Cambridgeshire Older People's Newsletter

Download the latest version of the Cambridgeshire Older People's Newsletter for July-September 2010.

July 2010 Top

NEW Parish Council opening days

A change in the Parish Concil office opening to a Monday (not Tuesday) and Thursday from 1130 - 1.30. See Parish Council pages.

July 2010 Top

Grants between £250 and £5,000 are available for local community groups and charities

Grassroots Grants
Do you need funding to run a community project? Grants between £250 and £5,000 are available for local community groups and charities that have been active in their communities for at least 12 months, with an average annual income over the last 3 years of no more than £30,000. Funding can be used to contribute to general running costs, purchase small capital items or fund specific activities. This is the last year of the Grassroots Grants scheme and to ensure all the 10/11 funding is allocated and spent within the financial year; we are offering grants to cover costs that are anticipated to be spent by 31 December 2010. The fund guidelines can be downloaded at www.cambscf.org.uk/grant-guidelines.html and applications made online at www.cambscf.org.uk/grant-applications.html <http://www.cambscf.org.uk/grant-applications.html> . Applications are considered on a monthly basis.

Donarbon Community Fund
There is significant funding available in the Donarbon Community Fund for the provision, maintenance or improvement of a public park or other general public amenity, or the conservation of a specific species or a specific habitat where it naturally occurs – you can apply to the Donarbon Community Fund for up to £20,000 towards your project. The fund guidelines and expression of interest form can be downloaded at www.cambscf.org.uk/donarbon-fund.html . To be considered at the July panel, expressions of interest should be submitted by 30th June. To be considered at the October panel, expressions of interest should be submitted by 30th September.

June 2010 Top

Trading Standards: Working with businesses and consumers to help communities to thrive

Cambridgeshire Trading Standards Service is carrying out a survey amongst the residents of Cambridgeshire to identify what they would like Trading Standards to focus on in their local area and to identify any particular trading issues affecting residents.

The more responses we receive, the more reflective it will be of the wishes of local communities, so we are appealing to Parish Councils to send the survey as widely as they are able to electronically. The survey can be found at www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/consumer and will run from 10 May until the end of June 2010. We have also provided a number of hard copies of the survey to hub libraries within Cambridgeshire for any instances where a hard copy may be required by a member of the public.

Alternatively a hard copy of the survey can be requested by calling the County Council on 01223 715667. A prepaid envelope is provided with each questionnaire.

Everyone who enters will be given the opportunity to be entered into a prize draw (subject to terms and conditions available on our website), with the winner being awarded £100 worth of Marks and Spencer vouchers.

May 2010 Top

Great Gidding Panto 2010 Snow white

This year’s pantomime, Snow White, presented by The Gidding Players on 26th and 27th March, was yet another resounding success. With a talented cast, professionally led by director Steve Smith (aka Auntie Septic), superb scenery and a lot of laughs with something for everyone, young and old were greatly entertained at each of the three performances and the atmosphere was buzzing.

“Another excellent production!” says one appreciative member of the audience. “The cast seems to get younger each year, but how wonderfully they all responded to the direction of Steve Smith. Thank you to all you talented and hard-working people! We loved it – can we have more please?”

Click on thumbnail to view larger

View previous Great Gidding Panto photos:

Humpty Dumpty - March 2006
Alladin Goes West - February 2005
Peter Pan - March 2004
Wizard of Oz Panto - March 2003
Cinderella - March 2002

Paul & Krystyna May 10 Top

Having difficulty getting to the library?

If you love reading but struggle to get to your local library because of health or mobility problems, help is available.

You can be matched with a friendly volunteer from Cambridgeshire Libraries Doorstep Service who will visit you once a month with a supply of the kind of books you enjoy. To find out more about getting this amazing free service or becoming a volunteer for it, contact Anne Evans, the co-ordinator, by phoning 01480 375023 or by e-mailing anne.evans@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.

