Meldreth Matters, June 2015

June 2015

MAYCROFT CARE HOME — Specialist residential care for people with dementia — • Warm, safe, homely atmosphere • Expert, specialist care tailored to meet the needs of each resident • Daily activities & regular outings – games, quizzes, bingo; garden centres, country drives, pub lunches and lots more • Bi-monthly meetings and support for residents' family and friends We understand that moving to residential care is a big step for our residents and their families. Let our management team of 40 years' experience make the transition easier. Please drop in and visit us at your convenience!

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Meldreth Matters, June 2015 Contents include …

Page

June Events in Meldreth Melwood Conservation Group River Mel Restoration Group Friends of Holy Trinity Notes From a Small Garden Holy Trinity Church Services Church News & Gift Service Pre-School

2-3 4-5 6-7 7 8-9 9 11-12 14-15

Primary School Melbourn Village College WI Women’s Group Good Companions Letters to the Editor Citizens Advice Sessions Holy Trinity Church Fete Volunteering Opportunities Parish Council Local History From the Archives District Councillor’s Report County Councillor’s Report Foxton Level Crossing Renewable Energy Planning Matters Melbourn Sports Centre Local Events Charity & Advice Pages Local Links Index to Advertisers Local Telephone Numbers

16-17 18 21 22-23 23 24-25 26 29-30 31 35-38 40-41 42 44-45 46 49 50-51 52-53 55 56-57 58-61 62 63 64

Welcome to the June issue of Meldreth Matters.

There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in village life this month, with several events taking place. These include the annual Royston & District Motorcycle Club Bike Show and the fete at Meldreth Manor, the Holy Trinity Church fete and a midsummer picnic in Melwood at the end of the month, at which you will be able to enjoy the beautiful meadow.

For a child’s eye perspective of our village, please see pages 16-17 where some of the children at Meldreth Primary School have shared with us what they like and dislike about our village and how they think it could be improved. I think you’ll be surprised by some of the things they have mentioned!

Kathryn

Cover: Elin Way bungalows in 1974. Photograph by Alison Chalkley.

The opinions expressed in the letters and articles in this magazine are those of the writers, who are responsible for the accuracy of the information contained within them.

The last date for copy is the 12th of each month.

Copy should be submitted by email where possible, to meldrethmatters@hotmail.com or delivered to the Editor, Kathryn Betts at 36 North End, Meldreth, SG8 6NT Tel. (01763) 268428 The Editor reserves the right to withhold from publication or to shorten if necessary, any article or letter sent to her.

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June Events in Meldreth To see your event listed, please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com Saturday 6th June 10.30am-12 noon Coffee Break Sheltered Housing Community Room, Elin Way The Coffee Break morning will be held on Saturday 6th June at the Elin Way Community Centre. The morning will start at 10.30am and will finish at around 12 noon. Please call in for a chat and a refreshing cup of coffee or tea, both served with biscuits. The ‘Bring and Buy’ cake stall is always popular and donations of cakes or biscuits are always welcome.

Marion Long (01763) 261365 Saturday 6th June Midday onwards Meldreth Manor and Orchard Manor Fete Meldreth Manor School See back page for further details Tuesday 9th June, 7.30pm Meldreth Village Hall Trust AGM The Meldreth Village Hall Trust will hold its AGM in the Village Hall.

Please come along if you would like to find out anything, make suggestions or offer to help.

Paul Ray 2

Saturday 13th June 1.00-4.00pm Holy Trinity Church Fete Scarecrow competition - see page 15 Competition classes - see pages 29-30 for entry form See back page for further details Wednesday 17th June 6.00pm onwards Royston & District Motorcycle Club Bike Show Meldreth Manor This is a very important fundraising event, with RDMCC donating a large sum of money to us each year.

Please support them and come along to see all the different bikes and stalls that will be there.

Saturday 27th June Midsummer Picnic, 6.30pm onwards Melwood Nature Reserve Picnic and entertainment in the wood Please see page 5 for further details

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Melwood Conservation Group www.melwood.btck.co.uk Melwood Conservation Group is a small village group that maintains and manages Melwood.

Melwood is a designated Local Nature Reserve and is there for everyone in the village to enjoy. If you have never visited this pleasant area of the village, then our Midsummer Picnic on Saturday 27th June (see poster on facing page) will be a good opportunity to experience it with other villagers. There will be a lot to listen to and enjoy and the woods and meadow should be at their best.

You will be able to find out more about the wood from the interpretation board and by chatting to group members. Members of our friendly group will be happy to explain our activities and if you are interested in helping out at our working parties, we are always looking for additional volunteers to maintain our special green space.

Bruce Huett Melwood Conservation Group To advertise in this space, please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com or telephone Beverley Cottrell on (01763) 262176.

Meldreth Millennium Trails These trails were created to celebrate the life and environment of the community of Meldreth and to be a permanent marker of the second millennium.

See page 63 for our rates.

James For all gardening / handyman jobs give me a call‌ For grass cutting / weeding / fence painting / hedge cutting and handyman jobs as well.

Phone: 01763 249004 01763 241744 Email: klf2011@hotmail.co.uk

The booklets include five trails around the village and include maps and illustrations. They cost ÂŁ3.50 and are available from Joan and Tim Gane, by telephoning (01763) 260129.

Proceeds to Meldreth Local History Group.

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River Mel Restoration Group We have continued a programme of four-weekly working parties throughout the year, maintaining the banks and revetments in the river, and working to achieve as high a quality of water as possible. Frequent sightings of trout, water voles and an increase in invertebrate fauna are proof of current success, as are the many comments we hear from walkers along the footpath beside the river about how clear the water appears now.

However occasionally there have been problems with outflow from the water treatment plant which is located between Melbourn and Meldreth, with evidence of what is termed ‘rag’ getting into the river.

These are rare occurrences and tend to follow periods of heavy rain or power cuts. We had been in touch with Anglia Water about this over a period of time and in April we were invited to visit the plant and see how it worked and the efforts that are made to avoid and to rectify such events.

It was a truly fascinating visit, and we spent a couple of hours looking around the site and learning about the process of treating our waste water. Basically there are three huge tanks which hold the liquid, it being pumped from one to another as the filtering process takes place.

Much of the work is done by micro-organisms – without them the process would be impossible. By the time the liquid reaches the final stage it is completely clear, and regular samples are taken to measure its purity. Invariably the water that reaches the Mel from the plant-outlet just beyond the railway line is of a higher quality than that required by the Environment Agency.

There were three things that stand out in my own mind about our visit and the plant that impressed me during our visit. The first was that everything was so clean, and there was no smell. There was nothing unpleasant about the site at all. Then there was the sheer volume of water that it handled – it is hard to believe just how much water we send through our drains every day! And thirdly we realised that the old image of ‘sewage farms’ with the large round ponds with rotating arms that we so often saw from train windows is a thing of the past. This centre is compact, albeit huge, and thoroughly computerised.

Everything is monitored and information available on a series of screens, with regular updates. So when there is a problem, be it a power cut or a sudden increase in inflow, the staff are instantly alerted.

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Problems may arise at night, when there is no-one on site, and that is one possible time when ‘rag’ might overflow into the outlet drain. It is simply a matter of time before the on-call officer can arrive to rectify the problem. It is also worth noting how important it is not to flush the aptly-named ‘unflushables’ down the toilet. Wet wipes are particular culprits – they look flushable, but they don’t decompose easily and should not be disposed of through the drains, but into landfill.

It was a fascinating and well worth while visit; we learned a lot and came away feeling that indeed every effort is being made to keep our river as clean and pure as possible.

Ann Barnes

Friends of Holy Trinity www.foht.org.uk Spring Open Gardens This year the selection of gardens was between Chiswick End and the middle of the High Street. Although a smallish group it was remarked that “the gardens this year were of an especially high standard and a credit to their owners”. In one garden the owner, apart from having an excellent selection of plants, had recorded 58 species of birds, 20 butterflies and 325 species of moths.

As usual teas were served in the church meeting room and an additional attraction was a plant stall which proved to be very popular. Our thanks go to all the garden owners for making our event possible, those providing cakes, serving teas and manning the plant stall.

Forthcoming Events: Saturday 18th July: Summer Garden Concert with the Cottenham Brass Band Sunday 6th September: 11th Car Show Friday 23rd October: Talk on China A talk by Hans van de Ven based on his passion for Chinese history Friday 13th November: Quiz

by Colin Limming with a Ploughman’s Supper John Price 7

Notes From a Small Garden In the greenhouses the tomatoes, cucumbers and melons are beginning to flower and hopefully will be producing fruits soon. The new perpetual flowering carnations which are planted in the greenhouse border are in bud; we are curious to see their colours. The winter density lettuces that were in the cold frame have finished. These were sown last September and produced a good crunchy crop. The frame is being prepared in readiness for melons to be planted at the beginning of June. The strawberries grown last year from seed are beginning to flower. These are in two tiered plastic covered frames. We will remove the covers and replace them with a net.

The vegetables - dwarf runner beans Hestia, dwarf beans and climbing French beans - have been started off in trays of compost. When the shoots start to show they can be planted out. This gives them a head start over the mice and insects. Another row of mange tout will be planted against the ones already growing outside. These were started off in the same way as the beans. Jane was given a white passion flower for her birthday which is planted against the front wall of the bungalow and we hope to train it over the window.

As usual, Jim is miles ahead of Julie, but she is eating lots of salad vegetables and spinach from the garden! We had a great Veg Plus Club meeting at Sherida and John's garden the week before writing this copy.

One new member's produce put some of us to shame. I came away with three beautiful plants of white verbascum and five very healthy looking sweetcorn plants.

