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Bill Cooper's cars parked outside Old Village Hall, about 1950. Alvis Firefly or Firebird Alvis Speed 20 Sports Tourer, it is still on the road ! A Morris 10/4 outside the Red Lion Garage

The artist, Louis Keene, was born in England Keene spent his youth in South Africa and most of his life in Canada but studied art in London, Paris and Munich. He was stationed in Tweedsmuir Camp during World War II. Alert near Aldershot during the Battle of Britain, 1940 This article is from https://www.artbiogs.co.uk/ : Born in England Keene spent his youth in South aftrica and most of his life in Canada but studied art in London, Paris and Munich. He came from an artistic background: his mother was a prominent photographer (the first woman to be elected to the Royal Photographic Society) and his father and artist and craftsman. When he was only 17 Louis and his father held a joint exhibition of their paintings in South Africa. Keene travelled throughout his life,in Europe but also Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, Hong Kong, Mexico and Siberia. Throughout his army career Keene was an avid artist, using watercolour, ink and pencil, and India ink and chalk to create his pictures. They range from scenes he completed in Siberia during WWI (Canadian Expeditionary Force) to WWII paintings inspired by events in Surrey and London. When Keene was stationed at Tweedsmuir Camp (Surrey) during the Second World War, he permitted a few of his paintings to be exhibited in Thursley village (in close proximity to the camp) in aid of the roof fund for St Michael’s church, Thursley. Many of Keene’s works are held at the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation (CMCC). Keene had a distinguished career in both World Wars. In WW1 he was commissioned as second lieutenant and was wounded at Ypres his right hand smashed by shrapnel. He later spent six months with the Canadian Army in Siberia. In the Second World War, as Commanding Officer of the Lorne Scots he witnessed the bombing of Liverpool and London. He was presented to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth and Prime Minister David Lloyd George. On 20 March 1943 ‘The Hamilton Spectator’ (Canadian newspaper) announced that NDHQ had promoted Lieutenant-Colonel Louis Keene to full Colonel, with address of his next of kin. Hereafter Keene has been referred to as Colonel Keene of Oakville, Ontario. Reporting in the Spectator on 4 December 1944 Doug How, Canadian War Correspondent, stated that Keene’s promotion, in February 1943, made him the highest ranking Lorne Scots Officer serving in western Europe. Throughout his army career Keene was an avid artist, using watercolour, ink and pencil, and India ink and chalk to create his pictures. They range from scenes he completed in Siberia during WWI (Canadian Expeditionary Force) to WWII paintings inspired by events in Surrey and London. According to his Obituary, While in England Col. Keene did some paintings of the air raids and these were later purchased by the British government. Some of his wartime paintings were also sold to the Canadian government and the artist later sold several of his works to Sir Edmund Walker, Canadian financier and one of the founders of the Toronto Art Gallery.

Tractors have been important vehicles and farm machines in Thursley for decades. This entry will attempt to capture as many of them that currently exist from the oldest to the most recent - and all shapes and sizes! A typical Thursley tractor gathering! This is a work in progress entry as many more tractors exist in the village, please send your photograph and details via the website: https://www.thursleyhistorysociety.org/contact Many thanks to Peter Goble, James Goble, Malcolm Coles and James Maclean for their help. Fordson Model N, built 1939, one of the last in orange as it was changed to green after war broke out. A Fordson Model N on parade during the village's celebrations for The Festival of Britain in 1951 The tractor is a Fordson. The Fordson brand was used on mass-produced general-purpose tractors manufactured from 1917 to 1964. The name originated from Henry Ford's surname and "son," referencing his son Edsel. Ford's ambition was to "lift the burden of farming from flesh and blood" by building experimental tractors from automobile components. The light construction and large production numbers made them affordable for farmers.  This tractor was at a village event and is photographed by The Clump, probably in the mid to late 50s. It is a Ferguson TE20, which was an agricultural tractor designed by Harry Ferguson. By far his most successful design, it was manufactured from 1946 until 1956. The driver was Trevor Sprinks of Bedford Farm with Tom Ranson in bowler hat and tie on the trailer. Another Ferguson TE20, possibly part of the Festival of Britain celebration in 1951 And another Ferguson TE20 which had seen better days This is a Massey Ferguson FE35, known as the "Gold Belly" for its grey tinwork and bronze/gold engine. It is driven by Mr Mitchell during a parade to celebrate Thursley winning 'The Best Kept Village' award in 1960. The trailer hosts the British Legion float and on it are A Abels and Bill Good. Framall A, built 1942, is a small one-plow row crop tractor produced by International Harvester under the Farmall brand from 1939 to 1947. This is a Fordson E27N Major , a popular tractor produced by Fordson in Dagenham, England, from 1945 to 1952 . It was initially known simply as the Fordson Major and was developed as a replacement for the Fordson Standard tractor . The driver was John Stovold on Sid Hall's tractor who he worked for at Mill Farm: he, Trevor and Tom were celebrating winning the best kept village in 1960! Anthony Langdale on his beloved Fordson Model N, built in the 1940s, and now owned by his son. Another village Fordson. After war broke out the colour was changed to green and there were fewer body panels in order to save metal. Field Marshall Series 1, built 1946, was manufactured by Marshall, Sons & Co. of Gainsborough, Lincolnshire Pat Coles spraying using a crawler, c 1950 Field Marshall Series 2, built 1947 Field Marshall Series 3, built 1947 Case LA, built 1947, powered by a 6.6L 4-cylinder engine, producing nearly 60 Hp, and considered a big tractor in its day. International Harvester B250, built 1958, has a 30HP 2.4litre 4 cylinder diesel engine The Fordson Dexta was a popular, compact utility tractor made by Ford's British division from 1957-1964 , known for its 32hp Perkins-designed diesel engine, live hydraulics, and suitability for small farms, competing with Massey Ferguson. This Fordson Dexta was built in 1959 and fully restored 2018. The International Harvester B-275 utility tractor was produced by International Harvester at the former Jowett car factory in Bradford, England, between 1958 and 1968. It was designed to rival models like the Massey Ferguson 35 and Fordson Dexta and featured a 38 horsepower, 4-cylinder diesel engine and an 8-speed transmission.  Massey Ferguson 35, built 1959, is a popular and versatile utility tractor produced from 1956/1958 to 1964 (United Kingdom) and 1955 to 1964 (United States) . It was the successor to the Ferguson TE20 and was a well-regarded, dependable machine known for its agricultural, industrial, and vineyard applications, still remaining a practical and valuable tractor today. Thursley, Punch Bowl Farm, Barn Field, with Bill Edwards, mowing hay on his Massey Ferguson 35; photographed by Monica Edwards, undated but early 1960s. Massey Ferguson 35, built 1960. The model was l aunched in 1958, as the successor to the ubiquitous Ferguson TE20,and was a product of the merger of Massey-Harris and Ferguson. A Massey Ferguson 35, built early in the 1960s and with a modified bonnet. International Harvester B-275, built 1960 James Maclean in his 1964 Massey Ferguson 135 with a New Holland 174 baler (which has worked every year from 1972 to date!) attached. County 1004 Super Six, built 1966 in Fleet, Hampshire. It is based on a For d and features a 100 hp (75 kW) six cylinder Ford 2703E industrial engine. Cowdray Cross; England; Surrey; TPX 13F; Thursley; Zetor 3045; tractor, August 1970 after tractor accident repair. The Zetor 3045 Four Wheel Drive Tractor built in Czechoslovakia and marketed in the United Kingdom by Skoda (GB) Ltd in 1967.  Power was provided by a three-cylinder diesel engine of 32.5 horsepower.  Photo taken by Salosh Edwards. The same tractor on non-agricultural duties at a Rag Day in 1967 on the King's Road, Chelsea. The Rag parade was for the 'Combined London Colleges', and the Zetor lead the parade. Clearly Health & Safety hadn't been invented then: Sean Edwards is the driver! John Deere 1120, built 1971, is a utility tractor produced from 1967 to 1975 by John Deere in Mannheim, Germany. It features a 53 hp (39.5 kW) gross engine. David Brown 885, built 1979, was a popular British utility tractor produced from 1971 to 1980 , known for its reliability and performance. It featured a 47-horsepower 3-cylinder diesel (or gasoline) engine, a 12-speed transmission, and David Brown's Selectamatic® hydraulics . Manufactured in Meltham Mills, West Yorkshire. This David Brown 996 was registered in 1973/74 and is a utility tractor powered by a diesel engine. It was produced from 1971 to 1980 by David Brown at Meltham Mills, Huddersfield. Peter Scheffers