Meldreth Matters, September 2020

September 2020

In this issue ‌ Christopher Gravatt (1931-2020) Village Hall Reopens

Events ‌ Churchyard Clean Up Meldreth Car Enthusiasts Plant Sale & Open Gardens

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Contents Holy Trinity Church

What’s On in September

Church News 12 Christmas Tree Festival 13

Local Events 46-47 Summary of Meldreth Events 3 People

Miscellaneous

Christopher Gravatt 4-5

Property Wanted 7 Village Hall Reopens 9

Village Groups Friends of Holy Trinity 13 Lift Off Choir 10 Local History 15 WI 11

Local/National Government Local Councillors 42-45 Parish Council 37-40 Planning 40

Children & Education

Advice/Information

Events for Families 21 Preschool 19 Primary School 16-18 Toddler Group 19

Advertisers’ Index 52 Community Transport 6-7 Coronavirus Support 29-30 Fire & Rescue 34, 49 Home-Start 48-49 Mobile Warden Scheme 31 Neighbourhood Watch 33 Refuse Collections 27 Village Directory 50-51

Gardens & Nature Gardening 22-23 Pine Martens in Meldreth? 24

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.

The last date for copy is the 12th of each month 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.

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Editorial Welcome to the September issue of Meldreth Matters.

This month sees the return of the village diary to MM, as some group meetings and events begin to be held, albeit with restrictions in place due to COVID-19.

A summary of the events due to take place in Meldreth is shown on the facing page and the centre pages diary has details of the group meetings that are being held in the Village Hall. We also have summaries of local events and things to do (pages 21 and 46-47). Please note that all events and activities are subject to alteration caused by changes to the Government guidelines so if you are in any doubt, please check before attending events or travelling.

The latest information from our local Coronavirus Support Group is on pages 29-30. For the latest government advice, please see www.gov.uk/coronavirus.

Finally, a reminder that issues of Meldreth Matters are also available online at https://issuu.com/meldrethmatters. Issues from July 2020 onwards are in colour.

Kathryn

Cover Photograph 1910 Straker Squire, believed to be the first car ever owned in Meldreth, which returned to the village in August. See page 15.

Photograph by Kathryn Betts

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September Events in Meldreth

Saturday 5th

Sunday 6th

9.00-11.30am

2.00-5.00pm

Churchyard Clean Up Holy Trinity Church

Plant Sale plus two gardens open

Bring own tools/refreshments

Chiswick End/Whitecroft Rd

See page 12

See back cover for details

Sunday 20th

British Queen

To advertise in Meldreth Matters, telephone Beverley Cottrell on (01763) 262176 or email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com

See page 13

See our rates on page 52

1.30pm onwards Meldreth Car Enthusiasts

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Christopher Gravatt (1931-2020) Christopher Gravatt of 2 North End, Meldreth, died peacefully on 31st July 2020 at the age of 88, after a long struggle with dementia.

He was born in London in 1931, grew up in the suburbs during the war, completed national service in Yorkshire, read history at Oxford University, married Valerie Gray (of Grays of Cambridge) in 1960 and moved to Bassingbourn six years later. After Valerie's untimely death in 1993, he moved to Meldreth in 1998, pleased to have found a home that was walking distance from a station, shop and pub.

Christopher was a Parish Councillor in Bassingbourn in the 1970s and an independent-minded Conservative District Councillor for Bassingbourn ward between 2000 and 2004. His sales and marketing jobs for Monsanto, ICI and Doulton took him all over Africa, the Middle East and continental Europe between the 1950s and 1970s but jobs closer to home for Biggs Wall and Marie Curie gave him time in the 1980s to take up marathon running. He completed numerous London marathons, including the second one in 1982, as well as competing in marathons in New York, Moscow, Snowdonia and Eastbourne. Christopher recorded his best time of under 3 hours 10 minutes when in his early sixties before finally hanging up his shoes in 2006 at the age of 75 - a genuine Royston Runner super vet.

He spent the last four years of his life in the care of Sunrise in Elstree, Hertfordshire and he leaves behind four children, Simon, Helen, 4

Julian and Giles, and seven grandchildren, Jay, Natasha, Zach, Ada, Jemima, Florence and Leo. Christopher often enjoyed a social beer with family and friends in The British Queen in Meldreth; so for those of you who remember him, please do raise a glass in his memory.

Julian Gravatt

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RDCT News www.roytrans.co.uk A Great Loss Meldreth people who have used our service in the past will surely remember our long serving Meldreth driver, Tony Brennan, known to many as “The Man with the Hat”, so it is with regret that we have heard that Tony has recently passed away.

Available five days a week for any sort of journey, reliable Tony was of great value to all of us who needed his service.

One interesting snippet I heard from a passenger I was driving to Addenbrookes was the sometime difficulty in recognising a driver when coming back from a clinic. Of course, Tony's hat made him easy to spot - until one day it fell off while he was dozing. It took his passenger a few walks up and down the Outpatients’ waiting area before she spotted the hat by his chair!

Thank you Tony, we will miss you but not forget you. Our thoughts are with Non, his partner.

RDCT on the Radio We were recently delighted to receive a grant of £1920 from the Cambridgeshire Community Fund. BBC Radio Cambridgeshire was made aware of our successful application and asked if we could supply a driver and passenger for a live interview with their presenter Dotty on their Morning Programme.

I was asked to represent RDCT and a well known Melbourn personality, Colin Limming, agreed to represent passengers. It took a while to find a volunteer – as well as being live, it was scheduled for 7.35am!

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In the end the interview took less than five minutes, with me just giving a brief outline of our lockdown service and Colin providing most of the feedback to Dotty, who was very good at making it just seem like a friendly chat.

Why not consider volunteering as an RDCT driver – you never know, next time it might be the TV! Service Improving With the Government advice changing frequently, we cannot see a way back to our full service yet, but if you need us for any medical appointment, hairdressers’ appointment, social visit or shopping please telephone the office on the usual number, (01763) 245228, but bear in mind that at the moment, we are advised to keep non-essential journeys to a maximum of fifteen minutes each way.

It seems to be unlikely we will be able to expand on this for the foreseeable future, but if Government advice changes we will adapt where we can, so if in doubt about a journey – ring us!

Ron Comben RDCT Volunteer Driver

Property Wanted in Meldreth We have lived very happily in Meldreth for sixteen years and have absolutely no wish to live anywhere else. Sadly, our lovely house and garden are now too big for our needs and we are urgently looking to buy a three or preferably four, bedroomed house or bungalow with a modest sized garden in a quiet part of the village. We have a buyer waiting for our own house.

If you have such a property and are thinking of moving, or know of anyone who is, please get in touch, we would love to hear from you!

Many thanks.

David and Maggie Smith (01763) 260378 vintage_bean@yahoo.co.uk 7

New Yoga Class for Meldreth Meldreth Village Hall Mondays 9.00 – 10.30 am th

Starts 14 January 2019 and runs weekly during term time Friendly, supportive classes in a non-competitive environment helping you to develop strength, flexibility and well-being. Suitable for all abilities. £10 drop-in or £90 for a 10 class pass.

More details at www.yoga2.co.uk or email Chris and Shelagh: yoga2@btinternet.com

The Moor Melbourn SG8 6EF 07163 223400 office@melbournvc.org www.melbournvc.org

EVERYBODY IS SOMEBODY

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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 8

Meldreth Village Hall Reopens The Village Hall welcomed back Zumba classes on 3rd August (with three-metre distancing) and Wednesday and Friday Slimming World restarted in mid-August.

