Newsletter May 20

Newsletter May 2020 Keep Smiling Through! Issue 142 Welcome to the Society's first 'lockdown newsletter'. Who knows how many more issues will need to be produced against this background of stay home isolation and social distancing? Despite still being without a regular editor, the small band of trustees who make up the Executive Committee are determined to stay in touch with the membership by email messages and occasional newsletters like this one. There is quite a lot to include this time, such as the cancelled May Fayre/VE Day 75th Anniversary Commemoration, which was to have been held on the Green on Friday 8th May, the latest news of the threat to Yateley Common and other planning matters. Look for articles on these in this issue. Our last meeting, the AGM on 27th February, was also the last to be held in the Village Hall before moving to one of the drama studios in Yateley School. The lockdown has delayed that of course, but having opened my Chairman's greeting with a line from Dame Vera Lynn's anthem from World War II, and more recently from the Queen, I can think of no better way to close than with the song's title, “ We’ll Meet Again “. In the meantime best wishes and above all ... stay safe. “CoVEd Spirit” Roger Coombes Chairman Covid19 might have scuppered most of this summer's activities throughout the UK, including the 75th anniversary of VE Day, Can you spot what looks strange about this poster? which was to replace the usual May bank holiday, but Look at Local History page 4 to find out more. recognition of the significance of VE Day was made, albeit in different formats, mostly in the media and online. Live events such as the Yateley May Fayre/VE Day celebration on the Green were cancelled. Through Yateley, Darby Green, Frogmore and Hawley, however, the Yateley & Hawley branch of the Royal British Legion honoured those Yateley men who lost their lives in the Second World War by laying a wreath on the Yateley War Memorial at about 11am on 8th May. This was just David Simpson (Chair) and Ishbel Thomson (Vice chair) - observing social distancing as well as a two minutes silence. They also created a community activity for residents via Facebook. Participating houses throughout the district have displayed a name of one of Yateley's WWII lost service personnel in their front window (from Thursday 7th to Monday 11th May). The Legion posted a list of streets where those names could be found and families 'treasure-hunted' during their daily exercise to collect all the names. www.yateleysociety.org.uk Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

2 SOCIETY NEWS [email protected] We have a new Facebook Group called ‘Friends of Yateley Society’ With lots of things happening in and around the area, we wanted a forum for interested residents to be able to post and read factual information about any issues or events (not just planning) affecting us all. After the initial idea back in October, we got around to launching in April and now have over 100 members. The topics on there at the moment are Blackbushe, Yateley, Frogmore and Darby Green Neighbourhood Plan, Yateley Lakes Village, Clarks Farmhouse and the Hart Local Plan. On the planning side, we’re looking to get together a group that can keep an eye on planning applications and bring some factual information to the group. We have a planning professional, Kate Galloway, who has offered us some coaching and to act in an advisory role for us, which is fantastic news, and will make sure that we can all keep abreast of developments in the area. We also need to engage with our neighbours in Eversley and Sandhurst. With our book ‘Yateley in the Great War’ now finished, we’ll also be on the lookout for people interested in Local History to join our next research project. Details of that will be posted on our ‘Friends of Yateley Society’ page. Jo Hill Vice Chair and PR Lead Membership secretary: After quite a few years (I’ve lost track!) I am handing over the baton of Membership Secretary to Liz Carpenter so that I can focus more on planning and environment issues. Many of you will have met Liz at recent meetings where she has kindly coordinated the teas and coffees for everyone and she took the Minutes at the recent AGM in her new role as Hon Secretary. So please be patient while we endeavour to have a seamless, socially distanced handover. Alison Hewitt When I first heard of Yateley Society I thought that it was an organisation for retired people who liked to meet and talk about Yateley of days gone by. Then I got involved and found that the Society is very much current and totally relevant to all residents of Yateley. With such passion and knowledge concerning so many aspects of local life, the team at Yateley Society have so much to offer and indeed need the input and support from everyone in the community. Being very fond of Yateley - I moved here in 1979 and spent my teens here, where I have some very happy memories of Yateley School and the friends I made there - when my husband (from Sandhurst) and I were looking to buy our first home together in 2005, I remembered those earlier years and we decided to buy a house in Yateley. Since then we have had our children, my son is in junior school and my daughter, repeating history, is at Yateley School. My husband and I run our own businesses from home. Taking on the key role of Membership Secretary from Alison (she will be freed up to oversee the planning and conservation side) I will be working actively with the PR Committee to find new and fresh ways to share the value that the Society can bring to our community. We welcome the feedback from members on what topics are of interest to you and how we might encourage your attendance at meetings and indeed more members to join us. With that in mind, I would very much like to find someone who can give a little of their time to the Society and be involved with the PR Committee in organising our programme of talks and events. Jo Hill has been fulfilling this role but is now going to produce the Newsletters. Please contact me at [email protected]. Liz Carpenter

