Issue 76 Winter 2013 by Melbourn Magazine

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...editorial It has been a successful year for Melbourn, with lots of exciting new projects coming to fruition. The Hub and new housing really enhance the centre of the village, the shelter on the recreation ground has been welcomed while we all look forward to the imminent completion of the Pavilion renovation.

Nature

Community Hub

Council News

Everyone knows that next year is the centenary of WWI, The Great War, and the older ones amongst us will recall things related by our grandparents, or remember people who returned with mental damage, shell shock, which was unrecognised in those days. The Melbourn History Group hopes to put together an exhibition and asks for your help in accumulating memories and material. (see p 6)

Pavilion update

Reflecting on 2013

County Council

Watch your waste?

Action on Energy

Nature

We are now all preparing for Christmas with our families and friends. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Profile

We should also like to congratulate Melbournian Rob Smart who reached the fifth round of the Great British Bake Off! We hope that he does decide to write a book, we look forward to trying his recipes.

River Mel Group The village Fox

Rosemary & Douglas Gatward

Community matters

Education

December – Prayer to St Nicholas

Village information

Patron of all those who do good by stealth – Slipping three bags of gold in through the window To save three desperate girls, restoring Dead boys to life out of the pickling tub Of an Anatolian Sweeney Todd – Teach us to give with simplicity, and not with an eye To the main chance: it’s less than Three weeks’ shopping time to Christmas.

Diary

feature

John Heath-Stubbs

Melbourn Rock

A Glimpse into the History of the John Lewis Partnership

Church news

Sports & Clubs

feature

What’s on

Front cover The painting chosen for this issue’s cover is situated on the side wall of the Community Pavilion on the New Recreation ground. The concept for the design came from students at MVC who requested a memorial wall painting as a tribute to a young student who tragically died earlier this year. Commissioned by Melbourn Parish Council and Working with Melbourn Area Youth Development (MAYD), the artist Jon, from Blight Society Art worked with the students to design and produce this excellent image. They have also worked together on the Community shelter. Photograph by Peter Simmonett

Melbourn Magazine is printed quarterly and delivered free to every household and business in the village. All work on the Melbourn Magazine, including layout and design is produced by volunteers. The cost of printing comes entirely from advertising and sponsorship.

Melbourn Magazine is independent of the Parish Council NO public money is used.

We would like to thank TTP for their continued sponsorship of the magazine.

email: melbournmagazine@gmail.com

Richard Arnott runs a local garden design and build business based in Melbourn called Garden Design Solutions, operating in Melbourn and the surrounding area.

Where did you learn your craft? Richard trained at the Cambridge University Botanic Garden in horticulture and then studied Garden Design at Merrist Wood College, Surrey.

What does Garden Design Solutions offer its clients?

Why not register for my free weekly garden blog at www.thinkgardenthinkrichard.co.uk Follow me on twitter @gardendesignsol Look at my new website www.richardarnott.com

We are an energetic, vibrant garden design and build company specialising in the creation of beautiful outdoor spaces with a sense of place and purpose. Plantsmanship and good horticultural practice is the core of the business. The gardens and landscapes are designed in CAD (a computer software package) to generate a scale plan of the space and a planting plan indicating positions, plant names, sizes and quantities. Richard believes the plants are the stars in the garden designs and organising them to create maximum visual impact through the seasons is the most challenging and rewarding part of the process. The style and atmosphere in the gardens we design and build varies depending on the client’s aspirations. Richard likes to encourage clients to collect inspiring images of gardens from a range of magazine articles or books to help inform the design process. Richard works in contemporary and traditional styles. He particularly loves to work with a plant palette that is a blend of loose herbaceous perennials and grasses verses structural trees, shrubs and hedges in a contemporary English country cottage style.

What do you look for when you visit a garden? Richard always looks for the potential when visiting a new garden project. The challenge is to make the most of the space whether large or small and to work with my clients to achieve this.

Call 01763 263231 OR 07710547493

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village news Fred Dye 1932 – 2013

CATalyst Community Luncheon Club

WWI Project - can you help?

Community Rail Partnership

Francis John Clear Almshouses

Santa comes to Melbourn

Village Fete

Melbourn Library is Moving

Dog fouling

CATalyst

A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign

We’re Searching for

Volunteers

Melbourn Magazine is delivered free to every household in the village by volunteers.

If you would like to help with delivering the magazine, please contact Jose Hales on 221058

Fred Dye 1932 – 2013 Fred was born in Lincoln in 1932, brought up in a horse racing family and was astride racehorses when he was twelve years old. He worked as a secretary to the trainer Tom Waugh in Newmarket where he met Dawn, who was riding out for Ryan Jarvis. They married in 1960 and moved to Chiswick End, Meldreth in 1967. Fred was an active sportsman and liked to play tennis, go swimming and roller-skating; he was also a keen gardener. But his main interest in life revolved around horses. He took part in show jumping, competing against such luminaries as David Broome and Harvey Smith, three day eventing, point to point and dressage. Fred was an excellent judge of a horse and helped many young riders in their careers including Tanya Kyle, who became a top eventer. One of Fred’s horses went to France in 1998 as part of the British Team. Closer to home, Fred helped teach the Cambridgeshire Pony Club Riders at Meldreth Manor School in the late nineties. Fred was a familiar sight on horseback around the Meldreth / Melbourn area and also on his favourite beach at Holme-next-to-Sea in Norfolk. This ended in 2011 when he was thrown off his horse George. The headlines in the local paper read, ‘Elderly gentlemen airlifted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital’. Needless to say, Fred was back to work, on crutches, in three weeks. Fred always said most of the bones in his body had been broken or cracked at some time in his career but it was all part of the game. He once set off the alarm system at Tesco’s with all his metal pins! Fred worked in the office at South Cambs Motors, which is owned by the Dash Family, for 46 years. He was renowned for his meticulous bookkeeping and his willingness to chat to customers especially if they were interested in horses. One of his favourite expressions to customers as they handed over their money for their bill was ‘That’s your pocket money gone for the week ‘ On his eightieth birthday Fred went gliding at Gransden Airfield and took over the controls for nearly an hour. We will all have personal memories of Fred, mine is that he was a master horseman. Dawn would like to thank everyone for their sympathy, cards and kind words. Terry Dash

melbournmagazine

Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme Can we help you? Can we help a relative? Can we help a neighbour? Who does the Scheme help? The scheme is open to anyone who requests our help including those who live alone or with their families but need the extra support offered by our services. Couples too are most welcome. It is also open to those in sheltered housing, as the scheme offers different, but complementary services. Note: The scheme also offers its services for short periods to cover the temporary absence of relatives who otherwise provide this support.

We offer help with:

• • • • • • • • • • •

Friendship and support via twice weekly visits and daily phone calls Ordering and collection of prescriptions Basic shopping Collection of pensions Setting up Lifeline service Bereavement support Advice on benefits Going to the Post Office to pay your bills Advice on getting repairs done in your home Arranging transport to the hospital or other appointments Just coming round for a chat

CATalyst Community Luncheon Club SIX new places available from January 2014! Would you like a weekly two course meal with tea or coffee for only £5.00? Would you like to meet new friends? If YES then why not give us a try? If you are 60 years of age or over If you live in or near to Melbourn If you can travel independently Then you are eligible to join us. Luncheon Club is held every Thursday (other than holiday breaks) in the Community Lounge at Vicarage Close, Melbourn from 11.30am-1.30pm. For more information contact CATalyst: mobile: 0774 953 0112 or email: communityactiontogether@hotmail.co.uk

WWI Project - can you help? We are currently working on a project involving Melbourn people and their families who were involved in World War and we hope that some of their descendents still live in and around Melbourn. It is a fairly obvious task bearing in mind that in 2014 we shall be commemorating the centenary of the outbreak of World War I. We will be very pleased to hear from families who have records of grandfathers, or great uncles who served and died during the Great War. If you have ancestors who survived and who passed on their experiences to the family, we would be grateful to hear their stories. Similarly if you had female antecedents who served as Nurses or in any other capacity please get in touch. Some families will have preserved letters, cards or other mementos, which we would like to record. We hope to stage an exhibition next year so obviously any photographs would be very helpful. We look forward to hearing from you. It was after the successful publication of the Millennium Book, which showed the village as it was in 2000 that the idea of a History Group began to take shape. Several of the Committee who produced the Melbourn 2000 book were joined by other like-minded people in the village and plans began to carry out research with a view to producing a Melbourn History book. The publication of the book together with Pictorial Melbourn is now well known and in time a guide to All Saints Parish Church was researched and produced by some of the Group’s members. In addition visitors to Melbourn pursuing their family history have been helped with details from the births, marriages and deaths records

What will it cost? We do have to make a small weekly charge for the warden’s services. The fee is only £5 per week (a little more for couples). Margo Wherrell (Mobile Warden) 01763 260966 Mobile: 07935 315497 Email: tigress270549@aol.com Jeannie Seers (Deputy Warden) 01763 262651 Mobile: 07808 735066 Email: jeanseers1@ntlworld.com Joy Hyde (Assistant Warden) 01763 220139 Mobile: 07952 090089. Melbourn Warden Scheme is a registered charity.

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

These cards were available to the Armed Forces during World War I and show the flags of The Allies. This card was sent by Corporal Mechanic Albert Colledge of the Royal Naval Air Service to his sister Eunice for her birthday.

that are held by the Group. Letters are received from many parts of the world and especially from Australia where so many Melbourn residents went in the 19th century. It is always a joy to receive a grateful letter or e-mail thanking us for our efforts in tracing long lost family. If you are interested in joining the History Group do please get in touch. Chairman 01763 260072 colin.limming@btinternet.com Useful websites for tracing your ancestors who were in WWI Commonwealth War Graves Commission – cwgc.org; Imperial War Museum – iwm.org.uk; ancestry.co.uk; blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/blog/tag/mytommyswar; forces-war-records.co.uk; findmypast.co.uk

Community Rail Partnership Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Stations As part of the overall effort to protect and improve public transport options for our area, the Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group has signed a Community Rail Partnership with First Capital Connect, Network Rail and the County and District Councils. Is this just another sheet of paper or does it actually mean something? Over the past few years, the Rail User Group has successfully campaigned to improve access to rail service, in big and small ways. We can take some of these things for granted, but the fact is that we have to stay on top of the game if we want to keep them. For example, our 50% student discount for 16-19 year olds is unique – elsewhere in the country it is only 33% off the adult fare. Meldreth Station parking charges are the lowest anywhere on the FCC line. We have made first inroads into better disabled access to Meldreth Station but would really like to make much more progress. The station gardens are a delight and as a result we know that there is less anti-social behaviour at our stations than there used to be (apart from a few nicked runner bean stalks!). Next year the rail franchise will change hands. The new Thameslink Franchise will be the biggest in the country, connecting King’s Lynn to Brighton. Our three rural stations will become part of a massive operation and we’d like to avoid being pushed into any standardized regime that overrides our hard-fought improvements. The Community Rail Partnership commits the next train operating company to sitting around our table (literally – our first meeting will be at Teacake Shepreth) and continuing to work on practical improvements for anything associated with rail service that benefits the community. It has been interesting to see that now in the run-up to the change-over, franchise bidders have been coming to visit us at Meldreth Station in order to understand what we would expect of them. We have

Francis John Clear Almshouses Applications are invited for the occupancy of a recently refurbished cottage in Orchard Road Melbourn. Under the terms of the Trust only ladies may apply. Further details from the Chairman of the Trustees 01763 261154 or melb699@gmail.com Dogs are not permitted.

Santa is coming to Melbourn Santa will shortly be making his usual pre-Christmas tour around Melbourn and the surrounding area this December, helped by volunteers from Royston Round Table & Ladies Circle, Royston 41 Club, Royston Rotary Club and The Lions Club of Royston. The proceeds of the collection will be shared between the organisations and distributed primarily to local good causes throughout the year. Santa’s route in Melbourn starts on the 21st December at Armingford Crescent at 4.00pm. Sat 21st December 4.00pm Armingford Crescent Armingford Crescent; Port Way; Hale Close; Russet Way; Bramely Av; Worcester Way; Hawkins Close; Orchard Rd; Metcalfe Way; Triggs Way; Fordham Way; Clear Crescent; Palmers Way; Metcalfe Way; New Rd. Sun 22nd December 4.00pm Saxon Way/Back Lane Green Banks; The Lawns; Water Lane; Chalkhill Barrow; Greengage Rise; Beechwood Av; Ash Grove; Maple Way; Beechwood Av; Elm Way; Beechwood Av; New Road; Carlton Rise. If you miss Santa’s visit to Melbourn, he will also be at Bury Lane Farm Shop on 21st December between11am and 3pm and at Tesco’s in Royston on 22nd December between 11am and 3pm. www.roystonroundtable.co.uk

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pointed out that we’d like the station to revert to its original name (Meldreth and Melbourn) and that we most definitely want to keep our half-hourly peak time service, which incredibly is not part of the Dept for Transport minimum service specifications! And in a while, we’d like a half-hourly service off-peak as well… Please do come along to our next Rail User Group meeting if you are free – 11th December, 7:30PM, at Elin Way Community Room in Meldreth. If you need a lift please let me know. We are always delighted to welcome newcomers and our meetings are inevitably jolly and relaxed. Susan van de Ven susanvandeven@yahoo.co.uk, Tel 261833, Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group

Melbourn Village Fete and Music on the Moor Our aim is fun and fundraising for Melbourn and we have achieved that in 2013. The Melbourn Village Fete committee recently met to look at the requests for donations to local causes. This is by far the best part of our efforts where we can give money to groups in our area needing financial support. After a very good fete this year with record profits the committee was able to give away over £3200 to local causes. In fact all of the applications we received were awarded grants: these include the Melbourn Brownie pack, Melbourn Dynamos Football team, CATalyst Carers’ Social Group, Melbourn Village College students who are travelling to Ethiopia in 2014 on a charity work scheme, Melbourn Primary School and Melbourn Amateur Dramatic Society. Some arrangements are firming up for Fete 2014; remember to put it in your diary and on your calendar – 28 June 2014. If you have a local activity, a business or cause you wish to promote at our fete then visit our website where you can find details on how to book a pitch or some time in the outside arena. The competitions that premiered in 2013 will be expanded and even better in 2014, as with everything else to do with the fete you will be able to see details on our website soon. Some exciting bands are booked for the evening music event. Our brilliant bar volunteers will be there ready to serve a great range of drinks and a wide variety of food will be on offer. As always we try to make this event a good value day and will endeavour to offer the very best in low cost but high quality entertainment. Finally, for the first time we are going to reward our volunteers for all of their hard work. Without the team of volunteers who help with the set up, on the day assistance and clearing up the fete would be impossible to stage. We will be holding

a volunteers thank you evening early next year. We always welcome anyone wanting to help us so if you can spare a few hours over the weekend of the fete we would really love to hear from you. If you want to discuss volunteering then please call or email me. More details are on our website www.melbournfete.co.uk and don’t forget to like us on facebook. Trevor Purnell 262642 purnell@waitrose.com

Melbourn Library is Moving The Melbourn Library Team is working hard to prepare for the move to the New Hub Building. We believe that the Library will make a major contribution to the facilities. We expect that choosing a new book will become part of an enjoyable visit. It should become far easier to visit the Library, as it will be in the middle of the village. We have had applications to join our Team from a considerable number of local people. We have been teaching them in the operation of our system so they will be ready when we move. This should make it possible to extend our hours. We would like to open mornings and afternoons during the week and on Saturday Mornings. This will be dependent on the overall opening times of the Hub. We will provide details of melbournmagazine

our opening time as soon as possible after the move. There will be some changes to our stock as the space available for it will be less than in our existing building. We intend to keep the majority of our current stock of Adult Fiction, Adult Large Print, Biographies, Young Adult, Junior Fiction and Picture Books. We will keep a few Local Studies books about Melbourn and the surrounding Villages. We will probably have to remove a few little used books from our shelves. We now have a very good service from the Cambridgeshire Library Service that means we can get books from other Libraries delivered to Melbourn usually within a week. The system automatically emails readers when their book arrives at Melbourn. Once we are established in our new home, we will be grateful for good quality donations. We request that such donations be limited to say 10 books at a time as there is work that has to be done before we can either add them to our stock or sell them. Good popular books are put on stock and older books are removed. Donations, usually doubles, over the last year, have also enabled us to maintain a Carousel at the train station, which has been a great success. We have received a number of new books from the Library Service that have been added to our large print and children’s collections. We no longer receive Adult Fiction books from the Library Service so we try to buy some of the latest best sellers to keep our stock on top line. Our Book Committee does their best to keep up with the latest issues. We welcome any recommendations from our readers to help us choose new books. We find that these new books usually fly off our shelves. We hope that our new Librarians will be the start of a new era at the Library. We expect to have a large increase in usage which depends on your support. We hope we will be able to restart Storytime. We have a potential organiser for Storytime but need a team to make it a practical proposition. We expect our new team will have other new ideas to make the Library more attractive. If you feel you have skills to offer the team

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

please make contact with any member of the Committee after we have made the move to the Hub. The move is going to keep us very busy for a time after Christmas. The actual date for the move has yet to be confirmed though it is likely to be around or just after Christmas. We think it will take a couple of weeks to move and re-organise the books and equipment. It is likely that we will have to close for a short period and will arrange with the Library Service to automatically extend all the loans during that period. We hope to make a huge contribution to the success of the Hub. We see it as a great point for social contact within our village. We see it brightening people’s lives. We are all looking forward to making our contribution. It has enabled the Library in Melbourn to survive. Library opening times for the time being are: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 2.30 to 4.30pm; Thursday 5.00 to 7.00pm; Saturday 10.00 to 12.00 noon. We will use these times as the initial basis for opening but will post notices after the move advertising new opening times. Mike Stapleton

CATalyst Luncheon club The Community Luncheon Club continues to thrive under the CATalyst umbrella although more volunteer helpers and drivers are urgently needed! We have six vacancies for anyone over 60 years of age and preferably able to come by themselves to Vicarage Close Community Lounge on a Thursday from 11.30AM. Please do contact CATalyst if you or someone you know is interested. Transport may be available but is not guaranteed.

Meet-in-Melbourn Meet–in-Melbourn has been increasing in popularity since being formed in December 2012. We have had several people come to our monthly gatherings to meet new people in the area and exchange ideas and interests for social events. This has encouraged a mixture of age groups to join together for quiz nights at the Dolphin pub on a Sunday evening, meals out at the Green Man and the King William IV at Heydon, walks around Wimpole and trips out to garden shows and the coast. You may have contacts for events or shows that others may be interested in but don’t have transport or are reluctant to go alone. Maybe you could attend with others and make new friends. If you think you would be interested, please come along to any of the monthly meets and bring along any suggestions or ideas or just come along to meet new people in the area. See the website for dates and venues or just come along to meet new people in the area! Meet others from the surrounding area and enjoy a Christmas lunch at the King William IV in Heydon. 12 spaces are reserved for the 7th December. Contact us for more information and confirm a place. Dolphin Pub December 14th 3–5PM (Sat) Further meeting venues for the New Year to be arranged – check the Melbourn website and magazine for updates. *New social group for Carers’-starting January 2014. For further information on any of the above please see the CATalyst webpage on the village website or phone CATalyst on: 0774 953 0112 Email: communityactiontogether@hotmail.co.uk

A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign First steps on A10 cycle path The recently formed A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign, well supported by Melbourn residents, is seeing tangible results.

