JUDGES’ FEEDBACK TO VILLAGES

Villages have told us that they appreciate feedback from the judges.  At the same time feedback conveys an appreciation of a village’s work and commitment and carries a positive message that can give direction for the future.  There is no template of a perfect village:  the judges look to see how communities are making the best of what is available to them and how they are meeting their challenges.

Category 1:  Community – a better place to live

Hambledon is a community that has almost done the impossible.  So many villages have lost all their amenities but this village has fought to retain them.

First we were taken to the Nursery School.  Formerly this had been a primary school, closed due to insufficient numbers.  It was taken over by the village and a trust set up.  After many years’ hard work it is now an incredibly successful self-supporting business catering for 80 children from a wide area.  It has received a glowing report from Ofsted and provided work for a number of locals.  It has actually encouraged a younger population to move into the area and gives support to local families in need.

After saving the school and realising the possible risks to their community, the next step for the village was to produce a Parish Plan identifying both need and land use.

People asked for affordable housing and this has duly been provided.  Currently still more land is being sought for this.

The next major project was the purchase, refurbishment and revival of the Village Shop.  More on this in the Sustainability category.

The development of the football pitch is an on-going project for the community. Having raised the funds to purchase the field, it has now been levelled.  The next project is to build new changing facilities and, with the village’s determination, we are sure this won’t be long in achieving.

The church has had an excellent meeting room built on to it.  Although contrasting with the mediaeval church, it is a modern design that blends in exceptionally well.  It is now utilised for children ‘withdrawing’ from Sunday services, the Godburys group and regular coffee mornings.  An incredible £300k was raised from both regular and non-regular church members.

Other amenities in the village include Hambletots, Spangles, the Cricket Club (raised £90k for its building), the Ramblers Association, WAGs (WI but less expensive!), a good neighbour scheme, Hambledon Heritage Society, the Village Hall (with all its regular events) and the National Trust Oakhurst Cottage.  Apologies for anything missed – they were all exceptional.

The Parish Council is integral to almost everything that happens in the village. 

Category 2:  Business – a better place to work

Already mentioned is the Nursery School – an excellent example of a well-run business.  The Village Shop is another thriving business employing a number of part-timers along with 45 volunteers.

To replace a lost business the Old Coal Yard had three small business units installed on it – an innovative use, particularly in a village of this small size.

A major business is St Dominic’s, a private special-needs residential day and weekly boarding school currently catering for 10 –16 year olds. They are very much part of the village, organising the fete on alternative years.

The village pub has recently been taken over by llama keepers.  They are providing some fascinating llama treks followed by lunches and refreshments, in addition to providing a busy meeting place for the locals.  They employ four full-time staff and five part-timers and plan to set up an internet meeting room.

The village garage employs seven people and, by providing work experience and apprenticeships to locals, has been awarded the Surrey Outstanding Employer of the Year.

There are many other businesses, many one-person operations;  but all seem to contribute to the vibrancy of the village.

Category 3:  Sustainability – a better future

Hambledon has received the Calor VotY award in the Southern Region for Sustainability mainly because of its work on retaining its amenities and making them a success.  Although the Nursery School is an incredible achievement, it was an early project.  The restoration of the Village Shop is more recent and has involved, and still involves, so many of the villagers- mostly in a voluntary capacity – that everyone is to be congratulated on an immensely successful achievement.  Not only this, but it meets sustainability criteria to the core:  the shop buys fresh produce almost exclusively from local producers and residents (eg cakes), supporting the local economy and cutting down on food miles.

The photographs that we saw of the restoration work done to the former common land were impressive.  What was once scrubland and invasive trees has been returned to traditional Surrey heath land, providing appropriate shelter for rare species of flora and fauna.  The beautiful swathes of heather made both of us want to return to the village later on in the year when it comes into bloom.  It must be breathtaking.

The opening of Oakhurst Cottage, a small farm worker’s cottage, is totally attributable to the villagers who volunteer as stewards.

There is also an active heritage society which has produced a wonderful record of village life going back to Victorian times.  This is complemented by the Hambledon Village Snapshot where residents have written their own story about their lifestyles and their homes.  These innovative and valuable resources will be used for generations to come.

Category 4:  Communications – being in contact

Despite a small price tag on the Parish Magazine it is so successful that it reaches almost every household in the parish. It is an incredible production, packed with useful local information and with a professional finish.  Local firms advertise in it and, no doubt, bring in substantial funds to the local economy. With the advertising revenue increasing from £60 to £4k per annum, it also supports other village activities. It’s worth every penny.

Recently launched was Hambledon’s website to complement the Parish Magazine.

If a resident manages to miss out on the above, the village has the regular notice boards, a Welcome Pack for new villagers, WiFi at the Village Shop and numerous publications from the Parish Council.  Communication has been well thought out.