Eltisley Church, February 2002. These volunteers attended the dedication of the altar frontal and pulpit fall, on which they had worked from January 2000 until February 2002.

The group, led by Lady Jenny Hemingford, has also completed work on an altar frontal and red chasuble for All Saints Church, Pidley-cum-Fenton. These were dedicated on Palm Sunday, 16th March 2008.

They have now started on a new project on an altar front for Croxton Church.

Another group of volunteers, led by Isobel Lattimore, spent 15 months producing an altar frontal, super frontal, pulpit and lectern falls, burse, veil, stole, chasuble and collection bag for St Peter's Church, Knapwell. These were dedicated on 30th April 2006. The embroidered cross was a copy of the altar cross.

The lettering is being copied by couching down gold threads onto felt shapes that add depth to the lettering so that the gold will catch the light. You can see the gold threads down two of the bars of the letter W.

The group subsequently restored the altar frontals and created a new chasuble for Boxworth Church. These were dedicated on Sunday 18th November 2007.

As with all the groups, new members are always welcome.

Bringing together an interest in local history with a love of gardens, Huntingdon Garden Heritage Volunteers are dedicated to researching and recording gardens of significance or interest in the former county of Huntingdonshire. Accelerating change in the built environment and in garden taste motivates our volunteers to capture the local heritage for future generations through our affiliations with Cambridgeshire Gardens Trust and Parks & Gardens UK. The latter charitable organisation hosts a growing electronic archive which forms part of a permanent national collection freely available on-line to historians, planners and garden enthusiasts. We are continuing to add to their data with our research.

We organise study days. Forthcoming on March 12, ‘20th Century Gardens in East Anglia’ will be an analysis of East Ruston Vicarage, The Manor Hemingford Grey and Anglesey Abbey by their owners or gardeners, Alan Gray, Diana Boston and Richard Ayres MBE respectively. We also visit public and private gardens for our own enrichment. This year we are planning trips to Coton Manor Garden, Chippenham, Boughton and Doddington Hall as well as to a host of Cambridgeshire gardens. Opportunities for sampling local eateries also abound and, of course, newcomers are warmly welcomed

If you wish to find out more about our activities please contact the Garden Group co-ordinator, Judith Christie, by phone on 01954 230536 or by e-mail at judith.christie@ntlworld.com.

Great Comp, Kent, September 2010.

On left:Whichford Pottery, May 2010.

Stow Bardolph Hall, July 2010.

Winter research.

Photos by Judith Christie.

Church Recorders make detailed inventories of the furnishings and relevant parts of the fabric from altar frontals to doormats. Everything is measured, described, weighed (if appropriate), photographed or drawn. We are then able to research the history of objects, using archives, books, the memories of parishioners, and local and national Record Offices.

This all sounds very serious, but the actual recording is fascinating and generates great co-operation between recorders - anyone handy will be called upon to hold a tape measure or steady a ladder. Come into our current church and you might find a group gathered round a Bishop's chair. The woodwork team will have measured it, decided it is made of oak, and looked the design up in a reference book; the textile people will be studying the tapestry seat; the photographer will be waiting for the opportunity to take several shots from different angles. Perched up a ladder, one of the memorial team will be transcribing a Latin text, reading aloud to their partner who is writing it down

No previous experience is necessary to become a recorder, although an interest in history, architecture and beautiful objects is helpful - which is why NADFAS members are so suitable!

The first Church Record completed by Huntingdon DFAS was presented at All Saints, Brington, on 22nd July 2007 to the priest-in-charge, Jackie Duck, in the presence of the Bishop of Ely and a full congegation. All seven recorders were able to be present, and the Record was much admired at the reception that followed the service. The completed project was subsequently sent to NADFAS House.

Our last recording was at All Saints, Huntingdon.
On the left: a splendid window in the chancel of the church, showing the nativity.
We are currently working on All Saints, St Ives.

A visit from the area representative, Mrs Sara Day. From left to right: Chris (miscellaneous and compiling), Jennifer (memorials), Sara Day, Olive (leader, paintings, non-precious metal work), and Sue Milton (rector's wife). The group photographer (John) was behind the camera. Note the jackets - it was cold in the church in March!

If you would like to learn more about joining the church recorders, please phone Pat Hamilton at 01480-467230.