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June 2016

MELDRETH WEDNESDAY 5.30pm & 7.30pm Meldreth Village Hall Hig h Street, Meldreth Tel: Karen 01763 243604

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Meldreth Matters, June 2016 Contents include … June Events in Meldreth EU Referendum Letters to the Editor Home-Start Racing Evening What’s On for Children Pre-School Primary School Friends of Holy Trinity Church News Boundary Review Cycling Local History WI Good Companions Women’s Group Motorcycle Show Church Fete Entry Form Parish Council County Councillor’s Report District Councillor’s Report News from Heidi Allen Gardening The Elderly Cat Volunteering Neighbourhood Watch Local Events Forthcoming Events Planning Tennis Club Fire Service Village Directory Index to Advertisers

Page 2-3 5 6-8 9 10 12 13-15 16-17 17 19 20-21 22-24 26-27 27 28 30 31-32 37-42 44-45 46-47 48-49 50-51 52-53 53 54-55 56-57 58 60-62 62 65 66-67 68

Welcome to the June issue of Meldreth Matters. There is plenty going on in the village this month, including fêtes at Maycroft Care Home and Holy Trinity Church together with the annual Royston and District Motorcycle Show which is being held at Eternit Sports and Social Club this year. All proceeds from the show will be donated to local charities, including Meldreth Manor School. Don’t forget that the EU Referendum will be taking place on Thursday 23rd June. If you are still undecided, there are details of two local events on page 5 that may help you to make a decision. If you are not already on the electoral roll, you need to register by midnight on 7th June in order to vote in the referendum. Register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or telephone 0800 3 280 280 and a form will be sent to you which you need to return by 7th June. Kathryn

Cover: Aerial photograph of Meldreth Manor and Orchard Manor, 1975 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.

June Events in Meldreth To have your event listed, please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com Wednesday 1st June, 2.00-4.00pm Meldreth Station Gardening All welcome to come and help with the annual summer tidy-up. Spare tools, watering cans, plants and compost always welcome! Friday 3rd June, 8.30-11.00pm Eternit Sports & Social Club, Whaddon Road Live Rock Band 'Blue Sky' All welcome. Free entry, licensed bar with real ale, etc. Saturday 4th June, 10.30am-12.00 noon Elin Way Community ‘Coffee Break’ Please come along for a chat and ‘catch-up’ with friends and enjoy either coffee or tea or a soft drink together with a selection of biscuits. Marion Long (01763) 261365 Saturday 11th June, 11.00am-1.00pm Maycroft Fete Maycroft Care Home, High Street, Meldreth Plant stall, cake stall, tombola and more! All welcome. See page 8 for details Wednesday 15th June, 6.30pm-9.00pm Motorcyle Show Eternit Sports & Social Club

Traffic will be very heavy - avoid the area if possible The site can be accessed via Footpath2 from North End See page 30 for further details 2

Tuesday 21st June 7.30pm Meldreth Village Hall Trust AGM Meldreth Village Hall Please come along if you want to know what we do, or suggest what we should do.

Saturday 25th June

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EU Referendum Young People Debate the EU Referendum Wednesday 1st June, 7.30-9.00pm, Melbourn Community Hub Doors open at 7.00pm. Free to all and all ages welcome in the audience. Our panel and chair will be made up of young people aged 15-25, educated in Melbourn Village College catchment area schools. Panel: In Sam Robinson, formerly of Meldreth Primary School Ollie Kenzie, formerly of Barrington Primary School Panel: Out Charlie Arbon, formerly of Foxton Primary School Torrin Wilkins, formerly of Melbourn Village College Chair Lizzie Quinlan, formerly of Thriplow Primary School Categories: Economy, Security, Democracy, Global Challenges Please submit your questions in advance, and include your contact details, to: susanvandeven5@gmail.com, or 95 North End, Meldreth, SG8 6NU.

How Would Brexit Trade Deals Actually Work? To consider just one question in the EU Referendum debate, Dr Chris Grey, Professor of Organisation Studies at Royal Holloway, University of London (and a Shepreth resident) has kindly agreed to speak at Foxton Village Hall on Friday 10th June at 7.45pm. Dr Grey has published widely on Brexit, including very readable articles available to read on line at ‘The Conversation’ and ‘The New Statesman’. Continental and British cakes, teas and coffee, and bring your own tipple. All welcome, no charge. Susan van de Ven susanvandeven5@gmail.com 07905 325574 5

Letters to the Editor Roger Hart Tribute - May issue The Hart family would like to express our thanks to Terry Dash for the warm and affectionate tribute in last month's magazine to his friend, Roger Hart, husband of Joy and father to Jo, Philippa and Victoria. We would also like to thank the many Meldreth people who have sent cards and messages of condolence, which have been a great comfort to us. Philippa Hart Spotted Flycatchers Do you have this increasingly rare bird breeding in your garden? Spotted Flycatchers are attractive little migrant birds which are summer visitors to UK village gardens and churchyards. Although they breed with us, they spend ten months of the year travelling between here and their wintering grounds in Southern Africa. This is an increasingly dangerous journey for them, and sadly they are in deep decline. Widespread losses amounted to a 50% decline during 1995-2010, continuing an 88% decline since 1970. Only some fifty pairs remain breeding in Cambridgeshire, so it's now quite a rare bird, but most rural villages still have a pair or two. The Cambridge Bird Club is running a survey this year to find and monitor nesting pairs, and it's almost certain that there will be additional pairs in our villages of which they are not aware. Do you have flycatchers in your garden? Please let the Bird Club know. Please email spofl@cambridgebirdclub.org.uk with any information you have, including records of single birds between now and September. See also www.cambridgebirdclub.org.uk/spofl2016.html for details of the project and how to send in your records. Michael Holdsworth 6

Letters to the Editor Sunday Fun Day - 1st May Unusual as it was, the sun did make an appearance on a bank holiday weekend, and with the sun came a large number of residents of Meldreth, and the surrounding villages. We could not have asked for a more glorious day and are very grateful to those of you who did attend. You all made it the Sunday Fun Day we were hoping for. Thank you also, to the sponsors of the two pig races, Steve Crook and Laurence Robinson. Or as it happened, the two “not so pig races”. This event raised a total of £722.00 for Meldreth Pre-School and combined with the collection at the carol concert in December, has enabled us to pass a cheque to them for a total of £894.10. So thank you very much for your support. A big thank you to Peter Allen for his commentary of the event. I do not think this will go down as one of the greatest achievements in his long and prestigious career with the BBC, but it could be up there? Also we would like to thank the bands who performed and who entertained the audience and got their toes tapping and fingers strumming. You certainly got the crowd on their feet, many thanks to you all. On a more personal note, none of this would be possible without all the hard work of the staff at the British Queen; Keith, Lyn, Steve, Daisy, Phil, Ellie, Jade, Jess, Steve, Connie, James & Jodie. We are most grateful for their hard work and commitment to our little village pub. Sundays at the British Queen Every Sunday we host a meat raffle at 5.30pm. Tickets cost 50p each and there are five prizes to be won. We also have a pub quiz which is at 8.00pm every Sunday. Teams should have a maximum of six players. Entry fee is £1 per head and all money goes to the winning team! Finally, following the quiz we have ‘open the box’ with £1 tickets - all money goes to the winner. If it’s not won the prize money rolls over to the following week. Currently the prize money stands at £291.00. We hope to see some of you soon, Sue & Alan 7

Letters to the Editor Maycroft Fete I would like to let villagers know about our wonderful fete which will take place on Saturday 11th June from 11.00am to 1.00pm. Our local village home has done so well over the last two years winning a place in the ‘Top 20 Homes in the East of England’, together with our company’s ‘Home of the Year’. In addition, we recently received an amazing “GOOD” across ALL standards inspected by CQC in their unannounced inspection! We look after many local people from Meldreth and Melbourn and they will be running their own stalls on the day of the fete, with a little help from staff. We will have an ENORMOUS plant stall as well as cake stall, tombola stall and others. We would love people from the local community to pop in and see us on Saturday 11th June, I’m sure they will feel the pride we do in their local home. I have promised the residents that their stalls will be busy so please come!! We will use any funds raised for many treats for the residents such as our up and coming trips out to Duxford Air Museum for the fellows and Audley End House for our girls. The team and I look forward to seeing you at our fete. Lynn Ward, Manager, Maycroft Care Home Meldreth Manor School I am writing to provide you with an update about the transfer of Meldreth Manor and Orchard Manor to The Aurora Group. As you know, in November 2015 Scope’s Board of Trustees agreed to transfer Meldreth Manor School and Orchard Manor to The Aurora Group, a specialist provider in education and care. We are very pleased to let you know that the transfer of the services to Aurora has been completed. Aurora now own and manage the School, Children’s Home and Transition Service. Everyone who currently lives at and attends Meldreth Manor and Orchard Manor will have the opportunity to continue to do so and staff will continue to be employed at the services, if they wish. Becca Jones, Programme Officer, Transformation, Scope 8

What’s On for Children and Families in June Saturday 4th June, 10.30am – 12.00pm Windmills and Dragonflies, Royston Museum SG8 5AL Craft session – make decorations for your garden. No need to book. £3 per child. Saturday and Sunday, 4th and 5th June, 11.00am – 4.00pm Ickworth Wool Fair, Horringer, Bury St Edmunds IP29 5QE Watch sheepdog trials. shearing, spinning, wool crafts, Morris dancing, runner duck shepherding. Adults £8.75 (£2.50 members), children £4.15 (£1.00 members), under 2s free. Ring (01284) 735270. Saturday 11th June, 6.00pm – 7.30pm The Lorax - Open Air Cinema Wimpole Hall, Arrington SG8 0BW Take a picnic and enjoy some zany fun with this animated Dr Seuss story shown on a special LED daylight screen. Tickets £10.50 for adults, £5 for children. To book, ring 03336 663366 or book online at: sundowncinema.co.uk/venue/wimpole-estate. Saturday 18th June, 10.30am – 4.30pm Family Games Day Wimpole Hall, Arrington SG8 0BW Try your hand at sports and activities in the grounds. Admission £11.00 adults, £5.50 children. Free for National Trust members. For more information, telephone (01223) 206306. Saturday 25th June, 10.00am – 4.00pm Insect Day Trumpington Meadows Nature Reserve, Grantchester Rd CB3 9ND Try sweep netting, bug hunting, pond dipping and moth trapping guided by an expert. Use Park and Ride. Ring (07734) 478471 for details. Sunday 26th June, 3.00pm The Rattler Saffron Hall, Audley End Road CB11 4UH A cautionary tale about wanting too much, an interactive re-telling of Rumpelstiltskin for children 7 and over, starting with music and craft workshops. Tickets £16, £8 for under 18s. To book, telephone 0845 548 7650. Compiled by Hilary Crawforth 10

