Rethinking Resolutions
Christine Sciberras, Founder and Head Coach at Melita Fitness.
Here we go again. It’s the season for New Year resolutions and love them or hate them, many will be looking for ways to improve health or lose additional weight gained over the holidays. Often the starting point for many is to join a gym and resolve to go there 2, 3, 4 times a week. Or to go on a diet and cut out carbs, alcohol, sugar, whatever.
But why we do it, year after year?
Because inevitably, we are failing.
As a population, most of us are not getting enough exercise and nearly 40% of us are at an unhealthy weight.
And yet come January 1, we will make the same set of resolutions and expect a different result.
It’s perfectly natural to use January as a time for reflection and goal setting. But if you’re looking to improve your health and fitness, I’d urge you to start from a place of acceptance and self-love. Losing weight doesn’t require drastic diets or excessive restrictions. Getting fitter doesn’t require extreme or unsustainable workout routines.
So instead of doing what you’ve always done, how about an alternative approach:
- Find a way to move your body that works for you! It might be dance or swimming. If you enjoy it, you’re more likely to stick to it.
- Carve out a time for yourself. We spend so much time running after our kids, family or bosses. But how much actual time do you spend doing ‘you’? Small pockets of self-care are so important for our overall wellness.
- Instead of focusing on all the things that you need to strip out of your diet, focus on adding good things in. Like plenty of vegetables, good sources of protein and a range of tasty flavours.
- Practice gratitude for yourself and your body. Instead of focusing on what you perceive to be ‘wrong’, focus on appreciating your body. Have fun with it, take care of it and feel appreciation for all the wonderful things it enables you to do.
- Find a supportive community. It’s so much easier to work out when you’ve got a great group of people around you. We run a fantastic women’s group training that makes exercise fun! Plus, knowing you’ll have support and motivation around you will help you through the rest of the winter. You can get started with a free trial week: www.melitafitness.co.uk/freetrial
Get strong. You'll like it!
Christine Sciberras, Founder and Head Coach at Melita Fitness.
Strength training is important. I bang on about it. Muscle mass. Bone density. You know.
But what we don’t talk about enough is that it just feels so good. And why you’ll like it! Because you will!
The ability to do things!
There’s the sheer satisfaction of doing things that require strength: the ability to lift heavy stuff, the ability to move shift furniture if needed. But also, the ability…
- to carry the overfilled shopping bags all the way home.
- to lift the bike up onto the car.
- to not even question whether you’re strong enough for that mountain walk.
- to be able to do handstands on the beach with the children…
Building your capacity to do hard things
“I’d never worked out with weights before and always thought I wouldn’t be able to. But Melita Fitness has made me realise I am capable of so much more than I thought I was.”
It’s a common theme, especially with women who are new to exercise or weight training. Strength training helps you to realise that you are capable of so much more that you thought. Almost every person who starts a class, baulks at the 8kg weight that I suggest they start on. But within 4 weeks, they’re squatting, lunging and overhead pressing it confidently and competently.
And this new confidence this permeates into daily life. It gives you the willingness and belief to try new things. It gives you the gumption to attack hard things.
Because 2 or 3 times a week you are doing something hard. And completing it. And so over time, your capacity to do hard things increases.
Self-acceptance
“For me, it’s the joy of learning what my body can do.”
Women, particularly those of us born in the 70s and 80s, have spent so much of our adult life conditioned to judge our body for how it looks. But these days we’re learning to love and be grateful for what our body can do instead. Strength training is a brilliant way to emphasis and experience this. Session by session we increase the repertoire of things we can do and see tangible evidence of progress.
Plus working out to increase strength is a more positive goal for body image and self-acceptance. It shifts from the focus away from the “exercise to lose weight” mantra that we hear about all the time, and towards a healthier relationship with exercise.
For longevity
Muscle mass is vital for women especially as we age. But really, specifically, have we thought about why?
It’s important for the things it will help us do as we age. Like:
- Get off the toilet unassisted when we’re 80+
- Keep up with the grand-children when we’re 60+
- Live a life full of adventure, right now!
