Fulbourn Mill

Fulbourn Village Pump: correction

2012-01-28T14:05:00.000-08:00

Fulbourn Village Pump – correction. The January edition of Fulbourn Village Pump, which has just been circulated to all households in the village, gives the wrong e mail address for the Parish Clerk on the back page. The correct e mail address is clerk.fpc@btconnect.com. If you have e mailed the clerk about any of the articles in the Village Pump or sent any photographs please resend them using the above email address.

The Mill: Thank You!

2011-12-09T03:17:00.000-08:00

The December/Christmas edition of the Mill having been delivered free to every household in Fulbourn, I'd like to take this opportunity to say a BIG thank-you to everybody who helped assemble the individual parts of the issue and to everybody who took part in delivering it. Thank you!

Christmas Craft Morning for Children!

2011-11-29T09:22:00.000-08:00

Christmas Craft Morning for children!

Dec 17th at 10am-12pm at Great Wilbraham church (St Nicholas, across Church Street from Great Wilbraham Primary School).

We now need to find people to volunteer as helpers for this event. Each activity will need a leader and also we may need a tea/coffee/juice/snack person too.

Craft 1: Christmas Cards
Craft 2: Christmas decorations
Craft 3: Advent wreaths/ Christmas tree decorating
Craft 4: Nativity puppets

Click for a Google Map of Great Wilbraham

for the forces: Royal Wooton Bassett rocks!

2011-11-23T01:23:00.000-08:00

This is a cover of the Green Day song Wake me up when September ends by the community of Royal Wooton Bassett, made with the band's blessing, in aid of various charities for former forces personnel and their families. If you like it - or even if it's not quite your thing but you appreciate the reason it was made - there's details at the end about how you can make a donation to these charities. I realise it's a big ask after Children in Need, but we as a nation have made a big ask of the forces.

Enjoy!

in pictures: 2 minutes' silence in Fulbourn

2011-11-13T08:37:00.000-08:00

November 11: a meditation

2011-11-13T08:27:00.000-08:00

In the last century there were two world wars, allegedly, "wars to end all wars". Yet still wars rage across the globe and our Armed Forces are involved, with the inevitable loss of life and horrific injuries. Here is something I would like to pass on as we prepare once more to remember those who gave there all.

During the Second World War a young Scots Commando, stationed in the South of England, was among a group of men who were handed orders for a special operation.

There was to be a daring raid on occupied France …so daring that the young Scot realised that his chances of returning from it were slim.

As it turned out, his fears were not unfounded, for though the mission itself was successful. Not one of the party survived the raid.

Late, the operational order paper he had been given was found among his belongings. And across the top of it he had written, in a firm hand, these words: -

"I go forward not knowing the things which shall befall me, but I know in whom I believe."

The unit commander was so impressed that on every operation his men carried out after that, he saw to it that these words were printed across their orders. They became a comfort and guiding light to the brave men who paved the way to victory.

May it never be said that we have forgotten such courage.

Brian Scullion

Fulbourn Primary School update - November 2011

2011-11-07T14:48:00.000-08:00

This new school year has got off to a busy start; we can’t believe, as we write this, that it is just day until the half term break . We were delighted to welcome many new children into the reception year and they have made a very happy start. They have been helped to settle in by their year 6 'buddies', who play with them at break times, assist them with managing their trays in the lunch hall and visit them in their classrooms to learn alongside them. As well as this being of enormous support to the youngsters, it helps the oldest children in the school to develop a sense of responsibility and maturity.

We are also pleased to have awarded 'Citizens' status to the year 6 children who applied for this important and responsible post in the school. They do an invaluable job running the office over lunchtime, helping to organise school dinners, leading playtimes for the younger children and so on. As well as enabling them to develop important life-skills, such as the ability to answer the phone politely and take messages, it helps to crate a sense of contributing to their community.

The other children have also settled back in quickly and are thoroughly enjoying their new topics. Classes in key stage 1 (infants) are studying Space, Ourselves and The Great Fire of London whilst those in key stage 2 (juniors) are learning about Eco-warriors, Romans and Modern Britain, including World War II. Lots of exciting learning is planned, including a trip for Pine class to the Folk Museum. If you think you might be able to help us with any of these subjects, for example with artefacts or by coming to talk to the children and sharing your knowledge or experiences, please do contact the school. We are always delighted to make the most off opportunities to link the school with the local community.

We were pleased to welcome Revd Alice Goodman to the school. She has been in to lead several assemblies and we all enjoyed visiting St Vigor’s Church for a Harvest Festival service, jointly hosted by Alice and Nigel Uden in late September.

We have two events coming up that villagers may be interested in.

On Tuesday 15th November from 9.15-10.30am we are holding an Open Morning for parents of children starting school in September 2012 (children born between 1st September 2007 and 31st August 2008). This will be an opportunity for prospective to find out about the school, how to apply for a place, meet the head teacher, tour the school 'at work' and ask any preliminary questions you may have.
On Friday 2nd December at 7pm for a 7.30pm start the PTA is holding its annual quiz night at the school.

Fiona Thorpe
Claire Pickard
Head Teachers

Find out more

Click to go to Fulbourn Primary School website
Find out more about Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 at DirectGov

repeat prescriptions for November: urgent deadline

2011-11-06T19:35:00.000-08:00

The first section of Gill Cummins' latest news from Fulbourn Health Centre concerns a very important deadline for repeat prescriptions this month, so I reckon it deserves its own post - Ed.

We are on schedule for our computer switchover towards the end of November.
We will be running a limited service for a few days and ask our patients to bear with us during this time. Please be assured that any urgent matters and emergencies will be dealt with promptly as always.

It will be difficult to deal with large volumes of prescription requests during this period, so we ask that if you normally order your prescription between Wednesday 16th November and Friday 25th November that we have your request by

Friday 11th November

Fulbourn Health Centre news - November '11

2011-11-06T19:33:00.000-08:00

We are on schedule for our computer switchover towards the end of November.
We will be running a limited service for a few days and ask our patients to bear with us during this time. Please be assured that any urgent matters and emergencies will be dealt with promptly as always.
It will be difficult to deal with large volumes of prescription requests during this period, so we ask that if you normally order your prescription between Wednesday 16th November and Friday 25th November that we have your request by
Friday 11th November.

In addition, we will be closed at lunchtimes from 12:30pm-2:30pm from
Thursday 10th November – Wednesday 23rd November to enable all staff at the Practice to be fully trained on the new system. Urgent Care Cambridgeshire will provide emergency cover during this time on 0330 123 9131.

We will all need time to familiarise ourselves with a new way of working and once the system is fully established we will be able to introduce an enhanced range of services for our patients in the New Year.
Watch this space!

Our Patient Participation Group will be hosting an Open Evening at the Health Centre on the evening of Thursday 8th December at 6:30pm. Please put the date in you diary and join us for a cup of (non alcoholic) fruit punch. The PPG would like to reach a much wider audience and is keen to ensure that all our patients are represented. This is an opportunity for you to make your views known.

Gill Cummins
Office Manager
Fulbourn Health Centre

give a disabled child a gift for Xmas

2011-10-27T12:26:00.000-07:00

Stuck for a present idea?

WHY NOT BUY A GIFT THAT REALLY MAKES A DIFFERENCE?

An alternative to giving a traditional present to someone you know. The recipient will know that their gift has helped a disabled child in Uganda.

All gift cards have a photograph of the item you have purchased as a gift on the front.

Gift cards can be either sent to you for giving personally or sent to the person for whom the gift is being given on your behalf.

GIFT OPTIONS
Set of Crutches £5
1 Mosquito net £5
A chicken £5
A Duck £7
Month’s food (Nutrition programme) £10
Childs wooden support chair £15
Standing Frame £20
A goat £25
Term’s school fees £50

Example of text in the card:

For further information, please contact soh_uganda@yahoo.co.uk

When ordering, remember to send details of who it needs to be sent to, either to you or direct to the recipient.

Jean Clark

From the Spring of Hope Casebook

Brenda is one of our 100 children who need to be on a nutrition program. She is a 10-year-old girl who weighs 10kg where a child of 10 should weigh approx 30kg. Brenda has severe cerebral palsy, which is leading her to have severe feeding difficulties as well. She is regularly sick due to her fragile start; this sickness has often led her close to death.

Her mother is separated from her husband and is now alone without any support. Her only income is from her garden and what she grows. Often she is unable to go into the garden due to Brenda being so sick, which leads Brenda becoming weaker as she has nothing to eat. More of Brenda under Nutrition project on www.sohug.givengain.com and www.springofhope.org.uk. We are currently supporting 31 children out of 100 who need nutritional support, through porridge flour, eggs, milk and in some cases potatoes. These children need more support than just this. In the last three years, we have seen 50 of our children die due to eating difficulties.

Please pray for Brenda and support her.

Mpanga Waswa is five years old and has hydrocephalus. His mother had a normal pregnancy and gave birth to twins who were born without complications. Within hours Mpanga’s birth he became sick; on medical examination, the doctor told Mama Mpanga that her child was in danger.

His head was swelling and he was developing hydrocephalus. Mpanga needed surgery; Mama Mpanga refused due to the cost, and the mother just did not have money to support him. Mpanga was sent home, as the hospital could not do anything more for him. When Mpanga was 15 months old, Mama Mpanga heard about Spring of Hope and came for help as she had lost all hope. Mpanga was able to have the surgery he needed.

Since this surgery, Mpanga has learnt to sit without support, learnt to talk and tell hilarious and interesting jokes. He is a very confident little boy who loves people and loves having fun. Mpanga would love to go to school.

If you feel touched by this testimony, you can sponsor him now by inquiry through our email contact at soh_uganda@yahoo.co.uk.

SPRING OF HOPE PRAYER REQUESTS:

Pray for increased funding. SoHUG is short of funds we would request you to pray for funding.

Pray for a good season of service. This is our first season as a registered organization in our own right. Pray for our united team and our children for healing of the families.

Christmas Ideas – Gift certificate

Are you currently looking for a Christmas present, which is unforgettable, what about giving a family a duck or a child a standing frame? you can give a gift from as little as £5/$5. The recipient of the gift will receive a card and photo - go to the top of the post for further details.

You can also Donate through www.sohug.givengain.org/ anywhere in the world.

If you are a taxpayer in the UK, please donate using stewardship quoting Spring of Hope, service user number 20041306.

Teresha Karahukayo Clark
Spring of Hope Executive Director
www.springofhope.org.uk
Spring of Hope Uganda blog

Narnia Xpression! All-age activities and Worship

2011-10-18T09:34:00.000-07:00

Venue: Great Wilbraham School, 4:30-6:00pm, Sunday, 23rd October.

Theme: Narnia.

Activities:Something for everyone! ....

Chilling out with a cuppa.

Making Crowns and Horns

Constructing the stone table

Designing Narnia lanterns

Having Supper in Mr and Mrs Beaver's Lodge (for 7's and unders; pizza slices/rolls/fruit/juice)

Do come and join us! Narnia costumes encouraged, but not obligatory!

Lucy
Parish Assistant
Fulbourn & The Wilbrahams

Click here for directions to Great Wilbraham School

coffee morning: Zimbabwe Christmas appeal

2011-10-14T20:27:00.000-07:00

Please do come this morning to our coffee morning with cake and other stalls in the Function Room of the Six Bells, Fulbourn from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

This is in aid of the Christmas Appeal for the Mabvuku families in Zimbabwe. The church has for a number of years supported around 50 families in the high density township of Mabvuku near Hararesusan. The families are mainly headed by a grandmother looking after orphans as the parents have died. It is hoped to raise between £300 to £400 to enable the families to have a Christmas meal of a chicken and vegetables and other things which they normally never get.

Your support for the coffee morning will be warmly welcomed.

Thank you
Zena and Michael

Click here for directions to the Six Bells

Read more:
click to read the editorial that started it all

A trip to Zimbabwe

2011-10-14T20:19:00.000-07:00

STOP PRESS: click to read about a coffee morning in aid of the Mabvuku Christmas appeal

My wife and I have recently returned from a three week visit to our daughter Jayne, Jonathan and family in Zimbabwe, our first visit in five years and we found much has changed.

Zimbabwe (formerly Southern Rhodesia), is a country of contrasts. Much to our surprise when compared with five years ago when there was very little in the shops and inflation was rampant, shopping malls in Harare are flourishing. Supermarkets are overflowing with goods and there are a great variety of specialist shops and pleasant cafes as well as evidence of more development from new shopping parades to new housing in pleasant suburbs where ranch style bungalows stand in one acre plots. The economy clearly appeared on the upgrade with the American dollar now the official currency and investment increasing. People were out in the pleasant winter sunshine shopping or enjoying sitting with friends over a coffee.

But the other side of Zimbabwe was also all too evident. Car parks were characterised by poor Zimbabweans trying to get a living by hawking newspapers and basic goods such as mops, kitchen ware items whilst at most road junctions were others sat on the roadside by a small pile of vegetables, or firewood or again newspaper selling. Many were simply sitting in groups idling the day away as in reality Zimbabwe has 85% unemployment. Away from the prosperous shopping centres and pleasant suburbs are the much wider spreads of poor housing and further out still the high density townships lacking in basic amenities such as good sanitation and clean water and families existing in one or two rooms.

On the first Saturday we were there we went with Jayne our daughter, Jonathan who is a doctor and a team from Avondale church on the monthly visit out to Mabvuku high density township about six miles out of Harare to meet forty three of the poorest families. The group from Avondale (now barred like other groups from their churches, but worshipping regularly in school chapels or halls), have over the last twenty years run a programme to aid the poorest families, supported from the UK by other church groups including St. Vigors.

When we arrived we were greeted by smiling faces from about eighty youngsters and thirty adults, mainly grannies looking after the children because parents had died from Aids or ill health. For instance Grandmother Sadik has eight orphaned children living in two rooms and Grandmother Valley all of whose own seven children had died, looks after ten grandchildren.

