Our village yesterday - NOT amateur radio

As it was so sunny yesterday, we did a short walk around our village, as the photo shows.

Burwell, Cambs, UK - NOT amateur radio

Since 1975, we have lived in this East Cambridgeshire village. It is about 10 miles from Cambridge, 4 miles from Newmarket, 17 miles from Bury-St-Edmunds and 12 miles from Ely. In recent years the population has soared to about 6500. When we came it was about 4000. Luckily, it still feels like a friendly village.

The village has a fine church (see photo) and fully restored 200 year old windmill, the latter being part of one of the best local museums in the whole UK.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burwell,_Cambridgeshire

Maltings and church - NOT amateur radio

On our walk around our village (Burwell) earlier we went past the church and the maltings. Both are old with parts of the church being almost 1000 years old.

Old cottage - NOT amateur radio

A few years ago this very old cottage in our village was tastefully extended. It is very hard to tell the extension from the original.  We are blessed with quite a few old houses in Burwell, our village.

Here I am trying to take a photo on my phone! I have no idea when this cottage dates from, but I'd guess the early 1800s. Some old houses date from the 1200s - that is old!

Museum Party - NOT amateur radio

At the end of the season, our local museum next door has a party for volunteers. I am on the left.

It is one of the best local museums in the UK. It heavily depends on volunteers. Many people think it is just the windmill, but it goes on and on!

See http://burwellmuseum.org.uk/

Older houses - NOT amateur radio

In our village are some quite old houses. I think the oldest dates back to the 1100s and is supposed to have a secret tunnel (now blocked off) going to the nearby church. We were told about this by someone who lived there, so it is probably correct.

A quite old house (17th century) is Tunbridge Farm shown in the photo. This photo was taken on a very dull day.

Village Walk - NOT amateur radio

At the weekend, we did a walk in the village and my wife made this collage. Despite the size, it still feels like a village.

Autumn - NOT amateur radio

This is a view up School Lane, Burwell, showing the autumn berries. The building up the lane on the left is made of clunch, a kind of chalk. It has cracked badly in our recent hot, dry weather.

Village Cafe - NOT amateur radio

This café opened in our village a few months ago. It is well located and appears to be doing well.

Village Exhibition - NOT amateur radio

This weekend we have "Burwell at Large", which is a 2 day exhibition at which village groups have a chance to showcase themselves. It happens every 2 years.

We are a thriving village, so there is plenty to do whatever your interests. One example was the "mobile belfry" brought along by the local tower bell-ringers (see photo).

We have a thriving sports scene and lots of different groups and clubs.

Ghosts of monks - NOT amateur radio

Very many centuries ago this was the route taken by monks on their way to Ely Cathedral. It is The Causeway in Burwell, Cambs, UK. Today it is a tree-lined road with its fair share of cars. It would be wonderful to step back over those years and see those monks centuries ago.

Our village - NOT amateur radio

Burwell is about 10 miles from Cambridge. Most who live here work in Cambridge. Population is now about 6000, although it still feels like a village, with friendly people who say, "hello" in the streets.

Rain? - NOT amateur radio

This afternoon we went for a walk around our village. Although it threatened rain, we missed it.

Burwell Fen - NOT amateur radio

We went for a brief walk this afternoon up near the "cock-up" bridge on Burwell Lode. We saw several birds including some swallows, a tern and 2 mute swans as well as these fine highland cattle with big horns. Although the fens are bleak, they have a certain beauty, especially the wild fen skies. Burwell Fen is now owned by the National Trust.

Burwell Cottage - NOT amateur radio

Although our village (Burwell, Cambs, UK) has grown a lot in recent years, it still has some lovely cottages like this one.  Some parts of our church are around 1000 years old and the oldest house dates from around 1200AD. I suspect this cottage dates from the 1700s, so is quite new!

Fame at last - NOT amateur radio

One of my photos made the BBC TV this evening! Look East showed the picture of our local windmill next door in a storm on their weather forecast, using my nickname "windymiller". I was quite surprised to see it!

Renovation - NOT amateur radio

For over 40 years there has been a grade 2 listed former farmhouse empty in our village. Slowly it was going to ruin.  Over the last 2 years it has been extensively renovated and is now for sale. Today was an "open house" so we went to have a look around. Someone will like it and buy it. It is on the market for just under £1M. It would make a good Bed & Breakfast house or large family home. It is just across the road from the church. This picture shows the view from one of the bedrooms.

Church Bells - NOT amateur radio

 

There must be (at least) 2 weddings today as our local church bells have rung twice so far today. See also http://eachurches.blogspot.co.uk/ .

Railways in Burwell - NOT amateur radio

Our local village museum has an exhibition about railways in and around Burwell. Passenger traffic ended in the early 1960s but freight traffic limped on for a few more years. They also had a video of the branch line to Mildenhall from Cambridge. If local, worth a visit.

Anne's old house - NOT amateur radio

We have a friend who has been to visit me most months. She lives in a VERY old house. Today we walked to her house for tea and scones.

This roof, to the rear of her house, is a real problem in heavy rain as gallons and gallons of water flows off it, causing her cellar to flood. She has taken measures to minimise the problems but she is always nervous with heavy rain around.