Meldreth Matters, September 2021

September 2021

In this issue …

Andrew Jones Help Our Hedgehogs Memories of Meldreth Scouts

Events …

Car Show Jazz & Gin Evening Open Gardens

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 Our trademark is our exceptional ‘conception to completion’ quality of service. We can assist you in everything from inspiration & design management to project delivery & installation.

BEFORE

WINNER

AFTER

“Best professional kitchen remodelling service - East of England”

“The judging process is driven 100% by merit which means that awardees must demonstrate expertise within a given field, dedication to client service and satisfaction and on going commitment to excellence and innovation” - Build Magazine, Home and Garden Awards 2021

43 High Street, Royston SG8 9AW Call us on 01763 245000 / 01223 870440 Email: info@trademark-kitchens.co.uk Follow us on Instagram for inspirational kitchen, bathroom and bedroom ideas @trademarkkitchensandbathrooms

www.trademark-kitchens.co.uk

Contents Gardens & Nature Gardening 36-37 Help our Hedgehogs 34-35 Melwood 32-33

What’s On in September Car Show 18 Centre Pages Diary 30-31 Jazz & Gin 13 Open Gardens 18 & back cover Things to Do in September 10-11

Cookery In Praise of … 38-40

Future Events A10 Cycle Awareness Ride 16 Christmas Fair 14 Christmas Tree Festival 15 Foxton Scarecrow Festival 14

Children & Education Activities for Families 24 Baby & Toddler Group 12 Shepreth Spitfires 22-23

People Farewell Meldreth 5-7 For Andrew 8-9

Local/National Government Local Councillors 49-51 Parish Council 44 Planning 46-47

Village Groups Cycling Group 17 Friends of Holy Trinity 18 Local History Group 12, 27-29 Women’s Group 19 Zumba 12

Advice/Information Advertisers’ Index 60 Be Water Aware 55 Coronavirus Support 56-57 Home-Start 52 Mobile Warden Scheme 54 Neighbourhood Watch 42 Open Eco Homes 54 Refuse Collections 31 Village Directory 58-59

Village News Church Calendar 20 Speedwatch 43 Thakeham & SWCAG 45 MM is available in colour online

To view this or past issues online, visit issuu.com/meldrethmatters 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.

1

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

RML

IT CONSULTANTS LTD

RML IT Consultants Ltd Newton Hall, Town Street, Newton, Cambridge CB22 7ZE Tel: +44 (0) 1223 873747, Mobile 07946 216268 Email: info@rmlconsultants.co.uk

INCORPORATING WANT YOUR P.C. REPAIRED AT REASONABLE RATES?

whatever the size of your company we can help…

Internet connection and security Firewall/VPN solutions provider Installations and upgrades Network and computer support Wireless networking and security

GIVE ME A CALL ON:07946 216268

All our solutions are individually specified for your company ensuring the best and most cost-effective result:

Implementation of messaging systems Web design and content management Email compliance (archiving and retrieval) Hardware and software expertise and sourcing

2

Editorial Welcome to the September issue of Meldreth Matters.

This month’s magazine begins with an article by Andrew Jones, who retired as Deputy Headteacher of Meldreth Primary School in July. Andrew had been at the school since 1998 and will be known to many readers of this magazine, both as a teacher and as the author of most of the articles that the school has submitted to MM over the past few years. Also included in this issue is a poem written for Andrew by MM team member and former Meldreth Primary School teacher Lesley Pemberton (see pages 8-9). All members of the MM team would like to wish Andrew a very long and very happy retirement.

There is plenty happening in the village this month. There is a Jazz & Gin evening in the Village Hall and the Friends of Holy Trinity are running two events: an Open Gardens event centred around Meldreth Court and a Car Show. More local groups are beginning to meet again too; see page 12 and the centre pages diary for details.

Kathryn

Cover Photograph Front cover: Meldreth Primary School This month’s wonderful cover illustration is by Andrew Jones, who has just retired as Deputy Headteacher of Meldreth Primary School.

See pages 5-9 of this issue for his reflections on his time at the school and for a poem penned as a tribute to him.

Richard Burns

Dust Free Wood Floor Sanding & Restoration

ELECTRICIAN For installation, repair or advice please call

Is your Wooden Floor in need of Sanding?

Tel: Mob:

01763 263 121 07958 028 729

sockets@richardburnselectrician.co.uk

Call today on 01223 863 632

Part P approved Certified installer

Please quote “Meldreth Mag” Denny Lodge Business Park, Ely Road, Chittering

3

Compliant to BS7671 Based in Meldreth

We are recruiting!

Would you like to join our amazing team of Support Workers at Aurora Meldreth and Orchard Manor?

Find out how you could make a difference to the lives of children and young people with multiple complex needs.

Come along to our Recruitment fair on:

Saturday 11th September, 11am-2 pm

Call: 01763

268 000 to register your interest

Visit: https://www.theauroragroup.co.uk/meldrethmanor

… or just drop by on the day!

ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS FOR

PLANNING & BUILDING REGULATION APPLICATIONS FOR

EXTENSIONS ALTERATIONS LOFT CONVERSIONS CONTACT US now to arrange a FREE on-site meeting at your convenience to discuss your project

01353 649649 mail@elydesigngroup.co.uk www.elydesigngroup.co.uk

4

Farewell Meldreth During my first year at the Primary School in 1998 I walked around the village taking photographs of interesting details I could find, to encourage children to take a closer look at the place where they lived.

The display included the wooden scout badge on the old scout hut long since closed and converted into a home; an old hay cart which stood for years at the station end of Flambards Close; the old pump that stands just off the pavement in North End – all things that told a tale of their own and quietly documented the history of Meldreth.

Meldreth village itself has long proved to be a rich and enduring resource for children's learning in school. Our younger children in Key Stage 1 and Early Years have made weekly visits to the riverside and woods for some years now, using the natural environment as a springboard for scientific, humanities and imaginative work. Prior to Covid, groups of children could frequently be seen industriously pottering around on diverse and purposeful projects in Melwood and hopefully these will resume in the autumn term. One year, I ran a project with a class of seven year olds, where we set ourselves up as a conservation group ‘Wild at Heart’ with a mission to make the riverside and woods in Meldreth as perfect as possible for wildlife to thrive.

Steve and Sandra Webb of the River Mel Restoration Group talked to the children and led river dipping sessions, leaving the children with a deep love and respect for the biodiversity on our doorstep. Our annual Fun Run for Red Nose Day has for almost twenty years now, wound its way along the woodland trail to the old mill and back – a much loved institution that returned this year after a Covid enforced absence in 2020.

When studying Meldreth during wartime, it has been fascinating to look through the old school registers to discover how evacuee children from London swelled the numbers on the school roll during 1939 and 1940 and to re-enact our own ‘evacuation’ by dressing up in our 1940s clobber – complete with gasmasks – and parading from Meldreth station to spend a day in the village school – 1940s style – before being billeted with our evacuee ‘aunties and uncles’.

From time to time we have made visits to Adcock’s [Topcliffe] Mill in North End, kindly hosted by Kathryn Betts. It is truly spellbinding for children and adults alike to climb the rickety stairs to the upper floor of 5

the mill where seed sacks still hang waiting for freshly ground wheat and the cogs and beams, flywheels and fittings stand poised, ready to turn once more should the waterwheel be reinstalled.

The unmistakeable whiff of chaff still pervades the air and always adds plenty of atmosphere as Kath recounts the tale of the ghost of Meldreth Mill!

Another enchanting visit that I have made with classes on a couple of occasions in years gone by is to Cam Valley Orchards in Whitecroft Road, where we have both watched the spring pollination and autumn harvest under the guiding hand of Tim and Nicky Elbourn along with one or other of the girls – (all of whom I am enormously proud to have taught). Romping though orchards, chomping through Jonagold and Pearmains, riding on trailers and creating links with a generations-old Meldreth economy certainly has a singular magic which will always stay with me as I’m sure it will with those lucky children who visited with me.

A tradition that ended about eight years ago was our annual musical show with the children at Meldreth Manor School. For about five years, my class of 7-8 year olds worked through the summer term with an extraordinary composer and impresario called Peter Jackson – an erstwhile member of seventies prog rock group Van der Graf Generator.

Together with the staff and children of the Manor School we created an annual musical extravaganza which took place in a vast marquee in the beautiful grounds of the school. We made props and costumes and instruments and learned an enormous number of songs which were spun into elaborate stories that took all day to perform. I have never experienced anything quite like those shows … they were incredibly moving experiences and will always have a special place in my heart.

The Meldreth History website (www.meldrethhistory.org.uk) is and remains a phenomenally valuable resource for us in school, providing us with pictures, documents and first- hand recollections that bring the history of Meldreth into sharp relief – providing children with an experience of their village which is as close to time travel as is possible.

I always couple our history study with local history walks that similarly strip away the years and enable children to know their village in a deeper and more rounded way. Children will know about what we call ‘The Great Fire of Meldreth’ of 1908, which destroyed all the homes

6

between Keys Cottage next to the school and the site of the current shop. As we walk on down the High Street, they will stop and imagine old Mr Mortlock emerging from the gateway of The Court in his carriage on his way to the new railway station – one of Meldreth’s first commuters. They will list off all the old pubs of Meldreth; The Green Man, The Railway Tavern, The Dumb Flea, The Bell, The Sailor’s Return and The British Queen - last ma’am standing. We will pause at the stocks and muse over the origin of the great stone that stands alongside - then imagine ne’er do wells of days gone by being left for a day or more in the stocks themselves at the mercy of their fellow villagers.

After a pause at the old forge, where we stand and imagine we can hear the bellows gasping and the chink of hammer on anvil, we find our way finally to the church. Here I spent my last Monday morning with my class on a scorching day in July. We sat together in the shade beneath the yew tree there and mused over the legions of baptisms, weddings and funerals that have inexorably marked Meldreth time through the centuries … and then we considered what may have stood on the mound where the church now stands even before it was built, in time not documented, maybe before Meldreth even had its name.

