Search Results

At a meeting of the Thursley History Society early in 2025, it was agreed that the website should include a post for our many beloved villagers who are no longer with us. Our archive contains a lot of information and we shall gradually build up this entry retrospectively. If you would like to contribute any obituaries, eulogies, memories, orders of service or photographs (especially where none exist on the website) please do so via the website: https://www.thursleyhistorysociety.org/contact Lives celebrated: Nina Allen; Tone Badcock; John Baker; Hilary Barr; Pat Barr; Richard Bates; Tich Corrigan; Salosh Edwards; Joyce Hall; Peter Hanaeur; Edmund Haviland; Elizabeth Jones; Anthony Langdale; Angela Muir; Ruth Nightingale; John 'Tony' Scales; Jo Scheffers; Philip Traill; Pia Wansborough; Jill Whitwell; Neil Woods John Anthony Scales, 'Tony', 3rd January 1941- 12th February 2026 Tony Scales's sons, Ben & Tim, gave this eulogy, part of which is below: the complete eulogy is in the pdf: Growing up in Yorkshire John Anthony Scales was born on 3rd January 1941 in the village of Knaresborough in Yorkshire, the son of Cameron and Nellie and the 2nd of 3 boys. He grew up with his brothers Bob and Peter in an atmosphere of healthy, fraternal competition which spilt over into lively confrontation on a regular basis. The Scales brothers would earn themselves something of a reputation in and around Harrogate in later years (although he might claim that this was more by association than by personal merit). School His formative years were spent in Yorkshire and he remained a proud Yorkshireman throughout his life. Boarding school first at Terrington Hall and then at Sedburgh (then still part of West Yorkshire), where the beauty of the natural surroundings was offset by a Spartan regime which involved being fully submerged in a cold bath each morning, punishing cross-country runs up hill and down dale (the famous “10”), and rugby in all weathers, including deep snow. He told us that he was ready for pretty much anything after that and Anne recalls that he subsequently particularly enjoyed running downhill recreating the thrill (and relief no doubt) of careering down hillsides at school. Robin Gourlay remembers him at Sedburgh as quiet, musical, popular and responsible, someone who never seemed to get into trouble and who came into his own as a mediator, settling arguments between warring factions (notably Hunt House versus School House). Perhaps a precursor for his career in law. Oxford He left Yorkshire after winning a place to read law at University College, Oxford, an achievement of which his parents were immensely proud, and intrepidly made the long trip down on a scooter which became his preferred means of transport. At Oxford, he continued to play rugby, and also rowed for the college eight under the watchful eye of the cox, Stephen Hawking. My godfather David Pullen remembers him as a very fast and elusive winger (although not very good at tackling) as well as a very light (11 and a half stone – “almost unheard of”) bow in the college eight. Thank you, David, and thank you also for introducing Dad to Mum (without which we wouldn’t be standing here). And actually, we also wanted to acknowledge how happy we are that Mum and Dad were eventually able to rekindle their friendship and thank Anne and Gervase for encouraging this – it has meant a huge amount to the three of us, just as we know it has to Mum. Sutter Creek In 1963, Dad pushed back his start date in London by a year and travelled to California to work as a Maths and English teacher in the old Gold Rush town of Sutter Creek. He supplemented his teaching wages by working at weekends as a cashier in the casinos of Taho, and in forestry, where he worked felling and stripping logs. He recounted that on one occasion, he was following the tractor up hill, when a chain supporting its load of logs snapped, releasing its cargo to roll down the hill. Were it not for Dad’s natural prowess as a high hurdler, we might also not be standing here today! Edward John Baker, "John", 21st July 1934 - 13th March 2026 Pia Wansborough, 7th November 1938 - 10th February 2026 Richard Charles Bates 12th February 1943 - 4th January 2026 This tribute was written by the family and read by the Celebrant, Paul Winder: Richard Bates - A Life Well Lived Richard grew up in the World War 2 bombed streets of London’s East End with his Dad, a bus conductor following his service in the War, Mum, a seamstress, and his younger sister Dorothy. One of his academic achievements was to pass the 11+ exam and be accepted into the local Grammar School where he made lifelong friends. His Uncle Albert was an early inspiration. He spoke Arabic, played the piano, painted and knew artists like the writer Laurie Lee. Richard also took up oil painting and played the clarinet but it was his desire to see beyond the claustrophobic East End that defined him. Early on he loved cycling to Epping Forest where he read The Sunday Times from front to back, a routine he kept his whole life. His social and organisational skills meant he was the one to get his school friends out and about, starting off with youth-hostelling in Britain but he soon had sights on tougher challenges. At 21 he cycled up Norway, in winter, as far as the Arctic Circle with Graham. Word had got round about his trip and at the top he was greeted by a newspaper journalist and a British diplomat. Another trip in his early twenties was with a group of mates driving through Europe, ending up working in a hotel restaurant by Lake Geneva. While living at home he worked in the City and in the evenings studied for a Drawing Practice & Machine Design Diploma which allowed him to work as a Draughtsman. However he wasn’t going to work in an office in the City for the rest of his life, so at 26 the travelling bug infected him again, this time with the grand idea of an overland trip to Australia. He advertised in the paper and went with two girls and Sean Sinnott, an Irish guitar playing singer, who stayed a lifelong dear friend. Richard did most of the driving in a converted Bedford Dormobile, christened Rosinante (from Don Quixote). This was the journey of a lifetime, nearly having to give up in the snow in Turkey and getting very ill in India but eventually they made it to Sydney, Australia, the land of opportunity, a world away from Stepney Green. Richard took a job in a drawing office, living over Bondi Beach and made close, life-long friends in John Egger and Richard Debenham. From then on he was known as Dicko! Geoff Prouse, an old school friend asked Richard to help him run a supermarket in Darwin, then a remote town in the outback of Northern Australia. Richard was in his element here as his social skills made him a Pom everyone could like, even if he did have to knock out the occasional Aborigine who’d had too much to drink! In 1974 Cyclone Tracy flattened Darwin. He was a driving force in helping the Red Cross in the aftermath but eventually he decided to come home. In the late Seventies, a trip to Egypt provided the setting for Richard to meet Nicki, a nurse and former air hostess. And though they came from different backgrounds, they shared a love of travelling and doing things their way. After marriage in Farnham they found a run-down cottage in Thursley, backing on to Thursley Common. They thought it would be a great place to raise a family. Richard learnt squash in Australia and his entrepreneurial skills and love of sport meant he wasn’t satisfied working as a draughtsman for a company, so he decided to start up his own Squash & Sports Club. Squash was a sport that hadn’t taken off yet in 1980’s England and he saw the business potential and health benefits for all. Then his two sons came along, James, then Andrew, and with Dingo the dog he was living a life he could never have imagined growing up in the East End. Richard installed a wood burner that connected to the radiators in the house and he was very proud of his money saving idea. In return for volunteering on Thursley Common, the wardens allowed him to use his prized Land Rover to collect any spare wood available. It became a life-time passion to spend most of his free time collecting, cutting and burning wood! He struck up a close friendship with James Giles, the Natural England Warden. The family enjoyed many cycling holidays throughout Europe, fond memories for all. When Richard retired a new life opened up for him as he now had the time to get to know the village and villagers. With his East End charm and famous sense of humour he was equally at home with everyone. He soon became the Village Hall Grand Quizmaster and ran a Table Tennis Club for over 10 years. He volunteered to mow the grass in the village for the Parish Council and also enjoyed helping the Churchyard Working Party. Richard was a self-made man. He grew up in humble surroundings and made the best of his time. He ventured out into the world with a smile for everyone and a bad joke for those who would listen! His attitude meant he was accepted wherever he went. A life well-lived. Richard's sons, James and Andrew, also delivered moving eulogies which can be read in the pdf below: Ruth Irwin Nightingale, 9th July 1931 - 27th October 2025 Honor Marion Jill Whitwell, 'Jill' 16th September 1934 - 24th August 2025 The eulogy was delivered by Jill's son, Kevin Osgood, part of which is below: the complete eulogy is in the pdf: Thank you all for joining us here today to celebrate the life of Jill Whitwell, my Mum. Jill was born Honor Marion Jill Temple on 16th September 1934. She was born at home in an upstairs room of her parents’ guest house, The Temple Lounge, in West Street, Farnham where she grew up alongside her elder brothers, Ranger and Nigel, who were 13 and 8 years her senior respectively. Her parents were Sydney and Honor Temple and at the age of 16 Sydney had been blinded during a rugby match at Dulwich College and subsequently devoted much of his life to charity work for the Royal National Institute for the Blind. Jill also immersed herself in this, teaching blind people the art of chair caning and making wicker baskets, something she returned to in later life. Jill was almost five when Britain declared war on Germany and within a year Farnham was suffering from the fallout of bombing missions more likely targeting the surrounding areas of Brooklands, Farnborough, Aldershot, Bordon and Odiham, all having military or air bases. Her parents’ cellar was converted into an air raid shelter where locals would cram in during nighttime bombing raids. At 5 years old it was time to start school at St. Andrew’s in Farnham. Jill developed a distaste for school on her first day which set the pattern for the next three years. She could already read and write quite well and on her first day the class had to write their names, addresses and their parents’ names. Jill was sent to see Mrs Burrows, the headmistress, for arguing that she had not misspelt her father’s name (it was Sydney and NOT Sidney). By lucky coincidence Mrs Burrows lived at the Temple Lounge during term time and confirmed that Jill was, in fact, correct but this injustice stuck in her craw for the remaining three years at the school. By 1942 her parents had decided that the town was too dangerous for a child of that age and they would move her away from the bombings. She was sent to St. Ursula’s, a girls’ boarding school in the local village of Grayshott which was considered outside the bombers’ flight paths. She immediately took to the head mistress, Mrs Stevenson, who had a little dog, Craddock, who Jill was given almost sole charge of during term time. You can imagine how much she enjoyed that responsibility. I can find no record of this school so due to her mischievous nature I teased her many times that she must have been mistaken, and the school was really called St Trinian’s. She told me recently that she was amongst several girls who