The Fernhurst Society
Moments in Time... from the Archives
Snippets from 100, 50 and 25 years ago from the Fernhurst Archives. Collated by Christine Maynard, these were originally published monthly in the Fernhurst News.
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May 1903 The vicar, Rev A L Keith, remarked in the Parish Magazine that ‘the better lighting and brighter singing are voted an improvement. Is it a great thing to ask that this appreciation should be genuine enough to touch the pocket a little more deeply, regularly and habitually?’
May 1903 Our Football Club is to be congratulated on this, its first season. Ten matches played, four won, five lost, one draw and two to play.
July 1904 A very successful concert, given by the popular String Band, with songs from the Choral Class, raised £3 4s in aid of the Coal and Clothing Club. (A not inconsiderable sum, the equivalent to a week’s wages for many.)
July 1904 Fernhurst cricketers pulled off a handsome victory against Haslemere.
October 1905 ‘We want as many of our parishioners to take in the Parish Magazine as possibly can to do so. It will give them some wholesome reading instead of the trash so rampant among our young nowadays…’ (Fernhurst Parish Magazine)
July 1907 A Garden Fete was held in the Vicarage Gardens with a pierrot troupe, a shooting gallery and display of drill by about 60 schoolchildren. Gypsies from the fair gave light with their flaring torches to Fernhurst String Band as they played for the dance in the evening.
October 1907 A Girls’ club, offering such delights as talks, Swedish drill, reading, needlework, music and lectures on cooking are to take place in the vicarage. (Parish Magazine)
October 1907 Fernhurst Football club was formed, with Mr Hartwright as Captain and Mr Pickaver as Secretary. (Parish Magazine)
October 1907 Fernhurst Girls Club made a very good start with 21 members, but it was noted that ‘before the musical drill can be of any benefit, it must be taken a little more seriously’. (Parish Magazine)
Jan/Feb 08 The Parish Room: a provisional committee was set up and a site was offered by Owen Scripps Tudor, plus a donation to start off the fund.
Feb 1908 Fernhurst String Band’s expenditure included new drums, cymbals and lamp oil.
June 1908 The 2nd Annual Garden Fete raised nearly £50 for Village Hall Funds. About 80 people assisted in the staging of a handicrafts exhibition, the afternoon and evening concerts and the many sideshows and refreshments. (Parish Magazine)
July 1908 The Education Dept is sending a set of weighing scales on which the children are to be weighed. It is then to be passed on to all other schools in the area. (School Log Book)
Aug 1908 The vicar, armed with a pick-axe, asked for volunteers to help clear the site of the proposed village hall. (Parish Magazine)
Aug 1908 112 children and 30 parents went by train from Haslemere to Hayling Island for the Annual Day School Outing. (Parish Magazine)
Oct 1908 A Boxing, Wrestling and Fencing Club was set up in the Vicarage Barn. (Parish Magazine)
Nov 1908 At a concert to raise funds for the Village Hall, it was reported that "Dr Collison nearly mashed up the piano in his endeavour to show us how Liszt would play ‘Her Golden Hair Was Hanging Down Her Back' ". (Parish Magazine)
Nov 1908 The tender of Messrs Slade & Gale for the building of the Village Hall was accepted, partly because it was felt that local men employing local labour should have it. (Parish Magazine)
Dec 1908 A memorial, funded by individual subscription, was erected to the memory of W G Weller, who lost his life attempting to save his friend whilst bathing in Furnace Pond. (Parish Magazine)
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December 1911 The Autumn Jumble Sale raised £6.17.6d towards the village lighting scheme. (Parish Magazine)
January 1912 The village finally got the longed-for bath-chair, presented by Lt White of Copyhold. (Parish Magazine)
March 1912 The parish is to organise dental treatment on a more formal basis. Currently Dr Duke pulls out bad teeth at a shilling a tooth. (Parish Magazine)
June 1912 The first of a series of promenade concerts was attended by over 100 people, in spite of the chilly weather. (Parish Magazine)
October 1912 Good news for the lads of Fernhurst. The Scout Troop, which was disbanded last spring, is to be reformed under the command of Mr Hollist. (Parish Magazine)
October 1912 Since last winter, whist drives have been declared illegal. However, if couples play together for the whole evening instead of changing partners, that will be within the law. (Parish Magazine)
December 1912 The beautiful little building in Glebe Road, which is known as the Hostel of the Good Shepherd, was dedicated on 28 December. (Parish Magazine)
April 1913 At the AGM of the Fernhurst Dental Club it was reported that the club was now on a self-supporting basis. Over 300 teeth were extracted in the last year. (Parish Magazine)
April 1913 Good, hot soup at a halfpenny a cup is being sold to the schoolchildren three times a week. (Parish Magazine)
June 1913 An active women under 40 (able to ride a bicycle) for general nursing. Three months preliminary training provided free of cost. Adequate payment. (Advertisement for a Village Nurse in the Parish Magazine)
March 1916 Some 12 Fernhurst men are at sea, besides two officers, also 30 men and eight officers of the Army are on active service abroad. Three socials and whist drives have been held to raise funds towards soldiers’ huts in France.
