Meldreth Matters, April 2022

April 2022

In this issue …

Meldreth Tennis Club The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee River Mel Restoration Group

Events …

Bowls Club Open Day Children’s Easter Activities Easter Market MADS Quiz

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Contents Gardens & Nature Gardening 14-15 Meldreth Station Gardening 15 Melwood 18 River Mel Restoration Group 16-17

What’s On in April Bowls Club Open Day 7 Easter Market 6, cover MADS Quiz Night 7 Things to Do in April 24-25 Village Diary 26-27

Miscellaneous Last month’s cover photo 4-5

Village Groups Friends of Holy Trinity 10 Tennis Club 8-9 Women’s Group 11

Local/National Government Local Councillors 38-41 Parish Council 33-36 Planning 36

Village News & Issues The Queen’s Jubilee 12-13

Advice/Information Advertisers’ Index 52 Charities’ News 44-46 Coronavirus Support 48-49 Mobile Warden Scheme 41 Neighbourhood Watch 43 Refuse Collections 26 Village Directory 50-51

Children & Education Activities for Families 22 Easter Activities 6 Shepreth Spitfires FC 21 Cookery In Praise of … 29-31

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

There are a few events taking place in the village this month including a quiz, a Bowls Club Open Day and Easter Activities for children. Also, don’t forget the Easter Market in the Village Hall on Sunday 3rd April. Meldreth Matters will have a stall there, so please pop along and say hello!

We also have more news of the events that are being planned in the village to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. There will be a fete on Friday 3rd June and a street party in the High Street on Sunday 5th June. See pages 12 and 13 for details.

We are delighted to report that Stansted Community Fund has awarded Meldreth Matters a grant towards our printing costs; see below for details. I’d also like to give a special mention to A10 Timber (a returning advertiser) and to a brand new advertiser, Emma Fitzgibbon of Travel Counsellors, who responded to our plea for advertisers. In addition to having a regular advertisement, Emma has also taken advantage of our special offer of a half price Advertising Feature (page 19). The index on page 52 of this issue lists all of our advertisers. Please support them and mention MM when responding to any advertisements in the magazine.

Kathryn

Cover Photograph “Meldreth Manor School in full bloom”. Photograph by Faiza Derraz and Devon Hart.

Stansted Community Fund We are very happy to report that the Stansted Community Fund has awarded Meldreth Matters £500, to help towards its continuing production costs and its free distribution to all houses and businesses in the village.

We are very grateful to the Fund for this award.

The Meldreth Matters Team 3

Last Month’s Cover Photograph Last month’s cover photograph (right) prompted a couple of responses from readers. The first was from Bethan Smith, who pointed out that the photograph shows Meldreth Road, Shepreth.

(North End, Meldreth is in the background.)

The second was from John Elbourn, who called me to say that the photograph brought back very distinct memories of a day in 1940 when he was 11 years old.

John explained that during the Battle of Britain, a bomb landed near the bridge shown in the photograph, rendering the road impassable. His grandfather's traction engine was used to repair the road. John told me that following this incident, the brick wall of the bridge over Guilden Brook, shown in the photograph, was rebuilt in 1940 or 1941.

John’s memory is confirmed by Geoff Rayner in his book, “One Hurricane, One Raid”. Geoff wrote: On 31st August 1940 at about 08.30 hours between 120 and 140 High Explosive Bombs were dropped in two more or less continuous lines at fairly regular intervals of about 50 yards; the distance between the two lines varied from coincidence to about 100 yards.

They started on Manor Farm, Fowlmere … One bomb fell on the western grass verge about 100 yards south of the Fowlmere turn. The side of the road was damaged, but one-way traffic was always practicable. The road was reopened fully by Saturday evening. There was a house within 50 yards of the point where the bomb fell, which suffered no damage. The line of bombs continued across stubble to the Hitchin-Cambridge railway, close to the Cam Blue Lias Cement Works, about half way between Meldreth and Shepreth stations.

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One bomb fell on each side of the railway within a few yards, but no damage was done. The line of bombs continued over a grass field, and through an orchard to the Meldreth-Shepreth road, one bomb fell in the middle of the road close to a small bridge which carried the road over the stream dividing Meldreth and Shepreth parishes. The road was rendered impassable, but the bridge was not damaged. The blast appeared to work backwards. A lump of concrete was thrown a considerable distance southwards, but a cottage which was within 50 yards obliquely north suffered no damage. The road was reopened to traffic on Saturday evening.

The line then continued close to the same stream until it entered the river, and there were a few bombs north of the river in Barrington parish. A number of incendiary bombs were dropped at the same time, but these fell not so regularly, and more to the east. Some fell in Fowlmere, others in various parts of Shepreth, and some on Barrington Green. The exact number is not known. A few of the High Explosive Bombs did not explode on landing.

Kathryn Betts Editor

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Easter Market: 3rd April Please don’t forget the Easter Market at the Village Hall on Sunday 3rd April from 10.00am – 3.00pm.

Come and help to raise some much-needed funds for Meldreth Matters, while supporting Home-Start who are providing refreshments throughout the day and for Meldreth PTA who are organising Easter crafts for children.

Members of the MM Team will be there throughout the day, so it will be a great opportunity to ask questions about, and make suggestions for, your magazine!

Lesley Farbridge lesleyfarbridge@hotmail.com 07917 065465

Good Friday Craft Workshop and Easter Egg Hunt We’re back at the church!

Friday 15th April 2022 10.00am All-age worship 10.30am Crafts 11.40am Easter Egg Hunt For further details or to tell us you are coming, please contact david@coton.me.uk

6

Meldreth Bowls Club www.meldrethbowlsclub.co.uk Open Day: Sunday 24th April On Sunday 24th April at 2.30pm our green will be ‘officially’ opened for play; this will be followed by the first ‘roll-up’ of the year. This is the culmination of a lot of hard work by our loyal and supportive members to get everything ready for the coming season.

We are taking the ‘official opening’ as an opportunity to welcome local people of all ages, to try their hand at bowls at our Club where you will be assured of a very warm welcome.

Whilst we would obviously like to encourage new members to the club, there is no pressure to join. Tuesday morning and Saturday afternoon ‘roll ups’ commence on Tuesday 26th and Saturday 30th April respectively. These offer a great opportunity for new bowlers to practice in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

We hope that we will see some of you at our Club on 24th or, if not, over the summer months.

Jim Hatch Chairman, Meldreth Bowls Club 7

Meldreth Tennis Club www.clubspark.lta.org.uk/meldrethtennisclub Come and Join Your Local Club: Get Fit and Have Fun For the last two years Meldreth Tennis Club has weathered the ups and downs of Covid-19 and has come through the “storm” in a very healthy position. As tennis was one of the few sports that could continue through a lot of the lockdown restrictions, the Club attracted record number of members. For the 2021/22 period membership rose to an all time high of 150 members – 109 adults & 41 juniors.

