Sports & Clubs

Bowls Malcolm Davey 262704 Bridge Club Howard Waller 261693 1st Melbourn Rainbows Abigail Roberts 261505 Brownies – 1st Melbourn Stephanie Clifford 220272 Brownies – 2nd Melbourn Samantha Pascoe 261400

Croquet Janet Pope 248342 Football Club Andrew Edwards 223109 Dynamos Football Club Les Morley 07739 593771 Gardening Club Helen Powell 245887 Guides – Ist Melbourn Hilary Marsh 261443 Judo Derek Coult 225004 Melbourn Karate Club Peter Khera 07866 374674 Melbourn Sports Centre Graham Johnson-Mack 263313

Melbourn and Meldreth Women’s Group

Pat Smith 262575 Sue Toule 260955 Anne Harrison 261775 Photographic Club Bruce Huett 232855 Ramblers Dave Allard 242677

Royston and District Round Table Michael Seymour 221398 Squash Club Nick Sugden 261064 Swimming Club Jenny Brackley 244593 Tennis (Melbourn) Dave Liddiard 07508 995 781 Tennis (Meldreth) Tracy Aggett 243376

First Melbourn Rainbows

We ended last term on a high with a visit to Boogie Bounce at the MVC Community Centre. The girls had a great time learning new jumps and playing ‘Simon Says’ in the mini trampetts.

The new term started back with some games and a welcome chat, where we learned what everyone had got up to over the summer holidays.

This term we have been celebrating Roald Dahl by basing each meeting on one of his popular books. So far we have made our own ‘Marvellous Medicines’, learned some tricks from ‘The Twits’, made our own sweets for the ‘Chocolate Factory’ and tried our hand at some ‘Revolting Rhymes’.

One of the things we try to do in the autumn term is to collect items to put in a shoebox to send to those less fortunate than ourselves. The girls have very generously donated toys, stationery, toiletries and other items to fill at least 3 boxes which will be sent out to children in another country. Written by Lavender, on behalf of 1st Melbourn Rainbows.

First Melbourn Brownies

We seem to already have done so much since September. It has been great to see quite a few new faces join us. At our first meeting we had a pow-wow so that we could have an insight into what others had done over their holiday. We spent one evening learning about the sports that take place during the Paralympics and made a poster to promote them.

All of the Brownies have set up some hyacinth bulbs in water, so we can see the changes as the term goes on. In addition, this term the Brownies have been learning about money as part of their number fun badge. This included discussing the types of saving accounts available at the Cambridge Building Society and learning how to give someone change.

We also made all kinds of creatures and other creations out of teasels to explore what you can do with nature at different times of the year. We are looking forward to lots more fun in the rest of the term.

By Amy Selby (Little Owl) on behalf of all the leaders at 1st Melbourn Brownies (Brown Owl, Nightingale, Squirrel and Fluffy Owl).

If you (or your daughter) wants come and join in the fun, please contact Brown Owl (Stephanie Clifford) on 07888831140.

First Melbourn Guides

The Olympic Games in Rio got off to a wet start; so too did the Olympics themed Guide camp at Gilwell Park this summer. The painted flags got somewhat smudged, but the field and team competitions continued through the drizzle. Tropical too was the heated outdoor pool in which we played water polo and had relay races. Another highlight was the 3 – G swing, in which materials, and lighting a fire to cook fruit highlight was the 3 – G swing, in which the girls were strapped into a seat and hoisted up to a great height before dropping then swinging. The sun came out in time for the traditional scout’s skills day when we enjoyed stalking, fire lighting, cooking, and the climbing wall, then ended the day with songs round the campfire. We are very grateful to Meldreth Parish Council for donating the funds to pay for a new canvas patrol tent, which will last us for many years to come.

The autumn term began with more sports; this time a version of the Paralympics, with dressage competition, Boccia, and tennis ball archery.

Last term the girls designed a new badge covering skills they deemed useful for every Guide to acquire. This term we put it into practise; each patrol has spent one evening on each of the following: cooking a healthy two-course meal, making a desk-tidy from recycled materials, and lighting a fire to cook fruit kebabs. The half-term will end with a Promise themed evening to enrol our six new girls. If you would like to know more about becoming a Guide or a leader, or if you have any skills or hobbies which you would like to share with us, please contact me on: 01763 261443 or email: melbournguides@gmail.com Hilary Marsh Second Melbourn Guides We started off the new term with a massive makeover! A whole new leadership team, some new guides and plenty of fresh new ideas have started us off on a fabulous journey. The guides have chosen a ‘Go for it’ badge to work on in their patrols. One patrol has mastered the art of lip prints and making slime, while the other patrol

has designed bookmarks and made a time capsule for their future selves.