3 ABSENT FRIENDS Ron and Stephanie Pattenden The Society offers its most sincere condolences to Gail and Neil, daughter and son of Ron and Stephanie Pattenden who succumbed to COVID-19 within days of each other in Frimley Park hospital at the beginning of April. They were Founder members of The Society, Nos 35 and 36, staunch supporters, always quietly there to lend a hand on any occasion. With her talent for photography, Stephanie recorded all the Society’s May Fayre events and exhibitions and created many of the Society postcard images. She also created the annual Scrapbooks of Yateley, now safely deposited in Hampshire Archives in Winchester, and was Produce Sales Co-ordinator for many May Fayres. Ron was a meticulous craftsman in wood and metal, an essential team member for any stand or marquee erection, or for supervising firework parties. His daughter Gail is also a skilled woodworker. Together they masterminded the restoration of the Simmonds’ grave in St Peter’s churchyard in the 1990’s, seen here in action. When once we are able to meet again in person as a Society, the absence of Ron and Stephanie will be truly felt. Charitable donations in their memory may be made to Canine Partners. Elizabeth Tipton Sadly, the Simmonds’ Grave is once again in need of restoration—maybe the Society could garner some local support to help! If you are in a position to be able to offer help or expertise, please let us know at [email protected] Graeme Tucker It is with great sadness and much regret that we have to report the recent loss of our long term Conservation Volunteer, Graeme Tucker, who died of serious complications following an emergency operation. Graeme first joined the Conservation Group in 2005 and with his sons, Matthew & Hal, became regular stalwart members of the core group of volunteers contributing many hours over the intervening years. Graeme’s sunny outlook and friendly demeanor always lightened the atmosphere in the Group, and his infectious energy and dynamism was also reflected in the work ethic of his fine sons as they worked for the preservation of Yateley Common for the wider community. At my suggestion, Graeme generously stepped in to volunteer as Treasurer of the Society when there was a crisis a few years ago, and he will have become known to the wider membership as a result. This was a challenge for which he joked that he never fully forgave me. Graeme and Bagel This very sad loss is very poignant and keenly felt as we had the pleasure of Graeme’s company for the last two monthly Work Parties of 2020 when he was his usual spritely and enthusiastic self. Graeme’s warm and friendly persona and energetic contributions with his sons were much appreciated by many and will always be remembered with great affection. Sincere condolences are offered to Graeme’s family by the Yateley Society on behalf of the grateful membership. Mike Mann Conservation Group Coordinator

4 LOCAL HISTORY [email protected] The Mystery of Yateley’s Victory Day Celebrations You might be wondering why the poster refers to 'V Day' and 1946. If you look at the poster you’ll see that Yateley held a celebration called 'Victory Day' or V day on 8th June 1946. Why? Having read the Yateley Parish Council minutes for 1945 and 1946 it seems that Yateley was out of step with the rest of the country by not holding a VE Day celebration in 1945. In those days the council met less regularly than its modern Yateley Town Council counterpart - only three or four times a year - and its concerns were predominantly the condition of the village's ditches and hedgerows, even in wartime. At the Annual meeting held on 30th April 1945 \"members considered that the VE Day should be a day of thanksgiving rather than celebration\" and the matter was passed to the Vicar to arrange thanksgiving services. However, the Clerk was instructed to obtain a pole and flag on behalf of the Council. It is not recorded where the pole and flag were to be placed, nor is there any further mention of church services. The lockdown has prevented me from investigating whether any record of these in St Peter's archives survived the 1979 fire. Interestingly, on 31st May 1945 it is recorded that the British Legion requested the support of the Parish Council for their scheme, the \"Welcome Home Fund\" for returning service personnel. This was agreed by the Council but the minutes do not indicate the form the support should take. There were three further meetings of the Council in 1945 - in August, September and November - but the minutes contain no references to VE nor the Legion's scheme. Similarly, there was no reference in the minutes of the meeting in February 1946, but at the Annual Meeting on 25th April 1946 there was discussion about \"the form the victory celebrations should take\" but with no clue to account for the change in attitude from the previous year. It was agreed that a grant not exceeding £75 should be made available for the 'V Day' celebration. At the Council's subsequent meeting held on 12th June 1946 \"the Chairman reported favourably on the V Day celebrations\" and \"in spite of the weather, the programme was carried through with success\". When the Council next met in August it was recorded with satisfaction that with an income of £11 13 shillings and 5d from the sideshows the expenditure of £73 and 2 shillings was reduced to £61 9 shillings and 5d, thereby coming in well within their ….Continued on page 5