The families were gathered at the local school where the team have been given two rooms for the morning along with Gibson who lives in Mabvuku and takes care of any problems the families have between visits. After impromptu worship and songs families sat round a team member to whom they had been allocated to chat over family news and needs. These not only focussed on basic food needs but family problems over school fees , health or other matters, not always anxieties but good news too. For instance after eighteen months battling with authorities Venetia who leads the team had finally got a birth certificate for an orphaned child of 10 ; without it the children cannot attend school. Whilst this went on in the school room the month’s supply of food was laid out for each family – a bag of maize meal, protein soya mince, dried fish and beans, cooking oil, together with two bars of soap and a packet of candles; the food bill each month is £600 for the Mabvuku families as prices in Zimbabwe are higher than in the UK. Donated clothes and shoes are also given out as needed.

Jonathan and another doctor held a clinic in the same school room as otherwise the families would have no access to a clinic. If a hospital visit is needed the team arrange for this and meet the cost, for instance an elderly man had successfully had treatment for prostrate cancer and a granny a hip operation.

Each month Meredith in the team sends out monthly news of each family to the three churches in the U.K and other individuals giving prayer and tangible support for the Mabvuku families. This monthly newsletter is regularly displayed at the back of St Vigors church and gives a much fuller picture possible in this article.

Michael

news from Fulbourn Health Centre

2011-10-05T22:45:00.000-07:00

I write this following a very successful Open meeting of the Patient Participation Group at the Health Centre on Wednesday 7th September. It was a pleasure to see new faces and I trust everyone found the meeting interesting. The group’s Chair, Alison Farmer, outlined the achievements of the PPG to date and suggested some possible activities for the future along the lines of the successful Basic Life Support training evening.

Suggestions from the meeting included exploring possible links with other groups in the village such as the WI for future events. Alison reminded everyone that the Group is looking to extend its membership and also take the details of patients who would like to go on their mailing list. You are welcome to leave your details at Reception and we will pass them on.

Russell Sims, the Practice Manager, updated the meeting on the plans for GP consortia and Dr Cathy Bennett provided a valuable insight into how your GPs are working to improve the care of patients both directly and indirectly. This includes the options for referrals to hospital other than Addenbrookes for operations and ensuring patients needs are taken into consideration when services are being reviewed.

Russell also explained the aims of setting up a patient forum online and the recent activation of the Summary Care Records. Russell concluded by outlining the plans for a new computer system for the Practice as a whole which will be installed in November (see below). This raised the issue of communication between the Practice and our patients. The Mill is not delivered to everyone in the village and we have been asked to explore other avenues to ensure that we include all the households in the area.

Help at Home is a scheme available to people who have been discharged from hospital or have been ill at home. Trained and CRB checked volunteers can offer practical help with collecting prescriptions and shopping , for example. The service is free for 3 weeks. Anyone can ask for the service and will need to contact the South Cambs office on 01354 694413.

STOP PRESS!!!!
We are updating our computer system towards the end of November and it will be difficult to deal with large volumes of prescription requests during this time.
To make sure you get your medication on time, could we please ask that if you normally order your prescription between Wednesday 16th November and Friday 25th November to ensure that your request has been handed to us by
FRIDAY 11TH NOVEMBER

Gill Cummins
Office Manager
Fulbourn Health Centre

Police apologise for Bible ban...sort of

2011-09-30T09:03:00.000-07:00

In the case of Jamie Murray, who was investigated by police for showing a DVD of Bible texts from the New Testament in his Christian café in Blackpool, police have apologised for their involvement. However, as the Christian Institute reports, "they refused to apologise for launching the investigation and they also denied banning the display of the Bible texts in the café".

Keep your eyes on this case - it could have ramifications for living as Christians in the public sphere UK-wide.

bomb alert in Cambridge

2011-09-26T11:40:00.000-07:00

There appears to have been a bomb alert in Cambridge today, according to Cambridge Frist, which says a suspect package was found in a microwave. A Facebook friend tells me there was a controlled explosion - I guess it'll be all over the local news tomorrow.

Is it too much to hope that it's been a mix-up? Stay safe.

Fubourn Village Historical Society - new website!

2011-09-15T11:51:00.000-07:00

Fulbourn Village Historical Society now has its own webpage - why not give it a visit and find fascinating info about Fulbourn, Cambridgeshire and England in general in the newsletters? And, if you can make it, there are details about their winter talks season! Jut click the picture below to go to the FVHS website!

9/11: requiescant in pace

2011-09-11T01:07:00.000-07:00

The righteous perishes,
And no man takes it to heart;
Merciful men are taken away,
While no one considers
That the righteous is taken away from evil.
He shall enter into peace;
They shall rest in their beds,
Each one walking in his uprightness.

Isaiah 57:1,2

Come to Fulbourn Community Market!

2011-09-09T09:24:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for something to do on Saturday 10 September, why not come to Fulbourn Community Market, for a range of local food, produce and plants? The market takes place from 2.30-4.30pm at the Fulbourn Centre.

Why not come and give it a try?

Click for more information about the Fulbourn Centre

Click for a Google-map for Fulbourn

author visit: Robert MacFarlane at Fulbourn Village Library

2011-09-08T07:59:00.000-07:00

with Fulbourn Forum for Community Action

Date to be confirmed

Robert MacFarlane will talk about his book The Wild Places, published by Granta in 2007.

The book begins in Fulbourn's own Beechwoods, and Robert has agreed to join us after his talk in discussing how we can retain and extend a sense of wilderness in our local environment.

Gill Aslett
Fulbourn Village Library

news from Fulbourn Health Centre

2011-09-06T10:12:00.000-07:00

Bookings for our Flu Clinics will be well under way by the time you read this. I would like to encourage all our patients who usually receive a flu vaccination to book into one of our clinics as soon as possible. There are dates available at both Fulbourn Health Centre and Cornford House Surgery, so hopefully there will be an appointment to suit everyone.

The Patient Participation Group is going from strength to strength and they are keen to involve a wider cross section of our patients. The PPG is planning to set up a mailing list, so that they can include more patients in their activities. Please come along and put your name on the list in reception if you are interested. The Group is also involved in plans for establishing a Patient Reference Group which the Practice is setting up across both sites. This group will be email based and we hope that the members will reflect the diversity of our Practice population and that this format will encourage younger people and families to become involved. If you are interested in joining the group, please call in and pick up a form or give us a ring and we will post one to you. We can then contact you for your views on what the Practice has to offer.

Gill Cummins
Practice Manager
Fulbourn Health Centre

See the September Mill for more information about Fulbourn Health Centre PPG, or watch this space! - Ed.

new window display at Twelve

2011-09-05T10:40:00.000-07:00

Mrs Ed has put some books and some of yours truly's old toys in the window at Twelve in Fulbourn High Street for her latest window display, which is themed on transport. So, for a moving experience, why not pop along?

Britain's a riot

2011-08-27T19:07:00.001-07:00

That was the title of the email with which my American friend alerted me to this video by Pat Condell. I found myself nodding throughout. See what you think.

Ed.

fun dog show at Milton Country Park!

2011-08-24T21:41:00.000-07:00

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People
Cambridge and District Branch

Does your dog have the wettest nose? Maybe your dog has the most appealing eyes, is your child’s best buddy or is the fastest dog in the neighbourhood?

Why not come along to Milton Country Park on Sunday 11 September and find out by entering the fun dog show in support of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People? In addition to the many fun classes, there will be merchandise for sale and a tombola stall. There will be chances to meet puppies in training and working partnerships. We will be demonstrating a puppy class in action and giving a short talk about the charity. Why not come along and find out more about our work?

All entrants to the dog show will receive a goody bag to take home (the first 25 entrants to the dog show will also receive a special dog toy in the goody bag) and there are prizes on offer for class winners. Cost for the dog show is £1.00 per dog per class. The fun scurry will take place for 30 minute sessions at 11.00, 12.00 and 3.00 while the dog show classes will take place from 1.00 to 3.00 pm

This event is part of the Food, Farming and Countryside Day at Milton Country Park where there will be local food stalls together with information and activities from wildlife and countryside organisations. This promises to be a great family day out so why not come along and support us. Car parking charges at the park will apply. The whole event is from 11.00 am to 4.00 pm.

For more information about the dog show please contact Jenny Parker at jennifer.parker5@btopenworld.com

Jenny Parker
Branch Co-ordinator

Click for a googlemap of Milton Country Park

Click to go to the Milton Country Park blog

URGENT: Cambridge Rwanda charity seeks new premises

2011-08-19T18:18:00.000-07:00

Cards from Africa is in urgent need of an office space if we are to continue to help orphaned youth in Rwanda. We have been given our notice to vacate our current building by 30 September [to make room for a new hotel - Ed], and are desperately seeking alternative accommodation for a low cost.

We need a space around 32 metres squared or more in Cambridge. The corner of an office, an unused storage room, or even a large double garage would suffice.

We can’t stop helping orphaned youth now, not after a year of slow but steady growth.

With warm regards,

Chris Page
Cards from Africa
Beautiful Cards. Better Lives.

Social Enterprise Centre
182-190 Newmarket Road
Cambridge
CB5 8HE

0345 257 1953
www.cardsfromafrica.co.uk

coming soon: Fulbourn Community Market

2011-08-18T20:51:00.000-07:00

The Fulbourn Centre and Fulbourn Forum have joined together to organize a Community Market for the sale of local food, produce and plants. Its first aim is to provide an outlet for home-made food and home-grown produce and plants (inc. shrubs and flowers), and to promote their sale and production. So, do come on 10 September and see what Fulbourn and our local area has to offer.

Will you have something to contribute from your own garden or kitchen? We would like to see as much variety as possible, so a shared table with friends or neighbours (or street|) would result in a great display. Alternatively, contact us as we may be able to put people together to make up a table. Fulbourn Forum will be having its own table - any donations of goods will be gratefully received - with all money taken helping to boost our funds.

Small tables are just £5, while the large tables are £10. There will be space for some commercial business bookings and outdoor pitches and vehicle sites - costs are as above plus 50%.

For further details and to book, please email Janice Brown at janicebrown99@hotmail.com.

Do you have any other good ideas for stalls? Please pass this information on if you know of people in the Cambridge area who might be interested.

Freeview retune

2011-08-14T22:08:00.000-07:00

Viewers will need to retune their Freeview set top boxes and TVs (and Top Up TV and BT Vision boxes) on 31 August, 14 September and 23 November to keep watching the full range of digital channels you currently receive, unless the set top box has auto-retune. You will see captions on-screen reminding you of the need to retune on the run up to these dates. Guidance on re-tuning is available from http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/. If you are watching satellite or cable services, this does not affect you.

The set top boxes that the Help Scheme provided to eligible residents are auto retune so people shouldn't have any problems with them but, if they do require help and went through the Helpscheme they can call the Helpline on 0800 4085900 and someone will talk them through what they need to do over the phone or they will send someone out as part of the
aftercare they get. (There is no charge.)

For those people that were not eligible or are already watching digital television and need help retuning the best advice is to call Digital UK on 08456 505050 who can talk people through how to retune their TV over the phone and their number is charged at local rate.

Catherine Pawson
Lead Officer Planning and Projects
Trading Standards Department
Cambridgeshire County Council
PO Box 450, Cambridge City, CB23 6ZR

Falun Gong: International Art Exhibition in Cambridge

2011-08-13T21:23:00.000-07:00

The Art of Zhen Shan Ren (Truth Compassion Tolerance) International Exhibition has toured more than 4 0countries and 200 cities worldwide since July 2004. Artists featured in the exhibition all practice Falun Gong (also known as Falun Dafa), a spiritual self-cultivation practice of mind and body.

Four of the artists featured in this exhibition suffered a brutal campaign of intimidation, propaganda, and violence in China, like millions of Falun Gong practitioners who are persecuted by the Chinese Communist regime. In an effort to put an end to this inhumane expression of a peaceful practice, Professor Zhang Kunlun and other artists decided to express their personal understanding of the universe and life through the medium of art.

The art in this show helps illustrate the noble path of the artists as they strive to revive the foundation of human morality, return to orthodox art form, and spread the principles of the univers - Truth, Compassion, Tolerance - throughout the world.

An inspiring exhibition not to be missed.

The Guildhall, Market Street, Cambridge, CB2 3NH
Tuesday 16th August to Sunday 24th August
Opening times 10am - 5:30pm

For more information please email: exhibitions@zsr-art.org.uk

www.zsr-art.org.uk

About the Exhibition:
The Art of Zhen, Shan, Ren Exhibition is an extraordinarily moving, intimate and inspiring collection of paintings detailing both an inner spiritual life and an outer human rights tragedy.

What People Have Said:
“A truly beautiful exhibition.”
“Very thought provoking. Thank you.”
“The truth behind the artwork is almost too shocking to believe, it is crucial that we speak out about such injustice.”
“Inspiringly spiritual”

Fulbourn Neighbourhood Policing news: the Get Closer Campaign

2011-08-08T08:41:00.000-07:00

Dear e-coppers,

I hope you are all well. Great news, no crimes to report this week.

The next Police Surgery will be held at 8 Farmers Row, Housing office for Accent Nene and SCDC. This is a joint surgery between the Police and Housing. The time will be 1pm - 3pm. Feel free to pop along and discuss any issues or concerns you may have.

We will also be holding additional mobile surgeries in Fulbourn and surrounding villages, this is known as Get Closer Campaign. This will be held in the Mobile Police Station at the Swifts Centre, Haggis Gap on Thursday 15th September, 14.30 - 15.30. Further dates to follow in the future.

What is a Get Closer Campaign?

Get Closer Campaign

The ‘Get Closer’ campaign aims to increase the visibility of policing activity and raise the public’s level of understanding of the breadth and depth of policing across Cambridgeshire in 2011/12 and beyond

Cambridgeshire Constabulary is visible and active in your local area:

A reduced budget will not negatively impact on police performance in Cambridgeshire
We will minimise the impact on performance of budget reductions by working in collaboration with Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire constabularies and with other local partners
Cambridgeshire Constabulary is proactively, relentlessly and successfully targeting those who commit crime in Cambridgeshire
There is more to police than patrolling. Visible and invisible force resources work together to keep Cambridgeshire safe
Cambridgeshire Constabulary will continue to do all it can to transfer the fear of crime from the public to offenders
The support and involvement of local communities is essential to fighting crime in Cambridgeshire and is recognised and appreciated by the force
There are simple steps the public can take to protect themselves and their property from crime

Cambridgeshire Constabulary is changing the way it delivers communications campaigns to make them more efficient and effective.

