News in Godalming

Hardwicke Circus has launched onto the music scene, with a passion for authentic rock ‘n’ roll and playing over 1,000 live shows already.

One hundred and nine years ago this week one of the world's greatest maritime tragedies unfolded in the north Atlantic, taking the lives of more than 1,500 people, including Farncombe lad John 'Jack' Phillips.

RMS Titanic, dubbed the 'unsinkable', foundered after hitting an iceberg. The story of the horror that unfolded in the aftermath of that collision is one of great tragedy - and great heroism. It sent shockwaves around the world - and no more so than in the village of Farncombe.

Godalming Museum's volunteers have been nominated for the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.

The news is particularly fitting as it comes in the museum's centenary year.

Godalming's fire crews are highly trained, dedicated, well-equipped men and women who respond promptly to all sorts of incidents – not just fires but also road accidents, and other incidents where people need help.

The presence of an organised firefighting crew in the town can be traced back 205 years - to 1816 - with the building of the engine house in Moss Lane. Our picture shows the building, which stood near the school.

No register of Godalming's Great-and-not-so-Good would be complete without Mary Toft, or Tofts, aka the Rabbit Woman of Godalming.

But was Mary a shyster, chasing fame and fortune, or merely a poor deluded soul whose bizarre claims far more attention than she had bargained for?

March is Women's History Month, and to mark the event Surrey Police have released a picture of the county's first policewoman - who was stationed in Farncombe.

Not a lot is known about the career of Mrs E Legg, a sergeant who was posted to the village in 1918.

Hedge trimmers, carpet cleaners and tents could be among the items available to borrow from Godalming's planned new library - the Library of Things.

The library is intended to reduce waste by enabling people to borrow items they may need, rather the buying them and then only using them once. The organisers say they hope that the eclectic range of items on offer will encourage visitors to try their hand at mastering skills they might not otherwise have thought of - by borrowing a sewing machine, for example.

News that HSBC is set to close its Godalming branch in the summer, following hot on the heels of Barclays leaving the town, has caused some concern that the town has lost many of its banking facilities.

But did you know that Godalming used to have its own locally-owned bank? Not just the one either - there have been three private banks in the town over the years.

Elderly people across the area have enjoyed a welcome hot midday meal every weekday, thanks to the staff and volunteers at Farncombe Day Centre.

Today (Friday) is International Epilepsy Day, also known as Purple Day.

For staff and residents at The Meath it's an opportunity to raise awareness of the condition, and to celebrate the many life-affirming activities that go on at the home to help the residents make the most of every single day.