Woking News

There is a lot coming up in Woking over the next couple of months, including some new and returning events, and it's time to look ahead for a new event next Spring.

A Place to Eat

The first Woking Food Festival takes place in the town centre from 13 to 15 September.  The event promises the Tante Marie Culinary Theatre, well known chefs and up to 50 local and regional food and drink stalls.   I am particularly pleased to see this event come to fruition as I made the original suggestion that such an event be held.  I envisaged the event as an opportunity for local restaurants and cafes to make residents and visitors aware of all that Woking has to offer both in the town centre and the surrounding villages.  I hope the price tag for stalls, which seems a little steep, doesn't put off smaller establishments.  The available details are on the Council website here.

A Place to Cycle

The Tour of Britain cycle race returns to Woking for a second year when the penultimate stage goes along Old Woking Road, Kingifield Road and Guildford Road then into Woknig town centre on Saturday 21 September.  There will be short term road closures of between 15 minutes and half an hour as the race passes through.  Cyclists will be heading along to A320 to Ottershaw so a good opportunity for Horsell residents to watch the race pass by.  Leading cyclists are scheduled to be in Woking at 13.55. Full details of the route and timings are here.

A place to dig

Explore the history of Woking by going on an archaeological dig at Woking Palace in Old Woking.  No previous experience is required.  I have takenpart and very much enjoyed the dig for the past 2 years.  I have yet to find anything beyond oyster shells, nails, bricks and small pottery fragments but the dig is a great opportunity to learn more about local history and archaeology.  Last I heard there were still some spaces on the dig which runs on Wednesday to Sunday from 18 September to 4 October.

Email Hannah Potter at education.scau@surreycc.gov.uk if you would like to know more or book a place on the dig.

A place to watch - ‘Live’ events at Ambassadors cinemas

I am excited about the wide range of live and recorded events that are going to be beamed into our local cinema complex. The new programme promises music from Robbie Williams and David Bowie, Shakespeare featuring David Tennant in Richard III and Macbeth with Kenneth Branagh , the Bolshoi ballet and Glyndebourne.  Listings for the cinemas are here but only seem to be available in alphabetical order so look carefully at dates.

Looking ahead to next year ...

A Place to Run

Details have just been announced of the inaugural Surrey half marathon on a course between Woking and Guildford.  This 13 mile race will take place on Sunday 9 March next year.  The route starts at Stoke Park in Guildford, leaves that town via Burpham and enters Woking through Mayford and Westfield before coming into the centre of Woking under Victoria Arch, turning around and heading back to Guildford.  Find out about running, volunteering or watching the race go by.

Horsell Public Space - Mound Update

The Mound in its "full glory"

The mound in Queen Elizabeth Gardens is still there and the space is unusable as we head into the third week of the school summer holidays.  

After my own holiday I chased up the Council as I had not received an update since the end of July.  I have been told that the Council will be writing to the petitioners this coming week.  It is suggested that a solution to the issues identified in the petition will be offered.

I will provide an update once I hear what is being suggested.

News for Horsell

New vicar for St Mary’s

Following the retirement of long standing vicar Rod Jones earlier in the year St Mary’s Church in Horsell has now appointed a new vicar.  Sarah Hayes comes to Horsell from Chipping Campden where she was Curate.  Sarah previously had a career as a city lawyer.  The new vicar does not formally take up the role until October.

Office to residential planning change

There are concerns over a planning application to turn what was the office of Plum products in the High Street into two flats.  A recent relaxation of planning laws nationally means that changes of use from business to residential are encouraged and the planning authority has little control over these changes.  There are concerns that two more flats in the congested centre of the village will only add  to parking problems.

Muslim Burial ground on Horsell Common

The Grade II listed Muslim Burial Ground on Horsell Common is to be restored in time for commemoration of the outbreak of the First World War next year  I am pleased that funding has been achieved to restore the site which was built in 1917 to inter soldiers from the Indian Army.  There are no burials at the site (they have long since been removed to Brookwood cemetery) but the site will become a garden of peace and remembrance.  It is a fantastic spot for a walk so it is great to know the structure will be returned to its original glory.  English Heritage, Woking Council and Horsell Common Preservation Society are working together on the project.