ISSUE NUMBER 103

I have just finished reading Tescopoly – an account of how large supermarkets and national chain stores are stripping the nation of local identities and leading to a ‘clone Britain’ with every high street dominated by the same uninspiring retail and service outlets. A consequence of this is the demise of small shops with distinctive character, local products and personal service. Despite reasonably close access to large supermarket chains, Cottenham has retained its character and we have an excellent selection of local shops and services to choose from. In fact we are bucking the national trend with the opening of The Corner Shop on the High Street beside the Chip Shop. Retaining and expanding our local shops and services is a matter for celebration. At the risk of sounding (reading?) like a scratched record, the future of this excellent diversity is in our own hands. If we use the local shops and services as much and as often as we can, then we stand a good chance of holding on to them. If we don’t, then we could end up like Landbeach – a pretty village where residents have to get in their cars and travel elsewhere to get pretty much anything. Remember, a 12-mile round trip to Tesco in Milton or Bar Hill costs around £5.00 just to get there and back (the taxman allows 40p a mile for business journeys so the real cost must be at least that). Just nipping to Tesco to

Bucking the trend FEBRUARY/MARCH 2008

get a few things is very expensive when compared with shopping locally. Even many weekly shopping trips would be cheaper done locally when that travel cost is taken into account. And that doesn’t even begin to take into account the superior quality of the fresh meat, fruit and vegetables available here. Shopping locally is usually cheaper and almost always better value. If you haven’t already – give it a go.

*** As many of you will have seen in the flyer distributed recently, work is underway to assess the feasibility of converting the Methodist Chapel into a community centre. A public meeting on Jan 14th gave new suggestions on how such a community centre might be used. A coffee shop, soft play area, museum, village cinema, meeting facility were all discussed among other suggestions. We now need concrete proposals from people interested in locating their business/activity in a modernised community centre in the old Methodist church complex. This may be the opportunity you have been waiting for. Please contact me (details on the back page) if you think you have a business proposition. Eddie Murphy

February 2nd Salvation Army, Jumble Sale, Salvation Army Barn 10:00am to 11:30am 5th Parish Council, Council Meeting, Village College Library, 7:30pm 7th Salvation Army, Coffee Morning, Salvation Army Barn 10:00am to 11:30am 8th Village Society, Bill Morris on Musical Nostalgia, Primary School, 7.45pm 13th Women’s Institute, Recycling and Waste Management, Village College, 7:30pm 14th Parish Council, Planning Committee, Council Office Ebenezer House, 7:15pm 21st Salvation Army, Coffee Morning, Salvation Army Barn 10:00am to 11:30am 28th Parish Council, Planning Committee, Council Office Ebenezer House, 7:15pm 29th Gardeners Club, AGM, Village College 7:45pm

March 1st Salvation Army, Jumble Sale, Salvation Army Barn 10:00am to 11:30am 4th Parish Council, Council Meeting, Village College Library, 7:30pm 6th Salvation Army, Coffee Morning, Salvation Army Barn 10:00am to 11:30am 12th Women’s Institute, AGM, Village College, 7:30pm 13th Parish Council, Planning Committee, Council Office Ebenezer House, 7:15pm 14th Village Society, Dr Neville Silverston on Thirty Years as a Country Doctor, Primary School, 7:45pm 20th Salvation Army, Coffee Morning, Salvation Army Barn 10:00am to 11:30am 27th Parish Council, Planning Committee, Council Office Ebenezer House, 7:15pm 28th Gardeners Club, Village College 7:45pm 29th Salvation Army, Coffee Morning, Salvation Army Barn 10:00am to 11:30am

Dates:Dates:

M&M Heating & Plu Corgi & Oftec Registered. Local, reliable and friendly. All aspects of heating & plumbing carried out. Free quotations given. Give us a call on 01223 691599 or 07832 261791/07766 281962.

.........MilliMilliM OnHnHn airHairH SairSair mobile hairdressing. For an appointment S mobile hairdressing. For an appointment Sin your own home call Michelle on 01954 201136 or 07788480239. 10% discount will be given to senior citizens on Monday and Tuesday. 10% discount will be given to all children eight years old and under. No travelling, no parking, no waiting. All in the comfort of your own home.

.........luMuMu b Mb M guttering & Drainage Guttering repaired, uttering & Drainage Guttering repaired, uttering & Drainagereplaced, cleaned, drains unblocked. Free estimates & advice. Call Wayne on 01223 510623 / 07720 146815, 2 Woodhouse Way, Cambridge, CB4 2NH.

.........Painting anDPainting anDPainting an DecOrating cOntractOntractOntract r All r All rinternal and external work carried out to a high standard. Please call for a free, no obligation quote for any decorating requirements you might have. Trade references can be supplied and a prompt and polite service is guaranteed. Tel: 01954 230810, Mobile 07717 493723.

.........carPentrPentrP Y ServiceY ServiceY S S erviceS ervice All types of carpentry undertaken. No job too big or small. Tel: 01954 200373 or 07974 062789.

.........P&r launlaunl DaunDaun rY Service.Y Service.Y Don’t throw that old duvet away. Save on landfill and let us wash it today. Large items such as duvets, throws etc are no problem for us. Fast,

friendly and local service. Collection and delivery available. Ironing service also available. Tel: 01954 250658.

.........Furniture POliSHliSHli ing anSHing anSH Ding anDing an reP reP re airPairP Polishing and restoration of antique (and not so antique) furniture by a local restorer in Cottenham. Call Rob Ellis on 01954 250153.

.........rerer SOeSOe urceSurceSurce FOr tHr tHr t e WHe WH HOe WHOe W le FaMilMilM Y A wide Y A wide Ydiversity of subjects: A-Z of Health, Bedtime Stories, Bibles, Encyclopaedia of Foods & Medicinal Plants, Family Medical Guide, Guide to Successful Marriage & Parenting, Keys to Happiness, Managing Stress, The Art of Communication, Vegetarian Cookery, Young Man/Young Woman – Books, CDs, DVDs, Magazines, and Videos. Contact Annette Bailey-Sargeant, Home Health Education Service, Tel: 01954 251318.

.........WillS, PrS, PrS Obate aSSiSiSi tance anDtance anDtance an POWerOWerOW SerSer OFattOttOtt rneY –Y –Y Michaela Overton Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives/Commissioner for Oaths. Home Visits. Tel: 01223 863719 Email: michaela.overton@virgin.net

.........babbabb YSitter Reliable and experienced 16-year-old male living in Cottenham. References available. Contact Sam on: 01954 251985.

.........K.b.bOuncerSuncerSuncer Bouncy castle hire, Swavesey. For S Bouncy castle hire, Swavesey. For Senquiries or to hire please call Karen on 01954 230018.

.........FlFlF OWerOWerOW S FOerS FOer r all OccaSiOnS nS n Bouquets for birthdays, thankyous, gifts. Weddings and floral tributes. Free personal quotations and home visits to discuss your needs. Amy Jones 01954 250818.

