The magazine of Residents’ Association The Resident Free! Published and distributed by volunteers to the 4,200 households of Horsell

Winter 2012 Inside this issue

Woking High exhibits at RHS Wisley

Beavers walk custard at Bazzaz

www.Horsellresidents.com Blog: http://horsellresident.wordpress.com Pedal4Charity Twitter: http://twitter.com/Horsellresident fundraiser review

Benstead’s Garage in the snow. Photo copyright John Worgan The Resident A word from the Editor Published by HORSELL RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION LTD Welcome to the Winter edition. As always there is plenty happening in the village and lots of new initiatives being suggested. The Second Thursday Club has a round-up Magazine team: of diverse on-going and possible future projects on pages 4-5, so do get in touch to Editor: Linda Banks – express your views or lend a hand. email: [email protected] We are spreading a little goodwill in this festive issue, with our Christmas Competition Ann Harington – Tel. 761624 on page 10 and a chance to win £20. Send your entries in by 17th December. Peter Hobbs – Tel. 824069 This is your magazine, representing your community, so tell us what you want featured, Dorothy Smith – Tel. 836031 or even better send in an article or photograph relating to Horsell or your local group Janice Worgan and its activities. Please email comments, articles, letters With warm wishes for Christmas and the New Year, or Horsell photos to: [email protected] Linda Published by Horsell Residents’ Association Linda’s Email: [email protected] Limited. A non-profit company limited by guarantee. Registered number 5377490. Text and photos copyright individual authors and The Resident tweets photographers as named. Some of you may know the micro-blogging website twitter.com, which has become Printed by: Red Eye Print, 56 Goldsworth Rd, GU21 6LE. incredibly popular in recent times! E-mail: [email protected] People use it to post very short comments (limited to 140 characters) and we enjoy Tel: 01483 772111 seeing Horsell businesses and residents using it to let people know what they’re up to. Artwork by: TBB Design. www.tbbdesign.co.uk To give you a flavour, here are some of the recent tweets we’ve seen: Tel: 01483 829185 “@foxyTel Just back from 22 mile ride, easing into training for Horsell to Paris next year No responsibility for the quality of goods or services advertised in this magazine can be accepted by the in aid of Woking Hospice @pedal4charity @WSBHospices.” publishers or printers. Advertisements are included in good faith. No part of this magazine may be reproduced “@ElaineMcGinty Switching OFF the work computer...now off to prepare for the Lovely in any form whatsoever without the prior permission of the Music Night Tonight! Oxjam collection, great music The Crown #Horsell 8pm.” Publishers. The Publishers do not necessarily agree with the views expressed by contributors, nor do they accept “@stephenprince4 We have fresh game in at Prince & Son’s butchers and on the 15th any responsibility for errors of interpretation in the subject matter of this magazine. All reasonable care is taken to October we have been in the village for one year.” ensure accuracy in preparation of the magazine but the publishers cannot be held legally responsible for errors in “@CllrAnnMarie At #Horsell Police Panel meet. Arrests made & two people imprisoned the articles or the return of unsolicited manuscripts, artwork, or projects. Whilst every care is taken, no responsibility can in relation to burglaries in #Horsell in recent months.” be accepted for the safety of material submitted. “@Aiming2BFitter At The Red Lion #Horsell, wine in hand, ready for Book Group. This month’s books were great reads IMHO. Hope the others agree!” Horsell Residents’ Association Contacts We tweet our ‘What’s on in Horsell’ posts every week, so if you’re trying out twitter for yourself, do come and find us @horsellresident. President: Dorothy Smith Tel. 836031; [email protected] Greta Chair: Janice Worgan Greta’s Email: [email protected] Acting Chair: Tony Kremer Blog: Tel: 764351; [email protected] http://horsellresident.wordpress.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/Horsellresident Hon. Treasurer: Vacant Hon. Secretary and Acting Treasurer: Carol Cheesman Tel. 01483 766696; The Resident print magazine: Linda Banks – email: [email protected] [email protected] HRA blog and twitter feed: Greta Hughson – email: [email protected] Membership Secretary: Peter Hobbs Advertising: Peter Hobbs – email: [email protected] Tel. 824069; [email protected] NEXT ISSUE: Spring 2013 – copy deadline January 25.

