Public Meeting on the Future of Holy Trinity Church
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What’s On in July
Home-Start Quiz 11
Maycroft Fete 11, back cover
Meeting on Future of HT Church 18
Things to Do in July 16-17
Village Groups
Friends of Holy Trinity 18
Women’s Group 19
People
Mary Wedge 5
Village News & Issues
Food Bank 8
Housing Needs Survey 6-7
Join the MM Team 3
Village Hall 20-21
Village Hub 12
Miscellaneous
Letter to the Editor 10
Melbourn Hub 13
Melbourn & District u3a 12
Volunteering at Wimpole 40
Church News Holy Trinity Church Repairs 19
Children & Education Activities for Families 15
Gardening and Nature A Meldreth Garden 26-27
Cookery In Praise of … 24-25
Local/National Government Local Councillors 37-39 Parish Council 31-33 Planning 34-35
Advice/Information
Advertisers’ Index 44
Bus Services 40 Mobile Warden Scheme 33
Neighbourhood Watch 28
Refuse Collections 23
Village Directory 42-43
This month’s cover picture: Meldreth Railway Station
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.
Welcome to the July issue of Meldreth Matters.
As I was putting the finishing touches to this month’s issue, just a few day’s before the summer solstice, the sun finally made a very welcome appearance so let’s hope we continue to have some good weather over the summer months!
Meldreth now has a new bus service, with the no. 26 routing through the village; bringing back a service that has been dormant since 2017. The fare is just £2 each way. Please see the local Councillors’ report on pages 37-38 for full details and our summary of bus services in the village on page 40.
Finally, don’t forget that the General Election is being held on Thursday 4th July. Voting will take place in the Village Hall as usual from 7.00am to 10.00pm. You do not have to take your poll card with you but you will need to show photo ID, for example a passport, driving licence or older person’s bus pass.
Join the Meldreth Matters Team
We would like to welcome Dawn Browning and Graham Borgonon to the Meldreth Matters Team. Together with our Distribution Manager Lesley Pemberton, Dawn and Graham will be responsible for distributing just over 900 copies of Meldreth Matters every month to our 30 deliverers. Additional volunteers would make this task easier, so if you would like to be involved and usually have some free time on the last weekend of each month please email us at meldrethmatters@hotmail.com.
We would still like to recruit a volunteer willing to cover for our Advertising Layout or Editorial roles when needed. Here is a reminder of what is involved.
The advertising role involves liaising with advertisers, preparing advertisements and inserting them into the magazine, as well as liaising with the MM Treasurer and Plumridges, our printers. The editorial role involves liaising with contributors and other members of the MM team, editing and formatting articles and designing the layout of the magazine.
Excellent computer and literacy skills and attention to detail are essential and familiarity with Microsoft Publisher would be advantageous. Involvement on a monthly basis is not essential but when required, the volunteer will need to have very good availability around the middle of the month.
If you are interested in joining us or would like more information on the above roles, please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com.
The Meldreth Matters Team
Kathryn
Mary Wedge
It is with sadness we write to tell of the passing of Mary Wedge in April 2024.
Before her dementia unfortunately meant that she was unable to live safely at home and she left the village for a care home setting in 2019, Mum was often a familiar site between her home, the shop, the Village Hall or in Howard Road.
She moved from London to Meldreth in 1991 and took up residence at 132 High Street in the middle cottage of the Emilie Agnes Elin Almshouses - turning what was a rundown cottage into a beautiful home and garden which she was so fortunate to share with some wonderful neighbours and friends over the years. Mum began planting the wooded area at the front with daffodil bulbs and this became a wonderful sight each spring and on occasions featured as a front cover image for Meldreth Matters. She soon settled and became part of village life, taking on the role of the Village Hall Caretaker in 1992, ‘helping out’ with grandson Ben’s paper round for the Cambridge Evening News (often completing it before he finished school and in the end treating it as her round without a wage!), and was an annual poppy seller for the Royal British Legion in Howard Road and at the memorial service.
A quiet, unassuming lady who always had a smile and hello for anyone she passed, she loved the village and talking to whoever she would see on her walks, as well as joining in with Good Companions, the Sheltered Housing Group and garden parties. Never one to be centre stage, she could often be found in the kitchen at events, making teas and coffees and washing up, but she would always be there supporting the event and taking part in her own way. After 20 dedicated years at the Village Hall, she hung up the keys and retired in 2012 just after her 80th birthday. In her days as Caretaker she ensured the Hall was always an immaculately clean and inviting space but beside the pride she had for her work, she thoroughly enjoyed all those she met in the role and worked alongside as part of the Hall Committee.
Mum was family focused and the biggest supporter of Alan and me, along with her grandchildren Vikki, Charlotte and Ben, and her great grandchildren and she will be sadly missed. As a family we are all feeling the loss of our special little lady but would like to pass on our thanks to those who were able to come to the funeral and have messaged in recent weeks. Looking back on the happy times she spent in the village has bought many smiles and been a great comfort to us all.
Ann Fox and family
Should Stonewater wish to pursue a planning application to build further affordable homes in the village, the local planning authority will take the findings from the housing needs survey into account.
