editors 2019 - grafham.s3-eu-west-2.amazonaws.com nov 8... · revd jason taylor (rector) rectory,...
TRANSCRIPT
Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected]
November 2019 1 Issue 1754
Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected]
November 2019 1 Issue 175
Issue 176 Deadline: by 09.00am on 15th November
Contents
details……….. ………..
Neighbourhood Plan Update………………...……………..……..
………..........……
……………….…..……..
…
…………...…..…………………………..……………..
2
3
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Hotdogs
Jacket potato & cheese
Jacket potato & chilli
Tomato Soup
Mulled wine
Coke (Squash free)
2019
If you have timber that can be used for the bonfire,
please deliver it to the far side of the 5 - aside pitch,
Grafham Village Hall, at 3pm Saturday 2nd November
where Simon will be in charge!
Or call Simon 07887 628528 who will collect it
on the morning of Saturday 2nd.
Please make sure that there’s nothing included that is explosive or that might give off noxious fumes.
The Macmillan Coffee Afternoon
raised £235.82
on 29th September!
Many thanks to all who attended
and contributed.
A special thank you goes to Julia and Tina
for their help during the event.
Sincerely, Susana
Read the update on the Grafham and Ellington Neighbourhood Plan
on page 3
Christmas Shoe box Appeal Please make sure you deliver your filled shoeboxes
or monetary donations to Moira by 17th of November.
All the details are at the bottom of page 2.
Editors’ note… Bonfire Night is almost here and we look for-ward to our usual fantastic Firework Display on Saturday 2nd! Be sure to dig out those woolly hats and jumpers to keep you warm while you watch.
We have a honey cake recipe for you to bake, sent in by one of our Grafham beekeepers. You could give it a try with some Grafham honey, on sale now in the shop.
Do you have hedgehogs in your garden? Borrow a tunnel from Carole and find out if they wake up from hibernation during the winter. (Contact details are on page 9.)
Please send your news, views, photos, recipes and gossip in good time for the deadline at the top of this page. Remember that December and January’s newsletter will be combined in one issue.
Enjoy the fireworks! Editors, [email protected]
Brampton Church - 10th November at 7pm Our annual ‘In Memory’ service, in which we remember those
whom we have loved but see no more.
Read more details on page 13
Travelling Nativity Box Grafham’s Nativity set will be travelling round the
village again this year, starting out on Sunday 1st
December. Read all about it on page 13 to find
out what’s included in the box and how to host it
Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected]
November 2019 2 Issue 175
Grafham All Saints Services
Every Wednesday morning 09.00 - 09.30 Morning Prayer – a short service open to all. Download the Daily Prayer app from the Church of England website available for iOS and Android to
join us in spirit from home if you wish, but preferably please come along to the service.
Mid-week Communion services are on Thursdays at 10.00 roughly once a month. (An informal midweek
service of Holy Communion with time for prayer and sharing from the Bible.)
27th October (4th Sunday) 19.00 Taizé service with music and candles --------------------------------------------------------------
3rd November (1st Sunday) 10.30 Family Service Lay-led
21st November (Thursday) 10.00 Mid-week Communion
24th November (4th Sunday) 19.00 Taizé service with music and candles -------------------------------------------------------------
1st December (1st Sunday) 10.30 Family Service lay led
On Fourth Sundays, an ‘All Together’ Holy Communion Service rotates between the three churches
For more information on church services and other events, visit www.eastleightonstone.com and click on Calendar
Contacting the Clergy Revd Jason Taylor (Rector) Rectory, 15 Church Rd, Brampton PE28 4PF [email protected] 07807 118070
Mike Bigg (Curate) [email protected] 07380 809377
View from the Pew Our flower arrangers were kept busy with
decorations for our Harvest Festival and the
church looked full of wonderful autumn colours
for our service on 6th October. Jill and Hazel
had prepared the service with resources from the Farm-ing Community Network. We gave thanks for the bless-
ings of our harvest and donated gifts were given to the
foodbank via our community shop. Favourite hymns were
sung with the help of John, Kate and Frankie our musi-
cians and lead singer. The service was followed by our
usual lunch and was much enjoyed by all.
Our next family service on 3rd November falls shortly after
All Saints Day when we commemorate all the saints of the
church, both known and unknown who have reached
heaven.
Our mid-week communions have now moved to the third
Thursday of each month at 10am. Our Taizé services
continue on the fourth Sundays at 7pm.
On 12th October wildflower seeds were sown in the area
previously prepared on the south boundary of the church-
yard. This area has been roped off to protect it from foot-
fall, to allow germination and growth. We look forward to
seeing the results next year! More information is within
these pages.
Sue’s Recipe of the Month Honey cake
You may have tasted some of Sue's honey cake at the 'Come and Meet the Pollinators’ afternoon on Sunday 6th October.
This recipe is used by Huntingdonshire Beekeepers Association for Honey Show entrants.
225/8oz unsalted butter 250g/9oz clear honey plus about 2tbsp extra for glazing cake. 100g/4oz dark brown sugar 3 large eggs, beaten 300g/10oz self raising flour
Preheat the oven to 160C/Gas 3/Fan 140C/325F.
1. Butter and line a 20cm/8″round cake tin. Paper Cake liners may be used. Cut the butter and drop into a medium pan with the honey and sugar. Melt slowly over a low heat. When liquid, increase the heat under the pan and boil for about one minute. Leave to cool.
