Newsletter 2009

No progress in transfer of field ownership

As many of you may be aware, a large field just below St. Martha’s Hill was purchased by Peter Burt in 1997. In the Parish Newsletter of Spring 2007 Peter wrote: ‘ 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 for many generations to come as an asset to the parish’.

Your Parish Council has made several formal and informal approaches to Peter in the last year with a view to negotiating the acquisition of the freehold of the property. Unfortunately these approaches have been unsuccessful. Consequently, the Council is unable to progress the matter further.

Councillor David Bunting
Chairman and Chairman of the Parish Field Committee

William Treagus (1895-1916) / Royal Field Artillery

Born in 1895 William was the son of Fredrick Treagus (an agricultural worker who originated from Chichester, Sussex) and Harriett Treagus (who originated from Albury).

William was one of seven children, four girls and three boys; in 1901 they lived at Printing Works Cottage, Blacksmith Lane From there the family moved to Lockner Cottages (opposite Lockner farm).

William at that time was working as a gardener. It was from this house that William answered the call to serve his country.

He enlisted at Hampstead and from there joined the 183rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery and became service No L/37001 with the rank of Driver, equal to the rank of Private (Drivers, usually three, were in charge of a team of six horses, with a Driver on one side of each pair of horses, they were also capable of performing other duties when required, or a replacement for a casualty when necessary).

William tragically lost his life at the Somme on the 10th October 1916 at the age of 22. William's final resting place is in France at Quarry Cemetery Montauban, one of the nearest towns, being Albert. William Treagus is remembered with honour on St Martha War memorial.

Councillor Michael Lunnon, 24th May 2009

Chilworth Gunpowder Mills [A personal observation]

The Gunpowder Mills are now within a Conservation Area and the whole site, that is owned by Guildford Borough, is also a Scheduled Ancient Monument. This means that the Borough Council has to obey the commands of English Heritage whose regional office is in Guildford High Street.

However, keeping the woodland free of litter is left to local residents as a voluntary task. Typical items are discarded plastic bottles and cans, which are recyclable, plus many other objects. Spring has been a great time for wildlife e.g. a large grass snake seen swimming vigorously downstream, fledgling woodpeckers and many other birds, also hundreds of damsel flies hovering in the sunshine above 6ft high beds of nettles.

The woodland walks have been enhanced by the generosity of Graham Wrigley of Chilworth Manor who has given us a permissive footpath leading northward for the shortest route to the summit of St. Martha's Hill. Use of the footpaths is extensive and a recent survey has identified at least 14 categories of those enjoying our relaxing and exciting environment.

Dog walkers, Joggers, Trail race runners, School groups, Cyclists, Children learning to cycle with parents, Whole families with young children Mothers, or even grandads, with babies in buggies.

Recreational and leisure walkers, singly or twos and threes, Rambling groups with maps and guide books, often a dozen or more. Parents and children coming to and from our Infant School, Conducted llama trails, Heritage Day visitors, Professor Alan Crocker's archaeological lecture tour.

Please add to this list if you know of others.

Dennis Yardley

Our Chairman

At a recent Council meeting Peter Burt decided to stand down as our Chairman. He had served as chairman for 11 years and as a Councillor for 5 years before that.

Due to his hard work and commitment he has raised the profile of the Parish Council. We are pleased and grateful that he will continue to serve our community as a
Councillor and wish to thank him for his long period of service as Chairman.

Our Parish Council was one of the first, formed in 1895. Some of our previous chairman have been Robin Norton, Jack Ansell and Dennis Yardley. The newly elected Chairman is David Bunting.

Councillor John Peake
Vice Chairman

Our Council

We have preserved a full Council and its operations with the continuing competence and guidance of our part-time Clerk, Chris Karney. As is common with Parish Clerks he spends a great deal more time in doing work for the Council and the community than that for which he is paid. I have many reasons to be grateful to him in my time as Chairman.

We also have welcomed a new Councillor, Barbara Winkworth. Her fresh views with her experience in local voluntary interests and energetic approach are proving valuable to our Council.

Attention to local issues

There is a continuous supply of issues of importance, some that are still with us from last year and some that have arisen during the course of this year. The short list includes:

Traffic speed

Consultations with residents, other Councils, the Police and others have been led by Councillor David Bunting to resolve what can and should be done to mitigate the risks of excessive speed of vehicles on all roads.

Roadside footway surface conditions and overgrowth

Our Council is continuing to persuade the Borough and County bodies and responsible landowners respectively to clear footways and maintain reasonably smooth surfaces which are particularly necessary for the burdened, infirm and young persons to walk safely.

