Issue 64 Winter 2010 by Melbourn Magazine

Winter Flower Festival 5th and 6th of February 2011

...editorial The first report of the Melbourn Village Plan Committee is on page 5. It is interesting to read how many people have volunteered to help, if you would like to become involved please contact John Travis or Bruce Huett, and keep up-to- date via the web site. The Mobile Warden Scheme, which was started fifteen years ago by Val Trueman is thriving and extending, and is looking for support see page10. The Parish Council Office is on the move. In December the new Office will be at the Village College see page 19 for map and more information. Would you like faster broadband in the village? Then please vote on line (page12). Jessica Finn of MVC has something to say about the proposed increases in University tuition fees, read her views on page 41. Congratulations to those who have been involved with the BMX trail on Grinnel Hill, especially to those who have built it – it is a real work of art and an asset to the village. We congratulate Emily Walter (page 38) who won the Space Hop Reading Challenge at the Library this summer. She read 50 books! Thank you to Peter Rice for his drawings of Melbourn on page 59. And thank you to everyone who has contributed and supported us in any way over the past year – the Magazine would not happen without the support of the community. The Production Team of the Magazine wishes you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Village News Parish Council Vacency for a Deputy Clerk To the Parish Council

The Parish Office is moving? Melbourn’s Parks Safer Melbourn Profile

19 20 21 25

Sheila and David Brunsdon

Nature - River Mel Village Information Important numbers Diary Orchard Surgery

29 31 32 33 34

Dispensary Times

Education Third bi-annual Winter Flower Festival Tuition fees set to rise? by Jessica Finn

New to the village … or looking for a Christmas present?

5 15 17

Church News Sports & Clubs Feature

35 37 41 43 45 51

Greetings from the Norman family in France

What’s on

Burns Night Supper Unpicked Meadow Public Art Project The Tavern Gallery

Feature

see page 12 for more information Front cover: Arrangement by Rosemary Gatward 2007 Flower Festival. Photograph by Rebecca Gatward. See page 37.

Apart from printing, all work on the Melbourn Magazine, including layout and design is produced by volunteers. The cost of production comes entirely from advertising and sponsorship. Melbourn Magazine is independent of the Parish Council NO public money is used.

Paintings by Peter Rice

If you would like to advertise a forthcoming local event in ‘What’s On’ on the Village website use the simple form at

www.melbourn.org.uk/forthcoming-events

email: mag@melbourn.org.uk

sweetflora.co.uk Specialists in fine hand crafted sugar flowers for wedding and celebration cakes email:info@sweetflora.co.uk www.sweetflora.co.uk

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village news In the news Melbourn Village Plan Library News Mobile Library Melbourn Village Fete 2010 Melbourn & Meldreth Women’s Group Royal British Legion Melbourn History Group Will you be a Friend of the Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme? Women’s Group R.N.L.I Home-Start Royston & District Local History Society Royston and District Family History Society Faster Broadband for Melbourn Melbourn and Meldreth Self Help Group Medical Entomology Centre Disability Cambridgeshire

Melbourn Village Plan We are now at one of the most exciting phases of the Village Plan project. Thanks to the efforts of a brilliant group of 75 volunteers, questionnaires were delivered to the whole village. There was a fantastic response. More than 1000 questionnaires were returned, representing over 50% of the households in the village. Analysis of the returns by street and postcode show very few gaps, making the results truly representative of village opinion. This is a great result and is all due to the magnificent efforts of the many volunteers who distributed and collected the questionnaires. Many, many thanks to all who helped. As a result of the questionnaire feedback over a hundred more people have shown interest in volunteering within the village, creating a total volunteer complement of about 150 now on our list! By the time you receive this magazine we will have held an event to channel some of this enthusiasm for community action into solid projects. There is already a group interested in improving the play park provision within the village – the under 16 population has more than doubled since 1950’s/60’s when the present facilities were constructed. We are also arranging for a disability survey of the village and are preparing to instigate more support for the elderly. The Parish Council is being kept informed of our findings and we will be working with them where necessary when taking ideas forward. While aiming to produce our final report in the summer of 2011, some early background findings are: How long have people lived in the village? Over 40% of the respondents had lived in the village over 21 years. So, although there are a good number of new arrivals (about 20% up to 5 years residency), the community of Melbourn is founded on a significant proportion of households who have known the village for a long time. Where do people work? The village has the advantage of a balance between full time workers (34% of respondents) and retired (27%). Almost 50% work in Melbourn or the surrounding villages, indicating the importance of local businesses and the health of the local economy.

COFFEE STOP Every Saturday 10.30am to 12noon Rombouts coffee & biscuits for 70p at

All Saints’ Community Hall

What do people think about traffic? The concerns already identified from earlier surveys on village traffic are supported by the results of the questionnaire. Much concern was expressed about speeding traffic and road obstruction by delivery vehicles. There is significant support for initiatives to deal with these perceived issues, from the perspective of both road users and pedestrians. We hope to address these concerns for safety and quality of life in our reports and action plans. melbournmagazine

Should there be more development? There was a strong feeling expressed that the village should not grow significantly i.e. that there should not be any further large development. How do you feel about the village shops? There was excellent support for the village shops and we are still working through the many opinions expressed about the range of shopping opportunities locally. What should we do about the natural environment? Questionnaire feedback showed strong interest for ‘green’ projects, wildlife conservation and enhancement of treeplanting and green spaces. We hope to say much more about this in future. Are there sufficient facilities for youth in Melbourn? Both adults and younger respondents felt that there should be more facilities in the village for the youth. A café/internet café was a key preference. These are just small examples of the early results. There will be more to say in the next edition of the magazine. Finally, the Melbourn Village Plan is now more than half way to being published. As we collect and collate a wealth of information from the questionnaires we will continue to involve and consult with the wider community. By so doing we aim to publish a final report and plan for the future that properly reflects the views of Melbourn residents. John Travis and Bruce Huett

Free Storytime for under 5s! Restarting 6th January 2011 10–10.45 am Melbourn Library The Moor, Melbourn (next to Melbourn Village College)

Contact: Eleanor 01763 260924 or library 01763 269956

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

Library News The Library has been very busy during the Summer. This is very good news as it strengthens our position with the Library Service. Both the number of books lent and the number of visitors has increased. Part of this is due to our increasing book stock, particularly of children’s and young adult books but also to our efforts to interest local users by promoting other activities in the library. We have two new boxes for young children which were made for us by Bob Trimble. We have filled these with donations by local people of picture books, for which there is a huge demand. We are very grateful for donations especially now when we are likely to receive less from the County due to cut backs. We ask that you check your donations to ensure they are in good condition. We try to maintain a good standard so as to improve our image with our customers. We also request that you restrict the number you give us at any one time to about half a dozen so as not to overload our system. We reserve the right to decide how we will use donated books. We do not accept school text books or books on computing as we do not have categories for these books. The library service will have to cut back the level of support it provides but is very anxious to maintain the service. We are very hopeful that as volunteering helps reduce the costs we will be able to continue our operation. The library service will continue to provide books from other libraries, on request, but delivery will be fortnightly instead of weekly. We would like to increase our opening hours and hope that this will be possible in the New Year. Increasing our hours depends on new volunteers coming forward to train as Librarians. We try to work in pairs so there is a social element to the work. Now that the usage of books has increased the work is far more enjoyable as there is a great level of social interaction with the customers. We would like to apologise for having to temporally withdraw the highly successful storytime. Over the course of 8 months, the free Melbourn Library storytime has built up a loyal following and a real sense of identity, due in no small part to the hard work and dedication of Sharon Tutty and Eleanor Fitzgerald, to whom we extend our thanks. Sharon is now embarking on a new career path, with which we wish her the very best of luck. Sadly, that leaves us without sufficient volunteers to run the storytime sessions for the time being, so the difficult decision has been made to put them on hold until the New Year. In the meantime, we are aiming to create a team of around 6 people to work together to share the load with the planning and running of these sessions. The idea is that each person would therefore only need to be on duty one session in every three. As well as reading, volunteers are encouraged to build their own interests into the sessions if they want to e.g. drama, singing or crafts. Most of those attending the sessions are too small to protest so you couldn’t ask for a more obliging audience! And don’t worry if you don’t have any relevant interests, as the emphasis really is on creating a relaxed, friendly setting for those coming along. If you feel able to help some Thursday mornings in the New Year, between 10am and 10.45am, then please do give Jocelyn Robson a call on 07899 898061 or register your interest at the library (01763 269956) during opening hours. Opening Times are: Mon, Wed, & Fri 2.30 to 4.30pm, Thu 5.00 to 7.00pm, Sat 10.00 – 12.00am. Mike Stapleton

Mobile Library Please note the new timings for Melbourn. The mobile library will visit John Impey Way and Vicarage Close on the 4th Tuesday of the month.

Melbourn Parish Council A vacancy is currently available for a Deputy Clerk to the Parish Council, with a view to become Clerk, Proper and Financial Officer to the Council See page 17 for more information

Melbourn Village Fete 2010 With the success of this years fete and with the support of all our sponsors and the dedication of all our volunteers, the Melbourn Village Fete Committee are proud to announce that we have donated another £2000 to various organisations within the village as listed below.

• • • • •

Melbourn Play Parks project Melbourn Village plan 1st Melbourn Guides Melbourn Playgroup River Mel Restoration group

As this has been a very tough year for local fundraisers, the Fete committee are always pleased to help where they can financially. Whether you are a well established group like the Guides, Playgroup, River Mel or new starters like the Play Parks Project or Village plan all need help and the Fete committee is happy to support them all without any prejudice as they are all worthy local causes doing their bit to make this village the diverse and popular village we all love. The Fete committee is always looking to build on the success of the previous year’s event and taking into consideration the needs of the participants, offering them the best opportunity of raising as much as possible. The Fete in general looks like it’s going from strength to strength. We owe a lot of that success to the support from the local community, business and groups alike, which means the Fete committee can already announce the date for next year Saturday 25th June 2011. Some clubs and societies have already booked their pitch for next year. We can also announce that due to the success of the last two music evenings, we are booking the acts for the 3rd ‘Music on the Moor’. This will give an opportunity for some of our local bands to perform on-stage in front of an ever-growing audience, which they may not experience very often. With that in mind we are eager to encourage more local groups and societies to get involved to highlight their particular cause. The committee numbers are unfortunately down this year due to a few people moving, which means we are looking to bolster our numbers. So if you can spare some time to help organise the event and join our team for a worthy and rewarding cause please contact us. You will find that we are a diverse, hard working group from mums and dads to national purchasing managers and team leaders and we all bring something different, so if you think you have nothing to offer you will be surprised, we all can help in our own way. So whether it be a few hours or more, please contact us as below. As one of our local stores says ‘Every Little Helps’, so please get in touch and be a part of something very special. Melbourn Village Fete Committee Contact Details Brian Collingbourne (Chair) 263115 or Melbournfete@aol.com Web site www.melbournfete.co.uk

Melbourn & Meldreth Women’s Group We meet on the 4th Tuesday of the month either in The Community Hall behind All Saints’ Church or in the Meeting Room of Meldreth Church at 7.45 p.m. In September we had a lovely evening when we went to Daily Bread in Cambridge, they are retailers of whole and organic food, fairly traded and eco-friendly products. In October the Women’s Group organised the joint parishes Harvest Supper which was well attended and later in the month we met for a games evening with tasty cakes supplied too. November saw the Rev’d O’Brien leading us in an advent meditation and we had a stall at the All Saints’ Bazaar in November. We do not meet in December and 25th January 2011 is our Annual General Meeting which will take place in The Community Hall behind All Saints’ Church in Melbourn. We will start at our usual time and have the formal business of electing the committee and members and hearing reports of the previous year. This is the time when we will choose our charity to support in the coming year so do think if you would like to nominate one. Once this formal business is completed we will all enjoy a meal put together by all the members.

An evening of flowers, fun and fundraising

Friday 21st January 2011 The very latest demonstration from

Nick Grounds ‘F to the power of 2’ Meldreth Village Hall Refreshments served from 7pm demonstration starts at 7.30pm Tickets £10.00 including a glass of something warming and light refreshments

All proceeds to help fund All Saints’ Flower Festival 2011 See page 37 for more information

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This group is open to all women and there is no membership fee. We pay £1 on the night and there is a charity pot for contributions. The charity we have supported this year is The Red Balloon Learning Centre and a representative will be coming to speak to us on 22 February in Meldreth. Patricia Smith 260103

Royal British legion Although activities have been fairly quiet during the summer, the 2010 Poppy Appeal has made for a very busy time. Things were looking rather gloomy with no Poppy Appeal organiser in place, but happily Mike Swan has stepped in, helped by his wife and a friend; our grateful thanks to them all. Sadly we lost another valued Branch Member with the passing of John Neaves, husband of Ann Neaves who is Vice-Chairwoman of the Women’s Section. Our Standard Bearers Mike Cooke and Pauline Parkinson escorted the coffin into church and then to the graveside where John was laid to rest. Judging by the number of people present John was a very popular person. The Armistice Service was held at the War Memorial as usual, and our Standard Bearers also paraded at the Guildhall Remembrance Service in Cambridge on November 7th.

The branch displayed a Christmas tree in Meldreth Church in November. Many members are looking forward to their Christmas Trip to Brick Lane where they will enjoy a meal and a pantomime. Anyone wishing to join us may contact Chairman Mrs Linsdell (01783 262208) We meet on the 4th Wednesday of every month at Vicarage Close Community Centre at 7 p.m.and you may if you wish come along for the evening and make your mind up from there. E.A. Murphy Secretary Melbourn and District Branch.

Melbourn History Group

Photographs by Marjorie Shaw

We still have plenty of room for new members at a fee of £11.50 per year, and we look forward to your continued support. Patrick Parkinson, Chairman and Secretary, Melbourn, Meldreth and District Royal British Legion.

Royal British legion Women’s Section British Legion Melbourn and Meldreth Branch Some of our members enjoyed a day at the arboretum in Shropshire. Our Standard Bearer has been much in demand having attended two funerals, and the Remembrance Day Service and our conference in November. Flowers are placed regularly on the War memorial.

It is encouraging to write that following my last report a number of new residents have taken advantage of our offer to receive their free copy of the Melbourn History Group book. These are still available, complete with the DVD of old Melbourn, and we will be pleased to let any applicants have a copy if we are asked. As this magazine will be in your hands in December you could do worse, when looking for a suitable present for a relative or friend, to give them a copy of the History Book as a memento of the village in which you live. Please do ask if you think it’s a good idea. See page12 for more details. Nobody has yet come up with an answer to our question about the traffic lights at The Cross and when these were installed. There have been some guesses such as, ‘about the 70’s’ and some have even suggested, ‘I think it was the late 60’s’ but we have no definite answer. melbournmagazine

You will be reading this article when the colder weather sets in and that reminds me of the fate that often befell some of our older residents in the late 19th and early 20th century. When the weather became really icy the frost and ice would work its way into the clunch, from which some of the older cottages were made. It was not unknown for some poor soul to be shot out into the street when a wall collapsed. It was often the task of a kind neighbour to provide accommodation while repairs were made. Several times this year we have conducted ‘history walks’ around Melbourn that have proved very popular. A walk can take about 45 minutes and takes in The Cross, the older part of the village in The Lanes, or an alternative we can walk the other way towards Argentines Manor and Sheepshead Cottages. A walk is easily arranged and all we ask is a small donation towards the Community Hall. If you, or your organisation, are interested please ask for details. Colin Limming, 01763 260072.

R.N.L.I The year has flown by and has been one of increased activity for R.N.L.I. Royston Branch. Under the guidance of our new chairman we have worked hard to extend our activities and this included our first ever visit to Royston Kite Festival. This proved to be very successful, both from a fundraising angle, and also because we had a perfect view of all the wonderful kite-flying activities! We were also able to take up Morrison’s (supermarket) kind offer of a collecting day to add to our annual Flag Day. September saw us at Steeple Morden at their annual fete, which was a wonderful family day out. We also had a collection day in October at Bury Lane Farm Shop – it really is heartening to receive all this support. On the strength of this we have now acquired a gazebo, under which we can sell our souvenirs. As this is easily erected it solves a lot of our problems at fetes etc. Sadly this cannot be used at Duxford Air Shows as they will only allow us hard standing, so this will require further thought next year. However, we

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still retain our decommissioned lifeboat, Jessie Lumb, and this attracts donations – especially from visiting ex-servicemen and women. Our calendar of yearly events has therefore increased greatly and made 2010 a very successful year for us – nice to have some good news to write about! We are now trying to boost our number of collection boxes, so if anyone with business premises would be willing to hold a box for us, please do let me know and we will be more than willing to deliver it and empty it regularly. Thank you to everyone who has donated money and purchased our souvenirs over the year – we do appreciate your support. Please continue to look out for us in 2011, (you never know where we will turn up) and you never know when you may need a lifeboat! Jean Emes Secretary Royston Branch 01763 245958.

Will you be a Friend of the Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme? As winter beckons, we all prepare ourselves for more difficult journeys when the weather is poor, in order to go about our daily business or visit family and friends. For those in our community who have mobility problems, this season is particularly difficult and many can be isolated. The Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme, a registered charity for 15 years, provides a valuable service to its members all year round, helping people with mobility problems who need some assistance in their everyday lives, to retain independence in their own home or in their sheltered accommodation. For a small donation of only £5 per year, you could become a ‘Friend’ of the Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme to enhance the lives of mobility impaired people in our village. This donation will provide support for much appreciated outings and events that are currently not covered by the scheme. As a ‘Friend’ you will receive a statement of accounts and an annual newsletter, so you can see exactly how your valuable contribution is being used. The Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme offers friendship and support through twice weekly visits from the warden and daily phone calls, as well as practical help with collecting prescriptions, pensions, paying bills or shopping for basic essentials etc. Other help includes benefits advice, arranging transport for hospital/doctors visits, bereavement support, getting ‘Lifeline’ responses set up in the event of emergencies and finding tradesmen for household repairs. Providing outings for scheme members gives them the opportunity to leave their homes and meet up with each other and enjoy some of the social contact that those of us who are more mobile may take for granted. Melbourn Mobile Warden Margo Wherrell and her family, recently completed a sponsored walk to raise funds to help provide a planned Christmas lunch outing for scheme members, but more help is needed, hence the opportunity to become a ‘Friend’ and really make a difference in our community. ‘Friends’ (or others) can also contribute if they would like, by offering a little of their time to help with activities such as fundraising or meeting extra shopping needs. No help is too little or too much! If you would like to do one or some of the following:

• • • •

To be a ‘Friend’ of the Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme for just £5 per year To volunteer any practical help To make any other kind of donation (financial or fundraising prizes etc) Join the scheme (or apply on behalf of a relative) who would like to receive the support of the warden at a cost of less than £3 per week.

