Newsletter ~ July 2004
It’s past midsummer already and yes, thoughts are beginning to turn to Christmas ! Only the other day the Chamber was asked about its plans for providing support for the Christmas Festivities in the town. However before I get too carried away with that, can I wish all of you who are going on holiday soon a very enjoyable break. And for those of you who have been away I hope that you have come back suitably refreshed to meet the challenges of business life.
Please note the article later in the Newsletter about the Citizens Advice Bureau. The CAB is a mine of very useful and detailed information – not just for people in their normal lives but also for businesses as well. I recently sought some advice from them to help a client deal with some employment law issues – and very useful it was too.
Can I ask you to note a date in your diaries – the Chamber’s AGM and Autumn Reception will be taking place on September 16th at Fetcham Park House. It is always a very lively and entertaining evening which gives Chamber members an ideal opportunity to lobby their local councillors (both County and District) in an informal setting. I look forward to seeing many of you there.
With my best wishes,
John Howarth, Chamber President
Fresh Blood For The Boardroom ?
Nothing sinister is afoot, we assure you ! … but your current Board Directors are very keen indeed to create fresh ideas, generate extra energy & enthusiasm and increase scope by introducing new Directors to the boardroom. If any Members are keen to play an innovative role in the Chamber’s decision-making processes and are able to spend some time in attending Board Meetings, representing the Chamber at various events and liaising and meeting with local Councillors and other interested parties, then please do get in touch … John Howarth and his fellow Directors will be delighted to hear from you.
Leatherhead Scene
Clinton Cards opened in their new unit on Monday 28th June, and Specsavers are due to open in Clinton’s old unit on Monday 9th August. The Swan Centre has reached an agreement with Travelodge to allow overnight parking for hotel customers in the Centre’s multi-storey car park at a cost of £5 per night. Parking permits and new software for the ticket machines are being produced now and the scheme should be in operation within the next two weeks.
Other news of interest: Grenville Homes took over the open site at the rear of Travelodge on Friday 25th June and affordable housing units are to be built on the site – building works are due to start immediately. Argos are due to open their new store next to Travelodge on Saturday 24th July. And lastly, a date for your diaries – the “Duck Race” on the River Mole will be taking place on Saturday 21st August at 2.00 p.m. followed by a Teddy Bears Picnic at 4.00 p.m. in the Swan Centre. For further information, please contact Patricia Lawless or Lucy Hanson, Town Centre Manager (01372 363652).
[Patricia Lawless, Swan Centre Manager – Tel: 01372 376358]
Leatherhead Citizens Advice Bureau
The Citizens Advice Bureau offers free, independent, impartial and confidential advice on problems ranging from welfare benefits, employment, housing, relationship, consumer issues and debt advice to immigration, education and community care. Its advisers are volunteers trained to high professional standards.
Last year the Leatherhead CAB dealt with over 12,000 different problems. All Bureaux are supported by a national organisation, Citizens Advice, which sets standards for advice-giving that the bureau must meet. They have access to 12,000 pages of electronic information, updated monthly, which provides the information which gives all Citizens Advice Bureaux their unique, professional and accurate advice.
The Leatherhead CAB is a charity, run by and for local people. Most of its funding comes from the local authority, but it has also raised funds (mainly for information technology) from local companies and other sources. It is always pleased to work with other local organisations to help its clients whenever it can.
The CAB is open as follows: Monday to Thursday 10:00am to 4:00pm, Thursday evening 5:00pm to 7:00pm, Friday 10:00am to 1:00pm and Saturday 10.30am to 12 noon. It offers appointments on Monday and Wednesday afternoons and on Thursday evenings, but otherwise callers are welcome to drop in. It also offers appointments at Bookham Old Barn Hall for personal callers on Monday afternoons. It can advise by telephone during normal opening hours (except for Thursday evening and Saturday morning) on the advice line: 01372 375522.
It is a charity and is always grateful for any financial help that can be given.
Please contact: Mary Douglas, Manager, on 01372 373070 for further information, or call in at: Leatherhead Citizens Advice Bureau, The Georgian House, Swan Mews, High Street, Leatherhead.
Your fellow Chamber Member, Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation Training College, is proud to announce that it will soon be celebrating it’s 70th Anniversary and, to honour this landmark occasion, will be hosting a number of events later this year.
A ‘Prize Raffle’ is going to be held in November, and QEFD wonders whether any Chamber Members would be happy to allow QEFD representatives to sell tickets outside of their shops or inside their offices … there would be minimal disruption.
