Issue 78 Summer 2014 by Melbourn Magazine

...editorial The Hub is a great asset to the village, and is proving a very popular meeting place for coffee and lunch. The library is also attracting more customers, and the meeting rooms are being put to good use. The official opening of the Hub is on June 7th, by Andrew Lansley MP. The next exciting village event is the annual Village Fete, on Saturday June 28th, which has even more attractions this year. The cover photograph is of champion Aerobatic Pilot Lauren Richardson who will be performing this year. If you have time why not offer to help out on the day? (page 9) On Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th July, at All Saints Church, there will be an exhibition to commemorate the First World War, which will focus on people from Melbourn and Meldreth. (page 26). As well as the History Groups from the two villages there will be contributions from the Primary School, the Village College and the Royal British Legion. Refreshments will be available in the Community Hall on both days. All Saints’ is also having an Open Day on Sunday 22nd of June, with tours of the Church followed by cream teas. (page 59) By the time this Magazine appears the examination season will be well under way. Our very best wishes for success to all students who are taking exams this year. To everyone – enjoy the summer!

Melbourn Community Hub Official grand opening ceremony Saturday 7 june 2014 Melbourn Village Fete and Music on the Moor 28 June 2014 Front cover: Champion Aerobatic Pilot Lauren Richardson performing her breath-taking flying display.

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. If you would like to advertise in the Melbourn Magazine see page 71 for details

Village News

Melbourn Community Hub

Official grand opening ceremony Saturday 7 june 2014

Melbourn Village Fete

and Music on the Moor 28 June 2014

Community matters

Nature - River Mel Restoration group

feature - John Lewis Heritage Centre

Council news

Nature - waterliiy wonder

Profile MCI Precision Screens

World War 1 - Melbourn History Group

Cambridgeshire Community Foundation

feature - Percy R Salmon FRPS

Education

Behind the scenes

homelessness charity Emmaus Cambridge

Village Information

Diary

Sports & Clubs

Opportunity for allotment gardening in Melbourn

feature - Round Britain Rally 2014

Church News

Find out more about the Parish Church

faeture - MAD Never to late

What’s on

feature - Woodyard trails - Grinnel Hill BMX 65 email: melbournmagazine@gmail.com

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Charity quiz and raffle for Cam Sight

Melbourn & Meldreth Women’s Group

Derrick Thurley

Papworth Trust Fundraiser

British Legion Woman’s Section

MELBOURN PARISH COUNCIL

MELBOURN COMMUNITY HUB OFFICIAL GRAND OPENING CEREMONY SATURDAY 7 JUNE 2014 Melbourn Parish Council is proud to announce the Grand Opening Ceremony of the Melbourn Community Hub. On Saturday 7 June 2014 at 11am there will be a cutting of the ribbon ceremony attended by Andrew Lansley MP for South Cambridgeshire and former Police Sergeant Ron Brooksbank from the old Melbourn Police Station. After the opening ceremony a host of activities will be taking place, there will be free light refreshments, commemorative balloons, face painting and much, much more…. Come along and join in the festivities. Find out what the Melbourn Hub has to offer the whole village.

Charity quiz and raffle for Cam Sight

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Melbourn Magazine is delivered free to every household in the village by volunteers. If you would like to help please contact Ann Dekkers on 261144

My name is Warren Wilson and I am an employee at the Melbourn Co-op. I would like to tell you about a charity quiz and raffle I am organising for Cam Sight. Cam Sight is our local charity for the blind and visually impaired. I lost a considerable amount of my sight in the summer of 2009 and below I explain a bit about Cam Sight’s services and in particular how they have been of benefit to me. The quiz and raffle I’m organising will be held on Saturday 19th July at the Frank Lee Centre on the grounds of Addenbrookes Hospital. Doors open at 7pm and proceedings start at 7.45pm. the car park at Long Road Sixth Form College will be open for the evening for free and there will be disabled parking at The Frank Lee. The entry cost is £2.50 per person, £4 per person on the door. If you want to come along please contact me (Warren Wilson) with everyone in your party in any of the following ways, Warren.wilson@hotmail.co.uk, warren@camsight.org.uk or 07939181288 or 01223 420033. You will need to buy tickets in advance through Cam Sight. Unlike previous quiz and raffles I have arranged, under 16’s are allowed to attend! melbournmagazine

Prizes we currently have include: 2 adult tickets to the Lodestar festival (under 15’s go free) A £100 book voucher for the Cambridge University Press book shop £50 Amazon vouchers from Cambridge Assessment 2 tickets for Duxford Airfield (non event day) 2 tickets to The ADC Theatre £100 worth of vouchers for Hills Road Sport and Tennis Centre Bottled beer from Oakham Ales And more on the way

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One reason I am fundraising for Cam Sight as mentioned earlier, I lost a considerable amount of my sight during the summer of 2009; whilst I was doing my A-Level exams, and Cam Sight were there to help. They initially helped me with things such as teaching me how to touch-type and use screen reading software and they raised the funds to get a tandem that they loan to me, keeping my love for cycling alive. They continue to be an incredibly helpful charity for me as they helped with the forms I needed to get into university and some of their fantastic volunteers helped me by transcribing interviews I recorded for my dissertation. Without their great help I would have found it difficult to be in the position I am now having finished my History degree at Anglia Ruskin University with a 2-1. Therefore considering Cam Sight has been so instrumental in the upkeep of not only my upbeat nature, confidence and independence, but also that of others, I thought it would be nice to give something back to them. I hope you think so too and I hope you would like to attend my quiz and raffle fundraiser for Cam Sight. Cam Sight is registered charity (number 201640). Visit their website to find out more: www.camsight.org.uk. Warren Wilson.

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. So far this year we have speakers talking about farming, Lent and the Arthur Rank Hospice which was the charity we supported last year. This year’s charity is The National Autistic Society. On June 24th we are looking forward to our Summer Supper which is open to members and their guests but tickets must be purchased in advance from a committee member. We will have a ploughman’s supper followed by a selection of puddings supplied by the committee members. A raffle will be held in aid of our charity and donations for this would be welcome. Our July meeting is on the 22nd and will be at All Saints Community Hall when members of the Lace Making Group will be coming along to share their talent with us. August we will have an outing – as yet not decided. Should you wish to find out more about the group do come along of give us a call: Sue Toule (260955) Anne Harrison (261775) or Pat Smith (262575)

Derrick Thurley 27th July 1921 – 6th April 2014 A Service of Thanksgiving was held for Derrick on 17th April in a packed Melbourn United Reformed Church, conducted by the Revd. Duncan Goldie. Derrick, and Gwen his wife, were life-long members of the URC, they were married in the church where he was the organist for 50 years. His family, including his brother, daughters, son-in-law, grandchildren and niece told us stories about Derrick’s life, a long, full, successful and happy one, and the stories often made the assembled family and friends laugh! Derrick went to the Cambridge Technical School at the age of fourteen on a free scholarship, leaving at the age of sixteen. Initially he worked at Aero Research in Duxford, (now Ciba-Geigy) and after work went to Cambridge for evening classes in architecture and building, all on his bicycle. During the second World War he worked at the Landguard Fort in Felixstowe installing gun emplacements and also at Harwich, building the 100ft high Director towers and searchlight emplacements. After a crash course in engineering he was involved in the production of Horsa gliders, which were used prior to the D-Day landings. Gwen meantime was in the ATS. Derrick and Gwen married in 1944, and had two daughters who each have two sons. After he was demobbed Derrick secured a job in the Architects Department of Huntingdon County Council, later moving to Cambridgeshie County Council in the same department, where he remained for the next 40 years. He was involved in many building projects including Melbourn Village College, and the Primary School extension. He also designed their own house, and the URC Community Hall.

Melbourn & Meldreth Women’s Group We are a small friendly group open to 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

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Derrick and Gwen Thurley

Both Derrick (and Gwen) belonged to the Cambridgeshire Village College Choral Society (now Cambridgeshire Choral Society) and Derrick sang with the Granta Singers. As well as music, Derrick was a keen cricketer and played for Shire Hall for many years: he was also a keen gardener. Derrick was a happy man, and had a smile for everyone. We shall all miss him.

Papworth Trust Fundraiser How does your garden grow? Big or small, charity Papworth Trust hopes gardeners will be ‘open’ to summer fundraising bid. “How many kinds of sweet flowers grow in an English country garden?” A line from an old folk song, but also a question people across the region just may find the answer to this summer. Charity Papworth Trust is looking for people in the community to open their gardens in aid of its work supporting disabled people. Heart’s ease and phlox, meadowsweet and lady smocks, lupin or tall hollyhocks, to echo the words of the song. However your garden grows, the Trust would like to hear from you. Papworth Trust Community Fundraiser Andrea Chupacova said: “We are looking for enthusiastic gardeners who are willing to open their gardens this summer and help us to raise vital funds. It’s a great way to celebrate the beauty of English country gardens - whether big or small - and support our work with disabled people and their families at the same time.” If you would like to open your garden on behalf of Papworth Trust any time between May and the end of August 2014, then contact the Papworth Fundraising Team on 01480 357206. The team will be able to help you with marketing, publicity and ideas to raise funds such as raffles and teas.

British Legion Woman’s Section Hello! I’m Pauline and I have been carrying the standard for the Melbourn and Meldreth Women’s Section in the British Legion for the past four years. It is a great honour to represent Melbourn and Meldreth and I take the standard to parades and funerals when required. I have also twice taken part in the Birmingham Tattoo. Due to ill health I was unable to carry the standard at the Cambridge and Melbourn Remembrance Services, but attended the Melbourn Service where the standard was laid on the altar , so that the branch was represented. I am now on the road to recovery and look forward to taking up my duties again. Unfortunately the men’s branch of the Melbourn and Meldreth British Legion has closed due to falling numbers of members and their standard is laid up in All Saints’ Church. Our Women’s Section is very active with interesting speakers at our monthly meetings. In January we had a friendly social evening with a buffet which we all enjoyed. Residents of Vicarage Close, John Impey Way and Elin Way were invited. The evening closed with everyone singing the National Anthem. On Wednesday March 26th featured Dogs for the Disabled and Andy brought his dog Rufus to show us what he can do. We had a demonstration of how Rufus helps Andy to lead an independent life. Andy’s friend Marie brought her help dog Blue, so we met two well trained and handsome Labradors. In April we had a quiz and also held an Easter Tombola at All Saints’ Community Hall. May’s meeting featured holiday slides by Ken Crane and in June a flower arranging competition was held. This year our fund raising has a different look – we aim to make

a mile of 2p pieces. The money will go towards welfare support for men, women and children within the Armed Forces. 36 x 2p pieces equal one yard, so we need a lot to achieve our aim. PLEASE HELP US IF YOU CAN. If you are interested in joining us, please come along. We meet on the last Wednesday of every month at Vicarage Close Community Centre at 7pm. All ladies are very welcome and you do not have to be connected to the Armed Services. The Chairman opens the meeting with the Exhortation and we close with the National Anthem. Pauline Parkinson, Standard Bearer. Chairman Christine Linsdell Tel 01763 262208. Secretary Elizabeth Murphy Tel 01763 220841

Melbourn Community Pavilion The Community Pavilion is now open for business and is an ideal summer venue for events ranging from birthdays, family parties, club and corporate meetings. It will also be available to host a wide range of community events, non-profit making and fund raising, for local and community beneficiaries. The layout includes: Open plan meeting area with space for approximately 70 people. Small kitchen (Equipped with basics). Tables & chairs. Male and female washrooms. Disabled washroom with baby changing facilities. Outside enclosed front porch area with ‘safe-space’ for younger children. Large outside rear enclosed patio area with ‘safe-space’ for younger children. Large grassed area available suitable for Bouncy Castles. Full disabled access into and throughout the main areas of the building and from car park.

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For more information on the Pavilion, please contact the Parish Clerk on 01763 263303 ext 3

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Melbourn Village Fete … and Music on the Moor 28 June 2014 The final elements of the 2014 Melbourn Fete and Music on the Moor are nearing completion and we hope to have yet another memorable day for us all to enjoy. We have chosen ‘Transport’ as a theme this year. All profits from the day are put back into village based activities and charities, the last few years have seen over £13,000 being handed to many local causes. The day really is a case of having fun and fundraising for Melbourn. We try really hard to offer a wide range of activities at low cost and this year most of the costs will remain the same as previous years. The fete opens at 1 pm and will be held again in front of the newly refurbished pavilion on the playing fields on The Moor. Parking, including disabled parking, is available. The postcode for the satnav is SG8 6ED.

Arena In the arena we will have displays from a Steel Band, Shotokan Karate, Raptors from The Raptor Foundation Woodhurst, Melbourn Dynamos, Dancers, Musical Dogs. Fun activities such as tug of war, egg throwing and other games will be open for all to enter. In addition, to go with our transport theme, Champion Aerobatic Pilot Lauren Richardson will be performing a breath-taking flying display. Our classic vehicle visitors will also be parading their bikes, cars, commercial vehicles and, new this year, vintage bicycles through the arena.

Attractions around the field We have a wide choice of attractions around the field. Some of the attractions are for education and display and others where you can have a go, they cater for all age groups from toddlers to great grandparents. Regulars such as bungee trampolines, zorbe balls, chairoplanes, little rovers, sumo suits, tractor rides, bouncy castle and inflatable slide join exciting new rides such as mini cars, obstacle courses and laser clay pigeon shooting. The Barbershop quartet will be strolling around the field bursting into song.

Bar, food and drink Our fantastic team on the bar will offer a wide range of real ales, lager, locally produced cider, wine and Pimms. New this year will be Rum Punch. In addition, soft drinks of all varieties will be available all at low prices. We have tried to offer a wider range of food this year. Good quality and varied vegetarian options will be available. Our BBQ will be selling a wide range of meat from our local supplier who uses high quality sources. Roast pork baps, baked potatoes, sweet and savoury crepes, donuts, ice creams and barista serving coffee complete our food offerings to you. In the pavilion we will also have lovely cakes, scones tea and coffee on offer.

Stalls As in previous years we will have over 50 stalls displaying various activities and offering services and products. Local groups and charities will run some and others will be commercial stallholders.

Competitions Last year saw the start of our competitions event and it was a fantastic success. The event will be staged in the marquee and will be judged by three independent judges including Rob Smart who lives in Melbourn and who appeared in The Great British Bake Off last year. Can you make a raspberry chocolate cake like Rob? The categories are: Jelly-baby transport shoebox diorama; Best vegetable & fruit vehicle; Miniature gardens; Children’s vehicle drawing competition; Wines and cordials; Flower arranging; Photography with the theme “My 2014 Journey”; Best cake; Best decorated transport themed cake; Best individual cake; Best preserve and chutney; Best fudge or sweets; Best garden produce. If you want to take part in the competition then read more about it on our website, details at the end of this article.

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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

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.

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Raffle Our raffle is always a great success. To go along with our transport theme we have a terrific first prize. The winner this year will, along with a friend, have a local flying trip and this will include lunch. There will be lots more prizes to win. Look out for tickets in local shops, through Melbourn Dynamos football team and on the day itself.

Music on the Moor New this year is a large outdoor inflatable stage with upgraded light and sound equipment. The music event starts at 5 pm. The bar, BBQ and other food providers will be open throughout the evening. Back by popular demand our headline act is Shredded Beat who play a wide range of hits from the 60s to the present. They will rock the place down with their classics. In support this year is Folding Stars who play a mix of Mod and Britpop covers. Joe Hillman the lead vocalist played an acoustic set last year, this year he returns with his band. The Brit Invasion offer British hits from the last 50 years. They have a big following and are enjoying success with their second album. Check them out on YouTube. In between the bands we have two talented singers. Kirsty Bradbrook will be performing some of her favourite stage songs from her extensive repertoire. Kirsty is a member of the Melbourn Amateur Dramatics Society and can be seen in the productions this dedicated group stage throughout the year. Alex Holmes is a talented singer songwriter who has recently released her debut EP. As always we are indebted to local businesses for their generous sponsorship, our advertisers, groups and individuals who offer financial support, prizes, discounts, equipment and time to help us put on what we hope will be another successful day. We acknowledge the help in full on our website and program. If you would like to volunteer, sponsor or advertise with us please contact us through our website detailed below. That is our line up. All we need now is some fantastic weather and YOU. For more details visit www.melbournfete.co.uk. Like us on Facebook.

