Autumn 2018 Hon

Your community association working for Weybridge

Autumn 2018 Hon. Patron – Michael Aspel OBE

WEYBRIDGE RISKS LOSING THE PLOT PROPOSED SALE OF CENTRAL ALLOTMENT LAND Weybridge risks losing some of its prized running through to Molyneux Road in allotment plots through an unpublicised central Weybridge, has been community plan to sell off key land in the town centre property since 1811. The custody and that would then be developed privately control of the land ownership is vested in for housing of an unspecified type, the the Weybridge Poor’s Land Charity, now Weybridge Society has learned. known as Weybridge Charity, specifically for the purpose of providing allotments and disbursements of excess revenue for the poor of Weybridge. But a section of allotments known as ‘The Triangle’ is now at risk of being sold off, as the Charity states it needs additional funds to carry out its charitable work and maintain allotments. Currently

IN THIS ISSUE

The Society was informed of the Back to School, Back to Work, possible plan over the summer by a Back to the History Books! number of Churchfields allotment holders Welcome to this autumn issue full of useful and local residents, who first organised news and fascinating local history! themselves within the Curzon Residents Association (CRA) to investigate the 04 TRAVELLERS IN WEYBRIDGE matter and later became the Friends 11 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ST. JAMES’ of Churchfields (FoC) action group to CHURCH counter any such possible land sale. 15 WHERE IN THE WORLD IS WEYBRIDGE? As local politicians are involved, events are now moving quickly, despite 19 A FUTURE US PRESIDENT’S VISIT TO WEYBRIDGE perceptions that the land seemed safe from change because of its clear 20 REMEMBERING “THE MEN OF WEYBRIDGE” OF WWI designation for allotment use. The area of allotments known as Churchfields, 23 PHOTO COMPETITION RESULTS adjacent to St James’ Church and 26 WEYBRIDGE SOCIETY SUMMER PARTY Weybridge Society Newsletter – Autumn 2018 the Charity has an investment and cash whether the Weybridge Charity was portfolio with a market worth in excess of considering plans to sell a portion of £2.1 million, according to investigations the allotments to generate additional by the FoC. For the past five years capital. At the meeting, Mr Winton said the Charity has disbursed annually the Charity had no firm plans to sell any around £39,000, typically in the form of part of Churchfields, nor would he identify Christmas gifts to around 300 people who the amount or reasons for the supposedly apply for grants of up to £200 at year’s necessary additional funding. The CRA end. Accounts show that each year the says that it was indicated at that meeting Charity’s expenses average £28,000 that Trustees would not be making any – meaning that for every £1 the Charity decision on the future of Churchfields spends on grants it spends 72 pence on until at least November 2018. costs, the FoC argues. However, only about a week later, By comparison with similar allotment residents following the issue noticed charities, the FoC says the Weybridge highly unusual information in the annual Charity does not appear to have report of the Charity for 2017, filed with considered other opportunities to find the the Charities Commission and accessible kind of income it supposedly needs and online on the Charity Commission says the Charity’s targets are arbitrary website. The report stated that despite and costs are far too high. efforts to encourage first time gardeners, “Once a community site is sold, that many plots remained vacant, and site is lost forever,” said Murray Law, consequently the site was too large for Chairman of the Curzon Residents the local demand. Additionally, the report Association (CRA) speaking on 2 July at a said on site facilities needed updating and public meeting. “Churchfields has a value layout improvements were required to use to the community considerably greater the area more effectively and to provide than the money value paid by a transient additional habitats for wildlife. The report property developer with no commitment indicated that to generate the additional to the community’s needs.” resources “necessary” to address these Residents first became aware of the problems, the trustees intend to seek a possibility of the allotments sale a few change of use for part of the Churchfields weeks before the May 3rd local elections allotment site. when a Liberal Democrat political party A few weeks after the report appeared, leaflet indicated that “Social Housing” Winton wrote to Churchfields Allotment was proposed on part of the Churchfield Holders advising them of the intention of allotments. This was quickly identified the Charity to sell the part of Churchfields by the Liberal Democrats as an error, known affectionately as “The Triangle.” and they said publicly that they had Following the 15 May meeting, CRA no such plans. members had decided to establish Soon after the election, on 15 May, working groups to research the CRA held a meeting to which Graham background, performance and activities Winton, the Chairman of the Weybridge of the Charity and its Trustees, to better Charity, and longstanding local Liberal understand the effectiveness of the Democrat official, was invited to clarify Charity and its compliance with the

2 Weybridge Society Newsletter – Autumn 2018 purpose and intent of the Churchfields spouse of a Councillor. The remaining site and the Charity itself. Within weeks three Trustees are co-opted by the six CRA membership grew from 14 to 92 EBC-nominated Trustees. Many of the members and the action group became Trustees are long serving, and some have the Friends of Churchfields (FoC), been serving since the time the Charity a committee comprised of long-time sold the Pine Grove allotments in 2000. Weybridge residents who want to ensure The terms of four current Trustees expire the Churchfields site remains for the before April 2019. benefit of current and future generations. Residents say that three Trustees, including Miles Macleod, husband of recently elected EBC Riverside Ward Councillor Vicki Macleod, have declared their opposition to the proposal to sell of the Churchfields Triangle. The Charity maintains that it is independent of EBC and has an Agency arrangement with Weybridge Allotment Holders and Gardeners Association (WAHGA) to manage and operate the allotments with the attendant Countering the Charity’s contention modest administration arising from that the only way to improve the situation rent collections and plot allocations. is land sale, the FoC says it looked The Chair of WAHGA is also co-opted into Charity assets and sought out as a Trustee of the Charity. A Special cost reductions and untapped revenue General Meeting of WAHGA, called by generation opportunities, identifying a group of Plot holders unhappy with the more than 15 strategies for improving management of Churchfields, is to be Churchfields amenities, community held on 26 September. access and social engagement among The Weybridge Society also contacted plot holders and the wider community. Chairman Graham Winton for comments According to the FoC, the Charity has on the activities of the Charity, but on not significantly engaged in fundraising August 29 he replied that meetings on or promotion in the community, missing the issue were forthcoming and he did opportunities to receive bequests and not want ‘to enter into any discussion that promote allotment use. The FoC also says would prejudge any planning application it invited Charity Trustees to discuss the that the trustees would wish to make.’ need for the sale and other opportunities The Society believes the proposed for fund raising, but at the time of writing sale of allotments land is of significant these have been declined. interest to its members and the The Weybridge Charity is composed public and will continue to monitor of nine Trustees, six of whom are developments on this issue. To find appointed by Elmbridge Borough out more and the latest news on Council (EBC), who are either present this issue, please contact the FoC Councillors, past Councillors or the at [email protected]

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TRAVELLERS IN WEYBRIDGE What Happened and What Can Be Done?

