Tell everyone

Congratulations to Windlesham Village Infant School

"Windlesham Village Infant School has great news to share following their recent Ofsted inspection - its all good - well done to head teacher Naomi Ezzard and her dedicated team.

You can view the Press release HERE

You can view the Ofsted report HERE

A letter from a very concerned resident about the Snows Ride Development Proposal

"I write as a concerned resident living in the vicinity of Snows Ride since 1986 and I would like to register with you my feelings regarding this proposal for a ‘retirement village’ in the middle of a field.

Firstly, I have heard that following a letter to him by another concerned resident, our illustrious MP , Michael Gove esq. has recused himself from having any involvement in helping us in this because of his role and I quote from the reply from his personal assistant:  "as Secretary of State for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, I’m afraid that Michael is automatically recused from all planning casework that is with or might come before the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities or the Planning Inspectorate and that is located in his constituency".

How convenient!!

I really do have to question what good is an MP, any MP, who cannot for whatever reason involve himself, or herself, in matters that are likely to impact on their constituents.

This rather pitiful response, has tones of that well-loved television programme ‘Yes Minister’!!

However moving on, I did hear that some councillors, have allegedly already taken part in a meeting held at ‘Windlesham Golf Club’,  Just after this alleged meeting activity starting on the field, that of drilling boreholes presumably in order to confirm the ground can support 3 storey buildings, plus several individuals carrying out a Biodiversity Study. Coincidence maybe, or maybe not.

Having read and re-read the ‘Thrive Living’ proposal, the more it seems like a planning 'White Board Exercise' -- Housing for older people - Yes; Housing for younger people - Yes; Affordable Housing - Yes; Self Build Housing – Yes; Allotments/Orchard/Kitchen Garden - Yes; Wetlands/Woodland – Yes; Footpaths – Yes, and ever more the Yes list of wonderful things continues.

There is even a Bus Stop shown on the A30, but are there in reality any buses – No, and where is the provision of parking for the numerous visitors taking advantage of the promised New Village Centre.

While in their words, for the benefit of the Windlesham community the ‘Heart of the Scheme’ with Clubhouse, Market Square, Events Spaces, Restaurant and Shop not to mention visitors using the Country Park, without any shown provision for the parking of cars, are we therefore to presume that Snows Ride will become their ‘off site’ parking space for all of these ‘on site’ activities?

I have never read a proposal so badly thought through, other than to fit in with the planning permission agenda and be so full of pretentious clap trap and vagaries that try to make it seem honourable.

All we need from these people is the promise of Unicorns grazing in the relaxation area and they have gifted us Utopia!!

Then what happens when the occupancy rate doesn't meet their financial viability target and the scheme becomes unsustainable, in will go a change of use and we then have a housing development on Green Belt by the 'back door', as has happened at the hands of developers before in many parts of the UK.

I think we could be forgiven, in my opinion, for thinking this is in some way a foregone conclusion, but we still have to try and stop it and I feel sure, like me, many Windlesham residents would welcome the support of the ‘Windlesham Society’ in doing just that.

I remain,

yours sincerely"

Whilst this correspondence is not from windlesham.life it is published to encourage serious debate. If you have views on this proposal whether you agree or disagree, let us know so that we can get your message out.

Footnote: The Windlesham Society are looking for members to form a sub-committee to look at the proposal - full details are published in the February 2024 Windlesham Magazine - Page 11

Windlesham Christmas Tree Lighting

Thank you Pat Lewis

The New Windlesham Christmas Tree lighting event at the Field of Remembrance was an event to behold. It is a new annual event for your village diary. The Christmas Tree is going to be planted and kept as a living Tree.

None of this would have been possible without Pat Lewis who organised the entire event at very short notice with a small team of volunteers including but not limited to Robin Lewis, Peter, Paula and Chris Harrington, Mike Sheard, Helen Hansen, Paul Gilham, Kevin & Helen Lloyd Bisley and all of the many local supporters who gave prizes and helped with setting up the event.

Thank you to everyone involved.

Bombardier Walter James Tidbury

Thank you Moira

Many of you will know Moira Nairn from her insightful articles in the Windlesham Magazine and  her research that has been carried out whilst working as a volunteer on the Surrey Heritage project, Surrey in the Great War - see link below.

Moira has posted the full detail of Walter's story there and indeed there are many more articles about Windlesham and its people on the site. 

What you might not know is of Moira’s talent for discovering past events that need more recognition. The previously unmarked grave in Windlesham Cemetery is one recent example in the case of Bombardier Walter James Tidbury.

Walter’s story is available to read in the November issue of the Windlesham Magazine and via this Link to Surrey in the Great War:

The Windlesham Roll of Honour page has also been updated by Jim Robbens.

Photo & article Copyright Moira Nairn 2022

Proclamation

Thank you Helen for delivering, with great fluency and distinction, the official proclamation of King Charles III in Windlesham. Helen is currently the Chair of Windlesham Parish Council and lives in the village.

Parish Council Wildlife Map Tool Kit

Thank you Paula for highlighting and promoting this initiative for consideration by the Parish Council. Let's hope they take this initiative forward so that we can actively preserve and enhance the well-being and habitat of the wildlife we share the village with.

Alex Neumann

Alex Neumann ran the 26.2 mile Marathon on 2^nd October in 5 hours 1 minute and 16 seconds.  He ran for very special personal reasons which he has been willing to share with us.   It was in memory of his brother Adam who he lost to Cancer 10 years ago and to support the Woking Hospice, who took such superb care of him and the family during the most difficult of times.  He ran in memory of his brother, to celebrate his life and to assist the hospice raise essential funds to continue their work in supporting others. 

Photo & article Copyright Alex Neumann 2022

 Karen D’Agata

More than 40,000 people ran the London Marathon on 2^nd October – Karen D’Agata was one of them.

They are all amazing but she is one of OUR amazing people.



Photo & article Copyright Karen D’Agata 2022

Cemetery News

From Helen - Chair of Windlesham Parish Council

"Some good news for the weekend….!

The black shed by the church I have been pushing to get tidied since 2019 has finally been done today.

In the area where the toilet is I cleared away all the old plant pots and rubbish earlier in the week and today a contractor has boarded over the opening, painted the new wood to match and added a door. There will be padlocks added shortly.

I have not seen the work yet, I will be taking a  look this weekend. Let me know what you think of the work if you are passing that way". 

This is great news Helen, such an improvement. Thank you for letting everyone know.

Who is taking our New Village Hall away from us ?

The residents of Windlesham and especially those in the immediate vicinity of the Heathpark Wood development fought hard to express the need for and obtain a new village community building in this part of the village. It was to be a gift from the developer to this village. Compensation !  So why when SHBC have stated that the developer is currently engaged in discussion with community groups no one will tell us who those groups are.

We say this building belongs to this community in the same way the WFoR does.

So in spite of what was said at the Planning Applications committee we have had a somewhat re phrased update from SHBC :-

" With regard to the community building the applicant has advised that when the reserved matters approval is issued and they have an established build program they will look to engage with various local community organisations to see if they have interest in the building. The fallback position remains that if there is no interest from any a local community organisation, the applicant is required by condition to provide the community building and make it available for use before the occupation of the 100^th dwelling on the site".

We still take the view that the village as a whole community are the ones who should decide.  Perhaps the applicant might like to make a presentation to the whole village so that all options are discussed openly rather than the applicant deciding unilaterally ?

We will of course eventually see

just how community minded the

applicant really has been.

Updated 03 December 2022