Cottenham
Newsletter ISSUE NUMBER 170 APRIL/MAY 2019
Inside this issue Page 2: CTW’s Spring Show: Stoppard double-bill Page 8: Annual Parish Meeting on 2 May Page 11: Affordable homes in Cottenham? Page 12: Friends of All Saints’ Cottenham; Messy Church launch Page 13: What’s the worst that can happen? Hack the Fen Page 19, 20: Cricket, tennis and football – all the sports updates
#Cottenham on social media
Fun Run 2018
COTTENHAM FUN RUN 2019 – SATURDAY 4 MAY
The ever-popular Cottenham 7K Fun Run will take place on Saturday 4 May at Cottenham Village College along with the Junior Run, which takes place around CVC playing field – a distance of approximately one mile. All Junior Run competitors must be accompanied by an adult. All competitors in both races will receive an engraved medal at the finishing line. Top three place medals will be awarded to category winners. Once again, we are indebted to Malary Limited for their generous support and sponsorship of the event. Registration for both races starts at 09:00, on the day. Age categories and entry fees are: Primary age girl/boy £3; Secondary age girl/boy £3; Adult male/female £7; Veterans (50+) male/female £7. Online entry is also available now via the Fen Edge Community Association website (www.fenedge.co.uk).
The Junior Run commences at 10:00am. The 7K Fun Run starts at 10:45 on Cottenham Village College playing field and follows a measured seven kilometres on a well marshalled route through and around the village. Last year’s Fun Run raised over £1,000 for the Cambridgeshire branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association and this year all proceeds, after costs, will be donated to local charities and good causes chosen by the Fen Edge Community Association. There will also be a Morning Market for spectators to enjoy. Please contact info@fenedge.co.uk to book a stall (free for Fen Edge Community Association member groups). You can stay in touch with all the latest details on Twitter @CottenhamFunRun and Facebook Cottenham 7K Run.
COTTENHAM THEATRE WORKSHOP – STOPPARD DOUBLE-BILL Yes, you read that correctly, Cottenham Theatre Workshop are performing two plays this year for our Spring Show! Directed by our long-standing member and friend, Kerry O’Connell, who will once again be taking the reins as a CTW director. For your pleasure, we will be putting on performances of ‘The Real Inspector Hound’ and ‘A Separate Peace’, both written by Tom Stoppard and both only one act long! ‘The Real Inspector Hound’ focuses on Moon and Birdboot, two drama critics, arriving to watch the performance of a new detective play, a parody of the conventional stage thriller. However, the private lives of the critics become inextricably mixed with those of the play’s characters and the Real Inspector Hound proves to be… ? Find out in the show! ‘A Separate Peace’ is a sly, gentle dig at society’s conventions and preconceptions. John Brown arrives at a country nursing home with a case of money expecting hotel-style service but is neither physically or mentally ill. Why is he there and who is he really? Again, come along and find out!
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The show(s) will run from Wednesday 8 May to Saturday 11 May at Cottenham Village College. Performances begin at 7:45pm with doors open from 7:15pm. Tickets are now available via our website www. cottenhamtheatre.com or by ringing our provider, TicketSource, on 0333 666 4466 (additional booking fee applies). Make sure to get yours quickly before they’re all gone! Finally, you don’t just have to be on stage to be a part of CTW, we’re always looking for new volunteers in our backstage and front of house teams. If you’ve got any questions, please feel free to contact us at cottenhamtheatre@gmail.com or visit our website. Also follow us on our social media channels on Facebook and Twitter! We hope to see many of you at the performances – enjoy the show! CTW Committee
FEN EDGE FESTIVAL CARNIVAL CAFE
As you may know, the Fen Edge Festival is taking place on the 22 to 23 of June. We are excited to announce a Fen Edge Festival Cafe will be providing refreshments and food. We will be running a Carnival themed cafe on both days inside the Common Room located at Cottenham Village College. We will have outdoor seating and will be offering: • • •
Tea, coffee, soft drinks etc to purchase Homemade cakes A variety of circus activities, carnival-themed photo booth and much more.
Cake donations If you could donate some of your own cakes that would be much appreciated.
For cake donations please deliver to 17 Pelham Close Cottenham on Thursday 20 June after 3:30pm, or to Cottenham Village College on Friday 21 June between 4:00pm and 8:00pm. Or just bring along on the day. Gazebos We also need some gazebos, if you have one that you are able to lend us, then email Caroline on dethridgefamily05@ gmail.com or contact by phone 07471 200471. We hope to see you there. Article written by: Pippa age 13, Thomas age 13, Emma age 13, Finley age 12, Esther age 12, Rosie age 10, Dylan age 9 and Emma age 16
If your cakes suit any specific dietary requirements, please list the ingredients.
CHRISTMAS ROTARY CAR PARKING IN CAMBRIDGE A huge thank you to all our Cottenham volunteer helpers and to all the people who parked with us.
during December and raised the wonderful amount of £33,000. All the money goes to a range of charities.
The Rotary club of Cambridge South and lots of friends manned the three car parks for 12 days in Cambridge
Once again, many thanks for your support. Mike Smith, Rotary Club of Cambridge South
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 June and July.