The Club was founded in 1970 and has seen many changes over the years. In 2017, the Club undertook a major refurbishment and now boasts two excellent LTA standard courts. The Club is affiliated to the LTA and is run to their high standards, with full LTA and safeguarding policies in place. There is a great range of tennis available including social sessions where members of any ability can drop in and play and look forward to a great welcome to the Club. Members can book courts and play together and the Club enters teams into the Cambridgeshire LTA leagues. See website or noticeboards for all times of club sessions and please feel free to come down to a club session and try us out for free before you join.

New Club Coach The Club has a new LTA registered coach, Steve Smith. Steve has been coaching all levels of players for over fifteen years and has programmes for all ages/groups - so whether you are looking to start tennis for the first time, brush up your game or improve your competitive play, you can contact Steve on 07790 561817 or stevesmith865@hotmail.com to book a session. Tennis is considered one of the best sports to maintain fitness for all ages. Coaching is available for members and non members and full details can be found on our Club website.

Membership Fees Due on 1st April 2022 The Club’s new year starts on 1st April and the Committee has voted to keep the membership prices at the 2019 rates for the third year running. This represents great value for everyone. All the membership packages and joining details are on the website.

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Membership prices for 1st April 2022 to 31st March 2023 are as follows: Adult over 25: £45.00 Family (two adults & all children in one household): £95.00 Young Adult (18-25 years): £30.00 Junior (under 18): £20.00 Mini (6-10 years): £10.00 Tots (under 6 years): £5.00 Club Social Events As the Covid restrictions have now eased, the Club is able to reintroduce a full diary of events including fun tournaments, a BBQ, croquet afternoon and the very popular quiz. All details will be available on the website and noticeboards. Events will be conditional on the continued easing of Covid restrictions.

Meldreth Tennis Club

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Friends of Holy Trinity www.foht.org.uk The Friends of Holy Trinity committee have recently met to review future events with the following planned for 2022.

AGM - Friday 13th May To review three years of accounts, trustees, future events and any funding towards church maintenance work.

Blue Skies Swing Band To be held in late May or June. They were very popular in 2018.

Open Gardens The concentrated group of gardens last year was successful, and we hope we can organise something similar this year.

Car Show, Sunday 11th September The first Car Show was in 2005 and with one missing year due to Covid, this will be the 17th event.

John Price

MELDRETH WEDNESDAY 6.30 PM Alison 07812 825 389 FRIDAY 9.30 AM Angela 07708 444 991 Meldreth Village Hall High Street

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Melbourn & Meldreth Women’s Group We were all thankful that the recent storms had eased a bit by the time we met in All Saints’ Community Hall in February. Pat Smith led us on a reflection for Lent. She took us through events from Jesus’ baptism and then into the wilderness. Pat used music, words and visual aids to encourage us to try and look at these events and the ensuing challenges which Jesus faced in what might be new ways for some of us and encouraging us to try some of these throughout Lent.

Sue gave a vote of thanks and presented Pat with some lovely daffodils, which showed us that spring was indeed on the way.

Our thanks go to Diane and Pat A for making the refreshments at the end of the meeting. Our next meeting will be on 26th April in Holy Trinity Meldreth Meeting Room when Dan Amis will give us a talk.

Dan currently is a manager in a local care home and has done many things so it should be an interesting talk.

If you would like to know more about the group, need a lift to meetings or would like a copy of our programme please contact any of the following committee members: Pat Smith (01763) 262575, Sue Toule (01763) 260955, Angela Leach (01763) 262793, Pat Ames (01763) 261130, Kimmi Crosby (07976228377), Mary Bailey (01763) 220171 and Diane Blundell (01763) 221415.

Pat Smith

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The Queen’s Pla num Jubilee

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The Queen’s Pla num Jubilee

Meldreth's Jubilee Street Party Sunday 5th June 2022 Plans are ongoing for a village street party to celebrate 70 years of Her Majesty The Queen's reign.

The High Street will be closed between Bell Close and Maycroft on Sunday 5th June from late morning until early evening.

A street closure licence is being applied for and residents will be contacted in due course.

During May, it will be possible to reserve tables for a small charitable donation. You may bring your own food and drink to the street party and there will also be refreshments available for purchase. The British Queen will be open throughout the day.

The Village Hall will also be a venue for teas, etc.

If any clubs, street entertainers, etc. are interested in contributing their skills on the day then please contact me.

More details will follow in the May issue of Meldreth Matters.

Joan Gane (01763) 260129 jgane33@gmail.com on behalf of the Meldreth Jubilee Crew 13

Notes from a Small Garden It’s another gorgeous day as I write this but there was a mild frost last night and still a cold wind, which discourages gardening for too long. I started the rose pruning at the weekend, but just tackled the roses in the shelter of the house. I shall leave those in the more exposed beds until later in the month.

One of the Veg Club Plus members organised a load of bagged up, well-composted horse manure obtained from G Shaw (www.sfscompost.co.uk) which we collected yesterday. One of my jobs in the next few days is to spread it on the main beds and particularly around the roses and the rhubarb. Not only does the manure provide nutrients but it improves soil structure and suppresses weeds. When is the best time to spread it over flower beds and the vegetable patch?

Late winter or spring is best, when plants most need nutrients. Avoid rainy periods as the nutrients from the manure risk being leached out of the soil. Usually we collect horse manure from our neighbours who own horses, but this year the offer of bagged up manure was too tempting, particularly as I have just had a meniscus in my knee repaired!

On the subject of knees, an old friend showed me his Hozelock kneeler which he swears by. It is much sturdier, lower to the ground and steadier to stand up from compared to the standard metal ones. It’s also very light. I was about to search eBay for one and had a lovely surprise when a friend bought one over for me to try; what a coincidence!

For the first time kneeling to weed has become a problem. I am so used to sitting comfortably on my heels. I’ve always loved weeding and freeing up and taking care of plants as I go. I also appreciate the time it gives one to think and reflect, especially now with the desperate news from Ukraine.

Another task in the garden is to cut down the ornamental grasses now.

Which grasses to take the clippers to? Trim out any old and dead leaves of the evergreen grasses, divide and replant or give surplus ones 14

away (see below). Cut down deciduous grasses, which will have brown leaves by now. This encourages new growth but beware of taking out new green shoots. I was given a good tip by a cousin today: tie the leaves together with string before you cut them off as this stops them blowing away all over the beds and lawn!

Other Jobs for April:  Watch out for slugs and snails on hostas and delphiniums and protect emerging seedlings 

Plant out second early and main crop potatoes



Sow outdoor varieties of blight resistant tomatoes, chillies and courgettes  Sow other vegetable and flower annuals. See the beautiful Chiltern Seeds Catalogue: www.chilternseeds.co.uk.



Keep weeding!

Finally, breaking news: there will be a Jubilee Community Church Fete in the churchyard on Friday 3rd June as part of the Jubilee celebrations (see page 12). It aims to be a truly community event with a BBQ, bar, stalls, music and children's activities, with lots of fun for everyone.

