Things to do
Annual Events in Westcott
Westcott's Christmas Fair - WESTfestivity Saturday 18th November 2023
10am to 3pm at The Westcott Village Hall (formerly The Reading Room) & Holy Trinity Church. Plenty of Christmas goodies and seasonal food on sale, Raffle and Tombola, unique arts and crafts, non-stop cafe. Free entry and parking at the Westcott Village Hall
Christmas Carols around the Village Christmas Tree on the Green – Friday 22 December 2023 @6pm
Come along and join your friends and neighbours to sing some Christmas Carols led by The Church in Westcott. Meet on the green by the Christmas Tree @6pm. Mulled wine will be available with all donations going to “Crisis at Christmas” or “Kids for Kids” charities
To help with our green credentials you can view or download a digital copy of the carol sheet HERE Limited paper copies will also be available on the night.
Every Saturday 10am to 1pm at St John’s – everyone is welcome
Westcott Community Garden – space for everyone
A space for everyone in Westcott
Come along The Westcott Community Garden was started in 2021 and is a space for everyone to enjoy. Gardeners and non- gardeners welcome every Saturday between 10am and 1pm to help plant, sow, prune, harvest or simply sit and chat – oh and did we mention the tea & cake… definitely worth popping along
WESTfest 2023
WESTfest 2023
In 2023 Westcott’s annual village fair WESTfest will be on Bank Holiday Monday 8th May in celebration of His Majesty the King’s Coronation.
This year with a Coronation Street Party theme there will be the usual fun and entertainment for all the family. WESTfest is a great opportunity for friends and neighbours to come together and for village organisations and local small businesses to connect with the residents of Westcott. As usual WESTfest will be held at Cradhurst Recreation Ground. Pop the date in your diary now – Monday 8th May 2023 at Cradhurst Recreation Ground
Well, that was A RIGHT ROYAL WESTfest 2023!
The 8th annual WESTfest, heralding the coronation of our new King and celebrating our village community in majestic style! A coronation parade and celebration took place in Westcott in 1953, complete with ‘Queen Elizabeth II’ in full fancy dress regalia, so we’re delighted that 70 years on, ‘King Charles and Queen Camilla’ came to WESTfest to open the show (arriving with Daniel Brown Horseman ), accompanied by the wonderful Surrey Hills All Saints Primary School choir singing the National Anthem!
This year our eclectic mix of live music included the stately 20-piece brass The Cobham Band, and the brilliant Chobham and Dorking Rock Choir! Westcott’s resident dog expert John Venn from Surrey Hills Dog Training was back to run our dog agility and judge the Fun Dog Show. And rounding off the afternoon in rollicKING style our brilliant compere and DJ, G-Man’s Mobile Disco blasted out his favourite ANTHEMS… It was a cracKING line-up! (And despite the dismal forecast it DIDN’T rain!)
An entertainment highlight that wasn’t on the agenda was the visiting Fire Engine getting stuck in the mud on Cradhurst and needing rescuing by Giles in his vintage tractor!
Another highlight was the number of grown adults who engaged in the Coronation Games 3-legged and egg and spoon races with such vigour and competitive spirits they also became closely acquainted with the Cradhurst mud…
WESTfest is really all about community, but a happy bi-product of the day is our charity fund raising! The famous WESTfest Silent Auction and Raffle did a stonKING job, raising over £5000 which will be split between our 5 charities, F@SH Friends at Surrey Hills School, Dorking Minds Group, The Brigitte Trust – Helping People Live Well Beyond Diagnosis, Papua Partners and Faurefold Holiday House Guiding.
WESTfest has become a key part of Westcott’s village identity (it’s like the annual whole village street party!) but it is only possible with all the support we get from people in the village and local businesses… ThanKING our performers, stallholders, advertisers, Silent Auction donors, designer Suellen Peskett, event sponsors Seymours Estate Agents Dorking, raffle sponsors The Tree Associates Surrey Ltd, W Songhurst Ltd (Westcott Builders) and C J Uden Ltd (Drainage), our amazing team of volunteers, and to everyone who came along (especially as the forecast was so dire!).
