Meldreth Matters, March 2025

March 2025

In this issue …

Greenway & Traffic Calming Footpath Closure: Flambards

Events include…

Comedy Night Quiz Night Table Top Sale Soup & Puddings Lunch

Bringing Our Community Together This March!

As the golden shades of the season warm our villages, we share an exciting line-up of events to connect, celebrate, and indulge. Here’s what’s coming up at the Royal Oak this month Tuesday, March 4th—New Spring Menu: Our fresh spring menu launches this March. Look out for Crispy Hen Eggs, Pork Tenderloin, a decadent Dark Chocolate & salted Caramel Tart.

Thursday 13th March—Mexican Street Food Night: Spice up your evening with a vibrant meal starting at 5.30 pm! Book now to enjoy the festive flavours and lively atmosphere.

Sunday 16th March – Comedy Night with Sean Harrison Get ready to laugh the night away! Join us for a hilarious evening with comedian Sean Harrison. Arrivals begin at 6.30 pm, and tickets are just £6 per person. Book your spot online!

Thursday 20th March – Afternoon Tea 2.30 pm - 4 pm Indulge in a delightful Afternoon Tea experience! £22 per person – includes four sandwiches, two scones, sweet treats, and tea £27 per person – includes all the above plus a glass of fizz to make it extra special Sunday 30th March – Mother's Day Celebration Celebrate the special people in your life with an unforgettable day at the Royal Oak. We are serving food from 11.45 am to 7 pm; Enjoy the magic with our Magician Andy from 12.30 pm to 4 pm. Don’t miss out – reserve your spot today and make her day unforgettable!

What’s Next?

The fun doesn’t stop there! Stay tuned for upcoming events like our Easter Pudding Night and an evening of intrigue with our Murder Mystery experience in May.

01223 870791

royaloak@cambscuisine.com ROakBarrington

Contents Melbourn Hub 26 Volunteering at Wimpole

What’s On in March Comedy Night 14 Mel Footpath Working Group 3 Quiz Night 10 Soup & Puddings Lunch 10 Things to do in March 22-23 Table Top Sale 10

Gardening and Nature A Meldreth Garden 16-17 River Mel Footpath 3 Cookery In Praise of … 18-19

Village Groups Cycling Club 13 Croquet Club 4 Friends of Holy Trinity 5 Meldreth Village Hub 7 Photographic Club 9 Women’s Group 11 Village News & Issues Greenway Update & Traffic Village Hall Update 14 Children & Education Activities for Families

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Local Government Footpath Closure 4 Local Councillors 31-33 Parish Council 28-29 Planning 37 Advice/Information Advertisers’ Index 40 CADS 33 Home-Start 19, 37 Mobile Warden Scheme 9 Police Advice 35 Refuse Collections 20 Rogue Trading 10 Village Directory 38-39

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Miscellaneous Community Rail Partnership 36 Comberton Ramblers 36 Easter Market 3

This month’s cover picture: Photograph of River Mel 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 You do need to read your Meldreth Matters when it hits your letter box since there are several events in early March including a Soup & Puddings lunch on 1st March at Holy Trinity Meldreth, a Comedy Night at MVH on 8th March and pancakes at Meldreth Hub on 4th March Shrove Tuesday.

There is a Greenway engagement event on 3rd March, dealing with traffic calming measures in context of the 20mph speed limit roll out in 2025.

Volunteers are needed to work on River Mel path and to help at Wimpole Hall in the farm and restaurant; Meldreth Village Hall would also welcome volunteers.

Robin Farbridge

Meldreth Matters Assistant Editor

Easter Market Meldreth Village Hall Sunday 6th April 10.00am - 3.00pm This is the event to attend if you would like to browse and/or buy Easter gifts from our very talented crafters and artists at Meldreth Village Hall.

Goods available include pure hand-poured scented candles, grass heads, pet portraits, fabric and upcycled items, silver and ceramic jewellery, mosaic novelties, retro/vintage ware and much more.

Home-Start is providing refreshments for purchase throughout the day and Meldreth PTA will have a stall to raise much-needed funds for the Primary School, so please do come along and support them. Admission, as always, is free!

Lesley Farbridge 07917 065465 lesleyfarbridge@hotmail.com

River Mel Footpath Working Group On Saturday 8th March a working party of local volunteers supported by the 1st Orwell Scout Group, will be spreading wood chippings along the path by the River Mel from Flambards to the water mill between 9.30am and 11.00am.

If you would like to help maintain this invaluable local asset, please call me on (01763) 260079 for more details or just turn up.

We will be meeting by the river behind the British Queen at 9.30am.

Martin Berry 3

Meldreth Croquet Club New Site Required Meldreth Croquet Club has played on the lawn behind the British Queen for over 20 happy and successful years which included winning the East Anglia Croquet Federation golf croquet championship three times and, in the last two years, reaching the semi-final and final of the Federation Shield which is a national competition for some of the best golf croquet teams in England. In addition, we run two U3A sessions a week through nine months of the year. We have been asked to vacate our present site by the end of this year and need to find a new home. We have been looking for a possible new site and would welcome any suggestions as to where, in and around Meldreth, it might be possible to re-locate.

A croquet lawn requires an area 36m x 30m (approximately the size of a bowling green). Suggestions please to either Robert Skeen (robertskeen@email.com) or Janet Pope (popejackson77@outlook.com). Thank you.

Roger Wallbridge (Meldreth Croquet Club team captain)

Footpath, Flambards Close, Temporary Prohibition Of Use, Order 2025-246, Thurs 27th February 2025 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 pedestrian from proceeding along Footpath Flambards Close, Meldreth as lies between number 42 and Flambards Close. Access will be maintained to properties affected by this order. The alternative route for pedestrians will be as signed. The Order is made to facilitate fire hydrant repairs and associated works being carried out on or near this highway, and will come into operation on 19th March 2025, continuing until these works have finished, or 18th September 2025, whichever is earlier. It is anticipated that these works will be carried out between 19th March and 21st March 2025.

The Order shall not apply to any persons lawfully engaged in connection with works for which it is made, any member of the Police Force, Fire and Rescue Service, Ambulance Service, or a vehicle being used by Special Forces during the execution of their duties, or any person acting with the permission, or upon the direction of, a Police Officer in uniform.

Frank Jordan, Executive Director, Place and Sustainability New Shire Hall, Emery Crescent, Enterprise Campus Alconbury Weald, Huntingdon, PE28 4YE

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Friends of Holy Trinity Church Meldreth www.foht.org.uk FOHT Burns night supper Friday 24th January This was the second time FOHT has run a Burns night and this year’s event was truly memorable. Fun, excellent food and much else was enjoyed by the punters who came in their kilts, tartan trousers, skirts and highland scarves. We had put together a formidable team to cook and serve the food, headed by Jane O’Hagan.

Altogether 36 people had a great evening.

We started with a glass of Prosecco with excellent canapés, then processed into the Meeting Room where Ian McPhee addressed the haggis, and Ian McCaig gave the Selkirk Grace. The first course, haggis from Leech’s and neaps with a whiskey sauce, went down very well. Vegetarian haggis was on offer, and cranberry sauce and mustard too.

The traditional Cranachan (fresh raspberries, cream, whiskey, toasted oats and meringue with a red berry sauce) followed. Pauline Penfold had cooked a beautiful ‘Mary Berry’ version of Cranachan to loud applause by all the guests.

Peter Chilvers gave a splendid toast to the lassies followed by a very good reply from Kate Birkett to the laddies. Amusing poems by Robbie Burns and others, accompanied by coffee and chocolates, completed the evening.

