Out & About - April May 2021

April 2021May 2021

in the Offords

More on Page 9

r te s a E is th ll e w u o y Wishing

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All Saints Churchyard Wildlife Project

This is part of the churchyard we plan to transform into a haven for wildlife.

Shown here is a similar Project which has already transformed an area on the Graveley Road Allotment site very successfully.

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Some of you reading this may have noticed recently some groundworks being carried out by a small but willing band of volunteers in and around the churchyard of All Saints Church in Offord Cluny.

The churchyard over the years has been taken over by ivy and nettles. The hedgerows and trees are slowly being strangled by this growth and many of the graves were fully covered.

Good progress has been made with the clearance of the area, and rather than let the ivy and weeds take over again, we now plan to transform a part of the churchyard behind the church building into a haven for wildlife.

We plan to include pockets of woodland planting with spring bulbs, bluebells and foxgloves along with wildflowers and poppies in the sunnier aspects.

We would like to add some bird boxes, hedgehog houses and a bug hotel.

Woodpiles and a stumpery will attract insects and invertebrates. A rustic seat or bench will be positioned in a quiet shady corner allowing people to sit and enjoy the tranquil space.

In order for this to happen, we are appealing to the Offord community for offers of materials and plants on our wish list.

Do you have any of the following which you would like to donate?

• Timber/wood for Bird Boxes, Hedgehog Houses and Bug Hotel • Roof tiles/Bricks and Pine Cones for Bug Hotel • Bench (stone or wooden) or wooden sleepers to make one • Tree stumps or large logs for stumpery • Old tin bath or unused preformed pond or pond liner • Shade Loving perennials (can you divide any clumps in your garden?)

• Wildflower seeds • Spring Bulbs in the green (spent bulbs from your spring tubs and baskets) • English Bluebells in the green (can you divide any clumps in your garden?)

If you would like any more information or are able to donate any items, please contact : Fiona Fitzhugh 07972163887 or Alan Griffiths 01480 811126 or 07760157373

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Welcome Welcome to the April / May edition Spring is Sprung!

It's great that O&A is being printed and delivered to your doors again and we are very grateful to the delivery team who make this possible.

There will also be an online edition available via the village and church websites and Facebook; you'll find that the online edition has many more coloured pages.

In this edition we welcome contributions from our village organisations including our precious school and from a range of individuals all connected with the Offords. You may notice a bit of a wildlife theme running through some of the contributions!

We are aiming to make the magazine truly representative of our village and if you have a story to tell please contact us via offordO&A@gmail.com

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n o i t a i c o s s A s r e n e d r a G d r o f f O

April & May

I am sure you are all eagerly waiting for the weather to be warmer so we can all get outside and prepare for another successful growing year in our gardens. We have all had enough of being indoors. Let’s hope lockdown will be eased soon and we can get back to something resembling normality.

At present the OGA is not able to resume its regular meetings, but we have booked the hall for a garden show in September. What form it will take we do not know yet, but it is something to look forward to later in the year, Covid 19 restrictions permitting.

Jobs for April Protect fruit blossom from late frosts Sow hardy annuals herbs seeds outdoors Increase water given to house plants Feed hungry Shrubs and Roses Sow new lawns or repair bare patches Prune Fig Trees Divide Bamboo and Water Lilies Jobs for May Earth up Potatoes and promptly plant any remaining seed Plant out Summer Bedding at the end of the month Regularly hoe off weeds Mow Lawns weekly Open Greenhouse doors and vents on warm days Water early or late in day to make best use of your water Lift and divide Spring Flowering Bulbs in over crowded clumps As usual we are here to offer advice remotely.

Enjoy Your Gardening John 811148

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Many thanks for supporting us over the last year - what a year it has been! We are happy to say that we have now put some dates in the diary for day trips this summer! All trips will have pick up points in St Neots, Offord, Godmanchester and Huntingdon. Please take a look below and if anything takes your fancy, please call us on 01480 810560 and we can book your seats!

Saturday 3rd July - Mystery Tour! Let us take you out for the day. There will be a stop for lunch and you will be home in time for tea! £15 for one or £27.50 for two (travel only).

Sunday 11th July - Riverboat cruise plus roast dinner. Enjoy a 3-hour cruise on the River Trent on board the Nottingham Princess, with a 2-course roast dinner along the way. £38.00 Thursday 15th July - Enjoy the morning in Ely on market day, followed by a stop at the Five Miles From Anywhere Inn for lunch* by the river Cam. £15 (travel only) * a pre-order will be taken for lunch a week before the trip Wednesday 21st July - A day out in Great Yarmouth £15 adult £10 child (travel only) Monday 26th July - Highclere Castle - home of Downton Abbey. Explore the Castle and grounds of the setting of one of TVs most popular period dramas. £37.50 (includes travel and entry) - Bookings must be made by 20th June.

Friday 13th August - A day out in Sheringham £15 adult £10 child Tuesday 31st August - Warehouse Antiques Centre and Tap Room. Spend the day at Norfolks largest antiques centre, which is adjacent to the largest beer shop in the UK! Enjoy a cream tea as part of your day. £27.50 (includes travel and cream tea) Monday 6th September - A day out in Hunstanton £15 adult £10 child We reserve the right to cancel any excursion with less than 20 passengers. We will refund all money paid for any cancelled excursion.

We now have a wheelchair accessible coach - if you need to travel in a wheelchair please call us to discuss your requirements.

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d r o f f O n i g n Lambi Hello everyone! We are Farmers Ed & Verity.

You may have seen us out and about, checking our ewes and lambs in the village field.

We have thoroughly enjoyed speaking to everyone we have seen out and about, who has had questions about the ewes and lambs. We are local village people (live at the end of Offord D’arcy) and between us have been keeping farm animals all of our lives.

We have been very busy lambing throughout February and have brought just under 300 healthy lambs into the world. Although it is very hard work, long days (and nights!), and has been cold at times, we would not change our lifestyle in any way for the world.

You may have noticed the ewes and lambs have now moved out of the field – but worry not, they can be found grazing the local fields throughout Diddington. Here they will enjoy their summer time – so if you are out for a walk, you may find them. Hopefully, there may be the next new arrivals in the village field soon – keep your eyes open to find out what they will be.

As we have been unable to visit Offord Primary school with the pet lambs this year, we held a competition to guess how many lambs were out in the field, with the winner naming a lamb! The answer was 110 lambs, and the pet lamb has been named Jeff – hopefully, Jeff will get to visit the children at some point later this year. We feel it is vitally important that all of the children have the opportunity to learn about farming and how the animals are cared for – and who doesn’t like a lamb cuddle!

Feel free to stop for a chat if you see us out in the field. Take care.

Farmers Ed & Verity

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March marks the month I announced Offord Tots would close its doors temporarily. Never did I anticipate, that a year on, our doors would still be closed.

And gosh, what a year. In some ways it's flown by. But in others, it's been a relentless and overwhelming year.

In that year, the children who attended Tots have grown up. The older children have just over a term left in their first year of school. The babies who were cooing and immobile in our baby section are now loud and boisterous toddlers.

It saddens me how much we missed them growing up. How much our families have missed them growing up. That next generation of Offord children who will start their lives together have barely met each other.

