Meldreth Matters, March 2017

March 2017

SPECIAL OFFER – For all new Conveyancing matters taken during March and April 2017.

We are offering Residential Conveyancing on a “No completion, no fee” basis* Please contact us for further details: THE WALKERS PARTNERSHIP Fish Hill Chambers 2-3 Fish Hill Royston Hertfordshire SG8 9JY Telephone: 01763 241121 Email: t.browning@walkerspartnership.co.uk *Freehold Registered Properties Only

The Letting Centre Setting Standards in Property Management Established 23 years, The Letting Centre is a local, dedicated letting agency based in Melbourn. With longstanding clients some of whom have been with us for 20 years or more, we aim to provide a personal, tailored service covering Cambridge, Royston, Buntingford, Saffron Walden and surrounding villages.

We offer discounted fees for multiple properties, as well as those located in Melbourn and surrounding area.

Call us for a free market appraisal and comprehensive landlord pack.

The Letting Centre, 24b Orchard Road, Melbourn, Cambridgeshire SG8 6HH Tel. 01763 263039

Fax 01763 263458 email enquiries@letting-centre.co.uk www.letting-centre.co.uk

Meldreth Matters, March 2017 Contents include …

David Childerley March Events Street Names Information Needed Church Matters Friend of Holy Trinity Cam Valley Crafters Preschool Primary School Primary School PTA Quiz What’s On for Families Meldreth Marvel’s Cycling Group Gardening Table Tennis Club Veg Plus Club Photographic Group District Councillor’s Report Refuse Collections WI Women’s Group County Councillor’s Report Parish Council Volunteering Opportunities Neighbourhood Watch Interview with a Cat Vet Local Events Men’s Breakfast Meetings News from Heidi Allen Planning and Rail User Group Melbourn Library BBC2 Show: The Repair Shop Village Directory Index to Advertisers

Page 2 4-5 6-7 8 8 9 11 12-13 14 16 17 18-19 19 20 22 24-27 27 28 29 30-31 34-37 40 43 44-45 48-49 50-51 52-53 54-55 56 60 62.63 64

Welcome to the March issue of Meldreth Matters.

I find myself taking the reins again for editing Meldreth Matters, however I am not alone this month as I have welcome help from Robin Farbridge, thank you very much for your input, I am not sure that MM would be in your hands now without his help!

Once again there is a feast of information in this month’s issue: From rock music to charity cancer walks, from quiz nights to clubs.

I hope you enjoy reading it, I also hope there are few mistakes (none is too much to hope for!)

Richard

Cover: Buds in Snow by F Churchill 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.

1

David Childerley 2nd November 1938 - 6th November 2016 David lived in Coton until he was 18. He did his National Service in the RAF and then went to St Luke's College, Exeter to train as a teacher of physical education. He taught in Oxfordshire and Hampshire. During this time he started doing youth work and ran clubs at Watlington and Christchurch. In 1968 he moved to Melbourn Village College as Youth Leader in charge of the club on the campus and overseeing and supporting all the village clubs in the feeder villages.

After a while he realised he needed to improve his skills and went to do a full time course on Counselling in London. When he finished this, he worked from Shire Hall as a peripatetic Youth and Community Tutor working throughout the whole county.

When the post of Community Tutor came up at Melbourn Village College he set about making the area buzz with activities to suit all ages from the cradle to the grave. He set up a playgroup in the Youth Centre during the day and ran a full program of evening and daytime classes for adults. By 1984, the 25th Anniversary of the College, the Community program was oversubscribed. He integrated well with the school at weekends and drove the minibus for pupils going to sporting activities and music concerts on the Southbank. He joined in Out of School weeks and took pupils to a sailing school in Ipswich. He arranged for some of the adult students to sit alongside older school pupils in their exam classes. He often took Youth Club members camping at weekends and even pony trekking. As women were returning to work he made sure that there were suitable classes for them to learn the skills, to get employment in the developing technical world.

In 1980 he began looking for people to help with the more elderly and along with Eileen Martin set up a Lunch Club based initially at the college. Eileen supervised the meals and David collected and returned those who were not able to get there on their own. This group still runs today at Vicarage Close Melbourn.

In 1987 David, Val Tookey, Rod Yallop and Sue Cane decided they would try to help fulfil a wish, voiced for many years, for a swimming pool on the campus. Funds were raised from many official bodies but much money still had to be raised locally from sponsored activities. Val and David ran monthly discos for the youth of the area for several years to help the funds; the pool was officially opened by Val in 1991, and is 2

now used throughout the year from 7.00am - 10.00pm.

David took voluntary redundancy in 1993 and gave up full-time work but continued to support the Lunch Club and helped with Neighbourhood and Speed Watch in Meldreth. In 1994 he, with Carol Alderton, started the U3A in Melbourn and he accepted the role of Chairman for the first three years using his local contacts to find new tutors and make sure that everything ran smoothly.

At the turn of the century we were blessed by the birth of our two grandchildren and David set about joining in all the activities for the under fives during the day and then after they joined the local primary school, in the evenings till they were picked up by working parents.

In 2008 he received the not unexpected diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer's disease. He bravely faced up to it and did all he could to prepare for the future as he knew this could not be reversed. He himself donated his Brain for Research in 2009. He coped at home until the end of 2015 when he moved into Maycroft Care Home in the village. The last year of his life he spent happily and contentedly, cared for superbly where I could spend time with him every day.

After his death we had a private cremation for the immediate family and eventually he will reside in Meldreth Cemetery in the village where he spent the majority of his life.

Rosemary Childerley To him so many people owed so much. In a modest, assuming way David supported groups and individuals within our community with no fuss and never seeking prominence or public recognition for his achievements.

He was very proud of his job and his role in the community was very important to him. In order to achieve all that he did, he would always go the extra mile to create opportunities which he thought were important to the needs of others.

Rod Yallop, friend and ex- PE Master at Melbourn Village College

3

March Events in Meldreth Friday 3rd March, 8.30 to 11.00pm Live rock music with ‘Angel Underground’ & ‘Derecho’ All welcome. Free entry, licensed bar, real ale, etc.

Eternit Sports & Social Club, Whaddon Road, Meldreth Saturday 4th March, 10.30am to 12 noon Community Coffee Break Sheltered Housing Community Room, Elin Way Saturday 4th March, 9.00am Meldreth Village Litter Pick Email gvborgo@borgonon.net for details Monday 6th March, 10.00am to midday Meldreth Local History Group Coffee Morning Sheltered Housing Community Room, Elin Way Friday 17th March 7.30pm Friends of Holy Trinity Church Talk: Mountaineering by Peter Finklaire See page 8 for further details Friday 17th March 7.00 for 7.30pm Meldreth Primary School PTA Quiz Night & Bar See page 14 for further details 4

Saturday 25th March, 11.00am Wendy’s Walk Walk around Meldreth to raise funds for Arthur Rank Hospice.

See back page for details Tuesday 28th March 7.45pm Melbourn & Meldreth Woman’s Group All Saints Community Hall “Lent Reflection” by Alan Hay See page 29 for further details Friday 31st March, 8.30 to 11.00pm Live rock music with ‘Freak Barn Accident’ plus support All welcome. Free entry, licensed bar, real ale, etc.

Eternit Sports & Social Club, Whaddon Road, Meldreth

If you wish to promote your business locally why not advertise in this space:

Your local lawncare company, offering:

For details please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com

• Lawn moss killing • Scarification • Aeration • Complete weed and disease control • Bespoke feed programme • Reseeding • Hard surface moss & weed control

or telephone Beverley Cottrell on (01763) 262176.

Please contact us for a free Lawncare Analysis

Tel: 01763 242909

See page 60 for our rates.

meridian.lawncare@btconnect.com

5

Street Names of Meldreth: Information Needed I am starting a research project for the Meldreth Local History Group on the highways and byways around and through Meldreth.

There are several ancient trackways that pass near the village, linking to Ermine Street, Ashwell Street and the Icknield Way. A newly discovered one, the Avenell Way from Odsey to Cambridge, probably crossed the Mel in the village. Mare Way passes along the ridge by Barrington and may have been a pilgrimage route.

Icknield Way and Ermine Street were two of four highways that appear in the literature of the 1130s and it is possible that Meldreth was advantageously positioned close to these ancient droving, and then later, trading and travelling routes.

An important part of this research is on street names and I would be grateful for any information or anecdotes on the origin of the names, including names for footpaths, how they have changed and how the more recent ones were decided and when they were introduced. I am in contact with the parish council and the street naming section of the district council.

The “public” roads mentioned in the enclosure document are Kneesworth Road, Whaddon Road, Shepreth Road and Orwell Road.

There were also 7 private roads, one public footpath and one private footpath.

The map can be seen enclosure_in_meldreth.

at

www.meldrethhistory.org.uk/page/

The 1841 census has Sheen End, High Street, North End, Chiswic (sic) End. In 1871 on the enumerator page, Chiswic End has become Cheesecake End and Whaddon Road is mentioned.

In 1891 Bury Lane is mentioned and Cheesecake End becomes Chiswick (possibly Cheswick) End. In 1901 Fenny Lane appears as well as Whitecroft Road.

Whitgate or Whitegate Hall is mentioned from 1871. I would be very interested to hear about this property. I wonder if there is a link to Whitecroft Road which was Wicket Road from Kneesworth Road corner to Chiswick End; from there to the Station it was Broadway.

Malton Lane was Ball’s Lane or Close. Another source says that until 6

the late 19th century it was known as Lunway, or Lundr Way, possibly just at the Orwell end.

Fenny Lane was Veysie’s Lane.

I understand Oakrits may have been named after an orchard on the site.

There is reference to Bell Close as an orchard and meadow. However I wonder if there is any link to the Bell public house?

Brewery Lane presumably links to the previous site of the Brewery I am guessing Elin Way is named after Mrs Elaine Agnes Elin who lived at the Gables and donated money to a trust to build the almshouse in the High Street.

If you can be of any help please contact me on (01763) 232855 (takes messages) or brucehuett@compuserve.com.

Bruce Huett

ETERNIT SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB Licensed Bar ~~~~~~~ Children’s Outdoor Activity Area ~~~~~~~ Fully Equipped Gym (Membership Required) ~~~~~~~ Hall Available For Private Hire (Competitive Rates) ~~~~~~~ Local Gig Venue ~~~~~~~ Tel. 01763 260250 www.melbourn-rock-club.com

7

Church Matters Joint Parish Prayer Group The Prayer Group will next be meeting on Tuesday 21st March at 8.00p.m. at the home of Mrs Patricia Smith, 23 Armingford Crescent in Melbourn. Please join the group if you feel the need for quiet reflection and prayer. Prayer requests are always welcomed and dealt with in strict confidence and can be forwarded to Pat whose telephone number can be found in the ‘Melde’ magazine.

