Polio and the ‘Purple Pinky’ and crocuses in front of the church

By on March 3, 2012   /   Community, Home page latest news, News stories and reports   /   Leave a comment
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Polio is a terrible crippling disease.  It was once the major cause of disability.  Before 1988 there were over 350,000 cases reported per year worldwide.  Now it is down to about a 1,000 cases per year.  India use to have more cases than anywhere else.  Now it has reported only one single case in the last 18 months. 

Polio charity crocuses outside St Michael's Church Great Gidding

This is down to 25 years of hard work on the part of Rotary International and other agencies.  For years the programme has depended on charitable giving and the precious time of individuals prepared to go out and help, at their own expense, in vaccination clinics.  At last we are on the brink.  One final push is needed to get rid of this dreadful disease once and for all.  If we don’t make that effort now and leave off it will come back.  That final effort will cost money.  Bill Gates has generously contributed $355 million but there is still a need to raise a further $200 million world wide to see it through.

During national immunisation days in India, as many as 65 million children are immunised. Volunteers hold these days every six weeks, visiting remote villages and slum areas to deliver the life-saving vaccine. Although polio is nearly wiped out, work has to continue through this next generation of children to be sure to eradicate the disease for good.  Booths are set up in major cities, attracting school children and families, who will travel for miles to protect their children.  After vaccination each child has a finger dipped in purple dye for control purposes.

In order to bring your attention to the vaccination programme purple crocuses have been planted all over the UK.  It is hoped that the 500 bulbs planted in front of the church last autumn will eventually multiply to make a magnificent springtime display.  When you look at them please think about all the children walking around with purple “pinkies” who will now have a better chance in life.  It will be wonderful when the day comes when no one else will ever have to suffer from polio.  This can be a real success story!  Will you please help?

Donations to the “Rotary Club of Kimbolton Castle” can be handed to Tony Scott, 15 Mill Road, Great Gidding or to Jed and Aruna at the village shop.

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New couple at Great Gidding Baptist Church

By on March 1, 2012   /   Baptist Church, Home page latest news   /   Leave a comment
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New couple at Great Gidding Baptist Church

Welcome to Pete and Penny Bourne

“If you see us working at the Manse please stop and introduce yourself to us. We are hoping to hold our first service Easter Sunday 3pm please come and join with us”

Pete Bourne

For the time being the contact details are as follows
Pete and Penny Bourne
Phone 01480432207
Penny’s Email penny.bourne@sky.com
Pete’s Email bourneagain58@yahoo.co.uk

Read more about the Great Gidding Baptist Church

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Bateman’s, Hook Norton and Fullers beer and Skittle’s night.

By on February 11, 2012   /   Home page latest news, News stories and reports   /   Leave a comment
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Bateman's, Hook Norton and Fullers beer and Skittle's night.

It’s the bleak mid winter, snow lying deep and crisp and even. Well you get the picture, so thank you to those who braved the cold for the February B & S night.

As usual it was with great interest to see what the various offering would be and how many bottles of the same beer would be set on the bar and as usual in that magical Gidding way none were duplicated.

A great range of beers
Fullers topped the evening but only one London Pride which is their main beer. London Porter and Chiswick Bitter along with ESB were sampled. A bottle of Golden Pride 8% has been held over for the next event. Hooky Gold and Hooky Bitter along with the Xmas 12 Days were offered from the Hook Norton Steam Brewery. Bateman’s ales were far more elusive with a bottle of Victory Ale. Somehow we acquired a good selection from the Sole Bay Brewery at Southwold. Any Adnams beer is welcomed so thanks for those. Because of the low numbers attending this time, several bottles have been put in the cellar for next time.

A talented newbie and a new top score record.
A robust couple of rounds of skittles were played and Newbie to the evening Mr Steven Garner showed us a thing or two about how to play skittles and was the overall winner of the evening and walked off with the Ale’d and Aimless trophy.

Mr Adam Titmuss almost demolished the skittle table with some power throwing and achieved an evening top score of 14.

The muppet award again fell into the hands of the event organiser for a dreadful first round score of 3 after showing so much promise in the warm up.

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Review of Christingle service 2011

By on January 10, 2012   /   Home page latest news, News stories and reports   /   Leave a comment
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Our Christingle service in December was a great success – lots of children came along to the Christingle-making session at the school beforehand, and then Mary welcomed us at the gate through to the churchyard and we all went up to the service.

