Meldreth Matters, March 2015

March 2015

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

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Meldreth Matters, March 2015 Contents include …

Dennis Dash (1932-2014) March Events in Meldreth Gallery Writers Group Primary School Quiz Night Letters to the Editor General Election 2015 Pre-School Primary School Meldreth & Orchard Manor Melbourn Village College WI & Women’s Group Good Companions Gardening Church Services Good Friday Craft Workshop Friends of Holy Trinity Volunteering Opportunities Planning Matters Major Planning Application American Air Museum Website Crime in 19th Century Meldreth Stop Press: Parish Council Photographic Club District Councillor’s Report County Councillor’s Report A10 Corridor Cycling Local Events in March Crime Prevention Melbourn Sports Centre Local Links Index to Advertisers Local Telephone Numbers

Page 3 4-5 6 7 8 10 12-13 14-15 16 18-19 20-21 21 22 24 25 27 28-29 32-33 34-35 37 38-39 40 43 44 46-47 48-49 50-51 52-53 55 58 59 60

Resorting to Google for inspiration for this month’s column, I discovered that not only does March include Mother’s Day, the beginning of Lent and the official start of spring, but also some rather odd special days. Did you know, for example, that March is home to National Skipping Day, National Doodle Day and World Water Day to name but a few? Or were you aware that March is National Bed Month and that it includes British Pie Week, National Butchers Week and National Salt Awareness Week? Although they may not sound it, most of these do have a serious message to promote.

For my part, I’m already practising for International Waffle Day on 25th March!

Have a good month, Kathryn

Cover: Marvell’s Green in snow. Photograph by Kathryn Betts.

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

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

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

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Dennis Dash (1932-2014) Dennis died on New Year’s Eve. He was born in a cottage in the village and had lived in Meldreth all his life. He had one brother, Neal and two sisters, Mary and Millie. When the council houses were built in West Way the family moved there with their mum and dad. His dad passed away when Dennis was six years old but he and Mary continued to live there.

Dennis went to the village school until the age of twelve then to Melbourn senior school. After leaving school he did his National Service with the army in Singapore. When he returned he had a job as a gardener at Bassingbourn Barracks. He would cycle from Meldreth each day in all weathers to his job. In hot weather he would go to water the plants at weekends as well. At home he loved growing dahlias and chrysanthemums in the front garden, vegetables in the back and tomatoes in his greenhouse.

After he retired he gardened for two ladies who lived locally.

As a young man Dennis played cricket, football for Meldreth and enjoyed going fishing. He loved cats and dogs and once had a Golden Labrador which he walked around the village.

Dennis liked to go on the bus to Royston with his sister and often we would get the train together to Letchworth or Cambridge. In the summer we would sometimes go to the seaside.

Dennis would often cycle to the village shop or, more recently, walk with his sister Mary. He also went to the Good Companions and enjoyed their outings and seeing friends. He had a good sense of humour and would laugh a lot. He liked to watch TV, listen to music and read his newspaper.

In the last two years Dennis could not walk to the shop and needed help but still loved to see his friends. In addition to the help that we were able to give them, he and Mary had a lot of help from Angela and Tom who lived opposite them. Recently they had moved to a care home at Eaton Socon.

Dennis will be sadly missed by all his family and friends.

Lynda and Denise Pearmain 3

March Events in Meldreth To see your events listed, please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com Friday 6th March 7.00 for 7.30pm Primary School Quiz Meldreth Primary School See page 7 for further details Saturday 7th March 10.30am-12 noon Coffee Break Sheltered Housing Community Room, Elin Way Donations of cakes or biscuits will be most welcome. Should anyone wish to join our rota please get in touch with me. The venue and our Coffee Break mornings are also open to any village charities wishing to hold a fund-raising event. We shall be pleased to see you.

Marion Long (01763) 261365 Saturday 14th March 12.00-2.00pm Link Murang’a Day Meldreth Church meeting room See back page for details

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

Interested? Call Ron on (01763) 262199 4

Monday 23rd March 10.00am to midday MLHG Coffee Morning Sheltered Housing Community Room, Elin Way Please join us for our next coffee morning, when Chris Duguid and I will be talking about Meldreth Railway Station; its history and its characters.

We do have information on the station on our website, www.meldrethhistory.org.uk, but would welcome your own memories, so please come along on 23rd or contact Chris in advance on (01763) 260802 or email chrisduguid@btinternet.com.

Meldreth signal box

As usual, refreshments will be provided free of charge and everyone is welcome.

Terry Dash Meldreth Local History Group

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Gallery Writers Group We are a group of writers meeting monthly on Tuesday evenings to talk and write stories, poems, scripts, memoirs and anything else that comes under the umbrella of creative writing. So, if you are a secret writer, why not come out of your writing shell and join us? We welcome anyone who writes, who is interested and wants to share with others.

You will be pleasantly surprised. In my experience, I found an audience to talk and listen to, in a relaxing and supportive environment. We also have fun!

In the last few years we have put on a variety of performances; the most recent being in November 2014 when we joined Meldreth Local History Group for their First World War Exhibition. We read stories and poems on this theme and they were well received.

We can no longer meet in the Tavern Gallery, but if you are interested in joining us, please contact me on (01763) 360924 or Clare Crossman on (01763) 261300. Our next meeting which will be held on Tuesday 17th March at 7.30pm at 34 High Street, Meldreth. On that occasion we will be looking at memoir writing.

Hope you can join us!

Eleanor Fitzgerald Editor’s Note: Examples of the Tavern Gallery Writers’ work can be found on Meldreth Local History Group’s website, www.meldrethhistory.org.uk.

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Letters to the Editor Keith Jacklin The family of Keith Jacklin would like to thank everyone who sent messages of condolence and those who attended his funeral, for all their support, prayers and comfort at this sad time. Thank you also for the very generous donations made to the British Heart Foundation in Keith's memory.

Carol Mander

Proposed Housing Developments There are currently three speculative planning applications being considered by South Cambridgeshire District Council which, if passed, would add a total of 509 homes in Barrington, Foxton and Melbourn.

Surveys of local people in Barrington and Foxton show that around 90% are against these developments.

I would like to urge everyone who values the way of life which we enjoy in our villages to take up their pens or computers and write to Paul Sexton, Principal Planning Officer at SCDC, voicing their objections to these schemes. Whilst a modest number of new houses, particularly for local people, is to be welcomed, rampant over-development of the type proposed is simply unacceptable. There is no infrastructure plan to address their impact on our already over-stretched surgeries, hospitals and schools or on our narrow country roads, with their many potentially dangerous junctions and level crossings.

Apart from the above, we see enormous new housing developments on all sides of Cambridge and the North Hertfordshire District Council draft local plan proposes no less than 1485 new houses for Royston.

Unless we strenuously resist these plans we will find ourselves living not in a village but in a vast conurbation and I, for one, really do not want to see that happen.

David Smith 64 High Street, Meldreth

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General Election 2015 The General Election will take place on 7th May. This month’s profile is on the Liberal Democrat candidate, Sebastian Kindersley.

I am honoured to have been selected to fight South Cambridgeshire for the Liberal Democrats for a second time. In 2010 over 20,000 South Cambridgeshire residents gave me their support, for which I remain very grateful.

Strictly speaking an immigrant (I was born in Scotland) I’ve lived and had a business in South Cambs since 1988 – at East Hatley near Gamlingay – so South Cambs has been my home for over 25 years. Since 1999 I’ve represented local people and parishes stretching from Gamlingay to Haslingfield on the District and County Councils and I’ve been actively involved in trying to make South Cambs a better place for us all since then.

Over the past few years more and more people have come to understand that South Cambs is in need of an MP who works for South Cambs above all else. We face unprecedented pressures on our infrastructure and services caused in part by the enormous success of this area. Our everyday lives are now being affected by the impact of development - on roads, health services, schools – and our communities need strong local leadership to ensure this impact does no further damage to OUR South Cambs. As your MP I would lead. I already understand the difficulties in balancing South Cambs as a national powerhouse for the economy as well as keeping our area one of the best places to live in the UK. In this area our villages will shortly be joined by our first town and we need an MP with both a long-term vision and a caring eye on what is already planned.

Some Meldreth residents may remember me from my support of the community over Mettle Hill. Parishes such as Meldreth already have strong local voices from their Councillors at County and District level.

We need to make sure – YOU need to make sure – that those local voices are heard at Westminster as well. Thank you for your support.

Sebastian Kindersley (01767) 651982 or 07710 467258 Editor’s Note: Sebastian Kindersley will be speaking on 27th March in Foxton Village Hall (see page 51) and at the Men’s Breakfast Meeting in Foxton on Saturday 18th April.

