Little Ouse through the Years

Presentation made, on the occasion of their retirement, to Mr. & Mrs. E. H.
James who, for the past 33 years, had held the positions of schoolmaster and mistress
at Little Ouse school. The presentation was made by Mr. E. Mortimer Rose on behalf
of the local residents.
1869 – The Church of St John the Evangelist and The Vicarage, Little Ouse built.
1950, February – Barbers Almanac – Candlemass services held at St. John’s Church, Little Ouse. At the main service candles were blessed and distributed to all present.
1952, December – Barbers Almanac – Presentation made, on the occasion of their retirement, to Mr. & Mrs. E. H. James who, for the past 33 years, had held the positions of schoolmaster and mistress at Little Ouse school. The presentation was made by Mr. E. Mortimer Rose on behalf of the local residents.
1953, March – Barbers Almanac – Marriage of Corporal A. Scarff, of Little Ouse, and Miss B. Hudson, of Littleport.
1953, April – Barbers Almanac – Children of Little Ouse School subscribed £3 to the Lord Mayor of London’s Flood Relief Fund.
1953, June – Barbers Almanac – School children from Black Horse Drove and Little Ouse toured the Coronation route in London.
1953, July – Barbers Almanac – Littleport County Primary School Scholarship winners. Girls: Barbara Cole, Mary Firby, Ann Fendick, Barbara Register, Jean Firby, Mary Rudderkam, Christine Butcher, Adrienne Neilson. Boys :Bernard Burling, David Feltell, Michael Levett, Michael Lister, John Starling, John Thorpe, Terence Simper, Edwin Whitehouse. A. W. Register (Little Ouse).
1953, July – Barbers Almanac – Children of the Littleport and Little Ouse schools saw the Coronation film “Elizabeth is Queen” at the Regal Cinema.
1953, July – Barbers Almanac – Coronation sports held at Little Ouse.
1953, September – Barbers Almanac – Little Ouse and Brandon Bank Women’s institute garden fete held in the grounds of Plantation House. The financial result was £96/14/4.
1953, September – Barbers Almanac – A collection at Little Ouse School in aid of Dr. Barnardo’s Homes amounted to £3/9/4.
1953, October – Barbers Almanac – Little Ouse & Brandon Bank Women’s Institute monthly meeting. Mrs. T. B. James, of Black Horse Drove, gave a talk and demonstration on felt work.
1953, October – Barbers Almanac – Tragic death of the Rev. I. A. Reynolds, Vicar of Little Ouse. He was killed when his motorcycle collided with an American seven ton truck at the junction of the Mildenhall and White House Roads.
1953, December – Barbers Almanac – Members of the Little Ouse County Primary School held their Christmas Party in the school.
1954, January – Barbers Almanac – Engagement announced between Mr. Brian Hodson, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. C. Hodson, of Wisbech Road, Littleport, and Miss Jean Burton, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. Burton, of Little Ouse.
1954, January – Barbers Almanac – Visit paid by the school children of Little Ouse and Brandon Bank to the pantomime “Puss in Boots” at the Embassy Theatre, Peterborough.
1954, January – Barbers Almanac – Engagement announced between Mr. Terence Anthony Scarff, son of Mr. and Mrs. K. Scarff, of Council Houses, Little Ouse, and Miss Mary Green, youngest daughter of Mrs. and the late Mr. A. Green, of Parson’s Lane, Littleport.
1955, January – Barbers Almanac – Death, at the Clarkson Hospital, Wisbech, at the age of 77, of the Rev. Fred Halliwell, Vicar of St. John the Baptist Church, Parson Drove. He was Vicar of Little Ouse from 1924 until 1936.
1955, March – Barbers Almanac – Plans for an additional classroom, etc., at Little Ouse C.P. School, together with the provision of central heating for the existing school and the new classroom, were approved at a meeting of the Isle of Ely Education Committee. The total estimated cost was £3,275.
1955, March – Barbers Almanac – Monthly meeting of Little Ouse and Brandon Bank Women’s Institute, A set of table mats was presented to Mrs. R. Thompson of Littleport as a token of appreciation for the help she had given to the Institute.
