Inthisissue …
Neighbourhood Watch
Primary School
January 2025
Speedwatch Events include…
Unit 1, Whitecroft Rd, Meldreth, Royston, SG8 8NE
Contents
What’s On in January
Things to Do in January 22-23
Village Groups
Friends of Holy Trinity 6, 7
Photographic Club 8
Village News & Issues
A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign 36
Bury End Farm Development 31
Bus User Group 36
Hope Active 6
Neighbourhood Watch 11
Speedwatch in 2025 3
Miscellaneous
Christmas Market 4
Christmas Tree Festival 5
Comedy Night 6
Mary Nodder 13
Melbourn Hub 18
Pantomime 6
Children & Education
Activities for Families 24
Primary School 25
Gardening and Nature
A Meldreth Garden 14-15
Melwood 16-17
Melwood Conservation Grp AGM 17
Local/National Government
Local Councillors 33-36
Parish Council 27-29
Planning 30-31
Advice/Information
Advertisers’ Index 40
Home-Start 8
Mobile Warden Scheme 19
Refuse Collections 21
Village Directory 38-39
This month’s cover picture: Footpath 6 along the River Mel
Photograph by Kathryn Betts
The opinions expressed in the letters and articles in this magazine are those of the writers, who are responsible for the accuracy of the information contained within them.
Thelastdateforcopyisthe12thofeachmonth
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.
Richard Burns ELECTRICIAN
or
sockets@richardburnselectrician.co.uk
Part P approved Compliant to BS7671 Certified installer Based in Meldreth
Little Hands Nursery School The Moor, Melbourn
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
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
Little Hands is also at Bourn, Linton and Newton visit the website at www.littlehands.co.uk
A Happy New Year to you all from the Meldreth Matters team!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our advertisers for supporting Meldreth Matters. As many of you know, we rely on advertising revenue to cover the cost of printing the magazine. Unfortunately, at present this revenue is not covering our costs and so we would really welcome some new advertisers. If you own a business or know of a business that could benefit from advertising in Meldreth Matters, please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com. We distribute 900 copies of the magazine to all houses and businesses in Meldreth every month. In addition, a colour version of the magazine is uploaded online and is available at issuu.com/meldrethmatters.
A list of our current advertisers is on page 40 of this issue. Please support them and don’t forget to mention Meldreth Matters when contacting them.
Kathryn
Meldreth Speedwatch in 2025
After 20 years in the role, our Coordinator wishes to stand down and a replacement is urgently needed if we want Speedwatch to operate in Meldreth in 2025.
Speedwatch, a Police and Parish Council initiative, has been active in the village since 2005. It is run by a dedicated team of volunteers using a portable speed monitor; vehicles speeding above the statutory limits are logged and reported to the speedwatch police unit. In Meldreth, 30mph is currently out statutory limit and we watch at busy morning rush hours between 8.00am and 10.00am. Owners of speeding vehicles get a polite letter from the police reminding them to observe the statutory limitation. Vehicles recorded three times can activate a doorstep call for the owner from a police officer.
Team members, some of whom volunteered many years ago and are still active, give what time they can and this allows the coordinator to plan shifts month by month. The watch season usually starts in late February running through to late November. So Speedwatch would plan to start again late next month or early March. If you would like to volunteer for this role or to join the team, please email us on csw.meldreth@btinternet.com or telephone (01763) 260358.
Meldreth Speedwatch Team
Christmas Market
Although it now seems a long way off because the Market was held after Meldreth Matters’ December deadline, I do wish to thank everyone who supported the Christmas Market on 17th November. The stall holders of course, Home Start for providing refreshments throughout the day, Meldreth Primary School PTA who kept children occupied with Christmas crafting and all those who came and bought from the wide range of goods that was available. I was able to donate £263.50 to Meldreth Food Bank.
It was a lovely atmosphere and judging from several kind comments from stall holders and visitors, people enjoyed themselves. Pencil in the Easter Market on 6th April into your new calendars and diaries. It’ll be here before you know it!
Lesley Farbridge
Meldreth Christmas Tree Festival
The Committee of the Meldreth Christmas Tree Festival would like to thank everyone who participated in this year’s celebrations making it a very enjoyable occasion. We had even more visitors this year than last. It was a joy seeing families coming not just once, but returning for a second visit. The children’s activities and trail were very popular as usual and Noah, our guest of honour, was happily in attendance greeting everyone in the churchyard, under the excellent supervision of Roger Wallbridge. Thank you Roger.
A lot of forward planning takes place, including the special lighting effects, making the church look beautifully festive and welcoming. The seasonal foliage and candles added to the magic and wonderful atmosphere. Our thanks to the very talented exhibitors, who start their inspirational designs and crafting in January especially for the event, the crafting group who provide hand crafted gifts at very reasonable prices, the produce providers who make the delicious home made goodies and of course the stall volunteers who set up the displays and tirelessly manage the stalls over the weekend.
The café, run by the Committee and super efficient volunteers, was very busy serving home made soups and cakes made by our very talented bakers. Thanks to all those who gave up their time to be part of one of the many rotas. Without everyone’s kind and generous participation we would not be able to run the event. This year’s event raised just over £4,000. This was only possible with your personal contributions which makes our community a very special place in which to live.
The Meldreth Christmas Tree Festival Committee
The Cycling Group and Food Bank “trees”. Photographs by Margaret Goddin.
www.foht.org.uk
Burns Night Supper
Friday 24th January, Holy Trinity Meeting Room, 7.00pm for 7.30pm
Our first event of the New Year will be a traditional Burns Night Supper. The evening will start with a complimentary glass of wine with canapes, followed by the traditional meal of Haggis, neeps and tatties. There will be an authentic Scottish dessert to follow, finished with coffee and chocolates. There will be a licensed bar selling wine, whisky and soft drinks. There will be toasts, poetry and even perhaps an opportunity for a reel or two for the energetic!
To ensure a comfortable evening for everyone, tickets will be strictly limited to just 42 places, with six people to a table. This will allow good access to and from the seats. If you would like to book a table for a group of six please indicate this when booking your tickets. Also, if you have a particular food preference, such as vegetarian or gluten free, please make this known with your place booking.
To reserve a place please call Julie Draper on 07976 879350 or me, Ian, on the number shown below. Tickets are £20 each.
“Return to the Crocodile Caves of Madagascar”
Thursday 20th February
Looking ahead, we are delighted to present an evening talk by Jane WilsonHowarth on the cave dwelling crocodiles of Madagascar. Jane Wilson-Howarth is a British physician, lecturer and author. She has written three travel health guides, two travel narratives, a novel and a series of wildlife adventures for children. This promises to be an informative and entertaining evening by this much travelled presenter. Full details will be in next month’s magazine but for now please book this date in your diaries!
By popular demand, further talks, music and theatre evenings are also being planned for next year. We would love to hear from you with any ideas you may have for the FOHT to organise and if you are new to Meldreth, please come along to our events. They usually provide an opportunity to chat over tea and cake or a glass of wine.
