Welcome to Knaphill Village
The Knaphillian - Knaphill's No.1 Community Website
Knaphill's No.1 Community Website
Launched in March 2006 the Knaphill Village Community Website is very much a voluntary initiative that is dedicated to providing an essential on-line amenity to all Knaphill residents and visitors.
We are also keen to help preserve Knaphill's identity as a village community and would welcome your contributions at any time.
For further information on how you can submit material please email us at theknaphillian@yahoo.com
The village name was first recorded in 1225 as La Cnappe. Since then there has been various spellings of the name including 'Nap Hill, Naphill and Knap Hill. In 958A.D., the village was probably part of land granted to Westminster Abbey; there is clear ownership by 1278. The land passed to Henry V111 on the disolution of the monasteries in the 1530s. The Basingstoke Canal was built to the south of Knaphill in 1794 and the railway line came in 1838.
In 1859, a prison was built in Knaphill. This was later converted into army barracks. One of the major employers in the area until its closure in the 1990s was Brookwood Hospital, a vast, rambling lunatic asylum that dated from the late Victorian era. The northern edge of the hospital grounds adjoined the Broadway with the southern edge being denoted by the Knaphill side of the Basingstoke Canal. More >>>
Campaign for Old Library Site
Following exposure on our Big Issues page and by the resident's association, the campaign for the future usage of the old library site is now gathering pace with a number of postings on our Village Forum - One local resident, Simon de Groot who is very passionate about the cause has even launched his own dedicated weblog at www.knaphill.blogspot.com to support the campaign. The Knaphillian recently contacted Surrey County Councillor Diana Smith who is responsible for Knaphill asking for an up date on any future plans for the site. This is her reply:-
"It is disappointing that nothing is currently happening about the library site, except that it continues to be offered for sale. This, of course, was always the deal - it is now a redundant building from Surrey's point of view. Surrey won't keep, or spend money on, a building that it cannot use to do the things it ought to be doing with tax-payers money. The building is in a very delapidated state, and just to bring it back to a condition where the public could use it would be expensive. If this were not the case, we would have had a re-built library on that site. But yes, it is a significant site in the centre of the village, and the decaying building is not inspiring! If someone were to come forward with a convincing proposal - which would have to include funding - for a good use of the site, I would be happy to help promote it. A craft or farmers market sounds a terrific idea, but we would have to put together a good proposal to Surrey, which would need determined organisers and a strong business plan. If there is anyone willing to come forward with this, I would be very happy to talk to them and do my best to make sure well-founded suggestions are given a sympathetic hearing". Regards, Diana Smith.
From Simon de Groot - "Hi Mal ....Thanks for the new section on the Knaphillian's home page about the campaign...looks great...also for writing to Cllr. Smith and forwarding this. She sounds a little more positive now, than she was when I wrote to her some weeks ago......and is even offering to help now, good news.... Eileen Martin asked me for a piece in the form of a letter for inclusion in a KRA publication, and I attach it for your interest (and a proofread?) - I have started guaging the views of local business men and potential stall-holders etc. I hope also to get some further discussion going in your forum and on my blog about retaining the original building, or most of it. Originally I thought these would have to be demolished whatever happened, but now I realise that it may be possible to beautify it by stripping the white paint, so the front looks the same as the back, adding new windows and a new roof with lights etc. It would add history and it would be far greener to retain. I am looking for the advice of an architect as to whether it is feasible to save/convert....Know any architects? - I have just heard from the Woking News and Mail also...cool." - Simon de Groot.
From Eileen Martin, Secretary of the KRA - "Hopefully we can all work together to make sure there is active debate and full local consultation, so that residents get the opportunity to influence the development process and the final outcome". - Eileen Martin.
Knaphill Rocks
Lemon Pie who play The Crown on Friday 04 July were formerly known as the award winning Failsafe. The band feature the excellent guitarist Les D. Black and are no nonsense purveyors of Classic Rock from Thin Lizzy to Zeppelin, via Deep Purple and Black Sabbath!
Word on the street is that this exciting and amiable band will draw in the crowds at The Crown and for those who witnessed their last gig in Knaphill that time won't come quick enough. More >>>
Knaphill Village - Open Poetry Competition
£150 First Prize
(Runners-Up Prizes - Subject to entry levels)
All shortlisted poems will be published on this website.
All Proceeds go directly to:
Action Medical Research
To Enter - Click Here >>>
Have Your Say.....
We firmly believe that ALL residents should have the opportunity to have their say about the issues that affect their village. Here you can voice your opinion in contrast to what local councillors and business developers may think. Have Your say - The Knaphill Village Forum
Disclaimer:
Views posted on this website are not neccessarily those of www.theknaphillian.com
Please be advised that the webmaster will not accept responsibility for any item(s) posted by any third party and no further correspondence will be entered into.
