Message Invalid character found in the request target [/leaders-tour/episode/yves-francois-blanchet-speaks-with-reporters-in-farnham--april-24-2025?id\u003dea71c8aa-8e14-476d-a0ab-1189e159a450 ] The valid characters are defined in RFC 7230 and RFC 3986 Description The server cannot or will not process the request due to something that is perceived to be a client error (e.g. Note The full stack trace of the root cause is available in the server logs Staff and volunteers at Farnham Food Bank have made a May appeal for donations as stocks are running low on some supplies Community-minded residents can help out by donating tinned meat – tinned hot dogs stew and ham will be gratefully received – and UHT milk jelly and fruit pots could also do with topping up while donations of tinned vegetables like carrots and peas are also welcome Donations can be made at The Vineyard Centre Wrecclesham and Heath End branches of The Co-op To contact the food bank call 07901 581539 or email [email protected] Comments Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us Further Links Owned or licensed to Tindle Newspapers Ltd | Independent Family-Owned Newspapers | Copyright & Trade Mark Notice & 2013 - 2025 Farnhamite Gabriel Laguë invited 400 of his closest friends and neighbours to a party at Microbrasserie Farnham I went backpacking with a friend and told him I wanted to make a music festival He enjoyed the birthday party-slash-festival so much that he decided to make it an annual tradition The first official edition of the Festival Belle Banlieue is planned for Sept Eclectic Quebec folk singer-songwriter Bernard Adamus will headline the festival alongside the festive country band Tailgate Radio and six yet-to-be-named local acts from around the Townships The full program will be released April 30 a serving army nurse and former volunteer at Soif de Musique in Cowansville has been working on the festival on evenings He said he was motivated by the enthusiasm of Farnhamites for his original idea I want to create an opportunity for people in Farnham to get to go to a real festival without going to a big city great beer… there’s no reason we can’t do it!” Mayor Patrick Melchior and town employees were among the guests at Laguë’s original shindig “I wanted to show them what we could do with a small budget,” Laguë said and the Microbrasserie Farnham will provide staff to sell food and drinks with help from his longtime friend and Soif de Musique cofounder Edouard Lagacé in an advisory role; a technical director; and a security team made up of Laguë’s friends They have also found a few local corporate sponsors and are eager for other local businesses to get involved “in some way that highlights their strengths.” and I know there will be some kinks to work out our goal is to break even…and potentially do something bigger for the town’s 150th birthday next year.”  He added that the name “Belle Banlieue” (which translates to “beautiful suburb”) is “both a nod to and a declaration of love for our reality a vibrant culture and a close-knit community We wanted to reclaim this pride and show that the suburbs are beautiful Copyright © 2025 | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors Excitement rippled through the riverside park as spectators gathered to watch a sea of yellow take over the River Wey. Hundreds of numbered rubber ducks were poured into the water from Long Bridge, marking the start of each heat. From there, the plucky paddlers bobbed their way downstream, all vying for the coveted title of Champion Duck 2025. Organised by the Farnham Weyside Rotary Club and supported by local groups including Farnham’s Air Cadets, the event proved to be another quacking success. “Those ducks were in fine fettle,” said a Rotary Club spokesperson. “They’d completed their training and were raring to go. Gostrey Meadow was bursting with colour, music, and laughter — it really was a day to remember.” Families enjoyed traditional amusements, children’s rides, and live music from the Rock Choir, while food and drink stalls kept the crowds well-fed and refreshed. Ducks were still being adopted on the morning of the race for £2, with each entry offering a shot at a prize. All proceeds will benefit good causes, with this year’s nominated charity being The Woodlarks Centre, the much-loved care home and activity centre located on the edge of Farnham. See this week’s Herald for more reports and pictures. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us Further Links The final started in an even manner as both sides had good spells of possession in the opening 10 minutes of the game the match burst into life as Brentford took the lead Logie did excellently to pivot and shoot in the box and despite her effort striking the post Woods was quickest to the rebound to give the Bees the lead Farnham did probe the edge of Brentford's box for an extended period after going a goal down and their equaliser arrived eight minutes after conceding as Maya Adams' delivery into the penalty area found the head of Mia Delaney Adams was causing problems down the left side and it took good defensive work from Carolin Engelhard to delay the winger and ensure she could not get a shot on goal Habeebat Gbajabiamila was next to go close for the Bees and after good work in the box her chipped effort only just went over The west Londoners were beginning to build momentum and a great Woods cross found Logie whose headed effort was tipped over by the goalkeeper Emily Foss had the last chance of the first period for Farnham as she smashed the crossbar with an effort from the edge of the box Foss had the first chance of the second period she found the bottom corner of the net with a great finish Farnham did well to contain Brentford for most of the half but after a flurry of second-half substitutions from Osborne Alissa Down powered an effort onto the crossbar but Cheatley was in the right place to turn the ball into the net Boycott made an impressive save to deny Adams and keep the scores level following the goal Logie was in the right place at the right time to latch onto a lofted through ball from Engelhard and lob the goalkeeper from just inside the box as she grabbed her first goal and the Bees' third Farnham found a dramatic equaliser as Anya Kinnane looped a header over Boycott from a corner to take the game to penalties Two great saves in the shoot-out from goalkeeper Boycott allowed Cheatley to take the fourth and winning spot-kick following successful efforts from Woods Osborne's side secured their first piece of silverware of the season with the impressive comeback and then eventual penalty shoot-out victory Attention now turns to next weekend when the Bees can secure the league title and promotion to tier five on Sunday 4 May away from home against Clapton Community Brentford Women head coach Karleigh Osborne praised his side following their penalty shoot-out victory against Farnham Town in the Capital Cup final The win handed the Bees their first piece of silverware for the season and their third trophy in the last two campaigns "That's a brilliant result to hold onto the cup which is a difficult thing to do," said Osborne "Winning it the first time was extremely tough "We've got some magnificent characters in this group and that's the bit that we're showing At times last year we maybe didn't show it enough but this year I think every individual is showing that character." Nour Aboul Kheir said she was excited about the challenge and keen to play her part in adding another trophy to the club’s growing collection “This season we’ve had a lot of success in the league so it’s nice to take a break and look at the cup and win one to add to the two we won last season - we’re really looking forward to it,” she said I’m quite excited because last season I wasn’t involved so I’m quite looking forward to being involved in this matchday squad.” The clash follows on from Tuesday’s tense 1-0 win at Denham United in the London and South East Regional Women's Division One North providing a rare double game week for Karleigh Osborne’s side “The game on Tuesday was a really tough one so I think emotions were definitely high after getting that win," added Aboul Kheir "It put us in a really good spot in the league and we can hopefully seal promotion really soon with the next game “Everyone’s fighting for a spot in the squad Sunday's final will be the first time Brentford have played Farnham this term but the west Londoners' preparations will remain the same as normal we look at every team as it’s going to be a challenge we shouldn’t drop our standards no matter what league they’re in,” she explained “We’re a tier-six team taking on teams in the leagues above and winning so it shouldn’t be any different for teams below us to come and try to do the same thing to us.” The Bees played out a tense LSE Division One North clash with Denham United in midweek, with Chloe Logie’s second half-goal enough to secure a 1-0 win Brentford were forced to fight for 90 minutes under the lights at Windsor & Eton Football Club but Osborne’s group did enough to secure a vital three points in their quest for promotion Previously in the Capital Cup, the Bees cruised to a 5-0 win over South London at Bedfont Sports Club Despite going into half-time goalless, braces from Logie and Ashley Cheatley alongside one goal from