What’s on News

Regular Dates

Compton Village Club

Compton Club boasts a packed schedule of events for February. Here is what’s on:

Band Night. Local band Charley Farley Sunday Four, from 7pm, Saturday 31 January Pig Out Pizza, regular monthly slot for food and socialising (first Thursday of every month), Thursday 5 February, from 6pm until 9pm Rugby Six Nations, from 4.30pm, Saturday 6 February Rugby Six Nations, from 4.30pm, Saturday 14 February Rugby Six Nations, from 2pm, Saturday 21 February Bingo, from 8pm, Saturday 21 February Quiz night, teams of up to six and prizes, from 7pm (quiz starts at 8pm), Saturday 28 February.

Check www.comptonclub.co.uk and join the members Whatsapp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/.JnU4sdkaxZRHy7RZz6eotm.

To stay up to date, check www.comptonclub.co.uk and join the members Whatsapp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JnU4sdkaxZRHy7RZz6eotm.

Women who W(h)ine

Women who W(h)ine is a new social meet-up that will be held at Compton Club, 7-9pm on the third Thursday of every two months: March 19, May 21, July 16, September 17, November 19, January 14 2027. The inaugural gathering on Thursday 22 February was a resounding success with 14 on the night. The conversation never flagged, according to Jane Turner. Interested in coming along to the next one? Then email Jane at janewturner@mac.com. Contributory nibbles will be much appreciated by all.

Sew like a pro

SEW LIKE A PRO, in a new course coming to Compton. Over four sessions, learn how to create beautiful cushions, blinds, lampshades and hand finished curtains, with a polished and professional finish, for your home. Experiment with different embellishments such as appliqué, embroidery, buttons, zips, piping and bias binding to add personalised, stylish and individual touches to your own soft furnishings. Discover how to create mood boards for every room, how to select and coordinate colours and fabrics and how to accurately measure and calculate fabric quantities. Michelle Calvert — an experienced designer and design tutor (MA in Textiles, Royal College of Art) — is running the classes from Compton Village Hall. To get the most, basic sewing skills are a requirement.

The course details are as follows: 4 x three-hour sessions with a maximum of 6 per class.
Evening: 6-9pm Tuesday 3, 10, 17, 24 March.
Day: 9-1pm Thursday 26 February, 5, 12, 19 March.
Each 4 session course: £120. Sewing machines provided. Students will need to provide materials (fabric etc).
To find out more and reserve a place, contact: michellecalvert58@gmail.com / 07966 471561.

Compton Parish Council - Litter pick

Compton Parish Council is organising the village litter pick on Saturday 21 March. It starts at 10.30am at Compton Club. Volunteers can reconvene there for warm soup at midday afterwards. Litter pickers, bags and hi-viz supplied. Please bring your own gloves and wear sensible footwear. The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Wednesday 15 April, 7pm at Compton Club. Dates of upcoming Parish Council meetings are on the back page.

Les Amities Francaises

On Thursday 26 February Les Amitiés Françaises’ guest speaker Emily Capulet will give an illustrated talk on Maurice Ravel, his music and his passion for antique treasures. The lecture is also on Zoom (link to be emailed) for those unable to reach Godalming on that day. Talks are from 7.30pm to 9pm at the Wilfrid Noyce Community Centre, Oglethorpe Hall, Crown Court Car Park, GU7 1DY. Les Amitiés Françaises always welcomes new members. Talks are in French. www.amitiesfrancaisesgodalming.com.

Godalming Probus

Probus Club of Godalming is a friendly group of retired professional men who meet monthly in Godalming for lunch followed by a speaker. The Club’s next lunch will be on Friday 6 February 2026. The speaker, John Field, will discuss The Amazing World of Magic, which includes tales of the earliest known magician, the world’s oldest trick, the first book on magic, common fairground scams and the world of magic today. Probus Club of Godalming also meets every month in a local pub for a coffee and a chat. The Club has an active walking group and organises outings as well as an annual Christmas lunch. For more information, visit its website www.godalmingprobus.com or email the secretary at pcgcommittee@gmail.com.

Milford Probus

Milford Probus Club’s next lunch & talk is Solving a crucial problem of navigation: finding longitude, by Chris Vollers, on Friday 20 February. Before the 18th century, sailors on the high seas had no reliable way of knowing their exact location. North/south location was determined with little difficulty but east/west had proved much more challenging. Chris tells the fascinating story of why tackling the longitude problem mattered so much, why it was so difficult to solve and how an extraordinary Yorkshire carpenter and self-taught clockmaker came up with a solution. Lunch is at 12.30pm (pre-lunch drinks from 12pm). Godalming Masonic Hall, GU7 1RQ. Visit www.milfordprobus.com or book lunch (book the Monday before) with Miranda O’Brien: miranda.obrien@btinternet.com / 01483 423398.

The Club’s activities include organised outings ending at a pub. Established in 1999, it has welcomed women members since 2016 and now has a female president. Prospective members are invited to join lunches as paying guests while considering membership.

What’s on in February at St Nicholas Church?

