Out & About April - May 23

All Saints Church

Roof & Church Restoration Fund Thank you

Welcome

Welcome to this edition of Out and About, the Offord Village Magazine. It aims to promote the community by sharing village news and useful contacts. Out & About is delivered to all homes in the village. We encourage new contributors with a story to tell. Articles are accepted from organisations and individuals so long as they are not political or offensive. We welcome photographs, news stories and poems from villagers. It should be noted, however, that some articles may represent the opinions of the writer and not represent the opinions or views of the editors. Reader submissions are published in good faith with the intention of creating an inclusive publication. We may need to defer entries if we receive too many at once. Contributions are included free of charge. You can contact the editorial team via offordOandA@gmail.com Most of the cost of production is covered by the revenue from advertising and we are grateful to our loyal advertisers.

Production costs are also supplemented by an annually reviewed grant from the Parish Council.

Out and About is delivered free of charge because a willing team of volunteers brave the elements come rain or shine to bring it to your door. We hope you find something to interest you in this edition.

It has been several years since the lead was stolen from the roof of the church. We (the congregation) are facing an enormous challenge to get a permanent new roof fitted. At the moment we have a temporary roof covering (our second) which will only last for a couple of years. To replace the roof will cost in the region of £90,000 to £130,000. Some of this can be covered by grants but to apply for most of these grants we need what is referred to as match funding. We need funds of our own to cover some of the work. We have put up the thermometer by the car park to record how we are doing with this, but progress is slow.

To aid with our fundraising we are proposing a series of concerts and other entertainment mainly to be held in the church, starting with a Cabaret Evening of songs from the 50’s onward including show songs on Saturday June 3rd. The singers are from RAW theatre productions. We are also proposing a concert from Hinchingbrooke Rising Stars, an evening of comedy, and for the children a Disney themed afternoon including Disney princesses and maybe superheroes. A Murder Mystery evening is another idea.

Please look out for our posts on Facebook and posters on notice boards in the village during the next few months giving details of dates and ticketing availability etc.

Jenny Murby is also running monthly coffee mornings. These are booked up until June now but if you would like to go on the coffee morning list email us on the address below.

All Saints has been part of the village for nearly nine hundred years. It would be great to get it weatherproof again.

Sue Dorrington

Email offordallsaints@gmail.com

AllSaintsWildlifeProject Update

Remembering dry spring days in February, the cold snowy days in December, the biting cold northerly wind and snowfall in March, one could wonder if anything will manage to grow. It has to be said the display of Snowdrops in February was enchanting, with a greater area in the wildlife garden proving the work during the autumn reducing the amount of nettles had a beneficial result.

Currently one of the recent challenges is the muntjac deer. There may be just one or several but the damage is apparent. In and around the wildlife area one can’t help but notice damage to the bark of some of the trees. Last year damage to the buddleia and laurel shrubs was noticed and it was concluded, due to the height of the damage, there must be a deer around. That or the rabbit population had become very resourceful as in the ‘Story of Peter Rabbit’.

As mentioned in a previous edition of Out and About, the small, Chinese muntjac deer was introduced to Woburn Park at the start of the 20th century and subsequently spread into the countryside. They’re now common in woodland, parkland and gardens across southeast England. Being notorious browsers, they eat the shoots from shrubs, herbs and brambles. Possibly their browsing of woodland understory has been linked to the decline in species such as nightingales. It’s also mentioned that the male often makes a doglike barking noise. We are pointing the finger in their direction for the disappearance of newly emerging seedlings of clover and grass which disappeared overnight having been browsed to extinction. We’ve fought back the rabbits with chicken wire, however the challenge of the deer needs a bit more thought.

It can be argued they’re all wildlife but there is also the challenge of seeking a balance. We would very much like to increase the butterfly population around the project. To this end an area of nettles has remained but as mentioned, the control of the invasive nettle allows other more attractive plants to thrive. Rewilding is more than just walking away. Butterflies, moths and their caterpillars are important in the food chain, being prey to many species of birds and bats. Birds may be seen taking caterpillars to feed to their young in the spring and summer. Apparently it can take up to 10,000 caterpillars to rear a brood of blue tits!

As mentioned in the previous issue of Out and About, hedging was planted along the southern boundary of the Churchyard, these are now showing leaf buds so progress is good. So many thanks to our sponsor for covering the cost of the project. The time is now fast approaching to sow the area with selected wild flower seeds. Spring bulbs are showing through and happily the Lent Lilies have survived from last year and are now showing flower buds. Roll on summer.

Alan Griffiths

With Acknowledgments to The Wildlife Trusts

ThursdayClub

Hello everyone,

As always we have had some lovely meetings with new members joining us. We had the joy of celebrating Jennifer Squire’s 90th birthday and Joyce Jones turned 80. We will be celebrating our 12th birthday by lunching at the Three Horseshoes, Graveley at the end of March.

