Letter to the Editor

Meldreth Funeral Bier

The Parochial Church Council (PCC), which is the legal governing body of Holy Trinity Church, met to discuss two letters about the funeral bier, one published in Meldreth Matters [September 2022 issue] and one sent to PCC members. Both were asking the PCC to place the bier in the church. While we are sympathetic to this request there are a number of issues to consider. It is not clear to the PCC who owns the bier. It seems, from information on the Meldreth Local History Group website, that the bier was commissioned by the Parish Council in about 1922 when the Fenny Lane cemetery opened, the graveyard at the church having been closed in 1907. We have therefore assumed that the bier is now the property of Meldreth Parish Council (MPC), but if that is not the case we need to establish who we should be talking to. We do not believe that the bier was ever owned or maintained by the church. Members of the PCC had three main concerns about the proposal: Space. The only area which the bier could get into is the back of the church. Access is required to the bell tower, and to the storage cupboards on one side of this area. The remaining space is normally used by the children's corner, and there is no obvious space to relocate this. The area is also used for seating for large occasional services, and for a variety of other events not easily compatible with the presence of the bier. Safety. The church is often open for private prayer and for visitors. The bier could be an unacceptable safety hazard to visitors, particularly children. Security. As noted, the church is frequently open but unattended. The PCC were concerned that the bier would not be secure in these circumstances. The PCC would welcome the bier into the church or churchyard for suitable occasions, as and when they arise. We were able to make one suggestion. While we are not able to take on any financial or managerial liability for the care and conservation of the bier, we would be minded to support a suitable proposal by the bier's owner to provide an enclosure for the bier in the churchyard. To do this would require planning permission from the Diocese of Ely, financial guarantees to indemnify the PCC and the agreement of MPC who are responsible for the maintenance of the churchyard, so it is not certain that it could happen despite our support. The text of this letter has been approved by the Standing Committee of the PCC. David Coton, Churchwarden on behalf of the PCC of Holy Trinity Church, Meldreth

www.meldreth-pc.org.uk

Meeting of the Parish Council held on Thursday 5th October 2022

This meeting was held in the Community Room in Elin Way. The main points of the meeting are set out below in the usual summary format. The full formal minutes can be viewed in due course on our website and on the Parish Council notice board; these will be presented for approval at the next Council meeting.

Discussion and Decisions

District and County Reports

The Council thanks our District and County Councillors for the very useful information they continue to provide each month; their latest report can be seen in Meldreth Matters on pages 37-39 and questions and requests for further information on this wide range of subjects can of course be raised directly with our District and County representatives.

All residents are urged to take part in the forthcoming public consultation about the Cambridge ‘City Access’ proposal (of which a congestion charge forms part) as there are important issues relating to access to the City and key services. It was noted that there is no current plan to include the Trumpington Park and

Ride within the restricted zone but the situation regarding hospitals remains unclear. [See pages 38-39 for further information.]

There is also a public petition at the Melbourn Hub in respect of the 915 bus service and all residents are urged to consider signing this to make their views known about this important public bus service.

Pedestrian Underpass: Meldreth Station to Station Road

The Council’s Community Projects Working Group has met to consider the proposals to refurbish the pedestrian underpass and has written to the project manager for more information about other parts of the scheme. It is noted that the success of the whole project will depend on creating a safe and adequate thoroughfare from one end of Footpath 9 to the other, and that this could include major works for which more information is needed.

MCCS

As noted at the last meeting, the organisers of MCCS are considering how its operating brief and volunteer resources can be extended to assist in the cost of living crisis. Discussions are taking place regarding a new food bank, the provision of warm spaces and other forms of direct assistance to those in need.

Good progress on the main tasks is being achieved and the Council agreed to make a donation of £500 towards the setting up costs of the food bank; this will operate from the Community Room in Elin Way.

The Warm Spaces project will also be based at the Community Room and volunteers are being recruited to help with this. If members of the community

think that they might be able to help, please contact Councillor Helen Meridew who is the project’s lead volunteer. The Council agreed to provide a provisional/ refundable funding float of £200.

Recreation Ground and Pavilion

Most of our equipment remains in good order. Repairs and adjustments are being carried out as quickly as possible, subject to the availability of contractors. The energy costs of running the pavilion are to be checked so that any changes in charging rates to users can be reviewed. The Council is investigating more robust dog signs for the Recreation Ground.

Melbourn Area Youth Development (MAYD)

Following a period of relative inactivity, a consequence of Covid, MAYD is fully resuming its activities. The costs of running MAYD are shared by local communities relative to the numbers attending; Meldreth’s latest figure was just over 15% and this indicates a contribution of £1,941. The Council believes that MAYD is an important community project and agreed to make this contribution. The Council will keep itself well informed about the progress of MAYD and is represented on the MAYD panel of organisers.

Village Infrastructure

Some of the necessary work to repair and/or install equipment has now been completed and the Council remains in good contact with its contractors over outstanding issues.

Traffic Working Group

The Council approved the purchase of a second Speed Indicator Device and will have discussions with Highways for location approvals in addition to those already in use. The next edition of Meldreth Matters should contain an up to date progress report on other issues being taken forward by the group; these are likely to include special markings on the railway bridge and the general question of speed limits in the village; a subject that will now be investigated with Highways. It is considered that lower speed limits on our village roads will hopefully have the desired effect of reducing traffic speeds but will also provide a more favourable background to the consideration of other traffic calming measures.

Other Issues

The Council has started to explore the establishment of a Time Bank in our village and will work closely with Melbourn in this respect.

Location of Future Meetings

The Council agreed that for the time being, its Council and Planning meetings will continue to be held at the Elin Way Community Room.

Next Meeting

The next Council meeting will be on Thursday 3rd November at 7.30pm. Meldreth Parish Council