The 190 year-old Cedar of Lebanon (photo R. Gant)
From the Editors…
Gmail users please note…
There’s a lot of information in this newsletter and your Gmail may clip it. If it does, simply click on the “View entire message” link that Gmail provides. Copy for inclusion in the March issue should be sent to us by 1st March.
Back numbers of the newsletter can be found at: https://madingleynews.substack.com
Please give new neighbours the link.
John and Fiona Naughton, Editors
madingley.news@gmail.com
Contents:
Diary Dates - Village Contacts - Parish Council Notes - Seen in the Village - Community Speedwatch - Church News - Village Hall - CamShed - Cricket Club - Madingley Hall - News from our Public Representatives (M.P. & County and District Councillors) - Local Events, Activities and Volunteering - Useful Household Information (Bin Collections, Royal Mail Collections, Bus Times)
Diary Dates for events in the Parish
see also ‘Local Events, Activities and Engagement’ section
December
Daily, until Madingley Hall’s Christmas closure:
‘12 Flowers of Christmas Walk’ (Madingley Hall Gardens)
see under ‘Madingley Hall’ for details
Sunday 22nd December: 4pm
Carol Service
(There will be no morning service in Madingley on the 22nd)
Tuesday 24th December: 9pm
‘Midnight in Bethlehem’ Eucharist on Christmas Night
Wednesday 25th December: 10am
Christmas Day: Service of Holy Communion
January
Saturday 4th: 10am - 11:30 (in the village hall)
Village Coffee Morning
Thursday 16th: 6pm (in the village hall)
Parish Council Meeting
February
Saturday 1st: 10am - 11:30 (in the village hall)
Village Coffee Morning
March
Saturday 1st: 10am - 11:30 (in the village hall)
Village Coffee Morning
Village Contacts (and websites)
CamShed (Woodworking Group), Alex Barrett: alex.barrett1266@gmail.com
Coton School: 01954 210339
County Councillor, Michael Atkins: michael.atkins@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
District Councillor, Corinne Garvie: 07780 932267, cllr.garvie@scambs.gov.uk
District Councillor, Richard Stobart: 07950 934793, cllr.stobart@scambs.gov.uk
Madingley Cricket Club, Philip Done: madingleycc@gmail.com
Madingley History Group, Sue Baldwin: suebaldwin1000@gmail.com
Madingley Parish Church
- The Revd Christine Barrow: 01223 575089
- The Revd Michael Bigg: 01954 332040, vicar@madingleychurch.org
- Church Secretary, Sue Baldwin: secretary@madingleychurch.org
Madingley Parish Council
- Clerk, Karen Peck: clerk@madingleyparishcouncil.org.uk
- Chairman, Charles Crichton-Stuart: chair@madingleyparishcouncil.org.uk
- Vice-Chair, Fiona Naughton: cllr.naughton@madingleyparishcouncil.org.uk
- Victoria Keevil: cllr.keevil@madingleyparishcouncil.org.uk
- Joan Stevenson-Hinde: cllr.stevenson-hinde@madingleyparishcouncil.org.uk
- Andrew Wallace-Hadrill: cllr.wallace-hadrill@madingleyparishcouncil.org.uk
Madingley Village Hall (bookings, etc), Chris Baldwin: chrisbaldwin1000@gmail.com
Member of Parliament, Ian Sollom: ian.sollom.mp@parliament.uk
Police
- Emergency: 999
- Non emergency: 101
- Crime Stoppers: 0800 555111
Stephen Perse Foundation Nursery: 01954 210309
The Three Horseshoes, Pub & Restaurant: 01954 210221
Useful websites:
Madingley Hall
Madingley Parish Church
Madingley Parish Council
To look up bus times:
https://bustimes.org/search?q=madingley
https://bustimes.org/services/pr1-cambridge-city-centre-madingley-road-parkride
https://dews-coaches.com/local-bus-service.php
https://bustimes.org/services/4-drummer-st-bus-station-bay-10-lower-cambourne-wo
https://bustimes.org/services/u1-girton-corner-biomedical-campus
https://bustimes.org/services/u2-eddington-biomedical-campus
https://bustimes.org/services/x3-huntingdon-addenbrooke
To report potholes or broken signs, etc:
https://highwaysreporting.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/
Parish Council Notes
Chairman’s Report
Telephone Box / Book Exchange
If you have walked through the village recently then I am sure you cannot have failed to notice the resplendent re-painting of our old telephone box. The old paint was definitely fading into a sludgy pink, tinged with various levels of green moss so the new glossy red coat is a vast improvement. Special thanks go out to David for joining parish council members and giving up a good part of a weekend to help them with this work, and to the two kind neighbours who provided tea and cake - much appreciated!
