On 20th February 2025, Marion O'Brien and Amanda Flint-Roberts gave a talk in the Church. This article, written by Jackie Rickenberg, first appeared in the Parish Magazine in February 2025: St Michael and All Angels, John Hassell 1824 Please, if you haven’t already done so, could you put Thursday the 20th February into your diaries. Marion O’Brien and Amanda Flint-Roberts will be giving a talk in our beautiful church about …. our beautiful church, as it approaches it millennium. It starts at 7.30pm and the History Society will be collecting donations on the door. No need to book, just turn up to learn more about the amazing history of this ancient building at the centre of our village. Our archives have recently moved (I could tell you where but …) and it has given us an opportunity to delve deep into its contents. Now and again, amongst the deeds and the official documents, a little piece of magic is unearthed and this is one such piece. It is a photocopy of an original hand-written record, not particularly old, but nonetheless, intriguing. It is not signed or dated and it is in little random paragraphs, full of past church life. “The churchyard wall along the road used to have iron rings set in it at intervals, for horses to be tied to during services. Now, alas, all have disappeared. Lionel Rapley told me that when he was a young man attending a funeral, the gravedigger had dug the hole too small, so that during interment the coffin got stuck and nothing would free it. The gravedigger then jumped up and down on it and bashed it with a shovel, to no more avail than was the highly infunereal language he used throughout. He had to get down to it and dig the hole properly! Lionel Rapley told me that one Sunday when he was a young man, the congregation wondered why the vicar was so late for Matins, and the reason was that since he drove like a bat out of hell, he had overturned his coach in The Street on the way up to the church. A year before the bells were recast and overhauled we were forbidden to ring them because of their dilapidated state, as there was a real danger that they would break from their head stocks and descend to the floor of the nave. During the ministry of Bill Mills a bird flew into Matins one morning. After teasing the vicar considerably, it settled on the steps of the pulpit during the sermon. The vicar, a better cricketer than footballer, took a kick at it and missed. During the last hymn it settled on Mr Rapley’s head as he played the organ, and in fending it off he dislodged the fall, which being extremely heavy, descended on his hands. This brought the service to an unconventional close. Before the advent of the fundraising scheme known as Christian Stewardship, the finances of the church were in such poor shape that only the most pressing fabric repairs could be undertaken and the school, now in the village hall, was sold to the council because the church could not afford to keep the roof repaired. In those days the only way of raising money was by a Day of Gifts when a bucket was placed beside the font for donors to use. Strict anonymity was observed and the total raised was not very large. Some time ago the weather vane on the church steeple had for many years been stationary. This annoyed Christopher Watson, who lived at The Lodge, so much, that eventually he financed its removal and had it repaired to its present operational condition. For many years there was a line of elms along the south side of the churchyard, which shut out the sun and made the “new” part of the churchyard constantly damp and dark. The trees were felled about twelve years ago, making the bright and attractive end to the churchyard we have today. Since elms have a way of raising up as saplings after felling, it is much to be hoped that they will be kept clipped. The crocuses just inside the churchyard gate were planted by Mrs Malins who lived with her daughter and son-in-law, Mr Jobson, at Foldown. Though she has gone, her crocuses are a constant delight to us all in the Spring. On the altar there used to be two brass candlesticks which were part of a matching set which included the cross. The candlesticks were both stolen about ten years ago. Other vandalism from time to time has included smashing of the stained-glass windows in the chancel and North Aisle, smashing open the organ and vestry with attempts to open the safe, and immeasurable attempts on the alms box, as the many jemmy marks on the surrounding stonework testify. The best way of guarding against such damage is by unpremeditated visits, and restricting entry of the church to all and sundry”. It would seem that there have been many dramas in our church’s life throughout the years but we’re delighted to report that it is currently in a healthy financial position and that any repairs are dealt with promptly by our marvellous Clerk of Works, Simon Treadwell. The current Parochial Church Council, headed up by our wonderful Rev Hannah, oversee all Church matters and we are delighted and appreciative that this historic church is open daily for villagers and visitors alike. This beautifully hand-written, undated brief history of St Michael's Church is from our archive: Saxon window in church which was uncovered in1927 The page below accompanied this illustration of the Church which indicates it was published c1823 Five photographs from 1934: The Altar in or around 1934 Detail of Thursley Font, F.E.N. 24th May, 1934 The Tower Structure in Thursley Nave, John Gould, 24th May, 1934 Base of Tower Upright, Thursley Nave, John Gould, 24th May 1934 The North Wall of Thursley Nave, John Gould, 24th May 1934

The land was given to Thursley by Dame Helene Adeline Blanche Windham on 1st June, 1939. Hélène Adeline Blanche Windham (née Chapman; previously Kidston) (1873–1957) was a member of the English landed gentry whose life connected her with several prominent families of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Born into the Chapman family, she married first Captain Archibald Glen Kidston, with whom she had several children, and later Sir Walter George Windham, an early figure in British aviation. From Kay Cottle's postcard collection The Cricket Ground in the1990s? In the photograph immediately above: James Maclean, ‘Cocker’ Keen (Homefields), Mike Spencer, with Ed and Will and Steve Langley, 17th March 2001 Dinner and Dance in the village hall in 2017 to raise funds for Thor's Den, the new playground: All photographs by Valérie Ferris Recreation Ground in May 2012, photograph by Sean Edwards Undated, but 2018 or later In November 2025 there was a public meeting to discuss plans to transform the existing cricket pavilion to an all-year round facility for the community. There was overwhelming support for the idea and appreciation of the generous donation that has kick-started the process. Artist's impression of the proposed new pavilion See https://www.thursleypavilion.co.uk/

This entry is from articles written by Jackie Rickenberg, taken from the archives of the Thursley History Society, and first published in our Parish Magazine in August and September 2025. Parish Magazine article August 2025 As well as being synonymous with combine harvesters in the fields, sweet peas rambling wildly in the garden, seaside visits and long balmy nights, my summers are also a reminder to visit that wonderous creative space that is the Royal Academy in London’s Piccadilly, for their annual open Summer Exhibition. For over 250 years, the RA has existed to champion art and artists. Every year, since 1768, they have held an annual Summer Exhibition, the largest open-submission art exhibition in the world. Thursley has had more than its fair share of artists, and still does, and incredibly, even the occasional PRA – Past Royal Academician. Thursley’s Artists through the years. 1. A R Quinton exhibited his romantic watercolour painting of Keeper’s Cottage in the Devil’s Punchbowl in the exhibition of 1879, at the ripe old age of 26 years old. Alfred Robert Quinton’s work routine would be to travel around England and Wales for three months of the year, mostly during the summer months and often by bicycle, during which he would draw sketches and take photographs of locations which he would work up into paintings in his studio during the winter months. He painted several from his time in Surrey, including “Blackdown from Hindhead”, “Abbot’s Hospital, Guildford”, “St Martha’s Chapel, Guildford” and “Guildford, Five Views”. Many of his paintings, including this one of Keeper’s Cottage, were published as postcards and some were used in calendars. He was quite prolific, painting over 2,000 paintings until the time of his death in 1934 at the age of 81. However, latterly towards the end of his life he was banned from exhibiting at the RA as the authorities were not in favour of “commercialisation” of art. Postcard of painting of Keeper’s Cottage by A.R. Quinton. 