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EV charging points or others are all possible future investment opportunities for the Council. To this end, Philippa attended the Cleanpower and Smart Grids Conference in Cambridge earlier this week.
Any questions, comments, concerns or ideas, please get in touch with us any time:
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We’ve decided to move our monthly ‘Advice Surgery’ at the Melbourn Hub to a ‘Chat Anytime at the Hub’ or wherever and whenever suits you best. So please get in touch if you’d like to speak with any of us: Jose Hales, District Councillor – jose@josehales.me.uk, 07703262649 | Philippa Hart, District Councillor – philippajoyhart@ gmail.com, Tel 07811323571 | Susan van de Ven, County Councillor – susanvandeven5@gmail.com, Tel 07905325574 www.susanvandeven.com
Nature
Day of the Teasel
To the rear of the Community Hall, growing in the shingle, was a small plant or weed. Not being sure what the plant was, it was left to grow. The plant grew at such a rate over a few days, just like the triffid, when it was recognised as a teasel, Dipsacus fullonum. Now over 2m tall with a mass of purple flower heads it has been a feast for bees, ladybirds, hoverflies and birds. Goldfinches are particularly fond of the seeds.
The creatures consuming the nectar and seeds have created wonderful patterns over the flower heads, as you can see from the photograph below.
There are many uses for the flowers when they dry and turn brown. Flower arrangers are known to use them in their natural state or sprayed in various colours. The textile industry once used the flowers for ‘teasing’ cloth and still to this day teasels are used to tease some hats and the baize for snooker tables. The teasels were used in the past as hair brushes though I am sure that they would be uncomfortable to hold because the stems are so spiny. The leaves of the plant grow in fours together around the stem and rain water collects in the ‘basin’ where, in some parts of the world, the water is considered beneficial.
Teasels generally live for two years flowering in the second year so this summer is probably its last. Some common names for teasels are Donkey’s Thistle and Venus’ basin.
Chauffeur driven Wedding Cars
The Letting Centre
(Cambridge) Ltd
Setting Standards in Property Management
Dedicated letting agency specialising in managing properties in the private residential rental market. Established for over 20 years and providing the local community with a friendly, bespoke service. Free market appraisal and advice readily available.
24b Orchard Rd, Melbourn Cambridgeshire SG8 6HH Tel. 01763 263039 / 01223 566716 E-mail: enquiries@letting-centre.co.uk www.letting-centre.co.uk
Registered in England No. 4472384 VAT No. 700035112 Director: Mrs Angie Rixon