used to escape through the dormitory window to attend the dance at the local village hall before returning to bed as if nothing had happened. Jill later attended the Guildford Technical College and qualified in Catering in 1952 and Restaurant Management the following year and found employment cooking for the many residents of Farnham’s Moor Park House which had been used as a billet for Canadian troops in the war and was being refurbished by a Canon Parsons whilst being used as a Christian adult education college. Angela Muir MW 29th September 1948 - 14th July 2025 Order of Service, see PDF below We were all saddened to hear of the death in Cyprus on July 15th of Angela Muir, widow of Peter who was for several years Associate Vicar of St Michael and All Angels Thursley. Many of us will remember their legendary hospitality both at Yew Cottage, The Three Horseshoes and at Church, and that Angela was not only a world-renowned Master of Wine, but also a superb cook. They were greatly missed in the village when, in 2019, they decided to emigrate permanently to Cyprus. Angela showed early talent by winning the Vintners Scholarship in 1977, enabling her to travel around Europe for six months studying wine, finally becoming a Master of Wine in 1980, a considerable achievement, especially for a woman, in those days. She spent eight years in the Wine Merchant Division of John Harvey and Sons in Bristol followed by ten years as overseas buyer for Grants of St James and Victoria Wine. After this, she set up in her own business called Cellarworld with Peter, travelling the world as a wine consultant, helping producers both in Europe and South America to make their wines more saleable in the export market. Few people realised that one of her many intellectual talents was as a linguist, which made travelling easier for her. She has truly left her mark on the wine industry as an educator of future Masters of Wine, many of whom have left glowing tributes to her rigorous and meticulous training, but also mentioning her kindness and the selfless gift of her time in helping them to achieve their goal. There have also been a number of lengthy articles in the Cypriot press written with great fondness by her friends in the wine industry there recalling her immense talent and enormous contribution to their success over the years. Angela fell in love with Cyprus many years ago when she was employed by the industry to improve the quality of their wine making, so when they moved there, we were delighted that they chose a house in the same village in which we have had a holiday home for over twenty years. We joked that we lived almost exactly the same distance from each other as we did in Thursley. Their house has a magnificent view of a large area of the south coast west of Paphos towards the Akamas peninsula and they loved to sit on their balcony with a glass of something rather good to enjoy the magnificent sunsets for which Cyprus is famous. They soon were absorbed into the large expat community, playing lots of bridge and Angela also joined the ladies gastronomy circle where she soon became a leading light. She also kept up with her contacts with the local wineries, a number of whom she had helped for many years. It was an eye opener to have the privilege of accompanying her to some of these, she was treated like royalty and they hung on her every word. It was also educational, on one occasion, at a rather grand establishment, she tasted a particular supposedly single grape varietal and announced that there was a percentage of another grape in it. An embarrassed owner huffed that he had added 2% to smooth it out, at which Angela looked at him over her glasses, and enquired whether he had forgotten that perhaps it was 5%. An embarrassed vigneron turned bright red in the face and admitted that she was, of course, correct. Peter’s sudden death on New Year’s Eve 2022 came as a terrible shock and Angela’s health suffered very badly. She became completely incapacitated and spent a considerable period in Hospital. When she came home, she had the help of constant carers to look after her. One particularly wonderful friend took over the organisation of her life and I do not know what would have happened without her devoted attention. Angela gradually and bravely fought her way back to better health and was able to get about to play bridge and see friends, even managing the cruise that they both had looked forward to. Her end seems to have been peaceful, she was found by one of her carers in bed, the inevitable book still in hand. Peter once said to me “There is only one Angela!” and he was right. RIP great lady. Hilary Joy Denholm Barr, 3rd May 1945 - 12th January 2025 Hilary's obituary in Thursley Parish Magazine, May 2025 Order of Service: Pete Hanauer 26th September 1946 - 15th December 2024 There were tributes to Pete from family and friends as well as poem. The tribute below from Dick Lowther, a friend and former colleague, is reproduced in full: Peter Warm, generous, witty Peter - 47 YEARS MY FRIEND. We took many paths together but then you trod many more. Memories of you, glued in my souvenirs, coming back as sure as swifts in summer. As surely as the seeds you sowed in your veg plot - from the smooth bean to the wrinkled pea. Some forgotten for a time, but greeted with joy when they pop up again. I met you in the autumn of 77 in Farnham the same day as Brad, who is also here today. You were a new student, yet already rich with experience. Your second bite of the art school cherry. With your generosity and effortless way of making friends - witness this turnout - I soon found myself enjoying the delightful company of Pete. And of Sandra, of Rachel, and Sam. You brought with you a history and an inquisitive mind, tempted by a new path trusting it would lead somewhere - a characteristic of art students, We who took a stroll with out a care, never knowing how we’ll fare. How I wish I had met the much younger you. But the music of Hole Cottage gave me a rewarding glimpse into the lay of your land. This shared musicality led us to - Springsteen in Paris, Leonard in Lyon, Baez in Portsmouth, Dylan in London You fared well at Farnham as glassblowing caught your breath. Those fiery workshops set you on another new path, one that would take you to the Royal College of Art. I recognized early on that you were someone respectful of tradition, yet always open to the modern. Even those paintings you worked on for Bridgit Riley where beautifully hand crafted. Two years later, our paths crossed again — this time with greater consequence. I was scouting for talent for Epsom when we met at your Royal College show. I proposed part-time teaching , wanting you to have days to continue creating your beautiful glasswork. But you wanted a full-time job. The principal, on looking into your box of glasswork, pounced on you. And so we worked together again. I confess I bear the responsibility for England losing a talented glassblower — but there are many many students, some here today I believe, who would thank me for that. You anchored yourself at Epsom, devoting your days to teaching, guiding, listening to and inspiring others. You became a weekly presence in my life once more: the kind, charming committed colleague, a steadfast friend. But my most treasured memories are of Hole Cottage. Descending the track from the A3 always brought the anticipation of the warmest of welcomes, your hand held high and the ever-open back door. The country kitchen, where much was talked of and chuckled at. A small corner of England you and Sandra have long been caring for - a place for people, animals, and birds and celebration. At one point a homestead of black sheep, black chickens, black pigs, black cat, and Blackberry the cow. The crows and blackbirds were well impressed. Green finches and blue tits not so much. Warm welcome and warm nights nights too, often a new year’s eve, much enlivened by the grape. Once you put me to bed in front of the open fire and closed all the doors. I woke up smelling like an Arbroath Smokie for a day. Another example of your commitment to a country craft and love of food the cottage always brings to mind. But whilst Spotted Dick is is a famous english pudding, Kippered Dick has yet to make it to a menu. And the barn - multifunctional, ever-evolving. At times it housed vintage vehicles, a cinema, a dance floor, an illicit still, and Sandra’s six-star restaurant. Above it all, your little studio - the elevated man cave filled with books, art, and bits of this and mementos of that, gathered with care. Surrounding it all the the perfect summer-party garden. Not too far away were the cricket grounds, grand at Lord’s or modest in Thursley, where we could slow our life down for an hour or a day. Along with morning dog walks and pub lunches. You identified with, and reintroduced me to, the culture of rural England. You would probably have been wassailing this month where it not for why we are here. Your talent you wore lightly. but there was always a reminder of it - in your delightfully drawn birthday and Christmas cards, your graceful handwriting instantly recognizable on the envelope. These are not just nostalgic memories - they are an appreciation of a life well-lived, rooted in craft yet open to innovation. Life is a collection of meandering paths, with missteps along the way. Yet we leave footprints in the sands of time. You, of course, would modestly deny this. But Peter, you and Sandra have made your small corner of England a better place, filled with goodness. For Sandy and Rachel and Sam there will now be the undone years as Wilfred Owen called them - not just the years that Pete will not now do, but those which you will not now experience. But they will be enriched because you new and loved him and he was there. He will be still be there - invisible but you will be able to call on memories and be guided by his humanity, his generosity, his humour, his ease with people, young and old, whatever path they found themselves on. So lets not whine at death but withstand it ( so wrote that gloomy poet of my home town Philip Larkin) and celebrate Pete’s life and be thankfully happy that his paths crossed ours. So I say Fare thee well, Pete. I will miss you terribly. Two examples of Pete's glass-blowing in the V&A This eulogy was from a close neighbour, Jo Kelly: For me Pete was a friend and neighbour, a fellow valley dweller and wassailer, a muddy biking buddy and member of the Help in Thursley team, a litter picking organiser and ever friendly greeter of my horses and dogs. Pete was our runner bean supplier and bringer of mice for our barn owl - (although I am not sure that the Amazon drivers ever got used to the surprise of dead mice looking up at them from a flowerpot in our parcel bin!). A long-standing dog grooming client (he and Stanley were the only two who thought that my haircuts with horse clippers were acceptable, albeit after a couple of weeks regrowth!). He had been the previous keeper of our Land Rover, and a few years later with Sandy, crept in at the crack of dawn in a snow blizzard to decorate it for our wedding. He was also the village illustrator and creator of the most beautiful and memorable Christmas Cards. As you all know Pete wore many hats! Anyone who witnessed Pete and my relationship will know it consisted of a lot of banter and a very dubious sense of humour. I fear he has gained the last laugh looking down on me here today trying to hold it all together. I was deeply touched, honoured and daunted when Sandy asked me to say a few words. How on earth do you do justice to Pete and his life? So I googled the definition of “a life well lived”. One version was, “more people have benefitted from your presence than not”. And BLIMEY! - didn’t we all benefit?! I’m sure that every one of you here can’t reflect on Pete’s time in your life, however long or short, even those fleeting interactions, without smiling