Spring into Summer

Nature has an incredible way of overcoming what are seemingly insurmountable difficulties, the grass that grows through tarmac, the hedges that burst into leaf after being shattered by flail hedge cutters, the birds that are willing to return to an environment that was once so hostile it threatened their very existence. When the times are tough, as they have been for everyone over the last few weeks as the corona virus ravages across the globe,  it’s reassuring to put anxieties to one side and simply watch a red kite stretching its wide wings as it floats in the sky or a silent barn owl slicing through the dusk as it searches for its supper. The Wood can offer us a place to relax in as well as wonder as we observe the ever changing and adaptable ways of nature.

What’s happening in the Wood?

The Jubilee Wood continues to show signs of bursting into life, with green shoots emerging on the hawthorn trees and brambles, and one of the crab apples around the central area is already flowering, if somewhat half heartedly at the moment. The glossy, elongated, arrow shaped leaves of the Wild Arum, Arum maculatum, can be seen around the bottom of the hedges, often with attractive dark spots on. Some people know it better as Lords and Ladies, ‘cuckoo pint’, or Jack in a pulpit and it’s distinctively shaped flower has not surprisingly led to many names with bawdy associations.The flower is designed to attract flies for pollination and its fruit, which is a spike of bright orange berries can be a common sight in woodlands in autumn, but like many wild berries these are toxic to humans.

Arum maculatum

The leaves of the low growing Speedwells, Veronica persica and Veronica chamaedrys, are also all around the wood and as its name indicates, it was seen as good luck when seen on journeys. In Ireland in years gone by, ‘speed you well’ was even sewn into clothes as a good luck charm to protect against accidents. Introduced to this country from Asia by the Victorians, the common names for speedwells include ‘bird’s eye’, cat’s eye, and Farewell. The bright blue flowers brighten up the darkest of woodland corners and it won’t be long before they are flowering.

The newts are back (if they ever went away)

On the amphibian front, the first newts have been seen in the pond which is full to the brim after the continuous rain and grey skies of February. With the lack of cold weather this winter some people are wondering if they did much hibernating at all. Fortunately March has been much drier and the warm days of sunshine have been a relief to those of us who have had to keep at home. The occasional sharp ground frosts have made surfaces slippery but at least the paths around the wood are finally drying out although it doesn’t take much rain to make them soggy again. The previous dark, waterlogged areas under the hawthorn and blackthorn are disappearing and muntjac are making the most of the young trees for cover.

New Identification Sheets

Identification sheets Jubilee wood
Identification sheets in pondside arbour

Five new identification sheets have been added to the folder in the arbour , so once people can get out and about again there will be an opportunity to put a name to what you’ve found there. Thanks to Michael for ordering them and making an excellent holder to keep them all together and protected from the weather.

Summer time

As I write this, the clocks have been turned forward to remind us that it’s officially British Summer Time and those of us who have been waking up early will certainly be aware that the birds don’t worry about man made time constraints. What can be more uplifting than hearing a dawn chorus as the sun starts to rise?! Perhaps tired new parents suffering from sleep deprivation might not agree but on the whole, it’s a pretty wonderful experience which doesn’t cost anything and can be enjoyed by all of us. Ready to nest, the birds are making use of the many bird boxes in the wood and perhaps before very long there will be fledglings, who with any luck, will also be joining in the dawn chorus this time next year…..

As we wait to see how the next weeks unfold, perhaps we can start to appreciate rather than resent this opportunity to slow down, an opportunity to observe and listen to the sights and sounds of nature, the Wood will be there waiting for all of us, providing us all with a wonderful place to just be.

www.wildlifetrusts.org – useful activities for all the family

2020-02-18 Minutes of Parish Council meeting

GREAT & LITTLE GIDDING PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of Great and Little Gidding Parish Council Meeting

Held on Tuesday 18th February 2020 at Great Gidding Village Hall

PRESENT:  Cllrs Hodson, Dear and Pudney, County Councillor Gardener and Parish Clerk

146.19              Chairman’s Welcome – Cllr Hodson welcomed those present to the meeting

147.19             Apologies were received:

                        Cllr Hill – Holiday

                        District Cllr Alban – ill health

                        Cllr Valderas – resigned 15th February 2020

                        Cllr Hebb – resigned 18th February 2020

148.19             There were no member’s declaration of Disclosable Interests for items on the Agenda

149.19              There was no Public or Press present.

150.19              To confirm and accept minutes of the meeting held on 21st January 2020  

                        Cllr Dear and Cllr Pudney proposed and seconded, and signed by Cllr Hodson.                       

