Cottenham Newsletter issue 183 February/March 2022

Cottenham

Newsletter

ISSUE NUMBER 183

Cottenham Newsletter 183 alt_cover.indd 1

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2022

19/01/2022 07:40

COTTENHAM CHARITIES – JOIN OUR TRUSTEES

Cottenham Charities provides affordable accommodation in seven almshouses in Cottenham and is a member of the Almshouse Association. The charity also owns the Allotments on Rampton Road and gives Grants to those who live in the village and are in need.

Due to the impending retirement of long serving members we are looking for up to three people to join as Trustees. Backgrounds of particular interest are those gained in law, finance, housing, social care and the welfare system but we would welcome applicants with expertise in any area that will aid us in the management of the charity.

Our Chair will be stepping down within two years and we are also interested in hearing from those with relevant experience who could be appointed with a view to taking on this role in due course.

Trustees are encouraged to play a full part in the activities of the charity. Those already in the role find it extremely fulfilling.

Would you like to continue the work of the charity, which celebrated its 350th anniversary in 2021?

Do you want to give something back to your local community?

If the answer to these questions is yes and you think your skills and experience would add value to the charity please get in touch. For more information and details of how to apply please visit the Cottenham Charities website www.cottenhamcharities.co.uk The closing date for applications is 21 March 2022.

THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS The long-standing tradition of giving help at Christmas was continued in December when Cottenham Charities and the Fitzwilliam Trust provided 80 families and individuals with Christmas vouchers.

But our help is not just for Christmas as grant applications for essential household or disability items can be considered by Cottenham Charities throughout the year. More details, and an application form, are available on our website www.cottenhamcharities.co.uk

Cover image by Rob Ellis

Can you help us provide strategic stewardship of our almshouses?

Do you have suitable personal and professional skills?

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COTTENHAM PARISH COUNCIL Elections May 2022 On 5th May this year all Parish Council and District Council seats will be up for election. NB: Unless there are more than 15 people standing for the Parish Council there won’t be a public ballot. We would highly recommend attending one of our meetings to see what sort of things we get up to and consider whether you would like to become a Parish Councillor. Nominations open on 28th March 2022 and further information on how to apply will be made available by SCDC in the spring and we will share this information accordingly.

You can also keep up to date via www.scambs.gov. uk/your-council-and-democracy/elections. To find out more about what parish councils do please refer to our website or the Dec/Jan edition of this Newsletter.

Major Developments Bits have been happening behind the scenes to get the various outstanding highways issues linked to the new developments resolved; mainly the Oakington Road roundabout near the almshouses, pavement to the Persimmon site and toucan crossing on Rampton Road.

At a meeting in December 2021 it became apparent that the new design for the proposed roundabout wouldn’t mitigate against the increased traffic from the new houses, as previously thought. We have asked County Highways to go back to the drawing board and come up with a solution which will benefit Cottenham as a whole. We continue to have quarterly developer liaison meetings with representatives from SCDC, County and the developers themselves.

Highways As always, we encourage residents to report any Highways related issues they see directly to the County Council, via their reporting site https:// highwaysreporting.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/ For faults which pose an immediate risk of danger to the public (including debris on the roads) please call Cambridgeshire Highways on 0345 045 5212 during office hours - 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays or for out of hours emergencies use the Police 101 service.

118 Histon Road) which will benefit birds, amphibians and small mammals living in the local area. Additionally the project of scrub clearance, coppicing and the creation of habitat piles at Fen Reeves Community Woodland has started. These works are part of the New Life on the Old West project which will deliver wildlife habitat enhancements in green spaces and the surrounding countryside in the Cambridgeshire Fens. For more information see their website: www.newlifeoldwest.org.uk Meetings A reminder that our Full Parish Council meeting takes place on the 1st Tuesday of the month. Residents are welcome to attend and time is set aside specifically at the start of the meeting for you to raise questions. We also have smaller Committee meetings throughout the month for planning, community facilities, highways and finance. All meetings commence promptly at 7.30pm and take place in the Village Hall.

Office hours The Clerk is contactable via email and phone between 9.00am – 3.00pm weekdays only (we aren’t available on weekends or bank holidays) and messages can be left outside of these hours. If you wish to meet in person please contact us in advance to arrange an appointment.

Our office in the Village Hall is currently manned every Monday between 9am – 1pm (subject to government Covid restrictions at the time).

Jo Brook, Parish Clerk PSLCC Email: clerk@cottenhampc.org.uk Phone: 07503 328401 Beth (Asstclerk@cottenhampc.org.uk or 07490 459130) for all highways issues Debbie (rfo@cottenhampc.org.uk) for all finance matters www.cottenhampc.org.uk www.facebook.com/cottenhamparishcouncil

Cover image by Rob Ellis

New Life on the Old West project Over December and January work commenced on the creation of a wildlife pond at WARG Field (entrance near

Issue Number 183 • page 3 Cottenham Newsletter 183 alt_cover.indd 3

19/01/2022 07:40

VILLAGE HALL UPDATE – GET INVOLVED!