Tots has always welcomed everyone. It's not just a Mums and Tots group. We welcomed fathers, aunties and before closing had such an incredible grandparent contingent who attended. It was the place to come for children to play in a safe space, and for the adults to chat and relax. The adults didn't need to worry that their child was going to get stuck 30 foot up on a soft play slide; Tots was always a safe space where they could keep one eye on them and one eye on their much deserved hot cup of tea.

We were the safe place you could chat about your sleepless nights, disaster poo's or even your annoyance why Nanny Plum and Mr Elf don't just admit they truly love each other.

Offord Tots will always be here. The Second World War never stopped Tots, so a pandemic will definitely not. I'm not sure when we will see you again, but I truly hope it won't be long. Not only for the children to have that much needed and long overdue social play, but for us parents to meet, chat and forget about the last few months.

I'm hoping to open around May so please check the Offord Tots Facebook group for more information. You don't need a Facebook account, just search for us on Google.

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OFFORD VILLAGE HALL HIRE Offord Village Hall is available for hire for all types of functions: Wedding Receptions, Christenings, Private parties etc.

The Hall has disabled access and facilities and comprises of: a large main hall with a stage, refurbished kitchen, bar, separate committee room and a car park.

The hall is licensed for music.

Daytime rates are priced per hour (minimum 2 hours) with reduced rates for regular users.

Weekend evening rates available on request.

For further details please contact

Helen Bosworth on 01480 811892 Email: droffo144@gmail.com 11

r e m r a F e h t Ask

With Local Farmer Jon

Farming for wildlife.

Hi Everyone, Farmer Jon here again!

Finally, some better weather! With temperatures slowly rising and the weather turning drier, Farmer Stephen & I have been able to get onto the fields to give our crops a feed and to protect them against disease.

We’ve also been able to plant our spring Barley which hopefully, once harvested, will go off to make beer!

This year our farm is entering into the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. The scheme is designed to go hand in hand with our normal crops, by providing areas for lots of different wildlife, from insects to birds.

We will create these areas around the edges of our fields, or by areas of trees. Some areas will be pollen and nectar rich flowers, which are great for bumblebees and other insects, whereas other areas will have crops like millet and linseed which are great for birds like pheasants and partridges to feed on through the winter months.

We’re really looking forward to seeing even more wildlife on the farm as well as lots of different colours and smells.

These areas are left undisturbed for the wildlife, so we ask you politely to keep to the bridle/ footpaths and to keep dogs under control.

We will be putting some information boards up to provide the public with information on what’s being grown and why, so keep an eye out for those too.

Hope everyone is staying safe and hopefully see you all soon!

Farmer Jon

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OFFORD VILLAGE HALL 300+ CLUB (OFFORD RECREATION HUT) Registered charity no. 302653

The 300+ Club has been part of the village for many years (I have been organising it for over 20 years) and it raises funds for the maintenance of Offord Village Hall. Approximately half the money collected goes to provide cash prizes and the remainder is used for the running of the hall.

Although the hall has been closed for almost a year due to Covid 19 restrictions, it has had a makeover and will be ready to be used once again by a variety of groups and individuals. The draws have been taking place by video link and as soon as possible will take place once again at village clubs and events.

The new year for the 300+ Club draws begins in March and so far, most people have re-joined so we will continue with 4 prizes a month for ten months and a top prize of £125 twice a year.

Thank you to all the members who support this draw and to those who help to collect and recruit. Good luck to everyone.

We can always add new shares so if you have not joined and wish to do so.

Please contact Helen Bosworth on 811892 or Jenny Murby on 811474 for further details.

WINNERS JANUARY £ 20 No. £ 15 No. £ 10 No. £ 5 No.

177 349 267 240

FEBRUARY £ 20 No. 028 Kevin Walton £ 15 No. 197 Janet Manning £ 10 No. 199 Clare Pook £ 5 No. 120 Jane Dennis

Lynne Harris Margaret Knibbs Keith Seekings Gill Stratton

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l l a H e g a l l i V Offord During the last period of temporary closure, we took the opportunity to redecorate the main hall. It is looking fresh and smart, ready for people to come and admire and use it once again. We are also continuing to look at priorities for other improvements. Unfortunately, the first of these is the storeroom roof which after 22 years needs some repairs. It is not letting the rain in yet but is not in a good state.

A professional cleaning company will be coming in to do a deep clean before the hall is open to users again. Keeping the hall maintained is important and makes everyone confident that it is well looked after and in good working order.

We are counting down the days and very much look forward to safely welcoming everyone back to share our wonderful community facility. It may take a little time to open fully but hopefully with the success of the vaccine programme and the easing of restrictions, there is now light at the end of the tunnel.

Following Step 2 of the Government's roadmap out of Covid-19 restrictions, organised activities for children were the first to be allowed back to the Village Hall.

Then from May 17th as part of Step 3, the next groups, exercise classes and clubs could start again.

Until June 21st we will not be accepting bookings for private hire. After that date we hope to be very much back to business and raring to go!

We have been busy planning some celebrations for when we can get together. The first of these will be a free ‘Getting Out Again’ party for everyone in the village. The date for this is July 17th, with details to follow. It is hoped that as many people, families, and children will come as possible. You just have to walk, skip, run, wheel, dance to the Village Hall, and we will provide the food, drink, and entertainment!

Here are some exciting fundraising events which I am sure everyone will be ready for.

Calendar of events for the next twelve months: ‘Getting Out Again’ Saturday July 17th, 2021. A free celebration for all villagers with food, drink and entertainment included.

Beer Festival Saturday September 25th, 2021. An opportunity to try locally brewed beers and ciders. Tickets will include 5 drinks. Food and other refreshments will be available to purchase. Local artists will provide the music during the evening.

Quiz Night Saturday October 9th, 2021 Simon is our quizmaster. Teams of up to 6 people can pit their wits against each other for a small prize, with the ultimate accolade of being the top team. Bring your own food and drink.

Ceilidh Saturday October 16th, 2021 Put on your comfy shoes and enjoy an evening of fun dancing to ‘Hannibal’s Heroes’. The caller will have you dancing like a 14

professional, with absolutely no experience needed. A ‘Ploughman’s supper’ will be provided in the ticket price and a licenced bar will be available.

Christmas Big Band Dance Saturday December 11th, 2021 Kick off the Christmas season with an opportunity to dance and be entertained by this big band sound.

Ticket price will include a supper. A licenced bar will be available.

A Murder Mystery Saturday February 26th, 2022. An interactive murder mystery group will uncover the murder scene. Throughout the evening, clues will be revealed so that you can play along as detectives to find out whodunnit! Supper and a licenced bar will be included in the ticket price.

All events are subject to change with more details of each event and ticket prices to follow.

The opportunity to socialise, dance, drink and generally make merry come at the end of spending so much time isolated and indoors. So, put these dates on your empty calendars and come and join us. It is time to meet old friends and hopefully make some new ones.

Helen Ellis - Secretary, Offord Village Hall

Thursday Club Hello Everyone, The last lockdown has been long and hard. Just before that we lost member Avril Stanford to cancer. Throughout her ill health she refused to let it dampen her zest for life and her cheerful character. We were also saddened to hear of the death of Frances Kass. Frances attended the Thursday club for many years before moving from the village.

Let’s hope with the combination of vaccines and lower infections we will soon be able to meet up again. Then we can go on our popular trips to garden centres, boat trips, gardens or whatever takes our fancy.

Once it is safe to resume our weekly meetings in the village hall we will be delighted to return. There will obviously be a celebratory lunch, which we are known for!

