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Welcome to the Parish of Little Downham

New residents of the Parish are presented with a welcome booklet, where possible, with useful information about organisations and activities within the Parish. We hope that all residents, old and new, feel at home in what we consider to be our happy, lively and, above all, friendly community.

Some organisations listed in the welcome booklet have their own section elsewhere on this website and are therefore not listed on this page.

GENERAL INFORMATION

On Main Street, you will find a grocery and general goods shop with an in-store bakery, newsagents and the Post Office. There is a butcher, ladies and gents’ hairdresser and a garage with petrol and car showroom. Two pubs are situated either end of Main Street: The Anchor, opposite the School, and The Plough, opposite Townsend. Both serve good food.

PARISH NOTICE BOARDS

Notices affecting the parish are posted on the notice boards situated in the bus shelter, Pymoor, and on the wall of the Village Hall on Main Street, Little Downham.

ST LEONARD’S MOTHERS’ UNION

A small active branch of the Mothers’ Union usually meets in the Church Rooms, adjacent to The Rectory, on the first Monday of the month. A brief report of the meeting and forthcoming events are printed in the Parish Magazine.

DOWNHAM BAPTIST CHAPEL

The Baptist Chapel is situated at the corner of Main Street and Chapel Lane. Services are held at 6.30pm every Sunday, and at 10am on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month. We hold a coffee come-together on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 10:30am.
A hearty welcome to all.

For further information contact:
Mr C Seekings Tel./fax 698884

PARISH MAGAZINE

The Parish Magazine is published every month. Annual subscription is £5.00 due in January. It contains news of the Church, Chapels and the local community. The monthly calendars inside the magazine give details of events and times in Lt Downham, Pymoor and Coveney.

Orders for the magazine can be made to, Mrs Joan Bennett at 7 Chapel Lane , Lt Downham (Tel. 699659).

Magazine items should be sent to the Editors:
Kneale and Kathleen Watson, 27 Matthew Wren Close, Lt Downham CB6 2UL, Tel: 01353 699678
Email:kneale@oneservice.co.uk

LITTLE DOWNHAM VILLAGE HALL

The Village Hall is situated on Main Street and is the venue for many village activities. It is managed by a committee made up of representatives from the various village groups who use the hall.

For information regarding hire charges and bookings contact:

DOWNHAM CEMETERY

The Cemetery in Lawn Lane is maintained by a voluntary committee made up of Parish Councillors and delegates from the Church and Chapels in the parish. All parishioners can claim burial there, and there is provision for the burial of ashes under suitable memorial tablets.

Legally, the cemetery is an extension of the churchyard and certain rules have to be followed when choosing monuments. All Cambridgeshire monumental masons know if asked to keep to the Ely Diocesan regulations, however, for clarification the Cemetery Superintendent, Roger Martin, can explain this.

In addition to church burial fees and donations, the Cemetery’s main source of income is from the Parish Council, who contributes to expenses in its annual budget.

The committee regularly pays a retired man to mow the grass and a contractor to strim round the graves. Volunteers spend occasional days working on other improvements that are required during the year.

Downham Cemetery Committee:

DOWNHAM FEOFFEES

The Downham Feoffees charity own twenty houses and two hundred acres of agricultural land and allotments in the Parish.

The charity supports the school in a variety of ways, including the purchase of books and equipment and help with transport costs for educational visits.

It is also able to offer financial help to individuals in need and to students. In addition, grants for local community projects are also awarded occasionally.

Allotments, either full (10 pole) or half (5 pole) are situated in Eagles Lane and Anchor Close and let at modest rents.

All requests for assistance are considered on their merits and in confidence.

Enquiries for allotments or assistance should be made to the clerk

LITTLE DOWNHAM BOOK CAFE AND MOBILE LIBRARY

The Book Cafe is located in the Village Hall, Main Street, Little Downham. It is open for six hours every week and is staffed by Volunteers.

Monday Evenings 7pm to 9pm
Wednesday afternoons 2pm to 4pm
Friday mornings 10am to Noon

It is connected to the County Library computer system and provides a full library service including requests that can be ordered and picked up through the Book Cafe. Cambridgeshire Libraries provides and regularly exchanges a proportion of the stock of general fiction and non-fiction books for adults and a wide range of books for children. A local history resource of books, documents, maps and photographs has been built up and catalogued and can be accessed while the Cafe is open.

The Book Café serves coffee, tea and a range of homemade cakes at very reasonable prices and is a great place to meet friends and make new ones. Within the Book Café, the Cambridgeshire Community Network supports an East Cambs OnLine Access Point that consists of two computer installations with ‘always on’ broadband connection, scanners and printers. Open to everyone during Book Café sessions, formal (CLAIT, etc) or informal training for those who require it. Just turn up and sign on.

