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informative photo-essays
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dedicated to images of the art of the Valley
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new themes about the Valley in greater depth
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new topical articles reporting on what's new in the Valley
JUMP TO NEW ARTICLES 2007
Photo-files
Guildford Cathedral
Perched high on top of Stag Hill, Guildford Cathedral is rarely seen as a particularly attractive building. However its stark exterior hides a stunningly beautiful building inside, and here we give you a whistlestop tour. Floodlit at night the Cathedral comes into its own and deserves its commanding position over the town.
(November 2006)
Farnham Park
Bordering Farnham Castle this large park, once a medieval deer-hunting ground, provides important habitats for rare wildlife as well as a beautiful recreational space for the residents of this bustling market town.
(November 2006)
A Tour Around Woking Palace
A grand royal palace started by Henry VIII's father and completed by him stands today on the banks of the River Wey in ruins. The Friends of Woking Palace are actively seeking funding to secure this important part of the Valley's heritage for future generations.
(October 2006)
The British National Ploughing Championships 2006
Perhaps not everyone's idea of a fun-day out but the championships at Loseley Park allowed the public to see for themselves the exacting skills of professional ploughmen teamed up with heavy horses, vintage tractors and high-tech GPS controlled machines. Where straight furrows matter . . . (October 2006)
Before The Fire - Thursley Reserve Through The Lens of Nature Photographer Jeremy Early
The fire that destroyed most of Thursley Nature Reserve in July 2006 swept away the natural beauty of this ancient area of heathland. With it went the wildlife, much of which falls within endangered species lists, so here we take the opportunity to see what we're missing through the nature photography of Jeremy Early.
(October 2006)
Dunsfold Aerodrome Wings & Wheels
The historic WWII airfield at Dunsfold saw a lot of action during the war and this the second of the Wings & Wheels commemorates the supreme efforts of British and Allied services. Dunsfold is also at the centre over a debate as to its future. Four pages of action pictures.
(August 2006)
The Thursley National Nature Reserve Fire
The internationally recognised Thursley Reserve was almost completely destroyed by fire in July 2006. Here, just over a month on, we show the extent of the destruction but also encouraging signs of life beginning to return.
(August 2006)
The Wobbly Hill Races
English eccentricity is alive and well in the hills of the Wey Valley. Join us for the spills and thrills of this extravaganza of mad downhill racing - no holds barred!
(May 2006)
Bees & Beekeeping
A tour with apiarist Don Burgess around Meon Valley Beekeepers Association hives. (see also Main Features)
(May 2006)
Planning a Water-efficient Garden
Plants chosen by Southern Water in their specially researched low water maintenance garden.
(May 2006)
How Charcoal is Made
Join Ian Baldwin of Sylvan Charcoal on a burn. It's dirty but it's fun! (see also Main Features)
(April 2006)
Galleries
The Wey Artists Gallery
We've launched a new gallery dedicated to the works of Wey artists and photographers who have given their support by allowing us to publish their paintings and pictures to help illustrate the narrative throughout the site. The gallery brings together all the pictures featured on the site and provides the opportunity to see other examples of their work too. This gallery will continue to grow so please come back again too.
(July 2006)
Main Features
Conserving the Wey Valley Landscape
The Wey Valley Landscape Partnership is seeking funding from the National Lottery's Heritage Lottery Fund to finance projects for conserving and enhancing the heritage and enjoyment of the valley. Find out more and see if you can get involved on this page submitted by the Wey Valley Landscape Partnership.
(October 2006)
The Wey at Play
Bringing together some of our renowned photo-files to capture the events and the people involved in the serious art of keeping themselves entertained.
(October 2006)
Lives of People in the Valley Today
A new feature providing an insight into the people at work, rest and play living along the Wey Valley today.
This section will continue to be contributed to so check again for updates.
(August 2006)
The Town of Godalming
Additional articles and in depth research have greatly expanded this section giving an interesting insight into the history and life of this important Wey Valley town. Additional photographs.
(August 2006)
Wey Mammals
A new feature introducing you to the mammals of the Wey Valley, both large and small, and highlighting the plight of some of our wild animals as they struggle to adjust to change both natural and imposed on them by man. This section will continue to be contributed to so check again for updates.
