Grafham Gossipfiles.grafham.org.uk.s3.amazonaws.com/docs/gossip/2017/17...Website: E-mail:...

Grafham Gossip

Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected]

December 2017/January 2018 1 Issue 154

February Issue 155 Deadline: Midnight Thursday 11th January

Contents Church Services…..…...

View from the Pew…….

District/County Cllrs …....

Talking Shop…...……….

Village Hall Times/Notices..

Oil Syndicate…...……….

Useful phone Numbers…..

Memories - David C………

Travelling Nativity……...

Has the bin man bin?..........

Notices…………………..…….

Rotary Carol Concert………...

You Came Down - Mike….….

Christmas Services……..……

Notices /Adverts…………..….

Firework Photos……….…....

BösendorferConcerts…..…....

Adverts………….….………….

More Times Gone By-David A ..

Local Activities/Bbysitters…...

2

2

3

3

4

4

4

5

5

6

6

6

7

8

8

9

9

10

11

12

Family New Year’s Eve Party

Grafham Village Hall

7pm till late

Bar, Buffet, Disco, Raffle and

free Fun Casino Blackjack table

Free Casino Black Jack table with a prize for the person who wins the most chips.

Ten free chips will be given when you buy your first drink and hand over your ticket Live streaming of Big Ben at midnight

The Grafham Pub committee

would like to invite you to a

Tickets are limited so be sure

to get yours soon from

the Village Shop: Adults £7.50

Children under 14 £2.50

under 4s free

Christmas Services for Grafham, Ellington and

Brampton Churches can be found on page 8

or visit eastleightonstone.com and click on

Christmas Events

New Year’s Eve....9 – 12

New Year’s Day…Closed

Tues 2nd Jan..Normal hours

Grafham Community Shop Christmas Opening Hours Christmas Eve...9 – 2

Christmas Day..Closed

Boxing Day.......Closed

Wed 27 Dec….9 – 12

Thurs 28 Dec...9 – 12

Fri 29 Dec...9 – 12

Sat 30 Dec...9 – 12

Read more about the shop in ‘Talking Shop’ page 5. Normal opening times are on page 8.

Travelling Nativity Box Grafham’s Nativity set will be

travelling round the village again

this year, starting out on

Sunday 3rd December.

To find out what is

included in the box

and how to host it for a day,

read the article on

page 5.

Sunday 3rd December

Grafham Church

Family Service 11.00am

Come and make your own mini Advent

wreath at our service

Editors’ note… Thank you very much to everyone who has helped us supply and distribute the Grafham Gossip throughout the year.

We wish you and all our readers a very happy Christmas and New Year!

Please send your news, views and gossip in good time for the next deadline, midnight on Thursday 11th Janu-ary. The next issue will be February 2018.

Keep Gossiping!

Editors, [email protected]

http://www.grafham.org.uk/

mailto:[email protected]

http://eastleightonstone.com/




Grafham All Saints - Services for December /January 3rd December (1st Sunday) 11.00 Family Service - Lay led

17th December (3rd Sunday) 16.00 Carol Service (No 11.00 am service)

24th December 16.00 Crib Service

25th December 10.30 Christmas Day Eucharist led by Revd Clifford Owen _____________________________

7th January (1st Sunday) 10.30 Family Service - Lay led

28th January (4th Sunday) 10.30 All together Service at Grafham ____________________________

For more information on church services visit eastleightonstone.com and click on Calendar.

Christmas services for Grafham, Ellington and Brampton are listed on page 8.

