Sa wston Scene February – March 2 011

Sawston success stories – the businesswoman, the writer, and the MBE Cycling, running, parachute jumps – and war heroes Pre-school groups and free courses · Rainbows, Brownies, Guides · Youth Club · drama groups · ATC Books · recipes · churches · sports · and news!

PLUS Directory of essential info and contacts · Diary of local events · and more… £1 VOLUME 41 ISSUE 6 February – March 2011 contents 43 High Street, Sawston Cambridge CB22 3BG Sa wston Scene Tel: 01223 832939 f you bought your copy of the Production team and deadlines 4 IScene in a shop, you may have News 4 Adams Harrison has merged with Webb & Partners noticed that the cover price has Letters 6 and is now able to offer a full range of legal services doubled. Outrageous! Sawston successes: in three counties. Or is it? The Scene had begun Contact us: [email protected] to seem rather underpriced The businesswoman 9 Also at Saffron Walden: 01799 523441 and compared with other magazines – The MBE 10 and we’ve been steadily Haverhill 01440 702485 The writer 12 increasing the number of pages and adding extra Pre-schools pages 14 features, so we hope you’ll agree that it’s worth it – Schools pages 16 Roland Amey plus it has to be an amount that’s convenient for Heating & Plumbing our sales boxes! We do want to reward the loyalty Air Training Corps 18 Adult Education 19 Domestic Heating & Plumbing Engineers of existing subscribers and encourage more people Renewable Energy Specialists to subscribe, so you can still get a year’s worth of Fun Run and Run4Health 19 Heating & Plumbing Maintenance/Repairs issues delivered to your door for a measly £3: you’ll Heroes return to central Italy 20 find a form tucked inside this issue. Central Heating Installations A cycle ride: Sawston to Hinxton 22 Why have we done away with the pensioners’ Gas, LPG and Oil Boiler Servicing Pull-out DIRECTORY outside centre rate? Well, times are hard but we weren’t sure that Landlord Certificates NSR Contractors Ltd pensioners as a group are worse off than others. including DIARY inside centre Gas Safe Registered 12586 I’m not the only Sawstonian to have lost my job in Sawston Village History Society 24 For all your building and groundwork needs. Oftec Registered 1902 the recession, and there are plenty of people in the The Challis Garden 25 Patios, Foundations, Drainage, walls, Fencing, Driveways, Tel: 01223 835725 village on low incomes. We decided we’d rather Garages, Cartlodges, Extensions, Sauceton 25 keep the subs rate low for everyone than favour Fax: 01223 832058 Asbestos Removal, and much more. Book Club 26 one group and risk being unfair – hmm, would E-mail: [email protected] 01799 531449 / 07810370228 means-tested subscriptions be a step too far?… Nature Notes 27 www.rolandamey.co.uk 7 Coploe Rise, Saffron Walden, [email protected] The cost of printing the magazine is almost JHC news 27 exactly £1 per copy so, like commercial magazines, Sports 28 this one is subsidised by advertising. We’ve Women’s Institute 28 changed how we sell ads, and added more, as we Churches 30 didn’t want new businesses to have to wait as Elvis evening and Sawston Scene Public Meeting 31 much as a year before they could have a space. But we hope you agree we’ve kept the balance right. My favourite places 32 If you’d like to let us know what you think, or Parish Council reports 34 you’re interested in joining our production or District Council report 36 distribution teams, or you have ideas for articles or County Council report 38 pictures, do come to our annual public meeting! Cultural rewards 40 This year’s will be on Wednesday 2nd March at 7.30 for 8pm in Spicers Pavilion. Come and see Andy’s Allotment 40 the new building and meet us all over a glass of Chrissie’s Kitchen 41 wine – we look forward to seeing you there… A day in the life 42 Beck Laxton COVER : Sheep on the field behind the Black Bull pub in the High Street, EDITOR facing south-west to Huntingdon’s Farm, photographed by Ann Redshaw CB22 3HW

February –March 20 11 3 HELPING scientists from Cambridge CHILDREN AND University. The Science Sawston Scene News THE ELDERLY Club students are looking A big thank you to forward to collecting and Stop press! EDITOR Adams Harrison, who growing different types of Beck Laxton Just found out a bit of donated a cheque to JHC just algae, and carrying out 95 High Street, Sawston SPICERS PAVILION news? Let us know! [email protected] Sunday 9th January was a lovely sunny before Christmas. It is great to experiments to discover how they morning for villagers to visit the nearly have this kind of support from respond to different conditions Contact the Features Editor, FEATURES Yasmin Emerson, at Yasmin Emerson completed Spicers Pavilion (the official local businesses. and food – before finding out how [email protected] opening will be on Sunday 6th March). We will be able to use the to turn the algae into biofuels. [email protected] The winter weather meant that the money to help local children who In other Science department DIARY Denise Adams paving slabs in front of the building hadn’t live in poorer families in news, SVC has been selected to If you’re able to spare a few 01223 565096 yet been laid – that was being done a week Sawston, and to help very frail enter the finals of the UK Space hours to help with the running of [email protected] later – but inside it was looking wonderful. elderly people who will be finding Design Challenge – and is one the shop – whether it’s every PICTURES There’s lots of space for changing, separate this winter a struggle. of only thirteen schools from week, every fortnight or even Ann Redshaw facilities for match officials, and easy The picture across the UK to be every month, please contact 01223 834511 access for anyone in a wheelchair. shows, from the invited to the final Regan Neaves to find out more [email protected] The community room is left, Virginia competition in London on 01223 290956. REPORTS particularly lovely, with windows Richmond and at the end of March. Have you any unwanted gifts? Reg Cullum 01223 833724 looking out over the field. Christine Gee Closer to home, you Do you need to de-clutter your [email protected] The architect was Simon Ward from Adams can look forward to home? The charity welcomes any Architectural Design, and DTF Harrison, JHC Chair Reg seeing SVC students from the donations, and collection can be SPORT Alan Chamley Building Services took over the Cullum, and Jill Hayden who is STEM (Science, Technology, arranged. Your help is much 01223 836890 building work after Inspire now responsible for all the JHC Engineering and Maths) club in appreciated. Beck Laxton [email protected] Contracting went into Business operations. We wish Jill the Schools zone at the Find out more about the charity at ACCOUNTS receivership. Chair Eugene well in her new role. Mary Irish Cambridge Science Festival, www.ccll-cen.org.uk. Rod Webb Murray kept a close eye on Susan Lawton of Adams which runs from 14th to 27th 01223 832601 things, and many consider that Harrison, who took the photo, tells March. Primary school pupils [email protected] TREES it’s thanks to him that the the Scene that the £200 donation may also have the chance to DOWN DISTRIBUTION & demise of the original builders was made rather than sending out get involved in other events As we go to SUBSCRIPTIONS Jean Osborne didn’t have a more dire effect. Christmas cards to business as part of National Science press, we’re 01223 832472 Vice-chair Samantha Clarke associates and clients. “We feel as a and Engineering Week. saying goodbye [email protected] and clerk Jo Keeler were also practice that this is a far better way Congratulations to to the two ADVERTISING closely involved. to spread the season of goodwill. scientists at SVC from all at sycamores that Lorraine Smith Huge thanks are due to Mencap in Saffron Walden and the Scene – we look forward to were in the old [email protected] David Ellis of Sawston Cricket the Food Bank in Haverhill also hearing how you get on! Queen’s Head Designed and typeset by Club, who worked to get a lot received donations.” Yasmin Emerson car park, right Beck Laxton of the funding. £150,000 was opposite Sawston Scene Towers. Printed by given by the English and Welsh ROYAL SOCIETY NEW CHARITY SHOP The new owners say the roots Altone Ltd, Sawston Cricket Board and £110,00 by GRANT FOR SVC Chernobyl Children’s Life Line – were undermining both the pub Sawston Scene is not responsible for the the Football Foundation, SCIENCE DEPARTMENT a charity that helps the children and the Redfort Garden building, opinions expressed by contributors or the £50,000 by SCDC , £30,000 by Huge congratulations to the still suffering from the world’s so they’ve got permission to content of advertisements WREN recycling, and £20,000 by Donarbon; Science Department at Sawston biggest nuclear disaster – tell us remove them and will replace Copyright is retained by the writers, artists the balance of £173,000 was paid by the Parish Village College on winning a they’re hoping to open their first them with specimen trees. and photographers: please do not reproduce any content without asking permission Council. The sports clubs also raised £5,000 for grant of £950 from the Royal charity shop, in the building at 60 white goods, and the Fun Run contributed Society! James Brown, a science High Street, where Russells the FAULTY SCENE? NEXT CLOSING DATE 4th March 2 011 £2,000 to buy tables and chairs. Congratulations teacher at SVC , applied for the estate agent used to be. Their If your copy of the Scene has for April –May 2 011 issue all round on a splendid result! Beck Laxton grant, which will enable SVC contract with the Challis Trust is missing pages or hasn’t been students to work on an extended being finalised, but they plan to printed right, do let us know: we’ll For more information and guidelines for From top: old pavilion by Jean Osborne; work in progress by contributors, please see project investigating algal open their doors on Saturday be happy to deliver a replacement. David Flynn; new pavilion outside, showers, community room, www.sawstonscene.org Eugene Murray, by Beck Laxton biofuels alongside research 19th February 2011. Ask any member of the team! SS

4 February –March 2 01 1 February –March 20 11 5 a super job they have very clear cut, (i) smaller posters warning QUEEN’S HEAD Write to the Editor, I read with interest the made of re-roofing it, and Though the Centre have the passengers of the change on every Beck Laxton, at 95 High news about the particularly how they had escape clause “but…”. (ii) P&R bus stop between Street, Sawston, CB22 3HJ Queen’s Head in your managed to use the Your feature includes a lot of Trumpington and the city, and on or [email protected]. October issue, and am original tiles on the statistics board the bus. The change took Letters may be edited. pleased to fill in a few Letters sides of the roof which But what use are these for healing place on Sunday 2nd January. further facts you may not know. ask the are seen, and only used and diagnostics? Passengers are able to use the We have always been under the council for new, but the original The missed appointments, just free City shuttle service which longer memories about the clock impression that the Queen’s Head permission to type of tile on the sides 5%, get double attention leaves from Downing Street: this than I have might have was a coaching inn on the route to let us change which cannot easily be But 95% attendees don’t warrant will drop them at Fair Street. Or interesting information to share? London, but were never entirely the pub into a seen from the road. a mention. they can walk round to Drummer Stuart Abercrombie. sure. The pub is not only a grade dwelling, I look forward to seeing For those who appreciate the staff Street and get the P&R bus to two listed property but listed with although this was not met with the finished job. They to date, Newmarket Road or Milton at no REMEMBRANCE a star – the reason for this being a too much enthusiasm by a lot of should be given some credit for Think the care is great, extra cost. SUNDAY magnificent thick iron bar which our customers – justifiably so as restoring what had become a very Never turn up late – The Remembrance Service at runs through the ceiling upstairs many had been loyal customers shabby building. When next you need to the Sawston War Memorial on and is quite visible. for years and wished to continue Did I once dream it, or do I communicate, Sunday 14th November was The Queen’s Head was to have the pub as a pleasant remember many years ago seeing Don’t berate and alienate, once again so well attended purchased in 1996 by my son as an meeting place. the remains of a very old petrol Engage and educate! that it was difficult to fit investment, and he subsequently SCDC allowed us change of use pump at the right-hand side of the (For those who did not see the everyone around the Cross. became ‘The Landlord’: later he at a council meeting attended by pub? Was this the site of the first article in the December –January Many thanks to all who put in managers. my son and representatives of the petrol filling station in Sawston? issue, the Medical Centre said attended and contributed, After the drink-driving ban parish. We employed our original Roger Lucke (i) “One aspect that will not go particularly the Reverends came into force, the car park architects to draw up plans to away is the responsibility of Alan Partridge and Bruce fronting Common Lane was restore the public house to its PUZZLING individuals to look after Waldron who conducted the hardly used except by adjacent original form and do away with PAVEMENTS themselves,” and (ii) “We do not THE PARISH CLOCK service at the Cross and held properties and attracted broken the ugly flat roof extensions. When the cold want to put off anyone coming to I was pleased to read your editorial services at St Mary’s Church and glass and litter. After opposition Five sets of drawings were spell first began to the surgery but…”) Tony Pletts in the last Sawston Scene and in the Village College respectively. from the parish, the council gave presented to the council before bite, and even a particular your comments about Thanks also to members of Christ us permission to build the they were satisfied with the light dusting of PARK & DON’T RIDE Church Lane and checking your Church South Cambs, who cottages and we believe that they plans. This took almost a year snow froze to turn the pavements Yesterday we went on the watch by the church clock. I hope provided and staffed the public have been an enhancement to and considerable expense, not into a lethal skating rink, a safe Trumpington Park & Ride hoping that as you are a parish councillor, address system. Common Lane: we were given an only for the plans but also to route could be negotiated by to go to the Grafton Centre to the you are aware that the clock in the Thanks to the Parish Concil award for their design. SCDC secure the premises. following the ice free strips on cinema. No-one told us that it church tower is the property of the for ensuring that the Memorial asked us to re-develop the garden The Queen’s Head has not been the tarmac above the optic fibre doesn’t go there anymore – we village and is maintained by the and the surrounding area were to accommodate cars. The large sold twice: an interest was cables. Can anyone explain the found out when the bus headed Parish Council. [Editor: Yes, of free of rubbish and leaves. play area had to be changed for a expressed by the previous owner of physics behind this phenomenon? back to Trumpington! The first course – it was poetic licence!] The Lastly, many thanks to the smaller one: the equipment was Sawston Hall but never pursued. Apart from being slightly raised, stop was the Botanical Gardens so church has no responsibility for ladies at Mary’s, the vegetable donated to the local council and We are now delighted that Mr the tarmac surface seems to be we had to get another bus back to the clock but permits use of the shop, who provided the poppy was installed in one of the play Boswell, with whom we have had made of a similar material. Surely John Lewis and decide whether to church bells to provide the quarter sellers outside Budgens with hot areas in the village. acquaintance over the years, has the cables themselves are not walk or get the shuttle bus. The and hour chimes. drinks and the use of their toilets After my son moved from the become the new owner, and look generating enough heat? Does Babraham Road Park & Ride still I carry out the day-to-day on two consecutive Saturdays. area we tenanted it out to an Inn forward to seeing it all when anyone know? Ann Redshaw goes to the Grafton. Jean Osborne running of the clock, making I am certain I have missed out Company for several years. When completed. Patricia Bloomfield adjustments to keep it striking as other important people – my the smoking ban was introduced AN ODE TO SAWSTON Park & Ride Operations Manager closely to standard time as is apologies to them. and a serious incident occurred at ON THE TILES MEDICAL CENTRE Campbell Ross-Bain replies: possible with a 120-year-old Paul Mann, Chair, Sawston and the premises some two years ago, I was surprised to see in the Parish (how to win friends The change to the route was mechanism, and hope that it is Pampisford Royal British Legion they decided not to renew the Council reports that some and influence people) released to the Evening News sufficiently accurate to keep your lease as it was becoming a less councillors were unhappy with the If it’s patients you wish to reach, before Christmas. We also had A1 watch telling you the right time. CYCLE RACKS attractive business proposition. tiles used on the roof of the don’t preach, teach. posters in the Grafton Centre bus I have only been a Sawstonian Cycling to be fit and green seems This was a perfect opportunity to Queen’s Head. I had thought what The patient’s responsibilities are shelter and at Trumpington, plus for 37 years. Perhaps readers with to be very topical at the moment

6 February –March 2 01 1 February –March 20 11 7 so I wondered how many people you can shop your way along Council, which had been given feel that the High Street could do would be really handy. I realise some money from central SAWSTON SUCCESSES with better bike parking facilities? there may be problems with government – so they haven’t We start the year by celebrating three Sawstonians who’ve achieved success in very different ways I know that money has been ownership of free spaces but cost the parish anything at all. given to the Parish Council to might I suggest that outside the The council advised us that erect bike racks on the playing card shop or newsagents, outside there were no suitable areas in fields, but the centre of the the new JHC building (Unwins) the high street as most areas were The businesswoman village is very badly served: I like and on the DIY shop site would either private property or the BECK LAXTON spoke with award-winning entrepreneur Liz Weston… to shop with my bike but struggle be really convenient for shoppers. pathways were too narrow. Sorry! to park it conveniently and safely Ann Redshaw hen I first met Liz Weston is two and a half. I work full as the only racks belong to Editor Beck Laxton adds: There are several years ago, we were both time and Richard does the Budgens. While this is central, Parish Clerk Jo Keeler responds: slots in the ground for cycles Wvolunteers working on the local daycare, and when the boys they have only a few spaces, We’ve been having cycle racks outside the Select & Save, but National Childbirth Trust magazine. I was are at preschool together which get in the way of their put in at Orchard Park, Spicers, they’re clogged up with leaves. the designer and Liz was the ad manager, two mornings a week, he trollies and display racks. A few Lynton Way and Mill Lane: this Would anyone like to help me and she was dynamic, well organised, and works locally as he’s a more places on the High Street so was arranged through the County clear them out? SS great fun to be around. Later she organised qualified electrican.” a huge Baby Show at Sawston Sports Liz moved to Sawston in Centre to raise funds for the NCT , and it December 2004, having met was a roaring success. After that she had Richard in the September. LCH an idea for a new business, and I worked “It was very strange at first. Electrical Services for her briefly when I was between jobs. Having lived in London for The documents she gave me explaining several years and then in (Part P registered) what I had to do were so fantastically well Biggleswade, which was thought through, and her business model so obviously built on fairness “It’s nigh on impossible to ‘have it all ’, All aspects of electrical work and honesty, that the only question in my mind was just how far this dynamo all day long, every day.” Fixed installation and of a woman might go. portable appliance testing Well, she’s still on an upward trajectory, and at the fairly busy, I found it weird that we would go in the No job too small end of last year she won the award for the Future 100 Jade and people would know all about me when Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2010 (organised by I didn’t even know who they were! In twenty years, Phone: 01842 815 692 Striding Out and sponsored by NatWest) for her I’ll not be quite such a newcomer...” Mobile: 07403 807 729 business, Weston Communications. So what’s the Liz is someone who speaks her mind and eschews secret of her success? polite half-truths: “An established business does not Not surprisingly, a lot of it comes down to sheer come easily,” she emphasises, “and that’s not hard work. “Having taken redundancy and given up something that people like to hear. If you are going • Handyman • a 75-minute commute each way, I have worked into business to make money that will make a more hours for less money in 2010 than I used to difference to your family, you need to accept that • Maintenance • ALAN generate in my old role,” says Liz. you won’t be going to as many coffee groups For all your for property and garden WISBEACH “There have been lots of non-financial or social things for at least eighteen months. decorating needs benefits, but I still need to make a It’s nigh on impossible to ‘have it all’, all day ·interior and exterior painting · PAINTER & profit to pay my bills. And I’m now long, every day. I’m able to find a bit more of · wallpapering · tiling · the main source of income in our a middle ground now, which is great, but I DECORATOR house, which is a double-edged sword did have to shut myself away and work every Competitive rates of pride and fear!” single day and night for months on end to Free written quotations Being flexible about who does what get things going.” Reliable and efficient service in the household is part of the key. The first business project for Liz’s new Recommendations available Phone for a free quote: “I’m married to Richard and company, Weston Communications, was to we have two lovely boys – launch the New Baby Guides – publications 01223 835732 or 832377 or Brian on 01638 667033 07722 617430 07833 998650 01223 836681 Elliott, who’s four in for maternity units to hand out to new mobile 07946 087570 February, and William, who parents. The idea arose when Liz got [email protected] [email protected]