(July 2006)
Bees and The History of Beekeeping
An introduction to man's long obsession with honeybees and astounding facts about bees and honey.
(May 2006)
Charcoal
The importance of charcoal in the development of gunpowder manufacture in the Wey Valley.
(April 2006)
Articles
Tuesley Farm Polytunnel Dispute Concludes
The long-running dispute between the soft-fruit producers who had installed extensive runs of polytunnels to provide extended growing seasons for their produce, and the local council was concluded with a landmark ruling that will force farmers to seek planning permission in future.
(December 2006)
Britten's Pond on Stringer's Common to be Rejuvenated
The Surrey Wildlife Trust have been given the go-ahead to make improvements to the pond to provide a better habitat for wildlife and better facilities for fishing.
(December 2006)
Shalford
New article outlining the history and points of interest about this village near Guildford which in medieval times hosted one of the largest and most influential fairs in the country.
(December 2006)
Volunteers Sought for Wey Valley Conservation
The Waverley Borough Council's countryside rangers carry out some of their most important conservation work in the winter months and new volunteers are being sought to give a helping hand.
(December 2006)
Mercedes-Benz World benefits Brooklands
The German car manufacturer has opened a hands-on 'brand experience site' at the historic racing circuit and in so doing has renovated parts of the famous track and regenerated a 60 acre community park.
(November 2006)
Community on the Hill to Save Guildford Cathedral
The Dean of Guildford Cathedral is seeking permission to build a 22-acre Cathedral Quarter with housing, restaurants and entertainment facilities, together with a monorail system in order to generate funds for the upkeep of the cathedral. Last year the cathedral lost £100,000 and funds are urgently needed to stop the building from seriously deteriorating any further.
(November 2006)
Seven-mile Wide Gas Reservoir below Guildford?
A gas company is applying for permission to store natural gas in a natural reservoir 2,000 ft beneath the ground on the outskirts of Guildford.
(November 2006)
Chitty's Common to be Regenerated
A neglected strip of 13 acres of common land in a high intensity urban area is to be regenerated by the Surrey Wildlife Trust thanks to a £10,000 award.
(November 2006)
Change on the Heath
A touring exhibition highlighting the history and importance of lowland heathland in the Wey Valley has opened. Only a fifth of the original heathland survives today and much of this is still under threat.
(November 2006)
Wey & Arun Canal Loxwood Crossing Restoration
The Wey & Arun Canal Trust have announced that the restoration of the canal beneath the road at Loxwood nears completion. The Trust hope to have fully restored the canal between the Rivers Wey and Arun within a 15 year period.
(November 2006)
Redgrave Theatre Threatened with Demolition
Farnham's Redgrave Theatre, which was opened with a Royal Gala 30 years ago but has been boarded up since 1999, has a final chance to be saved as a public consultation draws to a close.
(November 2006)
The Harlequin Ladybird Threat
The most invasive ladybird on Earth has taken up residence in the Wey Valley and is threatening our native species.
(November 2006)
Farnham Park
We explore the history and wildlife of one of the largest countryside sites in the Wey Valley.
(November 2006)
Community Service Offenders Work on Conservation Projects
The Guildford-based Swingbridge Community Boat Project has seen the boat used for the fourth consecutive year in getting offenders sentenced in the courts undertake valuable unpaid environmental work along the Wey.
(November 2006)
Devil's Punchbowl Tunnel Finally Gets Green Light
The Government has finally announced that the thirty-year wait for a tunnel to carry the A3 from London to Portsmouth beneath this important beauty spot and wildlife haven is over.
(November 2006)
Send and Send Prison
The village of Send nestles against the banks of the Wey Navigation. Its appearance belies its ancient history and the fact that within its parish boundary isolated by farmland is HM Prison Send on the site of a former Smallpox Isolation Hospital.
(November 2006)
Peper Harow
The unusual name and spelling of this small hamlet near Godalming in Surrey always sparks debate as to the origin of its name. We research some of the theories and explore the fascinating history of this interesting settlement.
