Issue 92 Winter 2017

Congratulations to TTP on reaching their 30th anniversary. TTP is a generous supporter of many projects in the community and has sponsored the Magazine almost from the beginning (we are now entering our 24th year). To learn more about TTP see page 6. Christmas is rapidly approaching and there are plenty of events to entertain us. Enjoy MADS (Melbourn Amateur Dramatic Society) 2017 Christmas Pantomime, which this year is ’Sleeping Beauty’, on the weekend of 8th December. (See page 16).

The Hub is holding a Festive Feast in the late afternoon of 2nd December, with an additional Christmas tree to enjoy, to add to the one at The Cross. (See page 7)

Of course, our three churches will have special services including Churches Together carol singing around the village. Please see the Village Diary for information about all Christmas services.

2017 has been an interesting year for Melbourn, and our thanks go to the many people who work to make our village a pleasant place in which to live. We wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and very best wishes for a successful 2018.

Front page photograph, TTP’s state of the art laboratories

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 71 for details

Village news

A change to the way waste paper is collected feature

Ideas from Melbourn have changed the world – TTP Group plc

Community matters

Stay Well this winter Nature

Melwood - Your Local Nature Reserve feature

Community Spirited Family Launch New Business Education

Profile 20 Gillian and Howard Waller

Melbourn Calendars 2018 21 Memory Lane 24

The golden age of steam Nature 33

Blundell’s Plot Village information 35 Diary 36 feature 39

Celebrating Christmas … Churches Together 43 Review

‘The Poetry Pharmacy’ ‘Felicie’

Sports & Clubs

feature 54 Maycroft Care Home feature 65

NORSKI 2017

email: melbournmagazine@gmail.com

Village news

Village & Community news

Melbourn Village Fete 23 June 2018

Turn on to Christmas

Melbourn Library

Melbourn & Meldreth Women’s Group

New Melbourn Singers

Royal British Legion Women’s Section 12

Melbourn Parish Council 13

County Councillor Susan van de Ven 13

The Hall for All 15

Relate Cambridge 16

Home-Start 17

Moorlands Court Extra Care Scheme 17 Yoga isn’t just a good stretch 18

Melbourn Calendars 2018 21

Library – LAP (Local Access Point)

Library opening times

Monday 2.30 to 4.30 pm

Tuesday 2.30 to 4.30 pm

Wednesday 2.30 to 4.30 pm

Thursday 2.30 to 6.30 pm

Friday 2.30 to 4.30 pm

Saturday 10.00 to 12.00 am

A change to the way waste paper is collected

South Cambridgeshire District Council is changing the way used paper is collected from residents for recycling.

From 12 December, residents won’t need to use their caddies to recycle paper anymore.

From that date, residents should place their used paper directly into their blue wheelie bins instead. This used paper will still be recycled after being sorted from other materials at our facility near Waterbeach.

Residents can keep their caddy to use for anything they like. Alternatively, they can be recycled by being dropped off at the nearest household waste recycling centre. They should not be placed into wheelie bins.

The decision to withdraw the paper caddy service was taken at South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Cabinet meeting in September. The decision will save taxpayers money and simplify the recycling process for residents.

Because of this upcoming change, the District Council will not be delivering any new paper caddies. If they are lost or stolen before 12 December, residents can begin putting paper in their blue bin.

More information can be found here: www.scambs.gov.uk/recycling

Melbourn Village Fete 23 June 2018

As the year draws to a close we are planning ahead to the Melbourn Village Fete, which will be held on 23 June 2018. The Fete will run from 1pm to 5pm. We are planning on lots of fun activities in the arena, including the very popular egg throwing competition, a dog show and procession of classic vehicles. Making a return for the first time in many years is lawn mower racing. Other favourites will include a Bake Off style competition in the marquee. There will be stalls from local activity groups and from arts and craft vendors. There will be fun activities for all ages around the field, some free. As always we aim to offer a fun day out for the family at low cost.

feature

Ideas from Melbourn have changed the world

TTP Group plc, headquartered at Melbourn Science Park, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

For the last 30 years, TTP has been an integral part of the Cambridge phenomenon of innovation, science, engineering and business enterprise. Since the foundation of the enterprise, TTP engineers and scientists have played a pioneering role in a broad spectrum of R&D sectors including drug discovery and pharmaceutical automation, laboratory instrumentation, wireless communications, digital printing, electric vehicles, digital radio, drug delivery, diagnostics, micro-devices and consumer products—to mention just a few.

Over 30 years ago, TTP was established to create a worldleading technology and development company. Today that enterprise has evolved and grown into TTP Group, comprising a range of businesses focussed on meeting the needs of companies that hope to flourish through technology and innovation.

As the majority of TTP’s ideas are snapped up by household name companies under strict confidentiality agreements, you rarely see extravagant advertisements about the work TTP does.

Besides developing leading-edge technology in a

range of industries including engineering, life science and communications, TTP is dedicated to developing a creative environment at Melbourn Science Park, the company’s home since it was founded in 1987.

Originally occupying a building known as ‘the rat hole’ due to its dilapidated state (the building had been earmarked for demolition), staff initially worked from a makeshift desk constructed out of two trestles and a door in the boiler room. Only six months later they moved into brand new premises as the growth of the business accelerated.

As the enterprise has grown, a whole series of new companies have been created, some of which have remained within TTP Group, while others have been sold, demerged or floated.

The joint venture Wavedriver was formed in 1993, and in 1997 The Automation Partnership (TAP) was formed and then demerged in 1998. TAP has now become part of Sartorius Stedium Biotech. The year of 1997 also saw the reorganisation of the group under the new parent TTP Group plc. In 1999, newly built headquarters were occupied, and during the following year TTPCom floated on the London Stock Exchange and TTP Group acquired the Melbourn Science Park.

TTP Labtech Ltd, a business that focuses on bringing innovative instrumentation to life scientists to create process efficiencies, was formed in 2001. TTP Labtech designs and manufactures robust, reliable and easy-to-use solutions for sample management, liquid handling and multiplexed detection in drug discovery. TTP Labtech’s work accelerates research through collaboration with life scientists, deep application knowledge and leading engineering.

In 2008, TTP gained recognition as a leader in technology export by being awarded The Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

The year of 2012 saw Tonejet, a break-through digital printing company, become a wholly owned subsidiary. During 2015, TTP Meteor ltd, a specialist in print head driving

The ‘Rathole’, 1987

TTP’s state of the art laboratories

solutions, was formed and recently sold to Global Graphics SE.

TTP continues to create world-leading companies. The latest of these, TTP Ventus Limited, is expanding applications for their award-winning micropump platform. Current applications include exciting use in the detection of cancers and life-changing sleep therapy products.

TTP will be celebrating their 30th anniversary in style with a weekend away in London. The do will culminate in a gala dinner and party for all 400 plus staff members and their partners.

Peter Taylor, Chairman of TTP Group comments: “TTP’s 30th anniversary is a great opportunity for the whole group to come together and celebrate being part of Europe’s leading technology company. We have had a huge impact worldwide over the past 30 years and we wanted to say thank you to all TTP Group’s employees for their part in the ongoing success of TTP Group and its subsidiaries.”

In October, TTP pledged £50,000 a year for the next two years to allow Melbourn Village College to further develop the school’s high-quality science teaching, both within the curriculum and outside it. The partnership, brokered by Melbourn governor Brian Clarkstone, comes as the college marks the dawn of a new era in their science department with a new head, Simon Callow, starting this term and leading a team the majority of which joined the school during 2017.

Simon Holmes, Principal, said “This is a fantastic opportunity to boost the Science experience of our students, both inside and outside lessons. Once we knew the money was confirmed our challenge was to recruit the highest calibre of Science teachers to join our existing staff and move things forwards. With Mr Callow and Dr Wilson, who arrived in January, I am confident we have the leadership in Science to do just that and to ensure the funding has a lasting legacy”.

Peter Taylor, Chairman of TTP Group, said: “We are delighted to be able to support Melbourn Village College on their mission to improve science services to all students. Science is such an important part of a child’s education and I believe, as a science employer and local business, that we should support the local community where we can.”

Details of how the money will be spent are yet to be confirmed but a bigger and better Science Week and a trip to CERN in Switzerland as well as new resources for day-to-day teaching are all under consideration.

Of course, there will be our ever-popular BBQ with locally produced meats and vegetarian options. The bar team will be there with cask beers, prosecco, Pimms, wines and refreshing cold soft drinks.

The pavilion will host a tearoom, which will include homemade cakes and sandwiches.

More details will follow in the next magazine and on our website and Facebook page. Remember this year we will not be running a Music on the Moor event.

For now, just make a note on your 2018 calendar for the return of the Village Fete and check out on line as we start updating our website. www.melbournfete.co.uk

Turn on to Christmas

Melbourn will enjoy a festive feast on Saturday 2nd December at Melbourn Hub, which is hosting in partnership with Melbourn Fete Committee, a late afternoon of Christmas fun. There will be a Christmas tree at the Hub (in addition to the traditional tree on The Cross) and the event culminates in a grand switch on the tree’s lights. Who will perform the switch on? A lucky Melbourn resident who will win the VIP honour as a result of a free draw. Call into the Hub now to put your name forward.

Situated in and around the Hub will be Santa’s grotto with great presents for little visitors, seasonal music, fun activities for children such as face painting and badge making, festive treats from the Hub cafe and a bar serving mulled wine. There will also be a tombola as well as a raffle to give one lucky person the chance to win a fantastic festive hamper.

Entry to the event is free, with a charge to visit Santa’s grotto to meet Father Christmas and receive a present from him. Santa’s Grotto will be open from 11am to 5.00pm and tickets are available in advance, so book your little one’s place ahead to avoid disappointment.

Get your Christmas off to a flying start with Melbourn Hub and Melbourn Fete Committee on Saturday 2nd December as the community celebrates this wonderful time of year together in the heart of the village.

The main event starts at 4pm and the lights will be turned on at 5.30pm. We’ll close with some Christmas songs around the tree. Tickets for the raffle and Santa’s Grotto are on sale at the Hub.

For more information please contact Sharon the Hub’s Centre Manager on 01763 263303 or Email centremanager@melbournhub.co.uk Website www.melbournhub.co.uk Follow us on Facebook@thehubmelbourn All proceeds will raise funds for Melbourn fete and Melbourn Community Hub.

Peter Taylor, TTP Group Chairman

Mavericks

Community matters

Melbourn Library

Stay Well this winter

Winter weather can be seriously bad for our health. Being cold can aggravate existing conditions and raise the risk of increased blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes. However, there are lots of things you can do to stay well this winter.

Get expert advice from your pharmacist

If you start to feel unwell, even if it’s a cough or a cold, don’t wait until it gets more serious. Seek advice on the best treatment from your local pharmacist. Make sure you get your free flu jab Flu is highly contagious and can cause serious complications for at risk groups.

Adults over 65; those with long-term health conditions; children aged two to eight; carers and pregnant women may all be eligible for a free flu vaccination – ask your GP practice today.

Stock up your medicine cabinet

A well-stocked medicine cabinet can help you treat common winter ailments such as coughs, colds, sore throats and sickness bugs at home and will save you going out if you feel unwell. Ask your pharmacist about essential medicines to keep at home.

Keep warm

Keeping warm, both inside and outdoors, over the winter months can help to prevent colds, flu and more serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression.

Get the right help

Make sure you’re receiving all the help you are entitled to. Learn how to make your home more energy efficient and take advantage of financial schemes to keep up with energy bills. Visit www.nhs.uk/Livewell/ winterhealth/Pages/KeepWarmKeepWell for details.

For further information on staying well this winter visit www.nhs.uk/staywell

Now that winter has arrived and the days are short it is an ideal time to come along to Melbourn library which is conveniently situated in the Hub. There is nothing like a good book to help cheer one on a cold, dark winter afternoon or evening. From the number of people who visit the library each week this would seem to be the feeling of many who live in Melbourn or in the surrounding villages. However if you have not already joined the library why not do so? It is free and gives you access not only to the Melbourn library’s stock of varied fiction but the whole of the Cambridgeshire Library Service for still more fiction as well as non fiction. Joining is easy, you just need to bring proof of identity and then fill in a form. If you are a parent your child or children can be joined on the same form. Our children’s section continues to expand and caters for all ages from toddlers to young teens.

As usual we will be closed for Christmas and the New Year, details will be available nearer the time.

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 make a donation to our charity of the year.

Our January meeting will be on 23 January 2018 when we will have our AGM. This short meeting elects or re-elects committee members and we choose the charity which we will support for the year. Our fund raising for this commences with a raffle that evening. After the formal business we have a bring and share supper and get a chance to look at the programme for the coming year.

In February Caroline Brownlie will be leading a talk about Lent as Easter is fairly early this year.

If you would like to know more about the group please contact one of the committee members:

Pat Smith (262575) Sue Toule (260955) Anne Harrison (261775) Angela Leach (262793)

New Melbourn Singers

The choir is really getting to grips with two pieces which are new to nearly every member. As part of the Cambridge Choral Society (CCS) we will be singing Puccini’s Messa di Gloria and Dvorak’s Mass in D major. Both are wonderful works full of beautiful music sometimes lyrical, sometimes

Nature

Melwood - Your Local Nature Reserve

Looking back to Summer

We are now in the depths of winter, which is when the most arduous work parties take place in Melwood because it is when the flora and fauna will be the least disturbed by our activities.

However it is enjoyable at work parties in the summer to think back to those strenuous sessions and look to see if all the hard work has been worthwhile. There is the danger that what looks like a bright clearing in March as spring appears can be heavily overshaded by August when the full tree canopy has appeared.

This summer we were pleased to see that clearings were still catching the midday sun and demonstrating their value in that most were populated by Speckled Wood butterflies. This is a very territorial species, so most clearings are occupied by just one or occasionally two specimens, which wander out of their area in search of a mate but soon get driven back by their neighbours.

We were also pleased that the greening of the area at the back of the wood, which has previously been a very bare area, has had some success and some further sowing was carried out in late September and will be continued into spring 2018. There are already promising signs of new flowers establishing and we hope to get more summer colour into the lighter parts of the wood and meadow.

Summer observations also help to guide the pruning and coppicing plan for the following winter, which we will be carrying out now.

A notable feature of summer 2017 was the amount of dead wood that came down off the Ash trees in the strong winds We also had some strong winds in the autumn which brought down further wood and more may have fallen by the time that this is read (having been written in October). We try

to keep an eye on problem trees and will take action immediately if it can’t be left until the next working party. Walkers using the wood do need to be aware of the risk of falling trees and perhaps consider a different route on very windy days. This is, of course, a general safety precaution in any wood, not just Melwood, but is especially true where Ash dominates, as it is so brittle. The very pleasant wooded ‘Riverside’ footpath walk from Shepreth/Barrington to Meldreth was closed for several years due to concerns about unstable trees and I am still wary of walking this route on windy days.

Part of the Meadow was returned to short green grassland in the summer but at this time the rest was full of blue Field Cranesbill flowers so had to wait for a later cut. This was cut later in August and the grass raked off to avoid smothering the smaller plants.

We have now purchased a multi-task strimmer/ brushcutter and a scythe from funds donated by Meldreth Parish Council to assist with this task and with generally clearing nettles, etc. on the site . The scythe will significantly improve the quality of the cutting in the meadow, making it easier to remove the hay and leaving a more upright stubble that better facilitates seedling development

The cranesbill had already come through strongly again by September and attractive as it is, this is now becoming a worryingly dominant species. The diversity of species in the meadow remains weak and will be a challenge for future years.

Later in the autumn there will be a more severe cut in both wood and meadow to prepare the way for spring bulbs. Some flowers that have been grown in pots were introduced to the meadow, where a wet period prepared the soil and the late summer warmth has enable establishment before winter (although the rabbits are always a threat). Finding species good for pollinating insects but disliked by rabbits is a real challenge.

There was good presence of summer visiting birds especially where bush cover is being protected and they were in good song. They will now have departed, hopefully to return next year. A kestrel seems to be attempting to make the back of the wood its home territory and can be quite vocal when disturbed. This article is based on material provided by Jim Reid. Anyone interested in helping with our conservation initiatives should contact Graham Borgonon on 01763 260 358 or Jim Reid on 260 231. Further information is available on our website: www.melwood.btck.co.uk.

Summer sun peeping through Photograph Tim Gane

Nettle-leaved bellflower makes a summer splash of colour in sunny clearings.Photo: Jim Reid

dramatic but always melodic. The CCS concert will be on 7th April and will be held in the University Concert Hall in West Road, Cambridge. Full details can be found on the CCS website.

Jane Stevens

Royal British Legion Women’s Section

Melbourn and Meldreth District Branch

It is now Autumn and time to reflect on 2017.

There have been several interesting talks given this year, beginning with Marjorie Shaw’s well known photographs of Melbourn, past and present.