ACRO, 50+ Aerobics, Hartbeeps, Trigger Point Pilates and a small children’s birthday party are already scheduled for September.

Government regulations and guidance are very helpfully interpreted for Village Halls by Cambridgeshire ACRE. We have carried out a COVID-19 risk assessment, revised procedures accordingly and written Special Conditions of Hire. New hirers and the organisers of returning regulars are invited to the Hall to see the new arrangements and discuss how we can mutually make things as safe as possible for their group and the next hirer.

There is now a one-way system – in through the open front door and the open door to the main hall and out through the open fire exit into the garden; this gives lots of fresh air at all times. The hall has plenty of hand sanitiser, antiseptic wipes and sprays, paper towels and waste bins available.

Whether to wear a face covering depends on Government regulations at the time. At the time of writing, our understanding is that the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport does not require people to wear face coverings whilst exercising in community venues.

For other activities, the sensible thing to do is to bring one with you and be advised by your event organiser whether wearing it is optional or obligatory.

Sadly, it looks as if some activities, like the wonderful Lift-Off Choir, may not be able to restart soon, but we will be working with all our regulars to help them restart as soon as they show any inclination to do so.

Paul Ray Chairman of Meldreth Village Hall Trust 9

Lift Off Choir At the time of Meldreth Matters going to press, Lift Off Choir has been unable to operate in person due to COVID-19.

Having recently celebrated our first birthday, this disruption has come as a blow. Not only do we enjoy singing as a group, but we also benefit greatly from the social aspects of being in the choir.

Some choir sessions have continued via our private You Tube channel and we have also held an online Zoom quiz night and open mic night.

Whilst this has been a way of keeping some interaction between us and our singing skills in check, we all agree that nothing beats meeting and singing in person. I can’t wait for the day when we can do that again.

Clare Silver

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Meldreth WI It seems such a long time since we all met up; however, providing ‘Mr Covid’ does not rear his ugly head again, we may be able to resume our meetings within the next two or three months. There will be a lot of ‘do or don’t do this’ but I am sure the Village Hall committee will be able to guide us.

Throughout the last few months we have all managed to keep in touch with each other, some by Zoom or email and pidgin post also came to the rescue. We have been able to keep in touch with all the other institutes in Cambridge and see what their members across the county have been up to via a monthly newsletter, sent out by email from our Cambridge office.

We have all kept ourselves occupied. The knitting needles have been clicking away, jigsaws pulled out of the attic and what about those books we have meant to read but never got round to? Weeds didn’t dare show their heads in the garden; out they came.

We were all very upset to hear that our own college, Denman, has had to close due to high maintenance costs and lack of funds. We have all had very good times there, covering many subjects.

We will keep you informed as to when we will resume our meetings and hope to see you all then. Jane and the committee send our best wishes to you all.

Kathleen Thompson

New to the village?

www.meldrethhistory.org.uk See the Meldreth Today section for information on

footpaths * village facilities * over 25 local clubs & groups 11

Holy Trinity Church News Face Coverings These are now mandatory. Please be aware that you are now required by law to wear a face covering in church unless you are medically exempted.

Holy Trinity is Open for Private Prayer The church is open at the following times: Monday – Friday 10.00am – 6.00pm and Sunday 11.00am – 6.00pm. The church remains closed on Saturdays for cleaning and sanitising.

Holy Trinity Services during September 6th September: 9.45am – Said Eucharist with Organ Accompaniment 13th September: 8.00am – Holy Communion 20th September: 9.45am – Said Eucharist and Harvest Festival with Organ Accompaniment 27th September: 8.00am – Holy Communion Church Meeting Room The meeting room at Holy Trinity Church has not yet re-opened to groups, and we are looking at ways of doing so safely for all users.

Regular users will be notified as soon as this happens.

Holy Trinity Churchyard Clean Up – Saturday 5th September If you would like to lend a hand with a general churchyard clean up at Holy Trinity, do please come along between 9.00am and 11.30am.

Your help will be much appreciated. NB please bring your own tools and refreshments.

Ride and Stride: Saturday 12th September David Hollamby will be riding on behalf of Holy Trinity in the Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Ride and Stride. If you would like to sponsor David please contact him on 07732 106828.

Of the sponsorship raised, 50% will go to Holy Trinity, Meldreth and 50% to Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust.

Lesley Hollamby 12

Christmas Tree Festival A decision has been made to cancel this year's Christmas Tree Festival.

We are sorry, as it is a very popular event with much thought and work going into each exhibit and is enjoyed by so many people.

It seems that social distancing may still be necessary at the end of November especially as there may be a surge in the virus at the start of winter.

We are sorry that we have had to make this decision but hope we will enjoy an even better festival next year !

Christmas Tree Festival Committee

Friends of Holy Trinity www.foht.org.uk Church services have recommenced with considerable COVID-19 precautions but more general activities are not taking place and are unlikely to do so in the near future, which unfortunately affects both Open Gardens and the Car Show.

Although The Friends are not involved, Meldreth Car Enthusiasts have been exploring other possible venues for a get together on Sunday 20th September. This would be subject to weather and any COVID restrictions in place at that time.

After some discussions it is understood that Meldreth Car Enthusiasts intend to have a gathering in the grounds of the British Queen from 1.30pm on 20th September with appropriate COVID precautions.

John Price 13

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Meldreth Local History Group www.meldrethhistory.org.uk Straker Squire It is believed that the very first car in Meldreth was a 1910 Straker Squire, registration CE3728, owned by Hubert Ellis.

That very same car returned to Meldreth on 2nd August this year; you may have seen it around the village or parked in the British Queen car park. It is shown on our front cover this month.

Hubert Ellis owned the car for some The car en route to Norwich years and would offer Meldreth in the 1940s residents lifts to the polling station in it - in exchange for a vote for the Conservatives, of course!

After Hubert Ellis’s death in 1942, ownership of the car passed to his nephew, Charles Ellis. After the war, John Gipson repaired the car and took it to Meldreth Station (see photograph above) from where it was transported to Norwich.

The car subsequently spent some years in the United States and in Austria before returning “home” to Cambridgeshire in June of this year.

Meetings We last met in March of this year and at this stage it is not clear when we will be able to resume our meetings. In the meantime, some members are working on history projects from home and we are continuing to add material to our website.

Website Work has continued on our new website which we hope to launch later this autumn. More information will appear in the October issue of Meldreth Matters.

Kathryn Betts Meldreth Local History Group 15

Meldreth Primary School With school activity generally being at its lowest annual ebb in August, I am turning my attention away from the lives of the children in school temporarily, to focus instead on some of the fauna that I have observed around our grounds over the past couple of decades.

As a village school close to a river, we are fortunate to enjoy visits from a wide variety of creatures, small and not so small, and as a keen birdwatcher and lifelong lover of nature I always have my radar out for evidence of familiar friends and new or occasional visitors.

Birdwatching was always my first passion as a child and I continue to look out for birds of note throughout the year.

My classroom door opens out onto the school field with Melwood beyond, so the first thing I do upon my early arrival every morning is to throw the door open and look out for anything of note.