If you would like to join us, then come and see what we do. Our Chairman, Doreen Rowbury 811025, is always happy to chat and give information about the club.

Thursday Club is open to any age and any gender.

We meet in the Village Hall every Thursday from 12 until 2pm.

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Pilates with K Fit in Offord!

With a focus on stretch, strength, mobility and control, Pilates exercises can help you ease back ache, improve posture and strengthen the core muscles in a gentle and calm environment. K Fit has been established in St Neots since 2011 and is very excited to reach the Offord community.

Class Details: Wednesday mornings at Offord Village Hall 11am-12pm These classes will be held as 6 week courses through term times, Course price: £45 These classes will be held with a maximum of 12 participants to ensure there is enough floor space and good quality teaching. Prior booking is essential; please get in contact to reserve your space.

Katrina Hyland Head of K Fit 07967100603 Kdanceandfitness@gmail.com www.kdanceandfitness.co.uk

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Laughter Lines We would welcome contributions from anyone who has a story, joke or anecdote they would be willing to share. Please send entries to OffordOandA@gmail.com Working with young children is wonderful! They say such delightful and funny things.

My class of 7 year olds were to perform a play for the school and I spent several lunchbreaks creating and painting scenery. One cold day as I was painting a cut out cardboard donkey, one little girl kept creeping into the classroom. She started with the excuse that she had forgotten her hat. Next time it was her gloves. Each time I sent her back outside.

The third time she tried a different approach saying “What a lovely painting. Can I stay in and watch you?” I said no, she must go out and get some fresh air.

“Well, can you just tell me what it is then? Is it a horse or a cow?” I was losing patience by now and told her sharply that it was neither.

“Oh goody” she said “well please let me stay as I’ve never even seen a neither!”

She stayed!

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e t u t i t s n I s n e m Offord Wo After all the months of lockdown, we can at last bring you more hopeful news of our WI Group! If all the plans set out by Government continue, we hope to hold our first Post-Covid meeting in July 2021. The date will be the second Tuesday, 13th July, so please make a note in your WI diary.

Tuesday 13th July 2021 This first meeting will be held outdoors and in the afternoon. It will be open to Members of course, but also to any other ladies who might be interested in seeing what we do, who might be considering joining, or who just want an excuse to get out and meet people again. You will all be welcomed and it could be a new beginning for our group.

There will be tea and cake of course and it will be wonderful to see everyone.

So do please come – we are a friendly bunch and we will have a relaxed and informal afternoon.

In next months magazine, we will be able to go into more detail, so please watch out for our announcement in Out and About. Let’s hope that we can finally get back to a more normal life and to doing the things we love – meeting others, chatting, sharing, days out, making friends, learning. All these are available with your local WI, so please join in!

We look forward to seeing YOU and wish you all a very Happy Easter.

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h c t a W d o o h Neighbour

The Offords - Spring

Flood Plan Flooding has been a very emotive topic in the village this winter and there have been many discussions and meetings dealing with the aftermath. I know that the Parish Council are putting together a local flood plan. However, it is worth having a flood plan in place specific to your own property. Flood Plan templates, together with other useful informative documents, are available on the Environment Agency website below or by calling 0345 9881188 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-flood-plan The plan includes: How to prepare for flooding and what to do if you experience flooding Contact details of emergency and other relevant organisations Check list of actions to take both inside and outside the home Items to have to hand in case of flooding or you need to evacuate There are many products available to help protect your home against flooding. Examples of these can be seen at the following website or by calling 01299 403055 for more details www.bluepages.org.uk Fire Plan While you are compiling your flood plan, it would make sense to prepare a fire plan as many actions will be the same. Samples of plans and much more useful information can be found on the Cambridgeshire Fire Service or general Fire Service websites at or call Cambridgeshire Fire Service on 01480 444500 https://www.cambsfire.gov.uk/home-safety/your-home-escape-plan/ https://www.fireservice.co.uk/safety/ Again, many fire safety products are available, most important of which are smoke alarms. Other products to consider are fire blankets, extinguishers and even escape ladders.

To report an emergency or ongoing incident, call 999.

To report suspicious activity in your neighbourhood, call 101 To report information anonymously, call crime-stoppers on 0800-555111.

To report incidents via email, send to huntscops@cambs.pnn.police.uk To pass information regarding rural burglaries email: burglarycrackdown@cambs.pnn.police.uk Something to think about, being an active member or being on a road within a Neighbourhood Watch area can save you money on your home insurance. We still need someone to cover Andrews Close. If any residents on the new development are interested in helping, please get in touch. Our meetings are currently on hold but if you need to contact me, email offordswatch@gmail.com or call 811839.

Stay safe, Peter Riley 30

at e B e h t o t t e e F

The Offords Line Dance Group

Better days are ahead of us and everyone has been encouraged by the roadmap announced by the Prime Minister on 22nd February giving key dates for the relaxation of lockdown. Line Dance classes fall into Step 3 when from Monday 17th May indoor sports activities can take place.

Izzy intends to start her classes at Offord Village Hall on Tuesday 1st June, following all previous restrictions, but this is a date that we can look forward to and hope that in the meantime no adverse conditions change the plans. So that we all feel safe, we will be adhering to the earlier measures brought in to conform to the latest Covid-19 regulations, of being socially distanced and with red dots front and sides of the hall to ensure we are correctly spaced.

So, we will fire up our line dance brains again and dust off our dance shoes ready to enjoy the varied and popular dances that Izzy will have ready for us, and most of all we look forward to meeting up with old friends.

Jenny Griffiths - on behalf of Izzy Brogan Tel: 07709 344144

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All Saints Church A final message from Jes Salt - All Saints Church to all the village Dear Friends, Spring finally seems to be here and it is particularly welcome this year.

Perhaps because of Covid and the relatively severe weather, this winter has seemed very long. But at last we are in spring.

This is one of my favourite times of the year. We are able to enjoy longer days and some slightly warmer weather; nature is waking up and the promise of summer stretches before us.

There is a sense of new growth, new possibilities, which this year feels particularly important. There is some way before life can begin to look normal, whatever that may mean, but with the good news that most if not all adults in the UK will have received their first vaccine before July there is a welcome sense of possibility for the months ahead.

At All Saints we have sadly been closed since Christmas, so there is the hope and expectation that we will shortly be open again for public worship. We would love to see you.

This time of year is also when we hold our Annual Church Meeting when we reflect and celebrate the previous year and look forward to the year ahead. This edition of O&A includes as usual the church’s Annual Report which will be presented at that meeting. However, for obvious reasons this is all rather limited this year.

For Jane and me personally this is a particularly poignant time, because at the end of April we will be leaving Buckden and Offord and moving to Rutland Water. This is therefore the last time I will be writing for Out & About. We leave with a sense of sadness that Covid has meant that a number of things we would have liked to achieve will have to be left undone, but also a strong sense of thankfulness to the church and the community in Offord for making us so welcome. We have thoroughly enjoyed the last 5 ½ years with you.

Finally can I, on your behalf, once again thank the team who edit and contribute to Out & About and who make it such a great magazine. I hope this edition will enthuse us all to enjoy and make the most of whatever this year has to offer.

Best wishes Jes Rev Jes Salt, Priest in Charge, Buckden and the Offords 33 01480 819377 jes.salt@btinternet.com

Andrew Shefford writes in appreciation of All Saints and Jes The best part of lockdown for me has been getting along to All Saints from September to November. In normal times, as a family, we attend Godmanchester Baptist Church and that's where you'd find us on a Sunday morning. Whilst GBC services have continued on YouTube, Zoom coffee after the service has become a thing and it’s given me a chance to get along to the parish church here in the village on Sunday mornings.

Three good reasons why I’m really looking forward to returning to All Saints when conditions allow: 1. I love being in the physical place; it’s so full of history and meaning and has been for generations of worshipers. (Does anyone know what the ‘M’ symbol on some of the chandeliers means?)

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Think about the practices that have been recommended to us to help us with our mental health through lockdown: mindfulness, awe, gratitude, positive attitude, meditation, maintaining community. All available from 9:30 on Sunday morning from All Saints, all welcome, no matter what.

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Only a few short weeks left of Jes Salt’s ministry with us! His service to the community has been a real blessing and we will all miss him.

Nobody knows how coming months will work out. But when it reopens can I encourage you to venture in to All Saints on a Sunday morning just before 9:30am and be blessed?

So what’s going on at All Saints Church now?

We are all very sad that the time has come to say “Goodbye” to Jes and Jane. They have enriched our community and we will miss them. Jes has made exceptional efforts to get to know the Offord villagers and has visited village organisations and got to know the school and young people. The sight of Jes and his puppy has brought smiles to many faces during the past year. Keeping socially distanced, he has been present in our village every week and has been alert to the needs of the parish. It’s now time for him to move to a new position in Rutland and we wish him well. Our loss is their gain!

Before Jes leaves we hope that the church will re-open and there is a rota of visiting clergy organised to keep worship at All Saints alive until the vacancy is filled. Once the church can reopen the regular pattern of services each month will be: Ist Sunday Holy Communion Service at 9.30 am 2nd Sunday Songs of Praise at 6pm followed by refreshments when allowed 3rd Sunday Holy Communion Service at 9.30 am 4th Sunday Family / All age Service at 9.30am 34

All Saints Offord D’Arcy and Offord Cluny – Annual Report Objective: The primary object of All Saints Offord D’Arcy and Offord Cluny is the promotion of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to the doctrines and practices of the Church of England.

Management: The parish church of All Saints is run by the Parochial Church Council (PCC) along with the Priest in Charge (PinC), Rev Jes Salt. In addition to the Priest in Charge, the members of the PCC for 2020 were as follows; John Simpkin and Sue Dorrington (Churchwardens), Liz Simpkin (Secretary), Mandy Eayrs (Treasurer), Stephen Eayrs, Helen Manning, Jenny Murby, Helen Northrop, Cynthia Rowbury, and John Storey.

2020 at All Saints: This year (2020) was dominated by the Covid19 pandemic. This meant that our normal live worship was suspended for most of the year, and also that almost all our normal activities and community events were cancelled. Consequently, this is a somewhat shorter Annual Report than normal. 2020 started with our 9.30 service continuing to attract around 12-15 for Communion and Morning Prayer and between 15-25 for All Age with a similar number also attending our monthly evening Songs of Praise. The last service in All Saints before lockdown 1 was 15th March.

We re-opened for live worship on 6th September, with social distancing and other Covid 19 precautions reducing our capacity to around 35. Our attendance over this period was around 14 for each service which was pleasing given that some people were understandably reluctant to gather in a group and also with Sunday worship being available online.

All Saints closed again for lockdown 2 on 5th November. Among other things, this meant that we were unable to hold our normal Remembrance Service, although thankfully we were able to record a service to broadcast online. Sadly, we were also unable to hold our usual Christmas celebrations, but we were able to arrange an online Christingle service and as part of Buckden and District Churches Together we took part in their online carol service. We held services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but understandably attendance at both services was small, after which the church once again closed.

Online services: Like many other churches we have, with our sister church St Mary’s Buckden, offered an online service every week since the start of the pandemic including ‘special’ services at Easter, VJ Day and Ascension. That has entailed a steep learning curve for all involved! Initially services were streamed live on Facebook, but evolved into a pre-recorded service streamed to a dedicated You Tube channel. Huge thanks are due to Jane for mastering the technical skills and producing such attractive services.

Viewing figures have been reasonably positive. During the various lockdowns there have been generally between 60-75 views each week across the benefice and beyond. We continued to stream services when the church reopened for folk who were reluctant to attend a live service and there have been 40-55 views each week.

All Saints online Remembrance service attracted 94 views and the Churches 35

Together Christmas Carol service 92 views. It is clear that online services are here to stay and it is pleasing that the PCC have grasped the importance of developing this aspect of ministry.

Grateful thanks to all who support our services and in particular to those who programme and operate our music box, which provides us with such good quality musical backing to support our worship. I am, as ever, grateful to the ministry team of Miles, our Associate Priest, and Ann our Licensed Lay Minister, for all their support and help during this difficult year.

We have endeavoured to maintain our links with Offord School during the year although personal contact has understandably been difficult. Sadly, the uniformed organisations have been closed since March, although we remain in contact with the adult leaders.

Unfortunately, the social events which form an important part of our church and community life, as well as raising essential funds, were victims of the pandemic.

St Peters, our sister church run by the Churches Conservation Trust, has remained closed during the pandemic and no All Saints events took place there during 2020.

Social Action: All Saints members have continued to support the village’s weekly donations of food to Godmanchester Foodbank. This has proved invaluable to the many people who have struggled during the pandemic. All Saints also supported the village neighbourhood which was set up during lockdown1 to provide practical support to members of the village.

Occasional Services: Despite the Covid restrictions limiting the size and content of services we had the joy of hosting one wedding during 2020, but no baptisms.

Sadly, we lost some good friends during the year with 8 funerals or thanksgiving services taking place during 2020. We were also able to hold our annual All Souls service in church.

Fabric Report: There has been no change to the contents of the church during the past year.

With regard to the replacement of the roof, the specification referred to in last year’s report has been received and a “faculty” (the church equivalent to planning permission) has now been obtained. The next step is to obtain at least three tenders for the work so that we can begin the process of applying for grants to cover the cost.

We shall also need to commission an ecological survey (given the presence of bats in the church) and apply for planning consent from Huntingdonshire District Council.

In the meantime, the temporary roof covering which was put in place after the theft of lead has been renewed in order to protect the structure.

The PCC would still like to make the other alterations and repairs referred to last year (provision of toilet and kitchen facilities, etc) but repairing the roof is our priority and given the current financial position, they cannot be carried out in the immediate future.

Out & About: A new team took over Out & About at the start of 2020 building on the healthy legacy left by Bob and Carolyn Bargh. It is a joy to report that the 36

magazine has gone from strength to strength during 2020. Although it has only been available online due to Covid restrictions for much of the year, it has attracted praise for the broad content of articles and items of interest designed to engage with an even wider readership in and around the village. A big thankyou to the editorial team and the many people who have contributed to the success of O&A during 2020.

Financial Report: This has inevitably been a difficult year financially for All Saints.

