Surrey County Council (SCC) is evaluating an option to move the Register Office on Oatlands Drive to the library building on Weybridge’s Church Street. A possible consequence for the building, Rylston, which currently houses the Register, includes its demolition and replacement with luxury flats.
Society members have expressed their opposition to such a move on the grounds that the library building lacks the gravitas, look and location necessary to make it a suitable replacement for Rylston, a beautiful building with parking and grounds, very much beloved and well suited for the legal ceremonies performed there.
The Society is not aware of timescales involved but has written to Surrey Council expressing its opposition to any such proposal and requesting further details before any plans are drawn up or a decision is taken. The Weybridge Society believes a full public consultation setting out SCC’s proposals and reasoning should take place before any plans to move the Register Office from Rylston are finalised.
Society members and many local residents have used the Rylston site for registering births and deaths, as well as holding marriage and citizenship ceremonies there over the years. Local residents are already expressing alarm on social media at the prospect of losing such a beautiful location for marking life’s major moments.
Built in 1911 in the majestic faux Tudor style that came to dominate the Edwardian period, Rylston is set in an attractive garden environment extending to 0.45 hectares. The land on which Rylston is situated was originally royal hunting grounds at the time of Henry VIII. Rylston was purchased by Surrey County Council in 1963 and became a Register Office in 1993.
While the building has undergone some structural changes over the years, overall the exterior of the house has hardly changed. A detached manor house with a large porch at its entrance, Rylston retains most of its unique features, including leaded light windows with original glass and unusual wrought iron fittings. The ground floor boasts original oak panelling and fireplaces, while a magnificent oak staircase with stained glass windows sweeps down to French windows leading onto the gardens.
By contrast, the library building needs refurbishing and a long term plan for its use. Security issues also need to be addressed as recently the building has been a target for delinquent antisocial behaviour.
Are you concerned about the Register Office going elsewhere or Rylston being destroyed? The Society is interested in hearing your views, so please send them to us at: newsletter@weybridgesociety. org.uk and get in touch with your councillor for Walton South and Oatlands at Surrey County, Tony Samuels, who is also Vice-Chairman of the Council, at anthony.samuels@surreycc.gov.uk, or your councillor for Weybridge at Surrey County, Tim Oliver, who is Conservative Cabinet Member for Property and Business Services, at tim.oliver@surreycc.gov.uk. Oliver has also recently set up a blog where he posts updates at Cllrtimoliver.com.