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Meldreth Pre-School www.meldrethpreschool.com Meldreth Preschool is pleased to welcome our new manager, Cassie Frost, who started work after the Easter holidays. She is already proving popular with the children and the parents, as evidenced by the impressive turn-out at the open day that we hosted recently. The warmer weather has provided plenty of opportunities to get out in the garden and enjoy the sunshine and Cassie has had some inspirational ideas of how to make the most of the space and resources we have and has come up with some new activities. The children have also been enjoying the fruit and veg boxes that we have been receiving from Hill View Farm Shop who have kindly donated some delicious, nutritious and healthy snacks to help keep the children full of energy and ready to play! Ridgeons in Royston also gave us a discount on some stones for our garden which the children have really enjoyed playing with. As a charity we are very grateful for the support of our local community, so all help is much appreciated. As it is the summer term, we are preparing to bid farewell to our rising 5s who will be moving up to Meldreth Primary in September. In preparation they will be visiting their new school, meeting their new teacher and learning about what they will be doing at â€œbig schoolâ€? when the time comes. This also means that we will have spaces available for children who will be ready to start at the Pre-School in September, but the sessions are filling up fast! We recommend anyone who is hoping to send their child to the Pre-School in September to get in touch soon in order to ensure that we can offer them the sessions they require. We accept any child over the age of 2, including those in nappies, and we are able to offer places to those who have turned three and receive their 15 hours of free funding so please feel free to make an appointment to have a look around and meet the staff, or keep an eye out for our next open day which will be coming soon. Meldreth Pre-School 12

Meldreth Primary School www.meldreth.cambs.sch.uk In Chaffinch Class we have been exploring the history of Meldreth. After finding out about a huge fire on the High Street in 1908, we imagined we were there and wrote personal accounts of what happened that night, using historical evidence from the Meldreth History website. Here are Matt and Charlie W’s recounts. The children named it, The Great Fire of Meldreth! Andrew Jones Deputy Headteacher So you want to know about the Great Fire of Meldreth? Well I can tell you about it! When it happened it seemed like the good old ways were burned away and technology came to Britain. Back then, there was no electricity and no running water and just a dusty lane (which was sometimes muddy in bad weather). The only people who had cars were Dr Clark and old Mr Mortlock, the rich man in the Big House. Aeroplanes had only just been invented and most brick houses were only in cities. So now to get on with the story. It was just a normal night on 22nd May back in 1908, when me and Captain Newling (and the crew of the Melbourn Fire Brigade) were up in The Dumb Flea having a few pints. After a few minutes, Bill Smith, a hardworking farmer came squawking ferociously across the pavement, “FIRE! FIRE….In Jane Thriplow’s cottage!” (which was just down the road). So we rushed back to get the old fire engine. As quick as a flash, we were on the road with our sirens beeping, it alarmed all the people of the vast crowd. The rest of the crew went to pump the water out of the pump in Bill’s field, but we got a message from Percy Elbourn, saying the hosepipe had cracks and splits half way round it. So there was no hope until Mr William East dashed into the lady’s flaring, burning cottage in spite of his life. I could smell the thick, acrid, jetblack smoke floating out of the half-destroyed cottage. As Mr East came dashing down the clanky stairs with Jane Thriplow in his clutches, crowds of people came sprinting across the dusty pavement to see the old girl in distress (in her crumbly nightgown). By this time seven cottages were burned to crispy crumbs! The first cottage was 13

occupied by Mr Spot Chamberlain, a gardener and the groom for Dr Clark. The second one was occupied Mrs Harriet Adcock. She was a widow but she was a baker. Next there was David Jacklin who was Mr Mortlock’s gardener. The next house was Jane Thriplow’s cottage, (the house where the angry fire ferociously broke out). All of her belongings were destroyed (they were worth about £10), but the furniture downstairs was saved. The next cottage was owned by the Woods family and the last one was owned by Mr Amos Warren who also had a bakehouse. He had some chickens and they got burned too; some grumpy teenage boys were found eating roast chicken (which was actually the burned chickens in the shed!) After that disastrous conflagration, the new modern times began. Two years later, in 1910, the new school opened , then the great war began and cars were invented, but I always felt that those poor people’s houses were irreplaceable, all their belongings shredded up into nothing but ashes!! Charlie W In the miniature village of Meldreth, everybody witnessed the disastrous conflagration that occurred back in 1908. I, Captain Newling, was asleep at this time, but people have told me since how the fire began. Meldreth, as we know was very different then from nowadays. On the other side of the road, on 22nd May, George Button, who is a paraffin seller and always arrived from Cambridge at 10am and left again at 10pm, was walking slowly along the High Street when out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of thick, black, acrid smoke rising from a cottage in the middle of seven others. Fires were very common at this time and often caused by candles. It didn’t help that most cottages were built of wood and clunch. At the top of his voice, George immediately shouted, “FIRE! FIRE! FIRE!”. Suddenly, Mr East ran out of his house, which was opposite the burning cottage and dashed straight inside it. A little while later, the same old Mr East came sprinting out, carrying a lady called Jane Thriplow. It turned out that it was her 65th birthday and she had told her old friends that she was going to have ‘a bit of a flare-up’ that day, but none of us expected it to end up like this, no not at all! Like a steam train at full speed, a few young men ran off like the wind to fetch the Melbourn Fire Brigade, led by myself, Captain Newling. Not long after the men had reached the huge red door holding the horse -drawn fire engine, they started shouting, 14

“There’s a fire! FIRE!” As soon as I heard the men shouting, I woke up in a flash and ran quickly to the fire engine. Some of my firemen helped me get the massive, red door open. Meanwhile, people came running out of their houses, screaming and weeping tears that cascaded Postcard of the 1908 fire, supplied by Brian Clarke down their cheeks. Children were standing on the spot with just their old cloth rag dolls in any clothes they could find. Finally I arrived with my crew and we started to set up the hose from the River Mel behind the fire. We were about to pump the water into the leathery hose when… “There’s a hole in the hose!” I cried loudly. But before I could say anything else, Percy Elbourn jumped onto his bike and by the look on his face he was in a hurry. He was in a hurry to get the better – powered by an engine – one and only Royston Fire Brigade. I could now see that our own monster of a hosepipe, which we now know was split in places, was not worth the rubber it was made of. While I was packing it away, sparks were flying everywhere and burning beams of wood were crashing to the ground. Ten minutes later, the Royston fire Brigade arrived; they got their hoses out to fight the fire. Up till now the fire had been winning, but now the tables had turned in the firemen’s favour. Jets of sky blue water shot like a bullet out of the hose and gave the fire a spank on the backside. People stopped running around and began to calm down; by morning the conflagration was stopped dead in its tracks of destruction, while the firemen had to suffer burns and a broken bone or two. As the crowd cleared, I could see the half-broken, burnt furniture, sitting lifeless against the seven smoking cottages. Exhausted and tired the crew and I packed up, and as soon as we’d put the engine away, I drifted off into a deep sleep. These kind of cottages would not be suitable for modern times; so from now on, houses would be made of brick. It was the start of a new century – the one that would bring the most changes! Matt Ladds 15

Friends of Holy Trinity www.foht.org.uk Forthcoming Events: Saturday 2nd July at 7.00pm: Summer Garden Concert in the Churchyard Songs for a Summer’s Evening by the Cantus Singers. The first concert was held in 2002 when the Cantus Singers performed and the event, with various forms of musical entertainment, has continued into its 15th year. Cantus Singers are a chamber choir of around 20 singers, which was established in 1991. They meet weekly in central Cambridge during term time to prepare for a number concerts each year. Bring your picnic, drinks, picnic chairs or rugs. The concert will be held in the Church if the weather is inclement. Parking will be available in the churchyard. Tickets £7.50 (Friends £7.00) from: Robert Long - (01763) 261365 Mart Gregory - (01763) 260120 John Price - (01763) 260048 Peter Chilvers - (01763) 260742 Sunday 4th September: Car Show This will be the 12th year the event has been held. Planning is underway to include new and popular exhibits from previous years. John Price

Refuse Collections Collections in June will be on the following dates: Black bins: 10th & 24th June Blue and green bins: 4th* & 17th June * day late due to public holiday 16

Friends of Holy Trinity www.foht.org.uk At last year’s AGM, the Friends offered to contribute £10,000 towards re-roofing the south aisle, which will cost around £30,000. Every five years an architectural inspection of the Church is required by the diocese i.e. the Quinquennial Inspection. This has just been completed and the architect has confirmed that the re-roofing is becoming urgent. The 32nd AGM of The Friends of Holy Trinity took place on 13th May and a further small project was approved to replace the dilapidated Church noticeboard by the gate. The minutes of the AGM will be posted on the Friends’ noticeboard at the back of the Church. John Price

Church Services Sunday 5th June 9.45am Family Communion and New Seekers Sunday School Sunday 12th June 8.00am Holy Communion Sunday 19th June 9.45am Family Communion and New Seekers Sunday School Sunday 26th June 8.00am Holy Communion Marion Long

Joint Parish Prayer Group The Prayer Group will be meeting on Tuesday 21st June at 8.00pm at 85 North End Meldreth. Prayer requests are always welcomed and are treated in strict confidence. For more information please telephone me. Marion Long (01763) 261365 17

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Boundary Review: Where Does Meldreth Belong? As I’ve been reporting to the Parish Council, the Boundary Commission, a non-elected independent body, has made recommendations for new county division boundaries to take effect in May 2017. This involves important factors in terms of our ability as communities of villages to work together to improve common public services. The current proposals – which we have an opportunity to challenge – are to align Meldreth and Melbourn with Whadddon, Kneesworth and Bassingbourn – and to lose Shepreth, Foxton, Heydon and the Chishills. This proposed new cluster includes no single common village college or primary school catchment. The other awkwardness in the new configuration is the lack of transport synergies, in comparison with the current clustering around the A10. The County Councillor as village representative has a unique opportunity to work across his or her division and foster cooperation for common advantage. Our Rail User Group, Cycling Campaign and Melbourn Area Youth Development projects are good examples. Responding to the consultation is important if you have concerns. The deadline is Thursday 16th June. Please go on line to: http:// www.lgbce.org.uk/current-reviews/eastern/cambridgeshire/ cambridgeshire-county-council Or please contact me if you don’t have access to the internet and I’ll bring you a paper version. Susan van de Ven County Councillor Susanvandeven5@gmail.com 07905 325574

