The Worplesdon Witness September 2022

Published on: 16 Sep, 2022
Updated on: 17 Sep, 2022

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

Heritage Open Day event cancelled

The Sime Gallery’s Heritage Open Days plans did not go ahead after the announcement the Queen had died.

Families who visited on Sunday, September 11, unaware of the closure were not turned away. Children took part in art quizzes.

However, Rydes Hill Preparatory School’s Heritage Days opening of its library went ahead.

Special services at St Mary’s and St Alban’s Churches

St Mary’s Church has been open from noon to 7pm for private prayer for people to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

There are books of condolence in both St Mary’s and St Alban’s church.

In memory of Queen Elizabeth II inside St Mary’s Church.

On Wednesday, September 14, there were two vigil services of commemoration, at 3pm at St Mary’s and at 7pm at St Alban’s.

On Sunday, September 18, at St Mary’s, there will be a united service of commemoration starting at 10.30am.

Celebrating the centenary of Worplesdon Memorial Hall

A peel of bells will be rung at St Mary’s Church on Thursday, October 13 at 10.30am to mark the centenary of Worplesdon Memorial Hall.

Guests have been invited to hall for the unveiling of a centenary clock by the Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyeneux, on Friday, October 14.

On Saturday, October 15, there will be a jazz evening by Guildford Jazz’s Ella and Louis with fish and chips or curry.

On Sunday, Ocrober 16, an illustrated talk on the hall and its sports ground over the past century will be given by Geoff Burch and David Rose, along with musical entertainment from Sunflower productions.

Worplesdon Women’s Institute will be celebrating the occasion and helping with the teas.

View www.wmh.org.uk homepage for more details.

The union flag at the memorial hall lowered to half-mast.

The union flag at the memorial hall was lowered to half-mast during the period of national mourning of the Queen.

Phone box decotated

Liddington New Road’s iconic telephone box, that is looked after by residents as a book exchange, has very aptly had red, white and blue balloons displayed in it.

Changes in clinical services

The Fairlands Patient Participation Group is holding an event on Friday, October 6, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, titled Getting the Best from your Local General Practice.

The event is at Fairlands Community Centre and is to explain how changes in clinical services are being delivered and how best to access these services. All welcome to attend.

Posthumous award for the late John Gunner

The Posthumous Freedom of the Parish of Worplesdon has been awarded to the late John Gunner.

It was made as John’s son Stephen and partner Amanda attended a gathering of family, friends and parish councillors.

The chairman of Worplesdon Parish Council, Nigel Mitchell (left), with Stephen Gunner and his partner Amanda.

The chairman of Worplesdon Parish Council, Nigel Mitchell, spoke about John’s outstanding contribution to the community of Worplesdon for many decades.

Mr Mitchell said that John’s incredibly strong sense of community spirit, good humour, generosity and enthusiasm for the area where he and his ancestors have lived made it a better place for all. It is the highest honour the parish council can give.

Pub raises £1,000 for children’s hospital

The Royal Oak pub in Wood Street Village has raised £,1,000 for Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

It is one of only three children’s hospitals in the country.

The raffle prizes for the fundraising at the Royal Oak pub.

Best wildlife garden

Wood Street village resident Lisa Firth won the award for the best wildlife garden in the 2022 Guildford in Bloom competition.

She was persuaded to enter for the first time by her husband. Flowers are her passion and her business Homestead Flowers supplies them to florists and for events.

Lisa Firth’s wild flower field.

Lisa grows plants as organically and as sustainably as possible, without weed killers or spray with insecticides.

For more information email HomesteadFlowers.uk@gmail.com or view www.homesteadflowers.co.uk

Parish council chairman and clerk attend royal proclamation

The chairman of Worplesdon Parish Council, Nigel Mitchell and its clerk Gaynor White attended the proclamation of King Charles III at Guildford Cathedral on Saturday, September 10.

They also went to Guildford Borough Council’s reading of the proclamation by the mayor on the steps of Holy Trinity Church.

The chairman of Worplesdon Parish Council, Nigel Mitchell, reads the royal proclamation.

