Issuu

August - September 2022

New Water Feature at All Saints Churchyard Wildlife Project More on Pages 4- 5

The winning entries in the children's 'flowers in a mug competition sponsored by Ian Cooper in memory of his wife Yvonne' See Page 9

St Peter’s Church 1950’s Exhibition Photos Further details on page 34

Welcome Welcome to this edition of Out and About (O&A), the Offord Village Magazine. It aims to promote the community by sharing village news and useful contacts. In addition to the printed edition delivered to every home in the Offords, an on-line full colour edition can be accessed via the village websites. 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. 3

te a d p U t c je o r P e f All Saints Wildli The latest addition to the Churchyard is a new water feature in the form of an old tin bath. It is filled with pebbles and cobbles to create different levels and habitats. A couple of old roof tiles create a slope for easy access in and out for any visiting wildlife seeking a drink. The bath has been positioned in dappled shade to prevent overheating, surrounded by more cobbles, rocks, logs and tiles to provide shelter from the summer sun for any visiting frogs, toads and amphibians. Aquatic plants help to keep the water clear and oxygenated. This is quite a simple set up which can easily be recreated in a corner of anyone’s garden. A simple washing up bowl, any large container such as a plastic storage box or any pot without drainage holes can be used to make your own. Give it a try and see what wildlife you can attract into your garden. When I drew the plan for the wildlife area 18 months ago, I hadn’t included a pond or water feature. I soon realised that water in some form is an essential ingredient to support wildlife, just like the air that we breathe or the water we drink. As our climate becomes evermore unpredictable, we all need to do as much as we can to sustain the wildlife we have. Give them the right conditions then the wildlife will happily move in. Species such as frogs, toads, newts, caddis flies, damselflies, dragonflies, mayflies, pond skaters, snails and water beetles. Birds use ponds to drink from and bath in. Flying insects land on rocks and pebbles to take a drink and mammals including hedgehogs, badgers, foxes and deer will seek out a pond for a welcome drink too. Over the summer months I will keep the water topped up (rainwater is preferable). I should say this tin bath set up is a stepping stone before a bigger pond is dug in the ground in the near future. Our other project in the Summer includes supporting the Butterfly Conservation’s BIG BUTTERFLY COUNT 15th July – 7th August 2022. It was launched in 2010 and in 2021 over 107,000 citizen scientists took part submitting 152,215 counts of butterflies and day flying moths from 4

across the UK. Our count in the churchyard last year was ZERO so we knew we could improve on this in 2022. Early signs are promising since we planted 3 Buddleia bushes (also known as Butterfly bushes) which are now getting established and flowering freely. I will publish our results in the next issue. Why count butterflies I hear you ask? The answer is counting butterflies can be described as “taking the pulse of nature”. Their numbers are a vital indicator of biodiversity. They are vital parts of the ecosystem as both pollinators and components of the food chain. Many have fallen onto the RED LIST after such decline in numbers. Fortunately this data research and conservation projects can significantly help create or save habitats before it’s too late. Fiona Fitzhugh

l o o h c S y r a m i r P d r o f Of A busy end to a summer term We have had a very busy (and hot) end of the summer term. As well as our learning in the classroom we have participated in many enrichment activities. These have included having over 40 dads in for a lunch with their children in celebration of Father’s Day. The Year 5 and 6 children performed a play called School Daze which had their families in stitches. The children have boogied the evening away at a school disco and the Year 6 spent their leavers’ party playing crazy golf. We had an inspiring visit from a Paralympian footballer, learning all about team-work. Our Jubilee celebrations were enjoyed by all, learning about the 1950s and watching the Coronation and then celebrating the Platinum Jubilee in 2022 style too. There has also been a trip to the theatre for all children – the younger children saw The Smartest Giant in Town and the KS2 children watched a very entertaining performance of Gangsta Granny in Peterborough. Our Year 6 children were required to take Statutory Assessment Tests (SATs) this year after they had been cancelled for the last two. Although this cohort have been affected, as have all children, with school closures and high levels of absence due to Covid, they have continued to put a great deal of effort into their learning and with the support of the adults in school they have achieved great results. We are extremely pleased with their achievements – which is well above national average for Maths, Reading and Science and in line with the national rates for Writing and Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling. We are very proud of them. We very much enjoyed the Village Fete that was held on the school grounds in partnership with the Parish Church. The event was a great success and much fun was had whilst raising money for both the school and church – thank you to everyone that supported the event and we look forward to seeing you next year! We have loved being able to be open for the whole academic year unlike the last two! We would like to wish all our Year 6 leavers well at their new schools and look forward to welcoming the new Reception children to the school family in September. 6

b lu C ls w o B t a M t Offord Shor The club held its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, 22nd June, in the village hall. This was followed by a target competition and buffet. We were delighted to welcome Bill and Jean Williams as two new members who joined our club a few weeks ago. Apologies were received from Peter Mailer, Michael Day, Terri Morley and Shirley Cooper due to prior commitments. All officers were unanimously re-elected: Chairman John Storey; Secretary Carolyn Bargh; Treasurer Carol Temple; Village Hall Representative Rod Arnold. It was agreed that weekly and annual subs would be increased to cover the hall rental and insurance. Due to our increased membership the motion to close it for the time being was carried. The target bowls competition generated a number of very high scores with John Temple being the outright winner.