The force’s crime figures for 2010/11, which show that crime is down by more than five per cent and detections have increased.

The Get Closer campaign will run for at least the next two years.

Julie & John
PCSOs for Fulbourn Neighbourhood Policing Team

Get involved - click here to find out more about e-cops!

the journey

2011-07-31T07:54:00.000-07:00

This is a post from Jewish online religious magazine Chabad.org that is causing something of a sensation among Jews and non-Jews alike. It's a meditation by Nechoma Greisman on the Journeys from Egypt to Israel that finish the book of Numbers.

Click here to view the article, and be part of the sensation!

Ed.

Cambridgeshire County Council: Older People's Newsletter

2011-07-19T08:49:00.000-07:00

Cambridgeshire County Council is pleased to announce that our Older People's Newsletter has now been given a new home on the County Council web-pages - please do have a look!

Cambridgeshire County Council Services for Older People (contains a link to the Newsletter)

Cambridgeshire Older People's Newsletter July 2011

Cambridgeshire County Council Older People's Handbook 2011

Amanda Warburton
Office Manager
Adult Client Side Service
Cambridgeshire County Council
www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Legion celebrates 90th anniversary with WI

2011-07-19T07:12:00.000-07:00

Over 200 people gathered to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Fulbourn & Teversham Branch of the Royal British Legion and Fulbourn Womens Institute on June 11. The celebrations were opened by Mrs Dulcie Cornwell (above) who is the branch's oldest member and will be 100 yrs old on Tuesday.

The Peterborough Highland Pipe Band played the Branch standard from the Six Bells public house to Fulbourn Manor where they performed traditional highland pipe music and dance by kind permission of Mr and Mrs Richard Townley. Local singer Luan Hockley (right) provided a range of songs including wartime favourites and members of the Fulbourn WI sang the hymn Jerusalem.

The Fulbourn Branch of the Royal British Legion was formed in 1921 from its predesessor the Comrades of the Great War. One of the first branches to be formed in the district, Fulbourn was instrumental in the 'Big Push' which resulted in new branches being formed at Cherry Hinton, Balsham, Bottisham, Great Wilbraham and Six Mile Bottom.

The Royal British Legion is the nation's leading Armed Forces charity providing care and support to all members of the British Armed Forces past and present and their families. Membership is open to anyone whether they have served in the armed forces or not. Further information on Fulbourn and Teversham RBL can be obtained from the Branch Secretary Mr Gerald Norden at yasume@hotmail.co.uk.

Pete Collis
Welfare Officer
Fulbourn and Teversham Branch
Royal British Legion

STOP PRESS: I Flautisti performing at St Vigor's!

2011-07-17T20:37:00.000-07:00

I Flautisti, the London Recorder Quartet, have been described as "the girls aloud of Baroque music" by no less than Radio 3's The Early Music Show. In a coup for the Friends of St Vigor's, Danielle Jałowiecka, Kerstin Kubitschek, Jitka Smutná and Ilona Veselovská will be performing a Cambridge Summer Music Concert in the Fulbourn church in order to help raise funds for vital repairs. The concert will take place in St Vigor's in the centre of Fulbourn at 3.30pm on Saturday August 6.

Be careful not to miss what looks like a great concert!

Click here for a Google-map of Fulbourn

Click to go to Fulbourn and the Wilbrahams Parish Website

Click to go to I Flautisti webpage

Recorders with Attitude! - Brighton Early Music Festival

another Cambridge open studio

2011-07-15T15:37:00.000-07:00

If you have the time this weekend, I thoroughly recommend that you visit this artist's studios, who will be auctioning off one of her pieces for Cambridge homeless charity FLACK!

Click to go to Elspeth's homepage at imaginedcorners.net

Click to go to FLACK's homepage

fulbourn gardening show 2011

2011-07-13T05:24:00.000-07:00

Saturday 16 July 2.00 to 4.30
The Fulbourn Centre

In addition to flowers and vegetables, exhibits also include floral art, arts and crafts, photographs and a junior section.

Admission for adult non-members is £2, but free for children. Society members normally take the opportunity to renew their membership for the coming season, and visitors are welcome to join. The subscription of £5 covers the six winter evening meetings and admission to next year's Annual Show.

Not to be missed!

Click for information about the Fulbourn Centre (incl. directions)

Art at the Six Bells

2011-07-12T21:32:00.001-07:00

Ann Noden, Betty Benford, George Hamilton and Dave Benford invite you to a preview of Paintings, Ceramics and Drawings.

Friday 15 July 2011
7.30pm
at the Six Bells
Fulbuorn High Street

(Plus invited guest artists)

Find out more:

Look up this exhibition at the Fulbourn Arts website

Go to the Six Bells website

Access a Google-map for Fulbourn

watch out - FLACK's coming your way!

2011-07-11T17:58:00.000-07:00

When I became homeless, I lost my confidence and felt very isolated, drifting aimlessly from day to day. I’m now getting my writing published which I could never have thought possible. FLACK has given me a way back into a structured lifestyle.

I feel useful again.

FLACK is a social enterprise that provides valuable services for homeless people in Cambridge and is gearing up for the official launch of its what's-on magazine in October. Watch this space!

Click here to go to FLACK's homepage

Fulbourn Health Centre: emergency procedures training

2011-07-09T20:49:00.000-07:00

Fulbourn health Centre's Patient Participation Group have arranged an evening of training, for our patients only, in emergency procedures such as dealing with people who are choking, unconscious or have stopped breathing. You will be shown how to help adults, children and babies and there will be an opportunity to try resuscitation on a dummy if you would like to have a go – it is not compulsory!

There will be handouts available and First Aid manuals for both adults and children will be on sale for £3 each. Anne, the trainer, makes the session both informative and entertaining and you never know when you might need to deal with an emergency. This event is taking place on:

Wednesday 27th July at 7pm at the Health Centre

Admission is by ticket only as numbers are limited. Please call in to the Health Centre after 10am to collect a ticket – there is no charge for this event.

Gill Cummins
Office Manager
Fulbourn Health Centre

Open Studio at Cambridge

2011-07-08T14:30:00.000-07:00

From 11am-6pm this weekend and next weekend (Sat-Sun 9-10 and 16-17 July 2011), at 100 High Street, Balsham (3 miles from Linton).

Rowena Altham, painter of the natural world, invites you to her working studio with a wide range of subjects. Parking available.

Click here for a map of Balsham

Find out more!

View Rowena's page on the Cambridge Opens Studios 2011 site

remembering July 7 2005

2011-07-06T17:42:00.000-07:00

May they rest in peace.

News from Fulbourn Health Centre

2011-07-05T20:54:00.000-07:00

Confidentiality is at the heart of everything we do. Part of this issue is checking that we are dealing with the correct person. Identity theft and fraud are sadly becoming more common and throughout the NHS we are taking steps to help minimise the risk.

All new patients are now asked to provide proof of identity as well as their NHS number on registration. Patients who wish to register a change of name are asked to provide supporting documentation and we always ask for a change of address or telephone number in writing to minimise the possibility of mistakes being made when taking a verbal message. Our patients may be asked to provide proof of identity when they register temporarily with another surgery whilst on holiday in the UK and it may be helpful to pack a slip of paper with your NHS number on it along with your sun block and beach towel. Please don’t be offended if you are asked for this information as we are doing our best to look after you.

Gill Cummins
Office Manager
Fulbourn Health Centre

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-04T14:29:00.000-07:00

A very happy 4th of July to all of our American friends, wherever they may be!

Ed.

Richard Hardwick and the British Heart Foundation reach 50!

2011-07-02T20:13:00.000-07:00

Like the BHF, I will be celebrating half a century in July this year. To mark this event I will be undertaking a homemade and somewhat disjointed triathlon. Starting with The Great North Swim (1 mile open water in Windermere) in June followed by the Oxford to Cambridge Bike Ride (89 miles)in July and finally the Great North Run (half marathon) in September.

By way of motivation and in memory of my Dad (Den, who would have been 80 this year) I will be raising funds for the British Heart Foundation.

If you would like to support the BHF please visit my Just Giving Page at www.justgiving.com/Richard-Hardwick0.

Thank you
Richard Hardwick

Vive la Liberté!

2011-07-01T10:23:00.000-07:00

Can you spot the Statue of Liberty? She seems to have downsized a little and gone travelling...here she's gracing the display of Architectural Salvage and Antiques in Glasgow's Renfrew street. Taken on a recent trip on the occasion of a friend's 25th ordination to the priesthood. More soon.

St Bede's School and Charity

2011-07-01T09:12:00.000-07:00

The evening concert given by the Watoto Children's Choir on June 15th at St Bede's School, Cambridge was a wonderful event. Many thanks to everyone who supported it. I am sure that you will be delighted to hear that the collection taken raised £1,485. Many people also enquired about sponsoring a mother or child.

Students then prepared for the next Friday's charity events. Their chosen charities were:

Year 7 - Great Ormond Street Hospital
Year 8 - Retinitis Pigmentosa Society
Year 9 - UNICEF
Year 10 - Clic Cancer Care

Many thanks to all who supported our students and school in these worthwhile ventures.

Mrs P Richardson
St Bede's Inter-Church School

Find Out more
Click to visit St Bede's website

Police news

2011-06-29T20:15:00.000-07:00

Last week, a Lithuanian was arrested in Milton for going round collecting charity bags. It would appear that he was working for a company called Junatex, who apparently operate by dropping stickers through people's letterboxes asking them to put any unwanted clothing etc into a bag and stick the sticker on the side for collection. It is possible that they may also pinch other charities' bags and stick their stickers on to cover their tracks but we can't prove this so no further action was taken.

The Junatex stickers do not ever say they are a charity, they only say they are a Clothes Collection company.

Please look closely at any charity bags or stickers to see whether they really are for charity or whether they are actually companies making a profit from their donations.

Trading Standards and City of London have been notified and are co-ordinating work round this type of offence.

Fulbourn Neighbourhood Policing Team (through e-cops)

Find out more:

Policing in your neighbourhood: click to find out about e-cops

NHS reforms and you - Bottisham Medical Practice Patient Participation Group

2011-06-28T21:45:00.000-07:00

The Government has put the NHS reform bill on hold. How much it will change and in what ways is uncertain. The coming weeks will tell. But your newly-founded Bottisham Practice Patient Participation Group is now up and running. The Group’s Committee held its first meeting in April - the minutes are on the Practice website. If you have anything you would like the PPG to take up (issues for the Practice as a whole, please, not personal problems), e-mail the PPG Committee by clicking on the ‘contact us’ link at www.bottishammedicalpractice.nhs.net.

Members of the Bottisham PPG Committee will attend a meeting with representatives from other PPGs in the area, and will be briefed on how the consortiums of medical practices in Cambridgeshire plan to work, and the issues - in particular funding pressures - which they (and therefore we as patients) will face, as the NHS reforms (in whatever form they take) get under way. The aim thereafter is to hold a series of open meetings in the autumn to brief members of the public on the work of the consortiums of medical practices, and on how the NHS reforms will impact on the services we receive as patients. Your PPG Committee intends to make sure that one of these open meetings is held in our area. It will be important to attend to find out how all of us and our families will be affected. The Bottisham PPG will keep you informed.

Bottisham PPG Committee

Click here to go to Bottisham Medical Practice website

Question evolution

2011-06-12T00:35:00.000-07:00

This is the text of a pamphlet that has been delivered to some addresses in the area by scientific interest group Creation Ministries International. I found it provocative and compelling, and enjoyed reading it, and I hope you do too - Ed.

1. HOW DID LIFE ORIGINATE?

Evolutionist professor Paul Davies admitted, "Nobody knows how a mixture of lifeless chemicals spontaneously organised themselves into the first living cell." Andrew Knoll, professor of biology, Harvard, said, "we don't really know how life originated on this planet". A minimal cell needs several hundred proteins. Even if every atom in the universe were an experiment with all the correct amino acids present for every molecular vibration in the supposed evolutionary age of the universe, not even one average-sized functional protein would form. So how did life with hundreds of proteins originate just by chemistry without intelligent design?
Read more: creation.com/origin

2. HOW DID THE DNA CODE ORIGINATE?

The code is a sophisticated language system with letters and words where the meaning of the words is unrelated to the chemical properties of the letters - just as the information on this article is not a product of the pixels on the screen (or the chemical properties of the ink). What other coding system has existed without intelligent design? How did the DNA coding system arise without it being created?
Read more: creation.com/code

3. HOW COULD MUTATIONS - ACCIDENTAL COPYING MISTAKES (DNA 'LETTERS' EXCHANGED, DELETED OR ADDED, GENES DUPLICATED, CHROMOSOME INVERSIONS, ETC) - CREATE THE HUGE VOLUMES OF INFORMATION IN THE DNA OF LIVING THINGS?

How could such errors create 3 billion letters of DNA information to change a microbe into a microbiologist? There is information for how to make proteins and also for controlling their use - much like a cookbook contains the ingredients as well as instructions for when and how to use them. One without the other is useless - see creation.com/meta-information. Mutations are known for their destructive effects, including over 1,000 human diseases such as haemophilia. Rarely are they even helpful. But how can scrambling existing DNA information create a new biochemical pathway or nano-machines with many components to make 'goo-to-you' evolution possible? Eg, how did a 32-component rotary motor like ATP synthase (which produces the energy currency, ATP, for all life) or robots like kinesin (a 'postman' delivering parcels inside cells) originate?
Read more: creation.com/train

4. WHY IS NATURAL SELECTION, A PRINCIPLE RECOGNISED BY CREATIONISTS, TAUGHT AS 'EVOLUTION', AS IF IT EXPLAINS THE ORIGIN OF THE DIVERSITY OF LIFE?