2. Beat the eggs into the cooled honey mixture using a wood-en spoon. Sift the flour into a large bowl and pour in the egg and honey mixture, beating until you have a smooth batter.
3. Pour the mixture into the tin and bake for 50 mins-1 hour until the cake is well risen, golden brown and springs back when pressed. You can also check it is cooked by inserting a wooden or metal skewer and it should come out clean.
4. Turn the cake out onto a wire rack. Warm the 2 tablespoons of honey and brush over the top of the cake to glaze; then leave to cool.
Christmas Shoe Box Appeal – 2019
Can I persuade you to be part of a very worth-
while cause and help bring a smile to underpriv-
ileged children this Christmas?
Do you have a spare shoebox which you could
fill with goodies for underprivileged children this
Christmas?
If you would like to be part of this very worthwhile cause run
by Samaritans Purse (operation Christmas Child), please
give me a call on 811577 or 07859 065 982 and I’ll be happy
to deliver a leaflet to you. This is a fun and rewarding project
which, as a village, we have been part of for many years.
Once completed, shoeboxes should be returned to me no
later than Sunday 17th November. Monetary contributions
are also welcome.
Please note that due to more stringent customs laws
this year, NO toothpaste or sweets should be included.
Details can also be found online at:
www.samaritans-purse.org.uk
Many thanks for your continued support.
Kind regards,
Moira Young
2 Meadowground, Grafham
01480 811577 or 07859 065 982
Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected]
November 2019 3 Issue 175
PARISH NEWS October 2019
At this month’s meeting, some residents, whose rear boundaries back on to the playing field, attended to discuss the Council’s intentions concerning the trees along this border. The Council has been aware for some time that the trees here are in need of manage-ment and advice was taken from a tree surgeon last April. The advice given at this time was that some trees would need attention and there was a possibility that there might need to be some thinning out. However, in April, this was not the right time for this kind of work, and it is better left until the autumn. So the Council will now be seeking further help and action on maintaining the trees.
It was noted that some work on the hedges along Brampton Lane has taken place. However, there is still a lot to be done and the Council hopes to get some support from the District Council with the landowners whose responsibility it is to maintain the hedges so that they are not a hazard to the road users.
Four people have come forward to join the committee on the Neighbourhood Plan – two are Grafham residents and two are form Ellington. If you would like to join in please contact David Russell (see contact details below).
The meeting had a visit from the Change for Grafham environmental group are asking that, fol-lowing the County Council’s declaration of a climate emergency, the Parish Council should take environ-ment issues into account wherever possible in making their decisions. To this end the Council will consider and adopt an appropriate environmental policy at the next meeting.
The next meeting is scheduled for 12th November 2019
– 7.30pm at the village hall.
Margaret Life, Parish Clerk
07780 119311 [email protected]
Grafham Parish Council You may contact your parish councillors through the parish clerk or directly.
Philip Allingham Chairman 01480 811516 [email protected] David Russell [email protected]
Ian Gardener Vice Chair 01480 812821 [email protected] Alastair Watson [email protected]
Roy Harold [email protected] Jo Dunn [email protected] Michael Pople [email protected]
Grafham’s County Councillor Grafham’s District Councillor
Peter Downes
07765 833486
peter.downes@ cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Darren Tysoe 01480 388310 [email protected]
Grove Cottage, Malting Lane, Ellington, PE28 0AA
Follow me on Twitter @darrentysoe
Receive my updates on Facebook www.facebook.com/cllrdmtysoe
Update on Grafham and Ellington Neighbourhood Plan
Firstly, a big thank you to all those who attended the Neighbourhood Plan meeting on the 6
th September, and especially to those who
expressed an interest in taking part in the implementation of the Plan.
A small group of us attended a seminar with Clare Bond of HDC on the 11
th October, which provided us with a lot of useful guidance and
a clear way forward for the next few steps.
We will be holding a workshop in November and inviting all those who expressed an interest in September. This will have two primary objectives:
• Enlist the core Team members (nominally 7 – 10 people)
• Capture the main issues, ideas and aspirations of the residents of Grafham and Ellington
The output of this workshop will help define the questions in the survey that will be presented to all residents of our two parishes.
If you missed the opportunity to attend in September but would still like to participate, please contact either:
David Russell [email protected] or
Darren Tysoe [email protected]
Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected]
November 2019 4 Issue 175
Send your news, views, photos and gossip to
Babysitters Bryony 22 yrs 812354 experienced with newborn to 14yrs
Mya 16 yrs 819326 Nicci 17 yrs 811279
Deadline 09.00am 15th of November
for the combined December/January issue.
The deadline is the same date every month, so
please send us all your adverts, notices, news,
views, recipes and gossip
by 9.00am on 15th of the previous month.
Thanks, Ed [email protected]
Grafham Village Hall
Activities & Classes
Mondays Line Dancing 7.30pm
Tuesdays Pilates 9.30am
Art Club 1.30pm
Wednesdays Little Fishes 10.00am
Yoga 6.15pm
Karate 7.30pm
Thursdays Kick Boxing 7.00pm
Saturdays Chinese Martial Arts
10.30am
For enquiries about classes and about booking the hall, please telephone 07711 769911
Read more about village hall activities on page 16
Playtimes Pre-school Ferriman Road, Spaldwick PE28 0TQ
Tel: 01480 890077 www.playtimesplaygroup.co.uk
We offer: Breakfast club 8am - 9am
Preschool 9am- 3pm
Out of school club 3.30pm - 6pm
Parish of
East Leightonstone To join the mailing list and receive
the regular newsletter visit
http://www.eastleightonstone.com and click News
The book stall is a fantastic fund-raiser for our village church, but we‘ve found that we can sell only good quality, clean paperbacks and find it difficult to lift, carry and dispose of other items.
