Inthisissue … Fireworks Safety Letters to the Editor
Planning Matters
Primary
Christmas Market
What’s On in November
A Christmas Carol 7
Act of Remembrance 6
Cheese and Wine Evening 4
Christmas Market 4
Christmas Tree Festival 5
Things to Do in November 14-15
Village Hall Quiz 4
Village Groups
Dementia Support 6
Friends of Holy Trinity 7
History Group 8
Lift Off Choir 8
Photographic Club 11
Women’s Group 11
Village News & Issues
Bury End Farm Development 34
Food Bank 3
Parish Charities 6
Speed Monitor Data 31
Miscellaneous
Big Blue Bike Ride 16
Foxton Christmas Windows 5
Letters to the Editor 16
Melbourn Hub 12
Church News
Churchyard Exploration 28
Holy Trinity Church 27
Children & Education
Activities for Families 25
Primary School 24
Gardening and Nature A Meldreth Garden 18-19
Daffodil Planting 8
Cookery In Praise of Oranges 20-21
Local/National Government
Local Councillors 36-39
Parish Council 30-31
Planning 32-33
Advice/Information
Advertisers’ Index 44
Fireworks Safety Advice 41 Mobile Warden Scheme 13
Refuse Collections 22
Village Directory 42-43
This month’s cover picture: Meldreth War Memorial
Photograph by Kathryn Betts
The opinions expressed in the letters and articles in this magazine are those of the writers, who are responsible for the accuracy of the information contained within them.
Thelastdateforcopyisthe12thofeachmonth
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.
Nigel Wigg Nigel Wigg Nigel
Home Improvement Specialist Home Improvement Specialist Home Improvement Specialist
••
• Exterior and interior home Exterior and interior home Exterior and interior home decorating decorating decorating
•• • Tiling Tiling Tiling
•• • Carpentry Carpentry Carpentry
•• • Refurbishment Refurbishment Refurbishment
••
• Timber carport and veranda
••
Timber carport and veranda
Timber carport and veranda design and construction design and construction design and construction
• General home repairs General home repairs General home repairs
••
• Pruning / hedge and tree trimming Pruning / hedge and tree trimming Pruning / hedge and tree trimming
••
• Professional service Professional service Professional service nigelwigg@gmail.com nigelwigg@gmail.com nigelwigg@gmail.com
• Victoria Plums
• Now selling our freshly picked Orchard Fruit
• Eating & Cooking Apples
• Our own Farm Pressed Apple Juice & Cider - preservative free.
• Our own Farm pressed Apple Juice & Cider: preservative free
We grow a huge range of plums, apples and pears which you wonÕt Þnd in the supermarkets! All produce is freshly picked from our local orchards.
We grow a huge range of Orchard Fruit which you won’t find in the Supermarket! All produce is freshly picked from our local orchards.
measures in place and hand sanitiser available to keep our customers as safe as possible during their visit to the shop. & Cider - preservative free.
We grow a huge range of plums, apples and pears which you wonÕt Þnd in the supermarkets! All produce is freshly picked from our local orchards. FARM SHOP
Editorial
Welcome to the November issue of Meldreth Matters.
The lead-up to the festive season starts in the village this month with a Christmas Market in the Village Hall (supporting Home-Start, Meldreth PTA and Meldreth Food Bank) plus a performance of A Christmas Carol and the annual Christmas Tree Festival in the Church. Other events include the Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial, which will be followed by refreshments in the Village Hall, a Cheese and Wine Evening and a Village Hall Quiz Night. Please see the centre pages diary for more details.
Also in this issue, we have information on a number of proposed small to medium housing developments in the village. Please see pages 32-34 for further details.
Finally, please see the article about Meldreth Food Bank, below. The Food Bank now supports a lot of families and more donations of food - and/or moneywould be really appreciated.
Kathryn
Meldreth Food Bank
Supplies at the Food Bank were boosted in October by harvest contributions from Holy Trinity Church. Many thanks to all who contributed.
Our cupboards, well stocked at 9.00am on a Tuesday, often look bare by 12 noon. If 15-20 families visit, each taking a carton of milk, a can of meatballs, a packet of pasta, a jar of sauce and two cans of baked beans as a minimum, you can imagine how quickly the shelves empty.
Everyone is very grateful for whatever we can supply and people take just what they need; that can be a small bag of goods for one or several bags for large families.
Thank you for all your contributions - both cash and food. They are much appreciated by all.
Hilary Crawforth
Be Seen, Be Safe!
Cyclists and pedestrians:
Please wear bright, light or reflec ve clothing
Pedestrians, please carry a torch
Cyclists, use front and rear lights
Christmas Market
Sunday 17th November 10.00am – 3.00pm
Meldreth Village Hall
A reminder, should you need one, of the Christmas Market at the Village Hall on 17th November. This year, the market is supporting Home-Start, Meldreth PTA, and Meldreth Food Bank.
Home Start will be selling refreshments throughout the day and holding a raffle. Meldreth PTA will have Christmas crafting activities for the youngsters. From Meldreth Food Bank, we are delighted to welcome Jo who will be with us on the day and can provide you with information about the work this valuable organisation does. If you are able to provide her with donations of food or money for the Food Bank, however small, she will be very grateful.
Admission is FREE and it is an ideal opportunity to buy early Christmas gifts and decorations while supporting some very worthwhile causes. See the poster on the back cover for more details. Please get in touch with me with any enquiries.
Lesley Farbridge lesleyfarbridge@hotmail.com
07917 065465
Holy Trinity Church Christmas Tree Festival
We look forward to welcoming you all to this year’s event, on Saturday 30th November and Sunday 1st December. There will be lots of fun activities for children over the weekend including our usual children’s trail with a sweet treat at the end. There will also be an opportunity to meet Noah the donkey. The church will be festively decorated with lit Christmas trees and exhibits for you all to enjoy. The café will be serving homemade soups, freshly filled rolls and delicious homemade cakes. The produce and craft stalls will be bursting with unusual Christmas goodies; ideal Christmas gifts that are a little bit different.
If possible, please bring your donations for the produce stall to the church on Thursday, 28th November. It would be very helpful if donated cakes could be brought to the church on the Saturday morning if possible. Round cakes or tray bakes would be really appreciated. Thank you all in advance for your generosity.
At 5.30pm on Sunday 1st December, an Advent Service will be held in the church. It is a popular service and you are all invited to attend. The Christmas exhibits and candlelight will add to the atmosphere of the occasion.
Margaret Goddin
Foxton Christmas Windows
On Sunday 1st December between 3.30pm and 7.00pm, we will be holding a fabulous festive Christmas Windows event in Foxton. Residents will be creating beautiful Christmas window displays and there will be a central café in the Village Hall to raise money for Foxton Primary School, Foxton Pre-School and St. Laurence Church. Independent crafters are invited to apply to hold a stall in the Village Hall during the event. Stall holders will need to pay £15 as a contribution to the fundraising but can keep the proceeds of any sales. Christmas gifts, decorations etc. are particularly welcomed! Contact us at foxtonwindows@gmail.com.
Please come along and join us on the day. You can buy a programme at the Village Hall and wander round the village to admire the windows and then vote for your favourite. There will be mulled wine, mince pies and cakes at the café in the Village Hall, plus Christmas entertainment.