M&M Heating & PluMM&M Heating & PluMM&M Heating & Plu bing ServiceMbing ServiceM Sbing ServiceSbing Service : Corgi &

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exPerienceD PrOFeSSiOnal MuSic teacHer/exaMiner has a limited number of places available. Specialising in: Piano, Guitar, Drums and Theory of Music, but available for most instruments. All ages, beginner to professional. Examinations if required. Contact John Branton. Mobile: 07786 131782 Email: johnbranton@ukonline.co.uk Web: Johnbranton.co.uk

.........MY lOve FOr DOgS OFFerS HOMe bOarDing for your canine friend. I am fully insured, police checked. Call Amanda Bishop on 07903806750

.........DraMatHeraPY FOr cHilDren Eating disorders, self-harm, bullying, depression, anxiety? Through story work, puppetry, role play, and many other creative forms, your child will explore issues in a safe and non-threatening way. Contact Deborah Evans, an experienced, registered and qualified Dramatherapist, on 01223 277276.

.........babYSitter – Mature 15-year-old CVC student. Very good with small children. Has attended babysitting and First Aid courses. Please call Olivia on 01954 251085.

.........WOulD YOu liKe tO learn tHe viOlin Or PianO? Fun and relaxed lessons offered by experienced teacher. All standards and ages welcome. Contact Emma Leggate on 01954 204946

.........J.cHalliS bricKWOrK anD builDing cOntractOr. Specialist in brickwork. All aspects of building undertaken from garden walls to new builds. Please call for a free, no obligation quote Tel: 01954 251230, Mobile: 07900 514724

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elan accOunting SOlutiOnS: Management Accounts, External Accounts – Sole Traders, Companies and partners, Corporation Tax and Self Assessment returns, Business Planning/Budgeting, Business Process improvement, Cash flow management, Book-keeping, Accounting Systems and Interim Management. Please call Vicky Querns (Chartered Management Accountant) 20 Histon Road, 07976 941659, Vicky@elan-accounting.co.uk

.........Why not advertise in the newsletter? Items for sale, announcement of family events... 5p per word, with all proceeds going to charity. Send advertisements and payment to the editor.

Cheques should be made payable to ‘Cottenham Newsletter’.

newsletter small ads

As we have done every year, we are donating the proceeds from our small ads to charity and local organisations again this year. The money gathered continues to grow and this year we have collected just under £220. The beneficiaries are to be the Cottenham Nurses Fund, The swimming pool, The Roller Hockey Club and The Youth Group.

host families wanted

Cultural Homestay in Europe organises short home-stay programmes for Japanese students. We are currently looking for host families who can welcome a Japanese student into their home to give them an experience of life with a family while they are at school/college in Cambridge. Transport to and from the study centre is provided. Payment is given for a placement with your family.

If you would like more information, please contact Karen Aspinall, Tel: 01480 385579, Mob: 07851639158, Email: aspinall.williams@ntlworld.com

national Bus Pass

The Government’s 2006 Budget statement announced a new national Concessionary Bus Travel scheme would be introduced in April 2008. The scheme will allow eligible residents (over 60s and people with certain disabilities) to use their bus pass after 9:30am until the last bus Monday to Friday and all day on weekends and bank holidays in any part of England for the first time.

Everyone will need to reapply for a new bus pass. To receive your new bus pass on time, complete an application form today. Contact South Cambridgeshire District Council for more information.

legion newsThe Royal British Legion would like to thank everyone in Cottenham and Rampton who bought a poppy and all the businesses and organisations who held collecting tins for us. We would also like to thank those organisations and businesses who bought a wreath to lay at the War Memorial.

Each year, as part of our Poppy Appeal, we hold a raffle draw and ask for donations from many of the businesses in Cottenham. We have had a very generous response from them and would like to extend our gratitude to them all. We know that part of the attraction of our raffle draw is the high quality of our prizes and without such generosity this would not be possible.

Altogether we raised over £4,000 and money is still trickling in.

If you would like to have a collecting tin or buy a wreath, or would like to donate a prize this year, and are not on our current list, then please contact the British Legion by phone or email shown on the back cover of the Newsletter.

***

On Sunday November 11th, two Remembrance Day services were held in the village. At 10:45am we paraded from the Co-op to the War Memorial. Cottenham Brass played for us and it was good to see so many different youth groups represented, in spite of the cold!

In the afternoon a second service was held in the Parish Church, followed by a half muffled peal of 5,040 changes on the church bells – a mammoth task to mark Remembrance Day.

mervyn stutter Mervyn Stutter will be playing at Rampton Village Hall on Saturday 23rd February 2008. The show will start at 7:30pm.

Mervyn is an actor, comedian, scriptwriter, satirical songwriter and founder member of ‘The Flying Pickets’. He has worked widely in theatre, comedy, cabaret, TV and radio. His TV work has included stints on ‘Carrott Confidential’ and ‘Eastenders’, but it is perhaps for his radio work that Mervyn is best known. In 2003 he wrote and starred in his own comedy series for Radio 4 called ‘Getting Nowhere Fast’.

Tickets £6 (£5 concessions) in advance available from Alison Bateson, tel. 01954 208045, e-mail: alison.bateson@ntlworld.com or £7 (£6 concessions) on the door.

the corner shoPYou might have noticed the betting shop next to the chip shop has closed. We have re-opened it as a General store in the true sense of the word. We have the intention of selling items not easily found in the village. Since we have lived here we have seen two important shops close down, Clements Hardware and Fayco’s. So we have decided to make an attempt at running a shop which is close to these, with a twist of traditional sweets thrown in for good measure.

If you want hardware, wool, cottons or some craft supplies, we can help. As parents we find that we receive party invites for the children at the last minute, so we are stocking a range of party bag fillers and small gifts which should meet the needs of these situations. Drop in on the way home from school and we can cover all your wants, from the item, to the wrapping! We intend to offer a wide range and at good value.

The most important thing for us is meeting our customers’ needs. So if you are looking for an item please tell us, we will investigate to see if there is a demand.

We want to be a real community shop, so if you need a ‘box office’ for your event we will be happy to sell your tickets at the shop with no commission. We will put up your posters and adverts. Please call in and ask us.

Thanks for looking and we look forward to meeting you soon at 276 High Street.

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm, Saturday 9:00am – 1:00pm Julie and Nik Percival.

December saw the return of point-to-point racing to one of Cambridgeshire’s best kept secrets, Cottenham race course, with two national meetings taking place in December 2007. There will be two further meetings in early 2008: Cambridge University United Hunts Club on February 10th and the season at Cottenham ends with the Fitzwilliam meeting on March 15th. First race is at noon for the two remaining meetings. There are a minimum of six races and entrance is £12 for adults and £10 for students and OAP’s with a free race card. Children under 16 have free admittance and parking is free.

Point-to-point racing is a good entertaining day out that can be enjoyed by everyone. For anyone making their first visit to point-to-point, get there well before the first race as these events can be very popular. A pair of Wellington boots may be needed if the weather is wet. Cottenham has some of the best facilities with a permanent grandstand and toilets. You will find bookies and the Tote for on-course betting, a public bar, catering outlets and a shopping area.

