Issue 97 Spring 2019

The butterfly world See pages 10 & 37

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...editorial At last Spring has arrived!

There are many events to look forward to – Open Gardens will be held again this year on Sunday 16th June, preceded on Saturday 30th March by a Plant Sale at The Hub. Melbourn is fortunate in having the award winning Village College, which has won an important award for the standard of its international education, see page 25.

The Hub hosts many interesting events throughout the year, as well as housing the Parish Council, the Library and providing excellent lunches and coffee and cakes. On Friday March 8th a concert will be held featuring poets and musicians who took part in the making of the Mel Waterlight film project and will feature folk songs collected by Vaughan Williams when he lived in Meldreth, see page 16. The Hub is a definite village asset!

Apart from the regular features, sport, a profile, we continue with the feature on the Himalayas see page 40, and in this issue an article on telephone scams, see page 18, which are such a nuisance to all of us. An interesting look at the big butterfly count, see page 37.

Take advantage of and enjoy the amenities of the village, and thank you to all the people, most of them volunteers, who organise and run the clubs, there is definitely something for all ages.

Front cover image: Small Heath butterfly. See Melwood - The long hot summer on page 10 and The butterfly count on page 37.

Melbourn Magazine is Independent of the Parish Council NO public money is used.

We would like to thank TTP for their continued sponsorship of the magazine.

Melbourn Magazine is printed quarterly and delivered free to every household and business in the village.

All work on the Melbourn Magazine, including layout and design is produced by volunteers.

The cost of printing comes entirely from advertising and sponsorship.

If you would like to advertise in the Melbourn Magazine see page 71 for details

Contents Village news

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Nature - Melwood The long hot summer and its effect on Melwood and local butterflies

What’s On - Vaughan Williams in Meldreth 16 Feature - Telephone scams

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Review

21

The Death of the Fronsac Trieste and the Meaning of Nowhere

Profile - Jacey & Phil Stewart

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Education

25

Profile

31

Village information

33

Diary

34

Bin collection

36

Nature - The Big Butterfly Count

37

Travelogue - Travelling the Himalayas

40

Nepal: Coping with modernity

Churches Together

43

Sports & Clubs

49

What’s On

63

Library – LAP (Local Access Point) Library opening times Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

2.30 to 4.30 pm 2.30 to 4.30 pm 2.30 to 4.30 pm 2.30 to 6.30 pm 2.30 to 4.30 pm 10.00 to 12.00 am

melbournmagazine@gmail.com

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Village news Village News Care Network Get Active, Get Walking Get Playing Sport Melbourn Open Gardens Melbourn – the home of local entertainment Library What’s On @ Melbourn Child and Family Zone Come To Youth Club!

Know your lemons!

Melbourn & Meldreth Women’s Group WaterAid Exhibition Melbourn Singers Melbourn Timebank Neighbourhood Watch The Twelfth Safari Supper Village Colleges Heritage Project From Parish Clerk From your District and County Councillors Class time for Susan at Melbourn Village College

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Library – LAP (Local Access Point) Library opening times Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

2.30 to 4.30 pm 2.30 to 4.30 pm 2.30 to 4.30 pm 2.30 to 6.30 pm 2.30 to 4.30 pm 10.00 to 12.00 am

Care Network Put a spring in your step and connect with YOUR community! Spring is a time of new growth; making efforts to socialise more, stay active, develop new skills and volunteering are all proven to enhance our health and well-being.

Care Network is a local charity that puts people at the heart of everything it does. Volunteers offer practical support and information to help people stay healthy, independent and in touch with their communities.

Do you know someone who needs a little extra help to stay independent at home, is looking to socialise more or wants to find out what support is available locally? Perhaps you have an idea to set up a local community group but need advice to get it up and running.

Care Network can help, so do just get in touch, we’ll be delighted to hear from you. Blow the cobwebs away and take that first step today – it could be the start of something more.

For information on accessing services or volunteering with Care Network take a look at www.care-network.org.uk/ or call 01954 211 919.

Get Active, Get Walking Get Playing Sport Across Cambridgeshire, new walking sports sessions are popping up everywhere, with the idea of getting older adults and those who are less physically active, back enjoying competitive team sports without the high impact or strenuous level of activity that standard versions of the same games require.

Most of the sports have the same rules as standard versions only rather than running to get the ball you must walk. For example, when playing walking netball, one foot must always be on the ground and you can take an extra step before passing the ball plus you can hold the ball for longer before passing or taking a shot at goal. To avoid some players running and thereby making the game faster than it should be, the umpire awards the ball to the other side if an infringement takes place.

The great thing about this type of session is that it’s open to all – men and women can play alongside each other, including people recovering from an injury so it does not matter if you have not played since school or had to give up your favourite sport due to speed and impact.

As well as the huge benefits from getting active, you can enjoy this moderate exercise in a fun and social environment. There is no better time to dig out your trainers and give Walking Sports a go. melbournmagazine@gmail.com

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Melbourn Open Gardens Plant Sale

Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme

Saturday 30 March 10 am To 12 noon Melbourn Community Hub

Can we help you?

Can we help a relative?

Can we help a neighbour?

The sale is a joint event between Melbourn Fete Committee and the St George’s Allotment Society.

Stock up your garden for the new growing season and enjoy the facilities of the Hub. You can enjoy the cafe, browse the library books, view the work of a local artist and access the information services.

Coming Soon Melbourn Open Gardens Sunday 16 June 2019

Forever Active is a local charity who deliver exercise classes and sports sessions across Cambridgeshire for people over the age of 50 or those returning to a more active lifestyle. We would love to hear from you if you and some of your friends would be interested in having a walking netball session or something similar within the village of Melbourn or a nearby village.

What the players say: “I can’t imagine many ways of playing sport with so much laughter. I joined walking netball as an experienced netballer but play alongside complete beginners and we all get along really well and keep fit together” (Geraldine Hindley from the Forever Active session at Histon and Impington recreation ground).

For a full list of classes delivered by Forever Active please visit www.forever-active.org.uk or contact Jane Jones at Jane.jones@forever-active.org.uk Geraldine also attends walking netball at Sawston which is delivered by the Let’s Get Moving team at South Cambs District Council. Please contact Ellen Bridges at Ellen.bridges@scambs.gov.uk for further details.

Melbourn – the home of local entertainment We all know Melbourn is a really vibrant village to live in, but something that is often unsung is the growing wealth of affordable, quality entertainment, regularly available on our doorstep.

Most people usually have to travel to towns and cities (and pay handsomely) to see good shows and concerts. Here in Melbourn and the surrounding villages we are benefiting from some fantastic local entertainment organised by ‘not for profit’ groups or charities throughout the year. The proceeds raised ensure that we as a local community can continue to access quality entertainment, without facing the heavy costs and inconvenience of travelling further afield, and it becomes more affordable for the average person or family.

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Who does the Scheme help?

The scheme is open to the mobility impaired in Melbourn and Meldreth including those who live alone or with their families, but need the extra support offered by our services. Couples too are most welcome.

It is also open to those in sheltered housing, as the scheme offers different, but complementary services.

Note: The scheme also offers its services for short periods to cover the temporary absence of relatives who otherwise provide this support.

We offer help with: • Friendship and support via twice weekly visits and daily phone calls • Ordering and collection of prescriptions • Basic shopping • Collection of pensions • Setting up Lifeline service • Bereavement support • Advice on benefits • Going to the Post Office to pay your bills • Advice on getting repairs done in your home • Arranging transport to the hospital or other appointments • Just coming round for a chat

What will it cost?

We do have to make a small weekly charge for the warden’s services.

The fee is only £7 per week (a little more for couples).

Jeannie Seers (Mobile Warden) 07808 735066 email: jeanseers13@gmail.com

Jane Cage (Deputy) 07592 821976 email: janec55@virginmedia.com

Melbourn Warden Scheme is a registered charity

Melbourn Community Hub has featured ‘Megson’, the popular award winning folk duo in a sell out concert. Husband and wife Stu and Debbie Hanna, who formed Megson, live in Melbourn and it was great that they could perform on their home turf for local fans as part of their 2018 tour. Robert Lloyd Parry has performed his spellbinding show with tales by author M.R. James and Keith James will be singing the songs of Leonard Cohen during his 2019 UK tour.

Melbourn Amateur Dramatics Society (MADS), founded

by Donna Sleight of Melbourn, delivers annual pantomimes which are hugely popular and attract glowing feedback for their humour, imagination and affordability. The recent ‘Cinderella what could possibly go wrong?’ was a panto certainly with a difference, plus a resounding sell out success! Ghost walks (usually the domain of cities) have been conducted by MADS around Melbourn for the past two years and variety shows and murder mysteries staged. Look out for a race night with a twist soon!

All Saints Hall run regular film shows so locals can gather to enjoy movie nights.

How lucky we are!

What’s On @ Melbourn Child and Family Zone Melbourn Child and Family Zone provides groups, activities and support for families. Our friendly and experienced Child and Family Centre staff offer a wide range of services and knowledge to help you and your family from pregnancy onwards. We are located on Mortlock Street, adjacent to Melbourn Primary School.

All of our sessions are a chance to meet new friends and to also access support from Child and Family Centre staff.

Baby Group Welcoming environment to help parents relax and enjoy their baby. For families expecting or with a child up to a year old (£2 charge per family).

• Wednesdays 10.00 to 11.30am @ Melbourn Child and

Family Zone Fridays 1.00 to 2.30pm @ Bassingbourn Pre School

Stay and Play Enjoy time together with your child whilst accessing a range of toys, crafts and activities (£2 charge per family).

• Thursdays 10.00 to 11.30am @ Melbourn Child and • Caption Melbourn Folk Duo ‘Megson’

See the Melbourn magazine’s diary pages 34–35 for details of the forthcoming local events and shows.

Jeannie Seers

Library At the Melbourn library, situated in the Hub, we are very keen to foster the reading habits of the next generation. We are currently in the process of arranging with Melbourn Primary School for each class to make a visit to the library. The children would be shown round the library and we will explain how books are issued and later returned. They will also have a story read to them by Mandy, one of our librarians, who runs Story Time. We hope that this will encourage still more children (and their parents) to join the library and make the most of this excellent resource.

Story Time is held on Fridays from 10 am to 10.30 am and is aimed at children from small babies to 5 year olds. The format is simple – stories and songs – which all can enjoy. It is also a good way for parents to meet people as many, if not all, of those coming to Story Time stay on for coffee and a chat in the Hub.

Family Zone Fridays 10.00 to 11.30am @ Bassingbourn Pre School

Melbourn Child and Family Zone, Mortlock Street, Melbourn, SG8 6DB Bassingbourn Pre School, Brook Road, Bassingbourn, SG8 5NP

For further information: Email: ChildAndFamilyCentre.South@cambridgeshire.gov. uk Telephone: 01954 284 672 Facebook: search for South Cambridgeshire Child and Family Centres

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Come To Youth Club!

Know your lemons!

Cancer is something that will sadly affect most of us at some point in our lives, whether we have been directly affected or will know a friend or family member facing this.

Melbourn Community Hub is working with health professionals from Addenbrooke’s and the GP surgery to raise awareness of one of the most common cancers to help with early detection and prevention.

After one of the Hub’s volunteers began treatment for breast cancer, the Hub organised a breast health awareness evening in the Hub’s Atrium, presented by Dr Elizabeth Cox of the Cambridge breast unit at Addenbrooke’s titled “know your lemons”. This refers to the use of the fruit as part of a campaign to demonstrate the various changes that can occur in the breast that we should be alert to. Some people do not realise that cancer of the breast affects both men and women, so the message is that all of us should be checking regularly. Knowing what to look for is vital for early detection and to give us the best chance of recovery.

People may assume that the Hub’s meeting rooms are only available for business hire or for community groups to meet, but the Hub also offers its spaces for a range of outreach services that support local people with their physical and mental health and wellbeing. Regular sessions are also held by organisations such as MIND, Relate and the Citizens Advice Bureau and the Hub plans to hold further health awareness sessions.

For more information on breast health awareness see www.knowyourlemons.com and to find out more about the services that are available at the Hub – including any future health awareness sessions - see www.melbournhub.co.uk or contact the Hub centre manager on 01763 263303 option1.

Melbourn & Meldreth Women’s Group We are a small friendly group and we meet on the 4th Tuesday of the month except in December, we vary our venue between All Saints Community Hall in Melbourn and Holy Trinity Church Meeting Room in Meldreth. We either have a guest speaker or in house entertainment followed by tea/ coffee and biscuits. There is a fee of £1 on the evening and a chance to make a donation to our charity of the year.

On 26 March Revd. Lizzie Shipp will lead us on a Lent Reflection in ASCH beginning at our usual time of 7.45p.m.

23 April sees us in Holy Trinity Meeting Rooms in Meldreth when we hope to have a speaker from Wood Green although this is not confirmed at the time of writing this article.

28 May will be our summer supper when the committee prepare a ploughman’s supper followed by puddings. This will be open to members and their guests but tickets must be purchased in advance.

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Did you know that there is a free club for young people that meets in Melbourn every Tuesday in term time? Young people from Melbourn and surrounding villages are welcome to come along to take part in a range of activities, or just socialize, in a friendly, safe environment.

The club meets at the Pavilion on the New Recreation Ground, so activities can take place both outdoors and inside. There are well organised, fun cooking and crafting sessions, sports, as well as a pool table and the option to just hang out with friends.

On a serious note, we recognise the benefits to mental health of providing a safe place to build relationships and develop essential life skills through structured activities (e.g. young people respond positively to being given specific roles in cooking sessions). The Youth Workers are fully trained and the club provides an opportunity for youngsters to talk privately about anything worrying them.

Do you know anyone who might be interested?

There is no fee; Youth Club is funded by participating Parish Councils. In Melbourn it is funded by the Council courtesy of the Community Grant money which the Parish receives each year from the solar farms.

Melbourn Parish Council See poster on page 27 for more details

All our meetings begin at 7.45p.m. and do come along if you’d like to, or if you want to know more please contact one of the committee members. Pat Smith (262575), Sue Toule (260955), Anne Harrison (261775), Angela Leach (262793), Pat Ames and Kimmi Crosby

Melbourn Singers The Melbourn Singers are currently practising with the Comberton Choir at Comberton Village College and working towards our next concert, as part of the Cambridgeshire Choral Society, to be held on 4th May in the Chapel of Trinity College, Cambridge at 7.30pm. We are singing a number of works by French composers which will make an interesting concert as the music is very varied. The pieces are – Vierne, Messe Solennelle; Franck, Panis Angelicus; Faure, Cantique de Jean Racine and Poulenc, Gloria. There will also be an organ solo. Tickets are available through members of the choir, from the Cambridgeshire Choral Society website or on the door. It will be well worth making the effort to come!

Jane Stevens

WaterAid Exhibition An article in the last issue of Melbourn Magazine described how an exhibition – “Villages Here & Villages There” – was being created to raise publicity and funds for WaterAid. The arrival of piped water in villages around Royston in the 1930’s – including Melbourn – was compared to villages in poor countries where WaterAid works today. The exhibition is now in Royston Museum until 16th March. It was launched in the Museum by Royston Town Mayor Councillor Iain Leggett who praised the important work of WaterAid and urged all to pop into the Museum and see the exhibition.

Among the exhibition display stands is a poster listing several unique ‘experience’ prizes to be won in a raffle in the Museum.

They include: Go ‘Back Stage & Behind the Scenes’ in Cambridge’s Arts Picturehouse with a creative writer and film expert. Learn about the film work of Cambridge based “Reel Women”; Join Herts Co. Council Chairman for morning/afternoon tea or coffee plus a tour of County Hall and a tour of the Council’s Herts Archives and Local Studies facility; Explore Melbourn or Meldreth with a village historian and conservationist; Meet the team leaders of Melbourn Magazine and try your skills on a double-page spread in the next issue!

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Royston Town Mayor Cllr Iain Leggett launching WaterAid Exhibition

• Stroll and observe in Melwood Nature Reserve with a local •

nature expert as your ‘Personal Guide’; Walk in ‘The Magog Down’ and learn about WaterAid Cambridge Group activities and WaterAid’s work abroad.

There are other prizes including products kindly donated

by Morrisons and Tesco Extra of Royston and Waitrose, Cambridge. See the exhibition until 16th March – entry is free.

Buy a strip of raffle tickets for £1.00 and support WaterAid. The exhibition ends on 16th March with a presentation in the Museum delivered by water expert and Melbourn resident Tim Baker, Principal Hydrogeologist and Managing Director, B. A. Hydro Solutions Ltd based in Shepreth. Entry free. All welcome.

Hugh Pollock

Neighbourhood Watch Did you know Melbourn has a Neighbourhood Watch Facebook page? Established in 2016, the scheme originally set out to cover the Medcalfe Way area of the village. Since then the scheme has grown to focus on crime prevention on a village wide scale.

In July 2018, I represented Melbourn Neighbourhood Watch at the Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) Strategy Seminar in London. The seminar was one of 6 seminars nationwide and was attended by NHW co-ordinators, the NHW board of trustees, police and home office representatives, to discuss the strategy for the organisation for the next 3 years.

As well as supporting and developing schemes, part of the NHW strategy will focus on working more closely with organisations such as the Police, Crimestoppers and Victim support, as well as engaging with community groups, schools and youth groups to promote safer, stronger communities and crime prevention. The seminars also introduced co-ordinators to new Crime and Vulnerability Toolkits which are accessible to everyone and cover topics such as vulnerability and loneliness, fraud and scams and domestic abuse, with useful advice and information on what to look out for and what resources are available. The toolkits can be found on the Ourwatch website: www.ourwatch.org.uk/crimes The main focus, however, will always be to keep communities updated with local crime issues and prevention advice. To keep up to date with watch news for Melbourn search for @melbournnw on Facebook.

Debbie Clapham debbieclapham@icloud.com

The Twelfth Safari Supper 1st June 2019

Our Twelfth Safari Supper will take place on Saturday 1st June this year. We do hope that everyone who has taken part before will do so again and that even more people will join in. For the evening to work well we need people willing to provide a starter, main course or dessert for 4 to 8 people – and after each course you all move on to different venues continued on page 10 melbournmagazine@gmail.com

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Nature

Melwood Your Local Nature Reserve

The long hot summer and its effect on Melwood and local butterflies.

“It is possible to have too much of a good thing” is a well known saying and I suspect for many that was true of our summer heatwave. In a way, the same was true of Melwood.

We planted some trees in early spring 2018 and as the soil dried to an ever greater depth, it became necessary to water these to ensure they were able to establish their root systems.

On 2 weekends during June and July, we had to organise a relay of watering cans from the river to the trees. For good measure, we also watered bushes planted from 2016 onwards and some herbaceous flowers planted in 2017 and 2018.

Melwood is, by nature, a relatively dry wood and some of the species of flowering plants that we have introduced were selected for their drought tolerance. Dusky cranesbill flowered before the drought really took hold and remained green and healthy thereafter. The Nettle-leaved Bellflowers had their best show ever this year in July and early August.

Ferns are plants that are normally associated with damp shady locations and it was therefore surprising to find one establishing itself in a corner of Melwood. It was growing at a point where the autumn leaves accumulate, when blown by the wind. The leaf mould must have formed an effective mulch to limit the drying process. We can take this as a good indicator of areas that may be useful for planting other species whose drought tolerance is in doubt.

Cabbage White

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The butterflies of Melwood have suffered in line with the wider countryside but the situation is very complicated and some species have suffered far more than others. I cannot see any good reason why Small Tortoishell and Peacock were in such low numbers coming out of hibernation.

Normally they are the dominant species on warm days in March and April, along with the Brimstone, which is often even earlier to visit the garden. Brimstone numbers were normal this spring, as were the other main spring species.

Some, like the Holly Blue, were in even better numbers than usual. The butterflies that really suffered from the heatwave were those that live in grassy meadows. They emerged much as usual from early June onwards but found flowers in the meadow increasingly short-lived. As a result, species such as Meadow Brown, normally abundant in meadows throughout July and into August were gone by the end of July. Much the same was also true of Small and Essex Skippers, Ringlets and Gatekeepers. Critically, the grass on which their caterpillars rely was too dried up to be palatable to tiny larvae. The drought may have effects well into next year on these species.

By the time my Buddleia came into flower, Peacock and Small Tortoishell should have been on their second (summer) generation but neither was to be seen. They were replaced by migrants from the far south; the Red Admiral, Painted Lady and an occasional Hummingbird Hawkmoth.

The most notable beneficiary of the hot summer seems to have been the Cabbage Whites. With flowers for nectar and cabbages for their caterpillars, they had all they needed without leaving the garden and numbers remain high in both gardens and fields at the start of September.

In Melwood, the commonest resident species is the Speckled Wood, and this can have 2 or even 3 generations in a year. The first generation came before the heatwave continued on page 12

hopefully (if we have organised it properly) not meeting the same people again. We all finish up at the Hall to have coffee and exchange notes on the evening! The cost is £15 per person but we do offer something towards the food for those who are cooking and two bottles of wine to the main course hosts.

We already have a nice solid core of supporters but it would be good see some new faces. If you haven’t taken part before, do consider doing so. It is always important to remember that it is not intended to be an evening of haute cuisine but of fun and friendship.

Not everyone has to be a host, we do take guests as well and have several regulars from outside the village who enjoy taking part. It is good fun and you get to meet a lot of people.

If you would like to know more about our Safari Supper, or indeed to put your name down to take part do please ring either me on 260686 or Jane Brett on 260306. Or alternatively, email howards.carlings@btinternet.com for an application form.

Mavis Howard

Village Colleges Heritage Project with National Lottery Support

The Viva Arts and Community Group have received funding from the National Lottery to create a community project celebrating the heritage of the Cambridgeshire Village Colleges programme.

The project will combine oral history and research with travelling exhibitions, film and learning resources. Established by education visionary Henry Morris, Cambridgeshire’s Chief Education Officer for three decades from 1922, the county’s village college scheme was revolutionary. The Village College is an institution unique to Cambridgeshire, but the model has inspired educators worldwide. It was conceived to provide education for 11 to 16 year olds by day and educational and leisure facilities to adults at other times, thus serving the whole community. Morris famously described this as “raising the school leaving age to ninety”, and believed that education

WHAT THE PAPERS SAID Sewerage schemes At the last meeting of the South Cambs Rural District Council schemes of sewerage and sewage disposal affecting 22 parishes at an estimated cost of £597.135 were approved and details of the schemes are to be considered by the County Council. The order of the urgency of the work and the estimated cost, based on 1939 prices plus 20% were shown for Melbourn and Meldreth to be £81.015.

Herts and Cambs Reporter 3rd January 1947

should be a lifelong process accessible by all those living in the villages and small towns around Cambridgeshire. This project will gather personal stories from people who knew Henry Morris, worked with him and, to a greater degree, benefited from his vision for community learning.

The group are currently looking for volunteers to be trained/undertake oral history interviews and online archival research.

If you would like further information or would like to be involved as a volunteer, please contact Rachael Polsom on 01353 722228 or email info@hlfvillagecolleges@gmail.com.

The Hall For All Melbourn Cinema Event Not a great deal to report on the Community Hall this quarter – all is running smoothly and the Hall continues to be very well supported and busy.

The Cinema Event continues to be very popular with sellout performances. The January showing of the new Mamma Mia Here we go again went very well and it was lovely to hear people singing along to the well-known, well-loved songs. Hall bookings have increased and we now gain access to the Hall for only a short time before showing, which has made setting up more difficult. We ask that cinema viewers do not arrive before 7.30pm There are many exciting films being released and we will enjoy showing them to you.

Our programme is as follows: »» March 22nd A Star is Born »» April 26th Widows »» May 17th Bohemian Rhapsody Look out for the posters regularly updated around the village.

The Hall continues to be very well used, with the meeting room and main hall often being used at the same time. If you are thinking of hiring the Hall, Saturday morning Coffee Stop (10.30-12) is a good time to come and meet people, explore the facilities and get a good cup of coffee.

Mavis Howard Tickets available from Brenda 261154, Cyndy 264189 or Mavis 260686

From Parish Clerk

Melbourn Community Awards Do you know someone who has gone ‘above and beyond’ for the village? Perhaps they give their time to support a particular community group or project. This is your opportunity to publicly recognise their efforts. All we need with your nomination is the name of the individual or group and a few words about why you feel they deserve to be recognised.

The deadline for nominations is Tues 30th April 2019 and the awards will be made at the Annual Parish Meeting on 28th May 2019. If you would like to nominate someone, please contact the Parish Clerk. continued on page 13

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Red Admiral

and the second after the worst was over, so numbers are currently good. Grasses and sedges have remained green in many places under the shade of the trees and so there is plenty of food for their caterpillars.

One consequence of the very hot weather is that I spent some time sitting in the shade of a tree and watching the wildlife in my garden instead of working in it. I should do this more often! As a result, I noted the Common Blue butterfly and the Small Heath fairly regularly. I rarely see more than 1 or 2 specimens of these species annually in my garden. A Small Copper on the 3rd of September was the first record for my garden Readers may have noticed the severe effects of Dutch Elm Disease on hedgerow Elms, with dead trees scattered at regular intervals along most hedges. The disease is a fungus that compromises the plants ability to transport water and nutrients. It would not be surprising if the effects of this was made worse by the heat wave. I can only speculate whether the damage to elms was part of the reason that in July, I recorded the first White-letter Hairstreak butterfly that I have ever seen in my garden. It was also my first for the Meldreth area. This was followed, in August, by a WhiteSpotted Pinion moth, also an elm feeder and even rarer than the butterfly. The White-Spotted Pinion has declined nationally and the entire British population is now restricted to a small area around Huntingdon and just a very few scattered records elsewhere in the south-east. The good news for Meldreth is that a clump of elm trees near the station remains more or less disease-free, as it has for as long as I can remember and the elms in Melwood also appear to be resistant to the disease. These are now potentially quite important trees.

If you are interested in finding out more about the group or contacting us please visit the website at melwood.btck. co.uk or phone Bruce Huett on 01763 232 855.

Jim Reid Work Leader Melwood Conservation Group A version of this article first appeared in Meldreth Matters in October 2018

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Dancemixx & Strength 45 1st week free for new students.

T&Cs apply

Come & Join US! Greneway School, Royston Tues,Thurs Sat, Sawston, Ickneild Primary Mon & Wed at 7pm Visit www.jazzercise.net/uk/royston email maxine@jazzercise.net

Text or call 0796 316 1246

T&C’s apply

Melbourn Parish Council

Melbourn Timebank Melbourn Parish Council is setting up a Steering Group to: help Melbourn Timebank build on the strong culture of volunteering that already exists in the village; help develop Melbourn Timebank as a resource for the Parish by providing a structure for residents to support each other; help establish Melbourn Timebank as a central point for identifying volunteers who will support community volunteer groups and Melbourn events; and provide a structure that helps to integrate new residents into village life though participation in volunteer groups and events.

The Council wants the Steering Group to be made up of members of the public because you know what you want from a time bank.

For more information on Melbourn Timebank, go to Facebook www.facebook.com/ melbourntimebank/ or www.timebank.melbournparishcouncil.co.uk/

• • • •

Can you spare some time to be part of the Group?

Please contact David Atkins secretary.mdfc@gmail. com or Chris Carter carterchris21@gmail.com if you would like to find out more about what will be involved.

If you want to apply, please send a written application to the Parish Office, Melbourn Community Hub or email: parishclerk@melbournpc. co.uk by 22 March 2019. Please say why you would like to be involved and what skills you have.

Community Grant Fund Do you need money for a good cause or project to benefit the community? Melbourn parish council is inviting applications for grant funding from any organisation, charity or group in Melbourn. This can be for activities and projects which benefit our community.

Applications must be made on the grant application form available at www.melbournparishcouncil.co.uk or from the parish office. The deadline for applications is 12th April 2019.

The decision on grants to be awarded will be taken by the Parish Council on 23rd April 2019, and applicants will be notified by the parish office afterwards.

For more information on applying for a community grant, please contact the Parish Clerk.

Dog Fouling The Parish Office is receiving an increasing number of reports about dog fouling, particularly in the Orchard Road area.

Under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 it is generally an offence for anyone in charge of a dog to allow it to foul unless they clear it up. Please clear up after your pet.

Councillor Vacancies There are still vacancies for Parish Councillors. If you are a community-spirited person who is passionate about the village you live in, wants to see tax-payers’ money spent responsibly, cares about future development and facilities, and wants to try to make a real difference to the community that your Council represents, then why not apply?

Christmas tree Recycling The Parish Council implemented a Christmas tree recycling point in the village this year, and I’m pleased to report 35 Trees were recycled. The trees were kindly shredded free of charge

by Herts & Cambs Grounds Maintenance (Thank you Justin!) and the resultant chippings used in various open spaces about the village. We will offer the facility again next Christmas.

Simon Crocker, Parish Clerk to the Parish Council Telephone 01763 263303 x 3 or email parishclerk@melbournpc.co.uk

Volunteer Tree Officer The Parish Council is seeking to recruit a volunteer Tree Officer from within the community. The Tree Officer will assist the Parish Council in determining and implementing an inspection regime, carrying out an annual inspection of trees for which the Council has a maintenance responsibility and liaising with experts and council officers as needed.

If you feel you have the relevant skills and knowledge and would like to get involved in the community, please contact the Parish Clerk.

Reporting Highways Issues Residents are invited to report Highways issues directly to Cambridgeshire County Council. Please note, the pavement is also part of the Highway. If you come across damage to either the road or pavement surface, please help by reporting it. www.highwaysreporting.cambridgeshire.gov.uk

continued on page 15 melbournmagazine@gmail.com

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Slimming World Slimming expert says we’re all ‘Carbfused’ and that you CAN eat carbohydrates and lose weight!

A weight-loss Consultant from Slimming World Melbourn is urging anyone who wants to lose weight in 2019 not to fall for the common misconception that cutting out carbohydrates is effective for long-term weight loss, after new research found that low-carb diets are often difficult to follow and leave people feeling hungry, bored and restricted.

The study, conducted by YouGov and commissioned

by Slimming World, concluded that the nation is confused about the role of carbohydrates in health and weight loss.

They found more than 70% of people have tried to lose weight, with more than a third (37%) of them following a low-carbohydrate diet. However, many of those surveyed said they found diets that restrict carbohydrates difficult to follow, because of feeling hungry, bored and restricted in what they could eat.

Lesley Thornalley-Grey, a Slimming World Consultant for the Slimming World Melbourn group, says that while many people wishing to lose weight believe they need to cut out high-carbohydrate foods from their diet – like pasta, rice, potatoes and bread – in fact, members of her slimming group eat these foods regularly, lose weight, and keep it off.

She says: “We hear conflicting and confusing messages about the best way to lose weight all the time, especially this time of year. Often these messages in the media, on social media and within the diet industry tell us how we need to ‘cut out’ carbohydrates in order to lose weight. When the survey asked if starchy carbohydrates should be the main source of calories in a healthy, balanced diet, 81% thought this was a myth or weren’t certain whether it was a myth or fact. We really are a nation that’s ‘carbfused’!

“At Slimming World, though, we know that carbohydrates play such an important role in both a healthy diet and sustainable weight loss. I’ve lost 4 stone as a Slimming World member myself, and trust me I couldn’t have lost the weight, or kept it off, without being able to eat pasta, rice, potatoes and bread along the way! In fact, you don’t need to cut anything out completely to lose weight and keep it off. “’Banning’ foods is often counter-productive. Having been overweight myself I know this just leads to cravings, which in turn leads to feelings of guilt and low self-esteem – a vicious cycle. Instead, filling up on low-energy-dense foods like carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables and lean meat, means you can eat larger amounts for fewer calories and feel fuller and more satisfied while losing weight, making it much more sustainable in the long-run.

“This, along with increasing activity levels slowly and consistently, and getting the support of a warm and friendly support group like mine, is the magic formula for successful weight loss. Just ask my amazing members – they’ve lost an incredible 23 stone between them in January alone!”

Susie, a group member who lives near Melbourn, has lost 1 stone in 5 weeks since joining the group in January. She

says: “I spent years feeling ‘carbfused’ before I found Slimming World! For years I would try various diets that cut out food groups, especially things like bread and potatoes, thinking they were going to help me lose weight fast. I did initially lose weight, but I ended up feeling so hungry, deprived and unsatisfied that I just couldn’t stick to them. I always ended up putting on all the weight I’d lost and more, and feeling rubbish about myself in the process.

“The thing I love about Slimming World is that it really isn’t a diet. It’s more of a lifestyle change. I can still eat all my favourite meals – curries, chillies, fry-ups, pasta dishes, roast dinners, you name it – just by making small and simple changes to the way I prepare and cook them. The whole family can enjoy my cooking too and they say the meals we eat now are tastier than before! I have so much more energy since losing weight, and let me tell you being able to eat pasta, rice and potatoes definitely helps that! I wish I’d have known what I know now all those years ago”.

To find out more about the Slimming World Melbourn group call Lesley on 07798767976 or visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk to find your nearest group.

WHAT THE PAPERS SAID Melbourn Community Centre Project Opportunity Knocks Again An old Greek philosopher is said to have coined the phrase ‘Opportunities lost can never be regained’, but Melbourn people are to be given a second chance of doing something to their advantage, something they so ignominiously failed to do a few days ago.

There now exists in Melbourn a plan backed by the Parish Council, for establishing a Community Centre, with perhaps a recreation ground and other amenities, in the village, and a public meeting of villagers was called for March 3rd to discuss the matter. For some reason however, only 35 persons, including the members of the Parish Council, attended and the matter was postponed.

Another special public meeting is to be held in the Council School next Monday, March 24th, at 7.30 pm when the question of forming a Community Centre is to be debated, and villagers interested in, or connected with the many different organisations are asked to attend, listen to what members of the Parish Council have to say, and to voice their ideas, praising or condemning as they think fit.

There are now in the village several cautious critics, native and imported, who complain about the dullness of Melbourn and the apparent apathy of the powers that be, and it is up to those critics to attend the meeting and make themselves heard.

The former plan of building a village hall appears to have gone with the wind. Next Monday’s meeting is one not to be missed by villagers who have the interests of Melbourn at heart.

Herts and Cambs Reporter and Royston Crow 21st March 1947

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From your District and County Councillors For all that’s going on in the world, we know we’re lucky we are to be part of such a vibrant and active community.

January has been full on and by the time we get to March we’ll have chalked up a busy start to a very eventful year.

Staying informed: Here’s a bit on useful services, offering help and support and a chance to get involved in our community Cambs Police Inspector Paul Rogerson on Why don’t I see the Police around much these days? Where are they and what are they doing?

On a cold January night about 30 people, including Melbourn’s Neighbourhood Watch coordinator, came along to the Hub to hear about how Cambs Police protect our communities. Yes, there have been funding cuts, but the nature of crime is changing and drawing upon police resources: cybercrime, child sexual exploitation, ‘County Lines’ drug running, domestic violence, modern day slavery – sadly, right here in our communities. These are not necessarily visible things but happen unseen or behind closed doors. If an ‘event’ occurs, for example a missing person or civil unrest, police officers will be gathered to the relevant locality for a concentrated effort.

Meanwhile, Police Community Support Officer James Lynch holds monthly drop-in surgeries at the Hub, so there is a regular opportunity to speak to someone face to face.

Buses: Use it or lose it!

The main message for Melbourn from the Cam Vale Bus User Group: USE the Busway A service!! People have told us what a brilliant way it is of getting to an Addenbrooke’s appointment – quicker and easier than driving. Please contact Susan if you’d like to join the Bus User Group.

Know Your Lemons Melbourn Community Hub is working with health professionals from Addenbrookes and Orchard GP Surgery to raise awareness of one of the most common cancers and to help with early detection and prevention. Recently Dr Elizabeth Cox of Cambridge Breast Unit, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, came out to the Hub to talk with local residents.

If you missed the talk and want to know more, please get in touch with Jose – and note this is for men and women both!

Mental Health Support in my community and how to find it, 13th March, 7:30–9:00 pm, Melbourn Hub. The goal of this meeting is to increase awareness of existing mental health support networks in our community, whether to help you or someone you know and to become generally better acquainted with what’s going on locally.

We’ll hear from several organizations supporting local people experiencing mental ill health, including Mind, Allyance and the Citizens Advice Bureau. With plenty of time for questions.

Mind at the Hub Once per month on a Thursday – to make an appointment, please call 01223 311320 to speak to the Wellbeing Team, or alternatively you can email wellbeing@cpslmind.org.uk.

Citizens Advice at the Hub: 9:30am – noon First and third Mondays – no need to book ahead; just come along.

Duke of Edinburgh Volunteering – need ideas?

If you happen to be thinking about spring volunteering slots, please contact Jose or Susan who sponsor Duke of Edinburgh volunteers.

A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign AGM 6th March 7:30-9:00, Royston Town Hall, Room 111. We’ve had enormous support from Melbourn Village College students and local business in our continuing effort to connect Melbourn and Royston, to expand the ability to get around short distances on foot, scooter or bike. Everyone welcome – please join us!

Rail User Group Annual meeting Our Annual General meeting will take place 26th March, 7:30PM, at Foxton Village Hall. After the fiasco of last year’s timetable meltdown, we’re glad to see Monday-Friday services restored, but are still working hard on the restoration of weekend services, and at least one or two semi-fasts connecting to London on weekdays. We need our users to help keep the Rail User Group up and running, so please consider coming along to the meeting if you can.

Meldreth Station new waiting shelter and gardening By the time you read this a new shelter should have been constructed on the Cambridge-bound platform. You might be surprised to know how many years’ lobbying sit behind this effort! Meanwhile, anyone with an interest in light gardening would be most welcome to join the Rail User Group gardening team, who will be doing spring tidy-ups shortly – please contact Susan or Sarah Grove, our Community Rail Partnership officer, at railusergroup@gmail.com.

‘Mysouthcambs’ – what’s that?

South Cambs District Council has launched a new way of accessing information, processing claims and applications, and generally engaging with the council: ‘mysouthcambs’ is a customer portal on the home page on the Council’s website: www.scambs.gov.uk.

Registration only takes a few minutes. Once in, you will be able to create a personal account with the Council which shows and tracks all your online transactions with Council services.

We have put all our existing forms on the portal, and integrated the revenue and benefits functions, making it much easier for residents to provide information and complete forms. In due course other services will come online, including the planning service scheduled for summer 2019. continued on page 17

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What’s On Vaughan Williams in Meldreth

On Friday March 8th at 7.30 pm a concert will be held at The Hub in Melbourn as an open event and thank you to all the people of Meldreth and Melbourn who have supported the river Mel Waterlight film project in many different ways. This event is prior to the first screening of the film which takes place later in the year.

The evening will consist of an introductory reading and talk from Bruce Huett and poets who participated in the project but the main part of the evening will be spent with award winning and well respected musicians Penni Mclaren Walker and Bryan Causton. For the first half of the evening Penni and Bryan will perform versions of the original songs and tunes which were collected by Vaughn Williams when he lived in Meldreth as a young man after graduating from Trinity College Cambridge. The second half of the evening will include some poems and songs from Fensong, A Ballad of the Fen, a collaboration with poet Clare Crossman, Penni McLaren Walker and Bryan Causton and songs from the folk tradition.

Vaughan Williams was concerned with the fact that the tunes of the old folk singers or simply the country people who sang them would be lost forever and so decided to write them down before that happened. In 1906 he and his wife Adeline came to Meldreth for a summer holiday and they returned for visits in 1907. They leased a large house called The Warren at the north end of the village. A picture of this can be seen at: www.meldrethhistory.org.uk/page_id__121_ img__369.aspx. It stood on its own surrounded by fields. He cycled a great deal and in 1906 Meldreth had its own station so it was easy to make day trips through the surrounding areas. In the area of the river Mel he collected songs in Orwell, Bassingbourn, Fowlmere, Little Shelford and Royston. He rode out to pubs where the singers traditionally performed. In Meldreth it was Ginger Clayton, in Fowlmere it was Hoppy Flack. In Bassingbourn, Mr Harmon and Orwell Billy Waggs.

He may have been told about the source singers by Lucy Broadwood, Secretary of the Folk Song Society, but many songs could have been collected by chance encounters. Most of the singers were farm workers or in the labouring trades.

From Hoppy Flack in Fowlmere he collected May Song and Lord Ellenwater. John Valentine Harman (Harmon) was an agricultural labourer who lived at the Tan Yard in Bassingbourn with his wife and 7 children. The Lakes of Cold Fen was collected from him. Georgie was collected from an unnamed singer in 1907. In Fowlmere, The Green Bushes. Mr Wiltshire, inmate of Royston union, in 1907 with the traditional text of The Tress They Do Grow High. Ginger Clayton provided a Meldreth text completed from the Broadside. Most of these people would have been illiterate so they sang their literature.

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Much of Williams’ annotation is held in the Rare books and Manuscripts Room of the British Library. Many of the songs were known to him in other variants and the words were available as published broadsides but they were sung in this area and know by those who sang them and heard by those who listened. The authorship of many British folk songs is largely unknown. The words invented added to a tune and passed on and resung if liked.

Joan Baez sang a version of The Trees Do Grow High The trees they do grow high and the leaves they do grow green.

The days are gone and past my love that you and I have seen.

It’s a cold winters night my love that I must lie alone.

My bonny lad is young but he is growing.

The tune she sings is in a major key whereas the tune collected by Vaughan Williams is in a minor key and far more wistful and melancholic. You can hear it sung with this tune by Bert Jansch when he was singer with Pentangle on YouTube.

At the concert the music will be performed on guitar mandolin and bzouki with vocals.

Entry is by programme on the door with a suggested donation of £6.00, £12.00 for two parents with children.

Tickets cannot be bought in advance but a seat can be reserved via EventBright so we can make sure there is a place for you.

I am greatly indebted to Cambridgeshire folk singer Mary Humphreys whose careful research in manuscripts at the British Library and the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library has made the task of finding these songs very easy. Her book Folk songs collected in Cambridgeshire compiled by Mary Humphreys and published by Hedingham Fair would be available direct from her at mary@maryhumphreys.co.uk.

Bryan Causton and Penni Mclaren Walker

Do have a look! And good to know, as always, that the Melbourn Hub has four laptops to use free of charge – so it’s not necessary to own an expensive smartphone or computer of your own. Any questions, please contact Philippa.

Carpet Cleaning & Stone Floor, Upholstery, Rug’s A few points that make us stand out, Rothwell’s has been in business since 1993 We’re an honest local family firm.

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Brexit – local authority planning South Cambs has been working for some months with the Federation of Small Business and the Chamber of Commerce to provide information to small and medium sized business owners, but there’s concern that most businesses don’t have the resource to plan for anticipated impacts of Brexit.

Cambs County Council sits on a regional contingency planning group that is tracking things like fuel, food and medicine shortages.

The Council’s immediate responsibilities include providing information for non-British EU residents on Settled Status applications, and ensuring that the Council’s workforce, including care workers and schools staff, can get to work in the event of fuel and public transport difficulties – though solutions are not immediately obvious.

As explained in the segment above on Policing, our Police are concentrated together for impact in the event of emergencies. As part of Brexit contingency planning, in the event of civil unrest in larger population areas like London, Cambs Police may be deployed out of county.

Longer term there is concern around loss of EU Regional funding, and any negative impact on the economy that exacerbates poverty and inequalities.

And while new burdens are starting to be placed on local authorities, there is no ‘New Burdens Funding’ from government.

Finally, we’re really grateful to our MP Heidi Allen for her detailed attention to these practical issues – we’ll be working together wherever possible.

Please bother us! If you’re stuck with any questions or concerns, for example benefits claims and council tax, please contact us – it’s what we’re here for and we are better informed through what we learn from our residents.

Councillor Drop-in Advice Surgeries: Melbourn Hub, 4 February 3-4 pm. Or contact us any time.

District Councillors: Philippa Hart, Philippajoyhart@gmail.com, 07811323571, Jose Hales, jose@josehales.me.uk, 07703 262649.

County Councillor: Susan van de Ven, susanvandeven5@gmail. com, www.susanvandeven.com, 07905325574

Class time for Susan at Melbourn Village College

southcambsmotors@btconnect.com

In January I was lucky enough to drop in at MVC for a Citizenship lesson, and to learn about Amazing Young Carers.

Visit to Citizenship Class – a treat The vibrant and thoughtful students I met in Mr Tobutt’s Citizenship Class recently had plenty to say about their role in society, as well as current affairs not just in the UK but around the world.

Almost everyone in the class was in favour of bringing the voting age down to 16: ‘In a few years we’ll be living with the consequences of decisions taken now’. continued on page 19

melbournmagazine@gmail.com

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feature Telephone scams

In 2016 Ofcom announced that each year UK telephone customers receive approximately 4.8bn nuisance calls, 1.7bn live sales calls, 1.5bn silent calls, 940m recorded sales messages, and 200m abandoned calls. Three years later little has changed as there are plenty of telephone scams operating, which have become a lucrative way for criminals to con people out of their money and to get their personal or financial information. Phishing calls (its modern name), have been received by quite a number of residents in Melbourn and because they have been persistent, they have been unsure if it genuine.

Not to be confused with cold calls*, phishing callers will try to convince you that there’s an issue with your computer and that your privacy is at risk. They may try to get you to download malicious software designed to steal your personal information on your computer.

How it works

You receive a telephone call claiming to be from an official customer support agent, from ‘your broadband provider’ such as BT, the biggest provider.

These calls follow a familiar pattern; they will say that you have inadvertently changed your broadband settings from private to public or simply that there’s something wrong with your computer’s internet/internet speed, or that your computer has Malware (malicious software).

After that, the scam caller will ask you to install some third-party software or that you make changes to your computers setting in order to tackle the problem via remote access. The third-party software is likely to be spyware and will give the caller full access to your computer from anywhere in the world.

In many cases the scam caller will appear to be calling from a UK area code and they often demonstrate knowledge of your personal details (e.g. name, phone number and address). Unfortunately, over the past few years a huge amount of personal information has been stolen and personal details for millions of people made available from public sources – not to mention the many retail and internet companies that have passed on your details.

Automated voice calls are now being used to inform you that your computer or internet has been compromised and to call a number. These calls may follow the pattern as described above, but are just as likely to be an equally sinister scam as the ‘missed call scam’ shown below.

It is very unlikely that your service provider will call you direct to inform you of a problem. The best course of action is to put the phone down, wait a few minutes and then call your provider directly on an official number in order to report the incident.

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The missed-call scam works

Fraudsters call your mobile or house phone, but hang up as soon as it starts ringing. This then shows up on the phone as a missed call. They may even leave a message on your answerphone and ask you to call back as soon as possible. Unfortunately, many people do ring back, in case it’s urgent.

In fact, the number used by the criminals incurs premiumrate charges that can be as high as £15. These payments can be applied just for connecting the call, regardless of how long you stay on the line. But, in some cases, you will also hear a long recorded message intended to keep you on the phone for as long as possible so that the charges mount up.

Never call a number back if you don’t recognise the number. If a phone call is genuinely important, the caller should leave you a voicemail message.

Bank call

Someone claiming to be from your bank telling you there’s a problem with your card or account. The caller will often sound professional and try to convince you that your card has been cloned or that your money is at risk.

They may ask for your account and card details, including your PIN number, and even offer to send a courier to collect your card. They may also advise transferring your money to a ‘safe account’ to protect it.

Your bank would never contact you and ask you to disclose your account number or PIN number over the phone.

Compensation calls

This is a call from a company asking about a car accident you’ve supposedly had, claiming you may be entitled to compensation.

Some of these could be genuine companies looking for business, but others are scammers. Don’t engage in these calls.

If you’ve had an accident, call your own insurance company on the phone number provided on your policy.

Pension scams

Nuisance calls from bogus companies proclaiming they can improve your pension are now illegal. If you receive a cold call about your pension, report it to the Information Commissioner’s Office on 0303 123 1113.

*Cold calls

It can be hard to tell the difference between a scam and cold calling. Cold calls are phone calls from companies trying to sell you something, even though they have had no business with you previously. Cold calls aren’t usually illegal and don’t necessarily count as a scam, they are however, annoying, frustrating and for some intimidating.

What should you do if you get a call from a number you don’t recognise?

Older people are often a target for scammers. Fortunately, there are things you can do to protect yourself: Always be wary of anyone that cold calls you.

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continued on page 18

Changing attitudes by education

www.RoADARC.org.uk

What is Advanced Driving and Riding? It is having the skills and techniques to be safer on the road irrespective of the conditions.

We are a Group covering Cambridgeshire that is dedicated to improving the standard of driving and riding and in so doing help to reduce the number of collisions on our roads.

You can join the Group for a nominal annual subscription and then be coached by volunteer Tutors (male and female) who are all RoSPA Gold Award advanced drivers or riders. We encourage people to take the RoSPA Test but if you just want to improve your standard of driving or riding then that is enough of a reward. Anyone over the age of 18, who has held a full licence for at least a year, can apply for Membership (there is no upper age limit).

We promote the System of Car and Motorcycle Control as taught to Police drivers and riders. The System is a way of approaching and negotiating hazards that is methodical, safe and leaves nothing to chance.

The System of Car Control has five phases: Information, Position, Speed, Gear and Acceleration (IPSGA).

Information is gained from continually observing what is going on around you and using that information to plan your driving and giving information to other road users who may benefit from it.

Position yourself so that you can negotiate the hazard safely and smoothly.

Speed – adjust your speed to suit the conditions and give you the correct speed to complete the manoeuvre smoothly.

Gear – once you have the correct speed for the circumstances, engage the appropriate gear for that speed.

Acceleration – apply the correct degree of acceleration to negotiate and leave the hazard safely.

• • •

Should you wish to know more about the Group visit www. roadarc.org.uk where you can obtain more information and can download a Membership Application Form.

This issues top tip: allow at least a 2 second gap between you and the vehicle in front, in good conditions, and at least double that in wet conditions and much more when snow and/or ice exist.

A small handful were against - ‘At 18, I’ll be more independent minded and not so likely to take the same views as my parents’.

(And impressive to see that no one was too shy to express themselves.)

Where do they get their news, I asked? BBC Radio at breakfast time or in the car, BBC and Guardian app (they’re free), listening to their parents. No social media for news. Do you trust social media? NO! It turned out these students were only 11-12 years old; I’d had them pegged as closer to 16, judging from their discussions about what drives people to criminality, should 97-year-old Dukes who don’t use seatbelts be allowed to drive, key dangers of No-Deal Brexit (hard border in Ireland), Trump and the Wall.

Most comments on local issues were around enthusiasm for the A10 cycle network and the need to extend it – this wasn’t me asking, but them putting it out there. Spurs from Shepreth to Barrington and Melbourn to Fowlmere would, they explained, fill in gaps and make them more independent.

I’m looking forward to my next visit, but will have some homework to do beforehand.

Amazing Young Carers The definition of a young carer is ‘any young person who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who, due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, cannot cope without their support’.

At Melbourn Village College nearly 40 amazing students are identified in some way as a young carer.

That means they are aged 11-16, carrying out a key role supporting someone very close to them.

The college provides mentoring support, plus a group activity on the second Monday of each month, including various art and craft and cooking activities.

Unfortunately, budgets in all schools and colleges are under severe pressure, and Centre 33 who help to run the MVC group also now have no budget.

MVC’s Young Carers’ Champion Caroline Deadman says, ‘I have for several years wished to be able to take the students on a trip, just to the cinema, climbing, or to the trampoline park but have no funds to do this or time to actively fundraise. We are running on empty’.

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to a Young Carers’ activities day in January, and am looking to help with fundraising ideas to expand the range of fun things on offer. In the meantime, if you’d like to help out in any small way, please contact Caroline Deadman, Young Carers Champion at Melbourn Village College: cdeadman@melbournvc.org.

You can learn more about Young Carers here (bearing in mind budget reductions): http://centre33. org.uk/help/young-carer-project/ Susan van de Ven, County Councillor

melbournmagazine@gmail.com

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• Broadband and search engine provider scams. If you

• •

• •

receive one of these calls, put the phone down and call your service provider and check with them. Never allow anyone remote access to your computer, unless you a certain who they are.

Never reveal personal details. Be especially suspicious of anyone who asks for personal details, money, banking or credit card information over the telephone.

Hang up. If you feel harassed or intimidated, or if the caller talks over you without giving you a chance to speak, end the call. It may feel rude to hang up on someone, but never be pressured into a transaction over the phone. After all you didn’t ask them to call you Ring the organisation. If you’re unsure whether the caller is genuine, you can always ring the company or bank they claim to be from. Make sure you find the number yourself and don’t use the one provided by the caller.

Don’t be rushed. Scammers will try to rush you into providing your personal details. They may say they have time-limited offer or claim your bank account is at risk if you don’t give them the information they need right away.

How can I avoid phone scams and cold calls?

You can block or prevent some cold calls.

• Register

• • •

•

with the Telephone Preference Service. This service is not perfect, as it may not block scammers, but it’s free and it allows you to opt out of any unsolicited live telesales calls and should reduce the number of cold calls you receive.

Talk to your telephone provider to see what other privacy services and call-blocking services are available.

If you have a mobile/smartphone, you can use the settings on the phone to block unwanted numbers. If you’re not sure how to do this, you could visit your local mobile phone shop for assistance.

BT offer a completely free service known as Call Protect that stops you receiving nuisance calls. This service has a built-in blacklist of known nuisance callers and you can add your own numbers you wish to block. Contact BT for more information. Virgin customers have a limited call blocking service, which is not free and not very effective. These include Anonymous Caller Rejection and Caller Display.

There are a number of telephones available offering a similar service to BTs Call Protect and are often called Call Blockers, these are available from most shops that sell telephones, including John Lewis and Amazon.

Report any scam to the police and also contact Action Fraud. The information you give to Action Fraud can help track down the scammer.

Telephone Preference Service Telephone: 0345 070 0707 Email: tps@dma.org.uk Website: www.tpsonline.org.uk Action Fraud Telephone: 0300 123 2040 Website: www.actionfraud.police.uk The police on the non-emergency Telephone: 101 Peter Simmonett

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Chauffeur driven

Wedding Cars tel:01763 261250 mob:07530770432 info@drivesofyesteryear.co.uk

www.drivesofyesteryear.co.uk

Established 23 years, The Letting Centre is a local, dedicated letting agency based in Melbourn. With long-standing clients some of whom have been with us for 20 years or more, we aim to provide a personal, tailored service covering Cambridge, Royston, Buntingford, Saffron Walden and surrounding villages.

We offer discounted fees for multiple properties, as well as those located in any of the villages around Melbourn.

Call us for a free market appraisal and comprehensive landlord pack.

Review

The Death of the Fronsac

by Neal Ascherson Apollo

Neal Ascherson is a distinguished academic and journalist and now well into his 80s but this is his first novel. It features the Greenock area of Scotland which he knew well as a child at the time of the story. The novel centres around an actual event, the explosion on a French ship, ‘Maille Brese’ (The Fronsac of the title) which suffered an explosion in July 1940 in the dockyard killing a number of French seamen. The ship itself was left lying in the area with the bodies still on board for many years, only eventually being broken up in 1956.

Astonishingly it is still visible. De Gaulle visited the site to lay a wreath many years after the war.

This is, however, very much a novel and tells the story of the influence the event had on the lives of many of the local people and the many exiled Poles who were living and working in the area and who were very sympathetic towards the French whose country had just been occupied.

It centres on ‘Mike’ a Polish officer and the local family he is billeted with. Others in focus are: the young daughter, Jackie, who is shocked at the explosion and thinks that she must have caused it by playing truant from school; her father who disappears and who is believed to have been on the ship at the time of the explosion; and her spirited mother, Jackie and mother-in-law, initially resentful of the arrival of Mike into the midst of the family.

The novel spans many years and follows the story of Mike and the family and the influence on their lives and others of the events over the next half century. There are conflicts of loyalty, unsolved mysteries but above all a beautifully written novel and a great read. The characters and setting are excellent.

This is obviously a very personal tale as it captures the period and the feelings of displacement of the many Poles for whom Ascherson clearly has a great affinity since many of his academic books are centred on Poland, Lech Walesa and the Nazi legacy. However, I hope he is going to write more novels!

Moira Gamon

Trieste and the Meaning of Nowhere

by Jan Morris

Faber and Faber Recently, visiting family and friends in Dublin, I mentioned that I had booked a short trip to Italy and specifically the port city of Trieste. James Joyce had lived in Trieste during

1905–1915 while writing and publishing entire sections of his famous novel ‘Ulysses’. There is even a life-size statue in the city centre erected as a memorial by the city elders. Anyway, our host said: “I can lend you ‘Trieste’ by Jan Morris. Read and enjoy before your trip.” So, I did.

Although not a fan of travel-writing as a genre, Jan Morris was known to me. This is a fabulous book, a blend of the travel-writing and personal memoir category, published in 2001. It was at that time the latest of more than forty published books by a wonderful writer who has lived an extraordinary life. James Morris was born in Wales of AngloWelsh parentage and held fast to the traditional values of his homeland. They were revealed in a massive three volume work about the British Empire - it’s creation, it’s rule and consequences across the globe, and finally it’s loss and decline. That contribution was both magisterial and accessible to any ordinary interested reader, including this one. In 1972, in the midst of that major project, James Morris completed a change of sexual role and lived and wrote as Jan Morris.

This book ‘Trieste’ is imbued with the acutely individual and personal. Jan Morris presents atmosphere, remembrance and feelings drawn from her extensive travel experience and a rich interior life. All of this she delivers with great ease and elegance and, of course, great eloquence. She does this with an insightful appreciation based firmly on her research knowledge of Trieste’s place in historical events and impulses.

She considers the impact of these forces at a societal level, as well as their out workings in the lives of a multitude of significant local historical figures and their complex integrated local collective identities and, most importantly, on herself as a writer. Bobbing along in that great sweep of history washing across Trieste, which she describes and analyses, were the promoters and benefactors of European and world art forms and those endeavouring to create such works, including, of course, in its later stages, the young Irish immigrant and struggling writer James Joyce.

She reveals to us how Trieste, with its coastal location, was physically fought over by competing interests and repeatedly changed hands with huge consequences for city, environs and inhabitants. What we see also is the work of a writer of great strength and ability describing the ebb and flow of history, and of life itself, ending inevitably in decline and a new cycle of change. This is a delicious feast to consume while seated in the comfort of one’s own home. When one is then fortunate enough to visit that place, walk around the same narrow, very steep, back-streets and alleys, the same commercial and residential streets and majestic squares, along that coastline with its views and vistas, the only possible response is that it is, indeed, great to be alive!

Read this book and enjoy a feast.

Then, if you are able, interested and have opportunity, visit Trieste – and find yourself alive!

Hugh Pollock melbournmagazine@gmail.com

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Jacey & Phil Stewart Jacey was born in Welwyn Garden City, her father ran a carpet fitting business working mainly for Harrods and other top end stores – he is proud of the fact that he fitted the famous White Carpet for John Lennon! Her mother had a ladies fashion business but sadly she died when Jacey was only 12 and her younger brother was 8 so from an early age she had to shoulder quite a lot of responsibility.

It has made them into a strong family unit. Phil was born a little further away, in High Wycombe and has an older brother who recently returned there; his parents live in Beaconsfield.

Jacey went to St Edmunds College where she was always a bit of a rebel. She went to Hertford Regional College with dreams of becoming a journalist but when it was time to do her work experience she found she couldn’t take the cutthroat atmosphere and left to go travelling round the world. She travelled mainly in New Zealand, doing odd jobs here and there to support herself and eventually returning home in 2004 with a desire to do charity work. She found a job at the Wellcome Trust in London working in the Finance Department, dealing with major overseas programmes and that was where she met Phil.

Phil was another one with itchy feet – he went to Dr. Challoner’s Grammar School in Amersham and then to Cardiff University to read Business Administration and at the age of 21 went off to Taiwan on an AIESEC International Student Exchange. He stayed out in Taiwan for two years including six months teaching English as a foreign language. I think the petite Taiwanese must have been impressed by Phil’s towering height of 6.6”!

Eventually he came back to England and went into a graduate Chartered Accountant trainee programme, qualifying in 2004.

A fully fledged ACA, he then went off again travelling round the world for six months and on his return home he joined the Wellcome Trust where he met Jacey. They were married in 2008

and in August 2009 Amelia was born. The trio were so happy, but Amelia had been born with an undiagnosed hole in her heart and she collapsed just before Christmas. Emergency open heart surgery was carried out in Great Ormond Street Hospital and she woke up on Christmas Day after seven days of heartbreaking anxiety. Both Jacey and Phil cannot praise GOSH enough, the staff were hugely supportive and they were able to sleep at the side of Amelia’s cot. They brought her home on New Year’s Eve in the snow and thankfully she continues to thrive. She has regular checkups but now they seem happy with her progress.

The family have continued to support GOSH and in 2016 Amelia’s design was chosen by them as ‘the patient’s Christmas Card’ and large posters of Amelia and Thomas appeared in Sainsburys nationwide- Sainsbury’s are strong supporters of GOSH. When Amelia opened her eyes on Christmas Day after her surgery the staff said it was ‘the greatest gift’ and there was a rumour that she was the inspiration for the song on the 2016 Sainsbury advertisement sung by James Corden, although Sainsbury’s would not confirm this.

The family decided to move out of London and on a visit to relatives in Royston they came to look at a brand new house in Rupert Neve Close – they moved in August 2010, and Thomas was born in Addenbrooke’s in 2012.

Jacey decided to be a fully hands on mum but eventually Thomas started at Little Hands and before long she had been persuaded to work there part time. She went back to College to get all the necessary qualifications and is now Senior Room Leader.

Phil was still taking the train to London everyday with a 2 ½ hour daily commute but towards the end of last year he left Wellcome and moved to Easy Jet in Luton working in Finance Systems. He now has a 45 minute drive to and from work and so far is enjoying the challenge.

Both have been involved in voluntary work – Phil has been Treasurer for Melbourn Primary School PTFA since 2016 and Jacey was on the PTFA from 2014 – 2016 doing a stint as Chairman. Both are on the Board of the company which runs Rupert Neve Close, a private road. Jacey has also worked on the Marie Curie fundraising group for Royston and District and is a Trustee of the Community Hall where she spent time as the Treasurer. All that as well as being very hands on parents to two lively youngsters.

Phil learned to play golf when he was eight; he was Junior Captain for Beaconsfield Golf Club and is famous in the club for having dropped Luke Donald from the Junior Team for not being a team player. Luke went on to be a world no. 1 golfer! Phil plays off a handicap of 8, he also plays tennis and was a very keen skier but now he says his family is his main hobby. Oh, and he also plays the piano and guitar. He is a massive Elvis fan and also likes the Beatles and ABBA. Jacey, when asked about her hobbies, confessed to being the WORLD’S BIGGEST TAKE THAT FAN. She has an unhealthy obsession with Howard Donald and goes to all the concerts, recently travelling to Aberdeen to see Gary Barlow and she has tickets for the Take That Tour in London and Glasgow. She and a group of friends save money every month in order to follow the band and when possible they go for VIP treatment. I think she is secretly hoping that one day from the stage someone will mention them. It was Jacey’s idea to have a singalong showing of Mamma Mia as a fund raiser for the Community Hall two years ago and from that first cinema show has grown the monthly Melbourn Pop Up Cinema for which Jacey does all the graphics and prints the tickets, etc.

When pushed, she did agree that she liked cooking (she turns out traybakes at the drop of a hat) and the occasional Spa Daywith a lot of pampering, an evening at Bingo with her aunt and uncle and of course there is her charity work.

On the subject of films, I should mention that the top floor of their house has been converted into a home cinema with luxury reclining cinema seats, 3m screen, surround sound and a wine/beer fridge! Phil loves films and the home cinema is well used by adults and, of course, the children.

He also enjoys photography but these days most of the photographs are understandably of the children.

I haven’t said much about the children, I have to be careful what I say as I am sure they would not want to be singled out at school but I will say that they are a credit to their parents and we always enjoy their company.

Jacey and Phil are doers. They get involved in village things and are not afraid to take on difficult or challenging roles. They love living in Melbourn and feel that everyone should give something back to the place in which they live.

We need more young people like the Stewarts to take on roles in the community and allow we oldies to retire!

Mavis Howard melbournmagazine@gmail.com

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MONDAY Royston Evangelical Church 3.30pm, 5.30pm & 7.30pm Jo – 01763 247875

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TUESDAY Royston Evangelical Church 9.00am & 11.00am Jo – 01763 247875

THURSDAY Roysia Middle School 5.30pm & 7.30pm Lesley – 07798 767976

Market Hill Rooms, Royston 7.30pm Angela – 07708 444991

FRIDAY Melbourn Community Centre (Behind Melbourn Village College) 9.30am Lesley – 07798 767976 SATURDAY

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MVC EDUCATION

U3A

PLAY SCHOOL NOTRE ECOLE PLAYGROUP

Education SCHOOL LITTLE HANDS PRIMARY

VILLAGE COLLEGE

Melbourn Village College

Little Hands Karen

01763 260964

Melbourn Playgroup Jane Crawford

07842 151512

Notre Ecole Janet Whitton

261231

Primary School Headteacher Stephanie Wilcox

223457

U3A (Univ. of Third Age) Chairman Tony Garrick 01223 510201 Village College Principal Simon Holmes

223400

WHAT THE PAPERS SAID

Melbourn has won a prestigious award to mark its achievements in offering its students a truly international education.

Deputy Principal Regina Lawrence attended the Houses of Parliament to collect the highest level of the International School Award, which is given by the British Council.

Fostering an international dimension in the curriculum is at the heart of the British Council’s work with schools so that young people gain the cultural understanding and skills they need for life and work.

Melbourn’s international work includes a Year 8 language immersion trip to Spain, an opportunity for Year 10 students to carry out their work experience in Spain, and several joint trips with their Spanish partner schools both in this country and in Spain.

Spanish was also the most popular choice for the college’s students who took part in the Language Perfect Northern Hemisphere Championships and Melbourn finished an impressive 10th in that language.

Students scored points in the online competition by correctly answering questions twice in a row and overall they answered more than 175,000 questions in Spanish, Mandarin, French, Japanese and Italian to finish 25th overall.

Deputy Principal Regina Lawrence collecting the highest level of the International School Award

The Cuckoo When April arrives we feel that Spring is really here and listen for the cuckoo. The bird was first heard in Melbourn last year on April 12th, and it is highly probable that someone in the village has heard it before this is read. There will of course be the usual argument as to who first. The first hearings in Melbourn in previous years were, April 11th 1944, April 18th 1943, April 20th 1942, April 18th 1942, April 5th 1940, April 20th 1939.

Reporter and Royston Crow Friday 12th April 1946

melbournmagazine@gmail.com

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Open Tuesday to Saturday 8:00am to 6:30pm 26

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Fun, free activities in Melbourn!

Join us every Tuesday* from 6pm – 8pm and get involved in: Cooking

Sports

Team games Mini-challenges

Melbourn was the first school in Cambridgeshire to offer Mandarin to all students from Year 7 and there is now also a trip to China for those on the Mandarin Excellence Programme as well as a new exchange with a school in Beijing as part of The Cam Academy Trust.

The college has also this year appointed a second Mandarin teacher with Bryan Chen to work alongside Frank Fan as there are now three year groups learning the language as part of the curriculum.

The international outlook extends beyond the MFL department with a humanities trip to Rome and the science trip to CERN in Geneva, for example, as well as extra-curricular skiing and a Year 11 African adventure where students work on a project, like helping build a school or other community facilities in a particular village, after completing their GCSE exams.

Community is also a key theme for the college and, like the international outlook, another of the five overarching principles of The Cam Academy Trust, of which Melbourn is a part so students have been doing their bit closer to home.

Year 10 Health and Social Care students won high praise for their part in the Celebration of Ages Christmas event at the Cambridge Motel where they helped serve the food and drink, assisted the guests in moving round the room and handed out the raffle prizes.

Organiser Jose Hales, the District Councillor who organised the event, said: “This was, in the guests’ own words ‘the best yet’. I have had call after call, cards, emails etc complimenting the students on their attention to detail, politeness, kindness, conversation, skill etc; simply the older generation in Melbourn think the college students are brilliant and nothing but a credit to the college and community.”

“Mr and Mrs Aristo, the owners of the Cambridge Motel, have also complimented the students for all the hard work they did on the day. continued on page 29

* during term time

From Tuesday 23 April the club will run two sessions 6pm – 9pm 6pm - 7.30pm for Years 7 & 8 7.30pm - 9pm for Years 9 – 11

For more information contact Matthew Barnes-Smith on 07809 201099 www.groundwork.org.uk/east melbournmagazine@gmail.com

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“For me, as the creator and organiser of these events, I can only say that the events are all the better and complete when our students are involved in them.”

Sawston Adult Education Meanwhile students in Year 9 have been thanked for their work in creating 47 hedgehog release boxes which were donated to the hedgehog hospital in Shepreth.

The conservationists only expected about 10 of the boxes so were delighted to receive more than four times that number after pairs of students made them having designed them using 3D software.

The annual build is part of the college’s technology curriculum which requires a project that helps the environment.

Montessori nursery New Nursery Opening In The Queens Head In Fowlmere Flying Start Montessori nursery will be opening in Fowlmere at Easter following planning permission last month. The nursery will be managed by Vi Davidson who has more than 16 years’ experience in childcare. She said: “I have worked in Cambridgeshire for over 3 years now so I have a good working knowledge of what is needed in terms of child care in this area.

It’s a wonderful job and I do it because I love it.”

A few minor changes are being made internally to the pub to make it suitable for a nursery while retaining its heritage, to provide a messy play area, children’s loos and a home-fromhome kitchen. The outside area will use some of the existing car park for a tricyle track, raised vegetable beds and a mud kitchen, but still provide plenty of parking on site for parents dropping off which will be at different times to the school.

There will be places for up to 22 children and up to 8 jobs will be created when the nursery is full and the nursery will be open from 8am to 6pm for children from 6 months old. In addition Flying Start will provide a walk-to-school service for older siblings, 7 and under, attending Fowlmere Primary School.

“We want Flying Start to provide a truly caring, happy and loving nursery where you and your child want to come every day.”

Email office@flyingstartmontessori.co.uk or Emma telephne 07734 319656

Looking at our course bookings, it looks like the local community are ready to try something new in 2019. If you would also like to dabble in a new hobby or just learn something different, why not look at our new website for inspiration. There is so much to offer!

Are you free on a Saturday and looking to chill, relax and unwind? Why not try our popular Saturday workshops; these are planned for 16 March and 22 June. We have many topics to tease you out of your homes. How about Flamenco or Bollywood Dancing? Both courses have been very popular and the feedback from our learners has been excellent. We also have some amazing craft workshops, for example, Fused Glass Jewellery, Head Pieces for Occasions, Willow Weaving and Sugar Flowers. Alternatively, are you feeling musical? Drums for Beginners was very popular in January, surprisingly there are still places available on both workshop dates, so book early to avoid disappointment. Finally, our wonderful Indian Cooking Tutor, Rama Ram, is back on 16 March for Indian Fast Food, an absolute must if you enjoy Indian Cuisine.

All courses can be viewed and booked on our newly designed website: www.sawstonadulted.org If you have any enquiries, please feel free to pop in to the Adult Education reception, Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 1.00 pm, during term time. Alternatively telephone us on 01223 712424 or email community@sawstonvc.org.

The Adult Education Department Sawston Village College

Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) The Spring course at Royston Town Hall will finish on 2nd March 2019.

The next course will commence on 24th September 2019. Details nearer the date. melbournmagazine@gmail.com

29

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Profile Peter Woodcock 1928–2018 Peter and Mary lived in Melbourn for 20 years, and were very involved in the community.

Mary was on the Magazine and History Book committees and she started the popular Saturday morning Coffee Stop at the Commuity Hall behind All Saints’ Church.

Peter was born in Cudworth, in South Yorkshire where his father was curate, but they moved to Nottingham when he was three months old, and had moved six times by the time he was ten. Peter went to St Hugh’s School in Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire, but after D-Day in 1940 the school was evacuated and he was sent to St John’s in Leatherhead.

Although he was a scientist, taking Chemistry, Physics and Maths at A level, he was very keen on the arts, particularly music, all his life, and sang mainly church music.

When Peter was sixteen he volunteered for the Royal Navy, and joined ‘Y Scheme’, where suitable boys were selected directly from schools, which supposedly led to a commission in the R.N.V.R. (RN Volunteers). At eighteen he left school, and was sent to Torpoint in Cornwall, where he trained as an Ordinary Seaman, partly on wooden ships. He was promoted to Leading Seaman after which time he spent his time teaching basic maths at Chatham R.N. Barracks. He was then generously funded to go to University. He decided to study chemistry and was accepted by Oxford, but there were no places in 1949.

Rather than wait for another year he took his father’s advice and applied to Bede Collage Durham. At that time Bede accepted only ex-service men or those who had completed military service. After the war the government funded

Home-Start Royston & South Cambridgeshire are looking for Home Visiting Volunteers Can you give a family the most precious gift - your time?

Our volunteers are all parents or grandparents who can give a few hours a week to help families who are finding it difficult to cope.

All parents need emotional and practical help to get through the first few years, but not everyone has friends or family nearby.

This is when Home-Start volunteers can help!

For more details contact Sarah or Jackie at: Home-Start Royston & South Cambridgeshire, Unit 6, Valley Farm, Station Road, Meldreth, Royston, Herts, SG8 6JP Tel: 01763 262262 or e-mail admin@hsrsc.org.uk www.hsrsc.org.uk

grants to all ex-service applicants and the college contained 500 undergraduates in total.

Peter continued choral singing and debating and set up a dining club with four others who remained friends. He played rugby and was a keen ice skater, becoming resident goal keeper for Durham Colleges Ice Hockey team.

Peter and Mary, his future wife, met at a Saturday night dance in 1951. Mary had turned down Cambridge in favour of Durham.

Peter’s first job was with the Vacuum Oil Company, part of Mobil in London. Peter and Mary were married in 1954 in Brighton and moved to Kirby where he ran a Chemical factory. They moved to an unfurnished flat in Huyton, near the school in which Mary taught.

Peter went to auctions to find furniture and bought bed, a dining room suite, a sofa and two chairs. And a baby grand piano!

They moved several times, to Stourbridge, then to Coulsden and then, in 1965, to Bishop’s Stortford where he ran market Research / Information for FW Berk. In 1970 he advised the company that changes were needed if the firm was not to go under, and as a result he lost his job. Six months later the firm was sold. During these years, their four children were born.

He was then offered a role at Middlesex Poly lecturing in Business Studies and spent 20 productive years there. After the UK joined the Common Market he established a course with Rheims, a BA in European Business Administration, in which both British and French students spent 2 years in each country. This was later extended to Germany. He was also involved in developing an MBA, the first in a Polytechnic. After retiring, to Melbourn, he co-authored a book ‘Effective Entrepreneurship’.

Peter was interested in many things, and collected clocks – having 13 in the house at one time. He was also keen on flying and took up gliding as a hobby.

Peter had a triple heart bypass, from which he made an excellent recovery. Eventually, after Mary became ill, they moved North into a village where Mary could receive all the care she needed. After she died Peter picked himself up and continued life on his own. He made many interesting trips, to Israel, North Cyprus and Assisi. He was driving South to visit children and grandchildren a few months before he died. He was very happy to be able to celebrate his 90th birthday with family and friends a few months before he died.

Registered Charity No 1105385 melbournmagazine@gmail.com

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For the Community by the Community

Melbourn Community Hall is in the centre ofthe village behind All Saints Church If you would like to hire the hall contact email: hallbookings@live.co.uk

richardarnott.com GARDEN DESIGN & BUILD

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What we can offer you: 3 modern and well-equipped rooms holding between 4 and 25 people A well designed building at the heart of a beautiful village Onsite cafe and catering A large free car park A fully alarmed building, all night security lighting, CCTV cameras within the building (if you were leaving equipment set up for your meeting) Two disabled parking spaces with automatic doors and dropped pavements. DDA compliant.

Room set up as per your request Catering packages to suit all budgets Free WiFi Telephone conferencing Projector/screen Flip chart TV Pens and paper

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“It’s one of my favourite venues. The staff go out of their way to make the trainers and delegates feel welcome and well looked after.” Elisabeth Goodman, River Rhee consulting.

Contact us for more information Email centremanager@melbournhub.co.uk or call 01763 263303 Follow us on visit our website Facebook www.melbournhub.co.uk @thehubmelbourn

Opening Hours

Richard Arnott 07710547493/01763 263231 www.richardarnott.com mail@richardarnott.com Read monthly editorial by Richard in The Listings Magazine

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Monday-Friday 9am to 5pm Saturday 9am to 5pm

MELBOURN PARISH COUNCIL 30 High Street Melbourn SG8 6DZ Telephone: 01763 263303 ext. 3 e-mail: parishclerk@melbournpc.co.uk Parish Office opening hours: Monday: 10.00am–1.00pm | Wednesday: 1.00pm–3.00pm Friday: 10.00am–1.00pm (Alternatively, please call to arrange an appointment) www.melbournpc.co.uk To contact a parish councillor see email address below: cllr.norman@melbournparishcouncil.co.uk cllr.clark@melbournparishcouncil.co.uk cllr.buxton@melbournparishcouncil.co.uk cllr.cowley@melbournparishcouncil.co.uk cllr.hart@melbournparishcouncil.co.uk cllr.kilmurray@melbournparishcouncil.co.uk cllr.stead@melbournparishcouncil.co.uk cllr.travis@melbournparishcouncil.co.uk

Village information IMPORTANT NUMBERS Orchard Surgery

Appointments & Dispensary 260220 For repeat prescriptions send email: prescriptions.orchardsurgery@nhs.net Hospitals

Addenbrooke’s Royston

01223 245151 01763 242134

NHS111 – Urgent Care 24hr helpline

111

Police Non Emergency number Help when not a 999 emergency

101

Medical help when not a 999 emergency

Fire & Rescue Service Melbourn Parish Clerk Simon Crocker Telephone 263303

Assistant Parish Clerk Claire Littlewood Telephone 263303

01223 376201

Crimestoppers

0800 555111

Neighbourhood Watch debbieclapham@icloud.com Telephone Preference Service www.tsponline.org.uk

Chair Julie Norman 31 Station Road, SG8 6DX Telephone 263462

Richenda Buxton The Long House, SG8 6EA Telephone 07884 071933

Vice Chair Graham Clark 3 Cooks Garden, SG8 6FT Telephone 07899651561

Dr Ian Cowley 37 Orchard Road, SG8 6HH Telephone 07979 474830

0345 070 0707

EDUCATION Melbourn Playgroup Jane Crawford 07842 151512 Library LAP Jane Stevens johnjane.stevens@tiscali.co.uk Little Hands Nursery School 260964 Out of school times 01223 503972 Notre Ecole Janet Whitton 261231 Primary School Headteacher Stephanie Wilcox 223457 U3A (Univ. of Third Age) Chairman Tony Garrick 01223 510201 Hon Sec Hilary Docwra 222486 Mem Sec Chris Davison 264189 Village College Principal Simon Holmes 223400

HEALTH Sally Ann Hart 62 High Street, SG8 6AJ Telephone 222256

Steve Kilmurray Bramley Lodge, Back Lane, SG8 6DD Telephone 268674

Christopher Stead 70 Russet Way Telephone 260743

John Travis 16 Cambridge Road, SG8 6HA Telephone 232692

District Councillors

Philippa Hart Telephone 07811 323571 philippajoyhart@gmail.com

Jose Hales Telephone 07703 262649 josehales@gmail.com

County Councillor County Councillor Susan van de Ven 95 North End, Meldreth Telephone 01763 261833 email: susanvandeven5@gmail.com

South Cambs M.P. Heidi Allen – 01954 212 707 heidi.allen.mp@parliament.uk

Age UK Cambridgeshire Blood Donors Chiropodist Dentist District Nurses (Primary Care Trust) Home-Start S. Cambs PCT 35 Orchard Road Child & Family Nurses Car Scheme Osteopath Kath Harry

01223 221921 0300 123 23 23 263260 262034 01223 846122 262262 262861 245228 261716

LOCAL CLUBS Air Cadets 2484 (Bassingbourn) Squadron 249156 Tony Kelly Mon & Wed evenings 7 – 9.30 p.m.

Bellringers Barbara Mitchell 261518 Bridge Club Howard Waller 261693 1st Melbourn Rainbows Abigail Roberts 261505 Brownies 1st Melbourn Stephanie Clifford 220272 Brownies 2nd Melbourn 261400 Samantha Pascoe (Brown Owl) Gardening Helen Powell 245887 Guides 1st Melbourn Hilary Marsh 261443 Guides 2nd Melbourn Stef Cooper 01763 220093/ 07922053801 Steph Clifford 01763 220272 / 07888831140 Secondmelbournguides@hotmail.com MADS (Melbourn Amateur Dramatics Society) Donna Sleight 232622

Melbourn History Group Ann Dekkers 261144 Melbourn Mushroom Club John Holden email: frog.end@virgin.net Melbourn Pottery Club Maggie 01223 207307 Meldreth Local History Kathryn Betts 268428 Mothers’ Union Pauline Hay 260649 National Trust Marian Bunting 246122 bunting@uwclub.net New Melbourn Singers Adrian Jacobs 243224 Photographic Club Bruce Huett 232855 Ramblers Dave Allard 242677 Royal British Legion Women Elizabeth Murphy 220841 Royal National Lifeboat Institution Jean Emes 245958 Royston and District Local History Society David Allard 242677 Royston Family History Society Pam Wright frierley@ntlworld.com Royston Lions Chris Cawdell 448236 RSPB Fowlmere Doug Radford 208978 SOAS (Supporters of All Saints’) Colin Limming 260072 St George’s Allotments Assoc. Bruce Huett brucehuett@compuserve.com Thursday Luncheon Club at Vicarage Close Jeannie Seers 07808 735066 Women’s Group Pat Smith 260103

PLACES OF WORSHIP All Saints’ Church Revd. Elizabeth Shipp 220626 vicar.melbournmeldreth@gmail.com Churchwardens Roger Mellor 220463 David Farr 221022 Baptist Church Rev. Stuart Clarke 261650 Secretary Brian Orrell 07568 376027 United Reformed Church Secretary Rosaline Van de Weyer 01223 870869 Hall booking Beryl and Barry Monk 246458

SPORT Badminton Steve Jackson 248774 Bowls Arthur Andrews 261990 Croquet Janet Pope 248342 Jazzercise Maxine Rustem 07963 161246 Judo Iain Reid (Chief Instructor) or Lesley Reid 241830 email melbournjudoclub@gmail.com 07974 445710 Melbourn Dynamos FC Gordon Atalker 07770533249 Blake Carrington 07730488743 Melbourn Football Club Simon Gascoyne 261703 Melbourn Sports Centre Graham Johnson-Mack 263313 Meldreth Tennis Club Tracy Aggett 243376 Swimming Club Jenny Brackley 244593

COMMUNITY SERVICES Community Hall Contact hallbookings@live.co.uk 07821 656033 Dial-A-Ride 01223 506335 Home Start Tracy Aggett 262262 Mobile Warden Scheme Jeannie Seers 07808 735066 Moorlands Denise Taylor 260564 Vicarage Close Warden Eileen Allan 263389 Lead Sheltered Housing Officer – Monday to Friday 9–1.30 Vicarage Close, John Impey Way & Elin Way Eileen Allan Mobile 07876 791419 / 245402 Every other week. 9–5 Monday to Friday

melbournmagazine@gmail.com

33

DIARY

e date for th The closing is Friday next issue which will 18th April , ed in June be publish ts in June, listing even gust. u July and A

We’re Searching for

Volunteers Melbourn

We shall be pleased to receive contributions in any form, articles, poems, drawings, photographs, letters etc., pertaining to Melbourn. Please send any contributions to the Editor, at 110 High Street, Melbourn, marking them ‘MELBOURN MAGAZINE’ or you can email them to melbournmagazine@gmail.com

Magazine is delivered free to every household in the village by volunteers.

