Village news

Village News

Melbourn Open Gardens Melbourn Community Library Melbourn and District U3A

5 6 6 Royston Choral Society 7 Melbourn & Meldreth Women’s Group 7 Moorlands Court 7 Community Support for Dementia 11 Home-Start 11 The SUN Network 12 What’s On @ Melbourn Child and Family Zone 13 Bloomsday Celebrated in Melbourn 15 Relate Cambridge 15 Melbourn Parish Council 17 The Great British Sewing Bee 21

Melbourn Open Gardens

In spite of the weather forecast, the sun shone most of the time. Even the occasional heavy shower did not dampen people’s enthusiasm for Melbourn Open Gardens 2021. The Fete Committee had to cancel the Melbourn Fun Day because of the delay in lifting the coronavirus restrictions. Fortunately, we had been able to plan MOG to take place under COVID restrictions if necessary.

MOG has always been a popular event but this year everyone surpassed themselves. We had more gardens open, more visitors (especially more children which was lovely to see) and more cake eaten. This means that we have been able to donate £1400 to our chosen local good cause of HomeStart. Yet more reason to celebrate!

The official opening time was 11am but people began to arrive for their garden passports well before that. And for the rest of the day there was not a quiet time. A total of 12 gardens and the St George’s Allotments opened. There was even a secret courtyard, accessible only from another garden. One of the really nice things about MOG is the range of garden sizes and styles. There are always ideas to steal – someone admired an arch in our

garden and it just so happened that a carpenter was nearby, so plans were made for a collaboration. A lady told me that at MOG 2019 she had looked at our summerhouse, gone home and planned. She now has her own garden retreat.

This year we had a theme: gardening for wildlife. Several of the gardens had been planted with wildlife in mind and the owners could tell people what kind of plants to buy and how to make sure their gardens provided food for wildlife throughout the year. There was also a display of bat boxes and a hedgehog home at the Tea Room so people could see how to make their own whilst enjoying their tea.

We upped our game in the Tearoom this year. As part of our COVID precautions, we decided to provide table service, but did this did add to the sense of occasion? Should we do this next time? As ever, the cakes proved very popular. So much so, that I was afraid that we might run out. In the event, there was enough left for all the helpers to celebrate the success of the day when the garden closed.

A big thank you to all the people who made the day possible. Firstly, the garden and allotment enthusiasts. I had no idea how people would feel about opening their gardens when I approached people. It was back in the time of lockdown when the vaccination programme had yet to have real impact. There was immediate enthusiasm – the only reservation was whether people would be on holiday by July!

Then there are the volunteers who sell the garden passports and serve teas. We really appreciate people giving a couple of hours of their time and making things go smoothly.

Thanks, too, to those who donated plants for sale. The Plant Creche proved very popular as people made sure they bought their plants of choice and all plants were claimed at the end of the event.

Finally, thanks to all the visitors. It would not be the same without you! Listening to your comments on the gardens you had already seen and those still to visit was inspiring. My favourite part of the day is telling people what the different plants in my garden are and making a list of the popular ones to propagate for the next MOG. We are already looking forward to putting MOG on again in 2023! Julie Norman, Melbourn Fete Committee

Melbourn Community Library

At the time of writing, the library is expecting to re-open on 23rd August once the extensive building work has finished at the Hub. The librarians are looking forward to this after such a long time away and to enjoying the enhanced facilities the Hub will have to offer.

The library will be open every weekday afternoon from 2.30 to 4.30 pm and on Saturday mornings from 10 to 12 as before. We look forward to welcoming borrowers young and old, either those who have used the library before or those who haven’t. It is easy and free to join, just pop in for an application form or look online on the Cambridgeshire Library website.

We hold a good stock of books at Melbourn which are regularly updated. It is mainly fiction to suit every taste though there is a good selection of biographies and some books on local history. Some of our fiction is in large print. We have a large number of children’s books, catering for children of all ages from toddlers to teens. Also for toddlers we have Story Time held once a week, which is led by one of the librarians and is a mix of songs, stories and games. At the end many of the mums and other carers stay on for a chat over coffee so it is a good way to get to know people.