Back in the spring County Council officers put together a bid for central government funding, including a slice of the pie for our area. They called it ‘Cycle links to Foxton Station’ because ticking certain boxes might help the chances of success. A grant of £300K came through in the summer. This will pay for one kilometre of high quality 2.5 metre wide path designed to accommodate pedestrians, cyclists and mobility scooters. The A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign was asked for its opinion and agreed unanimously that tackling the stretch of A10 between Frog End and Foxton Bottom as a first step would make most sense. Frog End connects up with Cambridge Road and the Melbourn Science Park turn-off, so it is hoped that this will benefit Melbourn commuters and residents. This path is to be constructed starting in November, so hopefully by the time you read this there will be something to see. The Cycling Campaign meets next on January 14, 7:30PM, at the Coombes Community Centre in Royston, where we hope to put Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire heads together on how to tackle the Melbourn-Royston cycle path and A505 roundabout crossing. Work is now underway to scope out various options and funding sources. All welcome and details will be posted at www.a10corridorcycle.com. Susan van de Ven, A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign

Dog fouling Failing to clear up dog fouling is a criminal offence. The maximum penalty on conviction is a fine not exceeding £1,000. This includes fouling on open land, roads, footpaths or grass verges. Bins have provided throughout the village specifically for the disposal of dog waste. It is no defence to say that you had nothing to clean up with: always carry a poop scoop and a bag. The main danger to human health in dog faeces is the presence of the eggs of Toxocara Canis. This is a roundworm which lives, harmlessly, in dogs but presents severe danger to humans. A dog can pass 15,000 eggs in just one gram of faeces. Toxacara can also spread through unwashed vegetables as they can live in the soil long after the faeces have disappeared, even up to three years. There are two ways that the ingestion of Toxocara eggs can harm humans. The first is when a large number of eggs hatch inside the body. The spread of the larvae often lead to extreme fever and illness. This happens because the human body rejects them and tries to pass them through the liver. The second way that these larvae can harm humans is much more dramatic. If a single larva invades one of the

body’s most delicate structures, such as the retina, severe damage can occur, leading to severe visual impairment or total blindness. Damage from faeces is more prevalent in young children, but this is often because they are less aware of correct hygiene procedure than older children or adults. However, their immune system is weaker than that of adults, which puts them at more risk of succumbing to illness. It is therefore essential to keep a close eye on them when visiting parks and gardens or the beach, even in the street. It is also essential that dog owners act as responsibly as they can to ensure that open spaces are as safe as possible for children. As well as cleaning up after their dogs, their pets should be wormed regularly to destroy the roundworms which are the cause of the problem. With an estimated 900 tonnes of dog faeces produced every day in the UK, it is vital for both owners and parents of small children to be as vigilant as possible. Small children are always putting their fingers in their mouths, and there is no point trying to teach them not to. On the other hand, it is not practical to keep them indoors and away from danger all day long. However, it is possible for children to play outside. Vigilant parents should carry a pack of disinfectant wipes with them when taking children to play, especially in grassy areas. Even when responsible owners do clear up after their pets, traces of faeces and Toxocara can remain, especially where the dog has been on grass. This is especially problematic as, although, there is no faeces to be seen, the danger is now an invisible one, and what looks like a safe place is actually infected and dangerous. Other bacteria are also present in dog faeces, although not as dangerous to health as Toxocara. But dogs are known to be carriers of campylobacter and other bacteria which can prove a health hazard for humans. These can cause unpleasant illness, again especially among young children, and are another important reason for parents and childminders to be vigilant and dog owners to clean up their act.

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This winter, unusually, the River Mel Restoration Group will not be holding any in-river working parties. This is due to the positive affect our restoration work has had on our chalk stream. Following a fish survey by the Environment Agency, combined with sightings of trout in the river, the Ecology Officer for South Cambridgeshire District Council believes that there is a good chance of trout spawning on the gravel riffles this season. This good news means that we have been advised to stay out of the river during the months November to March, due to the fact that any disturbance of silt on the riverbed will have a detrimental affect on trout eggs and subsequent hatchlings. Trout lay their eggs in the gravel beds of chalk streams like the Mel. The female builds her nest, known as a “redd”, from the middle of November onwards. The length of time it takes for the eggs to hatch depends upon the temperature of the river water, the cooler the water the longer the incubation period. After hatching, the young trout live in the gravel for a further 14-30 days, feeding off the remaining yolk sac that is still attached to their body. This time period is again temperature dependent. Once the yolk has been exhausted, the young trout, at this stage known as “fry”, emerge from the gravel to start feeding on tiny insects in the water. During the egg and newly hatched stage it is vitally important that that the gravel stays loose and clean. We are concerned the silt that is disturbed during our restoration work may smother the gravel and so deplete the oxygen that is so essential for the survival of the eggs and young trout at the beginning of their life cycle. In the past trout were often seen near the bridge in

Station Road and further downstream in Meldreth. It would be a wonderful testament to the quality of the water and the health of the river if we could encourage spawning and the regeneration of the local trout population, so increasing the numbers of fish in the Mel. However, the group will not be idle during the winter months. We will continue to meet regularly to undertake bank side work, including the regeneration of the areas of dead hedging. For further details about volunteering or the dates of future working parties, please telephone Maureen Brierley on 01763 262752.

The village Fox

A solitary fox was living on the waste ground next door to us in Station Road. When the building of the house next door started, the fox moved to the plot in Rose Lane where he quickly acquired a pretty little wife, though they still made forays back to the old haunts via our garden whilst the building work was going on. (Could be something to do with chickens kept in the garden behind?) I have never fed them, but during the very cold and snowy weather last winter they soon discovered food put out for the birds and I took this photograph through my kitchen window. They later had two dear little cubs who had a propensity for stealing gardening shoes left on back doorsteps, as several of us have learned to our cost. One of the delights of a summer evening was to see the cubs playing on our lawn with an old shoe – just like puppies. However, even though they look cute, they ARE vermin and potentially dangerous so enjoy them if they appear - but I do not think we should feed them and make them dependant on us! Mavis Howard. melbournmagazine

Your New Community Hub – Opening Soon! Everyone who travels the High Street in Melbourn can sense that the New Community Hub project is nearing completion! This article aims to provide a clear picture of where things stand and answer some of the questions. When will the Community Hub be completed? The builders are ahead of the original schedule with both the new affordable houses and the Community Hub building. At the beginning of the project it was expected that basic construction of the Community Hub would be complete some time in February 2014; it now looks likely to be before Christmas. This will be the date at which we will first have access to install fixtures and fittings. What key things still need to be done to complete the building? The building ‘shell’ is fully complete and the installation of internal services is now in progress. After the under-floor heating has been installed all electrical and plumbing works will commence, followed by painting and decoration. Why are we building the Community Hub and is it a good idea? The opportunity to create a Community Hub results from an initiative taken by the Parish Council, who negotiated the project with the site developers as an alternative to the originally planned high-density housing. The need for the facilities that will be provided by the Hub, and indeed the desire for a central community meeting point in the village at all, stemmed from the findings from the 2011 Village Plan research. Timing, particularly in economic terms due to the present availability of very low cost funding for the project, could not be better. As a result, there will be no need for any consequential increase in Council Tax for Melbourn residents. Can we be sure the new venture will be run for the benefit of the village? The new Community Hub will be operated by a group of Charity Trustees, incorporated as a company limited by guarantee and registered as a charity. The terms of the Lease and the charity make it incumbent upon the Charity Trustees to carry out their mission for the benefit of the village and its residents. Who will be the people to run it? Many will have been aware of the recent advertising campaign to recruit new part-time staff to help with the running of the new facilities. We are very happy to report that three of the four part time positions have been filled. These will all be flexible roles, carefully chosen to bring the professional qualities needed. We will fully involve the new recruits in the final preparations, as the opening date to the general public comes closer. The Charity Trustees, who are of course unpaid volunteers, will also continue to provide on-going professional support in the management of the facilities for the village. What will be the Opening Date? Although the project seems to be ahead of schedule, we cannot yet be quite sure when the finished building will be handed over, so that fixtures and fittings, all the necessary fire, safety and other crucial checks and training can get started. Based on the latest information we expect the doors to open

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to the public some time in the New Year. A separate formal opening event will also be announced for the spring of 2014 as an opportunity to which the press and others will be invited. Who will attend the Formal Opening? It is hoped to make this a truly inclusive occasion, with all quarters of village life represented. There are also obligations to invite some significant supporters of the project. Important amongst these is TTP, who have made a massive and very generous donation towards the costs. Generous grants have also been received from The Big Lottery Fund, South Cambridgeshire District Council and others, who should also be part of the official opening. These donations are supplemented by low cost financial support from the Public Works Loan Board. This body has chosen to support Melbourn based on their objective evaluation of the worth, benefit and financial competence of the project. Such measures mean the new Community Hub can look forward to being financially sound; a net benefit to the residents of Melbourn many years into the future. Just to recap, what will the new Community Hub have on offer to residents when it opens? The new building will provide the following services: A Community Café, open during the daytime on weekdays and Saturdays The Village Library, relocated from the condemned building at the College A Village Information Point Exhibition and Meeting Space for special interest groups Regular ‘surgeries’ available to residents from professionals such as CAB, Relate and officers representing groups such as Housing and Benefits from South Cambridgeshire District Council Free Wi-Fi and public Internet services Public access toilets, during opening hours A permanent administration centre for and access to the Parish Clerk

• • • • • • • •

Anything Else? Yes! The new building will have a number of modern meeting rooms, fully supervised and serviced through the facilities already present in the building. Firstly, local residents, groups and clubs will be most welcome to use the full range of options, receiving priority consideration. Secondly, this centre, with its secure modern communications and other support services, represents a major opportunity for local (and not so local) businesses. Research shows a strong demand for ‘neutral’ and high quality meeting space that can be used for business meetings, training and other purposes. Hirers can be provided with reception and catering facilities. One of the newly recruited part time staff will focus on maximising these features. This will benefit both local people and businesses, providing community services alongside commercial hire to support the costs of the new building. Finally, look out for more news and Special Introductory Offers, as we get closer to the opening date! Melbourn Parish Council and Melbourn Community Hub Management Group

MELBOURN PARISH COUNCIL MVC, The Moor, Melbourn, Cambs. SG8 6EF Telephone: 01763 262494 e-mail: parishclerk@melbournpc.co.uk The Parish Office is open Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm (the office is closed between 1p–2pm

Minutes of Parish Council Meetings and Planning Committee meetings are available on the village website

Council news www.melbournpc.co.uk

Chairman Bob Tulloch 25 Hale Close, SG8 6ET Telephone 221373

Vice-Chairman Maureen Townsend 32 New Road, SG8 6BY Telephone 260959

Chair-Conservation Rosemary Gatward 94 High Street, SG8 6AL Telephone 261225

Chair-Cemeteries Mike Sherwen 3 Hale Close, SG8 6ET Telephone 260070

Michael Linnette 11 Chapel Lane, SG8 6BN Telephone 262534

Irene Bloomfield 78 Russet Way, SG8 6HF Telephone 222558

Val Barrett 2 Station Road, SG8 6DX Telephone 261227

Christopher Stead 70 Russet Way Telephone 260743

Chair-Highways Jose Hales 23 Elm Way, SG8 6UH Telephone 221058

Chair-Play & Recreation Peter Simmonett 42 Greengage Rise, SG8 6DS Telephone 220363

Chair-Planning Kimmi Crosby 20 Norgett’s Lane, SG8 6HS Telephone 261283

John Regan 10, Little Lane, SG8 6BU Telephone 261283

Julie Norman 31 Station Road, SG8 6DX Telephone 263462

County Councillor Susan van de Ven 95 North End, Meldreth, 261833 susanvandeven@yahoo.co.uk.

From the Parish Clerk – Peter Horley I write at a time of considerable excitement as the building of the Community Hub comes to fruition and the Parish Council is about to take ownership. Of course, the Community Hub will not be run by the Parish Council but by the entirely independent Hub Management Company limited by guarantee which has charitable status and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Hub and turning it into a viable business. We know it will be a success because of all the hard work which has gone in to the procurement, business and recruitment processes which will lead to a viable future. The project has recruited good staff and a large number of volunteers. The handover date keeps being brought forward and, at the time of writing, is 13th December. The Hub will open its doors to the residents of Melbourn in the New Year. There are, as always, other exciting developments such as the refurbishment of the Pavilion on the New Recreation Ground and the completion of the Deeds of Dedication for the Open Spaces by the incorporation of the Open Space in Worcester Way. With the onset of winter comes the thorny question of the Grit Bins! Melbourn Parish Council wishes to state that the grit in the bins is for Highways Use only and not for private properties and is illegal to use for such purposes. Sometimes, I have to say some of these bins have been systematically emptied in the pursuit of private gain and, as such, is theft. If you see anyone perpetrating such a crime, you should report it to the police. Finally, can I say that there remains some confusion as to which tier of local authority is responsible for certain matters and residents quite often seek advice about this: potholes, lighting and highways in general are the responsibility of the County Council; Planning and Licensing is the responsibility of the District Council; recreation grounds, play areas, cemeteries and allotments are the responsibility of the Parish Council. However, do get in touch with councillors or myself on any matter and we will make sure you are informed as to whom to communicate with and we will also see that your concerns are passed on, usually with our support. I hope you have an enjoyable Christmas and a Happy New Year. Best wishes, Peter Horley

From the Chairman of the Parish Council This is my second article as Chairman of the Parish Council and I am delighted with the rapid development of events. We in Melbourn live in exciting times. Firstly, I would like to welcome a new member to the Parish Council. She is Dr Julie Norman and is also Chair of the Governors of Melbourn primary School. The refurbishment of the Sports Pavilion is now well underway. Half of this project is being funded under the Inspired Facilities scheme from Sports England via the National Lottery with the Parish Council providing match funding. The new windows and doors on the front of the building and the glass block wall at the rear have transformed the formerly dark and uninviting interior into a

District Councillors Val Barrett, 2 Station Road, 261227 Jose Hales, 23 Elm Way, SG8 6UH, 221058 cllr.hales@josehales.me.uk

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light and airy space. The inclusion of a new heating system supplied by Fosters will make the Pavilion exceptionally energy efficient and help keep the cost of heating and hot water down. A new kitchen will also be installed by Borras Construction. All these are being provided free by these generous companies as part of their commitment to community benefit. When the refurbished Sports Pavilion is opened in the New Year, we plan to make it the centre for a wide range of sporting and leisure activities for everybody in our community. Everybody will be aware of the new Melbourn Hub. Colin Limming, a former Parish Clerk and member of the History Group, pointed out that the concept of a village hall was first mooted in the Vestry Meeting (a predecessor of the Parish Council) in 1892 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s jubilee. Melbourn may have missed that milestone. It seems that only a few months have passed since the old police buildings were razed and the new construction began. The latest information is that the Hub will be handed over before Christmas! There is still a lot of work and organisation to be achieved before we can open but it is planned to have the Hub open for business by mid to late January 2014. The Hub belongs to the Melbourn community. It will provide everything our village needs, right in the heart of the village. A key aspect of the smooth running of the Hub will be the volunteers, people with the generosity to give a little of their time to help their community. There was a well attended volunteers meeting in the All Saints’ Church Hall on Saturday 26 October. Over 40 people pledged their services and I was amazed at the wealth of talent on offer. If you feel you can offer a little of your time and talents, Yasmin Croxford (Malcolm.Croxford@ntlworld.com) would be really glad to hear from you. The Hub and Pavilion will make a tremendous difference to this village. They will have as much impact on village life as did the by-pass. Next year the Parish Council will continue to develop our community. The car park will be refurbished and a pedestrian crossing will be created between the car park and the Hub. The planting of mature trees and extra features such as a memorial wall are also planned for New Road Cemetery. All these projects would not happen if they were not driven forward by the Parish council. My fellow councillors give time and energy to make Melbourn an even better place to live. There are still one or two vacancies. The formal necessary qualifications are slight. You must be over 18, not bankrupt nor with a criminal conviction and work or live in Melbourn. If you would like to make a contribution to enhancing Melbourn further, please apply to the Parish Clerk, Mr Peter Horley (parishclerk@melbournpc.co.uk or 01763 262494).

Pavilion update Those who take a stroll around the New Recreation ground will have inevitably noticed the changes to the Pavilion since the last issue of the magazine. The most apparent is to the front of the building. Gone are the large shutters and drab windows and in their place are two large white glass French doors with wide sidelights. To either side of the French doors, both entrance doors have been replaced with glass doors. At the rear of the building the exit door has been replaced with a disabled access door and the small window to the left has been removed and the area filled with a glass wall, now allowing a lot more light into the building, this has given the Pavilion a bright and airy feel inside. The ground at the rear of the building has been completely paved, and together with a new fence and lockable gate will provide a safe space for young children to play. Inside the building the new disabled facilities and baby-changing area have been installed. Both the gents’ and ladies’ toilets have also been improved. Over the coming weeks the Pavilion security measures will be installed and will no doubt further enhance the front of the building. Internally, the building will

be redecorated and new flooring will replace the old carpet. All the internal doors will be replaced. Readers may recall from the last issue of the magazine that a number of companies had offered to install systems in order to improve and economise the running costs of the Pavilion. Amongst them, Fosters Renewable Energies. FRE provide renewable energy system design and installation for the affordable housing, private, commercial and public sectors. At the beginning of December, Fosters will be installing an *Air-Source heating system in the Pavilion – a cost effective method of heating the building throughout the colder months. It will also be used to heat the hot water system used for the showers, resulting in considerably reduced energy costs. Fosters will be supplying and installing the Air-Source heating system free of charge, they will also maintain it. There will be no cost to the Parish for this system. *The air source heat pump extracts heat from the outside air in the same way that a fridge extracts heat from its inside. It can obtain heat from the air even when the temperature is as low as -15°C. Also in December, the kitchen will be given a much-needed makeover by Borras Construction. Borras undertake refurbishment and new build projects, social Housing repairs and maintenance working in partnership with local authorities and housing associations, such as South Cambridgeshire District Council. Borras will replace the existing kitchen with a modern set-up by installing new units, an extractor-fan and new flooring. They will also redecorate the kitchen area. We are currently in discussion with one other company who have offered their help to improve the building. Their contribution could include upgrading the path from the car park to the Pavilion to disabled standards and improving the changing rooms, which would include a disabled shower cubicle. With the changes in place this community pavilion will offer a ‘safespace’ for young children in the front and rear of the building and will be melbournmagazine

an ideal summer venue for children’s parties, clubs, family groups/reunions and businesses functions for employees. It will also become a summer Youth Club which will giving the younger members of the village a great place to enjoy themselves.

Recreation Shelter The inside of the shelter situated in the New Recreation ground has now been painted, using ideas from students at MVC, with positive feedback from members of the community. The rear will be completed in the near future, depending largely on the weather. At the time of going to press the long awaited Bluetooth speaker was due to be fitted late November. Peter Simmonett, Play & Recreation committee

Reflecting on 2013 The New Year is often a time for reflection and 2013 has certainly been a year of note and excitement to look back on. Melbourn is a really interesting and vibrant village right now and there has been so much activity during 2013, resulting in some really positive assets for the village and great community spirit. Here are a few of the highlights and major events of 2013: Building began at the old police site in the High Street, of our Community Hub which will offer a café, library, various advice and support services etc. On the same site, construction also began of 13 new affordable houses which we negotiated with the housing association to be offered first to Melbourn people who are in need of a home. Melbourn residents were able to voice their opinions in force, via a locally implemented and managed consultation process in response to a proposal for a large housing development in the village as part of South Cambs Local Development Plan (LDF). The outcome of the public consultation was that the community considered this to be over development and were against it. We worked very closely with the residents group to ensure that the opinions of our village were heard and the outcome is that the original proposal has now been removed from the LDF.

