One early Saturday afternoon in July last year, I was captivated by the sights and sounds of a typically English fete but in a very atypical setting. I could see the Chinese bridge and the sweep of the willows mirrored in the calm waters of the Ouse. I saw graceful lawned gardens bordering the river and luxury yachts slowly cleaving the water. Faintly drifting from somewhere – and at that point I wasn’t sure where it came from – I could hear siren music.

I hadn’t intended to gate-crash Picnic in the Park. I was house-hunting. My partner lived in Cambridge and I had left the frozen north to join her. We both worked in Peterborough and our priority was simply to find somewhere to live which would cut down the travelling time . Village or town? East or west of the A1M? North or South of the A14? We had no real preferences.

We had looked the town up on the web and were impressed by the Community Association. It sounded promising. We noticed that an event of some sort or another had been planned and so we turned up. From that moment our fate was decided. We were hooked. Godmanchester it had to be.

We loved the day, or at least that portion of it we spent on the Recreation field. Tea and cakes were served to us by some delightful ladies from the Senior Citizen’s Club who chatted to us as if they had known us all our lives.

We sampled the wares on offer at the bar, listened to a variety of musical styles - jazz, country and rock - and danced on the greensward like a latter-day nymph and shepherd. As dusk fell, we walked towards Portholme through the trees and were entranced by a spectacular sunset. As we returned, we were delighted by the reverse view of the houses overlooking the river on the Causeway.

Over the next few weeks, we returned again and again. We walked the Ouse Valley Way. We visited an exhibition in the museum. We attended Jazz in the Vicarage. We knew that this was where we wanted to live. A place that was large enough to contain all the facilities we wanted and yet was small enough to have a very real sense of community.

And we have not been disappointed. We love the happy mix of housing styles and periods from Tudor to 21st century that somehow blend in together. We love the twisting lanes, the pedestrian alleyways and the strange, unexpected house numbering systems. We love the church and the pubs and the river. We have found a lively social mix too with sporting activities, dances, musical and theatrical events and even a wonderfully costumed town council.

Godmanchester is unique. Its charm and character has developed haphazardly over the centuries but these qualities depend now upon the dedication of its citizens. I am very grateful to those who have worked so hard in the past to preserve the town I live in today.
Elwyn Hughes

Copyright © 2003 Godmanchester Community Association