For further details, please contact Tony Goudie on telephone: 01372 841142, or Email him at: tony.goudie@qetc.org.
Bisley Business Club is hosting an event on Monday 20th September, and Chamber Members will be most welcome.
The day’s agenda and booking details have been provided by the BBC’s Mr John Slocombe, as follows:
Arrive 08.30 am for coffee and bacon-roll breakfast, during which I’ll issue badges, briefing papers of who’s attending, and introductions.
09.00-10.00 - Presentation
09.00-09.0: Short speech by myself to introduce the day, the Club, its aims, feedback/communication route.
09.05-10.00: Presentation by Keith Lawrence – Profit Consultant and Business Growth Advisor – “Three Proven Ways to Triple Your Chances of Success”.
10.00-12.00 - The Shoot
Grouped together in teams of ~5 and shoot 100 cartridges un-scored, just fun. (Scoring is possible; just ask the Instructor who will be looking after you.)
12.15 onwards – Buffet Lunch
Informal buffet lunch on the veranda. Take as long as you wish. Network.
The cost for the day is £80 – and directions to the venue are available at www.bisleyshooting.co.uk.
If you are interested in attending the event, please firstly contact John Slocombe at: john@atcom.me.uk or www.atcom.me.uk, providing him with the following details: Name; Title; Company Name and short description (approx. 15 words); Industry Sector; and your Contact Details (telephone/Email).
Please then also contact BSG Reception on: 01483 797017 to let them know you would like to attend, and they will organise catering accordingly and take your payment details.
MV Silver Band Seeks Concert Sponsor
The Mole Valley Silver Band is seeking Leatherhead companies who would be interested in being a Concert Sponsor for “Let's Dance” – a concert in the Mole Valley Arts Alive Festival at Leatherhead Theatre on Sunday 31 October at 2.30 p.m.
The concert will be presented by the Fetcham village-based Mole Valley Silver Band and Regent Brass, one of the leading brass bands in the South of England.
Following last year's successful concert, which attracted over 200 people, the concert will feature an entertaining programme of popular dance music ranging from folk, waltzes and polkas through to the sounds of Glenn Miller, Saturday Night Fever and Atomic Kitten.
As a Concert Sponsor, your company would receive:
logo recognition in 30,000 copies of the Festival Brochure distributed by Mole Valley Council throughout the local area;
logo recognition on 5,000 publicity flyers and 100 posters displayed throughout Mole Valley;
credit in all press releases and on the Theatre and band web sites;
a photo-call with members of the band, in uniform and with instruments, to announce the sponsorship;
20 pairs of complimentary tickets (value £140).
We are seeking £500 for this sponsorship, which will help to underwrite the costs of staging the concert. Both bands are registered charities and are entirely self-supporting from members subscriptions and concert income.
You can find out more about the two bands via their web sites at www.molevalleysilverband.org.uk and www.regentbrass.com.
For further information please contact: Kevin Wilson, Publicity Officer, 69 Parkway, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 1ET, Telephone: 01306 882761, Email: kevin.r.wilson@ntlworld.com.
The Chamber extends a warm welcome to our new Members ~ we hope they enjoy the benefits of Membership, and we look forward to meeting them at future Chamber events.
Joined the Chamber last month, and is based at: 278 Lower Road, Bookham, Surrey, KT23 4DW. The Training Arm offers information, advice and guidance into all types of training and development, from corporate organisations to individual counselling. For further information, please contact Mrs Helen Smith, Senior Adviser in the Workforce Development Department via telephone: 01372 210617, mobile: 07901 667388, facsimile: 01372 210617 or Email: helensmith1998@hotmail.com.
Also became a Member of the Chamber during June, and is run by Mrs Caroline Beswick, Managing Partner and Mrs Jo Hudson, Managing Partner. Trinity PR is an independent communications agency specialising in charity and healthcare issues. Their mission is to provide a high quality service and deliver results at a competitive rate. They are keen to work with local businesses and organisations to promote their good work via the media. You can get in touch with Caroline and Jo at: Unit 7, Epsom Downs Metro Centre, Tadworth, Surrey, KT20 5LR – by telephone: 01737 352002, facsimile: 01737 363444 or Email: caroline.beswick@trinitypr.co.uk – and you can also find out more via the website at: www.trinitypr.co.uk.
