Cottenham Newsletter Issue 159 - June/July 2017

Cottenham

Newsletter

ISSUE NUMBER 159

JUNE/JULY 2017

Inside this issue:

Cottenham 7K Fun Run – winners’ pictures and Junior Fun Run on page 2

The Vicar of Dibley – missed it? Read the review inside

Kingfisher on Cottenham Lode Photo courtesy of David Bradley

Fen Edge Festival coming 23 to 25 June – more details inside

Yesteryear Road Run – more classic and vintage vehicles on the back page

COTTENHAM 7K FUN RUN 2017 Once again, Cottenham 7K Fun Run provided a great morning out for athletes and spectators alike. The proud tradition, started nearly 30 years ago by Jasper Kay, continues to flourish.

This year, Saturday 6th May, was cold and overcast. Perfect for runners, a bit challenging for the hardy market stalls, including Carlo’s Ices, attractively circled around the pond.

The first race was the mini Fun Run; one lap around the College playing field, a distance of approximately one mile.

A total of 66 children participated, each with a race medal won for their fantastic achievement.

The main event, the 7km race, started at 10:45 from the top end of the College playing fields. A total of 129 runners competed, 47 of those school children.

The race comprised a measured seven kilometres, part on road, part cross country, taking a circular route around the village. First home was Mr Finn Johnson, with a superb time of 24 minutes, 40 seconds. First woman was Mara Johnson, with another great time of 29 minutes, 43 seconds.

This year all monies received, after costs, will be donated to ‘Twinkle Star Children’s Trust’. The charity’s primary aims are to support local children’s projects, enrich the lives and educational experiences of children from disadvantaged and challenging backgrounds.

Finn Johnson

Mara Johnson

Francis Cooke

Thomas Bridger

Leila Querns

Full results are available on FECA website www.fenedge. co.uk. Social media via facebook.com/cottenham7K or twitter.com/cottenhamfunrun

Isabel Beeson Cameron Dunsmore

JUNIOR FUN RUN

Issue Number 159 • page 2

June 6 June 8 June 9 June 10 June 13 June 14 June

17 June 20 June 22 June 23-25 June 24 June 27 June July 4 July 6 July 7 July 8 July 12 July 14 July 15 July 16 July 18 July 20 July 25 July

Dates: Parish Council, Full Council, Village Hall, 7:15pm Parish Council, Planning Committee, Village Hall, 7:30pm Pre-School Soft Play Session, British Legion Hall, 9:15am to 10:45am Quiz – 7:30pm in the Church Hall (tickets sold in advance, All Saints’ Church fundraising event) Neighbourhood Plan consultation event, Village Hall, 7:30pm Cottenham WI: British Comedy Greats, Bob Harding-Jones. Competition – objects beginning with ‘a’.

Raffle and book stall.

Neighbourhood Plan consultation event, Community Centre, 10:30am Parish Council, Community & Leisure Facilities meeting, Village Hall, 7:30pm Parish Council, Planning Committee, Village Hall, 7:30pm Fen Edge Festival Skylark Jazz concert (7:30pm, tickets sold in advance, All Saints’ Church fundraising event) Parish Council, Finance Committee, Village Hall, 7:30pm Parish Council, Full Council, Village Hall, 7:15pm Parish Council, Planning Committee, Village Hall, 7:30pm Pre-School Soft Play Session, British Legion Hall, 9:15am to 10:45am Village litter pick, organised by Sustainable Cottenham Cottenham WI : Garden Party at 123 High Street (6:30pm). Competition, raffle and book stall.

Teddy Bears’ picnic, organised by Cottenham Toy Library Fen Edge Orchestra (7:30pm, free concert, All Saints’ Church fundraising event) Junior Prime Brass concert – 3:00pm (All Saints’ Church fundraising event) Parish Council, Community & Leisure Facilities Committee, Village Hall, 7:30pm Parish Council, Planning Committee, Village Hall, 7:30pm Parish Council Highways Committee, Village Hall, 7:30pm

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 August and September.

Issue Number 159 • page 3

Small ads: 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 .........

FRESH GRIMSBY FISH Fresh and smoked fish, shellfish in Cottenham every Thursday morning. Est. since 1989. Call Ray on 07702 830308 to arrange a call to your office or home. No order too small. .........

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 .........

BRIDGEMAN MAINTENANCE HANDYMAN SERVICE We offer a variety of services in Cambridge and surrounding villages from garden clearance and maintenance, painting and decorating, appliance fitting or general property maintenance and repairs, emergency callouts.

Call for a free quote 07824312732 or 01954 770308 julian@ bridgemanmaintenance.com .........

FURNITURE POLISHING AND REPAIR Polishing and restoration of antique (and not so antique) furniture by a local Cottenham restorer. Rob Ellis: 01954 250153 .........

KEEP CALM AND LEARN TO RELAX Weekly drop-in sessions – Mondays (term-time only) at The Barn, 184 High Street, Cottenham – 1:30-2:30pm. £7 per session Ring 07901 774660 or Email dee.loakes@tesco.net – Mindful Meditation Teacher/ Reiki Master .........

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 .........

IN NEED OF A BABY SITTER? I am a responsible, reliable and capable 18-year-old with childcare experience. Available most weekends and holidays, and weekdays after 5:00pm. Contact Caitlin on 01954 251700. E-mail: murphycaitlin5@googlemail.com .........

