Westcott Parish Magazine

Village Diary
January
Page
Westcott Parish
Magazine
1st
New Year’s Day Walk
33 & 43
10th
Neighbourhood Development Exhibition
35
13th
Ralph Vaughan Williams in Surrey Talk
43
21st
Monthly Teas
11
January 2015
29th-1st Feb Dick Whittington Pantomime
28
60p
Friday 16th Jan —Final date for submission of material for next edition
Regular Events
Mondays
Weekly Café @ St Johns
2:00 PM
Mondays
Bridge Club @ Reading Room
7:30 PM
Tuesdays
Art Club @ St Johns
10:00 AM
1st Wed
Coffee Morning @ Reading Room
10:30 AM
1st Wed
Westcott Wives
8:00 PM
Thursdays
Tai Chi Classes 60 plus @ Reading Room
2:15 PM
Thursdays
Bingo @ Westcott Village Club
8:00 PM
Thursdays
Youth Club Years 10 plus
7:45 PM
Fridays
Youth Club School Years 6 to 9
4:00 PM
Fridays
Meat Raffle @ Village Club
9:00 PM
Saturdays
Junior Wolves Soccer
9:00 AM
Saturdays
Dance Style Fitness @ The Hut
10:00 AM
Please note that the Parish Church is open every day during daylight
hours, with notice board information, library facilities and current copies
of the Diocesan Herald and Parish Magazine available inside.
Printed by VINCENT PRESS LTD
Graphic House, Vincent Lane, Dorking
RH4 3SA - 01306 880177
56
1
For subscription to the Parish Magazine
please contact David Craddock 07970 153423
For general information regarding advertising in the Parish
magazine please go to the parish website at
www.holytrinitywestcott.org.uk you can find an 'electronic'
copy of the magazine itself, 'frequently asked questions'
regarding advertising and current prices - all of which can be
downloaded in PDF format.
Please email any further questions or queries to
[email protected] or call
Jason on 07710 858 802
If you have any LETTERS, COMMENTS, ARTICLES
E-mail: [email protected]
Or post to: The Editor, 22 Ashley Road,
Westcott, Dorking RH4 3QJ
Final date for submission of material for next edition:
Friday 16th January
Do you want to advertise your local
service, trade or business here?
Westcott has a population of 2,000.
Through the distribution of this magazine it is available to approximately 80% of the villagers.
For our advertising rates and frequently asked question fact sheet
please visit www.holytrinitywestcott.org.uk
For more information or to submit an advert email Jason
[email protected] or phone 07710 858 802
2
Who’s Who in Westcott
Church
Holy Trinity Vicar
Youth and community worker
Alan Jonas
Stuart Ryland
Church Electoral Roll
Churchwardens
Parish Office
John Howell
Gordon Williams
Roger Christian
Sue Bax
Jason Spiller
David Craddock
Alison Hunter
Sarah Massey
Debbie Shortland
Kay Meldrum
John Howell
Madeleine Brooks
Churchyard
Flower Co-ordinator
Magazine Advertising
Magazine Distribution
Magazine Editor
Parish Administrator
PCC Secretary
Treasurer
Treasurer (assistant)
Cathedral Link
Clubs,
Bowling Club
groups etc. Brownies
Centre Stage Theatre School
Cookie Club Toddler Group
Cricket Club
Football Club
Westcott 1935 Senior
HWW Junior
Gardeners Club
Guides
Action House After Sch Club
Local History Group
Mothers’ Union
Rainbows
Village Club
Westcott Players
Westcott Wives
Community Community Care Group
County Councillor (SCC)
District Councillor (MVDC)
Hut Booking
Little Doves Pre-School
St John’s Bookings
Surrey Hills School
Reading Room Booking
Village Association
55
John Riches
Nicola Brett
Sue Winch
Gail Lowe
Liz Cronshey
Alan Pickering
Andy Wadey
Carl Grieves
Sheena Salmon
Naomi Wye
Donna Sawyers
Lucy Hersery
John Clachan
Elizabeth Crook
Naomi Wye
Club Steward
Nadine Parkinson
Kay Meldrum
885309
887413
07515 724400
885309
889565
640654
886745
742301
07710 858802
07970 153423
880487
875439
899145
885482
889565
881372
881319
742874
887267
881488
741737
640635
880963
07501 299161
885597
07988 661302
07787 568091
887858
881156
07988 661302
889704
882730
885482
Joyce Kingsley-Jones
885789
Hazel Watson
880120
James Friend
881251
Suzanne Spirydon
877625
Jeannette Dobson
889890
Sarah Medcraft
884891
Mrs J Ratcliff
881136 / 730747
Booking Secretary
07967 286636
Alex Segal
876725
Westcott Village Car Service
This is not an official car service but a voluntary organisation
run on a ‘friends and neighbours’ basis to enable elderly or
infirm Westcott residents, without transport, to visit Hospital or keep
appointments at Doctors, Dentists, Chiropodists and the like.
