Wisley, The Royal Horticultural Society Gardens c.1955

Photo ref: W117010

When my Mother died in 2000 we found a letter saying my mother nee Mary Kingston and her friend stayed at the hotel . The lake had frozen and they went skating on it at Christmas time . She would have been about 12 at the time making the date 1932 . Unsure if that would be correct but the letter was interesting to us as she was sent to school in the area but was brought up in South Wales .

In the 1960's I lived in Papercourt lane Ripley, when The Lake froze over and a bunch of us enjoyed an exhilerating few hours skating freely. Wouldn't be allowed today. I've just written a poem about skating and have included this unique,unforgetable experience.

My Great grandfather Henry Pulling ,Grandfather Harry and Aunty Sis,all lived at the Hut Hotel .Great Grandad was the proprietor.When when he died Gandad and auntie Sis took over.Aunt Sis told me how people would come for a day out and go rowing on the lake.The ladies would drink tea in the tea rooms and the men would have drink .In those days they turned up in the cars of those times and were pretty well off

I have been researching my family for the past 15 years and have found that my family came from, Wisley, Ockham & West Horsley. My 3rd Great Grandfather William Woolgar/er was an agricultural labourer and lived at Old Pond Farmhouse with his wife Sarah Maskell & family. One of the son being my 2nd Great Grandfather George Woolger who married Emma Louise Maskell. We are a very large family and ...see more