October 2026
In this issue …
Events include ...
Primary School Swifts Need Your Help Tennis Club Wonderpass
FOHT Himalayan Sky Talk Holy Trinity Auction of Promises NHW AGM Village Hall Quiz Night
Specialist Physiotherapists Keeping You Active 01223 874433 pennfarmphysio.com
Haslingfield Scan for an appointment
ROYAL OAK MATTERS October Fun Awaits! As summer draws to a close & autumn is on its way, there are plenty of reasons to gather with your neighbours, from cider to charity quizzes, community fun for all ages. Last Days of the Old Tuck Shop Thursday, 1st - Friday, 2nd October Don't miss your chance to say a fond farewell to our beloved old Tuck Shop! Come along, soak up the memories & grab a slice, because pizzas won't be back until next summer. Our First Cider & Sausage Festival Saturday 10th October Kick off the month right enjoy a delicious selection of ciders & sausages while tapping your feet to live music from Steve Strawhead (2-4 pm) & the Liquid Spirit band (6-8 pm). you won't want to miss it! Bingo for a Good Cause Monday, October 12th | 7 - 8 pm | £5 pp Join Stella for a fun-filled Bingo Night: The Return! An evening of laughs & a little friendly competition, & supporting a wonderful cause. Funds for Forget-Me-Not: close to our hearts, here in Barrington. Half-Term Treats for the Kids Monday 26th - Friday, October 29th Calling all families! During half-term week, kids eat free at The Royal Oak! Simply order an adult main course, & up to two children aged 11 & under can eat free (not valid with other offers). Kids Mini Masterpiece Halloween Wednesday, October 28th | 3.30 -5pm | £12pp -2.5 to 11 years old Bring the kids to our first Kids Mini Masterpiece: pumpkin painting & decorating, Spooky plaster character painting, mini suncatchers, scratch art masks, & collage materials too, with a drink & cake! Quiz Night for Charity Sunday, October 25th | 6-8pm | £2pp Put your thinking caps on for our Charity Quiz Night, hosted by our in-house QuizMaster. Test your trivia knowledge while raising funds for Forget-Me-Not. Grab your friends & family & come along! Time to Book Your Christmas Party! We know it feels early, but our Christmas party calendar is filling up fast. For a family gathering or an office celebration, let us help make it merry and bright. Contact our team today to secure your date! Amelie & The Royal Oak Team
01223 870791
royaloak@cambscuisine.com ROakBarrington
Contents
What’s On in Meldreth This Month Auction of Promises 18-19 FOHT Himalayan Talk 7 Village Hall Quiz Night 4 & cover
Gardening and Nature A Meldreth Garden 24-25 Swifts Need Your Help 9 Miscellaneous Melbourn Hub 22-23 MM Advertising Offer 3 Motorcycle Club 17 MP Briefing 37 Things to Do in October 14-15
People Angus Bell 3 Village Groups Friends of Holy Trinity 7 Local Crafters 18 Tennis Club 6 Women’s Group 5
Local Government Local Councillors 31-33 Parish Council 27-29 Planning 37
Village News & Issues Neighbourhood Watch 8 Parish Charities 6 Remembrance Day Service 3 Village Hall 4-5 Wonderpass 33
Advice/Information Advertisers’ Index 40 Arthur Rank Hospice Charity 17 Care Network 35 Home-Start AGM 17 Mobile Warden 27 Refuse Collections 21 The Library Presents 35 Village Directory 38-39
Children & Education Activities for Families 11 Primary School 12-13
This month’s cover picture: Irrigation near Meldreth, 5th August 2026 Photograph by Robin Farbridge 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. The Editor reserves the right to withhold from publication or to shorten, if necessary, any article or letter sent to him/her.
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Editorial Welcome to the October issue of Meldreth Matters. On the cover, last month’s photograph of a fire in a harvest field, after what was a poor grain harvest, is followed by a photograph of essential irrigation of a potato crop. The magazine gives details of a Village Hall Quiz and an Auction of Promises at Holy Trinity Church, while FOHT has a talk by a GP on her medical adventures. Robin Farbridge
Angus Bell I am deeply saddened to announce the passing of Angus Bell on Thursday 3rd September. Angus and Shirley lived at Five Trees in North End and were both involved in various aspects of village life prior to their move to Yorkshire. A celebration of Angus' life will be held at 11.30am on Friday 27th November at All Saints Church in Northallerton. For further details please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com. Kathryn Betts
Remembrance Day Service An early reminder that this year's Act of Remembrance will take place on Sunday 8th November at the War Memorial on the junction of Station Road and Whitecroft Road. After the service everyone is welcome to come along to the Village Hall for refreshments. If you would like to contribute a cake, please contact me on (01763) 220124. There will also be a small display by Meldreth Local History Group with information on people connected to the village who were involved in both World Wars. Further information will follow in next month's Meldreth Matters. Helen Durant
Meldreth Matters Advertising Offer *** Just ONE ¼ page space left on this offer! *** Reach 900 houses and businesses in Meldreth every month by advertising in Meldreth Matters. Pay £118 for a quarter page advertisement for one year and receive an additional three months free of charge. This offer is open to companies or individuals who do not currently advertise with us. If you would like to take advantage of this offer, please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com. The Meldreth Matters Team
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Village Hall Update www.meldrethvillagehall.co.uk Book your team now for the Meldreth Village Hall Autumn Quiz Night! Our biggest fundraising event of the autumn takes place on Friday 16th October at 7.30pm and we would love to see the village come together to support the hall. The Quiz Night is always a popular event, combining friendly competition, plenty of laughter and a chance to catch up with friends and neighbours. More importantly, it is one of the Village Hall's key fundraising activities of the year. It helps us maintain and improve the hall and ensures that it remains available for the many clubs, activities and community groups that use it throughout the year. With places limited, we strongly encourage teams to book early to avoid disappointment. Teams can include up to six people. There will be a licensed bar and everyone is welcome, whether you're a quiz enthusiast or simply looking for an enjoyable evening out. To book a table, please contact chair@meldrethvillagehall.co.uk or 07572 553647. Away from special events, the hall continues to enjoy a busy and varied programme of activities. We have been delighted to welcome back many of our regular users after the summer period, while also seeing a number of new groups and hirers making use of the facilities. It is wonderful to see the hall so well used and serving as a thriving hub for village life. The Village Hall Trust would also like to extend its sincere thanks to everyone who helped us manage and resolve the issues caused by the recent spell of exceptionally hot weather. We are extremely grateful to the volunteers, contractors and hall users who gave their time, support and expertise to help address these challenges quickly and effectively. Their efforts ensured disruption was kept to a minimum and demonstrated once again the strength of community spirit that exists in Meldreth. As a