Although COVID delayed the full opening of the new village hall, by the end of 2021 it was bustling with community groups, exercise classes, children’s parties and training sessions. This spring it will be hosting its first wedding reception. The community bar opened once or twice a week from September – for visitors to the recreation ground to enjoy a beer on the patio, a gin and tonic with friends or some crisps and a soft drink or coffee with other young families.

The Parish Council is keen to build on this – to open the bar on a regular basis several times a week and run social events such as dances, comedy nights and family discos. The profits from the bar and events will help with the hall running costs and keep hire charges down for Cottenham residents.

To do this we need: • volunteers to serve in the bar • people to help organise events and run the bar rotas • customers!

The Parish Council is already working with an enthusiastic team of Cottenham residents but the village hall is for everyone and we would like more people to be part of it. So, please consider either joining the organising committee or helping with a few shifts behind the bar. All volunteer work will be unpaid – but a great way to meet new people and help your community.

For more information, email Christine Ward cllr.ward@ cottenhampc.org.uk.

COVID has once again scuppered our plans for events in early 2022 but we are keen to be ready when things re-open, whenever that is.

Cottenham is fortunate to have a variety of community facilities of different sizes, prices and accessibility.

The new village hall will help meet the needs of our growing village to ensure there is somewhere to host that community group, exercise class, party, business meeting or wedding reception.

The village hall is on the Recreation Ground next to the primary school on Lambs Lane and is for Cottenham and managed by Cottenham Parish Council.

There are three function rooms of different sizes across two floors – including an impressive function room with bar, balcony and beautiful views. There is parking for 90 cars.

For more information see www.cottenhampc.org.uk/ village-hall-hire or email: bookings@cottenhampc.org.uk Follow our Facebook page to learn the latest village hall news www.facebook.com/CottenhamVH

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THREE SUGGESTIONS FOR GREENER GARDENING

Please stop using herbicides and pesticides.

They are indiscriminate and upset the balance of a healthy garden. For years gardeners have waged war on weeds, but I believe we need to have a change of mindset – no longer weeds, but wildflowers. All plants have a purpose, and I would like to champion three: •

Ivy is a brilliant plant for wildlife. It flowers late in the year, providing a valuable source of nectar for bees.

Berries follow to sustain birds in the winter months.

It gives good cover for nesting birds, and shelter and habitat all year round for a myriad of creatures. Its reputation for demolishing walls is unfounded – it will only penetrate already damaged masonry. In fact, it has proven to be one of the best plants to insulate a house wall – keeping a room cooler in summer by several degrees and warmer in winter.

•

Dandelions provide an early source of nectar for bees. Their flowers are a sunny yellow and the seed heads are beautiful, if you look at them from a different perspective. Allowing a lawn to grow longer between mowings gives these valuable plants a chance to flower.

•

Nettles – We all love butterflies, but caterpillars aren’t always looked upon with the same affection!

Yet we can’t have one without the other. The larvae of several species of butterfly feed exclusively on

nettles, so it’s essential that some are allowed to stay. Apparently, though I’ve never tried it, young nettles make an excellent soup, full of iron.

Plant a tree if you have space for one.

Winter is the best time, provided the ground isn’t frozen.

Bare-root trees should still be available in February and March – the sooner the better. Check the height and spread of the tree for suitability. Be prepared to water it in dry spells for the first couple of years.

If possible, grow more plants from seed.

This requires some forward planning, but plants from garden centres and nurseries usually come in plastic pots and could still be grown in peat until the complete ban comes into force. For my hanging baskets I have started growing my own petunias from seed with great success. I make full use of window sills throughout the house and use a windowsill propagator to get them started. Last year I also used trailing houseplants (tradescantias) for the leafy in-between plants. These are very easy to propagate and bulk up. The paler green and variegated ones tended to scorch, but the purple ones (T. purpurea and T. zebrina) flourished, so I’ll use them again this year.

Sarah Dumont

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19/01/2022 07:40

COTTENHAM VILLAGE SOCIETY

‘Cottenham in Focus’ has been reprinted and is now on sale. For details of our meetings, usually held on the second Friday in the month at 7.30pm at the Village Hall please check the website above or the secretary.

Secretary: Glynis Pilbeam, Tel: 01954 251544 or email cottvillsoc@gmail.com In a small exercise book, I found the following, written by Ernest Carter of Cottenham:

“I was 13 years old in August 1894 and had left school in the spring of the year, to work for Mr. A. Bull. The previous years I had worked for the summer and attended school in the winter. After November I went for Mr. E Male on his farm in ‘Old Setchel’ lifting potatoes and carrots.

