Newsletter, January 2002

This is the Parish Council's second annual newsletter, providing an update of activities, projects and issues covered during the past year.

We would like to thank all members of the public who have attended Parish Council meetings during the year and remind you that you are all warmly invited to attend our meetings which are held at Chilworth Infant School - please see below for dates of forthcoming meetings. During each meeting there is a short adjournment for public discussion when members of the public are invited to participate. Some meetings include guest speakers and last March we welcomed Mr Rob Fairbanks who gave an excellent presentation on the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The meeting was also attended by the then Mayor of Guildford, Mrs Sallie Thornberry.

Sadly, Hilary Parker has recently resigned from the Parish Council having been a member for 10 years. We would like to express our thanks for the valuable contribution she has made during that time. Hilary's departure has created a vacancy on the Council, which we hope will be filled in the near future. If you are interested and have a little time to spare, why not have a word with our Chairman or any other Councillor.

Chilworth War Memorial

Chilworth War Memorial

2001 saw the restoration of our War Memorial and the surrounding Garden of Remembrance. The Memorial was cleaned, repaired and the stonework repointed and work is still underway to enhance the Garden. A very successful appeal was launched and the Parish Council is extremely grateful for the support given by parishioners and local organizations. We were also able to secure generous grants from Guildford Borough Council, Surrey Historic Buildings Trust and the Friends of War Memorials. On Remembrance Sunday there was a well attended service of rededication taken by the Rural Dean, The Revd Canon Geraint Meirion-Jones, and The Revd Chris Grundy.

Packhorse Bridge

Another major achievement has been the repair of the old stone bridge known as the Packhorse Bridge which crosses the Tillingbourne at the western end of the Gunpowder Estate. Funding for the work was provided by both Guildford Borough Council (£30,000) and English Heritage (£30,000). In order to carry out the work the river was temporarily diverted so that the foundations and arch of the bridge were accessible. The repairs were carried out during the summer months once the level of the river had fallen sufficiently, following two exceptionally wet seasons. Although there is currently no footpath beyond the bridge, the bridge itself has now been preserved and will continue to be a significant historic feature adjacent to the Chilworth Gunpowder Estate.

Gunpowder Mills

The Gunpowder Mills annual meeting, held on 8th November 2001, was attended by the Mayor of Guildford, Mrs Jennifer Powell. Three guest speakers made presentations: Alison Davidson, Principle Design and Conservation Officer of Guildford Borough Council; Wayne Cocroft, an expert on the history of the gunpowder industry and author of 'Dangerous Energy'; and Clive Dawson of Hockley & Dawson, Conservation Engineers. Alison Davidson announced that a survey of the Gunpowder Estate, in partnership with English Heritage, would be carried out this winter. The work will include an archaeological survey and will provide a plot of all surface features, water courses etc. The survey is the first stage in planning the future management of the site.

The Parish Council recognises the importance of gathering information about the history of the gunpowder works and would welcome any anecdotes, photographs or documents particularly from members of the local community who can recall the days when the mills were operating. An invitation for volunteers to help with restoration and maintenance of the gunpowder site was made by Professor Alan Crocker. Both Professor Crocker and his wife Glenys are experts on the history of the Chilworth gunpowder works.

Field below St Martha

The view of St Martha's Hill is a major amenity in the Parish and we want to protect and enhance it for future generations. The Council has therefore begun negotiations to have ownership of one of the fields on the south side of St Martha's Hill transferred from private ownership, to provide a permanent amenity for the benefit of residents of the Parish and protect it from development in the future. It is planned that the field should be accessible to the public from the footpaths at both the western and eastern ends of the field (i.e. the North Downs Way and the Downs Link), and that it should be managed appropriately. Guildford Borough Council has generously offered funding towards the purchase of the field, and the Parish Council is looking at ways of raising the remainder of the sum required.