Good quality paperback books in clean condition
We love to receive your paperback books to stock our church bookstall. Please leave them in the
church porch.
• Paperback books in
good condition ✓
Thank you for your continued support!
No x
• Hardbacks x
• Manuals x
• Magazines x
• Encyclopaedias x
• Other items x
Yes ✓
Next date for Churchyard Makeover
The next tidying session is planned
for March.
Do come along to help out, enjoy
the chat and the
delicious refreshments.
To find out more, email Jean Baty:
Hunts Community Cancer Network (HCCN) hold a weekly support group
Ellington Holistic Drop In at Ellington Village Hall
Every Tuesday 10am until 2 pm
To find out more contact Annie by phone 01234 709836 or email [email protected]
Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected]
November 2019 5 Issue 175
Talking Shop As winter draws nearer we say goodbye to the summer and begin preparations for the festive period. Make sure to look out for our new Christmas stock coming in No-vember and December. By the time you read this month’s Grafham Gossip the clocks will have turned back and the weather will be getting colder. However, for those with fireplaces do not worry, we have logs, kindling and firelighters in stock to help keep you warm over the winter!
This month we will reach our fifth anniversary! Come and join us on 22
nd November to help us celebrate
(there may even be a special promotion.) Those five years with the community shop in the village seems to have passed very quickly, but now we couldn’t imagine life in Grafham without it! It’s the perfect place to grab the things you need from milk and bread to dinners and snacks. The shop has seen sunny days and rainy days. Five different managers have worked in it, but we are still here today working with the community to give Grafham the shop that you need. The managers and the management committee are very grateful to you all, from our wonderful customers who regularly come to visit the shop; to our incredible volunteers without whom we would not be able to keep the shop running. Our friendly team are a pleasure to work with to keep the shop open throughout every day of the week.
If you are interested in volunteering, please pop into the shop and speak to one of the managers. No require-ments are needed and you can come in as little and as often as you would like. Volunteering is a fantastic way to meet new people and learn some useful skills as well.
NEW IN THE SHOP
We now have a new range of Grafham Honey! This hon-ey was made from the community hives that our avid beekeepers share and is a great addition to our local produce selection. Get yours now as it sells very quickly.
Also, we have pure beeswax candles, handmade by one of our local beekeepers. These candles make perfect gifts for Christmas or birthdays.
Speaking of gifts we also have in stock Saints & Sinners jams and marmalades produced in Lincolnshire. perfect as small gifts or stocking fillers. Look out for the new Christmas range coming in December.
Here’s to the next five years!
Lynn and Chloe
--------------------------------------------------------
PS: Please look out for this month’s shop flyer.
Last year the village did a good job in supporting the
shop throughout the winter. We have already noted a
drop in sales as visitors to Grafham decline in Autumn.
Like last year, please keep using our shop through the
winter and ensure we are here for year six!
Martin Joyner (Shop Management Committee Chair)
Opening Times
Mon-Fri 8.00 - 6.30
Sat 8.00 - 5.00
Sun 9.00 - 2.00
Bank Holidays 9.00 - 2.00
01480 810119 [email protected] www.grafhamvillageshop.co.uk
Pastoral Visiting in East Leightonstone My name is Frankie Stead and I co-ordinate the Pastoral
Visiting in the Parish of East Leightonstone.
There are many reasons why people, especially the el-
derly, are unable to come to church, but that doesn’t
mean that a person is not a part of our church communi-
ty. Pastoral visits are one way that we can ensure peo-
ple still feel a part of our congregation. While some visits
are regular occurrences, (e.g. monthly) a Pastoral visit
could be a simple one - off ‘Welcome to the Parish’ visit,
if you are new to one of the villages and want to meet
someone from the church, or if an event in your life
means that you just want to talk to someone. Pastoral
Visiting is one way that the church can come to you, ra-
ther than the other way round. God and His love are not
confined to the church building and we should not be
either.
What happens in a visit is variable depending on who
you are and why you want us to visit. We can bring up-
dates on what is happening in the life of the church, pray
with people, and if wanted, can arrange for Home Com-
munion. Visits are not exclusively for people who attend
church and we are just as happy to visit people who do
not have a connection with our church in any way.
We have connections through the church with activities
such as Little Fishes, Mothers Union and Uniformed
Groups in the parish, and if appropriate, we can make
introductions to these for you.
We have a Pastoral visiting team and all members are
volunteers from the Parish who have completed safe-
guarding training and checks.
If you, or someone you know, would like a visit from one
of the team for any reason, then you can email me
(Frankie) at [email protected] and we
can arrange for someone to visit at a convenient time.
Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected]
November 2019 6 Issue 175
Useful Phone Numbers All emergencies 999
Non-emergencies 101
Cambridge Constabulary HQ 01480 456111
Minicom for hard of hearing 01480 422493
Action Fraud 0300 123 2040
Crimestoppers 0800 555111 (anonymous)
To report anti-social behaviour in Grafham 01480 388379 or 387097 or e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
To stop unwanted phone calls 08450 700707
To stop unwanted mail 08457 034599
Power cut Call 105 or 0800 31 63 105 or text POWER and your postcode to 80876
The Highway Community Car Scheme
Do you know what it is?
It’s a scheme to help provide transport for people who are not able to make essential journeys by public transport or
any other means.
A team of volunteer drivers take you to appointments e.g. the doctors, hospital, dentist alongside
social activities such as visiting relatives or friends and even shopping.
The scheme is aimed at helping people to get out and about.
Passengers pay the driver on the day of travel to contribute towards fuel expenses. This is at a rate of 30p
per mile with a minimum charge of £3.00.
To arrange a journey or for more information please call 07786 520540
If the phone is not manned at the time of your call leave a message on the answerphone and the
coordinator of the drivers will get back to you.
We are also always looking out for volunteer drivers so if you want to help your community, give us a call. We would
love to hear from you.
The scheme is supported and advised by Cambridgeshire County Council
and Care Network Cambridgeshire
Grafham Oil Syndicate The syndicate is FREE to join.
We must continue to grow and keep a bulk order attractive enough to receive a discount, so simply email Simon: [email protected] or call 07887 628528
and help keep more money in the village!
Power cut? • Contact us 24 hours a day
• Text POWER and your postcode to 80876
• ukpowernetworks.co.uk/liveupdates
• Call us free on 105 or
0800 31 63 105
• For more info visit
http://www.powercut105.com/
For a recycling update and a reminder of the right recycling to put in the right bin, go to
www.recap.co.uk
You will find is a more detailed account of what goes in all our bins (blue, green and grey/black) on the
Huntingdonshire District Council website
https://www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/bins-waste/what-goes-in-which-bin/
For more advice or information about waste and recy-cling services, visit www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/bins
or call 01480 388640 between 8.45am and 5.00pm Monday to Thursday and 8.45am and 4.30pm on Fridays.
Wednesdays Blue bin (recycling) and
Black bin (refuse) - alternate weeks
Every other Thursday - Green bin (garden waste)
“Has the bin man bin Mam?”
Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected]
November 2019 7 Issue 175
Would you be able to give emotional and practical support to families and witnesses
attending Inquests?
Volunteers are required to join an existing team in Huntingdon and Peterborough Coroners’ Court.
You must be able to commit to two full days a month (9-5) and have excellent listening
and communication skills.
For further information or an application pack, please email
or call 07496 613634
Reg.Charity No. 1105899
Volunteers required Reasonable expenses paid
10th Birthday Celebration
Saturday 16th November
To celebrate our 10th birthday we are inviting all present and past members to join us for tea and birthday cake at Grafham Water Centre between 12noon and
2pm on Saturday 16th November. It would help us to know who is coming along so please contact as below.
For further details about the Club and its activities, or for members past and present to book a place for tea and cake, please tele-phone Lion Bernard Dable, on 0345 8337516 or email: [email protected]
There are more details about the above event in the September issue of Grafham Gossip. Visit the village website www.grafham.org.uk Click on Grafham Gossip then scroll down the list of past issues and click on Sept-19
Rewilding the Churchyard We are Making the Change in
Grafham!
Since last October we have
cleared the Southern end of
the churchyard and removed
all the grass cuttings. We
have sown Bee Wildflower
Seed Mix in this area, which
is now roped off to allow the
wildflowers to grow.
Either side of this area the grass has
been cut several times. Now it's time to
wait and see! The next cut for both areas
will be in July - we may not see many
flowers in 2020 but it should just get bet-
ter and better!
The Garden of Remembrance and the
area around the church and newer grave-
stones will continue to be mown so that it
looks neat and tidy. The old gravestones
will continue to be maintained and
cleared where possible.
Thanks to everyone who has helped and
to Diana Thomas who has provided
drinks and made fabulous cakes!
The next session will be in March. For
more details contact:
Jean Baty [email protected]
Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected]
November 2019 8 Issue 175
The Labour Party in Huntingdon Our next monthly meeting is
Monday 18th November 7.30pm at The Medway Centre
More details on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/
HuntingdonLabourParty/ or via the website:
http://www.huntingdonlabourparty.org.uk
Come along and get involved in helping your neighbours and the community!
