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This sale led to the breakup of the Cosford Estate and included: Cosford House; Cosford Mill; Cosford Park; Mill Farm; Wheelers Farm; Hill Farm; and Lower Highfield Farm. The full sale catalogue is in the two pdfs below and includes someone's notations on the day of the sale.

Located in The Devil's Punch Bowl, but demolished in 1942 From worldwidewords.org Broom-squire A house recently advertised for sale near the Devil’s Punch Bowl in Surrey mentioned that it had once been used by broom-squires . These weren’t the minor aristocracy of rural places that the second half of their title suggests but poor rural artisans. They were famously evoked by Sabine Baring-Gould — Anglican priest, antiquarian and novelist — in his 1896 novel The Broom-Squire , set near the house. At some unknown date squatters settled in the Punch Bowl, at a period when it was in as wild and solitary a region as any in England. They enclosed portions of the slopes. They built themselves hovels; they pastured their sheep, goats, cattle on the sides of the Punch-Bowl, and they added to their earnings the profits of a trade they monopolized — that of making and selling brooms. On the lower slopes of the range grew coppices of Spanish chestnut, and rods of this wood served admirably for broom-handles. The heather when long and wiry and strong, covered with its harsh leafage and myriad hard knobs, that were to burst into flower, answered for the brush. On account of this manufacture, the squatters in the Punch-Bowl went by the designation of Broom-Squires. They provided with brooms every farm and gentleman’s house, nay, every cottage for miles around. A wagon-load of these besoms was often purchased, and the supply lasted some years. George Mayes outside Broomsquires Cottage in the Punch Bowl, early 1900s A hand-coloured postcard of about 1900. The broom-squire’s cottage is presumably the brick-and-tile one in the background, a great step up from the hovels of earlier descriptions. Broom-squires were necessarily restricted to the heathlands of England, such as the Surrey Heaths of the story and the New Forest further south, though at times the brush of the broom wasn’t heather but birch twigs, strictly speaking turning their makers into besom-squires , a term that appears only rarely. Squire is not a term of respect here. Alongside its sense of a country gentleman was a contemptuous one that evolved from its oldest meaning of an attendant on a knight, hence later merely a servant, and a lowly one at that. A close relative is the long obsolete apple-squire , which may be politely defined as a male companion of a woman of ill-repute, more accurately a pimp (we may guess the apple was a sly reference to the biblical Eve, though the Oxford English Dictionary suggests a woman’s breasts were meant). Broom-squires, often itinerant and always poor, had an unsavoury reputation not so far removed from the then conventional view of gypsies. A footnote in The Sporting Review in December 1840 to an article about hunting over yet another heath, in Somerset, described broom-squires negatively as “A variety of the genus homo found on Quantock, living on whortleberries, dwarf-birch, &c, &c. Towards winter they frequent the lower grounds, and prey on game of all sorts, preferring that of their own killing.” Other reports mention the rude huts they inhabited. The thatched sixteenth-century former gamekeeper’s cottage mentioned in the property advert was unlikely ever to have been the home of broom-squires. However, it makes a good story for the sales brochures. Site of the cottage in the late 1980s: the foundations could still be seen.

