dear residents of doddington, · 2020-07-31 · doddington diary august 2020 3 dear residents of...

Doddington Diary August 2020


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Dear Residents of Doddington, This edition of the Diary seems to reflect not only the mood of the village, but the whole country. Only a few months ago we had lots of clubs and organisations sending us reports of their meetings and plans for future events. Then the tone of the Diary changed and was all about how we were adapting and coping with staying at home. We embraced new technology and were meeting friends and family via zoom or skype. Gardens and homes underwent long talked about transformations. We met up each week to clap and say thank you to the key workers who were keeping us safe and cared for. However, all of this has now stopped and although life is sort of returning to something like we think of as “normal”, it hasn’t really changed for many of us. Lots of people are still working from home, the children are still at home although they are now officially on holiday from school and certainly the clubs and groups have not yet returned to normal activities. Not all of the local businesses have re-opened and those that have, are not as we remembered them - and so it is for the Diary. We can only report what people have been doing and going by our inbox, that would appear to be very little as we emerge from our enforced hibernation into an uncertain world. Whilst we were producing an electronic Diary via our website, it didn’t matter if there was limited content, but for the printed version, our advertisers deserve to get value for money for their adverts, and so the Diary needs to be interesting for our readers. It would be very disappointing if the Diary became another victim of the Coronavirus, but the future of the Diary could be in jeopardy if the amount of editorial continues to decline in relation to the proportion of advertising. Suspending printing for a second time might, financially, be an option we will need to consider. To ensure the continued success of the Diary, please remember to share what you are doing and how you are adapting your clubs, organisations and businesses for the future. Our readers also like to see your pictures so if you have unearthed something interesting during your lockdown clear out - we look forward to seeing them too! We have to thank David Edwards for his continued support and for another fantastic article, this time about the history of the Hospital Fete (page 14). The history of the sports day was enjoyed by our readers and we were very pleased to receive and pass on your comments to David. How to contact us and deadline dates can be found on page 26.

Take Care from the Diary Team


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Thoughts from the Rectory There’s nothing like a fresh drop of water. Like many of you during this lock down period, I have had time to reminisce and as I looked out onto the garden this week with the rain falling in almost Biblical force onto the lawn, which if your garden was as dry as ours was most welcome, I was reminded of my childhood years. When I was a young boy on holiday with my family, I can remember my dad saying to me: ‘Son, the rain in the Lake District is different from the rain in any other part of the country’. I can remember at the time thinking that there’s plenty of it and it all seems to be landing on us just now. At the time of this family holiday I would have been around nine years old and I must have wondered what he meant. I soon found out. A couple of times at night the rain came down so heavily it sounded as if it really could have been raining cats and dogs. The noise was so intense and heavy on the caravan roof that I can remember that we all struggled to get to sleep that night. To this day, the sound of heavy rain on the caravan roof to me, is the most soothing and reassuring of noises. Despite the wet weather it was one of the most enjoyable holidays that I can remember, as a family we explored the woodland, went on mega walks, paddled in the lakes, watched dad fish and catch nothing. It was all quite magical as only a nine year old could imagine. Another thing that sticks in my mind about this holiday was how on this caravan site we had to fetch our drinking water from a tap on a hill side. Every time my brother and I struggled up the slope of that hill with our pail to gather water we would be gasping for a drink ourselves. Still to this day I can honestly say that there was nothing like getting fresh water from that tap, it’s as if I can taste it just now it was that good. We don’t always realise how fortunate we are to have such an abundant supply of clean fresh water. You know more than half the world’s population has only a limited or polluted water supply to them. Also many of those people face a longer walk than I did before they can reach their water source.


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Once, Jesus was tired after a long journey and he asked a woman at a well if she would give him a drink of water. During the conversation, Jesus said: ‘Those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life’ (John 4:14 New Revised Standard Version). Our human nature being what it is we may be able to last only a few hours before we feel that we would like a drink, but when we turn to Jesus and fill ourselves up with his love and teachings, the satisfaction is everlasting. For the source of hope, forgiveness and strength he offers never dries up and never runs out. Keep safe, take care.