Melbourn Community Library is there for you. You may be sure of a warm welcome and an enjoyable browse. You may even be tempted to start reading your choice of book over a cup of coffee or tea and a delicious home-made cake in the Bookmark Café. Jane Stevens

Melbourn and District U3A

Melbourn and District U3A is enlisting new members Are you working part time or fully retired? Got some time on your hands?

In need of company – a new hobby or study subject, more exercise with others?

Just moved to the area and want to find new friends and things to do?

The U3A is for you We have activity groups, excursions, gentle sports, discussion groups, language learning, quizzes, monthly talks on interesting topics and much more. Check our web site www.melbu3a.org

Contact our Membership Secretary: membership@ melbu3a.org 01763 852738

A reminder for our existing Members – our AGM and speaker meeting is on 18th August 2021 at 2.30 pm. – look out for details online and in the post.

Royston Choral Society

… bringing choral music back to life after Covid Lockdown! In March 2020 Royston Choral Society members from the town and surrounding villages were working hard to perfect their performance of Bach’s beautiful B Minor Mass for a concert in Ashwell Parish Church. But just the week beforehand, the Covid 19 Pandemic caused lockdown and, sadly, the choir has not sung together since.

Members are looking forward to re-assembling in September – Covid permitting – to prepare a performance of Messiah Part 1 and Haydn’s Mass on December 11th.

New singers are always welcome to join us. We don’t impose auditions on aspiring members, just come along to our open rehearsal, date to be confirmed, sing with us and see how you fit in. We anticipate restarting on Tuesday 11th September 7.30 at Royston Methodist Church, but keep an eye on our website for updates- www.roystonchoralsoc.org.uk

Melbourn & Meldreth Women’s Group

We are a small friendly group and we meet on the 4th Tuesday of the month except in December. At present we are meeting using Zoom and await developments to see when we will return to face to face meetings. Usually these are varied between All Saints Community Hall in Melbourn and Holy Trinity Meeting Room in Meldreth.

This year we are supporting The Helen Rollason Cancer Charity, and we raised funds for them in May when we did a “take away ploughman’s supper and cake” and ran a raffle. In June we had an interesting presentation by Peter Draper on some of the changes that Holy Trinity Church, Meldreth has undergone over the years

In July Patsy Glazebrook will be speaking to us about ‘The Sick Children’s Trust’ and we are looking forward to that. In August we usually go out for a meal so we will canvass members nearer the time and see how things are with the Covid situation.

On 28th September we are due to hear Carol Read talk to us about the ‘Stand By Me’ bereavement support group – if we are meeting in person this is due to be in Melbourn ASCH. 26th October would see us making Christmas decorations for the Christmas Tree Festival, if it takes place this year. 23rd November we hope to have an Advent reflection led by The Revd. Caroline Brownlie.

Do feel free to contact any of the committee members if you would like to know more about the group or to check upon the venue as time goes on. Their contact details are as follows:

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

Moorlands Court

With the lifting of restrictions at last, we are slowly returning to normal at Moorlands Court – well, as normal as we possibly can be. The new easing of restrictions is a long overdue relief for our tenants and we can’t wait to resume all the usual activities in the communal area again. We have so many fun things planned: sing-a-long musical afternoons, quizzes, cinema evenings, games afternoons, day trips to local attractions, and even some party ponies are booked to visit in the late summer.

Our Day Centre has continued since the last lockdown ended, but with restrictions in place. Now things have lifted we are planning lots of exciting activities for our Day Centre clients too and hope this will make their days more enjoyable.

We had a summer party planned in mid-June which unfortunately had to be cancelled when restrictions were extended. It was such a disappointment as we had so much to celebrate. Denise, Moorlands Court manager had been working here for 40 years and Julie, one of our Team Leaders for 30 years. We did eventually celebrate in style on 19th July. We had delicious food prepared by our amazing kitchen staff and were entertained with music from Rennie, who played hits from years past. There was a little tipple to toast Denise and Julie’s long service too.

One of our Team Leaders made an amazing chocolate and orange 70th cake see page 8, (to mark the combined years Denise and Julie have been at Moorlands) it was absolutely delicious and went down a treat.

continued on page 8

The tenants always enjoy a good sing-a-long and the summer party was a great way to catch up with old friends again in the communal lounge.