By definition it is a selective process (selecting from already existing information)so is not a creative process. it might explain the survival of the fittest (why certain genes benefit creatures more in certain environments), but not the arrival of the fittest (where the genes and creatures came from in the first place). The death of individuals not adapted to an environment and the survival of those that are suited does not explain the origin of the traits that make an organism suited to an environment. Eg how do minor back-and-forth variations in finch beaks explain the origin of beaks and finches? How does natural selection explain goo-to-you evolution?
Read more: creation.com/defining-terms

5. HOW DID NEW BIOCHEMICAL PATHWAYS, WHICH INVOLVE MULTIPLE ENZYMES WORKING TOGETHER IN SEQUENCE, ORIGINATE?

Every pathway and nano-machine requires multiple protein/enzyme components to work. how did lucky accidents create even one of the components, let alone 10 or 20 or 30+ at the same time, often in a necessary programmed sequence? Evolutionary biochemist Franklin Harold wrote, "we must concede that there are presently no detailed Darwinian accounts of the evolution of any biochemical or cellular system, only a variety of wishful speculations."
Read more: creation.com/motor

6. LIVING THINGS LOOK LIKE THEY WERE DESIGNED, SO HOW DO EVOLUTIONISTS KNOW THEY WERE NOT DESIGNED?

Richard Dawkins wrote, "biology is the study of complex things that have the appearance of having been designed with a purpose." Francis Crick, the co-discoverer of the double helix structure of DNA, wrote "Biologists must constantly keep in mind that what they see was not designed, but rather evolved." The problem for evolutionists is that living things show too much design. Who objects when an archaeologist says that pottery points to human design? Yet if someone attributes the design in living things to a designer, that is not acceptable. Why should science be restricted to naturalistic causes rather than logical causes?
Read more: creation.com/design_legit

7. HOW DID MULTI-CELLULAR LIFE ORIGINATE?

How did cells adapted to individual survival 'learn' to cooperate and specialize (including undergoing programmed cell death) to create complex plants and animals?
Read more: creation.com/multicellularity

8. HOW DID SEX ORIGINATE?

Asexual reproduction gives up to twice as much reproductive success ('fitness') for the same resources as sexual reproduction, so how could the latter ever gain enough advantage to be selected? And how could mere physics and chemistry invent the complementary apparatuses needed at the same time (non-intelligent processes cannot plan for future coordination of male and female organs).
Read more: creation.com/evosex

9. WHY ARE THE (EXPECTED) COUNTLESS MILLIONS OF TRANSITIONAL FOSSILS MISSING?

Darwin noted the problem and it still remains. The evolutionary family trees in textbooks are based on imagination, not fossil evidence. Famous Harvard paleontologist (and evolutionist) Stephen Jay Gould wrote, "The extreme rarity of transitional forms in the fossil record persists as the trade secret of paleontology". Other evolutionist fossils also admit the problem.
Read more: creation.com/pattquote

10. HOW DO "LIVING FOSSILS" REMAIN UNCHANGED OVER MILLIONS OF YEARS, IF EVOLUTION HAS CHANGED WORMS INTO HUMANS IN THE SAME TIME FRAME?

Professor Gould wrote, "the maintenance of stability within species must be considered as a major evolutionary problem".
Read more: creation.com/living_fossils

11. HOW DID BLIND CHEMISTRY CREATE MIND/INTELLIGENCE, MEANING, ALTRUISM AND MORALITY?

If everything evolved, and we invented God, as per evolutionary teaching, what purpose or meaning is there to human life? Should students be learning nihilism (life is meaningless) in science classes?
Read more: creation.com/chesterton

12. WHY IS EVOLUTIONARY 'JUST-SO' STORY-TELLING TOLERATED?

Evolutionists often use flexible story-telling to 'explain' observations contrary to evolutionary theory. NAS (National Academy of Sciences - USA) member Dr Philip Skell wrote, "Darwinian explanations for such things are often too supple: Natural selection makes humans self-centred and aggressive - except when it makes them altruistic and peaceable. Or natural selection produces virile men who eagerly spread their seed - except when it prefers men who are successful protectors and providers. When an explanation is so supple that it can explain any behaviour, it is difficult to test it experimentally, much less use it as a catalyst for scientific discovery".
Read more: creation.com/sexstories

13. WHERE ARE THE SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGHS DUE TO EVOLUTION?

Dr Marc Kirschner, chair of the Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, stated: "In fact, over the last 100 years, almost all of biology has proceeded independently of evolution, except evolutionary biology itself. Molecular biology, biochemistry, physiology, have not taken evolution into account at all." Dr Skell wrote, "It is our knowledge of how these organisms actually operate, not speculation about how they may have arisen millions of years ago, that is essential to doctors, veterinarians, farmers..." Evolution actually hinders medical discovery. Then why do schools and universities teach evolution so dogmatically, stealing time from experimental biology that so benefits mankind?
Read more: creation.com/science#relevance

14. SCIENCE INVOLVES EXPERIMENTING TO FIGURE OUT HOW THINGS WORK; HOW THEY OPERATE. WHY IS EVOLUTION, A THEORY ABOUT HISTORY, TAUGHT AS IF IT IS THE SAME AS THIS OPERATIONAL SCIENCE?

You cannot do experiments, or even observe what happened, in the past. Asked if evolution has been observed, Richard Dawkins said, "Evolution has been observed. It's just that it hasn't been observed while it's happening."
Read more: creation.com/notscience#distinction

15. WHY IS A FUNDAMENTALLY RELIGIOUS IDEA, A DOGMATIC BELEIF SYSTEM THAT FAILS TO EXPLAIN THE EVIDENCE, TAUGHT IN SCIENCE CLASSES?

Karl Popper, famous philosopher of science, said "Darwinism is not a testable scientific theory, but a metaphysical [religious] research programme..." Michael Ruse, evolutionist science puliosopher, admitted, "Evolution is a religion. This was true of evolution in the beginning, and it is true of evolution today." If "you can't teach religion in science classes", why is evolution taught?
Read more: "creation.com/evo-religious and creation.com/notscience

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PAMPHLET?
This pamphlet and others like it have been produced by Creation Ministries International (CMI) and made available to concerned individuals and churches who wish to help spread awareness of this greatly censored information.

More copies of this and similar creation pamphlets are available through Creation Ministries International. Write for a sample pack with price list:

S.F & D.G - New Life
PO Box 6
Suffolk Business Park
Skyliner Way
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk IP32 7YY

HOW CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?
Log on to creation.com
Contact us for a free information pack or to make ministry enquiries, visit: creation.com/contactus (Branches in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, USA and UK/Europe.)

Lipstick in school

2011-06-10T04:48:00.000-07:00

According to a news report, a certain school in England was recently faced with a unique problem. A number of 12-year-old girls were beginning to use lipstick and would put it on in the bathroom.

That was fine, but after they put on their lipstick they would press their lips to the mirror leaving dozens of little lip prints.

Every night the maintenance man would remove them and the next day the girls would put them back.

Finally, the Headmistress decided that something had to be done. She called all the girls to the bathroom and met them there with the maintenance man. She explained that all these lip prints were causing a major problem for the custodian who had to clean the mirrors every night.

To demonstrate how difficult it had been to clean the mirrors, she asked the maintenance man to show the girls how much effort was required. He took out a long-handled squeegee, dipped it in the toilet, and cleaned the mirror with it.

Since then, there have been no lip prints on the mirror.

There are teachers......and then there are educators.

The Alzheimer's Society: Cambridgeshire Memory Walk

2011-06-06T06:43:00.000-07:00

Cambridgeshire Memory Walk of 2011 (Alzheimer's Society)

Date: 4th September 2011.

Venue: Milton Country Park (opposite the Milton Tesco Store off Junction 32/33 of the A14.

Times: From 9am to 4pm.

Description: Come and walk in memory of a loved one at our Flagship Memory Walk, which this year takes place at Milton Country Park in Cambridge. There are 2 walking routes available, a 1 mile walk around the beautiful park itself, and a more challenging 12 mile route taking in Bottisham Lode, the Fen Droveway and Horningsea.

The Society is the leading care and research charity on matters of dementia, but we do rely upon voluntary contributions to support our work.

By taking part in the Memory Walk (and raising as much sponsorship money as you can) then you can directly help and assist those who live with dementia.

Post walk entertainment is being provided, including live music, a circus skills workshop, and an aerial falconry display by The Raptor Foundation of Somersham.

If you wish to register (and get a sponsorship form) then please E-Mail Russell Rolph at russell.rolph@alzheimers.org.uk.

READ MORE

Alzheimer's Society's new report 'Support. Stay. Save. Care and support of people with dementia in their own homes' investigates the cost and quality of the care and support that people with dementia receive in their own home. Click here to download a copy of the report.

Make your voice heard - join our campaign for better care for people with dementia alzheimers.org.uk/campaignersnetwork

Alzheimer's Society is a charity (registration no. 296645) and a company registered in England and Wales (registration no. 2115499). Registered office is Devon House, 58 St Katharine’s Way, London E1W 1JX

Police news: speed checks

2011-06-03T07:37:00.000-07:00

We hope you are all well.

We continue to get reports of speeding in the villages and we have been conducting speed checks in Fulbourn, in Cambridge Road near to Capital Park, and during the time there we had one driver in excess of the speed limit. We do move around the village of Fulbourn and other villages on the beat. If you feel there is a particular problem on a road in Fulbourn please let us know and we will do our best to do some speed checks at that location.

Just a reminder now that the weather has got warmer remember to close windows to avoid unwanted visitors, and to be mindful of leaving doors ajar. Also do the same when leaving your vehicles unattended.

Fulbourn Neighbourhood Policing Team

cute video - mum cat & kitten!

2011-05-28T07:09:00.000-07:00

Thuoght you might like this video from the GodTube site of a mother cat comforting her kitten - both asleep! (Click to view)

Fulbourn Parish Council: gypsy/traveller access to proposed development

2011-05-26T10:45:00.000-07:00

Edited extract from Fulbourn Parish Council draft minutes for May

Due to the importance of the following matter, this additional item was included in the Fulbourn Parish Council agenda for May.

Sally Fletcher – Planning Consultant with Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) - gave Members an update of what is planned for the Ida Darwin site. Under the Local Development Framework (LDF), the site has been allocated for up to 275 houses. Mrs Fletcher explained a firm in London had been engaged to draw up a Masterplan with the eastern side for development and Open Spaces on the western side. Any surplus footprint would be put on the Fulbourn Hospital site.

The Masterplan for both sites would be submitted before the full planning application. Having met with South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) Planning Officers, it had been suggested to hold a public exhibition and Mrs Fletcher was advised to ask the Parish Council for their thoughts and what they would like incorporated before the plans go too far.

When questioned about access, Members were told a full transport assessment had been done in association with the Highways Authority and CCC. Cllr Webdale was concerned with safety stating Hinton Road was not fit for purpose as two buses could not pass each other; the development would not benefit the village shops and was in the wrong location. The Cambridge Road junction would need a roundabout.

Cllr Williams felt the junction of Hinton Road/Fulbourn Old Drift would need re-modelling. Sally Fletcher said SCDC Planners had also said the site should allow for Gypsy and Travellers pitches who would need their own access. Cllr Williams said the pitches would not only take some of the footprint, but this was contrary to current planning policy. Consultation on Gypsy and Travellers sites was still taking place so in theory plans for these could not be included until 2017. The site is also in the Green Belt.

Cllr Hardwick asked who would eventually be responsible for maintenance of the Open Spaces. Members agreed more recreational facilities are needed at that end of the village as well as allotments. Concerns were raised about sewerage and drainage as Thomas Road already has problems with flooding, but again Mrs Fletcher said surveys had been done. She said the Parish Council should decide within the next six weeks what they would like to see i.e. type and size of accommodation and whether any views or the water tower should be retained. Cllr Williams also raised concerns about railway security and landscaping policy. Cllr Williams will write to SCDC Chief Executive objecting that the Planners have given instructions regarding the Gypsy and Travellers pitches, and the Parish Council will also write. The public exhibition will be held in July or August when the first plans are ready. This item will be placed on the June Agenda. The Chairman thanked Mrs Fletcher for her presentation.

Standing Orders were resumed.

Read more:

Click to go to the Fulbourn Village Guide, including Parish Council details.

Nearly-new sale in aid of Little Warblers Preschool

2011-05-25T08:06:00.000-07:00

The 11th nearly new sale of baby and children's toys, clothes, books and equipment is taking place on Saturday 18 June at the Fulbourn Village Centre, Manor Walk, Fulbourn, 2.30-4. There will be 50p entrance per adult to raise funds for the Little Warblers Pre-school. Tables are still available, contact Debbie at debs@ecafe.org for more details.

Click for more details about the Fulbourn Centre.

Places of Worship: new grant funding

2011-05-24T04:02:00.000-07:00

Cambridgeshire Community Foundation is a grant making body supporting a range of charitable projects across the county, and now has grant funding for the repair, maintenance or restoration of a Place of Worship or a Place of Architectural Importance through the AmeyCespa Fund (formerly the Donarbon Foundation).

From the AmeyCespa page on the CCF website:

To be eligible to apply, your project must:
Be in accordance with ENTRUST’s Objects D, DA and E as listed below. ENTRUST is the organisation that regulates the use of landfill tax credit. You can find out more information about the Landfill Communities’ Fund by visiting http://www.entrust.org.uk/;
Be within 10 miles (as crow flies) of any ACTIVE landfill site – click here to see the Environment Agency website to find your local landfill sites;
Be able to contribute 10% of the value of the grant you are seeking. If you are offered a grant, this 10% sum must be paid to AmeyCespa and, upon receipt of the 10%, you will be issued with your full 100% grant.
Be ready to start ( ie have secured the majority of your funding, have planning permission, have identified builders etc) within 3 months from when you submit your expression of interest.

OBJECT D - The provision, maintenance or improvement of a public park or other general public amenity. Projects which do not relate to a park must relate to another amenity. According to the new (Oct 2010) interpretation by ENTRUST, "An amenity is something that makes the environment more pleasant or comfortable and/or improves the aesthetic qualities of an area for the general public".

OBJECT DA - The conservation of a specific species or a specific habitat where it naturally occurs.

OBJECT E – The repair, maintenance or restoration of a Place of Worship or a Place of Architectural Importance. The primary intent of this objective is to maintain, repair or restore a Place of Worship; or a building or structure that must have listed status or equivalent where the general public can access the building. This objective does not allow works to private residences.