COTTENHAM LOCKS AND KEYS Mobile locksmith. Domestic, commercial and retail lock fitting, lock opening, key cutting, UPVC door and window problems. 24x7 emergency lockout service.

Fully insured. Free quotations and surveys, highly competitive prices. Tel: 07952 747279. Email cottenhamlocksandkeys@ gmail.com or visit www.cottenhamlocksandkeys.co.uk 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 .........

NEED HELP WITH YOUR GARDEN? Lawn care, pruning, planting, hedge cutting and general garden maintenance. For a friendly, reliable service – contact Bob on 07903 189639 .........

DOG DAY CARE IN COTTENHAM Open Mon – Fri, 8am to 7pm. 2 x 1 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 .........

Issue Number 159 • page 4

EXPERIENCED ELECTRICIAN Part P registered, local, reliable, over 25 years experience. Design, installation, inspection & testing work carried out, no job too small. 10% discount for senior citizens. Call Peter for a free, no obligation quote on 01954 775003 / 07796260735 .........

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 .........

OAKINGTON DOG DAY CARE CENTRE LTD, Dry Drayton Road, Oakington, 07704 729299 At work all day? Need a day out? Let us care for your dog. We have a well-equipped play area featuring our fantastic ball pool and a large variety of indoor play equipment. Outside we have a fully enclosed grass paddock and a large field containing sand pits, paddling pools, tyres, etc. Dog loving staff, fully insured and safe. We also offer limited field hire at weekends for somewhere safe to exercise your dog. Please contact us for more information, contact details are on our website www.oakingtondogdaycare.co.uk or visit our Facebook page to see photos of happy dogs having a great time ​.........

NUTRITIONIST – WEIGHT MANAGEMENT Are you seeking one to one support to help you improve your health, body shape and reduce excess fat. I provide an open, non-judgemental approach in supporting clients with their weight management goals. The service I provide aims to educate and empower the individual so they can engage with food in a healthy way. One to one consultations available in Cottenham. Contact Alex on 07852 222953 or email alex@ insight-nutrition.com .........

CHIROPODIST/PODIATRIST Henry Tullie. Degree qualified home visiting chiropody service for the treatment of nail cutting, hard skin, corns and callus. Tel 01223 277834/07906 625088, www. cambridgechiropodist.co.uk .........

SIMPLY SCENT COTTENHAM Seasonal ‘flowers in a jar’ or wrapped. Free delivery within 5 miles of Cottenham. Weddings, funerals, parties... Tel: 07765 356752 or email rachel@ simplyscentcottenham.co.uk .........

DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, STRESS & INSOMNIA I provide practical, effective support to help you manage your symptoms and improve psychological well-being. I’m an independent mental health nurse with over 30 years’ experience. Contact me on 01223 441744 or lorna@lornaanderson.co.uk. For more information, see my website www.lornaanderson.co.uk .........

Why not advertise in the Newsletter! Items for sale, announcement of family events, local products and/or services...

5p per word, with all proceeds going to charity. Send advertisements and payment to the Advertising Manager.

Cheques should be made out to ‘Cottenham Newsletter’.

FEN EDGE FESTIVAL 2017 ARE...YOU…READY?!

This year’s Fen Edge Festival is nearly here and there’s a great programme for everyone to enjoy from 22 – 25 of June. The Fen Edge Festival represents all that is good about village life. It offers opportunities for people of all ages to participate, relax, enjoy the music and entertainment and enjoy the spirit of community. At the same time, participants are also supporting charities and good causes in the community.

The Festival brings out the best in people: the Festival committee have worked for nearly a year to pull the event together; the volunteer stewards who give their time to ensure that others can enjoy the event safely; and the organisations and businesses that donate generously in recognition of their role in the community. The best way to show your support for their contributions and hard work is to get involved yourself as a volunteer (please contact Will Stockford – willstockford@ googlemail.com). Failing that, if you can’t volunteer then please make sure you come along and support the event.

There are a few events to be aware of where tickets are limited and demand will be high. Firstly, the Festival kicks off on Thursday 22 June with a Comedy Evening from Custard Comedy featuring a triple bill that will put a smile on your face to last the whole weekend. Tickets are £10 each and are available online. The ever-popular Primary School PTCA Dance takes place on Friday night with local band Swagger, who always give an energetic and memorable performance. Tickets will be available from Cottenham Primary School, Cottenham Village

College and Les Ward Greengrocers – check the Festival Facebook page for details.

Over the weekend we invite you to bring your friends and family, along with chairs and rugs, and enjoy the great, free entertainment on the Village Green. There will be a wide choice of food on offer, a bar in the main marquee plus a wonderful mix of more than 50 market stalls, activities and live demonstrations. Over 20 local village groups will entertain you alongside sporting and dancing demonstrations.

On Saturday evening, party with Big 10 the ultimate Ska and 2 Tone band, and on Sunday evening Keith Pearson Trio provide the musical entertainment and will bring the Festival to a close. There’s also a fantastic programme of live music at The Venue with a dozen local bands and musical performances to entertain you during the day on Saturday and Sunday.

There will be lots of fun things for the kids to enjoy including rides, bouncy castles, games, entertainers, a fantastic disco plus some great surprises. There will also be competitions and demonstrations. The sculpture competition will provide the opportunity for all ages to demonstrate their artistic talents.

