Newsletter, Spring 2007

Path to St Martha's Hill

St Martha has an excellent web site. It is a good way of keeping you up to date with what the Council is doing – for example, you can view PC Minutes, Agendas and Notification of Forthcoming Meetings & Events. It also provides useful and interesting information on Crime & Policing, Health & Medical, Refuse & Recycling, Schools & Education, Travel & Transport, Wildlife & History, plus there is a facility for e-mailing us with feedback, or comments. If you have not already done so, and if you can, why not visit www.stmarthaparishcouncil.co.uk.

News in Brief

Some items that have occupied us during the last year have included the following selection of items to which we have given support.

Haywards Yard planning application for new houses within which we have supported the provision of affordable housing.

The campaign to save Tyting Farm and to preserve it from being broken up and sold to developers.

The gas exploration on Blackheath, if it is to happen, to try to make sure that the work is done as sensitively as possible and with minimum spoilage of the Heath and disruption

Security and accessibility of the field on St Martha's Hill with conservation of its amenity and to preserve the natural life and its rare nature as natural grassland.

Councillor Helen McIntyre had to leave us with our mutual regrets because of her other commitments. We miss her energetic contributions to the matters of our Council and wish her well with our thanks.

We have been joined by our new Councillor David Bunting who is already bringing new ideas to our Parish. We welcome him to Chilworth and look forward to all that he brings to our community.

We have been looking to the care of our War Memorial and the Memorial Gardens because it is evidently valued and respected by many people in Chilworth and we will like it to remain so.

We have also actively supported the campaign to keep the Royal Surrey County Hospital and its A&E department because of its proven value to the people of Guildford and the wider community for whom the Hospital and its staff give so much and so well.

We actively support and are represented on the Chilworth Gunpowder Mills Working Group. The Mills are an important and well used amenity within our Village and Parish. We like its nature to be preserved for families, walkers and children to enjoy. Its archaeology, history and nature are highlighted by the well attended public evenings and lectures that we host in Chilworth Village Hall every year.

We also celebrated this year the continuous service on our Parish Council for 30 years by Councillor John Peake. His service to the Parish Council has been distinguished by excellence and his care and wise guidance in all matters; for which we are all grateful and from which we have all benefited.

These are some of the items that are considered at each PC Meeting and listed in our Minutes. Amongst other things, Councillors also comment on consultation documents and attend outside conferences, meetings and training sessions.

Chilworth village

By Peter Burt

Chilworth is a village that lies in the neighbouring civil parishes of St Martha and Shalford. It is fortunate in having shops and a Post Office and a pub with restaurant among its facilities and amenities. Its churches provide important services within our community, including support of the Chilworth Community Care Committee. As well as providing care, the Care Committee produce a useful information booklet that is delivered to every house in Chilworth. In it you will find information about the Chilworh Sports Club, Gardening Club, Village Hall, Churches, Schools, Chilworth History Society, various local companies and trades people that all contribute to a successful community environment that makes Chilworth a popular place in which to live. It is easy to get involved and enjoy the opportunities in Chilworth. I am sure, like me, you will find it a life enhancing experience.

Chilworth Gunpowder Mills

By John Peake and Peter Burt

John found the following article in Surrey Nature that will be of particular interest to the many people of Chilworth who walk in the grounds of the Chilworth Gunpowder Mills. The Mills are a Heritage site within St Martha Parish that is owned and managed by Guildford Borough Council in collaboration with English Heritage. Our Parish Council takes an active interest in this valuable amenity in our Parish. We established a special committee for its care several years ago that has grown into an important working group of experts who work with and have representatives from the Borough Council, our Parish Council and others to develop awareness and care for its history and nature.

Dormouse

Dormice found at Chilworth gunpowder works

“A survey in late September 2006 of the area around Chilworth, where gunpowder works were once located, has found dormice and we are about to put up special nest boxes to care for them.

This is a very special site. Set in the valley of the River Tillingboume, Chilworth not only houses the archaeological remains of generations of gunpowder works but, due to its undisturbed state, it now supports several important rare species. There are brook lamprey and bullhead in the stream and canal and we now have confirmation that the common dormouse, also known as the hazel dormouse, is now in the woodland.