Whilst the outside works are both aesthetically pleasing and preservative in nature, what happens inside the box is perhaps even more important. What began quietly during Covid lockdown has blossomed into a well-structured and organised book exchange.
Welcome Posters by Rosie in the Village Library (photos J. Naughton)
If you have not availed yourself of this wonderful resource, I would very much suggest that you consider doing so (and possibly even donate some books too). Thanks go out to Nicola Harvey who set up the book exchange and to both Nicola and Rosie who keep it in order.
20mph zone
The Parish Council has been trying to get a 20mph zone implemented throughout the village. There is a scheme under which Parishes bid and compete for the funds to do this. Last year our application was a few places below the winning line. This year we were unfortunately immediately just below the line. Whilst this is frustrating it does show that we are at least moving up the priority list, despite priority being given to the larger villages, for the greatest impact. We will continue to make further applications and will look to bolster our efforts by increasing the amount of co-funding we offer as well as attempting to get more personal support from our MP, County Councillors and District Councillors.
Playground
The volunteer playground maintenance morning was a great success with a group of people in the village showing up to help maintain this fantastic public space in the village. The area is leased to the Parish and, if ignored, could potentially revert to housing. Special thanks to John Freegard for clearing the massively overgrown culvert that runs alongside Church Lane and to Fiona Naughton for providing tea and cake to keep everyone fuelled. The culvert is an area that clearly needs regular professional clearing and the Parish Council has asked a number of providers to bid for this work going forward.
Traffic
The speed and volume of traffic in the village are matters that are constantly being highlighted to the Parish Council. The Parish Council has no jurisdiction to control such matters but is endeavouring to find any and all ways to tackle these issues (see the 20mph application above). The Parish Council is currently investigating its eligibility for a grant for a new Movable Vehicle Activated Speed Sign – one of those digital signs that highlights to drivers the speed they are going and if that is, or is not, within the speed limit. Whilst such signs are a long way away from the physical traffic calming measures we would ideally like to introduce, their practical impact is well recognised.
As with all applications for funding or planning, providing supporting data is a key feature. Much of this comes from the stalwart efforts of the village Speedwatch group who, after some police-led training, run a series of formal monitoring sessions throughout the year. In addition to providing such valuable data, Speedwatch sessions also have a very immediate and visible effect on the speed of vehicles passing through the village. The recognition of an active Speedwatch group also has a measurable long-term impact on those drivers who regularly pass though the village and note that they are passing through a residential zone where real people actually care about their community. Maintaining a good roster of volunteers to keep these efforts alive is therefore very much to be encouraged. Monitoring sessions are usually held early in the morning allowing people to both volunteer and still get to work on time. If you care enough to complain, then please consider adding your name to the list by contacting me.
Charles Crichton-Stuart, MPC Chairman
chair@madingleyparishcouncil.org.uk
Seen in the Village …
‘Before…’ (photo J. Naughton)
‘After…’ (photo A. Wallace-Hadrill)
Monster pumpkins in Church Lane
Ready for Christmas! (photo C. Baldwin)
Community Speedwatch
Before the A14 Upgrade works began, Cambs County Council’s own consultants stated in their report that Madingley - and neighbouring Dry Drayton - would both be negatively affected by the A14 Upgrade, due to the resulting increase in traffic through both villages.
The volume and speed of through traffic in Madingley has increased since the Upgrade, as projected. It is disappointing that the County Council has once again not prioritised our annual application for speed reduction in the village, which could help make the village feel safer. Nor has it shared with residents plans for, or news of, traffic monitoring required here in the Development Consent Order for the A14 Upgrade, which could result in mitigation of the impact of through traffic, for everyone's safety.
Community speed surveys continue here on an ad-hoc basis, while we have the support of a small group of trained village volunteers.
Speedwatch Secretariat
Church News
We look forward to welcoming you to our services this Christmas:
Sunday 22nd December: 4pm Carol Service
with home-made refreshments served afterwards
led by the Rev’d Michael Bigg
(There will be no morning service in Madingley on the 22nd)
Tuesday 24th December: 9pm
‘Midnight in Bethlehem’ Eucharist on Christmas Night
conducted by the Rev’d Michael Bigg
Wednesday 25th December: 10am
Christmas Day: Service of Holy Communion
conducted by the Rev’d Marie Luchetta-Redmond
Sunday 29th December 10.30am
Joint Service of Holy Communion in Madingley, with the congregation
of St Andrew’s Girton, conducted by the Rev’d Marie Luchetta-Redmond
It’s been a really busy autumn at the Parish Church starting with our annual support for the Cambridgeshire Historic Churches Trust Ride and Stride. 2024 saw five members of the congregation challenging themselves to visit as many churches and chapels as they could during the course of the day in order to maximise the sponsorship earned. A magnificent £1,010 was raised, of which half has been paid into our own church Fabric Fund and the balance donated to the Trust, providing grants to historic churches in the county to assist with the cost of restoration work. Our grateful thanks to all the sponsors for their generosity.