The wealth of learning, the depth of history, the orchards, the woods, the people, the buildings and the school of Meldreth – I have truly loved my time with all these things and I shall miss them dearly.

Andrew Jones 7

For Andrew I wrote the poem below for Andrew Jones, Deputy Headteacher of Meldreth Primary School on the occasion of his retirement at the end of last term.

Jonesy the time has finally come, To put away white board and pens, No more marking or planning or data to do, Just time for family and friends.

Your years here at Meldreth, have helped to shape lives, Giving youngsters the chance to learn more, With your charm and good wit, you have helped them to blossom, And their talents were able to soar!

From your classroom is heard, lots of laughter and fun, As you toot the recorder or act, Through imaginative play children learned all the skills, And you’ve taught them many a fact.

Dressing up is your forte and playing a role, Such as Babar or the BFG From Saxons to Romans to Egyptians and Greeks, Your bed sheets have seen it all!

Who can forget when we listened intently To Olaf’s adventures anew, With a real camp fire risk assessment compliant, And no casualties that day – phew!!

The children have loved all the school trips you’ve planned, Outcomes educationally considered with care, They remember with fondness what they bought from the shop, And who they sat next to in-order to get there!

8

Many a change education has seen, Since the day that you first became sir, From chalk boards to banders, National Curriculum and SATs, They have passed by in a bit of a blur.

Thankfully though the children remain, The energetic infuriating bunch, With magic a moment of “I get it now sir!”

As you leave for a bite of your lunch.

So what will you do now your days are all free?

No more Ofsted to worry about.

Bird watching or art, walking camping with mates, Or maybe the odd beer or stout.

Whatever you choose relish the time, You deserve after all of the years, Of marking and planning and rushing about, So to you we all give three cheers!

Lesley Pemberton

Huw Shortle

To advertise in this space, email Beverley Cottrell at meldrethmatters@hotmail.com

Pure Water Window Cleaning

07915 378397

See our rates on page 60

info@huwclean.co.uk 9

Things to Do in September Here are some things happening in September in the local area. Some Coronavirus restrictions and conditions may still apply - please check before you book. If you would like to let us know about any future event or activity please email meldrethmatters@hotmail.com.

Until Monday 6th September, throughout the day Barley Church Flower Tower Barley Church, Church End, Barley, Herts SG8 8JP Draped with 1450 flowers knitted, crocheted and stitched by the villagers, the church’s 15 metre tower now looks amazing! Free but donations in support of the church’s fund-raising campaign welcomed at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/barleyflowertower.

Saturday 4th September, 11.00am to 4.00pm 20th Annual Buntingford Classic Car Show Buntingford Town Centre SG9 9AF Classic cars, trucks, tractors and bikes of all ages in historic high street setting. Plus BBQs and live musicians. Free. For further details please visit: www.buntingfordchamberofcommerce.co.uk.

Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th September, 10.00am to 5.00pm Shuttleworth Collection Vintage Working Weekend Old Warden Aerodrome, Hill Lane, Biggleswade SG18 9DX Vintage steam and working vehicles and entertainment on both days with annual vintage flying show on the Sunday. Steam fairground, 1920s bus rides, children’s play area plus attractive Swiss Garden. For more details and to book tickets: www.shuttleworth.org.

Wednesday 8th September, 10.00am to 12noon Wildflowers of Wandlebury Wandlebury Country Park, Gog Magog, Cambridge CB22 3AE Gentle guided walk to learn about summer wild flowers at Wandlebury. Led by a warden who will help you identify wild flowers by their colour, form and habitat. Meet at the noticeboard in the car park. Free but suggested £3 donation. See: www.cambridgeppf.org.

Friday 10th to Sunday 19th September, various times and locations Open Cambridge Ten days of tours, walks, films, talks and a host of activities that bring together local people and visitors to celebrate the unique heritage, 10

culture and community of Cambridge. For information and bookings, see: www.opencambridge.cam.ac.uk.

Friday 17th September, 1.00pm to 4.00pm D-Day Darlings The Maltings, Ship Lane, Ely CB7 4BB The UK’s premier wartime act come to Ely in a special matinee stage show. Featuring the timeless lyrics and music of the World War II years. For more details of the event visit: www.themaltingsely.org.uk.

Reserved seating tickets £21.45 from www.thelittleboxoffice.com/ oeplive/event/view/116154.

Friday 17th September, 8.00pm Foyer Jazz: Dan Forshaw’s Jazz Trio Saffron Hall, Audley End Road, Saffron Walden CB11 4UH Acclaimed trio brings you ‘piano-less’ jazz inspired by Sonny Rollins, Branford Marsalis and Ornette Coleman, plus their take on music from Nirvana, Stevie Wonder and Oasis. Tickets from £13.50. Book on www.events.saffronhall.com.

Saturday 18th September, 10.00am to 1.00pm Introduction to Sustainable Gardening Cambridge University Botanical Garden An online course, led by Sandie Cain, to help you learn new gardening skills, conserve water and soil, choose plants for a warmer future and transform your garden into a wildlife haven. No previous experience needed. Course fee £25. To book visit: www.botanic.cam.ac.uk.

Friday 24th to Sunday 26th September, various venues and times Royston Arts Festival With a theme of ‘Renewal’ and going live again this year though in a reduced format. For full programme see September edition of The Listing magazine or visit www.the listing magazine.co.uk.

Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th September, 10.00am to 5.00pm Audley End Apple Festival Audley End House, off London Road, Saffron Walden CB11 4JF Celebrate all things apple with over 150 delicious varieties in their organic kitchen garden. Tips, tours and demonstrations from expert gardeners. Traditional music. Free to English Heritage members. For non-members please visit english-heritage.org.uk for ticket prices.

Compiled by John Crawforth 11

Meldreth Zumba Zumba takes place from 8.00-9.00pm every Monday in Meldreth Village Hall. This is a fun, relaxed class and all are welcome! The cost is £5 pay as you go or a block of five for £20. Payment is by bank transfer. Please email me for details if you would like to attend.

Thea theaharrison@yahoo.co.uk

Baby & Toddler Group We will return Wednesday 15th September (not the 8th as previously advertised) from 9.30am - 11.30am in the Village Hall. We are a friendly and supportive group of local parents and carers. The cost is £2 per family, which includes a drink and a biscuit for the children and hot drinks for the adults. There are toys, fun activities, stories and singing plus a chance for the grown ups to chat and enjoy a hot drink.

We are still looking for people who would like to help with the running of the group - setting up, making hot drinks, clearing up etc. If you are interested in getting more involved please contact me.

Julia Moore 07403 462198

Meldreth Local History Group www.meldrethhistory.org.uk After a long enforced break due to covid, we are delighted that we can resume our regular research meetings beginning on Monday 6th September.

Meetings will take place in the Sheltered Housing Community Room in Elin Way from 9.30-11.30am on the first and third Mondays of each month (excluding public holidays).

If you would like to join the group and help us with our research into the village’s history you would be very welcome. Please email info@meldrethhistory.org.uk or telephone me on (01763) 260129.

Joan Gane Chairman, MLHG 12

JAZZ AND GIN The brilliant

Miss Jones Jazz Band and Gin bar!

Saturday 18th September 19:30 – 22:00 Meldreth Village Hall Come along and join us for an evening of nostalgia and escapism with jazz and swing from the 1930s – 1960s

Lindy hop dancing and a glass or two of gin (other drinks available)!

Tickets £12 available from hmeridew@btinternet.com

07787 734 973 Includes light nibbles and ticket for the raffle (All proceeds to the Arthur Rank Hospice)

13

Foxton Scarecrow Festival We will be holding our Scarecrow Festival once again on Saturday 9th October, so please come along and join us for some scarecrow fun!

As in previous years, you’ll be able to wander through Foxton village from one scarecrow to another. There will be fundraising activities, a children’s quiz, refreshments and entertainment.

Programmes will be available on the day from the Church, the Village Hall and the Village Shop, Foxton. For further information, email foxtonscarecrow@gmail.com or find us on Facebook.

Foxton Scarecrow Committee

Walking Market and Christmas Fair There hasn’t been sufficient interest to have another Walking Market which had been suggested for September, so that won’t be taking place.

I am looking forward instead, to the Christmas Fair on Sunday 21st November in the Village Hall, which will be held subject to there being no covid restrictions in place at the time. Several stalls have already been booked but there is room for more, so if you make or create or know anyone who does and might like to book a place, please let me know.

This will present an opportunity to do some Christmas shopping locally while helping to support Meldreth Primary School Swimming Pool fund and Home-Start, who will provide refreshments for purchase throughout the day.

Mainly local crafts and arts will be available, including wood turned pieces, pressed flower pictures, ceramics, greetings/Christmas cards, photo prints, crystal Christmas decorations, hand-made gifts and stationery, beaded and silver jewellery. More detailed information should be available in October’s Meldreth Matters.

Lesley Farbridge lesleyfarbridge@hotmail.com 07917 065465 14

Christmas Tree Festival with a Difference Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th November 2021 As residents of Meldreth you will be delighted to hear that the Christmas Tree Festival Committee are hopeful that we may be able to hold an event this year now that Covid restrictions are being lifted.

At the moment we are considering the ways in which we can proceed with safety measures in place. We will have a one way route around the church to view the trees and we would respectfully ask visitors to wear face masks in the church. We will hopefully have our usual produce/cakes and craft stalls under cover outside.

Please make a note of the date in your diary. More information will be available in future editions of the magazine. We look forward to seeing you all again.

Margaret Goddin

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

15

A10 Cycle Awareness Ride Sunday 3rd October 2021 A reminder that the A10 Awareness Ride will make a comeback on Sunday 3rd October, leaving Trumpington Park and Ride at 10.30am bound for Melbourn. The ride will stick to the A10 cycle path and help familiarise cyclists of all ages with the current route and Melbourn Greenway plans to improve it. Both road and Foxton level crossing junctions will be supervised by marshals, and we hope to finish with refreshments on Phillimore Garden Centre’s front lawn. If you can help volunteer as a marshal or in any other way, please get in touch. The ride will be subject to any Covid restrictions, of course.