With many thanks to all those who supported us and the team who made the evening possible. We hope to have raised over £650.00 Julie Draper

Future events At the time of writing, the talk on Conservation and Development in Madagascar

by Dr. Jane Wilson-Howarth is a week away on 20th February. We have no events scheduled for March. Several ideas for future events are being considered and we hope to have news about these in the next magazine.

Ian Mitchell, Vice Chair FOHT ianmmeldreth@gmail.com 07726 936635

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Melbourn Greenway update; What’s changing and how you can get involved Improvements to the way people can travel into and out of Melbourn and Meldreth will be through the Melbourn Greenway, a walking and cycling highway improvement scheme being delivered by the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP). The proposals have been developed in collaboration with residents, the parish council and other stakeholders. The GCP wishes again to hear their views on some changes to the Greenway. The changes have been made to complement the existing 20mph zones in Melbourn and the planned 2025 implementation of a 20mph zone in Meldreth. The new proposals will create a safer space for all road users and better meet the village needs.

Introducing speed humps in Meldreth and Melbourn The GCP’s updated plans include speed humps rather than red surfacing, which will help ensure vehicles can safely stay within the new speed limits. Speed humps are proven to more successfully self-enforce speed limits, whereas psychological features, such as red surfacing, can have varying degrees of speed reduction.

You’ll know that some speed bumps can be quite abrupt and so after careful consideration, our proposed designs recommend installing flat top speed humps, which provide a smoother crossing for large vehicles while still being effective at slowing down traffic.

Date for your diaries: Monday 3rd March 2025 online engagement event We recognise that any changes to the roads will have an impact on you and that is why you’re invited to take part in an online engagement event. The transport team will be there to explain the technical aspects of the project, answer questions and listen to your views. If you have concerns about how the changes might affect your daily routine or if you simply want to learn more about how these speed humps will work, this is an opportunity to find out more. The event will be a virtual session and it will also be recorded. Registration details will be published on the Melbourn Greenway page of the GCP’s website available through this QR code, or by visiting: www.greatercambridge.org.uk and searching for ‘Melbourn Greenway’. Registration details will also be shared with Meldreth Parish Council. If you have specific access requirements to join online, please contact the team at: hello@greatercambridge.org.uk or (01223) 699906. For those who can’t join the online event, copies of the proposals will be left with the MPC. By taking part in this engagement event, you can help shape the future of your village’s roads, ensuring they are both safer and more suitable for all users. We look forward to hearing from those of you who can join us at the online event.

James McCollum James McCollum@ barleycommunications.co.uk 6

Meldreth Village Hub Every Tuesday and Thursday 12.00 - 3.00pm Community Room, Elin Way (not the Village Hall) Your friendly Village Hub continues to meet every week. It’s a warm and comfortable environment. The food is pretty good too! FREE lunches on Tuesdays and FREE refreshments on Thursdays. Come and join in with the chit chat, board games, ongoing jigsaw, music or simply sit and enjoy the company. If you have any questions, for example on Attendance Allowance, school/child concerns, Blue Badges, Winter Fuel Allowance, or anything that you are unsure about, please get in touch; all chats will be in complete confidence.

For Your Diary: Tuesday 4th March Shrove Tuesday and pancakes for lunch!

After lunch at 2.00pm, there will be a talk by the local Police on Rogue Trading.

See poster on page 10.

We couldn’t provide the lunches and fun activities if it wasn’t for our amazing volunteers. Would you like to join our friendly team? We can be very flexible around your availability; we all have other commitments and family always come first!

Looking forward to meeting you, and if you have any questions, please get in touch.

Helen Meridew – Lead Volunteer hmeridew@btinternet.com 07787 734973 (Donations gratefully received)

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Melbourn and District Photographic Club melbournphotoclub.com The programme for March is as follows: 4th

How I do my Macro

Lecture by Darron Matthews

11th Travelogue Retrospective Lynne & Dave Cole John & Sue McDowall 18th Artistic Competition

Judged by Jonathan Vaines

25th Print of the Year

Judged by Jonathan Vaines

Meetings are held weekly from 7.30pm - 9.30pm on Tuesdays at Foxton Village Hall from September to April. The Club has a diverse membership, with roughly equal numbers of men and women, and has a friendly atmosphere. We welcome new members, whatever their ability. For details about the Club and to see some of our work, visit our website at: melbournphotoclub.com. If you are interested in joining, we are happy for you to join up to two meetings free of charge before deciding.

Peter North, Secretary

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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Melbourn and Meldreth Women’s Group We are a small friendly group who meet on the 4th Tuesday of each month.

Meetings commence at 7.45pm and are either held at ASCH Melbourn or Holy Trinity meeting Room Meldreth. Meetings last about one and a half hours and we either have a speaker or some in-house entertainment. A charge of £2 is made to cover expenses and there is also the opportunity to donate to the charity pot.

We then have refreshments and the chance to chat with one another. Our January meeting was our AGM when we very much enjoyed a ‘Bring and Share’ supper.

We also voted for the charity that we will support this coming year which is the Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust. In February we had a talk which was entitled ‘Early Lent reflection’. Our March meeting will take place on Tuesday 25th at Melbourn and our speaker will be Pat Rivers-Latham. One of our committee members, namely Mary Purdy, is retiring due to ill health and we would like to thank her for the support she has given.

If you require any information about the group or a lift to a meeting, or even to join us on the committee, do telephone one of our committee members. They are Diane Blundell (01763) 221415, Sue Toule (01763) 260955, Angela Leach (01763) 262793, Janet Backer (01763) 221492 and Mary Bailey (01763) 220171.

We hope to see you soon.

Angela Leach

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The Hazards of Winter Cycling After a pretty miserable, damp and wet summer and autumn, we are now facing some plunging temperatures, with the occasional bright day. We have been pretty fortunate with our Tuesday rides so far, apart from some of us running low on battery power; one just has to make sure you are fully charged to cope with strong breezes and head winds! Sadly, more pot holes seem to be opening up and there has been extensive flooding, particularly in Malton Lane and Barrington, where re-routing has been a challenge for our leaders. Recently, we have had to cancel rides because of this and resorted to our motor cars, to still meet up somewhere for a coffee and a good ‘cheerful jaw’! Maybe some of our group received unexpected cycle-related surprises e.g. a new ‘steed’ or enhancements for their existing one.

Hope you have all had an enjoyable festive season. With all good wishes for 2025.

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Meldreth Village Hall Trustees’ Update www.meldrethvillagehall.co.uk It’s been a busy month at the village hall and our diary is very full with regular club sessions as well as bookings for parties, wedding receptions, social gatherings and fund-raising events.

Village Halls Week from 17th to 23rd March, celebrates and supports the efforts of volunteers who keep these important community buildings open. Did you know that 88% of England’s 10,000+ village halls are charities, run almost entirely by volunteers? Half of all halls say they are concerned about recruiting volunteers, in particular younger people. Meldreth Village Hall is no exception and we welcome volunteers of any age to help us. You don’t have to volunteer to be a Trustee, and we are on the lookout for people to assist in any way they can.

You could help organise a fundraiser, help maintain the building or possibly offer your professional services like plumbing or electrical work.

Aside from volunteering, financial donations would be much appreciated. MVH is a registered charity and our income is limited and grants are hard to get. For further information please contact Andrew Young, Thomas Bennet, David Coton at chair@meldrethvillagehall.co.uk, or secretary@meldrethvillagehall.co.uk Fund-raising events at the hall this month Table Top Sale On Saturday 15th March from 9.00 am to 12.30pm. Plenty of bargains, a raffle, and the Village Hall Trust will have its own table. If you have any bric-a-brac that is in good order/complete to donate, please contact Andrew on 07572 553647. (Sorry, no books or clothes).

