Meldreth Matters, April 2023

April 2023

In this issue …

Events …

Meldreth Girlguiding Meldreth Village Hub Melwood’s Snowdrops Traffic Working Group

Bowls Club Open Day Film Night MLHG Coffee Morning Public Meeting on 20mph Scheme

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.

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Contents What’s On Events at Melbourn Hub 24 Good Friday Activities for Children 32 History Group Coffee Morning 4 Melwood Conservation Group AGM 5 Things to Do in April 28-29 Village Hall Film Night 10 Village Groups Bowls Club 12 Friends of Holy Trinity 5 Lift Off Choir 4 Photographic Club 5 Tennis Club 12 Women’s Group 6

Miscellaneous Net Zero Now 46 Ode to the A505 25 Singing for Breathing 46 Transport Bus Service 23 Cycling Campaign 22-23 Rail News 22 Children & Education Activities for Families 30 Baby & Toddler Group 32 Meldreth Girlguiding 35 Primary School 32-33

Village News & Issues Auction of Lots & Promises 3 Church Fete 7 Easter Market 4 News from the British Queen 6 Traffic Working Group 20-21 Village Hall 8-9 Village Hall Film Nights 10

Local/National Government Local Councillors 42-44 Parish Council 37-39 Planning 39 Advice/Information Advertisers’ Index 52 Charity News 13, 47 Food Bank 48 MCCS 49 Mobile Warden Scheme 17 Neighbourhood Watch 41 Refuse Collections 26 Village Directory 50-51 Village Hub 48

Gardening and Nature A Meldreth Garden 14-15 Melwood’s Snowdrops 16-17 Cookery In Praise of … 18

This month’s cover picture: Topcliffe Mill. Photograph by Kathryn Betts.

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 I’d like to say a big thank you to Robin Farbridge and Richard Burns for taking the reins last month and allowing me my first ever full month off MM since I took over as Editor in 2005.

We are still trying to raise more money so that we can secure the future of Meldreth Matters. If you know of a local business that could benefit from advertising in the magazine and reaching 900 households and businesses each month, then please ask them to email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com.

As we received no feedback on the Children’s Activity Page, we will no longer be including this in the magazine.

There are a few events taking place in the village this month. Please see the centre pages diary for a summary. There will also be a public meeting on Thursday 13th April on the proposed 20mph scheme. See pages 20-21 and page 38.

Kathryn

Auction of Lots and Promises The team is very grateful to those who have already responded with items for the Auction of Lots & Promises to raise much-needed funds to ensure the continued production of Meldreth Matters. So far we have a set of golf clubs, a walking tour of Cambridge, dessert wine, a flight in a light aircraft, beaded items, an introduction to art therapy session, and a song!

We are considering holding an online auction, perhaps followed by a live event in the Village Hall on Saturday 16th September. More details will be given in the May issue.

We still need offers of more items/promises and most people have a skill or something they enjoy doing from which others can benefit, so here are some ideas to get you thinking! Anything (legal!) considered. Can you mow a lawn, wash out a wheelie bin, chop wood, or do some ironing? Are you able to provide decorating, cleaning, hairdressing or chiropody services, or a lift somewhere (an airport run perhaps)? Can you offer a coffee morning, afternoon tea or dinner party, bake a cake, take a dog for a walk, or put a small (or large!) hamper together? Perhaps you could you offer a specified amount of your time to teach someone else (music for example)? Do you have an item you can donate? It does not have to be new but it does need to be in good, clean condition and saleable.

We are looking for items/promises of small value as well as large because we very much want it to be open to everyone. Questions, ideas, and offers please to lesleyfarbridge@hotmail.com or 07917 065465.

The Meldreth Matters Team 3

Lift Off Choir On 4th March Lift Off Choir took part in an exciting concert at the newly reopened St John The Baptist Church, Royston. Collaborating with three other local choirs, there were approximately 120 singers singing together, as well as each choir performing their own repertoire. It was a joyous event, raising muchneeded funds for the charity Home-Start.

As we move into spring, we have even more exciting projects on the horizon. We are always welcoming new members. Come and join us every Wednesday during term time at Meldreth Village Hall from 1.30-2.45pm.

Clare Silver 07548 247755

Easter Market - A Thank You The forecast for wall-to-wall rain proved to be less than accurate, helping to encourage visitors to the Market which was held to support Home Start, whose volunteers provided refreshments, Meldreth PTA who kept children joyfully occupied with crafts and Meldreth Matters.

We are very grateful to the stallholders and those who came to browse or buy and in two cases, very kindly gave donations for Meldreth Matters. I have transferred a total of £322 to the Meldreth Matters account.

The Christmas Market will be held on Sunday 26th November.

Lesley Farbridge

Meldreth Local History Group Coffee Morning Following the success of the ‘Meldreth in the 1950s’ presentation given last November by Alan, one of our members, we would like to invite you to our next Coffee Morning when his illustrated talk will be on Meldreth in the 1960s. Alan invites you to unpack your flared trousers, fire up the Ford Cortina, tune in to your favourite pirate radio station and share your memories of life in Meldreth in the 1960s ….

The Coffee Morning will be held on Monday 24th April from 10.30am in the Community Room in Elin Way, Meldreth.

There will be a brief AGM before the talk just to bring everyone up to date on Meldreth Local History Group and our activities.

Refreshments will be available as usual. We look forward to seeing you there.

Joan Gane, Chairman (01763) 260129 4

Melwood Conservation Group www.melwood.org.uk Notice of AGM The Melwood Conservation Group AGM will be held on Wednesday 19th April at 8.00pm in the Meeting Room of Meldreth Village Hall.

If you have any issues you would like to raise please email them to brucehuett@compuserve.com and they will be included on the agenda or a separate meeting can be arranged with the committee.

Bruce Huett

Friends of Holy Trinity www.foht.org.uk The Friends, in their remit to support the fabric of the church, have paid just over £2,000 for fitting two new electrical consumer units which provide more sensitive protection against electrical faults, particularly arcing, which may have been the cause of the fire at the church in Royston a few years ago.

John Price

Melbourn and District Photographic Club melbournphotoclub.com Meetings are held on Tuesdays from 7.30-9.30pm in Foxton Village Hall from September to April. This month’s meetings are as follows: 4th: Natural History – Lectures by Ian Tulloch & Andre Neves 11th: PDI of the Year - Judge: Naomi Saul 18th: AGM Peter North Secretary

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

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Melbourn & Meldreth Women’s Group We are a small friendly group that meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month, apart from December. We vary our meetings between All Saints Community Hall in Melbourn and Holy Trinity meeting room in Meldreth. We usually meet at 7.45pm and our meetings normally last about one and a half hours. After beginning with any notices and a short prayer, we either have a guest speaker or some in house entertainment and then finish with a coffee and biscuits. We make a charge of £2 to cover expenses. We also donate to our chosen charity which this year is Camsight.

On 25th April our meeting will be at Holy Trinity where we will welcome the Lift off Choir. At this meeting tickets will be available for our annual Summer Supper which will be held in Melbourn on Tuesday 23rd May. New members would be very welcome. If you would like to know more about the group and receive a programme, or would like a lift, please telephone one of the committee members: Diane Blundell (01763) 221415, Sue Toule (01763) 260955, Angela Leach (01763) 262793, Mary Bailey (01763) 220171 or Mary Purdy (01763) 260864.

Angela Leach

British Queen News As we move into April and see all the flowers budding and the trees starting to spring into life, please take a stroll along the River Mel, cross the bridge and join us in The British Queen for a little tipple. We are open seven days a week from midday and if you are peckish there is a varied menu and specials board. Do come in and have a look and join in with the village folk.

We have lost yet more of our wildlife to rogue dogs and their owners. Please could we reiterate that all dog walkers keep their pets on a lead, whilst walking along the riverside path and the gardens that are part of the pub’s land.

Soon the long established British Queen Golf Society will start its annual games.

The society has been fundraising for Guide Dogs for the Blind for many years. It costs £2500 just to name a guide dog, and so far, this combination of competitive athletes, or rather, middle aged (at best) gents, have managed to raise enough money for this very worthwhile charity to name five guide dogs. Well done British Queen Golf Society; keep up the good work.

The Queen Bee shop, located in the old barn, is now stocking home produced honey, from the little bees that buzz around our pub gardens. Please pop in, have a chat and a look around. We hope to see you all soon.

The British Queen Team 6

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Meldreth Village Hall Meldreth Village Hall has been a very busy place since we finished the internal refurbishments back in September of 2022. We are really pleased with how it all looks and the compliments that old and new users are giving us. The main hall itself has made a real impact with the new kitchen, wainscoting and the repaint, the old Green Room, following its refurbishment, has been renamed the Queen Elizabeth Meeting Room, and the foyer is looking fantastic and really quite modern.

The Queen Elizabeth Meeting Room is available to hire for meetings and is selfcontained with a small kitchen unit. It can be set up with a projector and screen if required. The main hall is a big space with the stage and main kitchen and separate access to the garden. We have good lighting, heating and facilities throughout the hall as well as free 300mbps fibre broadband. The use of the kitchen, tables, chairs, screen, projector and sound system etc is included in the hire rates. The building is available to hire on an hourly or daily basis for the whole hall or the individual rooms.

We are really pleased to see our ‘old’ regular users back and welcome the new groups, all of which are making full use of the hall. We are very proud to host many regular groups, for example Baby and Toddler, Aerobics, Hartbeeps, Table Tennis, Home-Start, Slimming World, Zumba, Pilates, Street Dance, Lift Off Choir, Acro, Circuit Training and the Dementia Memory Café. We also are pleased to host events including assorted Craft Fairs, Film nights, Quiz evenings, The National Fancy Rat show and the U3A. The Village Hall is often used by residents from the local area to host private events such as birthday parties and wedding anniversaries.

We have a really busy calendar virtually all year but we are always happy to take on new groups, organisations and events, so to enquire about hiring the hall please contact Julia our Bookings Clerk on meldrethvillagehall@gmail.com or 07403 462198.

Although we have finished the main renovations to the inside of the hall we have yet to begin outside. This year should see us repaint the exterior of the hall. We have a number of volunteers for this project but we could do with more.

Although we have not yet set a date, as the weather has been less than favourable, we are aiming to get it done in the early part of the spring. We also have a major plan to completely revamp the area we refer to as the garden. This is area that is fenced in and is currently just old play equipment and rough grass. We have been trying to raise funds in the background and have a number of applications in with the likes of the National Lottery, The Platinum Jubilee Fund, and South Cambridgeshire District Council Community Chest Fund. We are aiming to raise in the region of £40,000 to enable us to build a garden that is all season, fully accessible to all users, has seating and play areas, is secure and is aesthetically pleasing. We were hoping to have this project started sooner rather than later but 8

as the fund raising has taken longer than expected we are now aiming for completion by the end of 2023.

As you can read, Meldreth Village Hall is a well-used asset of the village for which there are many plans for future improvement and we encourage all residents and locals to come to the hall on any one of the public access events and have a good look round. The trustees are always trying to think of new ways to increase the usage of the Village Hall and to improve the facilities and we are always on the lookout for new ideas and helpers. If you think you can help us in any way from sharing an idea, painting the outside, volunteering at an event or even by being a trustee, please contact David Coton or Andrew Young at villagehallmeldreth@gmail.com. or on 07749 850026 or 07572 553647. Please note that the email address for hall bookings is meldrethvillagehall@gmail.com.

Village Hall Trustees Meldreth Matters is an independent magazine, run by volunteers.

We rely on advertising income to fund the magazine.

Please mention Meldreth Matters when responding to advertisements.

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

See our rates on page 52 of this issue.

The Moor Melbourn SG8 6EF 07163 223400 office@melbournvc.org www.melbournvc.org

EVERYBODY IS SOMEBODY

A highly-rated community secondary school committed to ensuring every student achieves his or her very best through a rich and varied curriculum.

OFSTED (Sept 2017) confirmed: ‘An innovative curriculum that truly meets the needs of pupils’ ‘The first school in Cambridgeshire to introduce Mandarin at Key Stage 3’ ‘The school’s vision of Everybody is Somebody is evident in the support you provide for all pupils’ ‘Parents are overwhelmingly supportive of the school’ Senior Leaders will be delighted to show around prospective students and their parents. For more information or to book your tour, please contact Karin Doyle – office@melbournvc.org 9

Meldreth Village Hall Film Nights Meldreth Village Hall Trustees have started a monthly film night at the Village Hall. We have had three films so far; Operation Mincemeat in January, Top Gun Maverick in February and Elvis on 25th March. Our April film will be The Banshees of Inisherin which is nominated for Best Picture and Best Actor at the 2023 Oscars. This is being shown on Friday 28th April.

The film night has been well received, with over 40 people attending each film.

We have a small kiosk selling confectionery and tea and coffee. Each film has an intermission at which we also sell ice cream.

The Film Night is developing into a regular monthly event which is usually held on the last Saturday of the month with doors opening at 7.00pm and the film starting at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £6.00 and can be prebooked on www.ticketsource.co.uk/meldreth-village-hall-trustees, or using the QR codes on the posters or by calling Andrew on (01763) 263484. The films will be advertised on a number of notice boards around the village, on the Meldreth Village Hall Facebook page and in Meldreth Matters, which has been extremely supportive by giving us the back page of the magazine for our first films. All monies raised from the Film Nights goes back to the Village Hall to help pay for future maintenance and the purchase of new equipment.

We have films planned up until June and we are currently reviewing the many options for films for showing up to the end of the year. If you have a suggestion, please contact Andrew on villagehallmeldreth@gmail.com.

Our programme for the next three months is as follows: Friday 28th April: The Banshees of Inisherin (see below for details) Saturday 27th May: The Lost King Saturday 24th June: A Man Called Otto The Village Hall Trustees

The Banshees of Inisherin We will be screening this film in the Village Hall on Friday 28th April. Doors open at 7.00pm, film starts at 7.30pm.

Tickets must be pre-booked and cost £6 each. To book, scan the QR code on the right, visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/ meldreth-village-hall-trustees/t-xmaykkx or call Andrew on (01763) 263484.

The Village Hall Trustees 10

Meldreth Bowls Club www.meldrethbowlsclub.co.uk Tucked away behind a hedge, almost opposite Holy Trinity Church in North End, lies Meldreth Bowls Club.

The long winter months look to be ending, the clocks have moved forward and the grass is growing which must herald the start of a new bowls season. A lot of work has been put into preparing our green and surrounds in readiness for the green opening on Saturday 22nd April. We will be coinciding this with an Open Day so that we can welcome seasoned bowlers, as well as those that might be new to the game, to a taster session. All you will need is a flat pair of shoes, we will provide the rest.

Why not come along from 2.30-4.30pm and give it a try?

We are a friendly club that fields a team in each of three local leagues. In addition, we run very relaxed roll ups on Tuesday mornings from10.00am to 12.00 noon and on Saturday afternoons from 2.00-4.00pm so there is a variety of opportunities to play bowls. Our first Tuesday rollup will be on 25th April and then Saturdays and Tuesdays thereafter. If you are not sure whether you would like the game, then why not just turn up to one of our home matches and watch.

Details of all fixtures are pinned to the notice board at the entrance gate and are also available on our web site, www.meldrethbowlsclub.co.uk.

We hope that we might see some of you at our club over the summer months, where you will be assured of a very warm welcome.

Jim Hatch Chairman – Meldreth Bowls Club

Meldreth Tennis Club www.clubspark.lta.org.uk/meldrethtennisclub Junior Coaching Sessions Meldreth Tennis Club has a six-week coaching course starting in April with resident LTA coach Steve Smith. The course will begin on Wednesday 5th April and end on Wednesday 10th May 2023 and will take place at the following times: 4.30-5.30pm—6-8 year olds; 5.30-6.30pm—9-11 year olds.

The course is open to both members and non members and costs £24 for members and £35 for non members. To reserve a place email sevans15@hotmail.

To join or renew membership and to see all Club information visit our website: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/meldrethtennisclub.

Sue Evans Meldreth Tennis Club 12

Home-Start Aquathon: Sunday 23rd April Our Home-Start team is ready to take on this challenge at Royston Leisure Centre. The team will swim in relay for 55 minutes and we are asking for your help to gain sponsorship to support Home-Start to continue their vital role in supporting local families who are struggling with day to day life.

If you would like to support your local Home-Start scheme with this event, please call (01763) 262262, email events@hsrsc.org.uk or donate online at https:// visufund.com/aquathon2023-home-start-team/?p=1. Choose a fish and leave the team a message: we love reading the messages of support.

Tracy Aggett Fundraising Events Support Manager **Celebrating our 40th Anniversary in 2023**

Time to Get Walking Again!

Now that spring is here we start to think about getting out to walk in the beautiful English countryside again, but where to find new and interesting walks?

Walking in Cambridgeshire www.walkinginengland.co.uk/cambridge has loads of walks to download and print, free, it also has books of walks, details of all the walking groups in the county and much more. Whether you want to walk on your own or with a group all the information is there in one place.

With walks from half a mile to twelve miles plus long and a note of suitability for pushchairs and wheelchairs, everyone can find a walk to enjoy.

So home or away, check out the websites and get walking!

John Harris www.walkinginengland.co.uk john@walkinginengland.co.uk

N J Chapman

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A Meldreth Garden The glories of the spring garden, bluebells, tulips and blossoms, are too numerous to list at this time of year but to focus on some stars, there are many species of garden-worthy fritillaries apart from the well-known snakes head (Fritillaria meleagris). I also have the crown imperial fritillary in yellow (Fritillaria imperialis ‘Lutea’) and red (Fritillaria imperialis 'Rubra'). Fritillaria elwesii and F. pontica are growing well in a south facing position under the canopy of trees and are in full bloom. Many (not snakes head) come from Western Asia so cannot stand excess wet and need dry summers in dormancy. Look out for lily beetles munching and soiling fritillaries.

Driveways and front gardens are often made over to parking and whether finished with paving, tarmac, resin, concrete or stone and pea shingle, they invariably look desolate. To greatly enhance the kerb appeal of a driveway, add a tub, planter, jardinière, trough, pot or raised bed; this is an excellent time of year to make this aesthetic improvement. For container gardening, think about upright plants for height, ground cover plants to flop over the edges, background planting and focal plants. Following are a few ideas for robust container planting, but the choice is immense. I have pots of tulips and daffodils with violas in the spring and pots of dahlias and annuals in the summer.

A herb container: this can include prostrate rosemary, small bay plants (Laurus nobilis), thyme (perhaps a yellow variety, Thymus 'Archers Gold') or variegated cultivar Thymus ‘Silver Posie’ to creep over the edge; include violas for colour and yellow looks good. This herb arrangement will show well for months and provide culinary herbs for the kitchen.

A low maintenance alpine tub: this requires low nutrients and very sharp drainage; use at least 50% grit with 50% compost and cover the surface with a grit mulch after planting. A whole range of alpines can be grown; sedum, alpine campanula, houseleeks (Sempervivum), thrift (Armeria), saxifrage, dianthus, etc.

As with a Mediterranean herb container, an alpine tub needs a sunny position.

A container of gold, white and blue; use double meadow buttercup (Ranunculus acris 'Multiplex’), dianthus (Dianthus caryophyllus 'Amber'), pansy (Viola 'Pure Yellow'), sweet alyssum" (Alyssum maritimum) and lavender (Lavandula angustifolia 'Hidcote'). These will look good for a prolonged period.

For a sunny area: use a holly, (Eryngium variifolium), with a grass for height (Stipa tenuissima), sea ragwort (Cineraria maritima) grey white foliage, Nettleleaved Mullein (Verbascum chaixii 'Album').

For shady areas: try a red/pink theme and use Hosta fortunei ‘Albopicta’, with red bleeding hearts (Dicentra ‘king of hearts’), trailing Begonia ‘Semperflorens’ and false goat’s beard (Astilbe chinensis 'Vision in Pink’). This container will require to be maintained moist.

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Note, the snowdrops moved to the shady border last autumn established and flowered well.

Tasks for the Flower Garden  Sow hardy annuals, herbs and wild flower seed outdoors. Sow half-hardy summer bedding plants such as marigolds (Tagetes), Lobelia, and Petunia under cover.  Tie in climbing and rambling roses and remove frost damaged shoots from shrubs.  Plant up hanging baskets and keep under cover to establish, before hanging them out in late May.  After flowering, deadhead and give a liquid feed to enhance garden bulbs for next year’s display.  Take basal cuttings to propagate your favourite perennials, dahlias, asters, phlox etc.  Plant stored dahlias outside once the soil has warmed up.  Self-seeded plants like hellebores, lady's mantle, columbines, scabious and foxgloves can be lifted and moved for a display in July.  Plant summer bulbs including gladiolus, pineapple lily (Eucomis), iris and crocosmia.  Prune out the oldest flowering stems from spring flowering perennials like forsythia, winter honeysuckle, spiraea, winter jasmin, etc.

Tasks for the Vegetable Garden  Continue to sow seeds; succession planting will reduce vegetable gluts of lettuce, beetroot, etc.  Start to feed citrus plants.  Prune fig trees.  Apply a general-purpose fertiliser to borders and beds, feed hungry fruit trees and shrubs; blood, fish and bone meal is a good organic option..  As it warms, look out for the presence and build-up of pests and diseases, particularly slugs and snails eating succulent new growth, aphids, vine weevil, and mildew.  Tender crops which can be sown inside under cover, include courgettes, squash, pumpkins, sweet corn and runner beans.  First and second early potatoes can be planted.  Pot on peppers and tomatoes; do the same with bedding plants including geraniums, when you see the roots appearing at the bottom of the pot.  Rejuvenate plants in pots by either repotting if root bound or by removing the top few centimetres of compost and replacing with new; use John Innes number 3 or similar.

Ian McPhee mcpheia1@gmail.com 15

Melwood’s Snowdrops Despite the extreme cold that we experienced in December 2022, the first snowdrops produced a couple of flowers by New Year’s Day and two clumps were well into bloom by the second week of January. The mass of bloom, however, made its main show by the second week of February, right on schedule.

Winter Aconites were in bloom in my garden before the snowdrops had put in much of a showing but in Melwood they are regularly a little later. There have never been many plants but clumps are slowly expanding and individuals or small groups are turning up in new places well away from the original clumps. Whether this is natural spread of seed or whether there has been human assistance remains open to speculation.

We have three species of snowdrops in the wood but the bulk of plants are the common British species, Galanthus nivalis. Scattered amongst the masses are small groups of the double flowered variety, which has been named ‘flore pleno’. The normal construction of a snowdrop flower is for there to be three outer petals and three inner ones that remain close like a central tube. These inner petals are typically marked in green and plant breeders have selected many distinct cultivars based on variation in these green marks. In the wild form it is usually horse-shoe shaped. In variety ’flore pleno’, the central petals are multiplied many times, creating a flower head like a pom-pom, easily seen at a distance. The distribution of these in the wood suggest that they are probably naturally occurring mutants that have existed in the wood for very many years.

Galanthus nivalis

Galanthus nivalis Galanthus elwesii ‘flore pleno’ was discovered by the explorer and plant hunter John Elwes in Turkey and developed into a large stock when he moved to Colesbourne Park in Gloucestershire in 1891. Known then, and sometimes now, as the giant snowdrop, it is much bigger and with larger flowers than G. nivalis. Not surprisingly, it has been the subject of Galanthus elwesii extensive breeding, leading to many named varieties, some fetching very high prices. The two species can hybridise but in Melwood the populations are concentrated in different areas and only one potential hybrid was discovered. Most of the earliest flowering plants in 16

Melwood are G. elwesii. A distinctive feature of this species is the presence of a second green mark on the central petals, basal to the green edge.

The third species is G. plicatus and there seems to be just one clump in Melwood, which flowers quite a bit later than other snowdrops. This is also a large robust species and the Melwood stock differs from normal by having longer and narrower petals. It is also a large-flowered species that has been selectively bred to produce many fine forms. Probably the easiest way to distinguish it from G. elsesii, are the leaves, which tend to fold slightly along their length, giving rise to its common name of the Pleated Snowdrop. It seems as though this may have been a more recent introduction into Melwood.

Galanthus plicatus Pictures to aid identification are of limited value in black and white but are available in colour in the online version of Meldreth Matters (see issuu.com/meldrethmatters). The photographs will also be made available on the Melwood Conservation Group website, www.melwood.org.uk.

Jim Reid Melwood Conservation Group

Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme Supporting people in Melbourn, Meldreth & Shepreth Can we help you? Your relative? Your neighbour?

What is the service?

We offer twice weekly visits and daily phone calls to support elderly or mobility impaired residents in their own homes by building a friendship and helping prevent social isolation. We can carry out errands such as local shopping, collecting prescriptions, paying bills or going to the Post Office so people can remain supported and independent at home. We can also help couples or those living with their family.

We are also trained to support people living with dementia.

Who provides the services?

Mobile wardens, who have all been carefully selected for their caring nature and are DBS checked.

What will it cost?

We do make a small charge for the services, which is from as little as £7.50 per week.

How can I join?

For more information please contact Jeannie on 07808 735066 or Jane on 07592 821976.

Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme is a registered charity

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In Praise Of … Potatoes This month we showcase the humble potato or pomme de terre, the world’s most popular vegetable. There are over 5,000 types of potato, each with a specific texture, taste and use. Potatoes are a staple food that we can enjoy all year round and they have an excellent nutritive content, being rich in vitamin C and potassium. They can be fried, steamed, roasted etc. In truth, the potato is one of the world’s superfoods even though it’s not exotic or trendy and if you’re eating potatoes, you can generally eat local, healthy, and dirt cheap.

Focaccia with Potatoes and Rosemary Preparation time 1 hr 10 min, cooking time 20 minutes; serves four.

Ingredients 250g strong bread flour 5g fast acting yeast 3 tsp salt 50ml olive oil

200ml lukewarm water 200g new potatoes cooked and sliced Sprigs of rosemary Extra virgin olive oil for dipping

This bread dough not only looks good but tastes fantastique, and is easy to make.

You need to make the dough quite wet and sticky and knead for a decent amount of time; once out of the oven you can brush with more olive oil.

Method In a stand mixer mix the flour, yeast and salt with half the olive oil and lukewarm water. Using the dough hook, knead for 5 -10 minutes; it should be sticky.

Oil a shallow rectangular baking tray, drop the dough in and stretch out to the corners, leave to prove for one hour. Pre-heat oven to 200°C/gas 6 Dot the dough with potatoes and rosemary and drizzle with remining oil, bake for 20 mins until potatoes and dough are golden. Serve with extra virgin olive oil for dipping.

Pommes Anna Ingredients 100g melted butter 4 Maris Piper potatoes peeled and thinly sliced Freshly ground salt and pepper Method Grease a 20cm ovenproof dish with butter, layer up the potatoes, pouring over some butter on each layer and seasoning as you go. Bake for 1¼ hours until golden brown. Serve with roast pork or a leg of lamb.

Preheat oven to 180°C/gas 4. Bake for 1 1/4 hrs. Serves four.

Jane O’Hagan 18

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19

Traffic Working Group The Traffic Working Group is continuing its work on traffic-related issues, which affect all of us in the village.

Speed Monitor Data from Whitecroft Road The data below was recorded from 10th January to 17th February 2023. On average 54.1% of vehicles were speeding (an improvement on the 54.4% in 2022), many travelling a little above the 30mph speed limit. A small proportion (15%) were travelling above 38mph. This is an important criterion for police enforcement.

Number of Vehicles

Average Speed in mph

Fastest recorded speed in mph

% of vehicles travelling above the speed limit

Vehicles leaving Meldreth towards Donkey Hall crossroads: 28,028 (average of 747 a day)

32

77

57.6%

Vehicles travelling into Meldreth from Donkey Hall crossroads: 27,998 (average of 746 a day)

31

75

50.5%

20mph Speed Limit in Meldreth As previously mentioned in Meldreth Matters, the Traffic Working Group has been considering the introduction of a 20mph zone in Meldreth in anticipation of a new funding scheme from Cambridgeshire County Council.

This scheme has now been published at www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/ travel-roads-and-parking/roads-and-pathways/improving-the-localhighway/20mph-funding and we are finalising our proposals in light of the detailed criteria of the scheme and in dialogue with the Parish Council.

Applications are due by Sunday 30th April.

Public Meeting in Meldreth There will be a public meeting on Thursday 13th April at 7.00pm in the Village Hall. There we will present our proposals for a 20mph zone in Meldreth and our vision for further traffic calming measures to be pursued in future. Everyone will have the opportunity to comment. Please look out for further notices regarding public consultation and also for online notices and online consultation.

There is also a summary of the discussion of this item held at the March meeting of the Parish Council (see page 38).

20

Melbourn Greenway & 20mph in Melbourn The plans for the Melbourn Greenway scheme are currently being finalised for implementation. These include a number of road, footway and cycle initiatives to improve safety on the way to and around Meldreth Station. Some of these improvements will also complement our application for a 20mph zone in Meldreth, as would a village-wide 20mph zone in Melbourn. The results of a statutory public consultation on this issue are expected soon.

Road and Footway Condition Problems The worst potholes have now been temporarily filled in. We continue to urge residents to report these and other highway issues, including disappearing road markings, by using the online reporting system.

If you have any questions about the Meldreth Traffic Group and about the 20mph zone in particular, please contact Parish Councillor, Adam Bostanci on adam.bostanci.pc@gmail.com or 07400 236329.

The Traffic Working Group always welcomes new volunteers.

Traffic Working Group

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Meldreth Shepreth and Foxton Community Rail Partnership www.meldrethsheprethfoxtonrail.org.uk Our recent Rail User Group meeting saw strong attendance by Network Rail to talk about anticipated works around the creation of Cambridge South Station, and the April Public Inquiry that will consider objections to the proposal for a ‘full barrier’ at Meldreth Road Shepreth level crossing.

Cambridge South will revolutionise pubic transport from our areas to Addenbrooke’s. We talked about practicalities of getting from the new station to patient destinations, for those needing assistance. We asked for an early meeting with timetable planners given the importance of our station services linking directly to Cambridge South – rather than first to Cambridge and then backtracking. Network Rail will return to our Rail User Group when there is more to report.

For the Meldreth Road Shepreth Level Crossing upgrade, we queried level crossing control arrangements and potential impacts at Shepreth and Foxton Station level crossings. In fact, we learned that the new level crossing system would be managed from Cambridge. The 2018 installation of the full barriers at Shepreth Station had led to excessive down times, creating significant new safety issues on surrounding road networks and we said that lessons must be learned and similar outcomes avoided. We accepted the offer of a site visit ahead of the Public Inquiry, to discuss concerns.

Duke of Edinburgh and volunteering opportunities generally were highlighted as usual at this time of year. Please get in touch if you’re interested in helping out with station gardens and keeping the flower tubs watered.

Many thanks to all who keep our stations looking lovely.

Susan van de Ven and Sarah Grove Meldreth Shepreth and Foxton Community Rail Partnership railusergroup@gmail.com or Sarahgrove.msfcrp@gmail.com

A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign www.a10corridorcycle.com We hope you’ve been enjoying the A10 off-road path this spring, whether on foot, on your bicycle or on a scooter or mobility scooter. It’s always great to see very young children and families enjoying the space and equally, people of all ages walking for exercise or using the route on mobility scooters to get outside and between villages.

22

Our Annual Awareness Ride will be taking place sometime this summer in June-ish – date to be announced. If you’d be up for helping out as a marshal, please get in touch.

Two of our youngest members, Iris and Yunus Bostanci of Melbourn Village College, attended the recent Greater Cambridge Partnership Board meeting, to press for action on the bridge link to Royston and the upgraded connection between Meldreth Station and Melbourn. Their participation was greatly appreciated by the Board and people remembered that they had attended the same meeting over four years ago, when Royston was officially put on the Melbourn Greenway map as key destination.

Bridge design work is to be completed shortly, so that the scheme can be put forward for any government funded active travel grants requiring ‘shovel readiness’. Meanwhile, the Meldreth Station link has been prioritised for delivery this coming year following extensive work behind the scenes. Govia Thameslink Railway has applied to the Department for Transport’s Access for All scheme for funding for the ramp we need to connect the London platform to the field path.

We will report next time on path maintenance plans for the coming year.

Susan van de Ven and Adam (better known as Iris and Yunus’s Dad) contacta10cycle@gmail.com

17 Bus Service This bus runs Mondays to Saturdays from Guilden Morden via Steeple Morden, Litlington, Bassingbourn, Whaddon, Meldreth, Melbourn and Kneesworth to Royston and return.

The bus stops in Meldreth High Street (near the Stocks) at 10.20am and then makes several stops in Royston including Tesco at 10.35am before the last stop at Royston Bus Station at 10.49am. The return bus leaves Royston Bus Station at 1.10pm and Tesco at 1.21pm, arriving in Meldreth at 1.31pm.

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23

Melbourn Hub www.melbournhub.co.uk Spring is here and there’s lots to look forward to at the Hub. All of our regular events will be running and our new artists in residence will be Sue Bergquist and Stephanie Benbow. Looking ahead, we are excited to say we will be hosting a special event for the King’s Coronation on Sunday 7th May. More details to follow, but put it in your diaries!

Please note we will be closed over the Easter weekend from 5.00pm on Thursday 6th April until Tuesday 11th April at 9.00am.

Weekly Events Wednesdays: Citizens Advice - 10.00am-12 noon - To book a slot contact us on (01763) 263303 or email hubadmin@melbourn.co.uk.

Thursdays: Primary Care Network 10.00-11.30am - Drop-in session providing advice and support on health and wellbeing.

Fridays: Children's Story Time 10.00-10.30am - For under 5s. No need to book!

Monthly Events Thursday 6th - Carers Cafe - 2.00-3.30pm. A safe place for carers to come along to chat freely and enjoy a tea/coffee and cake. No need to book, just drop in.

Sunday 23rd - NHS Vaccination Day - 10.00am-3.00pm. Covid-19 vaccinations for those eligible Wednesday 26th - Menopause Cafe 10.00am - 12 noon. Meet others and get advice and support from the personalised care team. Please book via email at cpicb@meridiancare.nhs.net.

Wednesday 26th - Monthly Lunch Club 12.15-1.45pm. Meet others for a social lunch together. Booking essential - contact the Hub on (01763) 263303 or email hubadmin@melbournhub.com.

Linsey Craike on behalf of Melbourn Hub

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24

Ode to the A505

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Gift vouchers and hair accessories available.

The A505, Has much to compare, The old Horse and Groom Will sure make you stare

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45 Whitecroft Road , Meldreth Tuesday & Thursday 9am - Late Monday &Wednesday closed Friday 9am - 6pm Sat 9am - 3pm

And the old petrol station At the crest of the rise With pillars still standing Is bound to surprise And then there’s the rubbish, There’s lots to be found Sometimes they mow it To spread it around

Moorlands Court Over 60? Feeling a bit lonely?

Why not try our Day Centre?

And if the wind’s from the south Another delight!

The niff of ripe silage From the composting site.

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So When next off to Baldock On our favourite road Look out for these highlights And remember this ode.

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

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25

Meldreth Village D Monday

Tuesday

Refuse Collections Black bins: 13th*, 25th Blue & green bins: 4th, 19th* * changed days due to public holidays

Get reminders on your mobile: download the Bin Collections app 9.30am Zumba 11.00-12.00 Trigger Point Pilates 8.00-9.00pm Zumba

Wednesday

Thurs

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

School

9.15am Cycling Group 10.00am-12.00 Food Bank 12.00-3.00pm Village Hub (see page 48) 1.30-2.30pm 50+ Aerobics 7.00-8.00pm Fitness Pilates

6.30-7.20pm Dance Aerobics 7.30-8.20pm Barre Fitness 8.00-9.00pm Bell Ringing

12.00-3.00pm (see page 48) 4.00-5.00pm A 6.00-6.45pm P 7.00-9.00pm T 7.30pm Parish

9.15am Cycling Group

6.30-7.20pm Dance Aerobics 7.30-8.20pm Barre Fitness 8.00-9.00pm Bell Ringing

12.00-3.00pm (see page 48) 6.00-6.45pm P

10.00am-12.00 Food Bank 12.00-3.00pm Village Hub (see page 48) 1.30-2.30pm 50+ Aerobics

7.00pm Parish Residents Mee (see pages 20 &

7.00-8.00pm Fitness Pilates

Copy Deadline for the May issue

9.30am Zumba 11.00-12.00 Trigger Point Pilates 4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children (multiple classes) 6.30-8.00pm Guides 8.00-9.00pm Zumba

9.15am Cycling Group 10.00am-12.00 Food Bank 12.00-3.00pm Village Hub (see page 48) 1.30-2.30pm 50+ Aerobics 5.00-6.15pm Rainbows 7.00-8.00pm Fitness Pilates

9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group 1.30-2.45pm L O Choir 6.00-7.30pm Brownies 6.30-7.20pm D. Aerobics 7.30-8.20pm Barre Fitness 8.00-9.00pm Bell Ringing 8.00pm Melwood AGM

10.00am-1.15p Hartbeeps (mu classes) 12.00-3.00pm (see page 48) 6.00-6.45pm P 7.00-9.00pm T

9.30am Zumba 10.30am MLHG AGM & Coffee Morning (see p. 4) 11.00-12.00 TPoint Pilates 4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children (mult classes) 6.30-8.00pm Guides 8.00-9.00pm Zumba

9.15am Cycling Group 10.00am-12.00 Food Bank 12.00-3.00pm Village Hub (see page 48) 1.30-2.30pm 50+ Aerobics 5.00-6.15pm Rainbows 7.00-8.00pm Fitness Pilates 7.45pm Women’s Group

9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group 10.45-11.30 Mob Library 1.30-2.45pm L O Choir 6.00-7.30pm Brownies 6.30-7.20pm D. Aerobics 7.30-8.20pm Barre Fitness 8.00-9.00pm Bell Ringing

10.00am-1.15p Hartbeeps (mu 12.00-3.00pm (see page 48) 4.00-5.00pm A 6.00-6.45pm P 7.00-9.00pm T

Church services, Women’s Group meetings and FOHT talks are held in Holy Trinity Church. The Mob Holy Trinity Church. MLHG meetings, Parish Council meetings, Food Bank & Warm Hub are in the C

26

Diary - April 2023

sday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday 9.15am Meet at Village Hall for Palm Sunday procession with Noah the donkey

term begins on Monday 17th April

9.45am Sung Eucharist 10.00am-3.00pm Charity Craft Fair

m Village Hub 9.30am Slimming World

8.00am Said Eucharist

10.00am Good Friday: All Acro Age Worship followed by Pilates children’s activities (see Table Tennis page 32) h Council

11.15am Sung Eucharist

m Village Hub 9.30am Slimming World

9.45am Sung Eucharist

Pilates

h Council eting & 38)

pm ultiple

9.30am Slimming World

Village Hub

2.00-4.00pm Dementia Memory Cafe 2.30pm Bowls Club Open Day (see page 12)

Pilates Table Tennis

pm 9.30am Slimming World ulti classes) 7.00 for 7.30pm Film Village Hub Night: The Banshees of Insherin Pre-booking Acro essential (see page 10) Pilates Table Tennis

9.45am Sung Eucharist

ile Library Service visits Bell Close. Meldreth Marvels Cycling Group meet in the lay-by opposite Community Room in Elin Way. All other events are held in the Village Hall unless otherwise indicated.

27

Things to Do in April Here are some things happening in April in the local area. To let us know about future events or activities please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com.

Until Sunday 2nd April, 10.00am to 5.00pm Botanic Garden Poetry Trail University Botanic Garden, 1 Brookside, Cambridge CB2 1JE Explore these beautiful gardens and see how many poems you can spot - there are plant labels with a difference! Part of Cambridge Festival. Free but normal garden admission applies. See www.festival.cam.ac.uk for further details.

Until Sunday 4th June Islanders - the Making of the Mediterranean Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1RB Featuring more than 200 objects from three of the largest islands in the Mediterranean; Cyprus, Crete and Sardinia, many never seen in the UK before.

The exhibition takes you on fascinating 4,000 year journey from life in the ancient Mediterranean to today. Free but you must book a time slot: www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk.

Sunday 2nd April, 11.00am to 4.00pm Cambridge Bead Fair Harston Village Hall, 20 High Street, Harston CB22 7PX Excellent selection of semi-precious beads and pearls for the home jewellerymaker. Also crystal, seed beads and accessories. Free entry and refreshments. Easy parking. See www.ukcraftfairs.com/craft-events/24197/cambridge-bead.

Monday 3rd April, 9.30am to 12.30pm Monthly Meander - Spring Wildflowers Trumpington Meadows, Grantchester Road, Trumpington CB2 9LH Join this 2-3 mile guided walk, led by Iain Webb, around the nature reserve. You will be on the lookout for spring wildflowers, with a lovely display of cowslips the star of the show. Tickets £10 per adult (£8 member). Visit www.widlifebcn.org. to book. Meet at Byron’s Pool car park.

Saturday 8th April, 2.30-4.00pm Cambridge & Empire Walking Tour Meet outside the Round Church, Bridge Street, Cambridge CB2 1UB Join researchers at the University of Cambridge for a unique tour that explores the historic connections between the University and the British Empire. Adults £15, Students and Seniors £13. Bookings: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cambridgeempire-walking-tour-tickets-481935912287?aff=ALLEVENTS. Friday 14th April, 8.00pm Foyer Jazz with Robin Phillips, Saffron Hall, Saffron Walden CB11 4UH Come for a relaxed evening in the foyer with great music, street food and a bar.

Tickets £13.50 (under 25s £6.75) from www.saffronhall.com.

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Monday 17th to Friday 21st April, 1.30-2.30pm Daffodils: The Specialist Tour Anglesey Abbey, Quy Road, Lode, Cambridge CB25 9EJ With over 40 varieties to spot across the estate, uncover the subtle differences between them, and a little bit of history behind them. This tour will also take in other seasonal highlights along the way. Bookings not required. Free, but normal National Trust admission charges apply.

Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd April 10.00am to 5.00pm The Saffron Crank Up Carver Barracks, Elder Street, Saffron Walden CB10 2YA Steam and vintage vehicle show, held on the former Debden Aerodrome. Huge (and smaller!) traction engines, vintage vehicles of all kinds, tractors, fairground organs and more besides. Funfair, trade and craft stalls, hot and cold refreshments. Admission £6 adults, children free. Visit www.ticketebo.co.uk.

Saturday 22nd April, 7.30pm Mozart Requiem Ely Cathedral, Chapter House, The College, Ely CB7 4DL One of the all-time most popular choral works performed in the spectacular setting of Ely Cathedral. The 100 strong choir will be joined by Camerata East and accompanied by organist Glen Dempsey. Tickets: adults£10-£25, under 18 £5 from www.elycathedral.org. NB book early.

Wednesday 26th April, 7.30pm to 9.00pm In Conversation with….Dame Mary Archer All Saints Church, Harston, Church Street, Harston CB22 7NT One of series on Science and Society in 21st century. Dame Mary Archer taught Chemistry at Cambridge and elsewhere, was chair of Cambridge Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for many years and now chairs the Science Museum’s Board of Trustees. Free event but you need to reserve a place: www.eventbrite.co.uk.

Thursday 27th April, 12.15 pm to 2.15pm Home-Start Literary Lunch with Menna van Praag Old Bull Inn, 56 High Street, Royston, Hertfordshire SG8 9AW Hosted by poet-in-residence, Jude Simpson, the talented Cambridge-born author will talk and answer questions about her fantasy novel trilogy, ‘The Grimm Sisters’, and her creative writing. Tickets £15, to include buffet lunch, from admin@hsrsc.org.uk; www.hsrsc.org.uk or call (01763) 262262.

Friday 28th April, 4.00pm to 10.30pm & Saturday 29th April, 12.00pm to 10.30pm Eddington Beer Garden, Eddington Square, Cambridge CB3 1SE Get together with friends/family to enjoy refreshing drinks, live musical entertainment and street food. ‘Pop-up’ event, free and open to all. Organisers request people to drink responsibly. Further details at www.wherecanwego.com.

Compiled by John Crawforth 29

Things for Children and Families To Do Saturday 1st - Sunday 9th April, 9.00am - 4.30pm Easter at Sacrewell Farm, Thornhaugh, Peterborough PE8 6HJ Listen to a story, plant a bean, create a flower seed bomb, make a kite or photo frame, follow an egg trail (reward available!). Lamb feeding at 10am and 2pm. £15.45 for children 2 -15 years, adults £9.50. www.sacrewell.digitickets.co.uk.

Saturday 1st - Thursday 6th, Tuesday 11th - Sunday 16th April 10.00am - 5.00pm Easter Adventure Quest, Audley End, Saffron Walden CB11 4JF Hunt for clues and challenges in the grounds, try egg rolling and egg and spoon races. Chocolate rewards! £2 for the quest in addition to normal admission. Free admission for members. Book on www.englsh-heritage.org.uk.

Sunday 2nd April, 11.30am and 2.30pm Curious Investigators, Cambridge Junction, Clifton Way CB1 7GX Scribble and Clipboard have to sort the recycling but when they find an unborn chick they need the help of the audience to rescue it safely. For ages 3 - 7. Tickets £8.50 - £12.50. www.junction.co.uk.

For children aged 6+ try Wi-Fi Wars at 1.45 and 3.30pm.

Monday 3rd April, 2.00pm Storytime, Royston Library, Market Hill SG8 9JN Join local author Elena Mannion as she shares her book ‘Old Oak and Little Acorn’. A colouring session follows. For ages 4 - 6 but all welcome. Free.

Wednesday 5th April, 10.00am - 12 noon(ish) Wild in the Woods: Tress and Bones Cambourne Nature Reserve CB23 6BJ Dissect an owl pellet and use the bones as clues to find which animals the owl has eaten. For ages 7 - 11+ with an adult. Book on www.wildlifebcn.org. £7.50 per child, adults free. See also Wednesday 12th April for Family Wild Play.

Saturday 22nd April, 11.30am - 12.15pm Bach to Baby, Little St Mary’s Church, Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1QG A critically-acclaimed concert series for babies, toddlers and their families. Enjoy outstanding music while the children dance, cry, feed or listen. Book on www.bachtobaby.com. £15 per child.

Saturday 29th April, 2.00pm - 4.00pm Wildlife Watch, Trumpington Meadows, Grantchester Road CB2 9LJ Explore the meadows, listen to the song of skylarks and help protect ground nesting birds by designing a poster. Ages 5 -11 (accompanied). £7.50 per child.

Adults and under 3s free. www.wildlifebcn.org.

Compiled by Hilary Crawforth 30

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

Giftware & Homeware

Men’s, women’s, baby & home

At The Old Barn The British Queen, Meldreth (rear of the car park)

Call us on: 07821680936 Email: info@queenbeemeldreth.com Instagram: @queenbeemeldreth Opening times: Monday - Saturday 10am - 5.30pm

31

Good Friday Activities for Families We are holding Good Friday activities for families again this year on 7th April.

There will be a short all-age service at 10.00am, followed by a craft session and an Easter Egg hunt.

Parents will be able to enjoy hot cross buns and coffee. Booking is not essential but it would help us to provide enough buns, crafts and eggs so please email david@coton.me.uk with numbers of adults and children.

David Coton

Baby & Toddler Group If you are new to the village or have recently had a baby then you may not know about Meldreth Baby and Toddler Group which is held on Wednesday mornings in term time in the Village Hall from 9.30 - 11.30am.

We offer a welcoming and supportive environment for all parents and carers of babies and toddlers up to school age. Children can play with a range of indoor and outdoor activities while adults can have a cup of tea and a friendly chat. No need to book in advance and you are welcome to arrive anytime during the morning, just ring the doorbell and someone will let you in.

We have stories, songs and a snack for children at 10.30am (hot drinks throughout for the adults!) We ask for £2 per family to cover the hall rent and towards refreshments.

The group is run entirely by volunteer parents/carers (with little ones in tow) so offers of help to set up at the start of the session and clear up at the end are always very welcome.

Join our Facebook group (search Meldreth Baby and Toddler group) for more information or just turn up on a Wednesday during term time. We look forward to welcoming you!

Julia Moore

Meldreth Primary and Preschool School House Early Years and Playwork Centre You may be wondering what is happening to the school house, originally built adjacent to the school as the Headteacher’s house in 1910. The building was formerly used as our caretaker’s house and has been vacant since 2020 when our caretaker retired from her role.

School Growth Since 2020, Meldreth Preschool has run from a room within the school building under the leadership of the school Headteacher. We cater for 2 to 4 year olds 32

during term time from 8.45am to 3.15pm with a capacity of 26 places. We currently have 44 children on roll and a waiting list in operation. We offer places for 2 year olds and 15 and 30 hours funded places for 3 and 4 year olds.

School House Planned Use We now have good news; we have secured planning permission for the Local Authority to make the necessary changes to the house for it to become an additional 12 place preschool provision and space for our popular out of school club “Lookout Club”. Lookout Club provides care for children from 7.40am to 6.00pm out of school time and we look forward to working with the children to develop and personalise their own space.

Planned Development

The School House

Light Touch Refurbishment In the next few weeks, you can expect to see contractors from G&S Hutchinson busy about the site making the following changes:  re-painting  installing new preschool toilet facilities in the ground floor existing bathroom  installing new kitchen units and cooker  installing new flooring  creating a disabled entrance and secure porch to the front door  installing a new soft play area and buggy park to the front of the house for outdoor learning The light touch remodelling will increase our Preschool and out of school club’s current capacity. It will provide a space, which can be used flexibly by the school, for preschool two year olds and our out of school club.

We are incredibly excited about using the fantastic outdoor garden at the front of the house.

Sasha Howard Headteacher 33

34

Meldreth Girlguiding 1st Meldreth Rainbows The Rainbows have been incredibly busy this term completing many fun activities.

From exploring which materials are best to wear when whizzing down a slide, to designing and creating their own peaceful gardens, to creating spring bingo games and to making puppets. The girls are busy working towards the theme of ‘Express Myself’ and it’s been wonderful to see their unique take during our activities. We were also very fortunate to enjoy a trip to the delightful Royston Pantomime of ‘Sleeping Beauty’ with three other Girlguiding Units; 1st Melbourn Rainbows, 2nd Melbourn Brownies and 1st Meldreth Brownies.

Email: 1stmeldrethrainbows@gmail.com 1st Meldreth Brownies The Brownies have recently returned from the first Pack Holiday since the pandemic; 34 girls from 1st Meldreth Brownies and 2nd Melbourn Brownies spent two nights on a Roald Dahl themed adventure. This was the first trip away from parents/guardians for some of the girls and they all coped brilliantly. The weekend was full of so many exciting activities: scavenger hunting, dream jar creating, bubble painting, dream catcher making, T-shirt designing, lots of singing around the campfire and so much more. It was lovely to see the girls working together to carry out the chores, problem solve and, most importantly, have fun.

Email: 1stmeldrethbrownies@gmail.com 1st Meldreth Guides We are thrilled to announce that from Monday 17th April 2023, 1st Meldreth Guides is opening. It has been fantastic to see demand for Girlguiding increase in our local area and, to enable those who wish to join Guides, it was clear to see that a new unit was required.

Guides gives a fun and exciting programme for girls aged ten to fourteen. It provides girls with the opportunity to develop self-confidence, build friendships, learn new skills, challenge themselves and have fun. A large part of Girlguiding is for the girls to choose and plan their activities, so they will be working closely with the unit leaders to fulfil this.

Email: 1stmeldrethguides@gmail.com We are very excited to be able to offer Girlguiding units for girls ages four to fourteen (Rainbows 4-7seven year olds, Brownies 7-10 year olds, Guides 10-14 year olds). If you would like to find out more about Girlguiding, please visit the website www.girlguiding.org.uk. On the site, you can register your daughter to join a Girlguiding group.

Sarah Hardwicks

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Meldreth Parish Council www.meldreth-pc.org.uk Meeting of the Parish Council held on Thursday 2 March 2023 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 and County Reports The Council thanks our District and County Councillors for their latest report (see pages 42 to 44). Questions and requests for further information on a wide range of subjects can of course be raised directly with our District and County representatives. Our County Councillor reported that the Greenways project in the Meldreth area is being given a high priority in the overall scheme [see the Traffic Working Group report on pages 20-21].

Offer of Donation of Land A discussion will next take place with the Melwood managers about the possibility of this small piece of land being given directly to them.

MCCS The food bank now services the needs of fourteen families and will continue in service beyond Friday 31st March 2023; the next review will take place at the end of September. In the meantime there are sufficient funds to finance a good part of this period but more funding may need to be raised in the summer months. Donations of food have, however, reduced and the organisers will obviously welcome more contributions by local residents in this respect.

Our Warm Space initiative (now known as Meldreth Village Hub) in the Elin Way Community Room is now fully established on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12.00 noon to 3.00pm and continues to be popular with local residents.

This important community resource particularly provides a great opportunity to meet and chat with other residents in a convivial atmosphere as well as a warm space. Hot food is now available on Tuesdays. Our volunteer organisers would appreciate an indication of likely demand the previous week so that they can plan and avoid unnecessary waste. It is intended to extend this facility into the summer months and to consider some changes in its functions and activities.

Mobile Warden Service The Council nominated two Councillors to represent Meldreth on the management group covering the several villages taking part. It was also agreed to maintain the limit of the Council’s contribution for the forthcoming year at its current level of £3,600. This is an important local service but does needs to be controlled within suitable budget and manpower limits.

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Traffic Issues We have now received the expected announcement from the County Council about the procedures to process requests for a 20mph speed limit in local communities. The date by which applications must be lodged is Sunday 30th April 2023. Much work now needs to be done before the application can be completed and submitted and the Council is giving this high priority. There will be a public meeting specifically about this proposal and this is currently scheduled for 7.00pm on Thursday 13th April in the Village Hall (see page 20).

There will be notices in the village to confirm this meeting date in due course so please look out for these; we do urge attendance so that a strong indication of public opinion can be obtained.

The Council’s current proposition is for an extensive 20mph limit. Such a limit should help directly to manage the issues of speeding traffic and the risks faced by cyclists, horse riders and users of mobility scooters as well as those attending our local primary and special schools and residential homes who are especially at risk from speeding traffic. Importantly, the background of a 20mph limit will also facilitate the provision of further traffic calming measures that may be needed to ensure more acceptable levels of public safety.

Mobile Library The Council was pleased to agree a request for a donation of £150 towards the library’s book stocks.

Funeral Bier It was agreed that the recently restored funeral bier will be stored securely in the cemetery store with suitable protection unless a more suitable/accessible site can be identified. It will be readily available for display at public events.

Next Parish Council Meeting Thursday 6th April 2023 at 7.30pm at the Elin Way Community Room.

Meldreth Parish Council

Neighbourhood Policing Meetings We are holding quarterly online meetings for South Cambridgeshire residents.

The remaining meetings this year will be held from 7.00-8.00pm on the following dates: 2nd May, 8th August, 7th November. For further information or to book your place, visit https://bit.ly/37DkFHc. At the meetings you can meet your Neighbourhood Policing Team, find out what the team have been working on in your area, share your concerns and help shape the local policing priorities. Scan the QR code to fill out our survey.

Tara Dundon Senior Communications Officer (South), Corporate Communications Cambridgeshire Constabulary 38

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

(01763) 260061

goddin@btinternet.com

Cllr Adam Bostanci

07400 236329

adam.bostanci.pc@gmail.com

Cllr Joan Fallon

(01763) 262822

c.jfallon@icloud.com

Cllr Nick Garner

(01763) 268328

nickphgarner@gmail.com

Cllr Roger James (Vice Ch.) (01763) 261085

roger+pc@rogerjames.net

Cllr Alan Land

(01763) 261004

conradland@btinternet.com

Cllr Helen Meridew

07787 734973

helenmeridew@gmail.com

Cllr James Mossey

07496 324701

j.mossey1211@gmail.com

Cllr Nigel Pellatt

(01763) 260909

nppellatt56@gmail.com

Planning Matters Meldreth Parish Council The minutes of the Parish Council Planning Meetings of 2nd February and 2nd March were not available at the time of going to press. When available, minutes may be viewed on the Parish Council’s website, www.meldreth-pc.org.uk.

Recent Planning Authority Decisions 73 High Street, S/0984/14/NMA1 Non-material amendment on application S/0984/14/VC for a dedicated safe pedestrian access, relocated service access, reduced extent of hardscaping, windows rearranged, roof reshaped, omitted corner window and enlarged dormer.

Permission refused.

64 Gables Close, 22/04758/HFUL Single story rear extension, raised rear garden to ground level, removal of brick shed, installation of external ramp on south side of the house and internal alterations. Approved.

Details of all planning authority decisions may be viewed online: https://applications.greatercambridgeplanning.org/online-applications.

The Meldreth Matters Team 39

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Reporting Suspicious Emails and Text Messages Each month, we warn readers about scams in an attempt to stop more people falling victim to criminals. However, if you receive an email or text message that looks like a scam, you can help to remove the scam and so protect others from becoming a victim.

If you receive a suspicious email, forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk. This address will send the email to the National Cyber Security Centre for investigation. Each time that you forward an email, you will receive an automated reply that explains what happens and contains up-to-date statistics about emails sent to the address.

As of 31st January 2023, the number of reports received stands at more than 17,358,300 with the removal of more than 114,100 scams across 209,500 URLs. If you receive a suspicious text message, forward it to 7726. The message is free, and will be sent to your mobile network. In reply, you should receive a message asking you to reply with the number that the suspicious text came from. (Unlike an email, if you forward a text message, the number of the original sender is not included). Once you have sent this second message, the suspicious text will be investigated.

What to do if you have clicked on a link in a suspicious message:  If you have given away your banking details, contact your bank, using the number on one of your bank cards, and let them know.  If you have given away any password details, change the passwords on any accounts that use the same password.  If you have lost money, tell your bank and report it as a fraud to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit http://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) 260 358

Linda

(01763) 261 405

Peter

Tim

(01763) 262 801

(01763) 260 323

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

Meldreth Neighbourhood Watch

Visit your local history website www.meldrethhistory.org.uk Over 700 pages on Meldreth, past and present See the Meldreth Today section for information on footpaths * facilities * over 25 local clubs & groups 41

District and County Councillors’ Report Here is some local news from us. We all belong to different committees at District and County Councils where our responsibilities are for the wider area but invariably have local connections - including Licensing, Community Grants, Community Safety Partnership (liaison with Police and Fire services), and Public Health and Adult Social Care.

Support Home-Start with the Turtles Swimmers Home-Start Royston, Buntingford and South Cambridgeshire provides vital support to young families in our communities. A fundraising swimathon will take place at Royston Leisure Centre on the evening of 23rd April (see page 13). Susan is organising the South Cambs Turtles team for the event. Would you like to join?

The Turtles are swimmers of all abilities – a swimsuit and enthusiasm for supporting Home-Start is all that’s needed. Please get in touch to join. To sponsor: https://visufund.com/aquathon-2023-south-cambs-turtles.

Meldreth High Street – Repair Works Update You’ll have seen the good but limited improvements carried out at the junction of Bell Close and a bit near the Maycroft entrance, during the road closure period in February. We were glad to see the good quality of works but extremely disappointed that the area outside One Stop, and others, were not included. We are pressing for further rounds of similar patching in the new financial year and have specifically highlighted the One Stop area. We are in discussion with Highways about bringing a trial method of repair to broken trench works seams.

On a more positive note, the very temporary repairs, done on an emergency basis, should gradually be replaced with a decent standard as weather improves (fingers crossed for the weather).

The failure to invest strategically for the long term over many years has led to a widespread profound deterioration that will take a long time to overcome – so a continuing effort lies ahead. Thank you again for people’s help in reporting.

Heavy Rain in March We were very sorry to hear from households suffering recurrent foul water problems following the heavy rainfall in early March. We alerted Anglian Water who urge people to log incidents directly onto their system, as this is the best way of being able to track action. This is critical. If you have any trouble logging, or anything else we can help communicate to Anglian Water, please let us know.

Cost of Living Support Plans for further cost of living support to the most vulnerable, worth more than £200,000, have been published by South Cambridgeshire District Council and will include a roadshow of cost of living talks; support to transform more Warm Hubs into Community Wellbeing Hubs (or whatever name is chosen), increasing awareness of Council Tax support, more free energy saving appliances and the creation of a South Cambridgeshire Sustainable Food Network.

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The talks are designed to highlight support available.

A Council Tax communications campaign will start in order to increase the number of eligible people who are aware of, and subsequently claim, financial help towards their Council Tax bill.

There are also plans to expand the Council’s scheme to provide free energy saving appliances next winter to those residents who are only just about managing. So far this winter, more than 300 residents have been provided with either a slow cooker, electric blanket, or both, by the Council.

There are also plans for a Sustainable Food Network to link all the existing foodbanks in the district, creating a network of support for each other. The network would also look to create links with local farmers to donate any excess food that is not suitable for supermarkets, encourage communities to grow more food, and promote healthy eating and more plant-based diets.

Meldreth Cares – Community Support (MCCS) is helping to coordinate Meldreth Village Hub and Food Bank. If you have any particular ideas for something new, we’d be delighted to hear from you.

Supermarket Vouchers for Eligible Families The County Council funded Cambridgeshire Holiday Voucher Scheme (search those words for link) provides meals for eligible young people. So far, nearly 64,000 vouchers have been claimed from the fund, including around 22,000 at February half-term. Those eligible for the vouchers are:  Eligible for income related funded two-year-old education (aged 2)  Early Years Pupil Premium (aged 3 and 4)  Eligible for income-related free school meals (4 to 16)  Eligible for 16+ bursary (16 to 19)  Receiving an Education, Health and Care Plan (up to 25).

Just search Cambridgeshire Holiday Voucher Scheme for more information, and to apply. Please do get in touch if you have any questions.

Bus 17 Update We’re glad to report that the Combined Authority has retendered the 17 bus service. There will be a change of operator, with Myall and Sons running the new service from April. Unfortunately the fares are going up slightly. Brief details from the timetable are given on page 23 of this month’s Meldreth Matters.

Cambridgeshire Police A reminder that local issues can be brought to the quarterly on-line community meeting. The next is on 2nd May – sign-up in advance via this link: https:// orlo.uk/ZpXeG · Reporting a crime – all info here: https://www.cambs.police.uk/ ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime. See page 38 for future meeting dates.

It is more efficient, where possible, to report non-emergency issues in writing via the reporting page or chat function.

43

If you are concerned about any pattern of crime or anti-social behaviour, please let us know. Sally Ann and Susan sit on the South Cambridgeshire Community Safety Partnership.

20mph Schemes The County Council’s proposed timetable for applications for funding for new 20mph speed limits is as follows: Go ‘live’ with application process online for new schemes in February 2023 with applications between February and April 2023.

Prioritisation of the submitted schemes will take place in May to June 2023 with Committee report for approval in July 2023 and thereafter programming and delivery of schemes from August onward. [See pages 20-21.]

From the Fire Service Fire Service colleagues have asked resident to keep an eye out for faulty or damaged hydrants. These are marked with a yellow sign usually with a big H on them. You can contact the Hydrant Maintenance team at https://orlo.uk/YBCE9.

Do You Use Oil? The Alternative Fuel Payments Scheme is intended to deliver a one-off payment of £200 to UK households who are not on the mains gas grid and therefore use alternative fuels, such as heating oil, to heat their homes. The scheme is now open via GOV.uk (and not Councils).

Volunteer Litter Picking, Malton Lane If anyone would like to join us for a Malton Lane litter pick, please get in touch.

This will be organised for some time in May. South Cambridgeshire District Council can support a local litter pick initiative with equipment and collection.

Fly Tipping Only about 40% of fly tipping is reported and when it is, the rubbish itself usually reveals the fly tipper’s identify. Please do report it if you see it – just search Fly Tipping South Cambs.

Reminder: South Cambs Magazine Thanks to everyone who’s been in touch about not receiving the South Cambs Magazine. We are working closely with SCDC to try and resolve this mysterious and persistent problem. If you are affected and have not yet let us know, please do contact us. The magazine is available online at www.scambs.gov.uk.

Zoom Cuppa, Mondays 5.00-6.00pm Please let us know if you’d like to join our weekly on-line drop-in surgery. Or contact us any time with any queries or concerns and we’ll arrange a time to meet.

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 44

MELDRETH PLANT HIRE TEL: 01763 262738

DIGGERS, DUMPERS, BREAKERS, WACKERS, ROTAVATORS. AVAILABLE FOR DAILY OR WEEKLY HIRE. WWW.MELDRETHPLANT.CO.UK 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 We can also provide the following services: Design of brochures, posters, business cards, etc.

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Singing for Breathing www.singingforbreathing.wordpress.com Did you know singing can help if you have breathing difficulties? Singing is a great way to improve the way you breathe and get the best from your lung capacity.

The Cambridge Singing for Breathing group is meeting online, using Zoom, on Thursday afternoons from 2.30 - 4.00pm and we’re looking for new members!

Kay Barrett, founder of the group, says: “You don’t need any singing experience to take part - it’s all about what it feels like, not what it sounds like. Being online singers can join from the comfort of home, even when they are feeling unwell. We sing with microphones turned off, which can actually be very liberating! You simply sing along with the leader, learning uplifting songs often in call and response style. We also use multi-track recordings so we can enjoy singing rounds and harmonies.”

Do I have to pay? Those who can afford it are invited to give a £3.50 donation each week, but this is not essential - we want everyone to be able to come.

Do I have to come along every week? We know that appointments, sickness, family commitments and such can get in the way! Just come along when you can.

I have Long Covid, can I join? The gentle pace, breathing exercises and relaxation can be very beneficial, but do check with your doctor or respiratory physio, especially if your symptoms are severe.

How do I join? Simply email singingforbreathingcambridge@gmail.com or call Mary on 07972 645473 for more information and to receive the Zoom link each week.

You can find out more at www.singingforbreathing.wordpress.com or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/singingforlunghealthcambridge.

Mary Denn

Net Zero Now Applications are now open for residents of South Cambridgeshire to take part in Net Zero Now, a free community climate action course. The move towards net zero is a unique opportunity to build sustainable, healthier, happier and more resilient communities. This six-week course, run by Cambridge Carbon Footprint with the support of South Cambridgeshire District Council, Net Zero Now will provide you with the knowledge and confidence to support your local community on its way to net zero. Applications close on Sunday 30th April. Find out more and apply now: https://cambridgecarbonfootprint.org/what-we-do/net-zero-now.

Alice Vodden Net Zero Now Coordinator 46

Feel Brighter Campaign www.cpics.org.uk/feel-brighter Are you 65 or older and feel like life is less colourful than it used to be? If you haven’t been feeling yourself, don’t suffer in silence.

‘Feel Brighter’ is a new NHS campaign that aims to reach out to older people aged 65 and over, who may be struggling with their mental health but don’t know where to turn for advice, support and to find out what services are available locally. The new campaign aims to encourage older people who have symptoms such as anxiety, loneliness, or low mood to reach out and access free NHS Talking Therapies and other support to help them feel brighter again. NHS Talking Therapies are effective treatments that involve speaking with an experienced mental health professional to understand feelings and learn ways to manage them.

Sessions are totally confidential and can be one-to-one, in a group, online, or over the phone.

To find out more, simply visit the Feel Brighter webpage at www.cpics.org.uk/feelbrighter for more information about NHS Talking Therapies, other support available, and how to refer yourself. Alternatively you can call 0300 300 0055.

Telephone lines are available 9.00am-4.00pm, Monday to Friday (closed on bank holidays).

Jo Hobson Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care System (ICS)

Care Together Care Together is a programme led by Cambridgeshire County Council in collaboration with our partners and local communities. The aim is to help more older people to remain living independently and happily in their own home for longer. It will change the way care and support for older people in the community is commissioned and delivered.

To ensure that it is helpful for you, we would like your participation in answering an online questionnaire. Scan the QR code or visit www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/36MHL6. Closing date: 15th April.

If you do not have access to the internet, please call (01954) 286002 or 07771 545674 from Monday – Friday between 9.00am and 2.00pm if you prefer to answer the questions over the telephone or to request a paper copy. Please leave a contact number if asked to do so. Outside of these hours paper copies can be requested via the email care.together@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

Adult Social Care Cambridgeshire County Council 47

Warm Hub – now Meldreth Village Hub Meldreth Village Hub will continue to open throughout spring and summer on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12.00 – 3.00pm at the Sheltered Housing Community room in Elin Way. This is your friendly Village Hub open to everyone who would like a hot drink, biscuits, cakes and a chance to meet some new people.

We are now serving lunches every Tuesday, which have to be pre-ordered. If you would like to join us, please order the Thursday before by contacting Helen or Jenni or popping into see us at the Hub. We receive some funding including donations that allow us to offer these refreshments free if charge.

We will be arranging some fun events in the next few months, so keep an eye on noticeboards and social media.

Our volunteers are key to the smooth running of the Hub, so if you would like to join our friendly bunch of volunteers, please get in touch with Helen on 07787 734973 or Jenni on 07792 578786.

We look forward to meeting you!

Helen Meridew, Lead Volunteer hmeridew@btinternet.com

Meldreth Community Foodbank A huge thank you to all who have generously given, either through cash donations or items for the Meldreth Winter Emergency Food bank over the winter months.

The good news is that Meldreth Community Foodbank will continue for the next six months in the Elin Way Community Room on Tuesday mornings from 9.00am to 12 noon.

Meldreth Community Foodbank is open to all – no referral is required.

If Tuesday morning is not convenient, please contact Jo on 07572 443522 to arrange a more convenient time or day.

The Foodbank continues to rely on your generous donations. Collection boxes for non-perishable items can be found outside 62 High Street (opposite Elin Way) and inside Holy Trinity Church, Meldreth.

If you wish to make a donation either by cash or bank transfer, please contact the Meldreth Cares Community Support Treasurer, Roger James on 07808 235873.

The Foodbank Team: Jo, Hilary, David & Lesley 48

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 Nicola Searle—(01763) 852738

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

Vicar Rev. Mary Price Bells John Price (Friends)

Post vacant (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) Guides (1st Meldreth) Hartbeeps Meldreth Rainbows Pre– and Primary School

Email: 1stmeldrethbrownies@gmail.com Email: 1stmeldrethguides@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 Councillors

Jose Hales—07703 262649; Sally Ann Hart—07791 233303

District Council Offices

01954 713000; www.scambs.gov.uk/

County Councillor

Susan van de Ven—07905 325574 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

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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

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 Support for Dementia 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 Davina Biswell 07961 574104 or Stephanie Trayhurn 07710 198299 (01763) 245228; www.roytrans.co.uk (01763) 262262; www.hsrsc.org.uk (01763) 263303; https://tol2.timebanking.org/melbourn 0300 123 3393 (9am-6pm M-F); www.mind.org.uk 116 123 (24 hours); www.samaritans.org

General Emergency Gas Electricity Anglian Water Cambridge Water

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

Crimestoppers Police

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

S Cambs Fire & Rescue

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

Melbourn Hub

(01763) 263303; www.melbournhub.com

Taxi (Butler Meltax)

(01763) 244444; 212223

Emergencies

Support Services

Health

Streetlights (faulty)

Non-merg.

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

Misc.

Transport

Station Ticket Office

Citizens Advice Bureau

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 https://issuu.com/meldrethmatters

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

6 months £134.00 £74.00 £43.00 £11.00

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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.

Melbourn Auto Services ...................36 A10 Timber .......................................7 Melbourn Flooring ..........................19 AngliEAR Hearing ...........................21 Melbourn Village College ..................9 Art of Clean .....................................49 Meldreth Landscapes .......................11 Art of Clean Wood ..........................23 Meldreth Motor Company ..............31 Aurora Meldreth Manor (Job) ..........36 Meldreth Plant Hire ........................45 Bury Lane Farm Shop ........................2 Moncraft Computers ......................45 CHS Day Centre ..............................25 N J Chapman, gardening .................13 CHS Group ................................Cover Newlings of Royston Funeral Service11 Community Suppt for Dementia..Cover Nigel Wigg Home Improvement .......2 The Country Store ...........................24 P D Property Services .......................40 County Broadband ..........................19.

Penn Farm Physiotherapy ................45 Daniel Anderson Gardening .............45 Queen Bee .......................................31 Davey’s Butchers ..............................34 Reflections ......................................25 Eternit Sports and Social Club ...Cover Richard Burns Electrician .................13 Eve Construction ...............................7 Rod’s PC Support ............................40 Huw Shortle Window Cleaning .......23 Sage Blinds and Interiors ..................19 iPlaster .............................................24 Sparky’s ...........................................40 Lawn Partners ....................................2 Specialist Dental Partners .................11 The Letting Centre ......................Cover Trademark Kitchens ........................34 Little Hands Nursery School ............49

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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

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