Any questions, please contact: contacta10cycle@gmail.com.

Susan van de Ven and Mike Prior-Jones

EVE CONSTRUCTION LTD Experienced professional local builder

Extensions, garden rooms, home office, alterations, structural work, carpentry, block drives, landscaping, and all types of general building work Contact Mark 07889 669138 | 01223 264909 enquiries@eveconstruction.co.uk www.eveconstruction.co.uk 16

Meldreth Marvels Cycling Group Here we are, after months of severe restrictions. On this fabulous day, we rode about 25 miles, meeting up at Burwash Manor Barns for a coffee break and chat.

A number of the group are now riding e-bikes, so handy when one is facing a stiff West Anglian breeze! If anyone would like to try an e-bike, do let us know.

Group rides depart from the lay-by opposite Holy Trinity Church every Tuesday at 9.15am.

The A10 Cycle Awareness Ride is taking place on Sunday 3rd October at 10.30am, departing from Trumpington Park & Ride (see previous page). We will be cycling to Phillimore Garden Centre in Melbourn, where refreshments will be available. Several group members will be taking part, so please join us.

John Rogger (01763) 260809 17

Friends of Holy Trinity www.foht.org.uk After almost 18 months since our last event The Friends are pleased to be organising two events in September.

The first is Open Gardens on Sunday 5th September centred on the Court in the High Street, there are details on the back cover and there will be posters around the village as well The second will be the 16th annual Car Show on Sunday 26th September and will run much as in previous years, as follows:  Up to 50 vintage, classic interesting, sporting cars dating from 1913 like this Buick.  Some motorbikes some pedal bikes

and

hopefully

 Auto Jumble  Teas and barbecue  Music by the Memphis Jazz Band  Entry £5.00 children under 16 free  Open from 2.00pm to 5.00pm Posters will also be placed around the village.

The committee with three new members, Robert Skeen, Julie Draper and Ian Mitchell, will be working hard to make these and future events successful. Robert our new treasurer has had a busy time dealing with the varying procedures of Barclays, Charity Commissioners and HMRC Gift Aid section.

During the pandemic we been grateful to our supporters for their help raising funds for maintaining the fabric of our village church and we hope that more interesting events can be organised.

Both events will need to comply with any Covid related restrictions that might arise.

John Price 18

Melbourn & Meldreth Women’s Group On 15th July members were on Zoom to hear Patsy Glazebrook Vice President and Event Organiser for The Cambridge Fundraising Committee who supports The Sick Children’s Trust Charity. The SCT runs ‘Homes from Homes’ where parents and siblings can stay when a child in the family is seriously ill in hospital. If we think back to the 50’s and 60’s and before, children who were in hospital were not allowed frequent visitors as it was feared that it would unsettle them.

Over the years it was realised that regular contact with their family helped to reassure the ill child.

The Sick Children’s Trust Charity was formed in 1982. The first home was in London and now there are several across the country.

Cambridge has both Acorn House built in 1999 at Addenbrookes Hospital with fifteen ensuite rooms, and Chestnut House, built in the Rosie Maternity Unit which serves those who have babies in the Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit. There is no charge for the use of these facilities although the estimated cost is about £40 per night. Families provide their own food and do their own laundry in the communal facilities.

There is a Cambridge Fund Raising Committee which in normal times regularly holds interesting event lunches, evening lectures and tea parties with interesting guest speakers. Should you wish to volunteer to help or find out more about their programme of events or request a speaker, please contact Patsy on glazebrc@doctors.org.uk.

Patsy showed us a DVD which told the story of one family who had been resident in Acorn House when one of their children was seriously ill in Addenbrookes Hospital.

Our September meeting is on 28th September when Carol Read will speak to us about the ‘Stand by Me Bereavement Support Group’. At the time of writing we do not know if this will be in person or on Zoom. To find out more please contact one of the committee members: Pat Smith (01763)262575 Sue Toule (01763) 260955, Angela Leach (01763) 262793, Pat Ames (01763) 261130, Kimmi Crosby 07976 228377, Mary Bailey (01763) 220171 or Diane Blundell (01763) 221415 Pat Smith 19

Holy Trinity Church September Calendar Please note that the service pattern below may change at short notice.

5th September 09.45 Said Eucharist (with organ) 12th September 08.00 Said Eucharist 19th September 09.45 Said Eucharist (with organ) for Harvest Holy Trinity remains open for private prayer: Monday - Friday 10.00am – 6.00pm Saturday Closed for cleaning Sunday Open for services only From time to time we may need to close the church at short notice. If you are displaying any symptoms of Covid-19, or if you are selfisolating, you must not enter the church building.

Until further notice we will continue with our most recent practice; everyone is requested: 1. To wear a mask, unless they are a child or are medically exempt, or are singing in the choir or reading the lesson; 2. To sanitise their hands upon entry and before receiving Holy Communion; 3. To check in using the NHS Test and Trace app, or register their details with a ‘steward’ - sides-person; 4. To avoid touching areas unnecessarily; 5. To ensure that they observe a 1m+ physical distancing at all times.

This will increase the Covid-secure capacity in our church; 6. To follow the directions of those working to keep us all safe; and 7. To be aware that other people might be anxious and/or are clinically extremely vulnerable.

The prayer request books have been removed. If you have any prayer requests, please contact Revd. Mary Price (01763) 261569 or Pat Smith (01763) 262575.

Your PCC are reviewing these conditions regularly with a view to removing continuing restrictions as quickly as possible.

Holy Trinity Meldreth 20

N J Chapman

MELDRETH

Garden Services Handyman

LANDSCAPES

Mobile: 07592 725 169

Design & Layout Plans

Email: nigeljchapman3@gmail.com

Hard Landscaping & Lighting Planting & Water Features

Cambourne Self Storage

Pergolas, Decking, etc

Outdoor Storage 24 Hour Access 7 Days a Week 365 Days a Year

Tel: 01763 261463

24 Hour Remotely Monitored CCTV Sensor Flood Lighting Keypad Entry and High Security Locks,

www.meldrethlandscapes.co.uk

Vehicle Access Directly to Unit Doors

01767 676189

Kneesworth Rd., Meldreth, Royston, Herts

www.CambourneSelfStorage.co.uk

Whaddon Road, Meldreth, SG8 5RL

Club Facili es

Entertainments

Licensed bar Hall available for private hire for any occasion (compe ve rates) Fully equipped gymnasium (annual subscrip on) Snooker room, Pool table Large children's outdoor ac vity area Petanque pistes Football pitches, changing rooms

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

21

Shepreth Spitfires Football Club www.sheprethspitfires.co.uk It has been an amazing month for all of the Spitfire teams and for the whole club as part of the wider local community. This is because we have all had to pull together to organise two fundraising football tournaments for a total of over four hundred children. Parents, grandparents, aunties, siblings and friends of the children packed sweets, cooked burgers, refereed matches, designed programmes and erected gazebos to make both days so lovely for the children. Added to this, the Eternit Sports and Social Club kept the adults and children going by serving some lovely cold drinks from the bar; it is such an amazing venue!

Additionally, our sponsors at Barker Brothers Butchers, Shelford really supported the event and we would like to say a huge thank you to Kate Barker and her family because we could never have raised such a great amount of money without their very kind donations of the most amazing burgers and sausages (which we fully sold out of).

The Shepreth under 9s tournament was the first to take place and what a day it was.

After five 6 v 6 qualifying matches, eight teams out of 24 went into the quarter finals.

Unfortunately two of the three Shepreth teams knocked each other out in the group stages but both teams were very proud of their performances throughout the day and lots of ice creams were eaten before during and after matches :). One Shepreth team, 19 Squadron, made it all of the way to the final though and beat a very good Bury Town team 1 – 0 to win the tournament, which resulted in so much celebration - including ice cream being eaten out of their winners trophies.

22

The under 11s Spitfires tournament was also fantastic, with 200 boys and girls having a great day playing football, again at the Eternit.

Both Shepreth teams qualified into the quarter finals. All of the local teams did well and Shepreth 66 Sqn lost to Foxton in the quarter final. This meant that as Shepreth’s other team (19 Sqn) had won their quarter final Shepreth played Foxton in the semi-finals. There was lots of cheering and great football played by both teams and in the end Shepreth 19 Sqn won. After this, Shepreth played Hoddesdon FC in the final. Shepreth lost 2 – 0 but were, after their initial disappointment, thrilled with their runners up trophies.

The two days were fantastic for the children and it was great to see all of the support given to the Shepreth Spitfires by an army of local volunteers.

The children are now looking forward to starting their league football in September after a well earned summer break. If anyone would like to join the Shepreth Spitfires please use our web page www.sheprethspitfires.co.uk or call Lucy on 07510 175370. We currently have teams from under 7s to under 13s.

Lucy Smith Shepreth Spitfires Football Club

www.meldrethhistory.org.uk See the Meldreth Today Section for information on local clubs and groups 23

Things for Children and Families To Do Wednesday 1st - Saturday 4th September, 10.30am - 4.30pm The Tiger Who Came to Tea Exhibition North Hertfordshire Museum, 14 Brand Street, Hitchin SG5 1JE Free entry to the exhibition. For a treat, book a tiger-themed afternoon tea on www.north-herts-museum.arttickets.org.uk.

Saturday 4th September, 12.00pm - 4.30pm Stourbridge Medieval Fair Leper Chapel, Newmarket Road, Cambridge CB5 8JJ Step back in time to a re-enactment of the famous fair in the grounds of Cambridge’s oldest building - which can also be visited. Dancing, singing, stories, stall with crafts and talks about history. Free.

Friday 10th September - Tuesday 30th November Autumn Animals Cambridge Botanic Gardens, 1 Brookside, Cambridge CB2 1JE Pick up an animal card as you arrive and create your own artwork as you tour the gardens. A different animal card will be available each week. Admission charges - adults £6.30, children free.