Page 2 The Resident – Winter 2012 NEWS

Chair for 2012/13, she stepped forward and took help Horsell in the coming Janice Worgan’s Illness on that role, and when in June the HRA Treasurer months, you say yes. If A lesson we all learn in life is that we can left through pressure of other work, it was Janice we all think positively, as never take things for granted and our good who took over the reins there as well. Always she has always done, we health we must regard as a gift to enjoy while quietly competent, hard-working and positive, can not only keep going we have it. This truth really hits home when you Janice would never let anyone down. despite this major upset, hear that someone close to you, in seemingly In that spirit we are trying to keep the HRA but indeed move forward. good health, is suddenly struck down with a business going during this no doubt lengthy Tony Kremer life-threatening illness. period of uncertainty. I was approached by Carol Janice Worgan’s unexpected collapse into a Cheesman and Dorothy Smith to join them on UPDATE: After 12 days, Janice at the coma on Saturday 27 October came as a shock the Board as Acting Chair, and certainly until the Jubilation. Photo: on 7th November, Janice to family and friends equally. Her condition has AGM in late Spring I shall do my best to combine Geoff Banks regained consciousness. improved a little, at the time of writing, but she this role with coordinating the Second Thursday remains critically ill. Our thoughts are with her Club and my responsibilities to the Woking Now she is no longer dependent on specialist loved ones and her dearest friends. Association of Neighbourhood Watches. equipment, she has been moved to St. Peter’s Hospital, which is so much closer to her home She leaves many gaps behind her, not least Nothing could give a greater testament to Janice and family. here at Horsell Residents’ Association (HRA). than for us to rally round as a community to keep It is typical of Janice that when it became clear the things she valued going and so I ask that I am sure you all join with the HRA in wishing her last May that no one was being nominated as if you personally are asked to do something to a steady recovery.

St Mary the Virgin Church Trinity Methodist Church, Brewery Road, GU21 4LH Christmas Church Services Church Hill, Horsell GU21 4QQ Sunday 16th December Nativity Service 10.30am; Horsell Evangelical Church Salvation Army Church Sunday 16th December Holy Ground 7pm High Street, Horsell GU21 4SZ Sythwood, Woking GU21 3BE Nine Lessons and Carols 6.30pm Thursday 20th December Midweek Carol Service 2.30pm Sunday 16th December Sunday 23rd December Monday 24th December Carol Service 3.30pm Family Carol Service 11am Crib and Christingle services 3pm and 4.15pm Sunday 23rd December Early Communion 8.45am Speaker: Rev Winston Saunders Sunday 23rd December Monday 24th December (Children taking part in the service) Carols by Candlelight 6pm Midnight Communion 11.30pm Sunday 23rd December Morning Worship 10.30am (Refreshments after the Tuesday 25th December Tuesday 25th December Sunday 23rd December Carol Service 7pm service in the Church Hall) Christmas Day Service 10.30am Holy Communion (Prayer Book Service) 8am Monday 24th December Crib & Christingle Service 3pm Tuesday 25th December Sunday 30th December Tuesday 25th December Monday 24th December Midnight Communion 11pm Christmas Day Family Service 10.30am Sunday Worship 11am Family Communion with carols 10am Tuesday 25th December Christmas Day service 10am

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The Resident – Winter 2012 Page 3 SECOND THURSDAY CLUB

For those of you who are new to Horsell, the Second Thursday Club (STC) is an informal band of residents and local traders who want to come up with good ideas for improving the community where we live and work and put them into action. We meet every second Thursday of the month at Birch House in Horsell Birch as an informal HRA working group. We drink some wine, look at the projects we have underway and plan some more. Everyone is welcome!

