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Parish Council
28 Station Road Melbourn Cambs SG8 6DX Telephone 262494 e-mail: parishclerk@melbournpc.co.uk
Chairman Donald Mowatt 23, High Street SG8 6AL 268388 Vice-Chairman Maureen Townsend 32 New Road SG8 6ER 260959 Clerk & office Avril Mellor, 28 Station Road, SG8 6DX 262494
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E-mail parishclerk@melbournpc.co.uk
Website www.melbourncambridge.co.uk Councillors Val Barrett 2 Station Road, SG8 6DX 261227 Irene Bloomfield 78 Russet Way, SG8 6HF 222558 Alan Brett 44 High Street, SG8 6DXBB 260306 Rosemary Gatward 94 High Street, SG8 6AL 261225 Jose Hales 23 Elm Way, SG8 6UH 262651 Dean Hardingham 1 Portway, SG8 6EU 232757 Michael Linnette 11 Chapel Lane, SG8 6BN 262534 Donald Mowatt White Walls, 23 High Street 268388 Clive Purbrook Glebe House, High St, SG8 6DZ 260899 Jocelyn Robson 91 High Street 261633 Mike Sherwen 3 Hale Close, SG8 6ET 260070 Christopher Stead 70 Russet Way 260743 pm only Maureen Townsend 32 New Rd, SG8 6BY 260959 Richard Wakerley 32 Chalkhill Barrow, SG8 6EQ 262247 Employees Handyman and Caretaker Peter Andrews 243312
Emergency mobile. 07778-682245 Village Ranger Keith Rudge, 4 Dolphin La, SG8 6AF 221212 Internal Auditor Peter Chilvers, 68A High Street, SG8 6AJ 260742 County Councillor Susan van de Ven 95 North End, Meldreth 261833 susanvandeven@yahoo.co.uk. District Councillors Janice Guest, 1 Mortlock Street, SG8 6DB 260894 Val Barrett, 2 Station Road 261227
South Cambs M.P. Andrew Lansley 01954 212707 South Cambs M.E.P. Robert Sturdy 01954 211790
The Parish Office at 28 Station Road, is entered by the door at the front of the building directly opposite Sheene Mill. The Parish Office is now open on Mondays from 9 am to 1 pm, on Tuesdays from 2 pm from 4 pm, and on Thursday from 9 am to 1 pm. The office is not normally open on Wednesdays or Fridays. As the Clerk is sometimes out on Parish business it is better to ring 262494 to ensure that she is in the office. Meetings of the Planning Committee are normally held on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of every month commencing at 7.15 pm. Council Meetings are normally held on the fourth Monday of each month at 7.15 pm at All Saints’ Community Hall.
The Press Royston & Buntingford Mercury
Tom Ship, Media Centre 40 Ware Road,
Hertford, SG13 7HU 01992 526639 Royston Crow Heath House, Princes Mews,
Royston, SG8 6RT 245241 Fax 242231 Cambridge News David Williams, 3 Melbourn Street,
Royston, SG8 7BP 249144 Fax 244502 BBC Radio Cambridge
Reception 01223 259696
From the Parish Clerk – Avril Mellor
The Council has commissioned Matthew Lane Sanderson, a sculptor who works with metal, to design entrance gates for New Road cemetery. Following a series of discussions, Matthew has now gone away to convert his drawings and ideas into a model of the gates, so that the Council can see his proposal in the flesh, so to speak. It is hoped that the gates will be in place by early summer 2010.
South Cambridgeshire District Council is intending to sell off all its car parks, which would then be operated as a commercial enterprise, with parking charges. In an effort to prevent this situation, discussions are on-going between the Parish Council and SCDC with regard to the Council taking over a lease on the village car park. The garages on the car park would remain the responsibility of the SCDC.
There have been many complaints with regard to the dangers resulting from parked vehicles on Station Road. Due to public requests for something to be done about this situation, a Public Open Meeting was called on 20th October at the Village College to discuss a proposal to introduce additional parking restrictions. This meeting was attended by Mr. Richard Preston, Head of Network Management for Cambridgeshire County Council; PC Clive Holgate, a Force Traffic Management Officer and a member of our Roads Policing Unit; 2 PCSO’s; 8 members of the Parish Council and 42 members of the public. One of the main things that emerged was that doing nothing was not an option. What was repeated by different people was that there was a need for parking places with yellow lines placed at intervals to allow vehicles or cyclists room to get safely out of the way of oncoming traffic.
At long last the Council has been informed that it can have back some of the Saxon remains removed during excavation in early 2000 prior to the building of Chalkhill Barrow. These remains will form a family group and will be re-buried in the burial mound that has already been prepared in New Road Cemetery. Can I take this opportunity to remind people that New Road Cemetery is a lawned cemetery and as such all graves older than six months will be grassed over. Relatives will be advised before this takes place.
Kirstin Bicknell is in consultation with the Council with regard to Stockbridge Meadows Riverside Park being used as a venue for a Public Art Project. The project would be funded by money provided by developers Camstead Homes under a Section 106 agreement.
