Meldreth Matters, October 2023

October 2023

Inthisissue …

Bowls & Croquet Clubs

Letters to the Editor

MCCS: the Hub & FoodbankSpeed

Monitor Data

Events include …

FOHT Talk

History Group Coffee Morning

Melbourn Dynamos Quiz Night

Village Hall Film

Internet connection and security

Firewall/VPN solutions provider

Installations and upgrades

Network and computer support

Wireless networking and security

Implementation of messaging systems

Web design and content management

Email compliance (archiving and retrieval)

Hardware and software expertise and sourcing

What’s On in October Events at Melbourn Hub 30

FOHT Talk 5

This month’s cover picture: The Grade II listed 18th century granary at Chiswick Farm, Chiswick End.

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.

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

Welcome to the October Issue of Meldreth Matters. We have a varied issue for you this month so I hope you enjoy reading the articles. This month’s events include Meldreth Local History Group’s Coffee Morning on 2nd October (see page 4) which will allow attendees to listen to and share stories of the Atlas/Eternit/Etex site following its closure. Melbourn Dynamos’ Quiz Night is on 7th October (see back cover) and on 17th October TV presenter Tom Heap will be giving what promises to be a very interesting talk (see page 5) on behalf of the Friends of Holy Trinity Church. Don’t forget all of the regular events and activities either - see the centre pages diary for further information.

Kathryn

Meldreth Matters Auction

By the time this issue of MM is delivered, our auction will have just a few days to run. If you hurry you can still bid for a week in a cottage in France, an Introduction to Flying experience, tickets to a Meldreth Village Hall film, craft items and more. Visit https://www.jumblebee.co.uk/meldrethmatters.

Despite attracting fewer than sixty bidders, we have to date raised over £3100. Assuming we can maintain or increase our current level of advertising, this will allow us to keep printing MM for the foreseeable future.

We would like to say a huge thank you to all of the individuals and businesses who so generously donated items to our auction and to the relatively small number of people who took the time to support MM by bidding.

Melbourn Magazine

It appears ours is not the only village magazine that has struggled with dwindling revenue, rising costs and increased circulation figures. I was very surprised to learn that after 28 years and 116 issues, Melbourn Magazine is being wound up for good. The magazine has received generous sponsorship from TTP for many years but still had to raise additional money from advertising to meet printing costs. They also cited an inability to attract new volunteers for the magazine.

On behalf of the rest of the MM team, I’d like to thank the team behind the Melbourn Magazine for their hard work and service to the community over many years. We recognise and appreciate how much is involved!

Kathryn Betts Editor

The Meldreth Matters Team

Meldreth Local History Group

www.meldrethhistory.org.uk

Coffee Morning, Monday 2nd October 10.00am

We will be holding our next coffee morning in the community room in Elin Way on Monday 2nd October.

Due to the closure of the Atlas/Eternit/Etex site and its historic importance to our village, we will be focusing on stories surrounding the site. We will have a presentation of old photographs and there will also be a chance to share your own stories about working there.

Everyone is welcome. Please arrive from 10.00am onwards. The presentation will begin at 10.30am.

Joan Gane Chairman

info@meldrethhistory.org.uk

Friends of Holy Trinity

www.foht.org.uk

Mission Possible

A talk by Tom Heap, 8.00pm Tuesday 17th October

Our next scheduled event is a talk by the well-known television and radio presenter Tom Heap. We are delighted that he has agreed to present a talk for us and are certain that it will be highly informative as well as entertaining. This will take place on the evening of Tuesday 17th October at 8.00pm at the church.

The title of the talk is Mission Possible. Tom Heap looks at how healing the climate and nature may not be as hard as you think. The talk will be based on 25 years as a journalist in this space who has seen plenty of reasons to be cheerful … but not complacent.

Tom Heap grew up locally in Harston and is now a journalist and author covering science, environment, farming, energy and waste stories. Tom showcases his passion for revealing the hidden depths of rural and environmental stories while presenting Countryfile on BBC. He is the principal voice of Radio 4’s Costing of the Earth programme – which takes a look at the impact of humans on the environment, questioning accepted truths, challenging those in charge and reporting on progress towards improving the world. He is the creator and presenter of BBC Radio 4's flagship climate change podcast 39 Ways to Save the Planet – exploring climate change solutions, and has written a book by the same name based on this series. Tom created and currently presents The Climate Show with Tom Heap on Sky News and is writing a book about the smart use of land. The talk will be about 90 minutes long with an interval when light refreshments will be available. Tom will be happy to take questions at the end of the talk and copies of his book, 39 Ways to Save the Planet, will be available to purchase.

Tickets

In order to judge the level of interest for this evening and to provide sufficient seating and refreshments, please reserve your seats by contacting one of the committee members below. Tickets will cost £10 each and can be paid for by card or cash on arrival at the church. This price includes light refreshments during the interval.

Ian Mitchell 07726 936635 ianmmeldreth@gmail.com

John Price 07770 758373

Chrissie Prove 07890 042134

Peter Chilvers (01763) 260742

john.price@anamec.co.uk

chrissieprove@googlemail.com

peter.roger.chilvers@gmail.com

Ian Mitchell Vice Chair FOHT

Christmas Tree Festival

Saturday 2nd December 11.00am to 5.00pm

Sunday 3rd December 11.00am to 4.00pm

Please note in your diaries the weekend of the Christmas Tree Festival. We look forward to seeing you all again at this year’s festive event taking place in our special Holy Trinity Church in Meldreth. Free parking will be available and there is free admittance to the event. Come along and enjoy the wonderfully lit and individually decorated tree displays which are quite inspirational and pick up an unusual Christmas gift or two from the craft and produce stalls. Homemade soups and a delicious variety of homemade cakes will be available.

Our regular exhibitors should have received the usual registration form from the Committee by now. If you have not received this or if you run a club and have not been involved in the event before but would like to take part, then please contact me.

If you are making jams, marmalades, chutneys this autumn we would very much appreciate it if you could make a little extra to donate to the produce stall. These can be delivered to the church on the Thursday or Friday before the event.

Visitors are always complimentary about our homemade soups and cakes sold in the café area. If you are a cake baker it would be lovely if you could bake a cake for everyone to enjoy.

Thank you all in advance.

Margaret Goddin (01763) 260061 on behalf of the Christmas Tree Festival Committee

See our rates on page 48

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

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

Letters to the Editor

Ukrainians Seek Accommodation

Can anyone help us? Two delightful Ukrainians came to live with us a year agoa mother and her six year old daughter. We have enjoyed their company but they will soon be ready to move to independent accommodation. Do you have an annexe or flat which they might be able to rent at an affordable rate? The mother works part time and is on an intensive English course and the little girl is very happy at Meldreth Primary School. Both speak good English. They have settled well here and made good friends.

If you can help, please contact us by email at hilaryjcrawforth@btopenworld.com or by telephoning (01763) 262848.

Hilary Crawforth

Offensive Development

It was astonishing to see a permanent structure being built on the south side of the River Mel, on the right of the footpath walking towards Topcliffe Mill meadow. The visual effect, a scarring of the most beautiful river walk in South Cambridgeshire, a wildlife corridor being ruined. A requirement for planning permission you would think? After all it is in a conservation area, though this is news to me.