For your mental wellbeing
“I feel physically and mentally stronger and no matter what the rest of the day throws at me. I know I have accomplished something and taken some time out of the day just for me.”
Whether it’s the release of happy hormones or the suppression of stress hormones, strength training leaves you feeling accomplished, with mental clarity and resilience to boot! And finally, it doesn’t need to be complicated. You can do it on your own with minimal equipment. Or join a group so you can’t go wrong.
Either way, pick up those weights and start your journey to getting strong. I promise you’ll love every moment of it!
Winter Lectures 2024
These one-hour Winter Lectures are given by local residents for local residents and take place at 8.00pm at the Village Hall on Burpham Lane.
Here’s a run down of the lectures for January & February 2024.
Friday 5th January 2024
English Pyramids
Andrew Plumridge gives us a whistle-stop tour of the surprisingly numerous English pyramids.
Friday 12th January 2024
What Happens to Waste After it Leaves Our Bins?
Graham Fox enlightens us about the way we deal with rubbish.
Friday 19th January 2024
The Hidden History of Nursery Rhymes
Hidden secrets, sex and violence‚ Henry Spyvee explores what nursery rhymes really mean.
Friday 26th January 2024
The Sorry Story of the Clandon House Fire
A guide from the historic house explores its history and the consequences of the great fire in 2015.
Friday 2nd February 2024
Sun, Sport and Sights on the Way
Andy Clapham recounts his experiences, both sporting and cultural, following rugby around the globe.
Play Your Part
A capital campaign to transform Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud into a cultural community hub with theatre at its core.
The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre staged the launch event for their Play Your Part campaign this September.
The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre is a registered charity and the only producing venue in Surrey. A regional theatre with a national reach and a mission to produce and present vibrant, outstanding, entertaining drama for the communities of Surrey and the South East.
The Play Your Part campaign will transform the theatre and develop this iconic and much-loved building as a cultural community hub with theatre at its core. Radically improving accessibility and creating new multi-purpose spaces for wider community and artistic benefit; ensuring it is able to meet the needs of the communities of Surrey for the next 50 years.
Launch Event
The evening went successfully, and we’re excited as we enter this new phase of our campaign to make the theatre more accessible, and importantly promote its sustainability as a civic resource for future generations of local people.
Stephen Bampfylde, Chair, and Joanna Read, Director & Chief Executive, of the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford, were delighted to meet long-standing friends of the theatre at the launch of the next stage of the Play Your Part campaign on Wednesday 27 September.
Around 80 close supporters of the theatre attended the celebration, to learn about the next steps for the campaign, to view a new video outlining future plans, and to hear from the theatre team and campaign donors.
Local Building Projects 2nd November 2023
A joint meeting of the Burpham Community Association and the Neighbourhood Forum to inform residents about building projects which will affect our ward in the coming year:
- The Weyside Urban Village
- The London Road Project
- The Gosden Hill development
- The relocation of the sewage works
7.30pm Thursday 2 November, Burpham Village Hall
G Live Macmillan Coffee Morning, Friday 29th
G Live host a Macmillan Coffee Morning on Friday, 29 September
G Live will be hosting a Macmillan Coffee Morning on the official date of Friday, 29 September. The venue joins thousands of people across the UK who raise money by participating in the world’s biggest Coffee Morning. The money raised will help many living with cancer to live life as fully as they can.
Right now, more than 3 million people are living with cancer in the UK. Macmillan’s mission is to do whatever it takes to support people living with cancer and their families. The generous donations received from the Macmillan Coffee Morning and other fundraising efforts can help provide cancer services, research, staffing and campaign for better care.
Join the team at G Live from 10:30am – 2pm for some delicious cakes and refreshments and get to know people within the local community, all whilst raising money for an incredible cause.
Vegan and Gluten free treats will also be available so grab your friends, family and collegues for this very special morning at G Live, Guildford.
Also on 29 September, the venue will launch their monthly Craft Café. At these Friday drop-in sessions, participate in a selection of free craft-based activities whilst enjoying refreshments from The Café at G Live. Suitable for all ages and abilities, the 2023 dates for the Craft Café are 29 September, 20 October, 17 November and 15 December. So, whether you’re a ‘blood sucker’ for Halloween, would rather the magic of Christmas, or just want to learn a new skill, there will be something for everyone.
