Registered Charity No: 287803 AUTUMN 2019 NEWSLETTER Jan Julie Last I moved to Roger Pashley has been on the Having lived in the Waterhouse in 1986 with my Committee a number of years. Ottershaw area since has served on husband Barry and we are He has just handed over the birth Graham Mitson the Ottershaw both happily retired now. I job of Treasurer to Julie Last, has served on the Society previously worked in accounts but continues to send out Ottershaw Society committee and office management and ALERTS and help with the committee for around since 2017. administration of the the last 15 years with a was with my last firm in Committee. special interest in for 11 years until Roger is a retired Chartered planning matters. retirement. Accountant who worked for Graham also organises My main hobby is my over 30 years as Finance the Village Christmas allotment which I have had Director of a national charity, decorations and sets up for over 15 years and it’s still Age Concern , which the village hall for talks a work in progress...... I took now operates as Age UK. and meetings. on Hon Treasurer duties for In the village he is a member our allotment Association and Treasurer of Christ Church, some 8 years ago, and have Ottershaw, a bellringer and also joined the committee for helps with the Independent the annual Ottershaw Mayfair Examination of several other and that keeps us busy for 2 village organisations. or 3 months after Christmas and leading up to the event. Barry and I hope to include some travel during our retirement, fitting it around The Society was formed in 1981 and works to the growing season obviously! help preserve and develop features of historic, I was prompted to volunteer natural and public interest in the village of as Hon Treasurer for the Ottershaw. We look at planning applications Society after hearing that the of a mainly local nature but we also monitor Society was in jeopardy of issues that may impact on our community, folding due to lack of volunteers for officer Registered Charity No: 287803 representing on behalf of the community positions and we are still where necessary. hopeful someone will step forward as Secretary.

www.facebook.com/ottershawsociety www.ottershawsociety.org 2 | Page Brian Williams I moved to Ottershaw James Robinson has lived Mark Burgess I moved to in 2004 with my wife Jacqui. My family with his wife Angela in Ottershaw in 2014 with my moved to from the Isle of Ottershaw with their young husband Darren and we Wight, where I was born, in about family for 7 years. share our house with our two 1950 and I have lived in this general Professionally James works labradors Rusty and area ever since. I can remember with brands who want to Alfie. After far too many Ottershaw before it had a improve their sales through years commuting into the roundabout!! After studying e-commerce. I enjoy the City I have now been self Aeronautical Engineering at the Royal local park run and employed in the fitness Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough I Ottershaw’s close transport industry for 8 years as a PT, eventually joined British European links to from Woking sports massage therapist and Airways in 1967, now British Airways and further afield through running fitness classes at (BA), at Heathrow. I worked in a small Heathrow airport. James has various gyms in the area. I specialist engineering department been on the committee since also volunteer for Outline which carried out Non Destructive 2014 and believes , an LGBT+ charity, Inspection on aircraft engines and passionately that Ottershaw where I am also secretary structures. During my time there I must evolve to accommodate and a trustee. If I get any represented BA as Chairman of the the needs of its residents spare time I like going to the Aerospace Group of a National whilst remaining a semi rural cinema and theatre and Engineering Institute and latterly as safe haven from city life. enjoy meeting up with Vice Chairman of a National Aerospace friends and family for nights Engineering Board which I helped to out and weekends away. establish at the requirement of the UK Civil Aviation Authority. JOINING THE OTTERSHAW SOCIETY I joined the Ottershaw Society at the Membership of the Ottershaw Society gives you an May Fair in 2005. I was encouraged to opportunity to support the local community and at the very join the committee, at the persuasion least to know what is going on. We regard it as essential that of Reg Taylor, a couple of years later. I members make their views known to us, so that we can am very keen to continue the good reflect this in any submissions we make. If you want to be work that the Ottershaw Society has kept informed about local issues and are not already a achieved over many years and have member, please do consider joining. The current subscription recently taken on the role of Chair. fees: Single person £6, Couple £9, Single pensioner £4, Couple pensioners £6. Please contact our Treasurer, Julie Last, if you would like to join. e-mail: [email protected] 2019 OTTERSHAW SOCIETY AGM The Society AGM was held in the Ottershaw Village Hall on 24 September 2019. After being without a Chair for several years, Brian Williams had agreed to take on this job for a year, with a possibility of a second year. Julie Last took over as Treasurer from Roger Pashley, who had been in this post for 32 years. A Secretary was still, however, needed. Other committee members re- Trevor Young moved to Ottershaw from Walton-on elected for 2019/2020 were: Angela Robinson, like Thames in October 1971 with his Mark Burgess, Graham Mitson, James, has lived in wife Vicky and son Gordon. James and Angela Robinson, Ottershaw for 7 years. Those were the days before the Roger Pashley, Trevor Young Surrey born and raised, roundabout came into existence and Jan Waterhouse. I work full time as a and the Shell Garage opposite parent to my two Trident was a vacant piece of rascals. I have a land. I was employed by Midland It was reported that it had background in creative Bank (now HSBC) for 36 years of been a busy year with much design and marketing, which 24 years were in happening on the Planning having worked with management. I then took early front, with the examination of Harvey Nichols, retirement, which enabled me to Wonderbra, Shock pursue other interests including the new Local Plan and Absorber sports bras giving some of my time to developments at and Playtex, I took on charity. I always been interested and possibly at Fairoaks. There the role of Ottershaw in sport, and played football, was some discussion, Society Newsletter cricket and golf at various stages particularly around matters Editor in 2015 and I in my life. I have been a member concerning the A320, parking have been in charge of of the Ottershaw Society for the webpage and social many years and joined the and traffic calming issues. The media sites for the committee 15 years ago when I financial position was healthy, Society since I became a saw an article in the Newsletter mainly due to the receipt of committee member in that more committee members sponsorship for the excellent 2014. were required. In my time on the Newsletter, produced by committee I have been Angela. The full Annual Report I am passionate about responsible for the Newsletter our village and ensuring distribution, setting up our May and Accounts can be found on that it is a safe and Fair stall and other events the Society website: happy place for people together with publicity and www.ottershawsociety.org. to live. advertising.