February –March 20 11 9 P h o t chatting with a local Head of them.” Liz’s experience as a parent has o background to CCC ’s Safer Cycling scheme, which I was camouflaged by my high-visibility jacket?), but s

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Midwifery. New legislation meant also been useful, both in establishing p started in the 1970s and became a benchmark I was shocked to learn from Janice that motorists do p l i e

that the midwifery unit was obliged rapport with her clients and in knowing d nationally (it is quite separate from the old Cycling this to children too – what kind of person would

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to rethink the format of the what she as a parent would want from the Proficiency test and a more recent national scheme, take risks when overtaking a child? She’s also been L i z

information: traditionally this had New Baby Guides – she’s been strict about W Bikeability, which many schools also take part in). surprised by the number of bicycles she’s seen e s

been a bundle of photocopied only accepting advertising from local t Safer Cycling is run in partnership with schools brought in by children that were not road-worthy, o sheets; it now needed to be higher businesses, nothing from national brands, n during the school day, led by enthusiastic volunteers were the wrong size or were poorly adjusted for the quality but the problem was how to and only from businesses that are UNICEF like Janice. Children aged ten and over are taught child – she realises that cycles can be costly to fund the cost of printing it. Liz’s idea was to produce Baby Friendly and World Health Organisation how to cycle on the road; where to ride, how to obtain and maintain, but it’s clear that for her, a booklet that included information written by the compliant. Maternity units across the country have indicate their intentions to other road-users, how to safety is paramount. In nearly thirty years of unit but also had advertising from local businesses been thrilled with their New Baby Guides, and their look out for potential dangers, and so on. This is not volunteering, she’s seen cycle helmets become that would be of interest to new parents – the enthusiastic recommendations have generated more about learning how to ride a bike, but learning how almost universally used by children, with some PTA s revenue from which would pay for the work guides, and more work – “They’ve generated to ride safely on roads. recently offering to buy helmets. involved and the printing, and leave enough for a opportunities I never thought possible,” says Liz. These days, Janice also volunteers for the Pedal How does she feel about getting an MBE ? donation back to the maternity unit. “I’ve now got the Young Families Bump, Baby and Power scheme at her granddaughter’s former school, “Excited and overwhelmed,” says Janice – As far as Yes, you read that right. Giving something back is Toddler Shows, and Weston Communications is Ditton Lodge First School, in Newmarket. Pedal we know, this is the first such award to someone core to Liz’s business philosophy. It’s something that providing marketing, PR and support services to a Power is also a CCC scheme, in which seven- to from Safer Cycling, and she’s had cards and many businesses pay lip service to, but in the case of wide range of small and not so small businesses – it’s messages of goodwill from friends, Weston Communications it’s not just talk: it’s hard great to be able to help them grow.” This success “She has taught over a thousand children family and all sorts of unexpected cash. To date, £16,000 of the income from the means that Liz is able to employ a team of salespeople, people – including the Lord guides has been donated straight back to the and she supports flexible working so can employ how to cycle safely on the road.” Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire maternity units they’ve been working with. “The parents who want to work part-time and evenings. and even the Department for Future 100 Award,” says Liz, “was for running a Down to earth to the last, though, Liz isn’t in a nine-year-olds learn safer cycling away from public Transport. But clearly the most welcome message business which is socially aware and makes a hurry to make it big. “We have other projects which roads. When running a course in a school, Janice was one which began, “Nanna MBE !!!” positive contribution to society, the planet and my are growing organically from what we already do. insists on two adult helpers – not just to help her Janice’s greatest joy has been seeing children own bottom line.” It’s a case of scaling up for them and making sure we keep an eye on the ten children cycling on the road, progress from being a bit wobbly to being able to give The success of the guides is also based on making maintain quality – our biggest challenge is finding but also so that those adults can go back to the good clear signals and travel safely within the space sure they meet the needs of everyone involved: ways to increase capacity within the business school with renewed confidence and enthusiasm for of just a week. She’s seen children who are born “I contacted businesses and asked them what they without compromising on quality of output. We cycling. I wonder how many such activists Janice leaders, some show-offs, and some more shy – but her wanted from their relationships with maternity units,” know that businesses that grow quickly are more has inspired over the years? aim has always been to be fair with all of them, and explains Liz, “and I talked to maternity units about likely to fail, so we want to grow as slowly and The pleasure Janice gets from from enabling make sure they end up able to cycle confidently. what they wanted and what would be most helpful to incrementally as possible.” SS children to cycle safely is evident, but she also aims Let’s all give Sawston cyclists due respect on the to “provide life-long road safety skills” – so pupils roads – and three cheers for Janice! SS YASMIN EMERSON went to congratulate Janice Nightingale… are equipped to cycle in real-life The MBE road situations safely, and will he name Janice Nightingale may well be remember these lessons if they The Black Bull familiar to many readers; aside from her day learn to drive a car. Janice was in Tjob at Nightingale’s garage in Pampisford, an the garage recently when she heard bar & restaurant active social life though the WI and her machine someone exclaim “Mrs knitting club in Cambridge, Janice has taught many Nightingale!” – and looked up to Traditional British food served every weekend residents to cycle safely. She has been a Safer see a young man who, having not Book now! Cycling Instructor for nearly thirty years, and in long passed his driving test, Live music last Saturday of every month P that time has taught over a thousand children how h remembered her teaching him to o t o

Valentine’s Dinner Dance to cycle safely on the road – an astonishing b look behind over his shoulder y achievement, which was recognised in this New A before turning. Saturday 12th February n n

Year’s Honours List. R Like every other cycling Limited availability so book now! e d s

It all started in the 1980s at Janice’s daughter’s h enthusiast, Janice has a few terrible a Sawston Beer Festival w school, Icknield – where Janice was one of the first motorist stories. Recently, I’d Friday 29th April to Monday 2nd May volunteers with the Cambridgeshire County Council and later an examiner. Her enthusiasm for cycling – nearly come a cropper when Safer Cycling scheme. Having volunteered to help, and cycling with safety and confidence – is truly someone overtook me while I was Phone 01223 835726 or www.blackbullsawston.com she soon went on to become an instructor herself, inspiring. She was able to tell me all about the indicating to turn right (perhaps

10 February –March 2 01 1 February –March 20 11 11 P h o t

o “If I’d been thirty, forty years younger and vague – I didn’t really know what was going to

b

The writer y decided on a writing career, it would have been happen in the next chapter! The easiest way with B e c

BECK LAXTON interviewed local author k different – I’d have gone for it more. But now I’m characters is to put a certain number of people

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Vernon Robinson… x retired – in a couple of years I’ll be eighty – and it within a small area – it’s like the old Agatha t o n was just fun to write. I’ve done a series of short Christie country-house murder.” ur December-January issue mentioned a stories as well, which I haven’t finished yet. I Sawston author who’d had a rather racy can only write if I’ve got two projects on at the “I can only write if I’ve got two Oromance novel published as an e-book. same time – whether that’s all about projects on at the same time.” Diana Hunt, the protagonist, is described by the concentration, I don’t know! I used to work on publishers as “an ambitious, unscrupulous bisexual two pictures at once: I might be, with delusions of Vernon names detective stories as the books he predator, with brains and beauty, who uses both to grandeur, copying a Turner in watercolour and most likes to read, with Raymond Chandler and achieve her goals.” The novel is published as a first- doing a portrait in pastels. PD James as his favourite authors. “Though James person narrative written by Diana herself, who’s still “When I started painting it was a form of can be a bit plodding at times – she’s determined to in her early twenties as the novel ends. escapism, because my first wife had MS for many, give you all the details. Anthony Trollope and The man behind the pseudonym is Vernon many years and then died of cancer. I had to have Anita Brookner I like very much – Brookner is Robinson, an elderly gentleman whom some may some sort of therapeutic escape, and that’s how I got beautifully written. Was it Oscar Wilde who said know as the voluntary tree warden for the Parish started: I sold half a dozen paintings, and it was a ‘There are no good books or bad books, only well- Council for many years. His heroine is rather form of therapy.” written books and badly written books’? My different from him – are there any similarities? Was Room Service his first novel? “I seem to have favourite non-fiction is Carl Jung’s Memories, “There is bound to be something of me in Diana,” writer’s tool these days! I rebelled been writing for ages – mainly for my own Dreams, Reflections. And I’ve just been reading says Vernon. “What we have in common is that she against the computer at first – I was so used to amusement. Twenty years ago I wrote a monthly Peter Ackroyd’s book about the Thames, and it’s is a judo player. I was a judo coach and mat referee; working with a pen in my hand – but of course column on food and drink. I’ve tried writing a lovely – what a clever man he is.” and I have been studying art history for about thirty writing on a computer is child’s play these days. I was couple of novels before, but I dumped them: they So is he planning further novels? “I’m writing the years, so the character of Max [Max Gilbert, a brought up as a boy setting moveable lead type…” weren’t very good.” How long did this one take him sequel, and Diana and husband are in that, but the distinguished artist] is partly based on me.” Max Yes, it’s quite a leap from hot metal to an e-book. to complete? “On and off, about twelve months. I main character is another linguist, a young woman paints birds because Vernon is fond of Thomas E-publishing is a pretty new field, and Vernon is would go in spurts, whereby I would sit down in who comes from a professional family, who falls for Bewick, the engraver, whose History of British Birds candid about its advantages for him. “I worked on front of the computer and just go at it for hours and an Italian billionaire. There’s a bit of a mystery, and was published in the late eighteenth century. hours, and then I’d dry up and come to a stop. I’m it’s based in Venice and Norfolk.” “I was brought up in a tradition of “Getting your first novel published not really very well disciplined – but I don’t have He obviously has a fondness for Diana Hunt. craftmanship and went into the printing the incentive of having to earn a living at it! “Much to my surprise, she got under my skin, trade. I worked for the Daily Mail in is about as difficult as getting a “When I finished a chapter I’d scroll back and go because she’s feisty and strong and not too Manchester and eventually got promoted to meeting with the Pope.” back to my original profession and start editing for scrupulous – that comes across, I hope. And also proof-reader, then ended up at the University grammar and so on. I’m very pedantic with English exceptionally competent, and doesn’t have much Press – that’s why I came to Cambridge. Then I non-fiction at CUP , but fiction is a different kettle – not that it’s always as good as I’d like.” patience with those who aren’t. But she never loses worked as a freelance for American, German and of fish. Putting it bluntly, getting your first novel My experience is that you can’t edit something her sense of the ridiculous. Dutch publishers.” published is about as difficult as getting a meeting you’ve written yourself – does Vernon not find it “The poor background Diana has was based on Does he have any connection with Kings Lynn, with the Pope. All over the country, everybody’s tricky to edit his own work? “Truthfully, no. That my own – the stifling living that economics force where much of the finding it much easier now they don’t have the sounds a bit arrogant, but what I do is leave it for a upon particular families. They’re not adventurous, novel is set? “I just laborious task of writing by hand. Fifty thousand, few days, a week. They do say one should never they’ve got a niche in life: they don’t have the picked it out of the sixty thousand words, and bung it off to a publisher proof-read one’s own work, but I don’t courage to break away. Diana doesn’t sky! I wanted it – and that’s when reality sets in. It’s terribly difficult think my wife would let anything out of give a toss what the neighbours think Subscribe! because it’s both to get a first novel published: you have to be either the house till she’d given it a once- – and I’m like that myself.” Is there an seaside and exceptionally good, or very lucky.” So e-publishing over. Avril looks at it all. That first element of wish-fulfilment in her Every issue delivered industrial; I could presented an easy alternative. “You find a firm that novel, Room Service, was completely adventures? “No, I’ve done things with to your door for just have picked will take your disk – when you’ve typed the darn disorganised: even the page numbers my life! When I’ve seen an 50p a copy! Yarmouth...” Did thing – and you just send it to them, and they will were haywire. She was the one who opportunity, I’ve stuck my neck out. It he visit the place distribute it to people like Amazon. So you can go put it in order, because she’s got a didn’t always work out, but I did break Contact Jean Osborne to research it? “No, to Amazon and find my book. And that hasn’t cost logical mind, which I haven’t. So it away from things.” on 01223 832472 or if I had any doubts me anything. If there are any profits from sales, they went off in a respectable condition.” Room Service by Diana Hunt is I just Googled – take half. So if I’ve made £500 from royalties, they Did he plan his plot in detail before available as an e-book, priced £6.01, from [email protected] that’s the lazy take £250 – which I think is a fair deal. he started? “No, it was very, very www.waterstones.com SS

12 February –March 2 01 1 February –March 20 11 13 YASMIN EMERSON does her regular round-up of… Pippins Preschool has sample food from the Jade Sawston Children’s Centre enjoyed a very busy autumn Fountain; then we dress up term; our new children Pippins and wear our red noses FREE COURSE oups settled in very quickly, making friends and for Comic Relief day. Spring is the time for gr FIRST AID e-school discovering the fun to be had. We had a families with children due to start Pr Increase your first-aid knowledge Refreshments provided, babies visit from the Raptor Foundation and all preschool in September to consider for the safety of your child. ADDRESSES the children had the opportunity to stroke where they would like their child to go. Monday 7th March 6 –7.30pm MONDAYS Bellbird: The C welcome. Book at Icknield or call hildren’s Centre, an owl, often making him fall asleep! We Pippins accept children from the age of Wednesday 23rd March 9.30 –11am Bellbird Schoo SEEDLINGS GROUP 9.30 –11.30am, l, Link Road, Saws them on 508750. had fun during our country theme week two years nine months, and you may use CB22 ton, Sawston Free Church fornightly from 31st January in the 3GB on Mexico, and during the Divali all or part of your entitlement of fifteen Duxford Pri Book a place now: see below for details mary School: St celebrations, we made sweets and clay hours per week nursery education funding Children’s Centre at Bellbird. Free. John’s Street, Duxford, CB22 4 WEDNESDAYS candle holders. Of course, we finished the from the term after your child turns Free C RA For under fives with additional needs, hurch: Sawston F 10a m–12 noon in term with a Christmas party and three. If you are considering Pippins as 3 ree Church, PEEK-A-BOO High Street, Saws awston Children’s Centre their family and siblings. Safe and ton, CB22 3BG Memorial Hall. 0 –6m free, 7 –12m £1, entertainment from Mr Marvel – and even an early years setting for your child, S Icknield: Ickniel d Primary School, an appearance from Father Christmas please contact us on 01223 833248 and e Howorth Monday to Friday 9am stimulating, with support from Lynton Way, Sa 1–4y £3, two siblings £5. Huge hall, Contact Lynn wston, CB22 3EA who came with gifts for all the children. arrange to pop in for a visit. Your details 3 706373 or 07765 211859 or Johnson Hall: to 5pm 0122 professionals for development or Johnson Memoria loads of play equipment. Term only. The spring term promises to be just as must be on our waiting list at the idgeshire.gov.uk Hall, Sta l sawstonchildrenscentre@cambr pleford, CB22 5S much fun. For Chinese New Year, as we earliest opportunity to have the best M Y health needs. Users say “ It’s a emorial Hall: M Contact Kerry on 07966 599816 or emorial Hall, Mill have done for many years now, we will chance of a place from September. Lane, Whittle fantastic support”; “More toys than sford, CB22 4NE peekaboo-whittlesford@hotmail.com St Mary you can imagine for children to play ’s Hall: St Mary’s Community H all, Church Lane, , Whittlesford with!” and “ People understand you Sawsto A visit to Peek-a-boo n, CB22 3JR THURSDAYS and can offer tips on many things.” TIME FOR TOTS 10.30a m–12 noon ne icy December morning, says down!”), and then I didn’t see her for Contact Sawston Children’s Centre (left) . in the Free Church. Donations OYASMIN EMERSON , Neri (aged another twenty minutes as she raced welcome, refreshments included. Toys for all ages, two) and I turned off the heating and set from toy to toy. WARBLERS 10–11am in St Mary’s Hall. Songs, and a craft activity. Term only. Contact Margaret off for Whittlesford to check out Peek-a- When I’ve taken the children to Peek- actions and rhythms for babies and toddlers. £2 per Williams on 560690. boo, a play session for under fives. We’ve a-boo previously, I’ve found the other family including refreshments. Term and holidays. been before, but not regularly – I’m too mums a bit cliquey, and that’s probably Contact Eleanor Clapp on 837387 or NEW BEGINNINGS (& HAPPY TUMMIES) stingy to use the car, so in the winter it’s my only criticism – not that there’s [email protected] or Beck Laxton on 10.30a m–12 noon at the Bellbird. Free. Drop in and cold enough to justify staying at home, anything the organiser could do about it. 562871 or [email protected] meet other new parents or get advice from a nursery and in the summer it seems silly to go and So this time, I was more bold about nurse on breastfeeding or weaning. Contact play indoors. However, I hadn’t reckoned on just talking to people – and ended up chatting PLAY & STAY 1–3pm in the Sunshine Room at Sawston Children’s Centre. how lovely the new cycle path to Whittlesford is, with another mum who, it turned out, I’d met five Duxford Primary School. Drop-in session, term only. glorious in the winter sun (and only my lighter child years ago when she gave me some tie-dyed baby For parents and children up to age 2½: play FUN AT ONE 1–2.30pm in the Free Church. Free. in the trailer!), and how marvellous the underfloor clothes through Freecycle. What with that and activities to enjoy together. Contact Sawston One-year-olds can discover play while their carers heating is in the Whittlesford Memorial Hall. helping Neri on the slide (good job my daughter’s a Children’s Centre. dicuss routines, playing and exploring. Contact The range of equipment available in this thrill-seeker – polyester fleece trousers give you a lot Sawston Children’s Centre. enormous hall is just astonishing. Most of the area is of speed on the plastic slide), I ran out of time to get TUESDAYS taken up by large bouncy and spongy climbing tea and a cake! TOY LIBRARY 9.3 0–11am in St Mary’s Hall. FRIDAYS equipment for walkers and upwards, with a smaller All in all, a good morning out. The prices might Toys for all ages; tea, coffee, juice and biscuits LITTLE QUAVERS 10–11am, Johnson Hall, (but still pretty vast) area of amusements for babies seem a bit steep compared with other groups (nought available. £2 a year to join; 50p a week to borrow Stapleford. Sing along to a range of old and new and those who fancy something a bit quieter. Both to six months free, seven to twelve months £1, one any toy. Term only. Contact Trudy Hill on 833684 songs. £2 per family, including refreshments. areas are on bouncy mats, which makes it much to four years £3, two siblings £5) especially since or [email protected] more comfortable to sit down with the children (as refreshments are extra, but considering how much MESSY PLAY 1.45 –2.30pm in the FLASH room at well as being friendly to accident-prone children, I play equipment is available, and how much it would YOUNG PARENT GROUP for parents under 21. Bellbird on 4, 11 Feb, 4, 18 Mar. For children four suppose). A track is left around the edge for racing cost to stay at home with the heating on, it’s pretty 1pm –2pm at Bellbird on second and fourth Tuesdays and under, £2 per family. Water, sand, painting, about with toy buggies and that all-time favourite of good value really. On top of that, you’ll get fit on the of the month. Share experiences and ideas with sticking, collage, playdough, squidgy play, crayons, adult shins across the land, the Cozy Coupé car. On way there and back through gorgeous countryside – other parents; no need to book. Contact Sawston chalk! Contact the Bellbird on 833216. top of all that (the hall is really big), what more could you ask for? Children’s Centre. there are tables at the back for carers Peek-a-boo, every Wednesday in term SATURDAYS and their cups of tea, as well as chairs time, 10am to 12 noon in Whittlesford PLAY TOGETHER 1.15 –2.45pm at Icknield SATURDADS 10.30am –12 noon, University Centre, around the edge for those whose toes Memorial Hall. 0 –6m free, 7 –12m £1, (Community Room in the mobile) on 1, 8, 15 Feb. Cambridge, CB2 1RU. Free group for dads and kids are made of stronger stuff. Neri spent 1–4y £3, two siblings £5. Contact Kerry Free course to help you and your child get ready for up to about three, usually on the second and fourth the first twenty minutes boinging on a on 07966 599816 or peekaboo- pre-school, developing learning through messy play Saturdays of the month. Contact Andy Shaw on zebra (“Bouncy horsey, Mummy, up an’ [email protected] SS and craft, fun with food and avoiding fussy eating. [email protected] SS

