Cottenham Newsletter October 2023 Issue 192

Cottenham Newsletter

The Cottenham Newsletter is produced and distributed entirely by volunteers. If you are interested in doing something new in 2023 and would like to join the team then please get in touch. The Cottenham Newsletter is funded by the revenue raised from advertising and donations.

Editorial submissions:

Submissions for the December/ January 2023 edition must be received by noon on 1st November 2023. Please email articles and attached photographs to: cottenhamnewsletter@gmail.com

O with a bang...

Dear Readers,

Without wanting to upset the applecart and spill the last of the season’s apples all over a community divided, as November approaches I am forced to face the inevitable upset that month brings – FIREWORKS! Although I firmly support an arranged, o cial Bonfire Night and firework display on November 5th, every year we are faced with excessive firework noise, due to them being let o in back gardens and bangers thrown in the streets, even in the daytime. With fireworks readily available all year round, it’s no wonder that from around the end of October through to December, fireworks are let o seemingly at random.

Being a dog owner, I can attest that Bobby is a ected every year, to the point of becoming a shivering wreck every evening, as from 5pm onwards most nights there are occasional firework bangs. It only takes one to destroy his evening and to see him in that state is heart-breaking. From foxes to birds, deer to rabbits, fireworks also disturb and terrify Cottenham’s wildlife. Some of the more vulnerable members of our community can find the noise equally upsetting – veterans with PTSD and people living with dementia and disabilities are particularly a ected.

By submitting photographs you confirm you have permission from the photographer and anyone in the photos for us to print them.

GET INVOLVED!

If you would like an article in the next edition please get in touch at cottenhamnewsletter@gmail.com

Editor: Mark Tunstall cottenhamnewsletter@gmail.com

Production: Jez Brook O Grid Design jez@o griddesign.co.uk

Proofreader: Rebecca Norman

Distribution team: Trevor Lawrence 01954 250011

Business Manager: Peter Robertson 01954 200080 www.cottenhamnews.org.uk

Please send articles to: cottenhamnewsletter@gmail.com

next deadline: 1st November 2023

I doubt very much that a plea from me will change anything or deter people from chucking bangers in the streets or setting o fireworks whenever they feel like it. I just wish that people would stick to an organised display so that us animal owners can prepare for it. If we know it’s happening, we can take precautionary measures. As this issue hits the doorsteps in the first week of October, we have time to try to change this trend of daily bangs and uno cial firework displays in gardens. As a community can we not band together and try to keep the peace? Any thoughts on this please email me:

gardens. As a community can we not band together and try to keep

cottenhamnewsletter@gmail.com

Other than that Sword of Damocles hanging over our heads, autumn can be a wonderful time in Cottenham, with great walks and cool breezes in a village full of seasonal beauty and bounty.

heads, autumn can be a wonderful time in Cottenham, with great walks and cool breezes in a village full of seasonal beauty

Have a great autumn!

Mark Tunstall

Village Diary Dates

October

7 Friends of All Saints Quiz – contact friendsofallsaintscottenham@gmail.com for more info.

8 Community Cinema Barbie [12A], Cottenham Community Centre, Doors open 7.00 pm, screening starts at 7.30 pm

11 Cottenham WI talk, ‘Life of a Tudor Lady, Cottenham Village Hall, 7.30 pm

13 Cottenham Village Society talk on ‘Sawston Hall’, Cottenham Village Hall, 7.30 pm

13 Cambridgeshire Bird Club, ‘Birdman from the Pampas: the W H Hudson story’ by Conor Jameson, Cottenham Village College, 7.30 pm

14 Repair Café, Cottenham Community Centre, 10.00–2.00 pm

14 Ceilidh band, ‘Frog on a Bike’, Cottenham Village Hall

17 Fen Edge Archaeology Group, ‘Episodes of climate change: evidence from the deserts of Egypt and implications for the Fenland’ by Judith Bunbury, Cambridge University, Rampton Village Hall, 7.30 pm

November

5 Community Cinema, The Bad Guys [U], Cottenham Community Centre, afternoon screening starts at 2.00 pm

5 Community Cinema, Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom [PG], Cottenham Community Centre, Doors open 7.00 pm, screening starts at 7.30 pm

8 Cottenham WI talk, ‘Helping people cope in prison’, Cottenham Village Hall, 7.30 pm

10 Cottenham Village Society talk on ‘A natural history of Cambridge – why is the city a wildlife hotspot?’, Cottenham Village Hall, 7.30 pm

11 Pop Music Quiz, Cottenham Community Centre, licensed bar, 7.00–11.00 pm

12 Remembrance Sunday, Cottenham War Memorial

18 Operation Christmas Child annual packing day, Cottenham Village Hall, from 9.30 am

25 Christmas Market, Cottenham Community Centre, 10.00–2.00 pm

If your club or group would like to publish diary dates in the next edition then email us at cottenhamnewsletter@gmail.com

Cover image: Circus Cortex

Playground redevelopment

Dissenters’ Cemetery seeks new Trustees Village News

Coming soon!

Planning permission has finally been granted for the new tower unit at Cottenham Recreation Ground. In advance of the new equipment installation the slide mound will be removed, the site levelled and some tree works undertaken. The main playground will be closed for safety reasons whilst this is done but the toddler area will remain open (works will probably only take a couple of days).

Our supplier, Proludic, expect the equipment installation works to start around 16 October (subject to equipment arrival so could slip a week). The work will take 3–4 weeks, depending on the weather, and the playground will be closed during this time and fenced o . There will also be a compound situated outside of the playground area, again this will be fenced o . It will be necessary to keep some of the newly turfed areas fenced o for a period afterwards to allow the new grass to germinate. All being well everything will be completed by the end of November.

Please send articles to: cottenhamnewsletter@gmail.com next deadline: 1st November 2023

The Dissenters’ Cemetery is one of the treasures of Cottenham: a haven of peace with the finest trees in the village, and a reminder of the successful struggle for religious equality that nonconformist people fought during the 19th century. And it is also a functioning cemetery where anyone from the village may be buried or their ashes interred.

Ten years’ ago the trust managing the cemetery, acting under a very restrictive deed of 1846, was down to just one trustee and two others. Fortunately new people were found who were willing to give some time and energy to the trust. A Charitable Incorporated Organisation was created in place of the old trust, with trustees no longer having to be members of one of the nonconformist churches and now having no more liabilities than members of a society committee, serving limited periods of o ce. Grants from the Parish Council, including s.106 monies, and

from the Ebenezer Trusts have financed path repairs, new fences and an area for interment of ashes, whilst continuing with a contractor and adding regular volunteer mornings have kept the everburgeoning plant life under control with fewer chemicals.

Nevertheless, much more remains to be done. A planning application is in process for using the extension, a new hard path at the far end is badly needed, and the store needs repurposing and repair. Unexpectedly the trustees find themselves depleted due to an unlucky combination of events and are looking for three more people to fill the gap. Appointments are usually for three years, the role is not massively time-consuming and it need not require physical exertion, as we need people with di erent talents. If you think that could be you, or you’d just like to join the friendly team helping with regular maintenance, please contact the secretary, Philip Saunders, on 01954 250421 or paksaunders@talk21.com

Bin collections

Fen Edge Family Festival 2024

If you cast your mind back to June 2022, you will remember a fabulous weekend of entertainment, amazing weather and lots of fun had by all, especially after a threeyear break since the previous Fen Edge Family Festival due to Covid. The event definitely had a party feel!