March 1917 Fernhurst’s vicar, Rev George Harvey Ranking, joined the Army as a Chaplain. (Parish Magazine)
Nov 1917 Rev George H Ranking, Vicar of Fernhurst serving as a padre ‘somewhere in France’, was killed by a stray shell just after he had been taking comforts to the wounded. (Parish Magazine)
July 1918 Owing to an epidemic of mumps, which has persisted for two months, school closed one week early for the summer holidays. (School Log Book)
Sept 1918 It was noted that several children have gone hop picking with their families. (School Log Book)
Sept 1918 In accordance with a directive from the Education Dept, the top two forms were taken blackberry picking. 555 lbs had been gathered by the end of the month. (School Log Book)
Oct 1918 Due to the severe flu epidemic, all schools in West Sussex were ordered to be closed for three weeks. (Parish Magazine)
Dec 1918 The school was again ordered to be closed for the whole of December because of the flu. (Parish Magazine)
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November 1921 The Education and Social Committee of the Parochial Church Council offered courses in History, Literature, French, Book-keeping, Drawing, Spinning and Country Dancing for the winter months. (Parish Magazine)
November 1922 Cocoa at ½ d per cup will be served to those school children who wish for it during the winter. (School Log Book)
September 1926 The school dentist held one of his regular clinics in the Village Hall. (School Log Book)
December 1927 A severe measles outbreak reduced school attendance to 35 out of 110 pupils and the Ministry of Health has closed the school until it is over. (School Log Book)
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June 1930 Mrs Sarah Woodhams becomes licensee of the Red Lion. After the closure of Chase’s shop on the Green in 1938 she becomes known as ‘Aunt Sally’ to the schoolchildren who go to the Red Lion instead to buy their sweets – and pickled onions!
