Issue 90 Summer 2017 by Melbourn Magazine

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...editorial By the time that you read this I hope that summer will have well and truly arrived! First, the very best of luck to students who are in the middle of exams, we wish success to you all; and congratulations to both the Primary School and the Village College for another successful academic year. Although the Fete is taking a break this year there is plenty going on in the village and surrounding areas to entertain us, ranging from Melbourn Primary School Summer Fayre, (see page 31), various events at the Sports Centre, (see page 44), children’s holiday activities, National Poetry Day (see page 10) and the Bloomsday Festival (see page 57), with proceeds going to WaterAid, in June, which includes concerts, readings and exhibitions amongst other events. Thank you to everyone who has contributed towards this issue of the Magazine, and please consider our request for volunteers! Have a wonderful summer!

Contents Village news

Community matters

Unwanted help for vulnerable residents 7 Melbourn Parish Council 7 Protecting unofficial paths and local alleyways 8 Something Need Doing In Melbourn? 9 Susan van de Ven Report 9 10 National Poetry Day

Nature - Melwood

Butterflies and moths

Community matters - continued Relate Cambridge in Melbourn Heidi Allen MP A series of unfortunate events!

feature

13 15 17

Cambridge Cancer Help Centre

Profile - Gillian Morland

Melbourn Hub

For the Community by the Community 22 Front cover photograph ‘Waxwing’ by Gary Baker. See page 15 for more information.

Nature - University Botanic Garden

The Terrace Garden

feature

Melbourn Ambulance Centre

Melbourn Magazine is Independent of the Parish Council NO public money is used.

We would like to thank TTP for their continued sponsorship of the magazine. Melbourn Magazine is printed quarterly and delivered free to every household and business in the village. All work on the Melbourn Magazine, including layout and design is produced by volunteers. The cost of printing comes entirely from advertising and sponsorship.

If you would like to advertise in the Melbourn Magazine see page 67 for details

feature

999 Emergency Anniversary Inappropriate calls

Village information

Diary

Sports & Clubs

Churches Together

feature

Water, water every where, - but none fit to drink!

What’s On

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Village news Royal British Legion Women’s Section

Library

Melbourn & Meldreth Women’s Group

Melbourn Women’s Institute

A Bridge to Royston

Melbourn & Meldreth District Branch

The Branch continues to meet at Vicarage Close Community Room on the 4th Wednesday of each month except July and December. The July meeting is usually replaced with an outing. We have a full complement of speakers for the foreseeable future, ranging from photography, sugar craft and Jimmy’s Night Shelter to name but a few. Now and again, we are treated to one of Betty’s famous quizzes one being an Easter Scrambled Egg Quiz which was held on 26th April. On 13th October, this year we shall be 80 years old with many activities in the pipeline to celebrate this day. The loss of two of our members in March has been a sad time for us all and our thoughts are with their families New members are always welcome so please call the Chairman, Val Barrett. 01763 261227 or the secretary, Mrs Elizabeth Murphy. 01763 220841

Library

Library – LAP (Local Access Point) Library opening times Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

2.30 to 4.30 pm 2.30 to 4.30 pm 2.30 to 4.30 pm 2.30 to 6.30 pm 2.30 to 4.30 pm 10.00 to 12.00 am

Now that summer is here the library is the obvious place to get your reading material for those long lazy days. It is well stocked with up to date fiction; non fiction is available but needs to be ordered from the Cambridgeshire Library Service’s website either by a borrower or a librarian, whichever is the most convenient. During the summer holidays the Melbourn library is once again taking part in the Cambridgeshire Libraries’ reading challenge for children. Every year a good number of local school children take part in this and are awarded certificates for successfully completing the challenge. Call in for more information. Jane Stevens

Melbourn & Meldreth Women’s Group We are a small friendly group and we meet on the 4th Tuesday of the month except in December. We vary our venue between All Saints Community Hall in Melbourn and Holy Trinity Meeting Room in Meldreth. We either have a guest speaker or in-house entertainment followed by tea/coffee and biscuits. There is a fee of £1 on the evening and a chance to donate to our charity of the year. Our June meeting is on the 27th and will be in Meldreth when we will hear a talk from The Laughter Specialists who were the charity we supported last year. continued on page 6 melbournmagazine@gmail.com

On 25th July, we meet in Meldreth again for a Music Evening when we will listen to various pieces of music selected by members. At the time of writing plans have not been finalised for 22nd August but we will be having an outing or going out for a meal. If you would like to know more or need a lift to a meeting, please contact one of the committee members: Pat Smith (262575) Sue Toule (260955), Anne Harrison (261775) or Angela Leach (262793).

Melbourn Women’s Institute In March we had a fascinating talk on bees. Who would have believed that these little creatures were so clever? We learned the difference between bumble bees and honey bees, and the complicated business of collecting nectar to make honey. Bees only fly about one and a half miles from their hive and the worker bees are all female – no surprise there!. The average honey bee will actually make one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in its lifetime – just think of that when you spread it liberally on your toast. Honey has antiseptic properties and historically was used for dressing wounds, burns and cuts. Nowadays we know how soothing it can be for a sore throat. April found us being entertained at ESSE – a really fun evening as we were shown new ways of using makeup and skin products. We browsed the racks of clothes and jewellery with a glass of prosecco whilst Stephanie and Sarah brought us up to date with modern trends. They were very generous in their advice and I think we all had a bit of a makeover. Many of the older ladies, and I am one of the culprits, have become set in our ways of applying makeup – I am not sure whether the postman fully appreciated my new smokey-eyed look the following day, but I was pleased with it! Congratulations to the committee for providing such a varied and interesting programme so soon after our inauguration last summer. Mavis Howard

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A Bridge to Royston It is now just five years since the A10 Cycling Campaign started lobbying for a safe cycle route from Cambridge to Royston. When we started the A10 had become so busy that cycling along it was not felt to be a safe option. As you know we got lucky and thanks to various grants from City Deal and the Department for Transport the majority of the route to Cambridge is either complete or planned during the next twelve months. It has always been our ambition to complete the section to Royston. This section is particularly important as the existing path is terrible and the crossing at the A505 is highly dangerous due to poor sight lines and high traffic speed traffic. The main problem is that the section spans two counties and is too far from Cambridge to attract funding from the City Deal. The crossing of the A505 is particularly expensive as it has to be on a bridge. The original idea was to bridge it along the line of the existing path but there were two objections. Firstly, cyclists would have to cross the A10 at Greenlow Kennels which is difficult and like any major road crossing a potential danger. Secondly, the bridge would have to span two carriageways of the A505 and there was a conflict with existing electrical supply lines. The proposal from Cambridgeshire County Council Highways planning was to stay east of the A10 generally on council land before crossing the single carriageway east of the A10/A505 Roundabout and joining up with the existing cycleway on the south side of the A505. The Campaign has approached the Local Enterprise Partnership, which covers the entire route, to seek funding from various sources including local businesses. Clearly we need help from every section of the community if this ambition is to be achieved. The cost of the bridge alone is considerable. The advantages are obvious both to industry and local people. Being able to cycle between Royston and Melbourn would be a huge advantage. It would enable people to use the healthy option of riding to work and save parking and congestion. It would also encourage local leisure cyclists who generally avoid the route because it is considered too busy and unsafe. This would provide trade for the various hostelries along the route. It would increase trade in Royston which would be within easy cycling range. Since the completion of the section of path from Dunsbridge to Melbourn there has been a dramatic increase in usage. The path has attracted a large number of both leisure and commuting cyclists. The local runners, walkers, cyclists and dog walkers are all using it. It clearly demonstrates that providing a high-quality facility will attract users. The A10 Cycling Campaign hosted an Awareness Ride in early May for the last four years to highlight the need for the route. The ride used to start from both Trumpington and Royston but this year we have abandoned the section from Royston as being potentially too dangerous for a mass event. The section from Trumpington has been greatly improved and is a very pleasant ride on new smooth paths. Phillimore Garden Centre hosts the end of the ride on their very pleasant lawn. Don’t forget the object of the ride is to highlight the need for funding to complete the route. You can help by promoting the need at every possible opportunity. For further information visit the A10 Cycling Campaign Website where you will find lots of details and colourful pictures. www.a10corridorcycle.com Mike Stapleton

Community matters Unwanted help for vulnerable residents If you have an elderly relative/ neighbour in the village, this is something to think about. It has been known that ‘kind’ people befriend these vulnerable people, offering help. This ‘help’ quickly progresses to offering assistance with the individual’s finances. It has been known that the hardearned money they have saved disappears. You may not be aware that it is happening, neither are the individuals it happens to. It’s worth asking the question if you are at all suspicious, ‘Has anybody offered to look after your finances for you? Do you know that your money is safe? Like most of us, the older generation have worked hard for their money, it belongs to them and them alone.

What’s On Melbourn Primary School Summer Fayre! Melbourn Bloomsday Festival Melbourn Involvements Max’s Marvellous Journey to the Moon Home-Start Race Night Swaffham Bulbeck Summer Theatre Barrington Flower Festival

31 57 59 59 63 63 63

Melbourn Parish Council The Parish Council has launched a Facebook page. As well as using it to give you information about what the Parish Council is doing, we are using the page as a way to seek your views and to let you know about things of more general interest that affect Melbourn. Please ‘Like’ the page and keep in touch. From January 2016, supporting documents have been published at the same time as Council meeting agendas, on the Wednesday before the meeting. We realise that not everyone is able or wants to attend the meeting themselves, but you may still want to make your views known on the issues to be discussed. You can also suggest items that you wish to see discussed at future meetings. Please email the Clerks (notifications@ melbournpc.co.uk). Parish councils are funded by levying a “precept” which supports their operations and enables them to carry out local projects. You will have seen from your Council Tax bills that the Precept for Melbourn has risen by 4.5%. The Council agreed to this rise in Precept because this is the amount that balances the books for the coming year, including putting £9000 into reserves. A full explanation of how the Council came to this conclusion and what we are doing over the coming year to reduce costs can be found at www.melbournparishcouncil.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/The-precept-for-201718-explained-ver-2.pdf. Melbourn is facing a time of big change. At the time of writing, the land to the east of New Road, where there are to be 199 homes and a Care Home, has been sold on to developers. The developers are working on the detailed planning application and have said that they want to start building in February 2018. A planning application for 23 homes off The Moor has just been submitted to South Cambridgeshire District Council. In addition, the Council has been informed that there will be an application for 160 homes on the land between the Science Park and Cherry Park Farm Industrial Estate on the Cambridge Road. The good news is that all 3 developers have committed themselves to working with the Parish Council and consulting the community. However, the potential impact of such a large amount of development going on at the same time is enormous. Plans are already underway to increase the provision of pre-school and primary places in the village. A consultation on the building plans was held on 22 March and the work is expected to start later this year. However increased traffic flow remains a concern as does the capacity of the GP surgery. A Melbourn Futures Working Party (flowing on from the group who fought the Appeal on the 199 homes) has been established to scrutinise all 3 proposals. Finally, do you know what Keith Rudge, the Village Warden, does? Having lived in Melbourn for 37 years, Keith is well recognised round the village. He has worked for the Parish Council, as village warden, for the past 16 years. During that time, Keith has seen many changes in and around Melbourn and his role has evolved to meet the demands of our growing village. Keith works 3 days’ a week and undertakes regular inspections of street furniture (repainting benches, repairing fences and checking the safety of the playparks), public areas (such as Stockbridge Meadows) and cemeteries. As well as daily inspections to check that footpaths are clear, bins are emptied and all necessary maintenance and repairs are carried out, Keith is also responsible for the day to day maintenance of Stockbridge Meadows, including conservation work on the wild flower meadow, the river continued on page 9 melbournmagazine@gmail.com

Protecting unofficial paths and local alleyways shortcuts used by local dog-walkers, horse riders, children on their As walkers, we all have a huge appreciation of Barrington B arringtto on C CP P way to school? the importance of the rights of way network This is where you come in. Melbourn Parish Council is setting our enjoyment of the outdoors – over 130,000 up an initiative to collect information on any forgotten paths in miles of path across England and Wales. our Parish so they can be registered and saved. Are you aware However, the fact remains that many of any paths or alleys you use which may not be common footpaths and bridleways are at risk of closure Orwell O rrw we ll C CP P knowledge? Let the Parish Clerk know! because they have never been legally recorded The Parish Council will be working with the local Ramblers on a definitive map. In some cases, such paths Association and U3A walking groups to get things up and running. are no longer obvious on the ground. However, If you are interested in taking part – walking around the Parish FFoxton tooxton C CP P if proof can be found of their one-time see if there are paths to be discovered or researching forgotten existence, it may be possible to reinstate them paths on maps and documents – contact the Parish Clerk. – and protect them for future generations. Whaddon W haddon C CP P Find out more about how to identify and register local paths January 1st 2026 is the cut-off date for and alleyways at: adding historic paths to what is known as the www.ramblers.org.uk/get-involved/campaign-with-us/dont-losedefinitive map: the official record of the public’s your-way.aspx rights of way in an area. Any path which came Shepreth S hepreth C CP P into existence before 1949 and that has not been requested to be on the map by 2026 will Meldreth M eldreth C CP P be lost – forever! Cambridgeshire County Council has wlmere w lmere C CP P produced a new ‘Definitive Map and Statement of Public Rights of Way for Cambridgeshire’. The map is on display in the Hub and you can access the information electronically via the following link: www.melbournparishcouncil. co . u k / w p - co ntent / u p l o a d s / 2 0 1 4 / 1 0 / Protecting-unofficial-paths-map.pdf The map records all the known, official paths. But does it include all the paths and

Bass B a ss c cum um Kneesworth K neesworth C CP P

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and the orchard. He’s always on hand in the event of emergencies such as Storm Doris, and can be seen clearing fallen trees and debris. Keith works closely with the Clerk in the management and day to day care of the cemeteries in the village. When asked what, he enjoys most about his job, Keith said “I like to feel I am making a contribution to keeping Melbourn an attractive and pleasant village to live in. I still enjoy the job even after 16 years. It is always very varied and I like to think I make a contribution to the attractive look of the village”. A majority of the daffodils you see in the village have been planted by Keith over his 16 years. If you spot something in the village

Something Need Doing In Melbourn? Is there something not working in Melbourn? A faulty streetlight? Grass too long in your local play park? What can you do about it? Report it to the right authority. Don’t worry whether someone else might already have done it – the more times a defect is registered, the more likely something will be done about it! Who should you report it to? For services provided by either the District or County Councils, go straight to the reporting facilities they provide: Widespread and internal property flooding Use the following form to report flooding. www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/site/xfp/scripts/xforms_form. aspx?formID=48&language=en A different system is used to report highways-related flooding (e.g. blocked road drains, sewers, gullies). See next section. Road markings and road signs; Pot holes; Street lights; Highways related flooding For all three, there is one on-line reporting site: www4.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/info/20081/roads_and_pathways/10/roadworks_ and_faults Or contact Cambridgeshire County Council: 0345 045 5212 Bin emptying, breach of planning control; broken street name plate; abandoned vehicle, dog fouling; graffiti; littering Use the following link and chose the correct form: www.scambs.gov.uk/form-type/report-it Or phone the South Cambridgeshire District Council Contact Centre: 03450 450 500 Crime and antisocial behaviour To report less urgent crime or disorder, to contact the police with a general enquiry or to speak to a local officer, dial 101. 101 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The system is smart and will identify where you are calling from and connect you with the local police for that area. Parish Matters If the service is provided by the Parish Council or you are not sure who to contact, notify the Parish Clerks (Sarah Adam or Claire Littlewood) either by phone (01763 263303 #3) or e-mail notifications@melbournpc.co.uk. Do not wait until a Parish Council meeting to report a problem. From January 2016, supporting documents are published at the same time as the meeting agendas, on the Wednesday before the meeting. If you are not able to attend the meeting, please e-mail the Clerks with any comments or questions you would like raised at the meeting.

that needs attention, please see our website – www.melbournparishcouncil. co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ Something-need-doing-in-Melbourn. pdf – for guidance on who to contact. Sarah Adam Melbourn Parish Clerk, Cllr Julie Norman, Chair – Melbourn Parish Council

Susan van de Ven Report By the time this article is published in the Melbourn Magazine, elections will have come and gone and Melbourn will have become part of a new Cambridgeshire County Council division called ‘Melbourn and Bassingbourn.’ This will also include Meldreth and Whaddon. The new boundaries were decided by the Boundary Commission. So, I am writing this report in my last month as your councillor under the old boundary. So many structures are changing all around us. Cambridgeshire is becoming part of a ‘Combined Authority’ with Peterborough, under a new mayor whose powers will change the way decisions are made about the future. Over the coming months we’ll gain a clearer sense of what all this means and how local communities will get their voices heard. 26 Bus: We will know soon whether or not Stagecoach decides to revert to an hourly service, this one terminating at Trumpington Park and Ride. If so, its future will depend on more people choosing to travel by bus. Stagecoach have said that getting stuck in traffic in Cambridge is their biggest problem, so the opportunity to transfer to the Guided Bus at Trumpington Park and Ride may provide a quicker way into town. New walk/run/cycle/scooter path: It has been a joy to see so many people out enjoying this path connecting Melbourn to Shepreth and the rest of the A10 path from Day One – actually even from before it was completed. Thanks to a grant from The TTP Group at Melbourn Science Park, as well as upwards of 100 volunteers over three working party sessions, including many children of all ages, several sections of continued on page 13 melbournmagazine@gmail.com

National Poetry Day This year National Poetry Day is on September 28th a Thursday. Gallery Writers are aiming to set up a poetry trail around the centre of Melbourn. We are looking for poems on Freedom … what does freedom mean to you? The trail will be in place a week before the day itself and on September 28th at the Hub there will be an all-day fun writing workshop for adults and children Using a Word Hoard to make and draw (with the help of an artist) your own poems about Freedom. In the evening between 4 and 8 there will be readings and live music for everyone. All those who have submitted poems will be invited to read, alongside Gallery poets who will be launching their pamphlet collections. If you and or your group are interested in being involved in writing poems and celebrating all that is good about words, please contact: claremcphee@ netscape.net. It would be great to hear from you!

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richardarnott.com GARDEN DESIGN & BUILD

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01763 263231 / 07710547493

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Nature Melwood

Your Local Nature Reserve

Butterflies and moths

Now summer has started one of the delights of wandering through Melwood is the rich variety of butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) that can be spotted. The weather in early spring was very favourable to early emergence from hibernation and I spotted a red admiral on my allotment in Melbourn on March 25th in 2017. Four species of butterflies hibernate in Britain and these will have been feeding avidly on new plants as they emerge. Melwood is rich in Lepidoptera with 135 species identified (see data base on webpage www.melwood.btck.co.uk). We are lucky that one of our committee members, Jim Reid, is a keen entomologist and has been studying the population of Melwood over several years. This has included setting up moth traps to identify those species more difficult to find just by looking. Most of the material in this article has been supplied by him. Access to nectar is essential. Primroses, Aubretia, Pulmonaria and many rock plants are excellent sources and in the countryside, pussy willow and blackthorn may be used. Ivy blossom supports both butterflies and moths in late autumn. After feeding, the next requirement is somewhere to lay their eggs. Nettle is essential for Peacocks and Small Tortoishells and to a lesser extent for the Comma. Puss moth (Cerura vinula) said to be named because the larva resembles the Cheshire cat in “Alice in Wonderland” Once much less rare than it is now.

Buff-tip (Phalera bucephala) Camouflaged as broken birch twig it is a common local species. The larvae initially feed on a variety of trees and bushes.

The Brimstone needs Alder Buckthorn, which is most often found in old hedgerows along roadside verges and fenland. Banks of bramble are also much favoured as a food source by the adult butterfly. This is why we leave areas at the rear of the site where bramble, nettle and ivy can grow as it is a key objective of the Melwood Conservation Group to increase the range of nectar-rich flowers. Melwood also contains plenty of violet, another good food source, but is too small to sustain very mobile species. In mid-summer roadside verges provide much needed nectar. In addition, the importance of gardens can’t be stressed enough as additional sites for feeding and breeding. Butterfly friendly flower mixes can be found in most garden centres. Buddlias are a particularly good plant, easy to grow, and pretty as well. We have several large bushes in Melwood which we positively encourage. continued on page 12

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It appears that in the rapidly developing areas of the south-east of England wildlife is under severe pressure and some species are critically endangered and solar farms maybe particularly harmful. Personal comparisons by Jim Reid between Meldreth and Somerset indicate that there is a heavier decline in Meldreth. We hope that you will consider the butterfly and moth populations when planning the plants for your own gardens. We also hope that you will enjoy the population in Melwood. You might consider an evening expedition, perhaps with children, during the summer with a torch when you might find some interesting moth species that you haven’t seen before. I remember enthusiastically searching for different varieties to complete my “Eye Spy” books when I was a child. Green-brindled cresent (Allophyes oxyacanthae). This well camouflaged moth is a fairly common autumn species, especially in wooded areas. The caterpillar feeds on hawthorn and blackthorn.

Convolvulus Hawk-moth (A. Convolvuli). A rare migrant from Africa, wingspan upwards of 5 inches. Quite a few reached Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire in 2006

We often hear of a decline in butterflies and moths and overall the picture is not encouraging. Some prime sites, like Royston Heath are OK but on a wider scale there is a general decrease in the South. However, distribution of some species has increased. Some positive examples are: The Speckled Wood was relatively scarce across the whole area up to the 1970’s but is now present in almost all suitable habitats; The Marbled White has doubled its range in the past 5 years; The Silver-washed Fritillary has now appeared in many woods.

• • •

Anyone interested in helping with our conservation initiatives should contact: Graham Borgonon on 01763 260358 or Jim Reid on 260231 Further information is available on our website: www.melwood.btck.co.uk.

Elephant Hawk-moth (Deilphila elpenor). Another named after its larva – eye-spots with an elephant’s trunk in front. Feeds on Rosebay willowherb and is common in this area. About 3 inches across the wings

Photographs by Jim Reid

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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

verge have been planted with a specialist wildflower mix. While this is in many ways a symbolic exercise, it is important to show by example that we don’t have to plant verges with common grass that we can ill-afford to cut, and which does little for biodiversity. Manit provided half-a-dozen children’s rakes for the job, and these are now being stored at the Primary School gardening shed, while Skanska provided a large supply of children’s high viz vests. Thanks to all for their help! Photos are posted at a10corridorcycle.com. The A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign continues to encourage everyone to cycle on the path not the road, and we are working very hard to find a funding solution for the Melbourn-Royston link. The incredibly short distance to Royston would be easily traversed on foot, bike or scooter in safe conditions. Mike Stapleton provides a detailed look at this project in the Magazine See page 6. Melbourn Primary School Edible Gardening: The school gardening club, now in its second year, is made possible by a grant from the County Council, facilitated through the Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Community Rail Partnership. If you would like to know more or are interested in supporting the club in some way, please get in touch. Rail campaign: Finally, the Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group welcomes any new interest in our campaign to keep these stations strong and well catered for. If you’d like to know more about what we do, please come to our next meeting on June 13, 7 for 7:30, at Foxton Village Hall. While we seem to battle fruitlessly on some fronts, others have seen success, and without any campaign at all we’d not make a difference. I hope everyone has a happy summer enjoying the beautiful outdoors. Susan van de Ven, Susanvandeven5@gmail.com, Tel 07905 325574

Relate Cambridge in Melbourn New research by leading relationships charities, Relate, Relationships Scotland and Marriage Care has revealed the top relationship strains experienced by couples in the UK today. Money worries came top of the list – more than a quarter of UK adults (26%) say these are placing a strain on their relationships – followed by not understanding each other (20%), low libido/ differing sex drives (19%), lack of work life balance (17%) and different interests (16%). Elaine Taylor, Relationship Counsellor at Relate Cambridge said: “This report highlights that, despite the promise of economic recovery, money worries are still placing a significant strain on our relationships. Research has shown that arguments about money tend to cause the most conflict in relationships and it’s something that comes up a lot in counselling sessions at Relate Cambridge. “Talking about money with your partner can bring up some strong emotions, but there are ways of approaching it which will reduce the likelihood of a full blown row.” If money worries are causing difficulties in your relationship, Relate Cambridge can offer information, advice and counselling for this or for any other relationship concerns. A full range of services is available at our Cambridge centre in Brooklands Avenue. These include sex therapy and other adult and family services. To find out more or make a booking please ring 01302 347712 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 Relate Cambridge – supporting relationships at every stage of your life continued on page 15 melbournmagazine@gmail.com

Banish niggling aches and pains! We keep many local people supple and mobile with our range of osteopathy and complementary treatments including sports massage, chiropody and acupuncture. Please call us on 01462 490141 to book. The Melbourn clinic times have been extended so more appointments are now available.

A MBER H EALTH Serving the local community www.amberhealth.co.uk Appointments available in Ashwell, Melbourn and Baldock Easy parking at all 3 clinics

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www.cheapstorageltd.co.uk • 01763 262 344 / 07768 718 396 14

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Heidi Allen MP I’d like to start by thanking the hundreds of you who took the time to contribute your views to the Fairer Funding Schools Consultation and submit your thoughts to me. I will be handing the letters and petitions over to Justine Greening next month as I continue to push for fairer funding for our South Cambridgeshire schools. In my opinion, our schools are the best in the country and I was delighted to visit Coton Primary School to observe the Primary Life Education Unit teach pupils about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. This two-classroom mobile unit was partfunded by the Rotary Club and provides early education about healthy living and drug awareness to school children. The unit needs to access additional funding to survive, so if you’re a local business and would like to help, please contact my office who can put you in touch with the relevant people. The importance of this early intervention was even more obvious after I took part in Alcohol Health Alliance’s ‘Day of Action’ by visiting the liver ward at Addenbrooke’s. AHA demonstrated the devastating effects of cheap alcohol on individuals and communities and reinforced the need for a community wide approach to tackling this problem. Whilst I was there I signed up with www.nhsorgandonation.nhs.uk, please take a look at their website and have a think about whether you’d like to register to donate your organs too. I was honoured to be the designated official ribbon cutter at two local events last month by formally opening CHS’s affordable and social housing development at Caxton as well as Great Shelford’s Post Office. It’s really important that we ‘use and don’t lose’ community assets like the Post Office so please support Prakash and Jayshri by visiting them and using their service. They work so very hard to serve their local community. I spent a productive morning with local councillors and Highways Officers assessing the issues that many of you have raised about the Flint Cross junction on the A505. This road is firmly on the County Council’s radar and I’m working with them and local Parish Councils to make this road safer. We’re in the early stages of discussions but the consensus is there – improvements need to be made.

Waxwing This very attractive bird, is small, about the size of a starling with a prominent crest and colourful markings. Although it does not breed in the UK, it is a regular winter visitor, between October and March, flying down from Siberia and northern Scandinavia. Their numbers have increased this year, possibly due to a particularly harsh winter and a shortage of food. The Waxwing gets its name from the series of short ‘spikes’ on the tips of its secondary flight feathers, which look like pieces of bright red sealing wax. The photograph below and the one shown on the front cover were taken by Gary Baker in Clear Crescent on the 7 March.

Work on the City Deal continues and I attended the Local Liaison Forum to support the launch of Option 6 – the Cambourne to Cambridge Better Busway. This proposal intends to utilise existing road structures to develop a fast yet cost-effective bus route into Cambridge, thus minimising the need for a costly busway development. I’m pleased that the City Deal have agreed to go back to the drawing board and assess all possible routes and P&R locations. Many of you took the time to write to me after the devastating attack on Parliament last month. As I wrote at the time, we are all indebted to PC Palmer for making the ultimate sacrifice in defending our democracy. I thank all of you who took the time to share these sentiments. As always, if you have anything you’d like to share with me, you can find details of my upcoming surgeries here www.heidisouthcambs.co.uk/residents-drop-surgeries. melbournmagazine@gmail.com

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BEAUTIFUL EYEWEAR AT DISCOUNT PRICES – SO WHAT’S THE CATCH? No catch – we’ve been making great quality prescription glasses and sunglasses for over 30 years – and now you can buy your glasses directly from us. Visit our factory shop – where you can choose from a wide range of contemporary frames with the help of our friendly and knowledgeable team. We’d love to see you – please ring to book an appointment (we get quite busy!) and bring along your up-to-date prescription.

01954 231545

20 Norman Way Industrial Estate www.all-eyes.co.uk Over Cambridge sales@all-eyes.co.uk CB24 5QE We are open between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday

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A series of unfortunate events! The Parish Council is aware of an unfortunate spate of vandalism and anti-social behaviour in the village recently. In particular, bins on the Moor have been set alight, benches and picnic tables at Stockbridge Meadows have been damaged, and there has been an increase in offence graffiti around the village. There have also been reports of groups gathering at the bus stop by the village car park and of cars being driven around the car park late at night and playing music very loudly, causing nuisance and distress to residents in the area.

I’ll be in Cambourne in April and Bassingbourn in May. You can also phone my Westminster Office on 020 7219 5091 about national issues or you can call my constituency office on 01954 212707 to raise local concerns. You can also email me at heidi.allen.mp@parliament.uk.

Hunts Forum and Cambridge CVS Hunts Forum and Cambridge CVS (part of Support Cambridgeshire), are here to assist any voluntary, community or Charitable organisation operating in Cambridgeshire. This help can be assistance with finding funding; acting as a critical friend – looking through funding applications; advice and information on DBS checks for example; setting up your group; networking events where you can meet other likeminded organisations; training on subjects such as Safeguarding or First Aid; the creation of your Policies and Procedures such as a Constitution.

• • • • • •

If you would like some support please contact us where we will be happy to assist. “Information, guidance and support to help voluntary and community organisations set up, develop and grow” Angela Haylock, Development Officer, Hunts Forum of Voluntary Organisations 01480 420604 Mobile: 07809 214895 www.huntsforum.org.uk

MyHealth

On the whole, our young people are a credit to the village. However, whilst they may be rare, these incidents are cause for concern. Damage to village amenities is unsightly and expensive to repair and may present a danger to others. We are in regular contact with our PCSO and he is carrying out routine patrols of the village. What can you do? If you witness anti-social behaviour or vandalism, please contact the police on 101. Please also let the Parish Office know 01763 263303 #3 or parishclerk@melbournpc.co.uk.

Need to find local health services quickly? New ‘MyHealth’ app for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough A new app to help Cambridgeshire and Peterborough residents find local NHS services available to them has been launched. Quick and easy to use, the ‘MyHealth Cambridgeshire & Peterborough’ app will direct you to your nearest appropriate NHS service. This includes local GPs, pharmacies, minor injury units, and dentists, based on your location or postcode. Free to download and available in five other languages, including Polish, Latvian, and Lithuanian, MyHealth provides up to date information on current services including directions, opening hours, and contact details. The app is available to download for iOS via Apple Store, Android via Google Play, and Windows phones via Microsoft Store by searching for ‘MyHealth C&P CCG’. melbournmagazine@gmail.com

Chris Thomas

Cambridge Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

Carpet and upholstery cleaner based in Cambridge. Working in and around Cambridge, Royston, Saffron Walden, Newmarket and Huntingdon.

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on 01763 261250 or 0791 3913955

Nancy Foster MCFHP MAFHP Registered Member of the British Association of Foot Health Professionals 16 Hale Close, Melbourn email: nancy.foster@tesco.net

How The Cambridge supports your community £ Charity of the Month

Cash for the Community

Community Magazine Awards

Volunteering

Find out more about the work we do at cambridgebs.co.uk/community THE CAMBRIDGE Building Society

CBS1522 Community Poster_128X163mm.indd 1 www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

Head Office, PO Box 232 51 Newmarket Road, Cambridge CB5 8FF thecambridge@cambridgebs.co.uk

23/12/2015 10:40

feature FRIDAY 23RD - SATURDAY 24TH JUNE 24 HOURS OF LIVE MUSIC 2PM-2PM

At the Cambridge Cancer Help Centre, we offer support to anyone with cancer (or other chronic or life-threatening conditions) and their families, carers and friends. The atmosphere is warm, friendly and informal and everyone is welcome to drop in whether for a cup of tea and a chat or for something more … We offer a range of complementary therapies from qualified therapists. “The Centre is a haven filled with friends and healing.” We have thriving art, craft and nutrition groups and we organise regular social activities. Information is available from our well-stocked library of books and pamphlets and there are support groups for those with specific cancers.

ORWELL AND BARRINGTON Music to include choirs, jazz ensemble, solo saxophone, brass band, chamber music, schools, church bells and much more Performers to include Orwell Singers, Ad Hoc Singers, Magog Singers Hot Numbers Jazz Ensemble, Eversden Brass Band Graham Walker, cello Big Sing at noon on Saturday, Barrington church Grand Finale at the Royal Oak, Barrington 1pm to 2pm Coffee and croissants for breakfast Afternoon tea – Rafﬂe IN AID OF

“The Centre has all the qualities that a loving family can offer: acceptance, unconditional love and support … and fun!” The Macmillan HOPE course and the Expert Patient Programme are designed to help you manage your condition. Each is run several times throughout the year. “If I’m honest, the Centre saved my life.” Why not drop in and meet us and learn more about how we can help? You can be sure of a warm welcome! For more information visit our website at: www.cambridgecancerhelp.org.

More details on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/24-Hour-Music-Marathon-138747049948124/

Please donate generously at Just Giving www.justgiving.com/fundraising/24hourMarathonMusic

Cambridge Cancer Help Centre 120 Cambridge Road, Great Shelford, CB22 5JT Telephone: 01223 840 105 Email: contact@cambridgecancerhelp.org

melbournmagazine@gmail.com

Profile Befriending services One of the ways we try to beat loneliness in later life is through Age UKs befriending services, where a volunteer visits an older person once a week in their own home.

What is befriending? Age UK offers different types of befriending services: Face-to-face befriending, where a volunteer befriender visits an older person in their home Telephone befriending, where a volunteer befriender will phone an older person

• •

With both types of befriending each older person is assigned a befriender, who provides friendly conversation and companionship on a regular basis over a long period of time. Befriending provides an older person with a link to the outside world and often acts as a gateway for other services and valuable support.

Why is befriending so important? Loneliness is a massive issue for people in later life in the UK: 200,000 older people say they haven’t had a conversation with friends or family for a month. 3.9 million older people agree the television is their main form of company. Loneliness can be as harmful for our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

• • •

Handyperson Services More than 70 local Age UKs operate handyperson services across much of the country. These services offer older people extra help with small practical jobs to make their lives easier and safer around the home. A handyperson is usually a charged-for service and the cost will vary dependent on the work being undertaken. Exact handyperson services differ from place to place, but these are the sorts of jobs they can usually help with: Small repairs - putting up curtain rails, shelves and pictures Safety measures - fitting smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and grab rails Home security - door and window locks, door chains and door viewers Energy efficiency checks - installing draught excluders, radiator heat reflectors and energy efficient lightbulbs.

• • • •

What do I do next? Telephone 0300 666 9860 to find out more or visit the website www.ageuk.org.uk

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

Gillian Morland Gillian Morland will be known to many of you through her work with the Melbourn Fete and fundraising for McSplash. She and her husband Bob have lived in Mortlock Close since 1985 and she has been a very involved member of the community. She is a natural organiser! Born Gillian Barnes in Windsor in 1959, she and her older sister Sheila spent the first few years of their lives living near Slough until her electrical engineering father joined EMI in South Wales and they lived in Porthcawl until Gilian was eighteen. It was here that she started horse riding, a passion that stayed with her until recently. She did a secretarial course and worked firstly for a private rest home for elderly people and then for a photographer – this experience led to a lifelong interest in using a camera. Father changed jobs again and the family moved to Didmarton near Badminton where both he and his daughter started working for Philips. Gillian’s organising skills were turned towards making travel arrangements for the company. It was here she met her husband Robert (Bob) another engineer. They were married in 1980 and soon afterwards they came to this area when Bob started working for PA Technology in Melbourn. Gillian got a job at Neve Electronics and was soon busy organising their Sports and Social Club. Their first daughter Kay was born in 1987 and becoming a mother threw her into a new social group and before long she was involved in playgroups becoming the Chairman of Pre-school Playgroups Association for the Eastern Region and then, when Kay started at the Primary School, she got involved with the PTA and in organising fetes, discos and bonfire nights. She spent some years as a secretary for the Engineering Department in Cambridge until their second daughter Zoe was born in 1997. Once again she concentrated on

being at home for the toddler but as soon as possible she was back working part time at the Coombes Community Centre in Royston where she is still the Manager. Gillian has been involved in so many crusades and good causes in the village – she consulted on the ‘Safe Walk to School’ project which saw the provision of a path from the car park to the primary school, she joined the group of fundraisers determined to get a swimming pool built in Melbourn and in 1988 just before the bypass was opened for traffic she was part of the sponsored walk. Dressed as a clown she pushed Kay in a buggy along the 10,000 metres of new road. She also organised an Auction of Promises for McSplash and was involved in all the many schemes for raising money. It was a moment of intense satisfaction for all the pool enthusiasts when McSplash was finally opened in 1991 and it continues to be a popular and well used facility in the village. I got to know Gillian in 2008 when she became secretary and treasurer of the Triggs Charity, of which I have been a Trustee since 1976. This is a little-known charity dating back to 1818 when John Trigg (yes, this is where we get Trigg Way) left £2,000 to be used ‘for the education of children of the poor’. A school was opened in 1823 in a barn in Little Lane and the children paid one penny a week to attend. The money has been wisely invested over the years and it is a most enjoyable committee to be involved with as we never have to undertake any fundraising – we just give money away! Gillian’s husband Bob, is a steam engine fanatic and is qualified to drive one of these enormous beasts. He is a patron of the Al Tornado locomotive, which took 20 years to build at a cost of some three million pounds and most of the electronics were built in their garage. The Tornado recently hit the national news by travelling at over 100 mph – the fastest steam locomotive for 50 years. It is now used for ‘Orient Express’ tours and experiences but it will soon be exceeded in size and power by a new engine being built at an approximate cost of eight million pounds. Bob has met Prince Charles several times and has asked if the new engine can be called The Prince of Wales. Prince Charles apparently replied ‘I shall have to ask Mummy’! Needless to say, Royal Assent was granted and the new Prince of Wales locomotive is eagerly awaited by steam enthusiasts. I think I have successfully proved that Gillian is very community minded and one of her most recent projects into which she has poured her considerable energy and

enthusiasm is the rebirth of the Melbourn Fete. A pot of money had been put in reserve by the Parish Council in case the village Fete was revived and in 2003 a small group asked if it could be released to resurrect the fete. Street processions were no longer considered safe (I have memories of Brownies and Playgroups parading through the streets on flat backed lorries!) but many other attractions were arranged and the Melbourn Fete has long been a highlight of the village calendar. The origins of the fete were based on the Melbourn Feast – which always started on the first Thursday of July unless the first Thursday of July was the First, in which case it would begin on the second Thursday. (Are you keeping up?) Readers of the Melbourn History Book will remember the story of The Beast Who Stopped the Feast in 1882 – the Rev. James Hamilton famously faced the mob with a gun when he thought the revels were becoming unseemly. In those days, the Feast was held at The Cross. This year the Fete Committee are taking a breather but Gillian assures me that it will be back in 2018 and volunteers for the committee are always welcome. When she is not doing voluntary work, Gillian enjoys her garden, taking photographs (harking back to her early days) playing Bridge and Badminton. She boasts that she has never missed a production by the Melbourn Amateur Dramatic Society (MADS). Until recently the family had three horses at livery and enjoyed riding, but sadly the horses have now gone. The couple enjoy holidays and have travelled extensively – somehow steam engines are always involved! When I entered Gillian’s kitchen I was bowled over by the decor – pure American Diner even down to the neon signs on the walls and the large juke box. Amazing! Scarlet and white striped upholstered seats, scarlet cabinets – all it lacked was a large cut out figure of Elvis. I suspect, knowing Gillian’s capacity for fun, that one just might have been hiding behind the door! Mavis Howard melbournmagazine@gmail.com

For the Community by the Community The Hub is located in the heart of the village and is a place ‘for the community provided by the community’. It offers a range of facilities including a Library Access Point, meeting rooms and The Bookmark Café. A variety of local people use the Hub as a meeting space, for family events and to enjoy hobbies and common interests together such as parent and baby meetings and the ‘Yap and Yarn’ knitting group who meet at the Hub on the first Saturday of each month, and often people just pop in for coffee and cake when they are passing. Linda Rose and Jazz the dog, come all the way from Stapleford to call in at the Hub whenever they visit the local RSPB reserve at Fowlmere. She sums up the Hub as “friendly, welcoming and good quality”

The Hub has recently undergone some positive changes including a new Management Group who provide staff and volunteers support in running the Hub, all of whom are local residents and volunteers themselves and a number of other improvements following a recent customer survey. What customers think is vital in making sure the facilities remain appropriate and effective for the community.

100% of those surveyed said they would recommend The Hub.

Opening Hours Monday-Friday 9am to 5pm Saturday 9am to 4pm www.melbournhub.co.uk 22

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

Facebook

@thehubmelbourn

The Bookmark Café Visitors to the Hub Café were happy with the friendliness of staff and volunteers, with comments such as “amazing” and “top notch”. The Hub employs a small number of dedicated staff including Deanna and Chloe, who make the freshly prepared food and drinks. The Café staff were delighted by the response and to learn that the food and drink had also been highly praised by Hub visitors for both quality and value. Deanna said “the comments are lovely but we couldn’t do it without the fantastic team of staff and volunteers.”

Sharon Bridgeman, the Hub’s Centre Manager, said “Getting feedback from the community is so important to make sure

the Hub meets local needs. We hope people will like the new additions planned for the café menu and the extra touches we have added to make people’s time here even more enjoyable.”

Library Access Point Central to the Hub’s purpose is the Library Access Point, manned by a team of local volunteers who were described in the survey as “incredibly helpful”. Ingeburg Phillips of Melbourn said, whilst browsing the library: “I absolutely love it here with the café and the library”.

Events and Room Hire Many people have accessed the Hub’s meeting and event facilities and services since opening in 2014. Guann-Yeu Chin from Melbourn recently hired the Hub Atrium for a family party for his baby son. He said “it was a special family event for 70 guests so it was important that everything ran smoothly. It was really well organised, the food was great and the staff couldn’t do enough for us. I was really impressed.” Elisabeth Goodman of local business RiverRhee Consulting uses the Hub regularly for training courses, she says: “I’ve been running our training courses at the Hub in Melbourn for a few years now and it’s one of my favourite venues. The staff go out of their way to make the trainers and delegates feel welcome and well looked after. I feel very lucky to have such a quality facility on my doorstep.”

Opening times

Volunteers

The Hub: 9am-5pm Monday-Friday and from 9am to 4pm on Saturdays. Available to hire for evenings or weekends for meetings or events. Services can also be accessed such as Citizens Advice Bureau and Relate. The Bookmark Café: 9am-4pm Monday-Friday and 3pm on Saturdays offering a selection of barista coffees, freshly prepared hot and cold food including full English breakfast and a variety of cakes. The Library: 2.30pm-4.30pm Monday-Friday (6.30pm on Thursdays) and 10am until midday Saturdays, and ’story time’ every Friday at 10am for children under 5.

The Hub relies heavily on volunteers and anyone is welcome for as much or as little time as they can give. Volunteering is a great way of using previous skills, learning new ones or just socialising with a purpose. It is also ideal for friends or family who might want to volunteer together. Please contact Sharon the Centre Manager at the Hub, 30 High Street, 01763 263303 or by emailing: centremanager@ melbournhub.co.uk for more information or to become part of the Hub’s growing and valued volunteer team. Visit the Hub website at www.melbournhub.co.uk or follow the new Facebook page @thehubmelbourn www.facebook.com/thehubmelbourn. Please email in the first instance with any enquiries you might have. melbournmagazine@gmail.com

Rapidly Growing We are proud to recognise that Clarke Philips is continuing to enjoy steady growth in the Royston and surrounding areas. We believe it is the result of carefully nurturing our customers’ needs which include: • Offering competitive fees

• Providing honest advice

• Being available 8am-8pm 7 days a week

• Using modern marketing

• Having two week agreements

• Let only to full management available

• Strong sales and lettings experience

• Having no call centres

Be part of our success and ask us how we can help you sell or let your property today.

