Once a Hambledoner, always a Hambledoner
Celebrating Friendship
In which we sit down with some of our favourite former colleagues and forever friends and chit chat love, life and the ghosts of Valentine's past.
Once a Hambledoner, always a Hambledoner
FINN & JO
Friends since 2008
“Jo 'The Don' Donnelly (as she was known back in the day) was my predecessor running the Hambledon website — joyful, funny, caring, and some exceedingly talented boots to try and fill. The only sad part of working together was knowing it would be short-lived. She’s since gone on to create a wondrous art business that showcases her special magic and immense skill.”
- Finn on Jo
Former Hambledoner Jo (left) and Finn
Former Hambledoner Jo (left) and Finn
Former Hambledoner Jo (left) and Finn
VALENTINE'S WITH JO
Palentine’s or Valentine’s? Which one are you?
Valentine’s (with Duncan!)
What are you giving? What are you getting?
I’m giving Duncan a ceramic heart dish (as he loves to cook) and a pair of GAT trainers (for all the running around he does for the kids!). I’m receiving the Alex Monroe gold necklace with tiny scissors pendant (THE perfect gift for a professional cutter + sticker) and a nautical knots tea towel (a ‘tie’ to my home province of Ulster ☘️)
Dinner out? Dinner in? What’s on the menu?
Dinner in! A hearty homemade pie made by Duncan (baked in the ruffle heart dish) with all the greens, followed by my sticky toffee pudding (Nigella’s recipe!).
A Valentine’s memory. Can be cheering or excruciating. We’re all ears.
An eager to please teenage boyfriend once gifted me a bottle of aftershave for Valentine’s Day, thinking it was perfume. It purportedly fell off the back of a lorry or some such I later found out, so I guess not much chance to get a sample whiff before gifting! 🤣
After The H, what happened next?
After The Hambledon I worked in art education, a short spell in a design agency. In 2016 I started my studio Green Magpie where I create highly personalised, bespoke collages of people’s homes and loves from salvaged paper 💚
Jo's Gift Picks:
ANGELA & KATIE
Friends since 2023
“A little bundle of sunshine wandered into the attic one day for her interview. The minute we crossed paths and she said, ‘Hello — what’s your name?’ (as if she’d already worked here for years instead of me!), it was pretty much love at first sight.”
- Angela on Katie
Angela (left) and former Hambledoner Katie
Angela (left) and former Hambledoner Katie
Angela (left) and former Hambledoner Katie
VALENTINE'S WITH KATIE
Palentine’s or Valentine’s? Which one are you?
Palentine's! Friendship love is such a wonderful thing and can outlast romantic love. Plus, me and Scotty don’t really do much for Valentine's, but he is after all one of my very best friends!
What are you giving? What are you getting?
LOVE LOVE LOVE… Always love.
Dinner out? Dinner in? What’s on the menu?
Dinner in. So much lovelier, and at this time of year cosier too. I don’t mind what we eat as long as there is affogato for pudding!
A Valentine’s memory. Can be cheering or excruciating. We’re all ears.
I do remember getting one of those huge Clintons cards—every teenage girl’s dream!! It was from Paul Shepherd, my first ever snog!
After The H, what happened next?
I still desperately miss the shop and all the lovely people in it, but I went back to my calling as a counsellor. Working with the people at The Hambledon gave me the confidence to set up on my own, which is great. I do miss my pals and the joy every day though!!
Katie's Gift Picks:
AMY & HANNAH
Friends since 2015
“When Hannah joined The Hambledon, we very quickly became good friends. She throws a first-class party, is an absolute icon on the karaoke machine, and is fiercely loyal. What more could you want?!"
- Amy on Hannah
Former Hambledoner Hannah (left) and Amy
Former Hambledoner Hannah
Former Hambledoner Hannah (left) and Amy
VALENTINE'S WITH HANNAH
Palentine’s or Valentine’s? Which one are you?
I’m Valentine’s this year as I am at a wedding 💍 But always a girls' girl and fully up for Palentine's just the same.
What are you giving? What are you getting?
I’m giving cards, always cards. One funny, one gushy. I hope I’m getting a card just as soppy, some flowers, and hugs from Dusty my Daxie 🐶
Dinner out? Dinner in? What’s on the menu?
This year it’s dinner out, but usually we are in and I get properly wined and dined. Faves have been scallops to start, steak and truffle and parmesean chippies for main, and crème brûlée for pud.
A Valentine’s memory. Can be cheering or excruciating. We’re all ears.
We had the M&S love sausage for Valentine’s brekkie once. Never again. That’s all I’ll say 😂
After The H, what happened next?
After The Hambledon it was a whirlwind. Marketing throughout COVID, London life, the seaside, and now back in Winchester, which is where we always wanted to settle. It’s home and truly the best place to be and where all my friends are returning to.
Hannah's Gift Picks:
VICTORIA & MAGGIE
Friends since 2001
“Maggie was the first person I ever employed, working here during the sketchy, anxious first years. Sane, funny, optimistic and so utterly kind, this woman is absolutely all the good things. Thank you thank you lovely Maggie.”
- Victoria on Maggie
Former Hambledoner Maggie (left) and Victoria
Former Hambledoner Maggie
Former Hambledoner Maggie (left) and Victoria
WILLOW & POPPY
Friends since 2023
“I met Pops while working in another job and we quickly became close friends. When she moved away last September, I joined The Hambledon to step into her role. Who knew friendship could come with a job handover?!"
- Willow on Poppy
Former Hambledoner Poppy (left) and Willow
Former Hambledoner Poppy (left) and Willow
Former Hambledoner Poppy (left) and Willow
VALENTINE'S WITH POPPY
Palentine’s or Valentine’s? Which one are you?
Valentine’s! Would love to say Palentine’s, but it’s a little hard doing it long distance.
What are you giving? What are you getting?
A card. We tend to keep it simple. No big gifts.
Dinner out? Dinner in? What’s on the menu?
Dinner out! We’re going to an amazing Italian restaurant this year and they do an incredible Tiramisu which I’m very excited for.
A Valentine’s memory. Can be cheering or excruciating. We’re all ears.
My first Valentine's with my boyfriend was... awkward. He'd set up rose petals and candles in the dining room, which was sweet - just not really my thing. And then, to top it off, his mum popped her head out of the kitchen to let us know she'd be our cook for the evening.
After The H, what happened next?
I moved to Manchester, got my own apartment and started a new job at Selfridges. I’m now working as a Menswear Brand Specialist. A bit of a change after working in Womenswear, but I’m really enjoying it.
Poppy's Gift Picks:
