Dear Friends,
How do you decide ? [and why ?]
There is a Bill currently going through parliament that includes
provision for outlawing "incitement to religious hatred". That sounds
like a thoroughly good thing. So why is it opposed by (among others) the Conservatives,
the Liberals, a House of Lords Select Committee, the National Secular Society,
the Evangelical Alliance, the Barnabas Fund (which works with Christians in
Muslim countries), the Lawyers Christian Fellowship and a group of writers and
comedians headed by Rowan Atkinson ?
Confused ? I am. Incidentally, the Bill is supported by the Muslim
Council for Britain and certain Anglican bishops.
The problem, as always, lies in just how such a Bill would be
used, in practice, and how it would be interpreted by the courts. The Research
and Parliamentary Officer for the Jubilee Campaign (a human rights pressure
group) said "passing laws against the incitement of religious hatred is
simply unworkable, and appears to be an attempt by the current government to
salvage from the Muslim community votes which they lost over the Iraq war. Although
no reasonable person wants religious hatred to be incited, there is no way the
incitement of religious hatred can be defined in law so clearly and narrowly
that such legislation is not grossly misused as a means of censoring fair comments
and criticisms of religion and certain religious practice".
The National Secular Society said "Freedom of expression
is not just an abstract concept, it is a vital tool to protect society from
extremism, and religious extremism is becoming an ever-growing danger."
And the government ? I have found it difficult to determine their
answers, other than to say that such criticism is ill-founded... but apparently
the Home Office itself states that it does not have a definition of 'what is
religious' - now that's reassuring !
The real danger is that "disagreements and debates over religious
matters (which are healthy) may be wrongly construed as offences to incitement
to religious hatred... for the follower of one religion, any criticism, justified
or not, of this religion by a member of another religion could be construed
as incitement to religious hatred. The same might apply to media reporting of
human rights abuses by one religious group against another" [Jubilee Campaign-italics
mine] "Imagine the adverse impact on democracy", they continue, "if
an offence of incitement to political hatred was created" !
If you think this all a little far-fetched, consider the individuals
and official bodies that have banned nativity scenes (and even the word 'Christmas')
because they might cause offence to Muslims (which they don't!). We shall see..
William Lang.
One of the things I learnt when I was India last November was that Indian time bears absolutely no resemblance to British time. No, I don’t just mean that they are five and a half hours in front of us – the Indian perspective of time is very different to ours.
A church service scheduled to start at 8.30am did not begin until 8.45am and even then it was around 9am before the congregation stopped drifting in. Which was OK (I guess) because the service went on until 11am so even the latecomers got in excess of their “hour”!!!
Indian life generally is much more relaxed than ours and I found myself spending a considerable amount of time waiting around for something to happen – not necessarily knowing what that “something” was.
One occasion comes particularly to mind. It was a wedding. The wedding was booked for 4pm but didn’t actually start until 5.20pm. After the service I was whisked away to the vestry where I was asked to wait. So I sat and I waited and I waited and I waited. (I eventually discovered we were waiting for the bride to change from her wedding sari into her reception sari, which took around an hour and a half.) With no-one to talk to my eye was drawn to the wall of the vestry and the army of ants which were marching across it. They had killed or at least captured some poor bug and they were working together to transfer their “prize” to their nest. I watched transfixed at their single minded yet team determination to carry the quite large bug across the wall. By ant standards the bug was big and as some ants found the weight just too much and dropped back, others were ready and waiting to take their place. It was a large wall and the exercise took around forty minutes to complete but once the job was done the entire army of ants disappeared.
Somewhere in there is a lesson for us to learn. Something to do with working as a team and not being put off our task by outside distractions. And perhaps, most important of all, clearly recognising that on our own we can achieve very little but working together we can do great things – for God.
Rosemary
At last the new fence is being constructed around the childrens play area at the Thursley Road Recreation Ground. The area will be now be more secure for the children to play in and we can complete the seating and equipping arrangements.
We hope to upgrade the Burford Lodge Recreation Ground next with the help of parents representatives on the PC sub-committee.