The full programme will be issued with the next issue of the Fen Edge News – so look out for that and keep it to hand for 22–25 June.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Issue Number 159 • page 5

PARISH COUNCIL UPDATE Fen Edge Festival It’s that time of year when Cottenham is gearing up for the big event. As usual we’ll be hosting a display stall on the Village Green so please come along to see all the latest news on our various projects and meet with your councillors.

Village Hall & Nursery The planning application process is proving more tortuous than we expected, made more complicated by the scale of the building, its location “in the open countryside” and our Case Officer being unwell. These have forced us to make several amendments to the design and carry out some additional studies. We have also looked more closely at the business plan.

Assuming – fingers crossed – that we get planning permission for an acceptable design, we will need to complete the technical design and re-validate the financing approach before inviting competitive bids for the construction, several months later than we planned.

Up to October, we are now offering 50% discount rates for evening hire of the Village Hall for your birthday parties or other celebrations. You can check availability on our website or contact the Assistant Clerk (Sam) at asstcottenhampc@gmail.com Major developments The Planning Inspector adjourned the Public Inquiry into the refused Gladman application to give Cottenham Parish Council the opportunity to participate fully in the Inquiry when it resumes, probably in October.

This followed on from the District Council’s decision in late March to delegate approval of the second, slightly smaller Gladman application subject to a suitable “section 106” agreement. That, in turn, led SCDC to decide not to defend the two key reasons on which they had refused the original application, provided the Inspector accepted two changes – the smaller scale and redesigned Oakington Road / Rampton Road roundabout.

The Parish Council objects, among other reasons, to the real negative impact that will be caused to the Almshouses by the increased traffic and aggravated by the roundabout design.

Issue Number 159 • page 6

Neighbourhood Development Plan The draft Plan now includes several sustainable “green field” sites for modest-scale housing development. These are being assessed independently before the Plan is finalised for formal “Regulation 15” public consultation and independent examination by a Planning Inspector and, eventually, a referendum.

The full draft of the Plan can be viewed online at www. cottenhampc.org.uk (follow “projects” and “Neighbourhood Plan” on the menu bars) or, by arrangement with the Clerk (clerk@cottenhampc.org.uk / Tel: 07503 328401) at the Parish Council Office, Community Centre, 250a High Street, Cottenham, CB24 8RZ. The draft can also be viewed in Cottenham Library, Margett Street, Cambridge CB24 8QY (Tel: 0345 045 5225) and at a series of local events which will be publicised locally and on the Parish Council website.

A hard copy booklet version is available (in normal, A4 or large print) may be obtained from the Clerk, although a nominal charge to cover production and/or postage charges may be necessary.

Representations, which should be received by 30 June 2017 and contain the name and address of the author, should preferably be sent by email. Alternatively, they can be sent by post to the Clerk at the above address.

Recreation Ground improvements Works to install a new pedestrian pathway from the car park to the Bowls Club/Pavilion were undertaken at the start of May. WARG Field We have now installed a pedestrian gate to the front entrance to make access easier. The hedge, planted by volunteers in November, is starting to grow nicely. A bench will also shortly be installed and dedicated to those who gifted the Field.

Advertising banners A reminder that if you wish to put notices on the Village Green then permission is required first (this is a planning requirement for all temporary adverts). Adverts displayed without prior permission will be removed.

Highways The series of planned pavement and road improvements between Stevens Close and the High Street, and to crossings in Beach Road and the High Street, are in the final consultation stages before going to contractors.

HELLO FROM ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH

Village Litter Pick The next event, organised by Sustainable Cottenham, will take place on Saturday 8 July between 2 and 5pm. Please contact Peter Pilbeam, pgp1@hermes.cam.ac.uk if you’re interested in taking part.

Time for a quick update from All Saints’ Church! As you may know, we said goodbye to our rector Kylie Hodgins in October. We have spent the last few months considering our future carefully and prayerfully, and we are finally ready to advertise for a new minister. The position has been advertised.

Annual Parish Meeting Thank you to everyone who came along to the meeting; we hope you found it informative. Thanks also to the various charities who participated.

Village Hall/Sports Pavilion Hire If you’d like to hire the Village Hall (up to 120 people) or Sports Pavilion multi-purpose room (up to 40 people) for your birthday party, christening, anniversary celebrations, classes etc. please contact Sam (asstcottenhampc@ gmail.com) for rates and availability. You can also check the diary and make provisional booking enquiries via our website. NB: discounted rates are now available for evening events in the Hall.

Grass tennis courts The courts have now been marked out and are available for residents to use. Access is via a locked gate so please contact the Clerk for the code (Mon-Fri office hours only).

NB: the code will be changed monthly.

Office Opening Hours The Parish Office is open every Monday between 9.45am12 noon. Appointments are available outside of these hours by emailing or phoning – details below. The Clerk is contactable between 9.30am- 2.30pm weekdays and messages can be left outside of these hours.

Jo Brook, Parish Clerk clerk@cottenhampc.org.uk Parish Office – 07503 328401 www.cottenhampc.org.uk www.facebook.com/cottenhamparishcouncil

During the course of the vacancy, members of the congregation and visiting clergy have taken on additional duties including weddings, baptism, funerals, and more. We have also continued with the toddler groups and children’s work, home study groups, tea at Franklin Gardens, visiting people at home, charity work such as Operation Christmas Child and Cottenham Cares, getting ready for Holiday Club with Christians Together in Cottenham, taking communion to people at home, conducting services in the care homes, and more. We are so grateful to have such an active congregation ready to step up.

