Wonersh

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Coordinates: 51°11′54″N 0°32′48″W / 51.1983°N 0.5468°W / 51.1983; -0.5468

Wonersh
Wonersh1.jpg
Wonersh is located in Surrey
Wonersh

 Wonersh shown within Surrey
Population 3,297 [1]
OS grid reference TQ016453
District Waverley
Shire county Surrey
Region South East
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town Guildford
Postcode district GU5
Dialling code 01483
Police Surrey
Fire Surrey
Ambulance South East Coast
EU Parliament South East England
UK Parliament Guildford
List of places: UK • England • Surrey

Wonersh is a small Surrey village in England. Wonersh is about 3 miles SSE of Guildford on the B2128 road from Guildford, Shalford to Cranleigh. Neighbouring villages include Bramley, Shamley Green and Blackheath.

Contents

[edit] History

United Reformed Church

Although little evidence has been discovered locally, it is believed that a settlement has existed in Wonersh since Anglo-Saxon times.

Until recently an ilex (holly) tree stood in the garden of Green Place and estimates of its age ranged up to 1200 years. This certainly appears to support the existent of an ancient settlement in the area, as the ilex is not an indigenous species. Indeed the name Wonersh has its origins in the Anglo-Saxon language and loosely translated means "hamlet in the winding stubble field". Furthermore, Wonersh was mentioned in the Domesday Book.[citation needed]

In 1993, the Wonersh History Society, was formed to preserve and build on a quantity of historical material and notes gathered over many years by the late Anthony Fanshaw. Much of this archive is now being transferred to the Society's computer data base and will be available.

[edit] Today

The Church of England church is called St John the Baptist and dates back to Norman times and has a bell tower. The parish of Wonersh is joined with Blackheath and lies within the Guildford diocese.[2]

There is also an United Reformed church which overlooks the village common. There is a college (St John's Seminary) for the training of Roman Catholic priests. Its Latin motto is spes messis in semine ("the hope of the harvest is in the seed").[3]

Wonersh4.jpg

Wonersh has a village shop and post office which is owned by a village co-operative. There is also a small art gallery next door. There is an active scout group in the village.

The Grantley Arms

There is a pub/restaurant named the Grantley Arms. They serve bar meals and have a separate restaurant, which is often used for functions. Both the shop and the pub are situated in the centre of the village by the 'pepper pot'.[clarification needed]

The surgery is situated in the centre of Wonersh village opposite the post office. The purpose-built right-hand part of the surgery was opened in 1972 and extended in 1982. The practice covers an area of approximately 45 miles².

[edit] Sports

There is a village green where local teams play football, cricket and stoolball. The sports club have built a pavilion there with a bar, meeting room and changing facilities.

Wonersh Bowling Club is situated in the heart of the village at the end of a lane behind the Memorial Hall. It has a view of the 395-foot Chinthurst Hill. The club was founded in 1925 by J.M. Courage, F.H. Cook, R.H. Haslam and F. Rogerson. The club is affiliated to both the English and Surrey Bowling Associations.

The bowling green, comprising six full sized rinks, is maintained by a team of groundsmen who are, themselves, active bowling members of the club. The pavilion has, in addition to the usual changing rooms and dining area, a kitchen and fully licenced bar. The bowling season runs from the beginning of April through to the end of September.

[edit] Societies

There is a well established amateur dramatic society called the Wonersh Players that write, produce and perform their own pantomimes. The Wonersh Players have been in existence since 1982,[4] always performing at the Wonersh Memorial Hall, usually during the February half term holiday, with rehearsals starting the previous October. They are an easy-going, like-minded group of friends who enjoy putting on a show, but don't take it too seriously. The quality of the costumes and scenery are second to none, and the scripts are both traditional and innovative.[citation needed]

A social club named Wonersh Village Club, which was founded about 110 years ago. It provides a venue for playing snooker, billiards, darts and all manner of card games.

There is a lively Wonersh U3A and a Gardening Club mentioned in the Parish Magazine.

[edit] Notable people

[edit] References

  1. ^ Census data
  2. ^ Parish of Wonersh
  3. ^ St John's Seminary
  4. ^ Wonersh Players

[edit] External links

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