Contacting the Clergy Revd Jason Taylor (Rector) Rectory, 15 Church Road, Brampton PE28 4PF [email protected] 01480 453341 or 07807 118070 Revd Mike Bigg (Curate) [email protected] 07380 809377

08:45 - 09:15 Morning Prayer– a short service open to all

Wednesdays 6th, 13th, 20th December and 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st January

Your church has been doing a lot of "remembering" during

November. Firstly on the 5th it seemed most appropriate to

focus on bonfires. Led by Heather and supported by Jill and

Hazel the service truly "went with a bang!” In fact quite a few

bangs were heard when party poppers were fired off after

each commandment was read out and explained. Sparklers and glow

sticks also took part and a

bonfire cake was enjoyed at

the end of the service. During

our talk it was explained that

this was all to celebrate the

fire of God's love as wit-

nessed by Moses in the burn-ing bush and the tongues of fire at Pentecost. Also to give thanks for

the Fire Service whose brave people protect us and to remember and

pray for the victims of the Grenfell fire tragedy. Lovely music was pro-

vided by John on guitar and Kate on piano. It was a joy to see twenty

people, plus a baby, in our congregation that day.

Then on the 12th, eleven members of Grafham congregation attended

the Remembrance Day service at Ellington. The names of the fallen of

Grafham, Brampton and Ellington were read out as we stood outside

in the breezy November sunshine. Following the service inside the

church and an excellent talk by Frankie, a "Trench Cake" was served,

in remembrance of the sort of cake mothers and wives would have

sent out to the troops in World War 1.

In December we shall be remembering the birth of Jesus our Saviour

and celebrating in the usual way with our Christmas services. On the

first Sunday of Advent, 3rd December, we will light the first candle on our Advent Wreath. This is to signify the ex-

pectation of the coming of Christ. (During this service the congregation will be invited to make their own mini Ad-

vent wreaths to take home.) Another candle will be lit on each subsequent Sunday until the central candle, the

Christ Candle is lit on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to symbolise the light of Jesus coming into the world.

On the 17th our Carol Service is at 4pm and for the fist time the church choir will be joining us. The service will be

followed by mulled wine and Christmas cake. On Christmas Eve at 4pm our Crib Service for children of all ages

and on Christmas Day at 10.30am our Holy Communion service, led by Revd Clifford Owen will complete our wor-ship for the Christmas season.

For those who cannot make our Carol Service on 17th at 4pm, there will be Carols by candlelight at Ellington at

6pm that day. Also at Ellington, there will be Holy Communion at 10.30am on Christmas Eve. We hope villagers

will enjoy taking part in our celebration of Christmas, remembering Jesus, without whom Christmas would not exist.

View from the Pew



http://eastleightonstone.com/


tel:07807%20118070




Councillors John Morris, Patricia Jordan and/or Peter Downes are available at the village hall from

11.15 to 11.45 on the first Saturday of alternate months. The next two sessions are 6th January and 3rd March.

At other times please contact them directly:

Peter Downes

07765 833486

peter.downes@ cambridgeshire.gov.uk

John Morris

07788 977092 john.morris@ huntingdonshire.gov.uk Twitter: @johnmbrampton

Patricia Jordan

01480 383632 patricia.jordan @

huntingdonshire.gov.uk

District Councillors County Councillor

PARISH NEWS There was no Parish Council meeting in October. The November meeting is on 21st, which is after

this issue goes to print.

The November Parish News should be on the village website, www.grafham.org.uk and sent by

email to the Grafham Gossip subscription list by the end of November. Past copies of the Parish

News can be found on the village web site, as well as agendas and full minutes of parish council meetings. Ed.

Contact Details for our Grafham Parish Councillors You may contact your parish councillors through the parish clerk or directly by using the details below.

Philip Allingham Chairman 01480 811516 [email protected]

Ian Gardener Vice Chair 01480 812821 [email protected] Andrew Duckworth [email protected]

David King 01480 812430 [email protected] Alastair Watson [email protected]

Kevin Sharp [email protected] David Anthony 01480 812622 [email protected]

Send your news, views, photos and gossip to

[email protected]

Talking Shop How did that happen? This is the last ‘Talking Shop’ of

the year. Everyone seems to agree that the last year

has just flown by. By the time you read this your shop

will have celebrated three years’ trading.

It’s now your last chance to pick up a Grafham 2018

calendar featuring photographs of local scenes. These

have been very popular and we’re now down to our

last twenty.