community charity, the Village Hall relies on local support to help cover the costs of maintaining and improving the building. One of the easiest and most effective ways to help is by joining our 100 Club, which provides a valuable source of income for the hall while giving members the chance to win monthly cash prizes. We recently completed the latest draw and are delighted to congratulate our two winners, who took home £50 and £20 respectively. If you are not already a member, please consider joining. Every subscription helps support the future of the hall and makes a genuine difference to the facilities we can provide for the community. We are also keen to recruit new Trustees to join the Village Hall Trust. The hall is managed entirely by volunteers, and we are always looking for people with enthusiasm, fresh ideas and a desire to support community life in Meldreth. You do not need any specialist qualifications or previous experience, just a willingness to get involved and help safeguard the future of this important community asset. Among our regular activities, Stay and Play, formerly the village mother and toddler group, meets every Wednesday during term time from 9.30am to 11.00am. These 4
friendly sessions provide a welcoming environment for young children and an opportunity for parents, carers and grandparents to meet others in the community. Everyone is welcome. We also continue to host the popular Dementia Sing-Along, which this month meets on Friday 9th October from 12.15pm to 1.45pm and also the Memory Café, which will be held on Saturday 17th October from 2.00pm to 4.00pm. Both groups provide valuable opportunities for companionship, support and social connection. Finally, thank you to everyone who supports Meldreth Village Hall through volunteering, attending events, hiring the hall, being a member of the 100 Club or simply spreading the word. Your support keeps the hall thriving at the heart of village life and we look forward to welcoming you through our doors in the months ahead. Andrew Young Meldreth Village Hall Chair
Melbourn and Meldreth Women’s Group We are a small, friendly group who meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month except December. We meet at All Saints Community Hall in Melbourn, apart from the month of June, when the venue will be the meeting room of Holy Trinity Church Meldreth. We used to meet more frequently in Meldreth, but because of the dark evenings and the car parking situation we have decided, for safety reasons, to meet in Melbourn most months. Meetings commence at 7.45pm and last about one and a half hours. We either have a speaker or some in-house entertainment. This is followed by refreshments which gives us the opportunity to chat with one another. A charge of £2 is made to cover expenses and we can also donate to the Charity Pot. This year the charity which we are supporting is ‘Maggies’. At our July meeting we had an interesting talk entitled ‘Medical Detection Dogs’. In August we always go out to a local restaurant and this year we voted to go for the third time to ‘The Thai Rack Glass House’ in Royston. We enjoyed a wonderful meal and nineteen members attended. In September we will have had an ‘Art Evening’ with Joan Munden. Our meeting in October is on 27th and is a games evening, when we play board games; these are always good fun. If you require any information about the group, or maybe need a lift, please telephone one of the committee members. They are Diane Blundell (01763) 221415, Sue Toule (01763) 260955, Angela Leach (01763) 262793, Pat Ames (01763) 261130, Janet Backer (01763) 221492 and Lyn Damant 07568 643598. We would love to see you. Angela Leach
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Meldreth Tennis Club: Half Price Membership https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/meldrethtennisclub Have you been inspired by Rybakina, Sabalenka, Shelton and Zverev at the US Open? Maybe you used to play tennis and are considering taking it up again? Perhaps you are a keen tennis player who has recently moved to the area? Maybe you play another racket sport and would like to try tennis? If any of these apply to you, please consider joining our friendly and welcoming club. Meldreth Tennis Club has two full-size hardcourts in great condition located next to Meldreth Village Hall. Membership allows online private booking of courts as well as participation in club social sessions with tennis balls provided. We also offer social tournaments and competitive team play against other local clubs if you are so inclined and coaching can be arranged with our fully qualified coach. Members can also join LTA Advantage for free and enter the LTA Advantage ballot for Wimbledon tickets; this greatly increases your chances of securing Wimbledon tickets compared with just entering the public ballot. Adult Membership Just £25 for Six Months Meldreth Tennis Club membership is now half price for the remaining six months of the membership year from 1st October 2026. That is an absolute bargain at £25 for adults. Junior and Family memberships are also half price. We have adult social sessions on Mondays from 10.00am to noon, Wednesdays from 9.30am to noon, Thursdays from 10.00am to noon and Saturdays from 10.00am to noon. If you come to one of these sessions, you will be made very welcome. For more detailed information and to join our club, please visit our website, https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/meldrethtennisclub. Ralph Betts Meldreth Tennis Club
Meldreth Parish Charities (Charity No 233979) comprising bequests from Robert Halfhead (1658) ~ Lettice Martin (1562) ~ James Addlestone (1723) The charity was set up ‘to provide financial assistance to residents of Meldreth who do not have the resources to provide themselves with the normal things of life which most people take for granted.’ The bequests listed above still generate a small amount of interest each year and if you wish to apply for assistance, please ask for a form to complete and then return it to hilaryjcrawforth@btopenworld.com or telephone (01763) 262848. The trustees will consider all applications carefully. We are here to help! Hilary Crawforth, Clerk to the Trustees
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Friends of Holy Trinity Church We had two successful events in September. The This is My Theatre group gave an entertaining performance of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and later we had the Churchyard Classic Car Show, a special occasion as it was both the 21st Car Show and also the last to be expertly organised by John Price who has now decided to step down. John has shown immense commitment in delivering this show, which has raised thousands of pounds towards the maintenance and enhancement of the church. He will be a hard act to follow! Under A Himalayan Sky This month we have an illustrated talk on Thursday 29th October with a return visit by Dr Jane Wilson-Howarth. Jane has worked as a GP in Cambridge and on child survival projects in Nepal and other South Asian countries. She writes on travel and health and ‘Under a Himalayan Sky’, her eleventh book, is the subject of her talk. Her website is www.wilson-howarth.com. Entry to the talk will be £10 at the door, cash or card, to include book signing and refreshments. Please indicate your interest in this by contacting Julie Draper, 07976 879350 or juliedraper@dumbflea.co.uk, or myself. Thank you all for your continued support for the Friends.
