The Worplesdon Witness January 2022

Published on: 12 Jan, 2022
Updated on: 12 Jan, 2022

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

Increase in fly-tipping

The photos show some of the most recent fly tipping in Worplesdon.

Fly tipping has been on the increase again with a huge quantity of various items of rubbish dumped along Goose Rye Road during the night time.

A lorry with a grabbing arm had to be used to clear the debris after residents had to put up with barriers around it for most of the day after it had been dumped.

Duvets were dumped in Coombe Lane, Perry Hill, close to the watercourse there and a mattress was fly-tipped in Wood Street Village.

Waste bins at Worplesdon Memorial Hall had a large amount of household waste pushed into them.

Fly tipping can be reported to Guildford Borough Council by phoning 01483 444499. Give the name of the road the postcode if you have it and a description of the items that have been left there.

Latest floods and rumble strips

Flooding in regular hotspots over the Christmas period included a very large puddle across the A323 Aldershot Road at its junction with Frog Grove Lane.

Traffic calming rumble strips and an anti-skid surface is anticipated to be laid along Holly Lane near the entrance to Merrist Wood College between now and March.

Worplesdon’s Surrey County Councillor Keith Witham has said a pedestrian island was considered but was not feasible as more land would be needed than originally anticipated. He is also supporting a petition to call for changes to how government money is allocated to fund road repairs. The petition needs to have more than 100,000 signatures to trigger a debate in parliament. Click here for details.

Worplesdon residents see road maintenance as a major concern. Mr Witham says he is regularly contacted regarding potholes, pavements and road surfaces.

Celebrating hall’s centenary

Worplesdon Memorial Hall was opened 100 years ago in October 1922.

Worplesdon Memorial Hall.

Celebration events are being planned and these will take place between October 14 and 16. If you have any photos or memories of the hall in times gone by email Jan Messinger at jan@wmh.org.uk

Sime Gallery’s 65th anniversary

Surrey’s hidden gem, the Sime Gallery inside Worplesdon Memorial Hall is celebrating its 65th anniversary this year.

A picture of the Sime Gallery that featured in a story about it in the Surrey Times in 1956.

It shows the artworks by Sidney Herbert Sime and in 2021 it welcomed 235 visitors over seven months of opening, and 171 people enjoyed refreshments there.

The gallery is open on Wednesdays and Sundays from 2pm to 4pm with refreshments in the Ta Ta café. Click here for website.

Astronaut drops into school

Worplesdon Primary School welcomed astronaut Tim Peak on Tuesday, December 7. He told pupils what it was like to spend Christmas in space.

Astronaut Tim Peak with pupils at Worplesdon Primary School.

The schools says Year 5 pupils Jonny, Jessica and Selana and Year 6 pupils Elijah, Layla and Carter joined Tim in “exploring space food and they also participated in a Q&A session”.

Local volunteering opportunities

If your new year’s resolution is to help out in the community, both Worplesdon Parish Council and Fairwood Helpers require volunteers.

If you would like to help influence decisions made for this parish becoming a parish councillor could be for you. Click here for details.

Fairwood Helpers is a community transport scheme and volunteer drivers typically spare a few hours each month. It received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2018, supporting vulnerable and elderly people. Call 01483 237619 or email: enquiries@ fairwoodhelpers.com

Tennis club’s new coach

Worplesdon Tennis Club’s new coach is Andrew Bird.

He is a Lawn Tennis Association level 4 accredited coach with over 20 years experience. He studied sports science and recreation management at Loughborough University, where he represented the university as its men’s tennis captain and as a basketball player.

He still competes regularly on the ITF senior circuit throughout Europe and has been ranked in the top 300 worldwide within his age group. He has extensive experience teaching at clubs, parks and schools throughout the UK and currently coaches at Onslow Village Lawn Tennis Club and at Reed’s School in Cobham.

There are group training sessions for juniors and adults on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Andrew will also be available for one-to-one lessons outside of these times. He can be contacted via the coaching section on the club’s website, through which lessons may also be booked.

The flood-lit courts at Worplesdon Tennis Club at Perry Hill.

The courts are floodlit and players regularly use the courts in the evenings as well as daytimes and there are four courts available.

WI hears all about Guildford Cathedral

Worplesdon Women’s Institute started the year by hearing an interesting talk about Guildford Cathedral from Matt O’Grady.

Setting up for Matt O’Grady’s talk to Worplesdon WI.

At its next meeting on Wednesday afternoon, February 2 the talk will be by Richard and Mary Broughton about the Galapagos Islands. The competition is for a photo of nature.