For full details of the eligibility criteria, click here to read our AmeyCespa Fund Grant Guidelines.

vegetable gardening for May

2011-05-19T07:29:00.000-07:00

It has been a very dry and very mild spring so far this year with good sunbathing weather in early April! We need some rain but we could do without any late frosts. The first potatoes are bursting through the soil and will need some protection if frost is forecast. It is wonderful this month to see the bare soil gradually clothed in green as the crops grow. The early peas, beans, onions, cabbages cauliflowers and broccoli are such a welcome site. The strawberries have started to flower very early and will need watering and frost protection. The plums and peaches were covered in blossom and seem to have set well. The pear trees look very sad as they have been infested with leaf minor insects and there is nothing much one can do about them, I just hope the trees will recover.

In the green house the first tomatoes have set and the runner beans, courgettes, marrows, cucumbers, and outdoor tomatoes plants are impatient to be out as soon as the weather looks settled. The temptation is to put them out too early and then all your hard work is destroyed by a late frost.

I need to erect my runner bean support to be ready for the bean plants later in the month and construct a netting cover for the strawberries or the black birds will eat them all.

Sow a second crop of carrots, beetroot and lettuce for succession. Thin out the earlier sown crops.

Sow sprouting broccoli for eating next spring, it seems a little early but it need a year to grow and it is very welcome in the spring when there is little else around.

Sweetcorn can be sown directly into the soil this month. Remember it needs sowing in blocks rather than rows to aid pollination.

If anyone has a spare lawn edge cutter in the shed the school gardening club would be very pleased to have it to keep their plots tidy.

George Jackson
Fulbourn Gardening Society

Eurovision congratulations!

2011-05-14T16:39:00.000-07:00

I'd hoped that Britain's Blue would win the Eurovision Song Contest, but it wasn't to be. So congratulations to Eldar & Nigar from Azerbaijan with Running Scared!

The King's Speech (12A): [act] - art in cambs on tour

2011-05-11T08:48:00.000-07:00

Documenting the incredible but little-known friendship between King George VI (Colin Firth) and the speech therapist who cured him of a debilitating stammer (Geoffrey Rush), Hooper’s (THE DAMNED UNITED) film is at once an odd-couple comedy, an affectionate biopic and a stirring period piece illuminating a turbulent era of British history.

As the Second World War beckons and the country is thrown into crisis by the abdication of Edward VIII, his younger brother Prince Albert stands paralysed before the wireless, his voice lost in a painful tangle of childhood inhibitions. Desperate, the Prince turns to Lionel Logue, maverick therapist, colonial intruder and unlikely friend.

Their story is touching, uplifting and guaranteed to bring a patriotic lump to even the most republican of throats.

Contains strong language in a speech therapy context.

Thursday 26 May | 7:30pm | Kirtling Village Hall, CB8 9PB
Box Office: 01638 730253

Saturday 28 May | 6pm | Manea Village Hall, School Lane, Manea, March, Cambs, PE15 0JA
Box Office: 01354 688368

Suitable for 12+ audience

All [act] venues are wheelchair accessible, please phone venue for further information about access.

Arts in Cambs on Tour [act] offers support to people throughout rural Cambridgeshire who want to see professional performances taking place in their village or town. [act]’s shows are run by local volunteers in local venues and tickets are reasonably priced. To book telephone the number on the preceding pages. Booking opens about six weeks before the show. It's worth remembering that the booking service is usually run by volunteers, so you may have to be patient and leave your details on an answering machine.

If you would like to see professional performances in your town or village or learn more about [act] contact Audrey, details below.

Arts in Cambs on Tour is run by ADeC –
www.adec.org.uk
Audrey Pam
Programme Manager
[act] - Arts in Cambs on Tour
Tel: 01353 616993
Email: audrey.pam@adec.org.uk

marriage and the Royal Wedding

2011-05-11T07:50:00.000-07:00

So, did you watch it? Did you perhaps even break out the bunting, or go to a street party? Or did you take a long walk to avoid it, or tell your friends you thought it was irrelevant?

The wedding of William to Catherine has taken its place in history, and has elicited so many reactions across the spectrum that it’s fair to say the one thing you couldn’t do in respect of the Royal Wedding was ignore it.

Watching the guest list evolve became a media spectator sport in itself, with every inclusion and omission picked to pieces, so much so that the planners must have felt that they were damned if they did and damned if they didn’t.

Like many a wedding, the behaviour of guests will be immortalised in memory as if entered on score cards. I remember, for example, a series of weddings where Auntie Sadie would almost ladle food into Uncle Jim’s mouth to mitigate the skinful he’d have later, Bella would only come if Lachlan wasn’t invited (and vice versa), and Effie and Mungo made such a sweet couple it was easy to forget they hadn’t had a good word to say to each other for years.

It’s possible to concentrate too much on the things that stick out for the wrong reasons at a wedding and forget that it’s about two people becoming one through their love for each other. But the other side of the coin is that a wedding is a communitarian affair whereby a network of friends and family come together, at the very least, to applaud the couple’s brass neck at rising above a sea of fashionable cynicism about the institution’s feasibility, and at best to witness, as the people of God, the union of man and wife in a way that has happened since time immemorial. It’s no coincidence that marriage has survived probably as many obituaries as God, and over the same period.

Well done to Catherine and William for their decision to live as man and wife. May their days together be blessed.

Fulbourn Swift Survey 2011

2011-05-04T16:26:00.000-07:00

At the January meeting of Fulbourn Forum, Rob Mungovan, the SCDC Ecology Officer, gave a very interesting talk on the work that is being undertaken to try to maintain the swift colony during the re-development of the Windmill Estate. A survey in summer 2009 had confirmed 72 active nests, making this the largest swift colony in East Anglia. Rob reported that a similar survey in 2010 estimated that the number of nest sites had declined to 57. However, he found it very encouraging that apparent nesting activity had been recorded in two external and six internal nest boxes located within Phase 1a of the new Swifts Development. The developer had agreed to incorporate the internal boxes after it had been noted in previous years that the birds were reluctant to use some types of external nest box. A total of 75 internal and 50 external boxes have been provided in Phase 1 of the project.

Although this swift colony will continue to be monitored by professional ecologists during the re-development, we have little information on other colonies within Fulbourn. Fulbourn Forum is organising a team of volunteers to survey other areas of the village for swift nesting activity. If the birds are seen flying low on summer evenings along eaves and roofs and around houses, screaming as they go, then they are likely to be nesting in the near vicinity. The survey work will involve a few evening and/or early morning sessions during June and July to observe the behaviour of the birds in specific areas of the village, and no previous experience is necessary. If you would be interested in taking part then please email Fulbourn Forum for further information at fulbournforum@gmail.com.

John Willis
Fulbourn Forum

Thanks to Amir Ben for the briliant pic of the swift! - Ed.

Read more:

View Rob Mungovan's presentation on Fulbourn's swift colony and plans for its future (followed by a presentation on Open Orchards)

Find out more about Fulbourn's swifts on the RSPB website

Access South Cambridgeshire District Council's Wildlife and Ecology Department

The Mill: Christian Aid Week envelopes

2011-05-03T19:10:00.000-07:00

You will find this years Christian Aid Week envelopes in the May Mill. If you can spare anything, could you please hand the envelopes into Twelve?

Cambridge Philharmonic plays Mozart

2011-05-03T18:34:00.001-07:00

1791 was Mozart’s last year – and one of his most prolific. On Saturday 7th May, through a series of workshop performances starting at 11am, the Cambridge Philharmonic Society will be performing many of his last works at the Emmanuel United Reformed Church in Trumpington Street.

The Cambridge Philharmonic orchestra and chorus and conductor Timothy Redmond will be joined by leading soloists: Natasha Marsh, Lucy Hall, Eileen Hulse (soprano); Kathryn Mcadam (mezzo soprano); Nicky Spence, Philip Sheffield, Adam Crockett (tenor); Timothy Connor (baritone); Guy Llewellyn (horn) and Cordelia Williams (piano).

Members of the public are invited to come and listen to any or all of the following performances:

1100-1130 La Clemenza di Tito K621, Horn Concerto in D K412
1200-1300 Piano Concerto in Bb K595, Clarinet Concerto in A K622
1400-1700 Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute), K620 Concert Performance
1730-1830 Come & Sing rehearsal
1900-2000 Come & Sing performance: Requiem K626

For those who can follow a score, you are invited to join members of the Society for a fee to perform Mozart’s requiem.

Every performance is open to the public with donations appreciated. All money raised will help the Society to hold future concerts and develop young talent in Cambridge and beyond.

For more information, please visit the website at: http://www.cam-phil.org.uk/

Becky Lamont
Press officer
Cambridge Philharmonic Society

Wilbraham River Protection Society guided Walk

2011-05-03T18:12:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends of Wilbraham River

We will be holding our third annual river walk on Sunday 5th June 2011.

This time it will be a circular walk starting at Little Wilbraham (Hawk Mill Farm), through Little Wilbraham Fen SSSI (along Long Drove) to Quy Roundabout, then back along the river to Hawk Mill Farm, a distance of about 5 km. We will walk mostly along public access pathways, and will be accompanied by a bird expert, so bring your binoculars.

The walk will start at 2.00 pm on Sunday afternoon from Hawk Mill Farm Little Wilbraham. We expect it will finish at around 4.00 pm back at Hawk Mill Farm where light refreshments will be available. There is an option for people not wanting to walk the whole route of joining the walk at Quy roundabout (parking in the large layby on the A1303). Transport will be available to return walkers to this starting point if required.

Please note the following important points if you are considering whether to come:

We anticipate the walk will take about 2 hours,
Parking is available at Hawk Mill Farm (at your own risk),
The walk will be guided and we ask you to stick to the route at all times,
You will be walking in open countryside and farmland and not necessarily on marked tracks – some of the route may be boggy. Please bring appropriate footwear and clothing to suit these conditions,
The walk will not cross any roads or fences. However, there may be farm stock in one of the fields we cross. Walkers should take responsibility for their own safety at all times,
Dogs should be kept under control and on leads at all times,
Please try to keep reasonable close to others on the walk,
Please take care when crossing hazards such bridges,
Please do not attempt to feed or touch any cattle on the route,
Please stay a safe distance from the water at all times,
The walk is not suitable for buggies, small toddlers or those with restricted mobility

(We are sorry for such a long list of points, never-the-less all walkers must accept that they come at their own risk).
If you would like to join us, please contact us as soon as possible preferably by emailing the Chairman or Secretary:

John Smithson - hollycot@btinternet.com
Rebecca Lomas - bex@drcr.infobex

Please reply by Monday May 30th - and please let us know if you intend to join at Quy so we can let you know timings.

John Smithson
Chairman
Friends of Wilbraham River

Click for a Google-map to Hawk Mill Farm, Little Wilbraham

The Great British Fish and Chip supper!

2011-05-02T20:54:00.000-07:00

"Hold a Fish and Chip Supper to help spinal cord injured people live full and independent lives."

Great British Fish and Chip Supper – Friday 20th May 2011

Want to do something different? Want to raise money where you live or work? Want to eat Fish and Chips, while raising money for charity? Hold a fish and chip supper on Friday 20th May 2011 whilst raising awareness of spinal cord injury and supporting SIA’s information and support services.

You can hold a fish and chip supper in your own home, at work or hold a larger supper at your local community centre.

SIA will provide a fundraising pack containing hints and tips, recipes, invitations and donation envelopes. By inviting 7 friends and asking them to donate an additional £5.00 means you will raise at least £35.00 from your supper but we will also give you additional fundraising ideas to raise even more money for SIA.

Last year we had over 100 suppers taking part in England and Wales and we raised £6,000. In 2011 we want to double that figure and ensure we can provide more support to spinal cord injured people.

The money raised from the suppers will help the Spinal Injuries Association offer support to individuals who become paralysed and their families, from the moment a spinal injury occurs, and for the rest of their lives by providing services and publications which enable and encourage paralysed people to lead independent lives.

Every year in the UK over 1,000 people experience a spinal cord injury and there are an estimated 40,000 spinal cord injured people in the UK alone.

Community Fundraising Officer, Elizabeth Wright, says, “The Fish and Chip Supper is a wonderful opportunity for a great evening with friends and family. We are also encouraging people who work to hold a Fish and Chip Lunch in their work places to raise even more funds. You may be even a local community group wanting to run a fun evening with your group.

Be a part of something special and make a real difference to help spinal cord injured people gain access to the information and support they need to enable them to live full and independent lives.”

For more information or request a fundraising pack email Elizabeth Wright at fishandchips@spinal.co.uk or visit www.spinal.co.uk

Elizabeth Wright

Congratulations!

2011-04-30T20:52:00.000-07:00

Hearty (if belated) congratulations to the happy Royal couple!

Here's how Mrs Ed set up Twelve's window display for the occasion - her reflection not being part of the display!

oh dear...

2011-04-27T22:08:00.000-07:00

Ed has man-flu - maybe if I keep on suffering conspicuously, I'll be better in time for the Royal Wedding...

Happy St George's Day

2011-04-22T17:39:00.000-07:00

I hope you don't mind a Scots exile in this wonderful country wishing you:

Happy St George's Day!

Amanda's Café: come and celebrate the Royal Wedding!

2011-04-22T08:53:00.000-07:00

Come and celebrate the royal wedding of William and Kate with a Special Royal Breakfast or Cream Tea.

Open on Friday 29th April 2011 8.30am-5pm

Royal Cream Tea £6.95 per person

Selection of small sandwiches including poached salmon, cocumber,free-range eggs and cress

Freshly baked scones, clotted cream and preserve

Selection of handmade cakes

Served on a traditional tea stand

Pot of tea or fresh coffee

Royal English Breakfast £5.25

Sausage, bacon, egg, beans, tomato, mushrooms,hash brown & toast

Tea or Coffee

Glass of oange juice

We will also be serving our usual homemade cakes, hot breakfast rolls, toasted paninis, jacket potatoes, freh ground coffees and teas.

Why not take a look at our new range of Farm-pressed juices and cordials and our deicious new range of handmade gift cakes?

If you would like to book your table in advance,

Tel: 01223 880090 or just come in on the 29th and enjoy the Royal Wedding Day.

If you would like to take away your Royal Cream Tea to enjoy at home,

Tel: 01223 880090 and we will have it ready for you.

