December, 1949.

3--Christmas Fair in aid of the Parish Hall lighting and heating fund yielded over £60.

3-4--Major Phillips, a former resident officer, conducted Salvation Army services.

9--A whist drive and dance held at St. Matthew's Institute realised over £16 for the children's Christmas party.

10--Death of Mr. Harry Chapman. In spite of physical disability Mr. Chapman had always taken an active interest in local affairs. He will be remembered for his good work in knitting comforts for the Forces during the war.

12--Annual meeting of Women's Institute. Mrs. W. Gill was again returned as president with an overwhelming majority.

!!! 13--Isle of Ely Education Committee agreed to provide additional lavatories, classrooms and staff accommodation at Littleport schools. It was decided to install a film strip projector and physical training equipment during 1950-51.

14--Scholars attending the Senior Girls' School gave an excellent dramatised version of Dickens' " A Christmas Carol." The play had been adapted by Miss M. Davy (headmistress) and Miss E. R. Gill.

Death of Mr. Benjamin Alex Dix, of Cambridge, and formerly of 29, The Crescent, Littleport. He was 77.

16--Cheque for £4/10/0 forwarded to Dr. Barnardo's Homes, the result of a whist drive organised by the Women's Fellowship.

At an examination held at Cambridge in connection with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, the following candidates were successful: Theory of Music, Grade I. (Primary), Hazel Scott, Christine Young and Thelma Pettitt. They were pupils of Miss W. B. Russell, of Victoria Street.

Rabbits belonging to Master E. Middleton, of Littleport, gained special awards at the Ely Fur & Feather Club's open show. Other local prizewinners were A. Loveday, Master M. Stimpson, R. Easey, J. W. Mears, H. G. H. Taylor.

18--Mr. E. Youngs, of Littleport, conducted services at Ely Victoria Street Methodist Church.

!!! 20--Traffic improvements in Littleport were discussed at a Parish Council meeting. It was agreed to recommend that one-way traffic be introduced from the Town Hall to Crown-corner.

25--Christmas Day-Mr. & Mrs. Charles Arch, of Ely Road, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.

29--A 15-years-old cyclist, Philip Brian Coleman, son of Mr. & Mrs. D. R. Coleman, of Gault Cottages, Chettisham, was killed at the entrance to Littleport station yard. He was pacing a lorry and skidded under the rear wheel after the lorry had slowed down to turn into the station yard.

30--Engagement announced between Mr. Victor Wilson, of Littleport, and Miss Sylvia Youngs, of Ten Mile Bank, Downham Market.

31--It was revealed that the British Legion Band had enjoyed a record carol season. Collections amounted to £45.

January, 1950.

3--Table Tennis -District Final of County Youth Championship, held at Ely. Ely Youth Centre defeated Littleport Y.M.C.A, by 281 points to 257.

4--Members of Black Horse Drove Women's Institute choir toured the village singing carols in aid of the Isle of Ely Society for the Blind. £5/10/0 was collected.

6--Engagement announced between Miss Merlyn Weal, of St. Neots, Hunts., and Mr. Maurice Frost, of Sawtry, Hunts., and formerly of Littleport.

At a recent examination held at Cambridge in connection with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, Hazel Mary Scott passed with Merit in Pianoforte, Grade I. (Primary). She was a pupil of Miss W. B. Russell, of Victoria Street.

9--Women's Institute monthly meeting. An interesting talk was given by Mrs. Saberton, of Little Downham, who took for her subject " The W.I. and what it stands for."

13--Coming-of-age party of Billy Atkinson, son of Mr. & Mrs. A. Atkinson, of The Crescent.

14-Women's Fellowship annual family party. About 60 people were present.

15--At a special service held at the Parish Church, children brought 135 parcels of toys and clothing for Waifs and Strays.

18--Concert, organised by the Women's Institute on behalf of the British-Empire Cancer Campaign realised £45. The beauty contest was won by Miss Hazel Newton, of The Crescent.

19--B.H. Drove Women's Institute monthly meeting. Members of the Littleport Women's Fellowship were the guests for the evening.

20--Engagement announced between Mr. David Howard Bullivant, of Westcliff-on-Sea, and Miss Daphne Margaret Porter, only daughter of Mr. & Mrs. W. Porter, of New Road, Littleport.

21--Annual Church Sunday School party held at the Parish Hall. A film show was given by the Rector of Southery, Rev. W. H.Woodhouse.

22--Outbreak of fire at the house of Mr. James Dolby, of Wisbech Road. A room and contents were severely damaged.

Special visit of the Fakenham Salvation Army Band.

24--Infant Welfare party-57 mothers and children enjoyed a sumptuous tea.

