Smallfield
| Smallfield | |
| Surrey | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TQ318430 |
| Location: | 51°10’17"N, 0°6’55"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 4,000 |
| Post town: | Horley |
| Postcode: | RH6 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Tandridge |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
East Surrey |
Smallfield is a village in Surrey. It is found in the south of the county, to the east of the M23 motorway. Neighbouring villages include Burstow, Outwood and Horne.
The moated Smallfield Place is a Jacobean Manor built in 1600 which was given to John de Burstow during the reign of Edward III.[1]
Smallfield was born out of the parish of Burstow
The estate belonged in the 16th and 17th centuries to Bysshe family, who were said to be descended from the de Burstows, lords of the manor of Burstow in the 13th and 14th centuries. They said that the land had been given to their ancestor John de Burstow, who served under the Black Prince in the French wars, and who was promised a gift of some small field or piece of land in return for services rendered by him to Bartholomew Lord Burghersh. Land in Burstow called Crullinges was accordingly granted him, the name being changed to 'Smallfield' to meet the terms of the promise.
The roads of Burstow reflect the old village pattern: the one east-west road (Plough Road or Smallfield Road) and then long, narrow lanes running off it north-south to the farms. The modern residential roads scorn that ancient pattern, but the big defiance of it is one large road running north to south beside the village: the M23 motorway.
A network of many public footpaths crosses the fields around Burstow.
From the early 1900s until 1940, Sanger's Circus had winter quarters for its animals at Burstow Lodge at the northern end of Chapel Road. In the village at the time it was not unusual to meet elephants being exercised in the village. It has been recorded that the elephants were also used for ploughing land in the area.
Smallfield Hospital was built early in the 1939-45 War on land beside Broadbridge Lane. It was used by the Canadian Army to treat their wartime casualties. After the war the hospital continued a NHS hospital. In 1962 it was used in filming a scene of The Password is Courage which starred Dirk Bogarde, and several local residents who were hospital staff appeared in the film. The hospital was closed in the 1980s and the building was demolished. Toronto Drive and Alberta Drive were laid down on the site, named for the Canadians treated there.
Big Society
Centenary Hall in Wheelers Lane is the village hall, erected in 1994 to mark the centenary of Burstow Parish Council. It contains mosaics that were designed and made by local residents and which celebrate some of the rich variety of places, events and activities that have gone to make up Burstow, Smallfield and Keepers Corner.
Smallfield and Burstow have a number of active clubs and societies which contribute to the strong community spirit that exists in the villages.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Smallfield) |