I am sure that many of you would like to join `me in saying a hearty “Thank You” to Sonia Collis for her years as Editor of the Elstead Village News.
Sonia brought her own stamp to bear on what is a much-appreciated village institution, and no one will miss her more than me ! I am equally sure that she will have no problem filling the time - she starts a professional course in January (hence the need to give up).
Good Luck, Sonia
William Lang.Following from Sonia's retirement the vouluntary post of Editor for the paper version of "Elstead Village News" is vacent. If you have computer skills and would like this job please contact William Lang on 01252 703 251
Dear Friends,
A very Happy New Year to you all ! A New Year that starts with many changes: as I write, our local neighbourhood police officer is just about to be changed, Thursley’s village pub looks set to re-open, we have Confirmation groups starting in the New Year and a new Christian Discussion group on offer. All this, and Saddam Hussein has just been captured too... Who says nothing ever happens around here ? All right, so Saddam wasn’t actually captured in Elstead, but everything else is local.
Some of you will know that PC Rob Hawkes has been re-assigned to Haslemere; his replacement, covering Milford, Witley, Elstead and Thursley, is PC Sam Barnett, whom I hope you will come to know before too long. Sam is local, and very much looking forward to getting to know people.
I am starting Confirmation preparation, for teenagers and for adults, in the New Year, but it is still not too late to join one of the groups. There is no commitment involved, just a desire to know more about what it means to really say you are a Christian today. Let me know if you are interested.
Likewise, let me know if you would be interested in coming along to an informal evening once in a while to discuss topical issues and hear a Christian perspective.
If you haven’t made your New Year resolution yet then how about joining me in mine, which is to pray more. We all get busy, but the only real way of coping is to have a real stillness at the centre of your life. If you need something to get you going, I came across the following:
“Pray with your shoes
With the rush of Christmas almost over, we tumble into the New Year, sleep for a couple of days, take down the decorations and plod back to work, school or our normal routines. There’s a pleasure about getting back to normality, but there’s also the challenge of looking forward to what the year will bring.
Not all of us want this new year. For some of us we know it will bring separations and loss: children growing up and growing away, moving away, family and friends moving on.
For some of us it brings extra work as we take on new responsibilities, study for exams, look after others. For some we have to start again; to learn to be on our own, perhaps through moving away or the loss of those we have lived with for many years, even decades.
Just for this month, while you put on your shoes, ask God to be with you in the day ahead. To walk ahead of you, to be by your side and close behind you: to surround you with his presence. For it is his day that we are walking into and not ours. Let his will be done, and not ours.
And then as you take your shoes off, see what you can thank God for from that day together.
To help to remind you, why not leave a single shoe by the main door - that might get visitors asking too.”
A very happy New Year to you all !
William Lang.
The presents are unwrapped. The decorations are beginning to “glow” with a layer of dust. There are more pine needles on the floor than there are on the Christmas tree and I never want to see another mince pie again.
Yes, Christmas is definitely over.
So what was it all about. What have I learned or gained during this time of celebration (apart, that is from a few pounds)? Has anything changed in my life – or is it still about to, as I stand at the door of another New Year.
Because, that’s the good thing about “new years” isn’t it? “New Years” seem to come with an unspoken opportunity to begin again, make a fresh start. Like when you started a new exercise book at school and promised yourself to keep it neat and your handwriting tidy!!! Trouble is, they never last - all these good intentions, I mean. Oh sure, you start with lots of positive energy and enthusiasm but then something happens to discourage you and before you know it the vision has gone and you have given up.
And yet, the people whose names have gone down in history as achieving something worthwhile are the ones who never give up.
Henry Ford who, in 1907 told the world he was going to make a car that would be affordable for the average man. The world sniggered but just ten years later Ford fulfilled his dream. And William Wilberforce who stood before parliament in 1879 and pleaded for an end to slavery. Twenty years later, just days after his death, his life’s vision became reality.