We were then fascinated by Jan Simmonett‘s wonderful sugarcraft. Keeping it in the family, Peter, Jan’s husband gave us a ‘History of Melbourn Magazine’.

There have been a few outings arranged this year, not least

feature

Community Spirited Family Launch New Business

A community spirited young woman who is battling with a rare, incurable illness, is fighting back by helping her family to run two businesses.

Heidi Clark, whose family have resided in Melbourn for several decades, has assisted with not only their wellestablished hair dressing salon at The Moor for several years, but has now also taken on a major role in launching their new inspiration in the form of a craft shop at Phillimore’s Garden Centre in the village.

Recently opened Creations has become an exciting attachment to Heidi’s and her mother, Debbie’s accruements. Urged on by a large number of the locals, who desperately missed the services of the original craft outlet there they investigated the prospects of re-opening such a venture.

“Our aim is to inspire everyone who walks through the door to create something special from the vast range of crafting items we stock,” explains Heidi. “Our outlook for customers is ageless, and we attempt to infuse ideas to cater for their varied interests. In turn it assists them to meet up with like-minded people.”

A former professional Latin American dancer, who was taught by one of the current ‘Strictly’ judges, Shirley Ballas, Heidi was tragically struck down with the chronic, debilitating Lupus illness, which affects the immune system and renders patients exhausted, depressed, and in chronic pain, some 15 years ago. “My wonderful career was snatched out of my hands”, she bemoans. “I can be reasonably well one day and confined to my bed the next. I am prescribed over 30 tablets to help fight the condition every day, and have been in hospital so many times

celebrating the 70th County Anniversary at the Brasa Club, March.

Still in July, we went to ‘5 Miles from Anywhere’ in the Fens. Lovely pub lunch by the river.

In August we held our AGM when we were addressed by Una Cleminson, our past Chairman.

Harvest Thanksgiving was celebrated in The Dolphin.

On 13th October we celebrated our 80th Anniversary with lunch at the Coach House Hotel, Flint Cross.

The Branch will be represented at County Conference in March on 21st October by Irene Bloomfield, Shirley Cunningham and Elizabeth Murphy.

22nd November should see us enjoying our Christmas Lunch at the Cambridge Motel.

9th December is our last fundraiser coffee morning of the year in Elin Way, Meldreth.

Val Barrett, Chairman

that I have lost count.” Proudly, she added: “My family, however, have been massively supportive, and without this aspect I probably wouldn’t have coped.”

“With the help of the local public we have been successful in setting up our new project, which I look upon as a community asset, and in itself plays an essential part of village life, where people can linger and chat to others about their hobbies. With our exciting and varied stocks of yarn, fabrics, haberdashery, and gifts, locals no longer need to travel out of the village to acquire these. We also conduct weekly craft classes for all age groups to enjoy”.

Heidi believes in supporting local businesses, in the hope that the area will support Creations.

As well as this new venture and still being involved with the family hair dressing salon, Heidi, when able, tours the area presenting talks on LUPUS, to assist others in coming to terms with the disastrous illness. Her latest forthcoming one will be at Foxton village hall.

If you wish to contact Heidi or Creations, the number is: 01763 268686

Melbourn Parish Council

At the end of October, the Parish Council said goodbye to Peter Andrews. Peter worked for the Parish Council for 15 years and has been a very familiar sight around the village, sweeping leaves and generally making Melbourn a nice place to live. We wish him well for the future and hope he has a very enjoyable retirement.

Following Peter’s departure, the Parish Council welcomes Dennis Bartle onto the staff. Dennis is not a direct replacement for Peter as the Council took the decision to appoint an additional Warden to cover the days that Keith Rudge does not work and give the two wardens the flexibility to do some jobs together.

Dennis and his family have lived in the village for 30 years. With a long and varied career background in medical electronics, Dennis brings to the Parish Council a wealth of experience and enthusiasm which we are sure will greatly enhance the village maintenance team.

Over the past year, the Parish Council has been looking at how to improve its communication with the Parish. We have been using Facebook as a timely way of letting you know what is going on in the Parish and at Parish Council meetings. We have been making much more use of posters in places such as the Co-op to let you know of opportunities to take part in Council activities. This is in addition to using Melbourn Magazine as the main way of putting out a summary of what has happened over the preceding 3 months. We want to hear from you if you think this is still not enough.

What else should the Council be doing?

Sarah Adam, Melbourn Parish Clerk Cllr Julie Norman, Chair, Melbourn Parish Council

County Councillor

Susan van de Ven

Cash deposits now required for some highways schemes

As the County Council’s budget cuts intensify, so the burden on parish councils and residents grows. County Highways has nowhere near enough funding to do what might be reasonably expected of it, and new rules have been put into place to protect officer time. Aside from the ‘Local Highways Initiative’ scheme, whereby parishes and other ‘third parties’ compete for partial funding of small schemes like parking restrictions and traffic calming, any other new scheme not on the County Highways work list requires 100% third-party funding. All projects require Highways approval, because the highway network is public property.

To begin a conversation on third-party funding, a deposit is now required, with two possible categories: a project requiring design and consultation (£500 deposit) or a project that needs no design or consultation (£250). These are non-refundable deposits, but are credited against schemes that go ahead. Please make use of your local county councillor to help obtain initial guidance.

Thanks to all those who have been actively using the County Highways on-line reporting system for any faults on the highways network (including footways, drains, bridges, etc), as this creates a record. Just google ‘Cambridgeshire Report a Fault.’

New paid councillor roles

The County Council has created new unelected ‘Area Champions’, each paid a special allowance of £5K per year to ‘champion’ an entire district. It is not clear what they are meant to do, nor why they are needed. The £25K cost of remunerating Area Champions comes out of the council’s hard-pressed budget.

16-18 year-olds’ transport to education and training

The County Council has no statutory obligation to provide transport support for 16-18-year-olds. The transport subsidies which they offered until September 2016 were ‘discretionary.’ Deep and continuing cuts that have become standard mean that discretionary services fall by the wayside.

How can we ensure that all 16-18-year-olds, now required to be in education or training, actually reach college – as is their right? It’s alarming to note reports from post-16 education providers that intake is gradually shifting to a more affluent profile.

Are you paying council tax unnecessarily?

There is evidence that many people are paying Council Tax when they do not have to. Exemptions are laid out here. www.scambs.gov.uk/content/reductions

Help in a mental health crisis: First Response

A new emergency mental health service is now in operation for Cambridgeshire residents. If you feel you are in a mental health crisis, please ring 111, option 2. This ‘First Response’ service is clearly laid out here – well worth a look. www.cpft.nhs.uk/about-us/mental-health-crisis.htm Oil Club

Over the past several years the Melbourn Division Oil Club has been in place to help people access the best prices on household heating oil. There is no joining fee, and no obligation to make repeat orders. At the end of each financial year, the Club’s bulk buyer, Agricole Oil, provides a rebate totalling 5% of the year’s collective expenditure, and this is donated to a community group. Last year’s rebate went to Home-Start. If you haven’t used the service before and would like to learn more, or give it a try, please contact our bulk buyer: Jeremy Cole, Agricole Oil, Tel 01954 719 452 / 07860 904 045 or email jeremy@agricole.co.uk

Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Community Rail Partnership

Longer trains and new cycle racks: While the new Thameslink timetable doesn’t come into force until December 2018, new eight-car trains will begin running in November, gradually working their way to standard. Due to platform extensions on the Cambridge bound sides at Shepreth and Foxton only, all trains at Meldreth will have selective door opening, as will south-bound trains at Shepreth and Foxton. We are told that this will be clearly announced by visual display and verbal

Melbourn Mobile Warden Scheme

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

Ordering and collection

Collection of

Setting up Lifeline service

Bereavement

Advice on benefits

Going to the Post Office to

on getting repairs done in

announcements. The design will be a metro tube style, with advantages and disadvantages.

New cycle parking coming to Meldreth Station (and Shepreth Station): These will be covered cycle park facilities with CCTV protection.

Flower Power

Meanwhile, you might wonder – why are parking charges so low (or free) at Meldreth and Shepreth Stations? These nearly unique arrangements were negotiated with the train operating company several years ago, as a gesture of goodwill in return for the station platform gardening at all three of our stations.

Last year, the Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Community Rail Partnership secured a grant from the Association of Community Rail Partnerships to replace all our station tubs with a weather-proof variety, following the disintegration of some of the old tubs – which had created safety concerns. The old tubs have now gone, and the new ones will be installed shortly, to be planted up by volunteers. If you might like to help out at any of the stations during the year, for what is light but rewarding and appreciated work, please get in touch.

Protecting our rights of way: costly arguments

Last year, Network Rail proposed closing two ‘minor rural’ level crossings in our area. This was part of a regional exercise with a fixed target for a number of closures, for unclear purpose. In our area, the proposal to close one of the two pedestrian gates at Foxton Level Crossing (officially called ‘Barrington Road) was successfully quelled after much effort, and strong objections were lodged against closure of the crossing just south of Meldreth Station Bridge, that leads to Fieldgate nursery. Unfortunately, Network Rail’s formal recommendation to the Secretary of State included closure of the Meldreth crossing.

Now, County Council Rights of Way officers, supported by Council lawyers, are being deployed to fight Network Rail’s plan for this and other closures.

A 20-day public inquiry is scheduled to commence on 28 November. One cash-strapped public body, the County Council, is spending precious resource defending public rights of way against another public body, which didn’t have enough funding to extend platforms on both sides of the tracks at Shepreth and Foxton, and not at all at Meldreth.

A Bridge to Royston?

home

transport to the hospital

coming round

What will it cost?

We do have to make a small weekly

only

warden’s

per

Melbourn Warden Scheme

Efforts to link Melbourn and Royston with a walking/cycling/scootering path and bridge, that would enable people to get to work, education, the doctor, for shopping or to see friends and family – without a car – are crystalizing. Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire councils, businesses and residents are working hard together to make this project come to fruition. There’s lots of information about this project on the A10 Corridor Cycling Campaign website: a10corridorcycle.com

Drop-in Advice Surgery

Every first Monday of the month, 3-4PM, at the Melbourn Hub. Susan van de Ven County Councillor Tel 07905 325574 Susanvandeven5@gmail.com | www.susanvandeven.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/SusanSouthCambs/

The Hall for All

… and Melbourn Cinema event

There continues to be some confusion about the ownership of All Saints Community Hall. It is not, definitely not a Church Hall. It sits on Church land and we pay rent to the Diocese but the Hall is an independent Charity run by Trustees for the use and enjoyment of all comers. We are very pleased with the volume and variety of our bookings, proof that we are serving all sectors of the village

Can we help you? Can we help a relative?

we help a neighbour?

PANTOMIME 2017

were situated so this will be a help all round. Incidentally, we were caught out by the subtitles for Lion and the Viceroy’s House being too low down on the screen to be easily read by the back rows. You will be pleased to hear that we have adjusted the angle of the projector and should not have this problem again.

Speaking of Galas – next June (as I said in the last issue) we shall be celebrating the tenth anniversary of the opening of the Hall and we are already planning a programme to celebrate the fact. Has anyone any ideas?

If you are thinking of hiring the Hall, Saturday morning Coffee Stop is a good time to come and explore the facilities and get a good cup of coffee.

Mavis Howard

STOP PRESS

Meldreth Village Hall

All the fun of the traditional panto, why not come along, check out our new sound and lighting and get into the Festive spirit. You can boo the baddies, cheer the goodies, sing along with the songs and join in with the banter.

Suitable for all the family!

With a Licensed Bar for the grown-ups and ‘Totty’s Tuck Shop’ for the kids –what’s not to like?

Tickets via the MADS website at www.melbournamdram.co.uk

Adults £9 Children £7 or call the box office on 07513 457845

MADS are a not for profit organisation and rely on ticket sales to fund each production. We look forward to seeing you there!

We recently had a stroke of luck when Gill Waller asked me if we could use all the china and crockery from her catering business. I nearly bit her hand off in excitement! She wanted it all to go to a good home and we certainly appreciate her generosity. We must be one of the best equipped halls in South Cambs.

The wi-fi is finally going ahead, we have the permission for the cables to be laid and are just waiting on Virgin to carry out the work. It will be a great asset to the Hall when it is all in place. With the wi-fi in place we might even be able to have a live screening of some play or opera and we shall be exploring this possibility. It would have to be a Gala Event with tickets at a much higher price than £5 though!

Our ‘pop-up’ cinema continues to be a success and we have the dates all fixed for 2018. Our December offering is aimed at family viewing and is a 2pm matinee on Saturday 16th December when we shall be showing Nativity 3 – Dude Where’s My Donkey. Yes, I know – but it stars Martin Clunes and is said to be a good romp.

We have applied for and received permission to put up a fingerpost to direct people to the Hall – some of our cinemagoers from out of the village did not know where we

The Community Hall is delighted to acknowledge financial support from South Cambridgeshire District Council with a grant from their Community Chest, and to record our thanks to them.

The Community Hall has come a long way as a facility for the community since it was built with community funding on the site of the former church hall that was demolished and transferred by the church to the new community charity ten years ago.

Relate Cambridge

Relate Cambridge choir receives a standing ovation at its first performance, following well wishes from Gareth Malone.

Relatively Composed, Relate Cambridge’s choir, gave their first public performance at their AGM on September 28th.

Elaine Taylor, relationship counsellor at Relate Cambridge said “I have been inspired to start our choir by watching the Gareth Malone’s series on TV. I believe that our choir has a unique connection with Gareth, in that we can both make a huge difference to people’s lives.” Elaine went on to say: “The choir represents a long and deep held desire not only to raise the profile of Relate. but also to emphasizing the benefit of building our emotional strength and resilience through singing.”

Claire Godward, Centre Director said “there is simply currently not enough acknowledgment of the importance of mental health and wellbeing in relation to healthy relationships – we are hoping our choir will continue to publicise this.”

To find out more about our services or make a booking please ring 01302 347866

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 8am-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.

Home-Start

How you can support your local Home-Start scheme

There are very many ways – and here are a few ideas –There are a number of ways you can help us by volunteering.

Home Visiting – A home visiting volunteer would normally be a parent or have parenting experience with an understanding of the problems and pleasures of family life. We link this wellsupported and trained volunteer to the most suitable family referred, offering home visits, usually for 2–3 hours a week. Family Group – These volunteers help set up the equipment and activities and spend time with both the children and parents offering practical and emotional support at our family support group.

Home visiting and family group volunteers are required to attend the Home-Start preparation course – the next training course will take place in February 2018 – please contact us on 01763 262262 if you would like details.

Supporters – If you have a few hours to spare now and again, please consider becoming a supporter. Supporters helps us with activities ranging from wrapping the children’s Christmas presents, baking a cake, donating tombola prizes for our ‘mum’s tombola’ at Christmas time and helping with fundraising events.

Become a member of our fundraising events Committee

– This committee, chaired by a Trustee, plan and organise our programme of events. Volunteers on this fun and lively committee are always needed to attend meetings and take part in the events.

Or come along and support one of our fundraising events: Christmas Literary Lunch – to be held on Tuesday 5th December at 12.15pm at The Old Bull Inn, Royston – Tickets are £15 each to include a buffet lunch with tea/coffee. The lunch will be followed by a chat from our Poet in Residence, Jude Simpson, with Emma Bennett and other local artists featured in the Cambridge Art Book. To book your tickets call 01763 262262, email admin@hsrsc.org.uk or buy on-line at : www.ticketsource. co.uk/hsrsc

Thursday 7th December – Christmas Door Decoration Workshops – to be held at Coombes Community Centre, Burns Road, Royston – back by popular demand – we are running 2 workshops on the day so you can attend which one suits you best, they will be held at 11.00am – 2.00pm and 7.00pm –

Moorlands Court Extra Care Scheme

At the beginning of October, some of the residents enjoyed a trip to the seaside at Felixstowe. The day included a trip along the promenade and a wonderful fish and chip lunch on the sea front. With the fresh sea air and lunch, strangely enough those on the coach were extremely sleepy on the way back to Moorlands Court. Our residents and those who attend Day Centre from the local community have a lot to look forward to over the coming months. Highlighted below is our end of year seasonal entertainment including a Christmas Fayre to which everyone is welcome and will be an ideal opportunity to buy those last minute gifts and stocking fillers.

Diary Dates December

• Wednesday 6th December – Christmas Fayre (2pm –4pm) everyone welcome

• Tuesday 19th December – Seasonal sing-along with Malcolm on keyboard (2pm – 3pm) and Christmas raffle which will be drawn at 1.30pm (donations welcome)

For more information about Moorlands Court, please follow us on Facebook.

10.00pm. Tickets are £20 – please book as soon as possible as this is always a very popular event. Snowflake Tea Parties – would you like to host a tea party with your family and friends from your office, playgroup, school, book club etc.? We will supply you with a ‘tea bag’ fundraising pack with ideas and recipes for all you need to host an event. This is a really fun way of getting your family and friends together before or after Christmas. Do you shop online? – If you do, please consider using easyfundraising.org.uk – Register your details on www.easyfundraising.org.uk and choose Home-Start Royston and South Cambridgeshire up as your charity. Then when

you want to search you sign into easyfundraising first, then

on your chosen retailer, decide on your product

no extra cost to you, we will automatically receive a percentage of your spend.

