Page 32 - Oxted Local April 2025

32 April 2025
•
Oxted Local 
info@oxtedlocal.co.uk www.oxtedlocal.co.uk www.facebook.com/oxtedlocalmagazine www.instagram.com/oxtedlocal
It was
fantastic to
see so many
members
of our local
community
gather at
the British
Legion on 19
January to
attend the
Limpsfield
Community
Orchard’s
annual Wassail. Wassail masters, James Reeves and Stephen
Rapoport, kicked off the event by taking us on a journey through
time, exploring the origins and evolution of the word “wassail”. It is
believed to have started with the Vikings, the Old Norse “vess heill”
meaning “be in good health”. It later evolved to mean the drink
itself - a warm, spiced alcoholic drink - used in Twelfth night and
Christmas Eve celebrations.
Fast forward to 2025 and we’re gathered in the British Legion,
sporting all sorts of bright and colourful torches, and noise makers.
The rhythmic beats of the North Downs Drummers led attendees
through the woodland to the Orchard, the path itself adorned
with multicoloured glow sticks to mark the way. It’s not long
before bonfire gets going and the carefully crafted woodpile is
emitting the warmth and light. Our wassail masters continue with
proceedings and it’s not long before we’re joining in song around
the decorated King Tree with our cups of mulled cider and apple
juice.
The sounds and sights of the wassail resemble an alarm clock of
sorts, as we step into another year, emerging from the depths of
winter just a few weeks after the winter solstice.
This event is put on for the community by the community and
it’s thanks to many individuals and groups that we’re able to put
on this free event. A big thank you goes out to our wonderful
volunteers who work all year round to maintain the Orchard,
wassail masters James Reeves and Stephen Rapoport, bonfire
expert Ian Green, first aider Gary Rapson, photographer Bob
Matthews and marshals from Titsey Rotary Club.
If you would like to get involved, please visit the LCO blog for
details (https://orchardlimpsfield.blogspot.com/)
COMMUNITYSpotlight
Email your community news to:
info@oxtedlocal.co.uk
Bentley Copse Activity
Centre FROST CAMP
Approx. 500 Scouts, Explorer Scouts
and Guides and Leaders camped at
Bentley Copses’ Frost Camp which was
held over the weekend of February 21-
23 at Bentley Copse Activity Centre.
This year the Scouts camped in
muddy conditions as the rain on the
Friday night made the site more like
Glastonbury, however that didn’t stop
the fun and the excitement of the
Scouts and Guides that were there.
Scouts from 1st Oxted joined Scouts
and Guides from Winchester, Surbiton,
Sunbury, Guildford, Godalming,
Reigate, Woking, Farnham, Hersham,
Ewell, Dorking, Caterham and
Bookham & Effingham enjoyed a
weekend of activities which included
Tree climbing, Segways, Cross Bows,
Air Pistols, Archery, Radio Controlled
Landrovers, Air Rifle, Crate Stacking,
Adventure course, Laser Clay Pigeon
shooting, Zip Line, Cave Maze,
Nerf Zone, Circus skills, Tomahawk
throwing, Jacobs Ladder but to name
a few.
On the Friday evening, there was a
film, the Scouts could watch and on
the Saturday evening there was a
campfire and silent disco.
This event ensures that the Scouts and
Guides involved gain #skillsforlife and
gives them opportunities their own
groups cannot provide in a safe and
fun way.
Oscar aged 14 an Explorer Scout from
Oxted said “I really liked the range of
activities on offer”.
Nick Cann (Centre Manager) said
“Frost camp was a great success
and only thanks to the dedicated
volunteers who made this happen
giving the Scouts #skillsforlife”.