District and County Councillors’ Report

Royston Recycling Centre

As previously reported, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire County Councils are working hard to formalise an arrangement for South Cambridgeshire residents to continue using the Royston Recycling Centre, which is owned and operated by HCC. A CCC meeting on 13th July approved ‘the principle of exploring and implementing a reciprocal access and cost sharing arrangements with Hertfordshire County Council … to not disadvantage Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire residents from using the nearest recycling centre to their homes in the Thriplow and Royston areas.” A long way of saying we hope the Royston tip will remain available to Cambridgeshire residents in the long term.

Fenny Lane Surface Treatment Work

Good to see this done at last. Road markings will come! We’ve requested a comprehensive road marking refresh at the Kneesworth/Whitecroft Road junction, hopefully to be done at the same time.

Faded Road Markings, Whitecroft/Station Road Junction

We’ve asked for faded road markings to be refreshed as a matter of urgency following the recent two-car collision at this junction – fortunately with no injuries but still an awful reminder that this is an unsafe junction. Police on site noted impeded visibility owing to the bus shelter, and impeded clarity owing to faded road markings. We’ve requested the police report for a more informed consideration of any future remedial work to the junction and this will be forthcoming.

Anglian Water Remedial Work, Meldreth Homes

Thank you to residents who’ve kept us updated on any issues affecting domestic properties. Some remedial work is due to take place in July at properties we have been bringing to attention. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with any further concerns.

Cambridgeshire NHS survey for the Royston Area

Royston is within the Cambridgeshire NHS footprint. See Let’s talk Royston: https://www.cpics.org.uk/lets-talk-royston

Please have a look and complete the survey by 11th August if you can. The NHS is looking at its estate in Royston, and considering best ways of delivering various levels of health care in the local area.

Community Chest Grants

This is an excellent, versatile funding source for community groups. Applications are easy to fill out and considered monthly. https://www.scambs.gov.uk/ community-safety-and-health/grants/community-chest-grants/ or just search South Cambridgeshire District Council Community Chest.

Holiday Activities and Food Programme

The County Council’s summer HAF programme, funded by the Department for

Education, is open for bookings. Children in receipt of income-related free school meals can book a holiday scheme place for 64 hours, subject to availability. Each scheme offers enriching experiences, a meal and snacks.

The HAF Team can arrange transport for families unable to access the programme otherwise. Ukrainian and other refugee families are also eligible for places as well as families ‘just about managing’ financially. There is a video on YouTube, youtu.be/WSOEpJIXY5c, showing what’s involved. And look out for the HAF Programme on Facebook and Twitter too. Please search ‘Cambridgeshire Holiday Activities and food Programme’.

Zoom Cuppa Surgery

We hold a weekly Zoom Cuppa surgery on Mondays from 5.00-6.00pm. Get in touch if you’d like to come or contact us at any time with questions or concerns. Please note that Susan’s email address has changed and is now susan.vandeven@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

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

The Moor Melbourn

SG8 6EF 07163 223400 office@melbournvc.org www.melbournvc.org

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

Things for Children and Families To Do

Tuesday 1st - Friday 4th August and through the holidays, 10.00am - 5.00pm (11.00am - 5.00pm Sundays)

Science at the Grand Arcade, Cambridge CB2 3BJ

Free science activities for families. Drop in and explore different themes such as the atom, gravity, DNA. See www.cambridgesciencecentre.org.

STEMtots for ages 2 to 5 with themes of dinosaurs, minibeasts, colour, space.

Wednesday 2nd - Saturday 5th August, 10.00am - 3.00pm

Arty Fen activities - dance, drama or film-making

Wicken Fen, Lode Lane, Wicken, Cambridgeshire CB7 5XP

Free three-day creative workshops for 12 to 16 year olds. Shoot a nature documentary, prepare a contemporary dance performance or a historical drama. Light lunch provided. See www.nationaltrust.org.uk.

Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th August and every following Thursday and Friday to 1st September, 10.00am - 4.00pm

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

Five weeks of cosmic experiments and crafts. Attend all five, collect a badge each week and then claim your prize.

Sunday 6th August, 10.30am - 4.30pm

Royston Charity Kite Festival, Therfield Heath

See professional kite-flying and fly your own kite. View historic vehicles, enjoy fairground rides, bouncy castles, food stalls, ice cream. Over 14s £4, children free. Free parking. (Get your kite competition entries to Home-Start by 2nd August!)

Sunday 6th August, 11.00am - 3.00pm

Dinosaur Day, Minstrel Court, Whaddon, Cambridgeshire SG8 0AB

13th August, 12.00pm - 3.00pm

Fairy Fair, Minstrel Court, Whaddon, Cambridgeshire SG8 0AB

For children aged 3 to 11. Soft play, bouncy castle, activities, games, and, of course, dinosaurs or fairies. £15 per child including picnic lunch. Hot drinks for parents. Book at www.eventbrite.com.

Tuesday 8th August, 11.30am - 5.00pm

Funtopia, Central Park, Peterborough PE1 4DX

Festival for under 10s. Inflatables, role play, shows, games, water fights. Under 5s area with bouncy castle, soft play, ride-ons etc. Autism-friendly session 10.30am11.30am. Children under 90cm free. Over 90cm £10, adults £2.50.

Thursdays 10th and 24th August, 9.00am -12.00pm

Crafty Thursdays, Stapleford Granary, Bury Road, Stapleford CB22 5BP

Try paper folding (10th) or collage (24th). Drop in. £4 per child. See also Musical Instrument Discovery Days on 17th and 18th August. £6 per child (3+).

Compiled by Hilary Crawforth

Shepreth Spitfires

www.sheprethspitfires.co.uk

We’d like to share our latest Shepreth Spitfires’ news with you. The photographs below include some from our last training sessions for the 2022/2023 season, which were held at the Eternit Sports & Social Club and Shepreth Recreation Ground.

Great News! Shepreth Spitfires won all qualifiers at a local tournament and made it through to the final in June, where they lost 1-0. A fabulous effort by all the team!!

We would like to give a huge heartfelt thanks to Shepreth School Fund and Shepreth Parish Council for supporting the children and giving us funds towards new metal goalposts. These will be used regularly and will last for many years.

Thank you also to Sweetheart Designs Limited, a Meldreth company, for the fabulous work producing the football shirts for the Spitfires. And thank you to Hot Numbers for sponsoring these shirts.

For any current and new players that may be interested, our training sessions resume in August 2023. Please contact Shepreth Spitfires Football Club if your child may be interested in joining our friendly local football club. Our website is www.sheprethspitfires.co.uk or call us on 07510 175370.

Julie A Wilson