Ian Mitchell Vice Chair FOHT ianmmeldreth@gmail.com 07726 936635
Richard Burns
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Meldreth Neighbourhood Watch www.facebook.com/meldrethnhw The next meeting of the Meldreth Neighbourhood Watch group will take place at 8.00pm on Wednesday 28th October in the QEII room at Meldreth Village Hall. Everyone is welcome, but please drop us a line if you’re planning to come. Many of you will have read Andrew Young’s excellent article in last month’s Meldreth Matters on the importance of keeping our community flourishing. If it struck a chord with you, perhaps you might consider joining the small group of volunteers who keep Neighbourhood Watch running in our village. If you think you could help to be the ‘eyes and ears’ of what’s going on in the local community and act as a point of contact between your immediate neighbours and our volunteer team, we’d love to hear from you. We hold three in-person meetings per year and work together on various initiatives to raise awareness of safety and crime prevention. It’s not an onerous commitment and you would be playing a valued role in maintaining a strong and resilient village community. Please get in touch if you’d like to know more. Laura Elvin meldrethnhw@gmail.com (01763) 261084
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Swifts Need Your Help Swifts begin to arrive in the UK in May after their long journey back from Africa, to spend the summer here raising their chicks. Swifts are known for their high-pitched calls and their speedy flying. They spend most of their lives in the sky, where they feed, mate and even sleep. Swift populations in the UK have declined by over half in the last 20 years and their status is now listed as amber. A lack of suitable nest sites is a factor, with renovations to old buildings excluding them from their nesting holes. You can help change the fate of these iconic birds by putting a nest box under your eaves, high on a gable end or other suitable site. This gives them a safe place to raise their young year after year, and together we can help protect these amazing birds. Swift Facts Swifts come back to the same nesting site every year, and pair for life. Swift chicks do ‘press ups’ with their wings whilst in the nest to prepare their muscles for a lifetime spent in the air. Jan Butchers
Unit 1, Whitecroft Rd, Meldreth, Royston, SG8 8NE
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Things for Children and Families to Do in October Thursday 1st October to Sunday 1st November, 9.30am - 4.00pm The Very Hungry Caterpillar Trail Wimpole Estate, Arrington SG8 0BW Become the caterpillar and wiggle along the trail to spot fruits and snacks before turning into a butterfly. Enjoy games and activities on the way. Free but normal National Trust admission applies (free to NT members). Saturday 3rd to Saturday 31st October, 9.30am - 4.00pm Stranger Folk Wimpole Estate, Arrington SG8 0BW For older children (7+) Try this folklore magic adventure guided by the Crone. Again free but NT admission applies, as above. Saturday 3rd October to Friday 1st January 2027, 9.30am - 5.00pm Three Cheers for Pooh! Story Trail Anglesey Abbey, Quy Rd, Lode CB25 9EJ Meet the characters from Winnie the Pooh stories then view the anniversary exhibition in the house (11.00am to 4.00pm). Free but normal admission applies. Sunday 4th October, 11.30am to 2.00pm Fowlmere Playgroup Thrift Sale Duxford Community Centre CB22 4RE Nearly new baby and children’s sale including toys, books and equipment. £2 entry. Grab a bargain! Wednesday 7th October and weekly, 10.00am-11.00am & 11.15am-12.15pm Music Bugs, Sensory Music Classes All Saints Community Hall, Melbourn SG8 6DX Interactive music and singing classes for babies and pre-school children. Mixed ages 10.00am and babies to walking 11.15am. See www.musicbugs.co.uk/royston. £9.50 per session for first child, sibling under 12 months free. Saturday 10th October, 10.00am to 4.00pm Fungi Field Day Cambridge Botanic Garden Crafts and games tent, guided walks, talks. Look at fungi through microscopes then paint fungal networks. At 2.30pm and 3.30pm there will be a Fungus Sampling Expedition (ages 3+). Book at: www.botanic.cam.ac.uk. Free but normal Botanic Garden admission applies. Saturday 17th October to Sunday 1st November, 8.00am to 5.00pm Halloween Hunt, Wandlebury Country Park Cambridge CB22 3AE Collect a trail sheet from the foyer under the clock tower, find the ingredients to discover the magic word and hand in your sheet. You could win a prize. Compiled by Hilary Crawforth 11
Meldreth Primary School https://www.meldreth.cambs.sch.uk The autumn term is now in full swing at Meldreth Primary School, and it has been wonderful to welcome our children back after a well-deserved summer break. We have been especially delighted to welcome our new reception children into Puffin Class and are pleased to see how confidently they have settled into school life. ‘My favourite thing about coming back to school is playing with my friends.’ – Year 2 pupil We kicked off the new school year with FAM FEST, a fantastic family day organised by our PTA, staff and parent volunteers. Families enjoyed live music, bouncy castles, games, activities and delicious food. Our PTA works tirelessly to raise funds to support the school. If you would like to help with future events or make a donation, please contact meldrethpts@gmail.com. There is more to look forward to this term, including Decoration Day, the KS1 Nativity Play and the KS2 Christmas Music Concert in November and December. Our whole-school events calendar begins with the Harvest Festival when children will explore harvest traditions in the UK and around the world before sharing their learning through songs, poems and artwork at our Harvest Assembly. ‘I liked Harvest Assembly because I like singing all the songs. My favourite is Conkers.’ – Year 3 pupil ‘I enjoyed learning about the harvest and food distribution during the Second World War. We learnt all about rationing and the Land Army.’ – Year 5 pupil This term also marks the beginning of another exciting year of learning, with topics ranging from Ancient Greece to Extreme Environments and the History of Toys. We encourage children to explore their topics across the curriculum, linking subjects such as Literacy and Art, as well as continuous provision activities, to deepen their understanding. Enrichment is an important part of this learning. Recently, Year 6 visited the Museum of Classical Archaeology in Cambridge where the children discovered techniques used to create sculptures and explored how historians use ancient artwork to build a greater understanding of life and beliefs in the past. Beyond the classroom, we are offering a wide range of clubs and activities this term, including Football Club, Recorder Club, Netball Club and Art Club. Children can also take part in external enrichment opportunities, including Taekwondo, Brownies, piano, drums and guitar. If you could offer an after-school club or activity for our pupils, we would be delighted to hear from you. To find out more, please contact the school office at office@meldreth.cambs.sch.uk.
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As always, we are grateful for the continued encouragement and support of our parents, carers, volunteers and wider community, whose involvement helps make Meldreth Primary a welcoming, vibrant place for every child. We look forward to sharing more news, activities and achievements with the village community throughout the school year. And please do come to our Open Mornings in November and December. From everyone at Meldreth Primary School, we wish all our families and friends in the village a happy, successful and enjoyable autumn. Claudia McGinty Deputy Headteacher
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Things to Do in October Here are some things happening in October. To have your event listed, please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com. Thursday 1st to Saturday 31st October 12 noon to 3.30pm, Halloween in the House Wimpole Hall, Wimpole Estate, Arrington, Stand beneath the spider stairwell, look on at the frightful feast laid out in the dining room, admire the pumpkin patch. Floating candles and crafted bats. Free event though normal National Trust admission charges apply (free to NT members). No booking required. Saturday 3rd October, between 10.00am and 8.00pm, Fifth Barkway Literary Festival Village Hall, 4 Cambridge Road, Barkway Join renowned authors for stories, talks, ideas and conversations - a great day out for book lovers in the beautiful village of Barkway. Tickets £10 per event or book the whole day for £30 per person, from: www.ticketsource.co.uk/barkwaylitfest. See: www.barkwaylitfest.co.uk for programme details. Saturday 3rd October, 10.00am to 5.00pm and Sunday 4th October, 1.30pm to 4.30pm 26th Ashwell Book Weekend St Mary’s Church Rooms, 5 Swan Street, Ashwell SG7 5NY A great selection of secondhand books on sale. Tea, coffee and homemade cakes available. Entrance £1, children under 16 free. Sunday 4th October, 9.00am to 3.00pm Orwell Antiques Fair Orwell Village Hall, High Street, Orwell SG8 5QN Now running for over 30 years, a warm and welcoming antiques and vintage fair with 20 traders offering a varied range of items to browse and buy. Catering available. Dog-friendly event. Admission £1, children free. Friday 9th October, 8.00pm Foyer Folk - Sam Kelly Saffron Hall, Audley End Road, Saffron Walden An evening of jazz with acclaimed musician, singer and songwriter Sam Kelly, one of the most respected performers on the UK folk scene. Relaxed, cabaret-style seating, full bar and food van. Tickets £18, under 25s £9.50. Unreserved seating. Book at: www.saffronhall.com. Running time about two hours. Saturday 10th October, 9.00am Sponsored Walk for Wildlife, Grafham Water Visitor Centre, Marlow Park, Grafham PE28 0BH Choice of distance: 3, 9 or 18 miles. Visit: www.register.enthuse.com.