On the morning of Thursday 21 June, Magistrates Court in Guildford for a residents of Oatlands Park woke up to Removal Order under Section 78 of the find travellers had set up camp overnight, above Act. The case was heard on the parking some 50 vehicles inside Oatlands morning of Wednesday 27 June, whereby Recreation Ground, having gained judgement was given in favour of the access by angle grinding a padlock on the Council. The travellers left that afternoon. Oatlands Drive gate the day before. A great deal of rubbish and mess Many residents complained and was left behind, which the Council duly wondered why the encampment was not and efficiently cleared up the next day on considered an offence by the police and Thursday 28th June – but at a stated cost dealt with immediately, but with protocols to tax payers of some £17,000 for this one in place, the local council acted as quickly park alone! This sum included specialist as it could at the time. Unfortunately, the deep cleansing of the contaminated public disruptions lasted all summer across toilets, the children’s play area, paddling Elmbridge, as the travellers moved around pool and sandpit, all of which were of causing damage to public and private land particular concern. The disruption to the and enterprises. Total costs to the public Oatlands community lasted eight days, in purse ran to more than £160,000 – not line with the official process of removal, counting the costs to private businesses which on average takes about a week and landowners! to 10 days. The travellers then moved on and caused havoc in other parks and What Happened? public and private spaces in Elmbridge According to law, on Friday 26 June, borough, remaining a problem to this day. Elmbridge Council served Notices of Direction under Section 77(1) of the How Does This Work? Criminal Justice and Public Order The upshot of the issue is that nomadic life Act 1994, concerning unauthorised is not illegal in the UK and Gypsy and Roma encampments, which directed the travellers have the right to live as they travellers at Oatlands to leave the land choose. Local councils are only obliged and remove their vehicles by 6 pm that to “manage” unauthorised encampments day. Predictably, these notices were and cannot always stop them accessing completely ignored – torn down and public land. The Council and Surrey thrown to the ground – despite a stated Police have long had an agreed protocol penalty of £1,000 for non-compliance. under which the Council’s Gypsy Roma Clearly, the travellers were and are Traveller (GRT) Liaison Officer first carries well aware of the due process and how out an assessment of the situation before long it takes. deciding to serve (or not serve) a Notice As the travellers did not leave, on of Direction. The Police are made aware Monday 25 June, the Council was of the encampment and are supposed to forced to apply to the South East Surrey “monitor” the situation regularly.

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In the case of this summer’s What Has the Council Done? unauthorised encampment, Oatlands On 16 August, in what the Society residents said they were unaware of views as only a partial and possibly any Police presence except on the first ineffectual solution, the High Court morning. One resident expressed the granted Elmbridge Borough Council a view that local police were outnumbered protective injunction banning the setting and too scared to take any action. Anti- up of unauthorised encampments and fly- social behaviour, which is prosecutable tipping on all identified public land. The and was evident in the Oatlands incursion, three-month injunction covers more than is described by the Act as aggressive 150 of the borough’s parks, open spaces and intimidating activity. Local shops and car parks. and pubs certainly experienced such The Council cited large-scale fly- disturbances as the travellers descended tipping and the cost of clearing it, damage on them on mass, taking part in petty to gates and barriers, lost parking income thefts and causing some businesses and the large increase in the number and to shut early. size of recent encampments, as well as But the broader issue is that the the significant impact on communities travellers have a long history of moving living adjacent to each encampment around the area (see the Society’s talk and the loss of community facilities on Sept. 27 by Alan Wright on his book during the summer. covering the history of travellers in Leader of the Council and Surrey Surrey). For years it has been a tradition County Councillor for Weybridge for travellers to come to Surrey to attend Tim Oliver noted there had been “an the Derby at Epsom. This year many unprecedented increase in levels of private and public sites in Elmbridge were unauthorised encampments, totalling 27 occupied by travellers without the consent on public parks and open spaces as well of owners: Esher Rugby Club, West End as other recent encampments on private Green at Esher, Brooklands Community owned land such as Painshill Park. The Park, The Tilt and Leg of Mutton Field in size of these encampments has also risen Cobham, Ashley Park in Walton, Long dramatically with some encampments Ditton Recreation Ground, Claygate and being over 60 vehicles in size.” the Waitrose car park and the Recreation This new injunction prevents any Ground in Hersham – to name but a few. individual from occupying land and/ As unauthorised encampments or depositing waste, and it prohibits cause disruption and concern to local anyone from entering, or occupying communities and place an increased any part of the land for residential strain on limited Local Authority and purposes, including caravans, mobile Police resources, the Weybridge Society homes and vehicles. It also allows the takes the view that the current system of Council to act without having to obtain dealing with unauthorised encampments court orders for the removal of these is not working. Gypsy-Roma-Traveller encampments and authorises High Court (GRT) communities can simply move on enforcement officers to move people on to another location and the same process if they take no notice of the injunction starts all over again. order. Failure to do so can result in

5 Weybridge Society Newsletter – Autumn 2018 imprisonment, fines or seizure of assets. losses and costs borne by public and Oliver said he was delighted by the private sectors – an issue that went painstaking work undertaken by Officers completely unaddressed. and Members of the Council to collect Witness Ian Burrows noted a host the necessary evidence that enabled the of events that had to be cancelled, Council to make the case for an extensive including the closure of the splash park ban which the Court then backed. in Hersham, the cancellation of tennis “The injunction will bring huge relief bookings in Claygate and Cobham, the to our residents and local businesses closure of cricket pitches for the month of who have experienced unprecedented August across the county, and the shut- and wholly unreasonable disruption down of Painshill Park for the whole bank throughout the summer,” Oliver said. holiday weekend. These represented a “We will now carry on with the work we huge loss of income and public benefit. are doing to review the security of all of So much time and effort had to our open sites so that our communities be spent on clean-up, it also diverted can enjoy their surroundings, whilst resources from normal work – another continuing to closely monitor any illegal uncounted cost. activity across the Borough.” “I have had to deal with more traveller In his reaction to the injunction, encampments than ever before,” Senior Superintendent Andy Rundle affirmed Parking Enforcement Officer James that action would be taken on criminality Elliott noted in his conclusion. “This is and anti-social behaviour but added: “It time consuming and costly and because is important to understand that Police of the small team that I head, a lot of our powers are very specific and prescribed other work has to be put back.” and do not cover civil issues, which we Tallying up costs across Elmbridge know can sometimes be frustrating and Borough for moving on and cleaning confusing for our communities.” He said up after travellers came to £168,835, he hoped the injunction would allow according to a chart in the statement of enough proactive response to reduce witness Nicholas Martin, a policy officer the negative impact of unauthorised with the Council. encampments on the local community. All three men were used as witnesses to support the injunction. But it is clear A Mixed Public Response in the details they presented that if the But while politicians celebrated their injunction doesn’t work, local residents efforts and hard-won victory, and on will continue to incur many hidden costs. social media some local residents lauded the action, others complained the More Needs to Be Done injunction was little more than words and As positive as the injunction is as an remained unconvinced it would do much initial step, the Weybridge Society to stop further incursions and damage. is disappointed by the huge costs More tellingly, the very same of damages and that the injunction statements submitted as evidence isn’t permanent, or at the very least for the injunctions pointed to a more effective and much longer- serious underrepresentation of the term. A multi-faceted solution is still