Community matters

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Melbourn Hub Since the Melbourn Hub opened on 1st February 2014, it has been successfully welcoming customers from the village and local area. The café is bright and lively, where you can enjoy a variety of cakes and freshly made sandwiches. It is a great place to meet up with friends for a light lunch or just pop in for a coffee. The Parish Council Office, Library Access Point, three meeting rooms, public toilets and Village Information Point are all being well used. In fact, the library has gained over 100 new members since moving to the Hub. The public access computers are available and wi-fi is free throughout. Making it an ideal place to work or for young people to do their homework. Outreach Services such as Citizens Advice, Relate and Care Network are being very well attended and becoming a real an asset to visitors. Meeting rooms are being booked for a variety of occasions, both community events and individual gatherings as well as for commercial and business use. Rooms range from an intimate space for up to 6 people to conference facilities for up to 30. A key asset to the Hub’s success is definitely proving to be the talented group of volunteers. They provide help in the library, café and reception. It really is a great example of the village pulling together to help a community resource to thrive. The Hub is already making an enormous contribution to the commercial and social life in Melbourn and with local support can only go from strength to strength. Melbourn Hub 30 High Street, Melbourn, Cambridgeshire, SG8 6DZ Telephone 01763 263303 www.melbournhub.com

Citizens Advice sessions now available at Melbourn Community Hub North Herts Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), an independent charity, provides free advice and information to help South Cambridgeshire residents resolve their money, legal and consumer issues. Drop-in assessment is available at the CAB offices in Royston Town Hall on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9.30 – 12noon. Thanks to funding from the South Cambridgeshire District Council, North Herts CAB are also able to offer twice monthly drop-in advice sessions at the Melbourn Community Hub, where a trained adviser will be available, on the first Monday and third Tuesday of every month from 9.30 to 11.30am. Additionally, a case worker for South Cambridgeshire residents is now available via the Big Lottery Fund’s South Cambridgeshire Advice Network (SCAN). If you live in South Cambridgeshire you can contact Sharon on 01462 688008 or email BLFworker@nhdistrictcab.cabnet.org.uk for a benefits, debt or housing advice appointment For the latest information please visit www.northhertscab.org.uk where you are also invited to complete the ‘Advice Services’ questionnaire. Linda Albert, of North Herts CAB said: “We want to canvass views from individuals on the future of our advice services and how we might target our funds more effectively in order to help as many people as possible”

A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign – link to Royston? The A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign has been busy working with local businesses to gain letters of support for the County Council’s bid for government funding to construct a new off-road cycle path connecting Melbourn and Royston. This is a key missing link on a natural corridor for cycling to work, school, college and shops. Part of our effort has been to align ourselves closely with Hertfordshire County Council colleagues. Cross-border areas often suffer neglect and need to be tackled from both sides simultaneously. We are actively supporting Hertfordshire’s efforts to create a safe crossing on the A505 roundabout. By the time you read this we will have held our annual A10 Awareness Ride on May 17th, converging as last year at Phillimore’s Garden Centre for tea and cake. Our website, www. a10corridorcycle.com, is regularly updated and membership of the campaign is free! All welcome at our next meeting on 24 June, 7 for 7:30, Shepreth Village Hall.

Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group The First Capital Connect franchise ends in September, and we hope to hear soon as to the new franchise holder. The Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group has corresponded and/or met all the of the shortlisted franchise holders, who will be aware of our comprehensive list of aspirations for services at Meldreth continued on page 14

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BURY LANE FUN BARN A10 Bypass, Melbourn Royston, Herts, SG8 6DF Telephone 01763 260418 www.burylanefunbarn.co.uk Mon - Sat: 9am - 6pm Sunday: 10.30am - 4.30pm

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Nature River Mel Restoration Group

One of the familiar features of the River in Melbourn is the beautiful willows that line the river. We are lucky to have them as the number of willows in Cambridgeshire as a whole have decreased quite dramatically over the last few years. Willows are usually planted to prevent erosion of river banks; their penetrating root systems hold the soil together and maintain the stability of both the tree and its immediate environment. The willows along the Mel are largely a mixture of crack willow (Salix fragilis) and white willow (Salix alba). The crack willow is one of Britain’s largest native willows and it is called crack or brittle willow because it is highly susceptible to damage by wind, ice and snow. The crack willows on the Mel have now reached a size that without pollarding we are in danger of loosing them all together. Pollarding is important for managing the size and the health of the tree. In other environments, such as canals,

pollarding is a method of keeping waterways clear of fallen branches which would otherwise block navigable channels. Historically, willows were pollarded to prevent livestock from eating the foliage which was used for animal fodder as well as making baskets and fencing. As the pollards age they become trees of significant ecological importance, as natural damage can lead to trunk hollowing which provides unique, niche habitats for a variety of wildlife, including dead wood invertebrates, bats, birds, and fungi. Because the willows are so important to our local landscape, Melbourn Parish Council have agreed a management plan which will see selective pollarding of the willows taking place later in the year. For further details about volunteering or the dates of future working parties please telephone Maureen Brierley on 01763 262752 melbournmagazine

Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force

Corps of Drums Melbourn Detachment (opposite the Village College) Monday 7pm–9pm 12–18 years (and in year 8)

Looking for Fun and Adventure? Want to learn to play a Musical Instrument: Flute, Drum or Bugle? Be part of a Marching Corps of Drums. Telephone 07840899565 email jrshaw@virginmedia.com www.cambsacf.com Station – please see our web page at the Melbourn Village Website for more information. Meanwhile, our newly established Community Rail Partnership means that we have an extra channel of communication with the rail industry, and this helps with problem solving. Among other things we are working with local businesses to persuade them to sign up for Travel for Work schemes, whereby employees who travel to work by some sustainable means – lift share, public transport, walking or cycling – are entitled to certain incentives. The Rail User Group meetings are always lively and fun, anyone interested would be welcome to come along – 17 June, 7:30, Shepreth Village Hall.

Help East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices … by being part of a local volunteer network! East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) is looking for enthusiastic individuals in Royston, Melbourn and the surrounding

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

areas to become part of a new volunteer network. EACH provides care and support free of charge to life-threatened children across East Anglia, with hospices based in Milton Cambridge, Ipswich and Quidenham. This year is the 25th anniversary of Milton hospice, which at the time of opening in 1989 was one of only four children’s hospices in the UK. If you would like to see another 25 years of the care and support EACH provides, why not help by becoming part of a brand new volunteer network. EACH relies on public donations for a large majority of its income, a lot of which is provided through a variety of fundraising events across the region. EACH depends on volunteers to help out with different fundraising events throughout the year, from Santa Runs to Gala Days and local carnivals. Volunteers can get involved with a range of opportunities from supermarket collections to public speaking and marshalling fun runs. Setting up a volunteer network in the Royston and Melbourn area will help EACH with a base of volunteers who can help in the local towns, as well as in Cambridge itself. If you are enthusiastic and would like to give back to a local charity, please get in touch. Whether you want to help out regularly throughout the year, would like to set up your own fundraising initiatives, or you would prefer to give just a few hours of your time every so often, everyone is welcome. Please register your interest by contacting madeleine.heath@each.org.uk, or phoning Madeleine on 01223 204913. An EACH representative will be attending the Volunteer’s Afternoon Tea at the Royston Volunteer centre on the 4th June, so please come along with any queries you may have.

Relate Cambridge Relationship support is now available in Melbourn from Relate will be offering relationship support at the new hub in Melbourn in 2014. We can help people who present with a whole range of issues from communication difficulties, a history of failed relationships, an affair or relationship breakdown. The sessions will be run by Clare Ansted, a Relate trained relationship counsellor. Appointment times are: 10:30; 11:45; 13:00. The sessions will be held in the Small Meeting room at Melbourn Hub on Wednesday each week from 21st May. We will be offering the following services: Relationship Counselling: We can provide counselling for you and your partner or for you on your own. We can help if you are having problems and want to work them out, or if you want to separate, or if your relationship has ended. Single Sessions: These will enable you to look at solutions to address difficulties, and ascertain whether longer-term counselling would be helpful, rather than look in depth at problems. Couples Relationship Course: This will prepare you for - or help you cope with – any transitions in your relationship such as: moving in together or cohabiting, marriage, becoming parents, a career change, a new life stage, bereavement or “empty nest” syndrome, to name just a few. For more information or to book an appointment, contact Relate Cambridge on 01223 357424 Mon-Thur 8am-10pm, Fri 8 am-6pm, Sat 9am-5pm (confidential answerphone at all other times). Relate Cambridge – supporting relationships at every stage of your life. www.relatecamb ridge.org.uk.

Citizen’s Advice Bureau Question: I’ve received a letter from a bailiff firm saying that they are going to come and collect an unpaid parking fine. I’ve seen stories in the news about how bailiffs have been treating people badly, and I’m worried that they will come to my house before I can sort out a repayment plan. Is there anything I can do to protect myself? Our advice: Citizens Advice Bureaux have helped thousands of people who have

fallen foul of bullying bailiffs. We see evidence of bailiffs breaking the rules, so it’s important that you know your rights if a bailiff turns up on your doorstep. At the beginning of April this year, the government introduced new regulations to give people better protection and make bailiffs clean up their act. The new rules should reign in some bad behaviour by bailiffs. They have to write to you to tell you that they have been told to collect the debt so that you have the chance to arrange payment. Bailiffs are no longer allowed to enter your home between 9pm and 6am, when there are only children under 16 or vulnerable people present, or through an open window. Vulnerable debtors are also given more protection, as they must now be given an opportunity to get advice and assistance from an organisation like Citizens Advice. Bailiffs do have the right to charge fees, although there are now set fees that they can charge you at different stages of the process. Your debt could just get bigger if you ignore them. An advisor can help you to check what the bailiff is allowed to take and how much they can charge you in fees. If a bailiff is behaving badly, you can complain to the bailiff firm or the company you owe the original debt to. You might also be able to complain to an Ombudsman. If you believe a bailiff has broken the law or you think they should be struck off, you can complain to the police or the County Court. The bailiff’s certification may then be withdrawn or they could be ordered to give you compensation. If you are in a situation where you are dealing with bailiffs then you should go to your local Citizens Advice Bureau*. Citizens Advice can then help explain what your rights are, what a bailiff is and isn’t allowed to do, as well as guiding you through the process of making a complaint, should you need to. *North Hertfordshire and South Cambridgeshire residents can obtain advice from any of the North Herts CAB offices - located in Letchworth, Hitchin or Royston. An outreach service is also available twice monthly at the Melbourn Community Hub. Please visit our website for further information. www.northhertscab.org.uk

Practical Solutions Group update The PSG continues to meet on a regular basis, with our agendas and minutes posted on the Melbourn Village website for anyone who would like to follow the thread of our work. We continue to be hosted by Melbourn Village College, where inevitably we are served with freshly made shortbread provided by the kitchen team, and always we meet with staff and students and catch a glimpse of life at this very busy and welcoming place in the heart of our community. It is no wonder that the ‘Celebrating Ages’ event, hosted by MVC twice a year now, has become such a popular fixture in the calendar. MVC students prepare a sumptuous tea which they serve to elderly residents from Melbourn and the surrounding villages. Other students provide musical entertainment and there is always much conversation between younger and older people at the different tables. This is exactly the kind of activity which the PSG would like to encourage because it brings people of different generations together. Jose Hales continues to help coordinate this event and would be delighted to hear from anyone who would like to support it. In addition to supporting positive activities for young people, the PSG also tries to find practical ways of dealing with social problems. Our meetings are always attended by the police who can provide a perspective on the work they are called out for, and who can listen to any concerns that residents bring to us. Something we are concerned about is the loss of funding at Cambridgeshire County Council for ‘Detached Youth Work’ in which youth work specialists develop individual relationships with young people who are at loose ends. We feel – together with parish councils in neighbouring villages – that reinstating the Melbourn Area Youth Development (MAYD) youth club is very important. MAYD’s previous youth club provider moved on to pastures new in January, and we are pleased that Groundwork Hertfordshire, a long-established community development charity, is keen to work with us in getting the youth club off the ground again, hopefully in time for the

summer but otherwise to coincide with the start of the school year in September. We are especially keen to be able to make use of the wonderfully rejuvenated pavilion on the Recreation Ground, and to pool resources with MVC’s ‘A Common Territory’ funding from the EU, all about personal development, citizenship and the community. We are always encouraging residents who witness problems to ring the police non-emergency number, 101, in order to ensure that issues are logged within the police system. Lack of logging simply means there is no record, and therefore no basis, for the police to use their limited resources to respond to a problem. Having said that, we were concerned to hear from some residents of very long waits for 101 calls to be answered. If that happens please do let us know and we will take the matter up with the police via the PSG. Finally the PSG is delighted that the Community Hub is not only up and running but that it is doing what it was intended to do, which is to have its doors open to everyone in the community. We see people of all ages working, revising, reading and socializing, and making use of so many free public resources that make a difference to them. The Police and Citizens Advice Bureau drop-in sessions are just two examples. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any queries about the Practical Solutions Group. Cllr Susan van de Ven, PSG Chairman Tel 261833, susanvandeven@yahoo. co.uk

Cambridge Past, Present and Future (CambridgePPF) Founded as Cambridge Preservation Society in 1928, CambridgePPF is a registered charity campaigning to keep Cambridge and its surroundings special by positively influencing planning developments, delivering environmental education and managing the green spaces and historic buildings in its care. Its diverse property portfolio includes Wandlebury Country Park and its Iron continued on page 28

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John Lewis Heritage Centre Fortunately, when the planning for the new Heritage Centre was undertaken, the possibility of flooding was taken into account as the area of the Thames at Cookham suffered quite badly from the effects of the torrential rains we had earlier but all the plans worked so no damage was done. As I mentioned in the previous article, one of the very precious archived items is the sign of the Royal Warrant which was granted to Caleys of Windsor, which is where Queen Victoria had many of her hats made, and there are even some of the hats in the archive as she would take in an existing hat to be copied and then take the new version. One of the old kilns of the original Odney pottery has been preserved as have some small items which were made at the pottery. Prior to all the mechanisation of the fabric industry, patterned fabrics were printed by hand from carved wooden blocks. On one visit to the printing factory, I was very privileged to be able to watch a length of fabric being printed using the block method. It is very labour intensive but so many different blocks, giving so many different shades of colour can be used giving a very realistic finish to the print. On the fabric being printed as I watched, there were bunches of grapes and by the time the final colour had been added, it looked as if the grapes could be picked! Once a fabric had been designed, using many of those in the archives from which ideas were taken, it could then be re-coloured in a great selection of shades from which a

final few were taken to be printed for the shops. One of the most famous of our designs was the Daisy Chain which was produced for many years in a large selection of colourways. It was popular for curtains, cushion, bedcovers and even bought by some customers to make into summer skirts! On a visit to Singapore in the 1990s, we were taken by some friends into the British Club and on the top floor restaurant we were very surprised to find the curtains made in the brown/orange colour of Daisy Chain! There is a vast amount of archive material included in a specially conditioned area for safe keeping at the centre, all of which have been, or are being stored and listed. John Lewis, who started the business in London, had a Rolls-Royce which he had a bell attached to to warn oncoming traffic of his approach but this was soon removed as his chauffeur protested! John Spedan Lewis, who was the Chairman who gave the business to all the Partners, sent many memos and all of these are housed in this purpose built area. There is much more work to be done at the Heritage Centre, in Cookham, including setting up an internet Memory Store archive on which all stores can add their archive material.