This article by Jackie Rickenberg was published in the Parish Magazine, May 2023 Many of us will be aware of the construction traffic around the outskirt of the village, relating to the work currently being done at Hammer Pond. If you have ventured close to the site (but still safely behind the surrounding barriers!), you, like me, may be surprised at the sheer scale of the project. But what are they actually doing? And what is the Hammer Pond? And why is this work necessary? All questions I ask myself regularly – and so, my attempt to make things a little bit clearer. Firstly, what is a “Hammer Pond”. There are innumerable references to hammer ponds and hammer woods all over the south-east of England. Most of these lakes are at least partially accessible, and blessed with an abundance of waterfowl and other wildlife. However, the historical origins of these waters were grimily practical rather than scenic or tranquil. ‘Hammer’ ponds are not natural lakes but dammed streams and rivers, crucial to the Tudor and Stuart iron industry that was established within the High Weald of Kent and Sussex, and adjacent parts of Surrey and Hampshire. The Weald was a major iron-producing region long before the Romans arrived, due to its abundant clay ironstone deposits. Smelting sites were determined by the quality of local ore, and the convenient location of other raw materials. These included naturally heat-resistant clay, or later sandstone, to construct furnace hearths, and ample supplies of wood to make charcoal for fuel. Water was essential for cooling the iron and the High Weald enjoys many swift streams in deep, densely wooded valleys, known locally as ‘ghylls’, which eventually played a pivotal role. From the end of the 15th century new developments in the industry required many of these to be damned, and the heads of water that built up used to turn waterwheels. The wheels powered furnace bellows more effectively, and also drove huge forge hammers which pounded pig iron into refined bars. Hence Furnace and Hammer/Forge Ponds. Thursley’s Hammer Pond There are three forge ponds in the Thursley National Nature Reserve. The Upper Hammer Pond has a bridge and a small spillway and is fed by a stream running northwards through a chain of ponds from Hindhead Common, via Cosford House, under the A3, and in turn feeds the (restored) Lower Hammer Pond and Forge Pond. Nearby Coldharbour Hammer Pond runs on a different stream east of the other hammer ponds, and lies partly in Thursley and partly in Witley. Warren Mere Lake, just north of here, was not connected to the iron works although there was a Witley Park Furnace further south, circa 1673, but the pond is long gone. A postcard from the 1920s The ironworks. The ironworks were situated near a brook on Thursley Common, which was widened in places to make the ponds, known as the Hammer Ponds. These were used for producing power for the hammer and for cooling the iron as it was smelted. The first reference to ironworks here was dated 1574. Thursley Common and the Devil’s Punchbowl possessed both iron ore for smelting and peat and wood for fuel. Peat was used to overcome the shortage of timber which beset the industry in the 16th century (no doubt as a result of the shipbuilding industry – the Mary Rose, Henry V111’s grand flagship, was built between 1509-1511 in nearby Portsmouth). Maverick ironmasters were punished by the King in an attempt to stop the destruction of timber. William Yalden, a Thursley ironmaster received a Royal Pardon in 1640 for offences committed before 1636 in destroying woods for smelting iron. During this time the industry was flourishing with contracts with the Navy for canon and shot. A lease survives, dated 1610 that refers to the Thursley works as “lately erected” and in 1617 the ironworks were leased for a yearly rental of £95. By 1666, they were let to William Yalden for £10 per annum, an indication that the demand for Wealdon iron was decreasing. Gradually, the iron industry with its attendant occupation of charcoal burning, died out - although the Thursley ironworks were the last to work in Surrey - and by the end of the 18th century, very little iron was worked. At the beginning of the 19th century, 1805 in fact, crape weaving took the place of iron smelting, and the mills were also built near the Hammer Ponds. Crape was a gauze like fabric with a wrinkled surface, or imitation silk, much used for mourning dress. Much raw silk was reputedly smuggled from France, then onto Dye House, where it was dyed before disposal. Today in the vicinity of the Hammer Pond one can find Silk Mill House and Cottages and, in the village, of course, Dye House. It is generally accepted that the first four cottages in The Lane were used as workshops, connected with the industry, while the cottages above them, on Dye House Rd, were the dwelling houses of the workmen. These industries brought prosperity and employment to the area. The ironmasters belonged to the local gentry and lived in large houses e.g. Rake and Heath Hall. Present day. Following heavy rains in December 2013 that washed away a section of the Upper Hammer Pond dam and emptied the pond, a section through the earthwork of the dam was exposed that revealed the major elements of its construction. Evidence was recorded that suggested the dam may have been rebuilt on a number of occasions. This latest project to rebuild has been a long time in the planning due to ecological restraint’s – work was only possible outside of the ground nesting bird season – and environmental requirements. Both Natural England and the Environment Agency, working alongside Waverley Borough Council and, of course, our own Parish Council, have finally come together to restore the historically significant ponds. Work has been ongoing since the 1st September 2022 and although it should have finished by 31st March, it has overrun by two months due to unforeseen problems. However, come 31st May, it is hoped our common can be reclaimed from the diggers and trucks and once more peace and tranquillity will be restored. And more importantly, Hammer Ponds and the surrounding properties will be safeguarded and restored to their formal glories for years to come. The following photographs were taken by Sean Edwards:

This article was written in 2002 by Rosemary Stockdale and was based on ‘Memories of Wies and Zen Rogalski’ An account of life in the camp for the Polish community as remembered by Wies (born 1950 in St Luke’s Hospital Guildford) and Zen (born 1948 in Diddington Camp Polish Army Hospital, St Neots) Rogalski who were children at the time. They were motivated by Thursley History Society (Norman Ratcliffe) to put pen to paper so that this part of Thursley’s history was not forgotten by future generations. This article attempts to share with Thursley villagers how our Polish neighbours made this their home, their facilities in the Camp and their day to day activities with many settling locally after the camp closed in 1957. Their father in the camp in 1948 There were three types of buildings in the Camp: Wooden Barracks – homes for the Polish families – built on concrete foundations that can still be seen with pressure treated clad softwood walls and doors and Crittal windows. For insulation they were lined with 12mm fibreboard and the roof with thick felt tiles. The Rogalski’s lived at No 39. Three were three rooms to accommodate the family. There were no modern day facilities no running water, no power for a cooker, no sink, no gas. Cooking was done on a ‘Primus’ stove until in 1953 a a coal fire was acquired which was used for cooking and heating. The camp had a communal bath and shower complex which also housed large white enamelled sinks for washing clothes (washboards and mangles). On washdays this was a meeting place – with laughter, exchange of stories and friendly gossip. Lavatories were situated separately in latrines. Brick built outhouses – most permanent with  boilers and electric transformer. Nissen Huts – tunnel shaped structures of galvanised corrugated sheet steel – these were used as simple and secure workshops   Much creativity was used by Mrs Rogalski to provide basic necessities of life – clothes were handmade, vegetables were grown in their own garden, plus deliveries from the local grocer and hardware merchant, Mr Karn, from his store in Thursley inc fresh bread, butter, cheese. She also kept chickens and geese for fresh meat and eggs plus down for pillows and quilts. A favourite activity was picking wild mushrooms from the woods which ere then dried to season soups and other dishes   For other items there was the occasional adventure on the number 24 bus into Guildford. The Camp was a safe fun place for the children to play and with increasing numbers of children in the mid 50s there were many friends and playmates. There was a real sense of solidarity and social cohesion in the camp that made their childhood idyllic and trouble free. Earning a living  - having been demobilised from the forces the mot important issue was how to eke out a living and were to settle permanently. They could not go back to their home district as this was no longer in Poland but in USSR. The decision was England, but the two problems were language and lack of training as thy were too young before the war to have had any professional education. There were no doctors, solicitors or dentists in the camp as any such qualified professionals had settled in London and the Tweedsmuir community had to turn to them when specialist help was required. The Godalski’s did just that when buying a London home in 1957. For the inhabitants of Tweedsmuir finding employment was a tightly controlled process operated by British authorities – issued with a Certificate of Registration. The mother sought worked at Secretts Farm in June 1952. Many people in the camp were employed in engineering, building and agriculture. Most ‘engineers’ were employed by Dennis, Guildford. Mr Grodalski was employed by Nutbourne Brickworks Ltd, construction of houses in Godalming. 1948 to 1952 Mrs Grodalski stayed at home to bring up the two children and then as a land girl at Secretts Farm, crop picking. Secretts organised an annual works outing for its workers – one year it was a trip to London to the pantomime. In this way the family earned the monies to provide the family with the requirements of life. A Corpus Cristi procession and a celebration of Holy Communion Tweedsmuir inhabitants were isolated both physically and socially from the English community and the children were immersed solely into Polish culture and custom until they were of school age and were enrolled in ‘Elstead Junior Mixed and Infants School. Culture in the camp revolved around chapel, community centre and kindergarten – each of which was in converted barracks. The chapel had 3 sections – altar, vestry and nave with a small organ at the back. The Polish priest and spiritual leader was Father Bystry. Here is another write up of life in Tweedsmuir: https://www.polishresettlementcampsintheuk.co.uk/tweedsmuir.htm