6 Weybridge Society Newsletter – Autumn 2018 desperately needed -- one that goes far beyond clean-ups and moving GYPSIES AND encampments around. TRAVELLERS The Society advocates that the LOCAL HISTORY COMES Council take measures such as ALIVE establishing Surrey Council-approved transit sites for travellers that would “No Romance of the Road” speed up the process of removal and Talk by Dr. Alan Wright reduce the impact of unauthorised Author of Their Day Has Passed, Gypsies in Victorian encampments on local communities all and Edwardian Surrey across the County and not just across one Borough. The Society also supports Thurs. 27 Sept. giving the police extra resources to Doors open 7:30 pm for 8 pm start deal immediately with damages and Small meeting room of St James’ disturbances. Lastly the voting public Church hall should put pressure on their elected Free entrance for Society members representatives to urgently introduce £3 for non-members the provision of such transit sites and Join us for a fascinating evening of provide the police with the added history in light of recent events! funding they need.

PLANNING UPDATE The following information is summarised 2016/1448 – The Grotto Monument Hill. from the Weybridge Society’s Planning Because of the dangers to pedestrians Panel’s records and actions taken at our at this junction at the top of Baker Street regular meetings. Developments are where it meets Monument Hill, the Society listed in order from the longest running has objected throughout the planning concerns to the most recent applications process to the reduced site lines caused to Elmbridge Borough Council (EBC). We by the boundary wall at this development. endeavour to make this update a true Society members measured the height of representation of the panel’s opinion and this wall as built and discovered that it is our actions and plans concerning local even higher than permitted. The Society is developments. This list is up to date at now awaiting the result of an investigation the time of writing, but for the latest and by the Elmbridge compliance officer. most accurate changes to planning, please consult EBC or our website at 2017/0953 – Arbrook Farm, Walton weybridgesociety.org.uk, where you Lane. The present situation in this can also consult the planning update in longstanding development dispute is that previous newsletters for more background the gates remain (as permitted on appeal) and history on individual cases. but lower walls and some fencing around the area of the barn have also been left

7 Weybridge Society Newsletter – Autumn 2018 standing. The Society’s Planning Panel is off view, indicating that the matter now investigating whether this is reasonable in lies with the Health and Safety Executive the “Thames Landscape” area. (HSE). The Society is considering what further action it can take. 2017/1681 – Locke King House, 2 Balfour Road. The applicant has now 2017/3870 – Weybridge Hall, revised this application twice. Both Church Street. Permission has been revisions make little difference to the granted for this application, covering the Weybridge Society’s basic objection that refurbishment of the town’s hall to provide this proposal for the site, right at the heart a two-screen cinema (105 seats total) of Weybridge at a critical junction in and and five flats in the storeys above. The out of town, is a total over-development of refurbishment will maintain the existing the site due to its scale, bulk and mass. It external design though items such as is inconsistent with the local street scene, windows will be replaced, with no overall very detrimental to the Conservation Area change to the street scene. The Council and would not enhance the character of has started work by removing asbestos. the area. 2018/0038 – 34 Queens Road, 2017/2086 and 2018/1557 – 17 High Development. Pine Close. A new application was put in following refusal by Elmbridge Council and the Planning Inspector. Both applications are for a detached two-storey house with rooms in the roof space and detached garage in the rear garden. The refusal of the Inspector was based only on the access of cars, pedestrians and service vehicles from York Road using an existing footpath. The developer’s response has Planning permission has been approved been to move the bins and slightly modify for this application for 59 new retirement the access. The Society has supported the apartments on Queens Road, despite 40 residents protesting this development the Society’s extensive objections to with a full objection. this application, as reported in the last newsletter. 2017/2710 – 2017/2873 Warehouse, 47 Thames Street. In this ongoing case, 2018/0083 and 2018/2206 – Wyevale the important matter now is to ensure Garden Centre. These potential that asbestos is removed safely. The developments are thought to have Weybridge Society continues to support implications for Seven Hills Road as well residents who are concerned about the as being a precedent for development dangers from asbestos dust, as the in Green Belt. The first application is method statements for its removal seem for six detached five-bedroom houses to be problematic. However, Elmbridge and the second is for 12 semi-detached Borough Council appears to take a hands- houses. These outline applications

8 Weybridge Society Newsletter – Autumn 2018 include the demolition of the garden was approved in April 2017 for seven centre and the redevelopment of the site. dwellings (a terrace of four two-storey The Society has submitted its objections houses, a terrace of three two-storey to both of the applications, pointing out houses and a detached building for two the harm to the Green Belt, loss of both flats). The general consensus was that general and specialist retail outlets, loss this outline application had regard to the of employment, lack of sustainability, predominantly two-storey dwellings in inappropriate scale and massing and loss Springfield Lane (Victorian villas and mews of amenity. In our opinion, the decisions cottages) and the two-storey buildings on made on these applications will influence Monument Green. The proposals also the future of a number of other sites in appeared to deal sensitively with the Seven Hills Road. adjacent Monument Green Conservation Area and the various “Listed” Morrisons Monument Hill (replacement buildings and monuments. tree). As reported previously, the In a shocking move that increases Elmbridge compliance officer confirmed density, the current outline applications that a replacement tree was available and envision 22 dwellings in a five-storey block would be planted when the conditions were of modern design and materials, with suitable. EBC has assured the Society only 16 parking spaces to be provided. that if the tree is planted out of season it The proposed density of 161 dwellings will be given a special watering regime at per hectare is several times greater than extra cost. The tree was planted during anything else in the town centre. the very dry period and has lost most of The Society will be supporting the very its leaves. We hope the tree will survive, many residents and businesses that have but if not, the Society will continue to already objected to these applications. The press for a replacement. Consideration is principal grounds for objection will include now been given to place tree preservation height, mass, impact on existing dwellings orders (TPO) on the group of trees in Springfield Lane and Monument Green, planted outside Morrisons. inadequate parking causing parking stress elsewhere in and around the town centre, 2018/0905 and 2018/0907 – 18 a design wholly out of character with the Springfield Lane. In a hugely important immediate area, and a negative impact on case for Weybridge’s town centre and for the adjacent Conservation Area. all residents, these virtually identical two applications have now received 31 and 2018/0911 – 70 Baker St. The South Area 54 objections and we are awaiting the Planning Sub-Committee had refused this officer’s report. This site, wedged between application but a previous application had Baker Street and the High Street, currently been appealed. The problems with regard houses the Weybridge Services & Social to these applications centre on the limited Club, which occupies a predominantly room to convert offices to residential with single storey building with a small area of adequate parking in the town centre. first floor accommodation and about 12 parking spaces to the front. 2018/0936 – Netherby Lodge. The A previous application (2016/2803) Weybridge Society lodged an objection

