Items of Interest from the Years 1980­82 (taken from The Official Guide of 1983/84).

Gathered from the Local Newspapers, etc. during the past year. Every care is taken to make the following list correct but no item or date is guarenteed by the publisher.

Compiled by the Misses E R Gill and M Davy August 28th, 1980 1. New factory units planned to revitalise industry and create local employment in Littleport are being officially opened on Wednesday making a dream come true for a former town councillor ­ Henry Crabb. In his memory the roadway serving the new unit is to be called Henry Crabb Road. September 4th, 1980 1. The Sunday Market is now to be held on Saturday, after much arguing in the Courts. 2. Sparrows, the Littleport Chemist's shop, was broken into on Monday night, the fifth break in since February 2nd of this year. Barbiturates and needles were stolen. 3. The Mothers' Union, assisted by the Church Youth Group, entertained a party of children from Bermondsey last Saturday. September 11th, 1980 1. A new headmaster, Mr. Tony Hurlin, has been appointed to the Littleport County Primary School. 2. On Sunday, September 7th, a Flower Festival was held at the Methodist Church. The arrangements represented the Parables of Jesus. 3. The Village College Community Education Scheme is including Wild Fowl Watching at Welney and a day time course on typing in its new syllabus. September 18th, 1980 1. Five students from the Village College evening classes have passed the RSA1 typing examination. 2. The Parish Council are setting up their own Saturday Market in the town. They wish to stop trade declining in the village. 3. Twenty three Guides from Littleport & Little Downham spent last weekend under canvas at Little Thetford. Many were first time campers. 4. The wedding of Stuart Cox and Rosalyn Watkins has been chosen as a typical English wedding and the report of the event has been included in an English text book for German grammar school pupils. 5. Littleport Parish Council has, at long last, obtained a faculty to tidy St. George's Churchyard. This will include alterations to the wall and the removal of headstones, except those of historical interest. September 25th, 1980 1. Littleport bandsman, 16 year old Graham Sharpe, has started training as a junior bandsman in the Royal Artillery Band, based at Woolwich. 2. A sponsored walk was held on Saturday and raised £280 for St. George's Restoration Fund. 3. A most successful coffee evening, organised by Mrs. Johnson & Mrs. Darby, members of the St. George's Parish Hall Committee, was held last Tuesday at the Grange by kind permission of Mr. & Mrs. Devlin. The proceeds totalled £240. October 3rd, 1980 1. Frances Hatch of Littleport is staging her first "one man" show of prints and water colours in Norwich from now until October 12th. 2. Littleport Band gave a concert in St. Andrews Church in Sutton during the church's Flower Festival. 3. St. George's Harvest Supper was held at the Village Hall on Monday evening. During the evening a presentation was made to Miss E. Sparrow in appreciation of her many years of Church work. 4. A "Tramps" Supper was held on Saturday evening at the start of the Senior Harvest Weekend of the Salvation Army. 5. Mr. Tony Hurlin, Headmaster of the Primary School, has invited members of the Over 60's Club to attend the Harvest Festival Celebrations at the school on October 16th. October 23rd, 1980 1. Committee members of the Village College Parent Staff Association are backing plans to lobby M.P.'s, County Councillors and other officials over Education cuts. 2. The Village College has been awarded one of the major prizes in the Schools Computer Competition organised by the Dept. of Industry. Six pupils from last year's 6th Form were responsible:­ Alison Border, Julie Hart, Susan Morrison, Gillian Peacock, Christopher Atkinson and Matthew Collins. The prize is a £2000 micro computer. 3. Elderly residents of Anchor Court had the chance to meet some children from the Primary School on Friday afternoon. The children brought them gifts of Harvest produce. The visit was part of the school's celebration of Harvest which began on Thursday with a concert for the Over 60's and the parents of the children involved. October 30th, 1980 1. Over £2000 was raised for school equipment when 400 pupils took part in a sponsored walk for Littleport Village College on Friday. 2. A Mother & Baby group has recently been formed in the village. It meets in the Salvation Army Hall each Wednesday. November 13th, 1980 1. Samantha Gillett, of the Village College, has won a prize for the best secretarial student at the school. The prize was donated by Mr. Bristol of Jefferson's of Ely. 2. Mrs. Doris Elsegood of 13, Parson's Lane, has been presented with the highest civilian honour which can be accorded by the United States Air Force, to acknowledge thirty one years of service with the Force. 3. Littleport Parish Church was filled on Sunday morning for the United Remembrance Service. Wreaths were laid on the War Memorial in the Church by Mrs. Thelma Winters and Mr. Gilbert. The Littleport Band headed the Parade of Royal British Legion Members. Guides, Brownies, Scouts and Cubs joined in the Parade. 