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CLOTHES THAT DON’T COST THE EARTH Did you know small plastic fragments are shed from synthetic clothes when laundered and end up in the sea and wider environment? The scale of the problem is large; every week millions of people wash their clothes, shedding these tiny particles. Too small to be caught by the machine’s filters, they flow into the sewage system and eventually into the ocean. Due to their small size, microplastic fibres are readily ingested by aquatic life, filling up their stomachs which can eventually cause death. What can we do to prevent this happening? Wash less. Only wash clothes when they need it. This will also prolong the life of your clothes. Fill up your washing machine to the max: washing a full load results in less friction between the clothes and, therefore, less fibres are released. Use washing liquid instead of powder: the ‘scrub’ function of the grains of the powder result in loosening the fibres of clothes more than with liquid. Wash at a low temperature: when clothes are washed at a high temperature some fabrics are damaged, leading to the release of fibres. When cleaning the dryer, do not flush the lint down the drain, throw it in the black bin. Wear well – shop smarter and buy less. Does it go with the rest of your wardrobe? Is it well made? Avoid clothes that do not look like they will wear and wash well. Don’t throw clothes away if they only need mending, take them to the Repair Café at the Community Centre if you can’t fix them yourself. Swap clothes with friends or your local social group. Donate unwanted clothes to a charity shop,
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such as our local Arthur Rank Hospice Shop, or drop off at a clothing bank (e.g. at the Salvation Army Church or the Co-op car park). As long as they are clean and dry, even worn-out clothes can be recycled at clothing banks. The advice on clothes recycling from our Council’s Shared Waste team is: ‘Please don’t put clothing, textiles or shoes in any of your wheelie bins. It costs Greater Cambridge taxpayers on average £10,000 every month to remove and dispose of incorrect items put into the blue bins. One sixth of incorrect items are textiles or clothing which cannot be recycled in the blue bin. If all the textiles which were put into blue bins were taken to clothing banks or charity shops instead, they would be worth over £6,000 per month.’ Glynis Pilbeam
ARE YOU A WHIST PLAYER? Did you know that a lively and friendly group of about 20 meet most Saturday evenings at 7:15pm for 7:30pm start at the Franklin Gardens Community room? Some of our group have been playing for well over 60 years and others much less... but if you would like to join us you will be most welcome. To check details ring 01954 488418 and talk to Glenice.
ECO FAIR AT THE COMMUNITY CENTRE We all find plastics so convenient and cheap, but thanks to the BBC’s series ‘Blue Planet’ there’s been a seachange in awareness of plastic pollution and the cost to the environment of all the plastic we throw away. In the same way, there’s a surge in concern and activism in response to scary statistics on waste and over-consumption of resources.
The Fair was the first public event of SusCott’s Plastic Free Cottenham campaign. We have signed up to the national ‘Plastic Free Communities’ network (started by the Cornish-based charity Surfers Against Sewage) to work with local residents, groups and businesses to fight back against the tide of unnecessary, single-use plastics.
But how much can we do locally, as individuals, groups and businesses, to make a difference? Sustainable Cottenham’s Eco Fair, organised as part of the Community Centre’s 10th Anniversary celebrations, was a great place to go for inspiration. The fair was a lively showcase of local groups and organisations with ideas to help us avoid plastics, reduce waste and live more sustainably. It was a chance to tap into Young and old attended the Eco Fair advice and thoughtIf you – as an individual, group or business – have already provoking ideas, from washable nappies to brilliant made changes to avoid plastics and/or would like to do beeswax wraps as alternatives to clingfilm (of which we more, we’re very keen to hear from you. Please get in touch use an extraordinary 44m per year per home, averaged – email chris@sustainablecottenham.org.uk or contact us out over 27.1 million UK households!). At Full Circle’s stall via Facebook www.facebook.com/suscottenham. you could take small steps like buying a bar of unwrapped soap, or a keep-cup, for coffee on the Go. If you missed www.sustainablecottenham.org.uk the Eco Fair, look out for Full Circle’s stall on Cambridge market on Mondays.
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It is 10 years since the charity that runs it was established and to celebrate this 10th anniversary, we have held events for 10 days 15-24 March 2019. I hope that you have been able to come and enjoy some of these events to celebrate the ten Years. Membership costs just £10
COTTENHAM WALKING GROUP – 11AM EVERY TUESDAY
Please come and join our free walks, meeting at Cottenham library. Everyone, whatever ability, is welcome to join our Sustrans Volunteers for fun, relaxation, cheerful company and gentle exercise. The walks are mostly between two and three miles long and take around an hour. We also stray further afield to nearby villages and local attractions. Anglesey Abbey area last year was a highlight enjoyed by the group. These walks are normally on the last Tuesday of the month over the warmer months. Please speak with the volunteer leaders for details of these or check in the library, details are usually posted the week before. Claire (Sustrans Walk Leader)
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for an individual (unless you are a regular hirer). The back kitchen and toilets have been re-roofed and re-fitted, three windows in the hall replaced and the formal opening of these facilities held. We are very appreciative of the tolerance and understanding of our hirers and the financial help we have received from the Parish Council, Amey, FECA, ARM, the Co-op and others. For full details of our many classes on each day and evening, see “classes” on our website (where you will find times and contact details) http://www.cottenhamcc.org/ or under “Function Rooms”, then refer to the room (hall, studio or coffee shop) booking calendars. Most classes have spaces. Coffee shop opening times are 10am–4:30pm Monday; 10am– 2pm Tuesday to Saturday (except around Bank Holidays, Christmas and late August). The coffee shop will close for food and drinks for the Easter break at 2pm on Thursday 18 April and re-open at 10am on Wednesday 24 April. To become a member, and receive a free beverage after 10 drinks bought and a 10% discount on a room hire, download a membership form at https://www. cottenhamcc.org/membership/ www.cottenhamcc.org Charity Number 1128604
VILLAGE SOCIETY COTTENHAM WI Do you remember any of the shops and businesses in Cottenham that have now disappeared? Have you any photographs of them? Have you any publicity, leaflets invoices or other paraphernalia related to past and current businesses? Are there any stories of these establishments you can tell us? If so Cottenham Village Society would love to hear from you. We are compiling a list of Cottenham traders in preparation for a new publication. Our next talk is by Jonathan Ashley-Smith on ‘The loss of skills in Conservation’, at the Parish church hall at 7:45pm on 12 April. Please contact the secretary: telephone 01954 251544 or email cottvillsoc@gmail.com
There is a lot on offer at your local WI group. We have an exciting programme of speakers, craft activities, walking group, darts team, poetry club, a new lunch group and also a bridge group. Come and try us out, you will be very welcome. More information from Jill Ballard (01954 250605) or Margaret Briggs (01954 250870). Events: 10 April – A talk by Jean Coxall about the Air Ambulance. 8 May – Resolutions evening followed by ‘Just Desserts’. Both events start at 7:30pm and will be held in the Tony Cooper Suite at CVC. There will be the usual tea and coffee with raffle, competitions and book stall.