To obtain help, ring the first number below, if there is no response try the
second number. If neither is available, one of the following may be able to
help: Mr Meldrum (885482), Mr/Mrs Mardell (880061), Mr Gabb (885534) or
Mr Connolly (889138). In the event of any difficulty, ring Mr Crook (881156)
January
Mr Bennett
Mrs Dawkins
888457
882161
RIVERBANK SURGERY - Dr. Tom F. Guilder
Westcott Street, Westcott, Surrey RH4 3PA Tel: 875577
OPENING
TIMES:
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Morning
8:00 - 12:30
8:00 - 12:30
8:00 - 12:30
8:00 - 12:30
8:00 - 12:30
Evening
1:30 - 6:30
1:30 - 6:30
Closed
1:30 - 6:30
1:30 - 6:30
The surgery phones are diverted from 12.30-2.30. There is a mobile number which
can be used if there is a medical emergency that cannot wait during the 2 hours .....
07966 749372.
In the event of any future power failures, should you need to contact the surgery in
an emergency during normal surgery hours, then please call this mobile number
07966 749372.
OTHER USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS
Single non-emergency number
ELECTRICITY
- Emergency
~~~~~~~~
GAS
- Emergency
~~~~~~~~
WATER
- Emergency
~~~~~~~~
Fire & Rescue
- Non-emergency ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Police
- Non-emergency ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
101
0800 7838866
0800 111 999
01737 772 000
01737 242 444
01483 571212
Mole Valley District Council
Mole Valley Help Shop
Surrey County Council
Dorking & District Age Concern
Surrey Traveline
- Buses & Trains
Dorking Library
NHS Direct
- 24hr helpline
01306 885 001
01372 363 385
08456 009 009
01306 889 493
01737 223 000
01306 882 948
0845 46 47
54
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~
.. from Alan Jonas, Vicar of Westcott
MARRIAGE MATTERS
Over two Sundays in January - Jan 18th, 25th, we are focusing on
marriage. We will look at how to sustain a life-time of marriage,
facing difficulties that arise in virtually all relationships.
We need to know that, as the prophet Malachi proclaims (Mal
2:16), “God hates divorce”, No wonder. Divorce brings emotional,
social, spiritual and economic devastation. Of course, this is not to
say that anyone who is divorced is “condemned”. Sometimes, one
party in a marriage can want to stay together and they will do
everything they can for this, but their spouse has “closed down”,
“walked away”. In other cases, the relationship is so abusive, there
must be separation. In all cases, there can be forgiveness, new life,
a fresh start after divorce.
However, the facts of the great priority God gives to marriage, and
the hard consequences when break-up occurs, must mean that we
have to do everything we can to support and sustain our own
marriages and those of others.
Over these two weeks, we will explore the principles of good
marriage and what to do when tension comes. We will see that the
ideas are wholly relevant to everybody – single or married –
because they are the principles of loving, being human.
A “MARRIAGE MATTERS MOT” evening will be held later in
the year. All who are married, engaged, or in a partnership are
warmly invited. Look out for details later.
As ever, all are very welcome.
A very happy New Year to you all
Alan & Jenny
3
.. from the Editor
It is busy, busy, busy time in the Hunter household as the
silly season is upon us and we are all trying to see family
and friends at this special time and I keep wondering (as I
seem to do every year) if we will ever be ready for
Christmas. It is with some relief that I know that at the time
I will be reading this in print Christmas will have happened
whether I was ready or not, as it does every year!
I am looking forward to 2015. Just after the end of it I will
have lived for half a century. Following in the footsteps of
what a friend did - earlier this year I made a list of 50 things
to do before I am 50. I have started to tick them off with a
meal at Carlos, a trip to Edinburgh, having a go at Segway
and “doing the cow thing” thanks to Islay and Angie
(although I think I need to attend a show to complete this
one). So there is still lots I need to arrange and experience.
The good thing is most of them include activities with family
and friends so in a drive to work through my list I will be
encouraged to be in touch and see them all more through
the year rather than leaving it to the silly season.
I wish you all the very best for 2015 for what you have
planned and for what may just happen. And maybe, just
maybe, next December I will be relaxed having already seen
everyone I want to and be ready for Christmas.
Alison
The views expressed in this magazine are those of the
individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the
general views of the editor or the residents of Westcott.
4
53
Construction Crew Lego Club
A vision for your family:
Together,
Grounded in faith
Come and use your imagination
Build the hugest, biggest, largest
Rocket, Space Station, Time Warp Car
Or Godzilla.
Share your knowledge with others.
Form friendships and amazing cities.
Donation £1-00
Venue St John’s 2:00-3:00 Fridays
Age: 2 – pre school with Parent/Minder
Stacey 07964 631999
This is the magazine of Westcott Parish Church
“Growing in Christian Community,
sharing the love of Christ with all”
Integrated in,
Supported by,
your Church here in Westcott
We provide activities every week for children, 0-16. Join us this Sunday
REFLECTION SERVICES – Peace, Poetry, Prayer
Lead by Jane Hellier in HOLY TRINITY
6 pm – Jan 11th, Feb 22nd, Mar 29th
2 pm – Good Friday
THANK YOU & MISSING WALL HANGING
Many thanks to Debbie Shortland and all who worked so
hard for an excellent Christmas Fair. A lovely social
occasion with over £2000 raised.
Unfortunately, one of the wall hangings was sold
inadvertently. It has a Christmas Tree design, one of 12
hangings that were on the walls of the Reading Room. We
apologise for the mistake in selling this item. We would be
very grateful if the purchaser could contact me regarding its
return.
Alan Jonas Vicar 885309 [email protected]
52
5
HAVE YOUR WEDDING AT HOLY TRINITY WESTCOTT
It is easier to be married at Holy Trinity than you may think.
