December 1952.

5--Funeral, at Sutton, Surrey, of Mr. Matthew H. Washington, of Victoria Street, Littleport.

6--Rabbits exhibited by Master A. E. Middleton, of Littleport, at a March and district show, were outstanding prizewinners.

First Women's Institute party for members' children. Over 100 children attended.

8--Safe-driving awards made to drivers of parcels and goods delivery vehicles at the Ely depot of British Railways. Mr. B. Garwood, of Littleport, was one of the recipients.

Funeral service held in the Methodist Chapel, Black Horse Drove, of Mr. George Taylor Hare, a well respected inhabitant. It was the first funeral service ever to be held in this chapel.

9--Thirtieth annual meeting of the Women's Institute. The President (Mrs. W. J. Gill) spoke of the regret that was felt in the loss of Mrs. W. Goy who was shortly to leave the district.

11--Death of Mrs. Winifred A. Kennedy, wife of Mr. W. Kennedy, superintendent of the Grange Convalescent Home, Littleport. Mrs. Kennedy was aged 60.

Presentation of " Alice in Wonderland" by children of the County Primary School. The play was produced by Miss Davy and Miss E. R. Gill.

Rev. J. K. Cecil Payne, A.K.C., appointed honorary Canon of Ely Cathedral.

12--" Arber's Mill " demolished. It was operated as a flourishing business by the late Mr. Benjamin Arber and his father before him, and is believed to have stood on the Ten Mile Bank road for well over 100 years.

13--Littleport Boys' Brigade Christmas Fair realised £68. It was opened by Mrs, J, H. Martin.

17--Women's Fellowship Christmas party. The competition for the best home made Christmas gift was won by Mrs, B, Ambrose (raffia work basket)

17--Annual Christmas party of the Methodist Women's Fellowship. A presentation as a parting gift was made to Mrs. W. Goy in appreciation of her 18 years' membership and service as treasurer of the group.

21--A carol service, organised by members of the Women's Institute and British Legion Band in aid of the local Red Cross Centre, realised £9/12/7.

23--Presentation made, on the occasion of their retirement, to Mr. & Mrs. E. H. James who, for the past 33 years, had held the positions of schoolmaster and mistress at Little Ouse school. The presentation was made by Mr. E. Mortimer Rose on behalf of the local residents.

25--Christmas Day -- 145 attended Holy Communion at the Parish Church.

26--Wedding, at Chatteris, of Mr. Bramwell G. Bean, eldest son of Mr. & Mrs. Godfrey Bean, of Friars Way, Littleport, and Miss Kathleen Savage, of Chatteris.

30--Annual meeting of Littleport British Legion Club. The secretary, Mr. P. Sutton, reported an increase in membership of 96.

31--Retirement of Mr. W. Goy, manager of the Littleport Branch of Lloyds Bank for the past 18 years. He was succeeded by Mr. R. W. Furbank, who came from King's Lynn.

Watch-night service held at the Salvation Army Hall. It was conducted by Senior Captain E. Hewlett.

January, 1953.

2--Engagement announced between Mr. John Elsegood, only son of Mrs. Elsegood and the late Mr. H. Elsegood, of Wisbech Road, Littleport, and Miss Christine Martin, second daughter of Mr. & Mrs H. Martin, of Parsons Lane Littleport

2--Engagement announced between Mr. Leslie Peacock, of Little Downham, and Miss Josephine Clack, third daughter of Mr. & Mrs. F. Clack, of Camel Road, Littleport.

Engagement announced between Mr. Raymond J. Watson, of Prickwillow, and Miss Sylvia Kathleen Foreman, only daughter of Mr. & Mrs. W. Foreman, of Friars Way, Littleport.

First annual meeting of the Black Horse Drove Branch of the National Union of Agricultural Workers.

3--Football-John Metcalfe, aged 17, a former resident of Littleport, made his first appearance for Birmingham City. He played at outside left against Fulham.

8--Tributes to the late Ald. H. J. Martin, a former Chairman of Ely Rural District Council, were paid at a meeting of the Council. Members stood in silence as a token of respect.

9--Dancing success At a recent Royal Academy of Dancing examination held in Cambridge, Ann Browning, of 5, Upton Place, Littleport, was successful in gaining a pass with honours. Ann is a pupil of the King Slocombe School of Dancing.

10--Football-Cambs. Junior Cup, semi-final. Littleport v. Burwell. Game abandoned 10 minutes from time. Littleport were leading 5-1

13--Women's Institute monthly meeting. A feature of the meeting was the exhibition to members of the design for the W.I. banner. The design was drawn by Mr. A. S. Harlock and was greatly admired.

14--Littleport parish Council approved a scheme for a 75 ft. long swimming pool with a diving pool at one end and a children's and learners' pool at the other.

22--Presentation made to Mr. W. Goy by Miss A. J. Adams on behalf of: the Methodist Society and Wesley Guild in appreciation of his 18 years' service as organist and pianist. Mr. & Mrs. Goy had recently left Littleport to spend their retirement at Bourne.

Bakery successes. Messrs. R. E. Thornhill, Ltd., of Victoria Street, gained successes at a Bread and Confectionery Exhibition held at Cambridge. They obtained one first prize, five seconds, one third, and one very highly commended. Mr. Derek Elsegood, an employee of the firm, won the Operatives' Cup.

25--Salvation Army prize giving to Sunday school scholars. The special visitor was Senior Captain Dalziel, of Norwich.

27--Annual Women's Institute party. 200 members were present, a record. A presentation was made to Mrs. Owen Jones to mark her retirement from the position of treasurer, a position she had held for many years.

29--Farewell presentation made to Mr. W. Goy by members of the British Legion Band.