Grafham Community Shop
Tel: 01480 810119
Opening Times
www.grafhamvillageshop.co.uk
See page 5 for shop news in ‘Talking Shop’
Mon-Fri 8.00 - 6.30
Sat 8.00 - 5.00
Sun 9.00 - 2.00
Bank Holidays 9.00 - 2.00
Local places to recycle products that we cannot put in our blue bins
Crisp Packets Public TerraCycle collection points at:
• Brampton Environment Agency weekdays: 9.00am - 4.00pm
• Paxton Pits Nature Reserve Visitor Centre 10.00am - 4.00pm
• Houghton and Wyton Community Shop, PE28 2AX Mon - Sat. 7.00am - 7.00pm, Sunday 8.00am - 5.00pm
Beauty products packaging, also biscuit, cracker and cake bar wrappers Public TerraCycle collection points at:
• Brampton Scout Hut (Behind the COOP in the High St.) Tues. 6.00 - 9.00pm and Thurs. 4.20 - 8.00pm
• Houghton and Wyton Community Shop, PE28 2AX Details as above
All oral care products and packaging
• Brampton Dental Practice, 101 High St. Mon. 9.00am - 4.30pm, Tues. 9.00am - 8.00pm, Wed. 8.30am - 4.00pm, Thurs. 9.00am - 8.00pm Fri. 9.00am - 5.00pm
• Houghton and Wyton Community Shop, PE28 2AX Details as above
Contact lenses, blister packs and foil covers
• Boots Opticians, Huntingdon
Bread bags Public TerraCycle collection point at:
• Houghton and Wyton Community Shop, PE28 2AX Details as above
Pringles cans
• Longsands Academy Mon - Fri. 9.00am - 3.00pm
Used plant pots and trays
• Dobbies Garden Centre – Hand in at Customer Service Desk
Clothing and paired shoes
• Buckden Village Hall Car Park
Any bags and film, crisp packets and hard black plastics that can’t be recycled at home
• Marks and Spencer, Peterborough, Food Hall
At present this is a trial with the intention of rolling it out to all stores by the end of the year!
Is there anyone who regularly goes to any of the above facilities, especially Brampton Dentists or Scouts, who would be prepared to deliver any prod-ucts for those unable to get there?
Anne Lea Make the Change in Grafham
Opening Times Mon to Wed - Closed
Thurs - 18:00 - 22:00
Fri - 18:00 - 23:00
Sat - 13:00 - 23:00
Sun - 13:00 - 19:00
Open longer for special occasions
Dogs welcome
Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected]
November 2019 9 Issue 175
Grafham Hedgehog Survey Update Here is the updated Grafham Hedgehog Map, showing the picture of the distribution of hedgehogs in Grafham so far; this was a pleasant surprise to me, and to many of those who took part. We had not been sure what we would find. There is a lot of love and goodwill here for this spiny mam-mal, and much excitement on discovery of footprints.
There is much more work that can be done: filling in gaps in the map, extending the map, looking at the area outside the village, and importantly, counting them. More gardens could use a tunnel to check for visitors and I would like to monitor some of the places where we have had footprints, to see when they stop, which would indicate when they go in to hi-bernation. An intermittent watch over winter to see if they wake up at all would also be interesting. This would involve
setting the tunnels once a week until hibernation time, when-ever that ends up happening, and once a week over the win-ter. If you are interested in helping with this, or want to have a go with a tunnel to see if hedgehogs visit your garden, then text me on 07766 662197.
I will also be doing more next year in the spring and the au-
tumn so watch this space.
It is clear from several studies that hedgehog numbers, amongst many other species, have seriously declined since the 1970s and shown a continued decline over the last 15 years. The reasons for the decline are unknown, but habitat fragmentation and the isolation of sites within the urban mo-
saic, as well as issues to do with habitat management, are likely to be significant factors.
Hedgehogs require undisturbed areas of undergrowth, in
which to nest at all times of year and a supply of fallen dead leaves as nesting material. Hedgehogs may also nest in woodpiles or in spaces under sheds or other such structures. They feed mainly on a wide variety of ground invertebrates and particularly exploit edge habitat bordering hedgerows, shrubberies, wooded areas. Urban and suburban hedgehogs can persist in biodiverse ‘hedgehog-friendly’ gardens and public green space provided that these are accessible at
ground level and well connected to other areas of suitable habitat with few hazards. The tendency to keep parks, gar-dens, roadsides and other green spaces looking neat and tidy often results in the clearance of suitable nest sites and grassland rich in ground invertebrates in a way unsympathet-ic to the needs of hedgehogs. They are wide-ranging animals that may routinely travel one kilometre or more in search of food in a single night and sexually active males may move three times that distance in search of females (Reeve, 1994).
Therefore they need to be able to move efficiently and safely between habitat patches, but walls, fences and other struc-tures often prevent such movement.
www.hedgehogstreet.org
https://www.royalparks.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/82532/study-hedgehogs-regents-park-2014.pdf
So the message is clear, if we are to help our hedgehogs, we need to keep our garden boundaries open enough in places, for them to get in and out, and if possible provide areas of cover from shrubbery, or put up a hedgehog house for them to hibernate and nest. I installed a hedgehog house when I found footprints this summer, and now have a resident hedgehog who sleeps there during the day. I hope it hiber-nates there and hope it will breed there next year.
Carole Baber
Grafham Hedgehog Distribution
Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected]
November 2019 10 Issue 175
Send your news, views,
photos, recipes and gossip to
Your advert could be here! To advertise, email:
Community notices are free
Business adverts are priced
according to size, payable in advance.
They start at £4.00 for a small box.
The money pays for the
printing of the newsletter and any profit is
donated to All Saints, Grafham
and its Restoration Fund.
Details of planned road closures, diversions and latest news can be found on the Highways England website
by clicking here or type www.highwaysengland.co.uk/A14C2H
into your search engine
or stay updated by following: https://twitter.com/a14c2h and https://en-gb.facebook.com/A14C2H
There’s also a dedicated A14 Public Helpline 0800 270 0114
Details of planned road closures and diversions are also on Grafham village web site www.grafham.org.uk
Ed
A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon Improvement Scheme
Join us New Year’s Eve!