Anyone who lives in the village can have their wedding with
us. Also, you may have a “qualifying connection” that means
you are eligible. Any of the following count as a “qualifying
connection “:-
Tea Break
puzzles
Maze
You were baptised in Westcott
You were confirmed through Holy Trinity
Your parents or grandparents were married in Holy
Trinity
You or your parent(s) have lived in Westcott at some
point for at least 6 months.
You or your parent(s) have worshipped regularly at Holy
Trinity for at least 6 months at some point in your life.
Under, the last point, it is acceptable to worship with us for
six months up to your wedding.
I am told the weddings we conduct at Holy Trinity are very
memorable and meaningful. Please feel free to contact me
for more information.
Easy Sudoku Answers
Intermediate Sudoku Answers
Alan Jonas [email protected] 885309
WEBSITE FOR HOLY TRINITY
For podcasts of the latest sermons, news of upcoming
events, and all sorts of information about the Church in
Westcott,
please take a look at
http://www.holytrinitywestcott.org.uk.
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51
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Tel: 01483 274 936 Mobile: 07714 689 824
CHEAP HARDWOOD LOGS FOR SALE
SUCCESSFUL OFSTED FOR PRIORY CHURCH OF
ENGLAND SECONDARY SCHOOL, DORKING
Many congratulations to Priory Church of England Secondary
School, Dorking for achieving "Good" in every category in its
recent OFSTED inspection. From the Report summary:* The headteacher is a highly respected school leader. He works
in close partnership with the deputy headteacher to drive the
work of this steadily improving school. Senior and middle
leaders contribute to the school’s good management.
* The governing body is very effective. Governors have
comprehensive knowledge of the school’s strengths and areas for
development.
* This is a school with a fully inclusive ethos and a very strong
sense of community. All students are valued and each is known
individually.
* Students are polite and courteous towards each other and when
working with adults. Whatever their backgrounds, students get
on very well together. They have a keen sense of right and
wrong.
* The school’s work to keep students safe is outstanding. Highly
effective care and support ensures that relationships between
students are mutually supportive and that bullying is virtually
non-existent.
* Achievement is good because students make excellent progress
in English and good progress in a range of other subjects,
including mathematics
* The quality of teaching is good. Teachers provide very
effective support for students and are held in high esteem by
students.
* The sixth form is good. Students value the support they receive.
The curriculum provides them with the opportunities they need to
develop the skills necessary for life after school.
50
7
Tea Break
puzzles
Easy Sudoku
Intermediate
Sudoku
8
49
FLOODLIGHTING
Happy New Year to all. The January church
floodlighting has been sponsored by Gerald
and Brenda Culliford.
The floodlighting for December was sponsored to celebrate
the birth of Jesus and to say thank you for everything that
Alan, Jenny and their helpers do.
If you would like to sponsor the church floodlighting, please
contact Sarah Massey at [email protected] or on
01306 875439. (Suggested donation of £67 to Westcott Church
Funds.)
FROM THE PARISH REGISTERS
Marriage:
15th November
Luke Miles Ryde & Louise Elizabeth James
Death:
6th November
Brenda Joan Orchard (97)
BAPTISM/THANKSGIVING
FOR THE GIFT OF A CHILD
All enquires are very welcome about baptism
(“Christening”) and a service of thanksgiving for the gift of a
child. Baptisms are held in the main Parish service (10:15am
Sundays) as the service celebrates the child coming into
Christian faith. A service of thanksgiving does not entail making
Christian vows but is simply a service of thanks and prayer;
these are held at 12:00 on Sundays, by arrangement.
Please contact me for more details.
Alan Jonas
48
9
VIGILANT FLOORING LTD
Children’s Page
Supplying and Installing Fine Quality Carpets and Wood
Floors for over 30 Years in Surrey.
A family run company based in Westcott offering a reliable,
efficient and professional service.
For a Free, No Obligation Quotation, Survey and Advice...
Please Contact: Graeme Lawrie
01306 877068
07843 382877
[email protected]
www.vigilantflooring.com
ECO LOGS
SEASONED HARDWOOD LOGS
Bulk grab bags, small net bags, kindling
From local Ecological
woodland restoration
Phone: Laurence Crow
Woodland Management Consultant
01306 712850
10
07767 478638
47
News From St John’s
all are very welcome
CAFÉ
Every Monday 2pm –4pm
COOKIE CLUB Parents’ & Toddlers & Babies:
Every Thursday 10am – 12 noon (In term time)
TEAS
2.30 – 4 pm Wednesday (Once a month)
ART CLUB
Every Tuesday morning 10am – 12 noon
CRAFT CLUB Monthly on 1st Monday afternoon
YOUTH CLUBS Contact Stuart Ryland for more info
St. John’s Café
Open Mondays 9.15 pm – 11.45 am
Fresh Filter Coffee * Tea * Herbal/Fruit Teas
Hot Chocolate * Cup-a-Soup * Fruit Juices
Home made cakes * Biscuits
Venue: St. John’s Church, Furlong Road All welcome
ST. JOHN’S MONTHLY TEAS
The next teas, with lovely homemade cakes,
will be on
WEDNESDAY 21st JANUARY 2015
2.30 - 4.00 PM
All welcome. Any enquiries
Audrey 881403 Janice 886252
46
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Thought For The Month
Christmas with all of its presents, festivities, celebrations, highs and
lows has come and gone; the New Year beckons and just for a moment
we have a little time to stop - think - and try to get it all into perspective.