There will be the usual excellent plant stall, so do start potting up any plants for it that you can spare!

Good gardening in April to everyone.

Julie juliedraper@dumbflea.co.uk

Station Gardening Members of Veg Club Plus (some of whom are pictured right) descended on Meldreth Station on Saturday 12th March to undertake a big clear up of the station garden.

A skip kindly provided free of charge by Amey, the County Council’s waste contractor, was filled up in no time!

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River Mel Restoration Group In last month’s edition of Meldreth Matters, we wrote about our concerns of possible pollution of the River Mel arising from the Melbourn Sewage Treatment Works (STW), which discharges its treated effluent into the River Mel just upstream of the railway bridge in Meldreth. Because of this concern, we were offered the chance to join forces with the Cam Valley Forum (a Cambridge based group) to carry out some sampling of water taken at various sites along the river Mel, as part of a larger study of the various tributaries of the Cam. We received the results just as the publication deadline for this issue approached, so we have not had a great deal of time to study them or their implications in depth, but there is a large increase seen in the number of indicator bacteria found in the samples taken 100 metres downstream of the sewage outlet when compared with “normal” background samples taken from the river 50 metres upstream of the outfall. A similar disparity is found when measuring phosphate levels in the water. Our understanding, and we are certainly not experts, is that the indicator bacteria are not themselves harmful, but that they are present in the human gut where they exist alongside pathogenic (disease causing) bacteria. They are widely used as an indicator of faecal contamination in water. They are also organisms that can be detected in water reliably and at low concentrations. The results are shown in the table below. They are worse than we were expecting…

Sampling Site

River Mel, Meldreth, 50m upstream of Melbourn STW outfall River Mel, Meldreth, c. 100m downstream of Melbourn STW outfall River Mel, North End Meldreth River Mel, Malton, just upstream of confluence with the River Rhee

Count of faecal indicator bacteria (coliforms inc. Escherichia coli – most probable number (MPN) per 100ml; enterococci – colony forming units (CFU) /per 100ml) E. coli Total coliforms Enterococci

Phosphate-P (SRP)

105

436

31

<0.031

8,164

48,840

1300

1.302

548

2,481

150

0.228

411

2,613

170

0.158

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The samples were taken in January at what we estimated to be a normal winter flow rate, i.e. the river was not in flood. We assume that the levels of any pollutants would be higher if sampling took place during the summer months when the flow of water in the river is often much reduced. We have a meeting scheduled with representatives of the Environment Agency to discuss these findings and our concerns about the increasingly low flow rates seen in the Mel during the summer months. The meeting will have taken place by the time you read this, so we hope that we may have more relevant information to report soon. The Cam Valley Forum is also hoping to complete another round of sampling soon, in order to produce a more robust set of data.

We hope that if you are not already a member, that you might consider joining the River Mel Restoration Group, either as a non-active supporter or as a member of one of our working parties. Membership is £10 per year per household.

Sandra Webb River Mel Restoration Group info@rivermel.com

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Melwood Under Attack www.melwood.org.uk The volunteers of the Melwood Conservation Group work hard to maintain the attractive nature of the wood and encourage wild flowers wherever possible. Planting the verges of the paths brings flowers more clearly into sight of those walking around the wood but being such a small area with such heavy use, there is always a tendency for the paths to get steadily wider and the verges progressively eroded. Like most nature reserves, both large and small, we mark the edges of paths in the narrower regions by laying down logs to show the limit of the path.

We did this at the first work party of the year, on the 29th of January, marking the path around a triangle of ground at the back of the wood.

The logs were secured in position by stakes hammered into the ground either side and strong wire around the logs and the stakes.

Not far from this triangle of ground is a site traditionally used as a bonfire site, mostly by young people during summer evenings but on Saturday 26th February there was a party in the wood with music blaring out until about midnight. This party was apparently of adults or young adults, perhaps the same ones who had a similarly noisy party in December. On that occasion, I commented how pleasing it was that no rubbish was left.

On this occasion I was far less pleased! The logs marking the edge of the paths had been ripped up and used a fuel for the bonfire. Surely nobody is so ignorant as to be unaware that if the logs were wired down then they were supposed to be there. This really amounts to wanton vandalism, something I’m sure all those who love the wood will be appalled at. I hope that if those responsible read this magazine, they will reflect on their actions and find somewhere else to have their bonfires.

Melwood Conservation Group

MM is Available in Colour Online To view this or past issues online, follow us on: issuu.com/meldrethmatters 18

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Shepreth Spitfires Football Club www.sheprethspitfires.co.uk It has been a wonderful winter of training under our new lights at the Eternit Sports and Social Club in Meldreth. The children have had some fantastic sessions and some excellent mini inter-club tournaments.

It is great that we are now getting more daylight and that extra 30 minutes training.

The under sevens have come on leaps and bounds in their league, in which they have been playing outside of the local area since Christmas.

Though coaches thought that this may have been a hard task for them it seems that they have thrived; last week winning 6-1 and playing some very, very good football. The under thirteens 19 Squadron continue to do very well too and are, at the time of writing, top in Division Two. All of the children are enjoying seeing their results and league tables published.

These children have worked hard, coming from behind on a number of occasions to beat strong opposition. They show good camaraderie and determination, while really loving their footie. All of the teams are looking forward to the Easter Fundraising Party which will be held at the Eternit Club on Sunday 10th of April. There will be egg hunts, pin the tail on the rabbit, egg and spoon races, etc for our younger ones and pool and darts for the older children.

Our Club would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to all of the local businesses that have supported the raffle and sponsored Spitfires' teams; without your generosity, there would be no grass roots football.

If anyone would like their children to join Shepreth Spitfires Football Club please contact us via our website, www.sheprethspitfires.co.uk or call Lucy and Sean on 07510 175370.

Lucy Smith Shepreth Spitfires 21

Things for Children and Families To Do Cambridge Festival to Sunday 10th April (www.festival.cam.ac.uk) Multiple events to attend or view online, including: Saturday 2nd April, 10.00am - 4.00pm Polar Pop-up Family Day, The Polar Museum CB2 1ER Activities, museum trails, films, science for under 12s.

Saturday 9th April, 11.00am - 4.00pm Have a go at Forensic Science, Anglia Ruskin University, East Road CB1 1PT Learning from bones, skeletons and fingerprints.

Saturday 2nd - Monday 18th April, 9.30am - 3.00pm Easter Adventures in Nature Wimpole Hall, Arrington, Cambridgeshire SG8 0BW Collect an Easter trail pack and use your senses to discover nature then claim your egg reward.

Tuesday 5th April, 10.00am - 12.00pm Waresley and Gransden Woods SG19 3DA Wild in the Woods family adventure walk Silly challenges and spring wildlife while you walk 2 - 3 miles. Ages 7-11 with an adult. Book on 07894 599020. £7.50 per child plus booking fee. See www.wildlifebcn.org for similar events such as Adventures with Sticks, 6th April or Natural Art, 13th April - both at Cambourne. Book on www.wildlifebcn.org.

