Village news

Village News

Melbourn Open Gardens Melbourn from above! Melbourn Fun Day Fundraising Success! Fred Standen, a ‘true’ character of village cricket. Rupert Neve Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme and the Pandemic 5 6 7 8

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11 Melbourn and District U3A 12 Royston & District Local History Society 13 Rapid Covid testing 13 Your new look Melbourn Hub! 14 Moorlands Court 16 Melbourn Springs 18 Melbourn Women’s Institute 18 Melbourn & Meldreth Women’s Group 18 Walking for Health 19 Melbourn Parish Council 19 County and District Council 20

Melbourn Open Gardens

Gardens have been a blessing over the difficult time of the pandemic. Those of us lucky enough to have our own outside space have made the most of it and people who have not previously gardened have discovered its joys. So, as we hopefully see a lifting of the COVID restrictions, come and discover the gardens of Melbourn on Sunday 4 July 2021 between 11am and 4pm.

In its current form MOG has been running since 2016. Adults pay £5 each (children under 16 go free) for a ‘Passport’ showing the location of all the participating gardens. Gardens large and small are open throughout Melbourn. We hope to have at least 8 gardens open and 3 of these have not opened before. Owners open their gardens because they want to share their joy with others. Some are mature and the result of years of dedication. But visitors tell us that they also enjoy seeing gardens at an early stage in their development. They may be easier for the visitors to relate to and see ideas to steal. However, the main reason is to see how these young gardens develop over the years and how ideas come to fruition.

Plan your route around the village and make sure you factor in a stop at MOG HQ at 31 Station Road. We serve tea and home made cakes in our

Barn. There is a Plant Stall so you can plug those gaps in your borders and take home new plants that you have seen and coveted. We will be welcoming back a local wood-turner with items for sale.

You can also take the opportunity to visit parts of the village you might have previously missed: the Community Garden in the High Street and the orchard by the New Recreation Ground. St George’s Allotments welcome visitors with produce for sale and cakes. Discover the Community Allotment and you may find yourself tempted to become involved.

Another really important outcome of the day is raising money for a local good cause. This year we will be donating the money to our local Branch of HomeStart. This is a voluntary charitable organisation that offers practical and emotional support to families with at least one child aged 9 or under. It helps families from all backgrounds through their most challenging times. The Fete Committee recognises that the pandemic has had a profound impact on some families and we want to make a contribution to helping them find their feet again.

In 2021, the Passports will be available from MOG HQ at 31 Station Road and cashless payment will be an option. Julie Norman, Melbourn Fete Committee

This remarkable photo of Melbourn was taken by Caroline Baker using a drone at approximately 220 feet above the village college football field in the early evening of the 12th May 2021.

Saturday 26 June 2021

We are all looking forward to a reduction of the restrictions in our lives, and as the warmer days are with us our focus is towards outdoor activities. Plans for Melbourn Fete 2020 were postponed for obvious reasons and sadly the fete committee feel that there are still too many risks financially to organise a fete this year. However, we have decided to organise a Fun Day, taking some of the favourite elements of the fete and incorporating them into a scaled down event. Please make a note in your diary that our Fun Day will be on Saturday 26 June at the village play fields near the pavilion, and will start at 12 and run for the afternoon.

We have kept with our normal fete date of late June and this ties in with the intended relaxation of the remaining Covid restrictions. This obviously means that we are dependent on the restrictions being lifted on time but we think that there are signs that this is looking likely. The final decision to hold the Fun Day will be made during the week leading up to the Fun Day and will be confirmed through social media and on our website: www.melbournfete.com. The idea is for you to join us with your picnic basket full of yummy things to enjoy, games to play and of course your family and friends. This will hopefully be a chance for us all to share and enjoy an afternoon with some free entertainment and mark the start of what we hope will be a life beyond this pandemic and a return to a more normal way of life.

We are going to help you and your family and friends celebrate the first Saturday after the new freedoms are introduced. We are hoping to have some free fairground rides for younger children. There will be some favourites like egg throwing and tug of war. Melbourn Dynamos will be there organising a “beat the goalie” contest. A local singer, Tom Froggatt, will be entertaining us and Home Start are running a tea room in the pavilion serving hot drinks and light refreshments.

Melbourn Open Gardens

Sunday 4 July 11am to 4pm

New gardens for 2021, as well as old favourites, and the ever-popular St George’s Allotments will be welcoming visitors. Tickets are £5 per person for anyone over 16, and will be available on the day from 31 Station Road. Refreshments and home-made cakes will be served and there will be plants for sale. Cashless payment available. Proceeds to Home-Start Royston and South Cambs. Event subject to any ongoing covid restrictions

As I have said there will be more information online and a confirmation during the week before that the event is going ahead. We are grateful to our sponsors and the Parish Council for their support.

Looking ahead, the Melbourn Open Gardens will be run on the following Sunday 4 July, and there is a separate article in this magazine giving more details. Looking further ahead ‘Turn on to Christmas’ will hopefully return towards the end of the year, assuming no further changes to public health measures.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday 26 June.

Thank you once again for all your generous donations towards East Kent Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA). Following the success of raising over £1600 last autumn, I’m delighted to say that the latest walking market held on Sunday 25th April raised just over £400! Simon Flack

Of that superb total my wonderful 90-year-old friend Ray Pritchard didn’t let his age get in the way as he held his own stall to raise funds selling books and cakes contributing an impressive £126. I also believe his neighbour kindly donated her funds from the walking market too. I am so grateful to you both, thank you!

I must also thank all my wonderful Little Lane neighbours who kindly donated lots of super prizes for my raffle, the fundraising would not have been such a success without your fantastic generosity and to everyone who came to buy cakes and raffle tickets!