Elin Way ‘Community’ Coffee Break Our Coffee Break morning will be held on Saturday 4th March from 10.30 a.m. until 12 noon. We serve coffee, tea and soft drinks at very reasonable prices together with biscuits. There will also be a ‘Bring and Buy’ cake stall and donations for this would be very much appreciated.

Marion Long

Friends of Holy Trinity Friday 17th March Mountaineering A talk by Peter Finklaire who has for over 40 years climbed in the major locations of the world which he has captured in photographs. He will explain the techniques used for different climbing environments and recount his experiences. In the early days of The Friends Peter was the first invited speaker from outside our area and we look forward to hearing another interesting talk from him.

Starting time 7.30pm. Wine and nibbles included Tickets £7.50 (Friends £7.00) from: Robert Long (01763) 261365 Mary Gregory (01763) 260120 John Price (01763) 260048 Peter Chilvers (01763) 260742 Church Repairs A contractor has been selected to install an Alarm system primarily to protect the nave roof lead and it should be fitted prior to this month’s issue. Fortunately this was approved by the Archdeacon without having to request a full faculty.

By contrast, to replace the dilapidated Notice Board requires both a Faculty and Planning Permission and it is hoped replacement can take place in April.

John Price 8

Cam Valley Crafters The Cam Valley Crafters are a small friendly group who meet from 7.00pm– 10.00pm every Tuesday evening at the Elin Way Community Rooms.

Jenni Bone started the group five years ago when she needed advice on how to knit a baby cocoon, and wondered if there were others who would enjoy getting together socially and sharing expertise with like-minded crafters.

The appeal in Meldreth Matters was successful, and one of the members is Hilary Crawforth who joined as soon as she moved into the village from Lancashire.

The Christmas tree festival is a big event for this group, although the theme each year is a closely guarded secret. They start preparing for their themed display in July, and their creations are always real showstoppers.

“I couldn’t knit when I first came here” says founder member Yvonne, who has since knitted 68 Christmas mice, and is now making premature baby clothes for the Rosie hospital. Yvonne works in the village shop, and she frequently gets asked for clues to the tree’s theme.

Whilst men have so far not come to Tuesday meetings, they are drafted in to help make props for the display. They are certainly welcome to join. Knitting, crochet and needlecraft skills currently predominate, but the group is keen to encourage new people to come along and share different crafts. Whatever your abilities, it’s a lovely way to socialise.

As the group meets in the evening it is ideal for those who have daytime commitments, and the weekly subs are just £2. If you would like to find out more, please contact Jenni on 07792 578786 or email jenni.bone@hotmail.co.uk.

Jenni Bone 9

CP

Podiatry Offering professional footcare in the comfort of your own home.

Claire Duguid MSc BSc (Hons) MChS HCPC registered podiatrist *Routine footcare, including nail cutting and removal of hard skin and corns. *Diabetic footcare, including assessment, treatment and advice. *Prescription of insoles to offer pain relief. *Footwear advice.

Call today to make an appointment

01763 661841 or 07810805433 claireduguid@hotmail.com

10

Meldreth Preschool www.meldrethpreschoool The children have embraced the cold weather this half term by leaving water outside to freeze so we can then watch what happens when it melts, or smash it using wooden hammers. The children also created their own igloo which was very popular!

The children have been enjoying ‘The Gingerbread Man’ and ‘Three Little Pigs’ stories over the past few weeks including lots of play using the puppets to retell the stories in groups, rhyming and building our own houses out of straw, sticks and bricks. We even made our own gingerbread!

We marked Chinese New Year by exploring the flavour of Chinese food and some of the children created their own stir fries as Chinese Takeaways. They enjoyed learning about the animals assigned to each year with a fun story, found out which animal they are and developed their fine motor skills using chopsticks.

Our Woodland Wednesdays have been very cold this half term and the children have had to find lots of activities to keep warm. We have done lots of walking and jogging as we found staying still would make us feel colder. The children walked all the way to Topcliffe Mill several weeks ago and enjoyed watching the water flow and playing ‘Pooh sticks’!

You may go through the woods and still see some bird feeders the children made and marks with chalk where we have been. Of course the most popular way to warm ourselves up is to have hot chocolate with marshmallows. Our new online system has proved popular with parents who can now log-on to view pictures and comments from their child’s day at preschool.

The children of the preschool are always eager to learn about what grown ups get up to during the day, so if you have a job or hobby that you think they would like to hear about, please get in touch. We would love to have you come and talk to us about what you do, so please contact our team to arrange a time to share your stories with us.

There are still spaces available at the preschool for children aged 2 and above who want the chance to socialise, play and learn. You can make an appointment to visit the preschool to meet the staff, see what happens in a typical day and talk about your requirements. Simply call Cassie on 07518 173653 or email manager@meldrethpreschool.com.

Jo Smith 11

Meldreth Primary School www.meldreth.cambs.sch.uk Fed up with the dull drizzle of endless winter? Trying to find some kind of escape from the headlines? Well why not read some of Kingfisher Class’s amazing superhero stories.

They have been telling tales of their own superheroes who fly faster than eagles, run quicker than cheetahs and are certainly more exciting than the latest the A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign report [although, obviously, not as important]. The first two pieces of writing are their own superheroes invented to support their learning on materials, the second two are classic stories of the kind they like to read.

Barbara Thomas, Year 2 teacher.

I am Fabric Man. I can wrap villains up very tightly. I can stretch really far. I have fabric wings. I can make people really comfortable clothes.

By William M

Hello. I am Metal baby. I can bend and trap people with my bars. I also can pinch people with my paper clip. Our family is very strong there is two metal boys and my worst weapon is magnets because it stops me from fighting. Bye!

By Elliot F A superhero story Super Eagle Fire Boy had heard some terrible news Best Girl had escaped from prison! He had to stop her but how? I know said his sidekick make rain it says it’s doing to rain in 2 seconds! It’s raining what it’s raining bananas who could be behind this? I know it’s Franky Banana Boy! Everybody’s collecting bananas I had to save people there are millions of banana skins everywhere. I headed to stop Franky Banana Boy But I need to save people as well I no I’ll do both and my sidekick can stop best girl.

This is going to be hard but I can do it. EVRYBODY CAN I GET YOUR ATTENTION GO INSIDE! Now it’s time to stop Franky Banana Boy! I need to make a black hole and then I’ll put it back into my powers but I need to time it right otherwise it will suck the earth.

The earth will explode. But Franky Banana Boy will die! Now lets try 12

this the black hole it’s sucking Franky Banana Boy. But now he’s come back but now I think it’s the Bananas. Every body throw away your bananas. Now lets try it one more time. It worked! Yes! Now lets see how my sidekicks getting on. He had defeated her. She went back to prison but she kept something that was like a special kind of liquid. The end.

by Bertie L The terrible rock accident There was a little girl called Crush Girl. She was 7 years old and she turned 8 it happened on a Monday. She was eating a turkey leg.

Someone, yes someone, put strongitis in it. When she was a grown up she turned into Crush Girl.

It was hard being a superhero. But sometimes she felt grateful for other people. Sometimes she is on TV and on the news. She has a really thin T-shirt on and she goes to the gym. After the gym she saved an alien from dying because he almost fell off the Empire State Building.

She finally found a sidekick called the Greatest Banana Boy. He could fly like a bird. He had a beautiful white wings that spread out whenever there’s an emergency and there is bits of banana coming out of each side. It helps him to fly and the bit of banana that you eat springs out of his back pack. The arch enemy is Bat Boy. He only eats fruit like apples and oranges. She travelled around the world.

by Asher H

Two members of Kingfisher Class strike a ‘superhero pose’ in preparation for making a clay model Sally Willan Meldreth Primary School 13

14

iPLASTER

A10 TIMBER CO.

SKIMMING / PATCHING CEILING REPAIR WATER DAMAGE REPAIR ARTEX COVERED

For Timber & Sheet Material

Graded Timber Mouldings & Flooring Decking & Fencing Insulation Cutting & delivery service All enquiries welcome.

01763 260 526 07837 645173

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

Richard Burns

www.a10timber.co.uk

ELECTRICIAN

Barwick Ford Ware, Herts. SG11 1AL Tel: 01279 842016 0808 155 3631 sales@a10timber.co.uk 15

For repairs, installation & advice please call

Tel: 01763 263 121 Mob: 07958 028 729 Email: sockets@tesco.net Part P approved Certified installer

Compliant to BS7671 Based in Meldreth

What’s On for Children and Families in March Saturday 4th March, 11.00am – 3.00pm Family event: Sowing and Growing Cambridge Botanic Garden, 1 Brookside, Cambridge CB2 1JE Decorate a plant pot, plant a seed, take it home and watch it grow.

Free, drop-in event for children. Adults pay normal admission fee.

For information ring (01223) 331875.

Wednesday 15th March, 10.30am – 2.30pm How did they do that? Cambridge Science Festival Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street CB2 1RB Discover the science behind some best-loved art works with hands-on exploratory activities. For children 3 – 5 years. Free but booking essential on (01223) 332904 or education@fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk.

Monday 13th – Sunday 26th March Cambridge Science Festival, various dates and venues For information about events for children aged 8+ see www.sciencefestival.cam.ac.uk or pick up a programme in Cambridge shops or information office. Book on the website above or ring (01223) 766766. Most events free.

Saturday 18th, Sunday 19th, Monday 20th March, various times Burning Issues: Fire and Flames BMS Lecture Theatre, Chemistry Dept, Lensfield Road CB2 1EW An investigation of combustion with LOUD BANGS! Pre-book, as above.

Saturday 25th March, 10.30am – 11.30am or Noon – 1pm The Science of Ice Cream University Sports Centre, Philippa Fawcett Drive CB3 0AS Find out why ice cream is so delicious and watch researchers make 60 litres using liquid nitrogen. Pre-book as above.

Sunday 26th March, 11.00am – 3.30pm Local Wildlife Day, Wandlebury Country Park, Wandlebury Ring, Gog Magog Hills, Babraham CB22 3AE Meet a barn owl and its prey, dissect owl pellets and investigate amphibians. Go on a scavenger hunt. Free drop-in event for accompanied children. No need to book. Parking £3.

Compiled by Hilary Crawforth 16

Meldreth Marvel’s Cycling Group All grades of cyclists are most welcome to join us on the 2nd and last Tuesday of the month. Starting from Meldreth Church at 9.15am for, usually, a 2 hour ride around the local byroads and lanes.

Here, we stopped at the deli in Great Shelford - Tuesday, 17th January 2017. Please call John Rogger on 01763 260809 if you wish to participate.

