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.

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.

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