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www.meldrethhistory.org.uk 19

Cycle Routes Around Meldreth This month I describe a pleasant 19 mile circular route via the Shelfords and Whittlesford. From the village stocks ride out of Meldreth along North End to Shepreth. Turn right at the T junction in Shepreth and ride towards Fowlmere. When you reach the A10 turn left and follow the A10 bike path all the way to Harston. Ride through Harston on the path or the road depending on your confidence. Thanks to the A10 Cycling Campaign there are substantial improvements planned for the bike path through Harston. Ride out of Harston along the A10 bike path for about a quarter of a mile then turn right along Church Road signposted to Hauxton. Continue through Hauxton to Little Shelford. Turn left onto Church Street towards Great Shelford. Shortly after reaching Great Shelford turn right onto Woollards Lane which is the busy heart of the village. I recommend a cafe stop at the Shelford Delicatessen. As well as hot drinks and cakes you may well find yourself tempted by their wonderful salads and bread! Ride back the way you came towards Little Shelford but follow the road when it turns sharp left and becomes Whittlesford Road. Ride towards Whittlesford but before reaching Whittlesford turn right onto Middlemoor Road then right again onto Newton Road. Follow this road into Newton then turn left at the â€œQueens Headâ€? pub onto the Fowlmere Road. Ride towards Fowlmere then take the first left towards Thriplow. In Thriplow turn right towards Fowlmere and follow this road into Fowlmere. Turn right towards Shepreth. After about half a mile turn left onto Mill Road towards Melbourn. This takes you past the RSPB bird reserve which is well worth a visit if you have time. Turn left onto the Cambridge Road towards Melbourn and ride into Melbourn. Turn right at the traffic lights then left and ride into Meldreth. Pat yourself on the back (but not while riding)! There is a lovely off-road path along the River Cam that you can use between the A10 and Great Shelford. Instead of turning right from the A10 onto Church Road signposted to Hauxton, continue along the A10 towards Cambridge for about a quarter of a mile. There is a small layby/car park on the opposite side of the road and the path to Great Shelford starts here. Ralph Betts 20

Cycling News A10 Cycle Awareness Ride The annual A10 cycle awareness ride took place on Sunday 15th May when dozens of people cycled from Trumpington Park & Ride to Phillimoreâ€™s Garden Centre in Melbourn. Some of those who completed the ride are shown below.

A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign: 7th June Sagentia, Harston Mill All are welcome to this meeting. Doors open at 7.00pm for tea and coffee. Please feel free to come along and find out what next for the A10 cycle path and especially, the very positive prospects for improving the route for everyone (car drivers included) through Harston High Street and an update on funding bids to take a path from Royston Road Melbourn all the way to the Hertfordshire border at Royston. Susan van de Ven County Councillor Susanvandeven5@gmail.com 07905 325574

Meldrethâ€™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 21

Local History Two Young Girls Steal Coal from the Meldreth Station Yard, 1887 – Given Away by their Footprints Alice Grey and Eliza Ann Blows, both juveniles, found themselves before the Melbourn Magistrates Court on 3rd January 1887 for stealing 62lbs weight of coal from the station yard (pictured). From a report of the case in the Royston Crow, we learn that they had been seen by a witness, James Loates, standing about in the yard on a December evening as it was getting dark. He knew them both well. Another witness, Joseph Blows, (we do not know whether he was a relation) worked for Mr Palmer, coal merchant, at the yard. He heard a rattling noise and someone running away. Police Sergeant Quincey from Melbourn was called and found a quantity of coal ‘done up in a piece of coarse apron.’ The following morning it was established that they were the property of Alfred Coningsby who kept coal at the yard. An inspection of the coal heap revealed that ‘some coals had been taken away and two other lots laid ready for going.’ The Sergeant told the Court ‘We could see two distinct sets of footprints. We could trace them from the coal heap up to Chiswick End. One set went to Mrs Reader’s house (the mother of Alice Grey) and the other we traced up to Mrs Blows’ house.’ He then asked to inspect the girls’ shoes. Other stolen coal was retrieved from Mr Blows’ shed. At Court both girls pleaded guilty to the theft. Mr Coningsby, from whom the coal had been stolen, was present and asked for leniency on behalf of Eliza Blows, suggesting that she had been led astray by the other girl (though Alice Grey was younger). She was fined 20 shillings and her mother, who had nine children and a husband out of work, asked for time to pay. She was given a fortnight. The Chairman of the Bench said that the girl Grey ‘was, it appeared, too young to fine and would be imprisoned at the Police Station for the day.’ 22

There was not enough evidence to convict Mrs Reader who had been charged with receiving the stolen coal but she was told she ‘had had a narrow escape. If it was found that she was influencing these children in this way and she came up again she would be severely dealt with.’ John Crawforth Editor’s Note: for more information on this and similar reports, please see www.meldrethhistory.org.uk/category/law_and_order where there are over 20 pages on law and order in Meldreth

Meldreth Local History Group www.meldrethhistory.org.uk AGM Our 9th Annual General Meeting was held on Monday 9th May and was followed by a short presentation by Joan Gane on the activities and projects undertaken by the Group in the last twelve months. Many of these projects have formed the basis of new pages that have been added to our website, which now has over 570 pages on Meldreth, past and present. Topcliffe Mill Open Days Topcliffe Mill in North End was open to the public on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th May in conjunction with National Mills Weekend. Approximately 100 people visited the mill during the weekend, including mill enthusiasts, previous owners and locals. The quern (hand mill) and children’s activity sheet proved particularly popular with our younger visitors. All proceeds have been given to Meldreth Local History Group. The Group continue to meet most Monday mornings in the Sheltered Housing Community Room in Elin Way from 9.30am to 11.30am. We welcome new members or those who may have something of interest on the village’s history that they would like to share with us. Facebook Meldreth Local History Group is now on Facebook. Please “like” our page. Kathryn Betts Secretary, MLHG 23

Meldreth Then and Now Each month we are showing ”then and now” images of Meldreth scenes. This month’s images are of Holy Trinity Church and the former Vicarage in North End. The top image is a Bell’s Postcard from the 1920s and the bottom image was taken by Francesca Churchill in 2016.

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Meldreth WI The meeting began with the usual business. The July outing has had to be cancelled due to insufficient numbers so there will be a meal at the Cambridge Motel on 14th July instead. A list and menu were provided for people to choose from. Members not present last night may either sign up at the June meeting or contact a committee member. The colour for our tombola at the Church FĂŞte will be blue. Any donations can be brought to the June meeting or given to a committee member. The resolutions for the AGM were discussed and voted upon. There then followed a talk by Dr John Watkins of the English Spirit Distillery. After working for many of the large distillers, six years ago he decided to set up his own company. His talk was mainly about his various products starting with vodka. Vodka can be made from any form of carbohydrate but he uses sugar beet because it is plentiful and sometimes even free around here. The sugar beet is cleaned, chopped up and made into a mash. Three different enzymes are then added at three different temperatures. The final product is distilled at 96% alcohol and then diluted to 49% with pure water. Dr Watkins then went on to talk about gin, which must always be made from vodka and juniper. This is basically all a very cheap gin is. Finer quality gins are made by adding botanicals such as coriander, citrus zest and nuts. He is very keen on producing flavoured gins such as strawberry, raspberry , ginger, toffee and lemon. Dr Watkins also makes malt whisky (his is distilled five times) and rum, which must always be made from sugar cane or its products. He had bought along a large selection of his products and after questions we were invited to try whatever we fancied. The Limoncello (less sweet than the Italian liqueur) and toffee gin proved particularly popular. An animated speaker, his talk went down very well, particularly the tastings. His spirits can be bought at Bury farm shop or his visitor centre at Great Yeldon. We ended, as usual, with refreshments and a raffle. There was also a chance to look at some of our albums and do a fun quiz. Mary Gregory

Meldreth WI The program of talks for 2016 to 2017 is as follows: 16th June 14th July 11th August 8th September 13th October 10th November 8th December 12th January 9th February 9th March 13 April 11th May

Rama Vindlacheruvu: Indian Culture and Saris Outing Ellee Seymour: The Shop Girls of the 1940s-1960s Jon Crisp: Rubbish Bill Davis : On and Off the Footplate Making Crackers/Bring and Buy Christmas Meeting Guide Dogs Sir David Wright: Tales of the Diplomatic Service AGM and Rummage Sale Val Ford: Seated Exercises Carol Pook: The Mystery of Agatha Christie Kathleen Thompson

Good Companions Our meeting last Thursday was a lively one. After club business had been discussed, including departure times for next monthâ€™s trip, we held a Beetle Drive. I must say it was a very spirited Beetle Drive with everyone throwing dice at a rate of knots! It was good fun and enjoyed by all and was then followed by tea and biscuits and time to chat and catch up. There will be no meeting in Elin Way Community Centre in June, as weâ€™re off on a day out. Fingers crossed for the weather! If anyone out there would like to come to our meeting in July or would like more information about the Club, please contact me. Laraine Pocknell, Secretary (01763) 261432

Melbourn & Meldreth Women’s Group At our April meeting Liz, Clare, Britta and Yvonne came to talk to us about The Chain of Flowers in Melbourn. The project began three years ago after Liz Williams sorted through her late mother’s papers and found a letter from a Steven Scott with a pressed poppy and a beech leaf in it. Her mum, Joan Credland, who had lived in Melbourn for about 30 years, had left some money and asked her to plant a tree or similar in the village. Liz enquired about this possibility and got a resounding “no” but after talking to Rob Mungovan, South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) Ecology Officer, they settled on planting wild flowers – hence the link to the letter Liz had found. Since then three areas have been planted in Clear Crescent, Beeton Close and at The Millennium Copse on The Moor near the Pavilion all with the help and guidance of Rob. Some financial support has been given by SCDC and Melbourn Parish Council. Items were brought from previous open days where members of the public have taken part and written poems or prose and again some funding is available for bringing art into the community. There will be an open day on 16th July at the Millennium Copse. There will be a talk on bees and two performances of The Wind in the Willows for which there will be a small charge of £3 per family. Hopefully by this date the flowers will be in bloom and it should beautiful. Refreshments will be available and there will be an open microphone session for people to share poetry or music. Later in the evening there will be live music. We also heard a variety of lovely poetry and readings from the ladies and at the end had the chance to look over the albums, photographs and other items that had been brought along. If you wish to know more contact Liz Williams on 07789 078933 or email elizw_elizboot@yahoo.com. Our next meeting will be on 28th June when we will meet in the Holy Trinity Church meeting room in Meldreth to hear about HomeStart Royston and South Cambridgeshire, which was the charity we supported last year. If you would like to know more about our Group please contact any of the committee members: Pat Smith (01763) 262575, Sue Toule on (01763) 260955, Anne Harrison on (01763) 261775 or Angela Leach on (01763) 262793. Pat Smith 28

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Holy Trinity Church Fete Saturday 25th June, 12.30-3.30pm Competition Classes (all except no. 7, open to all)

Domestic 1.