Peter and Julie slipped away from their family for a three night break in Kent recently before their sixth grandchild was due. Sissinghurst, of course, was the favourite and just as beautiful as ever with lots of new planting ideas. We saw the best bluebell wood ever at Hole Park and the tulips at Pashley Manor were quite a show. I learnt a lot from the Blooms bulb representative there. The reason why their bulbs are so successful and come up again in succeeding years, is because they are four years old before they are sold. The key, apparently, is to feed the plants as they are dying down and then dig them up and dry them in a safe place away from mice. I must say that not a single bowl of cut tulips showed them bending over in the way they so often do when you buy them from a florist.

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Things to do As soon as broad beans have set cut out the tops, this will deter black aphids from taking up residence. Sow wallflowers, forget-me-nots and all kinds of primulas. There is also time to sow all kinds of herbaceous plants. Give any trees or shrubs planted last autumn or spring a thorough watering. Any new herbaceous plants will need a thorough watering once a week.

Good gardening to you all especially now the glorious month of June has arrived.

Jim and Julie juliedraper@dumbflea.co.uk, (01763) 260323 jane_eggleton@yahoo.co.uk, (01763) 261824

Holy Trinity Church Services Sunday 7th June 9.45am Family Communion and New Seekers Sunday School Sunday 14th June 8.00am Holy Communion Sunday 21st June 9.45am Family Communion and New Seekers Sunday School Sunday 28th June 8.00am Holy Communion

Joint Parish Prayer Group The Joint Parish Prayer Group will be meeting on Tuesday 16th June at 85 North End, Meldreth. The meeting will start at 8.00pm and you are most welcome to join us. Prayer requests are welcomed and treated in strict confidence.

Marion Long (01763) 261365 9

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Holy Trinity Church Church Heating The boiler was commissioned on 20th April and approximately half of the system is now running and proving to be very effective.

Bell Restoration Dismantling the bells was completed according to plan in April and a new belfry floor has been installed and the old bell frame removed.

Work to cut pockets in the tower wall for the new all-steel bell frame will take place soon.

Andrew O’Brien As many people will know Andrew and Joanne are moving to the benefice of Canford Cliffs near Poole and Sandbanks at the end of June.

Andrew has been vicar of Melbourn and Meldreth for almost 18 years and Rural Dean for just over 18 months. Joanne has also made a major contribution to the Christmas Tree Festival, with her team making creative craft products and raising considerable sums.

We will thank them both for their contributions to Holy Trinity over the years at a farewell presentation to be held at Holy Trinity after the service on Sunday 21st June.

John Price

Wanted Does anyone have a black and white television set in good working order lurking in their attic or indeed anywhere? If so, I would be pleased to hear from you.

Please contact Daphne on (01763) 260903.

Thank you.

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Holy Trinity’s Gift Service In previous years, we have helped organisations through a Gift Service, either in monetary or material terms. This year, Holy Trinity, Meldreth will be holding a Gift Service in aid of Cambridge Women’s Aid and if you would like to donate a gift to that organisation, it would be much appreciated.

The service will take place on Sunday 5th July at 9.45am and will form part of our Family Communion Service. There will be a talk given by a speaker from Cambridge Women’s Aid, one of the Trustees of the organisation, which should prove to be very interesting.

The Centre has asked for a number of items, mainly clothing. Most will have to be brand new, as they will not accept second hand goods with the exception of mugs, which should be in good condition.

The items they need are as follows: mugs (second-hand accepted) but must be in good condition nightwear for women and/or children dressing gowns slippers hairdryers hair straighteners As you can see, some of these items may be expensive but if you do have any brand new items that have not been used, I am sure good use will be made of them. I would appreciate it if your gift could be wrapped in the form of a present so that it will look more attractive for the service.

I will be happy to discuss any of the above with you and you can contact me on (01763) 261365. Thank you.

Marion Long 12

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Meldreth Pre-School www.meldrethpreschool.com

The summer term is now well underway, and the children have been making the most of the warmer weather.

Spring trees were enthusiastically made and proudly taken home, the life cycle of frogs was explored and the rising fives went to Melwood to look for froglets!

Our Pre-School is currently struggling financially due to government cuts in our funding. We are doing all we can to ensure that it stays open by applying for grants and planning lots of fundraising events.

Our jumble sale was well attended and we raised nearly ÂŁ200, so thank you to all who donated items and supported us. Over the summer we hope to have several community fundraising events, details to follow.

Please can you all support these events wherever possible to help us keep this wonderful setting going.

Thank you for the donation of play sand that was left over from a Hawaiian themed party, much appreciated!

Pre-School Committee We are looking for a new treasurer as well as general committee members. If you are interested please contact us for more details. You do not have to be a parent, anyone from the village would be welcomed. Please email preschool@meldrethpreschool.com for more details or pop into the setting and speak to the staff.

We are a friendly Pre-School offering a quality term time service at competitive rates in line with NEF funding. We take children from the age of two and are happy to welcome children in nappies. You can find out about our Pre-School by visiting our website www.meld rethpreschool.com. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

We are filling our places fast, so anyone looking for new or increased hours needs to contact the Pre-School as soon as possible. Either 14

telephone us on 07518 173653 or email Sarah Isle at preschool@meldrethpreschool.com. If you are keen to join us in September it’s not too early to come for a visit and get your name down!

Staff Vacancies We are looking for someone with a CACHE Level 2/3 in Childcare to join our team. Shifts will be 8.30am to 12.30pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. This is available as one role or can be shared between two people. There may also be other overtime shifts to cover training courses.

We are also looking for qualified bank staff to join our expanding team.

For more information about these opportunities please contact Sarah Isle preschool@meldrethpreschool.com Meldreth Pre-School

Meldreth Scarecrow Competition Holy Trinity Church Fete Saturday 13th June Make a scarecrow: for your village organisation, with neighbours for your road, with your family (over the bank holiday weekend!)

£4 to enter * Straw provided * 1st prize £25 Scarecrows should be in the churchyard for judging by 1.00pm on 13th June 15

Meldreth Primary School www.meldreth.cambs.sch.uk We asked the children in school what they like about their village, and what they would do to improve it. Here are some of their responses.

Robin class Lucia: I like going to the shops to buy sweets. I would like a pony and some different flowers to grow along the path.

Amelia: I like the climbing frame in the park. I would like a zip wire in the park.

Natalie: I like the church because the bells are going in.

Jay Class Max: I like the train station because I like the stairs that help you to get to the other platform. Meldreth could be better if it had a zoo.

Oliver: I would like to see a rainbow in Meldreth.

Esther: It is quiet and very lovely. It would be better if it had more children like me.

Ollie: Meldreth needs more pools with waves and a slide and the slide would go fast.

Finley: I think Meldreth needs a massage place in a shop.

Annabel: My favourite part of Meldreth is my house.

Kingfisher class Bernadette: I like Meldreth because there are nice roads.

Ella: I like Meldreth because I like the park. The best thing in it is the swings.

Daniel: Flambards Close looks a bit like a capital I. Mason: I like Meldreth because it is pretty with all the trees and the flowers.

Aliya: I like the park because there are lots of climbing things.

Rhys: I like the whole village.

Swallow Class Phillippa: Meldreth has beautiful trees and streams. through fields and be fascinated at the sight.

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You can walk

Ruby C: I think Meldreth could be better if people would stop littering because when I walk in the park sometimes I see lots of litter.

Fletcher: Meldreth is a happy place. You can watch the trains whizz past and make clickety clack noises.

Theo: To improve it, I would have a public swimming pool to swim in.

Aaliyah: I like going to Melwood to listen to the birds talking to each other.

Ruby H: Meldreth is a lovely place but it would be better if Mr Jones lived down my street.

Chaffinch class James H: Everyone is very welcoming.

Evie: Meldreth is full of fun and laughter, it has a lot of history and the school is amazing.

Daniel: Meldreth has a lovely flowing river with lots of bridges to play on.

James: I would like to extend the school so we have a secondary school.

Lewis: Take down all the fences, so we can all share our gardens with each other!

Kai: Meldreth football team needs a stadium to play in.

Woodpecker Class Nathan: I like the park on the other side of the Primary School because it is a great place to hang out. I also like the river at the back of my school - who cares if you fall in, it’s only shallow!

Phillip: I like the immense wood, it’s great for going for walks. I also love being able to catch the train from my village.

Grace B: I love Meldreth because it has an amazing and wonderful school in it. There is also a great wood to take your dogs for a walk along the river. I don't like how people who have dogs don't clear up the poo or leave it hanging on a fence. There are BINS for a reason!

Hattie: There should be a place like The Hub, in Melbourn, to catch up with your friends.

Neo and Libby: We’d like there to be more equipment at the play area, maybe a zip wire! Then the older children would have somewhere to hang out too.

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Melbourn Village College Melbourn Village College has received two awards that recognise its achievements and as a result has been invited to join a national network of high-performing secondary schools. The college has received two SSAT Educational Outcomes Awards for being in the top 10% of nonselective schools nationally for attainment (based on students’ best eight average point scores) and for being in the top 10% nationally for value added progress. Last summer 75% of Melbourn students achieved five GCSEs at grades A*-C including maths and English – 20% above the national average. In English the number of students who made three levels of progress was 83% and for maths 89% - both figures putting them way above the national average.

The Schools, Students and Teachers Network (SSAT), founded from the former Specialist Schools and Academies Trust in May 2012, handed Melbourn their awards at a regional celebration ceremony in May. Only 108 schools in the country qualified for both awards.

Melbourn will also now join the Leading Edge group of schools who are all rated by Ofsted at Grade 1 or 2. All Leading Edge schools, which must show pupils make excellent progress and/or perform above the national average, are committed to working in partnership to raise achievement, innovation and sharing practice both within and beyond the network.