2. Julias A Gems apparently exhibited a sculpture of a bust of William Karn Fosberry of Thursley, which was exhibited at the RA in 1939. This is according to an article in the History of Thursley Society Newsletter of Winter 2007/2008. William Fosberry was a builder of repute, who owned Vean Cottage, The Clump and The Corner, so a man of some importance in the village, hence maybe why he or someone else commissioned a bust of him. He died in 1943 aged 89 years. However, my research could not uncover any knowledge of Mr Gems or of him exhibiting in the Summer Exhibition and no one seems to have set eyes on the bust, although we do have a photograph of it. If anyone can help, please contact info@ thursleyhistorysociety.com. It is known that William’s sister, Anne Tozer, who ran the Post Office and general store from “The Clump” was married to Henry Tozer, an artist who worked out of a studio at the bottom of the garden known as “The Outlook”. This house was also rented out to Eveline Lance, a Victorian artist. Willian Karn Fosberry sculpture on left and photograph with his son on right. Since the publication of this article, more information has come to light from Chris Gems, the grandson of Julius A Gems: "In 1939, Julius Albert [Gems] decided he would enter a model for the summer exhibition of the Royal Academy. There was a very aged builder named William Fosberry in Thursley Village, who had a long beard and very large hands. The old chap agreed to sit for Julius but, when he did so, as he was deaf he insisted on putting one of his hands up to his ear to hear what was being said to him, so Julius modelled him in this position and, not only was the model accepted by the Royal Academy, but it was placed on a pedestal in a very prominent position in the exhibition." 3. Henry Edward Tozer spent his early years in Newlyn, Cornwall with his parents. His father, Henry Edmund Tozer, also an artist, exhibited “Surf and Rocks at the Mouth of the Cove” at the RA in 1892. Henry Edward painted scenes of country life (many of them from his life in Thursley) in oil and watercolour. By 1891 he had moved to Thursley, although we don’t know why, and in 1894 he married Mary, sister of William Fosberry. He continued painting alongside running the Post Office with his wife and died aged 90 still at “The Clump” in 1955. Minding the Fire by Henry Edward Spernon Tozer 4. Eveline de la Belinay Lance (1866-1937) was born in Essex, but moved to “The Outlook” in Thursley in 1929. She was known as a watercolour landscape painter, but also illustrated books. She has a comprehensive back catalogue and her work is very much still in demand. Gee-up by Eveline de la Belinay Lance (1866-1937) Mercy Fosberry & her daughter Mary, by Eveline de la Belinay Lance Copy of painting by Evelyn Lance. Children: Dorothy Warner, Freddie West and Marjorie Warner (see Church Cottages) 5. Finally, we have the distinction, of having a past resident of the village as a past president of the Royal Academy. Between 1938-1944, Sir Edwin Lutyens was the elected president of the Academy. Most of us are aware of the importance of Lutyens work in architecture, furniture design, interior design, landscape architecture and garden design. He has two works in the RA Collection with a further six associated works. From his early days growing up in Street House, through his early career commissions in the village (Prospect Cottage and The Corner) to his lasting legacy of New Delhi, The Cenotaph and the Thiepval Memorial (the largest British war memorial in the world), he is surely Thursley’s most acclaimed and eminent artist and Past Royal Academician. Lutyens design for Jaipur Column, New Delhi Parish Magazine article September 2025 Last month we highlighted some of the past artists in the village, and of course, it was by no means, a comprehensive list. There are lots more renowned artists both past and present. Sadly, we recently lost one of the best in Peter Hanauer. Peter was a skilled and acclaimed glass artist, with exhibits within the V&A’s Ceramics Collection and as an illustrator, he was first port of call for posters for village events. His Christmas cards were legendary and his smile and warmth is sorely missed. Peter’s V&A exhibits – a set of free-blown glass jugs Salli Tomlinson is another Thursley artist who pioneered Silent Companions in the 1970’s. Silent Companions are life-size flat wooden figures that were a popular room decoration in the 17th century. Painted and cut to resemble soldiers, children, servants and animals, they can be found standing in many of the places we care for. Salli has produced a range of artwork for the rich and famous; see an example of her work below: Another example of Salli's work: a musical artwork that opens up and reveals boxes within which also open and play music: painted on boards and approximately 1M x 1M The Herald, September 24th, 1976 A painting of Popsy Holford when she and Salli were visiting Venice Salli is now mostly retired, however some of the village artists in their prime include Rachel Bottomley, Helena Traill, Sallie Roles and Emily Butler, to name but a few. Here are examples of their work, clockwise from top left Rachel Bottomley, Helena Traill, Sallie Roles and Emily Butler. One of the best known and loved past village artists is Russell Brockbank who lived at Badgers in The Lane and worked from the studio there, which he named The Haven. This extract is from our website www.thursleyhistorysociety.org. Please do go on and browse – it’s incredible the volume of information and number of interesting articles on there! Russell Brockbank “Born in Canada and educated at Ridley College, Ontario, Russell came to England in 1929 and studied Art at Chelsea School of Art in London. A temporary diversion into industry occurred between 1932 and 1936 when he resumed his career as a freelance artist until the War. He married Eileen Hames in 1933. During the War he served as Lieut. RNVR, Northern Convoys, in the British Pacific Fleet and was demobilised in 1946. He then freelanced until 1949 when he became Art Editor of Punch. This appointment was intended to be one to five years but in fact it lasted until 1960. Russell accidently discovered Thursley on his travels, but needed to convince Eileen. Russell had been secretly receiving agents' particulars of properties for sale in the area including one on “Badgers” in The Lane, or Back Lane as it was then called. By some strange quirk, or so it appeared to Eileen at the time, they found themselves randomly in the village, had a brief inspection of the property, and out of the blue Russell made an offer to purchase which was accepted! Eileen was “rather surprised”. The year was 1951. Most of his work was carried out above the garage in the studio which Eileen called “The Haven”. He would draw seven days a week and as a result was not often in evidence when it came to various village activities with perhaps one exception – namely the annual New Year's Eve Party given by Val and Paddy at the Three Horse Shoes! Russell was a perfectionist as far as his drawing was concerned. When at work he would be surrounded by many photographs of the subject in order to build as much detail and accuracy into the drawings as possible and avoid too many critical letters from his readers. Apart from drawing, his other passion was cars. He started drawing them at the age of four and it seems couldn't stop. He was a regular contributor to magazines including Speed and Motor in ten countries, including Japan. He also drove fast cars, some say too fast, tried out exotic prototype models such as the Mini Cooper and D type Jaguar and was a motor racing aficionado. He visited all the Grand Prix. The Three Horse Shoes when the breathaliser was introduced Russell became ill in the late 1970s and in 1978 they decided to move to Frome in Somerset to be nearer their daughter who was in the medical profession. He had once said to Eileen that he wanted to be buried in Thursley churchyard and wanted someone to draw an eye on his headstone so as to keep watch over Eileen. Sadly, he died within two years of leaving the village and was cremated in Somerset. He left a widow and two children, Susan and Roger. During the years following the Second World War, the name of Russell Brockbank became synonymous with his cartoons of cars. Grounded in his obsession with his favourite subjects, his delightful drawings are always completely accurate in detail, so can be enjoyed equally by all, from the non-motorist to the petrolhead”.