Led by Mary, the service was fun (complete with captivating Canadian wolf story and plenty of howling…!) and thought-provoking at the same time, and when the children stood at the front of the church with their lit Christingles it really did look magical.

It was lovely to see so many people there, and great to see some new faces. Thank you all for coming, and hope to see you next year!

Christingle service, Saturday 10th December 2011

Christingle service, 10th December 2011

Amanda Williams – Jan 2012

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ArrestaPest

By on December 1, 2011   /   Local businesses   /   Leave a comment
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ArrestaPest, Great Gidding

ArrestaPest (Gidding) Limited is a small family company which previously traded as ArrestaPest (a partnership). Founded by Chris and later jointly run with Ian the business has been trading since Febuary 1988.

Both Ian and Alex are fully trained and certified through the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) in all aspects of pest control, including, fumigation.

We are proud to offer a friendly and personal service to all of our clients whether householders or buisnesses.

We service the following areas: Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, South Lincolnshire, Rutland, Bedfordshire, Peterborough and Huntingdon areas including Corby, Oundle, Kimbolton, Ramsey, St. Ives, St. Neots, Sawtry, Stamford, Thrapston, The Giddings, Whittlesey and Wellingborough.

We offer treatments for all pest species (mammals, insects, birds), including sales and service of UV Fly Machines (EFK) and we specialise in all aspects of grain care.

ARRESTaPEST (Gidding) Limited
70 Main Street, Great Gidding, Huntingdon PE28 5NU

Tel: 01832 293 463
Email ArrestaPest
Web: arrestapestgidding.co.uk

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Great Gidding Historical Information CDs available

By on November 30, 2011   /   Giddings history   /   Leave a comment
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Great Gidding Historical Information CDs available

In February 2002 Patrick Ellis received an Award from the Goodliff Fund to store the data and the photos he had collected whilst putting together the Millennium History of Great Gidding, together with many more photos and a lot more information that couldn’t be included in the book.

This has resulted in three CDs now available.

CD1 is a Data CD containing information from the Parish Register (Baptisms, Marriages and Burials), Censuses, Wills, Churchyard gravestone inscriptions and other parish records. More info.

CD2 is a Photo CD which includes the photos collected, both for the history book and since and also photos taken recently (since 1997) of almost every house in the village, together with some from around the parish. Each house photo is identified by its house number (with acknowledgement) and a map of the village with the house numbers added. It contains 180 old black and white photos and 250 recent colour photos. A selection of these older photos can be seen in the Historical Photos section of this website.

CD3 contains more records of the history of Great Gidding.

This CD contains ;
• Maps from 1641, 1802, 1851, 1858, 1869, 1901 and 1924
• Maps showing the Furlong and field names
• More than 1000 Property Transactions Indexed and where possible, summarised
• Rents and taxes for 15 years between 1599 to 1832
• Lists of the 50 or 60 poorer families in the village from 1784 to 1816
• Baptist records from 1790 to 1900
• School records from 1880 to 1970
• Quarter Session records from 1740 to 1920
• An analysis of where each family lived from 1841 to 1910, with Maps to show the location
• 60 Inventories transcribed and 20 additional Wills summarised (now totalling 170)

Copies of all 3 CDs have been given to Great Gidding School, to the Great Gidding shop, to the Record Offices in Huntingdon and Northampton and to the Hunts Family History Society.

The CDs are available for purchase for £13.00 each (plus p & p). Contact Patrick Ellis at: prc.ellis@ndirect.co.uk or on: +44 (0)1332 840064

Email prc.ellis@ndirect.co.uk

Copies of the History Book are also still available at £13.00 (plus P & P) Read extracts


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A Bit of a Do – Review and photos

By on November 29, 2011   /   News stories and reports   /   Leave a comment
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Well, what a great evening! What started as the germ of an idea way back in the summer came to wonderful fruition on Saturday 19th November with a good old-fashioned village get-together, complete with food, drink and entertainment.

When we first talked about putting on a ‘do’ we wanted to remember the many people we have lost from both Gidding and Winwick in the past few years, so the evening started with a toast to absent friends. But we knew that all those friends would have wanted us to enjoy ourselves… and enjoy it we did! The dress code was ‘as posh as you please’ and people really went to town. There were long gowns, plenty of sparkle and even a tiara or two! The hall looked equally lovely, lit with fairy lights and beautifully adorned for the event.

