Newsletter 2010
Planning for Change
by David Bunting, Chairman
Surrey Community Action promotes an annual “Surrey Village of the Year” competition, sponsored by Fuller’s Brewery. The judges are looking for “a well-balanced, proactive community which is making the best of local opportunities in order to enhance and sustain a better quality of life for all inhabitants.” We have not entered this year, but your parish council aspire to work with this aim in mind.
Many of our concerns relate to highways, especially road repairs, and cleaning, verge and grass cutting. These are small jobs in themselves but, if neglected, become of real concern, with health and safety implications. The parish chivvies the cash-strapped SCC departments as much as possible with varying degrees of success.
There is much we can do as individuals. The more a problem is reported, the more attention it is likely to receive. Please raise your concerns with the parish council and your local councillor, and also report the problem personally.
We are most grateful to individuals in the parish who go out of their way to improve our environment, especially those who pick up litter. The grass of Old Manor Green and the station triangle is tended by volunteers. Is there anyone who would oversee the notice boards: removing staples and outdated notices?
Please help improve our pavements for pedestrians by eliminating the spread of garden vegetation or driveway gravel on to the pavement.
Speeding continues to be a concern on the A248. Volunteers from St Martha have joined with those from Shalford parish to participate in the Speedwatch Scheme, which will operate over the summer.
The year has been characterised by issues that await outcomes. Plans are proceeding for the Gunpowder Mills, the former Titan Sheds site, subsidence on the Dorking Road, the Friary, former Hayward’s Yard and the wooden Snail. The excellent green gates at the entrance to the Gunpowder Works—faithfully restored by Shere blacksmiths Nick Bates and Richard Hallam—were officially opened on 27 May 2009.
This has been my first year as your Chairman. I should like to thank fellow councillors and the Clerk, Chris Karney, for their work in the interests of the parish. Councillor Colin Hayward is retiring from the council after six years’ service. He has made a real contribution in many ways. A vacancy therefore exists. If you are interested in being co-opted as a councillor until elections in May 2011, contact the Clerk.
Traffic lights on the Dorking Road
by Chris Karney, Parish Clerk
On 17 July 2008 the parish council reported to SCC Highways that a small section of kerb had collapsed on the north side of the Dorking Road opposite the ponds by Chilworth Railway station.
Nothing much happened until December 2008 when the Highways Authority realised it had a much more serious problem than it had anticipated, and that 20–30 metres of bank had destabilised. Temporary traffic lights were put in place. A suggestion, from some local residents, that these be replaced with a “Give way” marking has been considered by Surrey Police and Surrey Highways, but found not to comply with national road safety standards.
Unfortunately, due to budget problems, nothing happened for over a year and the “temporary” lights began to look like a permanent feature. However, in March 2010 a topographical survey and an ecological scoping survey were carried out and a solution was identified. On 22 April representatives of the council had an on-site meeting with the SCC scheme project engineer and SCC Principal Engineer to discuss the situation.
Two boreholes are to be sunk: one close to the kerb, and another on Lockner Farm land, with the full co-operation of the owners. These boreholes will be used to establish the flow of underground water—the cause of the problem.
The cost of the work is likely to exceed £300,000 which has been set aside in this year’s budget.
Hopefully the work will be completed by mid November. The good news is that the work itself should not cause additional disruption to traffic.
The Titan Sheds site off Blacksmith Lane
by David Bunting
In January this year, two applications were made to Guildford Borough Council relating to the former Titan Sheds site off Blacksmith Lane. No decision has been taken on either. 16 letters of objection were received. Consultation is continuing with the developer before plans are brought for consideration to the Planning Committee.
Conservation Area application 10/P/00202 seeks approval for the demolition of the existing buildings, and Planning Application 10/P/00201 seeks approval for the erection of three detached two-storey buildings to provide nine three-bed residential units.
Concerns have been expressed regarding the lack of respect for an historic site, and the inappropriate proposals for a modern housing development. Detailed submissions were made by groups like the Chilworth Gunpowder Mills Group, Surrey Archaeology Society and the Surrey Industrial History Group; responses can be seen online at GBC Planning.
The industrial buildings in this locality remain the sole surviving structures from the former Gunpowder Works still in use, retaining important original features. There is need for care in considering the archaeological potential of the site, particularly under existing structures. Wire was made in this location in the sixteenth century. A full and detailed archaeological survey is essential.
The parish council response expressed concern at the loss of employment within the parish. While a commercial option may not be viable in the current economic climate, the future may bode well. The idea of linking the site with car parking and other facilities for visitors to the historic heritage site has been suggested.
The current proposal would result in 60 dwellings per hectare—well over the guidelines for a rural area conservation area. There is inadequate amenity space and part of the car parking provision is remote from the dwellings it is intended to serve.
We await the outcome of the application.
