CELEBRATING VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: FOR THE LOVE OF WORDS

Leith Hill Place, 6pm Saturday, 14 July

Literature that fired the imagination of Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958). With help from his poet/musician sister Rosie, broadcaster, writer and oral historian Andrew Green introduces poetry and prose set to music by the great English composer. This is one of a series of talks exploring the life, times and music of Vaughan Williams and his inspiration from the local Surrey landscape.

Vaughan Williams' works over some 60 years include operas, ballets, chamber music, secular and religious vocal pieces, and orchestral compositions including nine symphonies. He spent part of his life at Leith Hill Place, the family home.

For further details and to book tickets, go to 

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/leith-hill-place/events .

REPERTORY SEASON RETURNS THIS AUTUMN AFTER SPRING SUCCESS

Leatherhead Theatre's first repertory season in more than 30 years will continue this autumn after its successful launch in spring. Three more great productions by Hordern Ciani are scheduled between 6 and 24 November with a similar format of comedy and musical charm for all the family.

A spokesperson said: "The audience numbers grew for each successive production in the spring as more and more people heard about us. We are now really looking forward to the follow-up season and plans are under way for more productions next year too."

The new series kicks off at 7.30pm on Tuesday 6 November with Michael Aitkens' stage adaptation of his TV sitcom Waiting for God, set in a care home. He got the title from a retirement village near his home in Australia which some staff members called "God’s waiting room". The show relocates the place to Bournemouth and focuses on the relationship between a cynical, cantankerous spinster and a jovial former accountant.

Second in the series from Thursday 15 November will be Dave Simpson's stage musical adaptation of E Nesbit's The Railway Children,  a compelling Edwardian period story about youngsters who leave their privileged London life for a very different existence in the Yorkshire countryside.

Finally, from 20 November will be Alan Ayckbourn's Seasons Greetings. As friends and relatives gather to celebrate the festive period, relationships strain and nerves run high. An unexpected guest, a grumpy uncle with a shotgun and a host determined to perform a puppet show all entertain the gathering in ways they were not anticipating.

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​Other treats at Leatherhead Theatre before the repertory season include a production of The Goon Show on Tuesday 16 October. Marking Spike Milligan's centenary year, the Apollo Theatre Company will present this comedy classic at theatres around the country so it is a one-off opportunity for the Leatherhead audience.

LATEST NEWSLETTER FROM THE HISTORY SOCIETY

Parade in The Street, Fetcham, for the homecoming of
Lieutenant George Barnard Hankey, probably on 5 July 1900.
Led by Bookham Brass Band, seen here in front, the carriage was
being pulled by villagers rather than horses.

* The June 2019 Newsletter should now be with every member of the L&DLHS and all stewards who volunteer to help at the Leatherhead Museum. The Newsletter is now much more than just a communication with members. It provides a vital window on our subject and helps encourage membership growth. We now print more copies at marginal cost for public consumption as well as ensuring all members receive them in return for their subscriptions.

* This edition complements the current Museum exhibition celebrating the centenary of the first votes for women in Britain.

*  Other items covered include the special exhibition on Ashtead Potters.

*  The edition pays tribute to leading figures of the Society who have had to step back for health reasons.

*  The edition also welcomes the new joint Museum managers, Peter Humphreys and Duncan Macfarlane.

*  All members have been notified of the effects of the new General Data Protection Regulation which protects their personal information.