Churches Together

Christmas Church Services

All welcome All Saints’, Melbourn

6th December 3.30 pm Christingle 13th December 6.30 pm Carol Service 24th December 3 pm Crib Service 11.30 pm Midnight Mass 25th December 8 am Holy Communion

Melbourn Baptist Church

13th December 10.30 am Nativity Service 20th December 6 pm Carols by Candlelight 25th December 9.30 am Family Celebration “Hope has Arrived” 27th December 10.30 am Family Service “We are Family”

Holy Trinity, Meldreth

15th December 7 pm Carol singing at the British Queen 20th December 4.30 pm Carol Service 25th December 10 am Family Communion

Melbourn United Reformed Church

1st December 7 pm Brownies & Guides Christingle Service 9th December 8 pm Carols at the Black Horse 19th December 10.30 am Carols at the Cross 20th December 11 am Family Nativity Service 20th December 2.30 pm Moorlands Christmas Service 24th December 11.30 pm Watchnight Service 24th December 11.30 pm Watchnight Service 25th December 8.30 am Christmas Day Service 25th December 8.30 am Christmas Day Service

United Reformed Church

Harvest Festival

Our harvest festival was a celebration of the beautiful produce in season, along with donations of cans and dried goods, which were donated to Jimmy’s night shelter. See the website to see the fantastic and vital work that Jimmy’s does in Cambridge: www.jimmyscambridge.net

Here are some photos of the floral displays, which marked the occasion:

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Forthcoming Events

Tastes of Christmas 5th December! 11am–3pm Please join us for a coffee, lunch, tea or all three!

Musical Evening

We hosted an enjoyable musical evening with Celloist: Catherine Wilmers and Pianist: Ilga Pitkevica this was followed by a hot buffet for around 50 people. An astonishing £1,200 was raised for local charity – Cherryhomes Trust, who help people with disabilities maintain their independence with the provision of adaptive equipment. Here’s a link to the website to see the work they do: www.cherryhomes.org.uk

Welcome to All If you are interested in joining us at any of our services, you will receive a warm welcome. Our weekly family Sunday service is at 11am. Services The details of all our Christmas services can be found on the Christmas Church Services poster. See page 53.

Melbourn Baptist Church

It is always a cause for celebration when members of the church decide to take the important step of baptism. Generally, services take place in church, with use of the baptistery, but one church member decided to do things a little differently, and took his baptism out into the community,

The service was held at the recreation ground, with the baptism taking place in the river, giving church members the chance to put their beliefs into action, witnessed by the rest of the village.

After the baptism, there was a picnic, shared with Churches Together in Melbourn and Meldreth.

In a busy autumn period, members of the church were involved in the Royston Arts Festival, taking part in the Illumination, Art and Spirituality event at St John’s Parish Church in Royston.

Church members enjoyed their harvest festival service, and this year donations of goods went to the Royston Foodbank.

The church’s Beacons of Prayer meetings continue each month, and members have also been involved again in the annual October light parties for children, held in Royston, and at Melbourn Baptist Church.

They have also looked forward to welcoming Ian and Sue Paxton, and learning about their work as missionaries based in Romania.

Work has also begun, planning for events in the run-up to one of the busiest times of the church year – Christmas.

Supporters of All Saints (SOAS)

Residents will have noticed the scaffolding around the tower of All Saints Church and possibly wondered what was being done and who was paying? The Church of England receives no state aid and anything that needs to be done has to be paid for from the congregation that attends the services, or from the money raised by the Supporters of All Saints.

When the Parochial Church Council decided that the work recommended by their architect could no longer be postponed an appeal was made to the Supporters for financial aid. SOAS made £25,000 available to the fund and work started in September, and by the time that you read this article may well be finished.

By donating this sum of money the Committee of SOAS realised that it was giving the church most of their accumulated funds but wisely retained about £1,500 as a reserve. To build up their finances SOAS has embarked on a series of fund raising projects. In September an appreciative audience enjoyed slides of old Melbourn presented by Ray Ellis. It was a fascinating afternoon and Ray’s commentary was often augmented by comments and additions from the audience. During the interval a delicious cream tea was served by the ladies of the Committee before Ray finished his talk with more slides.

By the time you read this article we will have enjoyed another gastronomic feast when Bob Howard prepares ‘Bob’s Indian meal’ at the end of October.

On Saturday 12th December in All Saints Church our occasional organist Geoff Symon will present a programme of popular music. He has promised songs from the shows and musicals, some traditional organ music and lastly carols for everybody to sing along. Tickets are on sale now at £7.00 for SOAS members and £ 8.00 for non-members. Come and get into the Christmas spirit with a glass of wine and a mince pie.

The SOAS 100 Club draw takes place every month and adds to our finances as does The Bookshelf in the Community

continued on page 59

Grinnel Hill BMX Club

After a major re-design and development of the beginner, intermediate, and advanced lines over the winter, completion of which was late spring, we’ve seen many new and existing members returning through our gates, from Melbourn itself to surrounding towns, villages and counties throughout the summer

During the last few weeks of September before we put the site to bed for the winter, we held an End of Season Jam with BMXers from all over England coming to enjoy our site and facilities.