The guides have also chosen 2 other badges to work on. The chocolate badge is highly anticipated and I think will be thoroughly enjoyed by both guides and leaders! The performing arts badge should also bring some fantastic work from the girls. I’m looking forward to the media makeup and bin bag fashion!

Overall we have had a great first few weeks. The guides are always energetic and full of ideas.

We are looking forward to what the rest of this term will bring.

Stef Cooper & Steph Clifford, Second Melbourn guides.

Meldreth Local History Group

MLHG is delighted to welcome Matthew Morris BA MA ACIFA to give a talk ‘Richard III: The King Under the Car Park’, in Meldreth Village Hall on Friday 2nd December at 7.30pm.

In 2012 Matthew supervised the successful archaeological search for the lost grave of Richard III. Matthew will reveal how this amazing discovery was made: examining the background to the project, showing how archaeologists knew where to look and what was found during the excavation. He will also take a closer look at how forensic scientists were able to successfully identify the 500 year-old skeletal remains of Richard III, the last Plantagenet King of England, who died in 1485.

Tickets for the talk cost just £5 (children under 12 free) and are available from Joan Gane 01763 260129, John Crawforth, 01763 262848 or by email info@meldrethhistory.org.uk

Royston & District Local History Society

www.roystonlocalhistory.org.uk Our website shows all the books we have for sale. Many of these result from the considerable work undertaken by our Publications sub-committee. The books may be ordered by post from David Allard 01763 242677. They may also be purchased at the Royston Museum & Arts Gallery in Kneesworth Street, and some are available at the Cave Bookshop in Melbourn Street.

The society is responsible for the opening of Royston Cave, Melbourn Street, Royston which, except for special openings, is closed over the winter but will re-open on Saturday 15th April 2017. It is expected also to open on a Saturday evening at the beginning of December. Check website for details. www.roystoncave.co.uk.

Our evening meetings are held in the Heritage Hall (the main hall downstairs) Royston Town Hall on the first Thursday of the month starting at 8pm. » 1st December ‘Battle of Britain – The true story’ Damien O’Dell » 5th January ‘Enjoying Old Churches’

Roy Tricker » 2nd February ‘Tracing your House

History’ Gill Blanchard Details of all our meetings will be found on our website. Annual membership £5 (Sept-Aug) (Under 18s half price) Visitors £2.

Ramblers’ Association Royston and District Group

Our walks programme continues right through the year. For details visit our website: www.ramblers.org.uk or contact David Allard (01763 242677).

Email: david.allard@ntlworld.com or Lesley Abbiss (01763 273463). There is also a poster displaying walks for the current month in Royston library, Royston Museum & Art Gallery and Melbourn Hub.

We have walks on Sundays, which are normally 5–7 miles in the morning and a similar or shorter walk in the afternoon. Occasionally Sunday walks are Figures of Eight making it possible to do only the morning or only the afternoon. Half-day walks are held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Our evening walks (3–5 miles) will resume at the end of April next year. Prospective new members are welcome and may come on three walks before deciding whether to join. www.ramblers.org.uk to join.

Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) – Royston

Enrolment for the Spring courses will be on Tuesday 17th January at Royston Town Hall between 10am and 11am or enrolment may be made on-line.

Choice of two courses –

Music of Skandinavia & the Baltic – Tutor Peter Goodwin.

Boudicea’s Revolt & Resistance to Roman Rule – Tutor Richard Till.

Both courses will be for 9 weeks @ 1½ hours each week and the total cost is expected to be £47.25.

Further details from Secretary 01763 660234 or www.roystonwea.org.uk

Cambridgeshire Family History Society

If you have been researching your ancestors, it will be likely that you will have quite easily found your way back to Victorian times. (If not, please come and see one of our researchers!) You may have wondered how their education differed from yours and now you can find out by coming to a talk at our meeting on Saturday 14 January at 2pm, at Cambridge Central Library, Lion Yard, Cambridge. Our researchers will also be available from 10.30am. Admission is free.

At the beginning of the 19th century, village schools of all kinds existed but were the domain of the middle classes. The beginning of the reign of Queen Victoria brought with it the idea of education for the working classes and hundreds of voluntary schools began to spring up across the country. This culminated in the 1870 Education Act which established elementary education for all. In a talk entitled, ‘Education, education, education: Victorian village schools’, Sarah Doig explores the wealth of contemporary records of these schools with an emphasis on rural East Anglia. She relates what they tell us about how our ancestors were educated and how the school became one of the main focal points for the wider rural community.

