Meldreth Matters, January 2016 by Meldreth Matters

January 2016

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include … Dorothy Pepper January Events in Meldreth A Busy Winter in Melwood Solar Fund Working Party A Growing Problem Letters to the Editor Photographic Club Club Log Cam Valley Crafters Gardening Men’s Breakfast Club Church News Friends of Holy Trinity Women’s Group Local History Good Companions Meldreth Then and Now Melwood Conservation Group Volunteering Parish Council Events for Families Baby & Toddler Group Pre-School Primary School District Councillor’s Report County Councillor’s Report Planning Matters Local Events February Events Advice Pages Village Directory Index to Advertisers

Page 3-5 5 6-7 7 8-9 12-13 15 16 17 18 20-21 21 22-23 24 26-27 27 29 30 31 34-39 41 42 42-43 44-45 46 49-51 53-55 56-57 59 60-61 62-63 64

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Cover: Children playing in the snow in the High Street, 1947. Supplied by Ann Handscombe 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 or 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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Everybody who knew my mother will also know how much she suffered in recent years from the cruel ravages of dementia, which virtually wiped her memory clean to the extent that even when Dad died in July, she could not recognise David or I at the funeral let alone work out what it was all about. Perhaps that was a blessing. I would like to pay tribute to the kind carers who did their best for her and express our immense gratitude to the faithful friends who continued to look in on her to make sure she was alright – notably Ken McLean and our organist Pauline Penfold. We would like to remember her, however, as she was in her prime; not only as a much loved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, but a formidable, widely respected teacher to generations of primary school children in Bassingbourn, stalwart of the WI in Shepreth, enthusiastic and competitive county bowler and faithful member of the Holy Trinity congregation. Life wasn’t easy when Mum was growing up. Like thousands of others, her father lost his job in the slump in the 1930s and they had to downsize. Her mother had been forced to give up teaching when she married. Mum had one elder sister Kathleen, who was a bit of a tearaway and when the headmistress refused to recommend her to the local authorities for a grant to go to college, my grandmother turned round and decided that, in the interests of fairness and because money was tight, neither of the girls would be able to study. So at the age of 16, Mum left home to train as a nurse. She never pretended that she had happy memories of that time. Mum’s maiden name was Wright and one bullying sister enjoyed taunting her with the nickname “Nurse Wrong”. But with determination she rose to become matron of a children’s day nursery during the war. Years later her skills came in handy as my brother reminded me. Once he and Dad’s partner Bill Oliver were working on a moisture meter and managed to drop a

special thermometer needed to take a reading with the consequence that the mercury separated. They tried everything to try to get it back together to no avail. Then they had the bright idea of asking Mum – three deft flicks of her wrist and it was sorted. Children were always her first love so she seized the opportunity for emergency teacher training compressed into one year just after the war. The headmistress of her very first school happened to be the sister of the famous contralto Kathleen Ferrier. Ironically, it was through her wayward sister that she met Dad. One of Dad’s sisters, Christine, married Alan Hulme, a young surgeon. Alan’s childhood friend was Edgar Stockton, an RAF navigator at Waterbeach who had just married Kathleen. Mum was staying with her sister when Dad turned up on the doorstep, probably bearing gifts like a brace of pheasant or rabbits. And the rest, as they say, is history. While David and I were still quite little, Mum started doing supply teaching and when she was taken on at Bassingbourn, she discovered her vocation. Initially she pluckily headed over Mettle Hill every morning in all weathers on an NSU Quickly with pedals and a 50cc engine. She was offered a permanent job and rose to be head of the primary department. No child ever left her class without being able to read and write his or her own name. There were few special schools for children with learning difficulties in those days and I remember one little boy who stayed in her class for about three years and looked at her with total adoration. By the time she retired, she had begun to teach the children of her first pupils more than 20 years earlier. What Mrs Pepper said passed for law. But teaching still left her room for plenty of other interests, among which the WI took pride of place for many years. She embodied a lot of what the WI stood for. She was a fine needlewoman and dressmaker, making all our clothes when we were little, including beautifully smocked dresses and shirts. She was a good cook and took to gutting game as if she had been born a countrywoman while supervising Dad making marmalade and bottling greengages … which won prizes, sometimes even on a national level. She served as WI President in Shepreth for many years, when the meeting was discreetly moved from seven to half past to give everyone time to listen to the Archers before leaving home.

As David and I were growing up Mum took up bowling at Meldreth Bowls Club, conveniently located at the end of Brewery Lane. Dad was a founding member of the Club. David and I often used to refer to ourselves as “bowls’ orphans”. Mum took up indoor bowling as well to see her through the winter and even held the post of Cambridgeshire County Women’s Bowling Association President in 1989. By the time we finally left home to make our way in the world, we never had a moment’s concern that our parents would continue to enjoy life to the full. Active, convivial, with a wide circle of friends, they both enjoyed good health into their 80s, with a few blips, and thought nothing of ambitious car journeys around the States and Canada or just up the road to Scotland. After her retirement from teaching Mum had the bonus of lots of grandchildren. I think everyone would agree it was a busy life, a life lived to the full, and with her passing it is the end of a chapter in the lives of the Pepper family and perhaps in Meldreth as well. Sarah Shard

To have your event listed, please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com Saturday 2nd January, 10.30am - 12 noon Elin Way ‘Community Coffee Break’ Coffee, tea, soft drinks and biscuits will be served and a ‘Bring and Buy’ cake stall will be available. We look forward to seeing you there. Marion Long (01763) 261365 Friday 29th January, 7.00 for 7.30pm Meldreth Tennis Club Quiz Night, Meldreth Village Hall Teams of up to 6 welcomed £10 to include supper To book tickets please telephone Tracy on (01763) 243376 or 07815 148022 For further information please see back page

Winter is the period most favoured for woodland management, as so much of the woodland lies dormant. The trees have lost their leaves and it is easier to see what is healthy and what is not. Many of the flowers on the floor of the wood are still below ground and even those with foliage above ground have yet to show any signs of flower buds, so are more resilient to the odd size 10 boot landing on them. There are no nesting birds to worry about and the only thing that cannot easily be assessed is the degree of shade when the trees are in full leaf. That needs to be done in summer or autumn. One of the first tasks of winter is to clean and if necessary, repair nest boxes. That job needs to be completed before the end of January and so the volunteers set about cleaning the boxes in December. Damaged boxes can then be repaired and replaced during January. This year, six of the twelve boxes were definitely used and three have yet to be assessed, as we could not get the lid off to clean them. Four boxes need to be repaired, if possible. This is mostly due to damage caused by grey squirrels, although woodpeckers will occasionally try to peck their way in. Another essential job for winter is scrub clearance. Whilst three of the team worked on the nest boxes, others set about coppicing the dense patches of elder, to make room and light for flowers on the floor of the wood. A sapling Hazel and a sapling plum were uncovered during this process and will benefit greatly from the removal of competition. Wherever possible, we like the wood to regenerate itself naturally. A few large elders were left to produce flowers and berries in future years and some further thinning will be needed before the spring. Those walking through the wood will probably have noticed how little is growing in the dense shade at the back of the wood, compared to the river end and central regions, where trees were thinned some years ago. This thinning was in accordance with a five-year Management Plan, which reaches completion in 2015. A new plan for 2016 to 2020 has been produced and the task of regenerating the back of the wood will commence in early 2016, with thinning of some over-crowded areas and replacement of dead hawthorns as soon as there is enough light to enable them to survive. The green carpet of ground flora in the lighter areas of the wood also needs to be controlled, so that new growth in the spring can emerge

without having to battle through the rotting or tangled vegetation of the previous year. This must be cut before daffodils and bluebells show significant growth and if the very mild conditions continue for long, this may mean there is yet another job for January. The green material that is cut will be raked up and spread over the bare earth at the back of the wood, to provide a green mulch and possibly some seed to aid the recovery process in that area. The group will hold its Annual General Meeting on 10th February at 7.45pm, in the Green room of the Village Hall. After the AGM there will be a presentation entitled â€œBird Interactions with the Landscape: BTO Research at Global and Local Levelsâ€?. The speaker, Dr Andy Clements, is the Chief Executive Officer of the BTO and a board member of English Nature amongst other roles, so we are very fortunate to have such an eminent speaker. The topic is particularly relevant to this area, where the landscape seems to be disappearing under houses and solar panels at an alarming rate. You do not have to be a member of the Conservation Group to attend - all welcome. Jim Reid Melwood Conservation Group

Do you need help with funding? Meldreth has now got a Solar Fund Working Party trying to identify suitable projects and helping Meldreth groups and organisations to apply to Meldreth Parish Council for some funding from the Sun Edison and Lightsource Community Benefit Payments allocated to Meldreth from these Solar companies. Please put your ideas/projects forward to our Parish Clerk, Judy Damant, either by letter to the Parish Office, Elin Way, Meldreth or email parishclerk@meldreth-pc.org.uk. Applications, if eligible, will be considered by the Parish Council. Start 2016 off with a boost to your funds. Joan Gane Solar Fund Working Party

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With the festivities of Christmas all done and dusted, families caught up with, mince pies consumed and the thought of seeing another piece of left over turkey making us all feel, frankly a bit full up, many of us use January as a chance to re-evaluate, make resolutions and address our fitness! Everyone is aware that being a little bit on the heavy side does us no favours health-wise and the same can be said for our pets! With this in mind it may be a good idea to take a good look at the furry waistlines in the household and make sure that our four legged friends really are “as fit as a butcher’s dog”. Did you know that obesity in pets is a growing problem? A leading pet insurer recently conducted a survey which was very enlightening, especially to us veterinary professionals. A panel of 198 veterinary practices were surveyed. The results, given below, were astonishing. 36% of all dogs vets treat are obese 29% of cats vet treat are obese 71% of vets agree that cases of pet obesity are continuing to rise 53% of vets say that cases of cat and dog diabetes are rising 70% of pet owners say that their animal has never been overweight The main causes of obesity in pets are much like that those for humans and factors could include too much food, lack of exercise, ignorance of correct weight or shape, snacking and feeding of inappropriate diets. The problem is such a concern for animal welfare that the RSPCA can now prosecute pet owners who allow their animals to become morbidly obese without doing anything about it! Of course with dogs and cats being all different shapes and sizes its very difficult to say what would be the “ideal weight”: a Great Dane will weigh a lot more than a Westie, for instance, but there is a way you can tell. Have a good look at your pet. From the side there should be a visible tuck of the abdomen and from above a clear waistline. If your

dog or cat goes straight up and down then they could be in need of some calorie control. When you run your hands gently down the sides of your pet you should just be able to feel the bump of the ribs. If you can’t? Then he's probably a little bit too well covered! Most vets do offer free weight checks and dietary advice so if you are concerned or just want to know if your pet is OK then a quick call to your local surgery will help to put your mind at ease. If your pet is overweight, there is an awful lot that can be done. Registered Veterinary Nurses are trained in dealing with issues just like this and will be well placed and very happy to help your pet beat the bulge. Me? I'm off jogging with my dogs – the fitter I get, the fitter they get. I can feel their ribs now … I just wish I could feel my own! Joanna Brown RVN, Cert VNES

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The Committee of the Christmas Tree Festival would like to thank all the people who helped to make this yearâ€™s Festival such a great success. The number of people involved runs to several dozen and help is given in so many different ways â€Ś providing cakes and soup, helping over the weekend, bringing and decorating trees, caring for Noah, helping set up and clear up: it is impossible to mention them all. This year we had a record number of trees, all beautifully and imaginatively decorated. Nearly 900 adults plus children visited the Festival over the weekend and this led to a record sum being taken for the Church. Very many thanks again to everyone who helped. Thanks also to all the people who came to the Church over the weekend which made all the effort worthwhile. Anne Young

Thank you to Marc Wynn and Alan Tobin for putting up the Meldreth Village Association Christmas tree on a dismal wet day to give Meldreth good cheer for Christmas. Joan Gane

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Can people please take care when parking along the High Street so as not to block driveways, this can be distressing to residents who are in need of either exiting or gaining access to their homes. This is especially prevalent during school pick up and drop off times. Meldreth Parish Council

, Fillcup Field, Shepreth Further to the letter from Beverley Cottrell that was published in the December issue of Meldreth Matters, we also have serious concerns over the increase in heavy vehicles passing through Meldreth to access the Fillcup Field site in Shepreth. Firstly, the crossroads at Whitecroft Road and Mettle Hill is a dangerous junction with limited visibility. It has been the site of numerous accidents and near-misses. Secondly, the road through North End is narrow and has a tight Z-bend. It is unsuitable for HGVs. Finally, the bridge on Station Road struggles to cope with large vehicles. It is already dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians, especially when two lorries are passing each other. The inability of SCDC to recognise these issues beggars belief. Pete & Jan Butchers

Smartcard Ticketing Technology at Meldreth Station I am pleased to say that rail passengers at Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton can now use Great Northern’s new smartcard ticketing technology ‘the key’ for season ticket journeys to and from London and stations in between. We have been able to spread its availability beyond Royston, which was the previous limit of the scheme, to Foxton station. Next year, we hope to extend it even further, to Cambridge, Ely and King’s Lynn. There are great benefits to using ‘the key’. Once passengers have it, they can buy tickets online and then load them up simply by touching one of our new ticket gate card readers, or they can buy tickets to upload to the smartcard at one of our ticket machines. If anyone loses

a card, it can be instantly cancelled and a replacement issued with the same ticket pre-loaded. The smartcard is supported by a recently-updated online ticketing system and updated app which is designed to make the whole ticket buying process easier. ‘The key’ can be requested free online and posted to homes; passengers can then buy tickets using their card easily so there will be no need to queue at a ticket office to buy or collect Purchases and renewals of season, monthly or weekly tickets can be made online and collected simply by touching a smartcard reader at the passenger’s specified station The new mobile app will put customers’ ticket wallets at their fingertips, giving them a new way to buy season tickets Passengers will also be able to buy tickets for ‘the key’ at station ticket machines outside the London Travelcard area Passengers will be able to check the status of their tickets on the key and journey history either online, through our iOS or Android app, or by touching them onto ticket machines at stations If a registered card is reported lost, it becomes “hot listed”, so cannot be used for travel. A customer is then issued with a new card with their existing products already on the card. Katherine Cox Stakeholder Manager Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR)

During the November collection for the Poppy Appeal, West Way and Burtons together, donated a total of £59.83. Thank you to all those who contributed to this grand sum. Daphne Jones-Barrie Collector for West Way and Burtons

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The Club season is now almost halfway through. The full program can be found on the Club website at http://melbournphotoclub.com/201516-programme/. Our meetings comprise an exciting mixture of photographic talks, competitions and Club Evenings and are held weekly from 7.30 to 9.30pm on Tuesdays at Foxton Village Hall through to April 2016. The Club particularly welcomes new members, whatever their ability, and will provide support to beginners to help them to take better photographs and to improve their post-processing skills. If you are intending to take your photography more seriously, it would be great to see you.

Stroll Along the Clifftop by Dave Cole

Other useful information about the Club, including a selection of our work, can be found on the Club's website: http:// melbournphotoclub.com. Forthcoming events: 5th January Club Christmas Meal 12th January

Panel Print Competition. Judge: John Wilcox

19th January

Lecture by Stan Saunders ARPS.

26th January

Inter-Club Print and Projected Image Battle, Melbourn v Gamlingay

Anyone wishing to know more about the Club should email the Club Secretary, Peter North, at melbournphotoclub@hotmail.com. Keith Truman

#, Welcome to our new Club Log page where we get behind the scenes and meet the people involved with the many clubs in our village. If your group would like to be interviewed for a future edition, please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com or telephone (01763) 268428. Anyone for Tennis? There are 50 members of Meldreth Tennis club; from teenagers who play at weekends and in school holidays, to men and women in their 70s who can still ace a backhand lob at the Wednesday morning sessions. The Club was started in the 1960s on the public court behind the Village Hall by a Gwen Clayton, John Rogger, Rob Searles, group of three friends, Ann Thomas, Robert Elbourn and Mary Course at the opening of the Club’s second including Marion Oliver who court in September 1986 is still a member. “It was a very social group” says Marion, “and we did a lot of fundraising to build a second court”. The Club is still very sociable and welcomes absolutely anybody who wants to play tennis; you don’t even have to live in Meldreth to join: there are players from Royston, Melbourn, Bassingbourn and Haslingfield. Once a member, at only £40 per year, you can join the fun get-togethers on the courts on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings and use the courts at any other times too. Ann, one of the founder members, plays once a week and says she enjoys the chance to get outdoors and have some fun. One player, who has been a member since she moved to the village 13 years ago says “I love being able to play an outdoor sport all year round. Nobody takes it too seriously, but we like to play well and improve our game, and I’ve made a lot of new friends too.” If you want to find out more, phone Tracy on (01763) 243376. Meanwhile if you want to have a go at tennis with your friends, you can use the courts too; they’re not locked, just don’t forget to make your payment in the honesty box across the road! Hilary Marsh

This is by way of an invitation to all you ladies and gents out there who might fancy coming along to our group. Cam Valley Crafters meet every Tuesday from 7.00 to 10.00pm in the Sheltered Community Room in Elin Way, Meldreth. We are a friendly enthusiastic bunch but small in number and would welcome some new faces. You don’t have to be highly skilled at anything in particular but maybe you’ve always liked the idea of learning how to knit, crochet, do beading or needle-felting to name but a few. Feel free to bring along a “project” that you’ve been meaning to finish for years - I confess that I have a cross-stitch I’ve been doing for 14 years! If we are lucky, you may even bring something along to the group that you can teach us – it works both ways. For the last three years, we have decorated a tree at the Holy Trinity Christmas Tree Festival. It’s a joint effort that goes a little bit mad as we get closer to the event but we all thoroughly enjoy the end result. Attention John Price: we will know if you try to infiltrate the group just to try and discover what we are planning for next year! If you are interested, just drop in one Tuesday or feel free to give me a call on 07792 578786 or email jenni.bone@hotmail.co.uk. Take care everyone and have a Happy New Year. Jenni Bone Cam Valley Crafters

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After the gales, we have been tidying up. Jim's plastic glazed greenhouse suffered the most damage; the door and side panel came off and the roof vent was completely destroyed, also the back panel was blown out! Luckily they have the other greenhouse glazed in hardened glass which stood the test well. Julie and Peter were away and luckily the poly tunnel came safely through. The one night of frost though was decimating for the geraniums and marguerites which Julie forgot to put in her garden room. Luckily on closer inspection and help with careful pruning, some look as if they are going to come through. November is a less interesting month for flowering plants in Myanmar or Burma where Julie and Peter have just spent three weeks. But the poinsettias were in full swing, most of them big red bushes, and there were creamy yellow ones too. Jim has been hard at work on his sweet peas and has nipped the tops out of the plants to help them bush out. These are over wintering in an open cold frame. He has also dug up the remaining late sown beetroot and thinned out the broad beans. Julie's Cavolo Nero is doing well, and she is picking both curled and flat varieties of parsley. Lambs lettuce has seeded itself beautifully and lettuces planted in October are still looking good. It seems such a mild winter so far that Julie hasn't dug up her dahlias yet. It's a difficult decision knowing whether to leave them as many do, or to dig them up, label them and wrap them in newspaper in a cool place away from mice! Things to do Look over the fruit trees and knock off any mummified fruit; pick them up and get rid of them. Prune apple and pear trees. The best thing for old overgrown apple trees is to cut out one or two old branches and repeat yearly. Towards the end of the month, set some early potatoes in large pots and keep them in a frost free greenhouse. Also sow a few tomato seeds; the bush type are easier to protect during cold spells. Happy New Year and good gardening. Jim and Julie juliedraper@dumbflea.co.uk, (01763) 260323 jane_eggleton@yahoo.co.uk, (01763) 261824

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We meet on the third Saturday of the month (excluding August and December) at 8.30am in Foxton Village Hall for a full English or Continental breakfast. At about 9.00am our speaker talks for 20 to 30 minutes and then takes questions from our members or we have a discussion on aspects of the topic. A vote of thanks is given by one of our members and then members all assist with the washing and clearing up to leave about 10.30am. We usually have about 20 to 25+ attending, mostly retired but active senior men and their guests, including ladies who are welcome. We are a convivial group offering friendship and outreach to the local villages in South Cambridgeshire and supported by the Anglican Four Churches Benefice of Foxton, Fowlmere, Thriplow, Shepreth and Foxton Methodist Church. We also have some members from Meldreth, Barrington and Melbourn. Our program for 2016 is as follows: Saturday 16th January Rev Angela - New Year Message and First Year in the Benefice Saturday 20th February Rajinda Sharma - Smart Cities: New Technology to Help get Around Cities Saturday 12th March Vicky Ford, MEP - The EU and its Development - In or Out? Saturday 16th April Dan Greef - Palestine: What of the Future? Saturday 21st May Rev Garry McDermott – Cambridge Street Pastors: Christians Working in a Practical Way in the Night-time Economy " Saturday 18th June Dr Carrie Herbert - Red Balloon - supports young people who selfexclude or are isolated at school because of bullying or other trauma Saturday 16th July Tony Deans – BBQ @ Deans Farm Fowlmere - ‘Wild Flower Meadows’ Saturday 17th September David Wherrell - Royston & District Community Transport "

Saturday 15th October Ziba Tabrizi - (Iranian Dance) Asian Performing Arts Scene in London, view of gender inequality. Saturday 19th November Caroline Lloyd Evens - Business Coaching and Reception Duties at the CAB counselling & training For more information on the Menâ€™s Breakfast Club, please contact Mark Howard on (01223) 503377 or 07785 703413 or email mark-howard@uwclub.net or contact Tony Garrick, Chairman on (01223) 510201 or email garrick.tony@gmail.com. Mark Howard

! The Prayer Group will be meeting on Tuesday 19th January at 8.00 pm at 85 North End, Meldreth. Please join us for meditation and prayer. Prayer requests are welcomed and treated in strict confidence. Marion Long (01763) 261365

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Sunday 3rd January 9.45am Family Communion Sunday 10th January 8.00am Holy Communion Sunday 17th January 9.45am Family Communion and New Seekers Sunday School Sunday 24th January 8.00am Holy Communion Sunday 31st January 9.45am Family Communion and New Seekers Sunday School Marion Long

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Quiz Evening, 19th November The quiz devised by Colin Limming, together with the Ploughman’s Supper, provided an enjoyable evening for those who attended. Over the years Colin has devised many quizzes for all occasions providing entertainment and light hearted rivalry and he decided that this one would be his swan song. We are very grateful to Colin for all his contributions: we will miss his table quiz at our Annual Supper and will just have to put up with the Waiter’s Quiz instead. This month’s Event Saturday 16th January - Annual Supper. Please see facing page. Forthcoming Events: Friday 12th February 2016: HM Diplomatic Service A talk by Sir David Wright GCMG LVO former ambassador to Korea 1990-1994 and Japan 1996-1999 Saturday 19th March 2016: Talk on Calligraphy A talk by Leda Lopes Cardozo about the late David Kindersley and his work on lettering and sculpture. John Price

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Collections in January will be on the following dates: Black bins:

9th* and 22nd

Blue bins:

4th*, 15th and 29th

Green bins: 15th January *change of day due to public holidays Please note: green bin collections will be monthly only during January and February.

Friends of Holy Trinity Annual Supper - Saturday 16th January 7.00pm Reception with a glass of bubbly and light nibbles in the church 7.30pm Supper Menu in the Meeting Room

MENU Moussaka with Greek Salad and Garlic Bread White Chocolate Pannacotta with Raspberry Coulis Coffee and Mints

including wine or juice and also a table quiz

Tickets limited at ÂŁ15.00 each strictly paid for in advance Booking closes on 13th January and tickets can be obtained from: Robert Long - (01763) 261365 Mary Gregory - (01763) 260120 Peter Chilvers - (01763) 260742 John Price - (01763) 260048 Vegetarian, coeliac and other special dietary needs must be advised when tickets are purchased Seating will be prearranged so if you want to be in a group please indicate that when purchasing tickets and this will be taken into account as far as practical.

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At our November meeting, Mark Osborne spoke about Kairos, a charity that goes into Whitemoor High Security Prison which is located in March. Kairos grew out of the Cursillo movement where an image of the three legs of a stool is used with each representing, prayer, study and action and in the 1970’s the first Cursillo course was held in prison. Kairos is a greek word connected with time and perhaps best means ”God’s special time” or a special point at which something special happens in people’s lives. There are stringent security measures and it takes over one and a half hours to get into the hospital chapel where the meetings are held over the course of a week. Initially there are one to one meetings with the volunteers and inmates but subsequently team members and inmates are split into four groups. Over the course of five days huge progress can be made with initially reticent participants speaking openly by day five. Although the aim is not to evangelise people it does happen. Prison staff have acknowledged the change it brings to the inmates and prison generally. As the team and visitors journey through the week they are encouraged to think about themselves and how they came to this point in their lives. Later they talk and think about God/Christ/Jesus and who he is and what he means to them and later they think about others around them. The Kairos motto is “Listen, listen, love, love”. This is very much a contrast to the prison culture and for some inmates it may be their first experience of being loved and this is backed up by the fact that the 24 prisoners on the course will each get a personal letter from the individual team members as a practical demonstration of God’s love. Before Kairos visit cookies are given to all staff and inmates as a sign of God’s unconditional love for them. A Q&A session followed and a vote of thanks was given along with a donation for Kairos. We next meet on 26th January 2016 at 7.45pm in All Saints Community Hall, Melbourn for our AGM. Please come with suggestions for the charity nomination and consider joining us on the committee. I have a list for food for the bring and share supper afterwards so please contact me on (01763) 262575. Pat Smith

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Mr Bertram Palmer, a member of a well-known local family, who planted many of Meldreth’s and Melbourn’s orchards, was sentenced to seven days imprisonment on 4th April 1905 for refusing to pay his education rate on conscientious grounds. As reported in the Cambridge Evening News of that date, he was ‘one of eight Passive Resisters who were convicted but would not allow his goods to be seized and removed them from the reach of the police….We understand it is the intention of the Cambridge Passive Resisters to entertain him to breakfast on his release from prison.’ Four days later the same paper reported that the ‘warrant against Mr Palmer, the Meldreth Passive Resister, was quietly executed and to avoid publicity the police conveyed their prisoner direct to Cambridge by cab. The journey was not without incident, however; the bolt came out of one of the shafts and the horse ran away. Some Melbourn sympathisers managed to communicate with Cambridge Resisters and a

number were waiting outside the gaol to give Mr Palmer a word of welcome when he arrived’. The Passive Resisters were Nonconformists who had previously campaigned against having to pay the church rate - a local property tax for the upkeep of Anglican parish churches. This rate was abolished in 1868 but Resisters were angered by the 1870 Education Act which lent support to denominational schools and then by the further legislation in 1902 which integrated them into the state system and provided for their support from taxes. They were unwilling to help pay for an education given in Church of England schools with which they fundamentally disagreed. A National Passive Resistance Committee was formed by John Clifford and by 1906 over 170 Nonconformists had gone to prison for refusing to pay their school taxes – Bertram Palmer among them. Clifford, writing in the Primitive Methodist Leader on 19th October 1905, described them as ‘prisoners of conscience’ and said that they would be willing to go to prison ‘again and again….even though (the magistrates) may double or quadruple the length of the sentence’. On his release from prison, Bertram Palmer returned to Meldreth and continued his work as a notable fruit grower. John Crawforth

We had our last meeting of 2015 on Thursday 3rd December: where does the time go? We held our Christmas Party in Elin Way Community Centre this year and had a lovely service from Mary when carols were sung with gusto! We then had time to chat and receive ‘Secret Santa’ gifts and hold a raffle for a hamper which was won by Mrs Eggleton and well deserved too. We then sat at table for our Christmas tea and tipple and a jolly time was had by all. Our next meeting will be held at 2.00pm on Thursday 7th January when we will have a bingo afternoon. All welcome. A big thank you to Laraine from all members for decorating the Christmas Tree for the Church Tree Festival and also for producing the goodies for our tea party. L. G. Pocknell, Secretary (01763) 261432

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This year, we will be featuring ”then and now” images of Meldreth scenes. We begin with two photographs of 55-59 High Street. The first shows Liddiard’s shop, which occupied part of the premises from 1927 to 1950. The modern photograph was taken by Kathryn Betts in November 2012. More information on the history of the site is available at www.meldrethhistory.org.uk.

Melwood Conservation Group invite you to their AGM and guest presentation: Wednesday, 10th of February 7.45pm in the Green Room Meldreth Village Hall Agenda 1. Apologies for Absence 2. Minutes of the AGM, 2015 3. .Reports from Chairman, Treasurer, Work Leader 4. Management Plan, 2016 to 2020 5. Election of Officers and Trustees* 6. A.O.B. Please register any interested nominees with Bruce Huett on (01763) 232855 or Graham Borgonon on (01763) 260358

Following the meeting, which will be kept as short as possible, there will be a presentation by our guest speaker, Dr Andy Clements. Andy is the Chief Executive Officer of the British Trust for Ornithology, President of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Society and a board Member of Natural England. He has previously held senior posts in other government conservation agencies and helped set up Natural England, which is the agency responsible for conservation policy and National Nature reserves for the whole of England. Andy’s talk is entitled “Birds Interactions with the Landscape: BTO Research at Global and Local Levels”. Drinks and nibbles will be available. Melwood Conservation Group "

Please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com if you need volunteers for your group or organisation. Melbourn Youth Club Everyone has something to offer. We want you to use your skills to help develop and deliver an innovative range of youth-focused services in Melbourn. We need enthusiastic volunteers to support young people at a new youth club in the village. You don’t need experience as you’ll be supported and supervised by a JNC qualified youth worker, developing your skills as you form unique relationships with young people and workers. Working in the youth centre you’ll enable young people to develop as individuals and strengthen their local community. This is a rewarding opportunity to help create fun and safe environments for young people to socialise, engage with new ideas and develop their skills. For more information, contact Lisa Steeples on 07702 941440 or email lisa.steeples@groundwork.org.uk. Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group The Rail User Group is looking for a new minute-taker for its quarterly meetings, which always involve tea and biscuits and always conclude at 9.00pm on the dot. Please contact Susan van de Ven on (01763) 261833 or email susanvandeven5@gmail.com.

+ The copy deadline for the February issue of Meldreth Matters is Tuesday 12th January 9.30-11.30am Meldreth Local History Group

10.00am-12.00pm Handbell Ringing

7.30-10.00pm Old Time Dancing

7.00 - 8.00pm Aerobics 5.30pm Slimming World 7.00-10.00pm Cam Valley 6.00-7.00pm Brownies Crafters 7.30pm Slimming World First day of school term 7.45-9.00pm Bell Ringing

9.30-11.30am Meldreth Local History Group

10.00am-12.00pm Handbell Ringing 7.00 - 8.00pm Aerobics 7.00-10.00pm Cam Valley Crafters Copy deadline for February issue 10.00am-12.00pm Handbell Ringing 7.00 - 8.00pm Aerobics 7.00-10.00pm Cam Valley Crafters 8.00pm Joint Parish Prayer Group

7.30-10.00pm Old Time Dancing

9.30-11.30am Meldreth Local History Group 7.30-10.00pm Old Time Dancing

10.45-11.30am Mobile Library 7.00 - 8.00pm Aerobics

9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group

9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group 5.30pm Slimming World

2.00pm Good 6.00 - 6.45pm Pilates 7.00 - 9.00 pm Tennis 7.30pm Parish

6.00 - 6.45pm Pilates 7.30pm WI

6.00-7.00pm Brownies 7.30pm Slimming World 7.45-9.00pm Bell Ringing 9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group 5.30pm Slimming World 6.00-7.00pm Brownies

6.00 - 6.45pm Pilates 7.00 - 9.00 pm Tennis

7.30pm Slimming World 7.45-9.00pm Bell Ringing 9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group

5.30pm Slimming World 7.00-10.00pm Cam Valley 6.00-7.00pm Brownies Crafters 7.30pm Slimming World

6.00 - 6.45pm Pilates 7.00 - 9.00 pm Tennis

7.45-9.00pm Bell Ringing

Church Services and Bell Ringing are held at Holy Trinity Church. The Prayer Group meets at 85 N ‘Coffee Break’ mornings are held in the Sheltered Housing Community Centre, Elin Way. Brownie Mobile Library Service visits Bell Close. All other events are held in the Village Hall unless otherwi

5 10.30am - 12 noon Coffee Break

Companions Fitness

9.45am Family Communion

8.00am Holy Communion

m Table

h Council Fitness

7.00pm FOHT Supper, Holy Trinity (see page 23)

9.45am Family Communion and New Seekers Sunday School

8.00am Holy Communion

Fitness

m Table

Fitness

m Table

7.00 for 7.30pm Meldreth Tennis Club Quiz (see back page)

9.45am Family Communion and New Seekers Sunday School

North End. Cam Valley Crafters, Good Companions, Meldreth Local History Group and the s & Melbourn and Meldreth Womenâ€™s Group meet in the Holy Trinity meeting room. The ise indicated.

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Extracts from the unapproved minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 3rd December 2015 at 7.30pm in the Green Room of Meldreth Village Hall. Present: Mr C A Land - Chairman, Mr R A Searles - Vice Chairman, Mrs C J Fallon, Mr D Lee, Mr A Keena, Mr N Pellatt, Mr D Stewart, Mr A Young (new Councillor) In attendance: J Damant (Clerk), Councillor P Hart (SCDC) and Councillor S van de Ven (CCC) Apologies were received from Mr S Hawkins Public Participation: For up to 15 minutes members of the public may contribute their views and comments to the Parish Council - 3 minutes per item There were five members of the public in attendance.

Report from County Councillor Kneesworth Road Footway: Councillor van de Ven will be meeting CCC Highways about various jobs, including this. County Budget Consultation: it looks as if CCC will be allowed to raise an extra 2% toward social care â€“ this from Autumn Statement. Spending Review has mixed implications for councils. Mobile Libraries: it looks like this cut will not factor in the new budget, after much lobbying by local residents. 128 bus: a meeting for users will be held in February (see page 49). It is very likely that Meldreth will lose the bus. Meldreth Station: David Piggott has retired from Meldreth Station (see page 51). Practical Solutions Group â€“ would Meldreth like to join? This group has met in Melbourn for many years, coordinating efforts to provide positive activities for all the generations but especially younger and older. They meet every 2-3 months at Melbourn Village College which takes a key role in coordinating community activities. You may know

of the ‘Celebrating Ages’ Tea at MVC, served by students for older people in the catchment area, including Meldreth (see page 45 in this issue). Ideas for supporting MAYD are mainstay. There is also a close connection with Police and County/District Council social support officers who attend – and these are helpful relationships. Blue Badges Consultation: a small cost increase is being proposed to help cover administrative costs. Currently it costs approximately £312,700 to administer the Blue Badge scheme but the Council only receives £97,000 in income from Blue Badge applicants to deliver the service. The Council is considering increasing the cost of applying for a Blue Badge for three years from the current £9 to the national £10 rate just over 33p a year extra - and for replacing lost or stolen badges from £5 to £10. A10 Cycle Path: Mr Lee asked where the £1.2m for the new cycle path came from. Councillor van de Ven stated that the funding came from the Department of Transport. Signs will be erected once the work has been completed. (See also page 50 in this issue.) Report from District Councillor Please see page 46 in this issue. Co-option Mr Andrew Young was co-opted onto the Parish Council. Solar Farms SunEdison (Bury Lane) one-off Community Benefit payment of £50,000. Awaiting confirmation before agreement can be signed on projects being put forward. Clerk has still not heard back from SunEdison but agreed to telephone them. Lightsource (Substation) A request has been received from Lightsource asking that Meldreth and Melbourn Parish Councils consider making a donation to Fowlmere RSPB Nature Reserve. Solar Money Working Group There are presently six members of the group looking into projects for Solar Money funding. (See notice on page 7 of this issue). Overnight Parking along Station Road at Sudely Grove Order has been submitted to Highways.

Marley/Eternit (see also pages 54-55 of this issue) There was a discussion regarding the proposal to build 170 houses on their brownfield site. During the Parish Council’s planning meeting on 19th November it was felt that the matter should be discussed at the main Parish Council meeting. Mr Searles expressed concern about the latest proposal which is to build on arable land and return the brownfield site to the countryside. It was proposed that the arable land would be a better option as it is closer to the main village and that the brownfield site would be decontaminated. It would be expensive to decontaminate the site and there would be viability issues. The option of putting in a new school and doctor’s surgery would be an issue for Cambridgeshire County Council and not the developer’s decision. The village would be included in any discussion. The Clerk will inform Mr Munnery that the Parish Council would like a transparent public consultation. This would take place in February at the earliest. Philippa Hart stated that Melbourn Parish Council was concerned that if there was no affordable housing within this development, it may have an effect on Melbourn. Brownfield sites will cost more to develop so the affordable allocation may be less. Eternit General Items The old Eternit sign is to be replaced by a sign for the Sports and Social Club. Registering as a 'Community Asset': the Social Club is presently looking into this. Mr Land is still waiting to find out how many Meldreth residents are members of the Club. Village Maintenance A resident has been injured by the overhanging hedge near Sudely Grove. There is a tree branch overhanging the ditch at the recreation ground. The Clerk will contact the householder who is responsible for this. Some of the houses which back onto the ditch at the recreation ground are using bark which is being laid very close to the ditch. The area between the fence and the ditch is the responsibility of the householder.

Playground The witch's hat and zip wire are being well used by all age groups. However, the area of ground on either side of the matting will need monitoring as the grass may get worn. The Clerk has contacted Hill Trident who installed the original fencing to seek a quotation to have the railings extended, awaiting a response. Pavilion Mr Stewart reported that a meeting with Bridget Smith has been arranged to see if she would be able to help in funding matters concerning the pavilion. Trigg Trust Mr J Chamberlain has resigned from the Trigg Charity Trust which now leaves an opening. This does not need to be a Parish Councillor. Mrs Fallon reported that the matter is in hand. Mettle Hill The 'Working Group' have published their report in Meldreth Matters. Mr Young suggested that all interested parties should submit their proposals and then the Parish Council could put up a display of all the proposals at the Annual Village Meeting. Clerk to contact all parties who have shown an interest to see if they would be willing to show their proposals at a public event. Correspondence and Clerk's Report Other items may be included for information. Boundary Commission for SCDC - ten week consultation period to 1st February 2016. It is being proposed that there should be 45 Councillors elected and that wards may be changed. Views are being sought on how this can be achieved. SCDC Liaison Meeting - Mr Land will attend the meeting on 8th December in Cambourne. Village Items - Clerk has contacted Mr Chappell to look at the bus shelter at the stocks, slabs at the playground and the rabbit fencing at the burial ground. Proposed modification of SCDC and Cambridge City's Local Plan â€“ consultation runs until 25th January.

Bus Stop – it has been reported that cars are being parked in the bus space near the station which is causing the bus to stop and block residents’ drives. This has been reported to the PCSO. Melbourn Hub – it is proposed by Melbourn Parish Council to hold an information evening whereby all neighbouring parishes will be invited to see what the Hub has to offer. Highway Items The South Cambridgeshire Local Highway Improvement 2016/17 Panel meeting will be assessing the LHI 16/17 applications on Friday 22nd and Monday 25th January 2016. Mr Hawkins and Mr Searles will attend on Friday 22nd. Footway at Biddal's Boulevard Councillor van de Ven reported that a meeting will be taking place on 4th December. Precept 2016/17 Meeting to take place on 17th December after the planning meeting. Councillors' Reports 1. Stonewater Housing Association, the developers who have taken over from Jepheson's, have reported that the community orchard at Melrose is contaminated with asbestos. 2. The landscaping at Melrose does not appear to have been done as requested by the Planning Department. 3. MAYD will be meeting on 12th January. 4. The water heater has broken again and will need to be replaced. 5. There were sixteen rabbits removed from the burial ground, however it was reported that the rabbits are going under the fence. 6. Whaddon have community speed signs of 20mph. The Clerk will enquire where these were obtained. Financial Assistance: There will be a meeting on 17th December following the planning meeting.

East Anglian Air Ambulance Training and Defib Machine The Clerk has contacted the Primary School again to see if CPR training would be of benefit to key stage 2 pupils but has not received a response. Agenda Items for the Next Meeting: Precept Defibrillator and CPR training Community Speed Signs Landscaping at Melrose Marley/Eternit public consultation Mettle Hill public consultation of proposals Financial Assistance The next meeting will be held in the 'Green Room' of the Village Hall on 7th January 2016 at 7.30pm. Meldreth Parish Council The official Minutes of Meldreth Parish Council are those signed in Public Meetings by the Chairman. They are available for public inspection from the Clerk and can also be accessed on the Parish Council website at www.meldreth-pc.org.uk or on the Parish Council notice board opposite the One Stop shop.

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 10.00 am to 12 noon. By appointment at other times. Parish Clerk: Mrs J Damant (01763) 269928 parishclerk@meldreth-pc.org.uk Parish Councillors: Mr D Lee

(01763) 261571

david@oakrits.plus.com

Mrs C J Fallon

(01763) 262822

joan.fallon@btinternet.com

Mr S Hawkins

(01763) 261451

s.hawkins@dsl.pipex.com

Mr A Keena

(01763) 260267

alankeena@aol.com

Mr C A Land (Chairman) (01763) 261004

c.land963@btinternet.com

Mr Nigel Pellatt

(01763) 262444

nppellatt@btconnect.com

Mr R A Searles (Vice-Ch)

(01763) 260435

robert.searles@btinternet.com

Mr D Stewart

(01763) 261562

derekstewart67@hotmail.com

Mr A Young

(01763) 263484

andrewmpc@gmaail.com

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Sunday 3rd January, 9.45am – 11.30am Orienteering at Wimpole Estate Coaches from West Anglian Orienteering Club will be on hand to give advice at the start. Over 16s only. Adults £10, ages 16 to 20 £5. Booking advisable: www.nationaltrust.org.uk. Saturday 9th January, 10.30am – 12 noon Crafty Kids: Victorian Toys, Royston and District Museum and Art Gallery, Lower King Street SG8 5AL Play with traditional Victorian toys then make some of your own. Drop-in activity, no need to book. £2 per child. Contact Jenny Oxley (01763) 242587. Sunday 10th and Sunday 24th January, 11.00am – 12 noon Family Fun Sunday – You Can Bike Too, Milton Country Park, Milton CB24 6AZ Cycling for families, especially those with nervous or disabled young people. Bikes and helmets provided. £5 per child. To book, ring (01223) 420060. More information at www.youcanbiketoo.org. Wednesday 13th and Thursday 14thJanuary, 10.15am – 11.45am Mucky Pups - Winter Wellies Wicken Fen Nature Reserve, Wicken, Ely CB7 5XP Fun, crafts and adventure for under 5s. £4.75 per child. Booking essential (01353) 720274. Meet in the Visitor Centre. Saturday 23rd January, 10.30am – 12 noon Crafty Kids: Picture Perfect, Royston Museum and Art Gallery Inspired by Mike Dobson’s new bold portrait paintings, children will be encouraged to create their own portraits in paint and craft materials. No need to book. £2 per child. Contact Jenny Oxley (01763) 242587. Wednesday 27th January, 10.00am – 10.45am Little Explorers Scott Polar Research Institute, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EP

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Compiled by Hilary Crawforth

Wishing you all a Happy New Year! We are open in the village hall from 9.30 until 11.30am on Wednesday mornings during term time from 6th January. We aim to provide a fun and nurturing environment where parents can have a chat and make friends and their children can enjoy socialising, doing different crafts and experiencing various activities. The cost is ÂŁ2 per family and includes a healthy snack for the children and a tea/coffee with biscuits for the grown ups. Thank you to everyone who attended last term. We will continue with the healthy snack donated by the Co-Op, Melbourn. The visit from Pip of Glazed Creations in Royston was a huge success: many Christmas presents were made and sent out and the Christmas party was fantastic. Thank you for all of your hard work. We hope to see many of you there with your little ones in the new year for more exciting crafts and activities, as well as special guests. Sarah Bellabarba

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As expected, Christmas at the Pre-School was an exciting time, with plenty of themed activities keeping the children engaged. The Christmas concert and party proved the perfect end to a long and busy term and the children were in fine voice as they performed some festive favourites. Thanks to everyone who attended the Christmas fete â€“ the money that our fundraising events bring in is vital to the ongoing success of the Pre-School so look out for news of our next event.

2016 will be starting with a bang as we embrace the New Year with plenty of ideas for ways to keep the children engaged and entertained. The Pre-School is more popular than ever and some sessions have waiting lists, so anyone who wants to join this year is advised to let us know as soon as possible so that we can do our best to accommodate everyone. This term we are very sorry to be losing a much-loved member of the Pre-School team as Sue Lyons is leaving after years of dedicated service. Her experience and expertise has been invaluable to the success of the Pre-School and staff, parents and children will miss her very much. This does mean that we are looking for new staff to join our team, so if you or anyone you know would like to learn more about the opportunities we have available then please get in touch. If you want to know more about what we do, have an idea for a fundraiser or are interested in joining the committee, please email preschool@meldrethpreschool.com or pop into the setting and speak to the staff. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter. We are a friendly pre-school offering a quality term-time service at competitive rates in line with NEF funding. We take children from the age of two and are happy to welcome children in nappies. You can find out about our Pre-School by visiting our website www.meldrethpreschool.com and following us on Facebook and Twitter.

Staff Vacancy We are looking for friendly, enthusiastic workers with CACHE Level 2/3 in Childcare to join our team as qualified bank /staff. For more information about this opportunity please contact us at preschool@meldrethpreschool.com. Meldreth Pre-School

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Many times over the years I have chatted with non-teaching friends who reflect fondly on their own childhood experiences of sport at school, reflecting sadly that ‘of course, schools don’t believe in’ or ‘don’t promote competition these days….’. It is a common misconception that competitive sport is no longer undertaken in schools; in fact Meldreth school teams have participated in many and varied sporting leagues and competitions throughout my time as Deputy Head. Being a small school, we often have lean years, where the relatively small pool of players we have to draw on struggles against stronger opposition and triumphs can be few and far between. It is therefore something of a delight that our young sportsters have been enjoying a bit of a purple patch lately. In the summer term, Mrs Willan reported the success of our swimming team at the local schools’ gala and I am pleased to report that we have continued our winning streak during the autumn term. Our football squad has enjoyed an unprecedented succession of victories against Barrington, Harston and Melbourn as well as retaining the local schools’ indoor 5-a-side trophy which we won last year. In the county wide Cambridge United ‘Kids Cup’ competition in November, our footballers failed to make the final by a whisker, losing out on penalties in their semi final match. Our ‘Hi-Fives’ netball squad have been similarly successful this term, again coming home triumphant from the Local Schools’ tournament at the village college last month, while our tag rugby team came fifth out of twelve teams in another exciting contest held in November. Just lately, Miss Harvey who runs our netball group has been recruiting boys for the training sessions outside to play alongside our successful girls.

The children at Meldreth love their sport; games lessons always include a competitive element and membership of our numerous sports clubs is high. However, all sports activity in school places a very high emphasis on promoting sporting values and adults and children alike have high expectations of a positive and fair-minded approach in all competitions. After all, our primary aim is for ALL our pupils to participate in and enjoy their PE and games in school, laying the foundations for a lifetime of physical activity and fun. Andrew Jones Deputy Headteacher

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Members of our local community were once again invited to join the college in a Celebration of Ages Christmas party. The celebration and transport is funded each year by Melbourn Parish Council. The Year 10 Health and Social Care group assisted by some Year 9 students, Head Prefect Laura Bartholomew and Prefect Imogen Laight helped to serve tea and freshly made cakes and mince pies to a packed hall. Our visitors were also treated to the MVC Big Band playing a medley of Christmas tunes and each took home a Christmas cake made by our very own Catering Manager Lynn Gregory. Alison Friday Communications Officer

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Electoral Review It has been decided that the number of South Cambridgeshire District Councillors will be reduced from 56 to 45, with all out elections in 2018. This will inevitably result in boundary changes. Parish Councils are strongly encouraged to send in their views on which other wards they would like to be with to the Boundary Review Officer. Local Plan SCDC has submitted modified proposals to the Local Plan which actually do little more than tweak the plan, providing for 19,500 new homes rather than the original 19,000 in the earlier version of the Plan and little impact on our immediate locality in terms of release of land. It remains the District's planning provision to concentrate new housing on the city fringes and new developments. Consultation is now open on the revised proposals. Parish Councilâ€™s Right of Delegation to Planning Committee The decision upon whether Parish Councils will automatically lose their right of referral of planning applications to South Cambridgeshire Planning committee has been deferred for six months. Shared Planning Services Plans are afoot to amalgamate the City, District and Huntingdon planning services. I should have further information about whether this will go ahead in due course, but questions have been asked about the wisdom of combining three poorly performing planning services. Philippa Hart District Councillor, Meldreth and Shepreth Ward philippajhart@btinternet.com 07811 323571 or (01763) 261255

MELDRETH PLANT HIRE TEL: 01763 262738 DIGGERS, DUMPERS, BREAKERS, WHACKERS, ROTAVATORS. AVAILABLE FOR DAILY OR WEEKLY HIRE. WWW.MELDRETHPLANT.CO.UK

A10 TIMBER CO.

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Nigel Wigg Home Improvement Specialist x Exterior and interior home decorating

x Tiling x Carpentry x Refurbishment x Timber carport and veranda

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Tel: 01763 260693 Mobile: 07870 496498 Email: J.p.k@live.co.uk

design and construction

x General home repairs x Pruning / hedge and tree trimming x Professional service

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01763 208516 mandythornton.com

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Long nails trimmed Thick nails reduced Corns & Verruca treated Hard skin/callus reduced Fungal Infections Dry and cracked heels Diabetics cared for

Mobile service providing foot care in the comfort of your home

Tel: 07771 735300

MELBOURN FLOORING AND INTERIORS LIMITED Cherry Park, Cambridge Road, Melbourn, SG8 6EY Tel: 01763 262413 Fax: 01763 262450 ย

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Vast Range of Carpets, Vinyls, Real Wood, Laminates, Karndean, Amtico and Project Floors Free Estimates - Fitting by experienced staff Dulux Paint stocked in a wide range of colours Over 6000 Wallpaper samples Colour co-ordination service by experienced staff Designer Fabrics, most with next day delivery - Curtain making service Match flooring to walls and fabric for a designer finish

New Tile showroom at 26 Royston Road, Foxton, CB22 6SE, 01223 870011. Covering all your tiling needs. www.melbournflooring.co.uk j.shepherd@melbournflooring.co.uk VISIT OUR LARGE SHOWROOM 9 TO 5 MONDAY TO FRIDAY 9 TO 4 SATURDAY OR CALL ON 01763 262413 AND SPEAK TO ONE OF OUR FRIENDLY STAFF. AMPLE FREE PARKING.

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Calling all 128 Bus Users and People with Transport Ideas By the middle of February we’ll know where things are in the dreaded world of central government grants and council budgets and what the future holds for the 128 bus and all who depend on it. Please come along to the Elin Way Sheltered Housing Room on Wednesday 24th February at 10.00am (date subject to confirmation). There will be cups of tea, followed by getting to grips with how we can provide much needed and affordable transport for people who have no access to a private car and for whom the train presents mobility difficulties at either end. Royston and District Community Transport, whose own future funding is not certain, will be invited to come along to help brainstorm. If the 128’s lease on life is extended beyond the end of its current contract that will be good news and we can drink champagne instead! Any questions or concerns between now and then, please let me know. If you don’t need the 128 bus but would like to come along to lend your ideas, all welcome! Enjoying life with easy physical access to the outside world is a wonderful thing to take for granted. Let’s ensure a Plan B is available for anyone whose options are more limited. Railway Arrangements for People with Mobility Difficulties At the most recent meeting of the Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group, Great Northern train officials explained what can be done to help anyone with mobility difficulties who can’t manage the steps at Meldreth Station (not just Blue Badge holders, but anyone with difficulties, including parents with prams). For the portion of a journey that requires embarking or disembarking on the London-bound platform, a taxi lift to the nearest accessible railway station can be arranged. The lift is in lieu of that leg of a train journey, and there is no charge – although the taxi cannot take you beyond the station on either side. Please telephone 0800 058 2844 – 7 days a week, from 7.00am to 10.00pm. There is more information online at www.thameslinkrailway.com/your-journey/assisted-travel/. If you have any problems, the Rail User Group would like to know, so that we can help smooth out any wrinkles. continued ...

Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group Our next meeting will be our AGM on 15th March, 7.00 for 7.30pm in the Elin Way Sheltered Housing Room in Meldreth. Sadly we have had no volunteers for the role of secretary to take simple notes of our meetings, which take place once every three months and don’t last long. If you think you could help out please get in touch – thank you. A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign If you haven’t tried it yet, please pedal up to Foxton and carry on north to Harston, to find out just how much a great walk/cycle track can help get people from A to B under their own steam. Work is ongoing – after Christmas the segment between Shepreth Lakes and Foxton Level Crossing will be done, and then the area around the level crossing itself. This overall section of path has been funded directly by the Department for Transport. The County Council doesn’t fund cycle paths – just bids for grants on our behalf. Having a grass-roots campaign behind a project is inevitably a make or break factor. The A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign is now working very hard to create a match-funding base for the Frog End junction-MelbournRoyston link. If you’d like to know the details of what a bridge over the A505 would look like, please come along on 13th January at 6.45pm, at Sartorius Stedim Biotech, just opposite and in the same culde-sac as Royal Mail on the industrial site in Royston. To see our sillylooking but serious fundraisers in action, take a look at our website: www.a10corridorcycle.com. The campaign is free to all – newcomers always welcome. Reminder: Frog End Junction Accident Remedial Works Information Evening An information evening is scheduled to be held at Shepreth Village Hall, on 25th January 2016 from 3.00-7.00pm to give residents a chance to view the proposals and ask any questions they may have. Detailed information is posted on my website: http:// susanvandeven.mycouncillor.org.uk/2015/10/23/frog-end-junctionimprovements. Hope to see you there – any questions or concerns please let me know. "

David Piggott’s Grand Celebration at Meldreth Station

David’s Farewell 12th December

There could not have been a more exuberant celebration on the platform and in the booking office, kitchen and waiting room at Meldreth Station, as those of us lucky enough to be with David Piggott on 12th December can attest. Thank you to everyone who baked cakes, wrote words, or came along for a cup of tea to help celebrate the greatest station master of all time. Some extra copies of ‘Memorable Moments with David Piggott’, containing wonderful photographs and recollections, are available – just let me know. A donation of £3 is requested, to cover print costs. One of the funniest bits in the book is David’s own account of a day at work in 2003, when the then train company was busy drawing up detailed plans for the apparently imminent waiting shelter for the Cambridge-bound platform… a shelter that we are still waiting for. Please pop down to the station to see the wonderful portrait of David that is now hanging just over the ticket office window – intended to cast his spell over our station forever more. Thank you David! Susan van de Ven County Councillor 07905 325574 susanvandeven5@gmail.com

Personal Trainer Michael Easton Training in Your Own Home or at Melbourn Gym Individual, personalised programmes http://backtothefitness.co.uk

01763 249254

Little Hands Nursery School The Moor, Melbourn

Little Hands is a Private Nursery School specialising in quality education for the under fives and offers: Flexible hourly booking - open 08.30 to 16.30 Term time bookings with optional holiday club Bumble Bee room for children 12 – 24 months Ladybird room for 2 year olds Butterfly room for children 3-5 years With optional “ready for school sessions” All sessions have a high staff to child ratio and are available for eligible funded 2 year olds and all funded 3/4 year olds with no extra charges Categorised as “Outstanding” by Ofsted

For further information contact Anne McCrossen: 01763 260964 lh-melbourn@btconnect.com Little Hands is also at Bourn, Linton and Newton visit the website at www.littlehands.co.uk

James For all gardening / handyman jobs give me a call… For grass cutting / weeding / fence painting / hedge cutting and handyman jobs as well. Phone: 01763 249004 01763 241744 Email: klf2011@hotmail.co.uk

MELDRETH WEDNESDAY 5.30pm & 7.30pm Meldreth Village Hall Hig h Street, Meldreth Tel: Karen 01763 243604

Home heating oil • Prompt delivery service

• Competitive prices

01223 846846 www.shelfordenergy.co.uk

Parish Council Reference and Address

Detail

Parish Council Recommend

Prior Approved Application – proposal S/2065/15/PB Fenny Lane Farm to convert two agricultural buildings (information only) into three dwellings – permission has now been granted S/2507/15/FL 40 Bell Close

Single storey link between house and swimming pool

S/2618/15/FL 1 Flambards Close (information only) S/2720/15/FL 1a Chiswick End

Lawful development certificate – Class A –Garage conversion to kitchen and associated internal alterations Single storey rear extension and car port for two cars in forecourt

No objection

Approval with no comments

Land at Marley-Eternit UK Footprint Property Services, acting as agents for Marley-Eternit UK, attended the Meldreth Parish Council Planning Meeting on 19th November. Please see pages 36 and 54-55 for details of their proposals. The full minutes of Meldreth Parish Council planning meetings are available on the Parish Council’s website, www.meldreth-pc.org.uk.

Meldreth Parish Council SCDC Decisions Reference and Address Decision

S/1447/15/FL, Land Erection of six affordable houses with associated car off Whaddon Road parking spaces has been REFUSED permission S/2235/15/FL 4 Oakrits

First floor side extension and alterations to the front entrance porch has been GRANTED permission

S/2131/15/FL 31 High Street

Extension and alterations to existing garage has been GRANTED permission

Editor’s Note: Full details of all planning applications may be viewed at this website: http://plan.scambs.gov.uk/swiftlg/apas/run/wphappcriteria.display

Presentation to Planning Meeting on 19th November by Footprint Property Services as Agent for Marley-Eternit UK Footprint had attended a Parish Council meeting in the past and had shown possible ideas to demolish redundant areas of the site in Whaddon Road, Meldreth and to replace them with houses. They now wanted to explain where Marley Eternit are with their plans for the site. A marketing exercise with Savills is now complete, and following a further site review a briefing note on the future is now ready. A suggestion was made that the site is a genuine brownfield site being a redundant industrial site. Drawings of the site can be viewed at the Parish Office by appointment. Marley-Eternit could go directly for preapplication advice from South Cambridgeshire District Council on their plans, but historically found that it was better to hold a public consultation, beginning with the Parish Council and local stakeholders. It is hoped the consultation will commence early in 2016. The drawings show that an area that had redundant buildings on site could be redeveloped for approximately 170 homes. This area is outside the village envelope and they would like to move the housing closer to the village. An alternative proposal is to move houses closer to the village onto arable land, owned by Marley-Eternit, which is adjacent to Fenny Lane crossroads but still outside the village envelope. It does not include the Eternit Social Club and playing field and the brownfield site would be returned to countryside. This would avoid the remediation costs of a development on a former commercial site, where asbestos had been used in the manufacturing process. It would be a lot more expensive in terms of clearing the site as the cost of dealing with asbestos is a key element. This could have an impact on the amount of affordable housing amongst the new homes. The proposed consultation would allow the community to have the opportunity to suggest what they would like to see on the site. The representatives were asked if details would be available regarding any benefit for the community at the first round of consultation . Points raised in discussion included 1. Transport issues from the site with additional vehicle movements from the Shepreth bio digester.

2. There was likely to be a lot of opposition to the development from the village. Melbourn had recently also recommended refusal on a large housing area. 3. As the land was no use to Eternit was finding a suitable use vital for the future of the remaining operations on the commercial site itself? There was an indication that there would be, depending on how changes to the existing factory were made. 4. The provision of land, but not the money, for an additional school and Doctor’s surgery was possible. Meldreth Parish Council

We would like to wish all our customers a Healthy New Year! We’re not going to let those long winter nights stop us from enjoying our exercise. As well as our indoor facilities like the swimming pool, squash courts and sports hall, we have lots of classes to help keep you fit and healthy. Why not kick start your New Year’s resolution with one of our activity classes which include boxercise, aerobics, swim clinic, body workout, aquafit and aquathlon? For further details on these or any of our other activities please visit our website, www.melbournsports.com, call in to see us or telephone (01763) 263313. We have also signed up to ‘The Swimathon’, a national fundraising event, working in conjunction with Sport Relief. The event’s aim is to try to encourage as many people to swim 1k – 5k for charity and there is no time like the present to start your training. February Half Term Half term is fast approaching, so now is an ideal time to book your young ones onto one of our great activity courses. These include swimming crash course, trampoline taster, football camps, and our popular Ofsted PlayScheme. Graham Johnson-Mack Melbourn Sports Centre

, / Here is a selection of events happening nearby in January. To have your event listed, please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com. Thursdays 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th January, 10.00am or 10.30am Healthy Walking Wandlebury Country Park, Gog Magog Hills, CB22 3AE Work off those Christmas calories with a weekly, healthy and sociable walk. Start at 10.00am for a longer walk, 10.30am for a shorter one. Free of charge but usual Wandlebury parking fees apply. Meet at stable room. No need to pre book but please arrive ten minutes early to register if it’s your first time. Walks end around 11.00am with tea/ coffee. For more information visit cambridgeppf.org. Tuesday 12th January, 10.30am to 12.30pm Lino Printing Craft Workshop Royston & District Museum & Art Gallery 5 Lower King Street, Royston SG8 5AL An opportunity to design your own lino cut and make prints on the original Royston Crow printing press which dates from 1855. Led by local artist Liz Beardwell. Tickets £5 per person. Booking in advance essential. Contact: Jenny Oxley (01763) 242587 or email curator@roystonmuseum.org.uk. Tuesday 12th January, 7.30pm Organ Recital – La Nativite du Seigneur Ely Cathedral, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 4DL Messiaen’s moving meditation on the Christmas story. Recital given by Ben Morris, Organ Scholar, York Minster and brought to life with readings and movement. Tickets £5 from tickets.elycathedral.org or Cathedral box office (01353) 660349; accompanied under 16s free. Clothing hint: wrap up well! Friday 15th January, 7.45pm to 9.30pm Water Voles – Illustrated Talk Vernon Cross Room, Ely Museum, Market St, Ely, CB7 4LS Learn about these engaging but under-threat mammals. Talk given by Iain Webb of local Wildlife Trust. Free. Why not also visit this bright and friendly local history museum located in the former Bishop’s Gaol in the heart of Ely. Visit elymuseum.org.uk for opening times.

Saturday 16th January, 8.30am Men’s Breakfast Meeting, Foxton Village Hall Rev Angela Melaniphy will give her New Year message and talk about her first six months in the job. To book breakfast contact Mark Howard at Mark-Howard@UWclub.net, (01223) 503377 or Tony Garrick at garrick.tony@gmail.com, (01223) 510201. For details of this year’s Men’s Breakfast programme, please see pages 20-21. Saturday 16th January 11.00am to 1.00pm National Trust Volunteer Recruitment Day Wimpole Hall, Arrington, SG8 0BW Two volunteer recruitment sessions: 11.00am to 1.00pm for room guides, catering and other indoor roles; 2.00pm to 4.00pm for garden guides, farm workers and other outdoor opportunities. Come along for coffee, meet the team and find out more. Visit: national trust.org.uk/ wimpole-estate/whats-on for details of this and other Wimpole events. Tuesday 19th January, 10.30am to 12.00 noon Royston Reminiscence Royston & District Museum & Art Gallery Reminisce about Royston’s past prompted by photographs and objects from the museum’s collections. Bring along any memories of your own. Refreshments provided. Free admission, but book your place: Jenny Oxley (01763) 242587 or email curator@roystonmuseum.org. Thursday 21st to Saturday 23rd January Thursday 5.00pm to 10.30pm; Friday 12.00 noon to 3.00pm and 5.00pm to 10.30pm; Saturday 12.00 noon to 10.30pm 20th Cambridge Winter Ale Festival University Social Club, Mill Lane, Cambridge CB2 1RX Over 100 real ales, ciders and foreign beers. Food available. Entry £3 at all sessions except Friday lunchtime when free. More details available from cambridgebeerfestival.com. Saturday 23rd January, 6.00pm to 7.00pm Saturday Supper Concert Friends Meeting House, 12 Jesus Lane, Cambridge CB5 8BA Saxophone and guitar duo plus music for flute, followed by hot supper served at 7.00pm. Free admission with retiring collection. Donation for supper in region of £10 - £25 requested. Please book your supper ticket with Rich Braun/Ione Evans (01223) 812115 or email evans.braun@btinternet.com. Compiled by John Crawforth

Reflections Hair Studio Specialist in all Aspects of Unisex Hairdressing.

We can make life a little easier

Cutting * Colouring Techniques * Hair Extensions

Local Community Services at Moorlands Court

We have a wide range of home hair care retail.

Day Centre

Gift vouchers and hair accessories available.

01763 260431

¾ Our friendly day centre is open from 10 am to 3 pm, Tuesdays to Fridays. ¾ Interesting activities, sociable atmosphere, home cooked lunch.

45 Whitecroft Road , Meldreth

¾ Transport available for older people living in Melbourn and nearby villages.

Tuesday & Thursday 9am - Late Monday &Wednesday closed Friday 9am - 6pm Sat 9am - 3pm

¾ From just £7.90 per day. To find out more, just call us at Moorlands Court on 01763 260564, or email: denise.taylor@chsgroup.org.uk

MELDRETH LANDSCAPES

Design & Layout Plans Hard Landscaping & Lighting Planting & Water Features Pergolas, Decking, etc

Tel: 01763 261463 www.meldrethlandscapes.co.uk Kneesworth Rd., Meldreth, Royston, Herts

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There has been a recent series of incidents whereby fraudsters either telephone or attend the home address of elderly members of the public, claiming to be police officers. The fake officer(s) will claim that they are investigating a fraud which they believe the elderly person to be a victim of. The fake officer/s will then request the bank cards and personal PIN numbers of the victim and claim these are needed for investigation purposes. If the first contact was made by a telephone call, the fake officer(s) will tell the victim that someone will be over to collect the evidence. In one case the victim was instructed to attend their local bank and withdraw all of the money from their account. The suspect was left alone in the victimâ€™s house whilst the victim carried out the instructions. Protect Yourself Before letting anyone into your home who claims to be from any law enforcement agency, ask to see their identity card and check it by calling 101. Ask if they can attend at a pre-arranged time when a family member or friend can also be present. If you receive a telephone call from a police officer, ask for their name and force and tell them you will call them back. Wait a few minutes and then use 101 to call them back through their forceâ€™s switchboard and verify their identity. The Police will never ask for your PIN or passwords. Do not give this information to anyone. The Police will never request that you withdraw/transfer any money to them. If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud you can report it online at www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud or by telephoning 0300 123 2040. Action Fraud Editorâ€™s Note: To receive news and appeals, local crime information and crime prevention advice by email, register with eCops: www.ecops.org.uk. "

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Happy New Year! And why not make a New Year’s resolution to help keep you and your family fire safe this year. Firefighters at Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service are encouraging people to make three New Year’s resolutions in 2016 – and stick to them! 1. Make sure that you have a correctly fitted working smoke alarm on every floor of your house and test it weekly. 2. Check that older relatives and friends have working smoke alarms and test theirs regularly. 3. Make a fire plan so that you and your family know what to do in case a fire breaks out in the home. Like our fan page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/cambsfrs, follow us on Twitter @cambsfrs. To find out if you are eligible for a free home fire safety check, call 0800 917 99 94. Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue Service (01480) 444500 www.cambsfire.gov.uk

(01763) 262199 Mick Taylor—(01763) 261118 Graham Borgonon—(01763) 260358 (01763) 262158, open 7am-10pm, 7 days Sherida Richards—(01763) 262512 Paul Ray—(01763) 260304

Good Companions Local History Group Lunch Club Melwood Cons. Group

L. Pocknell—(01763) 261432 (01763) 260129; www.meldrethhistory.org.uk Nikki & Julie 07599 292327 (01763) 232855; www.melwood.btck.co.uk

Photographic Group

www.melbourn-photographic-club.co.uk

Revelation U3A WI

Miriam Skuce—(01763) 262440 Chris Davison—(01763) 264189 Maureen Moody—(01763) 260938

Sport

Bowls Club Croquet Club Meldreth United FC Table Tennis Tennis Club

S. Lambert (01223) 207888 Janet Pope (01763) 248342 07930 650036 Christine Knight—(01763) 261676 Tracy Aggett—(01763) 243376

Rev. Mary Price Bells John Price (Friends)

(01763) 261569; www.meldrethchurch.org.uk Peter Hinton—(01763) 262045 (01763) 260048; www.foht.org.uk

Baby & Toddler Group Pre-School Primary School

Rosalind Wing - 07432 150721 07518 173653; www.meldrethpreschool.com (01763) 260432; www.meldreth.cambs.sch.uk

Parish Council District Councillor District Council Offices

Please see details at end of Parish Council report Philippa Hart—(01763) 261255 03450 450500; www.scambs.gov.uk/ Susan van de Ven—07905325574 susanvandeven.mycouncillor.org.uk/ 0345 045 5200; www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/ Heidi Allen—(01954) 212707 www.heidisouthcambs.co.uk/

Councils & Govt.

Clubs & Societies

Facilities

Community Access Point Litter Picker Neighbourhood Watch One Stop Village Hall Bookings Village Hall Chairman

Church

Childn.

County Councillor County Council Offices MP

Transport Health Support Services Emergencies NonEmerg. Misc.

Station Ticket Office

(01223) 453702, Mon - Fri 7-11.15am, Sat 8.45am - 1.25pm

Rail User Group

(01763) 261833; www.melbourn.org.uk/railusergroup

Govia/Great Northern

www.thameslinkrailway.com

The Trainline Stagecoach Potholes, Highways problems, etc. Streetlights (faulty)

www.thetrainline.com www.stagecoachbus.com/Cambridge 0345 045 5212; http://www2.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/ HighwaysReports/Highways/ReportProblem1.aspx 08007838 247 - give location, fault & SC or CCC no.

Melbourn Surgery Addenbrookeâ€™s NHS

(01763) 260220; Dispensaryâ€”(01763) 261246 (01223) 245151 111 (24 hour non-emergency number)

Childline

Community Transport Home-Start 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 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

Royston Museum

(01763) 242587; www.roystonmuseum.org.uk

Citizens Advice Bureau

Police

Details of village groups and facilities can be found on the PC website, www.meldreth-pc.org.uk or the Meldreth Today section at www.meldrethhistory.org.uk. Meldreth Matters Team: Chairman: Lesley Farbridge 261578; Editor & Layout: Kathryn Betts 268428; Distribution & Proof-reading: Ken McLean 261243; Treasurer, Secretary & Trade Advertising: Beverley Cottrell 262176; Cover & Advertising Layout: Richard Burns 263121; Founder Member: Ann Barnes Meldreth Matters is available online at free.yudu.com (search for Meldreth)

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

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 entirely on advertising revenue to cover its production costs. Please mention Meldreth Matters when contacting our advertisers. A10 Timber.................................... 47 Algarve Villa ................................. 40 Armstrong Window Cleaners ........... 2 Art of Clean ................................... 10 Art of Clean Wood ......................... 40 B2B Automotive ............................ 28 Bracey’s Accountants ............... Cover Cam Valley Orchards .................... 14 Cambourne Self Storage .................. 9 Cambridge Roofers ....................... 47 CHS Day Centre ........................... 58 CHS Group .............................. Cover College Farm B & B ...................... 40 Coton Electrical ............................ 19 The Country Store ........................... 2 Ely Design Group ............................. 9 Eternit Sports and Social Club ........ 14 Fen Feeds Limited ......................... 10 Gilhooly ................................... Cover Granta Montessori Shepreth ......... 19 Home Foot Care ............................. 2 iPlaster .......................................... 40 James, Handyman .......................... 52 JPK Plumbing and Heating ............. 47 Keyholes Driving School ................ 19 The Letting Centre .......................... 10

Little Hands Nursery School ............52 Lynn Driscoll Foot Care ...................48 Mandy Thornton Counselling ..........48 MCT Construction ...........................25 Melbourn Flooring ...........................48 Melbourn Village College....................2 Meldreth Landscapes ........................58 Meldreth Plant Hire ..........................46 Meridian Lawncare ..........................28 Michael Easton Personal Trainer ......52 Moncraft Computers ........................40 Newlings of Royston Funeral Service 58 Nigel Wigg Home Improvement .......47 Penn Farm Physiotherapy ..................25 The Picture Framers ..........................28 Reflections Hair Studio .....................58 Richard Burns Electrician ....................2 Rod’s PC Support........................ Cover Royston Fencing................................10 Salisbury String Quartet .....................2 Shelford Energy .................................52 Slimming World ...............................52 Spice Hut Indian Takeaway ..............40 TCS Design ......................................25 Walkers Partnership Solicitors ...........14 64

We can make life a little easier Local Community Services delivered from Moorlands Court Homecare: our fully trained carers visit you in your home. Sitting service: a visit from our experienced staff gives family carers

time for themselves. Day Centre: based at Moorlands Court with a friendly and sociable

atmosphere and includes a tasty 2 course lunch. Meals service: nutritious, hot lunchtime 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, call us at Moorlands Court on 01763 260564 or email: denise.taylor@chsgroup.org.uk

G I L H O O LY Unit 1, Whitecroft Rd, Meldreth, Royston, SG8 8NE

MOTS Cars and vans Service and repairs to all COMMERCIALS HORSE BOXES MINI BUSES

VANS

Flexible working hours to suit you Monday — Saturday

Phone Mick on: 01763 263248

QUIZ NIGHT You are invited to join us for a light hearted and fun Quiz Night with Supper at Meldreth Village Hall on Friday 29th January 2016 7.00 for 7.30pm We would welcome teams of 6 maximum please feel free to give your team a name. If you are unable to make a full team, please do still join us and we will include you within a team. Proceeds in aid of Meldreth Tennis Club Tickets ÂŁ10.00 per person to include a supper of fish, chicken, sausage or veggie burger and chips You are very welcome to bring your own drinks and nibbles along to this event Meldreth Matters is printed by Plumridge Printers 41 High Street Linton 01223 891407