14 February –March 2 01 1 February –March 20 11 15 Steph Basham reports on the They held a cake stall in Autumn Term at the club… November and with the money Opticians’ dilemma Sawston and Duxford n December we had an ice raised plus donations, they made he staff of Billson Opticians got more than a Rainbows, Brownies and Guides Iskating trip (below) as well as a five hampers and brought presents Thundred entries in their Christmas colouring discussion on how young people for five families in the locality. competition this year, giving them a beautiful The past few months have been busy ones. The end of the summer term saw pack holidays and camps. One Brownie pack can keep themselves safe this festive festive window display. went to the Jarman Centre in Newmarket for a weekend of fun season. We also got their input on “It was and games. One pack went to Essex and had activities and fun on next year’s events at the club. wonderful to see so their pack holiday, and Sawston Guides went to the Scout Headquarters at Gilwell Park for their annual camp. They They many different swung high on the Giant Swing, zipped down the Zip Wire, ACIS will all interpretations of bounced up and down in Aeroball, and swam in a cold swimming pool – where two Guides made their promise In school, a group receive a Christmas, and (shiver, shiver). Not to be outdone, the Rainbows held a called ACIS (Active youth award how it can be sleepover at Houghton Mill in September. They enjoyed Citizens in School) for their portrayed,” said making crafts and visiting the mill. At 2010 on 20th October 2010, thirty-nine Brownies, made hampers for involvement Caroline Guides and Guiders renewed their promises in Ely Cathedral families in the as did the group that did the PowerPoint for Anti Catchpole, who alongside hundreds of other girls and adults, to help celebrate community. Bullying and the design of the cards.  chose the winners the end of Girlguiding UK ’s Centenary year of events. It was SS a moving experience in a magnificent building. with Kirsten At the beginning of half term, fourteen Guides and Vyse. The first three adults spent the day at Chessington World of prizes of £10 Adventures. Everyone enjoyed the day with rides a-plenty Sawston Drama Festival Dramawise and lots of screams. Sawston’s Performing A rts School runs on vouchers for the Following previous successful day trips to London, this Entries have only just closed so we can’t set the programme until we Friday evenings in the Free Church from year 3rd Sawston Brownies decided to go one better and 4.20pm to 7.20pm. for Cambridge Toy have finished reading the scripts, writes Julie Petrucci . However, I ages ten to eighteen have an I-Spy-London sleepover weekend, staying overnight years. After Christmas a new class for five- Shop went to at one of the Girlguiding centres. So, on the first Saturday in can tell you that we have three new plays competing for the best new to eight-year-olds will be running too. Ryan Hammonds December, twenty-four excited Brownies and six leaders left Dramawise students play prize, which is good: Dramawise, Sky Blue Theatre (both from won numerous Cambridge on a train bound for London. There they saw trophies in Haverhill Fe (aged 8) and Hannah Prescott (aged 10) while art Sawston), last year’s winner, Bawds (from Cambridge), Waterbeach stival. In the solo Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of acting and poetry secti ons for 10- to 11- activity sets were received by the runners up, Joseph Parliament, Big Ben, the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. They Community Players, Swavesey Radsoc, year-olds, Dramawise s tudents had first, Gilmore, Ellie Puddifoot, Rachel Bentley and took a red London bus to Trafalgar Square where they saw the second and third place Swavesey Village College, and s in both sections. Christmas tree and crib scene, and had dinner nearby at One of our older stud Hannah Nightingale. Clavering Players. The adjudicator ents, Philip Garfunkel’s. On the Sunday they went to visit the Natural Chapman, won the Sen d ior Championship “We were keen to do something different with our History Museum before catching a train home. Everyone had a lbir will be Arthur Rochester, a member of trophy for achiev Bel ing the highest marks in e is to Christmas window,” said Tom Ogden of Billson’s, really good time and is looking forward to the next overnight Our Friday assembly tim the Guild of Drama Adjudicators. Acting, Poetry and Shakespeare. ginning Friday event, Pack Holiday in the summer! change this term, be On 6th February, three of our older “and encouraging local creativity seemed a great is our weekly Dates are 24th, 25th and 26th March studen In November, we joined in with the village’s Remembrance 14th January. This ts will be appearing with the cast of option. The response was overwhelming: it was a real ly when all parents Ala Sunday parade and service. celebration assemb at Sawston Youth Centre, New Road, ddin at St Mary’s Hall. This is a panto join us. Our challenge to exhibit them all in the practice!” Christmas saw Brownies and Guides making Christmas crafts, and carers are invited to Sawston at 7.30pm Tickets from that is suitable for all the family. SS 30pm with parents and Rainbows going to see Santa at Audley End. The Guides held new time will be 2. To find out more about classes or the ve refreshments 01223 880023 or at the door. an evening of fun challenges and raised £100 for Wood Green invited to stay and ha panto, contact Frances on 832288 or n happening in Animal Shelter. and share what has bee [email protected]. eek. Many thanks for all the adults who gave their time to let the children’s classes that w their girls have all these adventures. As you can see we pack a lot in and are always looking for more adults to help us provide these SYD Seniors will be presenting Fiddler on SYD 7s will be presenting Disney’s adventures. If you would like to know more about us, please the Roof at Sawston Youth Centre nightly Mulan at 7.30pm on 8th and 9th July at contact Jane Woodstock at [email protected] or 01223 565674. from 7.30pm from 16th to 19th Februray Sawston Youth Centre. To find out d 2011. Tickets are £8 and £9 from about tickets, contact ave any ol [email protected]. [email protected] o you h D ones or Advance ticket sales are going very well. SYD Leaders are also heavily le ph mobi tridges? SYD Juniors will be presenting a well-known rock involved in a Vital Communites project involving k car d in Guides raise use Brownies and ton Rainbows, out musical on 5th to 7th May at 7.30pm at Sawston year 6 students from Bellbird and Icknield Schools. now that Saws ith Sawston Sc Did you k phones and, w ing old mobile Youth Centre. Due to licence restrictions we are They are working with 35 young people after school unds by recycl f ? ciety and , ink cartridges ge Building So unable to advertise this production externally, but once a week and will be presenting a production of Group xes in Cambrid g. collection bo to any meetin There are be taken along posters will be displayed outside Sawston Youth Disney’s Alice in Wonderland at the Bellbird and idges can also red pounds – ones and cartr d several hund ph s this has raise groups of e last few year t of our local Centre from 16th February. Sawston Youth Centre on 7th and 8th April. Over th for the benefi still ve been spent work; we are all of which ha phones don’t To find out about tickets, contact Admission is free to members of the community ’t matter if the ful to us, gsters. It doesn es are also use youn all ink cartridg [email protected] – tickets will go but by ticket only; tickets will be available from 1st cycle them! Sm Back left to front right: Hannah Prescott, Hannah Nightingale, able to re e computers. nes from hom very quickly for this production. March from the Bellbird. SS Rachel Bentley, Ellie Puddifoot, Joseph Gilmore, Ryan Hammonds especially the o

16 February –March 2 01 1 February –March 20 11 17 2461 Sawston Squadron Air Training Corps un On 5th February 2011the Air Training Corps celebrates Jump to it! Fun R its 70th Anniversary; Sawston Squadron, along with the Last summer I was fortunate enough to have the six other Squadrons in our Sector, will be going along to opportunity to go on a parachute course at RAF Weston- the Imperial War Museum Duxford on Sunday 6th on-the Green, writes CPL S LONG of 2461 Sawston The event has raised over £336,000 since it February for a parade and short service. 2011 The Air Training Corps in Sawston has its Squadron Squadron ATC . started in 1986 and has become the largest Headquarters in Hayfield Avenue and meets on Monday This involved finding my own way to the course and ourteen lucky local charities heard in January community event in the area. and Thursday evenings between 7pm and 9.30pm. It is meeting up with seventy-two other cadets from all over Fthat they were to be the beneficiaries of this The major beneficiaries will be: open for young people aged from thirteen to eighteen who would like a chance to go flying and gliding and the country. The minibus I caught from Bicester station year’s Sawston Fun Run on Sunday 15th May. As • Rosie Maternity Hospital have an opportunity at sixteen to go for a gliding had cadets from Scotland, Wales, Norfolk and London; well as the Rosie Maternity Hospital and the local • Marie Curie Cancer Care scholarship and be able to solo. We also take part in a wide variety of sports with the opportunity of not only by the time we reached the camp friendships had already Marie Cancer Care and MS branches, seven • South Cambs Riding for Disabled, Sawston representing the Squadron but maybe even the Wing, started to form. Sawston-based organisations will benefit, plus youth • MS Society, Cambridge branch Region or Corps. We have Adventure Training Camps at Training started at 0800 at Weston-on-the-Green: we groups in Shelford/Stapleford and Other groups to benefit are: RAF stations both here and overseas. There is an opportunity for all cadets to participate in the Duke of were split into four separate syndicates for training. We Whittlesford/Duxford. Sawston Youth Centre; Friday Night Club, Edinburgh Award Scheme at Bronze level: the Award started by being shown the type of parachute we would be The Rotary Club of Sawston District aim to raise Sawston; Sawston Toy Library; Sawston Scouts; books are provided free of charge. For those over sixteen, there is an opportunity as part of Cadet using and then moved on to exit procedures and how to at least £17,000 to help local charities and Sawston Guides; Sawston Cinema Club; Shelford & Training to gain BTEC certificates in Aviation Studies deal with nuisance factors and malfunctions. Needless to organisations. Please put the date in your diary, be Stapleford Youth Group; Cambridge Joint and Public Services. say the drills were drummed into us – so much so that ready to enter the run or walk, and get as many Playschemes; Fledglings of Wendens Ambo, and We are a small squadron at the moment but it is our intention to grow during 2011 – the more cadets we when during lunch an instructor shouted ‘ JUMP !’, we all sponsors as possible as soon as you enter! Whittlesford & Duxford Scouts. have, the more we can do. jumped up into our ‘arched’ exit posture and began to President Vic Starkey says “We’re hoping that Entries will be accepted from February at So if you feel that you are up for a challenge, please shout our chute opening count! more people than ever will enter so we can beat last www.sawstonfunrun.co.uk, branches of Cambridge come along and see us on a Monday or Thursday evening or give us a call during parade nights on 01223 834585. At 1100, halfway through our training, the man year’s record turnout of just over 1,200. If we are to Building Society, and the reception at Sawston We are holding taster sessions at Hayfield Avenue on introduced to us by the Commanding Officer ( CO ) as in help all the charities as we wish, then of course it’s Village College. There are advertising and 14th February and 14th March from 7pm to 9.30pm. charge of the jump school walked into out lesson to inform dependent on the number of entrants and how promotional opportunities too: contact Tony Collett Flight Lieutenant M Watson RAFVR(T) Officer Commanding 2461 Sawston Squadron our instructor that everyone was to jump today as the much sponsorship they raise too.” on 893447 or [email protected] weather for the next two days was to be ‘inclement’. Naturally everyone became a bit jittery but this was soon Age UK is the new force replaced by excitement. By 1500 the first people had SAWSTON ADULT EDUCATION combining Age Concern Ru n4 health completed all their training and done their exam (pass So, 2011 has arrived and you’ve made your resolutions and are England and Help the Aged. full of good intentions – this year WILL be different! Sawston mark 100%) and were preparing to jump out of a perfectly Running is a safe and enjoyable way to health and fitness. Joining a Age UK Cambridgeshire is seeking volunteer visitors Adult Education is here to help you achieve what you’ve running group is an excellent way to meet people and get fit to visit isolated and lonely older people for an hour good aeroplane. The jump was a static line jump from 3500 promised yourself. With a wide range of weekly term-time while enjoying the local environment. So come along and join a per week in the Sawston, Great Shelford and ft, which allows four to five seconds of free fall before the courses on offer and one- and two-day weekend workshops, weekly running group at Sawston Sports Centre! what are you waiting for? Get started on those new skills now! Stapleford areas. parachute opens, after which you fall at a rate of 700ft per Book today – we’re waiting to hear from you. We’ll need to ask you for two references and a CRB minute, travelling forward at 22 mph. BEGINNERS GROUP ONE-DAY WORKSHOPS ON check. To find out more about this rewarding voluntary MONDAY 6.30PM TO 7.30PM I can’t remember being scared at all. I can remember SATURDAY 19TH MARCH TIME COST work, contact our team assistant Dee Potter on 08455 For complete beginners and anyone who has done some running. being really excited; I was going with my new friends to do Bellydancing 10am to 1pm £20 213481 or [email protected] Sessions include a mixture of walking and running, working Photoshop 9.30am to 2.30pm £30 something that I have always wanted to do. Two people towards continuous running over a variety of distances. Food Hygiene 9.30am to 5pm £85 jumped every time we passed the drop zone; I was number Illustration 10am to 4pm £40 IMPROVERS GROUP Indian Head Massage 9.30am to 1.30pm £25 six of ten. So I was second of my pair to jump; the first was WEDNESDAYS 6.30PM TO 7.30PM Interior Design 10am to 1pm £25 MIDLIFE CRISIS my training partner from London. A nod and a fist: bump Join if you can already run continuously for thirty minutes and MOT for Muscles 10am to 11.30am £10 Calligraphy 10am to 1pm £25 I need help. I’m 46 and I need to put a band together. I he went and thirty seconds later I jumped. It is the most you want to up your training. The runs include interval training Controlling Stress through NLP 10am to 4pm £40 haven’t played in a band for 12 years but it’s still a big amazing thing that I have done in my cadet career, and I and speed work on various gradients. TWO-DAY WORKSHOPS warty itch that needs scratching and I want to find admit that I have done quite a bit with cadets. some like-minded 40-pluses in the village who would Sessions are led by qualified running coaches and include an Bricklaying: 19 and 20 March, 9.30am to 3.30pm, £85 like to get together and make some noise and generally Our course broke all the jump school records for the most appropriate warm up and cool down. First Aid for Child Carers, 19 & 26 March, 10am to 4pm, £130 embarrass their children – oh, and record a million- people trained in one day and the most people jumped in selling CD on the way. £20 for ten sessions – come and join us for a free trial session! To book your place or find out more, contact Sawston Adult one day, so the CO of the jump school treated everyone to Don’t give a monkey’s about what’s left of your Education on 712424 or [email protected] or drop into hearing? Want to get old disgracefully? Prepared to a pizza and a drink as a reward. After which I returned to Find out more from Vikki Green on [email protected] or Sawston Village College, New Road, Sawston, CB22 3BP make a fool of yourself in public? Give me a call: Richard my barracks for some sleep (not much) before returning phone Sawston Sports Centre on 712555 The Adult Education office is opposite the main school reception More courses and workshops at www.sawstonadulted.org Weller on 07905 409911. home to tell everyone what an amazing time I’d had. SS