Normal Opening Hours

Monday to Friday 7:30am - 3pm

Saturday 9.30am - 2pm

10 High Street, Fulbourn

Police surgery in Fulbourn

2011-04-22T08:18:00.000-07:00

There will be a police surgery in Fulbourn on Thursday 28 April between 1-3.p.m, at the housing office on Farmers Row (house next to Carters offices). If you would like any advice or information in relation to the above, or want to report something in confidence, then please come along and meet your local Neighbourhood team.

Regards,

PCSO John Coppard
Fulbourn/Teversham Neighbourhood Team.

www.immobilise.com

Click here for a Google map showing the location of Farmers Row

The Famous 4 plus 1 in Concert

2011-04-22T07:24:00.000-07:00

Contact lynne.olney@btinternet.com & see www.fulbournarts.org for details.

Cambridgeshire Constabulary: could you do something Special?

2011-04-16T19:00:00.000-07:00

An open evening for the Special Constabulary is taking place at Cambridgeshire Police Headquarters.

The evening gives you the opportunity to find out if volunteering with the Specials is for you and a chance to meet and talk to some of Cambridgeshire’s existing specials.

It will take place at Headquarters, Hinchingbrooke Park in Huntingdon on Wednesday, April 20 from 7pm until 9.30pm.

This event is for anyone interested in joining the police ‘Specials’ voluntary service. Every day brings exciting challenges whose outcome you can influence positively.

You will get an overview of the Special Constabulary, the recruitment and training process and you can talk to us about your application, the assessment centres and what to expect in your training.

If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, you’ll also have the chance to sign up to go out on a shift with our existing specials to experience firsthand the excitement, challenges and rewards of being a member of the Special Constabulary.

If you’d like to attend please email recruitment.applications@cambs.pnn.police.uk

To find out more about being a ‘Special’ please visit our website

Your Neighbourhood Policing Team.

http://www.cambs.police.uk

Spring Harvest 2011 day 5: to Skegness

2011-04-13T12:32:00.000-07:00

I was unwell this morning and unable to accompany Mrs Ed and Edweenie to Skegness proper. This made me sad, as the resort had been one of the places we'd went to on day-trips that had substituted for a honeymoon.

As opposed to what we'd heard at Ingoldmelds market about shops going bankrupt, they saw only three empty shops, which - unfortunately - is what one would expect. There was a display of models made from matchsticks by Derek Johnson, in memory of his wife, Mrs Joyce (Joy) Johnson, in aid of Skegness & Lincolnshire Alzheimer's Society. They looked amazing, and I wish I'd been there to see them.

Please click here if you want to visit the Alzheimer's Society.

Back at Butlin's it's a real end-of-holiday night, with the usual squabbles about how to pack the bags and whether it was right to buy so many books. But it's been a good week, thank God. Edweenie made a friend, and they've swapped phone numbers. She wants to come bcak next year...who knows?

Spring Harvest 2011 - day 4:: on the beach

2011-04-12T12:53:00.001-07:00

Mrs Ed started the day with a talk about relationships in the Big top. She told me that the bloke leading the session had said, "Let's talk about sex!" and the men's faces brightened up. He'd continued about a church elder from his childhood who delivered "the sex talk" and, hearing this, I was reminded of "the celibacy talk", an often awkwardly-delivered disquisition that seminarians had to endure. The speaker went on to talk about the ever-deepening friendship that developed in a marriage.

Mrs Ed, Edweenie and I went to Butlins' beach in the afternoon. I looked at the idling blades of Britain's largest offshore wind-farm and reflected that their strange beauty meant that at least we were getting some return for our 100% subsidy, and was told (again) not to be grumpy. Mrs Ed and I walked up to the water, she to collect stones to write Bible-verses on and I to look for suitable shells to make cufflinks with. Soon I was skimming oyster-shells on the waves and Mrs Ed was paddling in the sea, the years having fallen away. Edweenie sat reading The Time Traveller's Wife and soon I joined her, with a copy of Mark A. Dupont's Toxic Churches that I'd picked up from one of the stalls in Skyliner.

In the evening, I passed the Big Top and heard a rock worship band play. It sounded like a good night. I walked on.

Spring Harvest 2011: Day 3

2011-04-11T09:47:00.001-07:00

When approaching Skegness Butlins, it's difficult not to see the roller-coaster attached to Ingoldmels' Fantasy Island (above), which dominates the view to the north-west.

We walked up to Ingoldmels today, a two-mile trek, to visit the famous market. It's a big affair, not far off the size of Glasgow's Barras, and if anything seemed to be thriving compared to the last time we'd seen it two years ago. Mrs Ed, for example, found a stall selling 2 bras for £5, of the kind that had cost her £12.50 each in Cambridge.

We spoke about this to one stallholder who was selling mobile phones at knockdown prices. He explained that he was buying more bankrupt stock than ever before, and advised us to have a look at Skegness High Street - we'd need no further explanation.

Then we found a café which had a bar next door, and had a couple of drinks each - a pint of lager for me, a half for Mrs Ed, and J20 for Edweenie. I'm afraid I made some derogatory comments about the rap (or is it hop-hop?) flavoured remixes booming from the café's speakers - then a pneumatic drill started, and I had to decide which I'd preferred. We moved on. I got some gewgaws to make cufflinks with while two of the women in my life spent far too long looking in clothes-stalls - thus was it ever, I fear, although my revenge came when we found a discount store selling hardware.

Back in Butlins, we had a look at the bookstalls in the Skyline venue. In this 400th anniversary year of the King James Bible, I'd been nonplussed yesterday that there were only two KJV lines on sale, but more had now been added. I wasn't thinking of anything divisive, merely of the technical, hermeneutical and theological leaps forward that the KJV represented, which planted seeds for all denominations.

I bought a Bible for Mrs Ed and looked for something for Edweenie but, while there was precious little for teenagers, there was less still for teenage girls. I found two Christian-themed fantasy cycles, but neither had Book 1 present: could this have been managed better?

There was a workshop on managing mental illness this afternoon that I'd been interested in; but with an episode of manic-depression still making its death-struggles felt, it didn't seem the best idea. But there's still 3 days left, and God in His wisdom makes the sun to shine on the barmy as well as the sane. So who knows what might happen?

Spring Harvest 2011: Day 2

2011-04-11T08:57:00.000-07:00

We have a chalet at Ocean Point in Butlins Skegness for this year's Spring Harvest. I don't know whether it's Silver or Standard, but it's literally a home from home - including ironing board and iron!

Mrs Ed went to a talk in the big top where the speaker compared living with the Bible to living with a cat, and all the cat lovers went "Awww!" Then he said that there were two ways to live with a cat, the first being to cut it up and look at its insides, at how it works. Said cat-lovers gasped. Then he added that the other way was to live with it for five, ten, fifteen years. The tension in the room relaxed somewhat, but I suspect the speaker will be getting funny looks for the duration of the retreat.

Our cat, Magus, is safe with Miss Ed, who's at home. This is the first time in the history of our family that a holiday hasn't involved all of us, and Edweenie has been in something of a reflective mood: I wonder if Miss Ed's incipient adulthood has highlighted Miss Ed's own childhood's end coming over the horizon?

Mrs Ed and I went to a talk about Christians against poverty, given by the founder's daughter. I was reminded of the time I worked in Glasgow's Bath St CAB - the original one, founded in 1939 to help people with the raft of new legislation being brought in as the war's prosecution was planned - and the Director, Vincent Chudy, told a public meeting in 1998 that he could lay his hands on evidence proving that society was configured to render individuals indebted. A huge unpaid debt materialised from Heaven knows where, and within a year the CAB's doors had been well and truly shut.

We enjoyed listening to a Dr Who Talking Book in the evening, then retired to a rather comfortable double bed.

Spring Harvest 2011: arrival

2011-04-09T13:35:00.001-07:00

I love the Poacher Line, which runs between Grantham and Skegness. We went on it on our way to Spring Harvest, an annual Christian celebration which Butlins hosts in both its Minehead and Skegness branches.

We got from Cambridge to Ely by bus, then on a crowded East Midlands train to Grantham. The train awaiting us in Skegness was a very pleasant surprise, with comfortable seats that had lots of legroom. Could the contribution Skegness - both the resort and the Butlins - makes to the Lincolnshire economy finally have been factored in? Anyway, as the train drew out we had a great view of St Wulfram's spire, one of the tallest in England, holding court over the market tower of Grantham:

Another magnificent tower among the many that punctuate the horizon is St Botulph's in Boston, colloquially known as Boston Stump:

And one of my favourite stations is Heckleton, with one of the windmills for which the Fens are famed behind it. I wonder if it ground wheat, or if it was put there by Cornelius Vermuyden to pump the water out and make more of the region habitable?

We had a meal at Skegness Morrison's, then did some shopping, as we are in a self-catering flat. Once we found the flat, one thing that I personally found disappointing was that the welcome brochure made two references to "carbon footprint": I'd hoped to have a holiday from more than work. But Spring Harvest, for some reason, always brings out the curmudgeon in me, and I'll attempt to share my grumpiness as the days pass.

Fulbourn celebrates: one day in June

2011-04-06T05:58:00.000-07:00

Fulbourn Celebrates

'One Day in June...'

A Carnival of the Arts

Sunday 19 June 10.30am-4.30pm

Performance - * - Exhibitions - * - Workshops - * - Entertainment

Live Music - Circus - Dance

T-Shirt Printing - Painting - Storytelling

Drama - Village Walks - Poetry

Crafts - Produce - Teas

ALL FREE

ALL DAY

ALL AT

Ludlow Green (opposite the War Memorial)

and

The Fulbourn Centre, Home End

A fun-filled day for everyone

Live Music from

Fruity Clave - brilliant Samba to open the celebrations

D'amusica in The Fulbourn Centre
Talking in Tune - join the singing workshops and performance with Rowena Whitehead in the Fulbourn Centre. Rowena will also be doing a day of singing workshops with classes at Fulbourn Primary School on 17 June.
Whiteacre Winds - concert at St Vigor's Church at 5.00pm

Circus

Join Cambridge Community Circusand learn juggling, plate spinning, diabolo and other gravity-defying feats (Ludlow Green & workshops in The Centre)

Storytelling

History off the Page

Poetry

Excersise your creative side and join poets for a writing workshop at The Swifts, Haggis Gap: email gillaslett@phonecoop.coop to book in advance

Art

Design & print your own T-shirt with artist Ricki Outis in the Artivan. (Bring your own plain white cotton T-shirt or buy on the day.)
Paint banners and bunting with textile artist Deanna Tyson.
Buy from arts, crafts & local produce stalls.

Drama & Dance

join jenny Culank from Classworks Theatre Company for a workshop based around local stories (14+ in The Fulbourn Centre)
Enjoy 'An Introduction to Musical Theatre' workshop, suitable for all with Splitz Theatre Arts
Join dancer Lucy Crowe for an exciting introduction to Hip-Hop

Discover Historic Fulbourn

Learn about the way that Fulbourn used to be - its shops and pubs - through exhibition and film from Fulbourn Village History Society
Join Tony Goodall for an exploratory walk around the village

Refreshments

All day refreshments at The Fulbourn Centre
Bar open
Delicious teas, coffees & cakes from Fulbourn W.I.

There is ample car-parking at The Fulbourn Centre, Ludlow Lane. Please try not to park along the lane by Ludlow Green War Memorial.

Toilets are in The Fulbourn Centre and at The Swifts, Haggis Gap.

'One Day in June' is organised by Fulbourn Arts, a local organisation run by local people to promote arts events in the village. Our aim is to encourage artistic activity of all kinds in Fulbourn - dance, drama, literature, music and opportunities for the whole community to participate in the arts and constantly seek out opportunities that will enable local people to experience high-quality art and performance, increase and develop skills and creativity - and, most importantly, enjoy themselves!

We would welcome ideas for future projects and would particularly like to hear from local people whose skills, experience or simply enthusiasm might benefit others. Contact lynne.olney@btinternet.com to find out more, join the mailing list or list your event.

http://fulbournarts.org/

Whilst we have taken every care to ensure that the day runs smoothly and safely, we cannot guarantee that all events will run exactly as planned and some workshops may not be suitable for all. Visitors to 'One Day in June' should hold themselves responsible for their own safety and Fulbourn Arts cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to personal property or personal injury or accident.

Thank you!

A huge thank you to all those individuals and organisations who have contributed to and participated in the day, particularly to our sponsors, Vital Communities. So many have given so much for so little personal reward! Thank you all for making 'One Day in June' such a success.

Lynne Olney

Bourn to run!

2011-04-06T03:43:00.000-07:00

Another race - this one coming up in September, so you've got lots of time to get fit! Watch this space, or click the pic below and press the "enter" box at the top of the space to enter!

Stiff plays the Six Bells, Fulbourn

2011-04-04T03:25:00.001-07:00

Featuring hits from: The Clash, Bryan Adams, The Jam, U2, Bad Company, Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds, Queen and many more...... Tickets £4 per person. To book tickets please contact Sue at Fulbourn Fruit Shop or email Gemma.Wombwell@virgin.net (tickets limited)

All profits to Domino Nursery School, Fulbourn

Click for directions to the Six Bells

Sawston Fun Run 2011 - Sunday 15th May

2011-04-04T02:44:00.000-07:00

Registrations are being encouraged to sign up for the 7.5K Sawston Fun Run & Walk - the largest annual community-led event in the county. Proceeds will go towards the Rosie Hospital Campaign and thirteen other local charities. Plans are well advanced and registrations for the 15th May event are now welcomed to ensure another large turnout on the day and that entrants have sufficient time to obtain their own sponsors say the organisers, the Rotary Club of Sawston District.

Registration is available online at http://www.sawstonfunrun.co.uk/ or from entry forms available off the website or from branches of Cambridge Building Society and Sawston Village College. There ten categories by age and gender with entry fees of £4 for entrants in school years 1 to 11 and £8 for adults of 17+ years. These are higher on the day of entry.

Making life better for others
Over £336,000 has been donated to local organisations over the years and this year the aim is to attract over one thousand two hundred entrants to the event and even more spectators who will enjoy the attractions of this family fun morning based at Sawston Village College. A target of £17,000 has been set with proceeds going to the Rosie Hospital Campaign; the Cambridge Marie Cancer Care and MS branches; Riding for the Disabled; Fledglings, of Wendens Ambo as well as six Sawston based organisations and youth groups in Shelford, Stapleford, Whittlesford and Duxford.

