The Worplesdon Witness July 2024

Published on: 12 Jul, 2024
Updated on: 13 Jul, 2024

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

Long-serving parish clerk honoured for 25 years in post

Worplesdon Parish Council’s clerk, Gaynor White, has been honoured for her 25 years’ service.

The chairman of Worplesdon Parish Council, Nigel Mitchell, presents parish clerk Gaynor White with a bouquet of flowers.

At the recent council meeting she was presented with flowers, a gift and a cake from the Christmas Bakery.

Gaynor said: “I am proud to have served the communities in Worplesdon for 25 years and hope that both my efforts and those of the councillors, have helped to make Worplesdon an even nicer place in which to work, live and visit.”

She is the third longest serving clerk to Worplesdon Parish Council, and since 1894 there have only been seven parish clerks, three of them from the Christmas family.

Gaynor has served under three chairmen and 60 councillors. Those chairmen are all still serving councillors.

Worplesdon Park Council clerk Gaynor White pictured with current chairman Cllr Nigel Mitchell and previous chairmen Cllr Paul Cragg and Cllr Bob McShee.

Gaynor is well known as a dedicated and hard working clerk who is very well respected.

In 2007 she completed her Certificate in Local Council Administration, being the 100th clerk to achieve this qualification.

She attained her Certificate of Higher Education (Community Governance) with Merit in 2020.

Lovely musical fundraising evening

The Laudamas Chamber Choir gave a lovely concert raising funds for Worplesdon churches’ “double flush” appeal for St Mary’s Church’s kitchen and toilets to be updated.

The Laudamas Chamber Choir that includes members of the Worplesdon churches committee.

Thanks were given to all those supporting the event who enjoyed a variety of songs and music styles. Tea and cake were enjoyed too.

To donate to the appeal send as email to churchoffice@worplesdonparish.com

News from the Sime Gallery

The courtyard garden at the Sime Gallery, within Worplesdon Memorial Hall, is being inspected by Guildford in Bloom’s judges.

The children of Worplesdon Pre school have assisted trustees of the gallery in preparing the garden for the summer, especially enjoying the slugs and snails!

There will be a fundraising Caribbean-themed barbecue on Friday, August 16, and the volunteer organisers have been sourcing auction and raffle prizes.

Funds raised will go towards ongoing outreach programmes with local schools and the charity halow.

The gallery is open on Wednesdays and Sundays afternoons, with visitors asked to make a donation.

Its latest newsletter is available on its website. www.sidneysimegallery.org.uk

Holiday club for children at Worplesdon Memorial Hall

Throughout the summer holidays Worplesdon Memorial Hall is hosting a children’s holiday club, run by Worplesdon Holiday Club and Forest School. It is for children aged three to 10 years.

Performing arts workshops for children

Dynamic Performing Arts will be offering its regular workshops for children aged three to 14 at Worplesdon Memorial Hall from August 12 to 14 with Wonka and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and on August 16 with Frozen.

Book online at https://www.dynamicperformingarts.co.uk/workshop-bookings

Tennis club’s successful open day

At Worplesdon Tennis Club’s annual open day on June 29 the weather was kind and a great day was had by both members and visitors.

The courts at Worplesdon Tennis Club.

There was lots of good tennis, coaching for the juniors and delicious homemade cakes.

If anyone missed the open day but is interested in joining the friendly village club, email to worplesdontennis@gmail.com

Don’t miss annual village show

Wood Street Village’s Show and Horticultural event is on Saturday, July 20.

It is the village’s main attraction of the year and its organisers have been busy for many weeks. They have been donated some wonderful raffle prizes from local businesses.

The Mayor of Guildford, Sallie Barker, will be opening the show.

Friday art group

Wood Street village’s art group meets on Friday mornings at St Alban’s Church Hall.

All abilities welcome. For more details email to woodstreetvillageart@gmail.com.

Gates locked to suitable alternative natural green space (SANG)

The main gates to a proposed car park are still locked on the SANG off Frog Grove Lane in Wood Street Village.

The locked gates at the suitable alternative natural green space.

However, there is access by a pedestrian gate.

The gate that allows access.

This is due to a retrospective planning application for a change of use of the land from agricultural to public open space and nature reserve, for it to become a SANG.

Worplesdon Parish Council supports the application (21/P/02356), details of which can be found on Guildford Borough Council’s website.

News from Worplesdon Parish Council

New duties placed on the parish council by the Biodiversity Act 2021 have meant biodiversity assessments are being carried out on Wood Street Village Green and at Nevins Copse.

It means the parish council aims to erect bat and bird boxes where appropriate.

Hedgehog homes will also be created where deemed appropriate or necessary and grants are being applied for.

Councillors’ duties have recently been: considering four planning applications, financial matters, a request to hold at fete in Jacobs Well next year, a bridge over a watercourse between Harry’s Meadow in Jacobs Well and the North Moors allotments, which was installed in the past by residents.