For more details of the Cambridgeshire Family History Society and to keep up to date with our monthly meetings please visit our website www.cfhs.org.uk

Melbourn and District Gardening Club

Are you interested in gardening? Why not join the Melbourn and District Gardening Club on a regular, or occasional basis.

We meet at 7.30 pm on the second Tuesday most months at the Community Hall, behind All Saints’ Church (near traffic lights, lane by red telephone box)

For further details, contact Helen Powell 01763 245887 Winter Programme 2016/17 » Tuesday 13 December 2016 No meeting » Tuesday 10 Jan 2017 Peter Jackson

Trees and Shrubs for the Small Garden » Tuesday 14 Feb 2017 Rodney Tibbs

Your own Mediterranean climate. 2016 has been a busy and exciting year of change for Melbourn Bridge Club. Our Monday evening and Tuesday afternoon sessions continue to be very well supported and very much enjoyed.

However, at the beginning of September we moved from our Vicarage Close premises to the United Reform Church Hall in Orchard Road. It was sad to leave Vicarage Close after seven years, but it was time for change with Orchard Road offering significant advantages including dedicated parking just opposite.

The venue change has necessitated small alterations to our starting times. On Mondays we now meet at 6.45pm for a prompt start at 7.00pm and on Tuesdays we now meet at 1.30pm for a prompt start at 1.45pm. To date this has worked very well.

The other big change that we have made at the Club is to have purchased a computer driven automatic Dealing Machine. This has the ability, apart from dealing the cards, to generate the deals on a website to be viewed and analysed by all players. This means that we now have two websites. We will retain our existing Melbourn Bridge Club which is part of the Melbourn Village information website (melbourncambridge.org) and a separate Bridgewebs site. There is a link to Bridgewebs on the Melbourn Bridge Club site or it can be accessed directly at Melbourn (Herts) Bridge Club.

The process has not been without its teething troubles, but is now up and running with members able to access all the information of where they got it right or got it wrong!

None of this electronic upgrade would have been possible without the Herculean efforts of Mike Thrower whose previous experience of these systems was, and is, invaluable. The Club is truly indebted to him. Thanks must also go to Jane Tulloch who has stepped in to assist with our new technology.

We celebrated our seventh birthday with birthday cake on Monday 5th September and Tuesday 6th September, our first sessions at Orchard Road.

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thirty players for the Duplicate Bridge evening and the turnout is almost as good on Tuesdays when many of last year’s beginners have now moved up to the Improvers Duplicate Session.

On Tuesdays we have occasionally started with a brief presentation on some aspects of the game which seem to merit a little further explanation. It is proposed to repeat this type of tutorial if required.

Regardless, if anyone is interested in playing or learning this fascinating game please either go to the website or contact Howard Waller on 01763 261693. Tony Allan

Melbourn Bowls Club

The summer season has been mixed in that the league results have not been as good as we would have liked, but we have managed to recruit a number of new members. Also, some more of those recruited in recent years have started to play in competitive matches. Towards the end of the season these new players were showing an improved performance and as a consequence, the results of some of our teams showed a welcome improvement in the later stages of the season. Unfortunately, our Cambridge and District (C&D) Division 2 Team were relegated but our C&D Division 5 Team were close to the top of their division by the end of the season. We wish them well for next year.

We did our best to assist Meldreth to the Foxton League Championship by beating both Sawston and Coton when they were top of the League, but Meldreth were unable to take advantage and finished second as a result of losing their final match at Barton.

The internal competitions were well patronised and the following players are to be congratulated on winning the various competitions. • Ladies Singles – Anne Howard • Men’s Singles – Neil Butler • Handicap Singles – Neil Butler • Mixed Pairs – Sue and Rod Sell • Drawn Pairs – Peter Blayney and

Martin Leggett • Novices Singles – Peter Cleminson • Kernagan Cup – Pat Leggett We held a very successful Open Triples Competition on 23 August when clubs from the surrounding area entered one or more triples. We managed to recruit a full complement of teams and the title was eventually won by Trumpington Bowls Club with Cambridge University Press as Runners Up. We were fortunate in that the rain held off until after the presentation of the prizes.

We continued to run Coffee Mornings every Thursday morning throughout the Summer Season, which were well patronised by members and a number of villagers who enjoyed our hospitality. We have to thank Muriel Cooper for organising this very popular event.

We have entered a team in the Thursday Afternoon League at Turpins Bowls Club Saffron Walden for the first time for this winter’s season. Most of the team have never played indoors before. It will be interesting to see how they cope with more experienced indoor teams.