1955, March – Barbers Almanac – Women’s Institutes of the Littleport area held their group meeting at the Constitutional Hall. Gifts were presented to the oldest member present, Mrs. S. E. Hills, of Little Ouse; to the youngest member present, Miss Joan Perry, of Black Horse Drove; and to the member whose birthday fell on the day of the meeting, Mrs. Nicholas, of Littleport.
1955, June – Barbers Almanac – Pageant of the Fens presented by the Isle of Ely Federation of Women’s Institutes at Chatteris. Members of the Littleport, Black Horse Drove, Prickwillow and Little Ouse Institutes, performed the episode entitled “The Littleport Riots”.
1955, June – Barbers Almanac – An outbreak of fire caused the total destruction of a bungalow at White House Road, Little Ouse. It was the home of Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Fincham.
1955, July – Barbers Almanac – Local Primary School scholarship winners. Littleport Sherry Everett, Margaret Fletcher, Anne Kitchen, Christine Howe, Janice Brown, Hazel Smith, Clive Taylor, David Clarke, John Lee, William Duffin, Peter Green, Brian Kerridge, Stephen Missin, Peter Wilderspin. Black Horse DroveHeather James, Patricia Gaul, Hazel Smith. Little Ouse David Register.
1955, September – Barbers Almanac – At a special service held in St. John’s Church, Little Ouse, Captain G. H. Robbins, of the Church Army, was licensed by the Bishop of Ely as evangelist-in-charge of that parish.
1955, October – Barbers Almanac – Captain Robbins, evangelistincharge at Little Ouse, took his first service at Black Horse Drove. It was held in the Community Centre.
1955, November – Barbers Almanac – Mr. Harold Willett, fishing in the river at Little Ouse, hooked and landed a monster Pike weighing 20 lbs.
1956, March – Barbers Almanac – The following pupils of local schools were successful in passing the entrance examination to Ely High School for Girls and Soham Grammar School:—Littleport County Primary—Eileen Bell, Jean Chapman, Janis Lincoln, Frances Davies, Meryl Wilderspin, Linda Sewell, Rhodene Carter, Monica Turner, Shane Gordon, Robert Powell, David Baumber, John King, Ashley Tassell, Peter Gorham. Black Horse Drove Coronation—Mary Smith, Linda Cullen, Avis Langley, Robin Butcher. Little Ouse County Primary—Richard Register.
1956, April – Barbers Almanac – Following a fall from his autocycle, Captain G. H. Robbins, Evangelist in charge at St. John’s, Little Ouse, was admitted to the R.A.F. Hospital, Ely. The accident occurred on the Black Horse Drove Road.
1956, September – Barbers Almanac – A successful sale of work in aid of the Church lighting fund was held in the Vicarage garden, St. John, Little Ouse. It was opened by Mrs. Flanders Morton.
1956, October – Barbers Almanac – A collection by children of Little Ouse School for Dr. Barnardo’s Homes amounted to £2 10s. 4 1/2d.
1956, October – Barbers Almanac – While driving his car on the White House Road in dense fog, Mr. F. Howe, of New River Bank, collided with a cycle ridden by Mr. Robert Simpson, of Shepherds Drove. Mr. Simpson sustained a hand injury.
1956, November – Barbers Almanac – Cycling home after spending the evening with a friend, Mr. Robert Simpson, of Shepherds Drove, White House Road, misjudged the approach to a bridge, rode down a steep ten foot bank into a drain, and was drowned. The accident occurred on the White House Road.
1956, November – Barbers Almanac – Remembrance Day—A large congregation of all denominations filled the Parish Church to capacity. The special preacher was the Rev R E. Tosteven, Bishop’s Chaplain and padre to the R A F Hospital, Ely. Services were also held at Black Horse Drove, Little Ouse, and St. Matthew’s.
1957, March – Barbers Almanac – Members of the Little Ouse Women’s Institute were the guests at a meeting of the Littleport Women’s Fellowship.
1957, May – Barbers Almanac – Bishop Walsh preached at St. John’s Church, Little Ouse. Severe thunderstorms cut off part of Littleport’s electric supply for most of the night. About 40 telephones were put out of order.