There was a recent presentation to the village of Rampton about the future status and use of the church there. There is now beginning a formal process that will determine a future for All Saints’ Rampton and its relationship with the parish of Cottenham.

In Cottenham, we have had a challenging year with our beautiful Grade 1 listed church building. A wall of the churchyard needed rebuilding, a leaky roof is finally being repaired, the boiler has been repaired, and the sound system has been replaced. We are continuing to fundraise for the refurbishment of All Saints’ Church building. We’ve had concerts, a Christmas Tree Festival, quizzes, and a Beetle Drive. These events have been great fun, and plus local donations and grants have raised a phenomenal £100,000, around half of what we will eventually need.

We would love to see you in church sometime, or visit our website or Facebook Page if you can’t make it to church.

Issue Number 159 • page 7

DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORT 1. All change New Leader Peter Topping took over from Ray Manning, who called time at the beginning of May 2016 after ten years. Jean Hunter left us on 23 October. We appointed Beverly Agass from South Kesteven District Council as our new Chief Executive on 13 April. Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire have a new Joint Director of Planning and Economic Development.

The number of district councillors will fall from 57 to 45.

Elections for the new wards will take place every four years from May 2018. Cottenham and Rampton will revert to being represented by two councillors, as they were before 2004.

2. Peer Review An independent team from other district councils concluded that “SCDC has been on a strong journey of improvement since 2007 and has established itself as a well-respected and strong performing organisation, with good ties to its communities, partners and government.”

Cambridge North station opened on 21 May. The county council, City, South Cambs, East Cambs, and private sector interests north and south of the A14 junction have commissioned transport consultants to examine options for major upgrade of the A10, as well as the contribution other modes of transport can make to mass transit.

Cambridge finds itself the centre of attention from all four cardinal points of the compass. From the south the goal of London Stansted Cambridge Consortium is joining the ranks of the top five global knowledge-intensive business clusters. Cambridge-Norwich Tech Corridor is furthering the agri-tech and clean-tech interests we have in common.

To the north, Peterborough is enlisting our support for establishment of a university there. And the National Infrastructure Commission is very keen to facilitate links with the other place and points in between. East-West Rail is working out how to bring back a link between Bedford and Cambridge, and the next stage of the Oxford to Cambridge expressway will be dualling the A428 from Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet.

3. Devolution Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have set up a combined authority, to be chaired by the new mayor. The government is providing housing grants of £170m over five years and a £600m infrastructure fund over 30 years. The leader of each council specialises in a particular service.

Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire are leading the housing and strategic planning agendas.

The Local Plan examination has entered its fourth year.

Neighbourhood Plans enable villages to assess their own development needs and make locally supported provision accordingly.

4. Planning, infrastructure and new developments Northstowe has its first new residents. Over 2,000 houses out of the 5,000 in the first half will be offered at prices and/or rents below market rates. The first two phases are generating over £100m of developer contributions towards transport, education and community facilities.

The A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon Improvement Scheme is expected to finish in 2020.

5. Housing SCDC currently owns, manages and maintains 5,500 homes, and was shortlisted for the Chartered Institute of Housing “Exceptional Landlord of the Year” Award for its innovative approach in delivering efficient services and outstanding homes.

The outline planning application submitted by Urban & Civic plc for 6,500 houses at Waterbeach Barracks and Airfield requires careful integration with the land held by the other promoters (RLW Estates), where a new railway station could be built.

Smithy Fen has seen a lot of unauthorised activity during the past few months, necessitating engagement of a multiagency task force.

Initiatives include a property company – Ermine Street Housing – which rents homes in the private sector to generate revenue for District Council services, and the Housing Development Agency set up with Cambridge City Council to deliver 250 social homes each year. SCDC is also one of the top three councils in the country for reletting. A trusted handyperson scheme helps tenants with small jobs around the house, and a Warm Homes strategy tackles fuel poverty and condensation.

There are already 600 people interested in contributing their own “sweat equity” in constructing or commissioning their own homes.

Landbanking by big housebuilders and controlling release to keep prices up are seen as contributory factors limiting supply. Two strands in the Housing White Paper were generally well received: •

•

Issue Number 159 • page 8

helping small building firms get back into building houses, and allowing local authorities to build houses again. (The public sector used to build half the houses the country needed.)

Councillors and staff are working with Gavin Barwell, the Housing and Planning Minister, to put together a package of measures best suited to the needs of South Cambridgeshire.

6. Finance The Local Government Finance Settlement used to be announced after the Autumn Statement, leaving little time to finalise council budgets for approval in February. Recognising this timescale always made planning beyond one year difficult, the government offered a four-year settlement to councils committed to an agreed efficiency plan.

Businesses in rural areas are now getting more support from an increase in Non-Domestic Rate Relief. Mandatory relief for those eligible has risen from 50% to 100%, meaning some small enterprises do not have to pay any rates at all.

7. Environmental services Bin collection days changed for over 130,000 households across Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire at the end of February. The new rounds save 20,000 refuse freighter miles each year, heading towards £700k efficiency savings over three years.

8. City Deal It isn’t just about chopping down trees on Milton and Histon Roads, bulldozing a busway across the West Fields, or imposing a workplace parking levy on Cambridge businesses.

NEW LAUNCH I hope you like the Newsletter's new look. For the moment we have four colour pages to play with. In the future we might move to full colour but that will cost more so we'll see how we go.