Did you know that when Wells came to live Regular page Horsell charity in Woking, in May 1895, he was still regarded This is our first regular page in The Resident. By Christmas post as a new young writer? The Time Machine, his first book, was published in London and New the time you read this, the Christmas Fair will We have set up a York within days of his moving to Woking. be behind us, though I hope the trees will still charity postal service. entertain shoppers throughout the season. Big screen adaptations of , Drop your Christmas like the 2005 Steven Spielberg/Tom Cruise film, Although I want to feature progress on one existing cards into one of the have often strayed from Wells’ original text, so project (Pares Woodland Garden), I am also three Charity Post not everyone is aware that Horsell had a central floating some new ideas here to see if wecan boxes in the village before Thursday, 20 role in the story – a story he planned, researched recruit people to work on them. Have a look and December and we guarantee delivery before and wrote while living in Woking. However, see if any of these interest you. Christmas. Delivery addresses must be located Jeff Wayne’s musical adaptation, which begins another tour in November 2012, has songs with Tony Kremer in one of the GU21 4?? post code areas. in the title. We will also collect from any sheltered home that wants to work with us on spreading the word Was the crater-like dent – now a pond at Pares Woodland Horsell Common’s sand pits – made by a among its residents and guests. cylinder launched from Mars? According to Garden While there is no charge, we do request a 20p the novel, the first of ten cylinders to support donation to go towards the Second Thursday the Martian invasion of Earth landed there and It has been several years since I first tried to get Community Fund. Why not volunteer to help with became the site of the Martian encampment. action on the abandoned and misused piece the deliveries? Likewise, Horsell villagers, the Wheatsheaf pub, of woodland now known as Pares Woodland the nearby canal bridge, Horsell Post Office, and Garden, but it was not until I brought it to the Horsell’s church tower all feature in Wells’ story. volunteers at the STC that anything happened. In HG Wells tours Do you know that Wells moved away from just two months (we only started in September) Wouldn’t it be great if we could run a ‘Meet the London’s heavily polluted environment to Martians’ day regularly in Horsell and advertise and with great support from the Council and Woking largely for health reasons? He walked, SERCO, we have cleared most of the rubbish it around the world? Seriously, it would feature cycled and sailed a boat on the and much of the undergrowth. We have already H G Wells, who brought the Martians to Horsell in canal. His stay in the town proved good both for planted bulbs; shrubs and ferns will be planted his famous novel. Let’s see if we can bring a few his health and his writing and it formed perhaps in November and primroses donated by Squire’s Americans and Japanese too! the most productive period of his whole career. garden centre will follow. Today, Woking and H G Wells go together like Peter Beck a horse and carriage. Indeed, Wells’ book The By Spring, we will have not only a colourful War of the Worlds, published in 1898, helped So what do we need to create an H G Wells display but also have a safe environment in which to put Woking on the map. More recently, Iain Experience Day? In Professor Beck we have to welcome school groups and Horsell villagers. Wakeford’s heritage walks have featured locations a real expert who can write a great script, but None of this would have been possible without mentioned in this book. And of course NASA’s we need people who know how to plan travel the enthusiastic work of our team of volunteers. Martian Rover’s on-going search for evidence of experiences and events, as well as someone Many thanks to them all. past life on Mars provides an additional present- who can front the tour. Can you help? Tony Noel day context for Wells’ Martian fantasies. Tony Kremer

Page 4 The Resident – Winter 2012 SECOND THURSDAY CLUB

like parents and children to join too. There is so If you would like to become a member of this Young History Group much to learn about your local area. Did you proposed local group or would like to know more Local history lovers will know that Woking has know that one of the village houses used to be about our plans, please come along to one of the a History Society, the members of which meet the fire station, Benstead’s Garage used to be STC meetings held at Carol Cheesman’s home the post office, one of our local pubs was once at Village Hall and occasionally at The at Birch House, Horsell Birch, or call me 01483 the local prison? Well that is just a tiny taste of Lightbox. 855018 or email: [email protected]. what there is to find out. The STC is wondering whether Horsell residents Marion Piper We are lucky to have many sources of information would like to form a group of their own so that to hand, from the Surrey History Centre archives everyone can have the opportunity to learn more to church records and books written by local Community Choir about Horsell’s long history. authors such as Iain Wakeford and John Craig, Yes we may want to start one up…. It would be wonderful if people of all ages could and from some families whose local roots date meet to learn more about the past. Don’t wait right back to the 1600s. Let’s make the most of until retirement to find out more. We would really what we have available to us. New Co-Op A £500,000 investment in the relocation of the Co-Op to its new premises over the road The classic TV comedy series Fawlty Towers on the High Street in Horsell has secured comes to the stage this December with a the positions of its 19 staff members. In their production by the Horsell Amateur Dramatic turn, shoppers will benefit from an extended HADS presents Society (HADS) at Woking’s Rhoda McGaw bakery area and a wider selection of chilled Theatre. The group, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary, will present three episodes produce and ready meals. More lines from FAWLTY from the programmes that originally starred the premium Truly Irresistible range will also John Cleese and which he co-wrote with fellow be available, alongside extensive ranges of TOWERS performer Connie Booth. fresh fruit and vegetables. The show will run from Thursday 13th Dec- Subject to completing the necessary work to ember to Saturday 15th December. Tickets from fit out the new 3,000sq ft building, the new [email protected] or 01483 767751. store is expected to open in early 2013.

The Resident – Winter 2012 Page 5 Derek Slee. Horsell Care celebrates Photo courtesy 10,000th ‘helping hand’ NEWS Surrey Police On 24th October, Horsell’s good neighbour network completed its 10,000th job helping local residents • Boxes left outside with everyday tasks they are unable to manage Protect your home indicating what new on their own. purchases may be The volunteers regularly transport people to this Christmas left in the house hospital, the hairdressers or shopping, but on this Season’s Greetings! This is the first article I have • Garage door open or key left in the lock special occasion Peggy Miller, a client of Horsell written for Horsell, so please bear with me as I’m • Side gate open or not secured Care for many years, had an unusual welcome not sure I have mastered the skill of writing yet! • Car, bicycle or gardening equipment left unatt- from volunteer driver David Metcalfe. Although all of the helpers turn up with a smile and offering For those who have not met me, my name is ended and insecure a friendly chat on route to their destination, it is Derek Slee and I am the PCSO for the whole • Ladder in view and insecure not every day that they are armed with a bouquet Horsell area and one half of the Horsell Safer • Valuables within the house are clearly visible of flowers too. Peggy was surprised but delighted Neighbourhoods Team. The other half of the team from outside, such as a laptop on a windowsill to be part of the celebration. is PC Kate Hizzey, who you will not see over the • Newspapers or mail accumulating on the doormat She said: “I admire Horsell Care greatly; they festive period unfortunately, as she is undertaking • A note fixed to a front door for a visitor who hasn’t have done so much good for so many people some training with the response team. arrived, e.g. please leave parcel with no. 25 over the years. Personally I cannot thank them But worry not as PC Rebecca Holder will be Please follow the crime prevention advice enough for all they have done for me and I hope joining the team for the next three months until available on the Surrey Police website or they will continue to be able to offer help in this Kate returns. PC Holder is an experienced PC alternatively I am happy to deliver some to you. way for many years to come.” who joins us from the Force Control Room and Just call 101 and ask for me to visit you. Other highlights this year included a Jubilee will be tackling Horsell’s neighbourhood problems. Finally, if you attend the Horsell Christmas Tree Party attended by the Mayor Cllr Michael Smith While the next few weeks will be a busy time for Festival display, have a glance at the Surrey and his wife Anne along with local MP Jonathan us all with Christmas card writing, family visits Police entry ‘The Crime Scene Christmas Tree’. Lord, who enjoyed a slice of superb home baked and the stressful Christmas shopping to do, there A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Union Jack cake and a cup of tea. Another was is one thing I want to ensure: that no Horsell from the Horsell Safer Neighbourhoods Team. an escorted trip to watch South Pacific at the residents’ homes are on a burglar’s to-do list. New Victoria theatre. PCSO Derek Slee Therefore, I would like to raise your awareness The full programme can be viewed via: www. to the fact that burglars know people buy gifts at horsellcare.btck.co.uk this time of year. New volunteers are very welcome. Just leave Please do not leave your house vulnerable. your details on the helpline 01483 730740 or Here are examples of a vulnerable house: email: [email protected] • The house is in darkness; no lights visible and Sue Lewis-Badgett curtains open Horsell Care • Front door left open or keys left in the door Left: Peggy Miller receives a bouquet • Windows (even small ones) are left open – part- from volunteer David Metcalfe. icularly downstairs and those next to a flat roof Photo copyright Mary Temple.

