Meldreth Matters Auction of Lots and Promises

Our online auction is now well underway and bidding on the first lots has finished. Due to the generosity of local residents and businesses, at the time of going to press we have raised over £1100 for the magazine. We still have a lot more items to auction, so we will continue to add lots on a regular basis over the summer. Keep checking the auction site and follow us on Facebook and Instagram (search for Meldreth Matters) for updates. If you would like to donate an item, please email us at meldrethmatters@hotmail.com.

Visit our auction site at www.jumblebee.co.uk/meldrethmatters or scan the QR code

Lots start and finish at different times, so please check each individual lot for the start/end times.

In addition to the individuals and companies mentioned in last month’s Meldreth Matters, we would like to thank the following for their kind donations to the auction: Scudamores, Pat Gilmour, Andrew Young, Pierrette Borgonon, Spice Hut, Meldreth Village Hall Committee, Richard Evans, Cam Valley Orchards, From The Walled Garden, Esse, Marlene Wittkopp, Lorraine and Allan Brown, Black Barn Turkeys.

Fowlmere

Fowlmere Airfield is looking for a this small and thriving flying school.

Please contact:

Adrian.Willis@icloud.com

Meldreth Village Hub – Elin Way

We continue to welcome visitors to our Hub every Tuesday and Thursday between 12.00 – 3.00pm. Everybody enjoys our relaxed and friendly atmosphere with the added benefit of lunches every Tuesday and refreshments on Thursdays. There is always plenty of chatter!

Some people choose to get involved with board games, darts, jigsaw puzzles and of course our resident DJ plays a variety of music, and we are planning another quiz in August.

Come along and join us for FREE refreshments and meet our brilliant team. Why not bring a friend?

I would like to say a huge thank you to our amazing volunteers, who help to make these sessions so much fun! If you would like to get involved with the Hub as a volunteer, please let me know; we are very flexible.

We look forward to meeting you all.

Helen Meridew Lead Volunteer

www.jumblebee.co.uk/meldrethmatters

Melbourn Hub

www.melbournhub.co.uk

The summer holidays are here and it’s been lovely seeing lots of children in the Hub! If you’re looking for something to do with children then do pop in and see us - we have a kids menu and our very special “Hubby Bear Bag”. Plus, don’t forget our weekly story time for under 5s every Friday.

All our events can be seen on our website, www.melbournhub.co.uk.

Weekly Events

Every Thursday - Primary Care Network 10.00-11.30am

Drop-in session providing advice & support on health & wellbeing

Every Friday - Children's Story Time 10.00-10.30am

For under 5s. No need to book!

Special for August

Wednesday 16th August - NHS App drop-in session 10.00am-1.00pm

Learn how to register for and set up the NHS App. Drop-in session, no need to book!

Saturday 26th August - Co-op Charity Quiz Night! Co-op will be celebrating their 100th anniversary of being in Melbourn by hosting a charity quiz night at the Hub. Raising money for Barnados (Co-op charity of the year), tickets cost £5 per person and there will be a bar, raffle and snacks as well as the quiz itself! Teams of up to six people; doors open from 7.00pm. Booking essential - get in touch on (01763) 263303 or email us at hubadmin@melbournhub.co.uk

Christmas Tree Festival

Saturday 2nd December 11.00am to 5.00pm

Sunday 3rd December 11.00am to 4.00pm

Please note in your diaries the weekend of the Christmas Tree Festival. We look forward to seeing you all again at this year’s festive event taking place in our special Holy Trinity Church in Meldreth. Free parking will be available and there is free admittance to the event. Come along and enjoy the wonderfully lit and individually decorated tree displays which are quite inspirational and pick up an unusual Christmas gift or two from the craft and produce stalls. Homemade soups and a delicious variety of homemade cakes will be available.

If you run a club and have not been involved in the event before but would like to take part, then please contact me. Our regular exhibitors will receive the usual registration form from the Committee in early September.

If you are making jams, marmalades, chutneys this autumn we would very much appreciate it if you could make a little extra to donate to the produce stall. These can be delivered to the church on the Thursday or Friday before the event.

Visitors are always complimentary about our homemade soups and cakes sold in the café area. If you are a cake baker it would be lovely if you could bake a cake for everyone to enjoy.

Thank you all in advance.