Besides the large numbers of crows and pigeons who hoover up any crumbs left by the children the previous day, there is an occasional Kestrel Class as Vikings; the project they valiantly buzzard that sits on pursued as home learners last term! one of the football Illustration by Andrew Jones crossbars surveying the scene before soaring off to join other family members high above the wood, mewing exuberantly among the clouds. Kestrels (namesake of my class) will scout past and occasionally pause for a hover and a closer scan above 16

the edges of the field, while red kites have become a new and majestic addition to the aerial patrols over the past five years.

Children who have attended my football and cricket clubs over the years will be familiar with my cries of ‘Great Spotted Woodpecker’, ‘Jay’, ‘Mistle Thrush’, or whatever as I interrupt play to draw their attention to fleeting movement across the skies. I always compared nature notes with Mr Barnes who ran the school’s Nature Club for many years on Friday afternoons; a particular favourite activity was listening out for the first swallows, chiffchaffs, blackcaps and other springtime arrivals after their long migrations from southern climes.

Over the past couple of years there have been a very welcome pair of grey wagtails gathering nestbuilding material from corners of the playground in the spring term, and I have a very fond memory of Mrs Robinson in the school office calling me in to identify a strange little brown bird with a curved bill climbing vertically up the bark of the cherry tree outside her window; I was delighted to identify a tree creeper – but sadly we haven’t seen it again since!

Children are always bringing their own finds to be shared and identified, be it a pale blue eggshell, a violet ground beetle or every now and then a huge lime hawk moth caterpillar with its single ‘horn’ on the rear end. The children have even found the impressive moths themselves on a few occasions over the years, though these are few and far between. Over recent years the children have been distressed by the high numbers of grounded bees that they find staggering in large numbers across the playground in summer months. I can only guess at the causes of this, though it will be interesting to see if the phenomenon is reduced as a result of the ban on nicotinoid fertilizers in the UK. Though once quite common, sadly we haven’t seen hedgehogs on the school grounds for several years. However our ‘wild area’ in the corner of the field does offer them a perfect habitat – it may be that they do not need to stray outside of the area, unlike foxes, which I do spot from time to time, surveying the perimeter fence for access to the chicken coops of Flambards Close. Badgers have been regular visitors over the years, digging their latrines around the edges of the grounds, although I have yet to catch sight of one. Along the Eastern edge of the school grounds runs the Mel. Whenever I’m on playground duty I venture to the fence to look out for signs of life, and have been delighted on several occasions this year to see a water vole scurrying across the bank on the safer school side of the river.

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Sometimes we have a completely unexpected surprise. Around a decade ago we had a family of prairie dogs move in and set up their subterranean home in the middle of the school football pitch during the summer holidays. It took sometime even to identify the mystery visitors, but once everyone agreed that these were indeed prairie dogs, we invited our friends the Willers from Shepreth Wildlife Park to come and collect them, since the general consensus was that that was where they must have come from in the first place. There is still a noticeable dip in the ground at the spot they occupied, which may have given our footballers a defensive advantage against unsuspecting strikers when they come racing down the left wing towards the Meldreth goal in home matches against other local schools!

There was quite a sensation on the field a few years back, when an unsuspecting muntjac deer sprang out of the wild area into the school field during morning break finding itself quite startled to be sharing the space with almost two hundred children. The terrified deer hurtled around the whole field desperately searching for an escape route. A muntjac is a strong, heavy and fast commodity and I feared for the safety of the children. However, after a couple of breakneck circuits, crashing into fences as it went, the deer finally found a fox run beneath the fence and disappeared. One boy, Jayden, came running up to me in excitement and asked in delight, “Mr Jones, Mr Jones, did you see the kangaroo?!”

Over the past couple of years, the most familiar animal around the school has not been wild at all. Eddie, the most curious black cat I have ever come across, belongs to one of our pupils, Elliot, and spends all day every day patrolling the school grounds until it is time to go home. Eddie attends PE lessons, is ever present at breaktimes and is very well-known and loved by everyone. He will even jump through an open window to join Elliot in his class and will sit on his chair, even when Elliot is not there! Sadly, since March, with Elliot ‘enjoying’ Home Learning away from the school, Eddie has vanished … however this unique situation has doubtless given rich opportunities for other fauna to thrive in the school grounds. Who knows, we may yet see the return of hedgehogs before long!

Andrew Jones Deputy Headteacher

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Meldreth Preschool The start of the new school year brings some changes to the Preschool.

Firstly, we are delighted to be reopening again after making the decision to temporarily close in March. Now we are looking forward to welcoming back the children to a familiar and safe environment, albeit with some changes in place.

From the autumn term, the Preschool will be run by the Primary School, having been run for many years by a committee of volunteers.

This decision was made after much consideration by the school governors, staff, Preschool parents and the committee.

We are very pleased that the future of the Preschool is secure and will continue to be a wonderful asset to our community for many years to come.

Julia Moore

Wednesday Morning Toddler Group Watch this space for news about our reopening!

We are looking for volunteers to help run the group. If you think you might be interested please get in touch.

Julia 07403 462198

MM is now Available in Colour Online To view this or past issues online, follow us on: issuu.com/meldrethmatters 19

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Things for Children and Families To Do The situation is changing constantly so please check the following details are still current.

Monday 14th September Royston Rotary Virtual Balloon Race Buy a balloon for £3. Choose shape, colour and helium content. It will race for 7 days in aid of Home-Start. Track its progress on Google Earth. The balloon that travels the furthest will win £500. Second prize is an Apple iPad, then book token prizes of £10. www.roystonrotary.com/balloonrace.htm.

Jesus Green Lido, off Chesterton Road, Cambridge CB4 3AX Monday to Friday 7.00am to 7.00pm, Saturday and Sunday 10.00am to 6.00pm Now open for adults and children over 11 who are strong swimmers.

Lane swimming only. Go ready-changed. Book at www.better.org.uk.

Clip ’n’ Climb, Clifton Road, Cambridge CB1 7EB Book a climbing session online at www.clipnclimbcambridge.co.uk. 30 minute safety briefing then 55 minutes climbing. Suitable for all ages.

Under 13s need an adult with them. Under 10s may need a helper to clip on. Spectators need to book too. Café open. £13 for ages 4 to 16.

Cambridge Treasure Hunt Book online at www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk. Self-guided hunt for all the family (2.5 hours). Solve the clues, follow the route and have fun exploring the town. Age 4 plus. £9.99 per booklet/download.

Racewars, Unit 25, North Tenth Street, Milton Keynes MK9 3EL Monday to Saturday 10.00am - 8.00pm, Sunday 11.00am - 7.00pm Slot car racing for ages 7+ and thrilling racing simulators for ages 12+.

Adults £13, children £10 for one hour. 07564 513091.

You Tube Online Activities: www.youtube.com The Little A Theatre - children’s stories enacted with the help of puppets, eg. ‘This is not my hat’, ‘What does an Anteater eat?’

Relaxation through Art with Brenda Coyle - projects for all ages with full instructions given in a quiet, restful voice.

Wriggle at Home - bite sized creative dance for families (ages 2 - 5).

Compiled by Hilary Crawforth 21

Note from a Small Garden As I write this on a blistering hot Sunday, I’m wondering how you are all getting on with watering. As we live in the region with the lowest rainfall in the country (even though we had a wet winter), will there need to be a hosepipe ban in the next few weeks or so, if this heat wave continues?

At the moment I have to admit that I am watering the pots, tomatoes and the cucumbers in the poly tunnel every day, usually in the evening.