The horses race over 19 steeplechase fences around two circuits of the course rather than in a straight line, with viewing mounds as well as the stand making it possible to see almost all the action around the course. Meetings have been held on the site since the mid-1800’s, when students from Cambridge University would race from “point-to-point” in a straight line over whatever obstacles lay in their path. The sport evolved into racing around a set course and in February 1946 Cottenham held the first meeting in the country after the end of World War Two. In 1961 local farmer Hugh Gingell bought the course when it became part of his farm and it is now in the hands of his son Michael who has ridden eight winners himself. Today, point-to-pointing remains an amateur sport, run by amateur

autumn show Start sowing and sewing for the Craft Fair and Autumn Show on 6th September 2008. If you have a garden or allotment you will be planning what to grow this year, so make sure to have some vegetables and fruits to display on 6th September. If you like sewing or making craft items, do plan to make some to show too. Members of classes held in the Fen Edge Patch may like to encourage other class members to show their work.

People often look around and say they could have put their work in the show but they didn’t get round to it – don’t let that be you this year, as many items can be planned for or prepared well in advance.

The committee has been re-designing the schedule and is hoping for a really good number and range of entries this year, so put the date in your diary and make this bi-annual village event a success.

There will be a Craft Fair with a wide range of stalls. If you would like to have a craft stall please contact Sue Colquhoun on 01954 250278. For other information about the show, contact Sue or Mike Smith on 01954 251915.

owners and riders. Don’t let that deter you, as the racing is just as good, close and fast as with professionals.

Further information can be found at www.pointingEA.com or by calling 09068 446061, the national point-to-point news and preview line.

Gary Malkin

Point-to-Point

ladyBirds A busy end to the year was quickly followed by a hectic start to 2008 as staff prepared the New Wing ready for the first intake to the classroom. Children, staff and parents are all buzzing with excitement as everyone enjoys the extra space.

The Baby Clinic is meeting in the New Wing every 1st and 3rd Wednesday; this is a friendly drop in session for parents/carers with babies, older siblings are welcome too.

Friday is Little Bugs morning at the pre-school, from 9–11.30 again all welcome, £2.50 per family.

Thank you to everyone who completed a questionnaire about expansion of services at Ladybirds, the results are available in reception. We are planning to hold some parenting classes and first aid sessions so please look out for dates and come along. There will be more to follow, including yoga and post-natal support, so watch this space.

I hope you don’t mind but I want to drop a few names here and say thank you to all involved in the New Wing project. The builders Utteridge and Granger and architects Miller Associates, did a great job in record time. Thanks also to the trustees, in particular, Robert Clark and David Mudd, who remained calm and steadfast throughout! And finally to Rosemary and her team of staff who have planned and waited and hoped for a long time for this space. They have worked incredibly hard to make it ready and deserve to enjoy their new workplace.

Please look out for our fundraising events over this year as we raise money to develop the garden. Thanks again to our team of parent volunteers who work hard behind the scenes at many fundraising events.

Joann Leeding, Chairperson Ladybird Committee

village design statement The Cottenham Village Design Group is proud to announce the adoption of the updated (2007) Cottenham Village Design Statement by South Cambridgeshire District Council.

The 2007 Village Design Statement has a South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) supplementary planning document (SPD) status, which sounds important because it is; the status means that the Design Statement can be considered with SCDC Local Development Framework (LDF) documents when planning applications are assessed.

The Village Design Statement had to be updated in response to recent changes in local planning rules. The LDF was implemented by SCDC to comply with new regulations which aim to enable local councils to update documents with more flexibility and less bureaucracy.

For a group of ‘normal’ volunteers to get a document ‘adopted’ by local government involves lots (and lots, and lots!) of volunteer commitment, public input, careful review and report writing. Thankfully, this is an infrequent task. We had knowledgeable and friendly support from individuals involved in the original 1994 Statement who were happy to assist with advice and guidance; and, in one case, take on the most arduous report writing tasks in addition to maintaining team morale.

An updated copy of the Cottenham Village Design Statement (2007) has been delivered to Cottenham residents. Together with supporting reports it is available through the group’s website at www.cvdg.org and at the Cottenham Library in Margett Street.

Thank you to everyone who got involved or responded to our public meetings and consultation earlier this year. The Design Group was pleased to see a variety of viewpoints represented.

If you have any questions you can email membership@cvdg.org or telephone our membership secretary, Alan Leeks, on (01954) 250061. Our next AGM is at 7:30pm on the 27th February 2008 in the lecture room at Cottenham Village College and will include a talk about the Guided Bus. All are welcome to attend and our membership representative will be on hand to welcome new members.

wiOur December meeting was a great success with over sixty of our members sitting down to an excellent buffet supper which was followed by a musical entertainment from our guest ‘speaker’ who gave us a witty and entertaining rendition of some old Christmas favourites with some slight changes to the words and sometimes to the music.

All in all it was a good way to bring in the festive season and to finish off what has been for our group a very successful year. We have seen over the year an increasing membership and are lucky to have an enthusiastic and active committee, and a welcoming and friendly group of members. We are also lucky in Cottenham to have on our doorstep the facilities of the Village College and we very much appreciate the support given to us over the year by the staff there, as without them it would be very difficult to accommodate us all.

Pauline Goss

village society

The Village Society Meeting on Friday February 8th should be a time of nostalgia for some of us and amusement perhaps for those who are younger. Mr Bill Morris will play some of his collection of records with music dating from 1902 to the 1950s. There will be songs which would have been sung around the piano or at chapel concerts, tunes which were whistled by errand boys on their bikes, tunes to dance to and tunes to march to war. An enjoyable evening is expected for all. Dr Neville Silverston is the speaker at the Village Society gathering on March 14th. He is a retired GP, with 30 years experience of life as a doctor in a country practice. Have no worries, the Cambridgeshire village he worked in was not Cottenham and patient confidentiality will not be breached. However, amusing anecdotes are expected. The Village Society meets at 7:45pm at the Primary School, Lambs Lane. Visitors are welcome. Entry is £1.

Visits to Histon with my mother, on our bicycles, or on the No 104 Eastern Counties bus were very enjoyable occasions, gas masks were always carried.

Grandma & Grandad Wilson lived in Bell Hill near the ‘King Bill’ tavern in a semi-detached yellow brick dwelling, next door lived Mr & Mrs Hodge. The gardens were supported by a brick retaining wall due to the steep slope of Bell Hill. Grandma’s garden also ran at right angles to Bell Hill, parallel to a bridleway leading to St. Andrews Church and many a Sunday morning I would stand in her garden viewing over the wall, the bobbing heads of the people going to morning prayers. My most striking memory is of old ladies wearing black artificial shiny hats of the period, together with brightly coloured bunches of artificial flowers attached to them. These hats seemed to ‘dance’ along the top of the brick coping wall until they gradually disappeared out of sight, together with the fading murmurings of their respective owners.

The front garden sloped down to the retaining wall and consisted of grass beneath yellow plum trees which bore furry-skinned fruit which made beautiful jam. Her front room window overlooked the garden, the little table beneath it supported an aspidistra, the prized indoor plant of the period. It was housed in a beautiful polished wooden container with brass handles. To me it was a horrible looking specimen with large dark green leaves. They were certainly popular however because a well known singer of that time, Gracie Fields, recorded a ditty ‘The biggest Aspidistra in the World’.

I can remember the picture which hung on the wall at the back of the sofa, a reminder of a once-great Empire. It was a picture of a middle-aged Queen Victoria in colour. Hanging on the back wall was a framed ‘Roll of Honour’ certificate significant to the Great War 1914–1918. Another hung in the kitchen portraying two lines of British soldiers forming a guard of honour. These were dedicated to Grandma’s two eldest sons, Arthur (uncle Art) and Oliver (Uncle Olly) both wounded at Gallipoli.