On Thursday 4th MAY we will be having an Energy Advice Session led by Keith Christmas of Cambridgeshire Home Energy Support Service. His talk starts at 12.30pm but we invite anyone who is interested to join us at 12.00 pm when free refreshments will be available.

We are a social club for any age and any gender. Visitors are very welcome. £1 a session entitles you to a convivial two hours from 12.00 to 2.00pm.

If you would like further information please contact Doreen Rowbury 811025 or Sheila Reece 812238

Offord Primary School

Offord Primary School Celebrated World Book Day on Thursday 2nd March.

The children took part in a number or activities to celebrate ‘Reading for Pleasure’. The children were encouraged to come in with a prop or item of clothing to represent a book character. We had great fun in seeing who everyone had dressed up in. Can you spot Percy the Park Keeper, Alice in Wonderland, Wally and the Demon Dentist?

Each of the classes also studied the book Gorilla by Anthony Browne. and used the pictures from the book to write their own stories. It is lovely to see their imaginations coming through and the fantastic writing they produced.

We are very grateful for the donations from many of our families for new books for our library. Every year new exciting children’s books are published and being able to add these to our library for the children to borrow, read and share is brilliant.

WelovereadingatOffordPrimarySchool–developingaskillforlife.

ReaderContribution

When you’re asked what makes a typical English village, what do you think of? For many, together with the houses it would include a church, a manor house, a pub and if you’re lucky a village school and a shop. We are lucky in the Offords we have all of these with two villages, now merged as one, with two manor houses and two churches, a school and a shop. One of our churches, St Peter’s in Offord D‘Arcy, was made redundant in 1978 and its structural maintenance is now in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. You can read elsewhere what happens in St Peter’s in the Friends’ report.

What of our active church, All Saints in Offord Cluny? With a structure dating back to the early 13th century it remains one of the oldest buildings in the village and one we should value as part of our social history. There was a church on this site much earlier, as mentioned in the Domesday Survey of 1086. It’s true that not too many go to church regularly but many value its presence for baptisms, weddings and funerals, Remembrance Sunday plus the ever-popular Christingle and carol services at the end of the year. However, All Saints is in trouble. Several years ago thieves stole the lead from the roof and there is now only a temporary covering keeping the weather out. There has been much bureaucracy to deal with, planning permissions etc before work can commence but the biggest stumbling block has become financial. You might ask why does this matter to me if I don’t go to church? However, take a moment to reflect on the times when you have appreciated its presence, in times of celebration or of mourning, a part of our history, part of what has made us a local community. Thus, this is a plea to support the events that the PCC put on throughout the year which help maintain the church in the village but also to make a donation towards the Church Roof Repair Fund to preserve this historic building. Even in these difficult times, if everyone in the village gave a little that little would add up to a lot.

If you make a donation towards the roof repair you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you have helped to save this historic building. Please help to keep part of our village history alive.

An Offord Resident

Editor’s Note:

For further information please contact the church warden John Simpkin on warden.offord@yahoo.com or 07904 617973.

OffordGardenersAssociation

It is unfortunate that the deadline for articles falls before the Spring Show date, so will report on the show in the next edition.

As we held the Spring Show in March, we did not have a monthly meeting, but we are back to normal for April with a talk entitled The Day of the Daylily, speaker is Paula Dyason and the members’ competition is Spring Flowers .

Our monthly meeting in May is on the usual day, Thursday, 18th May and this will be a garden visit to a garden in the local area.

We meet on the third Thursday of the month at 7-30pm in the village hall. We give a warm welcome to new members.

We would also like to advise members of a coach trip to RHS Wisley on 15th June, initially for members of the OGA, but anyone is welcome to join us for an enjoyable day out. As you may know, Wisley has recently been revamped, further details available from Malcolm Reece on 01480 812238

With this strange change in the weather we look forward to warmer weather for us all to enjoy our gardening.

John

The Horseshoe Inn Offord D’Arcy 01480

810293

New Food Opening Hours

Tuesday 12.00-14.00 Pensioners Set Lunch (No Main Menu)

Tuesday 17.30-21.00 Dirty Burger Evening (No Main Menu)

Wednesday 12.00-15.00 & 17.30-21.00 Main Menu

Thursday 12.00-17.00 Main Menu

Thursday 18.00-21.00 Curry Evening (No Main Menu)

Friday 12.00-21.00 Main Menu 17.30-21.00 Steak Night

Saturday 12.00-21.00 Main Menu

Sunday 12.00-17.00 Carvery (No Main Menu)

Please book via www.theoffordshoe.co.uk

Or email: info@theoffordshoe.co.uk Phone 01480 810293

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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

For further details (including availability, hiring process and rates) please visit our website www.offordvillagehall.org.uk or contact our Bookings Secretary Helen Bosworth on 01480 811892 or email bookings@offordvillagehall.org.uk

OFFORD VILLAGE HALL 300+ CLUB (OFFORD RECREATION HUT)

Registered charity no. 302653

The 300+ Club has been part of the village for many 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.

