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.

Click on thumbnail to view larger

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