Some of the tenants even enjoyed a little dance. It was such a lovely, relaxed afternoon and everyone had a great time. Denise Taylor – 40 years’ Service. When a 16-year-old schoolgirl started her first shift as a part time weekend carer back in 1981, she couldn’t possibly have imagined 40 years later she would still be here. The staff, the building, the residents/tenants,

Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme

Can we help you?

Can we help a relative?

Can we help a neighbour?

Who does the Scheme help? Te 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 ofered by our services. Couples too are most welcome. It is also open to those in sheltered housing, as the scheme ofers diferent, but complementary services. Note: Te scheme also ofers its services for short periods to cover the temporary absence of relatives who otherwise provide this support.

We ofer 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 Ofce 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. Te 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

and the role have changed massively, but Denise’s passion for the profession is still as strong as it was back then. Denise was attending Cambridge Regional College on a Pre-Nursing Course, and her part time role at Moorlands was to finance her studies. When her studies at CRC finished in 1983, she began working at the Old Mill Road Hospital in Cambridge as an Auxiliary Nurse. She quickly realised the job at the hospital wasn’t for her because she felt she had taken a step backwards. Her role at Moorlands gave her much more of a challenge, which she thrived on. She was providing hands-on care at Moorlands and the role allowed her to administer end of life care, medication, and other nursing tasks which the position at the hospital fell short of. She laughed and said, “I only lasted 2 weeks at the hospital because I loved Moorlands so much”.

At this point, Denise decided to take a full-time position at Moorlands, with a view to gaining the necessary qualifications through on-the-job training and then returning to nursing in a higher grade at a later date. She loved her job and worked her way through all the necessary training offered. During this time, she met her husband and started a family. The care work provided Denise with a perfect family/work life balance and her original plan to return to nursing fell by the wayside. She took on a permanent night role and continued this arrangement while her children were young.

In 1993 her hard work and fortitude paid off and she was offered the position of Assistant Manager. Her strong work ethic continued; she made the role her own and worked alongside the then Manager to grow the business. During this time CHS took over the overall running of the business from the Council and there were many new challenges ahead for Denise. By 2001 the role of Manager became vacant and once again Denise’s drive and determination were noticed and she was offered the role.

Within a year of being in the post Denise managed to gain a coveted 3*, making Moorlands Court the highest rating the CQC grant. She was thriving in her new role and took on challenge after challenge to build Moorlands Court to a very successful and prosperous business. As part of her Managerial role, Denise made many changes to staffing. She was keen to ensure the residents were offered the 1st class care she expected. She built a very strong team and made many difficult decisions but together they were making huge changes.

In 2006 building work started on the current Moorlands Court and Denise oversaw it during the 2 years it took to build and fit out. She oversaw the change from Care Home to Extra Care with her usual vigour and thrived on yet another challenge. The switch from Care home to Extra Care wasn’t smooth by any means and Denise and her team worked exceptionally long hours to make the transition as smooth and pain free as it could possibly be for the residents of the “old” Moorlands to become tenants in the new building.

She recalls the day the new Moorlands Court opened and how she walked all the residents from the old building into the new purpose-built building and all the emotions that day held. She laughed when she remembered that the lifts didn’t work, neither did the front doors and that she worked until almost midnight to make sure everyone was moved in and comfortable. Her hard work was worth it as within a few short weeks she saw her tenants come to love and flourish in their new surroundings.

The old Moorlands Court – photo by Francis Firth

The night before the old building was demolished the staff planned a ghost hunting party.

Denise said it was such a fun night and one of the lasting memories of that night was being told to stand perfectly still and quiet in one of the old bedrooms and to listen … she almost fainted when someone jumped out of the wardrobe to scare her.

Things have certainly changed during her time from part-time weekend carer to Extra Care Manager, but the drive and determination is still as strong as ever and we hope she will carry on for many years to come. Congratulations Denise. Julie Manning – 30 years’ Service Julie began her career when Moorlands was a Care Home. She started on a work experience placement while studying Child Care at Cambridge Regional College. Her plan was to gain work experience while studying and then begin a career in childcare after her studies ended.

