Issuu

April 2021

In this issue … Call for Sites Foxton Travel Hub Meldreth Bowls & Tennis Clubs Proposed New Town

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Contents Meldreth Coronavirus Community Support: See pages 26-27 Gardens & Nature Gardening 42-43

What’s On in April Centre Pages Diary 28-29 Things to Do in April 40-41

Miscellaneous Letters to the Editor 50

Village Groups Bowls Club 23 Friends of Holy Trinity 22 Photographic Club 21 Tennis Club 24-25 Women’s Group 20 Women’s Institute 18

Children & Education Activities for Families 38 Baby & Toddler Group 32 Brownies 30-31 Primary School 35-37 Shepreth Spitfires 33, 37

Transport Community Transport 15 Foxton Travel Hub 14-15 Meldreth Speed Monitor 13 Rail News 16-17

Local/National Government Local Councillors 44-45 Parish Council 46-48

Planning Call For Sites 5-7 Planning 12 Proposed New Town 8-11 Village News Meldreth Market 19 Meridian Maycroft Arts Centre 18

Advice/Information Advertisers’ Index 56 Home-Start 52 Mobile Warden Scheme 7 Neighbourhood Watch 49 Refuse Collections 28 Village Directory 54-55

The opinions expressed in the letters and articles in this magazine are those of the writers, who are responsible for the accuracy of the information contained within them.

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

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Editorial Welcome to the April issue of Meldreth Matters. We are slowly emerging from lockdown, although many restrictions remain in place. The “stay at home” rule is due to end on 29th March. And from 12th April, a further relaxation of the rules is scheduled to come into effect, allowing the opening of non-essential retail businesses, public buildings including libraries and community centres, sports facilities and outdoor hospitality venues. These plans are subject to change, so please check the latest government advice. A reminder of the local support available is shown on pages 26-27. In line with the above timetable, some groups are planning to begin meeting in Meldreth Village Hall from 12th April. These are shown on the centre pages diary. Please note that numbers are strictly limited, so advance bookings are essential. Finally, I’d like to apologise for the formatting errors in last month’s magazine - our print version was attacked by gremlins! Kathryn

Cover Photographs Front cover: North End, April 2020. Photograph by Kathryn Betts Back cover: “The Heart of Nature” by Izzy Knobel Forbes; second place in the recent 1st Melbourn Guides photography competition.

Whitecroft Road Closure Whitecroft Road will be closed to traffic from 6th April to 8th April inclusive. A diversion will be in place via Elin Way and High Street. For further details see the notices under Latest News on the Parish Council website, www.meldreth-pc.org.uk. The Meldreth Matters Team

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Greater Cambridge Local Plan – Call for Sites Background As noted at its last meeting, the Parish Council has recently submitted its first responses under the “Call for Sites”; this exercise is part of the first stage of the creation of a Greater Cambridge Local Plan and the Parish Council thinks it would be helpful to give our community some further information about this. Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council are working together to create a joint Local Plan for the two areas – which they refer to as Greater Cambridge. This is the first time that there will be a joint Local Plan, and it is intended to ensure that there is a consistent approach to planning and building across both areas over the next 20 years. A Local Plan is a legal document that the Councils are required to prepare, which sets out the future land use and planning policies for the area over a set time period. It sets out:  the new homes and jobs that should be planned for  the services and infrastructure that are needed to support this change  where new development should happen, and where there should be protection from development. It follows a process set out in national legislation and guidance and is subject to an independent test at a public examination. This is intended to show that it is realistic, deliverable and based on good evidence – before it can be formally adopted. Initial Progress In January and February 2020 Greater Cambridge Shared Planning opened a public discussion about what the new Local Plan should contain. They published material for discussion and debate, and asked for thoughts and comments online and through in-person events and engagement. They also asked for sites to be submitted that might be suitable for development, as well as sites that might be suitable as protected green spaces. This resulted in 8,500 comments and responses to the consultation questions from a wide range of respondents, with over 650 suggested sites for development and 21 sites for green spaces. 5

Call for Sites Of these, 22 sites were submitted in Meldreth. A Call for Sites is a way for landowners, developers, individuals and other interested parties to suggest sites for development, and to let us know when they may be available for development. Government planning advice states that ‘if the process to identify land is to be transparent and identify as many potential opportunities as possible, it is important to issue a call for sites and broad locations for development’. Anyone could submit sites for either development or green space, and none of these suggestions holds any planning status at this stage, nor is there any recognition that those owning or controlling the land have indicated willingness to make it available. Establishing this is part of one of the next stages in the process; a good local example of this is the proposal to establish a Country Park in Kneesworth Road, Meldreth. This was put forward by a group of Meldreth residents and concerns five plots of land, none of which were in the ownership or control of those making the submission. The Planning Authority has stated that the total amount of land identified in the combined area – about 16,000 hectares - adds up to far more land than will be needed for development; the planners have suggested it is ten times what would be required. As noted at the last Parish Council meeting Thakeham, a developer, have proposed building a town of 25,000 homes in Southwest Cambridgeshire. If this is submitted late to the Call for Sites it would be additional. As stated, the suggested sites have no planning status at this stage, and the Planning Authority has made no judgement about which sites may be appropriate for development in the future. We would expect a number of sites – perhaps a large number – to be removed from further consideration. We are informed that sites will be rigorously tested for their suitability, for example looking at flood risk, landscape impact, transport access, and other factors. Sustainability is an important consideration and how sites might fit with the strategic direction of the Plan. Current Position/Next Steps Meldreth has offered initial comments on the sites included in this parish. For each of the sites, we have noted our concerns about the 6

usual issues including traffic and highways and strain on local facilities. The next stage is for the Planning Authority to eliminate those proposals that should be removed from further consideration. After that, there will be continuing consultation on sites remaining on the list of possibilities and the Parish Council will remain closely engaged with that. Further Information The Planning Authority website contains more detailed information, as well as an interactive map showing the location of sites throughout the area: https://www.greatercambridgeplanning.org/emerging-plans-andguidance/greater-cambridge-local-plan/ https://www.greatercambridgeplanning.org/emerging-plans-andguidance/greater-cambridge-local-plan/document-library/sitesubmissions/#a1 Meldreth Parish Council

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

Proposed New Town The building of a New Town, ‘South West Cambridgeshire’, is being proposed by a property developer based in rural Sussex. Thakeham Homes Ltd describe the development as ‘being on the doorstep’ of Cambridge. It would be built on open farmland and meadows and could cover an area the size of Cambridge. It would include a Business Park and 25,000 new homes. The population of the New Town is estimated to be three times the size of the City of Ely – indeed its estimated population would be larger than seveteen cities in the UK. The impact of this urban development on the historic city of Cambridge, the environment, wildlife and local communities would be substantial. It would engulf nine villages, destroying their historic character (all date back over 700 years) and cause extensive environmental damage, increased air and noise pollution, traffic congestion, water shortages and create unprecedented additional pressures on schools, hospitals and health care services. Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District are in the process of drafting a Local Plan which addresses local housing needs and meets central Government’s targets and long-term projections for housing. The proposed New Town by Thakeham Homes Ltd would be in excess of any local or national government requirements. If planning is approved, it could set a precedent for other New Towns and Business Parks to be built across rural England, with Thakeham saying that it would be ‘a global blueprint’ for other such developments. An example of Thakeham’s approach to planning can be seen here: https:// www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-33187178. 8

It is vital we raise awareness both locally and nationally of this proposed development and the impact it will have. Please share this information as widely as you can. For more information please scan the QR codes below with your mobile phone: South West Cambridge Action Group www.swcag.org.uk

