Meldreth Matters, May 2021

May 2021

In this issue …

Clare McPhee In Praise of … Rhubarb

Events …

Annual Parish Meeting Open Garden

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Whaddon Road, Meldreth, SG8 5RL

Club Facili es

Entertainments

Licensed bar Hall available for private hire for any occasion (compe ve rates) Fully equipped gymnasium (annual subscrip on) Snooker room, Pool table Large children's outdoor ac vity area Petanque pistes Football pitches, changing rooms

1st Friday of the month Melbourn Rock Club One Saturday a month Melbourn Rock Club Rock and Roll Night Every Thursday night Eternit bingo—starts 7.30pm Local gig venue

Big charity events during the year Motorcycle Rally - Air Ambulance - Mini Chill weekend - Camping - Local Chari es Club Charity - LUPUS

Contents What’s On in May Annual Parish Meeting 43 Centre Pages Diary 32-33 Open Garden, North End 22 Things to Do in May 34-35

Children & Education Activities for Families 31 Baby & Toddler Group 10 Primary School 27-29 Shepreth Spitfires 29

People Clare McPhee 6-7 HRH the Prince Philip 4-5

Transport Changes to Bus Services 41 Community Transport 40-41 Foxton Travel Hub 39 Rail News 40

Village Groups Cycling Group 11 Friends of Holy Trinity 13 Women’s Group 14 Zumba 10

Local/National Government Local Councillors 54-57 Parish Council 48-51 Planning Planning 52 Proposed New Town 53

Village News Church Services 12 Litter Issues 24-25 Meridian Maycroft Arts Centre 8 Village Volunteer: Paul Ray 24 Walking Market 9

Advice/Information Advertisers’ Index 64 Coronavirus Support 46-47 EACH 58-59 Home-Start 60 Mobile Warden Scheme 53 Neighbourhood Watch 45 Refuse Collections 32-33 Singing for Breathing 36 ARHC Star Shine Walk 61 Village Directory 62-63

Gardens & Nature Gardening 20-21 Open Garden, North End 22 Water Voles 23 Cookery In Praise of … 16-18 Miscellaneous Letters to the Editor 42

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.

Alternatively, it may be delivered to the Editor, Kathryn Betts at 36 North End, Meldreth, SG8 6NT Tel. (01763) 268428 The Editor reserves the right to withhold from publication or to shorten if necessary, any article or letter sent to her.

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Editorial Welcome to the May issue of Meldreth Matters.

It’s so good to be able to report that things finally seem to be getting back to some kind of normality. The British Queen is open again, church services have resumed, events are beginning to take place and, if all goes according to plan, there will be a further easing of the restrictions on 17th of this month.

From that date groups of up to 30 will be able to meet outdoors and the rule of six or the two household rule will apply indoors. Indoor hospitality will also be allowed to open, as will museums, hotels and indoor sports and exercise classes. As the lifting of restrictions is subject to change, please check the latest guidelines at www.gov.uk/coronavirus.

This month, we have two events in the village. An Open Garden in aid of the British Red Cross on 30th May and the Annual Village Meeting on 20th May. The latter will be in the Village Hall and as numbers are strictly limited, places must be booked in advance; see page 43. As usual, we also have a selection of events and activities taking place locally; see pages 31 and 34-35 for details.

Finally, we have a new feature starting in MM this month. Highlighting seasonal fruit and vegetables, “In celebration of ...” is written by Jane O’Hagan who lives in North End. The series begins with a focus on rhubarb and I am looking forward to trying out the recipes.

I hope you enjoy reading this month’s issue.

Kathryn

Cover Photograph Front cover: Hawthorn or May Blossom Photograph by Lesley Farbridge

MM is Available in Colour Online To view this or past issues online, follow us on: issuu.com/meldrethmatters 3

Public Notice from Meldreth Parish Council HRH the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh The Council was very saddened to hear that HRH the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, had passed away.

On behalf of the community of Meldreth we join the millions of people to pay tribute to him and his lifetime achievements. Through loyal dedication, personality and hard work he was an integral part of national life and he will be sorely missed.

When he married the then Princess Elizabeth in 1947 neither of them could have anticipated that she would be called upon so soon to take over from her father, the beloved late King George VI, at a time of national and obviously personal grief. Prince Philip unfailingly supported Her Majesty during a long reign in which the world emerged from a period of appalling conflicts, managed social challenges of a magnitude never previously seen and embraced developments in science and technology on a breath-taking scale. Her Majesty’s unwavering presence, with the Prince at her side, has been a constant source of comfort and confidence to us all during these times.

She has publicly acknowledged Prince Philip’s steadfast support over this very long period and we too wish to recognise this support.

Prince Philip combined these duties with a strong sense of family responsibilities and we send our most sincere and loyal condolences to Her Majesty and to the whole of his family at what will be a very difficult time for all of them. He combined these duties with a strong sense of family responsibilities. His family will share these feelings of loss and sadness with the other families in this land in facing 4

bereavement and the loss of a loved one, but we hope they will be helped and their spirits lifted by the knowledge that their grief is shared by many millions worldwide who admired the Prince.

His life will be remembered in many ways, not the least of which will be the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme which he founded in 1956.

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We send our sincere condolences and loyal best wishes to Her Majesty the Queen and to the whole of the Royal Family.

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

MELDRETH WEDNESDAY PM Alison 07812 825 389 FRIDAY AM Angela 07708 444 991 Meldreth Village Hall High Street Booking Essential

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Clare McPhee, Poet Clare died peacefully on Wednesday 7th April. Clare published under her maiden name Clare Crossman. Clare was born in Kent, moving to Cumbria with her family at age fourteen. She lived there into adulthood and we met and married there before moving to Meldreth in 2000.

Clare gained a degree in English from Bristol University and an MA in Theatre Studies from Lancaster University. Her early writing was for the Dukes Playhouse Lancaster and for youth groups. A winner of the Northwest Playwrights Competition, Clare had work performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Clare wrote poetry for many years before first publishing at the age of 30. In 1996 her pamphlet Landscapes won the Redbeck poetry competition. A Hawthornden Fellowship followed in 2002 with Clare writing a sequence of poems on her Irish heritage. This was included in the anthology “Take 5 04” published by Shoestring Press. In 2002 Firewater Press Cambridge published a second collection. Clare published four more poetry collections with Shoestring Press. The poems in “The Blue Hour” published in December 2017 have been described as ‘full of glittering beauty, darkness, loss and warmth. With humble and heart stopping lines’. Clare has just completed a book of poems, “The Mulberry Tree” that will be published later this year. In addition, Clare published poems in numerous anthologies including in “A Room to a View”, Kettles Yard Cambridge.

For ten years Clare was employed by lifelong Learning, University of Newcastle in Cumbria teaching creative writing to adults. Since moving to Cambridgeshire, Clare worked outside academia for South Cambridgeshire District Council Arts Service, for charities, in primary schools and with community groups. Clare was writer in residence for the village of Weston Colville and festival poet for Fulbourn Arts Festival for the Darwin centenary. Working with primary schools, she wrote a poem for three voices ‘What lies Underneath’ for the South 6

Cambridgeshire Arts Service.

In 2009 she was given a local government arts award for this work. Since then she has been associated with the Cambridge Art Salon for Festivals workshops and readings. Clare has run a number of poetry and writing events at Meldreth Primary school Clare enjoyed collaborations; from 2005 working with the musicians Penni Mclaren Walker and Bryan Causton on an acoustic song cycle called ‘Fen Song a Ballad of the Fen’. Fen Song was supported and developed with the Babylon Gallery in Ely, before touring with Creative Arts East, Arts in Cambridge on tour, and being performed at the Essex Literature Festival. This was published as a CD in 2006.

In the past few years Clare became interested in writing about the natural world in Cambridgeshire due to an interest in climate change and her involvement in conserving Melwood nature reserve. She produced a sequence of poems about the River Mel which became a community film, ‘Waterlight’. River stories were developed with the film makers James Murray White, Nigel Kenning and the support of Bruce Huett among others. As a member of Melwood Conservation Group, Clare organised artistic events in the wood including, memorably, a folk music concert in Miss Hunter’s meadow.

Clare was instrumental in organising many local events including poetry readings held when the Tavern Gallery was an arts venue.

The artist Victor Ibanez illustrated some of Clare’s poems about climate change. Clare recently published a biography of the Cumbrian artist Lorna Graves called ‘Winter Flowers’.

Clare was interested in enabling people to access their imaginations and giving them, as the poet Andrew Salkey wrote, ‘freedom to dream’, to use and experiment with language and imagery. Before her illness she ran a local poetry workshop and was convener of the South Cambridgeshire Poetry Society Stanza that included some villagers.

Clare will be sadly missed by those many residents who knew her.

Thanks go to you all for your kind words at this difficult time Iain McPhee Editor’s Note: Some of Clare’s poems are on the Waterlight website: waterlightproject.org.uk. Copies of the Waterlight Film may be purchased/downloaded from the same website.

7

Meridian Maycroft Arts Centre Lynn and a few colleagues have completely cleared the contents of Room 2 of the Meridian Maycroft Art Centre, and contractors have commenced redecoration.

I was taken over to see what had been revealed from the clearance.

Facilities and potential are clearly visible and nothing substantial needs to be done.

The contemporary restoration design of the windows, fireplace, red carpet and white walls with dark brown wooden strips all continue to create the friendly atmosphere of a comfortable gentleman’s residence at the beginning of the 20th Century, in 1902, when the house was built.