Total receipts on unrestricted funds were £13,105.97 of which £763.10 was unrestricted fundraising (a 91.8% decrease), £6471 in regular giving, of which £4,505 was from Gift Aid itself and £1,329.47 from Tax Recovered. The amount in fees received (£3,348) has remained more or less the same this year but the amount received in interest from the Eayrs Trust (£1,008) has increased a little. All receipts and payments are detailed in the Financial Statements; these can be made available on request. The planned giving through envelopes and banker’s orders has increased by 4% this year with the majority of the regular congregation kindly changing to give a regular weekly or monthly donation to the Church throughout the lockdown period. However, without services in Church the amount of collections has decreased by 77%. £14,322 was spent from unrestricted funds to provide the Christian ministry from All Saints Church. We unfortunately had to reduce our contribution to the diocesan parish share which largely provides the stipends and housing for the clergy. The major expenses were the continuing running costs of the Church and the Church Rooms which although they were closed for a number of months the utility charges were still having to be met.

We also incurred costs from the Restricted fund of £5,951 for the ongoing attempts to secure the relevant permissions etc. to replace the Church Roof and unfortunately had to replace parts of the temporary roof due to the storms which we had during the year. The net result for the year was an excess of payments over receipts of £1,216 on unrestricted funds and £5,951 on restricted funds. Adding bank and deposit balances brought forward at the beginning of the year, the balances carried forward at 31st December on unrestricted funds totalled £20,114, restricted funds totalled £29682.17 and £5,299 has been set aside to meet the costs of maintaining the Church, maintaining the Organ and a contribution to the heating fund. This is carried forward as designated funds.

PCC action: The PCC has taken the following action to manage the financial shortfall: •

The amount of parish share which is paid to the diocese to support ministry in the parish has been reduced from a monthly payment over 10 months of £1,100 to a nominal £100 per month. It is anticipated this will continue through much of 2021, at least until services are able to resume and we are able to hold revenue generating social events.

•

Active steps were taken during 2020 to seek to investigate ways of reducing the financial impact of the Church Rooms which have been running at a net loss of at least £1,000 per annum for several years. It is anticipated that during this financial year the PCC will be able to divest itself of the financial responsibility for this building.

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•

We recognise that the PCC faces a formidable challenge to fund the replacement of the temporary roof structure with a permanent solution as well as then to fund the completion of the other planned works mentioned in the Fabric report above and at a time when the PCC also needs to secure a new Priest in Charge.

•

Active steps were taken during the year to review and, if possible, to reduce some of our utility costs and this has been partially successful. Other than trivial items, expenditure is reviewed by the PCC.

The financial model which has developed at All Saints over recent years, namely congregational giving supplemented by an expanded number of well supported fundraising events with careful management of expenditure, is sound. Accordingly, the PCC is reasonably confident that the financial position can be restored once services and fund raising activities can resume.

Reserves policy: It is PCC policy to try to maintain a balance on unrestricted funds which equates to at least six months unrestricted payments. This is equivalent to approximately £11,000 based on a normal year’s expenditure. It is held to smooth out fluctuations in cash flow and to meet emergencies. The cash balance held on unrestricted (including designated) funds at the year end, together with the amounts payable to and by the PCC, is within this target. The balance of £29,682 in the restricted fund is retained towards meeting the cost of Restoration and Upkeep of the Church.

Conclusion At the end of last year’s report, I wrote that ‘at All Saints, we are blessed with a keen and committed congregation’. Although we have been unable to meet in person for collective worship for much of last year, it is still the case and I am hopeful that as Covid restrictions ease during 2021 the church will regroup in worship and in contributing in service to the community here in Offord.

It is with a bitter sweet feeling that I write this conclusion to my last All Saints Annual Report. It is sweet because it is has been a tremendous privilege and joy to serve All Saints and the community of Offord over the past 5 ½ years and to worship, work, laugh and cry with such an enthusiastic and committed congregation. It is ‘bitter’ because in many ways I am sad to be leaving particularly at a time when Covid has denied us the chance to grow and develop together as we would have liked. However, I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve as the parish priest for Offord and am confident that the God who has sustained us through 2020 will continue to do so through us ‘immeasurably more than we could ever hope or imagine’ in 2021 and beyond.

Many blessings and best wishes for the future Jes Jes Salt, Priest in Charge

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Worship in Offord is alive and well. Jes has recorded weekly online services which are easy to access and enable you to listen and join in at whatever time you choose. This innovation has actually increased attendance dramatically – albeit a virtual experience! The Sunday service can be found each week on YouTube and Facebook and the order of service can be obtained from (warden.offord@yahoo.com) on request. When Jes has gone there will be no-one able to pre-record a service. Instead, the intention is to Live stream services from St Mary’s Buckden and to try to do the same from All Saints. This is tricky because the internet connectivity is poor in our church. Watch this space! A small but dedicated team are onto it but if you know of anyone in the village with Tech skills that could help, us please contact one of the church wardens, Sue Dorrington or John Simpkin.

Please see the notice board in the High Street for confirmation of the current / changing arrangements.

FundRaising and Social Events remain cancelled. Provisional dates have been booked so that when the Village Hall is fully open again we will return with our very popular Bacon Butty Saturday mornings and a programme of social and fundraising events.

In the absence of fund raising events, we are more reliant than ever on donations and thank all those who would normally give to the collection at services but who have set up electronic payments or saved in their collection boxes. Thank you to all of you who have an All Saints Collection Box at home. If yours is now full of coins please contact Bob Bargh 810237 or John Storey 810763 and someone will collect the box from you as soon as it is safe to do so.

Before Jes leaves he will hold the Annual meetings to elect officers for All Saints.

These will be on 11th April at 7pm in church if possible or otherwise via Zoom. The exact arrangements will be confirmed at the start of April on the website and village notice boards. It falls to Jes to present the annual report which is included in this edition of Out & About.

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All Saints Church Offord Cluny - Contact Details

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h c r u h C s r te e P t S f o The Friends We have all welcomed the roadmap announced by the Prime Minister in February with the four steps allowing the gradual easing of Covid-19 restrictions. From 21st June onwards the Churches Conservation Trust have advised that all their churches can reopen fully to visitors and events can take place. As previously mentioned, the exterior and interior of the building are checked regularly to ensure there is no damage but we will have to clean inside before we can allow visitors to view the beautiful building.

We are planning several low-key events for 2021 but regrettably the Claude Bourbon guitar concert, due to take place on Saturday 17th July, has had to be cancelled. Our planned events are as follows and we will, of course, abide by all government and CCT regulations in force at the time.

Thursday 24 June 7pm

Friends of St Peter’s AGM

Saturday 11 September Sunday 12 September

National Heritage Open Days

Sunday 24 October

Autumn Craft Fair Still very provisional.

Thursday 11 November

Armistice Wreath Laying at the Offord Darcy War Memorial in St Peter’s Church

Although we had hoped for a busier calendar in 2021 to make up for all the cancelled events and services of 2020, it is still early days as the country emerges from this national lockdown and so precaution prevails.

In the meantime, the audio guide to St Peter’s is always available. To access the guide please go to the CCT website, as follows: https://www.visitchurches.org.uk/visit/church-listing/st-peter-offord-darcy.html Jenny Griffiths Friends of St Peter’s Church 01480 811126 42

Friends of St Peter’s Church, Offord Darcy This is the sight that greeted those of us who make sure that the church and its immediate surround is kept tidy and in good order.

Not a pleasant scene to discover a bag of dog waste dumped by the wall on the west side of the building and left by a dog owner for someone else to clear up.

Irresponsible dumping of dog waste bags seems to be a very common problem in the Offords and has been reported many times by the Parish Council in Out & Abut, so please, dog owners, take responsibility for properly disposing of your dog’s waste.

