Greetings from Bagshot -
Late Summer 2019
Bagshot is adorned with gold and yellow checkered flags in the numerous brackets mounted on shop fronts. They are part of the decorations, financed by the Bagshot Business community, that are put up at Christmas (when illuminated Christmas trees are used) and for other events. These flags were put up for the Bagshot Bash street fair and replaced a host of different nation's flags that went up for the World Cup.
"So what are these then?" has been a common question. The answer, perhaps rather unexpectedly, is that this is the Surrey flag - I bet you did not know that! A bit of research (Wikipedia, where else?) reveals that this is not just the notion of the seller of the flags but is a "traditional design" that was registered as Surrey's flag in 2014 (does not say by whom and on whose authority). The flag is derived from the coat of arms of William de Warenne, a Norman nobleman who was created Earl of Surrey under William II Rufus. He is among the few who are documented as having fought for William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. At the time of the Domesday Survey, he held extensive lands in 13 counties.
There are some more photos of the decorated High Street below.
In the last newsletter I had some pictures of pipes that I
guessed
were the feed for an hydraulic ram. Greg wrote supporting my
theory:
"I reckon you are correct on your Ram
Pump theory. For many years I worked at the Imperial College
Field Station in Sunninghill which was completed in 1878. It
is
similar in design and appearance to Bagshot Park which was built in
1879. The same architect maybe? Very
close to the lake at Imperial there was a similar pipe which
ended with a pit containing a Ram Pump. It is, as far as I am
aware, still in situ." and later added "I
have spoken to a 90+ year old ex-employee of Imperial College and he
remembers the ram pump at the location I mentioned. He remembers that
when he started in 1945 an old estate gardener told him the
ram
pump was for pumping the lake water to two locations on the estate, one
to a set of fountains and another branch to a smaller pond which then
fed an ice-house. Apparently, the pipes slowly reduced in
diameter which increased the pressure. This may be a bit of
vague
memory but it may be relevant.
"The ice-house, which no longer
exists, was marked on an old estate map and as a mad keen
metal
detectorist at the time I finally tracked it's location down and found
much zinc plate which they used to line them with.
No sign
of the lead pipe for the fountain though. It may have been
ripped
out pre-WW2. Apart from an unexploded anti-aircraft shell
nothing
more of interest came to light!"
 |
Adrian has
identified
this metal spigot next to the Cricketers as being the base of a Blacker
Bombard from WW2. [Nov 18]
The Bombard was a short range anti-tank and anti-personnel mortar designed for use by the Home Guard. The one here would have been manned by the First Battalion of the Surrey Home Guard. The concrete block would have been surrounded by a pit which provided the firing position, and protection, for those manning it. Adrian speculates that his father may have helped dig the firing pit. You can read more about the Bombard, and see a photo of an installation, at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blacker_Bombard
This location is just outside the gates of Bagshot Park and Adrian has also brought to my attention a limited-edition illustrated book, dated 1912, entitled "Royal Gardens" by Cyril Ward that contains a chapter on Bagshot Park. It can be seen on-line at https://archive.org/details/royalgardens00ward/page/32. |
Enquiries and additions to the website since the last newsletter include
-
Kirko has responded to the question about a Windlesham nursing home for
unmarried mothers suggesting that it might have been the
former convent.
However Max has written that the Hatton Hill home was used by unmarried mothers. He also asks if anyone has any further information about the establishment. - Angus Kennedy asks if anyone remembers his mother's nursery in the Methodist Church?
- M Cox tells of his ancestor Edward Cox who appears to have moved from Dorset to Bagshot Park as an employee of the Duke of Gloucester and wonders if anyone knows of others who made this move, or of a Joseph Pollock of Chertsey.
- Dioni recalls Pantiles.
- Graham asks about Frederick Johnson who lived in Belle Vue Cottages 1918-1935.
- By shere coincidence I received two enquiries about Yaverland Tea Rooms within a few days. The Tea Rooms advertised Tea Dances which suggests that it was not a small establishment. Do you have any knowledge or photos of the place. For that matter, do you know where these Tea Rooms were?
- Bob has a fascinating story concerning his grandfather Frank Powell who he believes was actually Frank Popejoy, the younger brother of the tragic Emily Jane Popejoy, but who emigrated to Canada and changed his name. Bob asks if anyone has any information about Frank Popejoy.
- T Jary asks: Do you know if the cedar tree behind Waitrose was planted at the same time as the other two (at the end of the High Street, one of which is no more!). I'm guessing it must have been, or very near the same time, due to the size if it! And do we know the variant, as there are many cedar tree species. This one is particularly beautiful! [Mar 19]
- Speedy remembers delivering bread to the Berts Gone Mad.
- Nigel tells us about the gentleman standing next to Mala Brand in the photo we have.
- Susie asks "Does anyone remember going for a tractor ride in Bagshot park , I think it was about 1964, although my memory is not good. I assume the trip was organised by Bagshot School or Bagshot Baptist Church." [Jun 19]
- Val Parker recalls some dolls shoes made by Italian POWs.
- Donna asks is anyone has any knowledge about George Nuckley who traded as a watchmaker on Jenkins Hill between the wars.
Jack Herbert White (1919 - 1942)
Sergeant Jack Herbert White (RAF) is one of the people commemorated on our War Memorial. He was an air gunner on Short Stirling bombers of 7 Squadron flying from RAF Oakington in Cambridgeshire. He died on 29 July 1942 when his plane was shot down over Wilhelmshavenin in NW Germany. I have been contacted by Willem from the Netherlands who is involved in a project to research all those who lost their lives in this incident. Jack's father was Harry (Henry) White, one of the many siblings of the two White brothers (Jack and James) who were killed in 1916 and are also commemorated on our memorial. Henry had married Lily Mary Houchen in St Anne's in 1919 and Jack, their only child, was born later that year. Can you add anything to Jack's story, or perhaps know of a photo of Jack?
Re-use and expand
For as long as I can remember there has been a squat, almost derelict, building on Bridge Road next to the garage. It transpired that it was an electricity sub-station. It has recently had a significant make-over and turned into offices.
Village Clean-up
In May the Bagshot Society organised a community clean-up, clearing rubbish and over-grown vegetation from several areas. You can read more about it here. The source of the funds the Bagshot Society obtained to buy the tools used is interesting. You may remember the LIBOR scandal earlier this decade when it was realised that one of the major financial indicators was being manipulated for individual gain. Banks got heavily fined. Normally fines just go into the treasury coffers, but on this occasion it was decided to use the money from the fines to fund community projects, of which High Street clean-ups is one.
Cut-backs
Sure Start Centres were a government funded initiative about 12 years ago to provide services to expectant & nursing mothers and families with pre-school children. Many services that had previously been clinic-based (eg baby weighing) moved to the common location of a Sure Start centre. Bagshot's centre was established in what had been the original school building in School Lane. Long term funding was never guaranteed and the cost eventually fell to local and county authorities. Subsequent budget cuts meant that the centres could not be sustained, and ours has now closed - leaving the problem of how and where to provide the 'clinic' services.We have also seen cuts to refuse disposal facilities with Bagshot's Household Refuse site being re-branded a Recycling Centre and accepting little more than can be recycled kerb-side. The sceptics suggest that this is a ploy to close the site completely on the grounds that it does not get used enough. We shall have to wait and see what effect this might have on fly-tipping.
More photos of the High
Street and the flags.
With best wishes to
you and
those you hold dear.
Neil
The previous newsletter was last Christmas