The other day I was helping the church sort through some old papers and came across a real gem. Right at the bottom of an old trunk there was a package tied up with string with ‘Chipstead Home Guard’ scribbled on it. It included a letter to the Rector from Edward Harding suggesting that while the assorted papers might not be of particular interest to him some future historian might be glad to find…

Norman Wates (1905 – 1969) was a figure of national importance in the building and construction industry. He was the leading force behind the development of the Wates group of companies from the 1930s to the 1960s. Norman lived at “Elmore” in Chipstead with his wife Peggy and their six children between 1934 and 1969. Peggy and Norman played a very full role in the life of the village. The following biography was written by his youngest son, John Wates.

The story of the house and the Coningsby family that lived there from 1973 until 2021.

Wendy and Colin Vaughan have made many important contributions to village life in Chipstead for over fifty years. Wendy has been a guiding light in the creation and organisation of village events. She received an MBE for her support to a wide variety of charities. Colin was one of the founding members of Chipstead Rugby Club. He created the arboretum at Embers Shaw and has served on the Chipstead Preservation Society committee for ten years.

A review of farming in the parish from 1086 to the current day

Two generations of the Wates family have lived at Elmore for nearly ninety years. The Chipstead Flower Show and Fair has been hosted there since 1910. Rev John Wates has supported St. Margaret’s Church in various ministries for 40 years.

In 2010, the Chipstead Golf Club committee asked Robert Heppenstall, a long standing member of the club, to write an illustrated booklet about the club’s history. The result was “The History of Chipstead Golf Club”, which was published in 2011. This article includes edited highlights from the booklet:

The Chipstead War Memorial on Church Green was unveiled on the 3rd April 1920

Canon Christopher Blair-Fish was Rector at St. Margaret’s Church, Chipstead from 1973 to 1989. The following is an obituary to Christopher by Rev John Wates, which was published in St. Margaret‘s Parish Magazine in November 2010.

An historical reflection on Chipstead by Rupert Courtenay-Evans

Professor Trevor Powles is a leading oncologist specialising in the study of breast cancer, with an international reputation in pioneering treatment. Trevor has worked for most of his career at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton, and has lived in Chipstead with his wife Penny for nearly 40 years.

In July 1993 Surrey County Council closed Chipstead First School and brought to an end 247 years of formal schooling in Chipstead. So ended a chapter in the life of the Village which had its beginnings in local charity and finally became a state primary school. From its first location as the Mary Stephens School in Outwood Lane the school moved up the hill to Shabden cottages and subsequently to the purpose built premises on High Road near Markedge Lane, which date from 1874. This spans a period of 247 years.

In the 19th century, St. Margaret’s Church in Chipstead was dominated by two Rectors, the Peter Aubertins, father and son, whose combined tenure lasted over 80 years and resulted in significant restoration and enhancement to the church structure.

This article is based on a lecture given by Mark Banham of Shabden Park Farm, at the AGM of the Chipstead Village Preservation Society in the Peter Aubertin Hall on 12 June 2012.

Probably more than any other single factor, the Surrey Green Belt has protected Chipstead from high density development. This article describes the evolution of the Green Belt, with particular reference to Chipstead, and also describes the other planning restrictions such as AONB and SSSIs that have helped preserve the countryside and village that we enjoy today.