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h c r u h C d e m r o f e R St Neots United As with all churches we are currently closed. After lockdown, if the church is permitted to open for short services they will be at the usual time of 11 am but with reduced capacity for social distancing and no singing, please contact the Church Secretary to check booking details and dates as well as up to date availability.

Currently there will be no refreshments available after the service. Face masks must be worn.

There is a brief weekly service on our website below and services are on Zoom every Sunday please contact the Church Secretary for ID and Password, all are welcome.

During the lockdown, churches together in St Neots are providing services on Black Cat Radio from 9.30 to 10 am each Sunday. So far our Minister, Dr Rick Mearkle, has conducted the service along with the other St Neots church leaders taking turns to conduct the service.

Come and visit the United Reformed Church which is on the High Street in St Neots.

The only access without steps is at the rear of the building near to Argos . Parking is available in Tebbutts Road behind the Church.

For all Church matters please contact the Church Secretary, Jenny Gibbs , for further information on 01480 214503.

Web Site www.stneotsurc.co.uk

h c r u h C t s i d o th e M Buckden Minister: Stewards:

Rev. Sue Baker-Maher. Tel 473444.

Angie Barnes (810102) Bob Baxter (810092) Carol Swepstone (810053) 44

t r o p e R l i c n u o C h Paris

March 2021

For the last couple of months Council’s activities have almost solely been concentrated on the flooding that affected so many people at the start of the year.

It has been quite a task, not least because the Parish Council has no power at all to force agencies to act or to act itself to put things right.

An example of this was the supposed road closure at the north end of High Street, Offord Cluny. The only people that can request an emergency road closure are the emergency services and the police requested that this section of road be closed due to the flooding and the subsequent breaking up of the road surface. Regardless of the signs, vehicles continued to drive through, many at speed, sending flood water and pieces of road surface into the front gardens and sometimes windows of the properties. It was obviously a very miserable time for those residents. Councillors tried to help, one tried to pump the water away from the properties and others replaced the closure signs which were laid down by motorists countless times throughout the day. Some motorists were extremely aggressive and there was an incident which required the police to attend and make an arrest. It didn’t help that directional signs from Godmanchester were confusing and none of the navigation systems were given the information. There were definite lessons to be learned for all concerned and if anything ever happens like that again at least we will know where to start. The road has now been resurfaced and once the water level recedes the collapsed drain will be repaired, and white lines painted.

Council is still working through the myriad issues that presented themselves at the time and since. A multi-agency approach is required, and we are engaging with Network Rail, The Environment Agency and Anglian Water and others through the Senior Flood Risk Officer at Cambridgeshire County Council who is the lead for this. In time a report will be published but at the moment, because of the forthcoming elections, this will not happen.

The Parish Council is developing its own Emergency Plan which it is hoped will help should any similar events occur in the future and a supply of sand and sandbags will be kept in the parish.

Now that Spring seems to be just around the corner and there is a light at the end of the tunnel with regard to the possible lifting of restrictions, Council is keen to get on with the other projects which were overshadowed by other events. We have planned for new noticeboards and the refurbishment of existing ones, additional Little Libraries, which have proved to be such a success 45

and new play equipment and surfacing in the small children’s area on the Millennium Green. Other possibilities are the provision of outdoor exercise equipment and an outdoor table tennis table on the Recreation Ground. This past year has seen so many more people taking exercise outside that Councillors feel it would be good to capitalise on this. Residents’ views on these projects are welcomed.

A downside of more people using these recreational spaces has been an increase in litter and dog waste not being disposed of. Additional bins have and are being provided so please do use these or take your litter home rather than spoil these special places for all.

The community Facebook page is an important tool in keeping people talking and sharing information and updates are posted regularly on the website as well as all the usual Council bits and pieces. You can sign up to the newsletter via the site and be notified as soon as something changes.

We are very much open for business as usual so if you have any concerns or worries about anything please get in touch. Councillors and I are happy to help if we can and there are volunteers within the parish willing to be of assistance.

Parish Council meetings continue to be held remotely via the Zoom platform.

The Agendas go onto the noticeboards and website in the usual way and there is a link on the Agenda to allow you to sit in or take part in a meeting. The Annual Parish Meeting and the Annual General Meeting of the Parish Council will both be held remotely on May 6th. The first will start at 7pm with the second meeting following on. Face to face Council meetings following government’s guidance are set to resume in June, unless things change.

If I can help in any way please contact me.

Jackie Stanbridge

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Parish Councillors 2018-2022 Ian Weitzel(Chairman) Ronaldsway, Littleworth End Offord Darcy 01480 811697 Ian.weitzel@btconnect.com

Stephen Eayrs Top Farm Offord Cluny 01480 811816 stepheneayrs@btinternet.com

John Gatward (Vice Chairman) 5 Elm Drive Offord Cluny 01480 811148 rgatward@btinternet.com

Simon Young (Chair of Planning) 6 Pippin Close Offord Darcy 01480 812877 simonjyoung@outlook.com

Tina Dawson (Chair of Finance) 15 Park Way Offord Cluny 01480 819471 Tinac_13@hotmail.com

Caroline Savage The Grove, 71 High Street Offord Darcy 07966 144956 caolsysa24@icloud.com

Peter Riley 33 Park Way Offord Cluny 01480 811839 Pete.riley@outlook.com

David Gillbanks The Limes, High Street Offord Darcy 01480 812183 gillbanks@gillbanks.com

Jackie Stanbridge Clerk to the Council Clerk@offords-pc.gov.uk 07597 988763

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Fitness Classes at

Offord Village Hall Every Monday Fit4Life exercise class for active seniors at 10am Pilates at 7.30pm For more information contact me, Janine RSA/YMCA qualified Fitness Instructor 01480 810370 / 07790 655637 janineskyrme@btinternet.com 50

b u l C s n e z i t i C r o i n e S d r o f f O Although we are still unable to meet up, I hope everyone remains well and positive. The Village Hall may be able to open in May but because of the restrictions that would apply and the measures that we would have to take as a club to be Covid secure in order to have a meeting, unfortunately it means that it just would not work for us as a club.

However, at the end of June, if all goes well, the government could potentially ease down restrictions which means that we could think about getting together again. By then, we should all have received our second vaccination, which will also boost confidence. We shall see, fingers crossed!!

In ‘normal’ times, of course, we would have been looking forward to our annual Day’s Outing in June - we will have a lot of catching up to do and maybe we can all give a thought as to how you would like to celebrate when we are able.

In the meantime, continue to stay well.

Sue Barimore Secretary

The Huntingdonshire Society for the Blind can recycle your used postage stamps, and has a representative living in Offord Cluny.

Please drop them in at 127 High Street or phone 811892 for collection.

Just cut or tear off envelope leaving some paper around the stamp.

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Biodiversity and B-Lines Did you know that …………. The Offords sit within a B-Line that follows the A1 and there are things we can all do to help? asks Gareth Rondel an ecologist who lives in Offord Darcy.

Recently in Out and About we have had several articles covering bats, rewilding and conservation on farmland. All these articles refer to the need to provide rich and diverse habitats that will have a direct benefit for biodiversity – the wealth of wildlife we have around us - from big and obvious things like trees or birds, through to the small things that go unseen but are vital in making the planet around us work.

In fact, it is the small things that really matter…life on Earth started small and functioned quite happily for billions of years. The Earth is about 4.5 billion years old and vertebrates - creatures with backbones – first appeared about 500 million years ago. Humans are vertebrates, but along with all other vertebrates we make up just 5% of all animal species. The rest are invertebrates.

