Village news

Village News

Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme? 6 Melbourn Hub – 2020 Reflections 7 Melbourn Community Library 9 Community Support for Dementia 10 Healthwatch 11 Melbourn and the many fronts 12 against Covid-19 The Community Lifeline Service 15 Cambridge Re-Use 16 Home-Start 16 Music with Mum 17 Walking market 17 The Olive Webb shrubs 18 Melbourn Fete 2021 19 Moorlands Court 19 Melbourn Springs 19 Melbourn & District U3A 22 Melbourn & Meldreth Women’s Group 23 Community Rail Partnership 23 Parish Council Clerk’s Report 23 District and County Councillors 24 Holocaust Memorial Day 24 Vernon Corrin Gamon 3.11.1940 – 28.9.2020

Sadly Vernon lost his long fight against cancer and is sadly missed by Moira, his wife of over 55 years, his children, Giles, Rachel and Felix and his 4 grandchildren, Fergus, Hamish, Munro and Bronte.

Vernon started work as a trainee mechanical engineer, working on Fylingdale project in N. Yorks and later decided to change direction and move to electrical engineering. More years of study and a move down south to Richmond followed, where he met Moira at the local badminton club.

Vernon and Moira married in 1965 and bought a new house overlooking the river Thames near Hampton Court. Both worked and Vernon took a year off to complete his degree. Giles was born in 1968 and Rachel in 1970 and they then bought a dilapidated and large Victorian house in East Molesey in the spring of 1972. Felix was born in December that year, and despite a very demanding job with an engineering consultancy and 3 children under 5 years of age, Vernon set to and installed central heating in time for the first winter, re-wired the whole house, put new fencing up in the garden to stop both the children and the basset hound escaping, and still found time to play squash, continue to sail and develop all his own photographs. He started up his own electrical engineering consultancy in 1974, undertaking work in many far-flung places, from the Ivory Coast, Ecuador, Tripoli, South Korea, Mexico and Abu Dhabi.

Vernon was always active and remained so until the end. He built his first sailing boat, an Enterprise, in 1962 which he and Moira sailed on the Thames near Hampton Court and at Island Barn Reservoir.

They continued to sail various boats from Solo and Fireball to Flying Fifteen, including building a second Enterprise. He enthusiastically played squash, badminton, golf and bridge, and enjoyed cycling and singing in a choir and learning to play the guitar. He and Moira were also avid theatre and concert goers.

They bought a holiday home in Dumfrieshire in the 1980’s and Vernon set to and replaced both the kitchen and the bathroom and added another en-suite shower room.

The family having left home and wishing to move out of the centre of Cambridge and have a smaller house and garden, they moved to Melbourn in 1997. Vernon retired in 1999 and, not feeling ready to be inactive, decided to start a new career, as a plumber, finally stopping working altogether in 2008.

Not that it signalled a slowing down, he just did other things, from helping with the accounts for the Cambridge University Musical Society, becoming treasurer of one bridge club, secretary of another and chairman of the private company of the 12 houses constituting Pryor’s Orchard. Later he also helped with the advertising for the Melbourn magazine.

A busy and active life well-lived.

Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme?

Could you benefit from the Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme? Covid-19 has presented many serious challenges for us all during 2020, not least for those who may have health and mobility issues or who are simply of ‘seasoned age’! This means, unfortunately, that you may be more vulnerable to complications if you were ever to contract Coronavirus. Therefore, you may find during the current situation that you could benefit from support to protect you from being exposed to this risk, and from someone special being in daily contact.

Who are we? Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme is a registered charity which has been operating since 1996, helping people to remain independent in their homes. The scheme is run by trustees and the services are delivered by a team of mobile wardens. We offer our services across Melbourn, Meldreth and Shepreth. What do we do? We provide twice weekly visits to your home for a good chat (subject to Covid-19 guidance as to whether this can take place from inside or outside) and daily phone calls on non-visit days during the week. We can also bring basic shopping from local stores, order and deliver your prescriptions, go to the post office and help you with various other local errands – too many to list! What else do we offer? We provide regular newsletters and treats to connect the members of the scheme. Outside the current Covid-19 restrictions, we would normally arrange regular outings throughout the year for all of our members, using specialised transport. This gives the opportunity for members to make new friends and catch up with existing ones. Who can join? If you are mobility impaired or struggle to leave your home without assistance due to a health condition, or if you have frailty due to age, you may find our services of help. Our warden team can discuss your individual situation to establish if the scheme can meet your needs. Who will be my mobile warden? We have a team of six wardens who are specially selected, DBS checked and trained. A warden is allocated to you (subject to your satisfaction) and would be in regular contact to support you and build a friendly relationship that for many of our members has already spanned several years.