4. Littleport Band, conducted by Mr. Brian Halls, provided entertainment to a capacity crowd at the Village College on Sunday evening. The proceeds were for the Earl Haig Poppy Fund. November 27th, 1980 1. Recognising the need for qualified engineers to service the growing number of video recorders in the village, Mr. David Laws has taken a course on the subject in Manchester. He came through with flying colours. 2. Littleport is one of the six villages in Cambridgeshire chosen for a new trial scheme to bring a local "bobby" back on the beat. The constable in Littleport will be P.C. John Capsey. 3. The Parish Council will be spending nearly £40 on trees and shrubs to plant on an open space on Ely Road. December 5th, 1980 1. The final figure for this year's Poppy Appeal in Littleport and surrounding district is expected to reach a record £700. 2. Littleport Primary School Hall was packed on Saturday afternoon, November 29th, for the PTA Christmas Fair. £266.14 was raised for School Funds. 3. Four groups have reaped the benefit from money raised by the Littleport Show. A total of £400 in cheques was presented. December 12th, 1980 1. Lt. C. Betteridge of the Salvation Army has written a book entitled "Trained for War". 2. Planning permission has been given to develop nearly an acre of land for housing within the grounds of the Village College. 3. Christmas street lighting was switched on in Main Street & Granby Street on Friday, thanks to the Chamber of Trade. 4. Children at the Primary School have raised nearly £35 for the current "Blue Peter" Appeal. 5. £270 was raised on Saturday at a Christmas Fair in aid of St. George's Church Restoration Fund. December 19th, 1980 1. The Over Sixties Club were invited to a Nativity Play performed by children of the Primary School. The performance took place in the Parish Church. 2. On Monday a performance of the Messiah and Carols was given by the Choirs of Littleport and Downham Market. The performance was in memory of Miss Irene Pollard. December 24th, 1980 1. The Salvation Army held a Carol Service for Senior Citizens. At the end, those present were given trays of fruit. 2. Sixteen members of the Pony Club took part in a Show Jumping Competition at Outwell. They gained two wins. January 8th, 1981 1. The Salvation Army Band raised £880 with their carolling during the Christmas season. 2. The Littleport Town Band commenced their 1981 engagements on Sunday when they provided music for the United Carol Service at the Parish Church of Wisbech St. Mary. 3. During the Christmas holiday timber was stolen from Histon Concrete Ltd and from Fleldslde, Wisbech Road. On Monday intruders stole £300 from fruit machines at Littleport Ex Service Men's Club. 4. After forty years in the Butchery Business Mr. & Mrs. H. Everett have sold the business in High Street. The new owners are Kyp & Liz. 5. Mrs. Elsie Harlock, aged 94, died at St. Mary's Lodge on Monday, January 5th. During the First World War she was Governess of the Littleport Girls' School. January 15th, 1981 1. The traditional service of Blessing the Plough took place in St. George's Church last Sunday. January 22nd, 1981 1. Littleport farmer, Mr. John Martin C.B.E., has been appointed by the Minister of Agriculture as Chairman of the New Eastern Regional Panel. Mr. Martin's main task will be to help maintain a two way communication link between the Industry and the Ministry. 2. Final arrangements for the Saturday Market are being made by the town's Parish Council. The Market, to be held on the Main Street Car Park, may be opened in a few months time. 3. The swimming pool ran into a £1,200 deficit during the past season. 4. Voting took place for the New Committee of the Over 60's Club on Friday. Subscriptions were taken for the new season. 5. The 48th Annual Meeting of the Littleport Band was held in the Band Room on Thursday evening. 6. On Friday evening the Pony Club held their Annual New Year Party. February 5th, 1981 1. Because of the closing of the Rex Cinema in Ely, Littleport Primary School is preparing to show family films once a month for parents & pupils. 2. On Sunday, February 1st, the Boat Haven held an Open Day. About 150 people attended. 3. Nine year old Darren Francis has been voted Littleport Pony Club member of the year. 4. The Parish Council have given £100 to the Day Centre to help in providing refreshments. 5. The W.I. held its New Year Dinner at the Village College on Tuesday, February 3rd. 6. The Annual Dinner & Dance for the Staff of the Burberry Raincoat Factory was held at the Garden House Hotel, Cambridge on Friday, January 30th. February 19th, 1981 1. Many men in Littleport have been thrown out of work by the closing of the Ely Sugar Beet Factory. Men have also been made redundant at two Ely Firms ­ F.A. Standen and Dormans. February 26th, 1981 1. Good news came for a few of the many unemployed this week when a Hertfordshire Engineering Company announced its plans to move to Littleport. 2. On Saturday, February 21st, a very successful concert was given at the Village College by members of St. George's Church. 3. Mr. Bob Dannant has been elected on to the Littleport Show Committee and takes over the job of promoting the Show from Mr. Breeden. 