E royston@clarkephilips.co.uk T 01763 248682 W clarkephilips.co.uk

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

Nature

Exciting developments in the Terrace Garden The Terrace Garden was originally installed to house the Botanic Garden’s first rock garden, however when funds were released in the 1950’s to develop the Limestone Rock Garden, the alpine collection was relocated, and the Terrace Garden planted with a collection of shrubs. About 10 years ago, this planting was reassessed and the idea of enhancing the landscape and unifying the plantings with the introduction of a New Zealand theme was agreed. The initial developmental stage involved the re-laying of the dry-stone walling. Once completed, work commenced on the introduction of a New Zealand themed planting to complement the existing plantings in the adjacent Glasshouse Bays. Few pollinators exist in New Zealand and many species have developed ways to stand out. This includes the sub-shrub Linum monogynum var. diffusum, which are characterised by their small, white flowers that are attractive to the limited number of pollinators present. As is evident in Coprosma brunnera ‘Blue Beauty’, the foliage tends to be small, and the branching divaricate (branched at wide angles) as in Muehlenbeckia astonii. Many of the plants grown in this area also show similar characteristics. Over subsequent years the planting has been developed and new species such as the spiky-leaved speargrass, Aciphylla colensoi, and the silver-leaved Astelia fragarans introduced. New seating has been installed in this area and the existing dry stone walls have been adapted to accommodate a new water feature in the hollow of the Terrace Garden. The final

element of the project is the installation of interpretation panels, which will provide visitors with further insight into the plants of New Zealand. We anticipate that the addition of these features in the Terrace Garden will enhance the landscape and provide a quiet corner in which visitors can sit and not only enjoy the plantings, but also learn more about this extraordinary flora.

The Cambridge University Botanic Garden Open from 10am – 6pm, April September, 7 days a week. The Glasshouses and Café close 30 minutes before the Garden and the Botanic Garden Shop at Brookside closes 15 minutes before the Garden. Please check the website at www.botanic.cam.ac.uk Telephone 01223 336265 for details about opening times, admission charges, tours, courses and special events.

Above and left: Australasian beds melbournmagazine@gmail.com

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

feature

Melbourn Ambulance Centre Have you wondered what happens behind the glass doors of the ambulance building off Back Lane, Melbourn? As well as being a busy ambulance station, office and conference facility, Melbourn serves as the headquarters of the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST). Opened seven years ago, the site has become the HQ of an organisation that provides emergency care across six counties and employs 4,000 people and has almost 1,000 volunteers.

The ambulance station at Melbourn is one of the Trust’s Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) bases. The HART paramedics are on-call 24/7, 365 days a year to respond to major incidents anywhere in the East of England. They have the skills and equipment to get to a patient in a dangerous environment, such as a patient trapped in a confined space or at height, allowing them to deliver lifesaving treatment at the point of harm, even in very difficult circumstances. The team is equipped with specialist vehicles including an Incident Command Unit (ICU) and an Incident Response Unit (IRU).

It is the place where decisions are made by the Trust’s board members, where a number of ambulance support services are based and is also home to a specialist team of healthcare professionals.

The Trust’s Melbourn site serves as offices for the executive team and support services as well as being the venue for board meetings. A public board meeting is held every two months and villagers are more than welcome to come along to find out more about the work of EEAST. The Trust receives around 3,000 emergency calls a day and has stations across Cambridgeshire. Last year the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspected EEAST, which found that staff provided “outstanding” care. For more information about the service and opportunities to join the team, visit www.eastamb.nhs.uk melbournmagazine@gmail.com

feature 999 Emergency Anniversary This summer the 999 emergency telephone service celebrates its 80th anniversary. It’s unfortunate that it took a tragedy to bring about a monumental change, but it was one that would have far reaching significance for the future. In November 1935 at a London surgery in Wimpole Street, London, five women died when the building caught fire. A neighbour who had tried to telephone for the fire brigade was so angry about being held in a queue at the telephone exchange that he wrote a letter to the Times newspaper. Following the publicity of this tragic event, the government agreed to implement a new system and on the 30th June 1937, the 999-emergency service was introduced in London. Prior to its introduction, if there was an emergency you dialled 0 (the telephone exchange number responsible for all telephone calls). When the operator answered, you asked for the service you required. At the time, local emergency services would have only had a single telephone line which was often engaged when an emergency call was made. The choice of the three-digit 999 number, came from the General Post Office (GPO), who ran the telephone system, they decided that in thick smoke or in the dark the number was easy to find on the old rotary dial telephones. In the first week of the system operating, there were 1,336 calls to the new 999 service. It is said, the first emergency Information Room at Scotland Yard. “What happens when you dial ‘999’. Scotland yard’s ‘operations’ room in the battle of the crime wave”. The Illustrated News, 15 December, 1945.

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

A radio dispatcher sends out messages in Morse Code to vehicles from the information room in the 1930’s. Police cars were not fitted with radio transmitters, which allowed 999 operators to speak directly with the patrol cars until 1945.

call concerned a burglar who was breaking into a house in Hampstead, London in the early hours of the morning. He was disturbed by the owner of the property. “My wife made use of the new signal which we were instructed to use yesterday on the telephone, and as a result of using that signal almost instantaneous connection was made with the police station, and in less than five minutes this man was arrested.” In 1948, the system was extended to all major towns and cities in the country, but was not available in Melbourn or the rest of the country until 1976, when the telephone exchange was automated. The 999 service became available on mobile phones in 1986. Each year more than 43 million 999 calls are made to the Police, Fire, Ambulance and Coast Guard. Unfortunately, not all 999 calls are an emergency… continued on page 30

Little Hands Karen

Melbourn Playgroup Jane Crawford

MVC EDUCATION

U3A

PLAY SCHOOL NOTRE ECOLE PLAYGROUP

Education SCHOOL LITTLE HANDS PRIMARY

VILLAGE COLLEGE

Melbourn Primary School 01763 260964

07842 151512

Notre Ecole Janet Whitton Pippins Children’s Centre Alison Wood

261231 223460

Primary School Headteacher Stephanie Wilcox 223457 U3A (Univ. of Third Age) Chairman Tony Garrick 01223 510201 Village College Principal Simon Holmes

223400

Well, signs of spring are certainly all around school. At the time of writing, the daffodils are in full bloom and, in addition to the sunshine, we have had much to encourage us. Most notable of which is the growth we are seeing in numbers at school. We are regularly taking phone calls from families wanting to move their children to our school. In response to this and the anticipated new builds, the local authority intends to expand the school. Our pupil admission number will be increased from 45 to 60. We are anticipating the growth to be gradual but it will mean that eventually we will have two classes per year group, thus removing the need for mixed age classes. The development plans are exciting and include a hall extension, four new classrooms and cloakrooms, an extension to the Foundation Stage classroom area, additional office spaces, a larger lobby area and even a new staff room. All existing parts of the school will be connected so that we will be housed in one building. We will finally be able to get to assembly, lunch and PE without getting wet on rainy days! When the building work is complete, the mobile classrooms will be removed. The local authority invited the public to view the plans at the school on Wednesday 22nd March. If you were not able to see them then, they are available to view on our website. In addition, as usual, we have been very busy bees …

Spelling Bee The school held a spelling bee competition in February which added a real buzz to the learning of spellings. It started with the whole class rounds. From this, we had

Orchard Surgery & Dispensary Repeat prescriptions by email are no longer available. For alternative arrangements see page 36. continued on page 31 melbournmagazine@gmail.com

Inappropriate calls Since the emergency system began, ‘hoax’ or ‘inappropriate calls’ have become a burden to the services. In some areas, almost 10% of all calls are ‘inappropriate’. In the East of England, the Ambulance Service (EEAST) which covers, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk, received 312 inappropriate calls, between April and December 2016. Seventy two of these calls were in Cambridgeshire. Hoax or inappropriate calls are not new. In 1937 and the first week the 999 emergency service was introduced, there were 263 such calls. However, the reasons behind the calls today just beggar’s belief. There is the obvious hoax, a malicious attempt to divert the Police, Ambulance or Fire service from a real life situation by sending them of on a wild goose chase. One of the worse cases, was of a 14-year-old, who managed to scramble six fire engines, 11 ambulances, 19 police squad cars and 59 emergency services personnel for just one incident, only for crews to discover the call was a hoax. One man who was labelled a ‘prankster’, complained he was suffering stomach pains whilst at a pub. When an ambulance crew took him to hospital, he jumped out, said “Thanks for the lift, mate!”, and ran off. Other calls classified as inappropriate, are from people who actually believe the 999 services are there for their convenience. An entry in a police log read: a woman called to ask if officers could come to her house and test her plug sockets to see if they were working correctly. When challenged about calling the emergency number rather than an electrician, she explained she had already called the fire service but they refused to help. Another woman called to say that her electricity had run out and they needed to sort it. The operator tried to give the woman the emergency number for the electric company, but she would not believe that the police did not deal with electricity. Police were called by a woman who had been trying to contact her local Chinese takeaway. She called the emergency number to ask if they knew if the takeaway had closed or moved because they were not answering their telephone. She told the operator she had no concerns for the police, she just wanted to order her meal. The police receive over 50% of all ‘inappropriate calls’. But the ambulance service receive their share of these strange calls. The East of England Ambulance Service received a call from a man reporting a hit and run and ambulance crews were immediately dispatched to the scene. The controller continued asking the man for additional information. However, it turned out that the ‘victim’ was in fact a squirrel. Other calls to EEAST include a drunken man wanting a taxi and a man asking for an ‘animal ambulance’ because he had found a dead squirrel. One woman called because her

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cat had broken a leg, and a child rang because they were worried that their goldfish was ‘drowning’. Away from the EEAST, one person called the Ambulance Service because they had injured themselves the night before, but did not feel it at the time as they were drunk. A man called complaining of a back problem after visiting his GP and receiving ointment to rub on his back. When the ambulance crew turned up, he answered the door and the staff asked: “We thought you had a back problem?” The man replied: “I have. I haven’t got anyone to rub this ointment on my back.” The fire service also see their fair share of these calls. A concerned father rang about his son’s shoe, which had become stuck on a garage roof. He said it was an emergency because his son wouldn’t be able to play football without it. Another caller wanted help changing a tyre, he claimed it would be the Brigade’s fault if he had an accident. An elderly woman who heard dogs fighting outside her house threw a glass of water at them, forgetting that her false teeth were inside the glass. She rang 999 to ask for help retrieving her dentures. Many of the calls classed as inappropriate are from young children who just like to play with the telephone and accidentally press the three digits. There are others who don’t understand the significance of the 999 service, but have seen their favourite television character use it. However, why people “play with other peoples lives” is hard to fathom, but it is clear that some feel that inappropriate calls are unimportant and should be ignored. One local paper in the EEAST region ran an article highlighting inappropriate calls and the possible consequences. The response in the papers blog came in the form of a number of complaints about the article. “The ‘paper’ is simply playing into the hands of an organisation which is taking our money and not delivering the service we need. Sob stories leaked by PR departments are irrelevant as are stories about poor hard done by paramedics and drivers. There will always be the hard of thinking out there, we only have to think of the members of our own school year groups, we can’t expect every adult to be intelligent and sensible. There will always be the irrational who may have mental problems. This is none of our concern. The ambulance service and all emergency services would do better taking positive steps to educate and inform the public about where to find help when they need it. The system is not perfect, but to be fair, given the circumstances, those that work at the front end and behind the scenes do a tremendous job. For non-emergency calls to the police, telephone 101. For non-emergency medical calls telephone 111. Hoax calls are a criminal offence and all 999 calls are recorded along with their associated incidents and are used as evidence in court if required. The maximum penalty for hoax call offences is imprisonment for up to six months and a fine of £5,000. Ed. PS

The Foundation Stage Outdoor Adventure On a beautiful and sunny Tuesday afternoon in March, a sea of parents, teachers and excited children walked down to Stockbridge Meadows. On reaching the meadow, the children had several activities to choose from. The majority of children found an egg hidden somewhere in the meadow. Some children created clay faces from loose parts on the meadow floor; they used long twigs to make noses, shells for eyes and leaves for hair. The children looked for birds and collected the data by recording the birds they spotted on their tick lists. The children had a fabulous time.

Year 1 & 2 Trip to Stockbridge Meadows Year 1 and 2 experienced a beautiful, spring day at Stockbridge Meadows too. As part of the visit the children looked for signs of spring and found plenty of examples, from flowering buds to busy bees buzzing around. We were even lucky enough to see a lizard warming itself on a mound of earth. The children had fun bringing maths into the natural world by being the ‘Maths Troll’ and having to solve maths problems before being allowed to trit trot across the bridge. The highlight of the morning was seeing a deer bounding across the meadow; all the children watching this amazing sight in awe!

Cycleway We were privileged to be able to take four year 5 children to the official opening of the A10 cycleway. The children were the first to officially cycle the route and joined local councillors and villagers in testing out the new cycleway. The children were interviewed by many members of the press and appeared in local newspapers and even on ITV Anglia News. Olivia Parr was given the honour of cutting the ribbon to declare the cycleway open. The children were fantastic representatives of the school and fully deserved their reward of cake at the garden centre at the other end of the cycleway! Finally, I am immensely proud of all the children at school but even more so recently following a trip by our year 5/6 pupils to the Imperial War Museum,

O nl Ki y £ ds 1 P go er FR Ad EE ult !

class finals during which the children (three from each year group) had to accurately spell the words out loud. This led to the grand final with the winners of each class final competing against each other in the hall. A huge well done to our grand final winners: Zoe Hird, Rosa Duffin, Morgan Youdan, Alice Walker, Sam Armstrong and Henry Kay. We are very proud of all the children in school for the determination and resilience they showed in their learning. The children also raised a whopping £2244.00 towards much needed new books for our library.

Melbourn Primary School invites you to...