If anyone has a local business they would like to promote in the programme, please contact us with the details by emailing foxtonwindows@gmail.com.
Kimberly Tongish
Act of Remembrance
The annual Act of Remembrance will take place at the War Memorial on the corner of Station Road and Whitecroft Road at 9.30am on Sunday 10th November.
After the service, all are welcome at the Village Hall for refreshments. Donations of cakes would be gratefully received. Please contact Maggie on 07929 969613 or Lindsey on 07884 432345 if you can help in any way. We look forward to seeing you there.
Lindsey McCaig
Community Support for Dementia
We organise activities on Fridays and Saturdays for personal carers, family and friends with their loved ones who are ‘living with dementia’.
Our Memory Café is held one Saturday afternoon per month from 2.00pm4.00pm. Afternoon tea is included. This month, the café will be held on 16th November. Our new Dementia Sing Along sessions are held one Friday afternoon per month from 12.15pm-13.45pm. These include tea and cake and a singalong. This month, this will take place on 15th November. These events are all held in Meldreth Village Hall, an inclusive and safe space. Everyone is welcome; booking is essential. Events are funded by Community Support for Dementia. For further information, please contact Davina on 07961 574104 or Stephanie on 07710 198299.
Davina Biswell
Meldreth Parish Charities
This charity was started hundreds of years ago with bequests and now relies on the income from those investments. That income is used by the Trustees to help individuals and organisations based in Meldreth who have a need which cannot be met through ordinary sources of income.
Typical examples of requests include a contribution towards travel to hospital, medical appliances and equipment, help with books etc for students and sudden needs after a disaster.
If you wish to apply, please contact me.
Hilary Crawforth Clerk to the Trustees
hilaryjcrawforth@btopenword.com (01763) 262848
www.foht.org.uk
This month’s Event:
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Thursday 14th November
The critically acclaimed ‘This is My Theatre Group’ will return to perform their adaptation of ‘A Christmas Carol’ on Thursday 14th November.
“On Christmas Eve, Ebenezer Scrooge, a mean-spirited and miserly old man, is visited by the ghost of his business partner, Jacob Marley. Marley is shown visions of a Christmas Past, Present and Future and he is offered one final chance of redemption … But will he take it?
This Christmas, audiences are invited to celebrate the festive season as the My Theatre Company brings this Charles Dickens tale to life in a stunning one-act adaptation.
Packed with charm, cheer and, of course, plenty of carols, our production is sure to spread joy and warm hearts this Christmas!”
The performance will start at 7.30pm and will end by 9.00pm, with no interval. There will be a licensed bar serving drinks and snacks before the performance and briefly afterwards. Why not meet your friends there beforehand? The doors will be open from 6.00pm.
Tickets cost £15 per adult and £10 for under 16s. Accompanying registered carers and under 4s can attend at no cost. Please note there is a small additional charge added to cover booking and transaction fees. Tickets for this event are now on sale online at www.thisismytheatre.com/a-christmas-carol.
Meanwhile we would love to hear from you with any ideas you may have for the FOHT to organise. Please get in touch.
Ian Mitchell, Vice Chair FOHT ianmmeldreth@gmail.com 07726 936635
Spring Daffodils in Meldreth
Lift Off Choir
Members of Meldreth Veg Club have finished planting daffodils on roadside verges around Meldreth. Twenty members planted about 5,000 bulbs paid for by the Parish Council.
Four daffodil varieties were chosen: Ice Follies, cream and white; Jack Snipe, small, yellow and white; Carlton, a yellow large trumpet and St Patrick’s Day, pale lemon yellow.
These are strong growing old varieties, which we hope will beautify Meldreth for years to come.
The photograph is of one of our industrious planters, Sandra Ray.
Margaret Lynch
As autumn ensues, choirs find themselves already ahead of the season preparing for the ‘festive one’. With songs needing to be rehearsed, we have already embarked on adding to our Christmas repertoire. With four gigs up and coming in December and a recording for a Royston Radio broadcast, it is going to be busy.
Would you like the opportunity to sing with a fun, social, community choir? Then Lift Off Choir is right on your doorstep. We meet every Wednesday at 1.30pm at Meldreth Village Hall. Come and join us! We promise you a warm welcome.
For more information please get in touch.
Clare Silver 07548 247755
www.claresilver.co.uk
We held our AGM on 7th October. The minutes and Chairman's report are available on request by emailing info@meldrethhistory.org.uk.
We are always interested to hear your comments and requests for information.
Joan Gane Chairman
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Melbourn and District Photographic Club melbournphotoclub.com
As autumn makes way for the winter months, we have a full and varied programme including two lecture evenings, a competition and a club evening. Our November dates are as follows:
5th: How I process my wildlife images. Lecture by Kevin Pigney
12th: 2nd Open Print Competition. Judged by Naomi Saul
19th: Joan & Dave do Venice. Lecture by David Jordan
26th: Editing members’ images. Nigel Northwood, Keith Truman, Pete North, Roger Care
Meetings are held weekly from 7.30pm - 9.30pm on Tuesdays in Foxton Village Hall from September to April. The Club has a diverse membership, with roughly equal numbers of men and women and has a friendly atmosphere. We welcome new members, whatever their ability. For details about the Club and to see some of our work, visit our website at melbournphotoclub.com. If you are interested in joining, we are happy for you to attend up to two meetings for free before deciding.
Peter North Secretary
Melbourn and Meldreth Women’s Group
We are a small friendly group who meet at either ASCH Melbourn or Holy Trinity Meeting Room in Meldreth. Meetings commence at 7.45pm and last about one and a half hours. We either have a speaker or some in-house entertainment followed by refreshments while chatting to one another. A charge of £2 is made for expenses and we are also able to donate to the charity pot; this year we are supporting Home-Start. At our September meeting we made decorations for our tree for the Holy Trinity Tree Festival which is being held on 30th November and 1st December.
At our October meeting we had a talk by Pat Smith on her trip to see the famous passion play in Oberammergau which is held every ten years. Our next meeting is on Tuesday 26th November at 7.45pm at ASCH Melbourn and the subject is Advent reflection. This will be led by the Rev. Mary Price.
If you require any information about the group or a lift to a meeting, please telephone one of our committee members: Diane Blundell (01763) 221415, Sue Toule (01763) 260955, Angela Leach (01763) 262793, Mary Bailey (01763) 220171, Janet Backer (01763) 221492 or Mary Purdy (01763) 260864. Angela Leach
Melbourn Hub
www.melbournhub.co.uk
As we head into winter, we are running our Covid vaccination clinics again, including one on Sunday 24th November (see below). These are walk-in sessions for those eligible. For eligibility, you can check our website: www.melbournhub.co.uk/events.
We’ve listed below all our events and services happening during November, in addition to our café, library and meeting rooms for hire.
Our artists of the month will be Sue Sanders and Liz Beardwell.
What’s On This Month
Every Tuesday - Lunch Club
A weekly social gathering for older people to meet and enjoy the company of others, over a two course subsidised, meal. Lunch club is currently full but if you would like to join our waiting list, please contact Melbourn Hub on (01763) 263303 or email hubadmin@melbournhub.co.uk.
