Meldreth Matters, June 2022

June 2022

In this issue … Meldreth Tennis Courts Meldreth to Melbourn Underpass Spotted Flycatchers

Events … PTA Bingo Night The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Red Cross Open Garden

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Men’s, women’s, baby & home

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Call us on: 07821680936 Email: info@queenbeemeldreth.com Instagram: @queenbeemeldreth Opening times: Monday - Saturday 10am - 5.30pm

Contents Gardens & Nature Gardening 16-17 Hedgehogs 15 Spotted Flycatchers 14

What’s On in June Things to Do in June 12-13 Melwood CG AGM 4 Motorcycle Show 4 Open Garden 6 PTA Bingo Night 4 Rat & Mouse Show 4 Tractor Road Run 7 Village Diary 30-31

Children & Education 1st Meldreth Rainbows 32 1st Orwell Scouts 35-37 Activities for Families 42 Musical Instrument Taster 41 Primary School 38-40

Village Groups Almshouse Trust 26 Friends of Holy Trinity 8 Lift Off Choir 8 Melbourn AFVBC 5 Women’s Group 9

Cookery In Praise of … 19-21 Local/National Government Local Councillors 50-53 Parish Council 46-49 Planning 54

Village News & Issues Litter 5 Melbourn Community Library 23 Meldreth-Melbourn Underpass 45 Meldreth Village Hall 3 News from the British Queen 11 Policing Priorities 29 Road Closures 44 Tennis Courts 24-25 Swimming for Home-Start 25

Advice/Information Advertisers’ Index 60 Coronavirus Support 56-57 Mobile Warden Scheme 57 Neighbourhood Watch 27 Refuse Collections 31 Village Directory 58-59

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Events in Meldreth: see pull out supplement in centre pages This month’s cover picture: Poppies by Belinda Brown The opinions expressed in the letters and articles in this magazine are those of the writers, who are responsible for the accuracy of the information contained within them.

The last date for copy is the 12th of each month Copy should be submitted by email where possible, to meldrethmatters@hotmail.com. Alternatively, it may be delivered to the Editor, Kathryn Betts at 36 North End, Meldreth, SG8 6NT Tel. (01763) 268428 The Editor reserves the right to withhold from publication or to shorten if necessary, any article or letter sent to her.

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Editorial Welcome to the June issue of Meldreth Matters. It’s not long now until the bank holiday weekend. Please see our pull-out supplement for details of the events being held in Meldreth to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. There are several other events taking place in the village this month; see the centre pages diary and pages 4-7 for further information. Finally, if you would like to volunteer for a local group or organisation, Meldreth Village Hall, The Emilie Agnes Elin Almshouse Trust, 1st Orwell Scouts and Royston & District Community Transport are all looking for helpers. See the relevant articles in this issue for further details. Kathryn

Meldreth Village Hall Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Meldreth Village Hall trustees invite you to visit the Village Hall tearoom as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. The tearoom will be serving light refreshments on the afternoon of Sunday 5th June between 2.00pm and 6.00pm. The Platinum Pageant will be livestreamed on the big screen all afternoon. The children’s Queen’s portrait poster competition display will be there too and a memories book for you to write down any of your royal memories, so please come along and meet other Meldreth residents. Meldreth Village Hall Trust AGM Our AGM will take place in the Village Hall on Friday 17th June at 7.30pm; all welcome. We are still looking for a volunteer to become Treasurer, so if you would like to be involved in the running of this thriving village venue, please contact David Coton on 07749 850026. Temporary Closure of the Village Hall The Hall will be closed from 25th July to 31st August for redecoration and refurbishment of the toilets. Normal service will resume in September. The Village Hall Trustees 3

Melwood Conservation Group www.melwood.org.uk An AGM for 2021 and 2022 will be held on Wednesday 1st June at 8.00pm in the Green Room of Meldreth Village Hall. If you have any issues you would like to raise, please email them to Bruce Huett at brucehuett@compuserve.com and they will be included on the agenda or a separate meeting can be arranged with the committee. Bruce Huett

PTA Bingo Night Meldreth Primary School PTA is running a bingo night in the Village Hall on Friday 10th June. It will start at 7.30pm and tickets will cost £10 for six games of prize bingo. Tickets can be purchased in advance or will be available at the door. Meldreth Primary School PTA

Rat and Mouse Show On Sunday 12th June, the National Fancy Rat Society returns to the Village Hall for a show, joined this time by the National Mouse Club. Visitors are welcome between 11.30am and 4.00pm to see the many different varieties, and to learn more about these fascinating pets. NFRS & NMC

Royston & District Motorcycle Club Show This will be held at Eternit Sports & Social Club at 6.30pm on Wednesday 15th June. See https://www.facebook.com/ events/905051530355996 for updates. Kathryn Betts, Editor 4

Melbourn Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club The first meeting of the Melbourn branch of the AFVBC will be held at 10.00am on Sunday 5th June at The Dolphin in Melbourn. We are a group of veterans and serving members of Her Majesty's Armed Forces and like other Veterans’ Breakfast Clubs, around the country and overseas, our ethos is mutual support; it works because we all have a similar humour and outlook and the social life we now enjoy is like our service days. There are no commitments or subs … just a great place to meet likeminded people for support, chat and banter … not forgetting a great breakfast! Our Breakfast Club will meet at the Dolphin at 10.00am on the first Sunday of every month. For further information see www.afvbc.net/clubs/melbourn-armed-forces-veterans-breakfast-club. Cath Sharman

Village Litter I would like to say a big 'thank you' to the two young girls who stopped to offer to help me when I was clearing rubbish from the recreation ground on Sunday 15th May. It was a kind offer but someone had left a quantity of broken glass and I couldn’t risk them cutting themselves. Please would people dispose of glass bottles properly? Mick Taylor 5

Open Garden: Belmington Close, 68 North End On Sunday 12th June Margaret and Richard Goddin will again be opening their gardens for the benefit of the British Red Cross. Opening hours are from 2.00pm to 5.00pm. This was a great success in 2021 and made an important contribution to the Open Gardens Scheme of the Red Cross. Margaret and Richard are hoping that the local community will want to support this important charity, which is part of a global humanitarian objective, especially against the current background of the distress of international conflict and economic and financial uncertainty for many in our community. The house was built by a local brewer in 1900, with grounds of around four acres occupying former village orchard land. The garden and fruit orchard is surrounded by large mature trees and retains its original Victorian design with extensive low box hedging separating individual areas. These are planted for all year round interest, having a wide range of perennial plants and shrubs, including a grasses bed, roses, alliums and peonies during May/June. A new area with a garden room was created near the house about six years ago on the site of a decommissioned swimming pool. Beyond the formal garden, the fruit orchard and soft fruit growing area contains a wide variety of mature fruit trees and a vegetable area. The Red Cross will be providing seating in the garden and refreshments and there will be a plant stall. Tickets can be obtained on arrival at the garden - adults £5 and children under 12 free. Dogs on leads will be welcome. The site does have various steps and different levels and regrettably is not suited to wheelchairs. Car parking has once again been arranged with the kind permission of GTI on the adjacent College Farm Business Park. We can be contacted on (01763) 260061 for any additional information. Margaret & Richard Goddin 6

Cambridgeshire Vintage Tractor Club Cambridgeshire Vintage Tractor Club is running a vintage tractor road run on Sunday 26th June to raise funds for a very important robot for Addenbrooke’s (see below). Over 90 tractors are expected to take part. Approximate arrival times are as follows: Caldecote 10.30am, Kingston 10.50am, The Eversdens 11.10am, Harlton 11.20am, Haslingfield 11.30am, Barrington 11.40am, Shepreth 11.50am, Meldreth 12.00 midday, Bassingbourn 12.40am, Shingay 1.00pm (lunch stop), Old Wimpole 2.30pm, Longstowe 3.00pm, Bourn 3.20pm. Buy Addenbrooke’s a Robot Robotic surgery is a form of keyhole surgery involving small incisions where the surgeon controls a computer-enhanced robot, mimicking the surgeon’s hands and wrist movements, and allowing absolute precision. Robotically assisted surgery means smaller incisions, which reduces the risk of complications and infection. This minimally invasive approach also means operations will be less painful and leave less scarring. Patients are also likely to recover within days, not weeks, with fewer long-term side effects and be back home with their loved ones and return to their usual activities much sooner. ACT’s appeal will help empower our amazing clinicians to provide lifesaving and life changing surgery across six new areas in the hospital, enabling over 1,500 patients each year to receive their care, and be back home again as quickly as possible. How to Donate A street collection will be in operation as we travel through Meldreth. Alternatively, donations can be paid into the following account: Account Number: 40338346 Sort Code: 20-17-22 Reference: 1687476040 Ray Parcell Chairman Cambridgeshire Vintage Tractor Club 7

Lift Off Choir Exciting news: teas and coffees are back! When Lift Off Choir first began three years ago, a short break for refreshments in the middle of our singing session was an important feature. It allowed us all to delight in conversation and forge new friendships. When we returned to choir back in September after our 1.5 year break due to COVID, many adaptations were made. Whilst at that time we withdrew the serving of refreshments we are delighted to say that in the last few weeks we have reintroduced them, much to the joy of our choir members. Our sessions will now run on Wednesdays during term time from 1.30-2.45pm. So, if you are looking to meet new people, have a sing and enjoy tea and biscuits all for £5 come along and join us. For more information contact me on 07548 247755. Clare Silver

Friends of Holy Trinity www.foht.org.uk Following our AGM and Swing Band concert we are now planning our events for the rest of the year to include: Open Gardens –July Date to be agreed for a group of gardens yet to be confirmed Car Show – Sunday 11th September Future Talks (dates yet to be arranged) Climate Change – by Tom Heap of Countryfile and Radio 4 Architecture – by Meredith Bowles, founder of Mole Architects of Cambridge National Portrait Gallery Miniatures - by Catharine MacLeod. John Price 8