1957, May- Barbers Almanac – Mr. and Mrs. H. Hodson, of Burnt Chimney Road, announced the engagement of their youngest daughter Wendy, to Peter, eldest son of Mr. & Mrs. L. Strawson, of White House Road, Little Ouse.
1957, June – Barbers Almanac – Engagement announced between Mr. Eric Underdown, eldest son of Mrs. H. Underdown, of Black Horse Drove, and Miss Wendy Scarff, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R, H. Scarff, of Little Ouse.
1957, June – Barbers Almanac – A garden fete at Little Ouse realised £80 for St. John’s Church.
1957, July – Barbers Almanac – Cricket Black Horse Drove Invitation Cup, Final Little Ouse defeated Ouse Bridge by 3 wickets.
- _{Note – The Little Ouse cricket ground was in the field between the Vicarage and Church Farm. By all accounts it had a pavilion made of wood. This was demolished and the field returned to farming some time in the last fifty years.}
1957, September – Barbers Almanac – Members of the Littleport Women’s Fellowship were the guests at the monthly meeting of Little Ouse and Brandon Bank Women’s Institute.
1957, September – Barbers Almanac – To mark the end of the second year of the ministry of the evangelist in charge (Capt. G. H. Robbins) a special family service was held in St. John’s Church, Little Ouse.
1957, October – Barbers Almanac – Mr. W. P. Register, of School House, Little Ouse, fishing in the river there, landed a fine 27 Ib. 4 oz. pike. It was 43 1/2 inches long and 21 inches round its girth.
1957, November – Barbers Almanac – Funeral at Littleport of Mrs. H. J. Halliwell, wife of the late Rev. F. Halliwell, a former vicar of Little Ouse.
1958, January – Barbers Almanac – Monthly meeting of Little Ouse and Brandon Bank Women’s Institute. On behalf of the members Mrs. F. Key presented a television lamp to Mrs. E. Mortimer Rose as a token of appreciation of her past services as President of the Institute.
1958, May – Barbers Almanac – The Lord Bishop of Ely preached at St. John’s Church, Little Ouse.
1958, September – Barbers Almanac – Annual garden party of St. John’s Church, Little Ouse. Proceeds exceeded £70.
1958, September – Barbers Almanac – Monthly meeting of Little Ouse and Brandon Bank Women’s Institute. The President, Mrs. E. Mortimer Rose, tendered her resignation owing to the illness of her husband.
1958, October – Barbers Almanac – Harvest thanksgiving services were held at St. John’s Church, Little Ouse. The preacher was the Rev. Gale, chaplain of the R.A.F. Hospital, Ely.
1958, October – Barbers Almanac – Captain G. H. Robbins, of Little Ouse, conducted Burnt Fen Women’s Institute’s harvest festival.
1958, November – Barbers Almanac – Miss Shirley Page, of Ely, was married to Mr. William Thompson, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. E. Thompson, of Little Ouse. The marriage was solemnised at St. Mary’s Church, Ely.
1959, January – Barbers Almanac – Engagement announced between Peter F. Morton of Manor Farm, Norton, Bury St. Edmunds, son of Mr. and Mrs. Flanders Morton, of Little Ouse, and Ann, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Trevor Richardson, of Ipswich.
1959, March – Barbers Almanac – Mrs. R. Jones, of Littleport, gave a beauty counsellor demonstration at a meeting of Little Ouse and Brandon Bank Women’s Institute
1959, March – Barbers Almanac – Members of Little Ouse Women’s Institute were the guests at a meeting of the Littleport Women’s Fellowship.
1959, March – Barbers Almanac – Annual meeting of Little Ouse and Brandon Creek Cricket Club. A favourable balance of nearly £30 was revealed.
1959, May – Barbers Almanac – 39th birthday party of Little Ouse and Brandon Bank Women’s Institute.
1959, June – Barbers Almanac – In an exciting cricket match at Little Ouse, Littleport 2nd XI defeated the home club by two runs, knocking them out of the Black Horse Drove Cup.
1959, June – Barbers Almanac – Members of Brandon Bank and Little Ouse Women’s Institute made a presentation to Mrs. G. Germany who was leaving the district.
1959, July – Barbers Almanac – Little Ouse Primary School annual outing. Highlights were a cruise on the Norfolk Broads and a visit to Great Yarmouth.