Please remember easyfundraising when you are shopping on-line and spread the word....tell all your friends and family. If you recruit new supporters HSRSC will get even more!

Do you have a link with a local organisation or retailer – we are always looking for premises to have a Home-Start collecting tin – so if you know anyone who may be willing to do this, please let us know.

Are you celebrating a special birthday or anniversary soon and don’t really need any gifts? – why not ask your family and friends to make a donation to Home-Start instead.

If you would like further information about any of these events or activities please contact us at our office – Home-Start Royston & South Cambrideshire, Unit 6, Valley Farm, Station Road, Meldreth, Herts, SG8 6JP, by calling us on 01763 262262, email us on admin@hsrsc.org.uk or see our website www.hsrsc. org.uk. You can also catch up with us on Facebook.

We are always very grateful for the support we receive from our local community and so if you can take part in only one of the above, this will make a real difference to local families. Thank you, we look forward to hearing from you.

Yoga isn’t just a good stretch

Yoga is an increasingly popular practice due to its multitude of benefits to both the body and the mind. This ancient form of exercise incorporates a blend of mindfulness, meditation, breathing techniques, strengthening, stretching and balance to promote physical and mental wellbeing. Originating in India around 5,000 years ago, Yoga means ‘to yoke’, to find a union between your body and your mind, it is a path to self acceptance, harmony and peace.

It’s a belief held by many that Yoga is a boring series of stretches, and true the body is stretched, but you’ll also find that the body is toned, and you’ll work up a sweat! The myriad of benefits of Yoga also include

• reduced stress

• increased body awareness

• improved sleep

• relaxation

• improved posture

Sound appealing? Come and try a class out in Melbourn for free!!

Thursday’s 7.45pm United Reformed Church Hall www.anandabliss.co.uk

How The Cambridge supports your community

MVC VILLAGE PRIMARY SCHOOL PLAY SCHOOL LITTLE HANDS

NOTRE ECOLE U3A EDUCATION COLLEGE

Melbourn Playgroup

It has been a fantastic year for Melbourn Playgroup and Out of School Club.

Little Hands

Karen 01763 260964

Melbourn Playgroup

Jane Crawford 07842 151512

Notre Ecole

Janet Whitton 261231

Pippins Children’s Centre

Alison Wood 223460

Primary School

Headteacher Stephanie Wilcox 223457

U3A (Univ. of Third Age)

Chairman Tony Garrick 01223 510201

Village College

Principal Simon Holmes 223400

An Ofsted inspection was carried out in June of this year for both Melbourn Playgroup and Out Of School Club, resulting in the highest grade of Outstanding being awarded. This has come out our busiest time, with over 170 children attending the playgroup, preschool and after school club. Many thanks to the Playgroup and MOOS staff, committee and not forgetting the children, in helping us to achieve this rating.

It has been a very busy start to the new term, with more children than ever joining up.

The playgroup children have been busy with a wide range of activities, from learning about different colours to making their own pizzas! The children have also taken part in a Spanish taster session, learning counting and how to say hello and goodbye in Spanish!

This term we are also organising a bedtime reading session for the preschoolers and their parents!

The holiday club is open to all children aged 3–11 years old, not just those attending Melbourn Primary School. MOOS run holiday clubs in the February and May half terms, and over the school Easter holidays.

If you are interested in the playgroup, preschool, Out of School Club or Holiday club please call us on 01763 223459 or visit our website www.melbournplaygroup.org.uk

Profile

Gillian and Howard Waller

Anyone who attended an upmarket party or a wedding in the last thirty years has surely heard of the Wallers who live in The Red Cow in the High Street. Gill was renowned for her catering skills and you knew that if she was in charge, the food would be special.

But to begin at the beginning. Howard was born in Colchester in 1943, one of five children with a journalist father. He attended Bancrofts School in Essex and from childhood his passion was sport. At rugby he played for Richmond, captained Cambridgeshire and Eastern Counties and Essex - played in front of 60,000 at two Middlesex Sevens finals and the famous Dickie Jeeps said of him ‘Waller was the best rugby player not to have played for England!’ He also played cricket for Reed, hockey for Essex and in 1978 started the Royston Squash club with a membership of 200 and a further 150 on the waiting list! He was a born salesman and dealt in many different commodities before joining the family business Waller Transport.

Gillian Aberdour meanwhile was an only child, born in London in 1948 where her father was an architect and very accomplished artist. She attended St. Mary’s Convent in Woodford (near Bancrofts, although they did not meet at that stage) did a secretarial course and went to work as a PA to Ralph Halpern at Top Shop. Slim and elegant, she was at one time Miss Peter Robinson!

Gillian and Howard met at a Bancroft Rugby Club party on Boxing Day 1969 and within half an hour Howard had told his friends he had found the girl he was going to marry. Unfortunately, just at that time Gill had made the decision to try something more challenging and she set off to work as a Chalet girl for Murison-Small, the ski holiday specialists.

Gill’s mother had been a good cook and when the ‘Muribirds’ received Cordon Bleu training before taking up their posts she took to it like a duck to water. As hostesses in a chalet the girls welcomed skiing parties as if into their own homes cooking breakfast, lunch and dinner and sitting down with the guests as part of the family. Afternoons were free and as they all got a free ski pass the girls took the opportunity of honing their skills on the slopes.

She worked thus for a couple of years, spending the summers working for the company in Greece and all the time cooking and serving delicious meals from local seasonal produce. On her return to England she and Howard met up again and in 1972 they were married at Caxton Hall. Eventually they moved to Bassingbourn and Gill worked for the marketing director of Metals Research until Russell was born in 1976. They then moved to The Red Cow in 1978 and their daughter Jane was born in 1981.

Gill wanted to be at home with the children as they grew up and starting a catering business was an obvious choice. Her first commission was to do a business lunch

at P.A. Technology, then for Carter Jonas, The Technology Partnership and private parties and weddings soon followed. Word of her skills spread and she was the go-to caterer for miles around. She did the catering for my younger daughter’s first wedding!

Very discreetly, bearing in mind that all her work was local, they refused to tell me some of the dramas they had experienced but they did say they had endured many a rain sodden wedding and one wedding in particular stood out when after the service all the men suddenly took off for the pub to watch a cup final and the ladies left behind were not very pleased. Fashions in entertaining have changed over the years and sit down meals with wines paired to each course have been superseded by finger buffets and fizzy water!

Howard always supported her fully in this venture and although he was away working in Hull during the week he was always ready to don his ‘butler’s’ guise at the weekends and couldn’t possibly estimate the number of bottles of champagne he has opened. Russell and Jane also helped out as they grew up and with their schoolfriends relished the idea of earning a little pocket money.

Both children went to the Perse and then university and Russell now works as an Equities Analyst specialising in telecommunications. Married with Clementine aged 10 and George 8 he lives nearby in Duxford and Jane is an Associate Investment Director working for Fidelity on pensions etc. She is mother to Robyn aged 2 and another baby due in November. They are kept delightfully busy with grandparent duties and so, after many successful years, Gill decided to wind up her business. As I report elsewhere in the magazine, she most generously donated all her catering equipment to our Community Hall.

They have had some exciting holidays, Vietnam, South Africa, Thailand and the USA but nowadays do not want to do long haul holidays. A recent highlight for Howard was when he became an Olympic Volunteer at the Hockey Stadium. He loved every minute of it, the atmosphere, the friendliness and co-operation of everyone and how people wanted to talk to him on the train when he was wearing his uniform. He treasures all the memorabilia from that time and at the end of the games he was given a square of the

Astroturf on which the games had been played!

As if being an ace player in practically every sport you can name was not enough, Howard is also an avid bridge player. He played as a boy at school and with his father and in 2009 he and his friend Tony Allan started the Melbourn Bridge Club in Vicarage Close. Now based in the United Reformed Church they play on Monday evenings (more advanced and duplicate) and on Tuesday afternoons beginners and improvers. At both sessions they have between 30 and 50 people attending so it is extremely popular. Howard took an English Bridge Union Tournament Directors course and is fully qualified to give tuition. Gill, however, does not play bridge!!!

She plays golf occasionally, likes to potter in her very pretty garden and we do Yoga together on a Monday morning but mostly she enjoys entertaining and dreaming up new ways with the wonderful supply of produce Howard brings from his allotment in Meldreth. She has really been tested this year thinking of fresh ways to serve up the plentiful supply of beans, courgettes, tomatoes etc. Both her children are excellent cooks.

The Red Cow (which older villagers will remember as the doctor’s surgery with Miss Harrison fiercely presiding over the dispensary) is a delightful home and they have never regretted moving there. Elegant and comfortable it has, of course, a beautifully equipped kitchen and Howard’s study is lined with photographs of his sporting prowess. I asked Gill to share with us one of her favourite recipes and hope that, like me, you will enjoy having a go at it.

Mavis Howard

Howard at 17 with five cups won at athletics and a sixth cup for having won the most cups!

A simple Winter starter using leeks from the allotment!

Smoked Trout, Leek and Watercress Salad with Horseradish Dressing...

Leeks marinated while hot in a mustard dressing, make a wonderful salad, particularly when combined with trout, watercress and horseradish. If you cannot find smoked trout, use smoked salmon instead.

4 smallish leeks

3 tbsp creamed horseradish

1tbsp Dijon mustard

2 tbsp white wine vinegar

1 tbsp water

4 fl ozs /100ml groundnut oil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 small bunch of chives, finely chopped 4oz/110g watercress ( or standard supermarket bag)

8 slices smoked trout, each cut into three.

Cut leeks into quarters, wash well. Boil in plenty of salted water until tender.

While the leeks are cooking make the dressing. Whisk horseradish and mustard together with vinegar and water. Add the oil and season well..

Drain leeks, shake off any excess water, add to the vinaigrette dressing. Coat well, and leave to sit for 10 minutes or so, then add chopped chives.

Lift the leeks out of the dressing, and put on a large plate. Toss the watercress in the remainder of the dressing, scatter it over the top and finish with the smoked trout.

Gillian Waller

Melbourn Calendars

2018

Do you have yours yet?

It’s still not too late!

They are now available to order, either at the Coffee Stop on Saturday mornings from 10.30 to 12 noon (Last date for collection – 16th December) or by ringing Marjorie Shaw on 01763 220076.

Prices are A4 size (large) £9 and A5 (small) £6. All come with envelopes. Profit goes to SOAS (Supporters of All Saints)

Piccolinos

Piccolinos is new to Melbourn but has in fact been running for 10 years! Piccolinos is my own little brand of music class for children that I first started in Singapore. Since then, I’ve loved taking the music to wherever my family life led us, which included Dubai and Malaysia. I’m now happy to be home and starting to grow the groups here around Cambridge!

The classes are for early years children and are a funbag mix of singsongs, bubbles, hands on instruments, sound stories, dancing and basic beats and rhythm. As for the music, all sorts that both adults and children alike will love including Motown, Reggae, Jazz, African and sleepy lullabies.

For the older ones – The sessions include the same fun and energy of the little ones groups, with some added extras of imagination games, stories and an intro to basic music theory.

If this sounds like something you and your little ones would love as much as I do – then send me an email on carlycole1@ hotmail.com

Melbourn Primary School

There have been many new faces and names for everyone to learn in September and I have been delighted to see how quickly we have settled in together to become a new school family.

You may have noticed that we have a rather large chimney ascending from the school kitchen roof! This was the first stage of our building programme to accommodate the cooking of additional meals for increased numbers of children. The mobile classroom has been moved to allow access to the site for construction vehicles. The enabling works for the school development then began in earnest in October. This initially involves the laying of a new playground and a road across the school field so that the construction vehicles can access the site. When complete the main build is due to commence during November. We are so excited that the building programme is happening and we will eventually be one cohesive school building.

The building work is exciting for the children to watch and business continues as normal…

Year 1 & 2 Inspiration Day

Building work started early for Year 1, as they arrived at school dressed for a busy day of construction. As part of their inspiration day, the hall was transformed into a thriving work place with architects, brick layers, designers, diggers and even an estate agent. The children took on each role convincingly and even had a chance to visit the ‘Corner Café’ after a productive morning. The children were buzzing with imaginative ideas all morning which was truly inspiring!

Year 3 and 4 Inspiration Day

We had such a wonderful time at our inspiration day, ‘Mysterious Maya,’ on Friday; our topic has been greeted with such enthusiasm. During the day we made some tortilla dough. We learnt how to mix it and when we needed to add more flour or water to the mix so the dough was the right consistency.

We also learnt about the Maya number system and we wrote and added the numbers together. Finally, we made some Maya headdresses based on what we felt our ‘spirit animal’ was. We then wore our headdresses and enjoyed some hot chocolate and tortilla crisps and dips as this was food that used Maya ingredients. We would like to thank parents and carers for the contribution they made; this helped make our inspiration day more special.

Bikeability Year 6

At the start of the term our Year 6 children were given the opportunity to take part in Bikeability. The course was taken over four days. Day one involved recapping Level 1, which the children had learnt in Year 3. On days two to four, they took to the roads! They were taught many skills including: U-turns, going around a parked vehicle, signalling and LOL (lots of looks). “It was fun and active but educational at the same time. I feel more confident riding my bike now.” Evelyn.

Harvest Assembly

In September we gathered the fruits of our cupboards and walked cheerfully down to All Saint’s church for our harvest celebration. From pasta to custard, from rice to tinned peaches, we displayed our goods at the front of the church and gave thanks for all we eat. The children sang beautifully about autumn leaves, items in their trolley and a harvest samba. We thought about the wonder of the food all around

Memory Lane

The golden age of steam

Many of us are fortunate (in some respects!) to be old enough to remember the quintessential British steam trains. Even today, the very image of the steam train chugging away in the distance evokes all the romance of the golden age of steam.

I have some fond memories as a child of all the excitement, the noise and smells of those bygone days when steam was a regular feature on the railways. It wasn’t just the locomotives, but the carriages, the hiss of steam as a train pulled up at the platform and the ‘chuffing’ as the train left the station, the clattering of the porter’s trollies, the whistle from the guard to tell the driver all’s well and OK to go. The atmosphere around the station seemed so different to today.

It is said that we British have a nostalgic and romantic memory of the age of steam. For many it is a passion – for others an obsession. So, it didn’t come as a surprise when on Monday 28th August, Meldreth station became a focal point for the train enthusiasts and spectators alike. All armed with their videos and cameras, they were treated to a spectacle – one of Britain’s fastest steam trains, the 60163 Tornado as it passed through Meldreth station on its way to London King’s Cross.

This wasn’t a restored old locomotive out for a run, this was a brand new LNER Peppercorn Class A1 locomotive, the first main line coal-fired steam locomotive to be built in Britain since the Evening Star was constructed in 1960 (now a static exhibit at the National Railway Museum in York).

The concept began in 1990 when a group of enthusiasts got together with a view to construct a brand-new Peppercorn A1 Pacific.

In 1994, construction began at Darlington and was finally completed in 2008. The Tornado has since been running passenger services on the mainline rail network (Network Rail) and the many heritage railway lines connected to the mainline

It wasn’t just the locomotives, but the carriages, the hiss of steam as a train pulled up at the platform…

The Tornado passing through Meldreth on its way to London King’s Cross. Photograph by Brenda Meliniotis

system. More significant for this year (2017), in April the Tornado became the first steam locomotive to reach 100mph (in Britain) for over 50 years.

The name Tornado was chosen in honour of the RAF air crews that flew the Panavia Tornado, a combat aircraft flown extensively during the Gulf War which also began in 1990.

The Peppercorn class A1s worked mostly express trains on the East Coast Main Line from 1948 until 1968, when steam locomotives were eventually withdrawn from passenger service. Of the 49 A1 class locomotives built, none of the original production run have survived.

‘The Easterling’ sign that appears on the front of the Tornado (see photograph top of page 24) was taken from a train of the same name that ran in the 1950s, operating a passenger service on the Great Eastern Railways from London to Yarmouth and Lowestoft. The Easterling was based at March and Norwich.

The Tornado is the 50th Peppercorn A1 locomotive to be built and has an illustrious pedigree. One of its best-known stablemates is the 4472 Flying Scotsman.

Cost and safety became the overriding factors behind the demise of steam locomotives. With falling oil prices in the 60s, diesel engines began to take over from steam. These new trains were faster, easier to maintain, and (supposedly) cleaner and on 12 August 1968, British Rail imposed a complete ban on all mainline steam locomotives.

Smoke gets in your eyes – and everywhere else!