The Society was formed in 1991 (see separate entry) and newsletters were issued at regular intervals until January 2009. They have now been scanned and extracts for each one are below which are great record of our village life spanning roughly a decade either side of the Millenium. There are also some photographs of exhibitions staged by the History of Thursley Socciety. The first five newsletters, are from February 1993 to December 1994 (apologies for Issues 4 and 5 not being in the correct sequence in the pdf) and cover the following topics: Issue One, February 1993: Announcement that there were 76 members; resignation of Geraldine O'Sullivan Last as hon secretary and the appointment of Sally Scheffers in her place; slide show planned for the village hall in March 1993; report on the poet John Freeman (1880 - 1929), who is buried in our churchyard, and two of his poems were reproduced Issue Two, July 1993: request for annual subscription (£2 for adults, £1 for those at school); announcement of AGM October 23rd 1993; report on three village tress that marked special occasions; report on success of 'A Walk Through Old Thursley'; report on Thursley's Historic Buildings from Joan Harding of the Domestic Buildings Research Group who is preparing a book for the society. Issue Three, February 1994: announcement of two events - 'Events in Thursley's Past' and 'A Celebration of Thursley's History' both to be held in the village hall; update on the book of old buildings; report of the AGM; request for information headed 'Old Names - Uncertain Places'; Edna Goble's article on 'The Institute - Prospect Cottange'; a Thursley play reviewed in 'The Times'; announcement of the AGM. Issue Four, July 1994: outing to Witley Park announced; confirmation of the AGM; 50th anniversary of D-Day was noted; request for memories of VE-Day and VJ-Day 50 years for the anniversary in 1995; Life in Thursley in World War II was described by E Morgan. Issue Five, December 1994: retirement of the founder members of the committee and announcement of the new committee; Mary Bennett also wrote about the play reviewed in 'The Times'; report of the AGM; request for missing Parish Magazines and photographs and other material for exhibitions and slide shows; a history of Smallbrook Farm 1876 - 1939 by Betty Weeden; Christmas Gift suggestions; announcement of a slide show, 'Snapshots of Thursley's Past'; plans for 1995 Victory Celebrations and request for memories; Mary Bennett's memories of VE and VJ Day; account of the marriage of Captain Alastair Banks and Corporal Ann Crichton; details of the committee. Newsletters 6 to 10 cover the period from April 1995 to September 1996 and cover the following topics: Issue Six, April 1995: Update of the theatrical Squires family; creation of the archive in the village hall under the first archivist, Douglas Watson; report of a slide show given of 15th March 1995; continuation of the serialisation of Betty Weeden's history of Smallbrook Farm 1876 - 1939; announcement of a trip to the Weald and Downland Museum on 21st May 1995; report on plans for Thursley's Victory in 1945 Commemoration; announcement of Thursley at War Exhibition on 24th June 1995; two war time book reviews - Safe As Houses by Margaret Siddall and Sticky Blue by Robin Rowe; memories of war from Josie Scheffers, Joyce Secrett, Kathleen Watson, Arthur Moss and Eddie Gale. Issue Seven, September 1995: report from the Chairman, Tom Ranson, on a visit to the Singleton Open Air Museum and a mention of the success of the V E Day Exhibition in the village hall; announcement of the AGM on 4th October1995; continuation of the serialisation of Betty Weeden's history of Smallbrook Farm 1876 - 1939; report on Thursley's Victory in 1945 Commemoration, 24th and 25th June 1995; report of a visit to the Weald and Downland Museum on 21st May 1995; report on Surrey Archaeological Society's Millennium Project; report on Thursley at War Exhibition. Issue Eight, December 1995: Chairman's report; report of the 5th AGM held in the village hall with sixty members attending; continuation of the serialisation of Betty Weeden's history of Smallbrook Farm 1876 - 1939; description of Stream Cottage; another wartime book review, Land Girls by Angela Huth was highly recommended; news from the archive by Eddie Gale, the Archivist; HOTS Advent Quiz, 24 Brain Teasers, with answers. Issue Nine, May 1996: mention from the Chairman of the "Old Thursley Revisited" slide show, a planned visit to Emley Farm and the publication of Biographies; report on "Old Thursley Revisited" and mention of over 1,000 slides held by Charles Weeden; details of Biographies; visit to Emley Farm planned for 18th May 1996; announcement of the Summer Exhibition in the village hall on 13th July, 1996; request for photographs of People of Thursley 1996; write up of Eveline Lance, artist; origins of the garden fish pond Issue Ten, September 1996: Chairman's thanks for those who worked on the Summer Exhibition; announcement of 6th AGM on 30th October, 1996; report on visit to Emley Farm; extract from an early Parish Magazine; report on the Summer Exhibition; another request for photographs of People of Thursley 1996, noting that some had already been received; article on Thursley's Tabletombs. Newsletters 11 to 15 cover the period from February 1997 to January 1999 and cover the following topics: Issue Eleven, February 1997: introduction to the year ahead from the Secretary, Sally Scheffers, which included a March slide show and quiz, a visit to the Rural Life Centre in Tilford, the annual exhibition, a request for a genealogist and a request to Druscilla Pye to search the Thursley Marriage Register for 1947 to find couples who were married that year so that they can be part of the celebrations for the Queen’s Golden Wedding Anniversary; Pat Coles request for people to be aware of Oakhurst Cottage in Hambledon which is National Trust Property open to visitors; an extensive report on the 1996 Annual General Meeting; limited response to the People of Thursley 1996 initiative, so it was extended by six months; comment on “Lutyens in Waverley” which was published ‘some years ago’ by Waverley Borough Council; donation from Reg Fosberry of an original Lutyens architectural drawing of The Institute; report on the success of the Biographies project; a brief write up of the Thursley Friendly Society banner. Issue Twelve, May 1997: announcement of the visit to the Rural Life Centre in Tilford; more details of the Summer Exhibition in July 1997 and another request for photographs of people outside their houses; a review of the slide show and quiz; an article by Judy Hewins on Thursley Ironworks; an article taken from the Surrey Advertiser about a bronze bust of Mr W K Fosberry appearing in the Royal Academy exhibition, together with a brief biography, and advice that Annette Graham-Stewart is lending the bust for the Summer Exhibition. Issue Thirteen, September 1997; the Chairman, Tom Ranson, commented on the work of HOTS over the last six years and anticipated change at the forthcoming AGM, and the usefulness of the cupboard in the village hall so that its contents can be displayed at the Summer Exhibition; report on the May visit to the Rural Life Centre at Tilford; announcement that the AGM will be held on 8th October, 1997 and that four members are retiring from the committee; subscriptions remain at £5 per family and £3 per person; request for copies of reports from the Domestic Buildings Research Group; report on the success