1959, July – Barbers Almanac – Little Ouse School annual sports and country and maypole dancing display.
1959, September – Barbers Almanac – Annual garden party in aid of St. John’s Church, Little Ouse, was opened by Mrs. Luther Gilbert. About £90 was raised.
1959, September – Barbers Almanac – Captain G. H. Robbins, of Little Ouse, conducted a harvest thanksgiving service at a meeting of Burnt Fen Women’s Institute.
1959, November – Barbers Almanac – Members of Little Ouse Women’s Institute attended the 33rd Birthday party of the Welney W.I.
1959, November – Barbers Almanac – Death, at St. Mary’s Lodge, Ely, of Mrs. Eliza Cross, a former resident of Littleport. Aged 85, Mrs. Cross was the widow of the late Mr. A. M. (Dick) Cross, who died nineteen years ago, and the third daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Brown of White House Farm.
1959, December – Barbers Almanac – The choir of St. John’s Church, Little Ouse, wore their new robes for the first time. The occasion was the annual carol service.
1960, February – Barbers Almanac – Children of Little Ouse County Primary School collected £2 for the Isle of Ely Society for the Blind.
1960, March – Barbers Almanac – Meeting of Little Ouse and Brandon Bank Women’s Institute. A talk on the use of the latest types of spin and warm air driers was given by Mrs. Yates on behalf of the Eastern Electricity Board.
1960, April – barbers Almanac – Monthly meeting of Little Ouse and Brandon Bank Women’s Institute. Mrs. P. Radcliffe of Littleport, gave a talk and demonstration on corsetry.
1960, April – Barbers Almanac – Captain G. H. Robbins of Little Ouse gave the last of his sermons on “The Fruits of the Spirit’· at the Parish Church.
1960, May – Barbers Almanac – Celebration of Little Ouse and Brandon Bank Women’s Institute’s 40th Birthday. Mrs. Mortimer Rose, a former president, was a guest.
1960, August – Barbers Almanac – Marriage at St. Peter’s Church, Prickwillow, of Miss Joan Ashley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. E. Ashley, of Council Houses, Burnt Fen, and Mr. Aubrey Scarff, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Scarff, of Council Houses, Little Ouse.
1960, October – Barbers Almanac – Little Ouse and Brandon Bank Women’s Institute’s monthly meeting included a harvest service conducted by Mr. E. Youngs, of Littleport, and Capt. G. H. Robbins.
1960, October – Barbers Almanac – Fishing in the Little Ouse River, 14 year old Alan Harrison, of Gilbert Road, Littleport, landed a pike weighing 17 1/2 Ibs. The following members of the Littleport Angling Club were included in the team to represent the lsle of Ely in the intercounties angling match at Offord Cluny, Hunts.R. Angel (captain), J. Calladine, F. Proctor, W. Gilbert, P. Angel, J. Butcher, D. V. Clarke and C. Kitchen.
1960, October – Barbers Almanac – Death at Hilgay of Mr. Joseph Groom, a former resident of Little Ouse and Littleport. He was aged 81, and until his retirement some 15 years ago was employed at Church Farm, Little Ouse, latterly by Mr. Flanders Morton.
1960, December – Barbers Almanac – Almost £11 was raised at a Whist Drive held in the school at Little Ouse in aid of the Cricket Club.
1961, March – Barbers Almanac – The Rev. V. H. E. Ritson, of Ely, preached at a Mothering Sunday Service held in St. John’s Church, Little Ouse.
1961, April – Barbers Almanac – Captain G. H. Robbins, of Little Ouse, was the speaker at the monthly meeting of the Mothers’ Union (Littleport).
1961, May – Barbers Almanac – Forty-first anniversary of Little Ouse and Brandon Bank Women’s Institute. Mrs. Mavis Mortimer Rose (former president) attended the party.
1961, May – Barbers Almanac – It was revealed that local collections for the Royal National Lifeboat institution raised £21 11s. 0d. Mrs P. Morton was the organiser. Collections at Little Ouse, under Mr. Register, yielded £2 0s. 6d.
1961, May – Barbers Almanac – A Garden Fete at Little Ouse raised £110 for local School and Women’s Institute funds. It was opened by Mrs. J. H. Martin, of Littleport.