There were cupboards either side of the fireplace; on the right hand cupboard stood a wind-up gramophone together with a selection of popular records of dance bands of the thirties. These belonged to her two youngest sons, Roland (Roll) and Don who had both recently married but left the records with Grandma. They included famous old dance bands such as Lew Stone, Ambrose, Jack Jackson, Henry

schoolBoy memories of wwiiHall and that wonderful little band from Nottingham Billy Merrin & his Commanders.

On the black metal fireplace lovingly cleaned with black lead and surrounded with quality tiles stood various china ornaments. One of which was of a boy and girl wearing clothes of a vanished period looking over a stile; in the centre an old pendulum clock that worked its seconds away with a dull methodical ‘Tock’.

On one occasion I was in this lovely old room with Grandma and my mother, Grandad was in the kitchen smoking his pipe, when in walked Uncle ‘Roll’. He had finished his shift at Home Farm Dairy, part of Chivers Farms, their bottling plant was at Pound Hill, Castle Hill, Cambridge. He had called to administer Grandma’s insulin, as she was diabetic. I remember she had to eat light rolls called Energen bread to help combat her illness, they came in light blue boxes. She would say to me “Michael, tomatoes are also good for me”.

Uncle Roll was a joker at the best of times and on this occasion he wore a broad grin across his face. “What are you grinning for?” inquired Grandma. Uncle Roll began his amusing tale saying, we (The Home Guard) were under attack last weekend from the enemy (British Army Regular Units). Information reached us that one of their sections was in the vicinity of Histon Moor. A party of us was sent to engage them under the leadership of Sgt. ‘Toatsy’ Toates. Now ‘Toatsy’ was a very keen chap and when we reached the allotments in Cottenham Road he decided to cross

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that area in the direction of the moor. We followed him in single file until he reached the last allotment, at this point he started crawling on all fours. The last allotment had been freshly dug and when ‘Toatsy’ had got half way across, he suddenly stopped and began sniffing his fingers, when the smell reached our nostrils we knew immediately what

had happened – the owner of the allotment had buried the weekly ‘takings of the earth closet’ and didn’t make a very good job of it and ‘Toasty’ had crawled through the exposed remains. We couldn’t stop laughing, there was ‘Toasty’ sniffing away in the half light, suddenly he turned round towards us and hissed, “Be quiet you silly buggers you’ll give our position away.”

There came a hearty laugh from Grandad in the kitchen. We all laughed, it was little moments such as these that

helped to brighten things up during these dark days of 1940, when the BEF had to be evacuated from Dunkirk and Fighter Command of the RAF was awaiting the onslaught of the Luftwaffe, which was then very much in its prime.

A Section of the Histon Home Guard 1940

Uncle ‘Roll’ Wilson is fifth from the right on the back row, and although he appears to be smoking, note the reasonable turn-out. Polished boots, webbing gaiters, belts, shoulder straps and ammunition pouches, British Army Musketry Order.

I am indebted to Mr Ralph Carpenter who prints out my written articles and emails them to the editor.

Michael Taylor

Parish councilRecent meetings of the Parish Council have included discussions on the following matters:

• New Parish Council Offices – The move has taken place, to 2 Ebenezer House, Rooks Street, Cottenham CB24 8QZ. Our Clerk, Mrs Julie Groves, will be there on Thursdays between 2pm and 4pm, but please ring her first to book an appointment if you wish to speak face to face with her, particularly if you wish to look at planning application drawings. Julie will be working in the office at other times in the week, although she would appreciate any visits restricted to Thursdays if possible.

• Traffic Matters – Following the article in the last Newsletter we are pleased that a number of you have emailed Julie with your thoughts on how we can improve the traffic situation in the village. However not many residents have attended the exhibition, which is disappointing. Appropriate discussions will be held with the County Council in the hope that a more acceptable situation regarding traffic in and through the village is achieved. If any more residents wish to put forward their thoughts please contact our Clerk.

• Balancing Pond and Culvert Broad Lane – As these notes are being compiled, work is being carried out by contractors on behalf of Persimmon Homes, so hopefully in the New Year you will see a vast improvement. Please remember that the Balancing Pond is vital to the village in the control of flood water, and it is not, as such, a wildlife haven, although certain coots and mallards think otherwise!

• Plastics Recycling – We have been advised by the District Council that there will be an opportunity for us to recycle plastic products from home via the green box. At present the timing is not certain, so watch this space.

• Northstowe – Councillors have met with English Partnerships, Gallagher Estates, WSP and Communique to discuss concerns we have over additional traffic, assessment of flood risk, and the possible use of our sports and educational facilities in relation to the building of the new town of Northstowe. We believe it is very appropriate to put forward our concerns and views, and to attend various meetings rather than merely accept what the planners will

do. Whether we are listened to remains to be seen, but at least we have tried, and will continue to press for what we feel is important to our residents. The District Council will have received 4 planning applications by the end of 2007 regarding the creation of the new town of Northstowe comprising of 9500 dwellings, and associated community and highway infrastructure (Outline), and the formation of a link road to the A14 (Full), improvements to the Bar Hill Junction (Full), and construction of service roads (Full). The consultation period started on 7th January 2008, and will last for a 12 week period. We will have copies in the Parish Office.

• Pavements – The County Council have considered our report, and have spent time with us walking the High Street, in particular. Some repair work will be carried out to the worst areas, and rest assured that we will be pressing for other repairs to be done.

• Interactive Signs – After much pressure we have received a response from the County Council apologising for the delay in repairing inoperative interactive signs. The reasons given for the delays are the usual of lack of finances, and the fact that some types of signs and their spare parts are unobtainable. The Histon Road speed indicator sign has been identified as being irreparable, and an assessment is being carried out in accordance with the County Council’s new protocol as to the matter of a replacement.

• Street Lighting – As previously advised we are responsible for the cost of maintaining certain lights in the village, which cost us about £1000 per year. A survey has been carried out by one of our District Councillors, and he has produced a very detailed and helpful report. This has been passed to the County Council for urgent attention. Hopefully by now the village is a brighter place, but if you see someone lurking in the shadows do not be alarmed as it will only be a Councillor! Seriously though if you are aware of any lights which are not working please contact the County Council on 0800 253529.

• Dog Fouling – Yes, it is necessary to raise this issue again. It does appear that the dog bins provided are being used around the village. However we have been informed that there is a particular problem in one area which needs to be addressed. On a regular basis dog fouling in Wilkin Walk is a real problem; there is a pattern in that someone is allowing their dog to foul the walkway at night or very early

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in the morning. This is an area that youngsters use to walk to school, and as we all know dog mess and children do not mix. It is a significant health hazard, and one that can be prevented if only dog owners carried plastic bags so that they could clean up after their pets. Whoever is involved knows the problems they are causing, and should be more thoughtful. Remember people have been prosecuted in the past, and we will have no hesitation in prosecuting in the future, so beware. Consideration is being given as to whether another dog waste bin is necessary in this area.