Melbourn & Meldreth Women’s Group We met in Holy Trinity Church on 26th April to hear Dan Amis from Melbourn Springs, talk to us about his various work experiences. Dan hails from Mundesley in Norfolk and always had an interest in theatre, studying at Bretton Hall which is part of the University of Leeds. From there he went into theatre and had stints in various places abroad and around the UK including the Edinburgh Fringe. Dan then joined the Princess Cruises Line which is part of the Carnival Group. He signed on for six months, not knowing where he would be going. He was lucky to travel to many places, including Costa Rica, Brazil, the Panama Canal, Mexico and Hawaii. Dan was part of the ‘Ents’ team that ran the hosting and activities programme. If you go on a cruise, Dan recommends that you go to the second performance of the show as these are generally less crowded and you do not have to rush dinner. Most people put about seven pounds in weight on whilst on a cruise, so be forewarned! Dan is still in touch with many of the friends he made but he didn’t sign up again after the first cruise. He then trained at Toni & Guy in London and for the next ten years, he was a hairdresser and manager of a company-owned branch in Kensington, London. Dan comes from a family of nurses and has grown up supporting his elderly relatives and their friends. At Melbourn Springs he gets to use all his talents and has an opportunity to combine these with caring for people in a luxury environment similar to a cruise ship. Sue thanked Dan and we are making a donation to Stand-By-Me Bereavement Support Group in lieu of a fee to Dan. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 28th June in Meldreth when The Shed Man will talk to us; come and find out more. If you would like to know more about the group, need a lift to meetings or would like a copy of our programme please contact any of the following committee members: Pat Smith (01763) 262575, Sue Toule (01763) 260955, Angela Leach (01763) 262793, Pat Ames (01763) 261130, Kimmi Crosby (07976228377), Mary Bailey (01763) 220171 and Diane Blundell (01763) 221415. Pat Smith 9

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News from the British Queen www.thebritishqueen.com Platinum Jubilee Celebrations Plans are well underway for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in the village. Initially we wanted to close the High Street as in previous years. However, this proved to be virtually impossible and so now we have been asked to host the tables on the grass at the rear of the marquee. The event proved extremely popular and has already sold out. If you have already booked, picnics and drinks are welcome, but refreshments will also be on sale at the pub. Russell’s is hosting a BBQ and hog roast and there will also be a Caribbean food van in the car park. Please see the Jubilee supplement for further details. We are hoping for a beautiful sunny day but if the weather proves to be inclement, by all means feel free to bring along a pop-up gazebo. Animals and Wildlife at the BQ If you are a regular walker along the river I am sure you have seen the pigs, sheep and lambs. We have also had three new additions to the wildlife. We have adopted a male duck called Donald. We have also hand-reared two others, who Donald has taken to as his own. The white duckling is named Pancake and the green/black duckling is named Charlie. Our grandson Ethan named them both as they were his birthday present. The name Pancake has nothing to do with a Chinese starter, but merely that it was born near pancake day! All three are very happy on the River Mel, and enjoying their little duckie lives, but could we please request, that if you are walking a dog along the bank could you please, please keep it on a lead. We have already lost one of our chickens to a dog jumping into the river for a small snack before it returned home. We would like to thank all of our patrons for their continued support at The British Queen and hope for some lovely summer nights to spend in the garden with you all. Sue Tobin

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Things to Do in June Here are some things happening in June in the local area. If you want to let us know about any future event or activity, please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com. Saturday 4th June, 10.00am to 4.00pm St. Ives Antiques Fair Burgess Hall, Westwood Road, Cambridgeshire PE27 6WU Fun and friendly antiques fair with around 50 dealers selling affordable antique and vintage pieces - ceramics, glass, maps, postcards, silver, jewellery, small pieces of furniture etc. Plenty of free parking, wheelchair access and on-site catering. Entry £2.50, concessions £2. Friday 10th June, 3.00pm to 4.00pm From Darwin to Dodos - University Museum of Zoology David Attenborough Building Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ Uncover the stories behind the Museum’s fascinating collections, from the beetles of Charles Darwin to the tale of their fin whale. What did Darwin collect on the Voyage of The Beagle and what can we learn about the man and his theories on evolution? Hear about all this and more on a guided tour of one of Cambridge’s hidden gems. Free but suggested donation of £5. Suitable for ages 12 plus. Sunday 19th June, 2.30pm to 5.30pm Madingley Hall Open Garden Madingley Hall, Cambridge CB23 8AQ Eight acres of attractive grounds landscaped by Capability Brown with walled garden, hazel walk, alpine beds, topiary, rose pergola and medicinal border. Admission £6, children free. Home-made teas in St Mary Magdalene Church in the Hall grounds (Hall itself not open). Tuesday 21st June, 10.00am to 12noon Summer Wildflowers of Wandlebury Wandlebury Country Park, Gog Magog Hills CB22 3AE Want to learn more about wild flowers? Enjoy a gentle walk around the woods and meadows of Wandlebury with one of the wardens who will help you identify them. Meet at the noticeboard in the car park. Free event but donations to conservation work at Wandlebury appreciated. 12

Thursday 23rd June, 9.30am to 4.30pm Cambridgeshire County Day Newmarket July Course, Newmarket, Cambridgeshire CB8 0XE Celebrating Cambridgeshire and the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee - family fun, entertainment, displays, dance, music, horse racing, sports to try and much more. Over 100 marquees showcasing the best of Cambridgeshire - businesses, charities and community organisations. Free event. Book at www.cambridgeshirecountyday.org. Saturday 25th June, 7.45pm (doors and bar from 6.45pm) Lewis Barfoot and Elisabeth Flett: Woods and Water Stapleford Granary, Bury Road, Stapleford, Cambridge CB22 5BP Be taken through a magical landscape of trees, rivers and birdsong with story-telling, music and song from folk artist and multi-instrumentalist duo. Tickets £22, £11 if under 25. Visit www.staplefordgranary.co.uk for more programme details and to book. Saturday 25th, Sunday 26th June 11.00am to 4.00pm Benington Floral Festival and Open Gardens Benington Lordship, near Stevenage SG2 7BS Lovely private gardens only open on selected days of the year. Roses, spectacular herbaceous borders, spring-fed ponds, walled kitchen garden and meadow areas. Adults £7, Children £3 (under 3 years free). Visit www.beningtonlordship.co.uk for further details and to book. Sunday 26th June, 7.30pm Singing on the River King’s College, King’s Parade, Cambridge CB2 1ST The King’s Men - a group of singers formed from the Choral Scholars of King’s College - perform a programme of madrigals, part songs and close harmony from punts moored to the banks of the river Cam. Bring your own picnic for a magical Cambridge evening! Tickets (prices to be confirmed) from the King’s College Visitor Centre on (01223) 769340. Monday 27th June to Sunday 10th July, 11.00am onwards daily Strawberries and Screen - Live Coverage of Wimbledon Clayton Hotel, 27-29 Station Road, Cambridge CB1 2FB Pop along to enjoy the tennis on the large outdoor screen - chairs on a first come first served basis. Copper Tree bar on hand to serve up some tempting refreshments while you watch. Compiled by John Crawforth 13

Spotted Flycatchers Regular readers of Meldreth Matters may recall that Spotted Flycatchers have been monitored by Michael Holdsworth of the British Trust for Ornithology and local enthusiasts in recent years in Meldreth. These small endangered birds winter in sub-Saharan Africa and visit the UK to breed. So it is with fingers crossed that their arrival has been awaited this year. The earliest recorded sighting of them in Meldreth was in 2020 when they arrived on 5th May, by contrast with 2019 when they were not seen until 22nd May. This year the first sighting was on 7th May when a lone bird was seen investigating the nest box in which a brood was raised last year. We are of course hopeful that a mate will soon appear to join this lone bird. Our pleasure in observing the first of this year’s Flycatchers is curtailed by the fact that we cannot share the news with Michael who sadly died suddenly in September while on holiday in France. In his tribute to Michael Dr. Robin Cox, President of Cambridge Bird Club wrote: ‘When Spotted Flycatchers were found to be breeding in Meldreth Michael was soon on the spot with rings and geolocators. Word spread among a small group of villagers who took more than a passing interest in the birds and were fascinated and educated by Michael; he was never lost for an answer to their numerous questions. Thanks to Michael’s enthusiasm the group have ‘adopted’ the Flycatchers of which they had not hitherto been aware. They are anxiously waiting for the birds to return but are saddened that Michael will not be there to share their welcome.’ Jan Butchers and Ken McLean Stop Press: As we go to press, there is good news. By 16th May three Spotted Flycatchers had been seen in the churchyard. We now know that the bird which had been seen on 6th May has a silver ring on its right leg. It spends a lot of time in the nest box, but we don’t know if it is sitting on eggs. The second bird seen has a ring on its left leg, while the third has no ring. It would appear that the two ringed birds may have visited Meldreth previously. Let’s hope that together they produce another brood of Meldreth Spotted Flycatchers. 14

Would You Like to Help Hedgehogs? A small charity caring for hedgehogs is in urgent need of secure gardens where disabled hogs can live out their days in safety. If you have a garden which is fully surrounded by walls, or by fences with gravel boards at the base, then it may be suitable. Please get in touch with me for more details, or pass the message on to anyone else nearby who might be able to help. Alternatively, if your garden isn't fully secure, then you could make it even easier for the wild hedgehogs in our village to get around from garden to garden by making a small doorway about the size of a CD case in your boundary for them to pass through, known as a hedgehog highway. They need to freely roam to search for food and can travel up to one mile every night. Being able to slip directly from garden to garden will keep them from danger on the roads. Mary Giles (01763) 260525 cyber_ratty@yahoo.co.uk also LOOKING FOR A available for pet BABYSITTER? feeding! Hi! I’m Penny! 07555 815576

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Notes from a Small Garden As I write this piece, I’m anxiously hoping for rain before what I think will be a hot spell. I water the tubs and vegetables regularly now but not every day, and the plants that I put in either last autumn or this spring get a soak once a week. We’ve had such a dry six weeks, with the soil parched and cracking in places in the garden, despite lots of mulching earlier in the year. But I love the excitement of an approaching June, with the roses, delphiniums and various gorgeous flowering shrubs such as the philadelphus, all loved by me since childhood, coming out. And the potager is beginning to fill up with potatoes showing, salad leaves, and the bean and courgette families hopefully all doing well, not to mention the sweet peas and self seeded annuals. I have recently looked back at columns I have written in the past and came across this entry for June 2017; ‘And now to June, and for rose growers, one of the loveliest months, as well as much to do for those who enjoy growing vegetables. The extra long days and warmth encourage exuberant growth, but also encourages weeds. Keep on top of them by hoeing regularly where you can as it saves a lot of time. I am always late on this job, but then I rather enjoy hand weeding on my knees these days. Unfortunately I sometimes lose plants, especially new ones by letting the weeds take over. Am I the only one?’ Not much change! Except that I am much more conscious about how I use water and have realised that I must reduce the number of pots we have. A few weeks ago I started looking at my terracotta pots, many of them cracked, showing frost damage, and past their best. I am now being ruthless and discarding them, one or two rather sadly as they were my mother’s and have lasted for at least 60 years. And what about the advice that our friend Jim and I gave out in June 2017? Don't forget to water and feed pots and hanging baskets Pinch out side shoots on tomatoes Prune spring flowering shrubs Continue to plant lettuces and radishes 16

