Mole Valley celebrates history with 10 Open Days of events

For 2019 the Heritage Open Days marked 25 years of celebrating the area's rich culture and history under local theme "Mole Valley on the Map" and the national "People Power" theme, between September 13-22.

MVDC said that the turnout had been "fantastic" amid the extensive programme of events reaching most towns in the area — from Leatherhead's medieval festival to Effingham's exhibition to Neville Barnes Wallis, the man who invented the Dambuster's "Bouncing Bomb" during the Second World War.

Suffragettes' March. Image via MVDC

Councillor David Draper, MVDC's cabinet member for Leisure, praised the success and scope of the Open Days.

"It was fantastic to see so many visitors taking part and celebrating the unique heritage of this district.

"The events were a great boost to the profile of our villages and town centres.

"Leatherhead enjoyed an excellent Medieval festival, Dorking hosted Morris dancers, a children’s heritage trail and open houses and Bookham celebrated its village traders.

"Events took place in all corners of Mole Valley from Charlwood in the south to Ashtead in the north, and from Abinger in the west to Buckland in the east," he said.

Tillingbourne walk. Image via MVDC

The councillor said that visitors from as far afield as Canada and Thailand had attended open day events in the district.

He also pointed out some of the unique borough-specific celebrations that took place during the festival.

"The celebrations included special anniversaries for Mole Valley including the 50th anniversary of the opening of Leatherhead Theatre.

"Two expert talks brought to life the stories of the theatre itself as a fascinating piece of architecture and the characters that shaped it such as Dame Sibyl Thorndike.

"Heritage Open Days brings the whole of Mole Valley together to celebrate with pride the special qualities that make us unique," Cllr Draper said.

Image via MVDC