In the words of the SCDC Planning Officer, “Although this is in a conservation area, the impact is considered minimal and no action is considered necessary.” Minimal to whom? No process of appeal. The criteria breached are defined in https://www.greatercambridgeplanning.org/design-heritage-and-environment/ historic-environment/conservation-areas.

Iain McPhee

Rubbish Bin at One Stop

What a shame that Meldreth One Stop (owned by the mighty Tesco) has decided to remove the bin outside the shop. It is very usual for convenience stores to have a bin outside, as they inevitably attract litter. Since the removal of the bin people have continued to drop their litter in the place where the bin used to be, which is a bit antisocial and not to be condoned.

I asked the staff in the shop about why the bin had gone and was told it was because people were not using it responsibly and were putting dog poo bags there - also not to be condoned. I believe it falls the staff to empty the bin and this caused safety concerns.

However, taking the bin away is not a satisfactory solution, as my photograph illustrates. A local person has put a bin bag there, to try and help but the result is still a mess.

Please can One Stop and South Cambridgeshire District Council put their heads together to find a solution to this difficulty? More dog poo bins perhaps? Signage asking people not to put dog poo bags in the bin? Maybe they can find out what other stores do?

Marian Mair

N J Chapman

Garden Services

Handyman

Mobile: 07592 725 169

Email: nigeljchapman3@gmail.com

Speed Monitor at The Stocks

The fastest vehicle was travelling at 64mph in a 30mph zone! 15% of vehicles were travelling faster than 30mph. More vehicles were speeding out of the village than speeding into the village.

Location: The Stocks, vehicles arriving from High Street departing to North End

Location: The Stocks, vehicles arriving from North End departing to High Street

Meldreth Traffic Working Group

Public Transport

Cam Vale Bus User Group Meeting

All welcome on 6th October from 1.00-2.00pm at the Elin Way Community Room. Please come along if you have a concern about access and transport.

Rail User Group Meeting

All welcome on 17th October from 7.30-8.30pm via Teams. Please contact railusergroup@gmail.com for the link or to join the mailing list.

17 Bus Service

This bus runs Mondays to Saturdays from Guilden Morden via Steeple Morden, Litlington, Bassingbourn, Whaddon, Meldreth, Melbourn and Kneesworth to Royston and return.

The bus stops in Meldreth High Street (near the Stocks) at 10.20am and then makes several stops in Royston including Tesco at 10.35am before the last stop at Royston Bus Station at 10.49am. The return bus leaves Royston Bus Station at 1.10pm and Tesco at 1.21pm, arriving in Meldreth at 1.31pm.

Susan van de Ven

Meldreth Primary School

www.meldreth.cambs.sch.uk

How wonderful it was to fling open the gates again for the start to another amazing year at school. It is always remarkable to see how our pupils have grown and blossomed over the summer break and the smiles on their faces as they came pouring through was more than enough to dispel any lingering post-holiday blues!

Our amazing little school is continuing to grow and develop as we opened up our new school house for our pre-school, wraparound care and music tuition. The feedback thus far has been amazing with our pupils and staff commenting on the space available (both inside and out), brilliant resources and “the lovely smell of fresh paint!” Our new facilities have allowed us to split our pre -school into different age groups and increase numbers, widening our school community and ensuring our children are given the best possible support and opportunities to learn and flourish!

The beginning of our new school year has also seen a welcome return to our broader curriculum offer. Already our Year 5 and 6 students have enjoyed a trip to the Anglo Saxon Village of West Stow, where they learnt about how Saxons lived, worked and played. All of our sports and creative clubs are up and running and our pupil leadership roles in the School Council, Eco Council, Anti-Bullying Council and Junior Travel Ambassadors have been filled. To help ease us back into our familiar routines, we have also been treated to a delicious cake sale by our highly skilled Year 1 bakers and our annual back to school BBQ organised by our PTA!

Sasha Howard Headteacher

Things for Children and Families To Do in October

Sunday 1st October, 10.00am - 4.00pm

Geology Rocks! Royston Museum, Lower King Street, SG8 5AL

Arts, crafts and experiments based on the geology of Royston. Mine for flint, learn about minerals and dig your way through the earth’s layers. £3 per child. Drop-in event. www.roystonmuseum.org.uk.

Sunday 1st October, 12.00pm - 3.00pm

Cave Storytime, Royston Cave, Melbourn Street, Royston SG8 7BZ

Interactive stories of the figures on the walls of Royston Cave. Watch as the carvings come to life! £5 per child. Book online www.roystoncave.co.uk.

Thursday 5th October to Monday 9th October, various times

Circus CORTEX, Cottenham Village Green, High Street CB24 8UW

Prices from £7.99 to £25. Family entertainment with acts of daring and artistry. Many performers come from Ukraine. www.circuscortex.com.

Friday 6th October, 4.15pm - 5.15pm

Page One, Royston Library, Market Hill, Royston SG8 9JN

A reading group for 7 to 11 year olds. £10 per child for 4 sessions (this is the second). Design comic strips based on books like Dog Man. Call in to the library to book a place.

Saturday 7th October, 3.00pm

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Stapleford Granary, Bury Road, Stapleford CB22 5BP

Norwich Puppet Theatre interpret this Shakespeare play for children with beautifully carved puppets, original music and shadow puppets.

Monday 23rd to Friday 27th October, 9.45am - 12.00pm

Adventure Cruise Holiday Club

Royston Methodist Church, Queens Road, Royston SG8 7AU

For children aged 4 - 11. A Christian-based programme of fun. Contact Gill on (01763) 242682.

Tuesday 24th to Friday 27th October

Big Tree Climbing, Wimpole, various times from 9.00am to 5.00pm

Guided by instructors, climb using knots, ropes, karabiners. The brave can try branch walking. From age 6. £25 a person (this includes admission for two). Book on www.nationaltrust.org.uk or call 0344 249 1895.

Friday 27th to Sunday 29th October, 5.30pm, 6.30pm, 7.30pm

Spooky Woodland Walk, Audley End, Saffron Walden CB11 4JF

For ages 5 to 12. Join the ghost-hunting storytellers in the shadows. £8.50 children, £14 adults.

Compiled by Hilary Crawforth

Things to Do in October

Here are some things happening in October in the local area. To let us know about future events or activities please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com.

Wednesday 4th October, 9.00am to 10.30am and 2.00pm to 3.30pm

Cambridge Photography Week - Nature Photography Walks

Trumpington Meadows, Grantchester Road, Cambridge CB2 9LH

Join nature enthusiast and experienced wildlife photographer Paul Wyer on one of two guided walks around Trumpington Meadows Nature Reserve. He’ll show you how to go about finding, approaching and photographing nature, the kind of equipment to use and more. Tickets £12.50, £10 concession for Wildlife BCN members. Booking essential on www.wildlifebcn.org.