5 LOCAL HISTORY [email protected] ….Continued from page 4 VE Day Memory Gathering Project budget. There was no minuted discussion of V Day at subsequent It is my intention to create a display of memories of Council meetings. VE Day in 1945 from members and others who are The question remains: why did Yateley not celebrate VE Day in old enough to remember, together with any photos 1945 and yet seemingly overcame its previous reluctance in they might have. 1946? There is no definite explanation, although there are some To have experienced VE Day and recall it you need to things to consider. be about 80 or older now. Recording 'living history' has always been very much at the heart of the Firstly, when I studied the Parish Council minutes of 1914 - 1925 as Yateley Society - gathering information which might part of the research for Yateley in the Great War I found a similar otherwise be lost and sharing it with the community, pattern. It was as though the council was oblivious to the War and not least with the education of future generations in there was no recorded discussion of celebrations in mind. 1918. Furthermore, by 1919 - 1920 the Council had no interest in I am therefore continuing to appeal for anyone who the proposed war memorial. It was left to an initiative from the remembers VE Day or VJ Day in 1945 [or 1946 in Winchester diocese and individual efforts and giving of land to Yateley] or knows of someone who does to contact erect the memorial on its site. Yateley Parish Council did ultimately me. It doesn’t need to be restricted to Yateley or assume responsibility for it in the 1930s. surrounding villages, it can be anywhere in the UK because comparisons between different places will Secondly, it has been suggested that the reason for delaying 'VE be interesting. Day' in 1945 to 'V Day' in 1946 was because the troops had not Philip Martin, for example, has given me his returned from Europe and the war in the Far East had yet to be memories of VE Day in the area of Birmingham where concluded. This would have been true of the whole UK, however, he was growing up. It doesn’t have to be a specific and it seems strange that Yateley should hold that view. Indeed, as length ... a few sentences, a paragraph or a page ... I have shown, the council minutes of 1945 indicate a different your unique memories. reason for not 'celebrating' in 1945, which was changed by 1946. Possibly one of our octogenarians or nonagenarians who lived in Contact me on [email protected] Yateley in 1945 - 46 can help? This project is ongoing and may well move onto the Society's website if more evidence is found. What better way to conclude, having raised the matter of age, than to mention in these difficult times that it is possible to take encouragement and inspiration from two centenarians currently in the news, both invoking some of that wartime spirit of 1939 - 1945 - Dame Vera Lynn (103) and Captain (now Colonel) Tom Moore (100). Coffee and Chat Roger Coombes Chairman and Local History Lead We are so sorry that our Coffee and Chat sessions at Café 46, hosted by Abby Roper and Colin Broadley (our Archivist) have obviously had to be postponed. We’ve had some really interesting photos brought along by members and non-members, sparking lots of conversation and memories of Yateley and surrounding areas in times gone by. When we are able to, we will resume as normal with chats be held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 10 am in Café 46. Hope to see you soon!

PLANNING6 [email protected] Blackbushe Airport Clarks Farmhouse Blackbushe Airport application—to deregulate Commonland - Concern has been raised locally about the state of this Grade after huge efforts by YS member Peter Tipton and local II listed farmhouse. I have been in touch with the Hart councillors Adrian Collett and David Simpson, it was a great Planning enforcement team to explore the way forward. They relief to learn that the High Court had overturned the earlier reported that they were aware of the situation and that the decision to permit the deregistration of an area of Conservation Team had visited the site in October 2019. I am Commonland at Blackbushe Airport. A link to the press release very grateful to YS member Di Gardner for providing photos of from the Open Spaces Society about the decision can be the current state of the property to pass on to the Council. found here https://www.oss.org.uk/blackbushe-aerodrome- The property is part of a probate application and ownership is court-halts-removal-of-land-from-yateley-common/ . unknown at this time and this is something that the Council team is working on. It has also requested some more photos Hart Local Plan of the upstairs, which Di and I will endeavour to provide. In the mean time, if you have any concerns about the property, email me and I can pass them on to the Council. I am pleased to report that the Hart Local Plan was formally Yateley, Frogmore & Darby Green adopted by Hart Council on the 30th April 2020. The statement Neighbourhood Plan on the Hart DC Facebook page states that “Councillors formally adopted Hart’s Local Plan last night at its first ‘virtual’ The Neighbourhood Plan (NHP) Community Green Action meeting. This is great news for both the council and its Group – hopefully you all completed a residents survey for the residents because it will give us a sound basis to make future NHP and read about this and Hart’s Green Grid. The Yateley planning decisions and meet our community’s needs: Society hopes to play a big part in this and will start the ball https://bit.ly/3bUAfLd . rolling over the next few months, lockdown permitting. More details can be found on the Hart DC website: https:// www.hart.gov.uk/the-council/news/hart-local-plan-2032- formally-adopted . Yateley Lakes Village Alison Hewitt Planning/Conservation Lead There is concern locally about this company that has been submitting planning applications for various activities close to Swan View lakes. The most recent can be found here https://publicaccess.hart.gov.uk/online-applications/ applicationDetails.do? activeTab=documents&keyVal=Q7P2DGHZIGG00 , application reference 20/00750/LDC to fence off the lakes between the Hampshire Lakes complex in Sandhurst Road and the Swan Valley fishing lakes. The application provides for a required footpath along the riverside but the 1.99m high fencing would close off the two lakes to the public and also to wildlife. New member of the ‘Friends of Yateley Society’ FB group, Kate Galloway, whose field is planning, explained that “It's a different type of application - basically, it's pointless to object to it on the basis of impact on character, wildlife or amenity, as you might in normal applications. The Council won't be able to consider those - they can only consider if it complies with requirements of the permitted development order (which does make some provision for fences). If it complies, then the fence won’t actually need planning permission.” Yateley Town Council will be agreeing its comment on the application on the 15th of May so watch this space...