9 Weybridge Society Newsletter – Autumn 2018 to this development of two three-storey this application as an overdevelopment, semi-detached houses following the and the application was refused by demolition of Netherby Lodge because of the planning officer. the loss of an attractive building. A decision was made by the planning officer to 2018/2147 – 41 Oatlands Chase and grant the application. land to the rear of 39 Oatlands Chase. This proposal poses a major threat to the 2018/0200 – 167 Queens Road and land Oatlands area, as it is located right at the west of 9 to 11 Hall Place Drive. Sixteen junction where Oatlands Avenue meets objections have been lodged for this Oatlands Chase, opposite Cleves School development of seven residential units with its student body of more than 700 plus garages. Previously the developer hundred children. The proposal envisions had proposed 22 units (planning the demolition of one house to build 11 new application 2016/1644), which was met units: one detached house, a pair of semi- with 40 objections, refused by the Council detached houses, a terrace of three two and also dismissed by the Planning storey houses and a two-storey block of 5 Inspector on appeal in May 2017. The flats. The Society supported the dozens of Society notes that the development of objections indicating that the application homes down a skinny lane, with no access could be seen as overdevelopment with to waste vehicles or capacity for turning or significant overlooking, pedestrian safety reversing, could be a problem, as cited in and parking problems in an area of the High Pine Close case. The Society severe parking stress. has objected to this access and for the many reasons in the earlier objection, 2018/2252 Clive House, 12-18 Queens such as bulk, height and massing. We are Road. pleased to note that the application has been refused by the planning Officer.

2018/1347 – Albany Lodge, Westdene Way. This application is for two pairs of semi-detached three storey houses. Despite significant objections from local residents and the Society, the application was approved by Councillors – on the recommendation of the Planning Officer. This development poses another serious threat to Queens Road Village and the 2018/1638 – 11a Portmore Park Road. town of Weybridge as a whole. The A previous similar application to convert Appeal was dismissed for the previous a small property into a large two-storey application 2016/4126 on the basis that house was refused and taken to appeal. the proposed scale and height would have The Inspector identified significant a harmful impact of the street scene. This harm in respect of the character and latest application – to replace this office appearance of the area and dismissed block with residential accommodation – the appeal. The Society again objected to will have similar implications.

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HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ST. JAMES’ CHURCH A story of a church connected to town

With an iconic steeple that’s practically changes for parish and town. The opening become the symbol of the town of of the railway line in 1838 turned the Weybridge, St James’ Church celebrates quiet village of Weybridge into a bustling its 170th year in 2018, while its Friends of town and brought in a young, energetic, St. James’ Church fundraising group also intellectual and ambitious Reverend William marks its 30th anniversary. Giffard in 1846. Other new arrivals and wealthy parishioners soon deemed the existing church too small and dilapidated, and Rector Giffard, supported by two gentlemen from rich families, Reverend Dr Thomas Spyers and Mr Thomas Feetham, encouraged other well-off families in the area to donate to a new building project. Extracts from a letter circulated in the village by the Rector state:

At less than 200 years, one might “The cost of erection will be £5000, ...It consider St James’ not very old, but on is hoped therefore that those who are the same site a tiny church thought to desirous of promoting the Glory of God be medieval served the town until 1848. and the good of their fellow Christians That original church could have well have will embrace this opportunity of offering been the one, albeit with alterations over to Him the abundance wherewith He time, mentioned in a document from 1175, has blessed them. An account has referencing a chapel in Weybridge. And that been opened with Messrs. Jones, chapel in turn could possibly have been in Lloyd Ltd, Lothbury...” existence even earlier, not long after the founding of Chertsey Abbey in 666 AD! Despite strong opposition from long- So St James’ history goes a long way term locals who loved their little church and and is intimately connected with the origins all its associated memories, the new church of Weybridge itself. Historic documents was duly completed at a final cost of £7334 reference an original chapel called St 16s 11d – proving that complaints against Nicholas’ Church, despite the fact that in the new developments and resulting overspend 16th century an important annual money- are not just modern issues! raising sale was held always on St James’ The new church was consecrated on Day. The name St James’ was also used 17th June 1848, with works continuing in in tandem for the church, and currently it subsequent years according to the original takes its name from Jesus’ disciple James, designer, John Loughborough Pearson, who brother of John and son of Zebedee, also later built St Peter’s in Hersham and Truro known as James the Greater. Cathedral. St James’ various extensions and The 19th century brought dramatic improvements included the tower and spire

11 Weybridge Society Newsletter – Autumn 2018 in 1855, and Pearson’s last contribution company and erected by William Boyce in 1893 was the design of alabaster, James in memory of his wife Frances, marble and mosaic decorations for the who died in June 1885, just months before chancel walls. William himself. These are just some of the fascinating details and local colour of Weybridge, and with so much valuable historic information available, next year St James’ hopes to start running guided tours. The Friends of St. James’ fund-raising charity, tasked with finding funds for the repair, maintenance and restoration of the church, puts on specially guided tours and various events throughout the year, like the live transmission of the last The new church had been built behind night at the Proms, quizzes, talks, concerts, the previous one and when the old St and ‘Desert Island Discs.’ More than 100 Nicholas/St James church was demolished people attended this summer’s special in 1849, its tombs and crypts were left anniversary garden party, and it was so standing, exposed, in the ‘new’ churchyard. popular The Friends have been pressed to One such vault, surrounded by iron repeat the event next year! railings, is that of the Duchess of York, a The church hopes the wider public will beloved benefactor who lived in Oatlands take part in such community events and House and Park and who died in 1820. She help raise funds to sustain our town’s most was held in such high esteem and affection precious and historic landmark, preserving by local people that in 1822 they paid for this beautiful Grade II listed building for a column to be erected in her memory, still generations to come. New members of any seen on Monument Green outside the Ship faith or none are warmly welcome. Contact Hotel. This column was originally sited at The Friends with your queries at 01932 845 Seven Dials in St Giles, London, topped 174 or 01932 848 253 and help them keep by a seven-sided sun dial stone. However, history alive! when it was brought to Weybridge the stone was considered too heavy to be ADVERTISE WITH US! safe and was replaced by a ducal coronet. Our quarterly newsletters reach out to The Dial Stone now rests alongside thousands of Weybridge residents, with Weybridge Library. Society members receiving issues delivered In Victorian times no expense was to their door. Extra copies are also left in the community to spread the message, while spared in the building and embellishment of our winter issue is distributed to 10,000 what came to be known as ‘the cathedral of area homes. We offer competitive rates the Thames Valley.’ Even today the church’s for quarter, half and full page ads for local businesses and events, and take on select stained glass windows are breathtaking, charity news for free. Please get in touch individually designed by a variety of with us: artists, the most famous by the renowned [email protected] Sir Edward Burne-Jones. This window [email protected] was manufactured by William Morris’s

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A LITTLE HELP FROM HUMOUR

When you meet long-time Weybridge And so the detritus of their efforts, residents and community activists John complete with droll illustrations and Yeomans and Howard Nichols, it’s a cartoons, can now be found in A Little laugh a minute, almost like being caught Book of Humour, their compilation, between a comedy duo. on sale for £7.50 of which £5 goes to “We have a mutual sense of humour,” church funds “to help keep the lights says Howard, who’s lived locally for on” with the balance contributing to 12 years and notes that he and John the production costs. were also brought together by a shared Warning: some of the jokes in the book experience of cancer. are real groaners, but others will have you reaching for incontinence underwear. Among the whoppers in the section on religious jokes are notices from church bulletins, magazines and services. (No note on whether any of these came from St James’!)

