I would like to use our village website to thank all those villagers who contributed to a generous leaving gift and signed card following my departure as a Hambledon Parish councillor after 24 years, the last four as Chair.

As many will know, I decided a year ago that it was time to step down, knowing that we have a strong and well-organised parish council with dedicated councillors and an extremely capable clerk.

My resignation took effect at the May AGM earlier this month, when the card and wine vouchers wine were presented to me by deputy Alison Scott-Bishop.

Following my departure, Alison was voted in as the new chair and Robin McKeith as deputy. A vacancy now exists to replace me as a councillor and Clerk Catherine Russell has started the necessary legal process with Waverley Borough Council. If any villager is interested in applying, please contact Catherine at parishclerk@hambledonsurrey.co.uk and she can explain what to do.

The photographs show Alison presenting me with my gift and card (above) and my final meeting at the village hall with parish council colleagues, from left to right Andy Hinde, Alison, Robin, myself, Simon Rhodes, Catherine, and Sean Sinnott, with our Ward County Councillor Kevin Deanus and Ward Waverley councillor Michael Goodridge. Missing from the line-up is parish councillor Jude Milan and Waverley Ward councillor Jane Austin.

It has been really rewarding to have been a parish councillor and I have reflected on this in more detail in a short article in the June edition of Hambledon Parish Magazine. If you are not a subscriber, copies are available in the village shop. Details of council, Agendas and Minutes etc, can be found on the Parish Council pages on this website

Thank you to the people of Hambledon for supporting the parish council over the years and making my time there so fulfilling.