DIARY DATES - toft.org.uk · Now is the time of year when the garden - even mine - is coming into...

Produced and distributed by St. Andrew's Parish Church TOFT VILLAGE CALENDAR

Produced and Distributed by St. Andrew’s Parish Church June 2019

DIARY DATES

MONTHLY COFFEE

MORNING

is on Tuesday 25th June 10.30am-12.00 noon at

the home of Barbara and Richard Preece 2 Comberton Road. Everyone Welcome.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

TOFT FRIENDSHIP

CLUB

[Over 50s Club].

is on Wednesday

12th June 2.30pm at

Toft People’s Hall.

Mr Vince Lee will

give a talk on Bourn

Brook. Everyone

welcome.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Sewing, Knit and

Natter - will meet at

the Chapel in June -

dates to be advised.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Parish Council

- meets on Mon 3rd

June. All welcome.

Dear friends, A very big thank-you on behalf of the Spring Feast Coordinating Group for what was a fantastic weekend of events (see p 11). To those of you who organised the Toft Historical Society, Toft Photo Group and Home Meadow exhibitions, donated biscuits, cakes and snacks, contributed your ‘voices’ and images to the DVD, did weeks of historical research, played music and sang for the DVD, interviewed the DVD participants, played music at the chapel, at the church, at the Maypole, at the well and at the ceilidh, dressed the well, organised the drawing of water, supplied sprigs of rosemary, blessed and drenched the crowd, laid out the cakes, made and served teas and coffees at the chapel, the TPH and the church, staffed the TPH bar and kitchen and the marquee, erected and dismantled the marquee, led communal singing and church services, provided soup and hospitality for the village picnic, designed the Spring Feast logo, danced round the Maypole, danced at the ceilidh, put up field-name signs, organised the Lot Meadow event and the tree-planting, planted the tree, made garlands, erected and dismantled the Maypole, made the village cake, cut the village cake, carried the garland, took photographs, trained the Maypole dancers, looked after safety and first aid, taught us how to play the Irish drum, played the drum, put out tables and chairs and put them away again, took part in the village walk and picnic, put together service sheets, wrote in the Book of Toft, made and printed tickets and posters, sold them at the shop and the Social Club, distributed programmes and flyers, looked after the moneys, provided a lovely garden for the parish tea-party, cleared and washed up a mountain of plates, cups, saucers and cutlery, came up with ideas for events, sat on the planning group to make it all happen in the first place … How did such a small village manage to cram all that into two days?????? Simple answer: because it’s Toft, and we don’t do things by half-measures. What a great community. To all who supported the Spring Feast in any way, great or small: thank you.

Mike McCarthy (On behalf of the Spring Feast

Coordinating Group)

EDITORIAL

Now is the time of year when the garden - even mine -

is coming into its own. If you're lucky, you may have

your very own little patch of bosky faerie-land in which

to unwind after a busy day and, if you haven't, you

can at least peer over a neighbouring fence and

dream. However, along with death and taxes, that

other ever-present, bad news, is never far away. For

it turns out that, according to the Royal Horticultural

Society, not everything in the garden is lovely. On the

eve of Chelsea Flower Show, Tim Upson, the RHS

head of horticulture, warns that the glorious variety of

our garden plants is threatened by the vanishing of

specialist nurseries. The RH foresees a bleak future

for gardeners if these nurseries are lost: hundreds of

different varieties of our favourite plants will be

reduced to a handful. And it gets worse: Not only are

many nuseryfolk hanging up their trowels, but there is

little sign of a new generation replacing them. Despite

the sudden popularity of plant-based foods the young,

it seems, draw the line at getting their own hands

dirty.

Given the dedicated work of that great legion of British

eccentrics, from the Tradescants, pere et fils, through

to the later Victorians and Edwardians who laboured

so mightily to stock our gardens, this seems a crying

shame. But the RHS isn't done yet. Taking aim with

its remaining barrel it says that not only nurseries but

gardeners themselves are now a threatened species.

Apparently, either through lack of opportunity or

interest, far less of us garden now than was the case

twenty or even ten years ago. The Society, which, to

be fair, does have a fairly unmistakable dog in this

race, says that over a quarter of British front gardens

are now paved over. This despite the fact that its own

poll says that 90% of over 2000 random respondents

thought that gardening was good for their health. You

might have thought it would be easier and more

reliable to just ask, say, six doctors, but I'm no expert

and I assume the RHS knows its onions...