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Meldreth Pre-School www.meldrethpreschool.com

Spring is finally upon us and in March we will be doing lots of arts and crafts with the children to celebrate Mother’s day and Easter. With the better weather hopefully on its way we plan to spend more time outside enjoying the garden.

We will continue with our letter of the week – this has really grabbed the children’s enthusiasm and it’s great to see their passion for learning.

Our fundraising race night took place on 28th February – thank you to all who came and supported the event. We hope to have made lots of money to help with the running of the Pre-School.

The Pre-School is a charity and is run by a small committee of volunteers. Without them and the fundraising efforts our village would not have such a great asset. We have had some challenging times recently so thank you all for your patience, understanding and continued support. We are currently looking for a new treasurer. If you think you could help with this role, please email preschool@meldrethpreschool.com for more details or pop into the setting and speak to the staff.

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

We are filling our places fast, so anyone looking for new or increased hours needs to contact the Preschool as soon as possible. Either call the Pre-School on 07518 173653 or email Sarah Isle at preschool@meldrethpreschool.com. If you are keen to join us in September it’s not too early to come for a visit and get your name down!

Meldreth Pre-School 12

Meldreth Pre-School Staff vacancy We are looking for someone with a CACHE Level 2/3 in Childcare to join our team. Shifts are 8.30am-12.30pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, open as one role or shared between two people. Also other overtime shifts to cover training courses.

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

For more information about these opportunities please contact Sarah Isle at preschool@meldrethpreschool.com.

Meldreth Pre-School

Meat Raffle at the British Queen A meat raffle is held each Sunday at the British Queen.

The meat is supplied at a discount by Russell Davey and any profits made go into our charity pot.

This year we are hoping to take the older generation out for another day trip to the coast, with lunch and refreshments included.

Raffle tickets cost 50p each and are on sale throughout the week. The raffle is drawn at 5.00pm every Sunday.

Sue Tobin

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

The booklets include five trails around the village and include maps and illustrations.

They cost ÂŁ3.50 and are available from Joan and Tim Gane, by telephoning (01763) 260129.

Proceeds to Meldreth Local History Group.

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Meldreth Primary School www.meldreth.cambs.sch.uk This month’s contribution is about our after school club, which was formed in September of last year and is already proving very popular.

Mrs Sasha Howard, Headteacher We are Meldreth Primary School Out of School Care, better known as the Lookout, and operate an out of school club for breakfast, after school and staff training days in Meldreth Primary School.

We are a self-funding club which runs independently within the school.

We have been running since September 2014 and are growing month by month.

We are currently able to care for up to 25 children per session and are well regarded by staff, parents and the children who attend. This is shown by our numbers; at present we are running almost at full capacity on some days.

Due to the growing success of the club we recently appointed a fourth member of staff to help care for the children. The club prides itself on the wide variety of activities carried out over the year; all aimed at allowing the children to develop skills, build happy relationships at school and also have fun.

We focus on playing the way children like to play and this year have had activities ranging from - celebrating festivals from other cultures by trying foods from that region and doing activities native to that country. For example, we celebrated Chinese New Year by making lanterns and dragon masks and trying foods like bean spouts, noodles and fortune cookies, right through to arts and crafts, movie afternoons, pizza making and baking sessions. We believe that children should have active lifestyles, so try to play outside as much as possible. Every session we support children's interest in the modern world, so allow 14

them access to technology and the schools filtered internet, under supervision.

The Club is available for children attending Meldreth Primary School. However, on parents’ consultation afternoons siblings are also welcomed to the club.

As we have the use of the Primary School facilities we often have a quiet zone for homework and PC use, whilst other children are taking part in dance-offs in the hall, or monkey play on the trim trail. We invite all parents to visit the club, where our staff are on hand to answer questions or talk through suggestions.

We always plan a daily activity with the children. However here at the club we firmly believe that children should be free to make their own choices in their play. Whilst we encourage children to take part in group activities, we also supervise a child's independent play with the large variety of play equipment available during every session.

This is what the children have to say about our club: “It’s brilliant, awesome and epic. We do exercise with hoops and balls in the hall and I love playing and drawing at club.” Alfie “It is FUN! I love everything especially making things and the food is yummy.”

Finn “Smiley Face! My favourite breakfast is cereal and I love to play outside when it is sunny.”

Archie “We wrote a poem….

The toast is yum You can go outside You can play Lego And have fun.”

Theo and Charlie

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Summer events at Meldreth and Orchard Manor We are organising a busy summer here at Meldreth and Orchard Manor and plans are well underway for what we hope is going to be an exciting year.

Meldreth and Orchard Manor Fete We will start the summer term with the Meldreth and Orchard Manor Summer Fete. This year the fete is going to be bigger and better than ever before. It will take place on Saturday 6th June at 12.00pm with the grand opening at 1.00pm. We are “in talks” with some local sports stars so you may be surprised who you see there.

There are many stalls planned including all of the regular stalls. Stay tuned for further information. Any donations to use on the stalls would be gratefully received. Please contact us on (01763) 268000 or pop in to our reception area.

This year we are also opening up the fete to outside stalls/stands. If you would like further information please contact Darrell Mancini on the above number or email darrell.mancini@scope.org.uk.

Royston & District Motorcycle Club Bike Show Next we have the Royston & District Motorcycle Club Bike Show which is being held on Wednesday 17th June. This is a very important fundraising event, with RDMCC donating a large amount of funds to us each year.

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

Please join us to share in our successes over the year as well as participating in our fundraising activities.

So don’t forget to add the dates to your diaries and look out for future articles in local magazines for further information.

You can also check out our Facebook page, “Scope Orchard Manor” where further information will be displayed.

Darrell Mancini Team Leader, Meldreth Manor 16

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17

Melbourn Village College Students from Melbourn Village College and three of its feeder primary schools are gearing up to bring Benjamin Britten’s Noye’s Fludde opera to Cambridgeshire after its successful premiere at two prestigious venues in France. Thirty-two Melbourn students, aged 11-15, plus seventeen 10 and 11 year olds from Foxton, Hauxton and Harston and Newton Primary Schools teamed up with professional actors and musicians, including internationally renowned conductor Arie van Beek, to perform Noye’s Fludde in the Cirque Jules Verne in Amiens and the Theatre Impériale in Compiegne to packed audiences.

The opera, based on the biblical story of Noah, the ark and the flood, saw six soloists from Melbourn taking roles as Noah’s sons and wives.

These were Tom Carrington, Cameron King, Jenny Elliott, Izzy Koyander, Sophie Jelley and Joe Randall. The remainder of the students were in the chorus. Mr and Mrs Noah were played by professionals.

There was also a special opportunity for talented Year 10 cornet player Ben Doughty to join the Orchestre de Picardie for the two performances to audiences of 1,500 and 800 respectively.

To open this opportunity to the widest audience possible, the opera will next be staged at Comberton Sports and Arts, part of Comberton Village College, on 5th & 6th March and tickets can be obtained by calling the Box Office on (01223) 264444 or online at 18

www.wegottickets.com/event/307196 for Thursday and www.wegottickets.com/event/307198 for Friday.

Students from Comberton and Cambourne Village Colleges have been invited to join the chorus for this very special performance.

The performances of Britten’s opera, which was written largely for amateurs and especially children, came about as part of the ACT project, an innovative cross-border cultural heritage and educational exchange programme between twelve arts and education partners from France and England and backed by the European Regional Development Fund.

Pupils have amazing memories from the trip but another positive spinoff has meant the primary students are now feeling more confident about moving on to secondary school. Here are some of the comments: “I like the big children, we also made friends with them and it gives a taste of what MVC will be like and will be less scary when we get there.”

“It was really nice working with Mr and Mrs Noah and the soloists and you get inspired by them. I was worried about going to MVC so it has made me less nervous because I know they are really nice and not big and scary!”

“I really enjoyed getting to know the French children and I now have a penfriend, I have learnt a lot of French words. MVC students are really nice.”

“I enjoyed working with professionals and Amy the director because she was really nice and kind to everyone.”

“I didn’t expect so many in the audience, it was amazing”.

“It was really nice working with Mr and Mrs Noah and the soloists and you get inspired by them”.

And one of the primary teachers, Anna Elliott from Foxton added, “I have thoroughly enjoyed being able to get to know and work alongside colleagues from other schools. I was also very impressed by the behaviour of all the children on the trip and of how well the older children looked out for and supported the younger ones.”

Alison Friday Communications Officer Melbourn Village College 19

Meldreth WI Members were welcomed to the February meeting by our president Mrs Jane Bates. During the business part of the meeting, dates for our diaries included the Women’s Institute Centenary Annual Council meeting at the Comberton Leisure Centre on 11th April and the Group meeting at Barrington on 16th April when the talk will be on "Weird and Wonderful Weddings".