SINGING FOR FUN 2ND COTTENHAM SCOUTS We are Singing For Fun Cottenham. Our membership has been steadily growing over the past four years. Most of our members live in Cottenham, we also have members who join us from Histon and Waterbeach on a Thursday afternoon. We sing for fun and sometimes share our enjoyment of music and singing by promoting our group with live performances. We have sung with Cottenham Brass Band and at the Cottenham Community Centre on 16 March to help celebrate their 10 year anniversary. We would love to see some new faces, so why not come and join us? We do not think of ourselves as a choir just a group that enjoys singing. You do not need to audition or be able to read music. We just want you to come and sing for fun and enjoy yourself. We meet during term time on Thursdays between 1:45pm and 2:45pm at the Salvation Army Barn, 184 High Street Cottenham. The first session is free then, should you choose to join us, there is a small weekly fee. We end each session with a cup of tea and a biscuit!
2nd Cottenham Scout Group held its Annual Jumble Sale on Saturday 12 January. We had a fantastic turn out with queues stretching down the driveway of Cottenham Village College. The event raised over £1400 – much needed funds that will go towards the running costs of the Scout Hut. We would especially like to thank those businesses who supported the jumble sale – Hopbind and Chequers Public Houses, Cambridge Building Society, Sarah Jane Hairdressers, Cutz and Beauty Hairdressers, Chef Central at Bar Hill, Cottenham Co-Op, Village Vets, Gawthroup & Son Butchers, Shauns Newsagents and Gas Monster of Cottenham. Thank you to everyone who supported the event, whether by donating items, helping out on the day or coming along and grabbing a bargain. Our next event will be the Mile of Pennies and cake stall on Saturday 18 May from 9 to 11:30am outside Wards Greengrocers on the High Street.
If you would like further information please contact: Mary Garside, 01954 204508, mary.garside@ntlworld.com
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PARISH COUNCIL Annual Parish Meeting The APM will be held this year on Thursday 2 May. This is your opportunity to find out what the Parish, District and County Councils have been up to over the past 12 months. The event will start at 7pm with refreshments, followed by presentations from 7:30pm. We look forward to seeing you there. For more information please see the Parish Council’s website. Neighbourhood Plan The “Regulation 16” consultation run by SCDC closed on 25 March. The comments received are now being passed, alongside the plan and its supporting information, to an Independent Examiner who has to check that our plan can progress to a referendum, either “as is” or with some amendments. Major Building Developments The Bellway and Persimmon developments have made considerable progress but traffic disruptions caused by utility connections and changes to the carriageway to provide pavements and safe crossing places will continue for some months. Surface water drainage arrangements for all these developments remain a concern until they are finished and adopted by the relevant authorities. The County Council and Gladman developments are progressing more slowly as both involve sales of the land that was granted outline planning permission to other parties before the detailed designs can move ahead. The County Council one is particularly sensitive because of its impact on our Primary School and Recreation Ground. Village Hall/Nursery update Some preparatory work is under way while bidders consider their responses to our invitations to tender for these two projects – either separately or together. Our recent emphasis has been on how to maintain safe operations of Ladybird Pre-School, the Kids Club and the general play and sport activities during the inevitable disruptions caused by the building works. The APM on 2 May will be a good opportunity for you to examine our plans as the Parish Council prepares to make its go/no go decision – hopefully in June. Highways At the time of writing we’re waiting to hear the result of our bid to County Highways for traffic calming measures on Histon Road. After three years of badgering the County Council, they’ve finally removed the problematic hedge along Wilkin Walk. Additionally the ‘dragon patcher’ has made it down Smithy Fen to fill some of the numerous potholes. If you see any problems, please report them directly to County Highways at: https://highwaysreporting. cambridgeshire.gov.uk/ or by calling 0345 045 5212. You can also see what roadworks that are being carried out – go to www.roadworks.org. You can change the view to see what’s going on today, next two weeks, three months etc. By clicking on the envelope icon to the left of the page you can set up alerts to your email address. Cricket Nets At the time of writing we’re currently waiting for a decision from SCDC regarding our planning application to install Issue Number 170 • page 8
cricket nets at the Recreation Ground. The nets, located behind the Pavilion, will be used for pre-match warm ups, coaching and training. Tennis Courts The two grass courts at the Recreation Ground are currently undergoing some specialist works to make them playable for the summer. New Bridleway On the 6 February the County Council created a Public Bridleway. The bridleway provides a new link between Broad Lane (just before the bridge), Les King Wood and Rampton Road. Cottenham Community Directory A “contacts and information” booklet has been prepared to help new and current residents settle in. The directory details the wealth of clubs and leisure activities in the village as well as useful information about our facilities. A copy of the directory can be found on our website. Meetings A reminder that our Full Parish Council meeting takes place on the first Tuesday of the month. Residents are welcome to attend and time is set aside specifically at the start of the meeting for you to raise questions. Meetings begin at 7:15pm and take place in the Village Hall. We also have smaller Committee meetings throughout the month for planning, community facilities, highways and finance. These meetings commence at 7:30pm in the Village Hall and again residents are welcome to attend. Sports Pavilion Hire If you’d like to hire the Sports Pavilion multi-purpose room (up to 40 people) for your birthday party, christening, anniversary celebrations, classes etc. please contact Sam (asstclerk@cottenhampc.org.uk) for rates and availability. You can also check the diary and make provisional booking enquiries via our website. Office Opening Hours The Parish Office is open every Monday between 9:45am – 12 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 Email: clerk@cottenhampc.org.uk Phone: 07503 328401 www.cottenhampc.org.uk www.facebook.com/cottenhamparishcouncil
DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORT New Developments Liaison Group The Liaison Group that we established between South Cambs officers, the developers in Cottenham and the Parish Council met for the second time. We were pleased that Persimmon decided to join the group. Various issues relating to forthcoming works to the footpaths and road layout affecting Oakington and Rampton Roads were discussed with a view to minimising the impact on the community. We also raised issues with Persimmon relating to the construction on their site that will begin later this year. Council Tax The Council has agreed to increase the element of the Council Tax that goes to South Cambs District Council by £5 per year for a Band D property to £145.31 per year. South Cambs provides services to residents relating to waste collection, street cleaning, licensing, communities, planning, conservation and building control, housing, administration of council tax collection, housing benefit and elections. South Cambs collects your Council Tax but distributes a large proportion of the total tax to other local government bodies. The total Council tax bill for a Band D property will be £1,872.80 of which well over 80% is distributed to Cambridgeshire County, the Police and Crime Commissioner, and the Fire Authority. About 8 percent of your tax bill goes to South Cambs. The Cottenham Parish precept for 2019/20 has been set at £121.97. Business Plan and Budget 2019/20 Cutting carbon emissions to protect and enhance the environment has been put at the heart of South Cambridgeshire District Council’s plan to improve life for local communities. The four priority areas agreed were: Growing local businesses and economies – which includes putting in place a single point of contact to support businesses through the planning process and making it easier for small local businesses to bid for Council contracts. Housing that is affordable for everyone to live in – which will see the Council double the number of Council homes built each year, deliver high environmental standards on new homes to reduce running costs, and focus on working with partners to make sure walking, cycling and public transport improvements provide alternatives to using the private car. Being green to our core – by the Council developing a plan for a carbon-neutral future for South Cambridgeshire, exploring opportunities for green energy generation and improving air quality. A modern and caring Council – by being an employer of choice for people with disabilities and ethnic minorities, generating an income from investments to offset cuts to national funding and improving the way people can carry out transactions online.
are expected on the Council buildings to improve environmental standards. Public Transport The Greater Cambridge Partnership has published its report following consultation on the proposed Rural Travel Hub at Oakington. The responses were mainly about which scheme was preferred with or without the 43 proposed parking spaces. Responses from Oakington were mainly in favour of no parking spaces because of concerns about attracting more traffic from other village which would then seek to park around the village if the Travel Hub parking was full. At the Greater Cambridge Partnership Joint Assembly meeting on 27 February, Eileen Wilson raised the point that without a public transport link for residents from surrounding villages to access the Rural Travel Hub, it did not present much of an advantage for residents in Cottenham and Rampton if there was no or insufficient parking. Consultation has taken place on Better Journey Choices. The Greater Cambridge Partnership will be using the information coming out of the consultation to work up proposals on an integrated, modern transport system for Cambridge and the surrounding area that will provide a viable alternative to the car. Hopefully, many residents from Cottenham will have provided input to the survey. Greenways Back in 2018, we were told about plans for a cycle path from Rampton to the Guided Busway and another cycle path from Cottenham to Oakington. Eileen asked for an update on these projects at the Greater Cambridge Partnership Joint Assembly meeting on 27 February. The Rampton cycle path is subject to discussions with local farmers about changing what is currently a farm track into a usable cycle path and we should receive updates on this work soon. On the Cottenham to Oakington cycle path, topographical surveys have been carried out and the GCP is talking to landowners along the route. Again, we should receive an update very soon. Contact your District Councillors Please contact us as follows: Neil Gough: neilgoughcrw@gmail.com or Tel. 07919 990299; Eileen Wilson: eileenwilsoncrw@gmail.com or Tel. 07825 770899 Facebook: @CottenhamRampton
The Council had already demonstrated its green commitments by unanimously pledging to support an ambitious target of cutting local carbon emissions across the district to zero by 2050. Solar panels have been installed this week on the Council’s waste and recycling depot at Waterbeach and further green investments Issue Number 170 • page 9
GARDENERS’ CLUB
BOWLS CLUB
This morning there was a light covering of snow (now melted), but snowdrops in my garden are a promise of things to come, and it will be spring when this newsletter arrives.
Another bowls indoor short mat season is coming to a close. This winter we have welcomed other bowls clubs from the area to form a short mat league. It has been a pleasure to meet new people and ensure that our club is being used to its full potential.
Our speaker on 26 April, is Joe Sharman, our local nurseryman here in Cottenham. He will talk about cyclamen, and will no doubt bring plants for sale afterwards – it’s a great time of year for planting. On 31 May our talk is on Growing and Propagating Herbs, by Szusza Serer from Herbal Haven. After that we have more, varied talks to look forward to, and an evening visit to Cambridge Botanic Garden, after it has closed to the public, in July. The committee is in the early stages of organising a coach trip to RHS Wisley (our affiliated membership allows free entry) in September. The date should be Sunday 8th, the last day of the Wisley Flower Show. We are also lucky to have an association with Willingham Gardening Club, which organises four coach trips each year with a pick-up point at Cottenham Green. Their programme should be available to our members soon. Meetings are held at Franklin Gardens Community Room, usually on the last Friday of the month with refreshments served from 7:30pm. The talk starts at 7:45 and is followed by a raffle of donated prizes. New members and guests are welcome to come to a single session for £2. For further information please contact Sarah Dumont Tel: 01954 260482
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We are looking forward to another enjoyable outdoor season and hope the weather will be as kind as last year. To start the new season we are holding two open days for anyone who is interested in giving bowls a try. The dates for your diary are 21 and 28 April 2pm to 4pm. If you are unable to make these dates you could contact anyone below and they could organise a time for you to bowl some woods. Bowls is a great way to get gentle exercise in the fresh air and meet new people from Cottenham and surrounding villages. As well as playing bowls we have a good social section which includes BBQs and quiz nights. Finally Cottenham Bowls Club would like to thank RJ Pepper & Son Family Funeral Directors for their continued support. Contacts: Dave Parrack 01954 230732 Eric Hobbs 01954 251956 Christine Forster 01954 200720 https:/www.hugofox.com/community/ cottenham-bowls-club-8286/
COTTENHAM COMMUNITY LAND TRUST – WHAT IS HAPPENING?
