The tree - Acrylic and pastel on board
The young boy’s creative talent was obvious at an early age and upon seeing his art, a teacher at his school near Dorking told him he should definitely “take it up”. The precocious boy interpreted the teacher’s word ‘up’ as an instruction, not simply to pursue a career in ...
Sailing is one of my hobbies that keeps me fit!
I was born in Hampstead, North London in 1955 and was brought up in Palmers Green and then we moved to Southgate. I remember enjoying a lovely community life where we lived in those days. I recollect the ‘Rag n’ Bone man’ coming along the street with his horse and ...
My Mum and I sharing some quality time together in Ireland
My name is Caitriona Walsh. I am a singer. You will often hear it said: “music is my life”. It has become a mantra on X-Factor and many other shows: people expressing their passion, or preferences - like a golfer saying ‘golf is my life’? But for me, music ...
I was born in Harare, Zimbabwe in the early-80s. My brother and I grew up on my parent’s family farm, where we enjoyed a great deal of outdoor freedom. We spent a lot of time fishing, riding our bicycles and exploring the indigenous savannah woodland and granite outcrops. I went to a rural junior school, Ruzawi, ...
Trevor and staff celebrate together
On 26th January this year, well-known Cranleigh resident, Trevor Cook, passed away. Trevor was perhaps best known for owning and running Cook’s of Cranleigh, a household removals and storage business, for over 40 years, with its instantly recognisable fleet of ‘big, green vans’ ...
Ralph Brown, St John Ambulance Worker and 'Kings Head' Landlord
I was born in Dorking in 1959, and have one brother and sister who are younger than me. The family originally came from Westcott, just outside Dorking. We lived in that area until I was about 8 or 9 years old, when we moved to Cranleigh. Moving to a ...
Visiting Niagra Falls, what an experience
I was born in 1963 in St Luke’s Hospital, Guildford and lived in Witley. My dad was a quantity surveyor and mum did secretarial work and eventually set up her own business called ‘Mayday Employment Agency’. I have 4 sisters and had 1 brother. We were one big crazy family! ...
Working in our newsagents shop in Cranleigh was never dull
JANET:
My parents, Ken and Joan, originated from Streatham, London and moved out to Sussex in the 1950’s. I was born in Brighton.
I am one of seven children, 4 boys and 3 girls. Sadly, one of my brothers lost his life in a motorcycle accident when he ...
Me running in my amateur days as Susan Tooby
SUSAN: I was born and brought up in a little village called Woolhope, in Herefordshire, which is a small, rural community, smaller than Rudgwick, where I live now. I’m one of four children. I have an identical twin, Angela and two brothers. My parents divorced when we ...