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Inside this issue

Horsell Village Show in pictures

Coping with the Big Freeze

Horsell’s Brooklands connection

The magazine of Horsell Residents’ Association

The Resident

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Winter 2010

Snow on the Basingstoke Canal, Horsell

The Resident – Winter 2010 The Resident – Winter 2010 Page 3

The ResidentPublished by

HORSELL RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION LTD

Magazine team:Editor: Sarah Johns – Tel. 0772 907 3405Ann Harington – Tel. 761624Peter Hobbs – Tel. 824069Dorothy Smith – Tel. 836031Janice Worgan – Tel. 762526Please e-mail any comments, articles, letters or Horsell photos to the Editor:[email protected]

Published by Horsell Residents’ Association Limited. A non-profi t company limited by guarantee. Registered number 5377490.

Text © individual authors as named. Photos © Sarah Johns, 2010 except where indicated.

Printed by: Arrow Offset, Craven House, Lansbury Estate, Woking GU21 2EP E-mail: [email protected] Tel. 01483 799900

No responsibility for the quality of goods or services advertised in this magazine can be accepted by the publishers or printers. Advertisements are included in good faith. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form whatsoever without the prior permission of the Publishers. The Publishers do not necessarily agree with the views expressed by contributors, nor do they accept any responsibility for errors of interpretation in the subject matter of this magazine. All reasonable care is taken to ensure accuracy in preparation of the magazine but the publishers cannot be held legally responsible for errors in the articles or the return of unsolicited manuscripts, artwork, or projects. Whilst every care is taken, no responsibility can be accepted for the safety of material submitted.

Horsell Residents’ Association Contacts

President: Dorothy SmithTel. 836031; [email protected]: Rob HarrisTel. 855449; [email protected]. Secretary: Colin KramerTel. 761455; [email protected]. Treasurer: Janice WorganTel. 762526; [email protected] Secretary: Peter HobbsTel. 824069; [email protected]

Editorial

HorsellVillage

Show 2010

Horsell Residents’ Association was formed in 1965 as a non-political group open to all adult residents of Horsell. The HRA exists to:

Join the HRA today for just £5 (£2.50 conc.)

PROMOTE, UPHOLD AND PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF RESIDENTS in all matters affecting or likely to affect Horsell and its environs.

BRING TO THE NOTICE OF RELEVANT AUTHORITIES OR BODIES THOSE MATTERS AFFECTING THE INTERESTS OF HORSELL RESIDENTS, and accordingly keep its members informed.

SUPPORT AND PROMOTE SOCIAL AND BENEVOLENT ACTIVITIES for the general benefi t of Horsell residents, and fundraise in support of such activities.Membership form on page 11.

2011 HRA Annual General Meeting will be held on

Tuesday 12th April 2011 at 7.30pm, Horsell Village Hall.

Highlights from the 2010 Show. Clockwise from 12 o’clock: Mrs Peggy Reeves, Handicraft Class judge; visitors checking out the entries in the Vegetable Class; Horsell Afternoon WI stall; inside the Village Hall; David Bromley making paper planes for the ‘furthest fl ight’ competition; David Inns of Horsell Allotment Society presented the prizes for the winning entries; winner of the fi rst HRA Photographic Award; next year’s programme cover, designed by Rebecca Ackroyd. See the Spring issue for a ‘behind the scenes’ photo special about the Show.

Just a quick editorial this issue. You may have noticed that the Autumn issue didn’t appear. Well, the reason was that I was busying delivering another production – a new son!

I’m very pleased to introduce the next generation of Horsell residents (and maybe a future Editor) George Doyle Johns. He was persuaded to don a Father Christmas outfi t so we could wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and a happy New Year, from the Horsell Residents’ Association.

Photos, articles & community events deadlines

Spring 2011 • 17 JanuarySummer 2011 • 11 April

Please e-mail Sarah Johns at [email protected]

Advertising deadlines

Spring 2011 • 10 JanuarySummer 2011 • 1 April

For advertising rates, please contact Peter Hobbs (details on left).

+ STOP PRESS +

WWF have submitted their planning application for Brewery Road:

PLAN/2010/1161.

More details at: www.woking.gov.uk/planning

Consultation ends 28 December.


