Hambledon Village website was selected in 2012 to be archived by the UK National Archives as a good example of a community resource.  That archive is still available to view and can provide an insight into what was topical in January 2012.  It maybe no surprise to see some things don’t change – like discussion of bus services being withdrawn and the impact of the weather. You can browse the website as it was in 2012 here.

Hambledon’s only bus service, the 503, is under threat once again as Surrey County Council looks to make further cuts.

Under proposals that the parish council has only just become aware of, the 503 will be scrapped and replaced by what is called a Digital Demand Responsive Transport (DDRT) service.

Residents can find out more from a consultation called Future Bus Network Review being run by SCC, but you will need to be quick as it ends on Friday (Jan 6^th)

Hambledon Parish Council regrets that it received no direct notice of this consultation, even though it affects our only bus service, which runs three days a week from Lane End, Hambledon, through Hydestile and Milford to Godalming and Guildford.

The parish council has campaigned in the past to keep the 503, believing that public transport should be encouraged not scrapped, and each time SCC proposed ending the 503 it has, nevertheless, been retained. The service is operated by Stagecoach but, as with most rural services, is subsidised by SCC.

The bus review also proposes cuts to the 71 service, which passes along the Petworth Road at Lane End and calls at Witley Station.

The parish council is requesting more information on how a DDRT service would operate in our small, rural village, to the benefit of residents who already have the opportunity to use the Waverley Hoppa community transport service as well as the 503.

DDRT is already in operation in parts of Surrey and elsewhere in the UK and abroad. It can be used to supplement existing bus services or, as is being proposed with the 503, to replace them.

Instead of a scheduled service running to a published timetable along a designated route, DDRT matches passenger request and groups them together to form a single journey. Passenger would first register for an account online. They can then request a bus – most likely a mini-bus – using the service provider’s website. The software is designed to group together customers from the same approximate area and link them up to create a single journey to chosen destinations in a similar area.

The customer can enter a departure time and the software compares this to other customer requests in the area. Or the customer can specify an arrival time and the software generates options.

For more information on the bus review, the reasons behind it, and the changes proposed, please follow this link, where you can also take part in the online survey before the end of business on Friday. In doing so you can read more about DDRT.

https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/policies-plans-consultations/roads-and-transport-consultations/future-bus-review

Hambledon admirably demonstrated its community spirit with a range of seasonal events in the build-up to Christmas 2022.

It also bade a sad but fond farewell to Martin Thompson, who completed his final day at the village shop on Christmas Eve. His knowledge, experience, commitment and friendship has been invaluable and he and Karen Barbato will be greatly missed.

Festivities began with Carols at The Merry Harriers on December 15th, where regular customers, families and friends were joined by members of the congregation of St Peter’s Church for rousing renditions of festive favourites. Associate vicar Simon Willetts featured on keyboard with Lisa Olsworth-Peter leading the singing.

We wish you all a Happy Christmas, from the Village Web Team.

We will be posting some photos of the recent festive events that have taken place in Hambledon over the past few days, so please come back to this website after Christmas for a round-up of how our little village celebrated the season.

Our thanks to all the hard work that has been put in to hold the Christmas Carols at The Merry Harriers, the Christmas Quiz at the same venue, the Christmas Party at the Village Hall, the extremely successful return of Christmas Eve Carols outside the Village Shop, and the Carol Services at St Peter’s Church.

Another village event makes a comeback. Come along to Hambledon Village Shop at noon on Christmas Eve and join The Hambledon Village Shop Choir in the singing of some festive tunes, drink mulled wine and eat mince pies. The event is free and great fun.

Weather looks OK, mild and dry:

Simon and Naomi Willetts are looking for a property to rent in the village whilst investigations continue into the serious damp problem at their house. If you know of anything suitable, please contact Andrew Dunn (Hambledon church treasurer) on 07973748861, or by email to [email protected].

Beware – there is a significant icy patch on Malthouse Lane between St. Dominic’s entrance and the top of the drive of Malthouse Farm. This afternoon (Thursday) a vehicle has just skidded badly, damaging the brick wall and the 4×4 vehicle. Anyone on foot or driving by please take extra care while these temperatures are so low.

If you have been to the village shop recently you will have noticed some construction taking place next door. Hambledon now has its very own play area! 

Located on the site of the previous log stepping stones, which had succumbed to the damp, this new play area will be a welcome addition for the growing numbers of families now living in the village.

Some finishing touches are yet to take place – there is to be a see-saw on the site too, which has been held up due to shipping delays – but the play area as it stands is ready to welcome its first small footsteps.

Recognising the changing demographics of the village, the play area received the backing of the Parish Council and has been made possible through the use of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding.  Other village organisations are able to bid for CIL funding and further details on how to apply will be made available by the Parish Council in the new year.

A big thank you to Stephen Dean whose land the play area is located on, as well as to the village shop staff who have supported the project and it’s installation.

Are you, or someone you know, struggling with the rising cost of living?

Hambledon Parish Council manages a small fund that it receives annually from the Henry Smith Bequest. In previous years, funds have been given to help with heating bills or buying groceries for example.

For possible help, please contact the Hambledon Parish Clerk, Catherine Russell, by email: [email protected]. All enquiries are confidential.

As the temperature continues to drop, Warms Hubs have been set up around Waverley to help those who are are struggling to heat their homes. Warm Hubs are open to all and offer a warm, safe space where residents can expect a friendly and inclusive welcome this winter. Some of these hubs also offer refreshments.

A list of Warm Hubs can be found here: List of warm hubs in Surrey – Surrey County Council (surreycc.gov.uk)

Join us for the annual Hambledon Village Christmas Party, where you can enjoy live music from The Likeness, a fully licensed bar, and delicious grazing boards.

Dance the night away to your favourite tunes, enjoy a drink or two with friends, and feast on an array of tasty snacks.

The party will take place at the Village Hall on Saturday December 17th, from 8:00 PM to midnight. Tickets are £20 per person and can be purchased on-line using this link https://ti.to/hambledon-festival/christmas-dance-2022.

Hambledon resident Julia Osborne is exhibiting her work at a pop-up gallery from this Friday at the Coal Yard Creatives site near the Merry Harriers. Julia, a former freelance illustrator, has teamed up with 7 other local artists to fill an empty unit alongside the Coal Yard Creatives. Julia is pleased to exhibit: “We thought it would be great to combine forces and fill the empty unit at the Coal Yard and co-incide with their Christmas Market event on Saturday the 10th. 25% of all proceeds from sale of the artwork will go to the cancer charity the Fountain Centre.”

The Open Gallery is everyday until 16th December, and the Coal Yard event is on Saturday 10-4pm.