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 or make contact through the website www.offordvillagehall.org.uk

WINNERS

JANUARY

£ 20 No. 146 Kay Treutlein

FEBRUARY

£ 20 No. 339 Norma Hollingsworth

£15 No. 339 Norma Hollingsworth

£ 10 No. 351 Chris Pocock

£ 5 No. 301 Elizabeth Simpkin

£ 15 No. 124 Janet Reed

£ 10 No. 013 Rod Arnold

£ 5 No. 130 Carol Gibbins

OffordSeniorCitizensClub

At the January meeting, we enjoyed our postponed Christmas party, relabelled New Year’s party, which included a traditional Christmas dinner, crackers, games and raffle. It was a very good evening, enjoyed by all the members.

February saw teams of six engaging ‘the little grey cells’ with a 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s quiz, having first enjoyed homemade soup and desserts. We were very pleased to welcome a new member and hope that she will enjoy her evenings with us.

On Thursday 22nd June, we are going by coach to Southwold for our annual outing and there will be a few seats available for non-members. The cost will be £15 and if anyone would like to join us, please contact either Malcolm Reece on 812238 or Sue Barimore on 810763.

Our meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of the month in the Village Hall, Offord Cluny at 6.30pm. If you would like to come along you would be made very welcome.

For further information please contact Marlene Alderman on 810609 or Sue Barimore on 801763.

Offord VillageHall

The Village Hall continues to be a busy venue, not only for our regular clubs and organisations but for outside hires too. We host everything from birthday parties and wedding receptions to presentations and meetings. As trustees we also run our own fundraising events as this helps to keep the hall up to date and well-kept for the village community. Here is a report from Rebecca, our Disco Queen, on the latest event: At the end of last month, the village hall hosted its first Decades Disco, playing music from the 60s, all the way through to the 00s. It was a great night and saw a real mix of age groups on the dance floor. The DJ was amazing, with genuine 80s light boxes, 4 DJ decks, and playing most of his music from vinyl records. The dance floor was busy throughout the night and at around 10.30pm saw people celebrating the earlier decades learning the ‘Macarena’ from people celebrating the later decades! We sold retro drinks such as Pina Coladas and Smirnoff Ice. The night took people back in time, and the dancefloor was still full at midnight when we had to turn up the lights and send people home. Decades Disco will be back next year – hopefully, we will see you there!

After the installation of the new Audio-Visual system the main hall will be closed for a week whilst it is decorated, making it smart and ready for users. To show off our new cinema style screen and equipment we are starting a new season of Film Nights. Tickets will be £6 and available via www.ticketsource.co.uk You can also access tickets via the village hall website www.offordvillagehall.org.uk just go to News & Events and there will be a link to Ticketsource.

The first film is ‘The Lost King’ on Friday April 14th at 7:30pm. The film is based on an inspiring true story. An amateur historian Philippa Langley believes she has made the archaeological find of the century: the lost burial site of King Richard III in a car park in Leicester.

The second film is ‘Mrs Harris goes to Paris’ on Friday June 2nd at 7:30pm. This film tells the story of a widowed cleaner in 1950s London who falls madly in love with a couture Dior dress. After she works, starves and gambles to raise the funds to pursue her dream, she embarks on an adventure to Paris.

The third is ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ on Friday July 14th at 7:30pm and is based on the novel by Lucy Alibar. It tells the story of Kya, an abandoned girl who raised herself to adulthood in the dangerous marshlands of North Carolina. It becomes a Murder Mystery after a man she had known is found dead.

As you will see all three are more for the adult audience, but we will be showing family films too. Why not come along and enjoy a night out for only £6 a ticket. You will also find our drinks, ice creams and popcorn a fraction of the price of the cinema. As a bonus if you live in the village for most people there will be no car or bus journey required either.

If you fancy a more interactive event, come to our Murder Mystery Saturday April 29th 7:30pm. Join the Strictly Murder team to solve ‘Death on the Nail’. Throughout the evening clues will be revealed so that you can play along as detectives to find out whodunnit! A supper will be included.

As you can see there is such a variety of events to choose from, and there should be something for everyone. Look at our programme for 2023. If you come to any of them, you will be sure of a warm welcome.

Helen Ellis Secretary Offord Village Hall

Programmefor2023

MurderMysterySaturdayApril29th 7pm. Join the StrictlyMurder team who will help you solve the mystery of ‘Death on the Nail’. Throughout the evening, clues will be revealed so that you can play along as detectives to find out whodunnit! A supper will be included in the ticket price of £15. A licenced bar will also be provided. Tickets from www.ticketsource.co.uk

CoronationTeaSundayMay7th 2pm – 5pm Come and celebrate this historic moment, the Coronation of King Charles 111 with tea and cake. Fun and festivities for all the family!