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The surface water relief drain in the High Street was completed - and some of the flooding issues that residents of the High Street had suffered for so long have hopefully been addressed. This was possible only because of the strong working relationship established with the housing association and the village college, which enabled the drainage to be tackled as part of the development work at the old police site. The incredibly successful Celebrating Ages event was launched (and repeated) during 2013, with fantastic attendance, showing the strength of our Melbourn community. Both our village college students and older villagers have benefited in so many ways from being brought together at this event which is sponsored by the Parish Council and hosted by MVC. Local businesses such as the Co-op, Leech’s and Fieldgate Nurseries have also contributed to the event, adding to the community flavour and more events are planned into 2014 and beyond. I felt very privileged to have been involved with such an enthusiastic team of volunteers from our community and most of all take pride in the fantastic work that was done by the staff and young people of our village college to make this event possible. As chairman of Melbourn Area Youth Development (MAYD), it has been a wonderful year in that we have successfully gained lottery grant money to introduce a course called ‘bike bank’ which gives our young people cycle maintenance training. We also won funding to continue to employ a youth services provider, a role which has greatly enhanced the activities available to our young people. This successful programme has now more than doubled the attendance at the youth club. Melbourn is a great place to live and the coming year is promising, with yet more to look forward to. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy New Year Jose Hales District Councillor for Melbourn 01763 221058 / 07703 262649 jose@josehales.me.uk

County Council Highways questions If £300K has been found for a stretch of cycle path one might well ask: ‘Why can’t we have that money to fill pot holes and repair pavements, and why does a cycle path cost so much?’ The first answer is that funding sits in different pots. Everyday maintenance work on roads, pavements and drainage comes from the County Council budget, while the cycle path funding comes from a central government initiative. Yes it can all seem incredibly disjointed and sometimes even contradictory, and it is always a matter of finding out how the system works and gaining what we can from wherever we can find it! Anything to do with roads and pavements is inordinately expensive. To put the new cycle path into context, one kilometer of new single carriageway road would cost somewhere in the region of £4 million – 12 times the cost of the same length of cycle path. The long-term thinking around the benefits of cycling is that it is much less costly than driving, both for the individual in running a bicycle versus a car, and in terms of highways maintenance. Health benefits including exercise and air quality weigh in too, as does the economic cost of reducing vehicle traffic congestion – so the more people persuaded to get around by cycling the better. Nevertheless, as is plainly evident, the County Council is facing a massive crisis on pothole and pavement repair and it is reckoned that about £300 million is needed to get on top of things – that is equivalent to about three-quarters of the council’s entire budget. This crisis is the result of years of under-budgeting and a runaway rate of deterioration. Together with other councillors I’ve asked for a strategy for prioritizing works in a sensible manner, and for guidance on how to deal with the problem in the longer term… though I don’t think anyone really has the answers at this point.

Reporting faults If anyone has had a trip or fall due to uneven pavement surfaces, please report this

as we can require direct action from Highways. The council contact details for any highways faults: Tel 0345 045 5212 or www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/transport/roads/ reportingafault.htm. Please also feel free to contact me directly. General gripes You can post any gripes – including via video – to a new community-oriented website run by the council: http://southcambridgeshire.shapeyourplace.org/. Drainage work in Melbourn Melbourn has benefited from remedial drainage work by the County Council in cooperation with Melbourn Parish Council. This coincides with the new housing and Hub development as that site is key to the relevant drainage network and needed to be dug up in any case. Further remedial drainage work in the village will be taking place, and at the time of writing this article discussions are ongoing with Highways officers to ensure that this benefits as many people as possible. Getting around for the elderly and less mobile The 128 bus, which is supported by County Council subsidy, will be reviewed sometime in the coming year to see whether the transport needs of people who use it can be met in a different and less costly way. This is due to a decision the council’s cabinet took nearly three years ago to gradually remove bus subsidies – a decision which was challenged, and then reconsidered with the result that a good chunk of public transport funding went back into the pot. Nevertheless, all subsidized buses are being reviewed. The council has promised first to talk with people to understand their circumstances and needs. So the first step is for the council to come and talk to us. Meanwhile, the 26 bus is run by Stagecoach and receives no council support, being entirely commercially run – but to remain healthy it depends on people riding it. Questions for your County and District Councillors? A drop-in advice surgery is held at Melbourn Library Access Point (in the green portable cabin adjacent to the entrance to Melbourn Village College) on the first Monday of the month, 2:30-3:30. If this is not convenient for you and you’d like to make an appointment to meet at another time or closer to home, please let us know. When the Hub opens, we’ll be moving our surgery there. Susan van de Ven, County Councillor, 01763- 261833 www.susanvandeven.com Jose Hales, District Councillor, 01763 221058, jose@josehales.me.uk Susan van de Ven, County Councillor, susanvandeven@yahoo.co.uk.

Watch your waste, not your waist this Christmas Christmas is traditionally a time for generosity, indulgence and feasting. We love to give beautifully wrapped gifts, feed family and friends and eat our own bodyweight in festive fodder. It’s not only our waistlines that gain weight at Christmas. Festive bins are the heaviest and fattest of the year, with an extra 750,000 tonnes of waste in England alone compared to the rest of the year. That’s an increase of around 30 per cent and is generally made up of food waste, glass bottles, packaging and gift wrap. To make it as easy and convenient as possible for you to recycle and compost your festive waste, here are a few tips: Blue Bin – Most packaging can be placed in the blue bin, including: Glass bottles and jars; Tins and cans; Cardboard (large pieces can be flattened and placed next to your blue bin for collection); Greeting cards ; Gift wrap (all types); Plastic pots, tubs, trays ; Plastic packaging ; Plastic film (all types as long as clean). If your blue bin is full, extra recycling can be placed out for collection in a cardboard box or returnable container. Paper Caddy – Newspapers; Magazines; Leaflets ; Greeting card envelopes. Green Bin – All food waste (cooked or raw); Real Christmas trees (only when cut up and placed inside the bin).

Thank you! Melbourn Parish Council would like to thank James and his team from

Shire Tree Surgery for their help and support in carrying out voluntary work in the New Recreation Field For more information contact Shire Tree Surgery on 01763 220880 www.shiretreesurgery.co.uk If you follow these simple steps, your black bin should remain practically empty with only non-recyclable and noncompostable items, such as polystyrene and nappies. Remember, collection days change over the festive period due to the bank holidays. Look out for your collection calendar in the winter edition of the South Cambs Magazine. You can also find it online at www.scambs.gov.uk/ bins-by-parish A very merry and very green Christmas and New Year to all residents!

Action on Energy Winter coming … Many will have seen lots of information in the press and elsewhere and will have been giving thought to the steps they can take to stay warm whilst keeping the bills down. The Cambridgeshire local authorities have formed a partnership called Action on Energy to provide a trustworthy route through which house improvements to save energy can be made. Actions we can take include insulation of walls, floor and lofts, also double glazing, new boilers as well as renewable energy systems such as solar power. The local authorities have teamed up with a company called Climate Energy to deliver the scheme. Action on Energy offers no obligation advice on which improvements will suit and advice on funding.

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Cost is always a factor and has sometimes delayed action but funding is available for certain groups. This includes anyone on state pension credit and other low income benefits. It also includes those in older homes with solid walls regardless of income. If that’s you, then don’t miss this opportunity! As well as the funding you can also claim up to around £1000 per household under the Green Deal Cashback scheme when you install measures with Action on Energy. How much you get depends on which measures you have installed. For further information see www.actiononenergy.net or call 0800 0933303.

Thermal images of houses in Melbourn. These images show the hot and cold spots in the exterior brickwork, doors and windows of the properties.

Ray Pritchard Melbourn Sustainable Parish Energy Partnership

Nature Snap, crackle and pop. It’s time to sow what you reap!

Even late in the year, a little sunny warmth on a late autumn day can induce a syncopated rhythm to the garden as the last of the year’s seedcases crack, split, shake and explode to release their last seeds into the soil. Take advantage of this and gather up this mostly annual bounty and scatter so as to introduce an element of surprise to the garden next spring. Good candidates for overwintering are the curved, caterpillar-like seeds of calendula; the oval, mid brown seeds dangling at the end of each frond on the quill-like purple tansy flower heads, the shuttle-shaped seeds of cosmos and the matt black seeds of love-in-the-mist held in seamed and horned pepperpots. There are the flattened seeds of members of the mallow family, which include the hollyhocks, tightly packed into carousels, like Bendicks mints, the shiny black nutlets held in packs of four which need prising out of the papery hoods of borage, or the tiny round seeds filling the lipped goblets of white and red Campion to the brim. Collect up a mixed handful and perhaps combine with a bit of sharp sand to aid an even distribution. The story goes that the great Edwardian plantswoman, Miss Ellen Willmott of Warley Place, made this approach into a whole PR campaign for her beloved giant eryngo, and would keep pinches of the seed in her pocket for broadcasting in gardens she deemed lacking in the silver structure and bristly blue flowers that this statuesque plant provides. She was so prolific with the seed that the plant is commonly known

as Miss Willmott’s Ghost, and it indeed must still haunt gardens where she walked. All these seeds will happily sit in the soil through the winter, ready to make early growth and flower next year. Some perennial species actually need to be exposed to a period of intense cold in order to break dormancy and improve germination, a phenomenon known as stratification. This was why we could be seen sowing seed into January snow at the beginning of the year for our new perennial, drought-tolerant meadow – the resulting magical mayhem is still looking fabulous, with spectacular first year flowering on the big-fruit evening primrose, Berkheya and Indian paintbrush. The Botanic Garden is open in November and December 10am-4pm. Admission is £4.50, Giftaid admission £4.95, or join the Friends, get free admission and help the Garden grow! For news and events, detailed information about the Garden or to discover this week’s Plant Picks from the Head of Horticulture, please visit the website at: www.botanic.cam.ac.uk melbournmagazine

Profile Rosemary & Douglas Gatward Little Hands is a Private Nursery School specialising in quality education for the under fives and offers Flexible hourly booking - open 08.30 to 16.30 Term time bookings with optional holiday club Bumble Bee room for children 12 – 24 months Ladybird room for 2 year olds Butterfly room for children 3-5 years With optional “ready for school sessions” Holiday club for children aged 12 months to 8 years All sessions have a high staff to child ratio and are available for funded 2 year olds and funded 3/4 year olds with no extra charges Categorised as “Outstanding” by Ofsted For further information please contact Anne McCrossen - Nursery Manager : 01763 260964 e-mail lh-melbourn@btconnect.com Little Hands is also at Bourn, Linton and Newton visit the website at www.littlehands.co.uk

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Rosemary Fuller was born at her grandparents house in Victoria Road, Cambridge just before the second World War. Her father worked in one of the college kitchens and her mother was in service in Newnham Terrace. Rosemary takes quiet pleasure in the fact that one of her granddaughters is now studying at Queens’ College almost opposite the place where her great grandmother was a maidservant. Four years after Rosemary was born sister Helena came along. Their father was by this time working at the Atlas, they were living in a little cottage on the corner of Chiswick End, Meldreth and with Rosemary’s maternal grandparents running The Dumb Flea at Chiswick End there was plenty of family support. This was just as well, because at the outbreak of war father went into the army as a chef and never really came back home again, Mrs. Fuller having to take numerous jobs to keep herself and the girls. Despite this, Rosemary has the happiest memories of her childhood where they all ran wild in the meadows and there were lots of aunts and cousins with whom to spend time. Both girls initially went to school in Meldreth but when she was 5 Helena was diagnosed with a tubercular knee joint and spent the next six years mainly in hospital, frequently being strapped to the bed to prevent her from moving. Later on it was realised that this illness was in fact rheumatoid arthritis! Rosemary moved from Meldreth school to St. Mary’s Convent in Royston and later on when Mrs. Fuller got a job in Baldock she attended Baldock Secondary Modern. During this time Mrs. Fuller contracted TB and was hospitalised so the young Rosemary was looked after by an aunt in Letchworth and other members of the family.

Rosemary’s ambition was to become a telephonist but she took a job in the accounts department at Kayser Bondor in Baldock (this iconic listed building is now a Tesco store). She did a day release course at Letchworth Technical College where she learned shorthand and typing eventually getting a job at Bennett’s Motor Works in Baldock where she met a young trainee agricultural engineer called Douglas Gatward. Douglas was born in Therfield – a farmworker’s son. When he was a young lad his father became stockman at Standalone Farm – now famous as an ‘open farm’. Douglas did not want to leave Therfield and on moving day he ran away and hid, causing quite a stir. So the couple knew each other at Bennett’s and when Douglas went to do his National Service Rosemary carried on working there, although she had moved back to Meldreth to keep an eye on her sick grandmother, travelling to and from Baldock on a steam train. Douglas served in the Northamptonshire Regiment in Hong Kong – it took six weeks to sail there and it was certainly a great experience. On his return to civvy street he and Rosemary resumed their friendship and became engaged on her 21st birthday in June 1958. Rosemary changed jobs and worked for Letchworth Printers as secretary to the editor of Essex Countryside and Thames Valley Countryside. They were married a year later at All Saints’ in Melbourn, where she had attended Sunday School. They pointed out to me that 1959 also marked the opening of Melbourn Village College, the Birmingham to London M1 and the birth of the Mini. Rosemary has always run a Mini! For nearly a year they lived with Douglas’s parents in Letchworth and then moved to The Close in Royston. Jane was born in 1962 and Richard in 1964 (Rebecca came along six years later) and pushing a pram up Royston High Street with lorries thundering past soon prompted Rosemary to join the campaign for the A10 to be diverted. This was to be the start of a long involvement in local affairs. When Sylvia Beamon started the Retreat Group in Royston she also instigated a series of small playgroups meeting informally in different houses and Rosemary was part of this new venture. It was therefore a natural progression that when the family moved to Chapmans Close in 1966 Rosemary, on finding that the URC playgroup was bursting at the seams, got some of the members of the Young Wives and started the All Saints’ Playgroup, meeting in the newly built Church Hall. There was quite a lot of red tape to go through and Health and Safety issues such as the necessity for a large asbestos mat for the kettle! Rosemary’s committee ran the playgroup for over 30 years and during that time got to know many young families. She joined the Parish Council in 1979 and has served under ten Chairmen and has been Chairman herself. With her knowledge of youngsters she was appointed a Governor of the Primary School and did a 30 year stint. Church warden for 20 years – you can see that she is a stayer – Rosemary has dedicated much of her life to this village. As the longest serving Parish Councillor she has a particular interest in Conservation and Planning and is passionate about preserving the character of Melbourn. I remember from my years on the council that

Rosemary was always keen to know what building materials were being used, what the colour of the roof would be and what would be the impact on the overall street scene. The children grew up in Melbourn Schools, Jane becoming Head Girl at Melbourn Village College, and all went on to Long Road Sixth Form College. Jane is a mental health nurse, married with one son and Richard married with four daughters. Richard always shone at maths and worked in Saxon Way and when the company was sold and relocated to Sussex he moved with them, becoming Financial Director. The youngest, Rebecca, is a Survey Director at the Institute for Social Research at Michigan University – from whence she continues to run the All Saints Flower Rota! She went to Loughborough University doing her Masters in London and became a Civil Servant at the Office of National Statistics – her last posting there was very hush hush – dealing with the M.P.’s expenses scandal. Both Rosemary and Douglas enjoy gardening and Rosemary is particularly interested in flower arranging and craftwork, and her sister Helena always helps out at the bi-annual Flower Festival. Douglas loves DIY and had his hands full when the family moved to The Red House in 1971 as there was a great deal of work to do. He continues to tinker with cars and has an old Mini and a Fordson Dexter tractor at the end of the garden ‘waiting to be restored’. He enjoys pigeon shooting and is also a volunteer driver for the Community Transport Scheme. They are very fond of France spending many holidays there and have also hosted French families they met through exchange schemes with the girls. They have been to the USA four times, visiting Rebecca in Michigan and taking the opportunity of travelling around. They are a real ‘Melbourn Couple’ and there is not much that Rosemary does not know about the village. She has had two generations of children through her hands at Playgroup so it is not surprising that she is so well known. Despite a fragmented childhood she has become the epitome of the earth mother, the family matriarch with Douglas quietly supportive in the background. Mavis Howard.

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Community matters

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Practical Solutions Group Melbourn Practical Solutions Group is a group of representatives dedicated to improving life in Melbourn with a special focus on support for young people. We are comprised of Parish, District and County Council officers and councillors, Melbourn Village College staff and students, Police Community Support Officers, and representatives of Melbourn Magazine and Website, Melbourn Area Youth Development (MAYD) and the Melbourn Village Plan steering group. The group meets several times a year and regularly invites along people who have something different to offer to the community. If we are approached about a problem then we try and help by bringing people together, which in itself is often the first step toward finding solutions. At our October meeting the PSG heard from Claire Nunes, CEO of Relate Cambridge, a counselling service offering family support; and also Bryony Graham, Arts Development Manager at Melbourn Village College who coordinates the European Union funding grant for the college, ‘A Common Territory,’ which involves themes of citizenship and community. At every meeting we receive a police report. This gives us a picture of problems and concerns. In October, problems related mainly to minor incidents, apart from burglaries at the post office and golf club. The PSG was concerned that some of the minor reports specify when an incident has involved young people, but doesn’t do the same when adults are involved – creating perhaps a misleading impression of young people causing a greater share of the problems than is actually the case. No other demographic profile is singled out. Also at every meeting we have the chance to hear from Melbourn Village College students about recent college activities. In October we heard from the Head Girl and Head Boy on the recent college Open Day and the confidence required to speak to a large audience, and also how the college promotes older students mentoring younger ones. If you have any issues which you think the PSG should give attention to, please let us know.

Answering your questions about www.shapeyourplace.org Our team has been very busy this autumn meeting with local groups, responding to issues, helping to report on local community events and making your ShapeYourPlace website

even more interesting and easy to use. I would like to thank everyone who got in touch with us this autumn to raise issues, ask questions and tell us about all the great activities and events going on in your community I would also like to use this opportunity to share our answers to some of the frequently asked questions about ShapeYourPlace.

How do I report an issue? It is easy to report an issue online – all you need to do is to fill in our simple online form in the ‘Have Your Say’ section. Are there any examples of how ShapeYourPlace helped local communities in other districts? ShapeYourPlace has some real success stories to tell. Some of the successes are where local people have alerted local services to some of the issues they face. For example, the site has helped with getting pot holes filled, clearing up fly tipping, alerting police to dangerous driving on the A141 and helping local people in Chatteris to work with local councillors to improve public transport. Following a recent online discussion between some local residents and a GP surgery in Chatteris, a better appointment system is now in place at the surgery. In Whittlesey there have been some lively online discussions concerning a proposed housing development at Showfield Site. These debates have helped to inform the decision-making process and have resulted in the planning application being refused.

What happens to issues and ideas after they are submitted? Issues and ideas posted on the website are passed to the local agency who is best placed to respond. Within 10 working days a response will be posted by Cambridgeshire County Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council, Cambridgeshire Constabulary or Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service. If an issue or idea can be dealt with, it will be tackled as quickly as possible. All issues and ideas are also forwarded to the local County Councillor, District Councillor and Town / Parish Clerk inviting them to join in the conversation. ShapeYourPlace is a website designed to help you improve your neighbourhood. Join South Cambridgeshire’s conversations on: http://southcambridgeshire.shapeyourplace.org/ Please get in touch with me if you have other questions about ShapeYourPlace. Anna@ShapeYourPlace, 07769304132 Anna.allen@cambridgeshire.gov.uk melbournmagazine

Adult social care needs YOU! Homecare workers required Many people require homecare to enable them to feel safe, happy and independent. To achieve this we are recruiting compassionate and caring people to start their career in care through our unique apprenticeship programme. Our apprenticeship programme will enable you to “earn while you learn” by supporting you to get a job with a local homecare provider whilst being paid the standard rate of a carer worker. You will be guaranteed: Minimum 30 hours work per week Pay at the same level as any other care worker Nationally recognised qualifications in adult social care Paid study time every week The chance to apply for a permanent position. Your age and background doesn’t matter. Somewhere in your community there’s a job that you can do to help others. If you are looking for a career in care and want to make a positive difference to people’s lives then our apprenticeship offers a worthwhile job that can turn into a rewarding, long term career.