Alissa Down were enough to book the side’s place in Sunday’s final Farnham Town compete in the SEC Surrey Premier Division - the seventh tier of women's football - where they currently sit second with 11 wins from as many games They trail leaders Carshalton Athletic by one point having played three games fewer reeling off five-straight wins in all competitions since a 4-0 loss to Carshalton in early March Maya Adams (16) and Kaitlin Howard (14) have led the way up front and will pose a threat to the Bees’ defence There will be updates from the game against Farnham Town on social media, as well as a match report on the club's official website and app. Your browser is ancient! Upgrade to a different browser or install Google Chrome to experience this site As I step into the role of Chair of the Board of Directors I’ve been reflecting on our community and organization Cycling BC has had the incredible privilege of helping build our sport across the province you are one of more than 6,000 members representing 8 disciplines who contribute to your local community of riders and who shape the unique and vibrant fabric of cycling across our province I’ve enjoyed riding bikes since I was a kid but it was riding with my local club in Victoria that led me to fall in love with the sport I’ve seen firsthand how clubs foster personal growth and provide a sense of community by bringing together riders of all ages and abilities to support one another Through these contributions and the races and events they organize clubs have an impact on the sport well beyond their own membership After serving as Tripleshot’s president for four years I ran for the Cycling BC Board of Directors because I wanted Cycling BC to do more to elevate and support clubs and other local communities of riders the Board has evolved into a highly engaged and hard working team with each director bringing unique skills to the table—from event organizing and coaching we were out in the community and spoke to dozens of stakeholders across the province and disciplines to get their thoughts and feedback we came together in Vancouver for a 6-hour planning session to discuss that feedback and ways to make Cycling BC the best it can be A clear theme emerged from all our discussions: clubs and other communities within our membership are at the heart of BC’s cycling future and our success as an organization is tied directly to their success With the arrival of Christine Reid as our new Executive Director I’m excited to leverage her expertise and leadership and start working on a new strategic plan to help shape our future We know the past few years have been challenging and our members expect more from us We are deeply committed to rebuilding trust delivering strong results and creating a community where every rider feels supported you’ll hear from Christine as she starts sharing ways we can better work together with your continued passion and involvement I look forward to what we will accomplish together for our sport and our community the Australian singer says Darryl Sambell drugged him controlled what he ate and punished him for rejecting his advances John Farnham has opened up for the first time about his “abusive” relationship with his first manager accusing him of being “sexually aggressive” towards him and controlling what he sang the 75-year-old singer reveals the extent of Sambell’s abuse for the first time writing that he “used me like a piece of meat” he was aggressively sexual with me,” he writes ‘It’s not going to happen.’ I said it often enough that I can see now that this rejection turned his attraction into jealousy But after Farnham became famous with his hit Sadie the Cleaning Lady Sambell controlled “where and when I worked he tried to keep me away from [Farnham’s now wife] Jill and he made me believe that all my success Sign up for our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning Sambell would work him long hours in an effort to isolate him, Farnham writes, and tried to break up his relationship with Jill by “bullying” her. Sambell would also drug Farnham with amphetamines to keep him working all night, then sleeping tablets to knock him out in the morning. and I had no fucking idea,” Farnham writes adding that he had only discovered what Sambell was doing when he found a half-dissolved pill in his coffee He still feels “so ashamed of myself for not realising what Darryl was up to or speaking up more often” he writes: “I still don’t know why I didn’t react more tired and feeling unsure and insecure about my own instincts.” In Poppy Stockell’s 2023 documentary John Farnham: Finding the Voice Jill Farnham called Sambell “evil” and spoke about his drugging the singer But his memoir is the first time Farnham himself has spoken about Sambell’s abuse on record Stockell, who co-wrote the memoir, told Guardian Australia that she believed Sambell was a factor in why the singer has long been reluctant to speak to media Farnham writes of how Sambell would leak details of his private life for publicity “I think the shame and guilt of not leaving that abusive relationship earlier is probably something really hard for John that he feels ashamed and guilty for being naive,” she said “But we see it play out over and over again in this industry where the power imbalance is so great … and people turn a blind eye or are complicit in silence.” Free newsletterCatch up on the fun stuff with Guardian Australia's culture and lifestyle rundown of pop culture “Pushing him to speak about Darryl was really tricky … that was hard going.” In 1969 Farnham, then 20, sued Sambell for unpaid profits; because he was still a minor Farnham had to sue his manager through his father In 1975 Farnham dropped the lawsuit and told media: “There’s no ill feeling at all and I stress that there are absolutely no plans for changing my management.” “I was finally free from what I can see now was an abusive relationship that lasted almost a decade,” Farnham writes I’ve found it very hard to unpick what happened to me I look back on that time with sorrow … I gave away control of my career The rock band Masters Apprentices sacked Sambell too after Glenn Wheatley realised he was pocketing their profits; Wheatley would later become Farnham’s manager and close friend Farnham Town Flares' over-50s squad have made history winning their first-ever league title after an impressive final round of games in the Thames Valley Walking Football League Division One The team secured three wins and two draws at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre in Marlow finishing top of the table and earning promotion to the Championship division Heading into the day in second place behind Watford Farnham knew they needed a strong performance – and they delivered They edged past Wycombe and Watford with back-to-back 1-0 victories before a goalless draw with Woodley A dominant 3-0 win over Maidenhead and a battling 1-1 draw with Reading sealed the title Club chairman Andy Cundy expressed his delight at the historic achievement we have often come close to winning leagues or tournaments but five years after the club was established we finally have a trophy for the cabinet,” said Cundy Farnham Town Flares and runners-up Watford will move up to the Championship division where they will face an even higher level of competition next season The Flares’ over-50s title-winning squad included Stephen Probert over-60s and multi-age teams competing in leagues and cup competitions The club also competes in tournaments and friendly games Although walking football is aimed at people over the age of 45 Farnham Town Flares also welcome players who are below this age and would like to continue playing Training is held weekly throughout the year Anyone who would like more information should visit the club’s website at www.ftfconline.com/farnham-town-walkers for further details. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us Brightwells Yard has announced the launch of Brightwells & Co, Creative Space, a new community hub in Farnham. The space will bring together arts, business, and photography while working with local artists, schools, and residents to energise the area. A spokesperson for Brightwells Yard said: “We are really pleased to be opening Brightwells & Co, Creative Space. Our aim is for it to be a real asset to Farnham, a place where people can connect, create, and enjoy a diverse range of activities. “We’re looking forward to seeing it become a thriving hub for everyone.” The hub’s programme begins on Wednesday, May 7 with Possibly Real, Probably Not, an exhibition by students from the University for the Creative Arts (UCA). Then, on Saturday, May 24, local artist Kate Kennington-Steer will present a yard of joy, a free, drop-in mixed-media art workshop celebrating Creativity and Wellbeing Week. The event will also serve as the official launch of the community space. In June, the hub will host a month-long photography exhibition from Kiln Photography, showcasing the talents of local photographers. Brightwells & Co, Creative Space also plans to run a regular Small Business Showcase. Local businesses interested in getting involved are encouraged to visit the Brightwells website for more information. Brightwells Yard reached completion last year after several delays. Since its opening, it has attracted some exciting additions, such as a Reel Cinema, Nando’s, and Jetts gym. It has, however, been criticised in some quarters for the number of empty retail units. The new creative space is part of ongoing efforts to bring life and purpose to the long-awaited development. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us The Australian singer values his privacy – so he shocked film-maker Poppy Stockell when he asked her to help him write his memoir film-maker Poppy Stockell still hadn’t met her subject While the film has plenty of old footage of Farnham – as a little boy as an older star belting out hits on stage – the singer didn’t want anything to do with it quiet narration in the film was recorded not by Stockell wife of Farnham’s longtime manager and friend Glenn Wheatley who had gently pushed Farnham to allow the film to be made But as Stockell spoke to more members of Farnham’s inner circle – the Wheatleys Jillian – it was fed back to Farnham that Stockell was Her famously private subject now wanted to write a memoir Having already spent years poring over his life she finally found the Voice in his home in Victoria But even though Farnham was finally willing to talk he was diagnosed with mouth cancer and underwent surgery that involved removing all his bottom teeth and scraping his jaw bone “I was told later that someone from the medical team called Jillian a couple of times while I was in ­theatre – apparently I was very close to dying,” he writes in the memoir he broke his back and had to return to hospital A subsequent course of radiotherapy left him uninterested in food and his weight dropped to 63kg John Farnham and Poppy Stockell in conversation for his memoir Photograph: Supplied by HachetteWhen Stockell and Farnham finally sat across from one another for the first time he’d truly been in the wars – but she found he was determined to crack on “Sometimes he would have a giggle and then wince because he’d stretched his mouth and the scarring made it hard But he’d want to keep going,” Stockell says Sign up for the fun stuff with our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning The cancer diagnosis “gutted” him, Farnham writes in the memoir. Being unable to open his mouth means he may never sing again: “My facial disfigurement from the surgery means I can’t open my mouth wide enough for a strip of spaghetti, let alone to sing a top C. At this stage I can’t get the movement to make the sounds I want to make, and that’s where the vibrations and my voice come from. It’s still a very disconcerting thing. And trying hurts.” But the radiation treatment hasn’t yet damaged his vocal cords, which leaves him hopeful. He’s still having a go: “I can barely open my mouth but I still wail in the shower.” Free newsletterCatch up on the fun stuff with Guardian Australia's culture and lifestyle rundown of pop culture, trends and tips Read moreFarnham spoke to Stockell in marathon sessions over several months; she estimates 50 hours in total He had watched her documentary “through his fingers” I feel like I know his life better than he does now,” she jokes There’s no way I would have been a part of the book if I hadn’t made the film.” There’s some complex emotions there – shame but I think it was ultimately catharticPoppy StockellDuring their fourth session Farnham “looked me straight in the eyes and said while covering particularly traumatic memories they were both in tears: “We both cried heaps and I think that’s a similarity between us.” The memoir charts the heights of his celebrity with some fabulous anecdotes: Bob Hawke crying with him at his Australian citizenship ceremony; Diana Princess of Wales telling him that she likes his leather pants; or US actor Raquel Welch propositioning him at the 1989 Logies – in front of Jill John Farnham in 2002 I really don’t.’ Photograph: Julian Smith/AAPBut there is also a lot of pain and hardship There were the years after his twee hit Sadie the Cleaning Lady when he was still seen as Johnny Farnham (or a “pretty-boy puppet” as he puts it); the lack of work meant he had to open tabs at the local shops to buy groceries for his family Then there was his unhappy spell as frontman of Little River Band struggling against “undercurrents of animosity fallow period before Whispering Jack became the highest-selling album in Australia But the most difficult part was revisting his entry into the music industry as an innocent teenager “It is a very predatory industry” says Stockell “John would turn up after some sessions and say ‘I didn’t sleep at all.’ He’d have pretty bad nightmares after we spoke about certain things It’s tricky – [as a memoirist] you’re wearing a few hats and probably some you’re not really qualified to wear.” I really don’t,” the memoir opens – but Stockell thinks he did by the end “He’d grumble about having to talk about himself It was also hard going over a lot of what’s been Of all of Australia’s beloved songwriters Farnham is among the last to write a memoir Photograph: Roger Tillberg/AlamyOf all of Australia’s most beloved songwriters – Jimmy Barnes Paul Kelly – Farnham is the last to write a memoir and has held his cards close to his chest for a long time so this cracking story has just been sitting in front of us and hasn’t been really told before ‘You spelled my brother’s name wrong!’” she laughs worried about how it’s all going to be received But I also know that that comes from a lifetime of being exposed The Voice Inside by John Farnham and Poppy Stockell is out on Wednesday (Hachette I have spoken with some of the small shopkeepers in Farnham They are losing money whilst the traffic changes are being installed Some of them may not survive the next two years They work very hard to pay the high rates and rents charged by the landlords and local council of Farnham I feel that the council rates and rents should be reduced for the duration of the traffic works The council already charge enough for visiting Farnham through their car park charges which many of these same shopkeepers have to pay just to work in Farnham The council too will lose money if visitors stop coming to Farnham The piece by Farnham and Bordon MP Gregory Stafford on the Scunthorpe steel crisis (Herald April 17) reflects opportunistic finger-pointing rather than a balanced look at a complex situation the decline of the UK steel industry has been decades in the making—under both Conservative and Labour governments To claim this crisis is purely Labour’s failure is misleading when successive Tory governments oversaw years of underinvestment and dependency on foreign ownership—including the original approval of the takeover by the Chinese group Jingye Stafford criticises Jingye’s rejection of a £500 million rescue bid but fails to mention that as a commercial entity the company is under no obligation to accept offers that don’t meet its conditions—especially after years of political and economic uncertainty in the UK The Conservative government’s role should have been to secure those guarantees earlier not trying to lay the blame when private negotiations collapse now that his party is in opposition As for the rushed bill and sweeping powers: this is a tactic all too familiar from the Conservative playbook Stafford’s outrage over legislative overreach rings hollow especially from a party that passed major acts of parliament with little or no scrutiny during Brexit and Covid invoking national security and military bases in Hampshire feels like a stretch but Scunthorpe’s economic lifeline should not be weaponised for attempts at political point-scoring Real leadership would focus on building a future for steel through public investment and fair terms for workers—not trying to score headlines with blame games I was heartened by the piece by our MP Damian Hinds last week (Herald and Post April 17) in which he argues convincingly in favour of free trade I wonder if his article was cleared by Conservative Party Headquarters or whether he is keen to distance himself from headquarters and show the voters of East Hampshire where he stands on the issue the advisory cycle lane markings along Alton’s Anstey Road were removed by Hampshire County Council (HCC) contractors they removed the longest bit of cycling infrastructure in Alton and narrower than the minimum recommended width for cycle lanes they were used by many local cyclists on this often busy main route into town The benefit of cycle lanes is that they delineate road space for cyclists and alert drivers to the possible presence of cyclists ahead These lanes gave confidence to many users who are now hesitant to cycle along this stretch of road It seems perverse of HCC to waste taxpayers money on removing some inoffensive and helpful road markings while simultaneously consulting residents on where we’d like them to make budget cuts for next year (the future services consultation) So far it has proved impossible to find out the reason for their removal Cycle Alton has asked several people at HCC including officers and our councillor I’ve lost count of the number of people who have asked me where the cycle lanes have gone If someone from HCC could tell Alton cyclists why The only advice we’ve been given so far is to report them as ‘missing’ on the HCC website which is ironic when it was HCC who removed them Many people take advantage of the Heritage Open Days that are held in September which give people a chance to ‘try out new experiences’ for free According to the Heritage Open Days website these events are part of England’s largest festival of history and culture our local Alton Quakers have opened their premises and put on displays in Heritage Week but they have been the only ones to take part – so far it is planned to hold an Alton Heritage Day on Saturday Thanks to the generosity of Dementia-friendly Alton we will have the use of the Assembly Rooms businesses or families to join in and have a table where they could share their history with everyone The Heritage Open Days theme this year is architecture so it would be lovely if some of the displays could reflect our buildings As much of what we have lost has been connected with our brewing industry Alton has a rich and varied history which we are proud of and that we need to preserve and publicise while we support the valuable work that is being done by Dementia-friendly (for whom donations will be welcome) So, if you are a club, group, society, business or family that has a history that you would like to display – please contact me at [email protected]. Planning is in its early stages but it is hoped to make this the first of an annual event. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us Finally the sun seems to be shining and the temptation is to head to our rivers this is not always a safe decision around here Take the River Wey. It runs through Bordon, Haslemere, Farnham and many places in between. The was an outcry when hundreds of fish were killed mysteriously here in March. Though this particular incident remains unsolved, the source of most of the River Wey’s pollution is a matter of public record. During 2024, Thames Water was ‘permitted’ to discharge sewage into the river on 139 occasions in 2024. It flowed for more than 1,400 hours. In Farnham alone there was a discharge of over 10 hours every week on average. Last week, the Daily Telegraph revealed that over and above the permitted amounts, there are countless illegal releases. Even the country’s areas of outstanding beauty aren’t exempt; more than sixty per cent have been hit. Given all this, I find it astonishing that only three people in the water sector have ever been prosecuted for any environmental related crimes since privatisation. But they weren’t even given any penalty under the Conservatives. Not even a fine. And neither was any action taken against the water bosses who obstructed enquiries into illegal overflows. So, I was delighted to see the Labour government introduce new powers last week to toughen up the law. These could see water executives who cover up illegal sewage spills imprisoned for up to two years – the toughest ever measures in history. The new legislation will also provide powers to ban the payment of unfair bonuses for polluting water bosses. This is vital because not only did the Conservatives fail to deliver investment in our broken water infrastructure, they also let our money be spent irresponsibly on bonuses and shareholder payouts amounting to over £41m since 2020 alone. While the Conservatives are primarily responsible, they were aided and abetted by the Liberal Democrats. Funding for the Environment Agency was cut by half between 2010 and 2019. During half of this time the Lib Dems were sat at the cabinet table signing the cuts off. This led to a staggering drop in enforcement activity against the polluters. And, as many of your readers will recall, the now Lib-Dem leader Ed Davey concluded in a review that water regulation “works and is not fundamentally flawed”. Disappointingly this shameful record continues. The Liberal Democrats voted against the legislation to ban the payment of unfair bonuses and making polluting water bosses criminally liable for their actions. Labour, in contrast, has made clear its determination to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas. £104 billion of private sector funds will finally be invested in rebuilding and upgrading our water system, and an Independent Commission into the water sector has been launched – the largest review since privatisation. This could be a sea change for our rivers and coasts. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us Eighty years ago, the Herald reported scenes of joy, relief and solemn reflection as the people of Farnham gathered to mark Victory in Europe Day—a “God-given triumph over evil,” as it was described at the time. Now, eight decades on, the town will once again come together to commemorate VE Day with a flag-raising ceremony at the town hall and a beacon lighting event at Gostrey Meadow on Thursday, May 8. News of that the Second World War was nearing its end reached Britain on the evening of Monday, May 7, 1945, when the BBC announced Germany’s surrender and declared the following day a national holiday. On the afternoon of May 8, Prime Minister Winston Churchill addressed the nation on BBC radio, officially declaring the end of the war in Europe. “My dear friends, this is your hour,” he told listeners. “This is not victory of a party or of any class. It's a victory of the great British nation as a whole. We were the first, in this ancient island, to draw the sword against tyranny.” As the Herald recorded at the time, more than 1,000 people gathered at St Andrew’s Church in Farnham for a thanksgiving service led by the rector, Rev G N Selby-Lowndes. The service, authorised by the Archbishop of Canterbury, began with the national anthem and included popular hymns and a heartfelt address. Rev. Selby-Lowndes told the congregation: “Even the most indifferent and thoughtless must realise what bestiality the world had been delivered by this victory. “But at what a cost! As there were not those among the people of the German race to stop this evil, but people who rather gave themselves to acquiesce in it. The sacrifice had to be made by the united nations.” The church was filled with representatives from the town council, wartime organisations, and essential services, including the armed forces, ambulance, police and nursing staff. Elsewhere around the town and villages surrounding Farnham, other churches hosted their own services and residents created their own celebrations with small gatherings for tea and cakes. Many prisoners of war also were able to return home. These included Cecil Collins from Rowledge , Kenneth Lannister who had family in Farnham, Ernest Edwards from Farnham, Alfred Farr from Lower Bourne, Harold Tester from Dockenfield, Jerry Spedding from Farnham, and several more men who had been captured. While the war in Europe was over, conflict continued in the East, and the monumental task of rebuilding had already begun. Overseas, Farnham residents were involved in the aftermath of the Nazis atrocities. For example, the Herald reported on the humanitarian efforts of Marjorie Ashbery, daughter of Mr and Mrs P Ashbery of Beaumont College. Marjorie left her post as head game mistress at a school in Lincoln to join the Friends’ Relief Unit, volunteering to assist following the liberation of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, where a deadly typhus outbreak had spread. “Our day starts at 7am and we don’t arrive back from the hospital and the camp until 8.30pm to 9pm and then there are chores to do,” she said. “We are helping an army unit and a casualty clearing station to evacuate and nurse typhus patients in a concentration camp. No British women are allowed to visit the camp, as it is considered too horrible. “In the four days we have helped, there have been 2,500 people evacuated. Nurses think 20 percent of them will live and the doctors think about 45 percent will live.” She also noted the disparity in conditions: SS officers nearby lived in relative comfort, with medicine, clothing and well-furnished apartments—just miles from where camp survivors struggled with death, illness, malnutrition and extreme deprivation. As Farnham prepares to honour VE Day once more, the Herald’s accounts from 1945 serve as a powerful reminder of a community shaped by the hardships of war and united in its commitment to remember. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us One of the largest and most costly road projects on the books in Belleville this year a new $10 million reconstruction of Farnham Road in Thurlow Road We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentConstruction crews and heavy machinery rumbled away on the first phase of the road makeover that includes an extension of water and sewer lines gutters and modern street lighting from Maitland Drive northward to Kipling Drive Mayor Neil Ellis was joined by city council members city staff and members of contracting firm Cobourg Development Services Ltd Tuesday morning for a sod-turning ceremony the rebuilt entry way into the urbanized corner of Thurlow Ward will service thousands of motorists daily after several years of the city working to bring the project to fruition only local motorists are encouraged to use Farnham Road until construction is complete Your weekday digest of the top stories from our newsrooms in Cornwall By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc The next issue of Eastern Ontario Midday Roundup will soon be in your inbox Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. A second phase to complete the north end of Farnham Road to a new subdivision has not been slated for a starting date. Thurlow Ward Coun. Paul Carr said it was nigh time the rebuilding of one of the busiest stretches of road in his ward got under way and was relieved to “finally” see shovels going into the ground. A motion by Carr at city council in October 2021 to add the roadworks in the 2022 capital budget paved the way for Tuesday’s launch of Farnham Road’s complete overhaul. “This is certainly needed based on all of the housing in here, really it was kind of backwards. The road should have been built first and I couldn’t see it deferring any longer, we need to have this built to a proper standard,” Carr said in an interview on the sidelines of Tuesday’s ceremony. “We have a lot of folks who like to walk, cycle and things of that nature. This provides that connectivity in safe way to do it, that was key,” he said. “Phase One at least gets this under way. Until it was in the budget, no work could be completed, not even design work so, once it was a budget allocation, design work could get under way.” He attributed the delay to new provincial environmental regulations linked to roads projects. “We lost a year on this project simply because the provincial government was playing around with regulations as it relates to environmental assessments and then they were going to throw it back to the municipality,” he said. “It was sitting in abeyance for a full year so we lost a whole construction season.” Residents in thousands of homes and apartments will benefit from the new infrastructure, he said. “This is a huge deal, this is probably the number-one issue I heard at the door and continue to hear at town halls,” he said. Mayor Ellis said it was good to see Farnham Road reconstruction moving ahead. “It’s good to turn the shovel today on this. Unfortunately, we didn’t get any provincial money on it but maybe next time,” Ellis said. “Usually on these projects, hopefully we get a third [in provincial funding] but we have got other money for other streets.” Despite the municipality paying full pop, Ellis said the project really couldn’t wait any longer. “The road needs to be done not only for the residents here, but as you see, there is a lot of traffic from out of town and in town using the road to cut into Belleville,” Ellis said in an interview on site. Ellis said he and his office have fielded many calls by Thurlow residents asking when Farnham Road was going to be rehabilitated. “Same as Coun. Carr, during the election it seemed to be the number-one issue here and people have been asking when it was going to be done,” Ellis said. Thurlow Ward Coun. Kathryn Brown said in a statement issued Tuesday by City Hall the reconstruction of Farnham is needed to meet growth as more housing units are built in the area. “This important section of Farnham Road connects Canniff Mills and Heritage Park to the rest of Belleville,” said Brown in the release. “As the surrounding area develops rapidly, it serves all road users including people walking, cycling or driving. This project will accommodate this significant growth and we’re excited to see it finally beginning.” transmission or republication strictly prohibited This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy with Farnham enjoying a hugely-successful 2024-25 campaign Town won the Isthmian League South Central Division title in style drawing six and losing four to pick up 102 points out of a possible 126 and seal back-to-back promotions The success continues a rapid rise for the club which won the Combined Counties Premier Division South title in the 2023-24 season after winning 35 league games and drawing three to pick up 108 points out of a possible 114 The awards – sponsored by Covers Builders Merchants – were held in Farnham Town’s clubhouse The clubhouse was packed with Farnham supporters as fans and players celebrated the season together Town skipper Ryan Kinnane had a successful evening – winning two awards Kinnane won the players’ player of the season award and the manager’s player of the season award Owen Dean won the golden boot award for the third successive season after scoring 26 goals Dean also won the fans’ player of the season award after contributing eight assists to help fire Town to promotion The playmaker award for most assists in the season was won by Harry Cooksley Ben Purcell won the goal of the season award for his superb strike into the top corner in the comprehensive 4-0 win away at Kingstonian The awards were followed by the first annual Big Fat Farnham Town Quiz of the Year which was also held in Farnham’s clubhouse Town now face a busy summer before taking on the challenge of Step 3 football in the 2025-26 season Anyone who would like more information on Farnham Town should visit the club’s website at https://www.ftfconline.com/ for further details. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Further Links Shannon Power is a Greek-Australian reporter They have worked as across three continents in print Shannon has covered high profile celebrity trials along with industry analysis of all the big trends in media pop culture and the entertainment business generally Shannon stories have featured on the cover of the Newsweek magazine and has been published in publications such as Metro and The Sun. You can get in touch with Shannon by email at s.power@newsweek.com and on X @shannonjpower either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content There are a lot of emotional moments in Celine Dion's new documentary about her life but there is one that might leave some viewers scratching their heads That moment comes when Dion is filmed watching a vintage video of Australian singer John Farnham Some scenes show Dion in the middle of a "crisis" where her whole body seizes up as she struggles to breath and in some cases is rushed to the ER by paramedics the feature film shows Dion coping with the death of her husband and battling to get her singing voice back Directed by Academy Award nominee Irene Taylor the Canadian singer is enthralled with an old video of Farnham in concert playing the piano while performing a cover The Beatles hit Dion said she loved the "hoarseness" of his voice and wished she "could be more rock and roll" like Farnham She is then seen preparing to record some clips for a documentary about his life and Dion went off script talking about how much she loved him I was flipping because he had a power that broke the radio," she said in the movie Dion said: "When I first heard John his voice was incredible and so emotional." She described putting together her setlist for her Asian Australian tour and how she wanted to "so bad" include Farnham's mega-hit "You're The Voice," which is often described as the unofficial national anthem of Australia It then cut to a clip of Dion and Farnham on stage in 2018 singing the song and showed present-day Dion swept up in the emotion of their performance "I never thought that I was going to sing it with him," she said Newsweek contacted Farnham's representatives by email for comment The 74-year-old singer was born in England but moved to Australia as a child and is arguably one of the country's most successful musicians of all-time after rising to fame in the 1970s he cemented his place in Australian culture as frontman of the successful Little River Band "You're the Voice" was a number one hit in Australia and its associated album stayed on top of the album charts for 25 weeks and is the third-highest selling album in Australian history He has won 21 of the Australian music awards known as the ARIA Awards and was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2003 Farnham revealed he had been diagnosed with throat cancer Dion opened up about their friendship and individual health battles in an interview earlier this month with Australian breakfast TV show Sunrise "It's prophetic that I performed '[You're] the Voice' with him "He's one of my favorite singers of all time And I just will never forget the gift that he gave me (of singing it)." when I'm back on stage and I sing 'Help,' it will be for you Farnham announced in 2023 that he was cancer free after undergoing surgery to remove a tumor from his mouth Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground Newsletters in your inbox See all © 2025 Hamilton's Funeral and After Life Services Sonny Boyce, a Farnham Town under-nines player and Potters Gate Primary School pupil, was a mascot for the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley last week. And he had even more reason to celebrate as Palace booked their place in the final with a 3–0 win over Aston Villa on the day. Sonny had been waiting for over three years to become a mascot due to the backlog created by the Covid pandemic—but his patience paid off, as he was the first to walk out onto the pitch. It wasn’t too nerve-wracking for Sonny, who had already walked out as a mascot for Farnham Town’s first team alongside midfielder Harry Cooksley. The pair took to the pitch together on April 12 for Farnham Town’s victory over Kingstonian. That experience gave Sonny the confidence to step out in front of 82,000 people at Wembley—with a smile. Sonny’s proud dad, Jesse Boyce, 46, said: “It was a dream come true for Sonny, who may now be spotted around Farnham proudly frequently wearing red and blue - when he's not wearing his Farnham Town shirt.” As he does most years, Sonny made a tin foil FA Cup to wave from the terraces. This year, his creation was even featured on BBC One’s coverage after Palace’s fifth-round win over Millwall. He also made a YouTube guide for other children on how to make their own foil FA Cup and has since collected over 10 signatures on his homemade trophy from the Crystal Palace first team—including Jean-Philippe Mateta, Daniel Muñoz, and Adam Wharton. He attended the 2022 FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea aged six, when Palace lost—but this year, he’ll be back at Wembley to watch his team play in the final against Manchester City. Jesse and Sonny are both Crystal Palace season ticket holders, as well as being fans of Farnham Town FC. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us Twenty-three Farnham Runners took on the challenge to consolidate the teams’ positions in the league. There were 12 men in Farnham Runners vests to secure full A, B and C teams, while the ladies fielded 11 runners so the C team just lacked one runner but the team still did well. The ladies consolidated high positions in the leagues. Their A team came fifth in the top flight and they lie fifth of ten clubs. Their B1 team came fourth and they lie fifth. The C team was also fourth, raising the overall C table position to seventh. The men’s A1 team was seventh and lie eighth out of ten, the B1 team was fifth and lie tenth and the C team was seventh and lie ninth. The first two men back both achieved personal best times. Joe Collins ran a splendid time of 58.49 and placed 16th overall over the undulating course and amazingly, as part of his training for the London marathon, continued to run another ten miles, following the first half of the race route and back the same way. Joe Lee, after a long time off with injury was delighted to be back, with a time of 1:02.10. New member Alex Elsey impressed with 1:02.07 (chip time), clocking the same gun time as Lee. Nick Grist in 1:08.48 put in a strong performance as the fourth member of the A team. Ivan Chunnett led the B team (1:09.11) followed by fifth M60 Keith Marshall (1:09.30), Colin Addison (1:13.10) and Charles Ashby (1:13.45). The C team consisted of Richard Denby (1:23.47), Chris Allen (1:27.07), Craig Tate-Grimes (1:38.49) and Howard Inns (1:40.29). Linda Tyler, first F60 in a new personal best time of 1:13.24, led in the ladies. Next in, Candy Waller (1:14.46), Gemma Whitehouse (1:23.31) and Gill Iffland (1:23.48) also recorded new personal bests. Tori Shaw (1:27.55), Jane Georghiou (1:29.13, second F70), Kelly Lincoln (1:32.38) and Colette Grist (1:32.39) made up the B team, while Lizzie Collins (1:35.15), Sandra Hickey (1:36.52) and Alison Lamb in her first ten miler (1:47.35) ran for the C team. In training for forthcoming ultra-distance races four Farnham Runners tackled the Big Feat Winter’s End off road marathon over the South Downs. Ivan Chunnett finished in second place in a remarkable time of 4:24.08 over the challenging course, while Colette Grist, Kate Townsend and Kelly Lincoln clocked six hours 15 minutes. Three Farnham Runners ran the hilly Brighton marathon. Mike Taylor recorded a time of 4:11.33, while Steve Bailey, after an injury curtailed his training, finished in 4:13.30. After also sustaining an injury in training, Georgie Abrook had to settle for 4:39.35 this time. Phoebe Thomas showed her potential in Vienna. Her time of 3:04.00 placed her 29th lady and ninth in the senior ladies’ category. Not only that, she was the first British lady home. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us West Sussex based interior design consultants Rory Cashin Design were asked to redesign Farnham Golf Club’s existing function room bar-lounge and toilet areas and to create a luxurious and contemporary interior Major structural work was undertaken to open up the bar-lounge spaces and the project was fully completed in early January 2025 The design’s colour palette of olive greens gold and tan reflects the club’s location in the heart of the Surrey countryside Floor finishes are a mixture of bespoke carpet porcelain tiles and luxury timber effect vinyl The redesigned lounge-bar areas include soft seating leather banquettes and dining tables whilst the new bar features a sweeping composite stone topped front counter with ribbed tan leather clad front panelling and a back bar bottle display The Art Deco inspired restaurant includes a built-in food servery unit ribbed leather banquette seating and a large bespoke mirror; above this a new central ceiling raft with radiused corners and concealed lighting features a large round fabric and acrylic drum light (illustrated) A rectangular fabric pendant on brass rods hangs above the food servery whilst in the bar-lounge the lighting includes a mid-century style satin brass chandelier and perforated metal wall and ceiling lights Custom pale green ‘Crittall’ style metal windows and bi-fold doors add a retro look as does the stylish Italian furniture throughout the public areas with chairs stools and sofas upholstered in various fabrics and leather paired with oak topped dining tables and coffee tables with stone tops new honours boards and a meeting room complete the scheme Rory Cashin told GBN: “I was approached by the club in mid-2022 to produce a concept design package for the redesign of the clubhouse bar lounge and function room spaces with the brief to create a contemporary ’country club’ interior fit for the future “Working with an architect’s master plan (which included building an extension to the lounge-bar area) an initial concept design package of plans sample boards and budget costings was produced excluding the extension and using a revised teal blue and warm grey colour scheme This second design was implemented but using the original colourways “The completed interior has an Art Deco Moderne feel particularly the restaurant which replaced the former function room We worked with the client’s team throughout 2024 to realise the scheme.” Following the news of the theft of over £2 million of stock from its Manchester warehouse last weekend Worldwide Golf Brands reports that the business is 'back up and running' with minimal disruption to the vast majority of its customers the business growth agency for UK and Irish golf clubs has launched a new marketing system that has delivered rapid advances in the service they deliver Brocket Hall has announced that world-renowned putting coach Phil Kenyon is to open a new state-of-the-art putting studio at the Hertfordshire-based venue GolfBusinessNews.com (GBN) is for the many thousands of people who work in the golf business all around the world We cover the full range of topics both on and off the course We aim to supply essential information both quickly and accurately in a format which is easy to use We are independent of all special interest groups Click here to sign up for our free twice weekly golf industry news summary View the latest newsletter here 5/7 High StreetDorchester-on-ThamesOxfordshire OX10 7HHUnited Kingdom publisher@golfbusinessnews.com © 1999-2025 e.GolfBusiness.com Limited | All Rights Reserved. | GBN Privacy Policy Families have been urged to go by the Weyside and enjoy a quacking day of fun in the heart of Farnham A wave of excitement is building in the town as the Great Farnham Duck Race returns next weekend A flotilla of rubber ducks will turn the Wey through Gostrey Meadow into a yellow river next Saturday lunchtime (May 3) Ticket holders and fans can expect a series of exciting heats in the race to be crowned Champion Duck for 2025 with the fun taking place from midday to 4pm Crowds will line the riverbank to cheer on the plucky duckies while visitors can expect plenty of “colour fun and entertainment for all the family,” according to organisers A spokesperson said: “The racing ducks have finished their training and are ready to descend and compete in the Great Farnham Duck Race along the river “Gostrey Meadow will be bursting with entertainment.” The spokesperson added: “There will be amusements for the children music including performances from the Rock Choir The first race will begin at midday while there’s still plenty of time for well-wishers to splash out on a £2 ticket this Saturday (April 26) in Lion & Lamb Yard Buyers can snap up a duck on the day on the meadow or buy one in advance through https://shorturl.at/M2tU0 There will be prizes for heat winners and the overall victor with all money raised from the Birdworld-sponsored event going to local and Rotary charities This year’s nominated charity is The Woodlarks Centre: a much-loved care home and activity centre in a wooded setting on the edge of Farnham For more details about the organisers and their activities visit www.farnhamweyside.org.uk or look for Farnham Weyside Rotary Club on Facebook. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us With eyes set on a national championship this season Bonaventure men’s AAU Division I hockey team looks to bring its win streak to four following two games against the Rochester Institute of Technology this weekend head coach Jordan Farnham made his expectations for Bonaventure’s 2024-25 season clear.  “Our expectation is to compete for and ultimately win a national championship,” said Farnham.  