Cambridgeshire Mobile Library Unit visits the village and parks on Main Street outside the Village Hall every fortnight on Friday afternoons from 3.45pm to 4.25pm. It has a good selection of books and provides a full library service.

DOWNHAM SOCIETY

The Society meets the first Wednesday of the month in February to May and September to December at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. Visits to places of interest take place in June and July. No meetings are held in January or August. A Variety of Speakers are invited to each meeting. The Society’s aims are to preserve the fabric, conservation and heritage of the parish and surrounding area.

Further information contact:
Roger Martin (Chairman) Tel. 699214
Kneale Watson (secretary) Tel. 699678
27 Matthew Wren Close, Lt Downham CB6 2UL

LITTLE DOWNHAM LOCAL HISTORY AND ARCHIVE GROUP

The Group seeks to preserve the heritage of the parish and make material available on the internet for all interested in it. Existing material is displayed and new material is always welcome such as old photographs and documents, as well as personal reminiscences and information. Originals and copies of items are stored to be preserved but can be made accessible for enquiries and research purposes.

Open sessions are held on the first Monday of every month (except Public Holidays) between 10am and 12 noon in the Book Café with coffee and biscuits being served.

For more information contact:
John Clarke (secretary) Tel. 699484

LITTLE DOWNHAM ART GROUP

The group is for everyone, from beginners to the more experienced, and is run by a local artist, Ann Biggs. The members are friendly which makes it a ‘learn, but enjoy yourself’ type of group, working in all mediums.

The group meets in the Church Rooms (down the driveway of The Rectory adjacent to the Village Hall), Main Street, Lt Downham, on most Thursday evenings from 7pm to 9pm. New members are welcome to join.

For more information contact:
Lin Packer Tel. 01353 698397
Email: lin@limahouse.org.uk

LITTLE DOWNHAM YOUTH CLUB

…for 12-17 year olds, the youth club runs on Monday nights from 7 ‘til 9 in the Sports Pavilion, Little Downham Recreation Area, School Lane, Little Downham. Entry costs just 50p. The club is well equipped with an Xbox, PS2, Karaoke, computer with broadband, pool table, games etc and of course the ever popular tuck! It is a club for the young people of the parish, whose ideas are encouraged and can lead to choice of equipment & activities being available. The club is run by local volunteers adequately trained in youth work.

For more information contact the following committee members:
Carol Hebbard (Chair) Tel. 699677
Pauline Scott Tel: 698410
Jean Gallyer Tel: 699369

DOWNHAM FEOFFEES PRIMARY SCHOOL

Main Street, Lt Downham Ely Cambs CB6 2ST
Tel. 699325 – Fax 698671
Email – office@downhamfeoffees.cambs.sch.uk

Headteacher: Mrs Sue Burry

The school, which had new buildings in 2004, provides a secure, happy and stimulating environment where children are encouraged and challenged to reach their potential in all areas of the curriculum. The catchment area is Little Downham and Pymoor and last year's Reception intake 2006/07 was oversubscribed. The children start school at the beginning of the autumn term after their fourth birthday. All the classes are in single year groups. The school has close links with Busyfingers Pre-school and the City of Ely College. The school has a strong Governing Body and an active Parent Staff Association who are very supportive of the school. Parents interested in their children attending the school should contact the school to arrange an appointment with the Head.

BUSY FINGERS PRE-SCHOOL

The Pre-school building is situated adjacent to the Feoffees School. It is open during the school term in the following sessions:-

RAINBOWS

The 1st Little Downham Rainbow Guides meet in the Village Hall, Main Street, Lt Downham on Wednesday evenings from 5.30pm to 6.30pm during term time. During the afternoon they make crafts and have fun. The age for Rainbows is five to seven years providing there is space in the unit. A waiting list operates when necessary.

Information from:
Mrs Trudy Lark     Tel. 699726

BROWNIES

The 1st Little Downham Brownies meet in the Village Hall, Main Street, Lt Downham on Monday evenings from 6.00pm to 7.30pm during term time. We work towards badges, take part in challenges, do crafts, play games and have outings. Entry age is 7 years old and the girls can move to Guides from the age of 10 years. A waiting list operates when necessary.

More information is available from:
Brownie Leader    Elaine Gilbert    Tel. 699415

GUIDES

The 1st Little Downham Guides meet at the Village Hall, Main Street, Lt Downham on Monday evenings from 7.00pm to 8.30pm during term time. The first half hour is overlapped with the Brownies. The entry is from 10 years old. A waiting list operates when the company is full but there will always be a place for a Guide moving from another area. There is a wide and varied range of activities, including camp each year.

