Meldreth Matters, February 2022

February 2022

In this issue …

1st Meldreth Rainbows King Richard I Coin found in Meldreth The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

Event …

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Contents Children & Education 1st Meldreth Rainbows 16 Activities for Families 17 Primary School 13 Primary School PTA 14

What’s On in February Things to Do in February 26-27 Village Diary 24-25 People Peter Stone 4

Transport Community Transport 30 Rail News 32

Village Groups Friends of Holy Trinity 8-9 Photographic Club 11 Women’s Group 10

Local/National Government Local Councillors 36-39 Parish Council 34 Planning 34 SW Cambridge Action Group 33

Village News & Issues Can You Help MM? 3 Carols at the BQ 6 Christmas Market 6 Easter Market 7 King Richard I Coin 7 The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 4 Village Hall Christmas Tree 6

Advice/Information Advertisers’ Index 48 Charities News 41-43 Coronavirus Support 44-45 Home-Start 6, 12 Mobile Warden Scheme 33 Neighbourhood Watch 29 Refuse Collections 24 Village Directory 46-47

Gardens & Nature Gardening 18-19 Cookery In Praise of … 21-23

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 Welcome to the February issue of Meldreth Matters.

This month’s issue includes an article on a new group: 1st Meldreth Rainbows.

Rainbows caters for girls aged 5-7 years. For more information, see page 16.

Do you remember the street parties that were held in the village for the Royal Wedding in 2011 and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012? If you would like to help plan some village events to celebrate this year’s Platinum Jubilee, then please let the Parish Council know. See page 4 for further information.

Finally, MM’s advertising income, which we use to cover our printing costs, has dropped considerably during the pandemic. To secure the future of MM, we need to attract more advertisers. Please see our appeal on the following page.

Kathryn

Cover Photograph The River Mel and old otter hound barn.

Photograph by Kathryn Betts, January 2022

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Can You Help to Secure the Future of Meldreth Matters?

Meldreth Matters magazine is run and produced entirely by volunteers. As the magazine is delivered free of charge, we are entirely reliant on advertising income to cover our printing costs and we are grateful to all our advertisers for their support.

Over the past two years, the pandemic has had a detrimental impact on many businesses and as a result, we have lost over two pages of advertising in Meldreth Matters, resulting in a significant reduction in our income.

Over the same period, our costs have increased: we now have more magazines than ever printed due to the growth of the village and printing charges have also risen.

If you own or know of a local business that may be interested in supporting us by advertising in Meldreth Matters, please get in touch. Meldreth Matters is delivered to almost 900 homes and businesses in Meldreth and is available in colour online. Our advertising rates have remained the same since for over ten years and are shown on page 48 of this issue.

If you live in Meldreth and run a business from home, we are offering you the opportunity to have a one-off advertising feature in the magazine at a special rate.

Advertising features give you a full or half page to tell our readers about your business and can include text and images. The cost of a full page is £25 and a half page, £15.

To advertise in the magazine, or for further information, please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com.

The Meldreth Matters Team

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Peter Stone (1926-2021) The Meldreth Matters team was saddened to learn of the death of Peter Stone in December at the age of 95. Peter had lived in the village for many years, most recently at Maycroft where he helped to set up the Meridian Maycroft Arts Centre. He was a former headteacher of Meridian School in Royston.

We hope to include a tribute to Peter in the March issue of Meldreth Matters.

The Meldreth Matters Team

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee In celebration of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee this year, bank holidays have been rearranged to allow for four consecutive days of celebration so we will now have, instead of the late May bank holiday, Thursday 2nd June and an additional bank holiday on Friday 3rd June.

Many parishes will be celebrating this event and Meldreth Parish Council would like to hear from anyone who would be interested in either putting something together or assisting with organising the celebrations. The Parish Council will help, but the main running of the event will be down to a separate organisation/group with the backing of the Parish Council and some funding will be made available.

The Parish Council could also arrange a meeting room so those interested can meet up and discuss what they would like to do.

If you are interested in helping, please contact Judy Damant, the Parish Clerk by emailing parishclerk@meldreth-pc.org.uk or telephoning (01763) 269928 and she will be happy to assist you . As Judy works part time, email may be the best way to contact her.

Meldreth Parish Council 4

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Village Hall Christmas Tree The Village Hall Trustees would like to thank Fieldgate Nurseries for their generosity in providing the magnificent Christmas Tree for Meldreth to enjoy.

Many thanks too to Serena, Marc and Indy Wynn for decorating it and to Lindsey McCaig for organising everything!

The Village Hall Trustees

Carols at the British Queen Huge thanks to Alan and Sue Tobin for welcoming us to The British Queen, our MC Clare Silver for directing the Lift Off and church choirs in the singing of carols, Dave Chappell for the sound and Nicky and Tim Elbourn for providing and sustaining us with all things mulled.

Thanks to everyone who came - the singing was great and we raised the grand sum of £460 for Home-Start!

Pauline Penfold

Christmas Market Thank you so much to the all the lovely people who supported us at Meldreth Christmas Market on 21st November 2021. We were absolutely thrilled to raise over £300 for Home-Start from the sale of hot drinks, homemade cakes and sausage rolls. This was such a help to us in the work we do supporting local families. We met so many friendly people and it was such a great atmosphere. Many thanks to everyone, especially Lesley Farbridge who was so supportive and made us feel very welcome. We are looking forward to next year already!

If anyone would like to find out more about what we do at Home-Start or if you are interested in becoming a volunteer, then please visit our website at www.hsrsc.org.uk or email us at admin@hsrsc.org.uk. We are always looking for volunteers both in helping out at local fundraising events and also to work with supporting our families.

Julie Mitchinson Home-Start Trustee 6

Easter Market A reminder to keep a little time aside on Sunday 3rd April to visit the Easter Market in Meldreth Village Hall. There will be a variety of stalls such as those at the Christmas Market with hand crafted items, many suitable for Easter gifts. We also hope to have Easter Crafts for the children to enjoy. This time, the profit from the hire of the hall will go to help support the continued production of Meldreth Matters (see page 3 for more details). More information will follow but if in the meantime you are interested in having a stall there, please contact me.

Lesley Farbridge lesleyfarbridge@hotmail.com (01763) 261578

King Richard I Coin There were a number of moated manor houses in Meldreth. Our house is on the site of one of them, and the original house was called Veseys Manor after the Bishop of Ely who owned the land.

We decided to ask a metal detectorist to explore our garden, as the site has so much history. Among a number of finds, including a Victoria silver sixpenny piece and a musket ball, he found a Richard I coin on the bank of the moat. It is a hammered silver penny dated from between1189 and 1199, and moneyed by Goldwine at Canterbury. Of course, it may have been lost at a later date as coins would have stayed in circulation for many years. However, a link to Richard the Lion Heart seems a strange find in Meldreth.

Margaret & Terry Lynch 7

Friends of Holy Trinity www.foht.org.uk The Friends of Holy Trinity (FOHT) is a charity, as described in its constitution: ‘The Object of the Society is the provision of financial assistance for the care, preservation and improvement of the fabric of Holy Trinity Church, Meldreth and for the general maintenance and support of the church and its activities and services, its ornaments and furnishings.’ The church is a Grade 1 listed building and is over 900 years old.

The Friends was inaugurated in May 1984 and it has raised funds from two main sources; regular contributions from its members and by organising fund-raising events and there have been some one-off donations including legacies. The committee consists of eight members (trustees), four of which are nominated at the AGM and the other four by the Parochial Church Council (PCC). It has had 42 trustees over the years. Only one of the trustees needs to be a member of the PCC while the others can be from the local community. It should be noted that The Friends’ activities are not directly involved with the day to day running of the church.

FOHT has raised in excess of £120,000 since it was formed and it has supported projects with a net value of around £100,000, excluding VAT as grants equivalent to the VAT can be claimed from the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.

The website at http://www.foht.org.uk shows some of the activities under ‘Past Events’ with records back to 1999, while records of supported projects are under ‘Fund Uses’ and go back to 2001.

The PCC has been able to obtain other grants towards projects and in some cases, The Friends’ contribution has been part of the total cost of the project. Three of the larger projects were £16,000 for the restoration of the stained glass window in the south aisle in 2012, various external masonry repairs in 2009/10 and a contribution towards central heating in 2015. The ‘Fund Uses’ shows pictures of these works which can be enlarged by clicking on them.

The purpose of this article is to make people more aware of The Friends’ role and activities. Like many other fund-raising organisations, Covid has much limited these activities over the last two years. Most of 8

our indoor activities like talks or music events have been severely restricted as it has been impractical to hold them in the Meeting Room or Church, as social distancing and sanitising etc. has reduced capacity to unviable levels. Also those events requiring catering have been limited although we managed two outdoor events in 2021, i.e. Open Gardens and the Car Show. We sincerely hope that the summer months will permit these again and that the autumn will allow us to return to indoor events as before.

We are keen to get going again with a fresh impetus and would welcome suggestions for events that we could run. We also need some fresh blood on the committee to replace some members who are due to complete their term of office. As indicated earlier, you don’t have to be a worshipper at Church, but someone wanting to support the fabric of the oldest building in the village.

If you would like to make a suggestion for an event that could appeal to people in the village and the wider community e.g. a talk or music event etc, or would like to know more about becoming a committee member or become a member of The Friends please contact one of the following committee members: John Price (01763) 260048, Robert Skeen (01763) 262269, Mary Gregory (01763) 260120, Ian Mitchell (01763) 260319, Christine Prové (01763) 263455 or Harry Stevenson (01763) 449376.

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Melbourn & Meldreth Women’s Group We are a small friendly group and meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month (except December). Last year some meetings were held online due to Covid regulations and we will be reviewing the venue for each of this year’s meetings in light of the current Covid situation.

We normally begin our physical meetings at 7.45pm in either All Saint’s Community Hall, Melbourn or Holy Trinity Church Meeting Room in Meldreth. There is a fee of one pound on the evening to cover refreshments, and an option to donate and support our charity of the year. We decided to hold our AGM online in January and at the time of writing, we have not chosen the new charity that we hope to support this year.

Our February meeting is on Tuesday 22nd and will either be in All Saint’s Community Hall or online; we will advise people of this nearer the time. It will be a Lent reflection to help us think about Lent, which will begin the following week with Ash Wednesday.

If you would like to know more about the group, need a lift to meetings or would like a copy of our programme, please contact any of the following committee members: Pat Smith (01763) 262575, Sue Toule (01763) 260955, Angela Leach (01763) 262793, Pat Ames (01763) 261130, Kimmi Crosby 07976 228377, Mary Bailey (01763) 220171 or Diane Blundell (01763) 221415.

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Melbourn and District Photographic Club melbournphotoclub.com With the season entering its last few months, we have a full and varied programme including, in February, two competitions, two lectures and a club evening: 1st

2nd Open PDI Competition: Judge: Adrian Stone

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Interesting Stuff. Lecture by Justin Minns

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Selected Editing Techniques. Lecture by Jonathan Vaines

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3rd Open Print Competition. Judge: Naomi Saul

Meetings are held weekly from 7.30 to 9.30pm on Tuesdays in Foxton Village Hall from September to April.

Some sessions are held virtually, via Zoom, if the speaker/ judge is unable to attend in person.

Pasque Flowers at Sunset by Andre-Neves

The Club has a diverse membership, with a friendly and supportive atmosphere, and always welcomes new members, whatever their ability.

For details about the Club, and to see some of our work, visit our website at melbournphotoclub.com. If you are interested in joining, we are happy for you to join up to two meetings for free before deciding.

To do this, just email me at melbournphotoclub@hotmail.com.

Peter North Secretary Melbourn & District Photographic Club 11

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Meldreth Primary School www.meldreth.cambs.sch.uk Happy New Year from all of us at Meldreth Primary School! It has been a cold and grey start to term, but we’re thrilled to be back after a much-needed rest. Over the Autumn Term, Key Stage 2 children entered a spooky story contest and we’re thrilled to reveal the winning story, written by Willow W. of Year 5. Read it at your own peril!

Natasha Hill, Hawk Class Teacher The Night the Wolf Howled by Willow W Part One If you like stories with happy endings then this is not the story for you.

This story starts in a concealed cavern with an eerie touch to it, but lurking inside was a foul unsavoury wolf, it looked like it could do no harm but if you ever went within one metre of this unsavoury creature you would be gone forever and in record time you would be forgotten by everyone close to you.

Part Two: A Full Moon This is not just a normal night, this is the night the wolf howled. It is the only night people died on, no other night. But if you are lucky you will survive but one in a million chance you will. You think the next time it happens is going to be the same, oh no no no no no. This time the wolf is planning to do something much more sinister. This creature is planning to eat everybody. If you escape you will be hunted down even if it’s the last thing it does.

Part Three: Death, Distraction, Despair One woman heard all this and told everyone but no one believed her.

The wolf went down to the poor helpless village and one by one people were dragged out of their homes by dangling limbs and put into a pile of heads, arms, legs and blood. The streets were covered in blood. No one but Henry McMuffin killed this monstrosity with one swift swipe of his blood stained sword, but as Henry killed it he and his family were cursed for all eternity.

Part Four: The Pups Lurking inside the concealed cavern were five wolf pups that wanted revenge.

The End 13

Meldreth Primary School PTA After a busy but restful January our PTA energy and enthusiasm has returned. We are thrilled to be able to start spending our £20,000 to restore the school pool to its former glory. I’m sure there will be some updates on the progress of the work on the school website soon.

We do, however, still have some funds for the swimming pool due to come in. And we are incredibly grateful for all who voted in the Asda Cambridge green tokens online vote. Voting closed at the end of January and we will be putting the money into our swimming pool fund. We shall be raising money for the ongoing upkeep of the school pool by introducing a few new projects this year, the first of which is the opportunity to sponsor a planter.

Sponsor a Planter We have ten wooden spring planters available to sponsor. At a cost of £50 for the year, you or your business could plant up a box, or nominate a class to do it for you. It will be displayed until February 2023 when the boxes will be re-sponsored and refreshed.

Bingo Bonanza: Friday 25th February In February we have the first of the year’s planned events. Starting with our big bingo bonanza on Friday 25th February, Covid permitting there will be kids’ bingo in the Village Hall from 5.00-6.30pm, costing £5 per player. Adult bingo will follow, with a 7.30pm start. Tickets cost £10 for six games, with lots of prizes on offer. Food and drinks will be available to purchase. Tickets are available from the school office or by contacting Meldrethpta@gmail.com.

We will be trying our best to offer some other fun and covid safe fundraisers for the children this term too.

Meldreth Primary School PTA Visit your local history website

www.meldrethhistory.org.uk Over 600 pages on Meldreth, past and present See the Meldreth Today section for information on footpaths * facilities * over 25 local clubs & groups 14

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1st Meldreth Rainbows www.girlguiding.org.uk On Tuesday 11th January we had the pleasure of opening a new Rainbows Girlguiding Unit in Meldreth. Rainbows is a fun and exciting programme for girls aged 5-7. It provides girls with the opportunity to develop self-confidence, build friendships, learn new things and have fun. This is done through a variety of activities including arts and crafts, getting in touch with nature, playing games and much more.

During our first unit meeting, the girls took part in an opening ceremony where they formed a circle and all held part of a rainbow coloured ribbon. Cheers erupted as the Unit Leader, Marigold, cut the ribbon and declared the unit open. Throughout the rest of the session, the girls had lots of fun getting to know each other through a series of songs and games. Singing and dancing to ‘Old MacDonald had a Fish Farm’ was a highlight. His aquatic residents included starfish, crabs, sharks, jellyfish, dolphins and pufferfish!

The Rainbows’ leaders have planned a busy term of activities such as, rock painting (look out for these around the village), charity challenges, transforming traditional tales, thinking about helpful people, investigating how to make repairs, plus much more. If you would like to find out more about Girlguiding please visit the website www.girlguiding.org.uk. This is also where you can register your daughter to join a Rainbows group. We already have a small waiting list for the Meldreth Unit and would encourage children to be registered as early as possible to help them get a place close to their 5th birthday. Children can be registered at any age.

We look forward to sharing further updates on our unit in future editions of Meldreth Matters.

Marigold, Snowdrop, Buttercup & Primrose Rainbows Leaders 16

Things for Children and Families To Do Thursday 3rd Feb & all Thursdays (excl. half term) to 31st March Wellies in the Woods, The Moor, Melbourn Free family course including bug hunting, crafts, games, den building for pre school children. Book on www.tinyurl.com/WelliesMelbourn.

Saturday 5th February, 10.00am to 1.00pm Cactus Print making, Botanic Gardens, Cambridge CB2 1JE Find out about cacti and make a cactus art print. Free, drop in event.

Adults pay normal admission price.

Monday 14th - Friday 18th February, 8.30am to 4.00pm Holiday Bushcraft, Wandlebury, Gog Magog Hills CB22 3AE For ages 5 to 12. Experienced teachers who share skills such as shelter building, wilderness cooking and whittling. £38 per child. Book on www.wildthymeandembers.co.uk/holiday-bushcraft-club.

Tuesday 15th February, 11.30am and 2.30pm Exciting Science, The Maltings, Ship Lane, Ely CB7 4BB Fun and fact-filled experiments for ages 4+ including a smoke blaster, a recreation of a volcanic eruption and a missile launcher. Book on www.seetickets.com/event/exciting-science/the-maltings/1683270.

Thursday 17th February, 7.00pm The Book of Dust, The Light, Clifton Way, Cambridge CB1 7DY Nicholas Hytner directs Phillip Pullman’s fantastical story of a terrifying manhunt set 12 years before His Dark Materials and introducing Lyra. Book on www.cambridge.lightcinemas.co.uk.

Sunday 20th February, 2.00pm to 2.50pm Paper Jungle - Three Suns Stapleford Granary, Bury Road, Stapleford CB22 5BP Magical stories with puppetry and music celebrating different cultures.

Tickets £10 adults, £8 children 5+ from www.staplefordgranary.org.uk.

Home activities for children (www.fantasticforfamilies.com) e.g. ELMER and friends - stories, crafts, dance workshops (www.barnsley-museums.com).

Science of the Sea (www.nmmc.co.uk) - online trail and crafts.

Compiled by Hilary Crawforth 17

Notes from a Small Garden It’s a glorious morning as I write this in the first week of January, so full of cheer with the robins and blackbirds singing their hearts out. One of the members of the Veg Club has generously given us a window bird feeder. The tits and robins found it quickly, perhaps not surprisingly as the crab apple ‘Everest‘ is next to the window and is still bearing the beautiful round orange red crabs beloved by small birds, especially blackbirds.

Happily the aconites are now pushing their yellow heads up, whereas the first snowdrops were up before Christmas. And I can report that the snowdrops planted in the churchyard last spring and around the stocks are coming up and should be a picture by the time you read this.

Soon the evenings will be lighter, lightening our spirits as spring arrives.

There’s a lot to do in the garden during February; all in preparation for the new gardening year. Most cutting back needs to be done whilst the plants are dormant. So its a good time to cut back vines to within one bud, ivies and Virginia creeper; the latter always gets out of hand as it tumbles over our garage in and out of the barge boards. My husband would like to get rid of it, but I’ve always loved it even though I have to admit its glorious autumn colouring seldom lasts for more than ten days. Winter pruning of apples and pear trees can continue and now is the time to prune fruit bushes. Cut the autumn raspberries down to the ground and prune the blackcurrants, redcurrants and gooseberries; take out any damaged shoots, lower shoots and other old and woody ones, and thin out the bushes so that air can reach into the middle. Shorten long stems to maintain a good shape.

Prune wisterias, mahonias, winter flowering jasmine (how well this has flowered this year), the lovely smelling Viburnam ‘Bodnantense’, and cut late summer flowering clematis down to nine inches.

By the end of the month, it’s will be time to cut back the dogwood (cornus) family. This winter I have loved the red stems of cornus alba ‘Sibirica’, and cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter fire’. The latter has orange and yellow stems and is particularly eye catching.

The RHS recommends cutting all the shoots back to two buds, about six inches above the ground. I usually leave one or two stems to keep a more 18

upright and less bushy shape, but I accept next winter’s colour will be brighter if all the stems are cut down to ground level.

In the vegetable patch, now is the time to pull up weeds and spread well-rotted compost. If you want to plant seeds early, cover the prepared soil with black plastic. Mulch asparagus if you are lucky enough to have a bed. It has never done well in our garden despite several attempts. Chit early potatoes and store them in a bright frost free place; egg boxes do the job nicely.

I don't want to overwhelm you with jobs, but a rainy day is a good opportunity to clean up the greenhouse. Sort out your seeds and throw out those that are out of date, scrub out the pots, the plastic ones and the terracotta ones, and clean and sharpen garden tools. What a lot of work! But you will be so grateful that the garden and the greenhouse or poly tunnel are tolerably in order ready for spring sowing and planting!

Good gardening.

Julie Draper juliedraper@dumbflea.co.uk

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In Praise Of … … Carrots This month we showcase carrots. Mature carrots are better as the sweetness in carrots is controlled primarily by the amount of sucrose they contain, which increases as they age. In addition, during the first five months of storage in a cool place, carrots will actually increase their vitamin A content. Easily available in the winter, they can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes. Here are three recipes to celebrate carrots in all their glory. Enjoy.

Carrot Pakoras Prep time 10 min, cooking time 15 min, serves 4 Ingredients 3 large carrots, grated 1 onion finely sliced 25g fresh coriander chopped ½ tsp each of coriander, turmeric and cumin seeds Pinch of hot chilli 1 egg, beaten 100g of gram flour or cornflour Good pinch of salt Chutney relish 100g natural yogurt 1 tbsp lime pickle and/or 1 tbsp mango pickle chopped Handful of chopped mint Method Tip the carrots and onion into a colander set over a sink, and toss with 1 tsp sea salt. Leave to wilt for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, for the dip, combine the yogurt, pickle and mint. Chill until ready to use.

When the vegetables have wilted, wrap in a clean tea towel and squeeze out any excess water. Tip into a bowl along with the coriander, spices and egg and mix well. Add the cornflour and stir until all the vegetables are evenly coated in thick batter – it’s important that all the flour is mixed in properly.

Fill a deep, wide pan no more than two-thirds full of oil and heat to 180°C, or until a cube of bread dropped in browns in 20 seconds.

21

Working in batches, carefully lower in two spoonfuls of the pakora mix at a time, well spaced apart, and fry for 2 minutess on one side, then 12 minutes more on the other side until golden and crisp. Transfer to kitchen paper using a slotted spoon to drain. Serve hot with the dip.

Carrot, Cream Cheese and Cinnamon Muffins Makes 12. Pre-heat oven to 200°C/gas mark 6. Prep time 30 mins, cook time 20-30 mins Ingredients 75g shredded bran cereal or granola 225ml milk 1 medium orange, zest only 120g cream cheese 1 tbsp caster sugar 3 large carrots, peeled 125g light-brown muscovado sugar 200g self-raising flour 1 tsp baking powder 1½ tsp ground cinnamon 1tsp ground ginger 2 free-range eggs 4 tbsp sunflower oil Method Put the cereal and milk in a large mixing bowl and stir just to mix.

Leave to soak for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 220°C/425°F/Gas 7. Line a 12-hole muffin tray with paper muffin cases.

Add half the zest to the cereal and milk and put to one side. In a small bowl, add the cream cheese and caster sugar to the remaining zest and mix well – this will be your filling.

Using the coarse-hole side of a grater, grate the carrots onto a board.

Weigh out 150g grated carrots and add to the large bowl.

By now the cereal will be very mushy. Add the brown sugar and mix well with a wooden spoon. Sift in the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and ginger but don’t mix them in just yet.

Break the eggs into another bowl and add the oil. Beat with a fork just until the egg yolks are broken up and mixed with the whites. Tip into the large bowl and mix everything together with the wooden spoon.

22

Using a medium-sized spoon, drop a dollop of the carrot mixture into each paper muffin case in the tray. Drop a small spoonful of the cream cheese filling into the middle. Cover the filling with the rest of the carrot mixture, dividing it evenly among the cases. Place in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes until golden-brown. Check the muffins are cooked by gently pressing the centre of a muffin with your finger – if it springs back then it’s ready.

Remove the tray from the oven and leave for five minutes, then carefully transfer the muffins to a wire rack to cool.

Spiced Carrot, Sweet Potato and Coriander Soup Serves 4, prep time 15 min, cook time 30 min Ingredients 1 tbsp vegetable oil 1 onion, chopped 250g carrots, peeled and chopped 250g of sweet potato peeled and chopped 1.2l vegetable or chicken stock ½ tsp ground coriander ½ tsp ground cumin ½ tsp tumeric Pinch of salt and pepper 30 g handful coriander Garnish 1 tsp cumin seeds 25g butter Method Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pan, add 1 chopped onion, then fry for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in the spices and then cook for 1 minute. Add the peeled and chopped carrots and sweet potato and 1.2l vegetable or chicken stock, bring to the boil, then reduce the heat.

Cover and cook for 20 mins until the vegetables are tender. Season with salt and pepper.

Tip into a food processor with a handful of coriander then blitz until smooth (you may need to do this in two batches). Return to pan, taste, add more salt if necessary. Fry the cumin seeds in butter until popping serve the soup with cumin butter on top.

Jane O’Hagan 23

Meldreth Village Dia Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday 9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group

10.00am Hartb

6.00-6.45pm Pi

1.30-2.30pm 50+ Aerobics

1.30-2.30pm Lift Off Choir

5.00-6.00 Rainbows

6.30pm Slimming World

9.00-10.30am Yoga2rise

Half term is the week beginning 14th February

Time tba Meldreth Marvels Cycling Group

4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children 8.00-9.00pm Zumba

4.00-5.00pm Ac

7.00-9.00pm Ta

8.00-9.00pm Bell Ringing

7.30pm Meldre Council (venue

9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group

10.00am Hartb

1.30-2.30pm 50+ Aerobics

1.30-2.30pm Lift Off Choir

6.00-6.45pm Pi

5.00-6.00 Rainbows

6.30pm Slimming World

7.00-8.00pm Fitness Pilates 11.00-12.00 Trigger Point Pilates

Thursd

9.00-10.30am Yoga2rise Time tba Meldreth Marvels Cycling Group

7.00-8.00pm Fitness Pilates 11.00-12.00 Trigger Point Pilates

Time tba Meldreth Marvels Cycling Group

8.00-9.00pm Zumba

10.40-11.30 Mobile Library

4.00-5.00pm Ac

7.00-9.00pm Ta

8.00-9.00pm Bell Ringing 6.30pm Slimming World

10.00am Hartb

8.00-9.00pm Bell Ringing

6.00-6.45pm Pi

7.00-9.00pm Ta

1.30-2.30pm 50+ Aerobics 7.00-8.00pm Fitness Pilates

11.00-12.00 Trigger Point Pilates 4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children 8.00-9.00pm Zumba

11.00-12.00 Trigger Point Pilates 4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children 8.00-9.00pm Zumba

9.00-10.30am Yoga2rise

9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group

10.00am Hartb 6.00-6.45pm Pi

1.30-2.30pm 50+ Aerobics

1.30-2.30pm Lift Off Choir

5.00-6.00 Rainbows

6.30pm Slimming World

7.00-8.00pm Fitness Pilates

8.00-9.00pm Bell Ringing

Time tba Meldreth Marvels Cycling Group

4.00-5.00pm Ac

7.00-9.00pm Ta

Refuse Collections Black bins: 1st, 15th Blue bins: 8th & 22nd Green bins: 8th

Church services are held in Holy Trinity Church. The Mobile Library Service visits Bell C MLHG meet in the Community Room in Elin Way. Rainbows meet at Meldreth Prim

24

ary - February 2022

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Friday

Saturday

Sunday

9.30am Slimming World

9.45am Said Eucharist with hymns

9.30am Slimming World

8.00am Said Eucharist

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MM copy deadline for the March issue

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9.30am Slimming World

9.45am Said Eucharist with hymns

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9.30am Slimming World

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5.00pm onwards Primary School Bingo Bonanza (see page 14 & back cover for details)

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The copy deadline for the March issue of Meldreth Matters is Saturday 12th February

lose. Meldreth Marvels Cycling Group meet in the lay-by opposite Holy Trinity Church. mary School. All other events are held in the Village Hall unless otherwise indicated.

25

Things to Do in February Here are some things happening in the local area. Local Coronavirus restrictions and conditions may still apply - please check before you book. If you want to let us know about any future event or activity please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com.

Until Sunday 20th February, usual museum opening times Spitfire: Evolution of an Icon Imperial War Museum, Duxford, Cambridgeshire CB22 4QR Get up close to twelve Spitfires all housed under one roof - the largest collection ever brought together at Duxford. This exhibition celebrates an historic plane which became a British icon after its heroic exploits in the 1940 Battle of Britain. Normal museum admission prices apply. See www.iwm.org.uk for further information.

Until 26th February, Monday - Saturday, 9.00am to 5.00pm Art Exhibition by Helen Carnaghan The Hub, 30 High Street, Melbourn SG8 6DZ If you love fun and dynamic artwork with bold, bright colours then don’t miss this exhibition by a self-taught UK illustrative artist. Visit her website at www.hc-art.co.uk for more information and to view a selection of Helen’s prints and paintings, which are for sale.

Until Sunday 27th February, usual opening times Snowdrop Trail University Botanic Garden, 1 Brookside, Cambridge CB2 1JE Stroll round the lovely winter garden, follow the snowdrop trail and discover snowdrop facts along the way. Free event but normal admission prices apply - NB pre-booked tickets only. Visit www.botanic.cam.ac.uk for opening times and to book.

Throughout February and the winter months Winter Wildlife at Wicken Fen Lode Lane, Wicken, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 5XP The National Trust’s oldest nature reserve has a fantastic selection of species to look out for during winter including flocks of wigeon, redwings and fieldfares and - if you’re lucky - a hen harrier or shorteared owl gliding over the fen at dusk. Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ wicken-fen-nature-reserve for more details and admission prices - free to National Trust members.

26

Throughout February and continuing GetOutside around Foxton, South Cambridgeshire Compiled in conjunction with the Ordnance Survey, some of the best walking, running and cycling routes around this nearby village, together with events, places to visit and local guides. Download the free GetOutside app or visit www.getoutside.ordnancesurvey.co.uk.

Friday 4th, Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th February, 8.00pm Ghost Stories by M R James The Manor, Hemingford Grey, Huntingdon PE28 9BN Robert Lloyd Parry presents these classic tales (a different selection each evening) by candlelight in the 900 year old music room of this wonderful Norman manor house. Tickets £20. Please call The Manor on (01480) 463134 or email: diana_boston@hotmail.com. Doors open 7.30pm.

Saturday 12th February, 7.30pm Valentines Vivaldi by Candlelight - Piccadilly Sinfonietta Ely Cathedral, Chapter House, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 4DL A Valentine treat with a stunning selection of classical pieces, including Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, performed in the beautiful setting of Ely Cathedral. Tickets from £19. Visit www.elycathedral.org to book.

Saturday 19th February, departures from around 9.15am to 10.30am Snowdrop Run - Cambridge and District MG Owners’ Club Starting from Melbourn Village College SG8 6EF This 60 mile annual run in support of the Teenage Cancer Trust starts in Melbourn and finishes at the Green King Beer Café in Bury St. Edmunds. Entrants (not only MG owners) must pre-book their place.

See www.cambsmgoc.com/snowdrop-run for more information.

Thursday 24th February, 12.15pm to 2.15pm Literary Lunch with Ursula Buchan The Old Bull, 56 High Street, Royston SG8 9AW Book a ticket, get a delicious lunch and listen to Ursula Buchan talk about her book about her celebrated grandfather, ‘A Life of John Buchan - Beyond the Thirty Nine Steps’. Tickets £15 in aid of HomeStart, Royston, South Cambridgeshire and Buntingford. Visit www.hsrc.org.uk.

Compiled by John Crawforth 27

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28

Car Key Burglary Warning It appears that car key burglaries may once again be on the increase, so here is a reminder of what precautions to take.

People should be alert to suspicious activity at addresses with high value vehicles including BMWs, Audis, Volkswagens and Mercedes. Burglaries are committed to obtain vehicle keys as improved security means that these vehicles are more difficult to steal without a key. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant during the day and look out for any unusual people or vehicles paying attention to the driveways of houses where desirable cars are usually parked, even if they are not there at the time, and similarly late at night when coming or going.

Owners of high value, desirable cars are advised to take extra precautions:  Always lock windows and doors.  Fit a steering wheel lock or after market security device  If a secure garage to park the car in overnight is available, it is best to use it.  Set burglar alarms and any other security devices and consider a driveway alarm to give early warning of someone approaching.  Consider fitting a tracking device; if the car is stolen there is a greater chance of it being traced.  Be alert to who is around and where the car keys are.

Report suspicious activity or interest in these types of vehicles to police on 101, or 999 in an emergency. Without putting yourself at risk, try to obtain a description of anyone suspicious who you saw, and registration numbers of vehicles, which can be passed on to police to aid investigation.

You can contact Neighbourhood Watch by telephoning Graham on (01763) 260358, or by emailing nhw.meldreth@btinternet.com.

Meldreth Neighbourhood Watch 29

Royston & District Community Transport www.roytrans.co.uk Royston and District Community Transport, a charitable trust, is a community transport operator that has provided a service covering Royston and its surrounding area for those unable to use other forms of transport for over 25 years.

Drivers Wanted Can you spare time to help in the community? If so, why not become a volunteer driver with Royston & District Community Transport?

We are looking for drivers who can use their own car (preferably four door) to take the elderly, vulnerable or disabled to mainly medical and dental appointments in the South Cambridgeshire and North Hertfordshire area.

If you can commit to a few hours or days each week, then being a driver with RDCT can be a very rewarding experience. Volunteer drivers are paid 50p per mile for all their mileage. You may also need a DBS check, but we will pay for this.

If you have a D1 entitlement on your licence then you might like to drive one of our minibuses.

If you are interested then email manager@roytrans.co.uk or telephone (01763) 245228 for more details.

Royston & District Community Transport

The Most Thorough Clean or it’s Free!

Little Hands Nursery School The Moor, Melbourn A Private Nursery School specialising in quality care & preschool education for the under fives

Carpet, Upholstery, Leather, Rug & Stone/Tile Cleaning

High staff to child ratio, individual child centred planning & learning, Flexible booking system for the 08.00am – 5.30pm nursery day. Optional holiday clubs available, dedicated baby room for children under two We accept nursery funding giving 15 & 30 hours/week of free funded nursery for all 3 and 4 year olds & eligible 2 year olds

Call today on 01223 863 632 Please quote “Meldreth Mag”

For further information contact Sharon Tutty,nursery manager on 01763 260964 lh-melbourn@btconnect.com

Denny Lodge Business Park, Ely Road, Chittering

Little Hands is also at Bourn, Linton and Newton visit the website at www.littlehands.co.uk

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31

Special Stop Order for an Additional Train Service from Meldreth to Cambridge As local rail users will be painfully aware, our half-hourly service, restored on 12th December, was quickly withdrawn as Omicron thrashed train service staffing levels – just as it has impacted staffing levels in schools, hospitals, social care and indeed all sectors.

The temporary hourly service does not lend itself to the morning school run for children and young people heading to school and college in Cambridge, resulting in reliance on car commuting and all the problems that entails. Govia Thameslink (GTR) is adamant that the half-hourly will be reinstated as soon as staffing levels permit.

Meanwhile in response to strenuous representations, GTR have looked hard at possible measures to alleviate the current temporary situation and have come up with an extra service from Royston which will stop at Meldreth only on weekdays, at 8.01am, en route to Cambridge.

This involves using a special stop order which requires the driver to accept the instruction, as it will not show on their diagram. GTR hopes to include this stop in the plan but this will take some time to confirm.

The arrangement was tested out on Friday and worked well.

Our thanks to GTR for working with us to help local rail users in these extraordinary circumstances until such time as normal service is restored. Please remember to travel safely for yourself and others, and wear a mask while on the train.

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

Be Seen, Be Safe!

Cyclists and pedestrians:  Please wear bright, light or reflec ve clothing  Pedestrians, please carry a torch  Cyclists, use front and rear lights 32

Thakeham and Southwest Cambridge Action Group www.swcag.org.uk Local Parish Council representatives have been invited to attend a virtual meeting with the Head of Greater Cambridge Shared Planning, Stephen Kelly, in early February, for an update on the Local Plan and OxCam Arc in relation to Thakeham’s ‘South West Cambridge’ affected villages.

As previously reported, the Local Plan ‘First Proposals’ completely exclude Thakeham’s ‘South West Cambridge’ new town area as it does not meet requirements for sustainable development. Nevertheless we are keeping a close eye on the bigger picture, given that central government initiatives can be a dominant force. We’ll report back.

Susan van de Ven and Jose Hales South West Cambridge Action Group info@swcag.org.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

33

Meldreth Parish Council www.meldreth-pc.org.uk The January Parish Council meeting, scheduled for 6th January, was cancelled due to concerns about the Omicron variant and is now due to be held on 20th January. The February meeting will take place on Thursday 3rd February.

Meldreth Parish Council

Planning Matters Parish Council At the time of going to press, no meetings had been held in January 2022. The minutes of the planning meetings on 5th August and 2nd December were still not available at the time of going to press. Meeting minutes (when available) may be viewed on the Parish Council’s website, www.meldreth-pc.org.uk.

SCDC Decisions Recent decisions are listed below.

Ref. and Address 67 Whitecroft Road 21/04721/PRIOR 112 High Street 21/04035/HFUL

Decision Application for a single storey rear extension has been withdrawn Permission granted for alterations with side and rear extensions

128 High Street 21/02427/HFUL

Permission granted for application of rendering to top half of three elevations of the house

24 North End 21/1460/TTCA

No objection to the felling of two native Elwoodii trees due to their poor condition and visual obstruction of footpath and road Permission granted to fell an Ash tree due to Ash dieback and to fell four dead Elm trees

Manor Road 21/1339/TTPO 126 High Street 21/1181/TTCA

No objection to the felling of an Elm tree which is showing signs of Dutch Elm disease and is close to road, path and telephone lines.

Full details may be viewed on the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning website: https://applications.greatercambridgeplanning.org/online-applications.

The Meldreth Matters Team 34

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 (01763) 269928 parishclerk@meldreth-pc.org.uk Mr R Goddin (Chairman) (01763) 260061

goddin@btinternet.com

Mr R A Searles (Vice Ch)

(01763) 260435

robert.searles@btinternet.com

Mrs C J Fallon

(01763) 262822

joan.fallonpc@gmail.com

Mr N Garner

(01763) 268328

nickphgarner@gmail.com

Dr R James

(01763) 261085

roger+pc@rogerjames.net

Mr C A Land

(01763) 261004

conradland@btinternet.com

Mr Nigel Pellatt

(01763) 260909

nppellatt@btconnect.com

Mr A Young

(01763) 263484

andrewmpc@gmail.com

Vacancy

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

35

District and County Councillors’ Report Virtual Decision-Making for Local Councils The legal requirement for Parish, District and County Councils to meet in person for formal decision-making is difficult as they try to maintain public health safety during the continuing pandemic, with meetings cancelled or minimised in terms of people attending and business covered. The Local Government Association is lobbying government to reinstate provision for meeting virtually where councils feel the need to, but so far there has been no change.

Councillors at meetings must wear masks, keep socially distanced and make sure to have tested negative using lateral flow tests prior to attending.

This is a key time of the municipal year as budgets and precepts are being prepared – but public participation is effectively discouraged due to the need to minimise numbers of people in present. While County and District Councils live stream their meetings, Parish Councils are not set up to do so.

Household Support Fund Reminder! This fund aims to help those struggling to pay for food, energy or other essential items this winter. Cambridgeshire County Council has been allocated £3.58 million as part of the Government’s Household Support Fund to help people who need financial support.

The Household Support Fund itself is a new one-off grant, which is live until 31 March 2022. This usually provides £49 (for a family) or £29 (for an individual) to cover food or household energy costs, but more funding may be available for people who can demonstrate a higher need – for instance for higher costs of filling an oil tank or buying a new cooker. To be eligible for the Household Support Fund residents will need to earn less than £17,940 or receive any of the following: Income Support, Income-based Job Seekers Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit, Universal Credit or Working Tax Credit.

Details of how to access the scheme are available here: https:// www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/coronavirus/household-supportfund.

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Road and Pavement Resurfacing A key section of Meldreth High Street pavement has been resurfaced at last – again many thanks to Highways. Unfortunately, the extent of resurfacing work hasn’t been as much as we’d hoped but we’ll keep trying. Thanks to residents who have pointed out serious faults in other locations, including North End and Station Road. Please keep reporting and use the Highways Reporting Page: search ‘Cambridgeshire Report a Fault’ to find it.

Civil Parking Enforcement and 20mph Schemes At their January meeting, the County Highways committee will look at Civil Parking Enforcement and 20 mph scheme funding and principles.

Covid in Schools – Staffing Impact Case numbers in schools before Christmas broke records week after week, as parents and children will know all too well. In the first January week of return to school, about half of all cases of Covid in schools across Cambridgeshire were amongst staff. Melbourn Village College reports superb generosity of spirit as volunteers have been supporting the administration of Covid testing for students. Our continuing thanks to all school teachers and support staff.

Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme (MMWS), a registered local charity since 1996, continues to provide social contact and practical support for the elderly and/or mobility impaired in Melbourn, Meldreth and Shepreth. Regular visits and telephone calls are provided to build friendships as well as being able to carry out local errands such as basic shopping, ordering and collecting prescriptions or going to the post office etc. We produce regular magazines and other activities to bring people together who are on the scheme.

The scheme’s aim is to help prevent feelings of loneliness and isolation and to provide practical support to enable people to continue to live independently in their homes – a need that has been highlighted for many people by the pandemic. If you would like more information about the MMWS services for yourself, a relative or neighbour please contact Jeannie Seers 07808 735066 or email the MMWS secretary on secretary@mmws.org.uk.

Melbourn Hub Melbourn Hub enters 2022 with its wide range of services and activities for the local community. The newly extended and refurbished building 37

provides even more space with four excellent meeting rooms for businesses and community groups to hire for their activities. There is something for all with a library with access to a range of books, services and forthcoming activities including ‘meet the author’ events.

Storytime is held weekly for pre-school children, a lunch club for older residents to socialise and an art gallery where local artists can exhibit and sell their work for a month at a time [there is information about this month’s exhibition on page 26]. Appointments can also be booked for Citizen’s Advice weekly. The Bookmark Café, with a menu of hot and cold food, fresh bakes and barista coffee, provides a safe and stylish environment to relax and socialise. For more information on Hub services, events and activities - or to enquire about room hire or exhibiting art, please see www.melbournhub.co.uk or contact The Hub on (01763) 263303 option 1.

South Cambridgeshire District Council: support for local businesses A range of support is available for local business via South Cambridgeshire District Council, which can help link up with government grants and mental health support, among other things.

Please see the business page: https://www.scambs.gov.uk/business.

Health and Social Care Reforms Juggling Act: Zoom Chat 9th March A major reorganisation of health and social care is happening now, with legislation in the process of passing through Parliament. This sounds heavy! Is it important? We think it impacts on us all.

The reforms include raising money through the National Insurance contributions that working people pay; widening eligibility for Countyfunded social care from about 4% of the population now to an estimated 14%, in Cambridgeshire (which must be paid for of course); and requiring the local NHS (our local GPSs, hospitals, etc) and the Local Public Health and Social Care Authority (Cambridgeshire County Council) to collaborate and integrate, and think at a ‘neighbourhood’ level. Prevention is a constant theme – how can we live better and avoid getting sick in the first place?

How can we give children - from birth - the best chance of a healthy life? What more can local communities be doing to play a part?

Some of the principles seem overwhelmingly positive but other aspects of the reforms are daunting. These are huge bureaucracies and 38

whatever new money is raised will be directed first to the enormous Covid-induced waiting lists. They will take time to work through.

Nevertheless, from July this year it will be a legal requirement for ‘Integrated Care Systems’ to be up and running with the basics in place.

This means that all of these organisations, already working to deliver vaccinations, tackle waiting lists and attract new staff to a depleting workforce, also need to find time to reflect and prepare for new obligations under the Health and Care Bill.

Given that this new legal requirement involves local government, we’ve been learning fast and furiously. Susan is chairing the ‘Cambridgeshire Health and Wellbeing Board’ where the NHS and Local Authorities formally come together. If you’d like to know a little bit more, or if you can teach us a thing or two through your own experience and expertise, please join us for a Zoom coffee and chat on 9thMarch, from 6.00-7.00pm. Just let us have your contact details and we’ll send you the link.

Zoom Cuppa Surgeries Wednesdays 5.00-6.00pm If you’d like to meet with your councillors by Zoom, to bring any concerns or ask any questions, please join our weekly Wednesday Zoom Cuppa Surgery, from 5.00-6.00pm. Please contact Sally Ann for a link.

Or contact us any time by telephone, email or snail mail!

County and District CouncillorsDistrict 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

h ps://www.easthertslo ery.co.uk/support/home-start-royston-and-south-cambridgeshire

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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.

Friendly, no obligation advice on how to achieve the best possible return on your rental investment with clear and simple guidance on your legal obligations.

The Letting Centre (Cambridge) Ltd, 107 High Street, Melbourn, Cambridgeshire, SG8 6AP. Tel: 01763 263039. Email: enquiries@letting-centre.co.uk. www.letting-centre.co.uk

Registered Office: The Letting Centre Ltd, 24b Orchard Road, Melbourn, Nr. Royston, Herts. SG8 6HH Tel: 01763 263039 Registered in England No. 4472384 VAT No. 700035112 Director Mrs Angie Rixon E-mail: enquiries@letting-centre.co.uk www.letting-centre.co.uk

EVE CONSTRUCTION LTD Experienced professional local builder

Extensions, garden rooms, home office, alterations, structural work, carpentry, block drives, landscaping, and all types of general building work Contact Mark 07889 669138 | 01223 264909 enquiries@eveconstruction.co.uk www.eveconstruction.co.uk 40

Caring Together www.caringtogether.org.uk Support Available for People Looking After Family Members or Friends Do you care for someone who would find it difficult to cope without that support? This could be looking after a family member, partner or friend because of their illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction.

If this sounds like your situation, then your role means you are recognised as a carer.

Caring Together is a local charity which last year supported more than 17,000 carer of all ages and their families across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, and Norfolk. Carers can be any age and have a wide range of situations.

Whether you are new to your caring role, have seen your role evolve as the person you care for has needed more support over time, or have lost a loved one you cared for, Caring Together is here to help you. We can offer a range of advice, information and support, and help you and the person you care for access services that are helpful to you.

Our services include:  a dedicated carers’ telephone where trained advisors can give you information and advice that will support you, such as carer assessments, emergency planning and welfare benefits;  homecare services, where a care worker looks after the person you care for, enabling you to have a break;  face-to-face and online carers hubs, where you can meet other carers in a similar situation;  a monthly newsletter to keep you informed and updated.

To find out more call hello@caringtogether.org.

us

on

0345

2410954

or

email

You can also visit our website: www.caringtogether.org.uk.

Jeanette Threadgold Communications officer jeanette.threadgold@caringtogether.org 41

Rowan: Are You Ready for a Charity Challenge? www.rowanhumberstone.co.uk Cambridge-based arts charity Rowan would like you to take on a once in a lifetime challenge in 2022.

The charity, which provides creative workshops and a forest school for adults with learning disabilities, is looking for active supporters to take part in two sponsored events – the Cambridge Half Marathon, and Rowan’s Charity Skydive.

The TTP Cambridge Half Marathon takes place on 6th March, with the 13-mile route leading runners past some of Cambridge’s most historic landmarks.

This is the second time Rowan has been represented at the half marathon, with five runners raising £2,500 for the charity in 2021.

For those looking for a little more adrenaline, Rowan’s Charity Skydive takes place on 30th April 2022. Daring participants will take flight from Peterborough Airfield. Accompanied by an instructor, divers reach speeds of around 120mph before their parachute is opened and they can take in the views.

“After so many cancelled plans, these New Year challenges are a great way to make up for lost time and get active for a great cause,” said Rose Bloomfield, Fundraising Engagement Manager at Rowan.

“Whether you think your workplace would be up for a team bonding skydive, or if you’re looking to get involved as an individual, we couldn’t be more grateful to everyone who supports us.”

Those taking up our fundraising places are asked to raise a minimum of £395 through sponsorship. All money raised will go towards the dayto-day running costs of Rowan.. To find out more about running the Cambridge Half Marathon or skydiving for Rowan, please contact Rowan on (01223) 566027 or email rose@rowanhumberstone.co.uk.

About Rowan Rowan is a vibrant, independent registered charity providing an arts centre and forest school for more than 80 adults with learning disabilities living in Cambridgeshire and adjoining counties. Since 1984 we have provided a safe, creative, and enriching environment where the arts are used as a tool to bring people together and tackle social exclusion. We develop the skills and potential of our students while 42

improving their happiness, health and wellbeing. We also deliver much needed respite to families and carers.

Rowan provides a range of creative workshops in woodwork, ceramics, textiles, print, mixed media, drama and music. We are open Monday to Friday, 9.00am–3.00pm, 50 weeks a year. We arrange regular trips to theatres, museums and exhibitions to explore art and culture further, and in 2020 we launched Rowan Rangers, our new forest school that enables student artists to be creative and connect with nature.

We have a strong social enterprise ethos and accept both large- and small-scale commissions from individuals and organisations. We also produce artworks and items such as our popular finger labyrinths to sell online and at exhibitions and events.

We believe that people living with a disability should have the same choice, quality of life, opportunities and aspirations as others and with your support we can continue to make this possible.

Ellie Breeze www.rowanhumberstone.co.uk (01223) 566027

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 43

Meldreth Coronavirus Community Support Once again we’d like thank Meldreth residents for contributing to the community effort to help curtail the spread of Covid-19. We continue to try and support those adversely affected by the pandemic where possible, provide basic information, and bring friendship and social contact too, knowing that many people have experienced minimal contact for a long time.

Assistance from MCCS If you are clinically extremely vulnerable, shielding or have been instructed to self-isolate and your usual support is unavailable, please contact Meldreth Coronavirus Community Support using the contact details below and we will do our best to assist.

Vaccinations Thank you to people who’ve contacted us with questions about vaccinations; we can help point you in the right direction.

Where to Get Your Covid Jabs The Vaccinators website gives www.thevaccinators.co.uk.

lots

of

information:

https://

Transport to Vaccination Appointments Help is available via the County Council for anyone who is stuck without transport to their vaccination appointment; please ring the Countywide Hub on 0345 045 5219.

Royston and District Community Transport can also give lifts to vaccination appointments; telephone (01763) 245228.

Pharmacy Deliveries If you are unable to travel to a pharmacy, medication can be delivered directly to you by a number of methods. Please ask your local pharmacist about the services they offer. Contact WELL Melbourn on (01763) 260221 or Bassingbourn Pharmacy on (01763) 250660 about the services offered. Our coordinator for pharmacy assistance is Nick Garner on 07968 568599.

Local Shops Taking Telephone Orders and Making Deliveries Home deliveries are available from Fieldgate (01763) 260737 and Bury Lane (01763) 260418. For Leech & Sons butchers ring (01763) 260255 to collect outside in the car park at the rear of the shop.

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Mental Health and Wellbeing Support We are supported by the very useful resources available to all at CPSL Mind – that’s Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Suffolk and Lincolnshire Mind - including common-sense helpful reminders and also telephone numbers and links if you’re worried or anxious and need to talk to someone who can help: https://www.cpslmind.org.uk/top-tips-self-helpresources. Or, for general queries please call 0300 303 4363 between 9.30am and 5.30pm.

Our Neighbourhood Zone Leaders Please remember that our team is always on hand for a friendly chat by phone – our zone leaders’ telephone numbers are below.

Kneesworth Road, West Way, Burtons & Fenny Lane: Bev Cottrell, 07773 592838 Elin Way and Howard Road: David Hollamby, 07732 106828 Whitecroft Road, Chiswick End, Oakrits, Melrose: John Crawforth, 07595 627684 High Street, Flambards, The Grange, Woolpack Way, Station Yard & Road: Helen Munday, 07712 555598 Bell Close and Gables Close: Cathy Walston, 07757 086380 North End, Brewery Lane, Malton Lane, Cam Farm: Bev Cottrell, 07773 592838 & Ian Mitchell, 07726 936635 County and District Councillors Susan van de Ven, Jose Hales, Sally Ann Hart and all at the MCCS team

N J Chapman Garden Services Handyman Mobile: 07592 725 169 Email: nigeljchapman3@gmail.com

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Village Directory

Village Hall Chairman

Paul Ray—(01763) 260304

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 Chris Davison—(01763) 264189

Sport

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

Rev. Lizzie Shipp Rev. Mary Price Bells John Price (Friends)

(01763) 220626; https://allsaintsmelbournholytrinitymeldreth.co.uk (01763) 261569 Sandra Webb—(01763) 261451 (01763) 260048; www.foht.org.uk

Baby & Toddler Group Brownies (1st Meldreth) Hartbeeps Melbourn Rainbows Pre– and Primary School

Bridget Rinaldi—07799 671902 Email: 1stmeldrethbrownies@gmail.com Kelly@hartbeeps.com Stef Cooper—07922 053801 (01763) 260432; www.meldreth.cambs.sch.uk

Parish Council

Please see details at end of Parish Council report

District Councillor

Jose Hales—07703 262649 Sally Ann Hart—07791 233303

District Council Offices

03450 450500; 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.

Clubs & Societies

Village Hall Bookings

(01763) 262158, open 7am-10pm, 7 days Julia Moore—meldrethvillagehall@gmail.com or 07403 462198

Church

Neighbourhood Watch One Stop

Mick Taylor—(01763) 261118 Graham Borgonon—(01763) 260358

Children

Facilities

Litter Picker

46

Transport Health Support Services Emergencies NonEmerg.

Misc.

Station Ticket Office

Hours: Mon - Fri 7-11.15am, Sat 8.45am - 1.25pm

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 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.

Melbourn Surgery Addenbrooke’s NHS

(01763) 260220 (01223) 245151 111 (24 hour non-emergency number)

Childline

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 (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

S Cambs Fire & Rescue

0800 555 111; crimestoppers-uk.org 101; www.cambs.police.uk Report issues: www.contactcambspolice.uk (01480) 444500; www.cambsfire.gov.uk

Melbourn Hub

(01763) 263303; www.melbournhub.com

Taxi (Butler Meltax)

(01763) 244444; 212223

Citizens Advice Bureau

Police

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 issuu.com (search for Meldreth)

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Advertising Rates Size per issue Half page £27.25 Quarter page £16.50 Eighth page £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.

AngliEAR Hearing ...........................15 Art of Clean .....................................30 Art of Clean Wood ...........................10 Aurora Meldreth Manor (Job) ..........20 CHS Day Centre ..............................28 CHS Group ......................................43 The Country Store ............................45 Ely Design Group .............................20 Eternit Sports and Social Club ..........15 Eve Construction ..............................40 Huw Shortle Window Cleaning .........5 iPlaster .............................................9 Jackson Cox Opticians ......................2 Lawn Partners ..................................31 The Letting Centre ...........................40 Little Hands Nursery School ............30 Melbourn Flooring ............................5 Melbourn Village College ............Cover

Meldreth Landscapes .........................2 Meldreth Motor Company ...............35 Meldreth Plant Hire .........................28 Moncraft Computers .........................9 N J Chapman, gardening ..................45 Newlings of Royston Funeral Service20 Nigel Wigg Home Improvement .......19 P D Property Services .......................19 Penn Farm Physiotherapy .................28 Pet Sitter ..........................................10 QueenBee .........................................12 Richard Burns Electrician ...................5 Rod’s PC Support ...........................31 Sage Blinds and Interiors ..................5 Slimming World .........................Cover Sparky’s ..........................................31 Specialist Dental Partners ...........Cover Trademark Kitchens ....................Cover

MM is Available in Colour Online To view this or past issues online, follow us on: issuu.com/meldrethmatters 48

EVERYBODY IS SOMEBODY

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

Friendly, Professional, Expert

Visit our lovely private clinic on Melbourn Science Park for all your dental needs including general maintenance, fillings and restorations, braces, implants, tooth-whitening and much more. New patients are most welcome.

Call us on 01763261129 or email reception@specialistdentalpartners.co.uk 9 Beech House, Melbourn Science Park, Melbourn, SG8 6HB Free parking outside world-class dentistry, on your doorstep

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