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Saturday 10th October, 10.00am to 4.00pm Standon Embroidery Exhibition Thundridge Village Hall, Ermine Street, Thundridge, Ware SG12 0SY Standon Embroidery Group is holding an exhibition of their work. Free admission. Homemade refreshments available. Saturday 10th October, 7.00pm Ceilidh in the Nave Bassingbourn Parish Church, North End. With the Cyraic Ceilidh Band. Tickets £15 to include a ploughman’s supper. Licensed bar. Visit: www.bassingbournchurch.org.uk for further details. Sunday 11th to Sunday 18th October, 10.00am to 4.00pm (last entry 3.00pm), Autumn Colours Chippenham Park Gardens, Chippenham Hall, Ely CB7 5PT Discover 35 acres of stunning formal and informal gardens, borders, lakes, woodland walks and sculptures on the Cambridgeshire/Suffolk border. Opening for one week only to view their autumn colours. Entry £10 for adults, £3 children 5-16. Please note, cash only at the gate and in the Potting Shed café. Sunday 18th October, 10.00am to 4.00pm Apple Day Cambridge University Botanic Garden, 1 Brookside, Cambridge CB2 1JE Region’s largest celebration of the harvest, featuring heritage apple tasting, expert fruit identification, cultivation advice, family crafts, live entertainment and pop-up food trucks. Adult admission £13.80, accompanied children 0-16 free, Friends of the Garden £7.20. Book at: www.tickets.botanic.cam.ac.uk. Friday 23rd October to Monday 3rd May 2027 A Call to Art: William Morris and the Pre-Raphaelites, Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1RB Bringing together paintings, drawings, textiles and ceramics, including some rarely seen examples from the Fitzwilliam’s own collection, this new exhibition gives a fresh perspective on William Morris’s extraordinary influence on art, craft and design. Tickets from £16. Book on: www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk. Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October, 10.00am to 4.00pm, Meet the Archaeologists Wimpole Hall, Wimpole Estate Pop by the Stables, meet members of the Cambridge Archaeology Field Group and learn how they uncover Wimpole’s hidden stories. From digging in the dirt to decoding the past, you can learn about the fascinating tools and techniques of real-life archaeology. You’ll also get to handle some of the finds unearthed at Wimpole over the years. Free event though normal NT admission charges apply. Compiled by John Crawforth
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Motorcycle Club 41st Annual Show On 17th June, the Royston and District Motorcycle Club held its annual show at Eternit Social Club where attendees were treated to a beautiful summer’s evening surrounded by a couple of thousand like-minded souls. The quality of exhibits in the classic bike park was of a high standard and our judges found it difficult to choose a winner. Through the generosity of our attendees, we raised just over £16,000! The majority of these funds will go directly to our chosen charities: the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) and two local SERV blood runners groups. EAAA is an independent charity relying almost entirely on public donations and community support. SERV provides a free service to our local NHS by transporting a range of critical items, including blood and donated human milk; a role recently expanded to support the ‘virtual ward’ service at Addenbrooke's. Since the show's inception, the club has donated just over £300,000 to charity. Finally, our thanks to local residents for their support and occasional forbearance as the show generates a lot of traffic. It is highly likely that the event will once again be held at Eternit next year, on Wednesday 16th June. We look forward to seeing you there! Guy Moody
Home-Start AGM www.hsrsc.org.uk Home-Start Royston, Buntingford & South Cambridgeshire’s Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 21st October 2026 at Icknield Walk First School, Royston. Refreshments from 6.00pm; AGM starts at 6.30pm. Join us for an inspiring evening where we’ll hear directly from a family who received support from Home-Start; an incredibly powerful way to understand the real impact of our work in the community. Learn more about the support Home-Start provides to families in our community, celebrate our achievements and hear our plans for the future. All are welcome. To help us plan for refreshments and distribute AGM papers in advance, please RSVP to admin@hsrsc.org.uk by 14th October 2026. Angie Ward Fundraising Manager
Arthur Rank Fill a Bag for a Fiver Following the success of Arthur Rank Hospice Charity’s first 'Fill a Bag for £5.00' event, we will be hosting another sale. Visit Arthur Rank Hospice (next to the Babraham Road Park & Ride car park) on Friday 9th October from 10.00am – 2.00pm and Saturday 10th October from 10.00am – 2.00pm. For just £5.00 you can fill a bag of pre-loved women's, men's and children's clothes! Visit: arhc.org.uk/retail-sale for more information. Virginia Goods Communications & Engagement Officer 17
Wise Local Crafters News The past couple of months have been full of fun and lots of social activity! Our group welcomes anyone who would like to pop in for hot refreshments and meet new friends, whilst taking part in their own projects or learning a new skill. There are lots of wonderful people willing to share their experience! We were incredibly happy to help Arthur Rank Hospice with their ‘Pumpkin Appeal’. Many of our talented ladies handmade multiple pumpkins that are now on their way to various Arthur Rank shops to raise funds for such a special charity! Lisa Thompson from Arthur Rank kindly came to our club to personally collect and thank Wise Local Crafters for our support. We are also supporting ‘Home Start’ by making baby packages, including handmade blankets, hats and cardigans. The donation to ‘Home Start’ was greatly appreciated! We meet every Thursday from 10.30am onwards at Eternit Sports & Social Club, Whaddon Road, Meldreth SG8 5RL. Please contact me on 07772 738913 or email julawil@hotmail.com for further details or a chat. Julie Wilson
Auction of Promises Holy Trinity Church, Meldreth Saturday 10th October, at 7.00pm This exciting Auction of Promises offers the chance to bid for objects, services and experiences, all available via competitive bids. The community has generously provided these promises to help raise funds for the maintenance and repair of Holy Trinity Church. Drinks and nibbles will be for sale, both before and whilst bidding is in progress. A 'well known person' in the community will be our auctioneer on the night. Things could get lively! Please do come along and help support our local church. We look forward to seeing you. Kimmi Crosby
MM is Available in Colour Online To view this or past issues online, follow us on: issuu.com/meldrethmatters 18
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Meldreth Village Diary – October 2026 Special Events This Month Auction of Promises Quiz Night
NHW Meeting FOHT talk
Saturday 10th
7.00pm
Holy Trinity
Friday 16th
7.30pm
Village Hall
Wednesday 28th Thursday 29th
8.00pm
Village Hall
Pages 18-19 Page 4 & back cover Page 8
7.30pm
Holy Trinity
Page 7
6.45-9.15pm 10.30am-3.00pm
Village Hall Village Hall
Special Classes This Month Crochet Course Linocut Printing Workshop
Thursday 1st Saturday 31st
School half term is from Monday 26th to Friday 30th October
Regular Classes and Events Children’s Activities Acro* Brownies* Guides* Rainbows* Stay & Play* Street Dance*
Thursdays Wednesdays Mondays Mondays Wednesdays Mondays
4.00-5.00pm 6.00-7.30pm 6.30-8.00pm 5.00-6.15pm 9.30-11.00am 4.00-6.30pm
Village Hall Village Hall Village Hall
2nd Sunday 1st, 3rd & 4th Sundays
8.00am 9.45am
Holy Trinity Holy Trinity
Friday 9th
12.15-1.45pm
Village Hall
Tuesdays Saturday 17th 4th Tuesday Tues & Thurs
9.00am-12 noon 2.00-4.00pm 10.45-11.30am 12 noon-3.00pm
Elin Way Village Hall Bell Close Elin Way
Church Services Morning prayer Sung Eucharist
Community Support Dementia SingAlong Food Bank Memory Café Mobile Library Village Hub
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Meldreth Village Diary – October 2026 Adult Activities/Classes Bell Ringing
Wednesdays (except 1st week of month) Tuesday 20th Wednesdays First and third Wednesdays
History Group Lift-Off Choir* Royston & District Motorcycle Club Slimming World Wise Local Crafters
Fridays Thursdays
7.45pm-9.00pm
Holy Trinity
7.00-9.00pm 1.30pm-2.45pm 8.00pm
Elin Way Village Hall Eternit Sports & Social Club Village Hall Eternit Sports & Social Club
9.30am 10.30am-3.30pm
Adult Exercise/Sport 50+ Aerobics Fitness Pilates Functional Fitness Jazzercise Bowls Club Table Tennis Tennis
Toneography Trigger Point Pilates Pilates Conditioning
Tuesdays Tuesdays Mondays Wednesdays Tuesdays Saturdays Thursdays Various days
Thursdays Mondays Wednesdays Thursdays Wednesdays
1.30-2.30pm 7.00-8.00pm 10.00-11.00am 6.15-7.15pm 10.00am onwards 2.00pm onwards 7.00-9.00pm See https:// clubspark.lta.org.uk/ meldrethtennisclub 12.30-1.15pm 11.00am-12 noon 7.30-8.15pm 6.00-6.45pm 11.45am-12.30pm