Her chosen career path took an unexpected detour when the country went into recession in the early 1990’s

and finding a position in the childcare sector proved harder than anticipated. While deciding what to do, she spoke to the then Manager at Moorlands, who had a position available which she quickly offered to Julie. Julie had obviously made a very good impression during her work experience placement, because without an interview or any formal meetings she was offered the post and was soon back working in a profession she had a real vocation for.

Julie told me she loved the work and being paid for it was an added bonus. She loved the interaction with the residents and quickly became a valuable member of the team. She said the laughter and fun the residents had in the old Moorlands was joyous and she never ever had the feeling of not wanting to come to work. She recalls tenants sitting around in the communal area and the staff all interacting with them and it being a really lovely atmosphere.

When Julie first started at Moorlands, Denise Taylor – Extra Care Services Manager – was a Care Assistant and on Maternity leave, so the pair didn’t meet for a few months. On her return, the two ladies became friends which has continued to this day. Denise told me that between them they have notched up 70 years of service which, is quite astonishing.

Julie was part of the original team when the “old” Moorlands was changing and the “new” Moorlands was being built. She worked hard to ensure all the residents settled into their new flats and became tenants in the new building. By the late 1990’s Julie had trained as an NVQ assessor and was responsible for the in-house training of all the staff, which she did alongside Denise. The pair were the first two staff members to gain their NVQ 2.

Julie continued as a Care Assistant and worked a permanent night shift pattern for approximately 5 years. The hours suited her lifestyle at the time as she wasn’t living close by, but eventually the night shifts became a little tough and she decided it was time to go back to more conventional working hours.

Julie told me her Granddad was once a tenant at Moorlands, which she remembers with fondness. Due to her length of service, she has found herself caring for the second generation of families. One of our current tenants’ mother was a previous resident at the old Moorlands, which her family must find quite comforting, and what an achievement for Julie. Over the years she has gained many friends through Moorlands and enjoys socialising with them outside of the working environment.

As Denise progressed with the company, she tried on many occasions to persuade Julie to become a Team Leader which she avoided at every turn. Eventually

The Letting Centre

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Denise’s perseverance paid off and 5 years ago Julie was promoted to Team Leader. She laughed when she told me it was because of her fear of all things IT that prevented her from doing it sooner. She soon realised it wasn’t as bad as she feared and has picked it up with ease.

Julie is a well-respected and valued member of staff. Her knowledge, compassion and professionalism make her someone the newer and younger members of staff aspire to; she is always available to help and guide them.

Julie is a staff member who, if sliced in half, would have “Moorlands” running through her like a stick of Blackpool Rock. Moorlands and CHS Group are extremely lucky to have Julie as part of the team and I know the tenants here are all grateful for her care and commitment to them. Congratulations Julie. If you or a family member are looking for support with care needs, we may be able to help. Our services range from Meals on Wheels, cleaning, personal care and even a sitting service. At Moorlands Court itself we occasionally have properties available for assisted living. We also have meeting/conference rooms for hire with the option of in-house catering too. We will be more than happy to talk over your needs in more detail, so please give us a call and we can discuss what services we are able to help with, either in the community or at Moorlands Court. Please call 01763 260564 or alternatively e-mail Denise. taylor@chsgroup.org.uk

Community Support for Dementia

We are delighted to say that our monthly Memory Cafes have resumed!!

It has been tough for everyone during the everlasting lockdowns, in particular carers looking after vulnerable people, living with dementia.

Sadly, during the lockdown, many of our Dementia Friends were shielded and unable to go out. We continued to support them by producing and delivering a ‘Weekly Activities Calendar’ with wordsearches, recipes, quizzes, colouring-in sheets, sunflower competition, crafts etc. We also delivered tea and cakes to them once a month on the dates when we should have been meeting for our Memory Café.

We kept in contact via WhatsApp Chat and Zoom meetings and even held two Virtual Walks: ‘London at War’ and ‘Post War London’, delivered by Guide Russell of londonwalks.com. This proved very successful with the young and old.