Village Hall Quiz On Friday 28th March, starting at 7.30pm. Tables will be for up to six people, £8 per person. If you can’t raise a table or have more than 6 friends who want to come, please contact us. We will have a licensed bar and raffle.

To book a table, please contact Andrew at: chair@meldrethvillagehall.co.uk, Thomas at secretary@meldrethvillagehall.co.uk or call 07572 553647. Every penny raised from the Quiz, raffles and the Trust’s table at the Table Top Sale will go towards the running of the Village Hall.

Comedy Night Melbourn Football Club are holding a Comedy Night on Saturday 8th March. Some tickets still available from www.eventbright.com.

For further details on events at the Village Hall, please see the calendar in Meldreth Matters, check out the village notice boards, or look at our website www.meldrethvillagehall.co.uk or Facebook page @MeldrethVillageHall. To book the Village Hall, please use the website: www.meldrethvillagehall.co.uk. If you don’t have access to the Internet or email please contact Andrew, Thomas or David.

Andrew Young Chair, Meldreth Village Hall Trust 14

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A Meldreth Garden ameldrethgarden.co.uk March provides much promise and celebration of the return of colour to our gardens. The browns, greys and oranges of winter are now over and spring is on its way. It is always a delight to see the nascent buds emerging from hitherto dormant plants, providing hope for things to come. New spikes of leaf from alliums, iris and hosta, and the unfurling crosiers of ferns. Flowering species in my garden this month include daffodil, crocus, spring snowflake, Leucojum vernum, viola, iris and primula. Most of these flowers in the spring garden are woodland or woodland margin plants that flower and seed before overbowering trees and shrubs set leaf. Plants occupying this niche have all the pollinators to themselves at this time of year; settling into hibernation in the long hot summer, we hope. This month will also see wild cherry and blackthorn, Prunus spinosa, in full flower in the hedgerows.

Vegetables to sow in March include chard, Chinese broccoli, lambs’ lettuce, leeks, mizuna, mustard, pak choi, radish and spinach. If you have the space, many flowers and vegetables can be sown in seed trays in the greenhouse, and plants potted-on and planted-out when the weather allows. I do this with many flowers and all brassicas, onions, leeks and beetroot. Flowers to sow in March include candy tuft, Chinese forget-me-nots, Cynoglossum amabile, nasturtiums, annual poppy and sweet rocket. Sow coreopsis, cosmos, nicotinia, sunflowers and tagatees in seed trays to grow-on before planting out.

It's important to wait until the soil has warmed up before sowing flower and vegetable seeds outside, rather than sticking slavishly to recommended dates.

Seeds will germinate more reliably and easily catch up on those committed to a chilly earth. Two thirds of my tomato seedlings damped off because I pricked them out too early; they had insufficient root and were then left in a cool room while I was away on holiday. I have now sown more seed, with plenty of time to catch up. From March it should be okay to plant out hardy annuals, but halfhardy plants should be grown under protection and planted out when the risk of frost is past. With hardy plants you can always sow more seed if first sowings don't make it. Sowing from seed provides a greater range of available cultivars, you have a lot more control over form, colour, size, height, and fragrance etc, and the plants will work better in your garden, fulfilling your garden design. With seed, the cost is much less than buying plants, but takes time.

Check on any winter damage and whether plants have died or need serious remediation, division or moving. My overwintering geraniums were killed by frost. Then think about staking and support; the likes of delphiniums, dahlias and peonies will need support, which should be put in early to maintain a naturalistic effect. Later in the year, yarrow, flax, sedum and phlox etc, will need support too. You will know the plants in your garden that require staking. I use canes cut from black bamboo, Phyllostachys nigra, and yellow bamboo, Phyllostachys 16

aureosulcata f. aureocaulis, as these look more natural than plastic, steel or aluminium supports. Do not tie supports in too tightly, and use a figure of eight so the string passes between stake and plant.

A garden needs variations in leaf shape and colour, and some spiky plants I have are; American agave, Agave americana, which is frost tender and needs to be taken up each year; Spanish dagger ‘Yucca gloriosa’, which has wonderful rosettes of large waxy cream-coloured bells in the summer; and Bears Breeches, ‘Acanthus spinosus’. I have tried to grow New Zealand flax, Formium tenax, with its wonderful straps of colourful leaves but each time it has lasted a season or so and then died; I will not try again. At ground level I grow black grass, Ophiopogon planiscopus, with black narrow, leathery, strap-shaped leaves providing sharp contrast with the green of other plants like Siberian bugloss or ‘Jack frost’, Brunnera macrophylla, which is good for lightening up a shady spot.

Good Gardening Iain McPhee mcpheia1@gmail.com

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In Praise Of … Celery Each month the focus will be on seasonal fruit and vegetables with some recipes to inspire you. This month it is celery, whose green or yellow varieties are available all year round and are plentiful in summer, whereas frost-hardy white celery is available only in winter. Celery stalks need to be cut away from the base and washed thoroughly. Serve trimmed stalks raw with cheese, or chopped into salads to add a refreshing crisp bite. Chopped celery can also be used to flavour stuffing, soups, sauces and stews, or added to a bouquet garni and used in stock. Whole young stalks can be steamed or boiled. White celery is a useful winter vegetable which, at a time when fresh herbs are scarce, can also be used as a garnish.

Celery baked with pancetta and shallots Preheat the oven to 240C/475F/Gas 9. Prepare less than 30 mins, cook 10 to 30 mins. Serves 2.

Ingredients 1 head celery 6 shallots, peeled (and split if the bulbs are dividing) 1 or 2 thyme sprigs 1 rosemary sprig 4 sage leaves 3 slices pancetta or smoked streaky bacon 3 tbsp light olive oil 1 dessertspoon white wine vinegar Salt and freshly milled black pepper Method Begin by removing the tough outer layers of the celery. Pare the outside of the root off, but leave it attached. Cut across the celery about 9cm/3½in from the base. Stand the lower half upright and cut vertically through the centre. Cut each half into 4 to make 8 pieces, keeping them attached to the root. Save a couple of nice leaves, preferably attached to a small stem, and trim the top pieces of celery to a similar length to the base, cutting off any tough and stringy edges. Wash all the pieces and dry them on kitchen paper.

Heat one tablespoon of the oil in a frying pan and lightly brown the celery and shallots, keeping them on the move so they brown evenly. Transfer them to a plate. Increase the heat under the pan, add the pancetta and fry the slices until they're crisp; this will take 2-3 minutes and you'll need to keep turning them. Lay the silicone paper over the baking tray and lightly grease a circle of 23cm/9in on it. Arrange the celery pieces in an attractive shape on the paper, putting the prettiest pieces on the top, adding the shallots, thyme, rosemary and sage leaves amongst them, and seasoning with salt and pepper. Combine the remaining olive oil and wine vinegar, sprinkle the mixture over the vegetables, then the pancetta crumbled into pieces by hand. Fold the silicone paper over and seal it, making pleats all round; you may find a couple of metal paper clips useful here, as it's 18

essential to keep the steam trapped inside. Place the parcel in the pre-heated oven for 20-25 minutes. Carefully unwrap the paper, if necessary using scissors, and serve the vegetables with the juices spooned over.

