Lock-Down 2 – What is Happening in Hambledon

As Hambledon enters a second lock-down, here is a round-up of how the village and its various organisations will keep services going within the restrictions enforced across England from today  (November 5th, 2020).

There are a number of key differences – nationally and locally – from the first lock-down, which began in March and lasted for much of the summer months. It is planned that this lock-down will last for one month only, ending on December 2nd, and more businesses and activities can continue.

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Christmas Celebrated, And New Year Greetings

Hambledon’s festive celebrations concluded with community carol singing outside the village shop on Christmas Eve which an estimated 200 people attended. It just gets bigger every year!

Following on from the equally-successful carols in the Merry Harriers and the Christmas Dance at the Village Hall (see earlier news item), it was then left to St Peter Church to bring home the Christmas message with midnight communion on Christmas Eve and a Family Service on Christmas Day.

Now all that remains is New Year’s Eve. There will no doubt be many private parties around the village and the Merry Harriers has live music and a buffet, beginning at 9pm and going on until 1am. Midnight will be celebrated with complimentary bubbly.

Finally, from all of us at the Hambledon Village Web Team, we wish you the very best for 2020.

We leave you with some photographs taken by David Edmiston of the Village Shop carols and our thanks to all those who organised and participated in a wonderful Christmas community gathering.

 

Hambledon Village Shop – Summer Opening Hours

Please note that from 30th March to 6th October inclusive the the shop will be open until 4pm on Saturdays. Sunday closing will not change from 2pm.

SHOP

CAFE

Last orders for lunch is 14:30 from Monday to Saturday and 13:00 on Sundays

POST OFFICE
Monday 08:30 – 17:00 09:00 – 16:00 09:30 – 12:30 & 13:30 – 16:30
Tuesday 08:30 – 17:00 09:00 – 16:00 09:30 – 12:30
Wednesday 08:30 – 17:00 09:00 – 16:00 09:30 – 12:30
Thursday 08:30 – 17:00 09:00 – 16:00 09:30 – 12:30 & 13:30 – 16:30
Friday 08:30 – 17:00 09:00 – 16:00 09:30 – 12:30 & 13:30 – 16:30
Saturday 08:30 – 16:00 09:00 – 15:30 09:30 – 12:30
Sunday 08:30 – 14:00 09:00 – 13:30 CLOSED

Hambledon Village Shop needs you!

Hambledon Village Shop (http://www.hambledonsurrey.co.uk/?page_id=5225) is a busy, community owned village store, café and delicatessen run and staffed by an enthusiastic team of professionals and volunteers. The Management Committee are looking for one or more individuals to take on the full-time job of managing the shop, possibly as a job share. Ideally you will have retail and/or voluntary sector experience. You will take responsibility -supported by the assistant manager – for staffing, managing staff and volunteers, stock purchase and control, health and safety generally and particularly food safety. All within a tight budget. You will be a computer literate, hands-on person with good communication skills and attention to detail. You will also be able to delegate, to contribute ideas and to engage with the Management Committee and village community. You will be willing to work some weekends. Salary negotiable depending on skills and experience. Start date as soon as possible.  Enquiries to the Management Committee Chair; nicholasmassey@hotmail.com

Change at Hambledon Village Shop

At the end of this month (January) Gill will be stepping down as Shop Manager.

The reason is simply that Gill feels it’s time for a change of pace in her life but would like to convey that her commitment to the Shop and village life remains as strong as ever.

Although we will be sorry to lose Gill in her current position, we are very pleased that she will continue to be seen working in the shop at the Post Office counter and as one of our highly valued volunteers without whom our Village shop would not survive let alone thrive!

We are extremely grateful for the continued and incredible support given to the shop by its volunteers, shareholders, paid staff and customers, thank you!!

We are fortunate to have an expanding core of experienced volunteers and a strong professional team which together will provide continuity through this change.

Both Martin, in his continuing role as Assistant Manager, and Gill have made it clear that they are keen to support whoever maybe appointed to the Manager role and make the handover as smooth as possible.

We would like to thank Gill for her contribution over the past three years and for her continuing commitment and professionalism in supporting the Village and Shop Management Committee through this change.

We will be seeking to fill the Manager role and will be advertising the opportunity locally.

If you are a community minded person interested in applying for the vacancy, please write or email in the first instance:

for the personal attention of
Nick Massey
C/o Hambledon Village Shop,
The Cricket Green
Hambledon,
Surrey GU8 4HF.

Or

by email to nicholasmassey@hotmail.com

Hambledon Village Shop Management Committee

A Personal Message from Gill

I’d like to say a few words following the announcement from the Management Committee today.

As you will have read, I’m hanging up my pinny at the end of this month.

Managing our wonderful big-little Shop has been a fantastic experience; hugely challenging and fulfilling in equal measure.

Although Hambledon doesn’t have a centre as such, the Shop is most definitely its heart. It is a magnet for villagers and visitors alike who may come for bread, newspapers, coffee and lunch but they receive much more than that. I feel very privileged to have been the guardian of the Hambledon warm welcome that awaits anyone who treads a path to our village door.

I’m stepping down simply because I’d like a change of pace and to have time to do other things. I’m going to continue working on the Post Office counter and as a volunteer so I’m afraid you haven’t seen the last of me.

I think this is really good timing for the Shop, too. Things are going well, we have a dedicated and well-trained team of volunteers and professionals, lots of well-oiled systems and processes, a strong Management Committee and a highly capable and kind Assistant Manager in Martin. This firm foundation will give the next Manager the breathing space they need to establish themselves.

Martin and I are committed to supporting the new Manager and providing as much continuity as possible. So, with such a lot of goodwill and positivity behind them, I hope that the next person will enjoy the role as much as I have.

Goodwill is something I have received in abundance and I am so grateful for that. It’s been fantastic to work in the heart of our community and get to know you. Thank you a thousand times for all the support, kindness and appreciation you have shown me over the past three years.

Change can be uncomfortable but when you’ve been in business as long as the Shop, it is inevitable. I was fortunate enough to meet the originators last year, Denis and Brenda Jones. It was Denis who galvanised the village into action and re-opened the Shop as a community-run venture in 1992. On their visit they were delighted that the Shop was not only still going, but thriving. I am certain that this will continue and 26 years from now I fully expect to see the little Hambledonians who are currently spending their pocket money on five penny chews, swapping their weekday career hats for the barista’s apron for a few hours each month.

The Shop is more than the sum of its parts and the thing that makes it so is the warmth, dedication and sheer hard work of so many villagers.

Long may it continue!

With very best wishes and immense gratitude,

Gill.

Join the Village Shop Choir for Carols on Christmas Eve

Once again this year, the Hambledon Village Shop Choir will be leading a carol singalong at the Shop at noon on Christmas Eve. Everyone’s invited to come along, join in with the singing and enjoy mulled wine and mince pies.

The choir will have a bigger band to accompany them this year under David Kirby’s fine leadership, so we’d love to add some new choir members. The first choir practice will be at Hambledon Village Hall this evening (Thursday 13th December) at 8:30pm, a second practice will take place on Monday 17th December at 7:30pm. If you would like to join in please come along to one or both of the practices.