You may like to pencil into your Membership Directories the following changes to details:
Swan Centre
Management
Mrs Patricia Lawless is Swan Centre Manager, and Patricia’s Email address is: patlawless@swan-shoppingcentre.co.uk. Patricia is assisted by a new member of staff, Mrs Anne Parker, Administrator, and Anne’s Email address is anneparker@swan-shoppingcentre.co.uk.
Image Matters/Color
Me Beautiful
Has changed its business name to Bluebrick Consulting, and is run by Rosalind Evans, Managing Consultant and Carolyn Fitzgerald, Managing Consultant. Rosalind and Carolyn work at organisational, team and individual level, creating learning and development interventions to help people in organisations become more proficient and productive. Their areas of expertise include: Management and Team Development; Coaching; Performance Management; Training in Interpersonal Skills; Assessment Centres for Recruitment and Progression; and Image Consultancy.
Mid-Surrey Repro Ltd
Has issued the following Press Release:
As from 1st July 2004 Mid Surrey Repro has changed its name to The Visionary Company. Being a well established and successful business it was therefore a particularly tough decision to consider changing our name and logo after almost 35 years. However, we felt our previous image did not really convey the true philosophy of our business in the 21st Century. We believe our new corporate image more positively presents our principles of being a dynamic, forward thinking organisation that is prepared to be different and stand out from the crowd. In markets where products and services have been continually homogenised it is important to be remembered. We will remain a friendly and approachable company totally committed to high quality customer service, as these have been the virtues that have underpinned our success for thirty four years. However, we recognise that you should never become complacent in business and that perhaps our image needed a fresh look. So we now look forward to many more successful years trading as “The Visionary Company”. Our telephone and fax numbers remain the same, but please note our new email and web address – Email: info@visionarycompany.co.uk and Web: www.visionarycompany.co.uk.
The “Swap Shop” was held on the 14th of July at Metro Café in Leatherhead between 5.15 and 7.15 p.m., and thirteen Chamber Members popped in and out during those two hours.
The event was an opportunity to meet and network with fellow Members, whilst enjoying the buffet prepared by Metro’s owner Karen Parry along with a glass or two of wine … and it was good to see some new faces amongst those who came along. We were disappointed that we didn’t get to welcome a number of our expected guests who didn’t make the evening after all, and hope we’ll have the opportunity to meet you all another time.
Our thanks to Karen as always for providing the venue and preparing the very welcome buffet … and thanks also to everyone who came along … see you all again soon, we hope.
Held at and hosted by Indian Ocean at its Randalls Road premises on Thursday 24th June, the event was very well attended and a great success, aided by both a generous break in the previously poor weather and the unusual and very charming venue … not to mention the excellent hospitality offered by Carys Fowle, Director of Indian Ocean’s garden furniture showroom. The buffet and wine for the evening were sourced from Harringtons and Wing Cleaners respectively. As well as an occasion to meet and network with both fellow and prospective Chamber Members, the evening also provided an opportunity for making a 2-minute business presentation, as well as a chance to take part in a wine-tasting quiz. Chamber President John Howarth, QVD Associates, said a few words of welcome, and he also compered the business presentations … with the help, of course, of his little brass bell !
The evening’s speakers were Caroline Beswick of Trinity PR, Brian Holmes of Alliance Security and Angela Honeywood of Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation – our thanks to you all for your very informative and interesting presentations.
The wine-tasting quiz was organised by Chamber Director Mike Menni, Wing Cleaners … and Mike also very generously contributed the wine for both the tasting and the prizes … “very many thanks”, Mike !
The first prize drawn was that for the white wine quiz … correctly named as a Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc by Dan Mansfield, Managing Director of Bleckfield Ltd.
Dan very kindly presented his prize to fellow attendee Angela Honeywood, as a donation to the Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation Prize Raffle which is taking place later this year. On behalf of QEFD, Angela would like to extend a big “thank you” to Dan for his extremely generous gesture.
The lucky winner of the red wine draw was John O’Neill of Duxiana … who accurately named the sample as a Bordeaux Pinot Noir … you have a good ‘nose’ John, well done !
In addition to the venue, BBQ’d sausages with trimmings, lager and soft drinks were all provided by our host … so to Indian Ocean for its most generous sponsorship of the event … a huge “vote of thanks” !
Parallel Business Centres Offers You …
An opportunity to accompany the English Speaking Union for a Tutored Tour of their Business Centre at Fetcham Park House, on Wednesday, August 25th commencing 5.30 p.m.
View the ground floor
of The House and the Louis Laguerre
murals with an historical introduction by Roger
White.