May 1931 The weather was so wet only 50 out of 108 children were able to get to school. (Fernhurst School Log Book)
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April 1941 Air raid warning received at 12.10pm; all clear at 12.50pm. (Fernhurst School Log Book)
May 1941 School War Savings total reached £500. (Fernhurst School Log Book)
July 1941 Mr Dumbrell, the headmaster, took the senior class to Blackdown to pick whortleberries for the Communal Jam Centre. (School Log Book)
October 1941 109 Fernhurst children and 18 evacuees were enrolled for the new school year. (School Log Book)
November 1941 39 children from the school began having their dinners at the canteen in the Village Hall. They were served with a thick soup with vegetables as the cooking stove had not been delivered. (School Log Book)
December 1941 Chapman, Lowry & Puttick commenced work on blacking-out the school. (School Log Book)
November 1945 Fernhurst Victory Week was a non-stop round of entertainments with a bumper tea party for nearly 200 children, another for mothers and young children, a further one for the elderly, culminating in a whist drive and grand dance – with the under-15s strictly excluded. (Various sources)
May 1948 15 members of Fernhurst Young Farmers Club enjoyed a remarkable and instructive display of sheepdog trials and sheep-shearing. (Haslemere Herald)
July 1948 There were over 400 entries at the gymkhana in aid of the Recreation Ground. Haslemere Town Band played, and there were also athletics, a crazy football match organised by Fernhurst FC and many other attractions. (Haslemere Herald)
July 1948 ‘After 29 years of useful service, the Fernhurst District Nursing Association has ceased to exist. It has been outmoded by Act of Parliament’ said chairman Mrs W K Warren. The group has been absorbed into the newly created National Health Service. (Haslemere Herald)
Aug 1948 Fernhurst Young Farmers made a profit of £66 at the Fair and Flower Show on Bank Holiday Monday. (Haslemere Herald)
Sept 1948 Recycling: A profit of over £146 was made on a waste paper salvage drive in just seven months. (Haslemere Herald)
Sept 1948 In a friendly match, Plant Protection beat Fernhurst Reserves by 7-2, although the report added that the game was not as one-sided as the score might suggest. (Haslemere Herald)
Sept 1948 Fernhurst Gymkhana came very closed to being cancelled when the original venue was suddenly unavailable, but after some hurried scything and mowing, a field at Upper Cross was usable. (Haslemere Herald)
Oct 1948 For the second year running, Kathleen Varns won the competition to kill as many queen wasps as possible with a total of 32. (Haslemere Herald)
Oct 1948 Scouting has revived considerably lately, thanks to new scoutmaster Ernie Wells. (Haslemere Herald)
Oct 1948 Fernhurst Choral society decided to suspend activities, due to the difficulty in finding a new conductor and the lack of bass voices. (Haslemere Herald)
Oct 1948 A lay-out plan for ‘The Nappers’ was approved in principle by Midhurst Rural Council. (Haslemere Herald)
Nov 1948 Much needed road widening is being carried out between Cylinders and Cooksbridge, eliminating a number of awkward curves. (Haslemere Herald)
Dec 1948 At the games tournament of Fernhurst Working Men’s Club against Hammer Social Club the teams were so evenly matched that it was only by an almost impossible shot by Doug Howes in the billiards final that brought victory to the Fernhurst team.. (Haslemere Herald)
Dec 1948 Verdley Players presented their first panto to the great delight of the sell-out audiences as it contained many local references and jokes. (Haslemere Herald)
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October 1950 The Latvian community, which is now occupying the former military camp (where Nicholsons now stands) held a Lutheran service in St Margaret’s Church. (Haslemere Herald)
October 1950 Three members of the Women’s Land Army from Fernhurst took part in the farewell parade before the Queen at Buckingham Palace. They were Miss Edith Williams of Plant Protection, Miss Pat Thompson from Upperfold Farm and Miss Edith Hanwell of Cotchets Farm. (Haslemere Herald)
November 1950 45 scholars from Fernhurst School travelled to Windsor by motor coach accompanied by Miss E Godfray and Mrs G Dumbrell and spent the day viewing the castle. (Haslemere Herald)
November 1950 The suitability of the proposed site at Nappers Wood for housing was considered by the Parish Council. (Haslemere Herald)
February 1951 Great improvements have been made to the Midhurst Road with new pavements and grass slopes to mark the Festival of Britain. Unfortunately one of the utility companies now wants to dig it up. (The Rother)
