parish

by

Village Shop Celebrates 20 Years as a Community-run Venture

Hambledon Village Shop and Post Office has reached the significant milestone of 20 years since it was reopened as a community-run business.

A celebratory party was held in the village hall on Friday (Nov 16) attended by many of those involved in setting up the shop two decades ago together with the current management team and volunteers.

Virginia Bottomley, who as local MP was asked to reopen the shop in 1992, returned to the village to toast its continued success, paying particular tribute to the villagers whose vision, hard work and generosity got got the shop reopened and the many volunteers who have kept it going since.

“If Britain is a nation of shop keepers then Hambledon is a village of shopkeepers,” she said.

alt

Hambledon has had a village shop since at least 1850. It closed in March 1991 as, like so many other small shops, it lost out to supermarkets. It was a grievous loss to a rural community like Hambledon and older people in particular missed the convenience of a general provisions store and Post Office.

Two things happened that were to galvanise a team of villagers to take matters into their own hands. The Rev Christopher Blissard-Barnes, then vicar of St Peter’s Church, preached a sermon on the value of community spirit, saying that it would be wonderful if the shop could be reopened.

Continue reading →

by

Hambledon Jubilee Activities Raise £8,747

dogshow

The Hambledon Fete and other events held on the Diamond Jubilee weekend in June, raised a remarkable £8,747.08 for villages causes.

The Parish Council has sent congratulations to the many people who helped organise and run activities for making them such a success. To raise such a large sum in a small village of just 750 people is a great achievement.

The fete itself raised £5,167.08, and this has been evenly split between Hambledon Football Club, Hambledon Cricket Club, St Peter’s Church and the village Almshouses.

The Jubilee Ball, run by Sue Blackman, raised £3,580 after expenses, and from this £1,000 was donated to the Hambledon Community Fund and the remainder split between the above organisations.

The Parish Council, which provided £1,000 towards the cost of the marquee and other expenses, has acknowledged the success of the events and has sent its thanks on behalf of the village to all those who organised, promoted, helped run and took part in the weekend of activities.

by

Hambledon's Bus Service Is Reprieved

altTHE 503 bus service, which links Hambledon with Milford, Godalming and Guildford and which was to have been axed under proposals contained in a cost-saving bus review, has been saved.

The route, operated by Stagecoach but subsided by Surrey County Council, is the village’s only public transport service, and the parish council, supported by residents, mounted a strong defence against the proposal to scrap it

Surrey County Council’s Cabinet met on Tuesday (May 29th) to consider all the proposals contained in the bus review following a consultation exercise earlier this year, including the fate of the 503. It agreed that the service should not only be retained but returned to a three days a week service from its current two. This means that, from September 2nd, the service will once again run on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, twice in each direction. Currently it operates on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Continue reading →

by

Snow Brings Power Cuts to Hambledon

ImageParts of Hambledon were without power today (Sunday Feb 5th) after overnight snow brought down a power line at Church Lane.

The morning service at St Peter’s Church was cancelled because snow made the lane impassable and the power cable was still live and producing sparks where it was in contact with the ground.

Engineers from Southern Electric were carrying out repairs and a fire engine was on standby at the junction of Church Lane.

Malthouse Lane and Woodlands Road were among areas without power but the village shop was not affected and was open as usual. Volunteers had cleared a path to the door.

Peter Knight, of Burgate Farm, cleared many of the smaller roads in the village as part of an agreement with the parish and county councils. He has been provided with a snow plough blade to fit to one of his tractors by Surrey County Council.

And SCC had gritted Hambledon Road before the snow fell and later went through with a snow plough.

ImageTim Coleman and Stewart Payne, part of the village volunteer team,  cleared branches from a tree that had been brought down by the weight of snow and was partially blocking Rock Hill.

Elsewhere, children were enjoying the snow and using toboggans in fields around the village.

Overall, the arrangements in place to deal with snow appeared to have worked well. Between three and four inches of snow fell in the late evening and the early hours of this morning and many roads were impassable for a time to all but four wheel drive vehicles.