(October 2006)
New Otter Holts Planned
The Surrey Wildlife Trust are hoping to launch a sustained campaign to encourage otters to settle in the Wey again by constructing otter holts.
(October 2006)
Surrey University Linguists Recording Dying Languages
The Surrey Morphology Group based at the University of Surrey in Guildford has set the task of recording and analysing some of the world's languages before they are lost forever.
(October 2006)
Invasion Threatens Our Rivers
The River Wey faces the continuing and worsening threat from alien species of wildlife that is overwhelming native wildlife.
(October 2006)
The Fate of the Wild Hare
The incrediby fast hare can sprint at up to 45 mph (70 kmh) but hasn't been able to outrun man who are still legally allowed to shoot them and suffer from chronic food shortages at critical times of the year.
(October 2006)
Global Warming Brings Butterfly & Moth Invasion
Several hitherto rare species of moths in particular are increasingly being recorded in large numbers in southern England. The moths are attracted by the warmer conditions with many migrating from as far as north Africa and the Canaries.
(October 2006)
Rare Wildlife Species Found at Chilworth Gunpowder Mills
Rare mammal species including dormice have been found to have established themselves in the historic ruins of the gunpowder works at Chilworth.
(October 2006)
Wartime Guildford
From the late 19th century onwards Guildford became a focus of invasion defence plans with many structures surviving until today. Flying bombs, the sucessful 'Dig for Victory' campaign and thousands of evacuee children during the last war all left their mark.
(October 2006)
The Army in Guildford
The town was home to the Queen's Royal Regiment at Stoughton Barracks for 83 years and the Women's Royal Army Corps were based at the neighbouring Queen Elizabeth Barracks from the Second World War. Today Stoughton Barracks is an upmarket residential estate.
(October 2006)
Royal Surrey Hospital Threatened with Closure
Guildford's Royal Surrey Hospital delivers critical in-patient and out-patient services to thousands of people every year, but under NHS plans to save £100m the hospital and its A&E department could close.
(October 2006)
Dapdune Wharf
It was at Dapdune Wharf that many of the huge Wey barges were built and the National Trust restored the wharf to show how the men working for the Stevens family went about their business.
(October 2006)
Waterways Closure Threat
Luckily the Wey Navigations are owned by the National Trust. The 2,200 miles of waterways managed by British Waterways are not so lucky as huge budget cuts are announced resuting in job losses, reduction in maintenance and the threat of closure for some canals.
(October 2006)
Garden Feeding Blamed for Killing Birds
A parasite that infects throat and gut is spreading rapidly due to the close proximity of birds visiting garden bird tables.
(October 2006)
Hatchlands Park and Icehouse
Sitting on a 420 acre estate Hatchlands Park was a house of distinction in the 18th century and one steeped in history. In the grounds is a well preserved icehouse used by large households in the days before the luxury of refrigerators.
(October 2006)
West Clandon & The Dragon
The small village of West Clandon has at its heart a 12th century church that houses artefacts including a medieval carving depicting a local legend about the slaying of a dragon, unique bread shelves for the poor, a scratch dial and a 19th century clock with a rare winding mechanism.
(October 2006)
Peasmarsh Common Habitat Improvements
The important wet woodland habitat at Peasmarsh has had grant funding secured by the local council to undertake improvements. The central pond has been cleared and a new breeding island created.
(October 2006)
Male Fish Changing Sex
A major study into the effects of pollution in English rivers including the Wey has discovered that a third of male fish are changing sex due to exposure of female hormones being discharged into the river system
(October 2006)
Summit Section of Wey & Arun Canal Opened
The ongoing efforts of volunteers from the Wey & Arun Trust are gradually restoring this historic canal that once linked the Wey Navigation with the sea. The difficult Summit Level has been officially re-opened with a ceremony to mark this important milestone.
(October 2006)
'Garden Grabbing' Concerns
Wey Valley residents have taken to the streets to protest the growing trend of developers to target large gardens for housing developments. Developers use satellite maps to target gardens classified as brownfield land for which the planning process is easier.