• Parish Council Website – For information about the village please use the website which is: www.cottenhampc.org.uk

• Safer Routes to School – Following pressure from the Parish Council and the schools you will be aware that appropriate signs have been installed in Lambs Lane. All drivers must adhere to the speed limit, and be very careful particularly when close to the Primary School; please ensure also that you park sensibly when taking children to and from school.

• Joint Parishes Action Group – Cottenham is a founder member of this group, and the Group have been given an opportunity to reiterate our evidence given in October to the Government Inspector at the Mereham Enquiry. This will be given by one of our Councillors, and the main issues being aired are traffic and drainage.

David MuddCottenham Parish Council

continued from previous page rec PavilionMany positive steps have been made towards making a recreation ground pavilion a reality since the public exhibition at the end of 2006. Architects have been appointed and in consultation with the Football Association are working up a planning application to be submitted to SCDC. All the Sports Clubs have been consulted on the initial design. Positive discussions have taken place with both Sport England and the Football Foundation, who will be our two main funders.

The architects and associated fees, to take us to planning have been jointly secured from Cottenham United Football Club, Cottenham Colts, Cottenham Tennis Club, Cottenham Cricket Club and the Parish Council.

Once planning permission has been secured formal applications will be made to a number of outside bodies. As work progresses there will be further updates in the Newsletter. Thanks goes to all the individual sports clubs and the Parish Council for their continued support.

Paula Johnson, Cottenham Parish Council – Recreation Development Group

The 2008 Fun Run and Market will be on the 10th May. Note the date and at least think about training.

district councillors’ rePort Gallagher and English Partnerships have submitted an outline application for a new town of approximately 9,500 dwellings, together with three detailed applications for road links, from Hattons Road, Dry Drayton Road, and a parallel relief road between the Bar Hill and Dry Drayton junctions of the A14. The public consultation on the proposals runs until the end of March. Please take this opportunity to have your say. The documentation can be inspected at the Margett Street library and online at www.scambs.gov.uk.

One of the most contentious aspects is the question of a road link with Northstowe at Station Road, Oakington. Confusing claims are made relating to the effects that such a link would have on traffic through Cottenham, Oakington, Girton, Histon, Rampton, Willingham and Longstanton, but what doesn’t seem in any doubt is the impact it would have on Westwick Conservation Area and the road between Oakington and Cottenham. Tell us what you think.

If you delve into the application material you will appreciate the input that Cottenham Parish Council, in particular, has already had in seeking to mitigate the potential impacts of the new town on the surrounding villages, especially in relation to traffic and drainage. Cottenham Parish Council is the only one to have requested a meeting with the joint promoters before the applications were submitted. Representatives of Gallagher and English Partnerships came out to meet them and answer some tough questions on Thursday 15 November 2007.

In addition, the Joint Action Group represents the combined forces of Cottenham, Girton, Histon, Impington, Longstanton, Milton, Oakington/Westwick, Rampton, Swavesey and Willingham parish councils, and has established itself as a force to be reckoned with. They have been raising the profile of the neighbouring communities with district and county council officers, at meetings at Cambourne in November and Shire Hall in December, expressing particular concern about the prospect of heavy construction traffic through our villages.

The Northstowe Transport Assessment focuses on achieving sustainable travel patterns and examines peak traffic flows in detail, measured in Passenger Car Units (where 1 HGV = 2 [or more] PCU, for example) during the AM and PM peak hours at critical junctions and along key link roads. The thrust of this analysis is whether the

roads physically have the capacity to accept additional demands, with an overall objective of reducing the number of car journeys.

The Environmental Statement is more concerned with measuring residual impact on neighbouring communities and populations – human as well as other species of plant and animal. This is by far the biggest part of the application documentation (filling thirteen, thick, ring binders), and covers a wide range of topics, including air quality, noise and vibration, ecology, archaeology, landscape, lighting, flood risk, as well as traffic, but in this case in terms of noise, congestion, safety and pollution. For these purposes national guidance requires estimates of Annual Average Daily Flows.

To be blunt, no one really knows what the precise effects of Northstowe on the local road network will be. There is a model which has been repeatedly adapted since it was first devised for the Cambridge to Huntington Multi-Modal Study. It was CHUMMS that gave us the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway and persuaded the Department for Transport to add the A14 to its Targeted Programme of Improvements.

This model has been refined through several iterations, motivated (amongst other things) by comparing the levels of traffic predicted by the model for road conditions now with actual observed traffic counts. The one that Cottenham Parish Council commissioned at the beginning of 2006 prompted the transport consultants advising Gallagher and English Partnerships to check other flows around Northstowe for the purpose of better calibration. Nevertheless, given that the model originated in examining the A14 corridor, it is acknowledged that it “frays at the edges”. In other words, it becomes less reliable the further away you go from the line of the A14.

The Highways Agency has the power to stop any development that it feels might overload the Strategic Road Network. Its only concern in this case is to ensure what it calls “nil detriment” to the A14, and would much rather push traffic generated by the early stages of Northstowe on to local roads – their argument being that this would only be temporary until the A14 improvements have been completed, which are still promised by 2015.

continued on next page

Neighbouring residents are looking to the Local Highway Authority (the county council) to stand up for the interests of those who live along the local roads.

Meanwhile, Cambridgeshire Horizons is hosting negotiations among the parties making up what is called the A14 Interim Measures Technical Group to try to reach agreement for getting started at Northstowe before the A14 improvement scheme comes along. The parallel relief road between Bar Hill and Dry Drayton is part of these interim measures, but other ideas are being explored for maintaining the existing level of service, by which is meant keeping the A14 running at least as well as it does at the moment. The complexity of this debate is such that a Professor of Transport Studies has been called in as a mediator at a couple of facilitated workshops.

One by-product of these extensive discussions is that we are hoping to encourage these two major construction projects, Northstowe and the A14, to cooperate as closely as possible, with the aim of minimising overall disruption to our daily lives over the coming years.

Please note: I am a member of the Northstowe Joint Development Control Committee (a combination of district and county councillors who will be making the decision on the Northstowe proposals) and therefore I am obliged to come fresh to any applications when it comes to taking the decision whether to grant planning permission. Nothing that I have written should be interpreted as an expression of opinion on any matter about which agreement is still outstanding.

Simon Edwards

continued from previous page roller hockey success

You might have spotted a very boisterous group of boys and girls all dressed in bright orange on a float in the Cottenham Feast Parade and thought “who on earth are they?”

Back in May 2006 when a local coach inspired a small group of parents to set up the roller hockey club for their children, little did they think that it would blossom into such a roaring success.

After funding from the National Lottery (Awards for All) and a lot of generous support from local businesses the club got up and running and entered into the Eastern Counties League. In the first year our inexperienced players started off losing handsomely, but game by game, and with a lot of coaching and determination, the defeats got less and less heavy until we actually started to win some games.

This season we have got off to an awesome start with our teams doing very well indeed. The secret has been a lot of hard work by the parents who train the players, and lots of commitment from the players. The great news is that we have recently been awarded a grant from the Local Network Fund to pay for sessions with Carlos Amaral, Director of Coaching for the National Roller Hockey Association. This will provide a dedicated coaching programme to boost the club’s skill levels and is provided free of charge to all players.

