FARNHAM AND THE FARNHAM SOCIETY

Farnham, on the western fringe of Surrey and bordering Hampshire, is a town of special qualities. The Castle and Park, the wide sweep of Castle Street, the old streets of the town centre with their lovely Georgian buildings, and the undisturbed river meadows, all combine to make Farnham a place deserving of special care. This was recognised in 1972 when most of the town centre was designated an Outstanding Conservation Area. Its residential suburbs, rural surroundings and commercial zones all contribute to its character.

However, the beauty and charm of Farnham are threatened by the constant pressures of new developments and traffic, which are placing an increasing strain on this historic town. It is up to the people who live in it to make sure that its particular qualities are maintained, while ensuring the best possible results where changes must take place. Very great care is needed to see that the best of the old is protected and that the right sort of development is encouraged for the future, including buildings, roads and open spaces.

The Farnham Society is one of the largest and oldest conservation and amenity societies in the country. The original “Old Farnham Society” was formed in 1911, by Charles E.Borelli and Harold Falkner. These two founder members had a profound influence on the town, Borelli as Chairman for many years of the Farnham Urban District Council, and Falkner as an architect. Other founder members included the Bishop of Winchester, W.H.Allen, the Head of the Art School, and George Sturt, who as George Bourne was the author of a number of books about the social history of Farnham. After being active until 1939, they supported the proposal to revive the Society in 1947 under the name of “The Farnham Society”. The Society is independent of any other organisation. The Farnham Society is a Registered Charity (No 283335), is affiliated to the Civic Trust, and is a member of CPRE Surrey, which is a branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England.