A 'Google Group' has been set up to allow gardeners/allotment holders to barter excess produce with other in the Chishills area. So - if you had a glut of courgettes for example you could post a message on the group site describing what you've got and what you would ideally like in return (or if you are open to offers). Simple!. Anyone can join, simply go to http://groups.google.com/group/gcfn and sign up.

On 2nd September Hazel, our local puppy walker, hosted a very generous luncheon party mainly provided by the puppy walkers. Our local 'Ladies Who Lunch' gave a nominal fee and/or a donation, including those who couldn’t attend on the day, raising £400. Pictures from the event

This biennial event was a great success again this year. It was warm and sunny although rain had been threatened. More than 300 people turned up to look at the gardens, enjoy the games and stalls, listen to the jazz band and relish the lovely cakes and tea in the grounds of this lovely house.
The event, which was in aid of St Nicholas Church and supporting East Anglia Air Ambulance, raised £2,400!
The committee would like to thank all those whose generosity and hard work made the day such a success. Pictures from the event.

Friday 29th April was the big day for the Royal Couple and a great opportunity for the community to get together and celebrate, which we did with style with the church bells rung twice during the day and an all-day party at The Pheasant, with food provided by the community, several casks of real ale and a band. Click on the picture for more pictures from the day.
If you have pictures that you would like included, send them to Phil, webmaster@greatchishill.org.uk

The Trading Standards pages of the County Council website provide information about how to get advice on consumer issues and how to report concerns; it provides advice on the most common problems reported including scams and rogue traders, and tells residents about the issues they are currently tackling. The pages include links to their most recent articles to help avoid the problems that residents are encountering.
Currently, these include 'Issues with second hand car sales', 'Domestic appliances and electrical equipment', 'Home security alarm sales', 'Scams' - including the computer virus scam (see below), 'Under-age drinking' etc.
Visit the Trading Standards website for more information
There is also a business section which provides information on how to seek business advice on trading law issues which might be relevant to small businesses operating locally. Business pages.

Royston and District Community Transport offers door-to-door transport for people living in Royston and surrounding villages. The scheme is aimed at groups or individuals who are unable to use conventional public transport for reasons of age, frailty, impaired mobility or the lack of public transport, and who do not have the use of a car.
Our volunteer drivers use their own cars to help transport people to hospitals, doctors and other medical and social appointments. Our minibus and MPV are suitable for wheelchair users who cannot transfer to a car. Pru Burton, our co-ordinator, will be happy to help you get to where you need to go.
Passengers pay 50p per mile direct to the volunteer car driver, with a minimum charge of £4-50 for journeys of up to nine miles. The scheme requires 48 hours’ notice for journeys, but will always try to help in an emergency.
RDCT would also be delighted to hear from any car drivers in and around Great Chishill who are able to give a few hours a week to help the community.
Royston & District Community Transport is a registered charity, based at Royston Hospital, and can be contacted on (01763) 245228 between 9am and 3pm, Monday-Friday.

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Following an email from Australia from a descendent of a Little Chishill family, we have created a new feature - 'Connections'. This will be where information about anyone who is connected with the Chishills and nearby villages but has moved away can publish their information - linking up with their past, and who knows, reconnecting with long lost relatives and friends. Click on the picture to go to the 'Connections' page.

If you thought that a ringlet was something you did to your hair, see what Jack Harrison has to tell us about the butterflies that we may see around our villages.

"A peck of March dust is worth a kings ransom"
"Fog in March is Frost in May"
Our own farming correspondent Wurzel shares some thoughts on what is going on in the countryside around us. Visit Wurzel's Page

On 12th February Great Chishill Bell Ringers held their annual Sloe Gin Competition, kindly hosted this year by Jean and Peter Wiseman, at Hall Farm, and expertly organised by Jenny Leitch.
Following an amazing crop of Sloes last year there was no shortage of entries with more than 40 samples over the 3 categories, all of which had to be tasted and marked by the judges!
This year's winner of the Nouveau category was Stella Russell, pictured here.
Other successes were - Nouveau 2nd Neil Heywood, 3rd Peter Wiseman, Vintage 1st Peter Wiseman, 2nd Marlene Bates, 3rd Ben Palmer, Ringers' Delight 1st Bob Hatt, 2nd John Crawley, 3rd Neil Heywood. There was also a prize for presentation which went to Maggie Last, 2nd Peter Homent, 3rd Phil Maynard.
It was a very pleasant evening and the Bell Restoration fund was boosted by £264!
Read more about the bells of St. Swithun's.

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Our Gardening Expert Jill Foxley gives us hints and tips for buying our seeds for a bright and productive new year!

Guest former Met Office weather forecaster examines the circumstances that created the snow at the end of last year.

Following the recent theft of the lead from the roof of Bassingbourn church, the police have asked that everyone is vigilant at all times. Do not hesitate to challenge anyone seen in the churchyard - they may well be visitors to the church or graveyard, but we cannot be too careful.
If you see a strange vehicle (lorry/truck) in the area close to the church then contact one of the church wardens immediately - Janet Crouch on 838301 or Eileen Murrell on 838909

Our Footpath Officer would like to remind or inform everyone who has property which borders a footpath/bridleway/byway that it is their responsibilty to keep their hedges cut so that they do not restrict the passage of walkers, horse riders or, in the case of the byway, vehicles.

Congratulations to Jill for being awarded a Silver Gilt medal at the Hampton Court Show