in his Massey Ferguson 565 tedding the silage in the "Top A3" field in the late 1980. The Massey Ferguson 565 is a British-made, 60 horsepower, 2WD row-crop tractor produced from 1977 to 1982 as part of the 500 Series, powered by a Perkins 236 engine . International Harvester 684 utility tractor built in Doncaster between 1977 and 1984. It is powered by a 3.9-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine that produces 69 horsepower. The standard transmission was an eight-forward and four-reverse speed synchromesh gearbox. The International Harvester 84 Hydro Tractor with a 4.0L 4-cylinder diesel engine . It was built in 1978 to 1983, mainly in Doncaster. This is a Case IH 956 XL tractor and was produced by Case IH in Neuss, Germany, between 1985 and 1992. It is powered by a 95 hp (70.8 kW) International Harvester 5.9L 6-cylinder diesel engine. The tractor is available in both two-wheel and four-wheel drive variants.      Massey Ferguson 390, is a utility tractor from the 300 series , produced from 1987 to 1997 , available in both 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive versions. It typically features a 76-80 horsepower Perkins engine and a 12-speed transmission. David Brown 1494, built 1987 is from the David Brown 94 series, produced between 1984 and 1988 . It was part of the last David Brown tractors built at the Meltham factory , which was later acquired by Case. Ford 1910, built 1987, a compact utility tractor produced from 1983 to 1987. It features a 32 hp Shibaura 1.7L 3-cylinder diesel engine, with tested PTO horsepower at 28.60 hp and drawbar horsepower at 24.76 hp. The tractor was built by Shibaura in Japan and distributed by Ford. It came in 2WD and 4WD variants. The 1988 Ford 8210 was a powerful row-crop tractor from the Ford 10 Series , known for its durability and suitability for medium to large-scale farming. This model, manufactured between 1982 and 1991, featured a 6-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine, offering approximately 105 PTO horsepower, and came in two or four-wheel drive options. The Valmet 8100 (4WD) is a four-wheel drive tractor. Valmet is the former name of the Finnish tractor manufacturer now known as Valtra . Valmet tractors were originally produced in Finland starting in 1951. Case IH 5140 Maxxum tractor that was manufactured by Case IH from 1990 to 1997 as part of the Maxxum series. The tractor is a 4-wheel drive model and powered by an engine with around 109-117 HP.   Eure Trad - VST 180D, built in India in the 1990s by VST Tillers. It features an 18.5hp (13.8 kW) VST Shakti engine. Photograph by Philip Traill. JCB Fastrac 185-65, built c1995, is a high-speed agricultural tractor series manufactured by JCB Landpower. Production began in 1991, with continual development to the present day. Generally the maximum speed of most models is 65 km/h (40 mph), but slower (40 km/h) and faster (80 km/h) versions are produced. This appears to be a McCormick CX-series tractor, most likely from the CX80 / CX90 / CX100 range (early–mid 2000s). McCormick tractors are manufactured by Argo Tractors, an Italian industrial group. The product line ranges from compact models to high-power tractors up to 310 HP.  The brand has invested in advanced digital platforms for precision farming, enhancing performance and efficiency.    This is a John Deere 6000-series tractor fitted with a Trima +5.0P front loader, probably a John Deere 6830 Premium model from around 2009. The Trima +5.0P is a heavy-duty front-end loader attachment. Features of the loader can include parallel control, vibration dampening, and a multi-coupler system. The tractor itself could have features like a 50kph Autoquad gearbox, air brakes, and cab suspension.  John Deere 7530 which has a 6-cylinder diesel engine with a power output around 180 hp, which can boost up to 203-205 hp.  The John Deere 7930 is a 220 hp  row-crop tractor (2007-2011) featuring a 6.8L 6-cylinder diesel engine , with PTO power around 180-203 hp , and options for advanced guidance systems like StarFire RTK .   Case Puma 160, built 2014, is a 4 wheel drive tractor manufactured by Case IH since 2012. It has a weight of 11 tons and is powered by an engine with a power output of 99.3 kW. It has a travel speed of 40 km/h. Kubota LA1854 built in has a lift capacity of 1810kg (3990lbs), max height of 3700mm (145.7 inches), and a max raising time of 4.2 seconds.  JCB Fastrac 4220 iCONtractor acquired in 2018 and equipped with a Quicke 6M front loader. This model is a leader in agricultural tractors, known for its speed and full suspension.  Fendt 720, built 2020, is available in different generations with varying specifications, including Gen6 models with ~148 kW (~201 hp) and a maximum speed of 50 km/h, and the newer Gen7 series which offers 164 kW (223 hp) maximum power Fendt 516, built 2022. Specifications vary by model year, but generally feature a powerful engine around 165 HP, Vario CVT transmission, a top speed of 50 km/h, and dimensions like a width of approximately 2.5 meters . The TLE3410 is Iseki’s Premium Economy tractor, built 2022. It is a 40hp tractor ideal for the farm, estate or sports pitches – from muck scraper to harrow or mower to loader. Manitou MT series telehandler, built 2024

