Blackheath Village Society Minutes 4th June 2024

Minutes of the Meeting Held at Theobalds on Tuesday 4 June 2024
Present: David, Paul, Laura, Ralph and Simon.
Apologies: Anne, Ranald and Max.

1. The minutes of the last meeting held on Monday 22 April 2024 were approved
with the following matter arising:
David provided Paul with all the charity's money from the Christmas Party and Boxing
Day Walk. Paul will count up the proceeds and credit them to our HSBC account.

2. Village Fair Held on Monday 6 May 2024:
Despite the difficult weather conditions, the event still went ahead and was well attended
despite the rain. Max has provided a detailed breakdown of the income and expenditure
for the event which resulted in a total profit of £1,789.78.
Everybody on the Fair Committee was congratulated for all of their hard work and effort
during the build-up and on the day of the fair. David sold additional plants from his home,
generating an additional £356.05, which will be credited to the HSBC account.
It was lovely to see our local MP, Jeremy Hunt attending the fair with his family which
was featured in the Telegraph Newspaper.

We are still obliged to make contributions and payments to the Friary, the Ukraine
Appeal, local Scouts, Wonersh and Shamley Green School, St Martin’s Church and The
Village Hall. We need to consider how much to pay to each entity due to this year’s fair's
reduced profit, which still needs to be agreed. It was also suggested that we also contact
other local fairs, as there may be an opportunity to share equipment like marquees while
maintaining the individual identity of Blackheath Fair with our unique array of games and
events.

3. The Villagers Community Pub:
Paul explained that there was very little to add to the comments at the last meeting, as
we waited for Waverley Borough Council to decide whether to recommend or object to
the recent planning application. All comments were due to be received by 30 May 2024.
Once a decision has been made by the planning officer at Waverley Borough Council,
we can then take matters forward.
Paul also provided an update to residents of Wonersh Parish Council at their AGM,
which was held in the Blackheath Village Hall on Thursday, 16 May 2024.

4. The BVS AGM:
This will be held on Wednesday 19 June 2024, in the Blackheath Village Hall. It will
commence with drinks (Pimms) and nibbles at 7.30 pm and begin at 8.00 pm. The
agenda was discussed in general, and it was agreed to include the following additional
items in addition to the Chairman’s and Treasurer's Report.
a) The importance of increasing security in the village by the possible installation of
CCTV security cameras and signs.

b) To highlight the dangers of fires on Blackheath Common and invest in signage and fire
breaks around the village. David will speak to the ranger and Steve Brockwell in
connection to the latter point.
Simon will send a further reminder to the residents of Blackheath Village on Monday, 17
June 2024.

5. Blackheath Woodland:
Paul emailed the landowner but has not received a reply regarding our offer to buy back
the land. Simon has suggested that we let matters rest at the moment as we have not
seen the landowner over the last few months.
It was excellent news that Waverley Borough Council removed the vans from the parking
area in front of the land.

6. Flooding and Verges:
Max provided a detailed report that the ditches was cleared by Waverley Borough
Council in May, but they haven't addressed the preventative measures required to
reduce the flow of water at the bottom of the village after heavy rain. Residents in
Blackheath have cleared the culverts and pipes, but there is still some work to be done
with some collapsed pipes in front of their properties.
Homeowners have a moral responsibility to clear the culverts and repair the pipes in
front of their homes, but of course the BVS can provide help and assistance with working
parties to carry out any work required.

7. Wonersh Parish Council:
Max provided a report confirming that the AGM held in Blackheath Village Hall attracted
more than 100 attendees and the Parish Council were making great strides with the
fields below Barnett Hill, mostly through Wonersh volunteers. The St John’s Seminary
has passed the planning process and includes a payment for infrastructure
improvements, which has been earmarked for road layouts in Wonersh. This includes
safe pedestrian crossing from the footpaths to the village centre.
Finally, Surrey County Council have agreed to 20 mph speed limits in our lanes which
will be enforceable by the police. However, we will require official 20 mph signs, which
will increase the signage and road furniture throughout the village, which may not receive
the approval of the residents. This is something that we need to consult with the
Blackheath community,

8. The Cricket Club:
a) Simon reported that a larger 75-inch television and sound bar will be installed in the
Cricket Pavilion. This will make sporting events far more attractive, and David agreed we
should gain far more support from the village to attend any future events. The BVS will
assist with the distribution of flyers and posters throughout the village, which hopefully
will increase the number of residents attending organised events at the Cricket Pavilion.

b) Simon reported that a Ukrainian fundraising evening will be held on Saturday 22 June
2024.

c) Laura advised everyone that there are still prizes available from the village fair, which
include afternoon tea at Barnett Hill and wine from Taurus Wine merchants, which the
Cricket Club can raffle at any event.

9. Any Other Business:
The BVS is committed to holding a Summer Party on the cricket ground for the Bank
Holiday on Monday 26 August 2024. Future arrangements to be agreed.
10) Next Meeting:
The next meeting will be held at Theobalds on Tuesday 23 July 2024 at 7.30 pm.

____________________________________________________________
Blackheath Village Society
http://www.blackheathsurrey.co.uk
Tel: 01483 790000 Mob: 07768850003 Email: paul@bil.uk.com