Saturday 7th October, 10.30am to 3.00pm

Volunteer Recruitment Event

National Trust - Wimpole Hall, Arrington, Royston SG8 0BW

Want to put your skills and experience to good use or try something new? There’ll be something to suit you if you join the Wimpole team - inspiring people from all walks of life who love working and learning together. Come along on the day, meet some of the existing volunteers and find out more. For more details email wimpolehall@nationaltrust.org.uk.

Saturday 7th October, 12.00pm to 5.00pm

Foxton Scarecrow Festival, Foxton Village, Cambridgeshire

The bi-annual festival returns with a ‘films’ theme this year. So come along and see if you can identify all the film titles and search for the special scarecrow hidden somewhere in the village. Refreshments at various venues, quizzes, tombola, craft stalls and live music in the village hall. Fund-raiser for St. Laurence Church, Foxton school and pre-school.

Saturday 7th October, 7.00pm

Handel’s Messiah

Ely Cathedral, The Chapter House, The College, Ely CB7 4DL

Leading professional orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, and Ely Cathedral choir join to perform Handel’s timeless masterpiece on the theme of Christ’s birth, life, death and resurrection. Tickets from £10-£40, under 16s £7.50 to £20. Book at www.elycathedral.org or call (01353) 667735. NB Will sell quickly.

Saturday 7th October, 7.30pm (doors open at 7.00pm)

Songs from the Shows

All Saints’ Church, Vicarage Close, Melbourn SG8 6DY

Well-known local singer, Joe Rose, accompanied by Stan Carter on the keyboard, will perform classic songs from the world of West End theatre and the movies. Licensed bar. Tickets £15 available from Kimmi Crosby on 07976 228377 or by email: k.crosby@btconnect.com.

Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th October, 10.00am to 4.00pm

Cambridge Quilters Exhibition

The David Rayner Building, Scotsdales Garden Centre, 120 Cambridge Road, Great Shelford, Cambridge CB22 5JT

Exhibition of 100 plus quilts. Quilt raffle and pocket tombola, sales table with handmade items. Tea, coffee and cake available to buy. Admission £3, under 16s free. Free parking & disabled access. Proceeds to David Rayner Centre.

Sunday 8th October, 9.00am to 3.00pm

Orwell Antiques Fair, Village Hall, Orwell High Street SG8 5QN

Warm and welcoming antiques and vintage fair, running for over 30 years. Over 20 stallholders with unique pieces, collectables, memorabilia, retro clothing, accessories and jewellery. Tea and homemade cakes. Dog friendly. Free car parking. Admission £1, children free.

Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th October, 10.00am to 4.00pm

Autumn Colours at Chippenham

Chippenham Hall, Chippenham Park, Newmarket CB7 5PT

The gardens and borders are full of colour at this time of year, reflected in the lakes and waterways of this beautiful parkland garden. Only open in 2023 on these two remaining days. Excellent licensed tearoom. NB the tearoom and the gate are cash only. Admission £7 adults, £3 for 5-16 years.

Sunday 22nd October, 10.00am to 6.00pm

Apple Day 2023 - Cambridge Botanic Garden, 1 Brookside CB2 1JE

Region’s biggest Apple Day. Apple tasting and sales (25 heritage varieties); apple identification, expert advice on how to care for your apple tree, apple activities for the young, live entertainment, pop-up food trucks and craft stalls. Tickets £10.80 adults, children 0-16 free. NB Booking essential at www.botanic.cam.uk.

Sunday 29th October, 12.00pm to 4.00pm

Hertford Castle Open Day, Castle Street, Hertford SG14 1HR

Explore this historic Grade 1 listed building and castle grounds. Free event with tours leaving every 30 minutes from 12.00pm, entry on a first come-first served basis. For information about parking, access and facilities: www.hertford.gov.uk.

Monday 30th October, 12noon.

Dave Rance’s Rockin Chair Jazz Band

The Old Bull, 56 High Street, Royston

High quality traditional jazz - with some good humour thrown in. No need to book - just come along, be entertained, make new friends and enjoy great music. Admission £10 per head. Light refreshments served at the bar.

Compiled by John Crawforth

25274

P.D. Property Services

25274

PLUMBING, HEATING & GAS

FULL BATHROOM DESIGN & INSTALL OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE

TEL 01763 853 778

MOB 07768 332380

ASK FOR PAUL

Reflections Hair Studio

Specialist in all aspects of Unisex Hairdressing.

Cutting * Colouring Techniques

* Hair Extensions

We have a wide range of home hair care retail.

Gift vouchers and hair accessories available.

01763 260431

45 Whitecroft Road , Meldreth

Tuesday & Thursday 9am - Late Monday &Wednesday closed

Friday 9am - 6pm Sat 9am - 3pm

1 Abbots Close Litlington Nr Royston, Herts SG8 0QQ

Unit 1, Whitecroft Rd, Meldreth, Royston, SG8 8NE

Meldreth Village Hub

Your Meldreth Village Hub is open every Tuesday and Thursday from 12.00 –3.00pm at the Community Room in Elin Way. We serve lunches on Tuesdays and coffee/teas on Thursdays. All our food and drink is free – donations are gratefully received. We are a friendly bunch and would love to meet you, so please drop and see us. We hope to see you soon!

We are planning a Bingo Night in the next few months; closer to the time, information will be available at the Hub and in Meldreth Matters.

Contact Helen at hmeridew@btinternet.com for more information.

Meldreth Village Hall Committee

The Meldreth Village Hall Committee have succeeded in finding and appointing a new cleaner. A big welcome to Sinead.

We now have ambitious plans to improve the Hall's facilities, following the hall refurbishment last year and the building of the Coronation Garden this year. We are still looking for:

 a volunteer to join us as Treasurer (a Trustee role)

 a volunteer to join us as Secretary (a Trustee role)

 people to help with organising and running fundraising activities, both for the Hall and in collaboration with other local charitable organisations, either as Trustees or just volunteers

 someone familiar with checking our compliance with the broad sweep of relevant regulations (Trustee or Honorary Consultant).

Please contact the Chairman of the Trustees, David Coton, for an informal discussion by emailing david@coton.me.uk or telephoning him on 07749 850026.

Meldreth Village Hall Committee

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

The Hub Team Community Room, Elin Way

In Praise Of …

Figs

This month it is figs. This striking fruit, with its fresh green or deep purple skin and vibrant deep pink flesh, is a wonderful addition to the autumnal table. Figs have a naturally high sugar content, making them an ideal match for equally intense ingredients, such as salty prosciutto - a classic Italian combination.

Blue Cheese and Fig Tarts

Preparation time less than 30 mins, cooking time 10 to 30 mins. Makes 24 tarts.

Ingredients

2 sheets filo pastry (measuring 25x25cm/10x10in square)

A little melted butter

3 ripe figs

100g Roquefort cheese

1 tsp lemon juice

3 sage leaves, chopped

A sprinkling of ground paprika

Method

Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6. Brush two sheets of filo pastry with butter and place on top of each other. Cut into 24 equal squares. Put the squares together in pairs on top of each other at a 45 degree angle to make a star shape. Press into the holes of a 12 mini-muffin tin. Repeat with the remaining pastry to make 24 mini tartlets.

Bake in the oven for about 5-10 minutes, or until golden-brown and crisp. Transfer to a baking tray.