Grade II listed building (9 March 1960), located on The Street From Historic England : House. C16 with C19 range to rear. Timber framed with whitewashed brick and rubble infill, plain tiled roof, hipped to left. Sandstone rubble with brick dressings to rear. Two storeys with end stack to right and ridge stack to left. End stacks on rear range. Four framed bays with three braces on first floor. Three leaded casement windows to first floor and two windows below. Central door in gabled porch on wood supports and sandstone plinth walls. Wheeler's Farm hand pump Wheeler's Farm 1953, Miss M Baker and an (unsuccessful) suitor. Wheelers Farm House in 1989 View looking North from Churchyard in Thursley 11/94 Wheelers Farm & Old Vicarage Wheelers Farm Yard and Old Barn, 1990 Wheelers Farm and outbuildings, 1996 Yard at Wheelers Farm, with Damsel the horse. John Worsford, the carter lived at Wild Goose 1905 wedding of Edward Baker (Ted) of Upper Highfield Farm and Maria Levy of Smallbrook Farm. Edward (Ted) Baker and wife, Maria (née Levy) with daughter Betty (who later became Weeden) Wheelers Farm during the restoration of The Granary

The Harvest Supper was celebrated in the village hall to great acclaim on Saturday, 21st Septermber 2024. The idea of resurrecting the event came from Susanne Hunter, Sally Scheffers, Tamsin Taylor Matthews, Lisa Woods and Lizzie Young (who also selected the readings). Sarah O'Brien spoke on behalf of her father, Michael, who unfortunately could not attend. His well-chosen words are below. (It was so successful that it was repeated in 2025)    Welcome.   I am not the only one here who will remember the first Thursley Harvest Supper in 1972   - 52 years ago - but we are becoming fewer.   That first supper was the idea of the then vicar, Kenneth Matthews, who had a distinguished service record serving as the padre onboard HMS Norfolk during her major actions during WWII. During that time, he witnessed the important role ‘community spirit’ played in bonding everyone together.   One of my roles that first year, and many times after, was to organise the seating plan. It was hard to please everyone, and a certain Brian Camp was often very critical!  I am happy to have relinquished that task.  So, if any of you have complaints about who you are seated next to this evening - I am not your man!   This leads me to thank everyone who has worked so hard to revive this wonderful supper.   The committee: Lisa Wood, Lizzie Young, Sally Scheffers, Susanne Hunter and Tamsin Taylor Matthews and the many others of you who have cooked the food and helped set up the hall.  It all looks wonderful and I hope this custom can be continued for many years to come.     Michael O’Brien, The Lodge     A huge effort had been made to make the tables attractive and the night sky joined in to help Photographs by Alex Smart Between the main course and dessert, these readings were given by villagers: Photographs by Alex Smart The event was such a success that it was repeated in 2026 Photographs by Valérie Ferris This article written by Lizzie Young on the 2025 Harvest Supper, first appeared in the November 2025 issue of the Parish Magazine: Saturday 4 th  October was the second revival Harvest Supper.  Lit by the harvest moon, villagers converged in the hall for an evening of comfort food, convivial company, and a light entertainment on the eve of Harvest Festival at St Michael and All Angels.   Seating is deliberately mixed to give us all the chance to meet new friends.  It gave us a deep sense of joy to look around the room at 10pm, to see every seat still filled, and to hear the delightful hum of good conversation.   James Maclean, Jackie Malton, Peter Hunter, James Mendelssohn, Tricia Horwood, Tom Taylor-Matthews, Valerie Ferris, Jane Howard, David Beechey and Hannah Moore were our brave readers, and their poems, letters and lists gave us all a chuckle, a moment of gratitude and a pause for thought.  Thank you to each of them for their willingness to take to the mike.   So many thanks are due.  It’s a wonderful thing that when a call for assistance goes out, it is answered warmly by so many.  