Hambledon residents are probably aware that Feathercombe Farm has been sold and its new owners, Alice and Rebecca Servaes, trading as The Trinity Partnership, will operate the 240-acres of land for the business of breeding, selling and grazing polo ponies.

Villagers may wish to know that the Trinity Partnership has just served notice of its intention to erect a new building in the field beyond the village church.

It is described as an “agricultural livestock building” in documents lodged with Waverley Borough Council. However, on plans also submitted, it appears to be essentially for equine use and the single 47-metre oblong building will contain an office, vet room, 13 stable units, a feed room and storage space. The plans indicate the barn will be built in the middle distance of the view from the church, photographed below.

On the basis it is an agricultural construction, the applicants are not going through the full planning procedure, but instead notifying Waverley of their intention to build. Waverley only has until June 28^th to consider the proposal and reach a decision on whether the application qualifies under the terms of a General Permitted Development. If it does not make a ruling, the building will go ahead.

The new barn, mainly windowless and with a ridge height of 7.4 metres, will be built in the field known as Fourteen Acre Copse, in the far corner where the public footpath reaches the kissing gate into the woodland below Hydon’s Ball.

The annual cricket fixture between Hambledon Village Shop and Hambledon Cricket Club will take place this Sunday 18th June starting at 2pm. Come along and support the teams in what is usually a closely fought contest over 30 overs per side. The bar will be open.

The Cricket Club are the current holders of the trophy

This is a reminder that Hambledon’s Burgate Farm is open to visitors this Sunday (June 11) between 10am and 2pm.

The mainly-arable farm, accessed from Vann Lane and in beautiful countryside, is operated by Peter and Liz Knight and they welcome you to be shown around fields, crops and inside barns to get an insight into what is grown and its methods in doing so. Machinery will be on display and Peter will be on hand to chat about his farming practices, and to show off the wildlife areas as well as his fields of crops.

The farm is taking part in the nationwide Open Farm Sunday, promoted by LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming). There is no charge and no need to book. Please see this earlier post on this website for further details: https://www.hambledonsurrey.co.uk/?p=17798#more-17798

The nearby Tuesley Farm, which grows soft fruit, will also be open, with booked visits throughout the day. Hambledon residents will be familiar with its produce from the strawberries on sale at the village community shop. You can book a visit here: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/40463?eid=40463&

The Cricket Club is hosting an ‘open day’ on the cricket green on Saturday 10 June from 4pm to 8.30pm when the League Xl will be playing against Thursley in an I’Anson Division 3 fixture.

There will be burgers and sausages from the BBQ and the bar will be open! Please bring a picnic blanket and/or chairs and join us for the afternoon.

Tickets are free but we would be grateful if you could confirm your availability through the link below so that we have an idea of how many burgers and sausages to buy!

Click here to register for free tickets.

Surrey Artists’ Open Studios begins this weekend, Saturday, June 3rd and runs until June 18th.

With over 350 artists taking part, it is a fantastic opportunity to meet local artists in their studios and gain an insight into their practice. You can also vote for your favourite artist and help to choose this year’s Surrey Artist of the Year.

There is a local Hambledon Trail to follow of seven artists including Hambledon’s own Georgie Gardiner, ceramicist, Carol Ann Dixon, jeweller and John Whittall painter.

For details of the Hambledon Trail, please see above flyers and visit surreyopenstudios.org.uk for details of Open Studios across Surrey.

Emily and I have the real pleasure to invite Hambledon Friends and Folk (with spouses, partners, children, grandchildren, friends and relations) to Vann Gardens for open air Shakespeare this year on 29 July 2023. There are two performances on the Saturday which can be booked on line here: https://troubadourstageworks.com/collections/romeo-juliet.

There will also be tickets for early entry to the gardens for those who would like to picnic and wallow in the beauty and history of Mary Caroe’s life-work before the performance (pond-swimming optional!).

We really hope you will be tempted; it will be a treat to welcome you to Vann!

Troubadour get better and better each year, posting rave reviews, and will not disappoint. Do spread the word in your networks and amongst your friends, even if you can’t join us this year. The show will go on whatever the weather.

