Best of British

This week marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day, a moment to honour the bravery of those who helped bring the Second World War to its close on 8 May 1945, and a moment that was beautifully celebrated in Hambledon village.

Veterans and civilians alike endured unimaginable hardship—storming beaches, decoding secrets, tending the wounded—yet most refuse to dwell on their deeds, insisting they “were just doing their duty.”

A world away, at Broadhalfpenny Down, ten volunteers tackled their own trial of endurance erecting the marquee. Armed with hammers, poles, and an unwavering sense of purpose. Sweaty and sunburnt, they too shun the spotlight, insisting their effort is simply “what needed doing.”

Thank you to all the volunteers who made this happen, who gave up their time for the. gerater good. It really is appreciated, and it helps make Broadhalfpenny Down a special place for players and visitors alike.

You can help preserve the cradle of cricket by making a small contribution to our crowdfunding campaign at https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/cradleofcricket, and you can see the remarkable voluteering spirit in the film "The Final Cut" which is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl6NzysDKSk.