Village Hall Village Hall Village Hall Village Hall Bowls Club
Village Hall Village Hall Village Hall Village Hall Village Hall
First Thursday
7.30pm
Elin Way
Village Hall Tennis Courts
Other Parish Council
*term time only
For information on Village Hall classes & events, visit www.meldrethvillagehall.co.uk Refuse Collections Black bins: 6th & 20th October. Blue and green bins: 13th & 27th October. Food bins: Every Tuesday Get reminders on your mobile: download the Bin Collections app
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Pages 27-29
Melbourn Hub www.melbournhub.co.uk October is here and with it there is plenty going on at Melbourn Hub. We are excited to be hosting a ‘Climate Cafe’ for the first time and we’re looking forward to singer Ellen Blane providing an evening of entertainment! Our artist for the month is Debra Manning. October Events and Services Cambridge Building Society Mondays (12 noon-3.00pm), Tuesdays and Thursdays (9.00am-12noon). Lunch Club - every Tuesday A weekly social gathering for older people to meet and enjoy the company of others over a two course, subsidised, meal. Lunch Club is currently full but we do run a waiting list so please contact Melbourn Hub on (01763) 263303 or email hubadmin@melbournhub.co.uk if you are interested in coming along! Citizens Advice - every Wednesday Between 9.30am and 11.30am. 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 so please contact Citizens Advice on (01462) 688008. Podiatrist - every Wednesday and Friday Lewis Slater provides podiatry services out of the Hub on Wednesdays and Fridays. Please contact Lewis directly to find out more and to book: (01763) 263260. Osteopath - every Thursday Tim Moynihan provides osteopathy out of the Hub on Thursdays. Check out our website for more details and contact Tim directly to book: tim@boneclinic.co.uk Children's Storytime for under 5s - every Friday, 10.00am-10.30am Come along for stories and singing! No need to book! Natural Reflections Therapy Weekly sessions supporting people with a wide range of emotional and mental health difficulties, including neurodivergence, grief, trauma and emotional overwhelm. Contact Caroline@naturalreflectionstherapy.co.uk or call 07345 535925 to book. Special for October Wednesday 7th October - Melbourn Superloop - 9.30am-1.45pm Come and have a chat to find out more about the Superloop project! Saturday 10th October – Climate Café – 1.30pm-3.00pm Join us for tea and biscuits in a supportive, reflective and listening space to share thoughts and feelings about the climate crisis, nature loss and all associated issues 22
on a rapidly changing planet. We don't necessarily talk about what we should be doing. We talk about our fears and uncertainties in a way that can be safely expressed. The sessions are facilitated so you can be sure that there will be space for you to speak. You are not recruited to do anything! Book tickets at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/south-cambs-north-herts-climate-cafe-listeningcircle-tickets-1999392290162 Monday 12th October – Tea & Sign, 10.00am-12 noon Practise your sign language skills with a cuppa. For more information, contact Sally at bainessally@hotmail.com. Saturday 24th October – Autumn Nights at the Hub – Ellen Blane Ellen will perform acoustic pop covers, spanning current charts all the way through to 80s hits. From 7.00pm. With bar and raffle. Tickets £15, available from the Hub. For more details on all our events and services, check out our website on: www.melbournhub.co.uk. Linsey Craike on behalf of Melbourn Hub
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A Meldreth Garden in October We move into the chill of autumn but there is still plenty to admire in the garden that will flower until the first frosts. It is important to keep deadheading to promote continued flowering. In my garden deadheading includes several cultivars of dahlia and roses, African daisy Osteospermum, field scabious Knautia arvensis, asters, some now called Symphyotrichum, my favourite is Aster × frikartii 'Mönch'. The annuals Mexican sunflower Tithonia rotundifolia, white scabeous Scabiosa columbaria subsp. ochroleuca, Cosmos bipinnatus 'Purity' and coneflower Rudbeckia laciniata 'Starcadia Razzle Dazzle'. There are various schools of thought about whether to cut down garden perennials at the end of the season and historically autumn clearance was standard practice. Generally, I don't cut for several reasons, unless I am working on a border. The flowering season is now longer with first frosts appearing much later in autumn, so more time to enjoy the garden. Old top growth protects the soil. The skeletons are a useful reminder of where herbaceous perennial plants are; for me it is difficult to remember placement if everything is cut down. The skeletons also tell us how plants are doing, masses of thin phlox stems, for example, says the plant is congested and needs rejuvenating. Birds will enjoy the seedheads and insects the habitat. It seems crazy to ply our birds with food at a table and then discourage the natural sources that may already be present. Some plant remains make picturesque structures, the cardoons and other thistles, teasels, the remains of Jerusalem sage Phlomis fruticosa and Kings spear Asphodeline lutea. Where there are early bulbs, like snowdrops, miniature daffodils or Siberian squill Scilla siberica, I'd not want to hide them amongst old plant material. Another point to consider is that certain plants remain green at the base throughout the winter and could suffer beneath the debris of old stems and dead foliage. The cushion of young green shoots kept by sneezeweed Helenium 'Moerheim Beauty' for example, must not be overshadowed, otherwise it would perish. Slugs are also encouraged by rotting vegetation. Be practical, if the plant looks a mess, tidy it up, if you want to work on a bit of border to replant, go ahead and cut down, but if there is no reason to do so, I leave well alone. The meteorological soothsayers suggest next year may be even hotter than the current year due to the super El Niño effect. This makes me and others think seriously about the plants to be grown in the coming year. Dahlias did not do well in the heat but picked up when the weather turned cooler. It was very difficult to get new plants established, with transplant shock and blistering heat, especially when plants were bought rootbound in their pots. The plants were unable to take up water and needed more than I was prepared to cart around the garden. The flowers that grew well this year, for me, but not universally, through discussions with other local gardeners, included: purple shamrock Oxalis triangularis purpurea with dainty white flowers, and the blanket flower Gaillardia, a short-lived perennial flowering in red with yellow leaf tips or in plain red. Roses have flowered their socks off. My Rosa ‘Iceberg’ has been magnificent with three generous flushes of white flowers; it has also been free of blackspot. Rose of Sharon 24
Hibiscus syriacus, passion flower Passiflora ‘Constance Eliott’, penstemons and the daisy tribe performed well, both the annual and perennial cultivars. These are inhabitants of prairies, steppes and savannah, pampas and tundra. Perennial salvias, autumn sage Salvia greggii ‘Royal Bumble’, white Salvia greggii 'Sungold' and the blue Salvia nemorosa. The tender salvias grown from seed in the spring, mealy sage Salvia farinacea. Gaura that survived from last year and the butterfly bush including Buddleja davidii ‘White profusion’ have flowered throughout the season. Also included were the annuals, white scabious Scabiosa columbaria subsp. ochroleuca, Cosmos ‘purity’, everlasting Xerochrysum bracteatum and African hibiscus Hibiscus cannabinus, with cream white flower and a black eye. Love-liesbleeding Amaranthus caudatus 'Viridis' and its red cultivar, held their long plumes of birdseed flowers all season. Good Gardening. Iain McPhee Mcpheia1@gmail.com
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Meldreth Parish Council - Contact Details http://www.meldreth-pc.gov.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 Judy Damant, parishclerk@meldreth-pc.gov.uk Telephone: Office (01763) 269928 Mobile 07772 915247 Responsible Financial Officer: Mrs Sally Walmesley, rfo@meldreth-pc.gov.uk Parish Councillors Cllr Richard Goddin (Chairman) cllr.r.goddin@meldreth-pc.gov.uk cllr.r.james@meldreth-pc.gov.uk Cllr Roger James (Vice Ch.) cllr.j.bone@meldreth-pc.gov.uk Cllr Jenni Bone cllr.g.foulger@meldreth-pc.gov.uk Cllr Glenn Foulger cllr.n.garner@meldreth-pc.gov.uk Cllr Nick Garner cllr.c.a.land@meldreth-pc.gov.uk Cllr Alan Land cllr.j.mossey@meldreth-pc.gov.uk Cllr James Mossey cllr.n.pellatt@meldreth-pc.gov.uk Cllr Nigel Pellatt cllr.s.marsh@meldreth-pc.gov.uk Cllr. Stuart Marsh
All correspondence should be directed to the Clerk in the first instance
Melbourn & District Warden Scheme Supporting people in Melbourn, Meldreth, Shepreth, Whaddon, Barrington, Harston, Hauxton, Orwell, Grantchester, Haslingfield & Foxton
