A Grandfather’s Poem – Will Broadhurst

Will Broadhurst writes regularly about Jazz for Grayshott Today. He was inspired to write a poem for his grandchildren over lockdown expressing just how much he missed them. In March 2020 we featured the lockdown quilts made by Ann Butler, if you too have found yourself being extra creative over the last two years please do share it with us.

Easter in lockdown is a sad affair Looking for family you know won’t be there Missing the joy of a hot cross bun Easter egg hunts which are such fun

A time for families and reflection as well Asking of questions but who is to tell Where are we going in this funny old life Over indulgence creating trouble and strife

This world will change when Corona virus has gone We hope for the better for everyone But it will only happen if we make it so Otherwise this pandemic is for nothing with nothing to show

I myself am not a religious man But I hope to do whatever I can To make a small difference to help in the healing Religion or not we should all have feeling

So although Easter this year is a sad affair And we know physically our family are not there They are with us in spirit and mind So come on world shed hatred and be kind

William Broadhurst

Will’s Grandchildren

Fishy Business

The first entry was dated the 1 December 1990. It was in my “Fishing Record Book”. On that day I caught four fat trout each weighing between 3 1/2 5lbs. A very good catch! Every time I have been trout fishing since then to lakes, reservoirs or river banks I have faithfully recorded the date, location, number and weight of trout caught, the flies on which they were caught, the wind and weather and a few general and some rude remarks.

I have always enjoyed fishing ever since I was a boy, catching roach, perch and dace.

Although fishing has never been a main hobby as has been gardening, I have fished for trout in lakes and reservoirs and on rivers such as the Dove, Wharfe and Test across the UK.

Having had opportunities to travel both through work and on holiday, I have fished in Canada for Wall Eye, USA and Cuba for Black Bass, the Gulf of Mexico for Grouper, Brazil for Dorado, Namibia for Tiger Fish, Ireland for salmon and in Kenya, South Africa and Tasmania for Trout.

Catching the trout is not the only enjoyment of this sport. The sheer beauty and variety of the natural surroundings, the wildlife, the companionship of like minded friends and the preparation beforehand all contribute to the overall enjoyable experience.

In ‘preparation’ comes another hobby in itself. Tying the flies yourself on which you hope to catch the trout is a relaxing and satisfying pastime for the dark days and evenings of winter. These flies and lures have exotic names such as ‘Appetiser’, ‘Colonel’s Creeper’, ‘Whiskey Fly’ and ‘Orange Dog Knobber’, although it has to be said that some of these ‘flies’ have caught more fishermen

My record book lists the ‘Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear Nymph, ‘Damsel Fly’, ‘Montana’ and a ‘Pheasant Tail’ as the most successful flies and nymphs for me. These tiny works of art, tied with due care, skill and attention are fashioned from natural and synthetic materials such as feathers from Ostrich, Peacock, Pheasant, Teal and Mallard, fur from seal, mole and hare and synthetic gold and silver wire and tinsel. They are tied onto a myriad of hooks of different sizes and shapes.

There is one trout lure called a ‘Cat’s Whisker’.

Some years ago, I was fishing some lakes with a publican friend. Neither of us had caught any fish, but two blokes we saw further along the bank had done so. As we approached them, Giles greeted the one in the tank top, with an impressive beer belly and displaying a builder’s bum and politely asked him what fly he was using to catch his trout. In a low, gruff voice, with a strong Cockney accent he looked Giles straight in the eye and said, somewhat menacingly,

My fishing mate, John Gamble.

“I’m usin’ a ‘Cat’s Whisker’ and me mate’s usin’ the whole f*****’ cat!”

We thanked him and moved on.