As a young boy, whilst visiting my grandparents, my brothers and I would sneak off to the local station close by. It was where my grandfather worked on the railways as a wheeltapper. We would climb up on the bridge parapet that overlooked the station, feet dangling over the wall and just sit and wait for the next train to come hurtling below us, just to experience

the rush of the smoke from the engine as it rumbled past. The smell of burning coal and ‘sulphur’ (rotten eggs) still has a nostalgic memory. Fortunately, the walls on most rail bridges today are beyond the climbing ability of the most eager youngster, and many are totally enclosed.

Trips on the Flying Scotsman train as we travelled North to live in Newcastle or visits to London were the highlight of our steam travels. Sticking our heads out of the door window just to feel the rush of wind and smoke that blew along the side of the carriage. It was fun – really!

I recently had an opportunity to re-live those early times, when we took my mother on a nostalgic trip on the East Lancashire Railways – a heritage railway which runs a standard passenger service along a 12¹⁄₂ mile stretch between Heywood just south of Manchester and Rawtenstall to the north. (For the train buff, it was a L&YR Class 27 locomotive that pulled the train.) The carriages were similar to the one shown in the picture below, the ‘slam door’ with its drop-down window

and the large window in the compartment with its two-small sliding windows. Even the guards’ uniform was much the same.

This was an opportunity to rekindle, those childhood memories of steam and smoke – so, pushing down the doorwindow I leaned out to feel the wind (and rain) against my face. What I did feel was the occasional sting on my cheek and what I thought were one or two small flies in my eye. I discovered later they were small sharp pieces of coal blown out from the fire of the engine. And brushing my hair revealed an amazing amount of coal grit. The only thing missing from the experience was the smell of sulphur.

The heavy sulphurous coal of the bygone days is still used, but is avoided whenever possible, partly, because it doesn’t burn as well and the sulphur also has a detrimental effect on the engine.

A lot of people will remember the old ‘slam doors’, not least because they are still in use on a number of main-line routes. They even made a comeback in 2016 when one franchise brought them back into service due to a lack of rolling stock.

Called ‘slam doors’ simply because you had to slam them hard in order to close properly, the noise would reverberate around the station as the guard walked the length of the train slamming each door home.

A slam door with the original internal door handle

The large sprung loaded portrait windows in the door, often took a little bit of coaxing in order to push down. The door ‘handle’ on the inside was a chunky box with a lever in the centre that you pulled to the side. Great if it worked well, but almost impossible if it stiffened up. The only way out at that stage was to pull the window down, lean out and open the door using the turnkey handle on the outside – come rain, hail, snow or a very windy day!

What was amazing, was the way in which you could simply open the door whilst the train was still in motion. I remember many, many years ago watching passengers open the doors before their compartment was alongside the platform, then when the train had slowed down, they simply jumped off before the train had stopped.

The earliest recollection I have of the carriages were single enclosed compartments with room for eight people and a door and two windows on each side. Absolutely no good if you needed access to the toilet, but more important, not the safest place for a vulnerable person! These were later replaced with full carriage seating, but still not possible to access any other part of the train.

The other type of carriage had a single corridor running alongside the compartments. The carriage was separated into

The long corridor compartments, with seating on either side and a sliding door opening out onto the narrow passage which allowed access to other carriages, and on long journeys, of course the toilets and the buffet car.

The compartments were comfortable, they even had window-blinds that could be pulled down for extra privacy and you got a level of peace & quiet, not experienced today. Even the seats were well-padded and comfortable.

Today there is little evidence of the romantic golden age of steam unless you visit the many heritage railways with their old rolling stock. Visiting one if you have to chance, is a must!

Health and Safety?

Today’s train doors are very different from those of yesteryear. Accidents did occur. Statistics show that between 1960 and 1979 some 4000 people were injured, and a number of those …continued on page 28

A nostalgic trip on the East Lancashire Railways

us and were led in prayer by Reverend Lizzie Shipp, who we were very grateful to for letting us come to church to celebrate harvest. The Royston foodbank are hugely appreciative and it will help families in our local area who are in need.

Mrs Stephanie Wilcox – Headteacher

Melbourn Village College

TTP Investment

Melbourn Village College has teamed up with leading technology and product development consultancy TTP to enhance teaching at the college.

TTP, based at Melbourn Science Park, have pledged £50,000 a year for the next two years to further help develop the school’s high-quality science teaching, both within the curriculum and outside it.

The partnership, brokered by Melbourn governor Brian Clarkstone, comes as the college marks the dawn of a new era in their science department with a new head, Simon Callow, starting this term and leading a team in which the majority joined the school during 2017.

Simon Holmes, Principal, said “This is a fantastic opportunity to boost the Science experience of our students, both inside and outside lessons. Once we knew the money was confirmed our challenge was to recruit the highest calibre of Science teachers to join our existing staff and move things forwards. With Mr Callow and Dr Wilson, who arrived in January, I am confident we have the leadership in Science to do just that and to ensure the funding has a lasting legacy”.

Peter Taylor, Group Chairman, TTP Group said: “We are delighted to be able to support Melbourn Village College on their

TTP investment left to right is: Nayim Rahman, Tracey Mayhead, Simon Callow (Head of Science), Dr David Wilson, David Essien.

mission to improve science services to all students. Science is such an important part of a child’s education and I believe, as a science employer and local business, that we should support the local community where we can.”

Details of how the money will be spent are still being finalised but a bigger and better Science Week and a trip to CERN in Switzerland as well as new resources for day-to-day teaching are all under consideration.

Ofsted report

An innovative curriculum that meets the needs of students has been praised by Ofsted inspectors after they visited Melbourn Village College last month.

Confirming a ‘good’ grading, the team made many positive comments whilst noting that the college had continued to improve the quality of education since the previous good judgement in 2013.

The report said: “Leaders, including governors, have worked hard to create an innovative curriculum that truly meets the needs of pupils. Your vision is clear and parents value the ways in which the school offers their children a broad and rich curriculum alongside strong pastoral support.”

…continued on page 29

The Moor Melbourn SG8 6EF 01763 223400 office@melbournvc org www melbournvc org www facebook com/ melbournvillagecollege @melbourn vc

A highly rated community secondary school committed to ensuring every student achieves his or her very best through a rich and varied curriculum

OFSTED (Sept 2017) confirmed:

Senior Leaders will be delighted to show around prospective students and their parents. For more information or to book your tour contact Janine Savage office@melbournvc org

‘An innovative curriculum that truly meets the needs of pupils’

‘The first school in Cambridgeshire to introduce Mandarin at Key Stage 3’

‘The school’s vision of Everybody is Somebody is evident in the support you provide for all pupils’

‘Parents are overwhelmingly supportive of the school’

died as a result of the slam doors. In 1987 twenty-six people died falling from moving trains.

British Rail did make a change at some point during the time these doors were in operation, when apparently, the boffins came up with an ‘ingenious solution’. They removed the internal handles, so the doors could only be opened from the outside. Now everyone had the opportunity to lean out the window and feel the wind and rain! Oh, and you could still open the door – from the outside whilst the train was still moving!

Later they introduced a locking system, where each door was manually locked by the guard. Surprisingly, at least to the authorities, several accidents still occurred. The guard was required to unlock the doors well before they arrived at the station – people still jumped out.

A driver operated central locking mechanism was eventually installed, allowing the driver to release the doors only when the train pulled into the station and had stopped.

There had been numerous reports of robbery, sexual attacks, assault and intimidation within the single compartment carriages and full carriage seating, but it took the murder of a passenger in the 1980’s, for British Rail to deal with the problem. The solution? They would alert passengers who might feel vulnerable in such compartments by simply painting a red stripe over the passenger doorways which led to full carriage compartments, that had no link to the rest of the train. This indicated the person should look for a carriage that did have links! They remained in service until the late 1980’s.

My grateful thanks to David Elliott Director of Engineering at the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust for an interesting and informative chat.

Ed. PS

Memory Lane

never know the

of

I remember when.... ! We all like to reminiscence... often a sound, a smell, or something somebody just said can often bring back a fond memory from long ago. And we all enjoy hearing about others’ experiences – they can take you back to another period in time!

If you have a memory you would like to share, let us know. You don’t have to be an accomplished writer to see it in the magazine – we can help you with that. Tell us why it is so special to you... it may bring back memories to others too, or let young people know how life was in the past!

melbournmagazine@gmail.com

Telephone 01763 261144

You can’t always see what is happening to your flat roof so, Replace It Once and for All with our unique RubberBond EPDM FleeceBack Roofing System, guaranteed not to leak or crack and tough enough to stand on.

Pupil behaviour and learning was highlighted as another strength. ‘Pupils’ conduct is exemplary. They are kind, respectful and welcoming of each other and staff. They respond well to teachers’ high expectations and speak positively of the support that they receive.

The teaching of Mandarin alongside Spanish in key stage 3 was also well received with acknowledgement that expertise on the governing body facilitated its introduction. Students told the inspectors they “felt privileged to study Mandarin”, and “decisive action to strengthen the quality of teaching and learning in modern foreign languages” has seen pupils in all year groups make significantly better progress.

One of the key lines of inquiry for inspectors was about the progress of disadvantaged pupils, including the most able, and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The report confirmed “the school’s inclusive ethos is enacted in every area of the curriculum. The school’s ethos, ‘everybody is somebody’, is evident in the highly tailored provision for pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities”.

The focus on literacy and numeracy skills for SEND pupils was also highlighted with the report noting: “Pupils make good progress in line with other pupils nationally in all areas of the curriculum.”

Another area of interest for inspectors was how leaders are sustaining strong pupil progress in English and maths and they reported progress in both subjects was significantly above average in 2016, noting “strong teaching in both areas.”

They also praised the effective use of teaching assistants who adapted work in both subjects to match the needs of the pupils they help.

Principal Simon Holmes said: “We were delighted to see so many positive comments. As with any school, there are areas which we would want to improve and we will continue to focus on these. In the meantime it is heartening to see the positive aspects of the school highlighted and the students and staff given the credit they deserve.”

National Eye Health Week

Students at Melbourn Village College marked National Eye Health Week by raising money for Cam Sight, a charity which works with people living with low vision and blindness in Cambridgeshire.

The school held a non-uniform day last Friday and raised close to £400 for the charity. Students also heard from Cam Sight spokesman Warren Wilson, a 21-year-old student at Anglia Ruskin University, who talked in assemblies about his own sight loss, which occurred suddenly from a genetic condition while he was at a Sixth Form college in Cambridge.

ART EXHIBITION & SALE Melbourn Hub Gallery

Melbourn artists

Pettifer & George Meliniotis

Principal Simon Holmes said: “It’s not about people (with sight loss) not doing things. It’s about putting in the correct support so they can – that’s why we’re raising money.”

Cam Sight aims to support local people of all ages with low vision and blindness to live the lives they choose by ensuring they have the information, support and technology to be independent and valued members of their communities.

Arts & Minds

We are Lucky to have be given the opportunity to participate in the ‘Arts & Minds’ project, which is being led by Anglia Ruskin University. This allows small groups of selected students the opportunity to explore their creativity while improving their mental health and wellbeing. The 10 week programme is led by an artist and the students taking part have been very enthusiastic and making the most of this valuable opportunity.

Melbourn

Suppliers

Mandarin Excellence Programme

Melbourn Village College has been accepted on to the national Mandarin Excellence Programme.

It means that each year a group of Year 7 students will start on an accelerated programme of learning the world’s most spoken language with a view to taking a GCSE up to two years early.

Last September, the school became the first in Cambridgeshire to offer the language as part of the Key Stage 3 curriculum. While their peers study the language for two hours a week, from this September the first cohort of 29 Year 7 volunteers will dedicate two additional hours to being taught Mandarin by specialist teacher Frank Fan.

The Mandarin Excellence Programme is run by the Department for Education, University College London and the British Council and aims to have at least 5000 students nationally on track to fluency in Mandarin by 2020.

It is only open to schools rated ‘outstanding’ or ‘good’ by Ofsted and who have shown a strong curriculum presence of Mandarin as well as having a minimum of two languages taught at the school.

Students will be tested annually and will be expected to complete a variety of homework tasks in addition to the enhanced number of hour-long lessons, one of which will take place during Melbourn’s after-school enrichment programme.

However, there are also rewards, with a heavily-subsidised two-week educational and cultural trip to China taking place at the end of Year 8.

Melbourn Principal Simon Holmes said: “This is a recognition of the success of our first year of teaching Mandarin.

“This was an intrinsic part of our original plan in developing Mandarin. We are delighted that we are one of the small number of schools that has been accepted on to this exciting programme.”

Sawston Adult Education

At Sawston Village College we are very proud of the variety of courses that we have available here for the local community.

If you are looking for some chill out time before the Christmas festivities, then perhaps one of our Saturday Workshops on the 9 December will appeal? Below are the exciting courses we have on offer:

• Patchwork & Quilting – Christmas Table Runner 10 am-4pm £30

• Christmas Day Flowers 10.30 am – 12.30pm £10

• Indian Dance 10.30am – 12.30pm £10

• Evening Make-up/Smokey eye workshop 10 am – 4pm £30

Do you recognise any names?

One of the joys (and problems) in collecting village archives is what to do with these valuable pieces of paper, photographs or documents when they are perhaps no longer needed.

The Melbourn History Group had a huge response from the village and beyond but now it is necessary to document and catalogue some of the memorabilia we collected at the time. Four members of the Group have been meeting to look through and decide what can be stored and what offered to the Cambridgeshire Collection.

One example is a small booklet entitled The Vegetable Garden presented to Wilf Ogden in 1956 and inside is a list of those who donated money to the booklet.

How many names do you recognise and how many are still with us?

Dorothy Hale; Norma Chantry; Anne Child; Susan Rumxley; Gloria Edwards; Christine Newman: Janet Winter; Valerie Day; Darrell Plumb; Herbert Griffins’; Richard Allen; Eric Lacey; Wendy Parmenter; Rosemary Cathey; Barbara Mallett; Mary Cambridge; Barry Pammenter; Alan Thompson; Colin Porter; Roy Hart; Robin Fuller; Eric Pettitt; Sheila Slater; Heather Holmes; Ann Moule; Jane Gunnell; Neil Guiver; Rodney Rogers’ Antony Young; Gillian Pluck Jean Pettit.

Apologies if some of the names are not what they should be but some of the writing is somewhat indistinct.

If you recognise any of the names, or, indeed you are actually on the list please let us know. Colin Limming (260072)

All courses need to be booked in advance either by telephone or downloading a booking form from our website below.

If you have any enquiries or wish to make a booking please feel free to pop in at the Adult Education reception Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm during term. Alternatively telephone us on 01223 712424 or email community@sawstonvc.org, or check out our website at www.sawstonadulted.org.

Amanda Hoskins

The Adult Education Department

Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) – Royston

Enrolment for the Spring course at Royston Town Hall will be on 9th January, 10am-11am or enroll on-line. www.wea.org.uk History: The Post War world 1945–1973, Tutor: Stephen Corley 10 sessions of 1½ hours from 16th January.

Blundell’s Plot

All across our corner of South Cambs autumn is closing in on a summer that seemed determined never to end. As I write this in mid-October (hey, you wouldn’t believe the early deadlines on the Melbourn magazine) it’s a near unbelievable 22°C outside. But nobody’s fooled by the freak spell of overheated air blown in, so the BBC weatherman says, by the tail end of Hurricane Irma – the trees are on the turn and falling leaves are already carpeting the lawn and blocking the pump in the garden pond.

From the bedroom window this morning I watched a squirrel clearing the bird table of peanuts thoughtfully provided by my wife. They were meant for the birds, of course, but he’s welcome; who’s counting a few nuts? The fields around the village, just a few weeks ago heavy with wheat, are now stubble, waiting for the plough. And on the drive up New Road to Chishill I am harried by gaudy, suicidal pheasants determined on a premature death.

So what was summer like in the garden? Who said it was a washout? Here in Cambridgeshire we enjoyed some baking temperatures, despite soggy episodes. In fact the sunny, settled periods in June and July made it one of the warmest summers since Met Office records began in 1910.

The result has been a remarkable harvest of fruit and veg. In the darkness under the stairs swags of onions turn slowly on their strings under the slightest draught, and below them squash and pumpkin ripen through green to gold. The big freezer in the garage is brim-full. In one corner is a stack of rhubarb, apple and bramble pies. In another are bags of beans and currants. Blocks of frozen tomatoes, boiled to a scarlet pulp, wait to be transformed into sauces and soup.

Alongside is a carrier bag full of crab apples, soon to be boiled down into jelly. It’s been a remarkable year for the crabbies. In the few years we have been in Melbourn I have scarcely seen a single fruit on our tree. Then, by midSeptember, it was laden, the branches weighed down almost to the ground by fruit.

Those of us who are fortunate enough to have vegetable gardens and allotments are blessed at this time of year when – in the words of Henry Alford – “All is safely gathered in/ Ere the Winter storms begin” – we are closest of all to our land.