We are determined to get the ugly telephone pole removed from the south side of the Village Green
Waverley Borough Council intend to pass over the ownership of the Moat and car Park to English Nature. Parish Council representatives from Elstead and Thursley have discussed the proposals with both parties and we are reasonably satisfied with the management plan and the assurances given by English Nature about access and the continuation of events such as the Paper Boat Race.
The major items for financial expenditure next year cover playground equipment and improved seating at Burford Lodge Recreation Ground, tree management, employment of a maintenance contractor, repairs to Woolfords Lane and the entrance to Thursley Road Rec Ground.
Discussions are continuing with the Thursley Road Recreational Trust on the best way of progressing the new pavilion. A special meeting of the Parish Council is to be held shortly to decide on the most tax efficient method of going ahead once the funding is assured. (see p11)
Denis Holmes Chairman
Some people are not aware that this disease still exists in the world today. Yes it does and very much so. And there are cases in this country which have to be treated at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases.
There is a staggering number 630,000 of new cases each year, and many thousands more affected, plus thousands who are out there somewhere, undetected and Doctors and Nurses not knowing where, in far remote areas hard to get to. It is neither hereditary nor contagious, it cannot be caught by handshake, but it is thought spread through droplet infection (sneezing, coughing - even, breathing). It has an incubation period of up to 20 years, and no one really knows how many are carrying the bacillus.
Leprosy damages the nerves, and untreated can lead to a loss of feeling in all affected parts of the body. It can also soften bone tissue causing unsightly deformity and disfigurement. All this no wonder the disease carries a stigma, sufferers becoming outcasts.
The Leprosy Mission was founded over 100 years ago, and a drug, called Dapsone was found in 1940. In the 1980s Multidrug therapy was developed, and if patients are put on this drug IN TIME their condition can be cured, sometimes in less than a year, thus preventing any permanent damage.
For those who are deformed and disfigured, there are wonderful surgeons, Eye Specialists and all other back up staff in The Leprosy Mission Hospitals, giving patients, new hope in. the reconstructions of their mutilated bodies some with horrific burns, as having lost all feeling they are not aware
The Leprosy Mission philosophy lies in caring for the whole person, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Occupational therapy and physiotherapy helps patients with day to day self care, protective footwear and. padded handles; vocational training for useful skills printing, tailoring, weaving or agriculture to help them set up to go out into the world maybe to start up a small business by the help of a small loan, many repaying it and working for the Leprosy Mission as a way of saying “Thank You”.
The Leprosy Mission has a huge expenditure to keep its 25 Hospitals and facilities going, nurses who travel into far outreaches to find new cases, for remember if the people do not hear that there is help for them, they think that is their lot. Time is of the importance, to seek help early
In 2003, 26,000 surgeries were performed and almost 6500 children & families benefited from assistance with education or various other ways. 10% of all new cases were children last year.
So why not come along to the Coffee Morning & Bring Buy on the 29th January. Your smallest purchase will benefit.
The Leprosy Mission has a trading catalogue many items of interest, which you can view.
Freda Sheppard
Two deer were spotted in the field next door to our house grazing happily. It made me wonder if they will be glad when the short days of the winter pass. I find it difficult to equate a field with the welcome of a warm home but our horses used to be pleased to be back in their home field at the end of a winters day helped no doubt by the prospect of feeding time. The last two months have been rather gloomy but now we are past the shortest day the lengthening of the days can be noticed and the prospect of Spring can be thought about. We have not yet finished sweeping up the leaves, and there is a fair bit of pruning to be done before the sap starts to rise in late February, or earlier in some shrubs.
There was a small bird hopping around the apple tree obviously eating some thing and closer inspection proved it to be a gold crest. It must have got a good meal of what my wife called 'minnie beasts'. It seems that the school children call them this and it is a collective name for anything very small that they don't known the name of, small insects to you and me.
The small birds are back with a vengeance at the feeders now that the frosts have come and removed the larger insects and worms. I also noticed them at the top of an Alder tree hopping amongst the twigs having breakfast. We also put out the occasional rotten apple which the ground feeding birds like; blackbirds particularly enjoy these. The small birds like peanuts and seeds; we sometimes put out fat balls but have found that these can be demolished very quickly by a pair of magpies. We have since stopped putting fat out on the bird table so as not to encourage them into the garden.