Development on the Hayward and Sons Depot
Work at last seems to be underway following demolition of the previous buildings. The site has stood idle and untidy since it was sold to developers Infinity Homes Ltd & Firglade Properties Ltd on 4 May 2007. We can expect a two-storey terrace with rooms in the roof providing eight (three- to four-bed) dwellings, and a detached two-storey block comprising six (two-bed) apartments. There will be five garages and associated parking.
A settlement boundary runs through the site. Building can take place in the eastern section only if it is regarded as an exceptions site, a condition of which is that there must be affordable housing. This will be the first affordable housing in St Martha—an appropriate location, near Percy Cottages built for the railway workers.
The yard has an interesting history. The coal and haulage business was started by Mr Alfred Shephard in the summer of 1888. He moved into the Goods Yard in 1892, running a taxi service from Chilworth Station and a delivery agency for both parcels and goods for the railway company. He died in 1916, but his widow continued the business. The Hayward connection started after the First World War, when Sydney Hayward was demobilised and bought into a partnership with Mrs Shephard. She died in 1924, leaving the business to the Hayward family. The freight business associated with the railway terminated in May 1962, but Hayward and Sons continued the coal delivery, general transport and storage until the yard was sold after three generations on 4 May 2007.
The parish council supports the name Hayward’s Corner for the new development.
Speedwatch
St Martha Parish has joined with Shalford in arranging with the Police training for volunteers to operate a speedwatch scheme over the summer on the Dorking Road (A248). We are grateful to all those who have offered to help in trying to reduce the speed along this road.
Chilworth Gunpowder Mills
The future of an ancient monument
The Chilworth Gunpowder Mills is a scheduled ancient monument, partly owned by Guildford Borough Council. Since the 1970s the site has been left to nature, and has become completely wooded.
As a scheduled ancient monument the mills are one of four nationally important gunpowder sites in Britain, and are afforded the same level of heritage protection as Stonehenge. GBC has a statutory and moral duty to ensure their preservation and recently the Parks and Countryside Service commissioned a Conservation Management Plan by Oxford Archaeology. Funded by Natural England and English Heritage, under the direction of Adam Owen, Trees and Countryside Manager for GBC, the plan encompasses the archaeological significance of the site and considers the important ecology and public access.
At a public meeting in Chilworth last November, Oxford Archaeology issued a questionnaire to understand the public perception of the mills and sought opinions on future management.
The plan builds on the English Heritage survey of 2006, which mapped and listed all the buildings and features. It makes a condition assessment of these and cites specific works to ensure they are recorded, conserved, preserved or restored. Some of these works are to the structures themselves and will require specialised contractors to complete the works. Many trees are damaging and destroying structures, or limit interpretation by hiding or fragmenting the layout of the buildings. These trees are scheduled for removal over some years. It is important to retain the natural woodland and key individual trees, which in themselves offer a historical perspective as well as environmental and aesthetic benefits.
In addition the plan considers where improvements to public access and interpretation can be made, in a non-intrusive fashion. It is planned to improve access by extending walks using boardwalks, so as not to disturb plants. There will be a small number of interpretation boards, a guided walk leaflet, a website and possibly an audio narrative of the history of the mills available in the form of MP3 which people can download and listen to as they walk through the site.
Of course funding is a key issue. GBC is seeking external grants and Natural England has promised further support. Thought has been given to establishing a trust for the gunpowder mills and a management team that will fundraise and co-ordinate the proposed works. More information will be soon be available on request or by viewing www.guildford.gov.uk. You are invited to help by getting involved or giving support. If you have any questions contact Adam Owen, 01483 444771 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Chilworth Church of England Infant School
by Patricia Allen
Numbers are rising and our school continues to flourish. However, very sadly this academic year we lost Lilia Drew, a much loved younger sibling aged just three, and Samantha Western, a very special member of Year 2 class aged 7½. These two girls are remembered with deep affection. A bench is to be erected in memory of Samantha in one of her favourite places in the Gunpowder Mills site with donations from the school and parents. A small feature at the school in memory of Lilia and a fund-raising event to support the work of CHASE is being planned.
This year we are hoping to build a dedicated Children’s Centre on the school site, funded by Sure Start. It is an exciting project which will support the work of caring for under fives and their parents and carers. We are also looking forward to our much awaited Outside Teaching and Learning Area for Years 1 and 2. If you would like to learn more about our Children’s Centre please go to www.chilworthchildrencentre.com; the school website address is www.chilworth.surrey.sch.uk.
Helen and Pete Western write . . .
Adam Owen (Trees and Countryside Manager of Guildford Borough Council), introduced us to the work of Tom Smith, a local artist who sculptures benches in the form of shapes from nature. One particular example of his work inspired us to think of Sam's favourite pastime on our walks past the Gunpowder Mills: hunting for snails. So the bench is actually going to be in the shape of a snail. We hope local children will want to climb on what we believe will be a work of art that will be in keeping with its natural surroundings, but also be quite unique and unconventional, just like Sam! The bench will be a wonderful way for us all to remember Sam, but because it was funded by the parents and teachers at the school, it also reminds us of the support we have had from the community and that others miss her too.