Cold winter nights are a great time to research making your home more energy efficient.

Several residents in Horsell are taking advantage of a new government cash-back scheme that pays homeowners to generate electricity from renewable technology, including solar panels. Ben Wood, from Actio2n Woking, tells us more. The government cash-back scheme known as the Feed-in Tariff pays owners of new solar panels 41.3p for every unit of electric-ity that they generate, regardless of whether they use it or not.

Having already made a number of energy efficiency improve-ments to their property, residents of Horsell Sue Gaastra & Mike Griffiths recently invested in solar photovoltaic (electricity) panels and are expecting to earn around £1000 a year (as well as cutting their carbon emissions by a further 1 tonne at least). “Photovoltaic panels have been a sizable investment, but what bank account could offer such a good rate of return as this? We were surprised that the payback was quite as quick as it’s going to be.”

As well as paying homeowners for all electricity generated, the Feed-in Tariff allows any excess energy to be sold back to the grid, in addition to the money saved on the electricity bill. Depending on the system, these three payments (generation, export and saving) provide a payback of 7-8% per year. The scheme is also set for 20-25 years depending on the technology

A solar revolution in Horsellwhich can provide a very good return on the initial investment over this time.

Sue and Mike are not the only residents who have seen the opportunity solar panels are offering. John Doran, another Horsell resident has also invested in solar panels. “I’ve been environmentally worried for many years now, and having done quite a bit to reduce the carbon footprint of the house already, I’ve been looking for the next big thing that we could do as a household to further reduce our impact. But the trigger for installing solar panels was the Feed-in Tariff because it now makes economic sense as well as environmental sense.”

Horsell residents, Mr and Mrs Lody also recently installed solar panels after speaking with LA21, Woking’s environmental volunteer group. “Photovoltaic panels are not cheap, but then when you think you are getting very little on your investments, solar panels can offer you that return – it’s also doing something for the environment and a good selling point for your house too!”

Actio2n Woking has been set up to provide homeowners with impartial and professional advice on energy efficiency and renewable technology. It has a network of accredited installers who can provide quotes and install a range of energy improve-ments for the home, including solar panels.

To find out more, contact Actio2n Woking on 0800 783 2503 or visit www.actionwoking.org.

Ben Wood, Actio2n Woking

Probably not, unless you are of a certain age! It was the Railton Special, holder of the land speed record in 1938 and then 1939-1964. Built at Brooklands, Weybridge and driven by British racer John Cobb at Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah it ultimately achieved 394mph in 1947.

Many land speed records were set at Brooklands racetrack between 1909 (126mph) and 1922 (134mph) until ever-higher speeds and the 1930s need for a smoother driving surface led to the beaches and salt flats of America becoming the venues of choice for record attempts. But between trips the Railton Special’s home was the Brooklands workshop of motor engineers Thomson & Taylor Ltd – where Bennie Benstead of Horsell (son of Cllr Archie Benstead) was a mechanic on the team that built it.

Its shape was a near perfect teardrop, the streamlined aluminium body housing two supercharged Napier Lion aero engines (one driving each axle to give four wheel drive – an ingenious novelty). Power was 1250hp at 3600 rpm per engine. Weighing three tons, it was designed by Reid Railton who also designed cars for Parry-Thomas and Malcolm Campbell.

In World War II Brooklands became an aircraft manufacturing site for Wellington bombers and Hurricanes, and was soon a target for German bombing raids. So it was thought wise to store the priceless car elsewhere and, according to a recent book on speed records, the chosen war location was Horsell. It was not kept at Benstead’s Garage but probably in a garage of a “gentleman’s residence” in the area – where the covered shelter must have been large, as the car was 28ft 8in long! Does anyone know about this or where it was stored? Perhaps motor engineers Ken Thomson or Ken Taylor, or even John Cobb himself, had a friend in Horsell?

Brooklands survived after the war until 1988-9, no longer a racetrack but an aircraft site producing large planes such as the VC10 and BAC111. The Railton Special also survives and is now at the Thinktank Museum in Birmingham, while Thomson & Taylor’s workshop is preserved as the “Campbell Shed’ at Brooklands Museum.

