Two stalwarts of Hambledon Parish Council, Ron Vickery and Derek Miller, have been thanked for their years of service to the village at a special party in their honour.

They were presented with garden centre vouchers at a gathering of councillors and clerks, past and present, at the home of council chairman John Anderson and his wife Tucker.

Ron has stood down after 35 years continous service, making him the third longest serving member since the council was formed in 1884. Derek has clocked up 16 years. Both have made immense contributions to the work of the council.

Ron and Derek are pictured receiving their tokens from John.

The guest list for the party included former council colleagues going back to when Ron joined in 1975.   It is unlikely that a picture of Hambledon councillors and clerks past and present, spanning 35 years, has been taken before and it is one for the village scrap book.

Standing, from left to right, is Mic Coleman, who joined as chairman at the same time as Ron and went on to serve until 1983; Paul Pattinson, 2007 to present; Ron, 1976 to 2011; Stewart Payne, 2001 to present; Derek, 1995 to 2011; Mike Whittall, joined May 2011; Paul Vacher, clerk 1983 to 1998; Muriel Campbell, 1987 to 1995; John Anderson, 1983 to present and chairman since 2007; Philip Underwood, 1987 to present; Elizabeth Waring, 1985 to 1995 and chairman from 1987; and Jane Caie, 2004 to 2010.

Kneeling at the front, left to right, are Edward Uren, 2001 to 2006; Jane Woolley, clerk from 1998 to present; Mike Parry, joined May 2011; Alfie Hammond, 1987 to 1999 and Ion Campbell, who joined as chairman in 1995 and remained until 2007.

Seated in between the two rows is Denys Kinsella, who was the village’s ward councillor on Waverley Borpugh Council for many years.

Only Sarah Stuckey, who joined in May this year, is missing from the council’s current membership. She was unable to attend because of a prior commitment.

For more details of Ron and Derek’s contribution as councillors please look at the earlier news item on this website.