The PCC of Great Gidding is proposing to replace the outer doors to the south porch of St. Michael’s Church with new glazed doors of similar design. To do this we need to obtain a faculty (i.e. permission) from the Diocese of Ely. A condition for granting a faculty is that the PCC has consulted parishioners on the proposal. Hence this note.
If you wish to object
If you wish to object to any of the works or proposals you should write stating the grounds of your objection to:
The Diocesan Registrar, The Bishop of Ely’s Registry, 1 The Sanctuary, Westminster, London, SW1P 3JT;
so that it reaches the Registrar no later than: 10th February 2022
A letter of objection must include your name and address and state whether you live in the parish and/or your name is entered on the church electoral roll of the parish or any other basis on which you have an interest in the matter.
For further information
If you require any further information please contact John De Val on johnedeval@hotmail.com
St Michael’s Church is now closed until further notice.
This is to enable large scale restoration work to take place at the east end of the north aisle. It is anticipated that this work will last until early March. Access to the church will be for authorized personnel only. The scale of the work does not permit us to set aside a limited space in the church for private prayer and quiet.
Little Gidding Church open
However, please note that St John’s Church, Little Gidding is open seven days a week between the hours of 10am and 4pm.
Services in the Baptist Church
The Baptist Church has very kindly offered the use of their building during this period. Therefore on Sunday 16th January, there will be a service of Evensong in the chapel, taken by our churchwarden John De Val and starting at 4pm.
Enquiries
If you have any enquiries regarding the closure or services, please contact John De Val, telephone number: 01832 293417
The First Communion of Christmas takes place, on Christmas Eve, in St Michael’s Church, starting at 9pm. The seating at this service will be ‘socially distanced’. Again, we seek your support in asking that you keep your masks in place when singing carols during this service.
The following day, Christmas Day, there is a service of Holy Communion at Hamerton Church, starting at 9.30am Finally, a very happy Christmas to everyone.
Our thanks to those people who decorated St Michael’s Church. This was very much a case of people ‘doing their own thing’ and results were stunning. Thank you so much.
Main Street in Great Gidding was temporarily blocked off on Tuesday 21st December 2021 whilst the newly refurbished school bell tower was lifted into place prior to refitting.
Sadly, it has been decided to CANCEL the Family Carol Service in St Michael’s Church, scheduled for this Saturday 18th December.
The decision was not taken lightly, but inevitable in the light of rapidly increasing COVID infections. We hope you understand the difficulty in making that decision but being safe came out as the top priority for our community.
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.
Why not send a Christmas card of the Giddings this year?
Giddings Christmas cards are now on sale in the Village Shop and include three beautiful aerial views of the Giddings in winter, four of St Michael’s Church beautiful stained glass windows, five magical scenes of Great Gidding in the snow and three warm and glowing Giddings church interiors.
There are 4 different sets of cards:
Aerial views of the Giddings (3 different cards)
Great Gidding in the snow (5 different cards)
St Michael’s stained glass windows (4 different cards)
Giddings church interiors (3 different cards)
Local Christmas cards – views of our beautiful villages 🙂
Sold as packs or as individual cards. Beautifully printed and gloss laminated, quality cards with envelopes. Blank inside.
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.
There will be an Act of Remembrance in St Michael’s Church this coming Sunday 14th November. The service will start at 10.45 am.
Everyone is very welcome, but we would seek your assistance in maintaining COVID 19 safety guidedance. We would request you to, please, wear your face covering whilst in church, and especially when singing. We would also seek your help in respecting social distancing. There is hand sanitizer in the church porch. Thank you.