So why have we been raising funds for East Kent MNDA? My sister Helen and her husband Simon Flack live near Sandwich in Kent. At the end of July 2019, they celebrated their Silver Wedding Anniversary with a super barn dance near Saffron Walden for all their friends and family. It was such a wonderful party yet we had no idea that their lives were soon to be upended. During August Simon accepted that his speech and general health were deteriorating and agreed to seek medical advice. He was eventually tested in January 2020 and diagnosed with Progressive Bulbar Palsy MND. The MND Association has provided Simon and Helen with such exceptional support and guidance that I decided to hold another fund-raiser as their incredible support for my sister and brother-in-law continues. My sister and Simon have been together since I was 6 and he is so special to me it’s just devastating to see him deteriorate. I’m dedicated to fund-raise to show thanks and to ensure that their great work can continue, especially as fundraising events have been severely hampered due to the pandemic.

If you missed the stall but feel you would like to contribute, please donate to quoting Sally’s appeal for Simon Flack www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/mnda-east-kent-special-appeal. Many thanks, Sally Arnott

Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme

Can we help you?

Can we help a relative?

Can we help a neighbour?

Who does the Scheme help? The scheme is open to the mobility impaired in Melbourn, Meldreth and Shepreth including those who live alone or with their families, but need the extra support offered by our services. Couples too are most welcome. It is also open to those in sheltered housing, as the scheme offers different, but complementary services. Note: The scheme also offers its services for short periods to cover the temporary absence of relatives who otherwise provide this support.

We offer help with: • Friendship and support via twice weekly visits and daily phone calls • Ordering and collection of prescriptions • Basic shopping • Collection of pensions • Setting up Lifeline service • Bereavement support • Going to the Post Office to pay your bills • Just coming round for a chat

What will it cost? We do have to make a small weekly charge for the warden’s services. The fee is only £7.50 per week (a little more for couples).

Jeannie Seers (Mobile Warden) 07808 735066 email: jeanseers13@gmail.com

Jane Cage (Deputy) 07592 821976 email: janec55@virginmedia.com

Melbourn Warden Scheme is a registered charity

Fred Standen, a ‘true’ character of village cricket.

Frederick Harry George Standen died in January at the age of 90. Born on June 15, 1930 Fred was known and admired by many in local sporting circles, but his main notoriety came from village cricket, where he was hailed as one of the best (and oldest) wicket keepers around.

Fred had a good sense of humour and joked that he only took up wicket keeping because that was the only way he could get into a cricket team, and in adverse weather conditions he was sometimes seen behind the stumps wearing a full-length raincoat.

He also said that the fact that he only ever made one 50 (for Melbourn v Willian) proved that he was no batsman, but that undermines him as a true team player and one who would more than play his part while others pushed along the score.

Fred played his first game of adult cricket for his home village of Bassingbourn at the age of 16, winning his first honours in the game in 1949 when Bassingbourn won the Webber Cup Final.

His love of the game however meant he wanted to play as much cricket as possible. Bassingbourn did not play Sunday cricket so he joined Melbourn, playing his first game in 1951, away to Fordham.

Fred went on to play for Melbourn for over 50 years, playing in 8 Minor League Cup finals, winning 4. He was also Sunday Fixtures Secretary, holding that position from soon after he joined the club, right up to the day it sadly folded in 2005.

He had the distinction of being able to say that he played in the same team as A H Bakewell, the only Melbourn Cricket Club member to also have played for England!

In 1998, to acknowledge and honour Fred’s long and continued service Bishop Stortford based Hockerill CC were invited to play for the Bowen Challenge Cup. To befit the occasion the match was played at Fenners, the historic home of Cambridge University Cricket Club – Fred was presented with a limited edition signed portrait of ex England wicket keeper Jack Russell.

In 2001, 50 years after first playing for Melbourn, Fred played in a particularly memorable match away to Bugbrooke, a village in Northamptonshire. The match was played on the day of the Bugbrooke wicket keeper’s 90th birthday, Fred at the time was a mere youngster at only 71!

Fred’s meticulous record keeping shows that he was also an excellent footballer. As an inside left forward (number 10) he played for Bassingbourn village, RAF Bassingbourn (where he did his National Service), Meldreth and Sandon. In an incredible career that started in 1946–47 and was cut short in the196364 season, he scored a whopping 455 goals in just 442 games (what would his transfer fee have been these days!).

He did not just play sport though and was a member of the exclusive 92 club, having watched a match at all grounds in the football league.

He saw over 400 matches at Wembley, the first being the 1949 FA Cup final, and was one of a rare breed, holding a season ticket at both Arsenal and Spurs.

Outside of sport Fred was active in his local community. For almost 20 years he was a volunteer driver with Royston Community Transport and the Heron Self Help Scheme, taking people to hospital and for shopping trips. He was also a lifelong supporter of SCOPE and Cancer Research charities.

To sum up Fred’s life; – What an innings, what a sportsman, an unsung hero, a Melbourn Cricket Club legend, but above all a true gentleman. Richard Cooper

Rupert Neve

Rupert Neve 1926 – 2021 To many people the name Rupert Neve will not mean anything. But for many years last century (how odd that sounds!) it was a well known name here in Melbourn. The company known as Neve Electronics was situated at the southern end of the village, in the triangle formed by the High Street and Back Lane. There is now a small housing development on the site called, appropriately, Rupert Neve Close.

I am prompted to write this having just read in the Telegraph Obituaries that Rupert Neve died this week aged 94. He was known as a genius who invented

What is motor neurone disease (MND)?

Motor neurone disease (MND) is a progressive, life-shortening condition that affects the motor neurones in the brain and spinal cord. As motor neurones become damaged, the muscles they control weaken and begin to waste away. This can affect how a person walks, talks, eats, drinks and breathes. However, not all symptoms necessarily happen to everyone and it is unlikely they will all develop at the same time, or in any specific order. Although there is currently no cure for MND, symptoms can be managed to help improve quality of life.

