History Lesson in the Making

I wish to thank Harry, a 10-year old boy from Shottermill Junior School who lives just yards from Undershaw who collected 30 names on a petition to assist the campaign to save a national landmark. This is a remarkable achievement by Harry and we would like to thank him for his contribution to help the 'Save Undershaw' campaign and his support to the Undershaw Preservation Trust. I urge Harry to post this directly as a matter of urgency as the deadline was 19th March onto the Planning Department at Waverley Borough Council with a covering letter stating what the petition is for.

Harry decided to use Undershaw as his subject for a school history project. He has since learned much about the house and indeed as Harry put it 'loads' about Arthur Conan Doyle.

After receiving permission from Harry's parents the Haslemere Herald and Surrey Advertiser (Godalming Edition) will feature a story about this marvellous undertaking of Harry's and his brush with history. The story if published may encourage other children and schools to learn about the house and Conan Doyle which would ultimately create an immense interest in the house's history. Another good reason why the house should remain as a landmark for all to enjoy.

Why not create history yourself and take on a project like Harry to help the Undershaw campaign. Harry has set an example that other children and schools could follow as part of their history lesson. Raising awareness of the house by creating publicity within the community is another way in which local children could help.

Harry's covering letter and petition can be viewed on the Waverley website by following the link detailed in a previous post on this blog.

Eagle Radio

Radio Eagle newsroom interviewed John Gibson yesterday from the Undershaw Preservation Trust, you can find this on the following link: http://www.964eagle.co.uk/news/review.php?article=160635 I have just learnt from eagle radio that the news broadcast is on MP3 player. I am not sure whether I am able to include this in the blog but give me a few days to work this one out!

Deadline Over - but Undershaw not OUT!

With the deadline over for all comments to Waverley Borough Council, I encourage those that missed this deadline of Friday 19th March to write to WBC at the following address: The Corporate Services and Planning Department, The Burys, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 1HR quoting WA/2010/0172/0173, especially if you feel strongly about the current planning application. I have also noted that it appears you can object on-line until 29 March. So keep trying. Don't miss this opportunity and allow a deadline to interfere with our landmark.

With a building such as Undershaw, and a man as great as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, there can be no deadline! This in its self is an insult to the once owner of this building just like the proposed pavilion with its mere little board that is earmarked in recognition of his existence.

I would have thought the ladies and gents that form the board of councillors that will make this decision as to whether to grant or reject these plans would be educated enough to realise what an historical and welcomed landmark Undershaw could be. The true fact is that Undershaw was allowed to fall into such disrepair, with no proper security, open to the elements (weather and vandals) for many years. This then became a burden to the Council. A burden that they now want to get rid of in the easiest possible way.

With the selling price of Undershaw still being marketed at over a million pounds in its current state. Who would want to buy a property at that price and almost derelict? Who is to blame for its shameful condition? If the price had been right, it would have sold. Don't allow the excuse that nobody was interested in it, the price did not reflect its current condition and still doesn't. Lets hope that these educated ladies and gents make an educated decision on this, a decision that will ultimately gain their respect and votes for any future elections.

Here is the list of those councillor's that will make that ultimatum between our national heritage and modern day apartments: Councillor Peter Isherwood (Chairman), Councillor John Ward (Vice-Chairman), Councillor Mrs Jean Arrick, Councillor Jim Edwards, Councillor Simon Inchbald, Councillor David Inman, Councillor Mrs Carole King, Councillor Robert Knowles, Councillor Dr Nicky Lee, Councillor Stephen Mulliner, Councillor Steve Renshaw.

I wish to thank all those that have responded to the fliers that I posted through doors around the Hindhead area, your response has been gratefully received. The Undershaw Preservation Trust would like to thank you all personally through this blog.

I am in constant contact with the family and their architects who wish to purchase Undershaw as a single family home. I will be meeting them after Easter and as you can well appreciate this family wish to remain anonymous for the time being. The family are very well versed with restoring Victorian buildings for which they have restored 3 in their life time, the last one being a property in size of roughly 30,000 square feet which of course is almost 3 times the size of Undershaw.

Peter Egan and Philip Franks

Direct from their dressing rooms at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford, Peter Egan and Philip Franks who are currently starring in 'The Secret of Sherlock Holmes' have sent the following statement:

"We consider that this planning application should be refused on the grounds that it would destroy the iconic and historic identity of Undershaw where Conan Doyle, through the characters of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson, wrote the return of the most famous and enduring ficticious partnership in literature.

Undershaw should not be divided by concrete into apartments, but should remain as one dwelling so that future generations can see how Conan Doyle lived through a traumatic and fruitful period of his creative life. We feel sure that Waverley and Haslemere would wish to retain Undershaw with at least some limited public access as a boost to the regeneration of Hindhead and tourism in the area".

Man of Mystery

A snippet in the Daily Mail today from a Roger Vince was brought to my attention. Can anyone shed any light on this fact?

"Reading about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's home, Undershaw, reminded me of something an elderly friend told me many years ago.

As a young women, she was friendly with someone who'd worked as a handyman for Conan Doyle at Undershaw. He told her that one of the upstairs rooms was permanently locked, staff were forbidden from entering and Conan Doyle had the only key.

After Conan Doyle's death, curiosity overcame him and he put up a ladder to the window and looked in. It was, he said, completely empty'.Whatever the secret of the locked room, Conan Doyle took it to the grave. Or does anyone know differently"?