Councillor Richard Goddin, Chair of Meldreth Parish Council, said: “The findings from the Housing Needs Survey are useful in ensuring that any further housing development in the village is what local people – those who already live and work here - need. The Parish Council is grateful to all residents who took the time to give their views.”
Cambridgeshire ACRE
Editor’s Note: the 2017 and 2024 surveys can be accessed from the home page of the Parish Council’s new-look website, www.meldreth-pc.org.uk.
Visit your local history website www.meldrethhistory.org.uk
Over 700 pages on Meldreth, past and present
See the Meldreth Today section for information on footpaths * facilities * over 25 local clubs & groups
Maycroft Summer Fete
Saturday 6th July, 2.00-4.30pm - Maycroft Care Home, High Street
The whole community is welcome to join us for our summer fete. Free entry. Please see the poster on the back cover for more details.
Lucy Hassan, Wellbeing Co-ordinator Maycroft Care Home
Home-Start Quiz Night with Supper
Saturday 20th July, 6.45pm for 7.30pm - Meldreth Village Hall
To reserve a table for your team of six, please call me on (01763) 262262 or email events@hsrsc.org.uk. If you are unable to get a team together but would like to join us, let us know and we can put you in a team with others.
Tickets cost £13.50 to include supper. Licensed bar and raffle. Cash and card payments are accepted on the night.
Tracy Aggett, Fundraising Events Support Manager Home-Start Royston, Buntingford & South Cambridgeshire www.hsrsc.org.uk
Meldreth Village Hub
Everyone welcome!
Tuesdays and Thursdays 12 noon – 3.00pm
Community Room, Elin Way (not the Village Hall)
Pop in and join us for a delicious FREE lunch every Tuesday (served at 1.00pm) and refreshments on Thursdays.
Date for your diary
Chair Yoga on Tuesday 20th August. Suitable for everyone – should be fun! Would you like to join our friendly team as a volunteer? There’s lots of flexibility around your availability.
We look forward to meeting you and if you have any questions please get in touch.
Helen Meridew, Lead Volunteer hmeridew@btinternet.com 07787 734973
Melbourn & District U3A News
melbu3a.org
Are you retired, or maybe about to finish full-time work, but determined to make the most of life? Your local u3a could well be the answer.
The chair of the Melbourn and District group, Andrea Burton, said: ‘We have around 400 members from all over South Cambridgeshire and North Hertfordshire, with more than 30 groups ranging from Aviation History and Current Affairs, to Art and French or German. The subscription for a year, beginning in August, is very reasonable, just £13.’
The group has had an exciting programme of speaker events this year, ranging from the inside story of Carry On films to an account of the murdered spy Alexander Litvinenko. Upcoming are talks on England’s most haunted house and the history of spoken English. Speaker meetings are held at 2.30pm on the third Wednesday of each month at the Talking Point, Melbourn Science Park, SG8 6HB where guests are welcome and new members can join. Andrea added: ‘The variety of opportunities to learn from each other and to continue with personal interests is immense. We look forward to meeting anyone interested in joining and sharing their skills.’ Find out more at melbu3a.org.
David Blundell
Melbourn Hub
www.melbournhub.co.uk
As ever, we have lots of events and services on offer during July, as well as our café, library and room hire services. Our artist of the month for July will be Ruth Westwood.
With the summer holidays nearly here, we wanted to remind you that we offer a fantastic range of kids meals at the Hub, including our popular ‘Hubby Bear’ picnic plate. And with our library open from 2.00-4.00pm every weekday and 10.00am-2.00pm on Saturdays, it’s a great place to bring your little ones during the holidays.
Interested in Volunteering?
Although we have a fantastic small team of paid staff running the kitchen and café, none of what we do at the Hub would be possible without the dedication, loyalty and unwavering support of a wide range of volunteers. Our amazing team of volunteers enjoy the inclusion and wellbeing that volunteering brings for so many people wishing to remain active in the community. We are currently looking for more volunteers to help out in our popular café. If you’re interested in volunteering with us, please get in touch at hubadmin@melbournhub.co.uk or just pop in and see us!
Weekly Events
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. There are a few places available for Lunch Club. If you are interested please contact Melbourn Hub on (01763) 263303 or email hubadmin@mebournhub.co.uk.
Every Wednesday - Citizens Advice - 9.30-11.30am No need to book, just drop in!
Every Friday - Children's Story Time - 10.00-10.30am For under 5s. Come and enjoy a story and a singalong. No need to book!
Every Friday, Relate Counselling - 9.00am-12.00pm Relationship, autism relationship and personal counselling. To book a session, please contact Relate on (01302) 347886 or email counselling@relatecambridge.org.uk. Melbourn Hub is unable to take bookings for this service.
Last Wednesday of the month - Breakfast Club - 9.30-11.00am Come and socialise, make new friends and enjoy breakfast or just a coffee! No need to book – just come along.
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
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Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm & Sat 9am-1pm
Over 60? Feeling a bit lonely? Why not try our Day Centre?
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?
To find out more, just call us at Moorlands Court on 01763 260564, or email : denise.taylor@chsgroup.org.uk
Moorlands Court
Things for Children and Families To Do in July
Thursday 4th July and weekly, 2.00pm - 3.00pm
Parents Art Group, Hideaway Café, 63 High Street, Melbourn SG8 6DZ
Have fun with art, led by a local artist, while your children play. Just ten spaces so email to book at hello@thehideawaycafe.co.uk. £10.
