Brookwood Village News

Volume 22   Issue 2  November 2001

This year, Remembrance Day actually does fall on 11^th November (a Sunday)
Wear your Poppy with pride

Several of our shops have Poppies so please buy from them.

On Wednesday, 14th November, the Annual General Meeting of the Brookwood Village Association is being held at which it is intended that the Annual Accounts will be tabled, Officers will be appointed to the positions of Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer and Committee members elected, hopefully with some fresh blood to replace some who have done a fair stint and now need a rest. In today’s climate a lot of the foregoing is likely to prove wishful thinking as BVA is suffering from the same malaise that is afflicting so many voluntary organisations nationwide as well as in Brookwood.

That malaise is a dearth of people who are willing to give a hand in the community and help keep these organisations going for the general benefit of everyone. For some, the economic climate makes such demands on their time that they are unable to spare even the occasional hour of service; others belong to one organisation and can’t stretch out to help another. Some even find it difficult to understand why an organisation such as BVA needs to exist!

Accompanying this Newsletter is a message from the BVA Committee that sets out quite clearly what the future for the Village is likely to be without a BVA. If you have lived in Brookwood more than a few years, you may recall that much effort was required to stop an oil depot being built in the centre of the Village, to have an organized parking scheme (the CPZ) brought in to control the commuter parking that choked our roads and to ensure that the Village had a collective voice in the corridors of the Civic Offices. Without that effort, what sort of a place would Brookwood be today? Oil tankers in and out of the Village at all times, constant congestion in Connaught Road making it even harder to get the kids to school and unwanted decisions taken at County and Borough level because "no one objected" or no one was there to object. So there you are. You have the opportunity to keep BVA alive and working by attending the AGM, by volunteering to join the Committee and support their activities.

Do you recall the recent stories in the local freebees about the Knaphill residents outrage at SCC developing their own ideas about traffic control and not consulting them? Too late now! Well we could become another non-existent or totally ignored Village quite as easily.

By the way, what did Knaphill do? They formed a Residents Association! Don’t sit back and let ours fail!

HERE’S A WORD TO THE WISE! If you have a poster for the notice board outside the Memorial Hall, it’s a good idea to enclose it in a plastic folder. Heavy rain gets into the board and makes the ink run! We will try to make it watertight.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Police report a burglary on Sunday 14th October in the late afternoon in Connaught Road (Cross roads end) It’s essential to remember to secure all windows and doors and especially sheds and gates.  Access in this case was by going through unlocked gates to get to the rear of the house. Whilst at the rear the offenders broke into a shed/outbuilding and then used tools therein to break into the house. The rear of the house needs to be much more secure than the front, but if people can't get round the back - even better. And do investigate any unusual noise or activity occurring near you. Even if you think your neighbours are in, just do a quick check because it might be unwelcome guests! Your neighbours won’t mind you showing an interest in protecting their property and at worst, you might prevent them causing one another grievous bodily harm!

APOLOGY AND CORRECTION regarding the Rainbows!

In last month’s issue we rather too simply said that the Rainbows had closed down. In fact it was a purely temporary measure and they have now obtained some help and restarted. We wish them well and hope they continue to provide our young girls with a happy and fun time! (The Editor can now come out of the corner where he has been standing in disgrace for a month!).

GARDENER WANTED! If any person would like a few hours a week maintenance gardening up on Sheets Heath, contact the Editor who has some details.

WE LEARN THAT SHEETS HEATH BRIDGE over the Canal is playing up again and Sheets Heath Residents Association has been in touch with WBC who have put some metal plates on the bridge. Safe to use at the moment while perhaps a more permanent repair can be made.

The Scouts "Big Bill White and the White Offs" evening had to be cancelled as not enough tickets were sold. Another time, perhaps.

Happy 50th Birthday to Geoff Hobbs on 16th November, with love from Sue and Sophie, and best wishes from all your friends in Brookwood Village!

And here is your Christmas treat!

Good Night Vienna! KASJOG are presenting their Viennese Concert On Saturday 15th December in the large Memorial Hall at 7.30 pm. It will be a good night by this Group who have previously given us a Music Hall and a Gilbert & Sullivan evening and are now in rehearsal for their production of "Princess Ida" in March 2002 at the Rhoda McGaw Theatre, but more of that later! Tickets are £8 and include a fish and chip supper but you bring your own bottle! Book your ticket now by calling Mac Fryatt on 01483 473246 or calling at 6 West Hill Close Don’t pretend you don’t know what you will be doing on the 15th December YOU WILL BE AT THE CONCERT, WON’T YOU?!

 And now for something completely different! It’s the

BROOKWOOD WI CHRISTMAS FAIR

Saturday 24^th November Brookwood memorial hall 2.00 pm to 4.00pm

Lots of good ideas for Christmas presents, tombolas, white elephant, games, cakes, competitions, MINCE PIES AND TEA

And, you know who,

FATHER CHRISTMAS WILL BE THERE

ALL ARE WELCOME THIS YEAR’S THEME IS CHRISTMAS carols – the ladies will be dressing up as usual!