March 10, 2023
(photo Chris Baldwin)
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 June issue should be sent to us by 1st June.
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 - Community Speedwatch - Police - Church News - Celebrating the Coronation of King Charles III - Village Hall - CamShed - Cricket Club - Book Club - Madingley Hall - Madingley Estate Woods & 800 Wood - American Cemetery - News from our Public Representatives (M.P., County and District Councillors) - Local Events, Activities and Engagement - 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
March
Thursday 16th: 6pm (in the village hall)
Parish Council meeting. Everyone is welcome
Sunday 19th: 10:30am (in church)
Mothering Sunday service
April
Saturday 1st: 10.30-12 noon (in the village hall)
Community coffee morning
Friday 7th: 11am (in church)
Good Friday service
Sunday 9th: 10:30am (in church)
Easter Sunday service
May
Sunday 7th: 11am (in church)
Service to celebrate the coronation of Charles III
Sunday 7th: about 12.30 (in village hall)
‘Bring and share’ lunch (details, including confirmation of the time, will come nearer the time)
Sunday 21st: 2:30-5:30pm (in church)
Tea and cake in association with the National ‘Open Gardens Scheme’ event at Madingley Hall
Sunday 28th: 9-10:30am (in the village hall)
‘The Big Breakfast’
June
Saturday 3rd: 10.30-12 noon (in the church)
Community 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, Anthony Browne: anthony.browne.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/4-citi-cambridge-hardwick-cambourne
https://bustimes.org/services/pr1-cambridge-city-centre-madingley-road-parkride
http://www.go-whippet.co.uk/new-route-u/
To report potholes or broken signs, etc:
https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/travel-roads-and-parking/roads-and-pathways/roadworks-and-faults
Parish Council Notes
Chairman’s Report
Roads/Pavements
As you will have noticed, a good number of road markings throughout the village have recently been refreshed. For those wondering why not all the markings have been done, it is the County Council policy not to put centre lines back on roads less than 5.5m wide.
I have also been informed that the village is scheduled for some footpath patching and kerb repairs along the High Street and Church Lane. No specific date for those works has been agreed yet but I am assured they will be completed before the end of the financial year.
Please note that the Parish Council has no authority over (or ability to fast-track) what repairs are undertaken to any roads, footpaths or traffic signals/signs. Anything requiring attention should be reported through the Cambridgeshire County Council website: Report a highways fault - Cambridgeshire County Council. Please do not email the Clerk with road related concerns.
Vandalism
As many of you are aware there has recently been an unfortunate spate of vandalism in the village. Last month the ladder to the climbing frame was torn off, smashed and propped up again, the newly replaced football net was slashed and hand sanitiser was squirted into a wall safe in the church.
Broken ladder from the climbing frame
The police have been made aware of the incidents. If anyone has seen the culprits in action or there are further incidents, please inform the police directly using the 101 service which can be done either by phone or online. Please quote the crime number: 35/11713/23.
If reporting online, the 101 ‘Chat’ function can be accessed by clicking on the speech bubble in the green circle in the bottom right hand corner of the ‘Contact Us’ page of the South Cambridgeshire police web site: Contact us | Cambridgeshire Constabulary (cambs.police.uk). If appropriate, please also notify the chair of the parish council.
Experimental Road Traffic Order, Cambridge Road
The new bicycle and pedestrian-friendly route along Cambridge Road implemented under the Active Travel Scheme has now been in place for four months.
There are still a few drivers who have decided to ignore the very clear signage (including the newly installed ‘no access to Madingley Road’ signs) and choose to go down the one-way section of the road the wrong way. Nevertheless, all rat-running from Madingley roundabout, which had been a constant concern to those on Church Lane and Cambridge Road, has now effectively ceased. There has also been no communication with the Parish Council from parents at the school who were previously in regular contact with us to raise concerns about the volume and speed of traffic when picking up or dropping off their children.
There has been a noticeable increase in cyclists and walkers using Cambridge Road as well. If, like me, you had previously been concerned about cycling or walking along Cambridge Road to then connect with the dedicated cycle or pedestrian routes into the city, I would highly suggest you now give the route a try.
