GODMANCHESTER 2012 CELEBRATIONS

IN 1212 KING JOHN, WISHING TO RAISE EXTRA REVENUETO ENABLE HIM TO REGAIN TERRITORY IN FRANCE, GRANTED A CHARTER TO GODMANCHESTER MAKING IT A SELF-GOVERNING MANOR AND ITS PEOPLE FREE TENANTS.

800 YEARS LATER THE PEOPLE OF GODMANCHESTER , GUMCESTRIANS, ARE CELEBRATING THIS HISTORIC EVENT WITH A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR .

ON THIS PAGE WE SHALL BE LISTING THESE EVENTS AND UPDATING INFORMATION FOR THEM AS WE RECEIVE IT.

WE SHALL ALSO SET UP A 2012 ALBUM IN THE SCRAPBOOK ON THIS SITE TO RECORD THEM FOR POSTERITY AS THEY HAPPEN . EVERY ONE IS WELCOME TO INCLUDE THEIR OWN PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORIES IN THIS SECTION, THE MORE THE MERRIER.

CONTRIBUTION INFORMATION TO

info@godmanchestercommunityassociation.org

JANUARY 2012

Commemorative mugs are given to all the children of Godmanchester.

A small number are available from local shops :- Richardson's Bakery , Crazy Glazy, Ethnic Origins

FEBRUARY 2012

February 11th sees a MUSICAL EVENING with Jennifer Thompson and friends

details to follow

MARCH 2012

SATURDAY 3RD MARCH - HISTORY STUDY DAY - QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL

Local Historian Ken Sneath along with speakers Mark Hinman (Archaeologist) Jo Sear (Medieval Historian) Bob Burn Murdoch ( Curator Norris Museum) will spend the day enlightening those present with interesting detail of the Towns Heritage. 9.30 am - 4.00 pm Includes lunch , limited spaces available

SOLD OUT

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SATURDAY 3RD MARCH - WRITING COMPETITION AWARDS - QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOOL 7 pm the Bards of Godmanchester meet to receive their accolade for efforts above and beyond.

The Godmanchester Writing Competition is now being adjudicatedand results will be announced in early March. The Hunts Post will print the names and the text of some winners as space permits. There was a large field of youngsters with fewer from older age groups.The Bridge Magazine will also publish the names and winning entries and a limited number of pamphlets of winning poems and stories is also planned. This would be timed for our July festivities. Funding permitting, we may produce some to sell.

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Saturday 3rd March 7.00pm - THE HELP - on the BIG SCREEN at the Comrades Club

The Friends of St Mary's Godmanchester proudly present this powerful film in an intimate local gathering.

tickets £5.00 from01480 382144. 01480 493901 or the Comrades Club

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FRIDAY 23RD MARCH - LIFE ON THE FENS

A talk by Peter Carter - details to follow

APRIL 2012

Easter Monday 9th April - LAUNCH OF CHARTER WALK

Meet at School Hill (Town Hall) 10am for a bracing Walk

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Sunday 15th April - PORCH MUSEUM - open 2pm - 5pm

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DATE MOVED TO 11TH MAY -!!! RACE NIGHT AT THE COMRADES CLUB ON THE BIG SCREEN -

Place your bets ( horse sponsorship sold in advance any spare on the night ) plus tote betting and bar

All profits to go towards PICNIC IN THE PARK everyone welcome

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Saturday 28th FOOD HISTORIAN EVENT Queen Elizabeth school 7.00pm

Admission ticket only @ £ 8.00-tasting of various foods through the ages with free glass of wine

Details Trish James on 01480 454801 trish@djinter.net or Stephen Spencer 01480 459756

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MAY 2012

Tuesday 1st May - ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - 8.00 pm Queen Elizabeth School - hosted by the Town Council

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Sunday 6th May and May Bank Holiday Monday - PORCH MUSEUM - open 2pm -5pm

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Friday 11th May RACE NIGHT AT THE COMRADES CLUB ON THE BIG SCREEN - 7.30 pm Free entry

Place your bets ( horse sponsorship sold in advance any spare on the night ) plus tote betting and bar

All profits to go towards PICNIC IN THE PARK everyone welcome

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Thursday 17th May - ANNUAL MAYOR MAKING CEREMONY - Queen Elizabeth School 7.30