However, nothing beats human contact and conversation. So as soon as it was safe to do so, we started our Memory Cafés with ‘Afternoon Teas’, donated by Arlington Manor Care Home, Girton, ‘Flower Arranging’ funded and demonstrated by volunteers Vicky, Barry and Lesley, a visit by the Ice Cream van, giving everyone a ‘99’ cornet to enjoy and ‘Bingo’ delivered by our Dementia Champion, Lea-Ann Smith. Volunteers from the Melbourn Timebank helped in many ways: – collecting and delivering the afternoon teas; setting up the tables/chairs and helping to serve tea and coffees. Dates in the diary for September are: » Tuesday 7th September – Garden Tour, Coffee/Tea and Cake at Madingley Hall, Cambridge » Saturday 18th September – Memory Café and

Afternoon Tea, Meldreth Village Hall » Saturday 25th September – Memory Café and

Macmillan Coffee Afternoon at Margaret House,

Barley, to include tombola, book exchange and magic table

We plan to have a maximum of four social gatherings per month, each providing a different stimulus i.e., Music, Magic Tables, Pet Therapy, Crafts, Bingo etc, all accompanied with tea and cakes!! We are in discussions with two other venues and hope to be able to confirm details when Covid restrictions allow.

The organisations and people who have supported us to date are: Dementia Champions – Lea-Ann Smith, Claire Uwins MBE and Samantha Adby; Melbourn Parish Council; Arlington Manor Care Home, Girton; Margaret House Care Home, Barley; Melbourn Timebank; Dementia training: Chris Elsey, Forget me not Training; Community Volunteers: Vicky Deville, Maria Stapleton, Joan Price, Stef Cooper; The Hub, Melbourn; Melbourn Springs Care Home.

Community Support for Dementia is funded by fundraising events such as quiz nights, sports tournaments, clothes sales etc and we are fortunate to have received money from Melbourn Parish Council as part of the Community Grant scheme. If you are a carer, family member, or are ‘living with dementia’ and would like to join us at any of our Memory Cafés or associated activities, please contact us for details. Davina Biswell, 07961 574104, davinabiswell@gmail.com Stephanie Trayhurn, 07710 198299, Stephanie@traykyps. com

Home-Start

Community Engagement in a Time of Covid In the face of lockdowns, restrictions, and the uncertainty of future events, Home-Start has been busy with a series of community activities around the area. While we’re gearing up for the next few months of fundraising activities, here’s a quick review of what we’ve been up to recently.

Royston Community Garden The community garden at Royston Tesco was suffering from a year’s worth of neglect, having been closed for the last 12 months. Home-Start volunteers helped to restore the garden, making it once again a fabulous resource for local groups and families. Walking Markets in Melbourn, Buntingford and Meldreth Did you spot our stall at the walking markets in Meldreth, Melbourn and Buntingford? It felt great to be out and about again – meeting lots of different people and being able to tell them about the work of Home-Start and how we are supporting families in their villages. WomenSing Choir Home-Start supporter Linda Bance, and her wonderful community Choir “WomenSing,” have continued to meet on Zoom all through the lockdowns, and the members have generously donated their choir fees to Home-Start. Linda has also organised two raffles – one at Christmas and one at Easter – with all proceeds coming to Home-Start. Thank you so much! Kelly’s Cake Kitchen Over the Easter holidays, we teamed up with Kelly of ‘Kelly’s Cake Kitchen’ (https://kellyscakekitchen. co.uk/) to run a family-friendly bake-along. Kelly hosted a live Facebook event to go along with our cookie ingredients packs, for families to create some yummy Easter cookies with her help and guidance. So tasty! RBN and MBN We are delighted to be part of the Royston and Melbourn Business Network meetings. Through these excellent local business networks we have: signed up a new trustee; received donations “in kind;” received offers of support for us at future fundraising events and been made aware of funding opportunities. All RBN and MBN meetings have been via Zoom since March 2020. These virtual meetings have offered such practical and emotional support during these difficult times, and we can’t wait until we can all get back to seeing each other face-to-face.

Finally, we would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to: Tesco Extra Royston; Co-op Melbourn; One Stop Shop Meldreth; Fieldgate Nurseries Meldreth; Bury Lane Farm Shop Melbourn; and Leech’s Butchers Melbourn. These local stores have been extremely generous, kindly donating items for our fundraising activities. We are so delighted at the help we receive from our local businesses: their support is invaluable to us, and we really cannot express how grateful we are.