FamilyDiscoSaturdayMay27th Tickets £6 or £20 for a family of 4.

PrizeBingoFridayJune16th Eyes down 7:30pm Free entry and refreshments.

Beer&GinFestivalSaturdaySeptember16th 6 – 11pm Tickets £25 via www.ticketsource.co.uk Includes 5 drinks and live music. Food available to purchase.

QuizNightSaturdaySeptember30th 7pm for a prompt 7:45pm start. Tickets £5 available from John on 07983076480 Teams of up to 6 people, which can be made on the night. Bring your own food and drink.

FamilyHalloweenDiscoSaturdayOctober28th More details to follow.

SaturdayDecember16th A Christmas Celebration details to be confirmed.

All events are subject to change. You can find more details of all the above events with ticket prices and how to get them by visiting our website www.offordvillagehall.org.uk.

LATESTNEWS Please fill in our Offord Village Hall survey to see what you envisage the village hall providing in the future. Follow the link on www.offordvillagehall.org.uk.

Scan the QR code on the next page. Paper copies are available for those without internet access. Completed surveys can be put in the post box in the Village Hall. Thank you.

All Saints Church News

A message from Fr David

Dear people of the Offords, This copy of Out and About will coincide with Easter; the crux of the Christian faith. The death and resurrection of Jesus, his ascension into heaven, and the birth of the church on the day of Pentecost. Jesus changed history in so many ways, the main thing though was that he defeated death. This is why Easter is important, because Jesus died and three days later he rose, that is, he was alive. Key to this is the Christian belief that he descended before he rose, that is, he went down to the dead and won a battle. This means death no longer has the meaning it had before. The Christian understanding is that through belief in Jesus as Lord and Saviour, our death in this life is the beginning of eternal life. As Saint Paul the Apostle in his letter to the Romans explains: For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. (Romans 6:9)

So Easter Sunday, after Jesus' work defeating death on what is known as Holy Saturday, signifies so much and is so worth celebrating. It is not just the defeat of death, not just the promise of eternal life, it is also the presence of Jesus as alive and with us from that first day to this. Forty days after that first Easter day Jesus ascended into heaven; his friends were confused, what were they to do now? After ten days the answer came to them. They were together, in a room. The Holy Spirit, like wind, like flame, came from heaven into the room. Their lives were changed by a new and sudden understanding: God, as the Holy Spirit, gave them all the gifts necessary to go out bravely and become the church! All we do today in All Saints' church comes from our love of Jesus who lived and died and rose again for us. All we do in All Saints' church comes from the birthday of the church on that day of Pentecost. On the day of Pentecost, the helper, the advocate, the third person of the Holy Trinity that is the Holy Spirit, came as Jesus promised he would. God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is with us.

Why is all this important? This is what the Archbishop of Canterbury said last Easter and this is why all I have said above is the most important thing I can tell you about Easter and why Christians are Easter people: "...the resurrection, in its conquest of death, promises each individual a life that is abundant and will overflow into eternity. It promises each nation, and every victim and survivor, that the injustices, cruelties, evil deeds and soulless institutions of this world do not have the last word. That last word is God’s victory shout, the offer of life as possession, of a death sentence for the wickedness of this world, of justice against the evildoer. None will escape justice, and all are offered mercy where there is true repentance, sorrow for sin and surrender to Christ. Jesus is alive..." The Most Reverend Justin Welby.

If you have questions, get in touch and we can talk about all this. I write this letter in the very heart of Lent, on the day of the Out and About deadline. There is some time before Holy Week, that last and momentous week before Easter. For that reason all I can say now is: when it comes, Happy Easter.

Easter Sunday is the 9th April, the feast of the Ascension is the 18th May, and Pentecost is the 28th May.

Every day I pray for you.

Lots of love, Fr David

Priest in charge of St Mary's, Buckden, with All Saints', the Offords. Fr David Sheppard

Parish Priest of Buckden with the Offords

https://allsaintsoffordcluny.wordpress.com/ 07792128503 (day off: Friday)

We pray to be generous and visible people of Jesus Christ

https://www.elydiocese.org/about/strategy/vision/

All Saints Church – Contact details

PriestinCharge: Fr. David Sheppard

fr.davidowainsheppard@gmail.com

Mobile: 07792 128503

ChurchWarden

John Simpkin 01480 819664 warden.offord@yahoo.com

Mobile: 07904 617973

ChurchWarden&Webmaster

Sue Dorrington offordallsaints@gmail.com

Mobile: 07724 553101

Fundraising&socialevents: John Storey johnlstorey35@gmail.com

Stephen Eayrs stepheneayrs@btinternet.com

Bob Bargh barghrobert921@gmail.com

Helen Northrop helen.northrop1@btinternet.com

Mandy Eayrs mandyeayrs@btinternet.com

Elizabeth Simpkin lizsimpkin@msn.com

ChurchWebsite:

https://allsaintsoffordcluny.wordpress.com

FacebookPage:

https://m.facebook.com/AllSaintsOfford

AChurchNearYou:

https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/13931/

Events calendar 2023

All events in the Village Hall unless noted otherwise

April 15th

Butties & Hot Cross Buns

May 13th Plant Sale

June 3rd Cabaret Evening in All Saints Church

- 12

- 2pm

sold out earlier)