Can we help you? Your relative? Your neighbour? What is the service? We offer twice weekly visits and daily phone calls (Monday to Friday) 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 friendliness and caring nature and are DBS checked. What will it cost? We do make a small charge for the services. Please contact us for more information. How can I join? For more information and an informal chat, telephone 07426 847229 or email headwarden@mmws.org.uk.
Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme is a registered charity
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Meldreth Parish Council www.meldreth-pc.gov.uk Meeting of the Parish Council held on Thursday 3rd September 2026 The Parish Council meeting was held in the Community Room in Elin Way. The main points are set out below. Full formal minutes can be viewed on the website given above and on the Parish Council notice boards; these will be presented for approval at the next Council meeting. Discussions and Decisions Public Participation Mr. Julian Leigh, Chairman of Meldreth Bowls Club, raised the issue of recent street flooding outside the Bowls Club (MBC) in North End and the risks that this caused for those visiting the club or passing by it on foot. There had been one particular accident when an elderly MBC member lost her footing and fell, thankfully without serious injury. As the meeting was also attended by County Councillor Adam Bostanci it was suggested that Mr Leigh should communicate directly with him. Councillor Bostanci will make the necessary enquiries with County Highways. District and County Councillors’ Report This can be viewed on pages 31 to 33 in this edition of Meldreth Matters. Parish Council Co-option There was one candidate for co-option into the single vacancy, Mr Stuart Marsh. He is a well-known local figure who already performs many voluntary services for the Council and he was duly elected. The Council chairman thanked him for all the work he has done so far as a volunteer and welcomed him to the Council. Councillor Marsh then took his place at the table. Village Maintenance Necessary repairs of village infrastructure are underway. With regard to the broken wooden barrier in the car park, which protects the Tennis Court fencing, the Council is awaiting further quotes and is considering a steel rather than a wooden guard rail. The barrier protects the Tennis Club fencing and the Council will ask the Tennis Club to make a contribution towards the cost. Recreation Ground The Council agreed the draft Recreation Ground Policy which sets out rules and guidance to both casual and organised activities (a copy is available on the council website). It was decided that the installers of the multi-use games area had done all that they could to resolve the installation issues and should now be paid the balance of the outstanding invoice. There is much concern about vandalism at this site, in the form of bicycle and scooter damage as well as what appears to be deliberate damage through burning to the surface. The Council urges residents to report these actions, both to the parish clerk and to the police, because there is otherwise a risk that repairs will not be financially viable from the Council’s viewpoint and the facility will fall into disrepair to the detriment of those who wish to use it. This has so far been a popular facility amongst users but the Council cannot absorb an 28
unlimited cost burden. Additional CCTV facilities are under review so as to improve the prospects of identifying those wantonly causing damage. There has been other damage to play equipment and the Council will not be installing any additional features until this stops. The Council will reinstall the former basketball/netball hoops and the five-a-side goal posts in their original positions and will ensure that they do not interfere with other facilities. It was noted that the ditch on the Howard Road boundary needs clearing and this will be arranged with the Council’s contractors. This task was last performed about two years ago. The Parish Council decided to halt all future investments in new play equipment until the current spate of vandalism is stopped. Finances The wider financial and economic outlook appears more uncertain and the Council will continue to question future expenditure in terms of necessity and value. Swift Boxes Project The Council, which supports this proposal, will consider ways of increasing the number of boxes to obtain better value for the donation agreed by the Council. Mettle Hill The Council is now in touch with Greater Cambridge Planning to discuss possible future uses of our site at Mettle Hill. This might involve additional cemetery space (as our site in Fenny Lane has limited capacity), further leisure/sports space with associated off-road parking and, in the front of the site, the possibility of house building, including low cost or affordable housing. Additional Defibrillator Following the receipt of quotations and specifications, installation of a solar powered defibrillator near the Fenny Lane crossroads will be considered in detail at the Council’s next meeting. Neighbourhood Plan There has been a very limited response to the call for volunteers to help with establishing a Neighbourhood Plan and the Council will now investigate other ways of carrying out this important assignment. The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Thursday 1st October 2026 at 7.30pm in the Elin Way Community Room. Meldreth Parish Council
Wanted: Volunteer Drivers Royston & District Community Transport Visit www.roytrans.co.uk or call (01763) 245228
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Joint District and County Councillor Report As your elected representatives, our job is to hold local councils and their services to account. Please do get in touch with any suggestions, questions or concerns. Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) On the last day of Parliament before its summer holiday, the (then) Secretary of State announced that he would be delaying his decision for the reorganisation of local government in our area until October. However, on Monday 7th September, the newly appointed Secretary of State, Angela Rayner, paused plans for this reorganisation ‘in light of new legal advice’. We now know that local elections for any new unitary authority will no longer take place in May 2027, but, as you can imagine, this prolongs or creates new uncertainties at many levels, foremost for council staff. As councillors, we are in the dark about the timetable and scope of the review; when LGR will resume (if ever); if government will give us money to cover the cost of the pause; and whether councils can submit new or revised proposals during the pause. We will keep you updated when we know more. Buses The Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority has reviewed bus services in our area with a view to bus franchising at the end of 2027. While the proposals are broadly positive, with more frequent and reliable buses (by avoiding Foxton Level Crossing), the proposal is to cut the regular bus service from Meldreth. If Meldreth loses its regular bus service as is proposed, then it surely should be added to the ‘Tiger on Demand’ area like other similar villages, where residents can book a pickup at a bus stop in advance. The health of some people prevents them from walking to the train station in what is a very elongated village. At the time of submitting this report, it is unclear whether providing ‘Tiger on Demand’ in Meldreth is proposed. At the same time we have serious concerns about the practicality and accessibility of ‘Tiger on Demand’ for many bus users. Journeys must be booked at least 48 hours in advance, which is not always an option, for example for medical appointments. It is also concerning that this is a step away from the integration of bus and rail services. We will continue to press the Mayor for better services for young people in education or training, better provision for villages and better integration between bus and rail services. Please let us know if you rely on a scheduled bus from/to Meldreth, especially if catching the train is not a viable alternative. Adam’s website provides a summary of the proposed bus changes. See: https://adambostanci.mycouncillor.org.uk. Railway Station We are aware of recent vandalism especially of bikes parked at the railway station and are working with the Community Rail Partnership to find a solution. Please