25--Annual Mothers' Union party. About 30 members from the Prickwillow branch were among the guests.

27-Farewell party for Mr. R. Shelton, Leader of the Y.M.C.A. Youth Club and District Youth Organiser. Mr. Shelton, after a stay of three years, was leaving Littleport to take up a new appointment at East Dereham.

29--Annual prize-giving for Salvation Army Sunday School scholars. The prizes were presented by Miss L. Gotobed.

February. 1950

!!! 1--At a meeting of Ely Rural District Council it was revealed that the draft lay-out of the new Woodfen estate prepared for 140 dwellings, had been approved in principle by the Ministry of Health and the Town Planning Authority.

At a recent parade of the Littleport St. John Ambulance Cadets, awards were presented to Acting Cpl. David Norman. He had won the Individual Competition of the Ambulance Cadet Division and also the Superintendent's prize for the best all-round cadet for 1949. Cadet John Key was awarded the second prize as the second best cadet for 1949.

5--Candlemass services held at St. John's Church, Little Ouse. At the main service candles were blessed and distributed to all present.

13--Monthly meeting of Women's Institute. The winners of the monthly competition (bowl of bulbs) were Mrs. Gill and Mrs. Kerridge.

14--Funeral, at Littleport, of Mrs. Susan Oakey, of Ipswich, and a former resident of Littleport. She was the second daughter of the late Mr. & Mrs. Robert Dennis, who lived for many years at Portley Hill. Her age was 74 years.

15--Parish Council meeting. Members agreed to levy their highest-ever precept, totalling £1,625 for 1950- £575 more than for 1949. The account was made up as follows : General Account £175, Burial Account £750, Lighting Account £700.

16--By squeezing 147 articles into a match box, Mrs. E. Crabb won a competition held in connection with the monthly meeting of Black Horse Drove Women's Institute.

Death, at Ely, of Mrs. Georgina Butcher, aged 69 years. Mrs. Butcher was a native of Littleport and had lived in Ely for 32 years. She was the wife of the late Mr. John William Butcher, who also came from Littleport.

18--Rabbits exhibited by J. E. Middleton and P. W. North, both of Littleport, were prominent prize-winners at the Ely and District Fur and Feather Club's pen show. Other local winners were: W. Sexton, H. G. H. Taylor and M. Stimpson.

!!! 19--Mr Henry Everitt, of Littleport, driving his car along High Street towards Crown corner, collided with a car coming out of Church Lane The driver, a Cambridge man, had failed to stop at the halt sign. This was the first accident at Crown corner since the sign was erected.

23--General Election-Major E. A. Legge-Bourke retained his seat as Conservative member for the Isle of Ely with a majority of 4963 over his Labour opponent (Mr. Alfred Gray).

!!! 24--A statement in the recently published annual report of the County Library for 1949-50 showed that the existing library in the Town Hall did useful work, but was not adequate in scope for a place the size of Littleport.

March. 1950

4--Boxing-County Youth Championships at Wisbech-Black Horse Drove finished level with March as runners-up, a fine performance.

8--Parish Council discussed County Council's proposals for one way traffic in Main Street. It was agreed that no restrictions were desirable on traffic in Littleport.

10--News received of the accidental death, while serving with the Navy in the aircraft carrier H.M.S. Triumph, of Charlie Camp, a former evacuee to Littleport from London. He came to live with Mr. & Mrs. J. Cooper, of White Hart Lane, early in 1940.

16--Death, following severe burns, of Mrs. Mary Green, of Wisbech Road. Mrs. Green accidentally set fire to herself while near or lighting her gas stove. She was 75.

17--Mr. & Mrs. Benton Peckett, of the "Plough" Inn, received a letter from 80 years old Mrs. Hannah Calkins, of Arkansas, U.S.A., who wrote to renew a friendship interrupted some 60 years ago when, as Miss Hannah Barber, she left Littleport with her father to begin a new life across the Atlantic.

25--Marriage, at the Parish Church, Mepal, of Miss Jean Webb, of Mepal, and Mr. Leslie Handley, of Ten Mile Bank, Littleport.

31--Engagement announced between Maurice, third son of Mr. & Mrs. G. Butcher, of Hempfield Place, and Sylvia, eldest daughter of Mr. & Mrs. F. King, of Victoria Street.

April. 1950

!!! 4--Isle of Ely Education Committee agreed to purchase a 14 acre site in Parsons Lane for new secondary modern and junior schools in Littleport.

5--£8, the result of a whist drive, was donated to the Royal National Life-boat Institution by the Women's Fellowship.