Jar of jam

Jar of marmalade

Jar of chutney or pickle

Six home made scones

A sponge cake

A fruit cake

Floral Arrangement 7.

For a Christening

Flowers 8.

Spray from a flowering shrub

Rose or spray of roses for scent

10.

Three stems of roses (same variety)

11.

Three stems of a single perennial

12.

Bouquet garni (five different culinary herbs bunched together ready for the pot)

Holy Trinity Church Fete Flower and Produce Entry Form Name:

Address:

Telephone:

Please ring classes entered: Domestic:

Floral Arrangements: 7 Flowers:

Please bring your entries to the Church before 10.00am on Saturday 25th June

SPECIAL COMPETITION & DISPLAY Flower paintings by Meldreth Primary School Year Five (judged within school the previous week) 32

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Meldreth Village D Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday 2.00-4.00pm Station Gardening

Thurs

6.00 - 6.45pm Pilates 7.00 - 9.00 pm Tennis

1 2 6 7 8 9 13 14 15 1 20 21 22 2 27 28 29 3 Did You Know? Every copy of Meldreth Matters from January 2009 onwards is available online at free.yudu.com

9.30-11.30am Meldreth Local History Group 7.30-10.00pm Old Time Dancing Start of school term

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

5.30pm Slimming World

7.30pm Slimming World 7.45-9.00pm Bell Ringing

10.00am-12.00 Handbells 5.00-6.00pm Junior Martial Arts 7.00-8.00pm Aerobics 7.00-9.00pm Table Tennis 7.00-10.00pm Crafters

9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group

10.00am-12.00 Handbells

9.30-11.30am B & T Grp 5.30pm Slimming World 6.30-9.00pm Motorbike Show, Eternit (see p 30) 7.30pm Slimming World 6.00-7.00pm Brownies 7.45-9.00pm Bell Ringing

5.00-6.00pm Junior Martial Arts 7.00 - 8.00pm Aerobics 7.00-10.00pm Crafters 8.00pm Prayer Group

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

10.00-12.00pm Handbells

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

10.00-12.00pm Handbells 10.45-11.30am Mobile Library 5.00-6.00pm Martial Arts 7.00 - 8.00pm Aerobics 7.00-10.00pm Crafters 7.45pm Women’s Group

5.00-6.00pm Martial Arts 7.00 - 8.00pm Aerobics 7.00-10.00pm Crafters

5.30pm Slimming World 6.00-7.00pm Brownies

7.30pm Parish

6.00 - 6.45pm Pilates 7.30pm WI

7.30pm Slimming World

9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group 5.30pm Slimming World

7.30pm Slimming World 6.00-7.00pm Brownies 7.30pm Village Hall Trust 7.45-9.00pm Bell Ringing AGM 9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group 5.30pm Slimming World

7.30pm Slimming World 6.00-7.00pm Brownies 7.45-9.00pm Bell Ringing

6.00 - 6.45pm Pilates 7.00 - 9.00 pm Tennis

7.00am -

Polling EU Refe Village

6.00 - 6.45pm Pilates 7.00 - 9.00 pm Tennis

Church Services and Bell Ringing are held at Holy Trinity Church. The Prayer Group meets at 85 ‘Coffee Break’ mornings are held in the Sheltered Housing Community Centre, Elin Way. Browni Mobile Library Service visits Bell Close. All other events are held in the Village Hall unless otherw 34

Diary - June 2016

sday

m Fitness

Friday

Saturday

8.30-11.00pm “Blue Sky” 10.30am - 12 noon Rock Band, Eternit Sports Coffee Break (see page 2) & Social Club (see page 2)

Sunday 9.45am Family Communion & New Seekers Sunday School

2 3 4 5 9 10 11 12 6 17 18 19 3 24 25 26 0

m Table

2.30-6.30pm Tea Dance

h Council

11.00am-1.00pm Maycroft Fete Maycroft Care Home, High Street (see page 8)

m Fitness

Copy deadline for July issue

9.45am Family Communion and New Seekers Sunday School

m Fitness

m Table

10.00pm

g Day: rendum e Hall

8.00am Holy Communion

7.00 - 9.00 pm Table Tennis

12.30-3.30pm Holy Trinity Church Fete (see p3, 31-32 & back page)

8.00am Holy Communion

m Fitness

m Table

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

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Meldreth Parish Council www.meldreth-pc.org.uk Extract from the Minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 5th May 2016 at 7.30pm in the Green Room of Meldreth Village Hall. Present: Mr C A Land - Chairman, Mr R A Searles, Mrs C J Fallon, Mr A Keena, Mr D Lee, Mr N Pellatt, Mr D Stewart and Mr A Young In attendance: Mrs J Damant (Clerk), Councillor P Hart (SCDC) and Councillor S van de Ven (CCC) Election of Chairman: Mr A Keena nominated Mr C A Land, seconded by Mrs J Fallon, all agreed. Mr C A Land was re-elected as Chairman. Election of Vice Chairman: Mr D Stewart nominated Mr R Searles, who declined as he felt that there should now be some succession plan and he had been the Vice Chairman for thirteen years and it should now be someone else's turn. There were no other nominations. Agenda item for next month. Public Participation: There were nine members of the public in attendance. A full minute of the discussion arising from this is in the minutes available on the Parish Council web site at www.meldreth-pc.org.uk or on the Parish Council notice board opposite the One Stop shop. 1. The Tennis Club need a formal agreement with the Parish Council

covering the use and maintenance of the tennis courts as they need resurfacing and the club is also looking into the possibility of having floodlights, although this is just a proposal at the moment. The Lawn Tennis Association will match fund any funding the club is able to gain. The club is also looking for some funding from the Parish Council. 2. Concern was raised by members of the public with regards to the

possible loss of the funding of ÂŁ50,000 from SunEdison. It is rumoured that the company is now in financial trouble and the contract has still not been signed. Why has it taken the Parish Council so long to obtain the funds? There are various factors regarding this: The Parish Council did not want to appear to be influenced by the 37

possibility of a cash grant to favour a development which many residents were against. On behalf of the Parish Council and with its permission, Councillor Hart made enquiries into what type of contribution would be given and with what conditions. Following a meeting with SunEdison in October 2014 a number of projects were identified for funding. Subsequently a further project identified was a ramp at the station. However, this was never agreed at a Parish Council meeting and when the contract was sent to the Parish Council this project was in the agreement for the whole £50,000. It proved impossible to obtain a revised contract from SunEdison until their Madrid office amended the contract. This has now been signed by the Parish Council which is waiting for SunEdison to sign it. Councillor Hart stated that another reason for delay was the Parish Council’s insistence on having an 'anti bribery clause', which she felt was not necessary and that the Parish Council were trying to be 'whiter than white'. The Parish Council do not apologise for this and have an agreement with another solar company with an 'anti bribery clause'. 3. Two members of the public spoke on the petition being signed in the village on introducing a village-wide 20mph speed limit. One was in support of introducing a 20mph speed limit along North End and one not in favour of a 'blanket' 20mph speed limit through the village. It was also noted that Meldreth is very active with 'Speedwatch' but is in need of further volunteers in order to run more sessions. The Parish Council has agreed to have a reduction to 40mph along North End between Shepreth and Meldreth. This has been a joint project with Shepreth Parish Council. 4. Royston & District Community Transport presented a report as they are presently seeking funding. The Government has donated a minibus to the RDCT and they want to introduce a “Dial-a-ride” scheme, but they now have to look at gaining funds in order to run the bus. Report from County Councillor Please see pages 44-45. Report from District Councillor: Councillor Hart stated that she is not happy about the accountability and leadership of the Parish Council; this is with regard to the £50,000 38

from Sun Edison which the Parish Council have still to receive. For Councillor Hart’s full report, please see pages 46-47. Footway at The Boulevard: The specification for the footway was incorrect but there is now funding to have it repaired and have the street furniture moved. Solar Money Working Group Requests from the Guides and the Pre-School have been forwarded to the Solar Working Group. It was agreed to accept the Guides’ request for £449 for a new tent and Meldreth Pre-School’s request for £1,500.00 for equipment. Councillor van de Ven enquired if permission has been given by SCDC to place cycle racks at the corner of Bell Close; the Clerk will chase. Election of Planning Committee: Planning committee to be Councillors Land, Searles, Fallon, Lee, Pellatt and Stewart. Elections (Working Groups/Key Representatives and Trustee) to the following: Cemetery Working Group: Mr C A Land, Mrs C J Fallon, Mr A Keena and the Clerk Meldreth Recreation Ground Working Group: Mr C A Land, Mrs C J Fallon, Mr N Pellatt and Mr A Keena Finance Working Group: Mr C A Land, Mr R A Searles, Mr N Pellatt and the Clerk Policies Working Group: Mr D Lee and the Clerk Complaints and Personnel Working Group: Mr C A Land, Mr R A Searles, Mr D Stewart and the Clerk Village Hall Representative: Mr N Pellatt Triggs Charity Representative and Parish Charities Representative: Mrs C J Fallon Melwood Conservation Representative: Mr Graham Borgonon Parish Paths Partnership (PPP) Representative: Mr Steve Marshall 39