MND can cause:

•weakness and increasing loss of movement in limbs • twitching and rippling sensations under the skin • muscle tightness, cramping and pain • problems with breathing and fatigue • difficulties with speech, swallowing and saliva • problems with thinking, understanding, learning and emotions.

For support and further information: MND Connect 0808 802 6262 www.mndassociation.org

The Letting Centre

(Cambridge) Ltd

Setting Standards in Property Management

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Call Angie Rixon, business owner, to discuss your property rental needs.

The Letting Centre (Cambridge) Ltd, 107 High Street, Melbourn, Nr Royston, Cambridgeshire. SG8 6HH. enquiries@letting-centre.co.uk www.letting-centre.co.uk Registered in England No. 4472384 VAT No. 700035112

Rupert Neve at one of his mixing consoles

the modern mixing console – the massive board with hundreds of knobs and faders that dominates recording studio control rooms. His equipment gave depth and power to albums by such leading rock bands as The Who, Fleetwood Mac and Earth Wind and Fire.

Rupert was born in Devon in 1927 but his parents were missionaries so he spent much of his childhood in Buenos Aires, and as a small boy, armed with the Radio Amateur’s Handbook, he began building radios as a hobby. He served in the Signals during the war, and soon after he was back in Civvy Street he married and began work for Rediffusion. However, when he invented ‘bookcase speakers’ which were just as powerful as the huge speakers in use but a quarter the size, the company was not interested. Rupert and his wife moved to the Old Rectory in Little Shelford and started their own business, eventually opening the factory in Melbourn and another in Scotland. In Cambridge he founded the Cambridge Radio Course for training Christian broadcasters and he led Bible Classes at his local Baptist Church.

There must still be people in Melbourn who worked for the company or who know someone who did. The Beatles’ manager George Martin visited the studio and stayed late into the evening playing with the console, before buying one. In those days we had big processions through the village at the start of the annual Fete, and all the big flatbed lorries would meet on Rupert Neve car park before the procession set off to weave its way through the village to the recreation ground. There was no question of Health and Safety regulations as small children milled around on the lorries in fancy dress. They were huge occasions, great fun. So when I read the obituary I thought of the part he had played in the making of modern Melbourn and now, if anyone asks ‘Why Rupert Neve Close?’ you can reply that he played a very important part in the sound recording systems as we know them today. He was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Grammy and is a Legend in the music world. Mavis Howard

Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme and the Pandemic

Throughout the pandemic difficulties of the last year or more, we at Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme (a local registered charity) adapted our services to continue supporting our elderly and/or mobility impaired clients.

The usual services offered by the scheme are twice weekly visits to clients in their homes for a chat, and also a daily phone call (Monday to Friday), which provides regular social contact for those who struggle to get out unassisted and who otherwise may become isolated. We build lasting friendships with our clients, and on our visits we can also bring local shopping, help with obtaining prescriptions and carry out a variety of errands that may be needed around the village.

We are there to support those who have mobility problems, including people living with dementia, the bereaved and those who just like to have someone to talk with. We organise regular outings to bring clients together and can introduce our clients to other social activities and support services.

During the pandemic, the social contact side of our service was significantly impacted. We could no longer enter the homes of our clients to sit and chat as before, due to the restrictions on the mixing of households. As disappointing as this was for all concerned, it was of course necessary. To compensate, daily phone calls were increased and we made use of ‘Facetime’ where this was available. We were also supported by the Melbourn Coronavirus Community Response Team, who collected and delivered prescriptions in bulk, protecting the community and the Pharmacy from the infection risks associated with multiple visitors to the Pharmacy.

To keep our clients connected with each other, we increased our regular newsletter content to include even more client contributions, stories, quizzes, health tips and updates and a monthly feature on each of the wardens with photographs on what they had been doing each month during lockdown!

We had a virtual cream tea, delivering scones, cream, jam and a tea bag to every client, so that we could all enjoy this simultaneously at an appointed time and

think of each other whilst raising our cups! We have provided raffles with prizes, seasonal treats including sunflower seeds to grow, a Christmas hamper and Easter goodies to cheer everyone up and help tackle potential loneliness.

With restrictions lifting, we began offering outside visits in April of this year, and happily have been able to resume our indoor visits again during mid-May, so we can all enjoy those lovely face-to-face chats once more.

The pandemic has made the Nation reflect on the importance of human contact for our wellbeing, especially seeing people face-to-face. Our scheme welcomes new clients who may wish to establish this kind of social and practical support for the future. We have six mobile wardens who are DBS checked, trained and above all love to help and build friendships with others. We currently offer our support to residents of Melbourn, Meldreth and Shepreth. We have all received both Covid vaccinations, take regular lateral flow tests and are provided with PPE for everyone’s safety.

There is a small charge which includes all our services of just £7.50 per week.

If you, a family member, friend or neighbour might benefit from the support of the Melbourn Mobile

Warden Scheme, please contact MMWS via:

Email: secretary@mmws.org.uk or phone: Jeannie 07808 735066 or Jane 07952 821976. Melbourn and District U3A was formed in 1994 and today has around 460 members from South Cambridgeshire and North Hertfordshire. We have more than 30 subject or activity groups including art, music, languages, history, philosophy and current affairs, together with excursions and leisure activities such as yoga and walking, to name just a few.

Groups are informal, mutual and self-help in nature. In some groups the leader brings professional experience, and in others group members might share the role to build skills and understanding. There are no exams but members may choose to go on with further studies and qualifications. A leader of one group is often a member of other groups. We are all learning. Newcomers are welcomed regardless of experience or knowledge. Meetings are held in the morning or afternoon, in people’s houses or in local halls and using online facilities. You may decide to join one or more of the groups or just attend the monthly meeting. Come as a guest in the first instance to find out more.