O ff

n o i t a i c o s s A s ord Gardener

August & September

We are experiencing an exceptional period of hot dry weather, and I am sure you all know our plants and seedlings are suffering as a result. There is a lot said about watering in dry weather, and there is an increased use of water . To maximise the water, we all need to use water when the sun is low or off the plants, preferably early morning or late in the evening. Give a good soak until the soil around the plants puddles. And contrary to some, there is no need to water the lawn. As was noticed in 1976 the grass will recover. The OGA was invited to host the plant stall at the village fete, held at the school. It was well attended and most of the donated plants found new homes. Running alongside the fete was a competition organised by the school for the children. It was to enter a floral arrangement in a cup and saucer or mug, to include a yellow flower. It was well supported and sponsored by Mr Cooper, who donated an annual cup. We hope to make this an annual event. Entries were well done and it was a challenge to decide a winner. Well done and thank you to all who entered (photo on front cover). In August, we do not have our regular meeting as we have our Summer Show. This year it is on the 20th August in the village hall; show opens at 2:30pm. Entries are invited from all residents as well as our members - tea, cakes and raffle. In September we return to the hall for our regular meeting. The Speaker is Dr Ian Bedford and the subject is ‘Companion Planting for a Balanced Border’. The members Competition is Autumn Leaves. During these high temperature days please take all precautions to stay safe outside; use sun cream and a hat and avoid the midday time outside and stay hydrated. Enjoy Your Garden John 811148

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CONTACT US FOR A FREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTE 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 11

OFFORD VILLAGE HALL 300+ CLUB (OFFORD RECREATION HUT) Registered charity no. 302653 MAY £ 20 £ 15 £ 10 £ 5

No. 083 No. 053 No. 122 No. 106

JUNE £ 125 £ 60 £ 30 £ 20 £ 15 £ 10

Kathleen Bonwick Lesley Sergeant Sandra Attewell Mandy Eayrs

No. 360 No. 264 No. 016 No. 263 No. 081 No. 061

Tracey Chew Colin Ekins Linda Herod Gill Warner Patrick Ruddy Fred Rance

The next GRAND DRAW will take place in December and the monthly draws will be taking place at Village clubs and events. There are still a few shares available if you would like to join. Contact Helen Bosworth on 811892 or Jenny Murby on 811474 for further details.

b u l C s n e z i t i C r o i n e S d r o f f O We had a very enjoyable May meeting. After a sausage and mash supper we were given a very informative presentation on the Magpas Air Ambulance service which was followed by a demonstration on how to use a defibrillator. For those who wanted to try CPR, dummies were available to practice the technique which was surprisingly quite challenging and tiring. Quite an eye-opener!! Our outing in June was to Sheringham. Fish and chips and an indulgent ice cream seemed to be the order of the day. The weather was kind to us and the day was much enjoyed by members and guests. Our meetings are held in the Village Hall on the fourth Thursday of the month at 6.30pm. For further information please contact Marlene Alderman on 01480 810609 or Sue Barimore on 01480 810763 - come and enjoy an evening with us.

b u l C y a d s r u Th Hello Everyone, On the 9th of June we had a very nice Jubilee tea party. We would like to thank the village hall committee and all who helped with their lovely afternoon tea to celebrate the Jubilee. Half of the Thursday Club members went to the ‘Shoe to try the Tuesday menu. They enjoyed a delicious fish and chip lunch. Visitors are very welcome. £1 a session entitles you to light refreshments and a convivial two hours from 12.00pm to 2pm. If you would like further information please contact Doreen Rowbury 811025 or Sheila Reece 812238 13