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Saturday 19th May - PORCH MUSEUM SPRING PARTY - Admission by ticket only. price £ 7.00

A talk by TV broadcaster Stephen Upex 'WHAT MAKES GODMANCHESTER SPECIAL'

Film premier 'GODMANCHESTER'S SECRET HIDDEN TREASURES'

New photos added to the St Anne's Lane School project

Wine, Nibbles, Raffle

tickets:- Kate 01480 454154, Shirley 01480 454196, David 01480 454277 or Mick 0797924097

JUNE 2012

Sunday 3rd June - PORCH MUSEUM - open 2pm - 5pm

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Sunday 3rd June GALA QUEEN AND PRINCESS COMPETITION -7.30 pm Comrades Club

Who will be our Gala Queen and princess this year ?

Entry forms from the Comrades Club , Schools or printable off the Community Association website nearer the time

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Bank holiday Monday - 4th

GODMANCHESTER TOWN CRICKET CLUB CRICKET TOURNAMENT

A 6 a-side tournament using a soft cricket ball featuring sides representing local groups with an emphasis on fun and participation by non-cricketers.

We want to encourage as many members of the local community down to the club for the day. Bar open and barbecue going.

Godmanchester Town cricket club will be playing its part in the town's 800 celebrations this summer by organising a 6 a-side cricket tournament for local community groups. The emphasis will be on fun using a soft ball with non-cricketers urged to take part. The tournament will take place on Bank Holiday Monday 4th June at the club's ground off Fox Grove with the bar open and food available from the barbecue.
The club wants to hear from anyone interested in entering a team representing a local business, community group or even just a group of friends from the town.

Anyone interested should contact Jamie Rice on 07963 273697 or via the club email at goddycricket@hotmail.co.uk

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Jubilee Beacon on the Island on Monday 4th June 2012

The Island at Island Hall is an official Cambridgeshire Beacon Site for Queen Elizabeth II's Jubilee Celebrations. A network of over 2,000 Beacons will be lit between 22:00 and 22:30 on Monday 4th June 2012 to celebrate Her MajestyThe Queen's Diamond Jubilee #QDJB.

Lady Linda Vane Percy will host a charity fundraising evening on Monday 4th June 2012 during which the Jubilee Beacon will be lit, there will be a traditional hog roast & various drinks and refreshments will be available. Lighting the beacons is just one of the celebrations announced by Buckingham Palace on the extended Bank Holiday weekend of 2nd - 5th June 2012. The aim is to light more than 2012 beacons across the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, the Commonwealth and UK Overseas Territories, on Monday 4th June 2012
For ticket information please watch this space! Fundraising will be in aid of St Mary's Godmanchester 'Raise The Roof' Church Restoration Appeal.

Island Hall

Godmanchester

PE292BA

www.islandhall.com

Monday 11th & Wednesday 13th THE GREAT WAR WALKS conducted tours of Godmanchester

With Roger Leivers

£ 2.50 per head donation to Porch Museum. Details Roger 01480 383460 or Stephen 01480 459756

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Saturday 23rdJune - ST ANNE'S SCHOOL HISTORY EVENT AND HOG ROAST - hosted by PTA

"On the afternoon of 23^rd June St Anne's C of E Primary School will transformed into a medieval village. A medieval long house will adorn the school field and this will be surrounded by stalls and activities organised by the children and relating to historical periods. Appropriate refreshments will also be available. Our recently completed community garden will also be open on 23^rd as part of the Godmanchester open gardens scheme."

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Sunday 17th ANNUAL EXHIBITION FUN RUN AND BBQ - 12.00 NOON- details 01480 459134

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Sunday 17th ANNUAL OPEN BOWLS TOURNAMENT AT THE ROYAL OAK- 2.00pm

Novices only !! Teams of 4 @ £8.00 register on 07810481414- 01480 459756

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Saturday23rd ANNUAL FAMILY FISHING MATCH 1pm on the recreation ground

children of Godmanchester accompanied by an adult take part in this popular event - entries via schools fishing 2pm-3.30pm followed by prize giving and nibbles plus tales of the one that got away at the Comrades Club

