Hope of good weekend and week ahead for Littleport, says columnist Lyn Gibb-de Swarte.

The poet waxed lyrical about the autumnal season of mists and mellow fruitfulness.

And, as it falls upon us in rural Littleport - although its old-established agricultural foundation has expanded into other jobs, with so many 21st century residents now employed as what we used to call blue and white-collar workers - it still heralds more hard work and recreation!

You could say that that work-place diversification began when a Littleport man (and ice skater) Thomas Peacock established his Hope Brothers shirt factory in 1881 supplying his shops, also called Hope Brothers, in London.

It offered alternative employment to girls and women primarily, relieving them of their much more arduous and seasonal farm-labouring.

In 1892 he also acquired the Moors near the train station and created the first ‘ice ground’ where speed skating races were held and bandy matches as well as recreational skating for all its inhabitants’ active relaxation in the hard winters.

The Littleport Society’s exhibition of memorabilia; 'How a Peacock brought Hope to the village' is this weekend, September 7-8, from 10am to 4pm.

The exhibition is free to enter, and accessible, on the ground floor of The Barn, off Main Street free car park, CB6 1PH.

There’s roller skating all year round at the Littleport Leisure Centre in Camel Road CB6 1EW (amongst a full programme of events, info, 01353373800) and the fun skate is every Saturday morning inside, while Littleport parkrun goes on outside.

This Saturday afternoon 2-4pm Littleport Timebank invites you to ‘get your craft on’ free. Bring our own project or learn a new skill with specialist crafters at Adams Heritage Centre, 9 Main Street, more info 07702 517746.

And for this Saturday’s fun night out, everyone is welcome at both Main Street’s historic Crown Inn for 80/90’s tribute band Max Headroom, and Littleport Ex-Servicemen’s Club on Ponts Hill has 70’s glamrock band Glamdads! Members £3 visitors £5.

Singing energises too, and the Littleport Community Singers meet every Thursday at the Youth and Community Centre 5.30-7pm. To join call Kathryn Buck, 07904817941.