Please use this opportunity to share your photos that you would like to see published. Whether you want to show off your sporting, college or gardening achievements, or you have some pictures of Cottenham's past in the loft gathering dust, we would love to have them.

This is also your opportunity to tell us what else you'd like to see in the Newsletter – perhaps a Pets’ Corner, crosswords, jokes or your favourite recipe? Do you have an unusual hobby, have you been to somewhere not many people have visited?

Tell us about your experiences and adventures. I went to Romania in a 1950s Routemaster bus just after the coup in 1989, taking medical supplies and clothing etc to an orphanage. How about you?

Adrian Ient​​ Editor

A travel app will be launched in the summer, devised by a hundred people working locally in IT, and drawing on dozens of traffic sensors, to help people know how long a journey might take. It will give you the state of the roads, tell you precisely where the buses are in real time, and offer other modes (and combinations) for the fastest route (or the safest route, or a cycling route with fewest inclines, or a well-lit pedestrian walk, and so on). The objective is to make optimum use of the existing transport network to reduce congestion.

Tim Wotherspoon

Issue Number 159 • page 9

VILLAGE SOFT-PLAY SESSIONS – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Cottenham Toy Library has been running pre-school soft play sessions in the village for just over a year now!

Thanks to everyone who’s supported this wonderful new facility and has enjoyed coming along to our sessions at the British Legion Hall where there’s fun equipment for children to explore, and a tea or fresh coffee for parents and carers!

We aim to run the sessions twice a month, on Friday mornings. However we are very low on volunteers at the moment, and may have to cancel some sessions unless we get more help. Just an hour a month would be amazing – you can either help serve refreshments, or keep an eye on equipment in the hall and help with packing up (which can easily be done if you are coming along with your children anyway).

Sessions are £2 per child, £3 per family and £1 for under 1s. Annual membership is £5, or summer term membership just £2.50. Our summer dates are below, but it’s best to check our Facebook page for any updates.

RAZMATAZZ ROBOTS HOLIDAY CLUB 2017 Christians Together in Cottenham will be running a children’s holiday club in the first week of the school summer holidays. Razzmatazz Robots Holiday Club will run from Monday July 24 to Friday July 28 for children in reception to year 6.

Held at Cottenham Primary School, the Razzmatazz Robots will be led again by John Hardwick and will include crafts, songs, games, bible stories, quizzes, the Watt family and much more. Look out for posters and booking forms coming out soon.

A one-off Fen Edge Festival Razzmatazz Robots Holiday Club is also planned for the Sunday morning of the Festival in the main marquee to which all primary school aged children are invited.

Christians Together In Cottenham

Issue Number 159 • page 10

We also have a great selection of toys that can be hired for parties and events – including ride-ons, walkers, scooters, see-saws, slides and a small bouncy castle. To book, get in touch via Facebook or at info@cottenhamtoylibrary.co.uk Dates for your diary – don’t miss out!

Make sure to put Friday 23 June in your diary. As part of the Fen Edge Family Festival, the Toy Library will be holding a Preschool Fun Day on the Green. With a special guest visit from Mr Marvel, yoga-inspired fun with Tatty Bumpkin, Rat-a-Tat music session, tractor rides, a baby area, facepainting, refreshments and more – it’s going to be a blast! £5 a family, from 10am – 2pm. Just bring a picnic… and plenty of energy!

24 and 25 June: Cottenham Toy Library at FEF, Soft Play Sessions, and ‘Fun Zone’ on the Green.

We’ll also be holding our annual Teddy Bear’s Picnic on Friday 14 July – with splashy water fun, teddy bear hunt, face-painting and lots more. Details will be confirmed soon.

LITTER PICK Sustainable Cottenham/Cottenham Parish Council VILLAGE LITTER PICK When?

Where?

Afterwards?

2pm on Saturday 8 July 2017 meet at the Village Hall (at the Recreation Ground) Tea/squash and cake back at the Village Hall from 4pm

Equipment will be provided but wear suitable clothing for weather – we will still go ahead even if it rains.

Contact details: Peter Pilbeam pgp1@hermes.cam.ac.uk or the Parish Clerk on 07503 328401.

Under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Involvement is at participants’ risk.

LADYBIRD PRE-SCHOOL Ladybird Pre-School is situated on the King George Playing Field. We take children aged from 2 years until they start reception at primary school. We have funding of 15 hours per week for all 3 and 4-year-olds and some funding is available for some 2-year-olds. From September 2017 we will also be offering 30 hours funding for all eligible 3 and 4-year-olds. Parents can check their criteria at https://www.gov.uk/childcare-calculator. It has been a difficult decision for Ladybirds to be part of the 30 hours funding scheme. The hourly rate that we will receive from the Government is considerably less than the hourly cost of providing childcare.

As a charity Ladybirds rely heavily on fundraising to purchase new equipment and to subsidise the shortfall in costs from the local authority funding that we receive.

Therefore we are very grateful for any donations (large and small) that we receive and for the support that the community shows us when we hold fundraising events.

Events that are coming up include the pre-schoolers’ summer trip and The Fen Edge Festival.

could also visit our website at www.ladybirdpreschool. org or find us on Facebook – just search for Ladybird Pre-School, Cottenham and click ‘like’. We are currently looking at sessions for September 2017. If you would like more details please get in touch.

We are all very excited about the plans for a new nursery to be included in the rebuilt village hall. The Parish Council have asked Ladybirds to be involved in the set up and running of this nursery and we are more than happy to do so.