www.facebook.com/ottershawsociety www.ottershawsociety.org 4 | Page TALKS FOR THE 2019-2020 SEASON Ottershaw Village Hall, Brox Road, Ottershaw All talks begin at 8:00pm Everybody is welcome to these events, whether they be members or non- members. There is a fee of £1 for members and £2 for non-members paid at the door, to cover the speakers’ expenses and cost of refreshments. 26th November 2019 ‘Canaletto along the Thames’ by Nick Pollard

Giovanni Antonio Canal (18 October 1697 – 19 April 1768), better known as Canaletto was an Italian painter of city views or vedute, of Venice, Rome and London. He also painted imaginary views (referred to as capricci), although the demarcation in his works between the real and the imaginary is never quite clearcut.

He was further an important printmaker using the etching technique. In the period from 1746 to 1756 he worked in England where he painted many views of London, including Walton on Thames and Windsor.

28th January 2020 ‘Life at 51 degrees south (Falkland Islands)’ by Major Rob Marshall

We were posted to the Falkland Islands for two years, the most remote British overseas territory. With a lot of travelling experience and an open mind we faced many hurdles, lack of fresh food, limited communication and unpredictable transport home. The presentation is an insight to living by your wits embracing a totally unfamiliar lifestyle. With the war of 1962 within living memory we experienced modern garrison life, probably the only place left in the British forces where this exists.

25th February 2020 ‘A Miscellany of Woking History’ by David Rose

Featuring the ; one of the many towns that started life with the coming of the railways with lots of old photographs of the town.

Modern Woking was formed in the area to the south of the Basingstoke Canal (opened in 1794) around the railway station, built in 1838 at the junction between the lines to London, the south coast, and the south-west of England, and the private railway to Brookwood Cemetery. As a result, the original settlement 1 mile to the south-east, on the River Wey, became known as Old Woking.

24th March 2020 ‘My Role as a Governor of St. Peters & Ashford Hospitals’ by Danny Sparkes

This will include her work as a Governor of these hospitals and all the developments that are planned for the hospital site in the next few years, which will have started by the time of this talk.

www.facebook.com/ottershawsociety www.ottershawsociety.org 5 | Page OTTERSHAW MAY FAIR THE MARTIANS ARE BANK HOLIDAY FRIDAY 8TH MAY 2020 COMING… A film crew were recently The 2020 May Fair will be taking place on Bank spotted at Horsell Common Holiday Friday 8th May – so please put the date in shooting a new version of the your diaries now! If you are interested in helping War of the Worlds. This famous at the Fair, the Ottershaw Community Partnership story, written by HG Wells while would really appreciate the help. he was living in Woking, Following this year’s successful Fair, the OCP are features Horsell Common as the now accepting applications for grants. As a setting for the first Martian community partnership they exist to re-distribute landing. The Horsell Common the proceeds from the Fair every year to Preservation Society urge organisations that need financial support for items people to "beware, the such as equipment, tools, educational materials Martians are coming!“ and technology. If you are interested in applying for a grant or join the OCP’s team of volunteers, NUMBER 1 PRACTICE please email: [email protected] IN SURREY SLOW DOWN!!! BEFORE SOMEONE Congratulations to New Ottershaw Surgery for beating GETS HURT! 115 other GP practices across Following the Surrey to claim number one recent works and position as the patients' choice closure of the for the second year running in A320, Brox Road the 2019 GP Patient Survey by and neighbouring NHS England. The ranking is roads have based on patients' responses to increasingly been used as a rat run by drivers seven key areas including how avoiding the queues. easy it is to get an appointment, Fear of speeding cars with people and animals whether opening times are risking their lives to dodge the traffic saw convenient, whether people passionate 11yr old Evie Pashley decide to act by trust their GP, whether their GP creating and placing 30mph speed signs asking listens to them, whether their drivers to respect the speed limit and slow down GP treats them with care and along Brox Road. concern, whether receptionists are helpful and how patients rate their overall experience. The Surgery welcomes feedback about all aspects of its service so that they can continue to deliver a high level of service for our community.