My life’s work has drawn upon the ideas of Ben Nicholson, Mondrian, Stuart Davis and contemporary American Artists and the Bauhaus movement and this room will do my work more than supreme justice. I said that Lynn’s offer of a home for the full contents of my art collection was “too good to turn down” but I never envisaged something as grand as this will be.

My wife, Margaret introduced me to Scotland, and I went with her for at least a couple of weeks every year and fell in love with the east and west coasts, especially the many fishing ports with their variety and the changes over sixty plus years in the port of Arbroath. My grandfather clock was made in Edinburgh in the early years of the 19th century and will be at home here.

This Art Centre is sure to provide food for thought for anyone, of any ability, as some information will always be found relating to any aspect of art, however remote, backed up by access to the centre’s own computer.

Peter Stone 8

Meldreth Walking Market: Sunday 27th June Save the Charity Shops From Being “Overwhelmed” The lockdown has provided an opportunity, which has either been bypassed or taken full and enthusiastic advantage of, to clear out sheds, outbuildings, wardrobes, cupboards and lofts etc. If you belong in the ‘full and enthusiastic’ category, it perhaps means that you have things that are too good to consign to the local tip but, because charity shops were closed you were unable to donate to them. They may have re-opened but many have existing stock and due to a lack of storage, are unable to take more so I would like to encourage you to join in with Meldreth Walking Market on Sunday 27th June.

Items need not be the result of clearance; you might be creative, grow plants and vegetables or bake. Perhaps you have missed out on dozens of craft/farmers markets. Here is a great opportunity to help make up for that.

If you do not wish to have a stall of your own but have items you would like a charity or local cause to benefit from, please let me know and I will try to arrange for someone to sell them on your behalf.

Proceeds of at least a part of what you sell should be given to support a cause of your choosing. In return, you will be included on the map that will be made available so everyone knows where you are, what you will be selling and which good cause you are supporting.

I am very grateful to all who have registered an interest in taking part and so far, there will be stalls selling plants, baked goods, DVDs, jewellery, clothes, beaded items, plants and toys.

Please give me a call or send me an email for more information or to let me know if you would like to take part. Many thanks.

Lesley Farbridge lesleyfarbridge@hotmail.com (01763) 261578

www.meldrethhistory.org.uk Over 600 pages on Meldreth, past and present 9

Meldreth Baby and Toddler Group Open to parents and carers of babies and pre-school age children, our friendly and welcoming group meets every Wednesday 9.30am-11.30am in Meldreth Village Hall during term time. The cost is £2 per family and includes hot drinks for adults and a drink and snack for children.

Under the current guidelines we are restricted to 15 adults (no limit on children) so we are operating a sign in sheet on the door (please ring doorbell for access) which will change as and when people leave.

If you would like to check availability on the day please call Julia on 07403 462198.

Remember to join our Facebook group (search Meldreth Baby and Toddler Group) for updates.

Julia Moore

Zumba Meldreth Zumba classes return to the Village Hall on Monday 17th May from 8.00-9.00pm! This is subject to the government’s proposed road map going ahead as planned.

The classes are friendly and welcoming. Cost is £5 on a pay as you go basis, or £20 for a block of five sessions. Please email me if you would like to come and I will share our Covid procedures to help keep everyone safe.

I’m hugely looking forward to returning to the hall and seeing people again.

Thea Harrison Theaharrison@yahoo.co.uk

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Meldreth Marvels Cycling Group We are back on the road, following government guidelines and observing the rule of six.

We welcome any new riders to Meldreth Marvels Cycling Group, which meets every Tuesday.

We have several groups of riders each week, departing from 9.15am onwards.

Whilst restrictions apply, you must reserve your place in a group in advance by using our WhatsApp group or call (01763) 260809 for more help or information.

Photographs supplied by David Marsh (top) and Ralph Betts

These latest photographs show our joy at being able to ride again after lockdown and we only hope that things will become easier in the next weeks.

Meldreth Marvels Cycling Group

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By appointment only. For further information or to make a booking, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/free-dr-bike-repair-session-elysiumsalon-bassingbourn-sun-9th-may-tickets-150747863919.

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Friends of Holy Trinity www.foht.org.uk Covid restrictions may permit the running of a Car Show in September this year, possibly with a limited format. A few reminders of exhibits over the last fifteen years are shown below.

John Price Austin 7 Butcher’s Van, 2015

LEAF 2011

Three MGs

C Type Jaguar, 2009

Lancaster Flypast, 2019

The First Show in 2005

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Melbourn & Meldreth Women’s Group We met on 23rd March, the anniversary of lockdown being declared, for a quiz. Seventeen members attended on Zoom and took part in the quiz which Angela had kindly prepared for us. It was fun and challenging in parts; like anything, it’s easy if you know the answer!

Angela had put together a good variety of questions and there was much scratching of heads and grins if we realised we knew the answer.

After the quiz was completed we went into breakout rooms for a time of catch up and chat. Our thanks go to Kimmi for hosting the meeting.

In April we will have met for an evening when members reminisce, and we are scheduled to have our summer supper on Tuesday 25th May but nearer the time we will review that; we will let members know what we decide to do nearer the time.

Should any member wish to make a donation either for our charity, The Helen Rollason Cancer Trust, or to the group, Sue Toule will be pleased to accept donations. If it is a cash donation, please put it in an envelope clearly marked as to what it is and Sue will process it after a Covid-19 appropriate interval.

Meantime if you wish to know anything more about the group please feel free to contact one of the committee members: Pat Smith (01763) 262575, Sue Toule (01763) 260955, Angela Leach (01763) 262793, Pat Ames (01763) 261130, Kimmi Crosby 07976 228377, Mary Bailey (01763) 220171 or Diane Blundell (01763) 221415.

Pat Smith (01763) 262575

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www.meldrethhistory.org.uk Over 600 pages on Meldreth, past and present See the Meldreth Today section for information on footpaths * facilities * over 25 local clubs & groups 14

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In Praise Of … … Rhubarb Each month our focus will be on the fruit and vegetables just coming into season and a few recipes to make the most of them. This month we showcase rhubarb, a vegetable masquerading as a fruit! It was not until the beginning of the 19th century that rhubarb began to be prepared as a fruit, its popularity resting on its being the first fruit of spring. The first delicate stalks of pink rhubarb are in season from April onwards.

Easily roasted to keep their shape when tender, they can be used in many dishes. Rhubarb’s sharp tang shines in cakes and jam especially when teamed with spicy ginger and brown sugar.

Here are three recipes to celebrate rhubarb in all its glory. Enjoy!

Roasted Rhubarb with Ginger and Orange Cook Time 35-40 min 180°C/Gas 4 Ingredients 600g rhubarb 100g caster sugar ½ orange- juiced and zest 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger or ground ginger Method Wash and trim rhubarb and cut into finger sized pieces. Place in a shallow dish and tip over sugar, grated or ground ginger and juice of ½ orange. Cover with foil and roast for 25 minutes, remove foil and roast for another 5 -10 minutes until tender and juices are syrupy.

Goes well with: yoghurt and granola, clotted cream and shortbread biscuits.

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Rhubarb and Ginger Jam 1kg of pink rhubarb 1kg of jam sugar (has added pectin) Zest and juice of a lemon 100g of stem ginger finely chopped 4cm piece of fresh ginger peeled and grated Method Wash rhubarb and slice into 1cm pieces, tip into large bowl and add jam sugar, lemon juice and zest, chopped stem ginger and grated fresh ginger. Stir through and cover and leave to stand for 2 hours stirring occasionally. Place some saucers in the freezer to chill.

Add all the juice and fruit to a preserving pan. Heat gently until all the sugar has dissolved and then turn up the heat to bring to the boil.

Cook quickly until the fruit is soft and it has reached setting point, around 15–20 minutes. Watch carefully so it does not stick or burn; you might need to stir occasionally.

To test that the jam has set, drop a teaspoonful onto the cold saucer, leave for 30 seconds. Then gently push your finger against the jam and see if it wrinkles. If not, continue cooking for 2–3 more minutes and test again. Allow the jam to cool for 5 minutes and then pour into sterilised jars. Allow to cool before labelling.

Goes well with: Ginger Spiced Victoria Sandwich Cake, or scones and clotted cream.

Ginger and Rhubarb Victoria Sandwich Cake 3 large eggs - weighed Soft brown sugar, same weight as the eggs Self-raising flour, same weight as the eggs Softened butter, same weight as the eggs 1 tsp baking powder 1 tablespoon ground ginger 50g stem ginger finely chopped If you need more ginger, add 3cm freshly grated ginger or ½ tablespoon of pureed ginger 17

Method Grease and line two sandwich 20.5 cm (8 inch) tins.

Cream together sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Slowly whisk in beaten egg. Fold in sifted flour, baking powder and ground ginger.

Finally stir in stem ginger and fresh ginger if using.

Divide mixture evenly between two tins, bake for 20 mins at 180°C, 160°C fan or Gas mark 4 in the centre of the oven until well risen and golden. To test, press your finger lightly on the top of the sponge and if it springs back it is cooked.

Allow to cool for 5 minutes before turning out onto a wire tray. When cool, sandwich together with the rhubarb and ginger jam and finish with a dusting of icing sugar. For a luxury version you could add whipped cream as well.

Goes well with: roasted rhubarb And finally if you don’t want to cook you can infuse the rhubarb and make a pink rhubarb gin (pictured)!