Melbourn Principal Simon Holmes said: “I am very proud that the excellent standard of education at MVC has been recognised via these two awards, in particular the one for progress. This clearly indicates that we make a substantial impact on the life chances of the students at the college. It is a deserved reward for the commitment and hard work of the whole staff team and the positive relationships they foster with students. In addition, being invited to be a part of the Leading Edge programme will open up more avenues for innovation and partnership work and help us continue to offer the best possible opportunities to all of our students.”

Sue Williamson, the SSAT Chief Executive, said: “These are very prestigious awards and MVC have done exceptionally well to win two awards. They demonstrate the high quality work that the staff and students are doing.”

Alison Friday Melbourn Village College 18

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Meldreth WI The meeting opened with the usual announcements. In the absence of Kath Thompson, Ann Askham read out her report on the spring group meeting: the subject of the talk was old and unusual wedding customs.

The speaker was wearing an old wedding dress and had two tables full of objects to illustrate her talk. It was a very interesting talk and an enjoyable meeting. There then followed brief reports from the walking and sewing groups, the darts team and the Cambridgeshire council meeting. After a plea from Maureen Moody for gold and yellow coloured items for our stall at the Church fete she announced that our July Meeting will be a meal at the Green Man, Shepreth. There will also be an afternoon tea on 23rd July in the Community Room to celebrate the Centenary of the WI. Our speaker for this meeting was Abigail Crampton on the subject of millinery. She started by showing us samples of the materials traditionally used to make hats: straw and felt. She then showed us a sample of sinamay which is now the material of choice. It is very strong but also stretches easily. It is produced from the stalks of the abaca tree, a banana palm. Abigail still makes hats the traditional way using wooden formers of which she had brought several samples to show us. She buys these from various sources such as Ebay, antique shops and closing down sales of traditional millineries. When her children were small she started doing piece work at home but was frustrated because she never saw a finished hat so she changed to making bespoke hats, which she still does. She went on to give us a demonstration of hat-making using a portable steam generator. First the material has to be thoroughly soaked, then stretched very tightly over a wooden former. It is then left to dry for two days before the process is repeated. Some brave ladies modelled hats for us while others waited until after the talk to try hats on. The talk was quite short but was followed by a lot of enthusiastic questions.

The evening then ended with tea, coffee and cakes followed by the raffle.

Mary Gregory 21

Melbourn and Meldreth Women’s Group At our April meeting, seventeen members met to hear Preet Kaur speak to us about honour crimes and forced marriages. Preet is associated with the charity “It’s My Right” and has worked with The Home Office. Firstly Preet gave us a bit of background about herself: she grew up in Kenya in a Sikh family and came to realise that daughters were not as highly regarded within the family as sons were.

Preet channelled her energies into swimming and in 1989 became the first Indian girl in Kenya to be given a scholarship to the USA. However, huge disappointment followed as her father would not permit her to take up the scholarship. Preet became something of a rebel and fell in love with a Christian man but as they knew both of their communities were likely to have difficulties with the marriage they ran away and sent copies of the marriage papers to their parents. Five days into the marriage a meeting was arranged between the Christian and Sikh elders and a decision was made for her to stay with her husband.

Ten days into the marriage they were arrested at gunpoint and she was sedated and taken to India. The marriage was annulled and after two years she was forced to marry someone of her parents’ choosing and sent to England where she then had to sponsor her husband for citizenship. The marriage deteriorated and Preet left her husband and divorced him, much to the shame of her parents who disowned her.

She had a breakdown and it was a couple of years later before she could get her boys back. There followed a time of living in refuges and during that time she started to build a new life for herself and her boys.

Preet has had the opportunity to speak in parliament and helped shape a consultation in 2007 which subsequently led to forced marriages becoming a civil offence. She has also helped to train British Commissioners from over 40 other countries at a conference in Dubai in 2012. Yet more consultation followed this and last year forced marriages became a criminal offence with the possibility of prison for seven years in the U.K. She also goes into schools in years 9 and 10 to help develop an awareness of forced marriages and honour crimes.

Through dealing with many bodies and countries and The Home Office it has become apparent that these difficulties are not just in Asian communities but others too and in many other countries and that such offences may also be against men. As recognition for some of the work and contribution she has made, Preet has been given an Ambassador for 22

Peace award and has received recognition from the Women's Federation for World Peace (WFWP). She continues her work as an independent trainer and consultant.

Throughout the evening Preet was happy to answer questions and Barbara MacKellar gave a vote of thanks and a small gift to Preet as a token of our thanks.

Our next meeting will be on 23rd June, when we will be meeting in the meeting room of Holy Trinity Church Meldreth for a members’ music evening. Please remember to bring a CD or tape with a piece of your favourite music for us all to share. If you would like to know more about our group please contact Pat Smith (01763) 262575, Sue Toule (01763) 260955 or Anne Harrison (01763) 261775.

Pat Smith

Good Companions Most members managed to dodge the really heavy shower which heralded the start of our meeting on 7th May. Our trip to Ely next month was discussed, and also the tea party being held next month in Julie’s beautiful cottage garden.

After initial discussions we then exercised our brain power with a quiz prepared for us by Marion’s (our chairperson) daughter Lyn. It was a brilliantly thought out quiz and a lot of members were caught out by some clever trick questions. We all spent a great deal of time in fits of laughter when we found out the real answers! Thank you yet again Lyn, we had a great time.

We would all like to thank Marion and Robert Long and the coffee morning committee for very kindly and very generously helping us with our day trip to Ely – it’s very much appreciated. We are very lucky to have so much help from village committees; Meldreth is a very kindly village to live in.

As mentioned previously, our next meeting, which is on 4th June, will be held at Julie’s house in Chiswick End. New members are still needed and would be most welcome!

L. G. Pocknell, Secretary (01763) 261432 23

Letters to the Editor Letter to Meldreth Parish Council We delivered the letter below to Meldreth Parish Council on 2nd April.

To date (12th May) we have not received a reply and many of these issues have not been addressed. We would like to know what other Meldreth residents think about the issues mentioned. Please write to Meldreth Matters and/or the Parish Council.

We wish to draw your attention to the state of Meldreth, down the station end of the village.

Everywhere is such a mess, it has become a disgrace.

1.

At the station entrance the lorries that went in and out of Eden Farm yard have gouged a huge rut around the grass verge. No one undertook to repair it or pay to have it repaired and we are left with the consequences.

2.

The building in the station yard that used to be the plastic factory has had all the slates taken off the roof and just left for us locals to live with. Surely a building of this history and age should have some sort of protection, after all it is a part of Meldreth’s history.

At the moment its beginning to look like a post war bomb site.

[Editor’s Note: as mentioned in the May issue of Meldreth Matters, this building has since been demolished.]

3.

The High Street sign which was knocked down by a lorry has never been repaired; it still lies on the ground.

4.

Opposite the station entrance by the notice board Openreach dug up the ground, re-laid it and have left it in a very unsatisfactory state. There is no top soil on it, and it is all uneven. No grass will grow on it like that. Surely they should leave things as they were, at the very least tidy and flat and reseeded.

5.

The area at the bottom of Station Hill, too is a complete mess, and getting worse month by month. It is fully appreciated that this is a working business, but it doesn’t need to look like a scrap yard does it? Cars and lorries have been left parked there for months. What an eyesore!

6.

The concrete road has bits of farm machinery or farm objects that are covered with graffiti and have been there for years, if they are necessary equipment to the farm, cannot they be removed into the 24

farm yard where the owners can look at them, if not they should be removed altogether. To see all this every time one goes for a walk or drives into Meldreth is just not acceptable.

7.

The fence halfway up the hill is broken and a temporary fence has been erected and there it stays. Is it ever going to be repaired?

The rest of Meldreth where residents live is still looking fine, so why do we at this end of the village have to live with this disgrace.

We also would like to bring to your attention the state of the roads into our village, Mettle Hill is full of litter, rubbish and fly tipping.

Similarly Whitecroft Road up near Eternit is strewn with rubbish and litter hanging in the hedge.

What visitors to our village must think of it we cannot imagine, but we who live near the station are sick of living in a part of the village that looks like a pigsty.

Mr & Mrs G. Rogers Mrs B. Ward Mr & Mrs G. Hoskins Ms L. Hoskins Dr H. & Dr R. Ogilvie, all of High Street, Meldreth

Thank You Ann, Gordon, Mark and Alison wish to thank everyone who supported The Not Just a Quiz ….Quiz night on 18th April 2015.

The total amount raised was £394.00 which was made up to £400 so £200 went to Macmillan Cancer Support and £200 to the Arthur Rank Hospice. An additional £25 was donated to Macmillan Cancer Support after the night.

Thank you to all who came to the quiz and made it such a success and to all who so generously gave raffle prizes.

Ann Rogers 25

Citizens Advice Sessions now Available in Melbourn and Bassingbourn North Herts Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) together with funding from South Cambridgeshire District Council, has extended its face-to-face drop-in advice sessions to both Melbourn and Bassingbourn. North Herts Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), an independent charity which helps citizens across North Hertfordshire and South Cambridgeshire, is now able to offer convenient access to its CAB advisers with free advice and information to help residents resolve the problems they face and improve the policies and practices that affect the lives of people in the community. These two new CAB outreach services will be able to respond to any issue, from anyone, covering areas including benefits, debt, employment and housing amongst many others.

For Melbourn, a CAB adviser will be available for drop-in assessment at the Melbourn Community Hub, 30 High Street, Melbourn on the first and third Thursday of every month from 9.30am to 12 noon. For Bassingbourn, a CAB adviser will be available for drop-in assessment at the Limes Community Centre, Bassingbourn, between 2.00 and 3.30pm on the second Thursday of every month. These new community sessions are in addition to the existing drop-in assessment service available at the CAB offices in Royston Town Hall on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9.30 am – 12 noon.