But, because Hambledon Road had been spread with a mixture of salt and grit, the snow had largely melted away by this morning.

Details of Hambledon’s winter planning arrangements and contacts numbers can be found in the previous news item on the Latest News menu.

 

 

 

 

by

Threat To Hambledon 503 Bus – Have Your Say

 ImageThe 503 bus which connects Hambledon with Milford, Godalming and Guildford could be scrapped next year.

The twice weekly service, operated by Stagecoach, is subsidised by Surrey County Council. The council is looking to make financial savings and the 503 is one of several rural routes facing the axe.

The county council is currently reviewing its options and details can be found at www.surreycc.gov.uk/busreview If you want to find out more or make a comment on the proposals please visit this website.

You can also make your feelings known at Godalming Library between 10am and 1pm next Tuesday (December 6th) where SCC transport officers are available to discuss the issue.

In addition the parish council is meeting with SCC later on the same day.  It has made details of the proposals available in the village shop and is asking for users of the 503 to make their views known.

If you use the bus please tell the parish council how important it is to you.

As many regular passengers are elderly it is likely they will not read this website. So if you know of someone in Hambledon who is a user of the 503 please draw their attention to the form in the shop, or comment on their behalf.

SCC is considering replacing the bus with an “on-demand” Hoppa-style minibus. More details will appear on the website and in the January edition of the parish magazine.

In the meantime, please make sure your views known to the parish council as well as giving your opinion to Surrey County Council – in person or on-line.

by

Presentation for retiring Councillors

ImageTwo stalwarts of Hambledon Parish Council, Ron Vickery and Derek Miller, have been thanked for their years of service to the village at a special party in their honour.

They were presented with garden centre vouchers at a gathering of councillors and clerks, past and present, at the home of council chairman John Anderson and his wife Tucker.

 

Ron has stood down after 35 years continous service, making him the third longest serving member since the council was formed in 1884. Derek has clocked up 16 years. Both have made immense contributions to the work of the council.

Ron and Derek are pictured receiving their tokens from John.

 

Continue reading →

by

Draft report of Housing Needs Survey, Hambledon, November 2010

This report, by Surrey Community Action’s rural housing enabler, Mona Johannson, was considered by Hambledon Parish Council at its meeting on 11 January 2011.  It is reproduced in full in the Minutes section of the Parish Council pages on the village web site.  The findings suggest that the village could accommodate a second affordable housing scheme.

A shortfall in affordable housing stock throughout Waverley triggered the Parish Council’s decision to commission the survey, which was carried out during September-October last year.  All households in the Parish received a questionnaire:  35 per cent were returned and 72 per cent of respondents favoured a further affordable housing project.  Both  figures are considerably higher than average response, indicating a good level of support for another scheme to complement the development completed in 2001 at Duncombe Cottages. Information provided by households who felt themselves to be in housing need suggested that a second scheme could comprise five one- or two-bed rented units and two two-bed shared ownership units. However, it must be remembered that these are to-day’s figures.  Until such time as units become available some of the needs will have been met elsewhere and not everyone may still be in need. The Parish Council has adopted the report and will now consider possible sites.   Some were suggested by respondents to the questionnaire but if anyone else has any ideas please let the Clerk know.  Mona Johansson will be getting in touch with households who indicated that they might be in housing need to remind them that, if they have not already done so, they should register with Waverley Borough Council (essential for anyone who requires any form of affordable housing). Mona Johansson will remain involved and, depending on progress made with site identification, Waverley and social housing providers will also become involved in the discussions.

by

Update on Hambledon's Winter Planning

Wednesday 1st December

ImageOnce again Hambledon is in the grip of snow and freezing conditions, so it is a timely opportunity to review what plans have been put in place for this winter.

No one will need reminding of the disruption the village suffered during the heavy snow of January, when Hambledon was effectively cut off for a week and without power for three days.

 

This winter snow has arrived early, but the parish council has been working to ensure residents are not held hostage to the weather to the extent they were ten months ago.