Sir David Attenborough observes that: ‘If we and the rest of the back-boned animals were to disappear overnight, the rest of the world would get on pretty well. But if the invertebrates were to disappear, the world’s ecosystems would collapse.’

Most of the invertebrates around us go unseen – but one we are all familiar with and that is starting to appear again at this time of year is the bumblebee. During March and April, we will begin to see queens of two species - Bombus terrestris and Bombus lucorum - looking for nesting sites.

Bees have become the focus of a major conservation initiative across the UK. This initiative is called B-Lines and aims to reconnect the tiny fragments of good habitat that have been broken up through the continued growth and expansion of towns, cities and roads.

This initiative is run by Buglife (www.buglife.org.uk) – a conservation charity that is devoted to the conservation of all invertebrates – including bumblebees. The Offords sit within a B-Line that follows the A1 and there are things we can all do to help.

Filling our gardens with plants that are good sources of nectar, and that also look attractive is the simplest step. More advice on the types of trees and flowers to plant can be found via the following sources: • the British Beekeepers’ Association (BBKA.org.uk).

•

the Bumblebee Conservation Trust (Bumblebeeconservation.org).

So as Spring arrives and many of us start working on our gardens, perhaps just take a moment to think about what you are planting or what you might be taking away and take positive action for the Bees and other invertebrates.

For more information on B-Lines and invertebrate conservation visit the Buglife website – www.Buglife.org.uk 52

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t r o p e R r o ll i c n u o C County

By Peter Downes

The County Council has continued to maintain most of its meeting schedule via Zoom so the routine work has been maintained in spite of the lockdown. By the time you read this magazine, hopefully in its printed version again, the County Council will have held (on March 16th) its last meeting of the current four-year cycle. The Council will be debating motions on • the possibility of creating a ‘Biosphere’ in the Fens, •

the council’s investment policy in a company called This Land,

•

local government funding

•

‘Real Living Wage’ Calling for an improvement in the remuneration of our lowest-paid employees

•

Thanks to departing councillors, of whom there are many.

The County set its 21-22 budget at its February meeting and I gave details of that in the Focus you have already received so I don’t need to repeat it all here.

Suffice it to say that setting a realistic budget in these unprecedented times would never have been easy, whatever the political colour of the party in control.

The last few months have been the strangest and, in some ways, the most demanding of my twenty years as a county councillor. The over-riding concern has been, as far as possible, to protect the population from the effects of the worst pandemic this country has experienced for a century. Alongside that, there has been an expectation of ‘business as usual’. On top of all that the last few weeks have seen some of the worst flooding incidents for many years, as some Offords readers are only too aware..

The public, locked down from their normal work and pursuits, have been able to go out for a walk and this has given them the opportunity to identify many of the shortcomings along the roads and pavements. ‘They’ have been to blame, whether one of the councils or central government. So I have received more complaints than ever before about pot-holes, cracked pavements, blocked gullies, dirty or incorrect signage, etc. All this at a time when getting the manpower to make good these shortcomings has been limited.

As the medical situation eases, every effort will be made to rectify the shortcomings of recent months, insofar as funds allow.

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One of the learning points of the last few months has been the essential role of what is sometimes called the lowest tier of government, i,e the parish council.

The short video of a row in a parish council in Handforth got national coverage because of the violence of its language and the clash of local personalities. It’s not like that round here! The reality and value of parish council commitment has never been more clearly illustrated than by the recent situation where those who step forward, unpaid, to be councillors have been battling to minimise the impact of the current difficulties on local people. And many other individuals and groups have been ministering to those in greatest need.

At the time of writing, the infection rate is dropping and the vaccination programme has been going well. By the time this Out and About reaches you, the warmer weather and the recovery of local services will have helped to lift morale. But the pubic health message remains vital - respect the stated limitations, stay safe and keep well.

You will probably know that I will soon be ‘retiring’ from my role as a County Councillor. I have particularly enjoyed my contact with your two villages and with The Offords Parish Council. I think your parish assembly, usually held in the Village Hall in April/May, is one of the best I have seen in this area.

In these last few weeks of my time as your county councillor, I remain contactable about any specific issues with which I may be able to help.

Peter Downes 01480 509471 or 07765 833 486 peterdownes42@aol.co.uk

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ate d p U s r o ll i c n u o C t c i Distr Flooding and emergency response It was distressing to know residents have experienced flooded homes in recent months. At the time of writing there are still some who are dealing with surface water issues that have still not been resolved. The Environment Agency have reported that they believe the wet winter, sodden ground and then excessive rainfall in the short period combined to give us both surface water flooding and river water flooding. We saw an amazing community response at the time of the floods and that support has not stopped. We know that local councillors and residents have been working hard to address remaining issues and to seek solutions to try and avoid this happening again. We have been supporting this effort too.

HDC held discussions with the affected communities, together with the County Council, Anglian Water, the Environment Agency, Network Rail and County Council Highways to learn lessons and to address future issues. We have worked to ensure Offord was included and its residents’ voices are heard. We now have more clarity on who owns what and who can take what action – clearing gullies, ditches and water courses / culverts and addressing pumping station issues for foul water.

The County Council, who are responsible for flooding as the lead authority, is now leading on seeing that the work takes place.

HDC have a brief to help coordinate the emergency response. It has taken the unusual step of commissioning a Flooding Task and Finish Group with representatives from across the Chamber – Cllr Sarah Conboy has been invited to join them. They will be holding a series of investigative conversations with the agencies involved in making the emergency response to flooding and producing a ‘lessons learned’ report for HDC to consider in the coming months.

We are aware that the County Council are offering to support parishes who wish to produce a flood plan and, we think, offering extra resources to those who were badly affected by the recent floods – the Offords would be an obvious candidate for such support.

HDC Covid Response There remains vigilance about our local Covid transmission rates and we are being reminded that the public should not be complacent as we see an easing of restrictions.

Vaccinations are rolling out but there is variance across the region in terms of which groups are being called forward. Those on the CEV lists are being invited forward but those who are carers (with carers’ allowance or who are unpaid carers) are not being called consistently across Cambridgeshire, leading to local confusion and anxiety. The message remains wait to be called but the NHS website 56

allows people to book and is a quick way of checking whether you can do so: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/bookcoronavirus-vaccination/ The Local Restrictions Support Grant for businesses that were required to close as part of the national lockdown on 5 November to 2 December 2020 is now available: https://www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/business/covid-business-grants/localrestrictions-support-grant/ This is now available for business that were forced to close.

Budgets HDC has now set its budget – 0% increase on Council Tax for this year. They have relied on reserves and budget cutting to achieve this – the leading Conservative group will tell you they still have plenty of reserves, but we worry that instead of maintaining the previous minimum 15%, which they argued was essential, we will now be dipping down to 12%. That said, we are all sure that with so many struggling financially, no increase in council tax rates will be appreciated this year – but there will have to be an increase in subsequent years to balance the books.

Getting back on our feet HDC continues to work hard to encourage our business to reopen safety in the market towns and to promote shopping locally. HDC are offering help and the use of an online ordering service for small retailers. You can find all the latest information on their website: https://www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/council-democracy/reopeningour-towns/ A flavour of casework this month across the ward In spite of the residual flooding and Covid related issues taking much of our time, we have still taken on adhoc casework where you’ve approached us – planning enforcement, tree work and anything else that residents have brought to our attention.

