The Met Office today issued a Red warning of dangerously high winds across a wide area of Southern England, including Surrey.

A Red warning means that significant disruption and dangerous conditions are expected, with a danger to life. Flying debris, damage to buildings, power lines and trees, and severe travel disruption will occur.

The area was already under an Amber Alert for Storm Eunice, but this morning this was upgraded to Red, an extremely rare occurrence, and the advice is for people not to travel. 

The winds, sweeping in from the south west, remained high all morning but conditions were expected to ease throughout the afternoon. The Red warning applied from 10am to 3pm.

For information on Hambledon’s emergency plan arrangements and contact information if in need of assistance, please read the earlier news item below.

In Hambledon, the shop and pub remain open. However, several trees have been brought down by the wind, temporarily blocking roads, all of which are strewn with debris from snapped branches. There have been several power cuts, most of them brief.

Our photos below show some of the damage Storm Eunice has brought to the village. The first shows a tree lying across Vann Lane, just beyond Cricket Green.

This tree, below, partially blocked Hambledon Road near the village hall.

A small tree came down outside the Old Coal Yard, taking the fence with it.

The tree below briefly blocked Rock Hill beside the nursery school until local volunteers cleared it.

And our final photograph shows a large tree down on the bank above Hambledon Road. It has fallen away from the highway, onto the garden at Pound House.

Hambledon Parish Council is looking to appoint a new clerk.

This part-time salaried position would be ideal for someone living in, or very close, to Hambledon and with a commitment to helping care for the village and its many community activities.

Training can be provided if necessary, so the candidate is not required to have previous experience although a knowledge of finance, administration and IT skills would be an advantage.

The position has become vacant following the resignation of Julie Flenley, who takes up a new role with the parish council at Chiddingfold, where she lives.

She departs next month with the thanks and best wishes of Hambledon Parish Council. Julie said: “I have sincerely enjoyed my time with Hambledon Parish Council and wish it every success in the future”.

Julie will remain in post until early February. It may be necessary for the parish council to appoint a locum clerk in any interim period.

In the meantime, the parish council has started the process to find a replacement. The clerk undertakes an important and responsible position but the job is not especially onerous to anyone with organisational skills.

The clerk is the council’s paid professional, who provides advice and assistance to the elected village councillors, ensuring council business is conducted correctly. The job involves preparing agendas, attending monthly parish council evening meetings, taking minutes of proceedings, and overseeing budgets, as the clerk is also the Responsible Financial Officer (RFO).

The clerk is the point of contact with local authorities, receiving local planning applications from Waverley Borough Council, and submitting councillor responses. He or she is also the contact for the general public.

All decisions are taken by the councillors, who are elected to office but are unpaid and volunteer their services, with their clerk providing them with objective, independent advice.

Currently the council employs its Clerk for 10 hours per week. The job comes with a contract of employment and pay and conditions in accordance with national rates for the size of the council. Hambledon Parish Council is small – just seven councillors – and does not have an office, so the Clerk would work from home.

Council meetings are held once a month, starting at 8pm at the village hall, usually on a Tuesday, and generally last less than two hours.

The post will be advertised locally, including in the February edition of Hambledon Parish Magazine and on village noticeboards, in accordance with professional guidance from the Surrey Association of Local Councils. Closing date for applications will be Monday February 28^th, 2022.

To register your interest, and for further details, please contact Stewart Payne, the parish council chairman, on [email protected] or by phone on 07831 393561.

Natural England, the Government’s statutory adviser on natural landscapes, is currently consulting on extending the boundaries of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Almost all of Hambledon village is within the current AONB including the majority of homes, the cricket green and village shop, church, nursery school, St Dominics, village hall, Feathercombe, Lane End, Upper Vann and most of Hydestile.

The only areas not within it are land between Hydestile crossroads on the western side of Hambledon Road (looking towards Enton and the West Surrey Golf Course) as far as the Merry Harriers, and on the eastern side of Vann Lane between Vann and Pockford. These areas are now included in the formal boundary review.

The Surrey Hills AONB was one of the first in the country and was designated in 1958. It has not been reviewed since then.

Local knowledge is being sought and the opinions of Hambledon residents do matter, as AONBs provide additional protection to the countryside as well as having implications on planning.

