How lovely to be able to meet up with people again’
The village hall looks spectacular’
A great Great Gidding event’
So good to do something normal and Christmassy again’
Those are just a few of the comments made by visitors to our second Christmas Cornucopia in the Village Hall on 27 November.
Despite the weather doing its best to discourage anyone from leaving the warmth of their home, you came in your droves to support the first ‘proper’ event in the village hall since the pandemic put paid to so many plans.
With a wide-ranging array of quality goods and crafts, there was plenty to attract those in search of Christmas gifts for youngster and oldster alike. All the stallholders reported a busy afternoon while the tombola was as popular as ever.
The main hall was, indeed, beautifully arrayed in a festival of lights and greenery, all adding to the festive atmosphere. In the small hall, tea, coffee and cakes were popular and gave people who hadn’t seen each other for some time the chance to sit and chat for a while.
A huge thank you
Such a successful event doesn’t happen by accident and our thanks go to everyone who played a part in making this such an enjoyable afternoon, with lots of smiles and happy faces. So, to the organising and hall decorating teams, the printing and publicity gurus, our brilliant stallholders, the people who so generously donated to the tombola and the raffle hamper and, of course, to everyone who visited and contributed so much to the atmosphere, a huge THANK YOU!
Raffle winner
Many congratulations to Sue Beck. You are the lucky winner of the Christmas Cornucopia Raffle Hamper, with the ticket number 358.
PS: Although everyone complied with Covid recommendations and the hall was kept well-ventilated throughout, we were sorry to hear that some people (both visitors and stallholders) were ‘pinged’ after the event, to advise they had been close to someone who had tested positive. Happily, as far as we know, all those contacted subsequently tested negative for Covid.
Yes… only six days to go to the Gidding Christmas Cornucopia held at the Village Hall in Great Gidding this coming Saturday from 2.00pm to 5.00pm.
A wide variety of crafts and gifts – a great opportunity to start your Christmas shopping!
Why not have a peep at some of the magnificent ‘makers’ who will be exhibiting.
Cakes and coffee
And when you’re tired of shopping, take the weight off and treat yourself to a cuppa and a slice of cake in the Cornucopia Cafe.
Chance to win a Christmassy hamper
You can enter the raffle, too, with the chance to win a fantastic Christmassy hamper or try your luck on the tombola.It promises to be a really fun afternoon, with all Covid restrictions observed of course and the chance to catch up with friends and neighbours in a convivial atmosphere.
Cash only please!
And don’t forget, please bring cash or cheque to make your purchases.
We’re getting very excited as 27 November and Gidding’s Christmas Cornucopia approach. Here’s a peep behind the scenes profiling some of the magnificent ‘makers’ who will be exhibiting.
Gidding Crafts
Sue and Patrick’s creativity knows no bounds and once again you can choose from their beautiful handmade wooden ornaments and greetings cards, all unique.
New for 2021: Sally Day
More usually to be found running the mobile Post Office, Sally will feature a wide range of rural gifts, homeware and cards, along with ace Christmas crackers, all recycled and recyclable, with one tree planed for every box purchased.
Mich and Sue
In 2019, Mich and Sue’s range of beautifully-made fabric bags and brooches were a big hit with Cornucopia visitors. They promise more of the same this year.
New for 2021: Ferndale Crafts
Glatton-based Cheryl specialises in fantastic delicate flower fairies – a must for the tree! Cheryl will also be displaying and selling her woven willow animals, from a tiny hedgehog, suitable for a Christmas stocking, right up to the big stuff! As you arrive at the Village Hall, you’ll see Cheryl’s own ‘Rudolph’ on display outside. She also works to commission.
New for 2021: Maggie Eaton
A newcomer to Great Gidding and to Cornucopia, Maggie is a botanical artist, producing lovely, detailed paintings and greetings cards.
Gidding Den
Many visitors will know Gidding Den, Katie’s shop at the top of Main Street. This year, Katie will be again be bringing a wide range of goods, most of them with an equine flavour, to the Cornucopia
Krystyna & Paul and Sue Jansons
Krystyna and Paul will again be surprising us with a range of cards and handicrafts. The illuminated metal reindeer head was a hit at the 2019 show……wonder what this year’s will be?
Sue’s from dark and dull ‘up North’, but her felt brooches feature colourful woodland characters and playful teddy bears who are completely at home in the Giddings countryside.
New for 2021: Joonis Designs
Lyn brings her own special brand of creativity to the show with lovely wall art, prints and gorgeous doggie beds.
New for 2021: InkyHous
InkyHouse have a lovely range of personalised prints for children’s bedroom, nursery & playroom. Personalised birch bunting, birch flags, birch Christmas decorations, birch key rings/bag tags. Children’s stationery – writing sets & stickers, Christmas & Educational colouring in posters, Christmas postcards and Christmas cards, etc.
New for 2021: Andrew Underwood
Since retiring a year ago, Andrew has been busy in his workshop, producing a selection of upcycled furniture and gifts, such as candle holders, trendy foodboards, chairs and tables, all made from recycled oak, pallets or offcuts. Commissions welcome.
New for 2021: Andrea, Monty and Christina
Providing their own mini Cornucopia, Andrea, Monty and Christina will be selling items as varied as handmade pens, woven ornaments and woollen goods made from llama wool.
Chris Gilbody and Declan Gilbody
On this stall you’ll find some fascinating key rings and decorations, all made by hand. Some great stocking fillers here!
