Local knowledge

Café 19, so named after the no. 19 Spitfire Squadron* based at Duxford during the war, was once again the starting point for Thursday’s ride. This time however, not only were we booked in for lunch afterwards, but Martin had also hired a meeting room and arranged a talk on local geography and history; more of which later.

Jeremy’s plan had been for a largely off-road jaunt but, given the overnight rain, he wisely opted for a mud-free, tarmacked circuit instead. So it was that twelve** Windmillers set out from Duxford heading for Hinxton and thence Ickleton, Fowlmere, Shelford, Cherry Hinton and Fulbourn.

Pulling in for refreshments at Stapleford Granary, we were warmly welcomed and treated to free coffee; this as recompense for our last visit a month ago when it took nearly an hour for everyone to get served. Andrew’s subsequent complaint to the management seemed to work wonders. It probably helped that Lindsey, his better half, has a business elsewhere on the premises.

Sipping coffee and munching cake on the terrace, we reminisced about our first visit five years ago which was notable for Andrew touring the arts centre and concert hall – and playing some thundering chords on the Steinway grand. This got the management’s attention (Lindsey again) and he was firmly asked to vacate the piano stool and shoo.

Refreshed, our 12-strong** peloton set off on the return leg via Great Shelford and Whittlesford, back to Duxford where we were delighted to be joined by Maurice, Ken and Victor – the latter having taken an unfortunate tumble from his bike and needing a little attention to his abrasions. Glad to say, nothing was broken.

After an excellent lunch, we listened to a very interesting presentation given by Ken McDonald, Secretary of the Hundred Parishes Society. The society celebrates and promotes our home patch, a region of some 450 square miles ranging across northwest Essex, northeast Hertfordshire and southern Cambridgeshire. Largely unspoilt and richly endowed with some of England’s finest villages and rural heritage, few people, indeed not that many of its inhabitants, know much about the area, maybe because it has never been accorded a name – until now. Coined by the Society, the new name reflects the fact that the area comprises some one hundred administrative parishes.

Ken, assisted by his Janice, his wife, gave an excellent talk, all the more enjoyable as it referenced many of the places we visit on Windmill Club outings.

Our thanks go to Jeremy for planning and leading the ride, Martin for arranging the talk and, of course, Ken and Janice McDonald for a very enlightening and enjoyable presentation.

Brian

*No. 19 Squadron was stationed at RAF Duxford from September 1939. Notable among its pilots was Douglas Bader who was posted to the squadron in February 1940. Later that year the squadron provided air cover over the Dunkirk beaches and subsequently fought in the Battle of Britain.

**The twelve Windmillers were: Alan, Andrew, Brian, Charles, Deborah, Howard, Jeremy, MartinB, Nigel, Ric, Rod and Roger.