Poachers, Dobbers and Crack

Poachers, Dobbers and Crack

Another splendid evening at the Village Hall for the monthly Beer and Skittles with superb provender provided (of particular note – Andrew’s potatoes, Dick’s game pie and Michael’s beer infused Yorkshire’s and bread).

Great beer selection – this months theme was beers over 5% – with over 30 bottles in all. Dobber (complex bitter brew, bitter/fruity and slightly woody/malty, balanced, hazy, rocky head – from Manchester) was well recieved likewise the rum infused Innis & Gunn. Opinions were sharply divided over badgers fruity Poachers Choice from exquisite to ugh! like liquorice Allsorts.

Reindeer p…

Christmas Crack had the novelty label but was more akin to reindeer p…. The heavy weight top end beers all had their unique tastes and we probably didn’t find the subtleties within them, concentrating on getting to the end of the line but then thats the point of our brand of beer tasting – if its good enough on the taste buds you will remember it.

Skittles

Ohh… and the skittles was quite entertaining too! Thanks to everyone for taking part. This months trophy winner was Rob Alexander for his dedication to skittle scoring and statistics.

Penguins win at Beer and Skittles

Penguins win at Beer and Skittles

The theme that Michael Trolove had organised for the 14th November was Stouts and Porters and as the bottles arrived it soon became clear that this was going to be a ‘hardcore’ evening. 13 different brews were on offer (plus a couple of already emptied bottles – no names) including some more obscure (read expensive) stouts, one kindly supplied by Andrew Underwood and one by Michael.

Strong beers, weak skittles

As the skittles got under way the beers were cracked open in strength order and each was carefully tasted and savoured. As the night drew on the beers got stronger, the skittles got weaker – eventually won by the person that could hold his beer the best!

For the record: Steve Garner won the skittles (and the trophy) and ‘March of the Penguins’ by Williams Bros. Brewing Co won the taste contest (a 5% creamy dark stout, deep chocolate in colour has a nose of roast malts, coffee, licourice & orange peel).

Cake and cheese

Special thanks to Julie Trolove for baking a beautifully rich fruit cake to accompany the beers and also to Andrew for supplying a tasty Lincolnshire Poacher cheese. And to Michael, as always, for organising the event.

September History Group Meeting

September History Group Meeting

One of our aircraft is missing……………

Local history researcher, Chris Hughes, will give a talk and slide show on RAF Molesworth,  the WWII activities and stories of some of the planes that were stationed there, and bring us to date with the role of the Base in mote recent years.

Join us on Wednesday 19th September, 7.30PM start

at Great Giddding Village Hall

Free Entry (donations to Gidding History Grouo)

Tea, coffee and biscuits will be available.

Everyone is welcome and Chris would love to hear personal stories and experiences connected to RAF Molesworth and other local bases, and to see any” finds” that people may have kept as souvenirs from the crash sites.

Rural broadband meeting

Rural broadband meeting

Presentation by BT about rural broadband

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

More photos from the Jubilee Dinner Dance

More photos from the Jubilee Dinner Dance

A few more photos of the Diamond Jubilee Dinner Dance kindly supplied by Michelle Woodley.

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Dinner Dance

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Dinner Dance

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

The Diamond Jubilee Dance

The Diamond Jubilee Dance

Queens Diamond Jubilee

Last chance for tickets!

We invite you to join us on June 2nd from 7.00pm onwards to mark, in true Gidding style, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

The Diamond Jubilee Dance in Great Gidding Village Hall should be a night to remember and hopefully for all the right reasons……We have a fantastic swing band called The Five Star Swing whose great reviews include Sheila Tracy from the BBC [check out their website on fivestarswing.co.uk if you want to listen for yourself] and they will be playing great sounds from Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and the Glen Miller band amongst others. Included in the  price is a hog roast, delicious pudding and coffee as well as excellent wine and beer, so when you’ve danced all you can dance, you can replace a few of those calories whilst you listen to the band play on.

Dress code – posh frocks and best bib and tucker [head scarves optional]

Contribution – £15 per head including hog roast and cocktail on arrival

There are still a few tickets left so to reserve your tickets for family and friends please contact Sue Shepherd, phone: 01832 293479 or  mailto: shepnsue@btinternet.com

We hope you will be able to help make this a very special night and join us at the exclusive Great Gidding Village Hall!

Sue Jarvis  & Sue Shepherd

Clarion Spring 2012

Clarion Spring 2012

Great & Little GiddingParish Council

Clarion – Spring 2012

 

ELECTIONS of District and Parish Councillors will take place on Thursday 3rd May – see noticeboards

BLOOM IN GIDDING – following on from the successful Anglia In Bloom Silver Award of 2011 we are looking for volunteers to co-ordinate the 2012 entry.  An excellent start was made last year in this community initiative and many hands make light work.   If you are interested in helping in anyway please let the PC office know and we will put you in touch with each other.  

ALLOTMENTS – there is a half allotment available from the 10 new ones provided last year   Full plots are £15 per year (£20 from 2013) and subject to a tenancy agreement.       

JUBILEE WOOD – a new pond has been excavated in the Jubilee Wood and it is hoped to have it established for the Diamond Jubilee.   Fourteen new trees have been planted including mulberry, pear, peach, nectarine, plum, cherry and apple. There is to be a JUBILEE Coffee Morning (and activities) in the wood on Sunday 3rd June.

RECREATION GROUND – our application for Queen Elizabeth II Field Status has been accepted and a commemorative plaque will be unveiled at the JUBILEE lunch being held on 4th June.   The idea behind the Big Lunch is to get as many people as possible to join with their neighbours for friendship and fun.   All you need to do is turn up with your picnic and for the energetic amongst you games will be available!   

VILLAGE HALL – a textile recycling bank has been located in the car park.    The District Council is trying to encourage residents to recycle clothing and shoes.   The materials put in the textile banks are sorted and sent to Africa, any clothes not suitable are cut into rags for industry.   A small income may be generated from this (£150 per tonne) for the village.

A group are organising a 1950s dance night in the hall on Saturday 2nd June to celebrate the JUBILEE and the Parish Council have allocated funding to support this community event.

The AGM of the Village Hall & Recreation Ground committee will take place on Monday 16th April at 7.30pm in the Village Hall – please do go along and show your support.  

VILLAGE WEBSITE -The Lottery Funding received by the Parish Council has funded the new village website including the newt trail.       

AFFORDABLE RURAL HOUSING SURVEY – This has been organised by ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England) in consultation with the Parish Council and distributed to all houses within the village. The details of results will be presented at the Annual Parish Meeting on 17th April.

STREET LIGHTING – the County Council have changed to a white light source which should not impact upon the visibility on the street.

THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING will be held on Tuesday 17th April at 7pm prior to the Parish Council Meeting.

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.  

 

Village Quiz

Village Quiz

With an east wind howling down Main Street, villagers scurried along to the warmth of the Village Hall to do battle once again at the Quiz & Chip Night. Quiz supremo Lois Jordan set the tone of questions that would sort the wheat from the chaff. Fortified with liquid refreshment from the bar, the contestants sorted themselves into their respective teams. It was immediately obvious that this would be a two way scrap with the remainder fighting for the minor places. Our host and question master John Deval laid down the rules and the quiz commenced.

After three rounds of brain exertion we reached the midway point, time for fish and chips which were duly served up piping hot and very enjoyable. After another three rounds of yes, no, yes, that’s not right, put anything down, its errr… the quiz concluded. Its amazing how much you think you know when the answer has just been read out.

Thanks to all concerned for an entertaining evening.