In the past, the whole of the Tillingboume valley was economically important for its mills and particularly at Chilworth for the gunpowder works that at one time were the largest in the country. Gunpowder manufacture ceased in 1920, the site was sold and has gradually reverted back to nature. Scrub and trees now cover the site, making it a haven for wildlife. The scrub includes hazel bushes, brambles, holly and hawthorn and this Autumn's excellent crop of hazel nuts provided an ideal time to identify the wildlife species that are eating them.”

Surrey Nature, Issue 136 Winter 2006. Source: Surrey Wildlife Trust

11th Annual Public Consultation Meeting of the Gunpowder Mills Group - 2nd November 2006

The meeting was well attended with a programme of speakers and the Mayor of Guildford, Councillor Angela Gunning. The meeting was hosted by St Martha Parish Council and Chaired by Peter Burt. Alison Davidson, Projects and Conservation Manager at Guildford Borough Council spoke first about her care for the nature conservation and recreational use of the site as well as its archaeology. A conservation report was commissioned to deal with gunpowder manufacturing and other structures including the expense magazines incorporating mills and chimney crown. English Heritage has given permission for minor archaeological investigations.

Speaker Andrew Norris explained the composition of the Group and their interests. He also explained and illustrated the recent work of volunteers under the supervision of the Group. Maurice Moss, a microbiologist in the expert Group, also introduced some Horny Orb shells found in some investigations.

Chris Matcham, Otters and Rivers Project Officer for the Surrey Wildlife Trust, talked about weasels and brook lamprey on the site and talked informatively of dormice.

Chilworth Incorporating Mills

Finally Glenys Crocker gave a practical demonstration of fulling that was practiced by spinners and weavers on the site before gunpowder was made there. The Chairman and audience were involved in the experiment. Professor Alan Crocker also introduced a rare book concerning the Gunpowder Mills that had been discovered recording a court case following an explosion in the 1770s that had damaged the adjacent paper mills. This event may feature dramatically in our next meeting.

All in all we had an entertaining and informative evening as usual. There are full minutes available. The next meeting is scheduled for 1st November this year.

Star Energy Gas Exploration - Proposal to drill for Gas on Blackheath Common

By Patricia Allen

Since our last Newsletter, we can report that a ‘Star Energy Liaison Group’ has been set up and meets regularly. On the Group are representatives from Star Energy, local Parish Councils and other interested parties. The St. Martha representative is Patricia Allen. The Group's remit is to discuss all aspects of the project, so that questions can be answered and information can be disseminated and fed back to Parish Councils and others. Since the Group was formed, an application by Star Energy for a 4 acre gas exploration site adjacent to Blackheath Common, with access from Sandy Lane, has been withdrawn. This was due to enormous number of objection letters being received and huge pressure being put on Star Energy to rethink. Star is currently applying to drill from the existing appraisal well site compound at Albury Park, off New Road, Albury using ‘horizontal’ drilling. St. Martha Parish Council, along with others, has sent in an ‘objection’ letter relating to this latest application, raising concerns about further industrialization of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the possibility of future development if the appraisal is successful. Should sufficient gas be found, an area of a least 5 acres will be needed for processing, distribution and storage and the preferred site for this (at the time of writing) is Albury Park. Whilst fully appreciating the need for gas and storage facilities in this country there are concerns about the use of an AONB for this purpose. Surrey County Council Planning Committee has deferred the hearing of this application until 18th April and objections can be received up to that date. The Liaison Group recently visited Humbly Grove Storage Facility in Hampshire to see for themselves what such a site looks like. To keep up to date with developments and learn more, please look at this useful website: http://saveblackheathcommon.com.