• The sermon this morning: ‘Jesus Walks on Water.’ The sermon tonight: ‘Searching for Jesus.’ John, Weybridge resident for 33 • Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale, years, who suffered bladder cancer it’s a chance to get rid of those things and had tumours removed twice, says not worth keeping around the house. he had already been saving jokes for Bring your husbands. 20 years when he and Howard became • Remember in prayer the many who are friends. “Humour brought us together, sick of our community. and we decided to tap into that and do some good.” • Don’t let worry kill you off – let the “I’m walking around but with not all the Church help! equipment I started out,’ Howard quips. • At the evening service tonight, the “I had a kidney removed. You know, sermon topic will be ‘What is Hell?’ clinging to the wreckage, I’ve a great Come early and listen to our sense of tumour.” choir practice. So it’s no wonder that the pair thought • For those of you who have children of a funny way to raise money for their and don’t know it, we have a beloved St James’ Church – why not nursery downstairs. a joke book, complete with politically incorrect gaffes and mocking one-liners? • The ladies of the Church have cast They say they went through thousands off clothing of every kind. They may of jokes, discarding hundreds that be seen in the basement on were too lewd. Friday afternoon.

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Enjoy many more bloopers when you can be made and postage at cost is pick up a copy of A Little Book of Humour another option. at the parish office (Monday, Tuesday, [email protected] Thursday and Friday 09:00 – 13:00), 07785 331542 telephone: 01932 856 399. Better still, [email protected] contact the editors, as local deliveries 07956 542411

SUCCESS FOR FIRST BROADWATER TO COWEY SALE CLEAN-UP

Calling Volunteers for Future Efforts

During a two-hour blitz on Sunday 24 June, 18 intrepid volunteers set out from Cowey Sale car park towards Broad Water lake to clear litter from the southern car park area and northern end of the lake. Attacking litter hidden deep inside bushes, the volunteers collected about 20 sacks in all and cleared many patches of an aggressive, invasive plant, the Himalayan Balsam. The team made short work of general litter and refuse from an old camp that people living rough had abandoned a while ago, then took on the balsam! With a seed throw range of about two metres, the balsam rapidly takes over areas, but its shallow root ball makes it easy to uproot. A few seasons of clearance should clear the area of this plant for good. The group intends to increase the intensity of these clean-ups to the point where water courses leading into Engine River can be cleaned as well as the lake itself. It is an ambitious plan that cannot be started until a professional ecological survey of flora and fauna has been carried out to ensure that clearance doesn’t destroy more than what it’s trying to save. If you’d like to join this enthusiastic team contact Alan Palmer at [email protected]. The next session will run from 10am to midday, Sunday 23 September, with volunteers meeting at the Desborough Island end of Cowey Sale car park. Feel free to just turn up but please wear appropriate clothing for the weather and possibly boggy conditions underfoot. Bring gardening or work gloves if possible and basic garden tools if you have any, as this kind of protection and equipment is also useful in clearance.

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WHERE IN THE WORLD IS WEYBRIDGE? A History of Shifting Boundaries

These days when someone asks ‘where’s was located just west of where the Weybridge?’ the response is likely to be Oatlands Park Hotel now stands. The ‘just inside the M25, between the A3 and palace only stood for about a century, and M3’ or ‘not far from Heathrow’ or ‘London remnants of walls from the era remain in commuter belt.’ But Weybridge has a the area near Grotto Road and Palace fascinating history of location in its own Road, not far from St James’s School. right – shifting boundaries and conflicts, varying uses of land and rights of way, Weybridge boundaries pre-1837 and more than a few famous residents putting it on the map! Bounded to the north by the most southerly bend in the Thames and to the west by the river Wey, Weybridge was a hamlet for centuries and part of the Byfleet manor in the parish of Chertsey, on one of the two land routes from London to the historic Chertsey Abbey (built in 666 AD and later dissolved by Henry VIII.) In the fourteenth century, growing in importance, Weybridge became a parish in its own right, with the separate parishes of Oatlands, Walton and Hersham to the Locally life remained pretty much the east, and the parishes of Chertsey and same over hundreds of years – a sleepy Byfleet to the west and south. village – until the Industrial Revolution and Oatlands in particular rose to fame its attendant railways turned Weybridge because of the royal Oatlands Palace into the commuter town we know today. built there by Henry VIII for Anne of Rich City merchants and their staff settled Cleves, on the site of a former manor he in the area, and by 1895 the town had acquired in 1538. Much of the foundation grown to about 5000 people, a sufficient stone for the palace came from Chertsey size for Weybridge to govern most of its Abbey, which fell into ruins after the own affairs. Thus, the Weybridge Urban Dissolution of the Monasteries. While the District Council (UDC) was born. locus of power remained at Hampton Maps from 1895 onwards show the Court Palace, Henry VIII later married UDC boundary followed the course of Catherine Howard at Oatlands on 28 July the River Wey to the west, then onto 1540, and his subsequent wife, Catherine the Thames around to roughly half way Parr, also spent time there, as did Mary I, along what we call Desborough Island Elizabeth I, James I and Charles I. The today. From there the boundary went area of Oatlands was dedicated as Henry south, crossing Broad Water lake and VIII’s hunting grounds, and the Palace cutting right through the Oatlands Park

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Hotel, continuing over Oatlands Drive and open Abbey land (used for hunting by crossing Queens Road and the railway Henry VIII) had been built over, and as just before Haines Bridge. It then went the railway widened to four tracks, the to the east of Cavendish Road, changing population grew steadily. The addition of course to cross Brooklands Road, which the world-famous Brooklands racing track was then Byfleet Road and where the in 1907 (one of the first such tracks in the Brooklands Museum entrance is today. world) and the nascent aviation industry The boundary proceeded to follow the helped transform Weybridge into a proper road for a short section down to the town. New housing and roads quickly bottom of Caenswood Hill and finally and haphazardly took over along the old turned west to continue to the River Wey. framework of fragile roads that dated to an era of horses and carts, and as industry Weybridge UDC boundary brought increased density and traffic, from 1895 to 1933: Weybridge itself grew in designation. In 1933, the national government created a new Urban District of Weybridge and Walton, adding to it the half of Brooklands racetrack that had been part of Byfleet, under the administration of Chertsey Rural District Council. Weybridge then continued to absorb areas previously considered parts of Byfleet and Hersham, so that today, as well as central Weybridge, it also includes Oatlands, St Georges Hill and Brooklands. A final major administrative change in 1974 was the merging of Walton and Weybridge local government with Esher’s – to form Elmbridge Borough Council (EBC). Today if you look at Weybridge from an administrative map and contrast it with the alternate postcode system, you’ll find differences in what is Weybridge and what is contained in the KT13 postcode area. Running along slightly varied lines, the notable differences are: At the time of its founding in 1895, the Weybridge UDC area was quite small • West of the river Wey, the areas of compared to the neighbouring Walton Hamm Court and Wey Meadows council area, which then included are in KT13 but actually fall under Oatlands and Hersham, with the latter Runnymede Borough covering the majority of the St Georges Hill • The Walton area at the eastern end area. By this time much of the previously

