November 2018

14 / 24

14 Buckden Roundabout
November 2018 Village News
Burberry Road, Buckden, Cambridgeshire, PE19 5UY
Tel: 01480 811101
www.buckdenvillagehall.co.uk email:admin@buckdenvillagehall.co.uk
Bookings
Along with all our regular hirers this month we have a wedding reception, karate grading, a Dance Award ceremony, a Jiven-
ites weekender, Church Barn Dance (24th ) and a Border Terrier Dog Show.
Car Park
There are some cars which have started to be parked in the Village Hall car park overnight and for substantial periods of
time. Please note it is a private car park, for the use of users of the Village Hall complex only. Unauthorised parking also
leads to increased problems on a Saturday morning where our car park is already straining from the amount of cars using it.
Three fabulous meeting rooms on your doorstep
Who likes being stuck in traffic jams while travelling to a business meeting? Especially now we’re approaching winter. No-
one! So why do it? Your very own Village Hall has three meeting rooms which can accommodate a range of business
meetings from small to large. We provide refreshments and also organise any lunches if they are required. And we’re right
on your doorstep! What more could you wish for?! Please contact me for more details. Some of the organisations which
have used our meeting rooms recently include Cambridgeshire County Council, Alzheimer’s UK, Parkinson’s UK, BeNCH, P3,
Parenta Training, Partylite and Waitrose.
Don’t forget that as residents of Buckden you all receive discounted rates on Hall hire. Please call or email me if you
would like to find out more information.
Jo Harvey, 01480 811101, admin@buckdenvillagehall.co.uk, Office hours 9am to 2pm.
BUCKDEN WI
As we near the centenary of the signing of the Armistice it was very appropriate to spend a hugely in-
formative and entertaining evening on 3rd October with five members of the ‘History Revisited’ organi-
sation in full war-time uniforms which included, for the ladies, long, ankle-hiding khaki skirts. We
learned the fascinating history of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry which began as early as 1907 and in-
volved annual training camps for the ladies to practice, among other things, drill-riding, first aid and
hoisting injured soldiers onto horse-back in the midst of the battle-field!
These hard-working women were involved with the Royal Army Medical Corps., parading with the male soldiers at Purbright,
but when war broke out and they offered their services in support of the British army they were at first told to “Take your petti-
coats home”! The Belgians and French were glad of their service and they became known as the most courageous and daring
ambulance drivers as well as running field kitchens and mobile bath units, applying first-aid and making deliveries. In 1916 the
British government finally asked them to be their official war-time ambulance drivers. The F.A.N.Y. still exists today as a charity
working along-side the army and police in major incidents and operating communications systems. We learned, too, about the
work of the Tunnellers at the battle of The Somme and a little about ‘Fighting Mac’ of the Gordon Highlanders. We sang war-
time songs and finally were treated to an amazing bag-pipe solo to complete a really splendid evening.
As I write, we are looking forward to our annual meal on 23rd October, a fitting start to our 100th year as an institute. At our
next meeting on November 6th we shall be learning about the history of magic From Paul Vickers and the competition will be
for an unusual pack of cards. As ever, visitors will be most welcome.
Volunteering with Girlguiding
Would you like to make a difference in your community while developing your own skills? Buckden Rain-
bows seek a new assistant leader to support the unit on a weekly basis ASAP.
Rainbows is the first step of Girlguiding, for 5-7 year old girls. Being a Rainbow is all about having the space to try new things.
Through taking part in a range of different activities Rainbows develop self-confidence and make new friends.
We are seeking additional help to support the girls at a thriving unit with a long waiting list! We meet on Tuesdays, 4.30 to
5.30pm at the Village Hall.
You will need to be over 18 and will require an enhanced DBS check (free of charge via GGUK).
It's a rewarding role and a great way to give back to the community! Please get in touch with Sandra on 810404 if you would
like to know more. Or register via www.girlguiding.org.uk/get-involved/become-a-volunteer