The Diocese of Guildford is pleased to announce a significant milestone in its history with the establishment of a new parish in Deepcut. This marks the first new parish formed in Surrey this century.
At the heart of this new parish will be St Barbara’s Garrison Church, which is undergoing extensive refurbishment along with the construction of a new church hall as part of the Mindenhurst Development. We are proud to be creating a lasting legacy by providing spaces that will foster community engagement, preserve our heritage, and enrich the lives of future generations. Once complete, both the church and new hall will be gifted to the Church of England Guildford Diocese to serve and support Deepcut’s growing community.
Below, the Diocese of Guildford share their journey and the successes that have led to this historic moment.
The former St Barbara’s Garrison Church is set to become the heart of a newly-created parish in Deepcut. The Church of England Parish is the first to be established in the Diocese of Guildford in 25 years.
The journey to create this parish began in 2017 with the development of 1,200 homes on the site of the former Army Base. Supported by seed funding from the Diocese of Guildford, The Revd Daniel Natnael, along with 20 members of St Paul’s Church in Camberley saw the development of the new Mindenhurst Village as the perfect opportunity to ‘plant’ a new church at St Barbara’s to serve the community of Deepcut.
However, when the Army closed the garrison church just after the pandemic, the church community had to get creative, initially meeting for socially distanced Sunday worship in the church carpark and then leasing halls in two local schools.
Despite not yet having a permanent church building, St Barbara’s has made themselves a hub of the community, offering outreach groups to connect people, hosting a baby and toddler group in the local care home, as well as weekly coffee mornings in the local pub, The Frog. The minister even uses the pub as his current office.
The church has also been one of the first to engage with asylum seekers housed in a nearby hotel; ensuring they have access to activities, warm clothes and advice.
Becoming a parish will mean the church occupies a geographical territory within the diocese and will operate independently when it comes to governance and finances. A parish also has the legal right to perform baptisms, weddings and funerals. The establishment of this new parish bucks the national trend where almost 300 parishes closed in a five-year period between 2016-2021, although weekly church attendance is rising.
The Revd Daniel Natnael said:
“This historic moment is the culmination of a long journey where we faced many obstacles including a global pandemic and complex planning challenges. Because we didn’t have a permanent church building, we had to think outside the box and look for ways to bring the church into the community. Our key mission has always been to be a Christ-centred, mission-shaped, visible and accessible church open to all. Jesus didn’t expect people to come to him, he went to them to preach the good news. We have an active congregation which has increased from 20 to 100 and includes people of all ages and backgrounds.
“The pandemic helped focus people’s minds on what is important, and more people are open to exploring their faith. I’m delighted that the establishment of the Deepcut Parish will bring us closer to achieving a 7 day-a-week church in the heart of the community and for the community.”
The Rt Revd Andrew Watson Bishop of Guildford said:
‘I have been so excited to see the new congregation take root in Deepcut, and to witness the gifts and diversity of the Church that is emerging under Daniel’s expert leadership. It’s somewhat unusual to create a new parish in the Church of England in the 2020s, and a testimony to the work of some passionate and outward-looking believers who are an inspiration to us all.”
We are pleased to offer Christmas tree recycling again this year and have set us a recycling point at our Mindenhurst office on Newfoundland Road.
We’ll recycle and reuse them on the development, so, if you want your Christmas tree to have a lasting place at Mindenhurst then please bring it to our recycling points.
We will be collecting trees between 26th December and 6th January.
Due to the forecasted high winds over the weekend, there is an increased risk of falling trees and branches in the Central SANGS area.
For your safety:
Stay safe!
We have heard reports that playful Christmas Elves are heading to the Central SANGs again from 12th to 20th December.
We need some help checking up on them to make sure they are not getting into too much mischief. So why not have a festive walk through the Central SANGs and see who you spot playing in the trees!
The elves mentioned that they love receiving letters. If you would like to send them a letter or a drawing, they would certainly write back and send a little Christmas gift!
Please send letters to: The Christmas Elves, Mindenhurst Project Office, Newfoundland Road, Deepcut, GU16 6SR. Alternatively just send a photo of your letter to hello@mindenhurst.co.uk and we will pass it on.
Don’t forget to share pictures of your elf hunt with us on Facebook at Facebook/MindenhurstDeepcut.
Surrey Heath Borough Council has unanimously approved planning permission for the state-of-the-art Mindenhurst Care Centre.
Designed by the renowned architects Pollard Thomas Edwards, the new centre will span over three acres on the northern edge of the Mindenhurst woodland and is scheduled to break ground in 2025. This development will add to CHD Living’s portfolio as the 15th care facility and will serve as a dedicated space for specialised care, with 70 care bedrooms and 20 post-operative care suites. These spaces, nestled among pine trees, will cater to individuals with complex care needs, including older adults, dementia patients, and those requiring rehabilitation following physical trauma or surgery.
Shaleeza Hasham, CHD Living’s Commercial Director, shared her excitement over the approval, stating: “We’re absolutely delighted with the council’s decision, which allows us to bring Mindenhurst Care Centre to life. This project represents our commitment to raising the standard of care within Surrey, and we’re incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received from the local community and the council throughout this process. This is not just a building – it’s a vision for compassionate, forward-thinking care, and we look forward to providing a space where residents can feel truly at home.”
The development features four residential wings arranged around three open-sided courtyard gardens, providing residents with private terraces and communal spaces that capture the essence of Surrey’s natural beauty. In addition, the care centre will offer an array of amenities, including a gym, hydrotherapy pool, cinema, salon, and bistro, all in line with CHD Living’s ‘home away from home’ ethos.