Everyone who is no longer in full time employment is welcome to join.

During the Covid pandemic arrangements have been made for members to meet online using Zoom, emails, Facebook and by telephone. Podcasts and YouTube broadcasts are increasingly being used for our activities. We are now planning to meet again face to face pending the relaxation of Covid regulations.

Melbourn & District U3A is affiliated to the Third Age Trust, a registered charity which provides benefits to each U3A by being a conduit for the exchange of ideas and resources and in many other ways. Our subscription includes an amount due to the Trust.

For further information, including the list of groups, see www.melbu3a.org or contact our Secretary, Email: secretary@melbu3a.org – Phone 01223 871480.

The Hall For All

All Saints Community Hall All Saints Community Hall is about to re-open. We have taken due notice of all the Compliances as advised by ACRE and the Government and from the 17th May the Hall will be used for Yoga, Pilates, Rainbows, Brownies and Guides (who have their own strict guidelines for restarting) AND by the Parish Council, who are unable to meet at The Hub whilst the building work is ongoing.

Throughout Lockdown the Trustees have had a roster for a daily inspection of the Hall checking for leaks, broken windows or other nasty happenings. This

covered us for insurance purposes. Gay Rodham, our invaluable cleaning contractor, has also been in regularly and ensured that the place has been kept clean, she has also installed sanitising dispensers for us.

Because it would be almost impossible for us, at the moment, to keep the contents of the kitchen Covid-free it will not be available for use by hirers – although there is no reason why they cannot bring a kettle and their own cups and use them in the main Hall. The Meeting Room is off limits except as an isolation room should anyone be taken ill. Most of the chairs are taped off and there will be a one way system in operation – in though the main door, out through the south selflocking doors.

All this may well change after 12th June when we shall see what the Government are proposing for Stage Four of the Return to Normal. Brenda, Jacey and I very much hope that we shall see a return to Saturday morning Coffee Stop although I think we shall have to implement a waitress service for delivering the coffee (tips may be given at your discretion!).

Our other good news is that we have two new Trustees to take the place of Irene Bloomfield and Rosemary Gatward. They are Pat Ames of Lordship Drive and Gavin Stanley from Station Road. We welcome them to the team and all look forward to the time when we are fully operational again and able to enjoy our lovely Cinema Nights. Mavis Howard

Royston & District Local History Society

www.roystonlocalhistory.org.uk Our website shows all the books we have for sale. Many of these result from the considerable work undertaken by our Publications sub-committee. The books may be ordered by post from David Allard (01763 242677). Some are also available at the Cave Bookshop in Melbourn Street.

Our evening meetings are held on a Thursday evening at 8pm and will resume in the autumn in the Heritage Hall (the main hall downstairs) at Royston Town Hall. Please see our website for details.

Annual membership £10 (Sept-Aug) (Under 18s half price) Visitors £2

Unfortunately an annual coach outing will not be possible this year.

Rapid Covid testing

Residents in Melbourn are being urged to get twice-weekly rapid Covid tests.

The move is an important step forward to meet the aims of the national roadmap, allowing everyone to move safely out of lockdown.

Twice-weekly rapid testing is a vital tool in identifying cases of Covid-19 that would otherwise be missed.With 1 in 3 people with coronavirus showing no symptoms and potentially spreading it without knowing, rapid testing helps to identify positive cases quickly, preventing the spread of infection.

There are several ways you can access rapid testing. You can take a test at one of the rapid testing sites locally.Your employer may be offering testing in the workplace.

You can also collect tests to complete at home or order tests to be delivered to your home. Secondary school pupils are also being asked to take a twice-weekly test.

You can find out more about all of these options at www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/rapidtesting.

Dr Liz Robin, director of public health for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said: “Getting into the habit of twice-weekly testing as part of our everyday lives will help us all to keep each other safe.Alongside the ongoing vaccine rollout, it will help us to move forward with the roadmap out of lockdown.” COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests You can use this service to order free packs of rapid lateral flow tests to be sent to your home.

A pack of tests contains 7 tests. You can order one pack per household each day. Who this service is for You can only use this service if: • you do not have coronavirus symptoms • you are 11 or older • you have not been told to self-isolate • you cannot get tests from your work, school, college or university (ask them for rapid lateral flow tests) Do not use a rapid lateral flow test if you have coronavirus symptoms Go to: www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapidlateral-flow-tests

Many of you will have seen lots of activity going on at Melbourn Hub during the spring of this year, as builders got to work on a much anticipated extension to the Hub building. This has been a very positive phase in the life of the Hub, during more than a year of enormous disruption and change. We are thrilled to be able to re-open with even more space and a brand new look for you! These exciting improvements are all being paid for with funds obtained to specifically support the Hub and at no cost at all to the Melbourn community.

The Hub showed its value to the community leading up to the pandemic, with an ever growing list of services and activities being enjoyed by so many, which either supported, educated or entertained. A popular café, meeting spaces, a library, art exhibitions, outreach health and counselling services and a variety of seasonal events and activities for all ages and abilities were regular features at Melbourn Hub – before the Nation went into lockdown in March 2020.

At the height of the pandemic, the Hub came into its own, with Coronavirus support services operating from the building, mobilising fantastic local volunteers to provide essential supplies of food and medicines to shielding and isolating villagers. The Hub hosted a food bank and provided weekly meal packages, prepared by Cambridge chef Liz Young, to local families. The Hub also opened its doors to support the GP surgery flu vaccination sessions for the community.