Lockdown has not reduced the work we are doing on your behalf – if anything, it has been busier.

As always, we work for you year-round.

If you have any issues you think we should know about or could help with then please get in touch.

Sarah Wilson Mike Grice Sarah Conboy

Sarah.wilson@huntingdonshire.gov.uk Mike.grice@huntingdonshire.gov.uk sarah.conboy@huntingdonshire.gov.uk

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01480 412747 01480 383213 01480 414900

SPRING INTO SUMMER What an awful year we’ve had – it couldn’t get much worse, So here to give us all a lift, a silly bit of verse.

The nights are getting lighter now, the daffs are popping through, This is no time to lay-a-bed, there’s such a lot to do.

Sort your wardrobe, cut your hair, no more hanging loose, Stop eating everything in sight – there’s really no excuse.

We’ll soon be back to WI, to Bingo and Senior Citz, The Quizzes and the Gardening Club - Oh No, but nothing fits!

(I need to get off half a stone, my hair just looks a fright, I think maybe I’ll stay at home – just have an early night!)

But NO! -the Summer’s coming and the Virus – it is waning, We’ve got to sort the garden out, if ever it stops raining.

Nature leads the way for us, recovery is coming, Just listen to the garden birds, the insects all are humming.

Let’s all join in, embrace the Spring, return to village life, We’ve missed it all, we’ve had enough of trouble, fear and strife.

Living here in Offords there’s something for us all, Can’t wait to meet upon the street or in the Village Hall.

We might not touch, we might not hug – but smiling, that’s just fine, Let’s share some fun, let’s have a laugh – a glass or two of wine?

Marion Warden

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CM Decorating For all your Interior & Exterior Decorating Needs • Wallpapering • Artex & Coving • Ceramic Tiling • Colour Scheming • General Maintenance

Russell Manning Providing Quality Service Since 1980

Phone: 01480 810594 Mobile: 07889 154994 Email: cmdecorating@aol.com www.cmdecorating.co.uk 59

Advertise in

Out & About THE OFFORDS GAZETTE

Please note our advertising charges. This magazine is issued every two months and the cost per issue is:

Full page - £15.00 Half page - £ 8.00 For further information or to place orders for advertising please phone Sue Dorrington on 07724 553101 Or email sue _dorrington@hotmail.co.uk 60

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Tel: 01480 273927

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Do you have a few hours to spare?

Do you hold a clean driving licence?

THE HIGHWAYMAN COMMUNITY CAR SCHEME needs drivers To help provide transport for people that are unable to use conventional public transport or to make essential journeys by any other means.

As a volunteer driver you use your own car and receive a mileage allowance.

Additional insurance cover is provided.

How it works: The coordinator phones around to see if any drivers are free for calls that have come in. Calls are booked in advance normally allowing at least 3 to 5 days’ notice for the coordinator to locate a driver.

You are under no obligation to take the drive that you are phoned about, whatever you take on assist people in your community to get to where they need to be without any unnecessary worry.

If you can help us provide this valuable service to local people or require further information please call Jacky on 07786 520540 Highwayman Community Car Scheme supported and advised by Cambridgeshire County Council and Care Network Cambridgeshire

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Village Groups & Organisations Applepips Out of School Club Archery Bowls Club Brownies Church Events

Joanne Corbishley Marc Bax Carolyn Bargh Ann Weitzel John Storey Bob Bargh

Community Police

c/o St Neots Police Stn Andy Ottley

Cubs/Beavers District Councillor District Councillor District Councillor Friends of St Peter’s Guides Neighbourhood Watch Offord Cluny & Offord Darcy Parish Council Parish Clerk Offord Gardeners’ Assn Offord Sch, Headteacher Chair of Governors Offord PTA Offord Pre-School Offord Tots PCSO Rainbows Senior Citizens The Offord PlayerS Thursday Club Village Hall hire Village Hall 300+ Club Women’s Guild Women’s Institute

01480 811977 381172 810237 811697 810763 810237

456111 0345 456 4564 07704 857636 info@paxtonscouts.org.uk Sarah Conboy 414900 Mike Grice 383213 Sarah Wilson 412747 Liz Howes 812899 Ann Weitzel 811697 juliehillsjohnson@gmail.com 01480 812549 Peter Riley 811839 Ian Weitzel Jackie Stanbridge Janet Bedingfield Kate Ruddock Liz Simpkin Claire Faux Joanne Corbishley Nikki Mitchell Richard Braddick Ann Weitzel Marlene Alderman John Kirby Doreen Rowbury Helen Bosworth Helen Bosworth Talvia Gatward Carol Temple

811697 07597 988763 810091 810308 07976 792463 810308 01480 811977 07872 986326 07921 094801 811697 810609 810049 811025 811892 811892 811148 812879

Whilst every effort is made to ensure information in this publication is accurate, we cannot be held responsible for any errors.

The views expressed in this publication may not necessarily reflect those of the Editor.

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Directory of Advertisers Page 11 41 61 49 63 50 70 59 32 65 72 67 19 64 21 50 21 48 62 5 18 60 70 49 63 11 19 8 66 20 27 46 7 71 29 5

A1 CHIMNEY SWEEP & MAINTENANCE 07508 051920 ABSOLUTE PLUMBING 01480 812549 ANDYS WINDOWS 07711 939994 APPLEPIPS OUT OF SCHOOL CLUB 01480 811977 BEAUTY ROOM 01480 812803 BUCKDEN DAY NURSERY 01480 810816 BUDGENS CM DECORATING 01480 810594 DK TILL COAL MERCHANTS 01223 232947 FLAIR UNISEX SALON 01480 810417 GRAVELEY GARAGE & MOTORCYCLES 01480 830462 & 831058 GREENSLEEVES 01767 651639 HILTON DAY NURSERY 01480 830351 HUNT & COOMBS SOLICITORS 01733 882870 HOME-N-DRY 01487 840310 & 07766 576381 JANINE’S PILATES 01480 810370 JEZ ASHCROFT LTD 07708 031493 & 01480 812461 JODI FINCH & SON ELECTRICAL 07771 613848 & 01480 731599 JOHN SINCLAIR ELECTRICIAN 01480 273927 & 07815 903467 JUNE LEE PODIATRIST 01480 214392 & 07947 371107 K-FIT PILATES 07967 100603 KINGFISHER FUNERAL DIRECTORS 01480 471001 MORE SPACE 01480 830130 OFFORD PRE SCHOOL 01480 811977 OFFORD TOTS nikkirenning@hotmail.com OFFORD VILLAGE HALL 01480 811892 PAXTON HILL GARAGE 01480 217806 PLATINUM TOURS 01480 810560 PRO LAWN CARE 01480 812393 ROBORIS VA 07961 425744 SCHOOLS OUT 01480 811180 THE EATONS HOME & GARDENS 01480 406130 THE HORSESHOE INN, OFFORD DARCY 01480 810293 VISITING ANGELS 01480 751731 W&H PEACOCK AUCTIONEERS 01480 474550 YASIR WINDOW CLEANING 07447 496376

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• Bakery • Hot Food • Milkshake Machine • Lottery in Offord • Cash Machine - free to use • Costa Machine Tel: 01480 819602 • Quality Produce • Fresh brands such as Grasmere Sausages & Pies

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