30--It was revealed that the people of Southery, by means of a whist drive organised by Mrs. A. G. Porter, had raised a further £25 in support of the Littleport Red Cross Clinic.

31--Six miles of the Norfolk coast were wrecked and battered out of recognition by the greatest storm in living memory.

February.

2--Receiving centres for clothing and comforts for the flood sufferers at King's Lynn and Hunstanton were established at Littleport and Black Horse Drove. Many parcels were soon collected and conveyed to the afflicted areas.

6--Retirement of Mr. George H. Chapman, of Hempfield Place, after 45 years' service at Littleport station.

7-8 -- 65th anniversary of the Littleport Salvation Army Corps celebrated. Major and Mrs. Drummond, who were in command of the Corps 18 years ago, were the special visitors.

10--Mr. Henry James Rowell, of Upton Place, found drowned in the river at Littleport. Mr. Rowell had been missing since January 8th. He was 59.

11--Littleport members of the Isle of Ely Division of the Civil Defence Corps held their first meeting.

Death of Mr. Walter S. Rogers at his home at Lakenheath. Mr. Rogers, who was 65, was a former resident of Littleport.

12--Privates D. Jellynlan and A. Lofts, both of Littleport, docked with the 1st Battalion, The Suffolk Regiment, at Liverpool. In Malaya the battalion had accounted for the record number of 196 bandits.

12--Death, at Manea, of Mrs. Elizabeth S. High, aged 75. Mrs. High was a former resident of Littleport and with her late husband Mr. J. W. High, lived for many years in the Burnt Fen and Hale Fen districts.

Meeting of the local branch of the Ancient Order of Foresters. Mr. A. L. Taylor was elected a trustee to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Mr. H. J. Martin.

13--Engagement announced between Mr. Keith Lofts, only son of Mr. & Mrs. H. Lofts, of 15, Ely Road, Littleport, and Miss Sheila Smith, only daughter of Mr. & Mrs. G. Smith, of 20, The Hythe, Littleport.

15--Members of the Boys' Brigade, the Girl Guides, and B.R.C.S. Cadets attended morning service at the Independent Chapel.

16--Annual Vestry and Parochial Church Council Meeting held at the Parish Hall. Referring to the toll the severe winter had taken of the older parishioners, the Vicar (Rev. Canon J. K. C. Payne), remarked that it was the heaviest in all his 14 years in Littleport.

18--Mr. & Mrs. Percy Smith, of 8, Victoria Street, celebrated their Golden Wedding.

19--Monthly meeting of Black Horse Drove Women's Institute. Three new members, Miss Velda Pettengell, Miss Janet Ewing and Miss Pauline Reynolds were welcomed.

20--A collection at the Junior Mixed and Infants' School realised £10/5/0 for the National Flood Relief Fund.

22--Littleport Girl Guides and members of the Trefoil Guild attended a Thinking Day Service at Ely. Miss S. M. Martin (Divisional Commissioner) conducted.

25--Sales, organised by members of the Women's Fellowship in aid of the National Flood Disaster Fund, yielded £6/6/0.

28--The newly-formed Boys' Brigade bugle band made its first appearance in the streets of Littleport.

Marriage, at St. Mary's Church, Ely, of Miss Betty Prettyman, of Ely, and Mr. Peter Brightley, son of Mr. & Mrs. W. Brightley, of Friars Way, Littleport.

March .

1--Littleport Wheelers first time-trial of the season. E. Clarey recorded the fastest time.

3--Ely and District Table Tennis Championships. The junior singles was won by A. South, of Littleport.

7--Combined efforts by local organisations yielded over £55 for the National Flood Relief Fund.

St. John Ambulance Brigade Mr. F. G. Starling accepted office as president of the local division. He succeeded the late Ald. H. J. Martin.

11--Precepts for £1,950 - £50 less than in the year just ending--were agreed for 1953/54 by Littleport Parish Council.

12--Littleport Women's Institute monthly meeting. It was decided to donate £10 to the National Flood Relief Fund.

Bazaar, held at Black Horse Drove, in aid of local Coronation funds, raised £46/10/0. It was opened by Mrs. G. P. T. Peacock of Littleport.

13--Engagement announced between Edwin, son of Mrs. A. Cox and the late Mr. Cox, of Littleport, and Hilda, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. F. Thompson, of Black Horse Drove.

A thief broke into the Regal Cinema and removed the safe containing money, stamps and cigarettes to the total value of £87/2/2. The emptied safe was later recovered by the C.I.D.

Jean Power, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. E. Power, of Black Horse Drove succeeded in passing the entrance examination to Ely High School.

14--Marriage of Corporal A. Scarff, of Little Ouse, and Miss B. Hudson, of Littleport.

Co-operative premises in Victoria Street burgled. About £400 was stolen.

15--Mothering Sunday Cradle roll service held at St. John's Methodist Church. Fourteen certificates were presented to mothers on behalf of their children.

Over 250 parents and children attended a special Mothering Sunday service at the Parish Church. The preacher was the Rev. G. Field, of Ely.

16--Special meeting held in the Globe Lane Mission Room to welcome Mr. E. H. Robbins, a member of the Colporteur Association, London. Mr. Robbins, at the invitation of the trustees of the Independent Chapel, had taken up residence in Littleport for the purpose Of spreading the Gospel by the sale of religious literature.

17--Combined Old Girl Guides' re-union and bring-and-buy sale held by the Littleport Trefoil Guild of the Girl Guides' Association. The sale was opened by Miss I. Rooke, the County Secretary of the Girl Guides.

18--Election to fill a casual vacancy on Ely Rural District Council caused by the death of Ald. H. J. Martin. Mrs, M. S. Martin, of the Willow Rows, was the successful candidate.