Chilworth Church of England Infant School

By Patricia Allen

‘a happy and harmonious learning atmosphere’ – ‘a school with some outstanding features’ – ‘it is like one big family’

Your local infant school offers excellent education for children between the ages of four and seven. The school is in a beautiful setting at the foot of St. Martha's Hill, surrounded by spacious fields, and it has excellent facilities including an outdoor pool. The school was not always on this site. The original school, (erected by the Duke of Northumberland close to where Chilworth War Memorial now stands) dated from 1873 and for many years was known as St. Martha-on-the-Hill, Chilworth Church of England School. In 1931 it was converted into a Junior mixed and Infant school and was transferred to its present building and site in January 1967. It has been a Primary School, a First School and is now an Infant School. The school has strong links with local pre-schools, other local schools, churches, the elderly in the village and it supports various charities during the year. It serves the villages of Albury, Blackheath and Chilworth. As a Church school, it believes in welcoming families in the community whether those families are of the Christian faith, another faith or no faith. The school has a very committed PTA (‘Friends’) and Board of Governors and all parents, children, staff and governors enjoy a range of events held throughout the year. The school has recently had good OfSTED and Anglican Inspections, has been awarded the Investors in People and Healthy Schools hallmark and has installed Interactive Whiteboards in all classrooms and an Information and Communications Technology Suite. As part of its commitment to supporting the wider community, it is hoping to become a Children's Centre in order to benefit local people. St. Martha Parish Council uses the school as the venue for its meetings. If you are interested in visiting the school you would be most welcome – just phone Mrs. Jane Sweeney, Headteacher, on 01483 562 476. If you would like to consider becoming a Governor please ring Mrs. Patricia Allen, Chairman of Governors, on 01483 893 094. School website: http://www.chilworth.surrey.sch.uk.

A Parish Field

By Peter Burt

We are very fortunate in St Martha Parish in the unspoilt beauty of the countryside that surrounds us and the access that is provided by the many footpaths and bridleways that lie within our Parish and in the adjoining Parishes.

Our Parish Council is aware that fields full of butterflies and wild flowers have become increasingly rare in Britain as ancient grasslands have become destroyed to make way for intensive agriculture, industry or housing. Other grasslands have reverted to woodland due to a lack of management. Even where meadows or pastures appear to have survived, they have often been drained, fertilized or weed-killed. Fertilizers can act like weed-killers, eradicating sensitive plants such as orchids, while favouring strongly growing grasses with clovers and a few buttercups or thistles. Commons, greens and old churchyards are often remnants of ancient grassland and, along with rare old meadows and pastures; they should be conserved by maintaining traditional grazing or mowing and by preventing ploughing, fertilising and weed killing.

We have a nine and a half acre field in our Parish that has been free of fertilisers, herbicides and insecticides to our certain knowledge for at least two decades. As a result it has a diversity of wildflowers, plants, insects and other wildlife as well as providing broad ranging views over the Tillingbourne valley and surrounding hills. Moreover, it is itself an important part of the view from many parts of Chilworth village and is a prominent backdrop to our much loved Chilworth Church of England Infant School and the garden of the Percy Arms restaurant and public house.

It is not presently threatened by any inappropriate use or damage and has been maintained in recent years to prevent any serious deterioration. I was fortuitously able to negotiate ownership of the freehold with the intention that it should pass into the care of St Martha Parish Council so that it could be secured and maintained not just for now but for many generations to come as an accessible amenity and asset in our Parish and Village for everyone and forever. There are many unexpected legal issues to be resolved to achieve that objective and make it secure over time. Accordingly, we have set up a dedicated team of Councillors to make sure that this happens under the care and responsibility of St Martha Parish Council. For some time now the team have been planning and acting to ensure access and establish a right of way in the field across this scenic southern slope of St Martha’s Hill. The signs and kissing gates are now installed to facilitate a permissive right of way in this field.

Distinguished service

By Peter Burt

One more thing that is worthy of special note is the continuing and distinguished service of our Vice-Chairman, Councillor John Peake. John has been a member of St Martha Parish Council for 30 years and has served as Vice-Chairman for a significant part of that time. John is noted for his professional approach and sage advice to our Council on many matters. I am sure that comes in part from experience in his active participation in other voluntary bodies, including as a Governor of both Schools in our village. The Parish Council is very grateful for all that he has contributed and I thank him sincerely for his unfailing support.

