DECEMBER 1936.

25--Christmas Day--Parish Church beautifully decorated for special services

26--Boxing Day--Marriage, at St. Paul's Methodist Church, March, of Miss Joyce Winifred Theobald, youngest daughter of Mr. G Theobald, of March, and formerly of Littleport, and Mr. F. G Ison, of London

Drawing Match at St. Matthews'--Messrs. A. Boughen, S. Stubbings and J. Harrison were first, second and third respectively

Drawing Match at White House resulted as follows : 1 S. Stubbings, 2 R. A. Stubbings, 3 K. Cooper

27--Collections at Parish Church devoted to Church of England Waifs' and Strays' Society. Over £5 realised

Local Methodists held United Service in Victoria Street Church

JANUARY, 1937.

4--Eighty people sat down to a New Year's Supper in Victoria Street Methodist Church Schoolroom. It was arranged by the local Christian Endeavour Society

Mothers' Union Annual Party. Thirty-four members attended

11--Monthly Meeting of Women's Institute. Miss Peake and Mrs. G. Summerlee gave a demonstration on making doughnuts

12--St. Matthew's Mothers' Union New Year's Party

13--Third Birthday Party of Littleport Boy Scouts

14--£1 7s. collected at Town Infants School in aid of the Isle of Ely Society for the Blind

15--Billiards--Greene King Challenge Shield won by E. Reed at the British Legion Club. He defeated A. W. Thompson in the final round

21--Over 150 mothers and children entertained at the Annual New Year's Party of the Littleport Maternity and Child Welfare Centre

22--Annual Party of juvenile section of Hereward Lodge of Oddfellows. A company of 175 sat down to tea.

26--Annual Meeting of Bowls Club. It was revealed that the club was £12 in debt

St. Matthew's mothers entertained to tea by fathers

27--Miss Peake (local secretary for the Church of England Waifs' and Strays' Society) received a letter of thanks from the Society for the local box collection of £20 14s.

!!! The new road connecting Parson's Lane and Wisbech Road christened "Friar's Way" at a meeting of Parish Council

31--Rev. H. M. Brown (recently home from Jamaica) preached at the Independent Chapel

FEBRUARY, 1937.

5--A motor lorry driven by Mr. C. G. Sallis came into collision with a milk van driven by Mr. W. T. Hiblin at the White Hart Lane cross-roads. Neither of the drivers were injured

8--New members welcomed at monthly meeting of Women's Institute. Mr. Narborough gave a. demonstration on "Care of the feet"

10--Special Ash Wednesday service held in Parish Church conducted by the Vicar (Rev. N. W. Shelton)

!!! 14--New electric lights in Parish Church dedicated to Holy Service. The service was conducted by the Rev. N. W. Shelton, and Alderman Wm. Cutlack, J.P., of Ely, pressed a button to put the lights into operation for the first time

15--Completion of the installation of the electric organ blower in the Parish Church

Local King's Messengers provided the entertainment at monthly meeting of Mothers' Union

16--Rev. N. W. Shelton, M.A., completed 21 years as Vicar of Littleport

Domino Tournament at the Constitutional Club for challenge shield presented by Messrs. Hall, Cutlack & Harlock, Ltd., won by H. Harrison

20--Successful Jumble Sale held by Liberals' Tennis Club. Over £8 was raised

21--Ald. J. W. Payne, of Wisbech, was the special preacher at Victoria Street Methodist Church

24--Tragic death, at Infield Farm, Grandford, March, of Mr. Charles Alfred Goodge, a former resident of Littleport, due to the accidental discharge of his gun when he stumbled in a stable. He was 48 years of age

26--Death, at Ely, of Mrs. Eliza Gentry, widow of Mr. Charles Gentry, late of Victoria Street, Littleport, in her 82nd year

27--"Sunnybrook Starlight," a cocker spaniel owned by Mr. A. W. Blankley, of Main Street, awarded second prize at Wisbech Dog Show

MARCH, 1937.

