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From Kay Cottle's postcard collection From Kay Cottle's postcard collection 'Farewell to the Pylons across Thursley?', from a calendar dated January 2014. Truxford Cottage and barns Painting by the Moat The Moat, c1990

A few months ago, we were asked why there wasn't a history of the first village hall on the website. Since then, a number of photographs of it have been found as well as photographs of it being used. More recently an article on its formation has been discovered in our archive. The Old Village Hall with the Three Horse Shoes in the background Helpers at Christmas Party in the Old Village Hall about mid 1950s. Left to right: Mrs Wonham; Mrs Messenger; unknown; Mrs Keen; Mrs Good; Mrs Dummer Hannah Wonham (See above) in her home, Overdale Bill Cooper's car, most likely an Alvis Firefly or Alvis Firebird, outside the Old Village Hall c1950 An Alvis Speed 20 Sports Tourer also outside the Old Village Hall Horticultural Society Dinner in the Old Village Hall - probably about 1950. Old Village Hall: exhibits at autumn show held by the Horticultural Society and Farmers Assocation - early 1950s Old Village Hall: Sid Hall facing microphone with Wilfred Pickles in the "Have A Go" radio show in 1958. See separate entry.

Truxford Cottage is at one of the extremities of Thursley Parish. It lies up a lane leading from Truxford Corner which is on the Thursley Road leading to Elstead. From Kay Cottle's Postcard Collection (see separate entry) Truxford Cottage and Barn Taken from sales particulars in 2025

This remarkably comprehensive information was transcribed, typed and indexed by Tim Wilcock, Cliff Webb and members of West Surrey Family History Society - https://wsfhs.co.uk/pages/index.php NB: pdfs, when downloaded, are searchable and here is an example: This is the complete 212 page file: Here are the titles of the various sections where the first page of that section is shown to illustrate the content:

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/

Taken from an article in the Parish Magazine, November 2022, written by Jackie Rickenberg Fosberry is a name that has come up in many articles written for the Parish Magazine. It seems whenever Lutyens and his life and influence on Thursley is discussed, Fosberry’s name crops up. Hugh Semper, who lives in “The Outlook” has asked if the Society has any more information on the man who built, not only his house, but many others locally. “William Karn Fosberry was born in 1853 and was the village builder in Thursley from the latter part of the last century until the 1930’s. In the 1870’s he married Elizabeth Smithers whose parents lived at “The Corner”. At that time, it was a general store and baker’s shop supplying bread to the inhabitants of the village. (The rest of this article can be downloaded below). Here is some fascinating information about the sculptor, Julias A Gems, and his subject, written by his grandson, Chris 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. Julius and Evelyn Gems Mercy Fosberry and her daughter Mary - Copy of a painting by Eveline Lance c1930 (Mary Kalinowski, nee Fosberry, has the original) Mr & Mrs William Fosberry taken outside what is now know as Vean Cottage, date about 1920 Mr Harry Fosberry, Mrs Mercy Fosberry and their daughter, Mary, early 1940s

Photos only. For further information: https://www.facebook.com/ThursleyCricketClub/ Minutes of the AGM held on May 1st, 1865 Taken from 'The Trial of August Sangret' edited by Macdonald Critchley Bert Williams, groundsman and umpire, 1947 to 1980. Photo by Allan Woodger, 1958 The article above was published in Thursley Today, 1965 (see separate entry) The pavilion referred to above. I'anson Cup Winners 1970. Back Row: J Reffold, P Baldwin, D Hardy, P Pietrusiewicz, A Tilson, A Davidson. Front Row: A Staves, D Piper (Vice Captain), B Karn (Captain), G Pilbeam (Vice Captain), R Linegar, D Williams A Thursley Cricket Match in 1992, Thursley Gentlemen v Gentlemen of Thursley Back row from right to left : Robert Ranson; Richard Leet-Cook; Alan Traill; Malcolm Coles; Mike Spencer; unknown; Paul Gubby; Barry Rapley; unknown; Alan Staves; John Puttock; Julian Watt; Tony Tilson; Aubrey Karn; Alan Wells, Tony Cheeseman and Brian Karn Front row from left to right : two unknowns; Peter Goble; Peter Anderson; Anthony Langdale; Ant Hodges; unknown; Simon Treadwell; unknown; Tim Wakeley RA colour photograph of the same event. L to R: Sir Alan Traill; Richard Leet-Cook; Robert Ranson; Tim Wakeley; Philip Traill; Sue Ranson; Anne-Marie Emersic; Joyce Hall; Peter Scheffers