Ladybirds is committed to providing a high level of care and as a result we are very supportive of further professional development. Three members of staff have recently embarked on their level 3 in childcare qualification while employed at Ladybird and we wish them well in their further studies. All staff have achieved or updated their paediatric first aid and their child protection training.

We offer excellent learning opportunities for all children who attend and Moving On sessions for children who are in their pre-school year. These sessions prepare the children so the transition to school will be smooth and enjoyable for them. All our sessions are play-based and staff plan activities, next steps and targets for every child, that are individual to them, and which support and extend each unique child’s learning. If you would like your child to attend Ladybirds or you would like to come and have a look around please call us on 01954 250891. You

Issue Number 159 • page 11

BIRD REPORT It was the poet T.S. Eliot who said that “April is the cruellest month”, and this year there has been some truth in that. After some warm, sunny days early in the month we then had some bitterly cold days, with some overnight frost. Perhaps we would do better to remember the words of another poet, Robert Browning ,who said “Oh, to be in England, now that April’s there.”

Certainly, for birds and birders April and May are really special months of the year. The dawn chorus has been heard for several weeks now, but many birds, who have been silent during the winter are now singing loudly to establish territory, and to attract a mate. Thrushes, blackbirds, dunnocks, wrens, finches and tits have been especially noisy, and it is really good to hear them. So these are the months for nesting, mating and rearing young. Wood pigeons, rooks and mistle thrushes are some of the earliest to nest, and I have already seen broken shells of new eggs, and we are only in the last half of April (at the time of writing).

This is also the season for welcoming the arrival of summer visitors. So many birds fly unbelievable distances, that it is not surprising that many perish on the way. Some chiffchaffs and blackcaps now overwinter in England, but it is still a special event to hear the first chiffchaff calling. Here are a few dates of the first arrivals of summer birds seen in this area: March 22 – chiffchaff March 25 – swallows and common tern March 28 – sand martins March 30 – yellow wagtail March 31 – willow warbler and sedge warbler.

Since then many more have been seen and heard, and the first cuckoo of the year in Cottenham was heard on Long Drove on April 15. This is really good news.

We recently went to the Fen Drayton RSPB reserve, hoping to hear a bittern boom. These amazing birds have recently become a little less rare, but they are so well hidden among reeds, and so well camouflaged, that they are difficult to see. However at this time of year they make this incredible booming sound, which can be heard up to three miles away. They have been reported in various places near Cottenham this year, but our search for them was unsuccessful. Apparently early in the morning and dusk are the best time to hear them.

During the winter the Fen Drayton lakes are home to countless water birds, but in mid-April we found the area very quiet. However we did see a large flock of swallows flying over the lakes, and saw and heard many chiffchaffs, willow warblers, sedge warblers and blackcaps in the hedges.

There has been some sad news about barn owls, a popular speciality of our region. One was found injured and another dead on the Cut, near to Rampton Spinney.

There has been no explanation for this. Other barn owls have been seen on Long Drove and on Landbeach Road.

Several people have reported seeing a flock of three buzzards, once over the Green, once over the Village College and several times over the allotments on Rampton Road. Are they always the same buzzards, and why in groups of three?

Another minor mystery are starlings in our garden, which stand on the ground or perch in a tree, slowly flapping their wings, rather like a penguin!

Other interesting sightings in the village or nearby are peregrine falcon, stonechat, water rail (Broad Lane pond), red kite, snipe, green sandpiper, lapwings, golden plover, kingfisher, little egret, yellowhammer, and, on the Long Drove pond, shovelers, tufted ducks, gadwall, pochard and little grebe.

We really do live in a rich area for birds.

Jasper Kay, 21 April, 2017

Issue Number 159 • page 12

COTTENHAM LIBRARY NEWS Taking place in your library – ‘The Summer Reading Challenge’ for the summer holidays 2017 is called Animal Agents. It is open to children aged 4–11 years. Signing up takes place a week before the summer holidays. The children read six books, one for each week of the holidays.

They tell staff or volunteers about each book and get stickers, which go on an illustrated recording chart, each time they come.

If you are stuck with your family history research there are drop-in help sessions on the third Monday of each month from 7–9pm 19 June, 17 July.

Bus Passes Do you need to renew or apply for a Concessionary Bus Pass? Many bus passes expire this year. You can renew up to 6 weeks before the expiry date. The application now has to be filled in online. You will need an electronic passport type photo in JPG format, your current bus pass and an email address. Further details need to be sent if you have moved house since your last bus pass or ID your pass was issued under the disability criteria. For new bus passes more details need to be sent electronically. The library can assist you with all this if you are not experienced with the internet. Please come in and talk to us.

Poetry Corner: To those who walk upon our street who find dogs..t upon their feet, Blame not the dog, he’s not to blame, it’s the Pr.t who’s holding on his chain, they creep about during the dark and leave their sh.t upon the path, shoes and wheels then spread this crap that ends up on my doormat, one day the culprits will be named and forced to clean up all Lambs Lane! (with a toothbrush )

COTTENHAM CHARITIES – ONE BEDROOM HOUSE AVAILABLE NOW A one bedroom house is available now at a modest rent.

Recently refurbished it comprises a sitting room/dining room, kitchen, bathroom and an upstairs bedroom with ensuite toilet. Applications will be considered from a person or couple over 60 and on low income who live(s) in the Parish or from a relative of a parishioner who would like to move into the Parish to be near their family. Residents are expected to be independent and able to look after themselves. Please apply to the Secretary on 01954 250387 or via the application form on our website: www. cottenhamcharities.co.uk

Issue Number 159 • page 13

GARDENERS’ CLUB As I write, the new programme for the club year has just started. In gardens, trees are full of blossom and many are coming into leaf. Everything is growing!

