Newslet�erIssue 131 Febr�ar� 2017

From the Chairman

Writing this on 15th January, with my Chairman’s contribution to the Annual Report behind me andmy Chairman’s address to the AGM ahead of me, I have to be mindful of repetition (and deviation)so there is plenty of hesitation, and I shall take longer than just a minute to compose this. Mytheme is looking ahead rather than looking back.

Firstly, this is my opportunity to wish all members a Happy New Year. I hope to welcome lots ofyou at our January meeting, at which we have a talk from Ian Harvey of Civic Voice, of which theSociety is a member, as you will see on the front page of each newsletter. The Trustees and thePR Committee have begun discussing how we might mark Civic Day on 17th June (see page 3).This will hopefully be a joint venture between the Yateley Society and Yateley Town Council.What is Civic Voice? What is Civic Day? If you don’t yet know come to our January meeting tofind out.

I also hope to welcome you at the Society’s AGM in February. This will be your opportunity to askquestions about the Annual Report (which should be enclosed with this newsletter) and the Societygenerally, as well as electing the Trustees and officers/Executive Committee for 2017 – 2018.There will be more about this in the Annual Report. If you want to suggest ways of improving theSociety come along and express your views, especially if you then volunteer to join the team tomake them happen. Please remember that your membership needs to be paid up to date toqualify to vote.

I hope also to welcome you to the Society’s new gazebo at the May Fayre …. but I’m getting toofar ahead now; more on that later. For now, best wishes for 2017.

Roger CoombesChairman

On This DayOn the 15th January, The

Yateley Society celebrated its 36th Anniversary.Originally called The Yateley Study Group, it has

evolved to include local Planning and Conservationfor the Future, as well as continuing to uncoverYateley's past. The Society's AGM will be on

February 23rd at the Red Cross Centre(further information included

in this issue).

FRIEND OR FOE?

Find out on ourConservation page

(7).

2 SOCIETY NEWS

Supporting the next Generation

Work Experience Coordinator, and YS PRCommittee Member, Jo Hill, is appealingto local companies on behalf of YateleySchool's hard working young people.

She writes, "one of the things that reallyhelp (the students) is if they have theopportunity to do some work experience.It is sometimes hard for our young peopleto find companies willing to take them infor a week and share some life skills, andthis can be very demoralising for them."

Employers often look favourably onpotential employees who have experiencein their chosen field.

If you, or someone you know, are able tooffer work experience placements in Julyto Yateley students please get in touchwith Jo at the school -jo.hill@yateley.hants.sch.UK, tel. number01252 746923, or at Yateley Societyevents.

Read about Yateley's past students in our featureon pages 4 and 5.

A VERY HAPPY90th BIRTHDAY TO

MAISIE HOARE

Ho, ho, hum? was the theme of theChristmas Social on Thursday 22 December.With the smell of mulled wine filling the halland mince pies a plenty, we all settled downto our quiz night with Roger C hosting. Thefirst festive themed teaser was set by ourfavourite quizmeisters Tony and MaryHocking with Frances Rogerson providing adiversionary test of our knowledge of theLondon Underground (which proved not tobe extensive!).

Thanks to the members that providedcompetition and raffle prizes. Of our 2 quizwinners, Charles chose a cheeky white whilePhilip went for the original, first draft of theinaugural Yateley Society calendar - whichhe hopes will be worth a lot of money oneday!

Jo Hill

The Trustees are very grateful to Yateley TownCouncil for the grant of £500 towards the purchaseof our new gazebo, and to Yateley Lions for a grantof £350 towards the purchase of tools and equipmentto enable our Conservation volunteers to continuewith their valuable and needed work on the Common.Thanks also go to Yateley Townswomen’s Guild fornominating the Society as one of its fundraisingcauses for 2016. The amount which we will receivewill be revealed when the Chairman attends theirmeeting to receive a cheque on 14th February. A niceValentine from the TWG to the YS!