- 12

24th Church and Village Fete At the school -Time to be confirmed

July 15th

ALL SAINTS SERVICES APRIL AND MAY 2023 All are welcome

In addition there are occasional combined services for the whole Benefice at either church

Details of all services at St Mary’s can be found via this shortened URL https://www.shorturl.at/DSUV6

Annual Church Meeting

10:30am on Sunday 30th April

This meeting falls into two parts. In the first, two Churchwardens are elected, and any resident is entitled to take part and vote. In the second, the Annual Reports for 2022, including accounts, are presented and members of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) for the following year are elected. Voting at this part of the meeting is limited to members of the Church Electoral Roll. The reports will be available at the meeting, or in advance by contacting John Simpkin either on 07904 617973 or via

warden.offord@yahoo.com

I must go in the loft today - there’s something I’ve been hunting, ‘Cos I’ve lost track of my Union Jack and several yards of bunting. They’re not the sort of items you’re using every day, I know I wrapped them carefully and packed them all away.

The last time that I used them was the Diamond Jubilee, Our village hall was all awash with flags and cakes and tea. Now we’ve got a King of course; it’s soon his Coronation, So once again it’s party time and cause for celebration!

To me is doesn’t seem so long since our dear Queen was crowned, Our neighbour had a TV set and had us all go round. We watched it on a 9inch screen and all in black and white, But I remember clearly, as if it was last night.

The tones of Richard Dimbleby describing golden coach, The Mall with arches all across to guide the Queen’s approach. We cheered the guards and horses; was any procession longer?

The loudest cheers that day were for the lovely Queen of Tonga. We heard the hush in the Abbey, followed by booming guns, And then we had some lemonade and sandwiches and buns.

The joy spread through the nation - Oh what a wondrous day, Then flags in hand and full of cake, we all ran out to play.

To me it doesn’t seem that long since 1953 But if you can remember it – you’re just as old as me!!

Marion Warden

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.

The great British Spring Clean 2023 is upon us, as hundreds of people across Huntingdonshire prepare to take to our streets and green spaces, armed with litter pickers, gloves and bags, to remove as much litter as possible.

The first Great British Spring Clean was introduced back in 1989 with founders, Keep Britain Tidy, enlisting the assistance of children entertainers, The Wombles, alongside an estimated 2 million volunteers across the Country, to litter pick within and around their local area. With such a success, it was only suiting to continue this year upon year, not only to help in the clearance of litter but to raise awareness of the disastrous effects litter has.

2023 marks a prominent year for our waste team, with new litter picking groups forming all over our district, bringing likeminded individuals together to tackle a common problem.

Litter remains a serious issue across Huntingdonshire, not only looking unsightly, but having a dramatic effect on our local wildlife and the environment that surrounds. The Huntingdonshire District Council continue to spend valuable time and resources to eradicate litter, utilising their street cleaning team, although in many cases it returns as quickly as it's collected. The Huntingdonshire District Council recently commission a road clearance exercise, along the verges of the B1043 commonly known as the old A1. Thus far, a staggering 308 bags of litter have been collected over a period of 4 days, equating to an estimated 3 tonne of rubbish; a key indicator that littering is a distinct problem, with still more of that stretch to cover.

Littering is a national problem, not just localised to Huntingdonshire, and without the help of volunteer groups picking at their leisure, it would be mounting up on a scale that is uncontrollable. We therefore appeal to you to ensure that you, as an individual, do your utmost to dispose of waste in a correct manner, utilising bins provided within your surroundings or alternatively taking it home.

The Great British Spring Clean takes place between 17th March to 2nd April, with group picks arranged across Huntingdonshire throughout this period. To find out dates and times of your local pick as well as how to get involved please email litterminimisation@huntingdonshire.gov.uk

The Friends of St Peters Church

The Friends are pleased to report that we have now purchased our portable PA Bluetooth system/CD and DVD player, with the addition of speaker stands and a mic stand. Recently we tried it out in the church and were amazed at the power and flexibility of the system, which reached every corner of the building at just half volume, it felt like we were listening to our very own private concert despite the music coming from a CD. The mic facility is also a huge advantage for when the Friends speak to visitors or give guided tours.

The newly purchased A1 A frame will be put to good use to publicise our first event of the year which is the guitar concert in June.

