Brockham misses out on Village of the Year
Congratulations go to Hambledon, judged as Surrey Village of the Year. Hambledon will now go on to a regional competition with the prospect of being entered for the national title.
Winning the Surrey title is recognition of the hard work that so many villagers have put in to benefit community life. In the face of stiff competition from villages across the county including Brockham, Hambledon was presented with the title by Mrs Sally Varah, the High Sherriff of Surrey, at a ceremony on Saturday 6th September 2008.
The competition is sponsored by Calor in partnership with Surrey Community Action. Members of both organisations attended the ceremony at which Hambledon was presented with a cheque for £500.00 and two plaques, one made of English oak and the other of metal, to display at a prominent location.
The competition is not about being a best kept village. Instead judges look for community involvement and initiatives that enhance and improve village life for all.
It was clear that the village shop and post office, reopened as a community 
venture, scored highly with the judges. So, well done to all the volunteers who keep it going and to those whose vision led to the shop being reopened in the first place.The website, affordable homes, cricket and football clubs, church and village nursery school, all impressed the judges, as each has benefited from local initiatives. The parish council was also commended for its role in promoting and supporting village life.