Also, Fairlands WI meets on the second Tuesday of the month in the main hall at Worplesdon Primary School, at 7pm. More details from the president Karen Whitehead on 07887 516875. Or send an email to presidentfairlands@surreyfedwi.org.uk

Matters to be considered

At its meeting on Thursday, February 13, Worplesdon Parish Council will be considering 10 planning applications, two tree applications, the parish finances, budget reports, a list of payments including land drains, pond works and its grass cutting tender.

It will also be looking at its quarterly playground inspections, land management and health and safety, the delivery of parish newsletters, and to consider whether to delay the annual meeting due to the pandemic situation that has been scheduled for March 25.

Time to nominate your community stalwarts

Nominations are now being accepted for this year’s Mayor of Guildford’s Award for Service to the Community.

Do you know someone from Worplesdon who has made a difference in their community? There are so many people who do such a vast amount of voluntary work and the mayor would like to know of those who have gone the extra mile before the deadline of February 4. Click here to nominate and more details.

Have your say on boundary review

The Surrey Hills area of natural beauty boundary review is under way, the first one since its creation in 1958. Natural England is asking for people to comment.

Worplesdon has nine ares of common land including Whitmoor Common an open space rich with wildlife and a site of special scientific interest. Others with nature reserve status include Chitty’s and Littlefield Commons.

Click here for details.

Scenic view towards the Hog’s Back from Merrist Wood College.

What’s on and what’s coming up

You can recycle your Christmas tree again in the designated area in front of Fairlands Community Centre. The trees are then taken away and composted.

A Burns Night fundraising event planned for January 22 has been cancelled. However, plans are under way to celebrate the Queen’s platinum jubilee during the extended bank holiday weekend in June.

Maypole dancing rehearsals start on Thursday, February 24. Meet at St Alban’s Church, Wood Street Village, at 3.30pm.

Six-week puppy training courses led by Danielle Tree are under way at St Alban’s Church on Fridays at 7pm. For more details call 07746 212467, or email guildforddogschool@gmail.com

There will be a litter pick in Wood Street Village on Saturday, February 5. Meet outside St Alban’s Church at 3pm.

If Christmas has left you bloated, feeling tired or stressed and you are ready to make a change look no further than Evolve bootcamps, for improved mental wellness, better sleep and to burn off calories.

Join in adult education courses at Activate Learning at Merrist Wood College. Courses are available in animal management, arts and crafts, cookery, fitness and beauty, languages, media and IT, outdoors and community well-being.

A mindfulness of parenting course starts at Worplesdon Primary School running for six weeks from Thursday, January 20. It is free and to register send an email to cbaynes@worplesdon.surrey.sch.uk

The White Hart pub at Wood Street Village is offering 25% off food from Wednesday to Saturday during January. Download a voucher from its website.

The Royal Oak pub at Wood Street Village continues with its range of different pizzas. The most recent ‘pizza of the weekend’ has been roast beef, caramelised onion, mushrooms and rocket.

Worplesdon Place hotel and restaurant will be screening the forthcoming Six Nations rugby tournament and has a dinner and music night on Thursday, February 24.

Fleecy Frolics is back at Merrist Wood College on Saturday and Sunday, April 23 and 24. Meet new lambs and see countryside demonstrations, visit the farm, take part in animal handling and much more. Tickets must be bought in advance. Click here for details.

Reflections of Christmas

St Mary’s and St Alban’s churches hosted an array of Christmas services.

Helen giving sign language for the carol Away In A Manger.

At St Mary’s nine lessons and carols service on December 19 Helen gave sign language for the carol Away In A Manger. She signs for her three-year-old son Christopher. She began signing in the services earlier this year singing was not permitted.

Her signing continues during one hymn a week as it has been welcomed by the congregation.

Carol singing on Wood Street Village green.

The carol signing on Wood Street Village green on December 18 was attended by about 150 people. It raised £404 for the Children’s Society.

Singing carols to Geoff and Pauline Burch.

Carols were also sung to local residents in Perry Hill. This included Geoff and Pauline Burch who were sung to in their garden. Customers at Worplesdon Palce were also treated to carols and raised £76.80. Combined, the parish churches raised £1,428.88 for the Children’s Society.

John McLean said this was the largest total to date raised and thanked everyone for their support. The Children’s Society has thanked the church for the monies raised.

Fairlands and adjoining area had a visit from Father Christmas who spread cheer to young and old alike.

Father Christmas on his sleigh.

Many residents decorated their homes with lights and were thanked for their donations with thanks also to the people who organised Santa’s visit.

There was a New Year’s Eve celebration at Fairlands Community Centre and there was a disco at Jacobs Well Social Club where about 50 people danced the night away.

New year revellers at Jacobs Well Social Club.

Membership of the club is £10 per year single, and £15 for a double, with discounts for older people. The club hosts bingo, quizzes and social evenings with entertainers.

Worplesdon Memorial Hall was the venue for a new year wedding reception after the couple were married at St Mary’s Church.