Rolls of Honour

In a previous newsletter we highlighted that the names of those from the village who died in the two World Wars are on the War Memorial and in St. Thomas's Church, Chilworth. We asked if anyone has any information about those listed on either of these Memorials would they please contact Patricia Allen on 01483 893 094. We are still very interested in finding out more about these members of our community who gave their lives to ensure the freedom of future generations so we are repeating this appeal.

Police Spot - Community Policing

By David Bunting

My wife and I moved into Halfpenny Close in August after 32 years in Salisbury. We are delighted to enjoy such a lovely area, and be welcomed into the community. Such a safe area, with regards to Crime, or thankfully the lack of it.

In his newsletter PC 2449 Mike Patey, our Neighbourhood Specialist Officer writes:

“Christmas and the New Year have been a relatively safe and crime free time, although there are still people around committing crime, so we must always try to do our best to make it as hard as we can. If we can all be vigilant, and spend that extra 30 seconds checking that all doors and windows are secure, it could be worth it and prevent being a victim of crime”.

If anyone is worried about their home security, and would like some crime prevention advice, then contact PC Patey at Ash Police Station. His mobile number is 07967 988 969.

There are now three Neighbourhood Watch groups in the Parish, at Pine View Close, Rose Acre Gardens and now, Halfpenny Close. Apart from encouraging community awareness and self help, the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme is regarded favourably by some insurance companies. If any other household clusters are interested in forming a group, you can contact Ron Keeley the NHW Manager at Guildford Police Station.

Many of you will know PC Paul Hyde who, as Community Support Officer, covers St Martha's parish in his area. He can be contacted by e-mail on patey2449@surrey.pnn.police.uk.

Councillor Keith Childs

Elections for Guildford Borough Council are to be held on 3rd May 2007. Guildford Councillor Keith Childs has been a good friend and advisor to St Martha Parish Council, so we have asked him to write a note for this newsletter. His news follows.

Dear Residents, I wish to tell you all that I have decided not to stand for re-election.

My career in local politics started when I became a member of Shere Parish Council in 1983. In 1991 I stood for election to Guildford Borough Council and I was successful. Since then I have been re-elected on three occasions so I have been one of the two councillors for Tillingbourne Ward for sixteen years. Tillingbourne Ward is the largest in the Borough. It includes three parishes namely St Martha, Albury and Shere and it stretches from Holmbury St Mary in the South East to Chilworth level crossing in the West.

In my time on the Council I have been the only truly Independent member i.e. elected as an Independent. This ward has a long tradition of returning an Independent member free of party political shackles. This has been the case for 29 of the 33 years since the present Borough was formed. Long may it continue.

I have very much enjoyed representing the interests of the residents of this Parish. It has been a great privilege and a pleasure (most of the time!) I have had a close and cordial relationship with the Parish Council and I thank all the members and the five clerks for all the help they have given me. Finally, I thank all of you for your support during the past sixteen years and I hope that St Martha goes from strength to strength.

Keith Childs

Dates of forthcoming Parish Council meetings

2007: May 21st, July 9th, September 10th, November 12th
2008: January 7th, March 10th

Prior notice of meetings, which are held on Mondays and commence at 7.15pm at Chilworth C of E Infant School, 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 and on our web site. Minutes and Newsletters are also displayed.

Recycle it – don't waste it! Guildford Borough Council

Recycling

Green Cones – enable you to recycle all your food waste in your own back yard, or garden. All you need to do is lift the lid and add all unwanted food. Tel: 01483 445 084

Composters – compost bins will compost all your garden waste and some kitchen food waste. Tel: 08451 306 090

Wormery – Want to compost but have no garden? The Junior Wormery will convert kitchen waste naturally into concentrated liquid plant food. Tel: 01884 841 515

The Nippy Chipper – Chips and bags garden ‘wood’ waste on your doorstep, which is returned to you for use in the garden as mulch. Tel: 01483 445 084

Gunpowder Millstones

Photographs kindly donated by C. Karney and A. Karney.