Anthony Browne MP for South Cambridgeshire www.anthonybrowne.org

Southwest Cambridge Action Group

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South West Cambridge Action Group www.swcag.org.uk This group exists to prevent advancement of a speculative proposal for a new town of 25,000 homes by Thakeham developers on land in and around Meldreth, Shepreth, Whaddon, Melbourn, Foxton, Barrington, Orwell, Wimpole and Bassingbourn-cum-Kneesworth (see map on page 8). Its steering group is comprised of District and County Councillors representing these villages, with representation from all nine Parish Councils. If you’d like to join our mailing list to receive regular updates please write to info@swcag.org.uk. Who has ultimate decision-making power on the proposed new town? South Cambridgeshire District Council or National Government? The concern is that the developer has openly said that they are seeking an exceptional national development channel that would bypass the South Cambridgeshire District Council planning process, the standard process that everyone must follow, and which is transparent and embedded in public consultation. Thakeham promised to submit a formal proposal in the South Cambridgeshire Call for Sites by Easter, following pressure from the Leader of the Council. This would be a very late submission, but the Council would be legally obliged to accept it for consideration. Ultimately, District Council planning decisions are subject to appeal, with rulings made by an independent Planning Inspector (appointed by Government). Thakeham now says its submission won’t be ready by Easter. It is the national channel that remains the over-riding concern, within a general trend by government to centralise planning away from local authority control. SWCAG has submitted a number of Freedom of Information (FOI) Requests. An FOI request to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, to understand any relationship between the ‘Cambridge development corporation’ included in Rishi Sunak’s 2020 budget, with the Thakeham proposal, was turned down on the basis that it would be a ‘distraction’ and ‘not in the public interest’ to release the information. 10

Another FOI refusal has come from the Treasury. SWCAG asked for records of meetings and correspondence between Thakeham and government ministers Rishi Sunak MP, Robert Jenrick MP (the Housing, Communities and Local Government Minister) and several other MPs. The request was turned down on the basis that ‘release of information would have a detrimental impact’. These refusals are being appealed. On 2nd March SWCAG met with representatives of the nine parish councils in villages directly impacted by the Thakeham proposal. This was very productive, with some excellent suggestions made. You'll find the presentation for all meetings, copies of Freedom of Information responses, and links to matters of central government control of planning matters, at http://www.swcag.org.uk/news-and-events The next public SWCAG meeting takes place on 7th April from 6.00-7.00pm. Please write to us if you’d like to be sent the Zoom link. Susan van de Ven and Jose Hales info@swcag.org.uk

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Planning Matters Parish Council The minutes of the Parish Council Planning Meetings on 18th February and 4th March were not available at the time of going to press. For further information and to view the minutes (when available) please check the Parish Council’s website, www.meldreth-pc.org.uk. SCDC Decisions The following decisions have been made recently. Ref. and Address

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Full details of all planning applications may be viewed on the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning website: https://applications.greatercambridgeplanning.org/online-applications. The Meldreth Matters Team

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Meldreth Speed Monitor The Speed Monitor has been sited on Whitecroft road since October 2020 due to Covid-19. The summary data below is for January and February 2021. Speed violations are much greater for traffic travelling along Whitecroft road out of the village. It is not surprising, therefore, that the Whitecroft Road/Fenny Lane crossroads is one of the village’s worst accident blackspots. At best, driving at 66 and 64 mph in a 30 mph zone is indifferent to the legal speed limit. Thankfully, the complete fools are a minority, many speeders were driving just above the speed limit, between 31 and 35 mph. Month in 2021

Direction of Travel

Speeding Violations % >30mph

Number of vehicles

Average speed

Maximum speed

Jan

Into Meldreth Leaving Meldreth Into Meldreth Leaving Meldreth

25%

7,180

27 mph

57 mph

41%

9,057

28 mph

66 mph

26%

6,748

29 mph

56 mph

42%

8,204

27 mph

64 mph

Jan Feb Feb

Fatality and Speed If someone is hit by a car at 40 mph there is a 90% chance that they will be killed, at 30 mph there is a 50% chance and at 20 mph the chance of being killed is 10%. Iain McPhee For Meldreth Traffic Working Group

MM is now Available in Colour Online To view this or past issues online, follow us on: issuu.com/meldrethmatters 13

Concerns about the Proposed A10 Travel Hub at Foxton It’s a great idea to keep cars out of Cambridge, but at what expense to residents who live near to Greater Cambridge Partnership’s (GCP) proposed solutions? We’ve been looking at the latest proposal for a new ‘Travel Hub’ at Foxton train station. A true Travel Hub would be fed by safe cycle routes and bus services to and from the surrounding villages to keep cars off the road. It would have ample cycle storage and safe pedestrian access to the train station, whilst also providing safe and easy access for cars. The latest proposal for the ‘Travel Hub’ has none of these things, being nothing more than a car park, creating many safety concerns.  Should the scheme be given the go ahead as currently drawn, the now proposed 500 car park could significantly increase rush hour traffic flow through Fowlmere, Thriplow, Barrington, Orwell and Foxton as commuters cut across from the A505 and A603 to park up.  Cars travelling along the A10 to get directly into Cambridge, or to get to the Park and Ride buses, will have even longer delays than previously experienced once the traffic returns to normal as the lockdown rules are relaxed.  It will mean that there will be in excess of one thousand (1000) extra pedestrians a day using pedestrian crossings to get across the A10 near the station and the top of Station Road in order to get to the trains. This can only result in far more lengthy traffic hold-ups whilst also really increasing the likelihood of pedestrians getting injured as commuters rush to catch a train dash across the very busy road.  In addition all of the five hundred (500) cars a day will have to leave the car park and join the A10 near the railway crossing. With the pedestrian crossings and the railway barriers stopping traffic the lengthy delays would seem inevitable.  The increase in the number of red traffic lights stopping the traffic at the pedestrian crossing, coupled with the recent increase in the 14

length of time the level crossing barrier comes down, will further delay the ‘blue light’ ambulances and other emergency vehicles. It seems certain that the GCP want to push this through quickly, but we believe that there are too many safety issues and unanswered questions to allow this to be steamrollered through. Their plan is to go out to consultation shortly and get a planning application submitted in September or October of this year. It could all happen very quickly. The Parish Councils involved are expressing concerns and it is hoped that all the local Councils will work together to create a strong collective response. Please help us by expressing your concerns about the proposed ‘car park’ by emailing your thoughts to foxtontravelhubforum@gmail.com . Together we can build a campaign to try and prevent this from becoming a disaster and achieve something that will be of benefit not only to Cambridge but also something safe and worthwhile to all the villages that surround the Travel Hub. Mike Mander and Andy Brown on behalf of the Foxton Travel Hub Forum

Royston & District Community Transport www.roytrans.co.uk The Way Forward While the Government lockdown is in force, we can still only offer medical transport, BUT with the ‘road map’ published, we can look forward to ‘taking you where you need to go’ as our motto says. As shops and hairdressers open and as social visits to family and friends are allowed, we will resume our service to match. Of course, actual dates may change, but please always feel able to call our booking line (01763) 245228 between 9.00am and 3.00pm Monday to Friday to check if we are able to match your needs. Be assured, we will monitor the regulations and adapt as best we can! The Royston & District Community Transport Team 15

Rail News Rail User Group Meeting Our next Rail User Group meeting, which will be our AGM, takes place on 6th April at 7.30pm, via Microsoft Teams. Please contact us if you’d like the link to attend. Meldreth Road Shepreth Level Crossing: Proposal to Install Full Barriers as part of the ‘Cambridge Re-signalling Project’ Network Rail is consulting on upgrading Meldreth Road, Shepreth, level crossing to a full barrier, which would bring a long waiting time, similar to that at Shepreth Station, and in turn significantly impact traffic flows. While the Shepreth Station full barrier system was installed largely in response to a serious trespassing problem there, relating to people rushing to catch their trains, there is no such problem at Meldreth Road. On the contrary, the Meldreth Road crossing seems to be respected and the Rail User Group has never been made aware of any trespassing problem there. Indeed, the introduction of a full barrier could introduce a trespassing problem. We’ve have been told it will be very hard to prevent the upgrade from happening, but feel the proposal needs to be looked at very carefully, because risk is calculated according to narrow criteria relating to rail not highway. A consultation opened on 1st March and the closing date for comments is 11th April: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/anglia/ improving-the-railway-in-anglia/cambridge-resignalling/ Passenger Benefit Fund and Meldreth Station We’ll be seeing a few improvements to Meldreth Station shortly, as a result of the Passenger Benefit Fund (PBF) – a sort of financial compensation to stations affected by the 2018 timetable meltdown. The bureaucracies involved here are dazzling, and in the end, while rail user feedback was gratefully received, it was the Department for Transport that decided how the funds could be allocated. The toilets will be refurbished – at present they are not fully accessible - and we’ll see improvements in platform seating and waiting shelters.