These grants are particularly welcome given theshortfall in membership income which has beenreported elsewhere, including the Annual Report.Is your membership up to date? Do you value therole of the Yateley Society in the community? If so,please persuade a friend or neighbour to join. Everylittle helps.

Roger Coombes

3 SOCIETY NEWS

CIVIC DAY - SATURDAY 17 JUNE 2017

The Yateley Society is a member of Civic Voice...

Civic Voice is the national charity for the civic movement. They work to make the places whereeveryone lives more attractive, enjoyable and distinctive and to promote civic pride. They speakup for civic societies and local communities across England. Since its launch in April 2010 CivicVoice has been joined by over 290 civic societies with 75,000 members.

Civic Day is an annual event for communities to say “I care about where I live”. Civic Day eventsare organised by local civic societies and community groups, and take place in villages, townsand cities across England. Events can range from litter picks to fairs to sponsored bike rides,all in the name of celebrating what’s great about their local community.

There is so much that is important to all our lives in the place where we live and Civic Day givescommunities the opportunity to celebrate it. Civic societies have been champions of what makesplaces attractive, enjoyable and distinctive for generations.

Civic Day is a chance to celebrate and showcase the diversity and range of activities takingplace across the civic movement and unites all with a simple idea – that we can all do something,however big or small, to make our towns, villages and cities great places to live in.

There are so many ways to show we care and play our part. Whether it be fundraising, gettingmore young people involved, harnessing the Internet, raising our profile, engaging business, -there is something we can all do.

Some ideas to consider:·   Conservation Areas awareness campaign with displays, walks and talks – could we

even consider making a short film?·   Writing competition on the theme of “I love Yateley because ………”  This could be

both a school and community competition.·   Painting or photographic competition on the theme of showing Yateley at its best.·   An exhibition illustrating the environment and history of Yateley·   Something practical like litter picking, tree planting or other community based event.

Hints and Tips (from Civic Voice):·   Involve other community groups·   Get Council support·   Find the right venue if applicable·   Involve young people·   Maximise publicity

Civic Day 2017 is Saturday 17 June, although some societies extend celebrations over severaldays, involving the community in numerous events. However, on a national level, the focus willbe that third Saturday in June – one day to say: I care about where I live.

Roger Durdle

More on 'Civic Voice' on page 6

Memories of Yateley National School - BY DOUG GIBBS

If, like me, you went to this Church of England school in 1927 you will remember, Miss Brown,in the Infants Class, Miss Lancaster, Miss Stephens, and Mr Gibbs the Headmaster, my father.It was a 5 - 14 years mixed school. You left at 14.

When you were my father's age, you left school when you were 9 if you could read. His twosisters did and went into 'service'. As he and his brother could read they went to FromeCathedral School, Exeter, in the choir. My father went on to be a pupil Teacher then going onto St Luke's Training College to train to become a qualified teacher.

Back to Yateley school. There were four classrooms; Infants Room, my Father's big classroom(big classes in those days), a sliding screen between his classroom and Miss Lancaster's room,and Miss Stephen's room. The screen slid back whilst one of the teachers played the pianofor morning assembly. Lighting in the school was by gas lamp mantles. The windows werehigh up to stop you looking out. The school was heated by Tortoise stoves.

The Infants room was where the Public Library books were kept and changed regularly. Hereyou were taught to read, count using Cowrie shells or an Abacus. From this room you wentout to the wash basins. One side for boys the other for girls. The water was cold. The coalhouse was also here.

In the Head's room was a rope to pull the school bell, and a door to the gravel and stoneyplayground. Next, Miss Stephen's room where you were taught to write with pen and ink. Ifyou were left- handed you got wrapped over the knuckles for this; you all had to writeright-handed. For punishment - arm outstretched, hand up, the cane across the hand. I mightbe the Headmaster's son but I got it several times.