Saturday 11th September, 9.00am - 12.00pm Guilden Morden Village Market The Three Tuns, 30 High Street, Guilden Morden SG8 0JP Local artisan food and drink, craft stalls, refreshments.

Sunday 12th September, 12.00pm - 4.00pm Hertford Castle Heritage Day, Castle Street SG14 1 HR Medieval encampments, bouncy castles, birds of prey, archery workshops, Viking battle re-enactments, storytelling and falconry displays. Visit the castle. Free entry but donations to the Mayor of Hertford’s charity welcomed. www.hertford.gov.uk.

Looking for inspiration with your art work?

Try the Young People pages www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/Learning.

Download the pages that interest you to guide your visit to the museum.

Book now for Christmas at Wimpole - a new illuminated trail through the gardens. www.christmasatwimpole.seetickets.com.

Compiled by Hilary Crawforth 24

CLEANER WANTED

GARDENER WANTED

I am looking for a regular weekly cleaner to clean our three bed detached, two bath, three reception rooms, house in Meldreth.

Please can you contact me by text or email if you are able to take on the job and arrange to give me an estimate to do so.

References required.

Text any time: 07821 764 329 Or email: hennelig@gmail.com

I am looking for a regular weekly gardener to maintain our well established cottage garden at our detached house in Meldreth.

Please can you contact me by text or email if you are able to take on the job and arrange to give me an estimate to do so.

References required.

Text any time: 07821 764 329 Or email: hennelig@gmail.com

Reconnect to your life Whatever your hearing difficulty, angli-EAR Hearing uses the most up-to-date tests and equipment to find the best solution for you.

Ear Wax Removal

Hearing Aids

Tinnitus Solutions

Find us at our new address: Audiology House (Cambridge) 15 Woollards Lane, Great Shelford, Cambridge CB22 5LZ

BOOK ONLINE

FREE ear health check today

Independent audiology experts you can trust Hearing Assessments

Book your

01223 661399

www.angliearhearing.co.uk

info@angliearhearing.co.uk

25

JACKSON COX OPTICIANS

For all your domestic electrical needs.

➢

NHS & PRIVATE EYE TESTS

➢

CATARACT, GLAUCOMA TESTS

➢

MACULAR DEGENERATION CHECKS

➢

CONTACT LENS CHECKS

➢

OCT EYE SCAN

➢

DESIGNER FRAMES AND LENSES

➢

FREE ON ROAD PARKING

Visit

sparkys.online Mobile

07974 375 377

30A WOOLARDS LANE, GREAT SHELFORD, CB22 5LZ

Email

www.jackson-cox-optician.com

info@sparkys.online

01223 840 441 A. SAXENA, MCOptom OPTOMETRIST

Moorlands Court

P.D. Property Services

Over 60? Feeling a bit lonely?

Why not try our Day Centre?

1 Abbots Close Litlington Nr Royston, Herts SG8 0QQ

 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?

25274

25274

PLUMBING, HEATING & GAS FULL BATHROOM DESIGN & INSTALL OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE

01763 853 778 MOB 07768 332380

TEL

To find out more, just call us at Moorlands Court on 01763 260564, or email : denise.taylor@chsgroup.org.uk

ASK FOR PAUL

26

Meldreth Local History Group www.meldrethhistory.org.uk On our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/meldrethhistory) we recently shared some photographs of Scouts in Meldreth. This prompted Stephen Marshall to get in touch with us and Stephen very kindly shared memories of his involvement with the Scouts in an article, which has now been published on our website. Below is an extract from Stephen’s article. His full account and additional photographs can be viewed on our website.

Personal Memories of Meldreth Scouts, 1982-1996 I first became associated with Meldreth Scouts in about 1982 when I joined the parents’ committee and also helped Rod Barnes, the Scout Leader as an assistant. In 1986 I was approached by the committee to ask if I would take on the leader role for the troop. I believed that as I had been a Scout in my youth, managing to attain my Queen’s Scout Award, I had a responsibility to the younger generation to try and pass on some of my knowledge and help them enjoy the type of good times I had enjoyed as a Scout.

Originally the Scouts met in the Village Hall, but with nowhere to store equipment and limitations on the boisterous games which could be played this was not ideal. We then had the chance to move into the old Red Cross hut, next to the British Queen in the High Street.

I believe this hut had been built in the 1880s as a working men’s temperance venue, paid for by a subscription of 10 shillings (50p) per man. Its history of use is somewhat vague, but it was used by the Red Cross, probably Groups working in the Scout Hut during WWII and after, but fell out of use by 1980. After considerable communication about its legal ownership, it was agreed the Scouts could have sole use of it for a peppercorn rent (never paid to my knowledge!) as long as we agreed it was owned by the local Conservative Association. When the Scouts “moved in” there was no electricity, no gas and no water on the site.

27

Our summer camps, always under canvas, were held in the first week of the school summer holidays. My attitude was basically that Scouts should be kept safe, and they had a shirt-off wash each day and clean hands for cooking and eating. Water, trees, mud, games in the dark were mainstays of many of our adventures. Whilst at camp the patrols, under the direction of the Patrol Leader, always cooked their own breakfasts and dinners and the leaders also ate what the boys had cooked. I am pleased to say that every year virtually every Scout chose to come on camp, which other troops told me was an Summer Camp at Thriftwood, 1993 unusually high percentage.

The Scouts were always well represented at our regular church parades and especially at the annual Remembrance Service at the village war memorial.

Eagle Patrol was the name given to the offshoot of our troop, who were a patrol of Meldreth Manor School boys, most in wheelchairs, who enjoyed scouting activities under their own leader. We tried to meet together twice a term and held a camp and several day activities all together. Cross country hiking with Scouts in wheelchairs was challenging but good fun was enjoyed by all and it helped develop tolerance and perseverance among all the Scout patrols.

Over the ten years I was privileged to lead the troop I had many helpers, usually parents, who contributed massively and without whose help we could not have functioned. The Cub Leader (Akala), also having the role of Group Scout Leader during these years was Brenda Knight, a teacher at Meldreth Primary School, who provided much guidance and assistance. The list of all those who helped the Scouts during these years is very long. I hesitate to name them as I shall inevitably miss several of them but I certainly remember owing many thanks to the following: Mike Mynn, who was our canoe expert, Nick Askham, Philip Knight, Stuart McGill, Jeff Dickinson, Steve Oakman (who took over leadership in 1996, when work travel commitments forced me to leave) and especially Roger Mellor who both helped at 28

Friday meetings and acted as Quartermaster on many camps ensuring rations were accurately issued, helping in running the camp and most onerously ensuring the patrols scrubbed their cooking pots (used over wood fires) to a mirror like finish before they were packed away at the end of camp.

A Cub and Scout outing to Duxford I believe that any activity for young people which encourages friendship, comradeship, community spirit, self-assurance and self-reliance must be a good thing. Whilst I encountered a very few boys who did not enjoy Scouts, and soon left, the overwhelming majority were keen to come along on Fridays, and excited at going on camps and expeditions. I only know of the careers of a few of the Scouts and there must have been many influences on them as growing young men and women, but of those I do know who are now in midcareer they include professions such as: officers in the military, banking and finance, local government, professional football, commercial flying and architecture, all at senior levels. I think it is fair to say that being a Scout didn’t stifle these young people in their careers.

Sometimes during my years as leader I wondered why I gave up every Friday evening as well as several weekends and some of my annual leave to help with scouting. One Scout thought it was for the pay, but as I have never met any member of the scouting movement who was paid, it wasn’t that! I always came to the conclusion that it was for the joy of seeing the boys enjoying themselves, making friends, learning skills of leadership and “good citizenship” (even though they didn’t know it) and also for the fun it gave me.

P.S. If you want to see the Scout hut today it has been partially rebuilt, more than doubled in size and transformed into a lovely house sited across the car park from the British Queen. I am also certain it now has running water as well as electricity!

Stephen Marshall 29

Meldreth Village Diar Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday 6.30pm Slimming World

The copy deadline for the October issue of Meldreth Matters is Sunday 12th September 9.30-11.30am Meldreth Local History Group 11.00-12.00 Trigger Point Pilates

6

4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children 8.00-9.00pm Zumba

1

9.15am Meldreth Marvels Cycling Group

7

1.30-2.30pm Aerobics 7.00-8.00pm Pilates

6.30pm Slimming World

8

Thurs

10.00am Hartb

6.00-6.45pm P

2

7.30pm Parish

Start of Sch

10.00am Hartb

6.00-6.45pm P

9

7.00-9.00pm T

11.00-12.00 Trigger Point Pilates 4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children

9.15am Meldreth Marvels Cycling Group

8.00-9.00pm Zumba

7.00-8.00pm Pilates

9.30-11.30am Meldreth Local History Group

9.15am Meldreth Marvels Cycling Group

9.30-11.30am Toddler Group

6.00-6.45pm P

11.00-12.00 Trigger Point Pilates

1.30-2.30pm Aerobics

6.30pm Slimming World

7.00-9.00pm T

9.30-11.30am Toddler Group

10.00am Hartb

6.30pm Slimming World

7.00-9.00pm T

9.30-11.30am Toddler Group

10.00am Hartb

6.00-6.45pm P 7.00-9.00pm T

13 14 15 1 10.40-11.30 Mobile Library 6.30pm Slimming World 1.30-2.30pm Aerobics

10.00am Hartb

20 21 22 2

4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children

7.00-8.00pm Pilates

8.00-9.00pm Zumba

11.00-12.00 Trigger Point Pilates 4.00-6.30pm Street Dance for Children

9.15am Meldreth Marvels Cycling Group 1.30-2.30pm Aerobics

6.00-6.45pm P

27 28 29 30 7.00-8.00pm Pilates

8.00-9.00pm Zumba

Church services are held in Holy Trinity Church. The Mobile Library Service visits Bell C MLHG meet in the Community Room in Elin Way. All other

30

ry - September 2021

sday

beeps

Pilates

2

Council

hool Term

beeps

Pilates

9

Table Tennis

beeps

Friday

Saturday

9.30am Slimming World

3

4

Sunday 9.45am Said Eucharist with organ 12.00-4.30pm Meldreth Court Open Gardens (see page 18 & back cover)

5

8.00am Said Eucharist

9.30am Slimming World

10 11 12

MM Copy Deadline

9.30am Slimming World

Pilates Table Tennis

7.30-10.00pm Jazz & Gin (see page 13)

9.45am Said Eucharist with organ for Harvest

6 17 18 19

beeps

2.00-5.00pm FOHT Car Show (see page 18)

9.30am Slimming World

Pilates

3 24 25 26

Table Tennis

beeps

Pilates

9.30am Slimming World

0 31

Table Tennis

Refuse Collections Black bins: 1st*, 14th, 28th Blue & green bins: 7th, 21st * day late due to public holiday

lose. Meldreth Marvels Cycling Group meet in the lay-by opposite Holy Trinity Church. events are held in the Village Hall unless otherwise indicated.