Anthony Saunders

We thank Anthony and Woking History Society for permission to reproduce this article.

Did you see Cobb’s car in WW2 Horsell?

Christmas Services in HorsellHorsell Evangelical Church, High StreetSunday 19 December, 3pm: Carol ServiceSaturday 25 December, 10.30am: Family Service

St Mary the Virgin, High StreetTuesday 14 December, 10am-12 noon: Toddler’s Party (with Service, 11am)Sunday 19 December, 10am: Parish CommunionSunday 19 December, 6.30pm: Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by CandlelightFriday 24 December, 3pm and 4.15pm: Crib and Christingle Service (identical services)Friday 24 December, 11.30pm: Midnight Communion

Saturday 25 December, 8am: Holy Communion (Prayer Book Service)Saturday 25 December, 10am: Family Communion with CarolsSunday 26 December, 10am: Said Parish Communion

Trinity Methodist Church, Brewery RoadSunday 12 December, 10.30am: Family ServiceSunday 19 December, 10.30am: Morning WorshipSunday 19 December, 7pm: Carol ServiceFriday 24 December, 3pm: Crib ServiceFriday 24 December, 11pm: CommunionSaturday 25 December, 10am: All Age ServiceSunday 26 December, 10.30am: Boxing Day Service

Salvation Army, SythwoodFor details please go to www1.salvationarmy.org.uk

The Railton Special outside Thomson & Taylor’s workshop in 1938/9.


1. The character Jack Skellington appears in which 1993 Tim Burton film? 2. What colour are the berries of the mistletoe plant? 3. In the inspirational 1946 film, It’s a Wonderful Life, what’s the name of George Bailey’s guardian angel? 4. What are the names of the three wise men said to have brought gifts to the baby Jesus? 5. What is New Year’s Eve called in Scotland? 6. What Christmas item was invented by London baker and wedding-cake specialist Tom Smith in 1847? 7. In what year was Band-Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas? the UK Christmas chart-topping record? 8. Which country did St Nicholas come from? 9. Who wrote How the Grinch Stole Christmas? 10. What red-blooming Christmas plant came originally from Mexico? 11. Who wrote Auld Lang Syne? 12. How many points does a snowflake have?

From solar panels to Christmas cheer ... It wouldn’t be a Winter issue of The Resident without our annual Christmas quiz. It’s not too taxing, so why not challenge your family to answer the questions, and give

prizes for the most right answers?13. What is the name of the cake traditionally eaten in Italy at Christmas?14. What is the chemical formula of snow?15. What is a baby turkey more correctly called, other than a chick? 16. What Christmas item takes its name from the old French word estincelle, meaning spark? 17. Which US President banned Christmas trees from the White House? 18. Who banned Christmas in England between 1647 and 1660? 19. What is the popular name for little baked sausages wrapped in rashers of streaky bacon? 20. In Victorian England what people were popularly called robins because of their red uniforms?

Answers on page 11.

Coping with the Big Freeze

With November’s cold snap set to continue into the New Year, here are our top tips for beating

the cold weather this winter.

Family

► Stock up your store cupboard and freezer with a week’s supply of food, including food that you can eat even if there is a power cut. Top up supplies of essential medication and baby formula (and also some aspirin or paracetamol) in case it is difficult to get to the shops.

► Call in on elderly relatives or neighbours who might need an extra hand with their shopping. A few minutes of your time could make all the difference.

Home

► Protect the pipes in your loft by wrapping them with insulation. Water from burst pipes can cause a lot of damage. Find out how to turn off the mains water supply, in case your pipes do burst.

► If you need help with urgent repairs, use Surrey County Council’s Buy with Confidence website. It lists hundreds of traders, including those specialising in smaller jobs. All traders are monitored on an ongoing basis. www.surreycc.gov.uk/buywithconfidence or call: 01372 371 666.

► Contact the Energy Saving Trust on 0800 512 012 (www.energysavingtrust.org.uk) to find out how to make your home more efficient and about any grants you may be eligible for.

► Check that your household insurance is up to date and will cover your needs. Consider taking out insurance if you don’t have any.

► If freezing weather is forecast, keep your heating on at night so that your pipes don’t freeze (turn your thermostat down to 15°C to keep the bills down).