At the time of writing there is a vacancy on the Council. This has been brought about by the resignation of Cllr. Janice Guest. Although she has resigned from the Council, the village will not lose the valuable contribution made by Cllr. Guest, as she will continue to serve the residents of Melbourn and surrounding villages in her capacity as a District Councillor.
Two members of the committee of the recently formed St George’s Allotment Association have attended a Conservation Committee meeting, where they were given the opportunity to discuss with members of the committee, the Association’s plans. The Association was advised that at the present time there is a waiting list
for allotments. If anyone wishes to be added to this list please contact the Parish Office.
Parish Council elections take place every four years and 2010 is an election year for Melbourn. All the parish councillors must step down and if individuals wish to continue they must send in their election papers to SCDC to stand for re-election. If there are more then 15 people wishing to join the Council then an election will have to be held, otherwise all those who submitted papers are automatically elected.
May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.
From the Chairman of the Parish Council – Donald Mowatt
A very well known car manufacturer is currently running a very successful marketing campaign in the UK entitled The Story of Joy. They thoroughly believe that their brilliantly designed and cleverly engineered cars bring much lasting joy to their owners, as well as transporting them safely from a to b and on to z.
Anyway it struck me that, we the good folk of Melbourn could tell them a thing or two about joy; the true and lasting joy that only comes from counting blessings. For I believe that here in Melbourn, we have an abundance of those, from the depth and vibrancy of busy days to the still and calm of a Melbourn evening.
Clearly as all communities we face our fair share of challenges, and yes, sometimes life can seem far from perfect; but I believe that here in Melbourn we have a head start in the cultivation of joy. Surrounded by beautiful and bountiful countryside, Melbourn is a thriving service centre that has witnessed, and with God’s blessing, adapted well to much change throughout the centuries.
Today is no exception, and doubtless Melbourn will continue to meet significant challenges ahead. Accordingly we your Parish Council would like to assure you of our every determination to champion the best interests of the community at all times and particularly during periods of change. Further and with the help of The Village Plan, currently in its development stage, we are confident that going forward we will be even better placed to help satisfy the real needs of the community.
On a personal note, I continue to be humbled by the many, many volunteers from within our community who give so freely of their time to help maintain, develop and safeguard the fabric and substance of our Great Village.
Also some words of encouragement and appreciation for our youth, who I believe are a great credit to us. They are the lifeblood of our community and we must continue to invest in adequate facilities to positively occupy and challenge their ingenuity. Of course, as much as we look to help our youth we must not fail to support the needs of our elderly. For they too, are an integral and vital part of our evolution, and bestow much depth and purpose to community life.
In conclusion I thank you all for being part of the Melbourn Story, and on behalf of The Parish Council I would take this opportunity to wish you “Seasons Greetings and a Very Happy New Year ahead”.
District Councillors Janice Guest & Val Barrett
Over the past months, we have been busy attending many Meetings concerning Housing, in particular, Sheltered Housing Schemes and Housing Officers (used to be known as Wardens). As you will be aware, South Cambs. is having to make cuts in its budget right across all services. We have attended meetings at Sheltered Housing Schemes along with the Housing Portfolio Holder, Cllr. Mark Howell where he has attempted to reassure residents that any changes to the Services they receive at present, will not affect them in the immediate future, but over a period of a few years.
As local Councillors, we will be lobbying to keep the existing Services going for as long as possible.
We are continuing with our efforts to have yellow lines installed in Station Road, but the County Council has presented us with unforeseen problems.
Apart from spending many hours at SCDC at each of the Committees we are on, we are responding to issues from individual constituents which we then take to Officers in order to fight their corner. These include The Chishills and Heydon which are part of our ward, as well as attending all parish council meetings.
We were both invited to create glass tiles to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Melbourn Village College. Cllr. Guest’s tile was presented to Cllr. Charles Nightingale, Chairman of South Cambs. District and Cllr. Barrett’s tile was presented to the Chairman of Melbourn Parish Council. We both attended the Anniversary Tea Party on September 12th.
The Chairman of SCDC is hoping to visit all the sheltered housing schemes in the district during his year. He and his wife, Susan came to Vicarage Close for coffee on 2nd October. We both attended, enjoying the company of the residents.
We are both on outside bodies such as Relate, Trigg’s Charity and The Alms Houses Committees so MORE MEETINGS ! We are here to listen and hopefully to help. Cllr. Val Barrett 01763 261227 Cllr. Janice Guest 01763 260894
Cllr. Janice Guest
Some of you will be aware that I have not been seen around the village as much as usual. Unfortunately, I am having difficulty walking. Nevertheless, I am still able to carry out my duties as your District Councillor. Janice.
County Councillor Susan van de Ven
Thank you for making me feel so welcome in my first few months as your county councillor. There has been much to do and all of it has involved getting to know people, which is what makes the role fun and rewarding.