During 2020, The Hub was able to re-open for short periods in line with government guidelines, but was only able to offer its café service at this time, because of the social distancing restrictions in place and the need to re-organise the venue to comply with strict Covid safe rules. This meant we could not offer alongside, other Hub services such as the library, meeting space hire, exhibitions and events etc. Customers were so pleased to return for the café and impressed by the Covid safe measures in place. The introduction of table service and other changes proved very popular with

customers and we have designed our services to take customers feedback into account.

We have to thank our wonderful staff and volunteers, who have been patient and stoic in rising to the incredible challenges faced by having to organise and operate in a completely new way to meet the requirements of the Covid-19 crisis.

The Hub is so looking forward to restoring more of its services as soon as we are permitted and it is safe to do so. The services may have to run a little differently to the way we did pre-pandemic as we adapt to the ‘new normal’ but how great it is to welcome our customers again, existing and new.

So why the new look? Opportunities to support growing services and to meet the changing needs of the community required additional and more flexible space, so plans were submitted and approved to extend the Hub. Funding for the build was raised from various sources by the Hub Management Group. For example, ‘S106’ money was designated by TTP specifically for the Hub. It is not available or intended for anything else and does not displace any other funding that might otherwise be coming from TTP in support of the community as a result of their site development. The Hub also successfully applied for a Cambridgeshire County Council capital grant fund, set up specifically to finance the development and enhancement of distributed and decentralised community support – precisely what the Hub is about! Therefore we are delighted that the local community will benefit from The Hub’s improved facilities, while we remain completely independent of all Melbourn parish council or other precept monies for the project.

The lockdown gave us an opportunity to get the work done without the potential disruption of doing so whilst trading. The ground floor now has two new meeting rooms with even more adaptable features, a small room upstairs has been extended into a large airy meeting space, so The Hub now boasts a total of four excellent meeting rooms, better organised space and much needed added storage. Further disabled facilities have been introduced into the building on the first floor. The whole of the building has been redecorated in a welcoming palette. Availability of this new space will be even more important to the community, as the pandemic has changed the way many people will be working now and in the future.

Come and see our new look Hub and enjoy a barista coffee and something from our new menu such as eggs benedict, smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel, or a mozzarella and chorizo panini. Don’t worry, we still have our firm favourites like our hearty Hub breakfast and delicious omelettes! We continue to offer table service and a choice of seating either inside the Atrium, or, if preferred, you can sit out on the terrace or inside our spacious marquee. Our Covid safety standards, praised by customers during the last year, continue to be maintained for your reassurance and comfort!

We look forward to offering our library services once again in due course (see our website for our opening hours for book browsing and borrowing) and hope that we can once again share in the many other activities and seasonal events that brought us all together before!

Welcome back to your new look Melbourn Hub. Our motto “For the community, by the community” has never been truer. Melbourn Hub Management Group

With the lighter evenings and mornings here at last we have finally emerged from what seems like a long hibernation. The sunshine and warmer days give us a glimmer of hope that this summer will be better, and our Tenants will have more freedom than we were allowed over the past year. Even though, like the rest of the country, we were in lockdown, things have still been busy at Moorlands and we have continued to keep all of our Tenants safe and well. This is due to the incredible hard work and commitment from our staff. It has been incredibly hard over the past few months, but the staff have all continued to offer our Tenants and Community Clients a first-class service and do their very best to provide the care and support they need and we expect.

In March, one of our older Tenants, Mary, celebrated her 100th birthday and we managed to hold a socially distanced birthday party for her and a couple of her family members. This wasn’t the huge celebration it should have been but, with restrictions still in place at the time, we did our very best to mark the occasion in a way that was safe but also fitting for such a milestone birthday. We used the power of Social Media to see if we could gather up lots of cards.

The response was tremendous; local schools, playgroups and individuals took time to make and buy cards. We were overwhelmed by the response and to see over 200 birthday cards displayed in the communal area was very impressive and just shows how great the power of Social Media can be. The highlight of the birthday celebration was a visit from Mary’s Granddaughter, her first in over a year due to the restrictions. Watching the reunion was very emotional and to see Mary recognise her after so long apart was heart-warming. There were a few tears shed and that wasn’t just from the family. Our talented kitchen staff made two delicious birthday cakes which sat either side of Mary’s Birthday Card from the Queen which took pride of place in the centre of the table. The staff joined Mary’s family, and everyone sang Happy Birthday. It was such a lovely morning and a little bit of normal in very strange times.

At Moorlands Court, we produce a quarterly newsletter to keep tenants up to date with what’s going on but because of the imposed lockdown and the closure of all our communal areas there hasn’t been much news to share unfortunately. To give our tenants something interesting to read we have been chatting to some of them to find out about their lives and sharing their stories in the Newsletter. This has been so rewarding for us as the stories we have uncovered are not only interesting but our tenants have all enjoyed reading about their neighbours’ past lives too. Our most recent interview was with a tenant who moved into Moorlands the day before the country went into the first lockdown in March 2020. He didn’t have a chance to meet any of his neighbours, but since his article was published in the Newsletter Doug has made some new friends and is now able to stop and chat to his new neighbours and will pop his head into the office to have a little chat most days. This is Doug’s story Doug was born and bred in the village and his family ties have been in Melbourn as far back as 1870, when his grandfather was born. He showed me some amazing photos of the village from years gone by and had images of the little cottage he was born in, which was opposite the old “Red Cow” pub in the High Street. He recalls happy times as a child in the village with his 2 brothers and sister. Their Grandfather used to cut the grass on the village green with a scythe and the siblings would follow after him collecting the grass cuttings to take home and feed to the family’s pigs.

In those days it was normal to leave school at 14 and Doug was no exception. Just after the start of the war in 1939, Doug left school

The Co-op from the turn of the century

and went to work at the local CO-OP as a delivery boy.

He was a familiar sight cycling around the village on his trike delivering groceries and bread to the locals.

Like most young men of the time, Doug wanted to enlist in the Army, but he failed the medical due to an issue with his hearing. The advice from his Doctor was to find employment in the open air and so he went to work at Palmers, a fruit growing company in Melbourn. Doug told me about some of the amazing harvests he saw during his time with the company and gesticulated about the size of the huge apple crop one Autumn. After a few years at Palmers, Doug moved on to work for one of the biggest landowners in the area – Thriplow Farms. He worked in the grain store and was also responsible for looking after the various animals, and the general running of the estate. He was an invaluable member of staff and enjoyed the outdoor life. Doug recalls some of his memories from that time and told me how exciting it was when electricity was first installed in the village. He said he was a quick learner and could turn his hand to most things, and even helped install electricity to some of the homes in the village. At the same time, the farm also began to install electricity to the barns and pig pens, which Doug also had a hand in installing.

He met his wife Rosamund in 1946, while working at Thriplow Farms. She was a local girl from Thriplow village, and they were soon married. By 1949 their first son Stephen was born, shortly followed in 1953 by another son, Barry. Family life and bringing up their family kept the couple busy, but Doug continued to be a valuable member of the local community and was the Secretary on the Parish Council at Thriplow. Their sons both went to the Village College and Doug also enlisted on numerous evening classes there too, where his interest in electronics was expanded.

In 1965 Doug was offered a job at the College of Estate Management in Surrey, where he took on the role of Groundsman at the University of Reading. He recalls happy times in Surrey, but by 1976 the family moved back to Cambridgeshire when Doug took up the position of Groundsman at the Police Headquarters in Huntingdon.

He told me about the workshop he had in the garden at the family home in Harston, where he would spend time repairing various electrical items and enjoyed tinkering on various jobs in there. He would often travel to Hitchin market to source the spares needed for his repair jobs.

Doug remained at the Police Headquarters until his retirement in 1989 and continued to live in Harston with Rosamund until she sadly passed away 5 years ago.

In 2020, he made the decision he needed some additional help and moved to Moorlands Court. He told me he is happy here and especially enjoys the view from his flat overlooking the Village College.

Throughout the pandemic, Moorlands Court are still offering all of the services to the local community that we have done for many years. Our ‘Meals on Wheels’ continues to be very popular and offers people in the local community who need some extra help the chance to have a home-cooked, balanced meal without the worry of preparing it themselves, or the additional work of a family member preparing and delivering one. We are also able to offer a housekeeping service, which is not only first rate but very reasonably priced too. This is another service that has remained popular. From time to time, flats do become available here at Moorlands Court, so if you or a family member are looking for a well-equipped, professional, and caring extra care accommodation then please give us a call to discuss your needs.

Moorlands Court has the added benefit of being able to offer local businesses or individuals the facilities to hold meetings/interviews in our well-equipped conference rooms. These rooms are available at a very affordable rate which includes tea, coffee, biscuits and water in the price. The spaces available can accommodate up to 12 people in a boardroom setting or something less formal if necessary and has WiFi, TV, DVD, flip-chart or plain coloured walls for projections. Our kitchen staff can also supply a variety of buffet lunches for your meeting at very reasonable rates. These spaces will only be available once current restrictions are lifted.

If you would like any further information about the services we offer please contact us on 01763 260564 and have a chat with one of our Care and Support Managers, or alternatively visit our website: www.chsgroup.org.uk/housing-and-care-services-forolder-people/moorlands-court/ for more information. Denise Taylor, Extra Care Services Manager Moorlands Court

Cupcakes for Melbourn Community Support Group

Chefs at Melbourn Springs have been busy spreading the love to their community friends by supplying cupcakes to ‘Community Support for Dementia’, an initiative formed in 2019 by Stephanie Trayhurn and Davina Biswell to offer Awareness, Support and Training to families and their loved ones ‘living with dementia’ in Melbourn and the surrounding villages.

Pre-lockdown, Community Support for Dementia were running a monthly Memory Café at the Melbourn Hub, which was replaced by weekly deliveries of activity packs and cakes during the pandemic and continues to this day.

Melbourn Springs, in Hyacinth Drive, also includes a Memory Lane Community and a specialist highly trained Dementia Care team who are in discussions with ‘Community Support for Dementia’ to explore the opportunities of working together to provide an additional Memory Café in the village each month. Melbourn Springs is run by Barchester Healthcare and runs advanced training programmes in Dementia care for staff. The home has environments and activities tailor-made to support memory retention and a Dementia lifestyle including the state of the art Magic Table and Cinema.

General Manager, Karen Allen adds, “Stephanie, Davina and the support group do a tremendous job and it is a real pleasure to be able to support them and their fantastic community group. Living with dementia can be quite lonely and frightening, and the more support we can provide to each other, the better – our door is always open here at Melbourn Springs if we can support or advise in any way.”

Melbourn Women’s Institute

– The After Eights Like other groups we are still trying to keep afloat with Zoom talks, but it is a struggle. And sadly not all our members have access to, or are comfortable with, Zoom so they are missing out. However, we hope to be able to meet in the open somewhere in June if the weather and Covid restrictions allow, and follow on from that accordingly.

Our President Gail McPhee has continued to send out a chatty newsletter every month and the Cambridge Federation WI also organise regular Zoom meetings under the title WI Wanderers, featuring lectures, demonstrations of crafts and cooking and so on for a very modest fee.