If you are lucky enough to have an open fire or a

woodburner, don’t forget to come to your local shop

for your logs and kindling. With the onset of the colder

weather these are already selling well.

Christmas will soon be upon us and with that in mind,

we have been stocking up with lots of festive goodies.

We now have Warre’s Port back in stock as this

proved to be very popular last year and makes a love-

ly Christmas present. We have recently re-introduced

The Pickled Village range of preserves and chutneys.

These are a bit different to what is readily available in

the supermarkets and make lovely gifts. We have

small jars at £2.20 each and large jars at £3.50 (3 for

£10.) These make nice teacher’s gifts especially if pur-

chasing one of our made up hessian gift bag sets. Or

why not make up your own Christmas hamper and

include these along with some nice biscuits and wine

also available from the shop. If you would like a luxury

hamper these are available for £24.50.

We have a good selection of greetings cards in the

shop and postage stamps are also now available. We

have some cards produced by the Grafham and El-

lington Art Club along with some of their paintings

which are gracing our walls and would make lovely

presents. Do pop in and have a look.

We will be running some festive competitions including

guessing the number of sweets in a jar and predicting

Santa’s last stop on his travels! Look out for these and

win prizes.

STOP PRESS Buy two or more packs of frozen

bacon, sausages, mince or chicken - get 10% off

And finally, we would like to wish all our customers a

very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank

you for all your support and we look forward to seeing

you in the shop. Lynn and Paul

OPENING TIMES

Mon-Fri 8.00 - 6.30

Sat 8.00 - 5.00

Sun 9.00 - 2.00

Tel: 01480 810119

www.grafhamvillageshop.co.uk

Christmas opening hours – see front page









http://www.grafham.org.uk












http://www.grafhamvillageshop.co.uk




Activities & Classes 2017

Mondays Yoga 6.30pm

Line Dancing 7.30pm

Tuesdays Pilates 9.45am

Art Club 1.30pm

Wednesdays Little Fishes (Pre-school chil-dren)

10.00am

Karate 7.30pm

Thursdays Kick Boxing 7.00pm

Saturdays Judo 10.30am

For enquiries about classes and about booking the hall, please telephone 07711 769911

The book stall is a fantastic fund-raiser for our village church, but we‘ve found

that we can sell only good quality, clean paperbacks

and find it difficult to lift, carry and dispose of other items.

Thank you for your continued support!

Good quality paperback books in clean condition

We love to receive your paperback books to stock our church bookstall. Please leave them in the church porch.

Paperback books in good condition

x No

Hardbacks x

Manuals x

Magazines x

Encyclopaedias x

Other items x

Yes

Grafham Oil Syndicate

The syndicate continues to grow, keeping more money in the village.

It’s FREE to join and we must keep a bulk order attractive enough to receive a discount, so simply email Simon:

[email protected]

or call 07887 628528

Useful Phone Numbers All emergencies 999 Non-emergencies 101 Cambridge Constabulary HQ 01480 456111

Minicom for hard of hearing 01480 422493 Action Fraud 0300 123 2040

Crimestoppers 0800 555111 (anonymous)

To report anti-social behaviour in Grafham 01480 388379 or 387097 or email: [email protected] or [email protected]

To stop unwanted phone calls 08450 700707

To stop unwanted mail 08457 034599

Power cut 105 or 0800 31 63 105 or text POWER and your postcode to 80876

There are more details about some of the above

activities on page 12.

Can you spare an hour every few months?

We’re very short of helpers to clean the church.

If you could take a turn just two or three times a year, please get in touch.

A few more volunteers would make it easier for us to keep the church looking bright and welcoming for everyone.

Contact: [email protected] Thanks

Deadline for the

February issue

Please send us all your adverts,

notices, news, views and gossip

ASAP and definitely by midnight

Thursday 11th January Thanks, Ed [email protected]




mailto:%[email protected]






Reflecting on a childhood Christmas

At primary school the days before Christmas

were very special. We were old enough to

be captivated by The Christmas Story, excit-

ed by decorations in the class room and

Christmas carols in the hall, the Nativity Play

and Christmas cards, making a calendar for

the forthcoming year and still young enough to hear

only positive joyful messages.