The school yards gravel and stones caused bashed knees if you fell over. Near to the Oak treeat the bottom of the yard was a lime tree with a small sandy section, where the girls could playHop Scotch. Near the school house was a small patch of grass where they played, 'Five stoneson their fingers'.

At the end of the school yard were the play sheds. By the big oak tree was the girls toilet (abucket beneath a wooden seat). By the Wellington Pine tree was the boys toilet (bucketbeneath a wooden seat, galvanised sheet urinal).

4 HISTORY

Yateley National School as it was then (top left), and as it is now, Yateley Village Hall (top right)

5 HISTORY

Boys were taught gardening, girls needlework. At times we were taken out on to the commonto pull five rushes to weave them into plats. You knew when Spring arrived by the activitiesof the swifts building their nests under the school eaves, never swallows. The school bell felloff the roof and was put in a frame at the entrance to the boy's garden. Here was also theflagpole.

Were you ever be part of the school concerts that my father put on in the Drill Hall?

Children used to walk from Darby Green, Tin Chapel end, Frogmore, Minley Manor, FirgroveFarm area to get to school. Three miles was the school boundary area. They used to stand,wet and cold, in the play sheds till the school opened at 9. a.m. My father used to let theminto the school before time to dry off in front of the tortoise stoves.

You I am sure remember Miss De Winton Corry of Yateley Hall, coming into school at times.I felt that she had an influence over the village. As a choirboy, morning service could not startuntil she sat in her seat.

There is a tablet on the school wall facingthe yard stating when it was erected (stillvisible today, pictured below). Prior to thisI gather some children were taught in privatehouses.

D. Gibbs

January 2017

The Editor wishes to personally thank Doug for sharing his memories with the Society.If this has jogged a few memories with you of Yateley's past, we would love to hear from you.

Yateley Village Hall now holds classes of a different kind, and is available for hire.Visit their website: http://yateleyvillagehall.co.uk or tel. 01252 870707.

Picture, drawn by Doug,from his memories ofattending, and living, atYateley National School.

6 CIVIC VOICE

The Civic Movement

The civic movement is based on a network of hundreds of local voluntary civic andamenity societies in the warp and weft of communities across England. It is one ofthe largest social movements in the country. The first civic society was set up in the1840s.

Civic societies provide a focus for voluntary and community action to improve the placeswhere people live, work and relax. They champion the importance of these places to decisionmakers and opinion formers in business, politics, government, the media, the voluntarysector and elsewhere. They play an essential and voluntary role in helping individuals andcommunities to understand and take action to improve the quality of their life through theplace where they live. Civic societies promote and celebrate the best of what is inheritedfrom the past and what is developed for the future. They are a fundamental source of civicpride. This work brings benefits to the whole community and not just to those who aremembers of civic societies.

Civic Voice

Civic Voice is the national charity for the civic movement. They work to make the placeswhere everyone lives more attractive, enjoyable and distinctive and to promote civic pride.They speak up for civic societies and local communities across England. Since its launch inApril 2010 Civic Voice has been joined by over 290 civic societies with 75,000 members.The Yateley Society is a member of Civic Voice

Civic Voice was the result of extensive consultation and discussion with hundreds of civicand amenity societies and their members and over 100 other interested organisations andpartners about the future of the civic movement following closure of the Civic Trust in April2009.Civic Voice believes everyone has the right to live somewhere they can be proud of. Theirvision is for a civic movement with a strong local presence and an influential national voice.They believe their reputation and authority will make them first port of call for anyone seekingto develop, conserve or interpret the quality, beauty and character of our towns, cities andvillages or to engage people in shaping their future. They will listen, advise, support and acton behalf of communities everywhere.You will find them lobbying in Whitehall and Westminster, campaigning with local volunteers,speaking out in the media, undertaking research, building partnerships and promoting civicpride. They support local groups and help them work together. They organise a nationalconvention for the civic movement and give local groups a national voice.

Civic Voice has six members of staff and a board of ten trustees.

