The Worplesdon Witness September 2021

Published on: 15 Sep, 2021
Updated on: 20 Sep, 2021

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

Heritage Open Days at the Sime Gallery and St Mary’s Church

Worplesdon regularly takes part in Heritage Open Days and this year is no exception.

This year the Sime Gallery at Worplesdon Memorial Hall will be focusing on Sidney Herbert Sime’s “bread and butter years” of 1896-98 and his theatrical caricatures that were published in London magazines.

The gallery will be open for Heritage Open Days on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, September 17, 18 and 19.

St Mary’s Church.

The Grade I listed St Mary’s Church at Perry Hill will feature a display of chalice, pattern and flagon, and the history of the Eaton silver to mark Heritage Open Days. Open on Friday, September 17, from 2pm to 4pm, on Saturday, September 18, from 10am to 4pm, and Sunday, September 19, from 12.15pm to 4pm.

Council leader visits gallery

The leader of Guildford Borough Council, Cllr Joss Bigmore, has visited the Sime Gallery.

The leader of Guildford Borough Council, Cllr Joss Bigmore, visiting the Sime Gallery.

He said the volunteer he met there could be on TV’s Mastermind due to their knowledge of the artist Sidney Sime.

And what a hidden gem he said it is and he was very impressed with its new website and marketing material.

He had to smile about the same turquoise corporate of the gallery, the same as Guildford’s taxis!

The gallery also held a fundraising Macmillan coffee afternoon on Wednesday, September 15, in its Ta Ta Cafe.

Bus shelter repaired, vandalism to playground

the repaired bus shelter on the A323 opposite Fairlands.

Worplesdon Parish Council was delighted to have one of its bus shelters repaired after damage, only to have the playground vandalised adjacent to Worplesdon Memorial Hall.

The fire-damaged playground adjacent to Worplesdon Memorial Hall.

A vigilant user of the tennis club, who is also a trustee of the hall, saw a small fire that had been lit in the playground and promptly put out the fire.

Shakespeare on the cricket ground

The Scoot Theatre Company had perfect weather for its outdoor production of Shakespeare’s A Comedy of Errors and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

The Scoot Theatre Company in action.

The audience enjoyed a balmy early evening while enjoying the two plays.

Novelty dog show

A novelty dog show was held on Harry’s Meadow in Jacobs Well with a variety of classes and fun events.

Pictured is the best senior dog and the best senior owner. Congratulations to both as well as to a beagle that did a “high fives” with its owner, and a young child with a rescue dog although not a winner.

Nick Collett organised the event and was grateful for the generous donation of prizes from The Artful Dog photographic studio of Farnham.

Oak tree cordoned off

An oak tree on the green at Perry Hill has been cordoned off by Worplesdon Parish Council and warns residents to keep away.

The cordoned off oak tree that contains oak processionary moths.

The tree contains oak processionary moths, the hairs of which can cause skin irritation and asthma attacks in humans.

Oak trees in Jacobs Well have also been affected.

Celebrations at Worpledon Place hotel and restaurant

The Worplesdon Place hotel and restaurant is a member of the pub chain of Young’s Brewery, that is celebrating its 190th anniversary this month.

The pub chain’s app has details of the celebrations and special treats. Sunday roasts are offered with autumn approaching and it is also a venue for weddings, celebrations as well as accommodation.

Time running out to take part in parish council’s survey

The deadline for people to fill in Worplesdon Parish Council’s residents’ survey is on Thursday, September 30.

It can be filled in online, click here.

Paper copies can be obtained from the parish office on Queen Elizabeth Park, Stoughton.

The Jolly Farmer pub in Burdenshott Road has kindly donated the chance of a lunch for two at the pub for completing the survey.

The parish council’s flood forum walk about took place at the end of August. Its latest meeting saw just four planning applications scrutinised, with other issues on the agenda relating to fly tipping, replacement trees, the condition of the green at Wood Street Village, as well as grant aid requests.

Sandra Morgan

Sandra Morgan MBE, who has been a Worplesdon Parish Councillor for over 53 years has decided it is time to step down.

She chaired the council from 1985 to 1989, the only other female chairperson being Mrs R. M. Lily, 1966 to 1972.

Sandra has served on many committees and associations and has been an outstanding active councillor. She was also a founder member of Fairlands Women’s Institute, served on the committee of the Fairlands, Gravetts Lane and Liddington Hall Community Association, served as a school governor of five local schools over many years including the former Perry Hill School. She was also a magistrate from 1976 to 2002.

School takes on academy status

Worplesdon Primary School has become an academy and has joined the Bright Futures Learning Trust.

Head teacher Mrs O’Brien will be on secondment to work part time as the executive head teacher for the trust. Mrs Bassett Cross will become acting head teacher of the school.

Wood Street Infant School’s toddler group meets on Friday mornings during term time and is led by Adele Moyle.

Rydes Hill Preparatory School is holding an open house for past pupils on Sunday, September 19, from noon to 4pm.

There will be a picnic and the history book on the school will be available to buy.

Focus on mental health and loneliness event

The Fairlands Patient Participation Group is holding an event on Saturday, October 9, from 10.30am to 4.30pm, focusing on mental health and loneliness.

It will include the causes, symptoms, treatments, prevention and how a healthy lifestyle can help. The drop-in event will be held at Fairlands Community Centre.

Fashion show and bargain prices

There will be a fashion show and sale of clothes at Fairlands Community Centre on Friday, September 17.

There was fun for all the family

The family activity event at Fairlands.

A family activity event was held on August bank holiday Monday on the recreation ground at Fairlands for residents.