Jill produced four calendars of her beautiful photographs taken in and around Thursley, with some featuring her husband Ray. 2011 This is one of Jill's favourite photographs 2012 Jill captioned this calendar: 1. The track to the village; 2. Fallow deer at Petworth; 3. Frensham Little Pond; 4. No planes; 5. Waggoners Wells; 6. 5:20am at Pudmore; 7. Summer storm coming to the Downs; 9. South-west from the Hogs Back; 10, Water droplet; 11. Fog lifting from Frensham Great Pond; 12. Sunset from Cuckoo Corner, Milford. 2013 2014

Photographs only of this Grade II listed building (9th March, 1960)

The History of Thursley Society renamed itself Thursley History Society to recognise that it wanted to report on events nearby but not entirely within its parish boundaries. Grayshott Heritage have kindly given THS permission to reproduce this book. There are a limited number of books available from Grayshott Heritage. The pdf below contains the entire book:

The History of Thursley Society mounted an exhibition of the history of weddings in Thursley Church since 1613. Stories of weddings appear in the pdfs and photographs below but also some appear as separate blogs and can be found by searching Wedding Belles. With the launch of the website, we have taken the opportunity of adding weddings both before and after 2007. If you were married at St Michael's and All Angels and would like your wedding featured, please send photographs and a description via the website. Early Weddings The Squarson: The wedding of Francis Gooch & Catherine Paine, 28th April, 1868 Sir Alfred Giles's daughters: 1872, 1885 and 1887 The Fosberry family weddings: 1873, 1894 and 1949 A Farm wedding: George Warner & Edith Keen, 5th June, 1909 The weddings of the Reeds: 1909, 1957, 1960 and 1963 Father of the Bride: the wedding of Gerard Staveley Gordon & Marjorie Worsley Smith, 10th November, 1920 The Rapleys: the wedding of Vernon Rapley & Margaret Walters, 20th September, 1923 Mr Henry Walters and his daughter, Margaret High Society: the wedding of Richard Henry Anstruther Morris-Markham & Miss Iris Rose Sophia Larking, 22nd June, 1929 Three Wedding Gems: 1939, 1953 and 1971 The wedding of Leonard Raggett & Elizabeth Keen, 23rd March 1940 One Wife or Two? The wedding of Lawrence Pink & Evie Hayter, 1st October 1941 Canadian Union: the wedding of Charles Campbell Graham & Helen Elizabeth Keen, 17th August 1943 Robbie and Eddie: the wedding of Robert Patterson Morgan & Edna Madeleine Hall, 8th June 1946 A Very Long Marriage: The wedding of Richard Partington and Peggy Sayers, 16th September 1950 Dick and Peggy Partington were married at St Michael & All angels and lived together at Heath View (now Acorns) for five years and moved away when Dick got a job at Vickers at Weybridge, building Valiant bombers and VC10s. He spent 25 years working as a ground engineer at BA. They came to Thursley on 16th September 2025, to celebrate their 75th anniversary. They both enjoyed themselves hugely, visiting the church and reminiscing and were on very good form. The wedding of Bertram Webb & Joan Good, 1st September 1956 The wedding of Stephen Waters & Maureen Cottle, 16th August 1961 The wedding of Richard Timberlake & Anne Jobson, 23rd April 1966 The weddings of the Ransons of Bowlhead Green 1969, 1974 and 1992 The wedding of John Gunner & Kay Cottle, 26th September 1973 The wedding of Andrew Constable & Mary Lintott, 6th July 1974 Wedding at The Corner: Harry McNeilly and Jane Watson, 29th May 1976 A highland wedding: David Corbett & Peggy James, 26th September, 1976 The wedding of Peter John Goble & Teresa Ellen Boxall, 17th October 1981 The wedding of Michael and Debbie Spencer, 22nd May 1993 The wedding of Andrew Storey and Jillian Bird, 31st July, 1993 The Vicar's View The wedding of Philip & Angela Traill, née Burry, 11th September, 1993 The wedding of Stephen and Julie Langley, 9th September, 2000 The weddings of the Hall Brothers: 16th October 2004 & 1st April 2005 The Wakeley Weddings, 2006, Joe and Melissa The wedding of Simon Treadwell and Anne Finnerup, 23rd May 2015 The wedding of Peter and Jacqueline Rickenberg, 30th June 2018 The Ultimate Wedding Gift... On the 16th July 1702, Thomas Francis married Sarah Wheeler in Farnham. Two days beforehand on the 14th July 1702, a document was signed which was a marriage settlement (dowry) on Pitlands Farm (now Punch Bowl Farm) where Nicholas Wheeler has given Thomas Francis, Pitlands Farm "and all tenements, messuages, stables etc" on his daughter Sarah Wheeler. Beats being given a toaster!

