Guildford Borough Council (GBC) asked local residents to choose a name for the Ash Road Bridge Project. Suggestions were asked to consider the history of the area, the environment and the community. The name has officially been announced as the Chester Bridge.
The panel of judges included local historians, students from Ash Manor School, a former borough and parish councillor and a member of the local Scout group. Over 400 names were submitted, with the winning name being suggested by both Andrew Reid and Beverley Jennings.
The submission referenced the Chester Arms pub which was situated near the station and took its name from the Chester family who lived nearby in Poyle Park. The most well-known was Dr Henry Morris Chester who was a major benefactor in the area.
The bridge is due to open on 23 November as part of the Phase 5 traffic diversion. For more information and updates on the Chester Bridge, visit the GBC website.
In a news publication, Ash Parish Council said:
“Dr Chester gifted the land for Ash Victoria Hall and then presented the clock and turret for the hall in memory of his mother. He left a legacy for the maintenance of the Victoria Hall clock, which became the Victoria Hall Clock Trust Fund. Dr Chester also funded the wooden bell tower and its tubular bells at Tongham Church, the clock on the tower at St Peter’s Church and the organ and stained-glass windows in Cemetery Chapel.
It is reported that, in 1895, Dr Chester wrote to the old Farnham Rural District Council stating that a bridge over the railway at Ash was a much-needed improvement, “instead of the present obstructive and dangerous level crossing”.
Lead Councillor for Regeneration, Cllr Tom Hunt, said:
“I’d like to thank everyone who entered the competition to name the bridge. It’s great that we’ve had this opportunity to give our residents a voice. Dr Chester was certainly a generous benefactor and worthy of commemoration. It’s also fitting that he appears to have been one of the first advocates for a bridge over the railway at Ash! I’d also like to thank the judges for their time and invaluable local knowledge.”
VolkerFitzpatrick’s Project Manager, Colin Bexley, said:
“We had a really interesting morning at our site office discussing the names that were suggested. I was delighted to meet the panel of judges, who had a wealth of knowledge about Ash and its history.”
Who were the judges
The judges were:
- Olivia, Head Girl at Ash Manor School
- Xavier, Head Boy at Ash Manor School
- Sally Jenkinson, local historian and Curator at Ash Museum
- Pat Scott, former Ash Parish and Guildford Borough Councillor and Chairman of Community Street Team
- Richard Tolley, local historian and Trustee of Ash Museum
- Jane Sheridan, Partnerships and Volunteer Manager at SATRO and Governor at Ash Manor School
- Kate Bunting, Cub Scout Leader, 1st Ash Vale Scout Group