I send you all best wishes for the New Year.
Ian Mitchell, Vice Chair FOHT
936635
Melbourn and District Photographic Club
melbournphotoclub.com
The programme for January is as follows:
7th Lake District Moods.
Lecture by Carmen Norman
14th 3rd Open Projected Image Competition. Judged by Nicholas Bowman
21st Essex Locations with Prints. Lecture by Justin Minns
28th Typologies. Glenys Garnett via Zoom
Meetings are held weekly from 7.30pm - 9.30pm on Tuesdays at Foxton Village Hall from September to April. The Club has a diverse membership, with roughly equal numbers of men and women, and has a friendly atmosphere. We welcome new members, whatever their ability. For details about the Club and to see some of our work, visit our website at melbournphotoclub.com. If you are interested in joining, we are happy for you to join up to two meetings free of charge before deciding.
Peter North, Secretary
Photograph by Bill Hamilton
Food Hall | Gifts | Cafe
Fun Barn
Meldreth Neighbourhood Watch
Neighbourhood Watch was established in 1982 and is the largest volunteer-led crime prevention charity in the country.
Neighbourhood Watch involves a lot more than simply reminding people to lock their doors and their cars. It works in communities to help make them safer, more resilient places to live, through the creation of community networks that look out for each other.
Here in Meldreth, we believe the aim of Neighbourhood Watch should be to help all residents of Meldreth feel safe and secure going about their daily lives. This encompasses not only residents’ physical safety while living, working and travelling around the village, but also their online safety.
After many years at the helm, Graham Borgonon has stepped down as the coordinator of the Meldreth Neighbourhood Watch scheme. I have taken over and am keen to work towards this aim by establishing and maintaining links with community groups and individuals willing to offer their support.
How Can You Get Involved?
Become a Neighbourhood Watch member (it’s free!) by going to the website ourwatch.org.uk, looking for the section ‘Find your local NW group’ and entering your postcode. You should see the Meldreth scheme come up as an option, where you can register your details.
Follow our new Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/meldrethnhw
Get in touch with me if you are interested in becoming a street coordinator. This would involve you being a contact point between Neighbourhood Watch and your local neighbours, reporting any concerns, providing a reassuring presence and passing on any relevant information.
Contact me if you have any ideas for events or initiatives to help maintain a secure village community, or if you feel you have any specialist safety-related knowledge that you could share with others.
Reporting a Crime
Please remember that Neighbourhood Watch is not a substitute for the police. Any criminal or suspicious behaviour should be reported in the usual way.
Emergency: call 999;
Non-emergency/antisocial behaviour, etc: call 101 or report via www.cambs.police.uk.
Fraud or cybercrime: call 0300 123 2040 or report via actionfraud.police.uk.
Laura Elvin meldrethnhw@gmail.com (01763) 261084
• Victoria Plums
MELDRETH MATHS TUTOR
• Cambridge Greengages
• Now selling our freshly picked Orchard Fruit
• Eating & Cooking Apples
• Our own Farm Pressed Apple Juice & Cider - preservative free.
We grow a huge range of plums, apples and pears which you wonÕt Þnd in the supermarkets! All produce is freshly picked from our local orchards. Following
• Our own Farm pressed Apple Juice & Cider: preservative free
& Cider - preservative free.
We grow a huge range of plums, apples and pears which you wonÕt Þnd in the supermarkets! All produce is freshly picked from our local orchards.
We grow a huge range of Orchard Fruit which you won’t find in the Supermarket! All produce is freshly picked from our local orchards.
Mary Nodder
Does anyone remember the Nodder family, who lived in North End until the 1970s? I’d particularly like to hear from anyone who remembers Mary Nodder (pictured). Born in Torpoint House in 1878, she lived in Meldreth most of her life. She contracted polio at the age of three and had to wear leg callipers. From at least 1945 until her death in 1970, she lived in a bungalow in Malton Lane.
When Mary's elder sister Jessie gave birth to twin boys in 1897 she felt overwhelmed and sent one to be brought up in Meldreth. He was Douglas Charles Loveday and he grew up in Torpoint House with Mary and Mary's parents while his twin brother stayed with his parents in Hornsey. He attended Shepreth School and married one Gladys Collins from Field Farm, Shepreth.
Douglas, we are told, one day put his index finger in the meat slicer in the butcher’s shop. This not only gave people an easy way of distinguishing him from his twin, but more importantly it also meant that he was found unfit for front line service during World War 1. Hence he spent the war at a Navy training establishment near Ipswich, while his twin brother was killed in action at Gallipoli. Maybe, therefore, his missing finger saved his life.
Douglas and Gladys Loveday had a daughter, Edna, who married a Mr Foster and one of their sons was Andy Foster whose provided me with this photograph of Mary. All because Douglas stuck his finger in the slicer!
More information on the Nodder family on Meldreth Local History Group’s website, www.meldrethhistory.org.uk.
If you remember Mary or other members of the Nodder family, please contact me using the email address below.
Colin Newell colin_newell@hotmail.com
Mobile: 07592 725 169
Email: nigeljchapman3@gmail.com
ameldrethgarden.co.uk
The first flowers of the year in my garden are the aconites Eranthis Hyemalis, flowering just before the common snowdrop. Winter aconites, as with many yellow flowering plants that draw the eye, are considered vulgar by superior gardeners, misguided, they form sweeps of mustard yellow flowers with ruffled foliage, a surefire way to banish the January blues.
It’s been a lazy time for me as a gardener, able to get out on occasion when not too cold, too wet or too dark. Some work in the greenhouse or spreading some leaves to cover bare soil in the allotment is as much as I have managed. I will spread compost in the spring when its goodness will be used by new plantings.
My winter shrubs mahonia Mahonia japonica, winter Jasmin Jasminum nudiflorum, winter box Sarcococca confusa and winter honeysuckle Lonicera × purpusii are all flowering with delightful winter scent, delicious. The sweet peas sown last month have been potted-on and are slowly developing better roots. All the tulips and wallflowers have been planted out, if a bit late. I have a range of white tulips in the front garden that need replenishing to maintain a good show.
For the allotment, under cover, over wintering peas and broad beans Vicia faba 'Aguadulce improved' have been potted-on and have put on new growth ready to plant out. I have been sowing sweet pepper, onion and spring onion seeds. The peppers need a long growing season. I have just learned that pepper flowers will not set fruit below 10°C, this may be a reason for my late harvests. I will ensure higher temperatures when the flowers appear this year. With the salad onions, if I do not eat them, they can be left to bulb up into true onions for an early crop in May. First early potatoes will be planted out in March or April, now is a good time to start them chitting in an old egg box in light, undercover.