Farnham said capitalizing on power plays will lead to wins against an old rival on Saturday and Sunday.  “We haven’t played RIT since our American Collegiate Hockey Association days so it will be nice to play an old rival,” said Farnham We haven’t fully clicked on the power play.”  Bonaventure previously played in the ACHA before moving to the AAU.  Sophomore defenseman Miles Brown said SBU must focus on one game at a time despite two straight wins.  “I think that keeping things fun and light is key as the season is a long one,” said Brown “Not getting ahead of ourselves and taking it day by day is a simple approach but an important one in the grand scheme of things.” Bonaventure’s roster depth and the talent of senior forward Owen Hughes will be key down the stretch this season “We have one of the deepest rosters I’ve seen,” said Farnham who was First-Team All-American last year in AAU My hope is that we have enough depth to take pressure off our first two lines and to get secondary scoring.”  said the Bonnies perform their best playing a fast-paced brand of hockey “Last weekend [against Niagara] we used our speed well,” said Hughes.  “We try to play a fast and smart game as we find ourselves most successful when we can do those things.” Hughes sees accountability and energy as vital to the squad improving throughout the season.  “I try to hold everyone accountable,” said Hughes keeping energy up every day is important to getting better in a long season.”  Brown said maintaining locker room morale will translate to wins.  “Hockey is very emotional; there are a lot of ups and downs throughout the games,” said Brown “Being able to build a positive environment and keeping morale high will  Brown said he can hold his teammates accountable due to their strong chemistry.  we can hold each other accountable for our actions on the ice but most importantly off ice like how we carry ourselves around others and in classes.”  A sense of brotherhood amongst the team helps the Bonnies thrive “We have a sense of brotherhood and fraternity that has really helped us grow,” said Farnham “That has brought us closer and gives the guys beliefs that we’ve been here before.”  Brown defined the impact he hopes to have on his teammates.  “I hope I can make a positive impact both on and off the ice with everyone I come across,” said Brown “Continuing to lead this team is something I value and hopefully I can play a part in bringing a national championship trophy to St Bonaventure’s first game against the RIT Tigers starts at 3 p.m Game two will be played on Sunday at 11:30 a.m.  All rights reserved. Designed by Withemes Photo and writing by Joseph DeBell The Rigas Family Theater Honoring the late Julia Farnham McMahon ’87 Above: pictured l to r: Provost Teresa Garrett and President Petersen alongside a picture of Julia Farnham McMahon after awarding her a posthumous diploma from Hendrix 2025) – Hendrix College recently awarded a posthumous diploma to the family of Julia Farnham McMahon ’87 and announced the establishment of the James Russell Gill III and Julia Farnham McMahon Endowed Scholarship This tribute was made possible through the efforts of James Russell Gill III ’86 Julia’s boyfriend at the time of her passing along with the support of her family and friends "It was at Hendrix that I met Julia,” said James Gill III '86 “At the conclusion of our freshman week orientation This was a dance that would last for four years We lost Julia a few days after my graduation and I am certain that she would be delighted to know that this endowment will assist deserving students in experiencing the transformative life-changing opportunities that we both cherished." A Prairie Grove High School graduate and passionate equestrian Julia was set to graduate from Hendrix in 1987 Her life was tragically cut short in June 1986 due to an automobile accident Julia’s vibrant spirit left a lasting impression on the campus community Julia’s letters home highlighted her deep connection to Hendrix where she often shared stories about her favorite professor Her letters reflected her academic successes and personal growth “She was a great fun-loving girl who loved life and loved having fun between her farm chores and schoolwork,” said Susan Dunn Chambers '87 “She was ahead of me in school and was my “Big Sister” when I started at Hendrix taking me under her wing and showing me the ropes of college life I am happy she is being awarded her degree It is a wonderful way to honor an equally wonderful girl whose life was cut short." James Russell Gill III ’86 initiated efforts to honor Julia with a posthumous diploma and an endowed scholarship The scholarship will provide financial support to Hendrix students with preference given to those from Northwest or Northeast Arkansas Gill emphasized the transformative impact of a Hendrix education recounting advice shared by then-President Dr it is not our goal as educators to provide you with all the answers but rather to cultivate a lifelong need to ask the right questions.” Gill noted that this philosophy shaped his life and affirmed that the scholarship will help deserving students access similar opportunities reflected on her joyful spirit and fearless pursuit of her passions remembering her as a loving sister and a competitive determined individual who immersed herself in the horse business Hendrix College expresses its gratitude to the McMahon family and all who contributed to this meaningful tribute Julia’s posthumous diploma and the endowed scholarship will ensure her legacy continues to inspire future generations within the Hendrix community Content on this site may require a PDF reader. Please visit https://get.adobe.com/reader to install reader software to access this content Brightwells has announced the winners of its ‘Win a Shop’ campaign, aimed at bringing new life to the mixed-use development in Farnham. The competition offered an ambitious business the opportunity to win a year’s free rent at the site. It can now be revealed that two new shops entering the development will be BB Dog Boutique and Amba House Furniture. The businesses saw off over 180 applicants and were two of 10 finalists to take part in a Dragon’s Den-style interview hosted by Nando’s. Farnham’s town mayor, Brodie Mauluka, took on the role of dragon and was impressed by all the finalists. Cllr Mauluka, said: "It was a real privilege to be part of the Win A Shop panel. “The energy and dedication of all the finalists were truly inspiring, and it was fantastic to see so much potential for new businesses in Farnham. “The selection of two winners, each with such distinct and promising visions, is a fantastic outcome for Brightwells and for our town. I look forward to seeing them flourish." Amba House is a home furniture company, while BB Dog Boutique sells collars, clothes and accessories for dogs. A spokesperson for Brightwells said:"We were truly blown away by the enthusiasm and creativity demonstrated by all the applicants. “The passion of both Kelly at Amba House and Caroline at BB Dog Boutique for their ventures and for becoming part of the Brightwells community shone through. “Their unique offerings will undoubtedly add something special to Farnham, and we are thrilled to support them as they embark on this exciting journey." The spokesperson also expressed gratitude to all those who applied and reached the final stages of the Win a Shop campaign. Further opportunities are expected, and applicants have been encouraged to keep an eye on their inboxes for updates. Despite the positive news, Brightwells Yard continues to face criticism over the number of empty retail units and the wider challenges the development has faced since its long-delayed opening. The Win a Shop initiative is one of several attempts to address ongoing concerns and attract more businesses to the site. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us [email protected]SPREAD THE NEWS Police are investigating an act of criminal damage after teenagers threw eggs at the screen during a late-night screening of A Minecraft Movie at Reel Cinema in Farnham. The incident, which the cinema said caused thousands of pounds worth of damage, took place at about 9pm on Friday, April 4. A cinema spokesperson said in a social media post: “Last night, during a showing of Minecraft, a group of children egged our cinema screens. What may have seemed like a harmless prank has actually caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.” The spokesperson explained that the screens are made from special materials that cannot be easily cleaned, and in some cases, the damage could render a screen unusable for weeks. The cinema also confirmed that its auditoriums are covered by “high-quality CCTV” and the names of those believed to be involved have been reported. “We’ll now be working with their school and the police to take the appropriate next steps,” they said. The cinema also announced plans to increase monitoring during screenings, stating, “We will not tolerate any kind of disruption before, during, or after a screening. Anyone who disrupts a showing will be asked to leave, and if necessary, the police will be called.” A spokesperson for Surrey Police said: “We are investigating an incident of criminal damage at Reel Cinema in Farnham that took place on Friday, 4 April. “The incident took place between 8:55pm and 9pm and involved two teenage boys throwing eggs at the screen, causing significant damage. “We have been in contact with the cinema and our enquiries to identify the suspects are ongoing.” A Minecraft Movie, based on the popular video game, stars Jack Black and Jason Momoa as they’re transported into a blocky world. While critics have given the movie generally poor reviews, it has been a box office success. However, reports of antisocial behaviour, especially among younger viewers, have surfaced worldwide, with some screenings descending into chaos. Social media footage shows food being thrown, loud shouting, swearing, and people jumping from their seats, many recording the mayhem on their phones. Anyone with information about the Farnham egging incident is urged to contact Surrey Police, quoting reference PR/45250040334. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us Complex throat surgery saved his life but has (probably) ended his career It looks like it’s the end of the performing road for Australian singer John Farnham Extensive surgery for oral cancer has left the 75-year-old unable to sing Back in 2022 Farnham was diagnosed with cancer and later went through a 12 hour operation to remove a tumour During the complex procedure - which involved no fewer than 26 doctors – a portion of the singer’s jaw was removed and had to be reconstructed The good news is that Farnham has now been declared cancer-free The downside is that the surgery has left him unable to summon up the power in his voice to sing In the UK Farnham is best known for You’re The Voice but down under he’s regarded as music royalty Its accompanying album Whispering Jack remains the biggest selling album by an Australian artist in their home country which reveals his current frustrations – since the operation he has been unable to open his mouth to sing or even eat properly: “My facial disfigurement from the surgery means I can’t open my mouth wide enough for a strip of spaghetti “I can’t get the movement to make the sounds I want to make that’s where the vibrations and my voice come from Farnham hasn’t given up hope just yet of being able to perform again once more: “I was given a gift and to be able to get out there and affect people in some way was special Though I am not putting all my hopes into it I couldn’t help thinking it was my own fault At present it looks like his long career – his first Aussie hit came way back in 1967 - is over but in an Instagram post announcing the news that he was cancer free last year he said just glad to be still around: “I’m home now and I’m a very grateful and happy man I’m sitting here in my living room lapping up the attention from my beautiful wife my boys Rob and James and my mini Schnauzer Will SimpsonNews and features writerWill Simpson is a freelance music expert whose work has appeared in Classic Rock He is the author of 'Freedom Through Football: Inside Britain's Most Intrepid Sports Club' and his second book 'An American Cricket Odyssey' is due out in 2025 "I have a very emotional relationship with my machines”: Djrum on how a catastrophic technological failure led to one of 2025’s best electronic album It was unbelievable”: The making of Robert Palmer's Addicted To Love “You have everyone from senior citizens to little kids who like heavy metal music It's a very friendly community”: Scary Ghost’s Tobias Forge reckons you've got metal all wrong Bourne Wood, one of Surrey’s most recognisable filming hotspots, is once again playing host to a major Netflix production. Crews have returned to the popular woodland location near Farnham to shoot scenes for Season 5 of the hit fantasy series The Witcher. Over recent weeks, dog walkers and families have enjoyed the spring sunshine in the area — but those visiting may have also noticed the sudden appearance of temporary wooden structures resembling small beehives. These are believed to be part of the set for the upcoming season, which continues the saga based on the bestselling video game and book series. A spokesperson for Forestry England, which manages the woodland, said:“Forestry England and the film company will endeavour not to encroach upon your enjoyment of the wood, however, there may be some disruption with vehicles and horses moving around.” Netflix last filmed The Witcher in Bourne Wood during production of Season 4 in 2024. Since then, the series has made use of nearby filming locations, including Black Park in Slough. Based on the popular video game, the series will see a major cast change this year, with Australian actor Liam Hemsworth stepping into the role of Geralt of Rivia, replacing Henry Cavill, who portrayed the character for the first three seasons. Hemsworth and his doubles have been spotted on set and local fans may recall that his brother, actor Chris Hemsworth, was seen at Frensham Ponds back in 2015, delighting passersby and even stopping to take photos. Season 4 of The Witcher is set to premiere in September 2025. Bourne Wood has a long cinematic history, having been featured in major productions including Gladiator, Harry Potter, and The Avengers. For those interested in visiting more local filming sites, Waverley Borough Council has published a map of notable locations in the area, encouraging fans to explore and relive their favourite movie moments. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us Global Court Reporting Firm Expands Sales Team a leader in the court reporting and litigation technology industry is excited to announce the addition of Jen Farnham to its growing sales team Jen brings more than 20 years of sales experience to Planet Depos with a strong focus on court reporting services and deep-rooted client relationships "Planet Depos brings together the technology and support our clients need to assist with their complex litigation," said Jen "I am ecstatic to be a part of the team going forward." "Planet Depos brings together the technology and support our clients need to assist with their complex litigation I am ecstatic to be a part of the team going forward." Jen began her career in sales after graduating from the University of California she developed a passion for the court reporting industry Her extensive knowledge of the legal landscape in California and dedication to client success make her a valuable addition to Planet Depos "Planet Depos continues to expand its team with top industry talent reinforcing our commitment to providing world-class court reporting services," said Jennifer Parratt "Jen's expertise and focus on client relations aligns perfectly with Planet Depos' mission and vision for future growth." spending much of her spare time volunteering at her local animal shelter She has five rescue animals of her own and considers them her family and her world Planet Depos leverages the latest litigation technology to provide comprehensive court reporting services across the U.S Planet Depos is the only international court reporting firm led by court reporters and industry experts Committed to best-in-class service with 24/7/365 support Planet Depos has extensive experience reporting complex matters around the world Planet Depos partners with clients to streamline proceedings using industry-leading proprietary technology and digital solutions such as remote depositions Visit planetdepos.com to learn more and schedule your next legal proceeding Learn more about Planet Depos Follow Planet Depos on LinkedIn Follow Planet Depos on Twitter Follow Planet Depos on Facebook Read our blog Delma Lara, Planet Depos, 1 888.433.3767, [email protected], https://planetdepos.com/  Brittany Jones, Planet Depos, [email protected]  Do not sell or share my personal information: Farnham Walking Festival will return this year the annual event offers a diverse programme of guided walks that celebrate the great outdoors and everything the local area has to offer The festival includes more than 30 walks catering to all interests and fitness levels—from leisurely strolls and nature trails showcasing local wildlife to more challenging hikes for seasoned walkers offering participants insights into Farnham’s unique environment and rich history said: “I look forward to welcoming you to the 10th Farnham Walking Festival I would like to give my thanks to Farnham and District Ramblers for leading so many of the walks as well as the many other volunteer guides “Each guide has specialist knowledge about their route which will make for some very informative walks.” although a few request a donation to charity For full details, visit www.farnham.gov.uk or pick up a brochure from Farnham Town Council on South Street. This year’s principal sponsors are Kidd Rapinet and Shaw Gibbs. Tel: 01252 725224[email protected]Follow us We have the address for the funeral home & the family on file If you're not happy with your card we'll send a replacement or refund your money \u003ca href=\"/who-we-are/community-events\"\u003eRead More\u003c/a\u003e Brenda Jo Farnham, a woman who always put her family first, passed away Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at her home. Brenda, 64, of Charlotte was born June 1, 1960 in Battle Creek to Larry Gene Farnham and Kazuko (Uno) Farnham. As an "Air Force... View Obituary & Service Information The family of Brenda Jo Farnham created this Life Tributes page to make it easy to share your memories Made with love by funeralOne