www.facebook.com/ottershawsociety www.ottershawsociety.org 6 | Page PLANNING UPDATE By Hannah Lane The developers of Fairoaks Airport have submitted revised plans to their RU.18/1615 planning application to and Councils. The main development of the Garden Village and increased business/industrial park is in Surrey Heath, who will be the main determinator of the application. However, all the open space---the SANGS (Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space) space that has to be provided to relieve visitors accessing the adjacent and Horsell Commons) is in Runnymede, just to the south of Ottershaw Mansion. The development is up to 1,000 residential units, the business/industrial park, new major access off the A319 at the present entrance, and changes to the access roads in Chobham etc. This larger access will not only be the main road into the residential part but will continue onto the A320 to come out between Wey Lodge and Durnford House at a major junction on this already busy road. This revised application has only minor changes; therefore the main principles of the development have not changed. If you wrote into RBC and/or Surrey Heath Councils, you should have received a letter informing you of this matter. Those wishing to make further comments had to write into the two Councils by the end of September. If this development on the borders of Ottershaw goes ahead the extra traffic generated will have considerable impact on our village. At the present time Surrey Heath are programming in a decision on this application early in 2020, but as the timetable has already been delayed by a year, there is no guarantee when a decision will be taken. RUNNYMEDE LOCAL PLAN EXAMINATION The final Stage 3 hearing will take place on 14th November 2019. This will be entirely on the effect of all the new developments in Runnymede, especially in our area, on the A320 and Junction 11 of the M25. Highways England had registered an objection to the Local Plan on the extra traffic being generated onto the M25 at Junction 11 but have now agreed mitigation measures with RBC and SCC. Therefore they have withdrawn their objection. RBC and SCC have also now reached a `Statement of Common Ground` on taking the work on the improvements to the A320 forward. New consultants are being appointed. The timetable for the detailed design and eventual actual work, has programmed in a Public Consultation in May 2020. The Stage 3 hearing will only be about these two traffic matters, it will NOT revisit all the other topics in the Local Plan that have all been discussed in the Stage 1 and Stage 2 hearings in November 2018 and February 2019 respectively. Brian Williams will be representing the Society as at the previous Stages. If the Inspector approves the Plan, there are likely to be some alterations, which may have to be consulted on. So RBC is looking to approve the Plan in summer 2020. Should the Inspector not approve the Plan, then that is a whole new situation for RBC and its residents. Details of the papers provided by the Council to inform this Stage 3 hearing and details of the examination and updates from the Inspector can be found on this link https://www.runnymede.gov.uk/article/16273/Runnymede-2030-Local-Plan- Examination

www.facebook.com/ottershawsociety www.ottershawsociety.org 7 | Page JUBILEE HIGH: YOUR LOCAL SCHOOL AND MEET THE HEAD OF SCHOOL By Mark Conroy, Head of School, Jubilee High I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to introduce myself as the Head of School of Jubilee High and to talk about the school that I am extremely proud of. Over the years and the site it occupies have been known by several different names. Do you remember St. Paul’s Middle School, the merger with The Meads in Chertsey and Abbeylands? Despite the name changes over past years we are now (and will stay) Jubilee High School, a small secondary school with fantastic students, facilities and great results.

I became Jubilee High’s Head of School over a year ago and I’ve been teaching for more years than I care to remember! I started my career in North-West London as a Maths and Physical Education teacher and until last year was Deputy Headteacher at the Matthew Arnold School in Staines. Despite the previous year being very busy, as any new job can be, it has been the most professionally gratifying year I’ve ever had. It has been an absolute joy to work with students, parents, staff and the local community culminating in an enormous sense of pride when last year’s extremely positive GCSE results were released, and I spent the morning with the students and their parents celebrating their success.

A student recently asked me what I actually did, what the job of a Head of School entailed as she often saw me visiting lessons throughout the day, out on duty during break and lunch times and greeting students on their journey to and from school at the start and end of the school day. I was delighted she summed my job up so succinctly, but I did add that I lead the development of the whole school ensuring our standards are consistently strong and our students have access to great teachers and good resources.

www.facebook.com/ottershawsociety www.ottershawsociety.org 8 | Page It’s been a pleasure to see our new Year 7 students completing their first half-term at Secondary school so positively. The change from Primary school to Secondary school can appear daunting to Yr 6 children so our teachers and students visit our local Primary schools to support the transfer to ‘big school’. Our Primary partners also have easy access to our teachers, we lay on taster lessons and they regularly use our resources like our wonderful theatre, science laboratories, design technology suites and our dance studios. These and all our other great facilities mean that we can provide our students with 50 extra-curricular clubs and societies after school each week including rowing, the Duke of Edinburgh Award and a huge range of other activities and sports.

You may be able to tell that I am really very ambitious for my students and I stand by our school mantra of ‘excellence in learning and teaching’. I make a point of talking to all the students about our high expectations, being life-long learners and how to make the best possible use of their learning experience at school and I apply this to my own teaching of our Year11s. My ‘Team Conroy’ mathematicians are a superb group of students who I know are hungry to get the best in their GCSE exams.

We’ve just completed our season of Open Days for prospective Primary students but if you missed these and would like to see the school in action, please call 01932 884800 or email us at [email protected] to book a visit. I’d be delighted to welcome you to Jubilee High.

www.facebook.com/ottershawsociety www.ottershawsociety.org 9 | Page LETS ALL DO OUR BIT WHAT GOES IN YOUR RECYCLING BIN?

There have been a few changes to what the council will accept in your blue-lidded recycling bin because they are using a different sorting facility. Please check below to find out what we can and cannot recycle in Runnymede. If you have put the wrong items in your recycling bin, it will not be emptied. Putting the wrong thing inside your bin could: • Spoil the lorry load of recycling and it would potentially have to be disposed of as waste • Be dangerous and unpleasant for the people who sort it • Waste taxpayers' money

WANT TO KNOW WHICH BIN TO PUT SOMETHING IN OR WHERE TO TAKE IT? There is a handy app that will allow you to search for an item and tell you how to recycle, compost or dispose of it. Simply click on the links below or search “Surrey Recycles” at your preferred App store.

YES PLEASE! NO THANKS!

