The Worplesdon Witness August 2023

Published on: 18 Aug, 2023
Updated on: 22 Aug, 2023

Jan Messinger with her round up of news from the parish of Worplesdon.

The show goes on despite yellow weather warning

Despite a yellow weather warning, the annual Wood Street Village show went ahead on Saturday, July 15, with the final decision not made until at 9am on the day.

The Mayor of Guildford, Masuk Miah, at the show.

The Mayor of Guildford, Masuk Miah, opened the show, organised by a committee of volunteers and with sponsorship from Bourne estate agents and Auntie Esme pet grooming service.

Lots going on in the horticultural marquee.

There was a fantastic horticultural display in the marquee as well as the many stall holders and local organisations who braved the weather and made it a wonderful event.

Trees and signs in the churchyard and on Perry Hill’s green

Pine tree in St Mary’s Churchyard.

A pine tree in St Mary’s Churchyard produces the most enormous pine cones!

There are ancient yew trees as well as a large monkey puzzle tree.

It’s a popular spot for visitors and walkers with a footpath that leads onto Whitmoor Common.

Acer on Perry Hill green.

A number of acers are growing well on the green at Perry Hill. They seem to be doing better than the horse chestnut trees. Is this due to all the wet weather?

Footpath sign that’s taken a tumble.

However, the footpath sign has taken a tumble again at St Mary’s Church, while there is also a newly replaced one on the green at Perry Hill.

New footpath sign on the green at Perry Hill.

Good attendance at annual meeting

There was a good attendance of about 100 people at the annual meeting of the Fairlands, Liddington Hall and Gravetts Lane Community Association.

They heard that the community centre’s plumbing, drains and electricity supply is failing more frequently. The hall itself is nearly 60 years old and association members were asked to support a bid for grants to rebuild the hall.

Membership of the association is £15 per year (£15 seniors). Funds go towards the hall, its bar, recreation field, etc. Membership also includes offers and discounts at a number of local businesses and many community events.

Click here for website.

Revamp at Worplesdon Place hotel and restaurant

Worplesdon Place hotel and restaurant at Perry Hill has been having a make over.

Painting the walls at Worplesdon Place.

Scaffolding has been erected and the outside of the building (that dates to 1860) has been painted.

Bus spotted in the hotel’s car park.

A bus was a recent sight in the car park, no doubt for wedding guests.

As well as being a venue for weddings, the hotel accommodation includes “dog-friendly rooms” and other package deals.

Events at the White Hart pub, Wood Street Village

Summer maintenance at Worpledon Memorial Hall and Jacobs Well recreation ground

There has been a summer clean up at Worplesdon Memorial Hall’s playground.

Taking a break from their work.

Members and staff of Worplesdon Parish Council have undertaken the work with help from some young people too.

Cleaning at Worplesdon Memorial Hall.

While the hall’s caretaker has been cleaning the ceiling fans and lighting only accessible by a scaffold tower and also redecorating of the men’s toilets.

Group photo of those who helped at Jacobs Well’s recreation ground.

Parish councillors and staff have also been at Jacobs Well’s recreation ground top dressing some of the holes in front of the goals on the football pitch, ready for use by a new walking football group.

Other news from Worplesdon Parish Council

On the agendas at meetings have been: land management reports, goal posts at Jacobs Well recreation ground, the area in front of White House Pond at Jacobs Well, annual tree inspection report, and the Christmas illuminations at Perry Hill.

Finance matters included a grant approved for Fairlands, Liddington Hall and Gravetts Lane Community Association towards architects’ fees and planning fees for a proposed replacement of the community centre.

Scrutinising 10 planning applications, a tree application, and a request to hold a Maypole dancing event on September 30 at Wood Street Village green.

A visit to the MECA mosque at Rickford Hill.

The parish clerk, assistant clerk and chairman met with members of the Guildford Central Mosque at its mosque at Rickford Hill (the former United Reformed Church chapel) along with Guildford Borough Councillor, Bilal Akhtar.

There has been a community grant from Surrey County Council to enable repairs to a fence in the lay-by outside Worplesdon Memorial Hall.

There is a public consultation about playground equipment outside Worplesdon Memorial Hall. A QR code is being displayed on posters at the playground for people to use to give their feedback.

Funding, by way of a grant, would be required to provide new equipment.

The parish council is recruiting for a part-time assistant grounds person. Click here for details.

It has a new parish councillor, Saffina Ellahi, who lives at Perry Hill, with one more vacancy to be filled. For more details see the parish website or phone the parish clerk on 01483 300094

The NHS liver screening van in the car park at Worplesdon Memorial Hall.

An NHS liver screening van came to Worplesdon Memorial Hall car park for a day.

Barbecue at Sime Gallery is a sell out

All tickets have been sold for the Sime Gallery’s fundraising barbecue on Friday, August 18.

The gallery’s second annual lecture will be on November 19.

The gallery continues with talks to groups and is open on Wednesdays and Sundays from 2pm to 4pm.

The tree of hands.

Children of Worplesdon Preschool made a painting of a tree with prints of their hands for the gallery’s entry in this year’s Guildford in Bloom competition.

Bus service discontinued, new bookable service launched

The number 17 bus service serving Wood Street Village and Fairlands will no longer run after Sunday, September 3.

Detail about the new service displayed on a bus stop.

However, Surrey County Council has agreed to expand its electric minibus service to support rural areas and this will replace the number 17 bus starting on Monday, September 4.

With no set route and timetable, passengers can book journeys as and when they would like to travel, from Monday to Friday, 7am to 7pm, and on Saturday’s from 8am to 6pm, with pick ups and drops offs using current bus stops.

Details are being displayed on bus stops.

News from Merrist Wood College

Merrist Wood College has been award a “good with an outstanding feature” rating by Ofsted.

The inspection was carried out in November last year.

Gigi, the winning Portland ewe.

Students competed at the New Forest Show where they won the champion Portland ewe sheep with Gigi.

The Howell and Castlemilk Moorit rams also won the reserve primitive champion class.

The team from the college’s animal management centre and animal encounters visited Wood Street Infant School, before the end of term, to talk about hedgehogs.

The college is working with the British Hedgehog Society with an aim of becoming a hedgehog-friendly campus.

On Sunday September 3, from 10am to noon, there is a farm open morning to get up close and pet the farm animals. Tickets must be pre booked.

It’s back to school time!

At Wood Street Infant School, Years 1 and 2 return on Wednesday, September 6.

Reception class children have a staggered start from September 6, 11 and 13.

There will be a start of year meetings for parents at 3.30pm each time on Wednesday, September 27, for reception; Monday, September 11, for Year 1; and Thursday, September 21, for Year 2.

These meetings are to to hear about what children will be doing on a daily basis, with further curriculum meetings to follow.

Open day at care home

Worplesdon View care home has an open day on Saturday, August 19, call 01483 667932 for more details.

One resident whose 90th birthday was during the Covid restrictions has now celebrated the occasion with family from all over the country with a garden party, thanks to the care home’s chef.

Residents can enjoy visiting entertainers, there are trips out, and celebrations for residents’ special birthdays.

Sign raises awareness about cats on Jacobs Well Road

Beware, cats are about!

A sign has been placed by the side of Jacobs Well Road warning motorists about cats on the prowl!

Fashion show at Fairlands

A fashion show is taking place in Fairlands on Monday, September 11.

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