(October 2006)
Wartime British Restaurants
In common with the rest of Britain during the Second World War citizens in the Wey Valley were severely affected by disrupted food supplies and resultant food rationing. The government established communal kitchens, which became known as 'British Restaurants' to ensure that every citizen could eat at least one wholesome cooked meal per day.
(October 2006)
The Maori Meeting House at Clandon Park
A direct descendant of the Maori craftsman who built the traditional meeting house imported and erected at Clandon Park in the 18th century is overseeing its restoration.
(October 2006)
Wey Valley Farrier Joins England Team
Elstead based farrier Adrian Devereux has won a coveted place in the horse-shoeing team representing England in international competitions. Learn more about the skills of a farrier.
(September 2006)
Polytunnel Battle Continues
Tuesley Farm near Godalming has been at the centre of controversy ever since a major supplier of soft fruit to supermarkets took over the farm in 2003 and converted the farm to intensive polytunnel horticulture. Variously viewed as providing an eyesore to an important agricultural business, an enforcement action to close the operation down will now go to High Court appeal.
(September 2006)
Waterside Properties Command Premium Prices
New research has confirmed that the English find living alongside water irresistibly romantic which reflects in the price people are willing to pay to live alongside a river. This is especially true along the Wey Valley where few properties sit right alongside the river.
(September 2006)
National Butterfly & Moth Counts
Many of the Valley's butterflies and moths species are at risk so mass surveys conducted by coordinated effort by the public do a great deal to help conservationists determine the extent of the decline and what can be done to combat it. A nationwide butterfly count was held in June and a forthcoming moth survey in September will help completed the picture.
(September 2006)
Low-energy First
In the 125th anniversary year of being the first town ever to have installed electric public street lighting, Godalming has now notched up another world-first : the installation of state-of-the-art low-energy CosmoPolis street lamps.
(September 2006)
History of Dunsfold Aerodrome
The current debate over the future of Dunsfold (see below August 2006) and the second successful year of Dunsfold Aerodrome's Wings & Wheels event (see above photo-file August 2006) have put this WWII airfield firmly back in the news. Here we celebrate the aerodrome's significant history.
(August 2006)
Archaeological Survey on Mysterious Silent Pool
The beauty spot near Guildford with The Silent Pool at its heart has been at the centre of debate for hundreds of years both for the legend associated with King John and a woodsman's daughter who drowned there, and the pond's geological origins. A survey solves the latter.
(August 2006)
Wey Ornithological Artist Paintings in Sotheby's Auction
Archibald Thorburn, who lived and painted in the valley for 30 years and who is regarded as one of Britain's most important painter of birds, is at the centre of an auction that is expected to raise over £360,000.
(August 2006)
Horse Chestnut Infestation
Horse chestnut in the Wey Valley now have to contend with the highly destructive activities of a species of moth. The tree has already been suffering from the effects of drought and the disease of bleeding canker.
(August 2006)
Godalming Town to go Wireless
In keeping with its tradition of wanting to be a technology pioneer, Godalming Town Council announces plans to bring publicly available wireless technology to the town, 125 years after being the first in Britain to provide a public electricity supply.
(August 2006)
Drought Dangers of Ragwort
Livestock and humans in the Wey Valley are at even greater risk of poisoning from coming into contact with this potentially fatal weed during periods of drought warn animal welfare groups.
(August 2006)
Independent Brewery Scoops Award
The fledgling Surrey Hills Brewery in Shere has just added a new award from the prestigious Great British Beer Festival to its collection. Brewing has a long and distinguished history in the valley.
(August 2006)
Fears over Flood Funding Cuts for Godalming's Lammas Lands
Local residents living alongside the Lammas water meadows fear that proposed cuts on flood control will have a devastating effect on local flood defences.
(August 2006)
Protest against Plans for Dunsfold Aerodrome New Town Development Hot Up
The historic Dunsfold Aerodrome is at the centre of an ongoing row over how the defunct airfield should be used to the benefit of the local community.
(August 2006)
Thursley 'Dame School' Restored
A Victorian dame school that provided a rudimentary education for working class children has been restored in the village of Thursley with funds from the church restoration project.
(August 2006)
Mount Browne & Surrey Police
The history of the building that was once home to the Third Marquis of Sligo and now serves as the headquarters of Surrey Police.