Saturday 9th April, 11.30am Moyse’s Hall Museum, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1DX

Meet ‘Horrible Histories’ author Terry Deary for chat and book signing.

Tickets from £4. To book: www.visiteastofengland.com.

Tuesday 12th April, 10.30am - 12.30pm or 1.30pm - 3.30pm Painting the Fens, Wicken Fen, Lode Lane, Wicken CB7 5XP Learn basic watercolour skills - materials and expert guidance provided. £9 per accompanied child. Outdoor workshop. Book at www.eventbrite.co.uk.

Wednesday 13th April, 10.30am - 11.30am Bunny Tales, Cambridge Central Library, Lion Yard CB2 3QD Rabbit stories and crafts. Free. Book at www.eventbrite.co.uk.

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23

Things to Do in April Here are some things happening in April in the local area. Coronavirus restrictions and conditions may still apply - please check before you book. If you want to let us know about any future event or activity please email: meldrethmatters@hotmail.com.

From Friday 1st April to Monday 29th August Hockney’s Eye Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1RB and Heong Gallery, Downing College, Regent Street CB2 1DQ Explore how one of the most influential artists of our time, David Hockney, sees the world through both traditional and cutting-edge ways of making art, including the use of cameras, digital drawing and the iPad. Free entry. For opening times see: www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk.

Saturday 2nd to Saturday 9th April 2022, 10.00am to 4.00pm Cambridge Drawing Society Art Exhibition Pitt Building, Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1RP (opposite Fitzbillies) Don’t miss the Society’s 140th Spring Exhibition with a wide range of original paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures. Most artworks are for sale. See www.cambridgedrawingsociety.org for further details.

Saturday 2nd April, 7.30pm Vaughan Williams’ Year in Saffron Walden St Mary’s Church, Church Path, Saffron Walden CB10 1JP In his 150th anniversary year, the Granta Chorale, directed by Janet Wheeler, presents a concert of words and music, celebrating the life and music of one of Britain’s best-loved composers, who was stationed in Saffron Walden in 1915 as an ambulance wagon orderly. Tickets £15, under 25s £5. To book visit www.grantachorale.org.uk.

Wednesdays 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th April, 11.00am to 1.00pm Wimpole Wednesday Walks (continuing, check for later dates) Wimpole Hall, Arrington, Cambridgeshire SG8 0BW Wimpole’s popular guided walks are back. Enjoy the estate from a different perspective, discovering the best bits of parkland and countryside with a different route each week. Usually 3 to 5 miles. Free with a suggested donation of £2. Normal admission charges apply for the venue. Meet at the turning circle outside The Stables.

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Saturday 9th April, 9.00am to 11.30am Fowlmere Farmers’ Market Fowlmere Village Hall, Chrishall Road, Fowlmere SG8 7RY Held on the second Saturday of every month and offering a large variety of food, craft and gifts, mostly locally-produced. A welcoming and relaxed market run entirely by volunteers in aid of continued improvements to the village hall. Free entry. Refreshments and a small seating area available.

Sunday 10th April, 1.00pm Plants, Discovery, Poetry Cambridge Botanical Garden, 1 Brookside, Cambridge CB2 1JE In the setting of these lovely gardens come and listen to poetry readings on the subject of flowers, plants and the natural world. Then enjoy wandering around taking in the sights and smells of springtime. Event free, normal garden admission applies: www.botanic.cam.ac.uk.

Tuesday 19th April, 10.00am to 12.00noon Wandlebury Wildflowers in Spring Wandlebury, Ring, Gog Magog Hills, Cambridge CB22 3AE Gentle guided walk led by knowledgeable warden. Learn how to identify Spring wild flowers, from their colour, form and habitat. No need to book. Free event, suggested donation £3. Meet at car park noticeboard.

Wednesday 20th to Sunday 24th April, various times and locations Cambridge Literary Spring Festival Exciting programme of literary greats, thinkers, poets and leading figures from the world of music, environment, politics, science, fashion, art, cooking and gardening. Unmissable conversations held in stunning venues across Cambridge. To view full Festival line-up visit www.cambridgeliteraryfestival.com. Online ticket sale dates to be announced in April. NB Many events book up fast!

Sunday 24th April, 11.00am to 4.00pm Cambridge Bead Fair Harston Village Hall, 20 High Street, Harston CB22 7PX Beads and pearls for the home jewellery maker. Many semi-precious and other stone beads including agates, crystal, amethyst, garnet and many more. Free admission, easy parking. See: www.mrbeadshop.com.

Compiled by John Crawforth 25

Meldreth Village D Monday Easter Weekend: Friday 15th to Monday 18th April

10.00am-noon Meldreth Local History Group 11.00-12.00 Trigger Point Pilates 8.00-9.00pm Zumba

8.00-9.00pm Zumba

8.00-9.00pm Zumba

Tuesday

Wednesday

Refuse Collections Black bins: 12th, 27th* Blue & green bins: 5th, 21st*

Thur

* changed due to pu holiday

Get reminders on your mobile: download the Bin Collections app 9.15-10.15am Yoga2rise Time tba Meldreth Marvels Cycling Group 1.30-2.30pm 50+ Aerobics 4.45-5.45pm Tang Soo Do 7.00-8.00pm Fitness Pilates

6.30pm Slimming World

6.00-6.45pm

8.00-9.00pm Bell Ringing

7.00-9.00pm

9.15-10.15am Yoga2rise Time tba Meldreth Marvels Cycling Group 4.45-5.45pm Tang Soo Do 7.00-8.00pm Fitness Pilates 7.00pm Compline (Church)

6.30pm Slimming World

9.15-10.15am Yoga2rise Time tba Cycling Group 10.40-11.30 Mobile Library 1.30-2.30pm 50+ Aerobics 4.45-5.45pm Tang Soo Do 5.00-6.00 Rainbows 7.00-8.00pm Fitness Pilates

9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group

7.30pm Parish (venue tba)

7.00-9.00pm

8.00-9.00pm Bell Ringing

1.30-2.30pm Lift Off Choir

10.00am-1.15 Hartbeeps (m classes) 4.00-5.00pm

6.30pm Slimming World

6.00-6.45pm

8.00-9.00pm Bell Ringing

7.00-9.00pm

9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group 1.30-2.30pm Lift Off Choir

10.00am-1.15 Hartbeeps (m classes) 4.00-5.00pm

6.30pm Slimming World

6.00-6.45pm

8.00-9.00pm Bell Ringing

7.00-9.00pm

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

9.15-10.15am Yoga2rise Time tba Meldreth Marvels Cycling Group 1.30-2.30pm 50+ Aerobics 4.45-5.45pm Tang Soo Do 5.00-6.00 Rainbows 7.00-8.00pm Fitness Pilates 7.45pm Women’s Group

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

26

Diary - April 2022

rsday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday 9.45am Said Eucharist with hymns followed by APCM