19--Women's Institute County Choirs Festival, held at Ely. Littleport Women's Institute Choir were the winners of Class III.

Trees, given by Littleport Parish Council and Mr. & Mrs. J.H. Martin, of the Willow Rows, were planted at Black Horse Drove to form a permanent momento of the Coronation.

21--Marriage, at Ely, between Miss Hilda Coleby, seventh daughter of the late Mr. & Mrs. W. Coleby, of Mildenhall Road, Littleport, and Mr. George E. Hurrell, second son of Mr. & Mrs. A. Hurrell, of White House Road, Littleport.

22--Members of the newly-formed Littleport & District Motor Cycle & Light Car Club distinguished themselves against competitors from the Ely & District and West Norfolk Clubs in a standard machine trial held at the Old Bank. This was the local club's first venture in the competitive world.

26--Presentation by scholars of the Coronation School, Black Horse Drove, to Miss Barbara Jackson, the school cook. The presentation was to mark the occasion of her forthcoming marriage.

28--1st Littleport Company, The Boys' Brigade, won both trophies at the Wisbech & District Boys' Brigade inter-company drill and physical training competitions,

Marriage, at Southery Parish Church, between Miss Mary Elizabeth Rowell, youngest daughter of the late Mr. & Mrs. H. Rowell, of Upton Place, Littleport, and Mr. Joseph Flack, only son of Mr. & Mrs. Harold Flack, of The Jolly Farmers Inn, Southery.

Cadets from Littleport won first and second prizes in the British Red Cross Society's annual county competitions for Cadets held at Cambridge.

April.

1--Annual meeting of Littleport Swimming Club. A membership of over 160 was reported.

3--Children of Little Ouse School subscribed £3 to the Lord Mayor of London's Flood Relief Fund.

8--Geoffrey Edmund Denny, of King's Lynn, an ex-policeman, was sentenced at Ely to three months' imprisonment for breaking and entering the Empress Cinema, Chatteris, and the Regal Cinema, Littleport, and stealing money and goods to the total value of £172/9/3 1/2.

Mrs. J. Lawson, of Ely, wife of the Precentor of the Cathedral, was the speaker at a meeting of the Parish Church Young Wives Group.

11--A passenger train from King's Lynn smashed through the Sandhill crossing gates. There were no casualties.

14--Littleport Women's Institute " members' night." Mrs. J. Gilbert was presented with a W.I. spoon, the first to be awarded at Littleport,

15--Winning cairn At the King's Lynn & District Kennel Society's open show, Mr. Jack Johnson, of 38, High Street, won the Overy Cup: and two second prizes with his cairn terrier, Clive Green Topper.

16--Monthly meeting of Black Horse Drove Women's Institute. Members of the Littleport Women's Fellowship were the visitors.

18--Marriage, at St. Mary's Church, Ely, of Marine Reginald Laws, son of Mr. & Mrs. R. Laws, of School House, Wisbech Rd., Littleport, and Miss Florence Stebbeds, of Ely.

Street collections in Littleport in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution yielded £17/13/2. The collections were organised by the Women's Fellowship.

Marriage, at Ely, between Miss Janet Elizabeth Sharpe, only daughter of Mr. & Mrs. S. Sharpe, of Camel Road, Littleport, and Mr. Ellis B. Cooper, of Grunty Fen, Witchford.

19--Father G. Kemp, Chief Missioner, from West Kirby, Cheshire, preached at the Parish Church. He spoke of the forthcoming mission to be held at Littleport in October.

20--End of a ten-day Mission held by a revival team of three Cliff College Evangelists at Victoria Street Methodist Church.

22--Black Horse Drove Youth Club succeeded in winning the final of the county youth darts championship held at March.

24--Annual meeting of the Littleport & Prickwillow Nursing Association. Miss M. A. Peake (secretary) referred to the regrettable illness of Nurse Page, which had compelled her to retire from active nursing, and expressed thanks and appreciation on behalf of the association for her long service to the village.

A tribute to the fine quality of the bells of the Parish Church was expressed in a letter received by the Vicar (Rev. Canon J. K. C. Payne). It was from the Captain of the St. Luke's Chelsea Society of Ringers after the Society had visited the Church and had rung a peal.

Engagement announced between Mr, Cyril Turner, of Fordham, and Miss Jean Gray, only child of Mr. & Mrs. Gray, of Wisbech Road, Littleport.

At a motorcycle grass track meeting, held at Newmarket, the Newmarket & District Club race was won by Ted Power, of Littleport.

25--A collection taken in Littleport on behalf of the Cancer Research. Campaign amounted to £36/4/0. The organiser was Mrs.W.J, Gill.

26--Cycling- Littleport Wheelers' 30-mile time trial Result : 1 E. Clarey, 2 D. Palmer, 3 M. Chilvers.

29--A lorry driven by Mr. Ronald Easy, of Friars Place, collided with a tree outside the Eastern Counties` garage at Ely. Severe damage was done to the vehicle which caught fire. Mr. Easy suffered shock and a cut forehead.

Meeting of the Isle of Ely Highways Committee. It was reported that under a revision of the Flood Protection Scheme a new bridge would not be required on the trunk road at Littleport, only a deepening of the waterway under the existing bridge.

May.

1--Annual inspection, display and prize giving of the 1st Littleport Coy The Boys' Brigade. Captain W. Marsh, U.S.A.F., was the inspecting officer and Mrs. Marsh presented the prizes.

2--Black Horse Drove children toured the village singing old English folk songs in observation of May Day.

3--A scramble, organised by the Ely & District Motor Cycle Club, and held at the Old Bank, Littleport, attracted 3,000 spectators. W. E. Power, a local rider, gained two thirds in the finals.