Page 6 The Resident – Winter 2012 SCHOOLS & SCOUTS

All too soon it was time to say goodbye and Bazzaz 2012 find our lost property... no small challenge I can Beavers from all over Surrey gathered in assure you considering that 1,900 Beavers had Cranleigh showground in September to join in come to the event. enthusiastically with the long-awaited Bazzaz, a Thanks to the leaders and parent helpers who fun day designed especially for them, which had made it a day unique to Scouting and certainly been rained off in June. Despite the long wait, it one to remember! proved to be a tremendous success. Lis Clark The theme was Olympics 2012 and we were Leader, Adventurers Beavers lucky enough to have a real Olympic torch relay participant and a real Paralympian to inspire the Beavers. Both Adventurers and Trailblazers Forest School Beavers had made their own torches out of tin Horsell Common Preservation Society (HCPS) foil and cardboard and were excited to parade has extended its Forest School events on into the arena for the opening ceremony. Horsell Common. The Forest School programme is designed to encourage young local children There were lots of fun things to do on the day and a to learn about their natural environment via a great range of opportunities for Beavers to try out host of action-packed activities. It offers children, new things, such as walking on custard! This event young people and adults regular opportunities to was a particular favourite with our Beavers and if achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem you want to try it at home it involves lots of custard through hands-on learning experiences in a local powder and water! Oh and it’s very messy... woodland environment. Building on the success We climbed bouncy castles, slid down a helter of these days in the summer, Horsell Junior skelter, drove go-karts like professionals, raced School pupils now visit the Common regularly each week. Art students from cars like The Stig, rode a steam train, banged had their work featured in a week-long Indian drums... loudly, took part in a Decathlon, For more information about events on Horsell exhibition at the prestigious Glasshouse balanced on a high wire and much, much more Common, visit primaryforestschool.com. Also at RHS Wisley in October. The pictures, besides. check out the HCPS website at www.horsell in a range of media, were inspired by an earlier visit to the gardens when the common.org.uk A picnic lunch served its purpose to refuel the students sketched and photographed the Beavers for the afternoon’s activities whilst giving Paul Rimmer rich plant life. Photos by Molly Gray the leaders a chance to have a well-earned rest. Estate Manager, HCPS

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The Resident – Winter 2012 Page 7 CHARITY FUNDRAISER

money for Woking Hospice, an establishment that is close to the hearts of many locals. For the people of Horsell, David Cameron’s Big Society is nothing new; we’ve been doing it for centuries. “We are delighted that the total raised this year was so high and that, despite the current economic climate, the people of Horsell showed their generosity and compassion. I would personally like to thank all the participants, the P4C committee, and all our helpers for making the events such a great success.” Paul Rimmer people of Horsell that all the tickets were sold back P4C committee P4C raises £45,000 in June, almost as soon as they went on sale. We for Woking Hospice could probably have sold them twice over.” Another feature of the evening was a charity Pedal4Charity (P4C), a Horsell-based fundraising auction which included donated prizes such as group, is celebrating its most well-supported tickets for the theatre, music concerts and golf and successful series of events in its five-year days. A star prize this year was a week’s holiday existence. At a special evening held at The in a villa in Turkey, donated by a Horsell resident. Cricketers pub to thank the volunteers, P4C The barn dance evening raised a further £7,000. chairman, Terry Fox, announced that the total The week culminated in a spectacular ‘Sunday raised in 2012 was just over £45,000, and that Funday’, which included 300 participants comp- the grand total to date was over £150,000 for the leting a 12- or 23-mile cycle ride to the Rose & charity, Woking Hospice. Crown pub in Thorpe and back. Former Olympic This year’s week-long programme commenced and world championship cyclist Tony Doyle MBE with a giant pub quiz in a marquee on Horsell was on hand to start the ride. Common in front of the Cricketers pub, which was Live music from various bands entertained Top right: Team P4C organising committee attended by 190 people and raised over £2,000 (L to R) Ben Neale; Fabian Hine; Paul Rimmer; throughout the day, while entertainers juggled on the night. Quizmasters Terry Fox and Neil Debbie Eke; Andy Francis; Helen Pillinger; and painted faces and McLaren displayed its Perks added to the ambience of the evening by Clive Price; Neil Perks; Terry Fox; Ron Neale. Formula 1 winning car. Nearby, ‘The Cricks’ laid arriving in the marquee on mini tractors loaned Top left: Over 300 cyclists set off towards Thorpe. on a hog roast and barbecue for hungry cyclists by Cliftons Turf Machinery in Carthouse Lane. Above: A total of 250 people attended the sell-out and revellers alike. barn dance. The following day, Art Club laid on a high class exhibition of work by local artists, with 10 per The week concluded with a rocking performance Photographs copyright Paul Rimmer. cent of sales going to the charity. by Blues/Rock/Soul group, The Average Chalky Friday night was a sell-out barn dance, with The White Band. Cricketers pub providing a three-course meal, and Terry Fox said afterwards: “For me and my team, 250 people swinging their partners to the sounds of this event has become a Horsell Village Festival the Hogs Back Band. Founder of P4C, Ron Neale, and is about the community pulling together to said: “This event has grown so popular with the have a lot of fun, but at the same time, raising