What we cannot forget is that it is not just the great sponsors, great organisation by the parents, and great coaching that counts, it is the dedication of the players. We all hear people complain about “kids today”, well here we have a dedicated group of children aged between 7 and 14 who are training up to three sessions a week and playing in highly competitive league matches and who really understand the value of working hard. Well done Cottenham Roller Hockey – let’s look forward to more success!

If you fancy a go, want to keep up with how the club is doing, or just see our pictures from the Feast Parade check us out at www.cottenhamrollerhockey.co.uk

Paula Johnson (paula@cottenhamrollerhockey.co.uk)

As part of the Fen Edge Festival in July a group of local people, together with professional archaeologists, excavated a number of test pits in gardens around the village. As well as having a great time working together and wielding mattocks we found some fascinating artefacts.

In the pits that we investigated, some small finds were made which confirmed occupation in the village from as early as Roman times. As well as this we got Saxon and mediaeval remains, and later (probably 17th and 18th century), Victorian and 20th century domestic ware and building materials. A fuller report will be written for a later edition of the Newsletter, but the results of our small investigation show what interesting evidence there is in Cottenham of this area’s long and varied history.

Inspired by the prospect of finding out more, and keen to have some more fun digging along the way we are keen to start up a local Fen Edge Archaeological Group. We would like to invite anyone who is interested to come along and join in. In order to launch the group in style we have managed to get an exclusive, behind the scenes look at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology in Cambridge. The museum will be showing us objects in the collection that have been found in and near Cottenham, and there will be an opportunity to look at the rest of the museum’s exhibits as well. The meeting will be held on Saturday March 1st, at 2:00pm at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Downing St, Cambridge. Please let us know if you would like to come by Wednesday 20th February: we need to give the museum numbers in advance. The visit is open to

fen edge archaeology grouPanyone; family groups are welcome, but children and young people under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Contact Glynis Pilbeam 01954 251544

fen edge cinema cluB

The FECC programme for the rest of the year is as follows:

February: The Last Metro (Truffaut, Fr, 1980, with Gerard Depardieu and Catherine Deneuve)March: The Hustler (Rossen, US, 1961, starring Paul Newman)April: Downfall (Hirschbiegel, Ger, 2004, starring Bruno Ganz as Hitler)May: Cinema Paradiso (Tornatore, It, 1988, starring Phillipe Noiret)June: Ivan’s Childhood (Tarkovsky, USSR, 1962); The Quiet Man (Ford,US, 1952, with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara)July: The Life of Brian (Jones, GB, 1979)September: The Royal Tenenbaums (Anderson, US, 2001, with Gene Hackman and Anjelica Houston)October: Life is Beautiful (Benigni, It, 1997)November: Le Boucher (Chabrol, Fr, 1970, starring Stephane Audran)December: Local Hero (Forsyth, UK, 1983)

Showings are on the first Monday of the month at 7:30pm at the Village College. Please feel free to come as often or as infrequently as you like.

All are welcome to join our walks, for which there is no charge, and find out more about our activities. Please note the dates in your diary and confirm your participation with the walk leader at least ONE WEEK BEFORE THE DATE. Arrangements may have changed and the leaders do not like walking on their own!

Sat 26 Jan. A morning walk, 6–7 miles, followed by soup at 85 High Street. Meet at Cottenham Church, 9:15am. Booking essential, names please, to Jasper (01954 250485).

Sat 16 Feb. A 9–10 mile walk from Sawston, taking in the Roman Road, Wandlebury & Gog Magog Down. Meet in car park of Bellbird Primary School (Upper), Link Rd, Sawston at 10:00am. Packed lunch required. Contact Christine (01223 834072).

Sat 15 Mar. Be prepared for a Mystery Walk with Bruce. Meet at Cottenham Village College 9:30am. Contact Bruce (01954 250908).

Sat 26 April An 8 mile walk around the Gransdens. Meet at the Reading Room, Great Gransden at 10:00am. Home-made tea & cakes at No 4. Contact Keith (01767 679999).

Fri 16–Sun 18 May Walking weekend in National Forest Youth Hostel. Contact David (01954 200074).

Sat 7 June A 9–10 mile walk from Godmanchester, bring a packed lunch. Meet by the Bridge by the weirs at 10:00am (Explorer 225 ref 245705). Contact Ray (01954 205262).

Sat 12 July A walk around the Kirtling area, south of Newmarket. Bring a packed lunch. Meet at Cottenham Village College, 9.30 am. Contact Gill (01954 201655).

28 July–1 Aug. Summer School. Details and Enrolment at Cottenham Village College (01954 288751).

Sat 6 Sep. An 8–9 mile walk in the Hail Weston area, north of St. Neots, close to A1. Perhaps a pub lunch. Bring a packed lunch. Meet at Cottenham Village College 9:30 am. Contact John (01223 234823)

Fri 10–Sun 12 Oct. Walking weekend, destination to be confirmed. Contact David (01954 200074).

footPath grouP walksSat 1 Nov. An 8–9 mile walk (short cut possible) taking in Dry Drayton, Childerley & Knapwell. Parking in the Viking Industrial Estate, Bar Hill. Essential to check by telephoning in advance. Bring a packed lunch. Meet at 10:00 am. Contact Ian & Ann (01223 514135).

Friday 26 Dec. “Holly Walk”. The traditional Boxing Day walk of about 4 miles, suitable for all. Meet at the High St./Broad Lane junction at 10:30am.

Bird rePortWinter is a really good time for birders. During the rest of the year, birds are often preoccupied with nesting, breeding and rearing their young. But in winter, if we give them the chance, they will become very much part of our lives.

A visitor said to me recently that if he lived in my house he would spend all day watching the birds from the living room window. I know what he means. Feeding birds gives us a wonderful opportunity to see birds at close range. But which birds? This seems to vary from house to house. I have lots of sparrows and other people close by have none. Some people tell me that they have regular visits from a great spotted woodpecker. I don’t. So here is a list of birds I see in my garden in winter but your list may well be different. Seen almost every day: robin, blackbird, blue tit, great tit, collared dove, starling, dunnock, house sparrow, wood pigeon, pheasant. With two of these birds there is a marked difference between male and female – namely the sparrow and the blackbird. You may notice that there are very few female blackbirds about. The females move south in winter to warmer weather. Are the females wimps or are they sensible? I leave you to decide. By the way, the robins which we see in winter may well not be the birds we see in summer, because they too tend to move further south and northern birds move to our part of the country.

Birds seen occasionally: magpie, chaffinch (note the difference between male and female), mistle thrush, rook, crow, pied wagtail, greenfinch. song thrush. Very occasional visitors: great spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker, sparrowhawk, goldfinch, jay, long-tailed tit, jackdaw, goldcrest.

Away from the garden I have occasionally seen a barn owl in Church Lane, fieldfares on Long Drove and redwings on the village green. A grey wagtail has been seen by the moat on Broad Lane and a lesser spotted woodpecker in Coolidge Gardens. It is often difficult to identify gulls. At this time of year the black-headed gull has a white head(!) and can often be told by its small size and its rather pointed wings. Most of the gulls which fly over the village every evening are lesser black-backed gulls but it is impossible to see their backs from underneath!

On an optimistic note I see that the rooks are already starting to think about building nests in the trees on the green. I wish them luck, but I fear they may be in for a nasty shock!