The birth of Our Lord and Saviour; Angels talking to shepherds and the
juxtaposition of mighty events and lowly human beings - and now we
are told about the Magi (or Three wise men from the east - Balthaser,
Melchior and Caspar) astrologers so it has been said, trying to read the
stars. But those astrologers were nothing like the ones which we have
today. It would probably be better to call them "astronomers" who had
identified a very odd event in the heavens and were trying to respond in
the best way that they knew how. I have seen a number of possible
explanations for "the Star of Bethlehem" - at such places as the London
Planetarium - but so far all of them have had significant weaknesses and
have not really been convincing.
We are on somewhat firmer ground with the Magi - we even have
names for them as I mention above - and they are confidently believed
to have been priests of the Zoroastrian religion (as was king Cyrus of
the Medes and Persians who released the Jews from captivity and
bondage in Babylon). Zoroaster was one of the great teachers of the
ancient world, on a par with Buddha and Confucius and he taught that
there was only one Creator God and an opposing evil spirit and that
what you did or did not do whilst alive on Earth determined whether
you went to Heaven or Hell in the afterlife. The religion is still alive
today - practiced by the Parsees of India, but their numbers are in
decline because of their policy of only marrying within their faith.
There is even the diabolical murder by Herod of the firstborn sons (the
Holy Innocents) to consider if we wish. Chronologically it came after
the Magi had gone back to their own land and it is a particularly pointed
event reflecting aspects of life at the time which is almost beyond our
thinking.
There is plenty to think about and many of the themes have very
profound elements in them.
Wishing you all a prosperous and happy New Year
Terry Ellis
12
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ALPHA FOR ALL IN WESTCOTT
WESTCOTT,
DORKING,
A25
2 - SERVICED OFFICES TO LET
400 sq. ft. & 200 sq. ft. approx.
1 Parking space
Rent around £11 per sq. ft. per annum
2 - GARAGES / STORAGE TO
LET
200 sq. ft. approx. each
Rent around £500 per annum
Contact Lisa Mickel
Mobile: 07789 100051
44
13
Bullimores
Chartered Accountants
For a friendly, supportive, and cost-effective approach
to all your business and taxation needs:
Accounting, Audit, Taxation, Business Start-ups, Payroll,
Computer Services, Financial and Tax Planning, Executorship
and Inheritance Tax
With over 70 years’ experience we will understand your needs,
whether business or private.
For a free, no obligation consultation, including a quote, please contact:
Jill or Dee on Freephone 0800 0925 880
156 South Street, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 2HF
E-mail: [email protected]
www.bullimores.co.uk
lists all those who served – the village is fortunate in having
this as a complete record.
The War Memorials at Holy Trinity were unveiled on
Remembrance Day 1920 – the plaque in the church shows
each man’s rank, regiment and, unusually, features their
regimental badges. This amount of detail was very helpful
in the research needed to produce the books which can now
be seen by the memorials in the church and in St John’s
Chapel.
The war brought huge social changes in its wake and one of
its veterans, Fred Dixon, at the age of 92 wrote eloquently
about this when he recorded the memories of his early years
in Westcott. These were re-produced in our Annual report
for 2006.
New Years Day Walk. Now almost a Westcott tradition, this
starter for the year will set off from the Reading Room at
10.30 am. With some permissions still to be granted as we
go to print it is going to be a bit of a mystery trip but it is
likely to encompass some rough going and a stiffish climb.
Rest assured that you will be rewarded with mulled wine
and mince pies whilst enjoying some fine views and still
allow you to be back home before 12.30. Our next Talk in
the Reading Room will be on Tuesday 13th January. at 8pm
on “Ralph Vaughan Williams in Surrey” presented by
Robin Wells.
This article should have been printed in the December
edition for which the editor apologises to Roger and the
Westcott Local History Group.
14
43
JW Rance
Colin Campbell
Local Electrician
Building and landscaping
Ponds and patios
Garden maintenance
Registered Part P
Approved Contractor
Call
Tel: 01306 883 126
Mob: 077707 60581
Contact Jason: 07801
270708
[email protected]
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42
.. from James Friend, District Councillor
Another New Year in Westcott and themes of new life are
all around us. Time to take on new challenges, letting the
past be behind us or to tackle something we have been
putting off.
If you want to start the year with planting for new growth, as
it were, then why not register to take part in “Grow Wild” –
this opportunity gives you free packs of wildflower seeds to
scatter around your local hedgerows and uncultivated areas.
Supported by the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, you can
apply on behalf of formal or informal groups of people
(maybe you and you neighbours) and there are 120,000
packs to be given away.
Each Grow Wild kit contains seed for five people and any
group can apply for up to twenty seed kits. Each kit has
enough seed to transform at least 10 square metres, as well
as a growing guide, DIY bee house and site markers. “First
Come First Served” registration closes at midnight on 14
February 2015 and, subject to availability, kits will be sent
out in late March.
Here’s the website to visit to register:
www.growwilduk.com/seed-kit
For those of you following the fundraising exploits of Surrey
East Girl Guides, you will be delighted to hear that Reigate
& Banstead Borough Council have managed to identify just
over £30,000 of Section 106 developer contribution funds to
put towards the Guides’ £400,000 fundraising target for the
rebuilding of the Faurefold Holiday and Camp site here in
Westcott. I am personally grateful to the team at Reigate &
Banstead for their support with this East Surrey wide
project.
