Meldreth Matters, November 2008

November 1988

December 1988

January 1989

20th Anniversary Issue November 2008

August 1989

February 1995

March 1995

The Letting Centre

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‘Your local supplier and installer of Solar Heating systems’ Call Kim on 0845 0519070 to arrange a free survey. www.williamskinner.co.uk College Farm Business Centre, North End, Meldreth SG6 6NT

20th Anniversary Issue This month’s articles include . . .

20 Years of Meldreth Matters: Review of 1988-2008 and associated articles The Village Hall: A Generation of Progress From Meldreth Village Association Local History The Bowls Match Children’s Pages Meldreth Primary School Meldreth Parish Council Holy Trinity Christmas Tree Festival Gardening: Jim & Julie and Attention all Raspberry Growers Kristine’s Kitchen Meldreth WI and Melbourn & Meldreth Women’s Group Electrical Safety Checks for Meldreth Organisations Meldreth Railway Station Car Park Meldreth Pre-School Meldreth Manor Friends of Holy Trinity Church Services and Remembrance Service Flood Avoidance Sub Committee Letter to the Editor Events Round-Up MVA Adult and Community Education Refuse Collections Business Listings and Local Links Local Telephone Numbers (incl. Parish Council contact details)

Page 2 - 18 19 - 20 21 22 - 23 24 - 25 26 - 27 28 - 29 32 - 35 36 37 - 39 40 - 41 42 - 43 44 45 46 47 - 49 50 - 51 52 - 53 54 55 56 - 57 58 58 59 60

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 or 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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Twenty Years of Meldreth Matters

most in the last twenty years is MM itself!

It has changed considerably and now contains news from a wider spectrum of village clubs and societies.

Ann Barnes, who started the magazine, reflects on those changes on page 14.

Welcome to the 20th anniversary issue of Meldreth Matters.

Reading past issues of MM, one could almost be forgiven that thinking nothing has changed in the last twenty years.

Working parties in Melwood, concerns over flooding and the Post office being under threat of closure were as much a feature then as they are now.

In addition, many of the village groups in existence twenty years ago are still going strong.

Over the years Meldreth Matters has been brought to you by David Morfill, Christine Skeen, Pam Mynn, Sherida Inman, Sandra Pegg, Tony Palmer, Lynn Florence, Helen Leighton, Joe Gelling, Jackie Gelling, Richard Harper, Ted Inman, Annie Wing and Nikki Mutti not forgetting the current team of Lesley Farbridge, Ann Barnes, Richard Burns, Shirley Bell, Ken McLean, Laura Elvin and myself. My thanks go to them and to all those who have been involved with MM including Eternit who sponsored it from 1989 to 2002, Nightingale Press our current printers, and the MVA who have kindly promised to underwrite us if necessary.

Finally, thank you to Pinney Moore & Co. whose sponsorship has made this larger issue possible and to all of our deliverers, contributors, advertisers and readers.

Another constant is the part that volunteers play in the life of the village and its many clubs and societies: from MM itself, to the various charities, social groups and support groups. Without them Meldreth would be a poorer place.

Sadly, however, there seems to have been a decline in facilities for younger people. We have lost the guides, the cubs, the youth club, the youth football team and the cricket club.

We may be a little biased, but it struck the MM team that one of the things that has altered the

Kathryn Betts Editor 2

1988 - 2008 According to Meldreth Matters

Wives.

Advertisers included the Hair Design Salon at 59 High Street and The Maltings Studio at 99 North End (selling giftware and furniture).

January: After a vote, the newsletter was named Meldreth Matters.

Eternit offered to print the magazine and twenty-one people had offered to deliver it around the village. The first appearance of Junior Matters: all contributors received a tube of Smarties.

Other news: Nancy Gadsby (who kept the wool shop) and her husband left the village after over 20 years, the PTA was formed and Meldreth Motor Company started selling unleaded petrol.

February: There was a report on the newly-formed Meldreth Village Association.

March: The Post Office was under threat of closure, there was fund-raising for a community swimming pool and the village hall was reported to be in need of repairs.

June: Meldreth WI won a competition run by the Cambridge Federation for their diary of village events that took place in 1988.

August: The MVA organised a day trip to Hunstanton. Cost was £3 for adults and £1.50 for children. Meldreth Matters won a Certificate of Merit and £70 in

My thanks go to Shirley Bell, Ann Barnes, Ken McLean and Lesley Farbridge for their help in reading twenty years’ worth of issues in one afternoon! We hope our summary will remind you of some of the events of the past two decades. Keith Humphreys has written about “Le Walk” on page 18 and additional articles on some of the other events will appear in future issues.

If you were involved in an event that is mentioned or have your memory jogged by something listed then we would like to hear from you.

1988 The first issue of the Meldreth newsletter (one folded A4 sheet of paper) was produced in November 1988.

It was edited by Ann Barnes and had a cover designed by Jamie Inman. Brian Rastall printed the first two copies at home. A coffee morning to raise funds for the production of the newsletter raised £46.40.

1989 Several social events were held at The Gables. Groups in the village included Scouts, Brownies, Guides and Young 3

a Village Ventures Competition run by Cambridgeshire County Council. Meldreth Guides went to Colorado.

Meldreth Manor School.

1990 January: Ted Inman, Chairman of the Village Hall, suggested demolishing the hall, selling the land for housing and having community facilities at the school.

This led to a number of letters in subsequent issues and a large fund-raising campaign to raise money for repairs to the hall.

March: By the end of the month, seventy houses had been converted to natural gas.

April: 200 people attended a Village Hall AGM to protest about the proposed selling of the land.

May: A new bridge opened over the river at Malton.

June: A pageant to mark the 900th anniversary of the church was held. (A video of the pageant will be shown at Meldreth Local History Group’s Open Day in the village hall on 16th November.)

Meldreth Cricket Team played their first match.

The winning MM team in 1989, left to right, Ann Barnes, Sherida Inman, Pam Mynn, Helen Leighton, Lesley Farbridge

September: The Police were reported to be concerned about people “congregating on the benches outside the village hall and primary school”.

An exhibition was held in the Village Hall by British Gas, advising on all aspects of having gas connected.

October: James McKenzie completed a 870-mile cycle ride from Lands End to John O’Groats in 71 hours, raising over £1,200 for Melbourn swimming pool and Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital. On the last day he cycled for 22 hours in order to break the three-day barrier. (Is it any wonder that he hasn’t ridden the bike since?)

November: A Youth Club was started in the village hall on Thursday evenings.

A fireworks display was held at

The Church Pageant 4

only 188 out of 1306 registered voters voted in the Parish Council election.

September: A cycling club was formed.

Katherine Farbridge won a competition to name the pool in Melbourn - as “McSplash”.

September: A croquet club was formed. Fundraising for the village hall continued with a biathlon and a slave auction.

October: Meldreth got through to the second round of the Best Kept Village competition.

Although unsuccessful, the general cleanliness of the village was said to be “outstanding”.

December: The telephone box near West Way was vandalised and had a phonecard system installed.

Meldreth Neighbourhood Watch organised self-defence classes and reported on some stolen manure.

1992 Sandra Pegg became the Editor of Meldreth Matters in January. Fund-raising for the village hall continued.

January: A poplar tree was planted at Donkey Hall.

August: Kitty and Gordon Hardwick left the village.

1993 Advertisers included an Au Pair Agency, based in The Grange.

January: The village hall rebuilding fund stood at £15,000.

February: The High Street flooded.

March: Bill Wing celebrated his 100th birthday on 10th.

1991 Fund-raising for the village hall continued throughout the year.

Advertisers included Meldreth Taxis.

January: The first “Frollies” was held at the village hall.

February: The Parish Council asked for views on postcodes and a possible change from SG to CB. There was an apology about the “sudden closure of the sub Post Office”. Carol Remnant (with Jenny and Rachel) left the village.

April: Meldreth Tennis Club celebrated its 21st birthday with a dinner for over 60 people at Meldreth Manor School.

May: In the local elections,

Bill Wing 5

January: The MM team placed an advertisement for a “committed villager” in the “snipping and sticking department “ of MM (see below). Keith Humphreys was one of only 100 people who took part in “Le Walk” - 31 miles from France to England through the channel tunnel and raised money for charity.

April: The Fairtrade Mark came into being - Green and Black Chocolate was the first to be awarded the mark.

May: It was announced that a Mobile Warden Scheme was to be set up.

November: David Morfill joined the MM team.

A desktop publishing package was used to produce the magazine for the first time and there was a move to a twocolumn format.

A questionnaire was included by the MM team in this issue.

May: The Child Health Clinic, which was held in the village hall, closed.

July: More celebrations for the Wing family, as Joyce and “young” Bill Wing celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on 29th.

The British Queen offered a “good selection of meals and snacks”.

September: The Holy Trinity Church extension was officially opened by the Bishop of Ely. A Sunday School started in the new room.

October: Mrs Stockbridge at St. John’s Farm stopped taking everyone’s paper and cardboard for recycling.

November: Arthur Harcourt’s poem, “Cam Farm, Meldreth” was selected for inclusion in the anthology, “A Taste of Central England”.

“Old Bill, Memories of a Meldreth Man” was published by the MVA. The Post Office closed as Mr and Mrs Wing were unable to continue. Graham and Yvonne Hansell took over the newspaper business at 80 High Street.

December: The Christmas Bazaar in the Village Hall was opened by Lady Mary Archer.

In January 1994, MM advertised for someone to work in the “snipping and sticking department” and promised that “comprehensive training will be provided in dealing with the habitual crises and disasters which are the most exciting features of this challenging position. Successful applicants will possess a knife (sharp), glue and an eye for proportion.”

1994 Advertisers included Meldreth Thatch Crafts at 3 Station Road.

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at Chalfont St. Peter in Buckinghamshire.

August: Millennium projects to improve and extend the children’s play area were announced. There was a list of summer Do’s and Don’ts (remember hot summers?).

October: The Meldreth Super Troupers were in rehearsal for “Pot Pourri of Memories”.

November: The Mobile Warden Scheme remained underused and the warden’s hours were cut by half.

December: The British Queen Golf Society was formed. The Parish Clerk was spotted up a tree, rescuing a cat (sorry Lesley).

1995 March: The Village Hall reopened on 18th March after refurbishment.

May: Joe Gelling took over as Editor of MM. John Gipson stood down from the Parish Council after 31 years.

September: A write up appeared on the Duathlon (10k run and 20k bike ride) which had been run from 1990-1995 to raise funds for the village hall. In 1995 it raised over £1000, with the Fox family being the highest fund-raisers.

November: It was announced that Meldreth Station would be manned on Saturdays from 8.00 am to 2.30 pm as an experiment until the end of the year. A Parish Council report appeared about overgrown hedges and riparian owners.

Meldreth WI celebrated its 70th birthday.

1997 January: The month’s rainfall was only 25% of the long term average.

February: Jo and Gordon Bates, who had kept the newsagents and PO for many years, left the village. Gordon had served on the Parish Council for 20 years.

April: The Chiswick End stream completely dried up for the third time in four years. In reply to a concerned resident the Environment Agency said that it was investigating the situation. The River Mel was suffering badly despite the flow being augmented by pumping from a bore hole in the chalk at Newsell’s Farm to the south.

June: Andrew O’Brien arrived as the new vicar - a year after Jim Greasley left.