If you would like to help please contact Ann Dekkers on 261144

Village information Orchard Surgery & Dispensary Melbourn Health Visiting Team Monday to Friday 8:30–1pm and 3pm–6pm Phone 01763 260220 www.orchardsurgerymelbourn.co.uk Repeat prescriptions can be made either, by post, in person or by registering to use the online NHS service.

Prescriptions can still be collected from: Surgery Co-op Tesco in Royston Prescription Home Delivery The surgery offers home delivery service for prescriptions, on a Tuesday & Thursday.

For more information on any of the above, please see their website or contact the surgery.

BIN COLLECTION MELBOURN Bin collection day – TUESDAY Bins must be out by 6am at the latest on collection day

5 March

Black

12 March

Blue & Green

19 March

Black

26 March

Blue & Green

2 April

Black

9 April

Blue & Green

16 April

Black

25 April

Blue & Green

30 April

Black

8 May

Blue & Green

14 May

Black

21 May

Blue & Green

29 May

Black

4 June

THURSDAY WEDNESDAY*

WEDNESDAY*

Blue & Green

11 June

Black

18 June

Blue & Green

25 June

Black

*Dates not confirmed at the time of going to press for an update on collections visit: www.scambs.gov.uk/bins/find-your-bin-collection-day For more information and collections of large household items Telephone 03450 450 063

36

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Drop in clinics for parents and babies are held as follows: Melbourn clinic every Wednesday between 9.30am and 11.00am at: 35 Orchard Road, Melbourn.

Telephone 01763 262861

8a Romsey Terrace, Cambridge. CB1 3NH Office Mon-Fri 9.00am-12.30pm.

Telephone 01223 416 141 answerphone out of these hours enquiries@cambridgeshirehearinghelp.org.uk

A drop in advisory session is held at Vicarage Close Community Room, the 4th Thursday every month from 2pm to 4pm See the website for more information www.cambridgeshirehearinghelp.org.uk

Battery exchange and retubing.

We do not do hearing tests

Cam Sight’s Rural Support Group meet in Melbourn to provide help, friendship and ongoing support to local people with sight loss. The group enjoys speakers, music, information, advice and a chance to try out low vision equipment.

They meet on the 1st Wednesday of each month, 2 – 4pm at Vicarage Close.

For further information please call 01223 420033 or info@camsight.org.uk

Nature The Big Butterfly Count

Last year saw one of the warmest summers on record and with the long, hot sunny spell the conditions were ideal for butterflies. So, from 20th July 2018 for 21 days over 100,000 people took part in the Big Butterfly Count.

Melbourn resident Gary Baker was one of those who took time out to observe the butterflies that can be seen in Stockbridge meadows.

About the Big Butterfly Count

The Big Butterfly Count was launched in 2010 and has since become the largest survey of its kind in the world.

It is a nationwide survey aimed at helping conservationists assess the health of the environment.

According to the Butterfly Conservation, butterflies react very quickly to change in their environment which makes them excellent biodiversity indicators. Their decline can be an early warning for other wildlife losses. Over seventy percent of Britain’s butterfly species have decreased since 1976. The primary reason is attributed to the loss of their natural habitat, taken over by industrial areas and housing developments. Gardens have become small and often given over to paved areas with fewer plants, hedgerows destroyed.

The warm weather, which really began in April, caused a few problems in that a number of the butterflies had emerged early by the time the count started.

Green Veined White

an estimated count of 273,650. In second place was its cousin the Large White, similar to the small white, but obviously larger, it has black tips on the forewings.

However, along with the whites, Gary caught sight of a total of seventeen species in the meadows – quite an impressive count. On these pages are the photographs of some of the butterflies he was able to capture.

Brimstone

Comma

Small White

The overall winners in the count were the whites, accounting for 55% of all butterflies. Of these, The Small White with its brilliant white wings, small black tips and one or two wing spots, was the most prevalent with melbournmagazine@gmail.com

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Common Blue

Common Blue

Gatekeeper

To A Butterfly I’VE watched you now a full half-hour; Self-poised upon that yellow flower And, little Butterfly! indeed I know not if you sleep or feed.

How motionless! – not frozen seas More motionless! and then What joy awaits you, when the breeze Hath found you out among the trees, And calls you forth again!

This plot of orchard-ground is ours; My trees they are, my Sister’s flowers; Here rest your wings when they are weary; Here lodge as in a sanctuary!

Come often to us, fear no wrong; Sit near us on the bough!

We’ll talk of sunshine and of song, And summer days, when we were young; Sweet childish days, that were as long As twenty days are now.

STAY near me – do not take thy flight!

A little longer stay in sight!

Much converse do I find in thee, Historian of my infancy!

Float near me; do not yet depart!

Dead times revive in thee: Thou bring’st, gay creature as thou art!

A solemn image to my heart, My father’s family!

Oh! pleasant, pleasant were the days, The time, when, in our childish plays, My sister Emmeline and I Together chased the butterfly!

A very hunter did I rush Upon the prey: – with leaps and springs I followed on from brake to bush; But she, God love her, feared to brush The dust from off its wings.

By William Wordsworth (1770-1850).

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www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

Large Skipper

Marbled White

Meadow Brown

Red Admiral Small Heath

Speckled Wood

Although Gary was at Stockbridge meadows to primarily record butterflies, he did see several day flying moths, and on two separate occasions he saw a Humming Bird Hawk Moth, unfortunately too quick for him to photograph.

Many thanks to Gary for his excellent photographs.

Peter Simmonett

How to take part Ringlet

Silver Washed Fritillary

This year the big butterfly count will take place from Friday 19 July – Sunday 11 August Taking part is easy – go online (see below), send for a chart then simply count butterflies for 15 minutes during bright (preferably sunny) weather. The count takes place during end of July/beginning of August as this is the period when most butterflies are at the adult stage of their lifecycle, so more likely to be seen. Records are welcome from anywhere: from parks, school grounds and gardens, to fields and forests.

For more information and a chart go to www.bigbutterflycount.org

melbournmagazine@gmail.com

39

Travelogue Travelling the Himalayas Nepal: Coping with modernity

Nepal seems to me very different from the serenity of Bhutan and Sikkim. Another Himalayan enigma, why is it so different!

The contrast hits you immediately you land in Kathmandu.

It is a teeming, noisy, dusty/ dirty city with the feel of the subcontinent. Even the remoter areas near the mountains don’t have the same feeling of wilderness for me. They are more accessible and visited due to trekking and trading. There is a much higher population density than Bhutan (10 times) or Sikkim (twice). Hinduism is stronger (although the Buddha was born in Western Nepal), especially in the southern regions, and this may involve a different relationship to the landscape than the Tibetan Buddhist ‘gods of the place’ traditions.

Other factors affecting the environment are the building of dams (as in Bhutan) and deforestation. Although the hydro power systems provide much needed cheap electricity, they savage fragile ecosystems.

There is more litter and a general lack of concern for the environment. Even in very remote areas plastic and cans are a significant problem. Local communities do not seem to take the same responsibility for keeping the environment clean as in Bhutan or Sikkim.

Prayer Flags. Photograph by Bruce Huett

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Part of the problem may be the heritage of the Maoist civil war and the lack of a strong government. The constitution was only ratified in 2015 after 10 years of wrangling. It is also a poor country, despite considerable foreign aid. The GDP per person is about a quarter of Sikkim or Bhutan. It is heterogenous with 40 different ‘tribes’ and many languages/ dialects in addition to the 12 main ones.

Time is viewed differently: you can never rely on the quoted journey; the night camp is always ‘near’, even if you have four hours in the dark still to go! All the predictions are delivered with a smile, but without a hint of humour or irony: they are serious. Road journeys can be scary as the infrastructure is generally poorly constructed and maintained and maximum numbers are crammed into Jeeps. On one occasion I had to call a halt at 12 (in Tibet it is normally 4)!

Despite these reservations the Northern scenery is stunning with the Himalayas as the backdrop. Trekking routes around Annapurna and the Kali Gandaki, Langthang/ Helambu, Upper Mustang, Manaslu and towards Everest and Kanchenjunga provide wonderful vistas. The rhododendron forests are magnificent but the leeches are sizeable and numerous in the monsoon season. I understand the Southern plains and forests are also attractive, although I haven’t visited.

The 2015 earthquake was devastating ($10b damage, 9,000 died). Luckily none of our friends were harmed, although we were told some scary stories. Villages we knew were badly damaged, including the school buildings. This enabled some vibrant international conversations between Nepali schoolchildren and ones in Steeple Morden (see

Snow leopard footprints Photograph by Hildegard Diemberger

the Melwood goes global article in the last edition of the magazine).

Nepal was probably first inhabited about 30,000 years ago.

Subsequently there have been migrations from both the South and the North (Tibet). The latest of these are related to the Chinese arrival in Tibet in the 1950s.

Historically there have been shifting polities/kingdoms with different alliances/enmities and links and wars with both Tibet and Bhutan. The first Tibetan emperor is reported to have had a Nepalese wife as part of a strategy to cement alliances. Mustang was in the middle ages a separate kingdom and in the 18th century the Ghurkhas dominated large parts of the country and invaded Tibet. They founded the kingdom of Nepal in 1768; a dynasty which lasted until democratisation in 2008.

Although much of the economy has traditionally been Newari carving Photograph by Bruce Huett

subsistence farming and herding (90% of the population in the 1980s) the Nepalis were also important traders to the North and South. The 1999 film Himalaya, shot in Nepal and with a largely untrained Nepalese cast, depicts a salt caravan descending from Northern Nepal to the Southern region trading the salt for provisions to help them through the winter. The film uses yaks for transport but in the Humla area of Nepal sheep or goats were used because the mountain paths were not big enough for yaks. Locals regret the disappearance of this traditional trade which has happened because of the closure of the Chinese border and also replacement of traditional salt with iodised salt (which prevents the goitre which was prevalent).

As well as being effective traders, the Kathmandu Newari were also very skilled craftsmen, especially in wood. They travelled up into Tibet and helped build and decorate monasteries with magnificent carvings from the 7th century CE. Their work can also be seen in Kathmandu.

Now a significant proportion of the population work in the tourist industry, especially related to trekking, acting as guides, porters and cooks or running tea shops or small hotels as well as the larger Khatmandu/Pokara full range of tourist services. Many, mainly men, now work in the gulf states. This leaves the women to tend the fields and the animals. The repatriated money does help local economies, but many of the traditional lifestyles and village way of life are disappearing.

So we have a common pattern happening across the Himalayas; an improvement in lifestyle with better healthcare, education and creature comforts, but a gradual loss of the traditional ways of life.

Bruce Huett melbournmagazine@gmail.com

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Churches Together Melbourn Baptist Church MBC There are exciting times at MBC at the moment, by the time you have receive this addition of The Melbourn Magazine we will have hosted the now famous ALPHA course that will have run for 8 weeks. If you have ever wondered about any part of the Christian faith please do contact us.

The Little Lambs toddler group meets on the last Friday of each month. All are very welcome; this follows a very simple Christian theme.

Just before Christmas we held a Super Heroes club for Primary age school children.

We transformed our upper room with a forest theme where Santa was waiting to welcome the children.

Look out for posters nearer Easter time as there will be another Holiday club put on then.

Melbourn United Reformed Church Tastes of Christmas

This fundraising and social event took place on Saturday 1st December. The church was beautifully decorated, the stalls included home made crafts, baking and preserves and food hampers were raffled. The main attraction was the food with people enjoying a delicious hot lunch. The church was pleased to receive positive feedback on what a joyous occasion it was with a real feel of Christian love. We thank everyone who took part or supported the event in making it such a success.

Carol Singing

Melbourn and Meldreth Churches Together joined together to sing Christmas Carols at the Black Horse, the Village Cross and the Coffee Stop. A good number of singers from all 4 churches formed a happy throng and £154.42 was raised for our local Home Start charity and a letter of thanks has been received. melbournmagazine@gmail.com

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Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

The week commenced with an ecumenical service for Christian Unity held in the Baptist Church on Sunday 20th January at 4 pm when all the churches took part. The service was about our commitment to justice, mercy and unity and we were asked to consider what commitment each one of us could make to justice. We all enjoyed a bring and share tea after the service. The theme for the week was “Only Justice” and there were various reflections held by the churches during the week ending with a breakfast at the Baptist Church on Saturday 26th January.

World Day of Prayer Christingle Service

Our Christingle Service for the Brownies was held on Tuesday evening 4th December at 7.00 pm and was led by Peter Karner.

The service was well attended by the Brownies, their leaders and their families and supported by a number of Church members who helped with refreshments after the service.

The singing of the hymns was enthusiastic and in addition to the giving out of the Christingles we had a human Christingle made of Brownies assembled before our eyes. A retiring collection of £27.62 was sent to The Children’s Society who were celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first Christingle service held in this country.

This year the ecumenical service will be held in our church on Friday 1st March at 2.30 pm. The service has been prepared by the Christian women of Slovenia on the theme “Come Everything is Ready!”. There will be tea and biscuits after the service. We invite you all to come along and support us.

Easter

Our Good Friday Service will be at 10 am led by the Reverend Stuart Clarke on 19th April followed by hot cross buns and coffee in the hall. Easter Sunday Service is on 21st April at 11 am and will include the Sacrament of Holy Communion and coffee will be served afterwards. All are warmly invited to these services.

All Saints’, Melbourn, and Holy Trinity, Meldreth

Christmas Services

Joy to the world! The Lord is come. These words proclaimed the sentiments of all our Christmas services. The Sunday before Christmas our thoughts were focused on Angels, where they were mentioned in the bible and what they meant to us.

Our Christmas morning the message was centred on Mary and how she was a strong woman and not meek and mild.

Spring will hopefully be well and truly in the air by the time we reach Holy Week and Easter, which this year comes in April. Do come and join us for the most amazing week in the year as we follow Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on a donkey (Sunday 14 April, meet 9.30am in ASCH car park with Noah our donkey), through his arrest in the garden of Gethsemane, keeping watch (Thursday 18 April 7.30pm All Saints’), and then remembering his death on the Cross (Good Friday 19 April at All Saints’, 12noon and 1.45pm). There is also a special children’s service and craft workshop at Holy Trinity, Meldreth, starting at 10am on Good Friday (hot cross buns as well!)

We celebrate his victory over death, starting on Easter Eve at 8pm in All Saints’, with a very atmospheric service of silence, fire, music, and joy. On Easter Day, we have services at 8am (Melbourn), 9.30am (Meldreth), and 11.15am (Melbourn).

This year we are very lucky to have Bishop Stephen, the Bishop of Ely, with us for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

There’s also more crafty musical fun for children at Messy Church at Holy Trinity, Meldreth on Sunday 10 March, at 3.30pm. All are very welcome. The fun doesn’t stop with Messy Church, though: we had lots of eager children at our All Saints’ Sunday School to start the New Year (9.45am 2nd Sunday of the month), and we also have a Sunday School at Holy Trinity (9.45am 1st Sunday of the month). For those of you who like a later start time, there’s also the 11am “Sundays@11” at All Saints’ on the 3rd Sunday of the month.

We’re also looking forward to several couples getting married melbournmagazine@gmail.com

45

Well connected...

46

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

Postcards

Booklets

Posters

Brochures

langhampress.co.uk

Handbooks

Tel: 01223 870266 sales

Stationary

Lithographic and Digital Production

Leaflets

LANGHAM PRESS

Magazines

Printers for the University of Cambridge, Cambridge Science Park, London Charities and Galleries, Publishers and the Royal British Legion Women’s Section.

Chris Thomas

Cambridge Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

Carpet and upholstery cleaner based in Cambridge.

Working in and around Cambridge, Royston, Saffron Walden, Newmarket and Huntingdon.