15
If you or your family work for organisations that have grant
making activities, such as many of the larger companies
nowadays, then we would really appreciate it if you could
bring the Faurefold redevelopment to their attention. All the
details are available via:
www.girlguidingsurreyeast.org.uk
Our local Police team have highlighted to me that the darker
evenings tend to see an increase in burglaries.
Burglary is a horrible crime to be a victim of, and it's a
priority for us to tackle - which is why Surrey Police
recently undertook a regional anti-burglary campaign
with Police in Thames Valley, Sussex and Kent. Their work
saw a 15% reduction in burglary over a three week period
compared to the previous year and across the region 265
burglary suspects were arrested during the campaign while
suspects were charged with 104 burglaries.
The campaign stressed that it is easy to take some simple
steps to protect yourself against being burgled: Light It,
Lock It, List It.
Light it:
Install low wattage timed security lighting that stays on
throughout the night
Make sure your house looks occupied even when it isn’t.
Use an automatic timer switch to turn interior lights on and
off
Even a light downstairs from 4.30pm to 8.00pm and one
upstairs from 6.30pm to 9.30pm would be effective
Lock it:
Keep your front and back doors shut and locked – even
when you are at home
Fit window locks and ensure French windows and patio
16
worked in a munitions factory. To help food supplies the
school’s gardening classes were held on the gardens and
allotments of the men who were serving and this must have
been an enormous help to their families. The school also
collected waste paper to help the war effort and took part in
blackberry collections to help augment the nation’s jam
supplies. Food was getting increasingly scarce as the war went
on.
Maize was an important source of food, but it was also needed
to produce acetone which was used in shell propellant. An
alternative to maize was urgently needed. Professor Chaim
Weizmann in Manchester discovered that acetone could also be
produced from horse chestnuts and the call went out to schools
to harvest ‘conkers’. A local competition saw Westcott School
collect 1 ½ tons of conkers, but they just missed the first prize!
An interesting consequence of this was that the British
Government offered Chaim Weizman a title for his discovery.
He declined it and said he would prefer Government help
towards establishing a home for the Jewish people. This
resulted in the Balfour Declaration of 1917 which ultimately
led to the creation of the state of Israel in 1947. Chaim
Weizmann was elected to be its first President.
Thirty-six Westcott men were lost in the war. Most of them had
joined up in response to Kitchener’s call for volunteers in the
first few weeks of the war. Peter related the stories of some of
those who were lost. Several families, such as the Barclays and
the Marshalls, lost two sons in the conflict. Others, such as
Harry Jeater, had made significant contributions to village life
before the war. One man, George Tarrant, had been awarded a
posthumous Military Medal for bravery. Lt Geake’s father put
up in his memory the village sign and bus stop to be of lasting
benefit to the village. The Hut was provided as a place of
recreation for the returning soldiers and was inaugurated in
1920 by HH Princess Marie Louise. A “We Thank You”
dinner was held for the men who returned and the menu card
41
scrapbook made a fascinating part of our display. Both men
returned safely home after the war.
At home Lord Kitchener (with his famous poster) immediately
called for men to join the army and huge queues formed at
recruiting offices across the country. Many Westcott men joined
their county regiments – the Queen’s and the East Surreys – but
others joined regiments across the country. In the north,
particularly, “Pals” battalions were created so that friends served
together – this was to have catastrophic consequences in the
Battle of the Somme where whole towns were to suffer appalling
losses. Two men on our memorial – Pte Ernest Broadgate, of the
11th Lincolns (the Lincolnshire“Chums”), one of the ‘Pals’
battalions, and Lt Boyd Geake of the York & Lancaster Regt,
were to die on the terrible first day of that battle.
As well as the need for men there was also a huge demand for
horses. In 1913 the government had carried out a census of
horses in anticipation of war needs. When war broke out the
horses were requisitioned and taken to Remount Depots across
the country where they conditioned for war. Our nearest depot
was at Redhill; some 37,000 horses were to be sent from that
depot alone to the front. The supply from Britain was nowhere
near enough, thousands more were obtained from Ireland and the
United States to meet the needs.
The supply of volunteers to join the services inevitably dwindled
and conscription came into force in 1916. Some men appealed
against call-up for various reasons and tribunals were established
to decide whether exemption could be allowed. Over 40 appeals
from Westcott were heard in the period 1916-18; most appellants
were given some form of temporary or permanent exemption. To
replace men, women went to work on the land and in munitions
factories. In Westcott the school logbook records that Olive Rose
was excused attendance to look after her younger brothers and
sisters while her mother was engaged on wartime agricultural
work. Win Smithers of Milton Street was one Westcott lady who
40
doors are secure
Never leave door or car keys or other valuables in reach
of a letter box or window
Secure your garage and shed too – equipment kept in a
garage or shed can be just as tempting for a burglar
If you can, install a burglar alarm and set it every time
you leave your home
List it:
Register your property at immobilise.com it's free of
charge and can increase your chances of being reunited
with your property
Install an app on your phone/tablet so that it can be
traced
Surrey Police have also highlighted that, as often happens
during the winter months, they are seeing an increase in
rogue traders preying on the elderly and vulnerable. Rogue
traders know that they can cause alarm by pointing out a
leaking gutter or damaged roof tiles and some people will
be concerned that the rain (or snow) might get into their
homes if they don't have the "work" done.
