6 minute read
Letters to the Editor
Car Accident
One peaceful, sunny Sunday afternoon in August, I had a car accident in North End, Meldreth. Minor injuries heal and regrets have now faded, but I do not forget the efficiency and kindness shown by the many people who came to my rescue and who looked after me. Everyone who helped showed compassion and good sense and was a credit to the community. I cannot thank you enough for all that you did. With best wishes
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Hilary Sage
Village Traffic
I would be surprised if I were the only person in the village to be dismayed by the number of very large trucks travelling through the village. It’s not clear where they are coming from but I suspect some may be getting sent this way by satnavs and, of course, they are slowly destroying our roads. Much more alarming is the way in which tractors with trailers are driving around the village. We expect tractors in the countryside but as I was driving home from Shepreth I almost came to grief. As I reached the College Farm right hand bend this huge tractor, travelling too fast, with its offside wheels on my side of the road, forced me to jam on my brakes or end up in a ditch. Of course the driver didn’t slow down, stop or apologise. Can I ask any of our local farmers who read Meldreth Matters to try to persuade their workers to drive more carefully? Dr Harry Baker High Street, Meldreth
Improving the Environment
I read with interest the two letters which touched on the environment and ecology in November’s Meldreth Matters. There should be a group that aims to “work together to improve the environment in which we live and to play our part, however small, in facing the challenges of climate change”. I have wanted to write for some time to enquire why the trees which were slowing growing into a lovely wood at the back of the house behind the chestnut trees and the stocks have all been felled and was wondering if it was ecological, ash dieback or for some other reason? I understand they were planted on private land but even though there is no direct access to this bit of land it can be indirectly seen and experienced from the right of way which crosses to Eternit and to the High Street. As a regular walker, it really saddened me. The new woodland area was becoming a place of solace and more importantly making a small contribution to climate change as woodland always does.
My final point, which is one of information, is that there is an organisation called Save the Oaks - https://savetheoaks.org - through which, for a donation, however large or small, organisations and individuals can buy oak trees to plant on their own land and in villages. The trees were rescued at the beginning of COVID from an oak nursery which was about to burn them all because of lack of a regular client base. It’s well worth looking into; they are distributing them nationwide.
Perhaps someone would like some for Christmas? Would there be room on Mettle Hill? These might be initiatives. Clare Mcphee nee Crossman,
Meldreth Does Matter: Update
Since we wrote to you last month, we have heard from various people interested in reducing our carbon footprint and rewilding the village, which is heartening. We have contacted a number of knowledgeable people on the subject locally as well as the Deputy Head of our Primary School. They all had various suggestions and points which need to be made and acted upon!
Reducing waste must be the number one priority. We can reduce what we put in the black bin! Could we all pledge to ourselves to reduce waste, particularly food. One third of food in the this country is thrown away. We need younger folk to lead this initiative. Will anyone come forward?
Julie and Peter Draper juliedraper@dumbflea.co.uk, peter.draper@mac.com
Elin Way: Contractor’s Site
Further to my letter about the contractors site that has been permitted by South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) on Elin Way, I have discovered that the contractors in question are not working in the vicinity. I have spoken the contractor's Regional Operations Manager and he confirmed that they are keen to get away from the site and that they have found another site. He was very apologetic. I asked him if they were working in this area of Meldreth and he visibly squirmed and admitted that the amount of work they have done in Elin Way has been minimal - and not recent. They have been working across the area. As I was speaking to the gentleman, the contractors were blocking the pavement and school children were being forced to walk in the road. Earlier in the week a skip deliverer for the contractors complained to me that he could not get access to the skip because residents were parking on the street - outside their own houses! I was woken up this morning by the clang clang clanging associated with use of the skip and lock up. It is my impression that the contractors themselves had a greater sense of urgency about resolving the matter than SCDC. Marian Mair
Lloyd Jukes
When staying with my son and his family in Coulston, Wiltshire recently, I was interested to meet, quite by chance, a gentleman with ties to Meldreth from whom we bought poppies at the local village hall. His name was Ted Lloyd Jukes, who had left Royston (where he was born) at the age of 8. He was a former Yeoman Usher of the Black Rod at the House of Lords from 2004 until 2013 and his father was once the reverend at both All Saints in Melbourn and Holy Trinity here in Meldreth!
Does anyone have any more information? Bonny Ward
British Theatre Challenge Writing Competition
Sky Blue Theatre Company is delighted to announce that the international new writing competition, the British Theatre Challenge, is returning for its ninth year and is open for submissions until 30th March 2021.
In 2021 five winning plays will be produced by a professional cast and crew for a one-week run of performances in London. Moreover, this opportunity will also see the winning works filmed in performance, given full written assessments by theatre professionals and considered for publication by our partnered publishers! With over 50 of our previous winning plays having received offers of publication don’t miss the chance to see your work in motion! Furthermore, we have been working hard over the last few months to future proof the Challenge against COVID-19 related disruption. If COVID-19 restricts live audience at the time of performance, plays will be live-streamed, with live editing by Mini Mammoth Films. To learn more about the competition including important dates, rules, etc. please visit our website www.skybluetheatre.com. We would be delighted to offer this opportunity to your community and look forward immensely to seeing their submissions. John Mitton Sky Blue Theatre Company
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