31

Melwood Autumn Preparations for Spring Even as we wait for summer to properly arrive, thoughts turn to the work that will be needed to ensure the show of spring flowers that are a big feature of Melwood. The taller of the wild flowers of late spring and early summer have long since finished blooming and dry stalks now stand or lie where they once grew. These need to be cut and cleared to make room for new shoots that will bring forth next year’s show. One area that will have to wait for its cut is at the back of the wood, where, despite the smothering effect of dense stands of Hedge Parsley, Nettleleaved Bellflowers are flowering Nettle-leaved bellflower in their best numbers to date.

Photograph by Jim Reid This area will wait until the Bellflowers have dropped their seed before it is cut. It has been an objective of the Conservation Group to try to increase the number of flowering species in the summer, to follow on from the spring show and it that respect, the Bellflowers seem to be a success.

Cleavers is a smothering weed that has rough leaves and stalks that enable it to climb over any plants and bushes in its way. Earlier in the year a small group of workers spent a morning pulling it up from the centre of the wood where it was covering bushes and sapling trees planted in previous years. In other areas it spread over ground vegetation and still lies there, now dead but continuing to smother the vegetation beneath, e,g. over the main areas of spring snowdrops.

These areas need to be cleared before December, to ensure the snowdrops have clear headroom as soon as they start to emerge.

One hundred English Bluebells were planted last year but only late in the winter, when some growth had already started. This year the 32

process will be repeated but dormant bulbs will be planted before Christmas, when planting will be easier and bulb establishment better before spring. We will then observe their performance before any further expansion of the program.

Most of our recent tree and bush plantings have gone well but an oak sapling, which put on over two feet of new growth in 2020, has suddenly and inexplicably died. It broke leaves in spring in the usual way but died very suddenly after that. A smaller, weaker sapling oak only a few feet away remains healthy, so a post-mortem will be needed to see if we can determine what happened to cut short what seemed to be a promising establishment.

Other work over the winter will include some coppicing of old Hawthorns and Hazels, to try to regenerate them and to provide improved light on areas to be planted or seeded with wild flowers (of local origin). Nest boxes were not cleaned in 2020, and so will need some attention this year.

It has been sad to note that in recent weeks both the bench near the river and the unofficial log seating at the back of the wood have been the sites of considerable littering. Surely if people bring boxes, bags, bottles and cans in full condition, it should be easier to take them away with them when empty. A lot of people enjoy their walk around the wood and do not want to see other folk’s rubbish as they go. The Conservation group has a maintenance rota but the volunteers cannot be expected to visit every day to collect other’s rubbish.

Jim Reid Meldreth Conservation Group

PC Repairs

Village Garden Services

Advice & Installation of Home Networks Help with Selecting a computer Fault Finding

Contact : Campbell Weir Mobile : 07798 924022 Home : 01223 207583 Email : campbell.weir@outlook.com

Brian Girling 01223 208529 (Wimpole) E-mail bg@moncraft.co.uk We can also provide the following services: Design of brochures, posters, business cards, etc.

A4/A3 laminating • A4 comb-Binding Small print runs on A6 to A3 media

Reliable and friendly service for all your general garden maintenance needs and much more ...… !

33

Help Our Hedgehogs!

Hedgehogs are becoming an endangered species in Britain, but we have a healthy population in the gardens of Melbourn and Meldreth. Shepreth hedgehog hospital has been releasing some of their rehabilitated hogs in our villages’ approved safe, wildlife friendly gardens, but as hedgehogs roam over a wide area, we need everybody to be looking out for our prickly friends. The easiest thing you can do to help them is to make sure you have one or two CD sized (10cm, 4 inch) gaps in your fence so the creatures can forage in your garden.

Hoglet at Four Weeks Old

Hedgehogs spend the day sleeping in undergrowth, dense bushes, and under decking and sheds, and they will also use these nests for rearing their young and for hibernation. Please can you therefore be especially careful when tidying your gardens and having bonfires, and just check for hedgehogs before gardening with sharp tools or strimmers. Slug pellets are really bad for the whole food chain, and rat Hedgehog at Night poison should be avoided too. Hedgehogs and birds can easily become entangled in garden netting and rubbish, and can fall into uncovered manholes. One of our hospital patients was called ‘Hydrangea’ and another called ‘Nettie’ for those reasons!

Hedgehogs can swim, but will drown if they can’t climb out of a pond; make sure you provide a ramp inside the edge of your pond, or have a slope at one end. If you do disturb or have to move a hedgehog, just put it into an open box or pet carrier filled with scrunched up newspaper, hay, straw or dead leaves in a quiet corner of your garden where it can sleep until night time, then check the next day that Feeding Station & Water Dish it has gone. If a hedgehog is very sick or 34

injured, please take it to a vet; you should not be asked to pay. If you find a healthy looking hedgehog out during the day, it may be a hungry female with a litter or hoglets nearby. Just put out food and water and leave it alone.

You can feed visiting hedgehogs with cat or hedgehog biscuits, but remember that cats will want to eat the biscuits Emerging from feeding station too! You can make a cat-proof feeding station from an upturned box with a small hole cut into one side, or create something using old bricks. A dish of fresh water is really important too, whether or not you provide biscuits.

If you have concerns about a hedgehog out during the day you can phone the hedgehog hospital on 07947 361187 from 9.00am to 5.00pm. Please visit the Shepreth hedgehog hospital website at www.swccharity.org to find out more or to support our work.

Hilary Marsh

Friendly, Professional, Expert

Visit our lovely private clinic on Melbourn Science Park for all your dental needs including general maintenance, fillings and restorations, braces, implants, tooth-whitening and much more. New patients are most welcome.

Call us on 01763261129 or email reception@specialistdentalpartners.co.uk 9 Beech House, Melbourn Science Park, Melbourn, SG8 6HB Free parking outside world-class dentistry, on your doorstep

35

Notes from a Small Garden What extraordinary weather we have had this summer. Are our experiences in the garden similar I wonder? This see-saw of very hot and dry weather with some rain, often in downpours, doesn’t suit all plants here in the East of England. The harvest is late but promises reasonable yields of oilseed rape so far. Many farms haven’t started harvesting their grain yet and I have noticed locally that, at the time of writing, the wheat is not yet ready.

I’ve had some losses this summer, and am mourning my new plum Marjorie’s Seedling which suddenly curled up its toes and died and for the first time in many years, my outdoor tomatoes have blight. Usually I am lucky and escape this scourge whereas friends up North End suffer this more commonly. Tomato and potato blight are caused by a fungus which often occurs during wet weather. Crop rotation is important in preventing it, and making space between plants probably helps. If you notice tomato leaves curling up and dying, stems turning black and rotting, dig up the plants and put them in your green bin, where they will be composted at high temperatures.

Which plants flower best in September? I have come to love dahlias, but tend to stick to colours which work in my big border. Purple and deep red phloxes, red/pink/orange dahlias, monbretia (but keep it under control as it seeds prolifically), cosmos and salvias produce a marvellous red, orange and purple palette. I also bought a new recurrent purple rose this year, Rhapsody in Blue, which is doing well in quite a shady place. The other two recurrent red roses which do well in this border are Darcy Bussell and Munstead Wood which are supported by cone wire obelisks; this prevents them being swamped by other rampant plants!

Do come and support the Friends of Holy Trinity who are holding an Open Gardens with a difference on Sunday 5th September; see page 18 and the advertisement on the back cover of this magazine. There will be a plant stall there so please take some plants to be sold as well as buying from the stall. I am just looking for good specimens in our garden to pot up and to sell.

36

Jobs for September  Collect seed from hardy perennials and annuals, e.g. sweet peas  Dig up any potatoes remaining in the beds  Start to plan which hardy perennials you are going to divide, e.g. phloxes  Plan which gardens you might visit, as garden exploring should be easier next year Good gardening, I hope to see you at Open Gardens on 5th September.

Julie Draper juliedraper@dumbflea.co.uk

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

Nigel Wigg Home Improvement Specialist • Exterior and interior home decorating • Tiling • Carpentry • Refurbishment • Timber carport and veranda design and construction • General home repairs • Pruning / hedge and tree trimming • Professional service

nigelwigg@gmail.com T 01480 700266 M 07801 057514 37

In Praise Of … … Swiss Chard and Spinach This month we showcase Swiss chard and spinach which can be prepared in the same way, although there are recipes that focus on the stems of the Swiss chard plant. Swiss chard has a sweeter taste then spinach and has larger leaves. It is rich in calcium and provides plenty of fibre and vitamin A. When buying Swiss chard look for brightly coloured, almost shiny leaves; ‘Bright lights’ is a variety with red, yellow and white stems. Spinach should be eaten soon after purchase and can be made in to soups, croquettes, soufflés and crepes. Both work very well with cream and cheese which enrich their flavours.