My year began as ever with the sowing of brassicas in trays of compost on the windowsill in March. I stuck to the Marshalls’ club-root resistant collection: Kilaxy (cabbage), Clapton (cauliflower), Crispus (sprout) and Lodero (red cabbage). They all showed a good germination rate and produced a healthy crop.

Spuds seem always to well here – better than when I grew them in an allotment in Derbyshire before we decamped South. The soil is a tad chalky, but that can be corrected by a heavy dressing of manure or compost. I’ve mentioned my two top varieties before – Charlotte and Kestrel –

and they will both be back after another trouble-free season. Kestrel are a particular favourite, distinguishable by their beautiful blue-purple eyes and cream-coloured skin, with a long oval shape and smooth texture. Charlotte is, of course, the classic salad spud – tasty, reliable and a heavy cropper.

Sweetcorn and outdoor tomatoes, alas, were a disaster this year. Once again the corn, though it cropped well enough, was tough and tasteless (never again shall I buy it as a seedling from the garden centre; better to choose your own seed) and the tomatoes were struck down by blight. On the other hand, the toms in the greenhouse – Sweet Million and Super Sweet, both F1 cherry varieties – did well. We were harvesting well into October and they will probably keep going until the first frost.

Onions and leek were fine. I particularly enjoy leek –Autumn Mammoth and Musselburgh are stupendous brutes and never let you down. They will stand through most of the winter, and I expect to see them on the table for Christmas dinner! Beans, ten out of ten. Let me recommend Cobra, a climbing French bean, and Safari, a dwarf variety. Favourite – and still possible to source online through Thomas Etty, seedsman – is the heritage haricot vert. These can be eaten at flageolet stage or allowed to ripen and dry to creamy beans.

So, who gets the hand-crafted dibber for all round vegetal excellence, 2017? Step forward the courgette Orelia, a tasty yellow F1 hybrid. We have been eating them for weeks now and they are a doddle to grow. Just a word of warning, though; they are such energetic little devils that they will take over your plot if you don’t hold them in check.

A few tips for the veg patch in November/December This is generally a time for tidying up. Lift parsnips after the first frosts when their flavour will have sweetened. Divide mature clumps of rhubarb once they are dormant. Prepare a perennial vegetable bed which can be planted up with rhubarb crowns and asparagus crowns. Also, prepare a bed for planting autumn garlic. Improve heavy soils with organic matter - if you have access to fresh manure, spread it across the surface of your vegetable beds to rot down over winter. Build a raised bed to take the bending out of vegetable growing.

Stake top-heavy brassicas and draw up some soil around the base of the stem to prevent wind rocking the plant and causing damage to the roots.

The main pest around Melbourn is likely to be pigeons –they can quickly strip brassicas if left unprotected. In fact in a really hard winter, few green vegetables are safe, so if possible net the whole area.

And finally, let’s look forward to another year on the patch!

David Blundell

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

Appointments available in Ashwell, Melbourn and Baldock

parking at all 3 clinics

1/3 off meeting room hire in January and February 2018! at the Hub, 30 High Street, Melbourn, SG8 6DZ

Local businesses don’t miss out! We are offering one-third off the price of meeting room bookings on Mondays and Fridays only throughout January and February 2018*.

Modern and welcoming building in a central village location, 10 mins walk from Meldreth train station

Rooms can hold from 2 to 25 people

Multiple set-ups available including theatre or boardroom style

Variety of hot and cold food and beverages, TV and tele-conferencing, screens, and projectors available

Dedicated and friendly point of contact throughout your booking

Secure meeting rooms

Free car park

Full accessible and DDA compliant building

one of my favourite venues. The staff go out of their way to make the trainers and delegates feel welcome and well looked after.” River Rhee consulting.

“The Hub has become an extension to our offices so that we can offer training courses on an ad hoc basis without having to acquire extra office space.” Burden & Burden.

and conditions apply. Applies to commercial room hire only.

District Councillors

Village information

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Orchard Surgery

Appointments & Dispensary 260220

For repeat prescriptions send email: prescriptions.orchardsurgery@nhs.net

Hospitals

Addenbrooke’s 01223 245151 Royston 01763 242134

NHS111 – Urgent Care 111 24hr helpline

Medical help when not a 999 emergency

Police Non Emergency number 101

Help when not a 999 emergency

Fire & Rescue Service 01223 376201

Crimestoppers 0800 555111

Neighbourhood Watch 260959 Maureen Townsend maureentownsend1@aol.com

Telephone Preference Servicewww.tsponline.org.uk 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 01223 221921

Blood Donors 0300 123 23 23

Chiropodist 263260

Dentist 262034

District Nurses (Primary Care Trust) 01223 846122 Home-Start 262262

S. Cambs PCT 35 Orchard Road

Child & Family Nurses 262861 Car Scheme 245228 Osteopath Kath Harry 261716

LOCAL CLUBS

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

Stef

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 Iain (Chief Instructor) or Lesley Reid 241830

email melbournjudoclub@gmail.com 07974 445710

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

DIARY

DECEMBER

Friday 1

Coffee URC 10.30am

Art Exhibition The Hub Gallery during December by Valerie Pettifer & George Meliniotis

Saturday 2

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am The Bookshelf

Tastes of Christmas URC 11-2pm all welcome

Christmas Tree Festival Holy Trinity Meldreth

Christmas at The Hub 4pm all welcome

Sunday 3

Sung Eucharist All Saints 9.45am

URC Service 11am

Baptist Service 10.30am

Communion Service Baptist Church 6pm

Christmas Tree Festival Holy Trinity Meldreth

Monday 4

Drop-in Surgery with Councillors at The Hub 3-4pm

Melbourn Bridge Club every Monday URC Hall 7pm contact Howard Waller 261693

Tuesday 5

Toddlers Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30am (TT)

Melbourn Bridge Club every Tuesday URC Hall 2pm contact Howard Waller 261693

Melbourn & District Photographic Club Foxton Village Hall 7.30pm (runs weekly Sept to Apr)

Melbourn Short Story Reading Group weekly The Hub 10-11am

Christmas Literary Lunch The Old Bull Inn in aid of Home-Start contact 262262 for details. Piccolinos 10am at the Hub

URC Christingle Service with Brownies and Guides 7-7.30pm

Wednesday 6

Craft Club 9.30-11.30 (TT) Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am

Christmas Fayre at Moorlands Court 2-4pm. All welcome.

Thursday 7

Holy Communion All Saints 10am

Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm

Christmas Door Decorations in aid of Home-Start (see article)

Royston & District Local History Soc. Town Hall 8pm SOE Nadine’s Story

Friday 8

Coffee URC 10.30am

MADS Sleeping Beauty pantomime Meldreth Village Hall 7.30pm

Saturday 9

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am

Royal British Legion Women’s Section Coffee

Morning Elin Way Meldreth

Sleeping Beauty 2pm and 7.30pm

Sunday 10

Sung Eucharist All Saints 9.45am

Baptist Morning Service 10.30am

URC Communion Service 11am

Sleeping Beauty 2pm

Tuesday 12

Toddlers Plus Christmas Celebration Baptist Church 9.30-11.30am (TT)

Mothers’ Union contact Diane Blundell 221415

Wednesday 13

Craft Club 9.30-11.30am(TT) Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am

Hub Club Lunch 12.30pm

Churches Together Carol Singing at the Black Horse 8-8.45pm all welcome

Thursday 14

Holy Communion All Saints 10am

Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm

Friday 15

Coffee URC 10.30am

Saturday 16

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am

Churches Together Carol Singing at The Cross 10.30am all welcome

Melbourn Cinema Nativity 3 - Dude Where’s My Donkey 1.30-4pm

Sunday 17

Holy Communion 8am

Carol Service All Saints 6pm All Welcome

URC Family Festival Service 11am

Christmas Nativity Service Baptist Church 10.30am

Carols by Candlelight Baptist Church 6pm

Churches Together Carol Singing at Moorlands Court 2.30pm all welcome

Wednesday 20

Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am

Thursday 21

Holy Communion All Saints 10am

Friday 22

Coffee URC 10.30am

Saturday 23

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am

Sunday 24

URC Morning Worship 11am

Crib Service All Saints 3pm

Family Communion Service Baptist Church 10.30am

Midnight Eucharist with Carols All Saints 11pm URC Nightwatch Service 11.30pm

Monday 25

Holy Communion All Saints 8am

URC Christmas Morning Service 8.30am

Christmas Morning Family Service Baptist Church 9.30am

Wednesday 27

Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am

Thursday 28

Holy Communion All Saints 10am

Friday 29

Coffee URC 10.30am

Saturday 30

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am

Sunday 31st

Holy Communion All Saints 8am

Family Service Baptist Church 10.30am

JANUARY 2018

Monday 1

Bank Holiday Tuesday 2

Melbourn Bridge Club every Tuesday URC Hall 2pm contact Howard Waller 261693

Melbourn Short Story Reading Group every Tuesday 10-11am the Hub

Wednesday 3

Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am

Thursday 4

Holy Communion All Saints 10am

Craft & Chat URC weekly 2-4pm

Royston & District Local History Society Town Hall Royston 8pm Mackays of Cambridge

Friday 5

Coffee at URC 10.30am

Saturday 6

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am The Bookshelf

Sunday 7

Holy Communion 8am All Saints

Morning Service Baptist Church 10.30am

Holy Communion URC 11am

Communion Service Baptist Church 6pm

Monday 8

Melbourn Bridge Club every Monday evening URC Hall 7pm contact Howard Waller 261693

Tuesday 9

Toddlers Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30am (TT)

Mothers Union contact Diane Blundell 221415

Wednesday 10

Craft Club 9.30-11.30am (TT) Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am

Hub Club Lunch 12.30pm

Thursday 11

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

Friday 12

Coffee at URC 10.30am

Saturday 13

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am

Sunday 14

Sung Eucharist All Saints 9.45am

Morning Service Baptist Church 10.30am

URC Communion Service 11am

Tuesday 16

Toddlers Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30am (TT)

Wednesday 17

Craft Club 9.30-11.30am (TT) Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am

Thursday 18

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

Friday 19

Coffee at URC 10.30am

Melbourn Cinema Night ASCH My Cousin Rachel 8pm tickets 261154/260686

Saturday 20

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am

Sunday 21

Holy Communion 8am Family Service 11am All Saints

Communion Service Baptist Church 10.30am URC Service 11am

Tuesday 23

Toddlers Plus 9.30-11.30am (TT)

Women’s Group AGM ASCH Melbourn 7.45pm

Wednesday 24

Craft Club 9.30-11.30am (TT) Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am

British Legion Women’s Section Vicarage Close 2pm Melbourn WI ASCH 7.45pm

Thursday 25

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

Friday 26

Coffee at URC 10.30am

Saturday 27

Coffee Stop All Saints 10.30am

Sunday 28

Sung Eucharist All Saints 9.45am

Morning Service Baptist Church 10.30am URC Service 11am

Wednesday 31

Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am

FEBRUARY 2018

Thursday 1

Holy Communion All Saints 10am

Craft & Chat URC 2-4pm weekly

Royston & District Local History Society Royston Town Hall 8pm Vikings in your Vocabulary

Friday 2

Coffee at URC 10.30am

Saturday 3

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am The Bookshelf Sunday 4

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

Communion Service Baptist Church 6pm Monday 5

Drop in Session with Councillors at The Hub 3-4pm Melbourn Bridge Club every Monday URC Hall 7pm contact Howard Waller 261693 Tuesday 6

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 7

Craft Club Baptist Church 9.30am (TT) Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am Thursday 8

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

Friday 9

Coffee at URC 10.30am

Saturday 10

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am Sunday 11

Sung Eucharist All Saints 9.45a

Family Service Baptist Church 10.30am URC Communion Service 11am Monday 12

Half term Tuesday 13

Mother’s Union contact Diane Blundell 221415

Wednesday 14

Coffee Break Baptist Church 10.30am Hub Club lunch 12.30pm Thursday 15

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

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

Friday 16

Coffee at URC 10.30am

Saturday 17

Coffee Stop ASCH 10.30am

Sunday 18

Holy Communion All Saints 8am Family Service All Saints 11.00am

URC Morning Service 11am

Communion Service Baptist Church 10.30am

Tuesday 20

Toddler Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30am (TT)

Wednesday 21

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

Friday 23

Coffee at URC 10.30am

Melbourn Cinema Night ASCH Hampstead 8pm tickets 261154/260686

Saturday 24

Coffee Stop at ASCH 10.30am The Guides

Sunday 25

Sung Eucharist All Saints 9.45am

Morning Service Baptist Church 9.30am

URC Morning Service 11am

Tuesday 27

Toddlers Plus Baptist Church 9.30-11.30am (TT)

Wednesday 28

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

Royal British Legion Women’s Section Vicarage Close 2pm

Melbourn WI ASCH 7.45pm

closing date for the next issue is Friday 18th January which will be published in March, listing events in March, April and May.

Volunteers Searching for

Magazine isdelivered free to everyhousehold in the village by volunteers. If you would like to help please contact Ann Dekkers

Village

Orchard Surgery & Dispensary

Monday to Friday 8:30–1pm and 3pm–6pm Phone 01763 260220 www.orchardsurgerymelbourn.co.uk

Repeat prescriptions can be made either, by post, in person or by registering to use the online NHS service. Prescriptions can still be collected from: Surgery Co-op Tesco in Royston

Prescription Home Delivery

The surgery offers home delivery service for prescriptions, on a Tuesday & Thursday.

For more information on any of the above, please see their website or contact the surgery.

BIN COLLECTION

MELBOURN

Bin collection day – TUESDAY

Melbourn Health Visiting Team

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

Sight’s

Celebrating Christmas …

Christmas as we know it today is a Victorian invention of the 1800s and is probably the most celebrated holiday in the world. Yet, the modern Christmas is a product of hundreds of years of both secular and religious traditions from around the globe.

In the Middle East, the Christen faith can be found in almost every country, the exception is Saudi Arabia, where no faith other than Islam is permitted to be practiced, no churches, temples, or other non-Muslim houses of worship are permitted.

However, the tradition for those practicing Christians in those predominately Muslim countries is the same as it is here, visiting families, sitting down together to a Christmas dinner.

Palestine

Christmas is an important event in the West Bank of Palestine none more so than in Bethlehem, it is where many trace the very roots of the Christianity and where Jesus is said to have been born. Although Christians make up just 1% of the population of Palestine there are many Muslim Palestinians who are proud of the heritage their country holds.

The Church of the Nativity in Manger Square is the focal point for Christmas celebrations. The streets and square are decorated with lights.

The most holy part the Church is the Grotto of the Nativity, which sits below the main altar. A silver star marks the site of the birth of Jesus.

The traditional meal at Christmas will be plates of mezze, usually comprising of hummus, tabbouleh (a type of parsley salad), baba ghanoush (cooked eggplant), falafel and may include roast lamb, sweets made with nougat and sesame seeds, roasted chestnuts, a hot, sweet drink of rosewater and nuts and semolina pancakes stuffed with nuts and cheese.

Iran

Predominantly a Muslim nation, Christians make up less than 2% of the population. Iran, formerly Persia is the land where the Magi or the Three Wise men are believed to have lived when Jesus was born.

Christians in Iran begin fasting from animal products on December 1st. This is called ‘Little Fast.’ After Church service on December 25th, they enjoy Christmas dinner which they call ‘Little Feast.’ A traditional dish is chicken stew called ‘harasa’ and rice, and Kubbeh, which is made up of crushed boiled wheat or bulgur mixed with meat, onion, salt and paper. Although presents are not generally given, children get new clothes which they wear proudly on Christmas Day.

Iraq

Christmas Eve in Manger Square

Celebrations begin on Christmas Eve with a parade through the town. Galloping horsemen on Arabian horses lead the parade, followed by a solitary horseman sitting astride a coalblack steed carrying a cross. Bagpipe bands are very much part of the parade. A tradition left over from when the British army occupied the area between 1920 and 1948. People dress up as Santa Claus and give out sweets.

The Church of the Nativity

Christians represent around 3% of the population of Iraq and in 2008 Iraq declared Christmas as an official holiday for the first time. For Iraqi Christians, Christmas is a time when the whole family get together. One of the children reads about the birth of Jesus while other family members hold lighted candles. After the reading, a bonfire of thorn bushes is lit and everyone sings. If the thorns burn to ashes, good luck will be granted for the coming year. When the fire dies, each person jumps over the ashes three times and makes a wish.

On Christmas Day, another bonfire is lit in the churchyard. The bishop, carrying a figure of the Baby Jesus leads the service. Afterwards he blesses one person with a touch. That person touches the person next to him or her and the touch is passed around until all present have felt the ‘touch of peace.’

Lebanon Christmas in Lebanon is a very special occasion. The Lebanese is home to 18 different religions with 30% of the population, Christians. Although Lebanon has had a turbulent history stemming from these religious differences, the Christmas spirit is alive and well in homes across the country, no matter the family’s religious background. Religious and political divisions are set aside whilst everyone embraces the Christmas spirit.

The Altar of the Nativity, beneath which is the star marking the spot where tradition says the Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus.

Richard Arnott

Little Hands is a Private Nursery School specialising in quality education for the under fives and offers

Flexible hourly booking - open 08.30 to 16.30 Term time bookings with optional holiday club

Bumble Bee room for children 12 – 24 months

Ladybird room for 2 year olds

Butterfly room for children 3-5 years With optional “ready for school sessions”

Holiday club for children aged 12 months to 8 years

All sessions have a high staff to child ratio and are available for funded 2 year olds and funded 3/4 year olds with no extra charges

Categorised as “Outstanding” by Ofsted

For further information please contact Anne McCrossen - Nursery Manager : 01763 260964 e-mail lh-melbourn@btconnect.com

Little Hands is also at Bourn, Linton and Newton visit the website at www.littlehands.co.uk

A Lebanese tradition involves people sowing seeds of chickpeas, beans, wheat grains or lentils in cotton wool two weeks before Christmas Day. The plants are well taken care of and when the big day arrives, the shoots are placed under the Christmas tree to mark the birth of Jesus Christ.

The traditional offerings for Christmas may include Kibbeh, a meal of lamb with rice or burghul (wheat) with tabbouleh (a type of parsley salad). Roast turkey or duck are not uncommon. Pastries include Honey cake and ‘Buche De Noël’ (Yule log) and sugar coated almonds.

India

With only 2.3% of the population of India practising Christians, Christmas is quite a small affair. For the Christian Indian, one of the most important Christmas traditions is midnight mass, usually attended by the whole family, dressed up in the best colourful cloths. The churches are decorated with Poinsettia flowers and candles for the Mass service.

Although Christmas presents are not traditional in India, they do have a Christmas Tree, although not the Christmas spruce, but a banana or mango tree (or whatever tree people can find to decorate!). Mango leaves are sometimes used to decorate homes.

In India, Christmas will be celebrated with variety of dishes, including Biryani with chicken or lamb/mutton, chicken and mutton curry, followed by cake or sweets like Kheer. Some Christian communities will have pork dishes and beef dishes as part of their main course of their Christmas dinner. These include Pork Vindaloo and Sorpatel. For dessert, a dish called Bebinca is very popular.

Pakistan

December 25th is a public holiday for the whole of Pakistan. Although the country has only a small Christian community (around 3%), the public holiday is in memory of Quaid-e-Azam Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan.

Before and during Advent, spiritual meetings take place to help people prepare for ‘Christmas’ or ‘Bara Din’ (Big Day), an expression that is very popular, among Muslims as well as Christians in Pakistan.

In the Christian areas, Christmas is a very traditional affair, the crib and Christmas tree are an important decoration, carol singers go from door to door and homes are decorated including placing a star on the roof. The streets are also decorated and lit.

In many places, there are parades, firework displays which help celebrate the start of Bara Din, with dancing and exchanging of presents.

Christmas dinner usually features chicken or beef curry with rice and numerous sweets for dessert.

Christmas celebration in India

Brand new purpose built site

Churches Together

Melbourn United Reformed Church Harvest

We celebrated our harvest festival on Sunday 24th September. The church was beautifully decorated with flowers, fruit and vegetables making a marvellous display. During the service the letters of the word harvest were used to make other words relating to that theme and it was surprising how many there were. Images of farm animals, combining of crops, fruit, vegetables and relating items were projected on the wall before and after the service. Coffee/tea was served after the service and we then went into the hall to enjoy a bring and share lunch. After lunch we were given the opportunity to take any of the flowers and produce home in return for a monetary donation. The donations totalling £133 and leftover items were given to Jimmy’s Night Shelter in Cambridge together with six knitted blankets made by our Craft and Chat Group, the items were gratefully received.

Melbourn & Meldreth Churches Together

The combined churches held a Songs of Praise on Sunday 10th September at 4pm followed by a bring and share tea. The plan was for the singing to be outside at Melbourn Cross as a public witness worshipping God. Needless to say the

weather intervened and there was a last minute change to the arrangements and the Songs of Praise was held inside the church at All Saints. Each church chose two hymns making eight in total with the person who chose them saying a few words about their choice. One hymn was “In heav’nly love abiding” which was most appropriate with hurricanes hitting America as the words included “The storm may roar without me, my heart may low be laid, but God is round about me, and can I be dismayed?” We ended with “O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder” and we then held hands and said The Grace together. Everyone enjoyed the singing and it was lovely to hear the organ. We were encouraged to mix with the other churches at the bring and share tea held in the hall afterwards making it a lovely social occasion.

Tastes of Christmas

We are holding our ‘Tastes of Christmas’ on Saturday 2nd December from 11am to 2pm. Please do come and join us for morning coffee or lunch. Hot food will be served from 12 noon. There will be christmas baking and preserves to taste or buy, also mulled wine and much more including a raffle with food hamper prizes. All proceeds are for church funds.

Photograph by Nigel Cox

Photograph by Nigel Cox

Review

‘The Poetry Pharmacy’

by William Sieghart

Wow! From the title to the blurb – this man is a genius! Sieghart has expertly selected a range of inspirational poems and provided his own comforting, thoughtful and emotive responses, enabling the reader to fully experience the poems in their entirety.

The book is presented in a way that serves as a ‘self-help’ book, which allows the reader to independently navigate their own way through the extensive series of poems. The specific selection of poems, which have many different interpretations and paired with Sieghart’s logical tailored words, were created to heal any kind of emotional pain. Sieghart’s words are so easily understood; his tone and style are heart-warming; and they leave you with nothing but hope, comfort and inspiration.

The poems vary in size and structure which provide that quick fix, a long awaited moment of reflection, or even the occasional much-needed cry. Inside the book, you will find the ‘condition’ on the left with Sieghart’s own response to the corresponding poem. This layout makes it very easy to read and to select a poem that suits your current mood.

Sieghart’s broad range of topics ensure that his book is suitable for all ages. You can be sure to find a segment that will cure your emotional ailment in this magnificent series of poems and experiences. It’s an interesting modern twist on a classic poetry anthology, and an essential book to add to your collection – the perfect Christmas gift!

BookReviewers

Wanted

Would You like to review a book?

contact us at: melbournmagazine@gmail.com

(If under 16 please seek permission of parent/guardian)

Youth Fiction: For review in the next issue

David has a secret, which he hasn’t told anyone. He has superpowers. He can soar through the air, he has superhearing, he feels and hears everything super-keenly. So life should be easier, then, shouldn’t it? But somehow it’s not – and when David gets involved with the girl next door, gorgeous Holly Hunter, he begins to realise just how very complicated it can get.

David’s harbouring another secret …

About the author: Chris Priestley, has written lots of books, fiction and non-fiction, has won awards here and abroad. Chris Priestley, Superpowerless Hot Key Books.

cottage near Paris. But Maigret is sure that he was not alone. A man at work in his garden, wearing clogs and a straw hat, does not suddenly drop his tools to go indoors and fetch a glass of rose wine to drink alone in the summerhouse. There must have been another glass that someone removed…. But Felicie, in her red hat trimmed with an iridescent feather, proves a champion adversary, as skilled in innuendo and evasion as Maigret is in deduction.

Was Felicie Pegleg’s lover? Or was she the lover of Pegleg’s nephew, Jacques Petillon, an impoverished young man who scrapes a living by playing saxophone in the Paris nightclubs? Jacques briefly moved in with Pegleg and Felicie at one point, but was left nothing in the old man’s will – everything went to Felicie.

‘Felicie’ by Georges Simenon

Georges Simenon (1903-1989) was a Belgian writer, born in Liege. A prolific author who published nearly 500 novels and numerous short works, he is best known as the creator of the fictional Parisian detective Inspector Maigret. The 75 Maigret novels were written over a 40 year period from the early 1930’s to the early 1970’s.

Felicie, a murder mystery, was written in 1944. Investigating the death of a retired sailor on the outskirts of Paris, Maigret meets his match in the form of the old man’s housekeeper – the sharp-witted, enigmatic and elusive Felicie. Felicie has acted as housekeeper to Jules Lapie (known as Pegleg since he lost a leg in an accident at sea) from the age of 17; she is now 24. Lapie is found mysteriously murdered in his picturesque

Maigret questions Felicie closely over a period of time, but she proves capricious, evasive and somewhat paranoid. She constantly accuses him of ‘getting at her’ and ‘picking on her’, a defenceless young woman. She is also fond of making a spectacle of herself in public by wearing eccentric dress and make-up, and striking a ‘tragic’ attitude. Where does the truth lie…?

Georges Simenon’s series of Maigret novels have been reissued to great critical acclaim as detailed beside the book’s title page. Felicie is an easy to read novel, but I found the title character just as exasperating as Maigret did!

Janet Backer

All Saints’ Church

The warm Autumn has meant that the trees surrounding both of our churches have put on a splendid display of colour, and added extra joy to our Harvest Thanksgiving celebrations, as part of which All Saints welcomed more than 300 pupils and staff from Melbourn Primary School to say “thank you” to God for the harvest. The flower arrangers in both churches worked really hard to make a spectacular display and to beautify our churches.

We are working hard to prepare for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany-tide, with the annual Christmas Tree Festival on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 December at Holy Trinity Meldreth, which ends with an Advent Carol Service at 5.30pm on the Sunday. This year we are holding our Christmas Carol services on Sunday 17 December at both churches – 4pm at Meldreth, and 6pm at Melbourn. Our annual Crib service with Noah the Donkey and a Nativity Tableau will be on Christmas Eve at 3pm in All Saints, Melbourn, and at 11pm we will welcome in the Birth of the Christ-Child with a Midnight Eucharist with Carols at 11pm in All Saints. All are most welcome indeed!

Messy Church continues to go from strength to strength in Meldreth, and at the last session, we welcomed over 30 children, plus their families and carers, for a fun afternoon looking at ‘fruit’.

During Epiphany-tide, in the New Year, there will be a guided performance of Olivier Messiaen’s organ masterpiece, ‘La Nativite du Seigneur’, with Biblical readings, at All Saints. The organ will be played by Dr Tom Murgatroyd, who is an accomplished organ recitalist. Do keep an eye out for posters in due course giving details.

Both churches now have a ‘Facebook’ page at ‘@ASMHTM’ – do have a look, and ‘like’ us to keep up to date with what’s going on.

There’s lots of exciting things happening over the winter, and we look forward to welcoming you!

The Revd Lizzie Shipp

Henry Brodie Day

A stained glass window in All Saints’ Church, Melbourn, records the death in action by a shell of 2nd Lieutenant Henry Brodie Daty of the 1st Cambridgeshire Regiment on the 3rd February 1918.

He was just 20 years old, and, prior to military service, had been a teacher at the school in Melbourn. In addition, he had been a bellringer at All Saints’ Church. To mark the centenary of his death it is intended to ring a peal at All Saints’ on the morning of 3rd February 2018. This will take approximately 3 hours and involve at least 5000 changes being rung.

If you hear the bells on the morning of 3rd February, spare a thought for all those lives shortened or blighted by that terrible war.

Terry G. Mitchell

SOAS 100 club

The August draw was made by Mike Rawlings on 9th September. The first prize of £28 goes to Sheila Brunsdon at 15 Norgetts Lane and the second of £14 to John Travis at 16 Cambridge Road. The September draw was made by Susan Cash on 7th October. The first prize of £28 goes to Ann Dekkers at 110 High Street and the second of £14 to Vernon Gamon at 3 Priors Orchard. The October draw was made by Ebrahim Shariff on 4th November. The first prize of £28 goes to Eric Johnston (11) at 92 High Street and the second of £14 to Ann Perry (62) formerly of 9 Cross Lane (Ebrahim is a regular visitor at Coffee Stop).

The Word of God from David Burbridge

The Lord Jesus said: To this end I was born and for this causeI came into the world, that I should bear witness unto The Truth. Everyone that is of The Truth heareth My voice.

From The Gospel recorded by St. John chapter 18 verse 37

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

Hats Off To Rainbows!

To celebrate 30 years since the first ever installation of a rainbow section as part of the girl-guiding association, 1st Melbourn Rainbows are trying on different hats –perhaps challenging gender perception at times.

The rainbows so far have tried on a builder hat, where they spent time designing and building a bridge in pairs using Lego. We had a female scientist who taught us about chromatography, with the rainbows making a book mark to take home.

Chromatography

During another session we met a female footballer who taught us some football skills. Our programme for this term includes other successful female role models visiting our rainbow session and includes the Rev. Lizzie Shipp representing our community hat, MP Heidi Allen representing our leader hat, the air cadets are attending to represent the adventurous hat and a journalist from the Royston Crow will visit to represent the investigative hat.

The rainbows have genuinely enjoyed their wearing of different hats this term and have been inquisitive of our visitors and found the sessions to be informative and fun. So far I can say that the enjoyable experience is reciprocal for girls, the leaders and the visitors.

We would not have been able to provide the rainbows with such a rewarding programme with the visitors we have had and those who have agreed to attend this term. Thank you for your time and for sharing your career with the rainbows, it has been an exceptional term.

Rainbows is a very popular group. We are very pleased to have so much interest in joining our unit. The interest has led to a long waiting list in the past, which we have now addressed by the addition of a second group. The second group is part of the 1st Melbourn Rainbows and runs on Thursday afternoon as the original group. To define which is which we have named them Butterflies and Bees. Butterflies start at 4.15 and the Bees start at 5.30 and both run for 1 hour.

1st Melbourn Brownies

2018 is a milestone for 1st Melbourn Brownies as we will be celebrating our 50th birthday. We hope to hold a tea party to celebrate this and would love to invite along anyone who has been a Brownie with us over the years. If you would like to join us please contact Steph Clifford via email stefclifford@hotmail.com or phone 01763 220272 and you will be sent an invite when plans are set.

WRIGHTS MOWER CENTRE

TOP BRANDS

Spares

We have had a great start back after the summer holiday. We have welcomed a number of new members which is always exciting. We have started our Musician badge so are learning more about how music is written and making tambourines. Music appreciation is also important so we spent an evening listening, and dancing, to a variety of pop music songs. Still to come for the badge, learning Christmas songs and performing them. Also, in the lead up to Christmas we will be doing cooking and craft.

If you (or your daughter) would be interested in joining in the fun please contact Steph (Brown Owl) by phone 01763 220272 or email stefclifford@hotmail.com.

1st Melbourn Guides

How do you get to try over 20 different adventurous activities in one week? Go Guide camping at Tolmers! For our summer camp this year we joined over 1000 scouts and Guides at CTT where the girls could choose their own activities every day. From Abseiling to Zorbing; Backwoods cooking to Yachting, there was something to suit everybody. There was evening entertainment too, with films and a disco ... or you could just hang out with your new friends or chat in your tent.

Our older girls are working on their Baden Powell Challenge now, which requires them to experience lots of new activities, both at home and at Guide meetings. For their First Aid badge, Emily, Grace, Jess and Izzy taught CPR and the recovery position to the rest of the unit, using training mannequins and lots of practical exercises.

The Guide programme is being revised, with new themes like

personal safety, survival and Guiding traditions. One taster activity chosen by the girls this term was firelighting, which we made more exciting by cooking popcorn over the fire in a pan without the lid on. The idea was to catch the popping corn in a cup before it landed on the grass. Nearly impossible to do, but great fun anyway!

The most memorable times in Guiding are the excursions, and the Big Gig Guides-only pop concert at Wembley Arena is not to be missed. This October we saw Pixie Lott, Ex Factor finalists Louisa Johnson and 5am, and YouTube star Jasmine Thompson, along with several other upcoming pop acts.

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

Melbourn Cubs

Another term, another camp. We’ve just returned from our group camp to Thriftwood in Essex. Almost 60 beavers, cubs and scouts (plus 20 brave adults) attended, the biggest event we’ve ever run. The cubs lit their own fires and cooked their own Fajitas on them. Activities included abseiling, downhill carting and firing paintballs at targets with catapults.

This term we’ve been working on our outdoors and naturalist badges, with a nature hunt around Fowlmere nature reserve, a forest school session at Melbourn Primary, and a 6km hike around Wimpole so far.

The cubs are now established at our new home of Melbourn Primary and meet every Friday 6:45–8:00pm. Any adults interested in volunteering to join our fun and adventure please contact me at cubs@1storwellscouts.org.uk. We are unfortunately full currently, until we get enough adult volunteers to open another pack. Young people can join our waiting list by contacting admissions@1storwellscouts.org.uk.

Royston & District Local History Society

www.roystonlocalhistory.org.uk

Our website shows all the books we have for sale. Many of these result from the considerable work undertaken by our Publications sub-committee. The books may be ordered by post from David Allard 01763 242677. They may also be purchased at the Royston Museum & Arts Gallery in Kneesworth Street (open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays 10am to 4.45pm) and some are available at the Cave Bookshop in Melbourn Street.

