Blackheath Village Society Minutes 24th Feburary 2026

Minutes of the BVS Meeting Held at Theobalds on Tuesday, 24th February 2026 at
7:30 pm
Present: Paul, David, Anne, Simon, Andy, and Ralph
Apologies: Laura, Ranald, and Max

1. The minutes of the last meeting held on 20th January 2026 were agreed with no
points arising.

2. Jazz Night
This has been confirmed to be held on 14th March 2026 at the Cricket Club. It will be a
combined Cricket Club and BVS event. Presently, 16 tickets have been sold with a
capacity of at least 60 people. We will arrange for a mail drop and a printed brochure to
be distributed to all residents over the weekend, with posters erected at the crossroads.

3. Poll and Suggestion Box
This will be launched during the early part of March, and its objective is to obtain ideas
for new events and to get residents involved with the activities of the BVS. Paul will
provide Charlie with all the details, and an introductory paragraph would be useful to
explain what the poll/suggestion box is for. Once this has been completed, Paul will
send an email via Simon for the residents.

4. Village Fair
It was confirmed at the last meeting that we would not have a fair in 2026, as there are
not enough volunteers to help set up and run the fair comprehensively. We therefore
agreed we would arrange a social event on 25th May 2026. This will involve a walk
(similar to the Boxing Day walk) followed by a barbecue in order that we can recruit new
helpers for a fair to be held in 2027.

5. Village Hall
It was confirmed that the Village Hall clock has stopped, and Simon will arrange for Mark
to have a look at it, and he advise Paul of any works that need to be carried out. Paul
will look at his old files and see if he can contact the original firm that installed the clock.

Simon confirmed he will arrange to have the storage unit adjacent to the Village Hall
redesigned and rebuilt to provide much-needed storage. This is due to the small shed at
the rear of the property being demolished to make way for new steps. Simon will ask
Jamie and Ranald to help build it, and it was agreed that any costs for the materials
would be funded by the BVS

Simon confirmed that a quiz night will be held at the Village Hall on Saturday, 28th
February, and that all tickets have been sold.

6. Cricket Club
Simon confirmed that the season will commence on 18th April 2026 with the first junior’s
evening on Friday 17th April 2026.

7. The Villagers Pub
Paul provided an update, which has been published on the BVS website. This included
the various grounds submitted to the Council as part of the pre-application protocol letter,
which could lead to a new Judicial Review.
Paul will send members of the committee the latest leaflet via WhatsApp. We also
discussed the success of the coffee facility run by Sophie two mornings a week and how
this has encouraged the community and local residents to socialise regularly.

8. Wonersh Parish Council
As Max was not available, there is nothing to report under this heading.

9. Website
It was explained that the archive photographs on the BVS website are no longer
available. David will speak with Jane Barlow to enquire whether these can be made
available again for the community.

10. Heathlands
It was agreed that this matter is dealt with under the lease agreement between the Lord
of the Manor and Waverley Borough Council. The BVS is not in a position to be involved
with Blackheath Common, apart from providing important information that needs to be
distributed to residents: eg - the recent fire.

11. Any Other Business
a) It was suggested that next year's Christmas Party be held at the Cricket Club due to
the small number of residents who attended last year’s event.
b) Paul confirmed that Peter Walshall will be renovating the Silver Jubilee sign, and it will
be erected soon at the crossroads.

12. Next meeting to be held on Tuesday, 21st April 2026 at Theobalds.