A Very Wet May, And The Loss Of A Good Friend – But Much To Look Foward To

The last easing of lockdown restrictions in April, when pub gardens opened for customers, was greeted by unseasonably late snow.

The further lifting last week was heralded by periods of heavy rain which continued all week – “April showers” in mid-May  – so we can be grateful that we can now venture inside pubs, cafes and restaurants in groups of six or as two households, or meet inside other people’s homes in similar numbers.

At least the bluebells in and around the village have been splendid, and our photograph is taken near The Tolt on the edge of Hydon Ball

Last Monday’s easing of Covid-19 pandemic measures also saw the reopening of indoor entertainment such as museums, cinemas, theatres and concert halls, sports venues, hotels and guest houses, exercise classes and play areas.

We must still wait to see if the Government’s planned lifting of all social distancing measures can go ahead on June 21st amid concern at the current rise in the Indian variant of the Covid virus in parts of north west England.

But it is to be hoped that summer will bring a welcome return to normality and here the Hambledon Village Website considers what we can look forward to locally, including a summer fete on the green and a Rejoice the Voice Music Festival.

But first we look back on the loss of a village stalwart, Judy Leeper, who was held in great affection by many Hambledon residents and will be especially remembered for her long-term involvement in the village shop, as a former chair of its committee and as a regular volunteer.

She and her late husband Brian lived at Bonners, Vann Lane, before moving to Chiddingfold. She died in hospital on Easter Sunday after suffering a stroke.

During the early days of the pandemic the village was deeply saddened by the death of Mary Caroe. A cup cricket match, named in her honour, will take place on the Cricket Green on Sunday June 20th.

Last year’s Hambledon mid-summer festival weekend had to be cancelled, but a scaled-down version will take place with a traditional fete and a community shop barbecue on Saturday August 28th. More details here: http://www.hambledonsurrey.co.uk/?paged=3 and https://hambledonfestival.co.uk/

Hambledon residents David Kirby and Jo Kirkland are co-organising a charity music event, called Rejoice The Voice, which will be held on Saturday September 4th at Church Fields, Witley. Described as a “Festival in a Day”, it will feature a main stage with headline acts, two smaller stages, theatre, dance, singing, food outlets and local gin, wine and beer stalls, and will cater for all the family, beginning at noon and finishing at 10 pm.

Entrance is by pre-purchased ticket and all proceeds go to the MND Association (motor neurone disease) and the Alzheimers Society.

Full details can be found on the posters below.

Elsewhere, the Village Hall has reopened and can take bookings and regular events are returning, including the June Parish Council meeting. For more than a year its meetings have had to be held on Zoom video conference call.

Finally, the Village Shop hopes to open its doors for customers to step inside, a welcome return to normality. More details here: http://www.hambledonsurrey.co.uk/?p=14866

 

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