What’s happening next? We have an action-packed autumn lined up, starting with the Buntingford Car Show on the 4th September, then a Literary Lunch on the 30th. In October we’re launching our team marathon, (get together with a group of friends a run a collective 26 miles for charity) and in November we’ve got the Esse Fashion Show.

In the meantime, why not take part in our online escape game experience “Escape St Margaret’s Island”? Play together with friends and family, search the island for clues, solve the puzzles and escape – before the tide comes in!

All our events are on our website (www.hsrsc. org.uk) and we’re looking forward to seeing you at an event soon!

HOME-START ROYSTON, BUNTINGFORD & SOUTH CAMBRIDGESHIRE

For children under 11 years

AGE CATEGORIES: UNDER 3 YEARS 3 TO 5-YEAR-OLDS 6 TO 8-YEAR-OLDS 9 TO 11-YEAR-OLDS

Design your kite on a piece of A4 paper or card

Post or drop in your entry to our office by Home-Start Royston, Buntingford & South Cambs, Unit 6, Valley Farm, Station Road, Meldreth, SG8 6JP

The SUN Network

The SUN Network are a non-profit organisation with an

office base in Huntingdon, working across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. We amplify the voices of those who have lived experiences of different challenges, including mental health, addiction, domestic and/or sexual abuse, who are in the criminal justice system or homelessness.

Eating disorder referrals have increased recently. In response to this, our funders asked us to produce some leaflets and posters about eating disorders, which will complement the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Eating Disorder service. We co-produced this work by working together with individuals who have experienced eating disorders and carers/families of loved ones that

have had eating disorders, to produce two information leaflets to include myths and truths and top tips. These two leaflets (one for carers/families and one for the person experiencing an eating disorder) have since been shared nationally as a best practice guide and distributed to different NHS trusts throughout the country as a helpful resource guide.

You can access these leaflets here: https://linktr.ee/ SUNnetworkEatingDisorderInfo.

The information is free, and the service information is specific to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

At The SUN Network, we value the power of lived experience and are always looking for innovative and empowering ways to involve people in our work. We believe that co-produced information and services can be more beneficial to those that use or access it, and also to the providers, as it increases the likelihood of getting it right first time.

Have you had your own experience of any of the challenges listed above?

Would you like to be involved in sharing your experience in a meaningful and empowering way that could improve services for yourself and others?

Or are you creative and have ideas on how to challenge stigma or raise awareness?

If the answer is yes to either of these, we would love to hear from you.

Please get in touch via our email enquiries@ sunnetwork.org.uk or text/call/WhatsApp 07712 358 172 or find and follow us on our social medias @ SUNnetworkcambs.

What’s On @ Melbourn Child and Family Zone

Welcome to our Child & Family Centres. Our aim is to support you and your family as your children grow, especially through these challenging times. We are located on Mortlock Street, adjacent to Melbourn Primary School. Mini Movers For mobile babies aged around 9–18 months, focusing on activities that encourage physical development. Mondays 10.00 to 11.00am Stay and Play Stay and play session for children from around 10 months or walking. Thursdays 10.00 to 11.00am Baby Group For parents of pre-mobile babies. Meet other parents and access support and advice from the Child and Family Centre team. Thursdays 1.00 to 2.00pm

Booking is essential for all of our sessions and spaces are limited. Please call email ChildAndFamilyCentre. South@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or message us on Facebook to book spaces Please Note… Due to the current situation, some groups may have been suspended or reinstated. Please check our Facebook page or email us for more up to date information For further information: Email: ChildAndFamilyCentre.South@ cambridgeshire.gov.uk Facebook: search for South Cambridgeshire Child and Family Centres Instagram: @childandfamilycentre.south Youtube: Cambridgeshire Child and Family Centres

JEREMY RULE FUNERAL SERVICE

Jeremy Rule. MBIE. Dip. FD. Ben Rule. Dip. FD. Independent, local family funeral directors

Office & Chapel of Rest 12 Church Lane, Royston, SG8 9LG Tel: 01763 242560

www.jeremyrulefunerals.co.uk

Carpet Cleaning &

Stone Floor, Upholstery, Rug’s

A few points that make us stand out, Rothwell’s has been in business since 1993 We’re an honest local family firm. Our large truck mounted machines mean more cleaning & drying power for the best results possible. Members of both the NCCA and TACCA. We will move the furniture. 100% satisfaction or it’s FREE.

