Churt

Coordinates: 51°08′10″N 0°46′39″W / 51.135987°N 0.777471°W / 51.135987; -0.777471

Churt
Churt  Churt shown within Surrey
Population	1,098 [1]
OS grid reference	SU856381
District	Waverley
Shire county	Surrey
Region	South East
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Postcode district	GU10
Police	Surrey
Fire	Surrey
Ambulance	South East Coast
EU Parliament	South East England
List of places: UK • England • Surrey

Churt is a village and civil parish in the borough of Waverley in Surrey, England. It is located on the A287 road between Hindhead and Farnham, and is split by the Surrey–Hampshire borders. Its origins date back to the Saxon period. The original boundary stones are visible at the junction of Green Lane and Green Cross Lane. The village of Churt is recorded as being part of the "Great Sacks" that belonged to the Bishop of Winchester. Frensham Great Pond, dug to provide the Bishop of Winchester, Hædde, with fresh fish, is the north border. Both the great and little pond were emptied during the world wars as they were landmarks usuable by enemy bombers. With the areas of Hankley, Bordon, Bramshott having a heavy military presence, it was advisable. The ponds have also been used in numerous films; Carry on Jack, The Mummy and more recently Eden Lake. The parish clerk is Shirley Burrill.^[2]

Notable residents, past and present

Industrialist Frank Mason spent the later part of his life in the area, and provided the community with a village hall, which remains the hub of the village.

The pre-Raphaelite artist Sir John Everett Millais had links with the village, subject of his most famous work Bubbles Henry James, remained a prominent figure of the community. A respected lady by the name of Mrs Lash played a leading role in the dramatic society. No surprise that her most famous grandchildren are the actors Ralph and Joseph Fiennes. The Blue Peter presenter John Noakes lived in the village, he became a regular sight walking the famous Shep. The world renowned gentleman of golf commentating Mr Peter Alliss has made the village his home for many years. Kevin Keegan resided in Green Lane, when playing for Southampton Football Club. International jewellery designer David Buxton grew up in the village, the area influenced a lot of his work. Frances Stevenson, wife of British Prime Minister David Lloyd George lived in the village; his family still has presence. The cricketing brothers Harry Walker and Thomas Walker were born in the village. The journalist Anthony Loyd grew up in Churt.^{[citation needed]} The Police drummer, Stuart Copeland, had a short spell in the village, with his family. Lord John Hunt lived for a period in the village, he was the force behind the ascent of Everest in 1953 with Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing. As well as a decorated military career. Roger Black, the Olympic Gold medal winner, also lives in the village.

Wishanger Recording Studios are world famous, and rock producer John "Mutt" Lange did some his best work from here with the likes of The Cars, AC/DC and more.

The amateur astronomer Richard Carrington, whose 1859 astronomical observations first corroborated the existence of solar flares, moved to Churt in 1865. He founded a private observatory and lived here until his death in 1875..^[3][4]

See also

• Baron Nathan of Churt, a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom
• Devil's Jumps, Churt

References

1. ^ "Waverley Borough Council census data". 2001. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. http://web.archive.org/web/20070928011129/http://www.waverley.gov.uk/census/parish.asp?p=12. Retrieved 2007-04-20. 
2. ^ List of parish clerks
3. ^ Biography at the HAO
4. ^ Article on Carrington at the Times

External links

• Churt Parish Council Village Website
• A Brief History Of Churt
• Listed Buildings in Churt, Surrey, England
• Stained Glass Windows at St. John, Churt, Surrey