Nature

River Mel Group

Spring is the season that arguably shows the river at its finest. The early flowering marginal plants provide splashes of yellow and purple along the river, which is welcome after the bleakness of the long winter months. We always look forward to seeing the first fish hatchlings and the mayfly rising, which also means that the volunteers can get back into the river. It is not that they are not hardy folk, but in winter the river needs to remain undisturbed for the fish to lay their eggs and hatch. This does not mean that we have been idle, but have been carrying out work along the riverbank, maintaining the dead hedges, litter picking and this year, improving the woodland path.

Thanks to the hard work of our volunteers and the support of the community and statutory bodies the main structural work on the river has been completed. But, the work of our volunteers is not finished because we have used environmentally friendly ‘soft engineering’ techniques to improve the river flow. These structures need regular maintenance if they are to continue to do the job they were designed for. Working parties meet monthly, either in Melbourn or Meldreth. For further details about volunteering or the dates of future working parties please telephone Maureen Brierley on 01763 262752.

Photograph by Richard Symonds

Fencing & Timber

DISTRIBUTORS

We welcome trade, agricultural and retail customers. We me happy to provide free advice. We have a team of experienced landscapers. We offer a fast delivery service. Timber, Panels, Posts, Rails, Gravel Boards, Feather Edge, Gates, Gate Posts, Decking, Sleepers, Post Mix Cement, Concrete Products, Fasteners & Fixings, Abrasives, Hardware & Ironmongery.

P & A SALES Unit 5, Butts Business Centre, Fowlmere, Royston, Herts, SG8 7SH T. 01763 208000 E. cambswood@gmail.com

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

its list of aspirations for Meldreth, when the new train operating company Great Northern took over in September. We don’t know when it’s coming, but now that it has been announced we can at least look forward to it.

Thanks to local train travellers for keeping us informed about improvements needed. The next meeting will be 11 March, 7 for 7:30pm, at the Melbourn Hub. All welcome! Susan van de Ven Telephone 261833, susanvandeven@yahoo.co.uk

Long-term support need

‘Drop-in’ sessions for carers and adults with a long-term support need These popular drop-ins for anyone who is living with a long-term illness or disability or an age-related condition, or providing unpaid support to adult family members or friends are continuing in 2015. The early Spring dates and locations are: » Bar Hill Community Room, Tesco Extra on 16th March (10.30am to 1.30pm) » Sawston Free Church on 17th March (10.30am to 1.00pm)

There will be a Carers only drop-in at Cambourne Library on 18th March from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

Drop-in to any of the events for a cup of tea and a chat about the information, advice and support that may be available, to share your stories and experiences, talk in confidence to a member of the Carers Support Team or Physical Disability Services Team, or to book a carers assessment.

For more information: Tel: Gemma Whitehouse on 01480 377616 / Leigh Hornsby on 01480 373220 Email: CarersSupportTeam@cambridgeshire.gov.uk Visit: www.cambridgeshire.net and search “Adult Support Drop-in”

Melbourn Village Fete and Music on the Moor

With the New Year arriving we see the tempo of work increasing for the Melbourn Village Fete and Music on the Moor organising committee. Following on from our first themed event last year we are considering a circus theme this year. We hope to have displays of circus skills including fire eating and much more. If you have some circus skills or know of someone who has and wish to participate then please get in contact with us through our website.

As in previous years we will have a band of volunteers serving at our barbeque. The meats and vegetarian options we use are sourced locally and are of the highest quality. Our Bar will once again provide a range of interesting beers, wines and not forgetting our acclaimed Pimms and Rum Punch drinks. For the last few years the pavilion teas have been provided by our village Brownies and previous to that one of the pre-school playgroups. This year we are ringing the changes. One of our very talented committee members is going to provide a vintage style tearoom in the pavilion. Fine homemade sandwiches, crumpets and cakes will be served with tea and coffee in bone china teacups, saucers and teapots so that you can enjoy your tea just as you like it. If you have any china crockery (mismatched is fine) you wish to donate to us then we would love to hear from you at stalls@melbournfete.co.uk.

Already we are booking up food vendors, attractions and stalls. If you want to have a stall or provide an attraction then please contact us soon. We often have duplicate providers applying to come to the fete and we generally can only have one of them, which is normally on a first come first served basis. Please contact us through our website or at stalls@melbournfete.co.uk.

The competitions will once again give a chance for our talented villagers to showcase their skills in all manner of disciplines. If you want to have your baking brilliance, decorating dexterity, photographic prowess, flower-arranging flare or cordial and conserve competence judged then keep an eye on our website where competition details will be published. Remember that the categories have various age groups so everyone can enter with a chance to win a prize. This year we are offering local companies or individuals an opportunity to sponsor competition categories. At £20 per category this is a great way to get your name in front of the public. If you are interested please contact us through competitions@ melbournfete.co.uk

The Music event will be held again. As in previous years it will be a mixture of bands and solo singers. Details are yet to be confirmed but as in previous years there will be an exciting and entertaining line up.

The day is only possible because of the support we get from our visitors who buy the food and drink we offer and give us such positive feedback. Also, our gratitude to the Parish Council who always provides us with all that we ask for in terms of facilities. However, without doubt the heroes are the band of volunteers who help set the day up, serve behind the bar, barbeque and tea room. The Committee members really appreciate this and know that without the support of all of these vital people the day could not be a success.

More details of the event will follow in the weeks and months ahead.

As a reminder the date will be the 20 June. Follow us on facebook or visit our website at www.melbournfete.co.uk

Healthwatch Cambridgeshire

Our job is to make sure you have a say when important decisions are made about local health and care services. We are interested in any recent experiences you have of a local health or care services that you are happy to share with us.

The big health story in the news this New Year is about pressures on our local hospitals. We know that these are linked to other issues like getting to see a GP when you need to and getting care in place when you are coming home from hospital. We have two new projects that will look at some of these issues from a different viewpoint.

In our ‘First Steps to Health’ project we want to find out about the first thing