" Mothers' Day " observed by the local Salvation Army Corps. Mrs. Captain Saltwell, of Chatteris, a former Littleport officer, conducted the meetings.

Special anniversary services held at St. John's Methodist Church. The preacher was the Rev. John Hood, from Wesley House, Cambridge.

First day of a water shortage in the Littleport area. The shortage was caused by the closing of a borehole in which traces of crude oil were found.

6--A Whist Drive, held at the Grange, realised £29/8/2 for the Cancer Relief Fund.

7--British Red Cross flag day Total collections in Littleport amounted to £53/14/8.

9--Valerie Stevens, a pupil of the Coronation School, Black Horse Drove succeeded in passing the entrance examination to Perse School Cambridge. Valerie is the only daughter of Mr. & Mrs. L. Stevens of Black Horse Drove.

A sale by auction of a varied collection of goods donated by local residents realised £145 for Littleport's Coronation fund.

Marriage, at Paignton, Devon, of Mr. W. H. Thulborn, of Littleport, and Miss S. M. Seymour, of Paignton.

Ann Browning and Bryan Bishop, both of Littleport, gained trophy and certificate awards at the Isle of Ely Music Festival, held at March.

10--Littleport bade farewell to Senior Captains Hewlett and Childs who for the past eighteen months had been in charge of the local Salvation Army Corps.

Cycling--D. Palmer won the Littleport Wheelers' 10-mile time trial.

11--Police-Sergt. J. S. Vail awarded the Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

12--Women's Institute monthly meeting. Miss M. Davy gave a demonstration on canework.

15-- Major Winifred Hughes and Lieut. Daphne Brown, the new Salvation Army commanding officers, received a warm welcome at a special Army meeting.

16--A Flag day, organised by members of the Women's Fellowship in aid of the Isle of Ely Society for the Blind, raised the sum of £35/13/0.

20--Annual meeting of Parish Council. It was revealed that £326/3/4 had been collected in Littleport for the Flood Disaster Fund in addition to £250 raised in the town by the N.F.U.

22--Two scholars of Black Horse Drove Methodist Sunday School, Patricia Gaul and John Reynolds, gained Honours Certificates at the Methodist Youth Department Scripture Examinations.

23--The sum of £15/12/1 was collected at the Regal Cinema in aid of the King George VI. National Memorial Fund.

24--Coronation souvenir hymn and prayer books presented to Sunday school children at the Parish Church.

27--Nine candidates were confirmed by Bishop Walsh at the Parish Church.

29--Cadet Margaret Atkinson, of the ]st Littleport Company, Girl Guides, selected with four other guides from the County, to attend the Coronation in London.

30--Methodist Circuit Local Preachers' quarterly meeting held at Black Horse Drove Methodist Church. The guest speaker was the Rev. Gordon Poole.

Ouse Amateur Sailing Club Coronation Regatta, held at King's Lynn. The brothers I. & M. Sallis, in "Dinah," succeeded in winning the important race for the Queen's Plate.

June.

2--Coronation of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II, Persistent rain was responsible for the postponement of part of the Coronation festivities at Black Horse Drove.

3 Presentation by the Littleport Detachment of the British Red Cross Society to their treasurer, Mr. C. W. Flunder, who was shortly to leave the district.

5 School children from Black Horse Drove and Little Ouse toured the Coronation route in London.

Annual open day at Littleport County Primary School.

6-Retirement of Mr. C. W. Flunder after twenty years as manager of Barclays Bank, Littleport. His successor was Mr. E. H. Goodwin, from Downham Market.

7--Black Horse Drove Methodist Sunday School anniversary, collection of over £13 was a record.

10--British Legion Club annual smoking concert and prize giving. A special feature was a presentation made to Mr. C. W. Flunder, the retiring president.

11--Sailing-At the Peterborough Yacht Club Coronation Regatta, the brothers I. & M. Sallis, of Littleport, won the Mitchel and Anderson Cups.

12--Members of Black Horse Drove Women's Institute presented a cake to their oldest member, Mrs. R. Reynolds. It was to mark her 80th birthday.

16--Mr. T. W. Simper, of 23, High Street, was elected a member of the Institute of Plumbers, This followed his success in February when he gained his Master's Certificate of Registration, awarded by the Worshipful Company of Plumbers, London.

18--Mrs. M. S. Martin, representing the Black Horse Drove Women's Institute at the National Federation of Women's Institutes annual meeting in London, supported a resolution urging Women's Institutes to encourage parents and guardians to allow children to remain at school until the maximum leaving age.

19--Monthly meeting of the Women's Institute. The visitors, members of the Prickwillow W.I. provided the evening's entertainment,

Members of the Littleport branch of the Ancient Order of Foresters met at the Town Hall to discuss the best means of using a surplus of £1,300 in the funds. It was agreed that the bulk of the surplus be used for grants to those members whose individual needs warranted assistance.

20--Isle of Ely Fire Service competitions held at Littleport. Leading Fireman Horsley, of the Littleport station, succeeded in winning the one-man hydrant drill competition.

The Bishop of Ely, Dr. H. E. Wynn, performed the opening ceremony at a garden fete, held at the Grange Convalescent Home.

20--Hunts. Annual show. Horses and Friesian cattle belonging to Messer's F. G. Starling Ltd. and Messrs. Martin Bros. respectively, were prominent prize-winners.

21--Salvation Army young people's anniversary celebrated. Brigadier W. Williams, the District Commissioner, and Mrs. Williams, from Norwich, were the special visitors.

23--Installation, at Ely Cathedral, of the Rev. J. K. Cecil Payoe as an honorary Canon of the Cathedral.