Cottenham’s Community Land Trust (CLT) continues to make progress on its mission to build locally-affordable homes for people with strong links to Cottenham.
What makes a home ‘locally-affordable’? Unlike social or council homes, which are subsidised to bring rents within reach for the most needy people qualifying for housing benefits, locally-affordable homes are expected to cost no more than one-third of household incomes between around £28,000 and £50,000 a year. People on these incomes struggle to rent even the ‘affordable’ homes that will be built on the new developments in Cottenham. How can you do that when building and land costs are so high? It is true that our building costs will be similar, perhaps a little lower because we are a not-for-profit community benefit society. However, because our aim is to provide mostly affordable homes, we expect to be able to develop land on rural exception sites near the village centre. These sites are very unlikely to receive conventional planning permission now that SCDC has adopted its Local Plan and can demonstrate a five-year supply of housing land. Our partner landowners cannot expect the massive windfalls obtained recently but will still receive substantially more for their land than its agricultural value. How much more can a landowner expect to receive? Some landowners may be willing to sell their land to us at a modest premium as a contribution to sustaining the
community. Others will need a stronger incentive to sell now rather than wait for a future generation, when land may be even scarcer and even some of today’s Green Belt land may be open to conventional development. We are open to discussion and negotiation now. How can you afford to develop the land? The government is keen to build more houses, especially where they are needed and offers grants towards pre-development costs and there is a variety of sources of finance for good business plans. Have I missed out on selling my land to the CLT? Not at all. Landowners who have previously expressed interest in selling their land for development should have been contacted by us, but there is still time for anyone with available land to express interest in selling to us. Our current deadline is Friday, 26th April 2019. Do you need help? Yes, we are always looking for new members who, for just £1, will get updates on what we are doing and an opportunity to vote on key steps as we move forward. We will also be looking for investors to help with our finances and professionals to work alongside us. Where do I find more information? You can find us on FaceBook as Cottenham Community Land Trust or on the web at www.cottenhamclt.org.uk or email Chair@ cottenhamclt.org.uk
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FRIENDS OF ALL SAINTS’ COTTENHAM A new venture, Friends of All Saints’ Cottenham, was launched at the beginning of 2019 with the aim of maintaining and preserving Cottenham’s iconic landmark Grade-I listed Parish Church and encouraging its use by the whole community. Through the generosity of the worshipping community of All Saints’ Church, the running costs are met fully year-on-year, meaning that the building is kept warm and well-lit and most importantly that the church has its own minister, the Rector of Cottenham with Rampton. Recently the church building has undergone a major refurbishment programme with radical changes to the layout and a big improvement in access for the disabled. The improved, flexible space has already attracted several high-quality concerts, and has great potential for further events that will benefit the whole community. The intention in forming a Friends of All Saints’ Cottenham is to build upon this opportunity and seek support, both practically and financially, from the countless families and individuals from the community at large who value and care about the upkeep and future wellbeing of the building. The skills and ideas of all the Friends will be vital to initiate and support a programme of fundraising events, talks and other ideas that will be appreciated and enjoyed by as large a number of people as possible. There will be a concert in church by the Medlock Ensemble in May jointly organised for the Friends and CamTrust. A committee has been formed with representatives from the Parish Council and All Saints’ Church. The first Annual
General Meeting of the Friends will be held in the church during the evening of Wednesday 8 May 2019; please come along to find out more and share a glass of wine with the Friends. You are warmly invited to join the Friends of All Saints’ Cottenham and in doing so help secure the rich heritage of this unique building for future generations to enjoy. The annual cost of membership is £10, with life membership at £100. For membership please contact Ian Winterbottom on 01954 202018, or ianwinterbottom@aol.com
ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH COTTENHAM ‘A Church for everyone and open to all’ We are very excited to announce the launch of MESSY CHURCH at All Saints’ Church! Messy Church is Church… but not as you know it! An action-packed, informal and fun session for the whole family, with crafts to enjoy, stories to hear and songs to sing, all followed by food. Come with your children and enjoy! We launch in Cottenham with Messy Easter on Saturday 6 April, 3:30 to 5:30pm in All Saints’ Church, at the end of the High Street. Not surprisingly, the theme is Easter. Come and make Mini-egg cornflake cakes, roll marbles dipped in paint, knock nails into wood to create a heart design, and make a huge domino run. The session will end with an Easter Egg Hunt in the churchyard. For more information, contact Lynda at revlyndadavies559@ gmail.com or call 583651.
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BAD THINGS HAPPEN – HACK THE FEN EDGE If you plot out the timeline of your life, have bad things happened and are they likely to happen in the future? I am going to guess yes to both of these, unless you are in a Mary Poppins existence. Why then do you get angry, disappointed, or annoyed, when bad things happen? They will happen. Here is a scientific diagram that proves it!:
‘Our anger and annoyance are more detrimental to us than the things themselves which anger or annoy us’ Marcus Aurelius All this in mind, what is the worst thing that can happen to you (besides the obvious ones)? • Your toast falls face down • Your credit card details get hacked • A rogue trolley dents your new car in the supermarket while you are shopping • You lose your passport on the last day of your holiday • Someone says something bad about you online • HAL refuses to open the pod bay doors • Immortality.
