombing officer, he often risked his life on patrols and bombing operations.

Victor was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously for an extraordinary degree of selflessness and bravery. At Cape Helles, on 23 December 1915, he was killed in an explosion to save others in a trench – he was 24 years old.

His citation reads:

For most conspicuous bravery. He was in the act of throwing a grenade when it slipped from his hand and fell to the bottom of the trench close to several officers and men. He immediately shouted a warning and jumped clear to safety. He then saw that the officers and men were unable to find cover and knowing that the grenade was due to explode at any moment, he returned and flung himself upon it. He was instantly killed by the explosion. His magnificent act of self-sacrifice undoubtedly saved many lives.

The event was attended by guests from his family, both Surrey and Lancashire Police, and from 2nd Battalion, Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment.

The commemorative stone joins that of Captain Francis Grenfell, born at Hatchlands, East Clandon who is honoured for his heroic action at Audregnies in Belgium.

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September Highlights

…And this is my friend Mr Laurel
When: Wednesday 30 at 7.30pm
Tickets: £14 adults, £12 concessions

Jeffrey Holland (Hi de Hi!,You Rang M’Lord) tells an intriguing, funny and poignant tale of friendship, love and dedication about comedian Stan Laurel.

October Highlights

Shakespearian Serenade
When: Saturday 3 at 7.30pm
Tickets: £15, students & U16s £7.50, Family (2 adults, 2 U16s) £40

The Vivaldi Singers and Guildford School of Acting combine for an evening of music by Vaughn Williams, Bernstein and Mendelssohn intertwined with scenes from Shakespeare’s plays.

Scriptease: Noël & Gertie
When: Tuesday 6 at 8pm
Tickets: £10

An show telling the story of the professional and personal between Noël Coward and Gertrude Lawrence with the words and music of Noël Coward.

Stringfever in Concert
When: Friday 23 at 8pm
Tickets: £17, concessions £12

Four world-class and classically trained musicians-turned-rock stars make up Stringfever, a unique, pioneering and entertaining string quartet. Amongst their repertoire are The History of Music in Five Minutes, Ravel’s Bolero played by all four on one cello and a Name That Theme Tune competition.

Showstopper! The Improvised Musical
When: Saturday 31 7.30pm
Tickets: £15, £12.50 concessions

The Showstoppers return by popular demand performing a new musical at every performance transforming audience suggestions into all-dancing production numbers. Ages 14+

November Highlights

Jamaica Inn
When: Wednesday 18 to Saturday 21 7.45pm
Tickets: £12.50, Seniors/U16s £10.50

Mary Yellan seeks out her Aunt Patience at Jamaica Inn on Bodmin Moor but finds her aunt a changed woman married to unstable Joss Merlyn. Guildford Theatre Company perform Daphne Du Maurier’s classic tale.

Capulets & Montagues
When: Tuesday 24 – Friday 27 at 7.30pm, Saturday 28 at 6.30pm
Tickets: from £18, £9 concs

Guilford Opera Company perform Bellini’s operatic retelling of Romeo and Juliet.

December Highlights

Just for Graphs
When: Wednesday 2 at 8pm
Tickets: £15, Concessions £13

The science comedy phenomenon returns with stand-up mathematician Matt Parker, experiments maestro Steve ‘Danger’ Mould and geek songstress Helen Arney providing graph-a-minute fun.

Stephen K. Amos
When: Friday 4 at 8pm
Tickets: £17

Fresh from touring the UK, the star of Life: An Idiot’s Guide and What Does the K Stand For?, the maestro of feel-good comedy is back on tour with his new show.

Così Fan Tutte
When: Wednesday 9 – Friday 11 at 7.30pm
Tickets: £20, £18 concessions

The Black Cat Opera Company perform Mozart’s comic masterpiece  featuring some of the composer’s finest music, following two love-struck women, utterly convinced that nothing could part them from their sweethearts.

The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
When: Friday 18 – Saturday 20 2.30pm and 7.30pm
Tickets: £10.50, concessions £8.50 Family ticket (4 people, max 2 adults) £32

The Electric Theatre’s Youth Company perform C.S.Lewis’s classic magical tale of the magical world of Narnia.

A full programme of events and online booking can be found at www.guildford.gov.uk/electrictheatre

The post Electric Theatre Autumn Season appeared first on Guildford.

Squeeze: From the Crade to the Grave with John Cooper Clarke

When: Saturday 26 at 7.30pm

Where: G Live

In their first tour for three years, Squeeze will be playing material from their upcoming album From the Cradle to the Grave, their first collection of new tracks since 1998.

Support comes from poet and punk godfather John Cooper Clarke, the bard of Salford.

Tickets: From £32.50 at www.glive.co.uk

The Children’s Trust Abseil

When: Saturday 26 from 9am

Where: Guildford Cathedral

Reserve your place to take part in an abseil 160ft down Guildford Cathedral to raise money for The Children’s Trust who help children with brain injuries.