9.30am Slimming World

dates ublic ys

10.00am-3.00pm Easter Market (see page 6 & back cover)

Last day of term Table Tennis

9.30am Slimming World

8.00am Said Eucharist

9.30am Slimming World

9.30am Said Eucharist with hymns

h Council

Table Tennis

10.00am All Age Worship, Holy Trinity Church 10.30am Children’s Activities, Holy Trinity Church (see page 6)

5pm ultiple

9.30am Slimming World

7.00pm MADS Quiz Night (see page 7)

2.30pm Bowls Club Open Day (see page 7)

Acro Pilates Table Tennis

5pm multiple

9.30am Slimming World

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

Acro Pilates Table Tennis

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

27

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In Praise Of … … Pineapples This month we showcase the pineapple. The pineapple (Ananas comosus) is a tropical plant with an edible fruit and is the most economically significant plant in the family Bromeliaceae. The pineapple is indigenous to South America, where it has been cultivated for many centuries. The introduction of the pineapple to Europe in the 17th century made it a significant cultural icon of luxury. It can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes and works well with citrus flavours and chilli. Here are three recipes to celebrate pineapple in all its glory. Enjoy.

Pineapple Upside Down Cake This is a retro favourite that's stood the test of time for good reason.

Moist, tangy and easy to make, it's a great make-ahead dessert served with ice cream or custard.

Cooking time 30 to 45 mins. Serves 4.

Preheat the oven to 180°C/170°C Fan/Gas 4. Butter the sides of a deep 20cm/8in cake tin.

Ingredients 6 pineapple rings 6 glacé cherries 2 tbsp soft light brown sugar 200g unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing 175g caster sugar 3 free-range eggs, beaten ½ tsp vanilla bean paste 175g self-raising flour 1 tsp baking powder Pinch of salt 2 tbsp milk 29

Method Peel and cut the pineapple into slices. Put the soft brown sugar and 25g of the butter in a small frying pan and melt over a medium heat. Spoon into the prepared cake tin. Cut seven of the pineapple rings in half to make semi-circles and arrange around the tin – you may only need six of the rings depending on how tightly you pack the slices. Place the remaining whole ring in the middle of the tin. Put halved glacé cherries in the centre of each.

Cream the remaining 175g butter and the caster sugar together until pale and light. Gradually add the eggs, mixing well between each addition. Add the vanilla and mix again.

Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into the bowl, add the milk and mix until smooth. Carefully spoon over the pineapple slices and spread level.

Bake for 30 minutes, or until risen, golden brown and a skewer inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. Leave the cake to cool in the tin for one minute and then carefully turn out onto a serving plate and leave to cool. This cake is best served slightly warm or at room temperature, with vanilla ice cream, lightly whipped cream or custard.

Pineapple Carpaccio Prep time 20 mins. Serves 6.

Ingredients 1 pineapple, peeled, quartered and core removed ½ lime zest and juice 50g pomegranate seeds Coconut yoghurt or ice cream 25g toasted desiccated coconut to garnish Method Slice pineapple on a mandolin or using the 2mm slicer of a food processor. Arrange in concentric circles leaving a space in the centre.

Squeeze over the lime juice and zest.

Place a scoop of coconut yoghurt or ice cream in the centre and sprinkle with toasted desiccated coconut and sprinkle with pomegranate seeds.

Chill until required.

30

Thai Prawn, Sweet Potato and Pineapple Curry Prep time 15 mins, cook 20 mins. Serves 4.

Ingredients 100g ready-made Thai green curry paste 2 tbsp fish sauce 2 tsp soy sauce 300g butternut squash, peeled and cubed 400ml coconut milk 200g pineapple chunks (fresh or from a can) Squeeze of 1 lime 200g raw shelled prawn 4 spring onions sliced Small bunch fresh basil and coriander leaves picked Lime wedges and sliced green chillies, to serve Salt and pepper Method In your largest frying pan with a lid, stir the curry paste for a few minutes until fragrant. Add the fish sauce and cook for one minute more.

Stir in the squash, add the coconut milk, then bring to the boil. Add the spring onions and lime leaves. Cover and cook for 10 minutes or until the squash is nearly soft.

Add the pineapple and basil and simmer for 5 minutes more, then add the prawns for the last minute. Leave to rest for 5 minutes, then taste for seasoning. It should be sweet, sour and salty!

Serve with lime wedges and fresh coriander, plus sliced green chillies if you like more heat.

Jane O’Hagan Can You Help Bake or Serve Refreshments on 3rd April?

Home-Start will be providing refreshments at the Easter Market on 3rd April. We would welcome donations of home-baked sausage rolls, quiches, pasties, cakes, cookies, etc. Your baked goodies can be dropped off at our office between 10.00am and 1.30pm on Friday 1st April or brought to the Village Hall from 9.30am on 3rd April. We are also looking for volunteers to help man the stall on the day. If you can help, please email Tracy at tracy@hsrsc.org.uk. Thank you!

31

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32

Meldreth Parish Council www.meldreth-pc.org.uk Meeting of the Parish Council held on Thursday 3rd March 2022 This meeting was held in the Community Room in Elin Way. The main points of the meeting are set out below in the usual summary format. The full formal minutes can be viewed in due course on the website noted above and on the Parish Council notice board; these will be presented for approval at the next Council meeting.

Discussions and Decisions District & County Reports This month’s report (see pages 38-41) contains comprehensive updates about rail services and public finance issues which are of course topical at this time of year and especially so in current circumstances. The Council also noted the reference to the support that might be available for Platinum Jubilee events. The Council thanks our District and County Councillors for their report and for the useful information that it always contains.

Local and Regional Planning Issues The Council continues to watch carefully for news about Thakeham’s ‘new town’ proposals, the Oxford - Cambridge Arc and the Local Development plan. There have been no further reports other than a suggestion in the press that the Arc proposals may have been shelved.

Covid-19 Restrictions have now been lifted but the Council continues to recommend discretion and caution. The village support arrangements remain in place for the time being.

Flambards Close The Council has received proposals from the Residents’ Association for a meeting to discuss repair work under the lease arrangements.

The Council looks forward to receiving an update from the residents and hopes that progress can be made in the near future.

Platinum Jubilee Celebrations Various projects are now being discussed by different groups in the village. The Council is keen to support this interest but there is of 33

course a need to observe caution in the current economic and financial environment and the Council is likely to be limited in the extent to which it might be able to provide financial support.

Recreation Ground The latest monthly inspection report indicates that the play and gym equipment is in good order, subject to some minor work needed on the abacus. There was some tree damage in the recent storms and some vandalism has been inflicted on two of the dog signs. The Council again stresses the need for such anti-social behaviour to be reported – the costs of this are borne by all our residents and increase our Council Tax/precept burden at a time when we should be looking for ways to save unnecessary expenses for the benefit of the whole village. The Council has agreed that Orwell Football Club can continue to use our recreation ground facilities, subject to availability.