of the Summer Exhibition themed “People of Thursley”; continuation of Judy Hewins’s article on Thursley Ironworks; noted that Mr Reg Fosberry had donated a number of old indentures pertaining mainly to the Court family and on parchment – the Farnham Museum has been approached for advice on their storage; Mr Norman Ratcliffe, once Thursley’s village ‘Bobby’ has agreed to undertake genealogical research; reproduction of a poem by William Karn written in October 1886; two possible meanings for Thursley. Issue Fourteen, March 1998: letter from the new Chairman, Michael O’Brien; another request for house photos; Mary Rapley is the new archivist; Summer Exhibition announced for July 1998; mention of the Bossom air disaster and a request for information; notice of the AGM to be held on 8th October 1998; joint meeting with Thursley Fellowship in April 1998; visit arranged to Loseley House in May 1998. Exhibition Special Newsletter, September 1998: the Summer Exhibition was a great success and provoked a number of enquiries with visitors from London, the south coast and the Wirall; people worked on their family histories and some met new relatives; the Thursley Horticultural Society celebrated their 75th year with a display of their Minute Books; claim that the boxer, Joe Louis participated in a boxing match on August Bank Holiday in 1944; report of the dismissal of the publican of The Three Horseshoes, Arthur Ford, for procuring girls for the soldiers; information request about Wheelers Farm and the Bowler family; photograph of Thursley School c1900; Sir Clive Bossom has been in touch with the aunt of the German Prince killed in the crash and has been invited to visit her Schloss. Issue Fifteen, January 1999: review of the year from the Chairman; transcripts of the replies to the Bishops Visitation of Thursley in 1764 and 1788 were lodged with the archivist; more information on the Sailor’s murder; opening of the Surrey History Centre; portrait of Mrs Margaret Woods, who lived at Vine Cottage, was presented to the Society; brief biography of Margaret Woods described in her Times obituary as “one of the distinguished women writers of her day”. Newsletters 16 to 20 cover the period from March 1999 to Winter 2001 and cover the following topics: Issue Sixteen, March 1999: notice that HOTS was now on the World Wide Web; visit to Uppark in May 1999; brief history of Thursley Ironworks, mention of a small silk industry and the Dye House; note on the Three Horse Shoes being a free house in 1892; Norman Ratcliffe has transcribed ‘House to House Census of Thursley for Catering for the Coronation’; article on Revd A J Wheeler. Issue Seventeen, September 1999: Results from the web page experiment; report contributed by Eddie Gale on the Thursley Young People’s Social Club in 1947; update on the Wig Wam Murder from Ray Deadman who had discovered HOTS on the www. Issue Eighteen, January 2000: letter from the Chairman, Michael O’Brien welcoming the new Millenium and contrasting it with the beginning of the 20th Century; details about the Exhibition to celebrate the Millenium and asking for photographs of village houses past and present; details of Research Aids for ancestry; suggestion that a sandstone on the common behind Warren Mere has a magical property. Issue Nineteen, June 2000: update on the Bossom Air Crash by John Gunner; announcement of exhibition to be held in the village hall on 17th June 2000 to celebrate the Millenium; announcement of AGM to be held on 19th October; visit to the Surrey Advertiser. Issue Twenty, Winter 2001: search for the wallet to that acknowledges the war service of Ellis Raymond Monnery; Millenium photograph, which was underwritten by the society, had nearly 300 participants and forms had been requested to show occupations; brief report of the AGM held in October; report from Mr Wood on the Dunkirk Wall. Newsletters 21 to 25 cover the period from Summer 2001 to Summer 2003 and cover the following topics: Issue Twenty-one, Summer 2001: Extract from the Surrey Advertiser, 8th August 1951, on Thursley’s Festival of Britain celebrations; a reminder of the publication of Thursley Today 1965; under the heading of “The Big Bang”, a look back at the Thursley Nuclear Survival Plan with thanks given to Michael Williams; Issue Twenty-two, Winter 2001/2: report of a TV documentary of the Wigwam Murder made by the Discovery Channel, HOTS assistance in the making of it and a promise of a video of the programme; a further update from Ray Deadman (see issue 17); report of the AGM held in October; review of “The Second Fleet”, about transports to Australia in 1790; 1901 Census now online; report of the death of Eddie Gale. Issue Twenty-three, Summer 2002: report of the closure of the Thursley Village Institute taken from the Parish Magazine January 1964; request for a new Treasurer and committee member; tribute to Eddie Gale. Issue Twenty-four, January 2003: report of the AGM in October 2002; report of contact from Weis and Zen Rogalksi, via the web page, who had lived in Tweedsmuir camp and written a book “Living in Tweedsmuir Camp, 1948 – 1957” which has been donated to the archive; exhibition in June to include the 1901 Census; report on how to use the Census online; report on accessing “free BDM” for genealogists. Issue Twenty-five, Summer 2003: talk on Tweedsmuir camp by Weis and Zen Rogalksi in September 2003; brief report on the Surrey History Centre; description of Godalming from Pigots Directory of 1839; mention of Thursley in Dion Fortune’s “The Secrets of Dr Taverner” and a request for any other references to Thursley’s alleged Pagan past. Newsletters 26 to 30 cover the period from Winter 2003/2004 to Winter 2005/2006 and cover the following topics: Issue Twenty-six, Winter 2003/2004: write up on the Lorne Scots and Tweedsmuir Camp; mention of “The Present State of England” by Edward Chamberlayne printed in 1694; brief description of the Cokelers or The Dependents, a religious group that was started in 1851 in Shamley Green; report on the AGM, request for a committee member and a talk by the Rural Life Centre, Tilford; report on the talk given by Weis and Zen Rogalksi; report on the deaths of Betty and Charles Weeden and Mrs Kot. Issue Twenty-27, May 2004 (first colour issue): report on the return of the Lorne Scots in April 2004 to Thursley and the site of the Tweedsmuir camp; request for a photographer; visit to Shulbrede Priory; request for suggestion that Tweedsmuir camp be somehow memorialised. Issue Twenty-eight, Winter 2004: request for information on the Free French at Tweedsmuir camp; report on the AGM; details of the will of Anthony Smith Esq of Witley dated 26th April 1668; extract from 2001 Thursley Census where the village had 656 people (498 Christians, 5 Jews, 3 Buddhists, 96 no religion and 52 not stated), 427 cars or vans and 242 households. Issue Twenty-nine, Spring/Summer 2005: announcement of an exhibition, “Memories of WW2 – 60 years on”, to be held on 9th and 10th July; information on Dion Fortune and the Society of the Inner Light at Truxford; report on HOTS website; announcement on AGM in October 2005 followed by a look at the life of Mary Bennett; description of Thursley from John Goring’s Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales 1870-1872; Issue Thirty, Winter 2005/2006: report of success on the July Exhibition and an interesting write-up; one of the displays was given by the Hankley Common Atlantic Wall Trust illustrating its importance; more information of Tweedsmuir