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Saturday 23rd June -

GODMANCHESTER IN BLOOMS SCARECROW FESTIVAL Theme-HISTORICAL CHARACTERS- open to everyone Entry forms GMC Schools, Town Office and Ethnic Origins, winners announced on Gala Day

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Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th Jne -GODMANCHESTER'S OPEN GARDEN WEEKEND - organized by ' Godmanchester in Bloom'

Following the success of 2010, "Open Gardens 2012" will be held over 2 afternoons on 23rd and 24th June. About 20 gardens will be open for all to enjoy. The gardens vary in size and style, but all represent something their owners are proud of. You will also be able to visit the community nursery, see some Roman Road, and a few other special things. To round the afternoon off you can enjoy afternoon tea in a variety of locations around the town. If anyone else would consider opening their garden please contact Sarah Wilson 412747 or sarahrwilson@live.co.uk

Maps available from the Town Hall , wander around Godmanchester and view the open gardens and Scarecrows

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Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th June - ST MARYS CHURCH GODMANCHESTER FLOWER FESTIVAL

The theme of Celebration has been chosen by the St Mary's Flower Guild for their Flower Festival in the church on June 22-24. Full details are not yet available as the thirty plus arrangers wish to keep an air of mystery about it but there will be an 800 Charter floral carpet in the altar area. This is the first flower festival for many years so something special is promised. There will be an admission charge in aid of the funds required for the repair of the church roof.

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Sunday 24th June/Saturday 7th July - GODMANCHESTER IN BLOOM JUDGING - all gardens are considered so tidy up !!

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Sunday 24th June - ST MARYS SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING - 6.30 pm

Churches in Godmanchester will be joining together for a Thanksgiving Service on 24 June at 7.30pm at St Mary's Parish Church. The Church has been an integral part of the town's life for a thousand years (it was mentioned in the 1086 Domesday Book). Several events will be taking place in the church during the celebrations and the music strong service is intended to involve many of the other organisations and individuals in the town including the Mayor and Town Council.

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Saturday 30th June - RAF BAND IN CONCERT- RYTHM IN BLUE at St. Mary's Church

The RAF Voluntary Band is welcomed to the town for an evening of music from the 40's, 50's and 60's, from Miller to McCartney. They will be performing at the Church of St Mary the Virgin on Saturday 30 June at 7.30 pm. The primary role of RAF Voluntary Bands is to provide music for ceremonial and social occasions at RAF units, but they also perform at many functions in their local areas, and many of the engagements the Bands undertake are in aid of local and national charities. Voluntary Bands encourage teamwork and esprit-de-corps, as well as raising the profile of the RAF in the local community. Tickets are £12 and can be obtained from 01480 493901 or 01480 382144 and the funds raised will help finance the church fabric

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Saturday 30th June & Sunday 1st July - ANTIQUE AND COLLECTORS HISTORIC MARKET - 10 am - 5 pm

2 day market with 40 stalls selling Antiques and historic artefacts memorabilia novelties.

Stalls start in the Mill Yard car park Post St. and run along the access path to the recreation ground culminating in a refreshment /picnic area next to the play equiptment.

Interested potential stallholders contact Gordon Algood on 07877658410 - allgoodgmc@hotmail.co.uk or info@godmanchestercommunityassociation.org

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Saturday 30th June & Sunday 1st July - GODMANCHESTERS LIVING HISTORY WEEKEND - 10.30am - 5pm

FREE PARKING AT THE WAR MEMORIAL

NEXT TO THE BLACK BULL

A weekend of activities and displays covering a range of periods in our history to include Viking boats on the river Roman encampments , Knights in armour doing battle , WW 2 exhibitions showing how our granparents lived through the world wars. As well as demonstrations in the arena there will be talks,demostrations and activities to participate in located in the various encampment areas, There will also be a hog roast privded by the local butcher Tim.Thomas.

times are approximate

10.30am Official Event Opens All Locations

Godmanchester 800

Living History Weekend

FREE PARKING AT THE WAR MEMORIAL

NEXT TO THE BLACK BULL

Timetable of Arena and Encampment Events

(30^th June - 1^st July 2012)

Prepared by:

Historical Promotions and Event Management

Saturday 30^th June - Sunday 1^st July 2012

Times

Event

Location

10.30am Official Event Opens All Locations

10.30am - 11.00am Viking Archery Talk Viking Encampment

10.45am - 11.30am Medieval Dancing and Singing Medieval Arena

11.00am - 11.30am Roman Gladiatorial Display Gladiatorial Main Arena

11.30am - 12.00pm WWII Bomb Disposal Display WWII Encampment

12.00pm - 12.30pm The Roman Legion Arrives! Main Arena

12.00pm - 12.30pm Squire Training Medieval Arena

12.30pm - 1.00pm Viking Show & Tell and Skirmish Main Arena

12.45pm -1.00pm Archery Talk Medieval Arena

1:00pm - 1.30pm WWII Firing Display Main Arena

1.30pm - 2.00pm Roman Religious Ceremony Roman Encampment

1.30pm - 2.00pm A Knights Tale Medieval Arena

2.00pm - 2.30pm Roman Gladiatorial Display Gladiatorial Arena

2.30pm - 3.00pm Viking Kings Court Viking Encampment

2.45pm - 3.30pm Grand Tournament Medieval Arena

3.00pm - 3.30pm Roman Legionary Display Main Arena

3.30pm - 4.15pm Viking Skirmish & Children's Skirmish Main Arena

3.45pm - 4.15pm De-Arming a Knight Medieval Arena

4.00pm - 4.30pm WWII Firing Display Main Arena

4.30pm - 5.00pm WWII Bomb Disposal Display WWII Encampment

4.30pm -5.00pm A Last Chance to Meet Us Medieval Arena

5.00pm Event Closes

Ongoing Activities:

Impromptu Talks and performances may also take place in the Medieval Area, and there is always a chance to meet Knights and Ladies, try on armour and hold weapons.

All living history camps will be open throughout the day with a variety of demonstrations, cooking, Viking boat talks, try on helmets and a wide range of other activities

JULY 2012

Monday 2nd July -Friday 6th July - GODMANCHESTER GALA WEEK - a week of communitty fun

Local Historian Ken Sneath will conduct 2 of his very popular HISTORIC WALKS around Godmanchester on the theme of his new book

'THE PUBS OF GODMANCHESTER'

Tuesday 3rd. start at the Black Bull finish at the White Hart with a 3 course meal included

Wednesday 4th start at the Black Bull finish at the Exhibition with a BBQ layed on in th Garden

, groups limited to 30

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ACTIVITIES AT THE COMRADES

The Comrades Club Godmanchester will be hosting a series of events from tournaments / quizes to dance evenings .

details to follow

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Friday 6th July - PETANQUE AT THE EX - this popular annual tournament in the car park of the Exhibition public house starts at 7.00

Teams of 4 to register at 6.30 open to all . Food and drink available throughout.

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Saturday 7th July - ANNUAL CARNIVAL AND GALA DAY - 2 pm - 5pm on the Recreation Ground

The CARNIVAL PROCESSION leaves Judiths feild at 1.00pm having been judged by the
Town Mayor and Gala Princesses arriving at the Recretion Ground at 2.00pm this years them is 'THE OLYMPIANS'. Everyone is welcome to join in with a float or walking . Contact Charlotte Underwood 01480 394071 - 07974566170 or charlotte.oldwood@ntlworld.com

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GALA DAY on the RECREATION GROUND is opened by the Town Mayor at 2.pm and continues through untill 5pm. Many local groups affiliated to the community association will be showing their faces either fundraising or recruiting ,or both. there are also a selection of professional attractions, a fair -slides-bungy bouncers etc. as well as food anda licenced bar.

In the arena will be a demonstration of MAYPOLE DANCING by the children of Godmasnchester Community Primary School.

The BLUE VISION TWIRLERS will be showing off their twirling skills and there will be games a plenty organized by our own 3 funsters.

The highlight in the arena on the high wire will be ' ABOVE AND BEYOND ' stunning international performers fluing 35 feet in the air.

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GALA DANCE at the Comrades club

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Sunday 8th July PICNIC IN THE PARK

10 . 00 am WORSHIP IN THE PARK a joint Churches service by the river

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11 . 00 am TOTS IN THE PARK fun and games by the river for toddlers

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12.00 midday The annual DUCK RACE at the sluice gates on the Recreation Ground, Participating Ducks will be on sale on Gala Day

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12.30 a full programme of LIVE