13 minute read
Village news
The Hall for All 5 British Legion Women’s Section 6 Library – LAP (Local Access Point) 6 Melbourn & Meldreth Women’s Group 6 Relate Cambridge 6 Mobile Warden Scheme and Lunch Club 7 Melbourn Calendars 2016 9 Melbourn Village Fete 9 Men’s Breakfast’ 11 Melbourn Short Reading Group 11 Bloomsday – The Outcome 13 The Valentines 13
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Library – LAP (Local Access Point)
Library opening times Monday 12.30 to 4.30 pm Tuesday 2.30 to 4.30 pm Wednesday 2.30 to 4.30 pm Thursday 2.30 to 6.30 pm Friday 2.30 to 4.30 pm Saturday 10.00 to 12.00 am
Christmas period – The llibrary will be closed from Wednesday 23rd December and reopen on Monday 4th January 2016.
The Hall for All
Melbourn’s Community Hall situated behind All Saints Church in the centre of the village, has now been up and running for seven years, so this summer it was decided it was time that the building was freshened up to keep it in tip top condition. The hall has been completely redecorated throughout and the fire-retardant, light excluding curtains have been re-hung. New blinds have been fitted to the high windows so that the in situ screen may be used to best advantage. The outside of the hall has also been painted and there is one other significant change which the Trustees have carried out – I wonder if anyone has spotted it? It doesn’t make any difference to the functioning of the hall but we felt that it was a major change for the better! (Answer in next issue!) Sadly, with constant use things begin to wear out and the chairs will soon need to be replaced and also some of the lights in the entrance hall are not working – £600 sounds a huge sum for lights but replacing the existing lighting with the latest high efficiency LED lights is both environmentally friendly and the most economical solution. In order to help pay for these ongoing updates we have formed a small fund raising committee and we are planning several exciting things for the New Year, beginning with a jazz night – Swing into Spring – watch out for details. This year we held a very successful musical evening and the money raised by the Safari Supper goes to the hall funds.
The Community Hall has been used by local residents for many things, yoga, Zumba, Brownies, Guides, Rainbows, dance classes, karate, music groups, seminars,
wedding parties and funeral wakes. It is a very popular venue for children’s parties and of course our kitchen is extremely well kitted out. Most crucially – our charges are very competitive!
For more information contact Sandie Springall – hallbookings@live.co.uk
British Legion Women’s Section
We had an outing with lunch at a Garden Centre in July where we were well looked after.
The AGM was held in September and a new Chairman (Una Cleminson) and Vice Chairman (Irene Bloomfield) were elected. This was followed by a light supper. We now look forward to collecting for The Poppy Appeal during the two weeks prior to Remembrance Sunday. This benevolence is still required to provide much needed relief for Servicemen and Women and their families, with over £1 million a week being distributed.
The Women’s Section is open to all women over 18, we aim to make our meetings stimulating and most importantly “Good Fun.” You will be assured of a good welcome, we meet at Vicarage Close Community Centre on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 2pm.
President Molly Chamberlain 0774623072: Chairman Una Cleminson 01763269544: Secretary Elizabeth Murphy 01763220841.
Library – LAP (Local Access Point)
Reading Challenge
The number of children taking part in the annual reading challenge for 4 to 11 year olds has been heartening. The challenge was to read 6 books over the summer holidays and write comments on them. Each of the 30 participants had a chart with stickers to keep a record of their progress. On 2nd October at the Hub Susan van de Ven presented a certificate and medal to each of the 13 children who had completed the challenge.
In the children’s section of the library the Early Readers have been a phenomenal success. We are constantly having to buy more books to keep up with demand as more and more children are bitten by the reading bug. This bug is also in evidence on the adult shelves; we are regularly buying a selection of books from best seller lists to keep pace with demand.
Did you know that if you are a member of the Cambridgeshire library service you can reserve books on line, by phone or by popping into the library. Books usually come within a week or two, depending on availability. We have a delivery of reserved books every Thursday and, if we have your email address, when your book arrives you will receive an email. Otherwise you will be informed by phone. The system works well and best of all it is free.
Closure over the Christmas period – the last day the library will be open is Tuesday 22nd December 2015 and will reopen on Monday 4th January 2016. Jane Stevens
Melbourn & Meldreth Women’s Group
The Group is for all women of any age. Meetings are held at 7.45pm on the 4th Tuesday of each month, except in December and we vary our venues between Melbourn and Meldreth. We charge £1 on the night to cover expenses and there is an opportunity to make a donation to the chosen charity of the year. We usually have a guest speaker or some in house entertainment followed by a chance to have a chat over tea/coffee and biscuits.
Our meeting on 26 January 2016 will be at the usual time of 7.45 and will be our AGM, this will be held in All Saints Community Hall. The formal business of receiving reports, electing committee members and selecting a charity of the year will be conducted first and then we have a bring and share supper. Please give some thought to joining the committee and come with suggestions for a charity that we can support.
On February 23rd our meeting is at Holy Trinity Church Meeting Room in Meldreth. Eirwen Karner is coming to talk to us about Norwegian dress and food, hopefully she will have some items to show us.
We are a small and friendly group and if you would like to know more please feel free to come along one evening or contact one of the committee members: Pat Smith (262575) Sue Toule (260955) Anne Harrison (261775) Angela Leach (262793). Relate Cambridge
Releases its second film to promote its work with children
This film is both inspirational and moving – and we firmly believe that it will deliver a powerful message to parents and encourage them to come forward to ask for our support. Funding from the Big Lottery has allowed Relate Cambridge to offer free counselling for children aged 5 – 18 whose parents and/or guardians are having counselling with Relate.