Clearing, cleaning and maintaining public open areas

The appearance and condition of open areas in the village are important to feelings of wellbeing and security in our residents and visitors. Our Council and individual Councillors maintain a watchful eye on those areas and take action to keep control of them.

Trimming of banks and verges on roads and minor lanes

Our Council makes sure that the County and Borough are not only aware when the verges are due for routine cutting but also, as far as is possible, that their management programme allows attractive growth of seasonal plants and flowers which also help prevent erosion of the sandy banks.

Preservation of access and rights of way

Preservation of our rights of way needs constant vigilance. Our Council maintains a record of all the rights of way in our Parish which is from time to time reviewed. We are fortunate to have added in recent years a Right of Way, known as Vera’s path, which runs beside the Infant School. The new permissive path through St Martha’s hill field has also been finally secured by registration of the required witnessed documents and declarations by the owner under oath.

Lighting, repairs and traffic management at our two level crossings

Pedestrians and traffic have to negotiate two level crossings in our Parish. There have been incidents at both crossings which makes our Council alert for their proper maintenance by the rail companies. Lighting, signing and repairs have needed our attention to progress during the year.

Planning

Our Council responds, under Councillor John Peake’s supervision, to all planning applications submitted to make sure that the Planning Officers are aware of local conditions and who or what is affected. We have responded in detail to all consultations received from various authorities to make sure that our Parish, Village and area character and amenities are fully considered, whatever finally happens. That includes representation by Councillor Patricia Allen at Star Energy Liasion Committee meetings with a view to limiting the environmental and amenity impact from underground gas storage exploration and exploitation.

Preservation and repairs to bus stop shelters and Chilworth war memorial

We have two rustic wooden bus shelters that are our responsibility. Their ageing and occasional accidental damage require attention to keep them usable, attractive and safe. Urgent ongoing repairs have been carried out by contractors and in addition by the voluntary work of Councillor Colin Hayward. The war memorial site and garden of remembrance has also been sustained and improved by the work and contributions of Councillor Patricia Allen and her family.

Participation in the work of the Chilworth Gunpowder Mills Group

The Chilworth Gunpowder Mills Site in our Parish is an important amenity. It is much used, loved and appreciated by the residents in our Parish and all of Chilworth village community. Our Council has been strongly represented for many years on the Gunpowder Mills Group by Councillor Mike Lunnon. He has recently been joined on the Group by our present Vice Chairman Councillor John Peake.

Stewardship and care of St Martha’s Hill field

It has been for some time my ambition to have my field on St Martha hill in the care and stewardship of St Martha Parish Council. That required a suitable agreement to ensure the long term security of its maintenance, accessibility and preservation as an amenity for everyone. Presently we do not have such an agreement.

The problem may be the specifications and prescriptions I have made for my own assurance that my objectives will be assured. Those have proved impossible to agree with the Council in spite of the assistance of Councillor David Bunting as chairman of the field negotiating committee. I have retired from the negotiations to think again and seek further independent advice. Meanwhile I am continuing with maintenance work and to preserve its accessibility, including the permissive right of way through the field that has been established with the assistance of our Council and particularly our Clerk, Chris Karney.

Guildford Mayor’s Award for Community Service

I am proud to record here that Councillor John Peake has been presented with the Mayor’s Award following his exemplary service for 30 years as a St Martha Parish Councillor. He is currently a governor of Tillingbourne School and Vice Chairman of Governors of Chilworth C of E Infant School and has been on both these Boards for many years. He has been awarded the Mayor's Award in recognition of the time he has given, over a large number of years, to helping his local community. John was presented with the Award, by the Mayor of Guildford, Councillor Jennifer Jordan, at a special ceremony at the Guildhall on Saturday 25th April. He remains a core member of the Council ensuring integrity and continuity in all of our activities.

Appointment of a new Chairman of St Martha Parish Council

After 16 years as a Councillor and 11 years as Chairman of the Council I feel the need to make room for new growth and development in our Parish. I will be 74 years old in June and I think it time for change so I did not stand for re-election as Chairman at our Annual Meeting. I am proud to hand over to our new Chairman a strong and active Council of high integrity. I also wish to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who has encouraged me during the time of my service in this Council. I look forward to enjoying the ride under new leadership.

Councillor Peter Burt

One of the nice things about living in Chilworth and St Martha is easy access to the surrounding countryside.

That advantage is reciprocated by those who live in the surroundings. Some of us are quite used to getting a friendly morning or evening nod from the deer with whom we share our runner beans and roses.