Margaret Goddin

(01763) 260061 on behalf of the Christmas Tree Festival Committee

Things to Do in August

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

Throughout August (and to end of year), 11.00am to 3.00pm

The Magic of Books

Anglesey Abbey, Quy Road, Lode, Cambridgeshire CB25 9EJ

Get up close to beautiful and unusual books from one of the National Trust’s top collections. Exhibition highlights the Trust’s book conservation work with specialist talks and displays. Last entry 2.30pm. Normal NT admission applies.

Thursday 3rd August until Sunday 1st October, daily 10.00am to 4.00pm

Fields of Gold

Royston Museum, 5 Lower King Street, Royston SG8 5AL

New exhibition focusing on the importance of agriculture to Royston through the ages. Learn how farming has shaped the town’s history, from medieval monks at the priory to its famous corn market in the 16th century. Free.

Saturday 5th August, 10.00am to 5.00pm

Ely Cathedral Green Fair

Chapter House, The College, Ely, Cambs CB7 4DL

A fun family event for everyone to enjoy with stalls selling home-made, locallyproduced artisan products and crafts plus vegan specialities, local beers and ciders. Live entertainment and demonstrations. Free entry.

Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th August, 10.00am to 7.00pm

Magic of Thailand Festival

Parker’s Piece, Cambridge CB1 1NA

Experience the sights, sounds and taste of Thailand this summer without getting on a plane. Traditional Thai massage and boxing, Thai beer garden, food and produce stalls, live music and performances plus children’s play area. Dogs on leads welcome. Adults £5 per day entry, under 15s free.

5th, 12th, 19th and 26th August, 12.00pm to 12.45pm & 1.30pm to 2.15pm

Bletchley Saturday Summer Concerts

Bletchley Park, Sherwood Drive, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK3 6EB

Relax in the Park’s beautiful grounds whilst listening to vintage live music from the World War 2 period. Included with normal admission. For further details and to learn more about the artists visit www.bletchleypark.org.uk.

Saturday 12th August, 2.00pm to 5.00pm

Cambridge Yarn Festival

Cherry Hinton Hall Park, Cherry Hinton Road, Cambridge CB1 8DW

For all knitting and crochet fans a chance to pick up new ideas/materials and talk to fellow enthusiasts. Free. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-great-big-free-knitcrochetmeet-up-tickets-556688549437.

Thursday 17th August, 2.00pm to 4.00pm

Family Fun Day at Foxton Village Hall and Recreation Ground, Hardman Rd, Foxton CB22 6RN

Raffle, lucky dip, tea and cakes, children’s crafts, games. Entry fee £2 per family (all children under 12 to be accompanied by an adult). Proceeds in aid of HomeStart Royston, Buntingford and South Cambridgeshire.

Saturday 19th August, 7.00pm to 9.30pm

Sense and Sensibility

Wimpole Hall Estate, Arrington, Royston, SG8 0BW

Heartbreak Productions present their open-air adaptation of Jane Austen’s muchloved, romantic satire. Pack a picnic, grab your chaise longue (or blanket!) and settle in for this literary classic with a twist. Adult admission £16, children £11. To book call (01223) 206000. www.nationaltrust.org.uk.

Sunday 20th August, 2.00-4.00pm

Fowlmere Airfield Museum Open Day

Manor Farm, Fowlmere, SG8 7SHSunday 20th August, 2.00pm to 4.00pm

Marvel at the memorabilia, stories, and pictures from the past 100 years of Fowlmere Airfield's history. See www.fowlmere-airfield-museum.uk.

Sunday 20th August, 2.00-4.00pm

Bourn Windmill Open Day

Bourn Windmill, Caxton Road, Bourn Cambridgeshire CB23 2SU

One of the oldest in the country, the mill will be open for guides to show you how it works and tell you its fascinating history. You can even have a go at turning the whole mill on its post! Tea and cakes available to buy. Members of CambridgePPF free, non-members £3 adult, £1 per child. www.cambridgeppf.org.

Saturday 26th August, 8.15pm to 10.00pm (ish)

Night Walk: Cambourne Nature Reserve

School Lane car park, Cambourne CB23 3PP

Join nature enthusiast Rebecca Neal for an evening walk on the Reserve. There will be bat detectors to hear these fascinating night-time hunters and the chance to hear hooting owls and barking deer. Aimed at adults but interested older children welcome. £12.50 for non-Wildlife Trust BCN members; members £10. Booking essential on 07894 599020 or email rebecca.neal@wildlifebcn.org.

