The Worplesdon Witness December 2024

Published on: 10 Dec, 2024
Updated on: 10 Dec, 2024

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

Stormy weather!

Storms hit Worplesdon in mid October and mid November causing Wood Street Village to be cut off by flooding.

Surrey Fire and Rescue again pumped out water on Aldershot Road at Clasford where more than 20 properties suffered flooding.

There were power cuts and damage to people’s property that included fences blown down.

There were power cuts again on Saturday, December 7 when storm Darragh caused strong winds.

Jane and Jimmy West had only just returned to their flooded home on Carters Lane, Aldershot Road due to flooding in January, when it was flooded again.

Guildford Borough Council are reviewing the drainage scheme there.

Ditches and brooks cleared

Worplesdon Parish Council staff have been busy clearing ditches and brooks and urge residents who have ditches or watercourses on their property or boundary to clear them to reduce flooding.

Ditch cleared at Jacobs Well.

Residents are also encouraged not to blow leaves on to roads or discard litter. This drain (seen below) was also cleared by Worplesdon Parish Council staff for safety due to leaves and litter, although this is strictly a matter for Surrey County Council.

The drain before it was unblocked.

Christmas banners and trees around the parish

One of the seasonal banners, this one at Pitch Place.

Worplesdon Parish Council has put up seasonal banners as well as Christmas trees with lights at Perry Hill, Jacobs Well, Fairlands and Wood Street Village.

Lights in the trees at Perry Hill.

It has also planted a tree at Pitch Place, but unsure who put the lights on it!

Who placed the lights on this tree?

Lights at Fairlands and at Jacobs Well were provided free of charge from JDS Decorations.

Christmas lights at Fairlands.

Rokers Café has a Christmas tree too and has added jacket potatoes to its menu as well as daily specials including fish and chips on Fridays.

Rokers Café with its Christmas tree.

Memorial tree looks beautiful

An acer tree, planted two years ago in Wood Street Village in memory of Graham Newbery, has been looking beautiful with its autumn leaves.

Acer in Wood Street Village.

It was paid for by the Newbery family with permission by Worplesdon Parish Council.

Replacement history panel

The new history information panel at Roman Farm Road.

A replacement panel that gives details of a Roman farmstead that existed on Broadstreet Common has been erected at Roman Farm Road, Park Barn, that’s within within the parish of Worplesdon.

Extra parking spaces created

Parking spaces being laid in Jacobs Well.

Four new parking spaces are being created at Jacobs Well by the play area in the recreations ground. It is hoped they will be ready to be used by Christmas, weather dependent.

News from Worplesdon Parish Council

Worplesdon Parish Council’s latest newsletter is being delivered along with the latest Sime Gallery newsletter.

Hedges cut back and trees planted

Guildford Borough Councillor for Worplesdon Bilal Aktar arranged for Surrey County Council staff to cut back overgrown hedges and trees on the path at Perry Hill.

Surrey County Council has also planted trees on the verges near Worplesdon Memorial Hall.

Trees planted on the verges near Worplesdon Memorial Hall.

Some people have expressed that motorists sight lines will be affected when the trees grow towards the entrance and exit of the hall.

Riders dumping hired Beryl bikes

Beryl bikes, from Guildford’s new hired electric bikes scheme, have been littering Perry Hill, Pitch Place and Wood Street Village.

Three in a row were left on the side of the path at Perry Hill. Residents have been taking to social media to complain.

News from the Sime Gallery at Worplesdon Memorial Hall

MP Zoe Franklin at the Sime Gallery.

Guildford and villages MP Zoe Franklin has visited the gallery, saying: “Wonderful, an absolute pleasure to visit. It was fascinating to see the artist’s varied collection and learn about him.”

The gallery’s annual lecture in memory of Chris Ewbank, a sponsor of  the gallery, was well attended.

Held at St Mary’s Church, Nick Higham, a former BBC arts correspondent, spoke about the art of laundry.

Nick Higham giving his lecture.

Some of Sime’s artwork were also included in Nick’s lecture.

Next year’s lecture will be held on Sunday, November 16. The gallery’s latest newsletter is on its website, which also includes details of up and coming events.

Church news

St Mary’s Church, Perry Hill invites children’s to decorate its Christmas tree inside the church on Saturday, December 14, 10.30am to 12.30pm.

The parish’s Christingle service is at St Alban’s Church, Wood Street Village on Sunday, December 15, at 10.30am.

Parish of Worplesdon’s Christmas services.

Carol singing taking place in the parish

Worplesdon churches Christmas lunch is fully booked, with the next lunch on Tuesday, January 14

Its fundraising appeal for new toilets included a concert on December 8 with carols and hand bell ringers from St Lawrence’s Church in Chobham.

A very welcome donation from Garfield Weston of £15,000 has also been received.

With a recent change in building regulations the cost for the new toilets has increased to about £30,000.

To make a donation speak to Dan Shaw, treasurer Ros Davison, the church wardens or contact churchoffice@worplesdonparish.com

Santa’s visit in and around Fairlands

Santa’s on his way!

Santa will make his rounds on Sunday, December 22, arriving at the community centre at 4.15pm.

His route will go past the shops into St Michael’s Avenue, along Aldershot Road to Gravetts Lane, taking in Keens Lane, Liddington New Road and Liddington Hall Drive.

Then back to Fairlands going into Littlefield Way and Close, Sandpit Heath, Louis Fields, Envis Way, Wallace Close, Brocks Drive, Gumbrells Close, Quakers Way, Kiln Meadows, Dynevor Place, Brooke Forest and back to the community centre.

Tasty festive treats at the Christmas bakery

The bakery has its Christmas cakes on display and you can order a double or single chocolate Yule log for collection in the days running up to Christmas.

Seasonal goodies at the Christmas bakery.

There is also seasonal gingerbread and shortbread Christmas trees and reindeer.

Things to do this Christmas

Worplesdon Memorial Hall will be the venue for a Ceroc white Christmas party on December 17 at 7.30pm.

Ceroc will hold a freestyle dance night there on New Year’s Eve, 8pm to 12.30pm.

The bar at Fairlands Community Centre has a quiz on Wednesday, December 18, staring at 8.30pm. This will be followed by Del’s Christmas Eve disco from 7.30pm to midnight with a children’s disco from 7.30pm to 9pm.

Christmas lunchtime opening times are noon to 2pm, plus Del’s New Year’s Eve disco from 7.30pm to 1am.

There will be carols at the Jolly Farmer pub, Burdenshott Road on December 19, at 7.30pm, with the Worplesdon parish choir who will be collecting for the Children’s Society.

On New Year’s Eve the pub has its big fat quiz from 8pm along with DJ later.

Winter warmers menu at the Cricketers pub in Rydes Hill.

Worplesdon Place hotel and restaurant is holding a Christmas jumper day on Thursday, December 13.

It is transforming its Christmas tree into a “giving tree” in support of Momentum Children’s charity.

Worplesdon Women’s Institute’s new president

Heather Dean will be taking over from Angela Anscombe.

Members meet on the first Wednesday of the month at 2.30pm at Worplesdon Memorial Hall. They have monthly speakers, tea and activities.

Worplesdon WI’s Heather Dean and Angela Anscombe.

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