As mentioned in the previous edition of Out & About, all the above items were purchased with the assistance of a grant from Cambridgeshire Community Fund, which is a charity that targets grants that make a genuine difference to the lives of local people.

2023Diarydates

Tuesday4April6.00pm

StationsoftheCross–apre-Easterservice

This commemorates the 14 steps of Jesus’s last day on earth as a man.

Thursday15June7pm

FriendsofStPeter’sAGM

The AGM is an opportunity for all to come along and hear what the Friends have been doing over the last year and to hear our plans for the year ahead. Please do come and meet us, there's a complimentary drink on offer.

Saturday17June7.30pm

GuitarconcertbyHuntsGuitarEnsemble –playing classical guitars.

We welcome back this talented guitar group plus a flute, who will be performing a mixed programme of music to suit all tastes.

Tickets £10 including complimentary drink from ticketoffice.stpeters@gmail.com or Jenny Griffiths 07776 426103.

Free parking on adjacent archery field. Please see separate publicity page in this O & A edition.

Sunday25June6pm StPetersTideService,withspokencommunion.

Sunday3September9:30am AllAgeFamilyService

Saturday9September

Sunday10September

NationalHeritageOpenDays

Sunday22October12to4pm AutumnCraftFair

Saturday11November10.45amArmisticeWreathLaying

Sunday3December4pm CarolsbyCandlelightService

Unfortunately we were unable to book the travelling theatre company ‘This Is My Theatre’ to perform for us during the summer, as our preferred production clashes with June events already organised by FOSP. We are keeping June 2024 available with no prior events so hopefully we can see the return of this talented troupe, with a great choice of a production, suitable for all ages. For all the above please watch out for details in future editions and on posters around the village. Whichever event you may attend we look forward to welcoming you in St Peter’s during the coming year.

Visitingthechurch

As an ongoing reminder, we highlight that for security reasons the church is kept locked. However, a key to St Peter’s can be obtained from The Limes and therefore the interior of the church can always be accessed. The newly recreated website also has the facility to make contact with the Friends Group by completing the contact page, if you wish to visit the church.

https://stpetersofforddarcy.co.uk

Please remember to sign the visitor book whenever you visit, sited on a table in the middle of the church, as visitor numbers are important.

All donations to the Churches Conservation Trust for the upkeep and maintenance of this beautiful building can be made into the wall safe, which is sited adjacent to the main door, along with a display of CCT visitor leaflets. There is also a donation pot on the table next to the visitor book.

The driveway to the church is privately owned, with limited vehicular access. Visitors to the church should leave their cars at the road end of the drive. There is space for two Blue Badge Holders close to the church gates.

Jenny Griffiths

Friends of St Peter’s Church

07776 426103

Jennygriffiths908@btinternet.com

OffordWomensInstitute

We are nearing the end of our programme of events for this financial year. In February we had a talk and a demonstration by the skilled Angela Ellmer who makes Cold Porcelain Flowers. As well as being decorative for the home, Angela brought along a wedding bouquet that she was working on, which was something a little different. We had the opportunity to handle the materials and try to make a leaf –and it’s not as easy as it looks!

In March we hold our AGM with an entertainment by Alex Turner called Monologues and Meanderings. Then from April, we start a new programme of speakers, visits and occasions. We will always try to keep you up to date with these events, but the best way to find out more is to join WI as a Member.

Our branch has been running for over 100 years and we are keen to keep going, so always need new Members to keep the ball rolling. We meet on the second Tuesday of each month in the Village Hall at 7.30. Visitors are welcome too!

Marion Warden

Enquiries:

Jenny Murby. Tel: 01480 811474 Email: jenny@murby.me.uk

ParishCouncilReport

ParishCouncilVacancies

The Parish Council is the first tier of local government but also often the most visible as it’s the most ‘local’. Our councillors live in the parish so have a vested interest in making sure everything is well maintained. They work extremely hard to keep the parish ticking over and now this is especially difficult as we are 4 members short of a full contingency. This either means that tasks that were usually done will be left undone or that Council must employ outside contractors for everything, which ultimately will mean an increase in the Precept. If you are interested in becoming a Councillor, please get in touch for further information. The criteria are below:

Youmust:

be at least 18 years old on the day of your nomination, and a British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of any member state of the European Union. And,

• either be registered to vote on the current register with the local council.

• or have either worked or lived in the council's area for one year.

• been an owner or tenant of any land or premises in the council's area for one year.