Chop the figs into small pieces, and divide between the filo cases. Put the cheese, lemon juice and sage into a bowl. Mash down with a fork, season with pepper, then spoon blobs of cheese mixture on top of the fig. Sprinkle lightly with paprika.

Bake in the oven for five minutes, or until the cheese has just melted.

Fig Chutney

Ingredients

100g light brown soft sugar

120ml apple cider vinegar

300g chopped fresh figs

1 apple, peeled, cored and diced

1 onion, finely chopped

50g sultanas

1 tsp salt

Method

Put all the ingredients in a pan and bring to a gentle simmer for 1 hour, uncovered, stirring occasionally until it gets sticky and jammy. Spoon into a clean Kilner jar. That’s it. You’re done. Enjoy this sticky, sweet fig chutney alongside pâté or your favourite cheese.

Jane O’Hagan

The Letting Centre is a dedicated letting agency established for 29 years, operating from High Street premises in Melbourn. We offer an expert, tailored service to suit each clients’ individual needs. Covering Cambridge, Royston, Melbourn and surrounding villages.

Friendly, no obligation advice on how to achieve the best possible return on your rental investment with clear and simple guidance on your legal obligations.

The Letting Centre (Cambridge) Ltd, 107 High Street, Melbourn, Cambridgeshire, SG8 6AP. Tel: 01763 263039. Email: enquiries@letting-centre.co.uk. www.letting-centre.co.uk

Registered Office: The Letting Centre Ltd, 24b Orchard Road, Melbourn, Nr. Royston, Herts. SG8 6HH Tel: 01763 263039

Registered in England No. 4472384 VAT No. 700035112 Director Mrs Angie Rixon

E-mail: enquiries@letting-centre.co.uk www.letting-centre.co.uk

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

Preparing Melwood for Winter

www.melwood.org.uk

At the last working party in August, we made a start in returning the Meadow to a shorter turf. Some areas that were still showing significand bloom were left uncut at that time and these now need to be reduced to the same level as the rest of the field. The whole area will need at least one more cut before winter. The shortened grass will be seeded with Yellow Rattle, a semi-parasitic plant that can reduce the vigour of coarse grasses and help establish a more varied flora. It is recommended that invasive species such as nettle should be sprayed out before the Yellow Rattle is sown and that, for its part, must be seeded in time to allow it to experience a period of cold/freezing temperatures in order to germinate.

It was disappointing to see a large bivouac had been constructed in a back corner of the wood. The bivvy is not a great problem in its own right, but the damage caused in its construction was another matter. Much of the wood used was stripped from a dead hedge, constructed to mark the edge of the reserve. Small shrubs were trampled down in the process and green foliage used in construction was cut or pulled from nearby trees, including one planted as a commemorative tree. Noise and litter has also occurred at that site and the stripping of bark from two trees looks like simple vandalism. More recently it seems that some of the late night revellers have taken to using a bit of the wood near the bivvy as a toilet and used tissues are building up, creating an unsightly health hazard. Perhaps the arrival of winter will sort the problem but I’m not sure we can wait that long in light of the hazard now posed.

The generally warm late summer weather has had some positive effects, as a beautiful moth once restricted to a limited area of the south coast, now seems to be established in the area. I first encountered the Jersey Tiger Moth in Meldreth about four years ago and had only ever seen two specimens since then, until this year. It flies by day and night and has been in my garden moth trap most nights during August. During the day, it has been seen in many places in Melbourn and Meldreth, including Melwood. Its caterpillars feed on nettle, Hemp Agrimony and sometimes other small plants. Nettle is common in Melwood and Hemp Agrimony can be found along the River Mel and especially in land adjacent to Melwood. We need to remove nettle in Melwood only from areas where it is a real problem. This adds to

Jersey Tiger Moth

Photograph by Jim Reid

a growing list of species spreading north with the benefit of global warming. But the news is not all good. Many species that were once common in my garden have been absent for ten years or more. Have they moved further north to cooler climates or is their loss down to the loss of countryside caused by ever-expanding development? It is not easy to tell which but the nationwide recording and mapping being conducted by conservation charities like Butterfly Conservation make such interpretations much more likely to be reliable. Some pests are also doing well and those villagers concerned with the possible damage to their Box hedging may need to be especially vigilant, as numbers of Box-tree Moth have really exploded this summer.

There will be plenty of work to keep the Melwood volunteers busy within coming months, as the floor of the wood will need cutting, nest boxes will need cleaning and possibly repairing and seedling sycamore and ivy brought under control. The Yew hedge along the river edge of the meadow needs reducing in height and width but this will have to wait until the future of the meadow is finally decided.

Anyone interested in joining the Conservation Group can easily do so via the “contact” page of our website, www.melwood.org.uk.

Jim Reid

Melwood Conservation Group

A Meldreth Garden

Firstly apologies, last month the italics indicating botanical names got lost in translation to the magazine. [Editor’s Note: Sorry, my fault entirely.] The RHS naming convention, common name, Botanical name and ‘Cultivar’, e.g., daylily Hemerocallis 'Stella de Oro' should be used.

A time to look back and learn; firstly no more seed packets of dahlia ‘bishop’s children’ or anything similar. I am left with numerous dahlia plants, only one is garden worthy. The parent far superior to any of its children, with clean intense single red flower and deeply cut foliage.

Many plants will not stand seed being sown too early, anything half hardy and temperamental stands little chance of reaching maturity. When sown early germination was good but plants died soon after potting on. I will be more selective in future.

Overall it has been an excellent year in the garden and on the allotment. I will now start planning for next year as it is time to plant shallots and garlic, etc. A cuttings garden for 2024 is an appealing idea.

Gardens may lose vigour at this time of year but here is a range of plants to maintain good flower colour until the first frosts. Some excellent perennial plants are:

Rock knotweed Bistorta affinis 'Donald Lowndes', pink flower fading to red and good autumn leaf colour. Hokkaido chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum yezoense a spreading perennial 1.5m, with white daisy flowers. Another late flowering perennial shrub is Moroccan daisy Rhodanthemum hosmarienseshort only 0.3m high with white daisy like flowers. Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’, spikes of blue flowers, needs sun and good drainage, 1m high. Classic Japanese anemone Anemone × hybrida 'Honorine Jobert', clump-forming perennial about 1.2m tall, good cultivar with pure white flowers. Aster × frikartii ‘Mönch', clump-forming perennial to 0.7m tall, lavender-blue daisies with yellow eye, will stand without staking. Not to my liking, Chrysanthemum 'Mei-kyo' is pretty and for a couple of autumn months it produces small, button-like, pompom flowers in pale purplish pink. Hardy plumbago, Ceratostigma plumbaginoides, 0.5m clusters of sharp blue flowers with spectacular autumn leaf colour. Hardy perennial sedum, Hylotelephium 'Red Cauli', red, 0.7m tall. Salvia 'Amistad' a wonderful autumn flowering plant, blue flower 1.5m, needs winter protection or take cuttings to propagate in the greenhouse. Mine died out last winter. A neat little perennial Saxifraga 'Shiranami' 0.25m, best planted in partial shade, white flowers. Alpine herbaceous perennial Chinese gentian Gentiana sino-ornata needs space, it will rot if too wet, a need for acid soil may be a problem here. As well as blue there are white cultivars Gentiana sino-ornata ‘Purity’ is a good white example.