Our speaker for the evening was Sally Kingman who stepped in at the last minute when the advertised speaker was unable to attend. Sally is the Chairman of the Cambridgeshire WI and we were delighted to welcome her to Meldreth to talk on "The History of Ribbons".

She told us that strips of woven fabric were used by the ancient Egyptians with their clothing and in the middle ages pedlars sold expensive ribbons from the Orient. In the 16th century Henry VIII was concerned that such expensive ribbon was being used so extensively that he had a law passed stating that only people of nobility could wear ribbons on their clothing. In 1660 ribbon was being made in a Coventry factory from French silk but in 1766 legislation was brought in by the government that no finished silk goods were to be imported.

This 'trade adornment embargo' was lifted in 1824. Later, as fashions changed this adornment was put on hats, gowns, parasols, etc. Ribbon was in great demand and is still used in so many ways today.

Sally ended the evening by showing members several items she had made using different types of ribbon cleverly woven together including cushions, clutch bags and lavender 'bottles'.

Next month will be our own AGM when a new President and committee will be elected.

Ann Handscombe

Melbourn & Meldreth Women’s Group We held our AGM on Tuesday 27th January at All Saints Community Hall. The meeting was chaired by the Rev. Mary Price and our formal business of giving and receiving of reports was conducted. The committee of Pat Smith, Sue Toule and Anne Harrison was re-elected, there being no other nominations. However, Angela Leach later offered to come onto the committee and we are delighted to have her join us.

20

We also gave out the programme for the coming year and elected the charity for this year. After voting, Home-Start Royston and South Cambridgeshire was chosen. We had a raffle and the proceeds of this will be sent to Home-Start.

After the formal business was conducted Mary said grace and we enjoyed our bring and share supper to which everyone had contributed.

Our next meeting will be on 24th March and this will be a reflection for Lent led by Barbara MacKellar beginning at 7.45pm in the Meeting Room of Holy Trinity Church Meldreth.

The Women’s Group is for women of any age and our meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of every month (except December) beginning at 7.45pm. We are a small and friendly group and if you would like to join us please feel free to do so. We do not have an annual membership fee but charge £1 on each evening with an option to donate to the charity pot. We vary our venue between Melbourn and Meldreth. If you would like to know more please contact me on (01763) 262575, Sue Toule on (01763) 260955 or Anne Harrison on (01763) 261775.

Pat Smith

Good Companions Our January meeting was held in a member’s home and was a chance for us all to have a chat and catch up after Xmas and New Year.

I am very pleased to say that our meeting on 5th February was held in Elin Way Community Hall due to the much appreciated help given to us by Meldreth Parish Council. It was a lively meeting with future trips and activities discussed. For the time being we will be meeting on the first Thursday in each month, our next meeting being 5th March.

Our AGM will be held in April as usual. We have heard that some residents of Meldreth believe our subscription is £60.00 per annum.

May I strongly state that this is not the case, it is actually only £6.00, so there is no excuse for not joining us and having some fun!

L. G. Pocknell, Secretary (01763) 261432 21

Notes From a Small Garden A dry, frost free day is an ideal time to spray peach trees with Bordeaux mixture to help prevent leaf curl. Jim has pruned his roses already and sprayed them with Rose Clear, the first spray was double strength. Julie is leaving her rose pruning until March as her garden is much colder than Jim’s.

Melons, tomatoes and cucumbers have been started off in small seed trays, which were put in a plastic bag and placed in the airing cupboard as mentioned in last month’s garden notes. Jim and Jane have been given a Plucot tree, which is a cross between a plum and an apricot and they have planted it in a sheltered position against a wooden fence.

At the end of January, Veg Plus had a very jolly coffee morning on a beautifully sunny but very cold morning at the Dumb Flea. In fact we just peeped at the snowdrops and aconites out of the kitchen window!

Over the years the aconites have seeded themselves all over one of the big borders, and the snowdrops have been slowly spreading too. Julie usually digs up a trowel full of snowdrops which need splitting, brings them into the house where in the warmth they come out, and then when they are over they are easier to divide and replant. Lots of gardening know-how was exchanged that morning, seed potatoes divvied up and jams exchanged. This was a new idea and very well received. Please contact us if you would like to join Veg plus.

Things to do Sow perennial flowers, many of which will flower in late summer in their first year. Divide and transplant large clumps of herbaceous perennials by putting two forks back to back in the middle of the clump and pushing the handles together. Plant potatoes, prune roses, and sow a small amount of lettuce seed. As this copy goes to press, Julie is going to sow her broad bean seeds in the poly-tunnel. The timing of this was a huge success last year, producing very healthy specimens for planting out at the beginning of April.

Let’s hope for a lovely spring, but not as wet as last year!

Good gardening!

Jim and Julie juliedraper@dumbflea.co.uk, (01763) 260323 jane_eggleton@yahoo.co.uk, (01763) 261824 22

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23

Palm Sunday - 29th March To mark this day, Noah the Donkey will be leading us in procession along the High Street as we celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and the beginning of Holy Week. We meet at 9.15am in the Village Hall car park and make our way to Holy Trinity in time for the 9.45am service.

All welcome!

Pauline Penfold

Holy Trinity Church Services Sunday 1st March 9.45am Family Communion and New Seekers Sunday School Sunday 8th March 8.00am Holy Communion Sunday 15th March 9.45am Family Communion for Mothering Sunday Sunday 22nd March 8.00am Holy Communion Sunday 29th March 9.45am Family Communion

Joint Parish Prayer Group The Prayer Group will be meeting on Tuesday 17th March at 8.00pm at 85 North End Meldreth. We are open to anyone who wishes a time of quietness and prayer and prayer requests are welcomed and treated in confidence.

Marion Long (01763) 261365 24

Good Friday Craft Workshop and Easter Egg Hunt

Holy Trinity Church, Meldreth Friday 3rd April 2015 10.00am - 12 midday Starting with ‘Liquid Worship’ and finishing with an Easter Egg Hunt.

All children and parents welcome.

Lots of paint and glue – please wear suitable clothing.

Children under school age should be accompanied; older children can be signed in and out if a contact telephone number of a responsible adult is left.

For further information contact Karen on (01763) 261885, Ruth on (01763) 260183, David on (01763) 260085, email david@coton.me.uk or just turn up on the day.

25

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26

Friends of Holy Trinity www.foht.org.uk The programme for 2015 has been filled with the following events so far.

Sunday 19th April: Open Gardens Our annual event is one of the first in the Open Gardens season and we plan to have a cross section of interesting gardens around the village.

Friday 15th May: AGM This will be an opportunity to elect some of the committee members, review fundraising and projects in 2014/15 and look forward to the next financial year.

Sunday 19th July: Summer Garden Concert provisionally with a Brass Band Sunday 6th September: 11th Car Show Friday 23rd October: Talk on China A talk by Hans van de Ven based on his passion for Chinese history John Price

Holy Trinity Church Projects Church Heating Sample skirting and fan heaters have now been installed in the church and the insulated underground pipe system will be pressure tested soon.

Following that, installation of the boiler will take place and the company doing this work will connect up the pipework in phases thereafter.

Bell Restoration This project is now 78% funded and we have been invited to make a full application for a landfill grant by the end of February. If successful the project will then be fully funded, Work to dismantle the bells will start in mid April and the restoration work at Whitechapel Bell Foundry will take three to four months. This will include full assembly and testing at their works.

John Price 27

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

Melbourn Youth Club One of Melbourn Youth Club’s two volunteers has now gained paid employment as a fully trained Youth Worker, helping to run the Tuesday evening club and a new volunteer is sought. Please get in touch if you would like to know more about supporting this multiparish project on behalf of our wider community of young people. For further information contact one of the following: Derek Stewart on (01763) 261562, derekstewart67@hotmail.com Philippa Hart on (01763) 261255, philippajhart@btinternet.com Susan van de Ven on (01763) 261833, susanvandeven@yahoo.co.uk.

Home-Start Royston and South Cambridgeshire Can you give a family the most precious gift: your time? Our volunteers are all parents or grandparents who give up a few hours a week to help families who are finding it difficult to cope. A ten-session training course for new volunteers is being held in June and July. The course will run from 9.30am to 2.30pm, dates to be confirmed. For more details visit www.hsrsc.org.uk or contact Sarah or Jackie at Home-Start Royston & South Cambridgeshire by telephoning (01763) 262262 or emailing admin@hsrsc.org.uk.

Marriage and Civil Partnership Ceremonies Volunteer Opportunity We are looking for Meet and Greet Volunteers who can spare a few hours on Saturdays on a regular basis.

This will be a great way to meet new people and feel part of the community.

For more inform ation, please email helen.bentley@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or telephone (01223) 729180.

28

Police Cadet Scheme Do you have what it takes to inspire and encourage a young generation? We are looking for leaders and assistant leaders to support the operation of the Volunteer Police Cadets unit and assist with the planning and delivery of the VPC programme. Following the success of the Peterborough unit, we are launching the scheme in Soham, Wisbech and Cambridge City and need volunteers to join our leader team.