You can help be alert to these potential crimes by booking a
free crime reduction survey for your property – just give
Surrey police a call via 101.
Finally, do please look out this month for the details of the
next stages of the Westcott Neighbourhood Development
plan – it’s a real opportunity for us as residents to define the
shape of our village for the generations to come.
James Friend
17
WESTCOTT LOCAL
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The meeting on Remembrance Day 11th Nov was appropriately
a talk by Peter Bennett entitled ‘Westcott and the Great War.’ A
number of items and interesting documents related to the war
period were on display in the hall. Biographical details of the
36 men who died in the Great War are recorded in the
Anniversary Book presented to the Church on Remembrance
Sunday; these may also be accessed via the History Group
website www.westcotthistory.org.uk.
The year 1914 started well for Westcott, but this was not to last.
The village football team topped the Dorking and District
League - but sadly one of the players, Harry Jeater, was to be
killed in the conflict that was to follow . In July 1914 Colonel
Robert Barclay of Bury Hill put the Nower up for auction but
with war coming it failed to sell; in 1929 he was to give it to the
people of Dorking – one of the few good things, perhaps, that
came out of the war. A train of events across Europe was leading to war and when German troops invaded Belgium on 4th
August, Britain entered the war and mobilisation began. Troops
left their depots, went to railway stations across the country
(including Dorking West) and on to the channel ports where
they embarked for France and the war.
One person caught up early on in the war was our school woodwork master, Leonard Plato Roberts. He was on holiday in
Germany and was interned with some 4000 other Brits
(including one or two honeymoon couples!) who eventually
were all held in Ruhleben Camp, near Berlin. Leonard’s
passion was growing roses and he was to make quite a
contribution to the horticultural life of the camp. Pam Bishop’s
grandfather was also interned in Ruhleben and pages from his
Please call us on 01306 884432 for
a FREE initial consultation to discuss
your requirements.
www.hartscales.co.uk
18
39
WESTCOTT VILLAGE
COFFEE MORNING
at
The Reading Room
There will be no coffee morning in January
We wish everyone a Happy New Year.
Next coffee morning
Wednesday February 4th
Finance Assistant
Full time (35 hour week) based in central Guildford
The Diocese is looking for an enthusiastic, flexible and
motivated candidate experienced in finance department
procedures to join our friendly team. The ideal candidate will
have excellent spreadsheet, purchase ledger and cash book skills
and familiarity with computerised accounting systems.
Salary: £22,000 + 15% pension contribution
T.RAPSON
Closing date for applications:
12 noon Wednesday 7th January 2015
Interviews: Wednesday 14th January 2015
Mobile:
07979 862529
0773 99 66 33 9
38
For an application pack, including job description and
application form, contact Gerardine Brown, HR Manager
Tel: 01483 790302
Email: [email protected]
CVs will not be accepted
19
DANTE — The 1315 and 2015 Versions
The Dante Quartet are bringing their musical talents to Dorking
in the New Year for a series of three concerts. The Quartet was
founded in 1995 and chose the name of Dante to symbolise the
idea of a great and challenging journey, an apt description of the
poet himself of inferno fame. Dante was born in 1265 and by
prefacing his name with the letters “AN” it is transformed into a
musical term of ‘moderately slow tempo, perhaps even a song.
Dante’s lyrical poetry has in fact been described as a series of
songs or canticles as they are called in Church Evensong
bringing the Te Deum or Nunc Dimittis to mind and from an early
age the poet had learnt this art.
As to his early life his mother died shortly after his birth and his
early inspiration was centred round Beatrice. She died young
although historians still dispute whether she was a real person or
an exalted ideal of womanhood.
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Dante lived near Florence which was a part of Italy that was perpetually at war with its neighbours or Rome in its struggle for
independence. So his life was often a struggle, being exiled
twice, spending time in Paris where his poetry was acclaimed for
a change. On returning to Ravenna where he spent his last few
years in poverty until his death in 1321. At least he was treated
with honour and surrounded by congenial companions - the
Dante Quartet and the Dorking music lovers perhaps!
While Death and the Maiden is likely to be the best known of the
three works in their first concert the Quarter No 2 by Kodaly is
recognised as being the most perfect embodiment of the
Hungarian spirit, combing the pentatomic influence of Debussy
with more than a dash of their Magyar pepper with a glorious,
rumbustious ending. The word pentatomic is not so baffling as it
may sound as it is simply a scale of the five black notes on a
piano keyboard of which Auld Lang Syne is a good example.
Like our own Vaughan Williams in England Kodaly visited
remote Hungarian villages to collect songs and weave them into
his music. One of the Dante's reviews state that this is superbly
played and of the highest order. So the opening concert will be
something special for us to enjoy. This concert will be on Sunday
8th February in the Dorking Halls (Martineau Room) tickets are
£20.
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37
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Home Tel: No. 01306 644802
Mobile Tel: 07767 771777
email: [email protected]
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The Village Association Committee wishes all Westcott residents a
Happy New Year. I think it will be a busy one for all of us. The
last time I wrote this column I talked about street lighting but this
time I have a rather more complex subject. I advise our committee
on how aviation developments may affect the village. In 2014 the
Government appointed commission looking at possible sites for a
new runway in the southeast narrowed the possibilities to 3
schemes. Two of the proposals are for extra runways at Heathrow
and the other is for a second runway at Gatwick.