• Dry cardboard and paper • Any type of plastic bags, including • Rinsed tins and cans carrier bags, bin bags or liners, plastic • film/wrapping, soil and fertilizer bags, Rinsed plastic pots, tubs and trays (lids sandwich bags, fruit and vegetable included but separate) packaging and nappy sacks • Plastic bottles including cleaning • bottles, toiletry bottles and drink Cling film and bubble wrap bottles • Batteries • Rinsed glass jars (with lids) • Light bulbs • Glass bottles • Polystyrene • Junk mail • Wet paper or card • Magazines and newspapers • Aerosol cans • Clean aluminum foil - scrunched up • Dirty aluminium foil into a ball • Crisp packets • Shredded paper (please ensure this is • Cartons and Tetra Pak contained in a box or envelope) • Nappies and sanitary/incontinence We can take excess if it is placed in a products cardboard box next to your recycling bin on • Wood and metal objects your collection day. We can only collect dry • recycling though so please do not put it Takeaway pizza boxes next to your bin if it is raining or going to be a wet day as otherwise, we will have to leave it.

www.facebook.com/ottershawsociety www.ottershawsociety.org 10 | Page SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL NEWS By Melville Few Surrey County Councillor for , Lyne, Thorpe, Longcross, Ottershaw Cabinet Member: Finance & Property. [email protected] Tel: 07889126439.

New Role: My responsibilities as Cabinet Member for finance has been increased with the added portfolio of property. As you can imagine it is a large and complex portfolio which includes the country-side estates, office accommodation, fire stations, schools (except those which have transferred to Academies or new Free Schools where the property is transferred at no cost and taken out of the County owned assets) and all the Community recycling centres. A recent Cabinet decision to invest in providing over 883 places for children with special needs was approved at the September meeting and plans will shortly be presented for approval for the development on county owned land for ‘extra care’ housing for those ageing vulnerable adults who qualify for supported living. A new build fire station in Fordbridge (along the A308) near Sunbury has opened for operations.

Highways: Highways England have issued new guidelines which direct local authorities to cut grass verges only twice a year, down from four times a year. The move is hoped to encourage greater wildflower diversity across the country, as well as save money for councils and increase pollinator habitats. No doubt this guideline will become practice going forward.

Communication with the County: It is interesting to see the level of resident communications with the Council. Below are some of the subjects that the Contact Centre handled in the month of August 2019: • Children’s services : 5690 • Adult Social Care : 2450 • Highways enquiries: 2433 • School Transport: 1146 As a further indication of the growth in online activities the Council’s web site recorded 1,314,087 hits so far this year.

Climate Emergency: In line with this policy the Council has adopted a policy to plant one tree for each resident (circa 1.2m) over the next 5 years. Surrey is the most ‘tree’d’ County in the UK. The cost of this exercise will be shared with housing developers, businesses and other organisations. The first tree was planted at the Surrey Hills Wood Fair in Cranleigh on October 5th. Heathrow expansion: The County Council has written a strongly worded letter to both the Secretary of State for Transport and the Managing Director of Heathrow expressing its frustration at the lack of communication and feedback following the Council’s response to the recent consultation, which to date has provided no feedback on plans for providing access both rail and road, to the Airport from the South of the County. At the time of writing this report no response has been received. www.facebook.com/ottershawsociety www.ottershawsociety.org 11 | Page OTTERSHAW AND WEST : WHAT IS IN A NAME? By Cllr Malcolm Cressey (supported by Cllr. John Olorenshaw and Cllr. Ifti Chaudhri) Your Ward Councillors in conjunction with Runnymede Borough Council are preparing to begin a consultation process to propose changing the name of the ward to ‘Ottershaw and West Addlestone’ - after all, nearly 40% of our newly formed ward voters live in West Addlestone! During the last local elections, some residents who came to the polling station on the Addlestone side of the M25 stated that they had considered not voting because they were offended by the ward name as it was not reflective of the physical extent of the ward. Ifti, John and I, as your ward councillors agree that there should be no real or perceived barrier to expressing your democratic right to vote. The proposed ward name properly reflects the physical extent of the ward and putting the name of the largest area first is the usual naming convention. There will be a public consultation sometime in the next month or so by an electronic survey open to all qualifying residents in the Ottershaw Ward. Anyone not on the electoral role will not have their vote counted. It’s going to be an electronic survey in order to keep the costs to almost nothing. If we wrote to everyone, it would cost over £5,000 which is money we would rather have spent on the vulnerable, housing, street cleaning, etc… but it doesn’t mean this isn’t important!! If the consensus is to change the name of the ward, there will be no impact on how we live our lives or manage our communities – but it will far better reflect the area represented in the ward. We really would like everyone in the ward to vote on this matter. It makes a difference at local level. Ottershaw ward generally has one of the highest voter turnouts in the Borough – Let’s keep it that way! Here is a reminder about why it makes sense to vote. Why Vote? – It Counts! 1. It gives you the power to create change: By voting you choose a candidate who best suits your views. 2. Support your demographic group: 71% of over 65s voted in 2017, compared to only 54% of 18-24- year olds (IPSOS Mori). The higher the turnout for a particular demographic group the more likely more benefits will accrue to that group. 3. What’s the point in voting if you think your candidate can’t win: If everyone just ‘gives up’ change will never happen. Reducing a majority is a first step to gaining a majority! By voting for a “losing” candidate you morally help them to keep fighting on. 4. Your right to vote has been hard won: People have given their lives to win the right to vote. Some say it is disrespectful to them to waste your vote. 5. Your successful candidate represents your ward at the borough council: It’s their job to raise local issues and support you as much as they can. 6. Spoiling your ballot: By going to the polling station and not selecting any candidate before submitting to the ballot box, you become a voice for the disengaged. If there are huge numbers of spoiled ballots at election time, political parties will start to think more about what they need to do to reconnect with these voters. www.facebook.com/ottershawsociety www.ottershawsociety.org 12 | Page OTTERSHAW ROAD NAMES. No.5. By Hannah Lane BROX ROAD The third hamlet, of what is now Ottershaw, was Brox. This was located around the junction with Brox Lane, both on Brox Road and the cottages down Brox Lane. On the 1865 Parish Map in the Church the present Brox Road from the junction with Murray Road down past where the shops are now, to the junctions with Slade Road / Bousley Rise was called Brox Lane. Brox Lane at this time was known as World’s End Lane. By the 1861 census this section had its present name of Brox Road. The section on to the junction with the Road was Brox until by 1861 it had become Lower Brox. So sometimes Slade Road was referred to as `Brox Road` or `Lower Brox Road`, as it is a continuation of this part of `Lower` Brox Road when the part up to the crossroads was Brox Lane. This continuation of Brox Road to the Guildford Road was also called Upper Brox Road, i.e. in the 1911 census. All very confusing when researching old deeds and documents. (The other 2 hamlets were Spratts, and Chertsey Lane End around the Otter crossroads.)