Here are four recipes to celebrate both Swiss chard and spinach in all their glory. Enjoy.

Swiss Chard with Garlic and Chilli Cook time : 15 min serves 2

Ingredients 300g Swiss chard ½ clove garlic finely chopped ½ small red chilli finely chopped or 1/4 tsp chilli flakes 1 tablespoon olive oil and salt and pepper 1 tablespoon water

Method Finely slice the stalks and set aside, slice the leaves roughly. In a pan with a lid, fry the stalks with chilli, garlic and olive oil with lid on for five minutes until soft, then add the leaves and cook for another five to ten minutes with lid on. Add 1 tablespoon of water if it is dry or catching, plus salt and pepper to taste. Goes well with any grilled meat.

Swiss Chard and Spring Onion Tart Prep time 30 minutes. Cook time 40 minutes. Serves 6. Oven temp 200c/Gas mark 6 38

Ingredients 25g of butter 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 medium olives chopped 500g Swiss chard, stems cut into 1cm slices, leaves shredded 1 garlic clove finely chopped or crushed 1 egg 50g parmesan grated 150g gruyere cheese grated Six spring onions finely sliced, one rectangular sheet of puff pastry 100g grams of ricotta cheese, two teaspoons sesame seeds

Method Put the butter and oil in a large sauté pan on medium heat, add the onion and Swiss chard stems, fry until soft, about 10 minutes. Then stir in the Swiss chard leaves, garlic plus some salt and pepper and cook until soft. Leave to cool and then add egg, parmesan, gruyere cheese and spring onions.

Line the base and sides of a shallow baking tin (22x 32 cm) with greaseproof paper, drape pastry on top. Gently push down to fit the tin. Top with chard mixture to evenly cover the base, then dot with tablespoons of ricotta cheese. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and bake for 40 min until golden and crisp. Goes well with tomato salad.

Creamed Spinach Prep time 5 min, cooking time 10 min

Ingredients 1kg of fresh spinach chopped roughly 50ml double cream 25g butter ¼ tsp nutmeg 25g parmesan grated

Method Wash and roughly chop the spinach, cook in a pan until wilted and soft, stir in butter, cream, salt and pepper and grated nutmeg, cook through until thick and creamy, stir in parmesan before serving.

Goes well alongside grilled lamb/chicken. Can be used as a filling for omelettes.

39

Spinach Crespolini Prep time: 30 min, Cook time: 20 min. Serves two.

Oven temp 180 C Gas mark 4

Ingredients 6 crepes (basic batter mixture: one egg, 130m ml of milk, 50g of plain flour, one tbsp oil) 20g butter 300g of spinach washed and chopped ½ leek finely chopped One tbsp. olive oil 150g ricotta cheese, 75g grated parmesan, 25g cheddar cheese grated One egg yolk 25g cheddar cheese grated To make the tomato sauce: One tin of tomatoes, one tbsp olive oil & one tsp of tomato puree ½ clove garlic, one tsp dried parsley ½ teaspoon sugar

Method: To make the tomato sauce put the tin of tomatoes, oil, puree, herbs, salt & pepper and sugar in a small pan and cook over a medium heat until thick, about 20/30 min; set aside. Heat a pancake pan, medium size, brush with oil or butter, add two tablespoons of batter, turn and tilt the pan so that the batter covers the base. Cook for three minutes until the underside is cooked and flip over and cook the other side for two minutes. Slide out the crepe and make more the same way.

Preheat oven and grease a medium oven proof dish. Wash and cut of the stalks of the spinach; set aside. Cook the spinach in the water clinging to the leaves after washing for five minutes, then drain and chop. Melt the butter with the olive oil and in a frying pan, fry the chopped stalks and leeks for ten minutes or until soft, then add the chopped spinach leaves and cook for a further five minutes on a low heat. Transfer to a bowl and mix with ricotta and egg yolk, and 50g of the parmesan. Add salt and pepper to taste. Spread the mixture on the crepes and roll up, place in the ovenproof dish. Pour over the tomato sauce and finish with the rest of the parmesan and cheddar cheese.

Bake for 15 minutes and then remove from the oven.

Goes well with : crusty bread and a green salad.

Jane O’Hagan 40

Specialists in made to measure window coverings: Beautifully made and locally produced Curtains and Roman Blinds Roller, Vertical, Pleated, Wood, PVC and Aluminium Venetian Blinds Plantation shutters and Awnings Experts in home automated motorised solutions FREE- NO OBLIGATION QUOTATIONS. FIND US AT Phillimore Garden Centre, Cambridge Road, Melbourn. SG8 6EY Tel: 01763 263399 www.sageblinds.co.uk Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm & Sat 9am-4pm

MELBOURN FLOORING AND INTERIORS LIMITED Phillimore Garden Centre, Cambridge Road, Melbourn, SG8 6EY Tel: 01763 262413 Vast Range of:

 Carpets and Vinyls  Real/Engineered Wood– Woodpecker, Xylo and many more  Balterio & Quickstep Laminates  Karndean, Amtico, Moduleo and Project Floors– Luxury Vinyl Tiles  Safety Flooring  Brand leading manufacturer samples available to take away Free survey and Estimates - Fitting by experienced staff VISIT OUR LARGE SHOWROOMS 9 TO 5 MONDAY TO FRIDAY 9 TO 4 SATURDAY OR CALL ON 01763 262413 AND SPEAK TO ONE OF OUR FRIENDLY STAFF. AMPLE FREE PARKING.

www.melbournflooring.co.uk

@melbournflooring

41

Rogue Trader Warning An elderly resident in Bedfordshire recently received an unsolicited visit to her home. The caller claimed that he was working at a nearby building site and said that he had noticed that the resident's roof had some tiles missing and offered to help repair it. The caller asked if he could go into the resident's loft space to inspect the alleged damage more closely. The resident gave permission for this and after a short while the caller returned with photographs that he had apparently taken in the loft, showing daylight where a roof tile was missing. He also handed the resident a piece of torn roofing felt.

The caller advised the resident that repairs would cost over £1000 with £350 required up-front to purchase the materials needed. The resident believed that the repairs were necessary and paid the requested £350 to the man who left, never to return again. It was later established that the caller himself had removed the missing tile and torn away a section of roofing felt, to dupe the unsuspecting resident into thinking urgent remedial work was required.  You do not have to answer the door to anyone you are not expecting. It is not rude to not answer the door.  Always ensure all other doors and windows are closed and locked when you go to answer your front door.  Use a security chain every time you answer the door. These allow the visitor only a small window into your world.  Be cautious of letting an uninvited caller into your home in case their intention is to steal valuables.  Don't be rushed or pressured into making a quick decision by someone who turns up uninvited. Get a second opinion from a local trusted tradesperson.

If you're not sure whether a caller is genuine, you can talk to one of the trusted contacts in Meldreth: Graham (01763) 260358 Linda (01763) 261405 Peter (01763) 260323 Tim (01763) 262801 You can contact Neighbourhood Watch by telephoning Graham on the above number, or by emailing nhw.meldreth@btinternet.com.

Meldreth Neighbourhood Watch 42

Speedwatch in Meldreth This summer Community Speedwatch teams in Meldreth carried out watches on six of our busy morning rush hour roads which carry traffic in, out and through the village.

Along with teams from surrounding villages, the idea is to remind drivers to keep within the speed limit. For our roads that is 30 mph.

Around 2,500 vehicles passed through our watches, usually over a two hour period. Overall, about 10% of vehicles were proceeding at more than 35 mph. That may not sound much but different roads yielded widely different averages from 5% to 20%.

Average speeds beyond the limit ranged from 35 to 43 mph. Owners of those speeding vehicles receive cautioning police letters indicating the time, place and speed in excess of the limit. Should a vehicle speed through a watch three times or more the owner will receive a visit from a police officer.

About 230 letters were sent out as a result of our watches. One speeding vehicle was observed three times by different watches triggering a letter to be hand delivered by an officer from the Police Safer Speeds Team.

Our volunteer Community Speedwatch team clocked up 32 hours over 22 shifts, usually on two days per week. Over the last couple of years there has been a considerable increase in cyclists using our roads, so getting traffic to observe speed limits helps to reduce the potential for accidents and injury.

If you are concerned about road safety in our village and would like to join the Meldreth Community Speedwatch team please contact us on csw.meldreth@btinternet.com.

Meldreth Community Speedwatch

43

Meldreth Parish Council In accordance with our usual practice there was no meeting of the Parish Council in August. The next scheduled Parish Council meeting will take place on Thursday 2nd September 2021 at 7.30pm.

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 (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

gilmorepat@aol.com

Dr R James

(01763) 261085

roger+pc@rogerjames.net

Mr C A Land

(01763) 261004

conradland@btinternet.com

Mr Nigel Pellatt

(01763) 260909

nppellatt@btconnect.com

Mr A Young

(01763) 263484

andrewmpc@gmail.com

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

44

Thakeham and South West Cambridge Action Group (SWCAG) www.swcag.org.uk More Helicopters The SWCAG group has had confirmation that the helicopters seen in late July over the villages were commissioned by Thakeham as part of its surveillance work.

Call for Sites There has still been no submission from Thakeham.

The OxCam Arc Consultation This has begun and runs for twelve weeks. The national growth scheme was brought in by central government following the 2019 General Election and conceptualises population and economic growth in the ‘arc’ between Oxford and Cambridge. SWCAG’s approach is that the most effective response will be one that engages in an informed and constructive way. Let’s make sure we do all we can to help ensure things are done in the best way possible. SCWAG is currently seeking advice from local experts who have offered to support SWCAG’s aspirations to stop the Thakeham development, on the grounds that it sits apart from principles of responsible, sustainable and strategic new population planning as established and implemented over decades by the Local Planning Authority.