The committee – Susanne Hunter, Sally Scheffers, Tamsin Taylor-Matthews, Claire Dailly and Lizzie Young – are more than grateful to the many cooks who delivered their delicious cottage pies, cheese straws and apple crumbles to the hall, to the willing and hardworking crew of young women washing up behind the scenes, to the unsung heroes who arrived to help with tables and chairs, and with flowers.  As ever, the phenomenal group effort to take down at the end of the evening makes light work of a mammoth task, and gets the committee into their beds before midnight.   The evening is not a fund raiser, as such, but thanks in no small part to the generosity of our home cooks, we made some money to add to the collection taken the following morning.  All profits go to Step by Step, our Parish’s chosen charity.  Step by Step works with young people across Surrey, Berkshire, Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire, meeting their needs in accommodation, advice, and well-being, and aiming to help those who are lost back onto paths that will lead to happier, safer lives.    We hope to see you all again next time. The readings in 2026: For both events, Sally Scheffers produced these lovely vases, each carrying hand-lettered text and dates

Thursley School occupied the building that is now Thursley Village Hall. Here are plans of the Master's Residence dated February 1911 The file below contains correspondence and documents dating back to 1853 as well as a newspaper cutting dated 16th April 1960 about the village fighting for the recently closed school building to become the village hall in the face of Surrey Education's desire to turn it into a 'youth camp house. Thursley School, approximately 1880 Thursley School, approximately 1895. Edith Keen, sister of Jack, from Pit Farm (now Punch Bowl Farm), third row, third on the left. Edith married George Warner and lived at Sunset Cottage until their children grew up, when they moved to one of the Church Cottages. George Warner had a Kitchener moustache and had looked after the horses during the Great War in France. He took life easily although he had a good deal of work at Rock Cottage for the Fisher family. He ran the engine; groomed, harnessed and drove the ponies, cleaned the shoes and knives (not being of stainless steel, they were put into a sort of round box with a handle that turned); brought in the anthracite for the black stoves which heated the house and the coal for the kitchen range; milked and tethered the goats and looked after the field and garden. He was a very kind man and Mrs Warner, Mary Bennett remembers as a woman of uncommon goodness and sweetness. After her husband's death, Edith Warner lived with her daughter Dorothy (Issy) Messenger at Streetfield. Thursley School, approximately 1900 Thursley School, approximately 1904. Aileen Rapley, second row fourth on the left, in a 'chorus boy collar. Aileen was the daughter of Maurice Rapley who farmed at Hill Farm. Aileen became a school teacher. Thursley School, about 1914. Bottom row, third from the left, is Jim Gale, brother of Eddie. Miss Price is also in the picture. Miss Price married Jack Baker, brother of Annie, from Upper Highfield Farm and they lived initially at Hedge (now Rawdon) until they took over Wheelers Farm. Miss Price became a farmer's wife and had three children. Same male teacher as above but year unknown. Thursley School, about 1920. Betty Weeden née Baker, can be seen second row, third on the right. The headmaster was Leonard Moulding, Sidney's brother. Thursley School, about 1918-19, Aileen Rapley was the school teacher. Thursley School, about 1920. Third row, first on the right is Margaret (Mag) Cooper née Gale. Miss Price is also in the picture. Thursley Church of England School 1924: Group 1 Stds IV - VII Thursley School 1926. First row, first on the left, Marg Hall née Warner from Sunset Cottage. Marg was Edith Keen and George Warner's daughter and Issy (Dorothy Messenger), Marg's sister, is also there in the second row, fifth from left. December 1926, pupils include Reg Fosberry and Albert Rapley