CONSERVATION7 [email protected] ‘Help-a-Toad-Across-the Road’ Campaign The Conservation Group Work ‘Party’ at the end of January & February 2020 was graced by the surprise and very welcome attendance of the Chair of the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Amphibian & Reptile Group (HIWARG), Peter Gillatt, and two other members. We learnt about these challenged species and their scarce habitat needs as we worked together, and the contact was sufficiently inspirational to re-ignite the interest in the title campaign of many years ago initiated by our own Valerie Kerslake. Peter revealed that their Group was interested in gathering any species data and information across Hampshire as there are currently many gaps. We were able to relate that about 25 years ago there were many toads and frogs in parts of the Yateley area which suffered terribly casualties due to traffic and which ultimately led to the above campaign. HIWARG records revealed that there were currently no Yateley amphibian ‘hot spots’ on their platform, which was surprising considering the amount and number of lakes on the map and local historical knowledge. Suitably inspired, Valerie Kerslake was visited to kindly corroborate memorised accounts of the locations, and an appeal was hastily put out by the Exec Committee on Facebook. A small number of people responded and at around the commencement of the Government Social distancing implementation we managed to raise 3 small teams of individuals who either lived together already and/or we practised social distancing on foot patrols. Patrols were conducted for only three evenings before we were shut down by Government edict. The lack of patrol rescues was compensated by the immediate reduction in traffic, nevertheless, totals of amphibians rescued were: Rescued from roads Killed 66 (est) Common toad 102 2 Frog 1 Newt 1 It is not clear whether the main migration took place after the ‘Lock down’, or whether we missed it in warm January, but we have now had sight of a proper investigative and recording system thanks to HIWARG, and we wish to build on the volunteer base in preparation for the next Spring migrations. Many of these species are in serious decline and we need proper data before we can work to protect them better for future generations. The Conservation Group who would like to hear from anyone who would like to get involved, either observing these species during the year and reporting observations, informing us of ‘hot spot’ crossing points on roads, and then next Spring being receptive and on the lists for rescue patrol alerts. The Society has purchased high visibility tabards for the safety of volunteers on foot patrols but we need to make sure we have sufficient when the time comes. Perhaps you have other ideas for local improvements to habitats or road networks in this context, please get in touch soon. Lots of fascinating and downloadable poster information is free and available on the HIWARG website, link: https://grouparguk.org/hiwarg Mike Mann Conservation Group Coordinator

CONSERVATION8 [email protected] Asian Hornet Threat – Report sightings immediately This aggressive alien species represents a current serious threat to UK Bees. The Asian Hornet is widespread across the European continent, spreading across France at the estimated rate of between 60 & 78 kms per year. Several advance colonies have been detected and destroyed in the UK suspected to have arrived in transported goods. There is now a one-off opportunity to prevent the spread of this species across the UK, before they become established. Bees are a very important element of the Agricultural Sector - without bees and other pollinators, food production would be placed in serious jeopardy. A colony of carnivorous Asian Hornets can destroy Bee hives, and the potential damage to our wild pollinators, such as butterflies and many other insects, with wider knock on effects on our wild flora, is incalculable. The National Bee Unit and the Non Native Species organisation are setting up a network of trained local people who will be available to rapidly attend sightings of this insect with the aim of confirming identification, locating nests and organising their destruction. Below is identification information from the NNSS and circulated through the National Bee Keeping Associations designed to assist the public in recognising the key identifying features. Contact email is [email protected]. If sighted, without taking risks, a photograph or a specimen (CAUTION!) can be helpful in confirming the difference between an Asian Hornet, the European Hornet, and other similar insects, and their direction of travel is also important. Methods on making suitable hornet traps are available on line. Mike Mann Conservation Group Coordinator

