Unveiling the Orwell Past & Present Information Board

Unveiling by Dr Carenza Lewis MA on Friday evening, 30th August 2013

At 7.00pm approximately sixty people gathered at the entrance to Chapel Orchard, around the recently erected Orwell Past & Present information board' (which at that time was covered up in classic pre-unveiling fashion). The board is close to the Chapel Orchard information board, and was manufactured so that both would have a consistent general appearance of size, mounting and background colourings.

Celebratory drinks (a choice of pink or white fizz, orange juice, sparkling water and a couple of bottles of Derek's homebrewed plum wine) and nibbles were provided to establish a party mood. The weather was splendid, typical of the late August evenings in what was a special Summer.

After a few introductory words by Sue Miller*, Carenza Lewis then spoke eloquently of the importance of history in general in fostering community spirit, various ongoing "Test Pit" projects in the immediate vicinity of Orwell and Wimpole, and of the work done by the Orwell Past & Present team in setting up the website and associated information board.   

The crowd gave an appreciative ovation as Carenza then  removed the cloth covering the new information board, to reveal the board in its full glory (see photo below). A few intrepid photographers took the opportunity to record the unveiling.

                                    

                                    

*   Sue's introduction of Carenza covered, inter alia, her contribution and appearance in T.V.'s "Time Team", her lecturing in medieval archaeology at Cambridge University, and the setting up of Access Cambridge Archaeology. After the unveiling Sue  acknowledged that we were very fortunate that Carenza had been able to make time in her schedule to attend, and thanked Carenza on behalf of those attending.