Winter 2010 Hon
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Weybridge Society Your Residents’ Association – Working to keep Weybridge a pleasant place to live Winter 2010 Hon. Patron - Michael Aspel, OBE Would you like to join To Join the Weybridge Society? Everyone wants a little By joining us you will be able to add your voice and weight to our campaigns. The Society has been going for over 50 years and during that time has gained the respect of borough and piece of Weybridge county councillors. We support new initiatives and guard OR nearly 60 years, Heathrow and Gatwick airports and against inappropriate development. We also work closely with Weybridge Society has five minutes from the M25 motor- Neighbourhood Watch and the police to ensure a safe and represented and way. It’s pleasantly situated near the secure environment for all who live and work in Weybridge. watched over the River Thames on the River Wey; Please contact any member listed on Page 2 for details interests of local where it gets its name; near a host of residents, sought to safeguard and tourist attractions; Brooklands The next meeting of the Weybridge Society enhance local amenities, conveyed Museum, Royal Horticultural F will be held on: members’ views to the Borough Society Garden at Wisley and and County Councils and to the Hampton Court to name a few. Wednesday Member of Parliament. It’s little wonder developers are Weybridge Society has no knocking down large houses in order December 8, 2010 political affiliations, or does not put to build more flats to meet the starting at 8pm up candidates for election to the increasing demand of newcomers in the hall of the Catholic Church, Borough or County Councils. Our wanting to come to our town. Christ the Prince of Peace, Portmore Park Road, motto is ‘Working to Keep So where does the Weybridge Weybridge Weybridge a Pleasant Place to Live’ Society fit in now? We still have the The speaker will be In 60 years there has been an enor- same aim as our predecessors – mous amount of change. In those Keep Weybridge a Pleasant Place to early days Weybridge was more like Live’. Are we doing that for our Helen Mills a village. The transistor radio had yet residents and members effectively who will give an illustrated talk entitled to change modern culture. The and efficiently? Joe Hall Southampton to London steam trains l We want to ask you our members. ‘Plotting in the Women's were a common sight at Weybridge Are we effective, would we be more station. James Stewart, John Wayne, effective and influence councils if our Auxiliary Air Force’ and Marlon Brando were at the peak membership was larger? Helen Mills was involved with Fighter Command during the of their popularity. How should we go about increasing Second World War plotting aircraft movements Today we live in far different soci- membership and welcoming new ety. The internet has brought about residents? Are the joining methods an unlimited source of information. We can communicate freely every- adequate? Do we communicate effi- In the New Year the first meeting of Weybridge Society where in the world, even with some- ciently with our members? Do you will be held on one on a desert island. We can travel have adequate opportunities and plat- quickly and easily on fast roads and forms to debate issues and have your Wednesday 19th January, 2011 fast trains. say? Are we addressing the right starting at 8pm So what about our modern issues – we have mainly focused on in the hall of the Catholic Church, Weybridge. It’s well connected to planning and transport issues? Christ the Prince of Peace, Portmore Park Road, London with two fast trains every Should we be doing other things? Weybridge hour. It’s conveniently situated for Drop us a line or email us with your The speaker will be commerce, half way between views. www .weybridgesociety.org.uk Jason Debney Co-ordinator Thames Landscape Strategy who will give an illustrated presentation entitled ‘The Thames Landscape Strategy – including possible effects on the Weybridge area’ www.weybridgesociety.org.uk or write to us at: Weybridge Society, PO Box 492, A snapshot of glorious times past. This stunning photograph was taken recently by Chris Nevard and shows The Cathedrals Express roaring through Weybridge Weybridge, Surrey KT13 8WX CHRISTMAS SHOPPING – SUPPORT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES AND RETAILERS, AND DO YOUR SHOPPING IN WEYBRIDGE – IN THESE HARD TIMES WE SHOULD SUPPORT OUR LOCAL TRADERS – ‘USE THEM, OR LOSE THEM’ – IT WOULD BE SAD TO SEE WEYBRIDGE WITH MANY EMPTY SHOPS 2 The Weybridge Society Newsletter – Winter 2010 The Society website Obituary: www.weybridgesociety.org.uk John Bartlett EYBRIDGE has lost a We are always looking to improve our website great campaigning champion in the