Maurice & Jeannie

Shirley Betsy Molly How much will it cost? We make a small charge for all the above services, which amounts to only about £7.50 per week and a little more for couples. We collect this as a monthly amount of £30 for an individual or £34 for a couple.

If you, a loved one or a neighbour could benefit from the Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme, please contact Jeannie 07808 735066 or Jane 07592 821976. Jeannie Seers, Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme

Melbourn Hub – 2020 Reflections

Well who would have believed this time last year, that life as we know it would have been completely turned on its head and that we would find ourselves unable to see loved ones and friends and that schools, shops, pubs and our favourite places to meet like Melbourn Hub would be forced to shut their doors for several months?! We would have laughed if someone had suggested that we would be doing (or not doing) many of the things that have now become the ‘new normal’ during 2020.

The relaxation in the summer of some of the restrictive measures for hospitality was much anticipated. The reopening of Melbourn Hub’s ‘Bookmark Café’ on 27th July, was of particular delight and importance to the many people who work, volunteer or enjoy visiting The Hub.

Sadly we are still unable for now to see the return of other popular Hub activities such as our regular seasonal community events, art exhibitions, lunch clubs, story time and the library for instance, but we of course understand the reasons behind this and look forward to these returning in the near future. Some additional, albeit limited, services are available including room hire and community health services – please see our website for details.

For so many charities and businesses, it has been an extremely challenging time and will continue to be for a good while yet. However it is easy to only focus on the negative impact of Covid-19, but as we approach the end of 2020 we felt that it would be good to look back at some of the positive aspects of our venue during this troubled year, primarily around people’s ability to connect with and support each other at Melbourn Hub. We believe that Melbourn Hub and our wonderful community has much to be proud of in this respect during 2020.

When we decided to open the café once more, following The Hub’s hosting of the Coronavirus Response team during lockdown, the protection of the staff, volunteers and public was of paramount concern to us. Therefore The Hub re-opened with a robust ‘Covid safe’ system, which has been heralded as one of the safest in the area by those who visit. This however, required additional volunteer resource and The Hub was absolutely delighted that so many great new people came forward and offered their help to get Melbourn Hub up and running again, following a request for volunteers to join our wonderful existing team. We extend our thanks to those who both returned as existing staff and volunteers and to those who joined us in 2020. We always welcome more!

Here are some anecdotes about what Melbourn Hub has meant personally to the people who work at the Hub or visit us. It’s a nice way to reflect back over 2020 on some of the things we value as human beings and what it means to be part of a community at a time like this. Volunteering at Melbourn Hub: “The Hub was one of the reasons I decided to move to Melbourn last year and I enjoyed volunteering there as soon as possible. Once the cafe was reopened volunteering again helped to regain a little of a normal way of life and meet and make friends.” Volunteer Jane “Staff and volunteers made us very welcome and customers regularly went out of their way to thank us for helping to support the Hub, which they had missed during lockdown and were pleased to see a return to the daily life of Melbourn.” Volunteer couple Dave & Annette “It has been such fun and rewarding and I have been able to meet such lovely people, young and old alike. May my contribution continue but more importantly so too the Hub.” Volunteer “It’s great to be back volunteering again at the Hub in such a safe environment. The management team have worked so hard to ensure this. Over the months, we had missed the friendly banter with staff, other volunteers and of course our customers.” Volunteer couple John & Jane