These are fun and rewarding roles allowing you to support young people to enjoy the events and activities, growing in confidence and ability over time. No specific qualifications or experience are necessary as full training and support will be given. Experience of working with young people may be useful but is not essential.

If you can give up a couple of hours each week and want to do something productive and exciting in your free time, this could be exactly what you’re looking for! For further information, please contact Hannah Watson, Volunteer Co-ordinator by telephoning (01954) 713911 or emailing hannah.watson@cambs.pnn.police.uk.

East Anglian Air Ambulance EAAA is looking to recruit more volunteers across the region to help us celebrate 15 years since the charity began. EAAA will be marking 15 years of service with commemorative events throughout the region, including ‘Tea at 15:00’ on 15th May at locations all over East Anglia.

EAAA could not exist without our team of over 200 committed volunteers who continually dedicate their time and skills in many different ways. As a volunteer you will play a vital role in helping us to keep our two helicopters flying 365 days a year across East Anglia.

Our volunteers choose the time that they can give to us, whether it is on a weekly basis or occasionally helping out at events. Every hour of time given to us makes a huge difference.

There are plenty of opportunities, from organising your own events, to helping us for a few hours at one of our events across East Anglia. You could even spend your time volunteering behind the scenes at one of our seven offices, with anything from operations to communications.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, visit our website, www.eaaa.org.uk/support-us/volunteer/becoming-a-volunteer or contact your local area Fundraising Manager.

29

Meldreth Village D Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

9.30-11.30am Meldreth Local History Group 3.30-4.30pm District & County Councillors’ Surgery 7.30-10.00pm Old Time Dancing

10.00am-12.00pm Handbell Ringing

9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group

4.00 - 6.00pm Martial Arts Classes for Children

5.30pm Slimming World

7.00 - 8.00pm Aerobics

7.30pm Slimming World

9.30-11.30am Meldreth Local History Group

10.00am-12.00pm Handbell Ringing

9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group

7.30-10.00pm Old Time Dancing

4.00 - 6.00pm Martial Arts Classes for Children

5.30pm Slimming World

7.00 - 8.00pm Aerobics

7.30pm Slimming World

6.00-7.00pm Brownies 7.45pm Bell Ringing

7.30-10.00pm Old Time Dancing

10.00am-12 noon Meldreth Local History Group Coffee Morning 7.30-10.00pm Old Time Dancing

10.00am-12.00pm Handbell Ringing 4.00 - 6.00pm Martial Arts 7.00 - 8.00pm Aerobics 7.30pm Gallery Writers, 34 High Street (See p. 6) 8.00pm Prayer Group

9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group

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

9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group 5.30pm Slimming World 6.00-7.00pm Brownies 7.30pm Slimming World 7.45pm Bell Ringing

9.30-11.30am Meldreth Local History Group

10.00am-12.00pm Handbell Ringing

7.30-10.00pm Old Time Dancing

4.00 - 6.00pm Martial Arts Classes for Children 7.00 - 8.00pm Aerobics

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

6.00 - 6.45pm Pilates 7.30 pm WI

6.00-7.00pm Brownies 7.45pm Bell Ringing

9.30-11.30am Meldreth Local History Group

Thurs

5.30pm Slimming World 6.00-7.00pm Brownies

Copy dea April i

6.00 - 6.45pm Pilates 7.00 - 9.00 pm Tennis

7.30pm Slimming World 7.45pm Bell Ringing

6.00 - 6.45pm Pilates 7.00 - 9.00 pm Tennis

The copy deadline for the April issue o Meldreth Matters is Thursday 12th Mar Meldreth Matters is available online at free.yudu.com.

Church Services and Bell Ringing are held at Holy Trinity Church. The Prayer Group meets at 85 N Councillors’ Surgeries, Meldreth Local History Group and the ‘Coffee Break’ mornings are held in Women’s Group meet in the Holy Trinity meeting room. The Mobile Library Service visits Bell Clo 30

iary - March 2015

sday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

10.30am - 12 noon Coffee Break

m Fitness

7.00 for 7.30pm Primary School Quiz, Meldreth Primary School (see p. 7)

9.45am Family Communion and New Seekers Sunday School 8.00am Holy Communion

10.30am - 12 noon Coffee Break

9.45am Family Communion for Mothering Sunday

m Table

h Council

m Fitness

10.30am-4.00pm Mouse and Rat Show 12.00-2.00pm Link Murang’a Day, Holy Trinity Church

dline for issue

m Fitness

8.00am Holy Communion 2.30-6.30pm Tea Dance

m Table

9.15am Palm Sunday Procession from Village Hall car park

Fitness

m Table

of rch

1 8

End of Term

9.45am Family Communion

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

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

31

Meldreth Parish Council www.meldreth-pc.org.uk Unfortunately, the extracts from the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 5th February were not received in time to be included in this issue. However, most of the items have been covered in the articles received from our local councillors, Philippa Hart and Susan van de Ven (see pages 44-49). See Stop Press on page 40 for some other items.

The minutes of Parish Council meetings are available for public inspection by contacting 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.

Kathryn Betts Editor

Planning Matters SCDC Decisions Reference and Address

Decision

90 High Street S/2824/14/FL

Permission has been granted for a garage conversion and rear extension

33 Whitecroft Road Permission has been granted for a garage conversion and S/2772/14/FL rear extension 12/14 Chiswick End Permission has been granted for a single storey rear and S/1818/14/FL side extension, erection of greenhouse and widening of existing vehicular access 12/14 Chiswick End Permission has been granted for demolition and S/1820/14/LB replacement of existing lean-to extension to the southwest of the cottage with a new extension. Replacement of roof guttering, replacement of all single glazed windows with period style replacement, removal of opaque glass in rear and reinstatement of clear glass window, new back door, re-render the property in a lime mortar finish and addition of security alarm 98 North End S/2882/14/FL

Permission has been granted for a single storey side extension

Editor’s note: Full details of all planning applications may be viewed at this website: http://plan.scambs.gov.uk/swiftlg/apas/run/wphappcriteria.display 32

Planning Matters Parish Council Reference and Address

Detail

Parish Council Recommend

104 High Street Demolition, extension and Meldreth Parish Council S/2948/14/LB alterations – demolition of recommend 'No Objections' conservatory and chimney, with no comments. extension for two sun rooms, alterations to two roofs.

Alterations to windows and doors. Conversion of store into studio including three roof lights and opening one doorway. Removal of hallway under stair cupboard, first floor cupboard and door 104-106 High Street S/2946/14/FL

Extensions to dwellings and cart lodge

Meldreth Parish Council recommend 'No Objections' with no comments.

26 Flambards Close S/0138/15/FL

Single storey rear extension

Meldreth Parish Council recommend 'Approval' with no objections.

Fillcup Field, Land to the north of Meldreth Rd, Shepreth S/2944/14/FL

The construction of a glasshouse, 380kw Biomass boiler, 150kw anaerobic digestion plant, covered feed stock storage clamps, covered digestate loading area, covered vehicles store, farm workers log cabin and associated plant.

Meldreth Parish Council recommend 'No Objections' with comments. 'Meldreth Parish Council would like to see a transport plan/traffic assessment with the proposed routes to the site, vehicle movements with vehicle sizes and a time table'.

Meldreth Parish Council Meldreth Parish Council contact details: Web: www.meldreth-pc.org.uk; Email: parishclerk@meldreth-pc.org.uk Telephone: (01763) 269928. For contact details of Parish Councillors, see page 60.

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

By appointment at other times.

33

Application for Greenhouse with Anaerobic Digester and Biomass Boiler, Meldreth Road, Shepreth This major application appeared on the scene early in the new year and timescales for response were inadequate for meaningful public consultation.

South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Planning Department has agreed to Philippa’s request for an extension and the deadline for people to respond has been extended indefinitely for the time being, although please consult the SCDC website for updated information. A Planning Committee decision date is not yet known but we are both happy to receive any comments until that day. Philippa’s remit is environment, ecology and planning procedure, while Susan’s is traffic. It’s important that responses refer directly to the actual planning application, which is posted on the South Cambridgeshire District Council website under the Planning section, reference S/2944/14/FL. We have heard some expressions of support for the development of a light industrial glasshouse for salad and exotic herbs, which seeks to provide its own power by way of an on-site anaerobic digester and biomass boiler.