Church music: We are hugely fortunate to have a dedicated team of volunteer organists and a harpist who accompany our worship week-by week. At the beginning of September our organ accompaniment was played by a trio of very talented Madingley musicians: Angus and Amelia together with our lead organist Jan Pearson. It was a joyful occasion with a very high standard of musicianship all round.
Amelia and Angus accompanying morning service
Our Harvest Festival Service offered the opportunity to give thanks for the rich variety of foods that we enjoy and to remember those who are not so fortunate. We collected a car-full of non-perishable food for the Cambridge Foodbank and took a collection in aid of the Arthur Rank Hospice.
The beginning of November saw two services giving us the chance to remember and give thanks for those who have gone before us. On 3rd November Susan Rawlings, our Licensed Lay Minister, led a service titled “A Time to Remember” when we joined together to remember and give thanks for the lives of those we love who have died.
The following Sunday marked Remembrance Day when we stood in silence to remember the young men from this village who gave their lives during World Wars 1 and 2.
Work continues to maintain and restore our historic and much-loved parish church with projects currently under way to maintain and ensure safety in the churchyard and an investigation into the possible causes of damp inside the building.
We have been blessed for many years that the general ongoing maintenance of the churchyard has been undertaken voluntarily by members of the congregation. However, it has reached a stage where it has become increasingly difficult to rely on a small and decreasing band of volunteers as they become less able to give their time and, inevitably, less physically able to cope with the demands of the uneven ground, the obstructions to straight lines and the extensive area. The PCC felt it was time to engage a contractor to cut the grass on a regular basis and you will have seen the fruits of their endeavours over the last few months.
To fund this work the PCC has agreed to ring-fence monies within the overall church accounts solely for the upkeep and maintenance of the churchyard. It was decided that, initially, this fund would be set up using the generous donations received in memory of our former church warden Alan Clarke and a portion of the significant bequest received from the estate of Michael Jones - both of whom loved and cared for the church and its setting. This fund is now identified as the Clarke-Jones Churchyard Fund and has been subsequently added to by a donation from a member of the congregation, for which we are very grateful.
If you feel able, and wish to contribute to the Clarke-Jones Fund, then this can be done by emailing the Church Treasurer, David Fisher (treasurer@madingleychurch.org), making it clear that the donation is for this fund so that he can make the appropriate entry in the accounting records.
The season of Advent began with a memorable service of Compline sung by The Cambridge Early Music Consort with traditional plainchant and polyphony by Josquin Desprez, Jean Mouton and Gaspar van Weerbeke. The Consort is the University’s foremost specialist early music ensemble, working on repertoire from the 12th to the 16th centuries.
Community Coffee Mornings continue to take place on the first Saturday of every month in association with the Madingley Village Hall Trust, from 10 – 11:30am. Come along and enjoy a slice of home-made cake and chat with other village residents at the Village Hall.
Our Sunday services are usually at 10.30am every week but do check the website for further information, www.madingleychurch.org
Madingley Parochial Church Council
VILLAGE HALL
Community Coffee Mornings
Make a note for the first Saturday of each month, between 10 and 11:30am for a cup of tea or coffee, listen to the Madingley Harpist and choose from a selection of home-made cakes. An area is set out particularly for children, with toys and games. This event has proved to be hugely popular so do drop in – you won’t find you are the only person there!
The Hall is benefitting from regular hiring for training purposes by JHD Counselling Ltd, one of the largest private counselling organisations within the UK. JHD works in schools and Cambridge colleges, in private practice and Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) and is also a counselling partner for three charities - Stopbreathethink, Mind over Cancer and Embrace.
The quality and quiet of the hall space and surroundings are clearly enjoyed by the wide range of hirers. In addition, I am pleased to say that, as from the beginning of December, we now have Internet connectivity.
The Hall will be used as a Polling Station on the 1st May to elect a new County Councillor and Mayor.
Thanks to the Parish Council for their support of the Hall and to those who help with setting up and changing the layout to suit the various users.
