What’s On

Jeannie shared some of the comments received from family members. One daughter wrote “For me, it is always a relief to know that there is someone that Mum can turn to”, another said “he does enjoy all your visits – you are top of the list of discussions” whilst other relatives said “thank you so much – this is an amazing service you operate”. The sister of a client expressed her gratitude “as always I could not manage without your help. I do not know what I would do without you and your wonderful service. Thank you for making her life so rich in so much.”

Jeannie summed up her role. “It really is a dream job. I am able to do something rewarding and meaningful. The clients are a joy and privilege to know and so appreciative of our support. My warden colleagues are a pleasure to work with and the part time hours mean that I still have plenty of time for family and other interests. What more could I want?”

Do you have what it takes to be a mobile warden?

The scheme needs more mobile wardens to meet growing demand in Melbourn and Meldreth. No experience is necessary. It just requires empathy, a caring nature, initiative and enthusiasm, as training will be provided. The role is paid, self employed and offers part time hours to suit. Applicants will be subject to usual DBS checks.

For more information or how to apply, please contact Jeannie Seers, on 07808 735066 or email jeanseers1@ntlworld.com.

What’s On

Melbourn Amateur Dramatics

Presents

“Bluebeard”

‘Bluebeard is a musical comedy/horror based upon a French folk story. It tells the tale of Baron Bluebeard who murders a succession of wives because they are unable to obey him and stay out of his secret chamber. When they turn the key their fate is sealed. Our tale is set in that well known French town of Melbournville, and features the talented MADS cast as you have never seen them before! Think ‘Les Mis’ crossed with ‘Carry on Screaming’ and you won’t be far wrong!

With an original script, original incidental music and a stash of original catchy tunes, we promise you a fun night out and we look forward to inviting you to join us on May 13th and 14th at Meldreth Village Hall. As with all of our spring productions we would love it if you would like to join in the fun and dress up, time to powder those wigs, pop on those beauty spots and get into those bodices and breeches!

To book your tickets go to www.melbournamdram.co.uk

Just be careful who you sit next to as there’s Plague about, and whatever you do don’t turn the key!’

The Parish Council had planned ahead and Sarah Adam, while acting as Assistant to the Parish Clerk completed the majority of her training and was able to step smoothly into the new role as Parish Clerk. As a councillor and as Chairman, I have worked for a number of years with Sarah and I am fully confident she will run the Parish Office with superb efficiency.

As a final thought, I must mention the Neighbourhood Plan. This is an essential part of determining the future direction of the Parish Council and Melbourn itself. Councillor Julie Norman, leader of this important project, would welcome more volunteers to join the team and help gather the facts and evidence to draw up a cohesive Neighbourhood Plan.

From your county councillor

A very happy spring to everyone in Melbourn! First to get the grim news over with – but there’s positive news too so please keep reading… The County Council is continuing to face devastating cuts, as central government is in the process of completely phasing out its revenue support grant to local authorities. This is the traditional cornerstone of what councils spend on public services. At the same time, the government sets a limit on what councils are allowed to raise through council tax. Between the two measures, there is a yawning gap of funds available to pay for the basics, and the council is withdrawing ever more from whatever it is not legally required to provide. Shire counties are faring particularly badly for various reasons and central government funding formulas don’t always make sense. Further, many of the services that councils provide are bound up in long-term contracts, leaving less wriggle room for figuring out where new cuts would be least harmful.

For this reason we will be seeing ever worsening pot holes and blocked drains, some street light switch offs, winter gritting reduced, cuts to subsidized transport even for disadvantaged people, removal of public health programmes that save money for the health service and social care, and so on. From 2010–2020, council support from the Chancellor’s office will have been cut by a staggering 79%. The Park and Ride charges which have been so damaging are just one example of a brave new world in which charges will be applied more and more widely, against logic.

Sometimes it is possible to bring improvements through other channels, hence the various out-of-the-box efforts underway described after pot holes!

Report or complain about pot holes

The County Council is now very explicit about what pot holes they will or will not repair. You can see the detail of required depth and circumference here: www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/info/20081/roads_and_pathways/10/roadworks_and_ faults

It’s important to register concern – so if you would like to pick up the phone or send in an email about any highways issues, contact details are: highways@ cambridgeshire.gov.uk or Tel 0345 045 5212.

An edible garden at Melbourn Primary School: might you be tempted?

Melbourn Primary School has an ideal setting for a gardening club, in a lovely woodland area to the side of the field, with four raised beds and a tool shed. It’s easy to imagine the beds full of potatoes, garlic, carrots, leeks and beans – or currants, rhubarb and other pudding ingredients! Discovering how to grow their own food would be a wonderful way for pupils to unwind and socialize after school. What is needed to run a regular after-school club is a couple of volunteers from the community, ideally once a week on a day that suits the volunteer(s). If you might like to help out, please could you let the school or me know – many thanks!

The Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group will be providing back up support through its various networks for sourcing materials (like worms for the wormery, and plants that garden centres can’t sell but can be brought back to life).

BMX for Melbourn Primary School

Again at a time when funding for the basics is falling away, it is good to report that as part of the funding drawn down from the Department for Transport for promoting ‘Active Travel’ – cycling and walking – in the A10 corridor, two local primary schools, Melbourn and Foxton, will be having BMX shows on March 16. The Department for Transport increasingly regards Active Travel as investment that saves money longterm, because of the overwhelming positive impact on mental and physical health. It’s great that this tallies up with Melbourn’s state of the art BMX tracks.

Melbourn Youth Club

All 11–16 year-olds are welcome to come along any time to the Youth Club held at the Melbourn Pavilion, Tuesdays from 7-9 PM. This is free thanks to financial support from five parish councils in the area, and is thriving under Groundwork Hertfordshire, a community development charity. Just come along. Any questions please contact Cllr Jose Hales who chairs Melbourn Area Youth Development – Tel 221058.

Mind mental health support at the Hub

This free ‘wellbeing service’ provided by Mind in Cambridgeshire continues every third Thursday of the month from 9:45-4:00 at the Melbourn Community Hub. If you’d like to book an appointment please ring Mind on 01223 311320 and ask for the Melbourn Outreach Service. You can learn more at www.mindincambs.org.uk/Services/ Wellbeing.

Oil Club

If you are new to the village and rely on household heating oil, the ‘Melbourn Division Oil Club’ was set