4. Guides & Brownies held their Thinking Day ceremonies on Thursday, February 19th. On Sunday a special Thinking Day service was held in St. George's Church. March 5th, 1981 1. Mr. Jones, Headmaster of Little Ouse School, met with a serious accident on Friday, February 27th. He was hit by a car near Ely High Bridge and sustained many broken bones. 2. Mr. K. Layn is looking for about 40 women to peel onions at his packing factory. 3. Two Norfolk men, charged with breaking into Sparrows' Chemist shop, were remanded by Ely Magistrates on Thursday, pending committal proceedings. 4. Littleport Band took part in the fourth section of the London and Southern Brass Band Contest at Watford Town Hall on Sunday. It was the Band's first trip to this contest for 25 years and they were unplaced. 5. Mrs. Muriel Thornhill, manageress of Ely's Eastern Gas Showroom, has worked for the Gas Board for 41 years and has now retired. 6. The kitchen at Black Horse Drove School which has been used to prepare meals for pupils for 44 years has closed down. Tokens of appreciation were presented by Mrs. Bird to Mrs. Allan, the cook & her assistant, Mrs. Rose. March 12th, 1981 1. Within hours of being advertised all the jobs of onion peeling offered by Mr. K. Layn were filled. 2. The New Bridge Chinese Restaurant was broken into on Tuesday, March 10th. Goods to the value of £68 were stolen. March 22nd, 1981 1. Littleport Portley Garage have decided to give up selling petrol, just 22 months after winning their battle to sell it. 2. A team from Littleport Village College have won a place in the final of the County Road Safety Quiz after beating the King's School Ely and the Hereward School March, in the semi finals. April 2nd, 1981 1. Twenty three boys & girls from the Village College are joining the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. 2. Children from the various churches in the town celebrated Mothering Sunday by giving flowers to their mothers. 3. A successful sale held in the Day Centre, Globe Lane on Saturday raised £78 for the Appeal Fund. 4. £142 was raised for Group Funds at a Spring Bazaar of the Play & Toddler Group. 5. K.H. Layn & Sons of Woodfen Road had £100 cash and two tills worth £200 stolen. April 10th, 1981 1. Littleport Women's Institute have raised a total of £182.30 for the Friends of Tower Hospital by performing a concert. April 17th, 1981 1. Mrs. Marjorie Kerridge, for 21 years secretary at Littleport C.P. School, retired last week. The Headmaster presented her with several gifts bought by parents, staff and children. 2. Six pupils from the Village College have been successful in passing Grade II examinations in Recorder playing, set by the London Music College. 3. Country Dancing, Guitar Playing and Brass Music were just some of the varied items in Littleport Primary School's Easter Concert. 4. Fifty pupils from the Primary School set off on Saturday, April 10th, for a busy week long trip to Devon. 5. The parents of the Primary School have generously donated £1 for each child to be spent on books. 6. A double bill was presented by pupils of Littleport Village College when they staged their end of term production last week. The Seniors presented "Swinging Samson" & the Lower School "Ernie's Incredible Illucinations". 7. Littleport Women's Institute Concert Party have raised nearly £700 within a fortnight by performing their current show three times. Funds have been raised for Friends of Tower Hospital, their own funds and for the Littleport Day Centre Appeal. April 30th, 1981 1. Over £500 was raised during the Annual Auction held in the Village Hall on Bank Holiday. The proceeds were for Hall Funds. 2. Littleport Primary School have been busily preparing an exhibition of 1,000 books donated through the School Parent Teacher Association. 3. Littleport's new Saturday Market will open on May 16th with a total of 23 stalls, on the Town's Central Car Park. 4. Many colourful and famous figures were guests at the Chamber of Trade's second fund raising function, held in the Village Hall. The money raised will go towards the Chamber's Christmas Lighting Fund. 5. A BBC Radio Team visited the village on Wednesday and Thursday of this week to record a programme for "Down Your Way". May 7th, 1981 1. Lieut. C. Betteridge, Commanding Officer of the Littleport & Soham Salvation Army Corps for the past two and a half years, will leave the district at the end of May. His place will be taken by Envoy & Mrs. Hobbins of North Walsham. 2. A straw fire which broke out near 109 Ely Road on Saturday is being investigated as arson by the Cambridgeshire police. May 14th, 1981 1. £420 was raised by a sponsored walk round the outside of the village on Sunday 10th. This money is to be used to help pay for an extension to the Village Hall which is to be used for an old people's day centre. 2. Five well known Littleport people were featured on the Radio 4 "Down Your Way" programme broadcast last Sunday afternoon. 3. Mr. Denis Pye (Liberal) polled 1,335 votes in the County Council Elections. Polling was on Thursday May 7th. Mr. Pye was elected C.C. for the Littleport area. May 22nd, 1981 1. The Day Centre held their Annual Dominoes Tournament last week. The winner was Mr. E. Legge. 2. The Flower Club held a Coffee Evening on Wednesday, 13th. The proceeds totalled £71.50. A cheque for £36 has been forwarded to Ely & District Branch of the British Rheumatism & Arthritis Association. 