We will be open 6 - 12.30 to help
you see in 2020 in the right way
Children’s disco 6.30 - 7.30pm
Disco will continue from 8pm
Tickets not required
Grafham Christmas Market
7th December 1 - 5pm Grafham Village Hall
Cakes, presents, mulled wine, Christmas cards and decorations
Pub open as normal
REDUCE… RE-USE… RECYCLE…
A talk and discussion on how we dispose of our waste Given by the Huntingdonshire District Council
Waste Minimisation Team
We need to find new and more effective ways to deal with the growing amount of waste
we dispose of. Come along to hear how we can be part of the
solution not the problem
The Grafham Trout 7:30pm Monday 18th November
Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected]
November 2019 11 Issue 175
Can you make tea? We are very short of volunteer tea/coffee makers for our Little Fishes Stay + Play Tots Group, which meets on Wednesday mornings in the village hall.
If you can spare an hour, now and then, we would be most grateful for your help!
Please contact Hazel 810326 or
email: [email protected]
I have written in various places before about neonico-tinoids pesticide impact on bees. My belief is that tradi-tional lab based toxicity testing for pesticides fails to reflect the real life situation in the wild. In real life pesti-cides are present in the environment below the lethal concentration indicated by lab tests. However, the lab work never looks for the effects of sub-lethal doses. So bees and for all I know, insects more generally, are im-pacted by Neonicotinoids, for example, by affecting navigation functions. In honeybees this may result in foraging bees failing to find their way back to the hive with consequences for the viability of the colony. The EU has restricted but not banned the use of neonico-tinoids (neonics).
But now this, from a National Geographic press release by Stephen Leahy published on September 12
th 2019.
Extracts below:
Neonics - pesticides introduced to plants at the seed stage – act like an appetite suppressant for birds.
The world's most widely used insecticide has been linked to the dramatic decline in songbirds in North America. A first ever study of birds in the wild found that a migrating songbird that ate the equivalent of one or two seeds treated with a neonicotinoid insecticide suffered immediate weight loss, forcing it to delay its journey.
Although the birds recovered, the delay could severely harm their chances of surviving and reproducing, say the Canadian researchers whose study is published today in Science.
“We show a clear link between neonicotinoid exposure at real-world levels and an impact on birds,” says lead author Margaret Eng, a post-doctoral fellow at the Uni-versity of Saskatchewan Toxicology Center.
Spring bird migration occurs when farmers are plant-ing, and most crops in the United States and Canada are grown with neonicotinoid-treated seeds. Birds may suffer repeated exposure at successive stopover sites where they rest and feed. That may extend migration delays and their consequences, the study concludes.
The results are likely to apply to other bird species that consume pesticide-treated grains, said Hallmann (ecologist at Radbound University in the Netherlands), who was not involved in the Science study. Hallman’s own published research has linked widespread de-clines in insect-eating birds to neonicotinoid use.
The populations of more than 75 percent of songbirds and other birds that rely on agricultural habitat in North America have significantly declined since 1966. The new study reveals how neonicotinoids, also known as neonics, could be directly contributing to the die-offs. Just last month a comprehensive study concluded that the widespread use of neonicotinoids had made Ameri-ca’s agricultural landscape 48 times more toxic to hon-eybees, and likely other insects, than it was 25 years ago.
Imidacloprid, even at extremely low doses, has an ap-petite-suppressing effect on the sparrows. They were lethargic and not interested in eating, she said. “We saw the same thing with captive birds in a previous study.” That study was published in 2017 in Scientific Reports.
This isn’t surprising since neonicotinoids are chemically similar to nicotine and stimulate nerve cells, killing them at high doses. Nicotine poisoning in humans is rare because consuming too much usually makes peo-ple too sick to take more. At low doses nicotine sup-presses appetite in humans. The same thing appears to be happening in birds.
Neonics and Songbirds
David Cudby
The Marine World – A Natural History of Ocean Life Dr Frances Dipper
7.30pm Wed 13th November
Brampton Memorial Hall
The Huntingdonshire Local Group of the Wildlife Trust invites you to lis-
ten to this fascinating talk. Dr. Frances Dipper is an author, lecturer and
independent marine consultant, whose major work, ‘The Marine World: A
Natural History of Ocean Life,’ has been published recently.
Frances will describe an immense three-dimensional living space inhab-
ited by marine life that varies from the mundane to the bizarre. Its salty
influence extends along river estuaries, over seashores, and inland with
brine-laden spray.
Everyone interested is very welcome to attend. Please meet at: Brampton Memorial Hall, Thrapston Road, Brampton, PE28 4TB. No booking is necessary.
For more information please contact: Alistair Grant [email protected] or 07775 365 507
------------------------------------------------------------------------- Part of the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and
Northamptonshire Registered Charity No: 1000412
Bedfordshire Cambridgeshire Northamptonshire
Huntingdonshire Local Group
Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected]
November 2019 12 Issue 175
Buckden Gardeners Association Buckden Gardeners Association meets on the third Tuesday of the month from October to April in Buckden Village Hall. Topics focus on gardening but also include related subjects such as wild flowers, bees and birds. In the sum-mer months we organise outings to gar-dens and related areas.
All are welcome. For more information please visit our website www.buckdengardeners.info or just come along. Rosemary Surridge, Secretary
Saturday 2nd November Final KO 9am
Bacon rolls will be available
There are free tickets available for the
above Bösendorfer concerts,
for pupils and ex-pupils (aged 9 - 21) of
Hinchingbrooke and St.Peter's and any of
their partner primary schools.
Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected]
November 2019 13 Issue 175
Brampton Church
In Memory - 10th November at 7pm
This is our annual ‘In Memory’ service, in which we re-
member those whom we have loved but see no more.
If you would like the name of your departed loved one to
be read and remembered at the service please contact
Dee Wormald for details [email protected]
Advance warning of Christmas Services in Grafham
Sunday 1st December 10.30 Advent Service
Sunday 15th December 16.00 Carol Service
Wednesday 18th December 19.30 Curry and Carols at the Cinnamon
Tuesday 24th December 15.00 Crib Service
Wednesday 25th December 10.30 Holy Communion
All Christmas Services including those at Brampton and Ellington can be found by visiting
https://eastleightonstone.com and clicking on Christmas
Cambridgeshire Libraries World Mental Health Day
There is strong evidence that reading can improve our
health and wellbeing. The annual World Mental Health
Day took place last month on the 10th October, we would
like to remind you about the Library’s Reading Well book
collections which can help us look after our mental
health. Check them out at your library or make a reser-
vation online today!
cambridgeshire.spydus.co.uk/
Mood Boosting Books
Mood Boosting Books are uplifting
titles recommended by readers and
reading groups. With a range of nov-
els, poetry and non-fiction, this collec-
tion has something for everyone.
reading-well.org.uk/books/mood-boosting-books
Shelf Help - Reading Well for Young People
This collection of quality assured
self-help books aims at helping
young people from 13 to 18 year
olds to understand and manage
one’s mental health.
reading-well.org.uk/books/books-
on-prescription/young-people-
mental-health
Reading Well for Mental Health
Reading Well for mental health pro-
vides helpful information and support
for managing common mental health
conditions, as well as dealing with
difficult feelings and experiences.
reading-well.org.uk/books/books-on-
prescription/mental-health
Travelling Nativity Box Grafham’s Nativity set will be travelling round the
village again this year, starting out on Sunday 1st
December.
The Travelling Nativity
box contains knitted
nativity figures to play
with plus books, jig-
saws and games suita-
ble for preschool and
key stage 1 children.
The box goes from
house to house. This is
free and available to
anyone in Grafham. All
you need to do is call
Jill Tyack on 810157 or
txt 07892 720 835 and
book it for a night.
The nativity figures will end up in church on Tues-
day 24th December at 3pm for our traditional and
popular Crib Service. If you have not been before
why not give it a go - it is short and ‘user friendly’
and you can be sure of a warm welcome!
Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected]
November 2019 14 Issue 175
GRAFHAM WATER (NEXT TO THE VISITOR CENTRE)
WIDE RANGE AT LOW PRICES
OPEN WEDNESDAY- SUNDAY 09.00-17.30 TEL:01480 819730
FREE PARKING & FREE DELIVERY
PET & WILD BIRD FOOD
www.petfoodsdirect2u.co.uk
Free back door, when ordered with 5 or more windows
For a free, no obligation quotation please contact your local representative Jon Goodchild on 07825 238240 or email
WINDOWS DOORS ROOFLINE
CONSERVATORIES
GARDEN ROOMS FLAT ROOFS
www.gaphomeimprovements.co.uk
•
Service and maintenance plans available Professional, friendly and reliable
01480 812590
07799 640476
Van Diemens Way, Grafham, Huntingdon, Cambs. PE28 0GB
Tel. 01480 811594 Mobile 07795 296281 Email [email protected]
Travel in style via Mercedes cars to your destinations
JEZ ASHCROFT LTD All your decorating needs including:
Coving, Internal Decorating
Drylining & Plastering
FREE ESTIMATES
Please Call
Tel: 01480 812461 Mobile: 07708031493
Kevin Hutchinson • Reliable Local Carpenter and Joiner
• All carpentry work undertaken
• Fitted kitchens, new doors, wood flooring and much more
• No job too small
Tel: 01480 811863/07889 414274
Cinnamon Bar and Indian Restaurant Open 7 days a week 5pm to 10.30pm Also lunch time if pre-booked for 5 or more people
Call 01480 812211/811316 Thursday Night is 'Banquet Night'
1 starter, 1 main, 1 side.
Any rice or any nan £13.50 King prawn or duck £1.50 extra
http://cinnamonhuntingdon.co.uk/
John Sisseman, Driving Instructor DVSA Approved, Pass Plus Registered
Based in Grafham
Call John for
details
Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected]
November 2019 15 Issue 175
Could you Help at Home? Cambridgeshire families need you!
Here at East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) we
thrive off the generous support of our volunteers across
all areas of the charity. We are currently recruiting enthu-
siastic volunteers for our Help at Home programme. The
families who receive support from EACH would often
also benefit from practical support at home. For them,
spending time together and making the most of every
moment is more important than getting the ironing done
or painting the garden fence. And that’s where you come
in. The families need volunteers ready to step into their
homes and gardens and relieve some of the burden by
taking on these household tasks!
The Help at Home programme at EACH is such a valua-
ble part of the support service we offer. Charlotte Red-
mond, EACH Volunteer Coordinator, says: ‘I only started
working at EACH a few months ago and already I’m see-
ing what an amazing effect the Help at Home programme
can have on the lives of families. I’ve no doubt we should
be expanding the programme to reach more families who
need simple practical support to make their day-to-day
lives that little bit easier.’
