ABOUT

In the 1970s Cottenham Village Society was formed to collate material about Cottenham history and disseminate it to residents old and new.

DETAILS

COTTENHAM is a large village and parish, 4 miles north from the Histon station on the St. Ives and Cambridge branch of the Great Eastern railway, 2-and-a-half miles south-west from Oakington station on the same line and 6-and-a-half north from Cambridge, in the Western division of the county, hundred and union of Chesterton, petty sessional division and county court district of Cambridge, rural deanery of North Stowe and archdeaconry and diocese of Ely. The principal street is lighted with gas from works the property of the Cottenham Gas Co. Limited.

The church of All Saints is an edifice of stone and rubble in the Decorated and Perpendicular styles consisting of chancel, nave, aisles, north and south porches and lofty tower with four pinnacles containing a clock and 6 bells: the chancel is Perpendicular, and has richly carved sedilia and a piscina: the east window is a copy from one in Prior Crauden's chapel at Ely: the nave arcades are Early Decorated, and part of the tower is also of this perios: there are two memorial windows and an oak chest bound with iron: in 1867 the church was partially restored and fitted with oak benches, enriched with carvings reproducing the forms of the plants, ferns and flowers of the district: there are 500 sittings. The register dates from the year 1572.

The "Cottenham Philo-Union," a species of village club, opened in February, 1881, is well supplied with the daily and weekly papers, and has a coffee and reading room. The recreation ground, on which a handsome pavilion has been erected, can be flooded in case of severe frost and used for skating. The road from Belsar's Hills to Aldreth High bridge, which was the old British road out of the Isle of Ely, runs along the corner of the parish. The ancient Carr Dyke traverses the fens, and close to it, on the boudary next to Landbeach, many remains of Roman pottery have been found, and in 1855 a beautiful bronze bust was discovered on this site. This village was formerly noted for the superior quality of its cheese, produced here some years ago in large quantities, but latterly the extensive pastures have been converted into arable land. The fruit gardens are extensive and increasing and hundreds of tons of fruit are sent during the season to London, Manchester and other markets. There are six manors-viz. Crowlands, Lyles, Sames, Burdley or Harlston, Rectory manor and Pelhams. The representatives of the late Dr. Thomas Musgrave, Archbishop of York 1848-60, are lords of the manors of Crolands, Lyles and Sames; Christs's Colledge, Cambridge, of Burdley or Harlston, and the rector, of Rectory manor; the greater part of the land in the parish has been enfranchised.

This was the birthplace of Thomas Tenison, archbishop of Canterbury, 1694-1715. The soil is various; subsoil, loamy clay. The chief crops are wheat, barley, oats and beans, fruit and vegetable produce. The area is 7,224 acres; rateable value, £10,495; the population in 1891 was 2,517.

[Extracts from Kelly's Directory - Cambridgeshire - 1900]

ABOUT

The Eltisley Village Society is based around the village of Eltisley in Cambridgeshire which mid-way, on the main road, between St Neots and Cambridge.

DETAILS

ELTISLEY is a parish and village, on the road from Cambridge to St. Neots, and on the Huntingdonshire border of the county, 5 miles east from St, Neots station on the main line of the London and North Eastern railway, and 12 west from Cambridge, in the hundred of Longstowe, petty sessional division of Caxton, union of Caxton and Arrington, county court district of St. Neots, rural deanery of Bourn and archdeaconry and diocese of Ely.

The church of St. John the Baptist and St. Pandionia, appropriated in 1572 to the Abbey of Denny, in this county, is an ancient edifice of stone, chiefly in the Early English style, and was partially repaired about the year 1840: it consists of chancel, clerestoried nave of three bays, aisles, north transept or chapel, south porch and a lofty embattled western tower of Early English date, with a fine Decorated octagonal spire, and containing 4 bells: the nave arcades date from the early part of the 13th century: the clerestory is Perpendicular: the north chapel has a very beautiful east window and a canopied tomb of a crusader and his lady. St. Wendreth is said by tradition to have been buried in the church: there is a brass tablet to the Marshall family, dated 1640: the tower and nave were completely restored and the latter reseated, during the period 1875-9, at a cost of £2,000: the church at affords 200 sittings. A lych gate was erected in 1920 in memory of the men of the parish who fell in the Great War, 1914-18· The register dates from the year 1653. The early register is lost: the Ely transcripts, which date from 1599, show that John Disbrowe married here Jane Cromwell, Oliver's younger sister, on 23 June, 1636.

There are Wesleyan and Primitive Methodist chapels here. The Church Institute was erected in 1903.