Romeo & Juliet: VANN 29 July 2023*

Full of music, fun, and romance, Troubadour Stageworks are back with a Romeo & Juliet suitable for all the family, re-telling Shakespeare’s classic with all the life and energy it deserves.

Troubadour Stageworks is back with its sixth Shakespeare production, bringing their characteristic music, energy, and fast-paced approach to the bard to his most famous tragedy. With their in-depth understanding of the play and accessible approach, this is the perfect Shakespeare for all the family – life-long fans and first-timers alike!

In a city torn apart by conflict, two teenagers meet at a party and fall in love. Innocent, idealistic, and determined not to give up this feeling, there is no length that Romeo and Juliet will not go to to be together. But can this new love bridge the old rivalry between Capulet and Montague?

From the outlandish characters and petty dramas to a love so deeply felt that it can change a whole city, Romeo & Juliet it remains Shakespeare’s most famous work for good reason.

For more info and to book, please visit https://troubadourstageworks.com/pages/whats-on

PS* if there is demand, we may be able to add a further evening performance on Friday 28^th – do e-mail us if that would be an evening that would be in demand.

See you there!

Oliver and Emily.

https://vanngarden.co.uk/

Charity no. 1193809

Troubadour Stageworks

www.troubadourstageworks.com

Hambledon Parish Council held its AGM at its first monthly meeting since the local government elections.

Stewart Payne was re-elected chairman and Alison Scott-Bishop has become deputy, replacing Mary Grove who stood down at the election.

Two new parish councillors, Andy Hinde and Simon Rhodes, were welcomed. In effect, they replace Mary and Philip Underwood, who also stood down after a long service to the council. With five previous councillors standing again together with the two new candidates, the election for the seven available places was uncontested.

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Conservative councillors took all three seats on the newly-created Waverley Borough Council Ward of Bramley and Wonersh, which includes Hambledon.

Across the Borough, however, the Conservative Party suffered heavy losses, holding on to just 10 seats, down from 23 at the last election in 2019. Liberal Democratic Party candidates took 22 seats, up from 14.

This outcome reflected the national trend at the local government elections held in many parts of the UK last Thursday (May 6th).

Waverley remains under no overall control as no party managed to achieve an outright majority.

In Hambledon, there was no election for Hambledon Parish Council as seven prospective councillors were nominated for the seven places available and therefore it was uncontested. Five members from the previous council – Stewart Payne, Sean Sinnott, Robin McKeith, Alison Scott-Bishop and Jude Milan – stood again and were joined by Andy Hinde and Simon Rhodes. Philip Underwood and Mary Grove stood down.

Full contact details of all local councillors – parish, borough and county – can be found on this website and in Hambledon Parish Magazine.

The results for Waverley Borough Council’s Bramley and Wonersh Ward, as published on the Waverley council website, were as follows.

Bramley & Wonersh – results

Election Candidate	Party	Votes	%	Outcome
Jane Kathryn AUSTIN	The Conservative Party Candidate	1673	20.8%	Elected
Lauren Kaye ATKINS	The Conservative Party Candidate	1450	18.0%	Elected
Michael Rodney GOODRIDGE	The Conservative Party Candidate	1390	17.3%	Elected
Mark Claude James VIVIAN	Liberal Democrats	1077	13.4%	Not elected
Paul William WRIGHT	Liberal Democrats	1073	13.3%	Not elected
Martin William D’ARCY	Green Party Candidate	903	11.2%	Not elected
Simon Joseph HALL	Labour Party	271	3.4%	Not elected
Christopher James HARD	Labour Party	203	2.5%	Not elected

Don’t forget today is Open Gardens day between 2:30pm and 5:00pm. A map of the gardens you can view is available to download here.

Calling all early risers! Come along and meet outside the village shop for the return of Hambledon’s annual Dawn Chorus Walk.

We will be walking into the Hurst then up onto the common to enjoy the early morning and identify as many birds as we can from the wonderful dawn chorus. We usually manage about twenty!

It’s not meant to be raining but it will be muddy.

Please do join us for the return of this lovely tradition – novice birdsong identifiers and experts equally welcome!