Last month Karen Barbato and Martin Thompson were regularly spotted around the village, taking part in a charity challenge to raise funds for the Guildford branch of the bereavement charity SoBS.

They undertook to walk from their home each day to total 30 miles in 30 days as part of a fund-raising campaign to mark the 30^th anniversary of SoBs – Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide.

Many of their Hambledon friends will know that Karen lost her son Ben in very sad circumstances two years ago. Martin is a familiar face at the village shop. Villagers took the cause to their hearts and gave to the Just Giving link that appeared on this website to publicise their endeavour.

At the last count the appeal had raised £3.323, far exceeding the target figure of £1,000.  With Gift Aid added in, the total comes close to £4,000. And although money came from across the greater Guildford area, it is clear that Martin and Karen played a significant role in attracting donations.

They said: “We have been overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of our friends, neighbours and colleagues in and around Hambledon. 

Continue reading →

John Anderson has stepped down as chairman of Hambledon Parish Council and will leave at the end of the month. He has been a member for 38 years and has chaired the council for the last 17.

This makes him the third longest serving member since the council was formed in 1884, overtaking Ron Vickery who retired in 2011 after 35 years.

John will be replaced by Stewart Payne, his current deputy, with Mary Grove taking on the deputy role. He congratulated them both and said he was confident they will do a good job. But they have a tough act to follow!

John made his announcement at the council’s AGM last night (May 4^th) when the election of chairman and vice chairman for 2021/22 was considered as the first item on the agenda.

John told his colleagues: “My year as Chairman comes to an end today, May 4^th 2021.  I have decided to resign from the Parish Council as a Councillor, effective May 31^st 2021.

It is time for a change, and, somehow, I am getting even busier at home and in business.

Continue reading →

Hambledon’s Parish Assembly takes place this evening (Thursday April 22^nd) and all villagers are welcome to attend virtually.

Because of Coronavirus pandemic restrictions, this annual opportunity to catch up on what village groups, organisations, clubs and societies have been doing will take place by video conferencing using the Zoom platform.

The assembly will start at 7.30 but those wishing to attend are asked to join the Zoom meeting up to 10 minutes before to allow for admittance. Details of how to join and a copy of the evening’s agenda can be found at the end of this article.

(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.

If you spot Karen Barbato and Martin Thompson, a familiar face at the village shop, wandering around the village over the next few weeks, they are not just out for an idle stroll.

There is a good cause behind their new daily routine and one that Hambledon residents may wish to support.

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.

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. 

Hambledon will mourn the death of Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, today, joining in the tributes by tolling the bell at St Peter’s Church. 

The bell in the village church will be rung 99 times, beginning at midday, in recognition of the Duke’s age at the time of his death yesterday morning at Windsor Castle.

Across the nation tributes are being paid to the long life of service and dedication the Duke brought to his role as consort to Queen Elizabeth II.

The flag at St Peter’s – as elsewhere – has been flying at half-mast since the news of the Prince’s death was announced by Buckingham Palace.

It had been planned to open a Book of Condolence at the church, but under current Coronavirus restrictions this is is not allowed. Instead, people are encouraged to pay their respects on line at https://www.royal.uk/ or https://www.churchofengland.org/remembering-his-royal-highness-prince-philip

If villagers would like to be present when the bell is rung, they are reminded that they should only do so outside and by keeping a 2-metre distance from others.

Please read the previous news story on this website for more details and to read local tributes.

Buckingham Palace today announced the death of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, husband of Queen Elizabeth II.

In a statement issued shortly after midday, the Palace said: “His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle”. He was aged 99. Continue reading →

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 →

Hambledon and Busbridge Ecclesiastical Parish unification proposal

Hambledon Church deeply values its strong relationships with the Hambledon village community and the parish of Busbridge. It is for this reason that we would like to inform you of some possible developments concerning the future of the church.

Continue reading →

Each April, Hambledon Parish Council hosts an “assembly” at the Village Hall where it updates residents on its activities over the previous 12 months, as do representatives of the many organisations, clubs and activities.

It is a largely informal occasion, shared over a glass of wine and refreshments at the start, and sometimes a guest speaker. Continue reading →