For a full What’s On guide, visit glive.co.uk
G Live, London Road, Guildford GU1 2AA
Box office: 0343 310 0055
glive.co.uk
Twitter: @GLiveGuildford | Facebook: @GLiveGuildford | Instagram: gliveguildford
Christmas at G Live
G Live have announced their christmas season for 2023, including:
- Music from Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Christmas Kitchen Disco to Handel’s Messiah with Guildford Choral Society
- Festive dining events with entertainment from the West End Jerseys and the Arg Band
- The return of classical ballet to G Live with the Nutcracker
- Santa is on his sleigh by Justin Fletcher for ages 3+
- Partytime with a Massaoke, 80’s Tropicana Night and a kids’ Rudolph Rave
- Magical escapism with Cirque Enchantment and comedy at the Hellfire Comedy Cracker
Guildford’s G Live have today confirmed their Christmas season of entertainment, comprising of music, comedy, ballet, theatre, film, party nights and festive dining events.
Celebrations start with a nostalgic sleigh ride through the golden age of Rock ‘n’ Roll with the That’ll Be The Day Christmas Show (21 November). Music continues with Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Christmas Kitchen Disco (7 December), with Sophie adding her own disco style to some festive classics and career favourites.
Festive dining events with all the trimmings include Christmas with the West End Jerseys (12 December), when live music celebrating Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons will leave you “Beggin” for more, and Christmas with The Arg Band (13 December), serving up an evening of classic hits led by original TOWIE cast member James Argent.
Music of a classical nature comes from Guildford Choral Society with their performance of Handel’s Messiah (9 December), and ballet returns to the Surrey venue for the first time since 2019, with five performances of The Nutcracker performed by the 35-strong Nerubashenko Ballet and orchestra of 28 players (4-6 January).
G Live and Imagine Theatre are delighted to announce a brand-new magical family show for ages 3+, Santa’s On His Sleigh (16-24 December), written by Justin Fletcher. Starring Santa, Snowdrop the Elf, Rudolph and, featuring on screen, virtual little helper and Head Elf, Justy (played by Justin Fletcher), can you help fix Santa’s sleigh in time for him to deliver all his presents?
Also, for families with children aged 0-8, join the party at the Rudoph Rave (2pm, 16 December), where a DJ, glow sticks, glitter and giant balloons ensure a fun-filled afternoon complete with spectacular light display.
There’s party time for adults too, with MASSAOKE Christmas (16 December) – the UK’s biggest mass-karaoke event – featuring a live band and Christmas hits from Mariah, Wham!, Slade, Wizzard and The Pogues, as well as hairbrush anthems from the 80s, 90s, 00s and beyond. For those aged 25+, the venue’s regular party night, Tropicana Nights (15 December) will have you dancing to all the hits of the 80s. “Don’t’ Stop Believin’” – it’ll be a real “Celebration”.
With a reputation for hosting some of the best stand-up comedians on the circuit, the venue’s regular Hellfire Comedy Club is back with a Christmas special, the Hellfire Comedy Cracker (20 December) – complete with curry – shining a spotlight on exciting up-and-coming talent.
Miracle on 34th Street (1pm, 21 December) is the ultimate Christmas movie, and the 1947 original, featuring Maureen O’Hara and John Payne, forms part of G Live’s Memory Cinema season, which shows classic films in a relaxed and accessible environment.
In the period between Christmas and New Year, Cirque Enchantment (29 & 30 December) will take audiences on a magical adventure to a world of frozen beauty. Featuring superb choreography, breathtaking vocals and a troupe of amazing circus performers, this is the perfect treat for the festive period.
In addition to Christmas events, there are lots of other shows currently on sale during November and December, including Dawn French (23 November); Tom Davis: Underdog (22 & 24 November); Gareth Malone: Sing-A-Long-A-Gareth-Two (25 November); Far From Saints (27 November); Scouting For Girls (29 November); From The Jam (01 December); Noel Fitzpatrick – Beyond Supervet (2 December); Viggo Venn: British Comedian (6 December) and Wifi Wars (9 December).