Rosie Maternity Hospital and other major beneficiaries
After almost thirty years, demand for maternity care in Cambridge and the surrounding area has outgrown the capacity of the Rosie. So a new £30 million purpose-built, three-storey facility is planned; £7 million of which must be found from charitable sources The Fun Run will make a major donation to the ‘New Rosie Hospital Campaign’ fund. Other charities to benefit will be:

Marie Curie Cancer Care - contribution to cancer care costs
South Cambs Riding for Disabled, Sawston - for the hire of ponies for those who have disabilities
MS Society, Cambridge Branch - to help pay for exercise classes

Other groups to benefit are: Most groups and charities in Sawston and the surrounding villages have benefited from the Fun Run. This year ten groups will receive funding.

Sawston Community Centre - assisting with the refurbishment
Friday Night Club, Sawston - for special activity sessions for those with learning disabilities
Sawston Toy Library - soft play equipment for pre-school children
Sawston Scouts - a mess tent
Sawston Guides - a patrol tent
Sawston Cinema Club - for a video camera for the young members
Shelford & Stapleford Youth Group - IT equipment for the youth group
Cambridge Joint Playschemes - an Activity Day for young people with severe learning disabilities
Fledglings, of Wendens Ambo - assisting the charity that helps children with disabilities
Whittlesford & Duxford Scouts - for equipment for the Beavers

Sponsors and supporters make a significant contribution
Cambridge Building Society kindly continues to sponsor the event and is joined by Adams Harrison, solicitors; Budgens Sawston; Excell, Voice and Data Specialists; Jazzercise Sawston; Kall Kwik Cambridge; Morgan Sindall, Russells Estate Agents; Vindis Sawston and Sawston Parish Council. Other businesses and organisations assist by providing help on the day: Welch’s Transport, Lilley of Sawston, the local Fire Service, the Air and Army Cadets, Sawston Youth Group band, the Red Cross and RAYNET.

The Rotary Club is indebted to them, the advertisers and Sawston Village College whose help is vital to the success of the community event.

A message from Vic Starkey, President of the Rotary Club of Sawston District:

We’re hoping that more people than ever will enter, so beating last year’s record turnout and that entrants will get all their families and friends to sponsor them. We are just pleased we can play our part in the community by organising the event, as it generates much needed funds for local causes and creates a fun occasion that is clearly enjoyed by everyone. The support from the business community is vital to us in organising the event; we thank them and everyone else for their input. We wish everyone a good time on the 15th May.

Media companies help too
The media recognise just how popular the event is with the local community as it represents ‘community values’ often lost in today’s society. Three companies have agreed to promote the event: Cambridge Newspapers, Star Radio and Stagecoach Buses.

On the day support
An example of the willingness of the local business community to back the event is the supply of over 1,500 bottles of water by Iceni Water, the local natural mineral water sourced from deep beneath the South Cambridgeshire countryside and bottled at Duxford. Greens Health & Fitness, Cambridge also demonstrate their support by providing major prizes for adult winners and a complimentary day’s membership to all adults who complete the finish the 7.5k course.

Bottisham Airfield Museum Open Day

2011-04-01T20:34:00.000-07:00

Spring of Hope Update

2011-03-30T18:24:00.000-07:00

THE last few months have been a very exciting time for Spring of Hope! We were able to give out over 100 wheel chairs. Thanks to Bethany and free wheel chair distribution Ministries. It was amazing having to assemble and distribute 130 wheel chairs in two days.

Mt. Zion School ended their 1st year with an amazing afternoon of drama and presentations. I was humbled when I was given a wooden curved key and map of Ugandan as a token of thanks contributing towards educating the “deaf child.” We have received a number of Volunteers from the UK to as far away as Singapore and Finland. We also received some very special visitors - my parents, Jean and Rob Clark.
We started 2011 with our first ever three prayer retreat on Prayer Mountain, which was a time of awaking and focusing for the year ahead. Sadly as soon stepped off the mountain we hit a hard patch where we lost two of our children. These were boys who have been with us: Emma and Paddy (in picture above) RIP.

No matter how many children we have lost in the last 6 years it never gets any easier even after losing 40+ since January 2009. For a long time and we had seen them both grow up into amazing young men; I think it often gets harder instead of easier. But it always challenges the way we think and see things. Our aim and prayer for 2011 is to build rehabilitation unit and improve on our nutrition program. Please pray with us.

Later this month I will be in the UK until mid June for a time of celebration, as I am coming home to get married to a very special Ugandan man called Karahukayo Israel. My gift from God, a man who understands and loves people and children, maybe even more than I do. Please pray for us as we chase after visas and for our life ahead together.

If you wish me to speak at your Church, School, Youth group or any organization please email me now so that I can get a time table of my UK trip.

Teresha Clark

Wow- What a difference a year makes! We were so pleased to spend time with the SOH team again, visiting the clinics, the schools work and community visits. It was on one of these visits we could see the amazing way God uses the team to change lives so miraculously.
Last year Rob met Musa, who then lay all the day on a mat at his Parents’. He had horrendous sores on his back. NOW- He is an independent young man in better health. His new wheel chair and shoe repair has meant he is part of his community setting up a new business. SOH has given him a hope for a new life and opportunities for the future.

We didn’t have enough space to tell you everything we have seen. We were overjoyed to be at Mt. Zion speech day. So many of the deaf children, received prizes for their achievements. The children’s’ plays, songs and dances made us proud just as their parents- the community too were proud.

Well-done SOH team. May God continue to bless you in 2011 and beyond!

Rob and Jean.

WABWOKO OUTREACH

Since April 2008 we have been hosting clinics in Wabwoko Sub County. We have now been able to successful carry out two outreach camps in Wabwoko, one where we camped outside the local sub county and the tent nearly fell on top of us. So far the two visits have empowered us to see a fantastic number of children, in our first outreach alone we reached 8 homes and saw 7 children. It is interesting to work in Wabwoko as continuously we got lost, as the directions we found were not clear and the area being so much more rural than Kangulumira. You can be driving for miles to get from one home to another. The partnership between the community of Wabwoko and soh is incredible. The parents are now starting to become involved in carrying out home visits.

Moses

MT ZION AND KISEGA SCHOOL closed the year in style! We had our first ever camp for deaf children (9boys, 10 girls, 5 teachers) at Mt. Zion school. Erica, a Volunteer who pioneered this idea and watched this camp from start to end. She had this to say:

My objective for the camp was to bring the deaf children from two schools together, with the aim of encouraging social, emotional, physical, cognitive and Spiritual growth through learning from peers and teachers. I mainly concerned on the children from Kisega, but after spending quality time with the children from Mt. Zion, they were all improving socially and built friendships with one another. We had a variety of different sessions and we walked to the falls that was so amazing!

In future, I would wish for this camp to happen again. My vision is that it be better organized with more of a focus on fun activities such as our walk to the falls. More focus on social development than cognitive. I would also have liked to do a project with the children like a craft or a building project requiring team work. Something that is tangible so they could see it completed and be reminded of their working together.
Erica

THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH WHEELCHAIR DISTRIBUTION MINISTRIES, we were able to receive 130 wheel chairs. For us, his was answer to prayer…a request that was answered sooner than we could realise. Thanks to who stood with the team to see this distribution process a success!

25th and 26th November were busy days for us, trying to assemble and give out wheel chairs. It was so awe-inspiring seeing so many volunteers getting on board to help, ranging from friends, Pastors, partner Organizations, Local Leaders and students including one of very own, Eric who is also a sponsored deaf child at Mt. Zion School. We 113 on the 25th November 2011. The rest were distributed in phases to those who weren’t able to make it on the 26th. This has been the highlight for all the staff at SOH.

Emma, Moses, Phina

PRAYERS ANSWERED

Not so long ago we had been praying for Martin to get a sponsor so he can be able to attend school. Martin is an 8 year old with Cerebral Palsy. This guy is so full of smiles!!! We have watched him grow, learn, get used to holding things firmly in his hand. When we saw that Martin was ready and able to attend school, we sent out requests for people to pray for a sponsor...

Glad to announce he shortly after got a sponsor, in January 2011 he started school. We are currently looking for school sponsorship for 30 children. Please think about helping a. child with a disability through school.

Charles

Information
Spring of Hope
Teresha Clark:
(+256) (0)782539554
Spring of Hope
YWAM UGANDA
PO BOX 739
JINJA
UGANDA
EAST AFRICA

email springofhope@ywamuganda.org
website www.springofhope.org.uk
blog www.springofhopeuganda.blogspot.com

Spring of Hope is under a Youth With a Mission project called ToRCH (Together Restoring Community Hope). ToRCH has other Ministries including KIHP: Medical /HIV Programme; CES: Child Education sponsorship; WAR: Women at Risk.

What is Spring Of Hope?

Spring of Hope is a Community Based Rehabilitation Programme. Our aim is to assist disabled children and their families to maximise their abilities. Our Vision is, “Enabling the local communities to help their disabled children.” We work within the rural areas of Kayunga, Mukono districts. We have been running since 2004. Following research, we found out that there were many children with disabilities but no support for them. There is great stigma attached to having a child with a disability SOH educates the community as to the value of all children regardless of the disability.

What we do:

Assessment clinics
Outreach clinics
Home visits
Providing Adaptive aids.
Support to access corrective surgery
Nutrition programme
Daily living skills lessons
Education classes
School sponsorship
Support local schools to include disabled children
Free epilepsy medication for the child.
Facilitation of sign language workshops
Teaching of sign language to teachers
Income generating craft group

We now see children who are loved and accepted as part of their families and community. The greatest challenge is the number of children who need our support and the distance they travel to see us, some travel up to three hours just for a clinic.

Voluntary Needs

We continue to need:

Physiotherapists
Occupational therapists
Children’s workers
Fundraisers –people willing to run fundraising events in the UK or home country (cakes stands to pub quizzes, selling crafts)
Open doors for speaking opportunities for either Teresha or our UK contact

Please visit our website and blog for a monthly prayer guide!

Cantilena Singers Spring Concert

2011-03-29T20:24:00.000-07:00

with guests Convivium Canorum Spring's Footsteps Saturday 16th April 7:30pm St. James Church, High Street Lode CB25 9EW Director Daniel Spreadbury Programme including choral music from Moeran, Britten, Finzi, and Rutter plus - Beethoven Quintet for Piano and Wind Tickets £5.00 on the door. Also available from the Post Office. Proceeds to the Church

Ione Evans

Click here for details and map

Proposed Bottisham Practice Patient Group

2011-03-21T05:46:00.000-07:00

On 13 January the Bottisham Medical Practice invited patients to attend a meeting to discuss the formation of a Patient Group. The purpose of such a group, run by patients themselves, would be to give Bottisham doctors patients’ views on their concerns about the way the practice is run, including on the new commissioning role of GPs. Attendance at the initial meeting was small but interested. There were many questions, but most thought a Patient Group could be useful.

It was suggested the next step should be a questionnaire asking patients whether they would welcome such a Patient Group, and what issues they would like to be discussed. Copies of the questionnaire are now available at the surgery. A second public meeting will be at at the Surgery on Thursday 31 March at 7 PM. All patients are invited to attend. This will be the opportunity for patients to agree what they want the Patient Group to do and to help set it up.

Information on patient groups is available at the National Association of Patient Participation, http://www.napp.org.uk/.

supermoon!

2011-03-21T05:22:00.000-07:00

"...and the lesser light to govern the night": the "supermoon", in all its glory behind St Vigor's church, effortlessly outshines the streetlight and the tower lights.

If you look, you might see the waning moon - still brighter than an ordinary full moon!

to our Irish friends...

2011-03-17T05:36:00.000-07:00

...from the people of Fulbourn!

nearly-new sale

2011-03-13T16:20:00.000-07:00

The 10th Nearly New Sale of baby and children's toys, clothes, equipment and much more on Saturday 26th March, 2.30-4pm at the Fulbourn Centre, Manor Walk, Fulbourn. There will be 50p entrance fee per adult to raise funds for the Little Warblers Pre-school, Great Wilbraham. Please come and support this popular event.

Click for directions to the Fulbourn Centre & other details

editorial: spring thoughts

2011-03-13T14:52:00.000-07:00

Fulbourn and the Wilbrahams may not be blessed with many vales or hills but Wordsworth certainly manages to sum up the sudden wonder and joy of seeing new life in nature emerging (not least if it follows a particularly hard winter, such as the one we have just experienced).

As if to echo this natural phenomenon, the Christian Year looks forward to a bursting forth of new life at Easter, following the forty days and nights of Lent. Traditionally a season of penitence, Lent offers an opportunity to delve more deeply into our own personal beliefs and values. It can be a time to ‘take stock’ of our personal journey through life and perhaps to identify ‘new shoots’ or directions that we might take.

Within our parishes, there are two opportunities to join others in Lenten reflection. Every Wednesday, starting on 16th March (7.30pm at Twelve) there will be a Lent Group, led by our ordinand, Rhiannon Jones in which we will have opportunities to discuss themes linked to the work of C.S. Lewis – using references to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Shadowlands.

In addition to this, on 16th March the Parish Retreat will take place (from 10am to 2pm) at Mill Green House, led by Rev. Kathy Bishop with music and reflections linked to Psalm 51.The cost of the retreat is a donation of £10 (which includes the cost of lunch). Further details from Twelve.

During Holy Week there will be a series of Holy Week Meditations at G reat Wilbraham church (right)on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evening at 7.30pm. Little Wilbraham (left) will be holding a Maundy Thursday service of Holy Communion (also at 7.30pm). On Good Friday there will be a Children’s Workshop from 9.30 – 10.30am at Fulbourn church, an 11am service at Little Wilbraham and a Good Friday meditational service at Fulbourn between 2 and 3pm. All are very welcome at these activities and services.

Whatever you resolve to do (or not) for Lent, may it be a time of positive and inspiring thoughts, amidst the natural delights of spring.

Caroline Simmonds
Parish Assistant
Fulbourn & the Wilbrahams

health centre news: did you know?

