Meldreth Matters, January 2022

January 2022

In this issue …

Meldreth Primary School PTA Meldreth Village Hall: Urgent Appeal Speeding in the Village

MELBOURN FLOORING AND INTERIORS LIMITED Phillimore Garden Centre, Cambridge Road, Melbourn, SG8 6EY Tel: 01763 262413 Vast Range of:

 Carpets and Vinyls  Real/Engineered Wood– Woodpecker, Xylo and many more  Balterio & Quickstep Laminates  Karndean, Amtico, Moduleo and Project Floors– Luxury Vinyl Tiles  Safety Flooring  Brand leading manufacturer samples available to take away Free survey and Estimates - Fitting by experienced staff VISIT OUR LARGE SHOWROOMS 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.

www.melbournflooring.co.uk

Giftware & Homeware

@melbournflooring

Men’s, women’s, baby & home

At The Old Barn The British Queen, Meldreth (rear of the car park)

Call us on: 07821680936 Email: info@queenbeemeldreth.com Instagram: @queenbeemeldreth Opening times: Monday - Saturday 10am - 5.30pm

Contents Children & Education Activities for Families 18 Baby & Toddler Group 14 Primary School 16-17 Primary School PTA 15

What’s On in January Things to Do in January 30-31 Village Diary 28-29 Village Groups Friends of Holy Trinity 11 Photographic Club 10 Women’s Group 12

Transport Community Transport 36 Speed Monitor Update 34 Speedwatch in 2021 35

Village News & Issues Can You Help? 33 Christmas Market 5 Christmas Tree Festival 6-7 Dog Waste 32 Vandalism in the Village 32-33 Village Hall—Urgent Appeal 9

Local/National Government Local Councillors 46-49 Parish Council 32-33, 40-43 Planning 44 Advice/Information Advertisers’ Index 56 Coronavirus Support 52-53 Home-Start 2 Maggie’s 50 Mobile Warden Scheme 37 Neighbourhood Watch 39 Refuse Collections 28 Village Directory 54-55

Gardens & Nature Gardening 22-23 Melwood 20-21 Cookery In Praise of … 25-27 Miscellaneous From a Young Deliverer 4 Missing Cat 4 Presentation at All Saints 13

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.

1

MELDRETH WEDNESDAY 6.30 PM Alison 07812 825 389 FRIDAY 9.30 AM Angela 07708 444 991 Meldreth Village Hall High Street

2

Editorial Welcome to the January issue of Meldreth Matters.

As we go to press, Covid rates in South Cambridgeshire are higher than they’ve been at any point during the pandemic. As the Omicron variant continues to spread, the Cambridgeshire Director of Public Health is encouraging everyone to get their vaccinations, take free lateral flow tests ahead of social gatherings and to wear a mask. Further information is available from our Councillors on page 48 and the regular summary from Meldreth Coronavirus Community Support is on pages 52-53.

Our back cover this month features the Village Hall. If you are interested in becoming a Trustee of the hall, then please see the article on page 9.

On behalf of the Meldreth Matters Team, I would like to wish all of our readers, advertisers, contributors and deliverers a very healthy and happy New Year.

Kathryn

Cover Photograph Front cover: Footpath 2 from North End to Whaddon Road. Photograph by Kathryn Betts, January 2021.

Richard Burns ELECTRICIAN For installation, repair or advice please call

Tel: Mob:

01763 263 121 07958 028 729

sockets@richardburnselectrician.co.uk Part P approved Certified installer

3

Compliant to BS7671 Based in Meldreth

From a Young Deliverer My name is Nola and last year I wanted a challenge and to be able to do something kind and responsible for my village.

I decided delivering the MM would be fun.

Once a month I go out on my scooter or bike to the houses to deliver it. I enjoy it but not on the rainy days!

I like reading my MM so I hope everyone that I deliver theirs to enjoys it just as much!

Nola Willers

Missing Cat My much loved ginger and white cat has been missing since Friday 19th November .

Have you seen him? He is four, neutered and chipped.

Is he hiding in your shed or garage?

Did you have any deliveries on that Friday as he may have jumped in the van?

Are you feeding him thinking he is a stray? His brother and sister are also pining for him.

Can you please check and let me know if you find him or have seen him? My telephone is 07734 749162 and I live at 11 Howard Road, Meldreth.

Thank you.

Paula Jones 4

Christmas Market I would like to say a huge thank you to all the people who supported the Christmas Market on 21st November including the stall holders who provided a wide range of crafts, gifts etc., Home Start for providing some great refreshments throughout the day, Meldreth Primary School PTA who kept children occupied with Christmas crafting and of course everyone who came and bought from the wide range of hand-crafted and other items that were available. It was very well supported and we were able to donate over £400 to the swimming pool fund, apparently bringing the PTA close to its target [see page 15].

I would also like to thank Julia our Village Hall bookings administrator for her kind help throughout - answering my numerous questions and meeting me at the hall so that I could measure up. There was a lovely atmosphere and judging from several kind comments from stall holders and visitors, very much enjoyed. Pencil the Easter Market on 3rd April into your new calendars and diaries and keep reading MM for updates.

Lesley Farbridge

Nigel Wigg Home Improvement Specialist Specialists in made to measure window coverings: Beautifully made and locally produced Curtains and Roman Blinds Suppliers of Sanderson, William Morris, Harlequin, Scion, Prestigious Textiles Top branded designer Wallpapers and soft furnishings Roller, Vertical, Pleated, Wood, PVC and Aluminium Venetian Blinds Contemporary window dressings: Plantation shutters and Awnings Experts in home automated motorised solutions FREE- NO OBLIGATION QUOTATIONS. FIND US AT Phillimore Garden Centre, Cambridge Road, Melbourn. SG8 6EY Tel: 01763 263399 www.sageblinds.co.uk Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm & Sat 9am-1pm

• Exterior and interior home decorating

• Tiling • Carpentry • Refurbishment • Timber carport and veranda design and construction

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

nigelwigg@gmail.com T 01480 700266 M 07801 057514 5

Christmas Tree Festival It was wonderful to welcome so many families back to this year’s festival, particularly after last year’s postponement due to Covid-19 restrictions. Thank you for supporting the event this year despite the terrible weather conditions on Saturday.

We would like to especially thank the incredible imaginative teams that created the amazing exhibits around the church; they certainly triumphed again this year.

We are very fortunate to have such talented individuals living amongst us. Thank you also to the church stewards who welcomed and assisted our visitors over the weekend and of course to the car parking team.

Our gratitude and appreciation go to David Coton and John Price for their planning and implementation of a superb lighting system which enhanced the wonderful magical atmosphere throughout the church during the weekend.

Thanks to the craft group for their beautiful handmade gifts, our produce makers who made delicious seasonal fair and our bakers for their creative bakes.

We salute the brave team of warriors who battled against the elements to erect the marquees which we had to use this year to accommodate the craft/produce and refreshment areas, in order to provide social distancing and a safe environment. This was somewhat of a challenge for those individuals manning the stalls in exceptionally cold and windy conditions. A special thanks to Jill Price for working so hard to create rotas over the weekend.

The weekend closed with an Advent service conducted by the Reverend Mary Price.

We would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and look forward to seeing you all again at next year’s festival.

The Meldreth Christmas Tree Festival Committee 6

Christmas Tree Festival Special thanks from the Meldreth Matters team to Judy McLean who made literally hundreds of beautifully hand-crafted flowers using coloured paper for the Meldreth Matters tree. Each little bouquet carried the name of a person who delivers the magazine to every door in the village each month.

Ken, Judy’s husband who proof-reads the magazine before it goes to the printers, then delivered them on her behalf to each deliverer, so thank you Judy for a stunning tree and a kind and thoughtful gesture.

Lesley Farbridge

Christmas Tree Festival: Found Property The following items were found at the church after the Christmas Tree Festival.  Jar of Chutney  Wire cutters  Branches of artificial Christmas Tree  Grey bag  Red gloves  2 buffs If you think they’re yours, please email me david@coton.me.uk or telephone (01763) 260085.

David Coton Visit the new local history website

www.meldrethhistory.org.uk Over 600 pages on Meldreth, past and present See the Meldreth Today section for information on footpaths * facilities * over 25 local clubs & groups 7

The Moor Melbourn SG8 6EF 07163 223400 office@melbournvc.org www.melbournvc.org

EVERYBODY IS SOMEBODY

A highly-rated community secondary school committed to ensuring every student achieves his or her very best through a rich and varied curriculum.

OFSTED (Sept 2017) confirmed: ‘An innovative curriculum that truly meets the needs of pupils’ ‘The first school in Cambridgeshire to introduce Mandarin at Key Stage 3’ ‘The school’s vision of Everybody is Somebody is evident in the support you provide for all pupils’ ‘Parents are overwhelmingly supportive of the school’ Senior Leaders will be delighted to show around prospective students and their parents. For more information or to book your tour, please contact Karin Doyle – office@melbournvc.org

Phil Clarke and Associates

01223 874433 pennfarmphysio.com

8

Meldreth Village Hall – Urgent Appeal Some Meldreth residents may have forgotten, and our new residents may not be aware, that our Village Hall is looked after by a body of trustees.

These trustees volunteer to manage the hall on behalf of all in Meldreth to ensure it is clean, tidy and available for the many activities and functions enjoyed there. We are urgently seeking further trustees to volunteer to keep this valuable village facility going.

We need your help so, if you presently enjoy any of the village meetings and activities or the various clubs, classes, entertainment and fundraisers, not to mention the private functions, currently held in in the hall please consider joining us as a trustee.

Volunteers may do as much and as little as they wish and we would welcome your input to provide for the future of the hall.

We hope some of you will feel able to step forward and help us maintain and run this extremely important asset for the community, without whom the hall may have to close.

We are in the process of renovating this wonderful communal place to ensure it remains an important hub for the village activities.

Our present chairman, Mr Paul Ray, has decided to step down at the end of February after many years of enthusiastic, dedicated work and support. The trustees thank him on behalf of all Meldreth residents.

We hope that 2022 will see the hall renovations completed and the number of trustees increase.

We wish you all a very happy and peaceful New Year.

Village Hall Trustees

Editor’s Note: A new Village Hall website will be launched in January, which will include a timetable of activities. Please see our February issue for more information.

9

Melbourn and District Photographic Club melbournphotoclub.com Following our two-week Christmas recess, the programme for the beginning of the New Year includes four competitions, five lectures and one Club Evening.

The January events are as follows: 11th Filters. Lecture by Keith Truman Street. Lecture by David Gray 18th Highlands & Islands. Lecture by Carol & Tony Dilger 25th Studio Night – Steve DeHavilland Editing Techniques – Keith Truman & David Stocks 27th Inter-Club battle with Royston (host). Judge: TBD Meetings are held weekly at 7.30 - 9.30pm on Tuesdays in Foxton Village Hall from Sept to April. Some sessions are held virtually, via Zoom, if the speaker/judge is unable to attend in person.

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, The Farrier at his Forge and to see some of our

by Steve deHavilland work, visit our website at melbournphotoclub.com. If you are interested in joining, we are happy for you to join up to two meetings for free before deciding.

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

Peter North Secretary Melbourn & District Photographic Club 10

Friends of Holy Trinity www.foht.org.uk Covid restrictions continue to limit the organisation of indoor functions, e.g. the Annual Supper in January, various talks and music events. This seems likely to continue during the winter months.

Within their charity remit to help maintain the fabric of the church, The Friends have supported three requests from the PCC in recent months totalling £2788 for:  The restoration of the notice board that records the vicars and their tenure over the years, the first being around 1326.  A survey of the drains to asses their condition as they could affect damp in he church.  Temporary repairs to the nave roof to deal with cracks in the lead which were causing leaks.

A further review of The Friends’ activities will be drawn up for the next issue of Meldreth Matters.

John Price

PC Repairs

To advertise in this space, call Beverley Cottrell on (01763)262176 or email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com

Advice & Installation of Home Networks Help with Selecting a computer Fault Finding Brian Girling 01223 208529 (Wimpole) E-mail bg@moncraft.co.uk We can also provide the following services: Design of brochures, posters, business cards, etc.

A4/A3 laminating • A4 comb-Binding Small print runs on A6 to A3 media

See our rates on page 56 11

Melbourn & Meldreth Women’s Group Our November meeting was held in Holy Trinity Church Meeting Room in Meldreth and twelve members came to share with Reverend Caroline Brownlie, who led us on an Advent reflection. Caroline shared music (Tchaikovsky’s Nine Sacred Choruses) and thoughts to encourage our own reflection both for the evening and throughout Advent in preparation for Christmas Day. After sharing her thoughts on the disciples’ and gospel writers’ reflections on Jesus and how they helped them to come to a fuller understanding of him, we were given the opportunity to focus on three areas ourselves:  God’s gifts to us from others  God’s gifts to us in nature  God’s gifts to us as individuals.

We were led into each section with some music and then there was time for us to reflect and write down anything we wanted to record before we moved onto the next section. Caroline finished with a prayer which we all said together and with her permission, I put it below so that you may use it if you want to: As we thank you for your present gifts in the world and each other, remind us this Christmas of your greatest gift in the past, Jesus, and help us to turn to him daily for his love and faithfulness which is always in the present. Amen.

Sue Toule gave a vote of thanks for a peaceful and yet encouraging evening and a donation will be made to Médecins Sans Frontières on Caroline’s behalf.

On 25th January 2022, we are due to have our AGM at All Saints’ Community Hall, Melbourn. We will receive reports, nominate a charity to support for the year, receive the programme for the year and hopefully have a bring and share supper. These plans will be reviewed in the light of Covid measures and recommendations then current.

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

Pat Smith 12

Presentation at All Saints Church Parishioners from both congregations of Holy Trinity Church, Meldreth and All Saints, Melbourn met at All Saints on Sunday 28th November for a presentation to Mary Price and Pat Smith, in appreciation of the way in which they have interacted and have run the parishes in the absence of the incumbent on maternity leave.

From left to right: Caroline Brownlie, Pat Smith, Mary Price, Mary Bailey

Mary and Pat were presented with sums of cash which had been raised from people in both villages.

Our small committee decided to include Caroline Brownlie and Mary Bailey too who have also taken on extra work. We realise that there will be others who have stepped up to help and we are sorry that we could not include everyone. Each lady was also presented with a bouquet of flowers.

Peter Chilvers

Dust Free Wood Floor Sanding & Restoration

Village Garden Services

Is your Wooden Floor in need of Sanding?

Contact : Campbell Weir Mobile : 07798 924022 Home : 01223 207583 Email : campbell.weir@outlook.com

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

Reliable and friendly service for all your general garden maintenance needs and much more ...… !

Denny Lodge Business Park, Ely Road, Chittering

13

Baby & Toddler Group Happy New Year to our families who attend the Baby and Toddler Group! We will be open again on Wednesday 5th January* from 9.30 - 11.30am in the Village Hall. The cost is £2 per family, which includes a drink and biscuit for the children and hot drinks for adults. *date subject to change. Please join our Facebook group for updates and news.

Bridget Rinaldi 07799 671902

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

JACKSON COX OPTICIANS ➢

NHS & PRIVATE EYE TESTS

➢

CATARACT, GLAUCOMA TESTS

➢

MACULAR DEGENERATION CHECKS

➢

CONTACT LENS CHECKS

➢

OCT EYE SCAN

➢

DESIGNER FRAMES AND LENSES

➢

FREE ON ROAD PARKING

30A WOOLARDS LANE, GREAT SHELFORD, CB22 5LZ www.jackson-cox-optician.com

01223 840 441 A. SAXENA, MCOptom OPTOMETRIST

14

Meldreth Primary School PTA Happy New Year to all.

We would like to start by saying that we are thrilled to announce that we hit our target of £20,000 to restore the school pool to its former glory. With some funding secured from the Parish Council, we were finally sufficiently confident to engage the builders to start work. Work should begin in January weather permitting, and this should ensure the children will be back in the pool this summer.

What a successful year 2021 was for the PTA. Despite significant hurdles we managed to attract lots of enthusiasm and support for our main cause - saving the school pool. We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who supported our cause. With over £4000 raised by our supportive community on Crowdfunder, over £4000 from a massively successful Zumbathon, over £6000 secured in local grants, plus the use of some of the PTA reserve funds we slowly got close to our target. Finally we owe a huge thanks to Lesley Farbridge and all our local crafters for turning out and making the November Christmas Market a roaring success. In total, we raised over £700 from that event taking us over the final score line.

We do, however, still have some funds for the swimming pool to come.

And we are thrilled to have been chosen for the Asda Cambridge green tokens online vote. You can vote online once a week until the end of January. https://www.asda.com/green-tokens/store?store=4575 it only takes a few seconds and every vote takes us closer to some more funds for the pool.

Looking ahead, we can see that this new year will bring some new targets for the PTA. Keep an eye out for details of our bingo bonanza.

Perhaps details of our spring planters may take your fancy. And could this finally be the year that we see the return of the children on the disco dance floor?

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MeldrethPTA. Meldreth Primary School PTA

15

Meldreth Primary School www.meldreth.cambs.sch.uk It’s been a challenging Christmas term at Meldreth Primary School, with the reintroduction of many covid restrictions that we had hoped to be done with but, as always, the children have responded with wonderful resilience and enthusiasm every step of the way. We’d like to say a huge thank you to staff, parents, carers and the community for their invaluable support through these times. Despite the challenges we are all facing, fantastic things have been taking place in Meldreth – please enjoy a selection of some of the great things the children have been up to recently!

The Nativity In KS1 the children delivered a fantastic rendition of the Christmas story, complete with amazing angels and all the animals you could imagine! Despite restrictions, our incredible school staff managed to pull off a fantastic performance which was enjoyed by families watching the recording from home.

Theatre of Widdershins The incredible Andy from Widdershins Theatre came in to thrill children and adults alike with his performance of ‘The Elves and the Shoemaker’. With a magical set and storytelling which had us all on the edge of our seats, Andy once again made Christmas come to life at Meldreth! It was wonderful to see the children asking so many questions about how the sets and puppets worked, and we must say a 16

massive thank you to Andy for taking the time to show the children all of the magic behind his wonderful show.

Children in Need Children across the school had a great time raising money for Children in Need, dressing up in their pyjamas for the day!

Classes spent time learning about antibullying with the theme ‘One Kind Word’, took part in online workouts with Joe Wicks and looked after their wellbeing with various Pudsey activities. The school community raised over £330 for Children in Need this year.

Santa Dash Pupils had a brilliant time dressing up as Santa for our annual ‘Santa Dash’! It was brilliant to see Christmas jumpers and Santa hats throughout the school – and quite a sight to see so many tiny santas dashing around!

We have also had a brilliant decoration day in which the children filled the school with winter decorations, Year 6 participated in their Level 2 Bikeability and children across KS2 entered a ‘spooky story’ competition – look out for our winning three entries being published in the months to come!

From all of us at Meldreth Primary School, we hope you had a very Merry Christmas and wish you a wonderful New Year. We look forward to sharing more with you across 2022!

Natasha Hill Meldreth Primary School 17

Things for Children and Families To Do Sunday 2nd January, 2.30pm and Monday 3rd January, 11.00am The Snow Queen, Cambridge Junction, Clifton Way CB1 7GX Join Gerda on her quest to save Kaj from the Snow Queen. Live music, a bicycling reindeer, irritable ogres and a sprinkling of snow. For ages 5+ £16.50, £11 concessions. Tickets from www.junction.co.uk.

Friday 7th January and every Friday, 2.00pm Bookstart Storytime, Royston Library, Market Hill SG8 9JN Listen to a story, have fun with a colouring activity. No need to book.

Throughout January Fantastic Creatures, Family First, Fitzwilliam Museum CB2 1RB For ages 3+. Online themed activities. If you enjoy these, book for future Family First sessions in the museum. Also try: Tuesday 18th January, 10.00am Gurgling in the Gallery Escape into the world of paintings with your baby. For babies under 12 months. Connect with other parents and carers. Free but book online.

Wednesday 19th January, 10.00am Toddler Magic A chance for 1-3 year olds to explore the museum through music, play & creative activities. Family ticket £4.www.tickets.museums.cam.ac.uk.

Saturday 22nd January, 10.30am to 12 noon Muddy Walk, Trumpington Meadows, Grantchester Road, Trumpington CB2 9LH Meet at Byron’s Pool car park to explore muddy puddles and discover winter wildlife. Create and decorate Green Man masks on the trees.

Wellies essential. For ages up to 11 and their families. Book free tickets for children on www.wildlifebcn.org.

Interested in Astronomy?

Try the Cambridge Astronomy website at www.public.ast.cam.ac.uk to see videos such as ‘Is there gravity in Space?’ or ‘Hunting for Aliens’.

January is a good time to stargaze. Take warm clothes, a blanket to lie on (and one to snuggle under!), a hot drink and a phone app such as Star Walk or Google Sky Map or print a star guide showing the constellations.

Compiled by Hilary Crawforth 18

MELDRETH PLANT HIRE TEL: 01763 262738

DIGGERS, DUMPERS, BREAKERS, WACKERS, ROTAVATORS. AVAILABLE FOR DAILY OR WEEKLY HIRE. WWW.MELDRETHPLANT.CO.UK

For all your domestic electrical needs.

Visit

sparkys.online Mobile

07974 375 377 Email

info@sparkys.online 19

Early Preparations for Spring in Melwood www.melwood.org.uk Following autumn working parties, strimming the coarse growth from earlier in the year is now virtually complete. Areas where we expect to see spring flowers are covered with a carpet of fallen leaves which should provide a bit of winter protection before eventually decomposing to add valuable organic matter to the soil. This will be greatly appreciated by the bluebells we have planted over the last two years. For a while at least, the fallen leaves may also help to protect the leaves of primroses from rabbit predation.

With foliage still on the trees and bushes when we held our last work party in November, coppicing has been put back to January or February but small elder bushes have been cut back to increase the area of open ground. Large elders that are big enough to flower and bear fruit will be left in strategic positions for the benefit of birds and insects.

One of the main tasks of the November working party was to clean the nest boxes and repair those that were not too badly damaged. We had thirteen boxes on our list but two were found to be missing, one was damaged beyond repair and one was removed for replacement of the lid. The eight boxes inspected had all been used and we were surprised to find a field mouse sleeping under the old nest material in one of the boxes, despite it being about fifteen feet up a tree. The mouse was carefully left to continue its slumbers. The nest material was a mixture of moss, lichen and feathers in almost all the boxes. This is typical of Blue Tits or Great Tits and was thus not surprising. One box, however, had a nest of broad dry grass leaves and little else. We have no idea which species produced that, as House Sparrows, a likely alternative, usually include a variety of other material with grass and feathers. We will watch that box carefully next year in case the same bird comes back to it. If it turns out to be a Tree Sparrow, it will be a new record for Melwood The sides of the meadow have been cut, in part to supress the nettles but also to allow a few more flowering plants introduced as seedlings to have space and light whilst they get established. The centre of the meadow used to have a small population of cowslips but these seem to 20

have been overtaken by more robust species. Cowslips thrive on grazed grassland, where the sheep or cattle keep the tallest growth in check and on roadside verges, where cutting is required for the safe vision of drivers or simply to keep the verge tidy. They flower before the surrounding growth has a chance to overtake them. Similar cutting may serve the same purpose in Melwood.

Usually, once summer is over, the pressure on the bonfire site in the wood declines, but this year it seems to have got worse. More large logs have been moved to create seating and we have even seen a second bonfire site emerge. This would not be too bad if the users took their rubbish away with them but the Melwood’s litter pickers have more work to do than ever. It is very disappointing.

Some wildlife is seen fairly regularly in the wood but many residents are mostly nocturnal and known only from the evidence of their activities.

Grazing of wild flowers and stripping of fresh green bark are common winter and spring signs of rabbits and deer. Other species may be present without ever leaving a trace. I spotted one recently, not in the wood but on an early evening visit to Dobbie’s garden centre. As I walked past the outside tables of plants, a fairly large bird scuttled away into the cover of the surrounding hedge. There was no mistaking it – it was a Woodcock. It must be 20 years or more since I last saw one of these in the Melbourn and Meldreth area. On that occasion, it was a pair in the dense cover at the back of Melwood. Such a shy and retiring species would probably remain in areas away from the paths these days but there is some suitable cover along the woods beside the river and at dusk you may see one if you are very alert, very quiet and very lucky. The resident population is reinforced by a few migrant birds in November and December.

Most of the tree and bush work in the wood will now wait for a spell of reasonable weather after Christmas. Damaged nest boxes will then be replaced and I hope it will be possible to introduce some bat boxes.

The original ones installed quite a few years ago, were all wrecked by woodpeckers or squirrels. We will need some tougher protection this time.

Jim Reid Melwood conservation group Website : www.melwood.org.uk 21

Notes from a Small Garden Here we are at the beginning of a new gardening year. As I write this we are going through a cold rainy patch, not dissimilar to last year, although the first half of November was warm and mainly dry. The colours of trees and shrubs have been glorious, autumn being prolonged by the late leaf drop. I don’t remember so many trees and shrubs turning such a brilliant yellow before. My neighbour has kindly given me sacks of leaves from his red oak tree to use as a green mulch, so we have been spreading them around the beds and the potager.

‘Don’t they blow away?’ ask my friends. Funnily enough they don’t seem to,, although I’m sure the heavy rain that we’ve had helps. I think that last year’s mulching was in part responsible for the exceptional growth of the roses, delphiniums, dahlias and phloxes in particular.

So is green mulching generally a good idea? It is the main thrust of the Permaculture method, which aims to improve the soil ecologically. I have a young French friend who grows wonderful vegetables in Provence. Weeds, vegetable scraps and all her compostable material are put straight onto the beds, retaining moisture, improving soil structure, suppressing weeds and fertilising the soil at the same time; all very good advantages during hot dry summers.

I have to admit though, that this method doesn’t produce a very attractive plot. I love to grow annuals as well as vegetables in my potager so I like it to look beautiful! On the other hand my neighbour’s red oak leaves (which also turned yellow this autumn) look very attractive strewn around the garden.

But now we are into January and the fun of planning the garden for the coming year begins; choosing seeds, seed potatoes, scanning the gardening emails and catalogues and looking for my list of tomatoes that are said not to get blight so that I can order the best seeds.

The spring bulbs will be coming up soon, with the aconites first. But I shall be especially looking for the snowdrops we planted last year in the churchyard, around the stocks and by the bus stop. Thank you again to all those who helped.

Jobs for January  Remove and bin hellebore foliage marked with black blotches, to limit the spread of leaf spot disease; it’s also good to be able to 22

  

see the new leaves and flowers in mid April if the old leaves are cut down Check that small alpines don't become smothered by fallen leaves and other wind-blown debris Deadhead winter pansies and other bedding regularly, and remove any foliage affected by downy mildew Move dormant plants that are in the wrong place, to more suitable sites.

A happy and healthy New Year to all gardeners!

Julie Draper juliedraper@dumbflea.co.uk

Our trademark is our exceptional ‘conception to completion’ quality of service. We can assist you in everything from inspiration & design management to project delivery & installation.

BEFORE

WINNER

AFTER

“Best professional kitchen remodelling service - East of England”

“The judging process is driven 100% by merit which means that awardees must demonstrate expertise within a given field, dedication to client service and satisfaction and on going commitment to excellence and innovation” - Build Magazine, Home and Garden Awards 2021

43 High Street, Royston SG8 9AW Call us on 01763 245000 / 01223 870440 Email: info@trademark-kitchens.co.uk Follow us on Instagram for inspirational kitchen, bathroom and bedroom ideas @trademarkkitchensandbathrooms

www.trademark-kitchens.co.uk 23

Whaddon Road, Meldreth, SG8 5RL

Club Facili es

Entertainments

Licensed bar Hall available for private hire for any occasion (compe ve rates) Fully equipped gymnasium (annual subscrip on) 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

RML

IT CONSULTANTS LTD

RML IT Consultants Ltd Newton Hall, Town Street, Newton, Cambridge CB22 7ZE Tel: +44 (0) 1223 873747, Mobile 07946 216268 Email: info@rmlconsultants.co.uk

INCORPORATING WANT YOUR P.C. REPAIRED AT REASONABLE RATES?

whatever the size of your company we can help…

Internet connection and security Firewall/VPN solutions provider Installations and upgrades Network and computer support Wireless networking and security

GIVE ME A CALL ON:07946 216268

All our solutions are individually specified for your company ensuring the best and most cost-effective result:

Implementation of messaging systems Web design and content management Email compliance (archiving and retrieval) Hardware and software expertise and sourcing

24

In Praise Of … … Potatoes This month we showcase potatoes or pommes de terre: potatoes are a staple food that we can enjoy all year round. They have an excellent nutritive content being rich in vitamin C and potassium. They can be fried, steamed, roasted, etc. In truth, the potato is one of the world’s superfoods even though it’s not exotic or trendy and if you’re eating potatoes, you can generally eat local, healthy, and dirt cheap.

Here are three recipes to celebrate potatoes in all their glory. Enjoy.

Potato Rösti Prep time 20 minutes, cooking time 20 minutes, serves 2 Ingredients 2 large floury potatoes peeled 2-3 tbsp clarified butter or duck fat 2-3 tbsp sunflower oil Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Method For the rösti, grate the potatoes coarsely into a clean tea towel. Fold the towel around the potato to form a ball and squeeze to remove as much moisture as possible. Season the potato with black pepper, then divide into four equal portions. Make sure you squeeze as much moisture as possible from the potatoes to get a really crisp result.

Heat a large frying pan over a medium heat and add two tablespoons of the clarified butter or duck fat and the sunflower oil. Place a metal chef’s ring inside the frying pan and carefully fill with one portion of grated potato. Using the back of a spoon gently push down to make a compact cake. Remove the ring and repeat with the remaining potato until you have four rösti.

Fry the rösti for 8 –10 minutes on both sides, or until golden-brown all over and tender all the way through, adding more oil or fat if required.

Season with salt, then remove from the pan and drain on kitchen paper.

Place onto a roasting tray and reheat before serving.

Goes well with smoked salmon and crème fraiche.

25

Potato Croquettes Prep time 30 minutes to 1 hour, cooking time 30 minutes to 1 hour Ingredients 500g floury potatoes, cut into chunks 15g butter 1 egg yolk plus 1 whole egg 50g cheddar or Emmental or gruyere 50g plain flour 100g panko breadcrumbs Olive oil, for drizzling Salt and freshly ground black pepper Method Simmer the potatoes in lightly salted water for 15 minutes, or until tender. Drain and mash thoroughly, preferably with a ricer. Beat in the butter and one egg yolk then finally the cheese and season to taste.

Cover and leave until firm and cool enough to handle.

Shape the mixture into 10–12 croquettes, weighing around 50g each.

Put the flour, whole egg and breadcrumbs into three separate shallow bowls and beat the egg. Dip each croquette in the flour, pat off any excess, then coat in the egg before dipping in the breadcrumbs. Transfer to a baking tray, then leave to cool to room temperature. Preheat the oven to 200C/180 Fan/Gas 6.

Drizzle the croquettes with oil and bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Goes well with: this is a lovely side dish for a roast or a casserole.

Potato and Rosemary Bread Rolls Preheat oven to 180°C (375°F) or gas mark 4. Grease or line the baking tray.

Ingredients 1 large floury potato (approximately 250g) 250g strong plain flour 1 sachet quick acting yeast (7 grams) 2 x 15ml spoons dried rosemary 2 x 15ml spoon oil 150ml warm water Milk, for glazing 26

Method Peel and chop the potato. Boil until tender, drain well and mash thoroughly. Sift the flour into a mixing bowl and then stir in the yeast and dried rosemary. Make a well and add the oil, warm water and mashed potato. Mix to form a soft dough. Knead on a lightly floured surface for approximately 10 minutes or until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. Place into the bowl, cover with cling film and leave in a warm place until doubled in size.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into eight equal pieces. Shape each piece into a roll and place on the prepared baking tray, brush each roll with a little milk, before placing in the oven. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and cool on a rack.

The mixture can also be left as one piece of dough and baked in a loaf tin for about 45 minutes. Rather than using cooked potato, grate raw potato into the flour mix. You will need to reduce the water to 100ml.

Goes well with: homemade soup.

Jane O’Hagan

P.D. Property Services 1 Abbots Close Litlington Nr Royston, Herts SG8 0QQ 25274

25274

PLUMBING, HEATING & GAS FULL BATHROOM DESIGN & INSTALL OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE

01763 853 778 MOB 07768 332380

TEL

ASK FOR PAUL

27

Meldreth Village Dia Monday The copy deadline for the February issue of Meldreth Matters is Wednesday 12th January 11.00-12.00 Trigger Point Pilates

Tuesday

Wednesday

Refuse Collections Black bins: 7th*, 19th* Blue bins: 13th* & 25th Green bins: 13th* * changed dates due to public holidays 9.00-10.30am Yoga2rise Time tba Meldreth Marvels Cycling Group 1.30-2.30pm 50+ Aerobics

9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group

4.00-5.00pm A

6.30pm Slimming World

6.00-6.45pm Pi

8.00-9.00pm Bell Ringing

7.00-9.00pm Ta

7.00-8.00pm Fitness Pilates

11.00-12.00 Trigger Point Pilates 2.00-3.00pm Disco Duck 4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children

Thursd

9.00-10.30am Yoga2rise Time tba Meldreth Marvels Cycling Group 1.30-2.30pm 50+ Aerobics 7.00-8.00pm Fitness Pilates

8.00-9.00pm Zumba

10.00am Hartb

7.30pm Meldre Council (venue 9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group 1.30-2.30pm Lift Off Choir 6.30pm Slimming World 8.00-9.00pm Bell Ringing

10.00am Hartb 4.00-5.00pm A

6.00-6.45pm Pi

7.00-9.00pm Ta

MM Copy Deadline 11.00-12.00 Trigger Point Pilates 2.00-3.00pm Disco Duck 4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children 8.00-9.00pm Zumba

11.00-12.00 Trigger Point Pilates 2.00-3.00pm Disco Duck 4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children

9.00-10.30am Yoga2rise Time tba Meldreth Marvels Cycling Group

9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group

1.30-2.30pm Lift Off 10.40-11.30 Mobile Library Choir 1.30-2.30pm 50+ Aerobics 6.30pm Slimming World 7.00-8.00pm Fitness Pilates

8.00-9.00pm Bell Ringing

9.00-10.30am Yoga2rise

9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group

Time tba Meldreth Marvels Cycling Group 1.30-2.30pm 50+ Aerobics

1.30-2.30pm Lift Off Choir

7.00-8.00pm Fitness Pilates

6.30pm Slimming World

10.00am Hartb 4.00-5.00pm A

6.00-6.45pm Pi 7.00-9.00pm T

10.00am Hartb 4.00-5.00pm A

6.00-6.45pm Pi

7.00-9.00pm Ta

8.00-9.00pm Bell Ringing

8.00-9.00pm Zumba

Church services are held in Holy Trinity Church. The Mobile Library Service visits Bell C MLHG meet in the Community Room in Elin Way. All other

28

ary - January 2022

day

Friday

Saturday

Sunday 9.45am Said Eucharist with hymns

School term starts on Wednesday 5th January

beeps

9.30am Slimming World

8.00am Said Eucharist

9.30am Slimming World

9.45am Said Eucharist with hymns

9.30am Slimming World

9.45am Said Eucharist with hymns

cro

ilates

able Tennis

eth Parish tbc)

beeps

cro

ilates

able Tennis

beeps

Acro

ilates

able Tennis

beeps

9.30am Slimming World

30 31

cro

ilates

able Tennis

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

29

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

Throughout January and continuing, online event Cambridge Secret Society Exploration Game Explore the top attractions and uncover the history of Cambridge in a unique way. Play an exploration game on your smartphone and take on the role of someone living in medieval Britain. Duration 1.5 hours.

From £3.57 per person. Book your ticket at www.getyourguide.co.uk.

Throughout January and continuing, at varying times The David Parr House, 184-6 Gwydir St, Cambridge CB1 2LW An ordinary Cambridge terraced house with an extraordinary, unexpected interior. Take an actual or guided online tour. Visit www.davidparrhouse.org for timings & prices.

Wednesday to Sunday, 12.00pm to 5.00pm until Sunday 6th February (closed 24th December to 4th January) Lucy van Pelt: Director of Everything Downing College, Regent Street, Cambridge CB2 1DQ Featuring one of the best-loved characters from Charles M Schulz’s ‘Peanuts’, and original comic strips and line art from the Schulz museum. A must for all fans! Free. www.dow.cam.ac.uk.

Wednesdays 5th and 19th January (and every other Wednesday) Melbourn Wednesday Walk, 10.30am to 11.30am The Hub, Melbourn SG8 6DZ Starting from Melbourn Hub, these group walks are short and over easy terrain. Open to all but especially aimed at those who are least active. Led by friendly, specially-trained volunteers to provide encouragement. Contact leah.collis@scambs.go.uk or on 07508 020678 for more information and to register.

Saturday 8th January to Monday 28th February (runs daily) Wassail at Wimpole!

Wimpole Estate, Arrington, Royston SG8 0BW Wassail is the old English custom of blessing the health of apple trees.

Head out on a sensory trail to explore the mid-winter traditions our 30

ancestors believed would bring a good harvest. Pick up trail booklet from reception. Free but normal National Trust admission applies.

Saturday 8th January, 7.30pm Four Centuries, Four Players - Fitzwilliam String Quartet Clare Hall, Herschel Road, Cambridge CB3 9AL Acclaimed string quartet’s much-anticipated first performance ‘in residence’ at Cambridge’s Clare Hall, featuring music by Purcell, Haydn and Beethoven. Tickets £5 to £15 from www.eventbrite.co.uk.

Tuesday 18th January, 1.15pm Spotlight Talk: Global Gold Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1RB Adrian Popescu introduces a new display from the Museum’s own collections and talks about the enduring fascination with gold - rare, beautiful and valued above all metals in many societies over the last six thousand years. Free but admission by ticket and donation of £10 or £20 invited: www.tickets.museums.cam.ac.uk.

From Saturday 22nd January - Friday 1st April, 10.00am-4.00pm Snowdrops at Chippenham Park Chippenham Park Gardens, Newmarket, Cambridgeshire CB7 5PT Renowned for its dramatic display of snowdrops and aconites in lovely woodland setting. Delicious home-made cakes and refreshments in the licensed Potting Shed Café. NB payment on the gate and in the tea rooms by cash only. Admission £7, children 5-16 years £3.

Thursday 27th January, 7.30pm (doors open 7.00pm) The Aeronauts (with Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones) Orwell Film Club, Village Hall, High Street, Orwell SG8 5QN Next in the series of film showings, on the 4th Thursday of every month, resumed subject to Covid restrictions. Annual membership £6.

Contact secretary Roger Daw (01223) 207221 for further details.

Saturday 29th January, 10.30am to 1.00pm Plant a Tree at Wandlebury Wandlebury Country Park, Gog Magog Hills CB23 3AE Help the planet by planting a tree and creating a new woodland.

Instructions and trees provided but please bring your own spade if you have one. Boots or wellies recommended - and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty! No need to book. Meet by car park noticeboard.

Compiled by John Crawforth 31

Dog Waste We are very lucky to have our own Litter Picker who diligently empties the litter bins at the Recreation Ground as well as picking up the litter in the village.

He is very enthusiastic about the environment and as a result of that he goes through the litter bins to recycle any item he can. Unfortunately, this is now proving difficult as many people are putting dog waste into the main litter bins. Although this is not illegal, it would be appreciated if this could stop.

There are four dog waste bins situated at each corner of the Recreation Ground and we would be grateful if these can be used for dog waste instead of the regular litter bins.

Thank you.

Meldreth Parish Council

Vandalism in the Village The Council is concerned to see that there continues to be vandalism in the village and that community facilities are being damaged as a consequence of this.

Play equipment at the recreation ground has been interfered with and signs have been damaged. The road signs at the Fenny Lane crossroads have been dug up. The Council’s electric speed monitor has recently been damaged and needs professional repairs; it will be out of action for the time being.

The village needs to do everything possible to curtail vandalism and catch those committing it. Residents will have to pay the costs of repairs etc. through increases in our Council Tax precept so we have a good reason to work together on this.

32

We therefore urge all residents to be watchful and not to hesitate to report unacceptable antisocial behaviour. This can be done by calling the Police on 101 (for non-emergencies) or alternatively, please advise the Parish Clerk (01763) 269928 or any of the Parish Councillors whose details are shown in Meldreth Matters.

Meldreth Parish Council

Can You Help?

Meldreth Parish Council owns the white fingerpost sign located at the junction of North End, High Street and Fenny Lane. Until fairly recently it has been maintained by a resident of the village who is now no longer available to do so.

Sadly, over the past couple of years it has begun to deteriorate and is now in desperate need of renovation/ restoration. Obviously, we want to preserve this sign as it has become an important piece of street furniture for our village.

We are looking for a volunteer to take on the repair and maintenance of this village landmark. Whoever takes it on will need a certain degree of woodworking knowledge and craftsmanship as we would like it returned to its original condition. We feel that after the initial repairs there will be no more required than one annual maintenance visit for a lick of paint and some TLC. Meldreth Parish Council will pay all the material expenses (by prior arrangement) incurred for the repairs and maintenance of the finger post sign.

If you think you can help, please do not hesitate to contact the Parish Clerk on (01763) 269928 or email parishclerk@meldreth-pc.org.uk.

Meldreth Parish Council 33

Speed Monitor Update The speed monitor has been moved to Fenny Lane. The mean data is enclosed for October and November combined.

Direction of Travel

Number of Percentage Vehicles Speeding >30mph

Fastest Vehicle

Average Speed

Travelling to the 23,767 stocks

26%

84 mph

28 mph

Travelling to the 23,041 crossroads

47%

77 mph

36 mph

Travelling to the crossroads from the stocks, there were 39 vehicles going over 60mph and four going 70mph or faster.

Travelling to the Stocks from the crossroads, eighteen vehicles were going over 60mph, five going over 70mph and one was going over 80mph at 12.30pm on a Saturday afternoon.

The variance in directional speed is thought to be due to the quantity of traffic turning right into the Meldreth Manor car park from the crossroads and therefore going more slowly.

Iain McPhee

N J Chapman

Little Hands Nursery School The Moor, Melbourn

Garden Services Handyman

A Private Nursery School specialising in quality care & preschool education for the under fives

High staff to child ratio, individual child centred planning & learning, Flexible booking system for the 08.00am – 5.30pm nursery day. Optional holiday clubs available, dedicated baby room for children under two

Mobile: 07592 725 169

We accept nursery funding giving 15 & 30 hours/week of free funded nursery for all 3 and 4 year olds & eligible 2 year olds

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

Email: nigeljchapman3@gmail.com

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

34

Meldreth Speedwatch in 2021 Last year the Meldreth Speedwatch team carried out 44 shifts in various key roads in the village. Some 5300 vehicles passed through our watches, of which just under 9% were exceeding our village’s speed limit of 30mph.

This is a slight improvement over 2020 figures.

Community Speedwatch, which a number of Cambridge villages operate as elsewhere in the country, consists of volunteer teams helping to educate local drivers – it is not enforcement.

Drivers of vehicles travelling over 35 miles per hour in a 30 mph limit receive police letters. Those monitored more than twice by the same Speedwatch team, may expect a letter delivered by a police officer rather than through the post. A few drivers on our village roads had such a letter last year.

With many more cyclists on our roads over the past three years, added to the increase in traffic through the village, if speeds were kept strictly below 30mph in our limited areas, this would reduce the possibility of accidents.

Village volunteers contributed around 63 hours of their own time to Speedwatch shifts in the morning rush hours. We are often asked why we are not doing watches at other times and places. The positions of watches are agreed with the police, are based on team safety and are selected for likely traffic behaviour. That means areas where speeds above 30 mph can be expected in the limited area. The times chosen are busy times but also have to suit the availability of the volunteers who are often on duty in all weathers.

Most drivers observe the 30 mph village limits, that is very clear. It’s the nine or ten percent of drivers who are speeding that put at risk the safety of themselves and other road users.

Please respect the 30mph limits in Meldreth.

If you are interested in joining a Speedwatch team, email us on csw.meldreth@btinternet.com.

Graham Borgonon Meldreth Speedwatch Team 35

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

Vacancy for a Manager We are now looking for a Manager to manage the Charity so that it provides a reliable and responsive service to our clients, in accordance with the wishes of the Board of Trustees.

The Manager will be responsible for the effective day to day management of a small team of employees and large number of volunteers together with a small number of vehicles. Experience in office administration and associated systems is desirable as is dealing with a diverse range of people and organisations. A positive attitude to hands on management is essential.

Salary £20,000 per annum. 20 hours per week For further details please contact (01763) 245228 or email HR@Roytrans.co.uk.

Drivers Wanted If you like helping people and have a four-door car, a full driving licence and a few hours to spare, then you could be just who we are looking for to help us provide transport for people who are unable to use conventional public transport. You would use your own car and receive 50p per mile. Personal accident and public liability insurance is provided through the scheme.

As a volunteer you would tell us when you are available, and you may refuse a drive if it is suddenly not possible for you.

For further information please call our office on (01763) 245228 between 9.00am and 3.00pm or email us at info@roytrans.co.uk.

Royston & District Community Transport

36

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

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

37

MELDRETH

Moorlands Court

LANDSCAPES

Over 60? Feeling a bit lonely?

Why not try our Day Centre?

Design & Layout Plans

 Meet up for a chat and lunch?  Our Day Centre is comfortable, friendly and easily accessed.  Open Tuesday to Friday every week.  Transport can be arranged.

Why not give us a call?

Hard Landscaping & Lighting Planting & Water Features Pergolas, Decking, etc

Tel: 01763 261463 www.meldrethlandscapes.co.uk

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

Kneesworth Rd., Meldreth, Royston, Herts

Reconnect to your life Whatever your hearing difficulty, angli-EAR Hearing uses the most up-to-date tests and equipment to find the best solution for you.

ear health check today

Independent audiology experts you can trust Hearing Assessments

Ear Wax Removal

Hearing Aids

Tinnitus Solutions

Find us at our new address: Audiology House (Cambridge) 15 Woollards Lane, Great Shelford, Cambridge CB22 5LZ

BOOK ONLINE

Book your

FREE

www.angliearhearing.co.uk

38

01223 661399 info@angliearhearing.co.uk

WhatsApp 'Friend in Need' scam Action Fraud has reported an emerging threat where victims are being targeted on WhatsApp by criminals pretending to be someone they know. Criminals will typically claim to be a family member and will usually begin the conversation with “Hello Mum” or “Hello Dad”. The messages are sent from the compromised accounts of a family member, so they look as if they’re coming from someone you know, or from an unknown number claiming to be a family member who has lost their phone or been ‘locked out’ of their account. They will go on to ask for money to purchase a new phone, or claim that they need money urgently to pay a bill. The criminal will supply their bank details for payment, with some coming back with further demands for money. Criminals are successful in their approach as they prey on our kindness and desire to help friends and family.

If you receive a suspicious message that’s asking you for money or personal information (even if you think you know who it’s from), speak with the person over the phone or request a voice note to verify they are who they say they are.

Always follow the advice of the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign to keep safe from fraud.  Stop: taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.  Challenge: could it be fake? It’s okay to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.  Protect: if you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

If you're not sure whether something is a scam, you can talk to one of the trusted contacts in Meldreth: Graham (01763) 260358

Linda (01763) 261405

Peter

Tim (01763) 262801

(01763) 260323

You can contact Neighbourhood Watch by phoning Graham on the above number, or by emailing nhw.meldreth@btinternet.com.

Meldreth Neighbourhood Watch 39

Meldreth Parish Council www.meldreth-pc.org.uk Meeting held on Thursday 2nd December 2021 This meeting was held in the Community Room in Elin Way. The main points 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 notice board; these will be presented for approval at the next Council meeting.

Discussions and Decisions Parish Council Vacancy The vacancy on the Council has now been published with a closing date of Friday 17th December 2021 for co-option applications. The Council will review applications at its meeting on Thursday 6th January 2022.

Council Meetings It is confirmed that for the time being all Council and Council Planning Committee meetings will not be held in the Green Room of the Village Hall as in the current COVID circumstances, this is too small to safely accommodate Councillors and members of the public wishing to be present. The venues of future meetings will continue to be published at the due time with the Agenda, and can be viewed on the Council’s notice board opposite the One Stop shop. The Council will observe any further government directions or recommendations arising from the latest virus developments and will also take whatever additional measures it regards as sensible and precautionary in the current uncertain circumstances.

Major Local Planning Issues These include the Greater Cambridge Local Plan, the possible Thakeham development and the Oxford Cambridge Arc. As previously noted in some detail, the Council continues to have severe reservations about the possible relationships between these various proposals and how they do not seem to be coherent with each other.

There is also a current consultation about the proposals to restrict vehicle traffic in the City of Cambridge. The Council will respond to this consultation by the due date but is concerned that the proposals 40

give undue weight to the city and inadequate reference to the needs of outlying communities such as Meldreth where, by reason of inadequate bus services and distance, the ability to drive by car into the City is an essential requirement. These issues are shared by other villages in the district and the Council would like to feel that our District and County representatives will fully support the reservations that we and other villages will be raising about this latest proposal.

Covid-19 Update Our local MCCS arrangements remain in place for those in need of assistance. With a significant increase in Covid cases in our area, all residents are recommended to exercise prudence and caution, especially in view of the uncertainty surrounding the Omicron variant.

District and County Councillors’ Report The Council thanks our County and District Councillors for keeping us informed. We welcome the news about the restoration of the half hourly train service. The Council remains concerned about the proposed facilities at Foxton Station (aka the Foxton Car Park).

Although we continue to doubt the rationale for the whole project, and the bias it shows against travel by car in favour of cycling etc, we note the significant reduction in size that is now envisaged. The District and County Councillors’ Report, updated as necessary, will be published in Meldreth Matters [see pages 46-49].

Community Projects Working Group The Council confirmed that it is willing in principle to increase its donation to the Village School swimming pool project from £2,500 to £4,000, subject to the completion of documentation. It welcomes the news that the organisers have completed the major part of their funding project and are now ready to proceed. The Council congratulates them on this significant achievement in a project that has major community benefit. This donation will be funded from the Council’s Community (Solar) Fund.

Recreation Ground Our playground and adult equipment continues to be generally in good order and the few outstanding issues are being attended to.

There are a few minor issues that will be addressed in the usual way.

The Council has noted that the recently installed basket swing, intended for the use of disabled and other children, has been reported 41

as in need of further review from a safety viewpoint and the Council has initiated urgent discussions with the suppliers. In the meantime the equipment will be taped off from public use until this issue has been resolved.

The ditch at the end of the recreation ground, behind the new houses in Westacre, is in need of dredging as it hosts a colony of rats that are troubling nearby residents. This ditch is the property of SCDC and the Council will be in touch with them about this.

The Council continues to consider other recreational projects including a skateboarding feature and table tennis. Available space is limited at the recreation ground and these projects need to be reviewed along with the possible locations for a multi-use games area.

Village Infrastructure We are informed that the District Council has noted the need to replace the dislocated street signs at the Fenny Lane crossroads but there is no indication of when we might expect this work to be done.

We continue to look for a tradesman who can repair the signpost at the Stocks, as previously reported.

Rail User Group The Council agreed a donation of £700 for the current year, the same level as last year.

Flambards Estate The Council has asked the Residents Association to let us know if they can meet with Council representatives to discuss the repairs to a broken concrete surface for which the Association is responsible under the lease or, alternatively, its removal from the amenity area.

Churchyard The churchyard risk assessment by Ligtas has been commissioned and will identify where urgent remedial action might be needed. Until this is completed, the installation of the bench will be deferred.

Council Finance: The Council will be discussing and agreeing its 2022/23 budget and Precept (Council Tax) at its next meeting in early January. The necessary work has been done on this with special regard to the increased costs that the Council faces in the forthcoming financial year.

42

Next Meeting The next meeting will be held on Thursday 6th January 2022 at 7.30 pm. Venue to be advised.

Meldreth Parish Council

Correction In the December issue of Meldreth Matters, we stated that the November Parish Council meeting had taken place in the Green Room in Meldreth Village Hall. This is incorrect; the meeting took place in the Elin Way Community Room. We would like to apologise to the Parish Council for this error.

Kathryn Betts Editor

Meldreth Parish Council - Contact Details http://www.meldreth-pc.org.uk Parish Office, Meldreth Sheltered Scheme, Elin Way, Royston SG8 6LT Office hours: Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 12.30-2.30pm By appointment at other times Parish Clerk: Mrs J Damant (01763) 269928 parishclerk@meldreth-pc.org.uk Mr R Goddin (Chairman) (01763) 260061

goddin@btinternet.com

Mr R A Searles (Vice Ch)

(01763) 260435

robert.searles@btinternet.com

Mrs C J Fallon

(01763) 262822

joan.fallonpc@gmail.com

Mr N Garner

(01763) 268328

nickphgarner@gmail.com

Dr R James

(01763) 261085

roger+pc@rogerjames.net

Mr C A Land

(01763) 261004

conradland@btinternet.com

Mr Nigel Pellatt

(01763) 260909

nppellatt@btconnect.com

Mr A Young

(01763) 263484

andrewmpc@gmail.com

Vacancy

43

Planning Matters Parish Council The information below has been taken from the minutes of the PC Planning meeting on 4th November. The minutes of the planning meetings on 5th August and 2nd December were not available at the time of going to press.

Meeting minutes (when available) may be viewed on the Parish Council’s website, www.meldreth-pc.org.uk.

Ref. and Address

Details

PC Decision

67 Whitecroft Single storey rear extension Road 21/04721/PRIOR Former Barrington Cement Works 21/04524/S73

No recommendation with no comments S73 Variations, 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, This was noted but no comments 14, 17, 19, 23, pursuant to planning application 21/01474/S73 variations 2, were made 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 28 and 29 pursuant to planning permission S/0057/17/VC

SCDC Decisions Recent decisions are listed below.

Ref. and Address 113 North End 21/04395/PRIOR

Decision Permission refused for a single storey rear infill extension

Stocks and Whipping Post 21/1287/TTCA

The Council has no objection to the following work: T.2 Fell to ground level due to Dutch Elm disease; T.3 - Fell twin stem tree to ground level due to Dutch Elm disease

Land South West of 31 Whitecroft Road 21/01443/ REM

Approval of matters reserved for appearance, landscaping, layout and scale following outline planning permission S/0971/18/OL for residential development (nine dwellings) (Resubmission of 20/02313/REM)

38 High Street 21/02914/HFUL

Permission refused for extension and alterations

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

The Meldreth Matters Team 44

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

Huw Shortle

ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS

Pure Water Window Cleaning

FOR

PLANNING & BUILDING REGULATION APPLICATIONS

07915 378397

FOR

info@huwclean.co.uk

EXTENSIONS ALTERATIONS LOFT CONVERSIONS

My name is Kim, a caring and experienced dog sitter who can also care for other pets in your own home.

Holiday house checks with pets or not.

References available. Insured.

Having owned animals all my life, I am passionate about your pets’ welfare and happiness. Pets are Family.

Please call or text Kim 07737 155554.

CONTACT US now to arrange a FREE on-site meeting at your convenience to discuss your project

01353 649649 mail@elydesigngroup.co.uk www.elydesigngroup.co.uk 45

District and County Councillors’ Report Meldreth High Street Pavement It was very good to see the recent High Street pavement resurfacing opposite Flambards, but the expectation was that a much greater length of pavement would be included. Susan is liaising with Highways and will keep chipping away!

A10 Underpass: First Tidy-Up We are working on a plan to tidy up and improve the general environment at the A10 underpass, along the footpath route between Melbourn and Meldreth. Thanks to SDC, the Melbourn Science Park contractor, for offering and organising to cut vegetation back, to Melbourn Village College students who have come up with some excellent ideas, and to the Community Rail Partnership who have accessed some funding from the train operating company.

Faulty Station Road Streetlight at Fieldgate: Repairs Coming For information: thanks to our friends at Fieldgate for making us aware of the faulty streetlight at this key bend in the road.

Half-Hourly Train As already reported, after many representations to GTR, the half-hourly weekday train service should have resumed for Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton stations on Sunday 12th December. This service had been suspended due to a severe workforce shortage resulting from Covid, but the situation has improved enough to bring it back. We do need to see ridership figures rise to make the service truly sustainable; hopefully this restoration will allow that to happen. This was written before the arrival of Omicron variant! We are hoping very much that somehow use of the service can increase, despite rising rates of Covid and the return to working from home.

Melbourn and Villages Timebank You may already be aware that the Melbourn Timebank is back up and running with lots of good opportunities for sharing favours and mutual support, whether walking a dog, helping in the garden or picking up a prescription. The Timebank reaches from Melbourn into surrounding villages including Meldreth, and a number of regular social events allow people to meet up, including a Melbourn/Meldreth walking group, and the Tuesday morning Dog Café at the Dolphin Pub, 105 High Street 46

Melbourn. To find out more, please feel free to contact us, or see: https://tol2.timebanking.org/melbourn.

Expanded Melbourn Hub The newly expanded Melbourn Hub has been officially opened. All are welcome to pop in and find out about all the activities going on and to enjoy this beautiful public space, have a coffee, lunch or a take-away, or check out a library book and borrow a laptop. You can also order library books from the Cambridgeshire Library system online and collect and return them at the Melbourn Hub. The Hub hosts Citizens Advice every Wednesday from 10.00am to midday. It’s good to add that the Hub correctly implements Covid precautions. For opening hours, room hire and more see https://melbournhub.co.uk.

Foxton Travel Hub: Design Changes and Approval The Foxton Travel Hub design plan has seen significant alterations, with the size of the car park reduced from 500 to 200 spaces. The scheme retains a passenger lift and footbridge over the tracks and adds a 7.00am-7.00pm villages connections bus service. The scheme was discussed at the Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group on Tuesday 30th November and the Community Rail Partnership has contributed over many months to the detailed discussions on improving elements of the overall design. The scheme was approved by the Greater Cambridge Partnership on Thursday 9th December.

Living Independently at Home Lots of support is in place to help people live independently, at home.

If you think you could use some extra help, for example if you’ve been in hospital or experienced an illness, please feel free to ring this County Council number below; here calls are fielded and then directed to someone who can provide advice and point you in the right direction: 0345 045 5202.

Community Support Funding Here are two funding opportunities; we’d be glad to provide further information.

County Council’s Cultivate Grants: grants of £2,000-£15,000, encouraging local networks where people help themselves and each other: http://www.cambscf.org.uk/icf.html District Council Community Chest: grants up to £1,000; apply any time: https://www.scambs.gov.uk/communitychest 47

Covid-19 Cambridgeshire’s ‘Enhanced Response Area’ status has provided some additional support particularly around school settings. ERA status was renewed just as news of the new Omicron variant emerged. At the time of writing, Covid rates in South Cambridgeshire are higher than at any time during the pandemic.

The school community will be all too aware that cases are very high in schools generally, with enormous additional pressures on staff and the County Public Health and Education services teams.

Our regular liaison with hospitals, GP surgeries and other health providers reminds us very powerfully that pressures on health services are unprecedented, and that the rise in Covid cases, with people who are not vaccinated particularly vulnerable, is having a severe knock-on effect on waiting lists. Our thanks to all who continue to work in these very challenging settings, nearly two years in.

Please can we share the Cambridgeshire Director of Public Health’s encouragement to take all Covid precautions at this time: get your vaccinations, take free lateral flow tests ahead of social gatherings and wear a mask.

Vaccinations for Children, Booster, and Testing: All information for Cambridgeshire is in one place: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/coronavirus/covid-19vaccination Household Support Fund Cambridgeshire’s Household Support Fund, funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, has been created to help people experiencing immediate financial difficulty in paying for food, household energy or other essential items. The scheme will run until 31st March 2022.

Support is offered in two ways:  Support with food, household energy and other essentials for individuals and families. Residents are eligible to access this support if they earn less than £17,940 per year, or are in receipt of certain state benefits.  Direct food voucher scheme: as in previous school holidays, supermarket vouchers will be issued to families meeting the low

48

income criteria for free school meals, funded childcare for twoyear-olds, early years pupil premium, or sixth form students eligible for free school meals.

For details of the Household Support Fund, see: www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/coronavirus/household-supportfund Thank You To all corners of the community for supporting the Meldreth Christmas Cheer Boxes and, looking forward, to supporting our neighbours who may live on their own throughout the year.

Zoom Cuppa Weekly Surgery We continue to hold a weekly councillors’ surgery by Zoom, on Wednesday afternoons from 5.00pm-6.00pm. Please get in touch if you’d like to join. Or contact us any time for any questions or concerns using the contact details given below.

Our best wishes for the new year in these continuing difficult times.

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, susanvandeven5@gmail.com, 07905 325574

The Most Thorough Clean or it’s Free!

Carpet, Upholstery, Leather, Rug & Stone/Tile Cleaning Call today on 01223 863 632 Please quote “Meldreth Mag”

01763 244955 lawnpartners.co.uk

Denny Lodge Business Park, Ely Road, Chittering

49

Do you Need Support with a Cancer Diagnosis? www.maggies.org At Maggie’s we can help.

We provide free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer, their family and friends, from diagnosis throughout living with the effects after cancer.

Maggie’s has been providing high quality, evidencebased support since 2013 in the local area. We help over 8,000 people a year to achieve the best possible state of psychological and physical health during diagnosis, treatment and throughout their cancer journey.

People across Cambridgeshire and beyond can come to Maggie’s at any stage, for as long or as little as they like. We believe that the built and natural environments in which people are cared for have a direct impact on wellbeing and how a person responds to the challenge of cancer.

Our Centre is staffed by Cancer Support Specialists, a Benefits Advisor, Nutritionist, Counsellors, and Psychologists who can support people in whichever way is best suited to their needs. Maggie’s is a place to find practical advice about benefits and eating well; a place where qualified experts provide emotional support; a place to meet other people or simply to sit quietly with a cup of tea.

You don’t need an appointment - just come in for a chat to find out more about the support offered. Our centre is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

Find us at: 21 Milton House, Puddicombe Way, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0AD T: 01223 249220 E: cambridge@maggies.org Facebook: @maggiescentrecambs Instagram: @maggiescambridge Twitter: @maggiescambs Website: www.maggies.org Monica Starr Volunteer, Maggie’s Cambridge 50

Friendly, Professional, Expert

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

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

EVE CONSTRUCTION LTD Experienced professional local builder

Extensions, garden rooms, home office, alterations, structural work, carpentry, block drives, landscaping, and all types of general building work Contact Mark 07889 669138 | 01223 264909 enquiries@eveconstruction.co.uk www.eveconstruction.co.uk 51

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

Cheer Boxes Thankyou for helping to contribute to our Christmas Cheerboxes, which make such a difference at this time of year.

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

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

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

lots

of

information:

https://

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

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

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

52

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

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

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

Kneesworth Road, West Way, Burtons & Fenny Lane: Bev Cottrell, 07773 592838 Elin Way and Howard Road: David Hollamby, 07732 106828 Whitecroft Road, Chiswick End, Oakrits, Melrose: John Crawforth, 07595 627684 High Street, Flambards, The Grange, Woolpack Way, Station Yard & Road: Helen Munday, 07712 555598 Bell Close and Gables Close: Cathy Walston, 07757 086380 North End, Brewery Lane, Malton Lane, Cam Farm: Bev Cottrell, 07773 592838 & Ian Mitchell, 07726 936635 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

53

Village Directory

Village Hall Chairman

Paul Ray—(01763) 260304

Cycling Group Local History Group Lunch Club Melwood Cons. Group

John Rogger—(01763) 260809 (01763) 260129; www.meldrethhistory.org.uk Nikki & Julie—07599 292327 (01763) 232855; www.melwood.org.uk

Photographic Group

www.melbourn-photographic-club.co.uk

Revelation U3A

Miriam Skuce—(01763) 262440 Chris Davison—(01763) 264189

Sport

Bowls Club Croquet Club Meldreth United FC Table Tennis Tennis Club

Christine Piper Hatch—(01223) 263266 Janet Pope—(01763) 248239 07930 650036 Christine Knight—(01763) 261676 (01763) 243376; http://cspark.at/Meldr2

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

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

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

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

Parish Council

Please see details at end of Parish Council report

District Councillor

Jose Hales—07703 262649 Sally Ann Hart—07791 233303

District Council Offices

03450 450500; www.scambs.gov.uk/

County Councillor

Susan van de Ven—07905 325574 www.susanvandeven.com/

County Council Offices MP

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

Councils & Govt.

Clubs & Societies

Village Hall Bookings

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

Church

Neighbourhood Watch One Stop

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

Children

Facilities

Litter Picker

54

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

Rail User Group

07905 325574; www.meldrethsheprethfoxtonrail.org.uk

Transport

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.

Health

Melbourn Surgery Addenbrooke’s NHS

(01763) 260220; Dispensary—(01763) 261246 (01223) 245151 111 (24 hour non-emergency number)

Childline

Community Transport Home-Start Melbourn Time Bank Mind (mental health) Samaritans

0800 1111 (24 hours) Cambridge: 0344 848 7979 Royston: 03444 111 444 www.citizensadvice.org.uk (01763) 245228; www.roytrans.co.uk (01763) 262262; www.hsrsc.org.uk (01763) 263303; https://tol2.timebanking.org/melbourn 0300 123 3393 (9am-6pm M-F); www.mind.org.uk 116 123 (24 hours); www.samaritans.org

General Emergency Gas Electricity Anglian Water Cambridge Water

999 or 112 0800 111 999 0800 783 8838 03457 145145; www.anglianwater.co.uk (01223) 706050; www.cambridge-water.co.uk

Crimestoppers

S Cambs Fire & Rescue

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

Melbourn Hub

(01763) 263303; www.melbournhub.com

Royston Museum

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

Misc.

NonEmerg.

Emergencies

Support Services

Station Ticket Office

Citizens Advice Bureau

Police

Taxi (Butler Meltax) (01763) 244444; 212223 Details of village groups and facilities can be found in the Meldreth Today section at www.meldrethhistory.org.uk.

Meldreth Matters Team: Chairman: Lesley Farbridge 261578; Editor & Layout: Kathryn Betts 268428; Proof-reading: Ken McLean 261243; Treasurer, Secretary & Trade Advertising: Beverley Cottrell 262176; Advertising Layout: Richard Burns 263121; Editorial Assistant: Robin Farbridge; Distribution: Lesley Pemberton 07798586875 and Maggie Smith 260378; Founder: Ann Barnes Meldreth Matters is available online at issuu.com (search for Meldreth)

55

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.

AngliEAR Hearing ...........................38 Art of Clean .....................................49 Art of Clean Wood ...........................13 Aurora Meldreth Manor (Job) ....Cover Cam Valley Orchards .......................14 CHS Day Centre ..............................38 CHS Group ......................................45 The Country Store ............................3 Ely Design Group .............................45 Eternit Sports and Social Club ..........24 Eve Construction .............................51 Huw Shortle Window Cleaning ........45 Jackson Cox Opticians .....................14 Lawn Partners ..................................49 The Letting Centre .....................Cover Little Hands Nursery School ............34 Melbourn Flooring ....................Cover Melbourn Village College ...................8 Meldreth Landscapes .......................38 Meldreth Motor Company ...............37

Meldreth Plant Hire .........................19 Meldreth Rocks Jewellery .................8 Moncraft Computers ........................11 N J Chapman, gardening ..................34 Nancy Foster Footcare .....................19 Newlings of Royston Funeral Service27 Nigel Wigg Home Improvement ........5 P D Property Services .......................27 Penn Farm Physiotherapy ..................8 Pet Sitter ..........................................45 QueenBee ..................................Cover Richard Burns Electrician ....................3 Rod’s PC Support ............................24 Sage Blinds and Interiors ...................5 Slimming World .................................2 Sparky’s ...........................................19 Specialist Dental Partners .................51 Trademark Kitchens ..........................23 Village Garden Services ....................13

56

The Letting Centre is a dedicated letting agency established for 29 years, operating from High Street premises in Melbourn. We offer an expert, tailored service to suit each clients’ individual needs. Covering Cambridge, Royston, Melbourn and surrounding villages.

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

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

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

We are recruiting!

Would you like to join our amazing team of Support Workers at Aurora Meldreth and Orchard Manor?

Find out how you could make a difference to the lives of children and young people with multiple complex needs.

Call:

01763 268 000 to register your interest or visit:

https://www.theauroragroup.co.uk/meldrethmanor

Your Village Hall Meldreth Village Hall provides excellent, affordable facili es for a wide range of ac vi es suppor ng all age groups. The hall is ideal for children’s par es, family celebra ons, dances, variety shows, charity events, events for the community, cra fairs and more.  Newly refurbished, well-equipped kitchen with crockery, glassware and cutlery all available at no extra charge  Stage, ligh ng, sound system, projector and screen  Comfortable mee ng room sea ng 20 also available - ideal for mee ngs, small classes or training sessions  Free wi-fi  Large car park

Hire fees start from just £8 per hour on a weekday (higher rates apply for evenings and weekends). For more informa on or to check availability please email meldrethvillagehall@gmail.com. Look out for our new website – coming soon!

What’s On at the Village Hall?

There are lots of classes and ac vi es throughout the week at the hall. Look inside at the Village Diary page for details or check the metable on the no ceboard outside.  Trigger Point Pilates/50+ Aerobics/Fitness Pilates  Street Dance/Acro/Disco Duck  Zumba  Yoga  Li Off Choir  Baby and Toddler Group  Slimming World  Table Tennis  Hartbeeps We Need Your Help!

More trustees are urgently needed to join the committee in helping manage the running of the hall as well as working together to develop a sustainable strategy to ensure the future of this valuable community asset. If you can help, please email meldrethvillagehall@gmail.com .

See page 9 for more information.

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