Call Margo Wherrell (mobile warden) on 01763 260966. Or her deputy Jeannie Seers on 01763 262651. Both these numbers have an answering machine. Finally I would like to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us on the Mobile wardens scheme. Cllr Jose Hales

Home-Start Volunteer with Home-Start and give the most precious gift – your time Started over 26 years ago, Home-Start is a national voluntary organisation offering support, friendship and practical help to families with children under 5 years. Over 340 schemes operate nationally and world-wide, with the key aim to provide support when a family needs it the most. Home-Start believes that children need a happy and secure childhood and that parents play the key role in giving their children a good start in life to help them achieve their full potential. However, many parents, desperate to do the right thing to give their children the best possible start in life, find they are fighting against the odds. Circumstances beyond their control mean they are faced with isolation, sickness, disability or mental health issues. They might be very young parents, have given birth to twins or triplets, be living with domestic violence or are facing the challenges of bringing up their children on their own. Or they might be very capable people who are struggling with the demands of new parenthood. Home-Start Royston & South Cambridgeshire are now very settled in their new home at Valley Farm in Meldreth, and over the last year have helped over 114 local families, with a total of 261 children, by providing support either through their Home visiting service or Family Support Groups. The majority of families are referred to Home-Start by their Health Visitor or other Healthcare Professional. However, over 30% of families refer themselves to the service, recognising that they need support. Home visiting is where a trained Home-Start volunteer offers a family support, friendship and practical assistance in their home for 2-3 hours once a week, at a time that’s convenient to the family. The kind of help offered depends on what’s needed – perhaps a friendly face to chat to once a week, or taking the children to the park for a couple of hours whilst the parent catches up on paperwork, housework, has some exercise or even catches up on some sleep. The same volunteer visits the same family each week, so families have a regular friendly face coming in. As one mother put it: ‘I look forward to the weekly visits from my volunteer who gives me much needed breathing space, a listening ear and real friendship.’ In addition, family groups take place once a week, on a Thursday at the Methodist Church Hall, Queens Road, Royston, and on a Friday at The Hub in Cambourne. Families may be family group members, have a home visiting volunteer or combine the two. There are toys for the children to play with and a play leader organises a programme of activities, for example, drawing, painting, singing, sandwich making or dressing up. Activities are arranged for the parents too, perhaps with an outside visitor coming in to speak on a topic such as sun safety, first aid and offering advice on parenting skills. Volunteers are on hand to help throughout the session, and families bring along a packed lunch so everyone can sit down and eat lunch together. Home-Start is desperate for volunteers for both the home visiting service and Family Groups. Volunteers give a local family the most precious gift there is – time. All volunteers are parents themselves, often with older children and are able to spare time and company with a family. They’re not healthcare professionals or connected to the family in any way, so offer impartial confidential support. Home visiting volunteers receive preparation on how to work with a family, and once qualified are appropriately matched with a local family – we are hoping to run the next course early in 2011. Family support group volunteers are needed once a week between 12 noon and 3.00pm, so this fits in with school hours. There are so many ways you can support Home-Start – as a home visiting or family group volunteer, by becoming a trustee, by giving a donation or by attending our fundraising events. For further details – Home-Start can be contacted on 01763 262262 or email admin@hsrsc.

WANTED Melbourn Magazine is looking for help with producing and distributing the magazine. If you can spare a few days each quarter to help please contact Eric Johnston on 01763 220197

Royston & District Local History Society website: www.roystonlocalhistory.org.uk Our 2010/2011 session started in October, the meetings being held in the Heritage Hall, Royston Town Hall on the first Thursday of the month starting at 8pm. Annual subscription is £5 (under 18’s £2.50). Visitors £2 per meeting. 2010 Dec 2 History of Addenbrookes Hospital, illustrated Maureen Hart (this is a change of speaker from our printed programme but the subject is unchanged). 2011 Jan 6 Growing up in the 1930s and 1940s – a village boy – Kenneth K Burton Feb 3 The Life and Times of John Calvin, Reformation Scholar – Ian Hamilton Mar 3 The construction and Logistics of the Guided Bus project – Peter Pascall (illustrated). The Society is responsible for the opening of Royston Cave in Melbourn Street, which has many interesting medieval carvings. It is open on Saturdays and Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays from Easter Saturday to the end of September, 2.30pm–5pm. (last admission 4.30pm). Admission is £3 for Adults, £2 for concessions (obtainable from Cave Bookshop adjacent to the Cave). 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 are available from David Allard melbournmagazine

01763 242677 or may be purchased at the Royston & District Museum and Art Gallery in Kneesworth Street, Royston.

Royston and District Family History Society We are now getting back into the swing of things after our summer break. During the summer we enjoyed a very pleasant stroll around Melbourn in the company of Colin Limming and Mavis Howard. The weather was very kind to us, it was really quite balmy, and Colin and Mavis were as informative and entertaining as always. When we started the new season, in September, it was with Steve Fuller who was back, by popular demand, to tell us more about the Bedfordshire Regiment, especially in World War 1. He was, again, very good value but as we have only reached 1915 we shall have to have him back again, which won’t be a hardship I hasten to add! We are now considering what project we should tackle next. We shall almost certainly transcribe some more registers, although we aren’t sure which as yet. We have still to make up our minds as to whether we are feeling strong enough to tackle another overgrown burial ground next Spring and Summer. Somehow the ground seems to get lower down with every passing year. Our Programme for the new season is as follows: Dec 20th Member ask Member. Hopefully a chance to help each other out. Jan 17th New Year Social Feb 21st Member’s Evening. Subject TBA Mar 21st The Old Bailey to California (one name study) Member Dave Samson April 18th Seaside Resorts since 1750 Tony Kirby May 16th The Coprolite Diggers Bernard O Connor June 20th A.G.M. with cheese and wine Over the years we have completed numerous publications which include the Monumental Inscriptions of several graveyards, the burial indexes of several churches, mainly on the Hertfordshire side of the border, Royston Parish Church Marriages (1662-1812) and banns

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(1754–1837) and three volumes of the ‘Births, Marriages and Deaths’ as published in the ‘Royston Crow’, they are Vol 1 1876–1886, Vol 2 1887–1899, and Vol 3 1900–1910. All these are available on our bookstall at meetings, from our website www.roystonfhs.org.uk of from the Parish Chest website, www.parishchest.com. All our meetings, unless otherwise stated, take place on the third Monday of the month at All Saints Community Hall, Melbourn with doors opening for chat and a look at the bookstall at 7.30 pm and talks commencing at 8pm. We are always happy to see new faces and can assure you of a warm welcome. We could also use some younger blood, if only to crawl about in those graveyards! Avril Emery Chair/Editor Royston & District FHS

Faster Broadband for Melbourn BT has announced it will roll out fibre optic broadband to those communities who show they really want it! They have come up with a scheme to determine which exchanges are likely to receive upgrades to fibre based broadband in the UK. BT has said they will upgrade five exchanges with the highest percentage votes. Note: you should vote, even if you do not use BT as your broadband provider. This is because the fibre optic hardware is owned and managed by BT’s Openreach on behalf of all the various retail Internet Service Providers. So even if you use Tiscali (for example) your Internet is still ultimately provided on BT hardware, so this does affect you. Virgin Media customer should also vote. If you want a higher speed Internet connection in MELBOURN then go to… www.racetoinfinity.bt.com

New to the village or looking for Christmas present?

If you’re new to the village and have not received your FREE copy of the Melbourn Village History Book & DVD, contact Colin Limming on 01763 260072 for more information Produced in 2004 this fully illustrated two colour A4 book, uses old photographs, maps, reports and documents from the Archives, Cambridge Collection and museums together with newspaper articles dating back to the early 17th Century, to give an insight into village life from the early ages up until the 1950s. Accompanying the book is a DVD of voices of local residents chatting over tea and cakes, about life in the village they grew up in and together with a ‘slideshow’, gives an interesting visual and vocal experience.

Melbourn and Meldreth Self Help Group As previously mentioned in the last magazine, we had a small amount of money left over from a very generous donation from the Co-Operative Membership Community Fund. As hoped this was used to host a cream tea for all lunch club members and some of our drivers (as a thank you for their time and petrol). We had a very enjoyable Monday afternoon in mid August. Sandwiches and scones with jam and cream together with a variety of cake was served to all. The afternoon was finished off with a raffle. Below is a photo of our members and another which shows the ladies of the kitchen without whom the afternoon would not have happened. The other celebration, which came as rather a surprise, was my birthday. Thank you to everyone for the presents, cakes and balloons!! It turned a usual Thursday into a really fun packed day. Getting old was not so bad after all. Compared to the ‘diners’, I am still a mere chicken anyway. We are now planning our Christmas lunch. Once again, this will be a festive event visited by Father Christmas distributing presents to all. Lunch club is very grateful to have received a donation from Mr Peter Stamford, and the parish council. The money was for work carried out by Mr Stamford for the council, he asked that payment go towards Lunch Club funds. The parish council in turn, has also given us an amount of £350 which will go a very long way to paying for this event. Our grateful thanks to both parties. The waiting list continues to grow, but if you wish to be added please contact Jayne White, on 220250.

Medical Entomology Centre Insect Research & Development Limited HEAD LICE Do you have head lice, or does someone you know have them? We may be able to help as we are researching a product for the treatment of head lice. If someone in your family has head lice you might be interested in this study. They must be 6 months or older to join and have an active case of head lice. If you would like to know more about participating in the study, please telephone the study team on 01223 813696 or 0845 4 300 300.

Disability Cambridgeshire Can we help you or anyone you know? Disability Cambridgeshire (formerly known as Directions Plus) is a registered charity working for disabled/older people and carers living in Cambridgeshire. We provide free, confidential and impartial information and advice on all disability and access issues including: • Discrimination • Direct payments and independent living • Benefit entitlements, including challenging decisions • Holidays and leisure • Residential care, respite etc.

Self Help Cream Tea

We also provide: • Advice to companies and individuals about employment issues • Disability Discrimination Act and Disability Equality training • Information in newsletters and on our website • Start up and infrastructure services for Forums of Disabled people • Funder Finder searches for funding from charitable sources Contact us at: Pendrill Court, Papworth Everard, Cambridgeshire, CB23 3UY Telephone adviceline: 01480 839192 info@disability-cambridgeshire.org.uk

Self help volunteers

www.disability-cambridgeshire.org.uk melbournmagazine

Home-Start Royston & South Cambridgeshire are looking for more volunteers - could you give a Home-Start family the most precious gift - your time ?

Expertise on your doorstep 19 Station Road Melbourn Royston Hertfordshire SG8 6DX Tel 01763 217510 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Sat 9am-12pm Customer Hotline Tel 0845 601 3344

Our volunteers are all parents or grandparents who can give a few hours a week to help families who are finding it difficult to cope

Mon-Fri 9am-10pm Sat 9am-6pm Sun 11am-5pm

All parents need emotional and practical help to get through the first few years, but not everyone has friends or family nearby This is when Home-Start volunteers can help! Further details can be obtained by calling into our offices: Unit 6, Valley Farm, Meldreth, SG8 6JP, or contacting us on 01763 262262 and talking to Barbara or e-mailing admin@hsrsc.co.uk

JEREMY RULE FUNERAL SERVICE Jeremy Rule. MBIE. Dip. FD. Ben Rule. Dip. FD.

Independent Local Family Funeral Director Providing a caring and personal service 24 hours a day for all your funeral needs. Offering Help & Guidance through every step.

Office & Chapel of Rest :

12, Church Lane, Royston, Herts SG8 9LG Telephone:

01763 242560 www.jeremyrulefunerals.co.uk 14

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

Time to keep your money close to home Head Office Administration Centre PO Box 232 51 Newmarket Road Cambridge CB5 8FF Tel 0845 601 3344 www.cambridgebs.co.uk

MELBOURN PARISH COUNCIL 28 Station Road Melbourn Cambs SG8 6DX Telephone 262494 e-mail: parishclerk@melbournpc.co.uk Minutes of Parish Council Meetings and Planning Committee meetings are available on the village website Chairman Donald Mowatt 23, High Street SG8 6AL

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Vice-Chairman Maureen Townsend 32 New Road SG8 6ER

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Clerk & Office Avril Mellor, 28 Station Road, SG8 6DX

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E-mail parishclerk@melbournpc.co.uk Website www.melbourncambridge.co.uk Councillors Val Barrett 2 Station Road, SG8 6DX Frank Benfield 2-4 Little Lane, SG8 6DX, Irene Bloomfield 78 Russet Way, SG8 6HF Alan Brett 44 High Street, SG8 6DXBB Rosemary Gatward 94 High Street, SG8 6AL Jose Hales 23 Elm Way, SG8 6UH Dean Hardingham 1 Portway, SG8 6EU Michael Linnette 11 Chapel Lane, SG8 6BN Andrew Mulcock 1 Lawns Close, SG8 6DR Donald Mowatt White Walls, 23 High Street Mike Sherwen 3 Hale Close, SG8 6ET Peter Simmonett 42 Greengage Rise SG8 6DS Christopher Stead 70 Russet Way pm only Maureen Townsend 32 New Road, SG8 6BY Richard Wakerley 32 Chalkhill Barrow, SG8 6EQ Employees Handyman and Caretaker Peter Andrews Emergency mobile. 07778-682245

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Village Ranger Keith Rudge, 4 Dolphin La, SG8 6AF

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Internal Auditor Bruce Huett, 20 Rose Lane SG8 6AD

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County Councillor Susan van de Ven 95 North End, Meldreth susanvandeven@yahoo.co.uk.

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District Councillors Val Barrett, 2 Station Road Jose Hales, 23 Elm Way, SG8 6UH

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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 All Saints’ Community Hall. The Press Royston & Buntingford Mercury Tom Ship, Media Centre 40 Ware Road, Hertford, SG13 7HU 01992 526639

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk/council/

From the Parish Clerk – Avril Mellor As the end of the year approaches it seems like a good time to look back at some of the important changes within the village that the Council has been involved with over the past 12 months. After a number of delays the yellow lines eventually went down in Station Road during September and hopefully these restrictions will reduce the traffic problems and improve safety by providing breaks in the line of parked vehicles. South Cambridgeshire District Council planned to dispose of all their rural car parks to eliminate maintenance costs. This meant that if the Parish Council did not take on the village car park it may have been sold to a private company which would then have imposed parking charges. To avoid this, the car park has been leased by the Council from SCDC on a 999 year lease and is already planning the introduction of hard and soft landscaping to improve the appearance of this area. It is intended that the Safer Route to School through the car park will continue and be enhanced to give clearer definition. At the time of writing the purchase of the Old Recreation Ground (opposite MVC) from the Church Commissioners has still to be finalised. This piece of land has been registered by the Church Commissioners as a village green. The council feels that having ownership under the same title would allow greater flexibility in the use of the land without repeated reference to the owners. The lease on the Parish Office comes to an end in February 2011 and the Council has been busy looking into various possibilities in the search for new premises. Hopefully by the time you read plans this will be in hand to move to a new location within the village. Please look out for information about the move on the website www.melbourncambridge.co.uk/parishcouncil/ and on the parish noticeboard. Two new football teams are now using the Recreation Ground, a team from the Green Man and the 14/15 age group from Melbourn Dynamos, both of which play on a Sunday. The planned BMX site at Grinnel Hill is nearing completion and is an amazing feat of engineering by the lads who have built all the jumps by hand. I hope that this winter is not as severe as last year, as I know that many people, myself included, found it hard it stay upright. The Parish Council is arranging for four new salt bins to be placed at strategic points around the village, so please make use of them and if you find them empty, please report this matter to the Parish Office and I will arrange with Cambridgeshire County Council, Highways Department for them to be replenished. May I take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

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 Newsroom

01223 259696 01223 358510

melbournmagazine

BMX TRAILS

County Councillor Susan van de Ven

It seems a very long time ago since Janice and I first approached SCDC with a view to obtaining planning permission to build Trails on the Pocket Park at Grinnel Hill. Melbourn Parish Council gave this piece of land for such a purpose. We are so grateful to Clive Onslow of Seearo Group for supplying the manpower, soil and heavy machinery along with Peter Norbury of Norbury Building and Landscape Supplies for his help too, with materials and input. What seemed to be a fairly straight forward task turned out to be much more complicated and time consuming, which involved the services of the ecology, scientific, landscaping and tree officers from South Cambs District Council, as well as the planning department. Needless to say this has taken a long time, but we’re almost there. Sadly, Janice because of her illness, had to stand down, but along with Cllr. Dean Hardingham and Cllr. Mike Linnette and latterly, Cllr. Jose Hales, the project is almost completed. The boys and girls have done an amazing job of building the jumps which have already been described by many people as ‘a work of art’ and are at present forming a Club which will come under the auspices of the Parish Council.

While the world of national government and public finance is in the headlines every day, here at ground level as your local representative, the job is just the same: figuring out how to make the system work for us. One thing I have learned, is that the answers we need are not always found in conventional places. The progress we’ve made on our local rail campaign is a case in point. While the County Council bureaucracy around education transport is incredibly complicated, the rail operator has been refreshingly responsive to our case and made it considerably cheaper for students to get to Sixth Form and Regional College, than it was last year. That has been a valuable lesson in how things can work.

