Burpham Community Association Finds Plenty To Celebrate At Annual Meeting

Published on: 15 May, 2022
Updated on: 15 May, 2022

A report from Burpham Community Association on its annual meeting

Burpham residents shrugged off two years of remote working to meet in person at its annual meeting on Thursday, May 12 at Burpham Village Hall, to review what had been achieved during this difficult period.

Andy Clapham, who chairs the association, found plenty to celebrate: a community survey, a new defibrillator purchased by donations, a support network that kept residents supplied when they could not get out, the popular winter lectures, a steady stream of responses to planning consultations and a local campaign.

The rainbow alliance quiz team won the evening’s competition. From left: Sue Hackman, George Potter, Christian Holiday, Adam Heilbron, and Ted Mayne.

The meeting also revealed the results of its community survey. It showed a deep well of concern for the environment, including the preservation of trees and the protection of the much-loved Riverside Nature Reserve.

There was also suspicion of developments by local supermarkets that could worsen heavy traffic on the London Road or build on green spaces. At the same time, it was disconcerting to realise that travel times to and from work had risen considerably despite a strong streak of green intentions.

Looking ahead, everyone was keen to keep tabs on developments on Burpham’s borders including the relocation of the sewage works at Slyfield [part of the proposed Weyside Urban Village development], the housing estate planned for Gosden Hill, and continuing anxiety about flood defences.

Closer to home, residents expressed shock at Guildford Borough Council’s closure of the community hall in Sutherland Park. The association is working with other groups to resuscitate it.

The evening ended with a jubilee quiz about the history of the monarchy. In a brief but remarkable moment of unity, a rainbow alliance of local party politicians joined forces to win it.