and recalling his ever cheery chat and endless positivity. That is a life well lived. If we all tried to live our lives a bit more like Pete ….. that would be a truly great legacy. Philip George Traill: 8th November 1965 - 8th September 2024 Joyce Dulcie Hall: 12 July 1931 - 21st February 2024 This eulogy was delivered by her son, Simon: After 63 wonderful years of life at South house Mum at the young age of 92 left the building for the last time and amazingly, she did it without the use of her wheelchair! Joyce was known to many of us as Joy and it’s because she brought so much Joy and laughter to all of us. 11 years ago, we converted South house so mum could stay at the family home, it also meant that there would be now 3 generations living under one roof, plus one cat called Harry who she didn’t like very much. Harry however was very fond of mum and he showed it by bringing in the odd, mouse, bird and frog. This was not appreciated at all! Mum loved people and after living on her own for several years, South house was again a busy household. Both Amanda, my wife, and mum had a passion for gardening, and this was a strong bond right to the end. In the last few years childhood Polio came back, which meant mum could not get about like she used to. But seeing her plants and garden every day meant as much to her as also been able to do the Times sudoku most of the day and every day. We have had some wonderful times together and some great parties that many of you here will have attended. Mum loved a party; she also loved her music particularly the Austrian conductor and violinist Andre Rieu. She watched his concerts on television religiously every Sunday and Monday evening without her hearing aids on very, very loudly! Often my daughter Hannah or son Nathanial would have to come down at midnight and say “Please Granny turn the volume down! I have school in the morning”. Oddly very late in life. in fact, this year Mum suddenly went with a conversion from classical Strauss music to the Rolling Stones. This time it was my turn to be woken up at one o’clock in the morning as BBC4 were running a tribute back-to-back of all the band’s songs to the early hours of the morning. Though her hearing was not very good she always denied this, it was more the case people just mumble these days. As Mike Jaggar shouted out “I can’t get no satisfaction” pumped out at full volume. It was my turn to plead for her to turn it down as had an early start for work the next day. Whereas she replied, “Aren't they good very, very good. Such nice young men and so well dressed!”. I could not spoil that image, that rock stars very rarely wear suits anymore and as for Mick Jaggar well, he is only a few years younger than mum!! As mum’s world became smaller the number of visitors became bigger and bigger. My sister Ardiana would visit from Australia every year for 4 – 6 weeks also staying at South House and brother Chris would come down from London every second weekend taking her on magical tours around the local countryside. Most Sundays it was either a roast lunch with us or with her sister Ardri in Farnham. One of mum’s oldest friends Jennifer now lives in Australia but used to live in Bramley and share early school days at St. Catherines school. Jen gave a wonderful rose that was planted outside her bedroom window. Mum often used to remark how amazing that the petals managed to hang on for so long like her friendship too Jen and all the wonderful friends she has had. I feel very privileged to have had joy for all my life and proud to be called my mum. The last years of life the carers at Right at Home became also a very much part of our family and I would like to read out to you a poem written by one of them: This second eulogy was delivered by Joyce's elder son, Christopher, and can be downloaded from the pdf below: Basil Hamilton Barr 'Pat': 7th April 1935 - 7th February 2024 Andrew and Stephen Barr's eulogy for their father: Andrew: Dad was born 7th April, 1935 in Aldershot to an Irish father and English mother who came from Churt and Dad never really left this area. His father, Walter who was known as Stan, was born in Derry City at the turn of the last century in what is now Northern Ireland. Like many of his generation there was little for him in Ireland and following the partition Stan joined the British Army as part of the Royal Army Medical Corps. Consequently Dad’s early family life was spent at the Aldershot and then Hong Kong Garrisons before Stan returned to England at the start of the war. Dad was always extremely proud of his Irish heritage and was in contact with his cousins throughout his life, including some memorable family visits to Donegal where it was clear where he got his sense of humour from. His given name was actually Basil - but he was universally known as Pat or Paddy . This fascinated us as children, and we would interrogate him, and he would say we could only call him Basil when he became Sir Basil. Dad was the second of three children. The eldest Derek sadly died in the 1990’s but his younger sister Dorothy aka Dilys, survives him and is here with us today. At the start of the war Stan was on active service and in 1940, following the evacuation of Dunkirk was captured and remained a prisoner until close to the end of the war when he returned unexpectedly on a prisoner exchange, only to be sent straight back after D-Day. So Dad’s early life was spent without a father and he grew up in service quarters with few comforts and probably not a lot of money. It was a tough start and I believed it explains a lot about his drive and determination to get a good education in order to provide a good life for himself and his family. Dad never took anything for granted and was always extremely hard working, successful and careful with money. But he was also very generous and often funny. I remember his typical wit when asked if he had waited long for his much anticipated new convertible he responded – oh about 50 years! In 1952, Dad was called up for national service and joined the Royal Marines. After completing the Commando course and earning his green beret, he followed Derek into 42 Commando and together they were on active service in the Suez crisis. I think it is fair to say that Dad was more bon vivant than commando, a polar opposite to his elder brother, and we don’t think he much enjoyed the experience – but it resonated strongly with him for the rest of his life, and he was very proud of having been a Royal Marine. Following National Service Dad got a job with the Lloyd’s Policy Signing office in Chatham. From there he worked as a junior cargo broker at Maurice Tozer and Beck before moving to John Holman & Sons - a family business that historically included shipowning and insurance businesses. During his holiday’s Dad was involved with the Royal Show working in the accounts department. No doubt this was to earn extra money, but we think it was where and certainly around the time he met Jean Huxley, our mother. Pat and Jean got married, in 1960. They settled in Godalming and had three children in fairly short order me (Andrew), Julia and Stephen. Stephen: The City was a big part of Dad’s life and I look back with affection on the few years that Dad and I worked together in Lloyd’s. I saw a lot of him and got to know another side to his character, the business side. He was well respected, always immaculately dressed and set a great example to those around him. We would meet regularly in Lloyd’s or over breakfast at 8am or for lunch, usually a salad. Occasionally I would persuade him to come out for a curry or we would meet up with colleagues in a wine bar, but he was always busy and had somewhere to be! It hadn’t always been like that apparently. He told me that in his early days in the city junior brokers didn’t get a desk or telephone. They merely acted as runners, carrying instructions from the Senior broker, which in turn were received by telex from clients. During quiet they were advised to stay well clear of the office returning at 4pm for the day’s final instructions. This gave the young Pat enormous latitude to go missing in action. He and his friends would embark on adventures including in the East End, exploring bombsites from the war and drinking at pubs along the way such as the Capt Kidd, City of Ramsgate and Propect of Whitby generally returning at 4pm dirty and a few pints the worse of wear! Pat and Jean built a provincial insurance business alongside his city career calling it Hamilton Barr. It was successful and in time John Denner, an old friend of Dad’s, was hired as Managing Director to run it so that Dad could focus on his day job. The business was a great success and some years later Dad met Michael Wade and they eventually sold Holmans and Hamilton Barr to Clarkson’s shipping. The rest is just history, but it would be remiss not to mention Voyager which Dad and a number of his colleagues (Aubrey Abbott, John Peters and others) started in the1990’s and which continues to thrive today. Dad made many friends in his business life and travelled frequently, particularly to Canada and the USA. Some of those people became our friends too and I still have a number of city acquaintances whose first job was with Dad in Marine insurance. As children we had a very happy existence and I particularly remember the wonderful holidays we had together in Cornwall and France. Dad was completely different on holiday, and seemed to be able to completely relax. Sadly his first marriage to our mother Jean, was not to last. Dad moved to London and we remained at the family home. As we entered our teenage years he still kept a close eye on us and was never too far away, particularly it seemed, if we were doing something wrong. In about 1979, Hilary Dalby (Hilly, Mook, or just Bill to us) came into our lives. Her ability to keep Dad on the straight and narrow earned her his nick name “The Old Bill” and so it was that she became known to us as just Bill. Easy to explain in this day and age that your father’s married to someone called Bill, maybe not so back then! With Bill came Piers, Heather, Sonya and Ray and their families. I know that Dad was thankful to have met Hilary’s parents and for the relationships they both enjoyed with her family over many years. Pat and Hilary built a wonderful life together over 43 years of marriage, establishing their homes at Vean Cottage in Thursley and in Pimlico, before moving to The Old Vicarage and finally to Wild Goose Cottage. In Surrey they built a wide network of friends. Dad loved fine wine and as an aside, his former colleague Aubrey reminded Hilary how on one occasion he requisitioned the air conditioning unit in Aubrey’s office for use in his new wine cellar to avert what I think you might call a temperature violation! Over many years together they earned a reputation for hosting fabulous dinner parties marking every milestone with an amazing celebration. Dad and Hilary became accomplished golfers (Hilary arguably better than Dad – I can say that now!) spending a lot of time at West Surrey where they were both Captains. I used to play golf with them both from time to time and I remember Dad, a stickler for etiquette, becoming truly exasperated by the number of practice swings I took at the hallowed tees of West Surrey Golf Club when we entertained some city colleagues! Andrew Lastly we want to reflect on how happy Dad and Hilary were together over such a long period time, how common endeavours like owning a share in the pub, being part of this village, golf, entertaining and travel were the bedrock of a very successful marriage and we know that Hilary has been touched to receive so many lovely letters of condolence and reminiscence. Many talk about Dad’s wit, dry / waspish sense of humour and his quick-witted bonhomie while celebrating what a brilliant team they were at the very heart of the village social circle. Stephen Dad was well read and well versed in