Neighbourhood Policing Team Melbourn Neighbourhood Policing Team are looking forward to opening their new office over the coming weeks. The office is situated on the Melbourn Village College site near the sports centre, and will be used as a base by local officers and venue to meet with local residents. We are looking to recruit more volunteers to help staff the office for a few hours a week to make the facility as accessible as possible for the local community. The volunteers deal with enquiries, take messages for officers and aim to increase communication between residents and police. If you are interested in getting involved please contact Val Barrett at 01763 261227

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

Primary School construction site Various hiccups have been reported from members of the public, and it is good to be able to report that both Kier Construction and the County Council have always been quick to respond. Please keep writing and calling about any small problems and we’ll see if we can get them sorted. Counting small blessings and staying positive, the double yellow lines that were agreed a year ago have at last been put down in Station Road. We’ve also had double yellow lines put down in Orchard Road, directly opposite the entrance to Chapel Lane, in order to ensure that there is sufficient space for vehicles to turn in and out of the lane. Flooding and drainage issues in New Road, possibly associated with the traffic calming measures, have been brought to attention by residents who have taken the initiative to contact the relevant Highways officer. Thanks for keeping me posted. I’ve been in touch with the Surgery to see about the state of the access road during wintry conditions – this is a private road and therefore outside the responsibility of the County Council to keep clear. Hopefully something can be sorted, and I’ll report back to the parish council on this. The Practical Solutions Group – originally called the Anti-Social Behaviour Problem Solving Group, but renamed as the group developed a more positive focus – has been meeting on a steady basis over the past year to look at innovative ways of diffusing problems and supporting new opportunities for communication and community involvement. We met in September to look at our progress over the past year, and to decide whether continuing the group was merited. The outstanding point of agreement in our self-assessment was that progress happens little by little but that it does add up, and that various efforts have paid dividends in sometimes unexpected ways. Most importantly, we have come to recognize the fundamental importance of the proactive work carried out by County Youth Services, behind the scenes at Melbourn Village College and at the Youth Club. Our report is published in full on the village website, so please have a look if you are interested. Having said this, the PSG is alarmed at the County Council’s decision to cut funding to open access youth clubs, and we support the Parish Council’s interest in finding ways of keeping Melbourn Youth Club open. By the time the Magazine is published there will be more to report, so please keep an eye on PSG and Parish Council minutes for up-to-date information. Many changes are on the way in terms of the way the County Council is run, though at the moment it is hard to know what things will look like when the reconfiguration has taken place and settled. Councillors will be keeping a watchful eye. I’m sure everyone is concerned about wasteful spending when things are so tight. For example: why is Youth Services taking a £1 million cut, while the Council spends £2 million annually on communications? A lot of bumpf comes through the letter box and surely this is not what people want to see on the priority list of public services. It has been a joy to have a small window on the cares and concerns of young and very young people in our community. Various projects coordinated by the volunteer team at Melbourn Library Access Point, and the after-school Journalism Club at Melbourn Village College, which I’ve been lucky enough to be involved with, have been great fun. The Village College is now regenerating the Duke of Edinburgh Award

Scheme, which is just one way in which young people will be looking to get involved in their communities. As always, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with any concerns.

A vacancy is currently available for a Deputy Clerk to the Parish Council with a view to become Clerk, Proper and Financial Officer to the Council

Addenbrookes Access Road Arrangements This road is restricted for people travelling to and from the hospital, and a vehicle registration monitoring system is in place to prevent the road from being used as a rat run, by identifying vehicles that enter and exit the site within a specific period of time. Unfortunately, little information has been published by the County Council about arrangements for voluntary drivers (and family and friends) who drop off and collect patients without parking, and therefore could be identified as rat runners. Many people have been in touch with queries on various details of the scheme. I have been pressing County Highways for sensible arrangements for volunteer drivers, and publication of comprehensive information on arrangements relating to use of the Access Road generally. The council has said that it will respond ‘soon’. Meanwhile she would be glad to pass on any queries. Updates will be posted at www.susanvandeven.com.

Volunteer Drivers for Luncheon Club Can you spare a little time on Thursdays to drive elderly, isolated people living in Meldreth and Melbourn to the Luncheon Club, at Vicarage Close Sheltered Housing, Melbourn? This would involve picking up at around 11:15 and bringing back again at 1:15. The club makes an enormous difference to those involved. If you can help, please contact Jayne White at jayne.white1@ntlworld.com.

Blue Wheelie Bins The first collection of the new blue bins has taken place successfully. We are obviously keen that this scheme is a success as it is costing a lot of money and we all want to recycle as much of our waste as possible. If you have more material than your blue bin can take then just put it in the old green boxes and put them out for collection at the same time.

Part time – 22 hours per week Melbourn Parish Council serves a large community of over 2000 households with over 4500 residents. Situated in South Cambridgeshire, Melbourn is a lively, thriving village supporting an expanding Science Park of international status, a large industrial area, plus numerous small businesses and shops. With easy access to train stations in neighbouring Meldreth and Royston and bus routes, Melbourn is also a popular location for commuters to Cambridge and London. The Parish Council is seeking a suitably experienced individual for the position of Deputy Clerk. The successful candidate will work with the present Clerk, Proper and Financial Officer to the Council, and, from 14th March 2011, will take the position of Deputy Clerk. Following the completion of a successful probationary period, they will then take the roll of Clerk, Proper and Financial Officer to the Council. The position will be part-time and office based, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday (9am–1pm and 2pm–4pm). The postholder will also be expected to attend Council committee meetings every Monday evening (from 6.30pm–10.30pm), approximately 22 hours weekly. (These hours may be subject to change (increased) at the council’s discretion). It is essential that you have the following skills and attributes:

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Full working knowledge of Microsoft office software and the use of email and the Internet. Good telephone skills, office routines, the preparation of letters and minutes (Touch typing or shorthand skills would be of benefit). High level of accuracy and attention to detail. A commitment to providing excellent customer service. A sound understanding of accounts. Experience of managing a small team of staff and outside contractors. Able to demonstrate flexibility and a common sense approach. Willingness to undertake personal development appropriate to the role.

Salary will be in accordance with rates agreed between National Association of Local Councils (NALC) and Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC). The successful applicant will be required to undertake the appropriate training as laid down by NALC & SLCC. The post includes 20 days (pro rata) paid holiday per annum and statutory sick pay. A pension is not included. Applications, CV and two references must be received at the Melbourn Parish Office by 4pm on Monday 10th January 2011. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by letter and invited to attend a formal interview in the week commencing 1st February 2011. Application forms and further details are available online at: www.melbourn.org.uk/parishcouncil Or contact The Clerk,

Melbourn Parish Council 28 Station Road, Melbourn, Cambridge. SG8 6DX Tel: 01763 262494 Email: parishclerk@melbournpc.co.uk PLEASE NOTE: As from 23rd December the Parish Office address will be:

Melbourn Parish Council Melbourn Village College, The Moor, Melbourn, Cambs. SG8 6EF see map on page 19 for more details melbournmagazine

Flint Cross Mystery Speed Limit Signs A response has finally come from Highways on the reasons for the spray painting out of the new 50mph speed limit signs: ‘The legal order to enforce the speed limit is being completed as part of a larger speed limit review on the A505 and other A and B roads in South Cambs. In order to minimise costs all the speed limit modifications are being advertised together so that objections can be considered by the South Cambs Area Joint Committee in January.’ Thanks to residents who have been in touch with their concerns; all have been relayed to County Highways.

Winter Gritting Cambridgeshire County Council has a policy of gritting scheduled commercial bus routes and on this basis should have included Shepreth Road, Foxton, on its gritting list, as it forms part of the Stagecoach 26 route. Unfortunately a clerical error was made in the County’s gritting list for the coming year and the route was not included. Further representations have been made but no assurances have been provided as yet. Further appeals have been made for the gritting of New Road, Great Chishill, which is a school bus route, and a response from the County Council is still awaited.

Did you know ➧ ➧ ➧ ➧

We now have a Butcher, Baker, Greengrocer, Fishmonger ... and Grocery Stall every Wednesday and Saturday.

Other products available include: Linen ● Swimming Pool Supplies ● Jewellery Hardware ● Kitchenware ● Plastics ● Books Ladies and Gents Clothing ● Bric A Brac and Wooden Wildlife Supplies. Come and visit the home of the: Royston Sausage – try before you buy.

Driving While Using Mobile Phones Amongst priorities for the coming quarter, the recent Melbourn/ Bassingbourn Neighbourhood Panel meeting agreed to include special attention to the problem of drivers using mobile phones. At the meeting the police said they would be considering various approaches to the problem.

Speedwatch In Melbourn A new Speedwatch initiative is underway in Melbourn. If you are interested in helping out or learning more, please contact Sharon Camilletti at Jacqueline.camilletti@tesco.net.

Youth Club On A Bus The Connections Youth Bus – like a mobile Youth Club – will be situated at Melbourn Village College car park on alternate Thursdays until the Christmas school break: 2nd December and 16th, from 7–9 PM. This is free and open to young people in Year 7 and above. Sports, crafts, information and advice, internet access, tuck shop, karaoke and more – please visit www.connectionsbusproject.co.uk to find out more, or just come along!

Rail User Group Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group The no-longer-new rail user group has been plugging away at its work list since February. We have now met once in each of the three villages, and will be holding our AGM at Melbourn Village College on March 8th. Thanks to all four Parish Councils for covering the cost of room hire for our meetings. We’ve made some progress so far 1 First Capital Connect has, as promised, increased its 16-18 year old student discount fare from 30% to 50% off the adult fare. Unexpectedly, it has extended the discount to students attending private as well as state schools, and to students

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

Forthcoming events EVERY 1ST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH Outdoor Farmers Market. 10am – 1pm. Come and sample the tastes of Gary Rhodes Local Hero Stuart Blackman’s Vension Kofta’s, for the sweeter tooth try out National CupCake Champion Kevin Sibleys Cakes and Home Made Fudge. Other stalls include; Fruit and Veg, various Meats, Arts and Crafts, Hand Made Jewellery, Pasties, Pies and Rolls. See for yourself. EVERY 3RD SATURDAY OF THE MONTH Mini Outdoor Farmers Market. Incorporated into the twice weekly Charter Market; 9am – 1pm a range of local products at reasonable prices.

from experience elsewhere. We had a recent visit from Passenger Focus who took a full inventory of our work in progress; their input is invaluable because they work closely with the Department for Transport and will contribute on our behalf when the franchise comes up for renewal. Two projects they felt particularly worth pursuing include a disabled ramp to the London-bound platform at Meldreth Station, and the abolition of parking charges at Shepreth and Meldreth Stations – a great bone of contention due to the new parking problems it has created around our stations. We are pleased that Meldreth’s parking charge has been reduced to £2 per day, but mystified that Shepreth’s has gone up to £3. Passenger Focus also felt that cycle racks ought to be provided by FCC on the Melbourn side of Meldreth Station. Shepreth and Meldreth Stations celebrate their 160th birthdays next summer, and Foxton’s birthday is underdiscussion – hopefully to be revealed by Foxton’s Common Stream local history group. We are looking to celebrate them all. Our next meeting is December 8th, 8pm, at the Meldreth Sheltered Housing Community Room, Elin Way (just off the High Street near the Primary School). All welcome – and please get in touch if you are interested to learn more or to get involved in any small way. Meanwhile, thanks again to all who have given their support! susanvandeven@yahoo.co.uk Telephone 01763 261833

The Parish Office is moving Due to the tenancy expiring the Parish Office will be moving to new premises in December 2010. The new location will be at the Village College (see map below). The accommodation offers greater space for meetings, storage and security, better car parking and easy access. The Parish office will be closed from 20th December 2010 and reopen on the 4th January 2011. The clerk will be available until 12 noon on 23rd December. Please remember, there are many ways to contact the Parish Office or the Parish Council apart from visiting the office. Melbourn Parish Council Melbourn Village College The Moor, Melbourn, Cambs. SG8 6EF Telephone: 01763 262494 e-mail: parishclerk@melbournpc.co.uk The Village website has up to date information on councillors, meetings and minutes. www.melbourncambridge.co.uk/parishcouncil

Melbourn Village College Police Station

Melbourn Sports Centre

Car Park Parish Office

The Moor

across the whole of Cambridgeshire. National Express has matched the discount for students travelling on its line (which includes Whittlesford to Cambridge). So the small campaign that began around our little stations has made a real impact. The job now is to ensure that the discount stays in place. 2 Thanks to residents who took the trouble to fill out the Customer Comment Form regarding the terrible problem of ticket machine screen visibility. This has been common to all FCC stations, and five stations between Royston and King’s Lynn are to be given new screens on a trial basis, sometime from January. These stations were selected on the basis of customer feedback and include Foxton and Meldreth. FCC know that Shepreth’s screen has also been very difficult to read and we’re hoping that if the trial screens are successful, all ticket machine screens will be replaced. Please make sure to contact FCC if the new screens make a difference, as their decision to roll out these screens depends on customer feedback. 3 Foxton ticket machine will also have a new coin slot that opens only when a ticket purchase is ready to be paid for by coin – so hopefully the problem of minor but consistent vandalism to the machine will abate. 4 Cycle racks have now been installed adjacent to Foxton Station. 5 British Transport Police data directly relating to our three stations is now presented as part of the overall picture on crime and anti-social behaviour at the Neighbourhood Police Panels – something strangely missing in the past, but essential of course, to understanding the broad picture. 6 FCC will soon be installing notice boards for the rail user group; one at each station and a fourth in Cambridge. So please look out for our news. Melbourn Village Website has generously created a webpage for us, so you can look up our activities at www.melbourn.org.uk/railusergroup. Our meetings are now attended by FCC’s Fen Line Station Services Manager and Railfuture East Anglia, and this is greatly beneficial in terms of learning

MVC Reception

Library

melbournmagazine

Melbourn’s Parks Making Play Fit for the Future Melbourn has an amazing number of children, and the number has grown steadily over many years. The two existing parks located at Clear Crescent and The Moor are much used by the local community. However, the parks were built 50-60 years ago and, although there has been some updating, they have remained remarkably unchanged. What has changed is that the number of children in the village has doubled! Recent estimates show that there are now approximately 900 children under 16 in Melbourn compared to less than 400 when our two parks were constructed.

Children will never become tired of playing, but the parks themselves are looking very tired and shabby. A volunteer parent group has set up the ‘Melbourn Parks Committee’ with the objectives of re-planning the parks and replacing or updating worn out park equipment. The committee is very active and already has a great deal of feedback and some excellent ideas from park users. Play Group and Primary School children and parents have already had an opportunity to inform the committee about equipment they would like the most. The Parish Council is supporting this initiative and may also pledge some monies toward the project. Play equipment is very expensive and other grants are also being sought alongside village fundraising activities. Funding is always a challenge, so if you or your company would like to get involved by offering a donation, time, skills or resources please let the committee know. There will be a public consultation meeting and drop in session on Friday 10th December between 6.30 – 8.30pm at the United Reformed Church, when all members of the community will have the opportunity to look at proposed plans and give their feedback. Please come if you would like to know more about the parks and have your say.

A Medieval Christmas at Denny Abbey Saturday 11th December, 12–5pm Visit Denny Abbey and The Farmland Museum for a Christmas family event with a Medieval Flavour full of festivities reflecting the ancient heritage of Denny Abbey. Make a wassailing cup from clay, construct a mini wreath for your front door, listen to some story telling and follow the mummers play trail around the museum. Join in with carols by candlelight in the intimate setting of Denny Abbey from 4pm dress warmly and bring a torch or lantern. Cafe open for Medieval hot spiced apple juice and the usual tea, coffee, scones and cakes. Shop open for stocking fillers. Event Admission Prices: Adults £5, Concessions £4, Children over 5 £3, Family ticket £15

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

cambridgeshire

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk/safermelbourn/

Neigbourhood policing priorities for the next quarter • • •

Non emergency phone number

0345 456 456 4

Tackle anti-social use of motor vehicles in Melbourn. Tackle road safety issues across the panel area (people’s priority) with a focus on supporting Speedwatch and the use of mobile phones whilst driving. Tackle ASB issues (rowdy and nuisance behaviour and criminal damage) in Meldreth Road, Shepreth.

MINICOM helpline for the deaf and hard of hearing, anywhere in the force area: 01480 422493 RNID TypeTalk is a national telephone relay service which enables, deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing and speech impaired people to communicate, to access the service dial: 0800 515152

Date of next policing Panel meeting Tuesday 18th January 2011, Bassingbourn Village College Doors open 7pm for 7:30pm start. All welcome.

Emerging issues for Melbourn

• • • •

• •

This is a hotspot for speeding and the intention is to set up a Speedwatch group, with a survey undertaken locally as a starting point. Issue relates to Cambridge Rd from A10 and areas where there is a national speed limit sign AND housing. Desire to have the speed limit reduced from 60mph to 30mph. ASB – young people are throwing objects at cars and houses (Beechwood Ave in particular). Patrols have been increased including plain clothed police but they have found no evidence of this activity. There is also nothing to link the names given of 2 young males with this activity. Police will maintain their patrols and would encourage people to report incidents. Driver behaviour at and around the school crossing patrol to be monitored ongoing by PCSOs.

Update on previous priorities and community feedback by Sgt John Capes

• • • • •

Tackle anti-social use of vehicles in Melbourn. Analysis shows that cars are more of a problem than motorcycles. However, scooters are still a problem at South End Bassingbourn and in Shepreth. Youths are congregating at the war memorial in Bassingbourn. Mopeds using Saxon Way, Melbourn late at night, which is a private road so any traffic calming measures not necessarily a County Council responsibility. Tackle Road Safety issues across the panel area with a focus on supporting Speedwatch

Emergency 999 Additional enforcement activity requested in 3 locations

•

Shingay – offences of driving without insurance were mentioned.