1996 January: Margaret Hunter reported on vandalism in Melwood.

May: Jim Greasley, vicar of Holy Trinity and All Saints, left to take up a new appointment 7

village trail, village quilt(?) and a clock for the village hall.

January: It was announced that the station ticket office would be manned on weekday mornings, heralding David Piggott’s arrival. The office and waiting room were to be refurbished.

September: Link Murang’a was launched.

October: Mrs Rolt of Gables Close, won the SCDC Best Kept Garden competition.

November: The PC successfully resisted SCDC’s plan to “upgrade” the status of Meldreth to allow the building of estates of up to 200 houses.

Developments were therefore be restricted to no more than eight houses.

December: Sir Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal, unveiled the Meridian Marker on 4th December (see below).

November: The MVA noticeboard was erected opposite the station entrance.

A Dial-a-Ride minibus service was introduced for villages on the outskirts of Cambridge.

The Meldreth service ran on Thursdays going to Cambridge in the morning and returning in the afternoon - £1.50 each way.

Graham and Yvonne Hansell left the village shop after 8 years.

December: The shop was taken over by Terry and Ronan. Helen Leighton left the village and resigned as treasurer of MM. She was replaced by Sherida Inman.

1998 March: A public meeting was held at Meldreth Primary School about the County Council’s proposal to close or sell off Moorlands. A packed hall gave the unanimous message to the Council that the home should remain in local authority ownership.

October: A special 10th Anniversary Issue of MM was published - one month early!

1999 Various events were held throughout the year to raise money for Millennium projects including the meridian marker, finger post at the Stocks,

Sir Martin Rees

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2000 February: A tribute to Moira Humphris was published.

Moira and her horse were tragically killed on Mettle Hill.

April: a reunion was held to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the school.

May: Thaxted Morris Men danced at The British Queen and the sites of all the former pubs in the village. The Share Club was formed.

commemorative booklet was produced and celebrations held.

September: Flooding in the village led to a suggestion that some of the old drainage ditches should be opened up.

October: A report of the Parish Council meeting appeared for the first time in Meldreth Matters. There was an obituary of Jo Bates.

November: Severe flooding.

2002 Advertisers included “Heavenly Hatz” in Bell Close.

The Jackdaw After School Kidz Club opened in Meldreth Village Hall and the Queen celebrated her Golden Jubilee.

March: There was a plea for sponsorship for Charlie McDermott (aged 8 years) who had been invited to Denmark to play in an international football tournament.

A letter about flooding mentioned that the High Street had become “a river” twice in the last 18 months.

Consultations held over “Safer Routes to School”.

May: Notice was given that Eternit were to withdraw their sponsorship of MM. Ted Inman emphasised the need to earn revenue from advertisers/ sponsors to cover production costs, which were estimated at £2000 per annum.

Thaxted Morris Men at The Old Bell

July: Mary Course retired as Chairman of Meldreth Parish Council after 25 years and was succeeded by Sherida Inman.

Lesley Rastall left the village.

2001 June: The MM Team called a meeting at the Village Hall to discuss the future of MM. July: Green Boxes were delivered to all households ahead of the introduction of recycling.

August: The 150th anniversary of the opening of Meldreth Railway Station. A 9

PINNEY MOORE AND COMPANY Independent Financial Advisers We set up business in October 1991 and soon started advertising in Meldreth Matters. Over the years, this village magazine has proved to be a very worthwhile source of enquires for our services. I would certainly recommend other businesses who seek to find more local customers to advertise in Meldreth Matters.

In July 1994 we moved the office to 8 High Street – once the Railway Tavern Pub – and stayed there until we outgrew the premises in September 2007. We are now in larger premises at Valley Court Offices, Lower Road, Croydon, which is just 12 minutes away from Meldreth!

Congratulations to the Meldreth Matters Team and thanks for all their hard work over the past 20 years.

Pinney Moore & Co Ltd., 8 Valley Court Offices, Lower Road, Croydon, Royston, Herts. SG8 0HF Telephone number: 01223 208 400 Email: info@pinneymoore.co.uk

Offers congratulations to Meldreth Matters on successfully producing 20 years of communication and information for the benefit of Meldreth. We have had over three years of successful advertising. Thank you and best wishes for the next 20 years.

ADDS Architectural Design would like to congratulate Meldreth Matters on reaching its 20th anniversary and thank all concerned for the way in which they keep the local community up to date and produce such an interesting monthly magazine.

Congratulations to the Meldreth Matters team from all at MELBOURN FLOORING LTD. We are pleased to support your magazine which continues to go from strength to strength. Good luck for the next 20 years!

All at SPRINT PRINTERS wish Meldreth Matters continued success. Thanks to all those involved in producing and distributing such a worthwhile publication – a real asset for the village! Many congratulations on reaching your 20th Anniversary.

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team due to ill health after ten years’ service. An article was published on the newly-formed Meldreth Residents Association. Chiswick Supplies closed.

November: The PC expressed concerns about the amount of litter in the village.

Audrey Rolt, of Gables Close, won the SCDC Best Garden of the Year competition (again).

December: Meldreth Auto Centre opened at College Farm, North End.

2005 January: Kathryn Betts took over as Editor. The PC was still tussling with the issue of the travellers’ site at Mettle Hill.

The Parish Paths SubCommittee was set up.

A tsunami appeal coffee morning raised £11,921.23. Mick Reid died.

February: Janet Rayment was appointed as Head Teacher of the Primary School. A Parish Plan Open Day was held.

March: It was reported that 2004 rainfall in Meldreth was 27% higher than in 2003.

Shepreth L-Moor appeal raised £18,000 towards the purchase of land to extend the reserve.

The Make Poverty History Campaign was launched.

April: Postman John Hanson celebrated 30 years as an employee of Royal Mail.

May: Reference was made to the two “truly terrifying” attacks on One Stop. The travellers’ site issue continued.

June: A bench in Melwood, which had been there for 15 years, was set alight and destroyed.

2003 January: More flooding in the High Street.

April: Sherida Inman resigned as Chairman of the Parish Council and was replaced by John Chamberlain. Melwood Conservation Group formed.

September: Rats were reported to be on the increase.

November: A public meeting was held to discuss the drafting of a village plan.

2004 Tributes appeared to Sandra Pegg and Fred Askew.

April: Scrapbooking Club formed.

May: MM announced that it had its own email address.

June: Meldreth Manor Fete was opened by Lady Mary Archer.

July: Mary Course resigned from the District Council after 21 years.

David Piggott appeared on Mastermind.

November: Jackie and Joe Gelling retired from the MM 11

March: Problems with parking and speeding were highlighted.

April: A request not to leave food out, especially near Bell Close and the Recreation Ground as the rat population is on the increase (again).

May: The Parish Plan Implementation Team presented their final report.

Meldreth Local History Group held its first formal meeting.

June: The closure of the Youth Club was announced.

Eileen and Keith Jacklin celebrated their Diamond wedding anniversary.

August: Reports of two bullocks having been loose in Meldreth.

Bicycle wheeling channel to be installed at station.

October: Meldreth Play Reading Group was formed.

November: An article from Margaret Lynch on the benefits of shopping locally.

September: Five children from the Primary School took part in “The Naked Scientist� radio programme.

November: Meldreth WI celebrated their 85th anniversary.

December: The first meeting of River Mel Restoration Group took place.

2006 Obituaries were printed of Arthur Harcourt, James (Jim) Hollamby, Betty Greasley and Eileen Martin.

February: A new Brownie unit started in Meldreth. The new area of housing off Whaddon Road to be named Burtons.

July: Severe flooding in the village was reported.

2007 2007 sadly proved to be the year of the obituary with tributes to the following appearing in the magazine: Jack Farnham, Mary Course, Anne Saunders, Jo Rathbone, Jackie Gelling, Doreen Ward and Herbie Henry.

January: A new extension was completed at the Primary School. A Table Tennis Club started.

February: Neighbourhood Watch reported on several cases of vandalism in the village.

2008 Tributes to Tom Jude and Ken Singleton were printed.

January: It was reported that David Piggott had won an Outstanding Customer Service Award at the Royston Business Awards Dinner.

March: Meldreth Matters won a Highly Commended award at the CBS Magazine Awards.

April: Dorothy and Dennis 12

Pepper celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary.

May: Kathleen Thompson “retired” after over a decade of writing WI reports for Meldreth Matters.

Bicycle wheeling channel at station virtually unusable (it was installed too close to the edge of the steps due to health and safety concerns).

June: The issue included questionnaires on MM and Meldreth Manor.

July: John Gipson rang his 1500th peal at Holy Trinity Church.

September: A regular children’s section was reintroduced into the magazine, edited by Laura Elvin.

October: Plastic re-cycling was introduced into the village.

November: MM celebrated its 20th anniversary.

Read all about it!

Kathryn Betts Editor

The Cambridge Building Society would like to congratulate the Meldreth Matters Team for their hard work in producing Meldreth Matters over the past 20 years.

Meldreth Matters has always provided useful local information and the Cambridge Building Society is proud to be a part of such a professional publication. Well done.

Meldreth Matters: 20 years of useful, informative and enjoyable reading. Well done to all the volunteers who have given their time over the years to provide such a quality publication. Keep up the good work.

Best 20th Anniversary wishes from Meldreth Landscapes (01763) 261463 Since Home-Start Royston and S o u t h Cambridgeshire moved into our new home at Valley Farm, Meldreth in February, 2008, Meldreth Matters has supported us each month by advertising our fundraising events, our AGM and our preparation course dates for desperately needed volunteers.

Congratulations!

The Melbourn History Group is pleased to send a message on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Meldreth Matters and is especially pleased to work with the Meldreth Local History Group on mutual research of the history of our two villages.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank them for all their help and support which is very much appreciated by everyone at Home-Start and wish them good luck with the publishing of Meldreth Matters for the next 20 years!!!!

Colin Limming, Chairman 13

The Changing Face of Meldreth Matters Meldreth Matters was started

by Ann Barnes in 1988. After months of research and many letters and telephone calls, she felt that there was a need for a regular newsletter in the village. Ann is a member of the MM team to this day and has written the following article on the history of MM and how things have changed in those twenty years.

Typically modest, Ann has neglected to mention the part she herself has played but it is true to say that without Ann there would have been no Meldreth Matters.

That was when it seemed a good idea to have a news sheet (or even, in our wildest dreams, a proper magazine!) that would reach every house in the village to disseminate important information, such as who was doing what and when, thereby cutting out much of the need for all those handproduced posters.

But Challenge No.1 was how to publicise an open meeting to discuss said good idea! In the event, enough people read the hand-written posters in various shop windows, and came to the meeting and supported the idea, to make us certain that it was a viable one, and that it would be worth proceeding.

The year: 1988 The days when typewriters had black and red ribbons, so one had the choice of printing black or red type, capitals or lower case. The days when Meldreth boasted a Guide Company, a Scout Troop, Brownie and Cub Packs, a Young Wives and a Red Cross Group, as well as many other organisations that are still running. The days when posters had to be written by hand and put up wherever possible in the village, as the only means of getting information out to the community.

Then came Challenges 2 and 3, and many, many more in quick succession.