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continue to report any criminal behaviour to the Police or British Transport Police as it is only if the police are aware that they can respond to patterns of incidents. Unpaid Carers Invited to Share Their Experience The council is keen to hear from people who provide care for family members, friends or neighbours, as well as young adult carers and others with experience of caring. Their insights will help ensure future services reflect the needs of carers and the people they support. A series of workshops will take place between September 2026 and March 2027, giving participants the opportunity to help develop future service priorities and delivery, and contribute to wider commissioning plans. There is no expectation that people attend every session; all involvement is welcomed based on individual availability and interests. The workshops will build on feedback already shared by carers. Anyone interested in taking part, or who would like more information, can contact Commissioning.FPTeam@cambridgeshire.gov.uk. Grants South Cambridgeshire District Council has a number of grants for community groups and individuals. Currently open for applications are the Community Chest, Community Pantry, Tenant Community Grants, Mobile Warden Development Fund, Disabled Adaptations and Home Improvement Grants and Long Term Health Condition Physical Activity Grants. See https://www.scambs.gov.uk/housing/housing-advice-andhomelessness/disabled-adaptations-and-home-improvement-grants. Asbestos We understand some residents have concerns about asbestos that can be found along certain tracks and public rights of way near Whaddon. This material is linked to the former Atlas Stone site, where waste products from asbestos cement sheet manufacturing were historically given away for use as hardcore on farm tracks and other surfaces. South Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridgeshire County Council have previously carried out a number of investigations to assess any potential risk to people using these routes and to nearby properties. Where necessary, improvement works have been undertaken by landowners or through development projects. Based on the assessments, none of the locations currently identified are considered to pose a high risk to public health and no further action is required at this time. The Council continues to keep records of these locations so that they can be considered if any future changes to land use are proposed. If you have concerns or would like to report a specific issue or wish further information, please contact the Environmental Health team at env.health@scambs.gov.uk or visit www.scambs.gov.uk/environmental-health. Highways We have given several updates on council actions taken to improve highway maintenance recently. Now the priority is to get our roads in the best possible condition before winter. You can help by reporting any issues. Please use the 32
following link: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/travel-roads-andparking/roads-and-pathways/roadworks-and-faults. Adam Bostanci, County Councillor adam.bostanci.mmbw@gmail.com, 07400 236329 Sally Ann Hart, District Councillor sallyannhart@riskingonpurpose.com, 07791 233303 Jose Hales, District Councillor Josehales@gmail.com, 07703 262649
Wondering About Our Wonderful Wonderpass? This beloved space, the joint product of so many people of all ages, community groups, and artistic talent and ideas, continues to delight passers-by walking or cycling between Meldreth Station and Melbourn village. However, as you may have noticed, while the murals are generally in good shape, some painted sections have decided to release themselves from the surface and are peeling off. Underneath the new mural is the old one, so the original idea of living walls is certainly that. Over the past couple of summers our small team has tried to remediate the peeling as best we can, but we’ve had to confront the fact that the artwork will continue to deteriorate. This has been upsetting, but we know that the energy and spirit which brought the Wonderpass into being remains. So we can understand what is causing the peeling, we have contacted two specialist organisations and are seeking a third opinion. Over the winter, please help us to keep an eye on the Wonderpass and feel free to get in touch with any thoughts or ideas. Susan van de Ven, Adam Bostanci and Sarah Grove Cam Valley Community Rail Partnership https://camvalleycrp.org.uk
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Design & Layout Plans Hard Landscaping & Lighting Planting & Water Features Pergolas, Decking, etc
Tel: 01763 261463 www.meldrethlandscapes.co.uk Kneesworth Rd., Meldreth, Royston, Herts
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Care Network Cambridgeshire Celebrates 40 Years Care Network Cambridgeshire is marking four decades of supporting people across the county with a special 40th anniversary celebration bringing together the people, stories and partnerships that have shaped the charity over the past 40 years. Whether helping someone recover following a hospital stay, access vital healthcare appointments, overcome loneliness, rebuild confidence, strengthen their independence or reconnect with their community, the charity has helped people navigate some of life's most challenging moments. To mark this significant milestone, Care Network is inviting local communities, volunteers, partners, supporters and anyone interested in its work to join its 40th Anniversary Celebration on Tuesday 6th October 2026 from 1.30pm–3.30pm at the William Collyn Community Centre, Girton, Cambridge. Light refreshments, anniversary cake and non-alcoholic sparkling drinks will be served. To attend: please email admin@care-network.org.uk or call (01954) 211919. Sam Holson
The Library Presents Autumn Season The Library Presents is back to keep you entertained with many uplifting events and intriguing tales for all ages, from 16th October until 12th December. Tickets are now available to book from the box office. Chosen by over 500 local residents, this season has a line-up of 32 different events in 24 towns and villages. Come along to laugh, relax, meet new people, express yourself or support your wellbeing. Full details of the programme with venues and timing, along with booking information can be found at www.library.live/the-library-presents. Venues include Bassingbourn Library, Cambridge Central Library and the Clay Farm Centre in Trumpington. If you would like to receive a hard copy of the brochure, please email thelibrarypresents@cambridgeshire.gov.uk. Rupert Woods Business Officer, Libraries and Culture PC Repairs
“Years of Care in Every Clean.”
Advice & Installation of Home Networks
Carpets, Upholstery, & Rug Cleaning
Help with Selecting a computer Fault Finding
“First class customer service and the job was completed to an excellent standard. Our old leather sofas have a new lease of life and we are delighted. Thank you very much.” Katherine Armstrong
Brian Girling 01223 208529 (Wimpole)
Or scan QR code, leave a message and we’ll 790020 get back to you:
Call today on: 01223
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
Please quote "Meldreth Mag"
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An Academy of
Everybody is Somebody Secondary School for students in Years 7-11 To book a tour email office@melbournvc.org or phone 01763 223400 www.melbournvc.org | Facebook.com/MelbournVillageCollege | @Melbourn_VC
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01223 661399 info@angliearhearing.co.uk
Update From Your Local MP www.pippaheylings.org.uk A Summer of Extremes We have just experienced the UK’s hottest summer on record with South Cambridgeshire seeing five heatwaves, the driest July on record and drought conditions that cut farmers' yields by up to half. This isn't a one-off but a clear trend and I've been raising the alarm in the local media. Parliament I'm pushing for renewable energy to secure both cheaper bills and energy security, for new homes to be built with cooling as standard, and for a genuinely powerful Clean Water Authority to replace Ofwat, one with real teeth to make water companies invest and clean up their act. Anglian Water's Sorry Excuses In August, within an hour of the first significant rainfall since June, our rivers were choked with raw sewage. Anglian Water blamed sewage discharges on ‘exceptional rainfall’ but it took less than 1cm of rain to trigger it. Their own figures show discharge levels are back to 2022 levels despite far less rainfall. It's long past time they invested properly in our region's infrastructure. Our Chalk Streams Are in Peril I toured eight local chalk streams this summer, among the rarest habitats on Earth, and saw the same story everywhere: rivers running dry or kept alive only by pumping, then polluted by sewage. That's why I've introduced a Bill calling for UNESCO World Heritage status for our chalk streams. If you would like to keep up to date with my work, you can register for my e-newsletter at www.pippaheylings.org.uk/newsletter. Pippa Heylings, MP for South Cambridgeshire
Planning Matters Meldreth Parish Council The minutes of the meetings held on 5th and 20th August and 17th September were not available at the time of going to press. When available, minutes can be found on the Parish Council website, www.meldreth-pc.gov.uk. Planning Authority Decisions 25 Elin Way 26/02777/HFUL Single storey front and rear extensions and two storey side extension. Approved. For details of all applications and Planning Authority decisions, https://applications.greatercambridgeplanning.org/online-applications.