Every Wednesday - Citizens Advice – 9.30am -11.30am
No need to book, just drop-in! Citizens Advice offer pre-booked appointments in the afternoon. Melbourn Hub is unable to make these bookings for you so please contact Citizens Advice directly on 07469 517912.
Every Friday - Relate Counselling – 9.00am-12.00pm
Offering relationship, autism relationship and personal counselling. To book a session, please contact Relate on (01302) 347886 or counselling@relatecambridge.org.uk Melbourn Hub is unable to make these bookings.
Every Friday – Storytime – 10.00am - 10.30am
Offering stories and songs for the under 5’s. No need to book.
Special for November
Sunday 10th November - Christmas Craft Fair, 11.15am-2.30pm
A range of crafts and gifts will be available to purchase at the stalls, with tea and coffee available.
Sunday 24th November - Covid Vaccination Walk-in Clinic, 9.30am-3.30pm For those eligible; please visit our website to find out more.
Don’t forget you can always see the full range of events and services we offer by visiting our website: www.melbournhub.co.uk
Linsey Craike on behalf of Melbourn Hub
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
Things to do in November
Here are some things happening in November in the local area. To let us know about any future event or activity please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com.
Until Saturday 2nd November, 10.00am to 4.00pm
Cambridge Drawing Society 2024 Autumn Art Exhibition
The Leys School, Fen Causeway, Cambridge CB2 7AD
Over 250 new, original works by the Drawing Society’s members, both amateur and professional. Includes paintings, drawings, fine art prints and sculpture with a wide diversity of styles, media and subject matter. Many will be for sale.
Saturday 2nd November, 5.00pm to 10.00pm
Fireworks Night
Shelford Rugby Club, The Davey Field, Great Shelford CB22 5JU
Popular annual fireworks display hosted by the rugby club in partnership with Great Shelford Parish Council and Scotsdales Garden Centre.
Tuesday 5th November, 12.15pm to 2.15pm
Home-Start Author’s Afternoon Tea with Clare Mulley Scout Hut, Bowling Green Lane, Buntingford SG9 9BT
This award-winning biographer and historian will talk about her latest book, ‘Agent Zo’, the story of fearless World War II resistance fighter, Elzbieta Zawacka. Tickets cost £18, including afternoon tea and a glass of prosecco. Clare will have copies of her book available, which she is happy to sign. Book at www.hsrsc.org.uk/ events, email events@hsrsc.org.uk or call (01763) 262262.
Wednesdays 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th November, 11.00am to 1.00pm
Wednesday Walks at Wimpole, Arrington, Royston SG8 0BW
Estate highlights during a 3 - 5 mile walk. Free, but suggested donation of £2. NT admission applies. Meet at the Stable Block. Good level of fitness required.
Sunday 10th November, 2.00pm to 3.00pm
Sunday Scribes at Cambridge Central Library, Lion Yard
A creative writing group that meets monthly. Bring along poetry or a piece of fiction you’ve written, or just come to meet other writers. Free to attend, all welcome. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sunday-scribes-at-cambridge-central-library.
Wednesday 13th November, 1.00pm to 2.00pm
The Women of Cambridge in the Second World War Museum of Cambridge, 2-3 Castle Street, Cambridge CB3 0AQ
Zoë Jasko , writer and performer, explores the role women played in Cambridge during WW2. Suggested donation £7 to include talk and admission to museum. Book at https://WomenofCambridgeinWWII.eventbrite.co.uk.
Thursday 14th November, 6.00pm to 10.00pm
Ashwell Makers Market, Three Tuns, High Street, Ashwell, SG7 5NL
An evening of shopping at 15 local creative businesses including ceramics, prints, jewellery, homewares, textiles, plants and lots more.
Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th November, 10.00am to 5.00pm
Grantchester Christmas Art and Craft Show
Village Hall, Grantchester, 59 High Street, Grantchester CB3 9NF
High quality handmade art and crafts by local designers/makers. Jewellery, textiles, ceramics, soaps, glass, cards prints and more. Refreshments, and homemade cakes and biscuits. Admission free; street parking.
Tuesday, 19th November, 12.15pm -2.15pm
Home-Start Literary Lunch
The Old Bull, Royston, SG8 9AW
Join us for an intriguing conversation with Russell Wate, a retired senior homicide detective with over 100 major investigations, including the high-profile Soham murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman. He is also known known for his work in safeguarding children. Russell will be showcasing his latest book, ‘Body Overboard’, and will also have copies of his other books available for purchase on the day. Tickets £15 including a delicious buffet lunch. Book at www.hsrsc.org.uk/events, email events@hsrsc.org.uk or call (01763) 262262.
To raise funds for a new church hall, beautiful, unique crafts to get you in the Christmas mood, plus a cake stall and seasonal refreshments.
Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th November, varying times and locations, Cambridge Winter Literary Festival
Writers, scientists, artists, historians, poets and journalists discuss their ideas, in iconic venues such as the Cambridge Union and Old Divinity School. See www.cambridgeliteraryfestival.com for programme and booking.
Sunday 24th November, 3.30pm, running time 1 hour 40 minutes
Pavel Kolesnikov and Samson Tsoy
Saffron Hall, Audley End Road, Saffron Walden CB11 4UH
Talented pianists at one instrument present works by Stravinsky, Desyatnikov and Schubert. Tickets from £16, under 25s half price. Not recommended for children under 7 years. Book at www.saffronhall.com.
Wednesday 27th November, 10.00am to 12.00pm
Woodland and Wildlife Walk at Wandlebury Country Park, Gog Magog Hills, Cambridge CB22 3AE
Free guided warden-led walk to learn about woods and their wonderful wildlife. Book your place online at www.cambridgeppf.org or just turn up. Meet at noticeboard in car park. Donations welcome.
Compiled by John Crawforth
Letters to the Editor
Dogs at the Recreation Ground
I read with dismay the anti-dog article in the last Meldreth Matters by the Parish Council which gives licence to a minority of bigots to be verbally abusive. This I have encountered on several occasions when walking my dog under my complete control off the lead, as I have always done. I am every bit as disgusted by the minority of irresponsible dog owners as anyone, and I remove their dogs’ faeces from public areas when I see them. If this was an issue involving a ‘discriminated against’ group, whether by race, colour, religion or gender, an article in the tone of the one last month would be totally unacceptable.
Ian McPhee
Proposed Housing Development at North End Turkey Farm
A Development Consortium for AP Burlton Farms is seeking to build a large number of houses on the Turkey Farm site. They used the name Bury Farm in their literature. It is the name of our house and garden. We only learned of this on 11th October, despite previous contact when they had been asked not to do this.
At our insistence they have agreed to retract this. Currently, there is still a website online called buryfarm-consultation.co.uk. This is inconsistent with their previous agreement.
Please be aware that this is nothing to do with us.
Margaret and Terry Lynch
Bury Farm, 42 North End (01763) 260475
Editor’s Note: see page 34 for more details of this consultation.