But don’t worry. The obsession right now is to protect people from all these things, to have insurance, credit card fraud cover, class actions, the crowd that stands against offence, and the ongoing halting of inevitable death (the ‘fight’ against death). I would argue immortality is the worst thing, and that is unlikely to happen for a few years – imagine going through Brexit and Brino for eternity! Well then, you can have a failure part in your plans. You can work out what will happen if this worst thing happens and practise going without. Going without might mean, how would you run: • without your shelter? • on little food? • not having a smartphone? • without tea? Most planning these days is about stopping bad things happening and designing things to have failover and to avoid failure – all amicable goals. But, what if you really are completely in the poo? It will feel nowhere near as bad if you are in some way used to it, have practised it, have experienced it, and most important of all... Next time bad happens and your immediate emotion is ‘get angry at this...’, step back, pause, and think, or better still meditate, and then go stub your toe. As always, be kind, don’t be angry. BTW – the Hack The Fen Edge group is up and running, now morphed into something called 3242. Message me on Facebook Messenger if interested. Adam Stewart
Issue Number 170 • page 13
BIRD WATCH – GARDEN BIRDS Bird Report reader John S asked me to put together a report on the topic of what birds we are likely to see in our gardens here in Cottenham. I suspect there are a few of you who will have spent an hour back in January counting species for the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch and so hopefully there are others who would be interested to know what they might see. Of course, which of our feathered friends turns up in your garden is down to many different factors, the size and layout of your garden, tree and other plant species, the presence of cats, whereabouts you are relative to patches of woodland, farmland, and whether or not the visitors find a useful supply of food in the form of berries on your bushes, seed feeders and bird tables, coconut shells full of suet, and whatever else you might put out to attract them. Some birds will arrive in great numbers to feast on fatballs for instance. Most of us have been perplexed to see expensive fatballs disappear in a matter of minutes when a flock of starlings turn up. Other food, such as nijer seeds in a specialist feeder will draw in goldfinches and occasionally, for some, redpolls. Sunflowers seeds with the husk intact, sometimes referred to as black sunflower hearts, will keep greenfinches, blue tits, great tits, coal tits, and long-tailed tits busy, and, if the nijer seeds run out, the goldfinches too. Robins, blackbirds, wood pigeons, collared doves, dunnocks, will spend much of their time pecking around
Issue Number 170 • page 14
under the feeders, although the blackbirds will join mistle and song thrushes plucking insects from the lawn. And, thrushes will famously grab snail shells and smash them on the ground to get at the occupant. If it’s very cold out on the farmland, the winter thrushes – the fieldfares and redwings – will come into the warmer more urban areas and attempt to snaffle berries from your bushes and trees much to the consternation of the blackbirds who will attempt to make them flee. You might also spot bramblings during the winter. They are another finch resembling the chaffinch but brighter and more orange coloured. I have heard from people on Broad Lane who see them in their gardens occasionally, but they are more likely to be elsewhere. Unusual but increasingly common in the winter are blackcaps, a type of warbler normally considered a summer visitor, but turning up in our gardens from Germany and Eastern Europe rather than heading to the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa. Speaking of summer, by the time you read this, birds that you might see above your garden or heading into your eaves may have started to arrive: house martins first, then the swallows that don’t necessarily a summer make, and finally the swifts. Listen out for cuckoos too. Certainly houses on The Green backing onto farmland have regular cuckoos visiting for the breeding season. If you have ants among your plants, you might see green woodpeckers, also known as yaffles for their scoffing call in flight. Ants are the yaffle’s staple diet, so hold off the powder if you want to see them pecking at the ground in your garden. Speaking of woodpeckers, there are quite a few great spotted woodpeckers around, which will often come to garden feeders. Of course, if you’re attracting lots of small songbirds to your garden you might also attract predators including sparrowhawks and less obviously egg-eating magpies and chick-chomping jays. Great spotted woodpeckers will also peck into birdboxes to eat baby blue tits and the like.
Spottin’em in Cottenham: Recent sightings Tree sparrows in a hedgerow down Long Drove that have been in residence for at least a decade, but I only just spotted them for the first time recently. Sparrowhawk reeling high over the sheep in Rampton. Endless yellowhammers and linnets close to the Fen Bridge down Broad Lane. The hooded crow and the Iceland gull I’ve mentioned previously were still hanging around the “dump” alongside Long Drove, but rumour had it that they had moved on to the quarry between that site and the gun club as of late January. Several green sandpipers along the Cottenham Lode and at least one kingfisher still in evidence, possibly joined by a female early in the year.
FREE VEGETABLE PLOT FOR USE Free of charge, available immediately, near to Cottenham Green. Decent size to include use of small greenhouse. Please ring 01954 250660. John Hopkins
But, as we’re mainly talking about what birds you might see in your garden, here’s a list of the 40+ species we’ve noted over the last four seasons in (or over) our small, relatively “urban” back garden: Blackbird, blackcap, black-headed gull, blue tit, buzzard, chaffinch, coal tit, collared dove, dunnock, fieldfare, goldcrest, golden plover, goldfinch, great black-backed gull, great tit, green woodpecker, greenfinch, grey heron, hobby, house martin, house sparrow, jackdaw, jay, kestrel, lapwing, lesser black-backed gull, magpie, mistle thrush, pied wagtail, prize pigeon (domesticated strain of the rock dove), redpoll, redwing, robin, rook, song thrush, sparrowhawk, starling, swallow, swift, willow warbler, wood pigeon, wren.
INTERIOR & EXTERIOR
If you see any unusual birds do let me know birds@sciencebase.com David Bradley – https://sciencebase.com/birds
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Issue Number 170 • page 15
Poetry Corner: 1 Oh Little Robin Oh little Robin, you sing to my soul. A balm of sweetness, a music that’s old, Yet new it feels now, entering my heart. A chorus of light that never departs. Swiftly your sound moves to greet my weary. Your song awakens my eyesight bleary. How soothing you are as your vocals spill, You open me soft with your pretty trills. Oh little Robin your sound is so dear. The promise of love whenever you´re near. I gift you a branch to sing me your song… Please stay by my side… I hope it is long. 2 My Gown I stand tall and proud Gently swaying in my emerald gown Creatures visit and whisper to me Some nestle in my arms Fall asleep and feel at home I hold my body to the rain It cleanses and nourishes As the weather cools My gown transforms From emerald to gold The breeze helps me undress As the gold threads grace the earth Delicately blanketing the vulnerable Protection from winters touch For I no longer need my gown Threads turn from gold to brown And at the touch of the sun Weave themselves into the ground They become rich and black And part of the earth Food for nature’s rebirth I stretch out my legs In the nourished soil And as the sun becomes warmer And all of nature awakes and grows A new emerald gown adorns me.