If like me, you collect flower and vegetable seeds or have stores of seeds from previous years, then you may wish to check viability. This is easy, on a plate place a piece of kitchen towel and moisten well, place rows of seeds perhaps 20 or so of each sort on the paper towel and cover with cling film. Place in a warm place for two weeks and check what has germinated, if fewer than 20% then discard the seed. Sow more seed than normal if the viability is 20% to 50%.
For overgrown shrubs that need renovation or need to be severely reduced, this is the time to get them into shape. Vigorous shrubs that shoot from the base to form thickets can quickly become overgrown and a bit too heavy. Others, even those that need no regular pruning gradually grow too big for the border and need to be cut down to size. Whatever shrub you prune will grow back vigorously in the spring. If you want them to flower next year, then some planning is needed to choose the right pruning technique. Some flowering shrubs such as buddleia can be pruned to just above the ground or to a low framework, this may look drastic, but new shoots will sprout in spring and carry flowers in the autumn. Some
evergreen shrubs including holly, privet and box can be cut right back in winter to reshape and renovate them. Early flowering deciduous or evergreen shrubs such as camellias will lose their blooms if pruned at this time of year. Along with, for example, deutzia, daphne and paperbush Edgworthia chrysantha, only thin out the oldest wood at the base to promote strong new shoots while maintaining some of the flowering wood, unless radical pruning is required, then a season’s flowering will be missed. Examine the shrub, remove dead, damaged, disease and crossing branches identify the oldest wood and remove a third of it to the ground. Then shorten new, long, whippy shoots by one third, expect strong regrowth from the base. This is good for, e.g., berberis, budleia, cornus, continus, kolkwitzia, shrub roses, sorbus, winter flowering spiraea spiraea japonica and willow Salix.
A happy new year’s gardening.
Iain McPhee mcpheia1@gmail.com
Garden Work in Meldreth
Help needed to keep my garden under control: pruning, weeding and general garden maintenance. Three to four hours per fortnight. Day and time flexible. If interested, please send a message to 07453 687634.
EVE CONSTRUCTION LTD
The combination of rain and warm spells of weather lead to a good season for mushrooms and toadstools generally and in Melwood, bracket fungi did particularly well. Not all have been positively named and one originally thought to be Beefsteak fungus now appears more likely to be Lacquered Bracket. Beefsteak fungus is an edible species but Lacquered Bracket, although not poisonous, is too tough and rubbery to be palatable. Never eat wild fungi unless you are an expert and 100% sure of their identity, as appearance can change with age.
Scaly Polypore (Polyporus aquamosus) above is one of the most common bracket fungi found in Melwood
Despite the unpredictable weather, the Conservation Group managed to hold working parties in September, October and November but the December date coincided with one of the winter’s biggest storms (Darragh) and it was clearly too dangerous to be wandering about in the wood. The previous storm (Conall) had partially uprooted two large Ash trees and left them leaning, with only adjacent trees to hold them up. They should not reach the paths around the wood but would have been made safe if the December working party had been able to go ahead. Storm Darragh moved one of these to a greater angle and there are now four trees leaning into others. Storm Daragh also brought down many small to medium branches, some of which are stuck on low branches and bushes and still capable of falling further.
Most of the ground flora that needs to be cut over winter has now been completed. The meadow was cut in September and October and is still growing, so may need a late winter cut to ensure seeds can germinate. Yellow Rattle has again been scattered to help suppress the more vigorous grasses but last year was out-competed by them. We would like to see a return of the primroses and cowslips that used to grow well there. On 10th December I discovered one small patch of snowdrops, mostly covered by dead leaves, but still managing to show a little white in unopened buds. This is a record early sighting for me.
Quite a few nest boxes have been damaged by squirrels and woodpeckers and others are now suffering from age-related decay (like many of us). Where the boxes are too high to be reached with a fairly short ladder they will be abandoned and replaced by new boxes as soon as we can make them. I am working on a
design based on six-inch wide fence or weather boards. These have the advantage of being already treated and the size lends itself to a simple and economic cutting pattern. They will still need exterior protection but should be easier to maintain.
The two uprooted Ash trees and the evidence of advanced Ash Dieback disease in some others raises the question of the impending need for a replanting program in the middle of the wood but we may first have to reduce some of the growth that would provide too much shade for vigorous establishment. Sycamores in particular may need to be crown-reduced and planting may spread over two or three years.
Provisional dates for work parties in 2025 have now been agreed and are as follows: 25th January, 22nd February, 22nd March, 19th April, 10th May, 28th June, (26th July), (23rd August), 27th September, 25th October, 22nd November, (13th December). Working parties are not usually held in July, August and December but the dates shown above have been reserved in case urgent work is required.
New members are very welcome, so if you are interested please come along to meet the Group on any of the above dates between 9.45am and midday. We stop at the seat for coffee at about midday.
The group’s AGM is on 26th February in the Queen Elizabeth II Meeting Room in the Village Hall, starting at 8.00pm. Our guest speaker will be Andrew Flegg (see below) and interested visitors will be welcome.
Jim Reid Melwood Conservation Group
Melwood Conservation Group www.melwood.org.uk
Notice of AGM
8.00pm, Wednesday 26th February 2025
The Queen Elizabeth II Meeting Room, Meldreth Village Hall
If you have any issues you would like to raise please email them to Bruce Huett at brucehuett@compuserve.com and they will be included on the agenda or a separate meeting can be arranged with the committee.
The AGM will be followed by a talk by Andrew Flegg from the County Council Biodiversity and Greenspaces department about Local Nature Reserves. Website: https://www.melwood.org.uk/
Bruce Huett Secretary Melwood Conservation Group
Melbourn Hub
www.melbournhub.co.uk
January at Melbourn Hub
A very happy new year to all our customers and we hope you enjoyed the festive period.
Melbourn Hub will re- open on Thursday 2nd January and we look forward to welcoming you all back! Please note some of our events and services won’t start again until the following week, so do check our website for up to date information! Our artist for the month of January will be Rachel Fry.
Volunteering at the Hub
Melbourn Hub is always looking for new volunteers! Maybe you’re looking for something new to try in 2025 - if so Melbourn Hub could be just the thing. If you can spare just three hours per week, we are looking for volunteers to help greet customers, serve food, clear tables and/or take orders. We’re a very friendly team and the help of our volunteers makes a huge difference to our community. If you’re interested, email us at hubadmin@melbournhub.co.uk, call us on (01763) 263303 or drop in to see us!
What’s On This Month
Every Tuesday - Lunch Club
A weekly social gathering for older people to meet and enjoy the company of others, over a two course subsidised, meal. Lunch Club is currently full but if you would like to join our waiting list, please contact Melbourn Hub on (01763) 263303 or email hubadmin@melbournhub.co.uk.
Every Wednesday - Citizens Advice – 9.30am -11.30am
No need to book, just drop-in! Citizens Advice offer pre-booked appointments in the afternoon. Melbourn Hub is unable to make these bookings for you so please contact Citizens Advice directly on 07469 517912.
Every Friday - Relate Counselling – 9.00am-12.00pm
Offering relationship, autism relationship and personal counselling. To book a session, please telephone Relate on (01302) 347886 or email counselling@relatecambridge.org.uk Melbourn Hub is unable to make these bookings.
Every Friday – Storytime – 10.00am - 10.30am
Offering stories and songs for the under 5’s. No need to book.
Don’t forget you can always see the full range of events and services we offer by visiting our website: www.melbournhub.co.uk
Linsey Craike on behalf of Melbourn Hub
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.
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.
Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme is a registered charity To find out more, just call us at Moorlands Court on 01763 260564, or email : denise.taylor@chsgroup.org.uk
Monday
Please check before attending groups/classes over the holiday period as we were unable to obtain updates from all organisers before we went to press.
9.00-10.00am FS Training
10.00-11.00am F Fitness
10.00-12.00 History Grp
11.00am-12.00 TP Pilates
12.30-2.00pm Hope Active, Community Room, Elin Way (see page 6)
4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children (multi classes)
5.00-6.15pm Rainbows
6.30-8.00pm Guides
9.00-10.00am FS Training
10.00-11.00am F. Fitness
11.00am-12.00 TP Pilates
4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children (multi classes)
5.00-6.15pm Rainbows
6.30-8.00pm Guides
9.00-10.00am FS Training
10.00-11.00 F. Fitness
11.00am-12.00 TP Pilates
4.00-6.30pm Street Dance
5.00-6.15pm Rainbows
6.30-8.00pm Guides
9.00-10.00am FS Training
10.00-11.00 F. Fitness
11.00am-12.00 TP Pilates
4.00-6.30pm Street Dance
5.00-6.15pm Rainbows
Meldreth Village Dia
For more information on Village Hall classes or events visit
www.meldrethvillagehall .co.uk
Start of School Term
9.00am-12.00 Food Bank
12.00-3.00pm Village Hub
1.30-2.30pm 50+ Aerobics
7.00-8.00pm Fitness Pilates
9.00am-12.00 Food Bank
12.00-3.00pm Village Hub
1.30-2.30pm 50+ Aerobics
7.00-8.00pm Fitness Pilates
Public holiday
9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group
1.30-2.45pm Lift Off Choir
6.00-7.30pm Brownies
6.15-7.15pm Jazzercise
7.30-8.20pm TPoint Pilates
7.45-9.00pm Bell Ringing
9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group
1.30-2.45pm Lift Off Choir
6.00-7.30pm Brownies
6.15-7.15pm Jazzercise
7.30-8.20pm TP Pilates
7.45-9.00pm Bell Ringing
9.00am-12.00 Food Bank
12.00-3.00pm Village Hub
1.30-2.30pm 50+ Aerobics
7.00-8.00pm Fitness Pilates
9.00am-12.00 Food Bank
12.00-3.00pm Village Hub
1.30-2.30pm 50+ Aerobics
7.00-8.00pm Fitness Pilates
9.30-11.30am B&T Group
1.30-2.45pm LO Choir
6.00-7.30pm Brownies
6.15-7.15pm Jazzercise
7.30-8.20pm Trigger Point Pilates
7.45-9.00pm Bell Ringing
9.30-11.30am B&T Group
1.30-2.45pm LO Choir
6.00-7.30pm Brownies
6.15-7.15pm Jazzercise
12.00-3.00pm V
2.30-3.30pm To
4.00-5.00 Acro
6.00-6.45pm TP
7.00-9.00pm Ta
7.30pm Parish C
10.00-1.15pm H
12.00-3.00pm V
2.30-3.30pm To 4.00-5.00 Acro
6.00-6.45pm Tr Pilates
7.00-9.00pm Ta
10.00-1.15pm H
12.00-3.00pm V
2.30-3.30pm To 4.00-5.00 Acro
6.00-6.45pm Tr Pilates
7.00-9.00pm Ta
10.00-1.15pm H
2.30-3.30pm To 4.00-5.00 Acro
6.00-6.45pm Tr Pilates
7.00-9.00pm Ta
10.00-1.15pm H
2.30-3.30pm To 4.00-5.00 Acro
6.00-6.45pm Tr Pilates
Thursd 1 2 6 7 8 9 13 14 15 16 20 21 22 23 21 28 29 30
6.30-8.00pm Guides
7.30-8.20pm Trigger Point Pilates
7.45-9.00pm Bell Ringing
7.00-9.00pm Ta
Church services, Women’s Group meetings, bell ringing and FOHT events are held in Holy Trinity Chu Church. MLHG meetings, Parish Council meetings, Food Bank & Village Hub are in the Commu
ary - January 2025
day
Village Hub oneography
P Pilates able Tennis Council
Hartbeeps Village Hub oneography
rigger Point
able Tennis
Hartbeeps Village Hub oneography
rigger Point
able Tennis
Hartbeeps oneography
rigger Point
able Tennis
Hartbeeps oneography
rigger Point
9.30am Slimming World
9.30am Slimming World
12.15-1.45pm Dementia Sing-Along
9.30am Slimming World
9.30am Slimming World
7.00 for 7.30pm Burns Night Supper Holy Trinity Church (see pages 6-7)
2.00-4.00pm Dementia Memory Café
9.30am Slimming World
7.00-7.30pm Meldreth Tennis Club Quiz Night (see back cover)
Refuse Collections
9.45am Sung Eucharist
8.00am Said Eucharist
2.00pm Plough Sunday Service
Black bins: 14th, 28th Green bins: 7th
Blue bins: 7th, 21st
Sunday 2 3 4 5 9 10 11 12 6 17 18 19 3 24 25 26 0 31
9.45am Sung Eucharist
able Tennis
Getremindersonyourmobile: downloadtheBinCollectionsapp
rch. The Mobile Library Service visits Bell Close. Meldreth Cycling Group meet opposite Holy Trinity unity Room in Elin Way. All other events are held in the Village Hall unless otherwise indicated.
Things to do in January
Here are some things happening in January in the local area. To let us know about any future event or activity please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com.
Wednesday 1st January, 10.30am to 4.00pm
New Year Ramble South of Royston
Starting from Civic Centre, 1 King James Way, Royston SG8 7XB
Join Stag Walkers, a friendly social rambling group aimed mainly at people aged 20-30 for an 11 mile guided hike. Book at www.meetup.com/stagwalkers.
Until Saturday February 22nd, Tuesday to Saturday 10.00am to 4.00pm
Under the Rays of Aurora Borealis
Scott Polar Research Institute, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1ER
Special exhibition devoted to the Northern Lights in which there has been a surge of interest with recent sightings in Britain. See www.spri.cam.ac.uk.
Until Sunday 9th March, normal museum opening times
What’s New Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1RB
Discover some of the exciting new artworks and objects that have joined the museum’s collection in the last five years. Features works by Garfield, Hockney, Lucian Freud, Delacroix and others. See www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk.
Until Wednesday 30th April, normal museum opening times
The Cavendish Laboratory and the Birth of the Atomic Age Whipple Museum of the History of Science CB23RH
Get close up to the instruments used by Thomson, Rutherford and Maxwell and discover how Cambridge scientists transformed our understanding of the Universe with the atom split on Free School Lane. www.museums.cam.ac.uk.
Tuesday 7th January, 2.00pm to 4.00pm
Drawing Group
Royston Museum, 5 Lower King Street, Royston SG8 5AL
Using the Museum as an inspiration, learn techniques and create your own artwork. All abilities welcome. Refreshments and materials provided. £5 per sessionrepeats first Tuesday of each month. www.roystonmuseum.org.uk.
Wednesday 8th January, 10.00am to 12.00pm
Once Around Wandlebury Wandlebury Country Park, Gog Magog Hills, Cambridge CB22 3AE
Start the new year with a leisurely guided walk enjoying viewpoints, landmarks and winter wildlife. Meet at noticeboard in car park. Free, donations welcome. Book on www.cambridgeppf.org or just turn up.
Wednesday 8th January, 7.00pm to 9.00pm (and weekly until end March)
Institute of Astronomy - Public Open Evening
Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0HA
Short talk by astronomer at 7.15 then, if weather clear, a chance to look through the Northumberland and Thorrowgood telescopes. Other telescopes will be set up outside so do wear warm clothing. Observing is weather-dependent; alternative arrangements will be made if cloudy. See www.public.ast.cam.ac.uk for talk schedule and further details, including streaming link.
Thursday 9th to Saturday 11th January
Christmas Tree Recycling for Arthur Rank Hospice
Charity
Register your tree by Sunday 5th January 11.59pm latest. Make a donation to the work of the charity and your tree will be collected by volunteers and re-cycled. Visit arhc.org.uk for more details.
Friday 17th January, 8.00pm
Foyer Folk - Honey and the Bear
Saffron Hall, Audley End Road, Saffron Walden CB11 4UH
Enjoy a superb evening’s entertainment with the celebrated folk duo telling tales of Suffolk folklore in song. Cabaret table seating, lively bar and food truck. Tickets from £18. Book at www.saffronhall.com.
Thursday 23rd January, 7.30pm (doors open at 7.00pm)
Orwell Film Night: The Post
Orwell Village Hall, 36 High Street, Orwell SG8 5QN
Based on the true story of America’s first female newspaper publisher battling the government over printing top secret Vietnam war documents. With Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks. Meet for a pre-film chat and refreshments at 7.00pm. Orwell Film Club members £5, guests £6.
Tuesday 28th January, 7.30pm to 8.30pm
Friends of Therfield Heath: Wildlife Talk
Royston Town Hall, Melbourn Street, Royston SG8 7BZ
Talk by Elizabeth Hamilton titled ‘Following the Swan - a Walk of Discovery down the Lea Valley’. She recounts a 53 mile river walk from Luton to the Thames illustrated with photos and images covering the wildlife, history and geography of the area. Members £4; non-members £5; under 18s free.
Wednesday 29th January, 7.30pm
The Three Snake Leaves - Fairy Tales for Grown-Ups
Cambridge Junction, Clifton Way, Cambridge CB1 7GX
Based on a mix of some of Grimm’s lesser-known fairy tales and exploring the unexpected pasts of three dishevelled travellers lost in a forest. Suitable for ages 16 plus. Tickets from £15. Visit www.junction.co.uk.
Compiled by John Crawforth
Things for Children and Families To Do in January
Wednesday 1st - Sunday 12th January, 9.00am - 7.45pm
Skate Letchworth, Icknield Way SG6 4UF
Under 5s, inclusive, home education and for seniors as well as public skating sessions. www.everyoneactive-letchworthlido.digitickets.co.uk.
Wednesday 1st January and every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday until Sunday 23rd February
Scramble! The Summer of 1940: guided tour
IWM Duxford CB22 4QR
Take a guided tour round the exhibition which tells the story of the aircraft and crews which fought in the Battles of France and Britain in the summer of 1940. Tickets £15/£10 plus normal admission charge.
Saturday 4th January, 9.00am - 12.30pm
Limitless Academy of Performing Arts
9 Melbourn Street, Royston SG8 7BP
Free Open Day - try drama, singing, screen acting, dancing. For ages 11 - 25. Sign up on www.limitlessacademyarts.com.
Saturday 11th January, 2.00pm - 3.00pm (and every 2nd Saturday)
Lego Club, Royston Library, Market Hill SG8 9JN
Call 0300 123 4049 for more information.
Wednesday 15th January, 7.00pm - 9.00pm
Online Introduction to Raptor Identification
Learn about where and when to see raptors, how to identify them, both perched and in flight. To book email trainingworkshops@wildlifebcn.org or telephone 07793 606026. Tickets £10. www.wildlifebcn.org.
Saturday 25th, Sunday 26th, Friday 31st January and Saturday 1st February, varying times
Goldilocks and the Three Bears, a Family Pantomime
King James Academy, Royston SG8 7JH
A brand new version of the story by local author Warren McWilliams. Songs, jokes, silliness and a moral. Tickets £15 /£12 from www.cadsroyston.org.uk.
Sunday 26th January, 2.00pm
Jandor School of Dancing - Let’s Dance
Cambridge Junction, Clifton Way, Cambridge CB1 7GX
A family-orientated display of different genres of dance by pupils aged 3 and up. Tickets £12.50 adults, £10 children. www.junction.co.uk.
Compiled by Hilary Crawforth
Meldreth Primary School
www.meldreth.cambs.sch.uk
We love to welcome in the New Year at Meldreth Primary School by reflecting on the year gone by and celebrating our proud moments and successes. The end of the year is always one of the busiest but best times and this time was no different!
Decoration Day, a much-treasured staple of the school year, kicked off Christmas festivities in school with children placed in combined groups from Reception all the way up to our Year 6s. It was lovely to see our older children support and encourage our youngest in their craft tasks, helping them practise our school value of ‘independence.’ With stunning decorations now festooning our halls and corridors, it was time for our amazing PTA to shine with a Christmas Fair that filled the school to the rafters! It was a pleasure to see so many of our ex-students come back to be a part of this fantastic day for our school community.
Our Key Stage 1 and Reception parents were then treated to a spectacular Nativity performance, ‘Children of the World’, which showed how children from a wide range of countries celebrate Christmas in their own unique way with their traditional customs. Similarly, our Key Stage 2 students raised the roof of Holy Trinity Church with a Christmas Carol concert that showcased our wonderful public speaking, dramatic and musical talent!
After doing such a great job of entertaining the parents and brightening up the school during such miserable weather, our brilliant children were treated to the inimitable Widdershins Theatre, performing for both students and staff to great excitement!
We now look forward to what 2025 brings and the exciting opportunities for us that lie ahead. Happy New Year from all of us at Meldreth Primary!
Mr Chapman Assistant Headteacher
MELDRETH LANDSCAPES
Design & Layout Plans
Planting & Water Features
Pergolas, Decking, etc
www.meldrethlandscapes.co.uk
Kneesworth Rd., Meldreth, Royston, Herts
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 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
Meldreth Parish Council
www.meldreth-pc.org.uk
Meeting of the Parish Council held on Thursday 5th December 2024
This Parish Council 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.
District and County Reports
The Council thanks our District and County Councillors for their latest report; this can be seen on pages 33 to 36 of Meldreth Matters. Questions arising from this and requests for further information on local issues can be raised directly with our District and County representatives.
Melbourn Energy Superloop
Residents may have read elsewhere about this initiative regarding the possible distribution of heated water from a major new installation in Melbourn, which could be connected to heat pumps of Melbourn residents. The project is at an early stage of consideration but could also be available to Meldreth properties. See https://melbourn.energysuperloop.co.uk/ for further information.
Village Traffic
Additional traffic calming measures are under review by our Traffic Working Group and will be discussed at the Council’s meeting in January. Our solar powered Speed Indicator Device has been installed and is functioning well, with results published periodically in Meldreth Matters.
Community Rail Partnership
A recent meeting considered issues relating to the continuing proposals to change the Shepreth level crossing into a four gated scheme and the concerns that this could introduce unacceptable delays to traffic passing between Shepreth and Meldreth. The Community Rail Partnership has requested clarification from Network Rail. [Editor’s Note: see page 35 of this issue.]
Village Maintenance
The ditch at the recreation ground has been cleared and pavilion repairs completed.
Finance Issues
Precept 2025-26: provisional figures indicate that a small increase to our Council precept will be needed for 2025-2026. This will be formally reviewed at the January Parish Council meeting.
Meldreth Food Bank
The funding appeal is proceeding well. New volunteers will be required for the scheme to continue in 2025.`
Community Funding
The Council approved the following
1. A donation of £500 to Royston and District Community Transport
2. In principle funding for the materials for a knitted poppy display for our War Memorial site for the annual Remembrance period, to be produced by local volunteers for the 2025 commemorations.
Recreation Ground Issues
Play equipment: it was reported that we have now received a schedule of recommended adjustments and maintenance from our usual maintenance company. This will require detailed review.
Football pitch and pavilion: Orwell Football Club will be using our main pitch for the rest of this season and for the 2025-2026 season. The arrangements will then be subject to annual review in October in respect to the forthcoming period, i.e. six months before the end of the current season.
As regards new facilities at the recreation ground, a number of smaller projects are now under consideration and will be discussed with our Section 106 officer at SCDC. We anticipate that these will be possible without disturbing the football activities.
Pavilion repairs to gutters and downpipes have been completed.
Parish Burial Ground
The Council agreed that work needs to be done to tidy some of the graves at the burial ground and to keep them in a state of good order in future. Contractors will be engaged to do this and a project is under way to identify the plots that need this attention.
Parish Clerk
Due to illness our Parish Clerk continues to remain on long-term absence. Parish Councillors are covering all the Council duties so please continue communicating with us via the normal channels (phone, email etc.) even if our response times may be slower than usual.
Next Parish Council Meeting
The next meeting will be on Thursday 2nd January 2025 at 7.30 pm at the Elin Way Community Room.
Be Seen, Be Safe!
Cyclists and pedestrians:
Please wear bright, light or reflec ve clothing
Pedestrians, please carry a torch
Cyclists, use front and rear lights
Meldreth Parish Council
Meldreth Parish Council - Contact Details http://www.meldreth-pc.org.uk Parish Office, Meldreth Sheltered Scheme, Elin Way, Royston SG8 6LT
Office hours: Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 12.30-2.30pm By appointment at other times
Parish Clerk: Mrs J Damant Assistant Clerk: Mrs Sally Walmesley (01763) 269928 parishclerk@meldreth-pc.org.uk
Cllr R Goddin (Chairman) goddin@btinternet.com
Cllr Jenni Bone jenni.bone@hotmail.co.uk
Cllr Adam Bostanci adam.bostanci.pc@gmail.com
Cllr Glenn Foulger glenn.foulger51@gmail.com
Cllr Nick Garner nickphgarner@gmail.com
Cllr Roger James (Vice Ch.) roger+pc@rogerjames.net
Cllr Alan Land conradland@btinternet.com
Cllr James Mossey j.mossey1211@gmail.com
Cllr Nigel Pellatt nppellatt56@gmail.com
All correspondence should be directed to the Clerk in the first instance
Planning Matters
Meldreth Parish Council
Planning minutes may be viewed on the Parish Council’s website: www.meldreth-pc.org.uk.
Fieldgate Nursery, 32 Station Road, 624/00935/OUT
Planning consent was refused by SCDC in May 2024 and this proposal will now be considered at an appeal to HM Planning Inspectorate.
Planning Authority Decisions
6 Fenny Lane, 24/1163/TTCA and 24/1155/TTPO
No objection to T8 - Elm (dead) being felled to ground level. Permission granted for tree work as follows. T3 Elm (dead) fell to ground level; T4 Elm (dead) fell to ground level; G5 Elm x6 (dead) fell to ground level; T6 Elm remove lower dead branch; T8 Elm (dead) fell to ground level. All the above trees are dead and pose a significant risk to the public footpath.
70 High Street, 24/03624/LBC
Permission granted for the removal of cement render on external walls of cottage and to repair or replace any moisture-damaged timbers and lathes and replace with lime based plaster. Repair main ceiling beam in the dining room, install new oak window lintel using first floor stud work or new supports if needed, support the end of the beam in fabricated metal shoe onto the new lintel.
Land to the Rear of 94 High Street, 24/03390/LBC
8 new self build and custom dwellings. Application has been withdrawn for Listed Building Consent. (A decision has not yet been made on the full planning application, 24/03389/FUL.)
39 Elin Way, 24/03305/HFUL
Permission has been granted for a two storey side and rear extension.
Land at 10 North End, 24/03144/PIP
Permission has been granted for a residential development of five custom build dwellings and an orchard.
39 Howard Road, 24/03853/HFUL
Permission has been granted for a single storey front extension and erection of detached garage.
12 Fenny Lane, 24/03767/FUL
Permission has been granted for the erection of a detached single storey dwelling and garage together with associated works and amended highways access.
Details of all applications and Planning Authority decisions can be viewed online: https://applications.greatercambridgeplanning.org/online-applications.
The Meldreth Matters Team
Redevelopment of Bury End Farm, North End buryendfarm-consultation.co.uk
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to contact us via the website, telephone or in person about the redevelopment of Bury End Farm. We have had some interesting discussions and learnt a lot about the village. This is important so we can deliver a positive legacy for the farm site.
Sackville Rogers, in partnership with Rockwell Homes, has continued to seek advice from the Council and in November 2023 we participated in an independent Design Review. This work, together with comments from residents has helped to refine the scheme.
Changes include:
a larger open space to the south
increasing the size of the central space
creating small pockets of open space in the courtyards.
We are also looking at the materials that can be re-used to maximise the sustainability of the site.
In terms of the homes, we remain committed to delivering affordable housing for sale and rent (16 homes or 42%). We are also reviewing the number of custom build homes which will mean that people with a connection to Meldreth will have the flexibility to design a home that meets their needs - for example by including designated space to work from home or accommodate different generations living together - whilst ensuring that the size, look of the homes and construction programme can be tightly controlled should permission be granted. The combination of affordable and custom build homes means that around 21 of the 38 homes proposed would be for people with a connection to Meldreth.
Our website address is www.buryendfarm-consultation.co.uk and can be accessed by scanning the QR code on the right. Please contact us via the website with any comments, as well as any further observations. We are particularly interested in identifying parties who have a local connection to Meldreth and who would be interested in affordable or custom build homes. We will update the website with the final plans in the new year and you are welcome to continue to comment (without prejudice to any formal comments you wish to make on the final application) up until submission.
If you are unable to view the website, please contact us on (01908) 410422 to discuss your requirements.
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District and County Councillor Report
Happy New Year to all! Here’s hoping for a peaceful 2025
Path to Meldreth Station: Q&A
Now that the new path has opened, a few questions have arisen. Most of the following has been shared bit by bit over the years - but the story goes a long way back. It is a good example of the tangled bureaucracy that makes public service infrastructure delivery so very challenging in today’s world.
WhyistherenoaccessrampfromthenewpathtoMeldrethStationLondon platform?
It goes without saying that accessibility at Meldreth Station leaves much to be desired. A simple ramp to the London platform should be a straightforward improvement!
The Meldreth, Shepreth and Rail User Group, now Community Rail Partnership, took up interest in station accessibility as soon as it was formed in 2009. Because Meldreth Station has a relatively low level of footfall, it has been difficult to compete with larger stations like Royston and Letchworth on accessibility improvement funds.
A lift over the tracks would be great but seems unlikely in the foreseeable futurethough it is something persistently lobbied for. Regarding ramps to station platforms, on the station building side at Meldreth, a small success was the creation of a ramp from the car park to the Cambridge platform, as a dropped kerb did not meet gradient requirements. The London platform presents a much greater challenge due to the set of steps to the field path.
The portion of land where a proposed London platform ramp would sit is mostly Network Rail-owned; a small portion is privately owned. Success in delivering this ramp depends on rail industry collaboration and support. Ramp design options and costs have been looked at over the years, always prompted by the Community Rail Partnership. They have never progressed because as it was until recently, the adjoining path over the field to Melbourn didn’t meet required accessibility standards.
The new path has been constructed to required accessibility standards, itself the result of many years’ preparation, including an accumulation of Section 106 funds (developer contributions) from two Melbourn developments. These are TTP’s new campus adjoining Melbourn Science Park and the 199 homes and care home at the top of New Road, Melbourn. Each developer contribution was coordinated by South Cambridgeshire District Council Planning and supported by Melbourn Parish Council, on the basis of improving a safe and efficient active travel route to Meldreth Station, thereby facilitating public transport options and mitigating against an increase of vehicular traffic in village settings. The Greater Cambridge Partnership’s more recent involvement in the new path scheme provided
additional resource including a legal team for land acquisition negotiation, project delivery lead, etc.
OK,butwhatabouttheramp?
Back in 2021-22, the Community Rail Partnership managed to leverage funds from the ‘Passenger Benefit Fund’ (another story, related to fines imposed on the train operating company for the controversial timetable meltdown of 2018) to pay for a feasibility study for accessibility to the London platform from the field path. The resulting study narrowed down options and costs.
Some funds for this project had materialised: £40K, again from a Section 106 agreement from the development at TTP, who pushed hard for employees to travel to work by train where possible. However, the ramp was now estimated to cost significantly more than £40K. So, the Train Operating Company, working closely with the Community Rail Partnership, applied to a Department for Transport fund called Access for All. Results of bids should have been announced in 2023 but were delayed by the Department for Transport for nearly a year, until the eve of the General Election in 2024, when sadly the application for Meldreth was announced as unsuccessful.
Additional funding is therefore still needed. The Community Rail Partnership has initiated a meeting with our MP, Govia Thameslink Railway, the Greater Cambridge Partnership and Network Rail, early in the new year to explore funding options.
WhyisthemiddlesectionofthepathbetweenWonderpass(A10underpass)and stationnotlit?
Lamp placements were negotiated with the landowner. The path is still lighter, and less secluded in places, than it was before. The path, from the ‘Wonderpass’ to the other end at Station Road, is continuously lit.
PaintworkfortheWonderpass:
The Wonderpass public art project was coordinated by the Community Rail Partnership for the purpose of contributing to a lighter and friendlier feel to the journey through the fields to and fro, as it passes under the A10. In due course the Wonderpass floor will be painted green not white, following advice. Funding comes from GTR, the train operating company. Meanwhile, new paint has been applied to the exposed outer flanks of the Wonderpass, which had previously peeled away. However, the new paint is already bubbling again so we will need to think of a plan B.
Vegetationcutback,onthepathrunningperpendiculartowardFieldgatesection ofStationRoad
This path had been fenced off during construction so was unused causing vegetation to grow profusely. It is on Highways’ to-do list. Thank you to the member of the public and Parish Council who did some work on the worst of it in his own time.
BenchonsectionnearStationRoad
The bench that was there before has been re-sited but sits several muddy steps away from the path. We will look into providing something - a paving slab or some such to help avoid the mud.
FriendsoftheWonderpass
This lovely space will need regular TLC, including nipping weeds in the bud. Please be a Friend of the Wonderpass and keep secateurs in your pocket, as some people already do, to keep it looking good!
Meldreth Road Shepreth Level Crossing: Upgrade to Full Barriers and Longer Downtimes
You may remember a couple of years ago when Network Rail proposed to upgrade the Meldreth Road Shepreth Level Crossing to a ‘full barrier’ type like the one at Shepreth Station. This formed part of the ‘Cambridge Re-Signalling Project’.
There was a strong feeling locally that this was unnecessary given the lack of any accident history here, particularly as this type of crossing would be closed significantly longer than at present, causing traffic back-up and new problems on the roads. A Public Inquiry was held to which Shepreth and Meldreth Parish Council representatives, the Community Rail Partnership and local residents lodged objections. In October 2023 the Inspector’s report was published, finding in favour of the objectors. The report was highly critical of the quality of Network Rail’s evidence and conclusions. Technically the subject of the Public Inquiry was the compulsory purchase for the land acquisition needed to install the level crossing upgrade. However, the Inspector’s report strongly validated local concerns.
It now seems that Network Rail has acquired the land needed for the level crossing upgrade through other means. This is disappointing considering that Network Rail is part of the Community Rail Partnership and aware of local concerns. It is unclear what is to happen next and what opportunity, if any, the public may have to contribute.
At a recent meeting of the Community Rail Partnership, Network Rail was asked to provide a full explanation of the current state of play. Once received, this will be shared.
Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE)
A reminder that anyone can make a CPE request. Email parkingcontrol@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or Google “South Cambridgeshire Civil Parking Enforcement”. Patrols have been made in Station Road.
Council Tax Charges on Empty Properties
SCDC has agreed a new policy on Council Tax charges for empty properties, which will be implemented next year. This is to encourage owners to get empty homes back into use. Homes being empty for up to two years will pay 100%
Council Tax; being empty for up to five years will result in a 200% levy, increasing to 300% if up to and over ten years. One year’s notice will be given of any increase. SCDC currently has about 300 empty properties, 84 of which have been empty for over ten years.
SCDC Empty Properties Team
SCDC has created a dedicated team for resolving long-standing empty properties, which can result from probate issues and absentee owners.
As always, please feel free to get in touch and we’ll do our best to help. You can join our Zoom Cuppa on Mondays from 5.00-6.00pm, or contact us by telephone or email.
Sally Ann Hart, Jose Hales and Susan van de Ven
District Councillor Sally Ann Hart, sallyannhart@riskingonpurpose.com, 07791 233303
District Councillor Jose Hales, Josehales@gmail.com, 07703 262649
County Councillor Susan van de Ven, susan.vandeven@cambridgeshire.gov.uk, 07905 325574
Bus User Group Meeting
The next meeting will take place on 8th January at 2.00pm at Old School Community Centre, Bassingbourn. All welcome.
Susan van de Ven
A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign AGM
All will be welcome on 15th January from 7.30 to 8.30pm at TTP in Melbourn. Please make your way via the Melbourn Science Park entrance in Cambridge Road and follow the signs to TTP's main entrance.
Susan van de Ven and Adam Bostanci contacta10cycle@gmail.com
Visit your local history website www.meldrethhistory.org.uk
Over 700 pages on Meldreth, past and present
“Wewereveryimpressedwiththe wholeexperienceandthereliability, communicationandefficiencyoftheteam. WewoulddefinitelyrecommendTrademark”, Mr&MrsStokes,Royston 43HighStreet,RoystonSG89AW
Village Directory
Litter Picker
Neighbourhood Watch
Mick Taylor—(01763) 261118
Laura Elvin—(01763) 261084 meldrethnhw@gmail.com
One Stop (01763) 262158, open 7am-10pm, 7 days
Village Hall Bookings Book online: www.meldrethvillagehall.co.uk
Village Hall Chairman Andrew Young—07572 553647
Cycling Group
John Rogger—(01763) 260809
Local History Group (01763) 260129; www.meldrethhistory.org.uk
Lunch Club
Nikki & Julie—07599 292327
Melwood Cons. Group (01763) 232855; www.melwood.org.uk
Photographic Group www.melbourn-photographic-club.co.uk
Revelation Miriam Skuce—(01763) 262440
U3A
Bowls Club
Croquet Club
Table Tennis
Nicole Searle—(01763) 269561
David Rich—(01763) 262116
Janet Pope—(01763) 248239
Christine Knight—(01763) 261676
Tennis Club (01763) 243376; http://cspark.at/Meldr2
Vicar
Rev Andrew Birks—(01763) 230178
Bells Jayne White—jayne.white1@ntlworld.com
Ian Mitchell (Friends) 07726 936635; www.foht.org.uk
Churches Together
Baby & Toddler Group
Brownies (1st Meldreth)
Guides (1st Meldreth)
Rev Andrew Birks—(01763) 230178
Julia Moore—07403 462198
Email: 1stmeldrethbrownies@gmail.com
Email: 1stmeldrethguides@gmail.com
Hartbeeps Kelly@hartbeeps.com
Meldreth Rainbows
1stmeldrethrainbows@gmail.com
Pre– and Primary School (01763) 260432; www.meldreth.cambs.sch.uk
Parish Council
Please see details at end of Parish Council report
District Councillors Jose Hales—07703 262649; Sally Ann Hart—07791 233303
District Council Offices 01954 713000; www.scambs.gov.uk/
County Councillor
Susan van de Ven—07905 325574 https://susanvandeven.mycouncillor.org.uk/
County Council Offices 0345 045 5200; www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/
MP Pippa Heylings; Pippa.heylings.mp@parliament.uk
Station Ticket Office Hours: Mon - Fri 7-11.15am, Sat 8.45am - 1.15pm
Rail User Group 07905 325574; www.meldrethsheprethfoxtonrail.org.uk
Govia/Great Northern www.thameslinkrailway.com
The Trainline www.thetrainline.com
Stagecoach www.stagecoachbus.com/Cambridge
Potholes, problems,Highways etc.
Streetlights (faulty)
http://www2.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/HighwaysReports/ Highways/ReportProblem1.aspx or in an emergency tel 0345 045 5212
Report on SCDC website. For urgent faults use (01954) 713000 - Mon-Fri, 8am-5.30pm. Out of office hours: (01354) 65432. Give location, fault & SC or CCC no.
Melbourn Surgery (01763) 260220
Addenbrooke’s (01223) 805000 or (01223) 245151
NHS 111 (24 hour non-emergency number)
Childline 0800 1111 (24 hours)
Citizens Advice Bureau 0808 2787808; www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Community Support for Dementia Davina Biswell 07961 574104 or Stephanie Trayhurn 07710 198299
Community Transport (01763) 245228; www.roytrans.co.uk
Home-Start (01763) 262262; www.hsrsc.org.uk
Melbourn Time Bank (01763) 263303; https://tol2.timebanking.org/melbourn
Meldreth Food Bank Jo—07572 443522
Meldreth Village Hub Helen Meridew—07787 734973
Mind (mental health) 0300 123 3393 (9am-6pm M-F); www.mind.org.uk
Samaritans 116 123 (24 hours); www.samaritans.org
General Emergency 999 or 112
Gas 0800 111 999
Electricity 0800 783 8838
Anglian Water 03457 145145; www.anglianwater.co.uk
Cambridge Water (01223) 706050; www.cambridge-water.co.uk
Crimestoppers 0800 555 111; crimestoppers-uk.org
Police 101; www.cambs.police.uk
S Cambs Fire & Rescue (01480) 444500; www.cambsfire.gov.uk
Melbourn Hub (01763) 263303; www.melbournhub.com
Royston Taxis (01763) 0250811
For details of village groups & facilities see the Meldreth Today section at www.meldrethhistory.org.uk.
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TheMeldrethMattersTeam
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 Assistants: Robin Farbridge, David Marsh; Distribution: Sharon Dunford 07415 171295
Founder: Ann Barnes
Meldreth Matters is available in colour online at https://issuu.com/meldrethmatters