I’ve just checked the RHS site for June and these four tasks are still in the top ten of their choice for work in June. To that list, I’m adding training of climbers; clematis need watching and ‘tying in’. Both Spencer sweet peas, growing up bamboo tripods or obelisks, also need tying in as well and their flowers need regularly picking. I love the ipomoea family with dark blue or pink flowers but especially the tender Ipomoea ‘Morning Glory’, and also ‘Grandpa Otts’ which climbs very quickly. Last year I had so many seeding themselves in the lily pots that about four or five of them completely covered a Montana clematis; this took a lot of untangling later in the year though the lovely dark blue flowers continued right into October. I have a particularly rampant ‘wild’ variety of the viticella clematis with a small violet flower, so useful for covering unsightly walls, hedges, and outside buildings, but it needs strict control otherwise it smothers precious plants you had forgotten about! But the fun of June is to visit other people’s gardens. Here are a few British Red Cross gardens open in June, although many of you will know Margaret and Richard Goddin’s garden, Belmington Close, North End, open again on Sunday 12th June from 2.00pm - 5.00pm. [See page 6 for details.]  Odsey Park near Baldock; open Sunday 5th June, 2.00pm - 5.00pm  Howbury Hall, Renhold, east of Bedford; open Sunday 19th June from 1.30pm- 5.00pm  Lime Tree Cottage, Luton Hoo Estate Bedfordshire; open Sunday 26th June from 1.00pm - 5.00pm Check the British Cross website for details of these and over 200 other gardens included in the scheme: www.redcross.org.uk/get-involved/fundraising-and-events/open-gardens Finally, please do come and support the plant stall at our Jubilee Community Church Fete on Friday 3rd June and enter the flower competitions. See the entry form included in the Jubilee supplement in this edition of Meldreth Matters. It should be a fun day out for all. Good gardening as ever. Julie juliedraper@dumbflea.co.uk

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In Praise Of … …

Wild Garlic

Wild garlic is a bulbous, perennial plant and a relative of chives that grows wild in damp woodlands, and is often found in marshlands (fenlands) or near water drainage ditches in Britain and throughout Europe. It can be used in many of the same ways you'd use ramps, leeks, or green garlic, but especially as garlic itself, with some minor alterations and imagination: scrambled into eggs or frittatas, tossed into pasta dishes and stir-fries, or simmered in soups or added to soups. Wild Garlic Pesto Ingredients 100g wild garlic leaves 50g flat leaf parsley 50g parmesan or vegetarian alternative, finely grated 1/4 lemon , zested and a few squeezes of juice 50g pine nuts , toasted 150 ml rapeseed oil Method Rinse and roughly chop the wild garlic leaves. Blitz the wild garlic leaves, parmesan, garlic, lemon zest and pine nuts to a rough paste in a food processor. Season, and with the motor running slowly, add almost all of the oil. Taste, season and add a few squeezes of lemon juice. Transfer the pesto to a clean jar and top with the remaining oil. It will keep in the fridge for two weeks. Asparagus and Wild Garlic Linguine Serves 2, cooking 15 mins Ingredients 2 tbsp mint 35g pecorino cheese 4 spring onions 4 tbsp olive oil Zest of 1 lemon 50g wild garlic leaves 200g linguine 12 spears of asparagus 19

Method Bring a large, deep pan of salted water to the boil. Finely chop mint leaves, grate pecorino or parmesan cheese, and zest from a lemon. Set all aside. Thinly slice spring onions. Warm olive oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet, then add the sliced spring onions and let them cook for 5 minutes or so until they start to soften. Tear the wild garlic leaves into small pieces and add them to the softened spring onions. Generously salt the boiling water, then add the linguine. While the pasta is cooking, trim spears of asparagus and cut them into short lengths, about 10cm long. Add the asparagus to the spring onions, cover with a lid and continue cooking over a moderate heat, with the occasional stir. Drain the linguine as soon as it is tender but firm (usually about 7 minutes) keeping back around 50ml of the pasta’s cooking water. Stir the linguine into the onion and asparagus, add the grated pecorino or parmesan followed by the cooking water and the lemon zest and mint. Nettle and Wild Garlic Soup Prep 15 mins, cooking 35 mins, serves 4 -6 Ingredients 1 tbsp rapeseed oil, plus extra for drizzling 25g butter 1 onion , finely diced 1 leek , finely diced 2 celery sticks, thinly sliced 1 carrot , finely diced 1 small potato , peeled and diced 1.2l good-quality vegetable stock 300g young nettle leaves 200g wild garlic leaves (keep any flowers if you have them) 3 tbsp milk Method Heat the oil and butter in a large saucepan. Add the onion, leek, celery, carrot, potato and a good pinch of salt, and stir until everything is well coated. Cover and sweat gently for 15-20 mins, stirring every so often to make sure that the vegetables don’t catch on the bottom of the pan. 20

Pour in the stock and simmer for 10 mins. Add the nettles in several batches, stirring, then add the wild garlic leaves and simmer for 2 mins. Remove from the heat and blend using a stick blender or tip into a blender. Return to the heat and stir through the milk, then taste for seasoning. Ladle into bowls and drizzle over a little extra oil, then top with a few wild garlic flowers, if you have them. Jane O’Hagan

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22

Melbourn Community Library Despite its name, Melbourn Community Library, which is housed in the Melbourn Hub, is there for all the villages in the district. It is part of the Cambridgeshire Library Services but run by volunteers. We receive a few books from the Library Service but we have to buy (or be given) the bulk of our stock. We have no income as such but rely on grants from Parish Councils and other sources. We were therefore very grateful to the Meldreth Parish Council for the recent grant; we constantly need to buy books to keep the library stock up to date so we are most grateful for this. When we reopened after our long closure, we set about revamping our stock of children’s and young adults’ fiction. We now have a very good selection of books in these categories. In addition, for the very young, we hold our very popular ‘Story Time’ on Fridays from 10.00am to 10.30am. There is no need to book just come along with your baby or toddler and enjoy the songs, games and stories. Afterwards most stay on for coffee and cake in the Bookmark Café. Our opening hours have changed slightly. We are now open Monday to Friday from 2.00pm to 4.00pm and on Saturday from 10.00am to 2.00 pm. We look forward to welcoming you to the library. Jane Stevens

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Meldreth Tennis Courts The Council is asked from time to time about what is being done with regard to public access to the tennis courts at the Recreation Ground. These are Council property but are leased to the Meldreth Tennis Club for a further 21 years and were of course extensively refurbished in and around 2017. The Council contributed around £6,000 towards the total costs of about £65,000 with the remainder coming from Tennis Club funds or being raised in grants by the Club. Prior to refurbishment, the courts were left unlocked but this is not a practical proposition given the very considerable expense of the recent works to overhaul them. Vandalism remains an issue and, we are sorry to say, has reached new depths in the village. The courts must be protected against this. The original booking system for public use through the British Queen – who we must thank for their important management contribution – came to an end with COVID and the BQ does not feel able to reinstate the system. We have therefore looked at alternatives – some of these that give remote electronic entry are far too expensive to be justified by the likely levels of public interest and other paper or email/internet systems raise the issue of who would actually manage and control them. Neither the Council nor the Club is able to provide the resources for this. There is also an allied question of managing and accounting for court fees collected from the public, with “honesty boxes” not considered suited to the current day. So the long and the short of it is that we have not succeeded in identifying systems that would meet these requirements and the resources needed to manage them. The Club already has a facility for members of the public to use the courts on a limited and supervised basis. They are invited to try the club at any of its sessions free of charge three times, after which they would need to join to carry on using the facilities. Details of making contact can be found at https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/meldrethtennisclub/ Contact. The Club is currently investigating the feasibility of organising regular weekly sessions for its 6-9 year and 10-12 year old memberships and would also like to set up fun tennis camps open to all during the school 24

holidays. These possibilities will depend on funding and coaching arrangements and the Club will keep everyone informed about this. The Council is open to suggestions about public access from members of the community so please send an email to our Clerk if you have ideas that may not have occurred to us. As said, we will ourselves continue to work closely with the Club to see what might be possible in the future. Meldreth Parish Council

South Cambs Turtles: Swimming for Home-Start We are a group of twelve South Cambridgeshire residents and Parish, District and County Councillors of all swimming abilities, and we are aiming to raise funds for our local Home-Start. We would be really grateful for support however big or small; 100 percent of funds raised will go to Home-Start Royston, Buntingford & South Cambridgeshire. The sponsorship link with further information is here: https:// visufund.com/south-cambs-turtles. Home-Start has been supporting local families since 1983, working alongside parents through all kinds of tough times such as mental illhealth and post-natal depression, isolation, physical disability and illness, endings of relationships, bereavement, multiple births, recovery from abusive relationships, and much more. Susan van de Ven

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25

Volunteer Chairperson Sought for Meldreth Almshouse Charity Trust Meldreth is fortunate to be home to three almshouses, situated on the High Street. The properties are managed by the trustees of the Emilie Agnes Elin Almshouse Trust and all five trustees are volunteers who live in the village. Our current Chairman is having to retire due to family reasons and we are looking to appoint a replacement. The Chairperson’s role involves liaison with the Charity Commission and Almshouse Trust on occasion, reporting to the AGM and overseeing operations. We would be interested in hearing from anyone in the village who might have an interest in getting involved in this very worthwhile charity. We hold one formal meeting a year and ad hoc meetings as matters arise. We are a very friendly group of volunteers. Please contact me on 07795 374424, if you are interested in volunteering. Hilary Duncan, Secretary Emilie Agnes Elin Almshouse Trust

Volunteer Drivers Wanted Royston District Community Transport is a local charity looking to recruit new volunteer drivers in the Meldreth area. If you have a day or more during the week on a flexible basis to suit you, to take people without other means of transport to/from medical appointments, day centres etc. then please contact us. You will be paid 50p per mile mileage allowance, tax free. For more information please call (01763) 245228 or email manager@roytrans.co.uk. Simone Summers, Manager Royston & District Community Transport Registered in England & Wales, No.6744379, and limited by guarantee. Registered charity No. 1127052

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Energy Rebate Scam Councils have warned that scammers are coldcalling people and asking for their bank details to receive the government's £150 energy rebate. Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the rebate for homes in council tax bands A to D in February to help people cope with escalating cost of living prices. The scammers are hoping to exploit the fears of people about energy price rises to obtain personal information and bank details. Eligible households in England that pay council tax by direct debit should receive the payment directly into their bank account. The government has urged people to set up direct debits since the rebate will only be automatically given to people paying by direct debit. Those who do not pay their council tax by direct debit will be sent a letter with details of how to claim. You can protect yourself:  Councils will never make unsolicited calls and request bank details.  As always, if you receive an unexpected text, email or telephone call seeking information or payment, do not give out any personal information, including bank details, or click any links unless you are sure it is genuine. If in doubt, end the call and contact the organisation on a known number, for instance from the back of a bank card. If you think you have fallen victim to a scam, protect your money by contacting your bank immediately on a different device from the one the scammer contacted you on, and report the scam to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit http://www.actionfraud.police.uk. If you're not sure whether something is a scam, you can talk to one of the trusted contacts in Meldreth: Graham (01763) 260358 Linda (01763) 261405 Peter