21--Thirty-one members of the local Women's Conservative Association enjoyed an outing to Walsingham and the East coast.

25--Fifth birthday of Black Horse Drove Women's Institute celebrated

26--Chief Petty Officer Harry C. Fletcher, second son of Mr. and the late Mrs. A. Fletcher, of The Holmes, Littleport, was awarded the British Empire Medal(Military Division).

Engagement announced between Mr. Petel- Lawrence Purdy (The Essex Regiment), only son of Mr, & Mrs. Lawrence Purdy, of Linton, Cambs, (formerly of Littleport), and Miss E. M. Catlin of Girton, Cambs.

27--Annual garden fete, in aid of Community Centre funds, held in the gardens of the Willow Rows, Black Horse Drove. The receipts were nearly £60.

Whittlesey Agricultural Societies first annual show. The champion Shire horse in the show was Mr. F. G. Starling's "Kingsman,"

Marriage, at Ely, between Mr. Charles V. Middleton, eldest son of Mr, & Mrs. C. K. Middleton, of Millpit Furlong, Littleport, and Miss Nora Moden of Haddenham.

July.

1--Littleport County Primary School Scholarship winners. Girls:-- Barbara Cole, Mary Firby, Ann Fendick, Barbara Register, Jean Firby, Mary Rudderkam, Christine Butcher, Adrienne Neilson. Boys :--Bernard Burling, David Feltell, Michael Levett, Michael Lister, John Starling, John Thorpe, Terence Simper, Edwin Whitehouse. A. W. Register (Little Ouse).

2--Mr Johnson, of High Street, gained second and third prizes with his cairn terrier at the Norfolk & Norwich Canine Society's open show.

3--Mr. & Mrs. Gipp, of Black Horse Drove, qualified at Butlin's Holiday Camp, Skegness, for the district finals of the national amateur Butlin valeta competition.

Children of the Littleport and Little Ouse schools saw the Coronation film "Elizabeth is Queen" at the Regal Cinema.

4--Salvation Army garden fete opened by Mrs. W. J. Gill. About £40 was raised for Corps funds.

5--Cycling--Littleport Wheelers' ladies' 10-mile time-trial. Poppy Easy recorded the fastest time.

Angling--Hunt Cup --Prize-winners : 1 M. Handley, 2 J. Chapman, 3 C. Middleton.

6--Mrs, Newman, a former teacher at Littleport girls' school, home on holiday from Australia, gave a talk on life in that country at a meeting of the Mothers' Union.

10--Maureen Curtis, a pupil of Littleport Junior School, gained a third prize in an essay competition held in connection with the Isle of Ely safety-first movement.

Annual sale of work in aid of St. James' Church, Burnt Fen. It was opened by Mrs. T. B. Gordon, of Littleport.

A swimming gala, held in connection with Littleport's Coronation Week, provided good entertainment by the local club and visiting swimmers from the Granta Club, Cambridge.

11--Mr. Gillie Pottel, famous B.B.C. entertainer, opened the Parish Church garden fete.

Death, at Cambridge, of Mrs. Matilda Fitch, widow of the late Mr. Frederick Fitch, formerly of Littleport.

14--Mr. G. Hills, of Camel Road, discovered a flint arrowhead while working in a beet field.

County Primary School annual sports. Champions were Mary Firby and John Starling. Best boy and girl under nine, Janet Barker and Clive Taylor.

Monthly meeting of Women's Institute. The highlight was a programme given by the Ely Male Voice Choir.

15--Children's fishing match at Littleport attracted 35 competitors.

16--Cricket--Littleport defeated Soham Town in the final of the Cyril Smith Memorial Cup.

18--Music Successes.-- At a recent 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 2-David Betts; Grade 3-Gloria Missen and Dawn Murfitt; Grade 4--Hazel Scott. Pianoforte, Grade 1--. Mary Rutcher (merit) and Ann Clift; Grade 2--Dawn Murfitt (merit) and Gloria Missen. They were pupils of Miss W. B. Russell.

19--Littleport Wheelers' 30-mile time-trial. E. Clarey won the event, Peter Baumber taking the handicap award.

Ely Motor Cycle Club scramble held on the Old Bank course. 5,000 people attended.

23--Coronation sports held at Little Ouse.

25--Littleport Horticultural and Foal Show Society's annual show. The sports programme, organised by the local cycle club, proved to be one of the best ever seen in Littleport. The main cycling event for the 100-guinea challenge cup was won by Maurice Ward (Polytechnic C.C.), the British 10-mile track champion.

26--Annual Church parade. The challenge cup for the best decorated vehicle was won by the British Legion Band.

27--Mr. C. R. Browning (Headmaster Littleport Secondary School) and a party of six boys embarked at Littleport for a fortnight's canoeing holiday " up the river."

28--Littleport Swimming Club's annual gala.

29--Death, at Addenbrooke's hospital, Cambridge, following a fall from a chair, of Mrs. Ellen Taylor, aged 84, of Saffron Close, Littleport. A verdict of accidental death was recorded at the inquest.

Sixteen-year-old Miss Valerie Norman, of Millfield, Littleport, wearing a swimsuit, came second in the second heat of the Hunstanton Ideal Holiday Girl contest at the Blue Lagoon swimming pool, Hunstanton .

Show successes.--three first prizes were gained by Rian Tingay, of Littleport, in the rabbit section of the Sandringham show.

August.

3--Littleport Girl Guides, together with Ely Guides, formed a guard of honour for H.M. Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, and H.R.H. Princess Margaret, preparatory to their flying to London From Sandringham. This honour was conferred upon the Guides during their seven-day camp at Wolferton under the supervision of Miss Davy and Miss Gill.