If I remember correctly it was Margaret Hunter who solved the first one; namely of how to finance the project, by suggesting that we approach Eternit for sponsorship, as our arithmetic showed that we would get insufficient funds from advertising to pay the printing costs in the first instance. And it was Brian Rastall who suggested not only that we ran a short single-page diary-cum-newsheet for two months to test the reception in 14

simply snip out – oh so carefully – the one word or letter written correctly and stick it over the offending word, hoping (a) that it would fit, and (b) that the edges wouldn’t shadow and show up on the photocopied page!

Lesley’s expertise was even further enhanced by the lovely illustrations she managed to produce each month, both in the inside pages and on the covers for a number of months, making Meldreth Matters, as it had now become known, the quality magazine we have tried to make it ever since. Not only all that, but she has been our first and only Chairman of the Meldreth Matters team over its lifetime, steering it in the direction it has taken, steadily expanding and improving, and becoming the magazine it is today.

the village and to show Eternit that we meant business, but also offered to fund those two issues himself. A generous gesture indeed: I am certain that Meldreth Matters would never have got off the ground if it hadn’t been for him. So we then approached Eternit, and thanks to their generous involvement, with the help of Anne Lambert and Nick Monks there, we were able to have a four page magazine run off on their photocopier right through to the end of 2002.

Then the miraculous happened. The magazine, as it was turning out to be, was to be spared my somewhat unprofessional efforts on my old sit-up-and-beg typewriter by Lesley Farbridge. She offered to do the typing and cut-andpaste preparation of copy on her posh electronic typewriter!

It is hard now to imagine just what was involved in that job.

The material had to be typed, then each article, advertisement and illustration had to be literally cut out and pasted on to the sheet that would go for photocopying.

Proof-reading was a nightmare, as any major mistake might mean having to redo the entire page (no delete buttons in those days!). Often we would

Editing the magazine was interesting then too. Pieces for inclusion would come through the door, people would telephone with requests and on more than one occasion I was handed copy when out shopping or collecting my children from school. This was fine until I once forgot to remove said article from my coat pocket and had to face the wrath of the writer the following 15

Broadhurst, Hollamby and Taylor families equally impressive in their commitment to the job! Our huge thanks to them, as well as to all those others who over the years have helped in this way.

month when it failed to appear in Meldreth Matters! Things are so much easier now with email!!

Since those days Editors have come and gone, members of the Team have changed, and we have had several Distribution Managers. Lynn Florence took this job over from me early on, then Richard Harper, Annie Wing, and finally Ken McLean who has had the job of getting the magazine out to the deliverers each month since 2000.

But there has been one notable constant.

This is the amazing willingness of people to volunteer to deliver the magazine month after month.

Our first plea for deliverers had a wonderful response, and we have never been short of people to get the magazine out to every house and business in the village.

That first team included Anne Jacques, Ann Askham, Roz McKenzie, Sheila Pinney, Daphne Jones Barry and Sue Warboys, all of whom are still delivering Meldreth Matters, along with Joan Fallon and Ron Comben who joined the team shortly after! Several Mums and Dads have taken over delivering the Matters after their offspring either gave up or moved away, making the

Three years after the magazine started Sandra Pegg took on the mantle of Editor, and her wonderful flair for words and commitment to the magazine enhanced it enormously. But it was only another few years before she moved away from the village, and Joe Gelling took on the job, ably helped by Jackie.

David Morfill had already joined the team to help with layout, Lesley having found that the hours – and hours and hours – spent cutting and pasting were conflicting with the demands of being Parish Clerk. In addition he was able to bring us into the computer age with desk-toppublishing, thus making columned pages possible.

Later Richard Burns joined the team to help Jackie with layout, working monthly miracles getting all the advertisements into the magazine in a way that did not interfere with the copy but still did justice to our advertisers.

Yes, it goes without saying – do support them – they make the 16

Ill health forced Joe and Jackie to relinquish their joint role in editing and preparing copy for the magazine at the end of 2004, and Kath Betts nobly took on the job at the start of 2005. She works wonders with her computer skills and has brought in many improvements both in layout (most notably the way the diary page is formatted), and in the content and variety of material which has expanded and developed in interest and quality, so much so that we were Highly Commended in last year’s Village and Community Magazine Awards sponsored

by Cambridge Building Society.

magazine possible in its free-to -every-household format!

It was also due to both David and Richard that we were able to vary the cover designs, until Richard finally came up with the current design of the village map in 2001. This has been used, with only minor modifications, ever since.

It was during Joe’s time as Editor that we decided to have a good look at what we were doing and how we could improve the Matters, and it was decided to increase our advertising space and revenue, and go for a bigger magazine printed commercially. We were indebted to Eternit for their generous sponsorship for all those years. While they could run off the copy for us, we were restricted to four pages of copy only, plus one page of advertisements, and we still had the job of collating and stapling to do, and the whole production run was becoming cumbersome. So in 2002 we went commercial, increased our advertising copy and the magazine started to expand in size. The number of copies needed to cover the village has also grown from the original 597 copies of the first issue to the 790 that go out each month now.

The cover for this issue says much about the changing face of Meldreth Matters over the years. That it has progressed so successfully from a single page newsletter to the quality magazine it is today is due to huge effort and commitment from many people, to the continuing support of our advertisers, to the sponsorship for many years from Eternit, and to you the readers who provide the material and tell us how much you value your magazine!

Ann Barnes

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Le Walk through the Channel Tunnel

I would like to congratulate the Meldreth Matters Team on their 20th anniversary. As a former editor of a jazz magazine I know the problems faced when producing a monthly magazine. The Team do a wonderful service for the village, not only by publicising events and local news, but by helping newcomers and older residents with a comprehensive listing of people to contact in case of need.

When the Channel tunnel was nearing completion, the Children’s Society convinced the tunnel authority that they should allow a tunnel walk as a major fund-raising event. This was to take place in early 1994 just before the tunnel opened and it was agreed that it would be limited to 100 people. The Children’s Society invited a number of celebrities, capable of raising large sums, to take part.

They then made the remaining places available to other charities at £4,000 per place.

Terry Dash I can't believe it’s 20 years since Ann Barnes first launched the magazine. It has done such a good job and I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to its success in so many ways. I am sure it will continue to be interesting and informative in the future. Keep up the good work.

Marie Curie Cancer Care acquired one such place and through Christopher Gravatt, asked me to do the walk for them, supported by my company.

Fellow walkers included Daly Thompson and Nigel Havers and “LE WALK” as it became known, was sponsored by the Daily Mail.

Tessa Humphreys

Many Congratulations to the Team at MM Meldreth Matters has been the link between individuals, clubs, organisations and the readership for an incredible 20 years. As a regular contributor, both as an individual and representative of many causes over the years, I continue to be very impressed by the increasing standard of this publication.

Thanks must go to the MM team who put so much care into publishing this monthly village "link". The importance of such a link should not be understated.

We walked from the French tunnel entrance back to Folkestone and the 50km (31miles) were completed in about 9 hours, one or two being pushed out in wheelchairs!

We reached the

David Hollamby 18

The Village Hall: A Generation of Progress

terminal building just after 8.00 pm to join some hundreds of people, including all my family, enjoying a gala dinner.

But all I wanted was a large beer!

Whilst other village halls crumble to dust around us, the bastion of Meldreth’s social life continues to flourish. Used by the entire community from twoand-a-half to eighty-plus years of age, the Village Hall plays host to a range of social activities that simply beggar belief.

During the walk there were a number of “comfort zones” with food, drink and loos, while at the cross-over points we were entertained by a traditional jazz band. We were accompanied by members of the tunnel management and I particularly remember a long talk with the Chief Engineer on the safety systems, at the time one of my key interests.

With a current upper limit of 25 children and operating five days a week, our Ofstedinspected pre-school is thriving.

It holds an annual sports day and Christmas play, together with daily lunch clubs, nature walks and outings to Wimpole Farm and the fire station.

Between us we raised over £2m of which I contributed nearly £22,000 thanks to a lot of people’s generosity including many from Meldreth.

For posterity the names of those completing the walk are listed on a plaque outside one of the entrances to the terminal building.

The hall, much appreciated for its wonderful sprung floor, plays host to a number of dance clubs, including: Scottish; Old Time and Ballroom.

Keith Humphreys

The table tennis club, which is one of our more recent additions, has expanded rapidly and operates a four table set. Why not come along on a Thursday evening from 7:30 pm onwards and have a go?

Were you involved in the pageant, the biathlon or one of the other events mentioned in our summary? If so, we’d like to hear from you! Articles can be emailed to meldrethmatters@hotmail.com.

19

community.

Amongst the many other groups using the hall are keep fit, the Women’s Institute, band practice, Parish Council, aerobics, Rat Club, Rabbit Club, Cactus and Succulent Society and many others…

For more information or to book the hall, please talk to Sherida Inman on (01763) 262512.

Faraz Kermani

Not only is the Village Hall a venue for community gatherings, but it is also a focus for family celebrations. It is regularly used for children’s parties, anniversaries, christening parties and the occasional wedding reception.

Congratulations to Meldreth Matters on its 20th Anniversary from the Melbourn and Meldreth Women's Group.

This year, the trustees decided that the hall was in need of a makeover. Redecoration and new carpeting are set to bring a new lease of life to an already thriving building. With this in mind, a big celebration is planned for everyone to come and take a look next spring.

The hall’s “Chocolate Sundae” will have something delicious for all the family, from brownies to chocolate wines.

ETERNIT SPORTS and SOCIAL CLUB AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE HIRE WEDDINGS, ETC. LICENSED BAR COMPETITIVE RATES

But a more immediate celebration is of course apparent.

The Village Hall trustees would like to extend their congratulations to Meldreth Matters on its 20th anniversary, the monthly publication, like the village hall itself, being a vital part of our

ALSO WELL EQUIPPED LEISURE CENTRE (membership required)

Tel. 01763 260250

20

From Meldreth Village Association

still going although it has been difficult to enrol people onto the committee as everyone is so busy. This year we have two new members and look forward to arranging more events in the village. The annual quiz last month had 91 participants and it was fun. That is all that matters.

Congratulations and thank you to the Meldreth Matters team for keeping the village up to date with so much news and information over the last 20 years.

Recently I have been researching old issues of Meldreth Matters for the Local History Group and it makes interesting reading.

Meldreth is known as being a friendly village. If you are new to the village please make yourself known to us and join in.

We owe a great deal to so many people in this village who are still very active in making the village such a pleasant place to live. In fact the village hall, recreation ground and the church are examples of those which featured highly in 1988/89 and still we see people busily fund-raising for them.

Conservation was high on the agenda as well at that time.

Joan Gane Secretary, MVA (01763) 261631 INVESTMENTS AND PENSIONS

(for investment and pensions we make recommendations from the whole of the market)

INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVICE

PINNEY MOORE AND COMPANY Ltd.

Our Village Association was formed around the same time to raise the profile of the importance of social activities in the village and to offer financial help to allow individuals and groups to start a new venture or just keep one viable.

8 Valley Court Offices, Lower Road, Croydon, Royston, Herts. SG8 0HF

Telephone: 01223 208400 Pinney Moore & Company Ltd is an appointed representative of Interdependence Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority www.pinneymoore.co.uk

Registered office address: Market House, Market Walk, Saffron Walden, Essex CB10 1JZ Registered in England & Wales no: 05720380

Thankfully the Association is 21

Local History Last month’s photograph showed flower girls attending Meldreth May Day celebrations at the Primary School in 1961. The May Queen for that year was Gillian Fleet.