Some people say, however, that plants should be watered early in the mornings. It’s thought that they may absorb the water better that way, but I must say I haven’t noticed any difference! I also water the beans and the courgette family in the potager and have to admit that I use a hose pipe. Watering new shrubs and trees weekly is a must in this weather. Unfortunately, as we have a thatched house, its difficult to catch the rainwater except off the garage.

I remember my aunt, even in her late eighties, watering with the bath water, but you need a system feeding into a tank in order to catch all the wastewater. But we may all have to do that. A butt doesn’t hold enough water for a very hot summer! Please let me know your thoughts.

Alas, I have lost a new damson and plum tree, bought from Arrington Nurseries who say that they will reimburse me. I think it was because of that sharp frost we had in May followed by drought. But anyone with good plum or greengage tree is in for a bumper year. Our old greengage trees are at least 60 years old, and happily send out a new branch, when half the tree dies. This year they are laden.

And now I have a question. We are off on holiday with the children and grandchildren shortly and alas, I have no Kilner jars left to bottle the fruit. I have always been told that it is important to remove the stone before freezing as the fruit is liable to taste of almonds. This year I am doing a trial of stoning half of my greengages and leaving the stones in the rest before freezing. I will let you know the results next time!

22

My Discovery apples are not as big and crunchy as they usually are, probably due to the second heat wave we are currently having. On the other hand, my Crispin apples are looking good. And the climbing French beans are a big success. Farmers sadly, however, report that all their crops are down in yield this year.

Enough of water problems and catastrophes! Here are just some of the essential jobs to do in September:  Cut your hedges  Dead head border plants, and really cut back Alchemilla mollis.

The leaves come back very quickly.  Beware of unexpected frosts at the end of the month, so be

careful not to lose tomatoes and geraniums and any house plants that you have put outside all summer. So watch the weather forecasts. I forgot to bring a favourite geranium in one year and all the plants died. Luckily I remembered who had given it to me in the first place and she gladly gave me some new cuttings.

Plant Sale and Open Gardens Finally, we have a plant and produce stall, and two gardens at 39 Whitecroft Road and 23 Chiswick End will be open on the afternoon of Sunday 6th September from 2.00-5.00pm, to raise money for the fabric of the church, which at the moment is in a poor state of repair. There being no fete this year, we have lost one of our big opportunities to fund raise.

Please come and support us. There will be tea and cake at the Dumb Flea and we will be all ready to welcome you and keep to the governmental guidelines for COVID-19.

Meantime, good gardening and watering from Jim and me.

Julie Draper Juliedraper@dumbflea.co.uk

MELDRETH PLANT HIRE TEL: 01763 262738 DIGGERS, DUMPERS, BREAKERS, WHACKERS, ROTAVATORS. AVAILABLE FOR DAILY OR WEEKLY HIRE. WWW.MELDRETHPLANT.CO.UK 23

Are There Pine Martens in Meldreth?

Recently, I heard that Pine Martens may have been spotted in Brewery Lane and Topcliffe meadow earlier this year.

Pine Martens are one of our rarest mammals and were not thought to exist in this area.

They are related to weasels, ferrets and otters and are about the same size as the average domestic cat. Their fur is brown/black and they sport a creamy coloured bib.

Care should be taken not to confuse Pine Martens with Polecats, which are known to be present in Cambridgeshire.

Polecats tend to be slightly smaller with a mask of dark fur on their faces. Pictures of both can be easily found online for comparison.

Comparative Sizes The Vincent Wildlife Trust

Pine Martens’ main food includes small mammals such as voles and rabbits but they will also eat birds’ eggs and berries. They are very agile climbers and it is alleged that they will catch and eat squirrels. The Vincent Wildlife Trust operates a Pine Marten Recovery Project and has moved some from Scotland to Wales and other suitable locations in an attempt to preserve the species. A group were released in the Forest of Dean in 2019 and one was seen on camera in the New Forest.

It would be exciting if Pine Martens became established locally. Please look out for them: apparently a sign of their presence is the remains of half-eaten squirrels! If you think you have spotted one locally, please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com so that we can inform the Vincent Wildlife Trust.

Ken McLean

24

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25

Meldreth Village Diar Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday 5.30pm Slimming World 7.30pm Slimming World

All events/mee ngs are subject to change or cancella on: if in any doubt, please check before a ending

Thurs

7.30pm Parish (online meetin

5.30pm Slimming World

8.00-9.00pm Zumba

7.30pm Slimming World

School term begins

5.30pm Slimming World

10.00am Hart

7.30pm Slimming World

4.00-5.00pm A

1.30-2.30pm Aerobics

5.30pm Slimming World

10.00am Hart

7.00-8.00pm Aerobics

7.30pm Slimming World

8.00-9.00pm Zumba

11.00-12.00 Trigger Point Pilates 8.00-9.00pm Zumba

11.00-12.00 Trigger Point Pilates

4.00-5.00pm A

6.00-6.45pm F Pilates

1.30-2.30pm Aerobics

5.30pm Slimming World

10.00am Hart

7.00-8.00pm Aerobics

7.30pm Slimming World

4.00-5.00pm A

6.00-6.45pm F Pilates

8.00-9.00pm Zumba

Church Services are held at Holy Trinity Church. All other e

26

ry - September 2020

sday

h Council g)

beeps

Friday 9.30am Slimming World

Saturday

9.00-11.30am Holy Trinity 9.45am Said Eucharist Churchyard 2.00-5.000pm Plant Sale & Clean Up (see page 12) two gardens open (see back cover for details)

9.30am Slimming World

8.00am Holy Communion

Copy Deadline for the October Issue

9.45am Said Eucharist and Harvest Festival

9.30am Slimming World

ACRO

beeps

Sunday

1.30pm Meldreth Car Enthusiasts, British Queen (see page 13)

9.30am Slimming World

8.00am Holy Communion

ACRO

Fitness

tbeeps

ACRO

Fitness

Refuse Collections Black bins: Blue/Green bins:

2nd*,15th, 29th 8th, 22nd

 day late due to public holiday NB Green bin collections are now fortnightly

events are held in the Village Hall unless otherwise indicated.

27

The copy deadline for the October issue of Meldreth Matters is Saturday 12th September

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28

Meldreth Coronavirus Community Support Transitions With the formal end of ‘shielding’ and the return to normal pharmacy arrangements, most people who were receiving help from MCCS volunteers are now managing their own shopping and prescription collection. However, many of our wonderful volunteers are on standby should a helping hand be needed; please contact your zone leader if you need help. Obviously, we hope not to have a return of lockdown, but we are prepared to swing into action if necessary.

We’ve had very good contact with County Council Adult Social Care on transitioning to statutory services where needed, and also with Melbourn Mobile Warden service [see page 31], who already support Meldreth residents and can help out further. Our District Councillor Jose Hales can provide further information about the Mobile Warden service; you’ll find his contact details in the Village Directory in each copy of Meldreth Matters.

It’s clear that the volunteer support over the past few months has been immensely valued and has resulted in new friendships and community connections.

Meldreth Food Bank: Donations Welcome Meldreth’s Food Bank is now supplying food boxes to families with a child on Free School Meals, during the summer holidays, as well as to other residents. The boxes are picked up and delivered by Meldreth Primary School staff.

MCCS anticipates that it may need to launch a second fundraising drive in the autumn, to enable the Food Bank to run longer term.