The Disbrowe family bought the rectory and advowson and settled in Eltisley in the year 1600. Major-General Disbrowe and Samuel Disbrowe, keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland, were born here."

There was formerly a convent of Benedictine nuns here, subsequently removed in the reign of William I. to Hinchinbrooke, in Huntingdonshire. St. Pandionia was the daughter of a Scottish king, who, in her flight from some persons who attempted her chastity, is said to have taken refuge in the nunnery of Eltisley, the prioress of which was her kinswoman; she eventually adopted the religious life, and on account of her piety was canonized; she died, it is said, in the convent, and was buried by a well called St. Pandionia's Well, whence her body was removed into Eltisley church in the year 1344.

The soil is strong clay; subsoil, blue gault. The chief crops are roots, wheat, oats and barley. The area is 1,970 acres; the population in 1921 was 331.

PAPLEY GROVE is 1 mile north.

[Extracts from Kelly's Directory - Cambridgeshire - 1929]

DETAILS

The Society meets every third Tuesday of the month from September to April at 7.30 pm at The Stable, High Street Newmarket (unless otherwise noted) when they have a visiting speaker. During the summer months (except August) they arrange trips to local places of historical interest.

Website: www.wood-ditton.org.uk/newmarketlhs.htm

ABOUT

The Society was founded in 1951 as the Cambridge Local History Council. The name was changed to Cambridgeshire Local History Society in 1983. The Society was founded to encourage and support the study of local history throughout the County of Cambridgeshire and Isle of Ely.

DETAILS

The Society arranges monthly lectures on all aspects of local history from October to May and organises visits to places of interest and guided excursions within the county during the summer.

Meetings are held in St John's Hall, Blinco Grove, off Hills Road, at 2.15 pm, normally on the first Saturday of each month. The lecture programme is sent out in September every year, theoutings programme is sent out in April.

Since 1987 the Society has included a Collectors and Collections programme. These have ranged from beer mats to fine china, costumes, misericords and photographs. Two meetings in the year are given by collectors. Further information can be obtained from: The Collector/ Bygones Group Secretary: Mrs Lorna Delanoy

Membership is open to anyone interested in any aspect of local history.

In the last two decades local history societies have become established in many villages throughout the county, some developing out of successful evening class projects. An interest in their own family history has led to large numbers becoming acquainted with numerous kinds of historical records and the Family History Societies have campaigned for better access to records and provided training in necessary skills for using them, as well as developing increasingly sophisticated methods for researching and displaying family histories. Archaeology has attracted others and professional and technological developments have helped to greatly increase the information available about the County's recent as well as distant past.

With so many societies and interests at many levels The Cambridgeshire Local History Society believes there is a need for a forum for discussion and exchange of information. The Society's Committee includes archivists, archaeologists and curators from the Record Office, the Cambridgeshire Collection, the Folk Museum as well as active local historians. The Society acts as a representative body for local history in the County of Cambridgeshire. It is a member of the British Association for Local History and representative on the County's Archives Advisory Panel. Corporate members include Anglia Polytechnic University, The Extra Mural Board, The Cambridge Preservation Society

Since its foundation in 1951 the Society has published a regular journal with articles on a wide range of Cambridgeshire topics, people, buildings and village histories contributed by members and others. In 1992 the name was changed from the BULLETIN to the REVIEW. The journal is published annually in the autumn. The Society recently started a Newsletter with information about local history activities and appeals for information from members and others.

Website: www.cambridgeshirehistory.com/Societies/clhs/

ABOUT

The Eatons Community Association ecompasses the Eaton Socon and Eaton Ford.

DETAILS

In 1979 the Eaton Socon Community Association was set up in the rapidly expanding village of Eaton Socon. In the early 1970's the A1 had been built to the west of the Great North Rd and with the old villages of Eaton Socon and Eaton Ford now being relatively traffic free the housing boom began.

In its first few years it aimed to welcome newcomers to the village and to keep the village atmosphere alive. Residents problems could be shared and the Committee tried hard to find answers to any problems. There was a membership fee and trips and activities for children and families were arranged.

As Eaton Ford and Eaton Socon continued to grow rapidly it was felt that there was a need to collect information about life in the past. It was recognised that the old village life was vanishing and little had been recorded. The Eaton Socon Community Association revived the ancient tradition of May Day with its May Weekend Activities. Through the last twenty years a young girl has been chosen as May Queen and with her two attendants she has been crowned at the Village May Day celebrations on Eaton Socon Village Green outside St Mary's Church. The village celebrations include entertainment with Traditional May Pole Dancing and a Sweeps Dance, as well as other local youth groups such as Majorettes, Peppercorns Performing Arts group and adult entertaining groups. On the village Green stalls are set up with fun activities, crafts, plants and a Bar BQ. Refreshments are available in the church and in most years there is a local history exhibition with history booklets for sale inside the church. The May Weekend activities take place on the first May Bank Holiday every year.