With G Live Gift Vouchers the perfect Christmas present (available online at glive.co.uk/GLGiftVouchers), family and friends can choose what to see in the New Year. In January alone, events include: An Evening of Burlesque (12 January); Most Haunted Live with Yvette Fielding and Karl Beattie (16 January); Giovanni Pernice’s Let Me Entertain You (19 January); and The Making of a Murderer (30 January). There’s also comedy from Ed Night (20 January) and Sarah Millican (27 January), the ultimate tributes to Abba (Thank You For The Music, 11 January), The Bee Gees (The Magic of The Bee Gees, 18 January) and Elton John (The Rocket Man, 20 January), and – for younger audiences – Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out (24-25 January).
For a full What’s On guide, visit glive.co.uk
G Live, London Road, Guildford GU1 2AA
Box office: 0343 310 0055
glive.co.uk
Twitter: @GLiveGuildford | Facebook: @GLiveGuildford | Instagram: gliveguildford
Sixth Bishop of Dorking announced
The Venerable Paul Davies, Archdeacon of Surrey is to become the next Bishop of Dorking.
Guildford has been home to the Bishop of Dorking designate and his family since 2017, with Paul serving in his current role as Archdeacon of Surrey, responsible for the pastoral care and wellbeing of over 150 clergy, whilst sitting on the Bishop of Guildford’s leadership team.
Originally from Pembrokeshire, Archdeacon Paul Davies read theology at the Universities of Wales and Oxford. Following his training at Ripon College Cuddesdon, he returned to Pembrokeshire to be ordained in 1997 at St David’s Cathedral where he began his ministry (and fulfilled his childhood ambition of serving on a lifeboat crew!). This was followed by successive appointments as vicar of Solva in rural Pembrokeshire and then vicar of Burry Port in post-industrial Carmarthenshire. During these years he also served as Diocesan Director of Ordinands and an Officiating Chaplain to the Military.
In 2012, Paul moved to North Wales to serve as Archdeacon of Bangor and Anglesey before, in 2017, swapping a rural Welsh patch for a mainly urban English one, as he took up his present appointment as Archdeacon of Surrey. This month, he celebrates 25 years as a priest.
Paul is married to Louise, a town planner, who was born and spent her early years in Surrey. They have a son in university and a daughter who turned 18 this week. The whole family is delighted to be remaining in the area.
Paul will be ordained as a bishop in Westminster Abbey on 29th September. A service of welcome will be held at Guildford Cathedral on 8th October at 6.00pm. More details will be available shortly.
Paul says; “Whilst I am slightly daunted by the responsibility to be entrusted to me, my heart is full of joy at the prospect of continuing to serve a diocese and people I have grown to love. For the past six years, I have been constantly inspired by the faith, hope and love that pours out of our churches, schools and chaplaincies in the work of transforming lives. I feel immensely blessed to have been called to serve alongside Bishop Andrew in leading and caring for this diocese and, with the help of God, will do that to the very best of my ability.”
Bishop Andrew, Bishop of Guildford reflects on why Paul was such a good fit; “Those of us privileged to work with Paul here in Guildford over the past six years have recognised just what a treasure he is: a godly disciple, a wise pastor, a gifted preacher, a keen strategist, and someone with extraordinary capacity for hard work. His family are pretty special too!
For some while now I’ve known that Paul would make a wonderful bishop somewhere – and over the course of the past few months it’s become increasingly clear to me (among many others) that that ‘somewhere’ is here. I couldn’t be more delighted.”
Bishop Andrew continues on what is to come; “Paul and I will be sharing in episcopal ministry across the diocese, as together we continue to pray and work towards a Transforming Church, Transforming Lives. He will also have a particular brief to promote three of the areas in which we are investing the most, as Champion for children and youth, vocations and the environment. As Paul lays down one mantle and picks up another, I’m really excited at all that the Lord has in store.”
Following the announcement, the Bishop of Dorking designate will spend the morning out in the Diocese of Guildford with the Bishop of Guildford celebrating what God is doing. They will start the day at the Cathedral for a Family Fun Day with over 120 children; talking with young, inquisitive minds and their families and encouraging keen environmental stewardship – something that the Bishop of Dorking will be a champion. Children will receive wildflower seeds to take home, encouraging biodiversity in homes across Surrey & Hampshire.