Sign-up fee is £25 with minimum sponsorship of £250 per person. Can be done individually or part of a team of 5.

16 – 18 year olds may take part if chaperoned.

More information at www.thechildrenstrust.org.uk/abseil

Vines BMW Motorrad Ride It Right

Where: Guildford Fire Station, Ladymead GU1 1DL

When: Sunday 27 from 10am to 4pm

Motorcycle Skill Talks, Observed Ride Outs, Tyre Safety Checks, Accident scene management presentation and brake speed reaction testing as well as CPR instruction and a showcase of bikes with test rides available for license holders. Free refreshments and food to purchase on site.

Handbagged

Where: Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

When: Saturday 26 at 2.30pm and 8pm

A comedy speculating on who had the upper hand behind closed doors, The Queen or Margaret Thatcher. Susie Blake stars as The Queen and Kate Fahy as Margaret Thatcher in this hit play from the West End which has received rave reviews.

Tickets from £30 at www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

Suffragette

Where: Yvonne Arnaud Mill Studio

When: Saturay 26 at 8pm

A one-women play that recounts in vivid and dramatic detail, the struggle for women to secure the vote. A multitude of historical characters are brought to life by Anna Loveday in this play enhanced by a piano and brass ensemble.

Tickets: £13 from www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

Surrey Mozart Players

Where: The Electric Theatre

When: Saturday 26 at 7.30pm

Surrey Mozart Players’ concert begins with Edward Elgar’s Froissart followed by Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony No 8. The evening finishes with soloist Alexander Sitkovetsky joining them for Elgar’s Violin Concerto.

Tickets: Adults £18, Children £9 from http://www.guildford.gov.uk/article/14523/Surrey-Mozart-Players

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Here are some of the highlights of this year’s festival.

October 11

This year’s festival starts with actor and adventurer Brian Blessed taking us through his life from coal miner’s son to in his show Absolute Pandemonium. It promises to be a funny, warm-hearted and LOUD evening.

October 12

Terry Waite and HRH Princess Michael of Kent will be talking about their latest novels. Alan Turing’s nephew Sir Dermot Turing who has just writing his uncle’s biography will be providing insights on his famous uncle from a family perspective.

October 13

Comedian and writer Helen Lederer will be talking about her first comic novel Losing It, Melvyn Bragg will be talking about his latest historical novel Now Is The Time and former MP Vince Cable will be talking about his book After The Storm which provides a view from inside the coalition on how the country has fared since the financial crisis of 2008.

Other events include a Poetry Jam at The Boileroom, a talk about Ernest Shackleton and advice on plotting a novel.

October 14

Adam “Bomb” Jones, a Welsh front-row player who has won three Six Nations Grand Slam titles will be talking about.

Mark Bostridge  will be talking about his latest biography about Vera Brittain and the First World War, Sonia Purnell will be talking about her biography of Clementine Churchill and Wey Poets will be holding an open evening for anyone who likes to read poetry.

October 15

Award winning journalist Matthew Syed will be talking about how to turn failure into success by learning from mistakes, Lord Waldegrave will be talking about his memoir of his time as an MP and his involvement in the arms-to-Iraq scandal and Michael Billington will be talking about his new book The 101 Greatest Plays from ancient Greek to the present day.

Max Hastings will be talking about his book The Secret War about the impact of spies, code breakers and partisan operations on events.

October 16

Agatha Christie Inspires is a talk about how she inspired two authors’ new books. Hugh Fraser is best known for playing Captain Hastings in Poirot and Kathryn Harkup examines the use of poisons in Christie’s novels.

Austentatious: An Improvised Jane Austen Novel is a hilarious show with an all-star cast that improvises a Jane Austen novel based on audience suggestions. A hit a last year’s Edinburgh Fringe, previous shows include Strictly Come Darcy, Me Tarzan, You Jane Austen and Mansfield Shark.

October 17

Damien Lewis is talking about about The Nazi Hunters, the untold story of one of the secret chapters of the history of the SAS which was officially  dissolved after WWII but carried on in secret, personally commanded by Churchill whose task was to hunt SS commanders including those who escaped justice at Nuremberg.

Reader’s Day is a mini-festival hosted by Guy Pringle featuring Guy Saville, Gill Hornby, Kate Williams, Liz Fenwick and Saira Shah.

Free Family Activity Day is inspired by classic stories such as Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Winnie-the-Pooh and Wind in the Willows. There’ll be crafting, trails and story-telling for ages 3-12 as well as illustrations from the E H Shepard archive.

October 18

The festival concludes with An Audience with Sir Roger Moore who will be in conversation with Gareth Owen about his life and career with inside stories and exclusive anecdotes.

As well as events with authors talking about their works, there are also events to inspire and help prospective authors with their works.

For more information about these events including booking information and other events taking place during the festival visit http://www.guildfordbookfestival.co.uk/events

The post A Guide to Guildford Book Festival 2015 appeared first on Guildford.

