The Worplesdon Witness October 2020

Published on: 14 Oct, 2020
Updated on: 14 Dec, 2020

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

New signs for Broomfield Close

Residents of Broomfield Close, off Broad Street, with help from Guildford Borough Councillor, Bob McShee (R4GV), have had their damaged road signs replaced.

It has come about owing to lorries and delivery vehicles driving into the cul-de-sac thinking it was another road, Broomfield in Park Barn.

Residents Shirley West and Shirley Arthur spearheaded the move for the new road signs.

Celebrating their new road signs in Broomfield Close.

They and their fellow residents looked after one another during lockdown with commemorations for the 70th anniversary of VE and VJ days, as well as clapping for the NHS.

Shirley, well known for her and her volunteers’ fundraising for the British Heart Foundation, has a flag for every occasion and sells donated books for the charity.

Pub news

Thanks to social media, Worplesdon Place, the Jolly Farmer, the Royal Oak, the Cricketers and the White Hart were quickly able to inform customers about the changing Covid-19 rules of table service, wearing of masks in designated areas, and earlier closing times.

Meal deals at the White Hart pub.

The White Hart pub in Wood Street Village is giving customers a high level of hospitality. It continues a 50% discount off food bills on Mondays to Wednesdays and on Saturdays during October.

At the Worplesdon Place you can take your laptop computer if you wish to work from there and for a three-hour slot fee you can work with unlimited soft drinks, tea or coffee, and with a breakfast or lunch option.

Branch broken off tree at Perry Hill

Autumn winds broke a branch off a horse chestnut tree on the green at Perry Hill and on to a seat by the bus stop.

Fallen branch on the green at Perry Hill.

The debris was quickly cleared by Worplesdon Parish Council’s groundsman. The trees have one again been hung with lights that will be switched on in the run-up to Christmas.

Tidying up in Jacobs Well

Jacobs well residents are regularly seen collecting litter, while one resident has been on a mission to remove the weeds near where she lives. This highlights just what you can do to take pride in where you live.

The horse that escaped.

And residents saved the day when a horse got loose from a field and ventured onto the road. Police officers were quick to help, however the horse had already been coaxed back into the field and temporary repairs to a fence by the residents.

Quick fix temporary repair to the gate and fence where the horse had got loose.

All’s well that ends well.

Schools offer virtual tours for parents of new intakes

Schools are making the most of not being able to invite parents of new intakes for tours and information.

Wood Street Infant School is holding online head teacher open days with virtual presentations and Q&A sessions.

Rydes Hill Preparatory School is also offering virtual tours.

Dates of the presentations and Q&A sessions at Wood Street Infant School.

Worplesdon Primary School is inviting parents to book for a pre-recorded tour showing children at work with online live Q&A sessions.

Running the virtual London Marathon

Darren and Emma Barnes of Fairlands are probably not the only Worplesdon residents who ran the virtual 2020 London Marathon.

Marathon runners Darren and Emma Barnes.

But having lived in Guildford for 50 years this is the fourth year they have run to raise money for for charity whizz Kids, that who supports and supply mobility equipment to disabled children.

Darren said: “I’ve got one life and helping these kids have a better life inspires me.”

They ran through Normandy, Wood Street Village, Bellfields, Burpham, Guildford and Shalford. Their time was 5 hours and 12 minutes.

Milkman Darren was also featured on ITV’s This Morning show earlier this year.

Happy 90th birthday to Bunny Roker

The founder of Rokers Animals Feeds & Tack suppliers, Bunny Roker, has celebrated his 90th birthday.

Happy 90th birthday to Bunny Roker. Picture: Roker’s Facebook page.

A message on Rokers’ Facebook page reads: “We would like to wish the happiest of birthdays to our founder (and beloved dad, grandad and great grandad!) Bunny Roker, who is 90 today.

“Bunny built the Rokers business from scratch in 1962, and you’ll still see him around here daily! An inspiration to us all; we are so grateful to have him.

“A huge thank you to all our customers who have supported the business over the years; and to those who supported our recent planning application.

“It feels fitting that on Bunny’s 90th birthday we begin to plan for the business’s next adventure – we are delighted to announce that we finally have permission to re-develop and improve the site. This includes building a new children’s play centre (with indoor and outdoor play) and expanding our animal feed and tack retail offering (in a brand new larger building).