In December the frost set in and before Christmas the ground was so hard, we had to leave off. Round about the New Year there was a partial thaw for a few days and with two or three other boys, I went carroting on Mr. Edgar Normans farm in Smithey Fen for one day, but the next day just as we got to the farm it started snowing, continuing for several hours. We trudged home from midday, in the shoe top deep snow. Winter now set in with a vengeance and there was no let up until early March. The parish had the old playground in North Fen flooded. In a few days it was fit for skating and was soon covered with skaters of all ages. Matches were held for the Championship of Cottenham; also, for boys, for pairs and married versus single. Another race was a challenge

by Charlie Moore the heaviest man in the village to skate any other of equal weight. John Searle took him on, and to make equal took a lad (Sam Carter) on his back and beat him. Unemployed labourers took chairs down to the ice and put skates on for the people for a copper or two each. Their cry was, ‘Skates on or off or tightening’.

Others had besoms and kept the ice clear of snow and rubbish and would cry out, ‘Don’t forget the sweeper’.

there were very few cycles about, and the pneumatic tyre had only recently been invented, and not a motor car in the parish. Now we were able to go anywhere in the whole of the Fens, for all the rivers and drains bore.

It was possible to skate from Bedford to Denver, from March and Wisbech to Cambridge or anywhere else by crossing from one river or drain to another So we could skate to Littleport for the day and see a skating match and be home for tea. Three or four of us boys skated to Ely. We were gone all day; we had no food or drink and didn’t have a penny piece between us and were we hungry when we got home? Folk got tired of it at last and were glad when the thaw came.” www.cottenhamvillagesociety.ukfamilies.com

COTTENHAM WI Happy New Year to everyone and hopefully this latest covid scare will have died down to allow us to meet. We would like to welcome you to: January 12th 2022 We have been lucky to book Sarah from the Arthur Rank Hospice who will come and tell us about the amazing work they do to give comfort and support to both the very ill and their relatives.

February 9th 2022 Many fun stories from David Learner, a former actor.

March 9th 2022 Our guest speaker is Andrew Palmer, a Cambridge Tourist Guide, who has a few surprises that possibly you didn’t know were in the city.

All meetings are in the Village hall at 7.30pm. Please ring Margaret 01954 488427 for further information.

When the frost set in we skated on the washes, then more frost and we were able to skate on the Cut and down to the river. This opened a new world to us, for

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION – POPPY APPEAL The Royal British Legion Cottenham and Rampton Branch would like to thank all who contributed to the Poppy Appeal last November.

We would like to thank all those businesses and organisations who displayed Poppy tins and boxes, those who collected outside the Co-op and Post Office, and of course, everyone in both villages who gave so generously for a poppy or a wreath.

Altogether, so far we have raised £2,776 – a great achievement. Thank you everyone.

This total does not include any donations or payments made online. We will be told the full amount later in the year when HQ have processed everything.

If you or your business/organisation would like to lay a wreath in November, please let me know. We put in our order in July, but we always make sure that we have a few spares. We will automatically order a wreath for you this coming year if you required one last year.

We welcome offers of help for the Poppy Appeal. If you feel you could give an hour of your time for the next Appeal, please contact Ann Scott tel: 01954 251468 email: ann.scott23@ntlworld.com Ann Scott, Chairman, RBL Cottenham and Rampton Branch

Issue Number 183 • page 6 Cottenham Newsletter 183 alt_cover.indd 6

19/01/2022 07:40

COTTENHAM COMMUNITY ALLOTMENT

After a lot of hard work and a wonderful volunteer day by the Co-op store managers we are in the final stages of getting our Junior Allotment ready. We now have a newly cleared plot ready for design and planting by children and young people. This is a very exciting project that we hope will involve the schools and preschools in our village as well as local volunteer groups and any families who would like to join us. If you are interested in finding out more or getting involved in our Junior Allotment please contact us on cottenham.allotment@ gmail.com. Watch this space for more updates!

Kate, Sue, David, and Cecilia

01954 489004 176a High Street, Cottenham kipmcgrath.co.uk/cambridgenorth

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19/01/2022 07:40

ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH COTTENHAM WITH RAMPTON

We are thankful for the opportunity we had to welcome so many people from the villages of Cottenham and Rampton to our services over Christmas. Things are by no means ‘back to normal’ but we continue to look at interesting and alternative ways to support each other and bring people together in a safe way.

As 2022 begins we hope and pray for safe passage through the pandemic and to be able continue finding ways to serve our villages.

During Lent we plan to reinstate our well known ‘Lent Lunches’ where we offer soup and ploughman’s to raise money for our charities and the chance for fellowship.

We are not sure what form this will take yet, in-door

or out, we look forward to seeing you! Check out our Facebook page or website for more details.

Key Dates: Tuesday 1st March at 7pm Shrove Tuesday Supper in the Church Hall Wednesday 2nd March at 7.30pm Imposition of Ashes at All Saints’, Cottenham Saturday 12th March; 19th March; 26th March; 2nd April; 9th April and 16th April from 12 noon Lent lunches 27th March Mothering Sunday All-Age Communion Service at 10.30am to celebrate Mothering Sunday

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM COTTENHAM LIBRARY!