Also, the trial of wild flowers in Harry’s Meadow and considering eight points to enhance its newsletters. The next meeting is Thursday, July 18.

The parish council has also been granted consent for four parking spaces at Jacobs Well recreation ground, but not for fencing or chicken wire.

Appeal lodged over Hesters Yard planning bid

Developers Bewley Homes has lodged an appeal over Guildford Borough Council’s refusal to allow the building of 50 homes at Hesters Yard, 116 Oak Hill at Wood Street Village.

A public inquiry will be held by the end of the year.

Click here for details of planning application 22/P/01371.

Award for cricket club stalwart

Wood Street Village Cricket Club is delighted to congratulate Julian Richards, who has been awarded the Mayor of Guildford’s award for community service.

The then outgoing Mayor of Guildford, Masuk Miah, presenting Julian Richards with his award.

Julian’s commitment has been over 30 years developing the talents of the young colts inspiring and installing a love of cricket among the youth in the local community.

Football club looking for new sponsors

Worplesdon Phoenix Football Club is looking for sponsors for the new season.

For details send an email to wpfc@gmail.com

Pre-season training has started and it takes place on Tuesday evening at Northmead School’s playing fields, Grange Road, Stoughton, and on Thursdays at its home pitch at Worplesdon Memorial Grounds.

Another incident near roundabout

Another incident has occurred near the roundabout on the A322 at Pitch Place / Salt Box Road.

The hedgerow that a car crashed into.

This time it was a hedgerow that took the brunt of a car that crashed into it. Residents assisted police officers clearing a tree in the road.

Burger van at foot of Perry Hill

Tasty in Guildford has a mobile burger van in the lay-by on Worplesdon Road close to the former Perry Hill School.

It’s there Monday to Friday, 8am to 3pm.

The burger van at the foot of Perry Hill.

Hardware shop in Jacobs Well closing

The well-known Margnor (Fasteners) hardware shop in Stringers Avenue, Jacobs Well, is closing on July 31 due to owners Mike’s retirement.

The Margnor shop in Jacobs Well.

And a new addition to the shops is Flawless Beauty by Jodie, above the barber’s shop.

It offers a range of treatments including anti-wrinkling, lip filler, tattoo lip brush and a range for brows..

Geese on the pond

A family of Canada geese appear to be enjoying spending time by the pond at Jacobs Well near the playground.

The family of Canada geese at Jacobs Well.

Latest new building at Rokers now open

Rokers Animal Feeds and Equestrian country store has celebrated with the opening on July 6 of its latest new building.

It has a vast range of products and offers listed on its website.

Maidenhead Aquatics has opened a branch at Rokers and is celebrating 40 years in business.

Look out for Neighbourhood Watch in Fairlands

Fairlands, Liddington Hall and Gravetts Lane residents are reminded about its Neighbourhood Watch scheme, with many signs now on display.

With residents concerned about vandalism on the field behind the community centre, it pays to be vigilant within your community.

Guildford police officers confirm all incidents of antisocial behaviour can be reported to Surrey Police either by phone on 101, or its website, its Facebook or X sites.

Also see: https://www.surrey.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/contact-us/report-crime-incident-suspicion/

A real community hero

The community-minded among Fairlands residents regularly pick up litter from a field where there are bins provided, and only a short distance to their own refuse bins.

Litter on the recreation ground field at Fairlands.

Well done to one particular local hero. We know you do so much litter collection on behalf of others.

Saying goodbye to WI president

Members of Fairlands Women’s Institute have said goodbye to its president, Karen Whitehead.

She was presented with flowers, a card and a gift to express their thanks for all she has done since starting group in November 2021.

Its next meeting is in September. To join the evening group email infofairlands@surreyfedwi.org.uk

Fly-tipping again in Gooserye Road

More fly-tipping on Gooserye Road.

Yet again Gooserye Road has been subject to fly-tipping.

Road closed barriers while the rubbish was being cleared.

Barriers were put up as the road was closed while a team from Guildford Borough Council removed the rubbish.

Charity car wash

The Silverbirch House care home at 19 Tovey Green, off Keens Lane, Pitch Place, is having a charity car wash “and more” on Saturday, July 27, between 10am and 2pm.

Activities for care home residents

Worplesdon View care home at Pitch place has been hosting a range of activities for residents.

Having fun at Worplesdon View care home playing tennis with balloons.

They including getting into the spirit of Wimbledon with tennis with balloons, sing-a-longs, dog visits, yoga, childminders with their children, a mid-summer party and church services at the home.

Pubs ready for Euro2024 football final

The Royal Oak and the White Hart, both at Wood Street Village, the Jolly Farmer in Burdenshot Road, and the Worplesdon Place Hotel and restaurant have all being advertising their food and big screens for enjoying the Euro 2024 football matches.

With England in the final against Spain on Sunday evening, choose which one to support near you and enjoy with your community. Have fun and food. Let’s hope there are no penalty shoot outs!