You may be thinking that this is all jolly sad but merely

an unstoppable sign of the times as the entire country

degenerates into some ghastly urban sprawl. If so -

then stop and reconsider. Because, ever ahead of

the game, Toft has a strategy! If you turn to page 7 of

this edition, you'll see that plans are afoot for our very

own seed-exchange, at which you will be able to trade

off some of your own garden surplus in exchange for

that of friends and neighbours. And, if you're lucky

enough to have some particularly old or uncommon

specimens decorating your patch, this will be a golden

opportunity to ensure they're around for future

generations to marvel at. Who knows - maybe it'll be

the start of the Great British Resurgence in

horticulture? At the very least, it might help wipe the

moue from the RHS's corporate chops. After all,

anything that reduces the number of doom-laden

surveys with which we're peppered can't be bad, can

it?


MINISTRY TEAM

THE CHURCH IN TOFT

St. Andrew’s Parish Church

Team Vicar:

Rev David Newton 01223 665654

Lay Minister: Barbara Preece Tel: 263466

Churchwardens:

Ann Mitchell 262516

John Quenby 263949

Methodist Church Minister: Rev Alison Walker

01223 872862

[email protected]

Stewards:

Diana Tebbit 01223 263557

Stephen Acklam 264055

Mrs Pat Morton 264010

Everyone is welcome to come and share in any

of our services

SERVICES OF WORSHIP

2nd June 8.30 am Holy Communion - Rev Prof Michael Reiss

11.00am Morning Service – Methodist Church - Mrs Cathy Michell

9th June 11.00 am Morning service St. Andrew’s – Rev David Newton

16th June 8.30 am Holy Communion - Rev David Newton

11.00am Holy Communion – Methodist Church – Rev Dr Andrew Stobart

23rd June 11.00am Holy Communion, St. Andrew’s – Rev Prof Michael Reiss

4.00 pm Bread church. Methodist Church

30thJune 8.30 am Holy Communion - Rev Prof Michael Reiss

10.30 am Lordsbridge Team Service at St. Peter’s Barton led by

David Newton with a BYO lunch afterwards

AND/OR The Thankful Bikers - see p.3

Shorter morning prayer every Wednesday at

9.15am at St. Andrew’s – service lasts about 30

minutes and everyone, whatever your

denomination, is welcome.

D ear Friends,

Gifts

May is the month of birthdays in my family. My sister, my dad, my mum, my nephew, and myself, all have birthdays. As I write this, we’re stressing about what to buy my father. We can never think of anything creative that doesn’t cost too much! I think we’ll settle on a CD (again).

Buying gifts stresses me out. I usually want to get the ‘perfect’ one (as if such a thing existed) and worry that what we get won’t be right and will be a waste. Gifts are socially complex things. We like to pretend they’re simple, but they’re caught up in this whole social nexus which often feels beyond me.

In the 1920s a French anthropologist / sociologist called Marcel Mauss wrote a famous text called The Gift. Studying various communities (particularly in Polynesia) that did not use money, Mauss developed his theory of gift-exchange. This states that no gift is really free. Gifts bind people together and cement relationships. They also solidify status, position and power. And they always demand some kind of return.

His arm chair sociology has come in for some criticism, but his intuition that gifts are more complex than they seem is surely spot on. Yet, I’m not sure Mauss’ ideas capture everything.

Amidst the present buying of the month of May, I’ve been thinking a lot about other kinds of gift that don’t fit into this simple exchange. Gifts that are not things but are ‘present’ already and waiting to be discovered. The gift of our very breath, the gift of birdsong and buttercups and blossom. The gift of a passing conversation. The gift of friendship and love.

I’ve been trying to discover these presents as they lie there in the road waiting to be picked up.

Whatever life’s circumstances, such gifts from beyond are there to be discovered.

Rev. David Newton

Sewing, Knit and Natter: Dates have yet to be

confirmed but Sewing, Knit and Natter will meet

twice in June. The group has received a further

request from Addenbrookes breast surgery clinic, to

make more of the special cushions that breast

surgery patients use. Confirmation of dates will be

displayed on the village notice board. All welcome.


