The Hambledon Archive: combining the past with the present
In 1997 it was realised that the Hambledon Scrapbook, which had been passed from hand to hand since its creation in 1952, was showing signs of wear and tear. Mary Parker, who lived at Feathercombe up to the time of her death in 1994, had been chiefly responsible for creating and keeping it going; so a Hambledon Heritage Exhibition was organised in 1998 to raise money for a Mary Parker Memorial Fund which enabled the Scrapbook to be conserved and re-bound.
The interest which the 1998 Exhibition evoked and the material that was contributed to it awakened a realisation that there was an on-going need for village memorabilia to be retained and recorded. This led to the establishment of the Hambledon Heritage Society which, amongst other things, compiled photographic and printed memorabilia which are contained in a series of publications and albums – the Hambledon Archive. This is housed in the Sun Room at Cobblers and can be accessed by anyone interested in finding out more about the history of Hambledon and the personalities who contributed to it. Please let Jane Woolley know if you would like to visit and browse – 01428 684213 or j.woolley881@btinternet.com
The present content of the Archive is listed below: it continues to be up-dated, so contact Jane Woolley if you want to discovered what has been added since 2021.
Contents/location
In the 2-drawer filing cabinet:
Oakhurst minutes ~February 1985 – November 2017
Contents and picture list, Hambledon Village Scrapbook, 1952
1965 WI Jubilee Scrapbook, plus index of contents
“Memories of Hambledon 1968”, original typed) text and photos
“Memories of Hambledon 1968”, printed copy of original text and photos
Hambledon – some facts, figure and findings, Alfred Goad, 1972
The Silver Jubilee 1977 – photos
Electoral rolls, 1997-2017
Hambledon Village Snapshot, 1999, master copy and photographs
Hambledon Village Snapshot, 1999 – printed copy
Hambledon Village (Jubilee) fete 2012, annotated photos
Hambledon Village Shop (to December 2022)
Hambledon Village Shop, annotated photographs of re-opening, November 1991
Nutbourne Brickworks
Oakhurst Cottage (to December 2022)
In the top drawer of the wooden cabinet:
The Hambledon Village Scrapbook, 1952 (copy of conserved document which is housed in Godalming Museum; also digitised and on the web site)
The Blue Book (including contents list) – Hambledon happenings, 2006 2021)
The Black Book: people; groups and miscellaneous specifics – details of both listed below
Places – details listed below
In the wooden cabinet:
The 1st Red Book (including contents list) – Hambledon happenings, 1977 – 1998
The 2nd Red Book (including contents list)– Hambledon happenings, 1999 – 2005
Spare brochures, pamphlets (in small paper carrier bag)
– Hambledon v. Feathercombe 1928-1950: the Story of a Village Cricket Match by Winton Dean
– Memories of Hambledon by Mary Parker, 1989 (reprinted 2001)
– Hambledon: Images of the past 150 years from the Village Scrapbook by Audrey Monk and Gabrielle
Mabley, 2000
– The Story of the Hambledon (Surrey) Almshouses by Audrey Monk, 2008
– Around the Village: a circular walk, by Audrey Monk, 2012
Parish Magazines, 1999-2007 (2000 missing)
* * * * *
PEOPLE
- Hammonds and Jefferies
Photos, other historical information
[see also Oakhurst, whose final residents were Ted and Elsie Jefferies]
- Mellershes
Historical information
- Pickettts
Summary historical information
Information provided by current family members
Genealogy
Photographs (p.13 – Honeysuckle Cottage when it was the family home)
- Other people (mentioned in other albums)
John Anderson Blue Book, pp.39, 171-2
Edna Atkins Blue Book, p.176
Ion and Muriel Campbell 2nd Red Book, p.148; Blue Book, pp.177-8
Mary Caroe Blue Book, pp.149-54; also Places – Vann
Mic & Sylvia Coleman 2nd Red Book, p.61; Blue Book, pp.78, 146
Carlo Davico Blue Book, p.175
Deans 2nd Red Book, p.34 (Stephen); Blue Book, p.70 (Basil);
pp.101-2 (Winton)
Ellingsons 1st Red Book, p.141 (death of Dorothy); also Scrapbook
Fred and Joan Elliott 2nd Red Book, pp.115-6; Blue Book, pp.129-30
Tony Field Blue Book, p.137
Fanny Gaskin 1st Red Book, p.18; Blue Book, p.46
Norman Gravestock Blue Book, pp. 77, 143, 161; also Places – Oakhurst and
Nutbourne Brickworks
Joan Hardy 2nd Red Book, p.62; Blue Book, p.148; also places – Oakhurst
Archie Hutchins 2nd Red Book, p.117
Reg May 2nd Red Book, pp.19-22
Derek Miller Blue Book, p.40, 57
Eric Parker 1st Red Book, pp.29-30
Hampden Parker Blue Book, p.113
Mary Parker 1st Red Book, p.152
Rose Sage 1st Red Book, pp.147-151