We’d like to thank Patrick Ladbury, Stakeholder Manager for Govia Thameslink Railway for his attention to ensuring that the PBF could also be applied to a feasibility study for the long awaited ramp connecting the London platform to the path toward Melbourn, which is due to be upgraded thanks to Melbourn Section 106 agreement funds (developer contributions). Meldreth Station Booking Office: Temporary Closures Govia Thameslink Railway has indicated that Meldreth Station booking office will be closed on a temporary basis only, on alternate Saturdays, during this period when passenger numbers are very low. As numbers begin to rise, the booking office will reopen, and indeed will play an important component in rebuilding passenger confidence. Our Station Master Bern Parsons always gives us as much advance notice as possible on any alterations to the usual schedules. See www.facebook.com/groups/meldrethsheprethfoxtonrail. Susan van de Ven and Sarah Grove Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Community Rail Partnership railusergroup@gmail.com The Court Yard Anstey Hall Maris Lane Trumpington Cambridge CB2 9LG

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The Meridian Maycroft Art Centre Room One, the practical hub of the Art Centre opened on time and is now approaching its fourth week of use. Groups of three willing residents meet with Toni and myself to welcome them and re-assure them of the intention of our sessions in the Art Centre, and I emphasise the fact that I am not a teacher of Art but someone who will hopefully help them to see the world around them more clearly and in greater detail. I make a special point of telling them that they won’t be making any mistakes because whatever they do or try to do will be as a result of what they see, and as each person sees things differently, their viewpoints are correct, even if they are different. We discuss our results, other people’s sketches, pictures, and other associated things. Their opinions and thoughts are encouraged. At the end of each session, we talk about what we have done and said with each other. So far, the groups of a dozen or so residents have all agreed that they were glad to have come and found some parts interesting. I talk, they talk, but not for too long, and at the end of each session there is a practical element. In future the method of sessions will be similar, but the subject matter will be varied. Other members of staff have shown an interest and will be joining us from time to time, and outside members of the community may make a contribution in the near future. Peter Stone

Meldreth Women’s Institute It is with great sadness that after 100 years, Meldreth WI has to close down due to lack of support. Jane and the committee would like to send all members and friends good wishes for the future. Kathleen Thompson 18

Meldreth Market, 27th June 2021 You don’t have to have a stall! No, I am not discouraging stall holders but I had a call from someone who didn’t wish to participate, had items they no longer required and wanted a charity to benefit. If that applies to you, please let me know and we will do our best to arrange for one of the stall holders to sell them on your behalf. I know of someone who is having a stall to raise funds to buy a specialist chair for the ICU at Addenbrooke’s hospital so you might like to consider that as your chosen cause. Home-Start is participating to raise funds as is our church. Items can include anything you have made or grown, things you no longer want such as clothes, CDs/DVDs, books, games, china homebaked cakes, jams and pickles. Nothing illegal! A reminder that proceeds of at least a part of what you sell should be given to support the cause of your choosing which will give you a space on the map that will be made available so everyone knows where you are, what you will be selling and which good cause you are supporting. Please register your interest or contact me for more information. Lesley Farbridge lesleyfarbridge@hotmail.com (01763) 261578

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Melbourn & Meldreth Women’s Group We met on Tuesday 23rd February on Zoom and Pat Smith led us on a reflection for Lent. We focussed on Jesus’s baptism and the three temptations he faced in the wilderness. We tried to see how they related to the people of Israel in past times and to us today. Mary, Pauline, Sue and Kimmi read various quotes from the scriptures and Pat used pictures of paintings to illustrate each of the temptations. We noted that in each one, both Satan and Christ were illustrated in different ways and this reflects the fact that each of us may have different ways of thinking of them. No doubt if we were to paint or draw them ourselves, then each picture would be different and this reminds us that temptation can come in many different forms even for us today. Lent is an opportunity for us to reflect on our personal walk with God and for some of us it will mean doing something extra or stopping something for Lent. After the reflection we went into breakout groups and this gave us an opportunity to talk about what we do for Lent. Some of us read a Lent book, other give up things and some of us admitted we did not give up things as we knew we would not do it and that perhaps we were a little selfish and did not want to give up our treats. Pat sent us all a copy of a Lent wheel which was divided into sections with various activities on it that we could choose to focus on for each day that remains in Lent. In March we will have had a quiz evening and on Tuesday 27th April we look forward to an evening of listening to members reminiscing. We are a small friendly group and at present we meet on Zoom but when physical meetings restart, we will meet either in All Saints Community Hall in Melbourn or Holy Trinity Church Meeting Room in Meldreth. We meet monthly and if you would like to know more about the group please contact one of the committee members: Sue Toule (01763) 260955, Angela Leach (01763) 262793, Pat Ames (01763) 261130, Kimmi Crosby 07976 228377, Mary Bailey (01763) 220171 or Diane Blundell (01763) 221415. Pat Smith (01763) 262575

Melbourn and District Photographic Club melbournphotoclub.com Our meetings are usually held weekly from 7.30 - 9.30pm on Tuesdays in Foxton Village Hall from September to April. However, due to Covid-19, all this season’s meetings are being held virtually via Zoom. April dates are as follows: 6th: Print of the Year. Judge: Naomi Saul 13th: AGM - End of season For details about the Club, and to see some of our work, visit our website at melbournphotoclub.com. If you are interested in joining, we are happy for you to join up to two of our Zoom meetings free of charge before deciding. To do this, just email me at melbournphotoclub@hotmail.com. Peter North Secretary Melbourn & District Photographic Club

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2015 Underground Pipes for the New Heating System

Friends of Holy Trinity www.foht.org.uk Here are some more pictures of our past fundraising events and projects. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 restrictions, we have been unable to hold any events during the past year.

2013 Working with Wildlife Talk by Rob Mungovan

John Price

2019 Realignment of the Gates

2011 Car Show

2012 Madingley American Cemetery Talk by Arthur Brookes 2013 Violins: history, manufacture and repair Talk by Chris Beament

Meldreth Bowls Club https://www.meldrethbowlsclub.co.uk There is nothing like the smell of newly mown grass to herald the beginning of spring and the Lawn Bowls season but oh, how Covid-19 has robbed seasoned bowlers of the sport they love. With virtually no lawn bowls during 2020 and the indoor season also annihilated, there is a real desire to get started. Fortunately, the ‘roadmap’ indicates that we should be able to start our season on time at the end of April and preparations are already in hand to be ready to go. Our green is due to open on Saturday 24th April, with our first competitive match being played ‘away’ on Wednesday 28th April. We publish a list of ‘home’ fixtures on the noticeboard on the gate of our club in North End and all are warmly invited to come along to support their local team. Our coffee mornings, which are a social ‘roll up’ with a midway coffee break, will start at 10.00am on Tuesday 27th April and, again, residents of Meldreth are warmly invited to come and try their hand. Basic instruction for beginners can be provided. An ‘official’ Open Day has been pencilled in for Saturday 3rd July but more about that in a future edition of Meldreth Matters. In the meantime, why not make a note of this date in your diaries. We hope to see some new faces at our club this year; you can be assured of a very warm welcome. Jim Hatch, Chairman Meldreth Bowls Club Cambourne Self Storage Outdoor Storage 24 Hour Access 7 Days a Week 365 Days a Year 24 Hour Remotely Monitored CCTV Sensor Flood Lighting Keypad Entry and High Security Locks, Vehicle Access Directly to Unit Doors

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Village Garden Services Contact : Campbell Weir Mobile : 07798 924022 Home : 01223 207583 Email : campbell.weir@outlook.com Reliable and friendly service for all your general garden maintenance needs and much more ...… !

