Updated: The Worplesdon Witness August 2024

Published on: 13 Aug, 2024
Updated on: 13 Aug, 2024

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

First ever Flower King crowned at village show

It was a momentous occasion at the Wood Street Village Show on Saturday, July, 20 when the first Flower King was crowned alongside the 2024 Flower Queen.

The Flower Queen Talia and Flower King James.

James, the King, was crowned by Guildford’s new MP Zoe Franklin and Talia, the Queen, by the Mayor of Guildford, Sallie Barker.

The Mayor Guildford, Sallie Barker and MP Zoe Franklin (right) at the show.

Zoe Franklin even joined in with a Maypole dance that she described as “really fun”.

As always, the marquee was full of horticultural produce, crafts and artwork.

Above and below, pictures from the show.

A small group of volunteers organise the show and new volunteers are always welcome. Next year it takes place on Saturday, July 19.

Successful jazz festival

The jazz festival on Wood Street Village green was on Sunday, July 21, and raised more than £23,000 for the children’s charity Challengers.

The jazz festival on Wood Street Village green.

With 500 tickets sold, artists performing were Jivin’ Miss Daisy, the Nigel Price Organ Trio, Somethin and the Else Big Band.

Catering at the jazz festival was provided by The Shahin Tandoori Restaurant, Woodbridge Hill, Guildford.

Becky Cox, community and events manger at Challengers, thanked restaurant owner Yameem Deedar, saying: “I just wanted to say a huge thank you for your support this weekend at our Wood Street Jazz Festival.

“The Shahin not only have the best food, but your generosity is absolutely incredible – from us all at Challengers we thank you! The day is only successful with the support of our amazing supporters such as yourselves! We raised an amazing £1,525 from the curries from the Shahin.

Yameem Deedar, owner of The Shahin Tandoori Restaurant, with two of Challengers staff members.

In response, Yameem added: “It was a privilege for me to be involved with such a good cause. You and your team has done tremendous work not only this occasion but throughout the years.

“The funds raised is absolutely brilliant. What an effort and my best wishes to all who had contributed in every capacity.”

Parish council round up

Parish council staff Gaynor, Victoria, Helen, Peter and Andy got up early on a hot day and with a 7.30am start cleared the wild and poisonous plant ragwort from Harry’s Meadow in Jacobs Well.

Parish council staff at Harry’s Meadow.

During the clearance any cinnabar moth caterpillars found were relocated to the few remaining plants furthest away from the horse fields.

A report of a distressed fish in Wood Street Village pond was dealt with by the parish council’s groundsman who contacted representative from Guildford Angling Society.

Once rescued, the fish was examined and is expected to recover.

The meeting held on July 18 discussed five planning applications, one planning appeal, playground inspections, list of payments and a donation of £350 to Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance.

The summer edition of its newsletter has been distributed to residents.

Award for hotel at Perry Hill
A mystery inspection at the Asperion Hillside Hotel at Perry Hill has resulted in the hotel group receiving an AA Rosette for Culinary Excellence for the second year in a row.

Sign for the Ten Tables restaurant and its award at the Asperion Hillside Hotel, Perry Hill.

The hotel’s Ten Tables restaurant is open Tuesday to Sunday evenings. To reserve a table, send an email to reservations@tentables.uk

Outdoor cinema at Worplesdon Place hotel and restaurant

Worplesdon Place hotel and restaurant is hosting three outdoor cinema evenings.

Pride and Prejudice will be screened on Friday, August 30, The Greatest Showman on Saturday, August 31, and Grease on Sunday, September 1.

For a £10 ticket you can enjoy the movie, a free pint of Aspall cider or a soft drink, and box of popcorn.

To book tickets click here.

Pub news

The Royal Oak at Wood Street Village has a “kids eat free” offer throughout the school summer holidays.

The White Hart at Wood Street Village continue with steak nights and pizza evenings.

The Jolly Farmer on Burdenshott Road is holding a Shakespeare in the Garden event on Friday, August 23, with The Tempest, starting at 5pm.

Tickets are £20 per person with food on its barbecue menu.

Forthcoming events at the Jolly Farmer pub on Burdenshott Road.

The Cricketers pub at Rydes Hill be under new management by the end of August.

