Meldreth Matters, January 2024 by Meldreth Matters

January 2024

In this issue …

Events include …

Letters to the Editor Meldreth Funeral Bier Village Hall Film Nights

Burns Night Supper Preschool Open Day Tennis Club Quiz

Food Hall, inspiring gifts, friendly cafe Childrenʼs Fun Barn Your local, independent Farm Shop Open 7 days a week, large free car park Follow us on social media for PYO, seasonal produce & events Bury Lane, A10 Bypass, Melbourn, Royston, SG8 6GT What3Words: months.wells.tanks Tel: 01763 260418 www.burylane.co.uk

FOOD HALL • DELICATESSEN • BUTCHERS • FISHMONGERS • CAFÉ • GIFT HALL • GARDEN SHOP • FUN BARN

Contents Cookery In Praise of … 26-27

What’s On in January Burns Night Supper 13 Events at Melbourn Hub 10 Shepreth Eco Fair 9 Things to Do in January 6-7 Village Hall Film Night 11

Miscellaneous Letters to the Editor 33 Message to Dog Owners 36

Village Groups Cycling Group 15 Friends of Holy Trinity 12-13 Local History Group 16-17 Photographic Club 14 Women’s Group 14

Children & Education Activities for Families 22 Meldreth Preschool 20 Meldreth Primary School 21 Shepreth Spitfires 19 Local/National Government Local Councillors 39-41 Parish Council 34-36 Planning 42

Village News & Issues Christmas Tree Festival 5 Meldreth Foodbank 4, 19, 44 Meldreth Funeral Bier 16-17 Poppy Appeal 4 Royston Recycling Centre 33 Speed Monitor Data 43 Village Hall Film Nights 11

Advice/Information 17 Bus Service 45 Advertisers’ Index 48 Home-Start 44 MCCS 45 Mobile Warden Scheme 17 Refuse Collections 25 Village Directory 46-47

Gardening and Nature A Meldreth Garden 29-30 Meldreth Conservation Group 30

This month’s cover picture: Meldreth Village Hall Photograph by Kathryn Betts 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 Happy New Year to all of our readers and advertisers! Our Village Hall graces the cover this month and as usual, many of January’s events and activities in the village are taking place there. So whether you would like to join an exercise class, watch a film or take part in a quiz, take a look at the centre pages diary for a summary of everything that is going on. In addition to the events in the Village Hall, the Friends of Holy Trinity Church are organising a Burns Night Supper in the Church meeting room and there is an Open Day at the village Preschool. For something a little different, why not go to Shepreth where Sustainable Shepreth will be holding an Eco Fair in the Village Hall. We also have our usual round-up of other local events on pages 6-7 and 22. Kathryn

Thank You to All! To those who supported the Christmas Market on 26th November, thank you. I was able to transfer £347.00 to Meldreth Matters which included a very kind donation from someone who would normally have had a stall but who was unable to on this occasion. She knows who she is. Thank you, too, to those who have made donations to the magazine recently. The Easter Market will be on 25th February, which will provide you with the opportunity to purchase some lovely Mothering Sunday and Easter gifts all in one go! At the beginning of the new year, I wish to offer my personal thanks to the people who work so hard to bring this magazine to every door, every month. Kathryn thanked the MM team, deliverers and advertisers in the December issue, without whom there would be no magazine, but I would like to add my own thanks to the MM team. Every single team member without fail, brings their skill and their time to get the magazine to the printer every month throughout the year. Kath, well, where would we be without her whose life revolves around deadlines? Beverly, able Treasurer and minute taker, Robin, Assistant Editor, Richard advertising/layout, Maggie and (another!) Lesley distribution, and Ken proof reader. I do hope they are all very proud of their achievements; they should be. It is a huge commitment, not to be under-estimated and I am very grateful to them. Lesley Farbridge, MM Chairman 3

Meldreth Food Bank A huge thank you to all who have made donations to the Food Bank in the last year. We could not have managed without you. In recent weeks more people have come to us for help and we now have over 20 families using the Bank. Thank you for bringing smiles to their faces! Meldreth Food Bank

Poppy Appeal Melbourn and Meldreth 2023 I’m very happy to say that the grand total raised from this year’s Poppy Appeal in the villages is an amazing £4137.08. This money was raised with the support of the Melbourn Detachment Cadets, who spent a weekend fundraising at Bury Lane Farm Shop. Our special thanks to Bury Lane for hosting, and to their customers, for raising £1548.91. Special mention should also be given to our local schools who raised a fantastic amount of £623.80 in total, well done to them! Also, thank you to all the shops and businesses who supported our collection. It was a pleasure meeting and chatting to you all, and many thanks for your support. And finally, a massive thank you to all the members of the public who were so generous with their donations. Your support has made a real difference to those in the Armed Forces community. Without your efforts, they couldn’t do the work that they do. Thank you. To find out more about how your donation helps, please visit rbl.org.uk. If you would like to become a volunteer then please contact Lucy Acred at lacred@britishlegion.org.uk. To keep up to date with the local Poppy Appeal then follow us on Facebook at ‘Melbourn and Meldreth Poppy Appeal’ Jackie Racher & Paul Lamonte Poppy Appeal Organisers

N J Chapman

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Meldreth Christmas Tree Festival The Committee would like to thank everyone for their contributions in making this year’s event such a success. The event would not be possible without the inspirational Christmas trees and exhibits. We had such glowing comments from visitors, with some saying it is the highlight of their year, while others commented on the magical atmosphere and that it has become a family tradition to visit the Festival each year.

Photograph by Margaret Goddin

Our thanks go to David Coton and his team for setting up the amazing lighting system and sorting out the parking requirements. For those of you who volunteered for the various rotas over the weekend we are truly indebted to you all and thank you, too, to those who offered impromptu assistance with decorating the church with fresh foliage on the Thursday. The crafting groups did a wonderful job in producing original festive crafts for the craft stall and thanks to all who produced delicious home made jars of produce and cakes for the produce stall. Thanks also to the cake bakers who kept the café supplied for the weekend. We had a lot of favourable feedback too about the variety of soups and cakes available. Photograph by Kathryn Betts

The children’s corner was very busy with industrious children making pretty decorations for the Christmas tree. They also enjoyed visiting Noah the donkey who looked very handsome wearing his warm overcoat. Having Noah in the churchyard for two days would not be possible without Roger Wallbridge’s handling and care of Noah which is very commendable, especially as the weather was particularly cold on Saturday and wet on Sunday. He never complains. This year we had nearly 1,000 visitors. We are very fortunate to live in a village that has such a strong community spirit. Next year’s event will take place on Saturday 30th November and Sunday 1st December 2024. Margaret Goddin 5