Poppy Appeal

This year’s Poppy Appeal will begin on Thursday 26th October and finish on Remembrance Sunday, 12th November. We will be distributing poppy tins throughout the village again, in shops, the Library and community centres.

There will also be tabletop collections outside the Co-op and Post O ce as in previous years. Wreaths will be available as usual. If you would like a wreath on behalf of yourself or an organisation and have not already informed us, please contact Ann Scott, tel: 251468. If you have had a wreath in previous years, we will have ordered a similar one for you automatically.

The festival would not have been such a success without some key people, firstly the committee (you know who you are) who worked tirelessly in the lead up to and during the event. Secondly our very generous sponsors and finally all of you who ran stalls and attended the event. It was an amazing showcase of the variety of groups we have across the Fen Edge. What you may not be aware of is that all the profits are donated to worthy causes across the Fen Edge. Over the last nine festivals, in addition to monies raised directly by groups, we have raised over £50,000 which has helped to fund many local projects for member groups including:

• tennis nets for Cottenham Tennis Club

• goal posts and flood lights for Cottenham Colts

• anti-bullying workshop at Cottenham

Primary School

• solar panels on Cottenham

Community Centre

• playground at Cottenham

Recreation Ground

• swimming pool repairs at Cottenham

Primary school

• equipment for Cottenham

Community Allotment

• digital projector and clock repairs for All Saints Church

• skate park at Rampton

recreation ground

• audio visual equipment for Cottenham Village College

• accessible toilet for Willingham

Social Club

• grounds and clubhouse equipment for Cottenham Bowls Club

... and many more.

The committee has now started planning for our tenth Festival in 2024. The dates are Friday 21 to Sunday 23 June 2024. If you would like to be involved in helping please contact chair@ fenedgefestival.co.uk. In particular, we are looking for people who have experience with health and safety, finance, electrics and fundraising.

Ann Scott, Chairman, RBL Cottenham and Rampton Branch

Singing For Fun Clubs and Groups

Do you ever find yourself singing, humming or whistling as you go about your daily tasks? Do you have an hour to spare on a Thursday morning? If so, maybe you would like to join us in ‘Singing For Fun’. You can be sure of a warm welcome.

Music in North Cambridge

The Impington Music Society (IMS) runs small concerts and recitals and serves the villages north of Cambridge (centred around Cottenham, Girton, Histon, Impington, Oakington and Willingham).

We are an adult community group whose membership has been increasing steadily and new members are always welcome. We are not a choir and you do not have to audition or be able to read music – we just want you to sing for fun and enjoy yourself. We do sometimes share our enjoyment of music and singing by promoting our group with live performances.

We meet during term time on a Thursday morning from 10.45am to 11.45am at Cottenham Village Hall. The first session is free then, should you choose to join, there is a small weekly fee.

Join us if you can – we look forward to seeing you there.

For more information contact Mary Garside: 01954 204508 or megarside@gmail.com

Events feature professional, semi-professional and amateur musicians, and provide performance opportunities for local musicians embarking on their professional career. The IMS covers a wide range of mainly classical music.

For 2023–24, we have scheduled eight performances. The programme includes the ‘Double and Squeak’ wind ensemble, some ‘Harmonious Bassoons’, the ‘Frida-Violeta Band’ playing folk music from Latin America, a recital of Enchanting English Songs, a duet of classical guitarists, student concerts

and the Cambridge Vocal Consort. For details, see: https://sites.google.com/ site/impingtonmusicsociety/

Concerts are on Friday evenings at Impington Village College (hence the name ...) and are open to the public. Tickets are usually £10 for adults. Better still, purchase a season ticket for all eight events at just £40 and help support and enjoy live, local music.

Please get in touch if you would like to be involved in IMS, either by helping on the day or by planning future events. You don’t need to play an instrument or be able to sing – just come along and enjoy listening to live music in a local, friendly setting. We look forward to you joining us, in whatever capacity!

If you are interested in joining the IMS or would like to find out more, contact

Pat Labistour: pat.labistour@ntlworld.com

Cottenham WI

Now that the long winter nights are here, why not come and give the WI a try? We welcome visitors and new members to our meetings held on the second Wednesday of the month. We meet from 7.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. at Cottenham Village Hall on Lambs Lane.

Our programme for the next three months includes a variety of speakers and activities:

Operation Christmas Child

For many years the people of Cottenham have supported the Annual Appeal for Operation Christmas Child which takes place in November each year. The generosity shown by so many people over the years has been wonderful and very humbling. This year our Annual Packing Day will be Saturday 18 November in the Village Hall from 9.30 a.m.

On Wednesday 8 November we will be welcoming Jan Cassidy for an informative talk ‘Helping people cope in prison’. Jan is a support worker helping prisoners with their health and wellbeing while away from the outside world.

On Wednesday 13 December we will be holding our annual Christmas Party, entertainment provided by the ‘Band of Ukes’ which promises to be a fun musical evening with refreshments.

On Wednesday 10 January we welcome Janice Crane for an evening of reflexology.

For more information on Cottenham WI follow us on Facebook – Cottenham WI @ Facebook or just come along to one of our meetings.

As a non-profit-making charitable organisation, the aim of Operation Christmas Child is to send giftfilled shoe boxes to needy children around the world. Operation Christmas Child is a Christian organisation and comes under the umbrella of Samaritan’s Purse, an international emergency relief and development organisation aiming to meet the needs of victims of famine, war, poverty, disease and natural disaster by demonstrating the love of God. Aid is given without regard to race, gender, creed, religion or ethnicity.

The shoe boxes are given to needy children completely unconditionally, and are distributed through committed Christian people, many of whom are volunteers who live and work locally to try to relieve the poverty and su ering of those around them.

There is no religious material in any shoebox (all boxes are checked to ensure that inappropriate items – including religious material – are removed) and boxes are given to needy children regardless of their faith.

The gift of a shoe box to a needy child is a simple but direct way of demonstrating that someone cares about them in a way

that indirect relief aid is unable to do. If you think you could help, there are several ways to do so:

Firstly, you could fill a shoebox for a child – there are three age ranges and you can choose if it is for a boy or a girl. More information on what to include can be found on our leaflet which will be available from Cottenham Community Centre from early October. Please also include a donation towards the cost of transportation.

Perhaps you enjoy knitting and could knit gloves, mittens or a scarf or donate some wool for others to knit. Alternatively, you could donate some items to go into a box. For example, small balls such as tennis balls, a small age-appropriate toy or bars of soap are always useful. A full list of what can be included and, importantly, what cannot be sent, is in the leaflet or via the Operation Christmas Child website: www.samaritans-purse.org. uk/what-we-do/operation-christmaschild/ which also gives details of how you can fill your own shoebox online, if this is more convenient.

