Leatherhead
& District Chamber of Commerce
Members’
Newsletter - July 2005
Despite gloomy economic news being reported in the national media, the Leatherhead economy seems to be performing reasonably well. However, with inflationary pressures starting to bite, a cut in interest rates, as being suggested in some quarters, would be a welcome boost.
Please note in your diaries the dates for the preliminary findings of the Leatherhead Tomorrow project – details are given on page 2 of this Newsletter.
The project team would still like to hear your views. If you haven’t given them yet, please log-on to their Website at www.leatherheadtomorrow.co.uk where you can fill in their questionnaire online.
Another date for your diary is September 15th when the Chamber AGM and Autumn Reception will be held at Fetcham Park House.
The holiday season is now upon us of course. For those of you who are going away I hope you all have a pleasant break – for those of you who are carrying on running your businesses, I hope Leatherhead receives plenty of visitors to keep our economy buoyant.
With my best wishes,
John Howarth,
Chamber President
The Leatherhead
& District Scene
… Lucy Hanson ~
Leatherhead Town Centre Manager
As some of you may already be aware, Andy Newbold of Acorn Images, a local photography business based above S&P Photos in Leatherhead High Street, is embarking on a project called “A Day in the Life of Leatherhead”.
On Thursday 11th August, Andy will be around and about in Leatherhead, capturing the people and the spirit of the town on film. The resulting images will then be exhibited in Leatherhead Theatre in September and a selection will feature in a specially produced book.
If you would like your Leatherhead-based business to be included, then please Email Andy at studio@acornimages before 5th August, and you will be added to the list of places to be visited on the 11th. Alternatively, just come along to the Swan Centre between 12.30pm and 1.00pm to be included.
The annual Duck Race held in June was once again a huge success, and raised over £1,500 for the Christmas Festival, which will take place on Saturday 10th December.
Hundreds of spectators took to the banks of the River Mole by Leatherhead Town Bridge on Saturday 25th June to cheer on the ducks as they competed in their races.
A huge thank you to everyone who helped out on the day, and to all the businesses who sponsored a duck or a race.
If you
would like further information regarding any of the above or would like to find
out about more events happening in the Leatherhead area please look at the
website – www.visitleatherhead.com
or contact me, Lucy Hanson, via Tel: 01372 363652 or Email: lucy.hanson@molevalley.gov.uk, or
pop in to see me at the Help Shop, 25-29
High Street, Leatherhead.
LEATHERHEAD Tomorrow
The LEATHERHEAD Tomorrow project will be reporting its preliminary findings in a series of meetings to be held throughout September. The meetings all take place at 7.00pm and will be held as follows:
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September 12th - Leatherhead Theatre September 13th – Fetcham, St Mary's Church Hall September 16th – Bookham, Baptist Church hall September 20th – Ashtead, Peace Memorial Hall September 22nd - North Leatherhead Community Centre. |
For more information please see the Website
at: www.leatherheadtomorrow.co.uk.
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.
There
are changes to a few Member’s details, and you may like to make a note of these
in your Directories:
DragonRidge – has changed both its name and its business type, and is now
trading as NBC Bird Solutions. For
more information, please take a look at this month’s Spotlight section.
Domus
Residential Lettings – has moved premises, and
also taken the opportunity to re-brand with a new trading name. Now known as Christies Residential Lettings,
the new premises are at: 6 Bridge Street, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 8BZ. Telephone: 01372 227900, Fax: 01372 363317,
Email: info@christieslettings.co.uk and Website: www.christieslettings.co.uk.
Leatherhead
Market Co-ordination – Tom Spoors, Market
Co-ordinator, has informed us of his new Email address: dadsleeping@btinternet.com.
Much enjoyed by all who attended, the venue for the event was once again the very charming and unusual Indian Ocean, and hosted by Carys Smith, Director of the garden furniture showroom. In addition to being an ideal occasion on which 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 and view the impressive range of furniture, accessories and gifts available at Indian Ocean. Blessed with a sunny and dry evening, BBQ’d sausages, a Harrington’s buffet and wines supplied by Mike Menni were also much appreciated.
Chamber President John Howarth, QVD Associates, said a few words of welcome and spoke to the gathering about Leatherhead Tomorrow, before inviting Member’s to make their business presentations. The evening’s speakers were David Finnigan of Mossgrove Wells Ltd, Michael Levitton of Leatherhead Theatre Ltd and Susan Leveritt of Vecchia Trattoria – our thanks to you all for your entertaining and informative presentations. The wine-tasting quiz was organised by Chamber Director Mike Menni, Wing Cleaners, and Mike later announced the winners and handed out their prizes … very many thanks, Mike … and congratulations to the lucky winners on their excellent “noses” !