The only thing you need to get involved is time to give!
You can get more information by contacting Charlotte at
[email protected] or on 07889 251385.
There are plenty of volunteering opportunities at EACH.
You can visit the website www.each.org.uk to find out
how you can support us.
Saturday 2nd November Bonfire Night celebrations!
Food from 5.30 Grafham Village Hall
Knitted Stocking Appeal
Do you know someone who is a whizz with wool and
nifty with knitting needles?
Arthur Rank Hos-
pice Charity is on
a mission to
spread the festive
cheer and needs
your help! The
Hospice is asking
the local commu-
nity to make as
many little knitted
stockings as possible. If you’re not a dab hand at knit-
ting, you can still help - because they also need small
‘fun size’ chocolate bars to pop inside the stockings.
The stockings and chocolate bars will then be sold
together as little festive treats across the Christmas
period, raising funds for the charity!
If you would like to help, you can either drop knitted
stockings or chocolates to the Reception Team at the
Shelford Bottom based Hospice or get in touch with
the community fundraising team by calling 01223
675888 or emailing [email protected] A pat-
tern for the stockings is also available – just get in
touch!
Get involved in the Big Conversation about how we shape our NHS
Local residents are being en-
couraged to have their say on
the future of local NHS ser-
vices as part of The Big Con-
versation.
Funding for healthcare across Cambridgeshire and Peter-
borough is under pressure. More people are using NHS ser-
vices locally, and resources are limited. At the moment, the
local NHS is buying more than it can afford which means
that some difficult decisions need to be made about the ser-
vices it can afford to provide in the future.
The Big Conversation has been created to help Cambridge-
shire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group
(CCG), who buy the healthcare services in the local area, to
understand what is most important to the local community.
Feedback received will be used to create a set of principles
that will inform our future plans and help shape our local
NHS.
Local residents can give their feedback by attending one of
the events taking place across Cambridgeshire and Peter-
borough during October and November. Find out more
about The Big Conversation and local events online and/or
complete a short survey online at:
https://bit.ly/NHSBigConversation
Printed by Easiprint 01733 602302
November 2019 16 Issue 175
Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected] Opinions expressed in the Grafham Gossip, including past issues, are those of the writer and not the editors.
Grafham Wildlife and Conservation Group Regional winners of the BTCV Green Award 2006 & 2007 invite you to carry out woodland conservation
Call Sam Malt: 01480 811654 / 07849 082870
or email: [email protected] www.gwcg.btck.co.uk/
Across the Churches Bible Study We are a small group meeting twice a month (Tuesdays 7.30pm) for Bible study, prayer and fellowship. We come from different churches and are always happy to welcome new members.
For more information, please contact Rob or Jean Clark 01480 890033.
Grafham Church Flower Club We are available to decorate the church for weddings and other church occasions.
Floral arrangements for: pedestal, altar, font, windowsills, pew ends, pillars.
Please contact Hazel Powell on
01480 810326 for details and quotes.
If anyone in the village has foliage in their garden that they would be willing to donate for church decoration for festivals, please let us know, we would be very grateful.
The Mobile Library Route H24 visits Breach Road, Grafham on the 4th Wednesday of every month from 10.40 to 11.00. Next visits - 27th November
For renewals/ enquiries call 0345 045 5225 or click here
Come and join the
GRAFHAM LINE DANCERS Beginners are welcome
Monday evenings in the Village Hall
7.30 – 9.00pm
For more information ring Julia 01480 811613 or Text Penny 07986 509481
Ellington and Grafham WI
meets on the first Tuesday of the month in Ellington
village hall. Membership is £41 per annum but you are
most welcome to come as a visitor. The programme is
varied and interesting with speakers or events every
month.
November Our AGM and supper
For more information please contact:
Sue 01480 896139 [email protected] or Ann 01480 891192 [email protected]
Grafham Little Fishes Toddler and Baby stay and play session
All Welcome
Wednesdays 10.00 to 11.20 term time only Grafham Village Hall
Free play time followed by a short bible story, action songs and simple craft.
Just turn up on the day
Little Fishes is very short of helpers to make tea/coffee. Please contact Hazel 810326 or email: [email protected] if you can help.
See also the notice on page 11
Coffee Morning Grafham Social Committee invites you to
Coffee Mornings at 10.30am on the third
W0dnesday of the month:
20th November - Philippa Patel, 3 Field Close
This is an informal social occasion for
residents of the village. Please come along
for a cup of coffee and a chat.
GRAFHAM VILLAGE HALL has a Public Entertainments Licence for music, dancing, performing arts and can accommodate 92 guests seated in rows or 150 at a dance/disco - an ideal venue for children's and family parties. There is a playing field for sports activities and the hall has small changing rooms with shower facilities.
For details or to book, tel: 07711 769911
http://grafhamandellingtonart.weebly.com/
Calling all who want to meet and paint with like minded people on a regular basis.
Beginners and those with more skills are all very welcome.
Cost: About £2 to cover hall hire/refreshments. Come along with your paints and equipment!
Please ring me for more details.
Jackie Woods 01480 890279
Quiz night Last Thursday of every month
Starting at 8pm
Teams of 4, £1 entry per person