December has been quite a busy month for the Bookham Vision team, with the start in earnest of our public outings.  At this stage we’re gathering your initial views in the form of likes, dislikes and wishes.  We’ll collate that data, let you know our initial findings and use the feedback to guide us to the key areas we need to focus on. Remember, we’re trying to cover every aspect of life in Bookham, from schooling to shopping, pubs to pavements, and from roads to recycling and recreation.

On the subject of pavements, some of us now have intimate knowledge of the pavements in Bookham, having walked them (at regulation pace of course) to deliver our leaflets and mini surveys.  After delivering to around 5,000 properties we certainly have our view on the types of letterboxes and dogs that we like, dislike and wish for.

We attended the Christmas shopping event at the Polesden School, and a little later a similar event at the Dawnay School, gathering some very useful views from parents and children alike.

The main event was to have been the launch, due to take place in a marquee along side the Royal Oak on Saturday 13^th December.  If you remember, that was the day the heavens opened on Bookham, but only after the winds overnight had wreaked their havoc, demolishing the marquee along the way!  Dwayne, the landlord of the Royal Oak was on guard, sleeping in the tent when it all kicked off.   “You should have seen me.  I nearly took off myself as I was trying to take the roof off” said a rain-sodden Dwayne. I arrived at the car park early that morning to be greeted by the disaster site and Dwayne’s words, which are etched on my memory: “Morning Nick, what are you like in a crisis?”

We had no option but to postpone the event. We set up a table in the pub to allow those brave residents who made it through the rain to drop off their leaflets.  Quite a few of you did, and we really appreciate it.  At first glance we have a lot of varied and useful feedback – issues ranged from traffic (speeding, congestion, parking) to bus and train coverage, development, and something for the youths to do to keep them off the streets at night.  Needless to say drainage was very topical given the torrents rushing downhill that day.

We’re collating and analysing what you’ve told us so far and need to make sure you’ve all had the chance to have your say – so don’t be shy, keep your leaflets coming via the drop-off points listed on the back.

We will reconvene the launch in the New Year but this is still to be arranged at the time this article goes to print.  Please look out for posters and leaflets telling you where and when.  We’ll also soon have our website up and running www.bookhamvision.org so you can get in touch with us and find out what’s going on via that.

As well as collecting more views, at the new launch event we’ll be able give you a summary of what you’ve told us already.  As originally intended we’ll be presenting the project and giving you the opportunity to talk to the team.  We hope you’ll come along.  Our experience so far shows us that many of you care very much about the future of the village, and that’s what we’re all about.  We would like to hear from everybody in due course.  This is a great opportunity to have your say.

As ever, if you have any questions or would like to help (we still need more leaflet deliverers!), please feel free to email or call Trevor Sokell ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 01372 452052) or Nick Applegarth ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 01372 458456)