Meldreth Tennis Club www.clubspark.lta.org.uk/meldrethtennisclub The Government road map is permitting tennis to start again on 29th March (current at the time of writing). The Meldreth tennis courts will be able to re-open to members from this date under full LTA guidelines for safe Covid-19 play. During the period April 2020 - March 2021 the club had a record number of 127 members signed up to play on the LTA standard refurbished courts. An on-line booking system allowed members to book courts when permitted and there was a short period when Club group sessions were allowed. From 29th March 2021 (in accordance with LTA guidelines for safe Covid-19 play) the following play on courts will be permitted with two metre social distancing and hand sanitising to be maintained at all times. If the roadmap stays on track, all social contact limits should be lifted and a full tennis club program will commence from 21st June 2021. Outdoor Social Play  singles and doubles social play permitted  rule of six or family groups from the same household allowed per court Organised Group Activity  Covers formally organised group sessions and coaching (i.e. club sessions with nominated person to oversee)  Recommended maximum of six adults per court (groups to sign the track and trace diary in the ball box)  Maximum group size for children is fifteen  No group socialising before/after tennis sessions Club Social Diary Events A full diary of events will be on the website and club noticeboard. Events will be conditional on the continuance of the Government roadmap. 24

Public Hire of Courts It is anticipated to reinstate public booking of the courts at Step Three of the Government roadmap after 17th May. Full details will be confirmed in due course. Membership Fees due 1st April 2021 The Club’s new year starts on 1st April and the Committee has voted to keep the membership prices at the 2019 rates. See full membership packages and joining details on the club website. Membership prices for 1st April 2021 – 31st March 2022 are: Membership

2021/22

Adult

£45.00

Family

£95.00

Junior

£20.00

Mini

£10.00

Tots

£5.00

Young Adult

£30.00

A welcome letter with club details will be sent to all new members. Should you require any further information, please go to our website or see our noticeboards on court. Meldreth Tennis Club

Home Tutor

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Meldreth Coronavirus Community Support We hope you are staying safe and well and enjoying these early spring days. With schools fully open again and the vaccination rollout moving ahead, the world feels a bit different. All the same, we know from the Cambridgeshire Director of Public Health that we need to take great care in this transition period: she reminds us that the vaccine will not provide a magic wand and that there will be continual learning about how the virus behaves. Once again, we’d like to thank Meldreth residents for contributing to the community effort to help curtail the spread of Covid-19. Assistance from MCCS If you are clinically extremely vulnerable, shielding or have been instructed to self-isolate by NHS Test & Trace and your usual support is unavailable, please contact Meldreth Coronavirus Community Support using the contact details below and we will do our best to assist. Vaccinations Thank you to people who’ve contacted us with questions about vaccinations; we can help point you in the right direction. Transport to Vaccination Appointments Help is available via the County Council for anyone who is stuck without transport to their vaccination appointment. Please ring the Countywide Hub on 0345 045 5219. Royston and District Community Transport is also offering lifts to vaccination appointments. Pharmacy Deliveries If you are unable to travel to a pharmacy, medication can be delivered directly to you by a number of methods. Please ask your local pharmacist - Well Melbourn (01763 260221) or Bassingbourn Pharmacy (01763 250660) - about the services offered. Our coordinator for pharmacy assistance is Nick Garner on 07968 568599. Local Shops Taking Telephone Orders and Making Deliveries Home delivery is available from Fieldgate (01763 260737) and Bury Lane (01763 260418). For Leech & Sons butchers ring (01763) 260255 to collect outside in the car park at the back. 26

Meldreth Food Bank The food bank continues to support local people. You can visit the Food Bank at 69 High Street on Tuesdays from 10am to midday or on Thursdays from 2.00-4.00pm or contact Anne Bobeckyj, Food Bank coordinator, on 07592 355279. All queries are treated in complete confidence. Meldreth Walking Friends We’ve been quiet over the cold and wet winter but hope you will contact us if the idea of a Meldreth walk in company would be something you’d enjoy. Please contact Paul Inman on 07976 256121 to find out more. Mental Health and Wellbeing Support We are supported by the very useful resources available to all at CPSL Mind – that’s Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Suffolk and Lincolnshire Mind - including common-sense helpful reminders and also telephone numbers and links if you’re worried or anxious and need to talk to someone who can help. See https://www.cpslmind.org.uk/top-tips-selfhelp-resources/ or for general queries please call 0300 303 4363 between 9.30am and 5.30pm. Our Neighbourhood Zone Leaders Please remember that our team is always on hand for a friendly chat by telephone. Kneesworth Rd, West Way, Burtons & Fenny Lane: Bev Cottrell, 07773 592838 Elin Way and Howard Road Zone: David Hollamby, 07732 106828 Whitecroft Road, Chiswick End, Oakrits, Melrose: John Crawforth, 07595 627684 High Street, Flambards, The Grange, Woolpack Way, Station Yard & Road: Helen Munday, 07712 555598 Bell Close and Gables Close: Cathy Walston, 07757 086380 North End, Brewery Lane, Malton Lane, Cam Farm: Bev Cottrell, 07773 592838 & Ian Mitchell, 07726 936635 Any other questions, please let us know! County and District Councillors Susan van de Ven and Jose Hales and all at the MCCS team 27

Meldreth Village D Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thurs

7.30pm Parish (online meeting

Refuse Collections Black bins: 14th*, 27th Blue & green bins: 8th*, 20th * late collections due to public holidays

7.30pm Rail User Group AGM on Microsoft Teams (see page 16 for details)

5.00-6.00pm Zoom Cuppa Surgery with Susan van de Ven and Jose Hales (see page 45) 6.00-7.00pm SWCAG Zoom meeting (see page 11) 9.30-11.30am Toddler Group (see page 32)

School Summer Term Begins

10.00am Hartb

5.00-6.00pm Zoom Cuppa Surgery (see page 45)

Copy deadline for the May issue 4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children

10.40-11.30 Mobile Library 9.30-11.30am Toddler Group (see page 32) 5.00-6.00pm Zoom Cuppa Surgery (see page 45)

4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children

10.00am Roll-Up Coffee Morning, Bowls Club (see page 23)

9.30-11.30am Toddler Group (see page 32) 5.00-6.00pm Zoom Cuppa Surgery (see page 45)

10.00am Hartb

4.00-5.00pm A

10.00am Hartb

4.00-5.00pm A

The Mobile Library Service visits Bell Close. All other eve

Diary - April 2021

sday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Council g)

beeps

All events/mee ngs in the Village Hall are subject to change. If in doubt, please check before a ending. Numbers are strictly limited so pre-booking with the mee ng organiser is essen al.

beeps

ACRO

beeps

ACRO

The copy deadline for the May issue of Meldreth Matters is Monday 12th April

ents are held in the Village Hall unless otherwise indicated.

Meldreth Brownies Meldreth Brownies have continued to meet on Zoom over the winter and have welcomed new Brownies to our pack. We have learnt how to say the Brownie Promise with sign language and explored the night sky by making star constellations with cardboard and torches. We have talked about where our food comes from, food miles and pollution and how that can be reduced by eating what is in season. We had a performance evening, which included multiple renditions of Jingle Bells on the piano, reading a story, dancing, magic tricks, poetry, newsreading, and a play about a squirrel that would not hibernate when it should. We are looking forward to the time when we can meet again in person, but for now are grateful that technology allows us to meet online. We recently wrote this poem about what our Mums mean to us ... Caroline Halsey Snowy Owl

What Mum Means to Me My Mum is kind and lovely to me She gives the best hugs Always makes me happy And mends things I have broken My Mum is fun because she plays with me With our rabbits Or board games and we do art Or go on fun adventures

My Mum is an amazing cook She makes a very good roast dinner Especially the potatoes And syrup pudding, yummy My Mum helps me with my tricky learning She is a brilliant listener Really kind when I have bad days at school We talk about it at bedtime and it makes me feel much better My Mum is awesome She does all the work and I LOVE her My daddy says she is the best Because she is married to him Did I tell you she is an amazing cook? Pasta with pesto or tomato and cheese Apple crumble or sausage and mash And mmmm, vanilla cheesecake My Mum is amazing to me At the end of the day when it is time for bed She gives really cuddly cuddles Makes up stories and gives me tickles on my head My Mum gives the best cuddles I love cuddles I just love my MMMMMMMUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMM

Baby & Toddler Group Following the Government's recent roadmap out of lockdown, we are very pleased that we are aiming to reopen the group on Wednesday 14th April (subject to Government confirmation). The past year, and lockdowns especially, have been very hard for those with, or who look after, babies and/or young children. Many of us have really missed the opportunity to interact with other parents/carers and for children to socialise and play together in an informal setting. Whether you have attended before, are new to the village, or a new parent, we would be delighted to welcome you to our friendly group. We run every Wednesday in term time 9.30am - 11.30am at Meldreth Village Hall. The cost is £2 per family (which includes a snack for children and hot drink for adults). We will initially be restricted to fifteen adults, (no restrictions on under 5s) so please make sure you sign up each week on our Facebook group before attending. We will have safety measures in place (please remember your face mask) and please make sure you read the guidance on the entrance to the Village Hall. For more information and to sign up to attend each week please visit our Facebook page (visit https://www.facebook.com/ groups/1652916391588588 or search for Meldreth Baby and Toddler Group). Julia Moore

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Shepreth Spitfires Football Club sheprethspitfires.co.uk By the time you read this the children will be back playing football with their friends, which is amazing! All of the children are really excited to be coming back from the week starting 29th March and it will be lovely for those passing by the Eternit Sports and Social Club and Shepreth Recreation Ground to hear the children playing and enjoying themselves once again. Further to this, it is also fantastic news that the children will play league football into June to make up for some of the time that has been lost. Shepreth Spitfires would like to welcome any new players if they wish to join across all of our age groups (Under 7s – U12) but especially children in current Year 3 at school. The Spitfires have multiple, ability based, teams at all age groups which allows all of the children to develop at their own pace. The club has teams playing in the top divisions in both the Cambridgeshire and the Crow leagues; and it also has teams playing throughout the other divisions too, both on Saturdays and Sundays. Our club remains a low cost football club and signing-on fee, including all kit and training, remains at £50. If this cannot be afforded further assistance will also be provided. If anyone would like to join Shepreth Spitfires Football Club please contact Lucy or Sean on 07510 175370 or Lucy_smith_9@yahoo.co.uk or visit www.sheprethspitfires.co.uk. Lucy Smith

Now treating paddocks & large areas

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Whaddon Road, Meldreth, SG8 5RL

Club Facili es

Entertainments

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

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

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

Meldreth Primary School www.meldreth.cambs.sch.uk At the time of writing, the children have been back in school for only two days since this second extended lockdown ended – that’s twice as long as we were back after Christmas before the schools were very suddenly closed! It has been an indescribable joy to hear the classrooms ringing with children’s voices once more and to see the playgrounds full of activity at break. Most children have been at home for a full two terms over the past year and have been long yearning for the opportunity to return to face to face lessons with their teachers and to socialise once more with their friends. We know that it will take quite some time before life fully returns to the ‘normal’ we yearn for, but in the meantime we all celebrate the very fact that we are back together again in school. Children in Kestrel Class share a few of their thoughts on life in lockdown: Probably the worst thing about lockdown was that we went back for one day in January and then they had to shut down the schools again. I learned that reading is really important and without it I would just be a crying clown on the streets. I also learned how important school is and how I need to consider myself lucky when I can go to school. Harry There were some ups and some downs. Home learning was OK because my mum is a teacher and she helped me a lot with my work. I also liked being at home every day with my family. It was weird doing online learning because it felt as if we were on screens the whole time! Isla 35

Lockdown was a bit different for me this time because I was starting at Meldreth school for the first time. My parents are key workers so I was able to come into school but I only met a few of the children because the rest of them were at home. I saw them in the daily online meetings but I can only get to know them now that everyone is back. Oli It all started when we went home from school after Christmas thinking we’d be back the next day. I was in my room reading and my mum came in and told me we were going into Lockdown again. It was the most heartbreaking news. We went straight into Lockdown the next day. Millie Lockdown for me was quite a mix of being bored, fun, lazy and exercising. Unlike the last lockdown, the parks were open this time, giving me a lot more to do, but lockdown was also VERY boring at times. Looking at screens was a necessity, having to go to the daily online meetings and even sometimes doing work on screens. Maya Strangely, as my teacher Mr Jones said ‘Cheerio’ on January 4th, we all thought we would be back the next day but NO, we weren’t going back to school. It felt like we had done something wrong, however we hadn’t. At first it was hard to get used to the online lessons but slowly it dragged on. Sienna I loved doing the Zoom meetings because I saw my friends’ faces. I loved doing the 1.00 meetings where we would talk through the maths and literacy. Although there were more possibilities, I still got bored at home. Through Lockdown I learned that I am very social and that I like to work in groups. The worst parts of Lockdown were that I couldn’t see my friends or my teacher. Even though I survived Lockdown, it will still be a bad dream in my mind. Evie Often I struggled without the teachers there to help me. My parents did help when they could but they work shifts and they work really hard actually. Lockdown made me realise just how hard they work. But I did learn a lot from lockdown so in a way it has done me a favour. Kezia I found lockdown hard, but because of the class video meetings it was much easier than last time. During lockdown I got far more chocolate than usual. I also did way more chores and helped around the house. The thing I hated most was when the wi-fi cut out! Tom

Unexpectedly, the world fell into lockdown and I had to do home learning. I was so upset and I missed my best friend however we did call each other every day after school. During lockdown I realised how much I really like school and my incredibly helpful teachers! Imogen Mrs Emily Millington We bade a fond farewell to Mrs Millington at the end of the Spring term. Emily has taught across the school over the past eight years leading our Modern Foreign Language curriculum and thoroughly grounding the children in Key Stage two in Spanish. Local secondary schools have noted how well prepared Meldreth children are for their language lessons in Key Stage 3. Emily has also been a tremendously creative teacher in school, leading some fantastic art projects in her time with us and over the past year, she organised the development and landscaping of our Wild Area in the school grounds, which is now called ‘The Secret Garden’ and will certainly remind us of Mrs Millington for many years to come! Andrew Jones Deputy Headteacher Meldreth Primary School

Things for Children and Families To Do If all goes well, zoos, theme parks and libraries should open on 12th April. In the meantime, there’s plenty you can do online. Saturday 3rd April, Cambridge Festival CHaOS Science Roadshow - 40 minutes of science experiments with opportunities for interaction. Book on www.festival.cam.ac.uk. To Sunday 4th April (also www.festival.cam.ac.uk) A wide range of activities and workshops, e.g. Channelling Light (for 12+), Crystal Adventures (12 - 18 years), Animal Adventurers (all ages) or Worms are Cleverer Than You Think (7 - 11 years). To Sunday 11th April, University Botanic Garden Spring Bingo Hunt for spring plants and animals to complete your bingo sheet. Buy entry tickets in advance. www.botanic.cam.ac.uk. National Trust Activities Download packs for Archaeology Adventures - Anglo Saxons (find out about Sutton Hoo), Romans, Medieval. Print leaf identification or woodland wildlife packs for spring walks. www.nationaltrust.org.uk Discovering Children’s Books at the British Library Create your own books or make a toy theatre, guided by videos e.g. ‘How to draw a gruffalo’ or ‘How to develop a character’: www.bl.uk. Explore the Cambridge Museums from Home Twilight at Home Make your own Northern Lights, make a constellation jar, find out how to find fossils in flint gravel, make papyrus at www.museums.cam.ac.uk. How do you measure the height of a tree? See: www.suffolkcambs.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/7-fun-things-to-do-in -the-garden-with-kids to find out. Also, how to make a jam jar garden and dig a mini golf course (ask your parents first!). Ten Pieces Tasters Simple, fun, creative activities for primary age children led by artists, poets, dancers and and musicians, offering different ways to get creative with classical music. Visit: www.bbc.co.uk. Compiled by Hilary Crawforth 38