The current layout is still in a trial period and views are now being sought by the County Council as to whether or not it will be made permanent. Hopefully you will all have responded to a letter in the post requesting your views. If you have not, we have been assured that comments received before the end of March will still be taken into consideration. These can be given by emailing Policy.andRegulation@cambridgeshire.gov.uk. Whatever your views on one-way access to the junction, please include a mention of the reduction to 40mph on Cambridge Road and the widening of the pavements on both sides of the junction with Madingley Road. Whether or not the County Council decides to open the junction both ways again, it would be a pity to lose these benefits for pedestrians and cyclists (and horses) which have made the road and the junction feel so much safer.
20 mph Scheme
Whilst the volume of vehicles passing through the village, especially those using Church Lane and the High Street as a strategic link to the northbound A14, is clearly the major issue, the speed of that traffic is also both dangerous and upsetting. Separate from the LHI process (under which a 20 mph zone was previously bid for and rejected) Cambridgeshire County Council has now created an annual 20mph funding programme to install either 20mph zones or limits countywide. It is my intention to propose at the next Parish Council meeting that we apply to make all (or as much as possible) of the village a 20mph zone.
Dog waste bins
After a request was received to have an additional dog waste bin towards the far end of the High Street, it was explained to us that South Cambs District Council is discouraging parishes from installing additional dog waste bins within villages since all the waste ends up in the same place and the all-purpose waste bins are twice the size. We have been told that dog owners may put wrapped dog waste in any all-purpose waste bin if there isn’t a dedicated dog waste bin nearby.
2022 LHI (local highways initiative) application for signage on Madingley Road
You may have noticed that the signage we requested to alert drivers to pedestrians crossing Madingley Road near the front of the American Cemetery has now been installed. There are two signs on each carriageway, one warning that there are pedestrians ahead and the other that there may be cars queuing ahead. Parishes applying for an LHI have to pay a minimum of 10% of the cost of installation and, thanks to the Superintendent of the Cemetery, Matthew Brown, who first raised the issue with us and has taken a close interest in this project from the start, the American Battle Monuments Commission has very generously offered to pay Madingley’s share of the costs. We are very grateful for this.
New signage on Madingley Rd to make it safer for pedestrians crossing and cars turning into the Cemetery or the driveways opposite
Finally, we have been saddened to learn of the death of Louise Peters who served with us as a parish councillor in Madingley from 2020-21.
Charles Crichton-Stuart, MPC Chairman
Community Speedwatch
Community Speed surveys will resume in Spring with the essential support of our village volunteers. Speedwatch is an effective education initiative for motorists. It’s led by Cambridgeshire Police (and runs in many other counties too) in partnership with Parish Councils. It’s delivered by trained, insured local volunteers. If vehicles are found to be speeding during our surveys, essential data captured is reported promptly to the police for follow up.
Active participation in Speedwatch is viewed positively by various organisations responsible for making key funding decisions for local highways improvements, including traffic calming. Having an active team has helped us with several successful funding applications, including for the 40mph zones on Church Lane (previously 60mph) and on The Avenue (also formerly 60mph) as well as the mini-chicane on The Avenue and the blue (advisory) no HGV signs on village access routes.
If you’d like to become a volunteer and can spare a small amount of time to join us on some of our scheduled surveys - surveys last an hour each - please email your name and contact details to the Parish Clerk who will forward them in confidence to our Speedwatch co-ordinator. Volunteers must be aged 18+ and be prepared to undertake an essential police-run training session.
Speedwatch Secretariat
Police
People living in South Cambridgeshire are invited to take five minutes to fill out an online survey each quarter so local officers can understand what crime is happening in their area.
Residents are also invited to attend an online meeting each quarter where there will be a presentation on recent policing activity from the team and the results of the survey will be shared. During the meeting neighbourhood teams will be able to listen to concerns, discuss, and allow residents to have an influence on what local police teams tackle.
After the meeting, the team will work on the matters agreed and update residents with progress over the following three months before the process begins again.
Chief Inspector Paul Rogerson, who looks after the neighbourhood teams across the south of Cambridgeshire, said: “Our very genuine desire is to focus our neighbourhood teams on the things that are of the highest risk and concern for our residents. We are also really keen to tell you more about those things you might not realise or see us doing.