► Make a list of the telephone numbers of your gas, electricity and telephone suppliers, and keep it in a handy place in case you need to contact them in an emergency.

Travel

► If you have to make a journey when snow is forecast, tell someone when you expect to arrive and your route. Try to wait until the roads have been gritted before travelling.

► Keep your mobile phone charged in case a roadside phone is not available.

► Keep an emergency kit in your car: Ice scraper and de-icer. Torch and spare batteries, Warm clothes and a blanket boots, first aid kit, Jump leads, Food and a warm drink in a thermos, A shovel, reflective warning sign, sunglasses (low winter sun can be dazzling) and a map for any unplanned diversions.

► Why not write to [email protected] and tell us your top tips for coping with the cold weather?


Already the planning has started for the next Horsell Garden Safari. Over the past eight years

the funds raised from this event is approx £23,500, an amazing amount, all of which has gone towards the refurbishment of Horsell Village Hall.

New thermal curtains, installed in September, will help keep the Hall warm and act as blackout for presentations and shows

A great deal of work has been done to improve the hall, and there are many plans to keep this an ongoing scenario. But without new gardens to be added to our list of gardens in Horsell for the Garden Safari, the event will get less exciting.

We need your help!

Firstly, please put the date of the 2011 Garden Safari in your diaries and calendars – Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June 2011. Next, please think about kindly opening your garden for either both or just one of those dates.

Please contact either Gail on 01483 7694521 or Penny on 01483 761455 for a chat about what’s involved, or more informa-tion about the Horsell Garden Safari.

Penny Kramer

Sign up for Horsell’s Garden Safari 2011

Just one of the fantastic gardens in last year’s Safari.

The onset of dark winter evenings need not be cheerless. If the weather becomes too inclement

for all but the most committed of gardeners to venture outside, consider some houseplants to cheer the place up.

A houseplant should be treated like a temporary house guest and not a member of the family. After all houseplants are often cheaper than a decent bunch of flowers. A houseplant will last much longer but should be thrown out when it is past it. That way it can be replaced with something new and different totally changing the mood of the room.

Jasmine polyanthum is a favourite. It has delicate pink buds which open into white flowers. These are complimented by dainty dark green leaves and a fragrance as delicate as the flowers. It is usually sold as a houseplant grown over a wire hoop. Jasmine is a climber and you can remove the hoop later and train the plant up a trellis in a conservatory. It is quite vigorous and will reach 10 ft. unless it is cut back after flowering. The plant needs a minimum temperature of 45°F in winter. It enjoys bright light and some direct sunlight does no harm at all. Once it has flowered you will probably find that the Jasmine reverts to its natural annual flowering time in spring.

Stephanotis has similar dainty flowers to Jasmine and is known as the Madagascar Jasmine. However the flowers are altogether more waxy in texture and the leaves are broader and also waxy. The blooms are laden with heady scent. Stephanotis is one of

my real favourites. Again it is a climber and sold on a wire hoop. It dislikes violent swings in temperature and needs to be kept at 55°F in winter.

The St. Paulia or African Violet is available for most of the year but with its warm velvety flowers in deep pinks and purples it looks just right in Winter. Some people are able to keep them in flower for months at a time. African Violets like a minimum temperature of 60°F and dislike temperature fluctuations. They should be watered with slightly warm water and it is important to water the compost and not the foliage. Faded flowers and leaves should be taken off straight away including the stalk to prevent rotting.

Azaleas produce abundant flowers and enjoy a cool bright position. They are therefore ideal for an enclosed glass porch or cool conservatory. The compost needs to be kept wet. It is very difficult to over-water an Azalea. Dead head if the flowers fade.

Another houseplant that does not like it too warm is the Cyclamen. In fact they do not enjoy temperatures over 60 degrees fahrenheit and are therefore best kept in cool conserv-atories or porches rather than hot stuffy living rooms. The important thing is not to over-water them otherwise the crown will rot and the plant just collapse. Cyclamen come in wonderful vivid reds, warm pinks and icy whites.