Alternatively, you could donate £5 towards the cost of sending the boxes, which covers the cost of transportation, shipping and distributing the boxes. Donations are always welcome and this year we hope to have a Just Giving page specifically for ‘Operation Christmas Child Cottenham’.

Lastly, you can help out at the packing day on Saturday 18 November in the Village Hall from 9.30 a.m. It is great fun and provides an opportunity to make new friends and demonstrate to a needy child that someone cares.

Sue Hooks

Carols on the Green

Our annual Carols on the Green will take place on Tuesday 12 December at 6.00 pm. With food, mulled wine, music from Cottenham Brass Juniors, singing and a visit from Father Christmas, it’s a great way to kick o the festive season! If you would like to host a stall or sponsor the Village Green Christmas tree please get in touch with Jo clerk@cottenhampc.org.uk

O ce hours

The Clerk is contactable via email and phone between 9.00 am and 3.00 pm weekdays only (sta are not 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. For Highways issues or Village Hall bookings please contact Beth. Our o ce in the Village Hall is manned every Monday and Thursday between 9.00am-1pm.

Get in touch!

Jo Brook Parish Clerk PSLCC

E: clerk@cottenhampc.org.uk

P: 07503 328401

Beth Fleetwood

E: asstclerk@cottenhampc.org.uk

P: 07490 459130

for all highways issues

Debbie Seabright

E: rfo@cottenhampc.org.uk

for all finance matters

www.cottenhampc.org.uk @cottenhamparishcouncil

Developments

Rampton Road roundabout –another few months have passed without a firm installation date. What we do know is that the work is likely to be done in three phases under lights rather than requiring a full road closure which would be too disruptive. However, a closure will be required for the final resurfacing. The Toucan crossing on Rampton Road will be completed afterwards – currently the developers are waiting for a date from UKPN. Tilia have submitted various revised condition applications which they are hoping to have discharged by SCDC. Tilia have apparently cleared all the

blockages and their drainage system is now working as it was designed to. Tilia have confirmed that they are committed to keeping the site water within the drainage system to minimise any risk to the woodland and we will monitor this over the winter. We have been pressing for them to undertake maintenance to Les King Wood, but communication with the Tilia representative is proving di cult. We have also requested a phased handover of the amenity land from them so that we can start working on plans for a multi-use games area but to date that has also been ignored. Sales on both the Redrow and Tilia sites have slowed which will have a knock-on regarding when we will receive s106 monies from them.

Safer crossings on Rampton Road

Thank you to everyone who responded to our consultation. The majority of poll respondents agreed that some kind of safety improvement at the Persimmon access would be supported, however concerns were raised that a buildout would not prioritise pedestrians waiting to cross and might not be recognised as a crossing-point by either pedestrians or vehicles. Despite being specifically excluded, a number of responses proposed a prioritised parallel type crossing such as a Zebra, Toucan, etc. It was felt that while the proposed build-out would provide improvements in safety for pedestrians using it as a crossing, it may also present new hazards and be at least an inconvenience to residents in the immediate locale.

Get involved

The full analysis of the consultation can be found on our website: www. cottenhampc.org.uk/rampton-roadsafer-crossings/

The Parish Council resolved that understanding of the impact of the actions currently in progress, such as the Toucan crossing due to be installed by the allotments, the roundabout crossing and the 20 mph zone (if implemented) are needed before instigating any additional measures at the Persimmon access. Therefore, the PC have requested that County Highways develop a build-out proposal at the village entrance on Rampton Road instead of locating it at the Persimmon access. We hope to have more news on this in the spring.

Are you passionate about Cottenham? Then join the Parish Council! We have 2 vacancies currently and full details are available on our website.

Connections Bus Project

A reminder that the Connections Bus is on at the Recreation Ground o Lambs Lane every Thursday from 7.00–9.00 pm (term time only). This free service provides a mobile youth club and is open to all secondary age children. For more information please see their website www. connectionsbusproject.org.uk

Proposed 20 mph scheme

We are expecting to hear the results of our application to the County Council for a 20 mph zone in Cottenham, after the October Highways Committee meeting on 3 October. We held a consultation on some alternatives in late 2022 and early 2023. Details of the proposals presented can be found at www.cottenhampc. org.uk/20mph-zones/ Based

on the results of the consultation, Proposal 2 was used as the basis for the application to the County Council. You can read more about the County Council scheme at: www. cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/ travel-roads-and-parking/roadsand-pathways/improving-thelocal-highway/20mph-funding

Climate and ecology emergency Recreation Ground toilet

Please note that the outside toilet is open between 7.30am and 6.00 pm weekdays.

Pound Car Park

This car park is located opposite the post o ce on the High Street. Please note that parking is limited to 1 hour and intended for use of those using the immediate facilities, not as a long-term car park or for the storage of untaxed vehicles, etc.

Forthcoming meetings

Tuesday 3 Oct

Full Council Meeting

Thursday 19 Oct

Planning Committee

Tuesday 31 Oct

Finance Committee

Tuesday 7 Nov

Full Council Meeting

Tuesday 14 Nov

Facilities Committee

Thursday 23 Nov

Planning Committee

Tuesday 28 Nov

Highways Committee

All members of the public are welcome to attend.

Almost half of the Parish Council’s carbon footprint for 2022/23 resulted from the electricity and gas used at the Village Hall. When these contracts came up for renewal this autumn, we looked into the costs for switching to renewal electricity and gas. Although

these options were more expensive than fossil fuel alternatives, they were still less than we had budgeted for 2023/24 and after discussion we decided to switch to renewable options for the next 12 months at least.

Community Gritting Scheme

Local volunteers can help to keep their community moving in freezing weather by taking part in the Community Gritting Scheme. Volunteers can sign up to grit local footpaths using equipment provided

Highways

We encourage residents to report any Highways-related issues they see (e.g. potholes) directly to the County Council, via their reporting site https://highwaysreporting. cambridgeshire.gov.uk/ For faults which pose an

by Cambridgeshire County Council. To sign up, please apply directly to the County Council via the link below. For more information, please contact Beth: asstclerk@cottenhampc.org.uk

immediate risk of danger to the public (including debris on the roads) please call Cambridgeshire Highways on 0345 045 5212 during o ce hours – 8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday and 9.00 am to 1.00 pm on Saturdays or for out-ofhours emergencies use the Police 101 service.

Parish Council grant deadline

Each year the Parish Council takes applications for grants and this year the deadline is Friday 27th October 2023. To be eligible for the award of a grant an organisation/ group must be established for charitable, benevolent, social, cultural, recreational, or philanthropic purposes. The project should be something that makes the local community a better place in which

to live, work or visit and should benefit people who live in the parish. Successful applicants will receive the funds in the next financial year (April 2024). Please find application forms on our website (under the finance section) or contact the RFO at rfo@cottenhampc.org.uk

What’s On

News and Events from the Community Centre and the Village Hall

What’s On?