Stephen Morris, Later Living partner at Pollard Thomas Edwards, said, “We are delighted to be working with CHD Living to develop their vision for Mindenhurst Care Centre, drawing upon our extensive experience in sustainable Later Living design and placemaking to create an inviting residential care exemplar.”
Beyond its design and resident-focused features, Mindenhurst Care Centre demonstrates CHD Living’s commitment to environmental stewardship, aiming to achieve a BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’. The centre will incorporate advanced sustainability practices, including high-efficiency insulation, heat pump-driven systems, and a roof-mounted photovoltaic array.
Reflecting on the approval, Councillor David Whitcroft commented, “We have been in discussions with CHD Living and Pollard Thomas Edwards for many years on this project, and it’s rewarding to see it come to fruition in such a thoughtful way. It would have been all too easy for a developer to come in, clear the land, and maximise the number of rooms, but instead, what we have is a facility that fully embraces and enhances its natural surroundings. This building is designed to provide residents with an unparalleled sense of peace and tranquillity, and I believe it will be something the local community can genuinely take pride in. Mindenhurst Care Centre takes full advantage of its unique location, offering residents an ideal space to spend their later years surrounded by nature. I am confident that this development will be a positive addition to Deepcut, both for its residents and the wider community, setting a high standard for care and design in Surrey.”
Liakat Hasham, Co-Founder and CEO of CHD Living, added, “Securing planning permission for the Mindenhurst Care Centre is a proud milestone for us. This facility represents our long-standing commitment to innovative, high-quality care that meets the unique needs of each individual. We are deeply invested in Surrey’s future, and we are eager to contribute to this exciting new neighbourhood. Mindenhurst will be a place where residents and team members alike can feel valued and connected, and we’re grateful to Surrey Heath Borough Council for helping make this vision a reality.”
The Hope Hub is currently running short on a few items, so we are collecting donations in the Project Office on Newfoundland Road until 18th December. The Hope Hub is a registered charity working to prevent and end homelessness in Surrey Heath Borough and surrounding areas.
Here are a few ideas of what you can donate but for the full list please visit The Hope Hub Website.
A massive thank you to everyone who attended our Macmillan Cancer Support bake sale and helped us beat last year’s total! Together we raised £265 to help Macmillan provide crucial practical, emotional, and financial support to those living with cancer.
Thank you to everyone who contributed – your generosity is making a real difference! 
As part of our ongoing commitment to community improvement members of the Mindenhurst Team partnered with the Basingstoke Canal Society to enhance local accessibility. Despite challenging weather conditions, including persistent rain, our team spent half a day clearing vegetation from the pedestrian and cycle path along the Basingstoke canal.
Regular maintenance is crucial to ensure that the canal remains accessible, safe, and inviting for both pedestrians and cyclists. The Basingstoke Canal Society depends on volunteers to help with this ongoing upkeep, and we were very please to be able to offer our support. Working alongside volunteers from the Basingstoke Canal Society, our team tackled overgrown vegetation that had encroached on the pathway. This collaborative effort not only improved visibility and safety on the path but also reinforced our strong community relationships.
Reflecting on the experience, Richard Kirkpatrick, Project Director, remarked:
“It was a pleasure working with the Basingstoke Canal Society who provide a valuable service for the community. Supporting their work highlights just how impactful volunteer work can be. It was hard work, particularly in the rain, but we’re proud to have contributed to making the canal paths safer and more accessible for everyone.”
As part of our Lend a Hand Week, The Mindenhurst Team had the opportunity to host a Construction Careers Day for attendees from The Hope Hub—a homeless charity based in Camberley, Surrey. This event was specifically designed to support individuals who are currently homeless or vulnerably housed and seeking new opportunities within the construction industry.
We welcomed participants with varying levels of experience with our aim to provide them with comprehensive information on entering the construction field, including how to obtain a CSCS card, understanding essential health and safety practices, and preparing for their first day on-site. Throughout the day, attendees engaged in various activities designed to build their confidence and equip them with practical knowledge about working in construction. They had the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences, and gain insights directly from industry professionals.
The session was run by Mati Hamidi, a Project Manager on the Mindenhurst Development. Mati guided attendees around our construction areas on site, providing them with first hand insight into various roles they could consider within the industry. Participants also had the opportunity to speak with our Trade Contractors about different positions on site and what each role entails.
Mati reflected on his involvement: “As someone who has spent years working in this industry, I know how important these opportunities can be. I was very happy to be able to share my experiences and help equip them with real-world knowledge that will help them start their journey in construction.”
Niki Dufour, Community Relations Manager at Mindenhurst, arranged the session and commented that: “It was a fantastic day, and we deeply value our partnership with The Hope Hub. Construction is such a diverse industry that there really is an opportunity for everyone, regardless of your interests or experience. We are keen to share this message and encourage more people to explore the wide range of careers available in construction. By showcasing the various roles and pathways, we hope to inspire individuals from all backgrounds to consider the construction industry as a viable and rewarding career choice.”
Clare McCord, Day Services Manager at The Hope Hub remarked on the positive impact of the day:
“The construction day at Skanska was a great day out for our Service Users. They were made to feel very welcome and it has inspired them to look for work in the construction industry.”
Deepcut Bridge Road Update
We are delighted that we have nearly finished our work along Deepcut Bridge Road but residents may have noticed the planting areas on the verges which are still currently empty.
Unfortunately, these areas have been driven over by cars, resulting in a rather messy appearance. Our original plan was to plant these areas up, however, in consultation with Surrey County Council Highways Team, we have decided to take additional measures.
To prevent further damage and ensure these spaces remain tidy and attractive, we will be installing wooden bollards. These bollards will help stop vehicles from driving or parking on the verges, allowing us to proceed with our planting without concern for future disturbances.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we finalise these enhancements.
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