18 February –March 2 01 1 February –March 20 11 19 The main cross was also surrounded by these friends, with a loud cheer and to say well done you delicate trees and flowerbeds, and that was where, made it. My ears were still ringing from the bells Heroes return to central Italy with much respect, I laid my plaque, which read chiming all over the town. ‘From Sawston & Pampisford R.B.L.’ On our last day, our flight from Pisa to Last September, Ken and Jackie Chinnick toured the battlefields of Italy – KENNETH CHINNICK , Then back to our hotel. With a free day on the Heathrow didn’t take off till 7pm so we had the 2666340 RASC, Fifth British Division, Vet no. AVR /1/010338597, describes their experience… Sunday, we were looking forward to new adventures. day to spend in Fiorentino. We had a chat with After all our visits with our splendid coach driver, Anthony and it was arranged that we could spend grant was made to coach. (Some information for you: the whole day in Pisa. That was individuals of the armed Fifth Division were withdrawn “My ears were still ringing from the bells great news, as it was still great Aforces by the Lottery Fund, from combat after the Anzio weather: a very good and tours arranged by the Royal battles to go as quickly as possible chiming all over the town.” arrangement all round, thanks British Legion to visit the to the Middle East (again) as a to our superb coach driver, who battlefields of World War II. serious situation was developing, so nothing was too much trouble for him. More to didn’t mind a bit. So it was off on the sixty miles Our tour was to central Italy; our we were branded the D Day come, wait and see. The sun was still shining every to Pisa at 7am; we arrived at 10 am, and took the group flew out of Heathrow to Pisa dodgers, as we could not be day. In Fiorentino it was up to the tower and up to shuttle bus to the town centre. in Italy, then by coach to Castiglion available for D day in Normandy. the very top. We had been warned by other friends What a great end to our tour! We had a stroll Fiorentino. We arrived at the hotel We did arrive back in Europe at a of our group that it was a tough climb, but we had to around the town and enjoyed a nice lunch, under in the early evening having travelled later date, and finished up in be at the top by 11am as that’s when it all happens. the sunshades, with accordions playing. After this it through lovely scenery. The hotel Berlin, then down to Brunswick. Dead on 11am the bells rang out all over was on to the Piazza del Duomo (also known as the has a nice location, pleasant staff, But that’s another story. Now back Fiorentino, in churches and bell towers. We just Miracle Square). As you enter a blaze of dazzling and good company. Plus a swimming to our tours…) made the top in time, opening the trap door to be white hits you: churches, museums, and of course pool on the rooftop, surrounded by The next cemetery to visit was met by a blaze of sunshine and the bells ringing, the leaning tower. This is open to the public again flower beds and palm trees – all very Forli, where a service was held, and quite an experience. now the structural faults have been repaired, and we nice (hope we have time to use it!). the reading of the exhortation was We sat there for a while to enjoy the sound and were going to climb it come hell or high water. Only

We started our battlefield tours, Ken and Jackie in Florence War Cemetry. performed by Anthony, a very scenery. Then we had to focus on descending: no 45 people are allowed to climb it at a time, and we covering quite a bit of ground through The Commonwealth lost almost 50,000 touching moment. After the laying easy task, but we made it in the end, handhold after were lucky to get a slot at 3pm. the Tuscan scenery, hills and dead in Italy in the Second World War of crosses, the whole cemetery was handhold. And out into the sunshine to enjoy It was an amazing climb: the tower leaning makes mountains. Our first visit of the day was to Assisi a blaze of colour, and pure white crosses. lunch in the town square, with views of Tuscany it very demanding, there are no hand rails and it’s War Cemetery, where members of our group had Now came a light-hearted break as we carried on countryside, which we never tired of. Then a look just wide enough to reach the sides, so it’s quite a comrades buried. What a wonderful place (if it ever to Sanmarino, tucked away in the hills. This is a around the colourful street markets, always there on sensation – hard to explain but it’s difficult to rotate happened to you) to be laid to rest. Very beautiful. small principality with its own customs, a unique Sundays; then time for a delicious Italian ice-cream. the few hundred steps up and down. The next was Arrezzo: like Assisi this was perfectly place. Its narrow steep streets, splashes of colour at Stupendo! Grazie. That was the jewel in the crown. Then it was off kept. We met some of the very friendly gardeners every turn, climb still higher until they reach the Arriving back at our hotel in the evening we to the airport and home, both of us completely who tend these cemeteries; they are really dedicated main square and the tower. We stopped here to wandered to the bar and were welcomed by our shattered, but very satisfied. SS to their job. They were busy removing all summer admire the view, and also a packed lunch – very flowers and cleaning up for winter. They were very enjoyable, with lots of goodies. Then we enjoyed a pleased to meet us, and it was handshakes all round walk round the town, which has many stiff ups and Cam Sight as we left ( Arrivederci! ). downs everywhere. And many surprises: flower- working with visually impaired people Now I think it’s time to introduce our tour guide, a covered courtyards, polished cobbles, quaint alleys, in Cambridgeshire Cam Sight aims to provide services and ongoing very distinguished gentlemen, an ex-Marine of thirty really remarkable. Approaching the main square, we support to anyone with a visual impairment, years: Lt Col Anthony Langdon. A very likeable could see marching soldiers in army dress with rifles, and their families, friends and carers. person, with a wealth of knowledge of the Italian looking very smart, being drilled by an RSM . They The Sawston Visually Impaired Group meets at Bircham House, High Street, Sawston on the campaign, a real sense of humour, and bags of good paraded at the approach to the tower, very smart. third Thursday of the month between 10.30am old camaraderie. He and I soon got on very well, Couldn’t have done better myself. Then! They did and 12.30pm. especially after he said to me, “What about a good old the ceremony of changing of the guard, very correct, The group provides advice, information, equipment and support for people with sight army song? Looking at the records of the Fifth and very regimental. Jackie had a photo taken near problems. Their programme offers speakers, 3VTTFMMT Division, it would seem to me that you are one of the the guard commander, all good stuff. events, and new equipment demonstrations along with at least one trip a year. Some 8PPMQBDL

)PVTF D Day dodgers from sunny Italy?” “Yes, sir, that’s Before making our way back to Fiorentino, we wonderful friendships have grown from the 4BXTUPO


$BNCT $# )+ correct.” “So let’s join together and do the honours.” had one more cemetery to visit, and this was at meetings and there is always a warm welcome. So the Lt Col and myself sang the song with great Florence. It was a large cemetery, beautifully kept, To find out more, contact Julie on 01223 
 420033 or [email protected] gusto, and won a round of applause from all on the surrounded by tall slender conifers and flowerbeds.

20 February –March 2 01 1 February –March 20 11 21 after a sharp frost), and you soon come to the end of UT ULL O the path by the church. P P D KEE Turn left and walk bikes through the churchyard – AN if the gate at the far end of the churchyard is closed, you can turn round and follow the path in the DIRECTORY opposite direction, turning left when you get to the main road (North Road). If the church gate is open, carry on pushing bikes straight ahead and over the Sa wstCOoUNCILSn Scene ESSENTIALS small bit of grass between some houses. Back on Sawston Parish Council Link Road, Sawston, CB22 3GB · EAT Sawston Medical Centre www.sawston.org.uk · Parish Clerk: Jo Keeler on 01223 832470 or bikes, and to the right on The Lawn – seems a funny Reception Mon 8am –8pm, Tue –Thu [email protected] AND 8am –6pm, Fri 7am –6pm · 01223 727 555 Pat Awbery-Maskell, David Bard, Samantha Clarke (Vice Chair), Kieran DRINK Cooper, Tony Fell, Sally Hatton, Beck Laxton, Mike Mallows, Eugene Boots the chemist Murray (Chair), Tony Orgee, Ian Read, Neil Reid, John Reynolds, Roger Bala ban A cycle ride Mon –Fri 8.30am –6pm, Sat 9am –5pm Richmond, David Roberts, Jackie Smith, Nik Thomas. Anyone can come to any meeting, but non-councillors may speak Kebab Van id Santa bring you a shiny new bicycle for Police crimes 0345 456 4564 Christmas? Feeling inspired by the thought only during public participation, which is at 7.15pm at Full Council 07798 community 07740 7349 76 meetings, on the second Tuesday of every month. Dof nice weather? (Wishful thinking as I write Sawston to Whittlesford 717444 Citizens Advice Bureau Wed and Fri South Cambridgeshire District Council this in cold, damp January!) Here’s an idea for a CHRIS & YASMIN EMERSON loaded the Black Bull bicycle ride, using one of our new cycle paths and trailer with children and set off… 9.30am –12.30pm at JHC , Tannery Road, 0345 045 0500 · www.scambs.gov.uk For Sawston: David Bard, Sally Hatton, Raymond Matthews 835726 coming home on another which is part of National Sawston, CB22 3UW · 01223 492 492 Cycle Route 11. We planned this to include name for a tarmac road! Follow the road around and Cambridgeshire County Council Deep Blue 0345 045 5200 · www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk playground stops (although there are items of you’ll soon see the playground on your right. If 832230 interest for the older cyclist too), and a point to bail everyone’s ready to give up at this point, you can For Sawston: Gail Kenney, Tony Orgee out if need be! turn around and go home the same way you came, or Chequers, Bin TRAVEL Pampisford We often do this as a quick morning out in the turn left down Mill Lane and past the primary collections Buses Citi 7 to Cottenham through Stapleford, Shelford, summer, but on a sunny winter’s day it’s just long school. The Mill Lane footpath crosses the river, the Trumpington, Addenbrooke’s, Cambridge, Histon every ten 833220 7th February minutes; after 6pm and Sundays, every hour. enough to get some exercise without getting too railway and the A1301 before reaching Sawston Green bin · Blue bin cold. The route is a bit over seven miles in total, territory – once you’re on the Sawston side, take the Citi 7 to Pampisford, Duxford, Hinxton, Saffron Walden. Greyhound 14th February Details: 01223 423578 or www.stagecoachbus.com 832260 and should take around fifty minutes at a leisurely path to the right to come out in Catley’s Walk. Black bin pace (excluding playground or pub breaks). To carry on towards Duxford, you’ll need to stay 21st February Coaches 010 to and from London through Stratford, Aldgate, Jade Blackfriars, Victoria from Sawston War Memorial three times a day. Starting out from Mill Lane by the Post Office, on the main roads for a bit. Turn right out of The Green bin · Blue bin Fountain cycle past the recreation ground, out of Sawston and Lawn and into Mill Lane, with the Memorial Hall 28th February Details: 08 71 7 818178 or www.nationalexpress.com/coach 836100 towards the bypass. Cross over the bypass towards on your left. Turn left onto Duxford Road, and Black bin Trains Whittlesford to Cambridge or London Liverpool Street the level crossing and the Spicers site – it’s an follow the road down the hill towards Duxford – do 7th March every half an hour. Details: 0845 7484950 or www.nationalrail.co.uk King’s unpleasant crossing, but if you bump up onto the be careful, as the cars race along this road. Some of Green bin · Blue bin Taxis local Jim’s Cars 01223 691164 · Pampas Cars 01223 830509 Head 14th March kerb near the 30 sign, you can cross onto the traffic the houses on this stretch are quite interesting: we 833541 Black bin local and long distance A & M Carriages 01223 513703 · Mid-Anglia island. We find this is impossible with the trailer or always like looking out for an old garage barely 01223 836000 · South Cambs 01223 834858 tandem, so we usually cross as a car would. After the visible under all the ivy on the right, and a super 21st March Lotus Green bin · Blue bin inevitable train or two, go over the level crossing view towards Sawston and Pampisford on the left. OPENING TIMES House 28th March Post Office 50 High Street, Sawston, CB22 3BG · 01223 833101 and turn immediately left through Our ageing tandem Black bin 835165 some dotted lines into a wide path – rarely goes out these Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 9am –5.30pm, Wed 9a m–4pm, Sat 9a m–1pm 4th April Last collection from postbox Mon –Fri 5pm, Sat 11.30am, 5.30pm Masa then you’re onto safer territory, as days, but I really enjoy Green bin · Blue bin this new cyclepath snakes through being the stoker when Sawston Library New Road, Sawston, CB22 3BP · 0345 045 5225 711711 Take larger items (household waste only) to Mon 10a m–12.30pm 6pm –8pm the fields away from the traffic to there are gorgeous Thriplow Recycling Centre, Gravel Pit Hill, Tue 3pm –5pm 6pm –8pm Redfort Whittlesford. The crossings over the views across the Thriplow, SG8 7HZ · 01223 839001 Wed and Fri 10a m–12.30pm 3pm –5pm 6pm –8pm Garden river are now level and wide, and countryside; it’s so Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm from October Thu closed; Sat 10a m–12.30pm 837025 you can admire the river on one much easier to look Budgens Mon to Fri 7a m–10pm, Sat 7a m–9pm, Sun 10am –4pm side, and the enormous Spicers site closely, without having SCHOOLS White Lion on the other. Watch out for some to concentrate on Bellbird 01223 833216 Londis Falkner Road: Mon to Sat 5a m–9pm, Sun 6am –9pm Select & Save Mon to Sat 6.30am –7pm, Sun 10am –2pm 565580 slightly sharp bends, through the direction of travel. Icknield 01223 508750 Village College 01223 712777 Common Lane Farm Shop Thur and Fri 9am –5pm, Sat 9am –4pm, arches of trees (particularly beautiful Photos by Yasmin Emerson closed for lunch 1 –2pm

