by Trevor Dale
After months of detailed work, the tender documents for the renovation and restoration of the cottage will be with potential bidders by the time you read this. We anticipate work commencing in October and are on track to have the building open by mid-2026.
Cranleigh Heritage Trust have appointed a vastly experienced and well-respected local business, Stiles & Co to manage the project. A competitive tender process was followed to assure fairness and best value for the Trust.
As part of the project process, holes have been excavated in the floor to ascertain exactly what is underneath the cottage and check for problems. Happily, no bones or, for that matter, any other unexpected issues have come to light. We have been looking at how to get our own power and water supply and this isn’t easy either. Thames Water insist we must have our own supply from the opposite side of the road, with attendant costs and traffic disruption. UK Power Networks are much simpler as their supply is in the pavement immediately outside our side gate. Needless to say, we are striving to minimise disruption. All somewhat ironic when you consider what it was like round here way back in 1445!
We have also been very fortunate in having some of the heritage furniture repaired free of charge. A Cranleigh resident and renowned craftsman, Brian Kilduff, has restored the 17th century wooden chest and 19th Century chair for no charge. Brian is working his magic on the old roll-top desk.
Date for the Diary
Saturday 13th September – Cranleigh Heritage Day
Cranleigh Cottage Hospital project and the history of the cottage will be displayed at the Arts Centre in the studio. Meet the team who will bringing the cottage hospital alive again for future generations to create a community hub focusing on heritage, wellbeing and education.
The 1170 Charity will host St Nicolas Church open day, with tours of the church including the bell tower and the graveyard.
There will also be guided tours of Cranleigh High Street discovering our history from the 12th century. To book the walks go to www.tinyurl.com/yy2953kj or email
My Cranleigh
Over the past few months, a dedicated team of volunteers have been working hard to create an interactive digital archive that tells the story of Cranleigh — from the building of St Nicolas Church in 1170 all the way to the vibrant Carnival and Bonfire celebrations of today.
- Explore the evolving history of our Cranleigh village
- Add your own memories and comments
- Share your stories — or even write your own posts!
- Watch short video recollections from local residents sharing what life was like in Cranleigh through the decades.
From tales of the bustling High Street — where you could once buy everything from chicken feed to clothes — to the quiet personal reflections of longtime locals, My Cranleigh is a growing community project that is part of the Cranleigh Cottage Hospital project and Visit now:
www.mycranleigh.org.uk
Let’s preserve Cranleigh’s past — together.
FURTHER SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT
Cranleigh Heritage Trust has been joined, recently, by some volunteers, helping plan the future uses and develop our plan to benefit as much of the community as possible. We are actively seeking new members to join the team now that we have a live project. If you believe you have skills and time to use them that would be helpful to a heritage project, please contact us.
To get in touch email the team@cranleighheritage trust.org.uk.
To register an expression of interest in future use of the facilities please write to us with the following information:
1. Brief description of what you offer and the benefits to clients and customers.
2. Say if and where you currently offer this service and why people would use the cottage to meet you.
3. Brief declaration of support for the project in general.
4. Return name and address and any website or social media links.
Thank you so much!
Trustees Trevor Dale – Chair; Howard Barratt; Jane Briggs; Chris Bulley; Sue Dale; Nigel West. Advisors Bob Callard – architect; Joanna James – business advisor, Michael Miller and Joy Horn, history advisors.
Scan the QR code. Visit our website www.cranleighheritagetrust.org.uk
