The Worplesdon Witness October 2023

Published on: 14 Oct, 2023
Updated on: 13 Oct, 2023

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

Macmillan coffee mornings

Two fundraising Macmillan coffee mornings were held in Wood Street Village.

At Cheesman Bros’ fruit and vegetable wholesale and farm shop £1,150 was raised.

Maypole dancing on Wood street Village green in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.

While an event on the village green included Maypole dancing and raised £478.60 with its “let’s eat cake” event.

Janet Sutton and her team of helpers for the Maypole dancers thanked everyone for their support.

Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Surrey, David Hypher, presented coronation medals.

After the dancing, Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Surrey, David Hypher, presented coronation medals to the dancers and thanked everyone for attending.

Autumn at your local pub

Autumn is here and local pubs are changing their menus.

The Jolly Farmer pub on Burdenshot Road is offering a two-course meal for £17.95, or £21.95 for three courses.

The Cricketers pub at Rydes Hill is reminding customers of how many days until the festive season with its Christmas Day menu now available to book. Tel 01483 575901.

On Sundays, roasts are served from noon to 4pm, plus food through to 9pm.

The White Hart Wood pub in Wood Street Village is holding a Mexico food night with live music on Saturday, October 28.

The music will be by Beato Burrito, said to be “a crazy trio playing rock and pop with a variety of well known songs in the mariachi style”, which is a genre of regional Mexican music.

The Royal Oak pub at Wood Street Village continues to offer its amazing pizza toppings, sweet chilli chutney, sticky brie, and crispy bacon on a garlic butter and herb base.

It also has great deals on rugby nights.

Hallowe’en theme to postbox

Wood Street Village’s postbox, outside the post office, has a Hallowe’en theme with a knitted topper.

The postbox with a knitted top.

News from the Sime Gallery

The gallery’s second annual lecture takes place on Sunday, November 19. See poster below for details.

There will be Hallowe’en events for both adults and children on Sunday, October 29.

Lest we forget them

To mark Armistice Day on Saturday, November 11, there will be services of remembrance from 10.50am in Jacobs Well in Harry’s Meadow and at the Lilly Bell II memorial at the junction of Clay Lane and Queenhythe Road.

These two commemorations are hosted by Worplesdon Parish Council.

Musical story about an ugly duckling called Honk

Sunflower Productions, who first helped fundraised 10 years ago with the production Calendar Girls, is back at Worplesdon Memorial Hall where it all started.

This time with its production of the musical story of the Ugly Duckling called Honk, from October 15 to 18.

As you will see in the flyer, all monies raised are for teenage and young adult cancer services. Book your tickets now.

Pumpkins at Merrist Wood College

Merrist Wood College is holding its Pumpkin Patch event on October 25 and 26.

Panto time at Fairlands with Aladdin

Fairlands Players has announced details of its pantomime being held in November.

News from the parish council

Among items on the agenda at Worplesdon Parish Council’s latest meeting included a grant awarded to the Stella Hancock Riding Association.

There were discussions over the costs and siting of Christmas illuminations and tree at Perry Hill.

There was a discussion on the possible renaming of the parish council, Wood Street Village’s site of alternative natural green space, quarterly playground reports, 11 planning applications scrutinised, clerk and chairman’s report, and the appointment of a part-time grounds person.

Church news

St Mary’s Church at Perry Hill requires a new kitchen and toilet. Fund raising has started with a target of £125,000.

There’ll be a fundraising quiz night is Saturday, October 28, 7.30pm for a 7.45pm start, at Worplesdon Memorial Hall. There will be a raffle and bar.

All welcome to take part, to book contact Michaela at the church office 01483 233091.

St Mary’s and St Alban’s Church have both received a bronze Eco Church award.

These are presented for environmental attainment across a wide range of areas, including care of buildings and churchyards, energy-saving, recycling, food and lifestyle, worship, preaching and teaching, engagement in communities and the wider world.

The churches are now working towards a silver award and the bronze certificate is on display with a wooden plaque to follow.

The next parish lunch is on Tuesday, October 17, 12.15pm to 1.30pm at St Alban’s Church.

The caretaker of Worplesdon Memorial Hall, Phil Bower, gave some pumpkins from the cottage garden for the harvest festival celebrations at St Mary’s church.

Phil Bower cuts a pumpkin for the church.

Bunny still busy at the age of 93

Bunny Roker created his animal feeds, equestrian and countryside store in Fairlands 60 years ago, and he has just celebrated his 93rd birthday.

Bunny Roker.

He still works and can regularly be seen at the Farmhouse café there.

New building going up at Rokers.

The new building is taking shape and the store is open seven days a week.

Busy month at care home

Worplesdon View care home has staged a range of activities for residents.

There has been a “smells of the forest and feeling and listening to nature” session and even Scots pine tea.

Autumnal wreaths have been made, plus quizzes and hearing a gospel choir at Guildford Cathedral.

Pupils from Rydes Hill Preparatory School and St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School have visited, while residents have taken part part in chair volleyball and sensory activities.

Residents have also made head-dresses for a 1960s themed party and there has been a visit from The Pony Pals family who brought along goats.

New care home to open in December

Barchester Healthcare’s Silverbirch House care home opens in December at 19 Tovey Green GU3 3FF, part of the Montague Place development off Keens Lane.

The home will provide dementia care, residential care, respite and short-stay care.

Go walking for health

Getting out and about and going for a walk is good for mental and physical health, and to walk in good company is even better!

Join a walking group and see the local countryside.

There are free weekly one-hour health walks on Tuesday mornings from Worplesdon Place at Perry Hill. Meet in front of the hotel / pub at 10.30am for a 10.45 am start.

Trained volunteers lead walks to explore Whitmoor Common, St Mary’s Church, Perry Hill, Merrist Wood. Optional refreshments after at Worplesdon Place pub.

Details from Martyn on 07909 222526.

The Whitmoor Walk Group offers free one-hour weekly health walks from the Jolly Farmer pub, Burdenshott Road, Friday mornings at 11am.

Meet at 10.45am in the Jolly Farmer pub car park. Walks start at 11am. Optional hot drink and / or light lunch after at the pub.

Details from Roger on 07905 282658.

The Muddy Boots Walking Group offers easy, flat walks around Whitmoor Common starting from QE Park Centre, Railton Road, off Grange Road, Stoughton on Mondays at 10am and return by 11.30am for refreshments at the QE Park Centre’s cafe.

Visits to nearby locations are organised on the last Monday of each month (except bank holidays). At present the group divides into two or three smaller groups to cater for different walking abilities.

For more information email John and Jeanette Cattermole: j_j_cattermole@hotmail.com

Flytipping – this time on Broadstreet Common

Sadly flytipping never goes away and this time it’s been on Broadstreet Common.

This time the dumping of timber was repeated for three days.

Timber dumped on Broadstreet Common.

Boot camp’s new home

Evolve bootcamp has moved to Bullens Hill Farm, Jacobs Well.

Evolve bootcamp is now in Jacobs Well.

It has floodlighting in winter, a safe parking area, a large shelter to train under, wood-chippings under foot and a wide variety of equipment to keep the sessions fun for great exercise.

Full details of its end of year challenge at www.evolvebootcamps.co.uk/end-of-year-challenge

Gaskins free Christmas dinners

Do you know anyone in need of a free dinner delivered on Christmas Day by the Gaskin family of Jacobs Well? If so, send an email to info@freechristmaslunch.com