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of Oatlands Drive (almost to Walton one councillor representing residents of Bridge) remains in KT13 Weybridge, St Georges and Brooklands • The Silvermere area south of the areas, while another represents voters A245 Byfleet Road is not in KT13245 in Oatlands and adjacent Walton-on- Byfleet Road is not in KT13 Thames. EBC boundaries – the wards of To further complicate matters, today’s local borough councillors – are different physical boundaries do not reflect political yet again. boundaries. At the level of Surrey County Council, Weybridge is split in two, with KT13 Postal area Map of Weybridge

WHAT IS WEYBRIDGE? The Changing Nature of Our Area Besides boundaries, Weybridge has also mansions set in large gardens began to changed in composition throughout its be demolished to accommodate a greater history. This happened perhaps most number of more modest developments, drastically in the 19th and 20th century, and since the 1970s, even later period from farmers and small merchants to homes from the Edwardian era have richer City merchants and commuters, but been knocked down and replaced by the nature of Weybridge keeps changing closes, multi-home developments and as the housing mix and composition of blocks of flats. These alterations have residents continue to evolve. As early not only increased the area’s population as post WWII, many early Victorian but ushered in diversity and a new social

17 Weybridge Society Newsletter – Autumn 2018 mix, even as Weybridge largely retains private gated estates set apart from the its ‘commuter belt’ image. Directives community were a fairly late addition. from the national government look set It was one of these estates that to further increase density as they are undoubtedly put Weybridge on the forcing local councils to build thousands map – in the national consciousness more homes, with Elmbridge Borough and on the international scene – when Council (EBC) also under pressure to fifty years ago the town became known meet targets. The challenge today, which as the home of the Beatles. Others in the Weybridge Society sees as a critical show business followed to settle on the part of its mission, is preserving Green famed St Georges Hill estate, and thus Belt as much as possible and retaining the outside image of Weybridge as a character from the past that makes place of money and opulence solidified Weybridge unique, beautiful and historic, in the public mind. In reality, as locals while integrating new developments to know, such vast wealth and fame remain meet 21st century needs. concentrated on estates like Ashley Park With the town’s character formed and Burwood Park and St Georges Hill over time through varied piece-meal in particular, where celebrities and the developments, Weybridge remains a super-rich, both foreign and UK, still opt place where it’s still easy to get lost to live. But even on these estates, as in in side streets, happen upon a slice the rest of town, change is constant, and of history and discover something many of the original Tarrant homes of new. Tree-lined roads and surviving the 1930s have long since made way for pieces of ancient heathland come in newer mansions. at strange angles: a reminder not only A secret known only to a few local of what was but what remains – some old-timers is that St Georges Hill also well-wooded screening! hides a fort and an isolated public Residents and visitors can also footpath, the latter a rare case in Britain. note the different ‘character areas’ that At the top of the hill that forms the estate exist, as EBC in 2011 produced a map lies the former site of an ancient Britons’ setting out such areas precisely for local iron age fort, once besieged by Roman planning purposes, identifying the main invaders and later known as Caesar’s town centre as along the High Street, camp. Half of this fort is designated as with a separate area Upper Weybridge an Ancient Monument (the other half is Village along Queens Road, and another under a house), and a public footpath still Oatlands Village along Oatlands Drive. runs around the old earth-walls of the fort. These character areas contain a varied Unfortunately, this site is now effectively mixture of houses of different vintages, stranded as increased security in recent with the north of the High Street years for the secretive homeowners particularly characterised by its 19th of St Georges Hill has made the whole century housing originally built for river- area virtually inaccessible except to workers. Oatlands area retains glorious them and golf and tennis club members. large Edwardian houses, while uniform However, as late as the 1980’s, the

18 Weybridge Society Newsletter – Autumn 2018 public could still walk or drive on the roads of the estate, and tours of the iron age ramparts were available. Weybridge residents now in their 80s well remember when children from town were allowed to come up during a snowfall to toboggan on the fairway outside the clubhouse, and one Society member even learned to ski there! There’s still much to discover wandering around Weybridge, a town of all walks of life, which now caters to commuters, retirees and young people alike. With its mix of schools, colleges, clubs and housing, and increasing amounts of retirement homes being built in recent years, undoubtedly, it’ll be a town that keeps changing – just as for the last 70 years, the Weybridge Society has worked to keep Weybridge an ever evolving but always great place to live!

HISTORY COMES ALIVE! A FUTURE US PRESIDENT’S VISIT TO WEYBRIDGE Many famous people have come through to George III, who reputedly turned his Weybridge and even lived here, but did back on him! you know that among them, one of the On 1 April of 1786, Jefferson and a most illustrious, was none other than colleague embarked on their two-day Thomas Jefferson, later third President of landscape garden tour of Surrey and the United States? Middlesex, beginning their Jefferson, a principal journey by renting a pair author of the Declaration of horses and a postilion, of Independence and US or lead rider, and travelling President from 1801 to first to see the sights of 1809, stayed in Weybridge Chiswick, Twickenham and on the evening of 2nd April Hampton Court. 1786. His foray into town The next day they was part of an extensive travelled to Esher Place, visit to nearby gardens and the first house and garden a larger trip to Britain that they visited in Surrey. included being presented Only a gatehouse now

19 Weybridge Society Newsletter – Autumn 2018 survives on the Esher estate, but in staying at the Postman’s Arms, where they his day, Jefferson would have seen a had a dinner of veal cutlets, mutton, beer remodelled Gothic palace and a park and wine. Jefferson’s account book shows laid out by famous landscaper William he paid £2.2s. for his stay in Weybridge, Kent, the same man who also created the including the hire of a post horse and gardens surrounding the palladian villa payment to the postilion. The next day Chiswick House. they went to Woburn Farm (later to be Later, they went on to Claremont and Woburn Park, now St George’s College) viewed another Kent-designed garden before returning to London. improved by Capability Brown, as well Jefferson’s interest in houses and as Claremount House, now a school. gardens continued throughout his life. Jefferson and friend then journeyed to Influenced by many features of English Painshill Park in Cobham, one of the architecture and garden design, he most famous 18th century gardens and adopted and redesigned many elements a major destination site. There Jefferson for his grand house and estate in particularly liked the Temple of Bacchus, Monticello, Virginia and in the eventual noting in his journal ‘Doric temple - construction of the University of Virginia beautiful’ – part of broader tributes in his in Charlottesville, the founding of which “Notes of a Tour of English Gardens.” he claimed to be among the greatest The pair finished the day in Weybridge accomplishments of his life.