Ballet based on the life of Florence Nightingale. Free dance workshop for ages 8+ before the ballet. Book on www.nationaltrust.org.uk.
Saturday 6th July, 10.00am - 4.00pm
Royston Museum’s Summer Fayre, Lower King St SG8 5AL
Play traditional games, do nature-themed crafts, join in a show. Free but book online at www.artfund.org.
Saturday 13th July, 2.00pm - 4.00pm
Wildlife Watch - Mini Beasts, Trumpington Meadows CB2 9LJ
Observe insects and invertebrates then try nature-themed crafts. For ages 5 - 11 (plus parents). £8.41 per child. www.wildlifebcn.org.
Saturday 20th July, 2.00pm - 3.30pm
One Man One Ball, Bassingbourn Community Library, 53 High Street, Bassingbourn SG8 5LD
A 30 minute mix of circus tricks, juggling, an electric unicycle, dance and comedy followed by a one hour circus workshop for all ages. £4 or £14 per family. www.library.live/the-library-presents to book.
Tuesday 23rd July, 9.00am - 3.00pm
Harry Potter Wands, Quidditch and Potions Class
Studlands Rise First School, Royston SG8 9HB
Whittle wands, brew potions, play Quidditch. £37.50. Other themed outdoor clubs each day of the school holidays. See www.theoutdoorsproject.co.uk. Also Saplings Parent and Toddler Group for ages 18 months to 4 years.
Tuesday 23rd July and throughout school holidays
Cambridge Science Centre, Trinity Centre, Milton Rd CB4 0FN
See www.cambridgesciencecentre.org for details of exciting summer shows and experiences. Take out annual membership or pay each visit.
Friday 26th July, 9.30am - 12.30pm
Butterfly Survey, Trumpington Meadows CB2 9LJ
Join West Cambs Youth Rangers (11- 17 years) and help the experts with wildlife research. £6. Monthly meetings - walks, talks, tasks, workshops, socials. Book (parental consent form essential) on www.wildlifebcn.org.
Compiled by Hilary Crawforth
Things to Do in July
Here are some things happening in July in the local area. To let us know about future events or activities please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com.
Tuesday 2nd July, 12.15pm to 2.15pm
Home-Start Literary Lunch
The Old Bull, 56 High Street, Royston SG8 9AW
Writer-in-residence Jude Simpson will be in conversation with author Hannah Beckerman about her imaginative and versatile story-telling. You will be in for a treat. Admission £15 to include a buffet lunch. Tickets from (01763) 262262, www.hsrsc.org.uk/events/, or email events@hsrsc.org.uk. Please notify of any dietary requirements when booking.
Friday 5th July, 8.00pm to 10.00pm
The Orwell Singers Summer Concert
St John’s College Chapel, St.John’s Street, CambridgeCB2 1TW
The popular local choir will perform in the magnificent college chapel of St. John’s with works by Fauré, Schubert, Handel, Morley and Mozart, including his very early Missa Brevis, written when he was 12! Conductor Jonathan Hatley. Tickets cost £10. Buy on the door or online at http://tickets.orwellsingers.co.uk. For further information email barrysharman25mail.com.
All Four Weekends in July, 10.00am to 5.00pm, numerous venues
Cambridge Open Studios
This popular event, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, sees painters, jewellers, woodworkers, sculptors and many more open their working studios giving you a chance to browse and buy directly from the artists. Free admission. In Meldreth, Lorraine and Allan Brown will be taking part at 21 Marvell Green on 6th-7th and 13th-14th July. See their advertisement in this issue for further information. For details of all open studios see www.camopenstudios.org.
Saturday 6th July, 7.00pm to 9.00pm
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Wimpole Hall Estate, Arrington, Royston SG8 0BW
Presented by The Lord Chamberlain’s Men, one of the greatest plays in the English language, in the open air, with an all-male cast and Elizabethan costumes, music and dance. Bring a picnic and something to sit on for a magical evening. Admission £18 adult, £10 child. Call 0208 852 5761 to book.
Sundays 7th, 14th and 21st July, 10.00am to 6.00pm
Lazy Sunday Music
Audley End House and Gardens, Saffron Walden CB11 4JF
Spend a relaxing Sunday at Audley End listening to live music. Bring along deck chairs and a picnic and enjoy a wonderful day out. English Heritage members free; adult admission £26, children 5-17 £16. 15% discount if booked online. www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on.
Monday 8th July, 6.00pm to 8.00pm
Tour of Clare College Gardens
Clare College, Trinity Lane, Cambridge CB2 1TL
Gentle, guided walk around some of the newly re-established Clare College Gardens. Always beautiful but now with an even more diverse range of wildlife habitats. £3 for Wildlife Trust members; £4 non-members. Booking essentialtickets from Ed Turner: ect23@cam.ac.uk.
Saturday July 13th to Sunday July 28th, 9.30am to 4.30pm
Festival of Archaeology
Wimpole Estate, Arrington, Royston SG8 0BW
See history come alive as you follow the free Family Archaeology Trail and watch experts working on their on-site excavations, plus talks and tours. Free event with no booking needed but normal National Trust admission charges apply to the venue. Details at: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cambridgeshire.