Thursley Horticultural Society has long been of importance in the village. According to records in the 1923 Parish Magazine, it was formed after a very successful Flower Show to “carry on the good work”. Various local dignitaries stood for election, and votes were counted while a musical programme, in the hands of Mr Lionel Rapley, played. The results of the election were that General Sir Joscelyn Wodehouse became President. The Treasurer was Mr J.H. Belcher and Secretary Mr H. Swallow. The committee comprised of Miss Lutyens, Mrs Blogg, Rev L.C. Wilkinson, Messrs Blogg, F. Fosberry. Hoare, T.Karn, L. Rapley. Robertson and H. Sharland. Many names that we recognise today! The Society went from strength to strength and played a central part in village life – with social events, fetes and farming as well as two or three shows a year shows being at the core. Between the wars and up until the 1950s there are records of long lunches, afternoon teas and evening dances following shows beginning at 5 o’clock! Events such as chicken plucking and tug of war were common place. Interestingly, the shows for a long while had different classes for those who in the village who had a gardener and those who did not – a social comment in itself. As travel, and the reasons to travel, were quite different from today, social life in Thursley was punctuated by the various events organised by the committee, as recorded in our minute books and through photographs and newspaper articles. Highlights over recent years have been the two Gardeners Question Time programmes made very successfully in the village hall by the BBC. Talks and visits have become and important part of the calendar, and the plant sales which were also in the village hall. Open Gardens in 2022 and 2023 have proved a huge success and shown what wonderful gardens, and gardeners, we have in Thursley. Recent years have seen the Society’s numbers fall and then rise again. There is a lot of support in the village for the Thursley Horticultural Society now, though we still look for committee members to reach the numbers of the 1923 committee! From an undated newspaper clipping. In 2023, the Society celebrated its centerary with the publication of this booklet which can be obtained by the Society: Contact Thursley Horticultural Society through email: thursleyhortsoc@hotmail.co.uk or find our Facebook page. The following contemporary photographs are courtesy Valérie Ferris (VF), Andrew Kaplanovsky (AK) and Sean Edwards (SE): Plant sale in 2019 (VF) Autumn Show 2019 (AK) Autumn Show 2022 (AK) Spring Show 2023 (VF) Spring Show 2023 (AK) Celebrating 100 years of the Society at Lower House The following photographs of the 100 years event are by Sean Edwards: Open Garden, June 2023 Spring Show, 13th April, 2024 Mrs Nicky Cornell receiving the Marshall-Hall Plate from President Patricia Coles Autumn Show, September 2024 Photographs from Patricia Clake, Adam Gardner and Tim Walsh

Miss Aileen Lutyens, Edwin's sister, with her pony and dog. She always wore purple tweed according to Mary Bennett. She ran a boys' club as she felt they needed purpose. She was also the choir mistress. Mrs Fisher also started a choir and Miss Lutyens "contributed a penetrating alto". The choir won a certificate at the Dorking Festival. Aileen Lutyens (c. late 1800s – 1926)  was a member of the prominent Lutyens family who became a well-known and active figure in the village of Thursley during the early decades of the twentieth century. She was one of the daughters of Captain Charles Augustus Henry Lutyens , a soldier-turned-painter, and Mary Theresa Gallwey , and the younger sister of the celebrated architect Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens . The family lived at a large country house in Thursley known in its later years as Street House  (then “The Cottage”), and Aileen remained there long after her parents’ deaths. In the 1920s, Aileen was remembered by villagers as a brisk, capable and benevolent presence in the community, someone who “dominated the Thursley scene.” She was deeply involved in local social life: helping to establish the fledgling choral society, contributing her rich alto voice, and playing a key role in securing Thursley’s first Village Hall — a large army hut that became the focus for social gatherings for decades. She was also a founder member of the local Women’s Institute, and took a keen interest in fostering activities that would occupy and guide the village’s youth. One of her own initiatives, remembered fondly by residents, was running a kind of social club aimed at keeping young boys constructively engaged and away from aimless drifting. Aileen’s influence extended beyond social clubs and cultural activities — she typified the spirit of village leadership in that era. She was regarded as someone who helped knit the community together through support for local institutions and events, and through her personal engagement in Thursley’s civic and social life. Aileen Lutyens died in 1926, and her death marked the end of an era in which members of the Lutyens family had been central figures in the village’s life. She is buried in the churchyard of St Michael's & All Angels, where there is a stone cross designed by her brother, Sir Edwin Lutyens , bearing the names of their parents Charles and Mary Lutyens  and his sister Aileen Lutyens .

