The Lancaster Memorial Project

Planning permission has now been received to create and erect a permanent memorial to the seven crew members of the Lancaster bomber which crashed in Great Paxton on Christmas Eve 75 years ago.  Public fund raising has started and there is a 'just giving page':

www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/graham-james-1

There are also collecting tins in the shop and pub.  Cheques can be written to Great Paxton History Society and sent to Jacqueline Wieczorek, 4 Glebe Close, Great Paxton, PE19 6RS.  We encourage you to donate direct to us rather than using the Just Giving page as they charge a percentage for their services.  We are in communication with the relatives of Albert Thomas, one of the Lancaster crew, who is hoping to visit Great Paxton sometime this year.  Attendance on Remembrance Sunday was nearly as good as the previous year.  The parade included Girl Guides this time as well as Brownies and Rainbows. Displays in the village were much appreciated.  The white cross and one soldier silhouette will remain in place at Dovecote Lane until the memorial is constructed.

1000 year commemorations of Holy Trinity Minster Church in June 2020

The History Society are helping to create the history exhibition inside the church and also volunteers are needed to help before and on the great weekend.  Information will be given on Facebook and on the Great Paxton 1000 website:

https://greatpaxton1000.co.uk/ 

It's a great website.....check it out!

Forthcoming Topics

10th February - History from Lilac Cottage, London Lane

9th March - Annette will provide a topic

20th April (as 13th April is Easter Monday) - topic to be decided

Contact Details

Diane James (for Great Paxton 1000) 01480 406938

Graham James (for Lancaster Memorial) 01480 406938

Paul Ward (who has rescued and restored tiles from the chancel roof, is now selling them at £20 each for church funds, along with the original wooden labels and a stand) 01480 216240

Jacqueline Wieczorek (general society information) 01480 477035

Should anyone wish to email the History Society our email is:

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Did you know that you can keep up to date with things happening in Southoe Village by signing up to the village grapevine or by joining Southoe Facebook page?  If you are already a member of Facebook simply search for SOUTHOE LIFE and ask to join.

Full of information, debate or simply ask a question yourself.  The grapevine is an emal service that is also used for village information.  Handy if you don't use facebook.  Up and coming events, lost and found, for sales or giveaways, recommendations, etc.  Anything really.  Emails are sent out to everyone who has joined using bcc (blind carbon copy), therefore your email address is not visible to anyone else.  Like the Facebook page anyone can use it, many people use both, but the grapevine fills the gap for people who don't use Facebook.  If you would like to join the email group, please send an email to:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

giving your name, where you live and any other email addresses in your family that you would like to add.  If you have any questions, please ask at the above email address.

Come along and join us for our first film of 2020!  'An Affair to Remember' with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr.  Free admission, ice cream and popcorn and refreshments at half time.  Bring a cushion.

Come along to Diddington Church on Saturday 5th October at 7.30pm to enjoy the wonderful Blues in the Pews session!  With the velvet vocals of Stella Hensley, Chris Newman on guitar, Mike Clifford on sax, flute, clarinet and vocals, Colin Hazell on keyboard and Richard Ashman on percussion.

Tickets are £10, £5 for under 16s with drinks available.

Contact Polly on 07721 068606 or Kerry on 01480 813810 to book your ticket.

Funds raised in aid of Diddington Church and Sports Connections Foundation.