Saturday 13th July, 7.00pm
The Music of Bond
Ely Cathedral, The Chapter House, The College, Ely CB7 4DL
Enjoy some of cinema’s most iconic songs in a 90 minute programme performed by the Limelight Orchestra in this impressively-lit, historic venue. Includes the music of legendary performers like Shirley Bassey, Tina Turner, Madonna, Adele, Sam Smith and Paul McCartney. Tickets from £19.
See www.elycathedral.org/events/the-music-of-bond.
Thursday 18th July, 7.15pm
Museum Lates - Paris 1924: Sport, Art and the Body Public
100 years on from the first Paris Olympics in 1924, explore how the culture of this vibrant city shaped the future of sport and the Olympics as they are today. Join this after-hours preview of the Museum’s fascinating exhibition. New ‘pay what you wish’ scheme. For details or to book: www.tickets.museums.cam.ac.uk.
Friday 19th July, 6.00pm to 9.00pm
Artisan Craft Fair and Market
High Street, Ware SG12 9AL
Original artwork, ceramics, jewellery, woodwork, unique gifts and more. Tempting array of treats and live music. Free.
Sunday 28th July, 2.00pm to 4.30pm
Bourn Windmill Open Day
Caxton Road, Bourn CB23 2SU
Visit the oldest surviving windmill in the country, built during the reign of Henry VIII and set in beautiful scenery. Volunteer guides will show you how it works and let you have a go at turning the whole mill on its post. Tea and cakes available. Cambridge PPF members free, non-members £4 adult, £1 child.
Compiled by John Crawforth
www.foht.org.uk
Persuasion by This is My Theatre
The theatre performance of Persuasion by Jane Austen in May was enthusiastically received by around 100 people. Thank you to all who supported this event and gave your feedback afterwards. We have decided to run another theatre evening later this year on Thursday 14th November. Details to follow but meanwhile please put this date in your diaries!
This Month’s Event
Festival du Piano
Friday 5th July, 7.00pm at All Saints’ Church Melbourn
Award-winning pianists will play a dazzling programme of Chopin, Liszt and Debussy. The Cann Twins, Nam Nguyen, Penny McMurray, Aymeric Tsyganov, Ruihan Wu and Philip Xiao. The programme will have two parts of about 35 minutes each with an interval when refreshments will be available.
Tickets are £15 for adults (over 16) and £5 for children (16 and under). To buy tickets for this event please contact: Rev. Andrew Birks (01763) 230178, Ian Mitchell 07726 936635 or Kimmi Crosby 07976 228377.
Future Events
Sunday 15th September
Classic Car Show, Holy Trinity Churchyard
This will be the 19th time we have staged this popular event.
Thursday 14th November
Theatre Performance Details to follow.
Ian Mitchell, Vice Chair FOHT ianmmeldreth@gmail.com 07726 936635
Your Voice Matters: The Future of Holy Trinity Church
Public Meeting: Friday 19th July at 7.00pm, Meldreth Village Hall
We invite you to a community meeting to discuss the future of Holy Trinity Church, Meldreth. Share your ideas of what you want from your Parish Church and hear about our upcoming plans. Your support is crucial for our journey ahead.
Rev. Andrew Birks
Holy Trinity Church Repairs
We have some very good news. We have just been awarded £50,000 from the Thalia WB Community Fund. The fund is managed by Cambridgeshire Community Foundation and funded through our local landfill site at Barrington. This award will enable us to start repairing the drainage system, particularly in front of the church. A local building firm, Roy Carter from Melbourn, gave us the most competitive estimate and they are hoping to start the work, supervised by our church architect David Llewellyn, at the end of July. This will mean some disruption to entering the church from the south side as the pavement in front of the porch will have to be dug up in order to lay a new drainage system. So please bear with us!
We are now applying for a very large grant to repair the stone and plaster work in the church through an excellent fundraising organisation, Church Grant.
This gives us a great opportunity to thank you all for your continued interest and support for this project to put our beautiful Grade 1 listed church in good order.
Andrew Birks, Toni Cann, Julie Draper
Melbourn and Meldreth Women’s Group
We are a small, friendly group who meet at either ASCH Melbourn or Holy Trinity Church meeting room in Meldreth. Our meetings commence at 7.45pm and last about one and a half hours. We either have a speaker or some in-house entertainment. We then have the chance to chat with one another while we are enjoying our refreshments. A charge of £2 is made to cover expenses and there is also the opportunity to donate to the charity pot. The charity which we are supporting this year is Home-Start.
At our May meeting we had what we describe as our “Summer Supper”. Partners were invited and we had a selection of cold dishes with different salads followed by some delicious home made desserts made by the committee members. This was accompanied by wine. This is very much a social event where we have a quiz to take part in and the group with the most marks won a chocolate selection box.
At our June meeting we will have had a talk by David and Lesley Hollamby on their trip to Kenya. Our next meeting, which will be held at Meldreth on 23rd July, is a music evening when members bring along their favourite pieces to play.
If you require any information regarding the group or a lift to a meeting, please telephone one of our committee members: Diane Blundell (01763) 221415, Sue Toule (01763) 260955, Angela Leach (01763) 262793, Mary Bailey (01763) 220171, Janet Backer (01763) 221492 or Mary Purdy (01763) 260864.