l l a H e g a l l i V Offord The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Tea Party saw us all get together on a wet and soggy June afternoon. It was lovely to see friends old and new to celebrate and be part of such a moment in history. ‘Feet to the Beat’ the Line dancers, who meet on Tuesday mornings in the hall, started off the afternoon with an impressive demonstration. Thank you to Izzy Brogan who runs the sessions for co-ordinating her dancers. We also had a live band ‘The Melody Beats’ who played several sets during the afternoon with lots of old favourites including ‘Sweet Caroline’ the Jubilee anthem. It was great to see the range of ages on the dance floor from the oldest of us to some tinies who were clearly having fun. There was a Crown Making Competition for the children which was judged by Father Peter. The afternoon tea was prepared and served by volunteers who gave up their time to prepare a tea fit for any royals. A big thank you to all of them! Over the next few weeks, the hall will be having its usual maintenance and summer cleaning programme. This is a time when many of the local clubs and organisations have a summer break, and we can catch our breath ready for the next run of fundraising events. However, we are not sitting back and relaxing as we are always endeavouring to improve the facilities that we provide. The next major project is to install new audio-visual equipment. So, if you will forgive the pun, ‘Watch this space.’ We are still looking for more people to join our Trustee body. If you think you might be interested, please contact me for more information secretary@offordvillagehall.org.uk. We are a very friendly group of people and enjoy ourselves alongside the more serious task of maintaining the hall for everyone in the community to use. Offord Village Hall is ready to welcome you! Helen Ellis Secretary Offord Village Hall CALENDAR OF EVENTS FILM NIGHT Saturday September 3rd ‘The Railway Children’ Certified U. Doors Open 5pm (start time 5:30pm) This is a ‘live performance’ by York Theatre Royal Productions filmed at The National Railway Museum and featuring the original engine from the 1970’s film. Tickets: Standard £7:50p and children (under 12) £2.50p. All available from www.ticketsource.co.uk Refreshments will be available prior to the start of the film and during the 14 interval.

A TABLE-TOP SALE Sunday September 11th, 12 noon until 3pm. Tables £6 Refreshments will be available to purchase. This is an opportunity to recycle your unwanted or outgrown items or to sell something handmade. Crafter’s welcome. For enquiries or to reserve a table email: kathymillward@hotmail.com BEER FESTIVAL Saturday September 24th 6pm – 11pm. This popular event will now include Real Ale, Ciders, Gins and 0% Beers. Live entertainment from Reboot and Oli Harris. Food will be available to purchase. Tickets £20 includes 5 drinks in advance only from www.ticketsource.co.uk QUIZ NIGHT Saturday October 15th 7:30pm for a prompt 7:45pm start. Bring your own food and drink. Tickets £5. Teams of up to six people (can be made up on the night). FILM NIGHT Friday October 21st ‘Road Dance’ Certified 15 7:30pm Licenced bar available. Tickets £5 from www.ticketsource.co.uk HALLOWEEN HOOTENANY Saturday October 29th 7:30pm – 11pm. A Barn Dance for all ages. Dancing to Ceilidh band ‘Passerida’ whose callers will get you dancing like a professional! A Ploughman’s Supper is included in the ticket price of £12.50p. A licenced bar will also be provided. PRIZE BINGO Friday November 18th Eyes down 7:30pm Free entry & refreshments. A CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION Saturday December 17th 7:30pm – 11pm Dancing to the popular Melody Beats. Put on your dancing shoes to start the Christmas season. Or simply sit back and enjoy the music. Refreshments and a licenced bar will be provided. Further details to follow. QUIZ NIGHT Saturday January 28th, 2023. 7:30pm for a prompt 7:45pm start. Bring your own food and drink. Tickets £5. Teams of up to six people (can be made up on the night). 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. 15

All Saints Church News

Offord Tots Hi All, Wow - we've had such a fun few weeks. We've taken delivery of a new piece of apparatus at Offord Tots. I've been wanting one for a while (they're like gold dust!) but Rebecca managed an amazing fundraising campaign and we now finally have one. The children have been loving the new Pikler's triangle and it's amazing for their development and climbing skills! I'm so glad we managed to get one before I left. On the 9th July was my surprise leaving party! Thank you to Louise, Heidi and Rebecca for organising it for me. Also thank you for everyone for such a lovely card and amazing gift. The sentiments in the cards had me in tears - such lovely words from you all. And thank you all for helping the girls to organise the party, food and those who tried to stall me from getting in too early that morning. The last six years have been filled with fun, parties and lots of craft. I had so many craft ideas I never ended up getting time to do - sorry Louise and Rebecca for inheriting lots of toilet rolls for my natural bird feeders I had planned for months - being one of them! I've had years of planning Christmas and Easter parties with special guest appearances and a present for all our children, Halloween, Valentines and Easter biscuit and cake decorating, Mother’s and Father’s Day cards, Christmas salt dough decorations, Chinese lantern making, aboriginal craft for Australia Day, and all the other general craft and painting activities over the years. And oh, all the glitter we've used. Offord Tots will always hold such a special place in not only my heart - but mine and my children's memories. When I first moved to the village in 2015, I knew just one person. Offord Tots welcomed me in and helped me get to meet and know other parents and grandparents in the village. We swapped ideas for places to go with the children, all whilst moaning how tired we were from the many sleepless nights. That's why Offord Tots is amazing. It's a chance to meet up and sometimes have that rare opportunity to have a decent adult conversation and a hot cup of tea! All whilst we know the children are playing safely and have a snack amongst other children. 27