At home the mystery and excitement increased as the

now familiar carols that we had sung at school, were

sung at our front door by cheery carollers. They were

rather good singers, wrapped up warm, possibly carry-

ing a lantern or two, collecting a few coins for the local

church or a charity. Never mind fancy digital streaming

services, this was proper live entertainment delivered

to your door.

So far as parcel delivery services were concerned,

back then there was just The Royal Mail for smaller

packages and a few local stores that would deliver. Oh

and of course there were the catalogue companies

adding to the volume. Christmas time was a peak of

parcel delivery activity, probably still is. However, in

the 1950s it was a very special knock at the door that

brought a parcel or some larger domestic item. The

excitement of unwrapping and the smell of the new

have not changed. Those catalogue companies offer-

ing home delivery were the precursors of online shop-

ping as we know it now. Only the method of delivery

and payment arrangements change. (Remember The

Postal Order?)

Speaking of peak delivery time at Christmas, the Post

Office used to put out their message each year asking

us to post early for Christmas, very early if sending

anything abroad. My very dear uncle now living in Aus-

tralia still heeds that message and we usually receive

a Christmas card from him in early December because

he has allowed six weeks for delivery. God bless him

and long may he continue.

Companies wanting us to buy goods at this time of

year often promise delivery in time for Christmas,

sometimes they over promise. In my experience there

is and always will be only one home delivery service

that meets the Christmas delivery promise without fail

– the service provided by Santa Claus.

David Cudby

Memories of transactions at the door– decades before the internet

Travelling Nativity Box Grafham’s Nativity set will be travelling round the village again this year,

starting out on Sunday 3rd December.

The Travelling Nativity box contains knitted nativity figures to play with

plus books, jigsaws and games suitable for preschool and key stage 1

children.

The box goes from house to house. This is free and available to anyone

in Grafham. All you need to do is call Jill Tyack on 810157 or txt 07892

720 835 and book it for a night.

The nativity figures will end up in church on Sunday 24th December at

4pm for our traditional and popular Crib Service. If you have not been

before why not give it a go - it is short and ‘user friendly’ and you can be

sure of a warm welcome!





Wednesdays - Blue bin (recycling) and Black bin (refuse) - alternate weeks

Every other Thursday - Green bin (garden waste)

If you require any further advice or information about

waste and recycling services, call 01480 388640 be-

tween 8.45am and 5.00pm Monday to Thursday and

8.45am and 4.30pm on Fridays or visit

www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/bins

Has the bin man bin Mam?”

Christmas and New Year Waste Collections

Collections will continue throughout the festive period but be aware that your collection day will change for a few weeks. Download your collection calendar from www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/bins

Why not display the complete list of materials that can be recycled so all your guests know what goes where.

For more information, visit www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/whatgoesinwhichbin

Real Christmas trees can be put alongside your green bin for composting in January. If it’s taller than your bin please chop your tree to the size of your bin.

The Household Recycling Centres accept a range of materials for recycling and are only closed from 1pm Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Find out more at www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Normal Collection Change to

Wed 27 December Thurs 28 December

Wed 3 January Thurs 4 January

Thurs 4 January Fri 5 January

Christmas Miscellany - Wednesday 13th December

The Changing Seasons - Wednesday 10th January

at 7.30pm

Brampton Memorial Hall, Thrapston Road, PE28 4TB

Christmas Miscellany Oliver Burke, Director of Living

Landscapes for the Wildlife Trusts, will give a short

overview of conservation successes during the past year,

illustrating this with recent wildlife sightings.

This will be followed by our traditional Christmas wildlife quiz

and raffle, accompanied by mince pies and wine.

The Changing Seasons Professor Tim Sparks of Coventry

University will speak about Phenology – the study of

seasonal changes in plants and animals.