REMEMBERING ‘THE MEN OF WEYBRIDGE’ ‘There is a good time coming when peace a harsh reminder of the realities of war returns to us,’ Alan Ferguson of The and the millions who served and died in Hollies in York Road, wrote to a friend on 7 that conflict, a reminder made ever more September 1915. Sadly, Ferguson did not poignant as across Britain towns like live to enjoy that peace -- he died of wounds Weybridge commemorate the centenary of on 4th July 1916, World War I. aged only twenty, Weybridge’s having gone straight War Memorial was from school to the unveiled to the First World War. public on 18 March Today, like the 1923 and every other 133 local November, around men who died in Remembrance that war, Ferguson Day on the 11th is among those of the month, a commemorated on ceremony is still Weybridge’s War held at the site. For Memorial at the some weeks after, top of Monument poppy wreaths and Hill. His story is crosses remain, but

20 Weybridge Society Newsletter – Autumn 2018 most local residents walk or drive past not (doctors, lawyers, teachers and engineers) knowing the history of the memorial or the but a large number were already serving in stories of the mostly young men who lived, the Armed Forces. Two cases stand out for served and died in that war. Centenary their quite exotic occupations: David Bryce commemorations are as good a time as Gillespie, a former fruit farmer in Canada, any to reclaim their lives as individuals, and Harold John Fossick Wilson, once a more than a mere list of names inscribed rubber planter in Malaysia. in Portland stone. With its scheme to The soldiers’ previous occupations light the War Memorial, the Weybridge and prosperity were also reflected in their Society further hopes to illuminate not only homes, and even today these serve as the memorial but also the public to this stark reminders of the socio-economic local history. differences among the men – but how little In 2013, local resident and Society that mattered in the end. Contrast the home member Anne Wright began researching of Arthur Plater Nasmith, a stockbroker who the lives and deaths of those the Memorial lived at Clevehurst on Queen’s Road, with calls ‘The Men of Weybridge.’ She wanted its sixteen rooms and four domestic staff to know about their families, education, at the time, with the life of Henry Anthony jobs and military experiences – to follow Herbert, a contracting carter, who began them as closely as possible from birth to the his married life in just two rooms at Bryher very end and understand what roles they on Radnor Road. played in great battles or even the tedium Researching the mens’ lives also of trench life. Over five years, she came to unearthed stirring accounts of courage and know them as real people. Here she shares endurance – a testament to the human spirit some her vivid details: and the kind of goodwill that stands the test Of those inscribed on the Memorial, of time. John Percy Batey, a Chemistry the oldest to die, aged 57, was Edward graduate of Manchester University who Feetham, a distinguished career soldier lodged with Arthur and Annie Baynes of who fought in the Sudan in the 1880s and 1, Oak Villas in Dorchester Road, enlisted in the Boer War at the turn of the century. in January 1915 and in May of that year The youngest were three 18-year-olds: joined the Royal Engineers. In 1918 he was Frank Wills who lied about his age to enlist, awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal: William Pavey, who was born in Weybridge ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to and worked for the Post Office, and Cecil duty. He volunteered no less than eleven Lucas, another Weybridge native and occasions in one month to conduct parties the seventh of eight children. While some carrying rations and supplies over a very soldiers listed on the Memorial were not much exposed area that was being heavily born in Weybridge, thirty-one of the men shelled…’ Batey was killed in action on were baptised at the Parish Church of St 9 April 1918, having served three years James, with three teachers of St James’ and ninety days. School (then located in Baker Street) and Meanwhile the previously mentioned fifty-one ‘old boys’ among the deceased. wealthy Nasmith was awarded the A majority of those commemorated had Distinguished Service Order for preparing been employed before the war in business, and leading an attack on an enemy retail, services and the professions trench near Montaubon on 1 Nov. 1916.

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His citation explains his award: ‘For Octavius Brown (Alexandria, Egypt) and conspicuous gallantry in action. He Claud Leslie Sparrow (Yemen). displayed great courage and initiative in Walking through Weybridge we walk organising and leading a successful attack. in their footsteps, so let us truly remember He set a splendid example throughout.’ He them – and let’s care for our Memorial so was killed in action on 23 April 1917. future generations can also remember! One of the most heart-rending tales of the ‘Men of Weybridge’ is that of Harold For more information on the ‘Men of Frederick Thomas Bullen. A Weybridge Weybridge’ and Anne Wright’s astounding lad born in town and baptised at St James’ five years of research on the 134 local Church, Bullen attended St James’ School men commemorated on Weybridge’s War and was a member of the Weybridge Memorial, see the Surrey History Centre: Cadets and an employee of Lang’s www.surreyinthegreatwar.org.uk/story/men- Propellers. Bullen survived the siege of Kut- of-weybridge el-Amara (then in Mesopotamia, now Iraq) By making these profiles public, the History from December 1915 to April 1916 before Centre hopes that descendants and family being taken prisoner by the Turks. The members still in the area may be able to prisoners were paraded through the streets contribute more information. of Baghdad, where they were reviled, before being driven across the Syrian Desert with the liberal use of rifle butts and whips. A surviving officer recalled this ARE YOU READY march as ‘brutal and hellish.’ His family’s TO BE YOUR BEST? letters to Turkey were returned unopened and for a long time his fate was unknown. Speech and Drama Teacher and Coach Finally, in 1919 it emerged he had died at Celia Andrews LLAM AISTD the end of September 1916 in a prisoner of war camp at Adana, southern Turkey. Like • All aspects of the spoken Ferguson, who hoped to see peace, Bullen and presented word had been only twenty years old. • Relaxation - Breathing - Voice - No one perusing the locations of the Reading Aloud graves and memorials of these men can doubt that the war in which they perished • Elocution - Acting - Auditions - Speeches and Presentations was truly a world war. Unsurprisingly, most can be found in cemeteries in • Own LAMDA Examination Centre France or Belgium, but seven rest in • Small groups or individual tuition our local cemetery, including Captain

Thomas Ivess. The far flung include 66 Berkeley Court, Oatlands Drive, Reginald Sidney Hammerton (Turkey), Weybridge, KT13 9HY John Charles Temple Gaskell (Tanzania), Charles Hanford Herbert (Genoa, Italy), Tel: 01932 226458 Albert William Chivers (Jerusalem, Israel), Mob: 07956 974287 William Henry Guilford (Baghdad, Iraq), www.celiaandrews.com William James Carpenter (India), Victor