“We want to reach out to as many residents as possible. We’re aiming to provide you better access to your neighbourhood police officers, to understand what is happening in your areas from a crime perspective and allow you to help shape the police activity.
“Online contact will never replace police teams being out on patrol to speak with, however residents have told us this is a quick, easy and effective means of getting to know your team and shaping what they do .”
Below are links to a survey and dates of forthcoming community meetings which the public are welcome to register to attend.
Survey – https://bit.ly/3Wx8krJ
Meetings –
Tuesday 2 May
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/south-cambs-community-engagement-meeting-may-2023-tickets-491849604407
Tuesday 8 August
Tuesday 7 November
Church News
At this time of year the driveway up to Madingley Hall is filled with signs of spring. The daffodils are creeping through on the verges and up in the gardens the snowdrops are glorious. In the church we are now in the season of Lent, during which we prepare ourselves to enjoy the promise of new life hinted at by the spring flowers and realised on Easter Day in the resurrection of Jesus. As we come out of winter it's a good time to reflect on life and death, and everything in between.
(photo Heather Robinson)
In January we bade a sad farewell to Frank Dann, who had been the village policeman in Madingley for many years before his retirement. A full church service was followed by a committal at the crematorium. I could tell how well Frank was loved by the way that, at the end of the service, even the burliest former police officers seemed to have something in their eyes when they left. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
As always, people from the village are very welcome to join us for services on Sunday morning (10:30am) or just to come and spend some time in the quiet of the beautiful building. On Mothering Sunday (19th March) there will be a special service for all the family with activities for the children. Please do come along! At the end of April (Sunday 30th) we will be welcoming our friends from St Andrew's, Girton (with whom we share our Vicar), there will be a guest preacher that day and special activities for children. Other key services are listed below.
Our monthly coffee mornings continue to attract a good number of people from the village who are getting to know each other better, including several families with young children. This is a great way to be part of the local community so please come along. It happens on the first Saturday of the month (10-11:30am) and you can drop in any time for tea, cake and a chat. The April session will be in the Village Hall, but
we'll move back into the church when the weather improves on 3rd June. Please note that there will be no Coffee Morning on Saturday 6th May as it is Coronation Day. We are grateful to the Village Hall Trustees for supporting this event.
Key Services:
19th March at 10:30am - Mothering Sunday service
Friday 7th April at 11am - Good Friday service
9th April at 10:30am - Easter Sunday service
30th April at 10:30am - All Together service with Girton
Finally, the church congregation will be taking part in the National Gardens Scheme event at Madingley Hall on the afternoon of Sunday 21st May. Do come and enjoy the glorious gardens and delicious home-made cake and tea in the church (from 2:30-5:30pm), helping to raise funds for the ongoing restoration of our own Parish Church and for nursing, health and gardening charities.
The Rev Michael Bigg
CELEBRATING THE CORONATION OF KING CHARLES III IN MADINGLEY
The congregation of Madingley Parish Church invites you to join them on Sunday 7th May at a special service in the church starting at 11 am to mark the Coronation of King Charles III and afterwards at the village hall for a Bring and Share Lunch.
Note that there is a limit on numbers that can be accommodated at the village hall. Please register by adding your name to the sign-up sheet on the noticeboard inside the church or sending an email to secretary@madingleychurch.org, listing the items that you will be contributing to the lunch (to ensure a variety of food/drink) and number of attendees from your household. The sign-up sheet will be available between 2nd and 30th April.
VILLAGE HALL
Regular hirers are continuing to use the Hall and we have had a good start to the year with children’s parties, wellbeing sessions, Parish Council and Church Council meetings and Madingley School PE classes: all good news.
The Village Hall hosted the monthly Community Coffee Mornings during the winter and these continue to be a great success with close on 30 attending each event. This event transfers back to the church from 3rd June. Do join us on the first Saturday of each month, between 10 and 11.30am for a cup of tea or coffee, listen to the Madingley Harpist and enjoy some home-made cake. Note that there will be no Coffee Morning on 6th May as it is Coronation Day.