Jasper Kay

new dance studio

Thanks to a grant from the New Opportunities Fund, Cottenham Sports Centre has a brand new dance studio, which from February will host a range of fitness/aerobic classes throughout the week. All the activities in the studio will benefit from a wood sprung floor, air conditioning, mirrors and a state of the art sound system, which together will create the ideal venue for aerobic based classes as well as a range of dance disciplines.

Fitness classes will be available on a pay-as-you-go basis or as part of our new membership options, which offer excellent value to regular customers.

As a special introductory offer, all classes will be FREE during the first week of February, so there has never been a better time to come and see what the sports centre has to offer.

Fitness Classes

Monday Tuesday Thursday

Boxercise Gym Fit Gym Fit

8:00 – 9:00pm 4:00 – 5:00pm 4:00 – 5:00pm

Exercise for Life Workout

Circuits

6:30 – 7:30pm 7:00 – 8:00pm

Ladies Circuits

7:30 – 8:30pm

More classes will be starting soon, so keep your eye out over the next few months. The studio is also available for hire and is an ideal space for meetings, training courses and conferences.

Sport and exercise are becoming ever more important if we are to live a healthy lifestyle. The government has suggested that adults and children alike should take some form of exercise at least 30 minutes a day, five times a week as a minimum.

The benefits of doing regular physical activity include a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, some cancers, osteoporosis and obesity. In addition many people feel better in themselves reporting reduced stress, anxiety and depression.

Sport takes an effort but it brings its own reward, it slims you physically, boosts you mentally and cheers you emotionally.

Are you getting enough exercise? If not come along and give one of the new classes a go, or use the gym with its range of modern fitness equipment, or if racket sports are more your thing, why not have a game of badminton or tennis with friends?

Cottenham Sports Centre opening hours are 5:00pm – 10:00pm Monday – Friday and 9:00am – 5:00pm Saturday and Sunday. For further information, call reception on 01954 288760 during our opening hours or e-mail sportscentre@cottenhamvc.org.

cricket cluB awards

The Cricket Club held its end-of-season Presentation Evening at the Curry Palace restaurant in the village in November. It was, as always, an excellent evening with a really good turnout of players, sponsors and guests. As usual, there was a fair bit of banter flying around, not least during the speeches, and everyone had a great time.

The 1st team Players’ Player award produced a very close vote, reflecting the fact that the season had been a real team effort. The shield went to Paul Laston who took 18 wickets and also (and this may have swayed it for him) held his nerve with the bat at the bottom of the order to help win two important early season games. The 1st XI Fielders’ Cup went to Colin Evans which was a fitting reward for someone who, in his five seasons at the club, has made a really positive contribution both with the bat and in the field. We shall miss him badly when he leaves the area next Spring.

The 2nd team Players’ award went to Glen Griffiths for the second year running. It was a difficult season for the team and Glen was top run scorer and wicket taker by some distance so he thoroughly deserved the shield. Lance Key, who also put in a series of mean bowling stints to back up his fielding, received the 2nd XI Fielders’ Cup.

For the 3rds, the Players’ award went, like the 2nds, to last year’s winner, Terry Brown. Terry topped the batting averages and also took 13 wickets so he well deserved the shield. One of our young players, Henry Carson, took the Fielders’ award for his enthusiastic and committed performances throughout the summer.

The Most-Improved Player Shield was won by 1st XI Vice-Captain Jay Howes who topped the bowling averages with his 19 wickets and who helped to turn a number of games with key dismissals. The Young Player award went to one of our Juniors, Jack Upton, who played really well for the 3rds, scoring one fifty, and also did well for the 2nd team when he played. The Junior Player Shield went to James Webb who had a superb season for his Junior team, topping the batting averages, scoring two fifties and taking 9 wickets to boot. James also played regularly for the 3rds and certainly didn’t let them down with some

gritty performances. It’s lads like these that we are looking towards to progress into the senior ranks and put some pressure on our 1st and 2nd XI players – in fact, such progress is vital for the future of the club. Last, but certainly not least, the Clubman of the Year shield was awarded to Nigel Wynn, not only for his really good season with the 1st XI but just as much for all he has done for the club over the last 25 years. There were times during that period when, without Nigel’s commitment and perseverance, the club could well have gone under and it is in no small part down to him that the club has risen to its current position in the CCA pyramid. Nigel is taking a break from regular weekly cricket right now – he and his wife, Sarah, will become proud parents in the Spring. Thanks a lot, Nige, and we do hope to see you back with us sometime in the future.

There has been a bit of really good news recently regarding some of our Juniors. Freddie Upton has been selected for the County squad at under-12 level as has his brother, Jack, for the under-14 squad. In addition, three others, Richard Hayward and James Webb at under-14 plus Ben Drane at under-12 have all made their respective District squads. Really well done, lads – that’s brilliant and grateful thanks are due to Mick Dean, Russ Garner and Dan Parrott for all the time they have given to coaching these youngsters.

We’d like to finish with something of a plea for help. As a club, we should like to increase the number of Junior teams we are able to field and also try to get a few more girls interested in playing cricket at the same time. In order to do this, however, we do need more volunteers, ideally a parent or two, to help out with the running of these teams. It is not a huge commitment, basically requiring a love of the game and a willingness to help coach and enthuse the youngsters for their mid-week matches in the evening during the summer term. If anyone is prepared to help us out with this, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Do have the courage of your convictions and get involved – you won’t regret it! Also, by the time you read this piece, pre-season nets won’t be too far away so, if you are interested, at either Junior or Adult levels, please contact any of the names below – we’d be delighted to see you!

Nigel Lawrence (Chairman) 01954 251054; Dave Partridge (Vice-Chairman) 01954 203210; Jay Howes (Secretary) 01354 693708; Mick Dean (Youth Team Coordinator) 01954 250037

This year the Cottenham Theatre Workshop’s production was Little Red Riding Hood, which we are told, was performed here twenty years ago. I certainly have no recollection of it, and it has clearly had a face lift, with a host of new songs and a brand new cast. Whether the Brothers Grimm would recognise it is another matter, and totally irrelevant.

Pantomime has been a Christmas tradition in Britain for a very long time, and audience participation is part of this tradition. Sometimes the audience is a bit slow to react, but not this time. On the night that I saw the production I can safely say that it was the noisiest pantomime evening I have ever experienced! It was marvellous and the cast reacted immediately, which made for a joyous evening. Clearly some of the performers had an enthusiastic fan club! And the spontaneous clapping and cheering which greeted our friend Clive’s appearance on stage was heart-warming and fully justified.

This was the first of many delightful surprises. Who thought up the idea of the children performing the Maori Haka? A brilliant innovation! And their singing was as delightful as ever. There must have been some very proud parents in the audience. And what about local farmer John Unwin as this year’s Dame? A great performance and did Linda recognise him?!

Other surprises were the brilliant performances of certain minor parts , which often fall a little flat. The gangsters Josh Sinclair and Alex Godfrey were a wonderful comic duo and I hope we are going to see more of them in the future. Just as entertaining were Wendy Borrow and Mary Garside as a splendid pair of cops. We have some very versatile actors in CTW. Ben Shimmens as Grandma was a very funny cameo role.

little red riding hoodKatie Godfrey and Rachel Abraham made a lovely pair and sang beautifully. Ruby Robertson and Melissa Ross had the tricky job of providing continuity and did it extremely well and Duncan McCallum gave yet one more professional performance as Woodrow Wolfe. There were good supporting performances too from Sarah Stevens and Sheila Gosling which shows just how deep the talent of the company goes.