He will illustrate some of the changes that occur with the

seasons and discuss the impact on climate change.

Anyone with an interest in wildlife is most welcome to attend.

Booking is not necessary.

Entrance charge £2.50 (accompanied children free).

Please contact Tim on 01480 457795 for more information.

Part of the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Registered Charity No: 1000412

Huntingdonshire Local Group

Bedfordshire Cambridgeshire Northamptonshire



http://www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/bins

http://www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/bins

http://www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/whatgoesinwhichbin

http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk



If all goes to plan then in the gap between me writing

this column and you reading it, I’ll have become a

father again. (In the unlikely event that this happens

before this magazine goes to press then you might

even find a picture next to these words!)

New birth always gets people thinking, especially so

for Christians at this time of year. A new baby is so

full of potential and yet so vulnerable. Who will this

tiny baby turn out to be? What will life be like when

this baby is an adult? Will this child be happy? Am I

going to mess things up for him? (Yes, we are expect-

ing a boy…)

There’s also that sense of waiting. Particularly in

these final few weeks. Something we’re looking for-

ward to with excitement (and some fear) is surely go-

ing to happen soon but we don’t know exactly when

or how it’s going to turn out. The last few weeks seem

to last an age.

The people of Israel were used to waiting. They were

waiting for a Messiah, a redeemer: someone who was

going to put things right. However, Christians believe

that instead of a mighty warrior-king, God sought to

put things right in the tiny baby we celebrate at Christ-

mas. A poor, vulnerable baby; a child of questionable

parentage whose first visitors were not the powerful

but humble shepherds. This was the child who would

put things right; not by power and strength but by sac-

rifice and love.

Malcolm Guite’s poem Descent captures this para-

dox. The classical gods were high above, but Jesus

came down; they were set above the mortal plain, but

Jesus was born into it. Crucially, at Christmas, God

took on human form in order to transform human frail-

ty and save it. You can read the poem below or hear

a wonderful recording of it online:

https://soundcloud.com/steve_bell/descent

Why not come along to one of our Christmas services

to hear the story told again and respond to it afresh?

They sought to soar into the skies

Those classic gods of high renown

For lofty pride aspires to rise

But you came down.

You dropped down from the mountains sheer

Forsook the eagle for the dove

The other Gods demanded fear

But you gave love

Where chiselled marble seemed to freeze

Their abstract and perfected form

Compassion brought you to your knees

Your blood was warm

They called for blood in sacrifice

Their victims on an altar bled

When no one else could pay the price

You died instead

They towered above our mortal plain,

Dismissed this restless flesh with scorn,

Aloof from birth and death and pain,

But you were born

Born to these burdens, borne by all

Born with us all ‘astride the grave’

Weak, to be with us when we fall

And strong to save

Mike

(Contact details for Mike can be found on page 2. Ed)

To advertise, email:

[email protected]

Community notices are free.

Business adverts are priced according to size, payable in advance.

They start at £3.50 for a small box.

The money pays for the printing of the newsletter and any profit is donated to All Saints, Grafham and its

Restoration Fund.






The Labour Party in Huntingdon Our next monthly meetings are on

Mondays 18th December and 15th January at 7.30pm at The Medway Centre

More details on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HuntingdonLabourParty/

or via the website: http://www.huntingdonlabourparty.org.uk

Come along and get involved in helping your neighbours and the community!

Brampton Wood Logs For Sale

All hardwood, seasoned 12 months

Mainly Oak and Ash, all from Brampton Wood

£90 per cubic yard processed – ready to go on your fire

£45 per cubic yard unprocessed – you will need a chain saw and a log splitter

Price includes local delivery

Phone George Cottam, Voluntary Warden 01480 450809

Email: [email protected]

Please support your local wood

Your advert

could be

here!