c1960’s

Looking down Brox Road at the parade of Looking down Brox Road at the parade of shops, shops c1997 Otter Pub garden trees on the right c1953

Looking up Brox Road parade of shops towards the Otter roundabout c1960’s

www.facebook.com/ottershawsociety www.ottershawsociety.org 13 | Page SHAW CLOSE/MOAT COURT The two end cottages in January 1941 took Shaw Close is the road leading to the the only direct hit by a German bomb in blocks of flats called Moat Court. These the village and three of the children were were built on the site of the houses of St. killed. Ursula and William (Billy) Sleet, and Aubyns and Little Manor, these being 2 of the young baby of Mr. and Mrs. Driver. the houses built for the sons of William Two of the Sleet children survived, Freda Fletcher, the major nurseryman and land and Eileen. Both cottages were holder in the village in the late 1800s. demolished and the blast shattered These in turn were built on land formerly windows etc. for some way across the owned by The Otter. The three blocks of village. They were replaced by the present 12 flats were built in 1967. Called `Moat` two bungalows. after the firm Moat Ltd. who owned the estate before selling off the flats under the BROX MEWS overall registration of the Moat Housing No. 3, Lincoln Cottage, Brox Road, was Society. The entrance of the Close is over built in the early 1930s on the site of an the original orchard and garden of The old thatched cottage called Eglantine. No. Otter Inn. 3 was sold in 1997 to Mr. Paul Sweeny of Ashfronts of Bousley Rise and he OTTERMEAD LANE demolished it. With this land, and the land Ottermead Lane is a private road. This was at the back of the shops, he built a line of the back entrance to Ottermead House or houses. Being at the back of Brox Road, he `Tradesmen’s entrance`. But it is a much called the development `Brox Mews` older lane as it is on 1816 maps, which is before Ottermead House was built in STRIDE COURT c1892 where Chaworth Road is now. No 25 was Stride`s Ironmongers. The land Under Ottermead House it was owned by had belonged to Maurice Mandry, the Earl and Countess of Meath, who nurseryman, who raised privet-hedging bought the newly built house from the plants on the land. He sold to the Strides, Rev. Hichens (Vicar of Christ Church) as when they closed their former blacksmiths their 1st `owned` house in Ottershaw. at No 127 Brox Road, and built the shop There were 4 cottages on the Lane by here in 1955. Having supplied all the 1865. ironmongery needs of the village for so many years, they were slowly forced out of In 1933 the Meath’s Trustees, the Earl and business by the building of the large `Do It Countess of Verulam, daughter of the Yourself` superstores. So by 1997 they had Countess of Meath sold part of the Lane to sold the site for development. The Charles Arthur Goldring of the Post Office. Ottershaw Society asked RBC to call the It appears that the sale documents of the development `Stride Close` to adjoining land by the Meaths did not commemorate the Stride Family and its include the actual lane, as so often is the involvement in the village. case when it is a private lane. It can be very difficult to establish ownership in later years if a dispute arises.

www.facebook.com/ottershawsociety www.ottershawsociety.org 14 | Page CRAWSHAW ROAD There was a Master and Matron This was built in c1986 as part of the responsible for them. They had to earn Murray House re-development `The their keep, even before they were old Brambles` when the NHS sold the old enough to go out to work, by the boys Workhouse site for development. It leads working in the gardens/fields and the girls to Palmer Crescent. There is no vehicle in the laundry. These buildings were not way through as the road is blocked by sold until 1992 to Wentworth Homes Ltd. bollards at the junction of the two roads to Ltd. and in 1993 they built these six prevent it becoming a short cut between terraced houses. They were named Murray Road and Brox Road. So a SUMMERFIELD PLACE. pedestrian way only. All the road names for this estate were selected by RBC, when it was built, that were of people of Ottershaw in the 1800`s except for Crawshaw Road.

So who was this named after? Author`s suggestion is that it should have been after Richard Crawshay of Ottershaw Park Looking up Brox Road from the junction with Slade Road. c 1840`s, but somehow was mis-spelt? 1981. The original Summerfield House on the right. Photo by Roger Pashley On the right of the entrance to this road CHESHIRE CLOSE was the site of the two houses built by This site covered by the Close was part of 1870 by the Workhouse to house the the Murray House Workhouse site sold for children old enough to go to work, one for development in 1986. Cheshire House was boys and the other for the girls, called originally built in 1988 by the British Summerfield and Gray. Mr. E. E. Summer Airways Staff Housing Association for 28 was the children`s Master. George Gray retirement flatlets. Opposite is Alan Hilton was the name of the nurseryman who sold Court, built by the Royal British Legion his land along Murray Road for the Housing Association Ltd. also in 1988, for building of the Isolation Hospital. 39 individual rooms or flatlets, with a warden. All of the children of inmates of the Workhouse were separated from their parents into separate buildings. Many of the children in the Workhouse were orphans, others of unmarried mothers, the only `home` they ever knew. Life was very hard for them. They were not allowed to mix with the other children of the village, except at school. Looking up Brox Road from near the present entrance to Crawshaw Road, end of Post Office on the left side in the centre above the car. c 1953

www.facebook.com/ottershawsociety www.ottershawsociety.org 15 | Page THE CASTLE PUBLIC HOUSE By Josie Macleod There has been a public house where The Castle stands, in the village of Ottershaw, for over a century, having become a beer house in the early 1840s. Today, it continues in its role as a traditional English pub, with a warm welcome guaranteed, serving fine food and beverages.