(01763) 260323

Tim

(01763) 262801

You can contact Neighbourhood Watch by telephoning Graham on the above number, or by emailing nhw.meldreth@btinternet.com. Meldreth Neighbourhood Watch 27

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Help Shape Policing Priorities in Your Area Residents across Cambridgeshire are being invited to have their say and help shape policing priorities in their area. Following a pilot in Cambridge city, Neighbourhood Policing Teams have launched a new way to influence what officers in your community focus on. This online tool provide a quick and easy way to have you say. People living in South Cambridgeshire are invited to take five minutes to fill out an online survey each quarter so local officers can understand what crime is happening in the area. Residents are also invited to attend an online meeting each quarter where there will be a presentation on recent policing activity from the team and the results of the survey will be shared. During the meeting neighbourhood teams will be able to listen to concerns, discuss, and allow residents to have an influence on what local police teams tackle. After the meeting, the team will work on the matters agreed, and update residents with progress over the following three months before the process begins again. Chief Inspector Paul Rogerson said: ‘Our very genuine desire is to focus our neighbourhood teams on the things that are of the highest risk and concern for our residents. We’re aiming to provide you better access to your neighbourhood police officers, to understand what is happening in your areas from a crime perspective and allow you to help shape the police activity. Online contact will never replace police teams being out on patrol to speak with. However, residents have told us this is a quick, easy and effective means of getting to know your team and shaping what they do .’ You can fill in the survey at https://forms.office.com/r/bYXEZWCb3u. To view or book for online meetings over the next eight months see www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/cambridgeshireconstabulary-14356769797 or scan the QR code. The next South Cambs Community Engagement meeting will be held on Tuesday 9th August at 7.00pm. Tara Dundon Senior Communications Officer (South) 29

Meldreth Village D Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday 6.30pm Slimming World 8.00-9.00pm Bell Ringing

The copy deadline for the July issue of Meldreth Matters is Sunday 12th June 11.00-12.00 Trigger Point Pilates

9.15am Meldreth Marvels Cycling Group

4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children (multiple classes)

1.30-2.30pm 50+ Aerobics

Thurs

All day: Jubile Festival (see su

8.00pm Melwood Conservation Group AGM (see page 4)

7.00-9.00pm T

Half Term 9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group

Half T 10.00am-1.15 Hartbeeps (mu 4.00-5.00pm A 6.00-6.45pm P 7.00-9.00pm T

4.45-5.45pm Tang Soo Do

1.30-2.45pm Lift Off Choir

5.00-6.00pm Rainbows

6.30pm Slimming World

7.00-8.00pm Fitness Pilates

8.00-9.00pm Bell Ringing

7.30pm Parish Elin Way Com

11.00-12.00 Trigger Point Pilates

9.15am Cycling Group

4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children (multiple classes)

4.45-5.45pm Tang Soo Do

9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group 1.30-2.45pm Choir 6.30pm Royston & District Motorcycle Club Show, Eternit Sports & Social Club 8.00-9.00pm Bell Ringing

10.00am-1.15 Hartbeeps (mu classes) 4.00-5.00pm A

8.00-9.00pm Zumba

8.00-9.00pm Zumba

1.30-2.30pm 50+ Aerobics 5.00-6.00pm Rainbows 7.00-8.00pm Fitness Pilates

6.00-6.45pm P

7.00-9.00pm T

11.00-12.00 Trigger Point Pilates

9.15am Meldreth Marvels Cycling Group

9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group

4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children (multiple classes)

1.30-2.30pm 50+ Aerobics 4.45-5.45pm Tang Soo Do

1.30-2.45pm Lift Off Choir

10.00am-1.15 Hartbeeps (mu classes) 4.00-5.00pm A

5.00-6.00pm Rainbows

8.00-9.00pm Bell Ringing

6.00-6.45pm P

8.00-9.00pm Zumba

11.00-12.00 Trigger Point Pilates 4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children (multiple classes) 8.00-9.00pm Zumba

7.00-9.00pm T

7.00-8.00pm Fitness Pilates 9.15am Meldreth Marvels Cycling Group 1.30-2.30pm 50+ Aerobics 4.45-5.45pm Tang Soo Do 5.00-6.00pm Rainbows 7.00-8.00pm Fitness Pilates 7.45pm Women’s Group

10.00am-1.15 Hartbeeps (mu 10.45-11.30 Mobile Library classes) 4.00-5.00pm A 1.30-2.45pm Lift Off Choir 6.00-6.45pm P 8.00-9.00pm Bell Ringing 7.00-9.00pm T 9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group

Church services and Women’s Group meetings are held in Holy Trinity Church. The Mobile Librar Church. MLHG meet in the Community Room in Elin Way. All

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Jubilee Weekend in Meldreth Thursday 2nd June - Sunday 5th June 2022 Timetable of Events Thursday to Sunday: Jubilee Scarecrow Festival Friday 3rd June: 11.30am onwards Jubilee Community Church Fete, Holy Trinity Church Sunday 5th June: 12.00-5.00pm The Big Jubilee Lunch, Grounds of the British Queen 2.00-6.00pm Jubilee Tearoom & screening of the Platinum Pageant Meldreth Village Hall

Meldreth Ma ers, June 2022

Meldreth Ma ers, June 2022

Jubilee Community Church Fete Friday 3rd June 11.30am onwards A big welcome awaits you all at our fete, which promises lots of fun for all ages. Just to remind you about the day; there will be the usual tea, coffee and cakes served all day, a BBQ, bar and a splendid cake stall. Activities for children include games for smaller children run by Messy Church, a coconut shy and tug of war. There will also be a raffle, book stall, guess the weight of the cake, a bottle stall and plant stall. Please enter one of the competitions; there is an entry form on the following page. We are hoping there will be entries for “A dish fit for a Queen” as well as iced Jubilee cakes for children and adults, as well as entries for several flower competitions. And to cheer us on we will have Chris Elbourn and his merry band! If you want to donate a cake, plants for the plant stall, or books please bring them round to Meldreth church on Thursday 2nd or early on Friday morning. Come and bring your family and friends, and join the party! Pauline Penfold, penfold001@btinternet.com, Julie Draper juliedraper@dumbflea.co.uk

Meldreth Ma ers, June 2022

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————-——

Meldreth Ma ers, June 2022

THE BIG JUBILEE LUNCH Drop in for tea and cake available in the Village Hall 2pm-6pm

Bring a picnic or food available to purchase

Join us to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee

Sunday 5th June 2022 The British Queen, Meldreth 12pm till 5pm

*Hog Roast * Caribbean Food Truck * Bouncy Castle* *Best Decorated Table Competition*Picnics Welcome* *Kids Drawing Competition*

Meldreth Ma ers, June 2022

Big Jubilee Lunch Sunday 5th June, 12 noon to 5.00pm We have had an amazing response to this event and have now reached full capacity on the site at the British Queen. We were sold out by mid May. However, the Parish Council has agreed to people setting up their own picnics on the day on the Recreation Ground. You can bring tables, chairs and of course decorations. No barbecues are allowed on the Recreation Ground. Meldreth Parish Council is also financially supporting us. At the British Queen, the plan for the day is the arrival of the guests dressed in their best Royal outfits, from 12 noon onwards. Her Majesty's “twin” will arrive at 1.00pm. Please line the roadside near the British Queen to welcome her. Guests can relax for the afternoon by eating and drinking in the company of “Her Majesty”, who will be visiting all the sites. There will be other food outlets at the British Queen, including a hog roast, burgers and Caribbean food. Please pre-order your Caribbean food by 2nd June (see the menu on the following page). We are linking up with Meldreth Village Hall for a quieter venue for teas and cake. Please see the following page for details. The Children's Queen's Portrait competition and the Best Decorated Table winners will be announced at 2.00pm. Our thanks go to our Jubilee Crew, a group of people of all ages, who have been working hard to make this a special Meldreth day. We hope that the sun shines over Meldreth on 5th June. Joan Gane and Caroline Halsey

Meldreth Ma ers, June 2022

Jubilee Tearoom and Platinum Pageant Meldreth Village Hall On the afternoon of Sunday 5th June, between 2.00pm and 6.00pm, Meldreth Village Hall trustees invite you to visit the Village Hall tearoom as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. If on your way home from the party, or out for a walk, it is a chance to enjoy tea/coffee and a piece of cake to complete the day. There will be a small nominal charge for the refreshments. We will be live streaming the Platinum Pageant on the big screen all afternoon. We also hope to have a few little surprises as well as a special visitor during the afternoon. The children’s Queen’s portrait poster competition display will be there too and a memories book for you to write down any of your Royal memories. Do come along and meet other Meldreth residents. The Village Hall Trustees

Caribbean Food at the BQ: 12.00-5.00pm Sunday 5th June As a local business, we are delighted to have been invited to serve our food at the Big Jubilee Lunch. We hope that some of you will try something new and enjoy our food!

Queen’s Jubilee Menu Main Menu £10  Traditional curry goat  Mild boneless coconut curry chicken  BBQ jerk chicken  Akee and salt fish All mains  Chilli & nachos or rice are served with rice Vegan Menu £8 and peas  Jackfruit vegan curry  Coconut vegan stew  Vegetable chilli and nachos or rice Extras  Grated cheese topping £2  Jerk chicken portion £7  Mac and cheese £6  Homemade slaw £3

We will have some food available for passers-by but to avoid disappointment, please pre-order by 2nd June

Find us on Facebook: Caribbean Door step deliveries Meldreth Ma ers, June 2022

Meldreth Jubilee Scarecrow Festival Put out your scarecrows from 2nd - 5th June

Celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee with the second Meldreth Scarecrow Festival To be held on the long weekend of 2nd to 5th June Craft, build and decorate your scarecrow on the theme of Red, White and Blue. First Prize: £30 M&S voucher For the latest information, look out for posters around the village and on social media Please email meldrethscarecrow@gmail.com to register your entry Meldreth Ma ers, June 2022

Diary - June 2022

sday

ee Scarecrow upplement)

Table Tennis

Term 5pm ulti. classes) Acro Pilates Table Tennis

Friday 9.30am Slimming World All day: Jubilee Scarecrow Festival (see supplement) 11.30am onwards Jubilee Community Church Fete, Holy Trinity Church (see Jubilee supplement)

Saturday All day: Jubilee Scarecrow Festival (see supplement)

Half Term 9.30am Slimming World

Acro

8.00am Said Eucharist All day: Jubilee Scarecrow Festival 12 noon-5.00pm The Big Jubilee Lunch 2.00-6.00pm Jubilee Tearoom & Pageant (see Jubilee supplement) 9.45am Sung Eucharist Trinity Sunday 11.30am-4.00pm Rat and Mouse Show (see page 4) 2.00-5.00pm Open Garden, Belmington Close (see page 6)

7.30pm PTA Bingo Night (see page 4)

h Council mmunity Rm

pm ultiple

Sunday

9.30am Slimming World

9.45am Sung Eucharist

7.30pm Meldreth Village Hall Trust AGM (see page 2)

Pilates

Table Tennis

5pm ultiple

9.45am Said Eucharist with hymns 12.00 midday (approx.) Tractor Road Run (see page 7)

9.30am Slimming World

Acro

Pilates

Table Tennis

5pm ultiple

Acro

Pilates

Table Tennis

Refuse Collections Black bins: 8th*, 21st Blue & green bins: 14th, 28th

* changed date due to public holidays

Get reminders on your mobile: download the Bin Collections app

ry Service visits Bell Close. Meldreth Marvels Cycling Group meet in the lay-by opposite Holy Trinity other events are held in the Village Hall unless otherwise indicated.

