It was 1977 – James Callaghan was Prime Minister, and Amnesty International won the Nobel Peace Prize. Geoff Boycott scored a hundred centuries, Virginia Wade won at Wimbledon, Liverpool won the European Cup and Red Rum won the Grand National for the third time.....

The film of the year was indisputably Star Wars and, in real space, the Shuttle made its maiden flight.

The King (Elvis), the Crooner (Bing Crosby) the “Little Fellow" (Charlie Chaplin) and the Prima Donna Supreme (Maria Callas) all shuffled off this mortal coil.

Oh, and it was the Queen’s Silver Jubilee and the year that the twinkle in Jonathan Young’s eye at the prospect of a local celebration gave birth to the Community Association as we know and love it today.

I will take you back to that first summer and apologise straight away to those friends and co-founders I have not mentioned – put it down to creeping old age!

Jonathan Young, our Vicar at the time (who incidentally has moved back to Godmanchester – welcome home, boy – hope I can treat you to a vicar’s half sometime!) got a few people together including Doug Deighton, Pat Tenten Jo Jaques, Tim Foster and myself to raise some money to hold a street party for the Jubilee.

And that’s how the bingo sessions in the Church Hall started – to raise money –and ended up carrying on for years.

The idea was to have a street party on the Causeway for the children in the afternoon, and a dance in the evening, but the police and County Council told us we couldn’t do that, until we said we would reconstitute the Horse Fair, which used to be held on the corner of the Causeway and Post Street. By that time, everyone around the country was planning street parties and the authorities gave in anyway. Hurrah for People Power!

As it happened, despite Jonathan praying for good weather, storm clouds were gathering and the afternoon party for the children moved into Park Lane School, whilst the bonny baby competition went into the Senior Citizens Club in the Town Hall. The judging of the baby contest was delayed a while, when it was necessary to rouse the judge, who some may remember, but I won’t name, from a somewhat inebriated sleep!!

Come the evening, the weather improved (well, the rain eased off a bit), and the dancing started on the Causeway. Neil Woodrow, landlord at the Royal Oak, provided the music and, of course, the liquid refreshment. The whole town seemed to converge on the Causeway, and stalls and barbecues set up with all kinds of refreshments.

Some time before the day, I’d been asked by Trafford (Chalkie) James, the Postmaster at the time, to put on a bonfire display when it got dark. John Looker, local farmer summonsed me to his house and said he wanted to pay for a firework display but it had to be anonymous – it was something he just wanted to do for the town.

This sounded like a great opportunity to put on something really special, and I contacted the Reverend Lancaster at Kimbolton to buy the fireworks. Unbelievably, Reverend Lancaster said that, although he had teams setting off displays in London, he was at a loose end and would come over to give it his personal attention.

So, come nightfall, a happy band of pyromaniacs, me, Rev Lancaster, Basil Spring and John Looker went over onto the Rec to see off huge great mortars and howitzers, and what a display it was! I seem to recall that the four of us toasted the Queen’s Jubilee with a bottle of John’s whisky! John was very proud that he had given such a spectacular gift to Godmanchester. He had lived during the reigns of 6 monarchs – Queen Victoria (died 1901), King Edward VII (died 1910), King George V ( died 1936), King Edward VIII (abdicated 1936) King George VI (died 1952) and Queen Elizabeth. He also lived during 2 world wars – what history and changes he had witnessed.

And that’s how it started – from the Jubilee Committee to the Community Association. Within 2 to 3 years, we had established Feast Week, linked to the Church’s feast day, and events included beating the bounds, children’s fishing match, rounders and bowls competitions. On Gala Day, we used to have a big marquee on the Rec that Jack Mason got for us, and in the evening there would be a big town dance.

We also started putting on other events (bingo was still going strong) and used to have a Halloween party, when all the children would dress up and parade around the Recreation with candles frightening each other! Joan was always worried someone might fall in the river, but they always got back safe and dry to the Church Hall. Later, this event moved to the School, where it was a popular event with hundreds of children until the late 1990s.

Feast week changed its name to Gala Week and from August to July when the Committee decided too many helpers were on holiday, and a procession was soon added to the events.

I’m delighted to see the current committee working hard to put on great events for us all and with the contribution it makes to keeping Godmanchester a real community. If you care about your town, and can help on our way to our Golden Jubilee, give one of the Committee a ring – names in the front of the magazine – I can guarantee a warm welcome!!

Twenty five years on and another milestone: the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and the Community Association reach their 25th in good form. Built on a sound foundation, and dedicated members with willing hearts and good housekeeping prudence has led to a few coppers in the bank and another invaluable asset – goodwill that they’ve earned from the Town.

One ingredient needed for future success is your involvement (yes - you that’s reading this article!) in any which way you can. Help us move forward to our Golden Jubilee. Go on, you can, go on, go on, go on … ring one of the committee. If you live here you’re a Gumcestrian now and you’re welcome.

Pat Doherty