151.19             Matters arising from those Minutes that will not be discussed as an agenda item.

                        Cllr Hodson enquired of District Cllr Gardener if there had been any further information regarding the communications mast proposal – it had been noted that Elton village proposal had been rejected again, due to the exclusion zone relating to Sibson Aerodrome.

                        Clerk advised that the planning application for the rear of Fox and Hounds PH (replacing wall with fence) had been refused.

                        Clerk asked Cllr Gardener’s advice as a resident had notified that there appeared to be people living in the barn adjacent to 21 Mill Road (copy of planning application attached relating to that site) – Cllr Gardener said that Huntingdon District Council Planning Department should be informed to enable them to investigate.

                        Clerk also advised Cllr Gardener that she was still awaiting a response from Highways Department and/or Footpath Officer of Cambridgeshire County Council regarding the Jitty Footpath enquiry – she was advised to remind them and copy in Cllr Gardener.

152.19             COUNCIL ISSUES TO NOTE:

To receive reports from Councillors:

County Councillor Gardener – he had been on the panel when Cllr Hill presented the Gidding’s bid for the Local Highways Initiative Bid and a decision should be known on or about 10th March 2020, he will contact us with the outcome.

He advised that the 2020-2021 Local Highways Bid has been brought forward to be made between April and May 2020 (see email).  Funds associated with this bid are to be increased by £200,000.  There is also to be a general increase to Highways funding.

He updated on a meeting held to discuss the A14 between Ellington and Thrapston as there had been a significant increase in traffic through adjacent villages.  Highways England plans to improve junctions along this part of the A14 before 2030.

The works along the A14 and other roads around Huntingdon continues, with the viaduct over the railway to be removed by 2022.

The A428 works will continue to 2022.

There has been an increase in Council Tax of 1.59% plus 2% to Social Care.

Cambs County Council will gradually change their vehicles to electric power.

Cambs County Council are making a £15million investment to change their buildings to non-carbon fuels

(See https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/council/briefings/cambridgeshire-matters-newsletter-january-2020

https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/council/briefings/member-newsletter-february-2020    for further details regarding above).

Cllr Hill had submitted a written note to advise that his presentation to the LHI Bid panel was made on 3rd February and he believed the proposal was “well received”.

Cllr Dear – potholes in Chapel End near to Mill Meadow – Clerk will complete an online report to CambsCC Highways.

Cllr Pudney – nothing to report

Cllr Hodson – nothing to report

153.19             FINANCIAL MATTERS:

                        a) to note Barclays Bank statements

b) to note the Budget control statement – Cllr Hodson advised that the budget looked good and answered general questions regarding the spreadsheet.

Clerk advised that the Reserves bank account received £31.92 interest.

Clerk advised that the Precept had been approved.

c) PAYMENTS AND ACCOUNTS – to approve and sign cheques in respect of the following:

1) J R B Enterprise Ltd              Dog waste bags            £74.10 (11.90 VAT)    

2) J R Trolove – Clerks working hours for December    £xxx     (no VAT)

3)  to approve Clerk’s hours worked between 1st and 31st January

154.19             Recreation Ground update

                        Decision to replace swing seats – Clerk had prices for 2 x different seats and will contact Wicksteed.  Cllr Pudney asked that all 4 seats be replaced.

                        Decision to install safety matting under spaceship roundabout – Cllr Hodson advised that 4 tiles would be needed at a price of £18.00 per tile plus pegs required and proposed purchase of these items, Cllr Pudney seconded.