7--Presentation made to Mr. Henry Crabb by members of the Littleport St. John Ambulance Division. Mr. Crabb, who was retiring from the Division, had held the position of Divisional Supt. since 1938.

Engagement announced between Mr. Maurice Tucker, of Ely, and Miss Jean Middleton, younger daughter of Mr. & Mrs. C. Middleton, of Littleport.

13--Meeting of B H Drove Women's Institute. A talk on Some aspects of life in South Africa" was given by Mrs. Barnes, a cousin of Mrs. J. H. Martin. Mrs. Barnes was on a visit to this country from Africa.

14--Nurse Doreen Atkinson, eldest daughter of Mr. & Mrs. A. Atkinson, of The Crescent, succeeded in obtaining her R.F.N. Certificate.

17--Monthly meeting of Women's Institute. Dr. Coggin Brown gave a talk on " The control of infectious diseases."

21--S.J.A.B, successes. The following were successful at the preliminary first-aid certificate examination held by Dr. R. Wyllie: Shirley Key, Marjorie Tuck, Margaret Thornhill, Cynthia Yardy and Veena Brown. They are now members of the Littleport Cadet Nursing Division.

28--Annual meeting of Littleport and Prickwillow Nursing Association. It was revealed that the Queen's Sisters had made a total of 5,129 visits throughout the year. In addition Nurse Page had paid 3,379 general visits and 693 visits to the almshouses.

29--Football - Littleport St. John Ambulance Cup, Final. Littleport defeated Milton by five goals to four.

May. 1950

2--Mrs. T. Brown, with her two children, left this country for the Fat East to join her husband, W/O. T. Brown, who is serving with the R.A.F, in Hong Kong. Mrs. Brown was formerly Miss Joyce Harwood, daughter of Mrs. & Mrs. J. W. Harwood, of Littleport Bridge.

5--Littleport Women's Conservative Association social evening. Major Legge-Bourke, Member for the Isle, attended. He predicted another general election in October.

7--Pentecostal Mission-Large numbers attended services commemorating the Mission's 18th anniversary.

14--A large congregation attended Victoria Street Methodist Church P.S.A. The speaker was Major Legge-Bourke, Member for the Isle of Ely.

24--Annual general meeting of Littleport Angling Club. The prize for the best bream caught during 1949-50 was awarded to Mr. H. Willett.

29--Whit Monday-Grand band contest and festival, organised by Littleport British Legion Band, held at Highfield. Over 2,000 people attended.

June. 1950

2--Marriage at St. George's Church, of Miss Margaret Anne Price, only child of Mr. & Mrs. A. F. Price, of Littleport, and Mr. Thomas Lovell Avery, son of the Rev. Canon T. R. Avery & Mrs. Avery, of Lutterworth Rectory, near Rugby.

!!! 4--Special service of remembrance and thanksgiving held at Soham Parish Church for the brave acts of courage of Driver Gimbert, G.C. and Fireman Nightall, G.C. and others, by which the town of Soham was saved from destruction when an explosion took place in a blazing wagon of an ammunition train, totally destroying the railway station and causing considerable damage to nearby houses.

7--Members of Women's Institute spent a highly successful day in London.

10--St. John Cadet Units from Cambridge, Ely and Littleport, celebrated Cadet Day with. an interesting display at Highfield, Littleport. 11-First of the monthly religious services held in B.H. Drove Community Centre.

13--Special service held at the Independent Chapel, Littleport, to commemorate the centenary of its opening. Brigadier 3 V McCormack took the chair.

14--Marriage, at St. Mary-le-Tower Church, Ipswich, of Mr. Stuart Goy son of Mr. & Mrs. Goy, of Littleport, to Miss June Moyes' daughter of Mr. & Mrs. D. Moyes, of Ipswich. 15- Members of B.H. Drove Women's Institute attended a NationalSinging Festival at the Royal Albert Hall, London.

!!! Large crowds assembled at Sandhill Bridge to witness the arrival by boat from Prickwillow, of the East Anglian Girl Guides' Scroll of Friendship, on its way to a World Conference of Girl Guides to be held in Oxford and, eventually, to be presented to the Netherlands' delegate. After a parade of Guides through the town, escorted by the British Legion Band, the Scroll was housed in the Globe Inn for the night and taken to Little Downham the next day.

17--Marriage, at St. Mary's Church, Ely, of Miss Mary Rich, of Ely, and Mr. Leon Rowell, only son of Mr. & Mrs. Redvers Rowell, of Littleport.

23--Engagement announced between Mr. Geoffrey Hawkes, son of Mrs. Hawkes and the late Mr. S. Hawkes, of Littleport, and Miss Kathleen Jakes, of Haddenham.

