The Worplesdon Witness, June 2024

Published on: 14 Jun, 2024
Updated on: 14 Jun, 2024

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

Sime Gallery chair of trustees attends royal garden party

The chair of trustees at Worplesdon’s Sime Gallery, Mary Broughton, has attended a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace.

Accompanied by her husband Richard, Mary said: ”It was described as a splendid occasion with a magnificent tea in the splendid garden although rather muddy due to the dreadful rain.

“But this did not stop Prince William talking to all the guests despite getting soaked himself.”

Mary has been associated with Sime Gallery for over 20 years. She is fundamental in the achievements of the gallery and its collection of works by artist Sidney Sime. He lived at Perry Hill from 1904 until his death in 1941.

The gallery is currently preparing for its second large exhibition this year taking place at the Heath Robinson Museum at Pinner from September 28 to January 5.

At the Sime Gallery children of Worplesdon Pre school are assisting with getting the courtyard garden ready for the Guildford in Bloom competition.

There will be a fundraising barbecue on August 16.

The recent talk and draw art session for adults was well received by those who attended.

Artwork from the talk and draw art session.

Drawing in pencil was based on a small range of black and white illustrations by Sidney Sime.

Rector of Worplesdon bids farewell and church news

Worplesdon churches, St Mary’s and St Alban’s, have said farewell to the Revd Alex Russell and her dog as she departs for a new role in Blackheath London.

Parishioners bid farewell to the Revd Alex Russell.

Her final service saw gifts given for both Alex and Brecon, her dog.

St Mary’s Church’s appeal to upgrade the toilets and kitchen has been given £1,000 from community transport service Fairwood Helpers, plus £500 from Worplesdon Parish Council as well as a significant grant from the Guildford Diocese Mission Fund. If another grant application is successful work will start in the autumn.

The Laudamas Chamber Choir is singing at a fundraising concert at St Alban’s Church on Sunday evening, June 30, at 7.30pm. Tickets are £12. Email to rhbroughton@aol.com or 01483 233869, for tickets.

Patients’ group’s successful meeting

Fairlands patient participation group held a successful meeting at the community centre to update patients on its work.

More than 80 people attended and heard the purpose of the group is to work with the GPs at the practice to help improve services and provide feedback to patients’ concerns.

The group explained about health promotion events held in the past year and gave details of future plans.

It needs further committee members to be from more diverse backgrounds, and after the meeting six people expressed an interest in being on the committee.

Mind the ducks

Wood Street Village has some more duck signs warning motorists how close ducks are to the road through the village.

One of the duck warning sings on the green at Wood Street Village.

No more recycling here

The recycling area at Fairlands Community Centre is now totally closed

The taped off area that was used for items to be recycled.

Success for cricket clubs
Worplesdon and Burpham Cricket Club, based at Worplesdon Memorial Ground, has announced that player Tom Blaxland is 15th on the I’Anson Cup batting honours board, with 107 runs.

Recent matches have brought wins away against Grayshott second XI and Bagshot Lea second XI, along with wins for the first and third teams.

Worplesdon and Burpham Cricket Club’s pitch at Worplesdon Memorial Ground.

Wood Street Village Cricket Club has been busy with weekend fixtures against Frensham, Puttenham, Blackheath, Thames Ditton and a great win against Alton by five wickets.

They have a midweek quarter final match against Haslemere.

Wood Street Village colts.

There is junior cricket for boys and girls on Fridays at 6pm. For details email to wsvcc.colts@gmail.com

Wild flowers blooming at Harry’s Meadow

Harry’s Meadow, behind the village hall in Jacobs Well, is owned and managed by Worplesdon Parish Council.

Wild flowers at Harry’s Meadow.

It has planted wild flowers to aid biodiversity, and daisies, cornflowers and poppies are growing well.

News from Fairlands Community Centre
If you are interested in acting, singing or dancing, Fairlands Players are auditioning for its pantomime.

Panto auditions poster.

There is a bar at the centre and its annual meeting is on Tuesday, July 9, at 8pm.

New committee members are required. If interested send an email to amanda.lici@hotmail.co.uk

Parish council news

The meeting on June 6 included a look at three planning applications, one tree reduction application and an outline application for 10 flats on land at Cavendish Place GU2 8NJ.

There was the quarterly playground inspection report, land management and health and safety reports, biodiversity action plan update, list of payments to the council.

The next planning meeting is on July 18 and the next full council meeting will be on June 27.

Show time on the green
The Wood Street village show will be on Saturday, June 20, with the jazz festival the next day.

Poster for the jazz festival.

Pubs have new management
The Jolly Farmer on Burdenshott road and The White Hart at Wood Street Village are under new management.

The Jolly Farmer reopened on June 8 with music from Emma Kennedy and canapés from chef Bradley.

Events for the summer including Shakespeare in the Garden with The Tempest performed by Opera Bar Theatre on August 23.

Poster of events at the Jolly Farmer pub.

The team at the White Hart say they are pleased to announce the kitchen is open and there’s a new menu.

The Royal Oak at Wood Street Village continues to produce its wide range of homemade pizzas and suggests you treat your dad to a Father’s Day roast lunch for £10 on June 16. It must be pre-booked.

Email theroyaloak2013@outlook.com or phone 01483 858078.

Worplesdon Place Hotel and restaurant has a Sunday roast for Father’s Day, and suggests try a cold Young’s beer.

The first game of the England football team’s UEFA Euros against Serbia will be shown. Bookings on 01483 232407.

Large grant for tennis club

Worplesdon Tennis club at Worplesdon Memorial Ground has received a £19,000 grant for improvements to its clubhouse.

Surrey County Councillor Keith Witham provided guidance and support for this project.

New coaching sessions have started with juniors on Saturday afternoons and adults on Thursday and Friday evenings.

Women’s pairs matches are on Wednesdays mornings.

Its open day is on June 29, 10.30am to 1.30pm. See poster below.

Poppies bloom in time for 80th anniversary of D-Day

Opposite the old entrance to Rokers at Fairlands, poppies are growing rather fittingly for the recent 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings by the Allied forces during the Second World War.