1--Mothers' Union monthly meeting. An address was given by Mrs. C. A. E. Pollock, of Cambridge

2--Dame Sybil Thorndike and her husband, Mr. Lewis Casson, entertained at the Convalescent Home

Concert, arranged by the Little Ouse and Brandon Bank Women's Institute, held in the Brandon Bank Schoolroom. The Pymoor Ten Sisters supplied the entertainment

3--Annual meeting of Littleport "Imps." It was revealed that during the year the membership had been doubled

Coursing meeting held at Crouchmoor

5--Well-attended Liberal concert-meeting held in the School, Black Horse Drove. The Speaker was Ald. H. Payne, of Guyhirn

8--Members' night at Women's Institute meeting. During the evening members had to explain "Where I first met my husband"

11--Bells of Littleport Parish Church described by members of the Ely Diocesan Association of Ringers as "the pride of the Fens"

12--Completion of British Legion Club's darts tournament. E. Taylor was the winner

Miss Doris M. Hinckley, of Littleport, left for her second term of service with the China Inland Mission, as a missionary in Anhwei

!!! 14--Organ recital, given by Dr. M. P. Conway, organist of Ely Cathedral, in the Parish Church. The new electric organ blower was used for the first time

17--Another year of amazing progress reviewed at the annual meeting of Littleport "Hereward" Lodge of Odd Fellows

!!! 18--Fenland threatened with wholesale flooding. The Great Ouse and its tributaries nearly seven feet above normal level. White Hart Lane and City Road flooded and cottages in the Holmes surrounded by water. A huge crack appeared in the Cut and the bank was strengthened by bags of clay. Station Road sandbagged near Railway Station

19--Mr. and Mrs. S. Ashman, of 102, Victoria Street, celebrated their golden wedding

!!! 21--Sightseers from all parts of England invaded Fenland to see the floods. It was estimated that something like 10,000 vehicles passed over Littleport Bridge

25--Alderman T. Peake, J.P., of Littleport, Chairman of the Ely Magistrates, congratulated by his fellow members of the Bench on his appointment as High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire for the ensuing year

26--Good Friday--Two hour service in Parish Church conducted by Rev. R. K. Denham of Landbeach

26--Service of Song entitled "Scapegrace" given by the choir of Victoria Street Methodist Church

Over 100 people sat down to a Public Tea in the Salvation Army Hall

28--Easter Day--Special services held in the Gospel Hall. The speaker was Mr. Bolton of Ackworth

APRIL, 1937.

4--Annual Egg Service at Parish Church. 1,000 eggs collected for Addenbrooke's Hospital

5--Annual meeting of Town Lands Charity. It was revealed that the Feoffees' overdraft at the bank had been reduced by one half Elections of Rural District and Parish Councillors in Littleport.

In the Rural Council Election, Mr. John C. Armiger, a new contestant, headed the poll. Alderman T. Peake headed the poll in the Parish Council Election.

Death of Rev. Frank D'Ynza Brace, Vicar of Littleport St. Matthew, at the age of 77 years. He succeeded to the Vicariate of St. Matthew's in June, 1925

8--Death, at Exning, near Newmarket, of Mr. Henry Harold Coleman, aged 69 years. Mr. Coleman was a native of Black Horse Drove

12--Monthly meeting of Women's Institute. An egg collection was made for Addenbrooke's Hospital Football--Town Boys defeated Sutton Boys, 4-1

14--Annual meeting of Amalgamated Friendly Societies' Charities Committee. Members were of the opinion "that Littleport urgently needed an Ambulance"

20--Death at Northfield House, Southery, at the age of 24, of Miss Lilian Mary Thornhill, only daughter of Mr. C. W. Thornhill and the late Mrs. Thornhill

21--First meeting of recently elected Parish Council. Ways and means of protecting the low lying parts of the town from the flood menace were discussed

Charity Football--Littleport v. Isle Police, £10 raised for Coronation Fund

23--At the fourth annual Borough Musical Festival at Cambridge, Gladys Washington, a local entrant, was placed third among twenty-seven entrants in the solo pianoforte class for children aged 11-12 years

£9 4s. collected in Littleport on behalf of the National Children's Home

25--Anniversary of St. John's Methodist Church, High Street. The preacher was Rev. T. Gray Atkinson, of Bourne, Lines.

30--An appeal for funds on behalf of the old folk in the Holmes whose houses had been recently flooded realised over £l3

MAY, 1937.

4--Salvation Army sale of Work opened by Mrs. W. G. T. Macfie. £l8 was realised

It was revealed at a meeting of the local Coronation Committee that over £111 had been collected for the town's celebrations

5--In connection with the local Coronation celebrations March Musical Society gave a presentation of "Merrie England"

6--Football--Local Butchers and Grocers met in their annual match. Butchers won 4-0

7--Football--Isle Schools Cup-Final. March Hereward 5, Littleport 0

9--1st Littleport Company Girl Guides took part in a Guide parade service held in Ely Cathedral. Over 1,100 Guides attended

10--Monthly Women's Institute meeting. Mrs. J. Feetham, senr., gave a demonstration of making loose chair covers

!!! 12--Coronation of Their Majesties King George VI. and Queen Elizabeth. Houses and streets in Littleport gaily decorated. Procession to Parish Church for a united service of thanksgiving was the longest ever seen in Littleport. Six-a-side football contest abandoned owing to incessant rain. Coronation mugs presented to children. Free dance held in Constitutional Hall