JOIN US AT OUR SUMMER FAYRE! Friday 7th July 5-8pm Melbourn Primary School Mortlock St, Melbourn, SG8 6DB All this and so much more!!! Refreshments Bar/Pimms/Prosecco Ice Cream BBQ Climbing Wall Live Music

Inflatables Coconut Shy Garden Games Face Paint Raffle Tombola

Duxford. I received a message from a member of staff at the museum informing me how polite and well behaved our children were. We think this regularly, but it is rather lovely to have others acknowledge it. Mrs Stephanie Wilcox, Headteacher

Melbourn Village College Steven Law

Two donated pieces of artwork will be taking pride of place in Melbourn Village College’s refurbished Art department. The pieces, drawn by ex-pupil Steven Law, depict two boxers, Simon Brown and Evander Holyfield. They were drawn by Steven when he was around 18 years old and were generously donated to the college by his parents after his untimely death in 2015. Alongside the paintings, Steven’s parents also donated £500 which has been spent on frames to display student work within the school. The refurbishment is part of a £1 million investment in replacing windows and roofing around the college which is almost finished. Principal Simon Holmes said: “We were very keen to be able to display these pieces of work in the art department once the building work had been completed and are very grateful to the family for their donation. “Overall, the huge investment we have had has significantly improved the fabric of our buildings. “Increased efficiency will allow us to direct money away from heating and towards teaching and learning, to the benefit of all our students.” continued on page 37 melbournmagazine@gmail.com

Melbourn Buildings/Fencing Suppliers Phillimore Garden Centre, Melbourn Tel 01763 263336 Open Mon – Sat 9.30am–5pm Sun 10am–4pm Manufacturers of all types of garden buildings. Customised buildings our speciality. Landscaping and fencing supplied and installed. Sheds, Summerhouses, Gazebo’s, Aviaries, Catteries, Kennels/runs, Chalets, Log Cabins. Bases undertaken.

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MELBOURN PARISH COUNCIL 30 High Street Melbourn SG8 6DZ Telephone: 01763 263303 ext. 3 e-mail: parishclerk@melbournpc.co.uk Parish Office opening hours: Monday: 10.00am-1.00pm | Wednesday: 1.00pm-3.00pm Friday: 10.00am-1.00pm (Alternatively, please call to arrange an appointment) www.melbournpc.co.uk

Village information IMPORTANT NUMBERS Orchard Surgery

Appointments & Dispensary 260220 For repeat prescriptions send email: prescriptions.orchardsurgery@nhs.net Hospitals

Parish Clerk Sarah Adam Telephone 263303

Assistant Parish Clerk Claire Littlewood Telephone 263303

Addenbrooke’s Royston

01223 245151 01763 242134

NHS111 – Urgent Care 24hr helpline

111

Police Non Emergency number Help when not a 999 emergency

101

Medical help when not a 999 emergency

Chairman Julie Norman 31 Station Road, SG8 6DX Telephone 263462

Vice Chairman Sashi Siva 33 Chalkhill Barrow, SG8 6EQ Telephone 07919 028795

Fire & Rescue Service Crimestoppers

01223 376201 0800 555111

Neighbourhood Watch 260959 Maureen Townsend maureentownsend1@aol.com Telephone Preference Service

www.tsponline.org.uk Nikki Cross 16 Dickasons, SG8 6EL Telephone 261788

Rosemary Gatward 94 High Street, SG8 6AL Telephone 261225

Jose Hales 23 Elm Way, SG8 6UH Telephone 221058

Kerry Harrington 63 Orchard Road, SG8 6BP Telephone 262136

Sally Ann Hart 62 High Street, SG8 6AJ Telephone 222256

Steve Kilmurray Bramley Lodge, Back Lane, SG8 6DD Telephone 268674

Clive Porter 25 John Impey Way SG8 6HZ

John Regan 10 Little Lane, SG8 6BU Telephone 264154

0345 070 0707

EDUCATION Melbourn Playgroup Jane Crawford 07842 151512 Library LAP Jane Stevens johnjane.stevens@tiscali.co.uk Little Hands Nursery School 260964 Out of school times 01223 503972 Notre Ecole Janet Whitton 261231 Primary School Headteacher Stephanie Wilcox 223457 U3A (Univ. of Third Age) Chairman Tony Garrick 01223 510201 Hon Sec Hilary Docwra 222486 Mem Sec Chris Davison 264189 Village College Principal Simon Holmes 223400

HEALTH Age UK Cambridgeshire Blood Donors Chiropodist Dentist District Nurses (Primary Care Trust) Home-Start S. Cambs PCT 35 Orchard Road Child & Family Nurses Car Scheme Osteopath Kath Harry

01223 221921 0300 123 23 23 263260 262034 01223 846122 262262 262861 245228 261716

LOCAL CLUBS Jane Shepherd 21 Ash Grove, SG8 6BJ Telephone 260142

Christopher Stead 70 Russet Way Telephone 260743 pm only

Mike Sherwen 3 Hale Close, SG8 6ET Telephone 260070

John Travis 16 Cambridge Road, SG8 6HA Telephone 232692

District Councillors

Val Barrett, 2 Station Road, 261227 Jose Hales, 23 Elm Way, SG8 6UH, 221058 cllr.hales@josehales.me.uk

Air Cadets 2484 (Bassingbourn) Squadron 249156 Tony Kelly Mon & Wed evenings 7 – 9.30 p.m. Bellringers Barbara Mitchell 261518 Bridge Club Howard Waller 261693 1st Melbourn Rainbows Abigail Roberts 261505 Brownies 1st Melbourn Stephanie Clifford 220272 Brownies 2nd Melbourn 261400 Samantha Pascoe (Brown Owl) Gardening Helen Powell 245887 Guides 1st Melbourn Hilary Marsh 261443 Guides 2nd Melbourn Stef Cooper 01763 220093/ 07922053801 Steph Clifford 01763 220272 / 07888831140 Secondmelbournguides@hotmail.com MADS (Melbourn Amateur Dramatics Society) Donna Sleight 232622

Melbourn History Group Ann Dekkers 261144 Melbourn Mushroom Club John Holden email: frog.end@virgin.net Melbourn Pottery Club Maggie 01223 207307 Meldreth Local History Kathryn Betts 268428 Mothers’ Union Pauline Hay 260649 National Trust Marian Bunting 246122 bunting@uwclub.net New Melbourn Singers Adrian Jacobs 243224 Photographic Club Bruce Huett 232855 Ramblers Dave Allard 242677 Royal British Legion Women Elizabeth Murphy 220841 Royal National Lifeboat Institution Jean Emes 245958 Royston and District Local History Society David Allard 242677 Royston Family History Society Pam Wright frierley@ntlworld.com Royston Lions Chris Cawdell 448236 RSPB Fowlmere Doug Radford 208978 SOAS (Supporters of All Saints’) Colin Limming 260072 St George’s Allotments Assoc. Bruce Huett brucehuett@compuserve.com Thursday Luncheon Club at Vicarage Close Jeannie Seers 07599 292327 Women’s Group Pat Smith 260103

PLACES OF WORSHIP All Saints’ Church Revd. Elizabeth Shipp 220626 vicar.melbournmeldreth@gmail.com Churchwardens Roger Mellor 220463 David Farr 221022 Community Hall booking Sandie Springall 223320 hallbookings@live.co.uk Baptist Church Rev. Stuart Clarke 261650 Secretary Guy Manners 01223 872298 United Reformed Church Minister Rev. Duncan Goldie 260747 Secretary Rosaline Van de Weyer 01223 870869 Hall booking Beryl and Barry Monk 246458

SPORT Badminton Steve Jackson 248774 Bowls Arthur Andrews 261990 Croquet Janet Pope 248342 Jazzercise Maxine Rustem 07963 161246 Judo Derek Coult 225004 Melbourn Dynamos FC Gordon Atalker 07770533249 Blake Carrington 07730488743 Melbourn Football Club Simon Gascoyne 261703 Melbourn Sports Centre Graham Johnson-Mack 263313 Meldreth Tennis Club Tracy Aggett 243376 Swimming Club Jenny Brackley 244593 Squash Club Nick Sugden 261064

COMMUNITY SERVICES Dial-A-Ride 01223 506335 Home Start Tracy Aggett 262262 Mobile Warden Scheme Jeannie Seers 262651 Moorlands Denise Taylor 260564 Vicarage Close Warden Eileen Allan 263389 Lead Sheltered Housing Officer – Monday to Friday 9–1.30 Vicarage Close, John Impey Way & Elin Way Eileen Allan Mobile 07876 791419 / 245402 Every other week. 9–5 Monday to Friday

melbournmagazine@gmail.com

DIARY JUNE

Thursday 1

Holy Communion All Saints 10am Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm weekly Royston & District Local History Society Royston Town Hall 8pm Friday 2

Coffee at URC 10.30am Saturday 3

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am The Bookshelf and a plant stall Safari Supper contact Mavis Howard 260686 or Jane Brett 260306 Sunday 4

Family Communion & Sunday School All Saints 9.45am Morning Service Baptist Church 10.30am Holy Communion URC 11am Communion Service Baptist Church 6pm Monday 5

Drop in Session with Councillors at The Hub 2.30-3.30pm Melbourn Bridge Club every Monday URC Hall 7pm contact Howard Waller 261693

Melbourn & District Gardening Club ASCH 7.30pm Melbourn Bloomsday Festival 13-17 June Wednesday 14

Craft Club Baptist Church 9.30am (TT) Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am Hub Club lunch 12.30pm Bloomsday Festival Thursday 15

Holy Communion All Saints 10am Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm weekly Bloomsday Festival Friday 16

Coffee at URC 10.30am Bloomsday Festival Saturday 17

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am Allotment stall Bloomsday Festival Sunday 18

Holy Communion All Saints 8am Family Service All Saints 11.00am URC service 11am Communion Service Baptist Church 10.30am Tuesday 20

Tuesday 6

Toddler Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30am (TT)

Toddler Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30am (TT) Melbourn Bridge Club every Tuesday URC Hall 2pm contact Howard Waller 261693 Melbourn Short Story Reading Group The Hub 10-11am weekly

Wednesday 21

Wednesday 7

Craft Club Baptist Church 9.30am (TT) Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am Thursday 22

Holy Communion All Saints 10am Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm weekly

Craft Club Baptist Church 9.30am (TT) Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am

Friday 23

Thursday 8

Saturday 24

Holy Communion All Saints 10am Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm weekly

Coffee Stop at ASCH 10.30am Meldreth Church Fete

Friday 9

Sunday 25

Coffee at URC 10.30am

Family Communion All Saints 9.45am Morning Service Baptist Church 9.30am URC Service 11am

Saturday 10

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am Link Murang’a stall Home-Start Race Night Meldreth Village Hall 7pm contact 262262 Sunday 11

Holy Communion All Saints 8am Morning Service Baptist Church 10.30am URC Service 11am Tuesday 13

Toddler Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30am (TT) Mother’s Union contact Diane Blundell 221415

Coffee at URC 10.30am

Melbourn WI ASCH 7.45pm Thursday 29

Holy Communion All Saints 10am Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm weekly Friday 30

Coffee at URC 10.30am

JULY Saturday 1

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am The Bookshelf Sunday 2

Holy Communion All Saints 8am Morning Service Baptist Church 10.30am Holy Communion URC 11.00am Baptist Communion 6pm Monday 3

Drop-in with Councillors at the Hub 2.30 – 3.30pm Melbourn Bridge Club every Monday URC Hall 7pm contact Howard Waller 261693 Tuesday 4

Toddler Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30am (TT) Melbourn Bridge Club 2pm contact as above Melbourn Short Story Reading Group every Tuesday 10-11am the Hub Wednesday 5

Craft Club 9.30 followed by Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am Thursday 6

Holy Communion All Saints 10am Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm weekly Royston & District Local History Society Royston Town Hall 8pm Friday 7

Coffee URC 10.30am Saturday 8

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am Sunday 9

Toddlers Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30am (TT) Women’s Group 7.45pm Meldreth ‘Laughter Specialists’

Family Communion & Sunday School 9.30am All Saints Baptist Church Service 10.30am URC Service 11am

Wednesday 28

Tuesday 11

Craft Club 9.30am followed by Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am Royal British Legion Women’s Section Vicarage Close 2pm

Toddler Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30am (TT) Mothers’ Union contact Diane Blundell 221415 Melbourn & District Gardening Club ASCH 7.30pm

Tuesday 27

AUGUST

Wednesday 12

Craft Club 9.30am followed Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am Hub Club Lunch 12.30pm Thursday 13

Holy Communion All Saints 10am Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm Friday 14

Coffee URC 10.30am Saturday 15

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am Family Fun Day Melbourn Sports Centre 12.004pm contact 263313

Tuesday 1

Melbourn Bridge Club every Tuesday URC Hall 2pm contact Howard Waller 261693 Melbourn Short Story Reading Group The Hub 10-11am weekly Wednesday 2

Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am Thursday 3

Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm weekly Friday 4

Sunday 20

Holy Communion All Saints 8am URC Service 11am Communion Service Baptist Church 10.30am Tuesday 22

Women’s Group 7.45pm Wednesday 23

Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am Royal British Legion Women’s Section Vicarage Close 2pm Thursday 24

Coffee URC 10.30am

Sunday 16

Holy Communion All Saints 10am Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm week

Saturday 5

Holy Communion All Saints 8am Family Service All Saints 11am URC Communion Service 11.00am Communion Service Baptist 10.30am

Friday 25

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am The Bookshelf

URC Coffee 10.30am

Sunday 6

Saturday 26

Holy Communion All Saints 8am URC Service 11.00am Baptist Morning Service 10.30am Baptist Communion 6pm

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am

Tuesday 18

Toddlers Plus 9.30-11.30am (TT) Baptist Church Wednesday 19

Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am

Monday 7

Holy Communion All Saints 10am Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm

Drop-in Surgery with Councillors at The Hub 2.30-3.30pm first Monday in the month Melbourn Bridge Club every Monday at URC Hall contact Howard Waller 261693

Friday 21

Tuesday 8

Coffee URC 10.30am Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am

Mothers’ Union contact Pat Smith 262575 Melbourn & District Gardening Club ASCH 7.30pm

Sunday 23

Wednesday 9

Family Communion All Saints 9.45am URC Service 11.00am Morning Service Baptist Church 10.30am

Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am Hub Club Lunch 12.30pm

Tuesday 25

Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm weekly

Thursday 20

Saturday 22

Women’s Group Meldreth 7.45pm Music Evening contact Pat Smith 262575 Wednesday 26

Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am British Legion Women’s Section outing Melbourn WI ASCH 7.45pm Thursday 27

Holy Communion All Saints 10am Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm Friday 28

Coffee URC 10.30am Saturday 29

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am

Thursday 10 Friday 11

Coffee URC 10.30am Saturday 12

Sunday 27

Family Communion All Saints 9.45am URC Service 11am Baptist Service 10.30am Tuesday 29

Children’s Holiday Club Baptist Church morning Wednesday 30

Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am Children’s Holiday Club Baptist Church morning Thursday 31

Children’s Holiday Club Baptist Church morning Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm

ate for the d g in s lo c The is Friday next issue hich will be 14th July w ptember, in Se er, published in Septemb ts n e v e g n listi ber. nd Novem October a

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am Sunday 13

Family Communion All Saints 9.45am Morning Service Baptist Church 10.30am Holy Communion URC 11am Wednesday 16

Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am Thursday 17

Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm weekly

Sunday 30

Friday 18

Holy Communion All Saints 8am URC Service 11.00am Morning Service Baptist Church 10.30am

Coffee URC 10.30am Saturday 19

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am Allotment Stall

We shall be pleased to receive contributions in any form, articles, poems, drawings, photographs, letters etc., pertaining to Melbourn. Please send any contributions to the Editor, at 110 High Street, Melbourn, marking them ‘MELBOURN MAGAZINE’ or you can email them to melbournmagazine@gmail.com

We’re Searching for

Volunteers

Melbourn Magazine is delivered free to every household in the village by volunteers. If you would like to help please contact Ann Dekkers on 261144

Village information Orchard Surgery & Dispensary Melbourn Health Visiting Team Monday to Friday 8:30–1pm and 3pm–6pm Phone 01763 260220 www.orchardsurgerymelbourn.co.uk Please note repeat prescriptions have changed When ordering your repeats please use the following, by post, in person or by registering to use the online NHS service. Register for online NHS services at main reception, you will need to provide an identity document and proof of address. Perscripstion can still be collected from: Surgery

Co-op

Tesco in Royston

Prescription Home Delivery The surgery now offer a home delivery service for prescriptions, it will operate on a Tuesday & Thursday. For more information please look under website or contact the surgery.