The society is responsible for the opening of Royston Cave, Melbourn Street, Royston which will re-open on 31st March 2018 and will then open on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays until the end of September 2pm to 4.30pm (last admission 4pm)

There will also be a special opening on Saturday morning 16th December. For details go to: www.roystoncave.co.uk.

Our evening meetings, which are held in the Heritage Hall (the main hall downstairs) Royston Town Hall will continue on the first Thursday of each month (second Thursday in May) starting at 8pm. Annual membership £5 (Sept-Aug) (Under 18s half price)

» 7th December S O E Nadine’s Story Joan Munden

» 4th January Mackays of Cambridge Duncan Mackay

» 1st February Vikings in your Vocabulary Richard Dance

Cambridgeshire Family History Society

Now that the evenings are drawing in and those summer outings are a thing of the past you may be thinking how to fill in some spare time. How about either starting your family history, or if you have already delved into it take it a bit further.

Our monthly meetings are held in the Central Library, Lion Yard, Cambridge, between 10.30am and 3.30pm. Everyone is welcome and entry is free. The meetings follow a pattern of research being available all day plus talks at 12.30 and 2pm.

In December we have some Help sessions to assist you in your research and recording and in January and February we have some very interesting talks lined up to further your knowledge and insight into your ancestors – we look forward to seeing you there.

» 9 December 10.30-3.30 Help and Advice with our volunteer researchers. Bring along your queries and problems and we’ll endeavour to help you sort them out –or just drop in for a chat.

2.00 Writers’ Workshop – An informal opportunity to share some insights and ideas on writing up your research.

» 13 January 12.30 The 4 Rs–Revisiting & Reviewing Records

& Resources with Caroline Norton An overview of reasons to take another look at what you have already found: more records might be readily accessible; facts may now take on new significance; your skills will have improved

JEREMY RULE FUNERAL SERVICE

Rule. MBIE.

Rule. Dip.

Independent Local Family Funeral Director

a caring and personal

day

so you will be better able to use and interpret

facts/

2.00 Searching for William with Robert Parker “William travelled to the Gold Coast, immigrating to Perth, Australia in 1925. William left his family when his son was 5 years old. During WW2 William’s wife sent food parcels to the family in London. After the war the families lost touch”

» 10 February 12.30 The 4 Rs–BMD Indexes & Certificates with Caroline Norton A look at various ways of accessing and searching BMD Indexes – and to raise awareness of how ‘search systems’ of different websites can provide different results.

2.00 University Library Collections with Sian Collins “You probably didn’t know we had this … An introduction to some of the archive collections held at the University Library.”

The information above is correct at time of publication but should there be any change it will be advised on our website www.cfhs.org. uk either on the Home page or in the monthly Newsletter.

Melbourn Bridge Club

Melbourn Bridge Club has enjoyed a full year at its new premises in Orchard Road. The facilities work well and the parking availability is a great asset.

New members continue to be attracted and the turn out on both Mondays and Tuesdays has remained high. Twelve tables is our realistic maximum capacity and on Mondays this has been approached several times and we even had eleven tables on one Tuesday.

Enjoyment remains the objective of the Club though it is not without its competitive element!

Speaking of enjoyment, the highlight of the summer was undoubtedly our ‘Away-day’ at the lovely home of Derek and Val Ailes in Chrishall. They had reasons to celebrate family milestones which merited a marquee in their garden. They are, to say the least, enthusiastic members of our Club and generously offered the use of the marquee prior to its removal for a Club afternoon. More than that, they laid on amazing hospitality before and after the bridge session. Needless to say, the forty lucky guests in attendance had an unforgettable afternoon. It will be an impossible act to follow!

We now have our Christmas parties to look forward to on Monday 11th and Tuesday 12th December and, of course, our regular Monday evenings and Tuesday afternoons until then.

We hope to start a new series of beginner’s sessions in the New Year.

interested in the Club and its facilities can contact Howard Waller on 01763 261693.

Ramblers’ Association Royston

walks programme continues right through the year. For details

website: www.ramblers.org.uk or contact David Allard (01763 242677).

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

Maycroft Care Home

Some of you may know of us, but for those who don’t, Maycroft is situated at 63 The High Street, Meldreth and is a residential home for 25 residents mainly from nearby. The home is always very welcoming to all visitors whether they are coming to visit a friend, relative or just to see what goes on. There is usually a cup of tea to welcome you.

Every day in the morning and afternoon there is a programme of activities. This includes quizzes, cooking, bingo, pamper sessions and Reminiscing of Yesterdays with a weekly newspaper full of short articles, all enhanced with photos and music on the television. This usually stimulates plenty of conversation. Singing is enjoyed at least a couple of times a week when the Activity Organiser plays their favourites on the key board. Singalong Jim visits once or twice a month using a pre-recorded programme. Most of the residents enjoy this, joining in or doing a shuffle dance with one of the carers. He also devises a quiz which he makes fun by playing Maycroft against some of the other homes, he visits every month. This is scored each time and at the end of the month many are interested to see which Home is winner. Usually Maycroft does quite well at this. Juke Box Legends, a couple, come every month and usually bring Elvis with them! The vicar of the parish church comes once a month, with a group of parishioners to join in the hymns in a short service. The residents who wish can take part.

In addition, there are a number of Special Events every year. In June, the Annual Fete takes place where residents help with the running of the stalls, and it is open to all the outside community. This year we raised £750 all of which is used for additional trips out, usually using the Royston Community Transport bus which is well equipped for a carrying wheel chairs.

The Annual Proms take place in August, led by Olivia Barry, known mainly in operatic circles as a mezzo soprano. Flags are waved and the usual last night patriotic songs are sung. A cream tea is served and if the weather is kind it takes place in the court yard garden. A firework display in November celebrates Bonfire Night and is accompanied with hot dogs. Friends and relatives are always welcomed at any of these special events. During the run, up to Christmas there is a pantomime. On another occasion at this season, there are Carols around the tree when Olivia returns to sing with the residents and their families. Mulled wine and mince pies are served which all contribute to the event. On the Saturday before Christmas Day, they have a party, with songs and dancing with Jim. A delicious buffet bar and a bumper raffle adds to the evening.

Early in 2017 those who wished visited Anglesey Abbey to see the snow drops and to take in the fresh air as we strolled along the beautiful Winter Walk. On the 24th. March, we went in the bus around the villages relevant to some of the

local residents. First we went to Barrington where one of the ladies lived all her married life and brought up her family. Then we went through Fowlmere and Thriplow where there were still many daffodils making a fine display. We went on up into the hills to Chrishall. At Therfield we stopped for a while so that Michael could reminisce, as he was born and spent his childhood there. We returned to Maycroft via Melbourn, where three other residents recently lived and arrived back just in time for lunch. The 6th of April saw the return of Frank Taylor with his trumpet; he played many of the residents’ old favourites. This along with his excellent ad-libbing between tunes, provided a very enjoyable morning.

At the beginning of May, we went to Wimpole Hall at a date suggested by the farm itself, as a good time to see all the new young animals, especially the lambs. We paused to watch them harness up two magnificent Shire Horses and attach them to the cart, which ferries folk between the house and farm. Beside the very recently born, bleating lambs, we saw large litters of piglets and young calves. We had some very happy moments to take back to Maycroft.

On August, 20th. we did a Sponsored Walk for Alzheimer’s Research UK. This charity was chosen as it is local and their research benefits people with all the different forms of dementia. Residents in wheelchairs, relatives, friends and some villagers took part down the High Street and North End and those who were able went along the River Mel to Topcliffe Manor. The target was £1000 but in fact at the time raised the amazing sum of £1,558.60.

On October 9th. Dr. Steve Andrews Head of Chemistry at Alzheimer’s Research UK and in charge of developing new drugs for people with dementia came to receive a cheque for £1,600 from 2 of the residents.

The last Sunday in July brought the introduction of a Hawaiian afternoon. Picture the flower laden, courtyard garden, with over 50 residents and some relatives gathered together. With leis around their necks, they listened to Peter, singing songs depicting sunny skies, golden sands and gently swaying palm trees. This was proceeded by a chocolate fondue with strawberry or marshmallow dippers. Buck’s Fizz and fruit punch were the much-needed liquid refreshments.

On August 16th., 5 residents with some staff and relatives went to Clacton for the day. The journey took just over 2 hours, so everyone welcomed the salty sea breezes when they disembarked. After a refreshing drink everyone was ready for a stroll along the promenade. It was lovely to see

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in and around Cambridge, Royston, Saffron Walden,

walks on Sundays, which are normally 5-7 miles in the

and a similar or shorter walk in the afternoon. Occasionally Sunday walks are Figures of Eight making it possible to do only the morning or only the afternoon. Half-day walks are held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Our evening walks (3–5 miles) will resume on the 30thApril 2018. Prospective new members are welcome and may come on three walks before deciding whether to join. www.ramblers.org.uk to join.

Melbourn Bowls Club

I have to report a very encouraging season with a significantly increased membership including many who had never played bowls before. The new bowlers have shown great enthusiasm and quickly taken to the game and to the social side of the club.

Congratulations to Rod Sell on captaining our Cambridge and District League Division 3 side to first place and promotion to Division 2 as well as to Gill Antil and Pat Leggett who won the Cambridge Business House Pairs Championship. Our Meldreth League team finished in third place, while our Business House team finished in mid table in Division 1. Our Cambridge and District Division 5 team finished below half way, but was used to give the newcomers experience of competitive matches, which should prove valuable for next season. Similarly the Foxton League team was used to give those new members who could play on a Wednesday afternoon experience playing against teams from other clubs and we managed to finish just above halfway.

Our annual club triples was won by Dick Raymen, Pat Leggett and Sue Goddard while the Fish and Chip Pairs, which rounds off the outdoor season, was won by Paul Ferris and Margie Rogers

Our internal competitions were unfortunately not all completed due to injuries to two of the finalists. The postponed finals will take place over the week end of 28/29 April 2018. For those finals that were actually played the resultant winners were:

• Ladies Singles Anne Howard

• Handicap Singles Neil Butler

• Drawn pairs Julia Howell and Jacqui White

• Kernaghan Cup Dave Overd

Particular congratulations are due to Jacqui White on being a member of the winning pair after only taking up the game at the beginning of the season.

On the social side of the club we had a very successful Wine and Cheese party in July organised by Martin and Pat Leggett with music by Dave and Arthur. In addition our popular Coffee Mornings organised by Muriel were held every Thursday morning where a number of non-members joined with us. As an added attraction a number of internal competition matches were arranged to take place on those mornings.

Competitively priced

While the outdoor season is now over members still meet together indoors and social life continues with our fortnightly Whist Drives at the Clubhouse. These start at 7.00pm and we would welcome anyone who is interested to come along. They are informal events and you do not have to be a member of the Club to take part, but it could be a good way of getting to know existing members.

If you would like to come to these evenings please contact Arthur Andrews on 01763 261990 or arthur.andrews123@btinternet. com when you will be given further information and guidance on what is involved.

the families on the beach digging in the sand, paddling in the shallows or jumping the waves. We also admired the colourful beach huts. Soon we realised that the Walk and fresh air was making us hungry. We found a cafe serving traditional fish and chips which we thoroughly enjoyed. Full up we went along the pier revelling in all the bright lights and music. From the end of the Pier we could see the wind turbines, with the blades rotating in the breezes.

Just before returning we visited the ice cream man and had enormous cones, overflowing with delicious vanilla ice cream. With ice creamy lips, we got on board the coach and travelled through the lovely, sunny countryside, back to Maycroft.

The really exciting news is that early in 2018 everyone in the present building will be moving into the new wing. This along with an outside area in which the residents can sit, as the weather improves, will be the end of Stage 1.

Stage 2 will involve the complete demolition of the present building and the erection of a completely new block, for 25 more residents and it should be finished in 2019. Then, the home will still remain small enough to retain its homely, family atmosphere.

A team of Professional Landscapers have already been into the grounds to plot the position of the many mature trees and shrubs, which they hope to incorporate into the gardens. A good-sized patio area will be constructed so everyone can enjoy the flower beds. It is hoped that an area for fresh vegetables will be incorporated, along with a new greenhouse replacing the one that had to be demolished. A few of the residents have enjoyed lending a hand in this area. The kitchen uses the fresh vegetables and makes chutneys and jams with any excess.

In February, 2016 The Care Quality Commission carried out an unannounced inspection of the home and it was pronounced Good in all areas inspected. It is very probable that they will return again in 2018, and with all the updated facilities, it is hoped that the home will score even higher. Rosemary and other friends of Maycroft

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Community Services

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Homecare : our fully trained carers visit you in your home.

Sitting service : a visit from our experienced sta gives family carers time for themselves.

Day Centre : based at Moorlands Court with a friendly and sociable atmosphere and includes a tasty 2 course lunch.

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During the close season members will be preparing for next season and we hope to be able to report another successful season next year.

In the next issue of the Melbourn Magazine we hope to set out our programme for the next Summer Season. This will include the date of our Open Day, when we hope we can welcome more new members and introduce them to the pleasures of the Green, particularly on a sunny Summers Day!

Meldreth Croquet Club

A very successful season

Golf Croquet League

This year, for the first time, Meldreth Croquet Club entered a team in the East Anglia Croquet Federation Golf Croquet Handicap League Central Division. This comprised Meldreth and two teams from each of Letchworth, Enfield and Newport. Seven teams in the Division meant that we had to play six matches – three at home over ten games (as we have only one lawn) and three away over eighteen games (where two or three lawns are available). We used a pool of six players and all enjoyed the experience and made important contributions.

After four matches we were doing very nicely having drawn our two at home (against Letchworth Red and Newport Oaks) and won our two away (against Enfield South and Letchworth Blue), unexpectedly finding ourselves at the top of the table. Unfortunately, we could not maintain that form and lost our last two matches (away to Newport Elms and at home to Enfield West) and eventually finished fourth, two points behind the winner Enfield South. The League was keenly contested, with a generally high standard of play and, overall, we actually won more games than we lost - 44 to 40.

Although it was a disappointing end to the season (especially as we had beaten the eventual winner!), we are proud of what we have achieved in our first venture into competitive match-play and are looking forward to next season.

Association Croquet league

Each year we play in the Beds and Herts league. This is our local Association Croquet league and consists of some seven teams. The others are St Albans, Wrest Park, Enfield, Watford, Northampton and Letchworth. Because we are a small club with comparatively few Association players we team up with Bygrave, another small club, and play under the name of ‘Melgrave’.

It was very encouraging that we ended the league season with a 4:0 win over Wrest Park. This means that we finished second in the league, only 2 points behind the winners Watford. The full results can be seen on the East Anglian Croquet Federation website. Our results for the season were 2 draws, three wins and only one loss (against the eventual winners). Overall, a pretty good result for a small club. Janet Pope

Dynamos Football Club

All welcome!

www.melbourndynamos.co.uk

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

We are a successful club defined by the strength of support from members and families, the praise and recognition of fellow clubs and FA Leagues, the work with our Community partners including Melbourn Village College and Melbourn Parish Council, and of course our players’ achievements on the pitch and their support for the community. With the support of our benefactors and community partners, we are extending our work to make the club more inclusive by assisting players whose families are unable to afford the necessary fees

We have had a successful start to the season for the club with new teams and players welcoming the opportunity to play for Melbourn Dynamos. We now have more than 40 players in our Girls’ Teams at U10, U11, U13 & U17 and including our Dynamites we now have more than 230 players at the club. Disappointingly, like many youth football clubs, we have not had sufficient players this season to run an U16s or U18s team. This trend has been recognised by the FA and we are working hard with our younger teams to ensure that we maintain strong squad sizes as they progress to 11-a-side football and the senior teams.

Nationally, there has been much concern about historical failures to protect children in youth football. MDFC takes these concerns very seriously and reassures our community that as a Charter Standard Club we have the required child protection measures in place, that we are annually audited by the FA and that we remain vigilant. All coaches and assistants are both qualified and DBS/CRB checked before they work with our players.

We started this season by hosting an U8s’ tournament for the Royston Crow Youth Football League. We welcomed many visitors to the village to enjoy the great facilities and the beautiful setting that we are fortunate to use. Thanks to our wonderful volunteers, we were able to raise funds through our cafe to help keep our fees at the same level for the 4th season running.

We are very pleased with the success of our youngest players, the Dynamites, who increasingly provide the core of our league teams from under 7 upwards. The Dynamites’ coaching team is led by Dipak Patel. Dee was Cambridge FA’s Community Coach of the year for 2013, gained his Level 2 coaching qualification in June 2015 and is our Football Development Officer. This year in recognition of his tremendous work for the club and community, Dee has been nominated as Coach of the Year as part of the FA’s Community Awards. These players, aged 3–6, have fun and develop their skills before deciding whether to play league football as the club’s under 7s team. This fun,

We are a war m, friendly, f amily r un home conveniently situated close to the station and town centre of Royston.

If you would like to f ind out more about St George’s, please call us for a brochure or drop in for a chat.