Camp. Newsletters 31 to 37 cover the period from Spring 2006 to January 2009 (when they ceased to be published) and cover the following topics: Issue Thirty-one, Spring 2006: chilling account of a blind musician being sentenced to death in 1826 for passing two forged bank notes; examples from the picture postcard archive; publishing the WW2 reminiscences to be discussed; need for a comprehensive history of Thursley identified. Issue Thirty-two, Autumn/Winter 2006/2007: comment that the 2006 fire was a repeat of the 1976 fire; request to learn the burial place of Joan Pearl Wolfe; report of the October 2006 AGM; planned visit to the GreatBarn at Wanborough; Norman Ratcliffe advised that he has Thursley Parish Register of Births, Deaths and Marriages on microfiche; planned update to the web page. Issue Thirty-three, Spring 2007: sadness expressed on the sudden death of Mary Rapley; a recording of Wilfred and Mabel Pickles broadcast of "Have a Go" in 1958 was given to HOTS who will have had it enhanced, re-recorded and lodged in the archives; the website has attracted almost 1,000 visits in three years; recollections of life in The Lodge and Thursley 1897 - 1912 as recounted by Mrs Barbara Bell (nee Robertson) to Michael O'Brien in 1978. Issue Thirty-four, Summer 2007: recordings of "Have A Go" on CD have been given to all the contestants families with the compliments of HOTS; recollections of The Lodge, Part 2; sadness expressed at the death of Tom Ranson, former Chairman of HOTS. Issue Thirty-five, Winter 2007/2008: report on the 2007 AGM where the recording of "Have a Go" was played; article on Henry Edward Spernon Tozer, village postmaster, artist and photographer in the 1890s; request for information about the bust of William Karn Fosbery; recollections of The Lodge Part 3; Norman Ratcliffe has Census and Births, Deaths and Marriages online. Issue Thirty-six, Summer 2008: largely devoted to reporting the success of the "Wedding Belles" exhibition in June 2008; conclusion of recollections of The Lodge; announcement of AGM in October 2008 to be followed by a talk on metal detecting from the Discoverers Historical Society. Issue Thirty-seven, January 2009: changes to the committee following the AGM; report on the Ham class of Minesweepers built in the 1950s; paintings of Henry Tozer's sons featured; description of Thursley Memorial which noted that the responsibility for their upkeep had passed from the Government to local and Parish Councils. This pdf contains photographs of History of Thursley Society Exhibitions:

The history of Bowlhead Green dates back to the 16th century when it was a small hamlet. The village was named after a local landowner, John Bowlhead, who owned a large estate in the area. See separate entries for Emley Farm and Bowlhead Green Farm. https://earth.google.com/web/@51.1398953,-0.68751104,112.63724356a,4518.48894138d,35y,72.17247331h,0t,0r/data=OgMKATA Listed buildings and conservation area. A view of the Chapel taken from Corner Cottage in the early 1920s. Holly Cottage, formerly Yew Cottage can be seen. It belonged to Heath Hall, the estate of the Yalden Knowles and used to be two cottages. A group by Bowlhead Green's village seat taken in the late 1930s. On the left is Margaret (Mag) Gale and Bill Cooper who married her. He was Parish Clerk from 1948 to 1983. He was also responsible for the Thor sign. On the right are friends of theirs from London. EMLEY FARM HOUSE (also see separate entry for Emley Farm) The oldest part of Emley Farmhouse which can bee seen on the right hand side. It was a four-bay timber framed house with many characteristics of immediately post-medieval period called the smoke bay period, i.e. 1550 - 1590. The house featured in an episode of "Foyle's War". Emley Farmhouse in the early 1920s. The wisteria on the front can be seen and the bay tree on the left. It was lived in by Colonel and Mrs Vesey. Mrs Vesey was the daughter of the Loring family who lived at Emley from the early 1800s. The Veseys lived at Emley until 1929. The herbaceous border of Emley Farmhouse which once boasted the best garden in Surrey. Unfortunately, in 1948 it was let to Mr Pentcheff, a Bulgarian diplomat. He completely ruined the garden by allowing poultry, ducks and pigs to free range. Emley Farmhouse showing the chimney from the bread oven. The bread oven is one of the best preserved and has an iron door hinged at the bottom. The building on the right was built to house. a pair of mongoose given to the Lorings in 1914. The barns at Emley Farm. The extensive farm buildings show that in the past a traditional mix of arable and pasture farming was practised. The driveway of Emley Farm leading to the garage and cart shed, the old granary can also be seen. EMLEY HILL HOUSE Emley Hill House in the 1990s HEATH HALL FARM Heath Hall Farm comprises a courtyard of former farm buildings which were converted in 1993 into a home full of character, offering masses of flexibility. The core of the house is the wonderful vaulted main reception room, with the study and kitchen breakfast room off. This link, which will not be there forever, was when the house was put on the market in 2023. https://www.onthemarket.com/details/13123376/ CHAPEL COTTAGE Chapel Cottage was a former Congregational Chapel which became residential in 1906 HOLLY TREE COTTAGE Holly Tree Cottage Painting of Holly Tree Cottage by Helen Allingham (1848 - 1926) Soldiers from the Royal West Surrey Regiment resting in Bowlhead Green with Holly Tree Cottage in the background BLACKHANGER FARM Ian and Gill Mclellan, Blackhanger Farm, 1996 Blackhanger Farm in the 1980s BOWLHEAD GREEN FARM Tom and Grace Ranson, Bowlhead Green Farm, 1997 THE OLD POST HOUSE Ian and Aly Warner, The Old Post House, 1997 LILAC COTTAGE EMLEY HILL HOUSE Emley Hill House and its garden (below), 1997 EMLEY HILL COTTAGE CORNER COTTAGE & FORGE COTTAGE A view of Forge Cottage, which dates from the 16th Century, and an anvil stands outside as a memento of the forge site. Forge Cottage was the home of the Gale family from 1932 to 1938. Miss Fulford built the extension for the Gale family. The little shed housed the engine for the pump of the well of Corner Cottage. Corner Cottage Forge Cottage ROBIN HILL Robin Hill WYKEWELL COTTAGE Wykwell Cottage, 2026 Wykwell Cottage, with sales particulars below https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/properties/residential/for-sale/bowlhead-green-godalming-surrey-gu8/gld190040 The Clockhouse, 2024 with sales particulars below https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/properties/residential/for-sale/bowlhead-green-godalming-surrey-gu8/GLD012219749 GREEN ACRES Greenacres HALNAKER HALL Halnaker Hall, Bowlhead Green (Hall's Cottage) TIMBERS A view of "Timbers", which was once two cottages. The Gale family once lived in the right hand side, which had two bedrooms. The Walkers lived in the left hand side. LOWER HOUSE Lower House Video from when the house was put on the market in January 2026: https://thecountryhousedepartment.com/properties/lower-house-bowlhead-green/