You are very welcome to all our services and events, particularly as we approach the season of Lent.

• Muddy Church A space for wandering & wondering with God for all the family on the first Sunday of each month at 10.30am (term-time only).

• Toddler group Fledglings, every Monday (term-time only) at 9am at Puck’s Oak Barn. fledglingscompton@gmail.com.

• Inside Out meets Saturday 7 February 10am to 12 noon to keep the church & churchyard looking good. Just turn up or contact stnicholascompton.wardens@gmail.com.

• Bell ringing Sunday service ringing is 9.50am to 10.30am (first Sunday of every month it is 5.30pm to 6pm instead). Bell ringing practice alternate Tuesdays 10am to 12pm. Practice sessions can be arranged at other times to suit those who cannot manage a weekday morning. Contact phil.gorton@btinternet.com.

• Baptisms, Weddings & Funerals. Please contact our Rector, Sally, if you would like to mark a family milestone at St Nicholas.

• If you would like someone to pray for you or with you, contact our Rector: stnicholascompton.rector@gmail.com. Confidentiality will be respected.

Thanks & blessings, Revd Sally Buddle

February 2026

Visit our website for full details of upcoming services & events: stnicholascompton.org.

Godalming Choral Society

Godalming Choral Society will perform King Arthur, by Henry Purcell at St John’s Church Farncombe, GU7 3EJ, on Saturday 18 April, from 7.30pm. Purcell (1659 to 1695) lived in the turbulent times of the Restoration. John Dryden’s libretto deals not with Camelot and the Round Table but with a Celtic-British King Arthur and his battles against the Saxon invaders. The first performance was in 1691 and it celebrates the Glorious Revolution of 1688, when William III and Mary came to the throne. “Foreign kings adopted here their crowns at home despise” are the words of the final chorus! King Arthur was called a “musical entertainment” or a “dramatick opera” as much of the drama was spoken, with musical commentary and scene-setting. This amazing work contains some of Purcell’s most lyrical music, using adventurous harmonies, and including the famous Frost Scene and the ravishing aria Fairest Isle. The performance will include only the captivating music of this dramatic masterpiece, not the spoken roles. Conductor George de Voil, who is directing the semi-opera, says: “We invite you to enter the world of Saxons vs Britons in our performance of this dramatic masterpiece. Pick a side… and follow the exploits of kings, magicians and evil spirits through the beautiful verse of John Dryden and the peerless music of Henry Purcell, one of our nation’s most treasured composers.” Tickets, £20 (free for under 18s,) from Record Corner, Pound Lane, Godalming, from Godalming Choral Society will perform King Arthur, by Henry Purcell at St John’s Church Farncombe, GU7 3EJ, on Saturday 18 April, from 7.30pm. Purcell (1659 to 1695) lived in the turbulent times of the Restoration. John Dryden’s libretto deals not with Camelot and the Round Table but with a Celtic-British King Arthur and his battles against the Saxon invaders. The first performance was in 1691 and it celebrates the Glorious Revolution of 1688, when William III and Mary came to the throne. “Foreign kings adopted here their crowns at home despise” are the words of the final chorus! King Arthur was called a “musical entertainment” or a “dramatick opera” as much of the drama was spoken, with musical commentary and scene-setting. This amazing work contains some of Purcell’s most lyrical music, using adventurous harmonies, and including the famous Frost Scene and the ravishing aria Fairest Isle. The performance will include only the captivating music of this dramatic masterpiece, not the spoken roles. Conductor George de Voil, who is directing the semi-opera, says: “We invite you to enter the world of Saxons vs Britons in our performance of this dramatic masterpiece. Pick a side… and follow the exploits of kings, magicians and evil spirits through the beautiful verse of John Dryden and the peerless music of Henry Purcell, one of our nation’s most treasured composers.” Tickets, £20 (free for under 18s,) from Record Corner, Pound Lane, Godalming, from www.godalmingchoral.org.uk or at the door.

Conservatoire Concerts

Conservatoire Concerts is holding its next concert on Saturday 7 February 7pm at Godalming Baptist Church GU7 1BA. Two young musicians from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance – Liliia Konstantinova (harp) and Olta Luli (flute) – will be performing a programme that consists of works by Mozart, Debussy, Tournier, Nino Rota, Bizet and more. For booking and more details please visit www.conservatoireconcerts.org.uk. These concerts are only possible thanks to the donations and retiring collections at the end of the concert. Booking on www.conservatoireconcerts.org.uk. Admission free with a retiring collection.

Watts Gallery - Dates for your diary

Though the Visitor Centre and Shop is closed for refurbishment, we are open Wednesday to Sunday as usual within a temporary Visitor Centre situated in the Old Kiln, by the entrance to the Watts Café. Watts Contemporary Gallery and KD Fine Art remain open and are accessible via the stairs on the outside of the Visitor Centre.

• On Wednesday 4 February, Watts has its monthly “Pay If and What You Can” day. Head to Watts to visit the grounds and exhibitions at whatever price you want.

