Twenty years ago, the Hambledon Village Trust purchased the shop and the attached Pendle Cottage. This was shortly after the shop had re-opened as a community venture; and the purchase has assured its long-term future.
The 18th century building is now in urgent need of a new roof. Tiles have been falling off, beams need to be strengthened, there is no underlay and what insulation there is has worn thin. The flat roof over the shop frontage, the deli roof and the garage roof also require attention. It is estimated that the work involved will cost in the region of £100,000. This sum is way beyond the financial means of the Trust. Its only income is from the rents charged to the shop and the cottage tenant.
A fund-raising appeal for the roof replacement was launched at the Village Fete in June, asking for donations to be made to a special ring-fenced fund that has been established, via the Hambledon Community Fund, within the Community Foundation for Surrey.
Funds raised so far
Many thanks to all of you who have contributed so far (see the funding thermometer below). This has come into the fund via cheques, direct bank transfers, online donations and cash in buckets. But there’s still a long way to go. See below for how to make a donations. Or, if you would like to speak to one of the Trustees about the project, please send an email to hambledonvillagetrust@gmail.com. There are also leaflets by the till in the shop which include all the details of how to donate.
What else is happening?
Richard Bayley, a villager with professional construction expertise, has volunteered his skills to support the project and is currently pulling together a firm cost plan for discussion with the Trustees. See Richard crawling around the roofspace inspecting the condition in the video below.
The Trust also continues to work on accessing whatever grants might be available. This is a slow process and as yet there is nothing to report. It is anticipated that a Bat Survey will be required before any work can start, so estimates have been obtained in readiness for this.
The shop is the much-appreciated hub of our community. We are all looking forward to seeing it with a roof that will protect it far into the future.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Ways to donate
The appeal is being made by the Hambledon Village Trust which owns the freehold of the shop and attached cottage. Trustees are Mary Burrows (Chair), Jane Woolley, Rob Goffee, Jane Moore, Liz Scannell.
1. Direct bank transfer
The Community Foundation for Surrey asks that you email hambledonvillagetrust@gmail.com or speak to a trustee to request the bank details for the transfer.
2. Cheque
Please make cheque payable to ‘Community Foundation Surrey’ and send to CFS address below. Please include a note saying it is for the Ham Shop fund.
3. Online
Click the Enthuse/Donate link to go to the Hambledon Community Fund Project donation page on the Surrey Community Foundation website:
Gift Aid
If sending a cheque or bank transfer and claiming Gift Aid please complete the CFS Gift Aid form online here, and send to Community Foundation for Surrey, Suite 3 First Floor, Cleary Court, 169 Church Street East, Woking, Surrey GU21 6HJ