The Villages of Wonersh and Blackheath,Surrey

www.wonershchurch.com

The Villages of Wonersh and Blackheath.

The parish comprises the two villages of Wonersh and Blackheath, five miles south-east of Guildford in the County of Surrey and in the Borough of Waverley. The villages are a mile apart, Wonersh having a population of about 2,000 and Blackheath about 260. The civil parish of Wonersh covers the villages of Wonersh, Blackheath and Shamley Green. Surrounding village parishes are Bramley, Shalford, Chilworth (St Marthas), and Albury all within two miles, and the larger parish of Cranleigh six miles away.

Blackheath and Wonersh have an ancient association as the area is contained in the “hundred of Blackheath”, an administrative area predating the Norman conquest. The early local history of our villages gives some understanding of our present environment.

The countryside around is a designated area of outstanding natural beauty known as Surrey Hills AONB.

Wonersh Common

The Villages of Wonersh and Blackheath, just south of Guildford

Wonersh

Wonersh has an old centre, with timbered houses, Grantley Arms pub, a village store and a medical centre. The church of St. John the Baptist is slightly away from the centre, along with its adjacent vicarage.


The Street, Wonersh	Barnet Lane	Wonersh Sports Club

Wonersh also has a sports club based on the village common, a separate bowls club, a children’s play area, a community hall (Wonersh Memorial Hall), the Lawnsmead church hall, a Scout group, a social services half-way house, and a United Reformed church (see also URC History and William Seth-Smith - Architect), all within ¼ mile of the centre. There is also a Roman Catholic Seminary whose facilities we use from time to time. Homes in the village include large period houses, cottages, expensive detached residences, including a private estate, and many smaller houses mostly built in the 1920’s and 30’s. Most are privately owned, with a small number of council houses and some homes let to private tenants. Many of the residents commute to London, and a wide range of skills, professions and incomes is represented in the church. The Diocese has given the parish one of the highest RPF (Relative Prosperity Factors). Outside the Church fellowship there is Wonersh Choral Society and an active amateur dramatic society, Wonersh Players. The majority of Wonersh U3A (University of the Third Age) activities take place in Lawnsmead Hall.

There are many good schools in the area, both state and private. Wonersh and Shamley Green Church of England Infant School is situated on the border of the villages and a strong link is maintained with Wonersh Church.

Further pictures and information on Wonersh can be obtained from website Pictures of Wonersh and Francis Frith Collection .

Blackheath

Blackheath village lies on the edge of Blackheath, a large area of wood- and heath-land open to the public. There are about 100 dwellings, and the population is about 260, including 40 children. Blackheath village traces it’s roots back to 1833, before which there is no record of a rate paying inhabitant, when the census of that year records just 12 occupants. It consisted of only a few cottages, including those occupied by workers from Chilworth gunpowder factory. Today the range of housing runs from rows of terraced cottages to large detached family houses, many dating from the nineteenth century and subsequently enlarged and updated.


The Villagers, Blackheath	Blackheath Cricket Club

The village has in it St. Martin’s Church, the village hall, The Villagers pub, Chilworth Friary (Roman Catholic Franciscan) and Blackheath Cricket Club which occupies a very attractive ground with a pavilion on a site between village and heath.. Blackheath attracts many taking their recreation on the heath, especially at the weekend. The village hall is well used and well maintained. It is the venue for village and private functions, as well as being let to outside organisations. Blackheath has links with Chilworth CofE Infants School.

Photographs of Blackheath Francis Frith Collection

The village has a very active Blackheath Village Society.