Village Infrastructure Local contractors are heavily engaged with repair works in the general community following the recent storms and this is likely to cause delay in attending to the Council’s maintenance and repair projects.

Outstanding projects include: replacing the broken posts on the Stocks triangle with more robust obstacles to discourage traffic incursions; repairing the fingerboard signpost at the Stocks junction; repairs to pavilion guttering; installing new village notice boards near the Station and on Elin Way; installing a new bench at the Whitecroft Road/Howard Road junction.

The Council has taken delivery of the notice boards and the bench and will arrange their installation as soon as possible. The Council will investigate the possibility of a parking lay-by at the village cemetery.

Churchyard The Council has just received an initial response from the Churchwardens to the safety report recently provided to them and now needs to discuss this in more detail. The Council had noted from comments in the report that shrubs growing in the churchyard along the North End boundary wall could be a helpful augmentation to the safety of that boundary and should therefore not be removed until the safety measures had been properly discussed and agreed.

34

High Street Construction Projects and Parking There continues to be concern in the community about the mess being caused by the development and possible damage to the opposite footway as a result of vehicles entering and leaving the site. The Council has raised this issue with the developer from time to time and it was agreed to do so again. The Council will also raise the question with Highways Department because of concerns about mud on the road and will ask the Planning Department to oversee maintenance and remediation of damaged areas as part of the planning control process. The Council welcomes the observations of residents and will continue to keep these matters under scrutiny. It is hoped that the conclusion of the construction projects along that side of the High Street will lead to a reduction of parked cars and the obstructions that these cause. There are, however, no parking restrictions on that part of the street.

Traffic Group The Council awaits the outcome of its Local Highways Initiative (LHI) submission to Highways for traffic calming/speed reduction measures in Whitecroft Road. As previously noted, LHI is a competitive process and last year well over half of the initiatives submitted by local councils were not adopted.

Composition and leadership: the Council will be seeking wider participation in this working group.

Tennis Club The Council wants to resume discussions with the Club about adopting a more user-friendly booking system for public use.

Council Election, Thursday 5th May 2022 Papers setting out the procedures for the forthcoming election have been published but the Parish Clerk can be approached for further details if more information or clarification is needed.

Next Meeting Thursday 5th April 2022 at 7.30pm.

Meldreth Parish Council

35

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

Mr A Bostanci

(01763) 262488

adambostanci@gmail.com

Mrs C J Fallon

(01763) 262822

joan.fallonpc@gmail.com

Mr N Garner

(01763) 268328

nickphgarner@gmail.com

Dr R James

(01763) 261085

roger+pc@rogerjames.net

Mr C A Land

(01763) 261004

conradland@btinternet.com

Martin McGarry

07736 434915

martinmcgarry@btinternet.com

Mr Nigel Pellatt

(01763) 260909

nppellatt@btconnect.com

Planning Matters Parish Council The minutes of the Planning meeting on 17th February were not available at the time of going to press. Meeting minutes may be viewed on the Parish Council’s website, www.meldreth-pc.org.uk.

SCDC Decisions Recent decisions are listed below.

Ref. and Address 73 High Street 21/05387/S73

Decision Permission has been granted for S73 to vary condition 2 approved drawings for ref: S/0912/13/FL (replacement of existing care home) relating to revisions to design and detailing of the building.

Full details may be viewed on the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning website: https://applications.greatercambridgeplanning.org/online-applications.

The Meldreth Matters Team 36

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District and County Councillors’ Report Melbourn Greenway: Cambridge-Royston Cycle/Walk/Scooter Path Last month we met the new team assigned to the Melbourn Greenway scheme. Current work is focused urgently on the field path to Meldreth Station and resolving land issues there, in order to allow the path upgrade. Later in the year a detailed plan for the rest of the Melbourn Greenway, meaning Melbourn to Royston, and improvements toward Cambridge including a walk/cycle/scooter bypass at Harston and Hauxton, will be put out for public consultation. The Greenway will be delivered in segments, not all at once; we don’t know yet the sequence.

Susan is working with Highways on a couple of junction points along the A10 path which need clearer priority access indications, following an alert on two collisions at the BP Station in Harston. Please note how important it is to log any accident data with police; without this there is no knowledge at Highways of problem areas.

Rail Service Improvements At the time of writing, we’re a couple of weeks into train schedule improvements that came into being on 28th February, and moving toward Sunday 15th May when the plan is for the half-hourly all-day service to be fully restored. So at the moment we’ve got an hourly based timetable, but with additional scheduled morning and afternoon stops designed to accommodate Meldreth-Shepreth-Foxton-Cambridge school travel. The additional stops consist of:  08.06 (Meldreth), 08.10 (Shepreth), 08.12 (Foxton), 08.23 (Cambridge)  16.06 (Meldreth) 16.10 (Shepreth), 16.12 (Foxton), 16.23 (Cambridge)  07.57 (Cambridge), 08.06 (Foxton), 08.09 (Shepreth), 08.12 (Meldreth) – usual station calling pattern to arrive at King’s Cross at 09.20  15.57 (Cambridge), 16.06 (Foxton), 16.09 (Shepreth), 16.12 (Meldreth) – usual station calling pattern to arrive at King’s Cross at 17.20 London services should significantly improve in May. At the moment, the current service continues; two trains per hour running between 38

Royston and London King’s Cross, with one of these picking up at Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton. Note that parking is free at Shepreth Station and cheap at Meldreth Station (£1.50 daily before 10.00am, 50p daily after 10.00am) but pricey at Royston! Thank you to all those who help garden at Meldreth Station – it was this that enabled us to negotiate a minimal daily parking rate.

To ensure services are restored to half-hourly throughout the day, we need to see passenger figures rise from where they are now (60%). A classic ‘chicken and egg’ but please note that reliability of services has greatly improved, and this is the only way for people to have confidence to get back on to rail.

Household Heating: Oil Club Rebate to Citizens Advice This year’s household bulk-buy Melbourn and Bassingbourn Oil Club rebate will be going to North Herts Citizens Advice, supporting their work for our area and in particular their weekly drop-in service at the Melbourn Hub, every Wednesday, from 10.00am-12.00 noon.

To book an appointment at the Hub, please ring (01763) 263303 or contact@melbournhub.co.uk. Alternatively, the North Herts Citizens Advice telephone helpline is 0800 144 88 48, open 10.00am to 4.00pm, Monday-Friday.

The Melbourn and Bassingbourn Oil Club is open to all residents in our area; there is no joining fee and no obligation to make repeat orders. The idea is simply to get the cheapest available local price on the day. If you’d like more information, please contact our local bulkbuyer Jeremy Cole of Agricole on (01954) 719452 or 07860 904045 or email jeremy@agricole.co.uk.

Health and Social Care Reforms Thanks very much to those who joined us for an on-line evening chat about the national health and care reforms, what they might mean for us locally and what people are most concerned about for their future.

We had the input of people’s direct experience and this is what made the conversation so compelling.