BIN COLLECTION MELBOURN

Drop in clinics for parents and babies are held as follows: Melbourn clinic every Wednesday between 9.30am and 11.00am at: 35 Orchard Road, Melbourn. Telephone 01763 262861

8a Romsey Terrace, Cambridge. CB1 3NH Office Mon-Fri 9.00am-12.30pm. Telephone 01223 416 141 answerphone out of these hours enquiries@cambridgeshirehearinghelp.org.uk

A drop in advisory session is held at Vicarage Close Community Room, the 4th Thursday every month from 2pm to 4pm

See the website for more information www.cambridgeshirehearinghelp.org.uk Battery exchange and retubing. We do not do hearing tests

NEW Bin collection day – TUESDAY Bins must be out by 6am at the latest on collection day

30 May 6 June

Black Blue & Green

13 June

Black

20 June

Blue & Green

27 June

Black

4 July 11 July

Black

18 July

Blue & Green

25 July

Black

1 August

Blue & Green

8 August

Black

15 August

Blue & Green

22 August

Black

30 August

Blue & Green

5 September 12 September

Cam Sight’s Rural Support Group meet in Melbourn to provide help, friendship and ongoing support to local people with sight loss. The group enjoys speakers, music, information, advice and a chance to try out low vision equipment.

Blue & Green

WEDNESDAY

Black Blue & Green

For an update on collections visit: www.scambs.gov.uk/binsearch For more information and collections of large household items Telephone 03450 450 063

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

They meet on the 1st Wednesday of each month, 2 – 4pm at Vicarage Close. For further information please call 01223 420033 or info@camsight.org.uk

Celebration of Ages

Hack Lab

The College hosted another Celebration of Ages Tea Party this term. Everyone involved gave up their time during half term to bring together over 140 members of the local community. Twelve students came and helped serve meals and chat with guests. The College would like to say a big thank you to… Rebecca Thomas, Cody Doughty, Tamsin Dobb, Elena Squire, Hannah Moulding, Emily West, Lisa Lamb, Shauna Edwards, Jessica Gillies, Erin Thomas and Danicah Chivaganye. Lynn Gregory, the College’s Catering Manager served a delicious meal of chicken pie, mash and veg, followed by tea, cake and a heart shaped chocolate shortbread as a little memento of Valentines’ Day. Two Year 10 boys, Charlie Arbon and James Dale, added music to the proceedings. Both love performing and put together a set of country and love songs. Charlie played guitar whilst James accompanied on the piano. Charlie said “Some of the guests came and congratulated us and we enjoyed speaking to them afterwards”. Both agreed it was a brilliant experience.

Melbourn Village College recently welcomed Cambridgeshire based Hack Lab for a special enrichment day of Computing. Year 9 students learnt how to use the Raspberry Pi to create scrolling messages and pixel art using LEDS, while Year 8 students were programming Minecraft using Python. Computing Teacher, Mr Richardson said “We saw an opportunity to show our students how Computer Science is used practically in the real world. The event was a great success with students enjoying every session.” Year 7 students also had the chance to get involved with a special after-school enrichment session featuring the SonicPi, software that enables students to make music with code. One enthusiastic student said “It was the best lesson of my life!” Head of Maths and Computing, John Holder, was extremely pleased with the outcomes of the day: “The programming sessions provided to over a hundred students by the team from Hack lab were a huge success. It showed that we have so many talented students who are really interested in computer programming and have the potential to become specialists in this field in the future. Given our proximity to the many IT companies around this area, this can only be a good thing for them”. This event is one part of an expanding enrichment programme in the Computing department here at Melbourn. Students also have the opportunity to take part in Computing club, Robotics club, Minecraft club and finally the Cyber Centurion challenge. An exciting time to be at MVC!

Spanish Exchange Four Year 9 students, Maisie Rogers, Jenny Elliott, Jessica Taylor and Rebecca Taylor recently visited Zaragoza along with students from Cambourne Village College in the first leg of the Spanish Exchange programme. Comberton students visited in November last year. The return visit will take place on the 20th to 27th April when four students from Zaragoza will experience English life and visit the Academy colleges.

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Printers for the University of Cambridge, Cambridge Science Park, London Charities and Galleries, Publishers and the Royal British Legion Women’s Section.

Jessica Taylor said “I think that the Spanish Exchange was the perfect opportunity to experience their culture, learn more vocabulary, visit historic places in a beautiful Spanish city and make new friends. Since my return, I am more confident to travel the world and I feel more independent. I think by visiting Spain, Spanish has become something real rather than something taught in the classroom.

The Wizard of Oz Three Night Production Run For three nights in February (8th, 9th and 10th) the staff and students took the audience behind the curtain to the magical land of Oz. Jenny Elliot as Dorothy brought a command to the stage beyond her years and led us all by the hand along the yellow brick road. Her motley crew of Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion, played respectively by Emma Taylor, Alex Farrow and Faith Crockford, showed both the humour and touching innocence of the characters admirably. Emma Taylor’s performance of the Scarecrow was both humorous and thoughtful, whilst Alex Farrow convincingly showed both the strength and emotion of Tin Man. Faith Crockford was at times in danger of stealing the show as her comedic performance of Lion brought much mirth to those watching. Due credit should also go to Stephanie Davison, whose performance of the Wicked Witch of the West was outstanding, particular mention goes to her cackle and screams which remained reverberating around the hall even after she’d had been melted by the heroes. All cast members should be proud of their performances, with Glinda (Sophie Jelley), Oz (Ben Nicholls), Aunt Em (Ellie Harris and Uncle Henry (Harvey Magee), as well as the chorus, supporting Dorothy extremely well throughout the performance. As well as witnessing an excellent standard of acting from the students, the audience were treated to an immersive

experience of both Kansas and Oz. The creative use of the hall around the audience, representing Kansas and the lair of the Wicked Witch, allowed for a richer experience, most notable perhaps was the leaf blower standin for the tornado! In addition, the beautiful set painted on the stage by MVC Staff, alongside thoughtful touches from Julie Smith (parent of former students Alderney and Aaron Smith), brought the Land of Oz and the glittering Emerald City to life. This had truly been a school effort, as staff and students worked for weeks to paint the set to give it an extremely professional look. Not to be outdone by actors and sets, the student technical team (assisted by Head of Science Cat Rich) brought a level of professionalism and order that assisted in the success of the production. The performance was directed and choreographed by drama teacher Catherine Nicholls and dance teacher Jill Douglas, who once again proved that student productions are well worth the time and effort taken by all to bring them to the stage. A huge thank you goes to them for the many hours spent with students and behind the scenes putting the show together. Many thanks are also extended to those who journeyed with us through Kansas and to Oz; their support, as ever, is extremely important to everyone at Melbourn Village College. All that remains is for us to ask, having been taken to the golden age of America in Grease, the streets of London in Oliver! and the avenues of the Emerald City in The Wizard of Oz, just where will we all be taken next? “It was a great experience for me, as I’m towards the end of my education at MVC - It was so much fun to play the Tin Man, and I was thrilled to play a lead role, except for the silver make up!” – Alex Farrow “The Wizard of Oz was an amazing experience and we became a team, I can’t wait for next year” – Rebecca Thomas “The Wizard of Oz was one of the best experiences I’ve had and it really expanded my acting skills” - Stephanie Davison “It was so fun, I loved it. Something I definitely want to do!” – Faith Crockford Our outstanding catering staff would like to say – “The Set, Make up, Costumes, acting – were all amazing, the production was fantastic. It was so clever. It exceeded our expectations of a ‘school play”! Wow!’ Lynn Gregory, Bridget Rogerson, Paula Froggatt “My family and I had a really enjoyable night out, lots of highlights such as, Leaf blowers, Witches up scaffolding, and amazing performances” John Holder. “The enthusiasm, commitment and energy that the students and staff gave to this wonderful musical shone through – it was brilliant!” Sarah Hallam melbournmagazine@gmail.com

Melbourn Community Hall

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Sports & Clubs

Bowls Arthur Andrews 261990 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

1st Melbourn Brownies We started this half term by celebrating World Thinking Day. It is a day to remember and think about all the Scouts and Guides around the world. It was chosen to be on the 22nd of February as this was Lord Robert and Olave BadenPowell birthdays because they were fundamental to the start of the Guiding and Scouting movement. Our celebrations included learning about the five World Guiding Centres, making friendship bracelets and lighting candles. Since then, we have prepared for Mothers’ Day by creating flower bouquet cards and making beautiful flower ornaments. In addition, we did a lot of baking all on the theme of Easter. One of them was Simnel cake which everyone loved. Also, we decorated ginger biscuits using glacé icing. 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) would like to come and join in the fun, please contact Brown Owl (Steph Clifford) on 07888831140 or at stefclifford@hotmail.com.

1st Melbourn Guides The highlight of this term’s programme was a trip to London to see the musical ‘Wicked’; a fantastic show about the witches from the Wizard of Oz. We travelled by train with Guides from other local villages and experienced ticket barriers, escalator protocol, and squeezing onto already crowded carriages. In our weekly meetings, we have worked on the healthy lifestyle themed ‘Aim Hi’ badge. In exploring mental health we discussed how to be a good friend and ways to deal with text bullying. For the healthy body we did a board game about dental hygiene, learnt about organs of the body, and sampled unusual fruit and vegetables. The girls thought that celeriac soup would taste terrible, but they loved it! We also enjoyed some physical activity, including long rope skipping and beach ball volleyball. melbournmagazine@gmail.com

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For Mother’s Day, the girls made simple cross stitch cards of a tulip or a heart, choosing their own colour scheme and decorating their card as they wished. We finished the Spring term with an Easter Egg hunt, except that the eggs had to be earned by finding and deciphering Morse code ‘keys’ hidden around the churchyard. The clues were cryptic, photographs and map grid references, and the code had to be translated into the phonetic alphabet. The Tiger patrol earned most mini eggs, scoring 100% and with no arguments! If you would like to know more about joining our waiting list or becoming 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

Cambridgeshire Family History Society Our meetings are held on the 2nd Saturday of the month at 10.30-3.30 at the Cambridgeshire Collection Meeting Room, Central Library, Lion Yard, Cambridge, and all are welcomed. Our programme for the next three months is as follows: On June 10 help can be given with your family history research during the day and at 12.30 there will be a talk given by Caroline Norton. The subject is “The Convict Who Never Was” and concerns a few lines in a published family history which suggested that someone in the family had married a former convict transportee – who just happened to have come from Cambridgeshire. The talk will show how researching his story has revealed a case of mistaken identity. A further talk by Mike Petty at 2pm will cover “New Sources for Old Cambridgeshire” which will include a multitude of ways in which you can further your family and local history research through books and documents held at the Cambridgeshire Collection, and his own catalogue of engravings and photographs of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire and the Fens. There are no talks for 8 July and 12 August but researchers will be on hand and will be pleased to see anyone requiring help.

Tuesdays continue to be available to beginners and their advancement to ‘improvers’ who play a duplicate session with generous time allowing, hopefully helpful, advice from the organisers. We have also on Tuesdays taken time out to offer short presentations on various aspects of the game. We had one on bidding before Christmas and recently tried to explain the subtleties of scoring which can occasionally seem to be ‘unfair’ at duplicate bridge. We were very lucky to have a senior bridge official come to talk to us in February. Richard Banbury represents the EBED (English Bridge Education and Development) and outlined his philosophies to about forty members and then joined in our afternoon session. Everyone clearly enjoyed his very natural and practical approach to the game He naturally won the follow up session! Prior to our presentation he had, with Howard Waller, visited Melbourn Village College to hopefully enthuse the School and the pupils to consider taking up this fascinating game. Anyone interested in playing on Monday evenings at 6.45pm for 7.00pm or Tuesday afternoons at 1.30pm for 1.45pm or simply learning the game should contact Howard Waller on 01763 261693. There is also our Melbourn Bridge Club website www.melbournbridgeclub.co.uk, part of Melbourn Village website (melbourncambridge.org) and there is direct access to Melbourn Bridge Club website. Tony Allan

Meldreth Croquet Club Interested in Playing Croquet? Croquet is a fascinating game which is suitable for all ages and levels of fitness. Now it’s summer with warm sunny days (hopefully!) why not try your hand at this skilful and rewarding game. All you need is a sense of fun and a pair of flat soled shoes: all equipment is provided. continued on page 44

Bridge Club Our move to the United Reformed Church Hall in Orchard Road last September must be considered a success. The premises are delightful with good facilities and convenient parking. Our numbers are remaining at a high level on both Monday evenings and Tuesday afternoons. In fact, we have had twelve tables on two occasions on a Monday which was an excellent turn out if not a little challenging for the organisers! Our dealing machine must also be considered a success, worthy of the investment, and enables members to view all the results and deals on a dedicated website the following day. Thanks, must go to Mike Thrower and Jane Tulloch who are mainly responsible for keeping the technology up to scratch. melbournmagazine@gmail.com

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

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Meldreth croquet club has a small but very active membership who play regularly throughout the year, weather permitting. We offer a warm welcome and instruction for » June / July / August anyone who is interested in playing croquet. You’ll find us We have loads on offer this summer, with something for the behind the British Queen pub in Meldreth High Street most whole community to get involved with…. So why not come Sunday mornings and one evening in the week. along and find out more about your local sports centre! We play both main forms of croquet – Golf croquet class timetable our website www.rchc.co.uk which is idealFor asour a starter and isvisit very sociable. Association Father’s Day Osteopathy | Acupuncture | Podiatry Massage | Yoga | Reflexology croquet is more tactical and uses a wider range| Sports of skills – a | Pilates For something a bit different this Father’s Day, how about Baby Massage | Hypnotherapy | Baby Yoga | Hypnobirthing | Herbalism | Reiki very rewarding game when you getNutritional into it. As well |asAromatherapy informal | Tai Therapy Chi treating your Dad to his own gym membership or purchasing games, we also play friendly matches against local clubs. We a Gift Discount Card for our other activities here at Melbourn have been in the Beds & Herts Association croquet league for Sports? It’s a great way to help a loved one get fit! many years and this year we will be playing in the equivalent Kids Activities Golf croquet league. With the summer holidays, fast approaching, it’s not too For more information please contact Janet Pope early or too late to start planning your summer sports. We jacksonpope@tiscali.co.uk 01763 248342

•

For our class timetable visit our website www.rchc.co.uk 44

www.melbourncambridge.co.uk

have a variety of activities to choose from, including our Ofsted Registered Playscheme (The Kidz Factor), Trampoline Crash Course, Sport Taster Sessions and Swimming Crash Course. Also available are our very popular Children’s Sports Camps, always a fun way to try out both mainstream and specialist activities.