Celery and celeriac soup Prepare less than 30 mins, cook 30 mins, serves 2.

Ingredients 1 tbsp olive oil 1/4 tsp dried oregano 1 onion, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley 200g celery, chopped 1 large potato peeled & chopped 200g celeriac chopped Salt and pepper 400ml chicken stock 2 slices toasted ciabatta 100ml milk to serve, optional 25ml of cream Method Heat the oil in a saucepan and cook the onion and celery over a low heat for five minutes, until softened. Add the chopped potato and celeriac, ½ tsp salt pinch of white ground pepper and oregano. Add the chicken stock and milk, and simmer for 30 minutes or until soft. Transfer the soup to a blender and liquidise. Add chopped parsley, check seasoning and stir in cream. To serve, place the soup into a bowl with the toasted ciabatta alongside.

Jane O’Hagan

Help Local Families – Partner with Home-Start Local businesses play a crucial role in helping Home-Start Royston, Buntingford & South Cambridgeshire support families facing tough times.

Whether through a Charity of the Year partnership, regular donations or sponsoring a project, your support makes a real impact. You could match employee donations, host fundraising challenges, donate raffle prizes, or offer gifts in kind. There are plenty of ways to get involved!

Supporting Home-Start isn’t just good for families. It’s great for business too.

You’ll strengthen your community, boost staff engagement, and enhance your reputation while making a lasting difference.

Let’s work together to give local children the best possible start in life. Call Paula on (01763) 262262 or email: paula@hsrsc.org.uk to find out how your business can get involved.

Tracy Aggett Fundraising Events Support Manager

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Meldreth Village D Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Refuse Collections Black bins: 11th, 25th Blue & green bins: 4th, 18th

For more information o visit www.mel

Get reminders on your mobile: download the Bin Collections app

9.00-10.00am FS Training 10.00-11.00am F Fitness 10.00-12.00 History Grp 11.00am-12.00 TP Pilates 1.00-3.00pm Hope Active, Comm. Room, Elin Way 4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children (multi classes) 5.00-6.15pm Rainbows 6.30-8.00pm Guides

9.00am-12.00 Food Bank

9.00-10.00am FS Training 10.00-11.00am F. Fitness 11.00am-12.00 TP Pilates 4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children (multi classes) 5.00-6.15pm Rainbows 6.30-8.00pm Guides

9.00am-12.00 Food Bank

9.00-10.00am FS Training 10.00-11.00am F. Fitness 11.00am-12.00 TP Pilates 4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children (multi classes) 5.00-6.15pm Rainbows 6.30-8.00pm Guides

9.00am-12.00 Food Bank

9.00-10.00am FS Training

9.00am-12.00 Food Bank

10.00-11.00 F. Fitness

9.15am-Cycling Club

11.00am-12.00 TP Pilates 4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children (multi classes) 5.00-6.15pm Rainbows

12.00-3.00pm Village Hub 1.30-2.30pm 50+ Aerobics

3

Thurs

9.15am-Cycling Club

4

12.00-3.00pm Village Hub 1.30-2.30pm 50+ Aerobics 7.00-8.00pm Fitness Pilates

9.15am-Cycling Club

9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group 1.30-2.45pm Lift Off Choir 10.00 Said Eucharist for Ash Wednesday 6.00-7.30pm Brownies 6.15-7.15pm Jazzercise 7.30-8.20pm TP Pilates 7.45-9.00pm Bell Ringing

5

10.00-1.15pm 10.30am-3.30p 12.00-3.00pm 2.30-3.30pm T 4.00-5.00 Acro 6.00-6.45pm T 7.00-9.00pm T 7.30pm Parish

9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group 1.30-2.45pm Lift Off Choir 6.00-7.30pm Brownies 6.15-7.15pm Jazzercise 7.30-8.20pm TP Pilates 7.45-9.00pm Bell Ringing

10.00-1.15pm 10.30am-3.30p 12.00-3.00pm 2.30-3.30pm T 4.00-5.00 Acro 6.00-6.45pm T Pilates 7.00-9.00pm T

9.30-11.30am B&T Group 10.45-11.30am Mobile Library 1.30-2.45pm Lift Off Choir 6.00-7.30pm Brownies 6.15-7.15pm Jazzercise 7.30-8.20pm TP Pilates 7.45-9.00pm Bell Ringing

10.00-1.15pm 10.30am-3.30p 12.00-3.00pm 2.30-3.30pm T 4.00-5.00 Acro 6.00-6.45pm T Pilates 7.00-9.00pm T

9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group 1.30-2.45pm Lift Off Choir 6.00-7.30pm Brownies 6.15-7.15pm Jazzercise 7.30-8.20pm Trigger Point Pilates

10.00-1.15pm H 10.30am-3.30p 12.00-3.00pm V 2.30-3.30pm T 4.00-5.00 Acro 6.00-6.45pm T 7.00-9.00pm T

6

10 11 12 13 12.00-3.00pm Village Hub 1.30-2.30pm 50+ Aerobics

7.00-8.00pm Fitness Pilates

9.15am-Cycling Club

17 18 19 20 24 25 26 27 31 12.00-3.00pm Village Hub 1.30-2.30pm 50+ Aerobics 7.00-8.00pm Fitness Pilates

7.00-8.00pm Fitness Pilates

6.30-8.00pm Guides

Church services, Women’s Group meetings, Bell ringing and FOHT events are held in Holy Trinity Ch Bank & Village Hub are in the Community Room in Elin Way. Wise Local Crafters meet at Etern

20

iary - March 2025

sday

Friday

Sunday 9.45am Said Eucharist

on Village Hall classes or events ldrethvillagehall.co.uk

Hartbeeps 9.30am Slimming World pm Crafters Village Hub Toneography o TP Pilates Table Tennis Council

6

Saturday

7

1 9.00am-12.30pm Table Top Sale (see page 10)

8

9.30-11.00am River Mel footpath working group (see page 3) 7.00pm Comedy Night

2 08.00am Said Eucharist

9 9.45am Sung Eucharist

9.30am Slimming World Hartbeeps pm Crafters 12.15-1.45pm Dementia Village Hub Sing-Along Toneography o Trigger Point

3 14 15 16

Table Tennis

Hartbeeps 9.30am Slimming World pm Crafters Village Hub Toneography o Trigger Point

2.00-4.00pm Dementia Memory Café

0 21 22 23

Table Tennis

Hartbeeps pm Crafters Village Hub Toneography o TP Pilates Table Tennis

9.30am Slimming World 7.30pm Quiz Night (see page 10)

7 28 29

30

hurch. The Mobile Library Service visits Bell Close. MLHG meetings, Parish Council meetings, Food nit Sports & Social Club. All other events are held in the Village Hall unless otherwise indicated.

21

Things to do in March Saturday 1st March, 10.00am to 12.00pm Orwell Pannier Market, 36 High Street, Orwell, Cambs SG8 5QN Oldest and one of the biggest village markets in South Cambs, now in its 20th year. Over 25 stalls selling a mix of local produce, artisan foods, local crafts, cards, skincare and horticultural products. Free entry. Refreshments.

Saturday 1st March - Sunday 1st June, 11.00am to 4.00pm Women Artists and Designers Object Trail, Anglesey Abbey, CB25 9EJ A new trail to celebrate those artists and other influential women who have been a key part of Anglesey Abbey’s story. Free entry; usual NT admission applies. Plus, from 17th March to 17th April, 11.00am to 12.00pm and 1.30pm to 2.30pm Specialist Daffodil Tours led by expert garden guide. No booking required but please arrive early. £5 donation welcomed.

Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd March, 10.00am to 4.00pm Rowan’s Secret Postcard Exhibition The Guildhall, Market Square, Cambridge CB2 3QJ Explore anonymous artworks created on 7x5 inch postcard canvases. You won’t know who the artist is until you’ve bought the piece which may be by a first time painter or a well-known professional! Free entry. Supporting Rowan’s work with adults with learning difficulties. www.rowanhumberstone.org.uk.

Tuesday 4th March, 10.00am to Thursday 6th March, 12.00pm Printing Workshop Royston Museum, Lower King Street, Royston SG8 5AL Join talented local artist Liz Beardwell and print your own lino cut designs on the 1855 Royston Crow Newspaper printing press. No prior experience necessary, all abilities welcome. See schedule at: hello@roystonmuseum.org.uk.

Wednesday 5th March, 8.00pm to 9.30pm The Woodman Talk - ‘Women in Intelligence’ by Helen Fry The Woodman Inn, Nuthampstead, Royston, Herts SG8 8NB From the early twentieth century onwards women took on an extraordinary range of roles in intelligence activities, defying the conventions of the time. Across both world wars, they ran spy networks and escape lines, parachuted behind enemy lines and interrogated prisoners. To register: email events@nutwoodpubs.com.

Admission £10 per person.

Sunday 9th March, 11.00am to 4.00pm Cambridge Bead Fair, Harston Village Hall CB22 7PX Beads and pearls for the home jewellery maker. Many semi-precious ones from Mr. Bead, Southampton Bead Shop and other traders. Free entry, parking and refreshments. See: www.beadshop.com/pages/cambridge-bead-fair.

22

Monday 10th March, 9.30am to 12.00pm Monthly Meander - Early Signs of Spring Trumpington Nature Reserve, Grantchester Road, Cambridge CB2 9LJ Two to three mile themed, guided walk to spot signs of the new season; mainly on gravel or grass paths. Bring binoculars as there’s always something exciting to see. Tickets £8.95 members, £11.08 non-members from: www.eventbrite.co.uk.

Park at Byron’s Pool.

Friday 14th March, 6.45pm to 9.00pm Evening with Russell Wate - from Homicide Detective to Crime Author The Old Bull Inn, 56 High Street, Royston SG8 9AW A retired senior detective shares insights from his distinguished career, including his involvement in various high profile cases and how his experiences have shaped his DCI Alexander McFarlane crime fiction series. Tickets £22, to include hot supper, from (01763) 262262 or events@hsrsc.org.uk. Event includes a book signing. Funds raised in aid of Home-Start.

Wednesday 19th March to Friday 4th April, Cambridge Festival Free talks, films, exhibitions, walks and family events. A mixture of online, ondemand and in-person events covering all aspects of world-leading research happening in Cambridge. Full programme from: www.festival.cam.ac.uk.

Thursday 20th March, 10.00am to 5.00pm International Garden Photographer of the Year Exhibition 2024 Cambridge University Botanic Garden 1 Brookside, Cambridge CB2 1JE Explore a selection of stunning images from this exhibition, displayed in large format, outdoors, near the Grass Maze. Free event but normal Botanic Garden admission applies.

Saturday 29th March, 10.00am to 4.00pm Royston Tapestry Day Royston Museum, Lower King Street, King Street, Royston SG8 5AL To mark the 400th anniversary of the death of King James I, get up close to the panel of the Royston Tapestry commemorating the King’s love of hunting in Royston. Free entry; donations welcome. If you feel inspired try your hand at embroidery or get creative with colouring!

Compiled by John Crawforth

MM is Available in Colour Online To view this or past issues online, follow us on: issuu.com/meldrethmatters 23

Things for Children and Families To Do in March Saturday 1st March until Sunday 27th April Shaun the Sheep at Anglesey Abbey, Quy Road, Lode CB25 9EJ Use a trail map and find all twelve of the beautifully decorated sheep sculptures.

Free but normal NT admission. Open 9.30am to 5.00pm (March), 5.30pm in April.

Wednesday 5th March, 9.45am - 10.45am Museum Tots, Royston Museum, 5 Lower King Street SG8 5AL Stories, songs, crafts and activities on a transport theme for under 5s. Book on: www.roystonmuseum.org.uk. £4. See also Museum Babies sessions, at 11.15am.

Thursday 13th March and monthly, 4.00pm - 5.00pm Spark! Art for Teens, Royston Museum, 5 Lower King Street SG8 5AL Each month explore a different technique from collage to shadow painting.

Suitable for 11 to 14 year olds. Materials and guidance provided. £5. Book on: www.roystonmuseum.org.uk/what-s-on.

Saturday 15th March, 12.00pm - 4.00pm Holi Festival, Royston Priory Memorial Gardens, Priory Lane SG8 9DX This annual Hindu festival of colours celebrates the arrival of Spring. Dancing, singing and Indian street food. Free entry. Call (01763) 245484 for details.

Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd March, 10.00am - 5.00pm Thriplow Daffodil Festival, Thriplow village SG8 7RD In aid of local charities. Book tickets on: www.thriplowdaffodils.org.uk. Adults £12, 5 - 16 years £6. Parking £1. Stalls, refreshments, live music and daffodils.

Monday 24th March, 7.30pm Would I Sci to You? Cambridge Junction, Clifton Way CB1 7GX A panel show full of comedy and quick-fire science covering current affairs, mysterious objects and tall tales. For ages 12+. £18. See: www.junction.co.uk.

Friday 28th - Sunday 30th March, 3.00pm - 4.30pm Dobbies’ Mother’s Day Planting and Afternoon Tea Experience Dobbies, Dunsbridge Turnpike, Shepreth SG8 6RA Enjoy a luxury afternoon tea then create an outdoor planter full of spring colour.

Gloves, tools, Cotswold planter and plants provided as well as guidance from the Green Team. £45 per person. Details on www.dobbies.com.

Sunday 30th March, 11.30am or 2.00pm The Farmer and the Clown, Cambridge Junction CB1 7GX A story of unexpected friendship told through physical comedy and dance. For ages 3+. Adults £15, children £11. See: www.junction.co.uk.

Compiled by Hilary Crawforth

24

Volunteering at Wimpole On the Farm: Heavy Horse Department Assistants (Wednesdays and alternate Sundays) Heavy Horse Department Assistants work with the equine team to ensure high standards of animal welfare, husbandry and presentation. They also play a vital role in the upkeep and cleanliness of Home Farm. High standards of hygiene are required in all areas to help us comply with our zoonotic disease control measures.

While working around the farm, they engage with our visitors by being friendly, helpful and by answering general questions.

General Farm Assistants (Weekdays and weekends) General Farm Assistants work with the Farm Team to ensure high standards of animal welfare, husbandry and presentation. They also play a vital role in the upkeep and cleanliness of the Home Farm.

Experience of working with animals is preferred for both roles and volunteers must be dedicated, reliable and able to commit to a day each week, able to volunteer for the whole day (8.00am-3.30pm winter) (8.00am - 4.30/5.00pm summer), physically fit and able, friendly and able to work in a team, to have a flexible approach to working and to be willing to complete a variety of tasks In the Stables Shop: Retail Volunteers (Saturdays). Retail assistants assist in the shop with sales, stock control and the efficient running of the shop.

In our Restaurant and Cafés: Food & Beverage Volunteer: our Food and Beverage volunteers understand the importance of a little sit-down and help visitors to relax, refuel and refresh during their visit to Wimpole.