current affairs and had a sharp wit. He loved telling jokes, particularly those entailing an accent of some description! He was thoughtful and generous, wanting no fanfare for people he helped over the years, such as my maternal grandmother. We all knew that in a crisis (generally a financial one) you could always talk to him and he would help. But he wasn’t one to shy away from pointing out the error of your ways, which was the price you paid but it was generally well intentioned and just our Dad. Neil Geoffrey Lankester Woods: 7th September 1959 - 26th October 2023 From Thursley Parish Magazine, January 2024 Anthony Julian Langdale 22nd March 1945 - 20th June 2023 Anthony Langdale on his beloved Fordson Model N, with his grandsons. Salosh Edwards 12th July 1947 - 16th April 2023 Sean Edwards's eulogy for Salosh: My eulogy should talk about what a wonderful person Salosh was, and the wonderful life we had. And how desperately I miss her. But everybody here knows that. So what follows here is a background to the small ‘Picture Tribute’ slide-show that follows, and that has no commentary. With a lot of imagination you will see glimpses of our life together. Each of the 25 slides, in chronological order, has a year and a location on it. So for much of the 56 years that we were together, there are no pictures. It all started in 1967, on the King’s Road, Chelsea. Well, not exactly on it, but just a metre away, at a ‘Do’ at Chelsea College when I first saw Salosh, in a Mary Quant dress, across the proverbial crowded room. Salosh was 20 and I was 24. We chatted, and at the end of the evening we agreed to meet again. And we never separated after that. It was four years after that first meeting, when we were both living together in Bangor, that we realised we hadn’t got married – well, this was the ‘sixties, remember. So we did, in Anglesea. Salosh was studying at Keele, and I at Bangor, but an old banger (at Bangor) served to keep us sufficiently together. My parents farmed from 1947 in Thursley, where we regularly stayed, and so Salosh was a ‘Thursley girl’ from 1967. I include two Thursley pictures from 1974, from Gibbet Hill (bilberry picking), and from the Three Horse Shoes where we will shortly hold the wake. And pictures from around Manchester where we both worked for 31 years. And then from Vine Cottage in Thursley where we lived for the last 19 years. And photos from Harpenden where our daughter Kitty, her husband Mic and their daughters Maia and Elena (all here today) live. And from Germany and Austria where her three sisters (all here today) live. Salosh’s career was hard, as a Local Authority Mental Health Social Worker, doing the Sections under the Mental Health Act. She was both tough and compassionate, always putting her clients first even if it meant fighting the Authority. Which it often did. Socially she mixed easily, but was never really part of any group. She was absolutely her own person. Her relaxations included walking and oil painting. And happy happy meandering holidays, mostly in the south of France, staying in somewhat dilapidated rural cottages, eating in small family-run restaurants, and picnics in sunny orchid-filled fields. At home, she loved her gardening, especially her roses – every one was scented. Salosh was my muse, but so much more than that. On our rambles it would be she who would spot a new plant or animal, or see a magical view that I had missed. She would sit and sketch or wander off to find more, whilst I photographed her finds. I am lost without her. My illustrations were technical and accurate, but Salosh’s paintings were the opposite. I would say “That tree’s not like that”, but Salosh would reply that to her it felt like that. They had a soul that I could never convey, and that soul was Salosh’s. In the following Tribute, I include two of her paintings that she did from Thursley Common and from France. The final slide of the Tribute is of Salosh on the Common this year, at sunset, just two months before going to the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice. This image symbolises to me the utter anguish of her going away, for ever. Josephine Jean Scheffers, "Jo": 21st December 1929 - 3rd April 2023 Reverend Peter Muir: 21st April 1949 - 30th December 2022 Tone Badcock: 27th June - 29th December 2022 MUM'S STORY Tone Iris Berner Badcock Née Bond Mum was born in Falmouth, Cornwall in 1925, her mother Tula was Norwegian and her father, Douglas, was English. Mum’s Norwegian heritage meant a lot to her and as a young child she lived in Norway for a few years where she learned the language and to ski and skate. Mum also recalled enjoying some birthday parties at the royal palace. Her Grandfather had been a Norwegian politician and Uncle Jacob was a double International at football and ice hockey. The family finally settled in the UK at Parkstone where her brother Erik and sister Eva were born. Mum had an idyllic childhood saying she spent most of her time upside down walking on her hands - a free spirit. In the latter years she told me of a story of when she worked at a riding stable. One day the owner said Tone, I want you to ride this horse to the blacksmith's to be shoed. Mum rode bare back across the Dorset downs on a beautiful day, never seeing a soul and described it as one of the most memorable days of her life. The family were keen sportsmen something Mum inherited. Her cousin David Bond became the first GB Yachtsman to win an Olympic gold medal. Mum’s father Dougie was the secretary at Parkstone Golf Club for 25 years. Her parents were county golfers with single handicaps and all three children, went on to have a love of golf. Overlooking the clubhouse is a picturesque lake and it was here Mum and her siblings learnt to swim. Her mother tied a rope around their waists before telling them to get in the lake and swim. Many years later, on trip to Norway we drove past a lake. Mum shouted, “STOP the car, Rodney”, she got out, stripped off and jumped in the lake. I followed but on finding the water freezing cold and with none of the buoyancy salt water provides ,I quickly got out. Mum left school in 1943 volunteering to join the Wrens, saying she fancied the uniform! She was sent up to HMS Cabbala a signal school near Warrington and qualified as a coder in cypher. One night in June 1944 she decoded a message which said, “Our small boats have sailed”. It signalled D Day. She took the message to the duty officer feeling very proud. Before being posted overseas she spent some time in London. She stayed at Crosby Hall sleeping in the corridor with tin hat and gas mask at the ready with the doodlebugs being dropped every night. She then boarded a troop ship for a six-week voyage to Ceylon and describes feeling much safer. The journey to the Far East turned out to be the first troop ship to go through the Suez Canal since the allies retook control. The convey split, Mum continued safely but sadly the other half of the convey went under heavy torpedo attack. In Ceylon there was a Mess social, worthy of mention where she drank too much resulting in her dancing on the table and being unfit for duty the next day. This is probably the reason why she drank very little alcohol ever again. Mum worked on Lord Mountbatten’s staff, and this was where she met Rodney our father. He proposed in Raffles Hotel and in August 1947 they married. Having accrued leave they had a six month honeymoon staying in Oak Cottage in Thursley, returning to Rodney’s childhood village Children duly arrived, first Wendy then Jill with me arriving last. Our formative years were spent in Southampton. Wendy married Jim. Jill on passing her O levels travelled the globe before meeting and marrying Brian and I was sent away to public school giving mum time to pursue her own interests. She spent 20 years volunteering in the league of friends at Southampton hospital. She played tennis at the local GPs home enjoying silver service tea parties afterwards. Mum was also a lifelong member of the Conservative party and one evening took Wendy to Southampton docks for a husting meeting where Harold Wilson was speaking. With Mr. Wilson in full flow a voice from the back shouted, “Rubbish!”. Our mother was duly ejected. She was delighted when Rishi Sunak was made Chancellor of the Exchequer and relates seeing him as a small boy sitting behind the counter at the local pharmacy counting the cash. She also told the Moorlands staff that she had met Jeremy Hunt at his mother’s home, and he was a lovely boy! Mums love of sport evolved, She became a member of Hampshire County Cricket Club and spent many a day in her deck chair watching play. She was also a loyal supporter of the Saints football team and enjoyed watching some matches from the Director’s box as her friend Mrs Bowyer’s husband Basil was a director of the club. She also received a surprise gift of two Cup Final tickets in 1976 against Manchester United. Her loyalty to Southampton was life long and she enjoyed friendly rivalry with Noelle when she visited her at Moorlands. In 1976 a quirk of good fate led to my parents return to Thursley where they spent many years in The Old Parsonage continuing the 60 years of happy marriage. Both Mum and Dad embraced village life and several younger friends recount being invited to sausage and mash suppers when they first moved to Thursley. Those who knew Mum well will know food was very important to her! Some of you may wonder why Mum is pictured hugging a bear on the front page of the Order of Service. Caroline and James live in Bears Cottage, and they saw this bear whilst on holiday in the States and had him shipped home. His name is Hamilton, and he can speak. When Tone visited the two were introduced and mum was flabbergasted when Hamilton said, “Hello, Tone, how are you today?!” A big part of her life from 1981 was West Surrey Golf Club where she made many friends and happy memories. She became lady captain, and I was present on this day waiting with guests outside the clubhouse when she appeared on the fairway in a motorcycle combination, helmet and all. She also managed a hole in one at Cowdrey Park in 1988, of which she was very proud. In later life Mum received tremendous support from her friends in the village Kathleen Watson, Caroline, Hilary and Alison to name just a few. Sadly, after several falls Mum made the big decision to move to Moorlands Lodge where she spent her final five years. Once again, she made great friends amongst the staff and residents and made it her home. Jill Anstey was a great friend, and they gave each other tremendous support. Her family remained a great source of pride throughout her life, and she adorned her walls with photos of her eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren and shared news of her nieces, nephews and Godchildren. Over the last few months Mums health declined but she remained pragmatic and cheerful. On December 29th I took a call from Moorlands and Kim and I headed up to the home and were comforted to find Jess ,one of the carers, holding Mum’s hand until we arrived. During the day Dr Poon and the staff not only cared for Mum, but us too and their professionalism and kindness throughout was a great comfort. We would like to send a heartfelt thank you to everyone at Moorlands. It was a long day and by chance we heard Ken Dodd singing Happiness. The words resonated summing up Mum’s philosophy of life. Also, on the news that night, we heard that all the planets were visible in the night sky and we like to think they helped light her way back to Rodney and her family. Nina Allen: 7th May - 1960 - 17th December 2022 Tich Corrigan: 16th July 1953 - 26th September 2022 Tich was the daughter of Mr and Mrs Kot who lived in the village, and for many years worked for the O'Briens. Edmund Selwyn Haviland: 6th April 1924 - 17th October 2020 Order of Service: Elizabeth Prudence Jones: 1927 - 2020 Prue Jones lived at Chetwyn Cottage and never married.

