The Bagshot
Society
The future of the village is important and working for this should involve as many people as possible.
As a member of the Bagshot Society you will meet the people involved working for the future of the village, be kept informed of what is happening, be able have your say and, if you wish, find out how you can become involved.
We want as many people in the village to become involved in its future and would like you to join us.
The Society organises a programme of varied and
interesting
talks and social events which are open to all (you do not have to be a
member).
Bagshot's Gas Works and its connection with MoscowThursday 16 October Stories from verbal history can often be an urban myth, but even then may well have their origins in fact. In this talk, Neil Bartlett will explore the story and resolve fact from fiction. Refreshments will be available from 7. They will be
served from the kitchen hatch. If you want a drink please go through
the hall then along the corridor at the far end to the committee room. If you are one of those of us who has difficulty hearing then please take a front seat.
Free for Bagshot Society members, £5 for anyone else. |
Our programme details are emailed to members.
As
the event approaches, details are also posted on facebook
as
well as posters in the village (look out for our own notice board
between Two Mates Kebab and Domino's pizza).
Your involvement with the Bagshot Society can be as little or as much as you want, from supporting the Society by being a member and thus adding weight to the contributions we make, through volunteering with specific activities, to joining the committee.
The purposes of the Bagshot Society are:
- Coordination between activities or groups in Bagshot
- Stimulate interest and involvement in village affairs, being a focus for debate and campaigns on things affecting the village
- Liaison with local government and agencies
- Maintain the heritage of the village
- Planning issues
|
Future events
|
Past events
Wednesday 17 September was our AGM
On 2 July 2025 we had a talk about the history of Bagshot Park.
21 May 2025 was another "Meet Your Councillors" - yet again well supported. What questions will be raised can never be predicted and this time traffic featured heavily with the councillors challenged on issue including speeding, anti-social parking and a rat-run.
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service visited us on 2nd April 2025 with an informative talk and introduced us to services that many were not aware of.
On 17 January 2025 we welcomed Dr Al Pinkertom MP, our local Member of Parliament to a well-attended evening during which we quizzed him about his backgrond and interests, parliamentary life and a host of topics, both local and national.
'Meet Your Councillors' is always a popular meeting with the opportunity to quiz those who represent us on county, district and parish councils. November 20 2024 was a very cold night which will have deterred some, but none the less the meeting was well attended and the councillors went away fully aware of the villagers' feelings on many topics.
The Woodside Estate off Chapel Lane was the subject of an illustrated talk on 16 October. Not the controversy surrounding it getting planning permission, but a pictorial record of its construction over 18 months. The evening was attended by a large appreciative audience.
Thanks to all who took part in the community litter pick, organised in conjunction with St Anne's Church, on Saturday 5 October. Our village is a nicer place because of your efforts.
Our AGM was held on 18th September. The Society is in good form. Officers and committee members were elected though we can co-opt further committee members. Issues raised in AOB ranged over many subjects of interest and concern to members of our community.
Our largest audience for a long time, comprising members and guests, enjoyed a talk on Tuesday 16 April 2024 by Malcolm Henderson about Bagshot's Ancient Pubs - all 25 of them. These are different sites, not just name changes.
A large audience came to hear Surrey's Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson on 15th February. A lively debate ensured ranging over many topics.
On 17th February 2024 we held our annual 'meet you councillors' in St Anne's Church Centre. It was attended by councillors representing us at County, Borough and Parish councils. As usual a wide range of topics were discussed.
Then and Now was the title of an illustrated talk held on 30 November 2023. The illustrations were old photos of Bagshot contrasted with the same scenes as they are now.
On Thursday 22 June we had an interesting and informative talk by local charity Harper Asprey Wild Life rescue.
We organised a weed clearance on Sat 10 June.
On Wednesday 26th April 2023 we welcomed representatives from The Samaritans who told us about the work of their organisation. In their words "Every ten seconds, we respond to a call for help. No judgement. No pressure. We're here for anyone who needs someone.". The talk was well attended and well received with many questions from the audience.
Our talk 'Don't Become A Victim' on 21 March 2023 was well attended by an appreciative audience. The talk was given by a Police Cyber Security Advisor and was specifically addressed to members of the public. A summary of the key points of the talk can be downloaded from here.
On Jan 17 2023 we were able to resume "Meet Your Councillors" after two years of covid restrictions. The event was attended by nearly all our local councillors, representing county, borough and parish. Questions posed by the audience were wide-ranging and answered frankly by the councillors.
Bagshot's Almshouses was the subject of June Green's informative talk on 5 October 2022.
Our AGM was held on 21 September 2022 and attended by many members.
We suggested to the Council specific improvements to the draft Surrey Heath Local Plan on several areas including:
- to address the age imbalance in the population and housing developments.
- to mitigate flood risk from surface water run-off
- to ensure that all developments contribute to infrastructure
- to maximise the retention of hedgerows and shrubs, as well as trees
- to better provide for the charging of electric vehicles
- to correct inconsistencies in the way heritage assets are addressed.
A large audience enjoyed an informative talk on 27 July 2022 given by Alastair Dick-Cleland from the Landmark Trust, a charity who restore historic castles, forts, towers and cottages, and then ensure their preservation by deriving an income from them through holiday lets.
Thanks to all those members and non-members who helped with the litter pick in May in readiness for the Jubilee celebrations.
Also in May we welcomed Martin Boiling to a 'virtual' meeting. Martin is a volunteer with the Woodland Trust and talked about that charity and the trees they are so passionate about.
Our 'virtual' talk about Histortic Houses in February 2022 by Ben Cowell was received and very well attended.
Our AGM was held on Wednesday 8 Septembe 2021 via the Internet. A minor revision to our constitution was approved.
In August 2021 the bagshot Society committee were invited by Surrey Heath Borough Council to hear their proposals for a Community Hub for the village. Our consultation with the community revealed that one of the two proposals was not viable. Further details can be seen at bagshotvillage.org.uk/hub.
Another 'litter pick' was held on Sat 5 June 2021, clearing areas that are not routinely dealt with by the council's contractor. A futher example of community spirit by Bagshot residents
On Thursday 20th May 2021 we 'welcomed' David Richmond-Coggan who is a volunteer presenter, fundraiser and education volunteer for the RNLI who gave a fascinating and informative talk about the life-saving charity.
We held our first 'virtual' meeting on 20th January 2021. This was a presentation by, and about, the Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance Trust - the charity who operate our local air ambulance service. The informative talk was well 'attended'.
Our 2020 Annual General Meeting was held via the Internet on Wed 16 September.
The village clean up Litter Pick on Saturday 29 February 2020 was somewhat hampered by damp weather but none the less cleaned up several areas of the village.
Our annual "Meet the Councillors" Q&A session was held on Wednesday 22 January 2020. The meeting was well attended and productive.
On 20 November 2019 local historian and author Phil Stevens gave a very informative illustrated talk about Baghsot's History.
We welcomed Fr Alexis from Brookwood's St Edward Brotherhood on 23 October 2019. He gave a fascinating and amusing talk about the Orthodox Christian religion, the role of icons, and the establishment of the Saint Edward Brotherhood.
Our second village community clean-up on Saturday 28 September 2019 removed several sacks of litter from the environment.
On 27 June 2019 we had an interesting and informative talk by Cllr Vivienne Chapman (portfolio holder for Environment and Health on Surrey Heath Borough Council) about Recycling & Waste.
You can join The Bagshot Society at any of our meetings, or by requesting a membership form by emailing the address below.
To contact the society please use the email address bagshotsociety@bagshotvillage.org.uk