Chilworth Dormouse Site
by Julie Mottishaw
The dormouse is a rare and endangered species and doormice are now protected by law.
Surrey is lucky to have a population of dormice. Surrey Wildlife Trust and the Surrey Dormouse Group give them help by placing nesting boxes in woodlands, making it safer for them to bring up their young.
Nesting boxes were installed at Chilworth dormouse site in 2007 and are monitored regularly. Monthly box checks are carried out from April to October (from November to March the dormouse hibernates somewhere on the ground or just below it).
A good population of dormice was recorded throughout 2009. The first dormouse was found in April. It was a good-sized torpid male weighing 20 grams. Torpid means a deep sleeping state, not quite as deep as hibernation,but it still takes about 20 minutes for a dormouse to wake up from torpid. This is a way for a dormouse to conserve energy. 27 more were recorded over the summer. All the young were lively and healthy, weighing only 5 grams initially but soon putting on weight and leaving the nest. The dormice are sexed and weighed and the data fed into the National Dormouse Monitoring Programme.
Local people have been very generous by sponsoring dormouse boxes and one resident has made some beautiful nesting boxes. There are 30 boxes. You may see the boxes as you walk through the woodland at Chilworth, but remember that as dormice are a protected species you need a licence to disturb them. Please do not to peek inside!
The Franciscan Friary, Chilworth: 1892–2010
by Patrick Lonsdale, OFM Guardian
The foundation stone for the friary at Chilworth was laid in 1890. The architect was F. A. Walters, who also designed St John’s Seminary at Wonersh and Buckfast Abbey. The overall cost of building the church and friary (about £7000) was met from a bequest of Mary Anne Alliott, an aunt of Father Arthur Wells, who is regarded as the friary’s founder.
The first friars took up residence in 1892. For the next hundred years or so, every man who has entered this particular branch of the Franciscan Order has spent his first year here.
In 1945 the friars were asked to take on the pastoral care of a newly formed Catholic parish. A small congregation gathered at the friary on Sundays, but since the 1970s the congregation has grown, so that now there is a full church for the main Mass on Sunday mornings.
After the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, efforts were made to open up the friary. It became a pastoral centre for the parish and for other groups. The annual garden fete was launched and some of the major refurbishment work of recent years has been funded from this.
Early in 2010 the Minister Provincial decided the friars would withdraw from Chilworth. Numbers have declined as ageing has increased.
At the time of writing (March 2010), it is not clear what will happen to the friary, its church and the parish. It is doubtful whether another community would be able to take on the building and the parish, but there is hope that another religious community will occupy the friary.
The expectation is that the friars will be at Chilworth until the end of 2010. The garden fete on 13 June, and the festival around the feast of St Francis in October is planned. There is much to thank God for.
Chilworth History Society
by Cathy Browning
Chilworth History Society is a thriving and friendly group which meets six times a year for varied and interesting talks. Meetings are open to all and include time to reminisce with friends over tea and cake!
With great sadness last year we said goodbye to Fenella Dening who passed away in November. Fenella was always passionate about history and the community in Chilworth. For many years she gathered, stored and researched information which she displayed in her first History Exhibition in 1983. It was a great success and repeated in 1984, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2005 and 2008. She founded the Chilworth History Society in 2004.
She always wanted to bring people together to share their memories and knowledge and we hope to continue with that goal for years to come.
Forthcoming Parish Council meetings
The parish council meets every two months at 7.15 pm on a Monday at Chilworth Church of England Infant School. Dates of forthcoming meetings are:
2010: 12 July, 14 September, 8 November
2011: 10 January, 14 March, 9 May
All members of the public are welcome to attend, and may raise issues of concern. Notice of the meetings is posted on the notice boards at the bus shelters opposite Lockner Farm and by Chilworth Station, and on the parish notice board at Old Manor Green.
St Martha Parish Councillors
Chairman
David Bunting
12 Halfpenny Close, Chilworth
01483 561532
Vice Chairman
John Peake
17 Halfpenny Close, Chilworth
01483 560120
Councillors
Patricia Allen
Wood Cottage, Sample Oak Lane, Chilworth
01483 893094
Mike Lunnon
Langton, 41 Dorking Road, Chilworth
01483 569101
Peter Burt
35 Dorking Road, Chilworth
01483 572940
Barbara Winkworth
Southernway Cottage Halfpenny Lane, Chilworth
01483 536461
Clerk to the Parish Council
Christopher Karney
22 Phillips Hatch, Wonersh, GU5 0PX
01483 892803