A well-attended annual Parish Assembly at the Village Hall showcased all that is good about living in Hambledon as representatives of the many volunteer organisations gave accounts of their past 12 months.

Many mingled with friends and neighbours over a glass of wine or soft drinks at the beginning. Then, all seats were taken as the “business” of the evening got under way. Hambledon Parish Council hosted the event and current chairman Stewart Payne briefly outlined it activities over the past year.

He explained why there will be no election for parish council seats on May 4^th, as seven candidates – five from the outgoing council and two new nominated candidates – were standing for the seven available places.

However, there will be elections for the village’s Waverley Borough Council Ward, and eight candidates – from the Conservative, LibDem, Labour and Green parties – are contesting the three places on the new Bramley and Wonersh Ward, in which Hambledon is included.

Presentations were made to the two retiring councillors. Philip Underwood has been a member since 1987 and Mary Grove since 2015 and both have served as deputy chairs. Their dedication to the council and to the village was applauded and they were each given a box of fine red wine and garden centre vouchers, along with a small inscribed photo frame bearing their names and years of service over a backdrop of the iconic wooden village name boards.

Then representative of clubs, organisations and societies stepped up one-by-one to talk about their achievements and issues since the previous Assembly last April.

A fuller account of the evening will appear in the June issue of Hambledon Parish Magazine.

In the meantime, please take part in the annual parish litter-pick starting at 10am from outside the Village Shop on the Coronation Bank Holiday Monday, May 8^th. This is a community event for all to take part in and families are welcome. It will be Hambledon’s contribution to what Buckingham Palace has labelled “The Big Help Out”, putting a focus on volunteering.

Participants will be given litter picking sticks, bin bags and high-viz jackets and an area to concentrate on. Please return to the shop for around Midday when the Parish Council will be hosting a free barbecue and representative of Hambledon’s volunteer organisations will be on hand to explain what they do and to encourage new recruits.

A final reminder that the annual Parish Assembly takes place tonight at the Village Hall, starting at 7.30.

All are welcome to come along and hear how our village organisations have fared in the past twelve months, listen to a review of parish council activities and chat to friends and neighbours over a glass of wine or other refreshments.

This is a relaxed and social event and is a shop window on all the wonderful work that goes on, mainly undertaken by volunteers, in our village. 

And there will also be a presentation to two retiring parish councillors, Philip Underwood and Mary Grove, who are leaving after many years of public service.

Please come along tonight to support your village and all those who make it a special place.

It was full house at the Village Hall on 1st April for the Quiz Night in aid of The Stroke Association. Our quiz master Bill Dann provided his usual excellent quizzing – often it isn’t what you know but how you played your multiplier (never works for me though!) Halftime saw provision of a hot meal – chilli con or sin carne, plus baked potatoes.salad, and sourcream and sweets for pud (chilli ably cooked by Lauren, Tina and Martyn) which was very much enjoyed. Sarah Stuckey headed the winning table – congratulations!. It was an enjoyable evening which raised £1320 – this donation can be seen on Nick Davey’s Just Giving site.

Nick is Tina and Robin Cole’s son-in-law and is running the London Marathon on 23 April – by the time you read this hopefully he will have achieved a good time and raised even more for The Stroke Assoc. Thank you all so much for supporting our event.

The next Bill quiz in the Village Hall will be on Sat 25th November, in aid of the Hall funds.
Mary G

A good friend to Hambledon Shop and its customers has completed his final stint behind the Post Office counter and is preparing to leave for pastures new.

Alan Brien, a qualified post master, helped out at the shop in its earlier days, assisting Jane Woolley who had trained to become its first Post Mistress along with John Tidmarsh, who trained as a volunteer.

Then, eleven years ago, Alan was appointed to be a part of a new management team. They were known as the “Three As” – Alan, along with Amanda Wright and Alison Wilson.

He stayed in this role for two years followed by a gradual hand-over of his duties to a new manager. However, he has always remained “on-call”, driving up from his Storrington, West Sussex, home when needed and has been a highly valued member of the shop staff.

He was part of the Post Office team, headed by Alison Wilson, who jointly received the Post Office Community Service Award in 2015.

Last Saturday was his last shift. A friendly and much-liked man, his good nature and efficiency will be missed.

He is moving with his wife to the small market town of Malton in North Yorkshire, where her family come from.

“I have really enjoyed working in the shop and will miss the many people I have got to know”, said Alan. “It is a job I have loved, but the time is right for us to consider where we need to be in retirement. We are regular visitors to Malton because of our family connections and we are looking forward to it”.

Alan departs with the thanks and best wishes from the people of Hambledon.

Our Vets Reserve team caused a cup giant killing by defeating Odiham Crocs from two leagues above in the semi final of the League cup. The team were fantastic on the day and could easily have won more confortably. But a Lewis Prosser strike was enough to book a place in the final.

No time to celebrate this great achievement as the final is next week. With all the recent bad weather it is a quick turn around.

The Final is at Farnham Town on Sunday the 23rd for a 2:30pm KO against Rushmoor Community FC Vets. Another team from divisions higher up. Can the Dons cause another upset. We would love it if you could join us to cheer the lads on.

Come On You Dons

Hambledon residents will be able to vote for their Waverley Borough Ward councillors in next month’s local government elections, but there is no contest for Hambledon parish.

This is because seven candidates – five from the current council and two new representatives – put themselves forward for the seven statutory places. Had more than seven sought nomination then there would have been an election.

Waverley council, the election authority for the area, announced the Borough-wide nominations for the elections to be held on May 4th when, for the first time, it will be necessary to provide photo-identity before casting a vote.

Below are the official notices for the parish and for the new Bramley and Wonersh Ward of Waverley Borough Council, of which Hambledon is now a part.

Hambledon will go to the polls next month and residents have an opportunity to vote for their parish councillors.

This vital role for our village and its administration requires seven members. Two current councillors are standing down and five are standing again.

Two more candidates are needed for the parish council to be at full strength, and at least three if there is to be a contested election.

Nominations close at 4pm on Tuesday (April 4th) when signed and witnessed forms must be submitted by appointment at Waverley council officers.

This is the final call for people to come forward. All details and assistance can be provided by Hambledon Parish Clerk Catherine Russell at [email protected]

Our own National Trust gem is soon to re-open. Volunteers are also sought for the coming season to guide visitors around the property. If you’d like to volunteer contact by email [email protected] or call 01428 687820.

The forthcoming Coronation of Charles III casts a spotlight on the huge contribution made by volunteers to community life in the United Kingdom, with the additional Bank Holiday on May 8^th labelled as “The Big Help Out”.

This event will be celebrated in Hambledon where volunteers have, for many years, underpinned activities and organisations that are so much part of the fabric of village life that it would be easy to take them for granted.

We would do so at our peril. The community-run village shop is in urgent need of new volunteers to keep going. And the parish council, as elections approach, is asking for people to consider putting themselves forward  as candidates now for this vital role in the grass-roots democratic process.

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The 1953 ‘timeless, exuberant classic’ with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck set against the beautiful backdrop of Rome.

On Tuesday, March 21st. Bar opens at 7pm and film starts at 7.30pm.

Tickets available at the shop £5 each.