Cottenham WI talk, ‘Life of a Tudor Lady, Wednesday 11 October, 7.30 pm

Cottenham Village Society talk on ‘Sawston Hall’, Friday 13 October, 7.30 pm

Frog on a Bike ceilidh, Saturday 14 October, 7.30 pm

Family disco with Disco Dave, Sunday 22 October, 3.00-5.00 pm

Village Hall

We’re delighted to welcome Sapph Grant to be our part-time bar supervisor. Sapph has plenty of bar experience and is very enthusiastic about this new opportunity. There is a busy calendar of events at the Village Hall this autumn. Many have said how much they enjoy a ceilidh so we have booked the traditional ceilidh band Frog on a Bike for Saturday 14 October at 7.30 pm – buy tickets online (£11 + booking fee) at www.wegottickets. com/event/589019 It should be a great evening, with children over 8 welcome as well as adults.

Cottenham Village Society talk on ‘A natural history of Cambridge – why is the city a wildlife hotspot?’, Friday 10 November, 7.30 pm

Family disco, Saturday 16 December, 3.00–5.00 pm

Over 18s Christmas disco, Saturday 16 December, 7.30 pm

On the first Sunday in half term (22 October 3.00–5.00 pm) Disco Dave returns with his family disco for fun, games and music while parents and carers can enjoy a drink at the bar. We have two Christmas events at the Village Hall on Saturday 16 December: a family disco in the afternoon (3.00–5.00 pm) and an over 18s Christmas disco from 7.30pm. More details shortly.

We are delighted that bookings for the Village Hall have been very strong this summer and autumn – we are already well ahead of our target. So if you are considering hiring the Village Hall for a party, wedding or other event, please don’t delay and contact Beth on

bookings@cottenhampc.org.uk to see which dates might be available. You can also put in a booking request directly using our online bookings calendar: https://v2.hallmaster.co.uk/Diary/ ViewWeeklyDiary/10289

What’s On?

ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH COTTENHAM WITH RAMPTON

Community Centre

Kids Play, Saturday 7 October, 10.30–11.30 am

Little Humbugs, Wednesdays, 4, 18, 25 October

9.30–10.30 am and Friday 13 October, 11.15 am

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.

Toy Library, Friday 6, 20 October and 3, 17 November

Knitting group, Wednesday, 10.00 am in the hall

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

Craft group, Tuesday, 10.00 am in co ee shop

Ukrainian group, Wednesday, 10.00 am in co ee shop

Repair Café, Saturday 14 October, 10.00–2.00 pm

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

repairs can be made while also enjoying a co ee. https://www.facebook.com/ RepairCafeCham

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

Community Cinema with licensed bar: Unless stated, all screenings start at 7.30 pm, doors open at 7.00 pm. To book, see our website or Facebook page: CottenhamCommunityCinema

Lent lunches

Solar panels: By the time you read this, we will have held an energy drop-in day with Sustainable Cottenham to show the impact the solar panels will make and to help us all learn more about energy (and cost) savings and ways we can reduce our carbon footprint. Call in to the co ee shop and see the display on a large screen of the electricity that we are generating.

27th March Mothering Sunday

Kids Play (previously known as Dad’s Play) is held on the first Saturday of each month from 10.30 to 11.30 am and is a great way for children and adults to meet and have fun together. No charge.

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.

Community Cinema, Sunday 8 October and Sunday 5 November, doors open 7.00 pm

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.

Pop Music Quiz, Saturday 11 November, 7.00–11.00pm

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

Little Humbugs will run fortnightly (Including October 4, 18 and 25) on Wednesdays from 9.30 to 10.30 am in the co ee shop and is also arranged for Friday 13 Oct at 11.15am (and fortnightly on Fridays beyond this if volunteers to run it come forward). The group is for babies and pre-schoolers and their carers, with 30 minutes of singing followed by half an hour of play, chat and refreshments.

Christmas Market, Saturday 25 November, 10.00–2.00 pm

Follow Us

Take a look at our Facebook page for all our events and activities.

facebook.com/ CottCommCentre

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.

Toy Library’s soft play on alternate Fridays at 11.15am including October 6 and 20: November 3 and 17; and December 1 and 15.

Knitting group meets weekly on Wednesday mornings at 10.00 am in the hall. Craft group meets weekly on Tuesdays at 10.00 am in the Co ee Shop.

Ukrainian group meets weekly from 10.00am on Wednesdays in the co ee shop.

Repair Café will be held from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm on Saturday 14 October. Book your place to have your item repaired and learn more about how

Upcoming films include Barbie [12A] on Sunday 8 October – this will almost certainly sell out, so get your tickets early – tickets available now. Online booking only, The Bad Guys [U] at 2.00 pm and Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom [PG] at 7.00 pm on Sunday 5 November, Pop Music Quiz Saturday 11th November, 7.00 to 11.00pm. It’s back, by popular demand. Identify pop music from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and 00’s. This will sell out so be sure to get your tickets early, teams up to 6 people, £6 per head, bring your own nibbles. Licensed bar. Tickets from the Co ee Shop or online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/ cottenham/cottenham-communitycentre/music-quiz/e-qpmvdm

Co ee Shop Mondays 10.00 am to 4.30 pm; Tuesdays to Saturdays 10.00 am to 2.00 pm. Come and enjoy great co ee, tea or hot chocolate, delicious scones and cakes or a light lunch.

Venue hire: We have three rooms available – hall with optional kitchen, studio and the Co ee Shop (available outside of Co ee Shop hours only). Full entertainments licence held.

Activities: Please contact individual activity organisers (details on our website). If you’d like to arrange a class, community activity or new community project please email: bookings@cottenhamcc.org

Sports News

Cottenham United

The 2023/24 season is underway with Cottenham Utd FC now playing in the Cambs Senior B league after successfully gaining promotion last season. We have started well with two wins, one draw and one defeat and are optimistic of holding our own in the new league, with thoughts of possibly pushing for promotion as well. We are a friendly village team who are

Cottenham United

If you are interested in playing senior football then please do get in touch with us via our email: cottenhamunitedfc@hotmail.com or check out our website: www.cottenhamunitedfc.co.uk twitter and Facebook accounts for further information about the club.

always on the look out for new players.

Our training nights are currently held at Cottenham Village College Sports Centre on their 3G pitch every Wednesday 8pm till 9pm, so come along and ask for Harry West or Paul McFarlane, the team’s manager and coach.

This would be a good time to come along and join us on our journey.

Cottenham Renegades

As I write, Renegades have just played and won a very exciting pre-season friendly against Cambridge 3. The weather was very warm for rugby, but a high intensity game was maintained for the full 80 minutes, albeit broken into four 20-minute quarters. Renegades managed to run in four tries against the Cambridge three and the two conversions kicked by Renegades saw the final score at 24–15, a nice start to the season. This was the first game that both teams played since the introduction of the new tackle height regulations which specify that the tackler must tackle below the sternum of the person being tackled and remain below the sternum throughout the contact. Despite great concern about how this new rule would a ect the game, it seemed to have very little impact on this first outing. The referee was (by his own admission) being lenient. It will be interesting to see how the rules are enforced in competitive league games. Renegades have one more pre-season

friendly against Royston at Royston before travelling to Sudbury for the first league game of the season. By the time you read this we will have a couple of league encounters under our belt. The Rugby World Cup will be in full swing also by the time you read this. I hope it’s delivering the feast of champagne rugby that it promises, and that all the home teams do well and get out of their groups. If you fancy trying your hand at rugby, Renegades are always on the lookout for new players. You may have played at school or with a club a while back and would like to get back into it. Or maybe you have never played but think you might like to try it out. Either way, you will get a great welcome if you come along to try out Renegades. Renegades take the game seriously but having fun is what the club is really about. If you are interested have a look at the Renegades website (http://renegadesrugby.net/) and come along to watch a game and meet the players. You will get a warm welcome.