We hope you’ll support us in 2022. Here are five ways: 1. Join: it’s simple and free! Everyone can be a member of the library – even babies.

2. Use: make use of your library. Borrow books (in person, or download to a device), use a computer, attend events and activities, access online tools to help with work or research.

3. Volunteer: we can offer even more programmes with help from volunteers. Could you be our next Storytime

reader, event helper, Library@Home book bringer or Digital Buddy?

4. Donate: library services are free to use but monetary donations, small or large, help us provide more books and services.

5. Spread the word: if you love your library, tell your friends and neighbours and encourage them to join! The more members we have, the stronger we are.

Issue Number 183 • page 8 Cottenham Newsletter 183 alt_cover.indd 8

19/01/2022 07:40

SWIFT ACTION IN COTTENHAM Swift boxes designed and built by Dick Newell were installed by firefighters from Cottenham Fire Station on the new Village Hall and the sports pavilion with plans to install additional units in the future. The wooden boxes blend in well with the buildings offering executive homes for these summer visitors and augmenting the swift bricks that already form part of the fabric of the new Village Hall.

The boxes have a smooth slot through which these slick and speedy birds can fly to build their nests. Within each box is a "nest form", Newell told me. Essentially, the nest form is nothing more than a square of plywood with a hole cut in it. He and his colleagues have tested various designs, such as smooth cup-shaped nest forms against this simpler approach and found that the swifts showed no preference, so new boxes are built with the simpler design. Newell told me that the birds usually use spit and feathers to construct their nests and once they've raised chicks and flown back to Africa for the winter, the remains of the nest will be degraded by insects and mould.

The large box installed in the gable end above the pavilion clock also has an electronic device, a lure, which plays back a recording of the swifts in-flight calls to encourage new arrivals to approach and investigate and hopefully build their nests within. In some places where nest boxes are installed the birds take up residence within weeks sometimes days, in other places it might be years.

There is also the chance that if old nest sites are already present, the birds may ignore new nest boxes altogether, but there are no old nesting sites particularly close to the new Village Hall nor the sports pavilion.

Swift numbers in the British Isles have declined considerably during the last half century, various factors are to blame, not least the clearance of old habitat and the design of new housing. Other species have declined significantly too and are given additional protections, but the swift as a species continues to suffer declines.

Unfortunately, because relative numbers seem high there has been little effort on the part some agencies to protect and encourage them. If we are to halt their decline we need to design homes for them in new houses. Moreover, we need to rethink the way in which some developers often compensate for the removal of established habitat with the creation of so-called green spaces that do not necessarily have suitable planting or layout and moreover will take decades to be established through tree growth even if they are well designed.

The 2021 swifts showed some interest in the new boxes and were even seen to head right for the aural lure installed to attract them. As far as I know, there was no nesting in 2021 in these new boxes. At the time of writing, the 2021 swifts are long gone and will be over-wintering in central Africa. The 2022 avant garde of returning swifts will start to reach these shores by April and into May, weather and other conditions permitting. Cottenham village has offered new housing for these wonderful and hardy birds (they can live to 21 years and might fly a million kilometres in a lifetime). It is now their turn to take action.

You can find out more about Dick Newell and the work of Action for Swifts here – https://actionforswifts.blogspot. com/ David Bradley, sciencebase.com

Issue Number 183 • page 9 Cottenham Newsletter 183 alt_cover.indd 9

19/01/2022 07:40

Poetry Corner: Avatar Shift Acerbic wit, disparaging mind, Digital presence, negatively terse.

Instant reactions lacking in empathy, Thoughtless statements, intended to hurt.

Faceless not nameless, both distant and close, Not really anonymous, avoid harmful prose.

Be positive, constructive, considerate and kind, A power for good, that challenging mind.

Tom Robinson, 2021

.........

Dawn

The sun rises on all living things.

The rocks with warmth have been touched.

The golden rays glow excitement, a day renewed by heaven’s breath.

Light lifts the shadows, all can be seen.

A waking dream.

Laura Berry Readers are invited to send in either original poetry or short stories for inclusion in the Cottenham Newsletter. Short stories should be no longer than 600 words. The objective should be to entertain the general readership – go on, have a go!

Issue Number 183 • page 10 Cottenham Newsletter 183 alt_cover.indd 10

19/01/2022 07:40

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF COP26?

In November 2021, we heard more than ever before in the media about the climate emergency, when representatives from 196 countries met for the COP26 conference in Glasgow.

What were the outcomes?

• All 196 nations agreed to a final statement.

• For the first time, the damage that fossil fuels do was recognised. It was agreed that all countries must ‘phase down the use of them’.

• It was agreed for the first time that the planet’s temperature increase must not exceed 1.5 degrees of global warming.