!!! Coronation celebrations at Little Ouse included a tea for children and an adults' supper. The sports programme had to be abandoned owing to rain until the following Monday

!!! Coronation celebrations at Black Horse Drove included a service in the Wesleyan Chapel, a cricket match, and tea for children and adults. A successful day was concluded with the lighting of a bonfire

!!! 15--Coronation celebrations continued. Over 100 Old Age Pensioners given a free cinema show at the Regal Cinema. Afterwards they were entertained to tea in the Constitutional Hall

17--Whit Monday--Coronation celebrations concluded with a programme of sports, a torchlight procession, a bonfire and firework display

19--Annual meeting of Swimming Club. The possibility of erecting a new bathing pool in Littleport was discussed

21--Social evening held in St. Matthew's Institute to bid farewell to Mrs. D'Ynza Brace

24--Annual meeting of Nursing Association. The Secretary's report began thus-"More visits paid, more miles covered, more babies, is the report for 1936 ; another nurse, another car, a larger district is the programme for 1937"

27--Death, at Glenfield, Leicester, of Mr. G. W. Goodge, a native of Littleport. He was for 42 years employed at Messrs. Hope Bros' factory

JUNE, 1937.

1--100 Coronation souvenir mugs distributed to children under 3 years of age at the weekly meeting of the local Maternity and Child Welfare Centre

2--Members of the local Mothers' Union entertained by the Vicar (Rev. N. W. Shelton)

3--Arrival at Littleport of Capt, and Mrs. Stanley Searle to take charge of the Littleport Corps of the Salvation Army Departure from Littleport of Capt, and Mrs. L. Howe to take charge of the Slough Corps of the Salvation Army.

9--At a meeting of the Isle of Ely Highways and Bridges Committee it was decided to consider a £20,000 scheme for the improvement of the Littleport-Brandon Creek road

Visit to Littleport, in connection with the Victoria Street Methodist Sunday School Anniversary, of the 1st King's Lynn Boys Brigade

11--Death, at Kingsthorpe, of Mr. Joseph William Luddington in his 83rd year. Mr. Luddington formerly lived and fanned at Littleport and was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Luddington

13--Continuation of Anniversary celebrations in connection with Victoria Street Methodist Sunday School

14--Monthly meeting of Women's Institute. Miss D. Defew, B.A., spoke on the life of George Eliot

15--Local Maternity and Child Welfare Centre closed for three weeks owing to an outbreak of measles

16--First inter-club swimming match of season held at Littleport. The local club defeated the City of Ely Club

Garden Fete held in connection with the Parish Church yielded a profit of over £46

18--Miss Olive Chapman, a pupil of Mrs. Walter Gotobed, gained a certificate for Pitman's Shorthand, Primer I.

Death of Mrs. Gertrude Baldwin, a former Littleport lady at Kew, exactly a week after the death of her brother (Mr. Joseph Wm. Luddington)

19--The local British Legion Silver Prize Band gained two prizes in the Norfolk Brass Band Festival held at Reepham

23--Garden Fete in aid of the funds of St. John's Methodist Church opened by Mrs. G. E. Bedford, of Prickwillow. The proceeds were about £35

27--Open-air concert given by the British Legion Silver Prize Band in aid of Dr. Barnardo’s Homes yielded about £2 5s.

30--Departure from Littleport of Mr. F. L. Smith, manager of Messrs. Hope Bros. Shirt Factory, to take up a new appointment as manager of the firm's main works at Dulwich. He came to Littleport 12 years ago

JULY, 1937.

7--Meeting of Black Horse Drove Coronation Committee for the purpose of disposing of surplus money amounting to over £7. It was decided to give the school children an outing to Hunstanton

8--Inter-club swimming match. St. Ives v Littleport. Littleport were defeated

10--Tea and tennis tournament held on "Imps" court. A presentation was made to Miss Ivy Smith to mark her departure from Littleport. The tournament was won by Mr. N. H. Wilson and Mrs. S. R. Stanley

Presentation made to Mr. F. L. Smith by members of the Constitutional Club in recognition of his services as their chairman for the past eight years

11--Mr. A. L. Atkins, of Ely, preached at St. John's Methodist Church Flower service held in Parish Church

12--Members of Women's Institute held a whist drive and games in Mrs. F. Morton's garden

14--Annual united Sunday Schools outing. Nearly 800 persons journeyed to Hunstanton from Littleport

19--Annual meeting of Town Football Club. The treasurer revealed that the Club had a balance in hand of over £60

!!! 20--Interesting wall paintings discovered in the "Black Bull" public house by Mr, W. H. Dade. It was surmised that the paintings had been hidden for about 100 years

Death, at the Battle Hospital, Reading, of Mrs. Elizabeth Graham, at the age of 71 years. She was a native of Littleport and left the town about 44 years ago

21--Return swimming match between Littleport and St. Ives. This time Littleport were successful

25--Annual Church Parade The collections for the day amounted to £34 19s. 8d.

