A welcome was given to Members, catching up on news, and diaries were at the ready to take note of the dates of forthcoming events.

Our Meeting was taken by 'Chair' the topic Looking back on Elstead in the 20^th Century, the earlier years taken from the memoirs of the late Reg Tracy, a relative.  There was no running water, and properties on the higher ground their wells being very deep, he remembered lowering his Father (.A.J. Tracy who started the firm) down on a wooden seat, to test the leather straps and buckets having to renew where necessary (before checking there was no gas of course) and it would take 3 men to haul him up again.  There was no gas or electricity oil lamps were the in thing.  Milk had to be fetched from Stacey's Farm (now the British Legion) and was ladled out into jugs from a big pail

It was agricultural, and most workers started out 4, 5,or 6 o'clock, walking or cycling to neighbouring farms.  Elstead was famous for its carrots, gentlemen farmers and tenants used donkeys and mules.  Carrots were washed and bundled by the villagers, and loaded onto carts and sent off to market. Later on Mr. Metcalf & Mr George Legg ran a carrier service to and from Godalming, this being a little undignified if there were folk coming to Elstead from the Station, as they would have to 'mingle' in whatever load was being brought back, or sit on the tailboard for which they were charged the grand old sum of 1 shilling (5p in today's money).  There was Mr. Prior who also had a carrier business.  Mr. Dick May started the first bus service, which was eventually taken over by Aldershot & District Traction Co.

There was of course the blacksmiths Mr. Guy Bovington, and a Laundry, round the Green, The Woolpack western end was a Co-op until it moved to Thursley Road. The Woolpack also was the venue for The Brass Band Practice's.  The Bridge House was at one time a small shop, beer house and cottage.  The Post Office was along the Milford Road, the cottage was eventually pulled down and made way for the building of' The Pilgrims' as almshouses built by Mr &. Mrs. Holford for retired Matrons of a London Hospital.

There are so many more things which could be recalled, but not here, and we then turned to happenings which happened later on.  There was the awful fire when the Old Village Hall was razed to the ground, but was rebuilt, which Reg went all out for, although his thoughts on this were put to test, it being thought it would be a 'White Elephant' but time has told that this has not been the case.

We talked about various happenings, carnivals, bonfire nights, concerts, dances at the Village Hall, during and since the war, when we had the army at The Old Rectory, and on the commons, the Old Fire Station on the Green by Chandlers Garage, and many other things.

A lot of this was news to a good percentage of our members, not having lived in Elstead for many decades as it were.

Since our meeting we have been out for a half day, our venue being Bagshot, where we had lunch, and a good look round at the hundreds of Christmas trees, decorations and gifts on display.

Next meeting January 26^th Talk by Diane 'Wildlife in my Garden!

We welcome anyone who feels they would like to come along to our meetings, first time to try us out, if you wish!! They are 4^th Thursday in the month 2.30 at The Village Hall.

F.E. Sheppard