Youmustnot:

• work for the Parish Council

• be bankrupt

• have served a prison sentence, including suspended sentences, of three months or more within five years prior to the election

• have been disqualified under any legislation relating to corrupt or illegal practices

AnnualParishMeeting–SaturdayApril22nd,2pm

This year’s Annual Parish Meeting will be on Saturday April 22nd at 2pm in the Village Hall. This is not a Council meeting but a meeting for parishioners facilitated by Council. It is hoped that the police will be attending to talk about their new neighbourhood policing policy and a demonstration on how to use

the defibrillators will be given. We need people’s views on how they would like to see The Offords develop especially in connection with lowering the speed limit through the village. Everyone is welcome and anyone can speak on anything at all to raise issues and ask questions. Local groups and organisations will be on hand to talk about what they do and encourage new membership. Parish, District & County Councillors will also be on hand to discuss any issues. Wine and nibbles will be provided at the end of the meeting as well as the usual tea/coffee/biscuits. We hope to see you there.

The Annual Report will be distributed to all households with this issue of Out & About and Council would like to thank the distributors for agreeing to include this.

Interactivespeedsigns

Council has agreed to purchase a moveable speed sign which records data. This will provide valuable information for any future bids relating to traffic issues.

Flagpole

Council has agreed to install a flagpole in time for the King’s Coronation in May. This will be located on the grass verge opposite Budgens.

HealthwatchCommunityResearchProject

Could you volunteer as a Healthwatch Community Researcher? Working to deliver community listening projects across Huntingdonshire, Peterborough and Fenland, your role will help NHS and care providers develop better services for local people. And you’ll get training, support and an involvement fee for your time. The Community Researchers will help plan and carry out surveys, interviews and workshops to get people’s views in your local area. You’ll get to meet new people, learn new skills and help local services work better together for everyone. To find out more and apply, please visit: www.healthwatchcambridgeshire.co.uk or www.healthwatchpeterborough.co.uk

NeighbourhoodPolicingCommunityMeetings

Meet your Neighbourhood Policing Team

• Find out what the team has been working on in your area

• Share your concerns

• Help shape the local policing priorities

You can also share your concerns by filling out the short survey. Whether it’s anti-social behaviour, suspected drug dealing or speeding, they want to hear from you.

They review the responses regularly and use the information you provide to help prioritise the work they do in our neighbourhood

To find out more:

Visit: www.cambs.police.uk

Follow: @CambsCops

Subscribe: ecops.org.uk

NHS‘FeelBrighter’Campaign

NHS ‘Feel Brighter’ campaign aims to reach out to older people aged 65 and over, who may be struggling with their mental health but don’t know where to turn for advice, support and to find out what NHS services and support are available locally.

The campaign aims to encourage older people who have symptoms such as anxiety, loneliness, or low mood to reach out and access free NHS Talking Therapies and other support to help them feel brighter again. Activity also aims to reach out to family, friends and carers of an older person, who hasn’t been feeling themselves recently and would benefit from accessing free support like NHS Talking Therapies. Local people can find out all the information they need on the campaign website www.cpics.org.uk/feel-brighter.

Potholesetc

Councillors regularly walk around the parish noting issues and areas which require attention. These will be reported but residents can also report using the ‘report a fault’ tool on the Cambridgeshire County Council website –www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk Alternatively, if you come across anything let me know and I’ll report it for you. Anything considered dangerous is dealt with quickly but unfortunately the Highways department of Cambs County Council does not have an unlimited budget, so some things just join a ‘to do’ list.

FlyTipping

Due to changes to what can and can’t be taken to the waste recycling units there has been an increase in fly tipping. Anyone can report fly tipping which will be dealt with by Huntingdonshire District Council provided it is not on private land. This can be done via the reporting tool on their website www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk or alternatively get in touch with me and I will do it.

RecreationGround

The newly installed fitness equipment is already being well used. We have a problem with the surface of the MUGA and are looking at quotes for the repairs. Once these have been carried out the tennis nets will be located in the container (spiders permitting!) and erected ready for the summer. Council still hopes to have a pavilion on the ground at some point, but this is a very costly project and will be reliant on external funding. The summer sports will again take place this year, twice weekly during the school summer holidays.

MillenniumGreen

The upkeep of the green is a continual ‘work in progress’. Council have asked Rospa to complete a full safety audit of the pond and the area surrounding it before works start on the refurbishment. These will commence in the autumn once the nesting bird restrictions finish although any works deemed to be urgent will of course be attended to. The trees ordered from the woodland trust have now arrived and will be planted and the silver birch trees which didn’t make it through last year’s very dry summer have been replaced. If anyone has any ingenious ideas of how we can water these areas during exceptional dry spell please get in touch.

CleaningofWhiteBridge

Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to help with the cleaning of the white bridge on Sunday, April 23rd. All offers of help are gratefully received so if you feel you could spare and hour or two please contact me.

As always, if there’s anything I can help with please get in touch.

Jackie Stanbridge

FeettotheBeat

The Offords Line Dance Group

Classes are fully back into the normal routine with more dancers than ever enjoying the Offord Feet to the Beat Tuesday sessions.