September 1951 Football: a 1-1 draw against Merrow was a fair result, considering the antics of the ball in the strong wind and the rough ground. (Haslemere Herald)
October 1951 The first meeting of the recently formed ‘over-sixty’ club took place. 35 members were enrolled and it was decided to call the club ‘The Forget-Me-Nots’ (now the Good Companions). (Haslemere Herald)
October 1951 Football: Although holders of the Sussex Intermediate Cup, Fernhurst were put out by Bognor Regis in the first round by 5-4. (Haslemere Herald)
November 1951 Mrs Gilbert and Mrs Larbey served the refreshments at the Fernhurst Old Time Dance Club event. (Haslemere Herald)
November 1951 Mrs Whitcher and Miss Bristowe presented purses to the Queen at the Founder’s Day Festival of the Church of England Children’s Society at the Royal Albert Hall. (Haslemere Herald)
November 1951 Eleven volunteers are required to bring Fernhurst’s Civil Defence Corps up to strength. Mr W Wells has been appointed senior warden for the village. (Haslemere Herald)
December 1951 Football: Fernhurst, without Embling, Sams and Lambert, went down 3-0 against RAE. (Haslemere Herald)
Feb 1952 The Latvian community in Fernhurst marked their national day with a concert of Latvian hymns and folk songs, which was much enjoyed by the many villagers who attended. (Midhurst Observer)
Feb 1952 Harold Phillips, 21, was fined ten shillings for carrying a 15 yr old girl on the crossbar of his bicycle. (Haslemere Herald)
Feb 1952 Football: Fernhurst’s run of luck continued when they beat Balls Cross 2-1, the goals having been scored by J West and P Larbey. (Haslemere Herald)
Mar 1952 Mr Cyril Brittain’s colourful and artistic window display in Fernhurst Co-op won first prize in the Haslemere and District competition. (Haslemere Herald)
October 1952 Mr E A Brittain, retiring at the age of 70, recalled that as a boy (in the 1890s) he worked for the local grocer for five hours a day Mon-Thurs, full days on Fri and Sat, for 4/- a week. (Haslemere Herald)
Nov 1952 Among the ideas put forward to celebrate the Coronation next year was a public showing of the tv coverage for those without receivers in their own homes. (Haslemere Herald)
Nov 1952 Darts: The team from the Spread Eagle inflicted a surprise defeat of 2 legs to 1 on the much-fancied team from the Well Diggers, Petworth. (Haslemere Herald)
December 1952 Four members of Fernhurst Civil Defence rescue team took part in an exercise in Chichester and were congratulated on their speed and efficiency. (Haslemere Herald)
Feb 1953 One of the 78 guests at the Annual dinner for the Elderly Folk of Fernhurst was 86 yr old Mrs Sally Woodhams, who, after 46 years as licensee of the Red Lion, was now looking forward to a quiet retirement.
Mar 1953 At the WI Meeting a food parcel from the Institute’s WI link with Australia was raffled.
Mar 1953 In an exciting match Fernhurst Boys beat Lodsworth Boys 3-1, with B Silver, P Larbey and B Glue outstanding.
May 1953 Plans to celebrate the Coronation are to include tv coverage of the day’s events in the Village Hall and a memorial seat on the recreation ground. (Haslemere Herald)
June 1953 Fernhurst celebrated Coronation Day with a magnificent pageant specially written for the occasion. There was also a fancy dress parade, which included decorated vehicles - four bikes, a pram, a boat, a horse and a pedal car. (Haslemere Herald)
May 1955 Phyllis Riddle, a pretty 17 year old who works at Plant Protection, was proclaimed May Queen. She was voted for by more than one hundred children and an appreciably greater number of adults than in previous years. The Revels were held on the Recreation Ground for the first time. Twenty former May Queens attended the May Queens’ Tea, including Mrs Sarah Woodhams, 89, who had been May Queen in 1881.
May 1955 Two wins for Fernhurst Football Club – they beat Mayfair FC from London 4-3 and Godalming a thumping 7-2.
June 1955 The Parish Council decided not to permit the use of a field adjoining The Hatch, Kingsley Green for the accommodation and possible exercising of steam locomotives as it was held that it would be detrimental to the area.
June 1955 The Mothers’ Union and Young Wives Group attended a garden fair in the grounds of the Bishop of Chichester’s residence and were delighted that the Bishop and his wife strolled among the crowd chatting to members.
July 1955 The Conservative Association fete in the Village Hall, organised by Mrs Sidney Brown with about 20 helpers, was attended by several hundred people and raised over £110.