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Sounds great – What next? To register your interest please contact Emma Laskey-MacRae our Apprenticeship Project Coordinator at Emma.Laskey@ cambridgeshire.gov.uk or on 07917 615360 for an initial commitment free chat. www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Help to change the lives of local children and young people Cambridgeshire County Council needs you to help change the lives of local children and young people. Foster Carers provide a stable family support network for local children and young people when they are unable to live with their own family. Every year we have over 425 children and young people looked after by Cambridgeshire County Council. The shortage of Foster Carers means that children and young people are placed with independent foster carers or residential units (some outside of Cambridgeshire) they may also be looked after within the county children’s homes. We need to recruit more Foster Carers in order to give them the best possible future. Foster Carer’s come from all different kinds of backgrounds. It may be that you have your own children or you may have worked with children before. You may have no experience of children or possibly considering a career change? Every child is different so we need different Foster Carers, if you can offer stability, security and the positive experience of a loving family then we want to hear from you. You might be: Married, in a civil partnership, single or living with a partner From an ethnic background In a same sex relationship In work, unemployed or retired

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www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

Recruiting local people will mean that children and young people can live in their own community, continue to attend the same school and maintain contact with their family and friends. We offer generous allowances including a start up package, 24 hr support and full training. Call our freephone number on 0800 052 0078 or email fanda@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Local residents reminded to Choose Well this winter Residents in Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire are being reminded to find the right health service for their illness or injury this winter. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) who commission health services in the area are asking local residents to familiarise themselves with the range of local health services and which illnesses and injuries they can treat. Last year local people using A&E when they didn’t need to cost the local NHS £2million, this could have treated 500 heart attack patients or bought 250 hip replacements. Here’s a reminder of what local NHS services can treat

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Pharmacies can help with bugs and viruses, skin conditions, allergies, pregnancy testing and help with stopping smoking. GPs can help with back ache, ear aches, painful coughs, mental health conditions and any illness or injury that won’t go away. Make sure that you have your doctor’s number to hand. There’s also an out of hours GP service which can be accessed by calling your normal doctor’s number - you will be put straight through or hear a message with the out of hours service number. Walk-in centre or minor illness or injury unit – these can help with minor burns and scalds, bites and stings, strains and sprains and minor eye or ear problems. Or you can look after colds, coughs, sore throats, hangovers, tummy upsets, grazes can all be treated at home with a wellstocked medicine cabinet.

Dr Arnold Fertig GP in Cambridge and from CamHealth Local Commissioning Group said, “Winter brings more coughs, colds and flu so it is a good idea to be prepared and to make sure you have a supply of remedies at home to help care for you and your family over the holiday period. If you need a regular prescription for a long term condition, please check now to make sure that you have enough to last you over the holiday season, and go to your GP or pharmacist to collect any prescriptions in good time before Christmas and New Year holidays.” Remember if somebody is unwell and you are not sure as to the best course of action, it is often best to call first for advice. For more information please visit www.cambridgeshireandpeterboroughccg.nhs.uk/choose-well

Plagued by nuisance calls? Recent figures released by the Communications Regulator, OFCOM, show that around 10,000 unsolicited marketing calls and 3,000 silent calls are received by UK consumers every

month. The majority of these calls are made between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday. As well as interrupting whatever you are doing at the time, many such callers use pressure selling to persuade you to agree to something without giving you the chance to consider it properly.

What can you do to reduce the number of nuisance calls you receive? Firstly, register with the Telephone Preference Service. The service is free and can reduce the number of unsolicited marketing calls you receive from UK companies. You can register by calling 08450 700707 or by visiting www.tpsonline.org.uk. Secondly, speak to your telephone service provider to ask what call blocking technology they would recommend. Three Scottish Trading Standards authorities have recently tested some of the latest call blocking devices and found them to be very effective in reducing such nuisance calls. Some telephone providers also offer their own call blocking facilities. There may be a charge involved for such a device. Thirdly, if you need to give your phone number to a business, make sure you opt out of receiving promotional information from them and third parties by ticking the relevant box on their website or clearly stating this if you are dealing with them on the telephone. Fourthly, become ex-directory as some businesses use phone directories to compile marketing call lists. Finally, many nuisance calls originate from overseas so ask your telephone provider to block international calls to your number (although be aware there may be a charge for this service). Never divulge personal details such as your bank details to a cold caller, regardless of who they claim to be (Police, your bank etc) and never agree to any loans or credit over the phone.

Dealing with cold callers When it comes to dealing with pressure selling on the telephone, remember that it is likely they are using this technique because their prices are uncompetitive – they don’t want you to have time to compare their prices with other companies. False claims that this is a ‘one day only’ offer or that the price is hugely discounted are common tactics. Tell the caller you are not interested and ask them not to contact you again. If they ignore your request, report them to the Information Commissioner (ICO) online at www.ico.org.uk or by phone 0303 1231113. You can also report automated pre-recorded calls to ICO. If possible make a note of the business name, the number they called from, the date and time they called and what they were trying to ‘sell’ eg. PPI, accident claim, credit. You should also make the ICO aware of any distress, damage or loss you suffered as a result of these calls. If you need advice on anything you have bought or agreed to as a result of such a cold call, contact our advice partner, the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline, on 0845 4040506.

Pharmaceutical Assessment Did we get it right? The Cambridgeshire Health and wellbeing board has been reviewing local pharmaceutical services – services that help you get and use medicines or medical equipment safely. Our views about these services are written up in the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment.

We want to know if you agree with what we have written. We are asking for your feedback during 4th December 2013 – 14th February 2014. You can give us your thoughts by completing a questionnaire, either at your local pharmacy, dispensing doctor surgery, or online at www.cambridgeshireinsight.org.uk/JSNA/PNA

Stay independent, safe and well this winter If you or someone you care for needs advice about keeping independent, safe and well this winter, the County Council’s adult social care websites Your Life, Your Choice www. yourlifeyourchoice.org.uk and AskSARA online advice and equipment guide www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/asksara provide information about keeping warm, preventing falls and the help that may be available to older and vulnerable people if they are unable to get out and about. If you are unable to access the Internet staff and volunteers in the library can help you to find the information you need or you can contact adult social care customer services on 0345 045 5202.

You can now ‘AskSARA’ about daily living advice for disabled children too! Since it launched in February last year, AskSARA Cambridgeshire’s online guide to advice and equipment has been visited by nearly 4,500 people looking for information and advice to enable them, or someone they care for, to remain independent in their own homes for as long as possible. After the success of AskSARA for adults, a children’s version has recently been launched. AskSARA for children is a quick online guide for finding information about products and services to help children with daily activities in the home and when they are out and about. Information and advice about funding, equipment and carer support is also provided. To visit the children’s site, use the link at the top of the web page at www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/asksara

Mencap Would you like to make a difference to the life of a child or young person with learning disabilities in your area? Cambridgeshire Mencap is looking for volunteers for its Befriending & Family Support Schemes. Our Befriending scheme matches volunteers young people with learning disabilities, to enable them to socialise, doing fun things like bowling or going to the cinema. It only takes a few hours of your time and it really does change lives. Our Family Support scheme provides extra help for parents and carers when and where they need it most by providing a melbournmagazine

trained volunteer to regularly visit the child or young person and provide practical help to the family. We think our volunteers are exceptional and you could be too! We give training and support, but it’s the young people who make it all worthwhile. Rob said “I’m so glad I got in touch about volunteering. If you’re thinking about volunteering; just do it, you’ll never regret it.” Like to know more? Contact Marika Newman on 01223 883 141 or email volunteer@cambridgeshiremencap.co.uk

A Five Star Approach To Volunteering Royston & District Volunteer Centre covers the SG8 postcode area and is working for your community by providing advice, support and guidance to individuals wanting to volunteer

New Social and Business Hub created by Melbourn Cambridgeshire based Mark Graddage of Beacon Wealth Management Ltd, Independent Financial Advisers would like to say a huge congratulations to Melbourn in creating a social and business Hub at 30 High Street for a scheduled opening on 25th January 2014. This has opened up a new opportunity for professionals to give advice to the community on a free and weekly basis. Mark Graddage of Beacon Wealth Management Ltd and John Gibson of Giddings Lane Will Consultancy, members of the Society of Will Writers have taken this opportunity to hold a joint Financial Services clinic every Tuesday between 10am and 2pm. During these sessions anybody can drop in and ask them about any financial issues, there are separate meeting rooms if the matter is particularly personal and they can also make arrangements to visit you in the comfort of your own home for a complementary initial meeting. For example, popular issues such as Inheritance Tax can be discussed as there is much confusion about what can be done to avoid losing 40% of your estate in tax to the Government. Mark Graddage explains that the personal Inheritance Tax Allowance is currently £325,000, which sounds like a rather a lot of money but in fact in this region alone many people’s homes are worth this much on their own, not including other parts of your estate such as cars, investments and personal belongings. If you feel the matter is urgent and would like to arrange a complementary meeting before the opening contact Mark tel: 07752 887332 or email: mgraddage@ beaconwealth.co.uk or John tel: 07775 594861 or email: john@giddingslane.co.uk with the details.

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and our local voluntary organisations, community groups and sports clubs, so that they can successfully involve and support volunteers. Volunteering not only enables the delivery of vital local services, it can also change the lives of individuals who find themselves unemployed, recovering from illness, in need of confidence building, or looking to meet new people. Volunteering is a great way to get involved in your local community, have fun, learn new skills and make friends, so if you’re not doing it – why not? Volunteering is open to all members of the community and whatever your skills, interests or availability, we can help you find something suitable. We are proud to announce the launch of a new initiative which benefits both volunteers and those who involve them. The Five Star Focus is a sign-up scheme for all volunteer involving organisations, community groups and sport clubs, that endorses excellence in Volunteer Management to help successfully recruit, retain and value volunteers and is a Cambridgeshire wide initiative. There are five sections: Planning for volunteer involvement; Recruitment and Induction; Support and safety; Training and Personal Development Involving, Rewarding and Recognising Volunteers. Want to get involved? Then just call the Volunteer Centre on 01763 243020 or email us at info@roystonvolunteer.org.uk for advice. Or you can browse our local volunteering opportunities at www.do-it.org.uk.

Poetry I wanna be your… I wanna be your hair comb Untangling all your knots I wanna be your fluffy socks Keeping you snug and warm I wanna be your chap stick Laying upon your lips You call the shots I wanna be yours I wanna be your fairytale Ensuring you get your happy ever after I wanna be your bed covers Holding you at night Let me be your tissues To wipe away your tears I don’t care I wanna be yours I wanna be your sunlight Brightening up your day I wanna be your remedy To all your aches and pains I wanna be your paradise The one you dream about I wanna be yours By Jessica Maskell

Little Hands Karen

MVC EDUCATION

U3A

PLAY SCHOOL NOTRE ECOLE PLAYGROUP

PRIMARY SCHOOL LITTLE HANDS VILLAGE COLLEGE

Melbourn Village College Summer School

01763 260964

Melbourn Playgroup Jane Crawford 07842 151512 Notre Ecole Janet Whitton

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Primary School Headteacher Stephanie Wilcox 223457 U3A (Univ. of Third Age) Chairman George Howard Village College Principal Simon Holmes

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The 2013 summer school offered our new students the opportunity to get to know their school surroundings before the autumn term starts. They are given opportunities to make friends and develop a range of skills throughout the week, enabling them to develop confidence and their self-esteem in their new environment. Students got to know their new school by interacting with the volunteer prefects, who showed them around the school and helped them to participate in the activities on offer.

A range of activities The students participated in a range of exciting and fun learning activities, which included: dance and sport; the Bronze Arts Award; cookery and rocket making; film-making and circus skills. Students also visit the Wysing Arts Centre in Bourn.

Team building Students were asked to work together cooperatively, which enabled them to make friends and supportive friendship groups for the new term and their career at Melbourn Village College.

Newton 4 Fundraiser As I am sure you are aware each Newton form takes it in turn to host a fundraise and on Thursday the 23rd of May it was the turn of Newton 4. Newton 4 decided to raise money by holding a “teacher drenching” and managed to raise £40. This money will be split between Scope and the paediatric intensive care unit at Addenbrookes Hopsital. Students would like to thank Mrs McHugh, Miss King, Miss Rich and Mr melbournmagazine

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Armstrong and a special thank you to Mr Hutchinson for very kindly and bravely volunteering to get drenched. Maddy Gavin and Sarah Thompson Newton 4

MVC Science Department As part of National Science and Engineering week KS3 students were involved at school in Science challenges and quizzes. They were also able to take part in a nationwide competition on recycling! Students designed machines made of recycled materials and came up with ideas such as Bio Bin, Bookinator, The Recycled Re-flectinator and The Nappinator!!!

The Salter’s Festival of Chemistry Four students from Year 7/8 were chosen to take part at one of the Salters’ Festivals of Chemistry being held at the Department of Chemistry at the University. The Salter’s Festivals of Chemistry are an initiative of the Salters’ Institute and are sponsored by over 50 scientific companies. Their objective is to help promote the appreciation of chemistry and related sciences, to provide the opportunity for enthusiastic young students to spend a day in a university department and to take part in practical chemistry activities which are fun! Prizes are awarded to the winning teams and all students received participation certificates. Although our students didn’t win any prizes they thoroughly enjoyed the day.

Cambridge University Science Schools Science Masterclasses Two students from Year 10 attended a science-based residential masterclass during Easter, at Cambridge University along with nearly 90 other Year 10’s and 11’s from around the country. The intention of the two night stay was to encourage the participants’ interest in science and to give a very detailed insight into what College life is. Elaine McHugh (Acting Head of SAH)

Maths

Sports Day Sports Day victors this year for the first time and breaking a Franklin stranglehold were Darwin!! On a cloudy and somewhat chilly day all the students in KS3 took part in the annual athletics festival. Many students were looking to break school records and some were very close to doing so. Stuart Dingwell was only 1 second off the 400m record whilst Kai Linnell broke the javelin record set only 2 weeks ago at the Olympic Cup (see article). Zoe Clarke was close to the javelin record and Oliver Johnson is getting closer and closer to the 800m record. Josie Willers is also the proud owner of the javelin record for year 8 with a distance of 18.85 beating the old record by 4cm set back in 1999. Points are awarded to athletes not by the position they finished but by the performance they achieved, so the highest point scoring boy and girl from each year were; Sarah Martin & Kai Linnell, Ashley Clarke & Shaun Charter and Dani Friel & Ryan Lees. The overall results were: 4th Lewis 6985 pts 3rd Newton 6993 pts 2nd Franklin 7446 pts 1st Darwin 7518 pts

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Hogwarts comes to Melbourn Village College On Wednesday 3rd July, the Maths Department held a Maths Challenge based around the Harry Potter books for local primary schools. The 70 visiting students built models of Hogwarts from 3D shapes, worked on algebraic puzzles to find out the costs of items in the Hogwarts shop and cracked deviously tricky codes to unlock (not very) hilarious Harry Potter jokes set by Mr Holder. The students from each school demonstrated a high level of ability and impressed all the Maths staff. We also enjoyed seeing the students who dressed in some brilliant outfits – some witches, wizards, a Moaning Myrtle and a Hagrid. Thank you to all the visiting students and teachers. We would also like to thank those year 10 students who helped during the morning providing encouragement and support for the primary school children. We look forward to seeing all those year 5 students again at Open Evening later in the year and hope they remember when Hogwarts came to Melbourn Village College. John Holder

Sky Sports Program – Summer 2013 As Young Ambassadors, Sam Carrington and I ran a 6 week sky sports programme for the year 7 girls. The aim of sky sports is to “change your game’. There are many different things you can target it at, but we chose to encourage the melbournmagazine

Home cooked food using only the best local ingredients. Individual care and support for each and every child and their families. Large, fun outdoor playgrounds and fields for the children to explore, to run, skip and jump.

sery

bumpkinsnur

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A loving family environment created by qualified happy staff. 98% have a professional childcare qualification and they all love their job. twitter.com

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Specialist in the supply and funding of all new UK cars and light commercial vehicles. The contact details for Martin Bessell in based in Melbourn are: Tel 01763 220996 Fax 03333 441 043 email martin.bessell@bowaterprice.com

www.bowaterprice-eastanglia.co.uk

Your Local Vehicle Specialists As your local sales manager for Bowater Price plc I have for many years been looking after the vehicle needs for companies and private individuals, both locally and nationally. I can supply any make or model, delivered to your door free of charge. I am happy to explain the various types of funding available, which include, Business Contract Hire, Finance Lease and Hire Purchase. For private individuals other options such as Personal Contract hire and Contract Purchase are available. Our customers include Clearwater, Dixons, Comet, Hillarys Blinds, Acer, Chubb, Bang and Olufsen. Call weekdays 9am to 5pm on

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Head office address • 6 Cornmarket • High Wycombe • Buckinghamshire • HP11 2BW tel • 01494 536536

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Thanks to all who volunteered their time for the day. Despite the poor weather, the games were a great success. F Humphrey SSCo MVC

Olympic Cup

girls that have enjoyed and tried hard in PE lessons to try new sports in order to develop their existing skills. We started with two weeks of handball, giving the girls a chance to try out a new game with different rules but similar skills to what they know already. We tried lacrosse for the second two weeks which was a big hit with the girls! It proved tricky at first as it’s harder than it looks to catch the balls in those small nets! But the girls soon got the hang of it and by the end of the second session, we were having a very competitive game! The final sport the girls tried was Frisbee which is more complicated than it sounds! However the girls embraced the challenge and worked really hard! (Well done girls!!) This is one of the many skills and values that we hope that they have learnt from this experience we hope they will now be able to apply these to not just their PE lessons but their work in general! Katherine Webb YA MVC

On the 19th June the Athletics season reached its climax at the Olympic Cup held at Wilberforce Road track in Cambridge. A team of fifty students from all year groups represented MVC in the first day of hot sunshine in the month. Many students performed well and beat their personal bests with Chris Chivanganye beating his best in the 100m with a time of 11.86 seconds and Stanley Johnson in the 1500m securing a time of 5 min 32 . Amelia Parker also beat her personal best in the 1500m with a time of 6 min 18 which also beats the school record set by Keri Pullen back in 1999 by 2 seconds. Ben Mansfield didn’t beat his personal best this time but in the athletics meet at St Bedes two weeks earlier also broke the school record held by Matthew Goodfellow from 2003 with a throw of 25m11. Overall MVC finished in 7th place with the best performing team being the year 8 boys of Stanley Johnson, Stuart Dingwell, Charlie Clark, Alex Little, Findlay Livingstone, Ethan Chesham, Ben Mansfield and Dylan Miller.

Creating setting and atmosphere within a story As I peered into the hallway, it looked like an old soulless man’s eyes, but for some reason I continued to walk, like someone was pulling me. As I walked, I felt the slow heartbeat of the wall and I was drawn to English 5. I looked into the room and saw a giant leg with one high-heel and I just ran and ran and ran, until I got to the Science block. All I saw was Bunsen burners. Suddenly, they all pointed at me! I slowly backed away to the door, but one Bunsen burner saw me. I ran faster this time and saw an exit. I ran faster and faster and as I got closer to the exit, the hallway got longer and longer. As I reached the exit, my alarm went off and mum shouted, “Get ready for school!” Cameron Montgomery, Yr9 student.

stART Community commitment to challenging change Summer games 2013 June 28th St. Ives outdoor centre On Friday 28th June, 15 young sports leaders set off very early from school to act as stewards at the regional school games in St. Ives. The weather was poor and the students had to direct participants in cold and wet conditions. After the opening ceremony, they were in charge of making sure everyone found their way to the relevant sporting arena. At the end of each event, medals were given out to the winning teams and finally, they had to dismantle the gala tents and remove all the logo banners from the site. A weary but fulfilled team returned back to school about 4pm to get refreshed and changed for viewing evening prom students.

