What an unexpectedly sunny Easter we’ve had this year. Everywhere was buzzing as people made the most of the warm days in town, in the hostelries and in our parks. I hope the weather will be as kind for the town’s Coronation Big Lunch festivities in May. Some may remember Queen Elizabeth’s coronation while, for others, this will be their first such celebration. Some, like me, missed it the last time so will enjoy this one hugely, thinking possibly there won’t be another chance to do so again, given the royal family’s longevity!
To get us up and running, Gilly Jackson from FEST will be speaking to us after this month’s public talk, to update us about the town’s programme for the long weekend and how we can be involved, whether as recipients or volunteers. My Sunday paper this week was lamenting this week that few towns had registered their intent to hold a Coronation party and wondered if there would be a late rush to do so, whether people just hadn’t registered, or whether there was little interest? Knowing St Ivians’ enthusiasm for enjoying themselves, I am sure we will buck that downward trend and be out there celebrating, enjoying the moment.
Our April speaker is Iain Webb, Community Conservation Officer from the Beds, Cambs & Northants Wildlife Trust, quite the fount of knowledge about ‘Gardening with Wildlife in Mind’ and who might also have time to tell us about conservation projects taking place locally. So, please come along on Fri 21st ,(usual time & place, 7.30pm in the Free Church) and give him hearty St Ives welcome.
Last month’s talk on the history of the Mayflower emigration and its links with Fenstanton was well received though it was clearly a tiny element of their 3 year research programme. So many questions were raised in the Q&A session I asked the speaker, Adrian Moss if he would come back to run a further session, maybe even run a study day for us (at a modest fee) if there is enough interest? I am delighted to say he is happy to do either, or both, so will you let me know if that would be of interest to you, so I can gauge demand? As we don’t traditionally hold talks over the summer because the church is too light, a workshop day might be the perfect way to help fill that gap, keep the momentum going? Let me know what you think.
To those who have had difficulties contacting me through the Society’s website, I apologise. The blip has been sorted by our webmaster Brian, so you can now find me easily at chair@stivescivic.org.uk
Two more dates for your diary:
1) Next month’s talk explores micro-level discoveries: Finds Under the Stalls at Kings College, and 2) June 16th. Yes, June – as a speaker has become available to talk to us in June on the topic of Gothic Revival: the Architecture of the 18th and 19th Centuries and I don’t want to turn it down. Given our own Pugin designed local example, I am certain this talk will be of interest to many so I hope we can provide a reasonably sized audience even though other summer enticements will be available. More of this later….
Other organisations’ talks which may be of interest in the coming weeks include –
The Gt Ouse Valley Trust’s AGM on Saturday April 22nd, with guest speakers Bridget Flanagan and Keith Grimwade (who spoke so informatively to us about the Thicket Path back in January). This time, presenting their research on ‘The Watermills and Landscape of the Gt Ouse’. It takes place at 10am at the Hartford Church Hall (not the village hall as previously advertised) and will be followed by a light lunch, so if you intend to go please let them know in advance: helenboothman@btinternet.com
The U3As AGM on May 11th and their Group Fayre on 21st June from 10.30 am – both at the Corn Exchange: contact monadology56@googlemail.com
I very much look forward to seeing you at some of the above.
Christine
We look forward to seeing you at one of our events.
Civic Society of St Ives