The Worplesdon Witness October 2021

Published on: 13 Oct, 2021
Updated on: 17 Oct, 2021

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

Macmillan cancer support coffee mornings

There were two Macmillan cancer support coffee mornings in Worplesdon in late September.

Having a fundraising time at the Macmillan coffee morning held at Chessman Bros.

The Mayor of Guildford, Marsha Moseley and her consort, Nigel Manning, attended Cheesman Bros, wholesale fruit and vegetable suppliers from Broad Street, hosted the fundraiser thanks to Shirley West, who held a raffle and raised more than £500, with a great turn out of residents.

It was with thanks to the staff of Cheesman’s and all the lovely people who were bakers who made cakes and others who donated to the raffle.

The Sime Gallery inside Worplesdon Memorial Hall held its first ever Macmillan coffee afternoon and £85 was raised with people enjoying homemade cakes in the Ta Ta café in the Tovey room.

Sime Gallery News

Perdita Hunt OBE, a Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey, and who is an arts, heritage and leadership consultant has visited the gallery along with representatives from Worplesdon Parish Council, and art enthusiasts from around the UK.

From left: The chairman of the trustees of the Sime Gallery, Mary Broughton: Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey, Perdita Hunt; and trustee Marilyn Scott.

The cafe is also open each time the gallery is, from 2pm to 4pm on Wednesdays and Sundays. Visitors can just come and have refreshments and a welcome chat.

It is holding a Hallowe’en themed children’s workshop Sunday, October  31. from 2pm to 4pm, where there will be quiz, printing press and clay activity.

Clergyman ordained and church news

Barry Hanson who joined the Anglican parish of Worplesdon during the recent pandemic was ordained by the Bishop of Dorking, the Rt Revd Dr Jo Bailey Wells, at St Mary’s Church’s harvest festival service.

The Revd Barry Hanson with the Bishop of Dorking, the Rt Revd Dr Jo Bailey Wells.

Readings were given by the Revd Canon Roy Woodhams and the rector, the Revd Alex Russell. The sermon was read by the Revd Craig Holmes, the Guildford Diocese’s director of ordinands. The Revd Martin Wright sung the Veni creator. Part of the harvest celebrations included hedgehogs made as bread and given by The Christmas Bakery.

St Mary’s Church was suitably decorated for its harvest festival service.

A thanksgiving service was held on October 2 at Guildford Cathedral for Geraldine Wright, the wife of the Revd Martin Wright, honorary associate priest of the parish of Worplesdon.

The service was attended by 170 people and her funeral took place at St Mary’s Church in September 2020, restricted to 30 mourners due to Covid regulations.

The parish’s Alpha course starts on November 3 for 13 weeks, on Wednesdays from 7.30pm to 9pm and Fridays from 1.30pm to 3pm.

Quiz night tickets go on sale from October 18 for Friday, November 26, being held at Worplesdon Memorial Hall.

On October 16, The Friary (Guildford) Band is in concert at St Alban’s Church, Wood Street Village as a fundraiser for the British Heart Foundation. Tickets from the church office and for more details on all events email churchoffice@worplesdonparish.com

The new wrought-iron hand rail.

St Mary’s Church has a new wrought-iron hand rail placed at the steps into the graveyard.

Worplesdon churches have had weddings recently and the bride and groom who were married at St Mary’s Church, Perry Hill, had their reception at Worplesdon Memorial Hall.

Newlyweds Neill and Gill Farley outside Worplesdon Memorial Hall.

Other local venues that can be hired for wedding receptions include Merrist Wood College, Worplesdon Place Hotel and Littlefield Common. With so many couples having to delay their happy day last year, it has been a busy few months recently!

Successful mental health and loneliness event

The event hosted by Fairlands Patient Participation Group on October 9 had a full programme of speakers including GPs, the Samaritans, clergy, Action for Carers, the NHS’ children’s, adolescent and its adult mental health services, Oakleaf Enterprises, and Worplesdon Primary School’s headteacher Kareen O’Brien.

