Sandra Morgan Is First Recipient of Freedom of The Parish of Worplesdon

Published on: 3 Dec, 2021
Updated on: 7 Dec, 2021

Worplesdon has presented its freedom of the parish honour to its first recipient, long-standing resident Sandra Morgan.

Sandra Morgan has been awarded the freedom of the parish of Worplesdon. At the presentation were parish councillors, staff, friends and family, some of whom are pictured here.

With a MBE also to her name, Mrs Morgan served on Worplesdon Parish Council for 53 years until she stepped down earlier this year.

She was presented with the honour on Sunday, November 28, at a reception at Worplesdon Parish Council’s chamber on Queen Elizabeth Park.

In attendance was her son Gavin, daughter Tanya, and son-in-law Allastair, along with past and present members of the parish council, members of volunteer driving service Fairwood Helpers and local residents.

Sandra Morgan with the chairman of Worplesdon Parish Council, Paul Cragg.

At the presentation the chairman of Worplesdon Parish Council, Paul Cragg, outlined the many things she has undertaken on the council.

These included serving as chairman for three years, assisting with the relocation of travellers in the parish, saved a number of historic houses from destruction, attended meetings and carried out actions as a result of the council’s decisions, proof-read the minutes and agendas, and, over many years, carried out the quarterly financial checks.

Mrs Morgan represented the parish council on five school governing bodies, including a period of 14 years as chairman of Barnwood School.

Whenever travelling around the parish she always observed the area, ensuring work had been completed, and looking out for areas requiring maintenance and reporting numerous issues to Surrey County Council and Guildford Borough Council.

As a trustee of Worplesdon Memorial Hall, she was active in providing tennis courts for young people.

She also represented the parish council on the Fairwood Helpers car scheme for many years.

She served as president of the Wood Street Gleaners – a local community initiative, which local residents paid into and then, in times of need, reaped the benefits.

Along with a friend, she founded Fairlands Women’s Institute and was its president for five years.

She was active in a proposal which was later adopted by the Surrey WI and, with the support of her late husband Eric, spoke on the resolution at one of the WI’s national meetings at the Royal Albert Hall.

Mrs Morgan was an active volunteer on the Fairlands, Liddington Hall and Gravetts Lane Association’s committee for 30 years, including three years as its chairman, and was also its vice-president.

She encouraged the formation of a Brownie pack in Fairlands in 1972, while in 2004, she was on the organising committee which re-established the Fairlands Summer Fete.

For a number of years she organised holiday fun classes on Fairlands to provide local activities for the estate children.

She co-ordinated her local Poppy Appeal for 50 years that included her also selling them.

Mrs Morgan was a magistrate at Guildford for 26 years until 2002.

Her family formed the Morgan Minstrels, which entertained at old people’s parties and at the Fairlands carol concerts. She also trained a group of Brownies to participate in a music festival.

In later years, she formed a duet with her late husband Eric, and together they performed at local residential homes donating the proceeds to Wood Street Infant School.

She also enjoyed the challenge of teaching children the piano and taught all her children to play the piano before they took up other instruments.

The unveiling of the new honour board.

After her presentation Mrs Morgan unveiled the new honour board.

A buffet was provided by the parish clerk Gaynor White and assistant clerk Victoria Fear. Mrs Morgan was presented with a certificate and bouquet of flowers courtesy of florist Mollie-May and a large purple orchid was presented by Sue Harris of Fairwood Helpers.

Sue Harris of Fairwood Helpers presents Sandra Morgan with an orchid.

Worplesdon Parish Council says the honour can be awarded to anyone in the parish, from all walks of life, who has gone the extra mile, with strong and continuing connection with and commitment to Worplesdon and has made a major contribution to parish life and in doing so enhanced the reputation of it.

Areas can include artistic and cultural, business, charitable, improvement to the built or natural environment, religious and spiritual life.

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