You can read the recent announcement in full on the Gov.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/digital-consultation-launched-toshape-the-future-of-the-oxcam-arc The full consultation documents are also available to view: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/creating-a-vision-for-theoxford-cambridge-arc Susan van de Ven, Jose Hales, Aidan Van de Weyer, Sebastian Kindersley and Peter McDonald

45

Planning Matters Parish Council The information below has been taken from the minutes of the Parish Council Planning meeting on 15th July. The minutes of the Planning meetings on 1st July and 5th August were not available at the time of going to press. Meeting minutes may be viewed on the Parish Council’s website, www.meldreth-pc.org.uk.

Ref. and Address

PC Decision

113 North End 21/03082/PRI01A

Single storey rear extension

No Recommendation with no comments

73 High Street 21/02725/LBC

Repair and reinstatement of existing gable wall of The Homestead, following demolition of the abutting Maycroft care home prior to redevelopment, as already approved under planning permission S/0984/14/VC

Recommend approval with no comments

79 North End 21/0787/TTPO

For information only: Ash tree fell in recent storms. It is leaning on branches so poses some danger as it could collapse further. Application to remove the tree. We do not wish to replant this tree as there are two other large Ash trees nearby, many other mature trees in the vicinity and because of the cost involved. The field the tree grew in is a very diverse wildflower and grass meadow containing some old tree trunks left to rot to encourage wildlife.

Though this was for information only, the Planning Committee would like to make a comment. ‘The Planning Committee have no comments towards the removal of the tree and are happy with the suggestions put forward by the Tree Officer.

However, they would like to see if another British native tree could be planted, if not there, then possibly in another position.’

46

Ref. and Address 38 High Street 21/02914/HFUL

PC Decision Extension and Recommend refusal with comments. ‘The alterations Planning Committee do not think this is in keeping with the other bungalows and is also an overdevelopment of the site.

The new ridge heights are significantly higher then the two existing bungalows and the massing is too large for the narrow plot.’

SCDC Decisions Recent decisions are listed below.

Ref. and Address

Decision

12 Flambards Close 21/01626/HFUL

Permission refused for part single storey, part two storey rear extension

30 High Street 21/01716/HFUL

Permission granted for the addition of a side porch and two windows

4 Bell Close 21/02260/FUL

Permission granted for single storey front porch extension and single storey rear extension

24 North End 21/02444/HFUL

Permission granted for single storey rear extensions, including partial demolition of previous extensions

5 West Way 21/02633/HFUL

Permission granted for a two storey side extension, single storey rear extension and internal alterations

79 North End 21/0787/TTPO

Permission granted for removal of tree (see above for details)

113 North End

Prior approval not required for single storey rear extension

Full details of all planning applications may be viewed on the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning website: https://applications.greatercambridgeplanning.org/online-applications.

The Meldreth Matters Team 47

01763 244955 lawnpartners.co.uk Home Tutor

Phil Clarke

Does your child need a bit of help catching up?

Keeping up?

Developing enjoyment of a subject?

01223 874433

I am an experienced Primary School teacher providing 1:1 tuition for primary school children (KS2) in a calm, caring environment, based in Shepreth.

Focussing on Literacy and Numeracy.

Please contact me for more information: Carol Dutton BSc (Hons) PGCE cassakd@icloud.com / 07986 978 358

and Associates

pennfarmphysio.com

MELDRETH PLANT HIRE TEL: 01763 262738

DIGGERS, DUMPERS, BREAKERS, WACKERS, ROTAVATORS. AVAILABLE FOR DAILY OR WEEKLY HIRE. WWW.MELDRETHPLANT.CO.UK

48

District and County Councillors’ Report Riparian Ownership’ and protecting watery Meldreth Over the years we’ve had a really effective Flood Avoidance Subcommittee in Meldreth that among other things helps to support households and businesses in neighbourhoods where ditches and watercourses are a feature of privately owned properties, and where owners have a ‘riparian ownership responsibility’ – a legal responsibility to maintain the watercourse where it runs along their property. These responsibilities are described here: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/ business/planning-and-development/flood-and-water/watercoursemanagement The main stretches of ditches and watercourses occur in Whitecroft Road, Chiswick End, Fenny Lane, High Street and North End. Some of these are the responsibility of the District or County Council and often there is a joint responsibility with riparian owners. Needless to say, individual actions contribute to a collective effort for the protection of the wider village.

With the bird nesting season over in August, September and October are good months for ditch and watercourse clearance. Chiswick End residents are already getting organised (and planning a BBQ at the end of their working party day). If you would like advice about clearing on your property, or coordinating a collective effort in your neighbourhood, please get in touch.

Possible Disruption to Green Bin Collections SCDC has announced that fortnightly green bin collections could be disrupted in the weeks ahead due to the pandemic causing staff shortages, though collections remain as scheduled for now. If any changes to the schedule are needed, the Greater Cambridge Shared Waste Service will let residents, Parish Councils and Residents’ Associations know and keep people up to date via the two councils’ websites and social media channels.

New Washable Nappy Discount Scheme Nappy and sanitary waste makes up nearly ten percent of what we send to landfill from the black bins and households with children in disposable nappies will know that they fill up their black bin very quickly. To encourage parents to switch to washable nappies, even for just one nappy change a day, the Recycling in Cambridgeshire and 49

Peterborough (RECAP) partnership has teamed up with suppliers to offer a ten to fifteen percent discount off the cost of washable nappies, washable wipes, and reusable period products. The scheme is open to residents across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, who can apply through their own council’s website. South Cambridgeshire residents can apply now: https://www.scambs.gov.uk/recycling-and-bins/reducing -waste/washable-nappies.

Growth Fund We’re repeating this item because we feel it’s important!

Using Government funding, the Growth Fund is designed to support South Cambridgeshire based businesses’ growth and expansion plans.

These could be start-ups looking to scale up and grow quickly, or established companies which can clearly demonstrate ambitious growth plans. Businesses from any sector can apply, including sole traders and partnerships, for one-off grants of £1,000 to £50,000. The scheme will end when all funds have been allocated. Find out more details and apply here: https://www.scambs.gov.uk/business/business-support-andadvice/growth-fund-grant-scheme.

New County Council Administration The new County Council administration has been taking stock of the council’s financial position and ways of working, at a time of increasing financial and demographic pressures, as well as new variables around Covid legacy and recovery. In other words, less income and a continuing need to ‘make savings’; inflation; economic costs of Covid to the council; people getting older and/or with increasingly complex health needs; a highways network in ‘managed decline’; as well as issues around member conduct and transparency (see next item). Our council’s job is to provide the best possible services for our residents.

We will be reporting in more detail in weeks to come.

The next round of committee meetings is in September, and all meetings are live-streamed and accessible on YouTube: https:// www.youtube.com/user/CambsCountyCouncil/videos Conflict of Interest Guidance for County Council Members to be Strengthened The County Council writes: “Changes to Cambridgeshire’s conflicts of interest guidance for Members aim to improve transparency, build public confidence and ensure confidentiality where it’s appropriate, the County Council’s Constitution and Ethics Committee heard.

50

As part of the Council’s responses to recommendations arising from the Manor Farm Audit, the Committee heard that training had taken place for all Members on the Members Code of Conduct, and approved the new guidance.

[Manor Farm Audit background: https:// www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/news/committee-hears-progress-made-onmanor-farm-audit.]

This will mean Members informing the Chief Executive in writing if they or their family are entering into a relationship with the council, such as receiving a complex social care service, entering into a dispute with the council or applying for a service which has an eligibility criteria, such as a tenancy.

As well as overseeing any decisions made in such instances, the Chief Executive, with the Monitoring officer and Head of Internal Audit, will appoint a specific senior officer to oversee and support the relevant service to prevent delays and make sure the process is properly applied.

There will also be clear guidance about when a Member can and cannot be identified.

This new guidance applies to all County Councillors, their immediate family, and when they are acting as a representative of another individual such as an executor. It won’t apply when Members are acting on behalf of a resident in their role as a councillor, unless they have a close personal relationship with them.

This guidance will now be recommended to Full Council as an appendix to the Members’ Code of Conduct in the Council’s Constitution to ensure the necessary level of visibility.”

Zoom Cuppa Surgery: Wednesdays 5.00-6.00pm If you’d like to meet with your councillors by Zoom, to bring any concerns or ask any questions, please come along to our weekly Wednesday Zoom Cuppa Surgery, from 5.00-6.00pm. Please contact Sally Ann for a link: Sallyannhart@riskingonpurpose.com.

District Councillor Sally Ann Hart, sallyannhart@riskingonpurpose.com, 07791 233303 District Councillor Jose Hales, Josehales@gmail.com, 07703 262649 County Councillor Susan van de Ven, susanvandeven5@gmail.com, 07905 325574

51

Home-Start www.hsrsc.org.uk We need your help to turn £10,000 into £20,000 Do you know a local philanthropist or company that would like to support the work of Home-Start?

We are keen to develop new networks and relationships and right now we have a wonderful initiative to share with potential new funders.

We are in the fortuitous position to have been awarded matched funding from the Four Acre Trust of up to £10,000. This is wonderful news, as it means that every donation of £500 or more, from a new donor, that the charity receives between now and 30th September 2021, will be doubled by Four Acre Trust, up to a limit of £10,000 in total.

Since April we have begun seeing a surge in demand for our services so we are grateful for this crucial matched funding which will help us to meet this increased demand and reach local families.

This is a great opportunity for a new organisation or individual to support Home-Start’s important work in the community and even better than that, a donation of £500 will actually become £1,000!

Please share this opportunity with anyone and everyone you think might be able to help us achieve this incredible target. And if you have got any questions or queries then please get in touch and we would be more than happy to discuss further.

We thank you for your continued support.

The Home-Start Team Home-Start Royston, Buntingford & South Cambridgeshire Unit 6, Valley Farm, Station Road, Meldreth, SG8 6JP Incorporated as Home-Start Royston & South Cambridgeshire Telephone: (01763 788071) Charity Number: 105385

52

My name is Kim, a caring and experienced dog sitter who can also care for other pets in your own home.

Holiday house checks with pets or not.

References available. Insured.