Please be in touch if we can help with an event for your family.
https://hallsforhire.org.uk/madingley-village-hall/
Chris Baldwin
Chairman and Bookings Secretary - Madingley Village Hall Trust
chrisbaldwin1000@gmail.com
CamShed @ Madingley Hall
We meet every Wednesday from 11 a.m. and you can find us just to the left as you walk out of the back of the Madingley Hall car park. Please pop in and see us and maybe help us out with our projects.
We are always ready to welcome new members who might want to join us to ‘converse, connect and create’. Let us know if you have a suggestion for a woodwork project to benefit the community?
Hope to see you soon!
Alex Barrett
alex.barrett1266@gmail.com
Cricket Club
The first team ended up bottom of their division after failing to win enough games to secure their place in the division. Sid top-scored with 373 runs from 8 innings and a best score of 130 (plus two 50s). Sanish topped the bowling with 21 wickets, though the best bowling was 3 for 3 by Anshuman.
The second team ended up above the relegation places through bonus points. Highlights were a last ball win against bottom team Longstowe, successfully chasing 200 against Steeple Morden and Longstowe, and defending 250 against Stapleford. Abhiram topped the batting with 251 from 5 innings (three 50s), with Ramesh having the best individual score of 90. Javaid took the most wickets with 13, and the best performance was 4 for 34 by Kevlar.
The midweek team had four wins, three defeats and a tie. Habibul top scored with 83 from 7 innings (two 25s) and Luke got the best individual score (31). Sumit took 9 wickets to top the bowling, with best performance of 4 for 2 by Kauser.
As always we are keen to meet people of any ability who are interested in playing. Although the season is over we will be having net sessions during the coming months, feel free to contact us for details via the club website.
Philip Done, Secretary
madingleycc@gmail.com
http://madingley.play-cricket.com/
https://www.facebook.com/madingleycc/
https://twitter.com/madingleycc
Madingley Hall
There are a few festive events happening at Madingley Hall and Gardens this Christmas. The hall will be decorated beautifully, as always, with an impressive Christmas tree as the centerpiece. On the 14 December, there will be a memorable three-course lunch or dinner, enhanced by live Christmas carols from a harpist and enchanting performances in collaboration with the Lucy Cavendish Singers. To book, please contact events@ice.cam.ac.uk.
If you are looking for a flexible way to take your first steps in higher education, boost your career, fill a gap in your knowledge or simply indulge in a topic that fascinates you, our part-time undergraduate courses allow you to achieve your goal. As an affordable option for those who cannot commit to a full-time bachelor’s degree, you can learn online, focusing on one or multiple subjects. Applications for our 2025-26 courses open this month. You can register your interest and apply here: https://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate-certificates-and-diplomas
If you want to find out what it’s like to be a student at ICE, but you aren’t quite ready to commit to an undergraduate course, why not try a weekend or online course, or sign up for our International Summer Programme.
The University of Cambridge official International Summer Programme will be open for bookings this month. Become part of our vibrant, international community of adult learners and combine courses from a wide range of subjects including Business and Innovation, Global Challenges, History, Literature, Philosophy, Science and the Visual Arts. With over 130 one- and two-week courses on offer, you'll be sure to find the subjects you need for your current studies, or to match your area of interest. To find out more and book your place for a summer you’ll never forget, visit: https://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/courses/international-summer-programmes.
Our next tranche of Weekend Courses take place 24-26 January, with multiple topics to study including ‘AI and Society’, ‘The three Bel Canto masterpieces of Guiseppe Verdi’s Middle Period’ and ‘World order under stress’. The following weekend will take place on 7-9 February. You can see the full list of upcoming courses, and sign up here: https://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/courses/short-courses-madingley-hall.
We also offer a variety of online courses. Over seven weeks, you could indulge your interest in the wonders of our cosmos, reveal the real writer inside you, further your training in finance or even consider a career in coaching. Our ever-changing portfolio of online classes provides both personal enrichment and professional development, combined with the quality of education you’d expect from the University of Cambridge. You can find out more and sign up to a course here: https://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/courses/search/study/online-learning.
We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, however you choose to celebrate, and we hope to see you online, or in person soon.
Ella Brooker
Institute of Continuing Education, University of Cambridge
Madingley Hall, Madingley, Cambridge CB23 8AQ
From the Head Gardener
‘The Twelve Plants of Christmas’
We have created a Christmas plant trail in the garden commencing in December until the closure of the hall at the beginning of Christmas week. It is festively lit and called ‘Twelve Plants of Christmas’. Guides are available in the garden and there are information labels by each plant. The trail finishes in the cafe where festive treats will be available!