We hope you enjoy the selection of photos! See you next year – probably in June next time!
WESTFest Organising Committee
Annual Village Litter Pick - November
Many hands make light work – come and join your friends and neighbours for a couple of hours on a Saturday in November (exact date confirmed each year) to help clean up the public areas of the village. All equipment is provided. Great team spirit and the reward of a tidy village afterwards.
Regular Things to Do in Westcott - clubs, societies, social events
Westcott Sports Club
Westcott Sports Club is situated at Stable Meadow at the eastern end of the village, it’s entrance is on Milton Street. Club cricket has been played at Westcott for over 150 years (since 1869) and club football since 1935.
The 2019 season saw Westcott Cricket Club hosting their 150 anniversary. Established in 1869 and situated in the heart of the Surrey Hills, Westcott were one of the founding members of the Surrey Downs League. Since it’s establishment in 1975 Westcott have won the 1st division of the Surrey Downs League six times as well as success in the Village Cricket League. Westcott currently field one adult Saturday side (Surrey Downs League), and one Sunday side (Village Cricket League) as well as a Women’s side and Junior Section with age groups ranging from 7-18.
New members of all levels are always welcomed.
In total we have around 90 senior playing members aged 18-65 and over 50 juniors aged 5-17 who learn, train and play for one of the many teams. It’s a fantastic club offering a wonderful opportunity for young and older enthusiasts in the village.
Contact details: www.westcottcc.com
Club Chairman Tony McKay (until Oct’22) then Alan Pickering
Cricket enquiries; Alan Pickering email: A.Pickering@gold.ac.uk
Football enquiries; Paul McKeown email: paul.mckeown@vanderbilthomes.co.uk
Ladies Cricket Club:Rebecca Taylor on 07917 881911.
Mid Surrey Community Fridge
Mid Surrey Community Fridge visits Westcott every Monday around 1pm at St Johns distributing FREE excess food donated by local supermarkets, food retailers and wholesalers for the benefit the local community. Small donations (suggested £2.50) if you can afford it are encouraged but the main aim is to stop this food going to landfill so bring your shopping bags, bring your friends, tell your neighbours – pop along and visit.
Surrey Hills Dog Training
Home setup and settling in
Preparing for your new arrival, advice on creating the right environment and setup to make this time as stress free as possible for all involved. Guidance on essential equipment, sleep, feeding, interaction, socialisation, and common issues such as toilet and crate training, mouthing. Providing you with the foundations of the essential desired behaviours.
Puppy to adult group classes
Indoor and outdoor small group classes (max 6). I will provide you with the knowledge and tools to build the foundations of your puppy’s socialisation, development and continued learning. Helping you develop good habits and learn each other’s language.
These may suit if you can’t make a group class, have a nervous/rescue dog or particular training issue(s) you require help with for example recall, loose lead or jumping up.
Hoopers Agility
An increasingly popular fun, low impact agility style class. Hourly sessions involve navigating hoops, barrels and tunnels and is a great way to have fun and bond with your dog. Suitable for all ages.
Workshops
Workshops focussing on developing specific skills, for example loose lead walking or recall.
John Venn
07880 707467
Email – info@surreyhillsdogtraining.com
Westcott Local History Group
Meet on the 2nd Tuesday of every other month at St Johns Community Centre, 7.45pm for 8pm start, plus organise regular walks and visits.
Contact: info@westcotthistory.org.uk or visit westcotthistory.org.uk
Nirvana Cycle Rides
Join Nirvana for one of their regular rides, all start from the shop on the green in Westcott. They have a wide range of rides to suit all tastes and abilities. It’s a great way to meet new people and discover the amazing network of trails that criss-cross the Surrey Hills all around us.
