Meldreth Primary School

www.meldreth.cambs.sch.uk/web

Happy New Year from all of us at Meldreth Primary! It was wonderful to throw our school gates open once again for a brand new year of fun, friendship and learning, and to see the sea of excited faces ready for what 2023 has in store for them! We rounded off last year by resurrecting one of our most treasured pre-Covid dates in the calendar. Our talented Key Stage 2 students raised the roof of Holy Trinity Church as our community enjoyed music, songs, readings and drama in the Christmas Carol Concert. It was an amazing evening filled with warmth and festivity.

After such a positive end to 2022, our school value for this term, ‘determination’, seemed fitting to ensure that this year is just as successful as the last. With that in mind, we asked our students to set themselves a goal or a New Year’s resolution. Here is a selection of what some of our children are setting out to achieve:

‘I want to work hard in school and always be good at home!’ (Ava-Rose in Puffin Class)

‘I am going to practise my handwriting every day! (Reggie in Swift Class)

‘To practise my spellings!’ (Victoria-Grace in Wren Class)

‘To practise my times tables and learn how to do division! (Felicity in Osprey Class)

‘To tidy my room and keep it spotless every day! (Emily in Kite Class)

‘To learn every single word to my favourite songs! (Amelia in Kestrel Class)

‘To read more high quality books! (Darcey in Hawk Class)

Daniel Chapman Assistant Headteacher

Children’s Activity Page

This month’s activities all have a Valentine’s theme.

Colour in the hearts. You can find more Valentine colouring in pages and activities at https:// www.crayola.com

Valentine’s Word Search

Can you find these words in the grid?

Arrow

Flowers Heart Hugs

Kisses

Love

Romance

Valentine

Things for Children and Families To Do

Saturday 4th February, 10.00am - 1.00pm

Cool Carnivores, Cambridge Botanic Garden, Brookside CB2 1JE

Learn about carnivorous plants, see them through magnifiers and make your own paper Venus fly trap to take home. Free event. Ages 3+.

Tuesday 7th February, 10.30am

Family Folk Show, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge CB2 1RB

Join award-winning folk duo Megson for a special concert for young children including old and new children’s folk songs. Free but donations welcome.

Friday 10th - Monday 20th February, 10.00am - 3.00pm

Birds at Work Trail, Wicken Fen, Lode Lane, Wicken CB7 5XP

Follow the family bird trail on the Boardwalk then collect a kit to take home to make a bird feeder. No need to book. £4.25 per child, £8.50 per adult or £12.75 for family with 1 adult. Parking £3. National Trust members free.

Saturday 11th February, 12.00noon - 4.00pm

Creative Youth Council

Wysing Arts Centre, Fox Rd, Bourn CB23 2TX

Join monthly meetings based on creative ideas and activities. Work with artists and help develop creative projects and events. Book on www.eventbrite.co.uk. Free but bring a packed lunch. Drinks and snacks provided. For ages 14 - 18.

Sunday 12th February, 10.30am and 12.00pm

Storytelling Sunday, Stapleford Granary, Bury Rd, Stapleford CB22 5BP

Story of Granny Dumpling, an old Japanese tale told with imaginative props. For ages 6+. Tickets £4.50. More stories on 19th February and 12th March.

Monday 13th February, 3.00pm - 6.00pm

Polar pop-up: Twilight at the Polar Museum, Cambridge CB2 1ER

Explore the museum with only your torch to guide you. Free but book a time slot on www.museums.cam.ac.uk.

Tuesday 14th February, 10.30am - 12.00pm or 1.00pm - 2.30pm

Bird Collage Workshop, Wicken Fen, Lode Lane, Wicken, Ely CB7 5XP

Use marbling and collage to create an owl picture to take home. All materials provided. For accompanied children aged 6+. Free; parking costs £3. Book online at www.eventbrite.co.uk.

Sunday 19th February, 11.30am and 2.30pm

Breathe, Cambridge Junction, Clifton Way, Cambridge CB1 7GX

A celebration of trees, nature and finding space in a buzzing community - a story of forests as seen by an acorn. Puppets, detailed sets, music and live camera work. For ages 5+. £8.50 - £12.50.

Compiled by Hilary Crawforth

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Things to Do in February

Here are some things happening in February in the local area. If you would like to let us know about any future event or activity please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com.

Until 19th February, daily from 9.30am to 4.00pm

Wassail Walk at Wimpole

Wimpole Hall Estate, Arrington, Royston SG8 0BW

Discover the ancient traditions of wassailing and celebrate the produce of the Hall’s orchards and walled garden. Have a go at traditional rhymes, create a ‘hullabaloo’, help welcome the birds and pollinators ahead of spring. Free event with no booking required but normal National Trust admission applies.

Throughout February, daily 10.00am to 4.00pm

Snowdrops at Chippenham Park Gardens

Chippenham Hall, Chippenham Park, Newmarket CB7 5PT

Spectacular displays of aconites, snowdrops and winter garden in lovely 40 acre parkland setting. Licensed Potting Shed tea room for drinks, lunches and homemade cakes. Entry £7, children 5-16 years £3. NB entry and tea room are cash only. Dogs welcome on leads. www.chippenhamparkgardens.info.

Fridays 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th February, 11.00am to 12noon

Pepys Library Tours, Magdalene College Cambridge CB3 0AG

Visit the fascinating 17th century library of Samuel Pepys, housed in its original bookcases and including his famous diaries. Guided tour with 45 minute talk by Dr Jane Hughes, Pepys Librarian and Fellow of Magdalene College. Suitable for adults and children 12 and above. Tickets £8. Unfortunately no wheelchair access at present. www.eventbrite.co.uk to book.

Tuesday 7th to Saturday 11th February, 7.45pm (also 2.45pm on 11th)

Sunday in the Park with George ADC Theatre, Park Street, Cambridge CB5 8AS

Performed by Cambridge University Musical Theatre Society with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, this Pulitzer Prize-winning musical is based on the life of French artist Georges Seurat. Recommended for people of all ages. Tickets Tuesday to Thursday £13-£16; Friday to Saturday £15-£18, from boxoffice@adctheatre.com or call (01223) 300085.

Friday 10th February, 7.45pm to 9.00pm, doors and bar from 6.45pm

Madison Violet in Concert

Stapleford Granary, Bury Road, Cambridge CB22 5BP

Canadian duo Lisa MacIsaac and Brenley MacEachern are exceptional singersongwriters, storytellers and multi-instrumentalists, their music a mix of folk, pop, indie, bluegrass and country. Tickets £22, under 25s £11 from www.staplefordgranary.org.uk.

Saturday 11th February, 10.30am to 12.30pm

Winter Wonderland Walk at Great Fen Countryside Centre

Chapel Road, Ramsey Heights, Cambridgeshire PE26 2RS

Discover more about wildlife in winter, with expert help in identifying wintering birds, trees and spotting animal tracks in the mud, plus advice on how to support wildlife in your own garden. £8 Wildlife Trust members, £10 non-members. Book in advance at www.wildlifebcn.org.

Saturday 11th February, 11.00am to 5.00pm

Cambridge’s Craft and Flea

St. Paul’s Church, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 1JP

Authentic twist on the traditional craft market with huge selection of high quality products from illustration to vintage bric-a-brac, plants to jewellery, sustainable products to food, ceramics to candles. Entry £2.50, under 12s free; pre-booked tickets from www.eventbrite.co.uk.

Saturday 18th February, car arrival from 8.30am; departure from 9.30am

Snowdrop Run 2023

Starting from Melbourn Village College, The Moor, Melbourn SG8 6EF

This annual fund-raising event organised by the Cambridge and District MG Owners’ Club finishes at the Raptor Foundation near St Ives after a 60 mile car run. This year it supports SERVSC who transport blood and other essential medical supplies for our local hospitals. Entry fee of £30 per car (it doesn’t have to be an MG!) includes light refreshments at the start plus free admission to Raptor Foundation. See www.cambsmgoc.com for entry form.

Saturday 18th February, 2.00pm to 3.30pm

Chinese Calligraphy and Crafts

Cambridge Central Library, 7 Lion Yard, Cambridge CB2 3QD Come along and try your hand at Chinese calligraphy and crafts in this community-led event hosted by the Cambridge Chinese Academy. Suitable for people aged 18 and over. Free but please reserve your place at www.eventbrite.co.uk. Wheelchair accessible.

Tuesday 28th February, 12.15pm to 2.15pm

Home Start Literary Lunch with Rachel Lawston

The Ballroom, Old Bull Inn, 56 High Street, Royston SG8

9AW

Host Jude Simpson will be chatting with children’s author Rachel Lawston about her beautifully written and illustrated books. Tickets, to include buffet lunch, £15 per person available from www.hsrsc.org.uk or call (01763) 262262 or email: event@hsrsc.org.uk.

Compiled by John Crawforth

Refuse Collections

Black bins: 14th, 28th

Blue bins: 7th, 21st

Green bins: 7th

Getremindersonyourmobile: downloadtheBinCollectionsapp

Church services, Women’s Group meetings and FOHT talks are held in Holy Trinity Church. The M Holy Trinity Church. MLHG meetings, Parish Council meetings, Food Bank & Warm Hub are in the

9.30am Slimming World pm ulti classes)

9.45am Sung Eucharist

Warm Hub

Acro Pilates

Table Tennis

9.30am Slimming World pm ulti classes)

Warm Hub

Acro Pilates Table Tennis h Council

Warm Hub Pilates

9.30am Slimming World

2.00-4.00pm Dementia Memory Cafe

8.00am Said Eucharist

Copy Deadline for the March issue

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9.45am Sung Eucharist

Table Tennis

9.30am Slimming World pm ultiple

Warm Hub Pilates

Table Tennis adlineforthe ofMeldreth ers is hFebruary

7.00 for 7.30pm Film Night: Top Gun Maverick Pre-booking essential. See back cover for details.

6 17 18 19 3 24 25 26

Vote for Meldreth Matters in Tesco’s Royston!

Meldreth Matters is one of the community projects being supported by Tesco’s. Please vote for Meldreth Matters by putting a token in our box!

Mobile Library Service visits Bell Close. Meldreth Marvels Cycling Group meet in the lay-by opposite Community Room in Elin Way. All other events are held in the Village Hall unless otherwise indicated.

Meldreth Speedwatch-2022 Review

In 2022, the village Speedwatch team operated some 63 shifts totalling around 77 hours of volunteer time, checking traffic at morning rush hours on our Meldreth roads where 30mph speed limits apply.

Meldreth Speedwatch, just one of many teams active in South Cambridgeshire communities, relies on a group of dedicated local people who commit to shifts on a monthly basis through the watch season, usually running from February to early December.

Compared to 2021, vehicle traffic seems to have increased by around 32%. However, there has been a small drop of 1%, in the vehicles logged as exceeding the speed limit. Speedwatch only logs traffic driving at 35mph and above and these vehicles are reported to Cambridgeshire Traffic Police Unit who may decide to write to vehicle owners to remind them of the speed at which they should be driving! Vehicle owners logged three times may expect a Police officer at their front door! In 2022, six letters were delivered by police officers. We know from feedback given by local drivers that receiving a police letter does remind people that the 30mph restriction on village roads is there for the safety of all road users. This year, in our morning rush hours, eight percent of drivers risked the safety of themselves and other road users by driving above the limits; several of these drivers were logged with speeds in the high forties.

Whilst Speedwatch teams cannot be on watch 24/7, most of us have observed motorists at other times of the day who would seem to be clearly driving faster than 30mph in the limited areas. Our Speed Indicator Device (SID) does operate 24/7 to remind approaching drivers of their speed and indicating whether it is within the limit or above; data from the SID help communities track traffic volumes by date, time & speed.

Those reading this article are pretty likely to also be motorists. But even motorists are also pedestrians and maybe even cyclists, either just for pleasure or for that short trip to the local shops. So in our non-motorist mode, we will doubtless all have become aware of vehicles driving too fast or not giving good enough space for us as cyclists, particularly when many of our roads have unrepaired potholes. Let us move into the New Year with more care for our local speed limits.

Over the year, some volunteers have had to stand down and we do need replacements if we are to be consistent in the number of watches we can mount. If you are interested in joining the Meldreth Speedwatch team or would like further information, please email us on csw.meldreth@btinternet.com.

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