Unit 1, Whitecroft Rd, Meldreth, Royston, SG8 8NE

Things to Do in April Here are some things you might like to do in April, many of them without leaving home. From 12th onwards, the ‘stay local’ requirement should be relaxed. If you want to let us know about any future event or activity please email: meldrethmatters@hotmail.com. Until Friday 2nd April Saffron Hall, Saffron Walden Nicola Benedetti A free digital performance from an internationally acclaimed violinist, including works by Bach and Paganini, plus an interview with Nicola Benedetti herself. Donations to her chosen charities and Saffron Hall will be appreciated. See www.events.saffronhall.com. To Sunday 4th April (running from 26th March) The Cambridge Festival 2021 Combines Cambridge’s Science Festival and Festival of Ideas with hundreds of leading experts from the world of science, current affairs and the arts. Take a virtual tour of Cambridge’s world-leading cancer research laboratories; go on board UK’s new polar ship the RRS Sir David Attenborough and learn about latest research on climate change; find what’s ‘hidden in plane flight’ - the amazing science behind how we keep our aircraft in the air. Most events free: www.festival.cam.ac.uk. Friday 2nd and Sunday 25th April, 6.00pm Imperial War Museum, Duxford The Spitfire - A Virtual Tour Join this online event to uncover the special relationship between IWM Duxford and the legendary Spitfire, iconic plane of the Battle of Britain and one of the most famous fighter aircraft in history. Tour lasts approximately 90 minutes with a chance to ask questions of IWM’s expert guides. Tickets £10. Visit www.iwm.org.uk. Throughout April Treasures of the British Library From Magna Carta and Shakespeare to Florence Nightingale and Gandhi - explore some of the world’s most exciting, beautiful and significant books, maps and manuscripts. Library closed for the time being but online tours and events available: www.bl.uk/events/treasures -of-the-british-library. 40

Throughout April (but see note re ‘staying local’ above) Spring Gardens at Anglesey Abbey Quy Road, Lode, Cambridgeshire CB25 9EJ National Trust gardens and parks remain open for local people to exercise and Anglesey Abbey gardens come alive in spring with tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, masses of wild flowers and tree blossom. Outdoor kiosk for takeaway hot drinks and snacks (card payment only). Booking system in operation and public health restrictions to keep you safe. Visit: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/anglesey-abbey-gardensand-lode-mill/features/spring-at-anglesey-abbey. Until Thursday May 6th, 10.00am to 5.00pm Cambridge University Botanical Garden 1 Brookside, Cambridge CB2 1JE International Garden Photographer of the Year Outdoor exhibition of photographs from around the world set against the beautiful backdrop of the Botanic Garden. Free but entry to the Garden with pre-booked tickets only. Garden café offers takeaway service only and latest Government guidance applies. See: www.botanic.cam.uk. Friday 9th April, 10.00am to 2.00pm East of England Careers Fair (virtual event) Lost your job in the current pandemic? Want a change of direction at work? This event gives you the chance to speak to potential employers and ask as many questions as you like. Learn what skills they are looking for and see what opportunities might be available to you. To join go to: www.ukcareersfair.com/virtual. Free. From Monday 12th April, Cambridgeshire libraries will re-open providing the Government’s programme for easing Coronavirus restrictions goes ahead as planned. In the meantime, a wide range of library services is available online: www.cambridgeshire. gov.uk. Wednesday 21st to Sunday 25th April, at various times Cambridge Literary Spring Festival 2021 Online this year but bringing you some of today’s best writers and speakers covering a range of current issues. Full programme and tickets on sale from Saturday 17th April: www.cambridgeliteraryfestival.com. Compiled by John Crawforth 41

Note from a Small Garden Last month it was snowdrops (and we have had volunteers for donating snowdrops and planters; thanks very much everyone), and this month it is daffodils. As we drove past Shepreth Manor this morning, on the left of the road towards the A10, there was a stunning sight, a drift of wild daffodils (narcissus pseudonarcissus) in the field peeping through the dying-down snowdrops. It gave such a lift to one’s sprits, and reminded me of when I was a ten year old at school, noticing a hill on our walk with the same daffodils packed so tight you could hardly walk through them. This daffodil, with six pale outer petals and a bright yellow trumpet, is the native flower of Wales, and also called the Lent lily, the Bell Rose and the daffadowndilly. It originates in Western Europe though it is not clear when it was first introduced into Wales. It is also the emblem of the Alzheimer’s Society. I have planted a number of Tenby daffodils which are the same size but different from the Welsh variety with its all-yellow flowers. The Tenby daffodils are a subspecies of narcissus pseudonarcissus, and are supposed to naturalise well, so next year I shall go bust and buy a hundred and plant them by the stream in the front garden. March and April are the months for sowing vegetable seeds so this afternoon, I got on and sowed some more broad beans and French runners (three different colours, green, yellow and purple) in trays. If I put them straight into the ground, they tend to get eaten by mice. This year I have tried seeds from DT Brown. I will report back on lettuces ‘Drunken Woman’(!) and ‘Bronze Beauty’ and tomatoes ‘Shimmer’ (such a success last year) and the more common ‘Tumbling Tom Red’. As the weather warms up, I can use the poly tunnel for seeds as our garden room is full to bursting with geraniums, cuttings and biennials. Jobs for April  My job for this weekend is to cut back a splendid hoya I have in the garden room. It has outgrown its pot, so I shall cut back the roots and repot it in lots of good compost. I can’t put it in a bigger pot as there is no room!  Prune early flowerers, for example winter jasmine and winter honeysuckle. 42

 Thin out and cut back Christmas box as it can be a bit of a thug.  Plant for spring colour; try camellias (plant on a north wall), corylopsis and trilliums.  Think about mowing. Are you going to mow all your lawns or could you let part of the garden grow a bit wild this spring? You don’t necessarily have to plant a meadow à la Kings College! Insects and bird life will love tall grass. And to end with, a little joke from a letter to the Guardian on 4thMarch; ‘I planted the yellow honeysuckle Lonicera japonica ‘Halliana’ to ramble along the fence. However, the honeysuckle preferred the washing line in full sun. I now use the indoor kitchen pulley the whole time.’ Good gardening from Jim and me! Julie Draper Juliedraper@dumbflea.co.uk

Moorlands Court

Local Community Services

 Homecare – our fully trained carers visit you in your home.  Si ng service – a visit from our experienced staﬀ gives family carers me for themselves.  Day Centre – based at Moorlands Court, with a friendly and sociable atmosphere and includes a tasty 2 course lunch.  Meals service – nutri ous, hot lunch me meal delivered to you.  Housekeeping – we do those jobs which you can no longer manage, from cleaning and ironing, to bed changing and shopping. To ﬁnd out more, just call us at Moorlands Court on 01763 260564, or email : denise.taylor@chsgroup.org.uk 43

District and County Councillors’ Report Gulley Emptying All being well, by the time you read this, a comprehensive Highways gulley emptying operation will have taken place in the High Street, Whitecroft Road, Fenny Lane, Elin Way and Station Road – a circuit where we’ve identified particular problems. We’ve discussed with County Highways a protocol for the exercise including marking gullies cleared and any that are inaccessible, so that a return visit can be made where necessary. Going forward, it will be really important throughout the village to know where ‘pooling’ is happening – meaning long standing water around drains. Please be sure to report this if you can on the Highways reporting website, https://highwaysreporting.cambridgeshire.gov.uk and feel free to alert us as well as we have an assurance from Highways that they will return for jetting where we identify a problematic drain. County Council Council tax set for 2021-22: most of the County Council budget is already committed to essential statutory services such as adult social care, looked after children as well as highway maintenance. The scope for radical new ideas is very limited. This year’s budgetary process has been overshadowed, inevitably, by the Covid pandemic which has required much flexibility from council employees, with extra costs, partially offset by extra grants from central government. Council tax increase for 2021-22 will be 1.99% for general expenditure and 1% for Adult Social care. For people living in a Band D benchmark property, the increase amounts to £40.59 per year or £3.38 per month. County Council tax accounts for 70% of our overall council tax bill, the rest being levied by Fire, Police, District Council and Parish Council. Less Funding for Highways At first glance, news that the County Council has put an extra £4m into footway maintenance and repair was to be welcomed. The recent announcement by the Government of the allocation of highways maintenance cash for the forthcoming year for each County indicates almost £7.5million less than last year. So in fact we will have £3.5m less to spend on highways maintenance. 44

