Heritage Open Days 2009 - A Marvellous Success

Meldrum Salter Edgley, the oldest firm of Chartered Surveyors and Estate Agents in Guildford, was proud to sponsor the Heritage Open Days in Guildford for the second year running. This spectacular nationwide event was spread over three days in mid September and co-ordinated by English Heritage, supported by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport as part of a Europe-wide programme of events initiated by the Council of Europe. Thanks to the works of Guildford Borough Council, The Guildford Town Guides and The Guildford Society, Guildford’s Heritage Open Days has amongst the highest number of activities of any borough in the UK.

After meeting at the Guildhall, the schedule commenced by a visit to St Peter & St Paul, The Old Church. Grade I Listed and mentioned in the Domesday Book, the south chapel was remodel in the 19th Century. It is lavishly decorated, with stained glass, painted walls and ceilings and has a magnificent tiled floor.

The next stop was at Greyfriars vineyard in Puttenham where the party were met by Bill Croxon and Phillip Underwood. The vineyard was established in 1989, growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes on the south facing slopes of the Hogs Back ridge.

Then on to the third destination, the Henley Fort, the Grade II Listed Building built in 1896 as the western post of thirteen fortified positions to defend London against possible invasion by the French.

The tour ended with lunch at the Olivo Restaurant, the 16^th-17^th Century timber framed & jettied town house.

Michael Ginsberg said “mse is celebrating 120 years of heritage in the area this year, and it was therefore particularly appropriate to sponsor this excellent event for the second year.

I was particularly struck by how many people and organisations give their time freely in support of great buildings in the borough. In this way, the heritage is at the heart of our community and I am so proud that mse were involved".