Pictured in the front row (from left to right) are Pat Hollamby, Heather Hunt, Jennifer Goodwin, Edith Chamberlain, Ann Smith, Linda Norton.

Back row, (far right) Jennifer Holliday.

If you can name the other girls, please email the Editor at meldrethmatters@hotmail.com.

This month’s photograph is shown below and was taken during the last twenty years. Can you name the occasion, the date and any of those pictured? If so, please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com or contact the Editor at 36 North End, Meldreth on (01763) 268428.

22

Discover the History of Meldreth Through its People Meldreth Local History Group

Sunday 16th November 11.00 am – 4.00 pm Meldreth Village Hall • • • •

Find out about the history of Meldreth View a slideshow presentation View maps, aerial photographs and census returns Refreshments available

23

The Bowls Match c.1967

Aerobics

As a member of the church choir at Meldreth I had become increasingly interested in both the bell tower and also the bells themselves. John Gipson was the chief bell ringer and as a member of the choir also, it was he whom I approached and confessed my interest. To my delight he was only too keen to show me the inner sanctum of the mysterious tower, with its rickety wooden stairs, the tangle of ropes and of course the view from the tower itself.

at Meldreth Village Hall Tuesday Evenings at 7.00pm - 8.00pm A fun, traditional Hi-lo aerobics class to suit those who exercise occasionally.

All equipment supplied £3.00 per session For more info call Eileen on 01763 257474 or 07966 222272 or email: eileensaerobics@hotmail.com

07966 222272

He let me ring one of the bells “up”. In normal circumstances the bells all hang down, as you would expect. To ready a bell for ringing it has to be hanging upside down and ready to fall.

It would then ring on the way down and come to rest upside down again ready for the next pull on the rope. Over the next few months, I regularly attended the practice sessions and could ring with others, what I would suppose most people would call a scale, that is from high to low.

Building Works Undertaken by Local qualified builder with recommendations.

City & Guilds 01763 262982

The tenor bell is the largest of all and the lowest note. This bell is also used to sound the 24

and the bell sounded. Bong, bong, bong, bong. With near perfect timing I added another with a sharp pull on the wire, re -hooked it and scurried aloft once again.

hours as time passes and has a small clapper that hits the outside of the bell for this purpose. I also discovered that a long wire runs from this external clapper from the bell tower and rests on a hook where the bell ropes hang at the bottom. It didn’t take long to realise the potential for some fun with this.

The scene that greeted me was hysterical. Some were crying with laughter as we peered between the castellated wall to see the white clad bowls players checking watches, looking puzzled and pointing to the clock.

On most Sunday afternoons and some summer evenings a bowls match was held on the green opposite the church. I had told my friends of the plan and with eager anticipation we furtively entered the church and climbed to the roof, where a grand view of the bowls green was to be had. Churches in the area were unlocked in those days and although we knew we should not be in there any vandalism was a strict taboo for us. After all some of us had been singing there that morning and it was our church.

We stealthily made our escape and returned home, content that the plan had worked so well.

I wonder still if anybody remembers that day. I know that I will never forget it and although is was great fun we had the sense never to repeat it. It could never have worked any better anyway.

Peter Robinson

As four o’clock approached I left my friends watching from above and went back down the stairs, released the wire and held it in my hand, waiting patiently.

CASH PAID For Old & Modern Books Also Purchased: Programmes, Post & Cigarette Cards, Old Toys & Cars, Medals, Coins, Stamps, Comics, Jewellery, Furniture, China and Collectables.

The noise of the whirring mechanicals above could be heard as the clock reached four

Phone: 01763 849789 25

Children”s Pages Thank you for all your fantastic contributions of work for this month’s issue.

We were really impressed. There were too many for us to be able to print all of them, but here are some of our favourites. On page 28 you can also see a special report written for us by Sam Carrington about some recent activities at Meldreth Primary School.

A special ‘well done’ to Connie Walker, aged 8, for her lovely drawing of the war memorial – very appropriate with Remembrance Sunday coming up on 9th November. Connie wins a £5 book token, courtesy of The Letting Centre.

We’ll be featuring more of your work in future issues, so keep your contributions coming in! You can email them to meldrethmatters@hotmail.com or post them to me at 12 Oakrits, Meldreth SG8 6JH. Those of you at the Primary School can also hand your work to Mr Jones.

Laura Elvin (01763) 261084

Apple Tree by Sarah Thompson, age 10 26

Children”s Pages This poem is about the environment and what might happen if global warming continues.

The Last Piece of Paper!

Sitting in a park.

All alone.

Animals gone.

Deserted.

It was then when I saw it.

Like a white flag, Waving at me, Fluttering in the breeze.

Paper!

The last piece of paper.

They said they’d all gone.

Trees gone, Forests bare.

Meldreth War Memorial by Connie Walker, age 8

I grabbed at it.

Missed.

Grabbed again, Caught it.

Where did it go?

Where did I put it?

You’re reading from it now.

By Laura Betts, aged 12

One Stop by Holly Robson, age 8 27

Meldreth Primary School SCHOOL COUNCIL MELDRETH PRIMARY SCHOOL COUNCIL MEET EVERY WEEK. WE HAVE POSITIONS AND HERE THEY ARE: CHAIRPERSON: SAM CARRINGTON, VICE CHAIRPERSON: EMILY HOLMES, TREASURER: DANI FRIEL, VICE TREASURER: WILLIAM MALLEN, SECRETARY: MILLY CHEETHAM-DESMARAIS PRESS TEAM: SAMUEL GOATER, MIA -ELLEN HENDERSON, SHAUN PATTEN AND ALEXANDER LITTLE. THERE ARE OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR SCHOOL COUNCIL THAT DO JUST AS MUCH AND AREN’T LEFT OUT AND THESE PEOPLE ARE INDIGO WINN, KATIE TAYLOR, ELIZABETH DUDLEY. SCHOOL COUNCIL MAKE QUITE A FEW IMPORTANT DECISIONS. THE SCHOOL COUNCIL MEMBERS RUN THE MEETINGS NOT MRS DICKSON WICH COULD BE VERY SURPRISING FOR YOU BUT IT’S TRUE! SCHOOL COUCIL MAKE DECISIONS LIKE WHAT PLAY EQUIPMENT WE HAVE IN THE PLAY GROUND AND WHEN WE HAVE NON-UNIFORM OR DRESSING UP DAYS. YEAR 6 ARTS DAY AT MELBOURN VILLAGE COLLEGE ON TUESDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER THE YEAR 6’S IN MELDRETH AND MANY OTHER SCHOOLS WENT TO MVC FOR AN ARTS DAY. THE THEME WAS DR WHO/SPACE AND WE HAD GROUPS AND THEY WERE DR WHO HIMSELF, DALEKS, K9 AND THE OOD. WE DID ALL SORTS OF ARTS LIKE DANCE WITH MISS PATERSON, DRAMA WITH MISS NICOLES, MUSIC WITH MR BELBIN AND ART WITH MISS ROWELL.

JUMP ROPE FOR HEART ON FRIDAY 17TH WE ARE DOING JUMP ROPE FOR HEART WHICH WILL RAISE MONEY FOR THE BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION. JUST SKIPPING COULD SAVE 1,000,000’S OF OLD PEOPLES LIVES. I’M VERY SORRY PEOPLE OF MELDRETH, IT’S ONLY OPEN TO PARENTS WHO HAVE CHILDREN OR A CHILD IN SCHOOL. PLEASE DON’T THINK WE’RE BEING SELFISH BY SAYING IT’S ONLY OPEN TO ADULTS WHO HAVE CHILDREN IN SCHOOL.

WE ALL ENJOYED IT AND HAD LOTS OF FUN DURING THE DAY!

THIS REPORT HAS BEEN WRITTEN

BY SAM CARRINGTON, YEAR 6

COMPETITIONS SO FAR WE HAVE HAD ONE COMPETITION THIS TERM THAT WAS OPEN TO YEARS 5 AND 6. WE HAD TO DESIGN A NEW LOGO FOR MELDRETH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB. THE WINNER WAS MILLY CHEETHAM-DESMARAIS FROM YEAR 6, THE RUNNERS-UP WERE JESSICA MASKELL FROM YEAR 4 AND AMELIA JONES, YEAR 5. CONGRATULATIONS YOU THREE YOU DID VERY WELL. COMMISERATIONS TO THE PEOPLE THAT ENTERED BUT DIDN’T GET A PRIZE. WE ALL TRIED VERY HARD. 28

Meldreth Primary School PTA Saturday 8th November 10 - 12 Nearly New Sale in the School Hall If you think you can help us please bring any good quality clothing to school on Friday 7th in dustbin bags for the nearly new sale and any other non clothing items for the “bag 2 school” collection* either on the Friday or by 09:00 on Monday 10th November. *Bag 2 school collect 2nd hand clothing, bedding, curtains, towels, shoes, belts & bags for re-use and pay us by the kilo collected. Please no bric-a-brac.

Sunday 30th November 1-3 P.M.

Christmas Fayre in the Village Hall

Raffle, tombolas , lucky dip, bottle stall, face painting….

Q BB

Refreshments including mulled wine and a cake stall 29

’s Santa Grotto

Meldreth Village Dia Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thur

The copy deadline for the Decembe Meldreth Matters is 12th Novem

7.30 - 10.15 pm Old Time 7.00 - 8.00 pm Aerobics Dancing

9.30 - 11.30 am Mums and Toddlers 2.00 - 3.00 pm Keep Fit 4.30 - 6.00 pm Brownies 8.00 - 10.00 pm Ballroom Dancing

2.00 - 2.45 p Fun 7.00 - 9.00 p Tennis 7.30 pm Par Meeting

7.30 - 10.15 pm Old Time Dancing

7.00 - 8.00 pm Aerobics

9.30 - 11.30 am Mums and Toddlers 2.00 - 3.00 pm Keep Fit 4.30 - 6.00 pm Brownies 8.00 - 10.00 pm Ballroom Dancing

2.00 - 2.45 p Fun 2.30 pm - 4.3 Companions 7.30 pm Meld

7.30 - 10.15 pm Old Time 7.00 - 8.00 pm Aerobics Dancing 8.00 pm Joint Parish Prayer Group

9.30 - 11.30 am Mums and Toddlers 2.00 - 3.00 pm Keep Fit 4.30 - 6.00 pm Brownies 8.00 - 10.00 pm Ballroom Dancing

2.00 - 2.45 p Fun 7.00 - 9.00 p Tennis

7.30 - 10.15 pm Old Time 7.00 - 8.00 pm Aerobics Dancing 7.45 pm Meldreth and Melbourn Women’s Group

9.30 - 11.30 am Mums and Toddlers 2.00 - 3.00 pm Keep Fit 4.30 - 6.00 pm Brownies 8.00 - 10.00 pm Ballroom Dancing

2.00 - 2.45 p Fun 2.30 - 4.30 p Companions 7.00 - 9.00 p Tennis

Church Services are held at Holy Trinity Church. The Prayer Group meets at 85 North End Brownies & Meldreth and Melbourn Women’s Group meet in the Holy Trinity meeting room 30

ry - November 2008

sday

Friday

Saturday

9.45 am Family Communion and New Seekers Club

er issue of mber

m Music and 1.30 pm Dance Club

m Table sh Council

m Music and 1.30 pm Dance Club

30 pm Good

dreth WI

m Music and

Sunday

10.00 - 12.00 Nearly New Sale (Primary School) 10.00 am - 5.00 pm Rat Society

8.00 am Holy Communion

9.30 am RMRG Working Party (Flambards Bridge) 9.30 am - 12.00 Electrical Safety Checks 2.00 - 4.00 pm PreSchool Christmas Fair 8.00 pm FOHT Concert (HT Church)

9.45 am Family Communion and New Seekers Club

1.30 pm Dance Club

9.30 am Remembrance Service (War Memorial)

11.00 am - 4.00 pm Meldreth Local History Group Open Day 8.00 am Holy Communion

m Table

m Music and 1.30 pm Dance Club

m Good

11.00 am - 5.00 pm Christmas Tree Festival, Holy Trinity Church

m Table

8.00 am Holy Communion 11.00 am - 5.00 pm Christmas Tree Festival 1.00 - 3.00 pm Primary School Christmas Fayre 5.30 pm Carol Service

. Good Companions meet in the Sheltered Housing Community Centre, Elin Way. All other events are held in the Village Hall unless otherwise indicated.