Planning

Monitoring and commenting on planning applications is one of the major ongoing responsibilities of the Parish Council. We aim to conserve all that is best in the Parish and protect it from development which may have a negative impact. Last year we considered 27 applications ranging from house extensions to farm buildings, as well as dealing with appeals and monitoring Tree Preservation Orders and Planning Conditions. Council members also attended consultation meetings on the Surrey Structure Plan and considered the Surrey Countryside Strategy Review as well as the Inspector's Report on the new Guildford Local Plan.

Highways and Rights of Way

The Council has kept Surrey County Council informed of any maintenance and repair work necessary on footpaths and bridleways, together with the accumulation of leaf litter on the pavements. Negotiations are currently underway to protect the green at Chilworth Station which periodically suffers from damage to the perimeter posts and also to the green itself. Traffic management and parking at the station are also under consideration.

Following years of campaigning, a 30 mph speed limit has now been implemented in 'The Lanes'. It is hoped that this will increase safety for all users of Halfpenny Lane and Blacksmith Lane.

Safe Routes to School & Guildford Borough Walking Strategy

We would like to raise awareness of another safety issue - parking on pavements - which reduces safety and access for pedestrians, pushchairs and wheelchairs. In a bid to increase safety for pedestrians, and in particular schoolchildren, the Parish Council would like to remind residents that obstructing the pavement is an offence and can be dangerous.

Simultaneously, Guildford Borough Council is developing a Walking Strategy and Surrey County Council is planning Safe Routes to Schools. These initiatives are aimed at encouraging people to walk locally instead of using the car, by improving existing pedestrian routes and increasing safety. The Parish Council, in conjunction with the Borough and County Council, Chilworth Infant School and Shalford Parish Council, has considered such issues as: parking, footway width, footway condition, barriers outside the school entrance, lighting, and improving the junction at Blacksmith Lane & Dorking Road.

Policing

The Parish Council keeps in close touch with the local police who are invited to make regular presentations at our meetings. A new policing scheme is being introduced which includes the provision of specialist neighbourhood officers, including one for the Tillingbourne Valley , who will have greater contact with local people. Our new Local Community Police Officer (based at Ripley) is PC Mark Bridge, who can be contacted on 01483 531 111 extension 3096, or email 829@surrey.police.uk. You can receive news from the Police by joining the Tillingbourne News online. Simply send a blank email to tillingbournenews-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

Recycling

The loss of recycling facilities at the Percy Arms is a blow to local residents but is offset to some extent by the Borough Council's Green Box Scheme in the west of the Parish. The scheme is due to be extended to include the rest of St Martha during 2002. Your active participation in recycling is vital in helping the Borough reach its targets for reducing waste. To contact Guildford Borough Council's Refuse Hotline phone 01483 444 499.

Chilworth Station Signal Box

Some years ago the footbridge at Chilworth Station was removed, and more recently doubt has been cast over the future of the signal box. The Parish Council would like to receive any information, photographs etc. concerning the history of the signal box, and is also keen to hear from anyone with an interest in its preservation.

Chilworth Sports Club

At our November meeting Mr Jim Parsons, chairman of Shalford Parish Council, reported that the lease of the sports field in Chilworth had recently expired and Shalford Parish Council had agreed with the owners, Thames Water, to take a new 21-year lease. Shalford Parish Council has taken this action in order to keep the field as a community open space and to help regenerate the Sports Club, with particular emphasis on youth activities. A new Sports Club Committee has been formed which includes some young members. The Council will be removing the old playground equipment and replacing it when funds become available and the field will also be tidied up. Among other facilities, a mountain bike track through the woods is planned. In order for all of this to succeed Shalford Parish Council and the Sports Club Committee will need the support of residents of St Martha Parish and they would also be very grateful for any voluntary help which is offered.

Feedback

If you would like to respond to any of the issues raised in this year's newsletter, please contact a member of the Parish Council, your comments will be most welcome. Prior notice of meetings, which are held on Mondays and commence at 7.15pm, is put up in the bus shelters adjacent to Chilworth Station and opposite Lockner Farm, and on the Parish Council Notice Board by the entrance to Old Manor Lane.