Mrs O’Brien spoke about teaching children to look after their mental health. Advice on exercise to promote physical and mental wellbeing was given by Move It Or Lose It, and Taiso.

The Action for Carers stall at the event.

Stalls giving details and support for mental health and loneliness included Worplesdon WI, Therapy Dogs, Normandy Therapy Garden, Wood Street and Fairlands art group and the Sime Gallery.

The event culminated with musicians from Worplesdon Primary School. The chairman of the patient group, Richard Broughton, thanked participants, speakers, stallholders and helpers for all they did on the day.

Your memories required for memorial hall’s centenary celebrations

Next October Worplesdon Memorial Hall will be celebrating its centenary with plenty of celebrations.

Worplesdon Memorial Hall.

The hall’s trustees look forward to receiving people’s photos and memories of how the hall has played a part in their own family history. Maybe it was a wedding reception, a party or two, a club, being part of the WI or the sports clubs – cricket, football or tennis? Or maybe something very unique over the last 100 years. They are eager to have a great display showing this.

If you can help send me, Jan Messinger, an email to: jan@wmh.org.uk

Honour for Wood Street Village resident

Pamela Hypher, seated fourth from right at the presentation ceremony.

Pamela Hypher from Wood Street Village has been presented with her British Empire Medal by the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux, at Loseley House, on behalf of the Queen. Mrs Hypher received the award in the New Year’s Honours List.

Parish council’s award for services during the pandemic

Worplesdon Parish Council has received the Lord Lieutenancy of Surrey’s award for services during the coronavirus pandemic. It was presented by Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey, Lady Elizabeth Toulson.

Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey, Lady Elizabeth Toulson, presents Worplesdon Parish Council with the Lord Lieutenancy of Surrey’s award for services during the coronavirus pandemic.

Its recent meeting included scrutinising six planning applications, a communications and engagement strategy proposal, a review of its business plan, its freedom of the parish initiative, policy updates, playground inspections, event applications and requests, along with its financial matters including audits.

The next full council meeting is on November 4. Residents are always welcome and it is a great way to see first hand what your council does and how you can become involved yourself as there are currently vacancies for parish councillors, the most local level of government.

And also Rydes Hill Preparatory School…

Rydes Hill Preparatory School was also honoured to receive the Lord Lieutenancy of Surrey’s award for its services to the community during the pandemic.

And the presentation was also by Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey, Lady Elizabeth Toulson.

The school has been celebrating Black History Month as part of its curriculum with lessons, interesting activities and learning about strong, successful black women.

Flooding again

Flooding at Perry Hill.

Flooding continues to be an issue in Wood Street Village, Jacobs Well and Perry Hill with Perry Hill Antiques being flooded twice this year.

Perry Hill Antiques at Perry Hill has been flooded twice this year.

The shop had to be closed because of the latest flood in the past week and Surrey County Council has been informed of the floods.

Target shooting club’s annual competition

Worplesdon Target Shooting Club at Pitch Place hosted the annual Marsden and King shooting competition with teams from near and far attending.

These are both trophy events: The William Marsden Trophy a team event and the Harry King Trophy for individuals. The competition has been running since the 1940s and Marsden and King founded the club in 1906.

Pond dug out at Rokers

The pond at Rokers animals feeds in Fairlands near its entrance has been dug out and increased in size.

The newly dug-out pond at Rokers, Fairlands.

It is hoped that this will help prevent some of the flooding that regularly occurs at the end of Holly Lane adjacent to Merrist Wood College.

Nearing completion at Rokers is a new indoor play area for children.

Christmas market at Fairlands

A Christmas market is taking place at Fairlands Community Centre on December 19, from 10.30am until 4pm, offering a wide range of crafts. There will also be refreshments including mulled wine, mince pies and burgers.

