What's On

The annual Ashford on the Map summer fun day will take place on Sunday June 7 on the playing fields of Brooklands College in Church Road, Ashford.

Anyone interested in holding a stall should call Pat Amos on 01784 241673 or Barry Muggeridge on 07759 619884.

The spring round of Spelthorne Council area forums has been cancelled.

The meetings between residents and councillors arranged for March 19 at Matthew Arnold School in Staines, March 31 in Stanwell village hall, April 8 at the Salvation Army Centre in Ashford and April 28 at St Paul's College in Sunbury have been axed due to lack of interest.

The council is considering ways to boost attendance and a recommendation will be presented to the executive committee at its meeting on Wednesday, March 18.

They came, they saw, they conquered as Latin pupils at Echelford Primary School in Ashford beat off competition from private schools to win the Guildford Classical Association's Latin competition.

The six Latin dynamos were awarded certificates and bronze Roman statues for their winning performance of a classical version of Three Little Pigs in the 15-school competition last month.

The inaugural Spelthorne Junior Chess Championships will be held on Saturday, March 14 at Staines Prep School in Gresham Road, Staines.

There are three age categories - under 9s, under 11s and under 14s - and entrants must either live in Spelthorne or attend a school in the borough.

The deadline for entries is Tuesday March 10 and forms can be obtained by calling 01932 563497.

Free swimming at public pools in Spelthorne will be available to youngsters aged 16 and under and anyone over 60 from April 1.

The initiative is being promoted by the borough authority in partnership with Runnymede Council and Sport and Leisure Management Ltd, which manages the two council-owned leisure centre pools in Spelthorne.

An evening of pampering and indulgence is being held on Friday, March 20 at Englefield Green Infant School, Barley Mow Road, Englefield Green, from 7.30pm-9.30pm.

The Evening of Indulgence, organised by the Parent Teacher Association, includes taster sessions of complementary therapy and beauty treatments such as massages and manicures.

Entry is £1 and includes a drink with proceeds going towards new childrens' outdoor learning spaces. All are welcome.

Visitors to the Ankerwyck Estate can get a taste of spring on Sunday, March 15, from 11am-1pm.

Visitors have the chance to join a National Trust warden to explore both the wildlife and the history of the beautiful grounds at Ankerwycke Farm in Magna Carta Lane, Runnymede.

The day costs £4 for adults, £3 for senior citizens and £1 for children. For more details call 01784 432891 or visit runnymede@nationaltrust.org.uk

A table-top sale will be held on Saturday January 31 at Echelford School in Park Road, Ashford, at 2pm.

Entry costs 20p and a table can be reserved for £5 from Jason Ritchie on 07952 378271 or by emailing papa_bear70@hotmail.com

A Christmas carol concert will be held on Sunday (November 14) in the Salvation Army Hall in Woodthorpe Road, Ashford, at 3pm.

Almost 1,000 people packed Ashford town centre for the annual On The Map festival and switching on of the Christmas lights last night.

The 35 stalls were located in a new venue - the multi-storey car park in Church Road - as the Brooklands College site where past events have been held is being redeveloped.

But families still turned up in their droves on Wednesday to sample the craft and charity stalls, tombolas and raffles and mulled wine and mince pies before watching the Mayor of Spelthorne Cllr Simon Bhadye turn on the town's Christmas lights.