REMEMBER TO CHECK OUT THE HRA BLOG AND TWITTER FEEDS

Page 8 The Resident – Winter 2012 WWF UPDATE

In October, WWF opened the gates to its develop- Earth ducts. ment in Brewery Road so the public could have Copyright Ash Knotek/WWF-UK. a closer look at progress. The new Living Planet Centre’s eco-friendly design features a ‘passive’ heating and cooling system, drawing air through underground pipes into and around the building, so early work included bore holes for the earth ducts and ground source heat pumps (pictured).

Overview of the site in October 2012. Horsell remembers Copyright Greg Armfield/WWF-UK. On 11 November in beautiful sunshine the village gathered again in the High Street for Armistice Day. To ensure that the memory of This winter the curved roof will take shape over those who gave their lives for our country are the mezzanine level, in line with the tree canopy; never forgotten, the names of those recorded the public car park space can be seen already on the war memorial were read out by Tony beneath the main building platform. The front of the Noel. The service was led by the Vicar of St WWF building (facing) will feature a public visitor Mary’s, Rev. Rod Jones. Photo: Tony Kremer. area, schools’ education suite and auditorium. See Geoff Banks’ photos from Remembrance Day on Flickr at: http:/www. For latest details visit wwf.org.uk/livingplanetcentre. flickr.com/photos/horselljubilationphotos/ Katie Randerson sets/72157631998362796/ Head of Brand Communications, WWF-UK Word on the Street What is going on in your road? Do you have a group or neighbour who coordinates activities? Please get in touch with your news and events and perhaps The Resident and/or HRA blog can help publicise them. Do you have an issue to debate or a story to tell? Or even a fabulous photo of something or someone from Horsell? Do you do something different for a hobby or a business? Tell us all about it. Contact Linda for the print magazine on [email protected] and/or Greta for the blog and twitter feed on [email protected]

The Resident – Winter 2012 Page 9 CHRISTMAS COMPETITION

phone/email and postal address) and send them (http://horsellresident.wordpress.com). Win £20 towards the to: Christmas Competition, 17 Holyoake Crescent, Just visit The Resident magazine pages. Horsell, Woking GU21 4PN, to arrive no later than The winner will be drawn at random from the trimmings or tipples! 17th December. Alternatively, email the answers correct entries. Good luck! The competition is in three sections. Write the answers and contact details to: [email protected] Thanks to HRA Chair Dorothy Smith for compiling to the given clues along with your contact details (name/ You can also find the competition on the HRA blog the questions.

How well do you know Surrey and Hants? Listed below are clues to the names of eight villages, flowers and kitchen anagrams.

Section 1 - VILLAGES Section 2 - FLOWERS Section 3 - KITCHEN ANAGRAMS a) After the fire a) Cockney conceit a) Sea term ...... b) William’s home b) Economical way b) Clean rod ...... c) Transparent village c) Plea on parting c) Rene point ...... d) How to get your children home safely d) Not dancing d) Sponsor steed ...... e) To dispatch e) Animal accessories e) Hot petal ...... f) Close to the Navy f) Fat container f) Blows a rug ...... g) Shiny happy cat g) Trendy Lenny g) Track leap ...... h) Sounds wavy h) Vegetable with sugar h) Proper lace ......