A huge vote of thanks to Carys and her family for their extremely hard work in the food preparation and setting-up for the evening, and for their slaving over a hot BBQ!
And we cannot end without extending our very best wishes to Carys and her husband Nigel, who are expecting their first baby later this year … Congratulations !
WINGing Way to Score a Hat Trick !
Chamber Director Mike Menni obviously has a good eye for duck flesh! … having scored a hat trick in last month’s River Mole Duck Race. Mike’s business, Wing Cleaners, sponsored the Green runners … or ‘floaters’ should we say ! … and his duck sailed across the finish line to victory in the first three races! Feelings were obviously running high amongst the less lucky punters … Mike gleefully reported that he was warned he could soon be joining his quacker in the water if his run of good luck continued!! However, with three bottles of prize bubbly tucked under his wing, Mike’s high spirits remained undampened!!
Six Months On … And Going Strong !
£16,000 has been awarded to The Leatherhead Theatre for the improvement of its facilities. “It is a sign that we’re doing something right” says Michael Levitton, CEO of the Theatre’s operating trust. Six months after Michael took up the position, the Theatre looks back at the changes that have been brought about, and at what is in store for the future: “Top of the bill is the grant from Mole Valley. This money will allow us to refurbish the Casson Room. The renovations will make the room a working studio theatre and community facility. The money will also be spent on improving the Theatre’s box office, equipping it for 21st century ticket sales via the Internet. On behalf of the Theatre’s board of trustees and our staff, I would like to express our appreciation to the Council and all the organisations and committees involved for their support. The money will be put to good use.” Michael continued, “We’ve had a great year. The Michael Caine Drama Festival was a great success, and we’ve got the panto to look forward to at Christmas.”
Last winter, Leatherhead was treated to its first professional panto in seven years. Popular with audiences and critics alike, On Stage Right’s production of Cinderella was a big success. On Stage Right return this year, with Dick Whittington. “Cinderella was a great love story” says director Sally McCormack, “and so this year we decided to go for a real adventure.” Dick Whittington is an extravaganza of musical slapstick for all the family. Tickets are on sale now from the box office, and people booking before November 1st get a 10% discount. “We’re also looking for children and teenagers to feature in the show” says Sally … anyone wanting to audition should call 01372 270208.
The Christian activities at The Theatre are getting a make-over too. In the autumn, an event called Hillsong will be held at the Theatre every Saturday evening. This spectacular musical worship event fills London’s Dominion Theatre three times every Sunday. Hillsong, which is regularly attended by Natasha & Daniel Beddingfield, will start in September. Some have voiced concerns that Hillsong’s use of the Theatre every Saturday will slow the growth of theatre at the venue. “There is no need to worry …” says Michael, “… throughout the year there are theatre shows scheduled on Saturdays, and this will always be the case. Theatre is a vital part of what we’re doing – and so we’ve made sure that it will continue. Events like The Leatherhead Drama Festival, shows from Leatherhead Operatic Society and the Christmas Panto, to name but three, will continue to feature on Saturdays. This is a really exciting time for us …” Michael confirms, “… the cinema is doing better than ever too. We’ve got a great programme of summer films, old and new. Our customers can come and enjoy the very best in films, with a glass of Pimms, and really make the most out of the summer’s entertainment.”
And the future? “The future is still uncertain. The support we’ve seen has been wonderful. However, our future is not guaranteed. We can only hope that the community and the wider world will continue to come here to be entertained. It is that kind of long-lasting support that will ensure that we are here to stay.”
[Press Release extract supplied by Stephen Makin, The Leatherhead Theatre]
(An
opportunity to publicise your organisation to the Membership. Up to two profiles will be presented in each
Newsletter, and contributions are published in order of receipt. Your next Newsletter will be printed at the end of September 2005.)
The mere sight of Gnasher zooming across the sky is enough to cause panic among gulls and pigeons creating a nuisance around a building. A male pere-saker falcon, he is a working bird who likes nothing better than chasing away pests such as gulls and pigeons.
Our aim is not to kill, it is to deter. We use birds of prey to control nuisance birds anywhere … from city centres, factories and industrial estates to landfill sites and transfer stations.
NBC Bird Solutions is the largest company in the country offering this kind of service, and we have taken on the franchise for an area from South London to Brighton.
Based in Bookham, we began work in January 2005 solving a range of bird control problems by offering birds of prey and a full array of proofing solutions to deter birds from an individual building or, indeed, across a vast area as required.
If you have a problem with birds, you do not have to put up with it. There is a solution.
Our operatives are well presented in a uniform, sensitive to public opinion, fully aware of legal aspects and motivated to providing the client with solutions to their problems. Staff are trained and competent in flying live hawks, proofing, marksmanship, and trapping. They will have the ability to do any or all on each visit.