June 8th - Church Fete beginning with lunch in the People’s Hall from 12 noon. A programme of events has been prepared and will be delivered with this Calendar. Please come and join us on that day, help pay for our annual insurance and put some money in the funds for the roof and churchyard wall.

FUND RAISING FOR THE SOUTH AISLE ROOF & CHURCHYARD WALL

Continues! The recent rain displayed a splendid Niagara Falls down the inside of the south wall with accompanying water sounds! Demonstrating very effectively how much we need to repair the roof.

Plans are in hand for fund-raising – more in future editions.

Ann Mitchell & John Quenby

Treasurer: at 40 School Lane

Donations can be given as a cheque to Toft PCC and given to Ann or John or put through the door of no. 40 or can be done electronically to sort code 30-91-56; acc. no; 02251476. Whichever method you use please indicate it is for the Restoration Fund.

Bell-ringing: There are plans to ring our bells on every fourth Friday in the month from 7.30 – 9.00pm. If you would like to join in or perhaps to learn how to ring, then please get in touch with our Tower Captain James Wrycroft on 264427. Its great fun, good exercise and you have to use your brain too!

Sometime during the morning of 30th June it is hoped we will be welcoming the Thankful Village Ride 2019. It seems that a group of retired bikers set out to visit all the Thankful Villages some years ago and have now discovered that there are new ones, like us, and some they missed and their itinerary this year will take in Toft. Unfortunately as this goes to press we do not have an accurate time, but we will let you know by one means or another. We believe they will spend approx. 45 minutes with us, during which time we plan a very short act of worship and refreshments. If you want to be sure to know the timing please contact Cynan Ellis-Evans or Ann Mitchell.

The Church in Toft Diary

David Warton: It is with sadness we report the death of this well-known local businessman, so much a part of our community. David died today (21st May) and there

will be a funeral service followed by burial in the churchyard.

Summer fire safety

As the weather brightens up and the sunshine starts brightening our weeks we welcome the

longer, brighter nights and the opportunity to enjoy summer days and nights in the garden.

When powering up your BBQ’s and putting out the garden furniture for the summer season, be

sure to take note of our top tips below to ensure you have a fun and safe summer in the garden.

• If cooking outdoors, always check BBQs over after winter storage. Keep them on level ground

and ensure they are sited away from sheds, fences, overhanging foliage and property

• Keep children and garden games well away from the cooking area and never leave the barbecue unattended

• If you have a bonfire, build it well away from buildings, tents or other flammable objects and make sure it is properly out

when you leave

• When out in the countryside, extinguish cigarettes properly and dispose of them responsibly – never throw a lit cigarette

into a field or wooded area

• Don’t forget to stay safe around our county’s waterways and if you see someone in trouble in water, call 999 immediately

with clear details of your location

• When out camping or using a tent, never use candles inside or nearby and always discourage smoking nearby. Never

cook inside a tent.

For the latest news, incidents and safety advice, or to contact us, log on to www.cambsfire.gov.uk. Sign up to email alerts

and find us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook.


TOFT SOCIAL CLUB NEWS

SATURDAY 1ST

JUNE: CARDBOARD FOX

Cardboard Fox are a unique and powerful combination of dexterous instrumental playing, memorable songwriting and energetic live shows. All four musicians have their musical roots in bluegrass but their collective influences reach much further and this shows in their music. Formed in late 2013 in Bath, England, the band features the sibling harmonies of Charlotte

and Laura Carrivick (a welcome return of the Carrivick Sisters) on guitar/vocals and fiddle/vocals respectively, the extraordinary talents of young mandolin player Joe Tozer and the driving and technically demanding double bass playing and harmony vocals of John Breese.

Tickets are £13.00 pounds - on sale now from Toft Shop and the Social Club or online at www.toftsocialclub.org.uk/venue/tickets.php

FRIDAY 14th

JUNE: FOOD ON FRIDAY

Our very popular Friday evening single course meal will be available from 7.00 pm onwards.

The June menu is Spanish Chicken Tray Bake with Chorizo and Peppers or Salmon and Vegetable Tray Bake. As food is on a ‘first-come-first-served’ basis, please arrive early to avoid hunger and disappointment! Come along for a sociable evening out!