Visitors to any of these drop-in sessions do not need to make an appointment and when they arrive a trained CAB advisor will be there to welcome them and let them know what services are available. These include a wide range of factsheets and leaflets for clients to browse.

Everyone who attends is offered a short session with an adviser, who will then identify the most appropriate way for CAB to provide the help that is needed. Depending on each client's particular needs, CAB advisers may make a follow-up appointment to discuss the issue further – in person, by telephone or via email. CAB advisers can also provide clients with information to take away, or direct them to a different organisation that is better placed to help.

For the latest information, including opening times, maps and directions to both Melbourn and Bassingbourn locations, please visit www.northhertscab.org.uk.

Lee Watson Citizens Advice Bureau 26

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27

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Holy Trinity Church Fete Saturday 13th June, 1.00-4.00pm Competition Classes (all except no. 7, open to all)

Domestic 1.

Jar of jam

2.

Jar of marmalade

3.

Jar of lemon curd/jelly

4.

Jar of chutney or pickle

5.

Six home made scones

6.

A Victoria sponge cake

7.

“Flour Power’ a cupcake competition for Meldreth Primary School Year Five

Floral Arrangement 8.

An 18th birthday celebration

Flowers 9.

Spray from a flowering shrub

10.

Rose or spray of roses for scent

11.

Three stems of roses (same variety)

12.

Three stems of a single perennial

13.

Three stems of a single annual 29

Holy Trinity Church Fete Flower and Produce Entry Form

Name:

Address:

Please ring classes entered: Domestic:

1

2

3

4

5

6

Floral Arrangements: 8 Flowers:

9

10

11

Please bring your entries to the Church before 10.00am on Saturday 13th June

30

12

13

7

Volunteering Opportunities The following organisations are looking for volunteers. If you need volunteers for your group or organisation, please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com.

Speedwatch, Meldreth More volunteers are needed to join Meldreth’s Speedwatch team. If you are concerned about speeding traffic in the village, please consider joining the Speedwatch volunteers so that more checks can be made. For more information email meldrethspeedwatch@meldreth-pc.org.uk.

East Anglian Air Ambulance The East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) is always on the look out for volunteer photographers who can help capture photos of our amazing charity events in and around East Anglia.

Volunteering for EAAA is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience of events photography and a great way to give something back. So if you have some spare time join their team and help the East Anglian Air Ambulance continue to save lives in this area. To find out more about volunteering for EAAA visit www.eaaa.org.uk/support-us/volunteer.

Meldreth’s Community Access Point Free tuition in computer use Whether you are a complete beginner or want to learn more about getting the best out of your computer, our volunteer tutors can help you.

Interested? Call Ron on (01763) 262199 31

Meldreth Village D Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

9.30-11.30am Meldreth Local History Group

10.00am-12.00pm Handbell Ringing

9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group

7.30-10.00pm Old Time Dancing

4.00 - 6.00pm Martial Arts Classes for Children

5.30pm Slimming World

7.00 - 8.00pm Aerobics

7.30pm Slimming World

10.00am-12.00pm Handbell Ringing 4.00 - 6.00pm Martial Arts Classes for Children 7.00 - 8.00pm Aerobics 7.30pm Village Hall Trust AGM

9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group

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

6.00-7.00pm Brownies

5.30pm Slimming World

Thurs

2.00-4.00pm G Companions 6.00 - 6.45pm Pilates 7.00 - 9.00 pm Tennis 7.30pm Parish

6.00 - 6.45pm Pilates 7.30 pm WI

6.00-7.00pm Brownies 7.30pm Slimming World

9.30-11.30am B & T 5.30pm Slimming World 4.00 - 6.00pm Martial Arts 6.00-7.00pm Brownies Classes for Children 6.00pm Bike Show, 7.00 - 8.00pm Aerobics Meldreth Manor 7.30pm Slimming World 8.00pm Prayer Group

6.00 - 6.45pm Pilates 7.00 - 9.00 pm Tennis

7.30-10.00pm Old Time Dancing

10.00am-12.00 Handbells 10.45-11.30am M. Library 4.00 - 6.00pm Martial Arts Classes for Children 7.00 - 8.00pm Aerobics 7.45pm Women’s Group

6.00 - 6.45pm Pilates 7.00 - 9.00 pm Tennis

9.30-11.30am Meldreth Local History Group

10.00am-12.00 Handbell Ringing

7.30-10.00pm Old Time Dancing

4.00 - 6.00pm Martial Arts Classes for Children

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

9.30-11.30am Meldreth Local History Group

10.00am-12.00pm Handbell Ringing

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

Meldreth Matter online at free.

7.00 - 8.00pm Aerobics

Church Services and Bell Ringing are held at Holy Trinity Church. The Prayer Group meets at 85 N Councillors’ Surgeries, Meldreth Local History Group and the ‘Coffee Break’ mornings are held in Women’s Group meet in the Holy Trinity meeting room. The Mobile Library Service visits Bell Clo 32

Diary - June 2015

sday

Friday

Saturday

Good

10.30am - 12 noon Coffee Break

Fitness

12.00pm Meldreth Manor & Orchard Manor Fete (see back page)

m Table

Sunday 9.45am Family Communion and New Seekers Sunday School

h Council Fitness Copy deadline for July issue of Meldreth Matters

1.00-4.00pm Holy Trinity Church Fete (see pages 2930 & back page)

m Fitness

m Table

rs is available yudu.com.

2.30-6.30pm Tea Dance

9.45am Family Communion and New Seekers Sunday School

m Table

Fitness

8.00am Holy Communion

6.30pm Midsummer Picnic, Melwood (see page 5)

8.00am Holy Communion

The copy deadline for the July issue of Meldreth Matters is Friday 12th June

North End. Good Companions, A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign Meetings, District & County the Sheltered Housing Community Centre, Elin Way. Brownies & Melbourn and Meldreth ose. All other events are held in the Village Hall unless otherwise indicated.

33

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34

Email: info@ncbelectrical.co.uk

Kneesworth Rd., Meldreth, Royston, Herts

Meldreth Parish Council www.meldreth-pc.org.uk Extract from the unapproved minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 7th May 2015 at 7.30pm in the Green Room of Meldreth Village Hall.

Present: Mr S Hawkins - Chairman, Mr R A Searles, Mrs C J Fallon, Mr J Fenner, Mr A Keena, Mr C A Land, Mr D Lee, Mr N Pellatt and Mr D Stewart In attendance: J Damant (Clerk), Councillor P Hart (SCDC) and Councillor S van de Ven (CCC) Election of Chairman Mr C A Land was proposed and unanimously elected as chairman Election of Vice-Chairman Mr R A Searles was proposed and unanimously elected as vicechairman Apologies for absence All councillors were present but Mr Fenner informed the meeting that he will be stepping down as a Councillor in July as he will be moving out of the area. His seat will be up for co option once the legal time requirements have been adhered to with SCDC. Public Participation There were no members of the public present.

Report from District Councillor The full report is published on pages 44-45 Report from County Councillor The full report is published on page 46 Solar Farms (See page 37 of the April issue of Meldreth Matters) There was an update from SunEdison (Bury Lane) on the one-off Community Benefit payment of ÂŁ50,000.

Councillor van de Ven also spoke on this item in support of a disability ramp to the London platform on Network Rail land but with the access route on private land. If Melbourn is being developed with more houses it is hoped that more residents will use the train and would be encouraged to do so if there is a better footway and cycle path. The footway, at the moment, does need improving.

35

Mr Searles reported that getting to the ramp could be of concern as access would be over the railway bridge on a narrow footway from Meldreth and would necessitate crossing the road at Fieldgate corner.

A footway needs to be 1.5m wide and a cycle path needs to be 2.5m wide.

Mr Searles also reported that there had been a misunderstanding and it has not been agreed by the Parish Council that the ÂŁ50,000 is going to be spent on the ramp. Councillor Hart explained that this is the project SunEdison are in favour of but the Parish Council still need to agree that this is the right project for Meldreth and a Parish Council decision has not been made. Mr Hawkins said that the Parish Council were aware that the access to the station needs improving but at this time the development in Melbourn is still undecided. The footpath and the ramp could be a good community project but it is still not clear what the final costing would be and whether all the ÂŁ50,000 should be tied up in one project.

Update from Lightsource (substation) Lightsource will be depositing the first annual payment this month under the contract for the Community Benefit. The money could be used towards a larger project through a loan with the annual payment from Lightsource used to pay back the loan, thus alleviating any burden on the precept and allowing a larger project to be undertaken.

Election of Planning Committee The Planning Committee is Mr C A Land, Mr R A Searles, Mrs C J Fallon, Mr S Hawkins, Mr D Lee, Mr N Pellatt and Mr D Stewart Elections to Working Groups and Trustees Cemetery Working Group: Mr C A Land, Mrs J Fallon, Mr A Keena and the Clerk Meldreth Recreation Ground Working Group: Mr C A Land, Mrs J Fallon, Mr A Keena, Mr N Pellatt Finance Working Group: Mr S Hawkins, Mr R A Searles, Mr N Pellatt, Clerk Policies Working Group: Mr D Lee and the Clerk

36

Complaints and Personnel Working Group: Mr C A Land, Mr R A Searles, Mr S Hawkins, Mr D Stewart and the Clerk Village Hall Representative: Mr N Pellatt Triggs Charity Representatives: Mrs J Fallon, Mr J Chamberlain Parish Charities Representatives: Mrs J Fallon Melwood Conservation Representative: Mr Graham Borgonon Parish Paths Partnership (PPP) Representative: Mr S Marshall River Mel Restoration Representative: Mr S Hawkins Flood Avoidance Working Group: Mrs J Fallon, Mr R A Searles, Mr P Ray, Mr D Lee and Councillor van de Ven Mary Course School Fund Representatives: Mr R A Searles, Mr C A Land SPEP: Mr D Smith Melbourn Area Youth Development (MAYD): Mr D Stewart Tree Warden: Mrs M Lynch Mettle Hill Working Party: Mr S Hawkins and Mr R A Searles. Councillor Hart leads this group.