In June we have our lunchtime Garden Party in a member’s garden – the date and venue will be notified either at a meeting or by club newsletter. The monthly meeting will be on Friday June 30 with Veronica Bennett, a National Trust volunteer, talking about Peckover House and Garden.

There may also be a College garden visit during the month.

There is no regular meeting in July, but on Tuesday 18 there will be an early evening visit to Strictly Daylilies Nursery, following on from the April talk.

Cottenham Gardeners’ Club usually meets on the last Friday of each month at Franklin Gardens Community Room, with refreshments served from 7:30pm and a talk at 7:45. Annual membership of the club is £14, but visitors are welcome to come for a single meeting at a cost of £2.

For any further information please contact Sarah Dumont Tel: 01954 260482

POP-UP BREAKFAST CAFE IN RAMPTON Every Saturday in June, the Village Hall in Rampton will be transformed into a ‘Pop-up Breakfast Cafe’.

Come along between 8am and 11am on June 3, 10, 17 and 24 for a full english breakfast or a bacon roll (veggie options also available).

Come on cyclists – plan your club ride to end at the ‘Rampton Pop-up Breakfast Cafe’. Families – take a stroll to Rampton for a leisurely start to your day. Fen Edge folks – come and fill up after the Friday night disco or get an energy boost for a full day of Saturday Festival fun.

For a full menu and prices see our Facebook page ‘Rampton Pop-up Breakfast Cafe’ (which goes live on 10 May).

This event is being run by ‘The Christmas Fairies’. All money raised will go towards the purchase of a new set of Christmas lights for Rampton Green.

Contact Karen Williams 01954 205093 for more information.

Issue Number 159 • page 14

WILLINGHAM BEER FESTIVAL The Willingham Beer Festival is being held between Thursday 29th June – Saturday 1st July.

It is a joint village venture between The Willingham Action Group, The Bank Micropub and the Willingham Social Club bringing you more than 25 real ales and ciders, wines and food all with live music over the three days – Alchemy, Steve Lockwood and Keith Pearson among others.

Willingham Beer Festival Committee

WHIRL & TWIRL ROUND DANCE CLUB COTTENHAM Come and join us !

The Club meets every Wednesday at the Community Centre, High Street, Cottenham. (opposite the Coop).

Club sessions start at 7:30pm, and we are looking to attract new members. Anyone is welcome to come along and take a look at what we do.

Dancing is to a cuer who calls every step and all you need is a pair of feet and a willingness to have some fun. Partners are not essential. We dance to a large variety of music and dances which include Waltz, Rumba, Quickstep, Jive, Two Step, Cha Cha, Foxtrot etc…

Dancing is great for health and fitness, so if you ever wanted to dance, now is your chance.

Come and have a go!

For more information call Irene, 07876 458522

Issue Number 159 • page 15

Issue Number 159 • page 16

THREE IMPINGTON GARDENS UNITE FOR CHARITY Three gardens in Impington, near Cambridge, will be open on Saturday 24 June and Sunday 25 June from 11am till 5pm (last entry). Combined admission is £6.00, and children are free.

Home-made refreshments will be available at 5 The Crescent. The gardens in this group are: 3 Cooke Walk, 5 The Crescent, and The Windmill on Cambridge Road, Impington near Cambridge.

Opening for the first time all together, this unique group of gardens in Impington offer a great family day out.

Tasty cakes, savoury rolls, tea and coffee will be available throughout the day, with a fun garden trail for children and plants on sale for avid gardeners.

Profits from admission fees will go to the NGS charities such as Macmillan, Marie Curie, Hospice UK and MS Society. Profits from refreshments will go to the Johabeto orphanage for disabled street children in Kenya.

SUSTAINABLE COTTENHAM YARD SALE

A charming and contrasting group of gardens. The Windmill is a previously romantic wilderness of 1½ acres surrounding The windmill, now filled with bulbs, perennial beds, pergolas, bog gardens, grass bed and herb bank, secret paths, wild areas, an amazing compost site, and much more! The Windmill will be open for viewing.

3 Cooke Walk is a little gem recently designed with a distinctive oriental character, making the best use of the limited space. Water features, swing seat, bridge and room spaces for both dining and relaxing. Disabled access toilet and parking space at this location.

5 The Crescent has large impact cottage-style herbaceous borders that wrap around the house. There is interest throughout the year, with herbs, unusual perennials and in particular plants for dry sun/shade. The back garden is designed to create a ‘wow’ factor in mid-summer borders.

Come and join us and have a good day out to help transform the lives of others.

See our website at https://impington-gardens.com/ For more information and photos, contact Trevor Smith at atrevorsmith@gmail.com

We held our first village yard sale on 13 May 2017. The rain held off and hundreds of people browsed the 60 open yards around the village. Some stalls were very busy, others less so – location and visibility were clearly important factors. Over £3000 worth of goods were reused or recycled and over £400 raised for charity. Many people commented on how good it was to see and talk to friends and neighbours and to have an excuse to chat to people they had not met before.

We are now studying the feedback from the participants and will decide whether to repeat it in 2018 and if so, what improvements to make. The more volunteers we have to organise the overall event and get it publicised, the better.