Sarah Squire

Reproduced with thanks to Squires Garden Centres. www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk

Cheerful houseplants for winter


Community newsRemembrance Sunday

Horsell Residents’ Association Membership application formSee www.HorsellResidents.com/about for full details of our aims and benefits

Name(s):

Address:

Postcode: Home tel no: E-mail:

I / we wish to start / renew membership from 2011 as follows (please circle membership required):

Annual: £5 per household / £2.50 per retired household Life: £50 per household / £25 per retired household

Please make cheques payable to Horsell Residents’ Association. Send your subscription and completed form to:

Janice Worgan, HRA Treasurer, 3 Waldens Park Road, Horsell, Woking, Surrey GU21 4RN.

Alternatively, download a standing order form from www.HorsellResidents.com

The 2010 Remembrance Sunday service, held on Sunday 14 November, was well attended. The

High Street around the War Memorial was blocked off to traffic to allow a few moments of reflection on those that have lost their lives in war.

The Horsell Residents’ Association lay a wreath at the memorial every year. This year, Bill Lindop MBE, who lives on the High Street, represented the HRA. Below are his words about his own experience of army life.

“Conscription papers ordered me to report to the HLI Maryhill Barracks, Glasgow, a few days after my 18th birthday, where I underwent the usual six weeks (square-bashing) training. Then I joined The Royal Artillery, Catterick Camp, for further training before being posted to the R.A., 14th Army Burma, where I was to serve for 2 ½ plus years before my demob.

“During my period in Burma I also served with The Chin Hills Regiment, before being transferred to The Indian Army joining IEME (Indian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) at Meiktilla in Central Burma approx 90 miles South of Mandalay.

“My rank was Warrant Officer responsible for the inspection and classifica-tion of vehicles from the south of Central Burma to the Chinese Border at Lashio, before the repaired vehicles were returned to their units.

Divisional IEME H/Q moved to Mamayo a hill station north of Mandalay much favoured by expats in pre-war days, it being my pleasant task to report and provide records on a regular basis. It was a bonus to enjoy the cooler temperature and decent accommodation away from the steamy heat of the central plains and jungle of Meiktilla area.” The grave in St Mary’s churchyard of RNAS Flight Sub-Lt. Vernon

Littleboy, who died six months before the creation of the RAF.

1. The Nightmare before Christmas2. White3. Clarence4. Balthasar, Melchior, Caspar (or Gaspar)5. Hogmanay6. Christmas cracker7. 19848. Turkey9. Dr Seuss10. Poinsettia

11. Robert Burns12. Six13. Panettone14. H2015. Poult16. Tinsel17. Theodore Roosevelt18. Oliver Cromwell19. Pigs in blankets20. Postmen

Christmas Quiz answers (from page 5)

The debate about cyclists riding in the centre of Woking is getting pretty lively, thanks to strong

voices both for and against allowing cyclists to ride on the pathways through the town centre.

At the last Surrey County Council Local Committee meeting, Councillors voted to make a permanent order to allow cycling in parts of the Town Centre (as shared use) following a 17 month trial period which started in April 2009. However, due to concerns from groups representing the disabled and the elderly the order was subject to further consultation.

By the time you read this, an extended consultation will have just ended, and the issue is due to be discussed at the SCC Local Committee meeting on 9 February 2011.

Local resident, Mary Painter, writes:

“Shared use is far from ideal from a cyclist perspective, as randomly moving pedestrians do not make for a smooth ride. However, the geography of the town centre is such that Horsell cyclists, especially the older and more nervous ones, would face a very difficult route to get to the station if shared used were to be revoked. It is also difficult for Horsellers (or is Horsellites) to reach other parts of Woking without enduring the two lane mayhem of Victoria Way.

While I have great sympathy with the needs of the elderly and disabled the potential for injury from this is extremely limited.

The threats to cyclists are all too real and immediate. You will maybe remember the 11 year old child that was the victim of a hit and run on Bullbeggars Lane. You will also maybe have seen press coverage of the death of an 18 year old cyclist on Parvis Road not long ago.

Cyclists would like to see more enforcement to tackle the dangerous drivers and speeding which scares cyclists onto pavements. We are a vulnerable group too, even those of us still riding the roads.”

If you’d like to have your say, Ben Carasco is Horsell’s County Councillor. on the SCC Local Committee. Contact him at [email protected]

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