Gardens opened for charity

Residents of Church Lane in Perry Hill opened four of their gardens in aid of the National Gardens Scheme under a glorious clear-blue sky on Sunday, September 5.

Doreen Smith cuts the cake.

The event was supported by Worplesdon Memorial Hall, Worplesdon Women’s Institute, friends and other residents, and The Christmas bakery, who made a special cake in the colours of the National Gardens Scheme.

Helpers at the Church Lane open gardens wearing their National Gardens Scheme aprons.

£4,000 was raised on the day for the scheme that supports Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK, Carers Trust, Parkinson’s UK and the Queen’s Nursing Institute.

Some of the visitors to the Church Lane open gardens.

Gardening club keeps busy

Worplesdon Garden Club has been running monthly meetings online via Zoom throughout the pandemic. Members have enjoyed great speakers and have had the opportunity to share and enjoy their own photographs.

They were able to get together for their annual summer show and social in August.

Its show in 2020 was a virtual affair with live voting via the club’s Zoom polls on the night, and the RHS Banksian Medal for the highest number of points in all agricultural classes was won by Margaret Parker. She was finally able to receive the award at this year’s show.

Above and below: some of the entries in Worplesdon Garden Club’s show.

The 2021 show featured more than 100 gorgeous entries. They included floral displays, vegetables, photographic and handicraft categories. Members enjoyed a wonderful buffet and also fed their senses on the sight of the exhibits and the smell of the blooms.

Margaret Parker found herself a contender again for the RHS Banksian Medal, tying this time in joint first place. Under RHS rules, this medal cannot be awarded to the same person within three years. Therefore, Jennifer Collins was the recipient this year.

However, Margaret was the worthy winner of the magnificent James Walker Cup for the highest points across all horticultural and handicraft classes.

The club meets in person on the second Tuesday of the month at 8pm in the old church, Emanuel Parish Centre, Stoughton.

Click here for the club’s website.

Merrist Wood College on TV

The college was recently featured on the Love Your weekend With Alan Titchmarsh show.

The focus was on the role of pigs foraging in the countryside and the mangalitza breed.

The college’s outdoor arena has been closed for urgent maintenance work. Showjumping events have been cancelled for the next two months. Dressage, however, will continue on another arena.

Places are available for the college’s junior animal keeper days. It has also held various events during the summer including the Sun and Moon festival, as well as weddings and animal encounter tours.

Fields have been given names with signage in place. Look out for them if you walk through the college’s grounds.

Worplesdon WI meeting in person again

Members of Worplesdon Women’s Institute are meeting again at Worplesdon Memorial Hall.

The group reports that its speaker at its September meeting was very knowledgeable and humorous.

Cheesman Bros’ fundraising coffee morning

Produce for sale at Cheesman Bros.

Fruit and vegetable wholesalers and retailers Cheesman Bros of Luxford Farm, Wood Street Village GU3 3NB is holding a World’s Biggest Coffee Morning in aid of Macmillan on Friday, September 24.

The firm says: “Drop in to meet the team, help fundraise and enjoy a cuppa with some Cheesman-baked cakes! We’re delighted to say that the Mayor of Guildford, Marsha Moseley, will be with us at 11am!”

And Cheesman Bros says on its Facebook page: “We’re delighted to provide delicious fruit, veg and more to our friends at Harper Asprey Wildlife Rescue with some particularly discerning customers.”

New remembrance garden

A new remembrance garden is being created in the grounds of St Mary’s church at Perry Hill. It is under an ancient yew tree to the right of the church.

Work is under way to create a remembrance garden in St Mary’s churchyard.

Welcoming back services for parishioners to the parish churches of St Mary’s and St Alban’s (Wood Street Village), saw more than 80 people attended each service.

The Friary (Guildford) Band will be playing a night of music from West End  shows at St Alban’s Church on Saturday, October 16, at 7.30pm. Tickets at £10 raising money for the British Heart Foundation are available from the parish office.

Both churches collect items for the North Guildford Food Bank and tinned and packet goods are always welcome.

Bootcamp challenge

Evolve Bootcamps currently has an end of year challenge.

Perry Hill-based Evolve Bootcamps currently has an end of year challenge, giving participants the opportunity to fix a stressful lifestyle, elevate fitness and help with sleeping patterns.

Meets take place at Merrist Wood College and Worplesdon Memorial Grounds.

Click here for details.

All change at the former White Lyon pub

A limited company called Portchester Estates has taken occupancy of the former White Lyon and Dragon pub opposite the green on Perry Hill, and is using it as offices.

The firm designs and builds bespoke homes.

Grass verges cut and reveal litter

Grass verges along Holly Lane have been cut revealing litter presumably thrown out by passing motorists.

Repainted white lines and cycle lane lines.

White lines and the cycle lane lines have been repainted from Perry Hill to Rickford along the A322.

Some cyclists have commented that certain trees with overhanging branches make it difficult to cycle past them.

The new electronic traffic board.

A new electronic traffic board has been erected at Rickford, but is not in use as yet.

Wild wee area for youngsters

Earthlings Forest School, based at Merrist Wood College, has installed what it calls “tree frog urinals” for its youngsters to use.

Little wee! Tree frog urinals.

They can be found in its “wild wee area”.

Term time parent and toddler sessions are held on Tuesdays and Wednesday mornings. Click here for website.

Autumn’s on its way

It must be autumn soon. The grass in the field behind St Mary’s Church has been cut and the hay bails ready for winter feed.

Looking across the field behind St Mary’s churchyard.

How wonderful it is to live in the rural countryside of the borough of Guildford!

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