The work of stART continues, sharing the arts and connecting lives, over the summer months and continuing into the autumn, the seven members of this arts partnership have worked alongside the Arts Development Managers to support the transition of the organisation. South Cambridgeshire District Council withdrew 100% funding for the Arts Development Managers posts in July 2013 with an offer of a one off final transition grant which stART hopes to receive before the end of the year. There are strong positive developments to report with formation of new stART Consortium made up of Cambourne Village College, Comberton Village College, Linton Village College, Melbourn Village College, Sawston Village College, Swavesey Village College and Wysing Arts Centre with a commitment from the members to work to provide a melbournmagazine

sustainable arts infrastructure for South Cambridgeshire. For more information on the work of stART and this transition phase please go to the stART website http://start-arts.org.uk/ start-activities/

stART to share the work of ACT A Common Territory with the wider community Melbourn Village College joined this international partnership project in the summer. Thanks to everyone who has joined the college in its key research question examining the idea of community and what it really means to us as individuals by completing the ‘A message from Melbourn’ postcard. ‘Shared space, shared experience’, ‘Working together, looking out for each other’, ‘Understanding who we are and where we are’, are just a selection of the thinking that is being shared with the students of MVC. ACT Central is now in the community centre and youth centre at MVC and will be an ACT project hub collecting and showcasing the work of the project and its partners here in the UK and France. Next key dates for the project are the full partnership conference in Rennes, France at the end of November where MVC staff will represent the school. MVC will present and report on the ongoing work and plan exciting cultural, educational and heritage exchange trips with our partners, including a 5 day trip to the battle fields of the Somme during the WWI centenary commemorations. To find out more about the extraordinary project please go to www.act-acommonterritory.eu stART, MVC and Wysing Arts Centre and the ACT project are proactively working to introduce the Arts Award into our schools and youth clubs – offering young people a great and fun framework with recognised qualifications to explore, enjoy and excel in the arts. www.artsward.org.uk The Foxton Primary School were successful in their bid to the Norfolk and Norwich Festival Bridge Grant and will be introducing Arts Award and working towards achieving the Arts Mark with the support of MVC and the Arts Development Manager. Foxton Primary School will share their experience and with their Cluster schools. The BeMag Cluster were successful in their bid to the Cambridgeshire Culture Fund and have now embarked on the Storytelling Bazaar project working with Snail Tales www. snailtales.org over ten schools will work on developing the art of story telling and then share with each other, families and the community during National Storytelling Week in February 2014. For older children and young people between 15-25 years old there is the opportunity to join the Circuit programme – and become part of a national youth arts network funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and run by Tate Plus. Wysing Arts Centre and Kettles Yard are partnering on the project for Cambridgeshire. Be creative, have fun, learn new skills. Check out facebook: Circuit Cambs www.campaignfordrawing.org Children, young people and indeed whole families took part in the The Big Draw - at Wysing Arts Centre at the end of October - this is an annual campaign and now has over 1000

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

events that take place in fifteen countries – it is great to know that Melbourn area talent is part of this international campaign to celebrate and share the power of drawing. www.emerge-arts-festival.org.uk/wp-content/ uploads/2012/09/Emerge-Festival-2013-enquiry-form1.pdf Work continues leading community engagement and education development at Wysing Arts Centre. The new exhibition X-Operative opens on November 16th. Check out www.wysingartscentre.org for their programme of events and exhibitions. There are other exciting projects in development and I look forward to letting the community know about them. Some projects are small, others large scale all have many wide reaching potential benefits for Melbourn, the school, its students and the wider community. There is a great deal of fantastic work to be involved with – if you would like to find out more and get involved , or if you have an idea and you would like any help or advice on how to get a creative project off the ground in the area please do get in touch. Arts Development Manager, stART-Melbourn Village College 07770 643165 www.start-arts.org.uk

Little Hands Nursery School Well it’s been a busy summer for ‘Little Hands’. Repairs to the building following the accident last term are all finished, and our thanks go to Melbourn Parish Council for all their help in ensuring the repairs ran promptly and smoothly, and we have details of an exciting new development to report! From September, Melbourn Nursery became the first Little Hands Nursery School to offer places for the under two’s! Nursery manager, Anne McCrossen, and her dedicated team have been busy preparing a separate ‘Nursery Room’ named the Bumblebee room, specifically for children aged between 12 and 24 months. With numbers initially limited to just six and a staffing ratio of one adult to three children, the children will enjoy focused and adult led creative play using age appropriate toys and equipment both indoors and out. The provision of quality childcare for the under two’s at ‘Little Hands’ represents a significant addition to the wide range of service choices available to parents in a Nursery School already judged to be ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.

Other News The month of September has flown by with all the children settling back into nursery routine and seeing their friends again. We have also welcomed some new children who have settled into nursery life really well.

The Ladybird Room Our younger children in the ladybird room have also been exploring different textures through the story of the rainbow fish. The children created an ocean display with sand, shells and lots of shiny material to represent the rainbow fish’s scales. It was great fun getting messy! The children have been very busy in mixing paint and mark making by using their hands and objects to create patterns. We have listened and danced to under the sea music

Village information important numbers Orchard Surgery Appointments 260220 Dispensary 261246 For repeat prescriptions send email: prescriptions.orchardsurgery@nhs.net Hospitals Addenbrooke’s Royston

Education

Royston Family History Society Pam Wright

Melbourn Playgroup Jane Crawford Library LAP Mike Stapleton

269956

Little Hands Nursery School

260964

Out of school times

01223 503972

Notre Ecole Janet Whitton 01223 245151 01763 238020

OUT OF HOURS EMERGENCIES Camdoc 01223 464242 NHS Direct 0845 4647 (queries 24hrs) 101

Police (non emergency)

223457

U3A (Univ. of Third Age) Chairman George Howard

260686

Hon Sec Hilary Docwra

222486

Mem Sec Arthur Alderton

260399

Village College Principal Simon Holmes

223400

Crimestoppers Freephone

Blood Donors

01223 221921 0300 123 23 23

Chiropodist

263260

Neighbourhood Watch 261520 Steven Cambery s.cambery@ntlworld.com

Dentist

Cambs Registered Trader Sceme 01223 221921

Home-Start

Telephone Preference Service www.tsponline.org.uk 0845 070 0707 Dial-A-Ride

01223 506335 08456 889897

Childline

0800 1111

Samaritans

08457 909090

Services Anglian Water Gas emergency Electricity South Cambs District

08457 145 145 0800 111 999 08007 838838

District Nurses (Primary Care Trust)

262034 01223 846122 262262

S Cambs PCT 35 Orchard Road

08457 484950 08706 082608

The Press Royston & Buntingford Mercury Media Centre, 40 Ware Road, 01992 526639 Hertford, SG13 7HU Royston Crow 6, Melbourn St, Royston, SG8 7BX

07557 232154

Cambridge News 3 Melbourn Street, 249144 Royston, SG8 7BP Fax 244502

Car Scheme

RSPB Doug Radford

208978

SOAS (Supporters of All Saints’) Doreen Johnston

220197

St George’s Allotments Assoc. Bruce Huett

brucehuett@compuserve.com

Women’s Group Pat Smith

260103

Places of worship All Saints’ Church 260295

Curate Mary Price

261569

Churchwardens Roger Mellor

220463

260127

Mike Galley

Community Hall booking Kirsty Bradbrook

229977

hallbookings@live.co.uk

Baptist Church Rev. Stuart Clarke Secretary Guy Manners

261650 01223 872298

Osteopath Kath Harry

Secretary Peter and Eirwen Karner

262346

Hall booking Beryl and Barry Monk

246458

261716

St John Ambulance Robert Jakubiak

220507

sport Badminton Steve Jackson

LOCAL clubs Air Cadets 2484 (Bassingbourn) Squadron

249156

248774

Bowls Elaine Cooke

221571

Croquet Janet Pope

248342

Jazzercise Sarah Howard

07703 422394

Bellringers Barbara Mitchell

261518

Judo Derek Coult

225004

Bridge Club Howard Waller

261693

MADS (Melbourn Amateur Dramatics Society)

1st Melbourn Rainbows

Abigail Roberts

261505

Brownies 1st Melbourn Stephanie Clifford

220272

Donna Sleight

232622

Melbourn and District Tennis Club David Liddiard

Brownies 2nd Melbourn Samantha Pascoe (Brown Owl) 261400

07508 995781

Cambells (Handbells) Eira Martin

261221

Melbourn Dynamos FC Gordon Atalker

07770533249

Dramatic Society Kathy Wholley

223805

Melbourn Football Club Simon Gascoyne

261703

Melbourn Sports Centre Graham Johnson-Mack

263313

email: k_wholley@hotmail.com Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Stuart Morris

208634

Meldreth Tennis Club Sue Davies

220174

Gardening Helen Powell

245887

Swimming Club Jenny Brackley

244593

Guides 1st Melbourn Hilary Marsh

261443

Squash Club Nick Sugden

261064

Mothers’ Union Anne Harding

260759

Melbourn History Group Colin Limming

260072

Melbourn and Meldreth Self-Help Jayne White

220250

Melbourn Pottery Club Maggie

Warden & sheltered housing schemes Dial-A-Ride

01223 506335

Mobile Warden Scheme 01223 207307

Warden – Margo Wherrell

260966

Deputy – Jeannie Seers

262651

Meldreth Local History Kathryn Betts

268428

National Trust Colin Limming

260072

John Impey Way Jeanette Holland

New Melbourn Singers Adrian Jacobs

243224

Southwell Court

262121

Photographic Club Bruce Huett

232855

Moorlands Denise Taylor

260564

Ramblers Dave Allard

242677

Vicarage Close Warden Eileen Allan

263389

Royal British Legion Women Elizabeth Murphy

220841

Royal National Lifeboat Institution Jean Emes

245958

Royston and District Local History Society 261154

260009

245228

email: frog.end@virgin.net 261144 220363 221058 220197 261480 260686 220363 261154 260072

221398

Royston Lions Janet Daniels

262861

Melbourn Mushroom Club John Holden Melbourn Magazine Committee Editorial Ann Dekkers Advertising Jan Simmonett Distribution Jose Hales Eric Johnston Information Anne Lambert Parish Profile Mavis Howard Production Peter Simmonett Proof reading Brenda Meliniotis Colin Limming Rebecca Northfield Village Diary Brenda Meliniotis

frierly@ntlworld.com

United Reformed Church Minister Rev. Duncan Goldie 260747

Child & Family Nurses

Tony Kelly Mon & Wed evenings 7 – 9.30 p.m.

Transport British Rail Enquiries Stagecoach Cambus

Royston and District Round Table

Rev Andrew O’Brien Melbourn Vicarage

Health Age UK Cambridgeshire

0800 555111

261231

Primary School Headteacher Stephanie Wilcox

Fire & Rescue Service 01223 376217

CAB Royston

07842 151512

David Allard

Assistant – Joy Hyde

Lead Sheltered Housing Officer - Monday to Friday 9–1.30 Vicarage Close, John Impey Way & Elin Way Eileen Allan

242677

220139 269596

Mobile 07876 791419 / 245402

Every other week. 9–5 Monday to Friday

melbournmagazine

dEcEmbEr Sunday 1

Family Communion & Sunday School All Saints 9.45am Family Service Baptist Church 10.30am Holy Communion URC 11am Baptist Communion 6pm Rudolph Run Addenbrookes 5km Fun Run (see article) MADS panto Aladdin Monday 2

Drop-in Surgery with Councillors at Melbourn Library 2.30pm – 3.30pm Melbourn Bridge Club meet every Monday Vicarage Close contact Howard Waller 261693 Tuesday 3

Toddlers Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30am (TT) Melbourn & District Photographic Club meet weekly Foxton Village Hall contact Bruce Huett 232855 Wednesday 4

Craft Club Baptist Church 9.30am (TT) Coffee Break 10.30am Thursday 5

Holy Communion All Saints 10.00am Melbourn Bowls Club Coffee Morning 10.30-12 weekly Craft and Chat URC 2pm-4pm weekly Royston & District Local History Soc Royston Town Hall 8pm

Coffee Break 10.30am Rail User Group Elin Way Community Room 7.30pm Carol Singing at The Black Horse 8.00pm Churches Together Thursday 12

Saturday 28

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am Sunday 29

Holy Communion All Saints 8am URC Service 11.00am

Holy Communion All Saints 10am Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm Friday 13

Coffee at URC 10.30am Saturday 14

JanuarY 2014 Wednesday 1

Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am Thursday 2

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am Link Murang’a Stall Meet in Melbourn The Dolphin 3-5pm SOAS Concert with the Orlando Singers All Saints 7.30pm

Holy Communion All Saints 10am Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm weekly Royston & District Local History Soc Royston Town Hall 8pm ‘Women in the 1800’s’

Sunday 15

Friday 3

Family Communion All Saints 8.00am Nativity Service Baptist Church 10.30am URC Service 11.00am Carol Service All Saints 6.00pm

Coffee URC 10.30am

Monday 16

Royston & District Family History Society ASCH 7.30pm Christmas Social Tuesday 17

Toddler Plus 9.30-11.30am (TT)

Saturday 4

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am Sunday 5

Holy Communion All Saints 8.00am Holy Communion URC 11.00am Communion Service Baptist Church 6pm Monday 6

Craft Club 9.30am Baptist Church (TT) Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am

Drop-in Surgery with Councillors at Melbourn Library 2.30-3.30pm Melbourn Bridge Club weekly at Vicarage Close contact Howard Waller 261693

Friday 6

Thursday 19

Tuesday 7

Coffee at URC 10.30am Melbourn Bowls Club Whist Drive 7.00pm contact Arthur Andrews 261990

Holy Communion All Saints 10.00am Coffee & Chat URC 2-4pm

Saturday 7

End of term Coffee 10.30am URC

New term begins Toddler Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30 (TT) Melbourn & District Photographic Club weekly at Foxton contact Bruce Huett 232855

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am The Bookshelf URC Tastes of Christmas Royal British Legion Women’s Section Christmas Stall Meldreth 10.30am Scholastic Book Fair MVC Sunday 8

Family Communion & Sunday School All Saints 9.45am 2nd Sunday in Advent Baptist Church 10.30am URC Service 11.00am Christingle Service All Saints 3.00pm Tuesday 10

Toddler Plus 9.30-11.30am Baptist Church (TT) Mothers’ Union Advent Service All Saints 2.30pm Melbourn & District Gardening Club ASCH 7.30pm Christmas Social Evening & Quiz Wednesday 11

Craft Club 9.30am (TT)

Wednesday 18

Friday 20

Saturday 21

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am Carol Singing at The Cross 10.30am Churches Together Sunday 22

Wednesday 8

Baptist Church Craft Club 9.30am (TT) Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am-12 Thursday 9

Family Communion & Sunday School All Saints 9.45am 4th Sunday in Advent Service Baptist Church 10.30am Carols by Candlelight Baptist Church 6-7pm

Holy Communion All Saints 10am Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm weekly Royston & District Local History Soc. Royston Town Hall 7.30pm

Tuesday 24

Friday 10

Christmas Eve Crib Service All Saints 3.00pm Midnight Mass All Saints 11.30pm

Coffee at URC10.30am Melbourn Bowls Club Whist Drive 7pm contact Arthur Andrews 261990

Wednesday 25

Saturday 11

Christmas Day Holy Communion All Saints 8.00am Family Communion Holy Trinity Meldreth 10.00am Christmas Morning Service Baptist Church 10.30am

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am Sunday 12

Family Communion & Sunday School All Saints 9.45am

URC Service 11.00am Evensong All Saints 6.30pm

Tuesday 14

Tuesday 28

Toddler Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30 (TT) Mother’s Union 2.30pm contact Ann Harding 260759 Melbourn & District Gardening Club ASCH 7.30pm A10 corridor Cycling Campaign Coombes Community Centre Royston 7.30pm

Toddler Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30 ( TT) Women’s Group AGM Melbourn 7.45pm

Wednesday 15

Holy Communion All Saints 10am Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm weekly

Baptist Church Craft Club 9.30am (TT) Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am-12 Thursday 16

Wednesday 29

Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am-12 Thursday 30

Friday 31

Coffee URC 10.30am

Holy Communion All Saints 10am Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm weekly Friday 17

Coffee URC 10.30am Saturday 18

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am The Bookshelf Sunday 19

Holy Communion All Saints 8.00am Family Service All Saints 11.00am URC Service 11.00am Baptist Church service for Christian Unity 6pm Evensong All Saints 6.30pm Monday 20

Royston & District Family History Society ASCH 7.30pm ‘Essex & Kent a surprise in store’ Christian Unity Bible Study 13 Vicarage Close 8pm

fEbruarY

Craft Club Baptist Church 9.30am (TT) Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am Thursday 13

Holy Communion All Saints 10.00am Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm Friday 14

Coffee URC 10.30am Saturday 15

Coffee Stop 10.30am ASCH The Bookshelf Sunday 16

Holy Communion All Saints 8.00am Family Service All Saints 11.00am URC Service 11.00am Baptist Communion Service 10.30am Evensong All Saints 6.30pm

Sunday 2

Holy Communion All Saints 8.00am Evensong All Saints 6.30pm URC Service 11.00am Baptist Communion 6pm Monday 3

Drop-in Surgery with Councillors at Melbourn Library 2.30-3.30pm Melbourn Bridge Club every Monday Vicarage Close contact Howard Waller 261693 Tuesday 4

Wednesday 22

Wednesday 5

Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am-12 Royal British Legion Women’s Section Vicarage Close 7pm Christian Unity URC Reflective Service 7pm

Craft Club Baptist Church 9.30am (TT) Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am Thursday 6

Holy Communion All Saints 10am Christian Unity Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm weekly

Holy Communion All Saints 10am Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm Royston & District Local History Society Royston Town Hall 8pm ‘The Tudor Re-creation of Kentwell Hall’

Friday 24

Friday 7

Christian Unity Baptist Church prayer meeting 7am Coffee at URC 10.30am Melbourn Bowls Club Whist Drive 7pm contact Arthur Andrews 261990

Coffee URC 10.30am Melbourn Bowls Club Whist Drive 7pm contact Arthur Andrews 261990

Saturday 25

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am Melbourn Guides Cake Stall

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am

Sunday 9

Sunday 26

Family Communion & Sunday School All Saints 9.45am Evensong All Saints 6.30pm URC Service 11.00am

Family Communion & Sunday School All Saints 9.45am

Wednesday 12

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am

Toddler Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30 (TT) Christian Unity Baptist Church prayer meeting 7am

Thursday 23

Toddler Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30am (TT) Mothers’ Union Orwell 2.30pm AGM Melbourn & District Gardening Club ASCH 7.30pm ‘The Salvia Family’

Saturday 1

Toddler Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30am (TT) Melbourn & District Photographic Club Foxton Village Hall every Tuesday 7.30pm contact Bruce Huett 232855

Tuesday 21

Tuesday 11

Saturday 8

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 Editor, at 110 High Street, Melbourn, marking them ‘MELBOURN MAGAZINE’ or you can email them to mag@melbourn.org.uk

Monday 17

Half term Royston & District Family History Society ASCH 7.30pm Wednesday 19

Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am Thursday 20

Holy Communion All Saints 10am Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm Friday 21

Coffee URC 10.30am Melbourn Bowls Club Whist Drive 7pm contact Arthur Andrews 261990 Saturday 22

Coffee Stop ASCH10.30am Link Murang’a Stall Sunday 23

Family Communion & Sunday School All Saints 9.45am Evensong All Saints 6.30pm Tuesday 25

Toddler Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30 (term time) Women’s Group Melbourn 7.45pm Wednesday 27

Craft Club Baptist Church 9.30am (TT) Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am British Legion Women’s Section Vicarage Close 7pm Thursday 28

Holy Communion All Saints 10am Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm weekly

r the next fo te a d g The closin January h t 7 1 y a id issue is Fr r in will appea h ic h w 4 1 20 in March, ts n e v e g n march, listi ay 014. April and M

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.

BIN COLLECTION MELBOURN 6 December 13 December

Black Bin Green & Blue Bin

20 December 27 December

Black Bin Green & Blue Bin

3 January 10 January

Black Bin Green & Blue Bin

17 January 24 January

Black Bin Green & Blue Bin

31 January 7 February

Black Bin Green & Blue Bin

14 February 21 February

Black Bin Green & Blue Bin

28 February 7 March

Black Bin Green & Blue Bin

14 March 21 March**

Black Bin Green & Blue Bin

28 March**

Black Bin

**Due to Easter, please check website below for conformation For an update on collections visit: www.scambs.gov.uk/content/friday For more information and collections of large household items Telephone 03450 450 063

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

Melbourn Health Visiting Team Drop in clinics for parents and babies are held as follows: Melbourn clinic every Wednesday between 9.30am and 11.00am at: 35 Orchard Road, Melbourn. Telephone 01763 262861

8a Romsey Terrace, Cambridge. CB1 3NH Office Mon-Fri 9.00am-12.30pm. Telephone 01223 416 141 answerphone out of these hours admin@camtadcambs.org.uk

A drop in advisory session is held at Vicarage Close Community Room, the 4th Thursday of the month from 2pm to 4pm See the website for more information www.camtadcambs.org.uk Battery exchange and retubing. We do not do hearing tests

CAMSIGHT 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 420 033 for further information

throughout the week, trying to be fish swimming around. In the garden we have helped to create our mud kitchen and loved to mix and cook with natural resources. For Harvest week, we also enjoyed cooking making bread and cakes. We talked about the vegetables and fruit we liked to eat. The children have chosen a very varied range of activities throughout the term, from washing babies to building dens to dressing up. A request for an ice island for polar bears to live on, once developed, was a huge interest to all the children.