see
The Meldreth Matters Team 37
Village Directory
Councils & Govt.
Children
Church
Sport
Clubs & Societies
Facilities
Litter Picker Neighbourhood Watch
One Stop
Mick Taylor—(01763) 261118 Laura Elvin—(01763) 261084 meldrethnhw@gmail.com (01763) 262158, open 7am-10pm, 7 days
Village Hall Bookings
Book online: www.meldrethvillagehall.co.uk
Village Hall Chairman
Andrew Young—07572 553647
Cycling Group
John Rogger—(01763) 260809
Local History Group
www.meldrethhistory.org.uk; info@meldrethhistory.org.uk
Lunch Club
Nikki & Julie—07599 292327
Melwood Cons. Group
(01763) 232855; www.melwood.org.uk
Photographic Group
www.melbourn-photographic-club.co.uk
Revelation
Miriam Skuce—(01763) 262440
U3A
Nicole Searle—(01763) 269561
Bowls Club
David Rich—(01763) 262116
Croquet Club
Janet Pope—(01763) 248239
Table Tennis Club
John Richards—07938 907609
Tennis Club
(01763) 243376; http://cspark.at/Meldr2
Bells
Jayne White—jayne.white1@ntlworld.com
Churches Together
07934 761108
Friends of Holy Trinity
Ian Mitchell 07726 936635
HTM & ASM contact
07934 761108
1st Meldreth Brownies
Email: 1stmeldrethbrownies@gmail.com
1st Meldreth Guides
Email: 1stmeldrethguides@gmail.com
Meldreth Rainbows
1stmeldrethrainbows@gmail.com
Pre and Primary School
(01763) 260432; www.meldreth.cambs.sch.uk
Stay & Play Group
Chloe Webb—07493 393529
District Council Offices
(01954) 713000; www.scambs.gov.uk
District Councillors
Jose Hales—07703 262649; Sally Ann Hart—07791 233303 0345 045 5200; www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk
County Council Offices County Councillor MP
Adam Bostanci; adam.bostanci.mmbw@gmail.com 07400 236329 https://adambostanci.mycouncillor.org.uk Pippa Heylings; pippa.heylings.mp@parliament.uk
Parish Council
Please see details at end of Parish Council report
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Misc Non Emerg
Emergencies
Support Services
Health
Transport
Govia/Great Northern Potholes, Highways problems, etc.
Rail Partnership Stagecoach Station Ticket Office Streetlights (faulty)
The Trainline Addenbrooke’s Melbourn Surgery NHS 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 Anglian Water Cambridge Water Electricity Gas General Emergency Crimestoppers Police Report Fraud S Cambs Fire & Rescue Melbourn Hub Royston Taxis
www.thameslinkrailway.com http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/travelroads-and-parking/roads-and-pathways/roadworksand-faults. In an emergency telephone 0345 045 5212 www.camvalleycrp.org.uk; camvalleycrp@gmail.com www.stagecoachbus.com/Cambridge Hours: Mon - Fri 7.00-11.15am, Sat 8.45am - 1.15pm 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. www.thetrainline.com (01223) 805000 or (01223) 245151 (01763) 260220 111 (24-hour non-emergency number) 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 03457 145145; www.anglianwater.co.uk (01223) 706050; www.cambridge-water.co.uk 0800 783 8838 0800 111 999 999 or 112 0800 555 111; crimestoppers-uk.org 101; www.cambs.police.uk 0300 123 2040 reportfraud.police.uk (01480) 444500; www.cambsfire.gov.uk (01763) 263303; www.melbournhub.co.uk (01763) 250811
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
***** See page 3 for details of our advertising offer ***** Occasional full page advertising features are also available on request. For all advertising enquiries, please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com or telephone Beverley Cottrell on 07773 592838.
Index to Advertisers A10 Timber .......................................2 Andrew Banks Wood Specialist ......34 AngliEAR Hearing ..........................36 Art of Clean .....................................35 Art of Clean Wood ..........................33 Aurora Meldreth Manor (Job) ..........26 Black Barn Turkeys .........................25 Bury Lane Farm Shop ........................2 Cam Valley Orchards .......................8 Cambridgeshire Coins .....................16 The Country Store ...........................33 Davey’s Butchers ........................Cover Eileen’s Fitness Classes ....................23 Eve Construction ............................16 Flo’s Babysitting Services ..................8 iPlaster ............................................13 Little Hands Nursery School .............7
Melbourn Flooring ..........................30 Melbourn Village College ................36 Meldreth Landscapes .......................34 Meldreth Motor Company ................9 Meldreth Plant Hire .........................26 Meldreth Village Hall 100 Club .......10 Moncraft Computers .......................35 Newlings of Royston Funeral Service .2 Penn Farm Physiotherapy ...........Cover Printing Workshops .........................30 Richard Burns Electrician ..................7 Rod's PC Support ................ ......Cover The Royal Oak Barrington .........Cover Royston Solar Solutions ...................34 Sage Blinds and Interiors ..................30 Simon’s Tiling Services .....................23 Specialist Dental Partners .................10
Donations towards Meldreth Matters' printing costs are always welcome. Our bank details are as follows: Account Name: Meldreth Matters; Sort code: 60-11-11; Account No: 18493122
The Meldreth Matters Team Chairman: Lesley Farbridge 261578; Editors: Kathryn Betts 268428 & Robin Farbridge 261578; Advertising Layout: Richard Burns 263121; Editorial Assistant: David Marsh Treasurer, Secretary & Trade Advertising: Beverley Cottrell 07773 592838; Proof-reading: Ken McLean 261243; Distribution: Sharon Dunford 07415 171295 Founder: Ann Barnes Meldreth Matters is available in colour online at https://issuu.com/meldrethmatters
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Davey’s Butchers www.daveysbutchers.co.uk
Est. 1977 32 Station Road, Fieldgate Nurseries, Meldreth, SG8 6JP Telephone 01763 260193 Home of the celebrated gold award winning Meldreth Sausage Also our famous “footlongs” All hand crafted using natural skins Opening hours: 8am– 5pm Monday to Friday 8am– 2 pm Saturday 9am-1pm Sunday Under New Ownership
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