John Rogger

New to the village?

Information on village facilities and over 30 local groups is available at

www.meldrethhistory.org.uk 17

Notes from a small garden for March Julie is in Rajasthan North India, as she writes this in the middle of a sandstorm in the desert near the old fort town of Jaisalmer, only 40 miles from the Pakistani border. She and Peter are with their birding group from Hauxton who are all great experts and good company. Our Indian bird guide is brilliant and this morning found us three Indian Great Bustards, an endangered bird, and the biggest bird in India to fly, and we were lucky to see them take off into the skies.

There are almost no flowers out here in this part of India but the vegetables, which look pristine are grown in profusion, although they need a lot of water. She has been thinking of you back home and wondering if the frosts have gone? She and Peter took a bit of a risk pruning the viticella clematis, honeysuckle and vines before they left so as not to have to do too much work when they return in mid February.

But there will still be the roses and fruit trees to attend to!

Looking forward to March which Julie always thinks of as THE planting month of the year, she has been identifying which vegatables really do best in her garden. Although like other gardens in Chiswick End where most have good soil and little clay, tends to be on the cold side. Over 37 years buckets and buckets of compost has been forked in, although it never seems enough!

Broad beans will be number one, which she grows in pots in the poly tunnel first to plant out later. This avoids them being eaten by mice.

Once the weather gets milder she puts in lettuce of various kinds, leeks, purple sprouting broccoli, shallot sets and early potatoes. The courgette and others beans she leaves till April.

Other jobs for March: Protect new spring shoots from slugs especially delphiniums Plant shallots, onion sets and early potatoes Plant dahlia tubers (if you bring them inside for the winter) in compost ready for planting out if they are beginning to sprout.

Plant summer flowering bulbs Top dress containers with fresh compost Prune climbing and any other roses you haven't pruned Cut back Cornus (dogwood) and Salix (willow) grown for colourful winter stem Mow the lawn on dry days (if needed) 18

Hoe and mulch weeds early to keep them under control Lift and divide any overgrown perennials, potting up any spares for local flower shows/fetes Start feeding fish and using the pond fountains; remove pond heaters And a message from Jim for those of us past 60: The old boys would have a small potato in the inside pocket of their jacket as this was said to ward off rheumatism!

Good gardening from Jim and Julie!

Julie Draper juliedraper@dumbflea.co.uk

Meldreth Table Tennis Club is Ten Years Old

This Village club was originally set up by Christine Knight & Joan Gane on the 22nd March 2007 and is still run by them. It has steadily grown in popularity over the last 10 years and currently has 39 members who all enjoy the social table tennis. This friendly & welcoming Club has 4 tables, provides bats & balls and is open to all standards of play. Players have to be over 16 and the club runs sessions in Meldreth Village hall on the 1st, 3rd, 4th & 5th Thursday every month.

The sessions are pay & play. Adults ÂŁ2 and juniors under 18 in full time education ÂŁ1, the entry fee includes refreshments. For further information contact either Christine at christineknight65@gmail.com or Joan at jgane33@gmail.com or just come along and join in at one of the sessions.

Christine Knight 19

2017 Diary Plan for Veg Plus Club Our friendly veg club has now been going for a number of years but we would love some new members. Below is a list of our planned visits for 2017. Do come and join us. No gardening knowledge is necessary, just enthusiasm! Please ring or email Julie Draper 01763 260323 or juliedraper@dumbflea.co.uk if you are interested. You will be made very welcome.

The meetings will take place on the second Tuesday of the month at 5.30pm, except during “winter time� when the meetings will be held at 10.00 am on the second Saturday of the month, or when we have a visit planned. Lifts to the gardens we propose to visit will be arranged. We just need to know if you are keen to come.

March 14th 5.30pm Pauline and Peter Penfold 17, Chiswick End April 4th 5.30 pm Margaret and Terry Lynch Bury Farm, 42 North End Note: This is on the first Tuesday of the month May 9th 5.30pm Hilary and John Crawforth, 1a Chiswick End Sunday June 11th 2.30pm Visit Gotha Gardens, Pembroke Farm, Slip End, Near Ashwell SG7 6SQ www.pembrokefarmgarden.co.uk July 11th 5.30pm Jim and Jane Eggleton, 1 Bell Close August 8th 5.30pm Anne Braggins, 90 High St Saturday September 3rd 10.30am [++] Harvest Show plus coffee, Elin Way Community Hall Oct 10th 5.30pm Tricia and John Morgan, 6 Chiswick End Saturday November 11th 10.00am Sherida and John Richards, 39 Whitecroft Road Saturday December 9th 10.00am Christmas coffee, Julie and Peter Draper, 23 Chiswick End [++]Some years ago we laid out a couple of tables in the community room in Elin Way and covered them with flowers and produce from our gardens which was suggested by Jim, and much appreciated by the older folk in the village. The date coincides with the monthly coffee meeting run by the church.

Julie Draper juliedraper@dumbflea.co.uk 20

ROYSTON FENCING

HOME FOOTCARE

TEL 01763 261150 FENCING, GATES INCLUDING ELECTRIC MADE TO ORDER

Jane Cavanna

ALL TYPES OF FENCING AND GATES

(MCFHP MAFHP)

SHEDS AND GARDEN FURNITURE

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

DECKING, PATIOS & PERGOLAS SLEEPERS, PAVING & NATURAL STONE

Call today to book:

WWW.ROYSTONFENCING.CO.UK KNEESWORTH RD. MELDRETH ROYSTON

01777 816696 or 07769 347903 Nigel Wigg Home Improvement Specialist

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

• Exterior and interior home

Day Centre

• Tiling • Carpentry • Refurbishment • Timber carport and veranda

decorating

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

design and construction

Interesting activities, sociable atmosphere, home cooked lunch.

• General home repairs • Pruning / hedge and tree trimming • Professional service

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

From just £7.90 per day.

nigelwigg@gmail.com T 01480 700266 M 07801 057514

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

21

Melbourn & District Photographic Club As the current Season draws to a close, we have a varied programme of events including three club competitions, an inter-club competition, a lecture, a club evening, The Melbourn Trophy Final and the AGM. 7th March

3rd Projected Image Competition Judge: Rob Good

14th March

Some Elements of Composition, lecture by Frank Ash

18th March

Melbourn Trophy Final at Foxton (Saturday) Judge: Chris Palmer

21th March

Print of the Year, Judge: Sarah Kelman

28th March

Inter-Club battle with Royston at Foxton, Judge: Naomi Saul

4th April

Projected Image of The Year Judge: Julie Hutson

11th April

Club Evening – And Now for Something Different

18th April

AGM

Meetings are held weekly at 7.30 - 9.30pm on Tuesdays at Foxton Village Hall from September to April.

The Club has a diverse membership, a friendly and supportive atmosphere and welcomes new members, whatever their ability.

Anyone wishing to know more details or see some of our work should visit our website at melbournphotoclub.com or e-mail the club Secretary, Peter North, at melbournphotoclub@hotmail.com Peter North

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

22

COUNSELLING, THERAPY & SUPPORT IN THE WORKPLACE With Mandy Thornton Private sessions for help with depression, stress, relational problems, anxiety, lack of confidence, bereavement, etc.

~

Workplace support sessions for companies wishing to support their staff in stressful job situations

01763 208516 mandythornton.com

Coton Electrical

Flat Roofing Specialists

for all Domestic wiring

CAMBRIDGE ROOFERS

Full rewiring Consumer units Lights and switches New sockets Gardens Kitchens & bathrooms

NEW! Inspections PAT Tests NEW!

INSURANCE BACKED GUARANTEES FOR ALL NEW ROOFS

Free estimates www.cotonelectrical.co.uk david@cotonelectrical.co.uk

Call David on 07749 850026 17 Flambards Close, Meldreth

01223 782382 info@roofing-cambridge.co.uk www.roofing-cambridge.co.uk

23

District Councillor’s Report Marley Eternit I have had an update from the case officer. He has received the independent viability report which casts some doubt on the developer's construction cost estimates. Our s106 ask has been sent to the developer and SC officers are continuing to work together with the county on the education contribution claim. The developer may be making a further submission to deal with Highways' concerns.

Once all the threads are pulled together, the case officer will be in a position to come to a judgment on this application. His report has to be written by the middle of the month prior to Planning Committee so all these factors would have to be resolved within days to make the March committee so it looks very much like there is further slippage into April.

Litter Pick Volunteers are sought for the village litter pick which this year will take place at 9am on Saturday 4th March. This coincides with the Keep Britain Tidy Spring Clean weekend and you will see posters up around the village to co-ordinate our litter pick with those being held around the country.

Keep Britain Tidy Chief Executive Allison Ogden-Newton says: “The Great British Spring Clean is about getting all those people who care about their environment to take action. We know that more than 50% of people are concerned about the appearance of their local area and so we want them to feel that they can do something about it and that they are not alone in caring. If 500,000 people help us pick litter for just two hours each that means that our country will benefit from one million hours of clean-up care.”

Our litter pick will be registered on the Spring Clean web map.

Additionally, if before the litter pick there is a badly littered area near you that needs some tlc, tell Keep Britain Tidy about it by sending a photo with the location to info@greatbritishspringclean.org.uk so that they can highlight it in their publicity.

Changes to bin collections Bin collection in Meldreth and Shepreth will be changing to Tuesdays 24

from the end of this month. The reason given for the change is that, now that the bin collection service is shared with Cambridge City, rounds have been rationalised to reduce by 20,000 the number of miles our bin lorries need to travel to collect our waste.

Our green and blue bins will be the first collected on a Tuesday, on February 28th. All households should have received a flyer giving the collection schedule through to May. All assisted bin collection arrangements should transfer over to the Tuesday collection.

Please let me know if you are experiencing any difficulties with the altered service.

Meldreth Women’s' Institute I was very saddened to read in February's Meldreth Matters that the future of Meldreth WI may be uncertain. My grandmother, Kathleen Hart, was widowed in her early fifties - the age I am now - and found a lifeline and good friends through her membership of Meldreth WI. As a child I remember accompanying her on WI outings to places of interest.

Just a quick look at the WI website https://www.thewi.org.uk reminded me what a powerful campaigning organisation the WI has been and can be so it is not all recipes and craft. Surely there are a lot of women in Meldreth who would welcome the opportunity to meet up regularly and solve the problems of the world!

In a similar vein.....International Women’s Day The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner is working with Cambridgeshire Constabulary to create an event for International Women’s Day on the 8th March 2017.

The theme of the event will be around bringing communities together with a particular focus on keeping you and your community safe. The event will be designed around what women tell us are the issues of greatest concern to them and that they would like to learn more about.