On Sunday afternoon, September 11, Cllr Mitchell read the proclamation to those assembled outside the parish office in Railton Road, Queen Elizabeth Park, Stoughton.

Letters of condolence have also been sent from the parish council to the new king and the Queen’s private secretary. Copies of the letters can be viewed on the parish council’s website.

News from Worplesdon Parish Council

Travellers on Wood Street Village green.

As its land owners, the parish council served notice to an unauthorised encampment of vehicles on Wood Street Village green. The travellers stayed for one night.

The council has installed a new kissing gate at Jacobs Well for access to Harry’s Meadow.

The new kissing gate in Jacobs Well.

Recent parish council meeting included: scrutinising five planning applications, looking at speeding traffic locations across the parish, a Jacobs Well resident’s complaint regarding pavement repairs in Stringer’s Avenue by Surrey County Council, and Wood Street Village community car park pavement repairs.

There was also a grant aid request for Age UK Surrey’s Men in Sheds project at Merrist Wood College.

The next parish council meeting will be on Thursday, September 29.

There will be a drop-in session meeting at Jacobs Well Village Hall on Friday, September 30, between 6.30pm to 9.30pm to discuss recent matters raised by residents over car parking at its playground, goal posts and duck feeding signs.

Former parish councillor Anne Wright’s husband David has died. Both Anne and David did so much especially for the Jacobs Well community as supporters of its residents’ association and environment representatives. They have lived in Jacobs Well for 59 years.

Flooding, as usual

Flooding occurred in the usual hot spots after heavy rain in recent weeks.

At Jacobs Well, the A320 Woking Road near the roundabout with Salt Box Road was closed with cars being diverted by police officers.

Flooding at Perry Hill.

News from local pubs

The Jolly Farmer in Burdenshot Road will have its first monthly dog days with Izzy the dog whisper on Saturday, September 17, from 1pm to 4pm.

There will be useful tips for dog training, prizes for lookalike dog / owner and complimentary hot dogs too. Another wine and food pairing Italian night was also enjoyed recently.

The Cricketers at Rydes Hill opened its new children’s play area on September 3, along with a 1980s disco evening. There are quiz nights on the first Friday of the month.

The new play area at the Cricketers pub.

Lots going on at Earthlings Forest School

Earthlings Forest School in Wood Street Village continues its Tuesday morning play sessions for children up to the age of four years.

It also runs holiday camps during school half term and summer holidays and can host birthday parties for up to 20 children. See its website for more details.

Donate unwanted clothes and more to raise money for Cherry Trees

St Mary’s Church has a collection point for clothing, towels, sheets, blankets, curtains and shoes.

This is to raise money for Cherry Trees at East Clandon, which provides respite care for children with complex disabilities. The collection point is emptied weekly.

Knitted postbox at Rydes Hill

Rydes Hill Preparatory School has a fantastic knitted postbox cover just outside the school.

The knitted postbox at Rydes Hill Preparatory School.

It is hosting a family treasure hunt on Saturday, October 8, with activities for children as they tour the classrooms and grounds.

The school awaits an awards ceremony on October 11 to see if it will win the small independent school of the year award, having been selected in this category as a finalist.

Dance group’s charity tea dance

Dance group Ceroc Worplesdon held a charity vintage tea dance at Worplesdon Memorial Hall.

Ceroc Worplesdon’s tea dance.

It is supporting the charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably). The event raised £60.51 bringing its weekly giving to a total of £758.14.

Cheesman’s Macmillan coffee morning success

A Macmillan coffee morning, held at Broadstreet fruit and veg wholesalers Cheesman Bros, raised just under £1,000.

Owners Martin and Dave and their staff have been thanked for hosting the event.

A Macmillan coffee morning, held at Cheesman Bros, raised just under £1,000.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Guildford, Dennis and Mary Booth, attended and there was a one-minute silence for Queen Elizabeth ll.

After-school clubs can stock up on fruit and vegetables from Cheesman Bros. Not only a wholesaler, its farm shop is open too, and it also offers a home delivery service.

Trees not doing well, but pond soaks up rain water run off

Trees planted by Surrey County Council near Rokers animal feeds at Fairlands do not seem to be doing well at present.