The pruning month: prune faded flowers from buddleja to keep them flowering, when flowering has ended, cut back by a third. Do this with lavatera, tall roses and any other shrubs prey to wind rock that flower on new wood. Prune out any dead, damaged and diseased branches on trees, shrubs and bushes whenever seen. Cut back to the ground the likes of Alchemilla mollis, looking tatty by this time of year. Fast growing hedges such as Leyland cypress Cupressus × leylandii and Portuguese Laurel can be cut back; better still pull them out and plant something better. Prune climbing roses.

Jobs for the Flower Garden

 Plant spring bulbs in pots for a spring show, siberian iris, narcissi, muscari, hyacinths and syernbergia; hold off planting tulips until next month

 Cut back faded perennials that look objectionable and have died down, leave the rest for wildlife

 Move tender plants, including aquatic ones, into a greenhouse or conservatory

 Finish collecting seeds from the garden into paper bags to sow next year

 Last chance to mow lawns and trim hedges, renovate old lawns or create new grass areas by laying turf

 Gather leaves to make leaf mould

 Mulch borders

 Plant winter bedding

 Could sow next year's sweet peas in a cold frame or greenhouse.

Jobs for the Vegetable Garden

 Plant lettuces undercover, plant out spring cabbages

 Harvest and store apples, pears, squash and pumpkins

 Divide established rhubarb crowns to create new plants

 Cut down the stems of autumn fruiting raspberries after fruiting

 Take hardwood cuttings from fruit bushes and shrubs

 Put grease bands around fruit trees to protect from winter moths

 Clear the last of summer crops and put down green manure

 Sow hardy broad bean seed that will over winter, cultivars such as Aquadulce.

Iain McPhee mcpheia1@gmail.com

To view this or past issues online, follow us on: issuu.com/meldrethmatters

Church services, Women’s Group meetings, bell ringing and FOHT events are held in Holy Trinity Ch Holy Trinity Church. MLHG meetings, Parish Council meetings, Food Bank & Village Hub are in the C

pm

Village Hub Acro TP Pilates T Tennis Council

pm

Village Hub Acro

TP Pilates

Table Tennis

9.30am Slimming World

1.00-2.00 Cam Vale Bus

User Group Meeting, Elin Way Community Centre (see page 11)

7.00pm for 7.30pm Melbourn Dynamos Quiz Night (see back cover)

9.45am Sung Eucharist

8.00am Said Eucharist

9.30am Slimming World

2.00-4.00pm Dementia Memory Café

9.45am Sung Eucharist

9.30am Slimming World pm

Village Hub Acro Trigger Point Table Tennis

Village Hub

Trigger Point

Table Tennis

9.30am Slimming World

7.00 for 7.30pm Film Night: Allelujah

Pre-booked tickets only (see page 4 or scan the QR code)

Refuse Collections Black bins: 10th, 24th

Blue & Green bins: 3rd, 17th

Getremindersonyourmobile:downloadthe BinCollectionsapp

hurch. The Mobile Library Service visits Bell Close. Meldreth Marvels Cycling Group meet opposite Community Room in Elin Way. All other events are held in the Village Hall unless otherwise indicated.

Meldreth Croquet Club

https://sites.google.com/view/meldrethcroquetclub/home

Now that the summer season is coming to an end, I thought I would write to report that Meldreth Croquet Club have once again had a very successful year. Having won the East Anglian Croquet Federation Handicap League in 2022, we were eligible to enter the Federation Shield which is a National competition. In the first game which was played at Wrest Park, against Himley from Dudley in the West Midlands, Meldreth won 4-3 and were through to the semi-final. This was played against Phyllis Court, a much bigger club with 250 members who play at Henley-on-Thames. Our team put up a good fight on a day interrupted with a couple of thunderstorms and lost 4-2. It was a great experience for the team members who enjoyed their day despite the loss. The image above shows some of the play at Henley-on-Thames.

This year, Meldreth have again won the Central division of the East Anglian Croquet Federation Handicap League. The team played Stony Stratford Blues, the winners of the Western division, at Watford Croquet Club in the semi-final, winning the match 11-7. The final will be played at Wrest Park in October.

Closer to home, there is the singles golf croquet handicap competition as well as the golf croquet doubles competition both of which were hotly fought over the summer. The doubles competition was won by Keith Holgate & Sue Bishop. The singles final, as I write, is yet to be played. The association croquet Nickisson Cup final was played between last year's winner, Chris van Essen, and Janet Pope. Janet made a strong start and established an early lead but Chris gradually overtook her and in the end won by 20 hoops to 11. The Cup is the club's oldest trophy and was first played for in 1991 - when it was also won by Chris.

An annual get together and prize giving recently held at the British Queen in Meldreth behind which the croquet lawn is sited was enjoyed by all.

For more information, please see our website at sites.google.com/view/ meldrethcroquetclub/home.

Lin Wallbridge Meldreth Croquet Club

Meldreth Bowls Club

www.meldrethbowlsclub.co.uk

A Great Team Effort!

On 26th August Meldreth

Bowls Club entered a team of four (two woods each) in a tournament at Castle Camps.

Playing three games of seven ends, we got through to the semi finals on a shot difference of nine.

We then won the semi-final against Castle Hedingham 8-3.

The final was against a team from Haverhill. After two ends we were 3-0 down, but we pulled back with a score of four after the third end. After that there was no stopping us, with Haverhill getting no more points.

With a great team effort, the final score was a 9-3 win to Meldreth. We were presented with a trophy and £100 prize money. The team consisted of:

Lead: Tony McMurray

Number 2: Elaine Cooke

Number 3: Joseph Ng

Skip: Linda Clarke Linda

Melbourn and Meldreth Women’s Group

We are a small friendly group who meet monthly at either ASCH Melbourn or in Holy Trinity Meeting Room Meldreth. Meetings commence at 7.45pm and last about one and a half hours.

We begin with any notices followed by the Women’s Group prayer. There is either a speaker or some in house entertainment, which is followed by refreshments and the opportunity to chat among ourselves. A charge of £2 is made to cover expenses and there is also the opportunity to donate to the charity pot. This year the charity which we are supporting is Camsight. New members are very welcome.

In August we had our usual meal out which was at The Royal Oak Barrington and this was delicious. In September we had a talk from a member of Camsight which was very interesting. Our meeting in October is on Tuesday 24th at ASCH where we will be making decorations for the Christmas Tree Festival.

If you would like information about the group, to receive a programme, or would like a lift to a meeting, please telephone one of the committee. They are Diane Blundell (01763) 261415, Sue Toule (01763) 260955, Angela Leach (01763) 262793, Mary Bailey (01763)220171 and Mary Purdy (01763) 260864.