SATURDAY 15th

JUNE: FILM NIGHT

“STAN AND OLLIE”

Laurel and Hardy -- the world's greatest comedy team -- face an uncertain future as their golden era of Hollywood films remain long behind them. Diminished by age, the duo set out to reconnect with their adoring fans by touring variety halls in Britain in 1953. The shows become an instant hit, but Stan and Ollie can't quite shake the past as long-buried tension and Hardy's failing health start to threaten their precious partnership. Film Club members free. Non-members pay a £2.50 nightly membership fee at the door. Doors open at 8.00pm, film starts at 8.15 promptly.

SATURDAY 22nd

JUNE: GIN EXPERIENCE

Join us for a Gin Tasting Experience from 8 pm. During the evening there will be a variety of gins to try. Examples being: Dry Gins, Traditional Gins, International Gins and Infused/Flavoured Gins. There will be different tonics and fruits to try to see just how you may prefer a drink which is often seen as England’s traditional spirit. Entry is free and you only pay for the drinks you have. If you have never had a gin experience then this is your chance.

OTHER DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

(Doors open at 8.00 pm, 7.30 pm on Sunday)

Your Committee is: Richard Fletcher (Chairman), Martin Sebborn (Vice Chairman), Gill Collett (Treasurer), Paul Hercus (Secretary), Koran Collett, Sonia Cox, Ron Gouldstone, Katrina Holmes, Brian Roberts, Roger

Thorogood and Angela Unsworth,

www.toftsocialclub.org.uk

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ToftSocial

Sunday Quiz 9th

and 23rd

June

Sunday Carpet Bowls 2nd

16th

and 30th

June

Thursday Bingo 6th

and 20th

June


Toft Parish Council Clerk: Mrs Gail Stoehr ([email protected]) 30 West Drive Highfields Caldecote

Cambridge, CB23 7NY Tel: 01954 210241

The Council is your locally elected Council at the first tier of local

government. Meetings are open to the public and are usually held on

the first Monday of each month (excepting August) at the Toft People’s

Hall in School Lane starting at 7.00pm.

Notices of meetings and agendas are published on the Parish Council

Noticeboard near the bus shelter together with minutes, which can also

be viewed at www.toft.org.uk. Among other things, the Council

considers local planning applications for the planning authority, the

South Cambridgeshire District Council; provides the local recreation

area, the People’s Hall, litter bins, dog waste bins and the bus shelter;

arranges for local verge cutting on behalf of the Cambridgeshire County

Council and works with that authority to ensure the maintenance of

local footpaths.

The next meeting of the Council is Monday 3rd June. All

Welcome.

The PC held it's Annual Parish Meeting on 13th May. This was

followed by the AGM of the PC.

At the first meeting the Chair gave a report on the activities and

achievements of the PC during the year.

In summary the chairman reported the following.

The finances of the PC remain sound and have been

successfully audited. The precept level ie the amount residents

pay to the PC has been set at the same level as last year. The

PC have managed to maintain that same level for several years

now.

Lot meadow has continued to be managed well with several

working party sessions to maintain it and also a number of

events to help establish the meadow as a community asset.

These include a celebration day with poetry and songs, a tea

party and a talk on the meadow to the people talking part in the

village walk.

A Volunteer Emergency Team (VET) has been established

and trained in the use of the defibrillator and fridge magnets

have been supplied to each household giving the phone

number to call if assistance is required. The chair thanked

Kevin Gathercole for carrying out regular inspections of the

equipment.

The PC has been diligent in reporting repairs by the CC and

the village has received a good service regarding repairs other

than the drains on the High Street which are scheduled to be

completed soon.

Two projects funded from the CC Highways Initiative have

been completed during the year. The first was the installation of

the faux gates and additional signage at each end of the village

and the second being the supply of the mobile speed monitor

which is now in use in the village.

The footpaths around our village have been maintained in a

good condition, efforts have been made to discourage dog

litterers around the village.

The Chairman reported that efforts to set up the new charity to

manage the allotments is progressing and the registration of the

land should follow. Once this is complete the PC will be able to

invest income from the allotments in the allotments which will

be beneficial.

The playground equipment is inspected for safety issues on a

monthly basis and the PC has agreed to fund an additional

baby swing on the rec.

During the year the PC has reviewed many planning

applications and has commented on the proposals for the East-

West Rail Route and the Park and Ride Car Park proposals.

During the year Cllr McNiven joined the PC. Unfortunately he

has now had to resign as he is leaving the village. The Chair

thanked him for his efforts during the year. Cllr Borrell has

recently joined the PC.