There was a welcome bottle of fizz on every table, plus a two-course dinner… And the entertainment… well, what can we say? It started with a Fawlty Towers style ‘Hole in My Bucket’ followed by a rendition of ‘We’re a Couple of Swells’ that probably won’t trouble Astaire and Garland’s reputations any time soon but was still greatly enjoyed. Finally, we were treated to a performance of Romeo and Juliet – the five-minute version – by the cast of the Rural Shakespeare Company. It was a tour de force with a memorable duel (feather dusters the weapon of choice!) and most of the cast ending up flat out on the stage. Then it was the audience’s turn, with a rollicking singalong to end the evening’s entertainment.

To all the people who helped, the cooks, the hall decorators, the backstage crew, (you all know who you are)… a huge thank you! It was terrific – and we couldn’t have done it without you.

Deni Underwood, Mary Read and Sue Shepherd.

A Bit of a DOA Bit of a DoA Bit of a Do

A Bit of a DoBit of a DoBit of a Do

Bit of a DoBit of a Do

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Catalyst Design Partnership

By on November 28, 2011   /   Local businesses   /   Leave a comment
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Catalyst Design Partnership

Catalyst Design Partnership is a Great Gidding, Cambridgeshire-based graphic design company producing effective design solutions in corporate identity, printed literature, brochures and advertising, websites, new media and exhibitions. We also specialise in producing a wide variety of illustrations in-house.

Catalyst Design Partnership

Email: krystyna@catalyst-design.co.uk
Tel: 01832 293 175
Web: www.catalyst-design.co.uk

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Meeting of the Parish Council on Tuesday 18th October 2011

By on October 18, 2011   /   Home page latest news, Parish Council Minutes   /   Leave a comment
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Minutes of a Meeting of the Parish Council held in the Village Hall, Great Gidding on Tuesday 18th October 2011 at 7.30pm.

Present: Cllrs Alexander (Chairman), Hodson, Howden, Hill, Giddens, Trolove, clerk and two members of the public

A proposal was put to the council for a celebration to mark the Diamond Jubilee 2012 with an evening event on the 2nd June in the village hall and a family event on the Recreation Ground on 4th June.

729.11 Apologies for absence
Received from Cllr Hayden

730.11 Minutes of 20th September 2011
Approved and signed

731.11 Matters arising
(information only)

732.11 Members declaration of interest for agenda items
Cllr Giddens item 738.11

733.11 Parish Plan Refresher
Only two questionnaires had been returned, comments noted but no further action required.

734.11The Great Gidding Newt Trail update and payment of invoices
Work has started on the new website and the map for the interpretation boards.   Warning signs had been ordered and received along with the invoice from the Wildlife Trust.

735.11 Fields for the Future – Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge
No update received

736.11 Review of Neighbourhood Forums in Huntingdonshire
Cllr Hayden to be asked to complete questionnaire.

737.11 Diamond Jubilee – village celebration update
Following a written request and presentation prior to the meeting it was agreed to underwrite the proposed evening event on 2nd June in the village up to £1000.

738.11 Planning
Application 1101354FUL two semi-detached cottages 47 Main Street, Great Gidding – the council agreed to approve this application for infill  development appropriate to this site .

739.11 Society of Local Council clerks membership renewal £82
It was agreed to renew membership

740.11 Training – clerk and councillor.
Clerk was given approval to attend a training day on 14th November (working day) and approval to claim travel expenses.   Clerk to investigate code of conduct training for new councillors.

741.11 Parish Council Expenditure 2012/13 est. cost of contested election £750 uncontested £105.
This was noted and will be accounted for in the budget proposal for next month

742.11 Disposal of old laptop (wiped clean)
Offer received £20 – it was agreed to accept this offer

743.11 Reconciliation of accounts and payment of cheques agreed
• S Dalley (clerk) £295.70
• Bradgate (grass cutting) £255.00
• Bradgate (replacement cheque for 100744) £255.00
• P Hodson (charity account- allotments)  £19.44
• P Hodson (Lottery fund – signs) £54.08
• P Hodson (new pond) £19.99
• SLCC membership    £82.00
• A Underwood (S137) village event £350.00
• The WildlifeTrust (Lottery fund) £2,700.00
• M Read (Clarion delivery) £10.00 Not claimed