Cedar of Lebanon
It is with sadness we reluctantly took the difficult decision to take down the beautiful and iconic cedar in the northeast corner of the garden in October. Many residents will be aware that for a number of years we have been carefully monitoring its condition and decline, with a view to keep it for as long as safely possible. After this year’s annual inspection by our Arboricultural Consultant we were advised that the extent of decay, and the increasing lean and shift in the root plate, meant action needed to be taken.
The white rot affecting the cedar was caused by the fungus Ganoderma adspersum, a type of bracket fungus (Polypore). The fungus causes the decay of the stem base and roots, by breaking down the lignin and causing the wood to become soft. The stump revealed the extent of the decay.
Richard Gant examining the decayed cedar trunk
The ring count reveals 190 years, so the tree was planted in 1834 during the reign of William IV. Historically, there were two cedars of Lebanon associated with Capability Brown’s planting from 1756-1757. One below the east terrace was removed by Ambrose Harding in 1942 and the second, at the north end of the Alberni border, was taken down in 1985 by Peter Oakes from the University Estate Woodyard in the village and filmed by Dr Goodwin.
We hope to utilise the timber for one or more features within the garden and two chainsaw artists have visited recently to view the timber and seek inspiration from the hall and garden. Our Tree Policy planting schedule includes the replacement of trees to benefit future generations. Due to this forward planning, two young cedars of Lebanon are now growing in the garden which we hope, in time, will prove worthy successors.
Richard Gant
Institute of Continuing Education, University of Cambridge
Madingley Hall, Madingley, Cambridge CB23 8AQ
News from our Public Representatives
Ian Sollom, MP for St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire
It has been a whirlwind few months since the general election back in July, and I am finally settling into the swing of things in Westminster. Both my constituency and parliamentary office are now in place, and I have been working hard to respond to the many casework enquiries and campaign emails I am receiving every day.
Since making my maiden speech in October, I have been taking every opportunity to make your voices heard in parliamentary debates and questions, raising specific casework issues across the constituency. A few recent examples include sharing the personal stories of two constituents affected by the Infected Blood Scandal, speaking in a debate on a public petition about holidays during term time, and pressing the Government to pause budget cuts to BTEC funding.
At the beginning of November, I was privileged to plant a tribute in the constituency Garden of Remembrance in Parliament. I dedicated this tribute to all those in the St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire constituency who gave their lives during service.
I hosted meetings with local farmers from the constituency during the NFU’s rally day in Westminster to hear how the Government’s Autumn Budget will affect them, as well as more widely about the impact of proposed EWR stations and the progressing plans for the C2C busway.
Following many concerned correspondences from constituents about plans to expand Luton Airport and the related change in airspace – which has caused much noise nuisance - I have been in contact with both the Civil Aviation Authority and the Transport Secretary, raising awareness of the issue and urging them to reject plans to expand London Luton Airport.
I visited Addenbrooke’s Hospital to hear about their ongoing success in reducing waiting times and to receive a briefing on the preparations the hospital is undertaking for winter. We also looked further to the future, discussing the progress of the cancer hospital and strategy, and visiting the site of what will be the East of England’s first dedicated children’s hospital.
Hills Road’s Principal, Jo Trump, welcomed me to the school for a Q&A with members of the student forum, as well as to discuss industrial action due to a gap in funding for non-academised sixth forms.
I attended the Assisted Dying second reading debate on the 29th of November, and voted in favour of the legislation. In the weeks prior, I sought advice on the Bill by attending a meeting in a St Neots Church, speaking to groups in Parliament and meeting representatives of the medical profession, including those in palliative care. Thank you to the hundreds of constituents who emailed me with their views, for or against. My full statement on this is available on my social media channels.
Amongst all this, I have attended parliamentary receptions and drop-ins such as those hosted by Greenpeace, the Alzheimer’s Society, Asthma + Lung UK, the Social Recruitment Covenant and the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce. Thank you for continuing to raise these issues with me.
For further updates, please do keep an eye on my social media (x.com @Ian Sollom, and Ian Sollom MP on Facebook), as I post much more detail, as well as week-by-week updates, on there.
I now have regular weekly surgeries happening both in person across the constituency and online for those who prefer that option. So far, I have held surgeries on Fridays and Saturday mornings in St Neots, Cambourne and Northstowe, as well as every Wednesday morning online. I hope to venture to many other places in the upcoming months. The surgeries are by appointment only, so if you would like to meet, please contact me on ian.sollom.mp@parliament.uk and a member of my team will be in touch.
County Councillor, Michael Atkins
Quality of Life survey
The results of the latest Quality of Life survey across the County have been published. Residents continue to feel (on the whole) happy and safe in the County, and there has been a welcome reduction in the incidence of mental and physical health issues. However, cost of living remains a concern for nearly all residents, with half of residents using less heating and a quarter cutting back on nutritious food.