Coffee Morning customers (photo John Naughton)
Madingley Church is organising a Bring and Share Lunch to be held on Sunday the 7th May at the Village Hall, as part of the Coronation Celebrations.
John and Fiona Naughton will be preparing the ‘Big Breakfast’ on Sunday the 28th May, so please come along between 9 and 10:30 and enjoy a cooked breakfast without having to wash up. There is no charge (although a small donation for the hall is always welcome).
Thanks to those who support the Hall and please be in touch if we can help with an event for your family.
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 looking for new members who might want to join us to ‘converse, connect and create’. Also, does anyone have a suggestion for a woodwork project to benefit the community? (Our last community project was to make the planters outside the 'Three Horseshoes'.)
Hope to see you soon!
CamShedders.
Alex Barrett
alex.barrett1266@gmail.com
Cricket Club
At the end of last season the first team was unexpectedly promoted to Senior 2 in the Cambridgeshire league, while the second team was relegated back to Junior 3. A full fixture list for the 2023 season is available on the club website
http://madingley.play-cricket.com/
We are preparing for the upcoming season with regular indoor nets on Thursdays at Hills Road Sports Centre, plus some Sunday sessions at Fenners indoor cricket school. Please let me know if you want to attend and I can send you the details. We've had a few players leave the club for various reasons over the past couple of years, so new players will be even more welcome tha usual. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@madingleycc).
Philip Done, Secretary
madingleycc@gmail.com
http://madingley.play-cricket.com/
https://www.facebook.com/madingleycc/
https://twitter.com/madingleycc
Book Group in Madingley?
Hilary Smith who runs the Book Group in Dry Drayton has kindly offered to help with advice on setting up a Book Group in Madingley if there is an interest in having one. She runs the Dry Drayton group in her own home and it is now at full capacity after starting with only four members. (Please let the editors know if you would like to join a book group in the village, and we will put you in touch with Hilary.)
Madingley Hall
We hope you’ve all been keeping well.
We are excited to announce our spring events at Madingley Hall & Gardens. Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and what better way to show her how much she means to you than with a sparkling afternoon tea or three course lunch in spectacular surroundings to celebrate? Book your place for 19th March here: www.madingleyhall.co.uk/events.
With Easter Sunday approaching, join us on Sunday 9th April for a three course Sunday lunch or a sparkling afternoon tea. Bookings include a fun filled Easter egg hunt with chocolate treats for your little ones to discover while exploring the beautiful gardens. Check out our website, for more information. The hall and gardens will remain open throughout the day so feel free to take a Sunday stroll from 10am-3pm.
Throughout 2023 we will be marking 150 years since the inception of the Institute of Continuing Education. As we celebrate this milestone, the Institute remains a constant advocate for accessible, engaging, and progressive forms of innovative higher education. As part of our celebrations, we have launched a 150-year anniversary tuition fee support programme. Celebrate with us and find out more here: https://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/150years
We are excited to announce the return of our International Summer Programme, celebrating its 100th year in 2023. The programme will run in central Cambridge from 9th July-5th August and with a choice of 5 or 10 sessions over one or two weeks and a broad range of courses, there is something for everyone. There will also be the chance to take part in a range of cultural and social events alongside your studies and the option to stay in a Cambridge College. It is a fantastic opportunity. For more information and to book your place, visit: https://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/courses/international-summer-programmes
The next residential weekend at Madingley Hall is being held from 21st – 23rd April 2023. Choose from our selection of enriching courses, including ‘The pillars of business success: the essential elements’, ‘From Excalibur to Anduril: wielding magic swords’, ‘Introduction to mental health conditions’ and ‘Reading Classical Latin: the natural world through Roman eyes’. Visit www.ice.cam.ac.uk/weekend today to book your place. Non-residential places are also available.
Whether you’re taking your first steps in higher education, looking to boost your career, fill a gap in your knowledge or simply learn about a topic that fascinates you, an undergraduate course offers a structured way of achieving your goal. We are offering a wide range of courses this academic year. You do not need any prior qualifications to study on most of these courses.