The books listed below are available to be borrowed. Please make any requests via the contact form on the website LIST OF BOOKS, BOOKLETS, CATALOGUES, LEAFLETS & DVDs HELD BY THURSLEYHISTORY SOCIETY – MAY 2025 The Trial of August Sangret, edited by Macdonald Critchley The Great War, Imperial War Museum, edited by Mark Holborn Hindhead’s Turn Will Come (Golf Course), Ralph Irwin-Brown The Lost Countryside Images of Rural Life, Chris Shepheard Living in Tweedsmuir Camp 1948-57, Wies & Zen royal ski Helen Allingham’s Cottage Homes – Revisited, Annabel Watts The LWRR Guide – Tigers – 2017 25th anniversary  2 copies Farnham and the Civil War,  Derek & Angela Hall Edwin Lutyens – Monographs 6, Academy editions Pictures from a Country Churchyard St Michaels , Guy Singer All Tanked Up – The Canadians in Headley WW2  2 copies, John Owen Smith Thursley Today 1965, Thursley Women’s Institute Monica Edward’s – Authorised Biography, Brian Parks Malcolm Arnold: Rogue Genius – donated by Patricia Coles, Anthony Meredith & Paul Harris Witley & Milford in Living Memory, Valerie Box The Badgers of Punchbowl Farm, Monica Edwards Fascinating Farnham, Guy J Singer Tales from a Country Churchyard – St Michaels & All Angels, Guy J Singer The Wigwam Murder, M J Trow The Unsought Farm, Monica Edwards A History of Europe Vol 1– donated by Mary Bennett, H A L Fisher The Land of the Sophy, Roger Stevens Dolphin Summer, Monica Edwards Wish for a Pony – 2 copies, Monica Edwards Discovering Local History, David Iredale & John Barrett Thursley Remembers, John P Hill The Hunter Children, Natalie Joan Punchbowl Harvest, Monica Edwards Black Hunting Whip, Monica Edwards The Broom-Squire – 2 old copies, S Baring-Gould Witley & Thursley Parish Churches – 4 copies, Alan Bott Common Prayer Book donated by Mary Hall (nee Warner) 1927 Holy Bible presented to Tim Christmas at Sunday School 1912 The Punchbowl Companion to Monica Edwards’ books, Brian Parks The Romney Marsh Companion to Monica Edwards’ books, Brian Parks Women in the First World War, Neil R Storey & Molly Housego Marchan’s Hill 1939-1989, Judy Hewins Thursley Horticultural Society Centenary 1923-2023    DVD Lancaster: Above and Beyond, directed by David Fairhead

A memorial service in September 2023 in the churchyard of St Michael & All Saints, Thursley, saw the placement of a memorial stone on the unmarked grave of Joan Pearl Wolfe, the victim of the 'Wigwam Murder' in 1942. Her murderer, August Sangret, was tried for the crime in 1943 and was hanged in Wandsworth Prison in April 1943. This article written by Jackie Rickenberg was published in the Thursley Parish Magazine November 2023 The complete article is in the pdf below: Memorial Service booklet:

Article written by Jackie Rickenberg for the Thursley Parish Magazine, September 2023, about Joan Pearl Wolfe, 19, known as the 'Wigwam Girl' which inspired the name of the case. Her murderer, August Sangret, was tried and hanged in 1943. Joan Pearl Wolfe at 19 This month there is a very long overdue memorial service taking place in the churchyard. At the same time a memorial stone will be erected, identifying the currently unmarked grave of Joan Pearl Wolfe, murdered on Hankley Common on 7th October 1942 at the age of 19 years old. Joan’s relatives will be attending as well as members of Thursley History Society and other interested villagers are invited to attend.    Joan’s story is a complex and complicated one but it is summarised below:  Joan was not local to Surrey. She grew up in Tunbridge Wells and attended Mark Cross Convent School, paid for by a wealthy aunt. She had a troubled upbringing, her father committed suicide when she was 7, her mother soon remarried and then Joan found her stepfather dead on the kitchen floor, again her mother remarried shortly afterwards. She ran away from home when she was 16 and lived a nomadic life, occasionally staying with a Thursley resident, Kate Hayter, whom she had befriended.    At this point in the war, Canadian troops were based nearby and Joan met a French-Canadian soldier named August Sangret, a year older than Joan. He also, had had a troubled past.  Throughout the 1930’s, August accrued an extensive criminal record, which included violent assault, threatening to shoot a woman and numerous convictions for vagrancy and theft. He was regularly unemployed before he enlisted to serve in the Battleford Light Infantry in 1935.    Joan and August first met in a pub in Godalming on 17th July 1942. The pair had a dysfunctional relationship over the next two months. Joan had nowhere to live, so after their second meeting, they returned to Houndown Woods near Thursley and near August’s barracks, where he built her a wigwam shelter for Joan. This hideout led to the naming of the eventual crime.  After the destruction of a second shelter by the army, August broke into the Thursley cricket pavilion, where Joan lived for a few nights before disappearing on 14th September. August had a partial alibi for that night and made half-hearted attempts to investigate her disappearance. He had, after all, promised to marry her and gone as far as applying for permission to wed from his commanding officer.  Joan’s writing on the wall of the cricket pavilion – “Somewhere in Canada with you”  On 7th October, two marines patrolling the wood noticed what appeared to be a hand protruding from a mound. They informed the authorities who excavated Joan’s body. Primarily based on evidence from the known relationship between Joan and August, he was eventually arrested and tried for her murder. Fifty-three witnesses were called for the prosecution (including many well-known Thursley characters including Kate Hayter aka “The Witch of Thursley”, who lived in The Bungalow at Pitch Place and William Featherby, who lived in The Bungalow, Thursley and was known as Mr Thursley), whereas August was the sole witness for his defence. Hardly surprisingly, the jury found him guilty under the circumstances, but they urged the judge to show leniency in sentencing. Mr Justice Macnaghten ignored this request, put on the black cap and condemned August to hang.   Joan Wolfe was buried on 8th January 1943 in the churchyard in an unmarked grave by the Rev. H. Gordon French, vicar. August was hanged on 24th April 1943, despite an appeal and the jury’s refused request for leniency being reported to the Home Secretary, who choose to uphold the judge’s sentence. He was buried in a mass grave at Wandsworth prison. Brookwood Military Cemetery records his name on their wall of honour, as having died in service- the Canadian Army had not discharged him before his execution, so officially, he was one of their war dead. The memorial makes no mention of the circumstances in which he died.  These passages were taken from “Tales from a Country Churchyard” by Guy J. Singer, available directly from him on www.GuyJ.Singer.com  or from Amazon. Guy published his book in 2022 and it’s a fascinating record and insight into the graves and memorials in the churchyard and the sometimes-lost stories of the people at rest there. I would thoroughly recommend it and in it you can read the story of Joan and August in much more detail than I am able to reproduce here.    So, there you have it. A sad tale of two vulnerable people and the strange twists of fate that led them both to spend the last few months of their lives together in Thursley. As mentioned above, until now, Joan’s remains have lain in an unmarked grave. Her family and the church wanted to put that right and as a result, generous donations have paid for a headstone for her, which will be erected and celebrated at a service in the churchyard on 28th September 2023. From Surrey Live, 27th December 2022: https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/nostalgia/surrey-wigwam-murder-unique-british-25778274 There is also an extensive entry on August Sangret in Wikipedia:   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August_Sangret And a book by M J Trow: A brief clip from the BBC: Did soldier August Sangret murder his girlfriend? Why did he give such a long statement? https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02t062s : The Trial of August Sangret: this relatively rare book was published in 1959 as part of the Notable British Trials series published by William Hodge & Company Ltd. A copy of this book is in our archives and can be borrowed on request. Second-hand copies can be purchased and, in April 2026, one was available from Amazon.co.uk and nine from Abebooks.com . Here are the illustrations from this book:

Thursley History Society hosted an evening showing of Lancaster: Above and Beyond in February 2026. The review below first appeared in the Parish Magazine in April 2026. To the village hall, for the Thursley History  Society’s very special showing of Lancaster , the 2022 documentary about the Avro Lancaster, the iconic British plane.  It proved to be a fascinating evening, and a captivating film.  We were incredibly lucky, too, to have one of the film’s directors, and local man, David Fairhead , with us for a Q&A afterwards.  David described himself as both film maker, and aviation enthusiast, and that combination of passions was very obvious – the film was full of stunning ariel footage of a surviving plane, cut alongside tremendously poignant and affecting first-hand accounts from some thirty surviving members of Bomber Command, while Charles Dance’s narration was informative and fascinating.  David Fairhead, far left, and the appreciative audience. The vast Lancaster bomber first saw service in 1942, and played a decisive, even pivotal role in the war.  From flying over 156,000 sorties over enemy territory in night raids, through the Dambusters raids where Barnes Wallis’s bouncing bombs decimated the Ruhr Valley dams that were powering the German weapons and munitions factories, to the almost obliteration of Dresden as the conflict drew to a close, the impact of the plane on the course of the war cannot be underestimated.  Nor can the human cost – more than 55,000 men out of a total of 125,000 wartime members of Bomber Command were killed.  Another 8,403 were wounded, while 9,838 became prisoners of war.  It felt like a privilege to hear the pin sharp recollection of the survivors David had quite brilliantly interviewed for the film, all in their nineties.  And a further privilege to hear David speak afterwards.  Spitfire  was the first of a trilogy of films, of which Lancaster was the second.  David and his partner are finishing Mosquito next.  I think the History Society should start a petition for a world premiere  of that one in the village hall. Lizzie Young

This book was compiled through the efforts of the Thursley Women’s Institute to commemorate their Jubilee Year, 1965. What different times we live in today! Many of the articles in the book appear under separate headings on the website and can be searched using '1965', the whole text of the book can be downloaded, see below. As President of the Thursley Women’s Institute, I would like to place on record my appreciation of the help afforded by Mrs Sadler (WI) of The Lodge, Thursley, who was responsible for the cover design, and to members of the Thursley Women’s Institute and Thursley village who contributed the following articles.   The delightful copyright photographs are by Miss Megson of Godalming who kindly allowed them to be reproduced and the reproduction was done by Mr Sadler of Thursley   Ursula Dunlop, Pitch Place, Thursley 1965