If you would like to get involved in future Sustainable Cottenham events please email chris.ward@increment. co.uk

Deadline:

FOR NEXT ISSUE 25TH JUNE

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 Liz Porteous on 01954 250468 cottenhamnewsletter@gmail.com Artwork, if required, is charged separately, minimum £5.00. depending on the amount of work involved.

Quotations are available on request

Issue Number 159 • page 17

CONTACTS:

Parish Council Jo Brook, Clerk 07503 328401 clerk@cottenhampc.org.uk

Police General Switchboard Doctors

101

Dr. T Blumenfeld, 188 High Street Dr. M. Grande, 42 Telegraph Street

250079 251180

Urgent Care Cambridge (formerly Camdoc)

District Nurse Team Cottenham CareCar

0330 123 9131 01223 726469

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

251929

Cottenham Community Centre 202109 Cottenham Charities 250387 Cottenham Day Centre 200873 Cottenham Gardeners Club 250119 Cottenham Toy Library Christina Koester 270334 Cottenham WI Gillian Ballard 250605 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, ruth@counselling-cambs.co.uk 202556, 07961 644006 Samaritans Cambridge Centre 01223 364455 Veterinary Surgeon Village Vet Cottenham 252122

Schools

Cottenham Village College and Community Office County Primary, Lambs Lane Under–Ones Baptist Church

Pre–School

288944 250227 251066

Ladybirds Pre–School, Recreation 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 Newsagents Shaun’s News 250398

Council Offices

County Council Switchboard SCDC Switchboard

0345 045 5222 0345 045 0500

District Councillors Lynda Harford Simon Edwards

Tim Wotherspoon

cllr.harford@scambs.gov.uk, 251775 cllr.edwards@scambs.gov.uk, 01223 233682 / 07711 079089 timwothers@aol.com,252108

Tim Wotherspoon

timwothers@aol.com,252108 01223 301426

County Councillor

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 Speedy Taxis 294929 Library Margett Street 0345 0455225 Library at Home Service (formerly Doorstep)

0345 045 5225 your.library@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Parish Church Church Warden 200035 Baptist Church Church Office 252378 Catholic Church St Laurences Church 01223 704640 Methodist Church simon.oliver@cantab.net

07554 202929 252419 251468 ann.scott23@ntlworld.com Cottenham Brass Band Colin Watson 250813

Diana Braverman (Sec.) dianabraverman@hotmail.com Bridge Farm Riding School 252284 Allotments Cottenham Charities 01353 749830 Sustainable Cottenham Christine Ward 251813

Salvation Army Majors Graham & Pat Barratt Royal British Legion Ann Scott

Cottenham Dissenters’ Cemetery

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

EDITOR & ENQUIRIES:

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

ADVERTISING MANAGER: Liz Porteous, e-mail: cottenhamnewsletter@gmail.com Tel: 01954 250468 WEBSITE:

Issue Number 159 • page 18

www.cottenhamnews.org.uk

COTTENHAM THEATRE WORKSHOP – THE VICAR OF DIBLEY singing of the theme tune by two elderly parishioners, and the lovely interlude guitar playing. Much credit must go to the director, Gloria Milne, for master-minding this show.

It was such an enjoyable evening that I heard people discussing it in the Co-op, the Coffee Shop and on the bus. Can praise get any better than that?

This adaption of a TV series was so successful, that I wonder if any other programmes have had a similar treatment. What about ‘Only Fools and Horses’, or ‘Open All Hours’, for instance?

This year, for their Spring production, the Cottenham Theatre Workshop chose to perform ‘The Vicar of Dibley’, an adaptation of the well-known TV series. I am sure the choice had nothing to do with the fact that our All Saints Church is currently without a rector, but the programme cover, depicting our own village church tower, has made me think again!

In the meantime, heartfelt thanks goes to all concerned for such a fun evening, and I hope that if there should be a further series of the TV programme, and if the usual stars are not available, then I am sure we could supply excellent substitutes!

Jasper Kay

In any case it was an inspired and courageous decision to perform this play. The characters are so well known that it would seem impossible to mirror the colourful characters of Dawn French and the TV cast. How wrong can you be?

I have seen every one of the productions of the Theatre Workshop over the past 40 years, and I reckon that this was the most professional of them all.

We were hooked from the moment we entered the Village College, with a colourful programme and the hall set up as a village fete, with a bar, a cafe, raffles, and several attractive stalls selling a variety of wares. It was fun from the word go.

Fans of the TV programmes will have recognised some of the situations and some of the jokes, but this time they were funnier than ever. The members of Dibley Church Council were all there, and also the awful(!) Alice. The deliberations of the Council, the antics of each member, the corny jokes of the vicar (which Alice never understood), the wedding, the clumsy wooing of Geraldine by Jim Trott and Owen Newitt; these were all beautifully performed and made for a hilarious evening. I am reluctant to mention actors by name, because this was very much a team effort, and they all worked wonderfully together. We enjoyed the

COTTENHAM VILLAGE COLLEGE Thank you Andy Haldane, Chief Economist of The Bank of England, and colleagues for speaking to Cottenham Village College pupils today about economics! Erin Coppin commented on Facebook: ‘One of the world’s 100 most influential people! That’s amazing and brilliant.’

Issue Number 159 • page 19

Cottenham Newsletter Issue Number 159 June/July 2017

COTTENHAM YESTERYEAR ROAD RUN In aid of

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