31

Meldreth Parish Council

Coton Electrical

www.meldreth-pc.org.uk

for all Domestic wiring

Meldreth Parish Council Meeting held on 2nd October 2008 in Meldreth Village Hall

Full rewiring Consumer units New sockets Lights and switches Gardens Kitchens and bathrooms

Members of the public raised concerns about dangerous trees on Flambards Close and access and parking at Fieldgate Nursery.

Free estimates

Matters arising: The clerk will contact SCDC Planning and CCC Highways requesting that the land forming part of the highway near Fieldgate Nurseries be marked as “No Parking” and expressing growing concern over the number of cars parking and the lack of adequate, laid out parking places at Fieldgate Nursery.

This causes access to St John’s Farm to be blocked at times by parked cars.

Call David on 07749 850026 17 Flambards Close, Meldreth

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN & DRAWING SERVICE

Ever thought of extending your property?

I can provide ideas, practical solutions and prepare all necessary plans to obtain approvals.

The Remembrance Service will be held at the War Memorial on Sunday 9th November at 9.30 am.

An initial visit is free so why not see if your home can be improved in terms of accommodation and market value.

District Councillor Susan van de Ven’s report: • The SCDC drainage team responded quickly to a request to clear around the recreation ground ditch.

Ring 01763 – 264107 and ask for John Clements

32

• It is thought that a weed

been in contact with First Capital Connect regarding the bicycle wheeling channel and disabled access at Meldreth Station. They are concerned about both issues.

killer such as “Roundup” has been used to clear weeds in ditches around the village.

Residents may not realise that this poisons wildlife in water and a licence is required for such activity.

• The Independent Tenant Advisor’s visit to Elin Way Community Room on 30th September was well attended with lots of good questions and information.

Comments from the audience were positive with questions on the implications of the credit crunch on the transfer scenario. The presentation did not touch on the fact that if a transfer goes ahead, that decision will be irrevocable. It is vital that tenants understand that there would be no going back.

• The Inspector looking at the Local Development Framework has identified a shortfall in South Cambridgeshire of about 2200 houses and has asked SCDC to find potential sites on the fringes of Cambridge and in rural centres. This does not include Melbourn or smaller villages like Meldreth.

• Councillor van de Ven has

Other Agenda Items Village Furniture: The bench for Melwood will be installed imminently and the bench for the Stocks has been ordered.

Funding Requests: agreed for the Meldreth & District Mobile Warden Scheme with special thanks to the Mobile Warden and the volunteers for all their hard work in keeping this facility running. The request for funding for help with tree surgery costs by the Flambards Residents Association will be looked into by a working party to clarify the Council’s legal responsibility for Flambards land.

Pavilion: Work is due to start soon on the new green roof.

Highways: A site visit will be made with CCC Highways Department to look at the hedges on Kneesworth Road.

The hedge opposite the showman’s site has been cut back.

Parish Path Partnership: Footpath 11 (Chiswick End 33

is the best way to combat insect damage.

towards Kneesworth Road) has been cleared. Footpath 1 (Kingswood near Malton Golf Course) will be cleared on Saturday 11th October.

Clerk to write to John Cobb and Sons with thanks for the extra work they did, free of charge, on the resurfacing of the footpath at the church from the bend to the kissing gate. The Church and Parish Council are extremely grateful.

Clerk’s and Councillor’s Reports: Concerns have been expressed that the bus shelter at the Stocks is being used as a smoking hut in bad weather.

The NHS has advised that if a bus shelter is ¾ enclosed then smoking in it is illegal. The clerk will arrange for “No Smoking” signs to be placed in all the bus shelters meeting the above criterion.

Councillor McCraith said Cambridgeshire County Council is beginning to look into their budgets and there is concern over the rising costs of pay and pensions.

Next meeting: 6th November 2008, at 7:30 pm in the Green Room, of the Village Hall.

The owner of a fish and chip van has written proposing to park in Elin Way on Friday afternoons from 3:30 to 7:00 pm. The clerk will check with SCDC about relevant permission and write to the company to see if they have canvassed residents as there could be concerns about parking problems at school picking up times.

Judy Damant Clerk, Meldreth PC The official Minutes of Meldreth Parish Council are those signed in Public Meetings by the Chairman. They are available for public inspection from the Clerk and can also be accessed on the Parish Council web site at www.meldreth-pc.org.uk or on the Parish Council notice board opposite One Stop.

MV Developments Vehicle Servicing and Tyres All Makes MOT’s Welding And More

There have been concerns about the horse chestnut tree at the Stocks and the early leaf death. It was noted that (as last year) a working party will be organised to clear up the leaves once they have finished shedding and burn them as this

Tel: 01763 263300 Mob: 07851 754887 Unit 8b, The Sidings, Shepreth, SG8 6PZ M-F: 9.00am to 5.30pm Sat: 8.00am to 12.00pm

34

Planning Matters Planning Committee: Reference and Address S/1593/08/F - 10 The Grange

Detail Extension

Recommend Approval

SCDC Decisions: Reference and Address

Detail

Permission

S/1377/08/F - Meldreth Court, Replacement gates 120 High Street

Granted

S/1270/08/F - The Old Mill Site, Dwelling (revised design) High Street

Granted

S/1450/08/PNA – Farm, Malton Lane

Northfield Development of agricultural Granted buildings and operations Judy Damant Meldreth PC Clerk

Editor’s note: Full details of all planning applications may be viewed by visiting the following link website: http://egov.scambs.gov.uk/planningapps/pa.php

35

Holy Trinity Church

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL Saturday & Sunday 29th & 30th November 11.00 a.m. TO 5.00 p.m.

Free Admission

Teas and Light Refreshments Stalls: Homemade Cakes, Preserves and Crafts

Sunday 30TH November 5.30 P.M. Candlelit Advent Carol Service

Needed for Christmas Tree Festival If anyone is making jam, chutney, or marmalade, and would like to donate a few jars for our stall, it would be very much appreciated.

Also homemade cakes for the teas and cake stall would be very welcome.

Ann Handscombe 36

Jim and Julie in the garden - November

potted Chrysanthemums.

• Time to sow sweet peas in

pots and grow-on hardily.

Protect from heavy rain in a cold frame if you have one.

Also sow broad beans (Aquadulce and Claudia), peas (Little Marvel and Meteor ) and protect from mice. Once the shoots are through, plant outside in well drained soil.

Weeding and digging over our vegetable patch on a beautiful early October day, I had time to think about this year’s successes and disappointments. Most successful were the runner beans grown over a couple of arches. Much easier to find and pick! We are going to have really good purple sprouting broccoli in the spring as it was protected in the fruit cage this year.

I am still picking autumn raspberries, but the outdoor tomatoes and broad beans were a “dead” loss!

November is the best time to plant trees and shrubs. Do not plant any deeper than previous soil level. Exceptions; Clematis 3” deeper than they were before, Roses about 1” above the union of the crown and root stock. Continue planting bulbs.

Tulips are best planted in late November/early December.

Here are Jim’s notes from his small garden: • Some pink plants arrived today and I potted them up.

They will be kept over the winter in a cold frame and planted out in the spring.

The Rudbeckias (variety Marmelade) are flowering well. These were sown late at the end of June and put in the gaps as poppies (Iceland and Shirley), cornflowers and canterbury bells finished.

• Cleared out the greenhouse, put the tomatoes in trays to ripen slowly and cleaned the glass in readiness for the

Jim and Julie Meldreth Events in 2009 I would like to publish a calendar in the January issue of Meldreth Matters giving brief details of the events to be held in the village throughout 2009.

If you are planning an event, please send details to meldrethmatters@hotmail.com or deliver to 36 North End, Meldreth.

Kathryn Betts, Editor 37

Attention all Raspberry Growers

white clearwing larva at the top of the mine.

Over the last 12 months, Meldreth has gained the dubious distinction of being the first place in Britain to record the presence of Raspberry Clearwing Moth.

Careful inspection of the rest of my canes yielded one further plant with a gall at the base of the old growth. I cut this one much higher, to avoid disturbing the mine. Then I lifted the whole plant and potted it. The pot was moved to a cage in the spring and the moth emerged in July.

This species is widespread in Europe and an almost identical species exists in the USA, where it is known as the Raspberry Crown Borer. Until I discovered it in my back garden in October 2007, it had never been recorded in Great Britain or Ireland.

The moth itself, like others in the same family, is day flying and a mimic of wasps and bees. As the name implies, it has clear wings and the body is black, with four distinct yellow rings around the abdomen. It is a little smaller than an average wasp but only slightly so.

I discovered evidence of the moth when pruning my summer fruiting raspberries. Cutting out the old wood, which had fruited the previous summer, I noted that one of the canes was mined right up the middle.

Looking down, I could see that the remaining stump was also mined, apparently right down into the root, passing through a gall-like swelling about the size of a walnut. Being an entomologist most of my working life, I recognised this as consistent with damage caused by Raspberry Clearwing Moth. Even so, I was surprised when, on splitting the cane, I found a

Following my discovery, I looked at the pruned canes on a number of local fruit farms but found only the slightest hint that there may have been moths on one farm a few years ago.

Because of its pest status in the USA and Europe, pheromones are available to trap the adult males. By this means, growers at risk of economic damage can monitor numbers and judge the best 38

summer. It then returns to the root to over-winter. If a larva is present, it is likely to be removed when canes are pruned, at about 3 to 6 inches from the root, in October and early November. It may well be that it is the removal of larvae during pruning that has prevented establishment of the species until now. The advent of autumn fruiting varieties that are not pruned until late winter may have changed this balance. On the continent, the moth has a reservoir in wild raspberry but that is unlikely to occur in this area due to scarcity of the wild species.

time to apply treatment, if necessary. I obtained some of the pheromone from the USA and used it to look for the moth at commercial fruit farms in South Cambridgeshire and North Hertfordshire. I recorded single specimens at two sites using a technique involving short visits and relying on the moths being attracted rapidly to exposed lures. The two moths taken certainly fulfilled this expectation, arriving within about five seconds of the box being opened to take out the first lure. This made it all the more surprising that these were the only two taken. About three weeks later, I took a further specimen in my back garden, this one appearing in a trap that had been hanging over my raspberries throughout that period.