3. A new residential development including flats, family houses and a warden's flat is to be built on a plot of land in Parson's Lane, which was formerly part of the Village College playing fields. May 28th, 1981 1. All the Christian Denominations have joined together to launch a project called "Christian Help". Help will be given to anyone in need. 2. Councillor J. Crane has been re­elected to serve as Chairman of the Parish Council for the coming year. June 4th,1981 1. Martin Harwood risked his life on Friday evening when he went searching for his young brother in burning buildings. 2. Local artist, Miss Frances Hatch, will have her work on display at Sutton and at the. Old Fire Engine House in Ely. 3. In spite of the inclement weather, 20 Guides from Littleport & Little Downham spent a happy time camping at Braham's Farm, Little Thetford last week. 4. Envoy & Mrs. Hobbins of the Salvation Army arrived to take up their duties in the village on Thursday, May 28th. June 11th, 1981 1. A fire at 57, City Road destroyed the kitchen and conservatory. No one was hurt. 2. An Open Meeting to make arrangements for the Royal Wedding Celebrations in the village will be held on Monday, June 15th in the Village Hall. 3. A "fantastic show" was the verdict of competitors & spectators alike when the Flower . Arrangement Club staged their Summer Show "Midsummer Fantasy" last weekend. 4. The Church Garden Fete held on the Green on Saturday 6th raised £329 for Church funds. June 19th, 1981 1. The landlord of The Crown has established his own private market in his car park. This is held each Tuesday. 2. A cheese & wine party was held at the Youth Club on Monday, June 16th for parents of young people participating in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. 3. Miss V. Kennett, local chemist, has won a trip to California & Disneyland. The competition consisted of calculating the number of calories in four dishes from around the world. 4. Littleport Pony Club took part in the Coveney Fete on Saturday, June 13th. June 26th, 1981 1. A successful sale was held by the Over Sixties' Club. £57.65 was raised for the disabled and handicapped. 2. Children from the Village College took part in the 900th anniversary of the start of building work on Ely Cathedral which took place oh Tuesday afternoon. 3. Mr. & Mrs. Papworth of Littleport's Spade and Beckett public house have raised over £240 for the Addenbrooke's Cancer Scan Appeal. 4. Almost 30 parents and members of staff from Littleport Village College took part in a sponsored walk to raise money for a college association. 5. Littleport Primary School will be getting a computer with the money raised at a fete at the weekend. More than £300 was raised. July 3rd, 1981 1. The house­to­house collection for Christian Aid held In the village raised £332. 2. A group of children from the Village College have spent the week at Whitby following various forms of study. 3. A large display of local history material was mounted in the Primary School Hall on Friday & Saturday, July 4th & 5th to launch a book "Littleport Chronicle" compiled by Roger Rudderham for the Cambridgeshire Collection at Cambridge Library. 4. Littleport's Pony Club Gymkhana was held on Saturday. July 11th, 1981 1. A week long Work Experience Scheme was organised for the Fourth Form of Littleport Village College last week. It was a great success and some of the students were featured on BBC T.V. 2. A meeting was held on Friday evening to make preparations for the Royal Wedding Celebrations. 3. Sixty people enjoyed a delicious strawberry tea on Saturday afternoon. The proceeds of the afternoon totalled £112.40. July 17th, 1981 1. A coffee morning held at Plains Farm, the home of Mr. & Mrs. Pearson, raised £485 for Leukaemia Research. 2. The recent house to house collection organised by the W.I. for Cancer Research realised a total of £253.12. 3. The Day Centre's annual strawberry tea was held in the Village Hall on Friday, July 10th. July 23rd, 1981 1. Littleport Village College has received a £1,000 boost from its own Parent & Staff Association. 2. A Grand Parade of Floats, a Goat Show & Clay Pigeon Shoot were the three major events held at the weekend as a prelude to Littleport Show on Saturday, July 25th. 3. The Concert of Christian Music in the Parish Church, in which all denominations took part was very well attended on Monday July 20th. £40.26 was raised for Christian Aid. 4. Mrs. K. Whitehand has knitted a tea cosy and six matching egg cosies as a wedding present for Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. 5. A very successful Cake Stall organised by Mrs. June Clift & helpers raised £82.40 for the Royal Wedding Celebrations in the village. 6. Littleport W.I. President, Mrs. J. Brown, and members welcomed 103 guests to the Annual Party, given by the Institute to the Over Seventies of the Village. The Party was held in the Village College. July 30th, 1981 1. The sixth Littleport Show was held on Saturday, July 25th and was a great success. The day's celebrity was Miss Joanna Lumley. August 6th, 1981 1. About 1,000 people turned out to enjoy Littleport's Royal Wedding Celebrations on July 29th. The festivities ended with a torchlight procession around the village. August 20th, 1981 1. The price of a balloon released from Littleport Show has won a Littleport couple, Mr. & Mrs. Murfitt, a portable television set. 2. A party of ladies from the Littleport W.I. Concert Party visited Southery Over Sixties Club for their August meeting. September 3rd, 1981 1. Some 36,000 cigarettes and around 500 cigars were stolen in a raid on Littleport newsagents, Spinks, on Thursday night. 