Hambledon House will again be the venue for outdoor weddings this summer. Some of the immediate neighbours will already have received a letter from Vanessa Swarbreck together with a visit from Blank Canvas, the company that will be managing  the events, advising that there will be no repetition of what occurred last July;  but the general level of concern  throughout the village has suggested that considerable reassurance is required.  Heidi and Lyn, from Blank Canvas, were therefore invited to come along to the Parish Council meeting on 17 May and the following is a summary of what they had to say.

Blank Canvas will be managing five events that were directly booked with Hambledon  House some time ago; they therefore have to honour some of the obligations that went with the bookings.

The booked dates, all Saturdays, are 4 June; 16, 23 and 30 July; and 13 August (with fireworks). One further, private, wedding will take place on 2 July. There will never be more than 12 events per year and Blank Canvas are not accepting any more bookings than the five they already have in 2016.

Blank Canvas are imposing conditions on the five events to be managed by them:

• music, whether live or amplified, will slowly quieten down at 23.30 and will cease at midnight
• a sound level meter will operate on-site and will regularly take readings to ensure that noise does not accede permitted levels
• the start time of each event will vary but at any time when music is being played sound checks will operate
• in the case of amplified music, the amplifier will be pointed away from Vann Lane (ie towards the south)
• some of the wedding guests will be camping on site on 4 June, 16 July and 23 July but they will not have access to amplifiers and generators
• copies of Temporary Event Notices, when appropriate, will be forwarded in advance of each event to the Parish Council;  all Blank Canvas’ caterers hold personal licences and the TEN application will be in their names
• the Parish Council will also be notified in advance as to whether Heidi or Lyn will be on site throughout each of the events that Blank Canvas are managing.

Each wedding will be different in terms of the transport organised to and from the event and it is one element of the day over which Blank Canvas have little control. The majority of guests will be departing at various times over the day and evening, with most of them gone by midnight. In addition to those guests who will be camping on three of the nights, a few will be staying locally (including at the Merry Harriers) and may be returning for Sunday brunch.

To help overcome traffic disturbance, wedding couples have been asked to provide clear directions to everyone. Signs will be produced that can be clearly seen on departure asking guests “Please leave quietly to avoid disturbing our local neighbours and drive carefully in the narrow country lanes.  Thank you.” Marquees will be set up on Thursdays/Fridays and  taken down on Mondays, to minimise congestion along the Cricket Green on Saturdays.

Blank Canvas are anxious to start with a clean slate and are hoping for the support and understanding of the village. Their over-riding aim is to keep disruption to a minimum but in the event of any complaints they can be contacted by e-mail at [email protected]. If any serious issues occur during the actual events, the Hambledon House telephone number is 01428 683815. However, please bear in mind that, on the day, everyone will be busy co-ordinating the event and may not be able to respond immediately to e-mails or telephone calls.