Offord children start their childhood here, making memories and friendships that I hope will last a lifetime. It makes their transitions to preschool and primary school easier as there's always someone they'll know from Offord Tots. It's a fantastic place for all new and existing parents in the village to meet and start these journeys together, and I'm so lucky to have had this opportunity to take over and run this special village group for the last few years. When I say I'll feel lost on Friday mornings in September, I really mean it. I've not had to make plans on Friday mornings for seven years, Offord Tots is where I've been. I'll find things to do I'm sure, I'll definitely have no excuse not to finish the house now. I'll be back one day - in the future with my grandchildren, making memories at Tots, laughing as they make their way down our historic slide! And maybe I'll sneak in some glitter! Will miss seeing you all every week. Over and out Nikki x

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h c r u h C s r te e P t S f o The Friends What a very busy month of June for the Friends Group that resulted in the wonderful success of our Look at the 50s Exhibition to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, an open afternoon, our AGM and the Festal Evensong. The exhibition was an extremely successful event that accomplished everything we had set out to achieve – and more, with over 400 visitors on the two afternoons. Many were local but there was also a good number coming from much further afield. Without exception, everyone really enjoyed the display of 1950s exhibits and could be heard reminiscing over many of the items. We have received a great many positive comments and compliments, with all the smiling faces showing the appreciation of our visitors. Numerous reunions made this exhibition rather special with, in particular, one 89 year old man who met up with an 87 year old lady and they hadn’t seen each other for more years than they could remember. This proved to be a very emotional reunion and tears were shed as they had grown up together in the village as children and their families had been very close. Fortunately the weather was warm and sunny during the exhibition afternoons which enabled visitors to enjoy their teas and cakes outside, as we probably wouldn’t have had enough seating space inside the church. The Friends Group would like to thank everyone who donated items to the exhibition and to all visitors who came to admire the exhibits, so making this a very special and memorable event. The church was dismantled from an exhibition display venue and was returned into its normal state within a couple of days after the weekend ready for the AGM that week and later in the month, an open afternoon. At the end of June a Festal Evensong was held in the church to commemorate the installation of the magnificent stained glass war memorial window in June 1920. The local a capella singing group, Tapestry, sung the Evensong service and the congregation were absorbed into this service, as the voices of Tapestry are so suited to the wonderful acoustics of St Peter’s. Again, another memorable happening in the church.

We now look forward to September and the welcome return of Claude Bourbon, the world renowned guitarist, who can impress all audiences with his incredible guitar playing. Sunday 4 September 7.30pm Guitar Concert by Claude Bourbon ‘Claude Bourbon is an enigma, he is a classically trained musician, who fuses every conceivable genre of acoustic guitar music into a master-class of a stage performance. There are Latin, Spanish, Gypsy, Jazz and Delta Blues influences throughout, and often within one seamless stream of perfection. Ready for a unique and talented take on a wide range of musical traditions? Claude Bourbon is known throughout Europe and America for amazing guitar performances’ We are very lucky that Claude has asked to return to St Peter’s for the third occasion as he enjoys the atmosphere and acoustics of the church. Tickets: £10, including a complimentary drink. Cash (exact money preferred) or cheque. All seats unreserved. Please contact Jenny Griffiths 0776 426103 or ticketoffice.stpeters@gmail.com Saturday 10 September 10am to 4pm National Heritage Open Days Sunday 11 September 1pm to 5pm This is an annual celebration of England's architecture and culture that allows visitors free access to a wide variety of English historical landmarks. Committee members will be in attendance to show interested visitors the beautiful architecture, mystery stone effigy, memorial brasses, a family alabaster monument, carved corbel faces and a possibly unique William Glasby stained glass window with memorial plaques below which together form the Offord D’Arcy war memorial. Do come and look at the wonderful items of interest that make St Peter’s so unique. Sunday 23 October 12pm to 4pm

Autumn Craft Fair Many stalls are already booked up as so many of our regular stallholders have missed being able to enjoy a very busy and successful long standing event, well liked by both stall holders and visitors. Please contact me below if you would like to have a stall.

Friday 11 November 10.45am

Armistice Wreath Laying at the Offord D’Arcy War Memorial in the church

Sunday 4 December 4pm

Carols by Candlelight Service

Visiting the church Although we repeat the following wording in every edition of Out & About, we highlight that for security reasons the church is kept locked. Do get in touch if you would like to visit the church. Please remember to sign the visitor book whenever you visit as visitor numbers are important. As a reminder, 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. The Friends Group would like to publicly thank the St Neots Bowmen who are so accommodating in allowing us to use the archery field for parking, particularly for our larger events, such as the exhibition and the forthcoming Claude Bourbon guitar concert. We greatly appreciate their co-operation which allows us to have adjacent parking facilities to the church. Jenny Griffiths Friends of St Peter’s Church 07776 426103 Jennygriffiths908@btinternet. com

