An open invitation to Parishioners to attend a presentation by BT concerning the issues of rural broadband supply to Great Gidding. The meeting is set for Friday22nd June starting at 7pm at the Village Hall.
If you have a question to ask but cant make the meeting please forward it to giddingspc1@btinternet.com
For the Queens Jubilee the Parish Council had applied for a Fields in Trust grant to safeguard the village recreation ground.
So all of the legal paperwork has been done (for free) and now the recreation field can officially be called a Queen Elizabeth II Field (www.qe2fields.com).
As part of the celebration The Parish Council have replaced the chain link fence at the front, and there will also be a metal plaque that will be put at the entrance.
Fields in Trust is about encouraging young people to get fit and enjoy the outdoors by protecting the precious spaces available for outdoor activity and to ensure future generations can benefit too.
See www.fieldsintrust.org/ for more information.
After a very wet Sunday (see Michael’s Jubilee Wood report) we were all glad to see a glimmer of blue sky for the Diamond Jubilee Big Lunch and village rounders match on the Recreation Field.
With a marquee to shelter from the predicted showers the villagers tucked into their picnics, washed down with FREE beer (a very nice Nene Valley Brewery ale) and wine from the bar.
No sooner had we finished our first courses then the rounders match began. With two teams – oldies v young ‘uns – there was a wide range of ages (and batting styles) evident and much cheering. In between rounds (and showers) the wellie chucking event took place further along the field, with some spectacular throws and some near misses!
The event was rounded off with a prize giving ceremony most of which seemed to go to the young ‘uns!
Another reason to celebrate this weekend was the confirmation that the Great Gidding Recreation Field was now under the ‘Fields in Trust’ scheme which means that the facility is protected for future generations and can no longer be sold for development. More about the ‘Fields in Trust’ project.
Thanks to Michael and Julie Trolove (and many others) for organising the event, installing the marquee, arranging parking, sorting the drinks and the hundred other things that no doubt needed doing that made the event such a success.
A few more photos of the Diamond Jubilee Dinner Dance kindly supplied by Michelle Woodley.
It seemed a good idea at the time, a coffee morning in the Jubilee Wood with a special tree to be planted in recognition of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebration. Oh how it rained, the ground waterlogged, the long grass sopping wet but we are made of stern stuff in the Giddings and we didn’t let a major weather event dampen our fortitude (42mm of rain over Saturday night and all day Sunday)
To help us celebrate, our special guest Mr Neil McKittrick, a deputy Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire planted a tree, a Cratageus Prunifolia. This is an attractive Hawthorn that has good autumn colours and long lasting red berries that the birds will enjoy. The tree will remind all those who attended of the atrocious conditions and the absurdity of drinking coffee in the temporary visitor centre.
A special thank you to Tony and Pat Scott for the suggestion of the tree and the link to our special guest. We know that Tony is not enjoying the best of health at the moment so we we wish him well for the future.
Thanks to all who supported the event and Rachel for coping with the coffee duties in trying conditions.
This will be the 9th annual Summer Picnic. Although the wood was suggested in 2002 planting took place the following spring and the first picnic was held in June of 2003. It has often been cold , wet and miserable but only once have the conditions been so unfavourable to not even venture to the wood.
This year the European Monsoon as its known is again spoiling early summer but we will press on and hold this much loved event.
The picnic will be enhanced this year by a few extra goodies on offer.
A folder has been created to list and inform visitors about some of the trees and wild flowers that you can expect to see.
Activity packs for youngsters with a woodland theme.
Weather permitting we will be studying moths either trapped previously or seen live with a moth expert.
Competitions for young and old, prizes to be won!
Her Majesty invites you to play Rounders at the ‘Big Lunch’ on Monday 4th June at 2.30pm.
Teams: Youth versus Oldies (You decide which you are)!
Venue: Recreation Field
We invite you to join us on June 2nd from 7.00pm onwards to mark, in true Gidding style, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
A professional swing band will provide a taste of 1950s nostalgia and glamour, and with the company of good friends you can enjoy delicious food as well as excellent wine and beer, so what could be better?
We hope you will be able to help make this a very special night and join us at the exclusive Great Gidding Village Hall!
Dress code – posh frocks and best bib and tucker [head scarves optional]
Contribution – £15 per head including hog roast and cocktail on arrival
To reserve your tickets for family and friends please contact Sue Shepherd, phone: 01832 293479 or email: shepnsue@btinternet.com
Tickets on sale from April 28th but numbers have to be limited so please book early.
See you there
Sue Jarvis & Sue Shepherd
This one comes courtesy of the Woodland Trust.
1,000 ideas and activities to get kids exploring woods, trees and wildlife. Download for FREE or join our innovative CLUB for families, schools and groups
http://www.naturedetectives.org.uk/
A new fence has been installed by the main entrance of the Recreation Field.
A tired wire link fence has been replaced by a smart wooden post and rail fence along with remedial work to the gate posts. Look out for another special addition on The Big Jubilee Lunch day which is the 4th of June 2012.