22 February –March 2 01 1 February –March 20 11 Directory FEBRUARY MARCH TUESDAY 1 FRIDAY 11 Margaret Lynch. Sawston adults; under 16s accompanied. Meet at car Black Bull Quiz Night at 8.30pm. £2 per Bingo Night in aid of DIARY Garden Club, Chapelfield park noticeboard; wear long trousers and person including hot food. Maximum four Pippins Preschool. Eyes Community Centre at stout footwear. £5 per group. Contact Jon per team. Contact Dean: 835726 down 8pm in Icknield 7.45pm. Members £1, non- Gibbs: 07833 598155 or Primary School. £1.50 plus members £2. Contact Dani [email protected] An Education (12A 100 mins) in Sawston THURSDAY 17 TUESDAY 1 cost of books. Bring your own Sa wston Scene Grant: 842733 Cinema at 6.30pm. £3.50, concessions £2.50, Parent/Teacher appointments as before Black Bull Quiz Night at 8.30pm. £2 per Thriplow Daffodil Weekend 11am to refreshments. Contact Alison Hynds: 833248 on the door or contact Lesley Morgan: person including hot food. Maximum four Getting to Know You for children due to 5pm. Adults £5, children £2 FRIDAY 18 712825 or [email protected] SATURDAY 12 per team. Contact Dean: 835726 start at the Icknield, 2.45pm to 3.10pm SVC closed for training day. Sawston Drama Festival in Sawston Quiz evening including ploughman’s WEDNESDAY 2 WEDNESDAY 2 FRIDAY 18 Youth Centre at 7.30pm. Tickets on the supper. Pampisford WI, Pampisford Village Getting to Know You for children due to Bellbird closed for training day. Getting to Know You for Diary deadline for Sawston Scene! door or contact 880023 Hall at 7.30pm. Bring your own drinks. Sa wston Scene start at the Icknield, 2.45pm to 3.10pm Book a place at the FLASH holiday children due to start at the SATURDAY 19 Live music at the Black Bull. Late bar. Contact 832472. club, open 7.45am to 6pm: 833216 Public Meeting Icknield, 2.45pm to 3.10pm SATURDAY 5 or [email protected] Moonlit Walk at Wandlebury guided by Contact Dean: 835726 Make a bird box to take home in I can't believe it’s not Elvis music, • Meet the team • Scene public meeting see left the Rangers. Dress for the weather and SATURDAY 19 SUNDAY 27 Wandlebury Stable Rooms 11am to 4pm. dancing, quiz and refreshments, 7.30pm to • Share your feedback • bring a torch. Free but booking essential: Challis House at 68 High Street THURSDAY 3 Explore the Natural World at Tools and materials supplied. Children must 10.30pm in Sawston Free Church. Tickets • Suggest ideas • Jon Gibbs on 07833 598155 or open to visitors, 10am to 2pm. Tai Chi ten-week course for Wandlebury. Drop in 11am to 3.30pm. Walk be accompanied by an adult. Cost £7.50 £10 from Pam Moss: 834220 • Find out about volunteering [email protected] Hard hats not required! Tea and beginners, Lynton Way Pavilion, the nature trail, look at aquatic life under per box. Book with Jon Gibbs: 07833 for production or distribution • Valentine’s Dinner Dance at Black Bull. coffee available 6.30pm. Details from Dr Dan Saffron Walden Choral Society sing the microscope, make a home for solitary 598155 or [email protected] To book contact Dean: 835726 Wednesday 2nd March Downey: 471931 or Dan@tai-chi- Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna and Mozart’s bees and lots more. Contact Jon Gibbs: New Charity Shop Chernobyl Challis House at 68 High Street open to at 7.30 for 8pm in Spicers Pavilion teach.com www.tai-chi-teach.com Requiem in St Mary’s Church, Saffron 07833 598155 or [email protected] Jumble Sale in aid of Sawston Boys’ and Children’s Life Line opens at 60 High visitors, 10am to 2pm. Hard hats not FREE wine and nibbles! Walden at 7.30pm. £15, concessions £12 Girls’ Brigade in St Mary’s Hall at 2pm. Street. See www.ccll-cen.org.uk FRIDAY 4 Thriplow Daffodil Weekend 11am to required! Tea and coffee available on the door or contact Sue Johnson: Copy deadline for Sawston Scene! 01799 531127 5pm. Adults £5, children £2 Challis House at 68 High Street open to MON 21 TO FRI 25 SUNDAY 6 visitors, 10am to 2pm. Hard hats not Half term holiday SUNDAY 6 WEDNESDAY 30 2461 Sawston Air Cadets celebrate 70 Linton Music Society Michael Lerace required! Tea and coffee available Spicers Pavilion Official Opening – piano in Linton Village College at 7.30pm. Getting to Know You for children due to years of the ATC with a parade and WEDNESDAY 23 look out for posters with the details. Adults £9, under 21s £2 on the door or start at the Icknield, 2.45pm to 3.10pm service in the Imperial War Museum, Life at Court in the Age of Elizabeth I . Linton Music Society Anne Hashimoto from Sweet Talk News: 893480. Duxford: parade at 11am clarinet & Daniel Smith piano in Linton Village Meet characters from the Tudor Court MONDAY 7 COMING UP THIS YEAR… who will teach you to dance, write and Hats Galore talk by Rosemary Wheeler. THU 7 to FRI 8 APRIL Aladdin The Blue Sky Theatre Company in College at 7.30pm. Adults £9, under 21s £2 SUNDAY 20 behave like a Tudor. Free. Saffron Walden Sawston WI , Chapelfield Community Back to Sawston Free Church Alice in Wonderland – SYD at Bellbird and St Mary’s Hall at 3pm and 6pm. Adults £8, on the door or Sweet Talk News: 893480 Sawston Youth Centre. Museum, 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm Centre at 7.30pm. Contact Jill West: 830546 Sunday . Service at 10.30am. Contact Pam concessions £5. Contact Frances Brownlie: SATURDAY 9 APRIL MONDAY 14 Moss: 834220 832288 or [email protected] THURSDAY 24 WEDNESDAY 9 St Mary’s Quiz Night in St Mary’s Hall with Air Training Corps Taster Session for fish and chip supper. Drop-in Children’s Activity Day, Getting to Know You for children due to MONDAY 21 MONDAY 7 age 13s or near. Contact Tim Barker: 07789 TUESDAY 3 MAY Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey. start at the Icknield, 2.45pm to 3.10pm Life as a Personal Shopper talk by Bev Author Judith Lennox talks about her 688512 or 24 [email protected] Annual Parish Meeting Children aged 4+, accompanied by an adult. Briggs. Pampisford WI , Pampisford Village latest novel. NSPCC Dining Club luncheon, THURSDAY 10 THU 5 TO SAT 7 MAY WEDNESDAY 16 Adults £4.50, concessions £3.50, child £3, Hall at 7.30pm. Contact Jean Osborne: Rock Musical – SYD Juniors in Sawston Youth La Mimosa, Cambridge. Contact Kate Sundials, their history and varied uses Gardens and Gardeners at Murray under 5 free, family £13. Contact Laura: 832472 Centre Armstrong: [email protected] or talk by Frank Coe. Sawston Village History Edwards College (New Hall). A film and 860988 www.dennyfarmlandmuseum.org.uk SATURDAY 14 MAY 01954 719745 Society, Chapelfield Way Community Centre a talk by the Head Gardener. Sawston WEDNESDAY 23 Eurovision Night in St Mary’s Hall with dishes Life at Court in the Age of Elizabeth I at 7.30pm. Contact Bruce Milner: 570596 Getting to Know You at Icknield as before from around the world. Enneagram (Personality) Testing talk Garden Club, Chapelfield Community as before SUNDAY 15 MAY Centre at 7.45pm. Members £1, non by Thomas Hillias. Sawston WI , Chapelfield SUNDAY 13 THURSDAY 24 Sawston Fun Run – see page 19 Community Centre at 7.30pm. Contact Jill members £2. Contact Dani Grant: 842733 SATURDAY 26 Spring Steam Gala Day coach trip to Sawston Drama Festival in Sawston SUN 22 TO SUN 29 MAY West: 830546 Challis House at 68 High Street open to North Norfolk Railway Sheringham. Pick up Youth Centre at 7.30pm. Tickets on the Circus Tyanna at Lynton Way rec Getting to Know You for children due to visitors, 10am to 2pm. Hard hats not 8.30am at Sawston Memorial, £12. Contact door or contact 880023 SATURDAY 28 MAY WEDNESDAY 9 start at the Icknield, 2.45pm to 3.10pm required! Tea and coffee available John: 843802 or Andy: 01353 741367 May Ball in Spicers Pavilion Getting to Know You for children due to FRIDAY 25 Parent/Teacher appointments at SATURDAY 2 JULY start at the Icknield, 2.45pm to 3.10pm The Company of Musicians sing half an TUESDAY 15 Sawston Drama Festival in Sawston St Mary’s Church Annual Fête in the Bellbird Primary School, 3.30pm to 7.30pm hour of music in St Mary’s Church at 6pm. Toy Story 3 (U 103 mins) in Sawston Youth Centre at 7.30pm. Tickets on the grounds of Sawston Hall. Cream teas, brass band, THURSDAY 10 Free and informal. Check the details with Cinema at 6.30pm. £3.50, concessions £2.50 SYG band, crafts, rides, barbecue… WED 16 – SAT 19 door or contact 880023 My experiences as an RAF and test Beck Laxton: 562871 or on the door or contact Lesley Morgan: SATURDAY 2 JULY pilot talk by Doug Page. Sawston Village Fiddler on the Roof SYD Seniors, SATURDAY 26 Classic Car Show on Mill Lane rec. If you own [email protected] 712825 or [email protected] a classic car, bike, or anything else, or would like History Society, Chapelfield Way Sawston Youth Centre at 7.30pm. £8 and £9 Orienteering Taster Day at Wandlebury, to help, contact Duncan Catchpole: 577427 or from [email protected] Community Centre at 7.30pm. Contact Live music at the Black Bull. Late bar. WEDNESDAY 16 11am to 1pm. Learn to use maps in a fun [email protected] Bruce Milner: 570596 or SYD : 07764 344765 Contact Dean: 835726 Cheat in the Garden illustrated talk by and energetic way! For children over 6 and

Directory February –March 2 01 1 February –March 20 11 Directory CHURCHES MUSIC Senior Section Guides (girls 14–26) As you come down the hill and can see the A505 right onto the grass at the Christ Church South Cambs The Company of Musicians Beck County Office 813917 or approaching, look out for some brown and blue side of the hall, and walk (Evangelical) www.christchurchsouthcambs.org Laxton: 562871 or [email protected] [email protected] cycle signs and turn right immediately after Royston round the back to the Tim Chapman: 820116 or Duxford Saturday Workshop Sawston Youth Club (year 7s, year 8s and Road into a dead end – this leads to a crossing over playground. When you’re [email protected] www.duxfordsaturdayworkshop.org.uk above) Steph Basham: 07824 820476 or Arwen Gilbert: 01480 432956 or the A505. Visibility for crossing from this direction done with Hinxton, turn Our Lady of Lourdes (Catholic) [email protected] [email protected] is poor – we find it easiest to send one adult halfway around and follow the www.ololsawston.com Sawston Youth Drama (SYD) to look out for the rest. High Street round into Father Raf Esteban: 832397 or Linton Music Society www.sawstonyouthdrama.com Mark Long: www.lintonmusic.org.uk 893600 or [email protected] [email protected] Once you’ve crossed over, back on bikes for a North End Road. The [email protected] gentle slope into Duxford, pausing first to admire eagle-eyed may spot small St Mary’s Church (Church of England) Sawston Youth Group (girls and boys 8– Sawston Music Festival 18) www.syg.org.uk Mark Crouch: 07765 diggers at the Volvo place. Another lovely view blue NCN 11 signs – www.stmaryssawston.org.uk www.sawstonmusicfestival.org 480809 or [email protected] Rev Alan Partridge: 832248 or Petra Shakeshaft: 510387 or across the fields on the right, and you can just see National Cycle Network [email protected] the top of the hanger at Duxford IWM – an route 11, which goes north towards King’s Lynn [email protected] SPORT Sawston Free Church (United Reformed Whittlesford Music Group Sawston Athletic Football Club excellent place to pause on airshow days! Going and south towards Stansted Mountfitchet, and – Methodist) www.sawstonfreechurch.org.uk Gerry Hulford: 830793 or www.clubwebsite.co.uk/sawstonathletic through Sawston on the way. At the end of North Rev Bruce Waldron: 07814 920187 or [email protected] Chris Hall: 07876 404143 End Road, you’ll see the A1301 to Saffron Walden [email protected] OVER 50S Sawston Bowls Club Alan Arnold: 832929 to Duxford to Hinxton – but turn left onto the cycle path which will lead or [email protected] CLUBS AND SOCIETIES U3A Derek Cupit: 871527 Sawston Book Group Active-retired fitness class Cambridge Cangaroos trampoline club through the village, our children used to shout Vincent Zdzitowiecki: 839366 or Marlene Sharpe Westwood: 571431 or www.cangaroos.org when they spotted the very pink house with the [email protected] [email protected] Sawston Cricket Club very pink car, but we missed it when we did this ride British Legion PRE-SCHOOLS www.sawston.play-cricket.com again recently – have the people moved and taken David Ellis: 07531 095729 or Sue Groves: 834748 or [email protected] Sawston Children’s Centre their pink car elsewhere? You may choose, instead, Lynne Howorth: 706373 or [email protected] Challis Garden Trust to shout when you see the pub – the John sawstonchildrenscentre Jazzercise www.jazzercise4u.com Sue and Ray Reeve: 834986 @cambridgeshire.gov.uk Sarah Howard: 07703 422394 Barleycorn. For those in need of more watering- Sawston Garden Club holes, the Wheatsheaf is round the corner on St Jigsaw Playgroup 07842 537473 Link Badminton Club Jean Osborne: Dani Grant: day 07971 073640 evening Sawston Nursery 832472 or [email protected] Peters Street. Otherwise, continue straight on as the 842733 or [email protected] www.sawstonnursery.co.uk 472018 or Racketeers Badminton Club road becomes Chapel Street. You’ll see the church [email protected] Milton Morris Andy Jackson: 561309 or Andrew Buchanan: 504929 or on your left then, just after, turn left-ish (more [email protected] Pippins Pre-School 833248 or [email protected] straight on than left) into Hinxton Road. Follow [email protected] Pathways Disability Forum www.sawston- Sawston Riding School , Common Lane: the road around, past the Huntsman Advanced you home. Go past the farm track with the possibly disability.org.uk Frances Wyse: 07982 SCHOOL-AGE GROUPS 835198 Materials site (formerly Ciba-Geigy, then Hexcel? unnecessary CYCLISTS DISMOUNT sign, and 046138 or [email protected] 2461 (Sawston) Squadron Air Sawston Rovers Barry Rule: 07771 All before my time!), and over an old siding. take care as you cross the exit from the petrol Training Corps (boys and girls 13 –18) Rotary Club www.sawstonrotaryclub.org.uk 871791 or [email protected] Tim Barker: 07789 688512 or Go over the mainline level crossing, and next is station. Using the traffic islands, walk your bikes Tony Collett: 893447 or 24 61 @aircadets.org Sawston Rugby Club my favourite bit of the ride – over a ford into over the A505 and then cross again to get to the [email protected] www.sawstonrugby.com Justin Curtis: Beavers Gita Mistry: 8352761 or Hinxton. It’s a beautiful spot, with the trees hanging Sawston side of the A1301. Follow the path Slimming World Stephanie: 520418 [email protected] 836615 or [email protected] over the river, really lovely in summertime. If the ford around, and then cross London Road to cycle back Sawston-Selsingen Twinning Boys’ Brigade (boys year 2 to year 10+) Sawston Sixaside Ashley Oakes: 07969 doesn’t take your fancy, there is a narrow bridge wide into Sawston and home. Association Bruce Milner: 570596 or www. 1stsawstonbrigades.org.uk 182484 or [email protected] enough for bicycles, but not for trailers – our children Interested in planning other cycle routes? [email protected] BB@ 1stsawstonbrigades.org.uk Sawston Snooker Club Colin Denny: thought the water (only an inch deep) splashing up www.cyclestreets.net is a good, free, place to start – the 832800 or [email protected] Sawston Village History Society Brownies (girls 7–10) Jane Woodstock: was amusing, fortunately! At the website allows you to Bruce Milner: 570596 or 565674 or [email protected] Sawston Sports Centre end, turn left onto the High Street put in your start and end [email protected] Cubs (boys 7½ to 10½) Ange Martin: www.sawstonsports.com 712555 or to head back home, although if your destination, and choose Women’s Institute Jill West: 830546 or 833961 or [email protected] [email protected] party is interested in beautiful from the fastest, quietest [email protected] Girls’ Brigade (girls year to year 10+) Sawston United Football Club www. 1stsawstonbrigades.org.uk www.sawstonunitedfc.teamexpert.co.uk houses (plenty of pargeting and or a balanced route. HEALTH GB@ 1stsawstonbrigades.org.uk Whittlesford Tennis Club : 837259 timber-framed houses) or a gastro It was developed by Camtad hearing help sessions Guides (girls 10–14) Jane Woodstock: pub (The Red Lion), you can turn Cambridge cyclists and www.camtadcambs.org.uk 565674 or [email protected] MISCELLANEOUS right and then do a U-turn when covers cycle routes Frances Dewhurst: 416141 or John Huntingdon’s Charity Rainbows (girls 5–7) County Office you’ve had your fill. across the UK . There’s [email protected] 813917 or Sue Lockwood: www.johnhuntingdon.org.uk Jill Hayden: If you’re in need of a playground even an iPhone/Android Cam Sight www.camsight.org.uk [email protected] 830599 or [email protected] break, turn right and look out for application available at Julie Petrie-Symes: 420033 or Scouts (boys and girls 10½ –14) Sawston Cinema Lesley Morgan: 712825 [email protected] Neil Reid: [email protected] or [email protected] SS the village hall on your right – turn www.bikehub.co.uk SS

Directory February –March 2 01 1 February –March 20 11 27 Sawston Village History Society The Challis Garden he speaker at our November meeting was minerals and precious stones. Because of limited SHEILA BLACKWELL has the latest news from the house and garden at 68 High Street… Carolyn Wingfield, Curator of the Saffron space many objects are in storage, but hopefully, TWalden Museum, reports BRUCE within a year, the new Saffron Walden Heritage ur Christmas-themed fun morning inside of the vine house is almost MILNER . This popular museum celebrated its 175th Quest Centre in Thaxted Road will be open and was on 11th December. So many complete. Notices will be placed around birthday in May 2010. It was built on the site of the many more objects will be displayed. Oexcited children, so many unusual the village when the snowdrops are at Saffron Walden Castle, and opened in May 1835, The museum and exhibits are owned by the activities to take part in – it was the format their best; the winter walk in the garden making it one of the oldest purpose-built museums Saffron Walden Museum Society, and managed in of a very successful day. At the end of the is also worth a visit. in the country. The founding fathers were Jabey partnership with Uttlesford District Council. The session, Sue Reeve had organised carols for The back of the Mary Challis House Gibson, one of the Quaker Gibsons, John Player (of Museum is open from Monday to Saturday from everybody in the large barn accompanied is nearly completed: the upstairs the cigarette family) and Richard Griffin, third Lord 10am , and Sundays and Bank Holidays from 2pm, by Abby Wollston on her cello with bells, windows have been replaced and the Braybrooke of Audley End. Their aim was to closing at 4.30pm from November to February, and whistles and other hand instruments walls re-rendered with limewash. The “illustrate the arts, manufactures and habits of the 5pm from March to October. It’s well worth a visit! being operated by the children. Such a House will be open to the public with different nations”. Our December meeting was scheduled to feature creative morning on a very cold day! conducted parties on Saturdays 5th, As the founders were very influential, artefacts Amanda Tuck’s unique Magic Lantern show as a Three Rowan trees have been 12th, 19th and 26th March from from all over the world were quickly obtained. prelude to the Christmas buffet provided by the planted in the wild flower patch and 10am to 2pm. Visitors can then These included aboriginal objects from Australia members. Sadly, Amanda was unwell so unable to the paths are being completed round see for themselves the problems P and vast quantities of natural history specimens and make her presentation, which we hope will be the raised beds. An application has we are encountering. It is not a h o t o s

stuffed birds and animals, including a rescheduled in next year’s programme. So, at five been made to the Royal Horticultural hard-hat area but very dusty! b y hippopotamus. One of the most famous of the early minutes’ notice (or perhaps ten), Eric Jacobs gave a Society Orchard Scheme for a free There will be teas and coffees A n n exhibits was a lion, known as Wallace. He was born slide presentation from his considerable collection Community Tree Pack and available in the garden. We will R e d in Edinburgh in 1812, the first African lion to be of Sawston postcards. Some especially notable slides information on trees which are native launch a major appeal for funds s h a born in captivity, and was exhibited up and down included a Sawston celebratory street procession to our area. The adaptation of the in April –May. SS w the country. When he died in about 1837 his owner dated 1910 (the celebration remains unknown), had him stuffed and donated him to the museum, various views of the high street from 1907 until where he has been by the entrance ever since! 1970, and the Fire Station shed, now replaced by a applications – until Sauceton found one relating to A Queen Emma from Hawaii, as a result of a visit house to the left of the Black Bull. There was also a Spring Close, the wooden house in Church Lane. from Lord Harvey, an early Victorian missionary, wonderful picture of an open-topped double-decker Replacement dwelling refused on 24th November – had donated some highly decorated barkcloth bus in the High Street outside Coulthards Sauceton for being nearly double the size of the existing textiles. Some fine Mandarin Chinese ceramics Pharmacy, dated 1910. After Eric’s fascinating show In which we cast a satirical eye dwelling. And after the previous application had were also among the earlier exhibits, one of which we were able to indulge in the traditional pre- over recent events… been refused for being too large as well – oops! featured the ancient swastika motif (which is in an Christmas buffet. auceton is still reeling in shock at a visitation Sauceton was further intrigued when the minutes anticlockwise orientation, unlike the hateful I have now received confirmation by email, from Sover the Christmas holidays. Not chez Sauceton, for the December Parish Council meeting went up – twentieth-century version). Carol Miller, that a famous Chinese poet, Xu but at a more public location, on a damp New Year’s “Spring Close: the question was asked if the council One unusual earlier exhibit was a stuffed Zhimo, stayed in Sawston for some months in 1922, Eve afternoon. Heavenly music in Link Road? The had recently received any planning applications for elephant, donated by Robert Dunn after forming while studying at King’s College, Cambridge, where strains of a Hammond organ? A quick detour this location. Clerk to check.” So South Cambs one of the prized exhibits of the Great Exhibition of a marble stone commemorating him was installed in revealed the greatest revelry ever seen: Chapelfield refused the application, and the PC hadn’t seen it at 1851. Sadly it slowly deteriorated; it was removed to 2008, showing a verse from his poem ‘Saying Way Communal Room’s New Year’s Eve Party, with all? A South Cambs scam or just dodgy postal a new home after about 1960 where it was kept Goodbye to Cambridge again’. His fame was such a visitor: no less than The King himself. Not the connections? outside and rapidly disintegrated. that the Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabao, after his King of Kings, but a reincarnation of Elvis – singing The only other marginally interesting application Now the museum has eight galleries covering controversial visit to Cambridge in February 2009, in full regalia to a packed audience. Mistaking an was from the owners of the former public lavatory archaeology, ancient Egypt, animals and plants, wanted to stop at the Jade House Restaurant in Elvis impersonator for the choir of angels was building on Link Road, who want to turn the ceramics and glass, costumes, geology and world order to visit the village where Xu Zhimo was somewhat embarrassing, but Sauceton was consoled adjacent waste land (the shrubbery by the kebab cultures. Among the more notable exhibits is a living. Can any reader confirm this or throw any with the thought that Elvis’s assistant might have van) into a nice area for serving tea and cake. stuffed bittern from America, blown across the light on where Xu Zhimo stayed in Sawston? been more embarrassed. A-huh-huh. Various sources had been wondering whether said Atlantic in the 1820s, a rare Viking necklace, Archivists Bryan Howe and Andrew Little are in the Having recovered from New Year’s Eve new building would be a tea-room, as suggested at which now forms the logo of the Museum, a 1948 Sawston Archive room at the Parish Council Office in excitement, Sauceton spent an evening with the one point, and it would seem so. Sauceton thinks it TV that cost £99, and a horse-drawn carriage. Link Road on Monday mornings. Just pop in if you have South Cambs website at plan.scambs.gov.uk – a would be more appropriate to make a change of use There is also a superb collection of fossils, rare any queries relating to Sawston past and present. SS first-class source if ever there was. Plenty of dull to a convenience store. Ahem. SS