This leaves me wondering if my technique on the farms was not the right one and possibly underestimated the presence of the species.

Either way, it is apparent the moth is present in the area and fairly widely distributed.

I am now very keen to hear from anyone in the area who discovers a mined cane when pruning his/her raspberry crop.

As this will be one way of establishing the extent to which the species has become established. If you think you have infected canes, please phone me on (01763) 260231.

Jim Reid

The caterpillar of the Raspberry Clearwing Moth lives in the root of the raspberry plant for two years.

Before the second winter, it mines up the stem that has just fruited, to prepare an exit for the following 39

Kristine’s Kitchen

ones as they tend to be less watery.

Mix with ordinary mushrooms to add variety to your recipes.

This is the time of year for wild mushrooms. If you know what to look for or have a good guide book, then they are fantastic to add to your savoury dishes. Of course do not use any that you are not 100% sure are safe to eat.

They are a good source of protein and B group vitamins and also contain potassium and iron. Fresh mushrooms have clean, firm caps and fleshy stems. They are best eaten within three days and should be stored in a punnet or paper bag in a cool place or in the salad drawer of your fridge. Clean mushrooms by pouring boiling water over them in a colander. Do not wash or peel as the flavour will be diminished and the vitamin content reduced.

Chestnut Mushrooms: use instead of button for a stronger flavour. Good for a full-flavoured soup.

Shitake Mushrooms: substitute for stock cubes to give a pungent flavour for stews and casseroles.

Oyster Mushrooms: have been cultivated successfully but the wild version has a stronger taste; choose small

CHICKEN WITH MIXED MUSHROOMS Ingredients 1 tbsp butter 1 tbsp olive oil 1 medium chicken, cut into four sections and trimmed (or 4 large chicken pieces) 1 large bunch spring onions 1 tsp fresh chopped tarragon (or ½tsp dried) 8 fl oz (250ml) chicken stock Seasoning 12 oz wild, chestnut, shitake & oyster mushrooms (last three all available in the supermarket) 4 fl oz (125ml) double cream or fromage frais 1 dessertspoon cornflour METHOD In a large frying pan, melt the butter in the oil and sauté the chicken over a medium heat until golden on all sides.

Finely chop the spring onions (saving the tips of the green parts for garnish) and add them, with the tarragon, to the chicken and cook for one minute more.

Add the chicken stock, season 40

chicken and mushrooms and arrange them on a serving dish.

Stir the cornflour into the cream or fromage frais, add the mixture to the sauce and bring to the boil, stirring continuously until the sauce is thick and glossy. Pour over the chicken and mushrooms and serve either with rice or tagliatelletype noodles.

generously and simmer over a medium heat, uncovered, for 20 minutes, turning the chicken twice during the cooking so that it is cooked right through.

Wash and trim (but do not peel) the mushrooms. Cut large ones into quarters and oyster mushrooms into 1in strips.

After the chicken has been cooking for 20 minutes, add the mushrooms to the mixture, allow to come to the boil and simmer for three to five minutes, or a little longer if using wild or shitake mushrooms.

Remove the

Kristine Editor’s Note: Due to lack of space in this issue, the final part of the herb and spice list will appear in the December issue of MM.

MELBOURN FLOORING LIMITED Cherry Park, Cambridge Road, Melbourn, SG8 6EY Tel: 01763 262413 Fax: 01763 262450 FLOORING Vast Range of Carpets, Rugs, Vinyl's, Wood, Laminates and Karndean Free Estimates Fitting by experienced staff.

HOME INTERIORS Dulux Paint Mixing machine with over 8000 colours Over 6000 Wallpaper and Border samples Designer Fabrics Most with next day delivery Colour co-ordination service by experienced staff LIGHTING New display Everything to complete your DIY programme.

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41

Meldreth WI

certificate so Mrs Ames stressed that it is very important for parents to tell their children exactly where they were born.

As the booked speaker for the October WI meeting cancelled at the last minute Mrs Pat Ames (one of our members) stepped in and gave a lively and entertaining talk on ‘Life as a London Registrar’.

Until the Marriage act of 1754 there was little control of marriage. People off the street could pop into a tavern and get married giving another meaning to “having a quick one”. Marriage is now only legal between a single man and a single woman (unions between same sex couples are legal contracts). Whatever the custom in your own country no one is allowed a second legal wife in Britain.

There is however no control on how couples dress for the ceremony.

Mrs Ames was once asked to marry a couple where the man dressed as a bride for a dare! There has been little change to marriage certificates themselves: in 1995 a box was incorporated for the inclusion of the woman’s occupation.

She started with a brief history of the formation of the Registrars Office.

Originally the only records of births, deaths and marriages were the local parochial records.

However in the sixteenth century a growing number of independent religions started keeping their own records so information became very fragmented. In 1559 it was suggested that statistics be collected on births, deaths and marriages to help with future planning and in time this led to the formation of the Registrars Office.

Over the years legislation was introduced to control records.

Births and deaths must always be recorded in the nearest office to where the event occurred. This can lead to complications when the birth or death occurs on the move, for instance in an ambulance. You can always apply to this local office for a replacement

Mrs Janet Batchelor gave a vote of thanks for a very enjoyable talk.

The meeting ended with the usual social time.

Mary Gregory 42

Melbourn and Meldreth Women’s Group Our members have a wide and interesting taste in music. This was demonstrated at our recent meeting Members’ Music when members brought along favourite pieces of music to play to the Group. We heard classical music played by Jacques Loussier, songs in Italian, English, Gaelic and even Arabic, where a mother was encouraging her son to do his homework: a worldwide problem it would seem. There was both secular and religious music. The most popular was religious music by John Rutter, with several of his pieces being played.

JOHN SINCLAIR ELECTRICAL Duxford

After sitting quietly for an hour the social time was abuzz with conversation. Members were given advance warning that the AGM in January 2009 will be held in the All Saints Community Hall and not Holy Trinity Meeting Room.

DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL

Our next meeting on 25th November will be a talk by local farmer Tim Elbourn on The Fruit Growing Year.

•

Household Electrics

•

Lights & Sockets

•

Showers & Cookers

•

Rewires & Additions

•

Fuse Boxes

•

Security Lighting

•

Competitive Prices

Part 'P' Registered Call John For A Free Estimation

Tel: 01223 880800 Mob: 07815 903467

Jane Stevens 43

Electrical Safety Checks for Meldreth Village Organisations

any Meldreth-based noncommercial organisation. Items may be owned by the group or privately. Each item (including detachable mains cables) will cost £2, this will cover inspection, test, and record keeping. The session will be at the Village Hall on Saturday 15th November, from 09:30 to 12:00.

To avoid possible queues please call to arrange an appointment. I can also answer any questions about electrical safety for village organisations.

Some of you may be aware of the need to have portable electrical equipment (anything plugged into the mains) used at work, checked regularly. This is often called PAT testing. It is also a good idea to have equipment checked if it is used in a public meeting: the idea is to prevent dangerous equipment causing accidents.

However, this can be expensive, so the Village Hall Committee has arranged for a session of testing at affordable prices, for equipment used by

David Coton Tel. (01763) 260085 david@coton.me.uk

REJUVENATION BEAUTY & HOLISTIC SALON MOORLANDS MOORLANDS COURT THE MOOR MELBOURN HERTS SG8 6ED Aromatherapy Massage

Facials

Body Treatments

Reflexology

Manicures

Lash and Brow Tinting

Swedish Massage

Pedicures

Make up

Hopi Ear Candle

Eye Treatments

Eye Lash Perming

Indian Head Massage

Waxing

Hollywood Eye Lash Extensions

Reiki Healing

Pamper Evenings

Fake Bake Tanning

ALSO THERAPIES IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR HOME OR WORKPLACE PLEASE ASK FOR SPECIAL GROUP RATES 20% OFF YOUR 1ST HOLISTIC THERAPY & 10% OFF BEAUTY APPOINTMENTS BY TELEPHONE ONLY PLEASE TELEPHONE 07824638300 to make an appointment or request a brochure

44

Meldreth Station Car Park Redevelopment

nearby residential areas, as commuters try to avoid car park charges, and dismay at the lack of consultation.

By the time you read this, news of the redevelopment of the station car park may not be quite the surprise it has been this week when workmen arrived unexpectedly to install a barrier at the entrance to the car park.

Royston Station car park is also to be redeveloped to increase its capacity to 250 spaces; hopefully this will alleviate stress on Meldreth.

I will report any updates on my website and in next month’s Meldreth Matters. Please don’t hesitate to send me your queries and I will relay them to First Capital Connect.

This is what First Capital Connect have said so far: “The scheme will provide many benefits for customers using the station. We are relining the spaces to make best use of the space available and the car park will comply with 'Park Mark' standards.

We are installing CCTV and help points to increase customer security.

We are also installing a height barrier at the entrance, pay and display machines and cycle facilities. We are also investing in accessible parking bays which will be close to the station entrance.

The main benefit of the scheme is that it will provide a managed facility with regular staff patrols. The daily charge, which is planned to be £2.50, will be the lowest charge on the route.”

Susan van de Ven www.susanvandeven.com (01763) 261833

Graham’s Fresh Grimsby Fish Wednesdays Door to door deliveries: Whaddon 0700 Meldreth 0800 Melbourn, car park 1030 – 1200 Barrington 1300 – 1500 Thriplow, village hall 1700 – 1800 Mobile: 07743 791997 Tel: 01472 277215 (Grimsby) Email: graham.riley2@btopenworld.com

Among the many concerns expressed by residents are the implications for parking in 45

Meldreth Pre-School We are a small friendly preschool offering a high quality service at competitive rates.

Session prices are £8.20 but for children who qualify for the NEF funding, sessions are free.

Lunch Clubs cost just £3.00.

The pre-school opens Monday to Friday, with morning, afternoon and lunchtime club sessions available.

If you would like more information pop into the Village Hall and pick up one of the application forms that are displayed on our notice board. The staff team is very friendly and will be happy to arrange a visit for you and your child. Just ring the door bell whenever the pre-school is in session, when our board is displayed outside.

Alternatively, please contact our Admissions Secretary, Yasmin Croxford on (01763) 220246 or e-mail Yasmin on malcolm.croxford@ntlworld.com.

Meldreth Pre-School Christmas Fair Saturday 15th November 2-4 pm Meldreth Village Hall Tombola, Raffle, Crafts, Cake Stall, Refreshments, Father Christmas and Much More!

Boiler Replacement & Repairs Central Heating Bathrooms All aspects of Plumbing & Heating Emergency call outs

Stephen Posey • • • •

Martin Rule 0777 5671221 Jason Gray 0777 1981445 76 North End, Meldreth, Nr. Royston, Herts. SG8 6NT Tel/Fax: 01763 262363 Email: info@insinkplumbing.co.uk

Cambourne Self Storage Cost effective, secure, convenient self storage Various size units to suit household & business storage CCTV monitored site with access at your convenience NEW SITE AT BOURN AIRFIELD • Your personal unit • Store your goods, lock up, keep the key • 5 min from Cambourne

01954 717444 www.cambourneselfstorage.co.uk 46

Meldreth Manor

further information please do not hesitate to contact me by telephone on (01763) 26010 or by sending an e-mail to rowenaallen@hotmail.com.

Meldreth Manor is looking very different. At the Open Day in October, those of you who came could have been forgiven for wondering whether you were indeed at Meldreth Manor.