This is really where I came in, as I work on the Robert Sayle archive which can be found at www.robert-saylememory-store. continued on page 18

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Interest Springing from the John Lewis Heritage Centre article Following the article I wrote in the last issue of the magazine, about having worked at Robert Sayle in Cambridge and of the opening of the John Lewis Heritage Centre at Cookham, I was amazed to receive two messages regarding the early days of Robert Sayle.

The first was via the telephone and talked of a connection between Robert Sayle and his family and a local family by the name of Doggett, some of whom were working in London where they were, through their Church, in contact, with Robert Sayle’s son George who managed the Robert Sayle London office. It appears that on George Doggett’s return to Cambridge, he was employed at the Cambridge Store of Robert Sayle due to his friendship with George Sayle. When, in the early twentieth century the shop became a Limited Company, under the Drapery Trust, there was still a strong link between the Sayle and Doggett families as in the 1920’s, almost a century after the opening of the store in 1840. We have, in the archives, a photograph of the Directors of the Robert Sayle store together with employees who had worked for the store for over 50 years, there is a G H Doggett who was both a Director and Head of the Counting House. These men totalled 579 years of service to the Robert Sayle Store! The four Directors decided that they would like to be photographed with the employees who had been with the company for the longest time. Each man has spent at least 50 years working there! Reading from right to left: Standing: Mr Turner, a Commercial Traveller; Bill Rayner, a Van Driver; J B Rampling, a Director; Arthur H Clark, a Director and Manager of the Fashion

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Department; J W Pretty, a Director; J Struggles, Manager of Linens Department Seated: A Holliday, Head of Wholesale Department; D Clark, Forman of the Wholesale Packing; G H Doggett, Director and Head of Counting House; S Fromont, Foreman of Despatch; H Harvey, Driver and horse-keeper to Mr Chaplin, head of the firm. Obviously, the Doggett family continued their work with Robert Sayle for more than one generation. For many years, Robert Sayle himself lived above the store, until his growing family needed larger accommodation but the staff would also have lived above the store, a practice which continued for very many years. There are still a couple of ladies who, while working at the store, lived above the shop and there is still one Partner working at the new John Lewis Cambridge who has worked there for over 50 years! This brings me to the second contact, when I was shown photographs and newspaper cuttings from 1929 of a relative of a friend of mine for many years in the village. This relative lived above the shop, an area known as Victoria House and it is with this link that the lady joined the Victoria House Ladies’ rowing crew of that year. In her daily work, she was in the Fur Department. The rowing clubs, male and female were very active and were very competitive. Both took part in races on the Cam. The relative crew member is shown the third from the right, standing.

If anyone has any other memories of the Robert Sayle store, either of their own or of a relative or friend, who worked at the store or remembers some particular point of interest, perhaps as an employee/Partner or as a customer, we would be delighted to add it to the Robert Sayle Memory Store which is accessible online at www.robert-sayle-memory-store or by email rsmemorystore@gmail.com It is also possible to add comments to any specific item on the online site for approval by our team. Marjorie Shaw

MELBOURN PARISH COUNCIL 30 High Street Melbourn SG8 6DZ Telephone: 01763 263303 ext. 3 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 264154

Julie Norman 31 Station Road, SG8 6DX Telephone 263462

County Councillor Susan van de Ven 95 North End, Meldreth, 261833 susanvandeven@yahoo.co.uk. District Councillors Val Barrett, 2 Station Road, 261227 Jose Hales, 23 Elm Way, SG8 6UH, 221058 cllr.hales@josehales.me.uk

From the Parish Clerk – Peter Horley As I write, the Community Hub has been open for nearly three months and is proving very successful both in terms of the footfall in the café, the use of the library, and in the hiring of the rooms for community and business use. We have also been able to welcome community support organisations such as Relate and CAB. The siting of the Parish Office in the Hub has proved beneficial to both residents and to me. The refurbished Community Pavilion has now opened and is proving a great hit not only with sports teams but also with community groups and residents booking it for family parties and other events. Please go and visit it – you will be impressed, and I’m sure you will want to book for groups you are associated with. This facility can be booked through the Clerk in the Parish Office. Many thanks to those residents who put themselves forward to serve on the Parish Council: although there was no election, I am pleased to report that we now have a full council with all 15 members to best serve the needs of Melbourn residents. However, please remember you do not have to be a councillor to help the village in all sorts of different ways either by being part of a team to drive along council projects by providing a level of expertise or as a volunteer in the Community Hub, for the Restoration of the River Mel, assist Melbourn in Bloom or to look after Stockbridge Meadows. Whatever you are interested in you will find others who want to engage and carry projects forward. However, not everything has been so positive: trouble on the car park late at night, misuse of the bus shelter, petty acts of vandalism and anti-social behaviour on the Recreation Ground which nearly affected our wonderful pavilion. It isn’t only younger people who can be anti-social but adults who allow their dogs to foul our play areas and recreation grounds, drop litter and speed through the village. It would be nice to see people being more considerate to others.

Parish Council Chairman There have been three major events in Melbourn: the elections, the completion of the refurbished Pavilion and the official opening of the Hub. The elections held in May were for candidates for the European Parliament, South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) and the Parish Council. Melbourn Parish Council required a total of 15 councillors and I am pleased to say that all the current parish councillors (13) re-applied. We are also fortunate to have two additional residents joining the Council, bringing our total to the required number. The second major event was the completion of the refurbished CommunityPavilion. The Parish Council has high hopes for the expanded use of the Pavilion by everybody, not just sportsmen and women. There are already bookings for children’s parties. The Hub has been operating very successfully for almost three months. The opening day on 1 February was deliberately low key but on 7 June the Hub will be officially opened with all the ceremony it deserves. The ribbon will be cut by our local MP, the Rt Hon Andrew Lansley, and there will be many local dignitaries including Ron Brooksbank, the last Police Sergeant stationed in Melbourn and after whom the road by the Hub is named. Bob Tulloch melbournmagazine

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Melbourn Community Pavilion It brings a sense of pride and pleasure when people from outside the parish tell you ‘how lucky you are’ to have all the facilities available in the village. Over 35 acres of protected green spaces, play parks and BMX trails, and amenities other villages can only dream of. Venues include All Saints’ Community Hall, the URC Hall and of course, the new HUB, a fantastic new facility that has become a great focal point within the village. NOW also available is the Community Pavilion. As reported in previous issues of the magazine, the Sports Pavilion was under-used and had become an eyesore. For many, it was just a question of not if, but when, it was to be demolished… However, the refurbishment is now complete, and has truly transformed the Community Pavilion. What started out as merely a plan to improve the security has developed into a complete change to the building. It now offers easy-access for those in wheelchairs or find it difficult to climb just a few steps and now provides a clean, safe environment for everyone. Internally, the changes have been considerable and include: modern ceiling lighting; attractive flooring; large French doors to the front and glass wall to the rear allowing as much light as possible into the area; a modern kitchen allows catering facilities; upgraded changing rooms to wet-room standard, with disabled cubicle and seating and improved toilet facilities with disabled access and baby changing facilities. The terrace, which overlooks the recreation ground, has been enclosed with a fantastic new balustrade and shuttering. Together with this and the large patio area at the rear of the building, we have created a safe space for young children. Entrance into the building is via a disabled access path, which now runs from the Pavilion to the car park. Lighting has been installed along the full length of the path. The Community Pavilion is in a wonderful setting – surrounded by a large green open space. It provides an ideal venue for children’s’ and family parties, functions and regular meetings and is available to host a wide range of community events – non-profit making and fund-raising – for local and community beneficiaries. The upgrade would not have been possible without the help and funding from the Parish Council, Sport England, AmeyCespa/Cambridge Community Foundation (see page 26), Fosters Renewable Energies and Borras Construction, all of which have contributed to the transformation. We would also like to thank Mr. Ray Pritchard for his generous donation, which has allowed us to install a new Pavilion clock into the clock tower, a feature that has not been seen for over 15 years. There have also been a number of companies involved with upgrade of the Pavilion to whom we would like to extend our thanks and who, in the community spirit, went beyond their original remit. These include, PAS, R & N Engineering, Ashton Renovations and Prestige Glazing. Thanks also go to PL Cooper & Sons, PJ Robinson Electrical and CB Groundworks & Construction. Peter Simmonett Chairman Play and Recreation Committee

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From County Councillor

Susan van de Ven At the council Every few years our councils get involved in planning large-scale housing growth, and infrastructure needed to support it. As you will know from the hard work of the Melbourn Housing Development Awareness Campaign last year, everyone in Melbourn had information about proposals for our area as well as the ability to respond. Melbourn had by far the strongest consultation response of any village in South Cambs, and its clear consensus influenced the final version of what is called the Local Plan: Melbourn will get an additional 65 houses off Victoria Road, but not 270 houses on the northern side of New Road. Elsewhere, in Cambridge and on its outskirts, at Cambourne and Bourn, and at the yetto-be-built new town at Northstowe adjacent to Oakington, about 31,000 new homes are to be built by 2031. So while our immediate environment won’t change very much, the broader population will grow significantly. All of this still has to be approved by the inspector and that could take a good many months. To help provide the transport infrastructure needed to accommodate this growing population for the Greater Cambridge area, a central government scheme called the City Deal will bring about £500 million in grant funding. The intention is not to widen roads or build new ones, because inviting more vehicle traffic would lead to gridlock congestion around Cambridge. Instead the idea is to make public and sustainable transport work better. For the A10 between Royston and Cambridge this means improving rail services and making it easier to cycle the relatively short distances that connect villages to one another and to Cambridge and Royston. We already have a small new section of cycle path on the A10 at Shepreth, and recently a bid has gone in for a cycle path to connect the one mile of A10 between Melbourn and Royston. We can also look forward to some

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improvements at Meldreth Station (and are still working on better access for Melbourn residents along the footpath) and local rail services. Strange as it may seem, we are receiving significant financial investment in the future, but much less than we need to run public services, due to the huge amount of debt not only at central government level but also in our own county. Cambridgeshire County Council’s annual budget is about £500 million, but it also carries £500 million in debt. So, 10%, or £50 million, of our county’s annual spending goes just to servicing that debt. Grants to build new things are very welcome, but money to run services on a year-to-year basis is like gold dust. Council tax is capped by central government, and makes up only part of the spending pie – the lion’s share is ‘government support grant’ and because government debt remains very high there is less cash filtering down to councils to help run public services. It is no wonder that people are now speculating as to whether or not the council can carry on existing in its present form, or whether it should try and amalgamate with others. The same conversation is happening at other councils.

In the village Through our monthly drop-in surgery, District Councillor Jose Hales and I are always learning about new problems that need attention. Housing need is a continuing concern, and there was much interest in the new homes at Brooksbank, adjacent to the Melbourn Hub. Another theme that has stood out through case work has been how people with visual impairment manage their independence, and how critical our local bus service is for people who absolutely rely on it. One lady who is visually impaired looks after her elderly mum in another South Cambs village just a few miles away, and takes several different buses over several hours to complete her journey there and back – a journey of 15 minutes each way by car. Sadly we have met not only older people with visual impairment but younger people too, and always the question of independent living and rural transport arises. The completion and launch of the Melbourn Hub means that there are more services available to people in Melbourn itself. The café and library, and the freeto-borrow laptops and high speed internet, have meant that students have been encouraged to use the Hub as a convenient place for revising or for homework after school and college. A Citizens Advice Bureau advisor holds drop-in advice sessions two mornings per month, and there is a regular CAB advice kiosk available all the time in the foyer. It is great to have the Hub supported by the Melbourn Business Association and Pilates classes alike – and most of all by volunteers not just from Melbourn but surrounding villages too – and to watch it evolve as the months go by. Early in the year I was invited to meet the Melbourn Girl Guides, who gave a brilliant presentation on a campaigning theme they had chosen to research: the dangerous crossing point at the High Street junction with Norgett’s Lane and The Moor. It was therefore especially welcome news when the County Council announced in March that it had at last successfully recruited a School Crossing Patrol Officer for that very junction. Girl Guides, Duke of Edinburgh and other young volunteers have been getting in touch again this year to ask about helping at Meldreth Station Garden, where the Rail User Group continues to welcome any young person who is seeking to fulfil volunteer duties and is up for a bit of watering and digging. We also have a regular group of older and very young volunteers who garden on a regular basis – and we are always delighted to hear from anyone who’d like to come along.

Drop-in surgery Together with Jose Hales, I hold a drop-in surgery on the first Monday of the month (except August), 2:30-3:30, at the Melbourn Hub. If this is inconvenient and you’d like to meet at another time or closer to home please let me know. Cllr Susan van de Ven, susanvandeven@yahoo.co.uk, Tel 261833

Nature Waterlily wonder

May saw the magical re-appearance of the waterlily. Fleshy ropes stretched upwards from the rhizomatous tangle of roots embedded in the murk and mud of stretches of still water, to open out once the surface is breached into round leathery lilypads. These are followed by the gorgeous blooms, often scented, consisting of many whorls of satiny petals in a range of colour from pure white, through peach and pink to deep red. The flowers and lilypads are a hive of activity all summer, providing landing spots for dragonflies and damselflies as well as shelter and food for all sorts of snails and invertebrate larvae. At the Botanic Garden, our Glasshouse Range allows us to display some really supersize waterlilies and this month we re-open our Tropical Wetlands house starring the Santa Cruz waterlily, Victoria cruziana. Initiating germination is horticulturally very challenging as a steady hand is needed to wield a penknife to prise off the operculum, a sort of lid, on the large round seeds, which are then submerged into warm water to germinate. Once the first hastate leaves give way to the first ‘proper’ rounded lilypad, growth is rapid: it take just 90 days from germination for this native of the Paraguayan waterways to unroll a giant leaf up to 2 metres in diameter! The leaves are very strong and are intricately webbed underneath the spread the weight and allow the huge leaf to float. They also have a distinctive upturned, crimped edge, up to six centimetres in depth, with a couple of notches let in to allow rainwater to drain out. But even more extraordinary is its floral biology. On the first evening, the bud opens to reveal a crown of beautiful white petals and emits a pineapple aroma. Chemical changes

within the flower heat up the inflorescence, making it irresistible in the wild to scarab beetles, which arrive and scramble into the large internal chamber, intending to use this boudoir to feast on the special starchy food parcels made available and to seduce other six-legged visitors. The flower is currently female but as the second day dawns, it closes up, trapping the beetles within, and undergoes a sex change. The flower loses the pineapple aroma, the petals start to turn pink and the male stamens ripen to release pollen. On the second evening, the now male flower opens up for the second time to release its hoard of imprisoned beetles, which in scrabbling to leave become covered in pollen, which they carry off in search of another pure white, pineapple scented, and crucially, sexually female bloom. So when you next notice pollen beetles climbing in and out of one our native Nymphaea on the more sluggish stretches of the Cam or Ouse, spare a thought for the kidnapped scarab beetles overnighting in the Santa Cruz waterlily of Paraguay! For further visitor information please call 01223 336265 or visit www.botanic.cam.ac.uk

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ESSE Retail & Therapy Free Parking Available at Sheene Mill Opposite or our Private Car Park Next Door

Where Else Can you Shop, Keep Fit and be Pampered? 24

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30 Station Road Melbourn Cambridge SG8 6DX Telephone: 01763 261000 Email: info@esse.uk.com

Profile MCI Precision Screens Lesley Wilkinson & Mark Laidlaw Bearing in mind that a large number of people suffer from diabetes – it is probable that some Melbourn inhabitants are using a product which starts life here in Melbourn. I am referring to the testing strips that are used to test glucose levels in the blood. Micro Circuit International was a French company specialising in high precision printing screens which operated in Cambridge for a number of years from 1983. When the French management team retracted their business to France the English branch was operating from Moat Lane but in 1989 they moved to Saxon Way. During this time Lesley Wilkinson and Mark Laidlaw started working for MCI, though to begin with Mark was only part time as he was still at school . Both Lesley and Mark were born in Melbourn and went to the Primary School and Melbourn Village College, so they are real locals. On leaving school Mark went to North Herts College and did a year of carpentry under a YTS scheme but then returned to MCI full time and has been there ever since. Lesley, who is slightly older than Mark, went to MCI straight from school. Years later they were working quite happily when due to unforeseen circumstances it was considered that the company would have to close. It seemed criminal to both of them that a successful and flourishing business with a happy work force, a full order book and a viable and unique product should just be closed down. They had the suppliers who knew and trusted them and they had the customer database - surely they could work out a way of continuing the business. After much soul searching and consultations with families and banks in 2009 they made a huge leap of faith and decided to take over the ownership of the company. The connection with MCI France, (who are no longer in existence) was severed but they were able to keep the name, becoming MCI Precision Screens UK Ltd. The other employees – three in total – opted to stay with the new ownership, indeed most of the staff have clocked up many years of service with the company and since then three more locals have been employed – all have a connection to Melbourn. I had a tour of the works and was amazed by the texture of the stainless steel fabric (yes, I use the word fabric advisedly) which comes from a factory atop a mountain in Switzerland. The mesh is of the highest possible quality and specification and comes in differing thicknesses for specific purposes, but that used for medical and solar applications is generally of the finest. I saw the stretching process of the mesh on frames of varying dimensions. Some of the screens are quite large, a metre square perhaps, whilst others are smaller and more easily handled. MCI make screens for anything that needs to have an electronic or conductive current circuit of some kind. As well as medical applications, the screens are used in the motor

industry and by universities in research and development departments. When the screens have been used they are returned to Melbourn where they are refurbished and recycled. Mark is married to Hannah and has two young boys Harvey & Charlie and they all enjoy sporting activities, cycling, football and swimming whilst Lesley has a daughter of 21, Rhianne and a 13 year old son Rhys, both of whom attended Melbourn Village College. Rhys is a keen Cardiff City supporter but has been known to watch Cambridge United play. I was impressed to learn that the week before the interview Lesley and Rhys had been to Wembley and seen THE Match! What excitement! Lesley supports Rhys when he is playing for Melbourn Dynamos: Mark played cricket for Melbourn and is a retired ‘overseas’ player for the John Lewis Partnership Cricket team by virtue of the fact that his wife worked at JL! Both families like action packed holidays somewhere sunny. I haven’t mentioned Cocoa! She is the Laidlaw’s adorable Labrador puppy who sometimes accompanies Mark to work She is very well behaved but I suspect she is a bit of a time waster as no-one can resist having a pat and a tussle with her. There is a happy atmosphere in the building and everything is very tidy and well organised. Yet another example of the excellent work that is being carried out in Melbourn with no fanfares, just producing a first class product. We wish them continued success. Mavis Howard

Mark Laidlaw and Lesley Wilkinson

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World War 1 Melbourn History Group History groups throughout Great Britain are commemorating the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War 1 in August 1914 and Melbourn History Group is no exception. We have been busy not only researching the names on the War Memorial but also the many men who went to war and returned safely. Several village people, and even others from other places, have given us much information and offered precious family objects such as medals and photographs of grandfathers, great grandfathers and other relatives. Over the weekend of 19/20th July there will be an exhibition in the War Memorial Chapel of All Saints Parish Church of Melbourn’s part in the War. We will be showing how village life went on in the fields, farms and houses as well as the schools. The exhibition will be open both days from 11.00-16.00 and all will be welcome. Refreshments will be available in All Saints Community Hall. If anyone has details of family life or mementos of loved ones who went to war please let us know. They will be displayed and looked after safely. We are delighted to be working with Meldreth History Group on this project. We will be having a stall at the Village Fete with a display of the work we have carried out over the last 15 years. For new residents in Melbourn there will be the FREE History Books that are presented to all those who have recently moved to the village or those who have not heard of their free copy and would like to collect a book.

Kit inspection of a Kitchener’s Army unit at Cambridge

Cambridgeshire Community Foundation In 2014, Cambridgeshire Community Foundation celebrates 10 years of helping people and local organisations to give back to their communities. With CCF’s guidance and support, donations from local families, companies, other charitable trusts and public organisations have funded grants of £7 million to meet a variety of community needs. The Foundation has also been able to plan for the future and have built an endowment of over £3.5m. As a local grant making charity, our objective is to make a real difference to the wellbeing and quality of life of people in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. We do this by matching those who want to give, to local charities and voluntary groups that are of interest to them. In this way we have enabled funding to reach a wide range of community groups and environmental projects, as well as the homeless, people with special needs and disabilities, children and youth groups. Our supporters, who include private individuals and companies such as Cheffins, Ridgeons, Marshall, Mills & Reeve, Bidwells and AmeyCespa (previously Donarbon), have chosen CCF to help with their charitable giving for a variety of reasons. Some wish to keep their identity private, others wish to cut down on the administration time and the majority seek our knowledge to inform where the needs are greatest. More information can be found on our website www.cambscf.org.uk

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feature Percy R Salmon FRPS (Fellow of Royal Photographic Society) Percy ‘Peepbo’ Salmon retired to Melbourn after an illustrious career as a photographer and journalist, and lived at the Cross, where he had a birds eye view of village comings and goings, hence his nickname. He spent much of the following 20 years writing a weekly column for the Royston Crow. In March 1933 the Crow wrote about ‘Peepbo: ‘our Melbourn correspondent, with his pithy pars, his fun and sobriety, his pathos and humour, and his faithful recording of village happenings, has caused his weekly column to be looked upon as a leading feature with our readers, yet few realise he is anything but the inexperienced scribe he would have folks believe’. Percy R Salmon was born in 1872 in Waterbeach into a family of farmers and market gardeners. His father was W. Salmon, subsequently of Cambridge Borough Police, and a nephew of Superintendent C. Salmon of Cambs County Police. His first lessons were given by his grandfather who had a night school at the farm, teaching adults who were keen to learn. Very soon he, like his father and uncle before him, escaped to Cambridge where he started taking a close interest in photography. He joined the Cambridge Camera Club and won the Club’s Silver Cup in 1894. He made a speciality of country life pictures, and the photograph which won him the cup was a picture of a girl at a farmyard well. This was Miss Eliza Dickerson of Little Abington, whom he married 9 years later. He still had the photo on the wall when he and his wife retired to Melbourn in 1934. Percy Salmon was a prolific journalist and wrote under the pseudonym of both Richard Penlake and L. Tennant-Woods. He travelled extensively in Italy, the

Middle and Near East, sometimes disguised as an Arab and wrote a number of books on these countries. In 1899 he was travelling in Palestine and on St George’s Day visited the tomb of the Saint. Several locations are suggested for the tomb, but he favoured Lydda, which is on the Jaffa to Jerusalem Road about twelve miles from Jaffa. St. George was a soldier in the Roman Army in Lydda and was tortured and killed when he refused to worship idols. He went out to Egypt with Kitchener during WWI, lived in Jerusalem, then travelled through Lebanon, Asia Minor, Turkey, Greece and Italy and a newspaper correspondent and photographer. In 1915 he published an article in ‘The Star’ entitled ‘Our Enemy in Gallipoli’, at that time the Germans were the rulers in Constantinople. In 1917 he wrote in the ‘Daily Express’ ‘Wounded Officers in France – when and how visits may be paid’. (Application had to be made to the War Office in Whitehall, open day and night, and usually only one visitor was permitted to travel.) Before retiring to Melbourn the Salmon’s lived in Hither Green, Lewisham, SE London. He was a Freemason, and was elected to the ‘Pen and Brush Lodge’ in London, restricted to journalists and artists, where in January 1917 he became Worshipful Master. He was sub-editor of Practical Photography from 189296, Editor of Photographic News from 1901-05, of Year Book of Photography 1901-05, and Active Editor of Photographic Dealer from 1906-09. He spent several years with Cassel & Co Ltd, publishers, in the Editorial Department. His publications included ‘All About Photography,’ ‘Wonderland of Egypt’, ‘Home Portaiture,’ ‘A Photographic Expedition to Egypt, Palestine Turkey and Greece’. Four years after his wife died in 1950 he left Melbourn to live with his widowed sister-in-law in Histon, after completing 60 years of journalism, 20 of them for the local press. His interests were numerous, and his cuttings contain information on cooking, the best ways of catching mice, a test for ghosts and many more! Many of the photographs in ‘A Glimpse into Melbourn’s Past’ and ‘Pictorial Melbourn’ were taken by Percy Salmon. Most information was taken from an album of newspaper cuttings donated to the History Group by Terry Dash. Ann Dekkers melbournmagazine

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Age Ring; Coton Countryside Reserve; Barnwell Leper Chapel; Bourn Windmill plus various wildlife sites and historic buildings. Key achievements include protecting sites such as Grantchester Meadows, the Gog Magog Hills and Wandlebury Estate from development and helping to establish the Cambridge Green Belt in the 1960s. CambridgePPF has a growing membership, which makes a vital contribution to the cost of conserving, managing and developing its sites. With its HQ at Wandlebury, the charity has a mix of busy full and part-time staff and is run by a Board of Trustees together with Advisory Committees staffed by dedicated volunteers. For more information about the charity and benefits of membership: www.cambridgeppf.org Cambridge Past, Present & Future Wandlebury Ring, Babraham, Cambridge, CB22 3AE 01223 243830 development2@ cambridgeppf.org

Be cautious of traders who call at your door Advice from Trading Standards In the last 5 years it is estimated that £1 million has been paid to rogue traders by older residents living in Cambridgeshire. In most cases the rogue trader will have called at the customer’s door offering to do work on their house or garden, and will have overcharged for unnecessary and shoddy work. These are serious crimes, in some cases costing the customer their life savings and often leading to them being fearful in their own homes. At Trading Standards we would like to make you aware of the telltale signs of rogue traders to help you avoid them. We would also urge you to pass this advice on to elderly friends and relatives.

Rogue traders typically:

•

Call at the door offering services such as replacing a loose roof tile, roof or

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

• • • • • •

gutter cleaning, gardening, house maintenance, jet washing, driveway paving and tree felling. Engage with the customer to win their trust e.g. claiming to have been before, claiming they are working up the street etc. They will seem very friendly and chatty. Start with a small job such as gutter cleaning and then claim further work is needed. This subsequent work will not be quoted for and will run into thousands of pounds. Make fraudulent claims e.g. moss growth on a roof causes severe damage and needs to be washed off, painting a roof is necessary to protect it. Fail to give you written notice of your right to cancel which is required for most contracts agreed at home. Use intimidation to extort money and often take the customer to a bank or cash point to withdraw cash (a criminal offence). Return again and again demanding further payment for bogus reasons e.g. claiming that VAT has not been paid.

If you think rogue traders are currently at your property, are in the vicinity or are due to return, please contact the police on 999. If you think rogue traders have done some work for you but have left, contact our advice partner, Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline, on 08454 040506 for advice. In terms of finding a trader you can trust, seek recommendations from friends and family where possible. Alternatively, use a trader on our Buy with Confidence approved trader scheme who will have been thoroughly checked by us. To find an approved trader visit www.buywithconfidence.org.uk, call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline (above) or visit your local library, where staff will be able to look up traders on the scheme for you. We would always recommend getting three quotes to ensure the price is competitive.

Cambridgeshire Community Reuse and Recycling Network (CCORRN) At SBC we have been working with Cambridgeshire Community Reuse and Recycling Network (CCORRN)’s Community RePaint scheme and we would like to offer you occasional information from CCORRN about any special offers or good news stories about the Community RePaint scheme. Cambridgeshire Community RePaint was launched in January 2011 and involves the collection of paint from household recycling centres which is then sorted and any reuse-able paint is offered for sale at low cost (significantly less than it would cost from a DIY retail supplier). For example, the RRP of 2.5 litres of Crown or Dulux coloured emulsion is currently £17.99 whereas the CCORRN price for the same product is just £4.00. There are many benefits of the Community RePaint scheme including: Prevents reuse-able paint from having to be disposed of (which is expensive and not very environmentally friendly) Low cost paint is made available to all and particularly benefits community groups and those on low incomes Provides employment and volunteering opportunities at CCORRN (developing real work-related skills and boosting the confidence of the volunteers, making them more employable). Community groups, charities and schools can apply for the monthly award of ‘Get Painted’ which gifts up to 240 litres of paint to improvement projects, breathing new life into tired buildings (which often enables them to increase participation in and usage of the community’s facilities). Community buildings and homes can be well-maintained for less, building relationships and developing a sense of community cohesion. Visit the website www.communityrepaint.org.uk for more information.

Little Hands Karen

MVC EDUCATION

U3A

PLAY SCHOOL NOTRE ECOLE PLAYGROUP

PRIMARY SCHOOL LITTLE HANDS VILLAGE COLLEGE

Melbourn Playgroup

01763 260964

Melbourn Playgroup Jane Crawford 07842 151512 Notre Ecole Janet Whitton

261231

Pippins Children’s Centre Alison Wood

223460

Primary School Headteacher Stephanie Wilcox 223457 U3A (Univ. of Third Age) Chairman George Howard

260686

Village College Principal Simon Holmes

223400

MelbournPlaygroup Top Oscar playing skeleton game. Bottom William and Jasmine at the allotment

It’s been a really busy successful term for us all at Melbourn Playgroup. We have been given access to some raised beds in the school grounds which we are using as our allotment. We are growing lots of different plants and vegetables. The children have had lots of fun weeding and planting this term. After Easter we have access to a mud kitchen! We have also been talking about bodies, growing and skeletons. We even had a visit from a dentist who showed us how to brush our teeth properly. Some great news for us this half term was that Johnson Matthey has kindly sponsored us to have hi-viz jackets for the children to use when we go out. Thank you to Johnson Matthey for those. In the autumn term we introduced Tapestry online journals for parents to see their child’s progress. This makes what we do very open to families, allowing parents to not only see what their child has been doing and view their progress but they can also make comments. It’s just really good fun on both sides. We’ll continue to develop this lovely tool. If you want to know more about us or enquire about spaces for your child please contact Jane Crawford on 01763 223459 or email office@melbournplaygroup.org. uk or even visit the website on www.melbournplaygroup.org.uk

Melbourn Primary School Ofsted visited in November and gave us a clear mandate to ensure we have good or better teaching across the entire school. Subsequently the spring term has been one of driving improvement whilst maintaining the many unique aspects of our school.

“The highlight for us all though must have been the five fluffy ducklings we watched hatch just before the Easter break.”

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Planning your next holiday or day out? We have: ● A wide range of holidays and excursions ● Local pick up points in South Cambs & North Herts ● UK & European Holiday breaks from £79 ● Day excursions from £19 ● Travel in small friendly groups ● Packages for clubs and societies ● Corporate outings River Cruises ◦ Seaside Breaks ◦ Theatre Trips ◦ Gardens Factory Visits ◦ Shopping Trips ◦ Dutch Bulb Fields ◦ Airshows Heritage Holidays ◦ Steam Train Trips ◦ Christmas Markets Thursford Spectacular ◦ Pub Lunches ◦ Orkney and Shetland

For further details and a brochure… Contact us on 01223 208926 bookings@eclipsecoaches.co.uk www.eclipsecoaches.co.uk Eclipse Coaches Ltd. 20 Leaden Hill, Orwell, Royston Herts. SG8 5QH

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

PC Repairs Advice & Installation of Home Networks Help with Selecting a Computer Fault Finding

Incorporating Driving Iceni Group Riding for the Disabled Walk beside a child or lead a pony

E-mail bg@moncraft.co.uk

We desperately need your help at the South Cambridgeshire Equestrian Centre Barrington

We can also provide the following services:

On Tuesday’s 9.45–11.45am In term time only

Design of brochures, posters, business cards A4/A3 laminating • A4 comb-binding Small print runs on A6 to A3 media

Please contact Diana Allan 01638 572044 or Thalia Myers 07850 477550

Brian Girling 01223 208529 (Wimpole)

Riding For The Disabled Association

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Raising standards has seen us look carefully at our provision and make some immediate changes, some examples being that: we now have a daily basic skills lesson; we are placing a greater emphasis on the presentation of children’s work; lessons are time managed to allow children long enough to apply their learning and all lessons include clear and accurate modelling of strategies / concepts being taught. In addition to the many changes, we continue to place at the centre of our practice making learning irresistible. The spring term saw many visitors to our school which helped bring learning to life for the children. Foundation children had a visit from a zoo keeper and years 5 and 6 the Reptile Experience. An astronomer visited year 3/4 and year 1/2 children enjoyed visits from various emergency vehicles. At different times the hall has been: a hospital with children in role as doctors, nurses, radiographers, pharmacists and patients; the Melbourn Space Agency with all manner of astronaut assessment tasks; a zoo and even a Chinese Restaurant. The highlight for us all though must have been the five fluffy ducklings we watched hatch just before the Easter break. All children must leave Primary School with good reading skills. Staff and parents recently enjoyed a very inspiring talk by Marilyn Brocklehurst, of the Norfolk Children’s Book Centre, about the importance of reading to children. We appreciate that life is very busy for families today but one of the biggest contributors to successful early reading is regular practice. To this end we desperately need volunteers who could offer 30 minutes to an hour every week to hear children read. This doesn’t have to be the same time every week and the only skill needed is a warm and a friendly smile; we will share with you everything else you need to know. If you could help please either pop in, phone or email the school office on 01763 223457, office@melbourn.cambs.sch.uk , you will need to complete a DBS check but we do this for you. To raise the profile of reading and to develop life long readers, who read for pleasure, we are very excited to have had a new purpose built library installed. We have been busy fund raising to purchase new and exciting books to stock the library.

Melbourn Village College MVC Maths Department – Top 10% in Country

who achieved highly in this very challenging test but especially to Cameron Laight and Mia Brown for achieving the highest scores. The years 7 and 8 will have their opportunity to compete in the Junior Challenge at the beginning of May. We have also been invited to send three students from year 10 to the Cambridge Mathematical Circle Enrichment days at Cambridge University during March. Darienne Chesham, Jessica Peacock and Kelly Condra represented our school at this event. Head of Mathematics John Holder

Above Average GCSE Passes At the end of December the College received the annual report which compares our results with those of all other schools nationally. Once again this gave us cause for celebration. In terms of GCSE passes we were significantly above the National average but it is the progress measures that gave us the greatest satisfaction. For the fifth year in a row the progress of students at the college places us in the top 30% of schools nationally. In the core areas of English and maths the story is even more encouraging. The progress made in maths places the department in the top 10% nationally; English are in the top 5%. These are truly excellent results which benefit all the students at the college. There is no secret to this success – it is high expectations backed up by high quality teaching. This is at the heart of all the work both of MVC and our partners in the Comberton Academy Trust – ‘Excellence for All’ is our continued aspiration.

Roy Burrell Award On the 4th March 2014 the Year 11 students who are Gifted and Talented in sport attended the Roy Burrell awards at Netherhall School. The event celebrates sporting success in the South Cambridgeshire Schools District and all athletes receive a Roy Burrell award. This Year Badminton Olympian Gail Emms presented the awards, these prestigious awards were received by Lucy Wright (Dance), Amy Little (Dance), Taylor Hart (Swimming), Carrick Livingstone (Swimming), Sam Carrington (Leadership), Meghan Clarke (Horse vaulting), Emily Smith (Golf), Louis Bodrozic (Rugby) and Jacob Townsend (Rugby). Congratulations to all these pupils for their hard work and dedication to their sport.

As we strive to continue being in the top 10% of Maths departments in the country, in January we received our results from the November 2013 GCSE entry. We were very encouraged by the results with students achieving 8 A* grades and 24 A grades from those in set 1 completing the final unit of their modular GCSE. The remainder of the year group will complete their linear GCSE in June and we hope for similarly outstanding results! In February we had 70 of our year 9, 10 and 11 students participate in the UK Mathematical Trust Intermediate Maths Challenge. We received the results last week to find that 26 students achieved a score worthy of a certificate. Seventeen achieved a Bronze certificate, seven a Silver and two students achieved Gold certificates. Congratulations go to all students 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.

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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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Dance at MVC – Energise On Saturday 1st March, two of Melbourn Village College’s dance groups gave a fantastic performance at the annual platform Energise at Swavesey Village College. P.A.D. Co. (Primary Alliance Dance Company) danced in the afternoon at the junior show. The primary group gave a bouncy and energetic performance, and were beautifully behaved throughout the day. Melbourn Dance Company (formerly Competition Squad) performed an adaptation of one of their previous works called ‘Never Forgotten’, which explores the notion of ageing. Various parents commented on how well the dancers did, giving a tidy and well-rehearsed performance.

ACTion Art The Big A.C.T. During the forthcoming term we hope to send out a small party of Big Band instrumentalists to France besides welcoming a leading French Jazz instrumentalist to the college for workshops and a KS3 performance. MVC Students are also likely to be playing at a few village fetes, as is our custom. The next concert at Melbourn Village College is scheduled for July.

has been working with Hauxton and Melbourn Primary Schools. Year 5 and 6 pupils at Hauxton have been researching triumphal arches using iPads to locate, via Google maps, their chosen arch. They then drew this either free-hand or by tracing. This cross-curricular activity is also linked with a literacy project and the EU ACT project “What is a community?”. Bryony Graham, Arts Development Manager at MVC supplied the additional resources to support these lessons.

Budding Scientists selected to attend Masterclass Congratulations to Ellie Ferrie and Georgie Bull Year 10 students, who were selected to attend the Pembroke and St Catherine’s Colleges Easter Residential Masterclass. They spent 3 days and 2 nights taking part in an exciting programme of enrichment in the Sciences!

Eye-Take Melbourn Primary School students took a good look at eyes, how to draw them and how to apply colours. Each student traced an eye from one of Nick Juett’s drawings and were then taught how to use colour in different ways and how to use different kinds of pencils.

Archworld Draw Art Teacher Nick Juett has once again been engaging Primary School students to deliver amazing pieces of art. This term he

Rocket Launch At long last, the sun was shining which meant the Stem Club could finally launch their T-Bolt Air Rocket! The students were really excited and the rocket didn’t disappoint. One hundred and fifty feet in the air is impressive stuff. melbournmagazine

Do something memorable this Father’s Day Remember. Celebrate. Change lives A leading cancer charity has created a special place where people can remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones they have lost to cancer. Losing someone you love can leave you feeling lost, particularly with Father’s Day approaching. So, Macmillan Cancer Support have created a permanent place where friends and family can come together, share memories and even change lives. Local fundraising manager, Kerry Cunnane says “The website allows you to create a lasting legacy for your loved one – a legacy that will help Macmillan support more people with cancer and their families, if someone close to you dies from cancer, Macmillan are here for you. Call the support line on 0808 808 00 00 to help you cope with grief, give you all the practical information you need, and when you’re ready, offer ways to celebrate the life of your loved one. To find out more about Macmillan tribute funds, visit www.macmillan.tributefunds.com, or contact Kerry Cunnane, Fundraising Manager, Herts & Essex at fundraising@macmillan.org.uk

ridge crest Cleaner Required Melbourn Village College Monday – Friday Term time only £7.00 per hour 3.30pm – 5.30pm Call Alison 07449895954

ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS FOR PLANNING & BUILDING REGULATION APPLICATIONS EXTENSIONS, ALTERATIONS, LOFT CONVERSIONS ETC CONTACT US now to arrange a FREE on-site meeting at your convenience to discuss your project. 01353 649649 mail@elydesigngroup.co.uk ELY DESIGN GROUP ‘Architecture by Professionals’ www.elydesigngroup.co.uk!

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

01223 245151 01763 238020

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

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

261231

Primary School Headteacher Stephanie Wilcox

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

101

Police (non emergency)

Fire & Rescue Service 01223 376217 Crimestoppers Freephone

0800 555111

Age UK Cambridgeshire

01223 221921

Blood Donors

0300 123 23 23

Chiropodist

Cambs Registered Trader Sceme 01223 221921

District Nurses (Primary Care Trust)

Telephone Preference Service www.tsponline.org.uk 0845 070 0707

S Cambs PCT 35 Orchard Road

Dial-A-Ride

01223 506335

CAB Royston

08456 889897

Childline

0800 1111

Samaritans

08457 909090

263260

Dentist

262034 01223 846122

Home-Start

262262

Transport British Rail Enquiries Stagecoach Cambus

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

frierly@ntlworld.com 221398

Royston Lions Janet Daniels

260009

RSPB Doug Radford

208978

SOAS (Supporters of All Saints’) Doreen Johnston

220197

St George’s Allotments Assoc. Bruce Huett

brucehuett@compuserve.com

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 Sandie Springall

223320

hallbookings@live.co.uk

Baptist Church Rev. Stuart Clarke Secretary Guy Manners

261650 01223 872298

United Reformed Church Minister Rev. Duncan Goldie 260747

Child & Family Nurses Car Scheme Osteopath Kath Harry

262861

Secretary Peter and Eirwen Karner

262346

245228

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

08457 145 145 0800 111 999 08007 838838

Royston and District Round Table

Rev Andrew O’Brien Melbourn Vicarage

HEALTH

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

Services Anglian Water Gas emergency Electricity South Cambs District

07842 151512

249156

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

261518

Bridge Club Howard Waller

261693

1st Melbourn Rainbows

Abigail Roberts

261505

Brownies 1st Melbourn Stephanie Clifford

220272

Brownies 2nd Melbourn Samantha Pascoe (Brown Owl) 261400 CATalyst

0774 953 0112

Dramatic Society Kathy Wholley

223805

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

208634

Gardening Helen Powell

245887

Guides 1st Melbourn Hilary Marsh

261443

Mothers’ Union Pauline Hay

260649

Melbourn History Group Colin Limming

260072

Melbourn Mushroom Club John Holden email: frog.end@virgin.net

Melbourn Magazine Committee

221571

Croquet Janet Pope

248342

Jazzercise Sarah Howard

07703 422394

Judo Derek Coult

225004

MADS (Melbourn Amateur Dramatics Society) Donna Sleight

232622

Melbourn and District Tennis Club David Liddiard

07508 995781

Melbourn Dynamos FC Gordon Atalker

07770533249

Melbourn Football Club Simon Gascoyne

261703

Melbourn Sports Centre Graham Johnson-Mack

263313

Meldreth Tennis Club Sue Davies

220174

Swimming Club Jenny Brackley

244593

Squash Club Nick Sugden

261064

WARDEN & SHELTERED HOUSING SCHEMES Dial-A-Ride

01223 506335

Mobile Warden Scheme Warden – Margo Wherrell

260966

Deputy – Jeannie Seers

262651

Editorial

Ann Dekkers

261144

Melbourn Pottery Club Maggie

Advertising

Jan Simmonett

220363

Meldreth Local History Kathryn Betts

268428

Distribution

Jose Hales

221058

National Trust Colin Limming

260072

John Impey Way Jeanette Holland

Eric Johnston

220197

New Melbourn Singers Adrian Jacobs

243224

Southwell Court

262121

Information

Anne Lambert

261480

Photographic Club Bruce Huett

232855

Moorlands Denise Taylor

260564

Parish Profile

Mavis Howard

260686

Ramblers Dave Allard

242677

Vicarage Close Warden Eileen Allan

263389

Production

Peter Simmonett

220363

Royal British Legion Women Elizabeth Murphy

220841

Proof reading

Brenda Meliniotis

261154

Royal National Lifeboat Institution Jean Emes

245958

Colin Limming

260072

Royston and District Local History Society

Brenda Meliniotis

261154

Village Diary

David Allard

01223 207307

248774

Bowls Elaine Cooke

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

JUNE Sunday 1

Holy Communion All Saints 8am Holy Communion URC 11am Baptist Communion 6pm Monday 2

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

Friday 13

Saturday 28

Coffee at URC 10.30am Swaffham Bulbeck Summer Theatre Gilbert & Sullivan ‘Patience’ 7.30pm

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am

Saturday 14

Melbourn Fete and Music on the Moor

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am Meldreth Fete Swaffham Bulbeck Summer Theatre Gilbert & Sullivan ‘Patience’ 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Sunday 29

Royston & District Local History Soc coach outing to Wandlebury Country Park and Kentwell Hall see article

Family Communion All Saints 9.45am Evensong All Saints 6.30pm

JULY

Sunday 15 Tuesday 1

Toddlers Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30am (TT)

Holy Communion All Saints 8am Family Service All Saints 11am Communion Service Baptist Church 10.30am

Wednesday 4

Monday 16

Craft Club Baptist Church 9.30am (TT)

Royston & District Family History Society ASCH 7.30pm

Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am

Coffee Break 10.30am

Tuesday 17

Thursday 3

Thursday 5

Toddler Plus 9.30-11.30am (TT)

Holy Communion All Saints 10am

Wednesday 18

Melbourn Bowls Club Coffee Mornings weekly at

Melbourn Bowls Club Coffee Morning weekly at Melbourn

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

Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm weekly

Thursday 19

Friday 4

Coffee URC 10.30am

Coffee at URC 10.30am

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

Saturday 7

Friday 20

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am

Coffee URC 10.30am

Sunday 6

Sunday 8

Saturday 21

Holy Communion All Saints 8am

Family Communion All Saints 9.45am

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am

Evensong All Saints 6.30pm

Service URC 11am

Sunday 22

Evensong All Saints 6.30pm

Family Communion All Saints 9.45am Parish Church Open Day with tours of the Church followed by cream teas in All Saints Community Hall 2-3.30pm Evensong All Saints 6.30pm

Tuesday 3

Bowls Club 10.30am Craft and Chat URC 2pm-4pm weekly Friday 6

Communion Service Baptist Church 6pm Tuesday 10

Toddler Plus 9.30-11.30am Baptist Church (TT) Mothers’ Union Open Evening with supper and talk by Pam Rhodes Foxton Village Hall 7.30pm Melbourn & District Gardening Club Afternoon Tea and

Tuesday 24

Toddler Plus 9.30-11.30am Baptist Church (TT) Wednesday 2

Melbourn Bowls Club 10.30am

Saturday 5

Baptist Communion 6pm Gt Chishill Village Fete on the playing fields 2-4pm Monday 7

Drop-in Surgery with Councillors at Melbourn Library 2.30-3.30pm first Monday in the month Melbourn Bridge Club every Monday at Vicarage Close contact Howard Waller 261693 Tuesday 8

Craft Club 9.30am (TT)

Toddler Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30am (TT) Melbourn & District Gardening Club Tea & Garden visit to Lode 2.30pm contact Roger Patman 01763 248975 Women’s Group Summer Supper Meldreth

Coffee Break 10.30am

Wednesday 25

Swaffham Bulbeck Summer Theatre Gilbert & Sullivan

Wednesday 9

Contact Ruth Dennis 01638 508171 for details

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

Thursday 12

Thursday 26

Thursday 10

Holy Communion All Saints 10am

Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm

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

Swaffham Bulbeck Summer Theatre Gilbert & Sullivan

Friday 27

Friday 11

Coffee URC 10.30am

Flower Show contact Roger Patman 01763 248975 Wednesday 11

‘Patience’ 7.30pm

Toddler Plus 9.30-11.30am Baptist Church (TT) Mothers’ Union outing Melbourn & District Gardening Club ASCH 7.30pm Head Gardener Update on Wimpole Gardens - Philip Whaites Craft Club Baptist Church 9.30am (TT) Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am

Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm weekly

Saturday 12

Evensong All Saints 6.30pm

Sunday 17

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am Stall in aid of Cecily’s Fund Zambian Orphans

Wednesday 30

Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am

Holy Communion All Saints 8am Communion Service Baptist Church 10.30am

Sunday 13

British Legion Women’s Section Vicarage Close 7pm

Monday 18

Family Communion All Saints 9.45am Evensong All Saints 6.30pm

Thursday 31

Holy Communion All Saints 10am

Wednesday 20

Tuesday 15

Melbourn Bowls Club Coffee Morning weekly at the

Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am

Toddler Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30am (TT)

Bowls Club 10.30am

Wednesday 16

AUGUST

Royston & District Family History Society ASCH 7.30pm

Thursday 21

Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm

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

Friday 1

Thursday 17

Coffee URC 10.30am

Holy Communion All Saints 10am

Saturday 2

Friday 18

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am

Coffee URC 10.30am

Sunday 3

Family Communion All Saints 9.45am

Saturday 19

Holy Communion All Saints 8am

Tuesday 26

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am World War I Exhibition in War Memorial Chapel All Saints Parish Church 11am – 4pm with refreshments in All Saints Community Hall

Communion Service Baptist Church 6pm

Women’s Group outing

Sunday 20

Monday 4

Holy Communion All Saints 8am Communion Service Baptist Church 10.30am World War I Exhibition in War Memorial Chapel All Saints Parish Church 11am – 4pm with refreshments in All Saints Community Hall Evensong All Saints 6.30pm Tea in the Garden in aid of the Children’s Society 18 Greenbanks Melbourn

Drop-in Surgery with Councillors at Melbourn Library

Monday 21

Melbourn & District Gardening Club Tea in the Garden contact Roger Patman 01763 248975 The Great War Hinchingbrooke House 1-5pm

2.30-3.30pm Melbourn Bridge Club every Monday Vicarage Close contact Howard Waller 261693 Wednesday 6

Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am Thursday 7

Melbourn Bowls Club Coffee Mornings weekly at Melbourn Bowls Club 10.30am

Royston & District Family History Society ASCH 7.30pm

Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm

Tuesday 22

Friday 8

Toddler Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30am (TT) Women’s Group Melbourn 7.45pm Lace Group Wednesday 23

End of term Craft Club Baptist Church 9.30 (TT) Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am Mother’s Union at The Walnuts, Wendy ‘Teddy Bears Picnic’ 12-2pm British Legion Women’s Section Vicarage Close 7pm

Coffee URC 10.30am Saturday 9

Friday 22

Coffee URC 10.30am Saturday 23

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am Sunday 24

Wednesday 27

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 Friday 29

Coffee URC 10.30am Lode Star festival Charity event 8am to noon on Sep 1st Saturday 30

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am Melbourn Bowls Club competition finals Lode Star festival Charity event Sunday 31

Holy Communion All Saints 8am Melbourn Bowls Club competition finals Lode Star festival Charity event

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am Sunday 10

Family Communion All Saints 9.45am Tuesday 12

Mothers’ Union Quiet Evening Shepreth Church 7.30pm Melbourn & District Gardening Club ASCH 7.30pm

Thursday 24

Wednesday 13

Holy Communion All Saints 10am

Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am

Friday 25

Thursday 14

Coffee URC 10.30am

Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm

Saturday 26

Friday 15

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am Link Murang’a Tombola

Coffee URC 10.30am

Sunday 27

Saturday 16

Family Communion & Sunday School All Saints 9.45am

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am

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

MELBOURN

Village FETE

and Music on the Moor

28th June 2014

r the next fo te a d g The closin y 18th July a d ri F is e issu ar in h will appe ic h w 4 1 0 2 ts listing even r, e b m te Sep r and er, Octobe b m te p e S in 2014. November

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

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

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 June 13 June

Black Bin Green & Blue Bin

20 June 27 June

Black Bin Green & Blue Bin

4 July 11 July

Black Bin Green & Blue Bin

18 July 25 July

Black Bin Green & Blue Bin

1 August 8 August

Black Bin Green & Blue Bin

15 August 22 August

Black Bin Green & Blue Bin

*30 August 5 September

Black Bin Green & Blue Bin

12 September 19 September

Black Bin Green & Blue Bin

26 September

Black Bin *Saturday Collection.

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

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

camsight Cam Sight’s Rural Support group meet in Melbourn to provide help, and friendship. The group provide enjoy speakers, music, information, events and trips and a chance to try out new equipment. They meet monthly on a weekday morning or afternoon. For further information Call 01223 420 033

Recycling As part of the topic of recycling, STEM club used shredded paper and old fashioned techniques to make paper. The first batch could be more accurately described as cardboard but that didn’t deter us. As ever, we approached it scientifically, analysed what we could improve and refined our technique, even adding turmeric for colour and flower petals purely for decorative purposes. As usual, the STEM club members helped each other throughout to get the best results but there were some interesting products along the way!

Stem Club is All Heart! The rocket was launched on the Moor which turned out to be a fitness class too as the students raced to retrieve it each time! Our thanks go to When I Was A Kid Toy shop (www. wheniwasakid.co.uk/traditional-toys) for donating the rocket, which we will be able to use again.

Mathematical Masterclasses in Cambridge Four series of workshops are held each year for year 8 pupils nominated by schools in the Cambridge area. Each series consists of five workshops, of which one is usually computerbased. The topics vary from series to series, but all involve challenging mathematics not normally studied in school, and there are always plenty of activities for the participants to try. The speakers are a mixture of university lecturers, maths educators, and others who enjoy communicating mathematics to a young audience. The workshops provide a chance for able young mathematicians to work together in tackling some interesting and challenging problems. Dylan Miller, Jack Sell, Charlotte Biddlecombe, Oliver Martin and Will Browning were the Melbourn Village College students who had the opportunity of attending these workshops this academic year. This is some of their feedback. “We had the chance to meet pupils from other schools who also have a keen interest in mathematics”. “We had the opportunity to experience topics not normally covered on the national curriculum, such as chaos theory, origami and using graphic calculators”. I feel privileged to have been able to attend the masterclasses because it is a very unique opportunity.

Well what better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than err... dissecting hearts?! Well, this is STEM club after all, a little artistic license permitted. Students were given free rein with some animal hearts to dissect, free to investigate, hands on (and in) and a lot of learning along the way. It was a great way to end the term but the magic moments for Mrs Curtis and Mrs Dunklin was watching the lower school members completely engaged as the confident upper school students talked them through the workings of the heart. The children even got to take away ‘Valentine’s cards’ (a handout of the heart) … well, what did you expect? This is STEM club!

Crystal Growing STEM club have begun their preparations for the Medical Research Council’s crystal growing competition, they only have a set amount of time to grow the most perfect crystal possible and have already had some impressive results. Last week, on the theme of crystals, we had a go at making crystal lollipops from saturated sugar solution...results of that unveiled shortly!

Rugby Boys Year 8 Rugby Team were elated at getting through to the semi finals of the County Cup. So far they have played Thomas Clarkson Academy of Wisbech winning 51–14 and Thomas Deacon Academy of Peterborough 75-15. The team won their semi-final match against Sawtry 25–15 and went on play St Ivo in the final on Wednesday 19th March. The match was a close run thing but unfortunately, they narrowly missed out on raising the trophy losing 20–15. They have qualified for the Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk tournament. We wish them luck.

melbournmagazine

M I L L .S I D E CA B I N E T M A K E R S

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SSCO Report – YA Conference Darienne Chesham and Matt Harris travelled to Hatfield University on January 24th with other YA’s from the area. It was the regional conference to introduce the sports leaders to the Young Ambassador program. After an opening ceremony, they spent the day with lots of other leaders looking at how to introduce and encourage more physical activity into school and after hours clubs. They were also encouraged to try and raise the profile of sport within the community and were set tasks to achieve this.

Children in both groups have spent some time improving their knowledge of French numbers and they also enjoyed sampling pancakes for Chandeleur in February and learning some Easter words just before the Easter holidays. Adults in the Wednesday evening beginners group practised French for a variety of everyday situations including telling the time, buying bus tickets, buying clothes and food, talking about the weather and dealing with problems such as lost luggage and car problems. Meanwhile the more advanced adult’s conversation group have discussed a range of topics including how the French capital coped with high pollution levels in March, historic dates and events and the top 10 holiday destinations for the French. 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.

Another brilliant Celebrating Ages Tea Party The event was held this term in co-operation with the Parish Council and ACT Central. Once again year 10 Health and Social Care and Catering students were given an opportunity to welcome village residents into the college for afternoon tea. This time we served a traditional tea with the health and social care students making the sandwiches and the catering students making sausage rolls. The wonderful Lynn and her kitchen staff produced Victoria sandwiches and shortbread. Year 8 singers entertained us during the tea and then all enjoyed a sing-along to round the afternoon off. It is always pleasing to see our students rise to the occasion and show care and understanding towards a different generation and for the students to be thanked and praised by our visitors. In addition this time the afternoon contributed directly to their Health and Social Care and Catering course work and will count towards their pledges.

Notre Ecole During the first half of the spring term children at the Wednesday after school club learnt some French words for different types of transport. We played games, sung songs and made a collage all around the theme of transport. Then after half term we learnt words and phrases needed at table. Again we played lots of games and we practised the new phrases by performing little role plays and pretending we were having a meal with our family. Children in the Thursday after school group spent some time extending their knowledge of weather phrases. We talked about the weather in different seasons, what we wear in different weather and what activities we like to do according to the weather. In the second half of the spring term the children learnt the French for things found in their bedroom.

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)

Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) – Royston The next courses will start in September but the details are not available yet. Details in due course from Carol Bradshaw 01763 268678. melbournmagazine

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MVC students will benefit from workshops in the UK and France with these reknowned international jazz and classical musicians, visit France and work with French students in their school and share the experience of public performances of this newly commissioned musical work. Our students have been invited to attend a World War Commemoration ceremony by the city of Rennes in September . May – Rose de la Paix in Picardy

ACT – A Common Territory We are delighted to let our community of Melbourn know about the exciting developments in the work of the ACT project and how our students are benefiting from this funding and the collaborations between all our twelve partners and Melbourn Village College. Just to remind you, our partners are led by the Orchestre de Picardie and include the Purcell Singers, Brighton Festival Chorus, Opera de Rouen Haute, Normandie, Comedie de Picardie, Orchestre Symphonique de Bretagne, Royal Opera House Education, Southend YMCA, The Gateway Learning Community, University of the Creative Arts, Thurrock Music Services.

Melbourn Village College students have been invited to attend and perform at a ceremony in Tergnier, France to inaugurate a new Rose as part of the commemorations of World War 1. A group of MVC singers led by Head of Music and Performing Arts Mr. Paul Belbin, will travel to France at the end of May and the will bring the new Rose of Peace back for planting in our MVC gardens. As well as performing, our singers will also attend a concert performed by the Orchestre de Picardy. June – Fieldtrips to the Battlefield of the Somme Thanks to this project from the 23rd to 27th June 2014, 120 MVC students will travel on a fully funded visit to Picardy to the Battlefields of the Somme, as part of the Commemoration of the World War 1. They will visit the battlefields, museums, cemeteries and follow a full learning programme using cultural exchange to learn about and from history. MVC students will also visit Amiens and spend time with our partners the Orchestre de Picardy and the theatre company Comedie de Picardy who are creating a new work using the poetry of World War 1. All our partners are generously sharing their work with our students. July, August and September 2014

On May 12th and 13th, a delegation from Melbourn Village College, headed by Principal Simon Holmes and supported by Head of Performing Arts Paul Belbin and Arts Development Manager Bryony Graham attended a two-day ACT Network Partnership meeting held at the University of the Creative Arts, Canterbury. These meetings are held every six months and take place on both sides of the Channel. Melbourn Village College will host the next meeting in the Autumn, we look forward to showing the partners our school, our village and our community. It was great to share the success of ACT so far, and plan for new and exciting collaborations. Here are a few ACTivities that are coming up from May onwards and into 2015. May, June and September Brothers in Arts, homage to our fathers – Guillaume Saint James, Chris Brubeck and the Orchestre Symphonique de Bretagne.

Verdi’s Requiem at the Fused Festival in Thurrock with the Royal Opera House and the Visualisation of Sound Project with the University of the Creative Arts. MVC students will travel to the Royal Opera House High House Production Park to experience this performance by our partners and they will also take part in workshops with musicians from Orchestre de Picardie, Orchestre Symphonique de Bretagne. Musicians will visit Melbourn Village College too. Students will also work with the University of Creative Arts team of students and tutors to learn about and take part in the Visualisation of Sound project work. Workshops are also set to take place at the Space Time Music Festival at Wysing Arts Centre on 31st August 2014. A production of Benjamin Britten’s Noyes’ Fludde will be performed in France and UK in January 2015. MVC students will take key roles, and a chorus of animals going two by two will be made up from MVC students and students from our cluster primary schools along with community members. Students will work here in the UK and travel to France for rehearsals and performances, with our partner orchestras, choirs and creative teams from the UK. Alongside all these extraordinary opportunities for cultural, heritage and educational exchange our students and staff continue to work on the key ACT research question during all our everyday school work, ACT Central puts the question ‘What does community means’ at the heart of our learning melbournmagazine

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and ‘how do we make where we live and better place to be and to visit’. We are looking forward to this summer term and what we can learn together with ACTivities week in July, and our ACT Ambassadors and work experience students will be taking the ACT project out into our wider community. If you have any questions about the ACT project and would like to get involved please contact Bryony Graham at Melbourn Village College at bgraham@mvc.org.uk .

Big ACT Singers who will travel to Tergnier, France for to perform in a ceremony to launch a new Rose of Peace.

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Telephone:

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01763 242560 www.jeremyrulefunerals.co.uk

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You have a list of 15 phone numbers to reach your family of three. You e-mail the person who works at the desk next to you. Your reason for not staying in touch with friends and family is that they don’t have e-mail addresses. You accidentally enter your PIN on the microwave. You haven’t played solitaire with real cards in years. 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

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

Royston & District Local History Society www.roystonlocalhistory.org.uk

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 Karate Club Peter Khera 07866 374674 Melbourn Sports Centre Graham Johnson-Mack 263313 Melbourn and Meldreth Women’s Group Pat Smith 262575 Sue Toule 260955 Anne Harrison 261775 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 Guides It might have been the wettest winter in history, but 1st Melbourn Guides’ spirits certainly weren’t dampened! We started the Spring term with co-operative games, and later in the term had a crazy Winter Olympics tournament, complete with plastic skis and toboggans, stone-filled curling socks, and duster hockey. Even serious subjects can be made fun; a refugee themed evening saw the girls trying to choose just three precious things they would take with them if they had to flee their homes, and playing a refugee-themed snakes and ladders game. The older girls tested a new Go For It resource called ‘Be The Change’; they learned about leadership and decision making, then they were challenged to devise and pitch a campaign on a local issue which concerned them. The winning campaign, to restore the school crossing patrol to Melbourn High Street, was pitched to Susan van de Ven when she visited us to present three BadenPowell Challenge awards. For Mothers’ Day the girls made a selection of chocolates from crushed mints, dried fruits and marzipan, presented in a box they made from a sheet of decorated A4 card. Just before Easter we made the most of the extra hour of daylight with some outdoor challenges. The girls did a treasure hunt in the local shop; some compass-point orienteering around the church, and made newspaper plant pots which they filled with herb plants and flower seeds. 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

Coach outing to Wandlebury Country Park and Kentwell Hall Saturday 28th June For details and availability of places contact: david.allard@ntlworld.com 01763 242677 Our evening meetings will resume on 2nd October 2014. 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 open on Wednesdays in August, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays 2.30pm–5pm (last admission 4.30pm) until the end of September. www. roystoncave.co.uk

Cambridgeshire Family History Society Would you like to learn more about your family history? Cambridgeshire Family History Society will be at the Central Library, Cambridge on the third Saturday of each month, from 11.00-3.00, to offer advice about how to get started. Each month, there will be a talk, from 1.30–2.30pm, that will explain the types of records you can use to trace your ancestors. Talks coming up soon will look at Gravestones, Cemeteries, Obituaries, Wills, War Graves, Maps, Directories, Newspapers, Photos, Local History, Military Records, Workhouses, Emigration, Scottish & Irish Research and Occupations. melbournmagazine

Jeremy Ashworth We can make life a little easier

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The Society will also be selling a wide range of CDs of transcribed parish records that will help you take your research back even further. The talks are free to attend at the Cambridgeshire Collection Rooms, Third Floor, Central Library, Lion Yard, Grand Arcade, Cambridge, CB2 3QD. The Society also holds regular meetings in Girton and March and offers research advice at March Library, Ely Library, Bar Hill Library, Cambourne Library and Cottenham Library. These events are free to attend, however donations are welcome. See www.cfhs. org.uk/pdfs/newsletter.pdf or www. facebook.com/CambridgeshireFHS for further details.