May 2010 Top

Rural Community Action Team (RCAT) - news from E-Cops

sent via Corporate Communications from E-COPS Information is now available about our Rural Community Action Team (RCAT). They are a county wide resource and deal specifically with crime and disorder in the rural areas of Cambridgeshire. The team is made up of both PCs and PCSOs who are committed to dealing with issues that affect rural communities. These can include anything from the theft of £100,000 plant machinery, hare coursing, fly-tipping, right through to dealing with illegal raves. They work alongside your local neighbourhood policing team to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in rural areas. To find out more about the Rural Community Action team and what they’ve been doing recently visit www.cambs.police.uk/about/rcat/. P.S. Don’t forget to check out our new German Shepherd Lukas’ dog’s blog while you’re there! May 2010 Top

Great Gidding Panto cast make a flying visit

As usual in Gidding we work to "Gidding time", so our Christmas panto is always in March and this year our contribution to the literary greats is Snow White. In true Gidding style our master of the quill has re written the story... so it may not be quite the way you remember the original.
There are villains, hero’s, danger, laughter, dancing (of sorts!).

Will Snow White get her Prince? Will the 8 dwarfs (yes there are 8!) ever stop arguing? Will the Evil Queen get her way and have her two henchmen "Jedward" get rid of our heroine?. Will Snow White get a place in Winwick Academy for Girls (WAGS) under the watchful eye of Headmistress Auntie Septic? The only way to find out is to come along and join the fun.

This years we have a young cast, who may hope to follow in the footsteps of some of their predecessors including one who is a regular in Eastenders. Perhaps their is another star in the making? Performance details...

Four of the cast members who dropped by during assembly today at Great Gidding Primary School. They are Auntie Septic (Steve Smith), Dopey (Lyn Smith) and "Jedward" (Jordan and Ethan). It is hoped that Steve will shave before he puts his make up on for the performances!

March 2010 Top

Potholes, Potholes, potholes...

I have been asked to forward the following link to CCC website, to report potholes. The link is http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/transport/roads/potholes/

P.S they do actually take note as well - I reported some last week, and they were filled in this morning!

Sooh Boocock, Service Development Officer Huntingdonshire District Council

Bearing in mind that the County Council doesn't have eyes and ears everywhere, and following a conversation I had with Councillor Mac McGuire (with his County hat on), may I suggest that if you come across any potholes either near your home or on your way to work, you give the County's Streetscene a ring on 03450 455 212. They would appreciate a few details such as the location, length, depth, etc of the pothole. The County Council will be dealing with potholes on a priority basis.

Ian Bates

Leader, Huntingdonshire District Council and County Councillor

February 2010 Top

Hurstingstone Singers Need Altos & Tenors

Hurstingstone Singers is a friendly accomplished Chamber Choir that specialises in English polyphonic music of the 16th Century (although we do also sing music from other periods). We are looking for 2 Altos & Tenors to join our choir. We have some performance dates scheduled for the Spring and would like our vacancies filled as soon as possible. We rehearse in Abbots Ripton on a Tuesday evening. If you are interested in finding out more, or would like to join us for a rehearsal night, our contact details are as follows:- Website - www.hurstingstone.co.uk Email hurstingstone@btinternet.com Telephone 07939 558138

January 2010 Top

Chapel End Pond

Anyone driving or walking along Chapel End road will have noticed major earthworks happening during October. Thanks to an Environmental grant from Huntingdonshire District Council, Chapel End pond has been cleared, dredged and reinstated with a smart post and rail fence.

Older residents of the village all remarked how it used to be a good pond, held water and you could skate on it in winter, even I remember doing that. Over time Willow trees took over and sucked the life out of the pond and blocked the drains that filled it until all you could see was a mass of Blackberry and Willow intertwined with a mesh fence.

As can be seen by the accompanying photographs, about half metre of material has been removed over most of the pond bottom and a bit more towards the back. A lot of Willow, some suckering Ash and the blackberry bushes have all been removed. Like many of these types of projects it looks a bit bare now but given time the greenery will regrow and wildlife will return to colonise the area.

Hopefully another benefit of clearing the pond should be the interception of road surface water that seems to be a problem around Chapel End, if the gullies are kept clear then in periods of high rainfall water should be channelled to the pond.
The final works have now been completed with the provision of a bench and reseeding the perimeter of the pond with grass seed. Some hedging plants will be planted around the back to fill in some of the gaps and stock proof the boundary.

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Michael Trolove November 09 Top

Public encouraged to help shape Hinchingbrooke hospital’s future

The first edition of ‘Next Steps News’ is being launched today (4 November) to encourage the public to get involved in shaping the future of Hinchingbrooke hospital. NHS East of England, NHS Cambridgeshire and Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trust are working together to find a franchise partner to manage the hospital, and want members of the public to comment on proposals and feed their own ideas into the process. (1)

The first edition of ‘Next Steps News’ gives a thorough background on why changes are needed at the hospital and answers some frequently asked questions, confirming, for example, that staff and assets will remain within the NHS. The newsletter also poses a number of specific questions which the public are encouraged feed back on. These include: “What innovations to healthcare services would you like to see at Hinchingbrooke hospital?” and “What would good performance or innovation by the franchisee look like for patients?”

