Melbourn & Meldreth Lunch Club

It is with great regret that we are going to have to finish lunch club at the end of August.

Since starting 3 years ago circumstances have changed for both of us. The main reason for our decision is that we are now both working virtually full time at Melbourn Playgroup and will not have the time to devote to lunch club once the next academic year starts in September. We have enjoyed our time and are very grateful for the support we have been given. We are going to miss our "oldies".

We dearly hope that someone can be found to take over.

Julie Myles and Nikki Cross

Library

Some quotes from library volunteers: ‘I have met so many new and interesting people.’ ‘I love it when the children come in to choose their new books.’ ‘One of the nicest ways to pass an afternoon and be of use at the same time.’

The library is housed in the Hub and is well used by the people of Melbourn and surrounding villages.

It is run by volunteers with full access to the Cambridgeshire Library Service. For a number of reasons such as people moving out of the area we need to recruit new volunteers.

Library – LAP (Local Access Point)

Library opening times Monday 2.30 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

The initial training is done mainly by working with two other experienced librarians and is not complicated. There is a good support network and a pleasant working environment. All volunteers commit to one session of 2 hours plus setting up and closing down time per week, although there is flexibility within the rota system to cover inevitable absences. So how about it?

Why not pop into the library and have a chat with the two volunteers on duty to find out more? Jane Stevens

Neighbourhood watch

A new neighbourhood watch scheme has been set up for residents of Medcalfe Way and surrounding roads. The scheme has been approved by the Police and Neighbourhood Watch. Don’t worry! It will not involve meetings, I understand time is valuable, therefore communication will be in the form of newsletter.

If you would be interested in joining; keeping informed of matters relating to crime in our area; please contact Debbie on 07966 227080 or email debbieclapham@ hotmail.co.uk

Royal British Legion Women’s Section

Melbourn and Meldreth Branch

Twenty members enjoyed a belated Christmas lunch at the Dolphin in January and our meeting that month was a ‘Tea Party.’ In February we had our bring and buy to raise funds. Our March Easter Egg decoration competition was won by Mrs Sheila Gouldthorpe.

Our Standard bearer Pauline Parkinson carried the Standard at the funeral of Mr John Chamberlain and at Anzac Day in Cambridge.

May we thank the Melbourn Fete committee for their generous grant to our travel fund which is used for transport to attend Group and County Legion events, thus ensuring those without transport are not disadvantaged.

The Women’s Section of the Legion is open to all women over 18 who support the Legions objectives and we aim to make our meetings and activities entertaining, interesting, stimulating and most of all ‘Good Fun.’ We meet at Vicarage Close Community Centre on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 2pm. Please come and join us, you will be assured of a warm welcome.

For further details regarding the Women’s Section, please contact any of the following: President, Molly Chamberlain 07746823072; Chairman, Una Cleminson 269544; Secretary, Elizabeth Murphy 220841. (In the previous issue of the magazine some information was repeated, for which we apologize)

Melbourn & Meldreth Women’s Group

The Group is for 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 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.

On 28 June we meet at Holy Trinity Church Meeting Room Meldreth when we will hear a talk by someone from HomeStart Royston and South Cambs which we supported as our charity of the year last year. 26th July sees us in All Saints Community Hall Melbourn for a games evening which generally prove popular so bring a game of your choice with you if you want. Our August meeting is on the 23rd and we plan to go out for a meal, the venue is yet to be confirmed.

If you would like to know more about the group, please contact one of the committee members: Pat Smith (262575) Sue Toule (260955) Anne Harrison (261775) Angela Leach (262793).

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 the mobility impaired in Melbourn and Meldreth 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 £6 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

Wednesday 1st June 7:30–9:00pm Melbourn Community Hub

Doors Open at 7pm Free to all, and all ages welcome in the audience.

Our panel and chair will be made up of young people aged 15–25, educated in Melbourn Village College catchment area schools. Panel: In Sam Robinson, formerly of Meldreth Primary School Ollie Kenzie, formerly of Barrington Primary School Panel: Out Charlie Arbon, formerly of Foxton Primary School Torrin Wilkins, formerly of Melbourn Village College Chair Lizzie Quinlan, formerly of Thriplow Primary School Categories: Economy, Security, Democracy, Global Challenges. Please submit your questions in advance, and include your contact details, to: susanvandeven5@gmail.com, or 95 North End, Meldreth, SG8 6NU. Sponsored by Melbourn area businesses.

The Hall For All

By the time you read this the Swing into Spring event will have taken place and I am certain it will have been a great success. Roy Crosby and his Great Big Little Band – 9 musicians and a singer –will have entertained us with a lively programme of swing and jazz music. As I write this, tickets are already almost sold out and we should have made a nice sum for the Melbourn Community Hall and we are extremely grateful to Walnut Medical for underwriting the event. The next major fund raiser will be a Mamma Mia Singalong on September 24th – how’s that? So dust off your ABBA outfit and join us for a nostalgic evening!

We were successful in our bid to obtain money from the solar project, via the Parish Council, enabling us to purchase new chairs. The current chairs, besides being deemed uncomfortable for a ‘long sit’ have an inherent fault which means that if damaged they cannot be repaired. Plans are well under way for these chairs to be bought so watch this space. We also received a grant from the Fete Committee towards the cost of the chairs, so our grateful thanks to both organisations

Money from the Safari Supper and Swing into Spring will go towards the provision of WiFi to the Hall. This has been under discussion for some time and we are grateful to George Meliniotis and TTP for their assistance in this matter. It will be a great asset to us, especially in lettings to businesses.

One of the refrigerators has recently packed up and been removed. There was some discussion as to whether we really need TWO fridges - however, when the kitchen is used for a party it is very useful to be able to have extra capacity and a new machine will soon be installed. Please do not leave milk and food in it! Marjorie and Terry Shaw have done a great job tending the narrow flower bed against the fence but sadly are now having to give up this task We extend our thanks to the Shaws for having got the beds established and hope they enjoy their ‘retirement’. The job has been taken over by two of our Trustees Chris Davison and David Lambert.

The Hall has been very well used in the past year with 640 events having taken place – if you are thinking of hiring the Hall, Saturday morning Coffee Stop is a good time to come and explore the facilities and get a good cup of coffee. Mavis Howard