1961, June – Barbers Almanac – Farewell Party given by members of the Little Ouse and Brandon Bank Women’s Institute to Mrs. E. Hills, who was leaving the village. Mrs. Hills, aged 83, joined the W.I. when it was started.
1961, June – Barbers Almanac – A boy C. Ward, swam the river at Little Ouse to give warning of an outbreak of fire at Mr. Flanders Morton’s Church Farm.
1961, June – Barbers Almanac – Cricket—Little Ouse became the holders of the Mortimer Rose Cup when they gained a comfortable win by six wickets in the final over Black Horse Drove.
1961, August – Barbers Almanac – Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Scarf, of Council Houses, White House Road Little Ouse celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary.
1961, September – Barbers Almanac – Mrs. T. B Gordon opened the Little Ouse Church Garden Fete Over £80 was raised.
1961, October – Barbers Almanac – Monthly meeting of Little Ouse and Brandon Bank Women’s Institute. Mrs. H. Baker was presented with her 6th W.I. spoon for points gained.
1962, January – Barbers Almanac – A nativity play entitled “On Christmas Day in the Morning” was presented at St. John’s Church, Little Ouse. It was produced, by Capt. G. H. Robbins.
1962, February – Barbers Almanac – Engagement announced between Mr. Ernest Reynolds, only son of the late Rev. I. A. Reynolds and the late Mrs. Reynolds, formerly of the Vicarage, Little Ouse, and Miss Janet Wiggins, of Ipswich.
1962, May – Barbers Almanac – Little Ouse and Brandon Bank Women’s Institute’s 42nd birthday party. A guest was Mrs. M. Mortimer Rose, a former president.
1962 – May – Barbers Almanac – Confirmation service by Bishop Walsh held at St. John’s Church, Little Ouse. Mr. Lewis Brooks, of Black Horse Drove, was presented with a long service certificate for his forty years’ work as a local preacher in the Methodist Church.
1962, July – Barbers Almanac – Tragic death by drowning in the River Little Ouse, of 15 year old Christopher Ward, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Ward, of the Anchor Inn, Brandon Bank.
1962, August – Barbers Almanac – An evening mystery tour by coach was enjoyed by members of Little Ouse and Brandon Bank Women’s Institute.
1962, September – Barbers Almanac – Annual Church Garden Party at Little Ouse raised £80 The opener was Mrs. Geoffrey Peacock, of Littleport. Mrs. P. Smith, of Woodfen Road, won £605 on the Spastic League Club’s “goals bingo”.
1962, October – Barbers Almanac – Fishing at Little Ouse, eleven year old Colin Register hooked, a 15 1/2 lb. pike. Colin is the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Register of High Street.
1962, November – Barbers Almanac – Meeting of St. John’s, Little Ouse, Parochial Church Council. A presentation was made to the Rev. Sydney Chambers, now retired. Apart from being Vicar of St. Matthew’s, he was for seven years Priest in Charge of St. John’s.
1963, February – Barbers Almanac – St. John’s, Little Ouse, Parochial Church Council Meeting. Captain G. H. Robbins. Evangelist in Charge gave notice of his impending departure.
1963, March – Barbers Almanac – Meeting of Little Ouse and Brandon Bank Women’s Institute·Nurse Smith, of Littleport, gave an account of the work being done in Nyasaland by Nurse Biart, formerly of Littleport.
1963, June – Barbers Almanac – Meeting of Little Ouse and Brandon Bank Women’s Institute. A presentation was made to Mrs. G. H, Robbins on behalf of members in appreciation of the help she had given to the Institute during her stay at Little Ouse, Captain and Mrs. Robbins were shortly leaving for Nuneaton.
1963, June – Barbers Almanac – Captain G. H. Robbins preached his farewell address to the congregation at Black Horse Drove.
1963, June – Barbers Almanac – Captain G. H. Robbins, Church Army Evangelist, preached his farewell sermon at St. John’s Church, Little Ouse, and thanked his parishioners for their farewell gift of £25. Captain and Mrs. Robbins were leaving for duties at Nuneaton.