Things to Do in January Here are some things happening in January in the local area. To let us know about future events or activities please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com. Throughout January The Cambridge Circuit Treasure Hunt The Bicycle Collective, Riverside, Cambridge CB5 8HN Enjoy the outdoors and explore some of the lesser known parts of the city of Cambridge on this Bicycle Collective treasure hunt. The 9km route can be done at any convenient time on a bike, scooter or by foot. Register on www.eventbrite.co.uk to receive a link to the clues. To Saturday 17th February, Monday to Friday 9.00am to 6.30pm Spitting Image: A Controversial History (closes 4.30pm Saturdays) Cambridge University Library, West Road, Cambridge CB3 9DR First aired in 1984, Spitting Image became a broadcasting phenomenon. Learn how the show was made and shaped our view of politicians, royalty and celebrity. Book on www.lib.cam.uk. Free - but donation optional. To Sunday 25th February, at normal museum opening times Spies in the Skies Imperial War Museum, Duxford, Cambridge CB22 4QR Discover the incredible stories of the crew and aircraft who flew, often unarmed, behind enemy lines in World War II to gather intelligence from the air. Exhibition included with general admission. See www.iwm.org.uk/events for further details, times and admission charges. IWM members go free. Saturday 6th January, 10.00am to 12.00pm Orwell Pannier Market Orwell Village Hall, 36 High Street, Orwell SG8 5QN Come along and stock up on local delicacies, plus unique items from creative crafters including cards, jewellery, toys and ceramics. When you’ve shopped, meet your friends in the tea room for hot drinks, cakes or a bacon roll! Tuesday 9th January, 11.30am to 12.30pm (and monthly through 2024) Makers at the Museum Ashwell Village Museum, Swan Street, Ashwell, Herts SG7 5NY The iconic timber-framed building traces Ashwell’s history from the Stone Age to the present day. Each month they host a session with a talk or demonstration on a different topic, illustrated by items from the museum’s collection, followed by crafting, tea and cake. Free. Friday 12th January, 8.00pm to 10.00pm Rural Landscape Snow Scene in Watercolour Royston Arts Society, Market Hill Rooms, Fish Hill, Royston SG8 9DW Caroline Furlong will give a demonstration of how to capture winter landscapes in watercolour. Entry £3, pay on the door (members free). 6

Friday 12th January, 10.00am to 12.00pm Once Around Wandlebury Wandlebury Country Park, Gog Magog Hills, Cambridge CB22 3AE Leisurely New Year, warden-guided walk around the park to enjoy winter colours, viewpoints, landmarks and whatever wildlife is out and about. Meet at noticeboard in car park. No need to book. Free but donations welcome. Visit www. cambridgeppf.org. for details of this and other events. Monday 15th January to Friday 1st March, at normal opening times Snowdrop Trail at Cambridge University Botanic Garden 1 Brookside, Cambridge CB12 1JE Follow the snowdrop trail and discover snowdrop facts along the way. Free with normal garden admission. No pre-booking required. www.botanic.cam.ac.uk. for times and prices. Saturday 20th January, 7.30pm Fitzwilliam String Quartet, with cellist Daniel Yeadon Clare Hall Dining Hall, Herschel Road, Cambridge CB3 9AL The college’s quartet-in-residence plays a selection of pieces including works by Rosetti and Schubert. Tickets £20, students/children £10. www.eventbrite.co.uk. Sunday 21st January, 11.00am to 5.45pm Cambridge Indian Street Food Carnival Winter 2024 Namaste Village, 45-47, Castle Street, Cambridge CB3 0AH Experience India’s rich cultural heritage through its delicious street food. Featuring dishes from all parts of the country - a feast for the senses. Plus music, dance and a bazaar. Booking essential via www.eventbrite.co.uk. Saturday 27th January, 11.00am to 12.00pm Tour of Sessions House, Lynn Road, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 4EG Why not explore the fascinating story of this former Ely law court? Learn about the history of the building over the last 200 years and some of the extraordinary crimes that have been tried there. Tickets £8.50 per person. Book at www.olivercromwellshouse.co.uk. Sunday 28th January, 6.00pm to 10.00pm Lou Lyne and The Blue Almond Project Hot Numbers Coffee, 5/6 Gwydir Street, Cambridge CB1 2LJ Live instrumental music for violin, cello and piano. Lou is a celebrated composer and musician with a growing reputation for her distinctive blend of classical and jazz traditions, with some Arabic influences too. Tickets £10 from www.eventbrite.com. Compiled by John Crawforth

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Eco Fair Sustainable Shepreth are delighted to invite you to our first Eco Fair. Start the year in a new sustainable way! Saturday 6th January, 10.00am – 1.00pm, Shepreth Village Hall Join us for children’s activities, talks, information stands and refreshments. Bring your Christmas tree to be chipped and your new and old bicycles to be security marked. Roger Faires

Melbourn Hub www.melbournhub.co.uk January at Melbourn Hub We hope all our customers had a happy and restful festive period. The team here had a well-earned week off for Christmas and we will re-open on 2nd January to welcome you all for food, drinks and the range of services offered by the Hub! Here’s what is on during January and don’t forget you can always take a look at our website too - www.melbournhub.co.uk. Weekly Events Every Wednesday - Citizens Advice 9.30-11.30am No need to book, just drop in! Please note that the first of 2024 will be on Wednesday 10th January. Every Friday - Children's Story Time 10.00-10.30am For under 5s. Come and enjoy a story and a singalong. No need to book! Special for January Thursday 18th January - Author Evening with Russell Wate Doors open at 7.00pm for 7.30pm. Linsey Craike on behalf of Melbourn Hub

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Meldreth Village Hall Film Nights The organisers of the Meldreth Village Hall film nights have been asked if there are any films booked for 2024 and we’re delighted to say that there are! Our first three films are: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One and Living. There will be many more films throughout the year. We’ve also been asked how to book. To book any of the films, just scan the QR code on the relevant poster or book online at TicketSource: www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/meldreth/meldreth-village-hall. You can also telephone (01763) 661688. The booking website and telephone number are also on our posters. We have a new ‘future presentations’ board for the film nights. This is located to the right of the village hall entrance doors and it has all the details including the QR codes, web address, telephone numbers and an email address. This noticeboard will also have details of the next three films we aim to show. The posters for the next film will be displayed from the end of the previous month on all of the public noticeboards around the village, in Meldreth Matters, the Melde, the Listing and also in the ‘What’s on’ section of The Crow, both online and in the paper itself. Details will also be posted on Facebook and shared to local village groups. Hopefully one of these will catch your eye. We start with Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny on Saturday 27th January. Happy New Year and we look forward to seeing you at the film nights in 2024. Andrew Young PC Repairs

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Friends of Holy Trinity Church www.foht.org.uk Burns Night Supper - Friday 26th January, 7.30pm The plans for the Burns Night Supper in the meeting room are taking shape. Full details are on the poster on the following page. This is likely to be a popular event so please reserve your places in advance, and definitely no later than Wednesday 17th January, by contacting Julie Draper. Email juliedraper@dumbflea.co.uk or telephone 07976 879350. Please advise Julie if you wish to sit with particular friends. Payment will be taken, in cash only, on the night. Piano Recital by Toni Leigh and Students - Saturday 9th March We are delighted that Toni Leigh has offered to organise a piano recital evening with some of her students. If any of you saw and heard her students performing at the Church Fete last summer, you know we are in for a real treat by exceptional musicians. More details in due course but meanwhile do please save the date. Persuasion by Jane Austen - Friday 17th May We have provisionally booked the This Is My Theatre group to perform in the main church. More details of the production will be available later, but for now please save this date in your calendar. Banking Problems Along with many other small community organisations and businesses the Friends have had issues with our bankers this year, due to their confusing and everchanging requirements for information. This resulted in the bank unilaterally closing our account without advice or warning! Despite appealing, Barclays has refused to reopen the account. We are now in the process of opening a new bank account. Any Friends who have tried to pay a standing order recently will have had their payment refused. I will be writing individually to all the Friends as soon as we have our new bank account and apologise for any confusion this has caused. Meanwhile we would love to hear from you with any ideas you may have for the FOHT to organise. Please get in touch. Ian Mitchell ianmmeldreth@gmail.com Vice Chair FOHT

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FRIENDS OF HOLY TRINITY BURNS NIGHT SUPPER Friday 26th January 2024 7.30pm Mee ng Room, Holy Trinity Church Meldreth

Come and join in a Sco sh celebra on on a cold January night With piping in the Haggis, and Robert Burns poetry And maybe a reel or two Canapés and a glass of Prosecco Haggis, neaps and ta es, Cranachan, coﬀee and mints for £20.00 Veggie alterna ve available on request Please bring your favourite pple, including whisky

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Melbourn and Meldreth Women’s Group We are a small friendly group who meet at either ASCH Melbourn or the meeting room at Holy Trinity Meldreth. Meetings commence at 7.45pm and usually last about one and a half hours. We have a speaker or in house entertainment followed by refreshments and the opportunity to chat. A charge of £2 is made to cover expenses and there is also the opportunity to donate to the charity pot. Our meeting in November was led by our new vicar, the Reverend Andrew Birks and it was an ‘Advent Reflection’. He opened his talk with a recording of the hymn ‘O come, O come Emmanuel’. We were invited to think about Advent through the eyes of Mary, Jesus’s mother, without whom there would be no crib scene. He then spoke of Mary’s background. He closed his talk with a recording of ‘The Magnificat’ and encouraged us to listen to it at home. We didn’t meet in December. Our next meeting is on 23rd of January and will be held at ASCH. This meeting will include our AGM followed by a Bring and Share Supper. If you require any information about the group, or would like a lift to a meeting, do telephone one of the committee members: Diane Blundell (01763) 221415, Sue Toule (01763) 260955, Angela Leach (01763) 262793, Mary Bailey (01763) 220171 and Mary Purdy (01763) 260864. Angela Leach

Melbourn and District Photographic Club melbournphotoclub.com Following our two-week Christmas recess, the programme for January includes one competition, two lectures and one Club Evening. 9th Simply Black & White – Lecture by Chris Upton (Zoom) 16th 3rd Open PDI Competition – Judged by Jonathan Vaines 23rd Photography on the Dark Side – Lecture by Peter Benson (Zoom) 30th Raw Photo Edit with David Stocks, Bill Hamilton & Roger Care Meetings are held weekly from 7.30 - 9.30pm on Tuesdays at Foxton Village Hall, from September to April. 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 free of charge before deciding. To do this, just email me at melbournphotoclub@hotmail.com. Peter North Secretary 14

Meldreth Cycling Group Use of old cycle components and bicycles has become a feature of our contribution to the local Christmas Tree Festival. In the past we have used graduated bicycle wheels to form a highly decorated tree. For a change, this year’s entry (pictured right) was “A Christmas Delivery” and we used a 1940 Raleigh bicycle, that was beautifully decorated, with a Christmas tree lashed to the crossbar.

Photograph by Kathryn Betts

After Halloween, I found a discarded life -size skull in a roadside ditch and it has now been converted into a trafficator - the eyes flashing in the direction I am turning! The Shakespeare quote could now read, “Alas, poor Yorik is a trafficator”! Please remember, there are also charitable ways of passing on unwanted and restored bicycles for the less fortunate, thereby avoiding the dreadful wastage we have all been made aware of. John Rogger

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Meldreth Funeral Bier If you visited Holy Trinity Church for the Christmas Tree Festival at the beginning of December, you would have seen Meldreth’s funeral bier, which was on display in the Church for the first time. Many people commented on the bier and asked for more information about it. In 1907, Holy Trinity Churchyard was closed to burials, prompting a twenty-year search for a new burial ground (see www.meldrethhistory.org.uk/newcontributions/the_twenty_year_search_for_ a_burial_ground). Eventually, the site on Fenny Lane was selected and the bier, also known as a hand hearse, was commissioned by Meldreth Parish Council in 1921 as a way of transporting coffins from the Church to Fenny Lane. A charge of 2s 6d was made for those wishing to use the bier for this purpose. The bier was made by Herbert Gipson, a Meldreth farmer and carpenter, who at the time was living with his extended family in the British Queen. Herbert’s great granddaughter still lives in the village. Herbert completed the bier in 1923, using standard components that were readily available at the time. Originally, the bier was kept in a shed in Fenny Lane cemetery. For at least the last fifteen years, the bier has been kept on private property around the village while we try to find a suitable permanent home for it. The bier was removed from the Church following the Christmas Tree Festival and is once again in storage. In 2017 Joan Gane approached the BBC’s The Repair Shop to see if they would restore the bier but received no reply. Fortunately, in 2021 Meldreth resident John Morgan came forward and undertook 16

the restoration of the bier with the help of John Richards. They both donated their time and made only a modest charge for materials (a cost partly covered by Meldreth Parish Council). As you can see, they made a wonderful job of the restoration. It is our wish that one day this beautiful funeral bier will be kept in the Church where parishioners and visitors will be able to appreciate this important piece of Meldreth’s history. Unfortunately, the Parochial Church Council have, to date, turned own our request to house the bier in the church. For more information on the history of the bier see www.meldrethhistory.org.uk/ topics/holy_trinity_church-2-2/holy_trinity_church/meldreth_funeral_bier and for details of the restoration, please see www.meldrethhistory.org.uk/newcontributions/the-renovation-of-the-meldreth-funeral-bier or search our website, www.meldrethhistory.org.uk, for “bier”. Photographs, from top: the funeral bier in 2007; John Morgan with the newly restored bier in 2021; the funeral bier in Holy Trinity Church, December 2023; the bier outside the Church, December 2023. Photographs by Tim Gane and Kathryn Betts. Kathryn Betts Meldreth Local History Group

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

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Shepreth Spitfires www.sheprethspitfires.co.uk Shepreth Spitfires Football Club youth teams at all ages marked Remembrance Day with a two-minute silence at the beginning of each football team’s match. Shepreth Spitfires also installed a ‘poppy day’ memorial tribute in support of Remembrance Day. The Under 11 Squadron 66 team had a fantastic win of 9-0 in their away match against Haverhill Town. It was a cold and early start, but the Spitfires team were eager to play! Goal scorers were: Riley five goals, Alfred two goals, Gus one goal and Charlie W one goal. It was a great performance and the coaches were delighted to see such a hard-working team! Player of the match 1 was awarded to Riley whose five goals and a dominant performance midfield were relentless. Player of the match 2 was awarded to Charlie W. His passing was tremendous and he never failed to hit the target multiple times, making the opposition teams’ goalkeeper work hard! Please contact Shepreth Spitfires Football Club if your child may be interested in joining our friendly local football club. Our website address is www.sheprethspitfires.co.uk or call 07510 175370. Julie A Wilson

MCCS - We Need Your Help The MCCS JustGiving funding campaign is now open.

Please help us to keep the FoodBank open throughout the winter for over 50 residents in Meldreth Talk to the FoodBank team every Tuesday from 9.00am - 12 noon at Elin Way Community Centre, contact the Treasurer Roger James on 07808 235873 or visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/mccs2024. 19

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Meldreth Primary School www.meldreth.cambs.sch.uk The end of 2023 was simply fantastic at Meldreth Primary School. We enjoyed a whole host of amazing treats. There was Decoration Day, where clad in cheesy Christmas jumpers, we went offtimetable and spent the day creating a range of decorations to brighten up the school and make it feel more festive! Our amazing PTA have been extremely active, providing a movie night, craft night and our annual Christmas Fair, which was full to the rafters! The inimitable Widdershins Theatre gave all staff and students an enjoyable morning performance and our brilliant children raised the roof of both our school hall and Holy Trinity Church in music, song and drama-filled Christmas spectacles! We welcome in the New Year at Meldreth Primary in the same way every time. Firstly we reflect on the wonderful times enjoyed over the year just gone but then we consider how we can continue to keep building on our successes and further enrich our students’ time at school. We encourage our children to do the same and reflect on their personal triumphs as well as how they have managed to demonstrate our school values and overcome any challenges they have faced along the way. Here are a selection of our pupils’ ambitions and hopes for 2024: “I want to be the best I can be at maths and PE for SATS and secondary school!” (Nicholas Y6) “Read as many books as possible – especially Lord of the Rings!” (Evie Y5) “I want to get to the top of Jacob’s Ladder when I go to Grafham Water!” (Fearne Y4) “Build more robots as I love engineering!” (Violet Y3) “I want to learn how things are made as I’m curious about how people make toys!” (Maisie Y2) “I want to build the biggest tower in the world out of Lego!” (Sophia Y1) “I want to get a campervan and go on holiday with my Mummy and Daddy!” (Joseph Reception) Sasha Howard Headteacher, Meldreth Primary School 21

Things for Children and Families To Do in January Every Thursday and Saturday in January and February Welney Wentland Centre, Hundred Foot Bank, Welney PE14 9TN Hare Walk 2.00pm - 3.00pm; Wild swan feed 12 noon and 3.30pm daily. Also 6.30pm floodlit feeds at the weekend If you are lucky you might see hares boxing, a barn owl, egrets and more. Admission £8.63 adults, £5.22 children. Family ticket £23.63. Tickets (free) for the walk at www.visitely.org.uk. Wednesday to Saturday throughout January and until 17th March, 10.00am - 4.30pm; Sundays 2.00pm - 4.30pm Evacuee: A Wartime Childhood, Saffron Walden Museum CB10 1JL Family friendly museum. £2.50 adults, children free. If you are there on Saturday, visit the lively market too - fruit, vegetables, fish, sausages, bread etc. (01799) 510333. Friday 5th January, 10.00am - 12.00pm Baby Café, The Old Bull Inn, High Street, Royston SG8 9AW Baby café with free breastfeeding support hosted by NCT. See www.thelistingmagazine.co.uk. Saturday 13th January, 2.00pm - 4.00pm Storybook Live! West Road Concert Hall, Cambridge CB3 9DP Concert for ages 5 to 11 with the Cambridge Philharmonic Orchestra. A magical journey into an enchanted winter forest in music and illustrations. www.westroad.org. Sunday 14th January, 1.45pm and 3.30pm WiFi Wars, Cambridge Junction, Clifton Way, Cambridge CB1 7GX A live comedy game show. Log in with your smartphone or tablet and compete in games, puzzles and quizzes. Prizes. £9 - £12. Unreserved seating. Friday 19th and Friday 26th January, 2.00pm - 2.30pm Book Trust Storytime, Royston Library, Market Hill, Royston SG8 9JN Seven weeks of stories celebrating the Book Trust Storytime Prize shortlist. Interactive. Vote for your favourite. Free. For ages 2 to 5. Every day from 20th January until Wednesday 27th March inclusive 10.00am - 4.00pm, last entry 3.00pm Chippenham Park Gardens, Newmarket CB7 5PT Admire the snowdrops and aconites in late winter then daffodils, hellebores and bulbs in early spring. Lots of fun animal sculptures for the children to spot as you

walk round. Licensed tearooms. Adults £7, children £3. www.chippenhamparkgardens.info.

Compiled by Hilary Crawforth 22

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Meldreth Village Di Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

9.00am-12.00 Food Bank 9.15am Cycling Group 12.00-3.00pm Village Hub 1.30-2.30pm 50+ Aerobics 7.00-8.00pm Fitness Pilates

7.30-8.15pm Trigger Point Pilates

12.00-3.00pm 6.00-6.45pm T Pilates 7.00-9.00pm T 7.30pm Parish

9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group

10.00am-1.15p Hartbeeps 12.00-3.00pm 4.00-5.00pm A 6.00-6.45pm T Pilates

9.00-10.00am Cardio 9.00am-12.00 Food Bank 10.00-11.00 F. Fitness 9.15am Cycling Group 10.00-12.00 History Group 12.00-3.00pm Village Hub 11.00-12.00 Trigger Point 1.30-2.30pm 50+ Aerobics Pilates 4.00-6.30pm Street Dance 5.00-6.15pm Rainbows for Children (multi classes) 7.00-8.00pm Fitness Pilates 6.30-8.00pm Guides

9.00-10.00am Cardio 10.00-11.00 Functional Fitness 11.00-12.00 Trigger Point Pilates 4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children (multi classes) 6.30-8.00pm Guides

9.00am-12.00 Food Bank

9.00-10.00am Cardio

9.00am-12.00 Food Bank 9.15am Cycling Group 1.30-2.30pm 50+ Aerobics 5.00-6.15pm Rainbows 7.00-8.00pm Fitness Pilates

9.15am Cycling Group

Thurs

10 1

1.30-2.45pm Lift Off Choir 6.00-7.30pm Brownies 7.30-8.15pm TP Pilates

7.45-9.00pm Bell Ringing

10.00am-1.15p Hartbeeps 1.30-2.45pm Lift Off Choir 12.00-3.00pm 4.00-5.00pm A 6.00-7.30pm Brownies 6.00-6.45pm T 7.30-8.15pm TP Pilates Pilates 7.45-9.00pm Bell Ringing 7.00-9.00pm T 9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group

15 16 17 18

10.00-11.00 Functional Fitness 11.00-12.00 T P Pilates

12.00-3.00pm Village Hub 1.30-2.30pm 50+ Aerobics 5.00-6.15pm Rainbows

7.00-8.00pm Fitness Pilates

9.30-11.30am B&T Group 10.45-11.30am Mobile Library 1.30-2.45pm LO Choir

10.00am-1.15p Hartbeeps 12.00-3.00pm 4.00-5.00pm A 6.00-6.45pm T 7.00-9.00pm T 7.30pm Burns Supper (HT Ch prebookings on

22 23 24 2 29 30 31

4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children (multi classes)

7.30-8.15pm TP Pilates 7.45-9.00pm Bell Ringing

6.30-8.00pm Guides

9.00-10.00am Cardio

10.00-11.00 Functional Fitness 11.00-12.00 T P Pilates

4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children (multi classes) 6.30-8.00pm Guides

6.00-7.30pm Brownies

9.00am-12.00 Food Bank 9.15am Cycling Group 1.30-2.30pm 50+ Aerobics 5.00-6.15pm Rainbows 7.00-8.00pm Fitness Pilates

9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group

1.30-2.45pm Lift Off Choir 6.00-7.30pm Brownies 7.30-8.15pm TP Pilates 7.45-9.00pm Bell Ringing

Church services, Women’s Group meetings, bell ringing and FOHT events are held in Holy Trinity Chu Church. MLHG meetings, Parish Council meetings, Food Bank & Village Hub are in the Commu

ary - January 2024

sday

Friday

Village Hub 9.30am Slimming World Trigger Point

Table Tennis h Council

Saturday

Sunday 09.45am Sung Eucharist

9.30am Slimming World

8.00am Said Eucharist

1 12 13 14

Village Hub Acro Trigger Point

9.30am Slimming World

2.00-4.00pm Dementia Memory Café

9.45am Sung Eucharist

8 19 20 21

Village Hub Acro Trigger Point

Table Tennis

9.30am Slimming World

7.00 for 7.30pm Tennis Village Hub Club Quiz (see back cover) Acro TP Pilates Table Tennis Night hurch) nly See P.13

2.00-4.00pm Preschool Open Day (see page 20)

5 26 27 28 7.00 for 7.30pm Village Hall Film Night pre-bookings only (see page 11)

Refuse Collections Black bins: 2nd, 16th, 30th Blue bins:

Term starts on Thursday 4th January

9th, 23rd

Green bins: 9th

Get reminders on your mobile: download the Bin Collections app

rch. The Mobile Library Service visits Bell Close. Meldreth Cycling Group meet opposite Holy Trinity unity Room in Elin Way. All other events are held in the Village Hall unless otherwise indicated.

In Praise Of … Chocolate This month we showcase chocolate, not a fruit or a vegetable but a seed. Chocolate or cocoa is a food made from roasted and ground cacao seed kernels that is available as a liquid, solid or paste, either on its own or as a flavouring agent in other foods. The first recipe is an easy chocolate chip cookie recipe for soft biscuits with a squidgy middle that will impress family and friends. The second is a hot, gooey chocolate pudding, with dark chocolate and canned pears, which can be made ahead and frozen – a perfect no-fuss dinner party dessert! Vintage Chocolate Chip Cookies Prep:15 mins, Cook :10 mins, Easy, Makes 30 Ingredients 150g salted butter, softened 80g light brown muscovado sugar 80g granulated sugar 2 tsp vanilla extract 1 large egg

225g plain flour ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda ¼ tsp salt 200g plain chocolate chips or chunks

Method Heat the oven to 190C/fan170C/gas 5 and line two baking sheets with non-stick baking paper. Put 150g softened salted butter, 80g light brown muscovado sugar and 80g granulated sugar into a bowl and beat until creamy. Beat in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and 1 large egg. Sift 225g plain flour, ½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda and ¼ teaspoon salt into the bowl and mix it in with a wooden spoon. Add 200g plain chocolate chips or chunks and stir well. Use a teaspoon to make small scoops of the mixture, spacing them well apart on the baking trays. This mixture should make about 30 cookies. Bake for 8–10 minutes until they are light brown on the edges and still slightly soft in the centre if you press them. Leave on the tray for a couple of minutes to set and then lift onto a cooling rack. Squidgy Chocolate Pear Pudding Prep:20 mins, Cook: 35 mins, Easy, Serves 8 Ingredients 200g butter, plus extra for greasing 300g golden caster sugar 4 large eggs 75g plain flour 50g cocoa powder

410g can pear halves in juice, drained 100g plain dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids) 25g flaked almonds (optional) Cream or ice cream, to serve 26

Method Heat oven to 190°C/170°C fan/gas 5. Lightly grease a roughly 20 x 30cm shallow ovenproof dish. Put the butter in a large saucepan and place over a low heat until just melted. Remove the butter from the heat and stir in the sugar until well combined. Whisk the eggs together in a large bowl. Gradually add the eggs to the butter and sugar, beating well with a wooden spoon in between each addition. Sift the flour and cocoa powder on top of the egg mixture, then beat hard with a wooden spoon until thoroughly combined. Pour into the prepared tin or dish and nestle the pears into the chocolate batter. Put the chocolate on a board and cut into chunky pieces roughly 1.5cm with a large knife. Scatter the chocolate pieces over the batter and sprinkle with almonds, if you like. It can be frozen at this stage. Bake in the centre of the oven for 30 minutes or until the mixture is crusty on the surface and lightly cooked inside. Do not allow to overcook, as the cake will become spongy rather than gooey in the centre. Serve warm with cream or ice cream. Jane O’Hagan

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A Meldreth Garden We look forward, to my eye, from the dreariness of a bleak December garden to the beginning of a new flowering year, starting with the arrival of spring bulbs, snowdrops, winter aconites, siberian Iris along with hellebores, mahonia, winter honeysuckle Lonicera standishii and yellow Jasmine Jasminum nudiflorum. I have removed the debris of those plants in the border that die disgracefully, leaving those that retain a winter elegance, including the seed heads of the common teasel, grasses, sedum and cardoons. It is an excellent time to look at the garden structure now the bones are laid bare and plan any improvements or changes for the coming seasons. When walking in the garden, do you like what you see? If not, change is needed. There are no issues in digging up plants and replanting to a different location when plants are in the wrong place or when they do not thrive in their first position. One question may concern flower borders which may be too narrow along a fence line. The received wisdom is that aesthetically, a flower border width should be no less than half the height of the garden fence and better if wider. So a minimum of about a meter/yard for most of us; the longer the border the wider it should be to maintain proportionality. My borders have grown wider over the years where space has allowed. Generally I like what I see in my piecemeal planted garden, but there is always room for improvement. I have received queries regarding alternatives to box Buxus sempervirens. Following the devastation of box blight and caterpillars of the box tree moth, many gardeners in the village have pulled up their box hedging. The RHS is undertaking a trial of alternatives to box; to date the best replacement in terms of ease of shaping, overall look and a plant which is rugged, reliable and robust, is mountain totara podocarpus nevalis, a small needled, evergreen mountain conifer from New Zealand. It has been successful because it can be closely clipped, will grow from old wood, and tolerates dry summers and cold wet winters, which many alternatives will not. It is easily propagated from cuttings, so if time is no issue, it is an inexpensive alternative to box. For more information see www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley/articles/box-alternatives-trial-at-wisley. I will get seed potatoes towards the end of the month for chitting. Good early varieties for taste include: Vivaldi, a good all round second early potato, Accent, a high yielding waxy potato, Charlotte, a smooth yellow skinned waxy potato and Jazzy, a small waxy second early potato better flavoured than Jersey Royals. I have grown Charlotte and Jazzy successfully before. There was good germination of onion seed, except Bedford champion; I have no idea why. The Flower Garden  Sow undercover seeds of snapdragons antirrhinums, geranium pelargoniums, begonia, salvia, lobelia, painted nettle coleus scutellarioides and dianthus 29

including pinks, carnations and sweet william. These need a long growing season as do the hardly perennials yarrow achillea, bellflower campanula and lupins. I have difficulty getting lupins to last longer than one season. Cut out hellebore leaves to allow the flowers to shine.  Inspect stored tubers of dahlia, begonia and canna for rots or drying out.  Recycle Christmas trees by shredding for an acid mulch after breakdown and decay over two years.  Sweet peas can be sown this month.  Lily bulbs can still be planted in pots and in borders during mild spells.  Repair bare patches in the lawn, especially around lawn edges and use turf cut from other areas of the garden if available. Even out hollows and bumps, cut an H-shape in the turf, peel back the grass and fill the hollow with soil or remove soil from a bump. Re-lay the turf, firm and pinch the cut edges together. Avoid walking on the lawn when frosty.  Summer bulbs, will be available to buy from the middle of the month. The Vegetable Garden  Plan your vegetable crop rotations for the coming season .  Sow seeds of cauliflower, leeks, chili and sweet peppers and alpine strawberries, peas, radishes and spinach, all under cover.  Winter wash fruit trees.  Sow carrots under fleece for an early crop.  Start forcing rhubarb.  Make a polythene shelter for outdoor peaches and nectarines, to protect against peach leaf curl, if you have the motivation. A good New Year's gardening. Iain McPhee mcpheia1@gmail.com

Melwood Conservation Group www.melwood.org.uk Notice of AGM Wednesday 7th February 2024 at 8.00pm The Queen Elizabeth Meeting Room, Meldreth Village Hall If you have any issues you would like to raise please send them to Bruce Huett: brucehuett@compuserve.com and they will be included on the agenda or a separate meeting can be arranged with the committee. Bruce Huett 30

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Letters to the Editor Thank You I would like to thank everyone for their gifts, cards and messages as I step down from Meldreth Parish Council after 24 years. In doing so, this ends my involvement in all the various committees and organisations that I have been part of over the years. It has been a pleasure to have served our village for this time. I will still be around in Meldreth for a while, but am now planning a retirement move to be closer to Caroline and David. This will bring my family's direct connection to Meldreth to an end after over 600 years. Joan Fallon Funeral Bier I was so pleased to see the village Funeral Bier on display at the Church’s Christmas Tree Festival. It was hidden away for so many years and has now been restored so beautifully. The Bier was made by my Grandfather Herbert Gipson who was a master carpenter over 100 years ago. He also made the cemetery gates which are still in situ, but I believe these too are in need of renovation. My Father, John Gipson, was a member of Holy Trinity Church for over 80 years and would have been so proud to see his father’s craftsmanship on display in the church for everyone to admire. The bier is part of the history of the village. I hope that in the future the funeral bier will find a permanent home in the church which I believe should be the bier’s final resting place. Chris Duguid (neé Gipson)

Royston Recycling Centre Cambridgeshire residents are now required to apply online for a free instant car permit if they wish to dispose of household waste at the Royston Recycling Centre. On arrival at the centre you must notify a member of staff at your arrival and wait for the site staff to record your visit against your permit. Cambridgeshire residents cannot apply for a Hertfordshire van permit. You can’t bring waste from businesses, charities or other organisations; please use our Business Waste Drop Off Service instead. For further information or to apply for a permit, scan the QR code, visit www.hertfordshire.gov.uk and select “Recycling and waste” or call 0300 1234 051. Hertfordshire County Council 33

Meldreth Parish Council www.meldreth-pc.org.uk Meeting of the Parish Council held on Thursday 7th December 2023 This meeting was held in the Community Room in Elin Way. The main points of the meeting are set out below in the usual summary format. The full formal minutes can be viewed in due course on the website noted above and on the Parish Council noticeboard; these will be presented for approval at the next Council meeting. Discussions and Decisions District and County Reports The Council thanks our District and County Councillors for their latest Report; this can be seen in Meldreth Matters on pages 39 to 41 and questions and requests for further information on this wide range of subjects can of course be raised directly with our District and County representatives. It was noted that there is now a formal process for Cambridgeshire residents to use the recycling centre in Royston. See the article on page 33 and the local Councillors’ report on page 39. Flambards Estate A recent inspection by Parish Councillors of the condition of the footways and hard areas across the whole of the estate led to the view of the Parish Council that many issues are present and the areas owned by the Parish Council are a very small part of the overall picture. Village Maintenance The Council continues to take steps to undertake the outstanding work on items of village infrastructure. Village Traffic Following a useful online meeting between the Traffic Group and the County 20mph team, the design of the scheme has been endorsed ready for sharing with the wider public, together with one small expansion (about 200 meters) of the limit area in Malton Lane to reflect an extension in recent years of the built up area. The Council voted unanimously to approve the design of the scheme and to notify the County officers accordingly. The scheme will now progress to the next stage of implementation (public feedback and comments). As a separate but related matter the Council approved an application to County for a Local Highways Initiative to install a “gateway feature” prior to the fourway junction between Whaddon Road, Kneesworth Road, Fenny Lane and Whitecroft Road to alert drivers approaching from Whaddon that they are entering the village. Other speed reduction encouragement measures will be considered in due course as it is recognised that this section of Whitecroft Road, 34

which will lie outside the 20 mph boundary, is predicted to continue to be the scene of serious speeding excesses. The work on the hedge and footway on the North End/College Farm bend was swiftly concluded by Highways following the recent serious collision there and the Council thanked Councillor Susan van de Ven for her swift and effective involvement with getting this performed. Community Projects Funding The Council considered two applications as follows: Royston District Community Transport, a donation of £500 to this important community service was approved. Meldreth Bowls Club, a request to donate £717, being one half of the costs of a defibrillator at the Club was discussed and it was decided that more information is needed regarding how and where the device will be installed. It was noted that Melwood might approach the Council for financial assistance to provide a bird box camera in the wood for the benefit of local children. Mettle Hill The planning consultant mentioned at the Council’s last meeting has so far not responded to the Council’s request for further information about the proposed scheme and the applicant. Precept 2024-2025 After several years in which there has been no increase in the village precept (Council Tax) the Council voted to increase the precept from £66,000 to £70,000 for the forthcoming financial year. This recognises the significant increases in costs across a wide range of categories, notably grass cutting, electricity and staffing/office costs. Retirement of Councillor Joan Fallon After 24 years of service Joan Fallon is retiring from the Parish Council. She was warmly thanked by colleagues for the major contributions she has made to the Council and to village life generally. She will be sorely missed. Next Parish Council Meeting Thursday 4th January 2024 at 7.30pm at the Elin Way Community Room. Meldreth Parish Council

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 35

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 Assistant Clerk: Mrs Sally Walmesley (01763) 269928 parishclerk@meldreth-pc.org.uk Cllr R Goddin (Chairman)

goddin@btinternet.com

Cllr Jenni Bone

Contact details had not been provided at the time of going to press

Cllr Adam Bostanci

adam.bostanci.pc@gmail.com

Cllr Nick Garner

nickphgarner@gmail.com

Cllr Roger James (Vice Ch.) roger+pc@rogerjames.net Cllr Alan Land

conradland@btinternet.com

Cllr James Mossey

j.mossey1211@gmail.com

Cllr Nigel Pellatt

nppellatt56@gmail.com

All correspondence should be directed to the Clerk in the first instance

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Message to Dog Owners One of our residents had a very unsettling experience recently on the village recreation ground and we would like to appeal to all dog owners to help us. We appreciate that many of you already fully observe the ‘Dogs on Lead’ notices and we thank you for that. The lady in question has mobility issues and whilst on the Recreation Ground, was approached by an energetic dog off a lead; she feared that the dog’s interest in her could lead to her being unbalanced and falling and this was a matter of distress. Fortunately, in the event, she didn’t suffer physical injury. We do urge all dog walkers to observe our request, which is noted on various noticeboards, to keep your dogs on their leads whilst on the recreation ground. Meldreth Parish Council

Wa nted: Volunteer Drivers Royston & District Community Transport Visit www.roytrans.co.uk or call us on (01763) 245228 36

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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 38

District and County Councillors’ Report Happy New Year, and bring on the snowdrops! 17 Bus Update The Combined Authority has now formally accepted the officer recommendation to keep the number 17 bus funded for another year and has also recommended that ways of encouraging passenger uptake, including optimising connections with the 26 bus serving Royston to Cambridge, should be pursued. It is an annual job to ensure continuing subsidy for this service. College Farm Bend Vegetation Cutback and Path Clear Thanks have been shared with the County Council officer who made a big push to get this done. High Street Repair A road closure has now been applied for so we’re getting closer. We have been told ‘January’ weather permitting. We’ll wait and see! Road Markings at Whitecroft Road Junctions with Station Road and Kneesworth Road This has clearly not happened yet and has been chased. We will persist until we get a date. New County Council Volunteer Driving Scheme for Helping Children and Young People get to Education A new community transport type scheme has been initiated and will hopefully be able to make a difference to families struggling with transport to school. It’s a particular issue for post-16s as there is no statutory requirement for councils to provide post-16 education and training transport assistance. If you are interested, please contact any of us, or search on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. Permits for Royston and Thriplow Recycling Centres Following work to arrive at an arrangement for out-of-county residents to use Royston and Thriplow Recycling Centres, a permit system has been initiated for Hertfordshire residents to use Thriplow and Cambridgeshire residents to use Royston. This is a simple on-line form – please see page 33 for further details. South Cambridgeshire Policing There is lots of information online about police activity in each South Cambridgeshire village on the Cambridgeshire Police website. The South Cambridgeshire section under Neighbourhood Policing has links to crimes that have been reported in our area as well as the dates of upcoming quarterly online public meetings. You may also fill in a survey if you have any concerns. Corporate Peer Review of South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) This took place in the first week of November and the review results clearly state that the council is in a strong financial position and is a well-managed 39

organisation with an enviable record of delivery - such as being the district with the highest number of visas issued under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. The four day week is helping the council to retain and recruit planners needed to respond to the Government’s own vision for this area in terms of growth. SCDC Finances The latest audit is being signed off at a time when the vast majority of councils are behind on the audit due to big problems with the capacity of the auditors we are required to use. The joint planning service (Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire) is reporting that its spending is close to budget - whereas this time last year it was £250,000 over. We were assured that this was due entirely to the benefits of the four day week trial which has meant that we have recruited into a significant number of planning roles which had been notoriously difficult to fill and very expensive to use agency staff to fill. South Cambridgeshire Hall, Cambourne Like most local authorities SCDC now encourages hybrid/home working which means that large offices are no longer needed in the way they once were. We have therefore moved all of our staff onto the first floor of the Cambourne offices and are converting the ground floor as a space for businesses and community groups to conduct their businesses and hold events. It is hoped that this will encourage new start-up businesses as well as helping existing businesses through a programme of support events as well as networking. The new space will be open in April. New Civil Parking Enforcement in South Cambridgeshire Earlier this year an application was submitted to the Department for Transport (DfT) to enable Council Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) to issue Penalty Charge Notices for the majority of on-street offences, for instance parking on double or single yellow lines. Previously only the Police could do this. Following the decision by Government, the Civil Parking Enforcement scheme in South Cambridgeshire was due to come into effect on 19th December. To give people notice and a chance to find a more suitable parking place, information has now begun to be placed on vehicles that are parked in some areas where parking is in the greatest demand, such as commuting and shopping areas. A phased approach begins now. A warning notice will be issued to people who continue to park where there are restrictions throughout January – this looks like a parking ticket but there is no fine attached. Penalty Charge Notices will be issued from 1st February, which will mean a fine of between £50 and £70, depending on the severity of the offence. Streetlights Switchover A project to switch streetlights to newer, more efficient LED lights is expected to begin in 2024 and will involve replacing 47,500 streetlights with LED lanterns. This will take two years to complete. The works should cause minimal disruption 40

to residents, with no impact on roads or footpaths. Each unit should take about one hour to replace. The Council will share the proposed installation dates for each area before the start of the works and will publish this information on its website. The Council’s street lighting service provider, Balfour Beatty Living Places, will also provide information on its own website. Questions can be addressed to Street.Lighting@cambridgeshire.gov.uk. Teenage Fostering Appeal in Cambridgeshire There are currently more than 400 young people in the 12-18 age range who, for reasons beyond their control, are unable to continue living with their birth families. These young people would benefit hugely from the invaluable experience of people who have raised teenagers and supported them on their journey to independence. When you foster with the Cambridgeshire Fostering Service, you will receive:  generous allowances and carer perks  an individualised training programme tailored to your needs  round-the-clock support  a dedicated, skilled and experienced Supervising Social Worker If you are over 21 years of age, have a spare bedroom, and believe you have the qualities and skills to become a compassionate, resilient foster carer, please get in touch via Facebook at @CCCFosteringService, telephone 0800 052 0078, or search Cambridgeshire Fostering and Adoption. Childminding Careers From the County Council: Are you interested in working in a profession which would enable you to work in your own home and continue to care for your own children, whilst providing quality care for children of working parents? If so Registered Childminding may be the profession for you. To help with starting your childminding business the Government is currently offering a grant of £600 towards your set up costs. We hold regular information evenings about childminding which are free to attend. If you are interested in finding out more please email childminding@cambridgeshire.gov.uk for more information or call (01223) 714657. Zoom Cuppa every Monday We hold a Zoom cuppa surgery every Monday from 5.00-6.00pm; just contact us for the link. Alternatively, feel free to get in touch by telephone or email and we’ll always do our best to address any concerns or questions. District Councillor Sally Ann Hart, sallyannhart@riskingonpurpose.com, 07791 233303 District Councillor Jose Hales, Josehales@gmail.com, 07703 262649 County Councillor Susan van de Ven, susan.vandeven@cambridgeshire.gov.uk, 07905 325574 41

Planning Matters Meldreth Parish Council The minutes of the Parish Council Planning Meetings of 17th August and 7th December were not available at the time of going to press. When available, minutes may be viewed on the Parish Council’s website, www.meldreth-pc.org.uk. The following items are from the minutes of the meetings on 2nd and 16th November. 26 North End 23/1265/TTCA T1 Silver Birch – to dismantle and remove to ground level. No comments. Northfield Kennels and Cattery 23/03813/CL2PD Certificate of lawfulness under S192 for a single storey rear extension and front porch. Information only. 19 Whitecroft Road 23/04134/HFUL Two storey rear extension, single storey front extension, glazed link, conversion of garage and storage building, erection of single garage/store and internal alterations to existing dwelling. Recommend approval with no comments. Land adjacent to 40 High Street 23/04123/FUL Erection of single dwelling. No recommendation with no comments. 36 North End 23/04001/HFUL & 23/04002/LCB Application for 24 solar panels within grounds. No recommendation with no comments. Planning Authority Decisions 20 High Street 23/1428/TTPO T1 Elm - monolith to where green growth starts at approximately 8m. T2 Elm monolith to where green growth starts at approximately 6m. Both trees are heavily in decline and most of canopy is dead. Permission granted. 26 North End 23/1265/TTCA T1 Silver Birch dead; dismantle and remove to ground level. No objection. Permission granted. Northfield Kennels And Cattery Malton Lane 23/03813/CL2PD Certificate of lawfulness under S192 for a single storey rear extension and front porch. Withdrawn. Station Yard High Street 23/02578/FUL Demolition of existing factory building and office and construction of 22 dwellings with associated landscaping. Withdrawn. Details of all applications and all Planning Authority decisions may be viewed online: https://applications.greatercambridgeplanning.org/online-applications. The Meldreth Matters Team 42

Speed Monitor Assessment on Whitecroft Road The following data was recorded between 3rd November and 2nd December on Whitecroft Road, where the speed limit is 30mph. The monitor faced vehicles leaving Meldreth. Direction, Vehicles Departing Whaddon to Meldreth Average daily total of vehicles

Speed violations

960

48.4%

Total number of vehicles 27570

Average speed

Max speed

31mph

81mph

85% of the vehicles travelling slower than or up to 36mph

Direction, Vehicles Departing Meldreth to Whaddon Average daily total of vehicles

Speed violations

972

54.7%

Total number of vehicles 27908

Average speed

Max speed

82mph

85% of the vehicles travelling slower than or up to 38mph

Meldreth Parish Council Traffic Group

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

MCCS - We Need Your Help The MCCS JustGiving funding campaign is now open.

01763 244955 lawnpartners.co.uk

MCCS – Community Support MCCS is pleased to be coordinating the Meldreth Food Bank and Meldreth Village Hub. Huge thanks to everyone who is supporting these initiatives, whether through volunteering and warm welcomes, or donations of daily basics to the collection box outside 62 High Street, or cash support from individuals and groups (please contact MCCS Treasurer Roger James 07808 235873). Behind the scenes, invaluable support has been received from our Parish and District Councils. Core funding initiative for the Warm Hubs comes from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care System (our local NHS). Our Neighbourhood Zone Leaders are always on hand for a friendly chat by telephone and to help locate the support you’re looking for. Their telephone numbers are below. Kneesworth Rd, West Way, Burtons & Fenny Lane: Bev Cottrell, 07773 592838 Elin Way and Howard Road Zone: David Hollamby, 07732 106828 Whitecroft Road, Chiswick End, Oakrits, Melrose, Marys Way, Westacre: John Crawforth, 07595 627684 High Street, Flambards, The Grange, Woolpack Way, Station Yard and Road: Lindsey McCaig, 07884 432345 Bell Close and Gables Close: Cathy Walston, 07757 086380 North End, Brewery Lane, Malton Lane, Cam Farm: Bev Cottrell, 07773 592838 and Ian Mitchell, 07726 936635 If you have any other questions, please let us know. County and District Councillors Susan van de Ven, Jose Hales, Sally Ann Hart and all at the MCCS team

17 Bus Service This bus runs Mondays to Saturdays from Guilden Morden via Steeple Morden, Litlington, Bassingbourn, Whaddon, Meldreth, Melbourn and Kneesworth to Royston and return. The bus stops in Meldreth High Street (near the Stocks) at 10.20am and then makes several stops in Royston including Tesco at 10.35am before the last stop at Royston Bus Station at 10.49am. The return bus leaves Royston Bus Station at 1.10pm and Tesco at 1.21pm, arriving in Meldreth at 1.31pm. Susan van de Ven 45

One Stop Village Hall Bookings

(01763) 262158, open 7am-10pm, 7 days Julia Moore: email meldrethvillagehall@gmail.com

Village Hall Chairman

David Coton—07749 850026

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 Nicole Searle—(01763) 269561

Sport

Bowls Club Croquet Club Table Tennis Tennis Club

David Rich—(01763) 262116 Janet Pope—(01763) 248239 Christine Knight—(01763) 261676 (01763) 243376; http://cspark.at/Meldr2

Church

Litter Picker

Vicar Bells Ian Mitchell (Friends)

Rev Andrew Birks—(01763) 230178 Sandra Webb—(01763) 261451 07726 936635; www.foht.org.uk

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

Julia Moore—07403 462198 Email: 1stmeldrethbrownies@gmail.com Email: 1stmeldrethguides@gmail.com Kelly@hartbeeps.com 1stmeldrethrainbows@gmail.com (01763) 260432; www.meldreth.cambs.sch.uk

Parish Council

Please see details at end of Parish Council report

District Councillors

Jose Hales—07703 262649; Sally Ann Hart—07791 233303

District Council Offices

01954 713000; www.scambs.gov.uk/

County Councillor

Susan van de Ven—07905 325574 https://susanvandeven.mycouncillor.org.uk/

County Council Offices

0345 045 5200; www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/ Anthony Browne; www.anthonybrowne.org/

Councils & Govt.

Clubs & Societies

Facilities

Neighbourhood Watch

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

Children

Village Directory

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

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

Report on SCDC website. For urgent faults use (01954)

Melbourn Surgery Addenbrooke’s NHS

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

Childline

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

0800 555 111; crimestoppers-uk.org 101; www.cambs.police.uk

S Cambs Fire & Rescue

(01480) 444500; www.cambsfire.gov.uk

Melbourn Hub

(01763) 263303; www.melbournhub.com

Royston Taxis

(01763) 0250811

Emergencies

Support Services

Health

Streetlights (faulty)

Non-merg.

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

Misc.

Transport

Station Ticket Office

Citizens Advice Bureau

713000 - Mon-Fri, 8am-5.30pm. Out of office hours: (01354) 65432. Give location, fault & SC or CCC no.

For details of village groups & facilities see the Meldreth Today section www.meldrethhistory.org.uk. Meldreth Matters Team: Chairman: Lesley Farbridge 261578; Editor & Layout: Kathryn Betts 268428; Proof-reading: Ken McLean 261243; Treasurer, Secretary & Trade Advertising: Beverley Cottrell 262176; Advertising Layout: Richard Burns 263121; Editorial Assistant: Robin Farbridge; Distribution: Lesley Pemberton 07798586875 and Maggie Smith 260378; Founder: Ann Barnes Meldreth Matters is available online at https://issuu.com/meldrethmatters

Advertising Rates Size per issue Half page £27.25 Quarter page £16.50 Eighth page/banner £8.75 Business listing per line

6 months £134.00 £74.00 £43.00 £11.00

12 months £216.00 £118.00 £65.00 £16.00

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 on advertising revenue to cover its production costs. Please mention Meldreth Matters when contacting our advertisers. A10 Timber ........................................2 AngliEAR Hearing .............................8 Art of Clean .......................................2 Art of Clean Wood ...........................13 Aurora Meldreth Manor (Job) ..........10 BBA Developments ...........................15 Bury Lane Farm Shop ..................Cover Cam Valley Orchards ........................18 CHS Day Centre ..............................38 CHS Group ......................................43 The Country Store ............................44 Davey’s Butchers ..............................18 Eternit Sports and Social Club ....Cover Eve Construction ..............................38 Huw Shortle Window Cleaning .......11 Knibb’s Butchers ................................8 Lawn Partners ..................................44 The Letting Centre ...........................31 Little Hands Nursery School ..............4 Melbourn Auto Services ..............Cover Melbourn Flooring ...........................28

Melbourn Village College .................32 Meldreth Landscapes .......................38 Meldreth Maths Tutor ....................18 Meldreth Motor Company .........Cover Meldreth Plant Hire ........................20 Moncraft Computers .......................11 N J Chapman, gardening ...................4 Newlings of Royston Funeral Service28 Nigel Wigg Home Improvement ......23 Ovrload Fitness ...............................23 P D Property Services .........................2 Penn Farm Physiotherapy ................31 Queen Bee .......................................37 Reflections ........................................2 Richard Burns Electrician ...................2 Rod’s PC Support ............................37 Sage Blinds and Interiors .................28 Sparky’s ..........................................23 Specialist Dental Partners ................32 Trademark Kitchens ........................27

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

Whaddon Road, Meldreth, SG8 5RL

Club Facili es

Entertainments

Licensed bar Hall available for private hire for any occasion (compe ve rates) Snooker room, Pool table Large children's outdoor ac vity area Petanque pistes Football pitches, changing rooms

1st Friday of the month Melbourn Rock Club One Saturday a month Melbourn Rock Club Rock and Roll Night Every Thursday night Eternit bingo—starts 7.30pm

Local gig venue Big charity events during the year Motorcycle Rally - Air Ambulance - Mini Chill weekend - Camping - Local Chari es Club Charity - LUPUS

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

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