The garden rabbits ignore us but like some of the vegetables and flowers. We are also used to being pestered by the birds and the squirrels for anything we care to put out for them. They let us live as we like, we should let them too.

Chilworth Infant School and Children’s Centre

In April, Chilworth Church of England Infant School successfully completed an OfSTED Inspection and an Anglican Inspection (the latter being a statutory requirement for all Church schools). In both cases the school was graded good or outstanding in all major areas.

OfSTED said: ‘children enjoy a good quality of teaching throughout the school and reach standards that are above average for their age.’ ‘Behaviour is excellent and pupils’ positive attitude and good academic skills means they are well prepared for their future education’. The Anglican Inspection said: ‘the strong link between the school and church places both at the centre of the community and offers excellent role models on a daily basis.' ‘The Headteacher and Governors provide outstanding Christian leadership of the school and work in close partnership, relationships are exemplary and all are invited to be part of its community - those of the Christian faith, those of a different faith and those of no faith at all.

The school has also become a designated Sure Start Children’s Centre. This means that we hold a number of activities for any Mum, Dad, Carers and Grandparent with a child aged 0-5. It is an opportunity to come and enjoy time with your child and make new friends. Sessions are free in venues with in Chilworth and Gomshall and also run through the school holidays. The Centre also provides an information service based in the entrance area of the school. It provides a range of advice relating to children's issues, including information on Family Support Services: Parents and Carers looking for registered childcare: Job vacancies from Job Centre Plus: Details of help with childcare costs: Tax credits: Careers in childcare.

If you want to find out more information about the Children's Centre based at Chilworth School, please call Maria Penfold, Children's Centre Co-ordinator on 07525 613390 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Further information about the Children’s Centre and the School can be found on our website.

If you want to visit the School just ring and make an appointment. We look forward to meeting you.

Patricia Allen
Chairman of Governors, Chilworth Church of England Infant School

From the Surrey Advertiser in 1942

House repairs often turn up old newspapers behind panels and in cavities. There is some compulsion in all of us to stop and read the old news and advertisements and so it happened in our house. The extract in the picture is over 67 years old. At that time I was about 6 years old and not taking a lot of notice of world affairs and living on a farm in Scotland where my grandparents worked in the farm dairy and in the fields producing much needed food. At the same time in Chilworth and neighbouring villages people were also doing their bit.

I have forgotten or did not know about Warship Week and I certainly did not know about Shalford and St Martha Warship Week with its “If we all pull together we will win” slogan. Albury seem to have laid on a good effort with a list of events listed as ‘Opening ceremony with Sound Films – The Chantant [what is that?] -Variety Entertainment – Dance – Treetops Farley Green Fete: Films, Fun, Dancing – Whist Drive – Treasure Hunt (on foot) – Dennis Male Voice Choir and Community Singing’. Shalford, Chilworth and Albury at that time were in the care of Guildford Rural District Council with their objective to raise £175,000 “The cost of the hull of a submarine”. I wonder if they did raise that. I wonder if we can raise such enthusiasm again and take such pleasure in simple entertainment.

Does anyone remember that week? Have our local historians some record of those events? We do well to remember that war is a dreadful thing. Our remembrances should remind us of that, but we can also admire what people do in adversity for their community, their country and their neighbours. [Editor]

Dates of forthcoming Parish Council meetings

2009: July 13, September 14, November 9.
2010: Dates are to be confirmed for our regular meetings in January, March, May, July, September, November, January, March and May.

Prior notice of meetings, which are held on Mondays and commence at 7.15 p.m. 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 website. Minutes and Newsletters are also displayed on the Parish notice boards. The accompanying public notice boards are for use by all.

Chairman

Mr David Bunting
12 Halfpenny Close, Chilworth
01483 561532

Vice Chairman

Mr John Peake
17 Halfpenny Close, Chilworth
01483 560120

Councillors

Mrs Patricia Allen
Wood Cottage, Sample Oak Lane, Chilworth
01483 893094

Mr Colin Hayward
Gable Cottage, Blackheath Lane, Blackheath
01483 898365

Mr Mike Lunnon
Langton, 41 Dorking Road, Chilworth
01483 569101

Mrs Barbara Winkworth
Southernway Cottage Halfpenny Lane, Chilworth
01483 536461

Mr Peter Burt
35 Dorking Road, Chilworth
01483 572940

Clerk to the Parish Council

Mr Christopher Karney
22 Phillips Hatch, Wonersh, GU5 0PX
01483 892803

Newsletter editor: Peter Burt