The scheme would provide employment for approximately twelve people. We have also received a range of questions which prompt the need for further information and which raise serious concerns: a bore hole for water extraction and its impact on wetlands that are integral to the ecology of a nationally protected nature reserve at L-Moor; sufficient space to accommodate landscaping, which would help mitigate visual impact as is required in an open field setting; insufficient information about air, noise and light pollution; and the impact of additional vehicular traffic through Shepreth and Meldreth including Heavy Goods Vehicles. This stretch of road has historic traffic safety concerns, exemplified by the long-term agreement of Cemex and its predecessors at Barrington Cement not to run its lorries down Meldreth Road and North End due to the blind turns that local residents are all too aware of. Over the years, attempts to gain funding for an off-road pedestrian path along the countryside stretch of Meldreth Road have failed and pedestrian vulnerability remains a daily concern.

34

We would like to thank everybody who has contacted us with their views and concerns; all of these will be fed back to the planning officers and committee.

Philippa Hart District Councillor philippajhart@btinternet.com 01763 261255 or 07811323571 Susan van de Ven County Councillor susanvandeven@yahoo.co.uk (01763) 261833

County Councillor’s Surgery I hold a drop-in advice surgery at the Melbourn Hub on the first Monday of the month, from 2.30 to 3.30pm. The Melbourn Hub is in Melbourn High Street, opposite the High Street public car park. After my surgery on 2nd March, I will be joining Philippa Hart at her surgery in Meldreth.

As always, if this is inconvenient please get in touch and we can arrange to meet at another time or closer to home.

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

District Councillor’s Surgery Please come along to see me or Susan van de Ven at our councillor surgery on Monday 2nd March between 3.30 and 4.30pm in the Sheltered Housing Community Room in Elin Way. Philippa Hart, District Councillor philippajhart@btinternet.com. 07811323571/01763 261255philippajhart@btinternet.com (01763) 261255 07811 323571 35

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36

The American Air Museum Website Project

In October 2014, the American Air Museum at IWM Duxford launched a website to tell the stories of the American airmen based in Britain during the Second World War and the British people they met. The website is based around a collection of around 15,000 photographs which depict the people, aeroplanes and places that contributed to their experiences.

We need the help of local communities such as yours to identify the people and places shown in the pictures and we would also love to capture and preserve some of the photographs and memories which you or your families may also have of the Americans in Britain. The website is editable by anyone who registers on the site.

As Meldreth is located only a few miles from Fowlmere, Bassingbourn and Duxford airfields, we believe that there are valuable contributions which you could make towards preserving this local heritage.

Perhaps your home was used by US servicemen during the war? Or maybe you have a war bride in the family? If you or your relatives have memories of the Americans in Britain then we would love you to register on our website and begin adding to the knowledge which we have already collected: www.americanairmuseum.com.

Please take a look at the ‘Getting started’ guide on the website if you are having any difficulties or contact us on aamwebsite@iwm.org.uk.

If you are interested in learning more about the Americans in Britain we recommend you also take a look at the resource pack created by our friends over at the Eighth in the East: www.americanairmuseum.com/eighth-east-learning-pack.

We look forward to seeing the contributions which you make to our ever-growing website.

James Rossington The American Air Museum, IWM Duxford JRossington@iwm.org.uk 37

Ponies, Turkeys and Transportation Rural Crime in early Nineteenth Century Meldreth Early nineteenth century newspapers carried reports of the kind of crimes – trespass causing damage to crops, breaking and entering farm buildings and the theft of livestock – which would not be unknown in many rural communities today. Less familiar by modern standards would be the draconian penalties that even relatively minor offences could attract.

The Cambridge Chronicle and Journal of 17th March 1820 recorded a case before the Huntingdon Assizes in which two young offenders “Edward Coningsby (aged 17) and Thomas Wallon (aged 14) were capitally convicted of stealing a pony out of the parish of Meldreth, in Cambridgeshire, the property of Mrs Eliz. Maze, and received sentence of death, but were both reprieved.” We know that Edward Coningsby was later transported to Australia: it was relatively common for judges at the time to pass death sentences which were then commuted to transportation or other lesser forms of punishment. As the nineteenth century wore on there was increasing public disquiet about the hanging of children.

At the opening of the Cambridge Assizes on 10th July 1826, reported in the same newspaper, Mr Justice Bayley, in his charge to the Grand Jury, including William Mortlock, a prominent Meldreth figure, said that “he regretted to observe from the number of prisoners in the calendar that this county and town have more than their proportion of crime. This circumstance proved that greater vigilance was necessary from the police…”

Amongst the cases he went on to deal with were those of William Easy (21) and George Nodes (25) who were charged with stealing ten young turkeys, the property of John Beard, of Meldreth. “The only evidence which could affect Nodes was that of the wife of the prosecutor, who found the turkeys in the yard of that prisoner and he was therefore acquitted. Easy was convicted on his own confession, voluntarily given before the committing magistrate. Sentence - seven years transportation.”

Transportation did not necessarily mean being taken immediately to the colonies. Often offenders were kept in a local convict gaol then moved to one of the notorious prison hulks. These were old, de-commissioned 38

Navy ships moored in the Thames and in ports such as Portsmouth and Plymouth. Their use was first authorised by Parliament in 1776 as a temporary measure but continued for the next 82 years. Conditions were harsh and prisoners were put to hard labour in clearing out the docks and cleaning the ships. Some never reached the Americas or Australia and spent the whole of their sentence aboard the hulks, while others fell victim to the frequent outbreaks of cholera and typhoid.

John Crawforth Meldreth Local History Group

From the Archives This month’s item is a letter that appeared in the Royston Crow on 4th March 1910.

One has heard a lot about a German invasion, but that is not the reason why Melbourn people sleep uncomfortably in their beds. We have a nearer invader than the Germans, for when it once comes upon us, we never know where its ravages will end. The word "Fire" is terrible enough during the day, but to hear it at night makes one tremble more for we know that our firemen are badly organised. On our way to Meldreth Station if we look to the left ... we can see, if we look close enough, a little building whose doors bears these words, "Fire Engine," for keys apply to Mr J Stanford, Melbourn, and Mr Elbourn, Meldreth, (these words did for our forefathers). We expect the fire engine is still within those four walls. Now this is what the Melbourn people are asking themselves. "Where are our firemen," and if there are any, who are they? The last fire at Meldreth is still smouldering in our readers' minds. Those who attended it could not help noticing the confusion which reigned around our engine, for nearly everyone wanted to take hold of the bumpers, with the result a good many valuable minutes were lost. Now what the Melbourn people want is a well organised Fire Brigade which will cope with any emergency. There are a number of young men who would give their services under a good captain, would, I know, attend drills, and the Brigade would be a credit to the village. "Wake up Melbourn," for if you do not you will have a bitter awakening, when the ugly truth will gleam upon your mind, that you are behind the times.

To read replies to the above letter, visit www.meldrethhistory.org.uk.

39

70th Anniversary of World War Two South Cambridgeshire District Council is planning to commemorate the 70th anniversary of VE and VJ Day later this year. As part of the commemorations they would like to invite veterans who fought in the Far East to a remembrance event in August.

Can you help to identify any veterans who live locally who fought in the Far East? Please let SCDC know if you are able to provide contact details for such people. The person to contact is Gemma Barron by sending an email to gemma.barron@scambs.gov.uk or telephoning (01954) 713340.

Judy Damant Meldreth Parish Council

Stop Press: Meldreth Parish Council The following items have been taken from the unapproved minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 5th February 2015.

Footway near Biddall's Boulevard Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) have inspected the footway and have put in new specifications. While replicating similar rural paths in the county, the path as laid is less than practical in this situation. The surface of the path could be substantially improved by the application of a spray tar and chippings, which have been used successfully in Gamlingay and Bourne. John Cobb, the contractor who laid the path, will be providing a quote for this work. Unfortunately, the work to stabilise the footway surface cannot be undertaken until the spring (April/May) due to the present weather conditions.

The road signs will be relocated/removed by the Highway Authority, but this will have to wait until the new financial year.

Flambards Lay-by Mr Hawkins has located the original documentation from the CCC Highways Department which states that the hard standing areas are indeed under the jurisdiction of the Highways Department. The Clerk will forward this information to Highways.

Meldreth Parish Council 40

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PLANNING & BUILDING REGULATION APPLICATIONS

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Personal Individual Attention

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Business Start-up Specialist

NEW PROPERTIES, EXTENSIONS, LOFT CONVERSIONS, ETC.

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Business Planning & Support

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Annual & Management Accounts

CONTACT US now to arrange a FREE on-site meeting at your convenience to discuss your project.

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Monthly Payroll (RTI)

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Self Assessment Tax Returns

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Tax Enquiries

ELY DESIGN GROUP ‘Architecture By Professionals’

Contact Jim or Maeve to discuss your requirements

www.elydesigngroup.co.uk/mm1.php

Tel:

Tel: 01353 649649 Mob: 07939 158482 mail@elydesigngroup.co.uk

01763 852 622

E-mail: jim1berry@aol.com www.berryaccounts.co.uk

CYTECH Trained • Road Bikes and Mountain Bikes • Services • Repairs • Assembled Boxed Bikes • Puncture Repairs • Folders • Setting Up Transmission • Solvent Free Parts Wash • Wheelbarrow punctures • Much More Competitive out of town rates available for all customers, drop in and see us.