Rev Ian Brady


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The Recreation Committee From the beginning of August the Pavilion will re-open for clubs and groups which are allowed under the current government guidelines. The committee have put a lot of hard work in getting the Pavilion ready and safe to welcome back our users. An extensive risk assessment has been completed (available for anyone who would like to see it) and measures have been put in place to allow social distancing, extra cleaning and additional hand sanitising stations. If you would like to book the Pavilion, please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your needs and any concerns. Please be aware the maximum capacity in the Pavilion is 20 for the time being. The playground is also now open, however, please be advised this is not regularly cleaned, so we recommend you take hand sanitiser with you and wipe down surfaces before use. On other news, we are pleased to say we now have security cameras fitted around the Pavilion. We hope this will discourage antisocial behaviour at the Ground and give us peace of mind that we are a bit more secure. The committee would like to thank David at Bridges Fire & Security for an efficient, professional and friendly service and we would recommend Bridges to anyone who would like to make their home or business more secure - and David lives in the village! To book the pavilion, please; email [email protected], telephone Andrea 07766658701, Facebook @doddingtonpavilion


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Christmas Lights Committee It is with a heavy heart that we are writing this entry. As a committee we have thought long and hard about this decision, but, due to the current situation we have decided to cancel the Craft Fair and Switch on Event for 2020. This is due to the volume of people that would attend, social distancing and keeping the public, committee members and our families safe. At present we have made no decision on the erection of the Christmas lights, we will assess this nearer the time and an update will be placed in the Doddington Diary and on our Christmas Lights Facebook page, when a final decision has been made. We are contemplating holding a Yard Sale in September, but if this does take place, we will be asking anyone taking part to put their own social distancing etc into place. If you are interested in this event, please let us know via the Doddington Christmas Lights Facebook page, or, contact Laura Kilby on 07950226723 it will depend on numbers interested if this event takes place. We hope you are all keeping safe and understand our decision. Thank you all, once again, for your continued support.

Doddington Christmas Lights Committee


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INFECTION CONTROL AWARENESS WORKSHOPS

Learn the facts about how to manage the spread of infection. This

course will equip you with an essential understanding of how viruses, including Covid-19, are spread and the role we can play

in managing (or contributing to) this spread. You will get an understanding of general principles of infection

prevention and control as well as specific learnings about how to use a mask safely and what ‘good hand hygiene’ really means.

The courses are free of charge and held via Zoom.

Tuesday August 11th from 4pm to 5pm Thursday August 20th from 6pm to 7pm

For more information contact Michelle Barker through email at

[email protected] or phone at telephone 01354 740269 Ext 237 or mobile 07834 818877.

You can also visit our website www.avctraining.net.


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The Hospital Fete The North Witchford Union Workhouse, which covered March, Chatteris, Doddington, Wimblington, Manea and Benwick, was built at Doddington in 1838/39. Doddington was chosen as representatives from March and Chatteris could not agree on which town it should be built in, so the rector of Doddington, who chaired the meetings, reluctantly agreed that it should be built at Doddington. For just over 100 years it was a home for the poor, unemployed, elderly, sick, orphaned and single mothers of the area, as well as passing vagrants. In 1941 it was decided to convert it to a general hospital under the Wartime Emergency Scheme and £7,100 was earmarked for the cost of the work, but by 1942 costs had increased to £17,000. The hospital was officially opened on 22nd March, 1943 with Dr Harold V Lamb as Resident Medical Superintendant and Miss Euphemia Allen as Matron. It had 150 beds arranged in 19 wards and a staff of 60 nurses. Initially run by the Isle of Ely County Council, it became part of the National Health Service in 1948 (above : the hospital around 2001). In 1950 the nurses decided to arrange a fete to raise money for their social club and although this started in a small way, it was to become one of the principal annual events in the village for the next 36 years. The first fete comprised of the usual stalls and competitions and a fortune teller, with teas provided and a dance in the British Legion Hall in the evening. As time went on more attractions were introduced such as puppet shows (top right : Cambs Times 15th June 1956), fancy dress and dancing displays. In 1959 it was decided to invite a celebrity to open the fete. The man chosen was the radio and TV personality Percy Edwards, famous for his bird and animal impressions.


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Others followed, in 1969 Rosalyn Thompson, better known as “Miss Rosalyn” from the Anglia TV children’s programme “Romper Room” (pictured right). In 1972 it was TV Presenter Judith Chalmers and TV Naturalist Philip Wayre came in 1971. In 1976 it was Irish actor Sam Kydd. Others included: Jane Probyn, Graham Bell and Richard Barnes (all Anglia TV), Clement Freud MP and Richard Whitmore (BBC Newsreader).


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As time went on more attractions were introduced such as puppet shows, fancy dress and dancing displays.

(above picture shows Fancy Dress entrants from 1958 : right to left—”Twinkle” (the hospital porter?), Brian Elms, Barbara Davis, ??, Carol Mason, Miss Dodgley (youngest daughter of the village policeman), Lyn Short, Gillian Elmore. The lady at the back is believed to be Mrs McCulloh, the wife of the doctor from Manea) (picture right shows Fancy Dress possibly 1968 : left to right—Sally Chambers, Susan Brown, Amanda Chambers, Joanne Chambers) 1986 was the last fete and was opened by Anglia TV newsreader John Bacon. Sadly a feature of the 1986 fete was the petition against closure of facilities at the hospital signed by 500 people on the day, but closure of the hospital operating theatre, surgical wards and Accident and Emergency Unit was later confirmed and implemented on April 1st 1988. After further closures the old hospital buildings were demolished in 2003. The last fete was held the same year as the first carnival and this has now become the principal event of the village year - until this year!!

