MAKE A DATE FOR “CIVIC DAY”
NEWSLETTER JUNE – 2010 HUNTINGDON RIVERSIDE GALA th
Saturday, June 25 2011 has been identified as CIVIC DAY – marking the centrepiece of a new initiative for civic societies to celebrate their area and promote their role. This is what we try to achieve with our stalls. However, this is now to go national and all Civic Societies are being encouraged to put on an event or activity which celebrates their area and raises the profile of the Civic Movement as a whole. There will be a theme for this day, which is still under discussion; any suggestions would be most welcome.
A very successful day for everyone involved, the weather was very kind for a change which bought the people out. We enrolled some new members to our cause and met many of our existing membership, which is always good to exchange views. The theme of our PR stalls this summer is LOVE LOCAL and we are sponsoring OXFAMS SUMMER BOOK FEST and donating £50 worth of book tokens for the winners on this theme. Residents have to write a short piece about their favourite local spot, being it a building, a park, the riverside Whatever they love local, and we are hoping The Huntingdon Mayor will present the prizes for us sometime in August. Get involved, join in, this could be your opportunity to wax lyrical about your local love. For your diary our next stall is at rd GODMANCHESTER GALA DAY on SATURDAY, 3 JULY 2010, where we look forward to meeting up with our Godmanchester members and their families. SEE YOU THERE.
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL TRUST You may recall that all Civic Societies joining the new Civic Voice this year were to be offered a Free Day Access pass as part of their membership. This will provide free access to any National Trust property during normal opening hours. This pass is now available to download by you by using the following link www.civicvoice.org.uk/nationaltrustcivicvoiceoffer The pass is transferable and can be given to friends or family if you are already a member of the National Trust. Now, for those of you who do not have access to the internet or for that matter would prefer another way. Send a stamped addressed envelope to Civic Voice, Unit 101, 82 Wood Street, The Tea Factory, Liverpool L1 4DQ requesting your pass and you will need to provide contact details and the name of our Civic Society. Our membership number is CIV0071 we joined in March and as such are founder members. NB – THIS OFFER IS ONLY AVAILABLE IN THE FIRST YEAR OF JOINING – SO YOU ONLY HAVE UNTIL MARCH 2011.
OUR MEMBERSHIP FEES In common with many organisations, including the government and local councils we are at the moment living beyond our means. Or to put it more bluntly our expenses far outweigh the amount we collect up in membership fees. Therefore at our last committee meeting this matter was discussed at length and it was decided that we needed to open this debate with our current membership. This was indeed something we wished to discuss at the AGM but as pointed out in our last Newsletter there were not sufficient numbers to canvass a view. So in this connection we are sending you a small questionnaire which we would ask you to fill in and return to us so a general consensus can be achieved. Thank you for your help.
the chancel of St Mary’s Church Godmanchester is a large carved circular mass-dial (still retaining its th metal gnomon) of the 13 Century, and unique example for it appears to have marked the “Saxon Tides” – 6am; 7.30; 9; 10.30; and noon instead of the usual “hours”.
NAGGING ACHIEVES We are pleased to report that the window pane in the large window on the second floor above the 99p shop (former Woolworths) has finally been replaced, you may recall that it had a piece of cardboard replacing the glass. However, we are still monitoring this building and others in this fine set of Georgian buildings facing the Market Hill, they are all showing signs of ageing through neglect.
Over the west doorway is a panel carved with a Fleur-de-lys and the words “BURGUS GUMCESTRE” (Borough of Godmanchester) and above it is the date 1623. (hence the picture not being too clear) However, definitely work a visit in person as it can be seen quite clearly. There is of course much we could write on the interior of St Mary’s and many other hidden gems of Godmanchester and Huntingdon. This brings us to our other questionnaire enclosed. HISTORICAL WALKS Some of the membership has requested us to organise historical walks, this our local historian Mr David Hufford is very willing to do and we are very fortunate to have his services in this connection. However, instead of us picking a month, time and area we would like you to advise us on the most appropriate for you. Then we shall of course need to see if David is available and will take it from there.
Contact details for us – Chairman – Richard Meredith – Tel: 01480 380505 e-mail: Richard.meredith27@ntlworld.com ONE OF THE HIDDEN TREASURERS OF GODMANCHESTER On the south west buttress of
Secretary – Barbara Brett – Tel: 01480 453406 e-mail: Barbara.brett1@ntlworld.com