I should like to assure those residents who have enquired about the possibility of an allotment plot in the village that you have not been forgotten.  I have a long list of names: currently well in excess of twenty names, of those who have expressed an interest and it is quite clear that the original plots offered by Waverley will not be sufficient

Elstead Parish Council will now consider the report of a special Allotments Committee, which was a set up to investigate the way forward and to make firm proposals for the establishment of allotments in Elstead. The committee will  recommend the establishment of new allotments on council land adjacent to the Burford Lodge Recreation Ground and the issues that need to be resolved, such as, soil testing for contamination (Health and Safety requirements), the provision of a water supply, appropriate fencing and the provision of car parking

I hope to be able to give a full report in the next issue of the Village News and the details of the establishment of an Allotments Association for those villagers interested in being part of the new venture.  In the meantime, if anyone else is  interested, please let me know

The second part of HHH Concerts' season opens on 14^th February with a recital by the young German pianist Martin Helmchen. With his highly virtuosic yet unpretentious style, Martin Helmchen has already made a name for himself on the international music scene.  Born in Berlin in 1982, he is the winner of many prestigious prizes including a Credit Suisse Young Artist award in 2006 which led to his debut with the Vienna Philharmonic under Valery Gergiev.  From 2005-2007 he was a regular visitor to the UK under the BBC New Generation Artist Scheme.
Martin Helmchen has performed widely in Europe, appearing in all the important German festivals and at the Marlboro Festival in Vermont, USA. 

Martin's programme will include music by Bach, Messiaen and Schumann.

On Saturday 14^th March the season will end with a concert by the Lendvai String Trio.  Founded in 2004, the award-winning Lendvai String Trio performs regularly at major concert halls and festivals in Holland, Sweden and Britain, the native countries of its three members.  In 2005 the Trio won awards from the Kirckman Concert Society, the Park Lane Group and the Worshipful Company of Musicians which led to their debut recital at the Wigmore Hall.   Their playing was described in The Strad as '…"… Full of charm… an abundance of wit… gentle and intense… the musicians shone..'  Their programme will include trios by Michael Haydn, Beethoven and James Francis Brown.       

On Tuesday 17^th March there will be an afternoon concert in the Grayswood Village Hall, at 2.45 pm given by the Brodowski Quartet.  Four talented young string players will present a programme which includes well-known pieces by Mozart, Mendelssohn and Elgar.

This is a special event  for the elderly and disabled in the area, it is free, and will be followed by tea.  Applications should be made to Sarah Barnes on 01428 643129.

All other concerts start at 7.30 pm at St Christopher's Church, Weyhill, Haslemere. Tickets £14, students £5, children under 12 free, are available from Alastair Vartan on 01428 652448, and from Chamberlain Music Weyhill, Haslemere.