And God, who sent his son Jesus Christ to this earth with a vision that Jesus’ life (and death) would change the world. But, of course, unlike us, God doesn’t get discouraged or give up when things start to go pear-shaped. Which I suppose is why we God gives us the opportunity to re-meet the Christ child when we celebrate Christmas. A reminder that in Jesus was the outworking of God’s vision to save the world that He had created and that he loved so much.
Jesus came at Christmas so that you and I would know just how much we are loved by God. No matter what we do, how many times we go off the rails, God doesn’t get discouraged – He continues to hope that one day we will all come to know and love Him, just as He loves us.
Maybe Christmas isn’t over after all – maybe it’s only just
begun.
Happy New Year.
Rosemary
At our November PC Meeting we received the first report from Arnold Beaton the
new Tree Warden. He produced the first stage of a detailed survey of the trees
on the Village Green, St. James’ Green and Thursley Road Recreation Ground
showing a wide range of work to be done. We have identified the trees needing
priority action and await the completion of the process of examination at the
Burford Lodge Grounds and the cemetery. We need to deal with some of the urgent
work now but we have allocated specific funds in next year's budget to carry
on with this essential job of care of our trees.
The Council voted against devolution of control of the old cemetery and the bus shelter after learning that no financial recompense would be made by Waverley BC.
At last funds are now available to go ahead with re-equipping the children's play area at Thursley Road Recreation Ground. The delay has been regrettable but the costs of the equipment are very high and it has been a real struggle to get the money.
We are still pressing for a pedestrian crossing in the Milford Road and better signs at the entrances to the village.
The Chairman and Councillor Jeffery carried out an inspection of the village with Surrey CC Highway Engineers to identify and explain all that needs to be done. Many of the items have been outstanding for a long time.
The Parish Council and the police have complained to the bus companies about the speed of their buses through the village - we hope the drivers take notice.
Denis Holmes Chairman
Among the yellowing leaves I saw a Magpie tucking into an over ripe quince but ignoring the yellow ones (the colour of an ordinary ripe quince).
From one of the upstairs rooms I looked out into the middle of the field one fresh sunny day recently and could see 'something' in the grass. A closer inspection with a pair of binoculars revealed it to be a stag laying down in complete contentment and by the look of it a full stomach, and with his head up, just keeping an eye out for any danger. All we could see above the grass was a head with a crown of budding antlers. The sun was shining and he was at peace with the world so we didn't disturb him in his happiness.
The rain has come at last and the grass is growing again, sign of relief from many horse owners, and farmers who have sown winter corn only for it not to germinate for want of some rain.
We had a short visit to Germany recently and got a wonderful view of the Autumn colours of the leaves that had just started to turn. The weather was bright and sunny which added a pleasant feel to the days. We were staying in a guest house beside the Moselle river which has very steep hills rising up on each side to form the river valley. This is regarded as an ideal place to grow grapes as they like to soak up the sun. The vineyards are situated on terraces on the hill sides. We saw a pair of hawks hovering above the vines and were told that a rare large lizards are often seen basking on the rocks.
One of our visits was to a butterfly farm. This was a tropical glass house
with exotic plants and brightly coloured butterflies flying amongst the vegetation.
We saw many butterflies feeding on overripe bananas grown in the glass house
for that purpose.
There were also finches hiding among the branches of the trees and a group of
quail having a dust bath.
The tropical house had a stream running through via two ponds that were stocked with turtles and koi carp. We were told that 'koi' is carp in Japanese so when people refer to koi carp they are saying "carp carp"! so now you know.
The farm also bred stick insects and Di had the privilege of having a fully grown one (about 4 inches) walking up her arm. The feet of this amazing insect felt very sticky. It looked exactly like a green leaf, and when the leaves of the tree change colour so does the stick insect so that they are perfectly camouflaged.
The other creature that we were shown was a chameleon. A strange creature
with encased tiny revolving eyes and side ways feet for gripping the branches
of bushes.
On another occasion we were told that the area was home to the largest 'wild
cat' population in Europe (not feral cats, who are domestic cats gone wild).
The area is ideal for them as they like hills under 900 feet.
Richard Terry.
