Three Centenaries

Three Centenaries: Summary

Thanks for your support in celebration of the three Centenaries in nine villages in a week; The Cliff Cluster of Parish Councils organised with each of the villages to create an event to mark this very special occasion. Thanks to Bracebridge Heath, Waddington, Harmston, Coleby, Boothby Graffoe, Navenby, Wellingore, Welbourn and Leadenham. The three Centenaries were RAF100, Armistice and the first women getting the right to stand for parliament and to vote.

The events started with a library coffee morning in Coleby and culminated in the grand exhibition at the Venue, Navenby, put together by the Navenby Centenary Team this Sunday 20th October.

Coleby
Coleby has some special connections with the RAF, reflected in the displays. Coleby is proud of the first female Red Arrow pilot, Kirsty Murphy, daughter of top RAF pilot, Robbie Stewart. the momentous events a hundred years ago and during the last hundred years the event coincided with the library coffee morning and was masterminded by the Linda Fletcher, who also created a very special commemorative cake, and well supported by Parish Councillors and residents.

Leadenham Teahouse hosted a Saturday tea, which coincided with their three year anniversary since opening and the winning of three business awards!

The Blacksmith at Bracebridge Heath put on an excellent tea and cakes alongside their usual pints! Thanks to publican, Jordan Moran. Jordan has gone on to win an elected seat on his Parish Council, against hot competition!

St Andrews at Boothby Graffoe held a special Harvest Service and hot supper afterwards, kindly hosted by Andrew Campbell.

Harmston WI put on a brilliant Autumn fair, very well attended and much enjoyed by all. Harmston also went on to a fantastic Armistice sit-down dinner with poems and live music.

Sally and Jeremy at the Joiners Arms, Welbourn hosted a successful and very busy family fun afternoon.

Cllr Catherine Mills, of the Red Lion, Wellingore, hosted an event with a talk on John Gillespe Magee Jr. from Simon Devenish of the John Magee Memorial Committee. Malcolm Smith and Simon Devenish displayed information and a marquette of John Gillespe Magee, made by famous artist, Antony Dufort. John Magee is famous for writing the poem “High Flight”. He flew Spitfires and served at RAF Wellingore, but sadly died at nineteen in a mid-air crash over Bloxholme. Roger Cole of Wellingore has written an excellent book about his remarkable life. A fine bronze statue in planned on the Mill Field in Wellingore.
Below: Getting behind the John Magee Junior Memorial, Cllrs Catherine Mills, Marianne Overton MBE and Richard Jenkins with Simon Devenish and Peter Overton.

The Navenby Centenary Team filled the Venue Clubroom with amazing memorabilia, much of it from private collections, never previously exhibited. Attendance was excellent, appropriately coinciding with the Navenby Antiques Fair.

Exhibitions were by Navenby Parish Councillors Brendan, Colin and Gareth, assisted by Kay Parker, Liz East, Gareth and Val, Mike, Brendan, Tony and Paul! (Armistice, Suffragettes, RAF) Donations were to the Royal British Legion ‘Poppy’ Appeal and SAAFA

The famous local artist, Robin Wealdon produced an amazing display, working with the Lincoln Tank Group. A Lancaster Propeller and Polish Memorabilia, were kindly loaned by Navenby resident, Stefan Mikska.

Carole Cook (from “Seconda” in Navenby) and Andrew Tootal loaned an excellent cabinet display of Suffragettes medals, including the hunger strike medal, photos and other memorabilia. Interestingly, a medal campaigning against the Suffragettes was also on display.