A tug-of-war team, all members of a Littleport family, and styling themselves the "Littleport Tigers," won a challenge shield at Needingworth, Hunts., for the second consecutive year. The team comprised A. Batch, B. Taylor, E. Taylor, R. Taylor, H. Clanfield and T. Sallis.

11--Monthly meeting of Women's Institute. A demonstration on "Care of the skin and make-up " was given by Mrs, Walter Sparrow.

15--Thirty-two members of the Boys' Brigade left Littleport for a week's holiday at Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire.

17--Members of the Boys' Brigade, on holiday at Cleethorpes, visited Grimsby Town Football Club's training quarters. It was arranged by Capt. Quigley, an old Grimsby player.

24--Death of Mr. Jubal Whetstone, a native of Littleport. Mr. Whetstone, who was 56, took up residence in Ely in 1938.

25--Swimming--Inter-club competition between young members of the Littleport and Cambridge clubs, held at Cambridge. Littleport were defeated.

28--Heavy rain marred British Legion Band Garden fete. A curtailed effort, held in the Constitutional Hall, yielded £49 for Band funds.

29--A motor-cycle, driven by Mr. Gordon Chase, of Ely Road, crashed into the crossing gates at Chettisham. Mr. Chase was severely injured. His pillion passenger, Mr. Gordon Butcher, of Hempfield Place, escaped with minor injuries.

30--Cycling--P. Baumber, a member of the Littleport Wheelers, finished third in the Ely City Road Clubs 100-mile time trial.

September.

5--Little Ouse and Brandon Bank Women's Iinstitute garden fete held in the grounds of Plantation House. The financial result was £96/14/4.

6--Littleport Wheelers' " Old Crocks " 6-mile time-trial. Result: 1 H. Willett, 2 A. Bowles, 3 P. Easy.

7--Meeting of Littleport Town Land's Charity, Reference was made to the recent death of Mr. E. Storey, who had served as a trustee of the Charity for 21 years.

8--Rev. Gordon Poole conducted the Women's Institute harvest thanks-giving meeting.

9--Meeting of the Parish Council. It was revealed that the Ministry of Housing and Local Government had refused to grant a loan of £7,500 towards the establishment of Littleport's proposed swimming pool.

11--A recent collection for St. Dunstan's, organised by Mrs. J. K. C. Payne, yielded £24/3/9.

Death, at Welney, of Mr. Jacob (Jakey) Laws, a former well known resident of Littleport. He was aged 50.

12--Football ---Littleport defeated Swavesey by three goals to nil in their first Cambs. League match of the season.

Bowls--Final of the H. J. Brown Challenge Trophy played at Newmarket. H, Pettitt and B. Wilson, both of Littleport, were beaten by a Cambridge City pair.

Death, at Tower Hospital, Ely, of Mr. William Place, formerly of Millpit Furlong, Littleport. He was 92.

13--Black Horse Drove Methodist Church harvest thanksgiving services. The preacher was the Rev. John Lawson, circuit minister.

Harvest thanksgiving services celebrated at Victoria Street Methodist church.

Children of the Independent Chapel Sunday School and Cradle Roll were presented with Coronation New Testaments.

Ely & District Motor Cycle Club held their last scramble of the season at Littleport. Ted Power, a local rider, was in good form and gained one second and one third place.

16--Women's Fellowship harvest thanksgiving meeting.

18--A collection at Little Ouse School in aid of Dr. Barnardo's Homes amounted to £3/9/4.

19--" Brownie Revels " was the title of an event, held at Highfield, when brownie packs from Ely, Chatteris, Doddington, Wisbech, Outwell, Upwell, March, Wimblington and Littleport, met together for a grand party and picnic tea.

20--Major W. Hughes led senior harvest thanksgiving services at the Salvation Army Hall.

20--Harvest thanksgiving services celebrated at St. John's Methodist Church. The preacher at the morning service was the Rev. W. H. Middleton, of Sutton.

23--The Boys' Brigade band paraded the streets of Littleport. Ten recruits were enrolled.

Final meeting of the Coronation committee. It was revealed that after all expenses had been settled there remained a balance of £258/19/3. It had been previously agreed that any surplus should go towards the purchase of a Coronation memorial bandstand.

24--Guiders from all parts of the Isle of Ely were entertained at Highfield House by Miss S. M, Martin, the Division Commissioner.

25--A collection, organised by Mrs. Gordon Poole, in aid of the National Children's Home and Orphanage, realised £34.

27--Cycling-Winner of the Littleport Wheelers' 25-mile time-trial was C. Arnold. His time of 1-3-45 set up a new club record.

28--Police-Sergt. Vail gave a talk to school children at Black Horse Drove on road safety.

October.

1--Members of the Women's Fellowship visited the Women's Institute at Southery where they presented a social programme.

3--A collection, in aid of Dr. Barnardo's Home totalled £33/10/3. It was organised by Miss E. R. Gill.

3--Black Horse Drove Methodist Church bazaar opened by Miss S. M. Martin, of Littleport. The receipts were £68.

4--Harvest festival observed at the Parish Church. One of the visiting evangelists, Mr. Tom Campbell, spoke at the children's service.

Brandon Bank Methodist Church harvest festival services. Mrs. E. R. Cross presided at the organ.

New session of P.S.A. services commenced at Victoria Street Methodist Church. The programme was presented by the Exmoor Male Voice Choir.

Cycling--Cyril Arnold gained first place in the Littleport Wheelers' 10-mile time-trial. His victory gave him first position in the club's Best All-Rounder competition.

5--Annual general meeting of Black Horse Drove Cricket Club. Mr. J. Hills was elected captain.