With the help of Andrew Povey, our county councillor, we have been assured that Hambledon is included in the Priority One gritting network. This means that when freezing conditions are forecast, Hambledon Road will be treated along its full length through the village, although not until major roads have been gritted first.

This did not happen earlier this year because Surrey County Council was, in common with many other highways authorities, low on grit.  Officials have assured the parish that it is well stocked this year. However, side roads will not be gritted.  Peter Knight, at Burgate Farm, has kindly agreed to clear village roads of snow, when necessary, and has been provided with a snow plough blade by SCC. He is still waiting for engineers to visit him to make the necessary adaptations for it to be fitted to one of his tractors but this is scheduled to happen within the next few days. Continue reading →

by

HGV Warnings Signs For Hambledon's Narrow Roads

ImageAdditional road signs warning heavy lorries not to use Hambledon’s narrow lanes are to be erected by Surrey County Council at Milford and Lane End.

The “Unsuitable for HGVs” signs will be placed at the entrance to Station Lane at its junction with Church Road and on the Petworth Road facing traffic approaching from both directions.

The decision to erect the signs follows pressure from Hambledon Parish Council, reflecting the concern of residents that HGVs were using the village as a cut-through.

The majority travel from Milford and, faced with existing HGV signs (pictured) at the Hydestile Crossroads in the Godalming direction, attempt to use Salt Lane or Hambledon Road.

At a site visit, parish councillors told SCC engineers that the existing signs gave the impression that Salt Lane and Hambledon Road were wide enough for HGVs when, in reality, both were as narrow as in the Godalming direction.

Continue reading →

by

Report of Parish Assembly 2010

ImageSurrey County Council has no money available for major resurfacing of Hambledon’s damaged roads, but it will ensure repairs are carried out to a higher standard.

This was the promise given by Dr Andrew Povey, who is both Hambledon’s county councillor and SCC leader.

Dr Povey faced tough questioning by villagers at the annual parish assembly where he was guest speaker. Many raised concerns about the appalling state of local roads and the poor quality of repairs.

Dr Povey said the problem of potholes had been made worse by the severe weather and that repairs to the county’s road were underway. He was told by members of the audience that potholes had been a menace and a danger long before this last winter and that the state of the roads was a consequence of SCC’s faiure to carry out adequate maintenace in recent years.

He was also told repairs to potholes were “botched” and that the holes reappeared at the same locations within weeks of being filled in.

Continue reading →

by

Parish support for "Hoppa" community transport

ImageHambledon Parish Council has agreed a one-off grant of £250 following a request for financial support by Waverley Hoppa Community Transport.

The Hoppa minibuses are a familiar sight on local roads, providing transport for those unable to use scheduled public services. Hoppa’s fleet of vehicles offer accessible, door-to-door community transport for registered local people as well as hospital-related services.

However, Hoppa cannot survive on its revenue alone and requires the additional support of grant funding.

With its fleet of vehicles due for replacement, Hoppa has appealed for financial assistance.

In Hambledon we have a “good neighbour” scheme which can usually help the elderly and infirm keep medical appointments and collect prescriptions. However, our scheduled bus service runs on just three days of the week and is loss-making.

The parish council considered that Hoppa provides a valuable service in rural communities such as ours and would become even more important to Hambledon if the village lost its bus service.

It agreed to provide a grant of £250 to help Hoppa maintain its non-emergency patient hospital service to local health facilities.

If you would like to find out more about Hoppa’s service please click http://www.hoppa.org.uk/

by

Jane Woolley receives MBE

Image

Jane Woolley has been made an MBE.  It was announced in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for her voluntary services to Hambledon. The whole village sends its congratulations to her for her much deserved award.  Jane travelled to Buckingham Palace this week to receive her award.

The list of Jane’s contributions to village life are numerous. She is clerk to the Parish Council; she was fundamental to the setting up of the Hambledon Village Trust which now owns the freehold of the Village Shop; she walked 70kms in 70 hours aiming to raise £7k to help fund a re-fit of the shop and managed to raise in excess of £9.5k; she is an active member of many of the village clubs; the list goes on. Hambledon would surely be a less strong community if Jane Woolley wasn’t a member.