• It was accepted that the biggest emitters of carbon must meet again next year to submit details of their improved goals.

• $100 billion a year is to be paid by the richer nations to developing countries to pay for clean energy in place of the cheaper fossil fuels (from 2023).

• Agreements were made to end the destruction of forests, cut methane emissions and make green technology, eg: electric cars and heat pumps, the cheapest option instead of the most expensive.

Where did it fail?

• To get on track for 1.5 degrees maximum warming.

• To provide support (money) for the Global South which, although it has not created the problem of excess carbon, is the first to lose land to sea rise and will suffer the most and is far poorer than western countries.

• To ban offsetting, which allows richer countries and organisations to trade the carbon they emit for planting trees and the like.

• To phase out fossil fuels by an agreed date.

• To bring in carbon pricing, which would make the countries who emit the most carbon pay for the damage it causes.

• To set national targets making all countries report annually on the progress they are making towards their agreed goals.

• To balance the representation of relevant parties, favouring carbon emitter lobbyists over indigenous people and younger people, for example.

ARTICLES, DATES AND ADVERTISEMENTS E–mail, CD, memory stick and paper submissions are all welcome. Please contact the editor if you have any questions. Dates of events to be advertised in the next issue should span the months of April and May.

Deadline: FOR NEXT ISSUE 20TH FEBRUARY

What our government needs to do: • Reject the FORTY new UK fossil fuel projects awaiting approval.

• Declare end dates for the use of oil, gas and coal in the UK. • Provide money needed for green energy to replace fossil fuels and associated jobs.

• Start paying developing countries the money they need to develop their green energy ahead of the agreed date of 2023.

What we can do: • Buy less STUFF – factories powered by oil and gas emit carbon.

• Whenever possible, share cars, use public transport, ride bikes and walk - petrol and diesel emit carbon.

• Eat less meat and dairy products – animals produce methane – another greenhouse gas.

• Turn your heating down a degree or two and wear an extra jumper – gas and oil boilers emit carbon.

• Plant trees, as they absorb carbon Extinction Rebellion XR was formed because governments around the world keep failing to make the break from fossil fuels and to make green energy available to everyone – as a result our planet is dying from overheating and there is very little time left to save it. No matter what we do as individuals, the changes that are needed must be pushed forward by our government working together with all governments worldwide.

Working together we can influence governments to take action – working together feels hopeful.

Check out this new video from XR, which captures this idea simply: https://youtu.be/TxiP0Vo4Lik On The Edge - we are XR’s local village group seeking to make things better. Browse our website: ontheedge270. wixsite.com/intro and/or contact us at: ontheedge270@ gmail.com

Letters for publication may be sent to the Editor, and should include the name and address of the sender, although this may be omitted from publication if requested. Please keep correspondence short and topical. Please note that the Editor may use his discretion regarding publication, and his decision is final. The views expressed by correspondents and other contributors are their own and are not necessarily shared by the Editor.

ADVERTISING

To discuss your advertising requirements Contact cottenhamnewsletter@gmail.com Artwork, if required, is charged separately, (minimum £10.00) depending on the amount of work involved.

Quotations are available on request.

Issue Number 183 • page 11

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19/01/2022 07:40

Small ads: MATURE MALE M/CYCLE RIDER interests keeping fit, likes sports bikes, but respects all riders,wonders if there is a rider(s) in Cottenham area who might like to join up sometimes for companionship. Don’t tend to go far, depends, but mainly ride to avoid going rusty! Please text or call 07570 797476 if interested. .........

MARK BENSON Gardening and maintenance work undertaken.

Local and reliable. Please call 07807 024173 or email marhpbenson84@gmail.com for a free no obligation quote. .........

HAYLEY JANE’S BEAUTY For all your beauty needs. Waxing, facials, massage, manicures/pedicures, spray tan. Call now to book an appointment 01954 251967. Located in the High Street at Cottenham Cutz & Beauty. .........

TUITION. ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE (EFL). Teresa Haymer Cert Ed TEFL MA – General English, all levels, Business English, other ESPs & Homestay Immersion Courses. Email: Teresa.collins.haymer@hotmail.co.uk or text to: 07410 978290 .........

HANDYMAN SERVICES COTTENHAM Need help fitting a kitchen or bathroom? Leaking washing machine, sink or shower? Need a blind fitted or guttering repaired? Call Mike on 07768 931810. .........

MATHS TUITION up to and including GCSE. I can offer ongoing general support to help consolidate school and college teaching or specific areas of the curriculum can be addressed. Lessons online or, if permitted, face to face in Landbeach. Contact Frank Batten, maths. tutoring@gmail.com, for more information. .........

FRESH GRIMSBY FISH Fresh and smoked fish, shellfish in Cottenham every Thursday morning. Est. since 1989. Call John on 07584 578315 to arrange a call to your office or home. No order too small. .........