Page 10 The Resident – Winter 2012 HISTORY The nurseries of Horsell village The second in the two-part series on the area’s horticultural heritage In Horsell village, there were nurseries on the today. One of James’s eight children, Horace, to grow tomatoes in summer and chrysan- present site of Orchard Drive, Wheatsheaf served in the First World War in Flanders, themums, cyclamens and other Christmas Close and Heath Road, which grew mostly fruit writing home some interesting and revealing plants in winter, for sale in their shop. They and, had the plans of 1885 succeeded, these letters from the Front before his death there are recalled by Emmett’s Close. would have been replaced far earlier by larger in 1917, all of which are preserved in the Stephen Spooner had a nursery at Horsell houses than most of the present stock, with Surrey History Centre. Birch in 1841, although in 1845 the whole their own cricket ground and tennis courts. The Collyer family also ran several nurseries stock was sold by auction. Others of the Up Church Hill, on the site of Lych Way, were in the area. The first two, both named William, Spooner family also ran nurseries: William at the nurseries founded by Henry Cobbett in probably father and son, were at Horsell Birch Arthur’s Bridge up to at least 1914, and Frank, the 1820s, known as Horsell Nurseries, which in 1841. Four sons of a further William Collyer at Walden’s Park, from 1922 to 1938. over time extended to sites in the High Street, also became nurserymen: Richard, William, just beyond Esgairs, beyond Ormonde Road John and Herbert. Richard lived at Carthouse Finally at Nursery House or Birch Nursery, so and up to Bullbeggars Lane. They special- Lane Farm and died in 1913 (although his described in 1911 and 1919 respectively, and ised in roses and fruit trees, and many people executors were still trying to sell the 64-acre probably Birch Farm, was George Christmas, visited to see the flowers. site in 1932). William and John began in who was established between 1901 and 1911 nurseries at Parley Bridge and diversified into The nurseries flourished under Henry’s sons as a market gardener. growing willow trees, while Herbert worked Carmi and Henry, and Carmi’s son, another with his brothers and later for Anthony Waterer Supporting all of these nurseries was a large Henry, supplied plants for the newly laid-out (see more on the Waterers in the previous army of workers, reaching a total of about 71 Castle Grounds in in 1881. This Autumn 2012 edition). in the 1911 census, along with four clerks and Henry had 10 children, of whom James took From the 1930s, various Dutch and Belgian managers, as well as about 110 men who over the nursery. When he reached the age nurserymen acquired the Collyer nurseries, referred to themselves as gardeners, who may of 68 in 1933 the entire stock was advertised which eventually became Ford’s Nursery have worked for the larger houses, been jobbing for sale and the land was sold for building, Stock, covering 60 acres and with a turnover gardeners or been employed at the nurseries. with the names Rosehill Avenue and Nursery in 1981 of £350,000. It is no longer operating. Close recalling the site of these nurseries A century later, as houses cover the sites of Also on the village border at Mimbridge, most of the nurseries, there is little of this horti- Mimbridge Nurseries was established by 1899 cultural heritage remaining, save the enthusi- and, having had several owners, operated astic tenants of Bullbeggars Lane allotments. until the late 1980s. Rosemary and Richard Christophers Returning to the centre of the village, Richard Woking History Society Howard, who had probably started as a labourer at Blackhorse Nursery, St John’s, Sources and acknowledgements: was a nurseryman at Esgairs from 1905, E J Willson. Nurserymen to the world. The author, 1989 being described in the 1911 census as a A Crosby. A history of Woking. Rev. ed. Phillimore, 2002. Useful map on p 102. ‘small nurseryman’. S E and R Whiteman. Victorian Woking. Emmett and Sons started nurseries in 1905 in Surrey Archaeological Society, 1970 Kirby Road and Abbey Road, growing trees, R Davis. Woking living words. Vol. 1. The Lightbox, 2007. flowers and some vegetables. They special- 1911 census records on ancestry.co.uk and ised in conifers, which were sold to other transcribed by Phillip Arnold, 2012. Emmett and Sons specialised in growing conifers nurseries. In Walden’s Road they had land Illustration courtesy of The Lightbox.

The Resident – Winter 2012 Page 11

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