Article 4 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2013 SCDC have conducted a public consultation on Article 4 which would allow SCDC to remove the permitted development rights of public houses. If adopted it will protect public houses from change of use.

37

The consultation received twelve nominations from Meldreth residents in favour of this to protect the British Queen. Mr and Mrs Tobin, the publicans at the British Queen, were unable to attend the meeting but asked if this item could be deferred until June's meeting.

Playground Mrs Fallon reported that the igloo has been painted but the roundabout has been left for the time being until a decision has been made on whether to replace or repair it.

All equipment appears to be in good working order and RoSPA have inspected recently. A new five-aside goal post has been installed.

Rubbish continues to be dumped in the ditch. The Clerk will contact the Housing Officer at SCDC to see what can be done.

Mettle Hill The working group has prepared a presentation about the possible uses of the ex-traveller's site to be given at the Annual Village meeting on 21st May. Mr Fenner reported that to have the area cleared and made safe would cost in the region of ÂŁ35,000.

Highway Items CCC Highways have advised on speed limiting features for Kneesworth and Whaddon Roads. They advise that chicanes (as in Whaddon) are more effective than gateways. The Parish Council has registered its interest to CCC for the next round of Local Highway Initiative funding.

The next parish council meeting will be held on Thursday 4th June 2015 at 7.30pm in the Green Room of the Village Hall.

Meldreth Parish Council The official Minutes of Meldreth Parish Council are those signed in Public Meetings by the Chairman. They are available for public inspection from the Clerk and can also be accessed on the Parish Council website at www.meldreth-pc.org.uk or on the Parish Council notice board opposite the One Stop shop.

Meldreth Parish Council contact details: Web: www.meldreth-pc.org.uk; Email: parishclerk@meldreth-pc.org.uk Telephone: (01763) 269928. For contact details of Parish Councillors, see page 64.

Parish Office, Meldreth Sheltered Scheme, Elin Way, Meldreth SG8 6LT Office hours: Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10.00 am to 12 noon.

By appointment at other times.

38

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39

The History of Meldreth Football Club Members of Meldreth Local History Group have been researching the early years of Meldreth Football Club.

The earliest record of a football club in the village comes from two reports in the Royston Crow from 1921.

Meldreth were at home to Reed last Saturday, in a friendly match. The home team played very well, G Farnham (7), F Farnham, E Dash, P Farnham and Croxell, scored for the home team. At Full time Meldreth won very easily 11 – 0. (Royston Crow 4th November 1921.)

Meldreth were at home to Thriplow on Saturday last in a friendly match, the visitors winning very easily by 7 to 0. Meldreth will be at home to Barley on Saturday. (Royston Crow 18th November 1921.)

In 1922 the team were playing in a meadow, owned by George Palmer of Sheen Farm, adjacent to the railway station. But from August 1922 they could no longer use this meadow. All was not lost, however, as Mr Charles Harrup of Chiswick End offered them a meadow adjoining Bury Lane.

The team was disbanded about 1930 and began playing again in 1946.

The photograph below was found by Joan Fallon. Can anyone identify the team please? Who is the man in the bath chair?

40

We would like to thank Joan Fallon and Alan and Sue Tobin for keeping photographs and memorabilia relating to the football club from its revival in 1946 and through the subsequent years.

If anyone has any photographs or memorabilia or would be interviewed about their memories of the club please contact Chris Duguid 07946 484389, email chrisduguid@btinternet.com or Ann Rogers 07933 388722, email ann.rogers333@gmail.com.

We are hoping to hold an open evening in the autumn – watch Meldreth Matters for more information.

Chris Duguid

Meldreth Local History Group www.meldrethhistory.org.uk Approximately 150 people visited Topcliffe Mill on 9th and 10th May when the mill opened to the public in conjunction with National Mills Weekend. Visitors included a mills enthusiast who had travelled from Gloucestershire and another who had first visited the mill in the 1980s. Several members of the Peters family, who operated the mill from 1887 to 1897 were also amongst the visitors. Visitors were able to access all four floors of the mill, inspect the machinery and view a display on mills and the history of Topcliffe Mill and Manor on the ground floor. The quern (hand mill) was especially popular with children, who enjoyed grinding corn to make flour.

All proceeds from the weekend have been donated to Meldreth Local History Group.

If you would like to be involved with the History Group, or you have information or photographs you would like to share with us, please telephone Joan Gane on (01763) 260129, Kathryn Betts on (01763) 268428 or email info@meldrethhistory.org.uk.

Kathryn Betts Secretary 41

From the Archives This month’s feature concerns an event two hundred years ago this month, when a stone coffin was found on Mettle Hill. It was reported in the Cambridge Chronicle on 16th June 1815: On Wednesday the 7th inst. as some labouring men were employed in cutting through Mettle Hill, on the new road from Meldreth to Kneesworth, near Royston, they discovered a number of human bones, and about eight feet below the surface of the earth they found a stone coffin, containing a perfect skeleton; the coffin is cut out of a solid piece of stone and the lid a piece of flat stone, merely laid upon it, without any cement or fastening of any kind. What renders this ancient relic curious is the probable time of interment. There is no doubt, but it contains the remains of some great person of that day, as there were a number of other bodies lay near it, but no appearance of any shell or coffin. It has been removed from Mettle Hill to Meldreth church, where the churchwardens will be glad to shew it to persons who think they can trace the time of interment from the rude and unfinished appearance of the coffin.

The Roman Coffin that was found on Mettle Hill.

Photograph by Kathryn Betts The coffin (pictured above) was subsequently identified as Roman and is now located outside the porch of Holy Trinity Church.

42

Constantly, to enhance all aspects of our school and school life

Meldreth Primary School Vacancy for a Co-opted (starting September 2015)

Governor

We need a new governor to help us to enhance our school.

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic individual from the local community to join our Governing Body. You will need to have an interest in providing all children with the best education possible as well as a commitment to both the role and the vision and values of the school.

Governors are an important part of the school leadership team. They have a wide range of roles and responsibilities linked to strategic planning, holding the headteacher to account for the performance of the school and its pupils, and ensuring financial integrity. Governance is largely a ‘thinking’ not a ‘doing’ role and involves contributing to discussions and asking probing questions. As a governor at Meldreth Primary School you would be required to attend committee meetings and to visit the school to monitor policies and plans. High quality training will be given. Being connected to the school, either currently or formerly, or having a background in education are not requirements. To find out more about our school visit our website at www.meldreth.cambs.sch.uk.

If you are interested in joining our Governing Body or wish to find out more about the role and what it involves then I would be delighted to hear from you – please contact me on (01763) 233218 or email chair@meldreth.cambs.sch.uk.

Deborah House (Chair of Governors) Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

43

District Councillor’s Report This has been a quiet month on the district front. I have been in this post a year and it has been an honour to serve Meldreth. Of course on a wider stage, I have been busy supporting Liberal Democrat colleagues in their election campaigns; the only good news on that front I can report is that apparently over 10,000 people have joined the Liberal Democrat party since the election.

Mettle Hill - what next?

The working group has been hard at work preparing to make a presentation to the village about the possible uses of the ex-traveller's site at the Annual Village Meeting on 21st May. We met on Monday 11th May to decide the running order and to rehearse, and by the time you read this hopefully many of you will have attended the village meeting and seen and heard about our proposals. In order to obtain a popular consensus and be able to go ahead with one or a combination of our proposed uses, it is likely that the views of the whole village will be canvassed via the next issue of Meldreth Matters in the form of a questionnaire/referendum. More details will be in the July magazine, where we hope to provide a summary of the presentation and give more details about how to vote and to make your views known.

Solar Farm Community Contributions I reported some time ago that the village will receive ÂŁ50,000 by way of a community contribution from the developer of the Bury Lane Solar Farm, Sun Edison, and also that over the next 20 years will get a total of ÂŁ250,000 from Lightsource who have developed two solar farms in Melbourn. These amounts are scheduled to be paid now that the solar farms are on line and the Parish Council needs help both to decide a list of projects in the village upon which the money can be spent and to bring those projects forward to "shovel ready" status. This is also due to be discussed at the Annual Village Meeting on 21st May. Filcup Field planning application S/2944/FL/14# As you know, the applicant was asked for further and revised reports in support of this application for greenhousing and additional sustainable energy plant on Filcup Field in between Meldreth and Shepreth. The following should by now be on the SCDC website under the reference 44

given above, in some cases replacing previous reports.

1. Transport Statement 2. Landscape Plan 3. Landscape Statement 4. Revised Site Layout 5. Revised Elevations 6. Revised Floor Plans There will also be some information about the proposed feed for the anaerobic digester.

This means that a new consultation period will be triggered and the application will come back before both Meldreth and Shepreth PC planning committees prior to going before SCDC planning committee.

Bins Collection I sit on the Scrutiny Committee at SCDC. The environmental health team reported to the committee last week and confirmed that savings of ÂŁ200,000 were made in streamlining the service with city bin collection team. It is anticipated that a further ÂŁ400,000 costs savings will be able to be made next year. The reduction to a monthly green bin collection over December, January and February was rolled out successfully and looks likely to be continued next winter.

Handyman Service South Cambs District Council has teamed up with Mears, a contractor it uses for larger construction work, to provide a handyman service to sheltered housing residents. A free of charge pilot scheme started running from 5th May for two months, after which, subject to take up, the Council will consider charging for this service. Minor joinery, gardening, security measures, plumbing, electrical and DIY support are offered.

Councillor Surgery My next surgery will be held at The Plough on Monday 1st June between 1.30-2.30pm. All are welcome.