If you would like to know more, please go to:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/surrey-hills-area-of-outstanding-natural-beauty-needs-you?mc_cid=00003035f2&mc_eid=ea725c4e1a

There you can read about the review and then follow the links to the pages of Surrey Hills AONB for more background information, maps of the areas under consultation and to take part. You have until January 31^th to take part.

Hambledon Parish Council is also considering commenting on the review and is seeking the opinions of local people before doing so. Please email the council on [email protected] before January 25^th in order to give councillors time to consider your responses.

Hambledon Parish Council has prepared and submitted a detailed response to the proposal by South Western Railway to halve train services from Milford and Witley stations.

SWT has conducted a public consultation on the changes it wishes to bring into operation when it introduces a new timetable in December this year.

https://www.southwesternrailway.com/plan-my-journey/timetables/timetable-consultation-december-2022

The new timetable, if implemented, would see a significant reduction in peak time services from the two nearest stations to Hambledon – Milford and Witley – used by many residents to commute to work, to schools and for services not available in our village location, such as surgeries, hospitals and large shops and supermarkets.

The response, prepared by Councillor Robin McKeith, challenges the presentation of data by SWT, examines flaws in the process and points out that a significant reduction in services will cause over-crowding, force more cars on to the road and is not in line with Government policy to encourage train use.

Local MP Jeremy Hunt was sent a copy of the parish council response. He described it as “brilliant” and said he plans to quote from it in his weekly update of constituency matters.

The response can be found on the Document Library of the Parish Council on this website, or here:

Hambledon Parish Council has co-opted Jude Milan to join its ranks after a very close-run selection process that saw three excellent candidates put their names forward.

A vacancy occurred following the retirement of John Anderson, who was a councillor for 38 years, the last 17 as chairman.

As no scheduled elections are due until May 2023, and there was no formal call for a by-election, the parish council was authorised to fill the vacancy by co-option and duly advertised the process in the parish magazine, on this website and on parish noticeboards.

The three candidates wrote, as requested, a brief submission and these were considered by the council at its meeting on September 7^th. Councillors decided that all three were suited to the role and had excellent credentials. With little to choose between them, the council followed advice from the National Association of Local Councils (NALC), the body that represents the interests of town and parish councils, and conducted individual, face-to-face informal interviews.

One candidate withdrew at this stage, leaving Jude Milan, from Paddock Close, and Graeme Guthrie from Warren Lane. Both were interviewed at the village hall on September 14^th, and it was clear that both were keen to work in the best interest of the village and had previous experience in areas of life that ideally prepared them for the role.

There is one week left for villagers to put themselves forward to be considered for co-option onto Hambledon Parish Council.

There is a vacancy caused by a resignation and, as local elections are not due until May 2023 and there has been no formal call for a by-election, the vacancy must be filled by co-option.

Parish councillors are unpaid, non-political and their role is to serve the community at the grassroots level of local democracy.

If you feel you have something to give to the village, then please consider putting you name forward. Meetings are held once a month at which consideration is given to planning applications, support for community organisations and to address any issues of local concern.

Further details can be found here: https://www.hambledonsurrey.co.uk/?p=15075#more-15075

The co-option process to appoint a new Hambledon parish councillor is now underway.

The vacancy follows the retirement of John Anderson. The next scheduled elections for local councils are not until May 2023 and with no formal call for a by-election to be held, Hambledon Parish Council must now select a new member by co-option.

If you live in or close to the village and feel you have something to offer your local community, please consider putting your name forward. Parish councillors are not paid and do not represent any political party. They give their time to work with and on behalf of the village and its residents.

The co-option process is open until September 1^st and full details can be found by following the link below to a previous explanatory article on this website –  

https://www.hambledonsurrey.co.uk/?p=15075#more-15075

Details of how to apply can also be found in the August issue of Hambledon Parish Magazine

Hambledon Parish Council will begin the process of co-opting a new member to fill a current vacancy with applications invited from Monday August 2nd until September 1^st, 2021.

The council decided that, with summer holidays approaching and the parish council not meeting in August, it would be appropriate to give a whole month for people to apply. Details of how to do so appear at the end of this article and also in the forthcoming August issue of Hambledon Parish Magazine and on parish noticeboards.

Continue reading →

Hambledon Parish Council has been given the authority to fill a vacancy by co-option and will begin this process after its next meeting.

The vacancy has been caused by former chairman John Anderson standing down at the council’s annual meeting in May after 38 years as a councillor.

Waverley Borough Council’s electoral services office was informed of the resignation and it then announced a period of 14 working days when 10 or more electors within the parish could formally request that the vacancy be filled by an election.

This is part of a statutory procedure when a vacancy occurs at a time when no elections are due to be held.

No request was received and Hambledon council’s clerk, Julie Flenley, was informed that it could now seek to co-opt a replacement to fill the vacancy.

With the summer holidays approaching, and no meeting of the council in August, it is likely that an extended period of several weeks will be allowed for potential councillors to put their names forward for consideration. More details will follow later next week and the process will be publicised on this website and in the August edition of Hambledon Parish Magazine.

For details on eligibility please follow this link: https://www.waverley.gov.uk/Services/Council-information/Registering-to-vote-and-elections/Casual-vacancies

As Hambledon looks ahead to a summer fete on the Cricket Green, it can also reflect back on a grand day out at the same venue with the Mary Caroe Cup match and presentation to retiring parish council chairman John Anderson.

Preparations have begun for the fete which will take place at the Bank Holiday on August 28^th. It will have all the elements of a traditional fete, and is a scaled-down version of the Hambledon Midsummer Festival Weekend, postponed again because of Covid restrictions.

Continue reading →

The presentation to John Anderson, marking his retirement from Hambldon Parish Council after 38 years, will take place on Sunday afternoon (June 20^th) as planned – but umbrellas may be needed!

Please do not be deterred if it is raining, as the presentation will go ahead regardless of the weather. It will take place outside the village shop at around 3pm, during what is hoped will be the tea interval of the Mary Caroe Cup cricket match. The game may be rain affected.

Please remember that we are still under Coronavirus restrictions. Up to 30 people may gather outdoors, but if numbers exceed this please keep a respectful distance and wear a mask if you wish.

John joined the parish council in 1983, and has been its chairman for the last 17 years until stepping down last month.

During this time, he has been actively involved in the welfare of many village organisations as well as the parish council itself and representatives of those, together with former colleagues and clerks on the council, will be joining with other villagers for the short presentation.

All are welcome, and if you wish to donate to his leaving gift and still have not done so, there is a collection box at the village shop, where a card may also be signed, or bank transfer using the following details: Account name Hambledon Parish Council at Lloyds Bank, account number 00155928, sort code 30-93-49. Please reference your donation with your name.

The cut-off for donations by either means is 2pm on Saturday.

We are hoping for fair weather and an entertaining game of cricket featuring the cricket club v the village shop. This annual fixture was renamed the Mary Caroe Cup last year in recognition of Mary’s passionate commitment to Hambledon, and especially to the community shop in recent years. A much loved and respected villager, she died aged 81 last April after contracting Covid-19.

The Anderson and Caroe families have been friends for many years, so the Cup match is an appropriate occasion to say thank you to both.

Hambledon Parish Council has begun the formal process to fill the vacancy resulting from the resignation of long-serving councillor and chairman John Anderson.

It has notified Waverley Borough Council, the electoral authority for the area, and its has posted notification of the vacancy on its website. It is also posted on this website on the parish council pages.

The process begins with a 14-working-day period during which ten or more electors from the within the Parish may request in writing for an election be held. If no such request is received by June 25^th Waverley Borough Council then allows for Hambledon Parish Council to fill the vacancy by co-option.

This process takes into account the fact that the next local council elections are not due to be held until May 2023. The cost of a mid-term election has to be met by the parish council.

Hambledon Parish Council will publicise the casual vacancy, assuming no election has been called, and will ask for candidates to put their names forward. More details will follow in this event.

To see the Waverley Borough Council notice please visit the parish council pages on this website found on the top menu or by following this link.

https://www.hambledonsurrey.co.uk/?page_id=166

John Anderson has stood down after 38 years as a councillor, the last 17 as chairman. A presentation marking his public service to Hambledon is to be held this Sunday, outside the village shop, during the tea interval of the Mary Caroe Cup cricket match. This is expected to be at around 3pm, and the presentation will take place even if the match is rained off.

