Liphook Community Magazine Spring 2022

Peggy Keens, Bramshott and
Liphook’s longest serving parish
clerk, sadly passed away at the age
of 95 last December.
She applied for the job of first parish
clerk when it was advertised in
December 1959 and retired 31 years
later in 1991. When she started,
Peggy had to have her own typewriter and be able to work from
home. She intended to stay for just a couple of years, to help
pay for the bungalow in Chappell Close, which she and
husband Walter (Wally) built for their family of five children.
During her time, the parish ‘office’ moved from her spare
bedroom to a room in Major Coyte’s house and in the 80s to
a room at Bohunt with a computer and an assistant.
From writing up meeting minutes by hand to using a word
Peggy Keens
A TRIBu TE TO LIPHOOK’S FIRST PARISH CLERK
processor and later a computer, Peggy saw some major changes
throughout her time.
Her biggest achievement was her participation in the purchase of
land at Radford Park by the parish council, which involved a last
minute flight to the Channel Islands to get a vital signature from
the Countryside Commission for a grant. Despite rain and fog
delaying the flight she returned with the signed contract in time.
After her husband and five children, Bramshott and Liphook
was always to the fore in Peggy’s mind. She contributed countless
hours in voluntary roles, including writing and editing
articles for the Liphook Community Magazine for more than 40
years, as well as acting as secretary for the Hampshire
Association of Parish Councils.
In 1992 she celebrated her retirement by receiving the British
Empire Medal for her services.
The wider Parish owe her much.
Conford Community Rises to the Challenge!
Over the past couple of years there has
been an ongoing community project to
restore the old and disused telephone
box in the centre of Conford. It has now
been successfully re-born as a mini
library/book exchange for use by the
local residents.
Rosemary Parry, local resident and
member of the Village Hall Committee,
told me about the village project.
Another local resident Kelly Inwood was the major driving force
and also organised the crowd-funding that enabled it all to
happen. The phone box was sent away to a professional restorer
in Norfolk and it has been repainted in its traditional colour. The
addition of some beautiful stained glass and etched panels were
created by Conford artist Eleanor O’Brien thanks to residents
sponsoring the glass panels.
By Jen Woodsford.
The landscaping around it was carried
out by villager Dave Clinkard and the
planter donated by Arthur Rudd (owner
of the local salvage and reclamation
yard). The residents are also very
grateful for the support of Angela Glass
and the Parish Council who gave them
an environmental grant.
Last year was the 150th anniversary of
the old village school (now the hall) and it
had been hoped that the box would have been finished in time
for the celebrations but, unfortunately, due to the coronavirus
lockdowns it has only just arrived home. The villagers will,
however, mark its opening in the Spring.
Congratulations on a superb job to the local community who
organised and contributed to the renovation and conversion.
The Bramshott Time Capsule
Bramshott residents are in the process of
putting together a lasting Time Capsule for
future generations, creating a new
village tradition. The organising committee
decided rather than bury the capsule and
leave it to the mercy of the elements to
nominate a Bramshott ‘guardian’ or ‘custodian’ who could look
after the capsule, perhaps for a decade at a time.
The location will be marked on a sign to be kept in St Mary’s
Church and when it comes to be opened in a century, in 2121,
descendants will know where to look. The inaugural custodian
location is at Bramshott Manor, with owners Guy and Polly
Vaissiere taking on the responsibility of the capsule’s safekeeping
for the next few years.
By Gabrielle Pike.
Photo courtesy of the family.
By Gabrielle Pike.
The capsule’s contents were carefully collected and curated by
Tash Morrison, and before it is finally sealed there is still time
and space to include more selected items. James Beagrie has
done a fabulous job with the Time Capsule Photobook, which
includes profiles of many village homes and families which can
be purchased by residents as a keepsake.
In addition, a newly engraved brass plaque will soon be
attached to Adrian Bird’s bench on the triangle, which reads:
ADRIAN’S BENCH
Carved from the oak tree that stood behind you for over 350
years before falling in March 2018. Funded by village donations
and positioned here on April 14, 2021. With gratitude and in
loving memory of Adrian Bird of Mallards, Bramshott.
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