Please log on and take some time to have a passing of John Bartlett, good look at the site. on August 17, 2010, As well as giving lots of information about the after a long and courageous fight against Wcancer. John was a member of the Society and its activities it also has information Weybridge Society, having served on the about many local organisations and things of Committee for many years. interest to residents of Weybridge. His great experience gained from his Use the drop down menus at the top of the profession as an architect were page to look at all the listings. If you see some- invaluable to the Society, and his advice and guidance set the standard thing missing, out of date information or would for its approach to development just like to make a comment, then please click applications which continues today. on the following link to send an email to the Whilst a Committee member, he website editor at: webmaster@weybridge worked for the granting of Grade II John Bartlett who passed away in August listed status for the Churchfields society.org.uk Institute (now the children’s day for regulatory affairs and membership of nursery), and the gates to the Recreation various committees, including, of Oatlands Avenue closure Grounds, and he was involved in all course, planning. To all these posts he took his professional experience and TWO sections of Oatlands Avenue were closed on the Conservation Areas, Weybridge (Monument Green); Weybridge Town passion for good design. October 25th for one week. One section was Centre and River Wey Navigation. John’s charm and friendship will be outside Cleves School – between Beechwood In May 2000 he was elected as a missed by everyone who knew him, and Avenue and Sterling Place– and the other section member of Elmbridge Borough Council, Weybridge Society sent condolences to his wife, Sheila and his family. was at the Queens Road end – from Queens Road for the St George’s Hill Ward. This meant that he had to give up his place on Many members attended his memorial to Woodland Way – The Society’s website the Weybridge Society Committee. service on Thursday, September 9, 2010, announced this closure before it appeared in the However, the Society’s loss was in St James Church, Weybridge. local press, enabling many of our members to certainly Elmbridge’s gain. John’s His family requested that tributes to experience was invaluable in the roles John should be recorded by donations to avoid congestion and plan alternative routes. he undertook including portfolio holder the Sam Beare Hospice. Committee list Chairman: Barry Judd 13 Barham Close KT13 9PR 853895 chairman@weybridgesociety .org.uk Vice Chair & Education: Derek Lindfield 17 Marlborough Drive KT13 8PA 849020 [email protected] Treasurer: Andrew Davis 20 Holstein Avenue KT13 8NX 840888 [email protected] Secretary: Carolyn Pennycook Redstairs Brooklands Rd KT13 0QZ 848244 [email protected] Membership: Maggie Alderman John Bartlett pictured at the Weybridge Society ‘Splash’ summer party held in June this year, sitting 8 Melrose Road KT13 8UP 843344 between Jean White, and John Pennycook. His wife Sheila Bartlett, is sitting opposite with a plant [email protected] Photo Courtesy of Maureen McClean www.maureenmclean.co.uk Distribution: Anne Lindsay Splash Wey Meadows KT13 8XY 854204 Splash Summer party raises cash for Sam Beare [email protected] Committee Planning: Raymond Spary members Anne Shambles Round Oak Rd KT13 8HT 888214 Lindsay and [email protected] Annette Davies presented a cheque Footpaths: Richard Marshall for £794 at the last 12 Churchfields Avenue KT13 9YA 849513 Society meeting, to [email protected] Emma Cartwright, Assistant Director Events : Annette Davies of Fundraising for 11 Churchill Drive KT13 9HE 844664 the Woking and [email protected] Sam Beare Hospices. Minutes: Trevor Tarring This money was Robin Hill Brooks Close KT13 0LX 843428 raised by our mem- [email protected] bers at the Splash Summer party held Transport: Joe Hall in June which was 242 Brooklands Road KT13 ORD 859595 a great success [email protected] Photo: Newsletter: Guest Editor, Kevin Walker Kevin Walker 07768 930001 [email protected] The Weybridge Society Newsletter – Winter 2010 3 Inspector Steve Cheeseman head of the Surrey Police Guest speaker Division of The South East Air Support Unit Did You Know? ITH THE 70th anniversary of The Battle of Britain very much in the news Wthis year, the following extract from Neil White’s book Weybridge Past (published by Phillimore) concern- ing St George’s Hill Golf Club may be of interest to members. Between the two wars the course achieved its greatest fame and was patronised by royalty, with the Prince of Wales accepting captaincy of the club in 1934-5. The meeting at Christ the Prince of Peace hall was very well attended.