Call Oliver and Max Campbell for expert help today.

01223 832 928 www.Rothwells.biz

Changing attitudes by education www.RoADARC.org.uk

Do you consider yourself to be a good driver or motorcycle rider? Advanced driver and rider training is for the young or old, inexperienced or those who have been driving or riding for years.

What is advanced driving and riding? Advanced driving and riding is about HAZARD management.

Virtually all road traffic collisions and incidents are caused by driver (or rider) error with the driver (or rider) not being able to deal correctly with the HAZARD encountered.

In our region the five most common causes of fatalities on the roads are using a mobile phone whilst driving, excessive and inappropriate speed, drunk/drug driving, not wearing a seat belt and distraction at the wheel. In the last year four people have been jailed in our region for causing a road fatality whilst using a mobile phone. What is a Hazard? There are fundamentally three types of HAZARD: 1 Physical Features such as roundabouts, junctions, bends, crests and the condition of the road surface, etc. 2 Other Road Users such as vehicle drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists, pedestrians, horse riders, animals, etc. 3 Weather Conditions such as rain, sun, ice, fog, snow, microclimates on bridges or under trees or shaded areas etc. RoADARC is a club where members are trained to recognise and manage HAZARDS using the System of Car Control as taught to police drivers.

For an annual membership fee of £10.00 you can be coached in advanced driving (or riding) and will be encouraged to take the RoSPA Advanced Driving Test. If you just want to be coached but not take the test, then that is fine also.

RoADARC’s mission is to promote safer driving.

Contact us by email at info@roadarc.org.uk or visit our website at www.roadarc.org.uk for further details. This issue’s top tips: • Never drive so fast that you cannot stop safely within the distance you can see to be clear on your own side of the road (Highway Code Rule 126). • Be seen: Be safe – in poor light conditions use dipped headlights as they are better than sidelights or daylight running lights. • Always drive with a 2 second gap between you and the vehicle in front (allow considerably more in adverse road or weather conditions) (Highway Code article 126). Not sure how long 2 seconds is? Then recite “Only a fool ignores the 2 second rule”. If you cannot recite that from when the vehicle in front passes a fixed point and you pass that same fixed point, then you are driving too close.

Bloomsday Celebrated in Melbourn

The founders of Melbourn’s Bloomsday Celebration Group came together on Bloomsday:16 June to pay tribute to world famous writer James Joyce and his great novel ‘Ulysses’.

First published in 1922, the action of the novel is spread across one entire day, 16th June 1904. It follows a Hungarian Jew, Leopold Bloom, throughout his working day, walking around Dublin, selling advertising space and chasing up accounts. A sort of Everyman character, he is matched by Joyce’s equally famous fictional creation, his wife Marion (Molly) Bloom, a local opera singer. Bloomsday Group Coordinator Hugh Pollock said: “Bloomsday: 16th June is celebrated in countries and regions across the world wherever great novels are read. Readers come together for fun – usually wearing June 1904 outfits – and celebrate with public talks, film, readings and re-enactments all drawn from famous scenes in the novel. Founded in 2015, our small Group have done this annual celebration to promote the work of WaterAid.

Given the Covid times we are living in, we decided to meet without any readings, re-enactments or June 1904 outfits over a simple Bloomsday Lunch, and remember “Absent Friends”. These included Leopold Bloom himself, those absent through Covid, or those absent by living far away in dire poverty, with Covid rampant and their community still relying on WaterAid projects to provide safe clean water.

In the novel, a tired and hungry Bloom seeking lunch enters Davy Byrne’s pub (still standing today in Dublin so check it online!) where he famously orders ‘a gorgonzola cheese sandwich and a glass of burgundy’. He chats with Davy Byrne and fellow customers about the headlines in his propped up paper, particularly that day’s Ascot Gold Cup.

Leopold Bloom has left his famous lunch and a propped up Royston Crow in Davy Byrne’s pub on 16 June 1904 and gone out to the Gents. Milly Bloom’s greeting sent on a postcard to the Bloom family home at Dublin’s 7 Eccles Street from her first job away.