The Chairman concluded by thanking all of the Councillors, Cllr

McNiven, Cllr Borrell, Cllr Ellis-Evans, Cllr Miles and Cllr Tall.

He also thanked Gail Stoehr; the Clerk and RFO, and her team

for their support.

The meeting was followed by the AGM of the PC.

Cllr Yeadon was again elected as Chairman with Cllr Ellis-

Evans elected as Vice-Chair.

At this meeting there is a considerable amount of

administrative actions to confirm processes and procedures

and to consider to audit findings. These actions were completed

successfully.

A number of maintenance actions were agreed following the

PC's village walkabout a few weeks ago.

The PC have been asked for suggestions for road names on

the Bennell Farm development. After some discussion it was

agreed to propose names of Remarkable Cambridge Women.

A number of suggestions have been forwarded to the planners

for consideration.

The Salvation Army are looking for locations to park Clothing

Recycling Banks. The PC has suggested the Car Park however

it does belong to the District Council and so it has been

suggested that the Salvation Army approach them.

The PC reviewed the external audit of the playground and

agreed to buy yet more bark to increase the level of bark under

the climbing frame.

The PC is still short of at least one Councillor. If you are

interested please let any of the Councillors know.

Finally; this is a summary of the meeting, for the definitive

outcomes please refer to the meeting minutes.

Councillors Phone E-mail

Chairman: Martin

Yeadon

263663 [email protected]

James

McNiven

07500 018949 [email protected]

Elaine Miles 262255 [email protected]

Tricia Ellis-

Evans

263477 [email protected]

Andy Tall 07984796273 [email protected]

Lluis Borrell 01223264611 [email protected]


Revellers at the Spring Feast Ceilidh shake a leg (or two…)


A Big Breakfast needs a big appetite. No problem...


Comberton Library

Opening Hours:

Monday: 10am – 1pm, Wednesday: 10am – 1pm, 2pm -5pm, Friday: 2pm – 5pm, Saturday: 10am – 1pm

As we are now entering the summer months, we are starting to make preparations once again for our highly anticipated

Summer Reading Challenge for children, which will run throughout the school summer holidays. We are delighted to

announce that the theme for this year’s Challenge is Space Chase, to coincide with the 50th Anniversary of the first moon

landings. The Challenge is for children to read six books during the school summer holidays, tell us about what they have

been reading and collect stickers for their own collector’s folder. Posters and further information about the Challenge will be

available in the library and registration begins on Saturday 13th July. Do bring your children along to find out more and sign

up.

Alongside our Summer Reading Challenge sessions in the library, details of which will be available on registration, we will be

holding some special activity sessions in the library for families. All events will be advertised in the library and in the ‘What’s

On in Cambridgeshire Libraries’ brochure for the period July to September, available to pick up from the library from the

beginning of July.

We would really struggle to run the Summer Reading Challenge without the help of our brilliant teenage volunteers. If you are

a teenager, who has helped in previous years, or would like to help for the first time this year, please do call into the library for

further information. We will just need to ask your school or college for a reference before term ends, so the sooner you can

contact us the better.

On Friday 7th June, at 2pm at Cambourne Library, the Library Service is delighted to be welcoming Elly Griffiths and William

Shaw, who will be talking about their books, writing and characters. This will be a really fantastic opportunity to hear from two

well-established authors. Tickets are £5 and can be obtained from Cambourne Library, reserved at Comberton Library, online

at [email protected] or tel: 0345 045 5225.

Upcoming Rhymetime sessions: 3rd & 17th June and 1st & 15th July (10.30 -11.00 am). The session on 3rd June will be a

special Pyjamarama Rhymetime, so do come along in your pyjamas for some rhyming fun! Please note that although these

sessions are aimed at very young children we welcome older siblings and pre-schoolers who enjoy singing too!

[Comberton Library is situated in the Village College campus

with car parking available and is Wheelchair-friendly and fully accessible for all.]

The Old Toft Flyer is all oiled and the tyres are pumped up.

Village Outing to the Sandringham Estate

Date: Tuesday, 9 July 2019

The ever-popular annual Toft village outing this year takes us to the Sandringham Estate, HM the Queen’s

country retreat in Norfolk, “the private home of four generations of British monarchs since 1862” (official

description). Tickets for the trip will include transport, morning coffee on arrival and entry to the house and

extensive gardens. At the special discount rate of £24 per head, you won’t get a better bargain this year. As

usual, we will leave Toft at around 8.30 and have you back here by 6pm.