Some of the tasks I’ve been asked to
help pursue are straightforward and others less so. Some problems are solvable and others may not be. But it is always worth giving things a try.
Speeding and traffic related issues are a concern in many parts of the village. Unfortunately Melbourn Primary School’s request to the County Council for a “lollipop” school crossing patrol person was turned down, the Council’s strict criteria not having been met. The advice from the Council is for children to cross at the narrowest point in Mortlock Street, at the traffic calming area, rather than on the busy junction of Orchard Road and New Road. The Council continues to advertise a vacancy for a School Crossing Patrol Officer to assist with crossings at the junction of the High Street and The Moor. This position pays ten hours per week although actual duty time is significantly less; it also includes four weeks paid holiday. Please do get in touch if you are interested.
Thank you to people who have contacted me with concerns about speeding traffic at various entry points to the village. Many of these have been relayed to the Neighbourhood Police Panels and this is very helpful as it contributes to greater awareness and attention from the powers that be. At the time of writing this article, we understand from the Highways Agency that Melbourn may well be considered for a pilot 20mph scheme. Also in the realm of possibility is a speed limit reduction for the A10 at the Frog End junction – a main entry point into Melbourn and an accident black spot. This comes out of an A-road speed limit review and we’re keeping fingers crossed for some action there. Meanwhile, the A505 Flint Cross safety works should be starting very soon and will most likely include a speed limit reduction to 50mph.
The double yellow line saga in Station Road has been the result of poor communication for which the County Council has sincerely apologized. The expectation of double yellows proved more complicated than originally thought, and it is hoped that a public meeting on October 20th will (by the time you read this) have provided a clear sense of direction. Please see parish council minutes for more background to this long story.
With a village college at our centre, Melbourn is a great place to pursue projects for young people. The parish council has already championed a new BMX area, which is a fantastic addition to the village. The example of a successful BMX project helps other parish councils to proceed with new BMX ventures and this is good for all young people. At Melbourn Village College, Warden Elaine Stephenson has kindly supported me in starting up an after-school journalist club for budding writers and photographers. Peter Simmonett has been coming along every week to teach us essential IT skills, you will soon find a link to ‘Melbourn Journalism Club’ on the Village website at www.melbourn.org.uk/journalists/
An audio project recording reminiscences of Melbourn Village College staff and students spanning fifty years, in celebration of MVC’s 50th anniversary, has now been completed. This oral history is available on CD - £5 for the first or £9 for two – with proceeds going to the MVC Performing Arts Studio Appeal. Contact Vanessa Mann on 01223 871 628 or email audiotimes@googlemail.com.
New booking office hours have come into force at Meldreth Station, as expected, but after much delay – the changes were scheduled for April. A Saturday service has been retained as a direct result of our campaign last winter. Please make every effort to buy your ticket directly from the Station Master rather than the ticket machine whenever possible. The future viability of the booking office depends on the number of transactions per hour. Unfortunately, the request to change the name of the station to ‘Meldreth and Melbourn’ has been turned down, although it was supported by both parish councils. We continue to chip away at better access to rail service and you may have noticed a new wheelchair access ramp to the northbound platform.
Many other rail issues continue to be pursued, including anomalies in student discount fares on our line, sold by different operators. I’ve arranged to speak to First Capital Connect Managing Director Jim Morgan and County Council officers about ways in which the two sides could better cooperate on our behalf. (See page 23.)
You’ll have heard in the news about the County’s decision to bid for the Transport Innovation Fund. There will be many months of preparation of fine detail and it is vital that our local transport needs are fed into the process. For example, why can’t pensioner’s bus passes be used for night-time rail service, after the last bus has left Cambridge? Student transport to Cambridge is prohibitively expensive. Please let me know if you have a particular view on public transport provision in our area to bring to the table.
One of the more complicated tasks I’ve been asked to help with is a problem solving group tackling what the police call ‘Anti-Social Behaviour’ – the term itself being controversial. Sadly this is a not uncommon problem and one for which solutions can be elusive. Nevertheless, a group comprised of residents, parish and district councillors, county and district officers, police and myself are putting heads together and trying to better understand the nature and scope of the problem, and to come up with some constructive ideas and proposals. We will assess our progress after one year and decide if our effort is making a positive difference. Meanwhile please do always report problems and concerns to the police or neighbourhood watch team – you’ll find contact details on the ‘Safer Melbourn’ page in the magazine.
To finish up with some straightforward good news, gardeners and allotment holders will soon be able to collect free compost at the Thriplow Recycling Centre. This follows on from a suggestion made by a Meldreth allotment holder, which I first followed up with Donarbon (the County’s waste treatment contractor) months ago and which has now had a successful push from the County’s waste management team. The compost will be loose and residents can fill up bags brought from home; an honesty box will be used to collect donations, which will go to a local charity. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with any queries or concerns. Susan van de Ven, County Councillor susanvandeven@yahoo.co.uk. Telephone 261833