We have recently received the consultation document seeking
opinions and comments on the options. The document is 550 pages
long and is not an easy read. We have until early February to offer
our comments. Any individual or group can comment direct and
you can see the documents at https://www.gov.uk/government/
consultations/increasing-the-uks-long-term-aviation-capacity
Although there will be many factors affecting the commission’s
final recommendation our local concerns are likely to be centred
on aircraft noise. I think most of us recognise that living close to
our capital city we are always likely to experience aircraft noise to
some degree, but few of us would welcome a marked increase!
Our response will emphasise this, whilst also offering views on
some of the many other points raised.
The final commission report will be delivered to the government,
whoever they may be, after the General Election in May. Of course
none of us knows when the government will make a final decision
and whichever option, if any, they go for; it is unlikely that any
new runway will come into use before 2025 and 2029 seems a
more likely date
Finally can I mention the Village Monthly Diary which I prepare
and display on the notice board outside Balchins Stores. If you
would like an event, activity, hobby or sport published in the diary
then please pass details to [email protected]
36
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35
MUSIC IN DORKING - JANUARY 2015
by Ian Codd
8th 15th 22nd 29th at 8.30, Watermill Jazz at Friends Life,
£17-25, 07415 815784
th
10 at 7.30, Philharmonia Orchestra at Dorking Halls,
£20-29, 01306 740619
th
25 at 3.00, ballet screening at Dorking Halls,
£17, 01306 881717
th
29 at 7.15, opera screening at Dorking Halls,
£17, 01306 881717
Happy New Year! The major event in January is a visit by the
Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by the Venezuelan maestro
Domingo Hindoyan. On the programme is Beethoven’s
seventh symphony, an exultant and joyous piece renowned for
its exceptional rhythmic vitality, and Grieg’s delightful
Holberg Suite. Schumann’s piano concerto, a popular
favourite of the romantic era, will be played by the young
prize-winning pianist Ji Liu, whose debut solo album recently
soared to the top of the classical charts. Definitely a concert
not to miss!
The Dorking Halls continues its excellent series of live
screenings with the Bolshoi Ballet performing one of the bestloved ballets in the entire repertoire, Tchaikovsky’s Swan
Lake, and the Royal Opera performing André Chénier. This
opera, by the little-known composer Umberto Giordano, is
based on the life of the French poet André Chénier, and it
features a starring role for the tenor, sung in this production by
Jonas Kaufmann.
34
Watermill Jazz, which meets each Thursday evening, has the
following line-up of performers for the month: Billy Herbert
and the Buck Clayton Legacy Band playing the Billie Holiday
Songbook (8th), the Allison Neale quartet (15th), Larry
Goldings, Peter Bernstein and Bill Stewart (22nd), and Dylan
Howe’s Subterraneans playing the music of David Bowie
(29th).
23
.. from Stuart, our youth & community worker
Hello everyone and a Happy New Year to you all,
I hope you all had an enjoyable Christmas. By the time that you
are reading this I will have been to 6 Christmas Meals (definitely
not having turkey every time), at least 3 Carol Services (St John’s
Teas, Priory School and Holy Trinity), twice been to London to
see the lights and spent plenty of quality time with family and
friends.
2 of the meals were youth club events, at Café Rialto with the
Year 10 and above group and The Prince of Wales with the
younger group. All the young people and leaders had an enjoyable
time and the food was excellent.
The girls Street Dance group will need to be re-launched in
January as numbers have not been so good recently. The MVDC
funding for this group only has 4 weeks left to run and after that
the group will need to be financially self sustaining. A core group
of 4 usually attend and we desperately need new members,
otherwise the 4 regulars will have to pay £5 per session. If they
are not prepared to do that then the group will cease unless we can
attract new participants. If more people attend the cost per person
per session would be less. The dance teacher, Dee Cudlip and I
are hoping to organise a free taster lesson at Surrey Hills School
in January and I will put some publicity banners in the village. If
you are reading this article and are interested in joining the street
dance group or you know someone who might be then please let
me know.
The activ8 young people’s group at Holy Trinity continue to meet
at St John’s on Sundays (not the 1st or last Sunday of the month).
One of the advantages of running the group in St John’s is the
kitchen facilities and we have made use of these in serving bacon
rolls at the beginning of each meeting. Each week we talk about
how our week has been and talk about anyone we know who is ill,
then we use the outcomes of these discussions as the basis for a
group prayer time. We also study a part of the Bible and discuss
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how this applies to us. The group meets from 1000 to 1115 and is
open to anyone in school years 6 to 8.
My first term at the Priory school.
My name is Tristan and I attend the Priory CofE school.
Being a year 7 at Priory has been brilliant because it
has made me feel much more independent and I have
made lots of fantastic new friends.
When I had my induction day at Priory I got quite
nervous because I was in amongst loads of new people
who I didn’t know. But after about a week of being at
the Priory I had made some friends and it had become
a much more friendly environment for me.
The subjects I enjoy are PE, Music, DT and Cooking. I
like these subjects because they are all very creative
and fun. I go to Rugby club and Hockey club at school.
Last week with the school we went to watch a Rugby
match at Twickenham. It was England v Samoa and it
was a great match because I got to go with my friends
and also because England won 28-9!! We got there by
the school minibus.
I am writing this in November. In December all the
year 7 will be singing at the school carol service. I am
looking forward to this as it will be a good way to end
the term. Overall I think my first term at Priory school
has gone well!