A Littleport soldier, Mr. Leslie Oakey, of Pools Drove, injured in a motor cycle smash on Littleport Bridge. He was conveyed to Addenbrooke's Hospital

Adjutant and Mrs. Leslie Drumm, two former officers of the local Corps of the Salvation Army visited Littleport

27--Swimming Club's annual water sports. The Challenge Cup was won by M. Crawshaw (Barnsley A.S.C.)

28--Horticultural and Foal Show Society's annual show and sports. An all-round increase in entries and a larger crowd made the event one of the most successful the Society had ever held

AUGUST, 1937.

3--Mr. F. S. Chapman, who had been a missionary in Bolivia for 17 years, addressed a missionary meeting held in the Highfield Mission Room

4--Friendly Societies Charities' Committee held their annual fete in the grounds of the Convalescent Home. About £20 was raised

Freehold property at The Moors, Littleport, purchased by Mr. Robert Lee for £400

6--Miss Dorothy A. Dade celebrated her 21st birthday with a party at her home

!!! 7--A milkman's tricycle belonging to Messrs. H. G. Butcher & Son involved in a collision with a motor car driven by Miss O. Curtis, of Hempfield Road

11--Inter-club swimming match--Littleport narrowly defeated by King's Lynn

13--Town Boys' School examination success. The following scholars gained free places at Soham Grammar School : C. South. H. Brown, 3D. Stimpson, R. Murfitt, E. Cox and R. Cobbin

Feltwell R.A.F, entertained in an inter-club swimming match by the local club. The homesters won

14--Funeral, at Downham Market Cemetery, of Mr. Henry Smith, who passed away at 4, Hempfield Place, in his 86th year

17--Littleport swimmers again successful in inter-club match with March

18--Candidate Douglas Burgess, left the local Corps of the Salvation Army for the Salvation Army Training College, Denmark Hill. London

20--Mrs. Twiss, of Main Street, won a second prize with her Dalmatian puppy at King's Lynn Dog Show

23--1st Littleport Troop of Boy Scouts left Littleport for their annual camp at Beeston Hall Farm, West Runton

24--Littleport swimmers successful in yet another inter-club contest at King's Lynn

25--Inter-club swimming--Littleport successful at Ely.

Death, at Lakenheath, of Mr. John Fletcher, at the age of 97 years Mr. Fletcher resided continuously in Littleport for 95 years. only leaving the district two years ago

27--Three stacks destroyed by fire on White House Farm, White House Drove

31--Inter-club swimming match at March. Littleport successful in their final match of the season

SEPTEMBER, 1937.

5--Victoria Street Methodist Church harvest festival services the most successful for many years

6--Monthly meeting of Women's Institute. Miss Gaskill, of Cambridge gave a demonstration and talk on household jobbery

12--Harvest festival of St. John's Methodist Church

15--Bowls--Final of Greene King Challenge Cup won by F. Pilkington, who defeated A. Mackender

18--While cycling along the Ten Mile Bank Road Mr. Love Reynolds, of Silt Road, came into collision with a motor car driven by Mr. Arthur John Lee, of Black Horse Drove. No injuries were sustained

19--Harvest thanksgiving services at the Salvation Army Hall conducted by Brigadier and Mrs. Fenwick (Divisional Young Peoples' Secretaries)

21--Presentation made to Miss E. Morton by members of the local Women's Branch of the Isle of Ely Division of the Conservative & Unionist Association to mark their appreciation of her services as their chairman for the past eight years. Her impending departure from Littleport necessitated her retirement

22--Harvest festival services began at Parish Church. Rev. T. W. Coombe (Vicar of Little Ouse) preached

23--Annual party for old age pensioners given by local Women's Institute. 140 pensioners were present

25--A straw stack, the property of Mr. J. W. Atkins, destroyed by fire

26--Parish Church's harvest festival concluded. Rev. A. J. C. Young, Rector of Little Downham, preached at the evening service

30--Retirement from Isle of Ely Constabulary of P.s. Ernest Reginald Roythorne after completing 28 years' service. He came to Littleport in 1929 P.s. J. S. Vail took up his new duties at Littleport

OCTOBER, 1937.