These houses, comprising eight homes, are on the left as you walk down the Street and are opposite Wheelers Farm Photograph by Sean Edwards 1 Streetfield Bob, Liz and David Etherington moved to "Anchor Cottage", 1 Streetfield, soon after David was born in September 1990. Jennifer was born in 1992. Bob worked locally for a computer recruitment agency in Godalming. Liz, having been a registered childminder for three years resumed part-time work at the National Westminster Bank. David and Jennifer went to school at All Saints, Tilford. July 1997 Edna and Robert Morgan, 2 Streetfield In 1996, Edna and Robert Morgan wrote, "This is one of the more modern houses in the village and is of no architectural interest what-so-ever, but it has been our home since it was built in 1948. Most building immediately after World War II was carried out by local authorities and Hambledon Rural District council erected six house in Thursley. The builders were Miltons of Witley. In 1956 the council gave tenants the opportunity to buy the properties so from then, over the years, we were able to improve the house. We have a panoramic view of The Street and have never considered making a move". No 2 Streetfield Cattle at rear of Streetfield, 1984 View of the village from the bedroom window of 2 Streetfield, c1965 The village from the garden of 2 Streetfield, Christmas Day 1981 Sale particulars for 2, Streetfield in March 2024 https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/145794980#/?channel=RES_BUY Dale Workman with her daughter, Tammy, 3 Streetfield, in 1997 Nick Wisdom, 4 Streetfield, 1997, where he has lived since the 1960s

Lower Highfield Farm was sold in 1952 as part of the break-up of the Cosford Estate. The entries below are from the auction catalogue. Lower Highfield Farm as it is today