There are just a few places left, so book now.

Contact Mike McCarthy at [email protected], tel. 262523, or Pauline Jacklin at [email protected],

tel. 263214.


THANK YOU!

I would like to say a huge Thank You to everyone who gave

help and support at the ‘Bike & Bike Stuff’ Sale held on 11th

May in memory of Nick. I am delighted to say you helped to

raise over £1,200! This is just an initial figure, as there are

still several more payments to be added to this total. As

Nick’s two bikes did not sell at the auction our friends at

Cambridge Cycling Club are helping me to arrange to sell

them, so when that is done the total amount raised will be

considerably more than it stands at present. I hope to be

able to let you all know the final total in next month’s

Calendar.

All your hard work was much appreciated; donating

delicious cakes, serving tea & coffee, selling goods on the

stalls, beautiful signwriting to advertise the event, setting up

tables, blowing up balloons, putting up bunting, clearing up,

washing up, taking photographs, participating in the auction,

and a special ‘thank you’ to Mark Catley, our brilliant auctioneer who did a splendid job. Most of all, thank you to everyone who

came along and supported the event, especially the kind people who donated bikes to be auctioned and the brave folk who went

home as new owners of a bicycle!

Cycling brought Nick great pleasure and it was lovely to see his friends from the cycle club joining us to support the event. The

sale was a wonderful combination of family, friends, cycling and our Toft community, which I know would have made Nick very

proud. The idea of selling his bikes & bike-related ‘stuff’ to raise funds for the hospice was entirely his....indeed, he helped me to

plan it during the last three weeks of his life at Arthur Rank House. So I am proud to have carried out his wishes and it is a great

comfort to know that we have contributed to a good cause and other families will benefit from the superb care at Arthur Rank

Hospice.

Many, many thanks once again, on behalf of Nick and me, and the whole family.

With love from Claire x


End of May Customs

Empire Day – Since 1958 May 24th is celebrated as Commonwealth Day but in the past it was called Empire Day. After the death of Queen Victoria on 22 January 1901, her birthday, 24 May, was celebrated, from 1902 onwards, as Empire Day, though it was not officially recognised as an annual event until 1916. The day was marked in almost every school in Cambridgeshire by special services, the singing of patriotic songs or the acting of plays and pageants. Often a half-day holiday was given to the children, a custom which gave rise to the popular jingle:

The twenty-fourth of May, the Queen’s birthday;

If you don’t give us a holiday we’ll all run away.

Whitsun – In many Cambridgeshire families Whit-Sunday was the day for eating the first gooseberry pie of the year with, if possible, the first homegrown new potatoes.

Mother Shipton’s Holiday - In the 19th century, washerwomen working in the many small hand laundries in Cambridge used to drink rum in their tea on the Wednesday in Whitsun week and they called it Mother Shipton’s Holiday. A woman from Great Eversden in the 1930’s remembered the rum drinking and explained that “Mother Shipton was the patron saint of laundresses”. Mother Shipton (real name Ursala Southeil, c. 1488–1561) is said to have been a soothsayer and prophetess from Yorkshire who made a variety of predictions A selection of these were first published long after her death but proved to be simply the creations of a Victorian author.

Oak Apple Day – In many Cambridgeshire villages, children wore oak leaves or oak apples on May 29th. If the failed to do so they could be pinched or stung with nettles. This date was originally celebrated as Restoration Day or Royal Oak Day and was to commemorate the restoration of the English monarchy (Charles II) in May 1660. The wearing of oak leaves or oak apples is a reference to the occasion after the Battle of Worcester in September 1651 when Charles II escaped a Roundhead army by hiding in an oak tree.

THANK YOU!

Mary Coppin would like to say a big 'Thank You' to everyone for their help, support

and kind gifts during and following her recent indisposition. It is hugely

appreciated.


Heidi-Hi!

Your M.P. writes…

After an unusually warm Easter weekend and just a

few Easter eggs (honest!), we are already in May.

Despite the hiatus over Brexit, it’s been another

busy month in South Cambridgeshire.