Get fit for the summer! With the summer, fast approaching, why not let us help you shape up before your summer holidays? We have loads of classes to keep you fit and healthy, including Boot Camp, Body Sculpture and Aquafit. 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.

Party Time! Head Office: Melbourn, Royston SG8 6DS Tel: 01763 661334 Showroom: Coton Orchard Garden Centre, Cambridge CB23 7PJ Tel: 01954 211662

Looking for the perfect venue to hold your children’s birthday party? Then your search is over! We have all the facilities here for a fun-packed event with a variety of activities for your guests to enjoy, including trampolining (always a popular choice), football and traditional pool parties. We will also be holding a Family Fun Day on Saturday 15th July, 2017 (12.00 – 16.00). So why not come along and find out more about your local sports centre!

Aqua-Fit Each class lasts an hour and includes warm up, combination exercises, cool down, stretches and often deep water work. Our fun and friendly sessions are made all the livelier by popular musical accompaniment. Go on – give it a go! Tuesdays 09.00 – 10.00, Monday, Thursdays, Fridays 09.15 – 10.15* (*09.35 – 10.35 during all school holidays) Wednesdays 18.30 – 19.30 Plus: Swimming Lessons / Lifeguard Courses / Tennis Coaching / Table Tennis / Badminton Pilates / Triathlon Sessions / Tennis Coaching / Squash and much more! We are also the home for various clubs and coaching activities including: McSplash Swimming Club www.mcsplashsc.org.uk Meridian Triathlon Club www.meridiantriclub.co.uk Kamaete School of Karate www.kstsk.co.uk Melbourn Dynanos www.melbourndynamos.co.uk Melbourn Tang Soo Do https://www.facebook.com/ashley. robertson Royston Heath Archery Club www.roystonarchery.org Melbourn Squash Club www.melbourn-squash.co.uk Matt Fellingham Tennis Coaching www.mftennis.com

• • • • • • • •

For further details on these or any other activities, please drop in, call 01763 263313 or go online at www.mc-sport.co.uk. We look forward to seeing you this season! Melbourn Sports Centre, The Village College The Moor, Melbourn SG8 6EF 01763 263313 / info@mc-sport.co.uk

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Grinnel Hill BMX Club This winter has seen a major re-design and development of the advanced line at the lower, and a small adjustment to the beginner line at the top end of the site, with completion scheduled for Spring 2017. Also, there has been the erection of a 10ft high timber start platform made from nothing more than woodland finds to aid extra speed on entry to the bigger jumps on the advanced lines that make their way down the field. In addition to all of the above, to complement the existing bird boxes and feeders, during the Winter/Spring, remaining sympathetic to the fields original conservation site roots, we’ve added a tawny owl, barn owl, and kestrel boxes to the site.

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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 in, 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 Acknowledgements Melbourn Parish Council for their ongoing support at all levels to keep the club sustainable and open. Frog End Pet Supplies Melbourn for their supply and delivery of wooden pallets to help keep our tarpaulins in place to protect the site over the winter months. 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 melbournmagazine@gmail.com

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Churches Together Melbourn Baptist Church The church’s busy year continued with various special events arranged to celebrate Easter. The traditional Palm Sunday service reflected on Jesus’ journey to the Cross, and there was a special service on Maundy Thursday to prepare for Easter. The church held an open event on Good Friday, with time for reflection, children’s activities, worship, fellowship, and teas and hot cross buns. Easter Sunday saw the church come together for a family celebration. Preparations continue for the church weekend away, at the Rock UK Frontier Centre at Wellingborough in October. There will be sessions led by Rev Nick Lear of the Eastern Baptist Association, and a wide range of leisure activities. The church held a special talent night, when members and friends got together to enjoy a wide range of performances, with all money raised going towards funding for the church weekend. Church members also hope to attend the Just One evangelistic event, to be held at the Emirates Stadium in north London on July 8. Members are also considering the latest plans for the proposed rebuilding of the church hall. On a more immediate practical note, there have been work sessions around the church, with members tackling several DIY jobs.

and Wednesday, and we moved into the drama of the Great Triduum (‘three days’) on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and then celebrated the first Eucharist of Easter, with a Vigil and the blessing of the Easter fire on Holy Saturday. Easter Day was well attended yet again, and we look forward to the busyness of the summer months with various special events. In May, we held the first Pet Blessing service for several years, which was an opportunity to give thanks to God for the joy which our pets bring to our lives, as well as to remember pet’s past with a pet prayer tree. The summer months will see a busy wedding season – it is always a joy to welcome couples into All Saints and Holy Trinity for their special day, and it is a privilege to walk alongside them as they prepare for this new chapter in their lives together. We are also welcoming an increasing number of families and adults for baptism, which is an especial joy, as we pray for God’s grace in their lives. Serving the community, and located in the centre of the community, is a great privilege for all who are associated with our two church families, and we look forward to seeing you soon! With every blessing, The Revd Lizzie Shipp Priest in Charge of Melbourn and Meldreth

All Saints’ Church Amidst the glorious Spring blossoms, and bright green new leaves on trees, the communities of All Saints’, Melbourn, and Holy Trinity, Meldreth, celebrated Easter, with a well-attended full programme of services across our two churches. Noah the donkey led us on Palm Sunday around Melbourn, and we were accompanied in our hymn singing with a trumpet and a violin this year. We were thrilled to be joined by our ecumenical friends from the Baptist and URC churches. Services of Compline with an address were held on Tuesday melbournmagazine@gmail.com

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United Reformed Church Women’s World Day of Prayer We joined in the ecumenical service at All Saints on Friday 3rd March. The service was prepared by the Women of the Philippines with the theme “Am I Being Unfair to You?” We were each given a small bag of rice to celebrate their harvest. The three denominations took part and as the service progressed we built a circle and sang “Come and join the circle.” The service concluded with the hymn “The day thou gavest Lord is ended.” We then joined hands to complete the circle and said the grace together before having a cup of tea and enjoying a social time together. The collection of £123.45 goes towards helping Christian charities around the world. Womankind. We raised £266.50 on Friday 17th February in support of the charity Womankind Worldwide. Louise Millward spoke about the charity and its aims of supporting women and girls to improve and transform their lives. There was a question and answer session followed by a game illustrating how women and girls can be trapped by discrimination, poverty and prejudice. The evening concluded with a shared supper.

Craft and Chat We have recently sent two parcels of Fish’n’Chip jumpers and hats to the ‘Beanies and Blankets for Babies’ group in South Africa. There are a variety of crafts in our group: doll making, patchwork, lacemaking as well as knitting. People can bring along anything that interests them and share their ideas with the group. We meet on Thursdays from 2pm and welcome anyone to join us even for just a chat and coffee/tea.

Mothering Sunday We were delighted to host a Mothering Sunday service for the 2nd Melbourn Guides on the evening of Wednesday 22nd March. They processed their flag to the front of the church and then took part in the service. Many thanks to Katy and Martha who read so beautifully, it is quite a skill to read in church so that everyone can hear. The Guides distributed bouquets of

daffodils to all their mothers and friends of the church to take home. We enjoyed tea and chocolate biscuits after the service. Our junior church group made some bouquets and impressive cards for Mothering Sunday. The picture shows Esther and Reuben Van de Weyer with some of their creations.

Soup Lunches We have started to hold a simple soup lunch once a month following Sunday morning worship and coffee. This has proved to be popular with people enjoying continued fellowship and at the same time raising funds for the church.

Supporters of All Saints Church (SOAS) Another £270 was raised from the popular “Colin’s Quiz” in March which was a welcome addition to the SOAS funds. Slowly but surely the funds are building up again after we donated a large sum of money to the tower repairs. At this time of writing this article we are looking forward to welcoming Sven Jensen who will talk about life in Denmark under the Nazi rule. He comes highly recommended and we hope that members will support us in our programme. In June, we are planning an afternoon tea and a talk especially for those who find it difficult to get to evening meetings. Members will be advised of the speaker details as soon as known. Since the formation of SOAS the annual subscription has remained the same but the Committee proposed an increase at the Annual General meeting to cover increased costs. This was agreed and the new charge will be £ 5 for individuals and £7 for family membership (2 Adults and 2 children under 16 living at the same address). Colin Limming, Membership Secretary.

SOAS 100 Club The February draw was made on 4th March by Mike Rawlings. The first prize of £28 goes to David Blundell at 18 Greenbanks and the second of £14 to Roy Crosby at 20 Norgetts Lane. The March draw was made on 1st April by Mike Rawlings. The first prize of £28 was won by Peggy Abrey at 9 Orchard gate, and the second of £14 by Pat Oppen at 1 Chapman’s Close.

The Word of God O Lo, the heavens are Thine, the world and the fullness thereof, thou hast founded them. Justice and judgement are the inhabitants of Thy throne. Blessed are the prople who know the joyful sound of Thy mercy and truth. In Thy name shall they rejoice, and in Thy righteousness shall they be exalted. From Psalm 89, vv 11-16 from David Burbridge

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feature

Water, water every where, but none fit to drink!

“The people in the village knew from painful experience the impact that dirty water and a lack of sanitation can have on people’s lives. They used to collect their water from the local river, at one time, it was their only water source. They used it for drinking, washing, cooking – all their family’s needs. “The people knew the water from the river was unsafe for drinking, but they continued to use it because there was no other source of water. It made the village filthy. People suffered stomach upsets, high fever and dysentery. “People died. One resident of the village was just two years old when she died from cholera. All they could do was watch her suffer and eventually die.” Collecting water from the river in Nyeama, Sierra Leone. Surprisingly the story above is not from the time of our forebears, it is a 21st century story from Nyeama, a village in Sierra Leone. Today, in Melbourn, turning on the tap to get a drink, to wash, cook or fulfil all the family needs is taken for granted. Yet it wasn’t until 1935 that piped water reached Melbourn. Until that time, families made do with collecting it from the river, using polluted water from shallow wells or rain water collected in a water barrel in the back yard. Washing clothes and even bathing was not a common pastime for most people. Although the source of the river Mel came from the springs at the Bury, the water was not always clean. It was the main source of drinking water for the many farm animals that occupied the surrounding fields and it would have been contaminated with their faeces. Rubbish and waste of every kind was also thrown in the river – a good way to be rid of smells and problems that would arise if it was left outside the home. The river smelt, and was dangerous to drink, making many sick. During the 19th century, two waves of cholera hit this area, along with many other parts of the country.

sold to passers-by, creating a rise in the ‘public house’, in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s Melbourn had well over 20 beer-houses. In 1848, poor hygiene, sanitation and polluted water became an increasingly pressing problem for the country and a new Public Health Act, was to be ‘the first step on the road to improved public health’, the Act stated that the most important steps to improve the health of the public were ‘providing clean drinking water, drainage and the provision of sewers’. At the time the only real source of fresh water was at Heath Farm (along the A505), which had a deep well. Using a windmill, water was pumped into a reservoir. Although the water was made available to residents in the village, few could afford to install piping to their property. Unfortunately, for Melbourn the provision of clean drinking water took almost 100 years to arrive.

“He who drinks a tumbler of water has literally in his stomach more animated beings than there are Men, Women and Children on the face of the Globe.” Cleric & wit Sydney Smith November, 1834

As far back as Medieval days the quality of water was poor and ale or beer had become a staple drink. To produce the ale, the water was boiled and although it did not kill all the bacteria, it went someway to improve it. However, it did make the taste of drinking the water more palatable. Many households, brewed this weak alcoholic beverage which was served to the family and friends. Any excess was

The windmill pump at Heath Farm continued on page 55 melbournmagazine@gmail.com

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heart

When piped water eventually arrived, it came at a price, which most residents were unwilling to pay – why should they, when they “could get free water in their back yard or the river”! However, those that could afford it, began to install water pumps on their land.

Shared standpipes were eventually introduced throughout the village and remained in use until the 1940’s. Even when water was piped to a house, there was often only one tap into the kitchen or scullery, which was shared by all occupants of the building.

Shared standpipe or water pump outside Melbourn Primary School.

Sanitation A water pump inside a barn at Wood’s Farm, High Street 1937.

noun | the promotion of hygiene and prevention of disease by maintenance of sanitary conditions and adequate sewage disposal. The provision of clean drinking water.

“For those in developed countries, flushing a toilet and turning on a tap is taken for granted. But more than 650 million people in the world do not have access to clean water, and more than 2.3 billion do not have access to a safe, proper toilet. Without them people must go in the open, which spreads deadly diseases. “Diarrhoea is one of the three most common killers of young children globally, along with pneumonia and malaria. Most of these deaths – 58% of them – could be prevented by clean water, sanitation and good hygiene including handwashing with soap.”

A water pump in a garden in Meeting Lane 1937.

“In 2017 throughout the world, over 500,000 children will die from diarrhoea caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation. That’s over 1,400 children a day. Where there is nowhere safe and clean to go to the toilet, people are exposed to disease, lack of privacy and indignity. When communities defecate in the open, disease spreads fast and water sources are polluted.”

Apart from the lack of clean water, the disposal of human waste became a major issue. The Great Stink (see ‘Causing a Stink! in the Spring Issue 89) in the mid 1800’s brought about much needed change to the sewage systems throughout the country, but as with fresh water, Melbourn and many other towns and villages, lagged well behind and a sewage system did not appear in the village until the early 1900’s. In many areas, the streets were basically open sewers, ditches or gutters cut into the street and directed towards the river. Ironically when the Romans arrived in Britain, they brought with them the most sophisticated water systems and good sanitation to remove sewage and other waste. With the arrival of Christianity and the distrust of all things Roman much of what they brought to improve a way of life went from sophisticated to virtually primitive. continued on page 56 melbournmagazine@gmail.com

“As the little thing dangled her tin cup as gently as possible into the stream, a bucket of night-soil was poured down from the next gallery.”

