Author: Hambledon Web Team

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Village debate following recent power loss and snow-blocked roads. What can be done?

ImageFollowing the recent heavy snowfall, which led to lengthy power cuts, Hambledon Parish Council has written to Southern Electric (Scottish and Southern Energy) requesting it gives serious consideration to replacing overhead with underground cables and, in the meantime, trims back branches beside powerlines on a more regular basis.

Many residents have expressed their concern about the electricty supply as well as the failure by Surrey County Council to grit or clear village roads, all of which were unpassable for several days by anything other than four-wheel drive vehicles.

Several residents have asked what measures could we take as a community to prevent such lengthy disruption in the future.

It has been suggested there should by a village-wide campaign to urge Southern Electric to install underground cables as a matter of urgency. It has also been proposed that we recruit local contractors, ground workers and farmers to use their equipment to clear roads on our behalf.

This, of course, raises issues of cost, practicality, insurance and liability.

The Parish Council, at its last meeting on January 12, 2010, resolved to consider establishing a village emergency plan and would like to hear the views of residents by promoting a debate on this website. What are your suggestions?

So what do you think? What were the problems and what could be done to minimise the disruption next time? Please post your comments here on the forum.

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John Anderson awarded OBE

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John Anderson, long-standing Hambledon resident and chairman of its parish council, has been awarded an OBE in recognition of his contribution to the renovation of St Martin-in-the Fields, London.

John is chairman of the St Martin-in-the Fields Building Renewal Project, which has overseen the restoration of the landmark church in Trafalgar Square and the provision of new facilities for the homeless in its area.

His OBE also recognises his services to the construction industry, in which he works in project management.

In January 2006 St Martin’s embarked on a £36 million building project to restore and transform the church and surrounding buildings by creating what has been described as “a new sequence of beautiful, practical and inspirational spaces to serve the community, visitors and those in need.”

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Village dance raises record amount

ImageTHE annual Christmas Party at the Village Hall raised £1,183 for charity – the largest amount in the history of the event.

The money will be divided between the Phyllis Tuckwell and Chase hospices.

Mary Grove, on behalf of the organisers, said she was delighted that the party had broken its previous best and thanked all those who helped make the evening such a success.

Local band Toxic Sausage again proved immensely popular, had everyone dancing, and closed to rapturous applause and demands for an encore.

Thank you to all those who supported the event in many different ways and to those who put in the hard work  to make it a great evening.

The party, attended by almost 100 people, was held on Saturday (December 12th).

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Jane Woolley receives MBE

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Jane Woolley has been made an MBE.  It was announced in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for her voluntary services to Hambledon. The whole village sends its congratulations to her for her much deserved award.  Jane travelled to Buckingham Palace this week to receive her award.

The list of Jane’s contributions to village life are numerous. She is clerk to the Parish Council; she was fundamental to the setting up of the Hambledon Village Trust which now owns the freehold of the Village Shop; she walked 70kms in 70 hours aiming to raise £7k to help fund a re-fit of the shop and managed to raise in excess of £9.5k; she is an active member of many of the village clubs; the list goes on. Hambledon would surely be a less strong community if Jane Woolley wasn’t a member.