David H Edwards


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Doddington Parish Council Thank you A big thank you to all who have kept us safe during the Lockdown, and for all of the acts of kindness and help that have been given and received in the village. As we gradually and hopefully come out of the more stringent lockdown rules and can socialise a little more, we hope that you can enjoy each other’s company whilst still being sensible and keeping us all safe. Abbey Recreation Ground We have been successful in obtaining a grant to cover the cost of installing CCTV within the recreation ground and installation orders have been issued. Images from the equipment are automatically sent to a central control hub organised by Fenland District Council who can refer matters direct to the police if instances of vandalism or anti-social behaviour are noted. Cleaning of the Clock Tower Arrangements are in hand with a specialised company to clean the edging stones of the clock tower. We will then install uplighters on both sides of the tower so that it can be illuminated in all its glory. Public bench to commemorate VE Day The Parish Council had ordered a VE Day commemorative bench which should have been delivered in time for VE Day but due to the Covid 19 situation the company was closed for a number of months and delivery was delayed. The bench has now arrived and arrangements are in hand to have it installed outside the Church rooms. Parish Council Website This can be viewed at www.doddingtonparishcouncil.com For residents’ information, the Clerk to the Parish Council can be contacted by email at [email protected]

Sad News Last month, you may remember we were congratulating Wilf Thompson of Manor Estate, on reaching his 100th birthday on 29th May 2020. Unfortunately, his health had been in decline over the summer and he slowly and peacefully passed away at his home on 9th July. Our condolences go to Wilf’s family and his many friends at this sad time.


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Women’s Institute

Tips and hints from Mrs Beeton and Doddington WI.

We have all been taking extra care of our hands in

these days of constant washing so here is Mrs. Beeton's remedy for

chapped hands from her Book of Household Management dated 1921.

Mix 1/4 lb. of unsalted lard, after clarifying and dipping in rosewater, with

the yolks of two eggs and a large spoonful of honey. Add as much paste

of almonds, well pounded in a mortar, as will work the compound into a

paste. (We assume you use the egg whites to make meringues).

Another thing we have been worried about is our hair, so Mrs. Beeton

advises that for lustreless hair no application is better than salt. Rub it

well into the roots of the hair at night, then tie the hair up in a large

handkerchief or wear a nightcap. Brush out the salt in the morning.

Several applications will bring about marked improvement.

If ants are your problem here is Mrs. Beeton's solution: Cut lemons in

slices and place around the haunts of ants and they will disappear as if by

magic. Good luck!

Mrs. Beeton didn't have to deal with Covid.19 so here is a tip from the WI

for safety in these days - if you can blow out a candle through your face

covering it is not effective and needs an extra layer.

Stay safe,

From Doddington WI.


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Unexpected Discovery

Recently John Fry posted this picture on

Facebook. He had come across a little bit of

history - the name of the previous decorator

and the date he was working at the property.

The family were delighted to see this, almost

fifteen years after Roger had passed away.

Have your found anything interesting during

your lockdown clear outs? We would love to

hear from you.


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Doddington Diary Deadlines and Contact Details

Advertising: All copy and payment to be received by the 15th of each month

Contributions: All editorials to be received by the 15th of each month

Contact us by Email: [email protected]

Contact us by Post: 14 Miller Close, Doddington. PE15 0NZ

Doddington Diary is printed by: David J Richards Ltd, West Park Street, Chatteris

What you had to say ….. “Just had to comment on the July edition - really brilliant, so newsy, lots of lovely pics and a bumper edition. Well done and keep up the good work.”

“I found the article on the village sports very interesting, having been born in the village in the early 50's. In fact my brother was mentioned in the article as "Bryan" Elms, correct spelling is "Brian". When he won the trophy in 1958 the sports were held on the Pound Field - now referred to as the cow field apparently - in the centre of the village at the top of Ingles Lane. Neither of us can remember the previous years sports but Dr Yardy’s paddock was on Church Lane opposite the farm house where, I believe, Dr Yardy lives now. I found your articles on the wartime history very interesting, particularly the mention of the landlord of The George celebrating a wedding anniversary as he was my Great Grandfather! There are now very few 'original' residents from my childhood, indeed I live in Chatteris and my brother at Werrington, P'boro, but there are a few older than me still there. All our memories fade and the earliest sports I recall were held on the School Field, but Brian is confident that his trophy was won in the Pound Field. Finally, thanks for all the research you have done, it has been of huge interest to me.” “Well done, packed with lots of interesting topics.” “Looks great especially with all the lovely photographs.”


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dear residents of doddington, · 2020-07-31 · doddington diary august 2020 3 dear residents of...

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