e t u t i t s n I s n e Offord Wom Our members were busy in the lead up to the Diamond Jubilee weekend. As well as baking for the party, we were knitting, sewing and crocheting little toy corgis! This was a WI national initiative to bring some fun and joy to local people around the country. The corgis – named Winnie - are of course the Queen’s favourite dogs. Our Winnies were packaged and hidden on the Millennium Green around the children’s play area. All of them disappeared, so we would love to know who found them and where they are living now. Do please write to the magazine and let us know if you have rescued one of them – and send a photograph if you can! Our June meeting was called Djibo Art. We welcomed a speaker who produces wonderful ethnic art from his gallery in Peterborough. We all had a chance to try his particular technique, with varied success. Fun though. Never too late to try something new in the WI. Our meeting in July was a talk called Dementia Friends. The speaker, Jan Payne, was engaging, funny and full of information which left us feeling uplifted. It was also time for our annual competition known as the Maurice Trophy . This competition was inspired by a former vicar of The Offords, The Reverend Lionel Selwyn Maurice, BA. His wife, Una, died in 1931, and in her memory, he donated a competition cup. She had been a WI member, so all these years later, we are pleased to commemorate her life by holding this competition. Entries must be something made or created by a member and this year we are featuring the colour green. Our August meeting takes the form of a garden party and has traditionally been held at The Limes, thanks to Deborah Gillbanks and family. Sadly for us, they are soon to be moving house, but we wish them much happiness in their new home and offer our sincere thanks to them for inviting us into their garden on so many occasions. We shall now be meeting in Jenny Murby's garden. Address is 2, The Haycroft, Offord D'Arcy, PE19 5SA. This is near the Offord D'Arcy sign and there is some parking available nearby. The party is on Tuesday 9th August at 2pm. It is an ideal chance to discover your village WI and see what it can offer you. So, whether or not you are a member, please do come along and enjoy the cakes!!

As you can see, our programme of activities is very varied and there is something to interest everyone. We are always happy to see new members who would like to join in! On Saturday 1st October, don’t be surprised to see a great “crocodile” of walkers making its way around the village footpaths. The Offords will be hosting the WI Autumn Walk for all the WIs in our region. We need lots of volunteer helpers for this event, members or not, so it’s a good time to get involved! We need walkers, of course, to help escort the walk and others to help with providing refreshments or manning (or womanning) various stalls in the village hall. If you would like to be involved in showcasing our villages, please contact us. We would love to have you on board. Our garden party could be the ideal time to get involved and have fun doing something new. Just time to tell you about our September meeting which is about Sustainable Fashion. Second Tuesday at 7.30 in the Village Hall. Marion Warden Enquiries to: Jenny Murby (President) on 01480 811474 Email: jenny@murby.uk

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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: £48 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

h c r u h C d e m r o f e R St Neots United 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

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

Rev. Sue Baker-Maher. Tel 473444. Angie Barnes (810102) Bob Baxter (810092) Carol Swepstone (810053)

t r o p e R l i c n u o C Parish We currently have 3 Councillor vacancies. If you are interested, please get in touch for further information. The two main criteria are that you need to be over 18 years of age and have been registered on the Electoral Roll for more than a year. Work on the Millennium Green continues and the repairs to the zip wire and ladder on the main climbing unit have been completed. 10 of the 40 silver birch trees appear to have failed. These are being monitored and will be replaced in the Autumn if necessary. A small wildflower area will be trialled in the Autumn with plans for other areas depending on the success of the first one. Vandalism has occurred again on the Millennium Green (MG) with the noticeboards having been graffitied. At a time when Councillors are looking at additional equipment for the various areas it does not fill them with confidence! There are 2 cameras on the MG with plans for two more and in addition the police have agreed to include this area in their patrols. Council has decided to look again at the possible provision of a Pavilion on the Recreation Ground. This would not only provide changing facilities for adult football teams and other sporting teams but also, hopefully, an additional meeting place for the village now that the Church Rooms are no longer useable. This is a very long-term project with funding secured via grants but if anyone has any thoughts or ideas please get in touch. The summer sports sessions will again be running on the recreation ground throughout the school summer holidays – twice weekly on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 10-12. These sessions, hosted by the sports team at One Leisure, are provided by the Parish Council and are free to all children in the parish from the age of 5. These are all now fully booked and hopefully enjoyed by all who attend. There are no scheduled meetings in August when central government is in recess, but problems and queries can still be dealt with. The next Full Council meeting will be on Thursday, September 1, 2022. As always, if there’s anything I can help with please get in touch. Jackie Stanbridge 50

Parish Councillors 2022-2026 Ian Weitzel(Chairman) Ronaldsway, Littleworth End Offord Darcy 01480 811697 Ian.Weitzel@offords-pc.gov.uk John Gatward (Vice Chairman) 5 Elm Drive Offord Cluny 01480 811148 Richard.Gatward@offords-pc.gov.uk

Simon Young (Chair of Planning) 6 Pippin Close Offord Darcy 01480 81287 simon.young@offords-pc.gov.uk

Tina Dawson (Chair of Finance) 15 Park Way Offord Cluny 01480 539098 Tina.dawson@offords-pc.gov.uk