31

1st Meldreth Rainbows

The Rainbows ended the first term with an Easter Extravaganza. The girls made stained glass window decorations, completed a fun Easter egg hunt and tucked into a delicious chocolate treat whilst listening to an Easter story. We were also pleased to be joined by members of the Trefoil Guild (the oldest Guiding branch) who had donated supplies to our unit. Our summer term is packed full of fun activities such as celebrating Earth Day, working on problem solving skills, attending a space safari, a pizza party and much more. We are thrilled to have welcomed five new Rainbows to the unit, all of which have settled in very well and will soon be making their Rainbow promise. Would you like to be a Rainbows volunteer? We are keen to obtain an additional helper for this brand new unit. We are looking for someone who is keen to get involved with Girl Guiding overall. This would involve the weekly sessions (including set up, etc), termly planning sessions and a willingness to get involved in other activities and days out that happen outside of the regular meetings. If you have any interest in finding out a little bit more (or know anybody else that would like to) about this fun and rewarding role, please do let us know; we can chat in more detail. Contact us at: 1stmeldrethrainbows@gmail.com. Marigold, Snowdrop, Buttercup & Primrose (Rainbows Leaders) 32

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34

1st Orwell Scouts As we move further into 2022, things definitely feel like they are getting back to normal for the 1st Orwell Scouts, Cubs and Beavers and their leaders. Much hard work is already being put into planning upcoming camps and outdoor activities, essential parts of the Scouting curriculum, but more on that in the next issue! St George is the patron saint of Scouting, so each year members of the Scouting and Guiding associations around the world gather to renew their promises and think about what their organisation and its values mean to them. This year, Scouts, Cubs and Beavers from across Royston District gathered in Steeple Morden to parade from the recreation ground to the church, where they took part in a church service and also recognised leaders’ achievements with the presentation of awards. It is always fantastic to gather as a District group and renew friendships. In March the Scouts were pleased to be able to help Foxton Gardens Society deliver compost to local residents in readiness for the upcoming growing season. The Scouts helped by unloading the bags of compost and delivering them directly to the residents’ doors. They worked very hard ferrying back and forth from doors to the lorry and the bags were heavy! If you are involved in a local Society or community group and you have an opportunity where you think some local young people could offer you some help, please do get in touch via the email address at the end of this article. Back in the regular Friday evening meetings, cooking has been a big theme for many of the children over the past few 35

months. The Cubs were treated to hot dogs before heading out on a night hike in February, all carefully planned and cooked by the Young Leaders that help to support their sessions; these were enjoyed by all! The Cubs themselves took over the gas burners in February to make pancakes to celebrate Shrove Tuesday. In the Scout section, four budding chefs created and prepared a three course Jubilee-themed meal for the Hertfordshire County Cooking Competition. Their hard work earned them the third place trophy; congratulations to Samuel, Grace, Ed and Alexander. Developing a range of different skills is a key element of many of the sessions that the young people take part in. For the Cubs this has ranged from learning some of the basics of Taekwon-do (our thanks to Royston and Melbourn Taekwon-do School), to pioneering skills (learning to tie different knots and build structures using them) and, of course, tent pitching (ready for those camps!). They have also looked to develop their green fingers by completing some gardeningrelated activities. For the Scouts this has included using different types of signals to communicate (semaphore for example), as well as practicing essential skills for around the home, such as ironing, cleaning, making tea, and changing light bulbs. The leaders have also been encouraging activities and reflection related to the world around us. The Scouts spent a session thinking about disability awareness and equality. They took part in a number of activities designed to give them a sense of how someone who has a disability might feel. These included a game of balloon volleyball where some Scouts were blindfolded, some had to sit on the floor or chairs, and some couldn’t speak, as well as sensory drawing (replicating with a pencil a drawing that someone had traced with a finger on to their back). To end the term and celebrate the Easter break, the Cubs headed to Letchworth to take part in a fun evening of Lazer Tag and much fun was had by all. The Scouts had a jam packed awards ceremony, where 36

they were presented with 115 activity badges between them, as well as five Chief Scout Gold Awards. The Scout leaders too had their hard work and dedication rewarded, with a 30 year long service award for Alan Norton, a Wood Badge for Rob Heathcote to mark the completion of his leader training and a Chief Scout Commendation for Sian Bolitho. Our heartfelt congratulations to all the children, young people and leaders who have received awards throughout the year so far. 1st Orwell Scout Group meets on Friday evenings in Melbourn. The Group is currently full, but please email us at admissions@1storwellscouts.org.uk to add your child to our waiting list. We are really keen to hear from any adults interested in becoming leaders as this will allow us to accept more children and reduce our waiting list. As a Beaver/Cub/Scout assistant leader you could inspire our young people to grow in ability and confidence through a huge variety of activities and challenges, which is incredibly enjoyable and rewarding. Why not give something new a go! Please contact GSL@1storwellscouts.org.uk if you are interested in finding out more. Rebecca Murphy

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Meldreth Primary School www.meldreth.cambs.sch.uk As we head into the summer term, there is much to reflect upon and be thankful for in school. We have now been able to resume our enrichment activities such as the Year 3 and 4 outstanding performance of Olivia! Read on to find out what the Year 4 cast had to say! On a similar note, it has been wonderful to be able provide children with opportunities to represent our school in competitive sporting and mathematical fixtures; we have even had a skipping world-record holder coming into school! We look forward to welcoming parents and carers back into school for our Year 5 and 6 production and other events in the summer term. Lower Key Stage 2 Play Year 3 and 4 were able to perform their longawaited performance of Olivia! to pupils and parents/carers this month. With an all-star cast (including Olivia herself, Eliza Doolittle, Annie, Fagin and Dodger, and many more famous characters), we were all enthralled! We asked some of the Year 4 actors their thoughts:

How did you find performing the play? - “The play was really fun because I could show my acting skills and I had fun on stage .” (Isla Y4) - “It was interesting, exciting and nervewracking until I got to the point where I was used to it.” (Rupert Y4) - “It was exciting because we haven’t been able to perform for ages and I loved being on stage.” (Matilda Y4)

What was your favourite scene and why? - “Scene 8 because the fat lady character was dancing and accidentally fell over and it was very funny.” (James Y4) - “Scene 1 because it was the first scene anyone had done in nearly three years.” (Charlie Y4) 38

- “My favourite scene was ‘let’s go to the opera’ because everyone was into the song and performed it very well.” (William Y4) - “Scene 8 because lots of people were in it.” (Lewis Y4)

Who was your favourite character? Why? - “Eliza because she kept the character’s accent the whole time, it was amazing!” (Jamie Y4) - “I like all the characters, everyone was amazing!” (Esmee Y4) - “I liked Annie the most because she was really kind.” (Emily Y4) - “My favourite characters were Fagin and Dodger because they were cunning.” (Olly Y4) - “All the flower sellers, they did a great job and learnt all their lines.” (Poppy Y4) Skipping We were thrilled to welcome SkipBeatz and five-time world record holder Pete Thompson to school to deliver a fascinating and neon filled whole school assembly to demonstrate some of his world records, talk about how he got into the sport and the impact it has had on his physical and mental health. All classes had a skipping workshop led by Pete; it has re-ignited a love of skipping within school! Sports News Sport and physical activity play a monumental role in the children’s education. With Physical Education (PE) being compulsory at every Key Stage of the UK curriculum from ages 4-16 and break times often involving a number of physical activities, sports or games, a child is continuously learning to control their body and develop key skills such as balance, strength, coordination, movement, speed or agility. Our Year 5 and 6 netball team took part in a South Cambridgeshire Sports Partnership netball tournament at Impington Village College. The newly formed team played six matches and were placed ninth in the tournament out of thirteen teams. A fantastic job everyone! 39

Football matches have resumed after the pandemic with children taking part in a league with other local schools. It has been so heart-warming seeing the team working together to great effect – well done to all involved! Four Year 5 mathematicians joined other local schools for the annual maths challenge. Not only did they have a great time and work together brilliantly, they were first in their heat and are now through to the final! This is a brilliant result, which showed how hard our pupils have worked during such a challenging time for us all. Natasha Hill Year 6 Teacher

The Letting Centre is a dedicated letting agency established for 29 years, operating from High Street premises in Melbourn. We offer an expert, tailored service to suit each clients’ individual needs. Covering Cambridge, Royston, Melbourn and surrounding villages. Friendly, no obligation advice on how to achieve the best possible return on your rental investment with clear and simple guidance on your legal obligations. The Letting Centre (Cambridge) Ltd, 107 High Street, Melbourn, Cambridgeshire, SG8 6AP. Tel: 01763 263039. Email: enquiries@letting-centre.co.uk. www.letting-centre.co.uk

Registered Office: The Letting Centre Ltd, 24b Orchard Road, Melbourn, Nr. Royston, Herts. SG8 6HH Tel: 01763 263039 Registered in England No. 4472384 VAT No. 700035112 Director Mrs Angie Rixon E-mail: enquiries@letting-centre.co.uk www.letting-centre.co.uk