The landlady, Josie MacLeod, will soon be celebrating her one- year anniversary, having taken over the pub in November 2018. In this short time, the pub has undergone some major changes whilst retaining its unique, friendly atmosphere. Various improvements have been undertaken including new kitchen and cellar equipment. The seasonal main menu has been well received, along with light lunches, small plates and the ever- popular Sunday roast dinners. Every Friday is ‘Fish Friday’ with a special fish dish served. An example being ‘Monkfish and king prawns on a lemon sole and cod fish cake with caper butter topped with crispy Parma ham’. Of course, one of the main attractions of any pub is its drink selection and The Castle aims to have something for everyone. There is a great selection of Cask Marque approved ales along with an extensive wine list and a wide range of gins to enjoy. For those wanting something non-alcoholic, we have Heineken 00 on draught as well as the usual selection of soft drinks. Since taking over the pub, Josie has run a selection of events which have included a wine quiz, BBQs, and recently the first poker evening which proved to be extremely popular. Look out for more events like these in the future. With winter fast approaching, cosy fires will be the order of the day and a warm welcome is assured, whatever the weather. Have a look at our Christmas menu as the season to be jolly is nearly upon us and the orangery and restaurant make a perfect place to relax and celebrate. Looking forward, the next project is the refurbishment of the front car park which will make sitting outside a more enjoyable experience during the summer months. Josie looks forward to welcoming you to The Castle very soon, either for a meal with family and friends or a drink and conversation across the bar. Our website is; https://www.the-castle-ottershaw.co.uk/ And we are also on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/castleinottershaw/ And Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thecastleottershaw/

www.facebook.com/ottershawsociety www.ottershawsociety.org 16 | Page OTTERSHAW SOCIAL CLUB CHRIST CHURCH OTTERSHAW www.ottershawsocialclub.co.uk In June, CAMEO the weekly Thursday Ottershaw Social Club is a thriving village coffee morning at Ottershaw Village Hall club founded in 1883 as the Working Men’s celebrated its 10th birthday. A beautifully Club under the Presidency of Sir Edward decorated cake was shared by all those Colebrooke, who also built and endowed who attended. If you have not been along the village church. The subscription was 1 before, you would be made very welcome penny a week. The rules stated that there and enjoy some delicious cake! were no intoxicants to be sold, nor gambling or bad language and no games on Sundays. The building was designed by Theophilus Allen of Stanyards and opened in 1887 as a reading room, it was paid for by the local gentry and has since been enlarged. It is held in trust for the use of the village. A big thank you to everyone who has In 1915 wounded soldiers from Ottershaw contributed to the “FIX-THE-BRIX” appeal Park and Ottermead hospitals were made which exceeded its target of £10,000 and honorary members and later the British has covered the costs of fixing the bricks Legion was amalgamated with the club. and related architect fees. In 1962 women were admitted to the club but were not made full members until the late 1980’s.

There was a magnificent response to the Funday held in July from donations, refreshment sales and the auction. Throughout the appeal the response from Nowadays it is a thriving family club, run by church members, the village and many a dedicated committee of members. The club can now boast a large number of others in contact with the church has been members in the surrounding area in all age wonderful. The work that has now been ranges, as well as excellent bar prices. The done to the brickwork pointing and roof club is extremely friendly and runs regular will help keep Christ Church in sound events for its members, which are always condition for many years to come. well supported.

If you are interested in becoming a member, please drop into the club and speak to a committee member or a member of staff.

www.facebook.com/ottershawsociety www.ottershawsociety.org 17 | Page ASH FARM ARENA POLO CLUB, OTTERSHAW Ash Farm Arena Polo Club in Ottershaw was founded in 1995 by keen polo enthusiast Paul Sweeney. Paul had learnt to ride later in life and had tried most equestrian disciplines but nothing matched the adrenalin buzz that he got after his first polo lesson. He was hooked and quite soon he was playing chukkas a couple of times a week. The next natural progression was to buy some polo ponies and quite quickly after that the idea to build a facility that you can play in all year round, Ash Farm Arena Polo was born!

Bottom Left; Paul Sweeney playing Bottom Right: Paul Sweeney, Sebastian Dawnay and Jamie Morrison – winning the Arena Gold Cup, Summer polo is played outside on grass, typically played on a 10-acre field and is subject to perfect weather condition through April to September but when that finishes there weren’t many places to continue to develop those polo skills and keep the ponies fit through the winter. Arena polo is played on 100m by 50m space, enclosed by walls of four or more feet in height, on an artificial surface which suits all weather conditions. The rules are adapted for the safety of both players and ponies, it has 3 people in a team instead of 4. When the Ash Farm Club first started out it was more of a private facility where Paul used to play with friends and family, at that time his wife Lesley and step-daughter Jemma both played. Word soon got out and it became more popular as there weren’t many places in the UK that you could continue to play through the winter. Consequently in 1998 the club was affiliated with the Hurlingham Polo Association which mean it was an accredited facility to teach people how to play polo. Paul also continued his passion for the sport by entering and winning many prestigious arena polo tournaments. He won the “Arena Gold Cup” over 3 consecutive years and the “Nations Cup” where he proudly represented his Irish roots, not once but an incredible 2 years running.