Gordon Rae

TUDOR HOUSE – BUILT ON A PROMISETudor House –built on a promise

Tudor House –built on a promise

It is not often that one finds that a large building has been It is not often that one finds that a large building has been constructed as a result of a promise made on a hospital bed. constructed as a result of a promise made on a hospital bed. Tudor House was a substantial landmark on the old A3 on the site Tudor House was a substantial landmark on the old A3 on the site where the twenty six houses that comprise Tudor Close now stand. It where the twenty six houses that comprise Tudor Close now stand. It was built in 1936, and stood on the site for over forty years, until was built in 1936, and stood on the site for over forty years, until finally demolished in the latter part of the 1970’s, to make way for finally demolished in the latter part of the 1970’s, to make way for the development of the pleasing residential estate that we see today. the development of the pleasing residential estate that we see today. Mr. Zachary Merton (1843- 1915) was a member of a wealthy family Mr. Zachary Merton (1843- 1915) was a member of a wealthy family of Anglo-German industrialists and philanthropists, and was a partner in the successful London metal trading company known as Henry R Merton & Company. Over the years, the company developed world wide interests and became a major player in the growth of industrial Great Britain. After the end of the First World War, the company was later reorganised, and ultimately became the British Metal Corporation, the successors of which are still trading today. of Anglo-German industrialists and philanthropists, and was a partner in the successful London metal trading company known as Henry R Merton & Company. Over the years, the company developed world wide interests and became a major player in the growth of industrial Great Britain. After the end of the First World War, the company was later reorganised, and ultimately became the British Metal Corporation, the successors of which are still trading today. Zachary Merton was of a most selfless and charitable nature, and he spent both considerable energies and sums of money in helping the poor children of London and elsewhere. Despite being married twice, Zachary Merton was of a most selfless and charitable nature, and he spent both considerable energies and sums of money in helping the poor children of London and elsewhere. Despite being married twice, he had no children of his own, but he provided generously for the he had no children of his own, but he provided generously for the education of his step children, as well as many others, of all ages and education of his step children, as well as many others, of all ages and calling.calling.

In or about 1887 his attention was called to the plight of the many thousands of underfed London children, and of the lack of proper training available to them after leaving school. As a result, he set up a trade school, or institute, in Hornsey Road, London, which flourished for over 28 years, and was almost entirely supported from his own means.

Another instance of his generosity was his care for drivers of horse omnibuses and hansom cabs, forced out of work by motor cars and taxis. Whenever he could, he hired a hansom cab in preference to a taxi, and if he found that the driver was losing work he would arrange for the man to be taught to drive a taxi cab, and he would pay the cost of this himself- it was later revealed that he did this over and over again. In all cases he kept his own name in the background and preferred to remain wholly anonymous.

At one point in his later years, he was admitted to the Middlesex Hospital in Mortimer Street, London for a serious heart operation. In the same ward, there was a friend and business colleague of his, also admitted for serious surgery. Having a view to their situation, the two men came to an agreement that if they both survived their operations, they would arrange for the construction of eight hospitals, as a token of their thanks to the medical profession. Zachary Merton would build them, and his friend would furnish them.

Continued on page 39...

Taking care of yourself Taking care of yourself and your loved ones and your loved ones in later life in later life

More and more people are facing a More and more people are facing a financial dilemma as they grow older financial dilemma as they grow older

Many people would like to make monetary gifts to provide immediate benefit to loved ones as soon as possible. But there is a growing fear that money could run out, leaving them unable to maintain a standard of living later in life, especially if long-term care is required. The cost of care can vary considerably across the country and will be dependent upon the type of care and level of support you will require. This will often be determined through a care needs assessment. According to Laing Buisson’s Care of Older People UK Market Report, December 2019, the average annual cost of residential care in the UK is around £33,852 for residential care and £47,320 for nursing care. This means the spectre of having to sell a property to meet care costs looms large for many. On top of all this, there is the threat of Inheritance Tax (IHT), which can have a serious impact on people’s estates. IHT used to be the preserve of the very wealthy but escalating property values in recent years have put paid to that and more people are affected.