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WEYBRIDGE SOCIETY 2018 AWARDS AT HEATHSIDE Each year the Weybridge Society honours three stages, Bronze, Silver and Gold, with two students, in year 11 and 13 at local each stage demanding increasing efforts secondary school Heathside, in order to in expeditions and voluntary work. Few highlight and support young people working students embark on and complete Gold; to make Weybridge a better place to live. those who do are invited to St. James’s Palace to receive their awards. Year 11 student Oliver Dobson won the prize for his performance in his Silver expeditions. He had not undertaken the Bronze and yet stood out as an excellent leader and navigator. Oliver’s contribution to the wider community, including volunteering at Brooklands Museum, was judged by the school as ‘an excellent example of what the

Niall McNamara Oliver Dobson award scheme is all about.’ Year 13 winner Niall McNamara This year Heathside awarded the showed great enthusiasm, commitment Society’s two prizes to the students and leadership during his gruelling Gold participating in the Duke of Edinburgh qualifying expedition in Dartmoor last year, (DoE) scheme, a national program founded helping his group to go from strength to by the Duke of Edinburgh to encourage strength. Combined with his dedication students to take on a variety of challenges to community service, especially his that stretch them physically and emotionally volunteering at Weybridge library in which and which require them to demonstrate he took great pride, Niall well deserves this high levels of leadership and community award and his visit to St James’ Palace service. The DoE takes students through next year!

I LOVE WEYBRIDGE STUDENT PHOTO COMPETITION WINNERS From mid-April to end-June 2018, St Georges College and Heathside. the Society ran its first ever The Society hopes to make this I LOVE WEYBRIDGE Student Photo photo competition an annual event Competition, with the theme and thanks all those who entered the SPRING INTO ACTION! competition. We also greatly thank Winners were chosen and our local businesses for donating announced in early July, with entries prizes, including Dominos, Aromas, from nearly all the invited schools, Artwork Framers and Gallery, including St Georges Junior School, Weybridge Sports and Weybridge St Charles Borromeo Primary School, Books.

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8 to 12 (Junior) Category

First Place Jake Meyburgh, age: 9, St George’s Junior School, Prizes: Aromas coffee and cakes voucher, book

Second Place Annie Shattock, age: 11, St. Charles Borromeo Primary School, Prizes: Pizza voucher, book

Third Place Jessica Maxwell, age 11, St. George’s Junior School. Prize: Pizza Voucher

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12 to 15 (Senior) Category

First Place Jessica Oldfield Heathside Prizes: Frame shop voucher, Weybridge Sports voucher, Pizza voucher

Second Place Romilly Lidster Heathside Prizes: Weybridge Sports voucher, Pizza voucher, book

Third Place Lucy Kimmins Heathside Prizes: Weybridge Sports voucher, Pizza voucher, book

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WEYBRIDGE SOCIETY SUMMER PARTY It was a great day in the Weybridge Society’s social calendar, thanks to the generosity of Anne and Ray Lindsay, who hosted the annual Weybridge Summer Garden Party at Splash, their riverside house and garden. Members ate, drank and made merry despite the heat of July 1st, and the raffle provided amusement along with great conversations among old friends. The Society thanks our Patron Michael Aspel for giving out the raffle prizes – the event raised £603 which will be donated to charity!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR EXISTING MEMBERS

Are you missing out on our regular New subscription rates emails? Did you get them in the past? We Since 2017 subscriptions have been £8 send out emails several times a month with for Individual members and £12 for Joint urgent news and updates on the issues members. Many people have old bank we’re following. But we can’t inform you if standing orders paying incorrect rates we don’t have your current email address and as a result we are currently losing – so get in touch if you haven’t heard from about £400 a year! Of course, we have us lately! Email is now our primary mode of many members still generously giving us communications with members. considerably more than the old minimum and we’re happy for that to continue. But Online membership system please do check your payments to make Using their current email address, sure they’re at least the minimum amount! Individual Members and the Lead member of a Joint membership have access to Gift Aid is a priority the Society’s membership system. That’s We ask all members responsible for how we keep accounts and how you can payments who are UK tax payers to agree update all your personal details, including to Gift Aid. This must be done by your payments. We need you to help us keep specific agreement. We do this with a ‘tick up-to-date, so get online today! box’ in the member’s personal details on

26 Weybridge Society Newsletter – Autumn 2018 our online system. Again, this is why we please note it is not about online banking need email addresses – so members can or using a credit/debit card. This is simply use this facility. Gift Aid payments help us the modern version of a standing order, enormously – it’s a bonus to the Society but with a bank guarantee to refund any of an extra 25%! We estimate that we disputed payments. But it’s only available are currently losing about £800 per year to paying members for whom we have a because many payments are not gift aided. current email address and who use the Please Gift Aid us! online service. While we understand that some members with standing orders do Payment methods not wish to change, at the very least please We strongly encourage all members to pay make sure payments reflect the current via our Direct Debit facility. It is a well proven subscription rates (see above). and secure way, with over a third of paying members using it. It’s less cumbersome than Growth in new members cashing cheques and a huge benefit to us The online membership facility together as it reduces much work and administrative with Direct Debit payment has enabled us costs. Please sign up for this automated to take on over 180 new members in the payment system! last 19 months. That is an amazing 35% For those skittish about Direct Debit, increase in membership over the period.

PLEASE ACT NOW Email [email protected] or telephone 01932 841135

►► Email addresses – let us have your latest address

►► Paying by Direct Debit - let us know if you are going to cancel an existing bank standing order. We will then send you a payment request email at the appropriate renewal time and you will be able to set up the direct debit online. Note: additional donations, above the standard subscription levels, are available to choose when using the online facility.

►► Old standing orders – if you are going to stay with a standing order please make sure it is at least the minimum for the current subscription rates. This you will have to change at your bank.

News Letter Comments - Did anything catch your eye in this newsletter, or would you like to make a comment to the editor? Your feedback would be appreciated. Please let us know through [email protected]

27 Weybridge Society Newsletter – Autumn 2018

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE & CHARITY TRUSTEES

Chairman Dave Arnold [email protected]

Trustee and Footpaths Richard Marshall [email protected]

Trustee Raymond Spary

Liaison Local Groups Barry Judd [email protected]

Trustee Nick Thripp

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Treasurer Andy Richardson [email protected]

Comms & Web Editor Steve McCarthy [email protected]

Secretary Fiona O’Driscoll [email protected]

Membership Secretary Trevor Lewis [email protected]

Newsletter Editor Lesia Scholey [email protected]

Newsletter Distribution Anne Lindsay [email protected]

Mervyn Greig

OTHER CONTACTS

Cay-Joachim Planning Riverside [email protected] Crasemann

Planning Oatlands Tim Williams [email protected]

Planning St Georges Tim Williams [email protected]

Credits: Newsletter layout by Steve Varman St. James photos by courtesy of Freddie Finn Thanks to contributors: Anne Wright, Steve McCarthy, Richard Marshall, Carol Merritt

Registered charity #1167053