Those of us fortunate enough to have the technology have just enjoyed a demonstration of Furoshiki, the Japanese art of wrapping with fabric, which also incorporated a simple explanation of the (very) complicated Japanese language. Furoshiki (from Furo – bath and Shiki – towel) is an ancient method of using a square of cloth to wrap and transport all manner of things from gifts to shopping. Our members were asked to have certain items to hand and were able to copy the simple instructions and wrap bottles and books. Our speaker, Saori, explained that when she was young only the elderly people used this method but now there is so much focus on being eco-friendly youngsters have taken to employing fabric as it can be used again and again.

Our membership spans quite a considerable age range and we are a small but friendly group. If you are interested in joining us do contact our President Gail McPhee on melbournwi@gmail.com and she will be pleased to include you in the next Zoom meeting as a taster or, if we are lucky enough to be meeting in person, she will give you more details. Under normal circumstances, we would meet on the fourth Wednesday of the month in the Community Hall at 8pm but we have been starting our Zoom meetings at 7.30 p.m. Mavis Howard. Tel: 260686

Melbourn & Meldreth Women’s Group

We are a group of ladies who meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month, except for December. Our programme is based on learning, fun and friendship; with a guest speaker or a homespun entertainment. Our meetings begin with the Women’s Group prayer and notices; then the main feature for the evening. We finish with refreshments and chat. Everyone contributes a set amount, so we can cover expenses. We have been having our meetings on Zoom; which has been quite successful; but not everyone enjoys this. We all look forward to when we can resume meeting in person, when we will vary our venue between All Saints’ Community Hall

Melbourn and Holy Trinity Church meeting room in Meldreth.

In March Angela Leach devised a quiz; this was well received and some knew more than they realised! Our April evening saw some memories shared and encouraged recalling of similar experiences. The May evening should have been our summer supper; but in view of restrictions, it was decided the committee would prepare a ploughman’s takeaway, with cake for pudding. Finishing the evening with Zoom and chat. Future meetings are: » 22nd June Peter Draper will be speaking about the history of Holy Trinity church, » 27th July we have Patsy Glazebrook from the Sick

Children’s Trust. » 24th August we usually visit somewhere locally, for an evening meal.

The arrangements as to where we meet or if we continue with Zoom will be confirmed in time for each meeting; depending what restrictions are in place.

If you feel any of this may interest you; or want to know more about the group, please contact any committee member.

Pat Smith (262575) Sue Toule (260955) Angela Leach (262793) Pat Ames (261130) Kimmi Crosby 07976228377 Diane Blundell (221415) Mary Bailey (220171)

Walking for Health

Why walk?

“Walking is the nearest activity to the perfect exercise” …according to Professors Jerry Morris and Adrienne Hardman in the Walking for Health report, ‘Walking Works’.

Walking is beneficial to both physical and mental health, but are you wondering why walking is so good for you? Or wanting to find out how you can join in?

Visit: www.walkingforhealth.org.uk/why-walk. for the answers. Walk with us

Getting active can be difficult, but Walking for Health are here to help.

Walking for Health are England’s largest network of health walk schemes, helping thousands of people across the country to lead a more active lifestyle. The group walks are led by friendly, specially trained volunteers, who are on hand to provide encouragement and support and make sure no one gets left behind.

The walks are short and over easy terrain. They are open to everyone, but are especially aimed at those who are least active. Getting involved with your local Walking for Health scheme couldn’t be easier.

To find the health walk schemes closest to you, visit: www.walkingforhealth.org.uk/walkfinder and enter your postcode or placename in the search box, or see what’s on offer in your part of the country by clicking on your local region on the map.

You’ll then find all the information you need either to join the group for one of their regular walks, or to contact your local scheme coordinator to find out more. Walking with health conditions

If you have problems with your health, or if you’ve had them in the past, it can be hard to stay active. But walking could make all the difference. It’s a low impact exercise, so it’s easy for you to get involved – even if you’re not feeling your best. In fact, walking could help you feel great again!

Joining Walking for Health walks with a trained walk leader could help you feel more confident about taking those first steps to a more active lifestyle. And for people with certain health conditions, there’s some helpful information on our website.

Visit: www.walkingforhealth.org.uk/get-walking/ walking-health-conditions for details. Keep walking

We love walking. And if you’ve now got started, we hope you do too! There’s plenty you can do to make sure you keep up the good work.

On the Walking for Health website you’ll find extra support and advice to help you keep walking – from getting the most out of your walk and staying motivated, to finding ways to walk more and walking in all weathers.

If you’ve enjoyed walking with Walking for Health, why not take the next step and become a walk leader? www.walkingforhealth.org.uk/

Melbourn Parish Council

New civic year It has been a busy start to the new civic year. We held the Annual Parish Meeting on 5 May with reports from Committees, charities and recipients of community benefit grant funding. A copy of the Annual Report is available from the Parish Office or via the website. It is a shame that the Annual Parish Meeting had to be held online, but safety of residents and councillors must be our priority. The legislation allowing remote meetings expired on 7 May and, despite a High Court challenge

to extend the legislation, Parish Councils must return to face-to-face meetings. At the time of writing, I am looking at various options for meetings – please see published agendas for details.

Community spirit recognised As is traditional, the Annual Parish Meeting on 5 May provided an opportunity to recognise local residents for their contributions to the community. This year’s worthy recipients are: Mr Phipps for his beautiful sign which takes pride of place at the Millennium Mr Phipps Copse. Mr Phipps has also made and installed a hardwood bench around the oak tree he planted in the Copse and has worked with the village wardens to repair the picnic bench by the River Mel, providing a beautiful picnic spot for all to enjoy. Ron and Gill Sutcliffe for their work keeping the grounds of All Saints Ron and Gill Sutcliffe Church neat and tidy. They quietly go about their business making the Church grounds a wonderful focal point in the centre of the village. Laura Nelson and Jemma Glennon for organising the Melbourn & Meldreth Bear Hunt. Over 470 families took part, displaying bears in Laura Nelson and Jemma Glennon their windows for children to find. What a wonderful idea during the first lockdown to give families the opportunity of getting out and connecting with one another in a safe but fun way. And finally, the whole of the MCCR team were recognised for their valuable work during 2020 when restrictions prevented people from going about their lives. At a time when many felt isolated and unsure, the MCCR team, including 193 volunteers, collected prescriptions, delivered meals, helped out with shopping and crucially provided a friendly voice on the phone for countless local people who were shielding or self-isolating.

