FARNHAM will be treated to a packed programme of events in the coming months, highlighted at a recent meeting of the Farnham Visitor Forum.

The chairman, Andrew Lodge, opened the meeting at the Farnham Maltings by welcoming the Mayor of Waverley, Mike Band, councillor Jill Hargreaves and the new general manager of Farnham Castle, Andrew Lamont.

Sophie Easterbrook welcomed members to the Maltings and outlined its forthcoming programme, notably involvement in the two-minutes silence celebration and Spark Youth Festival featuring drama groups from around the area.

To mark The Queen’s 90th birthday, a beacon will be lit at Farnham Castle by the Mayor of Farnham, Pat Frost, at 7.30pm on April 21. And on May 1 the castle is the starting point for the two-minutes silence celebration.

Wednesday afternoon tours of the castle are continuing, and large numbers of visitors visit the keep on Saturdays and Sundays. The wedding business is thriving and outdoor opera and outdoor Shakespeare are planned for the summer.

Summer opening times have just started at the Rural Life Centre which is open Wednesday to Sunday. The usual full programme of events is scheduled.

Pam Taylor from the Museum Society said that the society’s programme of speakers is being well received, and reported on the publication of the society’s latest book ‘Lives of Women of Farnham from 1200-1900’.

The programme of events from the town council has been released. The council is reviewing the farmers’ markets with a view to offering more varied stalls, and hopefully attracting more customers.

The Italian market will return to Castle Street on April 22. On May 27, Andernach Orchestra will play a popular programme, supported by the Maltings.

As a celebration of the Queen’s 90th birthday there will be a spring festival on Sunday, May 29, with bunting in Gostrey Meadow, a family fun event in the morning and music and food and drink later.

The ‘Music in the Meadow’ series of concerts will return from June 5 to September 4, each one with a charity tea tent. ‘Picnic in the Park’ will take place on June 26 followed by the food festival on September 24.

In 2015 the following awards were won: Adobe Architectural Practice for reconstruction of The Forge, Upper Church Lane; UCA for a potential scheme for the Watts Gallery; Back to Front Designs for work on Holly Bush cottage; Noel Wright for his design of Temple Hill, Dockenfield.

Outi Remes from The New Ashgate Gallery reported that they are installing their Rising Star Exhibition, and have a full programme of events this year.

On June 10 there will be a big show to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the gallery opening in Waggon Yard.

The Heritage Open Day’s theme will be Art and Craft in Farnham, and will feature post-war architecture and include tours of UCA campus.

The William Cobbett statue, located at the Churchill development, will have the official opening in May. Charles Bone has raised the funding. The project is owned and supported by Churchill which has contributed and are providing the plinth.

Finger sign posts are now in place, notably for UCA, and Farnham Leisure Centre, and the Public Art Trail leaflet is about to be published.

Farnham Town Council will consider funding insurance for street parties taking place to celebrate the Queen’s birthday. March 17 will see the unveiling of the start of the North Downs Way. April 7 is the launch of Farnham in Bloom.