Eddie Murphy

Cottenham Cricket Club

Email: cottenhamcc@yahoo.co.uk

Secretary: David Chaplin

01954 250075

Chairman: Ralph Lamble

01954 250313

Vice Chairman: Dave Partridge

01954 203210

Junior Teams Coordinator: Dave Partridge

Website:

www.cottenham.play-cricket.com

Facebook: Cottenham Cricket Club

Twitter: @CottenhamCrickt

Cottenham Cricket Club

Cottenham CC had a bit of a mixed summer after the great success of last season when both our 1st and 2nd teams earned promotion. After a tricky start, the 1st XI got into their stride, posting 200+ runs in most of their matches. We finished fourth, right in the middle of the teams remaining in the Division, and could easily have been in the mix for another promotion, so definitely a season of which to be proud.

For our 2nds it was a rather di erent story. Owing to 1st team call-ups, we were unable to field a consistently strong side and the jump from Junior 4 to Junior 3 is a significant one in terms of the quality of the opposition. We ended up in the bottom two and will now regroup and start again in the Division below. It was a tough baptism for new skipper Martyn Davies but he did a great job in motivating the side and we’re confident we will perform a lot better next time around.

We put on a full programme of All Stars (5–8 years) and Dynamos (8–11 years) courses and are indebted to Duncan

Robson and Shaun Pepper for making both courses so successful. We also ran an u-12s team playing against older and more experienced opponents. Very well done indeed to all the players!

Thanks to the committee, parents and coaches, especially Ben Rowbotham who worked so well with the youngsters, our sponsors and the Parish Council. Special thanks to new groundsmen, Danny Wright and Wayne Hardy, for producing a high-quality playing surface every week.

We will soon begin focusing on the 2024 season, so do get in touch if you are interested in joining us.

Remembrance Parade

District Councillor News

Please be aware that there will be a Temporary Road Closure on Sunday 12 November 2023 between 10:30 am and 11:30 am for the Remembrance Day service which will take place at the War Memorial. The High Street will be closed to tra c from The Green to Telegraph Street. Denmark Road will be closed from The Green to Telegraph Street. The planned alternative route is along Rampton Road, Lambs Lane, the interlinking part of the High Street and Telegraph Street. There will be access to the Village College from the High Street at the Histon end of The Green. Access will be available for residents of the a ected roads. Stewards will be on duty to ensure safety. If you would like to volunteer to help either with managing the road closure, or stewarding the parade and service, please contact asstclerk@cottenhampc.org.uk NB: A number of chairs will be made available at the front of the memorial for less mobile residents/those unable to stand for the duration of the event.

Fire in a bin lorry

A recent fire in a bin lorry occurred as a result of batteries being discarded in a bin. Greater Cambridge Shared Waste service reminds residents that ‘Fires in our bin lorries endanger our crews, damage expensive equipment, disrupt our waste collections and result in fire service callouts. Small plastic bags containing used batteries can now simply be left on top of green, black or blue bins for collection by crews on their usual rounds. Larger batteries should be taken to household recycling centres at Milton or Thriplow.’

Webchat on our website

Webchat has now been launched on the SCDC website. This enables residents and businesses to chat with us via their web browser whilst they complete other tasks online. Residents can ask questions and get information from advisors via webchat about all of our services aside from planning, which is currently excluded owing to the complexities of the service and the individual nature of each query. Currently the services is available every weekday from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm. Would Cottenham benefit from a public electric vehicle charger?

If so, then South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Electric Vehicle Charge Point Grant may be of interest. Up to £5,000 per project is available towards the capital costs of purchasing and installing public EV chargers at community buildings and village halls. To be eligible for funding, EV chargers must be publicly accessible, and projects should demonstrate that there is

chosen location. Go to www.scambs.gov. uk/climate-emergency-and-nature/ grants-funding-and-communitysupport/electric-vehicle-charge-pointgrant/ to find out more.

Fly-tipping

SCDC is determined to crack down on illegally dumped rubbish and has prioritised it as a key objective in the Council’s Business Plan. A recent media day was held to raise awareness among residents to ensure they choose a reputable firm when hiring someone to get rid of waste – or face a fine of up to £400. Fly-tipping should be reported using the online fly-tipping tool.

Flu vaccination: who should have it this winter and why

The UK Health Security Agency has published guidance which explains the importance of having the influenza (flu) vaccination this winter. It includes information for children, eligible adults and pregnant women, and encourages people at increased risk from flu, or who care for someone vulnerable, to have their free vaccination every year. For more information go to: www.gov. uk/government/publications/fluvaccination-who-should-have-it-thiswinter-and-why

Eileen Wilson (SCD Councillor): eileenwilsoncrw@gmail.com

Annika Osborne (SCD Councillor) annikaosbornecrw@gmail.com

Neil Gough, Cambridgeshire County Councillor: neilgoughcrw@gmail.com Follow our Facebook page for information posted by the District and County Councillors for Cottenham and Rampton and for details on how to contact your District Councillors. @CottenhamRampton

A l l a s p e c t s o f h a r d a n d s o f t l a n d s c a p i n g i n c l u d i n g : - P a t i o s & d e c k i n g - T u r f i n g a n d s e e d i n g

- F e n c i n g s e r v i c e s - G a r d e n c l e a r a n c e & t i d y u p

- P l a n t i n g - J e t w a s h i n g F u l l g a r d e n t r a n s f o r m a t i o n s F o r a n y e n q u i r i e s , p l e a s e c o n t a c t m e

0 7 7 9 5 4 3 3 7 9 1 j a c k s e s s i o n s @ h o t m a i l . c o . u k @ j a c k s e s s i o n s g r

n t r a n s f o r m a t i o n s

F o r a n y e n q u i r i e s , p l e a s e c o n t a c t m e

A word about Cottenham and Cambridge Cats …

Cambridge Cats Protection is run by a small group of passionate volunteers dedicated to improving the lives of cats in our area.

We work to find loving new homes for local cats in our care, o ering support with neutering and microchipping, help for lost and found cats, caring for community cats, as well as general education and awareness within the Cambridge area.

We strongly encourage neutering in order to minimise the population of stray and unwanted cats needing our support. We therefore support neutering costs for local families on benefits: to enquire about our £10 voucher scheme, call 01223 236188. In 2022 we homed 117 cats and kittens into loving homes. All cats adopted from Cambridge Cats Protection are microchipped, defleaed, wormed, vaccinated, neutered (when ready) and have 4 weeks’ free insurance. Our cats are homed where a cat flap provides them with access to an enclosed garden and safely away from busy or main roads or railway tracks.

