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Womens Institute

History Society

SWAVESEY W.I. MARCH 2001

It is always interesting (and sometimes surprising) to hear the history of a well-known charity.

I don't think many of us in Swavesey knew that Queen Victoria's remarks on the need to do something "to help our dumb friends" (the animals) led to the foundation in 1897 of the charity Our Dumb Friends League. In the 1914-1918 War the League did wonderful work in France for the many animals, especially horses, injured in the fighting. The name was changed to Blue Cross because the sign for First Aid centres for animals was a blue cross to distinguish it from the Red Cross for the soldiers.

The charity flourished and there are now eleven major centres in this country, with professional staff, excellent treatment for animals, and advice and help for owners and would-be owners. It costs £250,000 a year to run the charity and all this is raised by the efforts of supporters.

 Swavesey Institute Football Club -Season 2000/01

Swavesey Institute FC had a successful season running two Saturday afternoon sides in the Cambs County League.

The first team under the management of Phil Baines finished second in Div 2B, and in doing so secured promotion to Division Div IB. The team also reached the Cottenham Cup Final losing 1-0, in a close contest, to the host's Kershaw Premier Division side. Annual awards went to: Steve Till (Player's Player); Lee Simms (Manager's Player) and Paul Carless (Leading Goal Scorer).

The reserve team under the management of NeilDodson finished fourth in Div 5B. They were pushing for promotion all season until faltering against the top two sides towards the end of the season. Annual awards went to: Ben Robinson (Player's Player); Jimmy Reid (Manager's Player) and Paul Coulson (Leading Goalscorer). Chris Little won the Club Young Player of the Year Award.

The Club would like to thank its many sponsors, especially the main sponsor The White Horse Inn.

Season 2001/2

Preparations for next season are already well advanced. Pre-season training is taking place every Tuesday and Thursday at 1900 on the Green. All new players are welcome to turn up for training or alternative contact Phil Baines on 200377. The club will have several pre-season friendlies hi August, with the league season kicking off on the first Saturday of September. Peter Marriott of

Swavesey Newsagents has kindly agreed to provide and sponsor the first team kit next season.

The village side for players over the age of 35 has now been affiliated to the club. Anybody interested in playing for this side should contact Jim Foster on 232842.

Special thanks go to Graham and Paul Dawson Plant Hire for the time, effort, plant and materials that they donated to the club in the close season to help repair the goal mouths on the Green in preparation for the 2001/02 season.

The club is always on the look out for sponsorship. Potential sponsors may wish to purchase a banner to display on the Green on match days or may have ideas of their own. Anyone with sponsorship ideas or proposals should speak to Jim Foster on 232842.

The Future

The club has held a number of successful fund raising nights in the village over the past year. These have ranged from Quiz/ Bingo Evenings to a Caribbean Night and would like to thank the villagers for their support. The profit from these fund-raising events is being held in the club accounts with a view to improving the existing facilities on the Green. It is hoped that the club can link with Swavesey Spartans and the Parish Council to develop the existing facilities and ensure that football exists in unproved surroundings for footballers of all ages in Swavesey in the future.

SWAVESEY & DISTRICT BRANCH -
ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

On the 7th April the branch held its annual Dinner Dance in the Memorial Hall. This year was a special occasion as the branch had recently been presented with the Major Upjohn trophy for the best increase in membership across all the branches in Cambridgeshire for 1999-2000.

Swavesey branch is very active ensuring all members who need support are helped in every possible way. Contact is maintained via a monthly "News Sheet" which is delivered to all members. This carries information covering social activities and news from British Legion County and National issues. We also have a well-supported "100 Club" which has a monthly draw, and names of winners are published in the "News Sheet".

May 1 remind you that if you wish to be considered for affiliated membership you do not have to be an ex-member of the Armed Forces or have a member of your family who has served their country. Just ring Bill on 01954 203446 or Clive on 01954 232428.

Our Mission Statement: "We recognise that we have a firm commitment to jjth/jjth and tne needs of the British Legion and its members."

Clive Hines (Secretary) pp Mr R Stone (Chairman)

SWAVESEY & DISTRICT HISTORY SOCIETY

The History Society have enjoyed three very different talks in recent months, which were stimulating and interesting. In February the speaker was Elizabeth Everitt, who told them "What to see in Cambridge colleges", placing particular emphasis on those things which most people pass by, namely the heraldic and Latin inscriptions and carvings on the archways and entrances. The March speaker Mr Tom Doig talked about "Women in the 1800s" and especially some of the customs in rural areas associated with births and baptisms. April saw Honour Ridout talking on "Past Students and Poets of Cambridge" from Fisher and Cranmer to Rupert Brooke, with many slides and interesting facts.