Free strawberries offer

Fruit and veg wholesalers and retailers Cheesman Brothers is offering 50 vouchers for a free punnet of strawberries at its farm shop situated off Broad Street.

The strawberries are from a farm at Milford, and you can buy ice cream produced by Meadow Cottage of Bordon.

Go on a guided walk over Whitmoor Common

This year’s Guildford Walkfest launch event will be a guided walk over Whitmoor Common hosted by the the Muddy Boots weekly walking group.

It takes place on Monday, September 2, with a 10am start. All welcome to attend.

Belted Galloway cttle grazing on Whitmoor Common.

There will be another walk on Tuesday, September 10, starting at 10.30am, also part of the month-long September walking festival. It is courtesy of the Guildford Health Walks.

Check out the Guildford Walkfest website for details of lots of walks.

There are also two walking trails leaflets available from the Sime Gallery, for self-guided walks from the gallery that feature the local area of Worplesdon and Whitmoor Common.

Lights installed at pedestrian crossing

Flashing amber lights have been installed at the pedestrian crossing on the A322 with its junction with Keens Lane and Cumberland Avenue.

The pedestrian crossing on the A322 with its new lights.

The flashing lights warn motorists must give way to pedestrians on the crossing.

News from the Sime Gallery

The gallery is participating in Surrey Wheels of Time, a feature for children aged five to 11 years old.

It features Roamin Rex, who has been traveling through time for many years before he landed in Surrey, discovering its museums and heritage venues. Twelve Surrey venues are also taking part.

All 12 badges on a lanyard.

Each participating venue has a unique badge for children to collect when they visit.

More details on the Surrey Wheels of Time website.

The gallery’s Caribbean Summer barbecue is on Friday, August 16. Click here for ticket details.

The gallery will be taking part in Heritage Open Days weekend. At its opening on Sunday, September 15, Stephen Cranstone will be giving a talk about the new information he has discovered about Sidney Sime’s caricature drawings of local people.

The Heath Robinson Museum at Pinner is holding an exhibition of Sime’s artwork from September 28 to January 5.

The Sime Gallery will still be open during that time, Wednesday and Sunday afternoons, and will have even more artwork on display.

Currently, more research is being undertaken of both Sime’s theatrical and local caricatures.

The third annual lecture will be held on Sunday, November 17, at St Mary’s Church, Perry Hill.

The courtyard garden at the Sime Gallery at Worplesdon Memorial Hall. The garden has been entered into this year’s Guildford in Bloom competition.

Success with bat and ball

Wood Street Village Cricket Club and Worplesdon and Burpham Cricket Club have both had significant success during the season with outstanding performances.

Congratulations to Worplesdon and Burpham’s Tom Blaxland and Olly Grant for highest scores this week in their Surrey league.

Both teams thank their sponsors for their continued support.

Football friendly matches

Worplesdon Phoenix FC has a number of friendly matches during August.

Home games are played at the Worplesdon Memorial ground pitch

On Saturday, September 7, the first team plays Guildford United at Kings College, Park Barn, with the second team playing at Haselmere Recreation Ground.

Tennis finals

Worplesdon Tennis Club’s finals day is on Saturday, September 7.

Worplesdon Tennis Club at the memorial grounds, Perry Hill.

Care home’s new digital help program for residents

Worplesdon View care home at Pitch Place has in place a new digital system called Enable, which it says, will “enable person-centred care for residents”.

The cake in the shape of Worplesdon View care home.

The care home celebrated with a lovely cake!

Rain brings flooding

Heavy rain once again caused flooding throughout the parish.

Flooding in Dorrit Cresent, off Broad Street.

The photo here was taken in Dorrit Cresent, off Broad Street.

£21 million campus redevelopment at Merrist Wood College

Worplesdon’s Merrist Wood College has received £21 million grant from the Department of Education for the redevelopment of its campus.

Work has begun and will include will include two highly sustainable low-carbon buildings and new greenhouses.

The college has also been awarded a Surrey Hills Enterprises Trade Mark, which recognises a commitment to local provenance, quality and sustainability.

Changes to bus service

From Monday, September 2 the 538 operated by Stagecoach is being withdrawn.

It will effect residents of Jacobs Well who go by bus to Sainsbury’s store at Burpham.