If there’s a particular course you’re interested in, why not join us at our Virtual Undergraduate Open Event at 10:00am on 22nd April. The day will include subject talks and a course overview exploring future progression pathways, followed by a Q&A. There will also be additional information sessions where you can find out how we can support you throughout your studies. Book your place here: https://www.ice.cam.ac.uk/event/undergraduate-virtual-open-day-2023
We will continue to update you throughout the year and look forward to seeing you, in person or online, very soon.
From the Head Gardener
We have our National Garden Scheme Open Afternoon on Sunday 21st May, 2:30 to 5:30pm with homemade teas kindly being provided by the Madingley Church congregation. Entrance is £6 for adults, children free. A local beekeeper has confirmed he is attending and our local herbalists will be joining us with a stall and to answer questions. I am hoping the ever popular Colin Ward of Swines Meadow Nursery will also be coming; I know some member of the village community visit just to buy some of the wonderful plants Colin always brings along. All proceeds go to the NGS charities including MacMillan, Marie Curie, Help the Hospices, to name a few.
Please do share with family, friends and neighbours; we would love to see you.
Richard Gant
(Institute of Continuing Education, University of Cambridge
Madingley Hall, Madingley, Cambridge CB23 8AQ)
Madingley Estate Woods and the 800 Wood
Permissive Access - Tracks Linking Park Farm to Dry Drayton Road
For many years the university has issued agreements for the use of permissive access routes on the Madingley Estate to village residents, over and above the formal network of public rights of way.
There are, sadly, significant issues with tree health in Long Nursery Plantation, the woodland belt adjoining the hard track that links Park Farm to Dry Drayton Road. This is caused by sooty bark disease which is killing many of the sycamore trees, as well as ash dieback and Dutch elm disease.
Sycamore suffering from sooty bark disease in Long Nursery Plantation (photo F. Naughton)
Many of the affected trees are within falling distance of the track. This is a safety issue, and it has become necessary for us to close the permissive access routes coloured orange on the plan which link Park Farm to Dry Drayton Road.
Dry Drayton Rd runs towards the top left corner of the map. The farm track marked in orange is temporarily closed for safety.
The university is in consultation with the Forestry Commission and other stakeholders about undertaking a restoration fell of Long Nursery Plantation in two stages (split longitudinally), ensuring healthy trees are retained, coppice regrowth encouraged, and replenishment planting undertaken. Once this work is completed the route adjoining Long Nursery Plantation will hopefully be reopened. The permissive access to use the CB300 walk (by the front lake), the route on the north side of Dry Drayton Road and the route along the main drive to Park Farm are currently unaffected.
This decision has not been taken lightly but is necessary to keep residents safe.
Damage to Rides in the 800 Wood
Many residents will have noticed the damage that has been done this winter to rides in the 800 Wood. This was caused by South Staffordshire Water (SSW) who used their powers of access to undertake archaeological investigations in advance of installing a new water main to supply Northstowe. We understand that their contractors will return to reinstate damaged areas. At this time SSW have not confirmed when the water main will be installed, but inevitably, when it is, there will be some disruption to access to parts of the 800 Wood.
Peter Wilderspin
Rural Surveyor, University of Cambridge
American Cemetery
American Battle Monuments Commission
Cambridge American Cemetery commemorates 100 years of service.
ABMC was established by Congress on 4 March 1923, as an agency of the US Government. Its inception was in response to a visit by General Pershing to the WWI battlefields where his men had fought and died. When he saw the hotch-potch of cemeteries, he decided that his men needed more fitting and permanent memorials.
Dr. Marilyn Treacy (Vice Chair, Coton Parish Council) and Tracey Haylock (Cemetery Associate) lay a wreath.
On a cold, grey and windy afternoon Dr. Marilyn Treacy and Tracey Haylock laid a wreath to commemorate the Centennial of ABMC. The main thrust of Commemoration in the UK was at Brookwood American Cemetery, Surrey, which contains the graves of 468 young Americans from WWI. The ceremony at Cambridge was small but intended to ensure that we too marked the occasion.
