Meet up with old and new friends whilst enjoying a chat and monthly activity.
When: STARTING 10TH NOVEMBER
Time: 10.00am – 11.30am
Where: Great Gidding Village Hall
No need to book, just turn up. See you there.
Please contact Susan Bate or Kathy Bowles on 01480 423085 or email kathy.b@care-network.org.uk
Mr Robert Dalgliesh – Chief Agent to the Fitzwilliam Estate – began by describing the history and extent of the Fitzwilliam Estate and later concentrated on that part based upon Milton Hall and the Milton Estates near Peterborough.
He finally zoomed in upon the Fitzwilliam history and interests in Great Gidding, and some of the slides that he used to illustrate the latter part of his talk are shown below.
Mr Dalgliesh also brought some very interesting historical documents, maps and charts from the Milton Hall archive, including the Deed dated 1827 whereby Great Gidding was part of a sale of property by the Watsons of Rockingham Castle to the Fitzwilliam Estate. Also included were maps and associated lists from 1869 and 1889 showing the occupiers and owners of the village property which warrant further study.
During the second part of the evening Patrick Ellis, who has been researching the history of Great Gidding for more than 15 years, described two results of this research :
Firstly the history of how the village was laid out and organised and the duties of the village officials was included in a book jointly compiled with David Shepherd entitled A Millennium History of Great Gidding. This was first published in 2001 and reprinted last year.
A Millennium History of Great Gidding (left) and More Great Gidding History (right)
Secondly a new book, concentrating on the people who lived in the village and answering the question “Who lived Where ?”. This new book is called More Great Gidding History and also includes a number of photos, and especially some aerial photos and maps which have come to light since the first book was compiled.
Both the reprint of the 2001 book and the New Book may be obtained from the Village Stores.
Patrick Ellis. October 2015
The weather was certainly ‘autumnal’ as members of the committee got the hall ready for the annual village show but fears that it would affect the entry numbers were soon allayed as a steady trickle of people arrived (culminating in the inevitable rush just before midday) with their vegetables, fruit and baking. It was wonderful to see and we were particularly pleased that we had so many children’s entries this year, with wonderful creations made from junk as well as weird and creative animals made from vegetables…
Considering how difficult a growing year it’s been [yes, I know, gardeners always say that] the entries were prolific and of a really high standard. As always, the bakers excelled themselves and the judges were very impressed by the entries in the new class sponsored by the Fox and Hounds pub who kindly donated a meal for two as a prize. The tables were a riot of colour and shapes, strange shapes in the case of the’ biggest growing disaster’! Flowers, vegetables and fruit were the perfect decoration for our village hall and to complement the traditional inside, we had some modern attractions outside including delicious pulled pork rolls, a bouncy castle and face painting.
The wonderful smell of the pork cooking all morning had been torturing several members of the committee for hours but it was worth it as they tucked in once the awards had been given out to the successful entrants. The vegetarians amongst us really appreciated the delicious veggie option which was so full of flavour that we nearly felt sorry for the meat eaters!
We were very grateful for the generous response we had to both the brown envelope auction and the silent auction for the fascinating and colourful whirligig weathervane which was expertly made and donated by Bruce Jordan.
Thank you to everyone who participated and those who just came along on the day, it was such a great community event and lovely to see so many people having the chance to catch up with each other. We hope to see you again next year.
Overall winner: Tilly Warren
Vegetable cup: Michael Mc Arthur
Baking cup: Brenda Williams
Craft cup: Carol Warren
Children’s cup: Tilly Warren
Flower cup: Sue Shepherd
Fox and Hounds voucher for best chicken pie: Tilly Warren
The Village Show Committee – 7th September 2015
Mark the date in your diaries for this year’s Village Show! Lots of categories for everyone to enter. Download the ‘Village Show Schedule 2015’ for full details by clicking on the following link:
For those of you who might have missed it here’s some photos of today’s partial solar eclipse.
Partial solar eclipse at 9.22am
Partial solar eclipse at 9.25am
Partial solar eclipse at 9.31am
Partial solar eclipse at 9.35am
Gidding saw a partial eclipse with an obscuration of 86.06% and the total duration was from 8.26am to 10.42am.
If anyones got other/better photos of the eclipse please send them over to paulcrank@thegiddings.org.uk and we’ll add them to the site.
With a lyrical Greek dancing display by Deni, Mary & choreographer Jan, and music throughout the evening played by the jolly Palmerston Ukelele Band, the taverna, beautifully decorated by Margi, jumped and zorbassed late into the night.
Great Gidding Village Hall decorated for Greek Night by Margi Comeau and helpers
Enjoyed Andrew’s Greek Night Moussaka? Learn his secrets…
Downloaded from Leicestershire Police’s site, these posters have been designed to show if you wish to participate in Halloween night ‘trick or treating’. The idea is that residents can download which poster they want, print it out and pop it in their window.
Download ‘Trick or treaters welcome’ poster
Location: Great Gidding Village Hall
Saturday 25th October from 7.45pm at Stavros’ Taverna in the Village Hall
Musical entertainment, Greek Dancing (like Dad Dancing but prettier), even a bit of plate smashing!
Dress Code: Think Abba, Mamma Mia! (Summer holiday gear or trad Greek).
Prize for the best
(includes 3-course meal and half bottle of wine)
Bookings via the Village Shop – 01832 293 260
(please advise vegetarian requirements when booking)
Book early – Places limited – first come first served
Start Time: 19:45
Date: 2014-10-25
This Saturday, new material,new maps, new documents.
History Day takes place between 11am and 5pm on Saturday 18th October, in the Village Hall. There will be a display of photographs and documents showing Who Lived Where, in addition we have researched those villagers who served in World War 1, and this will be accompanied by work from the schoolchildren on World War 2. We will have a series of village maps and aerial photographs on view.
Also an archaeologist will be digging a test pit (or 2) on the day and continuing into the Sunday too – he is wanting people who will join him in excavating the test pit and cleaning and cataloging the finds. Most important – we want people to bring along photographs and documents, and memories, of the Giddings. Entry is FREE (donations to the History Group would be most welcome). Refreshments will be available.
18th October 2014
The 2014 Village History day will be an update on what has been discovered since the last Open Day ( 3 years ago ) In addition we would like to meet people who have had connections to the village in the past and to see photographs / documents that have been unearthed from cupboards.
The Gidding History Group is looking for a World War 1 enthusiast, someone to research the impact on the Giddings and those involved in the conflict.
We will display the findings at the Village History Day
This is a north easterly view along Main Street. Outwardly nothing has changed. The steps are the same but different now. The distant cottage has been demolished and has just been rebuilt in 2013/14 in the interim it was a pony paddock and riding school.
Find out more about past residents of the village
We have researched those villagers who served in World War I, but would be interested to learn more. We also want to hear more about your memories of World War II.
A local archaeologist will join us – have you found something interesting in your garden, if so bring it along.
In fact please bring any documents and photographs you have relating to Great, Little and Steeple Gidding
Entry is free ( but a donation to Great Gidding History Group would be most welcome)
Drink and biscuits will be available throughout the day