July 1955 Cricket: Verdley dismissed a strong Riverside (Hammersmith) team for 69 on Sunday, Fordham taking 3-1 in six overs, five of which were maidens. The home side replied with 101, passing their opponents total with seven wickets down. The following week they were all out for 54 in 75 minutes when playing Easebourne!
September 1955 The Choral Society selected ‘Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast’ as their main work for the season. (Haslemere Herald)
September 1955 The Women’s Section of the British Legion visited St Dunstan’s Home in Brighton and afterwards saw a performance of ‘Guys ‘n Dolls’ at the Hippodrome. (Haslemere Herald)
September 1955 Football: Fernhurst beat Shottermill Reserves 4-1 on a bone-hard ground in parching heat. (Haslemere Herald)
February 1956 Fernhurst gained an easy victory over a weakened Haslemere Athletic Reserves side. Gallacher was at his best and Ken Larbey made a satisfactory debut. (Haslemere Herald)
March 1956 Tribute was paid to Mr Ezra Varns, who, with his family, ran the general store in Chapel Street. The business is now owned by Mr Pitts.
April 1956 The Parish Council were told that children’s school games were being curtailed by members of Fernhurst Camp indulging in cricket practice at irregular hours. (Haslemere Herald)
May 1956 12-year old Susan Hill was proclaimed May Queen at the traditional site, the stump of the old oak tree on the Green. (Haslemere Herald)
June 1956 The Revels had to be postponed because of appalling weather and the following week it was no better. After the church service the procession wound its way to the Village Hall where outgoing May Queen Phyllis Riddle crowned her successor Susan Hall with a wreath of lily-of-the-valley. (Haslemere Herald)
June 1956 At the second Plant Protection international conference delegates saw the presentation on mini-tvs on their desks rather than on a single large screen. (Haslemere Herald)
July 1956 Veteran cricketers – the Over-Forties Cup, donated by Mrs Mills of the Spread Eagle two years ago, was won by a team from the Red Lion who defeated the Spread Eagle side by 84 runs to 46. (Haslemere Herald)
September 1956 Fernhurst’s 9th Annual Sports Day also included a fancy dress parade, dog show, numerous sideshows and a dance in the evening. (Haslemere Herald)
September 1956 The purpose and date of the underground chamber in St Margaret’s Church was to be investigated. (Haslemere Herald)
April 1957 Fernhurst Choral Society gained 3rd place at Petersfield Musical Festival and were congratulated on the excellent balance of their singing. (Haslemere Herald)
April 1957 The village green is in a really bad and lumpy condition from when cattle were grazed on it. It was decided to roll and mow it rather than risk the Recreation Ground machinery. (Haslemere Herald)
May 1957 The Co-op was raided and thieves made away with several large tins of corned beef and a small tin of ham. (Haslemere Herald)
May 1957 Football: Fernhurst won the League Cup with a resounding 5-2 against Merrow. Butler scored a hat-trick. (Haslemere Herald)
July 1957 Profits on Fernhurst Sports Day and Dance were well down on last year’s £140 to less than £100. (Haslemere Herald)
Aug 1957 World Scout Jamboree: John Trussler (16) and Brian Silver (17) attended the event at Brighton to represent their troop. (Haslemere Herald)
December 1957 In the Sussex Junior League Fernhurst beat Boxgrove 6-0 and the following week the Fernhurst senior team overpowered Lurgashall 11-0 in the Midhurst League. (Haslemere Herald)
Feb 1958 Cricket: after being forced out of existence in 1955, it now looks like play may be able to resume in the near future.
Feb/Mar 1958 Blinding, freezing snow fell continuously causing major disruption.
Feb/Mar 1958 An outbreak of foot and mouth disease was confirmed at Lower Nappers Farm, just ten days after one at Colliers Farm.
April 1958 Football – Fernhurst beat Whangerei (Rake) 7-3.