24--Marriage, at Ely, of Mr. Bernard Gillett, son of Mr. & Mrs. W. Gillett of Ten Mile Bank, Littleport, and Miss Emily M. Lupson, of Ely. Women's Fellowship house-to-house collection in aid of the Isle of Ely Fund for the Blind yielded over £74.

Haddenham Young Farmers' Show-Challenge Cup for the best Shire horse in the show went to Mr. F. G. Starling. Other Littleport prize-winners in the horse classes were Messrs. T. W. O. Mott & Sons, G. C. Bedford and R. Stubbings. Local winners in the Rabbit Show were Miss P. Easey, Master L. E. Middleton, Master R. Tingay and Messrs. R. Easey, H. G. H. Taylor and A. Loveday.

July. 1950

1--Royal Norfolk Show-Messrs. H. J. & H. G. Martin gained championship awards with their British Friesian cow, Littleport Graceless.

The following pupils of the Town Schools were successful in passing the Entrance Examination to Ely High School for Girls and Soham Grammar School .-Girls, Jacqueline Audus, Margaret Badcock: Hazel Brown, Stella Brown, Erica Coulson, Gay Covell, C. Hodson, J. Saul. A. E. Copsey.

1--Black Horse Drove Community Centre garden fete realised over £100.

8--Parish Church garden fete opened by Mrs. T. Barclay Gordon. Over £130 resulted.

9--Tragic death of Mr. Frank Ridgewell, of 36, Friars Way. Mr. Ridgewell, a motor cyclist, came into collision with a 'bus at Littleport station level crossing and received fatal injuries.

11--Mr. T. B. James, headmaster of Coveney School, appointed headmaster of the Coronation School, B.H. Drove.

18--Death, at Southery, of a former Littleport resident, Mrs. Emma J. Rowell, wife of Mr. John Rowell. She was 64.

19--Littleport Girls' School sports day at Highfield-The Senior Challenge Cup was won by Janet Starling and the Junior by Ann Taylor. The winning House was Saxon.

22--Review of the St. John Ambulance Brigade by H.R.H. Princess Margaret, at Sennowe Park, Guist, Norfolk. A detachment of nursing cadets from the Littleport Division, accompanied by Superintendents Mr. & Mrs. L. A. Hughes, attended.

26--First committee meeting of the Littleport Girls' School Parent-Teacher Association. A Constitution was adopted and the following officers were elected : -Miss M. Davy, chairman, Mr. O. Fendick, vice-chairman, Miss E. Gill, secretary, Mrs. Strawson, treasurer.

29--Littleport Horticultural and Foal Show Society's 61st annual show. Over 4,000 people attended.

30--Parade Sunday-Challenge Cup for the best decorated wagon was won by the Littleport Pig Club. Memorial service to Gen. Evangeline Booth held at the Salvation Army Citadel.

A recent collection for St. Dunstan's, organised by Mrs. J. K. C. Payne, amounted to £51/9/8.

August. 1950

4--A 20-years old Dagenham youth, Albert Clifford Matthews, spending a river holiday with friends, was drowned near Sandhill Bridge, Littleport, while attempting to rescue a 14 year-old boy who had fallen into the water. Both boys went under, but an angler was able to drag the younger to safety almost immediately. The body of the older boy was not recovered until ten minutes later.

9--Annual general meeting of Littleport Women's Conservative Association. Mrs. Gill was again elected as Secretary.

!!! 12--Littleport Girl Guides, under their Captain, Miss M. Davy, spent a happy week camping at Mundesley. Norfolk. "Never was so much eaten by so few in so short a time " commented Miss Davy.

16--Women's Institute tea for old folks took place at the Constitutional Hall. About 80 "over-seventies" attended.

20--4,000 spectators assembled at Old Bank to watch Ely & District Motor Cycle Club's last-of-the-season scramble.

British Legion Band toured the villages of West Dereham, Wereham, Stoke Ferry, Methwold and Feltwell and played a short programme at each village.

26--Marriage, at St. George's Church, Sudbury, of Derek William Thorby, of Littleport, to Pearl Audrey Murray, of Sudbury.

September. 1950

1--Marriage at St. John's Church, March, of Mr. Eric Plumb, of March and Miss Edith Shipp, third daughter of Mr. J. Shipp and the late Mrs. Shipp, of Littleport.

2--Littleport Cricket Club concluded another successful season Of the 18 matches played, 11 were won, 3 drawn, 3 lost and 1 match resulted in a tie. B. Copsey topped the batting with an average of 20.6 and Sid Stubbings was the most successful bowler taking 53 wickets for an average of 5.73

8--Engagement announced between Peter Ernest, eldest son of Mr & Mrs. W. Clarke, of Hempfield Place, and Joyce, youngest daughter of Mr. & Mrs. J. Kemp, of Black Horse Drove.