To advertise, email:

[email protected]

Grafham

Sunday 17 December 4:00 pm Christmas Carol Service

Sunday 24 December 4:00 pm Crib Service

Sunday 25 December 10:30 am Christmas Family Communion

Ellington

Sunday 17 December 6:00 pm Christmas Carol Service

Sunday 24 December 10.30 am Carols and Holy Communion

Brampton

Saturday 9 December 4:30 pm Messy Christmas (Church Hall)

Sunday 10 December 11:00 am Christingle Service

Saturday16 December 7.00 pm Blue Christmas

Sunday 17 December 5:00 pm Carols on The Green

Thursday 21 December 7:30 pm Beer & Carols at the Black Bull

Sunday 24 December 3:00 pm Crib Service

Sunday 24 December 5:30 pm Carols by Candlelight

Sunday 24 December 11:30 pm Midnight Communion

Monday 25 December 10:00 am Christmas Family Communion

Sunday 31 December 10:30 am Morning Prayer

Christmas

Opening Times

for

Grafham Community Shop

are listed on the front page

OPENING TIMES

Mon-Fri 8.00 - 6.30

Sat 8.00 - 5.00

Sun 9.00 - 2.00

Tel: 01480 810119

www.grafhamvillageshop.co.uk



https://www.facebook.com/HuntingdonLabourParty/

http://www.huntingdonlabourparty.org.uk



http://www.grafhamvillageshop.co.uk



Statue of Liberty

Thanks All Round! A big village thank you to everyone concerned with organising a brilliant firework display and providing

delicious food and mulled wine to keep us warm while we watched and enjoyed the show. It was a great

evening out for all!

Thank you from the organisers to Grafham villagers for the massive support they give the event and for

their patience on the day.

Hinchingbrooke Performing Arts Centre

Friday 26th January at 7.30pm

Matthew Trusler, violin

Ashley Wass, piano

Matthew has earned a reputation as one of

Britain's leading violinists, receiving critical

acclaim for his diverse recordings, perfor-

mances with some of the world's great or-

chestras and at the BBC 'Proms'. He per-forms regularly for the BBC and elsewhere

in duo with Ashley whose solo recital here

four years ago revealed an exceptionally

fine, sensitive, indeed visionary musical

mind. He has been described by Gramo-

phone Magazine as 'A thoroughbred… pure

gold', has played at major European ven-

ues, the 'Proms' and with prestigious inter-

national orchestras.

Their programme will include Beethoven,

Spring' Sonata; Franck, Sonata; music by

Vaughan Williams and Prokofiev.

Box Office 01480 375678 Mon - Fri 9am to 3pm www.ticketsource.co.uk/hinchingbrookepac



https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/hinchingbrookepac



Paul's Private Hire and Chauffeur Service Van Diemens Way, Grafham,

Huntingdon, Cambs. PE28 0GB

Tel. 01480 811594 Mobile 07795 296281 Email [email protected]

Travel in style via Mercedes cars to your destinations

GRAFHAM WATER (NEXT TO THE VISITOR CENTRE)

WIDE RANGE AT LOW PRICES

OPEN WEDNESDAY- SUNDAY 09.00-17.30 TEL:01480 819730

FREE PARKING & FREE DELIVERY

PET & WILD BIRD FOOD

www.petfoodsdirect2u.co.uk

Free back door, when ordered with 5 or more windows

For a free, no obligation quotation please contact your local representative Jon Goodchild on 07825 238240 or email

[email protected]

WINDOWS DOORS ROOFLINE

CONSERVATORIES

GARDEN ROOMS FLAT ROOFS

www.gaphomeimprovements.co.uk

JEZ ASHCROFT LTD All your decorating needs including:

Coving, Internal Decorating

Drylining & Plastering

FREE ESTIMATES

Please Call

Tel: 01480 812461 Mobile: 07708031493

Kevin Hutchinson • Reliable Local Carpenter and Joiner

• All carpentry work undertaken

• Fitted kitchens, new doors, wood flooring and much more

• No job too small

Tel: 01480 811863/07889 414274

BSM BSM Driving Instructor DSA Approved, Pass Plus Registered Living locally in Grafham