(August 2006)
Rare Breeds Farmer Claims Weir is Flooding His Land
The farmer at Burpham Court Farm, having lost an appeal hearing, is vowing to take his fight with the National Trust who own and operate the weir to the Lords.
(July 2006)
Funding Shock for Wildlife Agency will affect Wey Valley
Plans for Natural England, a new Government funded agency that was to be entrusted with looking after Sites of Special Scientific Interest and implement threatened species recovery, are now in tatters and will impact negatively on the valley.
(July 2006)
Frensham Dairy Farm gifted to Countryside Restoration Trust
Pierrepont Farm, which incorporates an important Site of Special Scientific Interest alongside the River Wey, is now to be preserved as a traditional dairy farm by a trust dedicated to blending profitable farming with traditional thinking.
(July 2006)
Pesticide Campaign Stalls
The one-woman campaign of Sussex resident Georgina Down to have controls imposed on pesticide spraying stalls. Down suffers from ill-health due to ingesting spray carried from fields.
(July 2006)
Sniffer Dogs to Help Protect Threatened Bumblebees
A springer has been trained to sniff out difficult to find bumblebee nests to help determine the extent of the rapid decline in their numbers.
(July 2006)
Rare Species Protection Plan under Pressure
Housing developers baulk under a new plan put forward by English Nature to govern planning applications near sites protecting the habitats of rare birds.
(July 2006)
Fierce Heathland Fire Destroys Thursley Nature Reserve
The Nature Reserve at Thursley and home to many rare species of wildlife is devastated by fire. A local man has been arrested on suspicion of arson.
(July 2006)
The Fate of the Wild Hare
The debate over how to help the brown hare survive in 21st century Britain continues. How many have you seen in the valley recently?
(July 2006)
Heatwave in Wey Valley breaks All Records
Temperatures in Wisley broke the record for July set almost a century ago triggering concern for the welfare of wildlife in the Wey Valley.
(July 2006)
Dragonflies Along the Wey
One species of insect that seems to be holding its own along the Wey is the dragonfly, a fearsome predator that also serves the valley's food chains well.
(July 2006)
Wildlife Concerns as Heatwave in Valley breaks all Records
People and wildlife suffer in the heat as the effects compact those already caused by drought.
(July 2006)
Songbird Populations under Threat
The Wey Valley mirrors the rest of Britain in the way that our once common songbirds are now in serious decline. Here we detail why and what you can do to help reverse the trend.
(July 2006)
George Langton
A wealthy Lincolnshire landowner who was an early shareholder of the Wey Navigation. Excerpts from his diaries provide a fascinating insight into the day-to-day difficulties of running the waterway in the 17th century.
(July 2006)
Eco-friendly Light Fantastic 125th Anniversary
Godalming celebrates the fact that it was the first town in Britain to have public electric lighting with an exhibition and challenge to design and build a power-generating water turbine.
(July 2006)
Import of Bees Blamed for Doubling of Insect Stings
Millions of colonies of bumblebees are imported into Britain every year to be put at work pollinating in glasshouses. Whilst the native wild bumblebee is in serious decline in the Wey Valley and elsewhere, these imported species are increasing in numbers, as are injuries being incurred by people getting close to them.
(July 2006)
TV Show Lifeline for Watts Gallery
The BBC show Restoration Villages presented by Griff Rhys Jones has selected the Watts Gallery in Compton as a contender for the £500,000 funding to be presented to the winner.
(July 2006)
Devil's Punchbowl Tunnel Funding Approved
The thirty year battle to relieve the Devil's Punchbowl and its sensitive Site of Special Scientific Interest of the choking effects of the A3 London to Portsmouth route has at last been won.
(July 2006)
New Bridge over Godalming Navigation
A new foot and cycle bridge at Unstead Woods connects to Downslink reconnecting the old railway embankments after many decades.
(July 2006)
Battle for Guildford Civic
Since the Civic Hall closed in 2004 the town has been without a major public arts and entertainment venue. Local frustration has been bubbling to the surface but at last the council have announced plans for a rebuild.