Budget
The Council’s budget continues to present challenges, with an in-year forecast deficit of £10m, rising to nearly £40m for the next year. This experience is now sadly common across rural County Councils as they struggle with the demands of Adult and Children’s Social Care, School Transport and Children’s education and health care plans. Work is underway once again to identify savings and efficiencies ahead of the budget meeting in February.
Cambridge Rd, Coton/Madingley Rd night-time closure
Engineering works have been taking place at the Cambridge/Madingley Rd junction since early November to replace the temporary/trial barriers with a more permanent solution.
Mill Road Bridge (Cambridge)
Following legal challenge, the issue of closing the Mill Road Bridge returned to the County Council and has again been approved. A bus gate has been installed; blue badge holders can register up to two vehicles for exemption here: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/travel-roads-and-parking/parking-services/mill-road-bus-gate-blue-badge-application-exemption
Net zero 2030 – on track
The Council is on track to reach its net zero 2030 goal. Direct emissions from the Council’s assets and operations have reduced by 42% over the last six years. This has been achieved through an effective programme of retrofit works and low carbon heating projects.
LHI 2025/26 round open
The application window for the next round of LHI schemes has now opened, and will close on 10th January.
East-west Rail Consultation – opens 14th November
The delayed non-statutory consultation on East West Rail opened on 14th November. Materials and information will be made available here: https://eastwestrail.co.uk/consultation2024
There will be an in person event in Comberton Village Hall, 10 January 2025, 2pm - 7pm
I have previously signed a declaration opposing the southern alignment for EWR (from Cambourne to Cambridge South) because of the direct impact on villages in our area, and also raised broader concerns about the use of diesel trains, the economic rationale, and the lack of benefits for local residents. I will be interested to see how/if the plans have changed when the materials are published this month.
Cambridge South East Transport project (CSET)
The County Council have agreed by vote to apply for a Transport & Works Act Order for the CSET Busway between Cambridge Biomedical Campus and a new Travel Hub near the A1307/A11, via the Shelfords and Stapleford. We expect this to go to public enquiry before a final decision by the Secretary of State.
Bus Franchising Consultation
The Combined Authority is seeking views on possible bus franchising – please respond at https://cpca-yourvoice.co.uk/bus-franchising-consultation/.
News from the District
Improving the High Street grant
The Council has £200,000 to distribute for local high streets to improve the look and desirability of trading there. Parish Councils and small local businesses are all eligible to apply here: https://www.scambs.gov.uk/business/uk-shared-prosperity-fund/improving-the-high-street-grant
Increased Council tax on Vacant and Second homes
The Council is considering using newly awarded powers to double Council Tax on long-term vacant or second properties. This is to encourage owners to sell or rent their properties and so alleviate an element of the local housing shortfall. We estimate there are 3000 such properties in the district. There are important exemptions including where homes are being actively marketed for sale or rent, as part of probate, are periodically occupied in job-related circumstances, or are undergoing significant renovation.
Pilot Employment Hubs
3 Hubs are now in place to support people who have been unemployed due to long-term physical or mental health condition. Our nearest is located in Melbourn and is being delivered by Citizens Advice. There is no pressure to find employment but a focus on helping people in their journey back to work.
Councillors and residents are welcome to contact me on any issue which is concerning them:
Cllr Michael I. Atkins
matkinslibdem@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/cllrmichaelatkins
07968 264637
From our District Councillors, Corinne Garvie and Richard Stobart
Connect and collaborate at a free business workspace in South Cambridgeshire!
Regional businesses, entrepreneurs, community groups and charities are being invited to Cambourne to try a new collaborative working space - free of charge until the new year!
South Cambridgeshire District Council has redesigned its head office ground floor with a vibrant, collaborative workspace for use by business professionals.
The area, called South Cambs Connect, has comfortable workstations, high-speed Wi-Fi, meeting pods and bookable meeting rooms which offer a productive spot to work, a meeting venue, and a chance to network with other local professionals.
For more details email: southcambsconnect@scambs.gov.uk
Quality of life survey: South Cambridgeshire summary
You may have picked-up in the news that Cambridgeshire County Council last week reported on the high-level findings of their latest quality of life survey. This year, the County Council carried out this survey in partnership with ourselves, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority and Cambridge Ahead. The initial results for our district are very positive. South Cambridgeshire reports most positively about happiness, personal health, Cambridgeshire as a place to raise children and views on local community. Our district also reports less change in behaviour due to cost-of-living and residents are less concerned about cost-of-living, climate change, and investment and jobs than elsewhere locally.
