by Shirley Dunaetz (nee Evans)
Shirleys original article can be found here.
I remember at least once a week walking to Gill's Garage to pick up pink paraffin. You might think what was that for? Well pink paraffin burns cleaner and doesn't have the smell that regular paraffin has. Pink paraffin was used in the oil lamp that hung from the ceiling. We kids were threatened within an inch of our lives if we touched it. It was a pretty thing, with a brass bottom and a lovely china lamp shade. It of course had a glass chimney and the wick could be turned up our down. When I was very little, I was afraid of the dark, so I was allowed to stay downstairs until the grownups went to bed. If there was no one reading or doing sewing in the room, the lamp was turned down low, I suppose so I would go to sleep. This lamp could be moved from room to room, as needed, but didn't go upstairs, candles were the rule there.
My brother and I recently talked about the "Hunt" that met at the corner of West Street and Old Court Hall. That was a sight to see, all those horses, dogs and the ladies and gentlemen all dressed up in their hunt clothes. They usually started their hunt by going down Silver Street. The Tally Ho's and dogs barking and baying are still with me today. There would be a crowd of us locals watching as they congregated and got ready to leave.
THE Borough of Godmanchester, or Gumecester, is co-extensive with the Parish of the same name in the County of Huntingdon.
It is situated on the Southern bank of the navigable River Ouse, which separates it from the adjoining Borough of
Huntingdon, and occupies a space of about four miles and a quarter of the-rìver's bank, from East to West, at an average breadth of about one and three quarters, comprising an area of 4,667A. n.. 2R 36p., according to a survey made in 1803 under an inclosure Act; about 50 acres of this land are in roads, drains, &c.
The Parish is an agricultural district, containing (with the exception of the Town) not more than three or four small cottages, inhabited by servants of the proprietors of the land. The total annual value of the real property value of the the parish, áccording to a valuation made thereof in 1825, for the pnrpóse of parochial assessment, is 7,8761. 16s. 3d. * The Population of the Parish (according to the Census of 1831) is 2,146.
Our 2022 Calendar is available from Clifford's chemist, Thelmas Flowers, or Mick Brown on 07872 071721
We can also post to any UK Address for £3.85
Each Calendar £7.50
Subcategories
Past Events
The Porch Museum holds special exhibitions or events each year.
In May 2010 the Porch Museum showed its first produced film'Godmanchester Remembered', based on interviews with a remarkable man, Neville Markham at 96 one of our oldest residents. The film includes wonderful historic photographs from private collections, the museum and archives.
The film was a great success with over 100 visitors coming to view the film on its first showing. With many requests to purchase a copy of the film it has now been made available on DVD and can be purchased from the Museum Shop.
A preview of the museums second film Children of Godmanchester was show before the museum closed for the winter months. Again over 100 visitors attended and many requests were made to purchase a copy of the film. The museum hopes to release this DVD for sale in Summer 2011
The Porch Museum also made available to purchase, on CD a copy of the Queen Elizabeth's Grammar school Pence Book 1850 and 1855. A copy can be purchased from the Museum Shop.
A new addition to the museums family history boards was the story of George Cross a Godmanchester hero which now forms part of the museums collection.
Museum Open Days
The Museum is now closed for the winter months.
Opening dates for 2014.
| Sunday 6th April | 2.00pm – 5.00pm | Admission free |
| Sunday 4th May | 2.00pm – 5.00pm | Admission free |
| Monday 5th May | 2.00pm – 5.00pm | Admission free |
| Sunday 25th May | 2.00pm – 5.00pm | Admission free |
| Monday 26th May | 2.00pm – 5.00pm | Admission free |
| Sunday 15th June | 2.00pm – 5.00pm | Admission free |
| Sunday 5th July | 2.00pm – 5.00pm | Admission free |
| Monday 6th July | 2.00pm – 5.00pm | Admission free |
| Sunday 24th August | 2.00pm – 5.00pm | Admission free |
| Monday 25thth August | 2.00pm – 5.00pm | Admission free |
| Sunday 14th September | 2.00pm – 5.00pm | Admission free |
| Sunday 28th September | 2.00pm – 5.00pm | Admission free |
Newspaper Articles
A selection of Articles featuring The Porch Museums events and achievements.
Bridge Magazine
Articles in this section were first published by Godmanchesters Community Association in The Bridge magazine.
The Porch Museum would like to thank them for giving us permission to reproduce these articles covering the past 35 years.
Some of the articles have had relevant images added by The Porch Museum.