Thank you to all those who have donated so generously at the collection point in the driveway at 69 High Street Meldreth, opposite the British Queen. The Food Bank received £370 in unsolicited cash donations. This has significantly helped in the running of the summer food box programme. We very much welcome continuing donations to the Food Bank, which is open Tuesdays 10.00am to midday and Thursdays from 2.00-4.00pm. If you have any questions at all, please contact Anne Bobeckyj on 07492 355279.

29

Screenbank Screenbank has almost completed the target supply of refurbished computers to Melbourn Village College and is now focusing on appropriate systems for a small number of elderly isolated Meldreth residents who are keen to take up use of the internet.

Thank you to everyone who has donated second-hand computers, which are continuing to come in. All surplus equipment is now being directed to Bassingbourn Village College, which has a regular cohort of Meldreth students, under a new ‘Bassingbourn Screenbank’ project there. The Meldreth Screenbank received donations from villages far and wide including Bassingbourn, and it’s been good to see an increasing number of students in the local area supplied with much needed home IT equipment, as well as villages working together to help one another.

Stay Safe The Cambridgeshire Director of Public Health attributes the relatively low number of cases of COVID-19 here in large part to following the advice on social distancing, hand hygiene and face covering. The Director emphasises that in order to continue to contain the virus, it’s vital we continue following common sense advice. It’s been good to see plenty of care taken all around Meldreth and our neighbouring villages.

Thank you once again to everyone who has so kindly helped out in one way or another to support others in the village. We’ll be back in Meldreth Matters next month.

Susan van de Ven and the MCCS team

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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 ÂŁ7.50 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

31

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NHS Test and Trace Service Scam Unfortunately, even though the incidence of coronavirus has reduced, there are still related scams. An elderly person has received a telephone call from someone claiming to represent the NHS test and trace service.

The caller told the person answering the telephone that they had been in contact with someone who had tested positive for COVID-19 and that they now needed to be tested within 72 hours. The caller then said there was a charge of £50 for the test and took full bank card details.

Any test under the NHS Test and Trace service is free. Contact tracers will NEVER ask you to make any form of payment, or ask for any details about your bank account, although they will ask for your full name and date of birth to confirm your identity, and your postcode so that they can offer support while you are self-isolating. Many more details about the service, including what contact tracers will and won't do, is available at www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-itworks.

Always remember the advice from Take Five to Stop Fraud:  STOP: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your

money or information could keep you safe.  CHALLENGE: Could it be fake? It’s OK to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.  PROTECT: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud.

Always report scams to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit www.actionfraud.police.uk. If you're not sure whether a telephone call, email or text is a scam, you can talk to one of the trusted contacts in Meldreth: Graham (01763) 260358

Linda

(01763) 261405

Peter

Tim

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

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33

Keep Caring: Coronavirus Hasn’t Gone Away As lockdown restrictions are gradually being lifted, everyone needs to take action to help us all return to a more normal life. The most important thing we can do is to stay alert, control the virus, and in doing so, keep people safe and help save lives.

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service is getting behind the local #KeepCaring campaign led by Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council, and supported by partners. The campaign outlines ways that people can take care of themselves and each other, to help control the spread of coronavirus.

Here are some ways you can keep caring:  Caring is keeping your distance - inside and outside  Caring is being responsible - staying isolated if you think you’ve got symptoms, or been close to someone who has  Caring is covering your face - even with no symptoms you might still spread virus  Caring is washing your hands - regularly, when you enter or leave a new place.

We’re also asking residents to keep caring by being fire safe at home and on the roads:  Caring is testing your smoke alarm – and reminding your loved ones to do the same.  Caring is being careful in the kitchen  Caring is discarding your cigarettes responsibly – so you don’t accidentally start a fire  Caring is not having a bonfire that could easily get out of control, putting you and others at risk  Caring is being a considerate driver – driving at the appropriate speed, not driving when under the influence of alcohol or drugs, making sure you and your passengers are wearing seatbelts and not using your phone while driving.

Help us help you, and keep caring. Comprehensive advice on current government rules is available on the www.gov.uk website.

Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue Service 34

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Meldreth Parish Council www.meldreth-pc.org.uk Meeting held on Thursday 6th August 2020 This meeting was held through a video/audio link, in accordance with revised procedures provided by the Coronavirus Act 2020. The main points of this meeting are set out below in the usual summary format.

The full formal minutes can be viewed in due course on the website at www.meldreth-pc.org.uk and on the Parish Council notice board; these will be presented for approval at the next Parish Council meeting.

Discussions and Decisions  Village traffic issues: There is much concern in the village about heavy traffic using our village roads, mainly agricultural transport.

Two residents made a written submission about such traffic in Whitecroft Road and the disturbing effect it has for long periods of the day and night on the local resident population. There is also concern about straw falling from trailers and coming to rest on footways and the road itself, often in large quantities. The Council thanked the residents for writing to us.

There was a broad discussion about planning approvals and the fact that it was difficult to challenge these at later dates unless there was a clear breach in any imposed condition. These and the associated Highways issues are within the purview of our District and County Councils and the Parish Council will continue to pursue these issues with them as necessary. Our District and County Councillors have been fully involved in these matters affecting our village.  Broadband Services: Another resident commented on the poor

broadband service in the Chiswick End area. The Parish Council acknowledges that internet performance generally needs to be improved but it is not able to take significant direct action and cannot favour one supplier over another. This will remain a matter within the choice of individual residents. The Parish Council will, however, continue to take a strong and continuing interest in the subject as it recognises the importance to residents and businesses as well as the effect on the local property market.

37

 District and County Councillors’ Report: This is set out on pages 42

-45. It contains useful information on the reopening of schools. It also draws attention to the proposals for a new Cambridge City district in North East Cambridge with possibly 8,000 new homes to be built there.  COVID-19: Meldreth Coronavirus Community Support continues to provide support services to those directly affected by the virus.

The support services have been reduced but remain on active standby. There is a note of concern about the virus reasserting itself and caution is needed to respect the possibility of this. The current position of the local support operations relating to COVID are noted in detail elsewhere. [See pages 29-30.]

As regards reopening of village facilities, the recreation ground play area has been reopened and steps are now being taken to open the pavilion for the use of footballers and others. The latest advice is to only reopen toilet facilities at the pavilion and the Council is now actively engaged in setting up the measures that are needed, in terms of signage, social distancing and disinfecting. These steps should be completed in the near future but facilities such as changing rooms and showers will remain off-limits for the time being.  Traffic Group: The new 30 mph road signs have been delivered and will be installed at the entrances to the village. At the next Council meeting, the Group will bring forward detailed proposals for further speed management improvements, to include a chicane in Whitecroft Road, already supported by the Council in principle. A review of foliage overhanging the footways will now be conducted, as the bird nesting season has come to an end, and proposals for trimming will be brought forward.  Pavilion Anti-social Behaviour: Anti-vandal paint will shortly be applied to deter those wishing to climb up onto the roof of the pavilion.  Village Infrastructure: A site meeting at the kissing gate has been arranged with contractors.

Other repair work needs to be performed on signposts and the bus shelters at the War Memorial and the Stocks, this will now be prioritised.

We have received a grant of £1,000 towards a commemorative VE Day bench and the Council agreed in principle to meet the 38

additional costs of delivery and installation; these amount to about £625 and will be funded from the Community Benefit Fund. The bench will be installed outside the Village Hall. An existing bench at that site will be stored until a suitable alternative location for it can be agreed.  Trees: With regard to the recent survey of our trees at Fenny Lane, Whitecroft Road, the Village Hall and Holy Trinity churchyard, it was agreed to carry out the necessary tree work through several contractors quoting for the work.