He also reflects on life passing and his absent daughter Milly, in her first job working away from home, whose postcard had arrived that morning. Then leaving his belongings – bowler hat, reading glasses, propped up newspaper and Milly’s handwritten postcard – he famously pops out to the Gents. If you are able today to remember “absent friends” and the vital work of WaterAid which goes on through this Covid pandemic then please do so. You can donate direct to WaterAid via the online form at www.wateraid.org/ uk/donate. Cheque or bank transfer also welcomed – to arrange call the Supporter Care Team on 020 7793 4594. Hugh Pollock, Co-ordinator Melbourn Bloomsday Celebration Group

Relate Cambridge

Cycling 200 miles to thank local charity Relate Cambridge for life-changing work

A client of Relate Cambridge has cycled 200 miles in one day to raise money for the charity after visiting them for counselling sessions which he describes as “transformative”. Local man Alex Devereux decided to give back in recognition of Relate Cambridge’s lifechanging work after realising the charity receives no government support.

Alex sought support through Relate Cambridge in 2019 after a string of unhealthy relationships left him feeling hopeless, and he worried that history would repeat itself the next time he entered into a romantic relationship. He received weekly counselling sessions for over a year, and found them incredibly helpful: “Through my counsellor’s guidance I managed to unpack a lot of the baggage that I was holding onto from past relationships and a lot of the things that contributed to a low selfimage”, describes Alex.

Relate is widely known for couples counselling. Yet the charity also works with a range of clients, including those who attend sessions solo, for example after the breakdown of a relationship, as was the case for Alex. In addition, Relate Cambridge also offers family counselling, children and young people’s counselling and psychosexual therapy. Alex was therefore surprised to learn that Relate receives no government funding and is funded through client fees and donations.

After experiencing the fantastic work that Relate Cambridge does first hand, he wanted to give back and raise some funds as a way to say thank you. In true Cambridge fashion he decided upon a bike ride. Having previously cycled 100 miles for charity, he felt he could double the distance over the course of a day. And Alex did exactly that: from dawn until dusk he cycled 20 mile loops until he’d covered the 200 miles. Alex has raised over £400 in donations and Gift Aid and Relate Cambridge could not be more grateful. Claire Godward, Centre Director at Relate Cambridge says: “It’s donations like Alex’s that enable Relate Cambridge to subsidise sessions for those who cannot afford professional counselling otherwise. We are so grateful to Alex and it’s lovely that he has been a client and knows just how much the counselling sessions can transform someone’s life.”

Alex’s time at Relate has since enabled him to feel confident with new relationships: “I can honestly say that the time I spent at Relate was transformative and I am now in a very healthy, balanced and fulfilling relationship”.

To hear more about Alex’s experience with Relate Cambridge, you can listen to Alex’s podcast ‘break the mould’. He interviewed Claire and Annie from Relate to discuss his positive counselling experience while he also finds out more about Relate Cambridge and what they do. You can listen to it on Spotify: bit.ly/relatespotify or Buzzsprout: bit.ly/ relatebuzzsprout

If you would like to find out more about Relate Cambridge, visit: www.relatecambridge.org.uk

For all media enquiries contact Amy Kong on 01302 347712 or admin@relatecambridge.org.uk

Fender Piano Services

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Melbourn Parish Council

Clerk’s Report At the time of writing, Covid restrictions have largely been lifted. Please see our website or Facebook page for details of how these changes will affect Parish Council meetings. Meeting venues are always published on the relevant Agenda.

A project to replace the boardwalk in Stockbridge Meadows is underway. Stockbridge Meadows is a bit of a hidden gem and it can be difficult to gauge the number of visitors to the area. If you visit the nature reserve, we would like to hear from you to help us build a picture as to how Stockbridge Meadows is used and enjoyed by local people.

Our resident litterpicker (although he does so much more than just pick litter), is moving on from Melbourn. Tim Stebbing has been a true local hero when it comes to keeping our village clean and tidy. Thank you, Tim, for all your efforts – we shall miss you and we wish you well.

We are delighted that the Hub is to re-open for business on Monday, 9 August. Although the building has hardly been quiet during the building works, we have really missed the ‘buzz’ of the Hub Café and are very much looking forward to it re-opening. Claire Littlewood, Parish Clerk