Two thoughts for today and tomorrow, based on yesterday
‘Although the parish is very small, there is much to be proud of, much to cherish.’
Chaldon Explored 1975
‘For life to be large and full, it must contain the care of the past and of the future in every passing moment of the present.’
Joseph Conrad
A reminder of the responsibility of the current planners and property owners.
In the Foreword to Chaldon Explored the Reverend Lord Sandford wrote that the book, celebrating the Parish and Conservation Area of Chaldon would ‘show those who take a hand in shaping the future of this village what its past and its present require of them.’
Some Relevant Numbers for Chaldon
1 Church – listed grade I
1 Conservation Area
2 Working farmyards with 1000 years of history
2 Medieval (C14th) Manor Houses listed grade II*
11 listed buildings (including 3 x 18th century tombs)
13 miles of rights of way/ footpaths / bridleways
17 km of underground stone quarry tunnels
No 20 Sustrans National Cycle Route (Ditches Lane, Church Lane and Hilltop Lane)
362 days of the year the Church welcomes visitors
500 people a year in recent years have visited Tollsworth Manor gardens
1735 people – Chaldon’s population in 2011
Views on the proposed development site for a Garden Village (2017). The proposal was rejected.
All these photos (except the aerial one) are of views available to the public when on rights of way in the 2017 proposed development area for a Garden Village. The development plan was rejected. The photos show the rural character of the place and the specifics of being surrounded by working farmland. Much of this land has been tilled and in food production for a thousand years.
