Advent has begun in earnest in Littleport! 

Littleport and motorbikes are inextricably linked and gearing up for Christmas. 

In 1859, 24-year-old William Harley left his home in Victoria Street, went to the USA and fought in the Civil War with Lincoln’s Union army.

His son William was born in 1880, and together with his friend Arthur Davidson, formed the Harley Davidson company in 1903. 

There is a metal replica bike, a centenary Harley Memorial commissioned in 2003, that in the charitable spirit of Littleport you are allowed to touch and even sit on.  

And it is a place of pilgrimage for bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts from both the UK and abroad. 

There are two bike training companies in Littleport, both owned by well-liked and respected owners, Vince of R1M, and AAA’s Amanda Hellmann.  

Based in Saxon Business Park, Amanda is collecting gifts there, for all ages up to teenagers, to ensure every child in Littleport receives a gift this Christmas. 

In an organised ride on the evening of December 21, decorated bikes and riders in fancy dress will tour Littleport before delivering the gifts to the new Community and Youth Centre. 

This is from where Littleport Independent Foodbank and parish council youth worker Joanne Coe will distribute them appropriately. 

The Crown Inn’s Christmas Street Fair and the Littleport Ex-Servicemen’s Club Christmas Indoor Market are both from 5-9pm Friday December 2! All proceeds to the East Anglian Air Ambulance. 

Littleport Events are running a Christmas sale in the village hall in Victoria Street on December 3, 4-8pm. 

The Fun Skate for youngsters and companion adults is at the Littleport Leisure Centre also this Saturday, 9.15-10.45am. 

And the much ‘looked forward to’ Littleport Players panto is on this weekend at Littleport and East Cambridgeshire Academy. 

If you fancy a look at some historic photos, papers, and objects – like ancient skates for instance (my favourite) – on Tuesday December 6, the Littleport Society has an Open Evening.  

Tea, coffee and cake will be served at The Barn, in Main Street car park, 7.30-9.30pm. 

On Thursday December 8, TNS of Wisbech Road, Littleport invite you to a free Christmas Open Evening in aid of the East Anglian Air Ambulance with lights, raffle, mulled wine and mince pies, 5-7.30pm.