Evangelist Miss Gedge spoke at the monthly meeting of the Mothers' Union.

6--Little Ouse & Brandon Bank Women's Institute monthly meeting. Mrs. T. B. James, of Black Horse Drove, gave a talk and demonstration on felt work.

8--Tragic death of the Rev. I. A. Reynolds, Vicar of Little Ouse. He was killed when his motor-cycle collided with an American seven-ton truck at the junction of the Mildenhall and White House Roads.

Annual general meeting of the British Legion Band. Mr. P. V. Cooper did not stand for re-election as secretary, an office he had held for six years.

9--Engagement announced between ''Budd,'' son of Mr. & Mrs. A. Smith, of Hall's Close, Southery. and June, sixth daughter of Mr. & Mrs. A. Elsden, of Lynn Road, Littleport.

10--First service of a special Mission held at the Parish Church. The Missioners (Father James D. Allen and Father Kodney Pope) and lay evangelists were commissioned by the Rt. Rev. Bishop

Schoolboys' football--March Junior "A" defeated Littleport by five goals to nil.

11--Salvation Army services were conducted by Capt. Tribbeck, a special visitor from Norwich.

Cycling Littleport Wheelers held their Hill Climb Championship, Cyril Arnold was the winner. His time of 1-17, was only 2/5th sec, in front of club captain, Maurice Chilvers.

13--Mrs. J. H. Martin, of the Willow Rows, appointed as a County Council representative governor of the Needham's Charity School, Ely.

Monthly meeting of Women's Institute. One new member, Miss N. Garner, was welcomed. The entertainment was given by members of Witchford W.I.

14--Special Mission service for women held at the Parish Church. Mrs. De Vere was the speaker.

Meeting of Black Horse Drove Coronation Committee. A surplus of £26 was reported, It was decided to purchase a Coronation beaker for every child born in the village during Coronation year.

15--Special Mission to the Parish Church continued. A service for men was conducted by Father Allen.

Black Horse Drove Women's Institute meeting. It was reported that Mrs. T. B. James had been awarded eight stars at the recent handicraft exhibition, held at Chatteris.

16--In an open stacking and thatching competition, organised by the Ely N.F.U., Mr. A. Harley, in the employ of Messrs. Martin Bros., gained second prize for stacking. In the class for entrants who had not previously won a prize, local prize-winners were--Stacking: Mr. J. Harrison for Mr. G. E. Bedford. Thatching: Mr. Jack Oakey for Mr. J. E. Kerridge; Mr. Gipp for Messrs. Martin Bros.

17--Football --Littleport Boys' Brigade defeated Burwell Scouts by five goals to nil.

Sgt. W. J. Malarkey, of the U.S. Army, with Mrs. Malarkey and their two children, Joan and Jeremy. left Littleport on the first stage of their return to the United States. They had been living at Millfield.

18--Special services under the title " Ladies' Week-end," were held at St. John's Methodist Church. The speaker was Mrs. Horrobin, of Louth.

Major Emerson, Division Young People's Secretary from Norwich, conducted Salvation Army meetings.

20--Meeting of Littleport Parent-Teacher Association. The speaker was Mr. A. Grant, Isle of Ely C.C. Education Adviser. His subject was " Modern Trends in Education."

21--Annual meeting of Littleport Horticultural and Foal Show Society. It was decided to give a donation of £20 to the Littleport Wheelers in recognition of the excellent programme of sports they had organised for the Annual show.

21--Meeting of the Amalgamated Friendly Societies Charities Committee. Money raised at the annual parade was allocated as follows:-- £8 each to the Littleport and Prickwillow Nursing Association, Littleport S.J.A.B, Central Fund, Littleport Detachment Red Cross, Infant Welfare, and British Legion Band; £6/6/0 to the Lord Kitchener Memorial Home at Lowestoft and £4 each to the Littleport Company of the Boys' Brigade and the Over 60's Club.

23--Engagement announced between Maurice, son of Mr. & Mrs. W. Gathercole, of Ten Mile Bank, Littleport, and Faith, third daughter of Mrs. H. Rollitt, of Sketchdoies, New River Bank, Littleport, and the late Mr. E. Sizer, Soham.

Publication of " The Eagle Book of Aircraft " by Hulton Press Ltd. It was written by John W. R. Taylor, son of Inspector and Mrs. V. C. Taylor, of March, and formerly of Littleport.

24--Wedding, at Soham, of Mr. F. P. Chaffe, of Upwellt and Miss S. M. Pollard, of Soham. Mr. Chaffe is the Manager of the Littleport branch of the Trustee Savings Bank.

Marriage, at Leytonl London, of Mr. Albert R. Hill, youngest son of Mr. & Mrs. W. Hill. of Ten Mile Rank Road, Littleport, and Miss Doreen Hawley. of Leyton.

Jumble sale, in aid of school funds, held at the County Primary School The sum realised was £62/11/0.

25--To commemorate the Coronation, Mr. L. Brooks, Chairman of Black Horse Drove Coronation Committee, made a personal gift of a New Testament to every child in the village.

Rev, Canon J. K. C. Payne spoke at the Parish Church of the "follow-on " from the recent Mission, and the benefits from it. He urged the people to persevere in their good resolutions.

26--Miss Gill, County Drama Adviser, paid a visit to the Women's Institute Drama Group. Her advice and criticism was much appreciated.

27--Autumn group meeting of Women's Institutes of the newly-formed Littleport group held in the Constitutional Hall. Mrs. W. J. Gill was in the chair.

30--Mr & Mrs. Benton J. Peckett. of Lynn Road, celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary.

