Letters to the Editor

Thank You, Andrew Jones

I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to Andrew Jones, Deputy Headteacher at Meldreth Primary School, for his regular contributions to Meldreth Matters. My two lads went to Meldreth Primary School and my youngest, David, was in his class when Andrew was fairly new to the school. For a good few years, I worked as a Dinner Lady, later upgraded to “Lunchtime Supervisor”. I also had the roll of Governor, Minor Authority, thrust upon me during my time on the Parish Council! I used to submit pupils’ articles to Meldreth Matters then and I know they were proud to see their drawings, sports reports, etc. in print. This was back when Joan and Jackie Gelling were Editors of this magazine, so we’re talking about a few years ago! [Joe & Jackie retired as Editors in November 2004—Ed.] Reading about Meldreth Primary School and its pupils still gives me, and I’m sure a great many others, immense pleasure. The time and effort put in by Mr Jones, in addition to his “normal” workload, does not go unappreciated. So on behalf of all the ex’s - ex parents, pupils, office staff, teachers, governors, support staff, cleaners … and dinner ladies - Andrew, thank you. Daphne Jones-Barrie

Elin Way/Howard Road

I am disappointed that South Cambridgeshire District Council's commitment to the environment seems to have been forgotten in my neck of our beautiful village. For some months now, residents of Elin Way and Howard Road have been expected to turn a blind eye to a ramshackle arrangement of metal screens, a skip, a metal container and random large items such as baths and cookers, dumped on the grass verge in Elin Way. This has also made it difficult to maintain the verge at this spot. This mess is a contracting company's base and its vehicles are frequently parked alongside. As I live adjacent to the site, I can vouch

that the site has been in constant use, although I believe the local work for which the site was established was halted during lockdown. I cannot imagine that this situation would be tolerated elsewhere. It irks me that this corner of the village is expected to put up with this - right under the nose of the Parish Council! It doesn't help that there are other issues with Howard Road, such as the aged concrete road panels and dilapidated garages at the Whitecroft Road end of the street. Residents of Howard Road have done much to improve their properties - we are doing our bit. Please can South Cambridgeshire District Council show its commitment to our village environment and address these matters? Marian Mair

Meldreth Does Matter

Earlier this year we came together very successfully as a village to help and support those in need through the first wave of COVID-19. Could we now build upon this sense of community to look to the future of the village and to work together to improve the environment in which we live and to play our part, however small, in facing the challenges of climate change? We are all aware that we need to reduce waste and to reduce our carbon footprint, but where do we find information as to how best to do this at a local level? South Cambridgeshire District Council has developed a broad strategic plan and has set out many practical measures that can be taken, with examples where these are being applied successfully. See https://www.scambs.gov.uk/climate-change/ zero-carbon-communities. Our County Councillor, Susan van de Ven, and District Councillor, Jose Hales, are fully supportive, as is our Parish Council. Meldreth Primary School and Melbourn Village College have been actively raising awareness of these issues among their students and have already started planting more trees and reducing waste.

Now that the dark winter evenings are closing in, would this not be a good time for us all to think about what we can do as individuals, and as a village community, to reduce our carbon footprint? Which, in

your view, would be the most effective, practical actions that we could take? If you would like to share your ideas and to encourage local initiatives, send your suggestions to: Peter Draper by emailing peter.draper@mac.com or telephoning (01763) 260323 or Julie Draper at juliedraper@dumbflea.co.uk or telephone 07976 879350. Julie & Peter Draper

Charity Jam

A big ‘Thank You’ to all the dear people who bought some gages and/or jam from The Cottage, 19 North End. By 20th September we had raised £165 for charity and the money has been sent as follows: £50 Care International (Beirut disaster in July); £60 to WaterAid; £30 to Sight Savers and £25 to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). There is some damson jam left and any further money will be sent to MSF. A free jar of damson jam is yours if you return five or so small empty jars. Graham and Pierrette Borgonon

Meldreth and Orchard Manor Firework Display

We would like to inform residents that we will be holding a private fireworks display at Meldreth Manor on Thursday 5th November. Rachel Smith Skills Tutor, The Aurora Group Orchard Manor

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