7--Messrs. A. Harley, Horace Harrison, and W. Bye awarded prizes in connection with stacking and thatching competitions organised by the National Farmers' Union

Meeting of Amalgamated Friendly Societies' Charities Committee. Mr. A. C. Warren (vice-chairman) and Mr. F. J. Bell (hon. secretary) announced their retirements

12--Alderman T. Peake, J.P., appointed to the position of Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Cambridge

!!! 12--First appearance of Belisha beacons in Littleport

15--Official welcome given to Rev. Arthur Ainsworth Taylor by the people of Littleport St. Matthew's when he was instituted by the Bishop of Ely (Dr. Heywood)

Mr. Kenneth Pope, a pupil of Mrs. Walter Gotobed, gained a certificate for Pitman's Shorthand, Primer I.

18--Special meeting of Hereward Lodge of Odd Fellows. £652 surplus capital disposed of.

22--Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Smith, of Hills Farm, Bell's Drove, celebrated their golden wedding

23--Marriage, at Fakenham, Norfolk, of P.c. Frank Harrison, of Littleport, and Miss Edna Beazor, of Fakenham

!!! 26--Official Opening of the new school at Black Horse Drove. The ceremony was performed by Ald. T. Peake, D.L., J.P.

27--Annual dinner of Butchers' Cricket Club

28--Rally of young people, arranged by members of Highfield Mission Room Young People's Meeting, a great success

31--The Dean of Ely (the Very Rev. L. E. Blackburne) preached at the Parish Church

NOVEMBER, 1937.

3--Inauguration of the Littleport & District Canine Society

!!! 5--Alarming outbreak of diphtheria in Littleport

Miss Fairy Dade and and Miss Lily Thurling, pupils of Mrs. Walter Gotobed, each gained a certificate for Pitman's Shorthand, Primer I.

Collections for Dr. Barnado's Homes, organised by Miss Peacock, totalled over £l5

6--Poppy Day collections a record. No less than £81 5s. l1d. realised

Marriage, at Providence Church, March, of Mr. G. T. Stevens, of March, and Miss Eveline Mary Cook, daughter of Mr. S. D. Cook and the late Mrs. Cook, of Hempfield Place

7--United Armistice service of remembrance held in the Parish Church. The special preacher was the Bishop of Ely (Dr. Heywood)

Meetings at Salvation Army Hall conducted by Brigadier Tom Plant

!!! 8--Monthly meeting of Women's Institute. Mrs. Cadnum demonstrated the making of a "yule log"

9--P.s. G. V. Hill, of Ely, gave the last of his course of lectures on air raid precautions to local special constables and members of the Littleport Observer Corps, at the Cafe Marguerite

11--Armistice Day--Death of Mr. William Gotobed, of Stanley House after an illness lasting eight months

11--Armistice service held in St. John's Methodist Church

13--About £25 raised by means of a jumble sale organised by the British Legion Silver Prize Band

15--Impressive scenes at the funeral of Mr. William Gotobed

23--A branch of the St. John Ambulance Association formed in Littleport

24--Annual dinner of the local branch of the British Legion. It was revealed that Mr. Cecil Mott, the President, had given £200 towards the fund which had been started for the purpose of providing new premises

Regimental dance, arranged in connection with the 1st Battalion Cambs. Regiment, held in Constitutional Hall. Over 150 dancers were present

27--The East Anglian Brass Band Association held their fifth annual quartet contest in the Constitutional Hall. A Littleport British Legion quartet gained third prize in Class B

DECEMBER, 1937.

3--Terrible accident at the junction of Ten Mile Bank Road and Lynn Road. Miss Mary Barnes, of Manea, killed when involved in a collision with a motor lorry. Lawrence Wm. Buckingham, of Southery, was also hit by the vehicle but had a miraculous escape from serious injury. Miss Barnes was 32 years of age

A meeting in connection with the Isle of Ely County Council's Air Raid Precautions scheme held in British Legion headquarters

8--A social, arranged by the Parochial Church Council, yielded a profit of about £18

9--Visit of Mr. Harry Willett to Town Schools to make his annual presentations to the scholars who had done the best work in the past year. The prize-winners were Brenda Watkins and Arthur Bloodworth (Infants' School), Edna Gill and David W. R. Newton

13--Successful year's working reviewed at annual meeting of Women's Institute

14--Annual ploughing matches, followed by a dinner, held in Littleport, and arranged by the Ely Branch of the National Farmers' Union. The prizewinners included, J. Harrison, S. Stubbings, A. Harley, F. Mason and T. Hudson

15--Meeting of Town Lands Charity--It was revealed that the Feoffees were faced with a prospective debt of £119