Parish Council

28 Station Road Melbourn Cambs SG8 6DX Telephone 262494 e-mail: parishclerk@melbournpc.co.uk

Chairman Donald Mowatt 23, High Street SG8 6AL 268388 Vice-Chairman Maureen Townsend 32 New Road SG8 6ER 260959 Clerk & Office Avril Mellor, 28 Station Road, SG8 6DX 262494 E-mail parishclerk@melbournpc.co.uk Website www.melbourncambridge.co.uk Councillors Irene Bloomfield 78 Russet Way, SG8 6HF 222558 Janice Guest 1 Mortlock Street, SG8 6DB 260894 Rosemary Gatward 94 High Street, SG8 6AL 261225 Donald Mowatt White Walls, 23 High Street 268388 Clive Purbrook Glebe House, High St, SG8 6DZ 260899 Jocelyn Robson 91 High Street 261633 Mike Sherwen 3 Hale Close, SG8 6ET 260070 Christopher Stead 70 Russet Way 260743 pm only Maureen Townsend 32 New Rd, SG8 6BY 260959 Richard Wakerley 32 Chalkhill Barrow, SG8 6EQ 262247 Alan Brett 44 High Street, SG8 6DXBB 260306 Michael Linnette 11 Chapel Lane, SG8 6BN 262534 Dean Hardingham 1 Portway, SG8 6EU 232757 Jose Hales 23 Elm Way, SG8 6UH 262651 Val Barrett 2 Station Road, SG8 6DX 261227 Employees Handyman and Caretaker Peter Andrews 243312 Emergency mobile. 07778-682245 Village Ranger Keith Rudge, 4 Dolphin La, SG8 6AF 221212 Internal Auditor Peter Chilvers, 68A High Street, SG8 6AJ 260742 County Councillor David Charles McCraith 104 North End, Bassingbourn D-Rmccraith@supanet.com (send agenda by e-mail) County Hall 01223-833555 District Councillors Janice Guest, 1 Mortlock Street, SG8 6DB 260894 Val Barrett, 2 Station Road 261227 South Cambs M.P. Andrew Lansley 01954 212707 South Cambs M.E.P. Robert Sturdy 01954 211790 The Parish Office at 28 Station Road, is entered by the door at the front of the building directly opposite Sheene Mill. The Parish Office is now open on Mondays from 9 am to 1 pm, on Tuesdays from 2 pm from 4 pm, and on Thursday from 9 am to 1 pm. The office is not normally open on Wednesdays or Fridays. As the Clerk is sometimes out on Parish business it is better to ring 262494 to ensure that she is in the office. Meetings of the Planning Committee are normally held on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of every month commencing at 7.15 pm. Council Meetings are normally held on the fourth Monday of each month at 7.15 pm at Vicarage Close Community Centre.

The Press Royston & Buntingford Mercury Tom Ship, Media Centre 40 Ware Road, Hertford, SG13 7HU 01992 526639 Royston Crow Heath House, Princes Mews, Royston, SG8 6RT 245241 Fax 242231 Cambridge News David Williams, 3 Melbourn Street, Royston, SG8 7BP 249144 Fax 244502 BBC Radio Cambridge Reception 01223 259696 Newsroom 01223 358510 www.melbourncambridge.co.uk/council/

From the Parish Clerk – Avril Mellor

You may have noticed that the verges in the village are being cut more frequently this year. This is due to the fact that the Parish Council has taken over the cutting of the verges. The council now receives payment from Cambridgeshire County Council for the four cuts it used to undertake each year. The three to four extra cuts, depending on the weather conditions, are being paid for out of the council’s precept.

About 50 people attended the official opening of Stockbridge Meadows Riverside Park which took place on Saturday, 4th July. The weather was kind and stayed fine.

The technicality of dealing with the sound system for the proceedings was ably taken care of by Mr Phil Townsend who had also chosen some very appropriate music to accompany the celebrations. The proceedings commenced with a warm welcome from the Chairman of the Parish Council, Cllr. Donald Mowatt. Dr. Christopher Rhodes, a descendant of the Stockbridge family that had owned the site since the 14th century, had been invited to perform the official opening. He gave a short speech on the history of the site before cutting the very appropriate green ribbon. Rev. Andrew O’Brien gave a prayer of thanks for this public open space. Afterwards refreshments were served, which had been kindly sponsored by the developers of the site, Manor Kingdom. A representative from Manor Kingdom had been invited to the ceremony but unfortunately no-one was available to attend.

I would like to offer my congratulations to the Melbourn Fete Committee who surpassed themselves this year. The weather at the start of the fete was rather unsettled and then it became very warm and sunny. I went along with my family and was fascinated by the display of free flying birds of prey, some of which seemed to take the opportunity to spread their wings a little further than expected. The evening music proved very popular and I am sure the committee must have thought that all their hard work was well worth it in the end.

I am sorry to report that there is a problem with dog fouling on the Recreation Ground and the Village College field. It seems to have suddenly escalated and it is causing a problem not only for school children and people who use the fields for sporting activities, but also for responsible dog walkers who are getting blamed for a crime they have not committed.

At the time of writing the Council are in negotiations with South Cambridgeshire District Council on the matter of the village car park. If successful then the Council will lease the car park on a 99 year lease. The Council will be responsible for the rates and maintenance but will not assume responsibility for the footpath and adjoining grassed area. SCDC will continue to look after the adjacent garages.

Some of our parish councillors are looking into the formation of a steering committee to create a Parish Plan. This is an opportunity to have your say on what you like and dislike in the village, and how you would like to see the village develop. Once a Parish Plan exists, then support for identified needs will be more forthcoming from all levels of Local Government. Please look on the website www.melbourncambridge. co.uk/parishplan or contact Jocelyn Robson 261633 if you are interested in learning