PLANTS OF THE MONTH
Are holly, which is one of the best trees for nesting birds, offering protection
against predators by the prickly leaves. The berries provide food for birds,
and the winter visitors like field fares and redwings (members of the thrush
family) find them delicious.
Hawthorne
The berries, although not lasting as long as holly provide a valuable source
of food in late autumn and early winter. The thorny spikes provide shelter for
nesting sites and the blossom in spring is sweetly scented, attracting insects.
Mistletoe
This is a parasitic evergreen shrub growing on deciduous trees. It can be seen
quite high up, a dense cluster that stands out against the bare brances It favours
old apple trees and is spread by birds eating the white berries and wiping their
beaks on the branches of other trees thus leaving the seed behind to grow. Germination
takes about three months.
Cotoneaster
This is a woody evergreen shrub which tends to cover the ground although it
can be coaxed to climb a wall, it has minute pink flowers in the spring and
summer. The bees love the flowers, and bright red berries result in the autumn
and winter to ad some cheer to the dull days along with the winter jasmine.
Ground feeding birds love the berries and it provides cover for insects.
Ivy
Ivy flowers provide food for insects and are eaten by the Holly Blue catterpillars.
It provides shelter for hibernating tortoiseshell butterflies in the winter.
All these shrubs can be brought into the house at Christmas time to provide colour and decoration for the celebrations. Afterwards they can be put into a corner of the garden to wither naturally. The blackbirds and thrushes will pick off any left over berries.
Richard and Diane Terry
With the New Year begins my 10th year as a fairtrader for Traidcraft in Elstead. Thank you, all who support Traidcraft and the principles of fair trade.
Making the world beautiful.
Traidcraft recently celebrated its 25th anniversary with a service at St Martins-in-the-Fields, London. One of the speakers at the lunch which followed was Towera Jalakasi of Business Consult, Africa.
Towera, whose name means “makes the world beautiful”, spoke of visiting a rural village in Malawi during a time of famine. She had gone to pay basket-makers an advance, but towards the end of the visit was approached by a destitute man who had pleaded for payment, even although he was not one of the regular basket-makers. She agreed to pay him a small amount, but when she returned to the village to collect the baskets, he failed to turn up.
Other villagers told her that shortly after her previous visit, the man had collapsed and died from hunger and fatigue, attempting to carry home the small amount of maize he had been able to buy for his family.
“I cried then,” Towera said, “not for him, but for the 360 people in front of me. What would have happened to them if there had been no order from Traidcraft?
“Their only hope at that time was the money they were getting from Traidcraft. It was not me, it was not the Malawian government, it was Traidcraft money that saved those people.
“The work that you are doing is saving souls throughout the world. You are making the world beautiful through trade.”
Just before Christmas, Bhopal was in the news again. You may have read about it or seen the program about it on TV. In the Traidcraft Winter catalogue were leather goods from the Bhopal rehabilitation centre. This centre was established in 1985 to assist victims of the gas disaster. It has so far provided training for 360 men and women.
Jean Wheatley
The League Tables were published at the beginning of December and some national papers published lists of the top ten schools in each county. We are very proud to be 4th out of 196 Surrey junior schools this year. The league tables are based on the number of children reaching level 4 in English, maths and science in the Year 6 SATs (Standard Assessment Tests) results last summer. Our results were 100% for maths and science and 94% for English. However, nearly half of the 18 children in Year 6 actually achieved level 5 in maths and science, the expected level for the average 14 year old.
We are even more proud of our value added results, which shows the progress children make whilst with us, because we are in the top 25% of schools nationally for the second year running.
It was lovely to get such commendation and share the news with our parents in the playground that day. It was even more rewarding to hear parents say that, whilst academic success is a pleasure, they chose St James because they believe it is a school where their children can learn in a happy and supportive atmosphere.
We aim to promote books as friends and so we invited author Adrian Townsend to St James a few weeks ago. Adrian is an ex-headteacher and has written several books about “Gran’s Gang”. He regaled children with stories of why he started writing and how he works best in his garden shed. He talked about what influences him and how he gets his ideas. He spoke to the children with much humour and read several extracts from his books. It has been wonderful, since then, to hear children say they want to be an author. Adrian’s visit inspired many children to write for themselves. They have brought in stories they have written at home; they are far more motivated in the classroom and are keen to try out different ideas. Some children are keeping a diary of special events to use in their writing and are making notes when they get a good idea. We have invited Adrian back to take a writers’ workshop in the spring so we are looking forward to some more powerful and creative writing.