To replace the dead tree in Elin Way, the Council will be given a tree

by SCDC. It was agreed to investigate planting this in Fenny Lane but the advice of the Council’s tree warden will be taken on type and suitability. The site of the dead tree in Elin Way was not considered suitable by reason of space, boundaries and proximity to the highway.  Cemetery: Work needs to be done to repair the perimeter fence to prevent the ingress of rabbits and possibly Muntjac deer. A further survey will be carried out and our current control measures against rabbit infestation will continue.

Other subjects discussed included the management of graves and the rules of the graveyard. The very uneven state of the hard surface inside the gate was considered to need attention and contractors will be consulted. There will be further discussions to address these points in more detail.  Zero Carbon Grant: There is to be another round of grants and the Council will consider possible subjects for this. There will be a review of projects of other Councils who succeeded in securing grants last year to see whether any lessons can be learned for an application this year.

Tributes were paid to Ms. Philippa Hart on the occasion of her leaving SCDC. She has made a very important contribution and the Council is sorry not to be working with her in future.

Next meeting: Thursday 3rd September 2020 Meldreth Parish Council

39

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 (01763) 269928 parishclerk@meldreth-pc.org.uk Mr R Goddin (Chairman) (01763) 260061

goddin@btinternet.com

Mr R A Searles (Vice Ch)

(01763) 260435

robert.searles@btinternet.com

Mrs C J Fallon

(01763) 262822

joan.fallonpc@gmail.com

Mr N Garner

(01763) 268328

nickphgarner@gmail.com

Mrs P Gilmore

(01763) 263138

patgilmore.mpc@gmail.com

Dr R James

(01763) 261085

roger+pc@rogerjames.net

Mr C A Land

(01763) 261004

conradland@btinternet.com

Mr Nigel Pellatt

(01763) 262444

nppellatt@btconnect.com

Mr A Young

(01763) 263484

andrewmpc@gmail.com

Planning Links Meldreth Council Planning meetings are usually held bi-monthly on Thursdays providing there is business to discuss. The unapproved minutes are available for download as soon as possible afterwards and will be available on a rolling twelve-month basis.

See https:// www.meldreth-pc.org.uk/planning1.html for further details.

Full details of all planning applications may be viewed on the SCDC website: http://plan.scambs.gov.uk/swiftlg/apas/run/wchvarylogin.display.

Kathryn Betts Editor

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District and County Councillors’ Report Foliage, Kneesworth Road Foliage obstructing the advance warning of the Kneeworth/Whitecroft/ Fenny Lane junction, along Kneesworth Road before West Way, will be cut back by Highways.

Broken Drain Covers, Whitecroft Road Highways will be repairing a second broken drain in Whitecroft Road near Marys Way. The first, last month, took a long time in spite of being logged as an emergency.

Gulley Cleansing (drains) – a sign of the times It’s a shocking state of affairs when the County Highways no longer has a dedicated budget for preventive gulley cleansing, meaning that there is no automatic cyclical maintenance for drains on the highway.

While central government offers one-off grants for ‘capital projects’, meaning building things, these grants no longer feed into council revenue budgets, meaning maintenance for infrastructure. Instead, councils must find funding through their own revenue funding such as council tax and investments. This has been a fundamental change over the past ten years in the way public services are funded.

On the matter of drain maintenance, any work on gullies needs be commissioned via the Local Highways Officer’s budget. It’s important therefore to highlight, direct to Highways, any pooling or other concerns around individual drains. Please Google ‘Cambridgeshire Report a Fault’ to find the reporting page. We’re very lucky in having such a proactive Parish Councillor in Pat Gilmore, who has developed an excellent relationship with the Highways team and who is assiduous in reporting faults. Please note that SCDC have taken on ‘street cleansing’ in its broadest sense, including spending a couple of weeks in each zone, and then returning after about ten weeks. A rota for work in patches has been set up here: https://www.scambs.gov.uk/ environment/street-care-and-cleaning.

Highway Code: consultation on safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians Another in the suite of government initiatives to encourage active travel is the consultation on the Highway Code, which runs until Tuesday 27th October 2020. To see the links to the full consultation document and ways to respond, please Google ‘Review of the Highway Code.’

42

Coronavirus: Return to School Our schools and colleges have been doing a phenomenal job by remaining responsive to a constantly changing situation and changing guidance, not forgetting the amount of form filling that goes with all of this, while on reduced staff capacity. Here’s what the Local Education Authority, is saying ahead of autumn return to school: Education Leads at Cambridgeshire County Council have been reviewing government guidance around the re-opening of schools for all year groups in September, and are confident the necessary measures will be in place to welcome back all pupils. The guidance sets out the steps that all schools need to take to ensure all pupils can return to formal education after the summer.

Schools will be asked to implement a new Public Health Englandendorsed ‘System of Controls’, which build upon the protective measures that have been in place throughout the pandemic, helping to reduce the risk of transmission. Other updates include guidance on how schools manage their social ‘bubbles’ to minimise contact between pupils and staff groups. The size of these bubbles may now increase to incorporate whole classes or even year groups, provided there is clear separation between these groups and others. The increase will allow teachers to work with more children, meaning no child should miss out on lessons.

Staggered start and ending times will help ensure bubbles are not mixing, with each school able to apply flexibility in a way that works for staff, parents and children. They will also be given freedom to adapt the curriculum, to ensure they can address any gaps in skills and knowledge of those pupils who have not been able to attend through the lockdown period.

Schools will be asked to revisit their risk assessments, giving careful consideration to what adaptations they may need to make to their buildings or teaching practices, to safely accommodate their returning pupils.

Keyworker parents and those of vulnerable children who kept their children out of school through the lockdown have not been fined, but under the new guidance powers will be reinstated from September, giving schools the option to fine parents if they think a child’s absence is not justified.

43

Most schools have remained open throughout the pandemic, so are experienced at this by now and are on track; and the NHS Test and Trace process is embedded in all schools.

There are some very considerable hurdles yet to overcome – not least that of school transport, something about which government has as yet provided no guidance, nor any financial support.

PPE is Not Recyclable Residents are being asked to make sure disposable face coverings and masks are put in their black wheelie bins at home, to help control the spread of Coronavirus and prevent contamination of recycled materials.

The Greater Cambridge Shared Waste Service, a partnership between Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire District Council, is expecting a rise in disposable face coverings in waste collections after these became mandatory in shops. The service has already seen disposable PPE such as face coverings, masks and gloves in the blue recycling bins, despite none of these items being recyclable.

Disposable PPE can be put in litter bins outside shops, but if there isn’t one, they need to be taken home and put in the black bin.

Advice has been published on the Government’s website, and it is important to remember that if you are suffering from Coronavirus symptoms, any medical waste and PPE should be bagged separately and left for three days before it is put into your black bin.

North East Cambridge: very big changes ahead Local Councils have drafted plans for a new city district in North East Cambridge, which could create 8,000 homes and provide space for 20,000 jobs over the next 20-plus years. They now want to know what residents and businesses think of the draft plans.

The councils’ vision is for the area between the A14, the Guided Busway and Cambridge North station to be a walkable and lively mix of homes, workplaces, services, and green spaces that is inclusive and fully integrated with surrounding neighbourhoods.