Call 01223 528312 or see www.cats.org.uk/cambridge for the latest availability for adoption. We are run solely by volunteers and appreciate your patience at busy times. If you reach the voicemail, please leave a short message with your phone number and we’ll get back to you.

Yoga with Lisa

As part of my Spotlight on Cottenham business initiatives, I caught up with Lisa Szramowski, who runs Lisa’s Yoga, o ering yoga and meditation workshops and counselling for women, as well as pregnancy yoga.

When did you start the yoga for pregnancy and birth initiative?

I started supporting pregnant and postnatal women therapeutically with yoga in 2011, after my own experience of pregnancy and finding first-hand that there wasn’t much support available. I trained with Birthlight, the most in-depth training provider endorsed by the Royal College of Midwifery.

How many members do you have?

I’ve run classes throughout Cambridgeshire for 12 years and have had the privilege of working with hundreds of local women over this time.

How did Covid-19 a ect your work?

It was a very frightening time for many pregnant women and new mums. Many women found themselves going through pregnancy and birth with very little support, not knowing if their partners would be allowed to be with them when they gave birth, and not having family and friends around at this special time, to celebrate and meet new babies. Zoom was an absolute godsend.

I ran sessions online to help women feel connected, with calming techniques to help them feel empowered and confident during a very scary time.

My business was almost destroyed by Covid. I had to start over and it has been incredibly tough, but my passion for supporting women with methods that I have absolute confidence and faith in, is

held deeply in my heart. Have women now started to return?

Women are enthusiastically returning now. Many say it’s their most relaxing time of the week. I feel there are still many who are understandably cautious since Covid, as this is a vulnerable, precious time in life. However, the benefits of coming to a group, coaxing oneself out of the isolation we’ve been in these last few years, into a positive, nourishing space, can change the course of a pregnancy, labour and early motherhood, in a very good way! How would you sum up the benefits of your group?

Coming to a group and practising these simple movements, gentle breathing and deeply relaxing techniques creates the optimum experience for a positive pregnancy, labour and birth experience.

What would you say to any pre- or post-natal women out there who may not be aware of your group?

This is a beautiful way to take your personal experience into your own hands, at a time when the NHS support is so limited. If you are looking for a place to really celebrate and connect with your pregnancy and motherhood journey, then I recommend coming along and giving it a try.

Mark Tunstall

For information on Lisa’s Yoga: www. lisasyoga.co.uk/ For stories of women who have been helped by pregnancy yoga: www.lisasyoga.co.uk/pregnancyyoga-birth-stories

Pregnancy Yoga - Tuesday, 7.00 pm, Mummy & Me Postnatal Yoga, Friday, 10.30 am, Both classes held at All Saints Church Hall, Cottenham

Fireworks safety advice

If you do decide to host your own display in your garden, we urge everyone to follow these simple safety tips:

• Only buy fireworks with a CE mark.

• Light fireworks at arm’s length using a taper, stand well back and never go back to a lit firework.

• Never throw fireworks or put them in your pockets or clothing.

• Light sparklers one at a time wearing gloves, and place used sparklers in a bucket of water.

• Never give sparklers to children under five.

• Keep your pets indoors throughout the evening.

• It is illegal to sell fireworks to someone under the age of 18 or to light fireworks in public place.

• Respect your neighbours – don’t let o fireworks late at night and remember there are laws to follow.

Remember, remember to celebrate safely!

twice about having a bonfire. Lighting a bonfire in a garden presents significant risks to residents if it gets out of hand. Not only this, but the smoke can aggravate neighbours with respiratory problems. Bonfires can get out of control very quickly, causing damage to property and sometimes serious injury. However, if you do decide to have a bonfire, please follow these five tips:

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service wants everyone to enjoy Bonfire Night safely. Although Bonfire Night can be plenty of fun for all the family, with lots of potential hazards, it’s really important to keep you and your family safe.

Fire crews are often called to incidents involving bonfires and fireworks that can be easily avoided by taking a few precautions. Simple things like attending an organised fireworks display can make a big di erence – Cottenham Primary School PTCA will be hosting a fireworks display on Friday 3 November.

The Service also urges people to think

• Build your bonfire well clear of buildings, garden sheds, fences and hedges.

• Never use flammable liquids to start a bonfire, and never burn dangerous items such as aerosol cans, paint tins, foam furniture or batteries.

• Don’t leave bonfires unattended. An adult should supervise until it has burnt out. If it has to be left, damp it down with plenty of water.

• Always keep a bucket of water or a hosepipe nearby in case the fire spreads.

• Check the weather – avoid lighting bonfires in high winds.

JJ Penney Cambridgeshire Fire Service Communications O cer www.cambsfire.gov.uk

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Butchers

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We sell locally sourced quality meat and poultry enhanced by a wealth of butchery experience from our friendly and knowledgeable staff.

poultry enhanced by a friendly and beef, Lamb, Pork, our 28 day aged beef.

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Opening times: -Mon: Closed Tue-Sat: 9-5.00/ Sun: 9-2

Tel: 01954 260444

highgatebutchers@gmail.com

Cambridge, CB24 5EU

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

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Tom Robinson, 2021 .........

Dawn

Digging for the Fen Edge

Are you interested in the past? Do you enjoy watching ‘Digging for Britain’? If so, the Fen Edge Archaeology Group is for you. We organise talks, visits and other archaeology-related activities. Talks at our autumn meetings at Rampton Village Hall will cover medieval Cambridge, climate change in Egypt and the Fens, and East Anglia in the 4th and 5th centuries AD. Our next meeting is on Tuesday 17 October, 7.30pm, at Rampton Village Hall, when Dr Judith Bunbury of Cambridge University will talk about climate change in Egypt and the Fens. All welcome. For more information, see: https://feagblog.wordpress. com/

Autumn in Cottenham = PUMPKINS!

As the nights get longer and we look to all the beauty that autumn brings in this leafy Cambridgeshire village my mind turns to vegetables, pumpkins primarily and one of my favourite veggies. They’re great for Spiced Pumpkin soup – see my own personal spin on this recipe below.

There is an allotment in Cottenham and I often wonder how I can get my hands on these growers’ bountiful produce. I popped in at the Cottenham Community Market (9.30am – 12.30pm first Sunday of every month at Cottenham Village Hall, Lambs Lane) and I spotted a stall full of organic produce. And of course, our village is also well served by Les Ward Greengrocer & Florist on the High Street.

If you are the owner of a patch on the Cottenham allotments on Lambs Lane, do drop me a line and let me know if you sell any of your produce at: cottenhamnewsletter@gmail.com In a village rich in home-grown resources we need to capitalise on the produce and maybe share the wealth!

I have strolled down the High Street twice now and have been lucky enough to pick up free cooking apples, rhubarb and blackberries handed out on the doorsteps of some fine people of the High Street and Broad Lane. Keep it up or join them! It’s much appreciated.