Philippa Hart District Councillor, Meldreth and Shepreth philippajhart@btinternet.com 07811 323571 or (01763) 261255 45

County Councillor’s Report Having received further complaints about the state of the footway in North End at two points in particular, I have contacted Highways again about how to advance desperately needed work. I have asked the same with regard to the state of the High Street, especially between Bell Close and Elin Way. We thought that a cycle restriction had been imposed on the 8.10am train from Meldreth to Cambridge, although the Rail User Group was not told about this.

It now appears uncertain, as conflicting information is floating within Govia Thameslink Railway.

The Rail User Group’s survey of station car park usage (kindly carried out by Sue Hanson) will be presented soon to the Parish Council. It’s clear that there is not much extra space left at the station, either for cars or bicycles.

Through the Melbourn Practical Solutions Group, there seem to be significant discrepancies between the number of incidents recorded as logged, and the number of calls made by residents to 101 and 999. It is vital that if members of the public take the trouble to report incidents, this is reflected in record keeping – especially since logs provide a basis for action. I’m pursuing this with the local police team.

Mental Health Support via Mind at Melbourn Hub: following on from the Oil Club’s donation to help kick-start this work, I’m pleased to say that there has been interest from local residents in this initiative, and I hope very much that this will prove to be a useful resource.

A variety of other public service functions at the Melbourn Hub, including of course the Library Access Point but also Relate relationship counselling and Citizens Advice Bureau drop-in services [see page 26], are attracting participation from Meldreth residents.

Councillor Surgery My next surgery will be on Monday 1st June, from 2.30-3.30pm, at the Melbourn Hub. However, please don’t hesitate to contact me at any time with any queries or concerns.

Susan van de Ven County Councillor susanvandeven@yahoo.co.uk (01763) 261833 46

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Covering all your tiling needs. www.melbournflooring.co.uk j.shepherd@melbournflooring.co.uk VISIT OUR LARGE SHOWROOM 9 TO 5 MONDAY TO FRIDAY 9 TO 4 SATURDAY OR CALL ON 01763 262413 AND SPEAK TO ONE OF OUR FRIENDLY STAFF. AMPLE FREE PARKING.

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

Mobile service providing foot care in the comfort of your home

Tel: 07771 735300 47

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G I L H O O LY

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

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Phone Mick on: 01763 263248 48

Foxton Level Crossing Closure: not for now While Network Rail has yet to make a formal announcement, I’ve received a communication from County Council officers informing me that Network Rail is pulling the level crossing feasibility study work from its current funding cycle, setting the project back 5-10 years. The feasibility study itself, published last year, was budgeted at about £100K (according to the MD who commissioned it) and this effort now goes to waste.

Meanwhile, station-side pedestrian gates are currently still out of order - going on seven weeks at the time of writing. This was the issue that triggered the feasibility study in the first place. I’ve heard from a Meldreth resident who found herself and her bicycle locked into the crossing on the Barrington side pedestrian path, where there is no refuge. Fortunately she was able to get the attention of the signal box attendant to release the gate lock.

Certainly no ‘solution’ would be without its own problems, as Foxton residents have gleaned through the detail of the feasibility study options. At the same time, congestion and conflict around the crossing will not become easier with increases in train frequency and general population growth. It would appear that Network Rail was looking to solve all level crossing problems in one go, and had bitten off more than it could chew. Their all-or-nothing funding approach is most unhelpful because while a multi-million pound bridge or underpass is now not on the cards, we are still stuck with an unreliable and unsafe pedestrian crossing gate system, not just for people moving about locally but also longer distance cyclists. So this is something we must still endeavour to get Network Rail to rectify.

The next Rail User Group meeting will be held on Monday 29th June, at 7.00 for 7.30pm in Foxton Village Hall. All are welcome and Network Rail will be invited too.

Susan van de Ven County Councillor susanvandeven@yahoo.co.uk (01763) 261833

49

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency a view from the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) The CPRE in Cambridgshire is confronting major development proposals which impact on our market towns, villages and countryside.

The demand and location for thousands of new homes and major road schemes could result in the loss of green belt, attractive landscapes and some of the country's best high quality farmland. There has been a huge increase in proposals for renewable energy developments. Whilst CPRE is broadly sympathetic to the need to reduce carbon emissions, we have to respond to vociferous concerns about the impact of on-shore wind turbines and solar farms which have an unacceptable impact on the landscape. New research by Cambridge Architectural Research and Anglia Ruskin University, commissioned by CPRE, shows current Government policy may be misguided. It suggests we need a massive reduction in our energy requirements if we are to avoid inflicting widespread damage on the countryside. Our Warm and Green report, available at goo.gl/WFo2gq, claims energy efficiency has been grossly underplayed in the approach to England’s future energy supply. The report highlights the potentially huge impact of infrastructure on the countryside if homes remain energy inefficient and illustrates the dearth of funding for improvements, especially in rural areas.

Researchers based in Cambridge looked at case studies from across the country to explore barriers to making energy improvements in rural buildings. They found cost, the difficulty of finding skilled installers and payback time were problems too great for many people to overcome.

To ensure progress on reducing our energy demand, the report calls for a bold national programme to reduce energy and carbon emissions from homes and community buildings, the implementation of stronger zero carbon standards for new homes and a fairer share of funding for energy efficiency for rural communities.

Existing national programmes have failed to sufficiently reduce energy and carbon emissions.

We must offer more persuasive and understandable financial incentives for all households which will reduce carbon emissions and energy bills, create jobs and help protect our landscapes. To find out more about energy efficiency incentives in your area, we suggest you contact your District Council.

Tracey Hipson Branch Administrator, CPRE Cambridgeshire and Peterborough 50

All About Renewable Heating ‌ heat pumps, biomass and solar thermal On the 29th April representatives from SPEP branches in Coton, Barton, Haslingfield, Meldreth and Gamlingay organised an event in Coton on 'All about Renewable Heating'. The first speaker was Peter McKeown from Cernunnos, renewable energy installers based in Newton. Peter introduced types of renewable heating. Heat pumps provide relatively low temperature heating and are suitable for more modern, well insulated homes. Larger radiators or under floor heating are sometimes needed to compensate for the lower temperatures. Older homes are better suited to biomass boilers.

The government’s Renewable Heating Incentive (RHI) scheme provides payments to offset the additional cost of installing a renewable heating system.

Peter Brunning then spoke about his experience of installing an air source heat pump into his late 1970s, four bedroom detached house.

Peter wanted to get rid of the big storage tank in his garden and be more energy efficient and was able to take advantage of the Renewable Heat Incentive. The unit itself is similar to an air conditioning unit on the outside and inside, the cabinet is no bigger than his old boiler.

Overall Peter is very happy, with his home being far hotter than usual.

However, he mentioned that it is important to find the correct setting as the pump can use a lot of energy if set needlessly high.

Our final speaker was Bev Edwards who spoke on behalf of Mike Radford from Burwash Manor Farm, who has recently installed a large biomass boiler to heat the Burwash Manor shopping complex.

Previously the shops were heated by electric storage heaters, which were approximately five times more expensive to run. The farm has saved money on fuel and has been helped with the capital cost of the equipment by a part of the Renewable Heat Incentive set aside for businesses. The boiler can be fuelled by a number of feed stocks.

Overall the experience of the boiler has been hugely positive and the key tip was to look for installers with experience under their belt!

Further information about Renewable Heating systems and the Renewable Heat Incentive can be found on the Energy Saving Trust website at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk. Keep an eye on the South Cambridgeshire District Council website, the SPEP Facebook page and @SPEP_southwest to keep up with future events.

Tom Clarke (Haslingfield SPEP) 51

Planning Matters Parish Council Reference and Address

Detail

Parish Council Recommend

Land adj The Tavern and Station Yard S/2162/14/FL

Erection of four bungalows – amended drawing to show altered parking and grassed areas and boundary treatment

(Information Only) The Parish Council noted the application. RAS proposed that the specification submitted by the Parish Council's Tree Warden be submitted to SCDC with comments from the Parish Council. ‘If SCDC are minded to approve either the amendment or to introduce the Parish Council's proposal to plant with privet that in both cases, there is a condition requiring the developer to maintain both the hedge and the fence.’

Land adj to the south west of Whaddon Road, adj to Burtons S/0643/15/FL

Temporary consent (3 years) for the siting of three storage containers (B8 use class) (Retrospective Application)

The Parish Council recommend Approval with comments. 'The Parish Council would like it noted that the use of this site for horticultural use is acted upon before the end of this 3 year temporary consent.’

Bury Lane Fruit Farm S/0659/15/DC

Discharge of Conditions 3,4 and 5 of S/0604/12 – Lighting Scheme (3), Surface Water Drainage(4), Water Conservation Strategy (5)

Parish Council recommend 'Approval' with comments. ‘If SCDC are minded to accept the discharge of conditions will there be a scheme for control of light pollution at night?’

BHM Plastic Limited, Station Yard S/0780/15/PD

Prior notification for proposed demolition of building INFORMATION ONLY.

Parish Council noted application but commented that prior notification was received after the building had been demolished. It was also noted that there had been a bonfire on site during this time.

31 High Street, Proposed Extensions Information Only as permitted S/0819/15/LD and Outbuilding development. Noted.

52

Reference and Address

Detail

Parish Council Recommend

31 High Street, Proposed front S/0820/15/FL - porch and hall extension.

Parish Council recommend Approval with no comments.

Northfield Kennels and Cattery,

Parish Council recommend Refusal with comments. ‘This is against the Local Plan or which does not allow new dwellings within the countryside. If permission was granted it could set a precedent for further development of this land and adjacent land.’

Malton Lane, S/0888/15/FL

Conversion of existing kennel outbuilding into new dwelling and removal of existing outbuildings.