The school has benefited from a makeover.

Not only does the layout differ but there is an excitement and buzz that are new. I remember hearing some years ago that with every layer of paint that goes onto the walls there is new promise for the future. I really do believe that this is what is happening at Meldreth Manor. A new curriculum has been adopted, designed to meet the needs of the students by offering a team approach involving students, teachers, therapists and care staff.

At the time of the 20th anniversary of Meldreth Matters, it is good to have the opportunity to say thank you to all those who have been involved in the production of our great and incredibly informative village magazine.

Rowena Allen

A statement released by Roger Gale after the Open Day appears on page 49 and the graphs showing the results of our survey is on page 48.

Again I apologise for the delay and offer my sincere thanks to all who completed the form.

Please remember that Meldreth Manor is very much part of the village, and there are areas of the school that are available for outside events. If you need 47

Meldreth Manor Questionnaire Results Below are the results of the responses to the survey which was included in the June issue of Meldreth Matters.

Question 1. There is adequate communication betw een school and the community

Question 2. There are sufficient opportunities for community involvement in the life of Meldreth Manor School

14 12 10

15

8

10

6 4

5

2 0

0 4

3

2

1

0

4

Question 3. There are sufficient opportunities for pupils at Meldreth Manor School to become involved in community activities

3

2

1

0

Question 4. There are adequate opportunities to become aw are of the needs of individual pupils 10 8

15

6

10

4 5

2

0

0 4

3

2

1

0

4

Question 5. Workshops w ould be w elcomed in order to familiarise those interested in becoming befrienders of individual pupils

3

2

1

0

Question 6. M eldreth M anor promotes a welcoming environment to the community 15

15

10

10

5 5

0 0 4

3

2

1

4

0

3

2

1

0

Note: Respondents were asked to use a number from 4 to 0, where 4 was “strongly agree” and 0 was “strongly disagree”.

48

Meldreth Manor Open Day

A favourite display was the use of the Multi-Sensory Room where the children explore the world using different light, sound, smell and touch sources to enable them to learn new skills.

Meldreth Manor School has opened its doors to local residents, parents, governors and other professionals to show how the children at the school learn, live and spend their free time.

Throughout the day staff were on hand to guide visitors round the school and to show them the newly revamped Education Department. The new lighting, floors, ceilings and equipment fitted in the summer holiday shows how the school can adapt to the changing group of children and ensure that their needs are accommodated.

Classroom doors were swung open and visitors given access to see the children taking part in lessons. On display were the many activities from the different departments of the school.

The Physiotherapy Department showed off the newly donated electronic wheelchair training device, as well as the techniques used to ensure that the children are positioned correctly and comfortably.

This was a successful day enjoyed by all the visitors who came along to learn more about what we do.

More importantly, the children were proud to show off their school.

Roger Gale

The Speech and Language Department demonstrated the numerous communication aids that are adapted for individual children.

HAVE YOU GOT P.C PROBLEMS? WANT YOUR P.C REPAIRED AT REASONABLE RATES?

The use of “Soundbeams� to create music was displayed in the school hall, with many children showing their skills whilst supported by their teachers and other staff.

THEN GIVE ME A CALL ON:07947 472822

49

Friends of Holy Trinity

Do you care for someone?

www.foht.org.uk

The Work of AidCamps International – 10th October Following an unfulfilled interest in Africa many years ago when living in Luxembourg, Pierrette Borgonon took part in an AidCamps International visit to work with a school in Cameroon in 2004. Her talk and slides showed the poverty and lack of infrastructure.

Despite this the people children in particular - were most welcoming and showed this through their dance and music. Pierrette has also been on a similar visit to an Indian school while Graham was persuaded to join a subsequent visit to Cameroon where he helped develop a web site; both of these working visits were illustrated with slides.

We specialise in respite care for people of all ages in their own homes and in the community.

Services include 1:1 support, palliative, emergency and group care.

The Meldreth Group provides a range of activities for adults with various conditions. It is held fortnightly at the Eternit Sports and Social Club from 10.30-3.30. We have places available and accept referrals from the South Cambs Area.

We require Support Workers within your local area. Ongoing career development with flexible hours. Additional pay for NVQ and unsocial hours.

If you would like more information on services or are interested in joining us.

Please contact: 0845 241 0954 care@westangliacrossroads.org.uk Registered Charity No. 1091522

Company No. 4379948

ON THE BALL Fencing and groundwork 4 HATLEY ST GEORGE, HATLEY, SANDY, BEDS

FENCING - ALL TYPES HEDGE LAYING MINI DIGGER WORK SCRUB CLEARANCE HORSE PADDOCK MAINTENANCE

The plight of many of the people and their situation rather puts the current global crisis into perspective and we are grateful to Pierrette and Graham for sharing their voluntary work experiences with us.

ALL ASPECTS OF PEST CONTROL FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: CHRIS MOB: 0790 0430578 SARAH HOME: 01767 651692

50

£8.00) including a glass of wine or juice and are available from:

Next Event: Concert 15th November at 8.00 pm This year’s concert continues the theme of swing from the 1930s and 1940s and will be held in the church. The music will be in the style of the Lionel Hampton Quartet which was an offshoot of the Benny Goodman orchestra.

Sandra Searles - 260435 Robert Long - 261365 John Price - 260048 Peter Chilvers - 260742 24th January 2009 Supper Evening

The quartet is led by Roger Nobes who is recognised as Europe’s number one vibraphone player.

Roger played both vibraphone and drums with the Alex Welsh Band for nine years. They played frequently at Melbourn and Meldreth.

During this time Roger had the opportunity to play with many famous visiting American legends including Ruby Braff, Ben Webster and Ted Teddy Wilson who was Goodman’s pianist.

For several years Roger was also Musical Director of the North Herts Youth Jazz Orchestra.

21st February 2009 More Reminiscences 14th March 2009 Talk by Ian McCaig CEO of lastminute.com John Price

Roger's rhythm section consists of Mike O’Neill, who is the Musical Director of the Knights Templar Big Band, on piano, Harvey Weston former Alex Welsh bass player and John Scotney on drums.

Ticket

are

£8.50

(Friends 51

Church Services for November

Christian Aid Tea-Time

Sunday 2nd November

£45 was raised on the afternoon of Friday 19th September. The weather was glorious and the location was idyllic for this Christian Aid social event.

My personal thanks go to Ann and Rod for kindly allowing their home to be used for this occasion and to the Christian Aid supporters who took time out to attend and donate to this worthy cause.

9.45 am Family Communion 9.45 am New Seekers Club Sunday 9th November 8.00 am Holy Communion Sunday 16th November 9.45 am Family Communion 9.45 am New Seekers Club

David Hollamby Christian Aid Secretary for Meldreth

Sunday 23rd November 8.00 am Holy Communion

The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning

Sunday 30th November

This is to thank everyone who supported this event which was held at Meldreth Bowls Club on 26th September. As a result of your generosity I was delighted to send £317 to Macmillan Nurses Cancer Support.

8.00 am Holy Communion 5.30 pm Advent Carol Service Marion Long (01763) 261365 Joint Parish Prayer Group

Muriel Singleton

The Prayer Group will be meeting at 8.00 pm on Tuesday 18th November at 85 North End Meldreth. Prayer requests are welcomed and treated in confidence if necessary.

Bus Service 139 Due to lack of space in this issue, the final bus timetable will be published in a future issue of Meldreth Matters.

Kathryn Betts Editor

Marion Long (01763) 261365 52

Remembrance Service

In Flanders Fields In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

A service will be held at the war memorial at 9.30 am on Sunday 9th November 2008.

We are the dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn. Saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders Fields.

This poem was written

by John McCrae in May 1915 and is a poignant reminder of the effects of war.

Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders Fields.

53

Flood Avoidance Sub-Committee

Simon’s Cuisine Do you need a qualified, experienced chef for a special occasion?

Thank you very much to residents for taking the initiative to keep ditches clear. During heavy rains in September, the newly opened historic drainage ditch at 110 High Street took a good deal of water down to the River Mel. Thanks to John and Jill Price and their team, Peter Chilvers, Richard Phillips and Graham Ward, for all their hard work.

DINNER PARTIES & BUFFETS FOR UP TO 30 PEOPLE

Top quality, locally sourced ingredients, freshly prepared on Council approved premises; served at your home or chosen venue Personalised, detailed service with menus created just for you!

It can be very frustrating when weeds grow as abundantly as they did in the damp conditions this past summer. As you may know, the Environment Agency asks that permission be sought to use herbicides in or very close to a watercourse, understandably as this can be harmful to wildlife habitats.

More information is available at www.environmentagency.gov.uk (type WQM1 in the help box).

PHONE SIMON on 07948 448575

RYECROFT DATA we can help

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Graphic Design for Brochures Artwork & Logos for Stationery Colour and Mono Digital Printing Litho Printing up to any Quantity Typesetting for Menus & Books Advertising in Magazines Business Support & Secretarial Photography for Literature Direct Mail and Fulfilment Colour and Mono Photocopies Faxing to the UK and Abroad

If you are uncertain about how to clear a ditch on your property, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the Flood Avoidance Sub-Committee.

Graphic House · High Street Fowlmere · Nr Royston · Herts Telephone: 01763 208640

Susan van de Ven (261833), Paul Ray, Joan Fallon and Jo Montague-Fuller

Email: ryecroftdata@aol.com

54

Letter to the Editor My partner and I were sitting in our garden, enjoying a rare warm summer evening (back in September - remember?) when we were engulfed at an alarming rate by thick smoke, sweeping across the garden.

Rather too extreme for a bbq, I walked up the street to see where it was coming from Was the house next door on fire?

The source of the smoke was an unattended bonfire in the garden three doors down from us.

Now this household is (in)famous for its smoky bonfires, but this was extreme even for them! Our washing and our neighbour’s was ruined and had to be re-done, again.

We had to retreat inside, shutting all windows and doors.

INDIAN TA

EAWAY

The Old Station House

Station Approach High Street Meldreth (Nr. Melbourn) Cambridge SG8 6JR

Opening hours

Seven days a Week 5.00pm - 10.30pm including Bank Holidays

We also cater for parties TEL: 01763 262425

TEL/FAX: 01763 262636

UNITS 2 & 3 • LONG BARN • NORTH END MELDRETH • NR. ROYSTON • SG8 6NT TELEPHONE 01763 263339 FAX 01763 263340

Now I do understand that, if you have a large garden, your green bin may not be adequate. But isn’t that what the re-cycling centre at Thriplow is for? So please "bonfire enthusiasts", have a little consideration for your neighbours, who want to enjoy the last of our dwindling sunny evenings, and don’t burn everything just because you can!

For all your Company Stationery, NCR Sets, Leaflets, Mailshots, Brochures etc. etc. etc…

Photocopying, Fax and Digital Service available

Alison Howlett 55

Events Round-Up

School. For further details, contact Carol Townsend on (01223) 871819.

Local events in November include the following:

Saturday 22nd November 7.30 pm Royston Choral Society St John’s Parish Church, Royston Mozart’s Requiem and Morten Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna Tickets are available from Royston Library, choir members and at the door, priced £10, £8 concessions, £1 ‘still at school’.