www.facebook.com/ottershawsociety www.ottershawsociety.org 18 | Page Clubhouse at Ash Farm Polo complete with a reclaimed church frontage Exposed brick open fire place. Paul Sweeney was also well known for his building passion in creating period style cottages, all the benefits of new property with the charm and character of traditional house. His building company Ashfronts Homes has a number of houses in the Village, all visible from the heart of Ottershaw village, his unique style led to a number of design awards from the Runnymede Borough Council. He continued the theme into the polo club where he created a beautiful clubhouse complete with a reclaimed church frontage, exposed brick open fire place and oak beams that give that warm and cosy feel in the darkest depths of winter.

Paul’s ambition was always to make playing polo a less elitist sport where everyone was welcome. Ash Farm Arena Polo quickly became a key facility and inherent part of the winter season, many new people had their first lessons in Ottershaw and continue to play to this day..

Sadly, Paul passed away suddenly in 2009 but his daughters Charlotte and Georgia took over the running of the club and continued with the same passion and enthusiasm that Paul demonstrated over so many years. The club now has an exceptionally high proportion of female members and they are proud to be associated with Royal Holloway College and many junior schools teaching children and students to play polo. It continues to be a friendly and welcoming establishment, still with the goal of catering for all.

Spectators are more than welcome with polo every weekend from October until April and tournaments once a month. The Paul Sweeney Memorial Cup Finals also take place next year on 17th February 2020.

For more information please contact Charlotte Sweeney on 01932872521 or 07799812739. Email [email protected]

www.facebook.com/ottershawsociety www.ottershawsociety.org 19 | Page LOCALLY LISTED BUILDINGS / LIST OF HERITAGE ASSETS FOR RUNNYMEDE BOROUGH By Hannah Lane This list was started in 1995, but abruptly terminated by RBC after only a few buildings in the village had been listed. So this is a very welcome up-date. Please note: they are not reviewing the National Listed Buildings which is under .

The Planning Committee on 11 September 2019 approved the updated Local List of Heritage Assets for Runnymede Borough. In addition to nationally designated heritage assets (i.e. buildings contained within the National English Heritage statutory list of listed buildings etc.), non-designated buildings and structures, which are considered to be locally significant to Runnymede’s heritage and make a positive contribution to the character and distinctiveness of the area, can be included on a ‘Local List’ of locally important heritage assets. Whilst sites on the Local List do not have the statutory designation of nationally listed buildings, designation on a Local List is a material consideration when determining planning applications. Registration does not mean an asset will be preserved in its current state in perpetuity. National and local planning policy allows change to heritage assets which preserves or better reveals their heritage interest or, where change requires their loss, replaces the benefit to the public that they provide.

Runnymede has a rich historic environment, with seven designated Conservation Areas and over 320 listed buildings, as well as a number of scheduled ancient monuments and registered Parks and Gardens. The Council’s adopted Local Plan 2001 includes Policy BE13, which commits the Borough Council to keeping a list of buildings of local architectural or historic interest and ensures the preservation and enhancement of their character. The emerging Runnymede Local Plan 2030 includes updated Policy EE8 which continues that approach.

In February 2018, the Government awarded the Council design quality grant funding for two years. Part of the funds awarded enabled the Council to review its Local List of Heritage assets. The review was undertaken by consultants, Purcell. As part of the production of this Local List, public nominations for buildings and structures for inclusion were sought and nominations for over 40 local buildings were received from members of the public in addition to buildings etc. identified by the Council and the consultants when drafting the updated Local List.

Under the same review there was a review of RBC`s Conservation Areas. The 7 Conservation Areas in Runnymede are:- , Chertsey, which will be reviewed by the Consultants, to produce updated criteria for planning, leaflets and other information for those residents/businesses in the Conservation Areas. The rest of the Conservation Areas will be reviewed later in 2019. These are the Basingstoke Canal, , Thorpe and Wey Navigation. www.facebook.com/ottershawsociety www.ottershawsociety.org 20 | Page The updated Local List proposes the following The existing pre 2019 list for NATIONAL LISTING: OTTERSHAW additions in the village and its surrounds: Ottershaw and its surrounding PARISH AND ITS SURROUNDS: • Woking Lodge, Guildford Road. Part of the area:- • Barn Bousley Farm, Bousley Rise original Ottershaw Park Estate. • Anningsley Cottage, Brox Road • 192 Brox Road • Dunford House, Guildford Road. Part of the • The Castle Public House, Brox • 2 Chobham Road, (Curchods) original Ottershaw Park Estate. Road • The Mansion, Ottershaw Park • Lamp post at rear of Trident Honda garage, • Colebrook Place, Guildford and its Chertsey and The Gate Guildford Road. Made by Chertsey Iron Road House Lodges, Coach Road foundry. • Raymond Slade Autos, now • Christ Church, Guildford Road • 2 and 4 Murray Road. The Workhouse School Anvilautos, Guildford Road • Old Farmhouse, Guildford Road and Master`s house. • Workhouse Chapel, Murray • Murray House (Workhouse) • War Memorial, Christ Church, Guildford Road. Road facade, Murray Road • Greatwood House, 209-211 Brox Road. • Church Farm House and Barn, • Silverlands, Holloway Hill Designed by M. H. Baillie-Scott. Guildford Road • Anchor House, Longcross Road • Meath School, Brox Road. • Botleys Park Barn and Ice • Ivy Cottage, Stonehill Road • Toad Hall Children's Nursery, The Old School House, Stonehill Road • Botleys Park Mansion and North House, Brox Road. Lodge of Botleys Park, Stonehill • Lake View, Guildford Road, Ottershaw; The following were removed from the Road • Barn at Geesemere (Botleys), Ottershaw; original list:- • Ottershaw Social Club, Brox Road. • Colebrook Place, Guildford Road, • Tanglewood Cottage/Lodge. Part of the as no longer its original use, too original Ottershaw Park Estate. altered and modernised. • Foxhills Country Club, (original building only) • Barn to Botley Park, Stonehill Road, Stonehill Road, Ottershaw Ottershaw, burnt down in 1998.