Many people would like to make monetary gifts to provide immediate benefit to loved ones as In April 2020, the residence nil-rate band rose to £175,000, for those who qualify. Coupled with the fact that the soon as possible. But there is a growing first £325,000 of an individual’s estate fear that money could run out, leaving is exempt from IHT, this will mean them unable to maintain a standard of that, subject to certain conditions, a living later in life, especially if long-term married couple and civil partners could care is required. have a combined tax-free estate worth £1 million. However, there are other The cost of care can vary considerably financial implications to consider, across the country and will be particularly if you are a widow, widower dependent upon the type of care and or divorcee. level of support you will require. This will often be determined through a care needs assessment. According to Laing Buisson’s Care of Older People UK Market Report, December 2019, the average annual cost of residential care in the UK is around £33,852 for residential care and £47,320 for nursing care. This means the spectre of having to sell a property to meet care costs looms large for many. On top of all this, there is the threat of Inheritance Tax (IHT), which can have a serious impact on people’s estates. IHT used to be the preserve of the very wealthy but escalating property values in recent years have put paid to that and more people are affected. In April 2020, the residence nil-rate band rose to £175,000, for those who qualify. Coupled with the fact that the first £325,000 of an individual’s estate is exempt from IHT, this will mean that, subject to certain conditions, a married couple and civil partners could have a combined tax-free estate worth £1 million. However, there are other financial implications to consider, particularly if you are a widow, widower or divorcee.

Even if people choose to remain in their own homes and receive care there, the cost is significant Even if people choose to remain in their own homes and receive care there, the cost is significant

Individuals often do not take the time to understand the impact that care fees or IHT could have on their wealth. Many people are confused by IHT policy and many mistakenly believe they are unlikely to be affected by this or the need for care in later life. This lack of preparation could have serious consequences later in life. The good news is that there are solutions to help safeguard your wealth in later life. Understanding what you can gift to loved ones now, or place in trust for later, can give you access to the income you need today and also mitigate any future exposure. Something as simple as ensuring your Will is up to date could reduce the risk of your estate being severely reduced through IHT and the high cost of long-term care. More detailed planning advice will always need to consider your personal circumstances. The best action anyone concerned about these issues can take is to seek professional advice and establish how you can protect your hard-earned assets.

Individuals often do not take the time to understand the impact that care The levels and bases of taxation, and fees or IHT could have on their wealth. reliefs from taxation, can change Many people are confused by IHT at any time. The value of any tax relief policy and many mistakenly believe depends on individual circumstances. they are unlikely to be affected by this or the need for care in later life. This The writing of a Will involves referral to lack of preparation could have serious a service that is separate and distinct consequences later in life. The good to those offered by St. James’s Place. news is that there are solutions to Wills and Trusts are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

help safeguard your wealth in later life. Understanding what you can gift to loved ones now, or place in trust for later, can give you access to the income you need today and also mitigate any future exposure. Something as simple as ensuring your Will is up to date could reduce the risk of your estate being severely reduced through IHT and the high cost of long-term care. More detailed planning advice will always need to consider your personal circumstances. The best action anyone concerned about these issues can take is to seek professional advice and establish how you can protect your hard-earned assets. The levels and bases of taxation, and reliefs from taxation, can change at any time. The value of any tax relief depends on individual circumstances. The writing of a Will involves referral to a service that is separate and distinct to those offered by St. James’s Place. Wills and Trusts are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

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Tudor House –built on a promise

...Continued from page 29

The operations on both patients were successful but, afterwards, the other patient sadly reneged on the promise.

As a result of this disappointment, on his death in 1915, Zachary left the then not inconsiderable sum of £350,000 in his Will for the establishment of a trust to be used for charitable purposes, which enabled the building of the hospitals to go ahead.

The hospitals included the one constructed in Grayshott, called Tudor House Convalescent Home, in an area known at the time for its clean air and healthy surroundings. It was built on a site of about nine acres, in a well-wooded area close to the old A3 London to Portsmouth trunk road. The other hospitals were also built in the 1930’s, and were located in Banstead (Surrey), Bearsden (Dunbartonshire), Fulwood (South Yorkshire), Northwood (Middlesex), Pendlebury (Greater Manchester), Rustington (West Sussex), and Woodhouse Eaves (in Leicestershire). Apart from Tudor House, all are still operating to this day, under the auspices of the National Health Service.

Tudor House, consisting at the time of a central block with a clock tower and three projecting wings, was a large construction, eventually expanding to some 38,000 square feet with 80 or so rooms. It served its purpose well throughout the late 1930’s and the war years and beyond. In later years, it became a successful Nursing Home, together with dedicated facilities for the disabled, and it even acted as a sometime overspill for Grayshott School.

After closure, however, the building was demolished in the 1970’s, to make way for development. No doubt many of the residents of Tudor Close would be intrigued if they were to discover the remains of hefty foundations under their gardens to this day.

John Hill