Food & Beverage Baker Volunteer: imagine a world without cakes! We sell thousands of scones, bread products, tray-bakes and slices of cake every year. We would like to build a strong team of volunteer bakers to work alongside our core team of cooks and chefs.

For further information please email: wimpolehall@nationaltrust.org.uk or visit the website: myvolunteering-National Trust Anne French Senior Volunteering and Community Officer Wimpole Estate

Wanted: Volunteer Drivers Royston & District Community Transport Visit www.roytrans.co.uk or call (01763) 245228 25

Melbourn Hub www.melbournhub.co.uk March at Melbourn Hub Spring is well on its way now and we are excited to have some new, regular services and events, as detailed below. We are always delighted to welcome new customers, just get in touch. Our artist for the month of March will be Regan Hall. You can find out more about all we offer at: www.melbournhub.co.uk What’s on this month Wednesday 5th March 10.00am-12.00pm; Women in Business Network The WIBN is pleased to announce the launch of a new group for South West Cambridgeshire. It aims is to bring together women from different professions who are keen to meet likeminded women, to support the development of each others businesses. Register for the next meeting at: https://wibn.co.uk/page/SouthWest-Cambridgeshire-Networking-Group. For further details on membership please contact Amy Wilkes on 07516 092698 or email Amy.wilkes@wibn.co.uk.

Thursday 6th March; Healthy You Free health checks for those eligible. You can self-refer by calling Healthy You’s contact centre on 0333 005 0093 More details at: https://healthyyou.org.uk/ Monday 10th March 10.00am-12.00pm - Tea and Sign Practise your sign language skills with a cuppa. For more information, contact Sally at: bainessally@hotmail.com Regular Events Every Tuesday - Lunch Club A weekly social gathering for older people to meet and enjoy the company of others over a two course, subsidised meal. Club currently full, but to join our waiting list, please contact Melbourn Hub on (01763) 263303 or email us.

Every Wednesday - Citizens Advice – 9.30am -11.30am A drop-in session - no need to book. Citizens Advice also offer pre-booked appointments in the afternoon. Melbourn Hub is unable to make these bookings for you – please contact Citizens Advice directly.

Every Friday - Relate counselling – 9.00am-12.00pm Offering relationship, autism and personal counselling. To book a session, please contact Relate on (01302) 347886 or: counselling@relatecambridge.org.uk – Melbourn Hub is unable to make these bookings.

Every Friday – Storytime – 10.00am - 10.30am Offering stories and songs for the under 5’s. No need to book.

Linsey Craike on behalf of Melbourn Hub 26

MELDRETH PLANT HIRE TEL: 01763 262738

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

27

Meldreth Parish Council www.meldreth-pc.org.uk Meeting of the Parish Council held on Thursday 6th February 2025 This meeting was held in the Community Room in Elin Way. The main points 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 notice board; these will be presented for approval at the next Council meeting.

District and County Reports The Council thanks our District and County Councillors for their latest report; this can be seen in Meldreth Matters on pages 31 to 33. Questions arising and requests for further information on local issues can be raised directly with our District and County representatives.

Village traffic There is progress with the improvement of signage and markings at the Fenny Lane crossroads, the establishment of a footway between Five Acres and The Boulevard, the installation of our Speed Indicator Devices, issues under review at the War Memorial junction and the roll out of our 20 mph speed limit. In all these projects, we are working closely with County Highways and we will keep the Community fully informed of next stages.

Village maintenance The Council now hopes to accelerate repairs to village infrastructure such as bus shelters and signs, following the clearance of the recreation ground ditch and the gutter repairs at the pavilion. We are also prioritizing the installation of additional bins for waste. and ensuring that bins are best sited for their purposes.

Finance issues Our 2025-2026 precept of £72,000 has been confirmed by SCDC. Recreation Ground issues We are in touch with the SCDC S106 officer to discuss allocations of current and future S106 moneys. When we have a clearer idea of what is possible, we will communicate fully with the local community as it is important to take local opinion into account when planning for the future. A Field Maple tree, provided free of charge through SCDC, has been planted by Councillors at the recreation ground to replace a dead tree. It is a pity that we have to report that we continue to see dog waste on the recreation ground and we urge all dog walkers to keep their dogs on leads, in accordance with notices, as this helps to ensure better observation and control.

Parish burial ground The Council, having confirmed its intention to tidy certain graves and other areas that have become overgrown and to maintain these in good order in the future, are now waiting for quotations to do this work. We would welcome hearing 28

views from the village about this operation, especially from those with family or other connections with the burial ground. We have made good progress with Cambridge Water in investigating the leaking water pipe and hope this can be repaired without too much delay.

Next Parish Council meeting The next meeting will be on Thursday 6th March 2025 at 7.30 pm at the Elin Way Community Room.

Meldreth Parish Council

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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)

goddin@btinternet.com

Cllr Jenni Bone

jenni.bone@hotmail.co.uk

Cllr Adam Bostanci

adam.bostanci.pc@gmail.com

Cllr Glenn Foulger

glenn.foulger51@gmail.com

Cllr Nick Garner

nickphgarner@gmail.com

Cllr Roger James (Vice Ch.) roger+pc@rogerjames.net Cllr Alan Land

conradland@btinternet.com

Cllr James Mossey

j.mossey1211@gmail.com

Cllr Nigel Pellatt

nppellatt56@gmail.com

29

All correspondence should be directed to the Clerk in the first instance

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01763 244955 lawnpartners.co.uk 30

District and County Councillors’ Report Melbourn Energy Superloop You may have heard about this project, which was showcased one weekend in December at a drop-in event held in Melbourn. As the project is still evolving, there may be an opportunity to include homes in Meldreth for energy supply.

Register your interest at: https://melbourn.energysuperloop.co.uk/ Swim for Home-Start – support the Turtles!

Meldreth has a special connection to Home-Start, a charity which supports families experiencing crisis. Home-Start’s office is located at Valley Farm Meldreth. Every Spring they host a swimathon at Royston Leisure Centre, to raise funds: not an Olympic sprint, but a crawl, sidestroke or turtle swim a few laps, as you please. Whatever money we raise through sponsorships is donated to HomeStart. This year’s event is Sunday 27th April in the evening, for one hour between 7.00pm-900pm. If you’d like to join Susan’s Turtles team, please let her know.

Or if you’d like to sponsor the swim, that would be great too.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) The government is inviting district and county councils to produce ideas and submit proposals at the end of March, and then a final business case in the autumn. A daunting task for a total change which will see the winding up of both district and county councils and their reshaping into very large unitary councils.

Costs of reorganisation are expected to be borne by the councils.

Village environmental groups – new opportunities for people and places South Cambs District Council coordinates many opportunities to develop new environmental projects at village and community level, such as local food networks, outreach from the South Cambs recycling scheme, and local forums to engage in Q&A with our MP on zero carbon initiatives. You can read about these in an on-line newsletter by searching: South Cambs District Council Zero Carbon Communities Newsletter.

Some of our neighbouring villages, like Shepreth, Bassingbourn and Whaddon, have seen strong village initiatives, with a sharing of ideas and resources. These include; a swift box corridor that has seen a significant increase in the local population of swifts and which has gained support from various organizations like Kneesworth House Hospital and Bassingbourn Barracks; sustainable food networks; support for active travel and sustainable transport; and an annual showcasing of ideas and community action at the eSustainable Shepreth Eco Fair at Shepreth Village Hall. If you’d be interested in learning more, please feel free to get in touch with any of us and we will point you in the right direction.