2011-03-04T16:46:00.000-08:00

We are all very aware of the financial constraints being imposed across the board in the current economic climate. The Health Service is no exception and we all have a responsibility to ensure that the money is being spent wisely. We, the taxpayers, are providing the money to fund the service and therefore we have a vested interest in knowing how the money is spent.

Did you know?

Every time a patient attends A&E and gives their name to a receptionist, there is a charge of £59 – even if the patient does not wait to be seen. (Since April 2010 we have had 56 patients from the Practice who did not wait to be seen after registering in A&E)
A blood test taken during this visit will cost £87
An echocardiogram ( a special heart ultrasound test) is £117
An admission from A&E costs £500

To put this in perspective, an appendicectomy (an operation to remove the appendix) costs £1,500 and a heart bypass operation costs almost £9,000.

The bills are currently picked up by the Department of Health, but when the GPs take over the budget, they will be billed directly for this care. The GP services that we provide have already been paid for by the Government, as has the Out of Hours service provided by Urgent Care Cambridgeshire.

We, at the Health Centre, should be the first port of call if you are suffering with a sore throat, earache, flu-like symptoms, skin, chest and bowel problems to name but a few of the illnesses that are regularly seen in A&E. We have specialist nurses and doctors available to see our patients and simply ask that you make the receptionists aware if you need to be seen the same day. The reception staff can always advise you if you are unsure whether you need to go to A&E, or they can ask our Emergency doctor to phone you to offer advice.

When we are closed, the contact details for the Out of Hours service is on the answerphone.

Finally, may we ask for you help, please?

We have seen a significant increase in the number of prescription requests that we deal with. It would be appreciated if everyone would remember that we need two working days to process the requests. In addition we would like to remind you that we cannot accept telephone requests, for safety reasons. This is at the doctors request.

Gill Cummins

update: Stagecoach bus changes in Cambridgeshire

2011-03-02T09:37:00.000-08:00

Click here for information about Stagecoach bus timetable changes from 17 April:

http://www.stagecoachbus.com/serviceupdatedetails.aspx?Id=2358

What's this post about? Click consultation: changes to bus routes in Cambridgeshire to find out.

Fulbourn and Teversham Royal British Legion: 90th Anniversary!

2011-02-27T16:07:00.000-08:00

‘During 1924 the list of all ex-servicemen who served in The Great War was finally completed and placed on sheep skin. It was ready to be installed in its final resting place - the Parish Church, where it still hangs. The work was carried out by Mr Cox and was on view prior to being hung in the church at the recent concert held by the British Legion (said the press report on November 28 1924)’.

Another entry in the newspaper, November 20 1925, stated ‘A highly successful and well patronised social, organised by the Fulbourn branch of the British Legion, assisted by members of the Women’s Institute, was held in the village hall, on Armistice Night. Mrs Peake arranged a competition and Mrs Hodgeman sold poppies. The hall was decorated with patriotic flags and emblems under the direction of Captain C.E. Townley.’

(The forementioned historical information is taken from a compilation of the branch’s history which Don Crane (deceased), put together in 1981 and for which we are exceedingly grateful.)

Like us, the Fulbourn Women’s Institute is also 90 years old this year so we are once again (as above), combining forces to have “Cream Teas and Strawberries”, on The Manor Lawns, forming part of The National Poppy Party weekend. The Peterborough Highland Pipe Band will also be in attendance, so be sure to put this date in your diary.

Dont forget the production of ‘Eyes Front’ with Isla St Clair Sat 12th March in The Townley Hall – tickets £10 from Twelve AND GOING FAST!

Gerald Norden
Secretary
Fulbourn & Teversham Branch
Royal British Legion

Interested? Email fulbourn_mill@yahoo.com and I'll pass the enquiry on! - Ed.

consultation: changes to bus routes in Cambridgeshire

2011-02-26T21:30:00.000-08:00

Click here for update

This was sent to me about proposed changes to bus routes in Cambridgehsire - anybody wanting to make a comment had better get their skates on! - Ed.

PROPOSED CHANGES FOR APRIL 2011

Cambridgeshire County Council wants to hear your views on changes and reductions being made to some bus services which are supported by financial contributions from Council funds.

Why we are contacting you

The majority of bus services in Cambridgeshire (about 80%) are provided by commercial operators without subsidy. However, the County Council subsidises some bus services where bus operators are currently unable to operate commercially. There is no statutory duty for the Council to provide this, nor do we receive specific funding from Government to do so.

In the future this subsidy will not be possible due to reduced overall grants to councils from Government coupled with increased costs of, and for, services. The County Council needs to make savings of around £160 million over the next five years and some of these savings have to come from the transport budget.
On Tuesday 15th February 2011 Full Council voted to phase out funding for subsidised bus services over the next four years and agreed to a reduction of £654,000 in subsidised services in 2011/12. This letter is the start of a consultation process seeking comments for the first set of reductions.

We are working with operators, community transport providers, local councils and businesses to see if we can find viable ways of meeting the transport needs of communities as much as possible and are looking for other alternative solutions to help reduce the impact of these changes.

Your views are an important part of this process to help us decide on how we implement the financial savings and where possible find local solutions.

The current situation

A commercial bus operator, Stagecoach, has identified a number of services that they are no longer able to operate, because they are no longer viable to run with current levels of County Council financial support regardless of the pressures described above. The operator has notified the Traffic Commissioner that as of Sunday 17th April 2011 they will no longer be operating the services listed in table 1 (attached).

The County Council is also considering withdrawing the subsidy for some evening and Sunday services, so that we can focus on subsidised services that provide for mainly journeys for work, school and personal business such as shopping. We have discussed these proposed withdrawals of subsidy with operators and consequently the evening and Sunday journeys shown in table 2 have also been deregistered from Sunday 17th April 2011.

In addition we are looking to withdraw the subsidy for the Cambridge City Centre Shuttle, which currently is provided free for users at a cost of £80,000 to taxpayers across the county. Shopmobility is available for eligible users.
What happens next?

We are seeking your views on these proposed changes shown in the tables and we are keen to hear proposals from local communities, voluntary groups and bus operators. In the meantime, we will continue to look for replacement bus operators or alternative solutions and approaches.

We will consider all responses we receive before making a final decision after the end of the consultation period. Even after changes have been made, we will continue to liaise closely with communities affected to monitor the impacts of the changes.

We welcome your comments

The County Council welcomes any comments you may have about the above proposals. To enable us to have enough time to fully consider responses before Sunday 17th April 2011 we would be grateful if you could respond by 16:00 on Friday 11th March 2011 using one of the following means

By email bus.tenders@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

By telephone 0345 045 0675

By post:
Cambridgeshire County Council,
CC1301,
Castle Court,
Shire Hall,
Cambridge CB3 0AP

We appreciate that this does not give as much time as we would like. But we are bound by the requirements of the Council’s legally binding contract with bus operators which stipulates the maximum notice required.

Yours sincerely

Head of Passenger Transport Services
Cambridgeshire County Council

Table 1
The contractor has notified the Traffic Commissioner that as of Sunday 17th April 2011 they will no longer be operating the following services

Contractor	Service	Journey
Stagecoach	32	Chatteris - Ramsey/Whittlesey
Stagecoach	67	St Neots - Southoe - St Neots
Stagecoach	139	Foxton - Great Shelford - Sawston - Royston
Stagecoach	400*	Keyston - Huntingdon
Stagecoach	401*	Grafham - Spaldwick - Huntingdon
Stagecoach	402*	St Ives - Huntingdon - Spaldwick - Ellington
Stagecoach	430	Huntingdon - Ellington - Raunds - Thrapston
Stagecoach	404	Huntingdon - Bedford
Stagecoach	405	Huntingdon - Peterborough
Stagecoach	406	Huntingdon - Kettering
Stagecoach	407	Huntingdon - Peterborough
Stagecoach	408	Huntingdon - St Neots
Stagecoach	409	Huntingdon - Great Gidding Circular
Stagecoach	414	Graveley - St Neots
Stagecoach	431	Great Raveley - St Neots
Stagecoach	100	Cambridge City Centre Shuttle

Table 2
In addition to the above, the evening (after 20:00) and Sunday journeys on he following services have also been deregistered from Sunday 17th April 2011

Contractor	Service	Journey
Whippet	1A	Huntingdon - Peterborough
Stagecoach	9	Littleport - Ely - Waterbeach to Cambridge
Stagecoach	15	Cambridge - Longstanton - Willingham - Swavesey - Fenstanton
Stagecoach	18	Cambridge - Cambourne - Longstowe
Stagecoach	30	Huntingdon - Warboys - Ramsey
Stagecoach	33	March - Whittlesey - Peterborough
Stagecoach	45	Huntingdon - Wyton - St Ives at 20:05 and 21:05
Stagecoach	Citi 7	Sawston to Duxford/Whittlesford

Notes

1. (Services marked with an asterisk) Due to the lack of alternative services Cambridgeshire County Council intends to retender some journeys for services 400 and 401 although this is likely to be on a reduced service level.

2. Our initial proposals are not to replace the services in Tables 1 and 2 as alternative journeys are available to other destinations or priority has been given to protecting work, school and essential shopping journeys.

Read more: Axe falls on 22 bus routes as cuts bite - Cambridge Evening news

did you see a stolen moped?

2011-02-24T17:28:00.000-08:00

Did anybody see somebody wheeling a moped along Hinton Road, on the Thomas Road Estate side, between 4-5am on the morning of 24 February? If so, please phone Cambridgeshire Constabulary on 0345 456 456 4. Alternatively, to make an anonymous statement, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. The moped, which belonged to a young friend of mine, was stolen, wheeled down the road, thrown in a ditch and set alight.

funny church signs

2011-02-23T11:51:00.000-08:00

I subscribe to Godtube's regular email alert, and get likns to all sorts of videos in my inbox - inspirational, heartwarming, heartbreaking and, in this case, a laugh-out-loud funny one about various US church signs. The song, Signs by Steven Curtis Chapman, is pretty good too - enjoy!

do YOU want to help keep Fulbourn's buses?

2011-02-17T16:49:00.000-08:00

Dear Fulbournites

If any of you are concerned about the impending loss of our No 16 and 17 buses (the route to Newmarket and Balsham/Haverhill, and fast into Cambridge), our MEP, Richard Howitt (right), is coming to sign a petition and begin a campaign at the Bus Stop in Fulbourn High Street TODAY (18th Feb) at 2pm. He would like a photo of a bus queue, so the more the merrier! Please get your friends and other bus users to come along if they can. I can't guarantee you'll see a bus but you will get to meet our Representative in the European Parliament!

Fulbourn Forum

Click for a Google-Map for Fulbourn High Street

Good luck to Gerri et al

2011-02-16T20:30:00.000-08:00

As this blog is intended to extend a Christian village magazine, I don't want to get involved in the political row brewing over the proposed resiting of the ground-floor toilets at Cambridge's Lion's Yard; I merely want to wish disability campaigner Gerri Bird and her team the best of luck tonight (17 February), when they will present their 8000-signature petition to Cambridge City Council, when it's in full session.

Best of luck, Gerry.

Click to go to Save the Lion's Yard Toilets!

fun and wisdom from animals

2011-02-16T14:00:00.000-08:00

There's been a brilliant email doing the rounds here in the fens and beyond, with uplifting captions accompanying funny and thought-provoking pictures of animals. These are usually of cats, but not exclusively. I thought I'd choose some of the best and post them for you. And so, without further ado, let's go!

Believe in yourself!

Study lots

Express yourself

Always try to help a friend in need

Give lots of kisses

Don't be concerned with your weight - it's just a number

Meet new people, even if they look different to you

Cherish every Sunday

At the end of the day, PRAY, because...

Someone loves you more than you know.

news from Fulbourn Health Centre

2011-02-14T19:43:00.000-08:00

Patient confidentiality is at the heart of the work we do at the Practice and we do everything possible to ensure that we protect this at all times.

It was recently brought to our attention that a foreign-sounding lady had been calling people and giving the impression that she was calling from, or on behalf of, Fulbourn Health Centre. The caller was trying to sell tablets and offered a cure for arthritis and pomegranate tablets. The caller sounded plausible, gave her name, a contact phone number and a product licence number for the tablets. She offered a discount and asked for bank account details to facilitate payment. We informed the Police as soon as this was brought to our attention and will let them know if we become aware of any similar calls.

Please be assured that

We never authorise commercial companies to call patients on our behalf.
We do not give out any patient information unless it is appropriate to do so, and we always verify who is asking for the information first, such as a hospital clinic.
When we speak to a patient by phone, all staff identify themselves. Please call us back if you want to check that a caller is genuine and use the published numbers in the Practice leaflet or the phone directory. We never use other numbers for patients to contact us.
We are governed by strict rules relating to the handling of all patient data, whether on paper, computer or by fax and phone. All staff receive training in this area and sign a confidentiality agreement on joining the Practice.

We are always willing to discuss such matters if you would like further clarification.

Gill Cummins
Office Manager
Fulbourn Health Centre

Click to go to Cornford House and Fulbourn Health Centre website

Angeli Christian Books & Gifts

2011-02-12T18:44:00.000-08:00

A (very) Special Weekend

2011-02-11T07:48:00.000-08:00

Our colleagues from the Special Constabulary, who volunteer their time, will be focusing on anti-social behaviour as part of a weekend of activity to showcase their work.

The region-wide Specials Weekend (Feb 11-12) will also see Specials involved in enforcement work around shoplifting and speeding.

Officers will concentrate on anti-social behaviour hotspots, building up intelligence and developing initiatives and links with partner organisations such as local businesses and community groups.

They are an integral part of the modern policing service, volunteering their time to help protect the community from crime and disorder by supporting the team.

Cambridgeshire currently has 203 Special officers who work about 45,000 hours every year.

Specials from Ely and Cambridge city will be carrying out anti-social behaviour patrols based on neighbourhood priorities on Friday. On Saturday, Specials from Histon will be carrying out anti-social behaviour patrols based on rural neighbourhood priorities and speed checks.

They will also issue tickets for anti-social driving, other motoring offences and under-age drinking.

For more information about the Special Constabulary and how to get involved visit The Special Constabulary page on our website.

Your Neighbourhood Policing Team