Angela Leach
Meldreth Village Hall Trustees Update
On 31st May we held our Annual General Meeting and reviewed the past year’s activities, progress and work. Over the last few months, a number of our trustees have retired. We would like to take this opportunity to publicly and officially thank Joan Fallon, Wendy Braid and Pat Gilmore for all their hard work and dedication. Without them the Hall would not be the fantastic facility that it currently is.
We are delighted to welcome both Thomas Bennet and Richard Alderton as new Trustees. On the Trustees Board we have a number of representatives from clubs, organisations and non-commercial enterprises who use the Village Hall. We still have a number of spaces available for those clubs, enterprises and organisations that are not yet represented. Please do get in touch!
Our Treasurer is pleased to report that the financial state of the Trust is in good order. However, we are, like everyone else, suffering from ever increasing costs. To help us manage these rises and any possible large expenditure in the future we will need to increase our cash reserves and utilise grants more frequently. We have already held a number of very successful fundraisers and we aim to continue this trend and also to introduce some new ideas over the next twelve months.
Our Bookings Clerk, Julia, has been working incredibly hard to manage our bookings and to keep on top of all the administration that this involves. We thank her for all her hard work. Our financial overseer Peter Chilvers has decided to finally retire. We thank him for all his hard work in keeping us on the monetary straight and narrow and wish him well.
After the AGM we held a Trustees meeting where we discussed a number of matters that may be of interest.
The Village Hall is finally hitting the 21st century as we have taken on a new website, online booking/payment system and improved the email communication. Our new web site is www.meldrethvillagehall.co.uk. However, before everyone starts Googling it – we are still very much in the testing phase and it is not yet live. We are hoping to bring it online by the end of July/August.
The email addresses for senior officers are now all @meldrethvillagehall.co.uk. For example, Chair@meldrethvillagehall.co.uk, Secretary@meldrethvillagehall.co.uk or Treasurer@meldrethvillagehall.co.uk. These emails are live and all our officers can be reached directly through these addresses. Please use these new emails rather than officers’ personal email addresses. Please be aware that ALL bookings communication with Julia, until we have the website live, is still via meldrethvillagehall@gmail.com or 07403 462198.
A big change for the Trustees is that we have had a bit of shift round with the Officers of the Trust. As you may have been aware we have had trouble recruiting a new Treasurer, so to ensure that we are and remain compliant, David Coton has kindly offered to become our official Treasurer and also take the
position of Vice Chair. Andrew Young has agreed to move from Vice Chair and become Chair and Thomas has volunteered to be our Secretary. These changes now mean that we have a complete board of Officers. David does, however, say that he would love to hand the role of Treasurer over to someone else so if you feel that this would suit you, please do get in touch!
We feel that there are a number of items that we really need to deal with to ensure that the Village Hall is good for another 50 years. This will require a survey of the existing structure. We, being aware of rising costs, need to find a friendly Surveyor who can come and cast a professional eye over the building. If you know of someone, or are someone, who can help us with this please do get in touch.
The Trustees are pleased to see that all our users are still enjoying the building and all that it has to offer. We remain very proud that we host a variety of groups and events including craft fairs, quiz evenings, The National Fancy Rat Show, U3A, Baby and Toddler Group, Aerobics, Hartbeeps, Table Tennis, Homestart, Slimming World, Pilates, Street Dance, Tang Soo Do, Lift Off Choir, Acro, Circuit Training and the Dementia Memory Café. We are delighted that we have also had a number of enquiries to host other groups and events.
The Village Hall is available for bookings by residents from the local area to host private events such as birthday parties, wedding receptions, wedding anniversaries and assorted gatherings! We have good lighting, heating and facilities throughout the hall as well as free 300mbps fibre broadband. The use of the kitchen, tables, chairs, screen, projector and sound system etc. can be included in the hire rates. Hire is available on an hourly or daily basis for the whole hall or the individual rooms.
We have two rooms available to hire. The QE2 room is available as a meeting room and is self-contained with a small kitchen unit, and can be set up with a projector and screen if required. The Main Hall is a big space with the stage, main kitchen, bar area and separate access to the garden.
The Trustees are proud that Meldreth Village Hall is a well-managed and positive asset to the village. We are always trying to increase the usage of the Village Hall, looking for new ideas and helpers.
If you think you can share an idea, volunteer at an event or even be a Trustee then please contact either Andrew Young, Thomas Bennet or David Coton at Chair@meldrethvillagehall.co.uk, Secretary@meldrethvillagehall.co.uk, or Treasurer@meldrethvillagehall.co.uk. Alternatively call Andrew on 07572 553647. The email address for hall bookings and enquiries remains meldrethvillagehall@gmail.com.
Thank you and hope to see you at a fundraiser soon.