River Mel Restoration Representative: Mr S Hawkins Flood Avoidance Sub Committee: Mrs C J Fallon, Mr R A Searles, Mr D Lee, Mr Paul Ray and Councillor van de Ven Mary Course School Fund Representatives: Mr C A Land and Mr R A Searles SPEP: Mr David Smith Melbourn Area Youth Development (MAYD): Mr D Stewart Tree Warden: Mrs Margaret Lynch Solar Fund Working Party: Mr D Lee and Mr C A Land Marley/Eternit Working Group: Mr C A Land, Mr A Young, Mrs C J Fallon and Mr D Lee Marley Eternit The group have been meeting regularly and it have decided to wait until the company has submitted a planning application to SCDC. However, they have a plan and once the application has been submitted this can be actioned. Councillor Hart has been in contact with Footprint who is overseeing the project to build 170 houses on the land at Marley/ Eternit. There is to be a public meeting on Wednesday 25th May from 4.00-9.00pm in the School Hall. Playground Monthly Report: all equipment appears to be in good working order. The Working Group has gone through the RoSPA Report and has given actions to the Clerk. Pavilion A further quotation is awaited and it is hoped to be able to make a decision at the next meeting. Rugby Group Benevolent Fund An application has now been submitted from the Football team. Correspondence and Clerk's Report Dog bin post on Elin Way has now been repaired 40

Grass cutting risk assessment received from Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) and sent to our contractor Parish Council Pension Scheme meetings are for councillors to attend as it is the council who is the employer Hedge along Sudely Grove has now been cut back The Whaddon Road sign has been reported to SCDC Planning: Parish Training will be on Friday 15th July 10.00am to 1.00pm and Wednesday 23rd November from 1.30 to 4.30pm Fire extinguishers in the pavilion have come to the end of their tenyear contract, which will be renewed Information Commissioners Office Following a report from the Clerk as to why the Parish should be a member, this was agreed. Mettle Hill Mr T Birch gave a presentation to the meeting to explain what he would like to do with the land at Mettle Hill. He proposed that if the Parish Council approved another showmen’s site that local showmen would be better people to run it rather than the Showmen’s Guild. Councillors' Reports MAYD has a new leader and will be looking for funding. Melbourn Parish Council are supporting the scheme with a payment £10,600.00. Speedwatch Mr Borgonon has forwarded information regarding both the portable Speedwatch speed indicator devices and the fixed devices. These signs can flash “SLOW DOWN” or “THANK YOU”, with an indicator showing the speed being travelled. This will be revisited once costs and the traffic survey results from the A10 villages group have been received. Speed Limit Changes on North End, Meldreth and Meldreth Road, Shepreth This is joint venture between Meldreth and Shepreth Parish Councils. The project has been agreed by CCC and the costs have now been received. The total cost is around £3000 and will be shared 50/50 with Shepreth. CCC has been notified that all are in agreement and that they can now proceed. 41

Agenda items for the next meeting Election of Vice Chairman A10 Meeting Eternit/Marley update Update from the Annual Village Meeting Solar funding Co option of new councillor Councillor training Clerk vacation in June Parish Council website There being no further business to discuss the meeting was closed by the Chairman at 10.45pm. The next meeting will be Thursday 2nd June. 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 http://www.meldreth-pc.org.uk Parish Office, Meldreth Sheltered Scheme, Elin Way, Royston SG8 6LT Office hours: Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10.00 am to 12 noon. By appointment at other times. Parish Clerk: Mrs J Damant (01763) 269928 parishclerk@meldreth-pc.org.uk Parish Councillors: Mrs C J Fallon

(01763) 262822

joan.fallon@btinternet.com

Mr A Keena

(01763) 260267

alankeena@aol.com

Mr C A Land (Chairman) (01763) 261004

c.land963@btinternet.com

Mr D Lee

(01763) 261571

david@oakrits.plus.com

Mr Nigel Pellatt

(01763) 262444

nppellatt@btconnect.com

Mr R A Searles

(01763) 260435

robert.searles@btinternet.com

Mr D Stewart

(01763) 261562

derekstewart67@hotmail.com

Mr A Young

(01763) 263484

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We can make life a little easier Local Community Services at Moorlands Court

Day Centre Our friendly day centre is open from 10 am to 3 pm, Tuesdays to Fridays. Interesting activities, sociable atmosphere, home cooked lunch. Transport available for older people living in Melbourn and nearby villages. From just ÂŁ7.90 per day. To find out more, just call us at Moorlands Court on 01763 260564, or email: denise.taylor@chsgroup.org.uk

County Councillor’s Report The following report was presented to the Parish Council at its meeting on Thursday 5th May. Drain Jetting I have been endeavouring to find out from our Highways officer when our drains will be cleared, as per the Flood Avoidance action list agreed with him. He in turn had been waiting for South Cambridgeshire District Council to get back to him on a date to sweep the streets; that’s right, the County clears the drains but the District clears the streets. Thanks to Philippa for getting this sorted. Unfortunately, the frequency of farm straw deposited along the roads is more than the District Council street sweeping schedule can keep up with and this presents long-term problems. Nevertheless I have informed Highways of the imminent street sweeping so that the jetting can now be arranged. Kneesworth Road I have pulled out all the stops to get the collapsing pavement and dangerous road edge gaps fixed. Highways Department assure me that funding is in place and they just need to set a start date. They were going to tell me last week when this would be. However, the wheels turn very slowly, reflecting, I’m afraid, the enormous reduction in council staff. I have sent a reminder and will stay on the case. (Update: considerable progress has been made. The work will be done – more news to come.) Meldreth Station Access from Footpath: Unfortunately, a recent funding bid by our Community Rail Partnership to the Department for Transport for a disabled access ramp from the London platform to the path across the fields was not successful. We will keep trying and indeed we must explore every opportunity. Many outside grants require partial match funding and the Parish Council could in future be asked to facilitate a contribution. The Meldreth solar fund from the Lightsource solar development, generously negotiated by Melbourn Parish Council on Meldreth’s behalf, would seem particularly apt as match-funding source. This is separate from the SunEdison solar fund. While the station access scheme sits within Meldreth parish, there would be many benefits to both Meldreth and Melbourn residents and a common approach is needed with Parish Council support on both sides. I would therefore like to invite Melbourn and Meldreth Parish 44

and District Councillors to meet together to discuss this matter of common concern, and to plot collaborative action so that we are prepared to seize new opportunities. A costed shovel ready scheme with full Parish Council support would put us in a strong position. While this is a difficult scheme to achieve, in the long run it would be a mistake not to look for a solution - not least due to inevitable station overflow parking issues in Meldreth. We must do everything we can to make walking or cycling to Meldreth Station an attractive proposition, if we want fewer traffic problems. Ultimately, as the Rail User Group reminds our train operating company at every opportunity, we must insist on being in the funding queue for lifts. Meldreth Station Audit Comprehensive audits of all three stations in our Community Rail Partnership are being prepared by Railfuture and Govia Thameslink Railway, to understand capacity issues and to plan responsibly for the future. These will be shared with Parish Councils as soon as they are ready. Susan van de Ven County Councillor 07905 325574 susanvandeven5@gmail.com

Advice Surgery Iâ€™m always at the Melbourn Hub at 30 High Street Melbourn, opposite the village car park, on the first Monday of the month (except summer holidays) from 2.30-3.30pm. No need to book; just come along. Susan van de Ven County Councillor 07905 325574 susanvandeven5@gmail.com

MELDRETH PLANT HIRE TEL: 01763 262738 DIGGERS, DUMPERS, BREAKERS, WHACKERS, ROTAVATORS. AVAILABLE FOR DAILY OR WEEKLY HIRE. WWW.MELDRETHPLANT.CO.UK 45

District Councillorâ€™s Report The following report was presented to the Parish Council at its meeting on Thursday 5th May. Marley Eternit Shortly before May's Parish Council meeting, I contacted Footprint, the developer working with Marley Eternit on their development plans for land owned by the company. They confirmed that the company will be commencing pre-application discussions with the SCDC planning department in early summer. To that end, the company plans to run another consultation presentation, scheduled to take place on Wednesday 25th May in the Primary School. All households should receive leaflets advertising this event. The Working Group will await confirmation of a) which site - the old factory or the agricultural land - an application is to be made in respect of and b) how many houses are being proposed. Once these facts are known, a village wide consultation will be carried out. Ideally this will take place in June and although it will therefore coincide with the run up to the EU referendum, nevertheless it is important that people's views are ascertained before the summer holiday period. The working group needs a small army of volunteers to visit people's houses and ensure that completed questionnaires are collected. A high turnout is vital so that the village can be accurately represented by the working group and its Councillors. Please contact me if you would like to help - obviously the more the merrier! Sun Edison Minutes of the May Parish Council meeting [see pages 37-38] will show the grave concern residents attending the meeting and I expressed about the inordinate delay on the part of Meldreth Parish Council in receiving the community contribution of ÂŁ50,000 offered to village as far back as October 2014. SunEdison is now in global financial difficulties and has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the US with over $15bn debts. District Council Electoral Review The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has published its proposals for new warding arrangements for South 46

Cambridgeshire. As anticipated, it is proposed that Meldreth be teamed in a two-member ward with Melbourn, Shepreth and Whaddon. The proposals can be viewed on the boundary commission's website at https://www.lgbce.org.uk/current-reviews/eastern/cambridgeshire/southcambridgeshire. This publication opens the second and final stage of consultation, which will run to 25th July. Filcup Field Reserved matters for the planning conditions placed on the greenhousing and anaerobic digester at Fillcup Field, Meldreth Road are reaching their conclusion. One matter recommended by the environmental health team at SCDC, was referred back to Meldreth and Shepreth Parish Councils and relates to the addition of a roof over the manure and green waste storage. While some residents expressed concerns about odour levels emanating from the proposal for a partially enclosed building, the general opinion was that the material planning matter which was the roof's visual impact, was not felt to be harmful. Philippa Hart District Councillor, Meldreth and Shepreth Ward philippajhart@btinternet.com 07811 323571 or (01763) 261255

Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group Next Meeting: 15th June, Foxton Village Hall All welcome as usual. Doors open at 7.00pm for tea, coffee and a chance to talk informally with rail industry representatives who are always invited to our meetings. Please let me know if youâ€™d like to be added to the Rail User Group email list to receive agendas and notices. Susan van de Ven County Councillor 07905 325574 susanvandeven5@gmail.com 47

