Bisley, Surrey
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Bisley | |
  Bisley shown within Surrey |
|
| Population | 3,615[1] |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| District | Surrey Heath |
| Shire county | Surrey |
| Region | South East |
| Constituent country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Woking |
| Postcode district | GU24 |
| Dialling code | 01483 |
| Police | Surrey |
| Fire | Surrey |
| Ambulance | South East Coast |
| European Parliament | South East England |
| UK Parliament | Surrey Heath |
| List of places: UK • England • Surrey | |
The village of Bisley, in Surrey, England which is notable for rifle shooting. Bisley's immediate neighbours are West End, Chobham and Knaphill.
The name 'Bisley' was first recorded in the 10th century as 'Busseleghe'. It is derived from the old English words 'Bysc' meaning bushes and 'Leah' a clearing. Therefore, it means the 'clearing where bushes grow'.[2]
In medieval times, the village lay on the edge of the Chertsey Abbey estate. The 13th century church, St John the Baptist, was donated to the village by the Abbey monks over 600 years ago. The church features a medieval bell and a 15th century porch which is said to have been built from a single oak tree. A nearby spring was once known as the 'Holy Well of St John the Baptist', and was said to have medicinal powers. Its waters were used for local baptisms until the early 20th century.
Bisley is also home to Bisley C of E Primary School. This school is situated in the centre of the village and its logo is a frog. It was described as delivering a satisfactory education to students in its recent Ofsted report.[3]
Actor Barry Evans attended Bisley boys' school which was an orphanage run by The Shaftesbury Homes.[4]
Bisley is now a thriving village and house prices are high more than not on the flowers estate devolpement which benfits from a very big playing field.
[edit] Rifle range
In 1890, the village became the location for the UK's National Rifle Association Championships which moved there from Wimbledon. The competition is hosted by the NRA on its Bisley ranges - land owned by the Ministry of Defence, and also providing a base for the Royal Logistic Corps. Bisley hosted most of the shooting events in the 1908 Olympic Games, and all the shooting for the 2002 Commonwealth Games. During the 2012 Olympic Games the shooting will be held at the Royal Artillery Barracks, Woolwich.
Colt, the US firearms manufacturer, sold since 1894 the Bisley Model equipped with English styled target grips and shot low pressure ammuntion.[5]