Andrew Young Chair, Meldreth Village Hall Trust
9.00-10.00am TB Workout
10.00-11.00 F. Fitness
10.00-12.00 History Grp
11.00-12.00 T P Pilates
4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children (multi classes)
6.30-8.00pm Guides
9.00-10.00am TB Workout
10.00-11.00 Functional Fitness
11.00-12.00 T P Pilates
4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children (multi classes)
6.30-8.00pm Guides
9.00-10.00am TB Workout
10.00-11.00 Functional Fitness
11.00-12.00 T P Pilates
4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children (multi classes)
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
… Gooseberries & Elderflowers
This month we showcase gooseberries and elderflowers. They are eaten in a range of desserts, but also can be served with mackerel. They can be made into fools, jam, jelly, wine or even vinegar. The best things in life are free and elderflower is no exception, not just for the quintessential summer cordial, but for pickles and ices too and goes beautifully with gooseberries.
Here are two recipes to celebrate gooseberries and elderflowers in all their glory. Enjoy.
Gooseberry Cupcakes
Preparation time less than 30 mins, Cooking time 30 mins to 1 hour, Makes 12
Ingredients
4 tbsp caster sugar
100g gooseberries, trimmed
120g ground almonds
75g plain flour
150g icing sugar
6 free-range egg whites, lightly beaten
100g unsalted butter, melted, plus extra for greasing
2 tbsp elderflower cordial
Icing sugar, to dust
Method
Preheat the oven to 150°C/300°F/Gas 2. Brush a bun or muffin tin with melted butter.
Place the caster sugar with two tablespoons of water into a small saucepan and heat, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved. Add the gooseberries and simmer in the syrup for five minutes until soft, stirring occasionally, but be careful not to break them up too much. In a large mixing bowl, combine the almonds and flour then sift in the icing sugar.
Stir in the egg whites until just combined, then stir in the melted butter and the elderflower cordial.
Transfer the batter in spoonfuls to the muffin tin. Place 3-4 stewed gooseberries into the centre of each cake.
Bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the cakes feel springy to touch and begin to pull away from the edges of the tin.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the tin for five minutes, then transfer carefully to a wire rack. These are best eaten warm with a dollop of cream.
Gooseberry and Elderflower Custards
Preparation time less than 30 mins, Cooking time 10 to 30 mins, Serves 4-6
Ingredients
450g gooseberries
150ml elderflower cordial
Method
For the custard
2 egg yolks
1 tsp arrowroot
150ml milk
30g sugar
150ml double cream
Fresh elderflowers, to decorate
Top and tail the gooseberries. Put them into a pan with the elderflower cordial. Bring up to the boil and then simmer gently until soft and pulpy. Leave to go cold, and then place in a serving dish.
Make the custard. Heat the milk up in a pan to the point of boiling. Beat the egg yolks, arrowroot and sugar together in a jug and pour the hot milk into the jug. Mix well and then return to the pan. Heat gently until the custard thickens, but do not boil. Strain into a clean bowl and cool.
Whip the cream to the same consistency as the gooseberries. Gently stir the cream into the gooseberries and then fold in the custard. Try to give it a marbled effect in the serving bowl. Place a few elderflowers on top to decorate.
Jane O’Hagan
ameldrethgarden.co.uk
July brings the year well into the summer season; a great month of riotous blossom and the period of ripening for early fruits. The garden in June was glorious with plants in profusion bursting into flower, about two weeks ahead of the normal season. Roses; one of my favourites Rosa gallica Cardinal Richelieu is a gorgeous, French bush rose with deep purple velvet flowers in abundance, with a mild but delicious scent. This is a single flowering old cultivar from 1847 and is in flower as I write.
I have grown hedging, an arch separating areas of the garden and topiary, from yew seedlings and will be trimming the new growth back to maintain shape and a compact habit. Lupin, foxglove, monkshood and delphiniums will be cut back after flowering to encourage a second flush of flowers. Keep dead heading spent blooms to encourage more growth and keep the garden looking fresh. Sweet William, wallflower, primula, poppy, lupin, foxglove, etc. will form seed heads after flowering from the annual and perennial plants; seed can be collected and sown straight away when ripe. I will remove allium seed heads to stop them selfseeding as I have enough.
I was propagating a winter honeysuckle to provide a backup and found on removing the polythene cover from the pot of cuttings that a caterpillar was trapped within and had eaten all the cuttings, leaving only short stumps. I will be taking soft wood cuttings from a range of semi-tender plants to ensure continuity in case of a bad winter. These include penstemon, salvia, pelargonium and dahlia. I am lifting and dividing bearded Iris from the white border as the white iris has reverted to blue. The divisions will be put into the allotment cuttings garden to flower next year.
It is time to ruthlessly remove any excess of set apples and pears to ensure a crop of fewer larger fruit. It is difficult to overdo this thinning out. For step over apples to maintain a compact habit, new shoots are cut back to three leaves, this will improve future fruiting. After fruiting, berry bushes should be cut back. For blackcurrants, cut out all old wood as they fruit best on new wood. For gooseberries and red and white currants, cut out a third of the oldest stems to the base and trim back new shoots by a third. These fruit best on mature wood.
In the allotment, the flower cuttings garden has provided and is providing alliums, sweet William, sweet peas, foxgloves and Spanish iris Iris xiphium for the house. In the vegetable patch, broad beans, lettuces, beetroot, spinach, calabrese and strawberries are being harvested. It is now time to stop picking asparagus and rhubarb; give them a feed and the good mulch to promote healthy crowns for next year. I will harvest the first new potatoes and peas. There is no taste like the first vegetables of the season. Garlic bulbs are ready to harvest and once the foliage begins to die down, remove the soil from the roots and turn them upside down and fully dry in an airy place before storing. I mostly have hard neck varieties.