Old Rd, Kneesworth – use of mobile phones whilst driving (it was felt this is a common problem in the area and one to focus on). However, PCSOs cannot stop vehicles and these offences have to be tackled by warranted officers. This will be an ideal assignment for the student officer. However, Chris Savage explained that unmarked cars are best for dealing with this kind of offence.

Community Mediation? Mediation is a way of helping people talk to each other and find solutions to their differences. The Cambridge and District Community Mediation Service (CDCMS) is a free service that works with people across Cambridgeshire. We are here to:

• • •

give you a chance to be heard. help you explore possible solutions. help you reach an agreement to make things better.

We cover a wide range of disputes including:

• • •

Neighbour disputes over fences, hedges, paths, noise, parking, pets and children’s behaviour. Workplace disputes between colleagues in public or voluntary sector organisations. Young people and their families where the young person is thinking of leaving or has already left home. melbournmagazine

The service is free, voluntary, confidential and independent. We do not take sides or pass judgment. We do not offer legal advice. Our mediators are all fully-trained volunteers, from different backgrounds. We cover the following areas:

• • • •

Cambridge South Cambridgeshire East Cambridgeshire Huntingdonshire*

* Cases are referred at the discretion of the local authority, call CDCMS to discuss. You can phone us on 01223 302514. Website www.cdcms.org.uk/index.htm

Telephone Preference Service (TPS) The Telephone Preference Service (TPS) is a free service. It is the official central opt out register on which you can record your preference not to receive unsolicited sales or marketing calls. It is a legal requirement that all organisations (including charities, voluntary organisations and political parties) do not make such calls to numbers registered on the TPS unless they have your consent to do so. Organisations with which you have an ongoing relationship, for example those who regard you as a customer, (or in the case of charities – a donor) may well gather your consent during the early stages of your relationship with them and will therefore be entitled to call you even if your number is registered on TPS, unless you have previously told them specifically that you object to them calling you for marketing purposes. The TPS can accept the registration of mobile telephone numbers, however it is important to note that this will prevent the receipt of marketing voice calls but not SMS (text) messages. If you wish to stop receiving SMS marketing messages, please send an ‘opt-out’ request to the company involved. As TPS registration only prevents marketing calls, organisations will still be able to call you for the purposes of genuine market research. Call the TPS Registration line to successfully reduce calls – 0845 070 0707 or register on line at www.tpsonline.org.uk

Shut the door on high pressure selling High pressure selling is something that we all want to avoid, and whilst it is quite easy to say ‘no’ to salespeople that call you on the phone, it is far harder to say ‘no’ to people once they are in your home. At Cambridgeshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service we frequently come across people who have been pressured into having work done or buying products having been called on out of the blue. It can relate to anything from tree felling, driveways, roofing and fascias and soffits, to mobility aids, home alarm systems and beds. Typical high pressure sales techniques include calling through to their manager for ‘the very best price’, saying that that price is only available on that day, and overstaying their welcome, all used to put extra pressure on you.

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

To help pinpoint problems and find practical solutions to reduce anti-social behaviour in the village, Melbourn’s Practical Solutions Group (PSG) has recognised that a less formal and more inclusive approach is required to achieve its aims. This new group remains multi-agency, as its predecessor the Problem Solving Group, but the emphasis and approach has changed so that it can work with and include Melbourn residents (young and old). If you are affected by ASB would like to be involved in this worthwhile project then please get in touch by using the contact form at; www.melbourncambridge.co.uk/ problemsolving or phone 01763 221323

We want you to avoid such problems, so below we offer a few tips: • Where possible, when looking for a trader, go on recommendation from someone you know. • Get three quotes so that you know the price you are paying is reasonable and fair. • Always get quotes in writing and make sure they set out what exactly you will receive for that price

Cambridgeshire Registered Trader Scheme The Cambridgeshire Registered Trader Scheme can help by providing you with a list of traders who have been checked by Cambridgeshire Trading Standards. lf you live in Cambridgeshire, are aged over 60 or have a physical or learning disability, you are eligible to use this Scheme. Telephone Age Concern, Cambridgeshire on 01354 596 650 and ask for the Traders Register

•

If a trader needs to visit you in your home and you will be alone, see if you can arrange for someone else to be there for extra support in case the trader puts pressure on you. • If the contract is signed in your home and is for over £35, make sure you are given a 7 days cancellation notice – you will almost certainly be entitled to this in law and means that you can change your mind up to 7 days after signing the agreement. • If you are given terms and conditions, make sure you read them before signing the contract. Be careful if you are asked to sign something to say that work can start there and then – this will impact on your right to cancel the contract. • If possible, look for a trader that is a member of a Trade Association as many of these will operate a Code of Practice for their members and some also offer a mediation scheme in case of problems. In addition, you can get a free ‘We’re not buying it’ sticker for your front door to discourage salespeople from calling on you at home in the first place. Simply contact Consumer Direct for one of these (details below). You can also reduce the number of telephone sales calls you receive by registering with the Telephone Preference Service on 0845 070 0707 or online at www.tpsonline.org.uk. If you need advice on this or any other consumer issue, contact our partner organisation, Consumer Direct, on 0845 4040506 for free, impartial and confidential advice. Calls cost no more than 4p a minute for BT customers -other networks may vary. For more information on Trading Standards visit our website www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/consumer

Drinksense Drinksense is a registered charity providing advice, information, therapeutic counselling and a range of support services for people with alcohol related problems and their carers and families in Cambridgeshire. We see people who are concerned with their own or others’ alcohol use. We work toward reducing the harm that alcohol may be causing a person whether that involves health, employment, relationships or lifestyle. As we are able to provide a safe setting with trained professionals, many different kinds of people access our service. For some this may mean asking a few questions regarding alcohol units, for others it may mean meeting on a one-to-one basis to explore deeper-rooted issues affecting their behaviour. For access to Therapeutic, Young People and Adult Outreach Services in Cambridge and the surrounding area Dashwood House, 185 East Road, Cambridge. CB1 1BG Tel: 01223 350599 www.drinksense.org There is no charge for our services.

2011 Census coming to a letterbox near you On 27 March 2011 all residential households in the United Kingdom will be taking part in a census. It is not just another survey. The census is important as it provides an excellent source of information about the population. This enables central and local government, health authorities and many other organisations to plan housing, education, health and transport services for years to come for all sectors of the population, so it is crucial the estimate is as accurate as possible. The Census is completely confidential and no personal information is passed to other government departments or non governmental organisations. When the questionnaire envelope comes through the door you’ll easily recognise it by the purple 2011 Census logo. Take care of it. If, like many people, you want to complete the questionnaire online, your individual internet code is on the front of the questionnaire. More information about the 2011 Census is available online at: www.census.gov.uk Jobs

In 2011 TV in Melbourn (Anglia) is going digital and the analogue TV signal will be switched off. On 30th March 2011, BBC2 analogue is switched off and on 13th April 2011, the remaining analogue channels are switched off.

Starting in September 2010 and continuing over the coming months a number of jobs will be created to support the Census. These will be a mix of part time and full time jobs. Some will last months, others a matter of weeks. All will offer competitive rates of pay. More information can be found at www.censusjobs.co.uk Ralph While-Paddon, Census Area Manager Mob: 07801331388

For advice on the digital switch over telephone 0845 50 50 50 or visit digitaluk.co.uk www.cambs-police.co.uk/myneighbourhood/ecops/index.asp melbournmagazine

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

Profile Sheila and David Brunsdon My profile this issue is once again about a true Melbourn person. David was born in the June preceding the start of the second World War. He was one of twins although his sister died at birth, but he later had another sister who now lives in Royston. His parents were Henry and Maude. Henry had moved to Melbourn from London in his early years but Maud Woods was a Melbourn lass living in Dolphin Lane. From her early photographs she was quite a beauty. Her father Albert worked for George Palmer as a cowman and also played in the Salvation Army band. Henry always wanted to be a policeman, and passed all his exams with flying colours only to be told at the last minute that he was one inch too short! Although disappointed to be rejected for that reason, he went to work for Theo Wedd at Summerhouse Farm and remained there for 40 years, after which he worked at the Atlas until his retirement. They all lived at no. 4 Wood Way – this is at the top of Water Lane and if you look carefully half way up on the right hand side you will see the old street sign on the wall of a house. Maud worked for George Palmer and in the summertime, like most other women in the village, she worked in the orchards picking fruit. Whilst he was at school, David was very keen on sport, especially running and football and after he left school he went on to play football for the Melbourn team. So it was not surprising that young David’s first job was in the orchards. He attended Mortlock Street school leaving at the age of 15 on a Friday and starting work on the Saturday for Cyril Hagger. He had always done holiday work there and really enjoyed working in the orchards. However, for 3½ years he spent more time helping Cyril to build his house at the top of Water Lane than he did amongst the trees! Turning their hands to all trades and mixing all the cement

by hand, the two of them build Driftways House. Now I do not know who is living there at the moment – but do you know that some of the upstairs floors of your house were stained with coffee! David told me that Cyril made up several pots of coffee in differing strengths until he found the right shade then after sanding the floorboards off, they coloured the floor with the resulting brew! David said that Cyril Hagger was the nicest person he ever worked for. And he worked for quite a few! It was during this time that he married for the first time and, needing more money, he moved to NDS in Royston. He has always had an affinity with cars and driving and had his first car, a 1934 Standard 10 bought from Arch Hale, at the young age of 18. So he was able to drive to work in Royston where he was employed welding silos. Sheila, meanwhile, was living in a children’s home and foster homes in Norwich and knew nothing about her family, although she did meet her mother when she was eighteen. She went to work straight from school to the Christian Endeavour Holiday Home at Overstrand. It was nice to hear that, in these days of horrific stories being revealed about experiences in care homes, Sheila led a very happy and stable life in the home and considers herself to have been fortunate to have been so well cared for. She married and moved to Cambridge and had two sons and later, after divorcing her first husband, she met David. They met on a blind date arranged by a mutual friend. Apparently in those days Sheila had a very strong Norfolk accent and when, on their SECOND date, David asked her to marry him she replied in her broad accent ‘ Don’t be so daft, I don’t even like yer!’ Well, that was a challenge for him and he obviously managed to bring her round and they were married in May 1972. David formally adopted Sheila’s two boys and they went on to have another son. Taking on another job, David passed all the necessary exams and went to work as a driving instructor at Marshalls Garage in Jesus Lane. He told me some rum tales about teaching people to drive, sometimes a risky business – but he did say that generally speaking the young women were the best pupils! I suppose the lads thought they knew it all. Elderly ladies were sometimes difficult, interestingly he said that the hardest thing for people to grasp was the art of steering the vehicle. Moving on from this, but still behind the wheel he drove for Rayners Transport at Madingley, taking lorries full of corn all over the country. Then followed a spell with the Blood Transfusion Service taking the nurses and equipment all over East Anglia. This was an easy job, as once they had unloaded the nurses and equipment there was little to do all day but wait around until the unit packed up melbournmagazine

Little Foxes Baby & Toddler Group Little Foxes is a friendly, fun, good value, baby & toddler group. The baby & toddler group provides a great opportunity to meet other mums and for the children to play together. It is run by mums & child carers for babies and children up to 5 years old. There is a baby area, dressing up clothes, trikes, trampolines, duplo, cars, dolls, etc. There are creative activities, song & story time and refreshments for the adults & children. Foxton Village Hall Hardman Road Foxton Tuesday (term time only) 09.30 – 11.00

£1.50 per session

Meldreth Pre-School Reg.Charity no.1034965

Village Hall Meldreth High Street We are a friendly, non-profit making Pre-School. We offer Morning, Lunch Club and Afternoon sessions to children between the ages of 2 and 5 years. We offer a high staffing ratio, whilst maintaining competitive rates. £8.20 per session, £3.00 for Lunch Club We accept Government Vouchers (which makes sessions for the over 3’s free) For more information please Contact: Pre-School Leader, Jane Cable on 07952 295655 during Pre-School Hours (Mon/Tue 9-3, Wed/Thur/Fri 9-12.30) or telephone The Admissions Secretary, Yasmin Croxford on 01763 220246

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

at about 9 p.m. But they were long days away from home. Then came the period of ‘David the Fruit’ and it was obvious from the way he spoke that this was one of the happiest times of their lives! David had a fruit and vegetable van which he took round Trumpington where they were then living– he said he didn’t make much money but met some lovely people. It was a real family affair, because they all played a part but his sons used to chastise him because he was always giving fruit away to the children, a banana here, an apple there - his profit being eaten away! Sometimes he would barter with the customers – on one occasion he put a notice on his van requesting a particular item and was inundated with replies. So he would trade a box of vegetables for half a dozen hanging baskets and so on. Tragically one of the boys died a couple of years ago, but one son has his own building business and works with his son. The other is a member of the Pink Floyd Tribute Band and is currently touring in the States. This musical trait must have come from David, as he took piano lessons in Royston as a boy although as they were on a Saturday morning when all his mates were playing on the clunch pits it wasn’t long before the teacher told him he was wasting her time and his money! Speaking of the clunch pits, as a boy the Back Way/London Way area was his playground and he well remembers when the first archaeological dig was carried out he and his friends all took souvenir bones. He took a set of teeth. I got very excited at that and asked if he still had them, “Yes, I wear them all the time!” he replied. He is quite a joker! He also said that when working on the orchards at the site if they had to grub

up trees they would often unearth little primitive blue beads – little did they realise that they were probably Anglo Saxon. (Has anyone got any of those little beads stashed away?) He also remembers from those days a Meteor jet coming from the Royston direction and the boys were watching it when it exploded in mid air. The pilot was killed as he was blown out and landed in Palmer’s orchard (Bramley Avenue area). The boys jumped on their bikes and frantically pedalled down to the field where the police houses now stand to see if they could examine the wreckage. All David got was a puncture! After the greengrocer period David worked for Cambus, driving mini buses, National Express coaches to London – the 6.30 a.m. bus to Victoria was always full – and he did this for some 11 years. He very much enjoyed working on the bus and in fact, he once won the Bus Driver Of The Year award! Stagecoach took over Cambus during this time. Sheila was working at the newly opened Waitrose and David eventually joined her there doing internet deliveries until they both retired to the neat-as-a-pin bungalow in Norgetts Lane. David is a very keen gardener and shares an allotment with David Peacock. He has won several first and second prizes in local shows, dahlias being his speciality. He is also a keen bowler at Meldreth, Chesterton and Brooklands Avenue whilst Sheila loves cooking and reading. She mentioned that David’s mother and father had been wonderful to her, just like real parents. Sometime after David’s mother died of a stroke, Henry remarried at the age of 80 the widowed mother of Roger Mead (husband of Angela profiled in the last issue) so they became step brothers! They have friends in France, Canada and Sheringham whom they visit regularly and in the past have enjoyed many canal boat holidays. They also used to belong to the Ramblers Association and loved the walking holidays they organised. So with bowling, cooking, holidays, two grandsons not to mention the garden and allotment, they are a busy pair. David showed me a very comprehensive book of his family tree, with photographs of his ancestors one of whom was born in 1801 in Kneesworth – he is a well established local boy. There are perks to doing this job, you know – in this case a nice big bag of spinach straight from the allotment! Mavis Howard

Child and Family Nursing Team Well Baby Clinics Drop in clinics for parents and babies are held as follows: Melbourn clinic every Wednesday between 9.30 and 11.30am at: 35 Orchard Road, Melbourn Telephone 01763 262861 Cambourne clinic every Monday between 9.30 and 12 noon at: Room 12 (upstairs), Sackville House, Cambourne Telephone 01954 282830 melbournmagazine

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www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

Nature River Mel

Our last article concerned the planning and permissions process that we have to follow before we can start work in the river, but what happens next? What can one do to ‘restore’ a river? The problem with the Mel is that it has become over-wide and its naturally stony bed has become covered with a deep layer of silt. Here we explain some of the restoration techniques that we have used to enhance the river and its flow. We have used the following traditional ‘soft’ engineering techniques:

Revetments edged with faggot bundles We managed to source a supply of pre-made bundles of hazel faggots approximately 2 metre in length. We initially used these to support the coir rolls as described above, but we also tried using these alone to create the front edge of the revetments. As it has turned out, this last method has proved the most easily installed and the most cost effective method for us. Another method that we have used in places in Meldreth, but not in Melbourn, is that of woven edged revetments or ‘spilings’. Here stakes are hammered at intervals into the riverbed and then the front edge is woven with locally freshly cut willow witheys or hazel poles. The revetments are then back-filled with brashings and silt in similar manner to those edged with faggot bundles. Riffles The riffles were constructed using gravel that had been sourced with the help of the Rob Mungovan, the Ecology Officer, and it was chosen to so as to match as closely as possible the naturally occurring stone found on the riverbed. We are grateful to Dr Ian Hirst and Rob Mungovan for the help and advice they provided with regard to the installation of the riffles. Filling & Planting We have trialled a number of methods of filling and planting the new revetments • To do nothing, and wait to see what happens • To fill with a specially sourced gravel/hoggin mix & plant • To fill with silt and plant

melbournmagazine

The Christmas Robin The Robin has no direct connection with Christmas, except that the birds are conspicuous at this time, as they pair up early and sing when other birds are silent. The robin’s red breast was first featured on Christmas cards and decorations in the 1860s, (he was depicted delivering a card), and has become one of the great icons of Christmas in this country. In Victorian times postal deliveries were made on Christmas Day, the postmen wore a red uniform and became known as ‘Robin postman’, and thus associated with the gifts they brought. There are also more robins in Britain during the winter as birds migrate here from colder regions such as Scandinavia and Germany. The robin is one of the easiest of birds to identify and is one of the most common of garden birds. In winter and early spring males take up territories which they defend against other males by singing while perching at the edges of the territory. After a burst of song the bird listens for a reply, and should there be a rival nearby will sing loudly in his direction, and, as a last resort, attack him, which can result in serious injury. A stuffed bird placed in the territory will be rapidly ripped to pieces – try it! The song also serves to attract females, who, unusually, also sing. Robins often sing throughout the night, being stimulated by streetlights. They do not make nests using sticks and twigs, but simply line a hole or crevasse, which explains why they nest in odd places such as boots, coat pockets and old kettles! In our garden one built a nest inside an old Christmas wreath which had been left in a summerhouse. One bird apparently

nested in the engine of a WWII aeroplane, the engine kept the eggs warm while the plane was in the air! Robins can live for up to 5 years, the oldest recorded bird in this country lived for 8 years. Robins do not mate for life and will often take a new mate in the next breeding season. Because of its red breast the Robin was reputed in Western Europe to be one of the birds that brought fire to earth, and hence lucky, especially at the time of the winter solstice. The robin has Christian associations. Folklore has it that a robin landed on the shoulder of Jesus as He carried the cross. The bird plucked thorns from his brow, and his breast became stained with Christ’s blood. The Robin was adopted as Britain’s national bird in the Times in December 1960.