For 100 years, the men and women of the American Battle Monuments Commission have ensured that the memory of those who fell overseas defending the United States will never fade. At the start of a new century for this noble mission, the men and women of ABMC are renewing our nation’s promise, in the words of General of the Armies John J. Pershing, that “time will not dim the glory of their deeds.
Suzie Harrison
News from our Public Representatives
Anthony Browne MP
[For an update on Anthony Browne’s concerns and activities, see:
https://www.anthonybrowne.org/new]
County Councillor Michael Atkins
20mph Applications open
Applications are now open to introduce 20mph zones in our villages. This has been a key focus of our work at the Council and I’m delighted this is now available. I will be happy to support zones within our district and I can also be contacted for any advice. Applications are open until 30th April via this website: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/20mph-funding
Easter Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme
Children in receipt of Free School Meals, families who are struggling financially, and refugee families, can access a holiday scheme for 16 hours including activities, meals and snacks over the Easter break. https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/council/communities-localism/support-with-the-cost-of-living/holiday-activities-and-food-programme/haf-provider-directory has further details.
Secondary school places offered
Year 6 pupils should now have received offers for their secondary school place. 87% of pupils have been offered a place at their first choice school, and most of the remainder within their top 3 choices. If you have any concerns or want to find out more about the appeals process, please get in touch.
Mill Road Bridge Closure
The Council has decided to close the bridge on Mill Road, Cambridge, to all motor vehicles, except for buses, taxis, emergency services and blue badge holders. This follows a lengthy consultation in which 72% of respondents favoured restricting motor vehicles. It will be enforced via bus gates with number-plate recognition cameras.
Madingley footpath repairs
Footpath repairs in Madingley are due to take place later this month from 16th-24th, potentially alongside other highway repairs.
Comberton Village College heat pump switch on
The innovative heat pump solution at CVC will be officially ‘switched on’ later this month. This replaces an ageing oil boiler, will reduce carbon emissions at the site by 70%, and save the college around £50,000 per year.
Festival of Stories
‘Talking Together’ are delivering a programme of events across Cambridgeshire around the theme of stories, from the 2nd to 20th March. More details on their website: http://www.bit.ly/FestivalOfStories
News from the District
Cost of living support
The Council has announced a further support package to help families struggling with the cost of living. Some £200,000 has been put aside to help with the following measures:
· Transforming the existing warm hubs into Community Wellbeing hubs
· Increasing awareness of help with paying council tax
· Creation of a sustainable food network
· Providing energy saving appliances, such as slow cookers and electric blankets, free of charge to residents who need them
If you or someone you know would benefit from help, please get in touch.
Ukraine – new hosts needed
There are currently 500 hosts for Ukrainian refugees in the greater Cambridge area, but with the continuation of the war, there are some hosts unable to renew the arrangement after the initial six months. Anyone who might be able to provide a spare room for a guest is asked to text ROOM to 88802 or go to https://www.scambs.gov.uk/spareroom - about 200 are needed over the next few months.
Contact Details
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
The “Making Connections” consultation
The Making Connections consultation detailing proposals to transform how people travel in and around Greater Cambridge has now officially closed. Over ten weeks, the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) has received more than 23,000 responses to an online survey about the proposals. In addition, nearly 900 emails have been received with various questions and over 100 stakeholder responses have been submitted following over 100 public meetings, virtual and outreach events as well as 50 focus group events. Work will now begin to analyse the huge amount of data and information which has been collected, including the many written answers which were an important feature of the survey.
The results of the consultation will be included in a final report on the proposals and next steps, scheduled for the GCP Board in June 2023. At that time, the GCP Board will make a recommendation to Cambridgeshire County Council on whether to proceed with the scheme. Between now and then, some of the conversations that have begun with stakeholders around potential exemptions, discounts and reimbursements for the proposed Road User Charge will continue.
Cllr Elisa Meschini, Chair of the GCP’s Executive Board, said: “There has never been a more important time for us to find ways to create and provide a modern transport network that is fit for our growing and thriving region, so I would like to thank the thousands of people that contributed to the debate over the last ten weeks. It has been incredibly important to us to hear from as many residents, businesses, voluntary groups and organisations as possible so to have had 23,000 surveys completed reflects the wide nature of the engagement.”
