West Clandon Dragon With A Dusting Of Snow Makes A Fiery Return

Published on: 2 Feb, 2019
Updated on: 2 Feb, 2019

It may be cold outside but a fiery dragon has made a return to its roadside haunt on the A246 between West Clandon and Merrow.

The Mayor Guildford, Mike Parsons, cuts the ribbon to officially inaugurate the restored dragon carving. With him is his wife, the mayoress, and the leader of the volunteer restorers, Domonic Crolla.

The Mayor of Guildford, Mike Parsons, officially inaugurated the restored roadside carving on Saturday afternoon, February 2.

The group who attended the ceremony in front of the chalk dragon currently covered in a dusting of snow.

In attendance were some of the volunteers who have helped with the dragon’s restoration along with members of West Clandon Parish Council and others.

The initiative was started by local bike tour guide Dominic Crolla. He is delighted with the result.

With the support of West Clandon Parish Council, the volunteers working at weekends to clear the embankment and uncover the original chalk carving that was first established in 1977 to celebrate the Queen’s silver jubilee.

Flashback to 1977 when the dragon was first carved.

The group restoring the dragon have brought it back to life by carrying two tons of chalk on to the slope at the site and the completely restored chalk dragon can now be seen by passing traffic.

The chairman of West Clandon Parish Council, Terence Patrick, who is also the chairman of the Circle Eight Film Group, takes up the story of the Clandon dragon. he says: “According to ancient local legend, a dragon – some say a serpent – once inhabited the back lanes of West Clandon and terrified the local villagers, who were frightened that they might meet the fire breathing monster face to face.

“Then, a soldier, who had been condemned to death for desertion during the Crusades, happened to be passing though Clandon with his dog, was offered clemency and a pardon, if he could rid the village of the monster.  

The fight between the soldier and the Dragon as featured in Circle Eight Film Group’s Tales of Olde Guildford, in 1984.

“Accordingly, he took his dog with him to search for the beast and a fierce battle ensued, which ended with the dog grabbing the dragon by the throat and the soldier killing it with his bayonet.  

“This fierce fight is reputed to have taken place in a field called  Dead Acre, near the modern day Clandon Crossroads.

“The first mention of the story of the Clandon Dragon story occurred in The Gentleman’s Magazine in 1776 and since then has been evidenced by the image of the dragon being depicted on West Clandon’s village sign and in carvings on one of the doors of St Peter and St Paul’s Church.”

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