We discussed the imminent National Insurance rise, the common sense support that local groups like Royston and District Community Transport and Melbourn Mobile Wardens can offer (and the potential for more); the profound isolation that many people have experienced during Covid, often compounded for single parent families and people 39

already coping with poor health; the immense value of community activities and groups that provide social life and connections with others; and the ability of places like the Melbourn Hub to provide things like dementia support, flu vaccines and parent-and-baby groups, that in turn help alleviate pressures on GP surgeries.

It was agreed that we would have such discussions again in a few months’ time; these we look forward to.

Recycling Centres Just a reminder that Household Recycling Centres now no longer require advance booking.

County and District Budgets We presented the Parish Council with a full report. Please feel free to contact us if you’d like a copy. These are huge pieces of work in very challenging times.

Community Chest Grants for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee The Community Chest Grant scheme has been extended on a temporary and one-off basis until Tuesday 12th April, to allow Parish Councils and community groups to make jubilee-related applications of up to £700. Applications will then be assessed at the Grants Advisory Committee meetings in April to help parishes plan. Maybe you’d like to purchase a Commemoration bench? Or plant a tree or a rose in honour of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee? These are just a couple of ideas!

For further details and how to apply, please visit the Council’s Community Chest Grant page: www.scambs.gov.uk/community-safetyand-health/grants/community-chest-grants/ Former Deputy Leader of County Council Breached Code of Conduct An independent investigation has concluded that former Cambridgeshire County Council deputy leader Roger Hickford breached the Council’s Code of Conduct in six different areas, including bullying, improper use of his position and bringing the council into disrepute.

The Council’s Constitution and Ethics Committee chaired by Sebastian Kindersley, heard the independent investigator present his report and agreed for the confidential paper to be placed in the public domain.

Links to the report and recorded meeting are here: 40

www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/news/investigation-finds-former-deputyleader-breached-code-of-conduct Be Kind This is a plug to help spread the message for the ‘#BeKind’ campaign on behalf of all those working in public services that are struggling amidst pandemic and other pressures.

Weekly Zoom Surgery This is held on Wednesdays from 5.00-6.00pm. Please let us know if you’d like to come along, or contact us any time, by telephone or email, should you have an issue or concern. We’re always available!

District Councillor Sally Ann Hart, sallyannhart@riskingonpurpose.com, 07791 233303 District Councillor Jose Hales, Josehales@gmail.com, 07703 262649 County Councillor Susan van de Ven, susanvandeven5@gmail.com, 07905 325574

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

41

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42

Coronavirus Scams In the April 2020 issue of Meldreth Matters, as coronavirus was starting to take hold, we warned about scams which were taking advantage of the developing situation. Exactly two years later, as the effect of coronavirus on daily life is diminishing, there are still scams attempting to do the same thing. As an example, my wife recently received the following text message: NHS: You have been in contact with someone who has recently tested positive for Omicron. Please order a PCR test kit here: <internet address shown in text message but not repeated here>. There are several clues that indicate that the message is a scam:  A genuine message would show an official title as the sender, e.g. NHS tracing, not simply a mobile phone number.  The NHS does not routinely text contacts of those who have tested positive.  A genuine message would refer to Covid-19 or similar, not a variant name.  In circumstances such as these, PCR tests are available free of charge from https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.

Even if the message catches you off guard and worries you, which is what it is aiming to do, and you don't spot those clues, the advice is the same. Don’t click on the links or attachments in suspicious text messages or emails, and never respond to unsolicited messages and calls that ask for your personal or financial details. You can report suspicious text messages by forwarding them to 7726, and suspicious emails by forwarding them to report@phishing.gov.uk.

If you have fallen victim to a scam, always report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit www.actionfraud.police.uk. If you're not sure whether something is a scam, you can talk to one of the trusted contacts in Meldreth: Graham (01763) 260358 Peter (01763) 260323

Linda Tim

(01763) 261405 (01763) 262801

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

Meldreth Neighbourhood Watch 43

Charities’ News Rowan www.rowanhumberstone.co.uk Art enthusiasts at Rowan’s Great Outdoors exhibition in February raised £5,000 for the Cambridge-based arts charity.

Over 160 works created by accomplished artists and inspired amateurs were on sale anonymously at the exhibition, which took place at Long Road Sixth Form College.

Entitled The Great Outdoors, the exhibition showcased artworks inspired by nature. But don’t worry if you missed the event – artworks that didn’t sell at the exhibition are now for sale on the Rowan website.

At £45, it’s an affordable way to buy a piece of original art, and all for a great cause!

All the money raised from art sales goes to the charity, which supports adults with learning disabilities through a range of arts workshops and a forest school.

To shop the Great Outdoors and support www.rowanhumberstone.co.uk/the-great-outdoors.

Rowan,

visit

Ellie Breeze Communications and Fundraising Events Manager

Healthwatch www.healthwatchcambridgeshire.co.uk Do you have experience of being a family carer, have a learning disability, physical disability or sensory impairment? Then local health and care champion Healthwatch Cambridgeshire would like to hear from you. We’re looking for new members for the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Partnership Boards which work with local councils to improve health and care services.

If you have experience of using adult social care, or care for someone that does, please share what you know and help make care better for carers, disabled people and older people across our area. You’ll bring your knowledge and experience to meetings every two or three months and represent the views of other care users, helping to shape services and support for others. You’ll get training and support, including help 44

with communications if you need it - such as a British Sign Language interpreter or information in Easy Read. We also pay out of pocket expenses.

Have a chat with Graham Lewis, Healthwatch Partnership Development Manager on 07432 865996 or email graham.lewis@healthwatchcambspboro.co.uk. Read more at www.healthwatchcambridgeshire.co.uk/independent-member.

Kari Payne Communications Officer Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

Home-Start Royston, Buntingford & South Cambridgeshire www.hsrsc.org.uk Home-Start's Strictly for Charity: save the date for the dance event of the year!

Inspired by the hit TV show, Strictly Come Dancing, we would like to bring all the glitz and glamour (not to mention sequins, spangles and fake tan) to the public in support of local families.

So, grab your glitziest dress or sharpest suit out of the wardrobe and dust off your highest heels and join us on the dance floor on Saturday 14th May. There will be a full bar, food and a Strictly-themed photo booth (full details to follow). And, similar to the TV show, you'll get to vote for your favourite couple to win Home-Start's glitterball trophy!

Celebrities are learning the dance moves, professional dancers are working on their choreography and all you need to do is pop Saturday 14th May in your diary and watch this space (and our website) for ticket details.

It's going to be an amazing night... just remember - keeeeep dancing! www.hsrsc.org.uk/event/strictly-for-charity Cathy Coulthard Community and Events Development Manager Home Start Royston, Buntingford & South Cambridgeshire 45

Charities’ News Royston & District Community Transport www.roytrans.co.uk

Vacancy for a Minibus Driver Do you like driving and are interested in helping in the community?