Call John Sisseman for details

Tel. 07806 941675

Grafham Plumbing and Heating Ltd

Oftec registered technician

High efficiency condensing boilers fitted

Oil tanks fitted complete with bases

All boilers serviced

All plumbing undertaken

Vaporising appliances fitted and serviced

Service and maintenance plans available Professional, friendly and reliable

[email protected]

01480 812590

07799 640476

Cinnamon Bar and Indian Restaurant Open 7 days a week 5pm to 10.30pm

Also lunch time if pre-booked for 5 or more people

Call 01480 812211/811316

Thursday Night is 'Banquet Night'

1 starter, 1 main, 1 side.

Any rice or any Nan

£13.50




http://www.petfoodsdirect2u.co.uk


http://www.gaphomeimprovements.co.uk




Letters to the Editors Dear Editors …

More Tales of Times Gone By I was talking to my son, David Jnr about car and motor

cycle racing at Snetterton in the 50's.

Father stripped down and rebuilt a pre World War II

Royal Enfield. He tested it out by taking me to Snetter-

ton which was not too far away in case we had to push

it home! No problem, it ran as sweet as can be. I en-

joyed my first race day and what an experience it was

on Motor Cycle Day. We stood at Corum Curve and I

was fascinated by the speed, noise and smell of hot

tyres and oil! I remember my all time favourite "Pip"

Harris and his buddy on the side-car hurtling round the

circuit. At other times we watched car racing, a young

John Surtees beating a circuit, not sure what the car

was but my favourite was the Vanwall Special. I wonder

if anyone knows what happened to that car compa-

ny? During the autumn, winter and early spring we

would take a trip to Shrublands Park near Ipswich to

watch the Scrambling. That was a dirty old job if you got

too close to the track! Dave Bickers was my favourite

on his Grieves Special. I wonder what happened to

him? I only went to the races when I deserved it! I obvi-

ously missed one or two races, I wonder why!

My buddy, Keith and I were quite often in strife! We

went for a walk along the banks of the River Waveney

one afternoon and found a part submerged punt. We

managed to drag it out and drain it, looked okay so we

got in and punted across the river. It was a bad mistake.

It was rotten, the bottom gave out and in we went. It

was a good job we could swim! You can guess what

happened when we got home! Ouch!

There was a very hard winter some time in the early

fifties, I think about 1952. I went down to the middle

green for some fun on the frozen pond, another big mis-

take with nearly disastrous result. I went through the ice

and under, fortunately coming up through the hole. Mr

Read lived opposite, saw what happened and came out

with a ladder, laid it on the ice, crawled along it and

pulled me out. I went home to find my eldest sister was

home on leave from North Walsham Hospital where she

was Senior Nurse before promoted to Sister in

Charge. She dunked me in a hot bath! Needless to say

when mother and father got home I was dealt with. I

had a severe ticking off and was sent round to see Mis-

ter Read with a big apology for not thanking him proper-

ly. It cost me a big Dutch Rabbit which he needed for

breeding. Mind you, I never had to hunt rabbits for a

while. I believe the reason for no prompt apology was

because my teeth were chattering too much. I remem-

ber being rather cold. I learned the lesson about ice not

being as strong as you think.

Have you heard to song by Allen Smethurst? the sing-

ing Postman, " Hev The Bottom Dropped Out" Hev is

how he pronounced have with his broad Norfolk dialect!

David Anthony

What are your news, views and memories? E-mail: [email protected] if you’d like your letter published in ‘Letters to the Edi-tors.’ Please supply your name and address/email address but tell us if you’d prefer us not to print it in the Grafham Gossip. Thanks, Ed

CHRISTMAS

COFFEE MORNING

Friday 8th December

Methodist Church Hall

Church Street, Buckden

10.30 am to 12 noon

Get Christmas off to a good start

Free Admission - All Welcome




Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected] Opinions expressed in the Grafham Gossip, including past issues, are those of the writer and not the editors.