These are not sorted in date order but eventually we hope all will have captions William Karn William and Elizabeth Karn of Yew Tree Cottage. He was the village blacksmith but was not closely related to Karn, the grocer A poem by William Karn, dated 5 October 1836 James Chalcraft of Thursley, Surrey, died August 12th, 1932 aged 82 years. Photography by H S Tozer. Tom Karn and Grace Curtiss were married on 12th July 1906. Tom was a son of William the blacksmith and was sexton of Thursley Church for some years. Funeral expenses of William Karn, dated October 1910 Lucy Karn, later to be Mrs Lucy Good Leo and Lucy Karn (son and daughter of Tom and Grace, 30th November 1928 Thursley Village, 1897, shop and bakery Karn's Grocery shop. You can see the poplar tree which was a major landmark especially from the common. Women's Institute Play The Four Brothers, 1930 The Wisdom Family of Back Lane From the 1936 Register of Electors The 1936 Register of Electors shows Florence living at Milhanger, the home of the Marshall Halls and it is reasonable to suppose she was a maid working for Elna Muriella Victoria Marshall-Hall who also appeared on the same Register. The (original) Village Hall with the Three Horseshoes in the background The Four Brothers The Herald, 16th October 1992 Is Thursley a Dying Village - NO Haslemere Herald, 20th March 1998 The article on 20th March provoked some robust defences of Thursley The vehicles were known as charabancs and were hired for day trips usually to the sea-side. Thursley British Legion - Branch Standard Dedication, 21st July 1935. Standard Bearer Tom Karn with escorts Joe Windmill and Alf Pullen. Meeting of the King's Messengers at The Corner when Mr Wilkinson Lived there in the late 1920s. (The lady in the centre of the picture is Nurse Collins who was District Nurse for Thursley for more than two decades). Dick Winter and Wife, Homefield Cottages This building is no longer at the corner of The Lane and Dye House Road. Sarah O'Brien recalls, "I remember the little shop really well from childhood. It was a real mix of things. I remember Christian Aid being there. It was also a sort of antiques shop and we still have two wicker chairs that came from there! It was owned by Bernie Khan and pre: 1964 Mum (Marion O'Brien) thinks it was the butcher but had moved to down where the Streeters are (Stores Cottage) by the time Mum and Dad arrived in the village in March 1964." The car in the first photo is an Austin Maxi, probably one of the worst cars to be produced by Austin/British Leyland compared to the (half in shot) much beloved Morris Minor , both designed by Sir Alec Issigonis. A garage now occupies the space. View of Thursley Village, Christmas Day 1981 Hill Farm Orchard, Christmas Day 1981

The cottage was situated by the stream in Rocky Lane. All that is known is that a William Enticknap was born there in 1880 and his father had a donkey and cart. In 1952 William Enticknap was known to be living in Witley. The cottage was known to be occupied until 1905. This article, written by Jackie Rickenberg, was published in the Parish Magazine in January 2024 Stream Cottage Happy New Year to one and all! 2024 is an exciting and busy time for the Thursley History Society. We are currently in the early stages of organising an event to launch and showcase our new website. It will be relevant to, and hopefully of interest to, every single person that lives in our village and surrounding parish. It will be crammed with photographs and documents relating to the buildings, the people of Thursley and their lives. In the meantime, if we cast our minds back to the December article, I asked about the location of a photograph featuring two Edwardian ladies standing on a path. Thank you to Sean Edwards, for not only did he recognise the photo, he had re-enacted it with his late wife Salosh and mother, Monica Edwards, exactly one hundred years after the original. The original was from 1897 and Sean’s reconstruction was from 1997. And the location was what we now refer to as The Valley of the Rocks, but in those days was known as Rocky Lane, at the top of Highfield Lane, just before entering The Punchbowl. Notes, found in the archives but not signed, say: “Rocky Lane, the BOAT (Byway Open to All Traffic), at the top right-hand side of Highfield Lane, was once an important track, as part of the route from Churt to Witley Station. Now, it is a lovely leafy path (written before off roaders obviously!) down to the stream at the bottom. However, if you look carefully, you may see the outline of a dwelling in the nettles. On the eastern side of the stream there was a cottage, aptly called Stream Cottage, which was inhabited up until about 1905. The Enticknap family lived there, one of the last members to be born in Stream Cottage was William in 1880. He became a bricklayer and lived in Witley. As a child, William remembered riding in his father’s cart pulled by the donkey which also lived at the cottage. William’s mother would go to Hindhead to see her uncle and aunt who kept The Royal Huts (a hostelry), known locally as Hut Inn, and William recalled seeing the local doctor driving his dog cart past on his rounds from Haslemere. Even though Stream Cottage has long gone, we are fortunate to have pictures of the Enticknap home. The first is a very old photograph of Robbie Morgan’s, of two young Edwardian ladies by the stream with a building in the background. However, a watercolour painting (see below) of Stream Cottage by Josiah T Wilson hangs in the Victoria and Albert Museum. On inspection, it seems that the artist has abused his artistic licence somewhat, as the stream seems be on the wrong side of the cottage.” And another unattributed handwritten note from the archives states: “The stream leading to Rocky Lane and Ridgeway Farm, which was originally Ridgeway Nurseries, note the shed on the right. In in my grandparents time there used to be a cottage there also.” Last month’s photo, this time looking up Rocky Lane, still showing Stream Cottage 1897. The same view this time on 1st January 1997,100 years on with Salosh and Monica Edwards, but by now Stream Cottage has disappeared. An earlier view of the bridge c.1860, again looking up towards Little Cowdray. Rocky Lane, 2009, by Sean Edwards

Mill Farm was historically part of the large Cosford Estate in the Thursley area, sold in June 1952 along with other properties like Cosford Mill and Cosford Park. Azor Hall of Mill Farm ploughing at Moorhouse Farm Churt, c1926: Sid Hall of Mill Farm when 16 years old and working for a dairy in Woking, 1910 Part of the sale brochure for the break-up of the Cosford Estate, June 1952 Barns at Mill Farm, 1981. They have since been demolished and the timber re-used to build a party barn at Milhanger Fiona and James Ranson on the silage heap at Mill Farm. Sue Ranson writes: The farmhouse was a semi-detached two up two down, certainly not very grand. It even had the small bathroom in the kitchen! Sid and Maddie Hall, the farmer, were Eddie Morgan's parents, Sid's brother lived in the other half. Both Sid and Maddie did a lot in the village societies Sid especially in the Horticultural Society I believe there is a cup named after him. Robert's father bought the farm after Sid retired but he continued to live in the cottage. The original old buildings which were next to the old mill are gone now (Roger Taylor built his party barn on the site) and we built the barns. When the highways people widened the A 3 we had all the sand they dug off and used it to flatten the site on which our new barns are built. Cattle in Eastlands, Mill Farm