This last term has been a great success for the youth club with
over £800 being raised for the trip to Leicester for the pool finals
and the pool finals themselves as reported last month.
Circle Housing has provided considerable funding this year to
subsidise youth club activities and I would like to thank them for
their support.
Over to Neil, whose poem this month is inspired by his football
team, have great 2015.
Stuart [email protected] 07515 724400
Man Utd 1878
The Holy Trinity: Charlton, Best, Law,
Busby Babes and Duncan Edwards staging football club war,
Yellow and Green of Newton Heath,
Hardman Joe Jordan, scarred face and gummy missing teeth,
Munich 58, a treacherous slippery runway, a tragedy does
unfold,
Eight babes lie dead, the unfinished Euro story, full potential
never to be told,
In memory of the Busby babes and the lives of all who fell,
Fergie’s fledglings, and Captain Marvel,
Ooh Aah Cantona ensuring survival,
Bend it like Beckham, rampant Roy Keane,
Treble winning Euro final, a climax like you’ve never seen,
‘You win nothing with kids’, who said that, silly boy,
We can’t see - wrong colour shirts - and more premiership title
joy,
The Euro 68 Final,
The Holy Grail.
Neil Rowe
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68% of students achieved 5 A*-C grades including English and
Maths above our target of 67% that would put us in the top 20%
of similar schools nationally. 97% of all students achieved at
least 5 or more GCSEs at A*-C overall which allowed them to
access their options in the sixth form either at the school or at
college.
20% of all grades were A*-A, and A*-B was 43.3% which was
an increase on last year.
The autumn term has, as always, been very busy and included an
OFSTED Inspection. The overall judgement of the school was
good, with some areas being outstanding. Staff and students are
to be congratulated on their dedication to the school, which has
resulted in both the positive OFSTED report and examination
results.
There has been an exciting development in the Chaplaincy Team
as we have 4 new additions to the team. Rachel Hopper, Jack and
Chris Newton from Pioneer Engage Church in Leatherhead and
Lucy Mason from New Life Church in Dorking have been
working with us since September. They have been taking
assemblies, helping with the Connect groups (Christian Unions)
and will help to continue the growth of the Chaplaincy work here
at The Priory.
As I write (early December) the school is preparing for
Christmas events which include the annual Carol Service, the
Christmas assembly, Christmas lunch and Christmas Jumper
Day, the latter being a charity fund raising event for Save the
Children.
The new term was of course a new start for this year’s year 7
students, one of whom has written an account of his experience
of The Priory School so far. This follows my article.
I wish you all many Blessings for 2015,
Stuart Ryland
School Chaplain
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Youth Club at St. John's
News from The Priory
Wednesday Girls Street Dance Group 4.15 pm – 5.30pm
(Starting again in Jan, date TBA)
This is my first article of the academic year so I will be
recounting some of the events from the summer term of 2014 as
well as this term.
Wednesday Youth Club is for Secondary School
Years 10 and above:
7.45pm at St. John’s
(Time and venue will differ if trip organised)
In July we held our second OMG week, which was a week of
activities that took place during RE and PSHE lessons that gave
students the opportunity to engage with the Christian faith in
different ways. We had a number of visitors during the week who
by complete coincidence were all called Steve.
Each of them presented a Christian message in their own style,
using illusions, mime or circus skills.
Students thoroughly enjoyed the week and we are planning a
similar week of activities for July 2015.
Also in July, all year 7 students took part in a retreat day in
Westcott. We were based in Holy Trinity Church for most of the
day, with lunch in Cradhurst Recreation ground which gave
students the opportunity to play football, basketball, table tennis
and to use the zip wire and other facilities in the park.
Students took part in a variety of activities at the Church
including an hour’s silent reflection in the afternoon with focused
tasks that allowed them to reflect on their experiences at The
Priory and in their lives so far.
The retreat was spread over 2 days, with half of the year group
taking part in the retreat on each day. The weather was extremely
hot so they did very well to walk from The Priory to Westcott
and back in such conditions.
Results from the summer’s Public Examinations were again
excellent, with Year 11 students continuing to achieve grades
that allow the school to exceed the highest target set by the
Government.
30
Friday Youth Club is for Secondary School Years 5–9:
4.45 pm – 6 pm at St. John’s
Every Friday during term time for the following activities:
Table Tennis, Bar Football, Connect 4, Draughts, Pool, Wii,
Craft activity, toast and drinks. Outings to e.g. Guildford
Spectrum organised in School Holidays.
Shere Swimming Pool Club
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION 2015
Application forms for Local Membership Renewal and NEW Local
Memberships will be available from January 1st 2015. Local
Membership is limited to residents of Shere, Peaslake, Holmbury,
Gomshall, Albury and Abinger as defined by postcodes listed by Shere
Parish Council, the owners of the pool.
Application forms for Remote Membership Renewal will be available
from April 1st 2015. You may regard your application as a RENEWAL if
you were a member in 2013 or 2014.
Should the membership not be fully subscribed by May 1st 2015
application forms for REMOTE NEW Memberships will then be made
available on this date.
Forms will be made available on the website
(http://www.sherepool.org.uk) and in the Co-op in Shere. Forms may
also be obtained from the Membership Secretary either by e-mail
([email protected]) or by post on receipt of a SAE : Dr Mary
Kelly Old Brick Cottage Sutton Place Abinger Hammer Dorking RH5
27
6RN
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