It is important to keep on top of weeding to ensure the best conditions for our plants. This requires a knowledge and understanding of what is a weed and this may be more difficult than you would think. Many garden flowers are from the same genus as related weeds and look similar especially when plants are juvenile e.g., a geum looks very much like the weed herb Bennet or wood avens and a ranunculus or Welsh poppy look very much like creeping buttercup. It is important not to pull up flowers in error. We also need to know where dormant plants and bulbs are; for example bleeding heart Dicentra Spectabilis has a relatively short season in the spring and will not stand any level of root disturbance, perhaps why I don't have any outside of pots. It is very easy, once bulbs are over, to accidentally hit them while weeding garden borders.
When yellow oxalis Oxalis corniculats first appeared in the garden I made the rookie error thinking ‘how beautiful’, not realising what a phenomenally successful invasive weed it was; I have been unable to get rid of it. Field bindweed, creeping thistle, and lesser celandine are other pernicious weeds in the garden which are difficult to eradicate. I thankfully do not have mare's tail, couch grass or ground elder which are insidious weeds too. I do not consider dandelions, docks or nettles as pernicious weeds; they are frequent, unwelcome visitors, but easily dealt with. The key activity is to remove weeds before they set seed. Some weeds make excellent flowers. The common purple salsify Tragopogon porrifolius, biennial corncockle Agrostemma githago and forget me not, are annuals and perennial cornflower Centaurea montana are among the wild flowers that are left to self-seed in my garden.
Enjoy your garden.
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
Iain McPhee mcpheia1@gmail.com
N J Chapman Garden Services Handyman Mobile: 07592 725 169
Email: nigeljchapman3@gmail.com
PLUMBING, HEATING & GAS
inspection will take place to see whether steps can be taken to reduce the frequency of this. The Council also considered other measures to reduce these episodes and discussed other possible steps but concluded that at this time of year in the past we have regularly seen temporary increases in bad behaviour that has then subsided.
Mettle Hill Trespassing
There has been a recent report of young people riding motorcycles or quad bikes on the Council’s land at Mettle Hill. We ask all nearby residents to keep us informed about any such incidents and, particularly, where access to our site might be taking place.
The Village Funeral Bier
The bier was constructed by Herbert Gipson from 1921-23, following the opening of the cemetery in Fenny Lane. The bier enabled the coffins of the deceased to be wheeled in a respectful manner from the Church to the burial ground. Later, this function was superseded by the use of motor hearses and the bier was put into storage. In 2021 it was extensively renovated by local residents John Morgan and John Richards and was displayed in the Church at the 2023 Christmas Tree Festival. The bier has been widely admired for its design and craftsmanship and its place in the history of our community.
Meldreth Parish Council owns the bier but has no suitable place at which the public can view it. The bier represents an important link between the Church and the wider village and is therefore of interest to both communities. Recent discussions with the Church have led to our proposal that the Parish Council gifts the bier into the ownership and custody of Holy Trinity Church, Meldreth without financial or other consideration, subject to that in the event the Church has at a future point no wish to continue to own the bier it undertakes to return it to the ownership and custody of the Parish Council without financial or other consideration. The Council has now agreed to this proposal and will offer these arrangements to the Church.
Editor’s note: more information on the funeral bier can be found on Meldreth Local History Group’s website, www.meldrethhistory.org.uk (search for bier).
Housing Survey
The 2017 and 2024 survey reports (prepared independently by Cambridgeshire ACRE) have been posted onto the Council’s website and a summary of the findings of the 2024 survey is given on pages 6-7 of this issue of Meldreth Matters. These reports show the possible levels of demand for different sizes and types of affordable housing within our community and will be useful when overall housing strategy or individual planning projects come under future review.
Next Parish Council Meeting
Thursday 4th July 2024 at 7.30pm in the Elin Way Community Room.
Meldreth Parish Council
Meldreth Parish Council - Contact Details http://www.meldreth-pc.org.uk
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
Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme
All correspondence should be directed to the Clerk in the first instance
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
Planning Matters
Meldreth Parish Council
The minutes of the Parish Council planning meeting on 4th January and 23rd May were not available at the time of going to press. When available, minutes may be viewed on the Parish Council’s website: www.meldreth-pc.org.uk. The following information was taken from the minutes of the meeting on 18th April.
32 Station Road 24/00935/OUT
A hybrid planning application for the demolition of existing commercial units and redevelopment of site with new build commercial units and replacement farm shop and seven residential units consisting of a) a full planning application for seven residential units and b) an outline planning application (all matters reserved except access) for new build commercial units and replacement farm shop.
The Council takes a generally favourable view of the design of the proposals and the positive impact they should have on the local setting from a visual viewpoint, having regard to the mixed condition of the present site and the usages to which it is put. There are, however, several issues where further information and clarification is required before a conclusion can be reached. These are summarised as follows:
Accuracy of Site Plan and Ownership of Land
There appears to be some discrepancy regarding the ownership of the land at the northwest corner of Fieldgate. This is where the current entry to the farm shop from the Station Road highway is situated. The site plan presented by the applicant shows this corner, on which the proposed entrance walls are situated, to be within the ownership of the applicant. There are presently, however, lines on the tarmac entrance drive which declare this to be part of County Highways’ property. This matter is fundamental to this part of the proposed plans and is therefore of considerable significance, requiring urgent investigation by the Planning Authority.