The Beanside Canal existed before the Tweedsmuir camp was purchased by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in 1922 and turned into a tented rest and recreational facility for the British Army and remained like that until the start of the Second World War. See https://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/tweedsmuir-military-camp/ Beanside Camp. The view of the Army camp looking towards Shackleford and the Hogs Back. The Levy sisters, who farmed at Smallbrook, had to take the cattle out of the Beansides fields for the summer. The 1930 Army Camp at the Beansides, now known as Tweedsmuir. The Army and reserves came from Aldershot. In 1937 a member of the Staffordshire Regiment murdered a woman at Beacon Hill. All the troops were lined up outside The Dye House for his arrest. The troops only came in the summer for a three months' staywhile the barracks were cleaned and fumigated. With thanks to Sean Edwards for the maps, retouched black and white and the colour photographs below: The red arrow shows the location of the Beanside bridge Iron Stone Bridge over dried up canal in Tweedsmuir Camp, September 1992 CANAL REMAINS CULVERT

A Grade II listed building, 28th October 1986. Upper Ridgeway Farm is a timber-framed hall house thought to date from the early 1300s. Upper Ridgeway is a medieval timber-framed hall house. The earliest mention of the place is in a tax assessment of 1331 and the first specific reference to the farm itself can be found in the records of the Bishop of Winchester in 1522. The property was held from the Manor of Farnham, which was one of the bishop’s many manors, and the ownership of the farm can be traced from the fourteenth to the twentieth centuries. More detailed information survives about of some of the owners and occupiers that give an insight into the way they lived at the farm. The will and the inventory drawn up after Henry Boxfold's death in 1573 lists his belongings, details his farming interests and reveals that he had been living in what was, by then, his son’s house. During the nineteenth century, Upper Ridgeway was the home of John Keen who came to the farm in 1828. He worked the farm all his adult life and died there in 1893 aged 95 years. His account book survives that shows how he was running his business during his early years at the farm. From House History Report Thursley History Society is grateful to Patricia Coles, the current owner, and Philip and Sally Gorton of House History Research for their permission to reproduce this report on Upper Ridgeway Farm. The first page is below and beneath that the pdf of the whole 13 page report: These two articles on Upper Ridgeway Farm were written by Jackie Rickenberg and appeared in the Parish Magazine in March and April 2023 A Farmhouse in Surrey (Upper Ridgeway Farm) There are a couple of building projects currently underway or about to start in the village, so this piece struck a chord with me. It appeared in The Farmers Weekly Magazine on April 13th, 1951 and was written by Irene Gorringe. “I sometimes think I must be one of the most fortunate of women in that I have a house which is everything I could wish a house to be. Though it was first built nearly six centuries ago, it combines the character and dignity of age with an interior that is light and spacious, large enough to put up a few guests in comfort, yet small enough to manage easily without extra help. It was not always like this and it is Jess, my husband, who made it such a comfortable place to live in. Never shall I forget the first time I saw it – a cold, dull day in December, 1938, some months before we were married. Jess and I had been looking for a suitable place for a long time at a price we could afford, and so it was with high hopes that he took me to see this farm, which he thought would be just the place for pig breeding and not too large – just 35 acres. The windows were few and small and nearly all had several broken panes of glass, stuffed up with old sacking and bits of cardboard. The steps leading up to the back door were rough and broken, and tangled blackberry bushes were actually sprouting from the walls. Above it, the tiled roof sagged in many places and there were a lot of missing tiles. Gigantic Task We went inside the house and my heart sank. Just by the kitchen door, beneath the only window, stood a shallow, cracked, stone sink, and in the black gaping cavern which was the fireplace was a small, rusty kitchen stove (my only cooking experience was with a Regulo!). There was a large built-in bread oven at the side of this. The floor was part stone, part brick, all broken and uneven, and the big beams stretching across the ceiling were greyish looking and dripping with moisture. Adjoining the kitchen was a large well-house containing two old coppers and a huge wooden wheel above the well. This well is dug through 110ft. of Bargate stone, and it would appear that this is the stone used for very many of the older buildings in this district. We went through into two other rooms, each about 20ft by 9ft. Again, they were dark and had heavily beamed ceilings. In one was a huge inglenook fireplace, a great sooty hole, with oak seats on both sides and a small recess at the back in which many a tankard of ale had probably stood. The rickety staircase led directly out of this room up onto a dark landing. There were three bedrooms, all on different levels, each about 20ft by 10ft, and between two of them rose the massive chimney stack. All the ceilings sagged right down in the middle and lumps of plaster were hanging from them. Large pieces had fallen from the walls, too, revealing the old wattle and daub of which all the upstairs, interior walls were constructed. We came downstairs again feeling pretty depressed. Truly it looked too big a task for human hands to make anything liveable out of that derelict place, but the land, though terribly neglected , was just right for our pigs – high and dry, with light, sandy soil – and as all good farmers’ wives know, the farmhouse has to take second place to the land. There was just one other good feature – the views in every direction are superb. The south side bounded by Hindhead and the Devil’s Punch Bowl, a well-known beauty spot; to the west a copse of larch and pine trees, and to the north and east stretch miles and miles of undulating heather-clad hills and valleys. The “Shed” We made our plans. The farmhouse would obviously take some months to put right, but Jess was anxious to get going with his pigs, so he decided to put up a shed which he could use for meals and to sleep in occasionally, whilst he travelled to and fro daily from his home, which was about eight miles away. It didn’t take him long to discover that a farmer’s wife has a place on even the smallest of farms, and the following August I came – a new bride, with no farming experience whatsoever – to live at Upper Ridgeway Farm. The ”Shed”, 20ft by 12ft wide, was given a lining of plasterboard and divided into a living room and a bedroom. A tiny kitchenette, about 6ft by 4ft, led onto the living room even entertaining a food cupboard, sink and draining board, and an airing cupboard with hot water tank installed inside. The hot water was supplied by a very efficient stove on which we cooked. Two weeks after we moved in war was declared. All private building stopped and our plans for restoring the old farmhouse receded into a doubtful future. The little shed modestly took over duty as farmhouse for the next eight and a half years. From here I learned to salt my first pig, make butter, milk cows, feed and clean out pigs and chickens, harrow and roll a field behind Peggy, our old mare, and help as best I could with the hundred-and-one jobs that were new to both of us then. Here also arrived, in 1942, our son Paul, and nearly two years later, his sister, Diana. The little shed housed, at different