Angela Leach

Melbourn and District Photographic Club

www.melbournphotoclub.com

October’s meetings are as follows:

3rd Club Evening, content pending

10th 1st Club Print Competition – Judge: David Steel

17th Photographing the Night Sky – Lecture by Nik Szymanek

24th Club Evening, content pending

31st 2nd Club Print Competition – Judge: Penny Reeves

Meetings are held weekly from 7.30-9.30pm on Tuesdays at Foxton Village Hall from September to April. The Club has a diverse membership, with a friendly and supportive atmosphere, and always welcomes 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 free of charge before deciding.

To do this, just email me at melbournphotoclub@hotmail.com.

Peter North Club Secretary

Melbourn Hub

www.melbournhub.co.uk

October at Melbourn Hub

We’re really excited about October at the Hub. As well as all our regular events, Richard Allen will be our artist in residence. We are delighted to be welcoming back Megson, local folk duo, who will be performing on Friday 13th October. It promises to be a fantastic evening!

Here’s what’s on and don’t forget you can always take a look at our website toowww.melbournhub.co.uk.

Weekly Events

Every Thursday - Primary Care Network 10.00-11.30am

Drop-in session providing advice and support on health and wellbeing

Every Friday - Children's Story Time 10.00-10.30am

For under 5s. Come and enjoy a story and a singalong. No need to book!

Special for October

Friday 13th October - Megson in Concert. Come and enjoy a musical evening with local folk duo, Megson. Doors open at 7.00pm for an 8.00pm start. Bar available. Book online—https://www.megsonmusic.co.uk/product/live-the-hub-13 -10-23.

New Christmas Volunteering Opportunity at Wimpole

We are looking for volunteers to help us keep the House open over the Christmas period (25th November 2023 to 1st January 2024) and offer our visitors a wonderful festive experience.

This is a short-term role, with a specifically festive focus. You do not need to be a historian – just let the yuletide spirit shine through! There may be a chance to get involved in other seasonal fun, like Christmas crafts and carol singing - so a genuine love of Christmas is essential and no “bah-humbugs” are allowed!

There will be plenty of support from staff and experienced volunteers. Because this role is about ensuring that the House can stay open over the festive period, a minimum number of hours will be expected, to be agreed on recruitment.

To register your interest please visit the website myvolunteering - National Trust or email wimpolehall@nationaltrust.org.uk.

Anne French Senior Volunteering and Community Officer National Trust Wimpole Estate

Linsey Craike on behalf of Melbourn Hub

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Seven Signs of An Investment Scan

At a time of high inflation and poor rewards for savers, there's a growing risk of being lured by the promise of high or guaranteed investment returns. It's not always easy to tell the difference between a high-risk (but legitimate) scheme and an outright scam, and sometimes the truth only emerges years later. Ask yourself:

1. Are they authorised? If a firm is dealing in stocks and shares but is not authorised by the FSA, it's likely to be fraudulent. More 'exotic' investments such as cryptocurrency, whiskey, property and art are not regulated by the FCA, meaning there's no recourse if something goes wrong. They are extremely risky even if they are not always fraudulent.

2. Are you being pressured? If your investment 'adviser' is telling you that you need to send money within hours or days or the 'deal' will vanish, it is certainly unethical and may well be a scam.

3. Have you been asked to keep it quiet? A respectable organisation would never mind you pausing the conversation to seek a second opinion and conduct further research.

4. Have they promised huge returns? Investments are by their nature risky, and can go down as well as up. Any promotional brochures that promise returns in double figures, or imply that the scheme cannot fail, should be regarded with suspicion.

5. Were contacted out of the blue? A successful, professional firm won't need to contact you without your permission with a cold call, email or text.

6. Did you follow a lead on social media? Facebook and other platforms are used by investment fraudsters to promote their schemes. This can be through paidfor advertising but also through fake profiles which show a bogus millionaire lifestyle featuring expensive cars, holidays and designer clothing. The fake profiles attempt to engage with victims by promising to share the 'secret' of their wealth.

7. Is there an element of romance involved? Contact is made via a dating platform or via a message from a charming stranger who claims to have got the wrong number. After weeks or months of grooming and 'lovebombing' their victim, the fraudster claims to have had some success with investing - typically in cryptocurrency or property - before offering to invest some of the victim's funds. The victim will lose not only their money but also their new 'partner'.

If you think you have fallen victim to a scam, report the scam to Action Fraud online or on 0300 123 2040. If you're not sure whether something is a scam, you can talk to one of the trusted contacts in Meldreth: Graham on (01763) 260358, Linda on (01763) 261405, Peter on (01763) 260323 or Tim on (01763) 262801.

You can contact Neighbourhood Watch by telephoning Graham on the above number, or by emailing nhw.meldreth@btinternet.com.

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Meldreth Parish Council

www.meldreth-pc.org.uk

Meeting of the Parish Council held on Thursday 7th September 2023

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 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; this can be seen in Meldreth Matters on pages 38 to 40. Questions and requests for further information on this wide range of subjects can of course be raised directly with our District and County representatives.

MCCS

The Meldreth Hub arrangements and the Food Bank continue to work well and are regarded by the users as a valuable social asset. We thank our volunteers for their important work on which these arrangements so heavily rely.

Community Projects Working Group

The Marvell Green residents have made a request for assistance with funding the natural area in the centre of the residential scheme. More information is needed on certain aspects and the request will then be considered in the usual way.

Recreation Ground

Vandalism: the main concern of the Council at the moment is dealing with a recent increase in vandalism. This has taken the form of fires being lit on the grass, interference with a newly installed rubbish bin behind the pavilion and general behaviour including graffiti on the pavilion and irritations caused to nearby residents including night time disturbances and used “vapes” being thrown over fences. The Council is collaborating with the police and investigating whether our CCTV images hold incriminating evidence. We cannot comment on the status of the current police investigations regarding the identification of those involved and what the next steps might be. We do urge all those concerned to show more respect for the village and its residents and we extend this request to parents and friends.

Equipment: as the holiday period comes to a conclusion the Council hopes and expects better progress to be made on the minor repairs and adjustments needed to our play equipment. Priorities will be accelerated in this respect.

Use of Football Pitches: the Meldreth United Sunday Club has regrettably closed and the Sunday slot is to be offered to a team of Meldreth players currently based at Eternit. The arrangements for Orwell Football Club’s use of the pitch on

Saturdays will continue. Both clubs will be asked to make the same annual payment to the Council, at a higher level than last year and the agreements will run on a year-by-year basis. The disbanded Sunday club has generously agreed to donate its goalposts to the Council. After discussion the Council agreed that this was a fair way forward that kept football as a village amenity and will enable us to consider the future as further changes arise.

Pavilion: Councillor Joan Fallon has retired from her voluntary cleaning role at the pavilion after many years of service and new arrangements will be made. The Council thanks Councillor Fallon for the major contribution she has made in this respect.

Section 106 Issues

The Council is forming a new working group to consider S106 issues in more detail (S106 are developer donations toward new facilities in the village). This will include reconsideration of the purposes to which S106 money can be applied and the possibility of changing those allocations to uses that have perhaps become more relevant since the original arrangements were made. Discussions about these issues will be held with S106 officers at SCDC.

Village Traffic

A meeting of the Traffic Working Group recently took place. It was noted that a Highways assessment on the 20mph limit application would now be likely in October. If favourable this will need to be followed by statutory consultations and other discussions.