On Friday 3rd March, Izzy and ten of her Offord dancers journeyed to Great Yarmouth to participate in a weekend of line dancing. Staying in a hotel close to the beach for three nights, they were entertained on two of the evenings by singers well known to most of their audience, who danced the nights away to the live music. On the Sunday, there was a farewell social evening disco, hosted by a couple who have been line dancing for many years and who have become friends with the guests.

Workshops were held on Saturday and Sunday morning where a selection of new dances were taught and old dances revised. Izzy was especially excited to be asked to choose a dance popular with her classes and to teach it to the other groups who also attended the weekend. Her Offord dancers positioned themselves around the dance floor to assist Izzy with her teaching and she was very pleased that they helped to demonstrate the footwork to those who did not know the dance routine.

There was a fancy dress theme on the Saturday night and as you can see from the photos, our Offord dancers made a great effort showcasing their 1920’s outfits. Indeed, there was a fantastic turnout of flappers and gangsters dancing that evening!

Monday morning arrived too quickly and Izzy and her dancers returned home after a hearty breakfast at the hotel. Although tired, they were all exhilarated by their weekend experience and are already looking forward to a return visit for next year’s planned extravaganza!

For those who have made it a spring resolution to get fit and more active then there is no better way to join the Line Dance group. We are a friendly group of people and always very welcoming to new members, and some of those enjoyed the weekend away, described above. Please contact Izzy for more information.

Jenny Griffiths

On behalf of IzzyBroganTel:07709344144

St Neots United Reformed Church

The Church is now open again for worship, at the usual time of 11am. Some restrictions will remain in place for now. Face coverings will be optional but we understand some will prefer to continue wearing them for now. Hand sanitising will be encouraged and there will be good ventilation. We are now able to stream our services to YouTube every Sunday. Please contact us via our website for ID and Password. All are welcome. Come and visit the United Reformed Church which is on the High Street in St Neots. There is access without steps at the rear of the building near to Argos. Parking is available in Tebbutts Road car park, behind the Church.

For all Church matters please contact the Church Secretary, Jenny Gibbs, via our website for further information.

www.stneotsurc.co.uk

Buckden Methodist Church

Minister: Rev. Sue Baker-Maher. Tel 473444.

Stewards: Angie Barnes (810102)

Bob Baxter (810092)

Carol Swepstone (810053)

DistrictCouncillorsReport

As the Joint Administration draw nearer to a full year in control councillors and officers have been busy working together to improve the lives of our residents and to make Huntingdonshire a great place to live and work.

HDC Budget

The budget was approved on 22nd February at Full Council. It is a balanced budget without using any savings or reserves and ensuring no cuts to services. There will be a tax increase of £5 for the year which is less than 10 pence a week.

Climate Strategy

We have adopted a climate strategy and acknowledged the climate crisis and ecological emergency. The strategy includes a plan for council operations to reach net carbon zero by 2040. It also outlines how the council will support and encourage local people to take climate action.

The priorities included in the Climate Strategy were shaped by analysis of local emissions data and expert advice as well as feedback from residents, children, communities, businesses, and partners.

The strategy explains how the district council will act as a positive example by reducing consumption of energy and fossil fuels. The council aims to achieve this in part by:

• Improving the energy efficiency of council buildings

• Taking opportunities to install renewable energy

• Reducing council vehicle emissions.

• Operations monthly performance stats

Our Performance Stats for January

Bins Missed – Our target is 8 bins in 1,000 collected however we achieved missing less than 1 bin in 2,000 for all three services: Green, Recycling and Residual (black bin).

Contamination Rate – Our rate is 4.28% which is a huge decrease on December's data of 7.06%. Therefore, more material is being recycled rather than landfilled, and at the same time generating more income to fund vital services.

Street Cleaning – Our Street Cleaning activity shows a 98% success rate in terms of our streets hitting agreed levels of cleanliness.

HDC ranked 1st for Gender Equality

Huntingdonshire District Council has been placed top of a list that ranks local and central government employers for gender equality, scoring 98 out of a possible 100 on the index.

The Equity Index 2022/23 uses official data on average salaries, bonuses, and pay at every level to provide insight into more than 10,000 companies and organisations. Produced by Lead 5050, a cross-industry accreditation organisation that uses data to drive equality, the index shows that HDC has a mean pay gap of just 0.75%.

Casework

We continue to respond to casework requests and chase up anything that you bring to our attention. The last few months has seen us contacting various HDC departments, working alongside our County Councillors and supporting our local Parish and Town Councils, to solve problems or find information on behalf of our residents.

As always, we work for you year-round. Should you need us, please contact us on:

Debbie Mickelburgh

debbie.mickelburgh@huntingdonshire.gov.uk 07537 121365

Brett Mickelburgh

brett.mickelburgh@huntingdonshire.gov.uk 07441 392492

Sarah Conboy

sarah.conboy@huntingdonshire.gov.uk 01480 414900

Village Groups & Organisations

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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