All enquiries welcome.

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Little Hands Nursery School

M.C.T CONSTRUCTION

The Moor, Melbourn

Little Hands is a Private Nursery School specialising in quality education for the under fives and offers: Flexible hourly booking - open 08.30 to 16.30 Term time bookings with optional holiday club Bumble Bee room for children 12 – 24 months Ladybird room for 2 year olds Butterfly room for children 3-5 years With optional “ready for school sessions”

Small building firm From small patios to extensions, No job too small, Friendly reliable service, 25 years building experience, City & Guilds advanced crafts bricklayer

All sessions have a high staff to child ratio and are available for eligible funded 2 year olds and all funded 3/4 year olds with no extra charges Categorised as “Outstanding” by Ofsted

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

CASH PAID For Old & Modern Books Also Purchased: Programmes, Post & Cigarette Cards, Old Toys & Cars, Medals, Coins, Stamps, Comics, Jewellery, Furniture, China and Collectables.

Contact:

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

RML

IT CONSULTANTS LTD

Phone: 01763 849789

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

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

whatever the size of your company we can help…

Internet connection and security Firewall/VPN solutions provider Installations and upgrades Network and computer support Wireless networking and security

GIVE ME A CALL ON:07946 216268

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

Implementation of messaging systems Web design and content management Email compliance (archiving and retrieval) Hardware and software expertise and sourcing 42

Melbourn and District Photographic Club The Club season is now just a few months from ending but we still have an exciting mixture of photographic talks, competitions and Club Evenings remaining. Meetings will continue to be held weekly from 7.30 to 9.30pm on Tuesdays at Foxton Village Hall through to April 2015. The Club welcomes new members, whatever their ability and will provide support to beginners to help them to take better photographs and to improve their post-processing skills.

Midwinter Sunrise by Peter North

The programme for the remaining season includes: 3rd March

A talk, "Aviation Photography"

10th March

Projected Image of the Year

17th March

Print of the Year

24th March

Club Evening

31st March

AGM

The full program and other useful information about the Club, including a selection of our work, can be found on the Club's website: http://melbourn-photographic-club.co.uk.

Anyone wishing to know more details about the Club should email the club Secretary, Peter North, at melbournphotoclub@hotmail.com.

Keith Truman 43

District Councillor’s Report Cambridge Future Transport I attended the Area M meeting called to evaluate the feedback from the recent questionnaires concerning bus routes and alternative transport arrangements. Our local service is one of the more viable services, with a lower level of subsidy per journey, despite the small number of passengers. It seems likely there will be tweaks to the service, rather than bus routes being cut. The county wide consultation is still ongoing so nothing can be certain yet, but the message from the meeting was reasonably positive.

Bin Collection A couple of residents contacted me about the gaps in the collection of black and blue bins over the Christmas period. I did not receive any complaints from Meldreth or Shepreth residents concerning the change to monthly green bin collections over winter. The SCDC Environmental Health portfolio holder reported at Council recently that SCDC had received 97 complaints in total over the Christmas period out of 63,000 dwellings collected from, representing 0.15% of residents. None of the complaints at this level concerned green bin collection. The changes to the service anticipate a ÂŁ830,000 cost cut from government next year, out of which ÂŁ400,000 has been found already.

Mettle Hill The MHWG met on Monday 12th January. Julian Fenner very kindly carried out a full survey of the site over Christmas and tenders have subsequently gone out to three companies asking for cost estimates for clearing the former travellers' area. Site visits of live/work schemes and chalet parks have been undertaken, and a representative from a property company specialising in live/work schemes has visit the site and advised us. I estimate that we will be in a position to report substantively to the Parish Council by April and hopefully move towards a village-wide consultation by June.

Thermal Imaging If anyone would like to have their home imaged, please contact me and I will put you in touch with Graham Borgonon and David Smith who are trained to carry out these surveys.

Philippa Hart, District Councillor for Meldreth and Shepreth philippajhart@btinternet.com (01763) 261255 or 07811323571 44

iPLASTER SKIMMING / PATCHING CEILING REPAIR WATER DAMAGE REPAIR ARTEX COVERED

01763 260 526 07837 645173

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

MELDRETH LANDSCAPES

We can make life a little easier

Design & Layout Plans

Local Community Services at Moorlands Court

Hard Landscaping & Lighting

Day Centre

Planting & Water Features

Our friendly day centre is open from 10 am to 3 pm, Tuesdays to Fridays.

Interesting activities, sociable atmosphere, home cooked lunch.

Pergolas, Decking, etc

Transport available for older people living in Melbourn and nearby villages.

Tel: 01763 261463

From just £7.90 per day.

www.meldrethlandscapes.co.uk

To find out more, just call us at Moorlands Court on 01763 260564, or email: denise.taylor@chsgroup.org.uk

Kneesworth Rd., Meldreth, Royston, Herts

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County Councillor’s Report susanvandeven.mycouncillor.org.uk Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group Our AGM and regular quarterly meeting takes place on 11th March, at 7.00 for 7.30pm at the Melbourn Hub. It’s a great opportunity to see the Hub if you have not yet been!

‘Rail Users’ means people who use the train as little or as often as may be the case. The group exists to protect and lobby for improvements to a service we are lucky to have.

Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Community Rail Partnership: Network Rail is keeping an open mind on whether or not to upgrade the Meldreth Road level crossing to full barriers. They understand from local feedback that currently there is no problem there and that full barriers could create problems that don’t currently exist.

Our understanding that the new train operating company, Great Northern, would be introducing half-hourly off-peak services, to supplement half-hourly peak time, when the Thameslink programme starts, is apparently no longer accurate; the goal posts have changed.

The Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Community Rail Partnership has agreed to lobby for half-hourly off-peak trains at our stopping stations and have asked Meldreth Parish Council for its support.

Citizens Advice Bureau: New Times at the Hub Citizens Advice Bureau visiting times at the Melbourn Hub have switched to the first and third Thursday mornings. As usual there is no need to book in advance – just drop in at your convenience and reception will direct you to the upstairs small meeting room. All advice is free and confidential.

Parking near One Stop Parking across the driveway next to One Stop is an ongoing problem.

To help remind drivers that clear access is needed, I have asked the Parish Council if they would support the introduction of painted lines here to indicate that no parking is allowed. continued ...

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Street Lighting Switch-Offs and Parish Options Budget cuts continue. County Council-owned street lights in residential roads in some villages are likely to be switched off between the hours of midnight and 6.00am from the start of the new financial year. Where the Council has invested in a central management system, new street lights can be controlled on an individual basis and parishes can pay to illuminate any lights they want kept on during these hours.

It has been suggested by one local resident that it would be sensible to ensure lighting is switched on for early morning rail commuters who walk to the station. In Meldreth, lighting is likely to be switched off in Station Road, which of course is an important thoroughfare, in spite of its official classification as a quiet residential road. There will be many such anomalies and although I’ve tried to argue that this should be an exception, the reality is that the cut is likely to come. We’re told that the cost to keep small numbers of lights illuminated will be small, though I don’t have precise figures yet.

College Farm Bend Drains I have again contacted County Highways to say that the drains do not appear to have been cleared, and that the consequent pooling is causing vehicles to swerve into the wrong lane on a blind bend.

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

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

Problems on the roads, including potholes and poor pavement surfaces should be reported on the Cambridgeshire County Council website: http://www2.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/HighwaysReports/Highways/ ReportProblem1.aspx Meldreth Parish Council 47

A10 Corridor Cycling and Non-Motorised Transport Investment There has been much in the news lately about the prospect of significant government funding for a safe cycling route along the A10 corridor, comprised of segments joining up our villages with Cambridge and Royston and allowing people to move around in a new way. These new ‘cycle links’ would be designed for what are called ‘non motorised users’ – walkers, cyclists, wheelchair users and mobility scooters. The government funding for our area that has received so much attention is called the City Deal and it is designed for improving transport infrastructure in areas of economic growth, particularly those with clusters of employment centres. Because of concern about moving inexorably towards gridlock congestion on the A10, the aspiration is to provide an alternative to driving, and especially driving to work, in order to help prevent things from getting worse.

With companies including Johnson Matthey, TAP and Tesco at the Royston end and AstraZeneca, TTP and PA Consulting in Melbourn plus Addenbrookes, schools, sixth forms and universities at the Cambridge end, to name but a few, the map of people travelling to work quickly lights up.