We also had the digital camera manufacturer Nikon come to film an advert due to the site being aesthetically pleasing to the eye from behind the lenses!

This winter will once again see major re-design and construction, this time of the lower half of the field, including the intermediate and advance lines, with completion scheduled for early spring 2016.

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 £50 (April to September), or a day member (per session) for £10.

Our aim for the club is to promote an activity for the young community of Melbourn and surrounding areas to participate, 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

Many thanks to Melbourn Parish Council for their ongoing support at all levels to keep the club sustainable and open. Wrights Mower Centre Melbourn for their help and generosity in supporting us to keep the site to a well maintained and safe standard for the foreseeable future

NB: Poles can be borrowed free of charge if required. Instruction fee £5, car park free for CambridgePPF members, non members £3.

Directions: Wandlebury Country Park is on the A1307, 2.5km south of the Addenbrooke’s roundabout. CB22 3AE.

For more information and booking: contact Oliver on 07947 835522 or email: info@nordicwellbeing.co.uk

Healthy Walking

Every Thursday: 10am or 10.30am to 11am Keep fit and greet the changing of the season by joining our healthy walkers this December for one of our Walking for Health accredited sociable walks around the park. Meet at the Stable Rooms at 10am for a longer walk or 10.30am for a shorter stroll. The walks end at around 11am with tea and coffee in the Stable Rooms. All are welcome, suitable for all different abilities.

NB: Free of charge and no need to book, but please arrive 10 minutes early to register if it’s your first time. Donations towards the upkeep of the park are always welcome.

Directions: Wandlebury Country Park is on the A1307, 2.5km south of the Addenbrooke’s roundabout. Parking is available on site and costs £3 per vehicle, members free.

For more information: email bookings@cambridgeppf.org, call 01223 243830 extension 207 or visit www.cambridgeppf.org/whats-on

Mill Road Winter Fair

Saturday 5 December: 10.30am to 4.30pm The Mill Road Winter Fair is one of the annual highlights of Cambridge’s cultural calendar, celebrating the richness of life in the heart of one of the region’s most diverse and vibrant areas. There will be a variety of events, activities, and performances on offer, with many local businesses taking part, and of course the colourful Carnival Parade. Come along and visit CambridgePPF’s stall, where we will be showcasing our work in and around Cambridge. We will also be selling the popular Remember Britain Cambridge bags and umbrellas which make lovely Christmas gifts. These are available at our Wandlebury office all year round.

Directions: Mill Road will be closed to traffic from East Road to Coleridge Road. Cyclists are required to dismount through the road closure area. Mill Road is a 10 minute walk from the railway station.

For more information: Visit www.millroadwinterfair.org, email bookings@ cambridgeppf.org, call 01223 243830 extension 207 or visit www.cambridgeppf. org/whats-on

Winter Tree Identification

Saturday 5 December: 1pm to 4pm Give yourself a break from Christmas preparations and join the CambridgePPF team for this fascinating workshop for adults in the beautiful winter scenery of the Country Park. Learn the basic skills of tree identification using bark, buds, leaves, shape and form and then put them to the test on a tree trail around Wandlebury – a perfect relaxing afternoon in the outdoors.

NB: For adults only. Booking essential. £6 per person (members £5). Dress warmly for being outside.

Directions: Wandlebury Country Park is on the A1307, 2.5km south of the Addenbrooke’s roundabout. Parking is available on site and costs £3 per vehicle, members free. continued on page 63 continued from page 55 Hall every month. Christmas and Birthday cards are also sold and can be found either at Coffee Stop every Saturday or on display in the church.

Membership of SOAS is very simple. We ask for a minimum of ££.00 with the option to give more if you so desire. Membership forms are in church or available from me. Colin Limming Membership Secretary 01763 260072 Colin.limming@btinternet.com

SOAS 100 Club

The September draw was made by Dennis Unwin on 3rd October. The first prize of £25.68 goes to Colin Limming at 4 Chapman’s Close and the second of £12.84 goes to Robert Ellis at 11 Mortlock Street.

The October draw was made by Mike Rawlings on 31st October, There were 77 members. The first prize of £25.68 goes to Robert Burgess at 31 High Street, Meldreth and the second of £12.84 to Nancy Reay at 5 Wheatfield Crescent, Royston.

The Word of God

from David Burbridge A virgin shall conceive and bear a son. (Isaiah 7 v 14) Christ Jesus, equal with God but made Himself a servant in the likeness of men. (Philippians 2 v 5) Jesus is the image of the invisible God. By Him were all things created in heaven and in earth, and by Him all things consist. (Colossians 1 vv 15-17)

COFFEE STOP

Every Saturday 10.30am to 12noon

Rombouts coffee & biscuits for 80p at All Saints’ Community Hall