Roger was educated
at Christ's College, Cambridge, where he gained a 1st Class Honours degree in
History and the History of Art.
Following post-graduate research at Wadham College, Oxford, into the
careers of the English Palladian architects Isaac Ware and John Vardy, he
worked as a research historian in the Historic Buildings Division of the
Greater London Council. He was elected a
Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries (FSA) in 1986. Between 1984 and 1991 Roger was the full-time
Secretary of the Georgian Group, a national preservation organisation founded
in 1937, operating under the patronage of the late HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. Under his guidance, the Group acquired a
dynamic campaigning image, doubled its membership, and developed the most
extensive and enterprising programme of activities of any such society in Great
Britain.
Roger lectures
regularly to the conservation courses at the Architectural Association in
London, and at the Victoria & Albert Museum. In May 1999 he delivered one of the
prestigious Chichele Lectures at All Souls College, Oxford, on the subject of
Christopher Wren. He has lectured
frequently in the United States, where speaking engagements have included the
Metropolitan Museum of Art and Cooper-Hewitt Museum (New York), Dumbarton Oaks
and Smithsonian Institution (Washington DC), Historic Charleston Foundation,
the Philadelphia and Boston Athenaeums, and the J Paul Getty Museum (Malibu).
To obtain a Booking Form for the Tour, at a cost of £8 per head, please contact: Matthew Duffy, Centre Manager, Fetcham Park House, Lower Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT11 9HD on telephone: 01372 371000.
(An opportunity to publicise your organisation to the Membership. Two profiles will be presented in each Newsletter, and contributions are published in order of receipt. Your next Newsletter will be printed in September.)
A FIRST CLASS VOLVO EXPERIENCE
Squire Furneaux Group is one of the largest Volvo Groups in the South of England. Their dealerships are located in Leatherhead, Slough and Maidenhead, with a further new and used car sales showroom in Beaconsfield, dedicated Service Centres in High Wycombe and Hersham, and a Bodyshop Centre in Slough.
To meet the special requirements of the corporate customer, Squire Furneaux has established a Volvo approved Corporate Sales Division. The Corporate Sales Team provides immediate response to product and price enquiries and promises the following exclusive business service:
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24 hour vehicle demonstrations to any UK mainland location |
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Full Volvo demonstrator range (including bi-fuel models) always
available |
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Rapid quotation turn-around |
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Regular delivery lead time updates |
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Personal new car hand over by trained, uniformed drivers |
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“Quick tips” guide provided to customer at hand over |
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Trailer deliveries arranged where mileage dictates |
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Post-delivery telephone follow-up & quality assurance inspection |
Squire Furneaux Corporate customers also enjoy the following aftersales facilities:
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Saturday morning opening for while-you-wait service & repair |
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Customer access to business facilities, including internet, fax,
photocopier & telephone |
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Free collection & delivery for service, maintenance & repair |
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Free car wash & vacuum with major service & repair |
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Free courtesy transport to local addresses, stations & airports |
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Free loan car (subject to availability & insurance waiver) |
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Comfortable customer waiting areas with complimentary tea, coffee,
spring water, newspapers & television |
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Nick Webbe, Squire Furneaux Group Corporate Sales Manager, said …
“We have a wealth of corporate sales experience within the Corporate
sales team and excellent local knowledge to assist businesses of any size. In a fast moving business environment, we
have immediate access to information on vehicle whole life cost and taxation
implications, for companies and company car drivers; to ensure the ‘real’ cost
of the vehicle can be considered when establishing fleet policies. We work closely with our corporate customers
to ensure the very best choice in company cars is matched with a first class
Volvo experience”.
The Squire Furneaux Corporate Sales Team can be contacted
on: 01372 371932
or visit the web-site at: www.squirefurneaux.co.uk
With 22 years in the Telecom sector we have seen many changes from old mechanical switchboards to wireless voice over IP telephone systems. We keep on top of these changes by attending the latest courses and telecom shows to keep in touch with our customers’ future needs.
Our customer type is varied, from a small local businesses right up to major Plc’s building £400 million developments and we manage to accommodate them all with the same swift response and personal service … a service our customers have come to expect and which keeps them loyal … and which makes them happy to recommend GJ Communications to others. Some of the services we offer are:
Telephone systems
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1 line with 2 extensions, up to à |
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192 lines with 480 extensions |
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Digital and analogue extensions |
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Voice mail and auto attendant |
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Paging, music on hold, door entry |
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Call centre, hotel and business use |
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Call logging |
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IP telephony |
Telephone calls and line rental savings: We use tier 1 carriers like BT, Opal, Cable and Wireless, Your communications to offer reduced call charges and line rental. These services can only be offered on BT lines as BT route the calls to the other carriers in their exchanges. The typical saving can be about 30% on BT’s lowest rate, it all depends on type of calls you make and about 10% on your BT line rental.
