No 40: July 2013
Published by Rothay House, Mayfield Road, Eastrea.
Eastrea Village News THE BIGGEST EASTREA PARTY EVER! CROWDS OF PEOPLE were there to welcome His Royal Highness Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester, to our ancient village when he came to unveil the plaque and declare The Eastrea Centre officially open. The day had begun in truly spectacular form with committee Rob Hall, our village piper, greeted HRH the members and volunteers from Duke of Gloucester with happy flag-waving the Village Hall Trust hanging up local schoolchildren after the gala lunch. bunting to decorate the building. By 10.30 am the cash bar was organised and our caterers had set out the lunch tables. As the guests arrived the excitement was everywhere. The dress code was elegant — formal suits and blazers were the order of the HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS the Duke of Gloucester spoke with enthusiasm about the Eastrea Centre, our new village hall, in his speech. ‘You have wonderful facilities that will spur your imagination to great things,’ he said. ‘You can now do things collectively as a community that you could not have considered doing before. The possibilities are endless!’ The plaque was dedicated to Mr Neville Taylor, who served for many years as the Trust’s treasurer. The press were there to report the event, and the editor of the Cambs Times has kindly given permission for us to use some of their copyright photographs in this edition. The photographer is well known in the community, Steve Williams of Coates. Our thanks go to them both.
day for men, the ladies being in a dazzling array of dresses. If in the past our village has occasionally felt itself to lie in the shadow of some of the larger towns around, today it was Eastrea that set the pace. Over 120 residents and guests (including our builders) were seated in the main hall for this unforgettable lunch, with crusted roast topside of beef, limemarinated salmon, generous bowls of coronation chicken and piles of fresh French bread. Jeeves, our caterers, gave the luxury desserts to everyone at no charge as their contribution to this very special occasion.
Official Unveiling
No 40: July 2013
HIGHLIGHTS FROM A JOYOUS EVENT Messages of Support
Residents and invited guests enjoyed lunch at the Eastrea Centre. In a speech after the meal, the chair of trustees was critical of the way some councillors had behaved.
Tegan cut the cake, with Lilli Lancaster. Rob welcomed HRH with bagpipes, then the Trust committee all assembled outside in the sunshine.
‘When I was with Brian and Jan in Eastrea many years ago, the Eastrea village hall campaign was starting to gather steam and I'm so pleased that at last the new Eastrea Centre has been opened. I am sure it will be a big success ... My daughter Katie King is on an air squadron trip at the moment so isn’t around but I know she thinks so too.’ Carol Vorderman
Flag-waving local children gree ted the Duk e who then met our team of builders. He later chatted with R o b e r t Gregor y o f Rose Homes.
Accompanied by Jan Ford, Noreen Smith shows the Duke our exhibition of local art.
‘Sorry I cannot make the lunch on 17th July but it’s such a pleasure to know that the new village hall has at last come to reality. This will certainly put Eastrea on the map.’ Michael Parkinson
Jan escorts Carol and her daughter Katie round the academic library at Gonville and Caius College of Cambridge University. Katie recently spent two weeks of work experience in Eastrea and enjoyed meeting the Village Hall Trust committee — Katie entertained Ellis Green with model-making while a committee meeting was under way.
The Eastrea Village Hall trustees are presented to His Royal Highness.
‘Huge congratulations to everyone involved in this magnificent project. It might have taken nearly seventy years, but it will be a jewel in the crown of Eastrea for many more years than that.’ John Humphrys
New Road school children showed HRH the local tradition of Molly Dancing.
Contact by telephone: 350888
Maypole dancing was performed by the children from Coates School.
‘Congratulations to everyone! We think the new hall is magic. Best wishes to you all!’ Paul Daniels & Debbie McGee Email: mail@eastrea.net