28 February –March 2 01 1 February –March 20 11 29 Book CluB What happens when someone recommends their favourite book? CATHERINE GRAY celebrates the changing seasons in words and pictures… VINCENT ZDZITOWIECKI reports … would be revealed as the fantasy Nature Notes ominating a much-loved tome as the world merged with the real world. s I write this, the snow (lovely snow!) has just name refers to tiny red beads on the tips of the wing monthly object of scrutiny and hopefully Instead, if we weren’t already baffled Amelted and we have been plunged in to a dank feathers. Waxwings become so absorbed in their Nenjoyment for others in the Book Club is by the recollections of a child culminating in the greyness. I struggle to winter feast of hawthorn and fraught with danger. What if the others don’t like it? ‘Where Now?’ section, we were totally bewildered by imagine spring, so I rowan berries that they seem Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones was such a the adult denouement of ‘Nowhere’. am going to celebrate oblivious to humans, so it is proposition. And, true to form, the eight of us who And this appears to be the stumbling block winter for a bit possible to get a very close had read it had markedly mixed opinions about its between those few who enjoyed it very much, those longer. One of my view without disturbing merits. It wasn’t that we didn’t like it: most of us who respected some of its qualities and those who favourite winter walks them. Waxwings breed in really wanted to. It was more the feeling of frustration didn’t like it at all – our expectations of a fantasy is through the Scandinavia and sometimes at not being able to understand it fully that rankled. tale. As the boundaries between reality and fantasy beechwoods at make their way here in Our irritation was compounded by the fact that were not delineated sufficiently, some of us read it Wandlebury Country winter, occasionally in large this was not a difficult read, telling the story as it too literally by default and were governed more by Park. The smooth and sudden influxes called does through the eyes of a nineteen-year-old girl in our individual inherent feelings of cynicism, grey beech trunks irruptions which tend to be simple language, recounting events in her life from pragmatism and realism than was intended. And it contrast with the rich triggered by poor food supply the age of ten to young adulthood. Young adult Polly was this which I believe defined whether we enjoyed brown fallen leaves, in their northern habitat. discovers that below her memories, in which she led Fire and Hemlock as a novel. Most of the members which even on the They may still be here in an entirely normal and unremarkable life, there veered towards the reality and did not allow soggiest of days February, so look out for exists a second set of memories, which are rather themselves to be sucked into the fantasy at the end manage to stay crisp and crinkly. flamboyant starling-sized birds feasting on red berries. unusual. These seem to involve a friendship with an because they weren’t expressly directed to. Whether This has been a good winter for beech nuts, and But enough of winter. By the time you read this adult called Tom Lynn and much of Fire and Hemlock this was the fault of the author for not making it indeed for many other fruits and nuts, so the woods there will be signs of spring everywhere. Snowdrops is told in flashback, as Polly attempts to recover her clear enough or the adult readers for being too are a great place to observe winter wildlife. Finches, and aconites are among the first flowers to appear: lost memories of Tom and their times together. blinkered is debatable. Perhaps the author did not especially chaffinches, gather on the woodland floor the Challis Garden has a beautiful display, as do the Though the language may be simple, the plot is feel it necessary to spoon-feed more open-minded in search of beech nuts. In spring and summer, verges in Stapleford and Great Shelford, and incredibly complicated as Polly sifts woodland birds are strongly territorial, but in winter Wandlebury has an amazing yellow and white carpet through the layers of childhood “Though the language may be simple, this is forgotten as they form large flocks; sometimes of flowers in February. Hazel and alder catkins memory, through real life and ‘fantasy’, the plot is incredibly complicated.” of the same species but often mixed. appear as tight buds in winter and open in early to get at the truth – only to realise that An excited twitter of long-tailed tits bouncing February. Insects are starting to emerge from they co-exist, culminating in a final chapter which young readers, but it confused a number of us! around the treetops is followed by blue tits and coal hibernation. The earliest bumble bees are the takes the reader into the realms of a world that On a much more positive note, there were also tits. Being in a flock means a better chance of queens, which are noticeably bigger than the many of us found very difficult to comprehend. good things said about the book. Seeing the world finding food and reduces an individual’s risk of bumble bees we see in summer. The worker bees die An issue that we raised early on was target through a child’s eyes, it was well written. The being eaten. Some of the smallest birds also huddle in autumn but the queen overwinters in a small readership. Who was this book written for? A author does not stint on the pains of adolescence together to stay warm at night – the record roost is burrow. In spring she builds a nest, lays her eggs and passionate argument was made for the irrelevance of and there are subtleties that we admired, such as sixty-one wrens in a single nestbox. establishes a new colony. the question: books should not be categorised for Polly’s gradual realisation that her mother Ivy’s poor Around the New Year, waxwings were spotted in The brimstone butterfly is another hibernator reader age groups and marketed and sold as such; Fire track record with her partners is almost entirely the Sawston. I was sorry not to see them, because they which emerges in February and March, bringing a and Hemlock should be enjoyed by adult and child fault of Ivy and not the men about whom she are absolutely stunning. They look incredibly exotic. flash of sulphur yellow to spring gardens, and other alike. However, the majority of our group felt that complains. Some of us enjoyed the characterisations For a start, they are pink. Yes, it’s a dusky brownish butterflies will appear soon after. The days are either author or publisher had definitely marketed more than others. Some complained there were too pink, but still pink. They have a crest, a great quiff getting longer, and there is even some warmth in this as a children’s book. And if the book was many coincidences – or was that part of the magic...? sweeping back from the forehead. The wax in their the sun. Happy Spring! SS written for young adults, this led to the main point Overall our discussion never reached a definite of many of our members’ dissatisfaction with it: as conclusion. Most of us seemed very frustrated about JHC ON THE WWW love people to comment on the page, or discuss JHC now has a Facebook page, writes relevant topics, because we are interested in what older readers, reading it as a children’s book, we were not ‘getting it’ and those who enjoyed it were ELEANOR CLAPP . You just need to search for people in the village (whether our clients or not) confused by the change in style. For the first three- equally frustrated by the others missing the point. 'John Huntingdon's Charity' to find the page. It has have to say about us and what we can do to quarters of the book this was a child’s fantasy Although this is a rare occurrence in our meetings, details of what the charity is up and recent news. If improve our services. you ‘like’ the page, you will receive details of new NB Yasmin says – if you’re a fan of Facebook, do come mystery story which would have been explained the book seemed to polarise opinions and our marks information as and when it is posted. JHC would and find Sawston Scene there too! away in the final chapter by the adult Polly. All ranged from 3 to 10, with an average of 5.5. SS

30 February –March 2 01 1 February –March 20 11 31 SAWSTON CC HOSTS SCOTLAND! ith the fantastic new facilities now at Spicers BYB Personal Styling WSports Ground, Sawston Cricket Club is Image Consultancy looking forward to the summer more than ever, the rts Colour Analysis Spo club’s Chair DAVID ELLIS reports . In recognition Personal Styling of the quality of the new facilities, the club has been Sports Editor ALAN CHAMLEY Let me help YOU … Wardrobe Detoxing asked to host some prestigious fixtures including: has little to report… *buy your first home* Personal Shopping 26th June Cambs under 15s v Leicestershire *remortgage to a better % rate* *move home* hock horror! One sportsman in 11 –12th July Cambs under 17s v Scotland *buy to let* £20 off any Sten has been selected by lot 31st July Cambs Women v Northants *protect your mortgage and family* service when and killed, by a wilful betrayal of fidelity, 7th August Sawston v MCC using this Steve Fakes CeMAP CeRER confidence or trust. Well, not quite – but the sport 4th September Cambs Women v Herts mortgage adviser advertisement has been decimated by the treacherous wintry It is fantastic to be asked to stage such high-profile T 01763 244884 M 07852 997580 07922 036539 weather. At the time of writing, the last football games and we hope that with the approval of the E [email protected] league matches for the two teams from the village Parish Council we can do it. This should be a stepping W www.mortgagequestroyston.co.uk

that compete in the Cambridgeshire FA County stone to seeing full county cricket back in Sawston in Your home may be repossessed if you do not League had been played on 11th December. the not too distant future. keep up repayments on your mortgage www.bybpersonalstyling.com So here is a brief summary of the sports teams’ current league positions. Sawston United first team CRICKET TRAINING s'2!33#544).' currently lie second from bottom in the Senior A Winter training for junior and senior members starts s,!7.42%!4-%.4GOG MAGOG Division, while Sawston Rovers hover in mid table at the Village College at the beginning of February. Mower Services in Division 1A. United’s reserve team are currently The club is particularly keen to welcome new s!%2!4)/. top of Division 3A, while Rovers’ second string are members. Maybe you played as a youngster or you South Cambridgeshire s3#!2)&)#!4)/. REPAIR, SERVICE second from bottom in Division 4A. have moved to the area? Whatever your standard you Tree Services s(%$'%42)--).'AND SALES Sawston Rugby Club has so far played six league will be assured a warm welcome at one of s0/7%27!3().' of all garden machinery matches, winning one of their Greene King Super Cambridgeshire’s friendliest clubs. Shaun Ferreday including Premiere League matches. I have dodgy vision and Head Arborist strimmers and chainsaws had to look long and hard at the league table to SUMMER VILLAGE BALL Free collection and delivery figure out the points conceded for the bottom team To help the village celebrate the opening of the new Tree removals large and small service available Honington Hornets. At the time of writing it pavilion at Spicers Sports Ground, there will be a Pruning, shaping and deadwooding Hedge laying and trimming Copley Hill Bus Park, Babraham showed Played 2, points against 421 . I figured it’s Grand Village Charity Ball held in a marquee on the Log supplies really 42. But as Honington was the place where Sports Ground on Saturday 28th May 2011. 01223 832 894 0776 955 8279 Dad’s Army was filmed I did wonder if they’d got For more details about the cricket club or the summer 07725 659719 0011 722283 664821483 22272 9 [email protected] [email protected] some of the cast guesting for them – “I say, do you ball, contact David Ellis on 01223 833813 or www.jimsmowing.co.ukwww.jimsmowingwing.co.uk think I might be excused?” Stupid boy… SS [email protected] SS The Country Store R. J. Pepper & Son near Sawston,, Cambs. Family Funeral Directors n November Chris Benson, a monologue. Both had us all • Animal and Pet FFeedseedss,, Inurse with responsibilities to laughing. & Monumental Masons patients recovering from heart We were pleased to have bedding/accessories problems, spoke to us on how Pampisford the company of • Shooting and FishingFishing 24-hour service to maintain a healthy heart. WI representatives of several Supplies Chris also takes classes at other WIs in our group. After Private Chapel of Rest Sawston Sports Centre to JEAN OSBORNE reports on recent meetings an excellent raffle everyone • Countrryy clothing encourage the continuation of joined in clearing up and all exercise when patients have been discharged from hospital. There went home in very festive mood. Mon-Fri: 08.30 - 5.30 Please contact: were plenty of questions from members and everyone went home Our next meeting is our AGM on 17th January and on 21st (Thurs open to 7pm) Geoffrey Heathcock with good intentions to take note of the messages! February at 7.30pm we have Faye Steer giving us a talk on Sat: 08.30 - 5.00 8 Morley’s Place In December we held our Christmas Party and everyone brought ‘Seeing the third world first hand – a visit to Nicaragua 2010’. Sundays: CLOSED splendid food for us to share. There was wine and soft drinks for all. This was a Cambridge Young People trip with St Andrew's Street High Street Members very kindly brought wrapped Christmas presents which Baptist Church. Unit 12a Sawston TTrrade PPaarkk,, SAWSTON were taken to the Women’s Refuge in Cambridge. After the first Pampisford Women’s Institute meets in Pampisford Village Hall on Pampisffoordd,, Cambridge course one of our members gave an excellent reading of a Benjamin the third Monday in the month. To find out more about us, call Jean CCAAMBRIDGE CB22 3EEEEE.. Zephaniah poem. Then another of our members recited a comical Osborne on 832472. 77HHO  Telephone: 01223 836240 ZZZWKHFRXQWU\VWRUHFRXN

32 February –March 2 01 1 CHRIST CHURCH OUR LADY OF the angel on top of our giant tree and who played to building). Over the years, there have been several SOUTH CAMBS CHURCHES LOURDES support our singing. changes and additions, the most recent of which How would you cope Our Christmas Bazaar was Now we turn towards Lent and Easter following our was the OWL Café and the new concourse. serving a hot turkey CHRISTMAS SHOP held on Saturday 27th Candlemass celebration at the end of January. To celebrate our 200th anniversary in 2011, there Did you dinner with all the trimmings for get around to visiting the Christmas November. We had a great time Wonderful as Christmas celebrations are, the truth will be events throughout the year. On 20 March we shop in eighty people? Without a kitchen? the High Street? If you did I hope you and raised over £1,400 towards and hope of Easter are at the very heart of what we are inviting all our friends to join us for a ‘Back to found wha t you were looking for – and perhaps Such a stunt was carried off by a number of things you were not! parish activities for the year. believe and live out! There is much to look forward to Sawston Free Church Sunday’ at 10.30am. It will be The s the church family and friends at hop tried hard from its front window Thanks to all who came to as the spring arrives… ALAN PARTRIDGE a service of celebration and thanksgiving for the life display in wards to help everyone who entered Christ Church South Cambs on to find or t support us despite a few clashes Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday: of the church over the past two hundred years and o rediscover the heart of Christmas. the Sunday before Christmas. It was c with other events in the village. Morning Prayer at 8am, Evening Prayer at 5pm. for all the people who have come through its doors. omplemented by carol singing around the village It took a fair bit of planning… and on the High Street in the weeks Some fifty parishioners Thursday: Eucharist at 9.30am; Evening Prayer at All those who have been involved in Sawston Free leading up to Christmas Day itself. We enjoyed our normal morning All celebrated a fantastic Christmas 5pm. Friday: Evening Prayer at 6pm. Sunday: Church in any way – as members, at baptisms, the churches of Sawston got involved together, he service in the Lower School Hall lping to select the stock, organise its dinner on Saturday 4th Eucharist at 9.15am; Open Door at 10.45am; Evening weddings or funerals, or through the many church display, lea at the Village College and after rn how to work the till, and help you December, courtesy of OWL and Prayer at 6pm; St Mary’s@7 at 7pm. See organisations – are especially invited. make a good choice of present. some refreshment and mince pies The pro their wonderful catering skills. www.stmaryssawston.org.uk On Saturday 12th February at 7.30pm we have fit we raised will be divided between the J we took the forty children to ohn Huntington Charity and Tearfund We are pleased to support this “I can’t believe it’s not Elvis” – an evening of music, projects aim play games in the sports hall for ed at helping the developing world. local charity and they always put dancing, quiz and refreshments. See below left for If yo SAWSTON FREE CHURCH u did call in, thank you very much for an hour. The adults headed your suppo on such a wonderful spread of details. Further events will be advertised in Sawston rt, if not – well, who knows what we CELEBRATING 200 YEARS OF SFC home to over twenty houses to might do next year?! Alan Partridge food. Great! The first non-conformist chapel in Sawston was Scene during 2011. PAM MOSS put the finishing touches to the Mr Rainbow built in 1811 at the back of the current Sawston Morning Worship on Sundays at 10.30am. Quiet eight turkeys, trays of baked potatoes, piles of peas, entertained forty- Free Church site (and was later known as the Time at 6pm on first Sunday of month; Communion at and dishes of carrots. Another team of helpers set three children at our Lecture Hall). When the congregation outgrew this, 6pm on third Sunday; Go4th gospel service at 6pm on out the room with table cloths, crackers and Children’s Christmas a new chapel was built in 1879 (the current fourth Sunday. See www.sawstonfreechurch.org.uk SS beautiful decorations, and mixed up the bread Party on Sunday sauce and gravy on site. And then, co-ordinated 12th December, with almost to perfection at 12.30pm, the children appearances from came back in with freshly washed hands, and the the dragon and the kangaroo – great entertainment food, packed in insulated boxes, arrived and was and some fantastic dancing games. A bring and served to tables around the room. The Christmas share refuelled the kids for a round of magic tricks. Sa wston Scene pudding and some amazing chocolate brownies Alas, it was all over too quickly but some really rounded off a fabulous meal. happy children dragged their parents back home. This was the first time we’d tried it, and all Look out for details of our St Patrick’s Day Dance Public Meeting concluded it was a great success. Here was a church later this year! NICK ASH being an extended family, with a number of guests, Masses at 8.45am and 11.15am on Sunday; 9.30am making the most of the Christmas season and on Monday, Thursday and first Friday of month; • Meet the team • sharing in the joy of working together to do Eucharist at 9.30am on Tuesday, Wednesday and something none of us could have done on our own. Friday. See www.ololsawston.com • Share your feedback • Christ Church is a church that ST MARY’S • Suggest ideas • exists for people Another Christmas has come and gone who don’t go to but the season leaves us with many • Find out about volunteering church. Part of good memories at St Mary’s. There was our purpose is to Christingle in early December; carol for production or distribution • create a warm services for our Junior Schools and for supportive Sawston Youth Group were great fun community with Christ at the centre. We’d love to with drama and stories and songs. The high point Wednesday 2nd March share what we have. Visit us at for many this year was our Christmas Eve Crib www.christchurchsouthcambs.org or in person any Service with a nativity play dramatically set in and Entry by Ticket only Strictly NO alcohol at 7.30 for 8pm in Spicers Pavilion Sunday (9.30am at Sawston Village College, Lower around Sawston itself! Many thanks are due to all School Hall). You will be warmly welcomed. who took part, who decorated the church with Proceeds in aid of Sawston Free Church Funds FREE wine and nibbles! TIM CHAPMAN wonderful flowers, who risked life and limb to put