January The snow has melted now, Uncovered on the lawn The holly that we threw Out when the year was done. The crimson berries glow Brilliant against the green, And on a sculptured bough Hard, black as ebony, A robin-redbreast flings Into the winter sky His little sparks of song Like promises of Spring. Douglas Gibson

Christmas Day, Christ’s Mass The early church did not celebrate Christmas and it was not until 354 that the Nativity was officially celebrated in Rome on 25th December. The true date and even the year of Christ’s birth are unknown but are undoubtedly occurred before year One, as He was born ‘in the days when Herod was king of Judea’ – Herod died in 4B.C. He was also born at a time when ‘there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.’ This is thought to be sometime in the years 7–11 B.C. So Christmas is older than we think it is. The earliest pictorial representations of the Nativity come from sarcophagi found in Rome (shown below) and Southern Gaul dated around 354. Above: The Three Wise Men (Balthasar, Melchior, and Gaspar). This mosaic by an Italian-Byzantine workshop, completed around 526 AD, can be seen in the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna, Italy.

Left: Adoration of the Magi. Panel from a 4th century Roman sarcophagus. St. Agnes, cemetary, Rome.

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

Village information Household Waste and Recycling Centres

Household Waste and Recycling Centres Milton

Thriplow

Items that are accepted

Butt Lane, Milton Tel: 01223 860674 • 9am–8pm Monday to Friday • 9am–6pm Bank Holidays, Saturday & Sunday • 9am–4pm Monday to Sunday (1 October–31 March)

Gravel Pit Hill, Thriplow Tel: 01223 839001 • 8am–5pm Monday to Friday • 8am–5pm Bank Holidays, Saturday & Sunday (Summer) • 8am–4pm Monday to Sunday (1 October–31 March)

• Green waste • Hardcore (bricks, rubble) • Paper • Glass • Scrap metal • Waste oil

Melbourn Bus Timetables

• Fridges/freezers • Car batteries

Note: These times have been taken from the companies website, but are subject to change, please telephone the company for updates, or check the village website, Parking & Transport.

• Textiles • Cardboard • Plastic • TVs and computers (incl. monitors) Please Note: The sites will only accept waste from household sources.

Bin collection

reminder for Melbourn 3 10 17 24 3 8 14 21 28 4 11 18

December December December December January January* January January January February February February

Green & Blue Bin Black Bin Green & Blue Bin Black Bin Green & Blue Bin Black bin Green & Blue Bin Black bin Green & Blue Bin Black bin Green & Blue Bin Black bin

25 4 11 18 25

February March March March March

Green & Blue Bin Black bin Green & Blue Bin Black bin Green & Blue Bin

* Saturday Collection

For an update on collections visit: http://www.scambs.gov.uk/BinCollection/ default.htm?location=72

Commercial service operated by Stagecoach in Cambridge

Cambridge - Foxton - Melbourn - Royston Cambridge, Drummer Street, Bay 7

From: 23 October, 05 Notes :

Cambridge, Trumpington Road, Leys School Trumpington, Maris Lane Harston, Village Hall Foxton, Memorial Shepreth, Tylers Melbourn, Car Park

Royston, Bus Station

Royston, Tesco Royston, Burns Roadoperated by Stagecoach in Cambridge Commercial service

08:40

14:40

15:40

16:40

17:40

18:40

08:45

14:45

15:45

17:46

18:46

08:51

14:51

15:51

16:56

17:51

18:51

14:59

15:59

17:04

17:59

18:59

15:05

16:05

17:10

18:05

19:05

15:07

16:07

17:12

18:07

19:07

15:11

16:11

17:16

18:11

19:11

15:20

16:30

17:35

18:20

19:20

09:26

15:26

16:21

17:26

09:28

15:28

16:23

17:28

18:26

19:26

08:59 09:05 09:07 09:11 09:20

Then at these mins hour

Until

Royston - Melbourn - Foxton - Cambridge

NOTES

MONDAY A Runs viaTO HillsSATURDAY Road and Long Road

Royston, Tesco THE SERVICE DOES NOT OPERATE ON BANK HOLIDAYS

Royston, Bus Station

Notes :

Melbourn, Car Park Shepreth, Tylers Foxton, Memorial Harston, Village Hall Trumpington, Maris Lane Cambridge, Trumpington Road, Leys School

Cambridge, Drummer Street, Bay 6

Service 26 From: 29 August, 04

Royston, Burns Road

n For more informatio rge and collections of la phone household items tele 03450 450 063

Service 26

MONDAY TO SATURDAY

06:46

07:16

09:26

15:26

16:21

06:52

07:22

09:02

09:32

15:32

16:23

17:28

07:00

07:30

09:10

09:40

15:40

16:40

17:40

07:08

07:38

09:18

09:48

15:48

16:48

17:48

07:12

07:42

09:22

09:52

15:52

16:52

17:52

07:14

07:44

09:24

09:54

15:54

16:54

17:54

07:20

07:50

09:30

10:00

16:00

17:00

18:00

07:28

07:58

09:38

10:08

16:08

17:08

18:08

07:34

08:04

09:44

10:14

16:14

17:14

18:14

07:40 08:20B 09:50

10:20

16:20

17:20

18:20

Then at these mins past each hour

Until

17:26

NOTES

Local Bus companies

BStagecoach On Saturdaysinand on Monday to01223 Friday during school holidays, buses may arrive in Cambridge Cambridge 423578 – Huntingdon & District 01480 up to 10 minutes earlier.

THE SERVICE DOES NOT OPERATE ON BANK HOLIDAYS

453159 – Alans Bus & Coach 01763 245073

melbournmagazine

important numbers Police (non emergency) 0345 456 4564 Crimestoppers Freephone 0800 555111 Meet your PCSO Your local PCSO Lindsay Gardiner will be at Melbourn Village College every Friday from 3pm to 5pm. She will be available to answer your questions and discuss any concerns you have about policing in your area. Neighbourhood Watch Steven Cambery s.cambery@ntlworld.com Telephone Preference Service www.tsponline.org.uk 0845 070 0707 CAB Royston Childline

08456 889897 0800 1111

Samaritans

08457 909090

Hospitals Addenbrooke’s Royston

01223 245151 01763 238020

OUT OF HOURS EMERGENCIES

Camdoc NHS Direct (queries 24hrs)

01223 464242 0845 4647

Services Anglian Water 08457 145 145 Gas emergency 0800 111 999 Electricity 08007 838838 South Cambs District Fire & Rescue Service 01223 376217 Transport British Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Stagecoach Cambus 08706 082608 Melbourn Magazine Ann Dekkers Editor 261144 Mavis Howard Parish Profile 260686 Eric Johnston Distribution 220197 Peter Simmonett Production & Village website 220363 Anne Lambert Information Collection 261480 Colin Limming Proof reading 260072 Brenda Meliniotis Village Diary & Proof reading 261154 Roger Mellor Advertising 220463 or 220363

Education Melbourn Playgroup Jane Crawford 07842 151512 Childminding Group Sec. Vacancies Co-ordinator Heidi Hardwidge 221625 Community Education (activities from toddlers to adults) Julie Harradence 260566 Library LAP Mike Stapleton 269956 Little Hands Nursery School 260964 Out of school times 01223 503972 Notre Ecole Janet Whitton 261231 Primary School Headmaster Gary Casey 223457 U3A (Univ. of Third Age) Chairman Arthur Alderton 260399 Hon Sec Hilary Docwra 222486 Mem Sec Arthur Alderton 260399 Village College Warden Elaine Stephenson 223400 Health Age Concern 01223 506002 Blood Donors 0300 123 23 23 Chiropodist 263260 Citizen’s Advice Bureau 238020 Community Care Val Trueman 260191 Dentist 262034 District Nurses (Primary Care Trust) 01223 846122 Home-Start 262262 S Cambs PCT 35 Orchard Road Child & Family Nurses 262861 Melbourn and Meldreth Self-Help Jayne White 220250 Car Scheme 245228 Orchard Surgery Appointments 260220 Dispensary 261246 For repeat prescriptions send email: prescriptions.orchardsurgery@nhs.net Osteopath Kath Harry 261716 St John Ambulance Robert Jakubiak 220507 LOCAL clubs Air Cadets 2484 (Bassingbourn) Squadron 249156 Tony Kelly Mon & Wed evenings 7 – 9.30 p.m. Army Cadets Ted Neathey 01223 248001 Tuesday evenings at The Moor 7.15 to 9.30pm Bellringers John Gipson 262846 Bridge Club Howard Waller 261693 1st Melbourn Rainbows Abigail Roberts 261505 Brownies 1st Melbourn Stephanie Clifford 220272 Brownies 2nd Melbourn Samantha Pascoe (Brown Owl) 261400 Cambells (Handbells) Eira Martin 261221 Dramatic Society Kathy Wholley 223805 email: k_wholley@hotmail.com Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Stuart Morris 208634 Gardening Helen Powell 245887 Guides Hilary Marsh 261443 Mothers’ Union Anne Harding 260759 Melbourn & District Mushroom Club Helene Davies 01954 789 947 or m.07903 456 628 Melbourn History Group Colin Limming 260072

We shall be pleased to receive contributions in any form, articles, poems, drawings, photographs, letters etc., pertaining to Melbourn. Please send any contributions to the Office of the Parish Clerk, Council Offices, 28 Station Rd, Melbourn SG8 6DX, marking them ‘MELBOURN MAGAZINE’ or you can email them to

mag@melbourn.org.uk

Melbourn Pottery Club Maggie 01223 207307 National Trust Colin Limming 260072 New Melbourn Singers Adrian Jacobs 243224 Photographic Club Bruce Huett 232855 Ramblers Dave Allard 242677 Royal British Legion Patrick Parkinson 262617 Royal British Legion Women Elizabeth Murphy 220841 Royal National Lifeboat Institution Jean Emes 245958 Royston and District Local History Society David Allard 242677 Royston and District Round Table 221398 Royston Lions Janet Daniels 260009 RSPB Doug Radford 208978 SOAS (Supporters of All Saints’) Doreen Johnston 220197 St George’s Allotments Assoc. Bruce Huett brucehuett@compuserve.com Youth Club Amanda Bernard 223407 Women’s Group Pat Smith 260103 Places of worship All Saints Church Rev Andrew O’Brien Melbourn Vicarage Curate Mary Price Churchwardens Christine van Vliet Mike Galley Community Hall booking Colin Limming Baptist Church Rev. Stuart Clarke Secretary Georgie Wilson United Reformed Church Minister Rev. Duncan Goldie Non-stripendary minister Rev. Carol Pearle Secretary Anne Field

220869

sport Badminton Steve Jackson Bowls Elaine Cooke Croquet Janet Pope Football Club Simon Gascoyne Jazzercise Linda Warner Judo Derek Coult Melbourn Community Sports Meldreth Tennis Club Sue Davies Swimming Club Jenny Brackley Squash Club Nick Sugden

248774 221571 248342 261703 241527 225004 263313 220174 244593 261064

260295 261569 223063 260127 260072 261650 261223 260747

Warden & sheltered housing schemes Dial-A-Ride 01223 506335 Mobile Warden Scheme 260966 24 hr Emergency No. Bob Trimble 07403 251226 Neighbourhood Watch Scheme Stephen Cambery 261520 Vicarage Close Warden Eileen Allan Lead Sheltered Housing Officer Monday to Friday 9–1.30 263389 John Impey Way Jeanette Holland 269596 Southwell Court 262121 Moorlands 260564

Adverts should be supplied as finished artwork and must be at the sizes below. Please send artwork to mag@melbourn.org.uk We print 2200 copies of the Melbourn Magazine which is delivered free to every house in the village four times a year. Note: colour advert space is limited, please contact us for further details. The current rates for advertising in the Magazine are as follows: Size per… Width x Height 1/4 inside page (79 × 128 mm) 1/2 inside page (163 × 128 mm) Full inside page (163 × 262 mm)

Annum £76 £132 £261

Colour £113 £188 £375

Adverts must be supplied as high resolution jpgs or 300dpi Tif or eps.

For further information on advertising please telephone 220363 or 220463. Remittance or cheques should be made to Melbourn Parish Council.

email: mag@melbourn.org.uk

The closing date for the next issue is Friday 14th January 2011 which will appear in March, listing events in March, April and May

DECEMBER

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

Wed 1st Baptist Church Craft Club, 9:30 am

Sat 1st

Coffee Stop All Saints’ Community Hall 10.30-12 noon

Baptist Church Lounge Coffee Break 10:30-12 Thur 2nd Royston and District Local History Society

Tues 4th

Melbourn & District Photographic Club

Foxton Village Hall 7.30 pm Xmas Meal

Foxton Village Hall 7.30 pm

Baptist Church Lounge Coffee Break 10:30–12

’Melbourn v Gamlingay’ competition

Sat 4th

8 pm Royston Town Hall History of Addenbrookes’ Hospital Youth Club on a Bus MVC car park 7-9 pm Coffee Stop All Saints’ Community Hall 10.30-12 noon

Sun 5th

Christmas Bazaar URC 10am All Saints’ Christingle Service 3.30 pm

Tues 7th

Baptist Church Communion 6pm Toddlers Plus, Baptist Church 9:30-11:30 am

Wed 8th

Melbourn & District Phorographic Club Foxton Village Hall 7.30 Club meets every Tuesday contact Bruce Huett for details 01763 232855 Baptist Church Craft Club, 9:30 am

Baptist Church Lounge Coffee Break 10:30-12 Carol Singing at Black Horse 8 pm Frid 10th Melbourn Parks Committee 6.30-8.30pm URC Sat 11th

Wed 5th

Royal British Legion 7.30pm Vicarage Close 8 pm Royston Town Hall Growing up in the

Melbourn & District Gardening Club All Saints¹ Community Hall 7.30 pm Christmas Social Melbourn & District Photographic Club Foxton Village Hall 7.30 pm ‘Melbourn Trophy’ competition Wed 15th Baptist Church Craft Club, 9:30 am Baptist Church Lounge Coffee Break 10:30-12 Thur 16th Youth Club on a Bus MVC car park 7-9 pm Sat 18th

Times of John Calvin – Ian Hamilton’ Sat 5th

Winter Flower Festival All Saints’

Foxton Village Hall 7.30 pm ‘Small Worlds

Sun 6th

Winter Flower Festival All Saints’

Butterflies and Moths’ Bob Wickens

Tues 8th

Toddlers Plus, Baptist Church 9:30–11:30 am

Melbourn & District Gardening Club All Saints;

Melbourn & District Gardening Club

Community Hall 7.30 pm ‘Wild South Wales’

All Saints’ Community Hall 7.30 pm ‘Breaking

Richard Revel

Boundaries – Fences’ Helen Riches

Wed 12th Baptist Church Craft Club, 9:30 am Fri 14th

Foxton Village Hall 7.30 pm

Village Tapestry deadline. Deliver to Parish

’Projected Image’ competition

Office or MVC Sat 15th

Coffee Stop All Saints’ Community Hall 10.30-12 noon: Stall, The Bookshelf

Sun 16th Churches Together 6.30 pm Baptist Church All Saints’ Community Hall 7.30 pm ‘New Year Social’ Baptist Church 7– 8 am Toddlers Plus, Baptist Church 9:30–11:30 am

Melbourn & District Photographic Club

Holy Trinity Family Communion 10 am

Spring 2011

All copy for the March, April & May Issue should

be in before 14th January

rtise a If you would like to adve t in en ev forthcoming local e website ‘What’s On’ on the villag use the simple form at

forthcoming-events/ www.melbourn.org.uk/

Foxton Village Hall 7.30 pm ‘Prints’ competition Wed 19th Baptist Church Craft Club, 9:30 am Baptist Church Lounge Coffee Break 10:30–12 Melbourn & District U3A MVC 2.45 pm Reflective Service URC 7 – 8 pm Fri 21st

‘F to the power of 2’ Nick Grounds Flower

Arranging. Meldreth Village hall 7 pm Sat 22nd Prayer Breakfast Baptist Church 8.30 am Sun 23rd Unpicked Meadow Public Art Project, the ARTIVAN 2 – 4 pm Winter Renga’ Tues 25th Toddlers Plus, Baptist Church 9:30–11:30 am Mobile Library John Impey Way and Vicarage Close Women’s Group AGM 7 pm All Saints’ Community Hall Melbourn & District Photographic Club Foxton Village Hall 7.30 pm ‘A Passion for Nature’ Ann Miles Wed 26th Baptist Church Lounge Coffee Break 10:30–12 Royal British Legion Women’s Section Vicarage Close 7 pm SOAS Peter Hering of Cellini talk on diamonds contact George Howard 260686

Baptist Church Craft Club, 9:30 am Baptist Church Lounge Coffee Break 10:30–12

Tues 15th Melbourn & District Photographic Club FoxtonVillage Hall 7.30 pm Virtual Reality’ Barbie and Russell Lindsey Wed 16th Baptist Church Craft Club, 9:30 am Baptist Church Lounge Coffee Break 10:30–12

Tues 18th Churches Together Early Morning Prayer

All Saints’ Community Hall 7.30 pm

All Saints’ Midnight Mass 11.30 pm All Saints’ Holy Communion 8 am

Wed 9th

Mon 17th Royston and District Family History Society

Village College 7 pm

Sat 25th

Melbourn & District Photographic Club

Baptist Church Lounge Coffee Break 10:30–12

All Saints’ Carol Service 6.30 pm Mon 20th Royston and District Family History Society

All Saints’ Crib Service 3 pm

Royston and District Family History Society

Melbourn & District Photographic Club

Policing Panel Meeting Bassingbourn

Fri 24th

Baptist Church Lounge Coffee Break 10:30–12 Thur 3rd

8 pm Royston Town Hall The Life and

Sun 19th Nativity Service, Baptist Church 10:30 am

‘Member ask member’

Baptist Church Craft Club, 9:30 am

Tues 11th Toddlers Plus, Baptist Church 9:30–11:30 am

Carol Singing at the Cross 10.30 am

Wed 22nd Baptist Church Lounge Coffee Break 10:3-12

Toddlers Plus, Baptist Church 9:30–11:30 am

30s and 40s – Kenneth K Burton’

Sun 12th Holy Trinity Meldreth Carol Service 6.30 pm Tues 14th Toddlers Plus, Baptist Church 9:30-11:30 am

Wed 2nd

Thur 6th Royston and District Local History Society

Coffee Stop River Mel Restoration Group meet 9.15am

Tues 1st

Melbourn & District U3A MVC 2.35 pm Sat 19th

Coffee Stop All Saints’ Community Hall 10.30-12 noon: Stall, The Bookshelf

Mon 21st

Royston and District Family History Society All Saints’ Community Hall 7.30 pm ’Member’s Evening TBA’

Tues 22nd Toddlers Plus, Baptist Church 9:30–11:30 am Mobile Library John Impey Way and Vicarage Close Melbourn & District Photographic Club Foxton Village Hall 7.30 pm Prints’ competition Wed 23rd Baptist Church Lounge Coffee Break 10:30–12 Royal British Legion Women’s Section Vicarage Close 7 pm

Melbourn Library

Open at the following times: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 2.30 to 4.30 pm 5.00 to 7.00 pm Thursday 10.00 to 12.00 am Saturday

Village information continued Orchard Surgery – Dispensary Monday to Friday 8:30 – 1pm and 3pm – 6pm Phone 01763 261246 Telephone requests are not accepted For repeat prescriptions you can: Fax 01763 262968 or email: prescriptions.orchardsurgery@nhs.net

• •

Allow at least 48 hours (two working days – excluding weekends and bank holidays) for repeat prescriptions to be ready. Do not leave your request to the last minute. Prescription/medication depending on eligibility can be collected from the

Surgery

Co-op

Tesco in Royston

Please let the dispensary know where you wish your prescriptions to be sent. This will remain your choice until we are informed otherwise.

