Bisley, Surrey

Description
Bisley, a parish in Surrey, near the Basingstoke Canal, with a station on the L.&S.W.R., 3 1/2 miles NW of Woking, which is the post town. The parish comprises 922 acres; population, 732. A boys' refuge farm-school, connected with a farm of 88 acres, was built in 1869 at a cost of about £6000. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Winchester; net value, £146 with residence. The church is ancient, and was restored in 1873. The peculiar wood bell-cot contains the second oldest bell in Surrey. The camp of the National Eifle Association here was opened on 12 July, 1890, by the Prince and Princess of Wales. From the year 1860 the annual gatherings of the Association had been held at Wimbledon, but on the adoption of the army service rifle it was necessary to obtain ranges of an increased extent, and Bisley was eventually chosen as being the most suitable position available. The Guards' camp at Pirbright and the great military centre at Aldershot are within easy distance of the new ground. The pre-existing ledges, trees, and bushes have been as far possible preserved, so that the camp lies in a kind of leafy seclusion, contrasting agreeably with the glaring whiteness and bare appearance which distinguished the Wimbledon site. The annual meetings are usually held during the last two weeks of July. The principal prizes fired for are the Queen's, the Prince of Wales's, the Chancellor's Plate, the Ashburton Challenge Shield, the Eleho Challenge Shield, and the National Challenge Trophy. Bisley Common is part of the Bagshot Heath District.