• Carpet cleaning using Dry Fusion™ system • Hot water extraction cleaning • Host® Dry Cleaning for natural floor coverings • Stain treatment • Upholstery cleaning using Crystal Fusion™ • Curtains cleaned in situ treatment • Infestation Odour neutralisation using ozone generator • Competitively priced Fully insured with public and product liability Environmentally-friendly products used

Mobile: 07830 227138 Landline: 01223 836002 email: christhomascleaning@gmail.com www.carpetcleaningcambridgeuk.com at All Saints’ and Holy Trinity this year – if you’d like to find out more about getting married, please speak to Revd Lizzie enquiries@allsaintsmelbournholytrinitymeldreth.co.uk Lots of people also like to pop into our two churches during the week to light a candle and perhaps spend a few moments in thought and prayer. It’s lovely to know that our churches are loved and used by the community – and if you’d like to find out more about faith, do ask us!

Finally, have you signed up to receive our new e-Newsletter? If not, you can do so by emailing us. We’re also on Facebook at @ ASMHTM. Do keep an eye on our website for the latest news at www.allsaintsmelbournholytrinitymeldreth.co.uk There’s always lots going on for everyone, and we’d love to see you!

The Revd Lizzie Shipp MA Priest in Charge of Melbourn and Meldreth

We are a warm, friendly, family run home conveniently situated close to the station and town centre of Royston.

If you would like to find out more about St George’s, please call us for a brochure or drop in for a chat.

42 Kneesworth Street, Royston, Herts. SG8 5AQ Telephone: 01763 242243 web site: www.stgeorgescare.com

The Word of God

from David Burbridge

Jesus of Nazareth, being delivered by the determinate foreknowledge of God, ye have taken and by wicked hands have crucified whom God hath raised up. David, being a prophet, spoke before of the resurrection of Christ, that His soul was not left in hell, neither did His flesh see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up and exalted, made Lord, whom ye have crucified.

From Acts of Jesus through The Apostles Chapter 2 verses 23,24, 29-32, 33, 36.

Apostles had seen Jesus alive after His Resurrection, A.D. 33. melbournmagazine@gmail.com

47

ETERNIT ANGLING CLUB 365 days fishing for £25.00

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Finding OpenFault 6 days a week Agents for Eternit AC Season and Day 01223 tickets208529 Brian Girling (Wimpole)

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Personal care for your feet in the comfort of your own home • Nail Trimming • Hard Skin & Cracked Heels • Corns & Verrucae • Fungal Nails • Diabetic Foot Care Telephone

on 01763 261250 or 0791 3913955

Nancy Foster MCFHP MAFHP Registered Member of the British Association of Foot Health Professionals 16 Hale Close, Melbourn email: nancy.fosterfeet@gmail.com

Sports & Clubs

Bowls Arthur Andrews 261990 Bridge Club Howard Waller 261693 1st Melbourn Rainbows Abigail Roberts 261505 Brownies – 1st Melbourn Stephanie Clifford 220272 Brownies – 2nd Melbourn Samantha Pascoe 261400 Croquet Janet Pope 248342 Football Club Andrew Edwards 223109 Dynamos Football Club Les Morley 07739 593771

1st Melbourn Guides You’re never more than a few months away from your next toasted marshmallow at Guides! The week of bonfire night provided an ideal opportunity to have an outdoor fire with marshmallows and sparklers. The evening also included learning to light a candle and a gas stove with matches, burning an image onto wood with a pyrography tool and drawing a fire safety poster.

As always we participated in the Remembrance parade with a great turnout of girls; we led the parade with the Union flag, and also carried our Unit standard.

We have started working on the ‘skills for my future’ themed resource, enjoying a game of spending and banking toy money, playing safely in the dark, learning about the food groups and planning a healthy meal. This tied in very well with a Bake Off competition, for which the signature dish had to be a vegan Bolognese, the technical challenge was Eccles cakes and the Showstopper was a 3-D biscuit sculpture of Santa’s grotto.

Gardening Club Helen Powell 245887 Guides – Ist Melbourn Hilary Marsh 261443 Melbourn Judo Club Iain Reid 241830 Melbourn Karate Club Peter Khera 07866 374674 Melbourn Sports Centre Graham Johnson-Mack 263313 Melbourn and Meldreth Women’s Group Pat Smith 262575 Sue Toule 260955 Anne Harrison 261775 Photographic Club Bruce Huett 232855 Ramblers Dave Allard 242677 Royston and District Round Table Michael Seymour 221398 Swimming Club Jenny Brackley 244593 Tennis (Melbourn) Dave Liddiard 07508 995 781 Tennis (Meldreth) Tracy Aggett 243376

1st Melbourn Guides bake-off

We helped at the Hub’s Christmas event and also participated in the Christingle preparations and church service.

New skills and creativity were developed on the last week of term when the girls made Christmas table decorations from oasis and a candle, plus foliage and a colourful range of cut flowers which were kindly donated by Bury Lane Farm Shop.

The girls had great fun and produced some wonderful results. continued on page 50 melbournmagazine@gmail.com

49

1st Melbourn Guides candle arrangements

We started the spring term with more activities from the new programme including a teddy race to illustrate positive and negative motivating techniques and first aid techniques.

We also enjoyed an evening at Royston swimming pool.

If you would like to know more about joining our waiting list or becoming a leader, or if you have any skills, charities or interests which you would like to share with us, please contact me on: 01763 261443 or email: melbournguides@gmail.com Hilary Marsh

Ramblers’ Association Royston and District Group Our walks programme continues right through the year.

For details visit our website: www.ramblers.org.uk or contact David Allard 01763 242677).

Email: david.allard@ntlworld.com or Lesley Abbiss 01763 273463).

There is also a poster displaying walks for the current month in Royston library, Royston Museum & Art Gallery and Melbourn Hub.

50

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

We have walks on Sundays, which are normally 5–7 miles in the morning and a similar or shorter walk in the afternoon. Occasionally Sunday walks are Figures of Eight making it possible to do only the morning or only the afternoon. Half-day walks (5–7 miles) are held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Our evening walks (3–5 miles) will resume on 29th April 2019. Prospective new members may come on three walks before deciding whether to join.

Contact www.ramblers.org.uk to join.

Melbourn Bridge Club The Christmas period proved very enjoyable for the Bridge Club. Parties for both Monday night and Tuesday afternoon were well attended and all enjoyed the bridge, the singing, the crackers, and the bubbly and canopies provided, which made for a jolly occasion.

The partnership winning on Monday was Theresa Shand and Keith Robbins, with 40 members attending, then on Tuesday afternoon Christine Hannington and Anne Church took the honours. With 48 members enjoying the jive exhibition from David Croxson and Susan Brooks, all with music and song from Brian Mannering.

There was a demand that a session should be held over the New Year and 30 people arrived on January 2nd in the evening. It is delightful that so many players are enjoying the friendly atmosphere that is making the club so successful, it is also helped that we meet at the United Reform Church hall, in Orchard Road, which was very nicely decorated for the Christmas period, and is a very well appointed place to play.

Royston & District Local History Society www.roystonlocalhistory.org.uk Our website shows all the books we have for sale. Many of these result from the considerable work undertaken by our Publications sub-committee. The books may be ordered by post from David Allard 01763 242677. They may also be purchased at the Royston Museum & Arts Gallery in Kneesworth Street (open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays 10 am to 4.45 pm) and some are available at the Cave Bookshop in Melbourn Street or at Royston Library.

Our evening meetings are held in the Heritage Hall (the main hall downstairs) Royston Town Hall on the first Thursday of the month starting at 8 pm. »» March 7th Around the Financial Centre of the City of London Ken Drake Illustrated »» April 4th The Majestic Age of the Ocean Liner Richard Mellor Illustrated »» May 9th AGM 7.30 pm followed at 8 pm Cambridgeshire history on your computer: the library on your laptop Mike Petty Illustrated Annual membership £5 (Sept-Aug) (Under 18s half price) Visitors £2 Email: david.allard@ntlworld.com

Cambridgeshire Family History Society Our monthly meetings are held in the Central Library, Lion Yard, Cambridge, between 10.30am and 3.30pm. Everyone is welcome and entry is free. The meetings follow a pattern of research being available from 10.30am all day plus talks at 12.30 and 2pm. »» 9 February 12.30 Key Records and Resources with Caroline Norton The records from which many key ‘genealogical facts’ are derived are now mostly available online – but an oft asked question is “which website should I use?” The talk will aim to outline the leading online resources available for the key records – the choice is then down to your own preferences and particular needs.

2.00 Family History Scrapbooking with Audrie Reed Audrie will bring along some of her scrapbooks and give suggestions on how to create our own scrapbooks to creatively document the history of your ancestors. »» 9 March 12.30 Building the Core Tree with Caroline Norton Some ideas and techniques for developing your ‘core’ family tree – that essential trunk of 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, and so on, direct ancestors (256 = 5x great grandparents) from which all other research hangs. Will genealogical luck enable to to find them all and more – are you satisfied you’ve made the correct links across generations?

2.00 History of Royal Papworth Hospital with Becky Proctor »» 13 April 12.30 Tips for “Working forwards in Time” with Caroline Norton »» 2.00 Stourbridge Fair with Honor Ridout »» 11 May 12.30 Tips for ‘Working backwards in Time’ with Caroline Norton 2.00 TBA The information above is correct at time of publication but should there be any change it will be advised on our website www.cfhs.org.uk either on the Home page or in the monthly Newsletter.

Melbourn Bowls Club Activities at the club have wound down during the close season, but behind the scenes there is still work going on to prepare for the new season.

We are pressing ahead with preparing the Green for next summer and hope to further improve its quality for the coming season. The work performed last winter enabled us to have one of the better Greens in South Cambridgeshire.

We will be installing a new gate facing the Recreation Ground in memory of a longstanding member, Mervyn Mann, who sadly died last year, in time for the new season.

We have also purchased a new set of pushers with the aid melbournmagazine@gmail.com

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of a grant from the South Cambridgeshire Community Chest Fund, for which we are very grateful. This is all part of our efforts to improve the facilities of the club to better represent the village to our opponents and enable greater enjoyment for the Bowlers.

Socially, we are continuing with our fortnightly Whist Drives on Friday evenings at the Clubhouse and welcome all comers to these nights. If you would like further information on this please contact Arthur Andrews by e-mail at arthur.andrews123@btinternet.com or by telephone on 01763 261990.

We will have a full programme of games during the summer with teams in the Meldreth League, the Cambridge and District League Divisions 1 and 5, the Foxton League, and the Business House League Mens and Mixed Divisions 1 and 2. In addition there will be Friendly matches and Club events on Sundays, Internal Competitions and Roll Ups on Monday Afternoons.

We also intend to continue with our popular Coffee Mornings during the season on Thursday Mornings. These are open to everyone and will give you an opportunity to meet and socialise with members. Usually there are games taking place during the Coffee Mornings so you can also watch members in action, particularly in internal competitions.

Our Open Day will take place as usual on the Sunday of the Early May Bank Holiday (5 May) when all will be welcome to come along and sample the game of Bowls. Of course, we hope you will enjoy it so much that you wish to take up the game and join the Club. All equipment will be supplied, we just ask that you have flat shoes, trainers are acceptable. We provide refreshments at the end of the day. There will be further information concerning our Open Day on our Web Site www.melbournbowlsclub.com in due course.

Melbourn Dynamos Football Club All welcome! http://melbourndynamos.co.uk Founded in 2003, Melbourn Dynamos FC is a thriving and friendly community youth football club that gives boys and girls the opportunity to play regular football regardless of their experience or ability at all ages from 3 through to 18.

We are a successful club defined by the strength of support from members and families, the praise and recognition of fellow clubs and FA Leagues, the work with our Community partners including Melbourn Village College and Melbourn Parish Council, and of course our players’ achievements on the pitch and their support for the community. With the support of our fundraising and community partners, we are making the club more inclusive by assisting players whose families are unable to afford the necessary fees We regularly host tournaments on behalf of the Royston Crow Youth Football League and these raise funds for

our Club and our nominated charity, Tom’s Trust www. tomstrust.org.uk. MDFC was awarded Charter Standard status in 2009 and all of our coaches are DBS checked and qualified to a minimum Level 1.

This season we currently have more than 200 players in 16 teams at the Club and this includes our youngest players – the Dynamites. There are both mixed and girls only sessions for players between 3–6 years each Saturday morning.

MDFC is committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of the whole community. Many of you will have seen the great news announced on our Community fb page www.facebook.com/melbourndynamoscommunity/ about the full size all weather sports court for Melbourn.

Discussions with the Football Foundation are going well and we will soon be ready with our community partners to submit a formal application on behalf of the village for this fantastic new facility. We have every confidence that it will be well received. This project is central to the continuing success and development of the club as well providing a much needed facility for the village. It will therefore be the focus of the club’s fundraising efforts for this season. This will be done through hosting tournaments, fun runs and other events as well as approaching community partners and benefactors for financial support. We are pleased to announce that our first fundraising event of the year will be a 5k Fun Run on Sunday 7th April (see photo page 55) starting and finishing at the Melbourn Sports Pavilion. Car Parking and refreshments will be provided. Make sure that you get this great event in your calendar and follow us on our community Facebook page for more details and further posts about how you can help to support this important community project.

District Councillor Jose Hales supports the concept of this vision, ‘Melbourn Dynamos offers a great platform for young people in Melbourn and the surrounding areas and I know that the members really do enjoy being part of the Club which promotes a healthy lifestyle and well-being in a great supportive environment that allows them to excel, whatever their level of ability. I am keen to support the Club with some very ambitious plans for the future geared at greatly enhancing the football facilities for the local and wider community, including local companies and organisations’.

Our youngest players – the Dynamites, increasingly provide the core of our league teams from under 7 upwards.

The Dynamites’ coaching team is led by Dipak Patel. Dee was Cambridge FA’s Community Coach of the year for 2013, gained his Level 2 coaching qualification in June 2015 and is our Football Development Officer. These players, aged 3–6, have fun and develop their skills before deciding whether to play league football as the club’s under 7s team.

This fun, preparation and skill development through the Dynamites has undoubtedly brought more success to our current League Teams. These girls and boys train with level 2 and level 1 FA qualified coaches in Saturday morning fun between 09.15–10.15 am at Melbourn Sports Centre.

Sessions feature lots of short activities aimed at improving individual skills, concentration and the ability to be part of a melbournmagazine@gmail.com

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Melbourn Dynamos Football Club

team. The first one hour session is free thereafter we charge £2. All are welcome to the Melbourn Dynamites so why not bring your kids along so they can check it out. This season we are pleased to announce that we have a separate session for Dynamites Girls to help them enjoy football and form the basis of our future girls’ league teams. Dynamites Girls runs from 10.15–11.30 am on Saturday mornings for ages from 4–7.

The club’s success depends entirely on enthusiastic members and volunteers. Our continuing success and growth means that we need even more volunteers. If you feel that you would like to contribute to the club as an administrator, communications leader, fund-raiser, fixtures secretary, coach, match day official or in some other volunteer capacity then we would be pleased to hear from you through secretary mdfc@gmail.com or chairman mdfc@gmail.com. More information about the club and individual teams is available from the club’s Website: http:// melbourndynamos.co.uk.

The Club are always keen to hear from new players, and new volunteers so please contact us via our Secretary, David Atkins on 01763 263462 or secretary mdfc@gmail. com, http://melbourndynamos.co.uk or find us on facebook ‘Melbourn Dynamos Community’ https://www.facebook. com/melbourndynamoscommunity/

Melbourn Football Club It has been a number of years since Melbourn Men’s Football Club have made a contribution to the Melbourn Magazine so I am pleased to write this entry on behalf of the club that I have been involved with for more than twenty years. During this time, I have witnessed the demise of several sports within the village including the Cricket, Badminton and the Tennis

Clubs, the Cricket and Badminton clubs each achieved high levels of success in local competitions in their past but this failed to save them as interest waned and facilities deteriorated. I reference this, as in August 2017 Melbourn Men’s Football team was one ‘click’ away from joining these sporting clubs in their demise, with an e-mail informing the Cambridgeshire Football Association that we were folding having been written and ready to go. It was down to one man, Simon Gascoyne, the club secretary for many years, that the club survived as he could not accept that over 100 years of history could be ended with the click of a button. So not to be deterred, Simon decided to try once more to find a manager for the team and made one more telephone call that achieved success in getting someone to take on the difficult role of being a manager for a village football team. Not only did he find this person but he also convinced former committee members to return and help run the club, lightening the load for the few remaining committee members.

At the start of the 2017/18 season the team had to forfeit the first two games, leading to the club starting on minus three points due to failing to fulfil these fixtures; however, by then we had encouraged enough players to join the squad and our season began with mixed results but we were up and running with the main aim of staying in the Mead Plant & Grab Division 3A of the Cambridgeshire Football Association Leagues. This was a really tough season but the team stayed together despite some bad results and remained in good spirits as the season went on. We avoided the drop and looked towards to the club moving forward into the new season 2018/19.