Big Blue Bike Ride for Prostate Cancer UK
One of our Meldreth Marvels organisers, John Crawforth, rode the course of 65 miles, from Windsor Race Course, through the Thames Valley and over the Chiltern Hills. Conditions were very wet and slippery to start with but dried out in the afternoon. Once Gift Aid is taken into account, John has so far raised over £3,000 for research into improved diagnosis and treatments of prostate cancer. John is so grateful to his many sponsors and it is good to know that many of our group have supported not only this charitable event but so many other worthy causes too. John’s JustGiving page will be live until the end of December should anyone else wish to donate: https:// www.justgiving.com/fundraising/big-blue-bike-ride-2024-63778.
John Rogger
ameldrethgarden.co.uk
I have dedicated this article to wildflower meadows which provide a natural tranquillity and attract wildlife including pollinating insects to your garden. There are annual and perennial wildflower meadows flowering between May and September. A meadow is made by sowing wildflower seeds or laying wildflower turf on prepared ground, or by adapting an existing lawn. Sow wildflower seeds in spring or autumn and spring is the best time to lay turf. Choose a seed mix to suit both soil type and location; the village generally has alkaline soil made up of heavy clay and chalk.
Annual meadows are a mix of colourful annual plants that complete their life cycle in one growing season, such as cornflowers, field poppies, corn marigolds, mayweed and corncockle. The plants grow quickly and easily from seed and flower in just a few months. After flowering, they set seed and die. If you want to repeat the display the following year, new plants will grow from the fallen seeds, although additional sowing may be needed into scarified soil. Some wildflower meadow seed mixes combine both annuals and perennials or include non-native and cultivated species, which can be equally attractive and just as beneficial to wildlife. Most meadow plants need full sun and well-drained soil, although there are tailored seed mixes for other locations such as semi-shade, arid, seaside or damp locations.
Perennial meadows take longer to establish; around two years to flower well from seed, but then continue for years when established. They can contain a wide range of species including ox-eye daisies, ragged robin, red, white and bladder campion, knapweed, yarrow and field scabious.
To sow a wildflower meadow, you need to start with bare, weed-free ground. Sowing seeds directly into a lawn is rarely successful. Remove the top layer of soil, except when soil types are clay or deeply organic, to reveal less fertile sub-soil or sow mustard or oil-seed rape for a season to reduce soil nutrients, removing these plants before they set seed. Leave the soil to settle for four to six weeks then thoroughly weed especially for vigorous perennials like nettles and docks. Sow seed onto a raked level surface and water if it doesn’t rain. An easier, more expensive way to create a meadow is to lay wildflower-rich turf onto ground prepared for turf laying. Wildflower turf can be bought on an environmentallyfriendly plastic-free felt base.
To transform an existing lawn to wildflowers takes years. The easiest option is to simply leave the lawn unmown, where any wildflowers already present, such as buttercups, dandelions, yarrow and clover, will get the chance to flower among the grass. Low-growing wildflowers and spring bulbs can be planted into the lawn; raising perennial wildflowers from seed in pots or trays can be planted out as one or two year old plants. The grasses themselves will flower and produce
seedheads, which can be very attractive and provide food for wildlife, as well as sheltered habitats. Gradually reduce fertility over years and introduce yellow rattle Rhinanthus species that are parasitic on grasses and will weaken their vigour.
Mowing permanent paths through or bordering a meadow gives the indication of intent. Mow the meadow annually in the autumn after the flowers have seeded, then remove the mown material. Regularly remove any obvious problem and invasive weeds as they appear.
Iain McPhee mcpheia1@gmail.com
Moorlands Court
Over 60? Feeling a bit lonely? Why not try our Day Centre?
Meet up for a chat and lunch?
Our Day Centre is comfortable, friendly and easily accessed.
Open Tuesday to Friday every week.
Transport can be arranged. Why not give us a call?
To find out more, just call us at Moorlands Court on 01763 260564, or email : denise.taylor@chsgroup.org.uk
In Praise Of … Oranges
This month we showcase oranges, a fruit for Christmas which works well in both sweet and savoury dishes. There are two main types of oranges: sweet and bitter (Seville). The former can be thick or thin- skinned, with or without seeds, and have sweet-tasting orange or red-flecked flesh. Bitter oranges have aromatic dimpled skin with very bitter pith and very sour, pale-orange flesh; they always contain seeds.
Carrot, Courgette & Orange Cakes
Preparation 20 mins, cooking 25 mins: Makes 2 x 20cm cakes, each cuts into 8-10 slices
Turn a garden glut into something amazing with this delicious, moist cake and freeze one for later.
Ingredients
250g butter, softened
200g caster sugar
3 large eggs
250g self-raising flour
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
Zest of 2 oranges
1 tsp mixed spice
100g carrots, grated
100g courgette, grated
For the icing:
Zest of 1 orange, plus 2-3 tbsp juice
140g icing sugar
Method
Heat oven to 180°C/160°C fan/gas 4. Grease and line the bases of 2 x 20cm round cake tins with baking parchment. Beat the butter, sugar, eggs, flour, bicarbonate of soda, zest and the mixed spice together, then stir in the carrot and courgette. Divide the mixture between the tins and bake for 20-25 mins or until a skewer inserted in comes out clean. Cool.
To make the topping, mix enough of the orange juice into the icing sugar to give a thick, but drizzly icing. Drizzle over the cakes, then scatter with the zest and leave to set.
Sticky Orange Chicken with Parsnips, Maple and Pecans
Preparation 25 mins, cooking 1 hr: serves 2
Pop chicken thighs and root vegetables into a roasting tin with a sweet and tangy maple glaze for a delicious one-pot dinner.
Ingredients
2 oranges, 1 juiced, 1 thickly sliced
3 tbsp maple syrup
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp sherry vinegar
1 tbsp wholegrain mustard
1 tbsp cranberry or redcurrant jelly, melted
2 parsnips, quartered, peeled and the core cut out and discarded
4 chicken thighs, skin on 140g small shallots, left whole but peeled
2 thyme sprigs, broken up a bit
25g pecans, barely chopped
Method
Heat oven to 180°C/160°C fan/gas 4. Juice one of the oranges and whisk the juice together with the maple syrup, olive oil, sherry vinegar, mustard and cranberry jelly. Cut the parsnips into chunky lengths. Put the parsnips, chicken thighs and shallots in a roasting tin; make sure everything can sit in a single layer but quite snug. Drizzle over half the orange sauce with some seasoning and toss to coat everything. Roast for 35 mins. Remove the tin from the oven and poke the orange slices in among everything. Scatter over the thyme and drizzle over the rest of the orange sauce. Roast for another 15 mins until the chicken is tender and cooked through, and everything is sticky and golden. Mix in the pecans and cook for another 5 mins.
Serve straight away, remembering to scrape out all the sticky juices from the tin, and eat with a mixed leaf salad or some wilted spinach, plus a little rice to soak up the sauce.