Over the past few weeks, student Emily Pitkethley has been working with children across the school to paint a series of three large panels for our hall. Emily was inspired by the work of Austrian painter, Gustav Klimt and she encouraged the children to use his ideas to design an array of flowers for the panels. The children have enjoyed working on such a large scale and we hope to have the paintings up in time for our Christmas performances.
Ann Tann
Elstead Garden Club held their AGM on Nov 8th. They were told of a successful year, with a wide ranging selection of speakers, and an outing to Wisley. It was marred only by the deaths of our President, Lady Adam Gordon, and Mrs Trudie Drew, a long standing committee member.
The Secretary gave members a foretaste of the programme for 2005, which promised an equally interesting range of talks, and a summer outing to Borde Hill, near Haywards Heath. The Treasurer reminded members that although the club had cash reserves, and could afford to run at a loss for a while, we were not currently paying our way, and the situation was in fact worse than it appeared because several members were providing items for the club without claiming for them. While we were most grateful for this, it was obviously not something which we could expect to continue indefinitely. It was agreed that the committee should discuss raising the subscription, and present a proposal to the next AGM.
Brian Deaville was warmly thanked for his leadership during his three years as chairman, and was elected President. The committee were re-elected en bloc, with the addition of Diane Balchin and Keith Pierce, and thanks were expressed to Dorothy Eade who was standing down, having completed her statutory period on the committee. Dennis Holmes was elected chairman. Thanks were expressed to the committee, and to Brian Wilkins for his thoroughness as auditor.
After a break for tea, we had the benefit of the expertise of Brian Deaville and Keith Pierce in a Gardener's Question Time. A large range of questions were covered, from what to do about moss on lawns - sulphate of iron, but take care to wear gloves , or you won't get your hands clean for days! We passed through how to get rid of moles, to plants to encourage bees, to splitting up dahlia tubers, to how to get rid of slug damage on potatoes. It was most enjoyable to fire questions at two really expert local gardeners, who it seemed were never stumped for an answer.
Our December meeting is on fruit growing, on the 13th, and in January 2005, on the l0th, we have our usual evening of slides from our members. This always provides an interesting selection of garden visits, and is also your chance to join the club for 2005, and pick up your new programme and show schedule, so we look forward to seeing you at 7.45 p.m. in the URC Hall.
Gillian Drew
The response to our Gift Day appeal for the Village Hall boiler has been magnificent. As a result, we have been able to book the contractors for the half-term holiday week starting on the 14th February. The contractors aim to have everything finished by Friday 18th February.
The Village Hall Committee has tried to contact all the individuals and organisations to say ”Thankyou” for giving so generously. If we have been unable to contact you, please accept this warm appreciation of your generosity.
The Village Halls charity was incorporated in 1913 and was registered in 1952. The charity is responsible for both the Village Hall and the Youth Centre. Both properties are managed by a single Committee and it is our objective to ensure that both halls are kept in good repair. We aim to ensure that the hiring charges cover our running expenses. However, major repairs, like the replacement boiler can only be achieved by fund-raising.
If you would like to join the Committee and help to keep these facilities going for the benefit of the village, please give me a call. I look forward to hearing from you.
Peter Hartley
(Chairman)
2, Hazelwood, Elstead
(01252-703461)
Our traditional Christmas Nativity was enjoyed by many at the Pavilion and the celebrations were completed with our annual party, where Mr. Giant entertained the children with magic and balloon modelling. Father Christmas dropped by with his sack of presents after the children had all tucked in to some party food. We have had an enjoyable term this Autumn and my thanks go to Andrea and her team who have worked hard this term and members of the committee who give up their time to help with the running of our Pre-School.
By the time you read this our Christmas celebrations will be long gone and we will have packed away our decorations for next year. We all hope that when they reappear for next Christmas they will decorate a NEW PAVILION. Our dream is still some way off and will not be an easy journey, but it would be nice to think that it will be a reality in the not so distant future. Thank you to the staff and parents who have already donated money. YOUR gift does make a difference – it all adds up and remember the new Pavilion will be open to all of the village to use – so please support us. Have a wonderful break.