After the end of the 2017/18 season, the committee approached a former player, Ben Fox, to ask if he would be prepared to take on the role of Manager of the club.

Ben had returned for the last few games of the season and melbournmagazine@gmail.com

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Little Hands Nursery School The Moor, Melbourn Little Hands is a Private Nursery School specialising in quality preschool education for the under fives and offers

• High staff to child ratio • Individual child centred planning & learning • Flexible booking system during term time for the 08.30am – 4.30pm nursery day • Optional holiday clubs available • Dedicated baby room for children under two We accept nursery funding giving 30 hours per week of free funded nursery for all 3 and 4 year olds and eligible 2 year olds For further information contact : Sharon Tutty : nursery manager 01763 260964 lh-melbourn@btconnect.com Little Hands is also at Bourn, Linton and Newton visit the website at www.littlehands.co.uk

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helped the team greatly in staying up. Ben agreed to take on the role and to say that this has been good for the club would be an understatement. Ben is a Level Two FA Coach and will be working towards Level Three in the future. His enthusiasm, drive and commitment to the team has been a revelation and as I write this the club are proudly sitting top of the Mead Plant & Grab Division 3A. Ben has attracted a number of very good local footballers to the club and I for one can vouch that it is worth a trip down to the Moor on a Saturday afternoon as you will see some very good football being played by Melbourn FC. As with all sport it is important to continue to build for the future and as a club, we are wanting to encourage the youth players from Melbourn Dynamos to make the transition to men’s football providing them with a continued interest in sport. It is our ambition to eventually return to fielding two teams on a Saturday and to do this we will need to develop the club further by adding to the squad numbers. The spirit amongst the team is as good as I have seen in the years that I have been involved with the club, so if there is anyone who is interested in joining Melbourn Football Club as a player, committee member or even as a supporter then please contact: Simon Gascoyne on 07732 613555 or e-mail him on simon_gascoyne@hotmail.com

Melbourn Sports Centre For those of you who don’t already know, we have: A state of the art fitness suite offering a variety of membership schemes A 20 metre swimming pool (kept ever so slightly warmer than most!)

A comprehensive swimming lesson programme, catering for all ages and abilities Upgraded multisports courts for hire including tennis, football and squash courts Water sports courses and activities Traditional and modern exercise classes Access to Melbourn Village College sports hall and gymnasium for activities such as trampolining, badminton and basketball Supervised sports and pool parties

• • • • • • • •

Winter Review There’s been a lot going on this season at the sports centre, to keep the community fit and ready during the Winter. Aside from our normal classes, courses, swimming and fitness suite activities, we also had: Our Christmas party, which was really well attended with 40 children enjoying a festive pool party and a visit from Father Christmas, who gave up some time during his busy period to hand out some goody bags.

We also had a bumper bag of Christmas and Half Term activities running, including our OFSTED registered PlayScheme, where children were treated to trampolining, swimming and creative crafts. Other holiday activities included a Swimming Crash Course and Trampolining Taster sessions.

Finally, we are pleased to announce that we have taken over the administration of MC Splash Swim Club. The Club will continue to take place on a Friday evening and will be run by head coach Jenny Brackley (term times only). MC Splash Swim Club is a friendly, non-competitive club, and although we don’t compete in external competitions, we do hold our own annual in-house gala each year. We welcome swimmers from intermediate standards to advanced. We also offer adult pay as you go sessions too (8.45pm–9.45pm term times only).

Apart from swimming lengths, our swimmers also learn survival skills, snorkelling and other water-based activities.

For more details, please visit our website at www.mc-sport. co.uk or email info@mc-sport.co.uk.

March/April 2019 It’s a universally accepted fact – Mums are great! So this Mother’s Day, how about treating her to her own gym membership or purchasing a gift voucher for our other activities here at Melbourn Sports? Make this Mother’s Day one she’ll never forget!

March 2019 sees the return of our charitable Swimathon, with all participants raising money for the Marie Curie Cancer Care Trust. We’d love to have as many entrants as possible; teams of up to five are welcome, as well as individual swimmers. The Swimathon takes place on Friday 29th March and Saturday 30th March. For further information, please see reception or visit our website at www.mc-sport.co.uk.

We’ve got a bumper bag of Easter activities this year, including our OFSTED registered Play Scheme, where children can enjoy trampolining, swimming and creative crafts. Other holiday activities include a Swimming Crash Course and Trampolining Crash Course. NB. These activities do require booking, as spaces are limited.

May 2019 We welcome back the outdoor sports and tennis season this month. And for all you budding Wimbledon stars, courts can be hired mid-week and at weekends.

After last year’s success, we are also looking to run another Mini Triathlon event, enabling youngsters to complete a mini fun triathlon, where they scoot or bike and then run around a basic course on site. Full details will be released soon.

Later this month, we will be running our children’s holiday activities once again to coincide with the Whitsun holiday, with Play Scheme and a mixture of indoor and outdoor activities available.

June 2019 For something a bit different this Father’s Day, how about treating your Dad to his own gym membership or purchasing a gift voucher for our other activities here at Melbourn Sports?

It’s a great way to help a loved one get fit!

Plus why not start planning your summer sports early this year, with our holiday courses like the Children’s Pentathlon and Swimming Crash Course on offer? Bookings taken from June onwards.

Other activities available this spring and summer include: melbournmagazine@gmail.com

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Brand new purpose built site Flexible options for home and business Monitored CCTV, gate entry by key fob Easy access for removal company lorries Entry from 06.00 to 22.00, 7 days a week Insulated, damp free containers owned from new and carefully maintained Over 10 years of experience Friendly and family run Visit our website: www.lawstorage.co.uk Call us: 01223 874629 Email us: paul@lawstorage.co.uk Please note, we have moved to: Butts Farm, Malton Road, Orwell, SG8 5QR Let us lighten your load

Timber • Aggregates Fencing • Paving • Bricks Blocks • Sheet Material Insulation & much more Phone: 01763 261740 Email: sales@norburys.com www.norburys.com 1 London Way Melbourn, SG8 6DJ (Just off Back Lane)

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• Boiler servicing & repairs • Landlord certificates • Boiler replacements • Bathroom suites • Natural gas, oil & LPG • Heating system upgrades • General plumbing & repairs

Phone: 01763 260007 www.boilercareandrepair.co.uk

• Our usual popular swimming lessons, both group and private

• A range of exercise classes including Aqua-fit, Body •

workouts, Boot Camp, Pilates, Swim-Clinic (pool training session) Indoor and Outdoor Court Hire

For further details on these or any other activities, please drop in, call 01763 263313 or go online at www.mc-sport.co.uk. We look forward to seeing you this season!

Graham Johnson-Mack/Melbourn Sports Centre Manager Melbourn Sports Centre, The Village College, The Moor, Melbourn, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 6EF 01763 263313/www.mc-sport.co.uk/info@mc-sport.co.uk

Grinnel Hill BMX Club This winter has seen the addition of a new beginner line being created at the top of the field, which for the first time has trialed a new building method of encasing the outer edges of the jumps and landings with turf to protect them from frost and water damage over winter months. Not only does this do away with the need to cover them in tarpaulins in the off season it is also pleasing to the eye.

There also continues to be minor adjustments to the existing jumps around the site to make them even nicer to ride.

Finally, as special thank you to Cambridge County Council who awarded the club with their Community Chest Grant to allow us to buy more supplies including tarpaulins, polythene and first aid kits.

The club is open annually April to September. Strictly for BMX use only, for ages 12 and older, members have the option of either becoming a seasonal member for £50 (April to September), or a day member (per session) for £10. Our aim for the club is to promote an activity for the young community of Melbourn and surrounding areas to participate, with the guidance of our committee and experts, in a safe and friendly environment. Members will have access to BMX coaching and expertise on site during club open days. For more details and to download your membership form today please visit; www.grinnelhillbmx.co.uk

Acknowledgements: Melbourn Parish Council for their ongoing support at all levels to keep the club sustainable and open. Wrights Mower Centre Melbourn for their help and generosity in supporting us to keep the site to a well maintained and safe standard for the foreseeable future.

melbournmagazine@gmail.com

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The Melbourn clinic times have been extended so more appointments are now available.

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What’s On

In Aid Of

Melbourn FC

Vaughan Williams in Meldreth Friday 8th March at 7.30 pm Melbourn Community Hub The evening will consist of an introductory reading and talk from Bruce Huett, poets and well respected musicians Penni Mclaren Walker and Bryan Causton.

Sat 2nd March 2019 Test Your General Knowledge – Teams of up to six people £5 per head – Licensed bar – Snacks provided

Prize for the winning team For Tickets contact: Stuart on 07789468165 or Simon on 07732613555 Or email: chadders2000@hotmail.co.uk Or check out the Melbourn FC Facebook page: www.facebook.com/MelbournFC 7.30pm at All Saints Community Hall Melbourn

JUMBLE SALE FOWLMERE VILLAGE HALL SATURDAY 16th MARCH 2019 1.00pm – 3.00pm Admission Adults - £1.00, Children 50p Please deliver jumble donations to the hall on the morning of March 16th between 9.00 – 10.30 am NO ELECTRICAL GOODS OR BOOKS PLEASE In Aid of Fowlmere Village Hall Charity Reg No:- 284524

CRAFT FAIR 23rd March 2019 Harston Village Hall 10.30am to 3pm A wide selection of craft stalls Relax with a cup of tea, coffee and cakes To book a table Email: colinandbrenda1@hotmail.com

Melbourn Open Gardens Plant Sale Saturday 30th March 10 am To 12 noon Melbourn Community Hub Stock up your garden for the new growing season and enjoy the facilities of the Hub.

You can enjoy the cafe, browse the library books, view the work of a local artist and access the information services.

melbournmagazine@gmail.com

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We can make life a little easier

Local Community Services delivered from Moorlands Court Homecare : our fully trained carers visit you in

your home.

Sitting service : a visit from our experienced staff gives family carers time for themselves.

Day Centre : based at Moorlands Court with a friendly and sociable atmosphere and includes a tasty 2 course lunch.

Meals service : nutritious, hot lunchtime meal delivered to you.

Housekeeping : we do those jobs which you can no longer manage, from cleaning and ironing, to bed changing and shopping.

To find out more, just call us at Moorlands Court on 01763 260564, or email : denise.taylor@chsgroup.org.uk

Jeremy Ashworth Electrician and Property Maintenance

21 Bramley Avenue, Melbourn, Royston, Herts. SG8 6HG

07815 093166 jeremy.ashworth@ntlworld.com 64

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

Royston Choral Society Saturday 6th April 7.30pm Ashwell Parish Church J.S. Bach – St John Passion Evangelist – Daniel Joy Soprano – Nina Bennet Mezzo – Kate Symonds-Joy – Bass Lukas Kargl Musical Director – Andrew O’Brien Haileybury Choral Society – East Herts Sinfonia Tickets £15 (concessions £12, school students £1) For tickets see website www.roystonchoralsoc.org.uk Telephone Caroline Franks 01920 822723 or ask a choir member

Melbourn Singers Saturday 4th May at 7.30pm The Chapel of Trinity College, Cambridge Singing a number of works by French composers which will make an interesting concert as the music is very varied.

The pieces are – Vierne, Messe Solennelle; Franck, Panis Angelicus; Faure, Cantique de Jean Racine and Poulenc, Gloria.

There will also be an organ solo.

Tickets are available through members of the choir, from the Cambridgeshire Choral Society website or on the door.

The Twelfth Safari Supper Saturday 1st June 2019 Cost £15.

If you would like to know more about the Safari Supper, contact Mavis Howard on 260686 or Jane Brett on 260306 or email howards.carlings@btinternet.com for an application form.

Fowlmere Farmers Market 9th March – 13th April – 11th May 9am–11.30am Fowlmere Village Hall Local foods and crafts Refreshments - Free Parking Second Saturday of every month (except August) Telephone 07729 783166 melbournmagazine@gmail.com

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JEREMY RULE FUNERAL SERVICE Jeremy Rule. MBIE. Dip. FD. Ben Rule. Dip. FD.

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www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

Melbourn magazine is non-profit and all work on the magazine including design and layout are produced by volunteers. The Magazine is published four times a year in the first week of March, June, September and December. We print 2200 copies which are delivered free to every house in the village. Advertising revenue is used for printing costs only.

Adverts should be supplied as finished artwork and must be at the sizes shown below. Please send artwork to melbournmagazine@gmail.com.

The current rates for advertising in the Magazine are as follows: Size per…

1/4 inside page 1/2 inside page Full inside page

Width x Height (79 × 128 mm) (163 × 128 mm) (163 × 262 mm)

B/W £115 £195 N/A

Colour £170 £270 £520

Advertising rates are per year (four issues) For further information on advertising please telephone 221965.

Remittance or cheques should be made to Melbourn Magazine.

We are grateful to TTP for their continued sponsorship Editorial Editorial\Production Advertising Distribution Parish Profile Proof reading

Village Diary

Ann Dekkers Peter Simmonett Vernon Gamon Eric Johnston Mavis Howard Brenda Meliniotis Ann Dekkers Jane Stephens Brenda Meliniotis

261144 220363 221965 220197 260686 261154 261144 261154

The Melbourn magazine team would like to thank all our advertisers for their support and sponsorship Advertisers

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Bannold landscaping materials - 01954 231666

46

B.C.R / Plumbing & Heating - 01763 260007

58

Bumpkins Day Nursery - 01223 208777

24

Phillimore Garden Centre - 01763 260537

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56

PL Cooper / Flooring Specialists - 01763 260918

Bury Lane Fun Barn - 01763 260418

12

Prince Property / Property Improvements - 01763 269565

50

CEROC Dance 07710 409167

30

Redmayne Arnold & Harris Property Experts - 01223 247440

44

Chris Thomas / Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning - 01223 836002

47

Redmayne Arnold Harris Selling/Letting Agency - 01223 800860

60

CHS / Local Community Services - 01763 260564

64

Rothwell’s Carpet Cleaning - 01223 832928

17

CSL Cheap Storage Ltd - 01763 262344

56

Royston Complementry Health - 01763 247440

44

Royston Kitchen & Bathrooms - 01763 245888

68

Sage / Blinds & Interiors - 01763 263399

22

Simon Robinson / Bespoke Picture Framers - 01223 873123

66

Slimming World - 07798 767976

24

South Cambs Motors / Servicing & Repairs - 01763 260246

17

Bury Lane Farm Shop - 01763 260418

Drivers of Yesteryear/ Wedding Car hire - 01223 261250

20

ESSE - 01763 261000

62

Eternit Angling Club / 365 Days Fishing - 07966 268486

48

Frog End pet Supplies - 01763 263342

60

Garden Design Solutions - 01763 263231

32

Greenlow Kennels - 01763 260624

2

50

GYC Photography family photographer - 07786 707869

52

St Georges Nursing Home - 01763 242243

47

Jazzercise / Body Workout - 07963 161246

12

Summit / Landscape Gardeners - 01223 929394

22

Jeremy Ashworth / Property Maintenance - 07815 093166

64

Taylor & Co /Chartered Accountants - 01763 248545

58

Jeremy Rule / Funeral Service - 01763 242560

66

The Letting Centre / Property Management - 01763 263039

20

JKL Tackle / Fishing tackle shop - 07966 268486

48

J Oliver Radley / Opticians - 01763 273300

26

The Sheene Mill - 01763 261393

62

Langham Press - 01223 870266

46

The Spice Hut / Indian Takeaway - 01763 262425

63

Lawn Partners / Bespoke lawncare - 01763 244955

65

Three Counties K9 Hydrotherapy - 01763 838536

61

Law Storage Ltd - 01223 874629

58

TTP - 01763 262626

52

Leech & Sons / Master Butchers - 01763 260255

60

Unlimited Logos - 01763 262081

28 64

56

Urban Plastics / Plumbing Suppliers - 01763 262337

Melbourn Dental Practice - 01763 262034

54

Wheeler Antiques - Fine Art and furniture 01763 256722

61

Melbourn Flooring & Interiors - 01763 262413

42

Wrights Mower Centre / Garden Machinery - 01763 263393

64

Little Hands Nursery School - 01763 260964

melbournmagazine@gmail.com

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LUXURY & STYLE

...whatever your budget

YO U R B AT H R O O M D E S I G N E D , S U P P L I E D , F I T T E D

An outstanding product and service from start to finish.

We have one aim, to provide a stress free personal service to our local retail and trade customers, offering an outstanding product and service from start to finish. So why not come along and visit us, we are here to help in anyway we can.

KITCHENS | BATHROOMS | TILES | FLOORING UNIT 2 . LUMEN ROAD . ROYSTON . SG8 7AG | 01736 245888

info@roystonkandb.co.uk www.roystonkitchensandbathrooms.co.uk

Printed by The Langham Press