We are continuing with our Whist Nights every other Friday Evening at the Clubhouse. This is very much a social evening; the game not being taken too seriously. If anyone would like to participate we are open to nonmembers, particularly those who might be interested in joining the Club for the next summer season. This would give you a great opportunity to get to know some of the present members before the summer season starts. If you would like further information on this contact Arthur Andrews (Tel 01763 261990) or arthur.andrews123@btinternet.com. The Whist Nights will be held on: » Friday 2 December » Friday 16 December » Friday 6 January » Friday 20 January » Friday 3 February » Friday 17 February

Melbourn Dynamos Football Club

All welcome! www.melbourndynamos.co.uk Melbourn Dynamos FC is a friendly community youth football club that gives boys and girls the opportunity to play regular football, regardless of their experience or ability at all ages from 3 through to 18. In addition, we hope to re-establish our Men’s team and Ladies’ team as natural homes for our players who graduate from youth football.

We are a successful club defined by the strength of support from members and families, the praise and recognition of fellow clubs and FA Leagues, the work with our Community partners including Melbourn Village College and Melbourn Parish Council, and of course our players’ achievements on the pitch and their support for the community. We also have the support of Melbourn Community Sports Services (MCSS), which is enabling us to develop and broaden our work within the community and has generously donated the fantastic new kit for all players and coaches this season. With the support of this benefactor we are extending our work to make the club more inclusive by assisting players whose families are unable to afford the necessary fees. Melbourn Community Sports Services is a brand new Community Interest Company specifically set up with the aim: To ensure the continuing provision of sporting opportunities and services to the people of Melbourn and surrounding villages. Starting with our football club, MCSS is already expanding with basketball, cycling and potentially cricket teams. MCSS is also keen to explore further opportunities to support your sport. As a Community Interest Company, any assets and profits from the company can only be used for the stated aims – for the benefit of the community – any age, any sport, any gender. MCSS is keen to hear from you – contact: chair@melbourncss.com.

We have had a successful start to the season for the club with new teams and players welcoming the opportunity to play for Melbourn Dynamos. The addition of four Girls’ Teams at U9, U10, U12 & U16s mean that we now have more than 250 players at the club. The clearance and development work of work of the old recreation ground on the Moor by Melbourn Parish Council has enabled the club to make much better use of the land. In addition to this clearance work, we are very grateful to the Parish Council for providing a new storage container for our use on the land

Alex Selby and Deborah Whiteley

behind the Army Cadet building. This work has really improved the playing area and makes it so much easier and safer for parents and players to set up for match day. This has been much appreciated by our members and our many visiting teams.

We have hosted two important football festivals – Cambridgeshire FA’s Next Generation Festival on 23rd April and the Royston Crow Youth Football League’s U9s’ Tournament on 21st May. We welcomed many visitors to the village to enjoy the great facilities that we are fortunate to use and the beautiful setting and were able to raise substantial funds that paid for our Presentation Day celebrations on Sunday 12th June, kindly hosted by Melbourn Village College. As in previous years, we presented the Tom Whitely Community Award to one our many players who best demonstrate the club’s commitment to the Community. This year’s winner was Alex Selby for his brilliant work with the club and community. Tom Whiteley was one of our players and at this event we raised nearly £1,000 for the club’s nominated charity – Tom’s Trust www.tomstrust. org.uk.

We are very pleased with the success of our youngest players, the Dynamites, who increasingly provide the core of our league teams from under 7 upwards. The Dynamites’ coaching team is led by Dipak Patel. Dee was Cambridge FA’s Community Coach of the year for 2013, gained his Level 2 coaching in June 2015 and has been appointed to the key leadership role of our Football Development Officer. These players, aged 3-6, have fun and develop their skills before deciding whether to play league football as the club’s under 7s team. This fun, preparation and skill development through the Dynamites has undoubtedly brought more success to our current League Teams. These players train with level 2 and level 1 FA qualified coaches in a Saturday morning fun session for 3-6-year-old boys and girls between 09.15 – 10.15 am at Melbourn Sports Centre. Sessions feature lots of short activities aimed at improving individual skills, concentration and the ability to be part of a team. The first onehour session is free thereafter we charge £2. All are welcome to the Melbourn Dynamites so why not bring your kids along so they can check it out.

All of our coaches are CRB checked and qualified to a minimum of FA Level1 standard. In addition, as a Partnership Club of Cambridge United and through the support of the FA, our coaches are now receiving high level mentoring and support to develop our players and above all else provide them with enjoyment and exercise. We are also an FA Charter Standard Club which means that we have all the correct people and practices in place to operate in line with FA & government requirements. All are welcome and if you are interested in finding out more about MDFC and the opportunities to play football with us, please contact David Atkins on 01763 263462 or email – secretary.mdfc@gmail. com.