times, land girls, land boys, evacuees, a Belgian refugee, Canadian soldiers, who gave us some valuable help (some of them had to sleep out) – in short, there were Uncle Tom Cobleigh and all! Kindly and tactful relations usually referred to the shed as “The Bungalow”, other kindly, but less tactful, callers as “the chicken house” and I myself, in moments of near despair in those struggling, early days, was tempted to nail up “Beggars Roost” above the door”. Upper Ridgeway Farm- Part 2 Continuing Irene Gorringe’s article “A Farmhouse in Surrey” first published in The Farmers Weekly, April 13, 1951, almost exactly 72 years ago! It seems planners and tradesmen have not changed much! A Start When at last the war ended, my husband got busy on his plans for restoring the old farmhouse. His earlier building experience proved a godsend, although he had never tackled an old place before. At last the local council passed the plans, a bricklayer was, after much effort, pressed into service, and the work commenced. In all it took nearly two and a half years. From time to time it had to be left for weeks, and even months, when the needs of the farm were more urgent. Help was spasmodic, and Jess had to do a great deal of the work himself. We did, however, towards the end, enlist the help of a plasterer, a plumber and an electrician, as all these jobs really need a specialist. The first thing was to provide good drainage and new footings with a damp course all round; then the huge chimney stack was dismantled, brick by brick, as it was in an unsafe condition. Here we made an interesting discovery. As each brick was carefully cleaned, we found the date 1370 scratched deeply into one of them, and although we have no proof that this was the date the house was first built, we have good reason to believe that this is so. The chimney stack was rebuilt, making room upstairs for a bathroom 8ft. by 6ft., and a w.c. where the bacon loft had been before. The next big job was to strip the roof, replace the battens with new ones (the rafters were sound) and re-tile. Then we made another discovery. When the tiles were being cleaned of the moss which had given the roof such a green appearance on our first visit, we found one which was deeply scratched with the words “J Brown mad this tile Thursley Surry 180_” the last figure being broken off. This points to the fact that the roof was last re-tiled nearly 150 years ago and the tiles were made locally. It is our regret that we have so far not been able to find out more about the history of our house, though there is another farmer in Thursley village whose mother was born here exactly 100 years ago. Walls and Floors The walls were attended to next, the weak places in the stonework strengthened or reconstructed. Next the floors were levelled and re-laid. We were able to get some lovely little red tiles for the kitchen and hall floors. The two sitting rooms were turned into one big lounge, nearly 20ft. square, and some good oak boards from the bedroom floors were turned and laid over a hollow floor. Several good big windows were added, with leaded lights, as we do like a place light and airy. The beams in this room were carefully cleaned, and now they are truly magnificent. Indeed, the mass of lovely, old oak beams we uncovered, both upstairs and down, some under peeling green paint, are in a wonderful state of preservation, hard as iron, as Jess found to his cost when he had to saw through some. Every beam, after cleaning, was treated with button polish, which does not give a shiny-looking surface, but prevents the dust from clinging. The inglenook fireplace, too, with its bricks cleaned and glowing red and its huge oak beam exposed above, is quite lovely to look at. With a View The kitchen is now roughly 18 ft. square and L-shaped. It has one large and two small windows, one of the latter set above the new stainless-steel sink and draining boards, so that I can see the beautiful view across miles of heather-clad hills. Beside the sink is the washing machine - my pride and joy – and to the left a roomy pantry, facing north. The old well-house, with the well part bricked off, and a French window put in for light on the garden side, has made a very nice hall. The staircase had to be renewed and upstairs we now have four good bedrooms. With their oak beams, cream walls, and lovely large diamond -paned dormer windows, they are most attractive. They all lead off a good landing on which there is also a large airing cupboard. Next to this comes the bathroom, which is distempered primrose to go with the pretty apple-green bath and basin. All I should like now is enough money for some nice period furniture. Ours is a mixture of the modern stuff we brought down from the “Shed” and a few old, second-hand pieces we have added from time to time, but some of the modern pieces were wedding presents and I would not part with them for anything. Anyway, I think I have what matters more to a house than any furniture – a good husband and two happy children to bring the place to life and make the house into a home. If you have any history of your house that you would like to share, please do get in touch at jackierickenberg@gmail.com. Pat and Patricia Coles Poor quality scanned photography but interesting as some taken from the air. Painting by Salli Tomlinson Upper Ridgeway Farm in 1997 and ?

The Thursley Women’s Institute (WI) was founded in 1915 and by the mid-twentieth century a well-established and active organisation within the village. By 1965, the Institute had reached its Jubilee year, marking fifty years of continuous activity. The WI provided a structured social and educational framework for women in Thursley, offering regular meetings, lectures and practical demonstrations that reflected both national WI priorities and local interests. As recorded in Thursley Today, 1965, the Institute played a significant role in village life, particularly through its support of communal facilities and its contribution to social cohesion. The WI was closely associated with the Village Hall and other shared spaces, and its members were actively involved in organising events and preserving a sense of continuity within the community. Through these activities, the Thursley Women’s Institute became an enduring presence in the village, balancing social engagement with a growing awareness of local history and identity. Thursley Women's Instutute, undated. Womens' Insitute at Cosford House in mid 1950's with guests Women's Institute Play Women's Instutute Play, possibly at Cosford House Womens' Insitute prize winners. Back Row: Mrs Walters, Mrs Pinder, Mrs Wonham, Mrs Bosward, Mrs Budd, Mrs Brockbank, Miss Hughs, Mrs Scott. Front Row: Mrs Holford, Mrs Hawks, Mrs Youngman, Mrs Cooper, Mrs Boyd. Cover of a book that was compiled through the efforts of the Thursley Women’s Institute to commemorate their Jubilee Year, 1965. See separate entry.

The Red Lion Inn, which closed as a pub in 1958, was infamous for its connection with the murder of the Unknown Sailor which is linked below. The Red Lion pub around 1901. The Jubilee rooms can be seen on the right behind the shed, became the Red Lion garage. Photo taken from above the Red Lion Garage; note the Cleveland petrol sign which was the subject of much debate Bar of the Red Lion Inn The Red Lion Inn - pre 1914 The Red Lion in 1938 The Closure and sale of the Red Lion Inn: https://www.closedpubs.co.uk/surrey/thursley_redlion.html The Red Lion became two cottages: Photograph taken in July 2026