2. three 11 year old Littleport Scouts Darren Cornwell, Stephen Garwood and Andrew Harris have returned from an adventurous activity in Hertfordshire. 3. Sally Hart was a trophy winner with her pony, Lucky Lad, at a Show Jumping event in Ely at the weekend. September 10th, 1981 1. Two lads from the village who were unable to help man a stall at The Tower Hospital Garden Party were determined that they should still help the Hospital in some way. So Carl and Steven Dixon aged 11 and 10, went on a sponsored cycle ride around local villages and raised £75 for the funds. 2. Andrew Benton, of 18, Hawthorn Close, is going to take part in the UK Championship of Teccom 81, a competition organised by the Engineering Industry Training Board for Company Teams of Technician apprentices. September 18th, 1981 1. Four boys, M. Graves, P. Murfitt, S. Powell and T. Carpenter from Littleport Village College have been successful in obtaining their Royal Life Saving Society Safe Swimming award Grade 2. 2. Ely Standard Photographer, Nick Lyons, carried off the major award In the photographic section of the Sharman Newspapers' annual competition, Nick Lyons is a Littleport boy, 3. A special feature of last week's W.I. meeting was the presentation of a green linen tablecloth In memory of the late Mrs. Doris Clack. The cloth was designed by Mrs. Mary Bowers. 4. Littleport & District Branch of the Pony Club had a great success at the weekend, finishing second in a show­jumping event held in conjunction with the famous Burghley Hone Trials. September 24th, 1981 1. A £10,000 repair programme has been drawn up for the Littleport Road Bridge. The bridge has stayed in place but the embankment has settled ­ a problem peculiar to the Fens. 2. Little Ouse PTA School Gala Fete proved to be a great success with the net profit expected to be around £250. 3. The well known Cambridgeshire Produce Merchants, Rowhall Ltd. of The Crescent have acquired two new onion brands "Mr. Bulby" and "Country Gold", and are marketing them for the first time this year. 4. Littleport Village College opened its doors to the public on Sunday to display just some of the activities available there. Evening Classes and Affiliated Clubs put on demonstrations. 5. Littleport Cricket Club won the Millman Salver on Sunday by beating Whittlesey. 6. Littleport Cubs have won the District Sports Shield. 7. Andrew Benton, 20, with his fellow apprentice, Peter Brasher, 19, came in the top two out of five teams in an area final of the Teccom 81 competition. On October 15th they will compete against other area winners in the South Eastern Regional Final to be held at High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire. 8. On Monday, September 28th, Mr. Clement Freud MP named two locomotives in memory of Mr. Ben Gimbert of Ely & Mr. James Nightall of Littleport. 37 years ago these two men saved Soham from total destruction by uncoupling and driving away a burning truck from a train containing fifty trucks all filled with bombs. October 2nd, 1981 1. Littleport Chamber of Trade are campaigning for the removal of a refreshments van from the A10 picnic site at Brandon Creek. 2. Since they began trading 18 months ago Willow Building Supplies of Camel Road, Littleport have increased their turnover ten fold. 3. A couple living near Smith's Cafe in Littleport have called on Littleport Parish Council to look into noise disturbances from the premises. October 15th, 1981 1. John Peterson, of Ten Mile Bank took top honours at Cambridge Car Club's Stephen Trophy at the weekend. 2. The Primary School PTA made £55 at a Coffee morning on Saturday, October 10th. 3. Some 120 people attended Littleport Village College for a Gilbert & Sullivan Evening presented by Littleport Choral Society on Friday, October 9th. October 22nd, 1981 1. Littleport Village College ­ the Staff, Governors, Pupils and Parents ­ are on a war footing to save their school from the axe. They intend to fight tooth & nail to prevent the College from closing down and pupils from having to transfer to Ely. October 30th, 1981 1. Two new small factories which will bring a further boost to light industry potential in the area are on the verge of completion in Littleport. 3. Littleport is a town with a mission ­ to save its village college from the axe. So far to raise funds there has been a sponsored "Sit in" and a walk from Littleport to Pymoor and back. Some students have been to Shire Hall, Cambridge, to hand in a petition. November 4th, 1981 1. With Halloween as their theme, Brownies from Littleport, Little Downham & Welney enjoyed Brownie Revels at the Village Youth Club on Saturday. 2. Littleport Saturday Market has escaped the axe at least until after Christmas. A serious decline in the number of stall holders and public support in the market has thrown its future into doubt. November 12th, 1981 1. £355 of meat was stolen from Cox's Butcher's shop in Station Road on Saturday November 7th. 2. A potato weighing 5lbs 9ozs was found by Mrs. Hannah Taylor on W.H. Thompson's farm at Ten Mile Bank. The potato was a Maris Piper variety. 