For further information e-mail david.boarder@hertscc.gov.uk or caroline.franks@uicl.co.uk, telephone (01992) 623489, or visit our web site at www.roystonchoralsoc.org.uk

Wednesday 5th November 11.15 am The Tudor Tailor Wimpole Hall Ninya Mikhalia, The Tudor Tailor, gives an illustrated talk on the clothing of 16th century England. Followed by a light lunch. £35.

Booking essential (01223) 206000.

Sunday 16th November 10.30 - 4.30 pm Christmas Gift Fair Orwell Village Hall In aid of Teenage Cancer Trust.

Large selection of quality stalls.

Admission £2. Children free.

Saturday 22nd - Sunday 23rd November Christmas Craft Fair Wimpole Hall 10.30 am - 5.00 pm £3.50 per adult. Under 14s free.

Friday 21st - Sunday 23rd November Art Exhibition Foxton Village Hall Preview evening Friday 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm - £3 admission to include canapés and a glass of wine.

Saturday 10.30 am – 4.00 pm Sunday 11.00 am – 3.00 pm Refreshments available from 11.00 am – 12 noon Entrance £1.50, children free Proceeds to Friends of Foxton

Wednesday 26th November Hidden Wimpole 11.15 am A look at items of interest and significance which may not be apparent at first glance.

Includes coffee on arrival.

56

£8.

Booking (01223) 206000.

essential

-

Sunday 30th November 2.00 - 4.00 pm Thrift Sale, Melbourn Village College Admission 50p.

If you have any clothes, books, DVDs, CDs, toys, unwanted presents, or bric-a-brac in good condition - sorry, no electrical goods - that you would like to sell, then please telephone Amanda Davis on (01223) 870670 or email amanda.davis1@tesco.net for a seller number. Each item needs to be labelled with your name and number.

Deliver them to us on the morning of the sale. At the end of the sale we take 25% commission for goods sold and pay the remaining 75% to you when you return to collect your unsold items.

Your local lawncare company Be the envy of your neighbours!

We provide: • Lawn moss killing • Scarification • Aeration • Complete weed and disease control • Bespoke feed programme • Hard surface weed control Please call for a free LawnCare Analysis

Tel: 01763 244517 www.trugreen.co.uk

Gordon & Sue Welcome you to

The Hare & Hounds Harlton

Mobile Library

A cosy village pub With real ales, a large beer garden & Traditional bar food

The mobile library visits Meldreth on alternate Tuesdays and will visit on 11th and 25th November.

Whitecroft Road Arrive 11.20 Depart 11.40

Friday Night- Fish Supper £8.95 Sunday Lunch - £7.95 Summer Special - Kids' Basket Meal - £3.95

Bell Close Arrive 11.50 Depart 12.30

Tel: 01223 262672

Edna Eggleton 57

Melbourn Village College Adult and Community Learning

Meldreth United Football Club Meldreth United Football Club would like to thank Meldreth Bowls Club for a great evening at the bowls club.

The players were shown how to bowl, after which we played some games. We had three rinks going and played until it was dark, then had a sociable time afterwards.

There is a range of courses about to start including: Bookkeeping, 25 weeks. £300 Tuesdays 7.00 - 9.30 pm Computing, 5 weeks. £40 Fridays 10.00 - 12.00 noon Children’s Ceramics Class, 5 weeks. £25 Thursdays 3.45 - 5.15 pm

Joan Fallon

The following classes start on Thursday 6th November: Ceramics, 5 weeks, £50 Computing, 5 weeks, £40 Yoga, 5 weeks, £40

Key Found A Yale type key has been found in North End. It is on a ring which also carries a National Trust fob and a silver three-penny piece. Contact me on (01763) 261243.

For full details of all courses visit comed@mvc.org.uk or telephone (01763) 260566.

Ken McLean

Val Tookey Centre Manager Adult & Community Learning Melbourn Village College

Refuse Collections Collection dates for November are as follows.

7 Nov Green Bin & Boxes 14 Nov Black Bin 21 Nov Green Bin & Boxes 28 Nov Black Bin

Little Hands Nursery School, Melbourn A Private Nursery School offering quality pre-school education for 2 to 5 year olds 01763 260964 (school hours) 01223 503972 (office hours) e-mail : janemarshall@littlehands.co.uk www.littlehands.co.uk

• Open 9.00am ‘til 4.00pm (term time) with optional holiday clubs • High (1:4) staffing ratio • Variety of session lengths • No minimum booking requirement and No booking fee • Categorised as “Outstanding” by Ofsted with all areas of the provision found to be “of an exceptionally high quality” • Funded places for 3 and 4 year olds

Kathryn Betts

Also at Bourn, Linton and Newton

58

Business Listings Ann Barnes, Reflexology and Aromatherapy. Tel. (01763) 261073 Hair by Beverley – mobile hairdressing. Tel: (01223) 871997 Jacqueline Rogger, State Registered Chiropodist, Royston Complementary Health Centre. (01763) 247440 Stone Lane Veterinary Clinic, Stone Lane, Meldreth, Royston, Herts.

Tel: (01763) 261457. Friendly & sympathetic care for pets. 24 hr emergency service.

For a listing entry or other advertisement please contact Shirley Bell, Tel: (01763) 261744. Email: meldrethmatters@hotmail.com. Rates are as follows: Size

per issue

Half page Quarter page Eighth page Business listing per line

6 months

£27.25 £16.50 £8.75

£134.00 £74.00 £43.00 £11.00

12 months £216.00 £118.00 £65.00 £16.00

Local Links Parish Council

http://www.meldreth-pc.org.uk

Primary School

http://www.meldreth.cambs.sch.uk

Manor School

http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/Meldreth/textandinfo/index.html

Friends of Holy Trinity

http://www.foht.org.uk

Holy Trinity Church

http://www.meldrethchurch.org.uk/

Community Archive

http://www.ccan.co.uk (select Meldreth from groups list)

South Cambs D C

http://www.scambs.gov.uk

Susan van de Ven

http://www.susanvandeven.com

Cambridgeshire County Council Cambridgeshire Library Service

http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/leisure/libraries

Herts Library Service

http://www.hertsdirect.org/libsleisure/libraries/online

Train times/tickets

http://www.qjump.co.uk/index.html

Andrew Lansley MP

http://www.andrewlansley.co.uk

Royston CAB

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk

Stagecoach

http://www.stagecoachbus.com/cambridge/ 59

LOCAL TELEPHONE NUMBERS Meldreth: Community Access Point (weekdays only after 3.30 pm) 262305 Litter Picker: Mick Taylor 261118 Meldreth Residents Assoc. (eves) 262305 Neighbourhood Watch: Police Co-ordinator Graham Borgonon 260358 Pre-School: Rachel Brown 07525 918249 Primary School 260432 Self Help Group (Jayne White) 220250 Village Association (MVA) 261631 Village Hall: Chairman: Rachel Brown 07525 918249 Hiring: Sherida Inman 262512 Meldreth Clubs and Societies: Art Club: Terry Symonds 263468 Bowls Club: Barbara Clutterbuck 260592 Conservation Group: M Hunter 260372 Croquet Club: Richard Goddin 260061 Local History Group: Joan Gane 261631 Melbourn Mushroom Club 260028 Tennis Club: Sue Davies 220174 Toddlers Club: Kay Underwood 263402

07956 516192 United Football Club: WI: Barbara Chalkley 260540 Mobile Warden: Eve Chamberlain 261258 Holy Trinity Church: Rev. Andrew O’Brien 260295 Adult Choir: Pauline Penfold 260163 Friends: John Price 260048 Sunday School: David Coton 260085 Melbourn: Doctors Surgery: appointments 260220 Dispensary 261246 Baby Clinic 262861 Library 269956 Village College 223400 Community Education Dept.

260566 Melbourn & District Uni of 3rd Age 260399 District Nurses 01223 843661 District Council 08450 450500 Housing Repairs 08450 450051 Waste and Recycling 08456 500280 Environmental Health 08450 450063 Representative: Susan van de Ven 261833

MELDRETH PARISH COUNCIL - CONTACT DETAILS Website: http://www.meldreth-pc.org.uk Mr G V Borgonon Mr A P Burlton Mr S W Chamberlain Mrs C J Fallon Mr S Hawkins Mr C A Land (Chairman) Mrs J Montague-Fuller Mr P A Ray Mr R A Searles Mrs J Damant

260358 262988 261258 262822 261451 260020 260268 260304 260435 269928

gvborgo@dsl.pipex.com tony.burlton@tiscali.co.uk joan.fallon@btinternet.com s.hawkins@dsl.pipex.com josephinom-f@hotmail.com p_ray@btopenworld.com rob.searles@orchaddene.demon.co.uk parishclerk@meldreth-pc.org.uk

OTHER USEFUL NUMBERS Emergencies Crimestoppers Cambridge Police S Cambs Fire & Rescue Cambridge CAB Royston CAB Childline Samaritans NHS Direct (24-hr service) Addenbrooke’s Hospital

Royston Health Centre Anglian Water Cambridge Water Co. Gas Emergency Electricity Emergency National Rail Enquiries Stagecoach Cambus Cambs County Council Councillor: David McCraith S Cambs MP: A Lansley

999 0800 555 111 08454 564564 01223 376217 0870 1264010 08456 889897 0800 1111 08457 909090 0845 4647 01223 245151

Village shop opens 7 am - 10 pm 7 days Tel. 262158

242981 08457 145145 01223 403000 0800 111 999 08007 838838 08457 484950 0870 6082608 01223 717111 248249 01954 212707

Station tkt office opens M-F 6-1.30, Sat 7-2.30 Tel. (01223) 453702

Meldreth Matters Team: Chairman: Lesley Farbridge 261578; Editor & Layout: Kathryn Betts 268428; Secretary, Treasurer & Trade Advertising: Shirley Bell 261744; Distribution & Proof-reading: Ken McLean 261243; Cover & Advertising Layout: Richard Burns 263121; Editor of Children’s Section: Laura Elvin; Other Member: Ann Barnes,

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The

Station Garage Cars, Vans, Motorbikes and Trucks MOTs £45 WHILE YOU WAIT FREE WITH FULL SERVICE £36 COMPANIES & BUSINESSES Vehicle servicing and repairs Free delivery and collection service Full engine diagnostic check 10-15% OFF SERVICE, REPAIRS & TYRES For a fast and reliable service

Tel: 01763 264100 Mobile: 07850 051891

24 hour 7 day Service The cheapest Car and Van Hire around

Small cars £22 - £32

to

7 seater MPVs £43 - £74

SWB vans £28 - £45

to

LWB Luton vans £52 - £78

Per day, dependent on length of hire Vehicles come with Tom Tom Sat Nav and Air Con All vehicles less than 6 months old

PRESTIGE CARS ALSO AVAILABLE Need A Vehicle? Give us a Call.

Tel: 01763 26 83 83

Opposite Meldreth Railway Station

Unit 2, Whitecroft Road, Meldreth, Royston, Herts. SG8 6NE

• • • • • •

PC running slow?

Need help choosing the right PC for your needs/budget?

Need a secure, wireless network installed in your home?

Would like to send music and video to anywhere in your home?

Worried about the end of support for Windows 98, upgrades to VISTA? Or just want to get the most out of the PC you already have?

Then call us on: 01763 208083 or Freephone 0800 298 7120 Or email support@moatside.org.uk

Jargon free, local, friendly advice and support at a reasonable price.

April 1995

January 1997

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July 2002