News From Heidi Allen www.heidisouthcambs.co.uk As always, it has been an exceptionally busy few weeks with meetings with Ministers about Primary school testing, opening post offices and affordable housing schemes and a visit to a muddy Northstowe! During recent visits to Swavesey and Hauxton Primary Schools, I chatted at length to staff, governors and Headteachers about Key Stage 1 and 2 testing. They expressed concern about the potential for excessive stress on the children and the appropriateness of some of the English grammar tests. Consequently, Nicky Morgan, the Secretary of State for Education kindly agreed to meet me and four ladies I now refer to as my “Super heads” to discuss their concerns. We left the meeting feeling positive and encouraged that the Secretary of State had listened to us. Indeed, I am delighted that in the same month, Nicky has reviewed proposals to force academisation on high performing schools. I am encouraged to believe that the Primary school testing regime may thus be reviewed too. Looking ahead to our leaders of the future, I was delighted to be invited to take questions from the students of Sawston Village College’s Politics Society. It was fantastic to hear their passion and enthusiasm, and an impressive level of political engagement, far more that I displayed at their age! Last month I also visited Northstowe, to see the almost complete Primary school and general progress on site. I am pleased to report that at long last, we will see houses being built towards the end of the year. Housing as you know, is one of our greatest challenges in South Cambridgeshire, especially affordable housing. So I was pleased to be asked to officially open a scheme of part rent, part buy homes built by CHS in Whittlesford. Beautifully finished, they will be a great asset to the local community. There were more reasons to celebrate as I opened the new post office in Cottenham and refurbished village stores and post office in Oakington. Post Offices provide a vital lifeline so I work on a regular basis with Post Office UK to ensure we keep ours going. I am currently working with councillors in Cambourne to try and identify a site there. A final item worth mentioning as I sign off this month, is a meeting I had with Liz Truss, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and 48

Rural Affairs. I asked to meet with her on behalf of a number of my farmers who were experiencing delays in their annual payments. I am told they should now all be completed by the deadline, but please do get in touch with Julia in my office if you are still waiting to hear. You might recall from my last newsletter that I had been trialling a new “no appointment necessary” surgery model. I have held two further such surgeries in Cottenham and Queen Edith’s which proved very popular with dozens of residents attending to talk to me about various issues. Please see my website www.heidisouthcambs.co.uk/residentsdrop-surgeries for details of the next dates in Whittlesford, Papworth and Bar Hill. As always, please don’t hesitate to get in touch if I can help you with anything. You can contact me by telephone on (01954) 212707 or via email at heidi.allen.mp@parliament.uk. Heidi Allen MP

Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme

Now operating in Meldreth Can we help you? Your relative? Your neighbour? What are our Services? The wardens make regular visits and telephone calls to provide social contact and friendship. They help people to keep safe and healthy in their homes and carry out errands around the villages for their clients, including shopping, collecting prescriptions and paying bills. Wardens assist clients to access other support they may need such as domestic help, home maintenance , meals or benefits etc. What will it cost? We do have to make a small weekly charge for the services. The fee is only £6 per week (a little more for couples). How can I join? For more information please contact Jeannie on 07808 735066 or Jane on 07592 821976. Melbourn Warden Scheme is a registered charity 49

Notes From a Small Garden Jim writes: there are many varieties of Primula Auricula and they are the aristocrats of the primula family. They make a stunning display in late spring and early summer and plants or seeds can be purchased from several specialist growers. Like all primulas they need light, air and cool temperatures to germinate. The seeds are best sown on the surface of fine well drained compost in March or early April. Keep frost free and no other heat is needed. We have pricked out our seedlings but will have to wait until next spring to see the resulting colours. Julie has been trying to grow these primula-headed like flowers beloved by Victorians, for some years and now has quite a collection. She moves them indoors over the winter as they are not frost hardy in her garden. The yellow ones seem to grow most strongly. She finds that they need repotting each year and benefit from covering the earth with gravel. A Marjorie Seedling plum tree, Julie's favourite, which Jim and Jane planted three years ago has grown up too high so they have pegged down the lower branches to make a weeping tree and cut out the higher ones. This is an unusual shape for a plum tree but hopefully will bring the fruit into easier reach. It can be seen to the left of Jim's front garden and Julie awaits to see what happens with interest! May and June must be two of the favourite months for gardeners. But what an odd May we had and with such extremes of temperature too! Alas the crab apple and cherry blossom were over much too fast, and the perfect small daffodil "pheasant eye" only lasted two days. It has such a memorable strong perfume. Julie's mother had a bed near a wall in the vegetable garden measuring about 20 feet x 12 feet when she was a child. One of her favourite things to be allowed to do in the summer, when she was old enough not just to pick the heads without the stalks, would be to pick large bunches and put them into vases all over the house. Growers admit that lately this variety of late- flowering daffodil is not so strong, has lost some of its wonderful smell and alas, is less inclined to naturalise. 50

Meanwhile in June there are the roses to look forward to, Chelsea on the TV if you aren't able to get tickets and the daily joy of walking round the garden to see what has come out next, what has died and what thrived! Things to do Harden off runner and dwarf beans before planting out. Plant bulbs, which have been grown in pots, out in the garden. Prune/thin out all stoned fruit trees, i.e. plums, peaches and apricots. And most important of all, sit in your garden with a drink and enjoy it. Jim and Julie juliedraper@dumbflea.co.uk, (01763) 260323 jane_eggleton@yahoo.co.uk, (01763) 261824

Meldreth Primary School Summer Swim and BBQ

J.P.K. Plumbing and Heating Jack Kew

Friday 8th July 5.00 - 8.00pm Flambards Close, Meldreth Hertfordshire. SG8 6JX

BBQ, licensed bar, swimming, face painting, games and much more! Raffle: win LodeStar Festival tickets (see page 58)

Tel: 01763 260693 Mobile: 07870 496498 Email: J.p.k@live.co.uk

Further details will be in the July issue of Meldreth Matters Meldreth Primary School 51

The Elderly Cat Many of us have had our cats since they were kittens; a little ball of fluff hanging off the curtains and stalking your toes as they walk past ... pouncing on anything that moves ! Through their adult lives, cats are usually ferociously independent and get on with their lives with seemingly very little intervention required from us. This independence is something that often attracts us to them in the first place, but what happens when they start to get older? What should we be concerned about as owners and what are the signs we should be looking for that our cat may be in need of a little extra TLC? Veterinary professionals start to consider cats as “getting on a bit” when they reach about 8 years old. Annual vaccinations are very important; not only for the vaccine itself but for the health check that comes with it. Most will actually need some dental attention before then, so usually the first thing to keep an eye on is their teeth and potential dental issues can usually be spotted by the vet at this check. Dental pain is terrible for them and so it is very important to have this check done at least annually. As they get older, cats can start to suffer from similar diseases to us. A touch of arthritis is often hidden well by kitty, you may just notice that he or she doesn't move around quite as much, spends more time sleeping or doesn't jump up onto high surfaces like they used to. They also may not groom properly as it is too sore to reach right around! A daily painkiller prescribed by your vet may be all it needs to get the arthritic cat pouncing about again! Heart disease, diabetes and kidney disease are also relatively common in older felines, and can be treated. When owners are talking about their cat, who isn't quite right for whatever reason, far too many times vets hear “but he's old now!” - old age being considered almost like a disease in itself. But just because he is old it doesn't mean we can’t help him, and sometimes in very simple ways! I feel I have to mention hyperthyroidism in cats here. This is a disease often missed by owners as one of the symptoms is that the cat is always ... and I mean ALWAYS ... hungry! Any cat that seems to be losing weight, yowling loudly and constantly hungry is best checked for this quite serious disease which, if left untreated, can cause serious heart problems. 52

Remember that cats are experts at hiding when they are unwell. They may just go and hide, or go a bit quiet, go off their food a little bit or drink a little more. They key to being a great older-cat owner is to be observant and if anything changes then give your vet a call. It might be nothing, but even cats with serious diseases have a much better chance of full recovery if the disease is caught early enough. I love older cats. They have decided that our homes are good ones and that we are worthy of their company so I think the least we can do is look out for them as they get older and remember that they are not the kittens they once were ... Joanna Brown RVN

Volunteering Opportunity Home-Start Royston & South Cambridgeshire Home-Startâ€™s volunteers are all parents or grandparents who can give a few hours a week to help families who are finding it difficult to cope. All parents need emotional and practical help to get through the first few years, but not everyone has friends or family nearby. Home-Start will be running an eight-session training course for new volunteers on 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st, 27th & 28th September and 4th & 5th October 2016 from 9.30am to 2.30pm. For more details contact Sarah or Jackie at: Home-Start Royston & South Cambridgeshire, Unit 6, Valley Farm, Station Road, Meldreth, Royston, Herts, SG8 6JP Tel: (01763) 262262 Email: admin@hsrsc.org.uk Website: www.hsrsc.org.uk Registered Charity No 1105385 53

Meldreth Neighbourhood Watch The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) and Action Fraud have noticed a rise in the reporting of pets, and in particular puppies and kittens, being advertised for sale via popular online auction websites. The fraudsters will place an advert of the pet for sale, often claiming that the pet is currently held somewhere less accessible or overseas. Upon agreement of a sale, the suspect will usually request an advance payment by money transfer or bank transfer. However, the pet does not materialise and the fraudster will subsequently ask for further advanced payments for courier charges, shipping fees and additional transportation costs. Even if further payments are made, the pet will still not materialise as it is likely that the pet does not exist. Protect Yourself: Stay within auction guidelines. Be cautious if the seller initially requests payment via one method, but later claims that due to ‘issues with their account’ they will need to take the payment via an alternative method such as a bank transfer. Consider conducting research on other information provided by the seller, for example a mobile phone number or email address used by the seller could alert you to any negative information associated with the number/email address online. Request details of the courier company being used and consider researching it. Agree a suitable time to meet face to face to agree the purchase and to collect the pet. If the seller is reluctant to meet then it could be an indication that the pet does not exist. A genuine seller should be keen to ensure that the pet is going to a caring and loving new home. If the seller does not express any interest in you and the pet’s new home, be wary. If you think the purchase price is too good to be true then it probably is, especially if the pet is advertised as a pure-breed. Do not be afraid to request copies of the pet’s inoculation history, breed paperwork and certification prior to agreeing a sale. If the seller is reluctant or unable to provide this information it could be 54

an indication that either the pet does not exist or the pet has been illegally bred e.g. it originates from a ‘puppy farm’. When thinking of buying a pet, consider buying it in person from rescue centres or from a reputable breeder. If you have been affected by this, or any other scam, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or visiting Action Fraud the Cambridge Police website for reporting a variety of issues: www.contactcambspolice.uk. If you are the sort of person who likes to watch out for neighbours and notices things out of the ordinary, joining Neighbourhood Watch in Meldreth will allow you to contribute to keeping crime low across South Cambridgeshire. Please contact Graham Borgonon on (01763) 260358. Meldreth Neighbourhood Watch