Jane O’Hagan
Little Hands Nursery School The Moor, Melbourn
A Private Nursery School specialising in quality care & preschool education for the under fives
High staff to child ratio, individual child centred planning & learning, Flexible booking system for the 08.00am –5.30pm nursery day. Optional holiday clubs available, dedicated baby room for children under two We accept nursery funding giving 15 & 30 hours/week of free funded nursery for all 3 and 4 year olds & eligible 2 year olds For further information contact Sharon Tutty,nursery manager on 01763 260964 lh-melbourn@btconnect.com
Little Hands is also at Bourn, Linton and Newton visit the website at www.littlehands.co.uk
Richard Burns
ELECTRICIAN
For installation, repair or advice please call
Part P approved Compliant to BS7671 Certified installer Based in Meldreth
Church services, Women’s Group meetings, bell ringing and FOHT events are held in Holy Trinity Chu Church. MLHG meetings, Parish Council meetings, Food Bank & Village Hub are in the Commu
e
- November 2024
9.30am Slimming World
7.30pm Village Hall Quiz (See page 4)
Hartbeeps Village Hub oneography
P Pilates able Tennis Council Hartbeeps Village Hub oneography
12.15-13.45pm Sing-along with Dementia (See page 6)
9.30am Slimming World
2.00-4.00pm Dementia Memory Café (See page 6)
7.00pm for 7.30pm Cheese & Wine Evening (See page 4)
8.00am Said Eucharist 9.30am Service of Remembrance. Meldreth War Memorial followed by refreshments in Meldreth Village Hall (See page 6)
9.45am Sung Eucharist 10.00am-3.00pm Christmas Market (See page 4)
11.00am-4.30pm Christmas Tree Festival, Holy Trinity Church
9.30am Slimming World Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ meldrethmatters
rch. The Mobile Library Service visits Bell Close. Meldreth Cycling Group meet opposite Holy Trinity unity Room in Elin Way. All other events are held in the Village Hall unless otherwise indicated.
Meldreth Primary School
www.meldreth.cambs.sch.uk
With autumn well underway and the crisp red and brown leaves carpeting the playground (and corridors) of school, our students are now firmly established within their new classes and year groups, and our new cohort of Puffins already feel part of the furniture! We have enjoyed a wonderful start to the new school year and are proud of our deepening links with Hauxton Primary, with whom we are collaborating closely in order to support and share our expertise and knowledge to the benefit of all of our pupils.
Something we particularly pride ourselves on in Meldreth are the vast opportunities we provide for our students in pupil leadership roles, where they share some of the responsibilities for the day-to-day running of the school with the staff. For example, we have a School Council who directly liaise with Mrs Howard; an Eco Council in charge of our school environment and sustainability; Peer Mediators, who are trained to settle disputes between students; Anti-Bullying Ambassadors and Play Leaders, who supervise playtimes for our younger children and Junior Travel Ambassadors, who promote road safety and awareness. These roles are critical to the daily success and smooth operation of the school and are now fully up and running.
We are constantly looking to enrich our children’s learning by providing them with activities to supplement their topics and enhance their experience. As such, we welcomed Jeff Rich, the drummer of rock titans ‘Status Quo’, to lead a drumming workshop over an afternoon. Children were taught about the history and rich heritage of drums and explored different drums from across the world. All students were then taught a simple drumming sequence which they performed together in the assembly hall.
In addition to this, we were pleased to host a travelling planetarium that gave our students a spectacular visual representation of the universe and our solar system, supplementing various year groups’ Earth and Space topics with a sensory feast! Our Year 3 class travelled to Flag Fen Archaeological Park for an authentic Bronze Age experience and our Year 5 class journeyed to Burwell House, where they donned World War 2 schoolchildren’s outfits and spent the day in an immersive experience as evacuees from London.
Our sports teams have started the season off well, with a 10-2 victory over Melbourn on the football pitch and brilliant performances in the cluster schools’ netball tournament.
Daniel Chapman Assistant Headteacher
Things for Children and Families To Do in November
Friday 1st - Sunday 3rd November
Royston First Halloween Trail
Find the 10 Halloween-themed items in the shop windows in the town centre. Prizes to be won! For details see www.roystonfirst.com/halloween.
The Trinity Centre, Cambridge Science Park CB4 0FN
Spooky adventures with pumpkins, dry ice and more. Unlimited entry for a year for £15 a child, £20 adults. Hands on science activities from 10.00am to 4.00pm. at weekends and in school holidays. www.cambridgesciencecentre.org.
Witches of Royston, Royston Museum, 5, Lower King St SG8 5AL
Examine objects from the past, try crafts. £3 per child. Drop in.
Saturday 9th November, 5.30 - 8.00pm
Fireworks
Melbourn Primary School, Mortlock Street SG8 6DB BBQ, bar, refreshments and glow products. For tickets visit www.pta-events.co.uk/melbournprimaryschool.
Wednesday 13th November - Monday 23rd December, 10.00am - 4.00pm
Little Robin’s Christmas Trail
Cambridge Botanic Garden CB2 1JE
Pick up a free trail map and follow Robin’s journey round the Christmas plants. Normal admission applies. www.botanic.cam.ac.uk.
Tuesday 19th November - Sunday 5th January, 9.30am - 4.00pm
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
Anglesey Abbey, Lode CB25 9EJ
Find decorated bear sculptures in the gardens. Games and challenges at the interactive stations. Free but admission charges apply. Closed Dec 24th and 25th .
Friday 22nd November - Wednesday 1st January
Christmas Lights
Wimpole Estate, Arrington SG8 0BW
A magical trail with sparkling tunnels of light, giant flowers, neon trees, rainbow colours and Father Christmas. Refreshments available.: www.nationaltrust.org.uk.
Friday 29th November, 3.00- 7.00pm
Christmas Fair
The Manor House, Great Cambourne CB23 6DH
Mulled wine, mince pies and stalls with art works, jewellery, Christmas goods, bird boxes, wooden gifts and a raffle. Free entry. Park at Morrison’s.
Compiled by Hilary Crawforth
You may have seen that the drainage work at Holy Trinity has been completed. Anyone who has been involved in this process (or been advised about it) will know that the work was urgent because the water was simply gathering around the footprint of the church and effectively seeping into the building and causing damage to its fabric. The stonework is effectively ‘wet’ because of the damage caused by the poor drainage, and now needs to be left to dry out. This is a lengthy process and it could be some six months to a year before we look at the next stage of the work required to protect our building.
We are working to develop our church building inside as well as outside and we are still waiting for plans/quotes for the new lighting scheme for Holy Trinity which will help to illuminate the building better and be more cost effective. The old lighting and heaters which hang from the roof will be removed. Once we have those quotes, I will ensure that, once the PCC have agreed to consult, they are displayed in church so that you can see what we would like to do. As I said in the previous issue, if you would like to discuss the plans or have ideas to help us develop the church, then please do get in touch with me.
In the meantime, you can support us in many other ways! There are several events planned to help raise funds for the church. Friends of Holy Trinity have a theatre performance booked in the church on Thursday 14th November, ‘A Christmas Carol’, and we have our now traditional Christmas Tree Festival on Saturday 30th November and Sunday 1st December. Also on Sunday 1st December, at 5.30pm, we have our Advent Carol Service which this year will be led by the Archdeacon of Cambridge, Revd Dr Alex Hughes. Please do join us for our events over the coming months. You can find out more from our eNews which is released each Friday. To be added to the distribution list, please contact Kimmi Crosby via email at k.crosby20@outlook.com.
With prayers and best wishes.