The most visited entry on this website, by a considerable margin, is the one on Witley Park: https://www.thursleyhistorysociety.org/post/witley-park-1 This article is about the estate, its houses and owners over the past four centuries. Information has come from our own archives, newspaper cuttings and sales particulars supplied by Sue Ranson, Wikipedia, Chat GPT and DiCamillo. Many of the photographs have not been available until now. There is also coverage of the many outlying buildings, farms etc that have been sold over time. This entry inevitably covers similar ground to the article referred to above. Hidden within the wooded landscape between Godalming and Haslemere, Witley Park is today a private and elusive estate. Behind its gates lies a history that mirrors the changing fortunes of England itself - royal ownership, Victorian ambition, Edwardian extravagance, post-war decline, and 21st-century reinvention. It has been an estate of significance since medieval times when the estate originated as part of the medieval manor of Witley. Newspaper cuttings showing the enduring fascination of the Witley Park Estate. Medieval to early modern ownership up to the 18th century It was originally part of the manor of Witley and held in Domesday times by Norman tenants and later it became Crown property under Edward I. It passed through various aristocratic and gentry hands 17th – early 18th century Henry Bell owned it in the 17th Century. Then Anthony Smith also in the 17th Century and his family held it until 1763. Cartaret Webb family (1763 – c late 18thearly 19th century) By the 18th century it was known as Lea Park and associated with the Carteret Webb family having been acquired by Philip Cartaret Webb (1700 – 1770), who was a notable collector of manuscripts and antiquities who also served as an MP, in 1763. He probably lived in a modest Georgian house but no records of it exists. John Leech (Leach) (1820s – 1847) John Leech, was part of the local landed gentry class and at that time the property was known as Lea. He was a trustee of the Agricultural Employment Institution. At the 1832 UK general election, he stood for the Whigs in West Surrey, winning a seat. In Parliament, he argued in favour of the Corn Laws, and for reform of the church, in order to equalise the income of the various bishops. He served until the 1835 UK general election, when he stood down. LEA: The Seat of JOHN LEECH ESQ. William Henry Stone (1878 – 1890) William Henry Stone (1834 – 1896) was a Victorian politician, merchant, landowner and Member of Parliament for Portsmouth (1865 – 1874). He was also a Justice of the Peace for Surrey and Hampshire. He purchased Lea Park for £47,000 and commissioned a substantial half-timbered Queen Anne-style mansion designed by the architect, Richard William Drew (1834 - 1903), which was completed in 1881. It had 25 bedrooms and established Lea Park as a significant gentleman’s residence. However, he did not live there long and sold the property in 1890 to Colonel Samuel Sandys Davidson (1846 - 1921). Cover of sales particulars for the sale of the Lea Park Estate in 1878 The full sale particulars can be downloaded in the pdf below: Colonel Samuel Sandys Davidson (1890 – 1904) Colonel Samuel Sandys Davidson (1846 - 1921) , was a British Army officer, engineer, and inventor best remembered for revolutionising field ventilation and climate control - especially in colonial and military settings during the late 19th century. He, too, held the estate only briefly as he sold it to Whitaker Wright in 1896. It has also been reported that Wright acquired the estate from the Earl of Derby in 1890. Neither can be proved from existing records. Plan of new tennis courts & site for proposed new rose garden, 1891 The architect was John W M Hattie, Edinburgh, August 1891 Whitaker Wright (1896 – 1904) Whitaker Wright (1846 – 1904) was an English financier, mining promoter and company director for one of the largest corporate frauds of the late Victorian era. The fortune that he amassed and lost through speculative ventures is covered in the article referred to above. He died by suicide after being convicted of fraud in 1904. Despite his dubious methods, he was revered in Witley as he had provided a great deal of employment in the local area. Newspaper report from the New York Times, January 30, 1904 and his grave in All Saints' Church, Witley He purchased the estate 1896 for £250,000, approximately £27 million in 2019 inflation-adjusted values using the retail price commodity index, and massively enlarged the existing 18th century house. He transformed Lea Park into one of the most extravagant estates in England and acquired adjacent lands amounting to around 9,000 acres at its height. He commissioned the architect, H Paxton Watson who added two wings built of Bargate stone increasing the house to 32 bedrooms and seven reception rooms, 600 workers were employed and he spent over £1 million (approximately £113 million in 2019 values). A wall was constructed to enclose 440 acres closest to the house, and he created three artificial lakes and built the remarkable underwater ballroom and conservatory beneath one lake. Ornamental structures and landscaped grounds were on a grand scale making a statement of wealth and imagination. Construction of the so-called underwater ballroom which was more likely a smoking room The decoration was lavish and upstairs rooms had moulded ceilings, oriental carpets, Chinese furniture and Japanese silk pictures. The largest ground floor room was the ballroom, which had a floor area of 2,600 sq ft (240 m2), an oak and walnut dance floor, crystal chandeliers and a theatre stage at one end. At the end of the west wing was a glass-domed conservatory with walls built of Bath stone and at the opposite site of the building, at the end of the east wing was a copper-roofed observatory. The main dining room was 50 ft-long (15 m) and the kitchens were able to cater for up to 400 people. Other ground-floor rooms included a billiards room, a small private hospital and a velodrome. The cellars included underground strongrooms for storing valuable furniture and works of art. In 1904, his vast estate was broken up and sold, marking the end of its most flamboyant phase in the 20th century. Much of Hindhead, Witley and Thursley Commons including the Devil’s Punch Bowl were purchased by a committee of local residents and passed to the National Trust on 30 December 1905. Cover of sales particulars for the sale of the Lea Park Estate in 1904 The 20pp sales brochure provides extensive details of the land and properties sold at the 1904 sale: The fascination about Whitaker Wright has lived long after his death as these articles and book demonstrate: The whole of this undated magazine article can be dowloaded from the pdf below. Transcript of an article that appeared in The Guardian on 2nd February, 2004 and can be downloaded from the pdf below: The fall of a Midas From the run-down estates he transformed into a vast palatial home, to his lucrative mining interests, Whitaker Wright seemed t o have a golden touch. Which made the collapse of his empire and trial for fraud all the more spectacular. On the centenary of his conviction, David McKie recalls his most dramatic gesture of all. Ultimate Folly by Henry Macrory A gripping story of greed, treachery and ruthless ambition. Few people have led such an extraordinary life as Whitaker Wright. Few have died in such sensational circumstances. Beginning his career as an impoverished preacher, Wright crossed the Atlantic to prospect for gold, surviving a Native American massacre before he made his fortune. Then the bubble burst. Leaving behind a string of angry investors, he fled to England to start again. Soon he was one of the world's richest men. At his 10,000-acre estate in Surrey, he employed an entourage of seventy-seven staff, moved a hill that blocked his view and built an underwater glass smoking room. On his vast steam yacht, he entertained the Prince of Wales, the Kaiser and half of Britain's aristocracy. His downfall was as dramatic as his ascent. On the last trading day of the nineteenth century, his financial empire - which he had propped up by cooking the books - went belly up. This time, the trail of furious investors stretched all the way to the Prime Minister. With the police in hot pursuit, Wright fled to New York, but his escape was short-lived. At the end of what the press dubbed `the most dramatic trial of modern times' he was sentenced to seven years in jail. Minutes later, he sprang a last dreadful surprise... Other great swindlers have followed in Wright's footsteps, but none have surpassed him in daring and shamelessness. Drawing on family papers and archives from around the world, this compelling account of Wright's life reads like a thriller and offers an insight into the mind of the ultimate gambler and conman. Pirrie Ownership (1909 – 1924) William James Pirrie , 1st Viscount Pirrie (1847 – 1924), acquired the estate in 1909, renaming it Witley Park and maintaining it as a grand country residence. He was a leading Belfast industrialist and chairman of Harland and Wolff, the shipyard and a director of the White Star Shipping Line that operated the Titanic. His star insignia is still in evidence on many gates around the park. He is best remembered as the benefactor who gave land for the cricket ground at Brook, and had Pirrie Hall built next to it. After his death, the estate was further broken up and sold off in lots marking the end of its era as a single great private estate. William James Pirrie , 1st Viscount Pirrie (1847 – 1924) View of the house from the lake circa 1920s (image kindly supplied, and copyright of, F Frew) See also the entry for The Temple of the Four Winds: https://www.thursleyhistorysociety.org/post/temple-of-the-four-winds-at-hindhead-commons Interwar Period (1924 – 1951) Sir John Leigh Sir John Leigh, 1st Baronet (1884 – 1959) came from a Lancashire family with industrial and landed interests. He was a British mill-owner, newspaper proprietor and Conservative politician. He sat in the House of Commons from 1922 to 1945 as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Clapham. He changed the name to Witley Park, proabably to avoid confusion with his own name, and he preserved the house but made few major changes. The Esated was requisitioned by the Government during the Second World War and sold in May 1952. Sir John Leigh, 1st Baronet (1884 – 1959) Fire, Loss and Reconstruction On 11th October 1952 a catastrophic fire started in the Great Ballroom and destroyed the mansion. It was demolished shortly afterwards, ending the physical presence of Lea Park House. Ronald Huggett (1952 – 1955) Ronald Huggett purchased the estate in 1952 and sold off much of the land and in 1955 he