East West Rail
We now know that this will be funded with a view to opening 2030. The good news is that it will be Hybrid Electric. Though freight may need to be diesel. The Public Consultation has started. To view their plans, go to the Clayton Hotel, near the Station, on 18th January 12-5.00.
Cambridge 2050
This has been given £10 million to set up the organisation, by March 2025, that will be delivering significant economic and housing growth in our area. In an initial briefing with Peter Freeman, who is leading on this, The money will be spent recruiting a staff of about 50, setting up the Water Credit Scheme, commissioning the evidence base (to include transport) and working up the site specific options.
Electric Vehicle Charging
The grants for parishes to install EV charging have been extended and to increase the amount they could apply for from £5k to £12k.
Net Zero Villages
We have now received over £400k from CPCA for their Net Zero Villages programme. We have received a lot more money than anywhere else due to the number of villages we have. Between £25k and £100k is available per application.
Gypsy Traveller Accommodation
SCDC has commissioned a study on Gypsy Traveller accommodation to inform the Local Plan which identifies quite a large shortfall but also some serious issues with existing sites being inhabited by people who are not Gypsies or Travellers.
CSET
The Cambridge South Busway, otherwise known as CSET, returned recently to the County Council for approval to submit the business case to government. It was approved.
Impact Assessment Supplementary Planning Document
SCDC will be making decisions soon on whether to adopt planning guidance that embeds Health and Wellbeing into all new developments. New town and new housing developments can, if well designed, really make a positive difference to people’s health and wellbeing. Northstowe New Town, for example, includes outdoor fitness equipment, lots of cycle- and walk-ways and really beautifully designed green and blue spaces.
Empty Properties
SCDC will soon agree a new policy on Council Tax Changes for empty properties. This is to encourage owners to get empty homes back into use. Homes empty up to 2 years will pay 100% Council Tax; empty up to 5 years it result in a 200% levy and up to and over 10 years it will be 300%.
One year’s notice will be given of an increase. SCDC currently has about 300 empty properties; 84 of which have been empty over 10 years.
By Election
Congratulations to LibDem James Rixon who retained the Histon and Impington seat on the District Council winning with a 325-vote majority. The by-election was called following Pippa Heyling’s resignation as a district councillor, in order for her to focus on her work as an MP.
Recycling Cables
Greater Cambridge Shared Waste Service is working with Recycle Your Electricals to encourage Cambridgeshire residents to participate in The Great Cable Challenge – a nationwide campaign aimed at tackling the millions of cables sitting idle across UK households. The initiative is part of this year’s International E-Waste Day.
The challenge aims to give a second life to the valuable materials contained in cables, such as copper. Copper can be recycled into new items such as wind turbines and new tech such as mobile phones, laptops, tablets or smart watches. With millions of cables cluttering up UK homes, the UK-wide campaign, ‘Recycle Your Electricals’ has published a handy Cable Guide.
(https://www.recycleyourelectricals.org.uk/how-do-i-sort-out-my-cables/)
With 35 of the most used cables, the guide provides easy to use visuals to match cables to their original electricals. If the electricals or the cables are no longer working or they aren’t needed anymore, simply bag up your cables and recycle them!
AI to Improve Planning Performance
Greater Cambridge Shared Planning, a shared service between South Cambridgeshire District and Cambridge City councils, is pioneering the development of a new AI tool to improve how public feedback on planning policies is reviewed and analysed. Funded through the Government’s PropTech Innovation Fund, this project aims to use AI to transform the way communities engage in the planning system. Developed in partnership with the University of Liverpool, the AI tool - known as a Large Language Model (LLM) - is being specifically designed to process and summarise the
thousands of comments that residents, community groups and other stakeholders submit during consultations.
Old Shire Hall
Taking on board feedback and lessons learned from an earlier bid, an exclusivity period was set for early October. We have been working with the preferred bidder, as we complete our due diligence on their bid. This exclusivity period has now passed. We are aware of the strong continued interest in this prime Cambridge location and we are committed to achieving the best possible outcome for the building, local residents and Cambridgeshire taxpayers. Rather than extend the exclusivity period
we have chosen to discuss our next steps with all the previously shortlisted bidders as we look to achieve, what is known as ‘best consideration’. We remain optimistic that a sale will be agreed soon.
We hope you find these items of interest. If you have questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by email or phone.
Your Councillors are always ready to help. If you have any questions about these - or indeed any other - matters, please do not hesitate to contact us
Cllr Corinne Garvie: 07780 932267, cllr.garvie@scambs.gov.uk
Cllr Richard Stobart: 07950 934793, cllr.stobart@scambs.gov.uk
Local Events, Activities and Engagement
What’s on in South Cambridgeshire?