VIDEO TO DVD TRANSFER SERVICE Preserve your precious memories with Cottenham Video. We cater for all types of video tape.

Cottenham Video – We can transfer your old VHS and camcorder video tapes to DVD or digital file. Audio cassette and cine film also catered for. Tel: 01954 775004 or Mobile: 07795 630037, cottenhamvideo@gmail.com, www.cottenhamvideo.com .........

DOG DAY CARE IN COTTENHAM. Open Mon – Fri, 8am to 6pm. Great area for hour walks on our 150+ acre farm and 100% attention all day at home and in our enclosed garden all for £15.00 a day. Lingwood Farm, Cottenham, CB24 8PX Tel: Erica 07956 406643 or visit www.lingwooddogs.com .........

R J BENSON CARPENTRY Local fully qualified reliable carpenter.

Please call 07961811454 or email robbenson15@gmail.com for advice/free quotes.

ANTIQUE, MODERN & BESPOKE UPHOLSTERY using traditional materials and techniques. Based in Cottenham, Victoria Morris Upholstery offers a professional (AMUSF Qualified) and reliable upholstery service for your most treasured antiques or favourite chair. For all enquires and/or a free consultation, contact Victoria on 01954 270050 or 07547 496931 or by email: vmupholstery@hotmail. com or visit www.victoriamorrisupholstery.co.uk .........

C HILSDEN DECORATING SERVICES all aspects of painting and decorating, tiling and home maintenance carried out to the highest standard. Free estimates and excellent rates. Carl Hilsden – Mobile: 07590 517882 Home telephone 01954 250446 www. hilsdendecorating.com .........

TOAT – “TOM OF ALL TRADES” Tom Wykes Handyman. No job is too big or too small – garden/house clearance, shelving, plumbing and so on – call Tom for a quote on 01954 250324, 07762 559259. .........

FOR SALE, Child’s Mountain Bike 24” Specialized Hotrock with suspension fork and upgrades, regularly cleaned and serviced, with cycle computer. First to see will buy. £150. Call 07944 038221. .........

PEAT’S GARDEN SERVICES Lawn and hedge cutting, pruning, planting, rotovating, turfing, weekly and monthly visits, all garden work undertaken. All garden waste removed. For a free estimate call Pete Bullen 01954 250771 or 07749 863047. .........

HOUSE/PET SITTER, fully insured and CRB checked. Tailor made service having your pets looked after in their own home with anything from daily visits to living–in, assuring security. This is a reliable/discreet/confidential business with visits in an unmarked vehicle. Excellent references. Email: ginnyr38@gmail.com Tel: 01223 232972 or 07980 042601. .........

THE VILLAGE FOOT CLINIC Wilburton Clinic & mobile chiropody for: nail cutting/nail thickness reduction. Corns, callous and cracked heels. Diabetes etc. Assessment and treatment £32.

Marisa Jolley MCFHP MAFHP. Tel: 07909 943171. .........

AGRIPEST If you’re looking for a friendly, reliable and competitive pest control service then please get in contact with AgriPest today!

Rats, mice, wasps, moles and much more! Please call Neil on 07889 018041 or email AgriPest@outlook.com. Thank you. https:// www.facebook.com/AgriPestcambs/ www.agripestcontrol.co.uk .........

ENGLISH TUITION English, all levels offered, including support for GCSE, IGCSE, EFL, ESOL, EPQ and Business. Lessons online or face to face, adhering to the local education policy.

Email: dtenglishtuition@gmail.com Text to: 07719 592375 .........

10p per word, with some proceeds going to the MAGPAS charity. Send advertisements and payment to the Advertising Manager.

Issue Number 183 • page 12 Cottenham Newsletter 183 alt_cover.indd 12

19/01/2022 07:40

COTTENHAM UNITED FC NEWS I’m writing this as we are coming up to Christmas and, so far, our Cambs County League Division 1A season for the 1st team is settling down quite well. We are sitting mid-table having won four and lost five of our matches to date – no draws which is a bit surprising! There is a really good spirit amongst the players in what is a relatively new squad of 1st team players playing in, what is for them, a new League. The team spirit is great and the commitment first class. Managers Harry West and Toby Burkett are doing an excellent job with this group as we look to cement our place in the Division with a view to pushing on next year and, hopefully, fielding a Reserves side as well.

Also, as I write, the threat of the Omicron virus is growing alarmingly. With further restrictions seemingly inevitable, we are all fervently hoping that this variant will burn itself out in the coming weeks and its impact on local football will not be too great. We have already had one season pretty much ruined and we certainly don’t want another. Fingers, indeed everything, crossed!