Prescriptions requested before 12pm Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

will be ready after 10am Wednesday Thursday Friday Monday Tuesday

Prescriptions requested before 4pm Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

will be ready after 3pm Wednesday Thursday Friday Monday Tuesday

Prescriptions requested after 4pm Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

will be ready after 10am Thursday Friday Monday Tuesday Wednesday

CAMSIGHT Sue Hempstead 8a Romsey Terrace, Cambridge. CB1 3NH Tel 01223 416141 sueh@camtad.freeserve.co.uk Office Mon-Fri 9.30am-12.30pm.

A drop in advisory session is held at

MOORLANDS, THE MOOR, MELBOURN NO APPOINTMENT IS NECESSARY from 2pm to 4pm,

23rd December 27th January 24th February

24rd March 28th April

See the following website for more information

www.camtadcambs.org.uk Battery exchange and retubing. We do not do hearing tests

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

Cam Sight’s visually impaired group meet on the 1st Wednesday of the month every month except in August, at the Vicarage Close centre, Melbourn from 2 until 4pm. We offer a warm welcome with speakers, outings, up to date information and equipment demonstrations. Come and see what’s on offer, join us for a cuppa and a chat. Call 01223 420033 for further information

Community Education Val Tookey 260566 Little Hands Karen on 01763 260964 Melbourn Playgroup Jane Crawford 07842 151512 Notre Ecole Janet Whitton 261231 Primary School Headteacher Gary Casey 223457 U3A (Univ. of Third Age) Chairman Arthur Alderton 260399 Village College Warden Elaine Stephenson 223400

Melbourn Playgroup Our new room at the Primary School is progressing very well. If you get the chance, please take a look through the builder’s fence. It is exciting to see how things change from day to day. Despite the soggy autumn weather, we have had a nice time since the beginning of the school year. We have made bark rubbings, biscuits for Rosh Hashanan and a wonderful Gruffalo display. After half term we are thinking about Christmas and all the crafts and parties that go with it. We have been holding meetings to discuss the future of our proposed after school club at the Primary School and would love to hear from you if you are interested in this service. At the club we hope to offer crafts, sports, games and as much fun as possible with an opening time from 3:30 to 6:00 pm each school day. Our new website has been a hit and we would love as many people as possible to take a look at it to see what we have been doing and to keep up with developments at playgroup and with everything new that is happening for us. www.melbournplaygroup.org.uk. Telephone: 07842 151512

MVC Adult Learning at MVC We have lots of Adult Learning classes on offer after half term including: • Tap Dancing • Badminton • Art Workshop • Cake Decorating • Level 1 Book keeping • City & Guild Floral Design • Jewellery Making (Day) • Pottery (Day) • ZUMBA! (Mon & Thurs)

Saturday Day Schools

• • • •

Italian Cookery Basic Plumbing Photoshop Festive Foods & Wine Tasting

Interested? Contact Julie on 01763 260566 or email comed@mvc.org.uk www.comed-mvc.org.uk

This time of year is always a time of change in any school and this year is no different. In August our outgoing year 11 students received their record breaking GCSE results. 90% of the students gained 5 or more A*–C grades with 30% of all grades being either A* or A. Their results again placed MVC in the top 25% of similar schools nationally. The happy (and relieved) faces that can be seen as students pick up their envelopes to confirm their places at their chosen Sixth Form is always a joy. In the modern education world there is never an examination free term and students from year 11 will be working hard to get themselves ready for their modular examinations in November and January so that they can achieve their potential. September saw many new students join the college at all age levels. The year 11 prefects have helped the new year 7 students find their way around the college and the feedback from the revamped welcome evening was that the students are enjoying their first term at MVC. Our year 10 students have benefited from a number of new opportunities this year. At MVC we have offered the Creative and Media Diploma for the first time. This will give students a greater opportunity to develop their design and teamwork skills. We also have students travelling to Linton Village College, Cambridge Regional College and The College of West Anglia to take advantage of specialised facilities in areas such as Engineering and Agriculture. We recently received a letter from The Prime Minister, David Cameron. He has written to students at MVC thanking them for their support in the ‘Send My Friend to School 2010’ campaign. The event took place during the World Cup and the aim was to raise awareness of the millions of children globally being denied education. The students designed and sent a scarf made out of paper football shirts and wrote about the issue. Mr Cameron was very impressed with their efforts. The school site has now returned to normal after the building work that took place over the summer to resurface the main car park and create the new police centre on the Village College site. continued on page 38 melbournmagazine

63 Orchard rd Melbourn 01763 226 046

Deli & Wine Store now open Eat in or Take-away antipasti, artisan cheese & meats, paninis & sandwiches, cakes & coffee, smoothies & milkshakes Serving food all day Friday, Saturday & Sunday

Christmas menu out now New Years Eve Party 31st Dec

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

Third bi-annual Winter Flower Festival at All Saints’ Church Those of us who have been involved previously are looking forward to planning and preparing our arrangements for 5th and 6th of February 2011. If you would like to join us to help in anyway we will be pleased to hear from you. HELP NEEDED Flower Arrangers • Support to make tea/coffee & help where needed • Sponsors • Catering team for 5th & 6th • Publicity For further information or to offer help please contact: Rebecca Gatward email rebecca.gatward @btinternet.com or mobile +44 07981 052 192 (Note: Becca is working in Michigan USA and there is a 5 hour time difference) or Rosemary Gatward 01763 261225

Demonstration by Nick Grounds As part of our preparation for the Flower Festival we have booked Nick Grounds to do a demonstration of flower arranging for us, on Friday 21st January at Meldreth village hall. He is a member of the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies and likes to be known as an auctioneer by day and flower arranger by night. Nick is very entertaining, telling amusing stories and jokes whilst arranging. This will be his very latest demonstration and new for 2011. We hope by holding this event we will not only have an enjoyable and entertaining evening but will raise funds to cover some of the cost of materials needed for the Flower Festival in February 2011. Tickets available from: Sue Gibson 01763 231987 Pauline Cutter 261185 Rosemary Gatward 261225 melbournmagazine

The performing arts department is a mass of activity as ever with our dancers looking to maintain the success at the end of last year when they won the national finals of the Red Cross dance competition. The result came due to many hours of dedication and practice. We certainly had many proud, if rather tired, students at MVC the following day. The music department is preparing for the forthcoming Christmas concert in December. This all follows the first extravaganza of the year ‘MVC at the Musicals’ which saw many fantastic performances from new and old(er) alike. All of this is will be great experience for those students going on the MVC concert tour of Belgium in April 2011. Andrew Houghton, Assistant Warden

Space Hop Reading Challenge On the first Saturday in September, certificates were handed out at Melbourn Library Access Point to all those children who had competed in the Space Hop Reading Challenge over the summer. The overall winner was Emily Walter, aged six, who writes: Space Hop was a reading challenge (and a very good one too). You had to read six books (I read over 50 though). I read them everywhere (even in the tent). It made a real difference to my summer and I loved it because there were so many exciting books to read. In case you were wondering, Emily’s favourite book is Enid Blyton’s Fun for the Secret Seven. She also likes Horrid Henry’s Nits by Francesca Simon, Daisy Meadows’ Rainbow Magic, and Dick King-Smith’s Bobby the Bad. During term time, she reads at Guided Reading Time and just before bed. Susan van de Ven

Emily with her sister Tilly at Meldreth Primary School, where Emily is a Year Two pupil.

Notre Ecole The first half term of this school year has been busy as ever at Notre Ecole. The children at our after school clubs have been learning and practising French around

the theme of ‘the insect world’. We have learnt new vocabulary, looked at insects, described insects and played many games around this theme. We then finished the half term with a craft session making our own little mini beasts. During the half term we have also found time to look at French words that look the same as English words but actually mean something different (faux amis) and we made a little paper gadget to help us remember these. The adults have also been working hard. The beginner’s group have revised greetings and introductions, talked about why they want to learn French, practised the present tense, revised telling the time and learnt some phrases and vocabulary that will be useful when travelling by plane. We too have played a number of games to consolidate and extend vocabulary. The more advanced group has been very pleased to welcome some of Marine’s former pupils who have decided to continue to learning French by joining her Wednesday group. Here, as always there has been lively discussion around a number of topics. The New Year is a time for Resolutions and perhaps you would like one of yours to be to learn French. If you or your children would be interested in joining one of our groups please contact either Marine on 01763 222876 or Janet on 01763 261231 for further details. We are a French native speaker and a graduate of European Studies with French and we would love to see you at one of our classes. (We have both been CRB checked) Learn French in a friendly atmosphere *French for Children Games, role-play, songs etc. Every Wednesday from 3.45pm to 4.30pm Every Thursday from 4:15pm to 5:00pm *French for Adults All levels, Conversation Every Wednesday from 8.00pm to 9.00pm GCSE lessons available by arrangement. Individual lessons also available.

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

University of the Third Age (U3A)

MVC PTFA

The Third Age Trust is the national representative body for the U3As in the U.K. U3As are self-help, selfmanaged lifelong learning co-operatives for older people no longer in full time work, giving opportunities for sharing learning experiences for fun, not for qualifications. Melbourn and District U3A currently has 29 such groups, ranging from Art Appreciation to Yoga with a great deal between. Membership currently stands at around 470, and covers a number of surrounding villages. If you are interested in joining please contact Arthur Alderton (01763 260399) for details of membership.

The MVC PTFA 100 Club raises funds for the improvement of facilities at Melbourn Village College. The 100 Club is an easy way to support the school with the chance of winning a cash prize every month. Maybe you would like to support the school but find it difficult to attend fundraising events, or perhaps you just fancy a flutter. Either way you are benefiting the pupils of Melbourn Village College by becoming a member. Joining the 100 Club costs £12 per year, with each year commencing 1st September and finishing 31st August. Each member will be entered in 12 monthly draws giving a first prize of £30 and a second prize of £20. In the event of fewer than 100 members the prizes will be reduced accordingly and should the membership exceed 100 the prizes will be increased accordingly. The prize money will be 50% of the total income.

Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) As previously there will be a choice of two courses which will be held at Royston Town Hall on Tuesday mornings from 10am–11.30am. The courses, which last for 10 weeks, are:Archives: Tutor – Aidan Lawes

100 Club

RULES • All members must be over 16 years of age; • The club is governed by the Lotteries and Amusement Act 1976 with the South Cambridgeshire District Council. Registration number is: L05679 and the promoter for the purposes of the Act is Mrs A Whitaker, 5 Fowlmere Road, Foxton, Cambridge CB22 6RT • Winners will be notified by post and cheques sent to the last address notified; • There will be no refunds under any circumstances in accordance with the Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976; • Winners numbers will be published in the Parents’ Bulletins and on the MVC website; • Each member will be issued with a membership number and advised of the number accordingly.

What they are, why they have been kept, where they can be seen and how to make best use of them Interpretation of 20th Century Art 1900-1925: Tutor – Paula Armstrong Art movements of this period in their political, economic and social context. Enrolment will be held at Royston Town Hall on 11th January 2011, 10am – 11am with the courses starting on 18th January. The cost is £44 with payment by cheque payable to WEA Royston being preferred.

MVC PTFA 100 Club Application Form I wish to join the 100 Club as from 1st September 2010. I enclose payment of £12.00 (cheques payable to MVC PTFA) and agree to abide by the rules. Signed ……………………………………………………… Name (capitals please): …………………………………… Address: ……………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………

In 2011 TV in Melbourn (Anglia) is going digital. See page 23 for more information.

Telephone Number: ………………………………………… E-mail address: ……………………………………………… Please send application form and payment to: Sian Biddlecombe, 1 Ash Grove, Melbourn, Royston, Herts, SG8 6BJ or hand in at Melbourn Village College reception

✃ melbournmagazine

JOIN THE WORLD’S LARGEST DANCE BASED FITNESS PROGRAMME

Melbourn Village College Wednesday: Jazzercise 7.15 pm Greneway School, Garden Walk, Royston Tuesday: Bodysculpt 6.15 pm Jazzercise 7.00 pm Thursday: Bodysculpt 6.40 pm Jazzercise 7.30 pm Seth Ward Community Centre, Buntingford Thursday: Jazzercise 6.15 pm For more information call Linda on 01763 241527 www.jazzercise4fitness.co.uk

FIRST WEEK FREE WITH THIS AD (New students only)

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

Tuition fees set to rise? During a period of tentative economic growth, the UK public is experiencing confusion and trepidation as the current political response to a weakened economy is to bring about huge spending cuts and increases in taxation. Whilst some speculate that these cuts are too extreme and may cause a ‘double dip’ recession, others state that the decisions of a group of multi-millionaires can never truly benefit the everyman. It seems these cuts will hit the poorest hardest, leaving the wealthier almost unscathed. Axing of QUANGOs, changes to child benefit rules and colossal job losses in the public sector are examples of the many casualties of the new government policies. Now it seems university funding is next up for the chopping block. Recently the Independent Review of Higher Education Funding and Student Finance, also known as the Browne review, was published; its purpose to investigate and advise the government on the subject of under-graduate and post-graduate students studying at university in Britain. The main issue that has been causing controversy in the media is that the £3,290 cap on university fees is set to be removed, with some talk about having a cap in the region of £12,000 in its stead. This, the Liberals protest, will make things ‘fair’. The cap previously prevented universities from charging extortionate prices, thus preventing lower income families from sending their children to further education. Bear in mind that not so long ago, attending university was free, but the Labour party, whilst in power, brought about the introduction of ‘top up’ fees. Without a doubt, having no or a higher cap, will bring a market into further education, with some becoming bankrupt and others reaping high profits. The purpose of a university is to provide education, not to be a money cow. The raised cost will be a disincentive to attending university and this will lead to a worsened economy as Britain relies on highly skilled workers to maintain its high waged economy. A marketing higher education will see some universities fall and others become vastly oversubscribed. If the proposed reforms take place, repayments on university fees will not have to be made until a graduate is working and earning at least £21,000 a year, whereas the previous starting point for repayments was £15,000. The standard of further education, and the number of places available, may be subject to improvement, but there is no guarantee this will be the case. People who go on to have higher paid jobs will be able to pay off their debts faster, whereas jobs that require you to be highly educated but don’t necessarily pay well, such as teaching, will mean some people are stuck with debt for a very long time. Richer people will

pay less, as they can pay back faster, whereas poorer people will pay more as they will continually be making payments. The bottom line is, poorer people will only be able to afford poorer education. Greater exclusion will result from this and there will be a huge level of inequality between rich and poor. The review has made many people worried about the possibility of soaring fees that may prevent them going on to further education. Government funding within the further education system is set to be reduced, with figures rumoured to be over half the current funding, according to last week’s spending review. This will lead to universities seeking new sources of funding. If student fees are to bear the brunt of this shortfall, then the next generation of highly skilled workers could be faced with serious debt. I asked students currently studying at secondary school (Melbourn Village College), what their opinions on this were. “I think it is ridiculous, they already charge enough as it is.” Katya, 15 “I’m very worried about being able to afford university in the future.” Jenny, 14 “It should be free to go to university, you shouldn’t have to pay for knowledge. With expensive fees, poorer people won’t have the chance to get further education.” Beth 14. An A level student from Bristol said “This is simply ridiculous. To let universities charge whatever they please will simply result in the situation we had before the cap was imposed in the first place – it will be the wealthy that can afford a quality education, and the already increasing gap between rich and poor will continue to grow…” Why do some people feel particularly betrayed by this sudden U turn? The Liberal Democrats, in the run up to the general election this year, explicitly promised that they would not allow the cap on university fees to be removed, even going to the extent of saying they had plans that would abolish tuition fees altogether. Now in a coalition with the Conservatives, this pledge has been an embarrassing torn in Nick Clegg’s side. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXw7yqHfxDI. I would suggest that David Cameron consider encouraging apprenticeships and equivalents, which would remove pressure on universities, and allow hands on experience which would suit some people better. The reduction in degree courses taken would increase the fallen value of a degree. By Jessica Finn Year 10 26th October 2010

melbournmagazine

“Little Hands” is a Private Nursery School specialising in quality Pre-School Education for 2 – 5 year Olds • • • • • • •