Caroline Savage The Grove, 71 High Street Offord Darcy 07966 14495 caroline.savage@offords-pc.gov.uk

Liam Beckett 5 Dunstall Close Offord Cluny 07395 249 004 Liam.beckett@offords-pc.gov.uk

David Gillbanks The Limes, High Street Offord Darcy 01480 812183 david.gillbanks@offords-pc.gov.uk

Hilary Moorbey 125 High Street Offord Cluny 07762133858 hilary.moorbey@offords-pc.gov.uk

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

Climate Change and the Offords The Parish Council recently had an interesting presentation from Sarah Wilkinson, the Carbon and Energy Manager at Cambridgeshire County Council. The subject was “Understanding and Reducing your Carbon Footprint”. It is in the form of Carbon Dioxide that when released into the atmosphere traps escaping heat from the Earth’s surface and contributes to the phenomenon of Global Warming. It has to be said that when the topic has arisen during the course of various Parish meetings, the general feeling has always been that we in the Offords do not need to get particularly involved, living as we do in the countryside with plenty of trees and no heavy industry burning fossil fuels in the vicinity. So it was something of a shock when Sarah informed us that the Offords carbon emissions are above the average both for the Huntingdonshire District and for the country as a whole. Broadly speaking our average carbon equivalent emissions are just over twenty tons per household per annum, compared with eighteen for the District and sixteen for the UK. Contrary to the conclusion voiced by some, this does not include traffic passing through on the A14. Looking at the figures in detail it is perhaps hardly surprising that, as a relatively affluent section of society, our spend on goods and services is above average. Also the absence of a regular bus service and the minimal employment opportunities available locally contribute to an above average transportation contribution and the success of British Gas in promoting its new household delivery pipeline in the early 1990s has meant that a large proprtion of the village heat their houses by burning fossil fuels. Short of a major Government edict, this situation is unlikely to change anytime soon, although a combination of people working from home that became the norm during the Covid Pandemic and rapidly rising fossil fuel prices are starting to make people think of ways to reduce their heating and transportation costs. Sarah herself has set an example by switching her heating system to an electric heat pump and having solar panels installed on her roof. At the present time doing this is relatively expensive with a long payback period, although clearly getting shorter as energy prices increase. To be frank, governmental policy is currently in something of a turmoil over how a nationwide transition from fossil fuel to heat pump might be managed. It might however be worth thinking about for those needing a boiler replacement in the near future. There are grants to help out with the costs and many websites available to give help and advice:52

•

Heat pumps: https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/air-sourceheat-pumps/ • Boiler Upgrade Scheme: https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmentaland-social-schemes/boiler-upgrade-scheme-bus • Find an installer for solar PV, heat pumps or other renewables: https://mcscertified.com/find-an-installer/ The other, and perhaps more straightforward, way to cut household carbon emissions is to switch to an electric car. For two-car households this is becoming a no-brainer. All the major employment centres in the region are easily within range of a modern electric vehicle, as are all the local shopping centres. Most properties in the Offords have off-street parking and thus enable charging points to be sited adjacent to the house. Two acquaintances have recently switched to electric vehicles and are very enthusiastic – indeed positively evangelical about their new motors. Residential EV Chargepoints:• The On-street Residential Chargepoint Scheme provides grant funding for local authorities to install residential chargepoints. OZEV On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme We would encourage anybody who is contemplating a change in their energy usage to thoroughly research all the options available. Any suggestions for ways in which the Offords can demonstrate their commitment to tackling the Climate Emergenvy will be very welcome. Ian Weitzel Chair of the Parish Council of Offord Cluny and Offord Darcy

s e t i r W n o J r e F a rm Harvest in a heatwave! Hi Everyone, Farmer Jon here again. I hope everyone has been enjoying/ bearing with the recent heat wave. We started our harvest a little while ago and it was all going very well until it started getting hot. Now you may think, hang on hot means good for farmers in the summer. Well, usually this is the case, but this year has seen record temperatures, and this affects the moisture content of our crops, for example our oilseed Rape crop needs to be harvested between 6-9% moisture content, but this year we’ve seen figures as low as 4%. This a problem, as at this level the mills can’t extract the oil out of the seed to make rapeseed/ vegetable oil. So to get round this, as the temperatures are lower at night, this means the moisture goes up and we can go combining, so if you see some combines working very late at night or very early in the morning it’s because of this reason. We’d rather be in bed like everyone else but sometimes it’s the only way to get our harvest in. I hope you enjoy your summer holidays, and please remember to be patient with farm traffic on the roads. We’re only there as we’re moving the combine from farm to farm or bringing the harvest back from the field back to the farm.