34 February –March 2 01 1 February –March 20 11 35 VINCENT against an incredible and unlikely are saying hello but ZDZITOWIECKI palette of colours, producing a who in fact would describes the places on his favourite journey; brilliant blood-red sun at dawn that probably dearly love to BO ZDZITOWIECKA sets the rest of the sky on fire. Over eat me if I got close took the pictures … the coming weeks, paint pots of enough. Passing the y favourite place is not a single location crimson, gold and russet of every vet’s often necessitates Mbuty a w alkf betaweenv two: Huigh Srtreiet te places shade are tipped over the trees to add a nervous look up at MSawston to Whittlesford Parkway Station, to or replace summer’s verdant hues, the skies during the undertaken at ridiculous o’clock in the morning, effortlessly overshadowing all our own unsettled seasons. This Monday to Friday. The very thought of this regular modest attempts to create beauty from nature. The is the last outpost before the intrepid walker yomp may fill you with horror but I’ve got to say branches eventually release their foliage and I may ventures onto the ‘common’, open land where that – unless the weather is filthy – it’s a good, if a have to battle cross winds at unnatural angles to get driving rain and howling winds can suddenly turn a tad anti-social, time to clear one’s head and see to the McDonalds stroll into a treacherous close up local features one might miss during busier, roundabout. But when the expedition, onwards to the BP later times of the day. weather is turned off, there garage. If the weather is bad the I am lucky: my befuddledness, having been roused can also be much charm in service station offers a brief respite at a time contrary to most other body clocks, quickly the stillness of autumn, from such squally weather before clears and in the stillness of the early morning my the swish of dry autumn the last leg is undertaken along the imagination enters hyper-drive. The number of Hallmark might be proud. Never mind the cold and leaves underfoot, the eerie cycle path leading to Station lottery wins I’ve celebrated, magnificent speeches interminable darkness, what light there is displays puddle reflections in the Road. Armed with a copy of the I’ve delivered, witty verbal sparring matches I’ve nature in much of its glory without even trying and indifferently lit stretches The Thunderer (or should that be engaged in (and won), splendid work presentations one can almost forget and forgive the borrowed of pavement and paths, Witterer ?) I brave this practically I’ve delivered during my morning perambulations! Siberian climes. the crispness of the light-free stretch of public All in my head, of course, but isn’t it great to be a The days gradually become longer and a diffused morning air when wrapped up warm. Before I know it carriageway – Cambridgeshire County Council hero, if only in one’s own little world? light returns to permeate my journey. The weather is I’m one year closer to retirement as the circle closes please note! – and head towards the luminosity of And if I’m not exercising the flabby grey cells mixed, but the natural world does not rest. Spring and winter is upon us again. Station Road, hoping to avoid the more malicious further by seeing myself winning the London buds appear on the trees, long-forgotten snowdrops, Is that a goldfinch I’ve just seen? Surely that of lorry drivers who rejoice at driving through kerb- Marathon or saving the country from unimaginable crocuses, then daffodils break their way valiantly wasn’t an owl? Was that a muntjak deer crashing side puddles at 200mph to leave me wetter than evil, I might reflect on things closer to home. through the ground, and suddenly colour is restored through the hedgerow upon my distant heavy- nature intended. Seemingly insurmountable problems are chipped to the world again. The longer-appearing summer footed approach? And there goes handsome old The distant sight of an occasionally on-time away at during the half-hour stroll until solutions sun makes being out at a time when others still Reynard slinking around, probably up to no good. twenty-one minutes past to Cambridge may prompt appear or the magnitude of the original stumbling slumber more palatable and its occasional warmth No, there are no herds of wildebeest stampeding me into an accelerated spurt if I am to catch the block is reduced. When I can’t be bothered to do plays tricks on the mind and makes me question how across the veldt, tigers gliding through the twenty-five past to London Liverpool Street. Tardy any thinking at all, I might don earphones and flood perishing the cold actually was in less clement times. undergrowth, nothing that exotic – but for a city fellow commuters now whizz past me in their cars in my head with popular radio music broken up by The brilliance of floral colours on display all boy like me, glimpses of wild birds that aren’t desperate attempts to do handbrake turns into the innocuous DJ chatter and the latest news. around Sawston often gives keen competition to the pigeons or magpies and animals that aren’t cats or car park, gather up their belongings and race to And when not plugged into studio-generated more sensational hues that Attenborough tries to dogs are a thrill every time: it’s surprising how much platform one to catch the express. Traffic police noise, I may instead marvel at all around me: the impress us with in his hush-toned documentaries. wildlife there is to be seen at ridiculous o’clock in officers and council workers drive more sedately in sights and the sounds of the seasons. In the best The spectacular birdsong concerts put on seemingly the Sawston area. the opposite direction from their depots to (and worst) of winter, just for my benefit are only The familiar landmarks en route mark time for commence their daily duties and hopefully validate I can enjoy the momentarily broken up by me. The red pillar box by the bus layby close to the our tax contributions towards their employment. My satisfying crunch of the doughty old 010 bus grand houses I may consider private little world is becoming snow underfoot, the thundering past in its effort buying with my lottery win; increasingly invaded by bustling meringue-topped to get to London Victoria Nightingales’ garage that intrusions I can do little about fields and foliage on time. presages the hourly news now. It is time to don my dipped in icing sugar But as the summer intoned into my ears; the commuter face and enter a creating backdrops months wane someone industrial estates populated different routine – until that vye confidently applies the dimmer switch to only by security vans and tomorrow when I can enjoy as contenders for my morning strolls. Yet even sleeping lorry drivers; the another half-hour’s retreat on traditional Christmas- that can be a blessing as I palette depot where I would this most unlikely of favourite card vistas of which witness the day breaking like to think the Rottweilers Sawston walks. SS

36 February –March 2 01 1 February –March 20 11 37 indicated that the county’s Area group, which had lost the funding AN APOLOGY parish CounCil reports Joint Committee would be meeting We’d like to apologise to David Flynn, it needed to run the Youth Club at consider the options for speed proprietor of DTF Building Services, for a Mill Lane pavilion. The donation REG CULLUM reports from Link Road on local matters… mistake in the write-up of October restrictions along designated parts 2010’s Parish Council meeting. The was approved as part of a revised of the A1301. The proposal was for Sawston Scene report managed to imply figure for the precept. shop, ‘Indulgence’. NEXT MEETINGS a 50mph speed limit from the Mill that the company had fitted the wrong Some planning applications FULL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: kind of tiles on the pavilion roof. Presentation of The full Parish Council will meet Lane junction to the roundabout on had come in too late for members 14 DECEMBER 2010 again in the Parish Council office in In fact, what happened was that DTF Chair Eugene Murray brought the meeting to order reports by the Link Road at 7.15pm on the A505. The rest of the bypass asked the roofing contractor to re-fix to have looked at them beore the promptly at 7.15pm with full attendance by the Recreation and Open • Tuesday 8th February would continue with the present several of the slates which had already meeting: the decision was made • Tuesday 8th March been laid by the previous roofers; the council members. Spaces, Planning and To ask for an agenda, contact the national speed. Councillor Orgee roofing contractor suggested using a clip to defer consideration of these Environment, Staff Parish Clerk, Jo Keeler, on 01223 then went on to advise that the system on the front elevation rather than until the next Planning 832470 or [email protected], or a nailed system to make it easier to BOWLS CLUB WATER Management, and county’s winter gritting schedule committee meeting. call at the office. replace individual slates that might be The first item of the evening was a discussion on the Finance and General had been amended to include broken by footballs or cricket balls. The The Chair then reported on the use of the water supply to the Sawston Bowls Club’s Purposes Committees further roads in the immediate area; architect and PC Chair Eugene Murray failure of the office boiler. Three agreed that this was a good idea, and this premises. Historically, the metered single supply to were accepted. Matters discussed included: however, people need to be mindful was then reported at the Parish Council contractors had inspected the all of the buildings on the sports field was paid for · approval for the dates of 22nd to 29th May for a that salt and grit are only effective meeting, with the note that no extra cost unit, each indicating that it would by the Parish Council. Although the Bowls Club visiting circus down to temperatures of minus had been incurred and in fact the method be more expensive to repair the would make future repairs more had its own meter on a spur, there had never been · an alternative suggestion to that of the County eight degrees. Council members economical – good news all round! appliance than to install a new any financial contribution by them to the council’s Council Highways Authority for a speed review of expressed concern on the visible Apologies again for the misunderstanding. boiler. The view of the members expenditure. It was agreed to request a contribution the Sawston bypass (A1301) condition of some roads. Councillor was that a new boiler would be for past usage and to introduce two separate meter · a contribution of £500 to the Sawston Rovers Orgee advised the meeting that everyone could play more efficient. The quotations by the contractors readings with the objective of recording usage football club towards the completed repair of the their part by reporting potholes to the county’s depot were considered and a decision made to engage leading to approved payments by both the Bowls Mill Lane floodlights at Whittlesford. Sawston Plumbing and Heating. Club and the Parish Council together. · the setting of 9th January 2011 between 10am The minutes of the full council meeting held on The Chair continued his report by indicating the and 12 noon for an open day for everyone in the 14th December were approved as a true record. success of the Sawston Pavilion open day, during LOCALISM BILL village to view the new sports pavilion on Spicers During matters arising, members were advised that which members of the public had been able to view Under the heading of County Council update, sports field the installation of the noticeboard donated by the new sports facility. It just remained for a risk members were advised on the publication of the · agreement on Saturday 2nd July for a Classic Car Budgens was coming to a positive conclusion and assessment to be completed as a preliminary step to Localism Bill. Although in draft form, the bill sets Show, subject to certain conditions, on either it should be available for community use by the obtaining a certificate from the Fire Authority, at out proposals for future responsibilities for parish Mill Lane or Lynton Way recreation grounds. end of January. which point the building would be ready for use. councils and the mechanism for linking services. It The meeting drew to a close with the Chair As reported in the December meeting, a car wash Finally, the Chair hoped members will have is understood that South Cambridgeshire District requesting agenda items for the next Full Parish facility in Common Lane was still in place. now noticed the installation of cycle racks around Council will attempt to set its own budget during Council meeting. Discussions on this issue were continuing and an the village. February 2011 in response to the complex grant update would be presented to the Parish Council in If you’d like to know more about any of these issues, directives from central government. FULL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: due course. ask the Parish Clerk, Jo Keeler, for a copy of the full 11 JANUARY 2011 The report of the Finance & General Purposes minutes of the meeting: phone 01223 832470, email OTHER MATTERS In bringing the meeting to order, the Chair alerted committee provided information to the meeting that [email protected], or call at the Parish Council During the confirmation and signing of previous full council members that the office boiler had failed a donation was being sought by the Youth Activities Office in Link Road. SS council meeting minutes held on 9th and 23rd and would refer this matter as an item for discussion November, members discussed: later on in the agenda. · the future installation of the notice board Under the heading of Public Participation Time, donated by Budgens a member of the public sought information on the · the reappearance of a car-wash facility in sale and disposal of the John Falkner school Common Lane and whether the premises were together with Butler’s Green. The meeting was authorised to off such a service and advised that Cambridgeshire County Council had · the use of the Babraham footpath by mounted received tenders, of which one company seemingly horses with the resultant mess left behind. met the criteria set out by the council. At the During the report and acceptance of the moment, the financial security of this company was Celebratory Events committee minutes, members being assessed. However, there had, as yet, been no were advised that the Best Window Display decision made on the future of the green. competition was won by the newly opened sweet An update from County Councillor Tony Orgee

38 February –March 2 01 1 February –March 20 11 39 DistriCt CounCil report Opportunities Without Limits (OWL) Ron Lowe Creating work, learning and leisure Your local gardener / Councillor DAVID BARD reports from South Cambridgeshire District Council… Your local gardener/ opportunities for people who are handy man handy man disadvantaged in the community • Property maintenance LOCALISM BILL bonus will be funded from the existing local • OWL Bikes – refurbished bikes for sale, spares, • CPropertyarpent ry maintenance The Localism Bill was published on 13th December, government grant pot and so authorities which have • accessories, service & repairs (at London Road Industrial Estate) • BCarpentryrickwork 2010 and I attended a ministerial briefing on 22nd low rates of development will lose out. There is a • OWL Café – delicious home made food: meals, snacks, cakes • FBrickworkencing December hosted by Greg Clarke, Minister of State stick as well as a carrot. • to eat in or takeaway (at Sawston Free Church) • PFencingainting (Decentralisation), Communities and Local The Localism Bill can be accessed at: Volunteer your time and skills • Painting Government. The Localism Bill covers a huge range www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/ Make a donation with Gift Aid • Garden design • Garden Design Donate unwanted bicycles, mobile phones, batteries, • Hedge trimming of issues, but the main emphasis in the briefing cmbills/126/11126.i-v.html • Hedge Trimming aluminium cans, clothes and shoes for recycling and reuse • Lawn care session was on its planning aspects. and a summary at: • Lawn Care Become a ‘Friend of OWL’ • Tree lopping One of the provisions of the bill is to abolish services.parliament.uk/bills/2010-11/localism.html • Tree lopping Regional Structure Plans, such as the East of OWL, Sawston Village College, New Road, Sawston CB22 3BP Tel: 01223 835329 Contact numbers: www.owlgroup.org.uk Contact numbers: England Plan, which laid out strategic planning RECYCLING 07835 218294 (mobile) OWL – providing a better future 07835 218294 (Mobile) policies for the whole region. We thought that these Early statistics for recycling rates suggest that since 01223 832214 ( evenings) Registered Charity No. 1108447 Company Limited by Guarantee No. 4619957 had been abolished in June, but a series of legal the introduction of the blue bins in October, challenges from Cala Homes has resulted in a High collection of the recyclable waste which goes in the Court ruling that regional plans will remain in place blue bin (and formerly went mainly in the green First Call Pest Control until removed by primary legislation, which is one boxes) has increased by around 25%. It will be for all aspects of pest control of the provisions in the Localism Bill. difficult, though, to assess the total increase in Wasps, Rats, Mice, There was some concern that strategic planning recycling until a year’s figures are available – these would fall to the Local Economic Partnerships are necessary to take into account seasonal Moles, Etc l (LEP s). In my view this would be a retrograde step fluctuations. I would like to take this opportunity to Home selection service Registered With l as the LEP s are set up to be business-led and will congratulate the refuse teams, who did not miss any Free measuring & Estimating National Pest l Domestic & Commercial hence be even less democratically accountable than collection rounds during the very cold and icy Technicians Association carpets, vinyls, tiles, wood, the former regional assemblies, which at least had a weather before and during the Christmas period. Tel: 01223 830 746 laminates majority of council representatives on them. One of There were a few instances of frozen lids which made l All Leading brands available the provisions of the bill is, however, a ‘duty to co- it difficult to empty some individual bins, but on the Mob: 07951 047688 01223 893634 operate’ between neighbouring authorities, and in whole, the service was unaffected by the weather. my view and the view of most of those present, Call For Free Advice cross-boundary planning issues can be dealt with NEIGHBOURHOOD PANEL CAMBRIDGE satisfactorily by this mechanism. The last neighbourhood panel took place on 4th Another provision of the Localism Bill is to give January at Sawston Free Church. Crime figures for AND SURROUNDING local communities a greater say, through parish Sawston for the three months from September to plans, in what development takes place in villages. November 2010 showed an increase from 39 to 61 · FoHolisticr all your ca rTherapistpet, vinyl, laminate MON–FRI 9 am–5 pm ….relaxing therapy on On questioning, however, Greg Clarke indicated over the preceding three months, but a reduction and wallpaper needs SAT~· CDeboraho m9m am–4ercial f lopmo riCarterng and ~ mind, body and spirit… that these parish plans will still have to conform to from 82 compared with the same period in 2009. safety flooring UNIT 3A SAWSTONMeadow PARK View the district-wide local plans which in turn have to Anti-social behaviour continues to reduce: there · ForCarFeelingp allet c lyoureanin Stressed?gcarpet, and vinyl, LONDON ROAD42 Common Lane stain guarding provide enough development to support growth in were 34 incidents in the period September to Relaxlaminate & Unwind & wallpaper with needs an PAMPISFORD Sawston · NEW Curtains – ready made and www.designerdrapescurtains.co.uk the local economy. Exactly how any conflict November 2010 compared with 63 incidents in the AromatherapyCommercial &Massage safety flooring or CAMBRIDGETel: CB2201223 3EE 506008 . made to measure [email protected] between parish and district aspirations will be period June to August 2010 and 57 in the period LargeIndian showroom, Head Massage free parking Tel:Mobile: 01223 07899 837005 844467 resolved remained unclear. The official view was September to November 2009. .sCarpetawst ocleaning,n carp stainet guardingemail: [email protected] that the New Homes Bonus will make communities Priorities selected for the next period (January to . and flooring ltd. Curtains & Blinds more eager to accept development: it augments, April 2011) are again: . Upholstery from central funds, the council tax on new • Road safety issues across the neighbourhood to Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm Saturday 9am to 4pm properties for six years after occupation. The way in include, obstructive road and pavement parking. Leather Specialists Large showroom with free parking at: which this bonus would be divided between county, • To implement preventative measures to reduce UNIT 3A SAWSTON PARK district and parish is still under discussion. It is the number and impact of incidents of rogue LONDON ROAD PAMPISFORD Hadstock 01223 890556 important to note also that after the first year, the trading and bogus callers across the CAMBRIDGE CB22 3EE TEL: 01223 837005 Mon –Fri 8am –5pm Sat 9am –12noon Sun closed www.sawstoncarpets.com