Elstead Garden Club heard at their AGM in November about a successful
year with a full programme of lectures, and a very enjoyable visit to Longstock
Water Gardens on a very hot afternoon in the summer.
Thanks to Pat Pearce, there had been flower arrangement workshops before the
Spring and Summer Shows, and these had been successful in persuading a few more
people to enter flower arrangements in the shows as well as providing fun evenings
in their own right. We had hosted the Inter Village Horticultural Quiz during
the year, and although the Elstead team didn’t win, it was a very pleasant
evening, and very good to see so many people from neighbouring Garden Clubs.
We did provide the question master in the person of Brian Deaville, our chairman,
if not the winning team!
We heard from our secretary about lectures planned for 2004, which promise a
varied programme to suit all gardening tastes, and we hope to arrange a club
visit to the RHS Gardens at Wisley, with a guided tour, in the summer.
The Treasurer reported that the Club had made a small loss for the year, but
this was hardly surprising as the Club had been without a Barbecue, and had
made very much less on the Plant Sale, both good sources of revenue in 2002.
She stressed the point that this did point to the need for a reliable fund raiser
if the Club were to balance its books, maintain activities at their present
rate, and avoid raising the subscription. The Raffle had been very well supported
and this had helped considerably to boost income. Membership had remained at
around 60, and new members were badly needed.
It was suggested that next year’s Plant Sale should include a table top
sale to include items other than plants, in an effort to make more money. It
was becoming increasing difficult to have a successful Plant Sale, both because
people were less willing to donate plants, which had become more expensive to
grow, and so many other organisations were running plant sales as well.
The committee were re-elected en bloc, with the exception of Deidre Clarkson-Webb
and Jennifer Hearn, who were replaced by Diana Burgess and Sandra Cheeseman
(to be confirmed).
The Chairman then distributed a gardening quiz, to be completed at our leisure,
and with a prize for the winner at our next meeting, which sees Pat Pearce,
on Decorations for Christmas. On January 12th we have our first meeting of the
New Year in the URC Hall, which sees a selection of slides from member’s
garden visits. This is also your opportunity to join the club for the year and
get your programme and show schedule showing all the year’s activities
- so do try and make it-we do need you in 2004.
Gillian Drew
Peter Pan has enjoyed a fun-packed Christmas term with lots of activities and visits. The Nativity plays were a great success with all the children performing the Christmas story with great enthusiasm and ability.
The term ended with a Christmas party and the highlight, apart from a delicious tea prepared by the Peter Pan parents, was a visit by Father Christmas. Our thanks to Santa and his reindeer for taking the time to stop by the Elstead Pavilion to distribute a few early presents.
A pizza the action
Our trip to Pizza Express in Godalming was enjoyed by the children. The restaurant pulled out all the stops to ensure they had a great time and as well as making some very professional-looking pizzas to take home, some of the children were adventurous enough to try capers and anchovies. Our thanks to Pizza Express for giving us such a good time.
Quiz Night reminder
Get rid of those post Christmas blues by coming along to the annual Peter Pan/Cricket Club Quiz Night at Elstead Village Hall on Saturday 31 January at 8 pm. Get a team together and enjoy a good night out. The ticket price of £7 includes supper. Contact Sally on 702763 or Ellie on 702287 for more information and tickets.
Our jumble sale in November raised a whopping £425 and we are grateful to everyone who helped make the event such a success.
Computer blues
Our computer is not well at present. If anyone can offer expert advice to help us fix it, it would be much appreciated. Alternatively, if anyone has recently upgraded their computer and wants to give their old machine a good home, we will oblige! If you can help, please call Ellie on 702287.
Best wishes for the New Year
As a parent, I am grateful to Andrea and her team for making the Peter Pan
Pre-school such a fun place to be. Looking after small children can be extremely
demanding, but the Peter Pan team make it look so easy, creating a pleasant
ambience with their smiles and friendly greetings each morning.
We were delighted when one of our ex teachers came back to visit with her baby Cameron. The children enjoyed playing with him and he was bathed and weighed at our baby clinic. Another visitor this term was P.C. Rob Hawkes who allowed all the budding policemen/women to “drive” his car, complete with flashing lights!
