May Fair 2009
We take part in the May Fair which has taken place at the Ottershaw recreation ground for many years. As in previous years, the Society shared a display tent with the Ottershaw Village Hall committee. On display was a large array of photographs both old and new of the village, which generated a great deal of interest and brought back memories for the older members of the community.

There was a steady stream of visitors throughout the day, in spite of squally showers, looking at the display and collecting pamphlets and handouts of local information. We also gained several new members.

New this year, which proved very popular, was a balloon race. Entry was free to children who were able to launch a balloon labelled with their name and address; the furthest travelled winning a prize. 150 balloons were released during the day and of those returned the furthest travelled all the way to a small village in France. The winner has duly been awarded the prize of a Family ticket to Brooklands Museum and we are most grateful to the museum for donating this valuable prize.

The date for 2010 is May 3rd, from 11.0am to 5.0pm. You can learn more about us, discuss current issues with a Committee member, and join the Society, Our range of mementos will be for sale.

It is usual, in the summer, for us to organise an outing to places of interest. We have visited Leeds Castle, the Victory at Portsmouth and had a delightful ride through the Mole Valley with tastings of locally made blue cheese and watched a sawmill in action. In 2005 we visited Fishbourne Roman Palace, saw the ancient mosaics and followed this with a boat trip around Chichester Harbour.

2006 was the 25th Anniversary of the Ottershaw Society and a celebratory event took place.

The summer outing for 2009 was to Knole Park in Kent.

At Christmas time we have, for the past few years, been joined by the choir from Christ Church Ottershaw to sing carols outside the village shops. We serve mince pies and mulled wine to warm the singers and those just watching!. Everyone is welcome to join in this festive occasion. This took place on Saturday 19th December 2009 at 11.00am outside the shops in Brox Road. To add to this enjoyable occasion a collection was made this year and nearly £130 was donated by the audience to the Sam Beare Hospice appeal.

Christmas 2009 and the village looked splendid with festive trees and lights organised by the Society. This was all generously sponsored by Maurice Mandry Ltd and Powercor Electrical Services, with the cooperation of local shops and businesses.

50's themed New Year Party
Approximately 80 members and friends gathered at the Meath School on January 2nd 2010 for a memorable New Year Social Event.
Food was provided by the members and good music provided by Nick Drool (AKA Mick Mannveille) and the Shudders, who played authentic 50's Rock 'n Roll. This is our second year of running this event and, again, it was very sucessful.

Our thanks to Meath School for allowing us to use their premises and to Liz and Doug Showell of streefreehire.com for various props.

Ottershaw Society gives a Splendid Tea Party
The 1940s fleetingly returned to Ottershaw on 13th February 2010, when the society hosted the now annual Tea Party, for residents and friends. This event allows us all to indulge in a little nostalgia for the bygone days when things were done differently; perhaps more graciously and at a more relaxed pace.

Once again Brook Hall was decorated by the properties of Liz and Doug Showell, who lent us palm plants, specialist uplighters and table lights all of which helped change the rather plain interior of Brook Hall into the Palm Court of the Grand Hotel, or Lyons Corner House, if you used a little imagination.

We were entertained by the Martini String Quartet during the afternoon, a highly skilled group brought to Ottershaw by Jean Phipps, herself a villager. They played more or less throughout the afternoon. We thank Danny Sparkes of the Ottershaw Players, the Ottershaw Hand Bell ringers and Jean Phipps and Pam Brush showed who how duets should be played.

'Nippies', dressed in a valentine theme of red tops and black skirts, all of which raised a few pulses, served a splendid tea of sandwiches, cakes, scones and fruit flans. All the 'fare' was generously provided by local residents and all proceeds from the afternoon, approximately £230, including the raffle organised by the OVH Committee, will be put towards the development of Ottershaw Village Brook Hall. I think everyone had a wonderful time and we feel that it celebrates all this is good in Ottershaw. We all look forward to next years event.

The idea of a Village Sign to commemorate the Millennium was proposed by the Ottershaw Society. Mick Stride, who also designed the 1871 Historial Map of Ottershaw, designed the sign. Mick Stride was a local artist and is a member of the long-standing Ottershaw family. The money for the sign was raised by members of the village and with a grant by Runnymede Borough Council. The brass plaque recorded this information, as well as the names of the sponsors. The Trustees of Christ Church kindly gave permision for the Sign to be erected at the side of Brook Hall so that it could be seen as part of the 'entrance' to the main part of the village.

Having spent all his life in Ottershaw, Mick Stride and his wife, Sylvia, moved to Dorset some years ago. Mick now has more time to concentrate on his painting and he frequently holds exhibitions of his work. For more information call Mick on 01297 443718 or e-mail stride@ic24.net. His website address is www.michaelstride.co.uk