BBC’s Flog It Comes to Bletchley Park The 1000th edition of Flog It, the popular BBC One antiques programme presented by Paul Martin, will be recorded at Bletchley Park on Wednesday 22nd June. Flog It is now in its fifteenth series and regularly achieves an audience of more than two million viewers. Rather like a treasure hunt, members of the public are invited to visit the heritage attraction with up to three antiques or collectables they might be interested in selling. Once valued in this iconic location, the owner and a team of experts decide whether an object should go forward for auction. If the item is chosen for inclusion in the show it is taken to auction a few weeks later – hopefully when the auctioneer’s hammer falls, its owners make a tidy sum. Everyone who goes along to the valuation day will receive a free appraisal of their items – even if their antiques are not chosen for filming or to go to auction. Flog It will be at Bletchley Park between 9.30am and 4.00pm on Wednesday 22 June. The items selected at the valuation day will go under the hammer at Jones and Jacob Auctioneers in Watlington, Oxfordshire on Wednesday 13th July. Bletchley Park is open to visitors daily. Bletchley Park 55

Local Events in June Friday 3rd June, 10.00am-4.30pm Herts Heritage Roadshow, Royston Library Free short talks and information on local museums and heritage, family history advice and more. Free admission. No booking necessary. Tuesday 7th June, 2.00pm to 6.00pm Cambridgeshire Community Fair, The Burgess Hall, Westwood Road, St Ives PE27 6WU Over 60 stalls showcasing the work of voluntary and community organisations, local authorities and funders across the county. For more information: www.cambscommunityfair.wordpress.com. Saturday 11th June, 11.00am to 3.00pm Trumpington Meadows Discovery Day, Cambridge CB3 9ND Arts, crafts and nature walks to mark official opening of this new nature reserve. Free. Bring picnic though refreshments also served. Saturday 11th June, 7.30pm Beetle Drive at All Saints Community Hall, Melbourn Hosted by Supporters of All Saints and in aid of the church fabric fund. Tickets £10 for non-members and £9 for SOAS members from (01763) 260072. This includes a glass of wine/soft drink plus a ploughman’s. Sunday 12th June, 2.00pm to 5.00pm Open Garden, Kingston Wood Manor, Kingston CB23 2TT Mature 4 acre gardens surround this beautiful moated C15 manor house. Admission £5, children free. Teas served. Access from the A1198, 1 mile north of Arrington. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times as there is open water. No dogs please. All proceeds to the Church of All Saints and St Andrew, Kingston. Saturday 18th June, 8.30am Men’s Breakfast Meeting Deans Farm, Long Lane, Fowlmere SG8 7TG After breakfast we will walk a few yards to a wild flower meadow for a tour of the various and interesting different types of flowers & orchids. Saturday 18th June, 7.30pm ‘A Royal Bouquet’, Orwell Singers Summer Concert, Orwell Village Hall SG8 5QN Music and reflections to celebrate the Queen’s 90 years. Tickets £10, (includes buffet): Orwell Post Office or Katie Reed (01223) 207387. 56

Saturday 18th June, Melbourn Village Fete 1.00pm to 5.00pm and Music on the Moor 5.00pm to 11.00pm Sports Field behind Melbourn Village College Popular and lively fete with stalls, entertainment, food and much more. Heidi Allen MP will be opening the fete. Entry £2 (£1 concessions). Full details: www.melbournfete.co.uk. Sunday 19th June, 12.00pm to 3.00pm ‘Beer & BBQ for Fathers’ Day’, Bletchley Park, Bletchley, MK3 6EB Dads and their families can enjoy the traditional barbecue with locallybrewed beer, plus the vintage sound of a swing band, the Bevin Boys. Usual admission then buy BBQ voucher. Wednesday 22nd June, 10.00-11.30am Guided Walk on Therfield Heath A short walk with commentary by the walk’s leader, on the flora and fauna of the heath and its long history dating back to prehistoric times. Suggested donation £3 per person. Bookings: Jenny Oxley, Royston Museum (01763) 242587 or email curator@roystonmuseum.org.uk. Saturday 25th June, 7.30pm Royston Choral Society Summer Concert, ‘Dido and Aeneas’ Barkway Church, Hertfordshire SG8 8EJ Purcell’s opera, directed by Andrew O’Brien with soprano Nina Bennett. Tickets £12 (concessions £9, school students £1) from Caroline Franks on (01920) 822723, choir members, or on the door. Sunday 26th June, 7.30pm ‘Singing on the River’, King’s College Riverbank, Cambridge A quintessential Cambridge summer evening with close harmony singing by the King’s Men, Choral Scholars of the King’s College Choir Bring a picnic! Concert will take place in the Chapel if it rains. Tickets £12 from www.shop@kings.cam.ac.uk or (01223) 769342. Tuesday 28th June, 10.30am to 11.30am Drawing Workshop, Royston Museum, Royston SG8 5AL Draw wonderful objects from the Museum’s collections. £5 admission. Led by local artist Susan Sanders. To book and for more information: curator@roystonmuseum.org.uk or phone (01763) 242587. 57

Compiled by John Crawforth

Forthcoming Events Saturday 2nd July, 7.30pm: Take That at Gardeners Question Time, Foxton Village Hall This show will feature three well-known personalities from Foxton, Debora Clark from Melbourn and some singers from Foxton singing familiar songs from the pop world. Tickets are available from the Foxton Post Office Shop and White Horse pub. For further information contact Andy Ranner on (01223) 874143, email AndyRanner@yahoo.co.uk or contact Mark Howard on (01223) 503377, email Mark-Howard @UWclub.net. Friday 8th July: Illyria Outdoor Theatre, Fowlmere Village Hall Illyria will be performing Roald Dahl’s “Danny the Champion of the World”. Gates open 6.30pm for 7.30pm start. Tickets cost £14 per adult, £7 per child and are available from (01763) 208516, (01763) 208364, or online from illyria.uk.com (£1.95 booking fee applies online). Performance lasts approximately 1hr 45mins (including a 20 minute interval). Please bring your own seating/rug, warm clothes and picnic if required. Cancellation in the event of a hurricane only, when the performance will be rescheduled. Tickets are non-refundable. This is a fund-raising event for Fowlmere village Hall and Recreation Ground, charity number 284524. Friday 2nd September - Sunday 4th September: LodeStar Festival LodeStar is a family-friendly festival. In its eight years it has grown by word of mouth and support from the community. Gates open at 10.00am and close on Monday 5th September at noon. Book your tickets now online www.lodestarfestival.com or telephone (01223) 813318. Exciting new artists performing live music; family fun on flat, lawn-like fields; creative crafts and colourful market stalls; great workshops; captivating theatre and top entertainment; archery; power kiting; face painting; quality food and drink. For full details, or to purchase tickets, visit www.lodestarfestival.com. 58

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Planning Matters Parish Council Reference and Detail Address 104 High Street Erection of six S/2519/14/FL residential flats, bin store and new link with additional commercial (B1 office) space for existing commercial unit.

Parish Council Recommend

104 High Street, New carport S/0558/16/FL

Meldreth PC recommend Approval with no comments

Fillcup Field, S/2944/14/FL

'The Parish Council welcomes the information that there is likely to be no more than one vehicle movement a week bringing in fresh farmyard manure. This will go a long way to appease the anger in Meldreth that all traffic to the site is being routed through the village and in particular through the accident cluster spot at the Fenny Lane crossroads. We also welcome the amendment to cover the storage area to reduce odour pollution and do not believe the increased visual intrusion will affect Meldreth residents since it is at the rear of the site. However, given that it is anticipated that the fresh manure will be loaded into the Biodigester in 24 to 48 hours we are confused by the the need for two 30m X 16m silage storage areas which seem to be capable of storing considerably more material. We would like to see conditions imposed, as suggested, to ensure limits to the amount of material and the time that it is on site.'

Comments regarding three new drawings on the already approved development. Drawings have been submitted in response to condition 17 of the planning permission. This condition requires details of how the open air fill material and digestate are to be stored without giving rise to unacceptable levels of odours. Comments from the Parish Council have been requested.

Meldreth PC recommend 'no objections' with comments. 'Are there adequate parking spaces for the commercial units in terms of numbers of employees and the spaces being provided for residents. There is still concern on spillage of vehicles parking along the High Street in this area.

continued ... 60

Reference and Address 4 Stone Lane, S/0800/16/FL

Detail

Parish Council Recommend Demolition of the existing garage to south/ Meldreth PC west elevation and the conservatory at the recommend rear, new dormer attic/conversion to the Approval with rear. Removal of the existing windows and comments. 'The replacement of same with different style Parish Council windows including alterations to the would like to see window opening, alterations to the details of the existing porch at the front and placement proposed of external insulation to all external windows'. elevations to the house.

62 North End, S/0875/16/DC

Discharge of condition 4 (materials) of planning permission S/2290/15/FL

Information only

Other Items: 1. The new delegation procedure has now been approved. There will be a new recommendation whereby Parish Councils can ask for the application to go to full planning committee at SCDC. However, the Parish Council need good planning reasons for doing this. 2. Mr Collier addressed the Council with a proposal from Tingdene Park Homes. They will also be attending the Annual Village Meeting so that residents can also be informed of this proposal. Tingdene are just one company, who supply park homes. Last year's survey, carried out by the Mettle Hill Working Group, indicated that this was one such project that residents may be in favour of. Residents associated with Park Homes are normally aged 45+ and are either retired or semi-retired. Park Home housing is normally provided to people who are wishing to down-size. There are rules and regulations which have to be adhered to and these are implemented by the Park Home developer. These can include anything from speed restrictions to pets. Tingdene are happy to develop the three-acre area, thus leaving the remaining two acres to be developed for the community, be that a community orchard, allotments etc. The agreement would be between the home owner and the owner of the land 'Mobile Home Act'. Tingdene sell the properties, on a 10 year lease, 40% of profit would go to the land owner. If Tingdene were to lease the land from the Parish Council they would need a minimum of 10 years in order to recoup their costs. There would be approximately 11-12 homes per acre of land. It would take approximately four weeks to clear the land. The full minutes of Meldreth Parish Council planning meetings are available on the Parish Councilâ€™s website, www.meldreth-pc.org.uk. 61

continued ...