Royston & District Community Transport, based at Royston Hospital, have an immediate vacancy for a driver to drive our two minibuses and MPV. This is a "zero hours" vacancy with no minimum hours guaranteed per week, but, based on our current requirements, will be ten hours from Monday to Wednesday, although this figure may vary if passenger requirements change.

The successful applicant will be paid £10 per hour.

Applicants must have a D1 entitlement on their licence and full training will be given for anybody who has not previously undertaken this work.

If you are interested please email Manager@roytrans.co.uk.

Peter Heath Trustee/Director

Visit your local history website

www.meldrethhistory.org.uk Over 600 pages on Meldreth, past and present See the Meldreth Today section for information on footpaths * facilities * over 25 local clubs & groups 46

N J Chapman Garden Services Handyman Mobile: 07592 725 169 Email: nigeljchapman3@gmail.com

We are recruiting!

Would you like to join our amazing team of Support Workers at Aurora Meldreth and Orchard Manor?

Find out how you could make a difference to the lives of children and young people with multiple complex needs.

Call:

01763 268 000 to register your interest or visit:

https://www.theauroragroup.co.uk/meldrethmanor

47

Meldreth Coronavirus Community Support While government restrictions have now lifted, Covid rates are still high and we continue to try and support those adversely affected where possible, provide basic information, and bring friendship and social contact too. Please contact Meldreth Coronavirus Community Support using the contact details below and we will do our best to assist.

Vaccinations The roll out of vaccinations for 5 to 11-year-olds will begin from 31st March. The advice at this point is that children will be vaccinated in pharmacies and mass vaccination centres rather than in primary schools. Mobile vaccination centres are still in operation; see the schedule at https://www.thevaccinators.co.uk.

Pharmacy Deliveries If you are choosing to self-isolate or unable to travel to a pharmacy, medication can be delivered directly to you by a number of methods.

Please ask your local pharmacist - WELL Melbourn on (01763) 260221 or Bassingbourn Pharmacy on (01763) 250660 - about the services offered. Our coordinator for pharmacy assistance is Nick Garner on 07968 568599.

Local Shops Taking Telephone Orders and Making Deliveries Home delivery is available from Fieldgate (01763) 260737 and Bury Lane (01763) 260418. For Leech & Sons butchers ring (01763) 260255 to collect outside in the car park at the rear of the shop.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Support We are supported by the very useful resources available to all at CPSL Mind – 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: https://www.cpslmind.org.uk/top-tips-self-helpresources. Or, for general queries please call 0300 303 4363 between 9.30am and 5.30pm.

Our Neighbourhood Zone Leaders Please remember that our team is always on hand for a friendly chat by phone – our zone leaders’ telephone numbers are below.

Kneesworth Road, West Way, Burtons & Fenny Lane: Bev Cottrell, 07773 592838 48

Elin Way and Howard Road: 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 County and District Councillors Susan van de Ven, Jose Hales, Sally Ann Hart and all at the MCCS team

PC Repairs Advice & Installation of Home Networks Help with Selecting a computer Fault Finding Brian Girling 01223 208529 (Wimpole) E-mail bg@moncraft.co.uk

Now treating paddocks & large areas

We can also provide the following services: Design of brochures, posters, business cards, etc.

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

BESPOKE LAWNCARE SERVICES SINCE 2005

To advertise in this space, please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com or telephone Beverley Cottrell on (01763) 262176

Independent and family run, we put the care into lawncare

01763 244955 lawnpartners.co.uk

Our rates are shown on page 52 of this issue

49

Village Directory

Village Hall Chairman

David Coton—07749 850026

Cycling Group Local History Group Lunch Club Melwood Cons. Group

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

Photographic Group

www.melbourn-photographic-club.co.uk

Revelation U3A

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

Bowls Club Croquet Club Meldreth United FC Table Tennis Tennis Club

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

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

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

Baby & Toddler Group

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

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

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

Parish Council

Please see details at end of Parish Council report

District Councillor

Jose Hales—07703 262649 Sally Ann Hart—07791 233303

District Council Offices

03450 450500; www.scambs.gov.uk/

County Councillor

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

County Council Offices MP

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

Councils & Govt.

Children

Clubs & Societies

Village Hall Bookings

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

Sport

Neighbourhood Watch One Stop

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

Church

Facilities

Litter Picker

50

Transport Health Support Services Emergencies NonEmerg.

Misc.

Station Ticket Office

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

Rail User Group

07905 325574; www.meldrethsheprethfoxtonrail.org.uk

Govia/Great Northern

www.thameslinkrailway.com

The Trainline Stagecoach Potholes, Highways problems, etc.

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

Streetlights (faulty)

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

Melbourn Surgery Addenbrooke’s NHS

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

Childline

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

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

General Emergency Gas Electricity Anglian Water Cambridge Water

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

Crimestoppers

S Cambs Fire & Rescue

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

Melbourn Hub

(01763) 263303; www.melbournhub.com

Taxi (Butler Meltax)

(01763) 244444; 212223

Citizens Advice Bureau

Police

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

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

51

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

per issue £27.25 £16.50 £8.75

6 months £134.00 £74.00 £43.00 £11.00

12 months £216.00 £118.00 £65.00 £16.00

Occasional full page advertising features are also available on request.

For all advertising enquiries, please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com or telephone Beverley Cottrell on (01763) 262176.

Index to Advertisers Meldreth Matters depends entirely on advertising revenue to cover its production costs. Please mention Meldreth Matters when contacting our advertisers.

Meldreth Motor Company ..............42 Meldreth Plant Hire ..........................5 Moncraft Computers .......................49 N J Chapman, gardening .................47 Newlings of Royston Funeral Service47 Nigel Wigg Home Improvement ......37 P D Property Services .......................28 Penn Farm Physiotherapy .................9 Pet Sitter ..........................................17 Queen Bee .......................................20 Richard Burns Electrician ..................2 Rod’s PC Support ............................23 Sage Blinds and Interiors ...................9 Slimming World ...............................10 Sparky’s ...........................................23 Specialist Dental Partners .................32 Trademark Kitchens ...................Cover Travel Counsellors ............................2 Travel Counsellors (advertorial) ...... 19 Village Garden Services ......................2

A10 Timber .....................................17 AngliEAR Hearing ...........................42 Art of Clean .....................................20 Art of Clean Wood ..........................37 Aurora Meldreth Manor (Job) ..........47 CHS Day Centre ..............................28 CHS Group ...............................Cover The Country Store ...........................47 Ely Design Group .............................2 Eternit Sports and Social Club .........28 Eve Construction .............................37 Huw Shortle Window Cleaning .......17 iPlaster ............................................20 Jackson Cox Opticians ....................23 Lawn Partners ..................................49 The Letting Centre ...........................32 Little Hands Nursery School ............37 Melbourn Flooring ....................Cover Melbourn Village College ...........Cover Meldreth Landscapes .......................20 52

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

Moorlands Court

@melbournflooring

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

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