Messrs. Martin Bros, paid the exceptionally good price of 350 guineas for a bull, Histon Royal Marksmen, at the annual sale of Dairy Shorthorns at Messrs. Chivers & Sons' saleyard, Histon.

31--Members of the Guild of Weavers attended a special service at the Parish Church.

Three quartet teams entered by the British Legion Band in the annual quartet Contest of the East Anglian Brass Bands Association, failed to obtain a place. The contest was held at Thetford, Norfolk.

November.

1--Boys' Brigade enrolment service held at St. John's Methodist Church, Thirteen new recruits were enrolled.

Rev. Gordon Poole was the speaker at morning service at the Salvation Army Hall. His subject was "The Perfect Man."

2--Girl Guide party held at Lincoln's Restaurant. Guide Sylvia Jephson was presented with her First-Class badge, an award which is rarely obtained. Other awards were made to Sandra Brightley (Child Nurse and Cookery Badges) and to Margaret Badcock (Child Nurse Badge). The presentations were made by Miss S. M. Martin, Divisional Commissioner.

3--First annual general meeting of the re-formed Little Ouse & Brandon Bank Women's Institute.

In the " Daily Mirror'' table tennis competition, Master Ken Hubbard, of Black Morse Drove, defeated J. Clarke, of Chatteris, by three games to nil.

4--Ely Rural District Council decided to be more firm in their treatment of council house tenants in arrears with rent.

7--Members of the Cambridge University Guild of Ringers visited the Parish Church and rang a peal on the bells.

Isle of Ely Canine Society's show held at Ely. Entries in the cairn terrier class by Mr. J. Johnson and Mrs. C. W. Defew, both of Littleport, gained 2nd and 3rd prizes respectively.

8--Remembrance Day observed at Littleport. The special speaker at the Parish Church was the Rev. C. W. Follett, Vicar of Prickwillow.

8--Littleport Motor Cycle & Light Car Club elected as fully affiliated to the A.C.U. at a meeting of the A.C.U., held in London.

9--Safe-driving presentations made to drivers of delivery vehicles at the Ely depot of British Railways. Mr. B. Garwood, of Littleport, was awarded the five year's silver medal.

Poppy day collections in Littleport & District amounted to £145/1/8, a slightly lower figure than that from last year's collections.

10--" Nomination night " at the monthly meeting of the Women's Institute. The president (Mrs. W. J. Gill) announced her intention and that of the secretary and treasurer (Mrs. J. L. Burnet and Mrs. A. Leggett) of resigning from their official positions. Under pressure from the members the three ladies agreed to stand again for re-election at the next month's ballot.

11--Methodist Guild Rally held at St. John's Methodist Church, Littleport. Some 400 people attended.

Meeting of Parish Council. It was agreed that the Council should seek permission from the Ministry of Housing and Local Government to go ahead with their swimming pool project at a cost of something less than half the original estimate of £12,000. It was also agreed to an expenditure of about £300 on the cost of clearing, levelling and re-seeding the playing field.

13--Funeral, at Littleport, of Mr. Henry Fincham, of Stretham, and formerly of Littleport.

Mr. M. F. Carter, of 71,Ely Road, climbed a telegraph pole to rescue a kitten which was perched precariously on the top.

13--Annual meeting of the King's Lynn and West Norfolk District gf the Ancient Order of Foresters Friendly Society held at King's Lynn. Bro. L. A. Hughes was elected to tile District Management Committee, the first time for many years that an officer of Littleport Court Branch had received the honour.

Charity football match--Littleport Town v. R.A.F. Feltwell--Result: Littleport 2, R.A.F. Feltwell 9. Receipts amounting to £20 were donated to the Ely Palace School for Crippled Children.

Schoolboys football--Littleport defeated at March by two goals to one. Beeby scored the Littleport goal.

Mr, & Mrs. Robert S. Leonard, of Bulldog Bridge Farm, Burnt Fen, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.

17--Departure, for Canada, of Mr, & Mrs. David Bell and their daughter, Rose Marie. Mr. Bell, a Canadian, had been the licensee of The Bridge House for the past three years, taking over the licence on the death of Mr. Horace Brown, Mrs. Bells father.

17--The Rev. Gordon Poole presided at the Methodist Fellowship meeting. The speaker was the Rev. Cyril C. Eastwood, B.D., a missionary recently returned from India.

20--Badminton-Littleport Hereward Badminton Club defeated March by five rubbers to four.

21--March District Fanciers' Society's rabbit show. " The Smallholder" bronze medal and certificate of merit was won by Mr. A. Loveday, of Littleport. He also won the B.R.C. diploma for the best in show.

Salvation Army sale oF work. It was opened by Mrs. F. G. Starling, of Flanders Farm.

22--Speaking at St. John's Methodist Church, the resident Minister, the Rev. Gordon Poole, put the question "Ought the Church to marry and bury folk who have no other use for it?"

23--Littleport Women's· Institute Drama Group presented their first full-length play at the Constitutional Hall. It was entitled " On with the Motley."

25--British Legion Band annual dinner. Mr. William Leggett was asked to become the band's first President in recognition of his services to the band throughout the 21 years of its life.

Women's Fellowship members thanked by the area secretary of Dr. Barnardo's Helpers' League for their recent donation of £10.

26--Dr. W. M. Wilson fined 5/- at Ely Magistrates' Court. He was charged under the Explosives Act with firing a firework in Hempfield Road on November 5th.

28--A Christmas fayre, organised by the parents' committee of the Boys' Brigade, yielded about £64.

Elv & District Fur & Feather Club's show. A rabbit exhibited by C. B. Cadnum, of Littleport, won the award of a challenge certificate.

29--A film was shown at the Parish Church by Brig.-General Wood, of the S.P.G. It was entitled " The Last Candle."