Computer networks: As the telephones can work over computer cabling or the network we can install networks along with the hardware to connect them together.
Audio Conference systems: These systems can be used for a small meeting in hotels or large conference centres seating 400 plus delegates with language interpreters and video viewing.
Other products we supply are: CCTV; Computers to you requirements; ADSL lines with firewalls and wireless connections.
If you have any questions, or just need advice from an
engineering point of view,
please ring us on: 01372 818941
or 0796 885 4909
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AUGUST |
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Sunday 1st |
Spiderman
2 (PG)
(Film) 3.00 pm and 7.30 pm |
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Monday 2nd |
Spiderman
2 (PG)
(Film) 3.00 pm and 7.30 pm |
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Tuesday 3rd |
Spiderman
2 (PG)
(Film) 3.00 pm and 7.30 pm |
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Wednesday 4th |
Spiderman
2 (PG)
(Film) 3.00 pm and 7.30 pm |
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Thursday 5th |
Sense
and Sensibility (U) (Film) 2.00 pm * *
This film includes a free
“Tea and Cakes” interval ! |
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Thursday 5th |
Spiderman
2 (PG)
(Film) 7.30 pm |
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Thursday 12th |
Pirates of
Penzance
(Show – Stage Theatre Arts School) 7.30 pm * |
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Friday 13th |
Pirates of
Penzance
(Show – Stage Theatre Arts School) 7.30 pm * |
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Saturday 14th |
Pirates of
Penzance
(Show – Stage Theatre Arts School) 3.00 pm and 7.30 pm * Ticket Prices:
Adults £10 and Concession £7.50 |
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Thursday 19th |
Bridges
of Madison County (12) (Film) 2.00 pm |
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Friday 27th to Tuesday 31st |
Cat
Woman (PG) (Film) Times to be published – please check with Theatre |
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SEPTEMBER |
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Wednesday 1st & Thursday 2nd |
Cat
Woman (PG) (Film) Times to be published – please check with Theatre |
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OCTOBER |
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Friday 15th |
A Spaniard in
the Works (Fine Art Show) 7.30
pm – Tickets £5 |
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Saturday 16th |
Bruce
Mathiske
(Musical) 7.30 pm – Tickets £14.50 |
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Wednesday 27th |
Selfish
Giant
(Family Show) 2.30 pm Tickets:
Adults £12, Children/Concession £8, Family: 2 adults/2 children £9 |
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Thursday 28th |
Selfish
Giant
(Family Show) 2.30 pm Tickets:
Adults £12, Children/Concession £8, Family: 2 adults/2 children £36 |
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Thursday 28th |
Arsenic
& Old Lace (Family Show) 7.30 pm Tickets:
Adults £14, Children/Concession £10, Family: 2 adults/2 children £43 |
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Friday 29th |
Selfish
Giant
(Family Show) 2.30 pm Tickets:
Adults £12, Children/Concession £8, Family: 2 adults/2 children £36 |
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Friday 29th |
Arsenic
& Old Lace (Family Show) 7.30 pm Tickets:
Adults £14, Children/Concession £10, Family: 2 adults/2 children £43 |
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Saturday 30th |
Selfish
Giant
(Family Show) 2.30 pm Tickets:
Adults £12, Children/Concession £8, Family: 2 adults/2 children £36 |
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Saturday 30th |
Arsenic
& Old Lace (Family Show) 7.30 pm Tickets:
Adults £14, Children/Concession £10, Family: 2 adults/2 children £43 |
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Cinema Ticket
Prices: Adults £5, Concessions £4.50,
Children £4.00 |
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(Concessions
include: Senior Citizens, Persons with disabilities and Student Card holders) |
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all films subject to
confirmation |
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“Cinderella” will be showing from December 14th
– LOOK OUT for “Earlybird” Tickets |
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The Leatherhead Theatre 7 Church Street, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 8DN For advance ticketing and further information, please call the Box Office on 01372 365141: Tues–Sat. 2pm-7pm – Visa, Amex, Mastercard, Delta and Switch cards all accepted. Alternatively call in at the Theatre or email us at: boxoffice@the-theatre.org www.the-theatre.org |
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