744.11 Representatives reports
• Rights of Way – Cllr Giddens – no known R oW problems
• Allotments – Cllr Howden to take water meter reading
• Highways & Police – Cllr Hayden no report but communication from Anglian Water received.   It was agreed to ask for more details on length of time leaks taken to fix before writing to the Highways and copying to MP.   At the time of the meeting we were informed that the leak in Luddington Road was causing low water pressure in the village and no water for properties in Luddington Road
• School – Cllr Alexander to attend official opening of the improvements to the school on Friday 21st October.   It was noted that the school had asked for use of the car park for this event.
• Village Hall & Recreation Ground – Cllr Howden reported that the grass was still being well kept and the Sawtry colts still making good use of the facilities.   Repairs to the front fence will be carried out in due course
• Finance & Charities – Cllr Hodson submitted annual returns to the Charity Commission had been completed.
• Tree Warden – Cllr Trolove – Elm Tree Scheme was not found to be suitable.   A request for the full annual allocation of 50 trees from the District Council has been made.   It was agreed to allocate £300 for planting fruit trees in the Jubilee Wood to mark the Diamond Jubilee.

745.11 Correspondence received
• Parish Council’s HCV strategy meeting invite 29th November, 7-9pm, Swavesey – noted
• How to respond to planning applications: an 8-step guide – Cllr Alexander agreed to read and pass on information
• Luminus Street representative Scheme update – noted
• The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Beacons – the guide to taking part – noted
• CPALC AGM agenda and minutes for 3rd December and membership renewal reminder – agreed in April not to renew this year
• Broadband – Letter received from Shailesh Vara MP who is speaking to the County Council on our behalf to request a better broadband speed.
• Anglia in Bloom Seminar 1st November in Dunstable – noted
• Village SOS event in St Ives 15th November – noted

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Great & Little Gidding Parish Council Clarion – Autumn 2011

By on September 30, 2011   /   Parish Council News & Notices   /   Leave a comment
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We welcome Michael Trolove as a Parish Councillor and record our thanks to Rose Foster for all her hard work and enthusiasm during her time on the Council.

Gidding receive SILVER AWARD from Anglia in Bloom. Extract from judges report on areas of achievement – School garden inc Jackie Duck memorial garden, Jubilee Wood, renovation of ponds, spring planting, village sign planting, village seats and participation of parishioners . A big thank you to ALL the people who helped make the village look great for this day and throughout the year and a special mention to Paul Hodson for producing the portfolio which has to be submitted prior to judging, Rachel Giddens for getting the project off the ground and Robin and Gill Hayden for hosting the judges on the day.

Water has been connected to the allotments, funded by the Great Gidding Charity. There is one allotment vacant from the 10 new ones provided this spring Plots are £15 per year and subject to a tenancy agreement. A new pond has been excavated in the Jubilee Wood and it is hoped to have it established for the Diamond Jubilee.

The Recreation Ground has been entered in the Fields for the Future – Queen Elizabeth II Challenge.

Following the work to dredge the pond and remove the willows a viewing platform has been erected with a path leading from the entrance. The Wildlife Trust who has been extensively involved in this project has produced a report on some of the ponds in the village. The report includes a circular walk incorporating footpaths the churchyard and wood. The Lottery funding will also provide website set-up and an interpretation board.

The County Council have reinstated the white lines either side of the road leaving the village towards Glatton. The school bus bay is to be increased to allow easier and safer access and to stop further damage to the pavement.

Following the successful community event held to celebrate the 2011 Royal Wedding, the Parish Council will consider supporting a community event to celebrate the 2012 Diamond Jubilee – anyone interested in doing so is advised to approach the council before November to allow allocation of funds to be considered.

Affordable Rural Housing Survey – is being organised by ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England) distributed to all houses within the parish and the results will be published in the next Clarion

The annual accounts for 2010/11 were completed, adopted and audit closed

CONGRATULATIONS to Great Gidding for winning the FitVille event run by One Leisure. This was won by those who attended the mobile unit parked at the Fox & Hounds Public House on 23rd June. As a result a cheque for £200 has been presented to the village towards a community project – details on ideas to make the best use of this money will be in the next Clarion

The Parish Council meet on the 3rd Tuesday of the month in the Village Hall at 7.30pm – members of the public are very welcome to attend but if you would like to speak on a particular subject, please let us know prior to the meeting.

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