3. Nicholas Kisby, with his collection of candlesticks appeared on I.T.V.s programme "Bygones" on Tuesday, November 17th. Nicholas is sixteen years old. 4. The Village College campaigners have claimed an interim victory in their fight to keep the school open. The working party of the County Council have deferred the matter until November 26th. Many village people, who have handicapped children, are also fighting for the retention of Highfield School at Ely. 5. Littleport Parish Church was filled on Sunday morning, November 8th, for the Remembrance Day Service. The Parade from Pont's Hill was headed by the Littleport Band. The Band also gave a concert in the Village College on Sunday evening in aid of the Poppy Appeal. November 20th, 1981 1. The fight still goes on to save the Village College, posters are very much in evidence and the Village College Campaigners have challenged County Councillors to meet them in public to discuss matters concerning the Village College and the surrounding country schools. 2. Proceeds from this year's Show were presented to organisations in the Village on Monday, November 23rd. 3. The Parish Council have estimated they will need nearly £16,500 to cover the cost of Council business until 1983. This is equivalent to a 3.71 penny rate. November 26th, 1981 1. Ely & District Amateur Boxing Club staged their first tournament for some time at the Village College on Friday, November 27th. 2. The PTA at the Primary School held a Coffee Morning on Saturday and raised £35.22 for PTA Funds. 3. Two Littleport shops have been enlarged ­ Nigel's Stores and Spinks Newsagents. 4. Certificates & Prizes were presented to ex­pupils at the Village College. The pupils were from last years' fifth form. The prizes were donated by the College Governors and other friends. December 3rd, 1981 1. At the second meeting of the County Council Working Party, it was decided that the Village College will be allowed to remain open. 2. The Village Hall Day Centre have given a donation of £1,500 towards constructing an invalid toilet and a ramp for the main door at the Hall. 3. A Junior Disco was held in the Primary School Hall on Friday evening. The organisers were Mr. & Mrs. P. Coulson. £49 was raised for PTA Funds. 4. The Village's Poppy Fund for 1981 was £70 up on last year. The total was £775.93. 5. Fifteen pupils of the Village College received their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Awards on Wednesday evening. December 10th, 1981 1. A record total of 209 people attended the Blood Donor Session recently held in the village. 2. St. George's Christmas Sale, held in the Village Hall on Saturday, realised a profit of £250. 3. A team from the Village College have won their way into the final of the Mastermind Competition organised for Adult Education Centres. December 15th, 1981 1. After the blizzards of Sunday, December 13th, Littleport was completely marooned by both road and rail. All schools in the area were closed. 2. About 60 Senior Citizens attended the Day Centre Christmas Party on Tuesday December 15th, in the Village Hall. 3. A successful Christmas Fair was held in the Primary School on Saturday, December 12th. The proceeds totalled £157.58. 4. The Liberal Association also held a Christmas Fair on Saturday and raised £30.37. 5. Littleport looks set for expansion in the coming months with two engineering firms setting up on the Henry Crabb Road Industrial Estate. December 23rd, 1981 1. A Mediaeval hall was created this week at Littleport Junior School when the children portrayed "Hugh de Coverley's Christmas" during a concert. 2. A very successful Christmas Fair was held in the Band Room. Organised by the Ladles' Committee, the fair raised £172.66. 3. The Littleport Fire Station members presented a cheque of £600 to the National Fire Service Benevolent Fund, 4. The severe weather is still making travel difficult with icy roads and many snow drifts. December 31st, 1981. 1. Mr. Gordon Smith has retired after giving over 30 years of loyal service at Littleport Garage, Wisbech Rd. 2. Mrs. Peggy Gillett, the teacher responsible for the school's Infant Department has also retired after serving twelve yean at the school. January 8th, 1982 1. Littleport Band, conducted by Bandmaster Brian Halls, were at Wisbech on Saturday, January 2nd for the United Carol Service at Wisbech St. Mary Church 2. Chris Easy & Paul Murfitt, members of the Cambridge and Coleridge Athletics Club, have been picked to run for Cambridgeshire in the Cross Country Championships later this month. 3. Mr. Borley, storeman & handyman of The Grange Convalescent Home, has retired. Mr. Borley was presented with a radio while Mrs. Borley received a pot plant and a box of chocolates. January 21st, 1982 1. The "big freeze", followed by a recent thaw, reaped a trail of havoc throughout the area. Littleport Village College was closed on Friday when oil supplies ran out and plumbers were inundated with calls for help. 2. A revolutionary new fuel made from sun flower oil is being tested on a craft at The Boat Haven by Mr, John Durban (manager), 3. The George and Dragon Public House was closed for two days following a fire in the premises on Thursday, January 14th. 4. Lynda Smith has been voted Littleport Pony Club's top member of the year. 5. Mrs. Rosamund Gill has vacated her seat on the Parish Council owing to ill health. 