The making of the film was a rewarding experience for all involved. Alex Nunes, who directed the film, is the son of the Centre Director and also an ex pupil of Parkside, who went on to study Film and TV production at Westminster University. Alex’s career has subsequently taken off and he has just been commissioned by the BBC to film and edit a documentary on location in China.
We were absolutely delighted – when we approached the Parkside Federation to ask for their help with finding cast members – to find that they embraced the challenge and were very keen to support their ex pupil. The Head of Drama and 2 pupils feature in the film. The remainder of the cast and crew were drawn from family and friends of the staff at Relate Cambridge. The fact that everyone pulled together – and gave freely of their time and energy to support this project – made the whole experience feel like a true a labour of love.
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).
Jeannie Seers (Mobile Warden) 07808 735066 email jeanseers1@ntlworld.com
Jane Cage (Deputy) 07592 821976 email jane.e.cage@btinternet.com
Melbourn Warden Scheme is a registered charity
The film can be viewed on our website, along with some photos taken during the filming (these can be found on the ‘About Us’ page).
Relate Cambridge offers information, advice and counselling for all stages of your relationships at our outpost in Melbourn The sessions are held in the small meeting room at Melbourn hub on Wednesday each week.
Appointment times are: 10:30; 11:45; 13:00
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) or visit www.relatecambridge.org.uk
Mobile Warden Scheme and Lunch Club enjoy crooning and cake!
Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme and the Melbourn and Meldreth lunch club joined together in September to enjoy an afternoon of ‘crooning’ and cake!
‘Doubletake’ barbershop quartet performed at Vicarage Close to over 40 people from the two groups which support mobility impaired or mature residents of Melbourn and Meldreth. Some of you may have seen and heard ‘Doubletake’ barbershop quartet performing at the Melbourn fete in the summer. The mobile wardens who were working on their fundraising stall, were so impressed by the singing that they asked the quartet if they would be able to perform for their scheme’s members and so began the event arrangements . The scheme approached the lunch club to see if they too would like to attend, as many people belong to both groups and so it became a combined event.
The event was possible thanks to funding that the groups work hard to raise which helps pay for events such as this, enabling people to socialise who may otherwise be isolated.
Committee members, wardens, lunch club organisers and volunteers helped to serve the delicious cakes – many of which were homemade – all washed down by tea and coffee. The barbershop quartet performed songs ranging from the 1920’s to more recent times. It was fascinating to hear the quartet explain how the harmonies are formed with a demonstration to show the distinctive sound being built with the addition of each voice.
It was a most enjoyable afternoon and many of the guests said how the songs had brought back fond memories.
We are grateful to all those who fund us and provide the opportunity for such events to continue. Community transport and volunteer drivers are also appreciated as without their support to drive people to and from venues we could not bring so many people together.
‘Doubletake’ barbershop quartet
Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme provides twice weekly visits and regular telephone contact to the homes of residents of Melbourn and Meldreth who are mobility impaired. There is no age restriction. In addition to the regular social contact, we provide support with basic errands such as shopping, paying bills, collecting pensions, posting letters and parcels and organising and collecting prescriptions etc. In addition we organise regular outings like the barbershop quartet afternoon, so scheme members can socialise with each other. We use specialised transport provided by the Royston and District Community Transport Scheme, so most types of mobility impairment will not be a barrier to coming out with us. If you would like more information about how you, your relative or neighbour can join the scheme, please contact Jeannie Seers 07808 735066 jeanseers1@ntlworld.com.
Melbourn and Meldreth Lunch Club is held every Thursday at Vicarage Close in Melbourn and brings mature villagers from Melbourn and Meldreth together to enjoy a good meal and a chat. Special dietary requirements are accommodated and transport can be provided. For more information about joining the lunch club, contact Nikki Cross on 07599 292327. Jeannie Seers
Melbourn Calendars are now available to order, either at the Coffee Stop on Saturday mornings from 10.30 to 12 noon or by ringing Marjorie Shaw on 01763 220076. Prices remain the same with large – A4 size £8 and small – A5 size £5. All come with envelopes and all profit goes to SOAS (Supporters of All Saints)
All photos have been taken within the last twelve months and the calendars are individually created.
Melbourn Village Fete
The Melbourn Village Fete Committee recently met to decide how much surplus money could be given to local causes and activities that submitted requests for funding. After another successful fete day it was decided that we could give away a record £5000. This large amount of money is possible in part due to the excellent support we get from those who come along with their friends and family to participate in a fun day. However, we also enjoy a great deal of support from the Parish Council and our generous sponsors. There were 12 applications all from very worthy groups, all of which we were able to support. The recipients, in no particular order are:
A Chain of Wild Flowers towards the cost of running workshops and celebratory events at the pavilion, poetry workshops at MVC, Melbourn and Meldreth Primary Schools.
All Saints Community Hall towards the cost of replacement chairs.
Bassingbourn ATC cadets (who provided invaluable help on the fete day) towards the cost of a logo on a new vehicle.
Melbourn Lunch Club who provide regular opportunities for older members of our community to have social gatherings. This money will help fund the cost of a special Christmas Lunch.
Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme to help towards the cost of outings.
Melbourn Primary School to help towards the cost of new computers in their ICT classroom.
MVC Ghana Students (who provided invaluable help on the fete day) who are raising money to go and help with a charity trip in Africa.
Melbourn Youth Club to help towards the cost of trips and activities during the school holidays.
MVC Summer School to help towards the cost of activities during the school holidays.
McSplash Swimming Club to help support the cost of galas.
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