Helen Szczepanski, Chairman
ur appeal for contributions to the pavilion fund has met with an enthusiastic
response from the village and indeed from further afield. To date (8 December)
£10,190 has been received from 61 donors, including contributions from
as far away as Devon and Leeds. This brings the funds available to the Trust,
either in hand or pledged, to over £100,000. Our target is expected to
be around £280,000.
The Trust hopes that as many villagers as possible will feel able to contribute.
This will strengthen our case for grants from both Waverley Borough Council
and to Sport England: a key element in the assessment of applications for funds
provided by both organisations is the level of local support for a project.
So all contributions, no matter how small, are important.
Our applications to Waverley and to Sport England will be submitted in mid January. So if you are able to contribute, please let us have your donation by 10 January at the latest.
For further information, please contact me on 01252 703151.
Pat Murphy (Secretary to the Elstead {Thursley Rd} Recreational Trust)
For her December "maiden meeting" as President of Elstead Afternoon W.I. Ann Moon welcomed one new member, Lavinia Redman, one visitor, Carol Page; Peggy Stokes was welcomed back after a spell in hospital and thanks were extended to Rene Smith for making a Christmas Cake for the Scouts sale.
Two members were guests of Wrecclesham W. I. at their Christmas meeting on lst December and four members are invited to Elstead Evening Group on 7th December to see a Cake Decorating demonstration. The Discussion Group lunch will be on Thursday 20th January 2005.
Speaker Mr. R. Maddy then entertained everyone with his talk on `Magicians in Music Halls'. Using slides to illustrate Victorian theatres and advertising posters, he took us from 1864 when it all began with the Davenport Brothers, followed by Maskelyne and Cooke in 1873 who performed in the Egyptian Hall. The secret of moving the `magical' automatons was revealed to be compressed air. An American named Keller watched and made notes, then copied the act back in America. The Egyptian Hall was demolished in 1904 but Maskelyne and his new partner David Devant were summoned to give a Royal Command performance in 1912. By 1933 they went bankrupt. However, Devant's son Jasper trained as a War Magician in Farnham Castle.
Other magic explained included the Indian Rope Trick, which was deemed to be a journalistic falsehood, sawing a lady in half by a chap named Selbit in 1921 and the untimely death of the escapologist Harry Houdini in 1926. Several acts of magic were performed by Mr. Maddy to his appreciative audience, after which Christine Welland proposed a vote of thanks.
The retiring committee provided a sumptuous tea and the competition for a decorated candle was won by Doris Parker.
The next meeting will be on 6th January 2005 when the speaker will be Jill Grange on `Sleeping Dragon Awakes'. The competition- `An oriental ornament from China.' Contact Secretary Eve Hall on 01252 715 285 for membership enquiries.
Christine Welland, 01252 703 233
President, May Deaville, welcomed a ‘full house’ of members and visitors to the first meeting of the thirty-first year since the Evening WI was formed. A short silence was held in memory of John Barwick and in sympathy with Jean.
Our new secretary, Ann Chandler, gave details of the varied courses and events for January, February and March 2005 organised by the Surrey Federation including a Celebration Lunch, Programme Planning, Food for Love entertainment on Valentine’s Day and Auditions for New Speakers in Godstone.
May informed us of an event to be organised by Churches Together in Elstead where local organisations would be given the opportunity to display their talents. She also complimented Jean on her festive raffle table and added that a sales table would also be a feature of future meetings. Those members attending the monthly walks would be getting together at Venetia’s house in December to arrange a programme for 2005. The walks cater for all ages, are not too strenuous, and end up at one of the local pubs for lunch – a popular joint activity with the Afternoon WI. Our annual fund-raising event would take place on 14th May when we will be holding a coffee morning with cake stall and sales table.
We are looking forward to a famous local speaker to start the New Year when John Wills will be telling us about his adventures on the ‘Pink Lady’. Visitors and husbands will be made very welcome! N.B. Our next meeting will be on the 11th January 2005.