t a e B e h t o t Feet

The Offords Line Dance Group

A group of 14 volunteers were the demo team on Sunday 5th June at the Village Hall tea party to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Izzy had put together a selection of dances that we were all familiar with and which also demonstrated a cross section of songs and music that we dance to. Despite a few nerves we think it went very well and the audience seemed very appreciative of our dance skills. In fact, we danced for much longer than our allotted 20 minute time slot, for after a quick rehearsal of our demo dances we carried on dancing while the hall filled up, so the audience was entertained until the start of the afternoon’s activities. No rest for the wicked – as Feet to the Beat were the start of the afternoon’s entertainment and then several carried on dancing to the band that followed us. That was real value for the tea party audience. A group photo of the brave volunteers is attached to this article. The numbers coming to the Tuesday morning sessions prove how popular these classes are, with generally over 30 people coming to each weekly class. Certainly, our brains and feet are given a good work out each week. Classes are held in Offord Village Hall every Tuesday from 10am to 12pm, with a refreshment break, when we have time to chat, and the added bonus of nice biscuits and cakes to celebrate any birthdays that week. Please contact Izzy if you would like more information. Jenny Griffiths On behalf of Izzy Brogan Tel: 07709 344144 56

I thought I’d book a holiday, somewhere hot and steamy, Where sands are white and sea is blue and everything is dreamy. I’ll have to get a passport – the one I’ve got is fake, Or else they made an error; there must be some mistake! For in my head, I’m fifty-nine – feel fit as any flea, This passport says I’m eighty! That surely can’t be me? I cannot be that age I think - I really feel quite young, - just in case it’s really true – I’d better check my tongue! And now I think – well, yes of course, I do take several pills, But only a precaution, to ward off future ills. And yes, I do wear glasses, I need them every day, Well, everybody wears them now, – it’s fashion, so they say. But when I had a recent test, they mentioned cataracts, I might soon need some treatment – I have to face the facts. And yes, I’ve lost some molars, so eating nuts is hell, I get a buzzing in one ear – the other rings a bell. The TV sounds so very faint I can’t hear what they say, Last week I picked up hearing aids, and didn’t have to pay. I sometimes go for blood tests – they’re looking for Type 2, And if I found I’d got it, well, I don’t know what I’d do. I think I’d better get a test in case I’ve got BP, Well, heck, I’m over eighty – I MUST see my GP! I‘d better get some pills and jabs and maybe pots of ointment; Or so I think, until I try to book a darned appointment. But while I wait, I don’t feel bad, and most of me is working, To give up living to the full – well that would seem like shirking. So yes, I’ll book that holiday – ‘cos mostly I feel fine, And in my head and in my heart – I’m still just 59!! Marion Warden 57

Reader Opinion Landscape and Energy in Offord – an unsettling time? Many readers will be aware of the proposal to utilise land adjacent to the mill buildings in the Offords to create a source of clean, renewable energy. While some will be in favour, others have raised concerns relating to the change that will happen. Perhaps a point of interest is that this proposal is to harness a source of renewable energy in the same way that the construction of the mill was also designed to use a source of renewable energy – hydropower. When the mill was built, significant changes took place to the landscape in the massing of the buildings on the site, but also the diversion of the river, the creation of the mill pond and a bypass lock to continue to allow the passage of boats up and down river. So, it is fair to say that the proposal for a solar farm adjacent to the mill is a further alteration of the landscape which, if left to its own devices, would eventually rewild to its climax ecological community, most likely a mix of deciduous woodland and damp, scrubby thickets that we see spread along this part of the Ouse Valley. What is the problem the solar farm is looking to solve? Just a few short months ago the answer to this question would have been simpler. Simply it would have been to contribute to the UK Government’s commitment to reducing carbon dioxide emissions, effectively to net zero. This is critical if we are to avoid the worst impacts of climate change that are associated with humankind’s use of fossil fuels and its associated impact on the atmosphere and climate over the longer-term. I would posit that the situation in recent months has become more complex with events in Ukraine and the bounce back from Covid both having impacts on the prices of fossil fuels as we are seeing in cost of living and energy bill prices in the UK. One way, in the short- to medium-term to address the spike in fossil fuel prices is to swap to renewables such as solar or wind, more efficient use of energy as with heat pumps, or other efficiency improvements such as insulation. The UK is already a leader in decarbonsing its electricity grid but we can go further. Many European countries are now ramping up their programmes to address the dual issues of climate change and rising costs – in fact Italy has launched a programme over the last eight months that has reduced emissions from home heating by more than they had achieved in the last 20 years. This was 58

