The Worplesdon Witness, November 2024

Published on: 12 Nov, 2024
Updated on: 12 Nov, 2024

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

Remembering parish’s war dead

Remembrance services on Sunday, November 10, took place at St Mary’s Church at Perry Hill and at St Alban’s Church in Wood Street Village.

Wreaths laid at St Alban’s Church.

At St Mary’s Church the names of 52 men who died during the two world wars were read out by John McLean and Robert Lynch.

Dennis Stewart and Betty Lynch with the standard banners.

Standards were carried by Dennis Stewart, formerly of the 1st Battalion The Welsh Guards, and Betty Lynch, a long standing member of Worplesdon Women’s Institute.

Cllr Saffina Ellahi, Gaynor White, and parish councillor Bob McShee.

The clerk of Worplesdon Parish Council, Gaynor White, laid a wreath for those who died during the First World War and Cllr Saffina Ellahi laid a wreath for those who died during the Second World War.

Cubs and Brownies at St Alban’s Church.

At St Alban’s Church Cubs and Brownies marked the Act of Remembrance with their flags.

Wreath laid at Harry’s Meadow.

On Armistice Day, Monday, November 11, Acts of Remembrance took place in Jacobs Well at Harry’s Meadow, the Lilly Bell II aircraft memorial in Clay Lane, and at the aircraft memorial on Merrist Wood Golf Course.

Wreath laid at the Lilly Bell II memorial.

Wreath laid at the memorial on Merrist Wood Golf Course.

At Worplesdon Pre-school children made pictures of poppies on November 11.

Poppy pictures made by children at Worplesdon Pre-school.

Parish administrator thanked for long service

St Mary’s and St Alban’s parish administrator, Michaela Kelly, has been thanks for her 20 years’ service.

Parish administrator Michaela Kelly being thanked for her long service by Jenny Shaw.

This took place at a service at St Alban’s on November 3 in which she was presented with flowers.

Michaela said she looks forward to the years ahead and would be writing her 1,041st weekly notice sheet “being lucky to work for you and worship with you”.

Parish quiz night well attended

The parish quiz night on November 9 at Worplesdon Memorial Hall was a sell out with 128 people attending.

Enjoying the parish quiz night.

They enjoyed a fish and chip supper, bar and raffle at Worplesdon Memorial Hall.

£1,480 was raised for a new itchen and toilets at St Mary’s Church.

Thanks go to quiz masters Nicky and Daniel.

Parish concert at St Alban’s

The parish concert on October 12 featured the winners of both the 2023 and 2024 Worplesdon Young Musician of the Year Competition.

Money raised will also go towards a new kitchen and toilets at St Mary’s Church.

Applicants for Worplesdon Young Musician of the Year 2025 is now open, with a deadline of December 2.

Applications forms from the parish office, plus send a three-minute good audio and video recording to WYMOY25@gmail.com

Below are posters of upcoming parish events.

Christmas craft fair

There will be a Christmas craft fair at Jacobs Well Village Hall on Saturday, November 30, from 11am to 3pm.

New café at Jacobs Well

Jacobs Well Café in Stringers Avenue.

Jacobs Well Café in Stringers Avenue has been open for three weeks.

It offers breakfasts and beverages and will be adding more to its menu, plus activities too.

Inside Jacobs Well Café in Stringers Avenue.

No need to pre-book at the Farmhouse Café

The Farmhouse Café at Rokers in Fairlands is now operating on a first-come first-served basis.

The aim is to deliver a faster service, with a focusing on an all-day brunch menu and and is no longer taking cash payments.

News from the Sime Gallery at Worplesdon Memorial Hall

Its chair of trustees, Mary Broughton, has given talks about artist Sidney Sime at the Heath Robinson Museum at Pinner, and at the County Club in Guildford.

The gallery’s annual lecture is on Saturday, November 17, at St Mary’s Church, tickets available. See poster below.

At its Hallowe’en workshop children enjoyed “egg box“ art and craft, creating their own ghoulish characters just as Sime would have done in art form.

Christmas tree workshop.

There will be a Christmas tree workshop on December 14, followed by a children’s workshop in February.

A walking group enjoyed a self-guided Sime walk around Perry Hill and visited the gallery.

Large or small groups are welcome to visit the gallery. For details send an email to enquiries@sidneysimegallery.org.uk

Pubs round up
The Cricketers at Rydes Hill was used by a crew filming for an action film.

Filming at the Cricketers pub.

Staff were filmed as extras and were photographed with the main actors.

The pub also celebrated Hallowe’en with customers in fancy dress and a DJ.

The Royal Oak at Wood Street Village is hosting a Christmas wreath workshop on Tuesday, December 3. See poster below.

Its is offering Christmas lunches from December 1 to 23, £30 for three courses. See poster below.

Worplesdon Place at Perry Hill is offering mulled wine and boozy tipples along with Christmas events including the Worplesdon parish choir on Wednesday, December 18, at 6pm.

The Jolly Farmer on Burdenshott Road enjoyed another jazz session on November 3. On Guy Fawkes Night there was music by Damerson Sax.

Panto time at Fairlands

Fairlands Players’ panto is Rapunzel, on November 28 and 29 at 7.30pm, and on November 30 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm, at Fairlands Community Centre.

See posters below for further events in Fairlands.

News from the parish council

Worplesdon Parish Council’s full council meeting on October 31 saw a presentation from resident Janet Ashton regarding heat/thermal imaging surveys and support for vulnerable residents.

There has been a review of six planning applications.

Financial matters including list of payments and bank reconciliation and a monthly budget report, a boundary review with a second round of public consultation.

Other items considered include the upgrade of a mast in Gravetts Lane behind stables and rights of way over Harry’s Meadow at Jacobs Well.

Wood Street Village Show has applied for use of the green on July 19, with a separate application for the jazz festival on July 20.

The next parish council meeting is on Thursday, December 12, at 7.30pm.

Parish clerk Gaynor White and Guildford MP Zoe Franklin check out a watercourse prone to flooding.

Guildford MP Zoe Franklin went on walk about with the parish clerk looking at water courses as part of the parish council’s flood forum.

The car park at Jacobs Well Recreation Ground car park closed on November 11 for six weeks for maintenance work.

Users of the recreation ground are asked to respect the safety fencing in place until works are completed.

Road works news

Traffic on the A322 Worplesdon Road is being affected due to drainage works in Holly Lane, expected to take four weeks to complete.

In Cumberland Avenue, Pitch Place, the road is being resurfaced and has been closed since November 4 for 12 days between 9.30am and 4pm.

The new warning signage on the Salt Box Road bridge.

New yellow warning signage has been added to the railway bridge on Salt Box Road.

Flooding in Wood Street Village

Picture posted on social media of flooding near Wood Street Village green.

Wood Street Village was cut off at both ends on October 14, due to flooding after heavy rainfall.

A social media posted photo of a flooded Frog Grove Lane looking towards the A323 and Clasford Bridge.

A fire appliance was seen at the Aldershot Road end, pumping away flood water.

Anglers only day

Sign at Britten’s Pond noting the pond will be closed to visitors on December 1.

Britten’s Pond, off Salt Box Road, will be for anglers only on Sunday, December 1, between 7am and 4pm, as Guildford Angling Society holds its Christmas match.