104 High Non material Information Only. Noted.

Street, amendment for the S/0827/15/NM insertion of roof lights to plots 1 & 2 – pursuant to S/0089/14/FL – Erection of new commercial unit and conversion of existing barn into two residences.

The full minutes of Meldreth Parish Council planning meetings are available on the Parish Council’s website, www.meldreth-pc.org.uk.

SCDC Decisions Reference and Address

Decision

6 Gables Close, S/0429/15/LD

Has been granted a certificate for Lawful Development for a single storey side extension

Meldreth Parish Council

Editor’s note: Full details of all planning applications may be viewed at this website: http://plan.scambs.gov.uk/swiftlg/apas/run/wphappcriteria.display 53

M.C.T CONSTRUCTION Small building firm From small patios to extensions, No job too small, Friendly reliable service, 25 years building experience, City & Guilds advanced crafts bricklayer Contact:

Mark Tyler Home ‐ 01763 264166 Mobile ‐ 07968 510645 10 The Grange, Meldreth, Herts. SG8 6JZ

Little Hands Nursery School The Moor, Melbourn

MDA Plumbing and Heating

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

Michael Abbess Plumbing and Heating Engineer Call: 07983 608722

Categorised as “Outstanding” by Ofsted

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

iPLASTER

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Email - iplaster@outlook.com CONTACT FOR FREE QUOTE IAN NORTH END MELRETH

mdaplumbingandheating@hotmail.co.uk

54

Melbourn Sports Centre www.melbournsports.com For those of you who don’t already know, we have: a state of the art fitness suite offering a variety of membership schemes a 20 metre swimming pool (kept ever so slightly warmer than most!) a comprehensive swimming lesson programme, catering for all ages and abilities upgraded multisports courts for hire including tennis, football and squash courts water sports courses and activities traditional and modern exercise classes access to Melbourn Village College sports hall and gymnasium for activities such as trampolining, badminton and basketball supervised sports and pool parties For details on parties, memberships or any of our activities, please drop in, call (01763) 263313 or go online at www.melbournsports.com.

Graham Johnson-Mack Melbourn Sports Centre

Big Bike Ride - Sunday 5th July Come and cycle 50 miles or 100 miles across four counties. The ride starts and finishes at Netherhall School, Cambridge.

All of your ÂŁ20 entry fee goes to charity.

Sign up now at www.arhc.org.uk/ bigbikeride.

Raising money for Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and the Press Relief Charity.

Cambridge News 55

Local Events in June Below is a selection of events happening nearby this month.

To see your event listed, please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com.

Tuesday 2nd June, 3.00-9.00pm Cambridgeshire Community Fair Burgess Hall, St. Ives This is being organised by Cambridgeshire ACRE and aims to help communities think about how they can fund, build and do more in their own villages. See www.cambscommunityfair.wordpress.com.

Sunday 14th June Open Gardens: Orwell & Foxton Orwell, 1.00-6.00pm Thirteen beautiful gardens will be open to the public ranging from bijoux cottage gardens to larger gardens, with an interesting variety of planting styles and landscaping.

Buy a programme at any garden displaying the Open Gardens sign on the day and pay £5 for adults or £1 for children; entry to all other gardens is free.

Attractions: cream teas, Pimms, cakes, plant sales, produce sale, open art studios, church open with organ music, treasure hunt for children.

All proceeds to St Andrew’s Parish Church, Orwell.

Foxton, 2.00-5.30pm Eighteen gardens will be open this year, including some not previously opened, plus the allotments and Dovecot Field.

Programmes and map available at each garden, the village shop and teas stops. Teas stops at 6 West Hill Road & 16 Edis Way. Adults £3, under 13 are free There will be a children’s quiz, plus teas and cakes for sale.

This event is supporting Action on Bladder Cancer.

56

Saturday 20th June, 8.30am Men’s Breakfast Meeting, Foxton Village Hall From Aermacchi to Zundapp, from 1903 to the present day, a (Paint) Potted History of RS Bike Paint Limited by our guest speaker, Philip Allen.

RS Bike Paint is the leading supplier of paints to the motorcycle after sales market.

We request a donation of £7 to cover costs and make a donation to the charity of the speaker’s choice. If you are planning to attend could you contact Mark Howard on (01223) 503377 or 07785 703413, email Mark-Howard@UWclub.net or contact Tony Garrick on (01223) 510201 or garrick.tony@gmail.com and let us know if you would like a full English or Continual Breakfast so we know how many to cater for.

Saturday 20th June, 1.00pm till late Melbourn Village Fete and Music on the Moor Adults £2, children free. For details, see www.melbournfete.co.uk Tuesday 23rd June, 7.45pm Midsummer Soirée, South Farm An eclectic mix of live classical and contemporary music Adam Protz - composer & musician, Caritas Harmony - ladies’ choir, Greenfield Quartet - string quartet Enjoy your own or a delicious pre-prepared picnic in the beautiful gardens from 6.00pm.

Tickets £25 includes a glass of fizz and canapés; £35 as above plus picnic. Available on (01763) 853696 or at www.abingtonpigotts.org.

All proceeds to Abington Pigotts Village Hall Restoration Fund.

Sunday 28th June, 7.30pm Royston Choral Society Concert, Barkway Parish Church Featuring Handel’s Coronation Anthems and his Foundling Hospital Anthem. Tickets £12, concessions £9, school students £1, are available from Ian Sanders in Barkway (01763) 848941, Royston Library, choir members and at the door. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Friends of Danesbury Neurological Centre. Home-Start Royston and South Cambridgeshire will be supported with a retiring collection.

See www.roystonchoralsoc.org.uk for more information or contact Chairman, Heather Howard (01763) 249058 or email heather@lemonyellow.org.

57

East Anglian Air Ambulance Join East Anglian Air Ambulance and celebrate 15 years of Saving Lives This year, we are celebrating a special anniversary: 15 years of saving lives! Over the past 15 years, we have carried out more than 16,000 missions across East Anglia and have achieved many great things which we want to celebrate with all our supporters, staff and volunteers who make it happen.

We would love you to get involved in our celebration year and host a tea party at 15.00 and raise vital funds for East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA).

EAAA need more people than ever to make some time for what matters in life. Whether you choose to hold an afternoon tea party at 15.00 with the girls or host an EAAA bake off - every donation will help EAAA save more lives across East Anglia.

There couldn’t be an easier way to make a difference, simply gather together family, friends or colleagues, put the kettle on and tuck into some tasty treats. We can supply you with everything you need to get you on your way, including invitations and posters. You can even buy tea pots, tea towels, aprons and bone china mugs, what more do you need?

Visit www.eaaa.org.uk/tea-15-00-r/ or call your local fundraising team on 0845 066 9999 to get your Tea at 15.00 fundraising Kit today. Together we save lives.

We would love to see your pictures and hear your stories from your tea at 15.00 - so please get in touch and spread the word today!

East Anglian Air Ambulance

Refuse Collections Collections in June will be on the following dates: Black bins: 12th & 26th June Blue and Green bins: 5th & 19th June 58

PC Repairs

Dust Free Wood Floor Sanding & Restoration

Advice & Installation of Home Networks Help with Selecting a computer

Is your Wooden Floor in need of Sanding?

Fault Finding Brian Girling 01223 208529 (Wimpole) E-mail bg@moncraft.co.uk

Call today on 01223 863 632

We can also provide the following services: Design of brochures, posters, business cards, etc.

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

Please quote “Meldreth Mag” Denny Lodge Business Park, Ely Road, Chittering

Personal Trainer Michael Easton

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

For full details of all our services please contact Diane 01763 220676 or 07963 566920 weareontheleash@gmail.com www.facebook.com/ontheleashltd www.ontheleash.co.uk

01763 249254 59

National Rural Crime Network Rural communities and businesses face different public safety challenges than their urban counterparts. One of the primary goals of modern policing is to understand these complex risks and threats so that they can be better addressed. In recognition of this, the Constabulary and the Commissioner have signed up to the National Rural Crime Network – a multi-agency think tank which champions a better understanding of rural crime and delivers effective ways to keep rural communities safer.

The network, which will undertake extensive research into rural crime and anti-social behaviour and will publish information for community safety providers on its website, was established in July 2014. It is currently supported by 29 Police and Crime Commissioners and police forces across England and Wales in addition to a host of other bodies with an interest in community safety and rural affairs.

The network will also facilitate the sharing of best practice across multiple forces to increase resilience against rural crime and highlight the emergence of national trends. It adds to the excellent work already undertaken in the county by the likes of Countryside Watch and the National Farmers Union.

The website can be accessed at www.nationalruralcrimenetwork.net.

Sir Graham Bright Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Commissioner

Care and Support for Adults and Older People There is a new online resource for accessing information on care and support and wellbeing, which links to more specialist sites for details.

The new site is www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/careandsupport and replaces the Your Life, Your Choice site. The site is expected to be the first port of call for information for everyone - staff, volunteers and the public. We also have a helpline - 0345 045 5202 - for those without online access.

Amanda Davies Children, Families and Adults Services Cambridgeshire County Council 60

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Think twice before jumping into water this summer Would you jump into a river, lake or any other open waterway on a hot sunny day? Do you know what hazards lie beneath the water? Or how cold the water is?

Your fire service has pledged to deliver water safety education to every school in Cambridgeshire following the tragic death of a teenage boy last summer. But there is only so much we can do and we’re calling on parents, carers and peers to talk each other about water safety.

Some things to remember: you do not know what hazards lie beneath the surface of rivers, lakes, canals, etc. strong undercurrents can be tough to conquer, even if you know how to swim Cambridgeshire’s waterways are cold – even on the hottest days of the year – and this has a dramatic effect on your body’s ability to swim and get yourself out of trouble, should you get stuck if someone is in trouble, call 999 immediately. Do not hesitate to call the emergency services and give clear details of your location.

