Les Goodwin

Les Goodwin

As many people already know, Les died suddenly at the beginning of January, at home here in Gidding, where he had lived for almost all his life.

His funeral will take place at Peterborough Crematorium on Wednesday, 7 February, at 2.00pm.

All are welcome at the service and at the gathering afterwards to celebrate Les’s life (venue to be confirmed).

We would love to hear any personal memories you may have of Les to help us create an appropriate Tribute to him and give him the farewell he deserves.

You can contact either:
Deni Underwood 01832 293240 or
Steve Smith on 01832 293196.

Community in action

Community in action

Those of you who relish the idea of the community doing its “bit” will be heartened to learn that over three weekends in the last few weeks various community tasks have been undertaken to address seasonal growth and get the playing field back into shape.

First up the Gidding Gobblers minus the lycra set about the Village Hall car park boundary. The usual – hawthorn and bramble were cut back to expose the perimeter fence and the road boundary hedge. Maintenance to the fences was also undertaken.

The following weekend the front boundary hedge of the Jubilee Wood which was so skilfully laid last winter was trimmed up along with some strimming to the pond and barrows.

The weekend after a small team assembled at the Recreation Field to reinstate the goal crossbar (previously taken into storage because of theft and /or vandalism) Another task undertaken was to dig some sockets into the field for the junior goals to be reinstated. These will go up early in the new year and they are much closer to the field entrance rather than pushed over to the far end of the field.

Users of the trim trail will no doubt be aware that because of rot in the timbers some of the units are starting to disappear. The Recreation field management are keeping a close eye on this but do not despair, plans are bubbling under for a touch of renovation/replacement but it will require the community to engage.

Thanks to all who gave up their Saturday mornings to help. If you missed out then I’m sure  there will be other opportunities in 2018

 

 

 

their Saturday mornings to help. If you missed out then I’m sure  there will be other opportunities in 2018

Jubilee Wood winter maintenance

Jubilee Wood winter maintenance

The Jubilee Wood continues to thrive, visitor numbers seem good and the only way I can tell this is by the path trails seem to be well trodden. Its been a strange growing year in so much as midway through July it looked like that was it as far as grass cutting and trimming was concerned. Very dry conditions and then the almighty thunderstorm that dropped 47mm of rain in a very short time span and then rain on and off until now has seen terrific growth of all plant life.

A brisk walk round this morning 8/10 sees autumn colours starting to appear particularly Viburnums and  Field Maples. The pond is gin clear and has hosted a good number of newts, crested and common and all the other small creatures that thrive in water and also a few four legged canine types.

Some dates to enter into your electronic diaries before this post drops off the main page. I suggest the 2/12/2017 and a follow up on the 9/12/2017 to trim and maintain elements of the Jubilee Wood. Clippers, loppers, strimmers, trimmers, saws, wheel barrows and any other garden maintenance equipment. As a bit of an inducement, refreshments .

 

 

 

 

Service of Remembrance

Service of Remembrance

This year our Service of Remembrance at St Michael’s Church on Sunday 12th November takes place in the late afternoon at 5pm. The Sawtry Branch of the British Legion will be in attendance, and the service will be taken by Revd Mandy Flaherty. Before the service, the restored Roles of Honour will be re-dedicated. These were subject to water damage as a result of the lead theft from the roof.

 

There will be no morning service.

Recent aerial views of Great Gidding.

Recent aerial views of Great Gidding.

A few aerial views of St Michael’s Church and Main Street in Great Gidding taken on one of the few still days in October 2017.

Gidding Gobblers Café – Summer 2017

Gidding Gobblers Café - Summer 2017

What a great summer it’s been!

It only seems like yesterday that Krystyna and Julie had the idea of opening a summer ‘pop-up’ café for cyclists and the local community in the village hall. And what a success Gidding Gobblers Café has been – a great opportunity for villagers to meet up with friends and neighbours and have a chat over coffee, cake and Sunday papers. Our visiting cyclists have given glowing reports on the Gidding Gobblers Facebook page and not only cyclists…walkers, visitors in vintage cars and even vintage tractor drivers have dropped in!

Last Sunday of the season

Four months on and only one weekend left before Gidding Gobblers Café closes up for the season so we thought we’d post some photos of the café and our visitors and say a big ‘thank you’ to those who supported the café.

Well, not quite the last of this year…

Watch out for our special Winter openings though – first one will be Sunday, December 3rd 2017. More details to follow nearer the time.

Don’t forget to like us on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/giddinggobblers/ to keep updated on our Winter opening times.

Gidding Gobblers Café

Gidding Gobblers Cafe flyer
Gidding Gobblers Café

Krystyna and Julie serving in the Gidding Gobblers CaféKrystyna and Julie

THANK YOU!

And here’s a few more photos taken between July and October…

Are your apple trees laden with fruit!

Are your apple trees laden with fruit!

As the summer seems to have gone on its own holiday we had better consider the autumn harvest of fruit and specifically apples. Last year the community apple juicer and press was put to good use creating home pressed apple juice and at least one demijohn of quite acceptable cider.  If you are a village resident then you can borrow the kit for free. To be honest the whole process works better if you can team up and process bucket loads of apples as a group. Slicers, pressers, pourer’s. There’s a task for all the family.

The internet is full of guidance but the savvy householder will know that cleanliness is the watchword in any food processing. Don’t be put off, the taste of home pressed apple juice is worth the effort and if your a little more patient then home made cider/scrumpy is deliriously better than a shop bought fizz.

To borrow the community apple pressing kit please speak to Michael Trolove.

A screenshot from the community apple pressing from last year.