Compton Village—Traffic calming proposals
Compton residents should have received a letter from Surrey County Council advising there will be two four-hour sessions in Compton Village Hall for viewing the latest traffic calming plans and providing views. These include village gates, a 20 mph section at the western end, low raised tables at either end, and at some junctions, together with some pedestrian and crossing improvements. The dates are Monday 3 February 4pm to 8pm AND Wednesday 5 February 11am to 3pm.
It is vital that Compton residents attend one or other meeting, consider the plans and give views at one of the sessions as well as online at https://comptonvillage.commonplace.is where the plans will be available from 3 February. When giving views, please do consider and comment on the implications for the village as a whole as well as for your particular location.
Compton Parish Council and the Compton Traffic Group have a long history of engagement with Surrey County Council and Surrey Police regarding the adverse impacts to the village residents of high traffic volume, excessive speeding, lack of driver care and poor paths and pedestrian crossing layout. This has included Speedwatch teams from 2008, three Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) purchased by the Parish and installed in 2010, and speed surveys undertaken in 2015, 2018 and 2023.
The possibility of installing average speed cameras as an option to physical highway works has been discussed with the authorities for several years. Last year it was thought this would be offered but it is understood that option has now been withdrawn. Parish Council and the Traffic Group continue to lobby to have that option made available. The story on average speed camera lobbying to date can be read at https://www.cameras4compton.com/.
Compton Phone Box
Compton Phone Box raised £2,521 (83 individual donations) for the Phylis Tuckwell hospice charity with its ‘Santa Claus down the chimney Christmas’ and ‘Red Riding Hood Panto’ installations. Thanks in particular go to Hans Christmas Andersen for the beautiful tree and All for Love London for help with the decorations. Most of all, thank you to all the people who have supported the phone box over the last year and helped achieve such a great amount for local hospice charity Phylis Tuckwell. Spiceall resident Laurie Hill is part of Phylis Tuckwell’s At Home team. In November 2024 she was awarded the Queen’s Nurse status from the Queen’s Nurse Institute. This annual award is granted once a year to a limited number of nurses who demonstrate a commitment to high standards of care and practice. The title is a recognition of a nurse's commitment to learning, leadership and excellence in healthcare. Congratulations, Laurie.
Compton Village Association Subscriptions
2025 subscriptions to Compton Village Association are NOW DUE. Subscriptions remain the same as previous years: £4 per family or £2 for individuals and Senior Citizen couples. Many of you generously include a donation in addition to this modest subscription, which is very much appreciated. The Village Association is a non-profit organisation and is responsible for many village publications and services: Village Website • Village Projects in conjunction with the Parish Council • Village Fete • Welcome Pack for newcomers to the village • Guide to useful phone numbers • Managing the minibus, Compo, in accordance with the joint venture agreement with the Watts Gallery • Compton NEWS (Whether you receive the NEWS by hand through your door, in the post or by email, your contribution is truly valued and very welcome).
PAYMENT METHODS - Bank transfer to the Compton Village Association account at Lloyds bank: Sort Code 30-93-49, Account No. 00115047. Business account. Please use the reference 2025 Sub.
Click on this form - send either a printed copy or by email - to send your subscription to the Treasurer, David Hunt, at Poplar Cottage, The Common, Compton, Guildford GU3 1JF. Cheques payable to Compton Village Association.
⸙⸙Wild About Compton ⸙⸙
Phil Gorton is the recipient of a Lifetime Membership Award from Surrey Wildlife Trust (SWT). It is an acknowledgement of the years of quiet dedication he’s poured into the site at Pucks Oak Barn in his role as a Volunteer Warden. Clare O’Reilly, who is the Conservation Manager for Central Surrey for SWT and manages Pucks Oak, along with the other McAlmont Reserves in the area, made the nomination. Congratulations to Phil, who does so much for the village, including laying hedges, helping in the churchyard, bell ringing, house histories, in addition to his work at Pucks Oak. Clare is also keen to talk more about the Reserves in the area and the work of her team. She hopes to inspire and encourage people to join SWT’s volunteer sessions. Further details about these events will be published in the coming months.
New Organist at St Nicholas Church
Greeting from St Nicholas’ organ bench. Richard Dacey is the new Organist and Choir Director at St Nicholas. He’ll be playing the beautiful Kenneth Jones organ on Sunday mornings at 10.30am and at Evensong on the first Sunday of the month. Richard studied music at the RCM in London and has enjoyed a varied career as a teacher, performer and music theatre vocal coach. He’s also chairman of the Vivace Chorus in Guildford. If you are interested in joining the choir at St Nicholas, then now is the time as the Choir Director is hoping to provide opportunities for young people to gain experience in singing, organ-playing and performing in junior workshops and concerts. The church building is an inspiring venue for the arts and there are plans to organise a concert series in the village on a regular basis, hence the need for more singers. Email stnicholascompton.organist@gmail.com or come and chat to Richard after a service in church on Sunday.
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-historybook. 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.
Compo drivers needed.
Compo needs drivers. The weekly shopping service to Godalming aboard Compo is a vital community resource that relies on the generosity and commitment of volunteers. The service provides a much-needed connection for those who may otherwise find it difficult to access essential goods. If you have the availability on a Tuesday morning approximately once a month to drive the bus, thus contributing to this valuable service, contact Jon Maslin at j_maslin@hotmail.com or Richard Paxton at paxtonrichard@gmail.com.
Compton Little Theatre
Thank you to everyone who came to watch Red Riding Hood in January. Compton Little Theatre had great fun bringing it to the stage and hope all the audiences enjoyed it. CLT is thinking about its next production, so watch this space. In the meantime, there will be upcoming social events. CLT also plans to hold its next AGM within the next few months. More information to follow. To stay up-to-date with news, events, social activities, auditions and performance dates, join CLT’s mailing list by emailing committee@comptonlittletheatre.org.uk.
WELCOME PACK FOR NEWCOMERS TO COMPTON
At last, 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.
Harrow Pub Development
A revised application has been filed with Guildford Borough Council’s planning department for the Harrow redevelopment. It can be viewed at https://publicaccess.guildford.gov.uk/online-applications/, using the reference 24/P/00449 (Change of use of building together with extensions and alterations following partial demolition to provide 5 dwellings with associated amenity space and car parking. The Harrow Inn, The Street, Compton, Guildford, GU3 1EG). The deadline for comments and objections is Friday 3 May and a minimum of 20 is required for the revised development application to go to a planning committee decision.
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.