David Monks is Chief Executive of Huntingdonshire District Council and Chairman of the Hinchingbrooke Next Steps stakeholder panel. He said: “The role of the public in helping shape Hinchingbrooke hospital’s future cannot be under-estimated and I am openly and genuinely inviting people to get in touch and feed in their ideas and suggestions. So do get a copy of Next Steps News, and perhaps come along to the stakeholder panel meetings, observe the proceedings and raise questions there.”

This public involvement opportunity is being widely promoted across Huntingdonshire and into surrounding areas through advertisements in local newspapers, flyers delivered to homes and posters in libraries and other public places. There will also be a display in Hinchingbrooke hospital’s main reception area. The 12 page newsletter is available to download, or by calling freephone number 0800 923 3001.

(1) This unique process proposes that the clinical and non-clinical services at Hinchingbrooke hospital - other than where identified below - will be provided via an operating franchise agreement with an experienced healthcare provider from the NHS, independent or third sectors. This proposal will ensure that a full range of high quality acute hospital services - including accident and emergency and maternity services - will continue to be provided for local people at Hinchingbrooke, as agreed at the end of the public consultation process on Hinchingbrooke in 2007.

NHS East of England Press Office November 09 Top

GREAT GIDDING HISTORY GROUP

On the evening of September 23rd a meeting (inspired by Robin Hayden) was held in the village hall, to discuss the possibility of forming a history group. It has been realised that since the Millennium History book of Great Gidding was published in 2001, nothing further has been done about recording village history – specifically history over the last fifty years.

It was realised that we only have five or six villagers left who were born, lived here all of their lives and have plenty of memories of the village over the last half century or so.

Although this meeting was just an exploratory session, suggesting ideas on how we could proceed to record our village life, the discussion promised some real enthusiasm for the idea.

Some of the suggestions included audio recording of some of our older village residents, listing all the new residents since 2001 and the ones who have sadly passed away since then. Also other changes to the village, such as the increase in road traffic; the “new” school that never was, the existing school – no longer a village school but an annex of Sawtry, the loss of our Post Office, the rebuilding and alteration of houses, buildings and their uses etc.

After a pleasant evening of brain storming it was decided to publicise another meeting which will be held in the village hall on the 18th November at 7.30 pm (Postponed till Thurs 10th December). Everyone interested in giving ideas and suggestions as to how we might set about this worth task will be most welcome.

Shep October 09 Top

Millennium Wood Update

Another year of strong growth, some of the more mature trees are about to burst the tree guards. I think a working party is called for soon.

The most noticeable change has been in the naturalisation of the flora. The rank grass now has to compete with swathes of red and white clover. Vetches and tares are easily seen along with many other wild flowers that we don’t see in our heavily managed country side. The star attraction has been the flowering of Bee Orchids over the past two years. I have never seen them in this area before. They require a unique set of circumstances to grow so by doing not a lot we have some very attractive wild flowers.

Visitors to the wood are on the increase judging by the foot traffic and the worn grass tracks so that’s encouraging. Don’t forget there are some strategic seats and benches provided by our friends at Adshell. Take a flask of coffee next time and take time out to sit and soak up the tranquil scene. To help make your visit to the wood more interesting a notebook is secured in a white container behind the sign near the entrance. If you feel the urge please note what wild life or flora you have noticed.

The dividing hedge between the wood and the allotments is becoming quite a feature. It gets a hard trim every year to thicken the stems.

To make the wood more attractive to visit a few fruit trees have been planted. I note that the first apple to grow on one of the trees has been duly “scrumped” which is exactly what should have happened. I was looking forward to eating it.

The Parish Council has allocated £100 for maintenance of the wood. This year it will be spent on some more fruit trees.

Parish Trees
The scheme run by Huntingdonshire District Council allows for up to 50 trees to be supplied to interested Parishes. We shall apply for our full entitlement. Anyone requiring a tree, bearing in mind it must be visible to the general public should contact me on 0770 356 1931. Most of the trees will be planted around the boundaries and hedgerows of the Parish.