The GCP put forward a package to transform the region’s bus network with low cost £1 and £2 fares, operating longer hours to more locations, alongside significant investment to improve walking and cycling routes. The upgrades will be funded by the GCP and phased in over four years ahead of the proposed introduction of a Sustainable Travel Zone with a road usage charge. The aim of the charge is to cut congestion, free up space for people and buses, and fund the network.
An extensive package of exemptions, discounts and reimbursements for the STZ is being proposed to help those on lower incomes, blue badge holders, NHS patients and others who have special transportation needs.
For more information about the GCP’s programme visit www.greatercambridge.org.uk/mc-2022
Disposal of furniture
On 1st January 2023, Household Recycling Centres had to suspend the collection of any furniture item with cushioning or padding such as sofas, settees, sofa beds, dining and office style chairs, futons, pouffes, floor and seating cushions and beanbags.
The County Council has, after discussions with partners, identified a solution and can now dispose of these items. They do ask people to recycle them if possible using free sites like Gumtree or Freecycle or arranging with furniture retailers like John Lewis or Marks and Spencers to remove the unwanted furniture.
Housing Issues
Those who rent a home in the private sector are entitled to seek help from the Council if mould or associated issues are not resolved by the landlord. In South Cambridgeshire, the District Council has a role in ensuring that homes in the private sector and the Council’s own properties do not contain health hazards. Most properties within the private rented sector in the district are in good condition, but the Council’s Environmental Health team will investigate any complaints. Private Sector and Housing Association tenants can make a complaint about the condition of their home by emailing env.health@scambs.gov.uk. The Council has the power to take the appropriate enforcement action if there are issues that need to be resolved. This action could include writing to the landlord to ensure the issue is resolved, but the Council can also serve a legal notice to instruct works to be carried out.
Do not hesitate to contact the Council if you come across an unresolved issue in either Council owned or private rented accommodation.
Raising Awareness about Disabled Facilities Grants
Cambs Home Improvement Agency (HIA) wanted to remind all residents about the range of grants available to people with disabilities living in South Cambridgeshire, to help adapt homes. This may be particularly relevant to those who are elderly, vulnerable or have family members with disabilities; friends.
The Disabled Facilities Grant is a mandatory Government grant aimed at people with disabilities and older people on low incomes or low-income benefits, which helps towards the costs of making changes to their home to allow them to continue living there safely and comfortably. Each year Cambs HIA enables around 300 older people and people with disabilities to adapt their homes. Although some work such as ramps, stairlifts, specialist toilets, automated door entry systems and level access showers require an Occupational Therapist’s referral, other work such as new boilers, roofing repairs, new doors and windows do not. The agency can help homeowners or those in housing association properties make a wide variety of adaptations and repairs (www.cambshia.org). We can also help self-funders who are unable to organise and oversee the work themselves.
You can reach Cambs HIA at hia@cambshia.org or take a look at their Facebook page (Cambs Home Improvement Agency | Cambourne | Facebook) for more information.
Local Plan Update
Leading councillors say plans for more homes and jobs under the new Local Plan for Greater Cambridge can only go forward if there is certainty on water supplies, and evidence they will not cause unacceptable environmental damage.
This follows the publication of an update about the development strategy of the emerging Greater Cambridge Local Plan. The report from the Joint Director of Planning for the city of Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire says:
• The environment and water supply must be protected alongside a need for new homes – including addressing the shortage of affordable homes.
• Greater Cambridge is one of the most important research and innovation employment locations in the UK and is growing fast as new jobs are created.
• National planning policy says significant weight should be placed on the need to support economic growth – but Councils say the environment must be protected at the same time.
The Councils’ latest evidence points to an expected need for more homes and jobs than previously envisaged due to the success of the economy and expected increase in job numbers.
Leading members of South Cambridgeshire District (SCDC) and Cambridge City Councils however say that, before plans can be finalised, greater clarity is needed about where water will come from in future, and assurances are required that providing the necessary water will not cause unacceptable environmental harm. The report also notes that getting developers to increase the number of new homes built, including affordable homes, may not be straightforward.