Photographs only: see separate entries for: Street House; Wheelers Farm; Opening of Wheelers Farm Granary; Wild Goose; The Lodge; Boxalls; Vine Cottage; Sunset Cottage; Prospect Cottage; Streetfield; Little Green; A Walk Through Old Thursley: * denotes separate entry. HATCH COTTAGE Hatch Cottage, the extension was built on for the Hacks. According to Ann Levy there had been a village shop at the other end No 1 and No 2 Hatch Cottages. Surnames of previous owners include: No 1 - Court; Williams; Knight; Thompson; Dupont; Knight - No 2 - Court; Hack; Hockley; Campbell; Ashley; Boyd Bert and Nellie Williams outside No 1 Hatch Cottages Hatch Cottages were sold in 1952 as part of the break-up of the Cosford Estate. The entries below are from the auction catalogue. THE COTTON HOUSE, formerly RACKS CLOSE Racks Close is an unmade road on the left immediately after Hatch Cottages Racks Close in the early 1990s It has now been extensively modernised and renamed 'The Cotton House'. View from Racks Close from a postcard posted in 1910. The two large deciduous trees are no longer there and on the left is the granary of Hill Farm Barns, then Hill Farm House, The Old Parsonage, HatchCottages and St Michael & All Angels. Sisterly angst on the rear of the postcard! THE LODGE* Wheelwrights and The Street. John Goble and his wife moved to Wheelwrights in Thursley in 1902 to become the village blacksmith and wheelwright. Cruiser Mk IV tanks of 5th Royal Tank Regiment, 3rd Armoured Brigade, 1st Armoured Division, drive down The Street in July 1940 WHEELWRIGHTS* Wheelwrights (HM Land Registry Map below) Mr Goble and son Robert Jean and Arthur Moss Sale particulars in September 2025: https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/properties/residential/for-sale/the-street-thursley-godalming-surrey-gu8-6qf/gld150270 SUNSET COTTAGE* WILD GOOSE* PROSPECT (formerly THE INSTITUTE)* THE GRANARY, WHEELERS FARM* WHEELERS FARM* LITTLE GREEN STREET HOUSE*

Linked as they so often appear together in photographs: Brook Cottage and Horn Cottage 1900. As you can see Red Lodge had not yet been built. Brook Cottage had been the workhouse and in 1841, 30 people were living there. Horn Cottage 1950 shows its back garden when Charles and Betty Weeden lived there. In times gone by, it was a pub called 'The Horns' . Rear of Horn Cottage, c 1965. previous surnames of owners include: Partington; Weeden; Brown; Newman; Chapman Brook Cottage is a symmetrical “Cottage Ornee”, built of stone with brick quoins, clay roof tiles and with thin drip mouldings above the windows.  The style is of a 17th century central chimney house but the house is not timber-framed and would seem to be of a late 18th century rebuild on an earlier site. The cottage was The Poor House and in the 1861 census there were twenty-six occupants of whom eight were aged over 80 years! Two loft openings were made from the original bedrooms in 1980 and chalk dates showing “1851” were found on the chimney base.  Considerable quantities of straw and other debris were lying on and between the rafters perhaps indicating a previous thatched roof. During excavations in 1994 a clay bottle was unearthed from a hole at the side of the brook and has been dated between 15th and 16th centuries, possibly confirming earlier occupation the site. The cottage was extended in the 1970s and again more considerably in 1894 when the old staircase was removed and new stairs installed to give access to both the original bedrooms in the old cottage and the new rooms at the rear of the enlarged structure. The present owners, Alison and Peter Anderson and family, have lived in the Cottage since 1978. June 1997  June 1997