May 1958 Fernhurst Cricket Club, revived in February, played their first match since 1954, but sadly were beaten by Lurgashall 123 to 57. (Haslemere Herald)
June 1958 Fernhurst Scouts held a weekend camp on Van Common, the highlight of which was a lively barbecue with many games and sideshows. (Haslemere Herald)
June 1958 Cricket – Fernhurst beat Easebourne by three wickets.
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November 1961 Nearly 100 people danced the night away to the music of The Modernaires at the Scouts Dance. Mr Lambert was the MC. (Haslemere Herald)
November 1961 A new amateur dramatics society called The Optimists has been formed to replace The Verdley Players, which folded some years ago. Their first production, in aid of Village Hall funds, ‘By A Hand Unknown’ was produced by Pat Boyd and greeted with great enthusiasm. (Haslemere Herald)
December 1961 Mr Berendt gave a lecture on apple and pear growing to the Horticultural Society. (Haslemere Herald)
December 1961 Town or village? At the Parish Council meeting members voted to retain Fernhurst’s village status, but with more shops, a car park and some light industry. (Haslemere Herald)
October 1962 Fernhurst Youth Club held a Boys vs Girls stoolball match, which the boys won by just one run. (Haslemere Herald)
October 1962 Popular Special Constable Bob Coombes, who is well known for his traffic control duties on the busy Midhurst Road at weekends, has been promoted to Special Sergeant. (Haslemere Herald)
October 1962 The new Co-op supermarket at Fernhurst crossroads has now opened, much to the delight of local shoppers. (Haslemere Herald)
Nov 1962 While the recently completed car park remains practically empty, some motorists continue to park on the narrow forecourt in front of the new Co-op, causing obstruction and dangers to others. (Haslemere Herald)
February 1966 The Youth Club had a visit from the Army Youth Team. Members enjoyed a film, a display of light weaponry and particularly a chance to handle the exhibits. (Haslemere Herald)
June 1966 Verdley Cricket Club had a 6 wicket victory over Hollycombe, thanks largely to the confident batting by Woodward and Strong. (Haslemere Herald)
August 1966 Shop development – Midhurst Rural Council propose to design their own scheme for shops and maisonettes at Fernhurst Crossroads. (Haslemere Herald)
Aug 1966 Stoolball – Fernhurst won a very close and exciting game by just one run at Eastergate. D Elliott, D Hall and M Begent were the top scorers. (Haslemere Herald)
September 1966 Stoolball: Fernhurst beat Eastergate by 108-102. (Haslemere Herald)
September 1966 Fernhurst Scouts held a barbecue at which a sheep generously donated by Mr Kingwell of Marley, was roasted. (Haslemere Herald)
October 1966 Farewell gifts were presented to the Rev G F Dow at the Harvest Supper. A recording of his last service in the church was made and he was presented with a tape recorder on which to play it. (Haslemere Herald)
April 1967 At a well-attended AGM Fernhurst Scouts reported a successful year of activities, fund-raising and improvements to the scout hut. (Haslemere Herald)
April 1967 Fernhurst lost its last Civil Defence warden due to the re-organisation of the CD Corps. Walter Wells recalled some of the many occasions on which he was called out to assist in the aftermath of bombs during WW2. (Haslemere Herald)
April 1967 A home for 26 elderly people, with warden’s flat, plus shops, flats and car parking, are to be built near the crossroads.
April 1967 Plant Protection Ltd, a subsidiary of ICI, was given the Queen’s Award to Industry for expansion of sales to overseas markets. (Haslemere Herald)
May 1967 Fernhurst Revels was in full swing in the garden of the Old Rectory when rain forced the Queen, Jennifer Good, and her attendants to seek shelter in the church. Others fled to the marquee where a portable tv had been set up to allow members of Haslemere Town Bank to watch the Cup Final. (Haslemere Herald)
May 1967 Stoolball successes: Fernhurst beat Stedham 123-69 (Jean Moreton 51) and the following week beat Tillington 28-26.