The process of assessing and scoring prospective schemes for City Deal funding has been underway for several months, and the RoystonCambridge cycle link was felt to be one of the most promising. One of the requirements of City Deal funding is that the first tranche of schemes is delivered within five years, in order to trigger the second tranche of funding. The Cambridge-Royston link was slated to be one of the early schemes in tranche one because it is basically ‘shovel ready’ and fits the bill so well.

There are two City Deal decision-making bodies – the Assembly, which is the larger and more representative group of fifteen, and the Executive Board made up of five people, of whom only three have a vote – the leaders of Cambridge City, Cambridgeshire County and South Cambridgeshire District Councils. The Assembly considered and debated the Royston-Cambridge cycle link and voted to support it, together with four other South Cambridgeshire cycling schemes. The expectation was that the Executive would uphold the Assembly’s consensus, but on the day, that did not happen. All five South Cambridgeshire cycle schemes were discarded, with little discussion.

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There are questions now about the governance of this once-in-ageneration funding scheme and the concentration of power in the hands of a few.

Where was tranche 1 funding allocated? The successful cycle schemes are within Cambridge City and the South Cambridgeshire schemes are bus priority measures at key points such as Madingley Rise and the 1307 to Haverhill. They are important but there is concern about their deliverability. In the A10 corridor we are lucky to have a rail service but this doesn’t work for all journeys and complaints are steadily increasing about peak time congestion on the approach to Cambridge, and the viability of Park and Ride as a reliable destination. One can only surmise that the major planned developments at Trumpington Meadows, Hauxton, Melbourn and Royston will not help matters.

Speculative planning applications at Barrington, Foxton and Melbourn don’t even figure in traffic modelling.

Because the case for ‘non motorised users’ along the A10 is so strong we’re advised that other funding pots may be found to deliver parts of the scheme and that there is always the next tranche of City Deal funding in five years’ time. Realistically though, governments come and go and goal posts move, so the process will be more challenging than expected. Nevertheless, the A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign, two years old with new members joining at every turn and now tallying 150 people, is working hard to help present the case.

There will be a chance to learn more at the next meeting of the A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign on 19th March, which will be held in Barrington Village Hall at 7.00 for 7.30pm. So please do feel free to come along.

Susan van de Ven Susanvandeven@yahoo.co.uk (01763) 261833

Refuse Collections Collections in March will be on the following dates: Black bins: 6th & 20th March Blue and Green bins: 13th & 27th March 49

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

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

Thursday 5th & Friday 6th March 2015 Noye’s Fludde by Benjamin Britten Comberton Village College For tickets, contact the Box Office on (01223) 264444 or purchase online at www.wegottickets.com/event/307196 for Thursday and www.wegottickets.com/event/307198 for Friday.

For further details see pages 18-19.

Saturday 14th March, 8.30am Men’s Breakfast Meeting Foxton Village Hall Reverend Trudie Morris will give her Easter message and a farewell message as she is about to leave the area.

To save your place at the next ‘Men’s Breakfast’ please contact either Tony Garrick on (01223) 510201, email garrick.tony@gmail.com or Mark Howard on (01223) 503377 or 07785 703413 or email Mark-Howard@UWclub.net so we may cater for you.

Next month: Saturday 18th April Sebastian Kindersley will talk on “Modern Day Planning”.

Saturday 14th March, 7.30pm St. Swithun’s Church, Great Chishill A Concert of Choral Surprises Royston Choral Society’s concert is in support of the Appeal Fund for St. Swithun’s Church. The programme will range from the Bach Sanctus in D to contemporary composer Will Todd’s The Lord is My Shepherd. With Northumbrian folk songs, Victorian ballads and twentieth century favourites like Bridge Over Troubled Water and Fields of Gold, there will be something for everyone.

Concert tickets cost £12, concessions £9, school students £1 and are available from Royston Library, choir members, or from the Appeal Committee Chairman, Angus Gent on (01763) 838941 or email angusgent@gmail.com.

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Saturday 14th March, doors open 7.00pm for 8.00pm start Sing-a-Long Mamma Mia! Royston Picture Palace, Town Hall, Royston Fancy dress optional Tickets £15 per person to include a welcome drink and goodie bag Tickets from Home-Start Royston & South Cambridgeshire, telephone 07762 754809 or email admin@hsrsc.org.uk. Raffle on the night. Drinks by donation.

Sunday 15th March, 2.00-3.00pm Bletchley Park Presents Michael Smith The top author will be speaking about his new book, The Debs of Bletchley Park which tells the story of this incredible set of women.

Bletchley Park will be open throughout the day for guests. Standard tickets cost £25 per person, season ticket holders £20. Tickets can be purchased online or by telephoning (01908) 272684. For more details, visit www.bletchleypark.org.uk.

Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd March, 11.00am-5.00pm Thriplow Daffodil Weekend Adults £5, Children under 16 £2.50, under 5s free All of the money raised goes to local charities and this year we are proud to be supporting the Beads of Courage Child Cancer programme at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge.

For further information, visit www.thriplowdaffodils.org.uk.

Friday 27th March, 7.00 for 7.30pm Sebastian Kindersley will be talking about ‘Becoming British’ Foxton Village Hall The Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for South Cambridgeshire will be speaking on Becoming British – from citizenship ceremonies to the challenges and opportunities of our economic growth bubble. Homemade British supper and dessert will be served, with a licensed bar and raffle.

Tickets are available from Susan van de Ven, telephone (01763) 261833 or email susanvandeven@yahoo.co.uk.

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Crime Prevention Although crime in South Cambridgeshire is low, burglary isn’t rare, so thinking “it’s unlikely to happen to me” is the wrong approach. In fact most months it is usually in the top two most commonly occurring crimes in South Cambs. There are a number of simple but effective ways you can reduce the chances of being burgled. Burglars go for easy targets, so make your house a bit more difficult for them. Here are some tips and recommendations for securing your home.

Burglars don’t usually break in at the front of a house because they are more likely to be seen. Ideally they will go to the back. Not being able to get into the back garden could easily be enough for a potential intruder to try another house.

Gate & Fence Fit high 1.8m side gates with a latch. Having the latch at the top of the gate is a weakness, so either fit a padlock to it or consider adding a second bolt further down.

Shed Secure your shed. It is really common for burglars to break into your shed and then use your own tools to break into your house. Consider installing a simple, inexpensive, battery operated shed alarm. You can also secure items inside using a ‘shed shackle’ or similar device.

Simple measures like those below can help to deter an intruder before they approach your home.

Lighting Install security lights. Light timers are a good deterrent too. To a burglar, a dark house is an unoccupied house.

Cameras CCTV is not as costly as many people believe and can be an effective tool in preventing a break in and at catching those responsible. The combination of a security light with a camera near it works well. When the light activates, an intruder’s natural reaction is to look at it. If they see a camera next to it, they will know you just got a shot of their face … and won’t stick around after that.

Window Alarms These are small devices that attach to the inside of a window with adhesive tape and activate an alarm if the window is knocked, near deafening the would-be thief.

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House alarms are not as expensive as you may think. An off the shelf DIY system will cost between £150 and £200. An auto-dialler can be added for £12; this will contact a list of numbers you have programmed in when the alarm is triggered. Monitored alarms for an average size property will typically cost between £700 and £800. If you have high value items or you spend a lot of time away from home, it could be worth the investment. Always obtain several quotes if you are purchasing a monitored alarm.

Below are a few crime prevention tips.

Make sure that French and patio doors are adequately secured, with bolts on both doors. Also look for hinge bolts on French doors to help secure the hinges, and prevent jemmy attacks. Patio doors should also be secured at the top and bottom of the opening section, check your patio door cannot be lifted out of the frame using a tool.

Patio door locking bars are available, and window alarms can also be used on these doors.

Don’t keep your keys anywhere near doors or windows, they should be well out of view. Ideally, keep them with you at night.

Everyone keeps their most valuable possessions, jewellery, expensive watches etc. in their bedroom but they are better hidden away. Try the loft, cupboard under the stairs, kitchen cabinets, the teapot: be imaginative, where wouldn’t a burglar think to look?

Sometimes recovered stolen goods can’t be returned because we don’t know who they belonged to. Consider marking tools and equipment clearly using a paint-pen or indelible marker. Tamperproof labels and etching kits are also available.

Register your valuables on: https://www.immobilise.com/ index.php. If you’ve got a nice bicycle, be sure to register it on the immobilise website and remember to include the frame number.

Immobilise is especially useful for recording more unique items such as jewellery or antiques as you can upload digital photographs and add them to your online record.

Encourage your friends to join E-Cops so they know what is going on in their area. Visit www.cambs.police.uk/ecops.

Lindsay Gardiner Cambridgeshire Constabulary 53

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

Manager: Lynn Ward 01763 260 217 manager.maycroft@advinia.co.uk 73 High Street, Meldreth, Royston, Cambridgeshire, SG8 6LB

ROYSTON FENCING

The Most Thorough Clean or it’s Free!