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Free Musical Instrument “Taster Morning” Saturday Workshop at Duxford School on Saturday 2nd July Would you or your child like to play a musical instrument, but you aren’t sure which one? Would you like to try out one or more instruments before making up your mind? If so, Duxford Saturday Workshop Taster Morning is for you! At this event, experienced tutors and players will help you to have hands-on, practical experience of several instruments. They are available to answer your questions and to help you to decide which instrument is the one for you. This is completely free. There is no need to book in advance and you do not have to be a current member of the Music Workshop to come along - so just arrive and have a go! Of course, if you decide to join us for the next Workshop year (beginning in September) you will be most welcome. Our current membership rate is only £20 per year, with a weekly attendance fee of just £2 for adults and £1 for children. If you need an instrument, items can often be borrowed from our hire stock for the year at low cost (currently £25 per year), meaning that it is possible to gain tuition and experience of playing, for a very modest outlay indeed. Workshop takes place at Duxford School on Saturday mornings during term-time and is very much about enjoying music-making in a supportive and fun environment. All ages, abilities and experience levels are welcome and we offer both ensembles and tuition to cater for a wide range of musical interests and tastes. Instruments included in the Taster Morning are: violin, viola, cello, flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, cornet, trombone, guitar and ukulele. When? Saturday morning 2nd July, 2022 from 11.00am-12.15pm. Where? Duxford Primary School, St John’s Street, Duxford CB22 4RA. For further info, see: www.duxfordsaturdayworkshop.org.uk or email director@duxfordsaturdayworkshop.org.uk. Peter Howarth Duxford Workshop Management Team 41

Things for Children and Families To Do To Sunday 26th June, all day (check opening hours) Paddington Comes to Town North Herts Museum, 14, Brand Street, Hitchin SG5 1JE A British Library exhibition of Paddington books, documents and original artworks, including Michael Bond’s typewriter and memorabilia. Follow the marmalade splats. Free. Thursday 2nd June and multiple dates through June, departing 11.00am until 5.00pm Detective Days Out, Museum of Archaeology CB2 3DZ Explore Cambridge while solving a murder mystery. Included in the ticket is a guided walking tour, the GPS-based game app and 20% off food and drink in participating venues. See www.eventbrite.co.uk. Saturday 4th June, 10.00am - 2.00pm Royston Library Jubilee Jamboree, Market Hill, Royston SG8 9JN Enjoy tea and cake in the royally decorated library and try the activities: crowns to be made, a jigsaw to complete and coronation and jubilee photos to see. Free, donations welcome. Saturday 4th June, 2.00pm until late Bassingbourn Mayhem Family Fun Day, The Field of Dreams, Brook Road, Bassingbourn SG8 5NS Procession at 2.00pm, live music, BBQ, refreshments, funfair, activities, dog show, stalls, obstacle course. £5 adults, under 15s free (with adult). Saturday 18th June, 2.00pm - 3.15pm Roald Off the Tongue (an outdoor event) Littleport, Yeoman’s Field, Barley Way, Ely CB6 1FL Discover the stories that inspired the young Roald Dahl, presented with magic, music and lots of joining in. Suitable for ages 4 -11. £4 or £14 for a Family Saver. No toilets. See www.library.live. Wednesday 22nd June, 10.00am Toddler Magic, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge CB2 1RB A fun introduction to art through music, play and creative exploration for 1 - 3 year olds. A family ticket admits 1 adult and up to 3 children. An additional adult can be booked free. Free but donations welcome. Compiled by Hilary Crawforth 42

Moorlands Court

Local Community Services

 Homecare – our fully trained carers visit you in your home.  Si ng service – a visit from our experienced staff gives family carers me for themselves.  Day Centre – based at Moorlands Court, with a friendly and sociable atmosphere and includes a tasty 2 course lunch.  Meals service – nutri ous, hot lunch me 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

Whaddon Road, Meldreth, SG8 5RL

Club Facili es

Entertainments

Licensed bar Hall available for private hire for any occasion (compe ve rates) Fully equipped gymnasium (annual subscrip on) Snooker room, Pool table Large children's outdoor ac vity area Petanque pistes Football pitches, changing rooms

1st Friday of the month Melbourn Rock Club One Saturday a month Melbourn Rock Club Rock and Roll Night Every Thursday night Eternit bingo—starts 7.30pm Local gig venue

Big charity events during the year Motorcycle Rally - Air Ambulance - Mini Chill weekend - Camping - Local Chari es Club Charity - LUPUS

43

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 SECTION 14(1) AS AMENDED BY THE ROAD TRAFFIC (TEMPORARY RESTRICTIONS) ACT 1991 CAMBRIDGESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL VARIOUS ROADS, SOUTH DIVISION (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF THROUGH TRAFFIC) ORDER 2022/482 NOTICE is given that Cambridgeshire County Council has made an Order pursuant to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended by the Road Traffic (Temporary Restrictions) Act 1991, the effect of which is to stop any vehicle from proceeding along various roads as set out in Schedule 1 below. Nothing in this Order shall prevent access and egress from premises or land adjacent to the highway mentioned in Schedule 1. The Order is necessary for safety reasons to facilitate patching works. The proposed Order will come into operation on 13th June 2022 and will continue until these works have finished or on the 12th December 2023 whichever is the earlier. It is anticipated that this order will apply to the locations, at various times during the dates specified in the Schedule. The Order shall not apply to any persons lawfully engaged in connection with any works for which it is made, any member of the Police Force, Fire and Rescue Service, Ambulance Service, a vehicle being used by Special Forces during the execution of their duties or to any person acting with the permission or upon the direction of a Police Officer in uniform. Steven Cox, Executive Director, Place and Economy, New Shire Hall, Emery Crescent, Enterprise Campus, Alconbury Weald, Huntingdon, PE28 4YE

Anticipated dates for works

Road

Diversion

Between 8am and 4pm High Street, daily, 13-17th June 2022 Melbourn

Royston Road - A10 - Cambridge Road, Shepreth and vice versa

Between 8am and 4pm Cambridge Road, Royston Road - A10 - Cambridge daily, 13-17th June 2022 Melbourn Road, Shepreth and vice versa Between 8am and 4pm Station Road, daily, 13-17th June 2022 Melbourn

A10 - Royston Road and vice versa or A10 - Cambridge Road, Shepreth and vice versa

Between 8am and 4pm Station Road, daily, 13-17th June 2022 Meldreth

A10 - Royston Road and vice versa or A10 - Cambridge Road, Shepreth and vice versa

Between 8am and 4pm Mortlock Street, daily, 13-17th June 2022 Melbourn

Orchard Road - Russet Way and vice versa or Orchard Road - Water Lane and vice versa

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The Meldreth to Melbourn Underpass We need your thoughts on the pedestrian underpass between Station Road, Melbourn and Meldreth Railway Station.

We would like to gather your thoughts on this area and how you would like it to be as it is an important link between the villages and the station. This survey is being carried out to gather feedback, ideas, suggestions and to seek volunteers from both communities. The project is a collaboration - to be led by the residents of Melbourn and Meldreth - with support from the Parish, District and County Councils, the partners within the Community Safety Board and input from students at Melbourn Village College. Your responses to this survey will influence not only improvements to the underpass and the green area around it, but also ongoing upkeep and maintenance of this space. We look forward to hearing your views and please try to complete it online if possible! Your local Parish, District and County Councillors 45

Meldreth Parish Council www.meldreth-pc.org.uk This meeting was held in the Community Room in Elin Way. The main points of the meeting are set out below in the usual summary format. The full formal minutes can be viewed in due course on the website noted above and on the Parish Council noticeboard; these will be presented for approval at the next Council meeting. Discussions and Decisions Council Elections 2022 There was no election for the Parish Council as the number of nominations (nine) equalled the number of seats. One new councillor was appointed, Helen Meridew, and she was welcomed to the Council. Council Appointments and Procedures Appointment of Chairman and Vice-Chairman. These appointments are annual and the following were elected for the forthcoming year after duly being proposed and seconded: Chairman: Councillor Richard Goddin; Vice Chairman Councillor Roger James. After Councillors had signed Acceptances of Office and submitted Registers of Interests, the Council duly voted to adopt the new Code of Conduct. This can be viewed on the Council’s website. Planning Committee This is the only formal Council committee (as opposed to working groups) and the following were elected as its members: Councillors Joan Fallon, Richard Goddin, Roger James, Alan Land, Martin McGarry and Nigel Pellatt. District and County Councillors’ Reports The Council thanked our County and District Councillors for keeping us informed. Attention was drawn to the improvements that are planned for the footpath underpass on the approach to Meldreth Station [see page 45]. Local and Regional Planning Issues Since the last Council meeting there have been no further reports on the Thakeham “new town” proposals, the Oxford - Cambridge Arc and the Local Development plan. 46

Covid 19 Restrictions have now been lifted but the Council continues to recommend discretion and caution. The village support arrangements remain in place for the time being. Flambards Close Update At a meeting between Council representatives and the Residents Association officers on 7th March it was agreed that the Association officers would consult further with their residents about repairs needed under the Lease and would then meet again with the Council to consider the way forward. The Council was informed that no further information has been received; a further approach will be made by the Council and will need to address the possibility of direct action. Jubilee Celebrations The Council received a request for funding from those organising the Church Fete. It was noted that a significant share of the net profits from the Church Fete will be retained by the Church and on this basis the Council is unable to provide financial assistance, as this would be contrary to the relevant legislation. As a separate item, the Council has agreed to contribute towards the provision of additional portable toilets elsewhere in the village and will also make a donation to the Scarecrow Festival, which is a popular event and well supported by the community. Recreation Ground The latest monthly inspection report indicates that the play and gym equipment is well used. There is a need to arrange repairs to some of the surfaces and to installations and the Council will attend to this as soon as possible. A proposal to install some additional play equipment such as a table tennis facility and a seesaw has been deferred pending a physical inspection of such equipment at other locations. Vandalism This continues to be a growing issue in our village and damage being caused to signs and other infrastructure will result in considerable additional costs to the community. All residents are urged to help by reporting incidents and identifying those responsible.