Planning Matters SCDC Decisions Reference and Address Decision

1a Chiswick End, S/2720/15/FL

Permission has been granted for a single storey rear extension and a carport for two cars in forecourt.

73 High Street, S/0563/16/LB

Permission has been granted for repair and reinstatement of existing gable wall of The Homestead, following demolition of the abutting Maycroft care home prior to redevelopment.

Meldreth Parish Council Editorâ€™s Note: Full details of all planning applications may be viewed at this website: http://plan.scambs.gov.uk/swiftlg/apas/run/wphappcriteria.display

MELDRETH TENNIS CLUB invites new members to join us We are a friendly and enthusiastic club seeking to increase our membership ALL STANDARDS WELCOME Come and try us out at the following times: Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday mornings 10.00 - 12 .00pm Wednesday mornings 9.30am -12.00pm Tuesday evenings 6.00 - 8.00pm For further information telephone Jo Kitteridge on 07771 823064 62

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

Tel: 01763 242909 meridian.lawncare@btconnect.com

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

TCS Design

CharteredArchitecturalTechnologists

Architectural Design ▪ Planning Drawings ▪ Building Regulations ▪ Construction Drawings ▪ Project Administration

Providing personal and professional architectural design service from inception to completion for all residential and commercial construction projects. Our services include: • • • • • • •

Feasibility Studies Concept Designs and 3D Sketches Planning Drawings Building Regulations and Construction Drawings Specifications Tender Management Project Administration

For further information and examples of our work please visit our website

www.tcs-design.co.uk Unit 9, Avenue Business Park, Brockley Road, Elsworth, Cambridge CB23 4EY t: 01954 267771 m: 07962 066132 e: info@tcs-design.co.uk New Buildings ▪ Extensions ▪ Alterations ▪ Refurbishments ▪ Conversions ▪ Space Planning ▪ Low Energy Design

MELBOURN FLOORING AND INTERIORS LIMITED Cherry Park, Cambridge Road, Melbourn, SG8 6EY Tel: 01763 262413 Fax: 01763 262450 Vast Range of Carpets, Vinyls, Real Wood, Laminates, Karndean, Amtico and Project Floors Free Estimates - Fitting by experienced staff Dulux Paint stocked in a wide range of colours Over 6000 Wallpaper samples Colour co-ordination service by experienced staff Designer Fabrics, most with next day delivery - Curtain making service Match flooring to walls and fabric for a designer finish New Tile showroom at 26 Royston Road, Foxton, CB22 6SE, 01223 870011. 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.

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 helpâ€¦ 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

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service 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 is delivering water safety education to every school in Cambridgeshire as part of its #RememberRony, launched following the tragic death of a Cambridgeshire teenager. However, 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, call 01480 444500. Find us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service

Did You Know? Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust has launched a new charity lottery. Each week players have the chance to win a £25,000 jackpot plus many other fantastic cash prizes from just £1 entry per week and at the same time help ACT raise funds to support patient care at Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie hospitals! To sign-up or find out more see www.act4addenbrookes.org.uk/lottery, call (01223) 217757 or email lottery@act4addenbrookes.org.uk. 65

(01763) 262199 Mick Taylor—(01763) 261118 Graham Borgonon—(01763) 260358 (01763) 262158, open 7am-10pm, 7 days Sherida Richards—(01763) 262512 Paul Ray—(01763) 260304

Good Companions Local History Group Lunch Club Melwood Cons. Group

L. Pocknell—(01763) 261432 (01763) 260129; www.meldrethhistory.org.uk Nikki & Julie 07599 292327 (01763) 232855; www.melwood.btck.co.uk

Photographic Group

www.melbourn-photographic-club.co.uk

Revelation U3A WI

Miriam Skuce—(01763) 262440 Chris Davison—(01763) 264189 Maureen Moody—(01763) 260938

Sport

Bowls Club Croquet Club Meldreth United FC Table Tennis Tennis Club

Shirley Lambert (01223) 207888 Janet Pope (01763) 248342 07930 650036 Christine Knight—(01763) 261676 Tracy Aggett—(01763) 243376

Church

Rev. Mary Price Bells John Price (Friends)

(01763) 261569; www.meldrethchurch.org.uk Peter Hinton—(01763) 262045 (01763) 260048; www.foht.org.uk

Baby & Toddler Group Pre-School Primary School

Rosalind Wing - 07432 150721 07518 173653; www.meldrethpreschool.com (01763) 260432; www.meldreth.cambs.sch.uk

Parish Council District Councillor District Council Offices

Please see details at end of Parish Council report Philippa Hart—(01763) 261255 03450 450500; www.scambs.gov.uk/ Susan van de Ven—07905325574 susanvandeven.mycouncillor.org.uk/ 0345 045 5200; www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/ Heidi Allen—(01954) 212707 www.heidisouthcambs.co.uk/

Councils & Govt.

Clubs & Societies

Facilities

Community Access Point Litter Picker Neighbourhood Watch One Stop Village Hall Bookings Village Hall Chairman

Childn.

Village Directory

County Councillor County Council Offices MP

Transport Health Support Services Emergencies NonEmerg. Misc.

Station Ticket Office

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

Rail User Group

(01763) 261833; www.melbourn.org.uk/railusergroup

Govia/Great Northern

www.thameslinkrailway.com

The Trainline Stagecoach Potholes, Highways problems, etc. Streetlights (faulty)

www.thetrainline.com www.stagecoachbus.com/Cambridge 0345 045 5212; http://www2.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/ HighwaysReports/Highways/ReportProblem1.aspx 08007838 247 - give location, fault & SC or CCC no.

Melbourn Surgery Addenbrookeâ€™s NHS

(01763) 260220; Dispensaryâ€”(01763) 261246 (01223) 245151 111 (24 hour non-emergency number)

Childline

Community Transport Home-Start Mind (mental health) Samaritans

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

General Emergency Gas Electricity Anglian Water Cambridge Water

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

Crimestoppers

S Cambs Fire & Rescue

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

Melbourn Hub

(01763) 263303; www.melbournhub.com

Royston Museum

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

Citizens Advice Bureau

Police

Details of village groups and facilities can be found on the PC website,

www.meldreth-pc.org.uk or the Meldreth Today section at www.meldrethhistory.org.uk. 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 Meldreth Matters is available online at free.yudu.com (search for Meldreth)

Advertising Rates Size per issue Half page £27.25 Quarter page £16.50 Eighth page £8.75 Business listing per line

6 months £134.00 £74.00 £43.00 £11.00

12 months £216.00 £118.00 £65.00 £16.00

Occasional full page advertising features are also available on request. For all advertising enquiries, please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com or telephone Beverley Cottrell on (01763) 262176.

Index to Advertisers Meldreth Matters depends entirely on advertising revenue to cover its production costs. Please mention Meldreth Matters when contacting our advertisers. A10 Timber ...................................... 11 Affordable Plumbing .......................... 4 Armstrong Window Cleaners ........... 18 Art of Clean ...................................... 18 Art of Clean Wood ........................... 63 B2B Automotive ......................... Cover Bracey’s Accountants ....................... 33 Cambourne Self Storage .................. 36 Cambridge Roofers ............................ 4 CHS Day Centre .............................. 43 CHS Group ...................................... 18 Coton Electrical ............................... 43 The Country Store ........................... 29 Eternit Sports and Social Club ............ 4 Gilhooly ...................................... Cover Handyman ........................................ 59 Home Foot Care .............................. 25 iPlaster ............................................. 29 JPK Plumbing and Heating ............... 51 Keyholes Driving School ................... 36 Lawn Partners ................................. 43 The Letting Centre ........................... 25 Little Hands Nursery School ............ 36 Lynn Driscoll Foot Care .................. 59 Mandy Thornton Counselling ......... 11

MCT Construction ........................... 25 Melbourn Flooring ........................... 64 Melbourn Village College.................. 59 Meldreth Landscapes .......................... 4 Meldreth Plant Hire .......................... 45 Meridian Lawncare .......................... 63 Michael Easton Personal Trainer ..... 18 Moncraft Computers ........................ 29 Newlings of Royston Funeral Service 43 Nigel Wigg Home Improvement ...... 29 Penn Farm Physiotherapy .................. 33 Quicksilver Yoga............................... 29 Reflections Hair Studio ..................... 11 Richard Burns Electrician .................. 18 Rod’s PC Support.............................. 64 Royston Fencing................................ 33 Salisbury String Quartet ................... 36 Shelford Energy ................................. 36 Slimming World ......................... Cover Spice Hut Indian Takeaway .............. 11 Summit Landscapes .......................... 29 TCS Design ...................................... 63 Village Garden Services .................... 63 Walkers Partnership Solicitors .... Cover Weight Loss and Nutritional Advice . 59 68

THE WALKERS PARTNERSHIP SOLICITORS DO YOU NEED TO MAKE A WILL OR REVISE YOUR EXISTING WILL? If so, please take advantage of our reduced rate wills offer. Please note that reduced rate wills will be available every week day from 8.00am until 6.00pm, and on Tuesday evenings until 8.00pm, by appointment only. Also on the Saturday mornings of 4th and 18th June 2016, again by appointment only: Reduced rates are:Double Wills - £250.00 plus VAT Single Will - £130.00 plus VAT HOME VISITS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT NO EXTRA CHARGE WITHIN A 20 MILE RADIUS OF ROYSTON. For more information please contact:Fish Hill Chambers, 2-3 Fish Hill, Royston, Herts SG8 9JY Tel: 01763 241121 t.donnellan@walkerspartnership.co.uk

G I L H O O LY

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

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

VANS

Flexible working hours to suit you Monday — Saturday

Phone Mick on: 01763 263248

FETE in the CHURCHYARD MELDRETH Saturday 25th June 2016 12:30-3:30 pm

LUNCHTIME BARBEQUE from 12:30pm TEA, COFFEE, CAKES Children’s games & Face-painting Bottle Stall COMPETITION DISPLAYS Cakes and Jams for sale

AUCTION – see page 3 Books, plants, and more…

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