Community news - Duxford

PARISH COUNCIL: Duxford Parish Council meet this evening (Thursday January 12) at 8pm in Duxford School. Parishioners are always encouraged to attend and there is a special Forum slot on the agenda when they can raise queries and pass comments to their elected representatives. More details from parish clerk Mike Parker 01223 835935BOWLS CLUB: This year's Annual Presentation Dinner will be held at the Red Lion, Whittlesford. The dinner, at which the trophies won during 2005 will be awarded, will be held at 7.30pm on Saturday January 14. Further details from club secretary, Peter Richards 01223 575225 SUDDEN DEATH: This year's celebrations will be poignant because of the sad and sudden death before Christmas of one of the Bowls Club's most talented young players - David Catton, who had his 19th birthday while in Worthing last August playing in the English National Championships. The club Triples team of David, his brother Richard and Les Bradford had already won the Cambridgeshire County title at the end of July. It was a great achievement for a small village club team to reach the National Championships and having beaten off keen competition including the team from Blackheath and Greenwich skipped by World No 1 Andy Thompson, they progressed well to the quarter finals.SATURDAY WORKSHOP: The new school term means the resumption after the holidays of Duxford Saturday Workshop, from 9.30 to 12.15 in Duxford village school - this Saturday and every term-time Saturday. Conceived in 1979 by local figure Jill Steinberg, Duxford Workshop aims to encourage people to participate in music, drama and related arts. It works on the philosophy that people of all ages and all abilities irrespective of income should be able to enjoy taking part in musical experiences through which they can develop both skills and expression. All tutors give their time free, membership fees are kept low and instruments and music are provided at minimal cost to members. In the region of thirty tutors and managers are involved in the running of Workshop - many of whom are professional music teachers and musicians who wish simply to share the joy of music making.Duxford Workshop is a registered charity managed by a board of Trustees, with a director responsible for the day-to-day operation of Workshop. Last year, Workshop was sad to bid goodbye to its director of many years, Helen Higgins who took up a new role at Hills Road Sixth Form College. Her place has been take by a new artistic director, Arwen Gilbert, supported by Faith Paulding as administrative director.The Workshop year begins in September when 265 memberships were registered in 2005Children can begin at Workshop from the age of five years when they can start to explore music and sound through games, singing and fun activities.At the age of seven (Year 3) they can progress to Junior Music Club, which aims to give an understanding of musical notation, rhythm and recorder playing. After this they are free to choice an instrument on which to have lessons. With a stock of some 120 instruments Workshop can provide most of the instruments needed for people to start learning to play.A large number of adults with no previous musical training or very limited experience have begun to make music at Duxford Workshop. As well as instrumental tuition there are various ensembles, a Children's Theatre Group that puts on an annual show, a four-part choir and theory classes.During the year concerts and shows that draw from different groups in Duxford Workshop take place. Visitors are welcome on a Saturday morning to see for themselves the unique atmosphere of 'Workshop'.For information and advice contact director@duxfordsaturdayworkshop.org.uk or Arwen Gilbert the Artistic director, 01480 462761 or for general enquiries, questions or comments, the administrative director, Faith Paulding .DUXFORD AIRFIELD: The Imperial War Museum has announced its programme of flying displays for next year. Sunday May 21 will be the AirSpace Air Show, Saturday and Sunday July 8/9 is the Flying Legends Show, the weekend of the September 2/3 will be the Spitfire Anniversary Air Show rounding off with the Autumn Air Show on Sunday October 8.Residents of Duxford and other villages adjacent to the airfield are eligible for FREE admission to the Imperial War Museum Duxford (via public entrances and excluding air shows). To register or for further information, call the Friends of Duxford office on 01223 836593.