Rev. Andrew Birks
Churchyard Exploration at All Saints’ Church
Sunday 6th October dawned dry, which was answered prayer given the deluge of the previous week. Bird boxes and bat box had been made by Peter Hills, the insect hotel was assembled by David Smith and we thank them both, together with Ron Sutcliffe for the roof covering! You might ask what has all this got to do with exploring the churchyard?
By internet and poster, we had invited people to come and use their five senses to see if we could ‘sense’ God’s presence in the outdoors. At first, all the helpers (Sue, Richard, Hilary, Ron, Gill, Marion and Pat) were a bit worried in case people didn’t turn up, but we were delighted to have four families come along. Aided by a guide sheet and clipboard we went walkabout to discover what we could see, hear, touch, smell and taste. After exploring and focusing on one particular sense at a time we gathered to hear a bible quote relating to that sense.
I can hear you thinking what did they do for taste? No, we did not forage in the churchyard but instead ate marshmallows whilst thinking of the verse 8 Psalm 34 ‘Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him’. This was to encourage us all to think about taking God into ourselves and recognising that he loves the world he created and all creatures, animals and people in it, including each one of us.
Then we went to the insect hotel to the right of the porch and everyone filled it with twigs, leaves, pine cones and cardboard to give the insects somewhere to overwinter.
After this we went into the hall for hot chocolate and more marshmallows (thanks to Gill and Marion). The children helped to finish screwing the bird and bat boxes and with Sue’s helpful direction, David has put them in the churchyard. Can you find them? The insect hotel and bird and bat boxes, all made from recycled material, show our care of God’s creation.
We also gave the children a chance to make a collage of their activities which can be seen in the church with some of the bark rubbings and drawings and a list of things that the children had on their guide sheets. It was a lovely afternoon in which to share a journey of discovery and see the children and adults enjoying themselves; the play doh was very therapeutic too!
With thanks to all who came and all who prayerfully supported the event.
Pat Smith
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Meldreth Parish Council
www.meldreth-pc.org.uk
Meeting of the Parish Council held on Thursday 3rd October 2024
This Parish Council meeting was held in the Community Room in Elin Way. The main points are set out below in summary format; full formal minutes can be viewed in due course on the website noted above and on the Parish Council notice board; these will be presented for approval at the next Council meeting.
Discussions and Decisions
District and County Reports
The Council thanks our District and County Councillors for their latest report on pages 36-39. Questions arising and requests for information can be raised directly with our District and County representatives.
Village Traffic
The Speed Indicator Device in Whitecroft Road will shortly be repaired and reinstalled. By the time this summary is published it is likely that we will know the decision with regard to our village wide 20mph application. The Village Traffic Working Group will be meeting shortly to discuss possible further speed control measures.
Village Maintenance
It appears unlikely that the Council will be able to share the maintenance resources of nearby Councils and a programme to directly engage contractors has been started.
Meldreth Food Bank
The Council recognises the importance of this facility in the current and expected economic conditions and has agreed to meet the current rental costs of the room in Elin Way where the Food Bank is based.
Recreation Ground Issues
The general state of our play equipment is satisfactory. We ask members of the public to let us know of any maintenance or repair issues. The Recreation Ground Group is identifying additional recreation facilities and will report more fully in due course.
Parish Clerk
Due to illness our Parish Clerk continues to remain on long-term absence. Parish Councillors are covering all the Council duties so please continue communicating with us via the normal channels even if our response times may be slower than usual.
Next Parish Council Meeting
The next meeting will be on Thursday 7th November 2024 at 7.30pm in the Elin Way Community Room.
Meldreth Parish Council
Meldreth Parish Council - Contact Details http://www.meldreth-pc.org.uk
Cllr Roger James (Vice Ch.) roger+pc@rogerjames.net
Cllr Alan Land conradland@btinternet.com
Cllr James Mossey j.mossey1211@gmail.com
Cllr Nigel Pellatt nppellatt56@gmail.com
All correspondence should be directed to the Clerk in the first instance
Meldreth Speed Monitor Data, August to October 2024
Vehicles arriving from Shepreth to Meldreth
Vehicles departing from Meldreth towards Shepreth
The speed monitor was located at the Stocks. The speed limit is 30mph. V85 (mph) is the average speed of 85% of vehicles during the evaluation time. It is a police statistic that could initiate action if it is too high (which it is not). The monitor has now been moved to Fenny Lane.
Meldreth Parish Council Traffic Working Group
Planning Matters
Meldreth Parish Council
The minutes of Meldreth Parish Council (MPC) planning meetings of 4th January, 23rd May, 15th August and 3rd October were not available at the time of going to press. Minutes may be viewed on the Parish Council’s website: www.meldrethpc.org.uk. The following item was discussed at the meeting on 5th September.
Land at 10 North End 24/3144/PIP
A pre-application submission has been made for a residential development of 5 custom-build dwellings and an orchard on the land surrounding 10 North End, which is in a conservation area and opposite several listed buildings. MPC was invited to comment and to request, if it wished, that the application be considered by the SCDC Planning Committee rather that be determined by officers. The Parish Council Planning Committee considered the proposals with reference to the recent Fenny Lane development (rejected on appeal) and the recent housing needs survey for Meldreth. The arguments in favour of this scheme are that it is visually protected by existing vegetation, has a plot passport scheme to ensure consistency of design, finish and building materials and is also of much lower density than the Fenny Lane application. Housing needs have not been addressed. The meeting agreed to support the scheme in principle, subject to more detailed work on the design and a discussion of heritage assets, etc.. It was recommended that any decision is referred to the full District Council Planning Committee.
Planning Authority Decisions
18 North End, 24/02807/HFUL
Permission was refused for this application, which included proposals for a single storey rear extension, changes to roofing and wall finishes, a ramp to the front of the property and a modified site entrance.
Other Items
In addition to the application for the land at 10 North End, above. There are three other proposed housing schemes in the village.
1. 24/02509/FUL Station Yard, High Street, Meldreth
MPC’s request for this application to be considered by SCDC Planning Committee, rather than by officers, has been refused. Approval was given by the Planning Inspectorate on 19th December 2019 for the demolition of the factory buildings and the erection of 22 houses on the site. This overturned the earlier refusal of S/1502/17/FL by South Cambridgeshire District Council. The Planning Inspector's decision does not prevent further applications being made. Such a further application was made in the form of 23/02578/FUL for a similar scheme, again 22 dwellings, but this was withdrawn by the applicant on 4th December 2023. The latest application (24/02509/FUL) to the SCDC planners is said to take account of comments made by those
planners when the earlier application was withdrawn. A decision is still awaited on this most recent application.
2. 24/03389/FUL Application for 8 new self-build and custom dwellings on land to the rear of the British Queen Public House
This was discussed at the Parish Council Planning Meeting on 3rd October. The minutes of this meeting are not available but the Parish Council voted to object to the development with the following comments: The site is substantially outside the village development framework as defined in Policy S/7. The eastern part of the site directly abuts the River Mel, its footpath and the surrounding woodland. This is a rare chalk stream and the area is widely appreciated by residents as an important green heritage area that makes an important contribution to nature and wildlife in the centre of the village. Approval would establish the precedent of housing directly onto the river frontage with a facing windowed aspect thus destroying the aesthetics and tranquil privacy of the footpath, together with an attendant light disturbance to wildlife. The Parish Council has consistently objected to any such development proposals anywhere along the length of the river. The High Street is a very busy and congested road, narrow and with many parked vehicles. This would be severely strained by traffic going to and from the site during the construction period (which being self build could be prolonged) and by traffic after completion going to and from the development. The proposed development makes no contribution to the housing needs of Meldreth by way of affordable housing, which remains an acute need as reinforced by a housing needs survey earlier this year.