6. The Saturday Market is to be disbanded after running for just eight months. 7. Mrs. Jean Browning has won the area final in the Ladies Singles at Bowls. She also won the area final in the National Pairs, thus completing a notable "double". January 28th, 1982 1. Mr. & Mrs. Graham Fisher have been named Innkeepers of the Year by Gilbey Vintners, suppliers of wine and spirits to East Anglia's 800 Norwich Brewery Houses. Mr. Fishers' Inn is the Plough and Harrow. February 18th, 1982 1. More than a quarter of the pupils of the Village College staged a play adapted from Mark Twain's "Tom Sawyer”. The play was performed on February 18th & 19th. 2. Anne Hart and Jean Browning have reached the quarterfinals of the National Pairs at Bowls. 3. About 70 parents, governors and staff attended the evening organised by the Head of Maths & Computer Sciences at the Village College on Wednesday. The object was to learn to handle the computers which are already familiar to the children. February 25th, 1982 1. Littleport Guides & Brownies joined girls from Welney and Little Downham in the 1982 Thinking Day Service. 2. The Village College scored an outstanding success this week with their performance of "Tom Sawyer". March 5th, 1982 1. After spending two years as the curate in Littleport the Rev. Bob Rollett is moving on and will take up the post of Vicar of Manea and Rector of Wimblington. 2. Dr. Alfred Spinks, a native of Littleport, died in February. He had become a world famous scientist. March 11th, 1982 1. Paul Murfitt came first and Chris Easy second in the intermediate finals in the Cambridgeshire School Cross Country Championships. 2. Station Garage has won a National Award from the Colt Car Company. The award was given for general garage management. March 18th, 1982 1. A Charity Clay Pigeon Shoot, organised by Mrs. Margaret Pearson, in memory of her fourteen year old son, Mark, who died from leukaemia, raised £2000 for Cancer research. 2. A plan for five houses and garages on land fronting City Road has been approved by the East Cambs District Council. 3. Littleport is to have its own Rotary Club. A formation dinner is to be held on March 18th. The interim president will be Mr, R. Ambrose. 4. The Village College playing field equipment is to be painted by pupils as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, March 25th, 1982 1. Thieves smashed the front window of Ted Bamber Ltd in Wellington Street and stole three Video Recorders worth £1,700. April 2nd, 1982 1. Littleport Day Centre was officially launched on Friday by Councillor Keith Leonard. 2. The W.I. Concert Party scored another outstanding success last week with their 1982 Production of Old Time Music Hall at the Village College. 3. Chris Easy finished 46th out of 350 runners in the Intermediate Boys Race of the National Schools Cross Country Championship at Sheffield on Saturday. Paul Murfitt came in at 141. 4. The Village College have brought home the winning trophy from the Inter Village College Mastermind Contest. April 15th, 1982 1. A local boy, son of Mr. & Mrs. Spinks, was on the cruise ship Uganda, when it was commandeered by the Royal Navy to form part of the Task Force sailing towards the Falkland Islands. 2. Ricky Graves, nineteen years old, of 13, Woodfen Road, was recalled from leave to join the Navy Contingent being sent to the Falkland Islands. 3. Mrs. Sue Kerridge has tendered her resignation as a Governor of Littleport Village College. East Cambridgeshire District Council have appointed Mr. N. Murfitt in her place. 4. Thieves broke into the Boat Haven on Saturday and stole £300 worth of wet weather clothing. April 22nd, 1982 1. Schoolchildren on holiday gave a bus shelter at Queen's Road a spring clean on Tuesday. 2. On Friday, 23rd, farewells were said to the Rev. R. Rollett and his family. They were all presented with gifts from the parishes of Littleport St. George, St. Matthews & Little Ouse. April 29th, 1982 1. Mr. Walter Sparrow, Littleport Chemist, has just had his shop raided for the seventh time in just over two years. The haul included morphine & cocaine and other drugs that fetch money on the black market. 2. Littleport Pony Club reached the zone finals of the Prince Philip Cup Mounted Games. They now have a chance to appear in the Horse of the Year Show. 3. BBC Radio Cambridgeshire took to the air on May 1st. The new station was launched by BBC Chairman George Howard. May 13th, 1982 1. Mr. B. Wright has become chairman of the Parish Council in place of Mr. J. Crane who has held the post for fourteen years. 2. His son, Mr. Andrew Wright has become Chairman of East Cambs. District Council's Housing Services Committee. 3. The Chamber of Trade is to hold various functions in order to raise money for the Task Force Casualty Fund. 4. Two Littleport brothers, Martin & Peter Allen, were among the 16,000 runners who took part in the 26 mile marathon in London on Sunday 9th May. May 20th, 1982 1. New houses and flats are to be erected on a site between the Hythe & Wellington Street. Most of the land belonged to Mr. Joe Atkins. 2. A film taken in Littleport in War Week during World War 2 could be shown in the village before being put in the Archives. 3. The Annual Domino Tournament at the Day Centre was won by Mr. E. Legge. 4. Paul Murfitt produced the best form of his career in the County A.A.A. Championships at St. Ives on Saturday. He won gold medals for the 400 and 800 metre events. May 27th, 1982 1. Seventeen year old Miss Fiona Haynes has won the title of Miss Littleport 1982. 2. Twelve members of the 2nd Littleport Brownie Pack, accompanied by three Guiders, spent a happy weekend at Haddenham Hall, the District Pack Holiday Centre. June 3rd, 1982 1. Littleport Rotary Club has received its admittance to Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland. 2. Farewell meetings for Envoy A Mrs. Hobbins of the Salvation Army were held on Sunday, May 30th. 3. Littleport's Main Street Chemist, Sparrow's, was broken into yet again on Tuesday night, June 1st. A quantity of drugs was stolen. The property was recovered, two men are in custody helping with enquiries. June 10th, 1982 1. St. George's Garden Fete, held on Saturday, June 5th, was opened by Wing Commander & Mrs. Newsome­Smith at the RAF Hospital Ely. The total proceeds were £603. 2. Members of the 1st Littleport Brownie Pack spent a happy afternoon at Lakenheath on Saturday as guests of the 25th Group of American Brownies. 3. A welcome meeting for Lieut. & Mrs. Rand of the Salvation Army was held on Saturday evening. June 17th, 1982 1. The Salvation Army Summer Sale raised £80 for Corps Funds. 2. Littleport Pony Club organised a Comprehensive Members Jumping Competition at Coveney Gala on Saturday. June 24th, 1982 1. The W.I. Cake Stall held on Mr. B. Wright's shop frontage made £50 to go towards the Village Sign Fund. 2. The total collected for Christian Aid in the village amounted to £348.26. 3. Littleport Band headed the Parade of floats & fancy dress at Arbury Estate Cambridge on Saturday, June 19th. The Band also attended the Royal Norfolk British Legion Rally at Downham Market. 4. Well over one hundred competitors rode at the Littleport Pony Club and Gymkhana at the Thistle's Stables on Sunday. July 8th, 1982 1. Third year pupils of the Village College held a very successful fashion show on Friday July 2nd to raise money for the Swimming Pool Heating Fund. 2. Littleport Band provided music for the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of the Pymoor W.I. on Thursday, July 1st. 3. On Tuesday, July 6th, sixty Senior Citizens, regular Day Centre Visitors and house bound people, enjoyed the Annual Strawberry Tea. The strawberries were provided by Mr. & Mrs. L. Hodson. 4. Kevin Scarff, aged 21, has won his way through to the EBA Gateway National Singles Bowls Championships at Worthing next month. 5. Paul Murfitt and Chris Easy both did personal best times whilst running for Cambridge & Coleridge A.C. July 22nd, 1982 1. Less than a month after the last shot of the Falklands conflict was fired Littleport welcomed back its own Task Force hero, Naval Airman Nicky Graves. 2. More than £2,000 worth of cigarettes & spirits were stolen from the Littleport Co­ op during the night of Monday, July 19th. 3. The recent collection for the Cancer Research Campaign, organised by the W.I. raised £264.12. 4. Patricia Ambrose of Longfield Road has received a B.A. Degree in English language and literature at Reading University. 5. The Annual Parade of floats, held on Sunday, July 18th was a huge success. Eighteen floats took part, led by the Littleport Band, the Soham Comrades Band and the Suffolk Royals Marching Band and Majorettes. The winning floats were ­ 1. The Primary School, 2. Meadow Court, 3. The Women's Institute. July 29th, 1982 1. "The Community Centre in a Church" Scheme at St. George's Church has won second place in Cambridgeshire's First Village Venture Competition, and a prize of £100. 2. Three brightly coloured litter bins are to be placed in Main Street to encourage people to be tidy. 3. Young Brass Band Players from the Village College, along with other Colleges, joined together for a day of music at Witchford Village College. 4. The Seventh Littleport Show on Saturday, July 24th, was a great success. It attracted record crowds and record entries for its many events. Cilia Black was this year's "personality". 5. The Village College held its Sports Day on Tuesday, July 27th. Bannister House came first. August 5th, 1982 1. Paul Murfitt won the Cambridge & Coleridge Youth Championship for the second successive year last weekend. The Cup was for Athletics. 2. Petty Officer John Murfitt returned to his parents home this week after service in the Falklands on HMS Fearless. 3. On Wednesday, August 3rd, the village was hit by a most severe thunderstorm. Many houses and roads were without electricity for several hours. 4. Two bottles at the George and Dragon Public House were found to contain a total of £500. The collection was for Addenbrooke's Hospital Cancer Scan Fund. August 19th, 1982 1. Littleport Mace Retailer, Mr. Nigel Murfitt, has come second in the East Anglian Section of the Company's Sales Builder of the Year Competition. 2. Littleport Pony Club have had a busy two weeks competing with other clubs for a place at the Wembley Horse of the Year Show.