Goes well with: Tonic, lime wedge and a slice of fresh ginger.

Jane O’Hagan

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19

Notes from a Small Garden After talking about snowdrops in the last two editions of garden notes, I thought I would look at the small genus of leucojum and two species whose common names are ‘snow flake’ and ‘summer snowflake.’ These delightful bulbs have white bell flowers and a yellow or green mark on the end of the each petal.

Leucojum vernum has large bells, but is quite slow to get going. I had to put the bunch given me by a friend into pots to begin with as slugs and snails love them.

Leucojum vernum

Leucojum aestivum has longer stems and smaller flowers but looks well when planted in grass. As its name suggests, it flowers until the end of April. I’ve got a big bunch which has ‘appeared’ in a flower bed which I’m going to transplant into that part of our orchard where my favourite bulbs are, once the flowers are over.

By the time ‘summer snowflake’ has finished flowering, the scent of the lovely lily of the valley will be wafting through the garden at the Dumb Flea. It took me a long time to find a good place to put them Leucojum aestivum as they don’t like full sun, but at last they have happily settled and spread out from under a Christmas Box. If they are in flower by 11th May, my mother’s birthday, I know that summer is truly on the way. As children we would always pick a large bunch for her, to celebrate.

I’ve also been thinking about planting trees in the village as part of trying to green up and reduce our carbon footprint. A friend passed on an article from the Saturday Financial Times which always carries good gardening and nature articles, about the Miyawaki or the Tiny Forest 20

method of close planting trees. “At a density of three trees per square metre, these forests absorb 30 times more carbon than traditional woodland.” This is similar to planting 600 trees on the size of a tennis court. A number of cities and suburban areas have put land aside for such planting. See https://earthwatch.org.uk/component/k2/tiny-forest.

Even planting two or three of these tiny forests would contribute considerably to reducing the village’s carbon footprint. If you have the space, let me know if you are interested planting a tennis court/half a tennis court/one quarter of a tennis court size area with native trees.

We have a subgroup of the Parish Council devoted to climate change and mitigating its effects and they can support us and obtain trees. One place to apply to would be the Woodland Trust which offers free saplings in the autumn/winter.

Jobs for May  Enjoy your garden and admire all your spring plants with a full glass or mug in your hand!  Keep weeding  Feed your pots once a week  Sow annual seeds for the flower and vegetable garden  Pray that the frosts don’t destroy early planting and the pear blossom.

Jim has been ill in hospital, but hopes to be home by the time you read this.

Good gardening, and keep well and safe!

Julie Draper Juliedraper@dumbflea.co.uk

21

Open Garden On Sunday 30th May Margaret and Richard Goddin of Belmington Close, North End, will be opening their gardens for the benefit of the British Red Cross. Opening hours will be from 2.00pm to 5.00pm.

Built by a local brewer in 1900, the house and grounds of around four acres, occupy former village orchard land. The garden and fruit orchard is surrounded by large mature trees and retains its original Victorian design with extensive low box hedging separating individual areas. These are planted for all year round interest, having a wide range of perennial plants and shrubs, including a grasses bed, roses, alliums and peonies during May/June. A new area with a garden room was recently created near the house on the site of a decommissioned swimming pool. Beyond the formal garden, the fruit orchard and soft fruit growing area contains a wide variety of mature fruit trees and a vegetable area.

Car parking has been arranged with the kind permission of GTI on the adjacent College Farm Business Park.

The Red Cross will be providing teas and refreshments and there will be a plant stall. Tickets can be obtained on arrival at the garden: adults £5 and children under 12 free. The site has various steps and different levels and regrettably is not suited to wheelchairs. The arrangements will, of course, be subject to Government rules and guidelines relating to the Covid pandemic.

Richard and Margaret can be contacted on (01763) 260061 for any additional information.

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22

Water Voles Great excitement! Our local chalk bed river, the River Mel, is home to a group of water voles.

These mammals are now protected after suffering one of the most serious declines recorded.

Agricultural practices destroyed their habitats and then along came the American mink. Water vole numbers are now down by over 90%.

Chalk bed streams are one of their natural habitats.

Huge credit goes to the River Mel Restoration Group (RMRG) for the all the work they have done over the past few years to improve our river.

Nicola Dunkin Editor’s Note: If you would like to become involved with the RMRG or find out more about their work, please email info@rivermel.com or telephone Steve Hawkins on (01763) 261451.

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23

Village Volunteer: Paul Ray Here is Paul Ray on the job at College Farm bend, where he has been siding out the pavement of overgrowth, in places augmenting the width of the path by 50%. Walkers in this part of Meldreth now look forward to what seems to be Paul's annual pavement restoration. What a difference it makes, especially to anyone pushing a pram and looking for a few inches of extra space.

Paul has also been seen recently with wheelbarrows of chippings heading towards the River Mel footpath past Topcliffe Mill; also much improved due to his bespoke attention.

Thank you Paul!

Susan van de Ven

Dispose of Your Litter Thoughtfully Sadly, there are a number of residents, adults and children alike, who totally ignore the litter bins and persistently drop their rubbish anywhere they like, spoiling the environment that we should all be enjoying.

Every day my husband and I walk through the village and recreation ground and in less than an hour we collect one or even two shopping bags full of other people’s rubbish. Thoughtlessly discarded sweet, biscuit and sandwich wrappers, empty cans, bottles and plastic containers in large numbers are found.

It is not just the children; adults, who should be setting an example, are regularly spotted throwing their rubbish to the ground.

24

Please, please, please, take your litter home or place it in the bins provided. The Parish Council is investing in more bins to help with this. Teach your children to respect their environment and do the same. If you see someone drop litter, ask them to dispose of it properly.

We live in a lovely village, please look after it.

Pat Gilmore Meldreth Parish Council

Melbourn Litter Pick It all began during a dog walk. I used to tut inwardly about litter but think it ‘not my responsibility’. But this day, I saw a take-away cup wedged in the entrance of a rabbit warren, it was a ‘lightbulb moment’, litter wasn’t just ugly, it was dangerous.

Minutes of research turned up photographs of fish, birds, From left to right: Emma Windred, Mary Angel Holland, Deirdre, Louise Carter, mammals and other animals Sally Ann Hart, Nicola Dunkin either trapped in litter or with stomachs crammed full of it, as if their battle to survive isn’t tough enough. I now litter pick daily, if you see me at 9.00am with a can of cider, it’s on its way to a bin!

We recently organised a litter pick in Melbourn: six women on a mission, kitted out by Claire at the Parish Council. The state of some areas of the village were appalling and we collected several bags of rubbish.

The next day litter had already reappeared. More bins would help, especially recycling bins to reduce landfill, but the problem won’t go away until people stop throwing litter and punishments for dropping litter are enforced. Other countries see us as a nation that throws litter, justifiably so.

Nicola Dunkin 25

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26

Meldreth Primary School www.meldreth.cambs.sch.uk As we get ready to head into a new term, the children in Osprey Class (Year 3) at Meldreth Primary School have been thinking about all the things we can be grateful for.

The list of things the children came up with ranged from everything from books to Xboxes, flowers to pets, and music to a whole lot of food. But one of things that stood out most was that on almost every list the children wrote they were grateful for their family, their friends and school.

Things I’m Grateful For by Isla H-P

Having had lots of time learning from home this year, school has become an even more special place for all of us involved. It has been so wonderful to have the children back in the classrooms, hear them playing on the playground and seeing them jump back into their learning with such enthusiasm.

In Year 3, we started our time back at school with a topic all about one of the other things frequently mentioned on the children’s lists of things they were grateful for – books!

Books are such a big part of our lives at Meldreth Primary and are such a great way to engage children with their learning. In Year 3, we asked the children what it was they loved so much about books and here is what they had to say: “I like reading books because it takes you to another world.” – Esmée “I like books because books are interesting.” – Lewis “I like the pictures and I like funny stories.” – Seren 27

“I like books because they give you knowledge.” – Olivia “I want to be a teacher when I grow up so I like to practice being a teacher and my toys are the children. I am the teacher so I practice reading to them.” – Sophia “I like reading books because it is quiet.” – Amelie “I like reading because it makes me feel happy.” – Samuel Osprey Class spent three weeks immersing themselves in all things books, with our focus being on the book ‘The Day I Fell Into A Fairytale’ by Ben Miller. The children explored the characters in the book, they thought about the fairytales they know, making puppets and re-telling some of the famous tales, and then did some story writing of their own about the little girl Lana and her adventures falling through a portal into a magical world.

Having read the first few chapters, the children started by writing what they thought might happen next.

The children then had a go at creating their own magical worlds and writing descriptions of them.

We talked Amelia’s Magical World a lot about the use of adjectives (describing words) and prepositions (positional words) to write detailed descriptions, which would engage the reader.

The children really enjoyed the opportunity to express themselves and use all of their writing skills to create the weird and wonderful worlds.

Being individual and having freedom of expression also appeared on some of the children’s lists of things they are grateful for, and is something that we also try to encourage at Meldreth Primary School.

28

The children in Osprey Class very much enjoy all things arts and crafts and have worked extremely hard this last term on some excellent art pieces, ranging from clay eggs to Mothers’ Day pictures, Easter cards and, of course, their magical worlds. As a class, we worked together to create a super collaborative art piece to take pride of place in our classroom – a rainbow, to remind us all of how we are all amazing individually but even better when we work together as a team.

Claudia McGinty Year 3 Teacher Meldreth Primary School

29

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Things for Children and Families To Do Outdoor Activities Explore Wandlebury Country Park, Cambridge CB22 3AE Try your hand at den building, ball games, spotting newts in the wildlife pond, following a spring trail (print this out from the website: www.cambridgeppf.org). See if you can spot Ely Cathedral, have a picnic, go for a walk. Can you find the Wandlebury Dinky Door?

Check www.dinkydoors.co.uk for clues before you go. Get a drink and snack (some Sundays) from Tilly the Travelling Tea Room or (some Saturdays) from the Rural Coffee Project.

Go to the Zoo Local zoos include Linton ( www.lintonzoo.com), Hamerton Zoo Park ( www.hamertonzoopark) and Shepreth Wildlife Park ( www.sheprethwildlifepark.co.uk). Book tickets online.

Hire a Boat Houghton Boats, Houghton, Huntingdon PE28 2AZ Canoes, rowing boats and punts for hire. Explore the River Great Ouse and its tributaries. See suggested routes - 3 miles or 5.5 miles: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/houghton-mill-and-waterclose-meadows.

Garden Fun See www.nationaltrust.org.uk for 50 things to do in your back garden go stargazing, make friends with a bug, make and wear a wild crown, play Sounds of Nature Bingo.

Find a Sleeping Dragon! Ickworth, Bury St Edmunds IP29 5QE Find the dragon’s egg nest at Ickworth, build a den, follow a cycle trail. www.nationaltrust.org.uk. If it rains, try Ickworth’s craft club online.

Indoor Activities Respond to Music through Art or Movement See Join in with Jessica on www.auroraorchestra.com. Draw or move to Mozart’s Jupiter Symphony.

Try Some New Crafts See www.ditchlingmuseumartcraft.org.uk (Virtual Museum Club) for a series of videos showing how to make a papier mâché bowl, try blow painting or make a jar lantern.

Compiled by Hilary Crawforth 31

Meldreth Village D Monday

Tuesday

All events/meetings in the Village Hall are subject to change. If in doubt, please check before attending.

The copy deadline for the June issue of Meldreth Matters is Wednesday 12th May Monday 31st May to Friday 4th June School Half Term holiday

Numbers are limited so in most cases, pre-booking with the meeting organiser is essential.

4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children

4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children

Wednesday

9.15 onwards Meldreth Marvels Cycling Group (see page 11)

9.15 onwards Meldreth Marvels Cycling Group (see page 11)

9.30-11.30am Toddler Group (see page 10) 5.00-6.00pm Zoom Cuppa Surgery with Susan van de Ven and Jose Hales

9.30-11.30am Toddler Group (see page 10)

Thurs

Refuse C

Black Blue * late

7.30pm Parish (online meeting

7.00am-1 Local Ele

7.30pm Ascens service

5.00-6.00pm Councillors’ Zoom Cuppa Surgery MM Copy Deadline

9.15 onwards Meldreth Marvels Cycling Group (see page 11)

9.30-11.30am Toddler Group (see page 10)

1.30-2.30pm Aerobics

5.30pm Slimming World

7.00-8.00pm Aerobics

7.30pm Slimming World

9.30-11.30am Toddler Group (see page 10)

4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children (24th only)

9.15 onwards Meldreth Marvels Cycling Group (see page 11) 1.30-2.30pm Aerobics

8.00-9.00pm Zumba

7.00-8.00pm Aerobics

5.30pm Slimming World

11.00-12.00 Trigger Point Pilates 4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children 8.00-9.00pm Zumba

11.00-12.00 Trigger Point Pilates

24

31

5.00-6.00pm Councillors’ 10.40-11.30 Mobile Library Zoom Cuppa Surgery

5.00-6.00pm Councillors’ Zoom Cuppa Surgery

10.00am Hartb

4.00-5.00pm A

6.00-6.45pm P

7.30pm Parish Annual Meetin (advance booki page 43)

10.00am Hartb

4.00-5.00pm A

7.30pm Slimming World

Church services are held in Holy Trinity Church. The Mobile Library Service visits

32

Diary - May 2021

sday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday 9.45am Said Eucharist with organ

Collections

k bins: 11th, 25th & green bins: 5th*, 18th e collections due to public holidays

Council g)

8.00am Said Eucharist

0.00pm ections

sion Day

beeps

9.45am Said Eucharist with organ

9.30am Slimming World

9.30am Slimming World

ACRO

Pilates

Council ng ing only - see

beeps

9.30am Slimming World

9.45am Said Eucharist with organ - Bishop Stephen visiting

ACRO

Bell Close. All other events are held in the Village Hall unless otherwise indicated.

33

Things to Do in May Here are some things happening in May in the local area. Some are online but others depend on the current Coronavirus restrictions being relaxed as planned, so please check before travelling. If you want to let us know about any future event or activity please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com.

Until Sunday 23rd May The Cambridge Drawing Society has launched its first ever online public selling exhibition. The exhibition features 100 member artists (including Lizanne van Essen from Meldreth) with over 370 original artworks on display.

All works on display will be available to purchase. You can access the exhibition at: https://cdsonlinegallery.oess1.uk.

Throughout May Wicken Fen Nature Reserve (National Trust) Lode Lane, Wicken, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 5XP Walking routes into the Sedge Fen have now re-opened with advance booking required (tickets released each Friday). Routes into the wider reserve are also open for you to enjoy acres of outdoor space, nature and wildlife. Takeaway café. See: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wicken-fen -nature-reserve for safe visiting arrangements and to book.

Throughout May Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedfordshire MK45 4HR Managed by English Heritage, Wrest Park Gardens are a treat for the senses - spectacular borders, sweeping countryside views and woodland walks. All buildings closed at present but outdoor café, children’s play area open. Visit: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/wrestpark/things-to-do for advance booking details.

Throughout May Jurassic Links Adventure Golf Kingsway Golf Centre, Cambridge Road, Melbourn SG8 6EY Love dinosaurs or just enjoy a round of adventure golf? Navigate your way through prehistoric caves, winding fossil paths and cascading waterfalls. Go to: www.kingswaygolfcentre.co.uk to book. Covidsecure measures in place. £9 Adults, £7 Juniors or £25 for family of four.

34

From Saturday 1st May, 10.00am to 4.00pm Duxford Outdoors Imperial War Museum, Duxford, Cambridge CB22 4QR Take a mile-long, self-guided walk through nine ‘discovery zones’ on the museum’s new outdoor trail. Learn about the airfield’s role during the Battle of Britain and Dunkirk. Catering van and picnic spots.

Tickets £15, must be purchased in advance from www.iwm.org.uk.

Saturday 1st May, 10.00am to 12.00pm Orwell Pannier Market, Recreation Ground, Orwell SG8 5QJ Food and produce stalls only in line with government restrictions.

Sunday 2nd May, 1.00pm to 5.00pm Barton Gardens - Open Garden for National Garden Scheme Barton, Cambridge CB23 7BG A variety of large and small gardens including landscaped cottage garden with woodland walk, winter and dry gardens - and a ‘secret’ garden. Combined admission £5, children free. Proceeds to charity.

Sunday 9th May, 8.00pm Live from the Barbican - LSO/Rattle: Das Lied von der Erde Contemplate the brief, boundless joy of life and the looming spectre of death in Mahler’s hugely poignant song cycle – a work every bit as epic in size and scope as his monumental symphonies. Online tickets £12.50. https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on.

Thursday 27th May, 2.00pm to 3.30pm The Real Middle-Earth Tour Anglo-Saxon Village, Icklingham Rd, West Stow, IP28 6HG Learn about the links between Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings story and the Anglo-Saxon world on this guided tour. Partly outdoor event, face masks must be worn indoors and social distancing guidelines followed.

Adults £20, children £10. Booking essential on (01284) 758000.

Saturday 29th to Monday 31st May, at various times Daisy Dukes Drive-In Cinema Cambridge Rugby Club, Grantchester Road, Cambridge CB3 9ED Watch films like Pulp Fiction, Bohemian Rhapsody, A Star is Born, the Greatest Showman, Mamma Mia and Grease (sing along version) from the comfort of your own car. For showing times and ticket booking visit: www.daisy-dukes-box-office.myshopify.com.

Compiled by John Crawforth 35

Do You Have Breathing Difficulties? Did You Know Singing Can Help?

Singing is a great way to improve the way you breathe and get the best from your lung capacity. The Cambridge Singing for Breathing group is meeting online using Zoom, on Thursday afternoons, from 2.30pm to 4.00pm. Kay Barrett has been leading the group for local community music charity Talking in Tune since May 2016. She says: “You don’t need any singing experience to take part. It’s all about what it feels like, not what it sounds like. The camaraderie of the group, the guided relaxation, the breathing exercises and the singing are so much appreciated by everyone, and the health benefits transfer over into daily life. The move to meeting online has worked really well for us. Singers can join from the comfort of their own home, even when they are feeling unwell. You need to turn off your microphone when we sing together, but that can be very liberating! You simply copy what you hear the leader singing, call and response style. We also make use of multi-track recordings, so we can continue to enjoy rounds and harmonies.”

Do I have to pay?

Those who can afford it are invited to give a £3.50 donation each week, but this is not essential, we want everyone to be able to join in.

Do I have to join in every week?

We know that appointments, sickness, family commitments and such can get in the way! Just join in when you can.

I have Long Covid, can I join?

The gentle pace and the breathing exercises and relaxation can be very beneficial, but do check with your doctor or respiratory physio, especially if your symptoms are severe. Please call Kay if you are unsure.

How do I join? Simply contact Kay on 07845 726975 or email singingforbreathingcambridge@gmail.com for further information and to receive the Zoom link each week.

You can find out more at www.singingforbreathing.wordpress.com or https://www.facebook.com/singingforlunghealthcambridge.

Singing for Breathing 36

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38

The A10 Travel Hub at Foxton The GCP (Greater Cambridge Partnership) are promising that a number of formal engagement events will be held sometime this month, inviting potential users and local residents to comment on their ‘Travel Hub’ proposal. This maybe the last chance we will get to express our thoughts and concerns about how this Travel Hub will affect the residents of all the surrounding villages prior to a planning permission being made. So: If you think that the proposal will significantly increase rush hour traffic flow through Fowlmere, Thriplow, Shepreth, Barrington, Orwell and Foxton, as commuters cut across from the A505 and A603 to park up. And if you have concerns for the safety of over 1000 extra pedestrians and cyclists a day crossing the already busy A10 near the station and the top of Station Road in Foxton, to get to the trains. Or If you believe that the already lengthy traffic hold-ups will increase as vehicles are held up as traffic joins and leaves the A10 to get to and from the car park. Or If you are concerned that the increase in delays and traffic build up will increase the air pollution levels whilst also further delaying the ‘blue light’ ambulances and emergency vehicles. Or If you think that trying to get in and out of Foxton or any of the feeder roads from Melbourn, Meldreth, Shepreth, Fowlmere by car onto the A10 is going to be almost impossible. Or If you think that comprehensive local village bus connections and cycle routes should be part of the travel hub concept. Or If you are concerned that the siting of the travel hub will prevent the construction of a much needed and long awaited bypass then please voice your concerns by turning up at these events and/or by registering them online directly to the GCP. Many concerns have been noted but the GCP juggernaut presses on.

Hopefully, we can either stop construction of the Travel Hub or achieve something that will benefit both Cambridge and the villages that would surround the Travel Hub. Foxton Travel Hub Forum 39

Rail News Passenger Benefit Fund (PBF) at Meldreth Station We’re very pleased that the PBF has been permitted to help fund a feasibility study for the long-awaited ramp that will connect the London platform to the path to Melbourn. This is a key step in the long quest to improve accessibility at Meldreth Station.

Improvement to toilet facilities, seating and shelters will be taking place too – all something to be revealed, as we’ve had few details, but nevertheless we look forward to seeing the results.

While improvements are made to Bern Parsons’ ticket office, Bern will be moving to a portable office in the car park for a short while; the ticket office itself will have some refurbishment works, both minor structural and decoration. It needs it! The ticket office will then match the smart look of the waiting room.

Half-hourly trains on weekdays are set to resume in May. This is very welcome news, as more people begin using public transport again.

Any questions, or if you’d like to join the Rail User Group mailing list, please let us know Susan van de Ven and Sarah Grove, Meldreth Shepreth and Foxton Community Rail Partnership railusergroup@gmail.com

Royston & District Community Transport www.roytrans.co.uk Good News – we hope!

By the time you read this, Community Transport should be back to normal, barring a last minute Government change of mind of course!

We are once again available for hairdresser and similar appointments, shopping trips, gym and social visits (as long as they are meeting up outdoors or at a garden centre), BUT we will keep our precautions as before.

40

Our rules for one household per car remains, preferably with one person in the back although we are flexible to take carers or allow sitting in a front seat if back seat is too difficult, and of course, don’t forget your face mask.

As usual we will try our best to meet your needs. Please ring the office on (01763) 245228 between 9.00am and 3.00pm Monday to Friday.

We look forward to seeing you again…

The Royston & District Community Transport Team

Changes to Bus Services In response to the changes in national lockdown travel restrictions, Stagecoach will be making changes to some of their Cambridge services and timetables.

Those most relevant to Meldreth residents are given below. All timetables and further information can be found on the Stagecoach website: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/east/eastcovid19-services.

Park & Ride: Return of service To coincide with the re-opening of all non-essential retail, all five Cambridge Park & Ride services will return and will operate to the January timetables.

Frequency: buses will operate every 10 minutes Monday-Sunday daytime and every 20 minutes after 6.00pm.

Route 915: Route Extension We will be extending the 915 route in Royston to serve the new Royston Gateway Retail Park, just off of the A505.

Frequency: buses will operate every 60 minutes.

Passenger Transport Services Working on behalf of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Editor’s Note: See page 54 for an update on the 127 (now 17) bus service operated by A2B. 41

Letters to the Editor Found Property On one of our recent walks through Melwood, we found some gardening hand tools.

If these belong to you, please contact us on (01763) 261405 to arrange their return.

Lin & Roger Wallbridge

Walking and Cycling We were interested to read in a recent issue of Walk, the Ramblers’ magazine, that Cambridgeshire Ramblers had been instrumental in saving five important level crossing public rights of way from closure.

The closest of those to Meldreth was on Footpath 4 in Harston. The Ramblers objected to its closure as it would take walkers off a pleasant country path, partly in woodland, with a poor replacement involving two sets of steps. This would have made the path inconvenient, and even unusable for some. Jill Tuffnell, Membership Secretary for Cambridge Ramblers, who gave evidence at the inquiry, pointed out that it would also involve walking on roads with narrow verges. This would include the busy A10 which has poor sightlines and would need to be crossed – potentially meaning the new route was less safe than the current level crossing.

In the same issue, we spotted this letter from Ian Bentley in Yorkshire entitled “Two-wheeled Terror?”.

During the various lockdowns my local walks have been spoiled by inconsiderate cyclists on footpaths, which is illegal. This is common these days, with few deterrents, and has been worse under lockdown with more people exercising locally. Why can’t cyclists stick to the many roads and bridleways they are legally allowed to ride on? They should keep off footpaths where a slower pace of travel is expected, without the need for walkers to watch their backs for approaching bikes. (Reproduced with permission.)

John & Jackie Rogger 42

MELDRETH PARISH COUNCIL Notice Annual Parish Meeting 2021 The Annual Parish Meeting will be held in Meldreth Village Hall Thursday 20th May at 7.30pm 

Apologies for Absence



Chairman’s Welcome



Minutes of 2019 Meeting



Matters Arising from the Annual Meeting



Chairman’s Report



Financial Reports 2018/19 & 2019/2020



Written Reports from village clubs and organisations



Open Discussion

Please be aware that due to Covid regulations only 30 people are allowed to be in the room. Places must therefore be reserved in advance and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Please contact the Clerk to book a place.

There was no Annual Parish Meeting held in 2020 due to Covid.

Judy Damant, Clerk to the Parish Council parishclerk@meldreth-pc.org.uk (01763) 269928 43

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Automated Telephone Call Scams There are many variations on the scam automated telephone call that asks the recipient to press “1” on their handset to be connected to an operator. Scam messages may say: “Abnormal activity has been detected on your broadband and it will be disconnected within 24 hours”, or “Your credit card has been used for a foreign transaction”, or “An Amazon Prime account has been opened in your name”.

There are many other examples, some of which threaten that legal proceedings may be initiated against the person receiving the call. A new variation states that the recipient's National Insurance number has been compromised. Once connected to the ‘caller’, victims are pressured into giving their personal details in order to receive a new National Insurance number. In reality, they’ve been connected to a criminal who can now use their personal details to commit fraud. If you receive an unsolicited, automated telephone call, asking you to press “1” to speak to an operator, it is a scam that is trying to scare, bully or trap you into giving away personal information to be used by criminals. Even confirming personal details, such as your email address, date of birth or mother’s maiden name, can be used by criminals to commit fraud. No legitimate organisation will rush or pressure you to provide personal information. If you have any doubts about what is being asked of you, hang up the phone. 

Never give out any personal or financial details in response to any unsolicited communication.



Never call the number or use the email address given in an unsolicited communication. Instead, use the official details from the organisation's website or from the back of your bank cards.

Always report scams to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit www.actionfraud.police.uk. If you're not sure whether something is a scam, you can talk to one of the trusted contacts in Meldreth: Graham (01763) 260358 Linda (01763) 261405 Peter (01763) 260323 Tim (01763) 262801 Meldreth Neighbourhood Watch 45

Meldreth Coronavirus Community Support Once again, we’d like to thank Meldreth residents for contributing to the community effort to help curtail the spread of Covid-19. We continue during this transition time to try and support those adversely affected by the pandemic where possible, bringing friendship and social contact too, knowing that many people have experienced minimal contact for a long time.

The Cambridgeshire Director of Public Health Dr Liz Robin is retiring at the end of April and we look forward to a new appointment in the near future.

It has been fantastic to benefit from Dr Robin’s leadership, including her trademark practical information and advice, often shared in the local media.

Assistance from MCCS If you are clinically extremely vulnerable, shielding or have been instructed to self-isolate by NHS Test & Trace and your usual support is unavailable, please contact Meldreth Coronavirus Community Support using the contact details below and we will do our best to assist.

Vaccinations Thank you to people who’ve contacted us with questions about vaccinations; we can help point you in the right direction.

Transport to Vaccination Appointments Help is available via the County Council for anyone who is stuck without transport to their vaccination appointment – please ring the Countywide Hub on 0345 045 5219. Royston and District Community Transport is also offering lifts to vaccination appointments.

Pharmacy Deliveries If you are unable to travel to a pharmacy, medication can be delivered directly to you by a number of methods.

Please ask your local pharmacist - WELL Melbourn on (01763) 260221 or Bassingbourn Pharmacy on (01763) 250660 - about the services offered. Our coordinator for pharmacy assistance is Nick Garner on 07968 568599.

Local Shops Taking Telephone Orders and Making Deliveries Home delivery is available from Fieldgate on (01763) 260737 and Bury Lane on (01763) 260418. For Leech & Sons butchers ring (01763) 260255 to collect outside in the car park at the back.

Meldreth Walking Friends We hope you will contact us if the idea of a Meldreth walk in company would be something you’d enjoy. Please contact Paul Inman on 07976 256121 to find out more.

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Mental Health and Wellbeing Support We are supported by the very useful resources available to all at CPSL Mind – that’s Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Suffolk and Lincolnshire Mind including common-sense helpful reminders and also telephone numbers and links if you’re worried or anxious and need to talk to someone who can help: https://www.cpslmind.org.uk/top-tips-self-help-resources or for general queries please call 0300 303 4363 (9.30am – 5.30pm).

Meldreth Food Bank – thanks to all We’d like to say an especially big thank you to everyone who has supported the Meldreth Community Food Bank – those who’ve made donations of food and funds to ensure support is always available to those having a difficult time, and to Anne Bobeckyj, with help from Jo Desmarais, whose combined energy, organisation and compassion has made the Food Bank work so well. The number of people needing support from the Food Bank has now dropped dramatically and it is time to move on. Anne has been in contact with the small number of people about other available support nearby, and the MCCS team will give some thought to the coming months, given that we have learned to anticipate the unexpected. Finally, we’d like to thank Holy Trinity Church for the very kind donations of beautifully prepared Easter baskets, distributed to local families through the MCCS Community Foodbank – a lovely note to conclude on.

Our Neighbourhood Zone Leaders Please remember that our team is always on hand for a friendly chat by telephone. Our zone leaders’ telephone numbers are below.

Kneesworth Road, West Way, Burtons & Fenny Lane: Bev Cottrell, 07773 592838 Elin Way and Howard Road Zone: David Hollamby, 07732 106828 Whitecroft Road, Chiswick End, Oakrits, Melrose: John Crawforth, 07595 627684 High Street, Flambards, The Grange, Woolpack Way, Station Yard & Rd: Helen Munday, 07712 555598 Bell Close and Gables Close: Cathy Walston, 07757 086380 North End, Brewery Lane, Malton Lane, Cam Farm: Bev Cottrell, 07773 592838 & Ian Mitchell, 07726 936635 Any other questions, please let us know!

County and District Councillors Susan van de Ven and Jose Hales and all at the MCCS team 47

Meldreth Parish Council www.meldreth-pc.org.uk Meeting held on Thursday 1st April 2021 This meeting was held through a video/audio link, in accordance with revised procedures provided by the Coronavirus Act 2020. The main points of this meeting are set out below in the usual summary format.

The full formal minutes can be viewed in due course on the website given above and on the Parish Council notice board; these will be presented for approval at the next Parish Council meeting.

Discussions and Decisions District and County Councillors’ Reports [See pages 54-57.]

In the latest Council tax bills it was noted that Meldreth’s precept was the only element showing a year on year reduction; all the other components (County, District etc.) showed increases.

The level crossing on Meldreth Road at Shepreth may have its gates replaced with double closing gates on each side, as at Shepreth station; CCTV coverage is proposed. The justification for such a change is unclear.

Footways in the village remain an issue although some have been resurfaced. The footway along the High Street needs attention as does a major water leak that is flowing into the street near Maycroft Care Home.

At the time of the meeting, Cambridgeshire County Council were jetting out the drainage gullies on all the major village roads and identifying those that need remedial work.

Proposal for Major Town Development in South Cambridgeshire Parish Councillors are fully engaged with this subject and are maintaining a careful watch on developments. It isn’t clear how the developer might present proposals through the planning process and there remains a risk of such proposals somehow being steered directly through government channels, although this possibility is firmly refuted by our MP. [See page 53.]

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Carbon Group The Council’s group will consider a proposal for further tree planting in the village and will report to a future Council meeting on this subject.

Covid-19 Update Good progress continues to be made and our local MCCS operation is on a stable footing and is continuing to provide good service to our residents. [See pages 46-47 for details of the support available.]

Melbourn Area Youth Development (MAYD) Recently a meeting took place to consider the way forward. It was noted that the Covid crisis had sharply reduced the group’s activities.

The MAYD committee will be meeting again in June to discuss the programme possibilities for the autumn and winter. There is some concern about whether in the longer term the scheme is sustainable in terms of numbers taking part.

Recreation Ground Further discussions have taken place with the suppliers of the children’s play tower about its exact location within the play area.

Grass matting will be acquired to protect the grass at the base of the installation. There are other grassed areas that will benefit by being reinforced with matting and these will be measured and costed for future purchase.

Adult gym equipment will be funded out of S106 contributions although it was noted that temporary funding could be provided out of other Parish Council funds and would be reimbursed when the S106 money is paid to the Council. The placement of the adult gym equipment will be carefully considered and will be discussed with the suppliers.

Weed clearance at the recreation ground continues to make good progress. An area near the tennis courts will be cleared next with herbicide (subject to regulations and suitable precautions). Volunteers will clear the Howard Road ditch of rubbish which appears to have been dumped there.

Traffic Working Group The Council’s Local Highways Initiative application for traffic calming measures in Whitecroft Road was not successful. Out of 47 49

applications, only seventeen were approved and steps are now being taken to investigate the reasons for Meldreth’s being declined.

Future Meetings The next Parish Council meeting on 6th May will be held remotely.

The Council is making plans for the Annual Village Meeting on Thursday 20th May – last held two years ago due to the pandemic.

This will take place in the Village Hall, subject to the current relaxation of coronavirus restrictions taking place. Only 30 people are allowed to be in the room. Places must therefore be reserved in advance. More information is on page 43 of this issue of Meldreth Matters and on the Council’s website and noticeboards.

Support for “Relate” This is an important local service and the Council agreed to donate £450 to it, following the recommendation of our Futures Group.

Support for Primary School Swimming Pool Project The Council supports this project in principle. The papers have been circulated and a proposal to donate Council funds will be tabled at the May Council meeting.

Next Meeting Thursday 6th May 2021 at 7.30pm (online meeting).

Meldreth Parish Council

Meldreth Matters is an independent magazine, run by volunteers.

We rely on advertising income to fund the magazine.

Please mention Meldreth Matters when responding to advertisements.

To advertise in the magazine, please telephone Beverley Cottrell on (01763) 262176 or email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com.

See our rates on page 64 of this issue.

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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 12.30-2.30pm By appointment at other times Parish Clerk: Mrs J Damant (01763) 269928 parishclerk@meldreth-pc.org.uk Mr R Goddin (Chairman) (01763) 260061

goddin@btinternet.com

Mr R A Searles (Vice Ch)

(01763) 260435

robert.searles@btinternet.com

Mrs C J Fallon

(01763) 262822

joan.fallonpc@gmail.com

Mr N Garner

(01763) 268328

nickphgarner@gmail.com

Mrs P Gilmore

(01763) 263138

gilmorepat@aol.com

Dr R James

(01763) 261085

roger+pc@rogerjames.net

Mr C A Land

(01763) 261004

conradland@btinternet.com

Mr Nigel Pellatt

(01763) 262444

nppellatt@btconnect.com

Mr A Young

(01763) 263484

andrewmpc@gmail.com

Moorlands Court

Local Community Services

 Homecare – our fully trained carers visit you in your home.  Si ng service – a visit from our experienced staff gives family carers me for themselves.  Day Centre – based at Moorlands Court, with a friendly and sociable atmosphere and includes a tasty 2 course lunch.  Meals service – nutri ous, hot lunch me 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, just call us at Moorlands Court on 01763 260564, or email : denise.taylor@chsgroup.org.uk 51

Planning Matters Parish Council The minutes of the Parish Council Planning Meetings on 18th February, 4th March, 18th March and 15th April were not available at the time of going to press.

For further information and to view the minutes (when they are made available) please check the Parish Council’s website, www.meldreth-pc.org.uk.

SCDC Decisions The following decision was made in March. No more recent decisions were available on the shared planning website at the time of going to press.

Ref. and Address

Decision

Permission granted for a single storey rear 22 Oakrits 21/00640/PRI01A extension (no prior approval required) Full details of all planning applications may be viewed on the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning website: https://applications.greatercambridgeplanning.org/online-applications.

The Meldreth Matters Team

Save Our School Pool Meldreth Primary School PTA is raising funds to replace the school pool so that children can continue to benefit from swimming lessons.

To donate, please visit: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/savemeldrethschoolpool The Crowdfunder page will remain open until Thursday 6th May. If you would like to donate after this date, please email meldrethPTA@gmail.com 52

Thakeham and South West Cambridgeshire Update In the past month, the South West Cambridge Action Group has met with parish council representatives of the nine directly affected villages and with our MP and we have held a public meeting.

The developer, Thakeham, has at the time of writing, still not lodged an application to South Cambridgeshire District Council. Nevertheless, we have focused our meetings on sharing information about how national development channels work, meaning channels that would over-ride local decision-making. We’ve put all this together into a presentation which is available to download from our website: www.swcag.org.uk.

Please get in touch if you’d like to join our email updates list: info@swcag.org.uk.

Susan van de Ven & Jose Hales

Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme Supporting people in Melbourn, Meldreth & Shepreth Can we help you? Your relative? Your neighbour?

What is the service?

We offer twice weekly visits and daily phone calls to support elderly or mobility impaired residents in their own homes by building a friendship and helping prevent social isolation. We can carry out errands such as local shopping, collecting prescriptions, paying bills or going to the Post Office so people can remain supported and independent at home. We can also help couples or those living with their family. We are also trained to support people living with dementia.

Who provides the services?

Mobile wardens, who have all been carefully selected for their caring nature and are DBS checked.

What will it cost?

We do make a small charge for the services, which is from as little as £7.50 per week.

How can I join?

For more information please contact Jeannie on 07808 735066 or Jane on 07592 821976.

Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme is a registered charity

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District and County Councillors’ Report Gulley Emptying This long-expected County Highways exercise started a bit late, but the tour has taken in a wider area than expected, and a great number of drains have been jetted in addition to gulley cleared (34 out of 55 in the first day). The crew have been up to Eternit, through Howard Road, up Kneesworth Road and then headed up to North End. In the Whitecroft Road area, one-foot-deep mud was encountered and cleared. This is a pilot project in which Highways is committed to return and systematically investigate further should any problems persist – so please do report any persistent pooling around drains arising from heavy rainfall. We use this website to do so: https:// highwaysreporting.cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

High Street Pavement, from Maycroft to Whitecroft Susan has protested that this work hasn’t been done, as the clear expectation was that it would be before end of financial year. A ‘definite’ has been received for action post 1st April in the new financial year. Chasing will continue until that’s happened.

127 bus – relaunch as the 17 The bus operator A2B has proposed to run the old 127 service commercially, which is its right to do. This had long been an entirely council-subsidised service – subsidy coming into play where there is no interest from a commercial provider. The new service launched on 6th April under the number 17. A small amount of local authority subsidy will keep Melbourn and Meldreth in the timetable, as the main ridership forming the commercial basis comes from Bassingbourn, Litlington and the Mordens.

Cam Vale Bus User Group members will know that we expected the amalgamation of cross-county subsidised services, in which the 127 and Hertfordshire County Council’s 91 were to join up and extend the service to Baldock and Letchworth. This won’t happen now, though A2B will be taking on the 91 as a Hertfordshire contracted service and would like to work toward a cross-county border service. The timetable remains roughly the same. All concessions and fares are the same and all buses are fully accessible. The timetable is available at www.a2bbusandcoach.com.

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East West Rail Preferred Option: Cambourne to Cambridge The East West Railway Company (EWR) has at last announced detailed routes for the new railway line from Bedford to Cambridge, including the route alignments that they prefer. We will be scrutinising these plans carefully to assess what impact they will have on our local communities and see what the benefits to our area can be. EWR now agrees that a new Cambourne Station should be on the A428 and not in Caxton. South Cambridgeshire District Council has supported the building of a new line from Oxford to Cambridge and beyond because we do need more east-west connectivity, and a new railway can undoubtedly provide the backbone of better and more sustainable transport across the region. In particular, when Cambridge South Station is completed, East West Rail will be key to the ongoing growth of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. However, it is vital that this new line contributes fully to the move to zero carbon from day one and that arguably means that the line should be designed to be electrified or hydrogen powered. Many thousands of residents are potentially affected by the routes being consulted on and we would encourage everyone to participate in the consultation. The fact that it includes a 7km long and10m high embankment from the Eversdens to Shelford, cutting across Barrington hill and the A10 between Foxton and Harston, is an extremely big deal. Please, have a look at the consultation: https://eastwestrail.co.uk/consultation.

South Cambridgeshire COVID Recovery - Community Chest Grant South Cambridgeshire District Council has earmarked a £30,000 Covid recovery grant fund as part of its Community Chest funding. This is specifically designed to help local community groups and Parish Councils resume community activities which have been difficult or impossible during the pandemic. Grants of up to £2,000 for Covid recovery related projects and initiatives are available. Previously, few could apply to the scheme but until 10th May 2021 it is open to all Parish Councils as well as community groups, with applications being considered at the Grants Advisory Committee meeting on 28th May. Applications are therefore invited from community groups for projects or initiatives designed to mitigate the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic and aid recovery. For further information or details on how to apply see: https://www.scambs.gov.uk/community-development/ grants/community-chest-grants. If you have any questions, please email Community.Chest@scambs.gov.uk for further guidance.

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Safer Community Funding The Community Safety Partnership between South Cambridgeshire District Council, Cambridgeshire County Council, the Police, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, the NHS and the Probation Service, meets together to tackle local crime and anti-social behaviour.

We want to encourage residents to take ownership of some of these local issues to create local solutions – and there is funding and support available to help you do this. Grants of between £50 and £500 are currently available to improve community safety as well as improve cohesion. Apply before 30th September 2021. Voluntary groups, charities, parish councils and enthusiastic individuals can apply for funding for anything from printing leaflets or posters, hosting a website, buying equipment for a Speedwatch group, litter picking, creating a community garden or accessing training. For further information, please contact Linda Gallagher on 07376 901019.

Fostering and Adoption Campaign The campaign ‘Build Your Family’ encourages LGBT+ potential adopters and foster carers to consider expanding their family and sharing their life with a child or young person, either permanently through adoption or more short-term through fostering. The campaign seeks to tackle some common misconceptions surrounding the process and raise awareness among people who identify as LGBT+ of the adoption and fostering parenting routes that are open to them. There are around 745 children and young people in Cambridgeshire who need foster carers and the greatest need is for teenagers and brothers and sisters. LGBT+ Adoption & Fostering week is organised by New Family Social, a charity that supports LGBT+ Adopters and Foster Carers across the UK. For more information on fostering call 0800 052 0078, email fostering@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or visit www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/fostering. For information on adoption please call 0300 1231093.

Council Meetings: in-person again?

Government regulations permitting virtual decision-making meetings end immediately following the 6th May elections, but it’s not yet clear exactly where District and County Council decision-making meetings will take place, bearing in mind public health guidance about safe space and proper ventilation. Virtual meetings have allowed much greater inclusion as travelling long distances has not been required, and we’ve 56

seen far greater public participation as a result. These meetings have been less polluting to the environment and less costly to run.

Meanwhile, Shire Hall in Cambridge, the long-time home of Cambridgeshire County Council, has now been closed and emptied and will be redeveloped for other purposes. A new building at Alconbury, up the A1, is under construction but is not ready yet. It will be more economical to run but has no public transport links.

Any Questions?

Please feel free to get in touch any time should you have queries or concerns.

Susan writes: “It has been an honour representing residents of Meldreth at the County Council. I’ll be standing for re-election on 6th May, but regardless of the outcome would like to thank all those I’ve worked with and met during the course of this time.”

Susan van de Ven, County Councillor and Jose Hales, District Councillor

MELDRETH LANDSCAPES Now treating paddocks & large areas

Design & Layout Plans Hard Landscaping & Lighting Planting & Water Features

BESPOKE LAWNCARE SERVICES SINCE 2005

Pergolas, Decking, etc

Independent and family run, we put the care into lawncare

Tel: 01763 261463

01763 244955 lawnpartners.co.uk

www.meldrethlandscapes.co.uk Kneesworth Rd., Meldreth, Royston, Herts

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East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices New EACH Shop in Royston Opens On Monday 12th April, EACH opened its latest shop, located in the premises formerly occupied by Woolworths in Royston High Street.

The event marked not only the grand opening of EACH’s first Hertfordshire shop, but also the reopening of the charity’s 42 other shops across Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk.

On ribbon-cutting duties for the dual occasion were Keely Blows and Curtis Irish, son Teddy, nine, and daughter Marlowe, three (pictured) from Royston.

They received support from EACH when their beloved daughter and sister, Tallulah, died from a cerebral infarction at just under three weeks old in December 2013 and have since raised £24,282 for the charity.

EACH has become a leading organisation in the world of charity retail, with a burgeoning shop portfolio, including popular eBay and Amazon outlets and Style With EACH, a new boutique on ASOS Marketplace launched last week.

The new shop will trade six days a week, Monday to Saturday. We welcome donations of the following clean and good-quality goods: clothing, bric-a-brac, modern paperbacks, toys, jewellery, DVDs/CDs, household linens, retro and vintage clothes and small electrical items.

Donna Blakes, EACH Shop Manager, said: “We’d like to urge anyone planning to bring along donations to call us in advance on (01763) 290004 to make sure we have space for them. When we reopened our other shops last year we were overwhelmed with generosity and if the same happens this time round we may have to consider limiting daily donations to ensure the working environment is safe for staff and volunteers.”

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To put into context the difference just a small donation to a shop can make to the vital work EACH does, here are some examples of what your donation could pay for:  A top, skirt or pair of trousers worth £5 could pay for art supplies for a session of art therapy  A tea set worth £11 could help fund an hour of specialist play tailored to a child’s individual needs  A nice wedding hat or jacket worth £19 could help towards an hour of vital physiotherapy  An item of good-quality furniture or prom dress worth £24 could help fund an hour with a psychologist to help guide and support families going through, likely, the toughest period of their lives.

EACH will also be launching a new Rainbow Butterfly bag for life and associated greetings card pack on Monday. They were designed by Norfolk artist and keen EACH supporter Lucy Loveheart, who put the pandemic at the heart of her creation.

Volunteers Needed We need YOU to help us keep our shops open and raise vital funds!

With many of our shop volunteers currently unable to lend a hand due to the pandemic, the number of hours’ support we normally receive is down by more than 50%.

We are facing a financial deficit over the next twelve months, following disruption to fundraising and retail. At the same time our care and support is more important than ever as vulnerable families become exhausted from shielding.

Might you be able to help? Just a couple of hours a week can make a difference. There are so many ways you can support us, from sorting donations and dressing windows to running the till and listing items on our eBay shop and we always guarantee a friendly welcome!

You can find out more about becoming a retail volunteer at www.each.org.uk/retail-volunteers.

Anyone interested in more information on volunteering at the Royston shop can drop by for a chat, call (01763) 290004, or email shop manager Donna Blakes at donna.blakes@each.org.uk.

Michael Jarvis EACH Media and PR Manager 59

Home-Start Royston & South Cambridgeshire www.hsrsc.org.uk A Smashing Start to our Fundraising Target We would like to say a big thank you to one of our wonderful supporters, Keeley Thomas, who embarked on a personal challenge to do 50 squats a day for the whole of February.

Keeley raised a whopping £1,672 for HomeStart. Keeley, we can’t tell you enough how grateful we are for your support!

Why Not Support Home-Start with Your Own Challenge?

This could be anything from running a marathon, walking 100km in a month, doing 100 hula-hoop rotations or 50 jumping jacks daily for one month, having a week of tech-free mornings, taking a selfie a day in unusual places, or you could take on something more challenging like the Tough Mudder event. Whatever you choose, we can help you set up your fundraising page, support your journey by sharing your story on our news feeds, and applaud your achievements when you succeed. Please get touch with any challenge ideas you might have.

Send a Virtual Card and Support HSRSC Did you know that sending a greetings card through the post costs around 200g in carbon emissions? Around 900 million greetings cards are posted in the UK, which means we’re putting 180,000,000kg of carbon into our atmosphere every year.

Why not send a digital card this year? We offer a free service to send one of our beautiful, exclusive Home-Start images through www.dontsendmeacard.com. You get to send your loved ones a fantastic e-card, and if you’d like to donate the cost of the card and stamps to us in exchange, that would be super!

Just go along to our page on www.dontsendmeacard.com and help save the planet while supporting us.

Home Start Royston, Buntingford & South Cambridgeshire (01763) 262262 admin@hsrsc.org.uk Unit 6, Valley Farm, Station Road, Meldreth SG8 6JP Charity No: 1105385 60

Star Shine Walk 2021

Be part of a weekend to remember with Star Shine Walk!

We invite you to walk in memory of someone special on the weekend of 22nd and 23rd May. The thirteenth annual Star Shine Walk will raise much needed funds for hospice care across Cambridgeshire.

This is the second outing for Star Shine Walk as a remote event. Incredibly, in 2020 the memory walk raised over £40,000. This year, once again, we challenge you to complete a 5, 10 or 20 mile distance of your choice, at a time and place to suit you. You can walk, skip, wheel, trundle, scoot, walk the dog or even dance your way around your self-made route!

All registrations received by Sunday 16th May will receive a walk pack containing a special edition customisable event t-shirt and other goodies. We welcome children under 10 to join in for free, but they won’t receive a walk pack.

For more information, visit www.arhc.org.uk/events/detail/star-shine-walk-2021.

If you’d like any assistance, contact our Fundraising Team on (01223) 675888 or fundraising@arhc.org.uk.

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity 61

One Stop Village Hall Bookings Village Hall Chairman

(01763) 262158, open 7am-10pm, 7 days Sherida Richards—(01763) 262512 Paul Ray—(01763) 260304

Cycling Group Local History Group Lunch Club Melwood Cons. Group

John Rogger—(01763) 260809 (01763) 260129; www.meldrethhistory.org.uk Nikki & Julie—07599 292327 (01763) 232855; www.melwood.btck.co.uk

Photographic Group

www.melbourn-photographic-club.co.uk

Revelation U3A WI

Miriam Skuce—(01763) 262440 Chris Davison—(01763) 264189 Jane Bates—(01763) 261638

Sport

Bowls Club Croquet Club Meldreth United FC Table Tennis Tennis Club

Christine Piper Hatch—(01223) 263266 Janet Pope—(01763) 248239 07930 650036 Christine Knight—(01763) 261676 (01763) 243376; http://cspark.at/Meldr2

Church

Litter Picker

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

(01763) 220626; https://allsaintsmelbournholytrinitymeldreth.co.uk (01763) 261569 Peter Hinton—(01763) 262045 (01763) 260048; www.foht.org.uk

Baby & Toddler Group Brownies (1st Meldreth) Hartbeeps Pre-School Primary School

Thea Peacock—07930 893201 Email: 1stmeldrethbrownies@gmail.com Kelly@hartbeeps.com 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 Jose Hales—07703 262649 03450 450500; www.scambs.gov.uk/ Susan van de Ven—07905 325574 www.susanvandeven.com/ 0345 045 5200; www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/ Anthony Browne; www.anthonybrowne.org/

Councils & Govt.

Clubs & Societies

Facilities

Neighbourhood Watch

Mick Taylor—(01763) 261118 Graham Borgonon—(01763) 260358

Children

Village Directory

County Councillor County Council Offices MP

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

Rail User Group

07905 325574; www.meldrethsheprethfoxtonrail.org.uk

Transport

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.

Health

Melbourn Surgery Addenbrooke’s NHS

(01763) 260220; Dispensary—(01763) 261246 (01223) 245151 111 (24 hour non-emergency number)

Childline

Community Transport Home-Start Melbourn Time Bank 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 (01763) 263303; https://tol2.timebanking.org/melbourn 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

Misc.

NonEmerg.

Emergencies

Support Services

Station Ticket Office

Citizens Advice Bureau

Police

Taxi (Butler Meltax) (01763) 244444; 212223 Details of village groups and facilities can be found in the Meldreth Today section at www.meldrethhistory.org.uk.

Meldreth Matters Team: Chairman: Lesley Farbridge 261578; Editor & Layout: Kathryn Betts 268428; Proof-reading: Ken McLean 261243; Treasurer, Secretary & Trade Advertising: Beverley Cottrell 262176; Advertising Layout: Richard Burns 263121; Editorial Assistant: Robin Farbridge; Distribution: Lesley Pemberton 07798586875 and David & Maggie Smith 260378; Founder: Ann Barnes Meldreth Matters is available online at issuu.com (search for Meldreth)

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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.

AngliEAR Hearing ....................Cover Art of Clean .....................................44 Art of Clean Wood ...........................19 Aurora Meldreth Manor (Job) ..........15 Cambourne Self Storage ...................44 CHS Day Centre ................................5 CHS Group ......................................52 Coach House Health Care ................44 The Country Store ............................22 Dog Walker/Pet Sitter .......................19 Ely Design Group .............................37 Eternit Sports and Social Club ...Cover Eve Construction .......................Cover Home Tutor .....................................23 Huw Shortle Window Cleaning ..........2 JN Garden Services ............................2 Lawn Partners ..................................57 The Letting Centre ...........................26 Little Hands Nursery School ............23 Melbourn Flooring ...........................44 Melbourn Village College ............Cover

Meldreth Landscapes .......................57 Meldreth Motor Company ...............37 Meldreth Plant Hire .........................38 Moncraft Computers ..........................2 N J Chapman, gardening ..................19 Nancy Foster Footcare .....................19 Newlings of Royston Funeral Service37 Nigel Wigg Home Improvement .......30 P D Property Services .......................19 Penn Farm Physiotherapy .................30 Reflections Hair Studio ....................26 Richard Burns Electrician ..................19 Rod’s PC Support ..............................2 Sage Blinds and Interiors ..................15 Slimming World .................................5 Sparky’s ...........................................26 Specialist Dental Partners .................30 Trademark Kitchens ..........................38 Tudor Access Scaffolding ..................15 Village Garden Services ....................22

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EVE CONSTRUCTION LTD Experienced professional local builder

Extensions, garden rooms, home office, alterations, structural work, carpentry, block drives, landscaping, and all types of general building work Contact Mark 07889 669138 | 01223 264909 enquiries@eveconstruction.co.uk www.eveconstruction.co.uk

EVERYBODY IS SOMEBODY

The Moor Melbourn SG8 6EF 07163 223400 office@melbournvc.org www.melbournvc.org

A highly-rated community secondary school committed to ensuring every student achieves his or her very best through a rich and varied curriculum.

OFSTED (Sept 2017) confirmed: ‘An innovative curriculum that truly meets the needs of pupils’ ‘The first school in Cambridgeshire to introduce Mandarin at Key Stage 3’ ‘The school’s vision of Everybody is Somebody is evident in the support you provide for all pupils’ ‘Parents are overwhelmingly supportive of the school’ Senior Leaders will be delighted to show around prospective students and their parents. For more information or to book your tour, please contact Karin Doyle – office@melbournvc.org

Open Garden in aid of the British Red Cross

Belmington Close, 68 North End Sunday 30th May, 2.00-5.00pm Tickets can be obtained on arrival at the garden Adults £5 and children under 12 free

Car parking has been arranged with the kind permission of GTI on the adjacent College Farm Business Park The Red Cross will be providing teas and refreshments and there will be a plant stall For further information see page 22 Meldreth Matters is printed by Plumridge Printers 41 High St Linton 01223 891407