Printed by Easiprint 01733 602302

Across the Churches Bible Study We are a small group meeting twice a month (Tuesdays 7.30pm) for Bible study, prayer and fellowship. We come from different churches and are always happy to welcome new members.

For more information, please contact Rob or Jean Clark 01480 890033.

Babysitters Bryony 22 yrs 812354 experienced with newborn to 14yrs

Mya 14 yrs 819326 Nicci 17 yrs 811279

GRAFHAM VILLAGE HALL has a Public Entertainments Licence for music, dancing, performing arts and can accommodate 92 guests seated in rows or 150 at a dance/disco - an ideal venue for children's and family parties. There is a playing field for sports activities and the hall has small changing rooms with shower facilities.

For details or to book, tel: 07711 769911

Grafham and Ellington Art GroupGrafham and Ellington Art GroupGrafham and Ellington Art Group http://grafhamandellingtonart.weebly.com/ Grafham Village Hall, Every Tuesday 1.30-4pm Calling all who want to meet and paint with like minded people on a regular basis.

Beginners and those with more skills are all very welcome.

Cost: About £2 to cover hall hire/refreshments. Come along with your paints and equipment!

Please ring me for more details.

Jackie Woods 01480 890279

Grafham Church Flower Club We are available to decorate the church for weddings and other church occasions.

Floral arrangements for: pedestal,

altar, font, windowsills, pew ends, pillars.

Please contact Hazel Powell on

01480 810326 for details and quotes.

If anyone in the village has foliage in their garden that they would be willing to donate for church decoration for festivals, please let us know, we would be very grateful.

The Mobile Library Route H24 visits Breach Road, Grafham on the 4th Wednesday of every month from 10.40 to 11.00. The next visit is 22nd December.

For renewals/ enquiries call 0345 045 5225 or click here

Ellington and Grafham WI

meets on the first Tuesday of the month in Ellington village hall. Membership is £39 per annum but visitors are welcome; we ask that you buy 2 x £1 raffle tickets

to help towards the cost of refreshments. We have speakers or events every month.

5th Dec Demonstration of cake decorating

If you would like any more information please contact:

Sue 01480 896139 [email protected] or Ann 01480 891192 [email protected]

YOUR COUNTRYSIDE NEEDS YOU

www.gwcg.btck.co.uk/

Regional winners of the British Trust for Conservation

Volunteers Green Award 2006 & 2007

Join Grafham Wildlife and Conservation Group

Call Sam Malt on

01480 811654 or 07849 082870

[email protected]

.Come and join the

GRAFHAM LINE DANCERS Beginners are welcome

Monday evenings in the Village Hall

7.30 – 9.00pm

For more information ring Julia 01480 811613 or Text Penny 07986 509481

East Leightonstone Parish - Brampton, Ellington, Grafham

Little Fishes Stay + Play Tots Session


Wednesdays 10.00 to 11.20

Term time only

Just turn up on the day

Sessions include free-play, craft activities, a Bible story and sing-along. Babies welcome too

Contact Jean Clark 01480 890033 [email protected]

Coffee Morning Grafham Social Committee invites you to Coffee Mornings at 10.30am on the third Wednesday of the month:

20th Dec - Frances Knight,1 Haycraft Close 17th Jan - Diana Thomas, Wesley House

This is an informal social occasion for residents of the village. Please come along for a cup of coffee and a chat.



http://grafhamandellingtonart.weebly.com/

https://cambridgeshire.spydus.co.uk/cgi-bin/spydus.exe/MSGTRN/OPAC/LOGINB



http://www.gwcg.btck.co.uk/

http://www.gwcg.btck.co.uk/



Grafham Gossipfiles.grafham.org.uk.s3.amazonaws.com/docs/gossip/2017/17...Website: E-mail:...

Documents

Transcript of Grafham Gossipfiles.grafham.org.uk.s3.amazonaws.com/docs/gossip/2017/17...Website: E-mail:...