1963, August – Barbers Almanac – Plunging into the River Ouse at Littleport, 15 year old Robert Michael Hutchings, of White House Farm, Little Ouse, saved two children, a boy and a girl, from drowning. The boy though apparently dead, was kept alive by Robert who applied the “kiss-of-life” method of artificial respiration.
1963, September – Barbers Almanac – The Little Ouse and Brandon Bank annual fete was opened by Mr. B. G. Wright, of Littleport. The event realised £133.
1963, December – Barbers Almanac – Children of Little Ouse Primary School and the Coronation School, Black Horse Drove, provided the background of a Carol Service held in St. John’s Church, Little Ouse.
1964, January – Barbers Almanac – Two 20 year old Littleport men escaped unhurt, but wet, when the van in which they were travelling left the bumpy, uneven road to Little Ouse and careered into an unfenced roadside drain. They were Mr. Geoffrey Willett, of Willett’s Caravan Site, and Mr. Peter Calladine, of Victoria Street.
1964, February – Barbers Almanac – 10 year old Sandra Hibble, formerly of Caravan Site, King’s Yard, Victoria Street, now living at Hunstanton, and 15 year old Robert Hutchings, of White House Farm, Little Ouse, were presented with Royal Humane Society awards at Ely. They had rescued a 3 year old boy from drowning in the River Ouse at Sandhill Bridge on August 2nd last year.
1964, May – Barbers Almanac – P.c. Morton of Littleport visited Little Ouse School to talk to the children on road safety.
1964, September – Barbers Almanac – Garden fete at Little Ouse. The profit of £138 was shared by St. John’s Church, Brandon Bank Methodist Church and the County Primary School.
1964, October – Barbers Almanac – An egg cracked by Mrs H Wilson, of Council Houses, Little Ouse, contained four yolks.
1965, May – Barbers Almanac – Cambs. and Isle of Ely County Show. Local winners in the floral arrangement classes were Mrs. E. J. Register (Little Ouse) with two first and two second awards and Mrs, J. Gilbert (Littleport), one first and one second award. In the class for clubs, Littleport Flower Arrangement Club was second.
1965, September – Barbers Almanac – A fete, held at Little Ouse in aid of St. John’s Church, Brandon Bank Methodist Chapel and Little Ouse School, realised £154.
1965, October – Barbers Almanac – Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Carter, of Soham, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Mrs. Carter is the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. R. Godbold of Little Ouse, and Mr. Carter is the son of the late Mr. & Mrs. A. J. Carter of Little Ouse.
1974, June 5th – Barbers Almanac – Timothy Slater of Little Ouse entered a Collage Competition and his picture was chosen for a two week exhibition, of pictures at Euston Station, London.
1974, August 8th – Barbers Almanac – The P.T.A. & Headmaster of Little Ouse fear that the village may “die” unless the Littleport Parish Council inject some form of life into it.
1974, September 19th – Barbers Almanac – Little Ouse raised over £300 from a Fete organised by the P.T.A. The cash is to help bring “life” back to the village. Littleport Parish Council promised to back requests for street lights and a pavement in the hamlet.
1976, February 19th – Barbers Almanac – Mr John Rampton has given free potatoes to the children of Little Ouse School. The price of potatoes has made them a luxury!
1977, September 22nd – Barbers Almanac – At Little Ouse a Gala Fete on Saturday was well attended and over £250 is expected as a result. The Fete was organised by the PTA.
1977, December 15th – Barbers Almanac – The Bishop of Ely has announced that the Rev. John Hunter Martin, at present Vicar of St. Anne’s, Bermondsey, will become Priest in charge of Littleport St. George, St. Matthews and Little Ouse
1978, April 13th – Barbers Almanac – On Friday 7th, the Rev. John Hunter Martin was welcomed to the diocese, when he was licensed Priest in charge at St. George’s, St. Matthews and St. Johns by the Bishop of Ely at a service in St. George’s Church.
1979, May 18th – Barbers Almanac – A Church Party, a completely new venture in Littleport, attracted over one hundred and twenty people of all ages to the Village College on Saturday evening. The occasion came within twenty-four hours of the institution and induction of the Rev. John Martin as Vicar of St. George’s, Littleport and St. John’s, Little Ouse.

Little Ouse through the Years

Share this: