Please note we have moved the time of this meeting back to 7:30pm so that it will be after the England versus Germany football match (even allowing for the traditional extra time and penalties). The meeting will be held outside the Village Shop.
Author: Hambledon Web Team
Hambledon Village Shop volunteers recognised
In an informal, outdoor, socially distanced event at the Shop last Thursday 10th June, a core group of shop volunteers were presented with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service pins by Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux. The event was also attended by Julie Llewelyn, High Sheriff of Surrey
The presentation recognised the volunteers who worked so hard to serve the village during lockdown, by transforming the shop into an on-line delivery service. During the first coronavirus lockdown between late March 2020 and the end of June 2020, the shop picked, packed and delivered almost 2500 grocery orders, at times doing over 60 a day. This allowed customers to safely and responsibly do their grocery shopping from home at a time when the supermarkets were struggling to cope with demand.
The shop volunteers have previously received The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2015. Equivalent to an MBE, QAVS are the highest awards given to local voluntary groups in the UK, and they are awarded for life. As the award could not be given again, it was decided to recognise the individuals involved during the pandemic by presenting them with QAVS pins.
The event, on a beautiful sunny day, was covered by both Radio Surrey and BBC South Today. The BBC South Today piece is available below for those who missed it.
Merry Harriers to reopen to locals
As many in the village will be aware, The Merry Harriers recently closed to all except their residents due to staff shortages. They’re now pleased to announce that from Friday 11th June they will be open to all once again and look forward to welcoming back the locals.
A Very Wet May, And The Loss Of A Good Friend – But Much To Look Foward To
The last easing of lockdown restrictions in April, when pub gardens opened for customers, was greeted by unseasonably late snow.
The further lifting last week was heralded by periods of heavy rain which continued all week – “April showers” in mid-May – so we can be grateful that we can now venture inside pubs, cafes and restaurants in groups of six or as two households, or meet inside other people’s homes in similar numbers.
At least the bluebells in and around the village have been splendid, and our photograph is taken near The Tolt on the edge of Hydon Ball
Last Monday’s easing of Covid-19 pandemic measures also saw the reopening of indoor entertainment such as museums, cinemas, theatres and concert halls, sports venues, hotels and guest houses, exercise classes and play areas.
We must still wait to see if the Government’s planned lifting of all social distancing measures can go ahead on June 21st amid concern at the current rise in the Indian variant of the Covid virus in parts of north west England.
But it is to be hoped that summer will bring a welcome return to normality and here the Hambledon Village Website considers what we can look forward to locally, including a summer fete on the green and a Rejoice the Voice Music Festival.
But first we look back on the loss of a village stalwart, Judy Leeper, who was held in great affection by many Hambledon residents and will be especially remembered for her long-term involvement in the village shop, as a former chair of its committee and as a regular volunteer.
Another small step, as Lockdown easing moves to a new stage on Monday
Hambledon will see a further easing of lockdown rules this week after the Government confirmed changes that allow pubs and restaurants to serve customers indoors, as long as there are no more than six in each group, or they are from two separate households.
This same condition applies to indoor visits to other people’s homes, where overnight stays will be allowed. People in groups of up to 30 can meet outdoors.
These, and a number of other relaxations to Covid-19 rules, take place on Monday (May 17th). Please see here for full details: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
The country now faces an anxious wait to see if the worrying increase of the Indian variant in parts of the UK, will delay the planned lifting of all distancing restrictions in England on June 21st.
Here in Hambledon, the latest lifting means that customers can be served inside the Merry Harriers instead of just outside in the garden. As a result, the pub has announced an extension to its opening hours.
The pub opening times are: Tuesday to Saturday, 11am until 11pm and Sunday 11am to 8pm.
Food service times are: Tuesday to Saturday, 12 noon to 3pm and 6pm to 9pm and Sunday 12 noon to 3pm.
The pub is closed on Mondays. More details here: https://merryharriers.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/merryharriershambledon/
For the time being, the village shop hours remain unchanged, but it is planned to allow shoppers back inside from June 21st, as long as restrictions are lifted that day. Its home delivery service ceases on Friday May 28th, and full details of all the changes can be found here: https://www.hambledonsurrey.co.uk/?p=14866
At St Peter’s Church, worshipper may assemble inside, subject to certain restrictions, and services remain available by Zoom. Details can be found here:
https://www.bhcgodalming.org/sunday-services
Hambledon Cricket Club 2021 AGM
The Cricket Club AGM will be taking place on Tuesday 18 May at 8pm. Due to the current restrictions we’ll have to convene online via Zoom this year. If you would like to participate, please get in touch with Club Secretary Siôn Griffiths.
This is a great opportunity to have a say in how the club is run so please join us if you can.
Merry Harriers Opens Its Garden To Locals from Today.
(NOTE: This article was revised on April 23rd to include more specific information on opening hours and time of Saturday meat draw)
Villagers will be able to look in at their local from today as the Merry Harriers reopens after three months of lockdown closure.
General manager Jake Andreou and chef Nick Ash said they were looking forward to seeing familiar faces for outdoor drinks and food. The pub reopened at 11am today following the recent relaxing of Coronavirus restrictions that allows for six people in a socially distanced group or members of two households to meet in open spaces.
Continue readingHambledon Village Shop – Update Monday 12 April 2021
As of today we are once again able to allow seating at the shop’s picnic benches. Once the weather warmed up a bit today they were well used and it was nice to hear a bit of hubbub back in the village.
Let them eat cake…
Customers using the benches need to check in using the NHS Covid 19 app or a form provided by the shop and observe the other Covid 19 regulations currently in place.
The shop hours remain 8:30am to 2:00pm seven days a week. The deli now operates seven days a week from 8:30am to 1:30pm. The shop will continue to provide a delivery service Monday to Friday for the time being.
Snow Greets Lockdown lifting – but brighter times ahead
Hambledon moved into the next phase of lockdown easing today – but who expected the day to dawn with snow showers!
On a day when people could sit outside in a pub garden for the first time in three months, the occasion was greeted by unseasonably cold and wintry weather.
This was the view across the fields looking towards the village from Hydestile at 8am this morning.
But the weather soon perked up and, although remaining chilly, the village shop was able to welcome back customers to its outside seating where they could enjoy drinks and food from the delicatessen counter.
Continue readingBell Tolls for Duke of Edinburgh, and Prayers for Royal Family
The bell at St Peter’s Church, Hambledon, tolled 99 times yesterday in remembrance of the life of the Duke of Edinburgh, who died on Friday.
Today (Sunday April 11th) prayers were said for the Royal Family at the 9am service, which ended with the congregation assembling outside to sing the National Anthem.
Derek Miller was the bell ringer at midday yesterday as Hambledon associate vicar Simon Willetts and a small number of villagers gathered outside to witness the occasion.
Continue readingEaster Holiday Request to Respect Our Countryside
As the Easter holidays approach and Coronavirus lockdown measures ease, several warnings have been issued regarding unsocial and irresponsible behaviour in and around Hambledon. Continue reading
Criminal Damage on Cricket Green – Police Informed
Hambledon Cricket Club has reported a repeated act of vandalism to the police after the rope that protects the square and batting crease was cut yet again.
This senseless criminal damage has occurred at least four times in the last 12 months and first occurred more than four years ago. The blue polypropylene rope does not prevent access to the cricket green outfield but simply protects the playing surface of the square in the middle.
This surface requires careful preparation and maintenance and all cricket clubs take similar measures to protect this surface from people walking or cycling across it. Ground staff, as well as players, pay great attention to the condition and characteristics of the square, which have a fundamental impact on a match and its outcome.
Warning of Thefts Following Break-In.
A Hambledon resident has contacted the village web site to alert villagers to thefts after a break-in at his property.
Alfie Hammond, who owns Hammond’s Yard on the Cricket Green, had a large and valuable quantity of copper stolen. He estimates that it amounted to about 200 cwt (approximately 10,000 kilos) with a value of about £4.50 a kilo.
The theft occurred earlier this week. Alf is neighbourhood watch coordinator for the Cricket Green and urged people to be on the look-out for suspicious activity.
Police have also issued warnings that thieves do not respect lockdown restrictions and remain active, with garden sheds and outhouses particularly at risk.
Contact details for neighbourhood watch coordinators can be found on the Home menu under Essential Information on this website and in the monthly parish magazine.
A Village Tribute To John Tidmarsh
John Tidmarsh, a much-loved and respected Hambledon resident who has given years of volunteer service across the village, died on Saturday morning (Feb 27th).
A familiar figure behind the Post Office counter since the shop became a community venture, John and his wife Annie were among the most liked and valued residents, and a huge debt of gratitude is owed to them both.
John’s death from cancer after a short illness came almost a year after that of his beloved wife Annie. She also died from cancer, on March 5th, 2020.
Continue readingThoughtless Damage to Hambledon’s Countryside
Two examples of thoughtless and destructive behaviour in and around Hambledon have been brought to the attention of the parish council and the village website team.
A Phased Return to Normal Village Life in Prospect
Hambledon’s local, the Merry Harriers, is hoping to reopen in mid-April to serve food and drink outdoors, following the Government’s announcement of a phased lifting of lockdown restrictions.
The announcement this week stated that restaurants and pubs with gardens will be allowed to serve customers sitting outside, including alcoholic drinks, from April 12th. There will no longer be a requirement to eat a “substantial meal”.
In a posting on social media the Harriers said that it plans to reopen on Thursday April 15th. The earliest it will be able to receive customers indoors is May 17th.
It is likely that Hambledon Village Hall will be able to reopen at the same time, following the lifting of restrictions that required the closure of community building.