So, as the nights start drawing in, let’s celebrate our autumn/winter veg!

Mark’s Spiced Pumpkin soup

Great for a family gathering or meeting with friends. Preparation 30 minutes. Cooking 30 minutes.

Ingredients:

• one large pumpkin

• 2 chopped onions

• 2–4 cloves of garlic, chopped or crushed

• salt and ground pepper to taste (or supplement ground pepper for 20 fresh peppercorns, boiled until soft)

• 1 tsp turmeric

• 1 tsp cumin powder (optional)

• ½ to 1 heaped tsp mixed spice

• 2 fresh red chillies, chopped or 1 tsp chilli powder (optional – for hotter taste)

• 1– 1½ litre vegetable stock made with 3–4 stock cubes and hot water (enough to fill pumpkin

• 3 heaped tsp cornflour mixed with a little water in a small cup and stirred until runny

• resh chopped parsley and/or coriander (to taste)

Step 1

With a sharp knife cut a large lid shape from the pumpkin, set aside for later. With a sharp knife and a spoon, hollow out all of the pumpkin seeds and soggy flesh, leaving the walls thick with pumpkin an inch or two deep. Set aside the seeds for roasting later.

IMPORTANT! Keep the pumpkin intact as you would for a lantern.

Step 2:

Carefully cut the inside firm pumpkin flesh out, using a sharp knife and a spoon. Set aside and chop into chunks of varying size, some large some small (squares, triangles, big and small, it adds to the rustic authenticity of the dish). Leave the pumpkin whole (very important!)

Step 3:

In a large saucepan (bigger than the inside space of the pumpkin), place all the ingredients and stock and bring to the boil. Simmer for ½ hour, stirring occasionally.

Step 4:

Meanwhile roast the whole pumpkin intact (but hollow) with the pumpkin lid on at 180 degrees C for ½ hour. Also roast all of the pumpkin seeds on a separate roasting tray, until the seeds are light brown. Remove the seeds from the oven when browned (about 20 mins).

Step 5:

Remove the whole pumpkin from the oven. Remove lid. Pour in saucepan of Spiced Pumpkin soup. Put on pumpkin lid. It looks great!

Step 6:

Serve pumpkin with crusty brown/ wholemeal bread and butter. Take whole pumpkin (with lid on) to the table and ladle the soup into bowls. Replace lid to keep soup warm.

Scatter roasted seeds onto the soup in bowls (optional).

Present with sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper.

Serve with hot/cold cider

For hot cider, place 2 litres of cider with fresh chopped apples and a tsp of ground cinnamon (or a couple of cinnamon sticks), approx. 10 cloves and 2 tsp of brown sugar (if required) in a saucepan and heat until almost boiling. Serve in thick glass tumblers or pint jars.

Carols on the Green

Rotary Club of Cambridge South

The annual Carols on the Green is on Tuesday, 12 December from 6pm. It brings the community together and sets the perfect mood for the festive season. Hosting a stall or sponsoring the Village Green Christmas tree could be a fantastic way for individuals or businesses to contribute to the event. Ladybird Pre-School will be serving up delicious hot chocolate, Greg from The Chequers will once again be warming you up courtesy of some mulled wine, there will be various food options and of course music from Cottenham Brass Juniors and a visit from Father Christmas. For those interested in hosting a stall or sponsoring the Christmas tree, please email Jo via clerk@ottenhampc. org.uk. She can provide more details and facilitate participation. Don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of the festive celebration and spread holiday cheer in Cottenham!

Would you like to help form a new exciting Rotary club to help others and have fun?

The Rotary club of Cambridge South would very much welcome new members and is setting up a new satellite club – Cambridge Community Rotary Club – with freedom of what projects to get involved with. There will be two ‘meet and greet’ sessions on 25 October and 22 November at Scott’s All Day restaurant, Mill Road, Cambridge, 6–7pm. From January 2024 regular club meetings will be held on 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month (3rd Wednesday socials) at Scott’s All Day from 6–7 pm. For more info go to https://courtlinstoker.wixsite.com/ ccrotaryclub You can also contact the Club Chair with any questions at cambridgecommunityrotaryclub@ gmail.com or 07956 736399

Charity Car parking at Christmas in Cambridge – This will be run on the weekends of 25–26 Nov, 2–3 Dec, 9–10 Dec, 16–17 Dec and 27–31 Dec at Lensfield Road and Tennis Court Road (just before the Grand Arcade car park). We need more volunteers to help run the car parks –last year we raised £32,000 for charity. Please also park with us if you decide to visit Cambridge on these weekends and all your parking fee will go to charity (two grants have been made to Cottenham charities in recent years).

To find out more about the work of Rotary Club Cambridge South go to www.cambridge-southrotary.org.uk Our motto is ‘Service above Self’ and our theme this year is ‘Create hope in the World’. The main worldwide aim of Rotary is to eradicate Polio world-wide within the next few years. We meet on Mondays

(6.00 pm for a 6.30 pm start) at Madingley Hall, Cambridge and hear talks from great speakers. Guests and new members are very welcome..

Memory café – This extremely popular session is for people with memory loss and their partner/relative/carer. It is held at St Vincent’s Close Community Hall, Girton CB3 0PE on the first Friday of each month at 10.00 am.

Peace debate – This will be held at the Leys School, Cambridge from 4.00–7.45pm on Monday 2 October. Do get in touch if your school would like to field a team of three at next year’s event or attend this year to observe. The event provides an opportunity for students to gain debating skills as well as knowledge of a peace-related subject.

Ukraine – In addition to supporting Rotary clubs in Ukraine to fund new shelters there, we are paying for essentials such as school shoes for Ukrainian refugees here, including several in Cottenham. Please get in touch if your guests have such needs.

To find out more about any aspect of the work of Rotary Club Cambridge South, please get in touch for a chat.

Mike Smith smithmichaelstanley@hotmail.com

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R J BENSON CARPENTRY Local fully qualified reliable carpenter. Please call 07961 811454 or email robbenson15@gmail.com for advice/free quotes.

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.

ANTIQUE, MODERN & BESPOKE UPHOLSTERY using traditional materials and techniques. Based in Cottenham, Victoria Morris Upholstery o ers 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

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

THE VILLAGE FOOT CLINIC Wilburton Clinic & mobile chiropody for: nail cutting/nail thickness reduction, corns, calloused and cracked heels, diabetes etc. Marisa Jolley MCFHP MAFHP. Tel: 07909 943171

ENGLISH TUITION English, GCSE, IGCSE, ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN AND SECOND LANGUAGE, IELTS and BUSINESS

Email: dtenglishtuition@gmail.com

Portraits of people, pets or places… I am a local artist – see rob_in_cottenham for examples of my work on Instagram. I recently appeared on Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year and I am a member of the Cambridge Drawing Society. All I need is a decent photograph or I can work from life. Please get in touch to see what we can work out - with absolutely no obligation to take it any further.

Rob Ellis: rob.sally.ellis@gmail.com 01954 250153.