THE CRITERIA FOR LOCALLY LISTED BUILDINGS. Heritage assets must meet all the following criteria to be eligible for local listing: • They must be a building or built structure. • They must have heritage interest that can be conserved and enjoyed. There are two main types of heritage interest - Historic interest and Architectural interest. • The heritage interest they possess must be of value to the local community i.e. beyond personal or family connections, or the interest of individual property owners. • They must have a level of interest and value that is greater than that of the general surrounding area. WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON AT FOXHILLS CLUB & RESORT? www.foxhills.co.uk Blending history with modern technology is never an easy task. Different trends, requirements and construction methods contrasting with the advance of technology and modern comforts, can sometimes create a style conflict. But at Foxhills Club & Resort, there’s all the evidence you need that a balance can be achieved successfully if you move with the times while remembering your roots.

Finding the right mix is in keeping with the ethos of the resort, which offers a huge variety of leisure pursuits and activities to cater for so many interests from the members and hotel guests, who can all enjoy many of those same benefits during their stay. It’s a family-friendly destination and is also in the midst of a £25m investment programme as existing buildings are overhauled or rebuilt, others are extended or upgraded and some brand-new additions are launched.

But for those concerned that Foxhills’ long history is set to be erased for a shiny, new leisure complex, the Manor House – built in the 19th century and still the heartbeat of the 400-acre estate –remains as integral as ever. Foxhills’ history goes back even further and forged its early reputation when the mercurial 18th century politician, Charles James Fox, came to live in the area in the 1780s.

Fast forward 200 years and in 1983, Pam and Ian Hayton purchased the club in 1983, with their son Marc taking over as managing director in 2010 and still at the helm nine years later. And there’s a healthy dose of family pride bursting through the Foxhills fabric.

www.facebook.com/ottershawsociety www.ottershawsociety.org 22 | Page In its current guise, Foxhills features two Championship golf courses, one par-three course (the first of its kind in Britain), 70 bedrooms, three restaurants, eleven tennis courts, three squash courts, four swimming pools, an award-winning healthspa, conference and meeting facilities. There are many clubs within the framework of the membership and opportunities for mingling with others at frequent social events. But time doesn’t stand still at Foxhills and plans for the future generations are well underway. Just in the past few months, four projects have come to fruition. The Fox dining rooms is the refurbished main restaurant in the Manor House with a vibrant, brasserie style with plenty of nods on the menu to traditional favourites, while The Woodie is another new food outlet for ‘grab and go’ snacks.

For golfers, already well-served by two superb courses and outstanding facilities, the Practice Den is another new addition with the focus on perfecting short-game skills. The Yoga Cabin – a £500,000 building – has become a popular addition with members flocking to the bespoke studio set in serene woodland for yoga and pilates classes since its opening. The next phase of development is a brand-new building for family and indoor sports facilities – at an estimated cost of £7m. But there are many more already planned and others on the horizon to increase the standards throughout the resort, increase bedroom capacity and generally make the resort even more attractive to members and guests. The history has long been a draw at Foxhills. But the future is just as exciting.

www.facebook.com/ottershawsociety www.ottershawsociety.org 23 | Page WALK: OTTERSHAW CHASE, TIMBER HILL, CHAWORTH COPSE Why not come and enjoy the unique splendour of your local countryside, with a wealth of trees, wildlife, birds and plants waiting to be discovered on your doorstep. Runnymede Borough Council has designated its own Open Spaces sites. Within the Ottershaw area these are: Timber Hill, Chaworth Copse, Ottershaw Chase, Ether Hill and Queenwood (the Memorial Field is too formal to be a SANG site), Hare Hill and Homewood Park. These public areas provide a great space for walking the dog, take the children on a nature trail or have a ramble with friends and family. Grab your boots and get out and about and enjoy the great outdoors of Ottershaw!

Located on either side of the Guildford Road A320, Ottershaw Chase, Timber Hill and Chaworth Copse are ideal for dog walkers and ramblers. With footpaths that intersect at all three sites, you will be able to choose from a selection of routes catering for all ages and levels of fitness.

Starting at the car park opposite Christ Church is the entrance to Timber Hill, and Ottershaw Chase. You have a choice of routes from here, all clearly waymarked. There’s the 1.2km Timber Hill Loop, that takes you around the woodland, down through Chaworth Copse, popping out briefly onto Brox Road; then there’s the shorter 0.8km circuit of Ottershaw Chase. Combine these two in a figure of eight or stretch your legs further and take in Ether Hill, it’s easily reachable from Cross Lane, the lane that leads to Ottershaw Chase. Map courtesy of RBC

DID YOU KNOW THAT TIMBER HILL WAS ONCE AN ALLOTMENT? Not the modern kind of allotment, where people grow vegetables as in the twentieth century, but an area set aside for the benefit of the poor, where local people could collect firewood. The natural history of these woodlands is also fascinating, supporting all manner of birds from nuthatch and great-spotted woodpecker, to the less common firecrest.

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