(July 2006)
Watts Chapel & Gallery in Compton
To commemorate the celebrated Victorian artist and sculptor G.F.Watts his wife built a unique architectural art nouveau chapel, and a gallery in which to display his art. And did you ever wonder why there are two wooden crosses on the A3 slip-road into Compton?
(June 2006)
Demoiselle Damselfly Saved from Extinction
After decades of serious decline Britain's largest damselfy returns to health in southern England.
(June 2006)
The Battle for Biodiversity
New report reveals ongoing pressure on wildlife habitats by new housing, agriculture and pollution.
(June 2006)
Wild About Gardens Campaign Launched
RHS & Wildlife Trusts launch initiative to raise public awareness as to importance of domestic gardens providing habitats for wildlife.
(
June 2006)
Quarry Plan Threatens River Wey Site of Special Scientific Interest
Surrey County Council is forging ahead with plans to turn land on Eashing Farm into a quarry to excavate millions of tonnes of sand and Bargate stone.
(June 2006)
Surrey Wildlife Trust Appointment Causes Controversy
Appointment of new CEO from the Countryside Alliance causes rift among conservationists.
(June 2006)
Sniffer Bees Recruited to Detect Explosives
As part of our coverage of bee keeping and the plight of honey bees in the Wey Valley we've included this extraordinary piece about how bees have been recruited in the fight against terrorism. Strange but true.
(May 2006)
Wey Valley 17c Poet John Donne's Portrait Saved for the Nation
Campaign by National Portrait Gallery secures the future of a painting described as the most important of any British poet. (May 2006)
Butterfly Species back from Extinction
Six species of butterflies begin to increase in numbers following intensive conservation efforts.
(May 2006)
Sheep are not so Dumb After All!
Researchers reveal the true intelligence of sheep.
(May 2006)
Honeybees in Serious Decline
Disease and infestation over the last 5 years has resulted in the total loss of wild bee colonies and a decline in productivity of domestic hives in Britain.
(May 2006)
Rare Dartford Warbler Threatened by Housing Development
New EU law halts building of 20,000 new homes across Thames Basin Heaths to protect the habitats of three species of birds threatened with extinction.
(May 2006)
Bees in the City
Apiarists are increasingly keeping hives in heavily populated urban areas and claim higher productivity and purer honey. (May 2006)
Threatened Bird Sites
RSPB highlights dangers of building development encroaching on bird breeding sites along the Wey Valley.
(May 2006)
Home on a Narrowboat
The cost of buying and maintaining a home on the waterways. (May 2006)
Hotel & Casino Plan Threatens to Impinge on Conservation Area
Planning officers reject plan for new building complex that would back on to the river in Guildford. Developers will re-apply.
(May 2006)
Air Pollution
The Wey Valley suffers amongst the highest rates of CO2 emissions in Britain.
(May 2006)
Record Low Water Levels
Water crisis threatens the River Wey.
(April 2006)
Guildford is the Safest Town in Britain - it's Official
Research shows Guildford as having lowest incidence of household theft in the UK.
(April 2006)
Flood Risk
Environment Agency seeks to raise awareness of flood risk with new Floodline Warnings Direct service
(March 2006)
Water Usage Statistics
Domestic water usage
(March 2006)
The Ugliest Building in Guildford
Friary Court is voted the ugliest building. And the prettiest was . . . .
(March 2006)
Hosepipe Bans
Environment Agency calls for hosepipe bans
(February 2006)
Film Glamour Comes to Godalming!
Hollywood stars filming in Godalming and Shere for forthcoming film The Holiday
(February 2006)
A Piece of Punk Rock History!
The Star public house in Guildford was integral to the explosion of punk rock in the seventies.
(February 2006)
Water Levels
Environment Agency releases study into catchment areas of rivers in England and highlight River Wey as being at high risk. (January 2006)
JUMP TO NEW ARTICLES 2007
Jump to sections:
PHOTO-FILES
informative photo-essays
GALLERIES
dedicated to images of the art of the Valley
MAIN FEATURES
new themes about the Valley in greater depth
ARTICLES
new topical articles reporting on what's new in the Valley
|