Dick and Chris
Some splendid rural crafts to be seen here, with a range of bird boxes alongside planting sets for the garden-minded. Bird tables and hedgehog houses will also be on show, all made using recycled, eco friendly materials – and all proceeds will go to charity.
New for 2021: Tydd Pottery
This little pottery, tucked away on the Fens, produces beautiful, rustic blue and white ceramics. You’ll find items both large and small, from dinky milk jugs to enormous vases and bowls, in their range. Unusual and unique Christmas presents for all.
Margi
In 2019, Margi’s cosy crocheted neck warmers were a big hit with shoppers. This year, she has added gorgeous crocheted cushions to the range.
Coffee and cake
And when you’re tired of shopping, take the weight off and treat yourself to a cuppa and a slice of cake in the Cornucopia Cafe. You can enter the raffle, too, with the chance to win a fantastic Christmassy hamper or try your luck on the tombola.
Covid restrictions observed
It promises to be a really fun afternoon, with all Covid restrictions observed of course and the chance to catch up with friends and neighbours in a convivial atmosphere.
Cash is best
PS As we have such a poor signal in the Village Hall which makes online transactions hard to do, best bring cash or cheque to make your purchases.
So round up the family and get ready to tick all those presents off your Christmas list on Saturday 27 November from 2.00 to 5.00pm.
Things are hotting up as we get ready for the second Gidding Christmas Cornucopia which promises to live up to its name with a wide and varied range of craftspeople, offering different and unique goods.
There will be gorgeous woven willow animals, cards, ornaments, handmade pens, art, children’s craft, crochet, recycled furniture, hand painted silk scarves, felt brooches, storage bags, equestrian items, socks – everyone loves new socks at Christmas! – bird boxes (to ensure the Christmas robin has somewhere to stay,) and ceramics, almost all made locally.
And when you’re tired of shopping, take the weight off and treat yourself to a cuppa and a slice of cake in the Cornucopia Cafe. You can enter the raffle, too, with the chance to win a fantastic Christmassy hamper or try your luck on the tombola.
Covid restrictions observed
It promises to be a really fun afternoon, with all Covid restrictions observed of course and the chance to catch up with friends and neighbours in a convivial atmosphere.
So round up the family and get ready to tick all those presents off your Christmas list on Saturday 27 November from 2.00 to 5.00pm.
Cash is best
PS As we have such a poor signal in the Village Hall which makes online transactions hard to do, best bring cash or cheque to make your purchases.
As we prepare for next month’s extravaganza, we need help with one of the Gidding Cornucopia’s most popular attractions……the tombola.
If you have a stash of ‘stuff’ that you just don’t know what to do with……unused presents, gadgets, toys, ornaments, etc. etc………why not donate them as tombola prizes?
All you need do is call or email Deni (01832 293240 denidarke27@gmail.com) to arrange drop-off or collection of anything you can spare to swell the number of tombola prizes.
We hope you can help us raise funds in support of village and community causes.
And we hope to see you at the Gidding Christmas Cornucopia on Saturday, 27 November for what promises to be a fun get-together with plenty of Christmas retail opportunities!
There have been requests to repeat the display of poppies on the fence opposite the Fox and Hounds. If you would like to make/craft poppies to add to the display please deliver them to Manor Site Farm/87 Main Street on or before 29th October. Last year many poppies were made from wool, the schoolchildren made a big poppy from their hand prints, others were made from wood, and some from recycled materials – can’t wait to see what is made for this year.
Poppies will appear on the fence between 1st and 11th November.
Sue Shepherd and Mary Read are delighted to announce that last Sunday’s Gidding Garden Party raised the marvellous amount of £400 to give directly to The Green Backyard allotment project in Peterborough.
Sue Shepherd adds “As members of the PCC we were very aware of the Church’s ongoing need to raise money. Despite this we all felt that perhaps this time the Church could reach out and give rather than take and that just maybe we the PCC as representatives of the Church could do something that would be of benefit to our community and at the same time help those much less fortunate that us i.e. the Green backyard.
We were overwhelmed by the generosity of our Great Gidding friends and neighbours. It would be good if future events could continue in this vein of giving and sharing.
Many thanks to everyone who helped by coming along to the event and by contributing cakes, plants, donations, time and effort”.
Come and join our Gidding Community to enjoy a buffet lunch and drinks.
All are welcome at Crown Cottage Gt Gidding on 5th September at 12.45 pm. There will be market stalls selling locally grown plants, produce and homemade cakes.
Donations welcome
We really need your help. Donations of plants, produce or cakes will all be gratefully received.
We will use the proceeds to enable us to put on a really special lunch. Any surplus funds will be donated to The Green Backyard, a community allotment project in Peterborough.
Harvest Service For those who wish to attend, there will be a Harvest Festival service at St Michael’s Church at 11.30am. You are warmly invited by the PCC of St Michael’s Church: Fiona, John, Michael, Mary and Sue.
UPDATE from Michael Keck following lockdown announcement:
You will have seen the Act of Remembrance for Remembrance Sunday next week advertised in St Michael’s Church. Sadly, events have now overtaken us, and this service can no longer take place. However, whilst congregational worship is not permitted, private prayer is still allowed. St Michael’s will continue to be open for private prayer as previously, that is:
Thursday 9.30am – 1pm
Sunday 1pm – 4pm
Sunday opening has been shortened by an hour due to the earlier hour of darkness.
People in this community will be remembering those who have died or been wounded in war and praying for peace. You’re invited to join us by saying a prayer on this special Remembrance Day.