Drainage on the Site
When the applicant created the entrance drive from Station Road, it is believed that a drainage ditch which crossed the drive was filled in and a pipe connection was established. This connection may not be working properly as the area is subject to flooding. This could be the result of a blockage in the pipe. If development plans are approved, the drainage needs to be investigated and remedied.
Comments from Consultees
Several official consultees have expressed concern about certain aspects of the scheme to a degree where refusal is recommended, or significant further work is needed by the applicant fully to address issues of particular concern. These concerns are set out in documents lodged with the Planning Authority, thereby forming part of the proposal under current scrutiny and are summarised below:
District and County Councillors’ Report
Correct Disposal of Batteries – Avoid Fires
Lithium-ion batteries found in mobile phones, vapes and power packs on electric bikes or scooters, have all caused fires in the back of local bin lorries since January – disrupting collection rounds and putting crews and the public in danger. This has included recent fires that have broken out in the back of trucks in Great Shelford, near Rose Crescent in the centre of Cambridge and on the edge of Orchard Park/King’s Hedges.
When batteries are put into a wheelie bin, they can go on to get crushed or damaged in bin lorries, which can cause explosions and trigger fires. Greater Cambridge Shared Waste – a partnership between Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire District Councils – is now reminding residents to ensure they dispose of batteries correctly. Please follow the advice below.
Vapes should be taken back to vape shops or to the large Household Recycling Centres, like those at Milton or Thriplow, for recycling.
Larger batteries – for example e-bike batteries, those from a mobile phone, laptop batteries or those that are attached to a device – must also be taken to a Household Recycling Centre.
Small household batteries can be put in a small plastic bag, tied closed and left on top of any of your wheelie bins (green, black or blue) on collection day. Most small common household portable batteries can be placed in that plastic bag for collection at the kerbside, including AA and AAA, C and D and button cells. These used batteries are then recycled.
Residents of flats with shared bins should not leave small household batteries on these but instead, can take them to one of the many public battery collection points at corner shop chains, supermarkets, chemists and petrol stations as well as those at recycling points and Household Recycling Centres. Visit www.recyclenow.com to see all locations.
Royston-Cambridge 26 Bus New Route Now Includes Meldreth and Shepreth
The Melbourn-based operator A2B is now running the Royston-Cambridge service commercially, aiming to build on strengths and expand where possible to provide a wider service. The core service runs through Melbourn, Foxton, Fowlmere, Harston and Trumpington Park and Ride, with Drummer Street Bus Station Cambridge the final destination.
In order to serve Meldreth and Shepreth, the 26 diverts once a day (late morning) via the High Streets to Drummer Street, returning mid-afternoon – bringing back a service to Cambridge that has been dormant since 2017. All fares are £2 each way.
Timings have been tweaked but all will be kept under review, and your councillors will be keeping in touch with the operator at the service beds in.
addition, they will be talking to people from specific groups who are less often heard from including people who may have been homeless or are from migrant or Gypsy/Roma/Traveller communities.
The online version of the survey can be found on the Cambridgeshire County Council website so any resident who wants to can take part can. The closing date for comments is Friday 19th July 2024.
Good Life Fund, CPSL Mind
The Good Life Fund offers grants of up to £1500 to people in our local community to help set up groups that connect people, for example book clubs, craft classes or activities that encourage people to learn new skills.
The fund was developed with stakeholders, including those with lived experience of mental health and grants will be distributed to local people for activities that support the Five Ways to Wellbeing, which are: Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give.
Small grants can be a catalyst for encouraging people to take the first steps to become engaged in their communities, inspiring them to develop their ideas for groups and activities.
You can apply to the Good Life Fund if:
Your activity is promoting wellbeing
There are at least four people involved
Everyone involved is prepared to volunteer their time, energy and strengths
The activity is open to all, we encourage equality and diversity to reflect your community!
We regret that grants are not available to charities or organisations, such as Community Interest Companies, to set up groups on behalf of others.
If you would like to learn more about the Good Life Fund email goodlifefund@cpslmind.org.uk or call 0300 303 4363.
Zoom Cuppa Monday afternoons
Please feel free to join our weekly Zoom Cuppa on Mondays from5.00-6.00pm, or contact us anytime with any questions or concerns. You’ll find our contact details below.
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
Village Directory
Litter Picker
Mick Taylor—(01763) 261118
Neighbourhood Watch Graham Borgonon—(01763) 260358
One Stop (01763) 262158, open 7am-10pm, 7 days
Village Hall Bookings
Julia Moore: email meldrethvillagehall@gmail.com
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 Nicole Searle—(01763) 269561
Bowls Club
Croquet Club
David Rich—(01763) 262116
Janet Pope—(01763) 248239
Table Tennis 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
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 Anthony Browne; www.anthonybrowne.org/
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) 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
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 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 07798 586875, Graham Borgonon & Dawn Browning; Founder: Ann Barnes Meldreth Matters is available online at https://issuu.com/meldrethmatters
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