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 7.30 p.m on the second Tuesday each month, at All Saints’ Community Hall, behind All Saints Church (near traffic lights, lane by telephone box) Tuesday 24th June 2.30. Tea and garden visit at Lode Anglesey abbey is a short distance away, so you could make a day out We are meeting at Lode, to look at the garden, designed by the owner (retired head gardener at Anglesey Abbey) Planted with bold groups of herbaceous plants complementing a fine lawn and creating an element of mystery and delight.

Tea will be provided in the garden. Entrance to garden + tea - £7.00 Non members welcome, but booking essential. For further details contact Roger Patman 01763 248975

»»Tuesday 10 June Afternoon Tea

and Flower Show – members and friends Tuesday 8 July 7.30 Talk and slides by Philip Whaites Head Gardener Update on Wimpole Gardens at Wimpole Hall Sun August day 3rd Tea in the Garden - Members & Friends only

»» »» »»

Previous Talks In March, Peter Jackson from Scotsdales gave a talk on Care and Maintenance of Roses. He explained how versatile the rose can be and the different varieties available. Gave advice on planting and caring for your roses, covering pest and diseases recognition, together with tips on treatment and prevention. In April, Steven Poysner gave a very informative and entertaining talk on Bees and the Gardener. He explained that honey bees travel about a mile and a half every day to find the best source of nectar and pollen. It is the strength of sugar in the nectar that attracts them and a crop such as oil-seed rape has a much higher sugar content than apples. If you want to help all bees early in the year, plant grape hyacinths, snowdrops, aconites and pussy willow. New members and visitors very welcome. For more information - ring Helen 01763 245887

Melbourn and District Photographic Club The 2013/2014 season was one of the best yet with increased club membership, attendance and participation. Even a judge commented that we are one of the friendliest clubs that he has visited. The standard has improved significantly, with increased success in competitions with other clubs. However there is also a lot of sharing of skills at coffee time and club evenings which is raising quality across the board. Club competitions provided a stimulating selection of images and the lectures during the year covered a broad range of topics. Workshop sessions were enjoyed with activities for beginners as well as presentations on more advanced topics. The Melbourn Trophy final was held on Saturday 15th March 2014 and included the annual display of members’ prints. Ware won the trophy with Melbourn coming third. Homemade cakes were enjoyed by all. Presentations of trophies were made at the AGM: Points of View Paul Ivory Panel Print Peter North Rookie of the Year(shared) Karen Butler-Clark & John Cameron Print of the Year Karen Butler-Clark Projected Image of the Year Kevin Robinson Chairman’s Trophy Keith Truman Joe and Jack Cox trophy (Highest total score for prints) Keith Truman Ken Clifford Trophy (shared) (Highest total score for DPI) Dave Cole & Keith Truman

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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.

melbournmagazine

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

Registered Member of the British Association of Foot Health Professionals

email: nancy.foster@tesco.net

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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

The 2014/15 season will start on Tuesday 16th September 2014 at 7.30 at Foxton Village Hall. New members, of any skill level, will be warmly welcomed. For further information please contact Peter North (Secretary) by e mail at melbournphotoclub@hotmail.com. The club website is at www.melbournphotographic-club.co.uk and has details of club activities, members’ images and other useful information. Details of any summer activities will be posted here.

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 only the afternoon. Half-day walks are held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and there are evening walks on a different day each week until the end of August. Prospective new members are welcome and may come on three walks before deciding whether to join. www. ramblers.org.uk to join.

Melbourn Bowls Club As I am writing this preparations for our Open Day are at an advanced stage and by the time you read this the Summer Season will be well underway. You will have been victim to our leaflet dropping campaign advertising our Open Day. We hope this will not have annoyed too many and will have prompted a number of you to come and try the game of Bowls. We will be holding Coffee Mornings at our Clubhouse on The Moor every Thursday from 10.30 until 12.00 noon under the capable management of

Muriel Cooper. All are welcome whether interested in bowls or not. The main purpose is to provide an opportunity to meet and socialise with other Village residents and Bowls Club Members. We hold a Roll Up every Monday afternoon and any newcomer to the village or resident who have lived here for some time and who interested in trying the game of Bowls would be most welcome at these event. Just turn up or if you would like further information please contact either Arthur Andrews tel. 261990 or Malcolm Davey tel. 262704. Besides entering teams in local leagues we play friendly matches most Sundays in May, June and August. July is an internal Club month where the Ladies v Gents Challenge Match and Club Triples take place and also many members take part in a tour to Suffolk. During August we will be hosting the Cambridgeshire Vice Presidents Team and holding our Open Triples Competition with competitors from a wide variety of Clubs. We pride ourselves on being a friendly club that welcomes anyone interested in Bowls and involves all those who wish in Social Activities, Coffee mornings during the Summer and Whist Drives and Quiz Nights during the Winter. Finally, if you are walking down The Moor, across the Recreation Ground, or supervising children in the Play Area and see activity on the Green please feel free to watch and if you have the time to come into the club to chat to the other spectators.

Melbourn Karate Club The Kamaete Schools of Traditional Shotokan Karate (KSTSK) recently held their Grading Examinations at Hertfordshire Sports Village, Hatfield. Members of the Melbourn club took part in these grading examinations. Sensei Peter Khera, Instructor commented “all students did very well and showed good progress. For many students this was their first formal grading examination. Concentration, etiquette and discipline was maintained throughout the grading, which is not an easy task for the juniors”. Grading results as follow: First Name Grade Steve Huff Blue Belt Megan Huff Blue Belt

Callum Keir Gavin Elliott-Turner Henry Whybrow Ewan Cameron

Blue Belt Blue Belt Blue Belt Red Belt

The club meets every Sunday at 12 Midday at Melbourn Village College Sports Centre. New beginners are always welcome and no special clothing is needed, the first lesson is FREE. For more information call 07866 374674 or www.kstsk.co.uk.

Meldreth Croquet Club Why not try something different? Meldreth is fortunate to have a competition standard croquet lawn in the centre of the village. We invite you to come along and try your hand at this fascinating game without obligation to join the Club. Lack of experience is no problem as we are happy to give instruction and support. Our lawn is behind the British Queen in Meldreth High Street, it is visible from the road and from the river Mel footpath, so people can watch the game being played. We play most Sunday mornings, weather permitting, and often Tuesday evenings during the summer. A group from the local U3A play on Thursday afternoons. For further information please contact Janet Pope 01763 248342; meldrethcroquetclub@gmail.com

Melbourn Dynamos Football Club For Boys and Girls aged 4 – 18 years old All welcome! www.melbourndynamos.co.uk Melbourn Dynamos F.C. is a friendly community youth football club that gives boys and girls the opportunity to play regular football regardless of their experience or ability at all ages from 4 through to 18. We have almost 200 players registered to the club to play league football. This is in addition to the many of our youngest players (age 4&5) who have fun and develop their skills through the Dynamites’ pay and play sessions on Saturday mornings at Melbourn Sports Centre - our home ground. Although the waterlogged winter has melbournmagazine

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

caused a number of cancelled matches our home pitches proved more resilient than most to the rain. It has been a really successful season for many of teams who have built strong and competitive squads. Amongst others, the Under 12s and U16s deserve a special mention as they are competing for top places in their Divisions. In April, we were chosen by Cambridgeshire FA to host the important Next Generation Festival for under 7s players and in May the under 8s’ Festival for the Royston Crow Youth Football League. Both events were really successful at bringing together young players and their families from across South Cambridgeshire and North Hertfordshire to enjoy their football in a wonderful setting with great facilities. We are grateful to Melbourn Parish Council for enabling us to host these important events on their football pitches using the refurbished Pavilion as our hub and cafe. It also helps that we have such a beautiful place to play in the heart of the village, something which is easy to take for granted until reminded of it by our many visitors. The success of these events depends on the many volunteers from the club who generously give their time. This generosity of spirit coupled with the support of the Parish, MSC and MVC

reflects well on the club and the village. We are already planning for next season, navigating new rules on the sizes of teams, pitches and goals for each age group to ensure that we have everything in place by the start of the season. Of course we will not be forgetting to celebrate our players’ achievements this season through our Presentation Day on 8th June. We are very grateful to Melbourn Village College for hosting this important event in the club’s calendar. We are very pleased with the success of our youngest players, the Dynamites, who will again be demonstrating their skills in the arena at this year’s Fete on 28th June. They are coached by a team led by Dee Patel who was Cambridge FA’s coach of the year for 2013. These players, aged 4-6, have fun and develop their skills before deciding whether to play league football as the club’s under 7s team. This fun preparation and skill development through the Dynamites has undoubtedly brought more success to our current under 7s and Under 8s teams and in time will benefit all of our age groups. The Dynamites train with level 1 FA qualified coaches in a Saturday morning fun session for 4 and 5 year old boys and girls. Our Details are: Saturdays 10.30-11.30am, Melbourn Sports Centre. All are welcome to the

Melbourn Dynamites so why not bring your children along so they can check it out. Sessions feature lots of short activities aimed at improving individual skills, concentration and the ability to be part of a team. Children are welcome on a ‘pay as you play’ basis, the one hour session costs £2 (first session is free). We are looking forward to England’s performance in Brazil inspiring many new young players to play football and join our club. All of our coaches are CRB checked and qualified to a minimum of F.A. Level1 standard. We are also recognised as a Charter Standard 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 her at nikki-dip@ntlworld.com.

Meldreth Lawn Tennis Club Meldreth Tennis Club has been established for over 40 years and has a flourishing membership. Play is on two hard courts adjacent to the recreation ground behind Meldreth Village Hall, where there is free parking.

Under 7s at the Next Generation Festival

melbournmagazine

Opportunity for allotment gardening in Melbourn Allotments have a long history, well documented in the book by Twigs Way (who lives in Cambridge): “Allotments” published by Shire Library. The development of allotments in England was triggered by the enclosure of common fields and the move into towns. Although this process started in the sixteenth century it gathered pace in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The first Enclosure Act to include a provision for allotments, to ease the loss of land ownership caused by enclosure, was in 1806 for a village in Wiltshire. By 1831 there was discretionary powers for parish wardens to purchase or lease parish land up to 50 acres for “promotion of industry amongst the poor”. I have not yet been able to find any details of when this Parish decided to provide allotments in the village, but will continue my search and would be interested if anyone in the village has any information. Contact details are at the end of this article. The Parish Council currently manage two allotment sites in the village situated on The Moor. For several years z The St George’s Allotment Association is a group of plot holders that work with the Parish Council to ensure that the sites operate as effectively as possible. We had 35 members last year. The committee is keen to ensure that vacant plots are taken up to ensure the site looks tidy and there are no problems with weeds which interfere with growing on neighbouring plots. We therefore encourage anyone in the village who enjoys fresh vegetables, fresh air, a bit of gardening chat and some exercise to consider getting an allotment, maybe to supplement a small home vegetable patch. You don’t even have to be poor any longer, although growing your own vegetables does reduce the weekly supermarket bill! Several national organisations recommend cultivating an allotment a part of a healthy lifestyle. You are welcome to contact a member of the committee to discuss the advantages of having plot. Some new plot holders take half plots to get started and then move onto full plots when they have got a feel for the amount of work involved. The Association will have a stall at the Primary School Fete and the Village Fete so come and visit us and discuss what it is like to have a plot and produce the rhubarb (as well as other plants) which will be on sale. This is always a popular item and last year we could hardly keep up with demand; some visitors to the village fete said that they only came for our rhubarb! Plot holders are very welcoming to new tenants and are very happy to help out, share plants, spare seeds and give cultivation tips. Gardening magazines are also available. Wood chippings are regularly delivered to the site to help with weed control and a skip of manure is also delivered annually for use by plot holders and for getting rid of rubbish from the site. There is a good water supply which is maintained by the Parish Council and this maybe extended in the future. The soil is easily managed and the plots are productive. If you want more information there is a link on the village website, or contact the secretary: Bruce Huett on 01763 232 855 or brucehuett@compuserve.com. To arrange to visit the site and view vacant plots contact the parish office at the Melbourn Hub on 01763 263 303

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SUPPORT LOCAL

Members have free use of the courts, and Club Sessions are as follows: All year round

»»Mondays 10.00am – 12.00 noon »»Wednesdays 9.30am – 12.00 noon »»Thursdays 10.0am – 12.00 noon »»Saturdays 2.00 – 4.00 pm April to October Tuesdays from 8th April 6.00 – 9.00 pm The Club is keen to welcome new members, either working or living in Meldreth, Melbourn, Royston and the surrounding villages. Tennis tournaments and fundraising social events are held during the year. Public use of the tennis courts is available for a fee at anytime outside Club sessions. Details can be found on notices at the courts, and advance bookings may be made to reserve the courts outside of Club times. Anyone interested in joining the Club should contact the Secretary, Tracy Aggett on tel: 01763 243376 or come along to one of the Club sessions.