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Village Infrastructure As previously reported there continues to be delay in organising repair works to village infrastructure (signs, bollards etc.) but the Council has these issues in hand and will work closely with our contractors to organise a suitable programme of works. Churchyard The recent safety report commissioned by the Council from LIGTAS was duly provided to the churchwardens. One risk identified in that safety report is the possibility of children falling off the churchyard wall into the street below. Council representatives have suggested protective measures be put in place in advance of the Church fete and will discuss the longer-term issues arising. Traffic Group The outcome of the Council’s Local Highways Initiative (LHI) submission to Highways for traffic calming/speed reduction measures in Whitecroft Road is now known and it regretted that Meldreth’s submission was not approved. Some 43 submissions were made, 16 were approved and 27 were rejected. Meldreth was ranked 26th out of 43 in the overall table. As previously noted, LHI is a competitive process and the outcome is similar to last year, with well over half of the initiatives submitted by local councils not being adopted. The electric SID speed indicator, which was damaged by vandals, will be sent for repair – another example of costs arising from such mindless behaviour. Tennis Club A meeting with the Tennis Club has concluded that there is no practical way of setting up and managing public access to the courts and the booking arrangements formerly hosted by the British Queen are no longer available. The Council thanks the British Queen for their previous help. There is an article in this edition of Meldreth Matters that explains these issues in more detail (see pages 24-25). This includes the Club’s procedures for providing limited free public access at the Club’s regular meetings. Regarding future maintenance of the courts, when it seemed likely that there would be ready public access the Council and the Club agreed jointly to meet regular maintenance costs, with each party reserving £1,500 per annum. In the current circumstances, in which public access will not be possible in the way originally envisaged, the Council agreed to revert to its 48

usual approach for considering finance – that is by application specifically when support might be needed – and to reallocate the specific reserves to the Council’s general reserves for the time being. Other Business It was noted that SCDC have decided to install two electric car charging points outside the Community Meeting Room in Elin Way. Meetings The Annual Parish Meeting, scheduled for Thursday 19th May, will have taken place before this report is published in the June 2022 edition of Meldreth Matters. There has not been such a meeting for the last two years because of Covid and this public meeting enables residents to discuss village issues in a direct and open manner both between themselves and with the Council. The next Parish Council meeting will take place on Thursday 9th June 2022, as the previous Thursday is a Public Holiday. Meldreth Parish Council

Meldreth Parish Council - Contact Details http://www.meldreth-pc.org.uk Parish Office, Meldreth Sheltered Scheme, Elin Way, Royston SG8 6LT Office hours: Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 12.30-2.30pm By appointment at other times Parish Clerk: Mrs J Damant Assistant Clerk: Mrs Sally Walmesley (01763) 269928 parishclerk@meldreth-pc.org.uk Cllr R Goddin (Chairman)

(01763) 260061

goddin@btinternet.com

Cllr Adam Bostanci

07400 236329

adambostanci@gmail.com

Cllr Joan Fallon

(01763) 262822

joan.fallonpc@gmail.com

Cllr Nick Garner

(01763) 268328

nickphgarner@gmail.com

Cllr Roger James (Vice Ch.) (01763) 261085

roger+pc@rogerjames.net

Cllr Alan Land

(01763) 261004

conradland@btinternet.com

Cllr Martin McGarry

07736 434915

martinmcgarry@btinternet.com

Cllr Helen Meridew

07787 734973

helenmeridew@gmail.com

Cllr Nigel Pellatt

(01763) 260909

nppellatt@btconnect.com

49

District and County Councillors’ Report Welcome! We'd like to say a big welcome to all those people from Ukraine who have come to live in Meldreth at this very difficult time in your lives. We look forward to getting to know you and hope you and your host families will feel free to contact us, should you have any questions at all. If we can't answer them, we will find someone who can! District Council Election Results Sally Ann and Jose are delighted and honoured to have been re-elected as your District Councillors and look forward to working with everyone to support residents and the community as a whole on matters relating to the District Council. The make-up of the council has changed and is now comprised of 37 Liberal Democrats and 8 Conservatives. Appointments to committees will take place at the Annual General Meeting later this month. Lots of good questions have come to us during the election period and we have a healthy to-do list! South Cambridgeshire District Council Finance SCDC has put its finances in very good order and is one of the most effective councils nationally at collecting its council tax. It has made property investments which have provided good returns for public finances. SCDC administers a wide range of community, local business and household grants, which are constantly updated on its website; www.scambs.gov.uk. We highlight some of them below. Community Chest: The Community Chest is grant funding available to voluntary and community sector groups, charities and public sector bodies wishing to further improve quality of life in South Cambridgeshire, running on a rolling basis. Again, check out www.scambs.gov.uk under the home page portal for ‘Community, Safety and Health’. You’ll find a ‘Grant Grabber’ link there too which will alert you to further opportunities. Business Support: You can sign up for the Business Support and Development e-newsletter, including notification of new grant opportunities, at scambs.gov.uk – again look for the portal on the home page. Action on Energy Scheme: Run in partnership with neighbouring councils, SCDC is providing grants to help low-income households 50

install energy efficiency improvements and low carbon heating. The grants are available for homeowners and private landlords that meet both of the following criteria:  Homeowners or tenants on certain means-tested benefits (see ‘eligible benefits’ below) or with a total household income of less than £30,000 before tax or other deductions  The property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating is E, F or G. (Check your EPC rating at www.gov.uk/find-energy-certificate or contact SCDC if you don’t have one). For homeowners, the grant will cover 100% of the cost of improvements. For landlords the grant will cover two-thirds of the cost of the improvements, with the landlord expected to cover the outstanding amount. The maximum amount of grant available depends on the way the property is heated and its current EPC rating. The maximum ranges from £10,000 to £25,000 for homeowners, and £5,000 to £16,666 for landlords. See: https://www.scambs.gov.uk/climate-emergency-andnature/energy-saving/action-on-energy.

Cambridge County Council Household Support Fund During 2021/22 the Cambridge County Council administered the Household Support Fund scheme to support those most in need over the winter months, primarily with food and fuel costs. This used £2,457,158 of Government funding. The Joint Administration’s budget in February set aside £1M for a new Household Support Fund wider scheme for 2022/23. In March the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced further funding for the Household Support Fund nationally. We do not yet know how much of that is allocated to Cambridgeshire. The £1M provided from Council funding will enable the 2022/23 offer to be more flexible, as it will not be limited by the Government rules that applied to last year’s funding. Information is here: https:// www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/coronavirus/household-supportfund. Cambridgeshire Green Spaces Map The County Council has launched a #LetsGetOutdoors campaign which is encouraging people to make use of Cambridgeshire’s parks 51

and green spaces. The campaign is highlighting a new online map: https://www.cambsopenspace.co.uk. This lists all the main green spaces across Cambridgeshire including village recreation grounds and small parks. Health and Care Reforms: what’s happening: The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Health and Wellbeing Board, which Susan chairs, will now join up with the new Integrated Care Partnership, a local initiative within the framework of Govt’s health and social care reforms. The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough arrangement with the ICP is unique in its collaboration and will sit as a Committee in Common, to create a common agenda that needs to reach down to community level, and Council has now agreed constitutional changes to allow this to happen. The Melbourn Community Hub is now poised to begin delivering nonclinical services for the Meridian Primary Care Network of which the Royston practices and Orchard Surgery Melbourn are a part. NHS health checks are one example.

Combined Authority Bus Improvement Programme The Combined Authority’s Bus Improvement Programme has been snubbed by Government, with no funding at all being awarded to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough at all for better bus provision. This is crucially important as bus ridership does not always provide sufficient revenue to make a service viable, and extra support funding needs to come from somewhere; certainly that is the case for the 17 service running between the Mordens, Litlington, Bassingbourn-cum -Kneesworth, Whaddon, Meldreth, Melbourn and Royston. The Meldreth and Melbourn link is still run on a subsidy. Community Rail Partnership (CRP) Thanks to all who came along to help with the gardening day at Meldreth Station last month. The CRP has been helping to lead on the A10 Underpass consultation. [Please see page 45 of Meldreth Matters.] Please note that the ‘new’ cycle parking at Meldreth Station is now protected by CCTV, as part of its Zero Carbon Communities Grant. Do feel free to contact us if you’d like to join our mailing list for future activities. 52

Please feel free to contact us any time by telephone or email, or come along to our Councillor Zoom Cuppa surgeries on Wednesday afternoons; please contact us and we’ll send you the link. We’re also happy to meet in person, of course . District Councillor Sally Ann Hart, sallyannhart@riskingonpurpose.com, 07791 233303 District Councillor Jose Hales, Josehales@gmail.com, 07703 262649 County Councillor Susan van de Ven, susanvandeven5@gmail.com, 07905 325574

The Moor Melbourn SG8 6EF 07163 223400 office@melbournvc.org www.melbournvc.org

EVERYBODY IS SOMEBODY

A highly-rated community secondary school committed to ensuring every student achieves his or her very best through a rich and varied curriculum. OFSTED (Sept 2017) confirmed: ‘An innovative curriculum that truly meets the needs of pupils’ ‘The first school in Cambridgeshire to introduce Mandarin at Key Stage 3’ ‘The school’s vision of Everybody is Somebody is evident in the support you provide for all pupils’ ‘Parents are overwhelmingly supportive of the school’ Senior Leaders will be delighted to show around prospective students and their parents. For more information or to book your tour, please contact Karin Doyle – office@melbournvc.org

MM is Available in Colour Online To view this or past issues online, follow us on: issuu.com/meldrethmatters 53

Planning Matters Parish Council The minutes of the Planning Meeting on 7th April were not available at the time of going to press. Meeting minutes, when available, may be viewed on the Parish Council’s website, www.meldreth-pc.org.uk. SCDC Decisions Some recent decisions are listed below. Ref. & Address 26 North End 22/0235/TTCA

Decision No objection to: sycamore crown thin by15% and remove dead wood

26 North End 22/00613/HFUL

Permission granted for erection of glass canopy (3m deep x 4.5 m wide) within recess at rear of house; canopy ; to overhang area of existing paving outside existing rear door.

89 High Street 22/0186/TTCA

No objection to: T.1 - Beech - Crown reduce by 2M T.2 Laurel (bush) - Crown reduce by 4M and cut overhang from Meldreth Manor School T.3 Plum - Fell to ground level 67 Whitecroft Rd Permission granted for a single storey rear extension and 22/01096/HFUL renovations 10 Malton Lane 22/00837/HFUL

Permission granted for demolition of the existing garage and erection of a single storey rear extension, new linked side extension consisting of carport and storage along with internal alterations to the existing dwelling

Full details may be viewed on the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning website: https://applications.greatercambridgeplanning.org/online-applications. The Meldreth Matters Team Little Hands Nursery School The Moor, Melbourn A Private Nursery School specialising in quality care & preschool education for the under fives

High staff to child ratio, individual child centred planning & learning, Flexible booking system for the 08.00am – 5.30pm nursery day. Optional holiday clubs available, dedicated baby room for children under two We accept nursery funding giving 15 & 30 hours/week of free funded nursery for all 3 and 4 year olds & eligible 2 year olds

For further information contact Sharon Tutty,nursery manager on 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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Unit 1, Whitecroft Rd, Meldreth, Royston, SG8 8NE

Friendly, Professional, Expert

Visit our lovely private clinic on Melbourn Science Park for all your dental needs including general maintenance, fillings and restorations, braces, implants, tooth-whitening and much more. New patients are most welcome. Call us on 01763261129 or email reception@specialistdentalpartners.co.uk 9 Beech House, Melbourn Science Park, Melbourn, SG8 6HB Free parking outside world-class dentistry, on your doorstep