At the time of writing, preparations for Christmas are in full swing. Glitter, paint and glue are being spread liberally by the children and the resulting decorations are displayed with pride. We are looking forward to our Christmas party and the climax of the term, our play, the story of Jesus’ birth. If past years have anything to tell us it will be a heartwarming production for the family and friends. Everyone is eager to learn songs. Olivia and Jonathan who are going on to ‘big school’ in January are very proud to take the parts of Mary and Joseph. They have a very enthusiastic supporting cast of angels, innkeepers, shepherds and kings.
After all this we think everyone deserves a special visit from Father Christmas.
Popular President Venetia Pierce opened the meeting and welcomed one guest, Jill Stewart. Reports from activity groups included future meeting dates: Discussion Group lunch on January 15th, Scrabble on 12th January and Swimming on 6th January.
Presentations were made to Betty Sargeantson for manning the Sales Table, Dorothy Miles for her long service in organising the Speakers’ Programs and to Diana Terry the retiring Press Secretary.
The afternoon entertainment was entitled “A Complete Variety of Songs and Fun - with Costumes” presented by Mrs Margaret Leach and her pianist. This proved to be a splendid, light-hearted performance of Christmas songs, interspersed with amusing anecdotes, poetry and pantomime, with a grand finale which encompassed every member in the hall, singing the Twelve Days of Christmas, to much hilarity!
Tea was provided by the committee, after which Mrs Deirdre Clarkson-Webb was declared to be the winner of this month’s competition, with an historical photograph of Hope Street, Elstead showing its young inhabitants.
Pre-Christmas Lunch is on Tuesday 16th December and the next meeting is on Thursday 8th January, Speaker - Mr C Read, his subject being “Treasures from Victorian Rubbish Dumps”. Competition - Bring your own treasure bought at a sale.
Anyone wishing to join, please contact Secretary:
Eve Hall on 01252 715285.
What happens when, at the last minute, the speaker for the meeting is unable to come? This was the situation in December facing May Deaville, newly elected President of Elstead Evening WI. She warmly welcomed a full house, and after reports and notices of future events, announced that members Joan Ellis and Joan Wigley had gallantly stepped in to talk about their jaunts during the past year.
Illustrated with photos and brochures, they told amusing anecdotes of their travels in the UK and abroad, visiting Tatton Park Flower Show and Chatsworth, Cornwall and the incredibly restored Lost Gardens of Heligan, Canada with a drive to Banff amongst breathtaking scenery, and experiencing daily life in a tiny French village.
The draw was made of the last raffle to be organised by Rita Tussler, who is leaving the village, and the competition, a Christmas decoration, was won by Barbara Bannister. After tea and mince pies, the evening finished with singing carols and everyone going home with a small gift.
The walks programme for 2004 will be arranged shortly; and the speaker at the next meeting, on 6 January, will be Denis Holmes talking about Rights of Way, at 7.45 pm in the URC Hall. To join us on the first Tuesday of each month, contact 702285 - you will be very welcome!
The Annual General Meeting of the Elstead Royal British Legion
Women’s Section was held on November 20th 2003.
The meeting opened with the President Mrs Mary Ellis giving her
address when she thanked Officers Committee and members for their work in keeping
the Women’s Section active and interesting throughout the year.
The minutes of the last AGM were read and approved there were
no matters arising. The secretary gave her report, which dealt with the work
of the Women’s Section throughout the year. Followed by the treasurer’s
annual statement of accounts.
The Chairman Mrs Sandra Cheeseman then addressed the meeting and
reported another successful year and paid tribute to fellow Officers and Committee
for all their hard work during the year, she went on to say she hoped we have
another successful year and thanked everyone for their support.
The election of Officers and Committee followed who were re-elected en-bloc.