Contact: info@nirvanacycles.com or visit www.nirvanacycles.com
Elly’s Fitness Classes
A fun way to exercise and keep fit in Westcott, classes are tailored to all levels and needs. All abilities welcome whether you are a beginner or more advanced. Elly’s Fitness Classes are very popular and take place every Tuesday evening at the Westcott Village Hall (formerly the Reading Room). 5.45pm Early Bird Circuits, 6.30pm Circuits, 7.15pm Aerobifit
Contact: ellysfitness@outlook.com or visit ellysfitnessclasses on Facebook
Westcott Village Coffee Morning
The village coffee morning was first started in 1966 and has been running ever since. New faces always welcome, open to everyone, children welcome. The first Wednesday in every month at the Westcott Village Hall (formerly the Reading Room) at 10am.
Contact: Jean Mickle 01306 881208
Bridge Club
Established some 16 years ago the Westcott Bridge Club meets every Monday evening at the Westcott Village Hall (formerly the Reading Room) 7pm until 10pm. We play 20-21 boards of duplicate bridge with a break for refreshments. Table fee £3 per person per night. New members especially those new to bridge always welcome.
Further info: www.bridgewebs.com/westcott
David Royle 01306 880102 or Jill Attfield 01306 882040
CoreFitPhysio
Pilates Physiotherapy and health centre right in the heart of Westcott. Providing, physio, massage and machine-based Pilates by an expert team of clinicians and sessions based on your needs. From initial biomechanical assessments to private clinical Pilates, duo sessions, reformer classes and many more.
Contact: westcott@corefitphysio.com or visit www.corefitphysio.com
Chris Forsey Art Class
Painting classes in Westcott with water-colours, acrylics and mixed media. Intermediate level and those with a little experience are welcome. Monday mornings at 10am in the Westcott Village Hall (formerly the Reading Room).
Contact: christopher.forsey@btinternet.com or visit www.chrisforsey.com
Westcott Gardeners Club
A fun enjoyable way to share your passion for plants or for just pottering around the garden. The Westcott Gardeners Club has been running since 1955 and holds two flower shows a year in the Westcott Village Hall (formerly the Reading Room), regular talks as well as outings to gardens to enjoy. New members are always welcome.
Contact Sheena Salmon 01306 885597
Cookie Club
The Cookie Club is an informal and friendly group for parents, grandparents and carers along with their babies and pre-school children. Enjoy comfy sofas, good coffee and friendship. Every term-time Thursday 9am to 11am @ St John’s.
£2 per family
Further information by email please contact e.lister.holytrinitywestcott@gmail.com
Richings Korean Martial Arts Club
We’d love to welcome the community of Westcott to have a go at our Korean Martial Arts classes. Second degree black belt Alan Richings new martial arts club is proud to have set up in the charming village of Westcott, we welcome new students of all ages, abilities and fitness levels. Based on the principles of Choi Kwang Do this accessible martial art will increase fitness, flexibility and confidence.
Your first class is FREE so why not come along and try it out? For more information please email richingsckd@gmail.com or visit our Facebook page
USEFUL INFORMATION
- Second Degree Black Belt Alan Richings is CRB checked and First Aid trained
- The classes are based on the Korean martial art Choi Kwang Do
- We are an inclusive club who welcome people of all ages and fitness levels
- First class is FREE
- There are a number of membership options from family membership to pay as you go
- Classes comprise of a mixture of stretching, martial arts/selfdefense techniques, pad and shield work, patterns cardio and general fitness
- We have a healthy snacks tuck shop providing home made healthy snacks
- The principles of this martial art are – Humility, Integrity, Gentleness, Perseverance, Self Control and Unbreakable Spirit.
Aikido Classes
Aikido is a practice of self-defense which aims to harmonise and transform an attack rather than block it. Kenjutsu is a sword form we practice with wooden and leather covered bamboo swords. Both are a training of mind, body and spirit which have many applications to everyday life.
Classes are held on Wednesdays 5pm-9pm. Cost: £15 per class, or £50 for 5 classes paid in advance. £25 annual membership, covering insurance and membership of an international Aikido and Kenjutsu association, through which we grade black belts and get access to international seminars.
Further details: Nicola Endicott 3rd Dan
01306 640389 nicolaendicott@yahoo.com www.dorking-aikido-and-kenjutsu-dojo.co.uk