Issue Number 170 • page 16
3 Snowdrops Hello little flowers, Daintily you drop, As I pass wooden towers, To your beauty I stop. . Risen from the ground, Green spires anew, Amongst the brown. Beneath the blue. . Your white faces, Dance the icy breeze, A happy trace… Spring in the leaves. Laura Berry
SHORT STORIES AND POETRY Readers are invited to send in either original poetry or short stories for inclusion in the Cottenham Newsletter. Short stories should be no longer than 600 words. The objective should be to entertain the general readership – go on, have a go!
Small ads: HALO HEATING SERVICE LTD We aim to provide the most ethical, sustainable and cost effective heating and plumbing service to Cottenham and the surrounding area, whilst maintaining the highest standards and exceptional customer service. Please call Sam on 07745 551588, email: sam@haloheat.co.uk or find us on Facebook ......... TOM’S TECH SUPPORT. All your technology needs covered. Setup, troubleshooting and advice for computers, laptops, mobile phones, printers, Internet/ Wi-Fi, and TV’s. Call 01954 775004, Email: tomstechsupport@gmail.com ......... TUITION. ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE (EFL). Teresa Haymer Cert Ed TEFL MA – General English, all levels, Business English, other ESPs & Homestay Immersion Courses. Email: teresahaymer@gmail.com or text to: 07410 978290 ......... HANDYMAN SERVICES COTTENHAM Need help fitting a kitchen or bathroom. Leaking washing machine, sink or shower. Need a blind fitted or guttering repaired. Call Mike on 07768 931810 ......... SENIOR MATHS/SCIENCE TUTOR (FEMALE) – COTTENHAM Several years of experience tutoring Maths & Science for all levels up to GCSE and Maths for A level. Mode of teaching driven by the student’s prime need: Focusing on challenging topics, plugging gaps in knowledge, exam preparation, reinforcing topics. Qualifications: Educated to PhD level (Image processing, UCL) BSc Physics First Class Honours and Masters in Computing Science from Imperial College London. Contact: asmachaud@hotmail.com, 07786 059693 ......... 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 John on 07584 578315 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 ......... 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 ......... 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 ......... 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 ......... R J BENSON CARPENTRY Local fully qualified reliable carpenter. Please call 07961811454 or email robbenson15@ gmail.com for advice/free quotes. .........
FENCING – P MARTIN FENCING, all types of fencing undertaken, over 30 years trading, please call 07802 440494 or 01954 250568 email pmartinfencing@gmail.com for a free no obligation quote and advice. ......... 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 / 07796 260735 ......... 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 ......... FURNITURE POLISHING AND REPAIR Polishing and restoration of antique (and not so antique) furniture by a local Cottenham restorer. Rob Ellis: 01954 250153 ......... 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 ......... DOG DAY CARE IN COTTENHAM. Open Mon – Fri, 8am to 6pm. Great area for hour walks on our 150+ acre farm and 100% attention all day at home and in our enclosed garden all for £15.00 a day. Lingwood Farm, Cottenham, CB24 8PX Tel: Erica 07956 406643 or visit www.lingwooddogs.com ......... AGRIPEST If you’re looking for a friendly, reliable and competitive pest control service then please get in contact with AgriPest today! Rats, mice, wasps, moles and much more! Please call Neil on 07889 018041 or email AgriPest@outlook.com. Thank you. https://www.facebook.com/AgriPestcambs/ www.agripestcontrol.co.uk ......... THE VILLAGE FOOT CLINIC Wilburton Clinic & mobile chiropody for: Nail cutting/nail thickness reduction. Corns, callous and cracked heels. Diabetes etc. Assessment and treatment £29. Marisa Jolley MCFHP MAFHP. Tel: 07909 943171 ......... Why not advertise in the Newsletter! Items for sale, announcement of family events, local products and/or services... 10p per word, with some proceeds going to the MAGPAS charity. Send advertisements and payment to the Advertising Manager. Cheques should be made out to ‘Cottenham Newsletter’. Issue Number 170 • 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 Firs House Partnership, 42 Telegraph Street
Urgent Care Cambridge (formerly Camdoc)
District Nurse Team Cottenham CareCar
250079 251180 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 260482 Cottenham Tennis Club info@cottenhamtennis.co.uk Cottenham Toy Library Christina Koester 270334 Cottenham Village Society Glynis Pilbeam 251544 cottvillsoc@gmail.com 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, ruby61247@yahoo.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 Neil Gough Eileen Wilson
cllr.gough@scambs.gov.uk, 07919 990299 cllr.wilson@scambs.gov.uk, 07825 770899
County Councillor Tim Wotherspoon
timwothers@aol.com,252108 01223 301426
British Red Cross Shop Citizens Advice Bureau
66 Devonshire Road, Cambridge, CB1 3BL 0844 848 7979 Social Services Histon Team 01223 718011 Mobile Warden Scheme 200080 NSPCC Cottenham Area Team 01733 558245 RSPCA 24 hour cruelty & advice line 0300 1234 999
Railway Station Cambridge Passenger Enquiries
0845 7484950
Driving Instruction TOPS Driving School 252239 Taxi Panther Taxis 01223 715715/424424/523523 Library Margett Street 0345 0455225 Library at Home Service (formerly Doorstep)
0345 045 5225 your.library@cambridgeshire.gov.uk 583651 252298 Office hours: 9:30am-2:30pm Wednesday and Friday Baptist Church Church Office 252378 Catholic Church St Laurences Church 01223 704640 Methodist Church simon.oliver@cantab.net 07554 202929 Salvation Army Majors Graham & Pam Barratt 252419 Royal British Legion Ann Scott 251468 ann.scott23@ntlworld.com Cottenham Brass Band Diana Braverman (Sec.) dianabraverman@hotmail.com Bridge Farm Riding School 252284 Allotments Cottenham Charities 01353 749830 Sustainable Cottenham Christine Ward 251813
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Kate Lees 252378, minister@cottenhambaptist.org.uk Sarah Berenger 07484 221369, s.berenger@btinternet.com
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Issue Number 170 • page 18
www.cottenhamnews.org.uk
TENNIS
JUNIOR CRICKET
There are many opportunities to play tennis in Cottenham, whether you are a member of the Tennis Club or not. Read on to see what’s been happening and what’s coming up next.