Ian Harvey is the Executive Director and was one of two individuals who set up the CivicSociety Initiative and then Civic Voice. He has been with Civic Voice since it was set up inApril 2010.

Further information is available at http://www.civicvoice.org.uk

Roger Durdle

7 PLANNING AND CONSERVATION

The Conservation Team Coordinator would like todraw to the attention of the wider public the insidiousthreat to our local habitats and dependent flora &fauna by the pernicious non-native invasive plantHimalayan Balsam (pictured on the left). Thisattractive plant masks a real threat to large areas ofour countryside due to its prolific spreading,particularly along water courses. It is best describedas giant Busy Lizzie (Impatiens glandulifera) Thisplant grows up to 10 ft tall and each plant cangenerate over 800 seeds, spreading over 5 metres.This damaging weed inundates all plants beneath itscover until in just a few years a forest of Balsam is allthat is left . The nectar it produces is richer than theindigenous flora, and pollinating insects are drawnaway from the UK flora further damaging their survivalchances. The author appeals to like-mindedmembers to learn how to recognise this plant, and tojoin us in waging war on this dreadful weed. It is easyto kill the plants individually, but the key is to denyseeding which can continue from June until frostsstart . Wherever you see this plant, please uprootand crush it to deny seeding & spreading.

Mike Mann, Conservation Volunteer Group Leader

Planning Notes1 Yateley Development 9 Florence Close - A revised planning application has been submitted with a reductionin the over garage extension. This is in response to the original planning application beingrefused on the grounds of the extension being too bulky and not in keeping with the characterof the Conservation Area. This is a start but does not address all our concerns and a newobjection will be submitted. Mill Lane - Belgrave Homes has submitted a pre application for 9 new homes along MillLane opposite Firglen Drive. Flooding from the adjacent lakes is an obvious issue.

2. Hart Local Plan - Hart plan to issue a draft Local Plan sometimes soon.

3. Hart Areas. Marsh Lane, Eversley - Bovis Homes has submitted a pre application for a meeting withHart Planning to discuss their proposal to build approximately 50 new homes along MarshLane. This is a much less ambitious plan than the 121 homes recently refused permission andwhich may be accommodated. However, we must guard against “mission creep” as 50 couldvery easily be turned into 100 at a later date.

Barry Moody

Reference Links:https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/Profile?pid 480https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prevent-the-spread-of-harmful-invasive-and-non-native-plants

Thursday 26thJanuary 2017

Guest speaker Ian Harvey, Executive Director of Civic Voice, talks to usabout the national voice for the civic movement which began in thiscountry over 170 years ago.

Thursday 23rdFebruary 2017

The Yateley Society AGM. Documents for the AGM included with thisissue. Please note: Your Membership Renewal must be up to dateor your vote will not count.

Membership Renewal

In order to carry on receiving the benefits of being a member of Yateley Society, please makesure that your renewal is up to date. We are a charitable organisation and therefore rely onyour support to continue our work. Thank you.

Editor contact details:Jo Mercado

Email: print.info@printrik.com

Tel. 01252 870653

Printed by of Yateley

Tel. 07745 400841 www.printrik.com

Society contact details:

Email: contact@yateleysociety.org.uk

You can also contact us via the website,

www.yateleysociety.org.uk

or our facebook page.

8 EVENTS

SPEAKERS WANTED!

You do not have to be part of theExecutive Committee, or even a YS member,to share your knowledge or experience with

us at our monthly meetings.

If you, or anyone you know, would like tospeak about anything to do with Yateley

history, planning or conservation, wewould love to hear from you.

Contact details below

Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Yateley Society

WHAT’S HAPPENING? Our monthly meetings are held at 7.45pm on the fourth Thursdayof each month at the Red Cross Centre, Monteagle Lane, Yateley, GU46 6LU (Unless otherwise stated).Members and non-members welcome, admission free (refreshments available for a small fee).