Congratulations and thank you all for your contribution to the village. Parish clock For some time now the Parish clock has been silent. However, I am delighted to report that, thanks to a donation from local businesswoman Janet Grimwood, the clock mechanism will soon be returned to working order. Our grateful thanks to Janet and colleagues at Janeteva Estate Management for their generosity. Information please …. An interpretation board has been installed in New Road Cemetery marking the site of the Anglo-Saxon burial mound. The beautifully illustrated board provides information on important archaeological finds in the area. A further interpretation board is soon to be installed at the Jubilee Orchard with details of the heritage fruit trees that make up the orchard. Another recent addition to the area is the wonderful oak sign made by Mr Phipps. Community Hub extension And finally, building works to the Hub are progressing well and on schedule. It is hoped that the bigger and better Hub will re-open to the public during June. In the meantime, we are looking forward to the friendly buzz returning to the building. Claire Littlewood, Parish Clerk

County and District Council

Elections Sally Ann and Susan were both delighted to be elected to the District and County Councils respectively, on May 6th.

Sally Ann writes: For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Sally Ann Hart and I am your newly elected South Cambridgeshire District Councillor. I’ve lived in Melbourn High Street in ‘the BLUE house’ for over 18 years and I’ve been a Melbourn parish councillor since 2016. I was elected in the by-election for the Melbourn ward which includes Meldreth, Whaddon & Shepreth. I really enjoyed speaking with all those who were at home while out and about canvassing ahead of the by-election and hearing what’s important to you in terms of our community and how it needs to develop. I will be working closely with my fellow District Councillor Jose Hales and alongside Susan van de Ven, our Cambridgeshire County Councillor. Susan writes: Thank you so much for your support and confidence in the recent elections. I look forward to continuing to work together in the community! Drop-in surgeries Over the past few months we’ve been holding weekly Zoom Cuppa surgeries. With Covid restrictions easing and the expanded Melbourn Community Hub due to reopen soon, we hope to reinstate our drop-in surgeries at the Hub over the summer – and continue to be available to meet by Zoom or speak over the phone any time. Details still to be worked out at the time of writing, so please feel free to contact any of us by phone or email. Drains – please keep an eye! As you know, extensive drainage clearance was carried out around Melbourn in March and it’s important now to keep an eye on any that continue to be problematic, as Highways will come back and investigate those. So, please do record any significant pooling, if possible using the Highways Reporting website, which is the fastest and best way of getting information to the team: https://highwaysreporting.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/ East West Rail: once in a hundred years infrastructure – consultation closes June 9th The East West Rail Company’s consideration earlier on of a Bassingbourn station and routing for the BedfordCambridge central rail connection would have had important considerations for Melbourn.

East West Rail now favour the idea of a Cambourne station, on the north side of the town at the A428 corridor. However, the line would then loop down to Toft, the Eversdens, Haslingfield, Harston and Shelford, to come up to a new Cambridge South Station, the conduit to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. The proposal includes a series of 10m high embankments through the countryside – though the consultation does not include illustrations and those keen to understand the implications must draw their own conclusions. There would be a cut-through at the hill between Barrington and Haslingfield. EWR tell us that a northern approach to Cambridge via Cambridge North Station did not score well in their appraisal, but details are not included in the consultation.

The consultation closes June 9 and the website is: https://eastwestrail.co.uk/consultation South West Cambridge New Town: Latest FAQs Latest information on Thakeham’s speculative proposal for a new town in and amongst our villages, including a set of Frequently Asked Questions, is posted on the South West Cambridge Action Group website: www.swcag.org.uk/news-and-events. Our next meeting dates will be posted there too. New Cambridgeshire Director of Public Health Dr Jyoti Atri takes up the post of Public Health Director in mid-June and will pick up on liaising with the District Council’s Communities Duty team, which in turn communicates with local Covid support groups. While the Covid situation is obviously improving, we’re asked to remain careful, and mindful that the coming months still hold some uncertainty. We’d like to thank the outgoing Public Health Director Dr Liz Robin for her fantastic work keeping us all informed and providing a public steer since Covid began.

Local Covid-19 information is always available at www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/coronavirus/ coronavirus-covid-19-overview Oil Club rebate Our bulk-buying household heating Oil Club, which exists to facilitate lowest available prices, gets an annual rebate from the supplier which is always donated to a local community group. This year’s rebate of £100 has gone to Home-Start South Cambridgeshire, Royston and Buntingford.

Home-Start reports that the needs most commonly identified by referred families are parent isolation and parental mental health problems. The overall service is recognised in Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire County Councils’ care plans, but central government cuts to local authorities mean that the councils are no longer able to provide financial support.

The Oil Club’s bulk buyer is Jeremy Cole of Agricole Oil – www.heating-oil-prices.co.uk/ or 01954 719 452 / 07860 904 045. Or please feel free to contact us if you’d like to know more.

Any questions? Please don’t hesitate to contact us – many thanks.

District Councillor Sally Ann Hart, sallyannhart@ riskingonpurpose.com, 07791 233303 – District Councillor Jose Hales, Josehales@gmail.com, 07703262649 – County Councillor Susan van de Ven, susanvandeven5@gmail. com, 07905325574