11--Monthly meeting of Women's Institute. A letter was read from Mrs. Wyllie thanking the members for their message of congratulations on the birth of her twin daughters.

14--Death of Mr. Carter Watts at the age of 78.

15--Engagement announced between Geoffrey, son of Mr. & Mrs. A. V. Bonnett, of Lynn Road, Ely, and Doris, only daughter of Mr. & Mrs. R. W. Spring, of Victoria Street, Littleport.

18--Death, at Sheffield, of Mrs. Harry Golland, daughter of the late Mr. & Mrs. J. Hall, of Littleport.

29--Special meeting of Littleport Branch of National Union of Tailors and Garment Workers. New wage proposals were discussed.

Nearly 100 boys attended opening night of the Boys' Brigade Company which was being formed by the Littleport Youth Centre.

October. 1950

4--Meeting of the local branch of the Workers' Educational Association. The first of a series of lectures on ''Social & Economic Problems" was given by Mrs. M. Short, M.A.

6--Death, at Tooting, London, of Mrs. Hannah Fenn, widow of the late Mr. William Fenn, formerly of New River Bank, Littleport. Mrs. Fenn was 84.

Mr. Frank Soo, a Football Association coach and a former England. and Stoke City player, gave a two-hour talk covering all aspects of football to members and supporters of Littleport Town Football club.

S J A B Cadet Corps-It was revealed that three ambulance cadets, John Key, Brian Ayres and Colin Watkins, had been successful at an examination in camp hygiene and sanitation.

10--Ely Art Society's annual exhibition. An animated scene depicting cowboys and Indians sent in from Littleport Infants' School was especially noted.

14--Special 10-day Salvation Army campaign, "Littleport for Christ," was opened. The campaigner was Major Chas. Ward,

!!! 17--Seventeen babies were immunised at the Infant Welfare Centre.

20--Mrs. J. H. Martin, of the Willow Rows, resigned her membership of the panel which interviews Isle of Ely children in connection with the selection of children for boarding education. Miss H. M. Bridgstock, head teacher of Littleport Infants' School, appointed head teacher of Fulbridge County Infants' School, Peterborough. Engagement announced between Miss Marjorie Clarke, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. V. O. Clarke, of the Black Horse Inn, Black Horse Drove, and Mr. Clarence Berry, of Sheffield.

21--Jumble Sale held in the Girls' School realised £49 for school funds. The newly-formed Parent Teachers' Association gave valuable assistance towards the effort.

25--Mr. & Mrs. Frederick Ramsey, of 102, Victoria Street, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

28--Football-Littleport Boys' Brigade won their first match of the season when they defeated boys of the Cottage Home, Ely, by five goals to one.

30--Girl Guides-Patrol Leader Margaret Atkinson presented with a first-class badge by Division Commissioner, Miss S. M. Martin.

November. 1950

1--Annual rally of the Wesley Guild held in St. John's Methodist Church. The special preacher was the Rev. J. E. Eagles, M.C., Principal of Cliff College, Sheffield.

8--"Eyes and the Optics in general" was the subject of a talk given to members of the Women's Fellowship by Mr. P. Radcliffe.

12--Remembrance Day observed at Littleport. The special preacher at the Parish Church was the Rev. A. Sills, Chaplain to the King's School, Ely.

14--Ten animals from the Ousebridge herd of attested dairy Shorthorns of Messrs. H. J. & H. G. Martin, were sold for an average of 104 guineas at Histon.

18--Master J. E. Middleton awarded a Diploma for animals exhibited by him at Ely Rabbit Show. Other Littleport winners were:- Masters B. Tingay, M. Stimpson and Mr. W. Sexton.

Four members of the Women's Fellowship visited Dr. Barnardo's Homes at Kelvedon, Essex. They were laden with Christmas gifts for the children, the outcome of a special effort organised by the Fellowship.

25--Marriage, at Southery Parish Church, of Mr. George Cooper, son of Mr. & Mrs. P. V. Cooper, of Millfield, Littleport, and Miss Violet Fletcher, of Southery.

East Anglian Brass Band Association's annual quartet contest held at Thetford-Littleport British Legion Band gained 1st and 2nd prizes in Class A.

27--Funeral at Halstead, Essex, Of Mrs. Hannah Fitch, wife of the late Mr F. D. Fitch, of Halstead. Mrs. Fitch, a native of Littleport, died suddenly at her home in Victoria Street. She was 77.