Just a reminder that, this summer, Cottenham Cricket Club is running three junior teams at under-11, under-13 and under-15 levels. These teams play matches throughout the school summer term and are open to both boys and girls. We are keen to ensure that all three teams are well supported so anyone who’s interested in coming along to have great fun and learn more about our wonderful game from our qualified coaches, do please get in touch. Please join in and get involved – our youngsters really are the future of the club and we are absolutely committed to encouraging and continuing their development.
Tennis for free on 4 May and 22/23 June There’s no need to be a member, anyone can just come and have a go at these fun events. The courts are behind Cottenham Village College where rackets and balls will be available to borrow. Club members will be around to chat to and have a knockabout with. There will be something for everyone even if you’ve never played before, and some challenges for intermediate and advanced players. Put these dates in your diary and keep an eye on the Cottenham Tennis Club Facebook page for further details. New membership – free use of courts extended The new membership year starts on 1 April and still offers great value. Junior £20 (age 15 and under) Student £22 (16+ in education) Adult £45 Family £85 (up to 4 members, £15 per additional member) Membership benefits include: • Free use of courts and floodlights on Wednesdays and Thursdays 6pm – 9:30pm and Saturdays 10:30am – 4:30pm • £2.50 court hire outside club times • Social tennis Wednesdays 7:30 – 9:30pm • Lawn Tennis Association membership • Wimbledon ticket draw • Access to coaching & match play You can join for half a year if you are unsure if it is for you. Grass courts We hope that the two council-run grass courts at the Recreation ground will be refurbished and playable for the summer season. It will be great to see these courts back in use and it means there will be somewhere to play tennis during the day. Now we just need another long, hot summer! Tennis for all Cottenham schoolchildren We would like to thank Over & In, who deliver our weekend coaching, for running free lunchtime sessions at Cottenham Primary School and Cottenham Village College for the second half of last term. They also made very generous discounts on coaching for all Cottenham schoolchildren so we are really hopeful that more young people will be inspired to play tennis. Email coaching@ overandin.com to find out how you and your family can access more tennis coaching here in Cottenham.
We’ll be running indoor training sessions at Cottenham Village College Sports Hall on Wednesday evenings, 5:00-6:00pm (u-13s) and 6:00-7:00pm (u-15s) and on Thursday evenings, 5:00-6:00 pm (u-11s) until 25 April. Just turn up to any of the sessions (just £1 per session) and everyone is welcome. After that date, right through the school term, we’ll be playing matches during the week and training outdoors on Friday evenings. Also, for 5-8 year olds, we’ll be running our English Cricket Board All Stars sessions again on Saturday mornings in May and June. This will be our third year of involvement with this relatively new ECB project which gives boys and girls an introduction to cricket that’s really great fun for everyone. Again, please do get in touch if you’re interested – it’s a brilliant few weeks. You can also check out the following link to find out more and sign up: www.ecb. co.uk/play/all-stars Finally, any adults interested in joining us to play for our senior teams, please check out our website (see below). The Club News section has all the details regarding our 2019 pre-season sessions. New players are always welcome so please just come along to one of our Fenners indoor net sessions which will still be running on Sunday mornings until 14 April. From then onwards, we’ll be in the outdoor nets at the Village College. Our League matches start on Saturday 4 May. Club Contacts: Email: cottenhamcc@yahoo.co.uk Secretary: David Chaplin (01954 250075); Chairman: Ralph Lamble (07740 195947); Vice Chairman: Dave Partridge (01954 203210) ; Junior Teams Coordinators: Dave Partridge and Alan Raven (01954 250388). Website: www.cottenham.play-cricket.com
For membership email: info@cottenhamsportscentre. co.uk or call 01954 288760. For weekend coaching email: coaching@overandin.com For weekday coaching and more information about the Tennis Club see our website: www.cottenhamtennis. co.uk, email info@cottenhamtennis.co.uk, or call Louise Cooke on 07841 573490. Issue Number 170 • page 19
COTTENHAM UNITED SOCCER SCHOOL Some time ago we looked at the different ways in which we could help and support our local youngsters improve their individual football and social skills. We were concerned by the high number of local official football clubs constantly approaching and running soccer schools which only seemed to be based on looking at the best and at a cost. Like most things in life it is not normally the best that need the extra training and focus, but those players who want to improve and get better at what they do however. We found that there was a big gap in grassroots football for this, which we have to say seemed a real crime to these very young children! One of our great coaches given up his time for free to take this challenge on. Jason Adams took this project on under our Cottenham Colts Football Foundation and set up a Monday night soccer school. This is generally aimed at those who want to improve their individual skills as well as improve their social skills, while working with players from all primary school ages. This has gone from strength to strength and we have seen all players getting better and better each week. We have gone from starting with 15 players to now having a regular 40 plus players attending and benefitting. There is a lot of effort going into these sessions each week, focusing on players’ agility, strength and ball skills with the ball at their feet all the time. This has enabled not only these individuals to improve but the teams they play for, and the club as a whole has benefitted, with the general standards raised and players’ self-esteem being improved. So, we would like to thank Jason and his team of volunteers, Todd, Geoff, Ben and Rob for all their hard work. Long may it continue, with our future stars improving and raising standards for grassroots football locally. If you are interested in these sessions please contact the club on our website or Facebook page.
Blackcap
Redpoll
Blue tit
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