Customers have welcomed the return of our friendly Hub, but most importantly for them is that they consider it a very safe place: “I served an older lady some lunch on the second day we had reopened as “Covid ready”. When she had finished I collected her plate and asked if she had enjoyed it. She had tears in her eyes and said “my food was delicious as always but I cannot tell you how relieved I am and how thankful to you all. This is the first time I have been out in such a long time and I was so nervous but I feel so safe here it’s wonderful”. Hub Director Nikki “The team at the Hub are fantastic and made me feel very welcome. I am getting to know the regular customers by chatting to them and sharing stories. For some customers the reopening has meant they can get out, socialise and feel safe.”. Volunteer Liz “All I can say is hand on heart, I know of no other venue that has come anywhere near the governments list of hygiene standards.” Volunteer Vicky “I wanted to say what a wonderful job you are all making at the Hub in these strange times. It all feels very safe without feeling intrusive”. Customer Ros Melbourn Hub has provided support for the community with various Outreach Services who have also praised us: “The Hub is such an important place for the people of Melbourn and the surrounding villages. There is a great sense of community and support for those who need it.” Mind CPSL “The Hub has a lovely welcoming environment with a strong community standing, which we know promotes positive mental health and wellbeing”. Citizen’s Advice “The team have worked tirelessly with us, to offer an inclusive environment for people ‘living with dementia’. There is always a warm and friendly ‘hello’ from the team which makes a huge difference to someone ‘living with dementia’”. Community Support for Dementia “Melbourn Hub has been supportive of Healthcare within the local community providing a focal point for the delivery of focused events to the local community. Melbourn Hub has been an excellent standard bearer for the delivery of health promotion”. Orchard GP surgery

We wholeheartedly thank you the community, for continuing to support Melbourn Hub throughout 2020 and in return we hope that we have fulfilled your expectations, especially in respect of your safety and also in continuing to provide excellent value. We at Melbourn Hub want to ensure everyone is included and able to enjoy our delicious food and drink during these difficult times. That is why we have not passed on our additional costs for making our venue ‘Covid Safe’.

You may also be aware that Melbourn Hub is a charity and not for profit. We’ve registered with Amazon Smile, so if you use Amazon to have your Christmas shopping delivered, and you would like to support us, you can choose us as your chosen charity and we will receive a donation for every parcel you have delivered.

We wish you all a very safe and happy Christmas and we will all no doubt get through this if we continue to pull together.

And finally, a poetic piece from one of our volunteers which sums up Melbourn Hub for them …

Tales from the Hub Reflections from a volunteer Having thoroughly enjoyed a slice of cake of the day the customer enquired about the ingredients, what made it special? Having given the question some thought the cook’s reply was: “It was a spoonful of love”

On hearing this the customer’s laughter echoed round the Hub so others benefitted from another ingredient frequently savoured – laughter.

Another customer asked about what keeps the Hub going. No doubt – the ingredient is dedication given willingly by all staff and volunteers alike.

So, what can be found at the Hub? Ingredients that cannot be quantified.

Melbourn Hub 01763 263303 Website www.melbournhub.co.uk Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ thehubmelbourn/

Melbourn Community Library

Sadly the Library has been closed for most of this year. When the Hub was able to reopen after the first lockdown we were unable to offer a library service as the space taken up by the open library shelves was needed by the café to provide additional socially distanced

tables. As the café is vital to the survival of the Hub we were willing to remain closed. We were able to receive returned library books in a box at the entrance to the Hub.

However, as restrictions were gradually eased, by October we were able to become a designated collection point for books which had been ordered either online or over the phone through the Cambridgeshire Library Service. This was just getting going when the second lockdown was imposed on us all.

We are keen to get the library functioning again and hope that by the time you are reading this we will again be offering the collection service and taking in returned books. It is also hoped that as time goes by many restrictions will be lifted and that we will again be able to open the shelves for browsing. There is nothing better than looking along the shelves of books and finding just the right one to read, or possibly many more than one. Roll on the day! Jane Stevens

Community Support for Dementia

Community Support for Dementia was formed in 1999 to introduce Awareness, Support and Training for people ‘living with dementia’ and their families/personal carers in Melbourn.

It was an initiative based on the personal experience of a Melbourn resident, faced with her 55 year old husband’s diagnosis of ‘Early Onset Dementia’. The diagnosis was very clinical and they were told ‘there is nothing the NHS can do, you both have a long and difficult journey ahead’.

Spurred into action more by panic and fear than anything, she quickly discovered there was nowhere locally for them to go for social support and felt people were ‘uncomfortable’ around them when they ventured out. She stumbled across the Dementia UK, Dementia Friends initiative, and encouraged everyone around her to be a ‘Dementia friend’, which involved watching a short video explaining some of the difficulties faced by people ‘living with dementia’ when they are out in the community.

Did you know, that a person ‘living with dementia’ who is faced with the customary black door mat, found in a majority of shops, cafes and restaurants, will think they are stepping into a big black hole! How scary must that be for them?