“The first phase to get under way will be the play centre, which we hope to have built by the end of 2021, watch this space!”

Rokers of Fairlands, usually has a big sale in October. This year the sale is taking place over three weekends. Its Facebook page has full details.

News from St Mary’s Church and parish

There was great excitement as James and Elisa Slater were married at the church – the first wedding to be held there since the pandemic.

The wedding of James and Elisa Slater at St Mary’s Church.

This was despite only 30 people able to attend.

Its service of remembrance will be different this year with the congregation restricted to 30 people. Others wishing to attend will be invited to socially distance, forming a line along the driveway to the church.

The annual parochial church meeting will be on Thursday, October 29, at 7pm, via Zoom. Its annual reports and accounts have been circulated including the rector’s report, review of the year, and a report from the church wardens. It can be viewed online or at St Mary’s and St Alban’s churches.

The quiz night has been postponed until November 26, 2021.

Lest we forget

To remember those who gave their lives during war, people are being encourage to put pictures of poppies in their windows, similar to the ones for the NHS earlier this year.

Worplesdon Parish Council’s wreath laying on November 11 will be at Harry’s Meadow and at the memorial in Queenhythe Road, both in Jacobs Well. Unfortunately, people will not be able to attend.

Watching your speed

In support of Project Edward (a European day without a road death initiative), a community speed watch in a 40mph limited section of the A322 at Perry Hill was undertaken by Worplesdon Parish Council.

Community speed watch under way.

Community speed watches are undertaken in various parts of the parish throughout the year at approved areas.

Win some gin from the Sime Gallery

The Sime Gallery at Worplesdon Memorial Hall continues to welcome visitors by appointment on Wednesdays and Sundays from 2pm to 4pm.

Marks & Spencer’s snow globe gin bottle.

Until December, those aged 18 and over who book a visit leaving their email address could win a bottle of Marks & Spencer’s snow globe gin.

Fairlands Medical Centre

To mark Mental Health Day on October 10, the patient participation group at Fairlands Medical Centre were planning to hold a related event. Unfortunately it was postponed due to Covid-19 restrictions.

However, the practice website reminds patients of the support they can access online for a range of mental health issues

Flu jabs are currently available and those eligible will have been contacted by the practice. Those in the 50 to 64 age group will not be vaccinated until November and December and only providing there is sufficient vaccine.

Big win for Worplesdon Pheonix footballers

Worplesdon Phoenix footballers.

After playing a pre-season friendly on a rock-hard pitch, Worplesdon Pheonix Football Club’s 1st team faced their first league season match of the season being cancelled due to heavy rain.

However, the match went ahead and the team ran in 7-0 winners.

Hay there!

Eye-catching hay bale display.

Bonnishott Wood Farm, off Gooserye Road, has shown residents how to smile with its display. Usually there is plenty of hay for sale at the entrance.

Sunflowers go online in Wood Street Village

There was no flower show on the green at Wood Street Village this year, but a sunflower growing competition was held online.

Wood Street Villagers show off their sunflowers.

The Wood Street Village Association annual meeting took place via Zoom. The chairman and the treasurer gave their yearly reports and elections of officers for the coming year were made: Treasurer Terry Wright, secretary Alison Johnson, minutes secretary Caroline Mankelow.

The chairman will be elected at the next meeting on Friday, November 9. The annual carol singing will hopefully take place on the green on Saturday, December 19.

United Reformed Church has closed

After 198 years the United Reformed Church on the A322 at the foot of Rickford Hill has closed.

A message on its website reads: “Together we have decided that God’s work for us as a congregation in this place has come to an end. We will be closing our building permanently on Wednesday 23rd September 2020. An end, but also a new beginning in the lives of the congregation.

“We will continue as a congregation without a building for a short while until we can hold a service to remember and give thanks for all that Worplesdon URC, including its earlier embodiment as Perry Hill Congregational Church has meant in the lives of so many people through the years. This will be held in a larger church building to allow more people to be present than would be possible in our small chapel.

“After that the congregation will be dispersing to become part of other churches – serving God and walking the way of Jesus in new company.”

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