Chairman’s Welcome
Chris Harrison

Welcome to our Spring 2026 newsletter. We start, as usual, with planning matters. Howard Brown brings us up to date on the Red Court site and the Society’s contribution to the consultations now under way. Like many of you, I’m concerned that the Government’s targets for our area will be extremely difficult to meet.

You’ll also find the latest we’ve heard on the two Royal School sites. Then, on a more upbeat note, Liz Burton shares news from the Haslemere Biodiversity Group and flags a few dates for the diary.

On the heritage side, Shelley Jarrett-Tomes, Marketing Officer at Haslemere Museum, looks back on the museum’s 100 years in its current home. The museum was founded by Sir Jonathan Hutchinson, and Richard Mason follows with news of the Society’s latest blue plaque—also for Sir Jonathan—now displayed on his original home on Inval Hill.

Still with Haslemere’s heritage, Gareth David reports on the next steps for our historic signal box, including its handover to a newly formed trust. The aim is to protect the building and, in time, open it to the public.

The arrival of the railway, of course, changed Haslemere for good—and it’s one reason writers were drawn to the area, including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Dr Ollie Randall gives us a taste of his new book, Writers in White, which features Sir Arthur among a group of turn-of-the-century writers with a serious commitment to cricket. Ollie will also be joining us at our summer party at Undershaw, Sir Arthur’s home, where you’ll be able to buy copies of the book (and, no doubt, have them signed).

My wife, Shirley, shares another moving story of one of Haslemere’s lost sons: Private Alfred Thomas Oliver Moore. Despite a severe visual impairment that would have been reason enough to avoid military service, Alfred was determined to enlist. He was posted to German East Africa, where he died from a devastating malarial infection.
And to finish on a lighter note, Simon Mackie signs off with another of his topical cartoons.

You may have noticed that Di Keeley has decided to step back from compiling the town’s calendar of events. We’re very grateful to Di for all her work on this over many editions. If you’re looking for a simple overview of what’s on locally, I can warmly recommend This is Haslemere, a volunteer-run website that gives a great snapshot of just how much is happening in our town.

I hope you enjoy the newsletter.

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