The Melbourn Community Hub seemed to be the ideal venue for a social gathering for people ‘living with dementia’. It is spacious, light, airy, and accessible for all. So, after discussions with the Hub directors, it was agreed that the Hub team would assist Community Support for Dementia in offering a venue for awareness and training to the villagers of Melbourn. A Dementia Friends evening was advertised. This was primarily to ascertain how many people in the village had been affected, directly or indirectly, by dementia. The turnout was incredible. So much so, we ran out of chairs and people had to stand, hence telling us there was a distinct lack of social support for dementia in our area.

As a direct result of this evening, we funded two ‘Virtual Dementia Training’ days and in September 2019 held our first Dementia Café at the Hub. It was an incredible afternoon and was very humbling for everyone involved.

The Hub is a great space to hold Dementia (Memory) Cafés. The team have worked tirelessly with Community Support for Dementia to offer an inclusive environment for people ‘living with dementia’. There is always a

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

warm and friendly ‘hello’ from the team, which makes a huge difference to someone ‘living with dementia’. They can no longer hold on to memories, but hold onto ‘feelings,’ so if they feel invited and comfortable, they will take this feeling with them and when they return they immediate get the same feeling and will be happy to stay.

Prior to lockdown, we held a Dementia Café once a month, on a Saturday afternoon, supplying free tea, coffee, cake, activities, music, help and advice to families and personal carers. The Hub gave us the space to do this and very quickly we almost filled the cafe! The feedback was amazing, so much so that our dementia friends and their families would often visit The Hub themselves between the monthly cafés. A great testament to the team, meaning that those ‘living with dementia’ had a good feeling when they visited, which would be just as relaxing for their family/carers.

Then on 23rd March 2020 we went into lockdown and suddenly the momentum that we had built up was halted. Not to be beaten, we produced weekly activity packs and delivered them to the doors of our Dementia Friends. We had quizzes, word searches, dot to dot, colouring-in, recipes, a sunflower competition, flower arranging, jelly competitions, bird and bug houses to paint, life stories of some of our friends ‘living with dementia’ and virtual walks. In addition to this, on one Saturday each month we delivered cakes to their houses to replace the Dementia Café experience. We set up a ‘WhatsApp’ chat group and our group grew stronger. It was amazing to see how they supported each other during this difficult time. The feedback was incredible and it was so lovely to see photographs of our loved ones ‘living with dementia’ taking part in these activities.

On 29th August, we managed to get together at The Hub and held ‘A Day at the Seaside’ themed Dementia café. We decked The Hub out with deck chairs, inflatable seagulls, buckets, spades, windmills and sticks of rock and supplied fish and chips, doughnuts, ice cream and a little ‘tipple’ to those who wanted it. It was an incredible time for all. Such love and support in the room and all held in a safe ‘socially distanced’ environment.

We now have over 36 people in our group and we know there are more people out there who need/ want support. Our aim is to be there for you if you, or your loved one, are unfortunate enough to get a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s/Dementia. It is one of the most heart-breaking pieces of news you and your family will receive. It will change your lives and there will be many challenging days ahead when you feel totally alone and don’t know where to turn. But you will also make memories that you will cherish forever; you will laugh (and cry!) as your journey continues.

If you would like support as a family member/personal carer or a person ‘living with dementia’, please, please contact us. We want to help you on your journey. Don’t struggle alone. Social interaction can be vital stimulation for those ‘living with dementia’ and much needed for carers and loved ones.

Community Support for Dementia is funded by quiz nights and other events and we were thankful to receive some funding from Melbourn Parish Council at the beginning of 2020. We also work closely with ‘Forget me not Training’, who have given much needed advice to our members when times have been difficult during lockdown. Community Support for Dementia: Davina Biswell 07961 574104 or Stephanie Trayhurn – 07710 198299 Forget me not Training Chris Elsley – 07970 474556 The Melbourn Community – Hub 01763 263303 Dementia Friends Initiative – Become a dementia friend https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/ WEBArticle?page=become-dementia-friend

Healthwatch

How are health and care services running for you in Melbourn? Health and care champions ‘Healthwatch Cambridgeshire’ want to hear if things are working well or need improving.

You can tell us about your GP, your pharmacy, hospital appointments, social care, dentists and more.

All the feedback you give is anonymised and then goes back to the people who can improve local services. We also encourage them to involve local people in decisions that affect them. How to share your views Join the conversation at Greater Cambridge Health and Care Forum, which brings together the public and the people providing services. continued on page 15