sold it to Gerald Bentall. Cover of sales particulars for the sale of the Outlying Portions of the Witley Park Estate in 1952 Many of the local farms that exist today were sold in the 1952 sale: Bowlhead Green Farm; Emley Farm; Blackhanger Farm. Other farms sold outside this parish: South Park Farm; Grayswood Farm. Large scale map of the property which was part of the particulars prepared for the auction in 1952 Gerald Bentall (1955 - 1973) Gerard Bentall (1904 - 1971) farmed the estate and commissioned a new house, Witley Park House, designed by modernist architect Patrick Gwynne and completed in 1962. A new elevated site was chosen, with view towards the South Downs, rather than rebuilding on the original mansion footprint. The plan of the house is a V-shaped arrangement of three interlinked hexagons, with an angle of 120° between the two wings. The focal point of the house is the entrance hall, with a cantilevered staircase in white terrazzo. Together, the living and dining rooms form the hexagonal area at the west end of the house. This marked a shift from Victorian grandeur to modern architectural experimentation. After Bentall died in 1971, the estate was sold by his estate and was acquired by the property developer John Poulson. This detailed sales brochure runs to 69 pages and includes many photographs, not only of the house but also of the outlying properties. Here a just some examples of the photographs that are reproduced in the pdf below: Witley Park House from the 1973 sale brochure This aerial view, taken from the front cover of the 1973 sale catalogue, shows the situation of Witley Park House John Poulson (1973 - 1974) John Garlick Llewellyn Poulson (1910–1993) is a controversial figure in British history, best known for his role in the Poulson affair, a major corruption scandal that came to light in the early 1970s. His acquisition of Witley Park was part of his wider property dealings during that period. However, his ownership was short-lived. Following his conviction and imprisonment for corruption in 1974, his assets - including Witley Park - were disposed of. There is no clear chain of title as Witley Park passed through a distressed, corporate, and possibly multi-layered disposal process - not a simple private sale. John Poulson Ronald Stern (1974 - 1982) Photos: Robert Cooper for Classic Driver © 2017 Witley Park was sold by the receivers to Ronald John Henry Stern (born 1949). Stern is a property developer and prominent art and automobile collector who is known for preserving the early history of Ferrari from Enzo Ferrari's early life onwards. He went on to own the estate for a a number of years before being sold to Sir Raymond Brown. This undated sales brochure had limited particulars, we have only photos and a map, and it may have been produced for either the 1974 or 1982 sale. It contains the only colour photograph we have of the modernist Lea Park/Witley Park House. Sir Raymond Brown OBE (1982 – 2002) Sir Raymond Brown (1920 – 1991) - founder of the construction and waste-management group Raymond Brown Group - acquired the estate – then about 1,300 acres - in 1982, maintaining its privacy and continuity. He lived in the modernist house that was built in 1982 and modified the interior. In 2002, Lady Carol Brown (Sir Raymond’s widow) sold 450 acres of the Witley Park estate, including parkland and lodge, to Gary Steele. She retained parts of the estate finally divesting of it in its entirety in 2002. Sir Raymond Brown is buried in All Saints Churchyard, Witley During his ownership, Sir Raymond Brown OBE, offered Lea House as a conference centre. At some point, Witley Park House became Lea House. Gary Steele (2002 – 2018) The Architecture was by Adam Architecture 2008 - 2013 Gary Steele (Image: Supplied by Champion News) John Gary Steele (born 1959) is a British-born cyber security entrepreneur. He acquired part of the estate in 1991 and constructed a new mansion on the original site of the demolished Lea Park House. Steele commissioned the construction of a new, neo-Georgian mansion designed by Robert Adam on the site of Wright's residence. The construction of the new house required major planning negotiations and was one of the more notable uses of “exceptional design” planning permission (aka Gummer's Law) in Surrey. Steele turned the long-ruined site back into a functioning country-seat estate. Unlike previous owners, he kept a low profile. He sold the estate in 2018 for £30 million. Oleg Smirnoff (2018 to date) The Pool Hall was added in 2021 Oleg Alexandrovich Smirnoff (born 1966) acquired Witley Park with his wife Galina in 2018. His ownership is low-profile and private, with little documented change to the estate. He represents the modern pattern of discreet international ownership of historic English country houses. Subsequent developments have included: further estate restructuring; planning permissions for additions such as a helipad and new structures. The estate remains private and not open to the public. Evolution of the Estate c1780 to the present Outlying buildings on the Witley Park Estate The black and white photographs all come from the 1973 sale brochure The Main Entrance Lake Lodge, from sales particulars in 1973 Lake Lodge, April 2026 Three story cottage, from sales particulars in 1973 Thursley Lodge, the entrance to Stable Lake which overlooks Witley Common on the north side. Thursley Lodge, May 2026 Brook Grange, Brook, is situated opposite the Green and Cricket Ground Pine Lodge is situated at the south entrance to the Park Milford Lodge is at the north entrance to the park Milford Lodge, May 2026 Described in the sales brochure as 'The Superior Farmhouse' of Witley Farm Witley Farm Cottages lie back some distance from Park Lan These three pictures above are from an undated magazine article, probably c1990:

At a meeting of the Thursley History Society early in 2025, it was agreed that the website should include a post for our many beloved villagers who are no longer with us. Our archive contains a lot of information and we shall gradually build up this entry retrospectively. If you would like to contribute any obituaries, eulogies, memories, orders of service or photographs (especially where none exist on the website) please do so via the website: https://www.thursleyhistorysociety.org/contact Lives celebrated: Alastair Banks; Edward Crawfurd; Robert Crawfurd; Eve Fausset; Annette Graham-Stewart; John Graham-Stewart; Barbara Marchant; Tom Ranson; John Roles; Brian Sharp; Susan Treadwell; Douglas Watson Annette Graham-Stewart: 14th April 1920 - 19th October 2009 Annette and John (see below) lived in Houndown, Pitch Place, and their sons, Alistair and Cameron still live there. John and Annette Graham-Stewart in 1977 Brian William Sharp: 2nd November 1928 - 18th September 2009 He was a newcomer to the village and he was not here long before he died, but he was keen to join in everything, a good organiser, on the village hall committee and Horticultural Society committee. Douglas Quartly Watson: 1st June 1945 - 10th May 2009 Wing Commander Douglas Watson DFC, lived in The Corner, his wife Kathleen was Chair of the village hall committee for many years and was known for her diplomacy. She was a physiotherapist by profession. Robert John Payne Crawfurd: 29th March 1917-24th February 2008 Robert was an identical twin of Edward, he played the organ, sang in the church choir, grew orchids and lived in Pitch Place. Eve Fausset: 11th July 1934 - 14th July 2008 Susan Caroline Lawies Treadwell: 1954 - 2008 John Eric Roles: 17th May 1938 - 1st May 2008 Thomas Arthur Ranson (Tom): 31st March 1922 - 13th July 2007 Dr John Cameron Graham-Stewart: 3rd December 1920 - 16th May 2007 Annette and John (see above) lived in Houndown, Pitch Place, and their sons still live there. Both were keen members of the Horticultural Society. John and Annette Graham-Stewart in 1977 Douglas Bernard Stocker Fitch: 16th April 1927 - 9th July 2006 Brian Michael Francis: 24th February 1939 - 31st March 2004 Barbara Marchant: died 13th May 2003 Barbara lived at Pitch Place Farm Eddie Gale BEM: 24th February 1918 - 2002

WORK IN PROGRESS: See separate entries for The Old Parsonage, St Michael & All Angles, Upper Highfield, Lower Highfield, Hedge Farm, Hall Farm Barns, Hill Farm House: *denotes separate entry Photograph by Sean Edwards THE OLD PARSONAGE* ST MICHAEL & ALL ANGELS* Photograph by Andrew Kaplanovsky HILL FARM HOUSE* Photograph by Sean Edwards Highfield Bungalows and Cottages. Photograph by Jill Fry Photographs by Sean Edwards HIGHFIELD BUNGALOWS 1 Highfield Bungalows, the home of Adrian, Teresa and George Linegar in 1997 2 Highfield Bungalows, this photograph of Ray and Peggy Stokes was taken in 1993 4 Highfield Bungalows, Eddie Gale photographed in 1997 Eddie Gale Mr & Mrs Arthur Gale on his son Jim's motorcycle outside Highfield Bungalows. Nos 3 & 4 Highfield Bungalows. Surnames of previous owners of No3 include: Winter and Dobson; of No4 include Avis, Woodger, Grant and Gale These, more recent photographs, were taken by Sean Edwards: HILL FARM COTTAGES HILL FARM BARNS* Photograph by Sean Edwards COPPER BEECHES Sale particulars in September 2025: https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/properties/residential/for-sale/highfield-lane-thursley-godalming-surrey-gu8/gld012456244 HOMEFIELDS Homefields is a cul-de-sac off Highfield Lane and consists of six 4-bedroom semi-detached houses that we built between the wars (1918 - 1939) with the majority being finished in 1937. An example of a house in Homefield that was marketed in 2025 Dick Winter and wife, Homefield Cottages THREE ACRES Thursley born and bred at Three Acres HALCYON FIELDS, formerly THE BRIARY Information to come Brian and Mary Sharp, The Briary, 1997 AMBLESIDE Sale particulars in September 2025: https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/properties/residential/for-sale/highfield-lane-thursley-godalming-surrey-gu8/gld012510005 FOUR WINDS Taken from 2018 sale particulars. View of Four Winds from Highfield Lane HILL HOUSE Hill House was purchased over 20 years ago and has since been demolished. In its place (photographs and other information to follow) are a timber framed farmhouse style property and some magnificent oak framed barns for cattle, pigs and other livestock. David and Catherine Phillimore, 1997 Surnames of previous owners of Hill House include: Middleton; Drewery; Edwards; RONARY Ronary Bungalow was built in 1994 and named after Mary Rapley's original home nearby Mary Rapley, 1994 HILLDOWN Home of the Smarts and the Emersics in 1997 Anne Marie Emersic lives there now LOWER HIGHFIELD FARM* UPPER HIGHFIELD FARM* UPPER HIGHFIELD COTTAGE Sale particulars prepared by Knight Frank in 2024: LITTLE COWDRAY FARM COWDRAY CROSS Cowdray Cross under construction.