Formerly the Old Manor House, it is a Grade II listed building (9 March 1960) The house dates back to the 16 th Century in the back part and interior.  It is a Grade II listed building, March 9, 1960. Rear view of Hill Farm House in the early 1990s. Surnames of previous owners include: M Rapley; L Rapley; Stevens; Havilland In 1952 the Cosford Estate was broken up and Hill Farm was Lot 19. The annotation on the relevant page of the sale catalogue notes that it was 'Sold to tenants' and the tenant was listed as Mr M L Rapley: Ron and Rosemary's grandfather farmed at Hill Farm. He went toLondon to claim his bride,The Lutyens's governess Maurice Rapley and pony Mr & Mrs Maurice Rapley with sons Vernon and Lionel and daughter Aileen Aileen Rapley, Maurice's daughter, school teacher. She left Thursley when war broke out. The stars of Mrs Fisher'schoir were the three Hill Farm Rapleys: Lionel; Vernon and Aileen who was also Miss Lutyens's daughter and Maggie Walters whom Vernon Rapley married. Lionel Rapley, Maurice's son, Rosemary Walker's father. Labrador breeder, founded Hilldown kennels. Church organist. Vernon Rapley nicknamed 'Bay', Maurice's son and Ron's (nicknamed Boy) father, chicken farmer. Lionel Rapley, church organist for many years Martin and Rosemary Rapley, son and daughter of Lionel Rapley The Reverend Edmund and Jane Haviland, 1998 Photograph above and below by Sean Edwards

This article written by Jackie Rickenberg appeared in the Parish Magazine in March 2024 Warren Park Surely the smallest of the parish’s hamlets must be Warren Park. The archives contain little to no history about it, but potentially someone may know more? “ In 1618, Sir Robert More of Loseley and Henry Bell of Witley, set up a rabbit warren on what is now Thursley Common. At this time, artificial warrens were built to house rabbits, which were farmed for their fur and meat during the medieval and post medieval periods. A collection of these warrens was called pillow mounds and a licence was required from the King which gave the “Right of Free Warren”. The people who looked after these pillow mounds were called warreners. A house for said warrener was built on this site. Over three centuries later, in 1939, long after this practice had been discontinued, a military camp for Canadian soldiers, similar to the one at Tweedsmuir, was constructed on the site. At the end of the war, after the Canadians had returned home, displaced Polish troops who fought with the British Army in North Africa and Central Europe, were temporarily housed in the now empty camp”. Thank you to John Luff for this summary. Loseley House As is often the way when researching these articles, for several hours I have been down the proverbial rabbit hole, indeed a positive pillow mound of rabbit warrens! The reason the name of our society was changed from The History of Thursley Society to The Thursley History Society was exactly for this reason. It allows us to include tenuous historical links to areas outside of the village’s parameters – in this case we travel to Loseley House, near Guildford. Sir Robert More piqued my interest and it transpires setting up a pillow mound of rabbit warrens in Thursley was perhaps one of his lesser celebrated achievements. Born in 1581 at Loseley House, Robert was the first son of Sir George More and his wife Anne. He came down from Corpus Christi, Oxford with a BA in 1598, making him seventeen years old at graduation. It was said he lived in the shadow of his father, one of the most prominent parliamentarians of this period. Sir Robert (he was knighted at the grand old age of twenty-two) entered Parliament, becoming MP for Guildford whilst still a minor. He became joint keeper, along with his father, Sir George, and his grandfather, Sir William, of Farnham Little Park and Joint Constable of Farnham Castle. Until his death in 1626 at the age of forty-four, he served as a JP for Surrey and an MP for Surrey or Guildford no less than six times. He left a wife and eleven children, all residing in “The Old House” at Loseley Park. Some of his more memorable (to me at least) committee seats were to prevent unlawful games, to consider recusant wives (wives who refused to submit to their husbands), better observance of the Sabbath and the naturalisation of the daughters of Sir Horace Vere (falling again down that warren!). Upon his death, More was buried in the Loseley Chapel in St Nicholas’, Guildford. His eldest son, Poynings More, succeeded him as an MP, serving Haslemere. His last remaining sister, Margaret, who had married Thomas Molyneux of Lancashire, inherited the estate. The present family of More-Molyneux are descended from this couple. So there. We now have a better understanding of the man, Sir Robert More, his political career and his many public responsibilities. However, we also know that he had a passion/hobby for raising rabbits in the quiet surroundings of Thursley and whenceforth the origin of Warren Park’s name. Any filling in of the blanks between 1618 and 1939 would be most appreciated! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Warren Park in the 20th Century:   Photographs taken by Eddie Gale in the late 80s/early 90s