More information is available from:
Guide Leader    Mandy Blacker    Tel. 777803

THE KIDZ DEN

The Kidz Den is an Out of School Club that offers after school care for children aged 3 to 11 years. The Club operates from 3:15pm to 6:15pm every school day. We offer a snack when the children arrive in the club and drinks are available throughout the session.

We have in our club art and crafts activities, model making, gluing, painting, colouring and drawing. We have board games and large floor games. We offer a quiet area for homework or just reading a book. We have a television, video and play station. We also have an outside play area and local play park close-by.

We are also open in the school holidays from 8:45am to 6:00pm,
Monday to Friday.

For more information or to book your child in contact:
Julie on 0794 6117506

The Kidz Den Out of School Club, The Mobile, School Lane,
Main Street, Little Downham, Ely, Cambs CB6 2ST

LITTLE DOWNHAM ALL-WEATHER SPORTS AREA

The All-Weather court is situated in the Recreation Area, down School Lane, Lt Downham. Tennis and Football can be played on the Astroturf. Bookings can be made on an hourly basis at the following rates.

For more information contact:
Booking Clerk: Jan Holland, 40 Main Street, Lt Downham Tel. 699626

CRICKET

Little Downham Cricket Club has two teams in the Cambridgeshire Cricket Association League and both teams play regularly throughout the summer season. Home games take place at Little Downham Recreation Ground. Pre-season nets are undertaken prior to the start of the season and anyone interested in playing should contact the following club officers:

MEN's FOOTBALL

The Swifts Football Club has two teams. Team 1 plays in the Cambs League division 3B, while the Reserves play in division 5B. Training takes place on Tuesday nights.

For more information contact:

JUNIOR FOOTBALL

LITTLE DOWNHAM EAGLES FOOTBALL CLUB 2006/07

Little Downham Eagles Football Club is affiliated to Cambridgeshire Football Association and holds the Football Association Charter Standard Club Award. It takes part in the Cambridgeshire Mini Soccer League (up to 11 years old) and Colts League (up to 17 years old).

Home games are played at Little Downham or Pymoor recreation grounds depending on the team age group.

Currently there are four teams playing in the leagues and we are always looking for new players and the support of family and friends.

If you would like to join in please contact any of the following:

Facilities for football and cricket can also be played at Pymoor Recreation Ground. For more information, please contact Emma Ure (Pymoor Cricket and Social Club Secretary) on Tel. 698875.

GOOD COMPANIONS

Meetings are held in the Village Hall on the first Tuesday of the month at 2.30pm. Various coach outings take place in the summer from May to September and a shopping trip is arranged about the third week in October. A Flower and Produce Show that’s open to all, is held in July with a Potato weighing competition that produces some fun rivalry between the two villages and/or the males and females. During October to April, entertainers or speakers attend to give talks or show films and in December we enjoy a Christmas dinner to round off the year.

Membership for the year is £5.00 and everyone over the age of 50 is invited to join. Come and join in the fun!

CARPET BOWLS CLUB

The club meets Thursday evenings in the Village Hall, Main Street, Lt Downham from 7.30pm to 10.00pm. There are four carpets with two teams that play in the County League.

New members are very welcome. For further information contact

LITTLE DOWNHAM OLD TIME AND MODERN SEQUENCE DANCING CLUB

Advance dancing classes are held at Little Downham Village Hall every Tuesday from 8pm to 10pm.

The Dance Leaders are Christine and Adrian. New Members, beginners or advance are most welcome.

LITTLE DOWNHAM DAY CENTRE
Holme Close, Little Downham

Holme Close is a complex of sheltered housing bungalows. It also houses a Day Centre in the Community Room every Monday from 10am to 4pm. The Day Centre is a club for senior citizens of the villages of Little Downham and Pymoor. Lunches and afternoon teas are served with various activities taking place in between. A day trip is arranged once a month, along with summer holidays and Christmas breaks away at holiday centres. For details contact:

FIELD VIEW HOUSE

Field View House is situated at the end of Tower Road, behind the Old Palace, with views of beautiful open countryside. It was established in 1984 and provides 24 hour care for elderly / elderly with dementia.

The manager, Mrs S R BONTHALA, has a diploma in dementia and is also a qualified clinical biochemist. She is supported by two Deputy Managers and the Proprietor, DR BONTHALA.

For further information contact:

PYMOOR METHODIST CHAPEL

The Methodist Chapel is situated on Main Street. There are services every Sunday at 10.30am with tea, coffee and biscuits served afterwards.

The Minister, Revd Roger Steward, covers the villages of Pymoor, Little Downham and Littleport. He can be contacted at the Littleport Manse on Tel. 860389.