I was absolutely thrilled to be able to visit the Royal

Papworth Hospital at their new home on the

Cambridge Biomedical Campus before patients

arrived. It was quite eerie, walking around an

empty hospital! I was absolutely overwhelmed not

only by the new state of the art facilities but also

the seamless transition from one site to another.

The move has been the culmination of years of

planning and effort. The staff have been working so

incredibly hard to make this a reality and I am so

proud that we have this world class facility in our

constituency.

Back at the office, I also met with a number of local

businesses for a round table discussion with me

organised by the Federation of Small Business

(pictured right).

This was a great opportunity to hear from local

businesses about the current economic climate,

their needs and to gain an insight on some of the

challenges they are facing. It was also possible for

me to update them on national policy as well as

local initiatives and infrastructure improvements.

As well as inviting businesses into the office to talk,

I’ve recently visited Map BioPharma in Papworth

Everard (pictured left). They offer consultancy

services that help BioPharma and MedTech clients

achieve optimal market access in the UK and

Ireland. Yet another example of one of our thriving

businesses who contribute so much to job creation

and ensure that we remain at the forefront of

research and innovation.

Last month, my parliamentary office (and my

husband, Phil!) made up a team at Caxton Village

Hall for quiz night! Wow – the questions were hard!

I am pleased to report we didn’t come last (though

not far off) but we did have a thoroughly enjoyable

evening and helped to raise funds for

improvements to the Hall.

My most memorable appointment this month was

as a member of the judging panel for Fen Drayton

Primary School’s Poetry Aloud competition. The

children had been taking part in Poetry for Pleasure

by selecting and learning their poems, with a

competition at the end of two weeks’ hard work.

We cried with laughter, such was the enthusiasm

and energy the children put into their recitals! It

was so lovely to see how engaged the children

were – from Reception to Year 6. Well done to all

the children involved!

I was honoured to be asked to present an award at

the Cambridge United Community Trust Gala

Dinner at Duxford Imperial War Museum. The

Community Trust is the charitable arm of

Cambridge United and they are involved in many

projects which help to deliver improved health,

education and inclusion. If you would like more

information about their work or would like to donate

to their fundraising, details are available on their

website - https://www.cuctrust.co.uk/

Looking ahead, in May I will in Litlington for Desert

Island Discs, visiting the WI in Bassingbourn and

visiting businesses and community groups in

Cambourne.

As ever, my newsletter can only provide a

snapshot of my work on your behalf but if there is

anything you would like to talk to me about, my

next surgery is on Saturday 8th June. This is a

“drop in” surgery between 10.30-12.30pm at

Gamlingay Village Primary, Station Road,

Gamlingay, SG19 3HD. No appointment

necessary.

Further surgery dates will be added to my website soon - https://heidiallen.co.uk/surgeries-2.html In the meantime, if you would like to contact me, please email [email protected] or call my office on 01223 830037.

See you next month!

The new Royal Papworth building at Addenbrookes


A spot of cake-cutting (and eating!) practice at the Spring Feast Tea Party


Do you have a passion to help local families overcome times

of special difficulty?

Home-Start Royston & South Cambridgeshire needs more

Trustees, and this passion, coupled with common sense, is what

links everyone who works to achieve the remarkable successes of

this local charity.

Our professional approach enables us to respond to referrals from

many other agencies in the local community including health care,

education, local authority, and to requests from parents. The range of issues includes:

An isolated single parent with two young children, fleeing domestic abuse

A family with five children, mother unable to leave the house due to anxiety and panic attacks

A child with Autistic Spectrum Condition, mum feeling very isolated and judged unable to

leave the house

Our statistics show that the weekly support from our well-trained Volunteers helps restore

confidence and control, leading to improved health and family relationships.

As an early intervention service, we help families ‘get back on track’, thus often preventing

or reducing the need for statutory services or for a child to go into care. We estimate it

costs £1500 a year to provide a Volunteer, whereas it costs around £3,000 a week, or

£156,000 year, to fund a child in residential care.

Good governance is key to providing this essential service and we provide a

comprehensive induction programme for new trustees. We particularly need people with

Finance, IT, HR, Social Media and Fundraising expertise; however, whatever your

background, if you are keen to help us continue to make a real difference to the lives of

local families, we would love to hear from you.

For an informal chat, please contact Maureen Brierley, our Chair of Trustees, on 01763

262 262

http://www.hsrsc.co.uk/

Home Meadow, Toft

Do you have some free time you could contribute to Home Meadow residents?