Melbourn Sports Centre

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

Supervised sports and pool parties June/July/August We have loads on offer this summer, with something for the whole community to get involved with…. So why not come along and find out more about your local sports centre! Father’s Day For something a bit different this Fathers

Day, how about treating your Dad to his own gym membership or purchasing a Gift Discount Card for our other activities here at Melbourn Sports? It’s a great way to help a loved one get fit! Kids Activities With the summer holidays only weeks away, it’s not too early or too late to start planning your summer sports. We have a variety of activities to choose from, including our Ofsted Registered Playscheme (The Kidz Factor), Trampoline Crash Course, Sport Taster Sessions and Swimming Crash Course. Also available are our very popular Children’s Pentathlons (Weekly Sports Camps), always a fun way to try out both mainstream and specialist activities. Get Fit For The Summer! With the summer fast approaching, why not let us help you shape up before your summer holidays? We have loads of classes to keep you fit and healthy, including Boxercise, Zumba, Core Stability and Body Sculpture. Or why not take advantage of one of our great membership schemes to our fitness suite, which houses the latest in gymnasium equipment, including C.V machines fitted with audio visual technology. Party Time! Looking for the perfect venue to hold your children’s birthday party? Then your search is over! We have all the facilities here for a fun-packed event with a variety of activities for your guests to enjoy, including trampolining (always a popular choice), football and traditional pool parties. We will also be running a stall again at this year’s Melbourn village fete. So why not come along and find out more about your local sports centre! For further details on these or any other activities, please drop in, call 01763 263313 or go online at www.melbournsports.com. We look forward to seeing you soon. Activities for teenagers and young adults Trampoline course – This course is a great way to introduce your child into this

fun and energetic sport. Start to learn all the basics including twists, shapes and drops! Age range: 4 1/2 - 16 year olds (groups may vary depending on ability) Date: Mondays 16.00 – 17.00 (4 - 7 years); 17.00 – 18.00 (8 – 11 years); 18.00 – 19.00 (12 – 16 years); Price: £4.00 - £5.00 per session (paid on a term basis) Teen training – An hour fitness session using our fitness suite machines Age range: 14 years upwards Date: Monday – Fridays / 15.30 – 16.30 & Weekends /14.00 – 15.00 / Price: £2.50 per session/ 10 sessions for £20.00

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Plus: Swimming Lessons / Lifeguard Courses / Tennis Coaching / Table Tennis / Badminton Activities for adults Adult swimming lessons – We offer a wide range of adult swimming lessons, from beginners to advanced. We operate weekly lessons and one-to-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! Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays 09.15 – 10.15* (*09.35 – 10.35 during all school holidays) Tuesdays 19.30 – 20.30, Wednesdays 18.30 – 19.30 Melbourn Sports Centre, The Village College, The Moor, Melbourn, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 6EF 01763 263313 www.melbournsports.com info@melbournsports.com

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feature Round Britain Rally 2014 Over the coming months you may notice a steady flow of motorbike riders in Station Road and in particular outside the newly painted Old Fire Engine shed. For many enthusiastic motorcyclists – some with sidecars, and drivers of three wheeled vehicles such as the ReliantRobin – the Round Britain Rally (RBR) 2014 has begun. The RBR is a touring and photographic event, exploring the countryside by travelling along less frequented lanes and back roads, and visiting interesting landmarks around Britain. The competition began on 1st April, after entrants had received a list of up to 100 landmarks and instructions. There is at least one landmark in every county in England, Wales and Scotland and in the larger towns and cities there may be two or more. For Cambridgeshire, Melbourn and its Fire Engine building in Station Road was chosen. Each landmark is given a number of points, which is determined upon its location and degree of accessibility. A landmark in the Highlands of Scotland is likely to be greater than one in the South. Depending on how competitive the riders are, they may travel an average of 250 miles a day, taking in three or four of their chosen landmarks. In past competitions, clues have ranged from the more obvious, well-known spots such as The Memorial stone to Lawrence of Arabia, near Bovington, the R101 Airship Monument in Cardington or the White Horse near Alfriston,

to the lesser-known or more difficult to access, which includes the Millennium Cairn in Durness or the McDonald tower near Dingwall. By 1st November the competitors must have photographed themselves, their vehicle and their RBR entry form against the backdrop of their chosen landmarks, which are then submitted to the organiser for marking. The original Round Britain Rally started in the 1970s and during its years of operation enjoyed a good membership. Castles, lighthouses, windmills, ancient monuments, follies and of course, the fine old remote pubs and inns were used as landmarks. Many were off the beaten track with some taking in the odd stretch of bumpy lanes. It ceased in the 1980s, but was revived in 1993. No doubt, the competition in the 70’s and the early 80’s was as much about understanding and navigating by maps as it was about reading the signs along the wayside. Today the situation is obviously different – the ability to access information from the internet, before they begin, the GPS strapped to the vehicle and the obligatory mobile device, makes for an entirely different type of competition. But still, it does sound like great fun – except perhaps for travelling in the Reliant Robin! Peter Simmonett One of the competitors outside the Fire Engine shed. Photograph by David Atkins.

melbournmagazine

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Find out more about the parish church Supporters of All Saints (SOAS) Many Melbourn residents support the work of SOAS without actually being regular worshippers and many more pass the building every day without actually knowing too much about the building and its 800 year history. The church in its many forms has seen all off the village’s history from the 13th centuary onwards and has played a part in good times and bad. Come and find out about Master John of Foxton who is the first recorded Vicar, the coming of William Dowsing who smashed much of the medieval glass, and finally “The Beast who stopped the feast” a term applied to James Hamilton who in the late 19th century had the annual Melbourn Feast moved from where the War Memorial now stands to a quieter place down The Moor. The Church will be open for tours on Sunday 22nd June and tours will take place at 2.00 p.m. 2.45pm and 3.30 pm. Tickets (£5.00) must be booked and paid for in advance and there will only be 20 places on each tour on a “first come, first served basis”. Each tour will end with a cream tea in All Saints Community Hall. Book your tickets now with Colin Limming on 01763 260072 or e-mail colin.limming@btinternet.com

Supporters of All Saints’ (SOAS) 100 Club The February draw was made by Mr Mike Rawlings on the 1st March. There were 76 members. The first prize of £256.40 goes to Rebecca Gatward (56) at 94 High Street and the second of £12.70 to Pat Ames (68) at 3 Lordship Drtive. The March draw was made by Rev Andrew O’Brien on 5th April. There were 76 members. The first prize of £25.40 goes to Joan Statter at 20 Orchard Road and the second o£12.70 to Rosemary Gatward (57) at 94 High Street. The April draw was made by Mike Rawlings at Coffee Stop on 2nd May. There were 76 members. First prize of £25.40 goes to Ken Anderson (31) at 3 Spencer Drive and the second of £12.70 to Mrs M Brooksbank (18) at 66 Medcalfe Way.

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

All Saints’ Community Hall

The Word of God Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man, whose dust shall return to the earth as it was. Then the spirit shall return unto God who gave it, and God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. (The last words of Solomon in Ecclesiastes.) David Burbridge

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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!

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Wednesdays 7.15pm Jazzercise

Royston - Greneway School, Garden Walk Tuesdays 6.15pm Body Sculpt, 7.00pm Jazzercise

Thursdays 6.40pm Body Sculpt 7.30pm Jazzercise Saturdays 9.00am Jazzercise

For more information text or call Maxine on 0796 316 1246 or email jazzercise_royston.melbourn@yahoo.co.uk

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

feature Never Too late

Another sparkling production from MADS, with a unique brand of performance, half cabaret half play they brought us Meldreth’s own Holiday Inn! Faced with the closure of their residential home after a gale topples the chimney stack into the living room and the insurance has lapsed the residents, an elite group of retired performers from stage and screen take matters into their own hands, staging a Palladium gala night to pay for the repairs. Written, produced and directed by Wendy Braid who also turned in a great performance as aging star Delores. She attempts to woo herself a toy boy, comic compere Johnny, played by Paul Sleight, whose joke a minute style moves the show on very effectively between scenes

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and turns. Lovely singing from The Honeys played by Mandy Handscombe and Ann Rogers whose sisterly feud breaks out behind the scenes; and great songs from Kirsty Bradbrook and Trudy Stanford too. Aging Crooner Gorgeous George played by Ian Baker presented us with a raunchy rendition of ‘Faith’ and the cleaning ladies played by Wendy Braid and Donna Sleight (who also doubled up as the stylish Babs, wife of the philandering Johnny) had everyone in stitches as they attempted to mimic Fanny the Star of burlesque. James and Lesley Spratt, as theatrical agents turned residential home managers, kept the whole affair nicely grounded in their roles as Rodney and Connie. A special mention has to go to Tessa Howell, as Tina the cook she brought us a hilarious monologue, a rarely seen art form these days but very effectively employed here. Of course no proper home for retired performers would be complete without a drag queen and Keith Wallace’s over the top performance as Sheila Blige was side splitting. Overall though the star of the show for me had to be Jimmy Cooper wonderfully played by Bryan Higgins, his portrayal of a washed up illusionist and knife thrower lost to drink and gambling after his knife throwing act had gone tragically wrong, was touching whilst his own brand of dry humour was hilarious. Ably supported by daughter Mini Cooper played by Sharon French. A skilfully constructed evening’s entertainment inspired by some of the best classic comedy routines and well performed. I cannot wait for Christmas when The Flintstones will be saving Christmas - with a little help from MADS of course, coming December 5th 6th & 7th. Sarah Ayrgael McDonald, Tavern Gallery Writers Group, Meldreth.

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LOOK GOOD, FEEL GREAT! Potential benefits of a holistic facial treatment include: • Correcting and rebalancing the skin • Stimulating the regeneration of skin cells • Relaxing and uplifting facial muscles • Softening lines and wrinkles • A healthy and youthful glow • A general sense of health and well-being • With this leaflet receive a free eye lash tint Julie Newby, Beauty and Holistic Therapist Time for You Salon based in Fowlmere Check out www.julienewby.co.uk for more details or email julie.newby@virgin.net or call 01763 208387 and I’ll send you a leaflet

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

What’s on Melbourn Amateur Dramatics Society (MADS)

Gt Chishill Village Fete Sunday 6th July 2 - 4pm Gt Chishill Playing fields Traditional village fete games with fun for all ages Teas, crafts, tractor rides, tug-o-war and lots more!

May saw the Spring show of ‘Never Too Late’ written by Wendy Braid and performed at Meldreth Village Hall. This was a show of two halves, the first set the scene of a boarding home for failing celebrities who were at risk of losing their home. The second half was the show they put on in order to raise the money to keep their home open. Plenty of glitz and glamour as the second half opened with ‘Chorus line’ and ‘All that Jazz’, closely followed by an array of musical entertainment, comedy, magic and dancing to delight the audience. Well done to the MADS team for yet another fun filled entertaining evening! Watch out for the MADS Christmas pantomime 2014

LodeStar Festival Friday 29 August, from 8am to Monday 1st September 12 noon. Tickets available online at www.lodestarfestival.com or phone 01223 813 318. LodeStar brings you the very latest National and International acts.

The Flintstones “Save Christmas”

There’s music for all tastes, dance groups, archery, power kiting, zorbing, face painting and more!

This truly will be one not to miss, with plenty of audience participation and lots of festive fun for the whole family! Further details will follow in the Autumn edition.

Mothers’ Union Shingay Deanery Branch Open Evening with supper when the speaker will be Pam Rhodes on Tuesday 10th June at 7.30pm at Foxton Village Hall CB22 6RN To reserve a place, please contact, by 6th June Barbara Gaskin 012238 70819 or Jacqui Parker 017632 42714 bjgaskin@tisccaoli.uk Members and Visitors will be welcome

Swaffham Bulbeck Summer Theatre Our 2014 performances of Gilbert & Sullivan’s ‘Patience’ will be staged at our wonderful ‘Theatre in a Barn’, Downing Farm, Swaffham Bulbeck on: Wednesday 11 June 2014 at 7.30pm - £9 Thursday 12 June 2014 at 7.30pm - £9 Friday 13 June 2014 at 7.30pm - £10 Saturday 14 June 2014 at 2.30pm (matinee) - £6 and 7.30pm - £10. Our tickets will continue to be available to purchase online from Ticket Source http://sbst.ticketsource.co.uk from 1 April 2014 and ticket prices remain unchanged as previous years. Visit www.sbsummertheatre.com or call Business Manager, Ruth Dennis, for more details on 01638 508171.

A Family Friendly Festival with exciting music right on your doorstep, a great entertainment experience and wonderful atmosphere! Come along and be part of a great event and help the fund-raising of Addenbrooke’s Hospital ACT, CLIC Sargent. www.lodestarfestival.com

The Great War The Great War, Between the Lines project is holding a free commemorative event on 3 August 2014, 1–5pm in Hinchingbrooke House, Huntingdon. The event aims to raise awareness of this hugely important milestone in world history, we will have activities to engage families as well as inform and educate. ‘The Last Day of Peace’ will include activities of interest to all ages.

• • • • • •

Custumed re-enactors bring the alive the spirit of the Great War The Music Hall Society and a brass band performing music from the war years Exhibitions including photographs, documents and letters. Vignettes and reading of letters to and from the front Displays from St Neots Museum Expert advice on family history from Cambridgeshire Archives

Light refreshments will be on sale. For further information contact Amanda O’Donoghue 07796 336300

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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.

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

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

feature

Woodyard trails Grinnel Hill BMX Trip to the States Andrew Thomson, Jack Smith, Damo Wilkinson and James Bentley, all locals from the Woodyard trails in Melbourn, set off on their BMX trip to San Diego, California on the 30th January for two weeks all with the intention of getting away from the English weather and the ambition to experience new BMX trails, skate parks and culture.

The idea of our trip to California all started out when we met two guys who had come over from the states to come and ride the Melbourn trails (Grinnel Hill BMX), Blaine and Braden. Who we actually came into contact with over social media app (Instagram) For those of you who don’t know it’s an application whereby you post photos up onto your account for others to see, like, comment and so on. Crazily enough we started seeing photos that they were posting up of their spots in California and to which they were seeing the photos we were posting up of our trails in Melbourn

also. The Americans were really impressed with the photos we were putting up of our trails and we would occasionally comment on each others photos indicating our great desire to travel to each others spots, meet up and show them around. This became reality last summer when they ended up planning a trip to come and stay over here for a week filled of riding at our trails in Melbourn and a few other spots around the London area. Luckily they had picked one of the best weeks to come over weather-wise where we managed a near enough rain free week which enabled us to ride as much as possible. We had such a great week showing them about and within that week secured ourselves two really

Grinnel Hill BMX site, Melbourn

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Available on Royston Market: Saturdays and Wednesdays 8am to 1pm approx

Fresh Fruit and Vegetables,

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

Fish direct from Great Yarmouth, Bread and Cakes, Cheese & Cold meats (Wednesdays only) Flowers and Plants, Jewellery (Gold bought for Cash), Picture Framing, (Saturdays only) Kitchenware, Antiques, Pet Supplies. Ladies Wear (Wednesdays only) Golf Equipment (Saturdays only)

New Traders Always Welcome Contact Market Manager 01763 245484 or email: markets@roystontowncouncil.gov.uk

Royston Town Council 66

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

Phone: 01763 261740 Email: sales@norburys.com www.norburys.com 1 London Way Melbourn, SG8 6DJ (Just off Back Lane)

good new friends. As the week came to an end before they flew back home to the States they asked us if we were interested in heading out to California to experience their BMX scene and offered us a place to stay and show us about. We took their offer into consideration and saved some money together to plan a trip over there. Without their offer of a place to stay we would definitely not have been able to afford two weeks over there so we were so grateful for that. It had always been a dream to head over to America, mainly because of the perfect weather they have all year

round whereas we have to deal with long, harsh winters where we obviously cannot ride much here in England. It really made sense for us to plan our trip over to San Diego in the neck of the winter to escape the bad weather and enjoy two weeks of amazing sunny weather. We flew out to California on the 30th January to meet Blaine and Braden who allowed us to stay at their place in San Marcos (just outside of San Diego) We had an absolutely amazing two weeks, experiencing their local trails, skate parks and street spots. It turned out that California had pretty much everything to offer for BMX in such a perfect climate. It really blew me away how big their BMX scene was over there and upon being out there on a BMX trip we also managed to visit a lot of California itself and experience the culture. I still think it’s incredible how we managed to make our dream to go over to America and meet loads of new people become a reality through having the trails at Melbourn and by meeting the Americans over a social media site. It just goes to show how important the internet is in this day and age and the possibilities it creates. We are still in contact with the Americans and are hoping on planning more trips out there in the future! I would personally like to thank the Melbourn Parish Council on behalf of everyone from the Woodyard trails for everything that they have helped us out with, for example the metal container to store tools and equipment, water supply and tarpaulin. We couldn’t of done it without them!

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 (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

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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)

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

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MAGAZINE ADVERTISERS

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

Printed by The Langham Press

Issue 78 Summer 2014

Articles inside

faeture - MAD Never to late

feature - Woodyard trails - Grinnel Hill BMX

What’s on

Church News

feature - Percy R Salmon FRPS

Sports & Clubs

Community matters

Profile MCI Precision Screens

Nature - River Mel Restoration group

feature - Round Britain Rally 2014

feature - John Lewis Heritage Centre

Melbourn Village Fete