For the latest news, incidents and safety advice, or to contact us, log on to www.cambsfire.gov.uk . Find us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Call 01480 444500 for enquiries.

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service

Reporting Faults and Problems Please report faulty streetlights by using freephone number 0800 7838 247, giving the SC or CCC identification number, street name, village and fault description.

Problems on the roads, including potholes and poor pavement surfaces should be reported on the Cambridgeshire County Council website: http://www2.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/HighwaysReports/Highways/ ReportProblem1.aspx.

Meldreth Parish Council 61

Local Links Cambridgeshire County Council County Councillor: Susan van de Ven Fix My Street

www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk susanvandeven.mycouncillor.org.uk Email: susanvandeven@yahoo.co.uk www.fixmystreet.com (Report, view, or discuss local problems)

Govia/Great Northern

http://www.thameslinkrailway.com

Holy Trinity Church

Main website: www.meldrethchurch.org.uk Friends’ website: www.foht.org.uk

Melbourn & District Photographic Group

www.melbourn-photographic-club.co.uk

Melbourn Hub

www.melbournhub.com

Melbourn Sports Centre

www.melbournsports.com

Meldreth History & Meldreth Today Meldreth Manor School Meldreth Matters

www.meldrethhistory.org.uk atschool.eduweb.co.uk/Meldreth/textandinfo/index.html free.yudu.com [search for Meldreth]

Melwood Conservation Group MP: Andrew Lansley Parish Council

www.andrewlansley.co.uk Email: lansleya@parliament.uk www.meldreth-pc.org.uk

www.melwood.btck.co.uk

Pre School

www.meldrethpreschool.com

Primary School

www.meldreth.cambs.sch.uk

Rail User Group

www.melbourn.org.uk/railusergroup/

Royston CAB

www.adviceguide.org.uk

Royston & District Community Transport Shape Your Place South Cambs DC Stagecoach Train times/tickets

http://www.roytrans.co.uk/ http://southcambridgeshire.shapeyourplace.org/ www.scambs.gov.uk www.stagecoachbus.com/cambridge/ www.qjump.co.uk/index.html 62

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Occasional full page advertising features are also available on request.

For all advertising enquiries, please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com or telephone Beverley Cottrell on (01763) 262176.

Index to Advertisers Meldreth Matters depends entirely on advertising revenue to cover its production costs. Please mention Meldreth Matters when contacting our advertisers.

A10 Timber .................................... 27 Abrey Agricultural .......................... 20 Art of Clean .................................... 10 Art of Clean Wood ......................... 59 Boiler Juice ..................................... 59 Bracey’s Accountants ..................... 13 Cambourne Self Storage ................. 27 Cambridge Roofers ........................ 28 CHS Day Centre ............................ 34 CHS Group .................................... 28 College Farm B & B ....................... 19 Coton Electrical ............................. 19 The Country Store ......................... 27 Ely Design Group............................ 19 Eternit Sports and Social Club ........ 28 Fen Feeds Limited .......................... 10 Gilhooly ......................................... 48 Granta Montessori Shepreth .......... 27 Home Footcare .............................. 10 iPlaster ........................................... 54 James, Handyman ............................. 4 JPK Plumbing and Heating ............. 20 Keyholes Driving School ................. 48 The Letting Centre ................... Cover Little Hands Nursery School ........... 54 Looks Good Hairdressing ............... 39

Lynn Driscoll Footcare ..................... 47 Maycroft Care Home ................. Cover MCT Construction .......................... 54 MDA Plumbing & Heating .............. 54 Melbourn Flooring .......................... 47 Melbourn Village College ................. 19 Meldreth Landscapes ........................ 34 Meldreth Plant Hire ............................ 3 Meridian Lawncare .......................... 39 Michael Easton Personal Trainer ..... 59 Moncraft Computers ....................... 59 NCB Electrical ................................. 34 Newlings of Royston Funeral Service 47 Nigel Wigg Home Improvement ...... 27 On the Leash .................................... 59 Penn Farm Physiotherapy.................. 20 The Picture Framers .......................... 10 Pippa’s Guardians ............................ 39 Reflections Hair Studio .............. Cover Richard Burns Electrician.................. 10 Rod’s PC Support ....................... Cover Royston Fencing ............................... 34 Shelford Energy ................................ 10 Slimming World ............................... 13 Spice Hut Indian Takeaway .............. 39 Summit Landscapes........................... 54 63

Local Telephone Numbers Tennis Club: Tracy Aggett 243376 WI: Maureen Moody 260938 Meldreth United FC 07930 650036 Holy Trinity Church: Rev. Mary Price 261569 Adult Choir: Pauline Penfold 260163 Bells: Peter Hinton 262045 Friends: John Price 260048 Sunday School: Karen Lillie 261885 Melbourn: Doctors Surgery: appointments 260220 Dispensary 261246 Baby Clinic 262861 Library 269956 Village College 223400 Melbourn & District U3A 260399 District Council 03450 450500 Housing Services 03450 450051 Waste, Recycling and Environmental Health 03450 450063 Councillor Philippa Hart 261255

Meldreth: Community Access Point 262199 Litter Picker: Mick Taylor 261118 Neighbourhood Watch: Police Co-ordinator Graham Borgonon 260358 Pre-School 07518 173653 Primary School 260432 Lunch Club - Nikki & Julie 07599 292327 Village Association (MVA) 07961 128323 Village Hall: Chairman: Paul Ray 260304 Hiring: Sherida Richards 262512 Meldreth Clubs and Societies: Babies & Toddlers Club: Lynda Heard 260545 Bowls Club: S. Lambert (01223) 207888 Croquet Club: Janet Pope 248342 Local History Group: Joan Gane 260129 Melbourn Mushroom Club 260258 Melwood Cons. Group: B Huett 232855 Revelation: Miriam Skuce 262440 Table Tennis: Christine Knight 261676

MELDRETH PARISH COUNCIL - CONTACT DETAILS http://www.meldreth-pc.org.uk Parish Office, Meldreth Sheltered Scheme, Elin Way, Royston SG8 6LT Parish Clerk: Mrs J Damant Mr D Lee Mrs C J Fallon Mr J Fenner Mr S Hawkins (Chairman) Mr A Keena Mr C A Land Mr Nigel Pellatt Mr R A Searles Mr D Stewart

parishclerk@meldreth-pc.org.uk david@oakrits.plus.com joan.fallon@btinternet.com julian.fenner@tomblackwell.co.uk s.hawkins@dsl.pipex.com alankeena@aol.com c.land963@btinternet.com nppellatt@btconnect.com robsearles174@gmail.com derekstewart67@hotmail.com

269928 261571 262822 268523 261451 260267 261004 262444 260435 261562

OTHER USEFUL NUMBERS Emergencies Crimestoppers Police (non emergency) S Cambs Fire & Rescue Cambridge CAB Royston CAB Childline Samaritans NHS Direct (24-hr service) Addenbrooke’s Hospital Report potholes (Highways) Royston Health Centre

Miscarriage Support Community Transport Anglian Water Cambridge Water Co. Gas Emergency Electricity Emergency National Rail Enquiries Stagecoach Cambus Cambs County Council Councillor: S. van de Ven S Cambs MP: A Lansley Home-Start R. & S. Cambs

999 or 112 0800 555 111 101 01223 376283 08448 487979 08444 111 444 0800 1111 08457 909090 0845 4647 01223 245151 0345 045 5212 242981

Village shop opens 7 am - 10 pm 7 days Tel. 01763 262158

07906 559756 245228 08457 145145 01223 706050 0800 111 999 08007 838838 08457 484950 01223 433275 0345 045 5200 261833 01954 212707 262262

Station tkt office opens Mon - Fri 7-11.15am, Sat 8.45am - 1.25pm Tel. 01223 453702

Meldreth Matters Team: Chairman: Lesley Farbridge 261578; Editor & Layout: Kathryn Betts 268428; Distribution & Proof-reading: Ken McLean 261243; Treasurer, Secretary & Trade Advertising: Beverley Cottrell 262176; Cover & Advertising Layout: Richard Burns 263121; Founder Member: Ann Barnes

64

Reflections Hair Studio Specialist in all Aspects of Unisex Hairdressing.

Cutting * Colouring Techniques * Hair Extensions We use only the best quality products by Matrix and have a wide range of home hair care retail.

Gift vouchers and hair accessories available.

Please call for any enquiries.

01763 260431 Reflections Hair Studio 45 Whitecroft Road Meldreth SG8 6LS

RML

IT CONSULTANTS LTD

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

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

whatever the size of your company we can help‌ Internet connection and security Firewall/VPN solutions provider Installations and upgrades Network and computer support Wireless networking and security

GIVE ME A CALL ON:07946 216268

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

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

Meldreth and Orchard Manor Summer Fete Opening by Tommy Martin English light welterweight boxing champion

Come and join us on Saturday 6th June from 12.00pm Live music from MVC big band and Harlow Steelband Entertainment from Aspire Trampoline display team and Melbourn Tang So Do martial arts group.

BBQ from 12.00pm, Hog Roast from 1.00pm Attractions include: books/bric a brac stall, tombola, cake stall, CDs/DVDs, taster driving lessons, steam train rides, bouncy castles, kids’ craft tent Adults 50p

Children free entry

www.scope.org.uk

MELDRETH CHURCH FETE Saturday 13th June 1.00 - 4.00 pm

NEW! Auction of good quality items Plus: refreshments and BBQ scarecrow competition (see p.15) Shepreth Wildlife Park gazebo face-painting bottle stall competition displays and more Competition entry form inside pages 29-30 For further information, email Meldreth_HT_fete@hotmail.com Meldreth Matters is printed by Plumridge Printers 41 High St Linton 01223 891407