This is a website first launched in 2021 giving information on local events, places to eat and drink, markets, volunteering (e.g. on Coton Reserve), etc.
https://visitsouthcambs.co.uk/what-s-on
‘The Library Presents’
This is a programme of arts activities, online and in locations around Cambridgeshire (some free) run by Cambridgeshire County Council. There is something for all ages across a range of art forms including; music, drama, art, dance, storytelling, comedy, puppetry, and magic. Bringing arts activities to locations across Cambridgeshire
Brochures and tickets are available in Public libraries, or visit
www.library.live/the-library-presents
Useful Household Information
Bin Collections
(Madingley collections are generally on Thursdays, but, after Christmas the collection will be on Friday 29th December)
https://www.scambs.gov.uk/recycling-and-bins/find-your-household-bin-collection-day
Royal Mail Collection times
Pillar box near Madingley Hall Gate
Monday to Friday: 9:00am
Saturday: 7:00am
Small box near No. 31, High Street*
Monday to Friday: 9:00
Saturday: 7:00
*This box was stolen in January and we are waiting to hear when it will be replaced.
Bus Times between Madingley and Cambridge
Dews Coaches, no. 8
(Route taken over from A2B Bus and Coach, No. 8, No service on Sundays or public holidays.)
Please check this website for bus times, Monday to Saturday:
https://dews-coaches.com/local-bus-service.php
Monday to Saturday (Outbound)
Madingley (The High Street, next to the painted village sign) to
Cambridge (Drummer St, Bay 3, via Coton, Madingley Rd and Bridge St)
10:03, 11:33, 15:03
Monday to Saturday (Inbound)
Cambridge (Drummer St, Bay 3) to Madingley (the High Street, near the village hall)
10:49, 13:19,16:49
Stagecoach East, PR1
PR1 is mainly a service from the Madingley Park & Ride into Cambridge. There is a regular service between Bay 3 of the P&R and St Andrew St (Stop S1): outbound from the P&R between 7:00 and 20:10; inbound from St Andrews St between 7:20 and 20:30. (Free travel for holders of bus passes is only available after 9:30.) Madingley itself is served in addition by a single bus in the morning and evening!
Monday to Friday (Outbound)
Madingley (Opposite Park Lane and then by the painted village sign) to
Cambridge (St Andrews St, Stop S1) via Madingley Park & Ride (Bay 3) and Bridge St
7:15 only
Monday to Friday (Inbound)
18:00 Cambridge (St Andrews St, Stop S1)
18:15 P&R (Bay 3)
arrives Madingley 18:20
Stagecoach East, no. 4 (Cambourne to Cambridge)
https://bustimes.org/services/4-drummer-st-bus-station-bay-10-lower-cambourne-wo
The inbound bus leaves from Drummer St, Bay 10
Monday to Saturday (Outbound)
Outbound, Monday - Sunday, from the request stop opposite Madingley Mulch (Coton Inglewood), the American Cemetery and the end of Cambridge Rd to Cambridge (Emmanuel St, Stop ‘E5’ or Drummer St, Bay 10), via Chesterton Rd and Victoria Avenue.
Whippet Coaches, X3 (Huntingdon to Addenbrookes)
Please check this website for bus times, Monday to Sunday:
https://bustimes.org/services/x3-huntingdon-addenbrookes
Outbound from request stop opposite Madingley Mulch (Coton Inglewood), the American Cemetery and the end of Cambridge Rd; Inbound buses collect from the Railway Station (Stop 8) and Drummer St (Bay 3).
Whippet Coaches, U1 and U2
Please check these websites for bus times:
https://bustimes.org/services/u1-girton-corner-biomedical-campus
https://bustimes.org/services/u2-eddington-biomedical-campus
Both buses pick up from the stop on the east side of the Park & Ride, on Eddington Avenue, and run approximately every thirty or forty minutes on weekdays - (less often, and reduced hours, at weekends) - via the West Cambridge Site, Grange Rd, Silver Street and the railway station to Cambridge Biomedical Campus (including Addenbrooke’s) and return the same way to the Park & Ride. The U1 route to Silver St is via Grange Rd, West Rd and Queens Rd; the U2 route to Silver St is via Grange Rd, Barton Rd and Newnham Rd.
(Allow about 35 minutes for the ride to Addenbrookes. The website provides a map of the route with bus stops.)
Please see www.whippetbus.co.uk/service-updates for service updates and details of cancelled journeys