The Nursery School offers : High (1 : 4) staffing ratio Variety of session lengths Term time only booking Optional holiday clubs No minimum booking requirement No booking fee Categorised “OUTSTANDING” by Ofsted

Also FREE (NEF funded) afternoon (1.30-4.00) sessions for 3 & 4 year olds (NEF can also be used towards half or full day sessions) 01763 260964 (school hours) 01223503972 (office hours) e-mail : janemarshall@littlehands.co.uk w w w.littlehands.co.uk Little Hands Nursery Schools are also at Bourn, Linton and Newton

If Candlemas be fair and bright Winter will have another flight If Candlemas Day brings cloud and rain Winter won’t come again All Saints’ Church – Melbourn

‘Winter Celebration’ ® Foxton pre-school offers a relaxed and nurturing environment for children aged 2 ½ - 5 years. ® The children are encouraged to learn and develop through play and activities. ® The children enjoy outdoor play and gardening in the security of the preschool garden. ® A cooked meal is served at lunchtime Open: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 9.00 – 3.15, Friday 9.00 – 11.30 Children can attend for half or full days. For more information or to arrange a visit call Pip Deas on 01223 8728779 or 07546078012 Foxton Pre-school, Hardman Road, Foxton, CB22 6RN

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A flower Festival at Candlemas 5th–6th February 2011 11am–4pm Finishing on Sunday with a Service for Candlemas at 4.30pm Warming refreshments will be served all day We look forward to welcoming you

Free Storytime for under 5s! Restarting Thursday 6th January 2011 10–10.45 am Melbourn Library The Moor, Melbourn (next to Melbourn Village College) Contact: Eleanor 01763 260924 or library 01763 269956

Melbourn & Meldreth Churches Together Christmas If any of you enjoy Carol singing why not come to The Black Horse on Wed Dec 8th about 9pm and join in with members of the churches who will be there. Also on Sat 18th at 10.30am come and join us at ‘The Cross’ for more Carol singing and we hope it will be a littler warmer that last year. Church Services over Christmas are many and varied. Each of the churches in Melbourn & Meldreth will have a list of their services. In January 2011 we celebrate ‘The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity’ for details see the dates below.

Dates for the diary December 2010 Wed 8th 9pm: Carol singing at The Black Horse Sat 18th 10.30am: Carol singing at ‘The Cross’ January 2011 Start of Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Sun 16th 6.30pm: Joint service at The Baptist Church Tue 18th 7am – 8am: Early morning prayer meeting. Baptish Church coffee lounge Wed 19th 7pm – 8pm: Reflective Service at Melbourn URC Thu 20th 10.00am: Holy Communion All Saints’ Church Fri 21st 7am – 8am: Early morning prayer meeting. Baptish Church coffee lounge Sat 22nd 8.30am: Prayer Breakfast Baptist Church coffee lounge The Word of God From David Burbridge Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. We must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ.

SOAS (Supporters of All Saints’) The August draw was made by Rev Andrew O’Brien on 1st September. There were 76 members. First prize of £25.40 goes to Jane Stevens at 35 Water Lane and the second to John Haddrell at 11 Dickasons. The September draw was made by Rev Andrew O’Brien on 1st October. There were 77 members. The first prize of £25.66 goes to Pat Ames at 3 Lordship Drive and the second of £12.84 to Terry Shaw at 4 Spencer Drive. The October draw was made by Rev Andrew O’Brien on 6th November – there were 77 members – first prize of £25.60 goes to Jayne White of 8 Mortlock Street and the second of £12.80 to Terry Shaw at 4 Spencer Drive

SOAS

(Supporters of All Saints’ Melbourn)

Would you like to help SOAS and at the same time enjoy a monthly flutter ? SOAS is a non-denominational Registered Charity which raises funds which can only be spent on maintaining the village’s medieval treasure, which is All Saints’ Parish Church. One of our activities is the SOAS 100 Club where people can buy one (or more) share for £1 a month. Half of the money collected is paid out in the form of a first and a second prize which is drawn at the end of each month: the other half goes into SOAS funds. Currently we have 76 members so the odds of winning something are considerably better than the Lottery or Premium Bonds! Normally people in the scheme renew their membership by paying £12 in January for that year but, if you wish to join contact: Kersti Llewellyn-Beard at 10 Cross Lane, Melbourn, SG8 6AG. All Saints’ has been here for 800 years – we must preserve it for the future people of Melbourn.

1 Timothy 1,15 and Romans 14, 10.

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Bowls Malcolm Davey 262704 1st Melbourn Rainbows Abigail Roberts 261505 Brownies 1st Melbourn Stephanie Clifford 220272 Brownies 2nd Melbourn Samantha Pascoe 261400 Cricket Martin Winter 262733 Croquet Janet Pope 248342 Football Club Andrew Edwards 223109 Dynamos Football Club Les Morley 07739 593771 Gardening Club Helen Powell 245887 Judo Derek Coult 225004 McSplash Joanne Greene 263313 Melbourn Sports Centre Graham Johnson-Mack 263313 Ramblers Dave Allard 242677 Royston and District Round Table Michael Seymour 221398 Squash Club Nick Sugden 261064 Swimming Club Jenny Brackley 244593 Tennis (Meldreth) Sue Davies 220174

1st Melbourn Rainbows This year we have had many exciting and varied activities plus two UK Girl Guiding Centenary events for the girls to enjoy. We began the term with paper plane making! The girls were given a basic design of plane to make and then created their own. It was great fun watching them flying around the room and the paper planes as well! Then it was time to work on our new badge. Every year we work towards a roundabout badge, whereby the girls have to complete for activities based on love, laugh, learn and look. One of the activities chosen by the girls was a pyjama party. Everyone put on their pyjamas (even the leaders), brought their favourite bear and we played games, read bedtime stories and drank hot chocolate. We joined the other Melbourn District Rainbow, Brownie and Guide units to celebrate the UK Girl Guiding Centenary at Meldreth Primary School. Each unit organised an activity based on a decade within the last 100 years, ours was Rock ‘n’ Roll dancing in the 1950’s. Our Young Leader, Joanne Evans, choreographed a dance for us all to learn. We had a fantastic day enjoying

many different activities and meeting new friends, culminating with a BBQ. To enjoy the lovely weather, an evening of football was organised and run by Jordan Marin. The girls were a little apprehensive about this activity as some of them had never played football before, but Jordan encouraged us by playing some football games and we were soon in the football spirit. A great evening, which I know the girls want to do again. During July we also attended Race 100, which was a County Centenary event held at Newmarket Race Course. 100 different activities were organised for us to enjoy. Unfortunately we couldn’t get around to them all, but the ones we did, we thoroughly enjoyed. For our end of term event we went ‘Wet and Wild’. We enjoyed lots of games on the moor including lots of water ones where we got a little wet. At the start of the new autumn term we had 3 new Rainbows join us and now have 22 Rainbows. We are looking forward to numerous activities, but the main one for us is the UK Girl Guiding Centenary finale. Unfortunately our girls are a little young to end the finale at Ely Cathedral, but we organised our own party at All Saints’ Church, Melbourn and renewed our promise along with the whole of the UK at 20:10 on Wednesday 20th October 2010. There have been many wonderful activities over the last year to celebrate the UK Girl Guiding Centenary and we have enjoyed but a few. Some of us may not be around to celebrate the 200th birthday, but we look forward to being part of girl guiding during the next 100 years. Sue Evans 1st Melbourn Rainbows Assistant Leader Melbourn District Commissioner

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LM HOMEOPATHY THE INDIVIDUAL APPROACH TO HEALTH AND W ELLBEING Homeopathy is a complete system of medicine that has been practised for over two hundred years and is currently used by over 450 million people worldwide. It is considered to be a safe and effective treatment for both acute and chronic conditions in people of all ages including babies and children. Homeopathy can be suitable for treating a wide range of complaints including, but not limited to, skin conditions, digestive disorders, musculoskeletal problems, allergies and respiratory conditions, female health concerns and mental health issues including depression, anxiety, stress and panic attacks. Initial Consultation - £60 (80 min) Follow-up consultations £45 (45 min) Concessions av ailable To find out if homeopathic treatment is right for you, or to book an appointment please contact: Melanie Tomsett BSc (Hons) RSHom Telephone: 01763 290 282/ 07804 503508 Email: melanie@lmhomeopathy.com

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

Melbourn Dynamos Football Club! www.melbourndynamos.co.uk MDFC is a community football club offering boys and girls the opportunity to play regular football regardless of experience or ability. All our squads train weekly and play competitive matches at weekends in the Royston Crow Youth League. The Club is now 7 years old and is going from strength to strength. Starting out with a handful of local children and parents in 2003 we now have approximately 180 children aged 4 to 14 years signed up to our club. Our 2010/11 Under 8 squad is pictured below. All of our coaches are CRB checked and qualified to a minimum of F.A. Level 1 standard. We are also recognised as a Charter Status Club, which means that we have all the correct people and practices in place to operate in line with government requirements. We always welcome new players, with or without football experience, to join our age group squads. If you are a boy or girl aged 4–14, interested in playing football, please contact us to find out more. For the younger ones aged 4–5 years, we run a ‘Dynamites’ Saturday morning ‘pay as you go’ fun football session. All welcome.

If you are interested in finding out more about MDFC, please contact Nicky Patel on 07951 590139 or email us on: melbourndynamos@aol.com URGENTLY NEEDED! Under 12 Boys (School Year 7) We are in URGENT need of new players to join our U12 (School Year 7) boy’s squad straight away. Please contact Les Morley on 07739 593771 Girls aged 11–13 (School Years 6/7/8) We are building a new girls squad, coached by fully qualified FA coaches. If you know of any girls who might be interested in playing football, please contact us on the number above.

Melbourn and District Gardening Club Are you interested in gardening? Why not join the Melbourn and District Gardening Club on a regular or occasional basis. We meet at 7.30pm on the second Tuesday each month, at the Community Hall, behind All Saints’ Church (near traffic lights, lane by red telephone box). We go on local and coach outings further afield. During the past year we have have visited RHS Wisley, Guilden Gate Smallholding and Mill House Garden, Bassingbourn. For those interested in growing fruit

and vegetables or keeping chickens, the talk on 12th April, will be Self sufficiency from your garden. Coach Outing Saturday 11th June 2011 visit to Hever Castle in Kent. 14th December 2010 Christmas Social Evening 11th January 2011 Wild South Wales – Richard Revel 8th February Breaking Boundaries – Looking at fences in a totally different way – Helen Riches 8th March The Gibberd Garden – Richard Ayres New members welcome.

and

visitors

very

For more information: Telephone Helen 01763 245887 or Angela 01763 262793

1st Melbourn Guides Going away with girls from other units is a classic part of Guiding’s culture, and both Guide units in Melbourn had two exciting opportunities this summer. In August we joined 300 girls and leaders from across Cambridgeshire for a weeklong camp at Quy showground. There was a fantastic range of activities both modern and traditional: back-to – basics fire lighting and rope-bridge making on one day, and jazz dancing

Dynamos Under 8 Squad

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another. Gliding, kayaking or skiing; then make-up and massage. Every day was filled with new experiences and every evening with entertainments; a disco, a ceilidh, Ready Steady Cook; and The Guiding’s Got Talent competition was won by two of our Melbourn Guides! In September we took part in an international and outdoor themed weekend, cooking supper on instant barbecues, and spending the night sleeping in cardboard boxes outside. The fact that it started raining at 3am, and all our carefully constructed shelters collapsed, only added to the adventure!

We have started the autumn term with a full register and a varied evening programme, and as our Centenary celebrations come to an end, we in Melbourn Guides hope to continue to enjoy the fun, friendship and spirit of Guiding for many years to come. If you would like to know more about becoming a Guide or a leader, or if you have any skills or hobbies which you would like to share with us, please contact me on: 01763 261443 or email: melbournguides@gmail.com

Melbourn and District Photographic Club

Hilary Marsh

December

This long-standing club of local photographers from Melbourn and the surrounding area meets weekly from September to April at Foxton Village Hall. Meetings are from 7.30 to 9.30 on Tuesdays. We have recently welcomed a number of new members who are already starring in our regular competitions! The programme December to March comprises: 7 Club evening: Macro Photography 14 Competition: Melbourn Trophy January 4 Xmas meal 11 Lecture: Small Worlds – Butterflies and Moths: Bob Wickens 18 Competition: Prints 25 Lecture: A Passion for Nature: Ann Miles February 1 Competition: Melbourn v. Gamlingay 8 Competition: Projected Image 15 Lecture: Virtual Reality: Barbie and Russell Lindsay 22 Competition: Prints March 1 Club evening: Composition and the use of Colour 8 Inter club Competition: Melbourn v. Saffron Walden and Letchworth 15 Competition: Projected Image of the year 19 (SAT) Competition: Melbourn Trophy Final 22 Lecture: Doing the Lambeth Walk: an alternative View of London: Maggie Tear New members, of any skill level, will be warmly welcomed. For further information please ring the secretary: Bruce Huett 01763 232 855

Ramblers’ Association Royston and District Our walks programme continues right through the year. For details visit our website: www.ramblers-hertsnorthmiddlesex.org.uk or contact David Allard (01763 242677). Email: david. allard@ntlworld.com or Lesley Abbiss

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(01763 273463). There is also a poster displaying walks for the current month in both Melbourn and Royston libraries. We have walks on Sundays, which are normally 5–7 miles in the morning and a similar or shorter walk in the afternoon. Some Sunday walks are Figures of Eight making it possible to do only the morning or only the afternoon. Half-day walks are held on Tuesday or Thursday mornings (sometimes on both days). Our evening walks have now been discontinued but will resume at the end of April 2011. Details from David Allard on 01763 242677. Prospective new members are always very welcome and may come on a few walks before deciding whether to join. On 2nd January 2011 there is a figure of eight walk starting from outside the Fox & Duck PH Therfield at 9.45am or 1.15pm for the afternoon walk. 6.25 miles plus 3 miles. Non-members coming on either the morning or afternoon walk (or both) will have the opportunity to join at a 20% discount. For the morning walk, if preferred meet at Royston Town Hall car park at 9.30am.

Melbourn Sports Centre Autumn Review After the success of our summer activities, including the ever-popular Pentathlons and holiday courses, we were looking for new and exciting ways to continue our community’s interest in exercise. This season saw the introduction of a new pool-based exercise class, SwimFit, where swimmers can challenge themselves to swim to certain ‘destinations around the world’ measured against pool lengths, which is proving popular. Our swimming lessons continue to be a hit with the community, though we do currently have a few spaces available for adults and preschool age children (including parent and infant sessions). We’ve now started to offer snorkelling parties on top of our regular party packages, which include football, trampolining and swimming/pool, which have proved to be an instant hit with all the party guests! With the advent of the 2010/11 football season, the Melbourn site

welcomed local team Melbourn Dynamos for regular training sessions and football matches. We’re also happy to welcome LTA trainer and coach to the site. Rob Ellis is now running tennis-coaching lessons for junior players or wannabes on Saturday mornings, with adult lessons available on a Thursday evening. The car park has now been completely resurfaced with improved security lighting and spaces. Work to house the local police station adjacent to the sports centre continues, and we hope to welcome our new site neighbours soon.