This scheme has been running for about 30 years. Some of the trees around the Recreation field were planted through this venture and look at the growth.

Tree Events
National Tree Week – 25th November to 6th December

An interesting event coming up in December which we may take part in www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces/treeoclock

Michael Trolove October 09 Top

New opening times for mobile Post Office

The Great Gidding mobile Post Office service, which is stationed at the bottom of Chapel End near to Main Street, will be open from 9.30am to 11.30am on Mondays, and 9.30am to 11am on Tuesdays to Fridays.

October 09 Top

Gidding has a new pre-school

A new playschool has opened in Great Gidding. Busy Bees, which caters for children aged two to five years, is open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings during term time, from 8.55am to 11.25am. As the group becomes more established it aims to be open every day from Monday to Friday and to offer lunch and afternoon sessions.

The play group is keen to forge a strong link with Great Gidding school and is already planning several joint activities in order to give pre-school children an insight into school life. “We provide a happy, friendly environment for the children and are keen for parents to be involved,” says proprietor Julie Martin. “We offer an open-door policy to parents so do come and meet us and see what we do – and tell everyone you know!”

For more information, contact Julie, tel: (01487) 834325 or try the direct number for Busy Bees, tel: 07504 424149.

October 09 Top

SAWTRY BOYS FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT

Sawtry Colts FC are introducing a boys development squad which is targeted at boys from 4 to 6, (Reception and School Year 1). At this age the children are too young to compete in a 'competitive' league, but Sawtry Colts FC have specialist FA qualified coaches who are trained to nurture and encourage the boys to be in a position to enter an U7 team and play in a local league as they move into School Year 2.

Training is based around ball skills, coordination and generally getting the children to feel comfortable playing as a team, with a variety of games and drills getting them used to having a ball at their feet.

The squad will train each Sunday between 11:15 and 12:15, if you have a son of this age and think they would enjoy playing football, then please feel free bring them along to give it a try.

More details are on the clubs new website at www.sawtrycolts.co.uk or from the club Football Development Officer, Steve Purnell on 07964 496259 or steve.purnell@sawtrycolts.org.

Steve Purnell– September 09 Top

Suspicious vehicle IN YOUR AREA - News from E-Cops

Can you help with sightings of a vehicle?

A vehicle seen acting suspiciously in Lincolnshire may be frequenting the
Cambridgeshire area and Police are keen to know of its whereabouts? The
vehicle; a Silver Ford Transit, partial index .... BWM usually contains at
least one male who may well knock on doors offering gardening services?

If you see the above vehicle, please telephone Cambridgeshire Constabulary
on 0345 456 456 4 and advise the Operator of its location and
circumstances.

Thank you in advance for your vigilance....

E-Cops – July 09 Top

CRIME IN YOUR AREA - News from E-Cops

Over the last month there has been an increase in Burglaries and Theft from vehicles in the following areas - Yaxley, Stilton, Sawtry ,Folksworth and Elton.

Please be assured that the Police are doing everything possible to arrest the offenders for these crimes however we require your assistance in identifying, deterring and apprehending these criminals.

Most of these offences occur late evening or overnight however some offences have occurred during the day, particularly in Yaxley.

The majority of these crimes have been committed by offenders using garden implements stolen from garden sheds and then using these items to open patio doors.

Other entry points have been through insecure doors and windows.

The Home Office provides advice on protecting your homes which can be found at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/ .

E-Cops – April 09 Top

The Sawtry Girls Are Growing

Sawtry Colts FC are building on the success of their girls football teams and are looking to recruit more players for next season.

Sawtry Colts will be running six girls teams next season from U8-U14 and are looking for girls currently in school years 1-8 to join us.

The club will be running some open training sessions over the Easter break to allow new girls to come along and give football a try out, without the commitment to join a team. The session will include some agility work, basic ball work and will finish with small sided games.

Sawtry Colts are an FA Charter Standard Development Club, with a football for all philosophy and even if you have never played football before would be very pleased to see you there.

Should you decide you would like to join a team they will provide you with all the information you and teach you the basic skills you need.

You will only need to supply your own boots and shin pads and the club will provide everything else you need.

Anybody interested in attending these open sessions can contact Steve Purnell for more details on 07964 496259 or steve.Purnell@sawtrycolts.org.

Steve Purnell – March 09 Top