Talking Heads

When: September 8 – September 12

Alan Bennett’s critically acclaimed Talking Heads, originally filmed for TV, comes to the stage with the three original monologues performed by Stephanie Coles, Karl Theobald and Siobhan Redmond.

Tickets: £30.50 – £36.50

Handbagged

When: September 21 – September 26

Handbagged is a new West End smash hit comedy examining the relationship between the Queen and Margaret Thatcher. It stars Susie Blake as The Queen and Kate Fahy as Mrs Thatcher.

Tickets: £30.50 – £36.50

Sunset Boulevard

When: October 7 – October 10

Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s Sunset Boulevard is the story of a faded star of the silent screen era who is given a chance to back a comeback after a chance encounter.

Tickets £13.50 – £25

Brian Blessed – Absolute Pandemonium

When: October 11

Brian Blessed is a man of many talents – actor, film star, trained undertaker, diplomat and mountaineer. He takes the audience on a riotous journey from his childhood as the son of miner through to his expeditions to the North Pole and his attempts to climb Mount Everest.

Part of Guildford Book Festival

Tickets: £15

Rebecca

When: October 12 – October 17

Daphne du Maurier’s tale of jealousy set in Cornwall comes to the stage with Kneehigh Theatre Company’s spellbinding new production which conjures up Cornish romance and theatrical magic.

An Evening Sir Roger Moore

When: October 18

Celebrating his 70th year in showbusiness, Roger Moore comes to Guildford chatting to Gareth Own about his life with inside stories and anecdotes about his life in the business both on TV and big screen. There will also be a Q&A session at the end.

Part of Guildford Book Festival

Tickets: £25

Booking details and information about other plays being performed can be found at http://www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

The post Yvonne Arnaud Theatre’s Autumn Season appeared first on Guildford.

Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood and Kenney Jones (‘The Faces’) are just a few names set to join the line-up and to top it off, the day will also offer the traditional properties of polo with the added benefit of a high array of high performance super cars on display.

‘The Faces’ will be reuniting for a short set in support of prostate cancer with other artists including Steve Harley making an appearance.

Stewart commented: ‘This year is the 40^th anniversary since “The Faces” parted ways so it’s about time we got together for a jam! Being in “The Faces” back in the day was a whirlwind of madness but my God, it was beyond brilliant. We are pleased to be able to support Prostate Cancer UK.’

Jones said ‘This is the third Rock ‘n’ Horsepower we’ve put on for Prostate Cancer UK and it’s shaping to be the biggest yet.’

There will be a variety of catering units at the event selling both hot and cold food and drinks. There are bars selling a wide range of beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks.

You may not be permitted to bring alcoholic drinks to the event, however you may bring soft drinks but please note that no glass is allowed.

Gates open at 12pm, with the polo match commencing at 2:30pm. The live music will then begin at 4:30pm.

Tickets: Adult general admission: £75 (until 31^st August – early bird special offer) – £95 (after 31^st August). Child general admission (8yrs-15yrs) £50

Under 8s go free.

Mark Bishop, Director of Fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK said:

‘What a privilege it is for us as a charity to be benefitting from this moment in rock history.’

So why not benefit also? Head along and enjoy some fabulous live music.

Find more information at: http://www.hurtwoodparkpolo.co.uk/events/rock-n-horsepower

The post Rock ‘n’ Horsepower, a day of polo, music and motors. appeared first on Guildford.

The Bootleg Shadows

The Bootleg Shadows perform a unique tribute concert that encompasses The Shadows amazing career from 1960 up until the early 1980s.

Relive fantastic hits such as Apache, Foot Tapper, FBI, Man of Mystery, Atlantis, Wonderful Land and Kon Tiki.

In the company of Geoff, Keith, Tony, Tim and Binks, the audience is taken on a tour of the Shadows’ career, with plenty of humour to make it a night out to remember.

When: Thursday September 10, 7:30pm.

Tickets: Adults: £18, concessions: £16.50

Pocket Merchant

This is a condensed version of Propeller’s full-length production of ‘The Merchant of Venice.’

Propeller brings one of Shakespeare’s darkest plays to life with its invigorating, engaging, and often funny, approach to the play.

‘The Merchant of Venice’ is a tale of greed and revenge: when Bassanio falls in love with the wealthy Portia, he becomes imprisoned in a bargain with the ruthless moneylender, Shylock.

After a gripping hour of theatre, you are invited to question the actors about the play and your reactions.

When: Thursday September 17, 7:30pm.

Tickets: Adults:  £13.50, Students and under 16s: £11.50

Surrey Mozart players

Surrey Mozart players will commence their exciting new 2015-16 season with a programme of romantic gems.

They begin with Edward Elgar’s exuberant concert overture ‘Froissart’, his first large scale work for orchestra.

So why not buy your tickets now so as not to miss out on a fabulous evening?

When: Saturday September 26, 7:30pm.

Tickets: Adult: £18, Under 16s: £9

Find more information on any of the above events at: http://www.guildford.gov.uk/electrictheatre

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