A Winter Wonderland at MSC We’re not going to let those long winter nights stop us from enjoying our exercise! As well as our indoor facilities like the swimming pool, squash courts and sports hall, we have loads of classes

to keep you fit and healthy, including Boxercise, Core Stability, Swim Clinic, AquaFit and Fitness Pilates. At time of going to print, we are in the process of setting up a running club, so watch this space! We offer table tennis and short tennis alongside our normal indoor racket sports. And they’re all reasonably priced, so the one thing that will stay plump is your purse! With Christmas fast approaching, why not book a place on our Christmas KidzFactor activity days or our popular Christmas party, with a very special visitor! And if you’re looking for something different to buy your loved ones this year, then how about one of our Gift Membership Package or Gift Voucher? Don’t forget our February half term Play Scheme – book your place from January 2011. melbournmagazine

FROG END PET SUPPLIES at Phillimore Garden Centre

A pet shop that caters for all your pet needs • • • • •

all types of birds rabbits guinea pigs many other animals wide range of accessories and pet supplies Also stockists for CALOR GAS Ample parking facilities Open 7 days a week Mon to Sat 9.00am – 6.00pm Sunday 9.30am – 4.30pm Cambridge Road, Melbourn, Cambs. SG8 6EY Tel 01763 263342

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

For further details on these or any other activities, please drop in, call 01763 263313 or go online at www. melbournsports.com. We look forward to seeing you this season! Graham Johnson-Mack Melbourn Sports Centre

The Bridge Club

feature Greetings from the Norman family in France

We lived in New Road, Melbourn from 1986 until 2009 when we moved to the French Pyrenees to start a new life as peasant farmers. Our son, Harry, was born in 1993 and attended the playgroup, the Primary School and the Village College and we all tried to play an active role in village life. Some of you will have bought local honey from our garden stall nearly opposite the Surgery road. Our life here in the Basque region of France, close to the Spanish border, is very different to our former life in Melbourn. It is as if we have turned the clock back 30 years to an existence where people still leave their doors unlocked and there are no shops open on Sundays. We have survived our first year here without television, hairdryer, vacuum cleaner or iron and don’t miss any of these things. The one thing I couldn’t do without is a broadband connection, which keeps me in regular touch with friends and

The Bridge Club celebrated its first birthday on September 6th, when 26 players played duplicate bridge. The winning pair, who took away the bottles of wine, were Malcolm Dean and Pat Bridges. If enjoyment is the hallmark of success, then Melbourn Bridge Club is a total triumph. The range of abilities of the players are from relative newcomers to the more experienced good local player who are ready and willing to pass on advice, but only when asked. Players without partners are welcome, and we will guarantee all a game, although, of course, to pair up with a regular partner is a bonus for both player and the club. The club meets every Monday at 7.15p.m. at the Vicarage Close Community Centre and play finishes about 10.30 p.m. The £2.00 fee represents good value. Please contact the Secretary, Howard Waller, on 01763 261693 or email melbournbridgeclub@yahoo.co.uk.

family, enables me to listen to BBC Radio programmes via the I player and to manage our finances and administration remotely. I have recently written a book about our move to France, covering the years 2006 when we first found ‘our little piece of paradise’ until 2009 when we were finally able to make the move. Inevitably, it includes many references to Melbourn including how I joined the Melbourn Mushroom Club so that I would be able to identify fungi on our 46 acres of land. The book is called Norman’s Folly and is available from Amazon and other major bookstores or can be ordered quoting ISBN number 978-1-4461-4409-1. Price £9.99. Perhaps someone could persuade the local library to obtain a copy! I return to Melbourn regularly. Some things, such as the friendly faces in Leechs and the Building Society, haven’t changed. Others have, such as our neighbours, and the new properties squeezed onto tiny plots along New Road. With the next generation of Normans now living in Melbourn, we

will undoubtedly be following the fortunes of the village for many years to come. For those of you who enjoy the book and want to continue following our fortunes, I write a regular blog about our day-to-day life here, the address of which can be obtained by emailing me. Clare Norman (formerly Benton) clare.norman@sfr.fr Photograph: Book Cover for Norman’s Folly

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what’s on Save the Date! Burns Night Supper Saturday 29th January 2011 Barley Town House Watch this space for more information or call 01223 870251 Christmas Events are held at National Trust properties, churches and village halls around the district during December, so do check local papers and websites for details.

A QUIZ FOR CHRISTMAS This quiz is for that period after Christmas Dinner when you don’t perhaps want to watch ‘The Great Escape’ on TV and the family are not in the mood for Monopoly or Cluedo. Work out the answer and send your entry to me at 4 Chapmans Close, Melbourn, Cambridgeshire, SG8 6AH by 31st December. Written entries only and the first correct answer opened will win a small prize. Assuming that bit-part actors work an eight hour day and can be hired for £25.00 per hour, livestock costs £50.00 per head irrespective of type, the local jeweller is having a sale, any one item for £40.00, the Forestry Commission is giving away saplings at the astonishingly cheap rate of £10.00 each, and instrument hire is £20.00 per day, how much did Christmas cost? Good Luck! Colin Limming.

Unpicked Meadow Public Art Project Riverside Park, Stockbridge Meadows A Quick Recap… Artist Jo Chapman was chosen at a public Artist Selection Evening back in March and since then has started on a year long public art project for the Meadows. Her brief was to create a year-long public art project with visiting artists and workshops to engage the local community and to inform a final permanent art work. Rather than an artist coming to the village for a day or two to create a work without knowing the village, Jo has been commissioned to spend time finding out about the Meadows and meeting people through creative workshops before producing a final piece. The project was launched back in May with visitors creating wooden plaques, painting or writing haiku poems. These plaques were joined by ones created by Orchard Manor and Melbourn Primary School and have been mounted to form a welcome wall for anyone entering the Meadows to see.

Over the summer the ARTIVAN was launched, a project space to meet, make and exhibit work. Jo took a two berth stripped out caravan and Melbourn Village College students redesigned the inside and outside. We’ve had workshops in stick lizard making, clay fruit, print making and outdoor adventures with guest artists including Liz McGowan, Mark Haywood and Holly Rumble over the summer. This autumn will have seen lantern making, bird song inspired sound art and the launch of the Stockbridge Tapestry project.

Renga Poetry Sleeping Bag Party! Another strand running through the project is renga poetry, a form of Japanese poetry with a series of short verses linked into one long poem about the season it’s composed in. Renga is a social form of poetry writing, led and hosted by a poet, anyone can come and join a renga party to write poetry. Local poet Clare Crossman has been leading the project. She has woven together individual haiku created in May for the spring renga, hosted a summer renga party in the Meadows and visitors to the Meadow in October contributed their autumn verses. Visit the website to read the poems so far. The final renga to be composed will be the winter renga, which will take place in the ARTIVAN on the Meadows on Sunday 23rd January from 2pm – 4pm. Climb aboard, bring a sleeping bag to snuggle up in and drop in for a hot chocolate and to compose a wintery verse! All are welcome, poetry writing suitable for age 9 upwards. Paper, pencils, drinks and an explanation of how to write Renga will be provided. Contact Kirstin for more details or see: www.melbourn.org.uk/publicart Take Part in Creating Art for Melbourn with the Stockbridge Tapestry So far we have contributions from ages 2 to 92 years old! Any age can get involved in your last chance to influence the final piece of art work. Imagine a tapestry created by Melbourn residents stretching around the Meadow. Jo Chapman is inviting you to create a section for the Stockbridge Tapestry, a communal artwork that will wrap around the Meadows and provide a seedbed for the final artwork.inspired by the Meadows and the natural world.

• • • •

What inspires you in nature? Why is nature important to our lives? How can we look more closely? How do we make connections?

Launched this summer, we would like as many people as possible to write, print, stitch or draw and contribute a section to the Stockbridge Tapestry. You could even transpose photographs of nature onto the fabric. Your section for the tapestry can be made at home or melbournmagazine

you can come along to one of our events. If you would like to make it at home then here are some guidelines, it does not have to be a ‘tapestry’ this is just a word used to describe a way of linking images together and a long horizontal banner type artwork: • You can either use your own piece of fabric or collect a piece from Melbourn Village College, Melbourn Library or the Parish Council Office. • The section should be no larger than 30cm in height and can be any length. It should be 2 dimensional • It can be on any type of fabric and made in any style you like • You can make use of stitching, fabric paints or pens, collage, natural materials – any thing that suits you. • The section that you make will be part of the whole artwork and will be joined together with the others, so it needs to be reasonably robust and permanent. • The imagery or any words you use is up to you but we would like it to reflect an aspect of the natural world of Melbourn, you may want to make a visit to the Meadows for some inspiration, it may be about the seasons or plants or animals in your garden. Completed sections can be dropped into Melbourn Village College or the Parish Council Office. The deadline for dropping pieces off is Friday 14th January 2011.

What Next? Jo will be gathering together the sections of the tapestry to create one long communal artwork. The tapestry will be exhibited at the winter flower festival. Look out for a date early in spring when you’ll see it as a temporary exhibit in the Meadows before becoming part of the village archive. The final workshop will be the Winter Renga Party in the ARTIVAN on the Meadows. Feel free to drop in for a cup of hot chocolate to find out more about the project or to take part writing a haiku verse. Jo will then be gathering together all the information from the project to create designs for the final artwork, which will be on show early in spring. The final artwork will be installed on the Meadow in time for a final celebration on the May bank holiday.

Key dates: Friday 14th January – Deadline for contributing your tapestry section Sunday 23rd January 2011, 2pm - 4pm

Winter Renga Party Poet Clare Crossman will be leading the renga party for ages 9+. For more details please visit: www.melbourn.org.uk/publicart Keep up to date with the project by joining the local arts mailing list to receive occasional updates. To subscribe please email kirstin@start-arts.org.uk For more information about the project or to book a place on the winter renga party contact Kirstin Bicknell, Arts

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

Development Manager, phone 07770 643165, email Kirstin@ start-arts.org.uk

Arts Development If your part of a group interested in working with an artist, hosting an arts event or if you run an arts related group and need some support then contact your local Arts Development Manager, Kirstin Bicknell. She can support with everything from marketing and fundraising advice to contracting an artist. Kirstin is part of the stART partnership between village colleges and South Cambridgeshire District Council. StART run a number of district wide initiatives including an equipment bank and mobile cinema for community groups to hire. See their website www.start-arts.org.uk for more information or contact Kirstin, phone 07770 643165, email Kirstin@startarts.org.uk

Local Arts Mailing List Do you want to know what’s going on locally? The local arts mailing list will include details of events and workshops linked to the arts in its widest sense (drama, art, music, dance etc). To join and receive occasional email updates contact Kirstin Bicknell by emailing kirstin@start-arts.org.uk with the word subscribe in the title. If you have a local arts related event or workshop, you’d like to promote then contact Kirstin with the event details.

The Tavern Gallery Owned by David Chappell and located near the station in Meldreth, the Gallery is normally open 10 to 4 Thursday to Sunday. December Gallery Special, several artists January Closed February Royston Arts Society March George Meliniotis

Pictures from an Exhibition Gallery Writers The Tavern Gallery Meldreth Becoming less of a local secret is the fact that ever since December 2009 when the Tavern Gallery first opened its doors with Tam Joseph’s exhibition Works on Paper. There has been a small art gallery in Meldreth, which is run with the local community at its heart. Because of this there has also been a writers group that meets in the Gallery on the third Tuesday of every month. Started by novelist Chris West, writer Felicity Norman and poet Clare Crossman, each workshop provides a different way of writing about the visual. A different perspective. Whether it is Mesch’s (Melbourn) excellent textiles or Terry Symonds (Meldreth) Landscapes… nine of us take delight every month in writing and talking about what we see. The founders each take it in turns to run a session so there is a wide variety of styles to play with and explore, prose, drama, poetry, non-fiction. But it is all in the name of everybody taking two hours to write and share their work if they wish. Group members come from Meldreth and beyond. As well as doing some writing the group get a chance to spend some time looking at each new exhibition in depth. David, the gallery owner, makes us all welcome with cups of tea and coffee and comfortable chairs to sit on. There is room to park! Having been together as a group now for nearly a year we have decided that late next year we will be producing a book from some of the writings we have created in response to all the artists work. We would like as many people as possible to be involved, so if you are making any New Year resolutions you might consider joining Gallery Writers for the next few months so that you have time to look closely at each new exhibition as it comes along, do some writing, and be in good company. You would be most welcome. Gallery Writers meets every third Tuesday of the month from 7.30–9.30 at The Tavern Gallery. Each session costs £5.00. Contact: David Chappell 01763 261166 info@taverngallery.co.uk

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feature Paintings by Peter Rice

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Come and discover Royston’s best kept secret for yourself!

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

Melbourn Flooring and Interiors Limited

melbournmagazine

Gibbs Denley

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MONEY GET INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVICE FROM REPUTABLE LOCAL ADVISERS

Pinney Moore

PINNEY MOORE & COMPANY LTD For all aspects of financial planning Pensions Investments Wealth Management Specialists.

• • •

www.pinneymoore.co.uk Tel: 01954 234370 Fax: 01954 232379 Email: info@pinneymoore.co.uk

Pinney Moore & Co Ltd is an appointed representative of Gibbs Denley which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority 62

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

Classified Ads (Trades & Professional) Heavenly Hatz 01223 874080

Floral Arrangements Bette & Carol 01763 246168

Window Cleaning Gary Custerson 01763 246773

Carpentry & Building Repair Simon Prince 01763 269565

Simply Reliable Cleaning Steven Rodham 01763 261275

Liz Strange Painter & Decorator 01223 208905

Justin Pearson Painter & Decorator 01223 565310

Stone Lane Veternary Clinic Caring for your pet 01763 261457

Brickwork Repair Services Gordon Rogers 01763 262773

Mamac, Kareioki and Disco Willow Tree CRB checked for children Painter & Decorator & elderly Dean Hardingham mamac.21@btinternet .com Tel 01763 232757

Type of business

Absolute Solutions

Bathroom Design and Installation

Admiral Homespace

Tel. No.

5 Hardman Road, Foxton www.heavenlyhatz.co.uk

SC Plastering Simon Carse Tel.01763 221055 Mob.07840 836639

Call Neil 07748844711

Carpenter Services Richard Brewster 01763 262974 Classified ads will no longer appear from Spring 2011

Advertisers

Type of business

Tel. No.

01763 261777

Little Hands

Nursery School

01763 260964

Flat Roofing & Conservatories

01480 456789

LM Homeopathy

Health & Wellbeing

01763 290282

Amber Osteopathy

Osteopathic & Sports Injury Clinics

01462 742942

Mel-bourn2Swim

Swimming School

01763 262344

Bannold

Landscaping Materials

01954 231666

Melbourn Community Sports

Sports Centre

01763 263313

Black Horse

Local Pub & Restaurant

01763 226046

Melbourn Flooring

Flooring, Tiling & Home Interiors

01763 262413

Bretts

Plumbing and Heating

01763 260007

Melbourn Garage

MOT and Servicing

01763 263344

Bury Lane Farm Shop

Fresh produce, Coffee shop

01763 260418

Meldreth Pre-School

Pre-School

07952 295655

Butlers

Taxi and Car Service

01763 212223

M&M Books

Second hand & rare books

01763 849789

Cambridge Building Society

Building Society

01763 217510

Molly Maid

Cleaning Services

01462 896123

Cambourne Self Storage

Secure Storage

01954 717444

Meridian Lawncare

Lawn care company

01763 242909

CAMTAD

Deafness Advisory sessions

01223 416141

PC Home Call

PC Repair

01763 294449

Cam Valley Orchards

Fruit Farm Shop

0777 461 685

Peek-a-boo

Babbies & Todlers

01223 830791

Carters Shoes

Shoes – wide choice

01223 264930

Phillimore

Garden Centre

01763 260537

Cheap Storage

Secure Storage

01763 262344

Prince Property Improvements Property Repairs

01763 269565

Child Nursing Team

Family Health Advice

01763 262861

Pinney, Moore and Co.

01954 234370

Cooper, P.L. & Sons Ltd

Flooring Specialists

01763 260918

Riding for the Disabled Association

01223 290807

Creative Building Landscape

Building design & Conversions

01763 802003

Riverside Guest House

Guest House

01763 226062

Fieldgate Nurseries

Fruit, vegetables, flowers & plants

01763 260737

Rothwells

Carpet Cleaning

01223 832928

Fowlmere Village Hall

Hall Facilities

08704 649200

Royston Bed Centre

Bedroom Furniture

01763 243111

Foxton Pre School

Pre School

01223 8728779

Rubber Roofing company

Roofing Solutions

01763 869035

Furniture Bitz

Discount Outlet

01763 242616

Rule, Jeremy

Funeral Service

01763 242560

Greenlow

Kennel & Cattery

01763 260624

Ryecroft Data

Design & Instant Digital Print

01763 208640

H20

Gas, Heating & Plumbing

01945 428757

Simon Robinson

Picture Frames

01223 873123

Harry, Kathleen. B.Sc.Hons.

Osteopath

01223 842978

South Cambs Motors

Motor Car Servicing

01763 260246

Home Start

Family Support

01763 242919

Sprint Printers

Printers and Copiers

01763 263339

Home Store

Bathroom & Tiling

01763 245888

St Georges

Nursing Home

01763 242243

Jazzercise

Dance based Fitness

01763 241527

Taylor & Co

Chartered Accountants

01763 248545

J&M Carpet Care

Carpet Cleaning

01954 780999

The Letting Centre

Letting Agency

01763 263039

Jeremy Ashworth

Electrician & Property Maintenance

01763 230831

The Spice Hut

Indian Takeaway

01763 262425

Julie Newby

Beauty Therapist

01763 208387

Thomas, Chris

Professional Cleaning

01223 836002

Kingsway Golf Centre

Golf Course and Supplies

01763 262943

Urban Plastics

Plumbing, electrical supplies

01763 262337

Law Storage

Secure storage

01223 874629

Wrights Mower Centre

Garden Machinery Supply & Maint.

01763 263393

Leech, C.A

Butchers

01763 260255

Financial Advisers

melbournmagazine

Magazine Advertisers

Advertisers

N.T Carpentry For all your carpentry requirements.

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Don’t just dream Don’t just dreamabout aboutititit Don’t just dream about

Come and discover Royston’s Come and discover Royston’spremier premierbed bedcentre centre today today Come and discover Royston’s premier bed centre today prestige showroom VisitVisit ourour prestige showroom Visit prestige showroom Unit 5, South Close, Royston 5UH Unit 5, our South Close, Royston SG8SG8 5UH

A1198

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A10

A505

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To Huntingdon To Baldock To Baldock

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A505 A505

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Opening Hours Monday - Saturday 10am - 5pm Opening Hours Monday - Saturday 10am - 5pm

Sunday - 3pm 10am - 5pm Monday11am - Saturday Telephone: 01763 243111 Sunday 11am - 3pm Telephone: 01763 243111 Email: sales@roystonbedcentre.co.uk Email: sales@roystonbedcentre.co.uk Telephone: 01763 243111 Email: sales@roystonbedcentre.co.uk

A10 A10

A505 A505

Old N

Unit 5, South Close, Royston SG8 5UH First First floorfloor of of FirstOpening floor of Hours

A1198 A1198 To Huntingdon To Huntingdon

A10

ROYSTON TOWN CENTRE ROYSTON TOWN CENTRE

ROYSTON Melbourn St TOWN CENTRE

Baldock St

Melbourn St

t Road

Newmarke

t Road

Newmarke

To Buntingford

Baldock St

Melbourn St To Buntingford

Newmarket

To Buntingford

Printed by The Burlington Press Cambridge Ltd

Road

Issue 64 Winter 2010

Articles inside

What’s on

Feature

by Jessica Finn

Sports & Clubs

Church News

Third bi-annual Winter Flower Festival

Education

Orchard Surgery

Diary

Safer Melbourn

Parish Council

Village Information

Profile

Nature - River Mel

Melbourn’s Parks

Vacency for a Deputy Clerk

The Parish Office is moving?