GP capacity and population growth Building on earlier work by Jose in securing a S106 contribution that underpinned the evolution of Health at the Melbourn Hub, Susan has been working with the Integrated Care Board (local NHS) and SCDC Planning on a better understanding 31

of blockages to meaningful and appropriate growth in GP provision. The ICB has a statutory duty to oversee primary care provision, but the reality is that processes around planning and development usually fall short, and the complexity of private GP practice within an NHS system sometimes presents insurmountable challenges. Good work is taking place, with constructive collaboration between SCDC planning and a dedicated primary care planning team at the ICB. Community Hubs and NHS support Original funding for the ‘Warm Hubs’ around South Cambs, that evolved into Community Hubs of which Meldreth is a prime example, came from the Integrated Care Board. Further funding was provided for the Village Agents scheme, bringing expertise around benefits information, cost of living support and other advice, to Community Hubs. The ICB has recognized the enormous benefits that the Community Hubs scheme has brought; further ICB initiative is expected and Susan is continuing a dialogue with them about this.

Consultation: Four-day week Sally Ann Hart has been chairing the Staffing and Employment Committee at South Cambs District Council and is especially well placed to answer any questions you may have about the Four-Day Week trial and consultation. Here is information about the consultation; People can now share their views on SCDC’s services during a trial of a four-day week. Anyone anywhere can respond to the full public consultation which started on Monday 27th January and closes at midnight Sunday 23rd March. Please register and search: SCDC Four-Day Week for the online consultation. If you’d prefer a paper copy, please email: communications@scambs.gov.uk or call (01954) 713 000.

Because SCDC and Cambridge City councils share some key services, Greater Cambridge Shared Planning and Greater Cambridge Shared Waste, residents of Cambridge City are also being encouraged to comment on their experiences of using these services.

The information gathered during the consultation will help SCDC Councillors decide on the next steps for the four-day week trial. The consultation has been set up so that residents can share their views on how they have found Council services since January 2023, when the trial began. The Council announced plans to trial a four-day week, where people deliver 100% of their work, in around 80% of their hours, for 100% of their pay, to address acute recruitment and retention issues.

SCDC’s Lead Cabinet Member for Resources, Councillor John Williams, said: “We would really appreciate residents taking the time to respond to this consultation. It’s always been our plan to give residents, businesses, parish and town councils and community groups the chance to share their views. We want to understand your experiences of services you’ve received during our four-day week arrangements. So we are very pleased to have now started that process.

Our approach is designed to ensure those who have used our services during the 32

four-day week arrangements can quickly and easily share their views - though anyone, anywhere is welcome to submit comments.”

The idea of the four-day week at the Council is to help attract and keep talented colleagues in an incredibly competitive local employment market. It is also to help improve services by filling vacant posts permanently, rather than relying on more expensive agency staff. Regularly changing staff, or the use of agency staff to cover, is both costly and disruptive to services for residents. Last summer, an independent report by two universities (Cambridge and Salford) into the Council’s performance during its four-day week trial was published. Of 24 key performance indicators monitored by the Council, the analysis found 22 of these indicators improved or remained the same. Financial assessment of the trial also outlined a known full year cost saving of £371,500. The Council’s opening hours have been maintained so it has been open for business just as it was before the trial, with longer opening hours on Wednesdays too.

Zoom Cuppa drop-in surgery Please let us know if you have any questions, concerns or ideas – we will do our best to respond. Please contact us by phone, email or come along to our weekly drop-in Zoom cuppa surgery on Mondays from 5.00pm to 6.00pm.

Sally Ann Hart and Jose Hales, District Councillor Susan van de Ven, County Councillor

Can You help CADS

By August 2025, CADS will have to leave KJAR and remove our equipment, scenery and costumes etc. This means finding someone to take away our four shipping containers currently on the school site.

Can you help us find someone to do this removal? Or do you know anyone who wants four containers?

Or can you help CADS find a new free or low cost storage space? Please contact us if you can help in any way or would like more information. cadssecretary@gmail.com 33

MELDRETH MATHS TUTOR

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We would definitely recommend Trademark”, Mr & Mrs Stokes, Royston

34

Parking Access Advice Consider where you park!

Motorists are urged to take care when parking their vehicles so they do not prevent our fire engines from attending potentially life-threatening emergencies.

There are some areas around the county that are notorious for motorists parking down both sides of narrow streets, and there have been times when fire engines haven't been able to get past at all. This of course can cause us a significant delay in responding to emergencies where our attendance time is crucial. This is a growing problem due in part to increasing car ownership, reduced or unused resident parking areas, traffic calming schemes and thoughtless parking by some motorists. The problem can be compounded at night and during the school pickup and drop-off times. The average fire engine is 2.6 metres (nine feet) wide and 8 metres (26 feet) long. Therefore, when you park your vehicle in a narrow street, always check you have left enough room for a fire engine to get past.

For more information log on to: www.cambsfire.gov.uk, follow us on social media or call (01480) 444500.

Help your local community – become an on-call firefighter Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service is looking to recruit more on-call firefighters to help local communities by responding to emergencies. On-call firefighters are a vital part of your fire and rescue service. They respond to a wide range of incidents, from fighting fires and attending road traffic collisions to rescuing people and animals in need. They also respond to medical emergencies.

In addition to responding to emergency incidents, on-call firefighters support their communities by providing a range of safety advice helping people to keep safe in their homes. Being an on-call firefighter has many benefits. As well as being paid an annual wage and for the time spent at incidents or training, there are also opportunities to develop first aid skills and heavy goods vehicle driving qualifications.

Find out more about becoming an on-call firefighter by visiting our website: website: https://bit.ly/CFRSOncall Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service PC Repairs Advice & Installation of Home Networks

To advertise in this space, call Beverley Cottrell on (01763)262176 or email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com See our rates on page 44

Help with Selecting a computer Fault Finding Brian Girling 01223 208529 (Wimpole) E-mail bg@moncraft.co.uk We can also provide the following services: Design of brochures, posters, business cards, etc.

A4/A3 laminating • A4 comb-Binding Small print runs on A6 to A3 media

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Meldreth Shepreth and Foxton Community Rail Partnership Wildflower planting along new path If you would like to be involved in helping to create sustainable, biodiverse planting of the verge along the new path between Meldreth Station and Melbourn, please contact Susan. The idea is to monitor the environment of the path (and the ‘Wonderpass’) and keep it in good form, along the lines of what has been achieved at Shepreth, Foxton and Meldreth Stations by volunteer gardeners.

Ramp to Meldreth Station London Platform The Community Rail Partnership is coordinating efforts for funding and delivery of an access ramp connecting the new path to Meldreth’s London bound platform.

Recently we invited our MP Pippa Heylings, Network Rail which owns the station and some of the land required for a ramp, Govia Thameslink Railway, Meldreth Parish Council representatives and the County Council’s Transport Strategy team, to meet at Meldreth Station to explore possibilities. We also invited TTP, The Technology Partnership Melbourn, which has made a developer contribution toward a ramp (as they did for the new path), to encourage their workforce to commute by public transport.

Paintwork on the Wonderpass It has been upsetting to see problems with paint bonding at the Wonderpass. We are looking at next steps to rectify this.

Volunteering?

Do let us know if you or someone you know would like to volunteer, in any capacity including the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme for young people, assisting at Shepreth, Foxton or Meldreth Station gardens.

