Hambledon has played a part in history-making with the creation of Godalming Minster, a revival of the original thought to have been founded around 820 AD

The new Minster unites Godalming’s parish church, St Peter and St Paul, and St Mark’s at Ockford Ridge with the parishes of Hambledon and Busbridge. This will strengthen resources and increase diocese funding as well enabling the churches to share their ministry across a wider area.

An inauguration service held at St and St Paul’s on Sunday January 14^th was led by Bishop Andrew Watson, the Bishop of Guildford. He was joined by Simon Taylor, who becomes the new Rector of Godalming Minster, and Rev Sheila Samuels, Associate Minister.

Simon was previously the Rector of Busbridge and Hambledon churches. Simon Willetts, Hambledon’s associate minister until the beginning of this year, was also involved in the service. He is taking on a new role within the Minster.

Many others from Hambledon attended the service, which was packed and with standing room only, including members of the St Peter’s congregation. Jeremy Hunt, constituency MP and a Hambledon resident welcomed the creation of the Minster.

Local police, school leaders, voluntary group leaders, the mayors of Waverley and Godalming and local councillors joined with senior clergy from the area. Hambledon was represented by Stewart Payne, the chair of its parish council, and many villagers.

The inauguration service saw much singing, led by the choir of St Peter and St Paul and with others taking part. The Bishop of Guildford gave the welcome and introduction. A member from each of the church’s congregations presented a gift to the bishop. For Hambledon, Ann and Ron Vickery presented a Communion set, fashioned from a melted down English Civil War helmet.

At  the end of the service, children let off party poppers, which cascaded down across the congregation before a commemorative cake was cut.

The Minster was created after widespread consultation followed by a vote by those on church registers. Hambledon’s church will retain its current services as well as a dedicated vicar (associate minister) who will live in the village. Recruitment to replace Simon Willetts is underway.

Minsters date back to the 7^th Century and were once widespread. In Godalming, as elsewhere, they were slowly replaced with the introduction of parishes. However, as the Church of England looks to reinvigorate the work of churches across a wider area and make savings, they are staging a comeback. A Minster was last known to be active in the Godalming area c1100

More information about the new Minster can be found here – https://www.cofeguildford.org.uk/godalming-welcomes-new-minster.php and www.godalmingminster.org or https://www.bhcgodalming.org

The Village Web Team and its contributors send season’s greetings to all village residents.

Our photos depict the Christmas Eve community carols singing outside Hambledon shop. Great music, wonderful singing and a massive attendance. Hambledon at its best!

Thank you to all who organised or attended this and the host of other activities held in the lead-up to Christmas. There has been live music and dancing at the village hall, carols outside the Merry Harriers followed by a Christmas-themed quiz, a candlelit carols service at the village church and a seasonal market at the Old Coal Yard.

If you want details of church service times or shop opening hours, please refer to the recent posts on this news website.

It’s another busy Christmas week in the Village. On Wednesday The Merry Harriers hosts a communal Carol singing led by our very own musical vicar Simon Willetts, with a few elves assisting. Carols will start at 7pm and will be followed by a Christmas Quiz (expect more communal singing) starting around 8:30pm. The pub will be open from 5pm and, weather permitting, will have an outside bar and fire pits lit, plus some seasonal bar snacks. Currently the forecast is for a dry evening.

Christmas Eve brings the customary carol singing at the Village Shop at 12 noon with mulled wine and minced pies and carols lead by David Kirby’s band of friends (plus a few elves) and the Hambledon Village Shop Choir. There is no charge to attend, any donations are gratefully received and will contribute towards the costs of running the event. (PS Chiddingfold are running a similar carols event this Christmas Eve, can’t wait to see their Christmas inflatables next year.)

For a full list of Church events over Christmas see here.

Finally, please note the Village Shop hours over the festive week:

The shop, deli-cafe and Post Office will operate normal* hours except on the following days:

Christmas Eve – Deli closes at 12:00
Christmas Day – CLOSED
Boxing Day – CLOSED
New Year’s Day – CLOSED

*Normal shop hours are: 7 days a week 08:30-14:00
*Normal Post Office hours are: Mon-Fri 09:00-13:45, Sat 09:00-12:15, Sun CLOSED

It was a week of goodbyes, swiftly followed by hellos, as Hambledon’s “local”, the Merry Harriers, changed hands.

The village’s popular freehouse had been in the ownership of the de Savary family since 2017. Following the death of Peter de Savary last year his widow Lana decided to sell the pub if an appropriate buyer could be found.

That has now happened, and last week Sam Fiddian-Green and Alex Winch, the business partnership behind the acclaimed Hilltop Kitchen at nearby Munstead, took over the reins at the 16^th Century pub.

The previous weekend (Nov 11^th and 12^th), regulars said goodbye to the de Savary era, and to parting chef Nick Ash, in fine style, with a crowded meat raffle on the Saturday afternoon and a final session on Sunday evening.

Hambledon friends of Philip Underwood and The Rev John Postill will have been saddened to hear of their recent deaths. Their families have agreed to the village website posting details of funeral and thanksgiving service arrangements.

Both made a considerable contribution to community life in Hambledon and we include tributes further down in this article.

The life of John Postill will be celebrated at a thanksgiving service at Busbridge Church at 2pm on Saturday October 21^st.