These records and recollections from our archive, mainly from the History of Thursley Society's (HOTS) newsletters, show how active HOTS were celebrating their key anniversaries just as Thursley History Society celebrates theirs. If you know of any photographs of this weekend, please contact us: https://www.thursleyhistorysociety.org/contact

At a meeting of the Thursley History Society early in 2025, it was agreed that the website should include a post for our many beloved villagers who are no longer with us. Our archive contains a lot of information and we shall gradually build up this entry retrospectively. If you would like to contribute any obituaries, eulogies, memories, orders of service or photographs (especially where none exist on the website) please do so via the website: https://www.thursleyhistorysociety.org/contact Lives celebrated: Peter Anderson; Michael Chant; Pat Coles; Diana Cory; Margie Crawfurd; Katherine Feld; Ray Fry; Kate Hurman; Arthur Moss; Jean Moss; Clive Platfoot; Drusilla Pye; Grace Ranson; Bridget Stewardson; Cynthia Tann; Kathleen Watson Bridget Mary Stewardson: 20th February 1930 - 5th March 2019 Bridget lived in Rose Cottage, The Lane Raymond Maurice Fry: 22nd January 1936 - 6th May 2019 Ray Fry was a long-term warden and advocate for Thursley Common Jane Haviland: 21st May 1931 - 8th February 2019 Diana Cory: 2nd April 1929 - 14th February 2019 Katherine Louise Feld: 10th January 1985 - 4th April 2018 Michael Patrick Chant: 7 January 1944 - 6 February 2018 Michael, known as Mick, was husband of Tina who is a member of the Horticultural Committee. He ran the Cedars pub in Binsted. When they moved to Thursley, he became the caretaker of the village hall and was very helpful to the elderly. John Patrick Coles: 8th September 1934 - 22nd August 2017 The eulogy was delivered by Alan Peters, Pat's greatest friend, and his sons Simon and Matthew: This moving address was given by the Revd Edmund Haviland: Kathleen Winifred Watson: 6th November 1917 - 24th April 2017 Margaret Vowe Crawfurd: 24th January - 11th January 2016 Margie Crawfurd was involved in a nursing charity in the village and was keen on welcoming newcomers. She was in charge of a high-class and prestigious art show held in the village hall for many years (see separate entry). She was the prime mover of the church kneelers (see separate entry) and also served on Waverley Borough Council. Margie Crawfurd, 1981 Grace Pope Ranson: 10th April 1927 - 9th March 2015 Major Clive Gordon Frederick Platfoot: 16th February 1931 - 31st August 2014 Major Platfoot lived in Churt, next to The Pride of the Valley, and was a keen churchgoer at St Michael & All Angels. He sold wrist alarms for the elderly and dubious home-made wine was a hobby. Drusilla Pye: 28th December 1927 - 13th January 2014 Drusilla was the formidable village and much-loved midwife who lived at 2 Church Cottages Kate Hurman: 24th September 1928 - 31st July 2013 She lived in Old Potters on Pitch Place, an equestrienne and she and her husband had a fine collection of bronze statuary. She lived in Old Potters on Pitch Place, an equestrienne and she and her husband had a fine collection of bronze statuary. 6th March 1926 – 5th October 2012 Cynthia Tann: 6th March 1926 - 5th October 2012 Cynthia lived on Pitch Place, she was a glamourous ex-model who had three children. She was an artist and a keen churchgoer whose brilliant flower arrangements were often on display. She read the lessons beautifully. Peter Richard Anderson: 1944 - 2011 Arthur Edward Moss: 1916 - 2010 Arthur lived at Wheelwrights on The Street with his wife, Jean (see below). He was on the village hall committee and was in charge of raising the flag. This was Arthur's recollections of his war which was produced for the History of Thursley Society's 'Victory in 1945 Celebration' exhibition held in 1995: I spent VE Day marching away from the Russian Front, we were still POWs but the Germans were very agitated and disorganised and we could hear the Russian guns so we knew that our captors were losing the war. Ten of broke away from the chaos and found ourselves in a small German Village. There we met the local schoolteacher who took us into her home, took the down her picture of Hitler from the wall and cooked us a marvellous sit down supper. We then met up with a group of Serbs and were driven around on a horse and cart. After the Serbs, we joined a small party of Russians who plied us with methylated spirits and schnapps! At Chemnitz Station we finally me the Americans, who took us to Rheims to the Frech and we were flown home in Lancasters to freedom. I arrived back on the 19th May 1945 having been a prisoner of the Germans for almost five years bar a week. I was able to join in the celebrations for VJ Day and stood outside Buckingham Palace wit Gwladys, a young nurse friend, cheering as loudly as I could. Peter Richard Anderson: 1944 - 2011 Peter was married to Alison and lived in Brook Cottage on Dye House Road. Jean Scotson Moss: 1927 - 2010 Jean lived at Wheelwrights with her husband, Arthur

At a meeting of the Thursley History Society early in 2025, it was agreed that the website should include a post for our many beloved villagers who are no longer with us. Our archive contains a lot of information and we shall gradually build up this entry retrospectively. If you would like to contribute any obituaries, eulogies, memories, orders of service or photographs (especially where none exist on the website) please do so via the website: https://www.thursleyhistorysociety.org/contact Lives celebrated: Ann Banks; Brian Camp; John Holt; Anthony Kentish Brian Edward Camp: 1928 - 1999 Anthony John Kentish: 1911 - 1998 Anthony lived at Sunset Cottage John Bayley Holt Admiral Holt lived in Sailors Lane. He retired from the Navy in 1970 and spent the remainder of his life at his home in Thursley. He was married in 1940 to Olga Esme Creake and had three daughters. National Portrait Gallery Ann Paton Banks: 17th December 1920 - 5th April 1998

WORK IN PROGRESS - Photographs only and see separate entries for The Three Horseshoes, Bears Barn, The Well House, The Old Vicarage, The Village Hall, The Corner, The Clump, The Dye House and Brook and Horn Cottages FOLDSDOWN The Patrick Family, Foldsdown, 1997 Surnames of previous owners of Foldsdown include: Parker; Jobson; Matthews FOLDSDOWN COTTAGE THURSLEY HOUSE Details to come of current building The above four photographs are of the original Thorcroft, now demolished, which sat on the site of Thursley House. A note on the reverse of the first photograph states, "In her will Miss Branchini donated money to the village hall". THORCROFT HOUSE Taken from sale particulars from March 2026 Thorcroft is a 5 bedroom, 5 bathroom house that was built in 2006. It sits in 2.5 acres. https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/properties/residential/for-sale/dye-house-road-thursley-godalming-surrey-gu8/gld180207 THE VILLAGE HALL* THORFIELD Thorfield consists of six purpose-built flats and maisonettes VEAN COTTAGE This photograph by Sean Edwards Vean Cottage, November 2027 THE OUTLOOK Reg Fosberry in 1996 The Outlook was originally the workshop of the builder, William Karn Fosberry, he and his family lived at what is now known as Vean Cottage. He eventually converted it into living accommodation. As you can see, a studio was built at the back for the use of his brother-in-law, Henry Tozer, who lived at The Clump when it was a shop and Post Office. Eveline Lance, the artist, rented the house in the summer months, eventually coming to live there permanently in 1929. The studio was then used by her. After the Fosberry family sold Vean Cottage, they moved into The Outlook, where Reg, William's grandson still lives. The Outlook faces Thursley Common and lies behind The Clump and Vean Cottage THE CLUMP* THE CORNER* THE OLD POST HOUSE The Old Post House 1932 Old Post House and Sawyers c1965 Ben and Nancy Wonham, The Post Office The Old Post Office was extensively remodelled in 2022 Surnames of previous owners of The Old Post Office include: Davidson; Wonham; Wishart SAWYERS Sawyers c 1980 Sawyers, Mary Rapley and Elizabeth Copeman 1996/7 Surnames of previous owners of Sawyers include: Ellison; Arnold; Gabriel; Sparks; Copeman Sawyers in 2025 From sales particulars in 2025: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/details/e4f55920-dde7-44c7-8602-dedfd1030af2?v=media&id=media1&ref=photoCollage THE THREE HORSESHOES* THE WELL HOUSE* BEAR'S BARN* THE OLD VICARAGE* CHETWYND COTTAGE Prudence Jones, Chetwynd Cottage MAGPIE COTTAGE Magpie Cottage was sold in 1952 as part of the break-up of the Cosford Estate: THE OLD STORES Information to come STORES COTTAGE Rodney and Tone Badcock, 1997 OVERDALE and CRICKETS Crickets, below, was built by the Canadian Army in World War 1 for the recuperation of wounded soldiers and is the original construction. Overdale, above, was built in 1985 and replaced a similar building to Crickets. FORGE COTTAGE Forge Cottage, September 2025 Sale Particulars in September 2025: https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/properties/residential/for-sale/dye-house-road-thursley-nr-godalming-surrey-gu8-6qa/gld0125845199331ea8c9b72&csg=34d3e8edf97180a5d7b02f5c163b59f66a8062d5dd02fed71b44555796fbb3bc&#/?channel=RES_BUY Previous owners of Forge Cottage include: Holford SOUTH HOUSE, RED LODGE Simon, Joyce and Christopher Hall, South House, Red Lodge, December 1966 BROOK COTTAGE & HORN COTTAGE* THE DYE HOUSE*

A general strike took place in the United Kingdom from 4 to 12 May 1926. It was called by the General Council of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in an unsuccessful attempt to force the British government to act to prevent wage-reductions and worsening conditions for 1.2 million locked-out coal miners. Some 1.7 million workers went out, especially in transport and in heavy industry. It was a sympathy strike, with many of those who were not miners and not directly affected striking to support the locked-out miners. As well as workplace stoppages other organisation included 'Councils of Action, food distribution, and support for picket lines in some places.[2] The government was well prepared, and enlisted middle- and upper-class volunteers to maintain essential services. There was little violence and the TUC gave up in defeat. There was a paucity of information reaching areas beyond London and so the Godalming Gazette was created, and this was its opening paragraph: This, which we believe to be the only daily newspaper ever bearing the name of Godalming, will, under Providence, be published every evening, except on Saturdays and Sundays, until the strike is over. It has come into existence simply because the tremendous local demand for a daily newspaper has not been met. The thin trickle of broadsheets from London has been swallowed up before it has reached Godalming: the hungry sheep (if we may use the term of our readers without disrespect look up and are not fed. The first edition. Just four newspapers were published with No 4 reporting the end of the strike. All four copies are reproduced in the pdf below.