                        Cllr Dear reminded that toilet door lock needed replacing

Cllr Dear will find a contractor to weld cover for toilet unit pipework

155.19             Grass Cutting contract for approval and signature.

Cllr Hodson proposed acceptance and Cllr Pudney seconded.  Clerk will sign the contract to enable grass cutting to commence in early March.

156.19             Newsletter to parishioners – at a previous meeting Cllr Hebb had proposed a change to the Clarion format therefore Clerk had obtained comparative quotes for printing.  It was agreed that as Cllr Hebb would not be leading this project, no other Councillor wished to take it on and to continue with the Clarion but Cllr Pudney suggested to rename the Clarion as “Gidding News” – this was seconded by both Cllrs Dear and Hodson.  Cllr Pudney suggested enquiring if CARESCO would be prepared to include Gidding News as part of the bi-monthly Sawtry Eye, which is distributed around the Giddings and other local villages – Clerk will enquire at CARESCO.

157.19             Councillor training – Cllr Dear – move to March agenda

158.19             Correspondence received since 21st January 2020 (other than that discussed in agenda items above).  Correspondence will be available to view at the meeting, including the following:

                        1)  East Anglian Childrens Hospital, letter requesting support/donation – Parish Council does not wish to donate.

                        2)  Keep Britain Tidy – between 20th March and 13th April – as there had been recent litter pick sessions held in the village, it was not felt that another event should be organised at present.

                        3) Huntingdon District Council invitation to Huntingdonshire Town and Parish Council Conference – Wednesday 18th March at Burgess Hall, St Ives – Cllrs to advise Clerk is they require a place booking.                     

159.19             Items for decisions at next meeting: 

                        Training for Councillors and Clerk

                        Risk Assessment report – Cllr Pudney

                        Review of Asset Registers – Clerk

                        Clerk’s appraisal feedback – Cllrs Hill and Hodson

Appoint Internal Auditor and prepare for Audit – Clerk

                        Recreation Ground – review Hiring Agreement and Hire charges

                        Prepare for Election or Co-option of Parish Councillor

Preparation for the Annual Parish Meeting and Annual General Meeting of                                                      the Parish Council – Cllr Hill and Clerk                                   

160.19             Date of next meeting – Tuesday 17th March 2020,

starting at 1930 hours in the Village Hall, Great GiddingMeeting closed at 8.35PM

Folium Architects

Folium Architects

Folium Architects works in the authentic tradition of classical and vernacular architecture.

The practice, which was started (as Jan Maciag Architects) in 1995, aims to produce and promote architecture that offers a realistic alternative for those clients who appreciate the many benefits of building in a traditional manner. Intrinsic to this work is a belief that traditional architecture has a proven quality and will endure the test of time and passing fashion.

Much of the work undertaken concerns the sensitive alteration of existing buildings as well as new buildings in architecturally sensitive areas. An expert knowledge of traditional materials and detail allows for a seamless integration of new work with the old. There is a respect for historical precedent that is also alive, inventive and aspirational.

Visit https://www.foliumarchitects.co.uk

Folium Architects: Gidding Courtyard

Latest advice regarding the Diocesan response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Latest advice regarding the Diocesan response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Forwarded information below from the Bishop of Ely diocese giving latest advice regarding the diocesan response to the coronavirus outbreak. 

Notices are being put outside the church in St Michael’s and St Johns. 


To all clergy (licensed and PTO), LLMs, Churchwardens, PCC Secretaries, and Members of the Diocesan Synod and Bishop’s Council from the Bishop of Huntingdon

Dear Friends,

You will have seen the news coverage of the developing coronavirus (Covid-19) situation and the government advice issued yesterday afternoon.  New guidance has also been issued by the Church of England yesterday, that gives much more extensive advice about different kinds of services and activities.   Please read this fully and carefully. One thing it asks is that each benefice/ parish/ BMO should develop a continuity plan, using the attached pro forma.  Please do this as a matter of priority.  The incumbent/priest-in-charge should attend to this in the first instance, in consultation with other ministry colleagues and churchwardens.  For parishes in vacancy, the churchwardens should do this in consultation with the rural dean.  Please do not hesitate to be in touch if you have any questions.