42 Kneesworth Street, Royston, Herts. SG8 5AQ Telephone: 01763 242243 web site: www.stgeorgescare.com

preparation and skill development through the Dynamites has undoubtedly brought more success to our current League Teams. These players train with level 2 and level 1 FA qualified coaches in a Saturday morning fun session for 3-6-year-old boys and girls between 09.15–10.15am at Melbourn Sports Centre. Sessions feature lots of short activities aimed at improving individual skills, concentration and the ability to be part of a team. The first one hour session is free thereafter we charge £2. Everyone is welcome to the Melbourn Dynamites so why not bring your kids along so they can check it out. One of many teams that have benefited from starting in the Dynamites has been our (last season’s) U11s, coached by Nichola Patel, who reached the League Cup Final on 21st May (see picture above).

All our coaches are CRB checked and qualified to a minimum of FA Level 1 standard. In addition, as a Partnership Club of Cambridge United and through the support of the FA, our coaches are now receiving high level mentoring and support to develop our players and above all else provide them with enjoyment and exercise. We are also an FA Charter Standard Club which means that we have all the correct people and practices in place to operate in line with FA & government requirements. All are welcome and we are delighted to offer opportunities from age 4 upwards. Why not find out more about MDFC and the opportunities to play football with us by contacting David Atkins on 01763 263462 or email –secretary.mdfc@gmail.com.

The club’s success depends entirely on enthusiastic members and volunteers. Our continuing success and growth means that we need even more volunteers. If you feel that you would like to contribute to the club as an administrator, communications leader, fixtures secretary, coach, match day official or in some other volunteer capacity then we would be pleased to hear from you through secretary.mdfc@gmail.com or chairman.mdfc@gmail.com More information about the club and individual teams is available from the club’s Website: www.melbourndynamos.co.uk.

Melbourn Sports Centre

For those of you who don’t already know, we have:

• A state of the art fitness suite offering a variety of membership schemes

• A 20 metre swimming pool (kept ever so slightly warmer than most!)

• A comprehensive swimming lesson programme, catering for all ages and abilities

• Upgraded multisports courts for hire including tennis, football and squash courts

• Water sports courses and activities

• Traditional and modern exercise classes

• Access to Melbourn Village College sports hall and gymnasium for activities such as trampolining, badminton and basketball

• Supervised sports and pool parties

A winter wonderland at MSC!

We have loads on offer this month, with something for the whole community to get involved with…. So why not come along and find out more about your local sports centre!

Come in out of the cold!

We’re not going to let those long winter nights stop us from enjoying our exercise! As well as our indoor facilities like the swimming pool, squash courts and sports hall, we have loads of classes to keep you fit and healthy, including Boxercise, Swim Clinic, Boot Camp, AquaFit, Pilates and Body Workout. We also offer table tennis alongside our normal indoor racket sports. And they’re all reasonably priced, so the one thing that will stay plump is your purse!

Party Time!

Looking to book a birthday or Christmas party? How about bouncing those cares away with our new trampolining party or what about a Football party instead? All session run by a fully qualified coach. We also offer our traditional pool party, which are always a great hit! To help save the mess at home we also have the adjacent Community Centre available for bookings, which is an ideal room for you to have tea and cake after the party.

Activities For Children!

With Christmas fast approaching, an ideal time to book your young ones onto one of our great activity courses. These includes our Christmas Pool Party and our Ofsted Christmas PlayScheme. We will also being taking bookings from January for our February half term activities which will include our swimming crash course, trampoline & snorkelling tasters and our popular Ofsted PlayScheme.

The Perfect Present!

With Christmas just round the corner, keep your eye out for our gift promotion – a fun and fit idea if you’re looking for something different to buy a loved one or friend (or treat yourself!) Or why not take advantage of one of our great membership schemes to our fitness suite, which houses the latest in gymnasium equipment, including C.V machines fitted with audio visual technology, an ideal present for a love one!

For further details on parties, gift memberships or any of our activities, please drop in, call 01763 263313 or go online at www.mc-sport.co.uk. We look forward to seeing you this season!

Activities For Young Children

(from 6 month – Full-time school ages)

Waterplay These pre-school swimming lessons are an ideal

first step for your child learning to swim, with the aims to build confidence in water, learning basic skills like floatation and movement using buoyancy aids.

» Tuesdays: 13.30 – 15.00 (30 min lessons) / Thursdays: 13.30 –15.00 (30 min lessons)

» Fridays: 10.30 – 11.30 (30 min lessons)

Prices: £3.75 per lesson (paid termly) Ages: from 3 years –full-time school

Parent and Child These fun and enjoyable sessions help to promote water confidence and water awareness, with the aim to prepare your child for a smooth transition into waterplay or full-time school swimming lessons. (Parent / carer must go into water with child)

» Fridays: 14.05 – 14.35

Prices: £3.75 per lesson (paid termly) From 6 months – Fulltime school ages

Melbourn Sports Centre, The Village College, The Moor, Melbourn, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 6EF 01763 263313 / www.mc-sport.co.uk / info@mc-sport.co.uk

Grinnel Hill BMX Club

On the weekend of the August Bank Holiday the club held its first annual Jam.

Following a concerted effort in the week leading up to the event by the locals who ride and hangout there all season, the site had never looked better, with grass cut, strimmed, and all lines open and running perfectly.

Promoted on social media, approximately 150+ BMXers from far and wide around the country travelled to enjoy the site in all its glory, with the event only complemented by the out of character for a Bank Holiday glorious, late summer sunshine and balmy temperatures!

It’s safe to say everyone had an absolute blast! The sun was shining, the turnout was huge, there was beer and a BBQ

Winter’s Ways

Darkness settles over the virgin snow, Enhancing twilight with a quiet glow.

A muffled world breathes silently, Time freezes, caught inadvertently.

Winter’s inroad lays its claim, Smoothing out the rutted lane, Opening the way for new born tracks: First footfall, imprint of tentative acts.

A tableau caught in black and white: Fence posts, telephone poles, stark in the night. Winter covers our summer dreams Unrolling a pathway in snowy reams.

Nature in purity awaits violation

By human, bird or animal, Earth’s population. Upon us now the winter of the soul; A time for closure, a time to make whole.

Yvonne Chamberlain

melbourn

too. What more could

the local Co-op reported beer and BBQ food sales

gone through the roof after seeing a steady stream of BMXers vacating there over the course of the weekend!

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

Norburys for their kind support with traffic management during the weekend of our Jam. 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.

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NORSKI 2017

In February four cadets from Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force (ACF) successfully returned from their Nordic Ski Foundation Course held in Norway, they were with Major Steve Swann, Captain Cat Gordon and ten candidates.

The course; run by Major Kevin Edwards (OC CCAT – The Cadet Centre for Adventurous Training) was a huge success and built on the first of such courses held last year.

For many of the candidates; this was the first time on skis of any sort, and for most it was our first time on Nordic skis.

On day one we were introduced to our Instructor Ewen, whom we were informed was one of the best in Norway. It was a chilly start most mornings, with temperatures down to about –10 degrees.

The substantial effort required for us to merely stand up and propel ourselves forward soon had us warming up nicely and stripping off the layers.

By day two we were very pleased to be informed our progress was good enough for us to embark on our first ‘journey’. This was to be a loop around the lake on which our accommodation overlooked. We were somewhat nervous to find that it actually included skiing right across the frozen surface!

We were introduced to several techniques including ‘herringboning’ and ‘sidestepping’ to get up and over some of the short hills. We were also allowed to adopt a number of strategies when the going became a little tough. Falling over, sitting down, or even unclipping our skis and carrying them a short distance were all permitted ‘control strategies’.

Each evening brought a short reflective session to build on our knowledge and even incorporated some welcome stretching exercises to ease those newly found and much aching muscles.

Final practice of “herringboning uphill”

Day three brought more lessons; more in the way of advice and tips; and by covering ground we’d barely stumbled across earlier in the week and even at night – we were all very pleased with our clear improvement.

So improved in fact that we were to be allowed a half day off.

The town of Rjukan; a few kms down the valley was high on the list of places many of us wanted to visit.

In WW2 the town and it’s Hydro Electric Station at Vemork; were a vital part of Nazi Germany’s nuclear bomb programme. The factory at Vemork was the only place in the World producing ‘Heavy Water’; a by-product of fertiliser manufacturing but incidentally critical to the atomic weapons production process. Many attempts were made by the Allies and the Our view from the accommodation. Mount Gausta

The factory at Vemork

Norwegian Resistance during the war to sabotage or destroy the Plant and its production of the Heavy Water.

In early November 1942, Operation Grouse, successfully dropped four Norwegians onto the Hardangervidda Plateau where they were to be the advance party for a sabotage operation. They were to use their local knowledge and expertise to gather as much information as possible

A second operation on 19 November 1942, Operation Freshman, was an ill-fated glider borne Royal Engineer Commando raid sent to support Grouse, but ended in disaster when terrible weather prevented the landing of the force. All crashed and most were subsequently tortured and shot by the Gestapo

In February 1943, Operation Gunnerside took place by a second Norwegian team and was a success; destroying the production facility. The Nazis were quick however in resuming production and an Allied bombing raid by American bombers followed.

A year later 20 February 1944, Operation Hydro saw the sinking of the ferry SF Hydro, carrying the Heavy Water to Germany.

All these Operations cost the small local population dearly. Secrecy meant that men and women could not even inform their loved ones of the impending danger. A number of innocent Norwegians were killed.

Remains of the original WW2 equipt used by the saboteurs that came to be known as “The Heroes of Telemark”

We were proud and delighted to have been offered the opportunity to honour these men and women and to visit the site at Vemork which is now a museum.

Day four brought our final preparation for what was to be the culmination of all our training: an overnight ski tour / expedition up on to the Hardangervidda Plateau, including staying in a mountain hut dedicated to the life of Claus Helberg – the leading Norwegian Resistance fighter and successful leader of the Gunnerside sabotage.

Our own ascent onto the plateau was made easier by use of the gondola, but from there on got pretty tough. The route was steep and we were hampered by changing conditions which meant our ski preparation and the wax used to gain grip weren’t working. We could only imagine what it may have been like being chased by hundreds of enemy soldiers.

The views from the top of the plateau were breath-taking. Do not be lulled into thinking that ‘plateau’ means ‘flat’! We practiced our navigation and position finding techniques to try and guestimate a time of arrival to the hut. None of us were keen on breaking out the head torches. Progress improved and we finally arrived late afternoon.

The hut had a larder well stocked with tinned and dried foods (and even a few bits of British Compo rations!) and a quick selection was made for our menu.

Fruit (yes fruit) soup for starter, then pasta and fish stew, followed by tinned peaches and pineapple.

We had to go outside and dig down through several feet of snow to find the natural spring which supplied the water. No electric, no phone; just us, the log fire and the mountains. Blissful. We all took it in turns to do the chores and in the morning, we made sure we’d left a supply of water and logs ready for the next occupants. They might arrive later, or in worse weather, and would be grateful for the head start. This was indeed the way we had found it, and the unwritten rule for all the huts up in the wilderness.

Another change in the weather the following morning brought ice cold northerly winds and we’d had a dusting of fresh snow overnight.

This actually made our skiing conditions improve and good progress was made on the return journey. The final leg of the trip presented us once again with that steep hill at the beginning – but this time we were facing downwards. Extreme caution had to be exercised and a very firm ‘snowplough’ position was order of the day. In the main we escaped unscathed – but a few tumbles brought laughter and a team spirit as we assisted each other in regaining our dignity and setting off again.

Part of our route included that of the saboteurs, who, once completed the Operation; had to ski for their lives across around 800kms of harsh and barren wilderness to the safety of Sweden. I would like to thank CCAT and its dedicated team for giving us this wonderful opportunity, our Instructor Ewen for his expertise and insight, my colleagues on the course, and also The Ulysses Trust; for its generous support of the expedition.

Major Swann, Melbourn Detachment

Melbourn Detachment Cambs ACF

ACF Hut, The Moor, Melbourn

Care of: 2 Cromwell Coy Cambs ACF, ARC Centre, Coldhams Lane, Cambridge CB1 3AH. Telephone 01223 248001

Melbourn Flooring

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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:

Size per… Width x Height B/W Colour

1/4 inside page (79 × 128 mm) £105 £155

1/2 inside page (163 × 128 mm) £180 £250

Full inside page (163 × 262 mm) N/A £480

Advertising rates are per year (four issues)

For further information on advertising please telephone 220363. Remittance or cheques should be made to Melbourn Magazine.

We are grateful to The TTP Group for their continued sponsorship

Melbourn Magazine Committee

Editorial Ann Dekkers 261144

Production\Editorial Peter Simmonett 220363

Distribution Eric Johnston 220197

Parish Profile Mavis Howard 260686

Proof reading

Brenda Meliniotis 261154

Colin Limming 260072

Village Diary Brenda Meliniotis 261154

The Melbourn magazine team would like to thank all our advertisers for their support and sponsorship

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Bury Lane Farm Shop - 01763 260418 10

Bury Lane Fun Barn - 01763 260418 68

Cambourne Self Storage - 01767 676189 70

Cambridge Building Society - 01763 217510 18

Cambridge Roofers - 01223 782382 68

Cambridge Roofers/Roofline Specialists - 01223 782382 46

Carters Shoes / Quality Leather Footwear - 01223 264930 52

Chris Thomas /Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning - 07830 227138 67

CHS / Local Community Services - 01763 260564 56

Clark Philips / Estate Agent - 01763 248682 60

CSL Cheap Storage Ltd - 01763 262344 18

ESSE - 01763 261000 64

Fieldgate Nurseries / Fruit & Vegetables - 01763 260737 48

Frog End pet Supplies - 01763 263342 62

Garden Design Solutions - 01763 263231 41

Greenlow Kennels - 01763 260624 2

GYC Photography family photographer - 07786 707869 8

Home Store - 01763 245888 72

Jazzercise / Body Workout - 07963 161246 14

Jeremy Ashworth / Property Maintenance - 07815 093166 66

Jeremy Rule / Funeral Service - 01763 242560 53

J Oliver Radley / Opticians - 01763 273300 62

Just Like Wendy's / Interiors & Gifts - www.justlikewendys.co.uk 52

Kathleen Harry Osteopath - 01763 261716 50

Langford Windows - 01462 701828

Langham Press - 01223 870266

Laura’s Hairdressing - 07792749760

Lawn Partners / Bespoke lawncare - 01763 244955

Law Storage Ltd - 01223 874629

Leech & Sons / Master Butchers - 01763 260255 30

Little Hands Nursery School - 01763 260964 41

Melbourn Buildings & Fencing Suppliers - 01763 263336 30

Melbourn Dental Practice - 01763 262034 58

Melbourn Flooring & Interiors - 01763 262413 69

Melbourn Garage - 01763 263344 70

Melbourn Ironing Service - 01763 220996 2

M&M Furniture - 01763 256722 42

Moncraft / PC Repairs & Installation - 01223 208529 67

Nancy Foster Footcare - 01763 261250 53

Newlings of Royston / Funeral Services - 01763 242375 50

Norburys / Building & Landscape Supplies - 01763 261740 66

Oven Clean / Cleaning Specialist - 07513 439604 68

Paul Hutley / Carpenter - 07702905915 66

Phillimore Garden Centre - 01763 260537 2

PL Cooper / Flooring Specialists - 01763 260918 49

Prince Property / Property Improvements - 01763 269565 14

Projects4 Roofing / Flat Roof - 01223 258049 28

Projects4Roofing / Roofing Specialist - 01223 258049 58

Redmayne Arnold Harris Selling/Letting Agency - 01223 800860 52

Reed Autos / Servicing & MOT - 01223 874400 22

Rothwell’s Carpet Cleaning - 07545 962026 56

Royston Complementry Health - 01763 247440 40

Sage / Blinds & Interiors - 01763 787464 28

Simon Robinson / Bespoke Picture Framers - 01223 873123 70

South Cambs Motors / Servicing & Repairs - 01763 260246 48

St Georges Nursing Home - 01763 242243 59

Summit / Landscape Gardeners - 01223 929394 34

Taylor & Co /Chartered Accountants - 01763 248585 42

The Letting Centre / Property Management - 01763 263039 60

The Sheene Mill - 01763 261393 64

The Spice Hut / Indian Takeaway - 01763 262425 48

Three Counties K9 Hydrotherapy / - 01763 8383536 50

TTP Group - 01763 262626 8

Urban Plastics / Plumbing Suppliers - 07815 093166 66

Wrights Mower Centre / Garden Machinery - 01763 263393 48

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KIT CHE NS

Kitchens Bathrooms T iles Carpets & Flooring

• Extensive kitchen, bathroom & flooring showrooms displaying a variety of de signs to suit all budgets from contemporar y to traditional.

• Wide range of products including the new exclusive addition “EVERHOT” electric (Aga) ovens.

• Free on-site visit quotation offering a 3D design making your room come alive.

• The in-store and fitting team work closely with you from your first visit through to the design, installation and completion.