Susan van de Ven and Sarah Grove Meldreth Shepreth and Foxton Community Rail Partnership

Comberton Ramblers 50 Years Old 1974 - 2024 Do you enjoy the outdoors and have recently found yourself with more time on your hands? How about joining the Comberton Ramblers. We are a friendly group that enjoys walking, making new friends, and seeing beautiful countryside and wildlife throughout Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Suffolk & Essex. We walk alternative Sundays between 5 – 7 miles. You are welcome to join us on any two of our walks to see if our group is for you. Then, once you have enjoyed the views, fun, exhilaration, it is just a case of becoming a member. Annual membership membership fee is £10.00 per person. No dogs are allowed except assistance dogs. For further information please contact me by email:stella.hardwicke2274@hotmail.com or telephoning (01954) 210049 mobile 07930 951703.

Stella Hardwicke, Secretary 36

Planning Matters Meldreth Parish Council There were no minutes available from recent planning meetings. Planning meeting minutes may be viewed on the Parish Council’s website: www.meldreth-pc.org.uk Planning Authority Decisions 25 Whitecroft Road (shop), Meldreth 4/01403/CLUED Certificate of lawfulness under S191 for the existing use of land for storing of 8 caravans. Decided, Certificate granted.

128 High Street, Meldreth 25/0017/TTCA Belated 5-day notice for T2 Beech that failed during a storm in Nov 2024.

Decided, No objection.

Details of all applications and Planning Authority decisions can be viewed online: https://applications.greatercambridgeplanning.org/online-applications.

The Meldreth Matters Team

www.meldrethhistory.org.uk Over 720 pages on Meldreth, past and present

Home-Start event; How to catch a murderer An evening with Russel Wate, retired homicide detective and crime author On Friday 14th March at The Old Bull Inn, Royston. Time: 6.45pm for a 7.00pm start. The talk covers a little bit about the career of Russel Wate, as a uniform officer and then as a senior homicide detective. Before retirement, he worked as the senior investigating officer in over 100 major crime cases, not only murders (including the Soham murders of two 10 year old girls, Holly and Jessica) but also international kidnapping cases and large-scale paedophile enquiries. He is known both nationally and Internationally for his work relating to the investigation of child deaths and safeguarding children. Russell is also the author of four crime novels with the fictional detective, 'The DCI Alexander McFarlane crime series', in which he weaves his investigative knowledge with his love of travel.

Tickets are £22, to include a hot supper: Lasagne, Chicken Curry or vegetable casserole, veggie options available. To book your ticket/s please call (01763) 262262 or email events@hsrsc.org.uk Tracy Aggett Home Start Royston, Buntingford & South Cambridgeshire Fundraising Events Support Manager www.hsrsc.org.uk

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Village Directory Neighbourhood Watch

Mick Taylor—(01763) 261118 Laura Elvin—(01763) 261084 meldrethnhw@gmail.com

One Stop Village Hall Bookings

(01763) 262158, open 7am-10pm, 7 days Book online: www.meldrethvillagehall.co.uk

Village Hall Chairman

Andrew Young—07572 553647

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 Nicole Searle—(01763) 269561

Sport

Bowls Club Croquet Club Table Tennis Tennis Club

David Rich—(01763) 262116 Janet Pope—(01763) 248239 Christine Knight—(01763) 261676 (01763) 243376; http://cspark.at/Meldr2

Church

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Vicar Bells Ian Mitchell (Friends) Churches Together

Rev Andrew Birks—(01763) 230178 Jayne White—jayne.white1@ntlworld.com 07726 936635; www.foht.org.uk

Councils & Govt.

Children

Clubs & Societies

Facilities

Litter Picker

Rev Andrew Birks—(01763) 230178

Baby & Toddler Group Julia Moore—07403 462198 Brownies (1st Meldreth) Email: 1stmeldrethbrownies@gmail.com Email: 1stmeldrethguides@gmail.com Guides (1st Meldreth) Kelly@hartbeeps.com Hartbeeps 1stmeldrethrainbows@gmail.com Meldreth Rainbows Pre– and Primary School (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

(01954) 713000; www.scambs.gov.uk/

County Councillor

Susan van de Ven—07905 325574 https://susanvandeven.mycouncillor.org.uk/

County Council Offices

0345 045 5200; www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/ Pippa Heylings; Pippa.heylings.mp@parliament.uk

MP

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Hours: Mon - Fri 7.00-11.15am, 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

Report on SCDC website. For urgent faults use (01954)

Health

Melbourn Surgery Addenbrooke’s NHS

(01763) 260220 (01223) 805000 or (01223) 245151 111 (24 hour non-emergency number)

Childline Citizens Advice Bureau Community Support for Dementia Community Transport Home-Start Melbourn Time Bank Meldreth Food Bank Meldreth Village Hub Mind (mental health) Samaritans

0800 1111 (24 hours) 0808 2787808; www.citizensadvice.org.uk Davina Biswell 07961 574104 or Stephanie Trayhurn 07710 198299 (01763) 245228; www.roytrans.co.uk (01763) 262262; www.hsrsc.org.uk (01763) 263303; https://tol2.timebanking.org/melbourn Jo—07572 443522 Helen Meridew—07787 734973 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 Police

0800 555 111; crimestoppers-uk.org 101; www.cambs.police.uk

S Cambs Fire & Rescue

(01480) 444500; www.cambsfire.gov.uk

Melbourn Hub

(01763) 263303; www.melbournhub.com

Royston Taxis

(01763) 0250811

Misc.

NonEmerg.

Streetlights (faulty)

Support Services

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

Emergencies

Transport

Station Ticket Office

713000 - Mon-Fri, 8am-5.30pm. Out of office hours: (01354) 65432. Give location, fault & SC or CCC no.

For details of village groups & facilities see the Meldreth Today section at www.meldrethhistory.org.uk.

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Advertising Rates Size per issue Half page £27.25 Quarter page £16.50 Eighth page/banner £8.75 Business listing per line

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 on advertising revenue to cover its production costs.

Please mention Meldreth Matters when contacting our advertisers.

A10 Timber .......................................8 AngliEAR Hearing ............................2 Art of Clean ....................................12 Art of Clean Wood ..........................29 Aurora Meldreth Manor (Job) .........11 Bury Lane Farm Shop .................Cover CHS Day Centre ..............................12 CHS Group ...............................Cover The Country Store ...........................29 Davey’s Butchers .............................34 Eve Construction .............................7 Lawn Partners .................................30 Little Hands Nursery School ............8 Melbourn Auto Services ..................12 Melbourn Flooring ..........................30 Melbourn Village College .................15

Meldreth Landscapes ........................8 Meldreth Maths Tutor ....................33 Meldreth Motor Company ................2 Meldreth Plant Hire ........................27 Moncraft Computers .......................35 N J Chapman, gardening .................12 Newlings of Royston Funeral Service 8 Penn Farm Physiotherapy ................13 Queen Bee .......................................15 Richard Burns Electrician ...................8 Rod’s PC Support .......................Cover The Royal Oak, Barrington ........Cover Sage Blinds and Interiors .................30 Sinclair Electrical ............................17 Specialist Dental Partners ................27 Trademark Kitchens ........................34

The 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 Assistants: Robin Farbridge, David Marsh; Distribution: Sharon Dunford 07415 171295 Founder: Ann Barnes Meldreth Matters is available in colour online at https://issuu.com/meldrethmatters

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Moorlands Court

Local Community Services

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

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Doors open at 6:30 for live local band Just Cruzin'. Only £3 entry. Children are welcome to make it a nice family vibe for all of the generations. For tickets please contact the Eternit Sports & Social Club or contact Lucy on 07510 175370

Meldreth Matters is printed by Plumridge Printers 41 High St Linton 01223 891407