The club’s success depends entirely on enthusiastic members and volunteers. Our continuing success and growth means that we need even more volunteers. You may have seen that the club hosted a drop-in session at the Hub on 12th March to welcome new volunteers to the club. If you feel that you would like to contribute to the club as an administrator, communications leader, fixtures secretary, coach for the U16s Girls, match day official or in some other volunteer capacity then we would be pleased to hear from you through secretary.mdfc@gmail.com or chairman. mdfc@gmail.com. More information about the club and individual teams is available the club’s Website: www. melbourndynamos.co.uk.

Melbourn Sports Centre

For those of you who don’t already know, we have: • A state of the art fitness suite offering a variety of membership schemes • A 20 metre swimming pool (kept ever so slightly warmer than most!) • A comprehensive swimming lesson programme, catering for all ages and abilities • Upgraded multisports courts for hire including tennis, football and squash courts • Water sports courses and activities • Traditional and modern exercise classes • Access to Melbourn Village College sports hall and gymnasium for activities such as trampolining, badminton and basketball • Supervised sports and pool parties A Winter Wonderland at MSC! We have loads on offer this month, with something for the whole community to get involved with… so why not come along and find out more about your local sports centre! Come in out of the cold! We’re not going to let those long winter nights stop us from enjoying our exercise! As well as our indoor facilities like the swimming pool, squash courts and sports hall, we have loads of classes to keep you fit and healthy, including Boxercise, Swim Clinic, Boot Camp, AquaFit, Pilates and Body Workout. We also offer table tennis alongside our normal indoor racket sports. And they’re all reasonably priced, so the one thing that will stay plump is your purse! Party time! Looking to book a birthday or Christmas party? How about bouncing those cares away with our new trampolining party, now available as well as our normal activities? We also have the adjacent Community Centre available for booking, with or without the pool facilities. Activities for children! With Christmas fast approaching, an ideal time to book your young ones onto one of our great activity courses. These includes our Christmas Pool Party and our popular Ofsted Play Scheme. We will also be taking bookings from January for our February half term activities which will include our swimming crash course, trampoline & snorkelling tasters and our popular Ofsted PlayScheme. The perfect present! With Christmas just round the corner, keep your eye out for our gift promotion – a fun and fit idea if you’re looking for something different to buy a loved one or friend (or treat yourself!) Or why not take advantage of one of our great membership schemes to our fitness suite, which houses the latest in gymnasium equipment, including C.V machines fitted with audio visual technology, an ideal present for a love one!

For further details on parties, gift memberships or any of our activities, please drop in, call 01763 263313 or go online at www.mc-sport.co.uk. We look forward to seeing you this season! Activities for young children (from 6 month - Full-time school ages) Waterplay These pre-school swimming lessons are an ideal first step for your child learning to swim, with the aims to build confidence in water, learning basic skills like floatation and movement using buoyancy aids. » Tuesdays: 13.30 – 15.00 (30 min lessons) / Thursdays: 13.30 – 15.00 (30 min lessons) » Fridays: 10.30 – 11.30 (30 min lessons) Prices: £3.75 per lesson (paid termly) Ages: from 3years – full-time school Parent and child These fun and enjoyable sessions help to promote water confidence and water awareness, with the aim to prepare your child for a smooth transition into waterplay or fulltime school swimming lessons. (Parent / carer must go into water with child) » Tuesdays & Thursdays 14.30 – 15.00 Prices: £3.75 per lesson (paid termly) From 6 months – Full-time school ages Melbourn Sports Centre, The Village College, The Moor, Melbourn, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 6EF 01763 263313 / www.mc-sport.co.uk / info@mc-sport.co.uk

Grinnel Hill BMX Club

This year we’ve seen 60+ members both old and new, from as far a field as America and Australia returning through our gates!

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Also, Melbourn local, 17-year-old Matthew Harris, along with 2 other similar aged members of our club, secured sponsorship this year with Tall Order, a new BMX bike manufacturer. Tall Order are a feeder team to the larger global energy drinks giant Red Bulls BMX team!

Matthew has been a member of our club since his earl y teens.

As you read this, the site will have been put to bed for another season, with re-development of certain aspects of the lines well under way. Another great year for the club! The club is open annually April to September.

Strictly for BMX use only and 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 club aims to promote an activity for the young community of Melbourn and surrounding areas, under the guidance of our committee and experts, within 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

Once again we wish to thank Melbourn Parish Council for their ongoing support at all levels to keep the club sustainable and open; Frog End Pet Supplies Melbourn for their ongoing support with all conservation work that takes place on site, for supplying bird boxes, feeders, and bird feed and 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.