Cosford House estate is an historic property dating back many centuries and it included several properties such as Cosford House, Cosford Mill, and various cottages.  The name Cosford is believed to be derived from the Old English words "cōs," meaning a choice or election, and "ford," referring to a river crossing. It is presumed that the estate was named due to its location near a significant crossing on the River Wey. The first documented reference to Cosford House dates back to the 13th century when it was mentioned in a landholding document. See also Sale of the Cosford Estate, June 1952 From Historic England: In the medieval period, Cosford House was owned by the de Thurmarsh family, who were prominent landowners in the area. The estate remained in their possession for several generations until it changed hands through marriage in the 14th century. Over the following centuries, the ownership of the estate continued to pass between various families, including the Albury, Bray, and Evelyn families, who were all prominent figures in English society. In the 17th century, Cosford House underwent a significant transformation when it was purchased by Sir John Evelyn. Sir John was a renowned diarist, horticulturist, and author, best known for his invaluable work in the field of arboriculture. He extensively renovated the hall and its surrounding gardens, turning it into one of the most luxurious and impressive estates in the region. Sir John Evelyn's influence is still evident in the estate today, with remnants of his exquisite garden designs and landscaping. During the 18th and 19th centuries, Cosford House continued to thrive under the stewardship of various owners. The estate saw numerous additions and improvements, including the construction of additional outbuildings, such as stables, a chapel, and farm buildings. The hall and its grounds became renowned for their grandeur and elegance, drawing visitors from far and wide. In the early 20th century, Cosford House faced a period of decline as the estate's owners faced financial difficulties. The estate was bought by the trustees of Robert May's School in Odiham in 1913, and the archives of the school record their stewardship of the farm and its relations with tenants. However, this endeavour was not to last and the school closed in the mid-20th century.  In 1952 the estate was broken up into 25 lots at an auction held in Guildford (see Sale of the Cosford Estate). Colonel Philip (W.P.H.) Rushbrooke and his wife, Hilda photographed in the early 1930s. Hilda sold the estate on the death of Philip in 1951 and went to live on the coast. The estate was very impoverished as such low rents were charged. Hilda Rushbrooke, who was Irish, and unfortunately stone deaf. We believe she married Philip in the early 1930s. In more recent years, the estate changed hands several times, with different owners attempting to restore the former glory of Cosford House. Numerous restoration and preservation projects have taken place to ensure that the hall and its surrounding gardens maintain their historical significance. Today, Cosford House remains a private residence and is not open to the public. About 1900, no climbers visible on the house. According to the rate book of 1854, Cosford Estate was owned by Colonel George William Eyres. The rate book of 1870 lists Miss Rushbrooke as the owner. Cosford House in the 1920s with the creeper on the house. Captain Rushbrooke is listed in the rate book of 1884 but may have been here earlier. The staff at Cosford House in the late 1920s. Philip Rushbrooke took over the estate on the death of his father. Pageant at Cosford House in the late 1920's

Placards in the village hall. From The Mail On Sunday, April 2023, 1989. A fancy dress parade was held to celebrate winning in 1960: Michael Jupe, Chairman of Thursley Parish Council and Lord Hamilton of Dalzell - Best Kept village presentation. September 1961 Dick Winter receiving a tankard from Lord Hamilton of Dalzell. Best Kept Village presentation, September 1961 Best Kept Village Celebrations at the Cricket Green, 1961. Back Row: C Cooper, B Ashley, J Ellison, Watson, Craddock-Henry, R Crawfurd, ?, Dick Winter, J Bozward, K Guyatt. Front Row: M Rapley, C Darlow, W Cooper, L Cooper, R Loarridge, M Cooper The 1970s: 1985: Unveiling Best Kept Village Award, 1985 Two groups attending the Best Kept Village Award, 1985, and in the centre, Major Brian Camp, Chairman of Thursley Parish Council with Mrs Guyatt, late of Hedge Farm. Best kept village Hall award ceremony 19?, Peter Scheffers, Eddy Gale, Brian Camp