Loseley Tree Felling
In June, the Chairman and the Clerk of Compton Parish Council met with Alexander More-Molyneux, during which he made a number of points about the tree felling operations near Spiceall, including Bummoor Copse:
- The removal of trees suffering from ash die-back required large machinery due to crew safety issues.
- The overall operation needed to be large enough to pay for itself through the sale of timber, and was a “cost covering exercise” rather than a profitable venture.
- No more than 25% of the wood in total has been felled.
- The alder has been coppiced so will re-grow.
- The overall aim is to replant in native broadleaf (later in the year) rather than some of the non-indigenous species that were there, while relying on some natural regeneration.
- Loseley is planning a “buffer area” behind Spiceall to avoid the problems of large trees overhanging the gardens there.
- Young trees will be protected from deer in smaller pockets rather than trying to fence off the whole area.
- Loseley did look at alternative access points into the wood that were offered by neighbouring properties but decided these would cause more problems than they solved.
- Concerning the watercourses, Alexander More-Molyneux said he was surprised there was still a problem and promised to check and follow up with the contractors.
Ongoing communications with the village of Compton were also discussed, which Alexander More-Molyneux expressed a desire to improve. He has a regular slot on the Artington Parish Council meetings where the community is kept abreast of activities occurring on the Estate and Alexander said he is happy to do something similar for Compton. He will be asked for a statement for Compton Parish Council’s September meeting, which will be included in the agenda papers and will appear on the Parish Council website. Alexander will also provide a statement on immediate plans for the wood later in the autumn.
The full statement is available on the Parish Council’s website, as an inclusion in the annexes for the July meeting, which can be found at www.compton-pc.gov.uk.
The next Parish Council meeting is on Wednesday 17 September, at 7pm, Pucks Oak Barn. Everyone is welcome to attend. Visit www.compton-pc.gov.uk for more information.
Traffic Calming Proposals
Compton traffic calming update. The Compton Village representatives had an initial meeting with Surrey County Council (SCC) on Thursday 7 August to discuss their outline traffic calming proposals including 20mph and 30mph zones, village gates, a mixof raised tables and speed cushions and pedestrian access measures. The SCC Highways design team will prepare a detailed scheme to be discussed at the next meeting of this stakeholder working group (date not yet fixed). It will report to the village in more detail at that stage. We understand that minutes of these meetings will be placed by SCC on https://comptonvillage.commonplace.is/.
Compton Village Hall Refurbishment
By the end of September, the Village Hall will emerge from several weeks of intense activity and hard work having been completely redecorated, inside and out, and a new kitchen installed and equipped with a catering-size oven and a deep freeze.
The redecorating has been carried out by Paul McCann of Westbrooke Decorators who has had to juggle with hirings that couldn’t be moved and the ongoing works in the kitchen. It has been done to a high standard. The iron railings have been rubbed back to the original metal and given three coats of appropriate gloss paint, the exterior doors and woodwork treated with at least three coats of paint. Walls, ceilings and windows in the main hall, the committee room and the toilets were given a new lease of life. We cannot praise Paul highly enough for his professionalism and the quality of his work. Wren kitchens has supplied and installed the kitchen. The gas supply has had to be upgraded to take account of the larger hob and oven. As expected, all this work has come at a considerable cost and has been made possible by the generous contributions over the years by the Village Association from the proceeds of the Fete.
The village can be proud of this valuable asset which is well managed by a team of dedicated and enthusiastic Trustees. It is regularly hired out, at very reasonable rates, particularly if you are a Compton resident and enjoy a concession! Weddings and parties, meetings, seminars and classes, are all accommodated. To hire the Hall, book online here or contact our bookings secretary at cvhbookings26@gmail.com.
Godalming & Villages Community Store
A big “thank you” from Godalming & Villages Community Store. Cheese straws and sausage rolls are big favourites in Compton. This revelation came when we ran the Tea & Cake stall at the fantastic Fete back in May.
Savoury treats are as popular as delicious cakes. The village has been consistently generous to Godalming & Villages Community Store food bank. This year we received £1,394 which will buy fruit & veg for ‘customers’ as well as fridge and freezer items which most food banks don’t offer. Our team enjoyed our time at the Compton Club even if we needed a sit down and something stronger than tea afterwards! We were given so many delicious savoury options, biscuits and cakes by the great village cooks. As more and more were delivered we thought we’d never sell them. But we did. Thank you Compton for your large donation.
