An excellent turnout for the annual trim and tidy of the pathways and hedges around the Jubilee Wood. Another is planned for next week, 30th January from 9.30 am.
The first cycling Tour Of Cambridgeshire took place in June 2015 The route on public roads that were closed specifically for the race to happen. Around 5000 cyclists were reported to have signed up to take part. So on a stunningly glorious day we watched and waited to see what 5000 cyclists looked like speeding through the village. What a spectacle apart from the heads down first few hundred who were on a mission to win the great mass of riders responded in kind to the roadside cheering and reserved clapping that Brits do so well. It was a grand spectacle and is to be repeated in 2016 on the same route. A Gran Fondo is a cycling event on closed roads for mass participation.
It should be noted that there were a few grumbles and the notification process before hand could have been more robust. The idea of the roads closed for 12 hours was a nonsense and should never have been allowed to be displayed, despite rectification the die had been cast. Hopefully the organisers will take this on board and make bigger efforts to contact affected buisnesses on route and make it clear that nobody is trapped in their homes.
The plus side of all this is Gidding is on the map and not some backwater beyond Sawtry and Stilton. It provided grand entertaiment on the roadside at no cost and no doubt charities were the biggest winners.
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Mr Dalgliesh also brought some very interesting historical documents, maps and charts from the Milton Hall archive, including the Deed dated 1827 whereby Great Gidding was part of a sale of property by the Watsons of Rockingham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
Title: Car Boot Sale
Location: Recreation Field Great Gidding
Description: Free Admission
Sellers £5 Per Car – Book In Advance
Contact Shirley On 07913 826583
Email: shirleybranson60@yahoo.co.uk
Refreshments/Raffle
Helping To Raise Funds For Great Gidding Village Hall
Start Time: 08:30
Date: 2015-09-12
End Time: 12:00 noon
A glorious afternoon meant a huge turnout. There were lots of people and, it seemed, even more dogs, all (especially the owners) hoping for canine glory in the exhibition ring.
There were plenty of fun classes for them to enter, with awards for ‘Most Handsome Dog’, ‘Best Veteran’, ‘Best Puppy’, ‘Dog the Judges would most like to take home’, ‘Best Child Dog Handler’, ‘Most Appealing Eyes’ (dogs’ not their owners!), ‘Waggiest Tail’ and others.
All classes were very well subscribed, with people travelling from near and far to take part and the competition was keen as Judges Cherie Roughton and Sue Shepherd surveyed entrants with a keen and professional (but diplomatic) eye!
Perhaps the most keenly fought class of all was the last ‘The Dog most closely resembling its Owner’. Although there was stiff competition from David Woodley with Cleo and Andrew Underwood with Lenny (who really doesn’t usually wear glasses), there was really no contest as Les Floyd and Nike won the day, walking off with the Lookalike Laurels.
With a doggy agility course, and teas, plants and tombola for their humans, it was a lovely village event, with lots of chat, laughter and Woofs!
So many people, too many to mention, to thank for such a splendid afternoon but particular thanks must go to Amanda and Ian Williams for throwing open their garden to host what must surely become an annual event.
