The Worplesdon Witness June 2021

Published on: 13 Jun, 2021
Updated on: 19 Jun, 2021

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

Sime Gallery re-opens

The Sime Gallery at Worplesdon Memorial Hall reopened on Sunday, May 23, with a visit by the Mayor of Guildford, Marsha Moseley, accompanied by her consort Cllr Nigel Manning.

The Mayor of Guildford, Marsha Moseley with Cllr Nigel Manning at the Sime Gallery.

It was the first visit of her mayoral year, and after a tour of the gallery the couple enjoyed tea at the gallery’s Ta Ta café.

The patchwork star banner.

The mayor unveiled a patchwork star banner and bunting to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Sidney Sime’s death.

The gallery is open on Wednesdays and Sunday, from 2pm to 4pm.

Parish council’s annual meeting

Worplesdon Parish Council has met for the first time in person since March 2020 and it was its annual meeting, held at its offices on Queen Elizabeth Park in Stoughton.

The Worplesdon Parish Council meeting.

Due to Covid regulations and the size of the meeting room, numbers of those attending was restricted.

Dr Paul Cragg was re-elected as chairman and Nigel Mitchell re-elected as vice-chairman. Brigitte Ahier was co-oped as a new councillor representing Fairlands.

As well as the approval of its annual accounts and reports, it was announced that an event is planned for July 11 at Fairlands Community Centre to thank those who have assisted in the parish during the pandemic.

Worplesdon Surrey County Councillor Keith Witham has reported to the parish council about resurfacing of the road leading to Rokers animal feeds business at Fairlands, and replacing kerb stones on the A322 Worplesdon Road between the junction with Keens Lane and Worplesdon View care home.

For the love of musical theatre

Budding young musical actor Robyn Mirmak, aged 15, has been offered a placement at the National Youth Music Theatre. She will spend three weeks on a residential course in August.

Robyn Mirmak in Bugsy Malone.

Robyn said: “When I found out I got in it was quite surreal. There was a lot of shock before the excitement kicked in. I’d been so focused on the constant auditioning I hadn’t actually thought about what would happen if I was accepted. It has definitely given me hope I could seriously consider acting in the future.”

Robyn has previously played Fat Sam in a production of Bugsy Malone at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre.

Members of Worplesdon WI meet up

The previous time members of Worplesdon WI met in person was in September, but they’ve now done it again with a follow-up get together outside with a bring and buy sale.

Worplesdon WI meet up once again.

They meet again inside Worplesdon Memorial Hall on September 1, with a talk by Matt O’Grady on his life on Royal Navy submarines, and on October 6, with a talk titled So Far So Good, by Malcolm Wells. New members are always welcome. Call 01483 233230, for details.

Author is runner-up

Author Michaela Kelly was a runner-up in a competition with her children’s book Rabbit Holds The Moon.

Michaela, who is the administrator for Worplesdon’s churches, thanks everyone who voted for her.

Sunday services at St Alban’s Church in Wood Street Village is at 10am and at 11.15am at St Mary’s, Perry Hill.

A weekly notice sheet with prayers and readings is available online from the parish website.

With Amazon Smile you can support the parochial church council of the ecclesiastical parish of Worplesdon as your chosen charity for your online purchases. Click here for simple instructions.

Pond life

Worplesdon Parish Council looks after ponds in Jacobs Well and Wood Street Village.

The pond adjacent to Wood Street Village green.

It often engages with the community about the care of wildlife and costings.

Cattle are back grazing

Cattle are back on Whitmoor Common under the control of Surrey Wildlife Trust.

Signage for cattle and sheep grazing.

The Witmoor Common Association holds its annual meeting on Friday, July 16 at Worplesdon Memorial Hall at 7.30pm.

July 24 to 30 is Thames Basin’s Heath Week with free activities aimed at helping to protect these special protection areas, Whitmoor Common being one of them.

There will be an event on the common focusing on herbivores on Tuesday, July 27, from 11am to 2pm.

New mum and baby group

Earthlings Forest School, based at Merrist Wood College, has a new mum and baby group.

There is play equipment, singing around a camp fire and a chance for mums to meet up.