3. Bury End (turkey) Farm, North End.
No formal planning permission has yet been made but comments are being sought on the proposal to build over 38 homes on this land. Please see page 34 and the letter on page 16 for further information.
Details of all applications and Planning Authority decisions can be viewed online: https://applications.greatercambridgeplanning.org/online-applications.
07592 725 169
The Meldreth Matters Team
Redevelopment of Bury End Farm, North End
buryendfarm-consultation.co.uk
Bury End Farm, Meldreth is a working Turkey Farm which has operated since 1966. The farm now requires significant investment to help it meet higher welfare standards for the birds and modern environmental regulations. However, due to the proximity of the site to existing residential properties, the site is unattractive for additional investment as it is unlikely to pass odour modelling, and the test studies required to support new, larger sheds.
Sackville Rogers, in partnership with Rockwell Homes, has been working on options to redevelop the site for housing. In December 2023 pre-application advice was sought from SCDC. Throughout 2024 the layout, number and the mix of homes proposed as part of the design development has been refined; there has also been an independent review by a Design Panel.
The current proposal is for 38 homes, including a range of affordable homes for sale and rent (16 homes), plots for self or custom build (5) and homes for market sale (17 homes). These range in size from one-bedroom homes through to fivebedrooms, with the majority being smaller family homes.
We would welcome the views and comments of residents before we submit the planning application, which we hope to make in early 2025. Comments can be made via our website: buryendfarm-consultation.co.uk which can be reached by scanning the QR code on the right. Please comment by Friday 6th December to ensure we have time to take your views into account before we submit the application.
If you are unable to view the website, please contact us on (01908) 410422.
Smith Jenkins Planning and Heritage www.smithjenkins.co.uk
Editor’s Note: please see the letter on page 16 which refers to this development.
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District and County Councillor Report
Path Upgrade, Meldreth Station to Melbourn
Work has been going well, with just a couple of hitches involving unanticipated underground works. Hopefully our next report will be celebrating its completion. The setting up and monitoring of the temporary diversion has brought greater awareness of everyday safety concerns for people who use the Station Road bridge by bike or on foot and we are in touch with the Greater Cambridge Partnership about possible improvements.
Continuing Foul Water Woes
We are very concerned that residents in Meldreth who have experienced household foul-water back-up issues, have seen no improvements during very wet weather when systems are under pressure, despite strenuous efforts to communicate the unacceptable state of current services. We continue to liaise with Anglian Water and are supported by our respective councils.
Station Road, Under A10 Overpass
It’s good to note that so far during the very wet autumn, pooling of rainwater has not been as problematic as previously. The County Flood Team met with the local farmer in September for a return look at ownership of key drainage ditches, so that they might be tended to. Huge thanks to all concerned for enabling genuine improvements.
Support When Struggling to Make Ends Meet
Please contact the SCDC Welfare and Benefits Team (01954) 713000 or Citizens Advice (see below) if you need help accessing financial support; it is estimated that 25% of benefits go unclaimed.
If you are struggling to pay your energy bills or can’t afford to heat your home, please contact the Energy Partnership on 0800 0607567 or email support@applyforleap.org.uk. Some energy suppliers provide support to the wider population. Citizens Advice provide the necessary reference letter.
Contact North Hertfordshire Citizens Advice:
Telephone 0800 1448848 or (01462) 689801
Royston Town Hall, Monday and Wednesday, 9.30am – 12.00pm. Appointments: (01462) 689801 or
Volunteers are urgently needed to hear appeals when children are not offered a place at their preferred school and if this is so, all parents or carers have the right to make an appeal to an independent appeal panel. The role of the panel is to decide whether a child who has been refused a place by Cambridgeshire County Council should be given a place. All parties involved must be given an appeal
hearing that is transparent, accessible, independent and impartial. The appeal panel is independent of the local authority and its decisions are binding on all parties, unless overturned by the courts. Volunteers will sit on the independent admission appeal panels and ensure that parents have a fair and independent hearing, and are given every opportunity to put their case and have been taken seriously. Volunteer time commitment depends on how much time volunteers are willing to give. Appeals, which are held throughout the year with peak months between April and July, are arranged either for half a day or a full day, and hearings are currently held online using Microsoft Teams. Anyone interested in applying or who would like an informal chat about the role should contact clare.cronk@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.
Mobile Warden Schemes
A total of £345,000 has been pledged to these schemes in South Cambridgeshire for the next three years, to help more elderly people to stay living in their own homes for longer. The District Council has traditionally had an annual budget of £21,000 to support schemes but has invested around £300,000 to try and increase the coverage of the service in South Cambridgeshire communities by supporting new schemes to develop.
The review is important as it has taken into consideration predicted high growth in over 65-year-olds over the next 20 years and recognises that with age comes increased risk of deteriorating health, loneliness and feelings of isolation. Councillors have backed the new three-year funding scheme that starts from April 2025. There are currently sixteen active Mobile Warden schemes in 49 parishes funded by SCDC. Age UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough run eleven of them, while five are run by local groups.
Technology Enabled Care
A flat which uses everyday technology to help people at home become more independent was recently launched in Godmanchester, to demonstrate ways in which technology can be used to help prevent, delay and reduce the need for formal community or acute care. Equipment available ranges from simple pill reminders to sophisticated detectors, sensors, smart devices and trackers. To arrange a viewing, please contact our TEC team on (01480) 378160 or email TECS@cambridgeshire.gov.uk (pre-arranged viewings only).
CCC Quality of Life Survey
Most Cambridgeshire residents continue to feel happy and safe in the county, are well connected to their local communities and still believe it’s a great place to raise children, according to the County Council’s second annual Quality of Life survey involving more than 5,500 residents.
However, cost of living remains the issue of most concern amongst residents, almost half of whom are using less heating, and a quarter are cutting back on nutritious food in the past twelve months. Residents continue to feel positively about their local community; 85% feel safe and 75% feel they belong. Significant
numbers of young people (43% of 25–34-year-olds and 40% of 18–24-year-olds) continue to be more likely to report mental health struggles. The proportion of residents reporting that they often feel lonely remains higher that national data, at 31% of residents. Younger residents are again more likely to report loneliness (53% of 18–24-year-olds).
SCDC Housing Adaptations
Funds are available to carry out adaptations for residents of South Cambridgeshire whether they are homeowners, private renters or live in social or council homes. This means that people are able to remain living independently in their own homes for longer. Bids for the funds can be made on line. Search South Cambs Disabled Facilities Grants.
Climate Change Progress Report and Carbon Footprint
The most recent data for Cambridgeshire, for 2022, show total greenhouse gas emissions were 6.45 million tonnes CO2e, a 3% fall from 2021. Transport (27%) remains the highest emitting sector in the county, followed by land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) (23%), agriculture (15%) and domestic energy use (13%). The risk of not reaching the Council’s carbon targets has reduced but remains; delivery of these targets relies on collaborating with our partner organisations.