completed by paying the full installation costs of heatpumps and paying a 10% bonus to the user. Energy Demand in the UK We all use energy in the UK, and over time the amount we use individually every year has increased – the advent of more and more devices is part of the driver of this increasing energy footprint. At the current rate of energy improvement of heating new and existing buildings, improvements in lighting, its estimated that by 2050 we will have saved 270 terawatt hours of electricity. However, this will still leave us to find around another 250 terrawatt hours of savings from buildings. This doesn’t even consider the other huge savings that will need to come from transport, manufacturing, and other sectors. The way forward? Renewables in all its forms has a role to play be that offshore and onshore wind, and solar. Solar is seeing the most rapid decreases in the cost to harvest its energy potential, and in the last few months while the price of gas has spiked, the cost of raw solar energy has remained steadfastly at 0 pence per kilowatt hour. Solar is available to all of us, we all use energy in increasing amounts, and we all contribute to climate change. While I won’t be around to feel the full impacts of changing climate, I firmly believe I have a responsibility to contribute to reducing the impacts that I am partly responsible for, so I support the introduction of more wind, solar and energy efficiency schemes. I also accept that the changes these schemes can have to the landscape around us can be unsettling, as all change can be. But as a part of the problem I accept that I have to accept change as part of the solution.

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 60

Tel: 01480 273927

Can Recycling Reduce My Carbon Footprint? Amazed at the effect they are having on the environment, one of the #HuntsWasteBusters has shared some facts and tips in the hope to inspire others: Did you know? �� Recycling a single aluminium can will save enough energy to power a TV for up to 3 hours �� Recycling everything you could in your kitchen recycling bins could power a TV for 6 months �� Recycling a single glass bottle saves enough energy to power a laptop for half an hour �� Recycling paper takes 60% less energy to produce than it does to make it from raw materials �� Recycling or composting our food waste could reduce our CO2 emissions by up to 25% It is reported that British households generate over 26 million tonnes of waste each year, equating to the weight of around 260 large cruise ships. England alone, only recycles around 44% of waste, leaving the bulk to go to landfill, a large contributor to greenhouse gases. “For every action, there is a reaction” A few simple changes to our waste routine can have dramatic effects in the form of reducing our individual carbon footprint. Increasing the amount of items you recycle reduces the amount of raw materials required, whilst also reducing the energy needed to physically manufacture the product. This could vastly reduce production costs, driving down the price of everyday items as well as reducing our carbon footprint, assisting greatly in creating a more sustainable environment. In many cases, certain items that are not accepted within your household recycling bin, used to require a great amount of research and travel to reach specific drop-off points. It is quickly becoming easier and more convenient to recycle, with many supermarkets across Huntingdonshire taking in soft plastics, making it easy to drop off when doing your weekly or monthly shop. 62

Pharmacies have also followed this trend, offering the ability to drop off medicine blister packs and cosmetics, again increasing the convenience of recycling. There has been an increase in many Huntingdonshire residents utilising food caddy bins to dispose of our food waste, which can be easily emptied into your garden waste bin and taken away for composting. Over the last few years the ethos of ‘doing your bit’ for society has been instilled across the world. It is now time to adopt this ethos for our environment and do what we can, on an individual basis, to reduce waste and increase recycling for the betterment and sustainability of our region, country and world. Making simple changes to your everyday habits can, and will, go a long way in reducing your personal impact on this earth. So why not challenge yourself today, to increase what you recycle and reduce your carbon footprint and play your part in a cleaner and greener future.

If you are concerned about environmental issues surrounding recycling, waste and littering, why not join the Hunts Waste Busters, meeting virtually once a month to discuss actions that can be taken to educate our district on how to minimise waste and increase recycling alongside arranging events and liaising with local groups to encourage change. To find out more, email WasteMinimisation@huntingdonshire.gov.uk. *Statics credit to www.recyclingbins.co.uk/recycling-facts

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

Carey Kelly 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 Day Nursery Offord Tots PCSO Rainbows Senior Citizens The Offord PlayerS Thursday Club Village Hall hire Village Hall 300+ Club 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 Carey Kelly Nikki Mitchell Richard Braddick Ann Weitzel Marlene Alderman John Kirby Doreen Rowbury Helen Bosworth Helen Bosworth Carol Temple

811697 07597 988763 810091 810308 07976 792463 810308 01480 811977 07872 986326 07921 094801 811697 810609 810049 811025 811892 811892 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. 64

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A1 CHIMNEY SWEEP & MAINTENANCE 07508 051920 ABSOLUTE PLUMBING 01480 812549 ANGLIAN WATER 0800 0113774 APPLEPIPS OUT OF SCHOOL CLUB 01480 811977 BUCKDEN DAY NURSERY 01480 810816 BUDGENS 01480 819602 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 HOME-N-DRY 01487 840310 & 07766 576381 HUNTS SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND 01480 453438 HUNT & COOMBS SOLICITORS 01733 882870 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 MOBILITY BATHING GROUP 01462 889097 MORE SPACE 01480 830130 OFFORD DAY NURSERY 01480 811977 OFFORD VILLAGE HALL 01480 811892 PAXTON HILL GARAGE 01480 217806 PLATINUM TOURS 01480 810560 THE HORSESHOE INN, OFFORD DARCY 01480 810293 W&H PEACOCK AUCTIONEERS 01480 474550 WALDEN-HARRIS K9 (CANINE COACH) 07730 393757