The Eaton Socon Community Association recently changed its name to the Eatons Community Association to reflect its role in both Eaton Socon and Eaton Ford. Since all the building in the 1980's there is now no visible line distinguishing the two villages and one of the aims of the Eatons Community Association is to keep the Eatons identity alive within the town of St Neots. Membership is free to all residents of the Eatons. A newsletter is published three times a year and delivered by volunteers to every household in the Eatons. Extra copies are available in St Neots Library.

In 2002 the population in the Eatons is approximately 15,000 in nearly 6,000 households. There are three industrial estates and one business park on the southern entrance to Eaton Socon. In August 2002 the second purpose built large hotel opened. The area is well served with public houses and inns. Scattered through the Eatons are small general neighbourhood shops, a post office, a village family butchers, two pine shops and a flower shop. Take away facilities include Park Pizza, Lucci's Bell a Pizza at The Old Sun, Ming Wai Chinese, Ming Wai Fish and Chips, Eaton Plaice Fish and Chips and The Akbar Indian Take Away. There are many public houses and several have accommodation.

Recent Activities by the Community Association include

• planting shrubs and bulbs throughout the Eatons to enhance the environment
• relaying hedging and planting flowers in Bunny Lane
• managing The Pightle - a field near the river left open and free from development
• opening the local 'Cage' or 'Lock Up' built in 1826 for local malefactors
• running Traditional May Day Celebrations on Eaton Socon Village Green
• Carol Singing around the Christmas tree on Eaton Socon Green in December
• Holding local history meetings and exhibitions
• Developing local history archives
• Writing local history booklets
• Listening to local residents views and concerns
• Designing and erecting the two Village Signs on the village Greens.

They are not a political or religious group and all the political parties support them. Their aim is to represent Eatons residents views wherever possible. The committee are all volunteers and apart from funding from a Local Heritage Initiative to fund the 'Eatons People and Places History Project' they have little funding other than money they raise through our May Day Celebrations.

Website: www.escan.org.uk/

ABOUT

The Histon and Impington Village Society meets once a month for lectures on themes of local interest. Within the Society there are three subgroups

DETAILS

Project Group This group is currently planning, in partnership with the Parish Church of St. Andrew Histon, the repair/upgrading of the Histon Giant’s gravestone. In the past they have restored the village pump, the wrought iron Blacksmith’s grave surround and the circular George V Jubilee seat about the oak on School Hill.

Environmental Group The environmental group concerns themselves with the preservation of footpaths and open green spaces, keeping an active eye on planning applications and have recently, in conjunction with the Cambridgeshire County Council Rural Group, published a Beating the Bounds leaflet and footpath map of Histon and Impington.

Waymarking the Footpath from Histon to Westwick 1994

History Group They collect old photographs and village memorabilia, photograph local events and changes of scene and publish booklets on topics of local interest. Their current work includes

• Keeping a newspaper record of local events (from 1979).
• Regular displays in the local library based on their archive.
• Assist schools with the local history content of National Curriculum.
• Production of further publications including the histories of Impington Hall and its owners, village education and a Histon and Impington Who Was Who.

The Society have a wide variety of publications available for sale.

Website: www.hisimp.net/social/villsoc.htm

ABOUT

The Littleport Society was founded in 1987 and its the only non-political, non sectarian organisation in Littleport whose membership is open to residents and anybody else who holds an interest in this fenland town. The Society consists of an expanding group of local people who voluntarily work together in the interests of the community in which it lives. The Society now has in excess of 1,000 members, who live not just in Littleport but in other counties, as well as many in several other countries including France, Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America.

DETAILS

The Society is a potential treasure trove for genealogists researching their Littleport connections. It holds a large number of various records - maps, census returns, photographs and transcripts of the Parish Church Registers, to name but a few. The Society also produces books and leaflets about Littleport which can be purchased from them directly (information on the titles currently available is via the link below). Opposite is the recently reconstructed building known as "The Barn" adjacent to the Main Street Car Park in Littleport, where the Society is now based.

Over the number of years that the society has been running, various members of the society have had the opportunity to have their work printed in conjunction with the society. Many of the books stocked by the society are written by local people and contain their memories and stories of Littleport life. These are available from the Society.

Website: www.familytreeuk.co.uk/littleportsociety