Jun 1967 The new pavilion fund now stands at £1,900, with a further £580 to be raised locally. (Haslemere Herald)
Aug 1967 The show and gymkhana held at Timberscombe (now Reeks Reynolds) raised £62 for the Olympic Equestrian Fund. (Haslemere Herald)
Aug 1967 Stoolball victories: Fernhurst defeated Chiddingfold 54-44, the following week saw off Midhurst 65-31 and then beat Woolbeding 93-65.
September 1967 Over 170 people attended the Scouts BBQ where the local butcher, dressed in traditional apron and cap, carved the roasted mutton. There were many sideshows and a raffle which raised £40. (Haslemere Herald)
September 1967 Stoolball: although Fernhurst lost the final, G Berry won the shield for the most catches and D Young and A Hodgson tied for the highest number of catches for the fewest runs. (Haslemere Herald)
September 1967 Fernhurst Cross Roads Scheme, with shops, varied housing and car parking for 60 cars, was unveiled to great approval. (Haslemere Herald)
Oct 1968 The new development at Crossfield has its first leaseholder, Dudman, Ward Ltd, for a radio and electrical business. (Haslemere Herald)
Oct 1968 Football: Fernhurst Res beat Bosham Res 5-3 in a good sporting match refereed by Mr H E Smith. (Haslemere Herald)
Nov 1968 Local artist Frederick Fletcher, who moved to Nappers Wood with his wife Winifred in 1960, has become wellknown for his oils and watercolours of his adopted village. (Haslemere Herald)
Nov 1968 There were 23 beautifully contrived entries in the WI’s ‘Christmas in a Shoe Box’ competition, all of which are to go to children’s homes in the Haslemere area. (Haslemere Herald)
Dec 1968 How many items can you fit into a matchbox? 89 was the winning total by Mrs S D Ackehurst at the Forget-Me-Not Club. (Haslemere Herald)
Dec 1968 John Bonner took over as new landlord of the Red Lion from Bernard Hambling. (Haslemere Herald)
Oct 1969 The largest amount of produce as well as the largest congregation made the Harvest Festival particularly memorable. (Haslemere Herald)
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December 1975 The Fernhurst Optimists presented G B Shaw’s ‘Pygmalion’, directed by David Hyde and featuring Pauline Colcutt, Roger Wood and Phyllis Ling with Les Colcutt, Arnold Madgwick, John Harmes and Terry Parkhouse backstage.
March 1976 ‘The fish were not very co-operative’ was the reason given for the low catch at the Verdley Angling Club annual competition for the Bob Begent Trophy. (Plantector)
June 1976 At the Revels Fernhurst cubs displayed a sausage 110 ft long made by Mr Stanley Turner of Midhurst.
September 1976 Geoff Goff from Lower Lodge Farm carried off the honours at the Arlesford & District Agricultural Show with his Friesians. (Midhurst Observer)
September 1976 Work is well underway redecorating the Village Hall. Mr Farnham and a faithful few have turned up every evening, but many who promised to have not. (Midhurst Observer)
Feb 1977 John Seaman, landlord of the Duke of Cumberland, celebrated his 25 years at the Duke by organising an outing to Regents Park Zoo in London for a coachload of Fernhurst children (Midhurst Observer)
October 1977 As part of Fernhurst’s Silver Jubilee celebrations, a seat is to be placed along Van Common. (Midhurst Observer)
December 1977 Ex-Town Planner Mr C Barkman said ‘We do not want a rash of new housing spreading like eczema … we live in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’. (Midhurst Observer)
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September 1980 Fernhurst residents protested at the withdrawal of the 8.07am bus to Haslemere. (Midhurst Observer)
September 1980 In Fernhurst’s ‘Day of Football’ the home team beat Portsmouth ex-Professionals and in the Cubs’ Five-a-side Fernhurst Vikings gained the highest number of points. (Midhurst Observer)
November 1980 Fernhurst’s own policeman, PC Porter, gave a talk to the Scouts on how to summon assistance in emergency situations, such as a road traffic accident. (Haslemere Herald)
December 1980 The Youth Club launched an appeal to raise £10,000 for its new premises. (Midhurst Observer)
January 1981 A feature on the Kings Arms revealed that at one time the pub was also a tearoom and part of a 40 acre farm. One of the pigs, by name of Percival, liked to socialise with the patrons. (Midhurst Observer)
January 1981 After the partial collapse of the banks of the nearby stream, Fernhurst Scout Hut has subsided on one side. The plan is to slightly alter the course of the stream and strengthen the foundations of the hut.