The update published today also re-affirms the long-term vision of the Councils to bring forward new homes and jobs on sites that support low-carbon living, including at North East Cambridge, at Cambridge East and on the allocated area at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, with a possible extension of the site. These significant sites are seen as the most sustainable for future development but because of their characteristics, they would also not see significant new development come forward until the next decade – when indications are that water supply concerns should have been addressed.
The Leader of SCDC, Cllr Bridget Smith, said: “We have said from the very start of our work to develop this Joint Local Plan that it cannot be growth at all costs and that the environment – particularly the water supply – must be a central consideration. We are also however aware of the consequences of not meeting local needs – including potential increases in housing costs and commuting which will add to our impact upon climate change. We already have a pipeline of new homes and employment sites across Greater Cambridge through the 2018 Local Plans. But we now need assurances about our future water supply before we can even consider bringing forward any more new homes than we have already planned for. Noting the Government planning policy expectation that we should plan to meet our housing needs, right now it is not possible for us to say with certainty how many new homes we should have in the next Plan. There is a delicate balance to be struck between ensuring that we are providing the new homes – including affordable housing – that our children and grandchildren will need, and the protection of our environment. It is however impossible to ignore the strength of the Greater Cambridge economy – which has continued to grow apace despite the pandemic – and created this need for housing and space for jobs required to support it.”
Changes about Voting in Elections
The Government has made changes. You will need PHOTO ID in the future to vote. These can be a driver’s licence, passports and the Senior’s bus pass and there may be some others. If you do not have any photo ID contact: electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID or call 0800 328 0280. Please do not lose your right to vote.
There will be further guidelines and fortunately there are not elections soon as far as we know.
And some sad news from the District Council
It was with heavy hearts that we learnt of the sudden death of fellow Councillor Dr John Lovelock who was Member for Cottenham and Rampton. Newly elected last May, John was highly regarded by both Members and Officers. He will be greatly missed.
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’
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
https://www.scambs.gov.uk/recycling-and-bins/view-your-bin-dates/
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: 4:15pm
Saturday: 11:30am
Bus Times between Madingley and Cambridge
If in doubt, please search on: https://bustimes.org/search?q=madingley
C G Myall Coaches, No. 8
(No service on Sundays or public holidays)
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)
10:30, 13:00,16:30
PR1 Stagecoach East
Please note that 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 from 7:00am - 8:10pm; inbound from St Andrews St from 7:20am-8:30pm. 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
7:15am only
Monday to Friday (Inbound)
6:00pm Cambridge (St Andrews St, Stop S1)
6:15pm P&R (Bay 3)
arrives Madingley 6:20pm
Stagecoach Citi 4 bus (Cambourne to Cambridge)
https://bustimes.org/services/4-citi-cambridge-hardwick-cambourne
*Please note that the inbound bus sets off from a different bay to where the outbound bus arrives.
Monday to Saturday (Outbound)
Madingley (request stop opposite Madingley Mulch, ‘Coton Inglewood’) to Cambridge (Emmanuel St, Stop ‘E5’), via Chesterton Rd and Victoria Avenue
7:10 to 20:10 (every 30 minutes
20:10 to 23:10 (hourly)
Sunday (Outbound)
9:10 to 19:10 (hourly)
Monday to Saturday (Inbound)
Cambridge (Drummer St, Bay 10) to Madingley (request stop opposite Madingley Mulch, ‘Coton Inglewood’)
6:10 to 19:10 (every 30 minutes)
19:10 to 23:10 (hourly)
Sunday (Inbound)
9:10 to 18:10 (hourly)
Whippet Coaches Bus Route U (Universal)
https://bustimes.org/services/u-madingley-road-p-r-addenbrookes-hospital
Picks up from the east side of the Park & Ride, on Eddington Avenue and runs via the West Cambridge Site, Grange Rd, Silver Street and the station to Cambridge Biomedical Campus (including Addenbrooke’s) and returns to the Park & Ride. (Allow about 35 minutes for the ride to Addenbrookes. The website provides a map of the route with bus stops.)
Monday to Friday
Throughout the day, approximately every 15 minutes
Saturday
every 20 minutes
Sunday
every 30 minutes