Please send articles to: cottenhamnewsletter@gmail.com next deadline: 1st November 2023

Contacts

Healthcare

Cottenham Dental Practice

☎ 01954 251696

Firs House Partnership

☎ 01954 251180

www.firshouse.com

The Cottenham Surgery

☎ 01954 250079

www.cottenhamsurgery.nhs.uk

Well Pharmacy

☎ 01954 250556

Emergency

NHS ☎ 111

Police ☎ 101 (non urgent)

Anglian Water ☎ 03457 145145

Environment Agency incident hotline

☎ 0800 807060

Environmental Health (out of hours)

☎ 08456 095437

Highways faults (immediate danger only)

☎ 03450 455121

Homelessness Emergency Service (out of hours) ☎ 01253 501117

UKPN (power cuts)

☎ 105 or 0800 3163105

Cottenham Parish Council

Jo Brook

Parish Clerk PSLCC

E: clerk@cottenhampc.org.uk

P: 07503 328401

www.cottenhampc.org.uk

Caring for the Community

Adult social care ☎ 03450 455202

Children & Young people’s social care ☎ 03450 450203

Childline ☎ 0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk

Citizens Advice ☎ 08082 787808 www.cambridgecab.org.uk

Cottenham CareCar ☎ 01954 251929

Cottenham Charities ☎ 01954 250082 www.cottenhamcharities.co.uk

Foodbank (Ely) ☎ 01353 468626 www.elyfoodbank.org.uk

Cottenham Mobile Warden Scheme ☎ 01954 200080 Samaritans ☎ 116 123 (free) www.samaritans.org

Cottenham & Rampton Lunch & Social Club ☎ 07708 425720

Schools and nurseries

Chestnut Nursery ☎ 01954 250744 www.chestnut-nursery.co.uk/nurseries/cottenham

Ladybird Preschool ☎ 01954 250891 www.ladybirdpreschool.org

Cottenham Primary School ☎ 01954 250227 www.cottenhamprimary.co.uk

Cottenham Village College ☎ 01954 288944 www.astreacottenham.org

Churches and cemetery

All Saints’ Church ☎ 01954 583651 www.allsaintscottenham.org.uk

Baptist Church ☎ 01954 252378 www.cottenhambaptist.org.uk

Cottenham Dissenters’ Cemetery ☎ 01954 252378

email: minister@cottenhambaptist.org.uk

Salvation Army ☎ 01954 252419 www.salvationarmy.org.uk/cottenham

Local authorities

Cambridgeshire County Council ☎ 03450 455200 www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk

South Cambridgeshire District Council ☎ 01954 713000 www.scambs.gov.uk

District Cllr: Annika Osborne ☎ 07511 796629 annikaosbornecrw@gmail.com

Clubs and groups

Brownies - 2nd Cottenham ☎ 07717 201836

3rd Cottenham ☎ 01954 203764

Cottenham Bowls Club ☎ 01954 251956 www.hugofox.com/community/cottenham-bowls-club-8286/home

Cottenham Brass ☎ 07512 965913 www.cottenham-brass.co.uk

Cottenham United Colts - www.cottenhamunitedcolts.com

Cottenham Cricket Club – www.cottenham.play-cricket.com/home

Cottenham Gardeners Club ☎ 01954 260482

Cottenham Jaguars Netball – www.cottenhamjaguarsnetballclub.com

Cottenham Tennis Club ☎ 01954 488413 www.cottenhamtennis.co.uk

Cottenham Theatre Workshop – www.cottenhamtheatre.com

Cottenham United FC ☎ 07771 882182 www.cottenhamunitedfc.co.uk

Cottenham WI ☎ 01954 488427

Fen Edge Orchestra – www.fenedgeorchestra.wordpress.com

Fen Edge Runners ☎ 01954 231806 secretary@fenedgerunners.org.uk

Renegades Rugby ☎ 07866 404813 www.renegadesrugby.net

Royal British Legion ☎ 01954 251468 ann.scott23@ntlworld.com

Sustainable Cottenham ☎ 01954 251813 www.sustainablecottenham.org.uk

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 Poultry and Farm Animal Feed and Equipment

Over Road, Willingham, Cambridge, CB24 5EU

 Horse Feed, Equipment and Bedding & Accessories

 High Quality Pet Food and Accessories

 Fuel - Flo Gas, Logs, Kindling and Coal

Open 7 Days a week

 Poultry and Farm Animal Feed and Equipment

 Have a look at our website click & collect available

Monday -Saturday 8.00-5.00pm, Sunday 9.00am -2pm

 Horse Feed, Equipment and Bedding & Accessories

 Fuel - Flo Gas, Logs, Kindling and Coal

 Have a look at our website click & collect available

Monday -Saturday 8.00-5.00pm, Sunday 9.00am-2pm

Highgate Butchers

www.highgatecountrystore.co.uk

Telephone: 01954 260798 info@highgatecountrystore.co.uk

Highgate Butchers

We sell locally sourced quality meat wealth of butchery experience knowledgeable

www.highgatecountrystore.co.uk

Telephone: 01954 260798 info@highgatecountrystore.co.uk

Highgate Butchers

We sell locally sourced quality meat and poultry enhanced by a wealth of butchery experience from our friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Come and see for yourself our great Poultry and Game products, not forgetting

Highgate Butchers

We sell locally sourced quality meat and poultry enhanced by a wealth of butchery experience from our friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Come and see for yourself our great range of beef, Lamb, Pork, Poultry and Game products, not forgetting our 28 day aged beef.

Furniture made exactly how you like it,

Come and see for yourself our great range of beef, Lamb, Pork, Poultry and Game products, not forgetting our 28 day aged beef.

We sell locally sourced quality meat and poultry enhanced by a wealth of butchery experience from our friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Come and see for yourself our great range of beef, Lamb, Pork, Poultry and Game products, not forgetting our 28 day aged beef.

Opening times: -Mon: Closed -Sat: 9-5.00/ Sun: 9

Tel: 01954 260444 highgatebutchers@gmail.com

Rampton Road, Cottenham

£615,000

A superbly presented detached four bedroom home, in a large mature plot Ample off road parking and large garage Conservatory, fitted kitchen breakfast room. Two ground floor bedrooms, one with en-suite and two double first floor bedrooms.

Woodlark Drive, Cottenham

£280,000

A well laid out modern 2 bedroom terrace house close to the heart of the village. Living room, kitchen/dining room, bathroom with bath and shower cubicle, enclosed rear garden and 2 off off road parking spaces. EPC: C

Coolidge Gardens, Cottenham

£370,000

A very spacious and extremely well presented three bedroom semi detached home, set on a good sized plot, with off road parking and private rear garden. Updated in recent years, including refitted kitchen and bathroom. EPC: C

Lambs Lane, Cottenham

£675,000

A superbly presented detached family home in a lovely mature plot close to the village centre. Spacious and well planned internal layout with 3 reception rooms and an impressive kitchen family room with full volume ceiling. Office/workshop. EPC: C

If you are thinking of selling , or offering your home for rent , take advantage of our expert local knowledge and call us for advice …or

Baker, Director

Head

Sales