Morning Chronicle, 24 September 1849

There are many people today who remember the privy at the bottom of the garden, the chamber pot or ‘potty’ that sat under the bed or the steel bathtub in front of the fireplace in the kitchen – bath night, when the whole household shared the same water. For many, an inside toilet or a bathroom was a luxury item until the early 1970’s. Outside toilets were often a simple pit dug at the bottom of the garden with a shed placed over the top.

Night-soil men in the 1950s using their bare hands to remove waste from people’s homes.

For much of the 1900’s, many houses and tenements had access only to a shared bathroom or in some cases none at all. The introduction of the communal bath house (not a swimming pool!) became an important amenity in most towns and remained in use until the early 1980’s. The bath house in Gwydir Street, Cambridge, built in 1927, had nine baths for men and nine for women. Charging a shilling a person, you got a hot bath, towel and piece of soap, for an extra charge you could have scented bath cubes. It was used by 300 men and 100 women a week. The baths closed in 1977.

Outside toilets were often a simple pit dug at the bottom of the garden and covered with a shed.

A Bath House on the corner of Mill Road and Gwydir Street in Cambridge. In use until 1977.

“In the winter, we used potties rather than brave the outdoor loo. Many times, we had to defrost the contents before emptying them!”

For those living in the village of Nyeama, Sierra Leone life has improved. With a newly installed village water pump, sanitation and hygiene were a top priority. A village committee was set up and they dedicate part of their time looking after pumps ensuring the village has fresh water.

A typical chamber pot, potty or guzunder (Goes-under the bed)

After each visit to the outside toilet, cinders from the fire-place were put on top. In many areas, the removal of the waste from these toilets was the job of ‘night soil men’. These men collected the waste by hand from the houses and took it to the surrounding fields to spread as fertiliser. The job of the ‘night soil men’ remained until the 1950’s.

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“Having good, safe drinking water means I don’t get ill either. I have more energy to work for my family. I am getting good drinking water, my family too, and now we are all healthy.” The story of the Nyeama village and many others, can be found on the WaterAid site: www.wateraid.org/uk Do you have any reflections on your family’s experience before access to running water and sewerage came to Melbourn? Please let us know at melbournmagazine@gmail.com. Ed. PS

What’s On

Melbourn Bloomsday Festival 13 – 17 June 2017 A Celebration of Literature, Drama, Music and All Creative Arts (in Support of WaterAid)

Residents with deep family roots in Melbourn village – in my case over a hundred years deep! – have always believed Melbourn to be ‘unique’. Today, as a participant in the annual international phenomenon known as Bloomsday, Melbourn has a unique and distinctive status amongst villages in England or elsewhere. This June our third Melbourn Bloomsday celebration remains volunteer-led, community-wide and FREE to all to attend with a donation to WaterAid welcomed. It is in the form of a festival spread over five days and evenings, so come along to one or all events that capture your interest. The broad-based Festival Committee – supported by many individuals, groups, businesses and long-standing Village institutions – have worked tirelessly during the year. They bring a broad mix of entertainment and activities suitable for adults, children and families to experience and enjoy. ALL ARE WELCOME. The Festival begins on Tuesday morning when the Melbourn Short Story Reading Group invite you to either join in or listen as they read aloud stories from renowned authors. Then, in the evening, relax at the screening of the period drama ‘Howards End’. This classic 1992 film won 2 Baftas and 3 Oscars, including best actress for Emma Thompson. It also stars Anthony Hopkins, Vanessa Redgrave and Helena Bonham Carter. On Wednesday, the attention turns to the creative arts. Four practitioners will tell us: ‘what I do, how I do it and why it is important’. The four who will each bring a very different outlook are: Val Pettifer, local artist in acrylics/collage, pastels & other media; James Veale, bespoke jeweller from Therfield; Graham Rayner a furniture designer-maker and woodturner from South Norfolk; and, from Royston, the curator of Royston Museum & Art Gallery, Jenny Oxley. Meanwhile the Melbourn History Group’s exhibition ‘Melbourn & Water’ will grant insights into the problems WaterAid is combating today. Thursday sees the opening of an Art Exhibition in the Community Hub which will run until the end of the Festival on Saturday. In mid-morning, everyone is invited to join Meldreth & Melbourn Churches Together for a ‘T for Tolerance Tea Break’ hosted this year by Melbourn Baptist Church. Older and more infirm residents have not been forgotten – a special lunchtime concert of easy listening jazz and period music has been organised for the Melbourn Lunch Club through the Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme. Then, on Thursday evening the nationally known author

and lecturer Dr Jeremy Noel-Tod will speak on ‘Literature, Drama, Music & All Creative Arts: The Influence of James Joyce’. Friday is Bloomsday: 16 June and promises to be a day of fun with readings and re-enactments from the novel ‘Ulysses’ spread, indoor and outdoor, across the village. There will also be a feast of music interludes throughout the day. A sextet of musicians and singers, led by Melbourn’s Adrian & Naomi Brind, entertain with light music from the late 19th & early 20th centuries at Bloomsday

Bloomsday 16th June Held in the major towns and cities of many countries, every Bloomsday celebration is fun-filled, usually spread over several days and centred around 16 June. The choice of this day comes from the single day setting in 1904 of James Joyce’s famous novel Ulysses with its main character Leopold Bloom. Hence the name Bloomsday. Participants are invited to dress up in 1904 period costume on 16 June while extracts are read aloud in local settings appropriate to the scenes of the novel.

On Bloomsday: 16 June please wear full or partial period clothing (around 1904) of any kind, or simply ‘come as you are’. Breakfast. Around mid-day they provide a pre-lunch concert of music for voices & mixed ensembles in the beautiful 300 year old setting of Melbourn’s United Reformed Church. Then in the evening they will perform a potpourri of chamber music in a concert in the medieval All Saints’ Church, alongside the Orlando Singers from Cambridge performing a selection of summer choral pieces. Saturday, the final day of the Festival, sees a ‘Celebration of Creative Arts in and around the Pavilion on the Moor’. For children, Maria Sproulle, Orwell author of the children’s book ‘Max’s Marvellous Journey to the Moon’ will entertain with the help of ‘the professor’ and his hand puppet. Young people and families will also be fascinated by the exhibits from the Royston Museum & Art Gallery brought along by Curator, Jenny Oxley. The other participants from Wednesday’s creative arts seminar: Val Pettifer, artist in acrylics/collage, pastels & other media; James Veale, bespoke jeweller; and Graham Rayner, furniture designer-maker and woodturner will also be there with examples of their work and to demonstrate and share their skills and talents. Other crafts and skills will feature. melbournmagazine@gmail.com

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The performing arts also feature on the day when there will be a play-reading of two short comic one act plays and a spoken word session involving the poetry and short stories of world famous poets and authors. The Bygrave Handbell Ringers will perform and explain how they do it and how you could give it a try! Meanwhile, the work of WaterAid, the recipient of all donations collected over the Festival, will not be forgotten. Visitors on the day will be able to view and hear of some of the valuable work this important charity is doing. So something for everyone and ALL WELCOME with tea/coffee available in the Pavilion. Then, to close this year’s Melbourn Bloomsday Festival there will be a session of traditional and folk music from Greenshoots on Saturday evening in Melbourn’s traditional English pub The Black Horse. What better way to end what promises to be indeed a fun-filled few days in Celebration of Literature, Drama, Music and All Creative Arts – in support of WaterAid. FREE TO ALL. DO COME ALONG – SEE YOU THERE. For more details see our facebook page www. facebook.com/MelbournBloomsdayFestival; the booklet distributed with this issue of the Melbourn Magazine or contact Bloomsday Co-ordinator, Hugh Pollock at (hugh.m.pollock@gmail.com); 01763 260253; or any member of the Festival Committee: Britta Heinemeyer (britta.heinemeyer@ gmx.de); Peter Horley (p.horley@ntlworld.com); Bruce Huett (brucehuett@compuserve); Eirwen Karner; 01763 262346.

Max’s Marvellous Journey to the Moon By Maria Sproulle Max, a young boy who dreams of going “where no one would bother him”, wants to travel to the moon. But how will he get there? Perhaps his great – uncle, Professor Boggle, who is always inventing weird and wonderful things, can help? Or his clever computer, Caracatus? Humphrey, the Professor’s talking cat, doesn’t think so, but happens to be on board the spaceship when Max accidentally sets off into outer space. It’s a dangerous trip. What will he find when he gets there? It couldn’t be aliens, could it? Come and meet Professor Boggle who designed the rocket that took Max to the Moon! And, of course, we mustn’t forget Humphrey the talking cat. Find out from the Story Lady about Max and his dangerous journey and his arrival on the Moon where he meets …? You can draw pictures, write your own stories or make paper airplanes and design a home on the Moon. Come and enjoy your day!

Melbourn Involvements A Writer’s Perspective As the days lengthen and we settle into spring, I’m delighted to be invited to take part in Melbourn’s Bloomsday Festival in June. As you will know, preparations for this year’s fiveday Festival are well underway, with plans for an art exhibition, film and music, readings and workshops and of course the main event on Bloomsday itself, Friday 16th June, when Melbourn will again join worldwide celebrations of James Joyce’s novel Ulysses, set on 16th June 1904. Readers in period costume will read and re-enact key scenes from the novel in various locations in the village. The Bloomsday Festival will be my second opportunity this year to become involved in Melbourn’s cultural community. My first outing of 2017, on January 6th or Twelfth Night, took me along the railway line from Cambridge to Melbourn and its well-appointed Community Hub. The Feast of the Epiphany is marked in various ways around the world. In southern Bulgaria, for instance, drums and bagpipes play as a priest throws a wooden cross into the Tundzha River and young men jump into the freezing water and race to retrieve it. In Ireland, this is ‘Little Christmas’ or ‘Women’s Christmas’ (Irish: Nollaig na mBan), traditionally a day for women to rest after all the hard work and cooking of Christmas and to gather for a special meal (I wonder who caters for that?) The main business of our day, a prelude to Melbourn’s now well-established Bloomsday in the summer, was to honour writer James Joyce and to explore his short story ‘The Dead’, set in Dublin on 6th January. First we were treated to a reading of the story by members of Melbourn’s Short Story Reading Group and friends, reminding me what a delight it is to be read to, but also how much can be gained from hearing the words read aloud. Certainties dissolve; new meanings emerge. A nuance here, an unnoticed irony or touch of humour there. In particular, I found my take on the main character Gabriel changing. From my own reading, I’d wondered why Joyce made him so difficult to like. As I listened, I began to see him more as an ordinary guy, full of flaws and insecurities like the rest of us. An epiphany of sorts, then, for myself as well as for Gabriel. I’d been invited, as a reader and also as a writer with a particular interest in the short story, to open a discussion of the story with some responses of my own. As usual I felt uncomfortable with my celebrity status but remembered the organiser’s insistence that I was in good company: Joyce knew all about rejections and the struggles of a writer to get published. As a writer, I am fascinated by the choices Joyce made in this story. It is unusually long, with an unusually large cast of characters and an initially puzzling title. Gradually, with the help of those present, we began to tease out answers to some of our questions. Another reminder from my previous melbournmagazine@gmail.com

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life as a teacher: that whether you’re standing in front of the class or sitting at a desk with the rest, learning is a joint endeavour. After lunch, there was a showing of John Huston’s 1987 film adaptation of the story, ‘The Dead’. This was my second viewing and I was charmed all over again by the funny but touching depiction of the ‘stewed’ Freddy Malins and his hapless mother. There are wonderful performances by Anjelica Huston (Gabriel’s wife, Gretta) and Cathleen Delany as Aunt Julia. I was not entirely convinced by Donal McCann in the lead role although his rendering of the final interior monologue is both memorable and moving. The fact that the film was apparently Huston’s last, directed from his wheelchair with oxygen tanks and medical staff to hand, makes the ending especially poignant. Unfortunately, I was unable to stay for the post-film discussion, led by Melbourn novelist and short story writer Britta Heinemeyer and Head of Humanities at the Village College Marta Gunner. But I left with the strains of ‘The Lass of Aughrim’, the song which plays an important part in the final stages of story and film, echoing in my mind. There is a lovely version of “The Lass of Aughrim” recorded in a lunchtime concert in Newman House, St Stephen’s Green, Dublin with Fran O’Rourke singing and John Feeley playing Joyce’s recently restored guitar! (www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AN9YRPPIWY). I’m grateful for the introduction to both story and film and, indirectly, to Ian McEwan’s novel The Children Act, inspired in part by Joyce’s story. A big thank you also to Melbourn residents and staff of the Community Hub for a warm welcome. I’m very much looking forward to my next outing to Melbourn in June, when all proceeds from the Bloomsday Festival, as for our Epiphany celebration, will go to the charity WaterAid. Kate Swindlehurst, Cambridge, April 2017

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Swaffham Bulbeck Summer Theatre Swaffham Bulbeck Theatre is proud to present Gilbert & Sullivan’s comic masterpiece ‘Princess Ida’ in the wonderful ‘Theatre in a Barn’, Downing Farm, Swaffham Bulbeck, Cambridge CB25 0NW, on: Wednesday 14 June 2017 at 7.30pm - £8 Thursday 15 June 2017 at 7.30pm - £9 Friday 16 June 2017 at 7.30pm - £10 Saturday 17 June 2017 at 2.30pm - £7 and 7.30pm - £10. Tickets are available via our website, www.sbsummertheatre. com or by contacting Caille Peri on sbst.tickets@gmail.com or 07541 554845. For further information about the show please contact Ruth Dennis on 01638 730659.

Princess Ida synopsis Princess Ida and Prince Hilarion were betrothed when they were babies. Twenty years have passed and the time has come for Hilarion to claim his bride. She, however, has other ideas and has set up a women’s only university where men are not allowed. A feud between the two families occurs and there are threats of war if the Princess does not comply. Further complications arise when Hilarion and his two friends dress up as women and climb into the university. Love triumphs in the end as the families attack each other before coming to a peaceful solution.

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Melbourn magazine is non-profit and all work on the magazine including layout is produced by volunteers. The Magazine is published four times a year in the first week of March, June, September and December. We print 2200 copies which are delivered free to every house in the village. Advertising revenue is used for printing costs only. Adverts should be supplied as finished artwork and must be at the sizes shown below. Please send artwork to melbournmagazine@gmail.com. The current rates for advertising in the Magazine are as follows:

We are grateful to The TTP Group for their continued sponsorship Melbourn Magazine Committee Ann Dekkers

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