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Meldreth Coronavirus Community Support We continue to try and support those adversely affected where possible, provide basic information, and bring friendship and social contact too. Please get in touch with Meldreth Coronavirus Community Support using the contact details below and we will do our best to assist. Vaccinations Mobile vaccination centres are still in operation. See the schedule at https://www.thevaccinators.co.uk. Pharmacy Deliveries If you are choosing to self-isolate and unable to travel to a pharmacy, medication can be delivered directly to you by a number of methods. Please ask your local pharmacist - WELL Melbourn on (01763) 260221 or Bassingbourn Pharmacy on (01763) 250660 - about the services offered. Our coordinator for pharmacy assistance is Nick Garner on 07968 568599. Local Shops Taking Telephone Orders and Making Deliveries Home delivery is available from Fieldgate (01763) 260737 and Bury Lane (01763) 260418. For Leech & Sons butchers ring (01763) 260255 to collect outside in the car park at the rear of the shop. Mental Health and Wellbeing Support We are supported by the very useful resources available to all at CPSL Mind including common-sense helpful reminders and also telephone numbers and links if you’re worried or anxious and need to talk to someone who can help. See https://www.cpslmind.org.uk/top-tips-selfhelp-resources or for general queries please call 0300 303 4363 between 9.30am and 5.30pm. Our Neighbourhood Zone Leaders Please remember that our team is always on hand for a friendly chat by phone – our zone leaders’ telephone numbers are below. Kneesworth Road, West Way, Burtons & Fenny Lane: Bev Cottrell, 07773 592838 Elin Way and Howard Road: David Hollamby, 07732 106828 Whitecroft Road, Chiswick End, Oakrits, Melrose: John Crawforth, 07595 627684 56

High Street, Flambards, The Grange, Woolpack Way, Station Yard & Road: Helen Munday, 07712 555598 Bell Close and Gables Close: Cathy Walston, 07757 086380 North End, Brewery Lane, Malton Lane, Cam Farm: Bev Cottrell, 07773 592838 & Ian Mitchell, 07726 936635 If you have any questions, please let us know. County and District Councillors Susan van de Ven, Jose Hales, Sally Ann Hart and all at the MCCS team

Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme Supporting people in Melbourn, Meldreth & Shepreth Can we help you? Your relative? Your neighbour? What is the service? We offer twice weekly visits and daily phone calls to support elderly or mobility impaired residents in their own homes by building a friendship and helping prevent social isolation. We can carry out errands such as local shopping, collecting prescriptions, paying bills or going to the Post Office so people can remain supported and independent at home. We can also help couples or those living with their family. We are also trained to support people living with dementia. Who provides the services? Mobile wardens, who have all been carefully selected for their caring nature and are DBS checked. What will it cost? We do make a small charge for the services, which is from as little as £7.50 per week. How can I join? For more information please contact Jeannie on 07808 735066 or Jane on 07592 821976. Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme is a registered charity

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Village Directory

Village Hall Chairman

David Coton—07749 850026

Cycling Group Local History Group Lunch Club Melwood Cons. Group

John Rogger—(01763) 260809 (01763) 260129; www.meldrethhistory.org.uk Nikki & Julie—07599 292327 (01763) 232855; www.melwood.org.uk

Photographic Group

www.melbourn-photographic-club.co.uk

Revelation U3A

Miriam Skuce—(01763) 262440 Chris Davison—(01763) 264189

Bowls Club Croquet Club Meldreth United FC Table Tennis Tennis Club

Christine Piper Hatch—(01223) 263266 Janet Pope—(01763) 248239 07930 650036 Christine Knight—(01763) 261676 (01763) 243376; http://cspark.at/Meldr2

Rev. Lizzie Shipp Rev. Mary Price Bells John Price (Friends)

(01763) 220626; https://allsaintsmelbournholytrinitymeldreth.co.uk (01763) 261569 Sandra Webb—(01763) 261451 (01763) 260048; www.foht.org.uk

Baby & Toddler Group

Bridget Rinaldi—bridgetjrinaldi@gmail.com or Julia Moore—07403 462198

Brownies (1st Meldreth) Hartbeeps Meldreth Rainbows Pre– and Primary School

Email: 1stmeldrethbrownies@gmail.com Kelly@hartbeeps.com 1stmeldrethrainbows@gmail.com (01763) 260432; www.meldreth.cambs.sch.uk

Parish Council

Please see details at end of Parish Council report

District Councillors

Jose Hales—07703 262649 Sally Ann Hart—07791 233303

District Council Offices

03450 450500; www.scambs.gov.uk/

County Councillor

Susan van de Ven—07905 325574 www.susanvandeven.com/

County Council Offices MP

0345 045 5200; www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/ Anthony Browne; www.anthonybrowne.org/

Councils & Govt.

Children

Clubs & Societies

Village Hall Bookings

(01763) 262158, open 7am-10pm, 7 days Julia Moore—meldrethvillagehall@gmail.com or 07403 462198

Sport

Neighbourhood Watch One Stop

Mick Taylor—(01763) 261118 Graham Borgonon—(01763) 260358

Church

Facilities

Litter Picker

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Transport Health Support Services Emergencies NonEmerg. Misc.

Station Ticket Office

Hours: Mon - Fri 7-11.15am, Sat 8.45am - 1.15pm

Rail User Group

07905 325574; www.meldrethsheprethfoxtonrail.org.uk

Govia/Great Northern

www.thameslinkrailway.com

The Trainline Stagecoach Potholes, Highways problems, etc.

www.thetrainline.com www.stagecoachbus.com/Cambridge http://www2.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/HighwaysReports/ Highways/ReportProblem1.aspx or in an emergency tel 0345 045 5212

Streetlights (faulty)

Report on SCDC website. For urgent faults use (01954) 713000 - Mon-Fri, 8am-5.30pm. Out of office hours: (01354) 65432. Give location, fault & SC or CCC no.

Melbourn Surgery Addenbrooke’s NHS

(01763) 260220 (01223) 245151 111 (24 hour non-emergency number)

Childline

Community Transport Home-Start Melbourn Time Bank Mind (mental health) Samaritans

0800 1111 (24 hours) Cambridge: 0344 848 7979 Royston: 03444 111 444 www.citizensadvice.org.uk (01763) 245228; www.roytrans.co.uk (01763) 262262; www.hsrsc.org.uk (01763) 263303; https://tol2.timebanking.org/melbourn 0300 123 3393 (9am-6pm M-F); www.mind.org.uk 116 123 (24 hours); www.samaritans.org

General Emergency Gas Electricity Anglian Water Cambridge Water

999 or 112 0800 111 999 0800 783 8838 03457 145145; www.anglianwater.co.uk (01223) 706050; www.cambridge-water.co.uk

Crimestoppers

S Cambs Fire & Rescue

0800 555 111; crimestoppers-uk.org 101; www.cambs.police.uk Report issues: www.contactcambspolice.uk (01480) 444500; www.cambsfire.gov.uk

Melbourn Hub

(01763) 263303; www.melbournhub.com

Taxi (Butler Meltax)

(01763) 244444; 212223

Citizens Advice Bureau

Police

For details of village groups & facilities see the Meldreth Today section www.meldrethhistory.org.uk. Meldreth Matters Team: Chairman: Lesley Farbridge 261578; Editor & Layout: Kathryn Betts 268428; Proof-reading: Ken McLean 261243; Treasurer, Secretary & Trade Advertising: Beverley Cottrell 262176; Advertising Layout: Richard Burns 263121; Editorial Assistant: Robin Farbridge; Distribution: Lesley Pemberton 07798586875 and Maggie Smith 260378; Founder: Ann Barnes Meldreth Matters is available online at issuu.com (search for Meldreth)

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Advertising Rates Size Half page Quarter page Eighth page/banner Business listing per line

per issue £27.25 £16.50 £8.75

6 months £134.00 £74.00 £43.00 £11.00

12 months £216.00 £118.00 £65.00 £16.00

Occasional full page advertising features are also available on request. For all advertising enquiries, please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com or telephone Beverley Cottrell on (01763) 262176.

Index to Advertisers Meldreth Matters depends entirely on advertising revenue to cover its production costs. Please mention Meldreth Matters when contacting our advertisers. A10 Timber .....................................34 AngliEAR Hearing ...........................37 Art of Clean .....................................23 Art of Clean Wood ..........................25 Aurora Meldreth Manor (Job) ..........18 Baby Sitter .......................................15 Bury Lane Farm Shop .....................28 CHS Day Centre ...............................2 CHS Group ......................................43 The Country Store ...........................54 County Broadband ..........................22 Ely Design Group ............................10 Eternit Sports and Social Club .........43 Eve Construction .......................Cover Huw Shortle Window Cleaning .......25 iPlaster ...........................................2 Jackson Cox Opticians ....................15 Lawn Partners ..................................10 The Letting Centre ...........................40 Little Hands Nursery School ............54 Melbourn Auto Services ...................28

Melbourn Flooring ..........................34 Melbourn Village College ................53 Meldreth Landscapes .......................21 Meldreth Motor Company ..............55 Meldreth Plant Hire ...................Cover Moncraft Computers .......................21 N J Chapman, gardening .................21 Newlings of Royston Funeral Service 2 Nigel Wigg Home Improvement ......33 P D Property Services ........................2 Penn Farm Physiotherapy ................33 Queen Bee .................................Cover Richard Burns Electrician ..................2 Rod’s PC Support ............................18 Sage Blinds and Interiors ..................35 Slimming World ........................Cover Sparky’s ...........................................21 Specialist Dental Partners .................55 Trademark Kitchens ........................10 Travel Counsellors ...........................33 Village Garden Services ...................23 60

MELDRETH PLANT HIRE TEL: 01763 262738

DIGGERS, DUMPERS, BREAKERS, WACKERS, ROTAVATORS. AVAILABLE FOR DAILY OR WEEKLY HIRE. WWW.MELDRETHPLANT.CO.UK

EVE CONSTRUCTION LTD Experienced professional local builder

Extensions, garden rooms, home office, alterations, structural work, carpentry, block drives, landscaping, and all types of general building work Contact Mark 07889 669138 | 01223 264909 enquiries@eveconstruction.co.uk www.eveconstruction.co.uk

What’s on in Meldreth? Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th June Jubilee Scarecrow Fes val meldrethscarecrow@gmail.com

Friday 3rd June, 11.30am Jubilee Community Church Fete, Holy Trinity Church

Sunday 5th June, noon to 5.00pm Big Jubilee Lunch Grounds of the Bri sh Queen

Sunday 5th June, 2.00-6.00pm Live streaming of the Pla num Pageant Teas, recollec ons and pictures Meldreth Village Hall See our centre pages Jubilee Weekend supplement for full details Meldreth Matters is printed by Plumridge Printers 41 High St Linton 01223 891407