CONSERVATION9 [email protected] Moths: Butterflies’ oft-forgotten counterparts by Josie Hewitt, Yateley resident and 3rd year Ecology student at University of East Anglia Most people’s moth encounters are probably limited to ‘carpet moths’ and ‘clothes moths’, which can be persistent pests of houses during the summer months, but there is so much more to moths than these common preconceptions would lead you to believe. With a staggering 2,500 species of moth found in Britain - compared to just 59 species of butterfly - moths really do come in all sizes, shapes and colours! Moths are generally separated into two groups: macros and micros. As the titles suggest, macros are generally fairly big, while micros are usually a lot smaller. Macros are also the best place to start if you’re interested in identifying moths, as they tend to be much more straightforward than some of the micros, though beware, some macros can be on the small side. Moth trapping is a great way to learn more about the environment on your doorstep, and anyone can do it, no matter where or how old they are! It’s really easy to get started – all you need is a light source. Once you’ve caught a moth there are lots of great books and websites that will help with identification. There are also lots of people and groups on Facebook and Twitter who can help if you get stuck. It’s really amazing how many moths you can find, even in a small garden. Since I began moth trapping in my garden in July 2015, I have recorded over 400 species and caught nearly 3,500 individual moths! Some of the best moths I’ve caught were really quite funky-looking too. The best one so far is the Elephant Hawkmoth, arguably one Britain’s best-looking moths. It’s bright pink, commonly found in parks and gardens, and about the same size as a chocolate digestive… what’s not to love?! Now that the weather is warming up a bit and many of us have extra time on our hands, it’s the perfect time to start looking for moths in your garden, and on your daily exercise. It’s a great way to get kids outside and learning about nature too – some fun for all the family. Beware though, it can get a bit addictive! On this page we are showing 4 moths: Emperor, Eyed Hawkmoth, Small Elephant Hawkmoth and Buff Tip . Do you know which is which? (Answers below) Yateley Society Sunday Work Parties on the Common Obviously our working parties on the last Sunday of every month are cancelled for the time being, but if you have any concerns about anything to do with Yateley Common or Castle Bottom, the Countryside Rangers can be contacted via their FB page - Yateley Common & North Sites, email [email protected] or by phone (01252) 870425. Top left—Emperor Top right—Buff Tip Bottom left—Eyed Hawkmoth Bottom right—Small Elephant Hawkmoth

10 AND FINALLY…. [email protected] Climate Change Events Before the lockdown, the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group organised the local schools to take part in a Climate Change awareness campaign and poster competition. Two events were held coinciding with the launch of the Neighbourhood Plan Residents Survey. Several local interest groups, eg Yateley Society, Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust, Yateley CIC and Vision for Youth, attended at Yateley School and Darby Green Centre events and these are a couple of our favourite entries. The Society members have been inspired by all the issues highlighted in the Neighbourhood Plan to extend and update our object clauses (ie what we get involved in) to include Climate Change. This was discussed at our AGM in February and a motion put forward by Peter Tipton, which is in the process of being formulated. Programme of Events 2020: Lockdown Limerick May June There was a young fellow called Spike Who liked to go out for a hike. Thanks He was quite often seen In or near Darby Green, • to Phil Ranger of Yateley Lions for donating a multi-media projector But only when riding a bike. to the Society. A chubby young fellow from Frogmore • to Tony and Mary Hocking for a generous ‘top-up’ to their lifetime Was told to go walking the dog more membership. We will be using that for a worthwhile venture! He couldn’t do that For his dog was a cat So he ended up having to jog more. There was an old fellow from Yateley Who doddered through life quite sedately He’d go to the pub Or his fellowship club But he hasn’t been seen down there lately. Bill Hickmott Chairman/Local History Lead: Roger Coombes Planning/Conservation Lead: Alison Hewitt Vice Chair/PR Lead: Jo Hill Conservation Group Coordinator: Mike Mann Secretary/Memberships: Liz Carpenter Archivist: Colin Broadley Treasurer: Alan Stuckey Committee member: Sue Warren www.yateleysociety.org.uk Follow us on Facebook and Twitter