Either in a small group or a one to one basis – maybe going for a walk as a

group, knitting classes, art groups or just having a cup of tea and a chat.

We are holding an open day on Friday June 28th, where you can come and find out a bit more.

There will be cream teas, projects that our residents have done, hear some songs that we have been

practicing.

Please feel free to call in the meantime

Debbie Marlow 01223 263282 Mon to Sat 91m – 1pm

[email protected]


Wheelie Bin Collections For June

(N.B. These dates may be subject to change)

Black Bin:

Weds 12th June

Weds 26th June

Blue/Green Bin:

Weds 5th June

Weds 19th June

Advertisements are published quarterly. Copy for inclusion in the

next available edition of the Calendar must reach us by 17th July

2019 at the very latest. Advertisements will NOT be published unless

full payment has been received in advance. Please note: We are

currently unable to accept PDF file types. Quarter-page adverts

MUST be Portrait-style, half-page adverts MUST be Landscape-

style. In the first instance, advertisers should contact Pat Gouldstone

at: [email protected] to discuss their requirements.

Notice to Advertisers

USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS

Alcoholics Anonymous: 0845 769 7555

Anglian Water (for sewage): 08457 145 145

Ashcroft Veterinary Surgery: 01954 210250

Bourn GPs’ Surgery: 01954 719313

Cambridge AIDS help-line: (01223) 508805

Cambs County Council: 0345 045 5200

Cambridge Dial a Ride 01223 506335

Cambridge Water: 01223 706050

Care Network Cambridgeshire 01954 211919.

Citizens Advice Bureau: 0844 848 7979

Comberton GPs’ Surgery: 01223 262500

Comberton Village College: 01223 262503

County Councillor: 07402351821

CVC Community Education: 01223 264721

District Councillor: 01954 210040

Household Waste/Pest Control: 0345 045 0063

Lifespan Health Care, Family and Child Team: 01223 264460

Member of Parliament: Phone 01223 830037

Meridian Primary School: 01223 262423

Police: 101 (Emergencies: 999)

(Local Beat Officer is PCSO Sam Kennedy)

Road/Pothole Reporting: 0345 045 5212

Street Lighting: 0800 7838 247

Street Cleaning: 03450 450 063

South Cambs District Council: 03450 450 500

South Cambs Fire and Rescue: 01480 444 500

Toft Car Scheme: 262814. If no reply 262708

Trading Standards: 0345 0455206

UK Power Networks (Emergencies): 0800 31 63 105

T he Calendar is always pleased to receive contributions

from readers, advertisers and fund raisers. We reserve

the right to edit, amend, abridge or otherwise butcher any

submissions to accord with technical or editorial require-

ments, or sometimes just on a whim. We do not normally

publish anonymous contributions or those using pen-

names.

Contributors are asked to note that all formatting is re-

moved from items on receipt. Consider plain text files as

your first choice where possible. Please avoid proprie-

tary file types (e.g. PDF, JPG, PUB, DOCX, XLS etc)

unless you feel it essential. Many thanks.

And, finally…

Please remember that contributions for the next issue of the Calendar

must reach the Editor, Michael Walker, by 20th June. Many thanks to

all who contributed to this edition. Email: [email protected]

Post: 33 Egremont Road, Hardwick, Cambridge CB23 7XR

Telephone: 01954 211346

Coton Countryside Walk: Coton Reserve–Madingley Rise–American Cemetery Saturday 1 June: 10am to 3pm Join us for a sociable 7.5 mile long countryside walk around picturesque Coton village and its beautiful surroundings. No need to book. Free, donations are appreciated. Meeting point is the Martin Car Park at Coton Reserve, Grantchester Road, Coton. Hinxton Watermill Open Day Sunday 2 June: 2.30pm to 5.30pm See the mill in action, riverside walk and ‘Where’s Ratty’ game for children. NB: CambridgePPF members can visit for free. For non-members entry is £3 for adults, £1 for children. No need to book. Mill Lane, Hinxton CB10 1RD Bourn Windmill Open Day and Teas Sunday 30 June: 2pm to 4pm Guided tours, have a go at turning the mill and teas/cakes. No need to book. Off Caxton Road, Bourn CB23 2SU.

DIARY DATES - toft.org.uk · Now is the time of year when the garden - even mine - is coming into...

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