Autumn on Witmoor Common

Notice about sheep grazing on Whitmoor Common.

Sheep are being grazed at present on a part of Whitmoor Common and the fungi growing on the common means autumn has definitely arrived.

The people who enjoyed a walk around Whitmoor Common as part of September’s Guildford Walkfest.

As part of September’s Guildford Walkfest, a walk took place around the common hosted by Guildford Walking for Health.

Death of Pamela Fox

Long-standing Worplesdon resident Pamela Fox has died aged 98.

She lived in Worplesdon from 1955, when she married and played an active role in village life as well as raising her family .

She was the secretary of Worplesdon Memorial Hall for its trustees from 1987-2000.

Her husband, Jim, was a Worplesdon Parish Councillor for 30 years, as well as a trustee of the memorial hall. Pamela had lived for nearly 40 years as a widow.

London Marathon runners once again

Darren and Emma Barnes of Fairlands have done it again. For the fifth time they have run the London Marathon raising more than £30,000 in total for the Wizz kidz charity that helps to improve disabled children’s lives.

London Marathon runners Darren and Emma Barnes.

Darren and Emma thank everyone who has supported them and donated so generously.

Take part in raising funds for Shooting Star children’s hospices

Worplesdon View care home at Pitch Place is encouraging people to join in and raise money for Shooting Star children’s hospices, to collectively walk one million steps within 31 days. To take part send an email to worplesdonview.activities@barchester.com

New goalposts and nets

Worplesdon Pheonix Football Club that plays at Worpledon Memorial Ground at Perry Hill have a a good start to the season with excellent results by its first and reserve teams.

With new goalposts, nets and respect lines, the spectators are in for a treat at home games.

Former Worplesdon United Reformed Church building for sale

The former Worplesdon Reformed Church at the foot of Perry Hill near Rickford is being sold with a guide price of £650,000. Comprising of 1,884 ft it is being marketed as suitable for commercial / business use.

An Ode to Joyce Grenfell

An Ode of Joyce Grenfell is to be performed at Worplesdon Memorial Hall on November 21.

A selection of songs and monologues adapted and performed by Cheryl Knight and directed by Paul Knight, titled An Ode to Joyce Grenfell, will be performed at Worplesdon Memorial Hall on Sunday, November 21, at 3pm Book online at www.seaty.co.uk/joyceworplesdon

Cricket club’s presentation event

Worplesdon Cricket Club’s end of seasons awards event for its players were celebrated with “beer and a barbecue”.

New players for the 2022 season are welcome.

Open days for prospective parents

Wood Street Infant School is holding open days for prospective parents to see the school. See poster below.

Cultural association’s get together

Jacobs Well Village Hall was used by the Guildford Ayalkkoottam Cultural Association for its Ponnonam 2021.

Some of the members of the Guildford Ayalkkoottam Cultural Association.

The group is a small community of Malyali (Keralites) and other south Indian communities living in Guildford.

Heron on the pond at Jacobs Well

Grey heron on the pond at Jacobs Well.

It’s not everyday you see a heron at Jacobs Well pond and a treat for residents on an autumn day.

Peacock and ice.

Also did you know peacocks like ice? This one pictured at Cheesman Bros.

No answer yet to why pedestrian central refuse has not been completed

In a comment to last month’s Worplesdon Witness, Guildford Dragon NEWS reader Dave Middleton questioned why the new pedestrian central refuge crossing on the A322 near the junction with Cumberland Avenue and Keens Lane at Pitch Place has not been completed, and why has it been over nine months since work commenced.

I can confirm that Surrey County Council’s transport development planning officer has asked developer Taylor Wimpey for an update. It is the developer of the new homes at Montague Place, off Keens Lane, and responsible for constructing the crossing.

The planning officer has asked the developer why the works have been left? And more importantly, when will they be finished? A prompt response was asked for. However, there has not been a reply.

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