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Officers
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President |
Mrs Mary Ellis |
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Vice Presidents (3) |
Mrs Margaret Clough |
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Mrs Peggy Dorey |
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Mrs Peggy Royes |
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Chairman |
Mrs Sandra Cheeseman |
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Vice Chairman |
Mrs Pam Moss |
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Treasurer |
Mrs E McAuliffe |
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Secretary |
Mrs Sue Taylor |
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Committee |
Mrs Betty Burton |
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Mrs Ellen Bonnington |
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Mrs Nel Glaysher |
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Mrs Joan Wright |
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Also Mrs Mary Moore will be joining our Committee.
There was no election of Standard Bearer as Mrs Kay Wickens has stepped down
from this position after many years, and our thanks to her once again for carrying
out this very important task. If any one would like to carry the standard for
the Women’s Section in the future please let us know.
There were no resolutions put forward at the meeting.
The Presentation of awards and Trophies followed presented by Mrs Mary Ellis and Mrs Sandra Cheeseman.
The Stratford Andrews Cup ( for the monthly competition)
1st Mrs Betty Burton
2nd Mrs Mary Royall
The Poppy Cup ( for the most amount collected in a poppy box)
Mrs Kay Mowbray The Mary Ellis Cup ( for the chocolate gateau)
Mrs Eileen Mitchell The Jack Clough Cup (balloted for by members)
Mrs Sue Taylor
The Chairmans Cup
Mrs Vanessa Compton
The monthly competition was a Bakewell Tart 1st Mrs Sylvia Nash 2nd Mrs
Mary Royall these would go forward to be entered in the Bradley Cup Competition
at the County Conference on 29th November at Cobham Village Hall. There will
be no meeting in January, as this is always a difficult month for attendance,
due to the weather and dark nights. So the next meeting will not be until February
19th when Keith Pearce will be our speaker with his Gardening Tips the monthly
competition will be something knitted.
We meet in the Legion Barn of the THIRD Thursday of each month at 7.30 pm. New members are always very welcome.
Sue Taylor
Secretary
I am writing to the people of Elstead in my capacity as Poppy
Appeal organiser again. So I will, as usual, get the bad news over with first.
The thing is that I could do with more collectors this time next year. This
is because I could not get around every one in Elstead. In particular it was
not possible to knock on the doors of the older residents in daylight because
of the time factor, and many of the older people lived through the war and really
should not be denied the chance to buy a poppy. There is only so much a small
team of collectors can achieve. However, it is not all doom and gloom. Not by
a long way. The people I had working for me House to House, in the Church, the
School, at the supermarkets, and various items of administration, did a remarkable
job. There were two cases I had where individuals were very unkind, but everyone
else responded in the most positive way, and I thank everyone for that.
The weather held, but was seasonably cold, but that was balanced by the warmth
of the people. I am proud that the Poppy Appeal has such a high regard in the
minds of the general public. I will finish with the figures collected, which
deserve a second glance, because they are so good.
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House to House
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£828.97
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Supermarkets
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£1818.21 *
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Shop Boxes
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£572.81
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Church Collection
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£291.71
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A Donation
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£2.57
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Special Events
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£97.50 **
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Wreaths Sold
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£335.40
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Total Collected
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£3947.17
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* Godalming Sainsbury’s and Farnham Sainsbury’s Water Lane.
** Womens Section Event and the Saturday Club.An increase of £1104.65
AD Jones, Poppy Appeal Organiser
Elstead District. Tel 703293
There are two meetings to report upon this time, (two for the price of one!)
Owing to a cancellation of our booked entertainment, and trying three other people to help with three days notice, the night before our meeting, our dear friend Jessie came up trumps, and offered to help out. And what an interesting afternoon we had.
Jessie brought a tray with about 10 different items of long ago on it, plus 3 old photographs, and asked members if they brought back any memories which they could share with us, and yes there were!