Training sessions are taking place weekly from 8.009.00pm on Wednesday evenings on the all-weather, outdoor facilities at Cottenham Village College. We are certainly on the lookout for reinforcements and we will definitely need to increase our player base in order to put out two teams next season. So, if you are interested, do please come along and join us. Check out the Cottenham United FC website to find out more details about what’s going on at the Club and how local companies and supporters can help us by taking up one of the many options of sponsorship outlined there. There’s all our social media platforms (below) to get involved with as well. Anyone interested in finding out more about any of the above please contact our Chairman, Ian Stuchbury, at cottenhamunitedfc@hotmail.com Website: www.cottenhamunitedfc.co.uk Facebook: Cottenham United Football Club Instagram: cottenhamunitedfc Twitter: @cottenham_fc Dave Partridge

COTTENHAM CRICKET CLUB

Just to remind everyone that pre-season, indoor net practice will be starting later in the New Year so please keep an eye on the Club News section of our website for all the details. We are, as ever, really keen to welcome into our Club any cricketers in the neighbourhood who are not playing for us and might be interested in joining.

Or you might not have been playing for a while and want to get back into things. Simply contact any one of us below. You’ll be warmly welcomed.

As far as Junior Cricket is concerned, we are planning to run All Stars (for 5-8 year old boys and girls) and Dynamos (for 8-11 year old boys and girls) programmes next year plus an u-11s team. So, if you have a child who might be interested in getting involved with any of these, again, please get in touch. We would also be extremely pleased to hear from anyone interested in helping us

promote these two ventures so, please, don’t hesitate to contact us. It’s so important that we enthuse our local youngsters in our great game.

Club Contact details: Secretary: David Chaplin (01954 250075) Chairman: Ralph Lamble (01954 250313) Vice Chairman: Dave Partridge (01954 203210) Junior Teams Coordinators: Dave Partridge and Alan Raven (01954 250388) Email: cottenhamcc@yahoo.co.uk Website: www.cottenham.play-cricket.com Twitter: @CottenhamCrickt Facebook: Cottenham Cricket Club Dave Partridge

COTTENHAM BOWLS CLUB

It was great to be playing outdoor bowls again this summer. Our bowls teams have had mixed fortunes as the results show.

The results are as follows: • Ely & District Division 1, Cottenham A league champions.

• Ely & District Division 2, Cottenham B were 5th.

• County Triples Division 1, 7th out of 8.

• C & D Division 1, Cottenham A were 4th.

• C & D Division 4, Cottenham B were 6th.

• Business House Mixed were 5th.

The indoor short mat is well under way. It is a great way to spend the winter afternoons. If you want to try out short mat bowls we have spare bowls you can borrow to see if it is for you. If you are interested you can contact Eric Hobbs on 01954 251956. There is a membership fee of £20.00 if you want to play in the internal league or £10.00 if you just want to bowl socially. It is 50p for tea and biscuits.

We have just had two successful social events after a two-year absence. A presentation dinner with a race night, to give out awards and trophies and a Christmas lunch. We are hoping that we can hold more social events in 2022.

Cottenham Bowls Club is a very friendly club with members from Cottenham and surrounding villages so come and give us a try. Everyone is welcome.

Contacts: Roger Watson Secretary 01223 860774 Eric Hobbs Short Mat 01954 251956 Chris Forster Treasurer 01954 200720 Website; https:/www.hugofox.com/community/ Cottenham-bowls-club-8286/

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Contacts: Police General Switchboard Doctors

101

Dr. T Blumenfeld, 188 High Street 250079 Firs House Partnership, 42 Telegraph Street 251180 Urgent Care Cambridge (formerly Camdoc) 0330 123 9131 District Nurse Team 01223 726469

Cottenham CareCar

Co–ordinator, 10:00am – 4:00pm, Gerry Brett

Cottenham Community Centre Cottenham Charities Cottenham Day Centre Mrs Pauline Brown

251929 202109 250082 07708 425720

Cottenham Gardeners Club 260482 Cottenham Tennis Club info@cottenhamtennis.co.uk Cottenham Toy Library Christina Koester 270334 Village Society Glynis Pilbeam cottvillsoc@gmail.com251544 Cottenham WI Margaret Briggs 250870 or

Margaret Squires 488427 Dentist Wiese and Associates, 40 Margett Street 251696 Chemist 222 High Street 250556

Child, Teen & Family Counselling

Julie McCrae www.juliemccraecounselling.com 07482 723265 Counsellor & Therapist Ruth Barnett, ruby61247@yahoo.co.uk 202556, 07961 644006 Samaritans Cambridge Centre 01223 364455 Veterinary Surgeon Village Vet Cottenham 252122 Schools Village College and Community Office 288944 County Primary, Lambs Lane 250227 Under–Ones Baptist Church 251066 Pre–School Ladybirds Pre-School, Rec. Ground 250891 Kids Only (Out of School Club) 250025 Ballet School tutusrus@ntlworld.com or 200533 Brownies 1st Cottenham Lisa Nicoll 201575 2nd Cottenham Julie Percival 200854 3rd Cottenham Chris Hurworth 203764 Guides Deanna 250388 Scouts 2ndcottenham@gmail.com Army Cadet Force 2Lt Mark Parker, Longstanton Detachment Commander 5035parke@armymail.mod.uk Parade night Wednesday 7:30-9:30pm ACF Cadet Centre, The Old NAAFI Shop, Magdalene Cl, Longstanton, CB24 3EG EDITOR & ENQUIRIES:

Newsagents Shaun’s News Council Offices

250398

County Council Switchboard 0345 045 5222 SCDC Switchboard 0345 045 0500 Parish Council Jo Brook, Clerk 07503 328401 clerk@cottenhampc.org.uk

District Councillors

Neil Gough cllr.gough@scambs.gov.uk, 07919 990299 Eileen Wilson cllr.wilson@scambs.gov.uk, 07825 770899

County Councillor Neil Gough

cllr.gough@scambs.gov.uk, 07919 990299 01223 301426

British Red Cross Shop Citizens Advice Bureau

66 Devonshire Road, Cambridge, CB1 3BL 0844 848 7979 Social Services Histon Team 01223 718011 Mobile Warden Scheme 200080 NSPCC Cottenham Area Team 01733 558245 RSPCA 24 hour cruelty & advice line 0300 1234 999

Railway Station Cambridge Passenger Enquiries

0845 7484950

Driving Instruction TOPS Driving School 252239 Taxi Panther Taxis 01223 715715/424424/523523 Library Margett Street 0345 0455225 Library at Home Service (formerly Doorstep) 0345 045 5225 your.library@cambridgeshire.gov.uk 583651 252298 Office hours: 9:30am-2:30pm Wednesday and Friday Baptist Church Church Office 252378 Catholic Church St Laurences Church 01223 704640 Methodist Church Histon 01223 700778 Salvation Army Paul Cooper, Captain 252419 Royal British Legion Ann Scott 251468 ann.scott23@ntlworld.com Cottenham Brass Band Diana Braverman (Sec.) dianabraverman@hotmail.com Bridge Farm Riding School 252284 Allotments Cottenham Charities 250575 Sustainable Cottenham Christine Ward 251813

Parish Church Revd. Lynda Davies Parish Administrator Matt Unwin-Riches

Cottenham Dissenters’ Cemetery

Kate Lees 252378, minister@cottenhambaptist.org.uk Sarah Berenger 07484 221369, s.berenger@btinternet.com

Adrian Ient, 2 The Wrens, Cottenham CB24 8XD. Tel: 01954 775004 e–mail: cottenhamnewsletter@gmail.com

BUSINESS MANAGER:

Peter Robertson, 30 Lyles Road, Cottenham, Tel: 01954 200080

WEBSITE:

www.cottenhamnews.org.uk

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"EVERYTHING CHANGES; EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED; PAY ATTENTION." – JANE HIRSHFIELD

This is my favourite quote, or haiku, and for me covers everything I need to know... how so?

The dredger (Komatsu PC210/LC Japan) appears in the photo as an isolated thing, and in your mind as an isolated thing, a tool to deal with the changing rivers that will no doubt burst their banks if the water rises too high. That river, from the sky, looks the same over many years, but it is not the same from one second to the next.

And, the dredger is not the same, it is slightly worn out, has a sandwich pack on the dash, and a lower oil level.

Everything changes.

Is that dredger really separate from us and everything else in the Universe? It was built by somebody who bought food from a shop you may work at, who did a tax return you may have helped on, made from metal that came into existence over thousands of years... the driver may have helped you cross the road, you may have built or fixed the bike they used to get to work, you may have helped administer their booster injection. This model has 3G mobile data, which means it is connected over invisible waves in the air, that same air that you breathe.

Everything is connected.

Our tendency is to hold on to a fixed organised life and halt it from changing (you also may be striving toward another better fixed place to get away from the fixed place you think you are in – either way, you want stability), to see ourselves being separate from everything else, as special. And then bury ourselves away in that way of thinking, resisting paying attention to things that don't quite hold us steady.

CONTACT THE EDITOR:

This is natural, what we are taught growing up in the west, and a part of our survival instinct, but ultimately leads to unhappiness when things change outside our control and affect us... because... everything changes and we are all connected to everything else, it is a fruitless task to hold it steady.

If you pay attention to the world and to what is going on inside you, you may notice something. You may "see" what I am saying above is true. And, you may "see" that your wrangling mind and emotions are out of control but do heavily influence your decisions and actions. The solution is to just pay attention, nothing more. For example, you may have troubling thoughts and emotions which when just simply observed, lose their power, their edge.

Anyhow, enough of all that... have a great holiday, if you get a chance, and don't be too hard on yourself and others (throwing a hot coal at your enemy will burn your hand! – someone once said that).

Adam Stewart

#Cottenham on social media

Adrian Ient, 2 The Wrens, Cottenham CB24 8XD. Tel: 01954 - 775004 e-mail: cottenhamnewsletter@gmail.com

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