The plans by the Greater Cambridge Planning Service, a partnership between South Cambridgeshire District and Cambridge City councils, developed in collaboration with stakeholders and communities, build on case studies from around the world on creating low-carbon, low-car-use districts.

44

As part of a formal statutory consultation, leaflets are being delivered to 20,000 homes across the local area to gain residents’ feedback. The Councils are running online Q&A sessions where residents can find out more about the proposals and ask questions to the team.

The draft plan is published online where people can comment. See https://www.greatercambridgeplanning.org/emerging-plans-andguidance/north-east-cambridge-area-action-plan.

A vision video is available on the same page.

Everyone can help shape the future plans for North East Cambridge by visiting the above web page and submitting comments during the consultation, which runs until 5.00pm on Monday 5th October.

As always, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with any questions or concerns.

Jose Hales, District Councillor Susan van de Ven, County Councillor

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45 Whitecroft Road , Meldreth Tuesday & Thursday 9am - Late Monday &Wednesday closed Friday 9am - 6pm Sat 9am - 3pm

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Things to do in September Here is a selection of events and activities happening in September.

NB Things are changing week by week, so please check details by phone or online.

To have your event listed, please email: meldrethmatters@hotmail.com.

Saturdays 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th at 7.00pm Live Music at the Plough, Shepreth SG8 6PP A new stage on the terrace with some shelter for the audience. Food and drinks available. Suggested contribution of ÂŁ5 to support the musicians. Booking advised. (01763) 290348.

Thursday 10th to Sunday 13th; Tuesday 15th to Sunday 20th; Tuesday 22nd to Sunday 27th September, 12.00noon - 4.00pm Anglia Textile Works Exhibition Babylon Gallery, Waterside, Ely CB7 4AU See quilt art created by a contemporary textile group. Free. www.angliatextileworks.weebly.com. Telephone to check details (01353) 616991.

Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th September, 10.00am - 3.00pm Playing with the Light exhibition The Stables, Wandlebury Ring, Gog Magog Hills, Cambridge CB22 3AE Artist Debbie Baxter explores sunlight and woodlands. She will be painting in the Stables on both days. Free.

For more information contact debbiebaxterart@yahoo.co.uk.

Saturday 26th September, 10.00am - 1.00pm September Art in the garden Beth Chatto Gardens, Elmstead Market, Colchester CO7 7DB Artist and gardener Jevan Watkins Jones guides you as you draw and paint different garden spaces. Materials provided. Beginner level to advanced. ÂŁ45. See: www.bethchatto.co.uk.

Cinemas in Cambridge, throughout the month Vue (CB1 1PS), Light (CB1 7DY), Arts Picturehouse (CB2 3AR) Cinemas in Cambridge are now open with distanced seating, face coverings, sanitisers, enhanced cleaning, staggered film times and contactless payments. The Light cinema says fresh air will be circulated through the air conditioning.

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Outdoor cinemas Enchanted Cinema, Gonville Hotel, Cambridge CB1 1LY Films shown in the gardens of the hotel whatever the weather - go prepared! Popcorn, bar. Examples of films - Rocketman, Titanic, Romeo and Juliet. See www.cambridgelive.org.uk for details.

The Star and Mouse Picture Show, at varying times Imperial War Museum, Duxford, Cambridgeshire, CB22 4QP A pop-up, drive-in movie theatre with different classes of tickets, starting with Standard tickets at £25 for one car with 2 people. (£4 each extra person.) Bronze, Silver and Gold tickets available, some with front row placings, popcorn drinks, deck chairs. Examples of films are 1917, The English Patient, Memphis Belle. www.starandmouse.com.

Home Cinema Join Carol Morley’s Friday Film Club on Twitter. Lesser-known films for free. Watch with others then discuss online. #FridayFilmClub.

Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge CB2 1RB Cuttings: Manuscript fragments on the loose!

Just 5 cuttings from manuscripts (and some fragments of Medieval manuscripts) but other material on display such as poems by William Morris and drawings by Edward Burne-Jones. Free. Timed tickets. Face coverings required. Café and shop open (card only).

Wicken Fen, Lode Lane, Ely CB7 5XP Sedge Fen is now open - a rare fragment of ancient undrained fen, home to an abundance of wildlife. Pre-book (free to members, £3 to non members). Tickets are released on Fridays. www.nationaltrust.org.uk. NB They are likely to book up quickly as with other National Trust places.

Kettle’s Yard Museum, Castle Street, Cambridge CB3 0AQ Friday to Sunday, 11.00am to 5.00pm (this may change) Book a free, timed ticket. Shop and cafe open (take-away only). If you can’t get there, try their digital programme ‘Kettle’s Yard at Home.’

Kingsway Golf Centre, Cambridge Road, Melbourn SG8 6EY Try foot golf, the new sport combining football and golf. Kick the ball into the hole (9 holes) in as few kicks as possible. Adults £8, juniors £6.

Second round, adults £4, juniors £3.

Compiled by John Crawforth 47

Home-Start Royston & South Cambridgeshire www.hsrsc.org.uk Going into lockdown has changed the way we all do things, from shopping online to enjoying virtual events.

Facing a Crisis Back in March, when the situation concerning the Coronavirus outbreak really became big news, Home-Start was not ready for a world where face-to-face events could not happen. A large proportion of our activity was based around our community and physical interaction with our supporters, whether that was at a fête, dances, concerts or literary lunches.

What could we do?

The enforced cancelling of all our events made us sit back and think.

We are an independent charity responsible for securing all our own funding. Ordinarily this funding comes from a variety of sources including trusts, foundations and the kind generosity of our supporters, and one of our major sources of income is the events we run. This year, holding events has been a bit of a challenge!

Not to be daunted, the fundraising team set to work, and came up with a series we are calling ‘At Home with Home-Start’; a series of events based entirely on the participants being safe at home.

Let’s talk tasty Back in June we were delighted to partner with local company Pinkster Gin, to bring you a gin tasting evening. It was a huge success. If you’d like to read about the event, take a look at our blog which gives you all the details: https://www.hsrsc.org.uk/2020/08/virtual-gin-tastingspanking-success/ In August we brought you the beer tasting event with local microbrewery Rocket Ales. This tasting offered the chance to try six beers from the brewery, including two that have not yet gone on general sale. Keep an eye out for the blog which gives the low-down on the event.

Starting in September, we’ll be hosting a series of chocolate tastings with world-famous brand Hotel Chocolat. Each ticket costs eighteen pounds and gives you a whole box of delectable Hotel Chocolat 48

chocolates to try, along with a personal tasting guide provided by one of the company’s expert chocolatiers. If you’d like to book a ticket, go to the TicketSource events page to register: www.ticketsource.co.uk Plenty more to tickle your taste buds That’s not all! We have a Tropic Skin Care pamper party in the pipeline, a tea tasting event, a coffee tasting event and a cocktail evening.

Who minds being stuck at home, when there are so many good things to enjoy? And if you’re helping Home-Start while you’re at it? Well, that just makes it all the sweeter.

Home-Start can be contacted via our website: www.hsrsc.org.uk or by email: admin@hsrsc.org.uk Thank you for your support.