• Women of Influence: The Pattle Sisters continues to delight in the Historic Galleries. There is still plenty of time to visit Watts Gallery and learn about how their lives changed the creative community around them. Exhibition runs until Monday 4th May 2026.

• Opening on 12 February, Lines & Lineage, at Watts Contemporary Gallery, features the works of three wood engravers spanning over a century of wood engraving. In the meantime, don't miss In Print: Seven, on display until Sunday 8 February.

• Get a glimpse behind the scenes at Watts Gallery on Thursday 12 February for a special “An hour in the archive” talk and tour. This exclusive event offers a rare opportunity to explore collection items and artefacts and hear more from Curatorial Advisor, Hilary Underwood.

• Get a professional tintype photograph taken of you and your loved ones by photographer Emma Brown. On Friday 27 February, Watts is running a Tintype photography studio event. Book a spot in the studio to take home a photo that you can cherish forever.

• Watts Tots sessions run on the first Friday of each month. From sensory experiences to messy play and collaboration there are many ways for your children to learn while having fun.

• Check the website for details of events and to book tickets: www.wattsgallery.org.uk

Godalming Museum

Godalming Museum exhbitions & events in February Earthbound. A group exhibition bringing together a theme of experimental textiles to explore the interconnection between humans and the natural world, connecting our existence to the earth and evoking our shared cosmic origins and evolving ecosystem. Tuesday 10 February to Saturday 28 February. Secret Cemeteries. In-house exhibition that was previously exhibited in 2020 that tells the story of the archaeological excavation, which took place in 2014, of a late Saxon and early medieval cemetery, located near Godalming Parish Church. It is the first known cemetery associated with the church, dating 850-1200. Exhibition runs until Saturday 7 February.

Visit “What’s On” on the Museum’s website for details of upcoming exhibitions and events. Godalming Museum is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm. Visit www.godalmingmuseum.co.uk / 01483 426510.

Arts Society Woking

On Tuesday 10 February, ARTS SOCIETY WOKING’s talk is Screening the novel: Books into films. How do you turn a huge sprawling novel like Gone with the Wind into a film to be seen in one evening? Why do some novels make the transition so much better than others? Is there any difference between one adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and any of the others? From Dickens to Austen, the classic novels constantly reappear as movies, but this lecture moves from All Quiet on the Western Front in 1930 through the social realism of the post-war British novel to The Godfather in 1971. The talk will be given by Colin Shindler. Talks start at 10.30am but doors open 9.45am for tea, coffee & biscuits. Normandy Village Hall, GU3 2DT. Members may bring a visitor, who may want to make a donation to the Society of £10.

www.wokingdfas.org.uk/talks-arts-society-woking-2025.htm

Lunchtime Jazz

Monday 2 February, 2pm

Guildford Institute, Ward Street, GU1 4LH.

This year marks the centenary of Miles Davis’ birth and our featured guest is Steve Waterman, one of the UK’s top jazz trumpet players and for whom Miles was a critical influence. The winner of numerous British Jazz awards, Steve has worked with such jazz luminaries as John Surman, Carla Bley, Andy Sheppard, Tony Coe, and Don Weller and has also recorded many critically acclaimed CDs. Joining Steve will be pianist Alex Hutton and Marianne Windham on bass.

Jo Harrop

Thursday 26 February, 8pm

Guildford Pavilion, Woodbridge Road, GU1 4RP

A welcome return to the Pavilion for world-class jazz vocalist Jo Harrop, renowned for her achingly beautiful music delivered in a warm, smoky voice that’s said to be able to 'melt even the chilliest of hearts'. Jo has received rapturous reviews for her first four albums, including winning ‘Album of the Year’ at the 2023 Parliamentary Jazz Awards, and has graced some of the world's most prestigious stages, including The Royal Albert Hall and The Lincoln Centre in New York.

For further information visit www.guildfordjazz.org.uk

St Augustine’s Abbey

St Augustine’s Abbey, Chilworth welcomes the public to prayer, reflection and culture this spring: - The Abbey is hosting sessions from The mystery of God: who God is and why he matters, a faith formation series based on Bishop Robert Barron’s work, with a session on Saturday 14 February 2026, 10.30am to 12.20pm, exploring “The God who is love” (book and pay via www.ticketsource.co.uk). - Visitors are welcome to join the monks for a day of worship and prayer on Saturday 21 February 2026, 10.30am to 4.10pm, a free event centred on guided prayer, silence and community in the Abbey Church. - Continuing the Indigenous spirituality: a global exploration series led by Sheila Longman, events on Saturday 28 February and Saturday 28 March 2026, 10am to 12 noon offer insights into indigenous traditions (book and pay via www.ticketsource.co.uk). The programme also includes Every photograph tells The Great Gatsby story, a cultural evening on Friday 20 March 2026, 7.30pm with images, music and narrative on F Scott Fitzgerald (book and pay via www.ticketsource.co.uk). St Augustine's Abbey, Sample Oak Lane, Chilworth, Guildford, Surrey GU4 8QR. www.chilworthbenedictines.com.