If you are a Rural Dean, please be prepared to take on additional coordinating functions, especially for funerals if a number of clergy are not able to work, and make sure you ask one or two people to be ready to deputize for you should the need arise.

You must not soldier on regardless if you or a member of your family feel unwell – whilst you might be fine, others who you might involuntarily infect may well not be.  If clergy become ill, or need to self-isolate, please contact the Bishop Stephen’s office (Hannah Cleugh in the first instance), as well as the others who are listed on your contingency plan, in order that we can support and pray for you, and also support pastoral provision in your parish(es).

Attached also is a brief leaflet offering a very simple guide about how we are seeking to respond appropriately and sensibly, out of care and love, in the present situation.  You may wish to display this clearly in churches, on social media and website, and distribute as appropriate to congregations.

In addition to the advice already circulated about administering communion in one kind only and not intincting (dipping the wafer into the cup), please note that we are now advised that, where possible, people should receive communion standing so as not to touch altar rails, as this presents a risk of transmission.  I have received enquiries about pre-intincting wafers but I strongly recommend in the current circumstances we should minimize as much as possible any handling of wafers.

We are also advised now to suspend catering, including serving coffee or tea, where multiple people will handle mugs, utensils and foodstuffs.  

Some of you have asked about baptisms and confirmations.  At this stage there is no advice to cancel any services, however precautions are advised.  

The advice around such services is under the tab headed ‘Can baptisms, confirmations and ordinations still proceed?’

You are asked to note particularly the advice around baptisms:

  • The Priest must wash their hands before and after making the sign of the cross on each candidate’s forehead.
  • Where possible, if the candidate is a baby or small child, they should be held by the parents/godparents rather than the priest taking them in their own arms.
  • It is preferable for water to be poured on the candidate’s head using a baptismal shell.
  • If chrism/oil is to be used the priest should use a spoon or similar implement.
  • In any event the priest should wash their hands before and after each baptismal act.
  • Baptism by Immersion should not take place as this represents a transmission risk.

Confirmations will go ahead as usual, with the bishop washing their hands thoroughly between candidates.

Note that we are advised not to wash feet, as many parishes would normally be expecting to do on Maundy Thursday.

All of this is mainly advice as to how we should act when we gather for worship, study or fellowship.  But obviously our pastoral concern is for the whole of the communities in which we are set and people among whom we are called to serve, and especially for those who are most vulnerable.  Now is the moment (if you have not already done this) to be in contact with other organisations locally (schools, parish councils, ecumenical and other faith partners, and community groups) about how best to work together to support people in your parishes and communities who might be most likely to fall through the cracks, and to think in a co-ordinated way about how they can be supported both safely and effectively.  This may include practical things like delivering food or medicine, and also spiritual and emotional support for those who may be isolated or very anxious about their families, friends, support networks or employment.  Be in conversation with your local foodbank about how best to help them, and mechanisms for ensuring that people are not left without food. We will be circulating some further advice about this, and on social media, shortly

It goes without saying that we need to be particularly mindful of those who work in national and local government, in the NHS and social care, in prisons, or other sectors that are likely to be very difficult and stretched.  

We do not know precisely how this will develop, but we need to plan as far as possible for all reasonable eventualities, and to respond with love and care as the situation unfolds.

Thank you for all you are doing and I will continue to be in touch.

With good wishes,

The Rt Revd Dr Dagmar Winter

The Bishop of Huntingdon

e: bishop.huntingdon@elydiocese.org

Twitter: @dagmarkirk

www.elydiocese.org

www.facebook.com/elydiocese


Further information

2019-12-17 Parish Council Meeting Minutes

GREAT & LITTLE GIDDING PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of Great and Little Gidding Parish Council Meeting

Held on Tuesday 17th December 2019 at Great Gidding Village Hall

PRESENT:  Cllrs Hill, Hodson, Dear, Valderas and Pudney

116.19              Cllr Hill welcomed those present.

117.19             To receive apologies and reasons for absence:

                        Cllr Hebb – unable to attend due to family circumstances

                        Cllr Page – resigned due to personal circumstances

                        District Councillor Alban – due to ill health

                        County Councillor Gardener – attending another Parish Council meeting

118.19             There were no Member’s declaration of Disclosable Interests for items on the Agenda

119.19              Public & Press participation session with respect to items on the Agenda – no press or public were present.