Report by Deni Underwood
RESULTS OF GREAT GIDDING FUN DOG SHOW, AUGUST 8TH 2015
PRETTIEST BITCH
1ST PLACE Rosie (Sam Williams)
2ND PLACE Bronte (Mich Woodley)
3RD PLACE Poppy (Sue Jarvis)
4th PLACE Olive (Jane Cotton)
MOST HANDSOME DOG
1ST PLACE Giles (Norman Grundy)
2ND PLACE Bertie (Lucy Chapman)
3RD PLACE Lenny (Deni Underwood)
4th PLACE Alfie H (Jill Hall)
BEST PUPPY
1ST PLACE Dutch (Jessica Beckerton)
2ND PLACE Timber (Thomas Jackson)
3RD PLACE Barney (Faith & Harvey Grant)
4th PLACE Max (Sian Jones)
BEST VETERAN
1ST PLACE Nike ( Barbara Floyd)
2ND PLACE Pepper (Mich Woodley)
3RD PLACE Alfie (Lydia James)
4th PLACE Florence (James Killick)
DOG WITH THE WAGGIEST TAIL
1ST PLACE Togo (Louise Cattell)
2ND PLACE Piper (Jenny Thory)
3RD PLACE Lily (Thomas Jackson)
4th PLACE Rosie (Sam Williams)
DOG THE JUDGE WOULD MOST LIKE TO TAKE HOME
1ST PLACE Togo (Louise Cattell)
2ND PLACE Giles (Norman Grundy)
3RD PLACE Poppy (Sue Jarvis)
4th PLACE Lenny (Andrew Underwood)
THE MOST APPEALING EYES
1ST PLACE Rosie (Sam Williams)
2ND PLACE Max (Olive Fowler)
3RD PLACE Poppy (Sue Jarvis)
4th PLACE Minnie (Deni Underwood)
BEST CHILD HANDLER
1ST PLACE Minnie (Johnny Jackson)
2ND PLACE Teal ( Georgia Killick)
3RD PLACE Lenny (Jake Jackson)
4th PLACE Florence (James Killick)
DOG MOST LIKE OWNER
1ST PLACE Nike (Barbara Floyd)
2ND PLACE Tess (Ruth)
3RD PLACE Lenny (Andrew Underwood)
4th PLACE Pepper (David Woodley)
BEST DOG NOT TO HAVE ONE IN ANY CLASS
1ST PLACE Dusk (Lila Pennant)
2ND PLACE Jazz (Katie Marston)
3RD PLACE Maude (Anna & Charlotte)
4th PLACE Biscuits (Thomas Jackson)
The A4 book – ‘More Great Gidding History’ – is printed in two parts and is completely new information that has been discovered since the publication of the first Great Gidding History book in 2001 (recently re-printed). Whereas the original book was mostly about the village and how it operated this new book is mostly about the people and where they lived.
Part 1 contains 100 pages discussing new discoveries from research during the past 15 years and histories of some of the principal properties and families in the village.
Part 2 with 110 pages is more of a reference book and contains maps, aerial photos and detailed descriptions of some 60 properties and their occupiers from 1640 onwards plus indexes totalling some 400 different family names.
The book is supported by The Earl Fitzwilliam Charitable Trust and its formal launch will be at an evening event at 7.15 pm on Wednesday September 30th in Great Gidding Village Hall.
The main speaker will be Mr Robert Dalgliesh – Chief Agent to the Fitzwilliam Estate. The title of his talk will be “Milton Estate – past and present”.
The new book will then be introduced by its author Patrick Ellis and wine, cordials and light refreshment will be provided for purchase in the Village Hall.
‘More Great Gidding History’ – printed in two parts
For those who were unable to visit the History Day last October, there will be a small display of some of the historical photos he has gathered over the years.
10 show categories to enter, each one an opportunity to highlight the uniqueness of your family pet. Judged by a well known local dog specialist.
The event also includes:
Location: “Mill Meadow” Chapel End, Great Gidding, PE28 5NP (Ian and Amanda’s).
Description: Free Entry to the Event
Date: 2015-08-08
Start Time: 14:00
End Time: 16:00
Paul, who runs Catalyst Video Services based in Great Gidding, spent the evening of July 23rd videoing the rapeseed harvest on Michael Trolove’s farm.
Thanks to Michael and to Kieran.
Cambridgeshire Police are currently seeking to recruit an enthusiastic, self-motivated individual to help manage the Police messaging system, E-cops. Your main duties would be to support the Police Watch Schemes Coordinator (PWSC) with the management and administration of this system. You will be required to liaise with Police staff, NHW (Neighbourhood Watch) and its members which will require occasional attendance at promotional events. As part of your role you will also assist and support the PWSC with the training delivery of E-cops.
The suitable candidate will have the following key skills:
· A good understanding of IT including social media.
· Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
· You will be a professional team player with the ability to work on your own initiative.
· Excellent eye for detail.
· A car owner, which would be desirable.
Applicants are invited from all backgrounds to join our Police family.
Interviews will be held on the 4th and 5th August.
Amelia and Sue are currently cycling from John O’Groats to Lands End.
They started the 1,000 mile journey on Friday, and anyone watching the golf will know just what terrible weather they have had to endure so far, but they are pressing on regardless, without a support vehicle. (they declined Andy’s offer)
Sue has meticulously planed the route and their accommodation, and they will average about 75 miles each day, finishing on Thursday the 30th of July.
They were planning to do it just for fun, but have now decided that they could also raise funds for good cause. If you would like to show your support, for their efforts then please donate via their just giving sites
https://www.justgiving.com/Amelia-Hodson
https://www.justgiving.com/SueLocke/