As usual the set, master-minded by John Unwin, and the costumes, created by the amazing Liz Milway and her team, were an ideal confidence boost to the cast. Indeed, the chorus seemed to display a sense of enjoyment and assurance which immediately communicated itself to the audience.

The band, under the direction of David Bainbridge played so well, that it is almost possible to ignore them! As always they played superbly and we are lucky to have such a professional outfit.

This was a wonderful production, another success for Sue MacDonald, the director. It was an evening full of joy, light, humour and music. I reckoned that over eighty people, at least were involved and judging by the size of the audience, it appears that we are finally getting the message that this is a “must” event for Cottenham. My companion at the performance said that he always felt that the Cottenham pantomime was the very beginning of Christmas. And so it was. Thanks to all for a great start to the festive season.

Jasper Kay

for neXt issue25th feBruary

Deadline

articles, dates andadvertisements

E–mail, PC floppy disk and paper submissions are all welcome. Please contact the Editor if you have any questions. Dates of events to be advertised in the next issue (No. 104) should span the months of April and May.

Letters for publication may be sent to the Editor, and should include the name and address of the sender, although this may be omitted from publication if requested. Please keep correspondence short and topical. Please note that the Editor may use his discretion regarding publication, and his decision is final. The views expressed by correspondents and other contributors are their own and are not necessarily shared by the Editor.

LettersLettersto the Editor:to the Editor:Dear Dear editor,ditor,

Last evening, 2nd January 2008 my wife tripped and fell in the High Street, near the Post Office.

I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to the two ladies who came to Bridget’s aid. One of the ladies took the trouble to make sure Bridget got home safely, which was very kind indeed.

I would have thanked her personally but she had driven away by the time I opened the door.

Bridget was shaken but not badly hurt. However she does have some interesting colours developing around her right eye!!

John CurzonBullfinch WayCottenham

ccontacts:ontacts:PolicePolice General Switchboard 0845 456 4564Community Beat Office Community Beat Office 01223 35896601223 358966Community Beat Manager

steve.gilbey@cambs.pnn.police.uk 07710 932168Community Support Officer

diana.neill@cambs.pnn.police.uk 07738 348586DoctorsDr. Julie Gould, 188 High StreetDr. Julie Gould, 188 High Street 250079Dr. M. Grande, 42 Telegraph StreetDr. M. Grande, 42 Telegraph Street 251180District Nurse TeamDistrict Nurse Team 251071Cottenham CareCarCottenham CareCarCo–ordinator, 10.00 am – 4.00 pmCo–ordinator, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm 251837Cottenham CharitiesCottenham Charities 250387250387Cottenham ClubCottenham Club 251457Cottenham Day CentreCottenham Day Centre 250636Cottenham Toy LibraryCottenham Toy LibraryCaroline Dethridge/Yvonne WalshCaroline Dethridge/Yvonne Walsh 251155/201748DentistDentistWiese and Associates, 40 Margett StreetWiese and Associates, 40 Margett Street 251696251696ChemistChemist222 High Street 250556250556Chiropractorwww.inspiredchiropractic.comwww.inspiredchiropractic.com 01223 86444401223 864444Foot Specialist (Chiropody)Foot Specialist (Chiropody)J.R. Kain, 13 Pelham Close 251143251143OsteopathPhysic, reception@physic.co.ukPhysic, reception@physic.co.uk 01223 23745901223 23745901223 237459Veterinary SurgeonVeterinary SurgeonVillage Vet Cottenham, Hughes–Parry ClinicVillage Vet Cottenham, Hughes–Parry Clinic 252122252122SchoolsCottenham Village College and Community OfficeCottenham Village College and Community Office 288944288944County Primary, Lambs LaneCounty Primary, Lambs Lane 250227Under Ones GroupUnder Ones GroupLesley Popple 203412 Pre–SchoolLadybirds Pre–School, Recreation GroundLadybirds Pre–School, Recreation Ground 250891250891Out of School Club 250025Brownies & RainbowsChris Hurworth 203764Scouts 202990Council OfficesCounty & District Council Enquiries 08450 450500

Parish Council ClerkParish Council Clerk julie.groves@ntlworld.com, 202928

District CouncillorsDistrict CouncillorsNigel Bolitho Nigel Bolitho cllr.bolitho@scambs.gov.uk, 251521Simon Edwards cllr.edwards@scambs.gov.uk,

01223 233682 / 07711 079089 Tim Wotherspoon timwothers@aol.com,252108County CouncillorsDavid JenkinsDavid Jenkins david.jenkins@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

01223 236232 / 07739 758859 01223 236232 / 07739 758859 Matthew Bradney matthew.bradney@cambridgeshire.gov.ukMatthew Bradney matthew.bradney@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

204347 / 07739 393137204347 / 07739 393137British Red CrossCambridge Office 01223 35443401223 354434Citizens AdviceCitizens AdviceCAB, 72/74 Newmarket Road, CambridgeCAB, 72/74 Newmarket Road, Cambridge 08701 26401008701 264010Social Services Histon TeamSocial Services Histon Team 01223 718011Mobile Warden SchemeMobile Warden Scheme 250039 / 251182NSPCC Cottenham Area Team, 01733 558245Cottenham Area Team, 01733 558245RSPCARSPCA 24 hour cruelty & advice line, 0300 1234 99924 hour cruelty & advice line, 0300 1234 999SamaritansSamaritansSamaritans Cambridge Centre, 01223 364455Cambridge Centre, 01223 364455Railway Station Cambridge Railway Station Cambridge Railway Station Cambridge

Passenger Enquiries 0845 7484950Passenger Enquiries 0845 7484950Driving InstructionDriving InstructionDriving InstructionTOPS Driving SchoolTOPS Driving SchoolTOPS Driving School 252239TaxiTaxi1st Stop Private Hire1st Stop Private Hire1st Stop Private Hire 261026 or 07919 385702Pegasus TaxiPegasus Taxi 261324Stretham Cars Private HireStretham Cars Private Hire 07841 049 789 / 01353 649 65607841 049 789 / 01353 649 656LibraryLibrary Margett Street, 0845 0455225Margett Street, 0845 0455225Library Doorstep ServiceLibrary Doorstep ServiceLibrary Doorstep ServiceHilary Firth, 01223 718358Hilary Firth, 01223 718358Parish ChurchParish Church The Rectory, 6 High Street, 250454The Rectory, 6 High Street, 250454Baptist ChurchBaptist Church Church Office, 252378Church Office, 252378Catholic Church St Laurences Church, 01223 704640St Laurences Church, 01223 704640Methodist Church hilary@chengs.org.ukhilary@chengs.org.uk

01223 700778Salvation ArmySalvation Army Ian & Barbara Fawcett, 250524Ian & Barbara Fawcett, 250524Royal British Legion

Ann Scott, 251468Cottenham Brass Band Colin Watson, 250813Bridge Farm Riding School 252284Allotments Cottenham United Charities 200080