Philip Underwood’s funeral will take place at St Peter’s, Hambledon, on Tuesday October 24^th at 11.30am. To help with numbers, it would be appreciated if you could respond to the following email address if you are planning on attending – [email protected]

As well as the day of the Village Shop BBQ, this Saturday also sees the running of the annual Village Show.

The Categories list for the Show can be found in the Parish Magazine and on line by clicking here.

On the day of the Show, entries can be dropped off from 9.30am – 11.30am at the Village Hall.

It is FREE to enter your items!

After judging, the Show will be open to all from 2.00pm – 4.30pm. Best in Show and the Underwood Cup will be announced at 4.00pm.

The Village Shop BBQ will start at the same time as the Show closes at 4:30pm.

To round the day off there’s live music from Out To Lunch at The Merry Harriers from 8pm on Saturday evening (free entry).

The annual Hambledon Village Shop end of summer BBQ will take place on Saturday 26th August, starting at 4:30pm at the end of the Village Show.

As well as the usual BBQ food and salads, there will be live music and licensed bars. Tickets for the BBQ can be purchased by clicking here.

The annual cricket fixture between Hambledon Village Shop and Hambledon Cricket Club will take place this Sunday 18th June starting at 2pm. Come along and support the teams in what is usually a closely fought contest over 30 overs per side. The bar will be open.

The Cricket Club are the current holders of the trophy

This is a reminder that Hambledon’s Burgate Farm is open to visitors this Sunday (June 11) between 10am and 2pm.

The mainly-arable farm, accessed from Vann Lane and in beautiful countryside, is operated by Peter and Liz Knight and they welcome you to be shown around fields, crops and inside barns to get an insight into what is grown and its methods in doing so. Machinery will be on display and Peter will be on hand to chat about his farming practices, and to show off the wildlife areas as well as his fields of crops.

The farm is taking part in the nationwide Open Farm Sunday, promoted by LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming). There is no charge and no need to book. Please see this earlier post on this website for further details: https://www.hambledonsurrey.co.uk/?p=17798#more-17798

The nearby Tuesley Farm, which grows soft fruit, will also be open, with booked visits throughout the day. Hambledon residents will be familiar with its produce from the strawberries on sale at the village community shop. You can book a visit here: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/40463?eid=40463&

The Cricket Club is hosting an ‘open day’ on the cricket green on Saturday 10 June from 4pm to 8.30pm when the League Xl will be playing against Thursley in an I’Anson Division 3 fixture.

There will be burgers and sausages from the BBQ and the bar will be open! Please bring a picnic blanket and/or chairs and join us for the afternoon.

Tickets are free but we would be grateful if you could confirm your availability through the link below so that we have an idea of how many burgers and sausages to buy!

Click here to register for free tickets.

Emily and I have the real pleasure to invite Hambledon Friends and Folk (with spouses, partners, children, grandchildren, friends and relations) to Vann Gardens for open air Shakespeare this year on 29 July 2023. There are two performances on the Saturday which can be booked on line here: https://troubadourstageworks.com/collections/romeo-juliet.

There will also be tickets for early entry to the gardens for those who would like to picnic and wallow in the beauty and history of Mary Caroe’s life-work before the performance (pond-swimming optional!).

We really hope you will be tempted; it will be a treat to welcome you to Vann!

Troubadour get better and better each year, posting rave reviews, and will not disappoint. Do spread the word in your networks and amongst your friends, even if you can’t join us this year. The show will go on whatever the weather.

Romeo & Juliet: VANN 29 July 2023*

Full of music, fun, and romance, Troubadour Stageworks are back with a Romeo & Juliet suitable for all the family, re-telling Shakespeare’s classic with all the life and energy it deserves.

Troubadour Stageworks is back with its sixth Shakespeare production, bringing their characteristic music, energy, and fast-paced approach to the bard to his most famous tragedy. With their in-depth understanding of the play and accessible approach, this is the perfect Shakespeare for all the family – life-long fans and first-timers alike!

In a city torn apart by conflict, two teenagers meet at a party and fall in love. Innocent, idealistic, and determined not to give up this feeling, there is no length that Romeo and Juliet will not go to to be together. But can this new love bridge the old rivalry between Capulet and Montague?

From the outlandish characters and petty dramas to a love so deeply felt that it can change a whole city, Romeo & Juliet it remains Shakespeare’s most famous work for good reason.

For more info and to book, please visit https://troubadourstageworks.com/pages/whats-on

PS* if there is demand, we may be able to add a further evening performance on Friday 28^th – do e-mail us if that would be an evening that would be in demand.

See you there!

Oliver and Emily.

https://vanngarden.co.uk/

Charity no. 1193809

Troubadour Stageworks

www.troubadourstageworks.com

Don’t forget today is Open Gardens day between 2:30pm and 5:00pm. A map of the gardens you can view is available to download here.

On Sunday 7th May between 2:30pm and 5:00pm, 14 talented and generous green fingered villagers will be participating in The Coronation Sunday Open Gardens. In addition the garden at Oakhurst Cottage (owned by The National Trust) will be open for viewing.

Maps can be picked up from The Village Shop, or downloaded by clicking here. Do please visit these stunning gardens, enjoy their hard work and take away some inspiration for your own gardens. Look out for the Open Garden Posters outside the participating houses.