Themes could include domestic abuse, cyber security, safeguarding children and adults, inequality and community cohesion.

We want as many communities as possible from all walks of life to get involved in not only helping us plan the event but to encourage as many women as possible to attend. If you have any suggestions or would like 25

to be a part of the event, please contact the Engagement Officer, Sarah Morgan - sarah.morgan@cambs.pnn.police.uk Schools Funding After recent improvements in historically low funding to Cambridgeshire schools, another round of funding changes has resulted such that in the Bassingbourn & Melbourn locality of 17 primary schools, only 6 are to see an increase in budget and 10 will see a decrease. This is because of the way that certain additional funding is allocated and basically means that schools in non-deprived areas may see their budgets cut. While it may be fairer to allocate money to needier children, the real problem is that the government is shortchanging schools by not inflation-proofing its grant. Even if there had been no other changes, schools would be about 8% worse off in real terms by 2019.

Housing delivery Last month I gave some depressing statistics about affordable housing and the difficulty people in our district experience in being able to afford to live near to their place of work. Even our flagship tech and science industry says its highly skilled workforce cannot afford to buy anywhere to live in Cambridge; I was pleased to sit on Planning Committee this week and give approval for a 63 block of one-bed roomed flats, 40% affordable, at Orchard Park, Cambridge with just this demographic in mind.

However it is housing delivery which is so poor across the district.

SCDC has granted planning permission at the rate of new build required but the rate of new build is only half at the rate at which they are supposed to be delivered.

The council is judged not on approvals but upon delivery, so measures need to be taken to put pressure on developers to build on their sites.

Perhaps the new Mayor will perform miracles!

Speaking of which......Mayoral Candidates I have personally been opposed to another layer of government but since devolution is now happening, we have to concentrate on what this region might get out of it.

We will have a new ÂŁ20m annual fund for the next 30 years 26

(£600million) to support economic growth, development of local infrastructure and jobs. There’s £170 million for affordable housing, including £100 million for affordable, rent and shared ownership, particularly in response to housing issues in South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge City. There is a proposed specific £70 million fund to meet housing needs in Cambridge which Cambridge City Council have indicated would be spent on new Council housing and without which the City Council would have not supported the Mayor.

Other things to look forward to include a Wisbech Garden Town and the Wisbech-Cambridge rail connection, transport infrastructure improvements such as A14/A142 junction and upgrades to the A10 and the A47 as well as Ely North Junction, rail improvements including a new station at Soham and investment in a Peterborough University with degree-awarding powers.

The Labour party have selected Cambridge City councillor Kevin Price as their mayoral candidate. Cambridge City councillor Rod Cantrill will be standing for the Liberal Democrats, Cambridgeshire County Council member Paul Bullen will represent UKIP and Peterborough parish councillor Julie Howell is running for the Green Party.

Entrepreneur Peter Dawe is standing as an independent candidate.

James Palmer is the Conservative candidate.

Councillor Philippa Hart Meldreth and Shepreth Ward (01763) 261255 or 07811 323571

Refuse Collections Collections in March will be on the following dates: Black bins: Tuesday 7th & Tuesday 21st Blue and Green bins: Tuesday 14th & Tuesday 28th South Cambridgeshire District Council 27

Meldreth WI It was announced at last nights' meeting we will be able to at least carry on for another year, but unless we get more members this will be the final year. I know we are mostly elderly ladies but we are not, by any means, a group of 'fuddy duddies'. We have interesting speakers, group meetings with other Institutes, outings and lecture weekends at our own WI college at Denman. It would be so nice if some of the younger ladies in the village join us and perhaps give us some younger views on what could be a very good group, as it once was.

Once a young man was asked by his teacher what he would like to be on leaving school and he answered in a Wolverhampton accent "be a Diplomat" and that young boy did become a Diplomat.

At our meeting of 9th February, Sir David Wright kept us very entertained with his life both here in England and abroad in many countries. He joined the Foreign Office in 1966 and was posted to Japan as 3rd Secretary and later 2nd Secretary to Tokyo. He returned to the Foreign Office in 1972 and from 1976 was 1st Secretary to the Paris Embassy. On returning to the Foreign Office he became deputy Private Secretary to the Prince of Wales during the sad time of the break down of his marriage to Diana.

Sir David met so many interesting people during his career and he told us the tale of lamps. Mrs Thatcher decided she wanted lamps which were in the waiting room in the foreign office adjacent to No 10. Mrs Thatcher did not like indecisiveness and was rather miffed when told "No". She grabbed one lamp and David the other but seeing as it was Friday afternoon and almost closing time, he gave in and was asked to take them to No10 where she decided they were rather dusty and presented him with a duster and together they cleaned the lamps. It goes to show you are never too important to be told to get dusting.

Sir David and his wife, who next year will celebrate their Golden Wedding, now live here in Meldreth and on retirement from the Foreign Office, he became Vice Chairman of Barclays Capital, the investment department of the group. He is also chairman of the governors of The Perse School. What a wonderful, if busy and hectic, life he has led!

Kathleen Thompson 28

Melbourn & Meldreth Women’s Group We are a small friendly group who meet on the 4th Tuesday of the month at either Melbourn or Meldreth. We charge £1 on the night to cover expenses and a donation may also be made to our chosen charity.

At most of our meetings we have a speaker.

In January we had our AGM where we chose our charity for 2017. This was followed by a Bring and Share supper and raffle. At this meeting two of our members agreed to join our committee.

Our March meeting will be held at 7.45pm on Tuesday March 28th at All Saints Community Hall. It will be led by Alan Hay and is entitled “Lent Reflection”. This will as usual be followed by tea/coffee and biscuits and an opportunity to chat.

If you are interested in joining our group please contact one of the following: Pat Smith (01763) 262575, Sue Toule (01763) 260955, Anne Harrison (01763) 261775 or Angela Leach (01763) 262793 Angela Leach

Good Companions We had a lively meeting last month which started off with a very interesting and informative talk by an official fund raiser for the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

I believe we all learned a lot about the service that we were not aware of before. Many thanks to Jack and his lovely colleague for making it such a fun and relaxed meeting.

Tea, biscuits and the raffle followed the talk amidst lots of chat and as always laughter. Unfortunately our Chairperson was unable to attend due to illness; we all wish her to be well soon.

Our next meeting is on Thursday 2nd March 2.00pm-4.00pm when we have a visit from Age UK. Laraine Pocknell (Secretary) (01763) 261432

29

County Councillor’s Report County Council February 14th budget meeting It is still unclear what the consensus will be on council tax rise. The Liberal Democrat Group believes we cannot afford not to raise as much money as possible for essential public services. The ‘hidden’ victims of these cuts are people in need of social care services. Parish councils will be aware of the range of financial contributions being asked of them to make up the gap.

Oil Club donation to Home-Start This year’s small Oil Club rebate of £115 has been donated to HomeStart. Due to falling budgets, health and social care services are being radically restructured, and Home-Start will receive no more County Council funding at all, in spite of being specifically cited in the council’s care plan as a key provider.

128 bus With every expectation that bus subsidies would be removed once and for all in the forthcoming County Council budget, painstaking crossparty work by the small County Council ‘Total Transport Steering Group’, which I have chaired over the past two years, has looked forensically at the impact of subsidized transport on local communities and new ways of deploying valuable and scarce funds. As a result there is no proposal in the budget coming to the Council on 14th February to remove bus subsidies. This is not to say that the battle is over, because it is being fought every year.

Out-of-hours GP service – move from Chesterton to Addenbrookes?

The GP surgery out-of-hours service that has been based at Chesterton Hospital is considering moving to the Addenbrookes site, in order to situate the service where relevant specialist help will be available, including back-up GP coverage. About 10-15% of people who arrive at A &E don’t require A & E services and are asked to head to the GP out -of-hours service instead. Out-of-hours is normally accessed by dialling 111. This proposal would mean a £3.50 parking charge, standard at Addenbrookes, whereas the Chersterton site parking is free. http://www.cambridgeshireandpeterboroughccg.nhs.uk/contact-us/ consultations-open/consultation-on-a-future-model-for-an-integratedout-of-hours-base-at-cambridge-university-hospitals-nhs-foundationtrust-addenbrookes.htm 30

26 bus: possible new hourly link to Park and Ride?

I’ve been to visit the Stagecoach manager to ask whether the company would consider bringing back the hourly 26 service that passes through Melbourn. A good number of Meldreth residents who use the service have been in touch. Stagecoach explained that for passengers travelling on a free bus pass, the bus company is reimbursed only 50% of the fare – down from 75% previously. They did not agree to resume the hourly service, but other options were discussed including altering the current route to terminate at Trumpington Park and Ride, running hourly.

Passengers could transfer to the Guided Bus for Addenbrookes or the Park and Ride bus into the city centre. Stagecoach will consider this, probably running a questionnaire to gauge support. If so, we must help to disseminate the questionnaire.

Meldreth Station booking office and ticket machine Many complaints have come in over the past several weeks about random closures of the Meldreth Station booking office and failure of the ticket machine. If you find yourself unable to buy a ticket at any of our stations due to a ticket machine fault, the Rail User Group has been told by Govia Thameslink Railway that you should go ahead and board the train, and purchase your ticket at your destination. This doesn’t address the problem of buying a ticket on line to collect from a ticket machine. Any problems, please get in touch. As for the ticket office, please do continue to let us know if you find the office closed, as the Rail User Group is pressuring Govia Thameslink to hire a permanent member of staff – and to advertise the post within the local community.

This is a good moment to remind people that the Rail User Group meets March 14, 7.30pm, at Shepreth Village Hall. I have invited Govia Thameslink to send a senior representative on account of these persistent problems.

Susan van de Ven County Councillor susanvandeven5@gmail.com 07905 325574 Drop-in Advice Surgery I hold a surgery every first Monday of the month, 2.30-3.30pm at Melbourn Hub. Susan van de Ven County Councillor susanvandeven5@gmail.com 07905 325574 31

Meldreth Villag Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday 9.30-11.30am Baby & Toddler Group 5.30pm & 7.30pm Slimming World

Thurs

6.00-7.00 Brownies

2.00-4.00pm Companions 6.00 - 6.45pm Pilates 7.00 - 9.00pm

7.45-9.00pm Bell Ringing

7.30pm Parish

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

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

6.00 - 6.45pm Pilates 7.30pm WI

9.15am Cycling Group 10.00am-12.00 Handbells 5.00-6.00pm Martial Arts 5.30pm Veg Plus club visit 7.00 - 8.00pm Aerobics 7.00-10.00pm Crafters

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

6.00 - 6.45pm Pilates 7.00 - 9.00pm Tennis

10.00am-12.00 Handbells 5.00-6.00pm Martial Arts 7.00 - 8.00pm Aerobics 7.00-10.00pm Crafters 8.00pm Prayer Group, 23 Armingford Crescent, Melbourn

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

9.15am Cycling Group 10.00am-12.00 Handbells 10.45-11.30am Mobile Library 5.00-6.00pm Martial Arts 7.00 - 8.00pm Aerobics 7.00-10.00pm Crafters

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

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

10.00am-12.00 noon Meldreth Local History Group Coffee Morning

7.30-10.00pm Old Time Dancing

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

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

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

6.00-7.00 Brownies

7.45-9.00pm Bell Ringing

6.00 - 6.45pm Pilates 7.00 - 9.00pm Tennis

6.00-7.00 Brownies

7.45-9.00pm Bell Ringing

6.00 - 6.45pm Pilates 7.00 - 9.00pm Tennis

6.00-7.00 Brownies

7.45-9.00pm Bell Ringing

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 room. The Mobile Library Service visits Bell Close. The Cycling Group meets in the lay-by oppos 32

e Diary - March

sday

Good

2 9 6 3 0

m Fitness

m T Tennis h Council

m Fitness

m Fitness

m Table

m Fitness

m Table

m Fitness

m Table

Friday 8.30-11.00pm Live Rock Angel Underground & Derecho, Eternit Sports and social club

Saturday 09.00am Litter pick 10.30am-12 noon Coffee Break

Sunday 9.45am Family Communion and New Seekers Sunday School 5.30pm Meat Raffle, British Queen

3 4 5 10 11 12 17 18 19 24 25 26 31

8.00am Holy Communion 5.30pm Meat Raffle, British Queen

9.45am Family Communion and New Seekers Sunday School

7.00pm for 7.30pm MPS PTA Quiz night & bar 7.30pm FOHT talk Mountaineering (see page 8)

5.30pm Meat Raffle, British Queen

11.00am Wendy’s Walk (see back page)

8.30-11.00pm Live Rock Freak barn accident, Eternit Sports and social club

8.00am Holy Communion 5.30pm Meat Raffle, British Queen

The copy deadline for the April issue of Meldreth Matters is Sunday 12th March

North End. Cam Valley Crafters, Good Companions, Meldreth Local History Group and the es, Messy Church & Melbourn and Meldreth Women’s Group meet in the Holy Trinity meeting ite Holy Trinity Church. All other events are held in the Village Hall unless otherwise indicated.

33

Meldreth Parish Council www.meldreth-pc.org.uk Below are extracts from the unapproved minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 2nd February 2017.

Present: Councillor C A Land - Chairman, Councillor R Searles -Vice Chairman, Councillor CJ Fallon, Councillor R Goddin, Councillor A Keena, Councillor D Lee, Councillor D Stewart, Councillor A Young In attendance: Mrs J Damant (Clerk) and Councillor P Hart (SCDC) Apologies: Councillor N Pellatt and Councillor van de Ven Interests: There were no interests declared.

Public Participation: There were no members of the public in attendance.

Meldreth Futures Working Group: Terms of Reference: – a draft copy has been amended for all councillors to review for the next meeting.

Application Forms: MADS: The application was to purchase two microphone systems at a cost of £479 each, £958.00 in total. It was proposed by Councillor Young that the equipment be purchased by Meldreth Parish Council and kept at the village hall. The equipment can be used by all but MADS will have priority for their productions. Clerk to contact the Village Hall Committee to confirm they are happy to house the equipment.

RDCT: It was proposed by the MFWG that further information is needed to support this application.

Precept for 2017/18: (Local Government Finances Act 1992 s41) Agreement of precept allocation for 2017/18 It was proposed by Councillor Searles to request a precept of £60,000 from SCDC, seconded by Councillor Fallon, all agreed. The budget is £117,446, this is the amount of funds needed to carry out works required in the village. With a precept request of £60,000 the remainder will be taken out of reserves, this will leave enough in reserves as stated by CAPALC and the auditors to manage the parish.

There are variables in this due to having to set aside funds for items which may not be needed, such as legal fees for Marley Eternit.

34

List of projects to be implemented in 2017/18: After discussion it was agreed that funds should be left in for the footway at Station Road though this is not the full amount which would be needed as it is hoped S106 and grants may also be used.

The footway lights along North End: it was agreed that a survey be carried out on the lights, so that a replacement project can be implemented. It was proposed that this will be a long term project and that other footway lights will be looked at. The Parish Council have 43 footway lights, though not all may need changing. Clerk to contact Highways and SCDC for their advice.

Marley Eternit: Proposed development of 150 dwellings: Councillor Hart has had an update from the case officer. The independent viability report has been received which casts some doubt on the developer's construction cost estimates. Our S106 ask has been sent to the developer and SC officers are continuing to work together with the county on the education contribution claim. The developer may be making a further submission to deal with Highways' concerns.

Once all the threads are pulled together, the case officer will be in a position to come to a judgment on this application. His report has to be written by the middle of the month prior to Planning Committee so all these factors would have to be resolved within days to make the March committee so it looks very much like there is further slippage into April.

Playground, Monthly Report: Clerk has contacted Mr Chappel to repair the wood on the rocking horse and to install the guard for the zip wire. All other equipment appears to be in good working order. Quotes for hedge and tree maintenance to be redone. Clerk and Councillor Fallon to look again at all the work required.

Recreation Ground: Ditch: update Clerk is in correspondence with Mr Brian Heffernan regarding contractors and responsibility of SCDC and residents. There is no further update but the Clerk is awaiting information that can be sent out to residents explaining what will be involved. As minuted last month the ditch maintenance if also being held up as the ditch on the other side leading from Footpath 8 towards Bell Close needs to be cleared, this is not the Parish Council responsibility as they are not the land owners, but in order for the water to flow this ditch needs clearing as well.

35

Pavilion Construction: Building project update: Councillor Pellatt was not in attendance but Councillor Keena reported on his behalf. Everything is going to plan and is on schedule. Councillor Pellatt agreed for the installation of a dark blue floor as it was advised that this colour is better for not showing dirt. Signing off of plans needs to be done as soon as possible.

Councillor Pellatt has the documents.

Correspondence and Clerk's Report: Other items may be included for information.

Speed limit between Shepreth and Meldreth being reduced to 40mph.

This is a joint venture between the parishes of Shepreth and Meldreth.

Response received from Policy and Regulation at CCC is that the statutory process to install the speed restriction was carried out in July 2016 and went through without issue, the order was then placed in September. The Clerk is presently awaiting an update as to when the work will commence. Shepreth have been copied into all correspondence.

Pavilion Management Programme: Councillor Young reported that an agreement has been updated and will be circulated to all Councillors to view. At the moment the items being looked into are that all users of the pavilion will have to sign and abide by the agreement. It is hoped to have a non salary appointment of a Manager to oversee the pavilion and report to the Parish Council representative who will then report back at the Parish Council meeting.

There will also be a paid position of a cleaner. It is hoped to have an online booking system. All organisations using the pavilion will be given 2 or 3 keys and there will be a charge if a key is lost as locks will need to be changed.

Tennis Courts: Clerk signed the Land Permission Form so that the Tennis Club can request outside grants, and a letter of support.

Further clarification needs to be sought regarding access to the courts, booking of the courts and the collection of payments.

It was agreed that there would be allocated ÂŁ5000 from 2017/18 precept and that an annual amount of ÂŁ1500 be reserved from 2018/19.

This is so that monies will be set aside for any future works which may be needed.

36

Tree health and safety surveys: Possibly new service for Parish Councils whereby SCDC will carry out tree surveys on Parish Council trees, there will be a charge but at the moment they are looking to see if parishes would be interested in the idea. It was felt by all that this scheme may be beneficial but further information regarding costing would be needed.

Community Flood Groups and Flood Plans: Setting up of a Community Flood group and/or flood plan in order to increase the flood resilience of your community. This is made up of volunteers. To be discussed at a later date.

Mettle Hill: Councillor Goddin reported that the working group have now concluded their initial review of park homes. Initial indications are that a 35yr overall lease could produce an income of around £50k per annum for the first ten years and then £22k per annum for the next 25 years, being 55% of the projected net rentals after costs. All subject to reviews in line with RPI. Other proposals being looked in to are affordable housing and industrial/business units. Councillor Searles enquired if the land could be an exception site for Meldreth connections, the brown field area could be used so has less of an impact on the village footprint. We will be meeting SCDC planning to discuss the options Councillors' Reports: Councillor Young reported that he had carried out a site survey for where “The 20’s Plenty” signs could be placed. Clerk has forwarded this information onto Mr Peter J Taylor (CCC) and Balfour Beatty who wanted to know the size of the signs as they are to be placed on the light posts. As the signs are advisory they do not need legalities. Once Highways and Balfour Beatty have responded the Parish Council can decide on the best locations and the clerk can order, it is thought that 25 signs in total will be needed at a cost of £900.

Councillor Fallon reported that the Football Club had received a grant from Cemex.

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.

37

A garage for the village, run by people from the village MOTs|Servicing|Tyres|Repairs|Diagnostics|Exhausts|Clutches|Cambelts Cars|Light Commercials|Free Collection and Delivery

Book Today Tel: 01223 491005 Email: Info@b2bauto.co.uk Web: www.b2bauto.co.uk

*Unit 2 * Whitecroft Road * Meldreth * Herts * SG8 6NE * AFFORDABLE PLUMBING

Village Garden Services

FIXED PRICE SMALL WORKS: Taps changed/repaired Ball valves changed Cisterns repaired/replaced Blockages cleared Outside taps installed Washing machine/dishwasher installation Radiators replaced, trv valves fitted/changed

Contact : Campbell Weir Mobile : 07798 924022 Home : 01223 207583 Email : campbell.weir@outlook.com Reliable and friendly service for all your general garden maintenance needs and much more ...‌ !

Quicksilver Yoga Stretch, strengthen, energise and relax.

Suitable for all abilities.

All at Affordable prices Free no obligation quotes Contact Michael 07850 652838 or 01223 264658 Email: affordableplumbing99@yahoo.co.uk ALL WORK GUARANTEED FULLY INSURED

New classes starting Thursday evenings at Gymbos Personal Training Studio, Meldreth.

7pm - 8pm and 8pm - 9pm Small class size. Book your space now.

For more information contact Quicksilver1yoga@gmail.com Or phone: 07874719155

38

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 ÂŁ6 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

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 R Goddin

(01763) 260061

goddin@btinternet.com

Mr A Keena

(01763) 260267

alankeena@aol.com

Mr C A Land (Chairman) (01763) 261004

c.land963@btinternet.com

Mr D Lee

david@oakrits.plus.com

(01763) 261571

Mr Nigel Pellatt (Vice Ch) (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

andrewmpc@gmail.com

39

Volunteering Opportunities Community Listener volunteers needed This is Lizzie, she is one of our local Healthwatch Cambridgeshire volunteers and is helping us with a new project to look at how health and care services communicate with people who have a sensory loss.

Lizzie's told us "I am a service user myself and have disabilities so I rely on good healthcare and support, such as having a good relationship with the GP." Our volunteers are people like you who live or work in Cambridgeshire. You know the place where you live and the people in your community. We need your help to talk to more people about Healthwatch and find out what care is like for them.

You will listen to people within your local community who have used health or social care services. This may be your family, neighbours and friends, or people you meet within your local networks.

You may visit local groups, chat with people and record what they have to say.

You might talk to people about Healthwatch Cambridgeshire. This may involve giving a short presentation, or working with us on a display stand.

We will give you training and support, as well as paying agreed out of pocket expenses.

As a Community Listener, you could also train to take part in our ‘Enter and View” visits to local health or care services. This is our legal right to visit places that provide publicly funded health or care services, to see and hear how people experience care. In the last year, we have visited Addenbrooke’s and Hinchingbrooke Hospitals.

Contact Heather or Elizabeth for an informal chat. Call 01480 420628, email enuquiries@healthwatchcambridgeshire.co.uk or visit www.healthwatchcambridgeshire.co.uk Healthwatch Cambridgeshire 40

Cambridge Re-Use Cambridge Re-Use is a well-established charity that helps individuals and families that are struggling financially to buy household goods and furniture at a low cost. We collect donated furniture from the general public and sell it on at our warehouse to people on a low income. We rely on a team of 30 volunteers to help deliver our service.

We have volunteers in many different roles from receptionists, van crew, van drivers, to Pat testing, carpentry, data entry, marketing, fundraising, social media, research projects and more.

We offer a warm friendly family atmosphere, lunch and travel expenses, references, a 25% discount on furniture and lots of tea, coffee and biscuits.

We are currently recruiting new volunteers for various roles within our team. For further information and an application form please contact Cara (Manager) on (01223) 414554 or email cara@cambridgereuse.org.uk.

Cara Moorey 01223 414554

41

Home heating oil • Prompt delivery service

• Competitive prices

01223 846846 www.shelfordenergy.co.uk

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.

42

Meldreth Neighbourhood Watch Payment Diversion Fraud: Fraudsters are emailing members of the public who are expecting to make a payment for property repairs. The fraudsters will purport to be a tradesman who has recently completed work at the property and use a similar email address to that of the genuine tradesman. They will ask for funds to be transferred via bank transfer. Once payment is made the victims of the scam soon realise they have been deceived when the genuine tradesman requests payment for their services.

Protect yourself: Always check that the email address is exactly the same as previous correspondence with the genuine contact.

For any request of payment via email verify the validity of the request with a phone call to the person who carried out the work.

Check the email for spelling and grammar as these signs can indicate that the email is not genuine.

Payments via bank transfer offer no financial protection; consider using alternative methods such as a credit card or PayPal which offer protection and an avenue for recompense.

Don't forget the trusted contacts in Meldreth who you can talk to about a possible scam, which may include being asked to buy by a cold caller: Graham (01763) 260358; Peter (01763) 260323; Linda (01763) 261405; Tim (01763) 262801 Anyone can report a scam to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.

The Cambridge Police website for reporting a variety of issues is 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

43

Interview with a Cat Vet Dr Chris Maguire VetMB MA CertSAM MACVSc (feline) MRCVS, is an Advanced Practitioner in Feline Medicine, below he gives advice on matters important to every cat owner.

Tell us about your background and what lead you to become an Advanced Practitioner in Feline Medicine I grew up in semi-rural Midlands and as a child had an array of pets, rabbits, guinea pigs, budgies and even Californian newts! After school, I headed to Cambridge Veterinary School and developed my interest in small animals. I was incredibly lucky that my first job as a new graduate Vet was in a North London veterinary clinic which had a real focus on good quality feline medicine. Procedures and protocols had been put into place by Feline Specialists and maintained by my excellent colleagues at the time. Rather than just dispensing medications I was taught to diagnose first and then treat appropriately. This has stuck with me throughout my career. I was lucky enough to be involved with a London cat charity during the first 7 years of my career and so I had exposure to a very large number of cats at varying life stages with a variety of different acute and chronic conditions. I went on to study for further qualifications in small animal medicine and then subsequently feline medicine. For the last four years, I have been involved with mentoring and examining in feline medicine for postgraduate vets which has been very rewarding.

Tell us about your first cat. How many cats do you own?

My first cat as a child was an elderly stray who followed me home from scouts on a cold winter night. We never really knew where she had come from but was clearly in need of shelter and food. Initially, we only fed her outside but she quickly became part of the household and lived out her retirement with us. This was the start of my journey with cats.

After this, I was determined to have another cat and contacted the local Cat’s Protection Charity who homed a young female cat to us. Little did we know that she had not been neutered as they had thought and she went on to have kittens. We kept one, but unfortunately, he died at only 5 years of age of an acute asthma attack the week before I went to study at Cambridge Vet School.

In my previous position, I lived above the veterinary clinic and one night discovered a box had been left on our doorstep. In the box was an abandoned queen and her five new born kittens. We kept two of these and one is still alive 12 years on!

44

What are the top 3 pieces of advice you’d give to any cat owner?

Trust your instinct when you feel that your cat is unwell. Cats often do not show specific or obvious signs of illness.

Regular health checks with the vet, at least annually for cats up to 8 years old and twice a year thereafter. The health exam can identify early stages of disease.

Think about your cat’s home and consider environmental enrichment, for example, water fountains / drinking behaviour, hiding places, perches (cats like being up high), windowsill viewing areas, food puzzles, toys, scratching posts, catnip and litter tray position and litter type.

Cats have an instinct to hide an illness, pain or injury. Can you tell us a few signs that cat owners should be aware of?

Cats can show very subtle signs of illness. Any change from the norm, such as appetite loss, lethargy, behavioural changes and weight loss, as well as the more obvious signs of vomiting, diarrhoea or urinary issues, can be indicators.

Tell us about pain management in cats. Some painkillers can be much more toxic for cats than dogs.

Pain recognition in cats is hard and many drugs that are used in people and dogs are very toxic to cats. Paracetamol is a good example of a drug that is highly toxic and invariably fatal if given to cats. We now have many options for analgesia in a variety of situations.

As cats get older, they are susceptible to many conditions. What should one be aware of and what pro-active steps can a pet owner take?

Conditions commonly seen in cats over 8 years of age include chronic kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, dental disease and osteoarthritis. Regular visits to see the vet are vital in detecting early disease; subtle weight loss can be the first indicator before more obvious signs such as excessive thirst, increased or decreased appetite.

What should a cat owner know to keep their cat at a healthy weight?

Factors that contribute to a pet becoming over weight include: feeding style, use of treats, diet, sedentary lifestyle/activity levels, drugs/illness, breed/age/sex. The key is to first identify whether a cat is overweight and your vet or vet nurse can help do a body condition score and then tailor a suitable diet/exercise plan.

Jo Brown, RVN

45

WE LISTEN SUPPORT ADVISE EMPOWER. YOU ASPIRE. There are many demands on a business owner’s time, and despite what most accountants think, the accounts are not usually at the top of the list! Having the support of a Business Advisor who not only takes care of the financial essentials but who listens and empowers you to focus on those areas that only you can deal with is essential in helping your business thrive.

If that’s the kind of relationship you want with your accountant, give us a call.

Bracey’s Accountants (Cambs) Limited HFL House 1 Saxon Way Melbourn Cambs SG8 6DN Tel: (01223) 929150 Email: tracey@braceys-accountants.co.uk

Reflections Hair Studio

Dust Free Wood Floor Sanding & Restoration

Specialist in all Aspects of Unisex Hairdressing.

Is your Wooden Floor in need of Sanding?

Cutting * Colouring Techniques * Hair Extensions

Call today on 01223 863 632

We have a wide range of home hair care retail.

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

Gift vouchers and hair accessories available.

Personal Trainer

01763 260431

Michael Easton

45 Whitecroft Road , Meldreth

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

Tuesday & Thursday 9am - Late Monday &Wednesday closed Friday 9am - 6pm Sat 9am - 3pm

01763 249254

46

47

Local Events in March Here is a selection of events happening nearby in March.

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

To Sunday 12th March, 10.00am to 4.30pm ‘Another India’ Exhibition of Orchids - and related events Cambridge University Botanic Gardens, 1 Brookside CB2 1JE Vibrant displays to celebrate the plants and culture of Southern India.

Guided tours available every Wednesday at 1.00pm on first come-first served basis: www.botanic.cam.ac.uk or phone (01223) 336265.

Wednesday 1st March to Saturday 11th March, 10.00am to 6.00pm ‘Remembrance’ an Exhibition by Christina Pattinson Royston District Museum and Art Gallery, King Street SG8 5AL Featuring her paintings, textiles and ceramic work – a mixture of the spiritual and observations of everyday life. Free. For more information: www.roystonmuseum.org.uk or phone (01763) 242587.

Tuesday 7th March, 1.00pm to 1.55pm Lunchtime Concert: The King’s Men West Road Concert Hall, Cambridge CB3 9DP An exciting concert of jazz and close harmony from the choral scholars of King’s College Choir. Free admission with retiring collection.

Saturday 11th March, 10.00am to 4.00pm St Mary’s Quilt Festival St Mary’s Church, Mill Street, Ashwell, Hertfordshire SG7 5LY The church will be filled with beautiful hand and machine made quilts, some for sale. Home made refreshments. Proceeds to St. Mary’s Church.

Saturday 11th March, 6.30 pm onwards Night Run at Wimpole Hall, Arrington, Cambs SG8 0BW For walkers and runners, all abilities, experienced or not. Have fun, keep fit and explore Wimpole at night. Choose either the shorter (1 – 3 km) route or the longer (6 – 9 km) one. For more details and to register your place go to: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wimpole-estate.

Monday 13th to Sunday 26th March, various times and locations 2017 Cambridge Science Festival With a huge variety of events from astronomy to zoology – talks, hands -on activities, performances, exhibitions and films. This year’s theme is 48

'health and disease’, our place in the world and impact on the environment.

To get a programme and/or to book a visit: www.sciencefestival.cam.ac.uk or call (01223) 766766.

Tuesday 14th March, 7.30pm (doors open 6.45pm) ‘We Choose to Speak of War and Strife’ Ely Cathedral, The Octagon, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 4DL John Simpson, distinguished BBC foreign correspondent, speaks about his new book and reflects on a career spanning fifty years in which he has reported on all the major conflicts of our time. Tickets £10 from: www.toppingsbooks.co.uk. NB Early booking advised.

Wednesday 15th March, 3.30pm to 4.30pm ‘Lesbos and Syria’ Fitzwilliam Museum, Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1RB Ruth Pradel reads a new poem and Syrian artist Issam Kourbaj launches a new artwork to mark the sixth anniversary of the uprising in Syria.

Free. For more information: www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk.

Saturday 18th March, 8.30am Men’s Breakfast Meeting, Village hall, Foxton CB22 6RN This month’s speaker is the Rev Alison Walker. She will give her reflections on the Cambridge Churches Homeless Project. Contact Tony Garrick (01223) 510201 garrick.tony@gmail.com or Mark Howard (01223) 503377 mark-howard@uwclub.net to reserve your place.

Women and guests welcome.

Saturday 18th March, 10.00am to 5.00pm Stable Yard Antiques and Collectables Market Hatfield House, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL9 5HX Free monthly antiques market with huge range of items on sale – unusual curiosities, furniture, vintage clothes and ornaments. For more details visit: www.hatfield-house.co.uk or phone 07751 296625.

Sunday 26th March, 11.30am to 12.30pm and other times Mothering Sunday Boat Ride Wicken Fen Nature Reserve, Lode lane, Wicken CB7 5XP Treat mum to a gentle boat ride along the Wicken Lode to enjoy the spring wildlife from a new perspective. Adults £7.25 (to include a glass of bubbly!); children £4.50 (with soft drink). Booking essential: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events.

Compiled by John Crawforth 49

Men’s Breakfast Meetings, Foxton The Men's Breakfast is a monthly outreach event sponsored by the Anglican Four Church Benefice and the Methodist Church of Foxton for the surrounding Parishes. We aim to bring mostly men together for companionship, friendship and to provide a meal in good company.

Our objective is to provide enlightenment, education and encourage good fellowship. It's an opportunity for us to learn more about each other, our local community and how we can help others including charitable giving.

Our next meeting is at 8.30pm in Foxton Village Hall on Saturday 11th March – the guest speaker will be The Rev. Alison Walker with a talk entitled “Reflections on the Cambridge Churches Homeless Project”. A growing problem which we can see on the streets in Cambridge.

On Saturday 8th April, David Jason Ablewhite our Police Commissioner for Cambridge & Peterborough, will be talking about crime in this area and what is being done by our prevention forces to control it, Bring your questions along and also a guest; ladies are welcome.

Our guest speaker on 21st January was the Rev. Charity Nzegwu who gave us a very moving account of her background and how her faith has evolved through a series of setbacks.

She began by wishing us all a Happy New Year and thanked the Royston and Cambridge communities for their warm welcome and support which she and her family continue to receive since they moved here in September. She felt it was a great privilege and a joy to be journeying alongside the people in Royston and Cambridge.

Charity is a trained nurse and she held a variety of roles in the NHS including staff nurse, senior staff nurse, Clinical Nurse Specialist for Chemotherapy and Lead Nurse for Cancer. She also worked with NHS Connecting for Health as a subject matter expert with a focus on Clinical Systems for Cancer Services. She holds a Masters degree in Advancing Cancer Nursing Practice. She is currently studying for a BA in Theology, Mission and Ministry.

She was born in Zimbabwe, the eldest of 6 and was brought up there.

Her Father was a Methodist and her Mother, who had been a 7th day Adventist until she married, became a strong Methodist and was keen 50

for her children to be brought up within the Christian tradition.

The death of her Father, who was an inspiration to her, and the subsequent death of her beloved brother were major setbacks in her life.

She held on to her father’s words of encouragement “Keep Trying”.

She became the father figure to the family; this led her to think that there can be “no God”. Yet after all this her faith was rekindled at a Church meeting where she was moved to say “Sorry to God for being angry”. She drew strength from the Old Testament story of the Samaritan woman.

She was persuaded to enter the Ministry where her commitment became so strong that at a Women’s conference everyone was convinced she was already an ordained minister.

Living in a multi-cultural, multi-linguistic and multi-ethnic London community, she was convinced this was where she was called to serve.

When she learnt of her stationing to the Cambridge Circuit, Charity was uncertain about how well she might be accepted into the Cambridge academic community. She had to be reminded that she had signed up to Itinerant Ministry and reluctantly moved, still anxious about how she might be accepted by the ‘academics’.

She understands though that God sends us challenges to strengthen us.

She also draws from the advice she was offered by her late aunt when she got married, which has become one of her maxims now, “Love them and they will love you back".

Charity said she was humbled by the kind, loving and hospitable ethos of those she has met here. She reflected on how British missionaries had taken Christianity to Africa and that it was now being returned to the Home Counties of England!

She concluded by saying she had found God through pain and that she could forgive but not forget. A truly moving testament that was very much appreciated by all those present.

The Men’s Breakfast members donated £70 to UNCLE. Tony Garrick Chairman, Foxton Men’s Breakfast

51

News from Heidi Allen The cold winter days have been considerably brightened this month by visits to some of my fantastic primary schools. I’d like to thank Barton C of E Primary School in particular, for inviting me to sample some mud delicacies made in their own playground mud kitchens! Barton are looking for a local sponsor to help them achieve their goal of 20 laptops for the children to use. If you know of anyone, perhaps a local business, or would yourself be interested in helping this fabulous little school get connected, please contact the Head teacher, Clare Coulson on (01223) 262474.

I was pleased to go back to Guilden Morden Primary School with the East of England Regional Schools Commissioner, Dr. Tim Coulson to see progress since they became an academy on 1st November. The school looks and feels absolutely fantastic and I would like to offer my thanks to the parents, governors and staff who have worked so hard. I was also fortunate to view their brand new Pre-School facility, which offers care to under 5’s in a modern, well-equipped setting. They still have a few spaces available, though I expect them to fill fast. Contact office@guildenmorden.cambs.sch.uk for further information.

Our schools are our future and we need to invest in them. I continue to raise the issue of fairer funding in the House of Commons and directly with the Education Secretary, Justine Greening. Cambridgeshire has been historically under-funded and is now experiencing unprecedented growth, which makes for something of a perfect storm in the funding environment. The Government are now consulting on new national funding formula proposals and your contribution is really important.

I have concerns, shared by all our schools, that the proposed formula is still not quite right, so please do join me and contribute to the consultation. For information on the changes we need, please contact my office and to submit to the consultation before the closing date of 22nd March 2017, please go to https://consult.education.gov.uk/ funding-policy-unit/schools-national-funding-formula2/.

I’m committed to supporting initiatives that improve mental health within our communities, particularly in our youngsters. Over the past year, I’ve been following the progress of an innovative partnership developed with the Melbourn schools cluster and an organisation called Allyance. This scheme works on early intervention strategies to support young people with mental health issues in their own school. The project 52

has been so successful that Cambridgeshire County Council have approved an extension to their funding for the next year. Furthermore, I hope Allyance will be asked to roll out their initiative all across the county.

I was delighted to celebrate Addenbrookes great achievement of gaining an overall rating of ‘Good’ in their recent CQC report. This is a phenomenal turnaround for the hospital and is testament to the dedication and commitment of their outstanding staff. I visited with the Minister, the Rt. Hon Phillip Dunne and witnessed just how far the team have come in under two years. We never stopped being proud of you for one moment, and were never in doubt that the quality of care and service was anything other than world class. I’m glad the CQC can now see this too!

Turning to roads, Highways England will shortly be publishing their plans for the A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet upgrade. The Consultation opens in March. Work on this stretch of road is vital in supporting our growth and making our roads safer and more efficient.

When it’s launched, I’ll include a link to it on my infrastructure page which can be found here: https://www.heidisouthcambs.co.uk/a428black-cat-caxton-gibbet. Please contribute if this issue affects you.

Thanks to those of you who took the time to contribute to my public transport feedback request. I received almost 100 responses and I’ll now be taking your opinions and evidence to key stakeholders, including the bus and train operators. There is no quick fix to our rural transportation issues but I intend to push for innovation and joined up thinking that can benefit South Cambridgeshire as part of the City Deal and Devolution package. Please keep an eye on my website for details.

As always, if you have anything you’d like to discuss with me, you can find details of my upcoming surgeries here: www.heidisouthcambs.co.uk/residents-drop-surgeries I’ll be in Swavesey in March and Cambourne in April or call (01954) 212707 or email me at heidi.allen.mp@parliament.uk Heidi Allen MP 53

Planning Matters Parish Council Reference and Address S/3224/16/FL 1Woolpack Way

Detail

Parish Council Recommend

Proposed single The Parish Council recommend 'Support' storey rear with no comments. extension.

S/3181/16/DC Discharge of 73 High Street, Conditions – Amended.

Noted that the Parish Council had not been sent tree reports or phasing plans. It was agreed to express concern about parking, it being noted that provision has been made For information for off-street parking for contractors and only. that the Parish Council should ask for a condition that there would be no on-street contractor parking during the period of work at the site S/3362/16/TP Tree work It was agreed that the Clerk write to the 79 North End, applicant asking for clarification on the proposed work and enclose the tree The Warren Warden's report.

S/3387/16/FL Erection of staff The Parish Council would like a condition New Farm accommodation that the existing hedge which shields the Shop, Bury building and proposed building from the A10 be maintained. Landscaping is not shown on Lane car park any of the plans.

S/3517/16/LD Lawful Noted. There were no comments.

64 Whitecroft development certificate for Road the creation of an outbuilding for home office use.

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

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 54

SCDC Decisions Reference and Address

Decision

S/2551/16/FL 4 Howard Road

Permission has been granted for a single storey side extension involving the replacement of an existing out building.

S/0965/12/DC 15-17 Whitecroft Road Approved Landscape Conditions

Mrs Carol Newell, Landscape Officer SCDC wrote to the Parish Council having visited the site and reported that there are a number of plant failures and is in the process of contacting the developers. It is anticipated that the works will be undertaken by the spring of 2017.

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

Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group meeting and AGM There’s lots to be happening at Meldreth Station at the moment and your help and support for our Rail User Group is much needed. Please come along to our meeting on March 14th 7.00 for 7:30-9:00pm at Shepreth Village Hall. These meetings rotate between the villages to ensure everyone gets a chance to come along, please get in touch if you need a lift to Shepreth. We finish promptly at 9.00pm and our meetings are always good fun.

This time we’ve invited Network Rail in case anyone has questions about the platform lengthening work, and also Govia Thameslink Railway, because we are resolute about ensuring the future of Meldreth Station booking office.

Susan van de Ven County Councillor Susanvandeven5@gmail.com 07905325574 55

Melbourn Library As many of you will know Melbourn Library is now housed in the Melbourn Hub. It is a Local Access Point (LAP) which means that it is run by volunteers with full access to all the resources of Cambridgeshire Library Services. It is there for everyone in all the surrounding villages whether they are in Cambridgeshire or Hertfordshire.

We have a good stock of fiction for both adults and children. We regularly buy new books to keep our stock up to date although we do also stock many classic novels. What is particularly heartening is the number of children who use the library, the amount of shelf space allotted to their books keeps having to be extended.

Our opening hours are: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 2.30pm – 4.30pm Thursday 2.30pm – 6.30 pm Saturday 10.00am – 12 noon We look forward to welcoming you at the library: to borrow books, return books borrowed at another Cambridgeshire library or reserve a book you particularly wish to read. As an added bonus the Hub Café will be open and parking is free.

Jane Stevens

Home-Start Fund raising Do you shop online ?

If you do then you can help us by collecting FREE donations every time you shop online. Follow these three easy steps…

Join – head to easyfundraising.org.uk, search for us to start raising Shop – there are nearly 3,000 retailers on board, so pick the one you want and start shopping Raise – after you’ve made your purchase, the retailer will make a donation to us at no extra cost whatsoever!

Please sign up to easyfundraising, then every time you shop you will be supporting us, and please tell your family and friends.

Home start Royston & South Cambridgeshire 56

PC Repairs Advice & Installation of Home Networks

MELDRETH

Help with Selecting a computer

LANDSCAPES

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

Design & Layout Plans

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

Hard Landscaping & Lighting Planting & Water Features

Little Hands Nursery School The Moor, Melbourn

Little Hands is a Private Nursery School specialising in quality education for the under fives and offers:

Pergolas, Decking, etc

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”

Tel: 01763 261463

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

www.meldrethlandscapes.co.uk

For further information contact Anne McCrossen: 01763 260964 lh-melbourn@btconnect.com

Kneesworth Rd., Meldreth, Royston, Herts

Little Hands is also at Bourn, Linton and Newton visit the website at www.littlehands.co.uk

Handyman • • • • • • • • • •

Carpentry Painting Concrete Work Slabbing Fencing Gardening Building Flat Pack Blockwork Pointing General Handyman Duties

fkaf^k=q^hb^t^v=

=P=qÜÉ=läÇ=pí~íáçå=eçìëÉ= pí~íáçå=^ééêç~ÅÜ= eáÖÜ=píêÉÉí= jÉäÇêÉíÜ=EkêK=jÉäÄçìêåF= `~ãÄêáÇÖÉ=pdU=Sgo léÉåáåÖ=Üçìêë=

pÉîÉå=a~óë=~=tÉÉâ=RKMMéã=J=NMKPMéã= áåÅäìÇáåÖ=_~åâ=eçäáÇ~óë=

tÉ=~äëç=Å~íÉê=Ñçê=é~êíáÉë

07845 804289 07530 171263

qbiW=MNTSP=OSOQOR= qbiLc^uW=MNTSP=OSOSPS

joecowan0107@hotmail.co.uk 57

The cost of prescribing basic medicines Health Chiefs in Cambridgeshire are urging local residents to buy basic medications from pharmacies instead of getting them on prescription.

Last year your local NHS spent over £4 million on prescribing medicines that can be bought from local pharmacies for less than it costs the NHS to prescribe. This includes £1.5m on prescribing pain relief, £1.2m to treat upset stomachs, £0.55m on antihistamines and £0.32m to treat heartburn and indigestion.

Sati Ubhi, Chief pharmacist said “We want the public to really think, before they visit the GP, is this something that I can treat myself? Is there a medication I can buy over the counter?

A packet of paracetamol can cost as little as 25p for 16 tablets at a pharmacy. But if you get a prescription from your GP, the total cost to the NHS is approximately £45 (made up of the GP consultation time, the cost of the medication, and dispensing fee.)

We all have a responsibility to look after our own health and look after our NHS. The diagram shows how much the local NHS spend on medicines and how much they cost patients to buy.

For further information on selfcare visit: www.cambsandpeterboroughchoosewell.co.uk/ Jo Hobson Communications & Engagement Manager NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough CCG Tel: 07973 698039 / Email: jo.hobson@nhs.net 58

We can make life a little easier Local Community Services delivered from Moorlands Court Homecare: our fully trained carers visit you in your home.

Sitting service: a visit from our experienced staff gives family carers time for themselves.

Day Centre: based at Moorlands Court with a friendly and sociable atmosphere and includes a tasty 2 course lunch.

Meals service: nutritious, hot lunchtime meal delivered to you.

Housekeeping: we do those jobs which you can no longer manage, from cleaning and ironing, to bed changing and shopping.

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

Cambourne Self Storage Outdoor Storage 24 Hour Access 7 Days a Week 365 Days a Year 24 Hour Remotely Monitored CCTV Sensor Flood Lighting Keypad Entry and High Security Locks,

Personal care for your feet in the comfort of your own home • Nail Trimming • Hard Skin & Cracked Heels • Corns & Verrucas • Fungal Nails

Vehicle Access Directly to Unit Doors

01767 676189 www.CambourneSelfStorage.co.uk

The Most Thorough Clean or it’s Free!

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

Telephone

Call today on 01223 863 632

on 01763 261250 or 0791 3913955

Please quote “Meldreth Mag”

Nancy Foster MCFHP MAFHP Registered Member of the British Association of Foot Health Professionals

Denny Lodge Business Park, Ely Road, Chittering

59

BBC2 SHOW LOOKING FOR SENTIMENTAL ITEMS My name is Ryan and I'm on the casting team at Ricochet TV part of Warner Bros TV production UK, www.ricochet.co.uk.

We are making a new television show for BBC2 called "The repair shop"; the show looks into repairing beloved and interesting possessions for people who would like to see them restored or repaired back to their original working order. The kind of items we have come across so far have ranged from inherited pocket watches to grandfather clocks, from rocking horses to drawn carriages, even from toy cars to VW campers. We have a team of experts who cover all trades such as blacksmithing, ceramics, clockmakers, upholsterers and carpenters Additionally, as well as sentimental/interesting items belonging to individuals, we'd really love to feature and repair a few items in the show that have a community value, something treasured or something essential to communities that has fallen into disrepair, perhaps has an interesting story and purpose to the village / town that can be restored.

For example some towns, villages and communities have certain items that are important to them; they could be memorial plaques, eroded statues, snapped weather vanes, broken sun dials, cracked gargoyles, fading carvings, or maybe the paint is peeling on your local pubs swing sign and you can let them know we could repair them.

Please note that although a lot of things can be moved, items would need to not be permanently stuck in situ, for example some larger statues or water fountains are grand logistical feats to move. The item would be repaired at our repair shop (a barn outfitted for our experts) and given back to the community at no expense to the owner, additionally there would be broadcasted television coverage from start to finish of the item, in the work shop and also when the item is revealed to the owner or community.

Please also note that we are receiving a lot of items and interest across the country, and sometimes they can be too big and take too long to fix, so please don't be disheartened if we can't repair it this time.

If perhaps you might have something you'd love to be repaired, then please get in touch with us at repair@ricochet.co.uk or call us on (01273) 224800.

Ryan Leigh Casting Team / The Repair Shop 60

live happy! with

Slimming World MELDRETH WEDNESDAY 5.30pm & 7.30pm Meldreth Village Hall Hig h Street, Meldreth Tel: Karen 01763 243604 0344 897 8000

slimmingworld.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 61

Cycling Group Good Companions Local History Group Lunch Club Melwood Cons. Group

John Rogger (01763) 260809 L. Pocknell—(01763) 261432 (01763) 260129; www.meldrethhistory.org.uk Nikki & Julie 07599 292327 (01763) 232855; www.melwood.btck.co.uk www.melbourn-photographic-club.co.uk

Revelation U3A WI

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

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 (01763) 243376; http://cspark.at/Meldr2

Rev. Lizzie Shipp Rev. Mary Price Bells John Price (Friends)

(01763) 220626; www.meldrethchurch.org.uk (01763) 261569 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.

Photographic Group

Sport

(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

Church

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

Childn.

Clubs & Societies

Facilities

Village Directory

County Councillor County Council Offices MP

62

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 Addenbrooke’s NHS

(01763) 260220; Dispensary—(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 in the Meldreth Today section at www.meldrethhistory.org.uk or on the PC website, www.meldreth-pc.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)

63

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 .....................................15 Affordable Plumbing ......................38 Art of Clean .....................................59 Art of Clean Wood ..........................46 B2B Automotive .............................38 Bracey’s Accountants ......................46 Cambourne Self Storage .................59 Cambridge Roofers .........................23 Cambridge Sunblinds ......................15 CHS Day Centre .............................21 CHS Group .....................................59 Coton Electrical ..............................23 The Country Store ...........................42 CP Podiatry .....................................10 Eternit Sports and Social Club ..........7 Gilhooly ..........................................61 Handyman ......................................57 Home Foot Care .............................21 iPlaster ............................................15 Keyholes Driving School .............Cover Lawn Partners ................................41 The Letting Centre .....................Cover Little Hands Nursery School ...........57 Mandy Thornton Counselling ........23

Melbourn Flooring .........................42 Melbourn Village College ................23 Meldreth Landscapes .......................57 Meldreth Plant Hire .........................22 Meridian Lawncare ...........................5 Michael Easton Personal Trainer ....46 Moncraft Computers ......................57 Nancy Foster Footcare ....................59 Newlings of Royston Funeral Service42 Nigel Wigg Home Improvement .....21 Penn Farm Physiotherapy ..................7 Quicksilver Yoga ............................38 Reed Autos .....................................10 Reflections Hair Studio ....................46 Richard Burns Electrician ................15 Rod’s PC Support .......................Cover Royston Fencing ..............................21 Shelford Energy ...............................42 Slimming World ..............................61 Spice Hut Indian Takeaway .............57 Summit Landscapes .........................10 Village Garden Services ...................38 Walkers Partnership Solicitors ....Cover

64

L

Keyhole’s School of Driving The Key To Success

L

To discuss driving lessons or courses please call:

Kay 07816 361 733 or Grant 07807 862 126 www.keyholesdriving.co.uk

****Special Introductory Rates**** Please call for latest offers

Uifpsz!Uftu!Xfctjuf Worth £8.00 per month to all our pupils www.keyholes.theorytestpro.co.uk

RML

IT CONSULTANTS LTD

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

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

whatever the size of your company we can help…

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

GIVE ME A CALL ON:07946 216268

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

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

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