Butter pats had been used for ‘patting things around the shop’ flat irons had been used for ironing the surplices of St James Choir Members, and ruffles on other garments, also they stirred memories of when members were school girls, and went to Godalming to Domestic Science Class, under the strict supervision of the Head, remembering when also, smaller cooking basins were grabbed by the bigger girls, leaving the larger basins to the smaller and younger of the class. Chestnuts (Conkers) were remembered by Jessie, who when evacuated during the war, had a strict talking to by her so called ‘Aunt’ that she did not want them in the house, so Jessie hid them in the grate of the copper, not realising when it was lit, they would cause ‘fireworks’ in more ways than one!! A photograph of an old mangle reminded one member how she and her sister used to put the clothes through theirs, one feeding through one side, the other receiving the mangled items the other side. A long ago photo of an old locomotive, about to depart to The Crystal Palace, reminded another member of when she was young, living at Beacon Hill, when on a clear day her Father told her to look into the distance and she could just about see the Palace, and another member remembering the night when tragically it was burnt down, having seen the glow in the sky from Grandfather’s loft, only living about 8 miles away, also photos in the Tracy archives, when A.J. Tracy took Band of Hope up to the Choir Festivals there.
Our next happening was when The September Choir visited from Send, and it was a magical afternoon of all types of music, from Grand Opera, Songs from the Shows, Film Music, Ballads, and Church Music. Mr Donoghue, the conductor, had a magnificent voice himself, having been connected with singing as a young choir boy at Brompton Oratory, and now sadly has reduced in number to 2 choirs which he now conducts (was 4/6) because they have had to be closed due to lack of singers, mostly men. He himself, is a gentleman well past his three score and ten years!!!
During both afternoons, we enjoyed a welcome ‘cuppa’, some of the choir members being able to stay on with us, followed by our usual raffle.
We have had a very varied range of topics covered in our monthly meetings this last year, and step forward into 2004, with hopefully such a selection of interesting items. If you feel you would like to join us, you will receive a warm welcome - 4th Thursday of each month, Village Hall 2.30 pm, and you will find our subscription extremely low, to become a member !!!!!
With best wishes to all who read our Village News, for 2004.
We have received a video from Link Romania showing the distribution of Shoeboxes from the sorting at the Worthing warehouse to the final giving out in the Villages. It is only 7 minutes long but it has been well put together as it shows the affection by the people for their gifts. It is well worth seeing, if only to see their faces when opening the Boxes.
A copy is available from us, so if you wish to borrow it please contact us on 702158.
Thank you all again for your support over the years.
Pauline & Philip Allison
This year's Women's World Day of Prayer Service comes from Panama and the theme of the Service is:
"In Faith, Women Shape the Future".
Panama is a tropical country, about the size of Scotland. After years of hardship and struggle Panama is now an independent nation, proud of the ethnic and racial diversity of its people and of its strong Christian heritage. It is the faith and determination of the people that the women of Panama celebrate in this Service.
Our service will be held in Elstead at St. James’ Church at 10.30 am. There will be a crèche in the Church room, where coffee will be served afterwards. The speaker will be The Rt. Hon. Virginia Bottomley, Member of Parliament for South West Surrey.
For transport telephone 703219.
On December 10th 2003 the Elstead phone exchange was broadband enabled. This means that residents with phone numbers starting 01252 70xxxx can now take advantage of broadband.
Broadband:
Provides much faster access to the internet - from 3 to 10 times faster
Allows you to use one line for both making voice calls and using the internet at the same time — get rid of 2nd line and save £10 a month line rental
Increases the value when selling your home - fast internet access is a desirable feature for those buyers coming from the cities.
Prices start at £15.99 per month.
Chris Whittell was part of the successful Frensham and Runfold broadband campaigns and has helped numerous residents and small businesses in those areas to take advantage of broadband. He is also willing to help Elstead residents.
If you want free advice and in many cases free installation then contact Chris
Whittell on 01252 794679
or mobile 07900 872785.
His email address is:
chris.whittell@tiscali.co.uk
Pensioner Forum
Organised by The Pension Service
For general advice and information about state entitlements come along and see us at:
United Reformed Church Hall - Elstead
Milford Road,
Elstead
9.30 – 1.00 pm
Friday 13th February 2004
Attending will be representatives from:
· Waverley Borough Council
· Inland Revenue
· Waverley BC Care & Repair team
· Godalming CAB
Refreshments Available.