In the meantime the Group is considering other traffic calming measures to improve safety in the village, as well as the possibility of reprioritising certain junctions.

The Speed Indicator Device “SID” installation is also under review with possibility of a second installation and solar power.

Straw on the road that blocks drains and impedes pedestrians on footways continues to be a major concern and the Council is writing to local residents and farmers about the need to ensure that hedges are cut back and that loads of straw are better secured when being moved through the village.

The Traffic Group is clearly very busy at present [see also their report on page 10] and will work closely with Highways on these various issues.

CCTV

Our installations at the pavilion are under review and we may decide to improve the coverage of these in view of recent events at the recreation ground.

Next Parish Council Meeting

Thursday 5th October 2023 at 7.30pm at the Elin Way Community Room.

Meldreth Parish Council

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 Assistant Clerk: Mrs Sally Walmesley (01763) 269928 parishclerk@meldreth-pc.org.uk

Cllr R Goddin (Chairman) goddin@btinternet.com

Mrs Jenni Bone

Contact details had not been provided at the time of going to press

Cllr Adam Bostanci adam.bostanci.pc@gmail.com

Cllr Joan Fallon c.jfallon@icloud.com

Cllr Nick Garner nickphgarner@gmail.com

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

Planning Matters

Meldreth Parish Council

All correspondence should be directed to the Clerk in the first instance

The minutes of the Parish Council Planning Meetings of 17th August and 7th September were not available at the time of going to press. Full minutes, when available, may be viewed on the Parish Council’s website, www.meldrethpc.org.uk.

Planning Authority Decisions

5 Bell Close SG8 6LE, 23/02152/HFUL

Permission granted for single storey front and side extensions to the existing garage, garden room, rear conservatory, boundary adjustment and drop kerb widening.

45 Whitecroft Road, 23/02767/FUL

Permission granted for change of use from hair salon to residential use

Details of all applications and all Planning Authority decisions may be viewed online: https://applications.greatercambridgeplanning.org/online-applications.

The Meldreth Matters Team

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District and County Councillors’ Report

Village Roads and Safety

We are working with Meldreth Parish Council on matters of road safety and seeking assistance from our district and county councils. It has been upsetting to witness vehicle collision accidents over the course of the summer.

Update on Transport Schemes

There is lots happening at the moment, so we thought we’d give a more detailed report. The following schemes come from a mix of local government bodies, starting with the Greater Cambridge Partnership (which is due to meet on 28th September). Further down we provide some context for the maze of decisionmaking.

Melbourn Greenway – walking and cycling links between Cambridge and Royston Meldreth Station to Melbourn path improvements: detailed design work is now being undertaken with matters such as lighting being worked out (what’s needed and how will it work?). Construction is due next spring.

Melbourn to Royston A10 off-road path and bridge: the GCP is recommending that this should now be delivered. It is recognised that this would be transformational in providing cheap, clean and healthy transport along this busy stretch. Funding comes from central government and is earmarked for transport infrastructure. Contributions have also come from local business and Hertfordshire local authorities.

Foxton Travel Hub: The recommendation is that this project be paused. A reprioritisation of schemes has been required, following reductions in the value of funds due to inflation.

‘Making Connections’: As we’ve reported previously, this scheme is about increased funding for bus services tied to a new Cambridge city road charging scheme. Proposals have been considerably reshaped following last year’s public consultation, with road charging windows reduced and exemptions/free days increased.

The premise of the scheme is firstly to reduce congestion in Cambridge, thereby allowing buses to run freely and on schedule; and to create a new model of funding for those services. If sufficiently advanced, the scheme could evolve to bring integrated ticketing (so just one ticket for one journey, regardless of changes), a network of bus links to rail stations and other improvements - for example evening and Sunday services.

In addition to opportunities, there are risks associated with not taking the Making Connections scheme forward, including the viability of the Local Plan, in which significant growth is supported by transport systems designed for a growing population. The GCP meeting on 28th September is due to consider these.

Opinion has been divided largely due to the proposed road charge aspect of the scheme. Support for better bus services is strong. These are not easy choices and there are no magic solutions.

Bus Network Review and Tools for Improving Public Transport

The Combined Authority is currently reviewing all the bus services for which it provides basic financial support in the form of public subsidy. These are services where no commercial operator has come forward, but which are deemed essential – indeed national bus policy has since the 1980s been based on private commercial bus services, with local authorities stepping in as and where they can to serve otherwise isolated areas.

The 26 service connecting Royston-Melbourn-Cambridge looks set to continue next financial year, but the frequency of the service is unlikely to improve due to funding constraints. Meanwhile the 17 connecting Meldreth to Melbourn and Royston (Meldreth’s only bus service) has been marked for further review. We have made representations about the lifeline nature of the 17 for those who depend on it. This includes people who are less mobile or who rely on using their bus passes to keep travel affordable.

Who Are These Local Government Organisations?

The Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) comes from one of several ‘city deals’ signed by central government in 2014. It is worth up to £500 M in funding to 2030 for infrastructure improvements to boost economic growth. It’s comprised of South Cambridgeshire District Council, Cambridge City Council and Cambridgeshire County Council elected representatives who hold voting powers; plus representatives of the business and university communities, who are part the legal agreement.

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CA) was formed in 2017, as a national government initiative agreed by a majority vote at the respective councils. The CA became the Local Transport Authority, taking over from the County Council. Meanwhile the County Council remains the Local Highway Authority. The CA is led by the Mayor and its committees are made up of councillors representing Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

Within this mix, the GCP delivers significant transport infrastructure projects for the Greater Cambridge area. Strategic planning and decisions about publicly supported bus services and road charging can only be taken by the Local Transport Authority (CA) and the Local Highway Authority (County Council), respectively.

Free School Meals

Take-up of free school meals in Cambridgeshire has increased by 52% in the last three years as living standards in the UK continue to fall. 21% of all children in Cambridgeshire now qualify for the ‘pupil premium’ schools receive for children from low-income households. Details and criteria at can be found on the Cambridgeshire County Council website, or please contact us.

Biodiversity and Green Spaces

The County Council is continuing to work with its partners to develop its Local Nature Recovery Strategy but is still waiting for the Government to carry out its national launch so that we can organise our own local launch. Survey work is ongoing for the council’s Biodiversity Strategy. National Highways is developing a strategy to replant the many trees that died after planting along the A14. 162,000 plants have been ordered, and replanting is on course to start in October.

Council Tax Collection Rates

Government figures show South Cambridgeshire District Council collected 99.2% of the Council Tax funds it was due to in the 2022/23 financial year, compared to the England average rate of 96.8%.

As a result, South Cambridgeshire District Council is the joint top performing District Council out of almost 320 tax-collecting authorities in England. South Cambridgeshire District Council collects Council Tax on behalf of the Police Service, the Fire Service, County Council, the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority and Parish and Town Councils.

District Councils are responsible for council tax collection for all local authorities; their piece of the pie is about 9%. For the average band D house, South Cambridgeshire District Council retains £165 a year from the whole Council Tax bill.