Having owned animals all my life, I am passionate about your pets’ welfare and happiness. Pets are Family.

Please call or text Kim 07737 155554.

Tudor Access Scaffolding Small friendly scaffolding firm established in 2010 offering services in the Cambs, Herts, Beds & Essex regions.

Can undertake all aspects of scaffold contracts including domes c & commercial, ranging from small access towers, temporary roofing, handrails, ne ng, monoflexing & all forms of scaffold protec on, from new build to refurbishments.

The Most Thorough Clean or it’s Free!

Carpet, Upholstery, Leather, Rug & Stone/Tile Cleaning Call today on 01223 863 632 Please quote “Meldreth Mag” Denny Lodge Business Park, Ely Road, Chittering

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

EVERYBODY IS SOMEBODY

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

53

Open Eco Homes – Autumn Season Open Eco Homes is back once again with free home tours and expertled talks. This year's series of tours and talks will be online and include two new builds, six retrofits (including a church) and five expert-led talks.

Open Eco Homes is a project of local charity Cambridge Carbon Footprint. This year we're focusing on how to get started reducing energy use at home. Whether you're looking for ‘easy win’ actions such as draught-proofing or insulation or expert advice to support you to put together a whole house retrofit, we're here to help. The Open Eco Homes programme of events will run between 13th September and 15th October. For more information or to make a booking, go to cambridgecarbonfootprint.org/open-eco-homes-events.

Alice Vodden Open Eco Homes Co-ordinator

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

54

Be Water Aware While the sun is shining, it might be tempting to cool down with a dip in local rivers, canals, quarries or lakes. But think twice before you do.

Every year firefighters are called to incidents where adults and children get into difficulty when taking a dip in open water. The water may look calm on the surface, but there may still be strong undercurrents, especially near locks, that could pull even the strongest swimmer under.

There can also be rubbish, like shopping trolleys and rubble hidden beneath the murky water that you could become trapped in. There is often broken glass on river beds and cuts from this can lead to deadly infections.

The water may feel relatively warm on the surface, but just a few inches below can be icy cold, even on hot days. This can cause panic and “cold water shock”. If you find yourself in cold water do not panic and float on your back; your clothes will have some air in them which will help you float more easily. After 60 to 90 seconds the cold water shock will pass and you will be able to breath normally again so that you can swim to safety.

We are urging people to be aware of these dangers when around open water and for parents to have this conversation with their children.  If you see someone in trouble in water:  Do not hesitate - call 999 immediately with clear details of your location. Request fire service if inland.  Try to reach out to them with a stick or belt, keeping low so you do not get pulled into the water yourself.  Send someone to the nearest road to flag down the emergency services when they arrive and direct them to the incident.  Find the nearest life ring and throw it to the person. If a life ring is not available, throw in anything that could help them float.  If someone goes under the water, mark on the water’s edge the place they were last seen with something like a piece of clothing.  Download the free what3words app so that emergency services can help pin point your location in hard to find areas.

Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue Service 55

Meldreth Coronavirus Community Support Once again, we’d like to thank Meldreth residents for contributing to the community effort to help curtail the spread of Covid-19. We continue to try and support those adversely affected by the pandemic where possible, provide basic information and bring friendship and social contact too, knowing that many people have experienced minimal contact for a long time.

Assistance from MCCS If you are clinically extremely vulnerable, shielding or have been instructed to self-isolate by NHS Test & Trace and your usual support is unavailable, please contact Meldreth Coronavirus Community Support using the contact details below and we will do our best to assist.

Vaccinations Thank you to people who’ve contacted us with questions about vaccinations; we can help point you in the right direction.

Transport to Vaccination Appointments Help is available via the County Council for anyone who is stuck without transport to their vaccination appointment – please ring the Countywide Hub on 0345 045 5219.

Royston and District Community Transport can also give lifts to vaccination appointments.

Where to get your Covid Jabs The Vaccinators’ website gives www.thevaccinators.co.uk.

lots

of

information:

https://

Pharmacy Deliveries If you are unable to travel to a pharmacy, medication can be delivered directly to you by a number of methods. Please ask your local pharmacist about the services they offer. Contact WELL Melbourn on (01763) 260221 or Bassingbourn Pharmacy on (01763) 250660 about the services offered. Our coordinator for pharmacy assistance is Nick Garner on 07968 568599.

Local Shops Taking Telephone Orders and Making Deliveries Home delivery is available from Fieldgate (01763) 260737 and Bury Lane (01763) 260418. For Leech & Sons butchers ring (01763) 260255 to collect outside in the car park at the rear of the shop.

56

Meldreth Walking Friends We hope you will contact us if the idea of a Meldreth walk in company would be something you’d enjoy. Please telephone Paul Inman to find out more on 07976 256121.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Support We are supported by the very useful resources available to all at CPSL Mind – that’s Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Suffolk and Lincolnshire Mind - including common-sense helpful reminders and also telephone numbers and links if you’re worried or anxious and need to talk to someone who can help: https://www.cpslmind.org.uk/top-tips-self-helpresources. Or, for general queries please call 0300 303 4363 between 9.30am and 5.30pm.

Our Neighbourhood Zone Leaders Please remember that our team is always on hand for a friendly chat by phone – our zone leaders’ telephone numbers are below.

Kneesworth Road, West Way, Burtons & Fenny Lane: Bev Cottrell, 07773 592838 Elin Way and Howard Road: David Hollamby, 07732 106828 Whitecroft Road, Chiswick End, Oakrits, Melrose: John Crawforth, 07595 627684 High Street, Flambards, The Grange, Woolpack Way, Station Yard & Road: Helen Munday, 07712 555598 Bell Close and Gables Close: Cathy Walston, 07757 086380 North End, Brewery Lane, Malton Lane, Cam Farm: Bev Cottrell, 07773 592838 & Ian Mitchell, 07726 936635 Any other questions, please let us know!

Thank you.

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

57

One Stop Village Hall Bookings Village Hall Chairman

(01763) 262158, open 7am-10pm, 7 days Julia Moore—07403 462198 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.org.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

Christine Piper Hatch—(01223) 263266 Janet Pope—(01763) 248239 07930 650036 Christine Knight—(01763) 261676 (01763) 243376; http://cspark.at/Meldr2

Church

Litter Picker

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 Brownies (1st Meldreth) Hartbeeps Pre-School Primary School

Julia Moore—07403 462198 Email: 1stmeldrethbrownies@gmail.com Kelly@hartbeeps.com 07518 173653; www.meldrethPreschool.com (01763) 260432; www.meldreth.cambs.sch.uk

Parish Council

Please see details at end of Parish Council report

District Councillor

Jose Hales—07703 262649 Sally Ann Hart—07791 233303

District Council Offices

03450 450500; www.scambs.gov.uk/

County Councillor

Susan van de Ven—07905 325574 www.susanvandeven.com/

County Council Offices MP

0345 045 5200; www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/ Anthony Browne; www.anthonybrowne.org/

Councils & Govt.

Clubs & Societies

Facilities

Neighbourhood Watch

Mick Taylor—(01763) 261118 Graham Borgonon—(01763) 260358

Children

Village Directory

58

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: Lesley Pemberton 07798586875 and David & Maggie Smith 260378; Founder: Ann Barnes Meldreth Matters is available online at issuu.com (search for Meldreth)

59

Advertising Rates Size per issue Half page £27.25 Quarter page £16.50 Eighth page £8.75 Business listing per line

6 months £134.00 £74.00 £43.00 £11.00

12 months £216.00 £118.00 £65.00 £16.00

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 ...........................25 Art of Clean .....................................53 Art of Clean Wood ............................3 Aurora Meldreth Manor (Job) ...........4 Cam Valley Orchards .......................4 Cambourne Self Storage ..................21 CHS Day Centre ..............................26 CHS Group ...............................Cover Cleaner Wanted (Job) ......................25 The Country Store ...........................44 Ely Design Group .............................4 Eternit Sports and Social Club .........21 Eve Construction .............................16 Gardener Wanted (Job) ...................25 Home Tutor ....................................48 Huw Shortle Window Cleaning .......9 Jackson Cox Opticians ....................26 JN Garden Services ..........................37 Lawn Partners .................................48 The Letting Centre ...................Cover Little Hands Nursery School ...........44 Melbourn Flooring ..........................41

Melbourn Village College ................53 Meldreth Landscapes .......................21 Meldreth Motor Company .............15 Meldreth Plant Hire ........................48 Moncraft Computers ......................33 N J Chapman, gardening ................21 Nancy Foster Footcare ....................41 Newlings of Royston Funeral Service .2 Nigel Wigg Home Improvement .....37 P D Property Services ......................26 Penn Farm Physiotherapy ...............48 Pet Sitter .........................................53 Reflections Hair Studio ......................2 Richard Burns Electrician .................3 Rod’s PC Support .............................2 Sage Blinds and Interiors ................41 Slimming World .......................Cover Sparky’s ..........................................26 Specialist Dental Partners ................35 Trademark Kitchens ...................Cover Tudor Access Scaffolding .................53 Village Garden Services ...................33 60

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

74! #7 817 !1$1233245%7819 740 1!4 !49&724!warm !49'82(491#587 ) 79!#* MELDRETH WEDNESDAY 6.30 PM Alison 07812 825 389 FRIDAY 9.30 AM Angela 07708 444 991 Meldreth Village Hall High Street

Friends of Holy Trinity Church

Meldreth Court Open Gardens (Grade II listed, dating back to 1777 and more)

5 September 12:00 to 4:30pm Entry £5.00 Children under 16 free

from the old Court estate

116 The Coachman’s House 110 New build Barn additionally

55 High Street Allotments in Fenny Lane Enjoy a barbecue or tea on the lawn  Plant stall  Children’s activities  Meet a visiting owl  Small stalls  Memphis Jazz Band 16th Annual Car Show - 26 September - see page 18 Meldreth Matters is printed by Plumridge Printers 41 High St Linton 01223 891407