Lynn, one of our talented members then proceeded to give a demonstration of sugar craft. She had on display a variety of Christmas cakes she had made and decorated and showed us how to prepare the icing and make petals and leaves for Poinsettias, Christmas Roses and other seasonal decorations. Lynn made everything look so easy and we were keen to ‘have a go’ ourselves after her well-prepared and inspiring talk.
Mincepies and coffee were served by the new committee and May wished everyone a Happy Christmas as a very enjoyable meeting ended.
Diane Tulette
The Annual General Meeting of the Elstead Royal British Legion Women’s Section was held on November 18th 2004.
The meeting opened with the President Mrs Mary Ellis who welcomed Club and Branch members to the meeting and she commended the Officers and Committee for all their hard work in keeping the Women’s Section running and asked the present members to encourage new members to help increase the present attendance levels. She reminded us that this section has been running since 1925 and at one time had a membership of 120 plus although times have changed it would be appreciated if the present members could spread the word of what a good association this has been and hopefully will remain and flourish in the future. She thanked members for their loyalty to our branch and wished everyone a very happy Xmas and healthy new 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 welcomed Club and Branch members and a special welcome to our County Vice President Mrs Dizzy Moore. She reported another successful year and paid tribute to her fellow Officers and Committee for all their hard work throughout the year and to all others who had helped in anyway, and thanked everyone for their support.
The election of Officers and Committee followed, they were re-elected en-bloc.
President Mrs Mary Ellis
Vice Presidents (3) Mrs Margaret Clough
Mrs Peggy Dorey
Mrs Peggy Royes
Chairman Mrs Sandra Cheeseman
Vice Chairman Mrs Pam Moss
Treasurer Mrs Eileen McAuliffe
Secretary Mrs Sue Taylor
Mrs Betty Burton, Mrs Ellen Bonnington
Mrs Joan Wright’ Mrs Mary Moore
Mrs Kay Wickens has agreed that she would carry the standard only at the Remembrance Service.
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 competitions)
1st Mrs Mary Royall
2nd Mrs Betty BurtonThe Poppy Cup (For the most amount collected in a poppy box)
Mrs Kay MowbrayThe Mary Ellis Cup (For the Chocolate Gateau)
Mrs Peggy DoreyThe Jack Clough Cup (Balloted for by members)
Mrs Sue TaylorThe Chairmans Cup
Mrs Betty BurtonThe monthly competition was an Apple Crumble
1st Mrs Sylvia Nash
2nd Mrs Betty Burton.
By the time this goes to press we will have held our Christmas meeting so more of that next month.
We do not meet in January so our next meeting will be on February 17th when Mr Geoff Lunn will make a return visit with his Wildlife Photography called “Wildlife on Your Doorstep” The monthly competition will be a photograph of when you were young and we have to guess who’s who.
We meet in the Legion Barn on the THIRD Thursday of each month at 7.30pm. New members are always very welcome.
So I wish you all a very Happy and Healthy New Year.
Sue Taylor
ERBL Women’s Section Secretary
I recently reported to the Branch Annual General Meeting my Annual news of Poppy Appeal. I mentioned that the house to house went well, and I was sorry if I missed anyone at the door. I thanked all the business people who allowed a collecting box on their counters. I thanked all those who collected at the Godalming and Farnham Sainsbury’s and those who allowed it. I thanked all the members that helped at the count. Now I have a chance to thank the people of Elstead for their support.
There are a tiny number of people who are quite unkind about poppy appeal,
but if you think about it my father’s generation fought for their freedom
to do just that. It really is very rewarding for my team to meet and talk to
people about appeal, and some of the greatest sense comes from children, so
hope springs eternal fortunately.
The statistics are:
|
House to House
|
£
|
1072.16
|
|
Shop Boxes
|
£
|
487.89
|
|
Godalming Sainsburys
|
£
|
1366.11
|
|
Farnham Sainsburys
|
£
|
444.57
|
|
Church Collection
|
£
|
250.11
|
|
Donations
|
£
|
18.62
|
|
Wreath Sales
|
£
|
134.75
|
|
Total at Remembrancetide
|
£
|
3774.21
|
This is down £172.96 from last year, but still remains a magnificent effort. This does not include Gift Aid of those who have not yet paid for wreaths, (reimbursement please). Once again Elstead has come up trumps.
Andrew Jones.
Hon Poppy Appeal Organiser.