Then it is on to St Martins, Old Dean in Camberley. This is a church whose vocational heart has been to support its community in ways that need it most. The Free Food Stall which the church started, in partnership with the Old Dean Community Group, has drawn in so many people to help improve the lives of people who live here, and has a transformative impact on the culture of this parish.
The Bishop of Dorking designate will then spend time with Diocesan staff, some of whom have known Paul since his arrival in Guildford, celebrating and praying together for their new leadership team and the exciting work to come.
At 2pm the Bishop designate will return to the Cathedral green to plant a tree, a symbolic step of not only the wider strategy of the Diocese to commit to becoming Net Zero by 2030 but also the long term partnership between the Diocese and Guildford Cathedral. All are welcome to join us – please do come on down!
Finally, the day will conclude with a visit to Dorking – giving thanks for the town after which the See is named. Paul will spend some time in quiet reflection at St Martin’s, Dorking.
Paul will lay down his Archdeacon ministry at an Evensong at the Cathedral on the 30th July and take some much-deserved time with his family before his consecration in September.
During the vacancy of the Archdeacon of Surrey, the Venerable Martin Breadmore (Archdeacon of Dorking) will also be Acting Archdeacon of Surrey ably supported by Claire Isherwood (Assistant Archdeacon of Surrey).
Choosing the right school for your child
Choosing a school for your child is an important decision. Luckily, we have access to several excellent schools in this area, and Merrow Schools Federation offers some unique advantages.
Merrow Schools Federation comprises our Infant and Junior school. A key driver for federating last year was to ensure the best for our children, staff and community through greater collaboration. In practice this means:
- We have a shared vision, ‘Together We Grow’, which is rooted in our values of Kindness, Respect, Integrity and Perseverance. ‘Together We Grow’ to flourish as resilient, curious and motivated learners, who have built meaningful relationships and have a positive impact in the world.
- Our consistent curriculum provision enhances learning for all. We now have a subject lead across both schools to ensure clear progression of knowledge, skills and understanding in all subjects from Reception to Year 6.
- The best of both worlds with our Infant school providing an excellent Early Years and Key Stage 1 curriculum within a nurturing environment. The Junior school continues with an inspiring curriculum, excellent facilities and a range of opportunities and experiences suited for older children. All children are encouraged to explore their horizons and ensure they are ready to move to their secondary education.
- We pride ourselves on a smooth and effective transition process that allows the infant children to settle quickly and continue with their learning. The children will have experienced several activities at the Junior school before they start, building familiarity and confidence. We know that this experience serves them really well later in their school life.
But don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what some of our parents had to say:
“I am delighted with my child’s progress and how happy she is at the Infant school. She settled in really well and merrily bounces into school each morning.”
Rachel, Reception Parent
“As soon as we walked through the front door, we could tell that Merrow Infants was the perfect environment for our child starting out at school. And that has continued throughout our time here – a safe, warm hug kind of feeling that runs through the whole school and the staff. And as a result we now have a confident little person, ready to move forward to the Junior school!”
Sarah, Year 2 Parent
“I love all the activities the school organises for the pupils. My son has enjoyed the recent trip he went on to Pierrepont Farm and is really excited about Pizza Express! My older child is really excited about how the residentials build up year on year – the Year 3 Sleepover was a firm favourite!”
Mary, Year 1 and 3 Parent
“Our daughter is moving up to the Junior school this year. She is really excited about it being more grown-up as well as having great sports facilities. Transition has been great with sports, picnics and other activities. She loves being buddied up with a year 6 child who made her a beautiful hand-written welcome leaflet telling her all about the school!”
Deborah, Year 2 parent
“My year 6 child is really looking forward to the added responsibility that comes from being ‘top of the school’. She can’t wait to bond with her Year 2 buddy and is excited about being a sports leader and helping out with the younger children.”
