Chobham
| Chobham | |
| Surrey | |
|---|---|
 Chobham war memorial and cannon | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SU973619 |
| Location: | 51°20’53"N, -0°36’14"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 3,800 (2001) |
| Post town: | Woking |
| Postcode: | GU24 |
| Dialling code: | 01276 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Surrey Heath |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Surrey Heath |
Chobham is a village in western Surrey. The River Bourne runs through the village and floods it occasionally.[1] Though not on the railway itself, Chobham serves as commuter town as it lies about 15 minutes drive from the stations at Woking to the south and Sunningdale to the north.
This part of Surrey lies close to the developing IT-industry towns of Berkshire and is itself one of the fastest developing areas in Britain with house prices to match. Its location between the M3 and M25 motorways and the expansion of nearby Heathrow Airport combine to increase the demand for land for industry and housing as well as greatly increasing the traffic that the village is required to bear.
The village is in the Godley hundred.
Parish Church
The parish church is the Church of St Lawrence on the High Street. Its earliest parts date from about 1080 although there may have been an earlier church on the site.
History
Chobham appears in Domesday Book as Cebeham. It was held by Chertsey Abbey. Its Domesday assets were: 10 hides; 1 church, 1 chapel, 16 ploughs, 10 acres of meadow, woodland worth 130 hogs. It rendered £15 10s 0d.[2]
The church recorded in the Domesday Book may be the earliest stage of St Lawrence’s, thought to have been built in about 1080.
During the Middle Ages, Chobham was part of the lands of Chertsey Abbey. Then surrounded by Chobham Common, which was heathland of little agricultural value, the village was a poor rural isolated community.
When the railways were built in the 19th century, the main lines went north and south of the village, passing through the nearby then smaller villages of Sunningdale and Woking, leaving Chobham largely undeveloped whilst Woking has grown into the large town it is today. The common was used as an army camp, which Queen Victoria visited before the men marched off to the Crimean War.
Chobham is probably most famous for the tank factory that was once carved out of Chobham Common and created “Chobham armour”.
Big Society
The five pubs & clubs in the area are:
- Chobham Social Club, Windsor Road, with a large free hire function hall, snooker tables, darts & entertainment
- The Grove, towards Knaphill, with a public bar and a saloon bar, holds regular live music and karaoke.
- The Red Lion, Burrowhill, recently renovated and over 21s only.
- The Sun Inn, the last remaining pub in the High Street - saved by local villagers who bought it to prevent it being converted to a restaurant.
- The Four Horseshoes, at Burrowhill - classical English village green setting, complete with a baker and blacksmith. There is an area to sit outside in the summer time.
Chobham Rugby Club has 6 senior teams, the 1st XV, 2nd XV (Cannons), 3rd XV, 4th XV (Devils), 5th XV (Crusaders)& Veterans (Martyrs). The 1st XV play in London Division 1 South (Level 6), the Cannons (2nd XV) play in the Canterbury Shield 4 having won Surrey Premier in 08/09. The 3rds, Devils and 5ths play in the John O'Neil and Partners Surrey Reverse leagues.
The Devils won their league cup in the 2006/7 season. Chobham won London 3SW in 2006/07. In 2008/09 The Cannons won Surrey Premier League; the 3s won Surrey Combination League 1; the Devils came runners up in Surrey Combination League 2 and the Crusaders won Surrey Combination League 4. A truly successful season. The 1st XV played in the National EDF Cup for the first time in their history. The Senior Club won the Surrey Presidents Award 200808/09 for the most successful club in the county.
There is also a large junior and mini section with many County and Divisional players. One of the products of the youth system, Dan Frazier, has just signed with NEC Harlequins at 18 and is on loan at Esher in National Division 1.
Chobham also has a thriving Cricket club that run 4 League teams on a Saturday and 2 social sides on a Sunday, both playing at a good standard of cricket. The Cricket club also has a fast growing colt section and run teams at U9 level through to U17. All ages groups are competing in West surrey youth cricket league and has representatives at west surrey colts teams.
Chobham & District Rifle Club is celebrating its centenary this year (2009). Throughout its 100 years of shooting the Club actively enters teams and individuals in County and National Club league competitions and all members are encouraged to shoot competitively. Many members actively participate in Open Meetings organised by other clubs across the south-east. These Open competitions are held at weekends, throughout the summer months, for .22 prone rifle over 50 yards/meters and 100 yards outdoors. The highpoint of the shooting year is in August when the British Championships are held at Bisley - shooters of any ability can enjoy the atmosphere of an international competition and compete in a week full of events.