The Government figures also show that South Cambridgeshire District Council collected 98.2% of the Business Rates that it was due to collect from local companies during the 2022/23 financial year – a total of £92,053,000.

Support is available if residents are struggling to meet Council Tax payments. Please visit the South Cambridgeshire District Council website for details.

This year the Council sent out over 63,000 Council Tax letters by post at a cost of nearly £33,500. Registering for an online account would help the Council spend more on vital services rather than paying for postage. South Cambridgeshire residents can also sign-up to receive their Council Tax bill online.

Zoom Cuppa – Your Questions or Concerns

We hold a Zoom Cuppa surgery on Monday afternoons, or can meet or talk with you at a time that’s convenient. Please contact us any time and we’ll do our best to answer your questions or concerns.

MELDRETH PLANT HIRE

TEL: 01763 262738

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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

Take Charge and Be Safe!

Following some recent very serious fires, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging residents to Take Charge and Be Safe by keeping in mind some simple steps when using electrical devices, especially those with lithium-ion batteries.

E-scooters and E-bikes

Simple tips can help reduce the risk of overheating a battery. Please see our safety advice at www.cambsfire.gov.uk/community-safety/take -charge-and-be-safe/e-bikes-and-e-scooters or scan the QR code.

Bedtime Routine

Many fires in the home start at night while people are asleep. A bedtime routine is a great way to help you and your family stay fire safe in your home. By following a few simple tips you can prevent a fire from happening or, if one does break out, stop it from spreading. See our four tips or watch a video on our website: https://www.cambsfire.gov.uk/community-safety/take-charge-and-besafe/bedtime-routine or scan the QR code.

For more on our Take Charge and Be Safe campaign, including advice when purchasing batteries, please visit our website: www.cambsfire.gov.uk/communitysafety/take-charge-and-be-safe.

Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue Service

MCCS – The Hub and FoodBank – Funding For Year 2

As we approach the first anniversary of the re-launch of the Meldreth FoodBank and the establishment of the Meldreth Hub it is time to review funding. Both initiatives have been welcomed by those who benefit and, most importantly of all, we thank the volunteers who sustain the service and continue to donate their time and energy to make things happen.

The Hub received funding from NHS budgets delivered by Cambridge ACRE. For Year 2 at the Hub we have built up provision from which we will fund our second year of operation.

The FoodBank was launched at a time, last year, when we feared the worst over inflation and fuel bills. The demand quickly emerged and, as we might expect, the FoodBank requires continued funding to replenish stocks for the 50+ people from Meldreth who rely on the service. From launch we ‘spread the net’ for contributions and have seen funds from individual gifts, the Parish Council, local companies at Christmas and Tesco but we have also had to use MCCS reserves. Our reserves are now exhausted and we have to replace these funds if we are to continue into 2024.

We learn that the churches here and in Melbourn, have kindly agreed to donate the proceeds of the Harvest Festival to the FoodHub and the food collection boxes at the Church and on the High Street remain available for donations.

We still need more and we are launching a crowdfunding appeal, open until Christmas, at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/MCCS2024.

Please help if you can. Drop-in to the sessions on Tuesday (9.00-3.00pm) or Thursday (12.00-3.00pm) at Elin Way Community Centre. Approach the volunteers, go to the website or contact the MCCS Treasurer on 07808 23873.

Thank you.

Roger James Meldreth Cares Community Support

MCCS – Community Support

MCCS is pleased to be coordinating the Meldreth Food Bank and Meldreth Village Hub.

Huge thanks to everyone who is supporting these initiatives, whether through volunteering and warm welcomes, or donations of daily basics to the collection box outside 62 High Street, or cash support from individuals and groups (please contact MCCS Treasurer Roger James 07808 235873). Behind the scenes, invaluable support has been received from our Parish and District Councils. Core funding initiative for the Warm Hubs comes from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Integrated Care System (our local NHS).

Our Neighbourhood Zone Leaders are always on hand for a friendly chat by telephone and to help locate the support you’re looking for. Their telephone numbers are below.

Kneesworth Rd, 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, Marys Way, Westacre:

John Crawforth, 07595 627684

High Street, Flambards, The Grange, Woolpack Way, Station Yard and Road:

Lindsey McCaig, 07884 432345

Bell Close and Gables Close:

Cathy Walston, 07757 086380

North End, Brewery Lane, Malton Lane, Cam Farm:

Bev Cottrell, 07773 592838 and Ian Mitchell, 07726 936635

If you have any other questions, please let us know.

County and District Councillors Susan van de Ven, Jose Hales, Sally Ann Hart and all at the MCCS team

Litter Picker Mick Taylor—(01763) 261118

Neighbourhood Watch Graham Borgonon—(01763) 260358

One Stop

Village Hall Bookings

Village Hall Chairman

Cycling Group

(01763) 262158, open 7am-10pm, 7 days

Julia Moore—meldrethvillagehall@gmail.com or 07403 462198

David Coton—07749 850026

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 Christine Piper Hatch—(01223) 263266

Croquet Club Janet Pope—(01763) 248239

Table Tennis Christine Knight—(01763) 261676

Tennis Club

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

Vicar Rev Andrew Birks (from 1/11/23)

Bells Sandra Webb—(01763) 261451

Ian Mitchell (Friends) 07726 936635; www.foht.org.uk

Baby & Toddler Group Julia Moore—07403 462198

Brownies (1st Meldreth) Email: 1stmeldrethbrownies@gmail.com

Guides (1st Meldreth) Email: 1stmeldrethguides@gmail.com

Hartbeeps Kelly@hartbeeps.com

Meldreth Rainbows 1stmeldrethrainbows@gmail.com

Pre– and Primary School (01763) 260432; www.meldreth.cambs.sch.uk

Parish Council

District Councillors

Please see details at end of Parish Council report

Jose Hales—07703 262649; Sally Ann Hart—07791 233303

District Council Offices 01954 713000; www.scambs.gov.uk/

County Councillor

Susan van de Ven—07905 325574 https://susanvandeven.mycouncillor.org.uk/

County Council Offices 0345 045 5200; www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/

MP Anthony Browne; www.anthonybrowne.org/

Children

Church

Sport

Clubs & Societies

Facilities Councils & Govt.

Station Ticket Office Hours: Mon - Fri 7-11.15am, Sat 8.45am - 1.15pm

User Group 07905 325574; www.meldrethsheprethfoxtonrail.org.uk Govia/Great Northern www.thameslinkrailway.com

Potholes, problems,Highways etc. http://www2.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/HighwaysReports/ Highways/ReportProblem1.aspx or in an emergency tel 0345 045 5212

Streetlights (faulty) 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.

Community Support for Dementia Davina Biswell 07961 574104 or Stephanie Trayhurn 07710 198299

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.

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 Maggie Smith 260378; Founder: Ann Barnes Meldreth Matters is available online at https://issuu.com/meldrethmatters

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Whaddon Road, Meldreth, SG8 5RL

Club Facili es

Licensed bar

Hall available for private hire for any occasion (compe ve rates)

Snooker room, Pool table

Large children's outdoor ac vity area

Petanque pistes

Football pitches, changing rooms

Entertainments

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