The Butterfly Room We have been busy exploring colours with the story of Elmer the elephant and his cousin Wilbur. We constructed models out of textured collage to represent his character in the story. The children have chosen to make pizza and have a picnic with Elmer. It was very yummy! For our focus activity time we have been learning to take turns during games and working as a team to build a successful marble run. For Harvest week, we have been talking about where our food comes from and how farmers produce a lot of the food we eat. We made bread and scones, and delicious chocolate brownies. The children have been very busy in the creation of our mud garden. They have been busy selecting utensils so we can make our mud pies and dinner. October brings children’s choice; a land of make believe, creating a fairy castle as we explore traditional fairy stories. We will end the term discovering all the changes in autumn that it brings. And no sooner have the leaves dropped, winter and Christmas will be upon us with all the fun and festivities that this time of year will bring. If you would like to visit the Nursery, contact the Nursery Manager Anne McCrossen on 01763 260964 or lh-melbourn@ btconnect.com. Little Hands is also at Bourn, Linton and Newton visit the website www.littlehands.co.uk

Notre Ecole On returning after the long summer break, children at our Wednesday and Thursdays after school clubs made the most of the late summer sunshine and learnt some vocabulary associated with the garden and the park. Then, as the seasons moved on, we began learning words to do with autumn. We played games related to these themes both inside and outside. We used a computer to help us remember our new vocabulary and we drew our own gardens and then talked about them in

French. Finally, we had fun in the woods collecting leaves to make a collage which we made even more beautiful with some colourful French autumn words. At the Wednesday evening adult class we have been practising French to do with eating out in a restaurant. We have practised reserving a table and asking for more information about food on the menu. We have talked about traditional French dishes and learnt how to order in French. We then practised numbers to enable us to understand and pay the bill. Meanwhile, members of the more advanced conversation class have discussed a variety of topics and also found time to look at grammatical points, for example adverbs and adjectives. They have also fun completing some puzzles and learning some French idioms. Why not start 2014 by learning a new language? If you or your child are interested in joining one of our groups please get in touch. Notre Ecole, led by a native speaker and a graduate of European Studies with French, has been teaching French to pupils of all ages for more than ten years. Call either Marine on 07533 443153 or Janet on 07791 853448 for further details. If you prefer e-mail, contact marineboulter@yahoo.fr or janet. whitton@tiscali.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you. 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. Telelephone Marine 01763 222876 or Janet 01763 261231 mob-07533 443153 mob-07791 853448 Email marineboulter@yahoo.fr or janet.whitton@tiscali.co.uk. We look forward to hearing from you. (Enhanced CRB clearance recently completed)

U3A If you wanted to know the intricacies of the UK’s citizenship test for immigrants, learn about the history of St Mary’s – the R101 church at Cardington, or explore a beautiful Ashwell garden created from a field, then Melbourn U3A was the place to be in October. We have over 30 special interest groups buzzing with ideas and enthusiasm. Join the U3A and you can keep fit with yoga, badminton, table tennis or country walking; exercise the brain with a monthly quiz, Scrabble, bridge or French and German conversation; or indulge the senses with art, poetry or music. There’s more too – armchair travellers. science forum, family history, stamps and collectables, a book club, croquet, handbell ringing, a computer group, family history, bird watching, and the most popular – the excursion group, whizzing off every month all over the country. It all proves that there is no need to get bored, feel lonely or resort to day time television in retirement. U3A members not only find new friends and new interests, they also find their days are full. If you would like to know more please contact the Membership Secretary Arthur Alderton (260399) melbournmagazine

Brand new homes to rent as affordable housing or to buy under a shared ownership lease Hundred Houses Society, in partnership with Iceni Homes and Melbourn Parish Council is developing a small scheme of 13 affordable new homes in Melbourn for people with a local connection. 3 of these homes will be sold under a shared ownership scheme, 1 two bedroom house and 2 three bedroom houses. To rent there will be 3 two bedroom houses and 7 three bedroom houses. Affordable rents will be 80% of a market rent on a fixed term tenancy basis. These properties will be advertised on Homelink 3 months prior to completion www.home-link.org.uk The homes will be built on the site of the former police houses and police station.

an artist’s impression of the new homes at Melbourn around the community Hub What is shared ownership? Shared ownership helps people who cannot afford to buy a home outright, to purchase a home in stages. Hundred Houses Society owns the freehold of the property and sells a share to you under a shared ownership lease. Initially, you will buy a minimum share of the property (usually 50% but it could be more or less), the actual proportion will be determined after we have carried out an affordability assessment. You will then pay Hundred Houses Society a subsidised rent on the remaining share. The total monthly costs of the mortgage and rent are lower than the cost of a mortgage needed to buy the property outright. After a year you can purchase further shares in the property in tranches of 10%, up to 80%. As you purchase more shares the proportion of rent due to Hundred Houses Society will reduce. How do I apply for Shared Ownership? You need to register with Orbit HomeBuy Agents as follows: Orbit HomeBuy Garden Court Harry Weston Road Binley Business Park Binley Coventry CV3 2SU

Telephone: 0345 8502050 Email: hba@orbit.org.uk Website: www.orbithomebuyagents.co.uk

If your application progresses, we will carry out a full assessment of your financial circumstances to check that you can afford the home. You will need to provide us with original documents showing your income, savings, loans and debts and provide information on all your outgoings

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

feature

A Glimpse into the History of the John Lewis Partnership Doubtless some of you have shopped at Robert Sayle or John Lewis or Waitrose over the years or have at least seen them when shopping in town. After teaching at Melbourn Village College, I worked at Robert Sayle in Cambridge for some years and am, at present working on an online archive of the Robert Sayle Memory Store. We are trying to find out as much as we can about the Store and the Man who opened the first Drapery Store on the site in 1840. It was as a result of the archive that Terry and I were invited to attend the official opening by the Chairman of the Partnership, Sir Charlie Mayfield, of the new Heritage Centre for the Partnership.

This will house and display all the business archives of the whole Partnership, including the Department Stores, Waitrose and all the other areas of the business including the weaving and printing of fabrics and making duvets, pillows

The Titanic design, no. S761, printed in 1910 at Stead McAlpin, the printing works for the John Lewis Partnership. It was supplied to Stern & Walther and purchased by Stonard in large enough quantities to supply the state rooms on board the ill-fated liner. As all the original fabric went to the bottom of the Atlantic with the ship it is possible that the printer’s sample length is all that remains of the initial print run. All John Lewis Partnership fabrics were printed at Stead McAlpin works, some by hand block.

etc. Previously, this archive had been held in the warehouse in Stevenage and at the factories in the north; hardly seen by anyone, whereas, now, not only will Partners be able to visit but also members of the public. It proved to be a fascinating afternoon in Cookham, at the Odney Club, one of the John Lewis Partnership’s Estates. The estate is based around the Lullebrook, a tributary of the Thames and on one side are the Manor House and the other houses in which Partners can stay for a while it also houses the Bernard Miller Centre where Conferences and Partners are trained in such things as the use of all the white goods which are sold in the Stores. On the opposite side of the water was the Grove Farm and Odney Pottery and it is this area which has been transformed into the new Heritage Centre. It is an amazing building which has been sympathetically adapted and added to, to make the fantastic building it is now. The outside is cedar clad and etched in a design of Charles Voysey, one of the fabric designers, samples of whose work is on show inside the building along with hundreds of other fabric samples. These are joined by all the paper archives as well as all sorts of other items including hats which had belonged to Queen Victoria, the Royal Charter crest, taken from Caley’s in Windsor, a sample piece of fabric printed for the Titanic. One of the original pottery kilns has been kept together with some of the pots also, blocks for hand printing fabrics, paper and plastic bags of all the variety of designs used since the Partnership began Once the official opening ceremony had been performed, champagne and canapés were served and much chat took place as almost everyone there had at one stage worked for the John Lewis Partnership. We look forward to being able to access the archives and perhaps to host a Partnership wide online archive for the future generations to explore. Marjorie Shaw melbournmagazine

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Supporters of All Saints (SOAS) Our fund raising event in October saw a ‘full house’ at All Saints Community Hall when John Walters from the English Distillery Company shared the secrets of distilling spirits from ordinary everyday ingredients. In quick succession small thimbles full of gin, whisky, rum, and liquors were handed out to a willing audience! It was an excellent evening and the splendid refreshments from the ladies of the Committee helped to set the seal on another memorable SOAS evening. At the time of writing this article we are looking forward in November to another of our food themed evenings when Bob & Joan Howard will be presenting a Hungarian Evening. Needless to say the tickets have already sold out such is their reputation. On Saturday 14th December we will present the Orlando Singers with another programme of Christmas music. Their concert last year was a “sell out” and we are sure that they will fill All Saints Church again this time. Membership continues to stay at a high level as members and non-members of the congregation of All Saints support our efforts to maintain the parish church. Colin Limming Membership Secretary 01763 260072 colin.limming@btinternet.com

COFFEE STOP Every Saturday 10.30am to 12noon Rombouts coffee & biscuits for 80p at

All Saints’ Community Hall

SOAS 100 Club The August draw was made by Neil Morris at Coffee Stop on 31st August. There were 71 members. The first prize of £23.66 goes to Jack Haddrell (6) at 11 Dickersons and the second of £11.84 goes to Barry Fennings (3) at 12 Chapmans Close The September draw was made by Rev Andrew O’Brien on 3rd October. There were 71 members. The first prize of £23.66 goes to Sheila Cheetham at The Coippice, Meldreth and the second of £11.84 goes to Ann & David Lambert (77) at 7 The Lawns. The October draw was made by Rev Andrew O’Brien on 31st October. There were 71 members. The first prize of £23.66 goes to Audrey Hodson (28) at 103 Beechwood Avenue and the second of £11.84 goes to Mrs E Jones (55) at 20 Clear Crescent

The Word of God from David Burbridge The scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe – that we might receive the promise of The Holy Spirit. Paul to the Galatian Church Chapter 3 verses 14/22

melbournmagazine

The Dolphin - a welcoming pub worth taking a detour for…

DOLPHIN

High Street, Melbourn

The Country Pub is a singularly English phenomenon, a well stocked bar, ale from the hand-pump, wholesome, hearty food are the hallmarks of a great country pub. The Dolphin, nestled in the pretty village of Melbourn, offers all of these plus a warm friendly welcome. Refurbishment only a short time ago, business is brisk with new managers at the helm making the Dolphin one of the best hostelries in the area. An all new ‘Flamegrill’ menu is due to be launched in the early spring, featuring an array of classic pub dishes, including juicy steaks, flame-grill burgers, oak smoked belly pork and much, much more! Sunday lunch is our specialty, succulent roasts with fresh seasonal vegetables, why not treat the family and leave the washing up to us! Food is available all day every day from 12 noon until 9pm Monday – Sunday. With warmer weather just around the corner, the Dolphin is the ideal place to relax following a country walk. Enjoy a pint of real ale, a glass of something sparkling or a hot cup of coffee! With ample parking and a large well kept garden, there really is something for everyone at the Dolphin.

THE DOLPHIN 105, High Street, Melbourn, SG8 6AP Telephone: 01763 226004 • Email: 4199@greeneking.co.uk visit us on Facebook

“When we remortgaged it was sorted quickly and efficiently. I would definitely recommend The Cambridge.” The Aves family, mortgage customers, St Ives Branch

After hearing our members’ stories, let us do the same for you. Your story is different but the role we can play is the same.

Helping your story happen www.cambridgebs.co.uk/avesfamily For further information pop into your local Melbourn Branch 19 Station Road, Melbourn, Royston, Hertfordshire SG8 6DX T: 01763 217510 E: melbourn-branch@cambridgebs.co.uk

Savings

Mortgages

Insurance

Life essentials

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE. The Cambridge Building Society, Head Office Administration Centre, PO Box 232, 51 Newmarket Road, Cambridge CB5 8FF Telephone 0845 601 3344 www.cambridgebs.co.uk Email enquiries@cambridgebs.co.uk All communications with us may be monitored/recorded to improve the quality of our service and for your protection and security.

THE CAMBRIDGE Building Society 44

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and register her electronically. Places are in high demand and we have a long waiting list, so we would urge you to contact us well in advance of her 5th birthday in order to avoid disappointment. Abigail Roberts

Brownies

Bowls Malcolm Davey 262704 Bridge Club Howard Waller 261693 1st Melbourn Rainbows Abigail Roberts 261505 Brownies – 1st Melbourn Stephanie Clifford 220272 Brownies – 2nd Melbourn Samantha Pascoe 261400 Croquet Janet Pope 248342 Football Club Andrew Edwards 223109 Dynamos Football Club Les Morley 07739 593771 Gardening Club Helen Powell 245887 Guides – Ist Melbourn Hilary Marsh 261443 Judo Derek Coult 225004 Melbourn Sports Centre Graham Johnson-Mack 263313 Photographic Club Bruce Huett 232855 Ramblers Dave Allard 242677 Royston and District Round Table Michael Seymour 221398 Squash Club Nick Sugden 261064 Swimming Club Jenny Brackley 244593 Tennis (Melbourn) Dave Liddiard 07508 995 781 Tennis (Meldreth) Sue Davies 220174

1st Melbourn Rainbows 1st Melbourn Rainbows have enjoyed another fun-packed term – the highlight of which was definitely our Safari Sleepover! We did lots of safarithemed crafts and then had our faces painted ready to go with our binoculars to Stockbridge Meadows to see what animals we could find. It was incredible! We saw elephants, giraffes, monkeys, tigers and much more! All our 22 Rainbows slept over – and enjoyed birthday cake for breakfast as three of our oldest girls turned 7 that morning! During our weekly meetings, we learned some line-dancing, made and played junk instruments, did some yoga, played football and went on a journey around Europe where we had passports and ‘visited’ different countries to do activities, learn some of the language and taste some food! Our latest project is to raise some money for the Shepreth Wildlife Park Hedgehog Hospital. We are doing a sponsored reading challenge to read in as many crazy or unusual places as possible during the October halfterm. We shall let you know how we get on in the next magazine. If you know someone who is interested in Rainbows, then please access the ‘get involved’ area of the girl guiding website

Youth Club at Melbourn Village College Tuesday evenings for School years 7–11 all welcome

Brownies will be 100 years old in 2014 and we are planning lots of celebrations throughout the year. I am sure many of the readers of this magazine will have many fond memories of their time spent as a Brownie (perhaps you would like to share your story with us, we would love to have an evening listening to you and if you have any old items of memorabilia perhaps you could bring them along for the girls to look at? Please let me know and I will try and co-ordinate an evening that would be good for all, sometime in 2014. Time inevitably brings changes and we started this term looking at our new Promise, what this could mean to us, the things we can do in our everyday lives to do our best to be true to the Promise... which is I promise that I will do my best: To be true to myself and develop my beliefs, To serve the Queen and my community, To help other people and To keep the Brownie Guide Law.

We welcomed some new Brownies into our unit and just this week 5 brave girls made their promises in front of their invited guests. It was a wonderful evening, we are blessed with very supportive families and friends. The girls all worked towards and achieved their hostess badges having made beautiful tissue paper flowers and flower holders to decorate their tables with, they wrote invitations to their guests, laid the tables, put out chairs, made lovely healthy fruit kebabs and served non alcoholic fruit cocktails (and cleared away afterwards). Well done girls you did a great job! In addition to enrolling our newest members we created 2 new sixes, complete with sixers and seconders and awarded many interest badges, so many talents, musician (passed twice for being proficient with two instruments), dancing, gardening, science investigator, healthy hearts, culture, swimming, and melbournmagazine

We are a warm, friendly, family run home conveniently situated close to the station and town centre of Royston. If you would like to find out more about St George’s, please call us for a brochure or drop in for a chat. 42 Kneesworth Street, Royston, Herts. SG8 5AQ Telephone: 01763 242243 web site: www.stgeorgescare.com

M&M BOOKS CASH PAID for Old and Modern Books Also Purchased Coins, Medals, Postcards, China, Cigarette Cards, Jewellery, Furniture, Old Toys & Cars, Stamps, Programmes, Glass, Comics, Collectables

Phone 01763 849789

Mobile 07596 990660 46

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

advance swimming, cooks and advance cooks, craft, artist to name but a few (I think I bought a total of just over 100 interest badges not counting those we held in stock!! some of these are for badges we are working on now but never the less there will be many busy fingers sewing a plethora of badges ) We encourage our girls to develop their interests away from Brownies and are happy to work with other professionals to have badge work signed off. Currently we are working on our “Finding our Way” badge and our lovely unit helper “Squirrel” led the girls in an activity to teach them how to read/use a train timetable and a bus timetable, and we are also doing our Road Safety badge (very important at any time of the year but somehow more so as the nights grow darker). We have lots of lovely Christmas crafts and bakes planned for the second half of term and will close with a Christmas party, in the meantime the girls will be active in the community by attending the service of Remembrance and supporting the All Saints Christmas Bazaar, we look forward to saying hello to some of you there. 2014 promises to be an exciting year for us with trips out and pack holidays to be planned. I/we couldn’t do this without the wonderful supportive team we have, 2 uniformed qualified assistant guiders, 2 young guides (ex 1st Melbourn Brownies who now come back to help, and are much loved by us all) and of course our beloved Squirrel Glenna, who has many years experience as a unit helper and thankfully made herself known to us when she moved into the village. We currently have spaces so if your daughter, niece, granddaughter would like to become part of this happy, friendly unit, and celebrate 100 years of Brownies we meet on a Wednesday night at All Saints Community Hall, please do contact me on stefclifford@hotmail.com or by phone on 01763 220272 Steph Clifford, Brown Owl

1st Melbourn Guides In the September edition of this magazine I promised you news of our summer camp. The bad news was that it rained quite a lot; the good news is that it didn’t spoil our fun at all!

We spent four nights at Phasels Wood scout campsite, and enjoyed climbing, abseiling, archery, carpet sledging and many impromptu games of football and rounders. We cooked dampers and pitta pizzas on open fires, had a campfire with Ashwell Guides, painted patrol flags, and – of course – splashed in lots of puddles. We started the autumn term with six new girls and two new Young Leaders. After settling-in activities, the girls cooked soup and rolls, explored the five senses, and made Halloween outfits from bin bags. On 12th October, we went to Wembley Arena for the amazing Guides-only Big Gig where we saw eight live acts, including Union J, Little Mix and Jahmene Douglas. As the Guide promise changed recently, we spent an evening exploring the new meanings. Instead of promising to ‘Love my God’, the girls have to promise to ‘be true to myself and develop my beliefs’. In small groups we explored the ways we can be ‘true to ourselves’ and also how world faiths share the same moral codes. We looked at local papers too, to see how others serve their community, and think of how we, the Guides, can be of service to our Queen and community. After half term, we will be doing a choice of interest badges and making Christmas decorations. You will also see us at the Remembrance parade and the church bazaar. We currently have a full unit and a waiting list, and would welcome another adult leader. 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 Hilary Marsh

Melbourn and Meldreth Women’s Group The Group is for all women of any age. Meetings are held at 7.45 p.m. on the 4th Tuesday of each month, except in December and we vary our venues between Melbourn and Meldreth. We charge £1 on the night to cover expenses and there is an opportunity

to make a donation to the chosen charity of the year. We usually have a guest speaker or some in house entertainment followed by a chance to have a chat over tea/coffee and biscuits. At the time of writing this in September we have just had an interesting talk given by “Maggies Wallace” whom we supported as our charity last year. We do not meet in December and our AGM takes place on 28 January 2014 in All Saints Community Hall Melbourn at 7.45p.m. At this meeting we will elect our committee and hope some will volunteer to come and join us. We will also elect our charity of the year so come with some suggestions for that please. Once the formal business is concluded we will sit down to a bring and share supper – please let Pat Smith or Sue Toule know what you plan to bring – here’s hoping we are not deep in snow as we were this year!!! We will also be giving out the Programme for the year – the February meeting will be on 25 February at Melbourn and will be Richard Elliott who will give a Farm Talk. Should you wish to come along please do or contact Pat Smith or Sue Toule (tel. 260955) if you would like any more information

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 7.30p.m on the second Tuesday each month, at the Community Hall, behind All Saints Church (near traffic lights, lane by telephone box) Talks during the past months A Garden for All Seasons - Hilary Thomas, who previously taught horticulture, planting and garden design at Capel Manor, showed us how to extend the growing season, so there was always something of interest in the garden. Wild Scotland - Richard Revels, a regular visitor to the club, showed us a varied mixture of landscapes and the flora and fauna of four different Scottish Islands, Islay, Skye, North and South Uist in the Hebrides, and The Isle of May in the Firth of Forth.

melbournmagazine

Jeremy Ashworth We can make life a little easier

Local Community Services delivered from Moorlands Court

Electrician and Property Maintenance

Homecare : our fully trained carers visit you in

your home.

Sitting service : a visit from our experienced staff gives family carers time for themselves.

Day Centre : based at Moorlands Court with a friendly and sociable atmosphere and includes a tasty 2 course lunch.

21 Bramley Avenue, Melbourn, Royston, Herts. SG8 6HG

Meals service : nutritious, hot lunchtime meal delivered to you.

Housekeeping : we do those jobs which you can no

longer manage, from cleaning and ironing, to bed changing and shopping.

To find out more, just call us at Moorlands Court on 01763 260564, or email : denise.taylor@chsgroup.org.uk

Telephone: 01223 260082

We deliver bagged feed, bedding, hay and straw for poultry, goats, sheep, pigs, cattle, rabbits and guinea pigs, horses, dogs etc COMPETITIVE PRICES & FREE LOCAL DELIVERY Please ‘phone or email for up-to-date prices

Email: judy@fenfeeds.co.uk www.fenfeeds.co.uk

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Future Programme 10th December 2013 – Christmas Social Evening & Quiz 14th January 2014 – Through the Year in a Nature Photographer’s Garden’ Jeff Harrison UK Wildlife, Nature & Landscape Photographer will give a talk on some of the flowers, plants, trees, birds, insects and other wildlife (including badgers, deer, foxes, grass snakes, etc) seen and photographed in his own garden 11th February 2014 – The Salvia Family Janet Buist, owner of Pennycross Nursery at Colne, Huntingdon grows and sells hardy perennials. She has a passion for Salvias and has been described as a Salvia guru. In particular, she grows New World varieties of S. greggii & S. microphylla. This talk is suitable for both the beginner and the seasoned grower. Everyone is welcome to join us to hear about these wonderful plants, which have scented leaves, flower through the summer and autumn in a rich variety of colours.

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New members and visitors very welcome. For more information – ring Helen 01763 245887

Meldreth Local History Group

research how the village was affected at this time, the families, and those who went to war in the armed services. If you know of anyone who was connected to the village of Meldreth during 1914-18 and who may have memories that have been passed down through the family, photographs or any archive material relating to that time, the History Group would be please to hear from you, either by contacting us through our website, info@meldrethhistory.org. uk, or telephoning Ann Handscombe 260264, or visiting Elin Way Community Centre on Monday morning between 9.30 and 12noon, to meet members of the Group.

Royston & District Local History Society www.roystonlocalhistory.org.uk Our meetings are held in the Heritage Hall, Royston Town Hall on the first Thursday of the month (second Thursday in May) starting at 8pm. Annual subscription is £5 (under 18’s £2.50). Visitors £2 per meeting. December 5 Hertfordshire’s Timber Framed Buildings, illustrated. Helen Gibson January 2 Women in 1800s, illustrated. Tom Doig February 6 The Tudor Re-creation at Kentwell Hall, illustrated. Honor Ridout

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To coincide with the centenary of the outbreak of World War I, the Meldreth Local History Group have begun to

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 at our meetings or may be ordered by post from David Allard 01763 242677. They may also be purchased at the Royston Museum & Arts Gallery in Kneesworth Street and some are available at the Cave Bookshop in Melbourn Street. The society is responsible for the opening of Royston Cave, Melbourn Street, Royston which will be re-opening on Easter Saturday, 19th April. www.roystoncave.co.uk

Ramblers’ Association Royston and District Group Our walks programme continues right through the year. For details visit our website: www.ramblers-herts-northmiddlesex. org.uk or contact David Allard (01763 242677). Email: david.allard@ntlworld.com or Lesley Abbiss (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. Occasionally, Sunday walks are Figures of Eight making it possible to do only the morning or the afternoon. Half-day

Home-Start Royston & South Cambridgeshire are looking for Home Visiting Volunteers

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 Sarah or Jackie or e-mailing admin@hsrsc.co.uk Registered Charity No 1105385

A home visiting volunteer would normally have parenting experience with an understanding of the problems and pleasures of family life. We link this well-supported and trained volunteer to the most suitable family referred, offering home visits, usually for 2–3 hours a week. Our volunteers support families in a huge variety of ways which can include: offering a non-judgemental listening ear, helping parents to manage their children’s behaviour, providing practical help around healthy eating, accessing other community services and supporting parents in keeping their children safe.

This is when Home-Start volunteers can help!

www.hsrsc.co.uk

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. All parents need emotional and practical help to get through the first few years, but not everyone has friends or family nearby.

A 10 session training course for new volunteers is being held during February & March 2014. The course will run from 9.30am – 2.30pm. Dates to be confirmed. Please contact us if you are interested in joining this course. melbournmagazine

Email: sprintprinters@hotmail.co.uk

Self Contained Office To Let at Long Barn, Meldreth

Approx.19'6" × 10' With all facilities £200 + vat PCM For detail contact 01763 263339 or 07860 734176

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

walks are held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Prospective new members are welcome and may come on three walks before deciding whether to join. Visit www.ramblers.org.uk to join.

Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) Royston Enrol at Royston Town Hall on Tuesday 7th January, 10AM – 11AM The courses will start at the same venue on Tuesday 14th January, 10AM – 11.30AM and will last for 10 weeks. As previously there will be a choice of two courses: 1 Elizabeth to Elizabeth. Tutor: Peter Goodwin A ten week study of English music to include: the Renaissance; the Commonwealth; the Restoration; European visitors; Victorians and Edwardians and the 20th century. All sessions will include many musical examples. 2 Richard III Reconsidered. Tutor: Karon Stanley This course will re-evaluate Richard IIIs role as monarch and try and discover the real king as opposed to the myth created by the Tudors. Further details from Carol Bradshaw: 01763 268678.

Royston and District Family History Society This time of year is often when we ask ourselves what can we do to fill those longer evenings and you may think it’s time to look at the life of a particular relative. This is why we offer talks as well as members evenings. The latter are felt to be helpful to new members but even those of us who have been researching for years frequently come up against a ‘brick wall’ that we haven’t experienced before and are grateful to pick the brains of someone who has. As you have read in the past, we also undertake projects which we see as our contribution to the wider family history family of researchers. We are still looking at possible subjects to mark the commemoration of the centenary

of WW1, whether on the home front or someone fighting. One idea is to look at the VAD hospital at Queens Road School, Royston. Was your gran a volunteer there or at Shepreth? Progress is continuing on our very large project, the recording the Orchard Road Cemetery, Melbourn. All our publications are available on our bookstall at meetings, from our website www.roystonfhs.org.uk or 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 7.30PM, with talks commencing at 8PM. Our new season started with Dan Hill discussing ‘Researching your Great War Ancestors’. He introduced us to ways of finding information by concentrating on the life of one soldier. Dan also told us about the project and website called www.hertsatwar.co.uk which is being launched this autumn. Our programme for the late 2013, early 2014 is: Nov 18th Fiona Lucraft ‘Dining at Christmas through the ages’ Dec 16th Christmas Social January 20th Member Janet Pope ‘Essex and Kent and a surprise in store!’’ February 17th Members Evening TBA March 17th Dr Shirley Wittering ‘What people had in their houses?’

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We are always happy to see new faces and can assure you of a warm welcome. Pam Wright, Journal Editor Royston & District FHS

Melbourn And District Photographic Club The 2013/2014 season has started well, with a mixture of long standing members and new members, ensuring lively discussion and contrasting images. Early sessions have demonstrated a high standard, and new members have benefited from the tutorial sessions. The club meets weekly from September to April at Foxton Village Hall

and local photographers from Melbourn and local villages are welcome. Meetings are from 7.30 to 9.30 on Tuesdays. The programme December to April comprises: December

»»3 Lecture: Images of Iceland: Colin »» »»

Westgate 10 Competition: Melbourn Trophy or Projected Image 17 Club Evening: History of the Club

January 7 Christmas meal 14 Competition: Panel Prints 18 (SAT) Competition: Whittlesford 21 Lecture: Birds, Beasts and Geysers: Barry and Liz Hatten 28 Competition: Inter Club with Gamlingay

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February 4 Lecture: The Pacific North West: Adrian Stone 11 Competition: Prints 18 Club Evening: And Now For Something Completely Different 25 Competition: Projected Image

»» »» »» »»

March 4 Competition: Three Counties Cup 11 Competition: Projected Image of the year 15 (SAT) Competition Melbourn Trophy Final 18 Competition: Print of the year 25 Club evening:

»» »» »» »» »»

April 1 AGM For further information please visit our website: www.melbournphotographic-club.co.uk, email on melbournphotoclub@hotmail.com, or ring Bruce Huett on 01763 232 855.

Dramawise Our Seniors could not have had a better year, winning both the Sawston and Cambridge Drama Festivals with Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. Presenting an open-air performance at Granta Park, Abington and then presenting a week’s performances in Edinburgh that gained them a ‘Show to watch’ from the Fringe. Not content with all those performances at the end of June, they presented a production of melbournmagazine

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The Boyfriend, of which the reviewer wrote, ‘the young ladies pronouncement of the English Language was exceptional as was the French accents of Hortense (Tamsin Kerslake) and Madam Dubbonet (Hannah Jones). There were amusing comedy scenes and talented singers and dancers treated us to some grand numbers. There is a quote from one of the young people (14 yrs) who went on the Edinburgh Adventure, “This was an unforgettable awesome experience for someone of my age. I learnt how to adapt to different stages and how it feels to perform the same thing over a period of time. I feel I understand Shakespeare more and have gained confidence as a young performer.”’ Our juniors performed a new musical The Rats. A reviewer said of this, ‘I really enjoyed this performance and watching so many young children making their first debut on stage. Most of them had a line or two to speak which were delivered clearly by enthusiastic and smiling faces. The stage discipline and confidence was excellent from children of such a young age.’ Now on to the future. We have lost one of our Tutors, Mark, who will be spending the next few months playing the professor in the hit Musical Dirty Dancing in the West End. We expect to welcome him back in February. Many of our students will be taking English Speaking Board and LAMDA examinations in November, and we wish them well. Stephen Mackintosh, our patron, is to be watched on Television and one of our old students finished at Drama School in July and is starting their professional career. On Saturday the 7th September the cast of Much Ado had a celebratory dinner out when they presented Frances and Angela with the most wonderful photographic book about all their experiences in Edinburgh with the play. This will be available for other parents to see at our Dramawise sessions. In February, Dramawise will be opening a dance school in Sawston with the same high standards as our Drama classes. Ballet, Street, Modern and Tap will be available from specialists for 8yrs

to 16yrs. Watch out for the dates and venue. For more information about Dramawise from frances.wyse@ btinternet.com

Melbourn Dynamos Football Club For Boys and Girls aged 4 – 18 years old All welcome! www.melbourndynamos.co.uk MDFC is a friendly community football club that gives boys and girls the opportunity to play regular football regardless of their experience or ability. We have squads in all age groups from U7 to U18 and have a permanent base at Melbourn Village College (MVC), where with their support and that of Melbourn Parish Council, we hold our training and home matches in beautiful surroundings. Our squads train weekly and play matches at weekends (mostly) in the Royston Crow Youth League, as well as regional cup competitions. The U15s squad are pictured wearing their new kit donated by the League and trophyUK.net in recognition of the League’s 30th anniversary. We have had many successes, both competitively and in our style of play which has led to a number of our squads receiving the League’s Fair Play Award – voted for by other clubs in the League. We also run a Saturday morning fun football session at 10.30 am for boys and girls aged 4 to 6 years – The Melbourn Dynamites - all are welcome so why not bring your young players along so they can check it out and join in if they wish. We are looking forward to the challenges of 2013/14 when each of our teams progress to the next age group with their Managers and Coaches. The greatest change will be for our youngest players – the Dynamites who progress from learning and developing their skills to becoming the Melbourn Dynamos squad for a 5v5 team of under 7s in the Royston Crow Youth Football League. The new 5-a-side format required by the League at U7 has arisen from an important FA initiative to keep fun and enjoyment in

youth football while developing skills and learning about the game; and to delay the time when young players have to progress to large pitches with 11-a-side teams and enormous goals. The FA has recognised that the most successful footballing countries have been doing this for years with obvious benefits to their National Teams. Cambridge F.A. and the Royston Crow Youth Football League have asked our club to host two important minisoccer festivals for local younger players on 27th April and 18th May. This reflects well on the club, the many volunteers who make it all happen; and of course MVC and Melbourn Parish Council who support us. You may have seen that the Club is running a Cafe in the Sports Pavilion on the Moor as part of our fundraising activities for this season. We would like to thank Melbourn Parish Council for enabling us to use the Pavilion. Also our thanks are due to the Melbourn Co-op and Leech & Sons for their kind support and donations. We will be open again from the start of the season. Come and visit us on Sunday mornings between 10.00– 12.30 and try our superb sausage & bacon rolls, homemade cakes and hot and cold drinks – all are very welcome! All of our coaches are CRB checked and qualified to a minimum of F.A. Level1 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. All are welcome and if you are interested in finding out more about MDFC and the opportunities to play football with us, please contact Nicky Patel on 07951 590139 or email us on melbourndynamos@aol.com. We are looking forward to an even more successful and enjoyable season in 2013/14 so why not come and join us?

Melbourn Bowls Club The Bowls Club is now in its winter hibernation mode after another enjoyable year. We were able to welcome a number of new members this season who have entered wholeheartedly into the life of the Club. Their input has been melbournmagazine

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very welcome and we are delighted with their enthusiasm and progress. We have been able to hold a number of functions to help raise funds for the Club over the Summer Months, including our Open Triples, won by Alan Lock, Ann Peppercorn and Robert Fairchild of the Coton Bowls Club, our Coffee mornings run by Muriel Cooper, a Garage sale hosted by Paul Ferris, and a Quiz Night held at All Saints Community Hall. Many members put in a lot of hard work in arranging and running these events and we have to be very grateful for their efforts. Our Division 1 Cambridge and District League team consolidated its position in its first season back in the top division, achieving a creditable fourth place and reaching the Semi-Finals of the Gilbert Cup. So, congratulations are due once again to Rod Sell and his team. The Meldreth League Team finished third, while the afternoon Foxton League team finished seventh out of eleven but with a positive shots difference. The Business House League team unfortunately was unable to retain its place in the first division, but will no doubt be eager to win back their place next season. Our Division 5 Cambridge and District league team won the Wooden Spoon, but a number of the new members took part and we all hope that this year’s experience will stand them in good stead for next summer’s season and enable the team to fight their way up the Division. The annual Ladies v Gents match was held on 14th July and this year the Gents managed to avenge last year’s defeat and emerge victorious. No doubt the Ladies will be eager to gain their revenge next season. The Melbourn Club Triples were held on 29th July and won by Lorna Morgan, Tony Jaquarello and Rod Sell. The internal Club Competitions finals, with the exception of the Club Triples, took place in September with the following results: Monday Afternoon League: Winner Yvonne Blows; Runner Up Sue Gibson Mixed Pairs: Winners – Sue and Rod Sell; Runners Up – Doreen and Geoff Bridger

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• • •

Drawn Pairs: Winners Rod Sell and Peter Blaney; Runners Up Geoff Bridger and Malcolm Davey Handicap: Winner Arthur Andrews; Runner Up Sue Sell Fish & Chips Pairs (Chris Blows Memorial Shield): Winners Mervyn Mann and Ryan Rolph

The Fish and Chip Pairs Trophy played for as our last event of the Season has now been renamed the Chris Blows Memorial Trophy in honour of our late member Chris Blows, to acknowledge the tireless work he put in for the benefit of the Club over many years. His death shortly before the start of the Summer Season was a great loss to the Club, as well as to his family and the many friends he made both in the Bowls Club and elsewhere. During the winter we are continuing with Whist Drives every other Friday at 7.00PM in the Clubhouse starting 11th October and will continue until Easter with a break over the Christmas period. This is a friendly sociable event and prospective new members would be made very welcome at these evenings. If you enjoy a friendly game of cards, not taken too seriously, why not come along. It would be a good opportunity to see whether you enjoy the company of the present members and consider whether you would like to join the Club for next season. The dates up to Christmas will be in the Diary section, but those after Christmas have not yet been arranged. For further details contact Arthur Andrews (tel 01763 261990). During the winter, we will be planning for next Season and hope to give you up-to-date information in the next issue of the Melbourn Magazine. I can, however, say that our Open day, when we hope to welcome prospective new members, will be Sunday 4th May 2014. More details concerning this day should appear in the next issue.

Melbourn Bridge Club The lovely summer evenings of 2013 did nothing to curtail players from attending Melbourn Bridge Club. With numbers steadily rising, it is a good reflection that the club is friendly, not intimidating, and somewhere that players can enjoy Duplicate Bridge time after time. We

would welcome new players, both experienced and newcomers, and remember that we guarantee you a game should you come along on your own – pairs are preferable but not essential. We meet every Monday evening at 19.15 at the Vicarage Close Community Centre (opposite the village car park). For further details, please call Howard Waller 01763 261693.

Claire Elizabeth Tennis Group lessons, Individual lessons and Matchplay available all year round. Sessions available for ALL abilities and ages. Everyone is welcome to come down and have a go!! Melbourn and District Tennis Club – The Moor, Melbourn, Cambridgeshire, SG8 6EF Any questions please contact Claire – claire@claireelizabethtennis.co.uk We look forward to hearing from you! Thursdays

»»Mini Red 16.00 – 17.00 »»Orange / Green 17.00 – 18.00 »»Junior – Yellow 18.00 – 19.00 »»Adult 19.00 – 20.30 Saturdays Mini Tots 9.00 – 9.30 Mini Red 9.30 – 10.30 Orange/ Green 10.30 – 11.30 Junior Yellow 12.00 – 13.00 Junior Matchplay 13.15 – 14.45

»» »» »» »» »»

Any questions please contact Claire – claire@claireelizabethtennis.co.uk We look forward to hearing from you!

Melbourn Sports Centre For those of you who don’t already know, we have: A state of the art fitness suite offering a variety of membership schemes A 20 metre swimming pool (kept ever so slightly warmer than most!) A comprehensive swimming lesson programme, catering for all ages and abilities Upgraded multisports courts for hire including tennis, football and squash courts Water sports courses and activities Traditional and modern exercise classes

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Honey roasted baby fennel, spiced celeriac and parsnip soup with watercress pesto Stilton, Guinness and venison terrine served with chargrilled soda bread and baby lamb lettuce leaves ***

Free-range, slow roasted Norfolk turkey filled with fresh cranberries, herbs and dark meat mince Slow cooked herb crusted saddle of venison Pan-friend fillet of Cornish brill Smoked Applewood cheddar, butternut squash, baby spinach, red onion and baby fennel tart tatin

Slow braised shin of beef with glazed shallots, pan reduced red wine jus and horseradish dumplings Grilled vegetable roulade with spinach and goats cheese served with spicy red pepper sauce and wild rocket leaves

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Access to Melbourn Village College sports hall and gymnasium for activities such as trampolining, badminton and basketball Supervised sports and pool parties.

A Winter Wonderland at MSC! December, January, February, March We have loads on offer this month, with something for the whole community to get involved with. So why not come along and find out more about your local sports centre?

Come in out of the cold! 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, Swim Clinic, AquaFit, Pilates and Body Workout. We also now offer table tennis alongside our normal indoor racket sports. And they’re all reasonably priced, so the one thing that will stay plump is your purse!

Activities for children! Trampolining is also part of our lesson programme, offered to children at full-time school, as are the Saturday gymnastic lessons run by a qualified instructor, for children aged three and up.

The perfect present! With Christmas just around the corner, keep your eye out for our gift promotion – a fun and fit idea if you’re looking for something different to buy a loved one or friend (or treat yourself). Or why not take advantage of one of our great membership schemes to our fitness suite? It houses the latest in gymnasium equipment, including C.V machines fitted with audio visual technology, an ideal present for a loved one! For further details on parties, gift memberships or any of our activities, please drop in, call 01763 263313 or go online at www.melbournsports.com. We look forward to seeing you this season!