February 1981 Chichester District Council recommended full planning permission for ICI to erect a three storey building on the site of the football pitch at Highfield, with new access roads and parking facilities. (Midhurst Observer)
March 1981 Mrs Judith Rampley won the Pancake Race on Shrove Tuesday with Mrs Sue Cousins second and Mrs Beverley Glue third. (Midhurst Observer)
Aug 1981 Mrs Lorna Hollis held an impromptu party at Colliers Farm for the children to celebrate the Royal Wedding.
September 1981 Fernhurst Youth Club’s impressive new premises were opened. They also held a Donkey Derby which raised £320. (Midhurst Observer)
October 1981 A major redevelopment scheme was announced by Plant Protection to build a three-storey office block at Highfield to house about 500 staff. (Midhurst Observer)
November 1981 The Good Companions were treated to a fascinating demonstration of carding and spinning wool by Mrs Goatly. (Parish Magazine)
Feb 1982 Fernhurst Co-op closed and planning permission was granted for the building to be used as a Fine Art Lithographers, Publishers and Stationers.
Mar 1982 Village Hall extension, which included a new community room and new toilet facilities, was opened. (Midhurst Observer)
Mar 1982 Fernhurst Optimists celebrated their 21st anniversary with a production of Terence Rattigan’s ‘Flare Path’, using many authentic WW2 costumes and props. (Midhurst Observer)
June 1982 High temperatures followed by heavy rain made Plant Protection’s strawberry season particularly short this year. (Plantector)
June 1982 £300 was raised by some 30 enthusiastic walkers on a sponsored walk in aid of the Youth Club.
May 1983 ‘… Fernhurst nightlife wasn’t as dull as you might think … helped by a bottle of homemade wine, ‘pea shuck’ was very popular, cheap to make and quite potent…’ (Parish Magazine)
May 1983 The rain came down so heavily that Vic Hansford got stuck in his Landrover at Bridgelands Pond. ‘The water actually covered the seats and I had to climb on the roof’ he said. (Plantector Magazine)
July 1983 The Stoolball Club raised £200 at the Stoolball Tournament towards the upkeep of the Recreation Ground. (Parish Magazine)
October 1985 Two Canadian families contacted the Parish Magazine to try and trace their Fernhurst roots.
May 1986 Mrs Reynolds, a teacher at Fernhurst School, ran the London Marathon in 4 ¼ hours in aid of St Bridget’s Cheshire Home. Class I are also fundraising for the Home. (Parish News)
November 1986 Mrs Margaret Thatcher opened the new ICI Conference Centre. (Parish Magazine)
December 1986 Fernhurst WI held their 3rd Annual Games Evening with members from other Institutes in the group invited to take part in a wide variety of games including Scrabble, whist and darts. (Haslemere Herald)
April 1987 Beverley Glue won the Ladies’ Pancake Race for the 3rd year running. (Haslemere Herald)
May 1987 The retirement presentation and party for Arthur Cocker, Fernhurst’s popular head teacher, was very emotional and, of course, full of music as well. (Haslemere Herald)
April 1988 Chris and Val Ede succeeded Ron Cole as Fernhurst’s Newsagents.
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April 1991 You may have heard a lot of silly gossip that ICI is planning to leave Fernhurst, well, just remember that Agrochemicals is one of the flagships of ICI. (Parish News)
April 1991 The WI had a demonstration of chairobics, a novel way of keeping fit while sitting down. (Parish News)
The Fernhurst Archives
Fernhurst History
