Woking Weekly Round Up

Putney Philanthropist builds houses in Woking

Just love this story of a philanthropist who has built 3 houses in Woking, and sold for a profit which she has given to good causes.  Charlotte Grobien who lives in Putney has now donated £1M through her charity 'Give it Away'.  The charity makes donations to a disabled nursery school, Great Ormond Street and a small theatre.  Charlotte is now looking to renovation projects to raise more money for good causes in the future.

The next Lewis Hamilton?

The Knaphillian had the story of a young man from Knaphill who is making his way in the world of racing this week.  Piers Hickin made his debut with Hill Racing on Saturday 10 November having cut his teeth in the world of karting.  There is more information on Ginetta racing.  Could this be a homegrown Lewis Hamilton of the future?

Remembering a Byfleetian who died on the Somme

In the week of Remembrance Day the Surrey Advertiser had this heartwarming story of a great niece who tracked down what happened to her uncle in WWI.  Maurice Matcham grew up in a little cottage by the railway line in Byfleet - since demolished to make way for the M25.  He died on the Somme in 1918, aged just 22 years.  He is commemorated on both a memorial in Arras and on the Byfleet War Memorial.  Following her research Jan Simmonds now believes she knows in which offensive her relation died.

Brookwood Cemetery to be at heart of 2014 Centenary

Staying with Remembrance I spotted a small mention for Brookwood Cemetery in an article on This is Kent.  Brookwood, along with Folkestone and Mons in Belgium is to be key a location for for the centenary commemorations of the start of WWI on 4 August 2014.