In Praise Of …

Raspberries

Raspberries are lovely in cakes, ice creams and fruit desserts. They are a popular berry with a rich colour and sweet juicy taste. They are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and there are many ways to include them in your diet. They’re so delicious it's hard to choose a recipe! Fill a Victoria sponge with fresh raspberries, or use them in a classic summer pudding. If you're lucky enough to have a glut, then make raspberry jam. Here are two recipes to inspire you this month.

White Chocolate and Raspberry Cheesecake

Preparation time less than 30 mins Cooking time 10 to 30 mins, Serves 6–8

Ingredients

For the Base

150g digestive biscuits

75g butter, plus extra for greasing

For the Coulis

400g fresh raspberries

Method

For the Filling

250g mascarpone cheese

300ml double cream

1 tsp vanilla extract

200g white chocolate, broken into chunks

Grease the base of a 20cm/8in springform cake tin with butter, then line with a circle of baking parchment.

To make the cheesecake base, put the biscuits in a plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin until they resemble fine crumbs but still have texture. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over a low heat. Add the crushed biscuits and stir. Spoon into the base of the tin and press using the back of a spoon until level, then cover and chill in the refrigerator.

To make the filling, put the mascarpone and double cream into a bowl and whisk with an electric hand whisk until it is smooth and has very soft peaks. Stir in the vanilla.

Put the chocolate into a small heatproof bowl, and place on top of a pan of simmering water. Stir until melted but not hot. Set aside for 5–10 minutes, until cool but still liquid. Pour into the mascarpone and stir, but be careful not to over mix.

To make the coulis, put half the raspberries in a small blender. Blitz until runny, then pour through a sieve into a bowl to remove the seeds.

Spoon half of the white chocolate mixture over the base. Use the handle of a teaspoon to make a few narrow holes in the mixture right down to the base. Pour or pipe the coulis into the holes, reserve some for decorating. Spoon the remaining white chocolate mixture on top, then smooth and level it. Cover with cling film and chill for at least 6 hours, or overnight.

Run a palette knife around the edges of the tin. Remove the sides and base and sit on a plate. It may be easier to serve on the base or carefully run a knife under the biscuit base to release. Arrange the remaining raspberries on top of the cheesecake and drizzle over the remaining coulis.

Chocolate Brownies with Raspberry Cream

Preparation time less than 30 mins Cooking time 20 mins

Serves 6

Ingredients

115g plus extra for greasing

300g caster sugar

225g dark chocolate, around 70% cocoa solids

75g plain flour

Method

75g cocoa powder

5 free-range eggs

750g raspberries

150g icing sugar

500g mascarpone

Preheat the oven to 180C/375F/Gas 4. Grease and line a 25cm x 30cm baking tin. Place the butter and sugar into a bowl and beat together until light and fluffy.

Place the chocolate into a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water (the bottom of the bowl should not touch the water) and stir occasionally until melted and smooth. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly.

Add the melted chocolate to the butter mixture and beat to combine. Add the flour, cocoa powder and eggs and mix well, then fold in 250g of the raspberries. Pour the brownie mixture into the prepared tin, then bake for 20 minutes, or until set but still moist in the middle.

Meanwhile, place the remainder of the raspberries and the icing sugar into a food processor and blend to a purée. Pass through a sieve into a clean bowl. Place the mascarpone in a bowl and mix in half of the raspberry purée.

To serve, cut the brownie into pieces and place onto serving plates with a dollop of raspberry cream. Drizzle over the remaining raspberry purée.

Jane O’Hagan

MCCS – Community Support

MCCS is pleased to be coordinating the Meldreth Food Bank and Meldreth Village Hub.

Huge thanks to everyone who is supporting these initiatives, whether through volunteering and warm welcomes, or donations of daily basics to the collection box outside 62 High Street, or cash support from individuals and groups (please contact MCCS Treasurer Roger James 07808 235873). Behind the scenes, invaluable support has been received from our Parish and District Councils. Core funding initiative for the Warm Hubs comes from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care System (our local NHS).

Our Neighbourhood Zone Leaders are always on hand for a friendly chat by telephone and to help locate the support you’re looking for. Their telephone numbers are below.

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

Elin Way and Howard Road Zone: David Hollamby, 07732 106828

Whitecroft Road, Chiswick End, Oakrits, Melrose, Marys Way, Westacre: John Crawforth, 07595 627684

High Street, Flambards, The Grange, Woolpack Way, Station Yard and Road: Lindsey McCaig, 07884 432345

Bell Close and Gables Close: Cathy Walston, 07757 086380

North End, Brewery Lane, Malton Lane, Cam Farm: Bev Cottrell, 07773 592838 and Ian Mitchell, 07726 936635

If you have any other questions, please let us know.

County and District Councillors Susan van de Ven, Jose Hales, Sally Ann Hart and all at the MCCS team

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.

Susan van de Ven

Facilities

Litter Picker Mick Taylor—(01763) 261118

Neighbourhood Watch Graham Borgonon—(01763) 260358

One Stop

Village Hall Bookings

Village Hall Chairman

Cycling Group

(01763) 262158, open 7am-10pm, 7 days

Julia Moore—meldrethvillagehall@gmail.com or 07403 462198

David Coton—07749 850026

John Rogger—(01763) 260809

Clubs & Societies

Local History Group (01763) 260129; www.meldrethhistory.org.uk

Lunch Club Nikki & Julie—07599 292327

Melwood Cons. Group (01763) 232855; www.melwood.org.uk

Photographic Group www.melbourn-photographic-club.co.uk

Revelation Miriam Skuce—(01763) 262440

U3A Nicola Searle—(01763) 852738

Bowls Club Christine Piper Hatch—(01223) 263266

Croquet Club Janet Pope—(01763) 248239

Sport

Meldreth United FC 07930 650036

Table Tennis Christine Knight—(01763) 261676

Tennis Club

(01763) 243376; http://cspark.at/Meldr2

Vicar Rev Andrew Birks (from 1/11/23)

Church

Rev. Mary Price

(01763) 261569

Bells Sandra Webb—(01763) 261451

John Price (Friends)

(01763) 260048; www.foht.org.uk

Baby & Toddler Group Julia Moore—07403 462198

Brownies (1st Meldreth) Email: 1stmeldrethbrownies@gmail.com

Hartbeeps

Kelly@hartbeeps.com

Guides (1st Meldreth) Email: 1stmeldrethguides@gmail.com Children

Meldreth Rainbows 1stmeldrethrainbows@gmail.com

Pre– and Primary School (01763) 260432; www.meldreth.cambs.sch.uk

Parish Council

District Councillors

Please see details at end of Parish Council report

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 https://susanvandeven.mycouncillor.org.uk/

County Council Offices 0345 045 5200; www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/

MP Anthony Browne; www.anthonybrowne.org/

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

User Group 07905 325574; www.meldrethsheprethfoxtonrail.org.uk Govia/Great Northern www.thameslinkrailway.com

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

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

Community Support for Dementia Davina Biswell 07961 574104 or Stephanie Trayhurn 07710 198299

706050; www.cambridge-water.co.uk Crimestoppers 0800 555 111; crimestoppers-uk.org Police 101; www.cambs.police.uk

S Cambs Fire & Rescue (01480) 444500; www.cambsfire.gov.uk

Melbourn Hub (01763) 263303; www.melbournhub.com

Royston Taxis (01763) 0250811

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

Advertising Rates

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.

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