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.

A personalised leaving card is also being prepared and this will be attached to the signature card at the shop in time for the presentation. The card is being created by Cathy Coleman, who has a talent for sketch work.

Over the years, John has been involved with almost all aspects of village life, including the cricket and football clubs, the shop and the alms houses. As a councillor he has been a part of many community initiatives including the creation of Hambledon Nursery School and new facilities at the church.

John is aware of the plans being made to mark his departure and will be with his family at the presentation which will take place outside the village shop on the afternoon of June 20^th. This will be during the tea interval of the Mary Caroe Cup cricket match, taking place on the green to commemorate Mary’s contribution to Hambledon. She died last year after contracting Covid.

The Caroe and Anderson families have been friends for many years and Mary’s daughter Emily said she was delighted that the match to honour her mother would also provide an opportunity to thank John.

It is expected that the tea interval will take place at between 3pm and 4pm. In the event that the match is rained off, the presentation will go ahead anyway at the same time.

The parish council hopes to see many of you there, including past and present members of the council, and thanks you in advance for any contribution you can make. John’s 38 years makes him the third-longest serving councillor since the council was established in 1884 – a remarkable achievement.

John with former long-serving parish council clerk Jane Woolley