Elstead District.
After a welcome to all, business, news and forthcoming dates, we ,were pleased to have in our company, a retired Police Officer, who at one time had been stationed in Elstead, and had moved away in the 1960's, who had brought along his wife also Mollie, he being Derek Dearmer. Topic Experiences of a Police Officer. He gave us a run down, having been in the Royal Marines, he had always wanted to be a Policeman, since a young lad.
On coming out of the Marines, he did his training at Sandgate, and then had his first posting. In those days, most of the Bobbies rode their bikes, and having been asked if he had one, said he had, but it was turned down, as it was not suitable for a Bobby, being a then trendy colour of mauve!
His duty started on the first morning at 8 am and having almost arrived at the Station, he suddenly realised he did not have his helmet on, so pedalled like mad back to get it and arrived just on the dot. Must not be late on, the first day! The second day there was a sad incident, an elderly lady had been found murdered in her country home, and it was all hands on deck as it were, to search the ground for the weapon. Reporters and photographers were there, and the next day, word went round that the incident was reported in the Daily Newspaper, which read something like, 'Specialist Police Force C.I.D. had been called in to search the grounds' Quite a laugh as some had only had one day in the Force !! So much for the media, ever in those days.
His talk kept us very amused with some of the stories he told. At one of his postings, there was a call came in of an incident, and there were no cars to be had, only the Sergeant's Bubble Car. That being so, he called Derek to get in. Not only that, he then produced a blue flashing light, told. Derek to open the window, and hold it on the roof whilst they were going along. ! I can't do that said Derek, whereupon Sergeant took it from him, opened his own window, held it on the roof himself, and drove to the incident one handed!
Several decades ago some of us remember seeing the local Bobby standing, at a telephone kiosk at different times of the day. No mobiles then, they just had to wait until at the selected time, a call came through from the Police Station to inform, of any incidents! how times have changed with communications and transport.
As always, wherever he was the local Bobby, people and children got to know him, and him them. One day, nearing Christmas, a friendly little girl, talked to him over the fence and dutifully announced (not in her eyes though) that Daddy had gone to the Common to get a Christmas Tree. Oh dear, out of the mouths of babes !! Maybe that one was put on the back burner'.
Obviously he only told of the lighter side, there being many others..
The table of interest was something “Brass” and he chose a lovely bicycle fitting in with his talk. Gladys was the owner. Tea and raffle after the event.
Freda Sheppard
St James Ladies Fellowship took a trip to old Guildford at their November Meeting. Pam and Jean came to show us their slides to take us on a tour of the town.
We travelled along the River Wey, which may have been responsible for the name Guildford, the "Golden Ford" either the yellow flowers, or the golden sand, still to be seen near St Catherines. Many of the shops and buildings have entirely changed - Park Street at the bottom of Farnham Road was a narrow street of shops and houses where now are traffic lights and the gyratory system! Debenhams used to be Plummer Roddis, and before that it was John Moon's timber yard, where the timber stocks were swept down river in the floods of 1900 - piling up under the town bridge, and eventually sweeping it away. The town was left without a bridge for almost two years before the present one was built - local government delay is nothing new!
We travelled up the High Street, smiling at views which showed no double yellow lines, and one or two splendid old cars. The famous Guildhall clock, the symbol of Guildford for many was presented to the town by one John Aylward, in the hope that such a generous gift would win him the right to set up business there. Unfortunately, it is by no means clear that it did! Cattle and sheep in the middle of North Street are another unfamiliar sight to modern eyes, but the livestock market was held there until it moved to Woodbridge Road. We saw many unfamiliar pictures such as the remains of a very ornate gas lamp such as used to illuminate the High Street, and which has now been erected in the Castle Gardens. St Mary's church in Quarry Street had part of one end removed, to widen the road, so that George IV could get by in his carriage on the way to Brighton!
This was a fascinating afternoon these ladies will no doubt be asked again! After our Christmas party the first meeting of 2005 will be at a new venue, in the Church Room. On Tuesday Jan 25th our programme for 2005 will be available and Myra Hardy will be talking to us about Aromatherapy and Music Therapy. Do try and come- we are always delighted to see new members, and we have some very interesting meetings planned for 2005.
Gillian Drew