For more
information and a solution to your bird problems please contact:
Angela Bigwood
( 01372 452645
( 0800 1699646
The Greeks knew it … The Romans knew it … and We Know It
Since the dawn of civilisation people have needed to communicate with each other – not just on a one-to-one basis (although that’s important of course), but for large groups of people to share ideas, intermingle and grow together. It’s no surprise then that the Greeks and the Romans invented the first theatres, as a way of addressing each other as well as for entertainment. And they didn’t just make any old theatre – they constructed some of the greatest amphitheatres in the world – where those at the back were as intimate with the action as those in the second row.
Fast-forward three-thousand years, and The Leatherhead Theatre is doing the same thing. There are few venues better suited for public speaking than this 500 seat amphitheatre-style auditorium. We have all the advantages the Greeks had, as well as a few they didn’t – like state-of-the-art video and slide projection and stereo surround-sound, as well as lighting and staging that you could only get in one of the most well-equipped theatres in the region.
Our facilities include the auditorium, which
can seat over 500 people, and offers top-of-the-range sound and lighting
equipment, digital video and slide projection and technical support. But if you have something smaller in mind,
we’ve got that too. The Theatre’s old Green Room has been converted into an
intimate conference room for up to 80, with all the mod-cons you’d expect from
a modern conference centre. For a more
informal setting there’s our Mezzanine
Level – complete with its own bar it has almost endless possibilities for
seating arrangements; it’s perfect for receptions or large meetings. Only a few steps away from Travelodge,
minutes from Junction 9 of the M25 and with excellent rail links to London, The Leatherhead Theatre is the best
low-cost conferencing solution in the area.
Located right in the centre of Leatherhead, The Theatre boasts Grade II
listed architecture and is perfect for any elaborate staging.
We offer competitive rates coupled with excellent customer service and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere for your meetings, conferences and presentations. Our unique auditorium space creates the perfect environment for adding a different dimension to any style of meeting. There is nowhere quite like The Leatherhead Theatre. After all, we’ve got 3,000 years of experience behind us!
For more
information, please contact: Nick Taylor, Conferencing Manager/Bar Manager
Telephone: 01372 365122 and Mobile: 07966 985921
Website: www.the-threatre.org
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AUGUST Cinema Madagascar (U) 86 mins Ben Stiller ("Meet the Parents"), Chris Rock ("Chris Rock Never Scared"), David Schwimmer (TV’s "Friends") and Jada Pinkett Smith ("Collateral") star as the voices of four zoo animals who hang up when they hear the call of the wild. Alex the Lion is the king of the urban jungle, the main attraction at New York’s Central Park Zoo. He and his best friends Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo have lived their entire lives in blissful captivity, with regular meals provided and an admiring public to adore them. Not content to leave well enough alone, Marty allows his curiosity to get the better of him and, with the help of some prodigious penguins, makes his escape to explore the world he’s been missing. Alex, Melman and Gloria go after him, but before they can go wild in the streets, they are captured, crated and put on a ship to Africa…to be ultimately set free. When those plotting penguins sabotage the ship, Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria find themselves washed ashore on the exotic island of Madagascar. Now, these native New Yorkers have to figure out how to survive in the wild and discover the true meaning of the phrase "It’s a jungle out there." From Monday 1st to Thursday 4th, 3.00pm and 7.30pm Tiger Bay Tea & Cakes Matinee ! Thursday 18th, 2.00pm Charlie and the Chocolate Factory From
Sunday 14th to Thursday 25th Live Theatre Stagecoach Theatre Arts Gypsy Blood A new musical which tells of ardent
love set on the brooding Yorkshire moors. Based on the popular Brontë novel
Wuthering Heights, Cathy Earnshaw falls for her adopted gypsy brother
Heathcliff. But her resentful real brother wants to tear them apart and smash
their love to pieces. Intense emotions build into high drama and higher
passions. Featuring Girls and Boys from Stagecoach Theatre Arts Schools
throughout the UK and overseas. Words
and music by: Veronica Bennetts. Thur 11th
7.30pm, Fri 12th 7.30pm Sat 13th 3.00pm and 7.30pm. All Tickets: £10 |
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The
Leatherhead Theatre 7
Church Street, Leatherhead, Surrey
KT22 8DN For advance
ticketing and further information: Please telephone the Box
Office on: 01372 365141 (Tuesday
to Saturday – 2.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.) Visa,
Amex, Mastercard, Delta and Switch cards are all accepted Alternatively, please visit The Theatre or Email us at: boxoffice@the-theatre.org www.the-theatre.org |