When preparing for the Wedding Belles exhibition (see separate entry) in 2008, this list of the vicars of St Michael and All Angels was compiled to coincide with the dates covered by the exhibition. To this distinguished list must be added: 2010 John Jeremy Page 2020 Hannah Thérèse Moore Work in progress, so this is just the beginning of entries about our vicars: Henry Brancker, 1857 - 1886 Revd Henry Brancker and Mrs Brancker Francis Harcourt Gooch, 1886-1901 Bill from R B Stedman, Bookseller, to Revd F H Gooch, June 30, 1898 The Revd F H Gooch at Dye House, 1918 Alfred Perceval Pott 1901 - 1907 Charles Kaye Watson, 1914 - 1918 C K Watson was vicar of Thursley throughout the First World War. Here is a letter to parishioners that was in the Parish Magazine: Addison James Wheeler, 1925 - 1932 From Durham University The Addison Wheeler Fellowships are funded by a bequest from Addison James Wheeler, who died in 1967 at the age of eighty-five. Having read Theology at Durham University, Wheeler became a schoolmaster and afterwards took Holy Orders. Ill health prevented him from achieving his ambition of a career in scientific research. During his lifetime this remarkable man devoted himself to building up sufficient capital to support young scholars, whom he hoped would be able to make a significant contribution to knowledge that he himself had been unable to achieve. As reported above, the Vicarage suffered a terrible fire in 1930. Unfortunately some church records were destroyed in the blaze as the vicar had taken them home having removed them from the church safe. Revd Wheeler was responsible for uncovering the 12th Century sedile (a group of stone seats for clergy in the south chancel wall of a church, usually three in number and often canopied and decorated, OED) in the church and for discovering in 1927 the Saxon windows in the chancel. After the fire, the Revd Wheeler bought the Haybarn field at Smallbrook Farm and converted a yard and barn used for the cattle and known as "The Hovel" into a bungalow, which then got rebuilt by Paul Wedge. Sadly, the Revd Wheeler could not stay due to his asthma induced by the cattle. He had to sell and move away. He and his wife divorced and he left the ministry. Mary Bennett said that he ran off with his ward. He was vicar of Thursley from 1925 - 1932. H Gordon French, 1932-1959 The Revd French with Mrs Lettice Fisher Dedication of Mothers' Union Banner Memories of H Gordon French Kenneth Mathews, 1968 -1977 This memoir of Revd A K Mathews, OBE, DSC, was based largely on an obituary in The Daily Telegraph and an article in the Thursley Parish Magazine of February 1993. It also appears in The Lives of the People of Thursley, published by the History of Thursley Society, which can be found on this website. Not mentioned in the article is that he was the progenitor of the Thursley Harvest Supper in 1972 which has recently been resurrected. The complete article can be downloaded from this pdf: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Mathews https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-the-rev-kenneth-mathews-1564982.html A John Stephens, 1977 - 1983 From the Church Times: STEPHENS. — On 13 October, the Revd (Archibald) John Stephens: CMS Missionary (1950-52); Manager and Chaplain of Ado-Ekiti Hospital (1950-55); Priest-in-Charge of CMS Training Centre, Akure (1955-56); E.T.C., St John’s College, Owo (1956-59); Principal of Bishop Phillips Hall, Owo (1958-60); Hon. Can of St Stephen’s Cathedral, Ondo-Benin (1957-71); Assistant Curate, of Christ Church and St Mary, Swindon (1968-70); Hon. Canon of Owerri since 1971; Curate-in-Charge of Ash Vale Conventional District (1971-72); Vicar of St Mary’s, Ash Vale (1972-77); Priest-in-Charge of Thursley (1977-82); aged 100. The Advertiser, July 16, 1982 Order of Service for the Revd Stevens is complete in the pdf below: William David Lang 1992 - 2010 John Jeremy Page 2010-2020 https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2020/6-march/features/features/ordination-would-i-do-it-again-no Hannah Thérèse Moore 2020 - https://parishesofetsph.org.uk/team-members/rev-hannah-moore/ Here is a complete list of Rectors, Vicars and Patrons from a photograph taken in the Church:

There is no obvious connection between John Freeman, the poet, and Thursley, but he is buried in our churchyard. He must have visited the village, liked it and somehow obtained permission to be buried here. His friends, probably the circle of Georgian poets, including Walter de la Mare and Alice Meynell, bought the field next to the churchyard and gave it to the National Trust in his memory. From Allpoetry.com: John Freeman was a poet whose work reflects the asethetic principles of the Georgian era in British literature. This period, which roughly spanned the first two decades of the 20th century, was marked by a renewed interest in traditional forms and a focus on rural life and themes of nature. From A Dictionary of Methodism: Poet and critic, born into a WM family at Dalston, Middx on 29 January 1880. His health was permanently impaired by scarlet fever in early childhood. At 13 he joined the Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society as a junior clerk and spent the rest of his life in its employ, rising to become Secretary and Director in 1927 and a leading figure in the insurance world. He was a local preacher. But he was more widely known in the literary world, where he contributed to Edward Marsh's Georgian Poets anthologies and enjoyed the friendship of such figures as Alice Meynell, Walter de la Mare and J.C. Squire. His friend Edward Thomas called him 'a sort of angel' and Eleanor Farjeon described him as a 'quiet poet ... gentle, with a fine sensitive mind, and qualities which made his plain features lovable.' After Thomas's death, she collaborated with Freeman in seeing Thomas's first volume of poems through the press. His own first book of poems, published in 1909, was followed by several others, marked by his 'grave and quiet rhythms' and including Stone Trees (1916) which gained him recognition. Poems New and Old (1920) won him the Hawthornden Prize for imaginative literature. His Collected Poems appeared in 1928. He wrote on literary matters for the New Statesman, The Bookman, the Quarterly Review,and the London Mercury and his prose works included a Portrait of George Moore (1922), English Portraits (1924), Herman Melville (1926) and a play Prince Absalom (1925). He died on 23 Sept. 1929 and his funeral service at Anerley WM Church was conducted by his fellow poet, Andrew Young, then a minister of the Free Church of Scotland. He was interred at Thursley, Surrey, where a field adjoining the churchyard was given to the National Trust in his memory. 'Meanwhile de la Mare came to know a poet friend of Roger Ingpen's … John Freeman, who like himself was in business - a great deal more successfully than de la Mare. He had begun life as an office boy at thirteen, and became in time the Secretary of his insurance company, the Liverpool Victoria. Like de la Mare, he would come home at the end of an eight- or nine-hour working day in the City, to write verses late into the night. He was also a copious correspondent and very well read. Tall, gangling, ugly, solemn, punctilious, there was in him an endearing quality about these very attributes; Edward Thomas referred to him as "a kind of Angel", and de la Mare, after his death, described even his physical appearance in phrases that suggest beauty - "beautiful brows", and ruminative eyes "of a peculiarly ardent blue".' Theresa Whistler, Imagination of the Heart: the life of Walter de la Mare (1993), pp.127-8 A later photograph of John Freeman taken from the frontispiece of "John Freeman's Letters", edited by Gertrude Freeman and Sir John Squire, Macmilland & Co Ltd 1936. This delightful extract which describes Thursley and mentions John Freeman is from "Solo and Duet" by Sir John Squire: (But I was still on the bench at the Thursley Cricket Ground.) It was almost too hot to move, but very pleasant up there with the commons below, ridge after ridge of hills fading behind them and, in the other direction, the red roofs of the village outskirts. It would have been pleasant to stay there, or to tread again the old street of cottages and climb to churchyard and church and Rapley's farm which has King John walls in it. The church has newly discovered Saxon windows with the original wooden frames in them; it has also a magnificent lot of oak supporting roof and tower. And in the churchyard by the wall, above the steep declivity, there is a tombstone bearing the inscription "John Freeman, Poet", for there lies there, within sight of Crooksbury Beacon and in the heart of the country of Cobbett, whom he loved one of the strongest, most delicate, most profound, and most neglected of poets of our time. But I had set myself a long Journey that day; I wanted to get as near Winchester as I could; I should have to stop for lunch; and it was already half-past eleven. So I rose, and marched off to rejoin the main road, which climbs for three miles or so until it reaches Hindhead, the Punchbowl, and the monument of the murdered sailor. From Wikipedia: John Frederick Freeman (29 January 1880 – 23 September 1929) was an English poet and essayist, who gave up a successful career in insurance to write full-time. He was born in London, and started as an office boy aged 13. He was a close friend of Walter de la Mare from 1907, who lobbied hard with Edward Marsh to get Freeman into the Georgian Poetry series; with eventual success. De la Mare's biographer Theresa Whistler describes him as "tall, gangling, ugly, solemn, punctilious". He won the Hawthornden Prize in 1920 with Poems 1909-1920. His Last Hours was set to music by Ivor Gurney. From a newspaper article dated 27th November 1987 He died on 23rd September 1929 and probate was granted to his widow, Gertrude Frances Freeman, on 14 January 1930 leaving £3,745. John Freeman's headstone in Thursley Churchyard: This stone, set into the wall of the churchyard and juxtaposed to John Freeman's headstone, has this inscription: THE ADJOINING FIELD WAS PRESENTED TO THE NATIONAL TRUST IN 1931 FOR PRESERVATION AS A MEMORIAL TO JOHN FREEMAN BORN 29 JAN 1880 DIED 23 SEPT 1929 The view across the National Trust field with John Freeman's grave, and the inscribed stone in the wall, in the foreground John Freeman's poetry: Here are two examples of his verse: from MEMORIES OF CHILDHOOD AND OTHER POEMS; published 1919 by Selwyn and Blount of London. Snows Now the long-bearded chilly-fingered winter Over the green fields sweeps his cloak and leaves Its whiteness there. It caught on the wild trees, Shook whiteness on the hedges and left bare South-sloping corners and south-fronting smooth Barks of tall beeches swaying 'neath their whiteness So gently that the whiteness does not fall. The ash copse shows all white between gray poles, The oaks spread arms to catch the wandering snow. But the yews--I wondered to see their dark all white, To see the soft flakes fallen on those grave deeps, Lying there, not burnt up by the yews' slow fire. Could Time so whiten all the trembling senses, The youth, the fairness, the all-challenging strength, And load even Love's grave deeps with his barren snows? Even so. And what remains? The hills of thought That shape Time's snows and melt them and lift up Green and unchanging to the wandering stars. The Wren Within the greenhouse dim and damp The heat floats like a cloud. Pale rose-leaves droop from the rust roof With rust-edged roses bowed. As I go in Out flies the startled wren. By the tall dark fir tree he sings Morn after morn still, Shy and bold he flits and sings Tinily sweet and shrill. As I go out His song follows me about ... About the orchard under trees Beaded with cherries bright, Past the rat-haunted Honeybourne And up those hills of light: As up I go His notes more sweetly flow. Or down those dark hills when night's there Full of dark thoughts and deep, A thin clear soundless music comes Like stars in broken sleep. When I come down All those dark thoughts are flown. And now that sweetness is more sweet, Here where the aeroplanes Labouring and groaning in the height Lift their lifeless vans:-- Sweet, sweet to hear The far off wren singing clear.

Photographs only of this Grade II listed building (23rd December, 1983) which is thought to date back to the 16th Century. Mrs Caroline Norman Mr Nash and Mrs Norman (his sister), at Hole Cottage, Summer 1978 Surnames of previous owners include: Moorey; Ayres; Norman; Nash Hole Cottage - a southerly view Hole Cottage with Bedford Farm in the background Hole Cottage was put on the market in May 2026: