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Shepreth Spitfires Football Club

www.sheprethspitfires.co.uk

It is lovely to see more of the Spitfires out and about in Meldreth as things get a little easier for lots of us. We still have some of our children shielding at home with their parents and we wish them and all of the readers well and we look forward to seeing you all when things are safer, which we really hope won’t be too long now. These past two weeks have been very exciting as all age groups except tots have returned to training at the Eternit Sports and Social Club, Meldreth and Shepreth Recreation Ground. The children who have been able to come have absolutely loved getting back to training and lots of the parents have said that training is now the highlight of their children’s week, which is great feedback. The children train while socially distanced and in groups of four so we would like to say a huge thank you to all of the Shepreth Spitfires coaches because without them all being on hand, it would not be possible to get the children back to their beloved footy. The Spitfires have also been finishing off their ten and twenty mile running medal challenges and it has been great to deliver and send medals to all of the Spitfires and their siblings who took part. Two of the younger siblings in particular have said that theirs are the first medals that they have ever won. Lots of

the children have told us that people in their villages have said, “well done” and “keep going” to them as they run round the village, so a big thank you for supporting them; it really gives them a great sense of achievement.

As the children finish their running, their next medal challenge is to do three pieces of craft; they can do Lego, junk modelling, writing, drawing, painting, anything really relating to the topic which is Shepreth Spitfires FC. By far the most popular thing so far, however, is to bake. Lots of the children have made cup cakes and one lad made a full-size cake of the Spitfires badge (pictured right) which was fantastic.

The children are also extremely excited about the presentation day which has now been confirmed and will be held at the Eternit Sports and Social Club, Meldreth. We owe a great deal of thanks to the whole team there who have come up with a social distancing plan that allows us to present to one team at a time while also being able to use the Club facilities and the bar, which is fantastic. So a big ‘Thank You’ to you all, from 60 totally thrilled children! So it is very exciting at the Football Club at the moment and if your child would like to join Shepreth Spitfires FC, please feel free to call Sean on 07510 175370 or Lucy at lucy_smith_9@yahoo.co.uk or use our web page at www.sheprethspitfires.co.uk.

Lucy Smith

Meldreth Matters is Online

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Stay Alert

We can all help control the virus if we stay alert. This means you must:  stay at home as much as possible  work from home if you can   

limit contact with other people keep your distance if you go out (2 metres apart where possible) wash your hands regularly Do not leave home if you or anyone in your household has symptoms.

For the most up-to-date advice see hƩps://www.gov.uk/coronavirus and www.nhs.uk/condiƟons/coronavirus-covid-19

Meldreth Coronavirus Community Support

Zone Leaders

If you need help, just call:

Kneesworth Road, West Way, Burtons & Fenny Lane: Anna Holness, 07793 312137

Elin Way and Howard Road Zone: Andrea Cook, 07931 230012

WhitecroŌ Road, Chiswick End, Oakrits, Melrose: John Crawforth, 07595 627684

High Street, Flambards, The Grange, Woolpack, StaƟon Yard and Road:

Helen Munday, 07712 555598

Bell Close and Gables Close: Cathy Walston, 07757 086380

North End, Brewery Lane, Malton Lane, Cam Farm: Bev CoƩrell, 07773 592838 and

Ian Mitchell, 07726 936635

Screenbank

We are appealing for unwanted computer equipment. For details of how we are puƫng this equipment to good use, please see pages 56-57.

Food Bank

If you are experiencing food or essenƟal items shortages, we encourage you in all confidence to contact the Meldreth Food Bank: simply telephone Ann Bobeckyj any Ɵme on 07592 355279, or just drop in at 69 High St, The Gables, opposite The BriƟsh Queen, Tuesdays 10.00am to midday or Thursdays from 2.00-4.00pm. If preferred and with complete discreƟon, a delivery can be arranged.

Meldreth Coronavirus Co Meldreth Coronavirus Community Support Update

Keeping Safe

Public Health advice on the importance of conƟnued vigilance against COVID-19 infecƟon and contagion, especially for those who are shielding and at a moment when the ‘R’ raƟng is sƟll at a concerning level, means that conƟnued support for people in our communiƟes remains firmly in place. Please contact your Zone Leaders (see page 35) who can help arrange help with food and essenƟal supplies shopping, prescripƟon collecƟons, or a friendly call. We’re mindful that a return to more restricƟve lockdown measures is a possibility, and that economic, health and other impacts of the pandemic will be long-lasƟng.

Test and Trace Responsibility Delegated to Local AuthoriƟes

We are all being asked to support a new NHS Test and Trace programme which will aim to track every case of COVID-19 in our communiƟes. Cambridgeshire County Council, as local public health authority, has been delegated responsibility for managing tesƟng and tracing in schools, care homes and work places. The Council’s brief is to develop that system by the end of June, at which point more informaƟon will be available. For now, we are being asked to follow this three-step plan:

Step 1: If you have one or more of the symptoms of COVID-19 – a fever, a new conƟnuous cough or a loss of taste or smell – you and the people you live with need to immediately self-isolate.

Step 2: You should then book a test on the NHS coronavirus website. If you don’t have internet access dial 119. Do not leave home for any other reason.

Step 3: If you do test posiƟve, you will be contacted by the NHS Test and Trace service within 24 hours. NHS Test and Trace will help you establish who you have been in contact with and might have infected. You will also be given clinical advice and support for dealing with the virus. NHS Test and Trace will then contact those contacts anonymously.

If you are one of those contacts, you will be advised to isolate for fourteen days, even if you don’t have symptoms or feel perfectly well. If you developed symptoms, you would be required to get a test. InformaƟon is constantly being updated, so do please check the NHS website for the latest: www.nhs.uk/condiƟons/coronavirus-covid-19.

COVID Cases in the Community

We’ve been asked why we don’t disseminate informaƟon relaƟng to COVID-19 cases in our community. Put simply, this informaƟon is not ours to share. South Cambridgeshire has

Thank you to all our volunteers, and for all Any quesƟons? Please call Philippa Hart on 07811 323571 or Susa

fared relaƟvely well compared to the rest of Cambridgeshire, and Cambridgeshire overall has fared well compared to the rest of the country.

Community Meals

A nutriƟous meal service conƟnues to be provided for a number of households in Meldreth, courtesy of Melbourn Coronavirus Community Response.

Face Coverings

Face coverings are now mandatory on all public transport and advisable in enclosed spaces. Hilary Crawforth has been leading the way making beauƟful face masks in adult and child sizes. Please find the masks and leave whatever you can afford to pay for them, in the box outside The Gables, 69 High Street. All proceeds will be used for MCCS services. DonaƟons of fabric and new sewing volunteers are very welcome.

Mental Health Support

We’re working with the Melbourn Hub and Relate to set up a free counselling service. More details in next month! We’d like to thank everyone who’s been in touch to offer their help. Any quesƟons, please feel free to contact us.

Susan van de Ven, Philippa Hart and the MCCS Team meldrethccs@gmail.com susanvandeven5@gmail.com Philippajoyhart@gmail.com

PrescripƟons

If you are in any way vulnerable and it would assist you to have help collecƟng your prescripƟon, please consider using our collecƟons service. Contact Nick Garner 07968 568599 or Bella Garner 07904 280976.

A big thank you to Bella’s sister KaƟe, who is moving to Edinburgh but has been doing an enormous amount of the local collecƟon and delivery on her bike!

KaƟe and Bella are pictured right

l friendship and support in the community. an van de Ven on 07905 325574 or email meldrethccs@gmail.com.

Royston & District Community Transport www.roytrans.co.uk

We would like to reassure residents that we are sƟll open and able to provide transport.

We conƟnue to provide essenƟal travel, e.g. to doctor and hospital appointments. As we come out of lockdown, we are starƟng to cover addiƟonal visits and shopping trips, but only where there is no alternaƟve. We will also help with prescripƟon deliveries and food deliveries where possible, including collecƟon of ‘Click and Collect’ orders. Please ring (01763) 245228 giving as much noƟce as possible. Lines are open from 9.00am-3.00pm Monday to Friday. We can take folding wheelchairs etc for folk who can transfer, and have a fully wheelchair accessible vehicle if needed. For the safety of clients and drivers, please follow these guidelines:    

Please do not travel if you have any COVID-19 symptoms, Please wash your hands before travelling Unless absolutely necessary, you should travel unaccompanied You should sit in the back behind the passenger seat and wear a mask. We can provide one if necessary. Our drivers will also wear a mask Car surfaces will be cleaned between journeys Drivers will offer physical help only if necessary, and will try to maintain social distance whenever possible. My thanks go to all the drivers who are volunteering to help clients and as a consequence are puƫng themselves on the front line and in harm’s way. For further informaƟon, please see our website: www.roytrans.co.uk.

Pru Burton RDCT

Meldreth Neighbourhood Watch

Fake TV Licensing Emails and Coronavirus

Fake TV Licensing emails have been reported in Neighbourhood Watch articles in the past, but there is a new variation, linked to Coronavirus. The emails purport to be from TV Licensing and claim that the victim's direct debit has failed and that they need to pay to avoid prosecution. Victims are told that they are eligible for a ‘COVID-19 Personalised Offer’ of six months free. The messages contain links to genuine-looking websites that are designed to steal personal and financial information.

Scammers will try to panic victims into acting quickly by using threats of imminent action (e.g. prosecution or loss of service) or tempt victims into acting quickly by using offers that seem too good to be true and that expire soon (e.g. six months free). In this case, both techniques are used to encourage victims to respond quickly. Do not let the scammers rush or panic you into making a decision that you later come to regret, and be suspicious of any ‘too good to be true’ offers or prices. Always question unsolicited requests for your personal or financial information in case it's a scam. Never automatically click on a link in an unexpected email or text. Every report matters so always report scams to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit http://www.actionfraud.police.uk. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has launched a Suspicious Email Reporting Service; simply forward suspect emails to report@phishing.gov.uk If they are found to link to malicious content, the site will be taken down or blocked, helping prevent future victims of crime. If you're not sure whether a telephone call, email or text is a scam, you can talk to one of the trusted contacts in Meldreth: Graham (01763) 260358 Linda (01763) 261405 Peter (01763) 260323 Tim (01763) 262801 You can contact Neighbourhood Watch by phoning Graham on the above number, or by emailing nhw.meldreth@btinternet.com. Meldreth Neighbourhood Watch

Meldreth Cottage Industry

Since our last report many members of our group have been stitching fast! And we also have two new members, both living in Whitecroft Road.

It is not always been easy to know which organisations have the greatest need, but one of us who has a friend working in Addenbrookes says that he took in some bags for dirty scrubs for people to bring them home to go straight into the washing machine and reported that they had been snapped up like hot cakes from the table where he had left them! Some of us got to work and made around twenty that weekend from old sheets and duvet covers. It’s quickest to make them from pillow cases, but these have now all been exhausted! I rang Aurora Manor School the day before this copy was due in to the editor, and although they had had two staff who had unfortunately contracted COVID, luckily neither were seriously ill. To date there have been no cases among the students which speaks volumes for their hygiene and strict measures taken to avoid the virus. Likewise Maycroft has done exceptionally well with no cases. Lynne the manager said she had had a phone call from a liaison officer from the CQC. (No actual inspections can take place at the moment). She was congratulated on having no cases of COVID amongst the residents and was asked what Lynne’s secret was. Lynne told her about the community making bags for the staff uniforms after use, to the astonishment of the officer! We have also made more caps for the carers working at Maycroft. These are fun to make and we have seen some really lovely renditions. Both homes say that they now have a good supply of PPE from us and don’t need any more making for the moment.

One of our members has done sterling work in making masks and has made more than 50 of them. Up till now these have been free at the food bank. We are now trying to sell them for funds for Meldreth and Melbourn Support Groups, so if you are short, go to the food bank on Tuesday mornings 10.00am-12.00 noon, or Thursdays 2.00pm-4.00pm and collect one for a small donation.

Good stitching everyone! Keep in touch, keep safe and go well! Julie Draper juliedraper@dumbflea.co.uk