All are welcome to attend. A card can be signed at the village shop and there is as collection box there for donations towards his leaving gift. Donations can also be made by bank transfer and full details can be found by following this link.

https://www.hambledonsurrey.co.uk/?p=14930

Hambledon Parish Council is marking John Anderson’s departure after 38 years as a councillor – 17 as its chairman – by organising a presentation celebration to be held on Sunday June 20^th.

The council has commissioned local artist John Coleman to undertake a painting of John’s family home, Goodbrook House, and is asking villagers to sign a card and make a donation if they wish to express their gratitude for all that John has done for Hambledon over many years.

There is a collection box at the village shop where cash donations can be left. As the shop is currently only serving customers from outside the premises, please ask a member of staff for the box. 

Money can also be donated by bank transfer to the parish council account with Lloyds. The account name is Hambledon Parish Council, the sort code is 30-93-49 and the account number is 00155928. Please reference the donation with your name. The money will be ring-fenced and will be supervised in confidence by council clerk Julie Flenley.

A personalised card is currently under preparation and well-wishers are asked to sign an insert which is available at the shop.

John stood down from the council at its annual meeting last month. He said: “I have been honoured and privileged to be elected and to serve on the parish council since 1983, and as Chairman since 2004. I shall miss the challenge, but mostly I shall miss the people, whose help and support have been invaluable”.

John is pictured above at the unveiling of the new wooden village signs to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012

The suggestion of a painting of their Hambledon home as a gift for John came from his wife Tucker. She said it was something they would both love to have, and would be a personal and lasting reminder for John of his years on the parish council. They have lived at Goodbrook House since 1978 and John’s mother lived in Beech Hill  in the 1960s and early 70s.

Continue reading →

John Anderson has stepped down as chairman of Hambledon Parish Council and will leave at the end of the month. He has been a member for 38 years and has chaired the council for the last 17.

This makes him the third longest serving member since the council was formed in 1884, overtaking Ron Vickery who retired in 2011 after 35 years.

John will be replaced by Stewart Payne, his current deputy, with Mary Grove taking on the deputy role. He congratulated them both and said he was confident they will do a good job. But they have a tough act to follow!

John made his announcement at the council’s AGM last night (May 4^th) when the election of chairman and vice chairman for 2021/22 was considered as the first item on the agenda.

John told his colleagues: “My year as Chairman comes to an end today, May 4^th 2021.  I have decided to resign from the Parish Council as a Councillor, effective May 31^st 2021.

It is time for a change, and, somehow, I am getting even busier at home and in business.

Continue reading →

Hambledon’s Parish Assembly takes place this evening (Thursday April 22^nd) and all villagers are welcome to attend virtually.

Because of Coronavirus pandemic restrictions, this annual opportunity to catch up on what village groups, organisations, clubs and societies have been doing will take place by video conferencing using the Zoom platform.

The assembly will start at 7.30 but those wishing to attend are asked to join the Zoom meeting up to 10 minutes before to allow for admittance. Details of how to join and a copy of the evening’s agenda can be found at the end of this article.

Hambledon will mourn the death of Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, today, joining in the tributes by tolling the bell at St Peter’s Church. 

The bell in the village church will be rung 99 times, beginning at midday, in recognition of the Duke’s age at the time of his death yesterday morning at Windsor Castle.

Across the nation tributes are being paid to the long life of service and dedication the Duke brought to his role as consort to Queen Elizabeth II.

The flag at St Peter’s – as elsewhere – has been flying at half-mast since the news of the Prince’s death was announced by Buckingham Palace.

It had been planned to open a Book of Condolence at the church, but under current Coronavirus restrictions this is is not allowed. Instead, people are encouraged to pay their respects on line at https://www.royal.uk/ or https://www.churchofengland.org/remembering-his-royal-highness-prince-philip

If villagers would like to be present when the bell is rung, they are reminded that they should only do so outside and by keeping a 2-metre distance from others.

Please read the previous news story on this website for more details and to read local tributes.