Wonersh

infobox UK place
country = England
latitude= 51.1983
longitude= -0.5468
official_name= Wonersh
map_type= Surrey
population = 3,297 [ [http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=800143&c=GU5+0PE&d=16&e=15&g=492394&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&enc=1&dsFamilyId=779 Census data] ]
shire_district= Waverley
shire_county = Surrey
region= South East England
constituency_westminster= Guildford
post_town= Guildford
postcode_district = GU5
postcode_area= GU
dial_code= 01483
os_grid_reference=TQ016453

Wonersh is a small Surrey village in England. Wonersh is about 3 miles SSE of Guildford on the B2128 road from Guildford, Shalford to Cranleigh. Neighbouring villages include Bramley, Shamley Green and Blackheath.

History

Although little evidence has been discovered locally, it is believed that a settlement has existed in Wonersh since Anglo-Saxon times.

Until recently an ilex (holly) tree stood in the garden of Green Place and estimates of its age ranged up to 1200 years. This certainly appears to support the existent of an ancient settlement in the area, as the ilex is not indigenous species. Indeed the name Wonersh has its origins in the Anglo-Saxon language and loosely translated means "hamlet in the winding stubble field". Furthermore, Wonersh was mentioned in the Domesday Book.Fact|date=September 2007

In 1993, the Wonersh History Society was formed to preserve and build on a quantity of historical material and notes gathered over many years by the late Anthony Fanshaw. Much of this archive is now being transferred to the Society's computer data base and will be available.

Today

The Church of England church is called St John the Baptist and dates back to Norman times and has a bell tower. The parish of Wonersh is joined with Blackheath and lies within the Guildford diocese. [ [http://www.wonershchurch.com/ Parish of Wonersh] ]

There is also an United Reformed church which overlooks the village common. There is a college (St John's Seminary) for the training of Roman Catholic priests. Its motto is " _la. spes messis in semine" (the hope of the harvest is in the seed). [ [http://www.wonersh.org/ St John's Seminary] ]

Wonersh has a village shop and post office which is owned by a village co-operative. There is also a small art gallery next door. There is an active scout group in the village.

There is a pub/restaurant named the Grantley Arms. They serve bar meals and have a separate restaurant, which is often used for functions. Both the shop and the pub are situated in the centre of the village by the 'pepper pot'.

The surgery is situated in the centre of Wonersh village opposite the post office. The purpose built right hand part of the surgery was opened in 1972 and extended in 1982. The practice covers an area approximately 45 miles².

Sports

There is a village green where local teams play football, cricket and stoolball. The sports club have built a pavilion there with a bar, meeting room and changing facilities.

There is also a bowls club which was founded in 1925. Wonersh Bowling Club is situated in the heart of the village at the end of a lane behind the Memorial Hall. It has a view of the 395-foot Chinthurst Hill. The club was founded in 1925 by J.M. Courage, F.H. Cook, R.H. Haslam and F. Rogerson. The club is affiliated to both the English and Surrey Bowling Associations.

The bowling green, comprising six full sized rinks, is maintained by a team of groundsmen who are, themselves, active bowling members of the club. The pavilion has, in addition to the usual changing rooms and dining area, a kitchen and fully licenced bar. The bowling season runs from the beginning of April through to the end of September.

Societies

There is a well established amateur dramatic society called the "Wonersh Players" that write, produce and perform their own pantomimes. The Wonersh Players have been in existence since 1982, [ [http://www.WonershPlayers.com/ Wonersh Players] ] always performing at the Wonersh Memorial Hall, usually during the February half term holiday, with rehearsals starting the previous October. They are an easy going, like-minded group of friends who enjoy putting on a show, but don't take it too seriously. The quality of the costumes and scenery are second to none, and the scripts are both traditional and innovative.

A social club named Wonersh Village Club, which was founded about 110 years ago. It provides a venue for playing snooker, billiards, darts and all manner of card games.

There is a History Society and a Gardening Club mentioned in the Parish Magazine.

References

External links

* [http://www.wonersh.org.uk/ Village page]
* [http://www.wonershparish.org/ Parish council]