Winter Gritting
Preparations are under way for the 2024 winter, which starts on Friday 1st November. Salt barns are being replenished and gritting vehicles serviced.
Bus Franchise Consultation
A reminder that the Combined Authority’s consultation on bus franchising continues until 20th November. Short and long questionnaires are available. Please search online for ‘Combined Authority Bus Franchising Consultation’.
Mill Road Bridge Closure - Cambridge
Mill Road is someway off geographically, but the bridge closure will be important for some residents. The Highways and Transport committee voted to approve the modal filter on Mill Road bridge so it will be closed to all motor vehicles, except buses, pedestrians, cyclists, emergency services, taxis and blue badge holders’ registered vehicles.
A five-week Traffic Regulation Order notice period from 9th August to 13th September was advertised following the publication of the proposed Traffic Regulation Order. The council received 1,894 objections (46.5%) and 2,155 comments supporting (52.9%) the proposals. Following a majority vote, the special Highways and Transport Committee agreed to proceed with the scheme.
The closure will be implemented as a bus gate and blue badge holders will need to register up to two vehicles for exemption via an application form online (search Mill Road Bus Gate - Blue Badge Application exemption). Work on the bus gate is expected to be completed in December and will be enforced by Automatic
Number Plate Recognition cameras (ANPR). Once installed, there will be a month where non-exempt vehicles will receive warning notices; if they are exempt, they would be encouraged to register online.
Reminder: Foxton Level Crossing Closure, Christmas/New Year Holiday Network Rail advise: ‘We will be doing engineering work at Foxton level crossing over the Christmas period. As a result of this, the level crossing will be completely closed to vehicles and pedestrians continuously between Wednesday 25th December 2024 until Wednesday 1st January 2025, with further night-time closures over the following days’.
Zoom Cuppa Mondays 5.00pm-6.00pm
We hold a weekly Zoom Cuppa surgery or are always happy to talk at your convenience, about any questions or concerns.
District Councillor Sally Ann Hart, sallyannhart@riskingonpurpose.com, 07791 233303
District Councillor Jose Hales, Josehales@gmail.com, 07703 262649
County Councillor Susan van de Ven, susan.vandeven@cambridgeshire.gov.uk, 07905 325574
Fireworks and Bonfire Safety
Bonfire Night is very popular and people come together to enjoy fireworks. However, there are lots of potential hazards so it’s important to keep you and your family safe. Help support your local community this year and go to an organised firework display instead of holding one at home.
While most people enjoy fireworks responsibly, in the wrong hands they can cause injury and damage to property. Fireworks are explosives and should be treated with respect and only used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and the firework safety code.
Firework Safety Tips
Only buy fireworks with a CE mark
Light fireworks at arm’s length using a taper, stand well back and never go back to a lit firework
Never throw fireworks or put them in your pockets or clothing
Light sparklers one at a time wearing gloves; place used sparklers in water
Never give sparklers to children under five
Keep your pets indoors throughout the evening
It is illegal to sell fireworks to someone under the age of 18 or to light fireworks in a public place
Respect your neighbours; don’t let off fireworks late at night and remember there are laws to follow.
Bonfire Safety
We would encourage residents to think twice before having their own displays and lighting bonfires. Lighting a bonfire in a garden presents significant risks to residents if it gets out of hand. Further, the smoke can also aggravate neighbours with respiratory problems. If you do decide to have a bonfire, please follow our top tips:
Build your bonfire well clear of buildings, garden sheds, fences and hedges
Never use flammable liquids to start a bonfire, and never burn dangerous items such as aerosol cans, paint tins, foam furniture, or batteries
Don’t leave bonfires unattended. An adult should supervise it until it has burnt out. If it has to be left, damp it down with plenty of water
Always keep a bucket of water or a hosepipe nearby in case of fire
Check the weather - avoid lighting bonfires in high winds.
For more information visit www.cambsfire.gov.uk, follow us on social media or call (01480) 444500.
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service
Village Directory
Litter Picker
Mick Taylor—(01763) 261118
Neighbourhood Watch Graham Borgonon—(01763) 260358
One Stop (01763) 262158, open 7am-10pm, 7 days
Village Hall Bookings Book online: www.meldrethvillagehall.co.uk
Village Hall Chairman Andrew Young—07572 553647
Cycling Group
John Rogger—(01763) 260809
Local History Group (01763) 260129; www.meldrethhistory.org.uk
Lunch Club
Nikki & Julie—07599 292327
Melwood Cons. Group (01763) 232855; www.melwood.org.uk
Photographic Group www.melbourn-photographic-club.co.uk
Revelation Miriam Skuce—(01763) 262440
U3A Nicole Searle—(01763) 269561
Bowls Club David Rich—(01763) 262116
Croquet Club
Table Tennis
Janet Pope—(01763) 248239
Christine Knight—(01763) 261676
Tennis Club (01763) 243376; http://cspark.at/Meldr2
Vicar
Rev Andrew Birks—(01763) 230178
Bells Jayne White—jayne.white1@ntlworld.com
Ian Mitchell (Friends) 07726 936635; www.foht.org.uk
Station Ticket Office Hours: Mon - Fri 7-11.15am, Sat 8.45am - 1.15pm
Rail User Group 07905 325574; www.meldrethsheprethfoxtonrail.org.uk
Govia/Great Northern www.thameslinkrailway.com
The Trainline www.thetrainline.com
Stagecoach www.stagecoachbus.com/Cambridge
Potholes, problems,Highways etc.
Streetlights (faulty)
http://www2.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/HighwaysReports/ Highways/ReportProblem1.aspx or in an emergency tel 0345 045 5212
Report on SCDC website. For urgent faults use (01954) 713000 - Mon-Fri, 8am-5.30pm. Out of office hours: (01354) 65432. Give location, fault & SC or CCC no.
Melbourn Surgery (01763) 260220
Addenbrooke’s (01223) 245151
NHS 111 (24 hour non-emergency number)
Childline 0800 1111 (24 hours)
Citizens Advice Bureau 0808 2787808; www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Community Support for Dementia Davina Biswell 07961 574104 or Stephanie Trayhurn 07710 198299
Community Transport (01763) 245228; www.roytrans.co.uk
Home-Start (01763) 262262; www.hsrsc.org.uk
Melbourn Time Bank (01763) 263303; https://tol2.timebanking.org/melbourn
Mind (mental health) 0300 123 3393 (9am-6pm M-F); www.mind.org.uk
Samaritans 116 123 (24 hours); www.samaritans.org
General Emergency 999 or 112
Gas 0800 111 999
Electricity 0800 783 8838
Anglian Water 03457 145145; www.anglianwater.co.uk
Cambridge Water (01223) 706050; www.cambridge-water.co.uk
Crimestoppers 0800 555 111; crimestoppers-uk.org
Police 101; www.cambs.police.uk
S Cambs Fire & Rescue (01480) 444500; www.cambsfire.gov.uk
Melbourn Hub (01763) 263303; www.melbournhub.com
Royston Taxis (01763) 0250811
For details of village groups & facilities see the Meldreth Today section www.meldrethhistory.org.uk.
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