Annie Barker, Trustee/Volunteer
Phyllis Tuckwell
If you love spending time in charity shops, why not consider volunteering in one? Local hospice care charity Phyllis Tuckwell is looking for volunteers to serve customers in its Cranleigh shop, which sells donated preloved items. “Our Cranleigh shop sells quality, high-end fashion and collectibles,” said Julia Morpeth, voluntary services manager at Phyllis Tuckwell. As well as clothes, shoes and accessories, the shop also sells books, DVDs, games and household items. All of the money it raises goes directly towards helping fund the vital palliative and end of life care that Phyllis Tuckwell provides to over 250 local patients, relatives and carers every day. As the NHS/Government only covers around 25% of costs, the charity has to raise over £25,000 every day to provide this care, and its shops and volunteers help greatly in this regard. To find out more, contact Phyllis Tuckwell’s Voluntary Services Team on 01252 729400 or email voluntary.services@pth.org.uk.
Local Nature Recovery Strategy
Have your say on Surrey's Local Nature Recovery Strategy. Surrey County Council has launched a public consultation on its draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), a plan to protect and restore nature across the country, shaped by input from local communities, environmental organisations, landowners and health professionals. From ancient woodlands and chalk grasslands to historic parklands and the Surrey Hills, Surrey is home to some of the most treasured landscapes in the country. But nature is under pressure, and it’s time for a joined-up approach to help it thrive. The draft strategy: - Outlines key priorities for nature recovery - Maps Surrey’s most valuable areas for wildlife - Identifies opportunities to improve habitats and deliver wider environmental benefits such as cleaner air, flood resilience and access to green spaces The consultation runs until 25 September 2025. Have your say by visiting the link here: https://tinyurl.com/5bd62r5d. The final strategy will be completed by the end of the year, for Surrey County Council’s Cabinet to review by early 2026.
Compton Village—Past & Present
Compton Village – Past & Present by Fiona Curtis, would make a really special Christmas gift for someone this year. Copies cost £20 each — a veritable bargain for a coffee table book about our unique neighbourhood. Find out more at www.compton-village-history-book. com/.
Collection can be arranged, either with a bank transfer in advance or cash on collection. For mailings, please provide full address and include an additional charge of £5.50 in the bank transfer for tracked postage and packing. Bank transfers should be made to the Compton Village Association account at
Lloyds Bank, Sort Code 30-93-49, Account No. 00115047 and reference Book.
Details for ordering as follows: David Hunt — david.hunt0808@gmail.com/07831 768970 OR
Jane Turner – janewturner@mac.com/07763 146448.
Some copies are available to buy at the Compton Club also for £20. Copies also retail at Watts Gallery for £25. The book launch discount has been made possible through the Compton Village Association.
WELCOME PACK FOR NEWCOMERS TO COMPTON
The Welcome Pack, published by Compton Village Association, has been updated by Jane Turner and over 30 copies have been sent out to people who requested one or who have recently moved into the village.
“Recently” means within the last 5-7 years, or even if you’ve been in the village a long time but would simply like to be reminded of what we offer. It’s full of information about organisations, societies, venues for hire, history and a lot more. The Welcome Pack is FREE. If you would like a copy, contact Jane Turner on 07763 146448, janewturner@mac.com.
After the decommissioning of the telephone box by BT, Compton residents wondered what to do with it. It was agreed that it should remain where it was as it was part of the village scene, but sadly it was rusty and the glass was either broken or replaced by plastic.
An anonymous benefactor assisted the Parish Council in covering the costs of repairing the box and Cllr Chris Sharples and another anonymous helper went about restoring the box.
Its central position made it a great place to advertise the village's support for the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. This was followed by Armistice Day when it stood as a prominent act of remembrance.
Later it sported a gold cup for the World Cup and latterly it bore a kilt and matching headwear for Burns Night and beautiful Chinese Lanterns for the Chinese New Year.
Spring saw a beautiful array of purple both inside and outside the box to raise awareness of The Meath and the common, but often stigmatised problem of epilepsy. This was followed by a nod to our Dutch neighbours and friends, one of whom provided initial funding and motivation to cheer up the phone box when it was looking rather derelict.
Compton residents love the various incarnations and Cllr Chris Sharples will hopefully go onto surprise us with future transformations, which not only entertain residents, but also bring a smile to the users of the B3000.