TEL 01763 261150

Carpet, Upholstery, Leather, Rug & Stone/Tile Cleaning

FENCING, GATES INCLUDING ELECTRIC MADE TO ORDER

Call today on 01223 863 632 Please quote “Meldreth Mag” Denny Lodge Business Park, Ely Road, Chittering

ALL TYPES OF FENCING AND GATES

Cambourne Self Storage

SHEDS AND GARDEN FURNITURE

• • • •

Cost effective, secure, convenient self storage Various size units to suit household & business storage CCTV monitored site with access at your convenience NEW SITE NOW OPEN AT GREAT GRANSDEN • • •

DECKING, PATIOS & PERGOLAS SLEEPERS, PAVING & NATURAL STONE

Your personal unit Store your goods, lock up, keep the key 5 min from Cambourne

WWW.ROYSTONFENCING.CO.UK

01767 676189

KNEESWORTH RD. MELDRETH ROYSTON

www.cambourneselfstorage.co.uk 54

Melbourn Sports Centre www.melbournsports.com With Easter fast approaching, why not book your young ones onto one of our great activity courses. For something a bit different this Mother’s Day, how about treating your Mum to her own gym membership or purchasing a gift voucher for our other activities here at Melbourn Sports?

Activities of the Month Boot Camp, Mondays 8.05-9.05pm Boot Camp is mix of session formats that will help shift that stubborn body fat and tone those muscles.

Aquathon, Thursdays 7.30-8.30pm These swim and run classes are aimed at improving technique and stamina.

For further details on parties, memberships or any of our activities, please drop in, call (01763) 263313 or go online at www.melbournsports.com. We look forward to seeing you this season!

Graham Johnson-Mack Melbourn Sports Centre

Test Your Smoke Alarm How many times have you tested your smoke alarm since the start of 2015? If the answer is zero, please go and do it now! We’re asking residents to test their smoke alarms every month, so mark it in your diary and make sure you press the button.

If you have young children, then why not devise a fun game to get them involved in testing the smoke alarms in the household? If they can’t quite reach it, then use a broom handle to press the test button.

If you have an elderly or vulnerable relative, friend or neighbour, please pop by and make sure they have a working smoke alarm. If you think someone is vulnerable and could be at a high risk if a fire broke out in their home, then please call us on 0800 917 9994. We can provide advice and support.

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service 55

‘Drop-in’ Sessions for Carers and Adults These popular drop-ins are for anyone who is living with a long-term illness, disability or an age-related condition, or who is providing unpaid support to adult family members or friends are continuing in 2015. The details for the sessions to be held in March are as follows: 16th March, 10.30am to 1.30pm Bar Hill – Community Room, Tesco Extra 17th March, 10.30am to 1.00pm Sawston Free Church 18th March, 1.30pm to 3.30pm (carers only) Cambourne Library Drop-in to any of the events for a cup of tea and a chat about the information, advice and support that may be available, to share your stories and experiences, talk in confidence to a member of the Carers Support Team or Physical Disability Services Team, or to book a carers assessment.

For more information: telephone Gemma Whitehouse on (01480) 377616, Leigh Hornsby on (01480) 373220 or email CarersSupportTeam@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or visit www.cambridgeshire.net and search “Adult Support Drop-in”.

Amanda Davies Cambridgeshire County Council

Unwell? Choose Well Your pharmacist, GP or NHS 111 can help you to get treatment quickly. A & E is for life-threatening emergencies only.

For more information, visit www.choosewellcambs.nhs.uk.

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PC Repairs

HOME FOOTCARE

Advice & Installation of Home Networks Help with Selecting a computer Fault Finding Brian Girling 01223 208529 (Wimpole)

Jane Cavanna

E-mail bg@moncraft.co.uk We can also provide the following services: Design of brochures, posters, business cards, etc.

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

(MCFHP MAFHP)

For all your chiropody needs in the comfort of your own home.

Dust Free Wood Floor Sanding & Restoration

Is your Wooden Floor in need of Sanding?

Call today to book:

01777 816696 or 07769 347903

Call today on 01223 863 632 Please quote “Meldreth Mag” Denny Lodge Business Park, Ely Road, Chittering

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 57

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

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

Govia/Great Northern

http://www.thameslinkrailway.com

Holy Trinity Church

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

Melbourn & District Photographic Group

www.melbourn-photographic-club.co.uk

Melbourn Hub

www.melbournhub.com

Melbourn Sports Centre

www.melbournsports.com

Meldreth History & Meldreth Today Meldreth Manor School Meldreth Matters

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

Melwood Conservation Group MP: Andrew Lansley Parish Council

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

www.melwood.btck.co.uk

Pre School

www.meldrethpreschool.com

Primary School

www.meldreth.cambs.sch.uk

Rail User Group

www.melbourn.org.uk/railusergroup/

Royston CAB

www.adviceguide.org.uk

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

http://www.roytrans.co.uk/ http://southcambridgeshire.shapeyourplace.org/ www.scambs.gov.uk www.stagecoachbus.com/cambridge/ www.qjump.co.uk/index.html 58

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 .................................... 36 Abrey Agricultural ............................ 2 Art of Clean .................................... 54 Art of Clean Wood ......................... 57 Berry Accounts and Business ........... 41 Boiler Juice ............................... Cover Bracey’s Accountants ....................... 9 Cambourne Self Storage ................. 54 Cambridge Roofers ........................ 17 CHS Day Centre ............................ 45 CHS Group .................................... 36 College Farm B & B ......................... 2 Coton Electrical ............................. 17 The Country Store ......................... 45 Ely Design Group............................ 41 Eternit Sports and Social Club ........ 23 Fen Feeds Limited .......................... 11 Gilhooly ......................................... 57 Granta Montessori Shepreth .......... 11 Home Footcare .............................. 57 iPlaster ........................................... 45 James, Handyman ........................... 11 JPK Plumbing and Heating ............. 36 Keyholes Driving School ................. 23 The Letting Centre ................... Cover Little Hands Nursery School ........... 42 Looks Good Hairdressing ................. 2

Lynn Driscoll Foot Care ................... 11 Maycroft Care Home ....................... 54 MCT Construction .......................... 42 MDA Plumbing & Heating ................ 9 Melbourn Flooring .......................... 26 Melbourn Village College ................. 45 Meldreth Landscapes ........................ 45 Meldreth Plant Hire .......................... 31 Meridian Lawncare .......................... 23 Michael Easton Personal Trainer ..... 11 Mikes Books .................................... 42 Moncraft Computers ....................... 57 NCB Electrical ................................. 26 Newlings of Royston Funeral Service 26 Nigel Wigg Home Improvement ...... 17 On the Leash ...................................... 5 Penn Farm Physiotherapy.................. 41 The Picture Framers .......................... 17 Pippa’s Guardians .............................. 5 Reflections Hair Studio .............. Cover Richard Burns Electrician.................... 5 Rod’s PC Support ............................. 42 Royston Fencing ............................... 54 Shelford Energy ................................ 11 Slimming World ......................... Cover Spice Hut Indian Takeaway ................ 9 Village Cycle Repairs ........................ 41 59

Local Telephone Numbers WI: Jane Bates 261638 Meldreth United FC 07930 650036 Holy Trinity Church: Rev. Andrew O’Brien 260295 Adult Choir: Pauline Penfold 260163 Bells: Peter Hinton 262045 Friends: John Price 260048 Sunday School: Karen Lillie 261885

Meldreth: Community Access Point 262199 Litter Picker: Mick Taylor 261118 Neighbourhood Watch: Police Co-ordinator Graham Borgonon 260358 Pre-School 07518 173653 Primary School 260432 Lunch Club - Nikki & Julie 07599 292327 Village Association (MVA) 07961 128323 Village Hall: Chairman: Paul Ray 260304 Hiring: Sherida Richards 262512 Meldreth Clubs and Societies: Babies & Toddlers Club: Lynda Heard 260545 Bowls Club: S. Lambert (01223) 207888 Croquet Club: Janet Pope 248342 Local History Group: Joan Gane 260129 Melbourn Mushroom Club 260258 Melwood Cons. Group: B Huett 232855 Revelation: Miriam Skuce 262440 Tennis Club: Tracy Aggett 243376

Melbourn: Doctors Surgery: appointments Dispensary Baby Clinic Library Village College Melbourn & District U3A District Council Housing Services Waste, Recycling and Environmental Health Councillor Philippa Hart

260220 261246 262861 269956 223400 260399

03450 450500 03450 450051 03450 450063 261255

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

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

269928 261571 262822 268523 261451 260267 261004 262444 260435 261562

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Reflections Hair Studio Specialist in all Aspects of Unisex Hairdressing.

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

Gift vouchers and hair accessories available.

Please call for any enquiries.

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

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