120.19              To confirm and accept minutes of the meeting held on 19th November 2019 Cllr Hill signed – approved by Cllr Hodson and seconded by Cllr Dear

                        Matters arising from those minutes:

                        Vodaphone contract had been renewed by Cllr Hill, Clerk advised there had been a small increase in the monthly direct debit (£31.00 to £32.20), which Cllr Hill will enquire about.

Cllr Hill had written to Anglian Water regarding the frequency of water main leaks in recent years (copy to Environmental Health Dept. of Huntingdonshire District Council) – replies are awaited.

Clerk had reported the water running from the drain in Main Street to Anglian Water, who responded that it was due to recent heavy rainfall.

121.19             COUNCIL ISSUES TO NOTE:

To receive reports from Councillors:

Cllrs Valderas and Hodson had nothing to report.

Cllr Pudney will submit the first draft of the Risk Assessment(s) to the January meeting.

Cllr Dear had a resident complaining about the footpath being blocked (past Chapel End pond, across the field and out onto Mill Road) and had advised the resident to report online (Parish Clerk has already reported online).

                        Cllr Hill had heard that the feasibility study for the Local Highways Initiative bid has been completed, the overall cost to Cambs CC is estimated at £7741,  The Parish Council would be expected to contribute £1000 if the scheme receives approval (the speed awareness sign would be an additional cost to the Parish Council). The Cambs CC technical appraisal rated our bid “green” with an “amber caveat” being applied against the width of the roadside verges for installation of the high visibility “speed gates”; the Parish Council will review the bid and may decide to withdraw the request for high visibility “speed gates” to give our overall bid a higher chance of success.

From Parish Clerk – Section 137 money has increased to £8.32 per elector for 2020-21 financial year.

Clerk had attended the recent Parish Clerk’s Forum as the speaker was a grass/grounds contractor who had some useful hints and tips regarding maintenance of grass.

122.19             FINANCIAL MATTERS:

                        a) to note Barclays Bank statements and letter re. Instant Access accounts

b) to note the Budget control statement (spreadsheet available at meeting) – a full copy of the spreadsheet was made available to Councillors, together with information regarding Parish Council Reserves.

c) PAYMENTS AND ACCOUNTS – to approve and sign cheques in respect of the following:

1)  ***CGM Group – grass cutting on 9th September          £130.97 (21.83 VAT)

(Clerk has queried the invoice – this will not be paid until further research has been carried out to establish why this payment is required).

2) GG Village Hall – support for Games Club                                £50.00 (no VAT)

3) Great Gidding Charity – support for Orchard Project           £200.00  (no VAT)

5) J R Trolove – Clerks working hours for October                    £xxx     (no VAT)

6) HMRC tax in respect of October salary                                £10.60   (no VAT)  

7)  to approve Clerk’s hours worked between 1st and 30th November

8)  Viking supplies – print cartridges + stationery                  £102.95 (20.60 VAT)

123.19             Request received from resident for village to purchase large poppies for display prior to Remembrance Day/or alternative ideas/VE Day event.

                        Clerk has requested information about availability and cost of poppies.  The resident wanted to replicate Sawtry parish example of attaching them to lamp posts – this would require a licence/permission to be obtained for each lamp post (cost not yet known) from Balfour Beatty (the contractor with responsibility for lamp posts.  Clerk suggested that Gidding devise its own style of commemoration, possibly using knitted/handmade poppies, wooden cut-outs placed on the green opposite the shop or on the grass bank outside the Church.  Councillors were asked to come up with ideas for the February meeting.  Cllr Dear suggested, in relation to the VE Commemoration in May 2020 that the village hold an event, possibly on the Recreation Field – this will be discussed again at a future meeting with a view to getting both school and residents involved in the event. Clerk will advise the resident of the ongoing discussions.