Sunday 27th August, gates open 10.00am, flying begins 1.30pm

Little Gransden Air and Car Show

Little Gransden Airfield, Bedfordshire SG19 3BP

A great family day out with over three hours of superb air displays and on the ground everything from classic cars to a funfair, live music and craft show. Licensed bar, BBQ and hog roast. Early bird ticket prices: adult £26, junior (5-14) £16, under 5s free. For full details and concessions visit www.littlegransdenairshow.co.uk. Fund-raising for Children in Need.

Compiled by John Crawforth

Garden Maintenance Garden Design Plants & Planting

Nick Goodridge +44 7557 887487

Helen Page +44 7735 442612 office@goodridgepagegardens.uk www.goodridgepagegardens.uk

Meldreth Local History Group

www.meldrethhistory.org.uk

We have now resumed our monthly meetings and will meet next on Monday 7th August at 10.00am in the Community Room in Elin Way. We are looking forward to having another coffee morning and local history presentation in early October (details to be confirmed next month).

We have recently had a committee meeting to plan for the future. We have over 870 followers on Facebook, who enjoy our weekly posts on an aspect of Meldreth’s history. Our website, www.meldrethhistory.org.uk, now has over 700 pages now but we would dearly love more people to write something for us. This could be your memories or impressions of Meldreth, however recent. What brought you here? Did the village meet your expectations? Any historic documents for your house would be very much appreciated too. To submit your contribution, you may use the contribution form on our website or email us at info@meldrethhistory.org.uk. Alternatively, give me a ring on (01763) 260129 to talk it over or even dictate something to me!

If you feel that you can help us by 'working from home', transferring information we hold onto our website, that would be great as well.

Our website is a very important archive for everyone and has brought joy to many people worldwide when researching the history of their own families.

Joan Gane Chairman

info@meldrethhistory.org.uk

(01763) 260129

Melbourn & Meldreth Women’s Group

We are a small friendly group which meets every month except December at either ASCH Melbourn or Holy Trinity meeting room in Meldreth. Our meetings commence at 7.45pm and usually last about one and a half hours.

At our July meeting we had a talk on archery by Pat Ames who is one of our members. This was very informative. In August we will enjoy our usual meal out. New members are very welcome. If you would like any information about the group, to receive a programme, or would like a lift to a meeting, please telephone one of the committee. They are: Diane Blundell (01763) 221415, Sue Toule (01763) 260955, Mary Bailey (01763) 220171, Mary Purdy (01763) 260864 and Angela Leach (01763) 262793.

Angela Leach

Meldreth Marvels Cycling Group

In June some of our members, together with other riders of all ages from Cambridge, Royston and the surrounding villages, enjoyed the A10 Awareness Ride arranged by Susan Van de Ven and colleagues.

There was an opportunity to try the latest assisted E-bikes, kindly provided by Steve of Royston Cycles and an opportunity to meet Leigh, of Penleigh Bicycle Repairs, who will not only carry out maintenance tasks but also convert your conventional bike to electric.

Incidentally, should you have any bicycles or accessories for sale, maybe a paid advertisement in Meldreth Matters would be a good way to sell them. Our Tuesday rides are extremely popular throughout the year and we often have to split into three groups. We always include a café stop and sometimes we also contribute towards a charity.

John Rogger

Devil’s Dyke Morris Men

www.devilsdykemm.org.uk

The photograph shows our ‘side’ dancing at the British Queen on Thursday 6th July. We were welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd of spectators who generously donated to our collection. This year, we will be making a donation to the Rooprai Spinal Trust – a national charity which helps paralysed individuals and which has its origins in Cambridgeshire.

Morris Dance is a great way to keep fit, meet others and helps to keep an ancient tradition alive. It is also free to join us! We would like to hear from any dancers or musicians who would like join us at our practice sessions in Bottisham. For more information, contact Gordon Heald on (01223) 833983 or bagman@devilsdykemm.org.uk or visit www.devilsdykemm.org.uk.

Keith Farrow Devils Dyke Morris Men