Improvements at Merrist Wood Golf Club

The club has apologised to players for the standard of the course over the past few weeks.

It has invested in a new mower for its fairways and bunkers have been improved by the new course manager and his team.

Exercising again

Evolve Bootcampers back in action.

Evolve Bootcampers are enjoying being back exercising and have a summer fun day on Worplesdon Memorial Grounds at Perry Hill on Sunday, July 25.

News from Rokers

It took a whole day to lay the new road surface in front of Rokers at Fairlands.

The new road surface leading to Rokers at Fairlands.

Work is also under way on a children’s play area and its animal feeds and equestrian buildings are being enlarged.

Its puppy socialisation classes have also resumed. Rokers also sells ice cream for dogs and sell point of lay Lohmann brown chickens.

Roles for Worplesdon’s Guildford Borough councillors

Cllr Ruth Brothwell has been appointed to chair Guildford Borough Council’s strategy and resources executive advisory board. Cllr Bob McShee is deputy historic, environment and design champion. Cllr Ann McShee sits on four committees and is a substitute councillor on two committees.

Full details can be found on Guildford Borough Council’s website.

Fruit and veg wholesalers say thanks

Cheesman Bros has thanked its customers for their support during the pandemic and has launched a new website with details of the opening times of its farm shop off Broadstreet.

Fairlands quiz back at community centre

The popular Fairlands quiz is returning to the community centre on Wednesday, June 23.

Having missed out of festivities at the end of last year, there will be a Christmas Eve event on Saturday, June 26, and a summer’s New Year’s Eve party on Saturday, July 17.

Notices for events at Fairlands Community Centre.

Bingo evenings will be returning and over the past 13 months online events have helped to raise £2,274 for a range of local charities.

Young Isabella Sherwin raised £355 for the Little Princess Trust, a charity for childhood cancer sufferers, by holding a cake sale. The charity provides real hair wigs for children and the Charlie Brown salon in Fairlands cut Isabella’s hair for free and will also be donating to the charity.

Another Fairlands resident has thanked people who helped her raise £400 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Fairlands’ bid to establish a new Women’s Institute group

There will be an informal meeting at Fairlands Community Centre on Friday, July 30 at 7pm, to gather support for a new WI group.

Going down the pub to watch the football

The Royal Oak pub in Wood Street Village will be showing all England’s games in the Euro 2020 football championship.

And while the games are on you can have a pizza and a pint for £10.

Local resident Paul enjoys at drink at the Jolly Farmer pub.

The Jolly Farmer in Burdenshott Road, will also being showing the football on TV.

Keeping the village tidy

Wood Street Village Association mustered 18 volunteers who went on a litter pick on Saturday, May 15.

The volunteers who took part in the Wood Street Village litter-pick.

Afterwards, they enjoyed refreshments in the marquee at the Royal Oak pub (as the rain came down).

All the black sacks they filled were collected by Guildford Borough Council refuse collectors on the Monday following.

The event was full of community spirit and another litter pick is being planned for July.

See the old Worplesdon doctor at Guildford Museum

Among the artworks by Guildford artist John Russell on show at an exhibition at Guildford Museum is “The Quack Doctor of Worplesdon, Samuel Villiese”.

John Russell’s portrait of the ‘Worplesdon quack doctor’.

Russell depicted the doctor some 200 years ago holding a bottle with a label that reads: “A teacup full three times a day”.

The exhibition runs until October 9. Worplesadon Parish Council has a print of the same picture.

Shakespeare at the cricket ground

The Scoot Theatre Company is presenting A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Comedy Of Errors, outdoors at Worplesdon Memorial Grounds on Wednesday, August 18.

The theatre company is mainly touring cricket grounds in the South East this summer. More details on its website.

Pitch perfect at Worplesdon!

Meanwhile, players of Worplesdon & Burpham Cricket Club are keen to get their pitch ready, even in the rain. Its team are currently playing well! More details on its website.

Woman seen pulling a red cart

An older woman pulling a red cart was pictured having a rest at Perry Hill, and the next day was seen in Guildford town centre and also in Bramley.

It is not known whether this was perhaps raising money for charity. However you never know what you might see in the parish of Worplesdon.