124.19             Recreation Ground update –

                        Cllr Pudney had researched grants available through the Mick George Community Fund, with a view to using the grant for the all-weather surface.   The initial step is to obtain any planning permissions that are required for the site and contact will be made with the Planning Department of Huntingdonshire District Council.

                        Cllr Hill had repaired the Tai-Chi disc on the multi-gym as the replacement part had been delivered (free of charge due to unacceptable delay).

                        Bin moved near to container – this will be reviewed in the summer months to see if the bin is being used and/or needs to be moved back to the entrance to the Recreation Field.

Cllr Hodson advised that the hedge is still to be cut but the weather is preventing the contractor accessing the site.

125.19             Grass cutting contract for 2020/21

Proposal to instruct contractor – Cllr Dear proposed that Bradgate be instructed to carry out the grass cutting contract, this was seconded by Cllr Valderas.

126.19             CIL report and return –

                        There has been one CIL payment received in the last 18 months, in respect of the development in Laurel Farm yard.  Clerk will complete and submit the paperwork, advising that the payment will be used to fund improvements to the village road safety infrastructure.

127.19             Clerk’s salary review for 2020/21(in accordance with Financial Regulation 4.4)

4.4. The salary budgets are to be reviewed at least annually in December for the following financial year and such review shall be evidenced by a hard copy schedule signed by the Clerk and the Chairman of Council. The Clerk will inform committees of any changes impacting on their budget requirement for the coming year in good time.

Clerk left the meeting for this discussion and, on return, was advised that her salary will remain the same for 2020/21.

128.19             Correspondence received since 19th November 2019 (other than that discussed in agenda items above).  Correspondence that was available to view at the meeting, included the following:       

  1.  Email from the Fire Authority regarding their Risk Management Plan
  2. Planning Application (received morning of meeting)

Proposal: Demolition of a 9″ thick garden wall and replacement with a close boarded timber fence.
Site Address: Outbuildings Rear Of 80 Main Street Great Gidding

Reference: 19/02422/FUL129.19

Cllr Hodson recommended refusal and the Parish Council to request that the wall be replaced, including the gateway, other Councillors were in agreement.

129.19             Items for decisions at next meeting: 

Speaker or event for Annual Parish Meeting – a recent email had been received regarding First Responders, Clerk enquired if this would be a suitable speaker at the Annual Parish Meeting.  It was agreed that this would not be pursued.  Cllr Dear suggested a visit from the A14 Highways Information Team – Clerk will make enquiries to see what can be offered and report back to a future meeting.      

Risk Assessments        

130.19             Date of next meeting – Tuesday 21st January 2020,

starting at 1930 hours in the Village Hall, Great Gidding      

                        Meeting closed at 20.55

January in Jubilee Wood

As the New Year begins the paths are still very wet underfoot. Surprisingly the rainfall has been about average for the month but the ground is saturated so any additional water is just settling on the surface. We’ve had one or two frosty nights and mornings but generally it’s been very mild for the time of year with bright yellow aconites and white snowdrops providing a taste of Spring around the pathways and hedgerows.

Snowdrops in Jubilee Wood
Snowdrops in the far north eastern hedge of Jubilee Wood

Hedges

This time of year is a great time to look at hedges and some of the secrets they hide away in the summer when in full leaf or flower. We have a relatively newly planted hedge which separates the allotments from the wood itself, but the boundary hedges are much older. The really old hedges or ‘assart’ hedges are formed from the edges of woodland which has been cleared of trees and turned into a field for cultivation. The planted hedges we’re familiar with may well have their origins in the enclosures of the thirteenth and nineteenth centuries, which greatly relied on blackthorn and hawthorn saplings to provide barriers and hedgerows as they grow so quickly. Look closely at established hedges and you will see where maintenance has been done over the years to keep them compact . Pollarding, coppicing and hedgelaying are all traditional techniques, and many hedges are machine cut to make it possible to maintain the miles of hedgerows that criss-cross the country. The new hedge between the allotments and the wood was beautifully laid in February 2017 helping it to grow thicker and last longer as the pleachers  (trees which are partially cut and laid horizontally) throw up new vertical growth.

Newly laid hedge between allotments and wood 2017
Hedge newly laid 2017
Hedge between Allotments and Wood 2020
Hedge in 2020

Hazel

Hazel catkins in the winter sun

The odd occasions when we’ve had beautiful sunny days this month have been a wonderful opportunity to see the golden hazel catkins or ‘lambs tails’ which are the male flowers on the coppiced hazel in the far corner of the wood. Both male and female flowers can be found on hazel and the small fuschia pink female flowers can be clearly identified if you take a close look.The hazel wood is much prized for its bendy stems and used in many traditional crafts such as hedge laying, making wattle, withy fencing, baskets, and the frames of coracle boats.Take a look at the bird hide in the far corner of the wood which Michael made from the hazel coppiced from the Wood and you’ll see how useful and attractive it is. It’s not only humans who like to eat hazel nuts, as they are also eaten by woodpeckers, nuthatches, tits, wood pigeons, jays and small mammals. The leaves of the hazel provide food for the caterpillars of moths, and where it’s coppiced, the open, wildflower-rich habitat supports species of butterfly, particularly fritillaries. Coppiced hazel also provides shelter for ground-nesting birds, such as the nightingale,yellowhammer and willow warbler. Perhaps one day the Jubilee Wood will be home to one or all of them, please add them to the species list if you see them.

Hazel flowers provide early pollen as a food for bees. However, bees find it difficult to collect and can only gather it in small loads, as the pollen of wind-pollinated hazel is not sticky and each grain actually repels against another. A lot of hard work for early and probably hungry bees!

 Detective work

Hazel has also long been associated with the dormouse (also known as the hazel dormouse), but so far there have been no reported sitings of the tell tale holes made in the hazel nuts by dormice, which isn’t surprising as they are quite rare in this part of the UK and  mainly found in Southern England and Wales, so perhaps they haven’t chosen the Jubilee Wood as a home yet….. but it would be wonderful to find traces of them so keep a lookout as you wander around the wood.

Diagram of hazel nuts eaten by different predators
Hazel nut forragers leave behind clues!

The Wood Wanderer

Village Hall Committee – Could You Help?

Village Hall Committee – Could You Help?

Many of you will know that historically the Great Gidding Village Hall has been managed by a separate committee of volunteers who get involved in the day-to-day running of the Hall. 

The Village Hall has been very well supported by the volunteers in the past, but we have been without a Village Hall committee since last August. The Parish Council has been able to manage the Hall in the meantime, and one or two Councillors have been instrumental in helping address the list of maintenance issues and making improvements such as getting the Hall redecorated. 

We are looking for volunteers from within the Community

However, we are a small Parish Council with limited resources and we are looking for volunteers from within the Community who would be willing to help form a new Village Hall Management Committee.  If you would like to get involved, and wish to find out more, please contact Julie Trolove our Parish Clerk on 01832 293068 or email: ggparishcouncil@outlook.com

We believe the Village Hall is an asset for everyone to use,  but we would really appreciate your help to ensure that the it remains a central part of our Community in future!!

Radiance Yoga: Yoga | Meditation | Relaxation

Yoga classes for all levels, including beginners, in Great Gidding (Wednesday 6:30PM and Saturday 9AM) & Sawtry (Monday 6PM and 7:30PM)

Classes with Radiance Yoga are designed to help you ease away the stresses and strains of everyday life, releasing tension from the body, boosting resilience and bringing peace and calm to the heart and mind. 

Listen to your body

Yoga is for every-body, you don’t have to be able to touch your toes or bend like a pretzel! You are encouraged to listen to your body and work at your own pace. Stages are offered for each of the postures, so there is something for complete beginners or more experience yogis. 

Every class finishes with a guided relaxation to help you find some peace and stillness in the busy-ness of your day. 

All equipment is provided and your first class is free as a welcome gift. 

Contact Janice by email at janice@radiance-yoga.co.uk or by phone on 01832 293483 to book or for more information, or visit the website: www.radiance-yoga.co.uk  or https://www.facebook.com/radianceyoga108/