Fly Tipping SCDC reports that there has been no significant increase in fly tipping since the introduction of pre-book visits to County’s Household Waste Centres. As you know, we all pay for fly tipping through our Council Tax. Officers always sift through fly tipping rubbish and very often find personal information they can use to track the perpetrators. SCDC always prosecute. If you see fly tipping, please report it straight away. It’s easy to report fly-tipping on-line: https://forms.scambs.gov.uk/ reportenvirocrimewasteinyourarea/launch. Resignation of Deputy Leader of County Council Ahead of a report that went to the Audit and Accounts Committee on 5th March, the Deputy Leader of the County Council Roger Hickford has resigned. The matter involves the award to Councillor Hickford of the tenancy of a County Council-owned farm. Councillor Hickford was a member of the County Council Farms Estates working group, Chair of the Greater Cambridge Partnership Board and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Health and Wellbeing Board. It is not yet known if the 'Manor Farm Audit' report will be made public. Cambridge Water Treatment Works SCDC and Cambridge City Council are urging local people to get involved in the next stages of the design and planning for a new plant, which Anglian Water says will support the local ambition towards net zero carbon, and also deliver wider benefits for people and wildlife. Anglian Water have announced that the preferred site for their new plant is an area north of the A14 between Fen Ditton and Horningsea. The proposed relocation would allow a new net zero carbon facility, meeting exemplar environmental standards, to replace the existing plant which is near Cambridge North railway station. This will unlock opportunities for future development on that site, as well as providing for planned growth in places such as Waterbeach New Town. The project means that no additional treatment facilities would be needed at the new town as wastewater would be treated at the new plant. Zoom Cuppa Surgeries We’re holding a weekly Zoom surgery, on Wednesdays from 5.006.00pm. Just drop us a line if you’d like to attend, or please feel free to get in touch anytime by telephone or email. Susan van de Ven, County Councillor and Jose Hales, District Councillor 45

Meldreth Parish Council www.meldreth-pc.org.uk Meeting held on Thursday 4th March 2021 This meeting was held through a video/audio link, in accordance with revised procedures provided by the Coronavirus Act 2020. The main points of this Meeting are set out below in the usual summary format. The full formal minutes can be viewed in due course on the website at www.meldreth-pc.org.uk and on the Parish Council notice board; these will be presented for approval at the next Parish Council meeting Discussions and Decisions District and County Councillors’ Reports It was agreed that letters would be sent to residents in certain streets in Meldreth where drain clearance is shortly to be undertaken. This is to help ensure that cars are not parked in places that prevent this from taking place. A similar exercise has been carried out in Melbourn and our County and District Councillors have agreed to help us to repeat this in Meldreth. Call for Sites survey It was noted that the Parish Council had submitted its initial comments on each of the proposals. The next stage is awaited. Proposal for major town development in South Cambs There is much concern in local villages about proposals by development company Thakeham to develop 25,000 houses in our area with associated infrastructure. A South West Cambridge Action Group has been formed and is actively supported by all our local village Councils, including Meldreth. It is not clear whether the developers will be required to observe all the usual planning conventions and perhaps put their proposals forward through the Call for Sites programme, or seek an alternative way of furthering the project. In either case we urge residents to remain engaged with what is going on. It is suggested that residents keep themselves informed through the action group’s website: www.swcag.org.uk . There will be regular articles in local magazines and the Parish Council’s agenda will have a regular item in respect of this project.

Melbourn Conservation Area The Parish Council did not agree that part of Meldreth should be included in this area and has informed SCDC accordingly. Recreation Ground It was agreed to purchase and install a children’s play tower in the playground area, to be funded out of S106 funds and community benefit funds arising from solar farm grants. The kick wall will be extended once ground conditions are more favourable. Notice Boards The Council agreed to take over the management of the two notice boards previously operated by the Meldreth Village Association (one opposite the shop, the other opposite the rail station) and to ensure that these are available for general village information. Traffic Working Group The Council has asked Highways to install traffic calming measures in Whitecroft Road and this should be determined by the end of March. A log will be maintained of incidents at the junction of Whitecroft Road/Station Road/High Street so that a review of possible improvements can be undertaken. Cemetery Future grave allocations and burials will be subject to an Agreement between Applicants and the Council, acknowledging the Rules of our cemetery. Next Meeting: Thursday 1st April 2021 at 7.30pm. Meldreth Parish Council

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Meldreth Parish Council - Contact Details http://www.meldreth-pc.org.uk Parish Office, Meldreth Sheltered Scheme, Elin Way, Royston SG8 6LT Office hours: Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 12.30-2.30pm By appointment at other times Parish Clerk: Mrs J Damant (01763) 269928 parishclerk@meldreth-pc.org.uk Mr R Goddin (Chairman) (01763) 260061

goddin@btinternet.com

Mr R A Searles (Vice Ch)

(01763) 260435

robert.searles@btinternet.com

Mrs C J Fallon

(01763) 262822

joan.fallonpc@gmail.com

Mr N Garner

(01763) 268328

nickphgarner@gmail.com

Mrs P Gilmore

(01763) 263138

gilmorepat@aol.com

Dr R James

(01763) 261085

roger+pc@rogerjames.net

Mr C A Land

(01763) 261004

conradland@btinternet.com

Mr Nigel Pellatt

(01763) 262444

nppellatt@btconnect.com

Mr A Young

(01763) 263484

andrewmpc@gmail.com

Have you heard? We’ve moved! Find us at our new address: Audiology House (Cambridge) 15 Woollards Lane, Great Shelford Cambridge CB22 5LZ

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01223 661399

www.angliearhearing.co.uk

info@angliearhearing.co.uk

Dog Thefts Cambridgeshire Constabulary have sent out an alert following a national rise in dog thefts and a number of attempted burglaries across the north of Cambridgeshire, possibly as a precursor to dog thefts. To protect your pet from thieves:  Keep an ID tag on your dog at all times (surname, address and mobile number only).  Lock gates using bolts at the top and bottom, along with a heavyduty padlock.  Never leave your dog in the garden unattended.  Fit a bell or gate alarm so it makes a sound when someone opens it, or a driveway alarm (these can also be used in rear gardens).  Avoid leaving a dog tied up outside a shop or left alone in a car.  Prevent theft on walks by varying walk times and locations and being suspicious of strangers who ask questions about your dog.  Make sure your dog is microchipped and its details are updated so that it can be returned if it is stolen and then found.  Take lots of photographs of your dog to prove ownership if it is stolen and then found. If your dog is lost or suspected to have been stolen, it’s important to act quickly. Report stolen dogs to Cambridgeshire Constabulary via the report online page at cambs.police.uk or by calling 101. Also notify your microchip database provider. You should also report suspicious activity or interest in dogs in the same way, or by calling 999 in an emergency. Without putting yourself at risk, try to obtain a description of anyone you saw, and make a note of any suspicious, loitering vehicles, which can be passed on to police to aid investigation. It is encouraged that you report a stolen dog on Doglost.co.uk or via their Facebook page. You can also use Doglost.co.uk to report found dogs which you believe may have been missing or stolen. You can contact Neighbourhood Watch by telephoning Graham on (01763) 260358 or by emailing nhw.meldreth@btinternet.com. Meldreth Neighbourhood Watch

Letters to the Editor Dog Fouling During the first two weeks of March, whilst working on a 50-metre stretch of woodland alongside the River Mel, we picked up 109 (one hundred and nine!) plastic bags containing dog faeces. Why pick up after your dog and then toss it over the fence into adjacent woodland? So many people enjoy what is one of the most popular walks in Meldreth. Why spoil it for others? Many volunteers give freely of their time to keep this a pleasant place to walk. These include the local Footpaths Group, the River Mel Restoration Group, the Melwood volunteers, as well as public spirited individuals who pick up discarded litter as they walk. Please take your dog’s poo bags home with you or dispose of them safely in any public litter or dedicated dog-waste bin. It is a disgrace to Meldreth and its residents that anyone can think that tossing bags of poo into the hedgerow is a civil or responsible thing to do. Sandra Webb

Local Transport Authority Since 2017 the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) has been responsible for public transport but has delegated that responsibility to Cambridgeshire City Council and Peterborough City Council to carry out the day-to-day delivery on their behalf. However, in October 2020 the CPCA notified both Councils that it intended to operate the day-to-day delivery directly. From 1st April, therefore, the current public transport functions will transfer from CCC and PCC and will be provided direct by the CPCA. The current provision of bus services, community transport and concessionary travel scheme arrangements will continue from 1st April and the public should see no change, apart from some contact details, to the services they use. Contact details are being finalised and those directly affected will be written to shortly. Passenger Transport Services on behalf of the CPCA 50

MELBOURN FLOORING AND INTERIORS LIMITED Phillimore Garden Centre, Cambridge Road, Melbourn, SG8 6EY Tel: 01763 262413 Vast Range of:

 Carpets and Vinyls  Real/Engineered Wood– Woodpecker, Xylo and many more  Balterio & Quickstep Laminates  Karndean, Amtico, Moduleo and Project Floors– Luxury Vinyl Tiles  Safety Flooring  Brand leading manufacturer samples available to take away Free survey and Estimates - Fitting by experienced staff VISIT OUR LARGE SHOWROOMS 9 TO 5 MONDAY TO FRIDAY 9 TO 4 SATURDAY OR CALL ON 01763 262413 AND SPEAK TO ONE OF OUR FRIENDLY STAFF. AMPLE FREE PARKING.

www.melbournflooring.co.uk

@melbournflooring

Friendly, Professional, Expert

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

Home-Start Royston & South Cambridgeshire www.hsrsc.org.uk Getting Ready For School If you’re a parent of school-aged children, then there is a chance you might be waiting to hear about school places right now. Whether it’s pre-schoolers facing their first time in an education setting or the rite-ofpassage that is Reception, it’s a nail-biting wait. Starting school is a big event in every family, and as a parent there is always that worry: are they ready? Have we done enough to help them? What do we do if they’re not ready? If these questions resonate with you, then maybe you would be interested in our school readiness project, ‘Getting Ready For School.’ ‘Getting Ready For School’ is designed to help families prepare for school, making sure that children have all the skills they’ll need from day one; but also making sure that parents are ready too, and are able to help their children prepare for the big day. Here at Home-Start we recognise that starting school can be frightening and stressful, for the parents as well as the children, which means that no one enjoys the experience. Our highly-trained volunteers use lots of fun activities to help children get ready to get the best out of nursery, pre-school or school. Which leaves parents free to enjoy watching their children thrive. ‘Getting Ready For School’ is a completely free service that we offer to families in our area. If you would like to know more about what’s involved, then please get in touch: admin@hsrsc.org.uk or (01763) 262262. Let us help you to love getting ready for school. Cathy Coulthard Community and Events Development Manager Home Start Royston, Buntingford & South Cambridgeshire

MELDRETH PLANT HIRE TEL: 01763 262738

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

Nigel Wigg Home Improvement Specialist • Exterior and interior home decorating • Tiling • Carpentry • Refurbishment • Timber carport and veranda design and construction • General home repairs • Pruning / hedge and tree trimming • Professional service

nigelwigg@gmail.com T 01480 700266 M 07801 057514 53

Tudor Access Scaffolding Small friendly scaffolding firm established in 2010 offering services in the Cambs, Herts, Beds & Essex regions. Can undertake all aspects of scaffold contracts including domes c & commercial, ranging from small access towers, temporary roofing, handrails, ne ng, monoflexing & all forms of scaffold protec on, from new build to refurbishments.

One Stop Village Hall Bookings Village Hall Chairman

(01763) 262158, open 7am-10pm, 7 days Sherida Richards—(01763) 262512 Paul Ray—(01763) 260304

Cycling Group Local History Group Lunch Club Melwood Cons. Group

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

Photographic Group

www.melbourn-photographic-club.co.uk

Revelation U3A WI

Miriam Skuce—(01763) 262440 Chris Davison—(01763) 264189 Jane Bates—(01763) 261638

Sport

Bowls Club Croquet Club Meldreth United FC Table Tennis Tennis Club

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

Church

Litter Picker

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

(01763) 220626; https://allsaintsmelbournholytrinitymeldreth.co.uk (01763) 261569 Peter Hinton—(01763) 262045 (01763) 260048; www.foht.org.uk

Baby & Toddler Group Brownies (1st Meldreth) Hartbeeps Pre-School Primary School

Thea Peacock—07930 893201 Email: 1stmeldrethbrownies@gmail.com Kelly@hartbeeps.com 07518 173653; www.meldrethPreschool.com (01763) 260432; www.meldreth.cambs.sch.uk

Parish Council District Councillor District Council Offices

Please see details at end of Parish Council report Jose Hales—07703 262649 03450 450500; www.scambs.gov.uk/ Susan van de Ven—07905 325574 susanvandeven.mycouncillor.org.uk/ 0345 045 5200; www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/ Anthony Browne; www.anthonybrowne.org/

Councils & Govt.

Clubs & Societies

Facilities

Neighbourhood Watch

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

Children

Village Directory

County Councillor County Council Offices MP

Hours: Mon - Fri 7-11.15am, Sat 8.45am - 1.25pm

Rail User Group

07905 325574; www.meldrethsheprethfoxtonrail.org.uk

Transport

Govia/Great Northern

www.thameslinkrailway.com

The Trainline Stagecoach Potholes, Highways problems, etc. Streetlights (faulty)

www.thetrainline.com www.stagecoachbus.com/Cambridge 0345 045 5212; http://www2.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/ HighwaysReports/Highways/ReportProblem1.aspx 08007838 247 - give location, fault & SC or CCC no.

Health

Melbourn Surgery Addenbrooke’s NHS

(01763) 260220; Dispensary—(01763) 261246 (01223) 245151 111 (24 hour non-emergency number)

Childline

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

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

General Emergency Gas Electricity Anglian Water Cambridge Water

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

Crimestoppers

S Cambs Fire & Rescue

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

Melbourn Hub

(01763) 263303; www.melbournhub.com

Royston Museum

(01763) 242587; www.roystonmuseum.org.uk

Misc.

NonEmerg.

Emergencies

Support Services

Station Ticket Office

Citizens Advice Bureau

Police

Taxi (Butler Meltax) (01763) 244444; 212223 Details of village groups and facilities can be found in the Meldreth Today section at www.meldrethhistory.org.uk. Meldreth Matters Team: Chairman: Lesley Farbridge 261578; Editor & Layout: Kathryn Betts 268428; Proof-reading: Ken McLean 261243; Treasurer, Secretary & Trade Advertising: Beverley Cottrell 262176; Advertising Layout: Richard Burns 263121; Editorial Assistant: Robin Farbridge; Distribution: Lesley Pemberton 07798586875 and David & Maggie Smith 260378; Founder: Ann Barnes Meldreth Matters is available online at issuu.com (search for Meldreth)

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

6 months £134.00 £74.00 £43.00 £11.00

12 months £216.00 £118.00 £65.00 £16.00

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

Index to Advertisers Meldreth Matters depends entirely on advertising revenue to cover its production costs. Please mention Meldreth Matters when contacting our advertisers. AngliEAR Hearing ...........................48 Art of Clean .....................................47 Art of Clean Wood ...........................32 Aurora Meldreth Manor (Job) ..........39 Cambourne Self Storage ...................23 CHS Day Centre ................................9 CHS Group ......................................43 Cleaner Wanted (Job) .......................47 Coach House Health Care ................17 The Country Store ............................19 Dog Walker/Pet Sitter .......................32 Ely Design Group ...............................4 Eternit Sports and Social Club ..........34 Eve Construction ................................4 Home Tutor .....................................25 Huw Shortle Window Cleaning ........19 JN Garden Services ............................2 Lawn Partners ..................................34 The Letting Centre ...................Cover Little Hands Nursery School ............25 Melbourn Flooring ...........................51

Melbourn Village College ............Cover Meldreth Landscapes .......................17 Meldreth Motor Company ...............39 Meldreth Plant Hire .........................53 Moncraft Computers ..........................2 N J Chapman, gardening ..................12 Nancy Foster Footcare .......................9 Newlings of Royston Funeral Service11 Nigel Wigg Home Improvement .......53 P D Property Services .......................21 Penn Farm Physiotherapy .................34 Reflections Hair Studio ......................4 Richard Burns Electrician ....................2 Rod’s PC Support .....................Cover Sage Blinds and Interiors ..................21 Slimming World .........................Cover Sparky’s ...........................................11 Specialist Dental Partners .................51 Trademark Kitchens ............................2 Tudor Access Scaffolding ..................53 Village Garden Services ....................23 56

MELDRETH WEDNESDAY PM Alison 07812 825 389 FRIDAY AM Angela 07708 444 991 Meldreth Village Hall High Street Booking Essential

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

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

The Heart of Nature by Izzy Knobel Forbes; second place in the recent 1st Melbourn Guides’ Wild Nature photography competition Meldreth Matters is printed by Plumridge Printers 41 High St Linton 01223 891407