Cathy Coulthard Community and Events Development Manager Home-Start Royston & South Cambridgeshire Incorporated as Home-Start Royston & South Cambridgeshire (01763) 262262, admin@hsrsc.org.uk

what3words How what3words can help 999 #KnowExactlyWhere what3words has helped to locate nearly 4,000 incidents since it first started being used by emergency services. It has given every three-metre square in the world a unique identifier made of three words - making the location of any emergency very easy to describe and share.

For example ///tortoises.swarm.announce will take you to a precise location on Ben Nevis where, in February 2020, a group of hikers were rescued.

To locate, search or navigate to a what3words address, all you need is the free app. Make sure you have it downloaded on your device and know how to use it, to help save time, resource and lives.

Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue Service 49

Mick Taylor—(01763) 261118 Graham Borgonon—(01763) 260358 (01763) 262158, open 7am-10pm, 7 days Sherida Richards—(01763) 262512 Paul Ray—(01763) 260304

Cycling Group Local History Group Lunch Club Melwood Cons. Group

John Rogger—(01763) 260809 (01763) 260129; www.meldrethhistory.org.uk Nikki & Julie—07599 292327 (01763) 232855; www.melwood.btck.co.uk

Photographic Group

www.melbourn-photographic-club.co.uk

Revelation U3A WI

Miriam Skuce—(01763) 262440 Chris Davison—(01763) 264189 Jane Bates—(01763) 261638

Sport

Bowls Club Croquet Club Meldreth United FC Table Tennis Tennis Club

Vivien Constable—(01223) 207557 Janet Pope—(01763) 248239 07930 650036 Christine Knight—(01763) 261676 (01763) 243376; http://cspark.at/Meldr2

Church

Rev. Lizzie Shipp Rev. Mary Price Bells John Price (Friends)

(01763) 220626; https://allsaintsmelbournholytrinitymeldreth.co.uk (01763) 261569 Peter Hinton—(01763) 262045 (01763) 260048; www.foht.org.uk

Baby & Toddler Group Hartbeeps Pre-School Primary School

Thea Peacock—07930 893201 Kelly@hartbeeps.com 07518 173653; www.meldrethPreschool.com (01763) 260432; www.meldreth.cambs.sch.uk

Parish Council District Councillor District Council Offices

Please see details at end of Parish Council report Jose Hales—07703 262649 03450 450500; www.scambs.gov.uk/ Susan van de Ven—07905 325574 susanvandeven.mycouncillor.org.uk/ 0345 045 5200; www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/ Anthony Browne; www.anthonybrowne.org/

Councils & Govt.

Clubs & Societies

Facilities

Litter Picker Neighbourhood Watch One Stop Village Hall Bookings Village Hall Chairman

Childn.

Village Directory

County Councillor County Council Offices MP

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Hours: Mon - Fri 7-11.15am, Sat 8.45am - 1.25pm

Rail User Group

07905 325574; www.meldrethsheprethfoxtonrail.org.uk

Transport

Govia/Great Northern

www.thameslinkrailway.com

The Trainline Stagecoach Potholes, Highways problems, etc.

Streetlights (faulty)

www.thetrainline.com www.stagecoachbus.com/Cambridge 0345 045 5212; http://www2.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/ HighwaysReports/Highways/ReportProblem1.aspx 08007838 247 - give location, fault & SC or CCC no.

Health

Melbourn Surgery Addenbrooke’s NHS

(01763) 260220; Dispensary—(01763) 261246 (01223) 245151 111 (24 hour non-emergency number)

Childline

Community Transport Home-Start Melbourn Time Bank Mind (mental health) Samaritans

0800 1111 (24 hours) Cambridge: 0344 848 7979 Royston: 03444 111 444 www.citizensadvice.org.uk (01763) 245228; www.roytrans.co.uk (01763) 262262; www.hsrsc.org.uk (01763) 263303; https://tol2.timebanking.org/melbourn 0300 123 3393 (9am-6pm M-F); www.mind.org.uk 116 123 (24 hours); www.samaritans.org

General Emergency Gas Electricity Anglian Water Cambridge Water

999 or 112 0800 111 999 0800 783 8838 03457 145145; www.anglianwater.co.uk (01223) 706050; www.cambridge-water.co.uk

Crimestoppers

S Cambs Fire & Rescue

0800 555 111; crimestoppers-uk.org 101; www.cambs.police.uk Report issues: www.contactcambspolice.uk (01480) 444500; www.cambsfire.gov.uk

Melbourn Hub

(01763) 263303; www.melbournhub.com

Royston Museum

(01763) 242587; www.roystonmuseum.org.uk

Taxi (Butler Meltax)

(01763) 244444; 212223

Misc.

NonEmerg.

Emergencies

Support Services

Station Ticket Office

Citizens Advice Bureau

Police

Details of village groups and facilities can be found in the Meldreth Today section at 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: Bill Peters 260983; Founder: Ann Barnes Meldreth Matters is available online at issuu.com (search for Meldreth)

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6 months £134.00 £74.00 £43.00 £11.00

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Occasional full page advertising features are also available on request.

For all advertising enquiries, please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com or telephone Beverley Cottrell on (01763) 262176.

Index to Advertisers Meldreth Matters depends entirely on advertising revenue to cover its production costs. Please mention Meldreth Matters when contacting our advertisers.

AngliEAR Hearing ...........................20 Art of Clean .....................................32 Art of Clean Wood ..........................36 Aurora Meldreth Manor ..................25 Cam Valley Orchards ......................25 Cambourne Self Storage ..................36 Cambridge Solar ..............................20 CHS Day Centre ..............................41 CHS Group .....................................14 The Country Store ...........................28 Ely Design Group ............................10 Eternit Sports and Social Club .........36 Eve Construction .............................25 Huw Shortle Window Cleaning .......30 iPlaster ..............................................2 Lawn Partners .................................10 The Letting Centre .....................Cover Little Hands Nursery School ............28 Meadowsweet Gardens .....................5 Melbourn Flooring ..........................28 Melbourn Village College ..................8 Meldreth Landscapes .......................14

Meldreth Motor Company ................5 Meldreth Plant Hire .........................23 Moncraft Computers .......................32 Nancy Foster Footcare .....................35 Newlings of Royston Funeral Service45 Nigel Wigg Home Improvement ......14 Office to Let ....................................32 P D Property Services .......................41 Penn Farm Physiotherapy .................32 Reflections Hair Studio ....................45 Richard Burns Electrician ...................5 Rod’s PC Support ............................35 Royston Fencing ..............................36 Sage Blinds and Interiors ..................28 Slimming World .........................Cover Sparky’s ...........................................32 Specialist Dental Partners ...........Cover Trademark Kitchens ....................Cover Tudor Access Scaffolding ..................35 Village Garden Services .....................2 Yoga2 Classes ...................................8 Z Web Hosting ...............................41 52

The Letting Centre Established 23 years, The Letting Centre is a local, dedicated letting agency based in Melbourn. With longstanding clients some of whom have been with us for 20 years or more, we aim to provide a personal, tailored service covering Cambridge, Royston, Buntingford, Saffron Walden and surrounding villages.

We offer discounted fees for multiple properties, as well as those located in Melbourn and surrounding area.

Call us for a free market appraisal and comprehensive landlord pack.

The Letting Centre, 107 High St, Melbourn, Cambridgeshire SG8 6AP Tel. 01763 263039 email enquiries@letting-centre.co.uk www.letting-centre.co.uk

MELDRETH WEDNESDAY 5.30pm & 7.30pm Meldreth Village Hall High Street, Tel: Alison 07812 825 389

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