Raymond Smith Blue Book, p.120; also Places – Stepaside
Florrie Stevenson 2nd Red Book, p.62
John and Annie Tidmarsh Blue Book, pp. 147, 173-4; also Places – Hambledon Village Shop, Hambledon Village Hall
Vachers 2nd Red Book, pp.153-4 (death of Molly); Blue Book, pp. 69, 91 (Bethan, remission from cancer)
Ron Vickery Blue Book, p.57
Ray and Pat Williams 2nd Red Book, p.169, Blue Book, pp. 119, 145
Jane Woolley Blue Book, pp.18, 139-40
GROUPS AND MISCELLANEOUS SPECIFICS
- Hambledon Village Scrapbook: photos and conservation report
- Hambledon Women’s Institute (see also separate book: 1965 WI Jubilee Scrapbook)
- HMS Hambledon
- Sunday Reflections (Hambledon in Lockdown, 2020)
- Hambledon Parish Assembly, April 2021 – The reports delivered to a virtual meeting on account of lockdown
- Other groups/specifics (mentioned in other albums)
Cricket Club 2nd Red Book, pp.31, 32, 71, 127-34, 149
Football Club Blue Book, pp.11, 15-16, 60-1, 89-90, 95, 105
Hambletots 2nd Red Book, pp.88-9, 118
Henry Smith Charity 2nd Red Book, pp.75-8
Ramblers 2nd Red Book, pp.83-6
WAGs 1st Red Book, p.123; 2nd Red Book, pp.79-82
PLACES
- Places with their own albums (bottom drawer, 2-drawer filing cabinet)
Hambledon Village Shop
Hambledon Village Shop, annotated photographs of re-opening, November 1991
Nutborne Brickworks
Oakhurst Cottage
Places in the red ring-binder
- Hambledon Almshouses
Trustees and residents, 2002
Appeal for funds for up-grade, 2012
Opening of the upgraded Almshouses, 2014 and 2015
- Hambledon Village, then Nursery, School
The Development of Hambledon School from 1875-1944
Hambledon Village School pupils, photos and memories, 1914-1970
Death crash plan just misses Village School, January 1972
Opening of the school car park, November 1991
Brenda Stansfield retires as Head Teacher, Hambledon Nursery School, July 1998
Hambledon Nursery School 2002 Jubilee party
Retirement of Mary Caroe and George Pitt as Trustees, January 2003
Barbara Beadle retires as Head Teacher, July 2004
- Hambledon Village Hall
Historical summary
Events, 2017 – lockdown (2020)
- Matteryes
A history of the estate
Sale of contents, 1965 (prices realised added manuscript)
On the market, 2002
- The Merry Harriers
Photograph, July 1931
The Merry Harriers v. Harrods Store London darts team, 1950/1960?
Ron Beasley, landlord: obituary, July 2002
Colin and Sue Beasley, immediately prior to the sale
Change of ownership to Colin and Julie Stoneley, August 2008
Great British Pub award, November 2009
Launch of Our Land project by Kate Humble, October 2011
Ten years with the llamas, August 2013
- Orchard Farm
Development plans (English Rural Housing Association), 2016 – 2020
- St Peter’s Church
Edward Seymour: All Saints Witleyt, Falkland Islands, St Peter’s (1915-1946)
History, Hambledon Church (Parish Magazine, Aug-Sept.1948
The History of St Peter’s Church, 1965
Institution of the Rev. Peter Sertin to the Cure of Souls at Hambledon Church, May 1985
Licensing of The Rev. Christopher Blissard-Barnes, September 1989
50th anniversary of VE Day commemoration service, 8 May 1994
The Old Rectory, 1930-1997
Creation of Joint Benefice, Busbridge & Hambledon,, 1998; 2002 activities
The new curate’s study at Mervil Bottom, 2002
Visit by the Worshipful Company of Carpenters, May 2002
Arrival of Stephanie Couvela as Associate Minister, March 2004
The Hambledon Yews
St Peter’s – a brief history, ?2007-8
Development plans for St Peter’s
Photographs (undated)
Farewell to the Rev. Stephanie Couvela, July 2010
Discovery of the Pugin monument, 2011
A Pugin Monument Rediscovered
The Big Day Out, November 2011
Licensing of the Rev. Catherine McBride, May 2012
The new curates, David Jenkins and James Gibson, August 2012
Farewell to Catherine McBride, October 2017
St Peter’s church documents (archive compiled 2018)
A Port Stanley look-alike (the stained glass windows and other historical details)
Licensing of Simon Willetts as Associate Vicar, 2019
The Godalming Minster Project (as at November 2022)
- Stepaside
History
- Places mentioned in other albums
Bryony Hill 2nd Red Book, pp.161-8
Coal Yard 2nd Red Book, pp.68-70; Blue Book pp.157-8
Court Vale 1st Red Book pp.31-5
Duncombs Cottages 2nd Red Book, pp.108-14
Great House 2nd Red Book, pp.122-6
Hambledon Hurst 1st Red Book, pp.8-9; Blue Book pp.70, 101-102
Hambledon Homes/ 1st Red Book, pp.48-52
Hambledon Park
Hydestile Hospital/ 1st Red Book, p.120-22
The Hydons
Nutbourne Cottages 2nd Red Book, pp.28-30
Rose Cottage Blue Book, p.10
St Dominic’s 1st Red Book, pp.44-5; Blue Book pp.69, 155-6
Tigbourne Cottage 1st Red Book, pp.1-2
Vann 2nd Red Book, pp.119-20, 135-9; Blue Book pp.1-3, 106-8