40 February –March 2 01 1 neighbourhood. This will include prompt July, and Monday 3rd October, all at Sawston attendance to reported incidents as is appropriate. Village College. All meetings will start at 7:00 for The dates of the next neighbourhood panel 7:30pm. They are open to all members of the public meetings are Monday 4th April 2011, Monday 4th and everyone can have a say. SS

COUNCILS ONLINE : Sawston Parish Council’s website is at www.sawston.org.uk ; South Cambridgeshire District Council’s website is l at www.scambs.gov.uk · Cambridgeshire County Council’s website is at www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk Reflexology l Aromatherapy l Swedish Massage l County CounCil report Baby Massage Classes Councillors TONY ORGEE and GAIL KENNEY report from Cambridgeshire County Council…

COUNTY BUDGET · Local authority fostering and adoption was judged We have mentioned this before but it is really good: five out of the eight local authority going to mean big changes in the way that the children’s homes were good or better. CB22 3EW County Council delivers its services: we have to · More than 50% of our children got five A to C save £160.6 million over five years and this will grades at GCSE which is better than most other not happen if we just cut little parts of the services. counties, and this is increasing year on year. We are therefore planning to transform the way we · Three of our Pupil Referral Units are praised, but SAW STON POST OFFICE deliver care making all our services slimmer and the fourth is still finding it difficult. No w offering a compreh ensive range of more efficient. · There is general satisfaction with the health s ervices for local people

The workforce will be reduced by 450 people, but services. • Complete Post Office 43 Woodland Road, • Quality g reeting s c ards and stationery while there will be some redundancies, we will also · Pregnancies in our teenage population are Sawston, Cambridge CB22 3DT • Photo developing freeze the posts of those leaving or retiring. Some decreasing year on year. • Colou r photocopying • Inte rnationa l phone cards services will change and some will cease. The care · Adult Social Care has an annual inspection by • Passport photos we give will not now be universal but we will focus the Care Quality Commission and they say we • Foreign c urre ncy on demand on the most vulnerable, and very importantly we have a clear vision, we are tackling inequalities • Travel ins uran ce on demand • Moneygram will devolve decision-making. across the county, and we are rated good. • Co ach day to uts and excursions (Agents Fewer bus services will be subsidised but there will for Richmond’s Co aches) • Banking s ervices – br inging your local be a more integrated approach involving local BUSWAY ba nk to yo u: Alliance &

Leicester/GIRO/Lloyds TBS/The Co- people more, and value for money is crucial. Bam Nuttall have failed to deliver again on their Operative Bank/Barclays For social care we will increase direct payments promise that they would deliver a finished busway MOBILE and directed support to those in need of help, giving before they closed down for Christmas. Only 11 out M on, Tu e, Th u , Fri: 9am to 5.30pm 07702 349250 Wed: 9am to 4 pm ; Sat : 9am to 1pm these people more choice and control. We will of the 44 mandatory certificates have been Pho ne 01223 833101 intervene earlier when people do need care, and we delivered. All six major defects in the busway in the will give a package of reablement which will provide north of the county are still outstanding, in spite of Feeling stressed? better outcomes. promises that they would be rectified. However, Ga r y’s We need your views, so please send your CCC is delivering an ultimatum that these Relax and unwind with an suggestions and comments to problems must be rectified in 28 days; Bam Nuttall Aromatherapy Massage or [email protected] or have a right of reply, but if they are then not done G a ra g e Indian Head Massage [email protected]. CCC can find another firm to put the problems Unit 2 8, Lo ndon Road right and charge Bam Nuttall out of the 5% Industri al Estate, Pampisford, DDeebboorraahh CCaarrtteerr Cambridge, CB22 3EE GOVERNMENT GRANT retention fee. We are also charging them nearly I C HHOOLLIISSTTIC This is as expected. The formula grant for 2011 –12 £14,000 a day for late delivery. For MOTs on cars and moto rc ycles I S T is down by 14.3% but the new Social Care Grant is T H E R A P IST Servicing, air-conditioning, relaxing therapy for increased slightly. RECYCLING diagn os tics, weldin g and re lax ing t t… The nine recycling centres in the county now have general repairs mmiinndd,, bbooddyy aanndd ssppiirriit…

a special media banks to recycle CD s, DVD s, PC on all makes of cars OUR SERVICES ARE IMPROVING Meadow View , 42 Com mon Lane, Cambridgeshire County Council services are programmes, soft and hard covered books, and Call Gar y for frie ndly local Saw ston, CB 22 3HW performing well according to OFSTED : the vast board games. Wilcox Reprocessors will collect them service: 01223 836313 Mobile 07720 770 266 Phone 01223 506008 majority of our services are good or better. and reuse them.  Mobile 07899 844467 SS [email protected] Email [email protected]

42 February –March 2 01 1 4. Add the Stilton and crème fraîche and blend 7. Top the grilled bread with the slices of Stilton South Cambridgeshire Cultural rewards College on until smooth. and grill until golden and bubbling. District Council and Wednesday 30th 5. Transfer the blended mixture back to the 8. Season the soup with salt, black pepper and a st ART would like to thank all recognised for their efforts, just March 2011. Andy O’Hanlon saucepan and bring gently to a simmer. pinch of nutmeg. those volunteers who put so send in your nomination by 25th For information about st ART 6. Meanwhile, for the croûtons, toast the slices of 9. Put into bowls and top each with a much into helping making our February 2011. To ask for a form, and to see The List Live, a free French bread until golden-brown . Stilton croûton. SS villages more creative, happier contact Andy O’Hanlon at online directory bursting with places to live. SCDC on 01954 713343 or information about artists, venues, If you know of an individual [email protected]. festivals and feasts, and or a group that really adds the Awards will be presented by professional and amateur groups cultural life of your community the chair of the council at a gala across Cambridgeshire, go to Chrissie’s Kitchen and would like to see them evening at Swavesey Village www.start-arts.org.uk ’ve thought for a long time about CHRISSIE MAWSON is taking stock… Ibecoming a vegetarian, and, in the end, decided against it. The thought process, HAM though, affected the way I cook in many ways. I like STOCK to use as much of the animal as possible, out of I just save the Andy’s Allotment respect. Making stock plays an important part in water when I this. When you buy a whole chicken you get the boil a ham and succulent meat, but you also get another gift: the use this as I carcass, which, when boiled, carries more chicken would other stock. flavour than the meat ever did! If you boil a joint of I mainly use stock in soup, though it can also be t hasn’t been a very good winter so far for working when you plant them out, you don’t have to try to ham, it feels wasteful to throw away the flavoursome used in risottos and gravies. Here is my favourite Iin the allotment, says ANDY JACKSON . get the seedling out of the container – just plant the liquor it was boiled in. If I buy shrimp from the fish soup recipe and another recipe which works really I managed to get a few onions and garlic in before whole thing, and the cardboard will disintegrate. van, I put the shells into a pan; boil them for about well with ham stock… the weather turned nasty, but have started the rest Meanwhile, I hope that the pigeons have not 20 minutes and have the basis of tomorrow’s lunch. in the greenhouse. I’ll be browsing through my seed wiped out my calabrese this year, though they have If I don’t have time to make the stock TOM YAM SOUP catalogues to decide what to try this year, and I’ve really been attacking it. If I can get enough, I shall immediately, I freeze the bones and make the stock This is my idea of heaven, and it’s a very quick set up little diagrams on my computer to show make a tasty soup I discovered last year: when I have time; I just use the bones from frozen in lunch. It’s also very adaptable as you can pretty where I need to plant things in the spring, to make the recipes below. You can also freeze stock in much use what you have in the larder. You need sure I rotate stuff properly. I was advised by a CALABRESE AND STILTON SOUP portions for when you need it. about half a bowlful of chicken, meat or colleague that my poor potato crop was partly 1lb calabrese or broccoli – including stalks cut fish/shellfish stock per person, and spicy Tom Yam because of a lack of potash, so I’ve dug in a couple of into small pieces CHICKEN OR MEAT STOCK paste which can be purchased in most large barrow-loads of ash from the bonfire into the area ¾ pint vegetable stock After roasting a whole chicken or joint of meat, supermarkets, but I buy mine from one of the Asian where the spuds will go. 1oz vegetable oil strip the meat from the bones; place all the bones in stores on Mill Road in Cambridge. Put the stock in I’ve also built a new compost box next to the old One onion, finely chopped a pan, cover with water and boil for two to three a small saucepan; add a teaspoon of Tom Yam paste. one. I used four old pallets tied together with old 2oz Stilton, crumbled hours (less for chicken, more for meat). Some Bring to the boil with noodles, leftover meat, electrical flex, and then forked the top stuff from 100ml/3½fl oz crème fraîche people like to add onions, carrots, celery, prawns, finely shredded veggies, and optionally a the old heap into the bottom of the new box. The salt and black pepper to taste peppercorns or parsley to the boiling water, but I tablespoon of goji berries. Serve in a large bowl with composted stuff from the rest of the old heap will go pinch freshly grated nutmeg don’t, as I find chicken stock so versatile that I like fresh coriander and finely sliced spring onions. I under the potatoes. the pure flavour to which then I can add other mostly eat this when I have a cold as it contains lots You can compost virtually any vegetable matter, FOR THE CROÛTONS flavours when it’s used in recipes. of things that help me to heal. including old cabbage stalks (provided they haven’t Four slices of French baguette bread Some recipes call for skimming the stock, but this got clubroot): you need to chop them all up with a ¼lb Stilton, sliced just prevents it from becoming cloudy and, quite BARBECUE BEANS spade and mix in plenty of other stuff. I’d even Serves four frankly, I don’t care if it’s cloudy (I’m not Heston Sauté some finely chopped onions, celery and include potato haulms and blighted tomato plants Blumenthal). When it’s finished boiling, I strain the peppers. Add chopped carrots and whatever tinned (which is absolutely taboo to many gardeners!) – so 1. Heat the onions in the vegetable oil in the stock, discarding the bones and saving the liquid. beans you have in (I like black beans). Add ham long as you leave it all to compost thoroughly. I bottom of the saucepan until soft stock, a teaspoon of treacle, a tin of tomatoes and know a lot of people will disagree, but the debate on 2. Add the chopped calabrese (or broccoli) and FISH STOCK some spices (cinnamon, cumin, coriander, cayenne the internet is very inconclusive. I also add in bits of stock and cook till tender. Put fish bones, prawn shells or shrimp shells into a maybe?). Boil until it’s nice and thick, then serve shredded paper and cardboard – but I save the 3. Transfer the cooked broccoli (or calabrese) and pan and cover with water. Don’t boil for longer than with rice or in a jacket potato. You can top it with cardboard centres of loo rolls to plant seeds in. Then stock to a food processor. half an hour or the stock will be bitter. soured cream and a spoonful of salsa, if you like. SS

44 February –March 2 01 1 February –March 20 11 45 Qu ot do e “ na Saw te sto Ch £10 n A day in the life ari to Sce ty n fo Joh e” YASMIN EMERSON talks to Funeral Director Richard Pepper… r e n H an ve un d w ry tin e ne gd ’ll w p on ol ’s ot many people can say applied to prevent the skin Financial and insurance expertise icy. that their day starts at one becoming blotchy. Once this is Nor two o’clock in the done, the family may see their that is trusted locally morning, but Richard Pepper’s relative in the chapel, making as and respected nationally funeral service really is available many appointments as they wish. For Home Insurance, Motor Insurance, Commercial Insurance twenty-four hours a day, seven days Some families choose not to visit, Life Insurance & Pensions, Investment & Wealth management a week. “After the doctor has come and Richard doesn’t force the Contact us today on 01954 233650 out to certify the death,” says issue – although he does find that Gibbs Denley Richard, “I can be there within an visiting can help the bereavement Crystal House, Buckingway Business Park, Swavesey, Cambridge CB24 4UL hour or two – and people do often process, giving families a positive Tel: 01954 233650 Web: www.gibbsdenley.co.uk call in the middle of the night.” image to remember. Email: [email protected] Gibbs Denley Insurance Services Ltd are authorised and regulated by the Financial Having arrived at a home where a family member Does he have plans for his own funeral? Not Services Authority. Gibbs Denley Financial Services Ltd is an appointed representative of Gibbs Denley Insurance Services who are authorised and regulated by the Financial has died, Richard will give a brief explanation of the really, he says, other than he’d prefer to be Services Authority. processes to come, ensure that Mum or Dad is taken cremated. “For me, the land is for the living,” he to the company’s mortuary in Sawston, and phone says. “Once you’re gone, you’re gone.” the family again in the morning. He does say “Mum Richard and his wife Mandy have run the family ROTHWELLS MMAARRKK DDUUNNNN or Dad”; does he always use that kind of language? firm since 1988. What changes have they seen, in CARPET CLEANING HOME IMPROVEMENTS Yes, he says: he finds the term ‘deceased’ too cold nearly thirty years in the business? Mainly differing The most thorough cleaning achievable  Free kitchen design service and impersonal – and he’s known people to find the fashions for services: these days, most people ask for Local (Babraham) family firm  Kitchens supplied and fitted word upsetting. their relative to be buried in their own clothes, Established 1993  Appliances supplied The average funeral costs around £2,500, rather than a special dressing robe, as used to be the We lift and move all furniture  Full house refurbishments although an economical package can be less than norm. Service sheets were not very common; now Only pay if and when satisfied – no quibble  Bedroom fitting £1,000. “I like to establish all the main most people ask for one to be provided either by For a firm and fully inclusive price  Doors planed in and fitted requirements for the person’s funeral first,” says Richard or the church. “It’s nice for people to have  Laminated flooring Richard. Then there’s the choice of coffin: the something to take home,” Richard explains. He used Phone Max Campbell  Floor and wall tiling display, in a separate room, is quite something – the to be asked to supply a hearse plus three or four cars; 01223 832 928  Painting and decorating  majority are wood veneer (with a variety of these days families want to travel in their own cars, 07711 675 613 Professional installation mouldings, finishes and ironmongery available), but and usually ask for just one car in addition to the  Free estimates – no obligation If you use us you’ll recommend us! some are solid oak. The ecologically friendly options hearse. Richard obviously prefers it when families TEL / FAX 01223 574626 include a woven coffin made of bamboo, as well as choose to all travel in limousines – not because of www.prideinthejob.com MOBILE 07905150916 cardboard, seagrass, and even recycled newspaper – his profit margins, but because it means there are no and yes, people do choose all of these. I had worries about family members getting lo!st in traffic. assumed that coffins came in small, medium, or “The funeral service has to be spot on,” he says: !"##$%&'()*++$ large, but Richard explained that he takes “there’s only one chance to get it right.” "#$%&'(!)(*(+,-.&'(! measurements and the coffin is made to order by a And that seems to sum up Richard’s whole ,**-$./0+-1$2&0)-'-'*#/&$ joinery company in Haverhill. The headstone, if attitude to his business – his passion for ‘getting it $ required, is also made to order by the firm’s own right’ and the necessity for attention to detail. ! /012!1,#34!.+#5567! mason, in natural stone or granite, and this is a large Whatever is right will vary from person to person: ! 89#-:!1,#34!+67;-67! factor in the price, costing from £650 to £1,200. all beliefs and needs are respected. Richard tries to ! %0+14!-,33;4!+67;-67! mortuary – so there is no need to preserve bodies long as time allows. How tired he must be at the ! &;12,3!?1@6-.#014! artificially. The mortuary room, with space for up to end of a long day of talking to some very distressed ! "+A!,17!-+,-:67!96634! ! six bodies, is kept at four degrees centigrade. After people. He agrees, recalling a lonely man suddenly "#,B6.#-4!-,+67!@0+! ! the body has been collected from the hospital or widowed recently, who he phoned every couple of )0B#36!46+C#-6!$+0C#7#12!@00.!-,+6! home, it is dressed and prepared so that the face days to check up on. “But it’s all about care and #1!.96!-05@0+.!0@!A0;+!9056! looks natural and peaceful, as though the person was looking after people in the community,” he says, ! asleep. Men may need a shave, and moisturiser is “being there when they need you.” SS 3/+4$56667$689855$ ! 46 February –March 2 01 1 THE GAS SPECIALIST CHIROPODIST NIGEL SHARP D.HATTER DAVID LEVY MSSCh MBChA Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Service, Install and repair Specialist Home visiting practice All domestic gas appliances * Domestic & Commercial Incl. fires, cookers, & boilers Saturday morning clinic held at * Stain Removal & Protection 01223 844866 Billson Opticians, Sawston * Spot Cleaning Gas Safe Registered 131405 Call now on 07966187493 Est.1994 01223 834634 For a Free Quotation.

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