Neil, Year 6 Parent
We’re really proud of our schools and the progress we have already achieved as our Federation takes shape. We welcome visitors throughout the year and look forward to introducing you to our wonderful schools. This is the best way to experience what makes our schools so special and to understand whether it is the right choice for your child.
Our next Open Day is on 4th October. Details can be found on our website: https://www.merrowfederation.school/
Sleep Toniq: a natural journey
You may have read our series of interviews with interesting and inspiring people from Burpham and Jacobs Well. Although it has been a while since we last wrote one of these features, this month we spoke with local entrepreneur Timothy Spinks about his new business venture, producing and selling a natural health drink called Sleep Toniq.
At the beginning of June, lifelong resident of Burpham, Timothy Spinks set up a business selling a product called Sleep Toniq; a natural health drink that promotes sleep, supports digestion and calms the mind.
“It was never my plan to set up a business. After school I took the conventional route into university and then straight into the job market. But the years that followed carried my life in an unpredictable direction.
When I got my first 9-5 job after university, I noticed a big decline in the quality of my sleep. I was constantly tired, felt groggy in the mornings, and developed bags under my eyes.
In my tireless search for a solution, I came across a traditional sleep remedy that has been around for hundreds of years: apple cider vinegar and honey. This piqued my interest, as I was already taking shots of apple cider vinegar and honey during the day for other health reasons, and I was intrigued at the prospect of it also adding value to my sleep routine. Rather than taking a shot of it before bed, which I didn’t think would be pleasant, I simply added it to my nightly chamomile tea.”
From the first night of trying this new drink, Timothy knew he was on to something good.
It was healthy, relaxing, stopped him from getting up in the night, and removed nearly all of the morning grogginess he used to get. He began drinking it every night.
In the years that followed, Timothy quit the 9-5 lifestyle after experiencing what many millennials call a ‘quarter-life crisis’. He decided to take the skills he had learned and go self-employed as a business consultant, helping charities and small businesses access different kinds of grant funding.
“I found it to be fulfilling, challenging, and interesting work, but after Covid, I began to get disillusioned. I had helped so many inspiring business and charity leaders get closer to their dreams, but realised that in the process I had been neglecting my own. I didn’t want to spend my whole life working on other people’s projects. I wanted to get off the side-lines, step into the arena, and start a business for myself.”
“I’m looking forward to the challenge and I’m excited about the prospect of growing my brand and maybe, just maybe, turning Sleep Toniq into a household name one day – that would be a dream come true.”
Unsure as to what business venture he could pursue, a thought occurred to Timothy: I wonder if other people will like that sleep drink I make? He did some research and discovered that the sleep and health drink industries were both growing rapidly, and that his sleep drink could potentially ride the crest of both these waves. He decided to go for it.
“Having gained a broad knowledge of the charity and funding landscape from my self-employed work, I already knew about a charity called the Prince’s Trust, established by King Charles, that helps young people start their own businesses. I signed myself up, completed their business enterprise course, developed a business plan, got assigned to a mentor, and received a small grant that I combined with my savings to pay for a small production run.
A week after the production run, on the 7th of June, 3,500 cans arrived at my house on Burpham Lane. My housemates were quite surprised to come home and find boxes piled high in the hallway!”
Three days later he had his first trading event at Ripley Farmers’ Market: “I was hoping to sell between 20 and 40 cans and roughly break even for the day, but people loved the product much more than I expected and I ended up selling out all the cans I had brought with me – 140!
Since then I’ve carried on trading at every farmers’ market I can find in the local area, as well as making sales on my online store sleeptoniq.com. My best day of trading so far was at Burpham Wellfest, where the attendees loved the fact that I am based locally, use local ingredients, and bring something new to the area. I sold 190 cans that day.
It has been a promising start so far for Timothy, but he is aware he has got a long journey ahead of him. Years, maybe even decades.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge and I’m excited about the prospect of growing my brand and maybe, just maybe, turning Sleep Toniq into a household name one day – that would be a dream come true.”
Until then, he is planning to attend every farmers’ market in the Southeast, start getting his drinks into more shops, and slowly scale the business.
If you’re interested in trying Timothy’s drink, you can order it from his website sleeptoniq.com or you can follow him on his journey on Instagram @sleeptoniq