Activities for teenagers and young adults

Party time!

Rookie Lifesaving

Looking to book a birthday or Christmas party? How about bouncing those cares away? Our new trampolining party is now available as well as our normal activities. We also have the adjacent Community Centre available for booking, with or without the pool facilities.

The course is designed to ensure that every child in the country has essential water skills to keep themselves safe and knowledge of what to do in an emergency. The programme features swimming and lifesaving skills supported by water safety education. Age range: 10 years upwards (strong swimmers). Date: Mondays / 17.15 – 18.15 / Price: £4.75 PL / £5.75 PL (paid termly) Teen Training An hour fitness session using our fitness suite machines Age range: 14 years upwards. Date: Monday – Fridays / 15.30 – 16.30 and Weekends /14.00 – 15.00 / Price: £2.50 per session/10 sessions for £20.00

Personal care for your feet in the comfort of your own home • Nail Trimming • Hard Skin & Cracked Heels • Corns & Verrucas • Fungal Nails Please Telephone for Day, Evening & Weekend Appointments on 01763 261250 or 0791 3913955 Nancy Foster MCFHP MAFHP

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Activities for Adults Adult Swimming Lessons We offer a wide range of adult swimming lessons, from beginners to advanced. We operate weekly lessons and oneto-one lessons as well as crash courses during school holidays. Beginners: Wed19.30 – 20.15 / Thur 15.00 – 15.45 Intermediates: Tues 15.00 – 15.45 / Sat 07.45 – 08.30 Advanced: Wed 20.15 – 21.15 / Sat 08.00 – 08.45

Aqua-Fit Each class lasts an hour and includes warm up, combination exercises, cool down, stretches and often deep water work. Our fun and friendly sessions are made all the more lively by popular musical accompaniment. Go on - give it a go! Melbourn Sports Centre, The Village College, The Moor, Melbourn, Cambs SG8 6EF 01763 263313 wwwmelbournsports.com info@melbournsports.com

melbournmagazine

Pool Parties at Mel-BOURN2SWIM 1 Hour in a warm pool with slide and various toy floats A choice of hot or cold food after your fun swim Individual float jackets available All this for £150.00

For more details go to www.mel-bourn2swim.com

or call Dawn 01763 262344/07891655398

Burn up to 600 Calories in each 60 minute total body workout! Dec 2013/Jan 2014 Special New Year Oﬀer ﬁrst week £5.00 new students only

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www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

Grinnel Hill BMX Club

A big development for us was finally taking delivery of our shipping container, which we secured, with the help of Val Barrett from Melbourn Parish Council, via a Cambridgeshire Community Chest Grant, which means we now have a safe, weatherproof place to store our equipment. Towards the end of the summer, with the help of a friend of the club’s mini digger, we under took a re-development of the upper section of the Advanced part of the track which we managed to complete before putting the whole site to bed again for the winter. The club is open annually April to September. Strictly for BMX use only, for ages 12 and older, members have the option of either becoming a seasonal member for £20

After a slight delay due to the prolonged cold winter, and an extensive re-working of the Beginner and Intermediate parts of the track, we once again opened our gates early May. Since then we’ve seen over 50 members, many new and existing returning through our gates, from Melbourn itself to surrounding towns/villages, counties, and foreign visitors from the BMX community travelling as far and wide as France, America, and even Australia! With the ‘unseasonably’ long, hot, dry spell this summer, a complete game changer for the club has been making full use of the water supply brought onto the site late last year, without this we wouldn’t have been able to build and maintain the site to a safe standard, which meant we were able to remain open every weekend between May and September where weather permitted. None of this would have been possible without the help and support of Jose Hales from Melbourn Parish Council, and Cambridge Water, to whom we’re eternally grateful.

(April to September), or a day member (per session) for £5. Our aim for the club is to promote an activity for the young community of Melbourn and surrounding areas to participate in, with the guidance of our committee and experts, in a safe and friendly environment. Members will have access to BMX coaching and expertise on site during club open days. For more details and to download your membership form today please visit www.grinnelhillbmx.co.uk We would like to thank Melbourn Parish Council for their support and help to get on our feet, and who have contributed to the continued success of the club to date. melbournmagazine

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feature Melbourn Rock

The village of Melbourn sits on a narrow chalk ridge formally known as the East Anglian Chalk, which ran from Hitchin in Hertfordshire to Isleham on the borders of Suffolk. It cut through the southern part of Cambridge and stretched to the border of Saffron Walden. Within this ridge there are three sub-layers, known as the Lower Chalk, Middle Chalk, and Upper Chalk layers. Between the Middle and Lower Chalk layers lies a thin seam of chalk approximately 3 metres deep which differs from the other chalk layers by its yellow tinge. This layer of chalk is called Melbourn Rock – also known locally as ‘clunch’. The term ‘clunch’ is used to describe hardened chalk, although it is in fact a porous material that retains the moisture making it a soft chalky rock. However, whilst in this soft state, it is possible to cut the rock by hand. Melbourn Rock was used as a building material in the village from as early as the medieval period up to the end of the 19th century. Although most early buildings would have been timber framed with wattle and daub, clunch was used for small out-buildings, walls and chimneys. By the early 19th century clunch was more widely used as a cheap alternative building material. Buildings with a mixture of brick, clunch and timber-frames with thatched or tiled roofs, could still be seen in the village well into the

1930s and a number of examples of these buildings have survived in the village. The rock was cut into squared blocks, and with a flat surface they could then be laid in regular courses with joints of mortar. A more dense material was often used for corners, whilst the surrounds of windows and doors would have been supported by wooden beams, limestone or brick dressings. Because clunch is porous it weathers badly, and once dry, it becomes brittle and shatters, therefore in order to protect the outer surface of walls from the elements a thick protective coat of lime wash was applied. In All Saints’ Church, Melbourn Rock was used in the construction of the tower arch of the West tower. From the 13th century the flint and pebble stone wall originally had a clunch dressing, which was later replaced by limestone. Both the West window and doorway are built with clunch, as is the East window.

Melbourn Whiting Company Although chalk had been quarried for centuries in the area, the name Melbourn Rock derived from the discovery of this slightly different variation of chalk near Grinnell Hill in London Way. A mix of building materials found in the village. On the left, a clunch wall with one area possibly an old door filled in with wattle and daub. On the right the front is all wattle and daub. This building sat opposite the Co-op, Leech the butchers roof can be seen on the right.

melbournmagazine

The Black Horse welcomes you … Steve, Kerry and all the staff would like to welcome you to The Black Horse, Melbourn A traditional country pub which serves real ales, with a friendly atmosphere. Whether you’re looking to have a quiet drink, a bite to eat or you’d like to watch televised sporting events, a warm welcome is guaranteed. Dining Food is served Wednesday–Sunday 1200-1400hr & 1800-2030hr. Parking The Black Horse has it’s own private car park and there is also ample local street parking available. Outdoor Facilities We have a large Beer Garden to the rear comprising a decking patio area overlooking an fully-enclosed garden with children’s play equipment. Smokers Smoking inside the bar areas is not permitted by law but in addition to the outdoor patio/ garden we also have a substantial permanently covered and partly enclosed decked seating area which, although open-air, offers very effective protection from the elements.

Children We aim to provide a family-friendly environment. Children accompanied by an adult are welcome inside the bar lounges. At the moment we only have one high-chair available, but customers are welcome to make their own arrangements. For baby/ toddler feeding just ask if you need any water or anything warmed. Dogs We recognise that some of our customers like to include the pub on their dog walk, and we aim to accommodate them but do ask that in consideration of our other patrons dogs must be kept on a lead at all times. Particularly inside the premises the lead needs to be short enough to keep your dog close to you. Private Functions The Black Horse is available for private functions, for further details just give us a call.

The Black Horse 63 Orchard Rd, Melbourn, Royston. SG8 6BP Telephone 01763 262136 email: info@theblackhorsemelbourn.co.uk

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

The Melbourn quarry and plant in Back Lane 1963

When the discovery was made, or when it achieved its name is unknown. Documented evidence shows that clunch was being dug from pits in the village from as early as the turn of the 19th century, and it is recorded that in 1830 the Melbourn Whiting Company were mining Middle Chalk and Melbourn Rock deposits in a quarry that ran alongside Back Lane up to London Way. The site covered 16-acres, and at one time reached a depth of 20 metres. The Whiting Company mined the Middle Chalk layer from Melbourn for the manufacture of putty and distemper paints. They also produced a quicklime known as ‘lump lime’ from pot-type kilns that were situated on the site. A coarse section of this layer was also used to supply the cattle feeds industry with calcium carbonate minerals. During the Second World War chalk was also used as a dietary supplement and in the preparation of white bread. An interesting point – at one time, the addition of chalk to bread was officially recognised as adulteration and banned by law: today, in the name of fortification, it is mandatory in almost all!

Melbourn Rock is a limestone formed over 100 million years ago during the Cretaceous period (from the Latin word creta or chalk), which followed the period known as the ‘Jurassic era’ – when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Its composition results from immeasurable compressed skeletons of prehistoric animals, sea creatures and algae. The photograph above is of Melbourn Rock. Fossilised remains can be seen throughout the chalk.

The shallow overburden (waste or spoil), Melbourn quarry 1963

The Melbourn Whiting Company owned and operated two quarries in the area, Melbourn and Steeple Morden. In 1920 the Melbourn site was closed and lay dormant until 1938 when it reopened utilising a more modern processing technique. In 1966 Plüss Staufer AG (now Omya AG) acquired the Whiting company and it was around this time that the Melbourn site was finally closed.

In the News… The clunch pits in Melbourn sparked a number of articles in the local press in the 19th century. These very graphic stories illustrate the dangers of working in the industry. In 1817 on the 4th July it was reported in the Chronicle that: On Wednesday an inquisition was taken at Melbourn, on view of the body of William Winter, who the day before was working in the clunch-pit in the parish, and altho’ he had been warned by his master not to work near a particular part of it on account of its danger, he had the temerity to go and work there, and a large part of the pit fell in and crushed his head to atoms. Verdict, accidental death. On October 23rd in 1841 there was a ‘Fatal Accident’: Last Saturday a labouring man named John Ingrey was killed by the falling of a quantity of clunch in a pit in which he was working, at Melbourn, in this county. I would like to thank Tim Baker of Baker Associates and Graham Skelham of Omya AG for their help and support.

Peter Simmonett melbournmagazine

Available on Royston Market: Fresh Fruit and Veg

Fish direct from Great Yarmouth Bread and Cakes,

Timber • Aggregates Fencing • Paving • Bricks Blocks • Sheet Material Insulation & much more

Flowers and Plants

Phone: 01763 261740

Groceries Jewellery (Gold bought for Cash) Picture Framing Plastics Swimming Pool Supplies (the only licenced chemical market trader in the UK!)

Email: sales@norburys.com www.norburys.com 1 London Way Melbourn, SG8 6DJ (Just off Back Lane)

Bling

Kitchenware Antiques Pet Supplies.

New Traders Always Welcome For Further Information Please Contact: The Market Manager on 01763 245484 or email: markets@roystontowncouncil.gov.uk

Nail Designs

01763 262020 The perfect treat for your hands & feet Offering a variety of treatments including: Manicure & Pedicure Nail Shape & Polish UV Gel Extensions & Overlays Gelish Colour Gels applies like a polish, lasts like a gel

Hand painted designs as unique as you are.

Also Semi‐permanent eyelash extensions

Lash & Brow tinting Brow shaping Located inside

Looks Good Hairdressing

10 The Moor, Melbourn, Nr Royston Herts, SG8 6ED

www.bling‐nail‐designs.com

01763 262020 or 07922 053801 66

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

What’s on Supporters of All Saints (SOAS) present

CAROLS FOR CHOIR & AUDIENCE WITH THE ORLANDO SINGERS (Conductor – Peter Horley)

ALL SAINTS CHURCH MELBOURN SATURDAY 14th DECEMBER 7.30pm TICKETS £8.00 (non-members) & £7.50 (members)

(to include a glass of wine at the interval) Tickets from 01763 260686 or 01763 260072 or on the door on the evening.

Addenbrooke’s Rudolph Run – Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT), the dedicated charity for Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie hospitals, is organising the first annual Christmas fun run at Addenbrooke’s Hospital – the Rudolph Run – on Sunday 1st December 2013. The 5km fun run is open to all whether you’re a walker, fun-runner or serious runner – everyone is welcome to take part. There is also a 3km route for children, infants in pushchairs and those with limited mobility. Sprint, jog, speed walk, skip, hop or trot – however you complete it, just have fun while raising money for a very special cause! You can find out more at www.act4addenbrookes.org.uk/ rudolphrun

Royal British Legion, Women’s Section The Royal British Legion are holding a Christmas Sale, on Saturday 7th December with a Coffee Morning from 10.30am to 12noon at Elin Way Community Centre, Meldreth. Everyone welcome! Christine Linsdell Chairman (01763 262208)

A Celebration of Royston Arts Festival Tuesday, 4 February 2014, 7.30pm (at Royston Picture Palace) Sample the talents of some of our contributors and find out more about our plans for 2014 (with a free glass of wine!). The evening will include the premiere of ‘The Festival’, a film by Paul Vernon.There will also be a short business meeting (AGM). Reserve your place online via our website: RoystonArtsFestival.org.

U3A Handbell – ringing Group The art of ringing musical handbells, bells tuned in sets and fitted with leather straps, began in England about 300 years ago. The sound is delightful, and pleasure and competence in ringing can be achieved by all age groups and in teams great or small in number. ‘Scrambells’, acronym for South Cambridgeshire, Royston and Melbourn & District U3A], meet weekly at Meldreth, and will be playing at Meldreth Parish Church’s Christmas Tree Festival on the afternoon of Sunday December 1st from 2pm for about 20/30 minutes. For more information please ring Eira Martin on 01763 261221 or e-mail eira@martin29.myzen.co.uk.

Madingley Weekly Programme These five-week, multidisciplinary courses are all led by top Cambridge experts who are actively involved in research. Each typically involves attending one two-hour session a week here at the home of the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education, Madingley Hall. As with many of our programmes, the courses are open to everyone. Dates Madingley Weekly courses take place in three tranches, the first of which begins early in the new year. These are the courses coming up in January:

• • • • • •

First World War remembered, beginning 13th January. 600 years of death and burial, beginning 14th January. Surrealism and film, beginning 14th January. Writing non-fiction: telling true tales, beginning 14th January. Medieval fenland, beginning 15th January. Cambridge science: behind the scenes, beginning 15th January.

For more information about these courses, and to see what else you can learn with the Institute of Continuing Education, visit www.ice.cam.ac.uk/weekly.

melbournmagazine

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

Melbourn Flooring M and Interiors Limited

FLOORING ■ Vast Range of Carpets from all leading manufacturers ■ ■ ■ ■

Real Wood, Laminates

Vinyl’s, Karndean, Amtico and Project Floors Safety Flooring

Free Estimates. Fitting by experienced staff.

HOME INTERIORS ■ Wallpaper sample books – orders next day delivery ■

Designer Fabrics – Sanderson Harlequin – Prestigious most with next day delivery

TILES New Tile showroom at 27 Royston Road, Foxton CB22 6SE covering all your tiling needs. 01223 870011

www.melbournflooring.co.uk VISIT OUR LARGE SHOWROOM 9 TO 5 MONDAY TO FRIDAY 9 TO 4 SATURDAY OR CALL ON 01763 262413 (Melbourn) 01223 870011 (Foxton) AND SPEAK TO ONE OF OUR FRIENDLY STAFF

Large showroom, ample free parking. melbournmagazine

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

Melbourn magazine is non-profit and all work on the magazine including layout is produced by volunteers. The Magazine is published four times a year in the first week of March, June, September and December. We print 2200 copies which are delivered free to every house in the village. Advertising revenue is used for printing costs only. Adverts should be supplied as finished artwork and must be at the sizes shown below. Please send artwork to mag@melbourn.org.uk. 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)

B/W

Colour

Advertising rates are per year (four issues)

£87 £152 N/A

£130 £216 £422

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

Advertisers

Type of business

All Eyes

Spectacle Makers

Amber Osteopathy Ask for James

Tel. No.

Advertisers

Type of business

Tel. No.

01954 231545

Langford Windows

Glazing Specialists

01462 701828

Osteopathic & Sports Injury Clinics

01462 742942

Langham Press

Printers

01223 870266

Gardening & Handyman

01763 249004

Law Storage

Secure storage

01223 874629

Austral Crosby

Chartered Accountants

01763 222111

The Letting Centre

Letting Agency

01763 263039

Baker Associates

Ground Water systems

01763 262726

Little Hands

Nursery School

01763 260964

Bannold

Landscaping Materials

01954 231666

Black Horse

Pub & Restaurant

01763 262136

Marfleet Construction

Builders

01206 855000

Bling

Nail Design

01763 262020

Mel-bourn2Swim

Swimming School

01763 262344

Bowater Price

Local Vehicle Specialists

01763 220996

Melbourn Flooring

Flooring, Tiling & Home Interiors

01763 262413

Bury Lane Farm Shop

Fresh produce, Coffee shop

01763 260418

Melbourn Garage

MOT and Servicing

01763 263344

CA Leech & Sons

Butchers

01763 260255

Cambridge Building Society

Building Society

01763 217510

Cambourne Self Storage

Secure Storage

01767 676189

Carter Shoes

Shoes – wide choice

01223 264930

Cheap Storage

Secure Storage

Chris Thomas CHS (Moorlands Court)

Melbourn Ironing Service

01763 220996

M&M Books

Second hand & rare books

01763 849789

M&M Furniture

Antique and Secondhand furniture

Millside Cabinet Makers

Bespoke furniture

01763 261870

01763 262344

Molly Maid

Cleaning Services

01462 896123

Professional Cleaning

01223 836002

Norburys

Building & Landscape Suppliers

01763 261740

Homecare & Meals Service

01763 260564

Phillimore

Garden Centre

01763 260537

Dan Alder

Painting & Decorating

07843 621 885

The Dolphin

Pub & Restaurant

01763 226004

PL Cooper & Sons Ltd

Flooring Specialists

01763 260918

Prince Property Improvements Property Repairs

01763 269565

ESSE

Retail Therapy

01763 261000

Projects 4 Roofing

Roofing Solutions

01763 869035

Fen Feeds

Animal feeds

01223 260082

Redgate Plastering

Plasterers

07588 472 691

Fieldgate Nurseries

Fruit, vegetables, flowers & plants

01763 260737

Frogend Pet Supplies

Pet supplies

01763 263342

Rothwells

Carpet Cleaning

01223 832928

Garden Design Solutions

Think Garden, Think Richard!

01763 263231

Simon Robinson

Picture Frames

01223 873123

Greenlow

Kennel & Cattery

01763 260624

South Cambs Motors

Motor Car Servicing

01763 260246

The Spice Hut

Indian Takeaway

01763 262425

H20

Gas, Heating & Plumbing

01945 428757

Sprint Printers

Printers and Copiers

01763 263339

Home Store

Bathroom & Tiling

01763 245888

St Georges

Nursing Home

01763 242243

Jazzercise

Dance based Fitness

07703 422394

Jeremy Ashworth

Electrician & Property Maintenance

01763 230831

Taylor & Co

Chartered Accountants

01763 248545

Jeremy Rule

Funeral Service

01763 242560

Urban Plastics

Plumbing, electrical supplies

01763 262337

Julie Newby

Beauty Therapist

01763 208387

Walnut Medical

Healthcare Information

01763 223223

Kathleen Harry B.Sc.Hons.

Osteopath

01223 842978

Wrights Mower Centre

Garden Machinery Supply & Maint.

01763 263393

07596 990 660

melbournmagazine

MAGAZINE ADVERTISERS

The Melbourn magazine team would like to thank all our advertisers for their support and sponsorship

Printed by The Langham Press

Issue 76 Winter 2013

Articles inside

Church news

What’s on

feature

Diary

Community matters

Education

Pavilion update

Profile

Nature

Nature

Reflecting on 2013

Community Hub