June 2000 Edition of the Linton News    Previous        Next

Articles  Barclays,  Playgroups, St Mary’s  Police,  District Council Elections,   Walks Book,   Parish Council - Bowls,   GP REFERRAL,  NSCPP,   WALKS,   WI (Extended Article)- New Team Members  (Additional Article  Ashleys Last Day),   Getting Cash,   Save The Children,   Catherine Rice Interview,   Disabled Advice,   OSCAR Club,   Hadstock Fete,   College Jaz,   K-Cliub Winners- Bust Telegraph,   Alzheimer's,   Bus Pass,   Country Diary,   Blood Donours,   150 Library,   Local Police

Readers Write:- Townies,   GP Referral,   Hospital Thanks,   Election Thanks

Barclays building for sale at ‘£70,000’     Top

DO you want to own a bank? Sorry, you may have missed your chance – the former Barclays Bank premises in the High Street was being offered at auction with a guide price of £70,000.
Countrywide Commercial wrote the details and said on the auction offer that the ground floor has two offices and a banking hall, with a self-contained residential area at the rear and a storage facility in the basement.
The residential area has a kitchen, dining room, sitting room, and WC – plus something on the first floor but it was not open for viewing when the Countrywide Commercial representative visited the premises.
The building was due to be auctioned in London on 31st May (after the Linton News deadline). But presumably not to someone who said: “I liked Barclays so much, I bought the bank.”
Cash in your hand, page 3

Playgroups go mad for fun          Top

THE two village playgroups, Linton Granta Playgroup and Chestnut Playgroup, have teamed together to organise a special fund-raising event entitled Midsummer Madness to be held on Saturday 1st July.
The event, which will take place at Linton Infants School, is open to all, whether or not involved in either playgroup. In addition to a disco, a two-course supper and a bar, there will be a casino and other exciting activities, including a Gladiators event.
Tickets available

St Mary’s looks for pot of gold at the end of a rainbow     Top

THE Reverend Julian Thom-son, Rector of St Mary’s, speaking on the occasion of the Licensing of Lesley Gore as a Reader, said: “Lesley’s licensing in Ely Cathedral was a particularly happy and splendid occasion.
“As a Reader, Lesley contributes so much to our pastoral work in the village and to our worship. A long time resident, now with a new role, she is well known to so many in Linton. The Linton group of parishes are blessed in having such a strong and gifted Team Ministry.”
The Ministry Team posed together outside Ely Cathedral (l-r): The Venerable Alan Clarkson, retired, but still very active; Lesley Gore, newly licensed Reader; the Reverend Barbara McNam-ara, whose main responsibilities lie in Horseheath and the Camps; and the Reverend Julian Thomson, Rector of St Mary’s and Rural Dean.
THROUGH The Rainbow is the theme of the St Mary’s Flower Festival, taking place on 9th, 10th and 11th June.
Rainbows are a sign of promise and we feel it is an appropriate theme for the first year of this new millennium. We shall be creating an explosion of colour with floral arrangements throughout the church combining the secular with the sacred in God’s promise to us all.
As always, we are indebted to the flower arrangers who transform our beautiful church with their artistic inspiration, bringing the theme each year to life with the beauty, fragrance and colour of the flowers.
A small steering group has been planning a varied programme of events through the festival weekend and we expect to welcome many people from Linton, neighbouring villages and from further afield.
The Flower Festival is one of our main fund-raising events of the year and helps us to reach the annual budget of £70,000 necessary to maintain St Mary’s, in running costs, paying our parish share to the diocese and maintaining 10% charitable giving.
The church will be open daily to view the many floral arrangements and we start the events rolling with our traditional Barbecue and Barn Dance on the Friday evening – 7pm at the Infants’ School – a real family event with good food and dancing for all ages. On Saturday from 10am to 5.30pm there will be a Market in and around the Infants’ School with craft stalls and plants, books, bric-a-brac, gifts and cakes. Refreshments will be served and at 3pm there will be a display of Modern Dances by the Geoff Bailey Dancers.
Last year the trips up St Mary’s tower were so popular that Keith Nightingale will be arranging for them to take place on both Saturday and Sunday – on the hour. If you did not take advantage last year – it is well worth the effort and you will see wonderful view!
We are fortunate to have been chosen as a venue for one of the South Cambs Sounds of Summer 2000 concerts, and on Saturday evening at 7.30pm we shall welcome the English Sinfonia String Quartet.
As evening falls, the quartet will light up St Mary’s with Haydn’s The Sunrise, the first movement leaving you in no doubt as to the origin of its name, a suitable work to be performed within this year’s theme and setting. The concert also includes music by Schubert and Shostakovich – tickets are available from the Rectory.
On Sunday, there will be celebrations of the Eucharist at 8am and 10am in church.
The Saffron Walden Swing Band will be playing a selection of music in the school grounds from 2–4pm. From 3.30–5.30pm cream teas will be served in the Rectory Garden where the Duck Race on the river starts at 4pm!
Finally, at 6pm, a United Churches Choral Celebration will conclude the weekend activities with a guest preacher, the Rev Jeremy Craddock, an Anglican priest who was formerly a forensic scientist with a particular interest in the biological sciences.
So please come and join us, bring along friends and celebrate with us in this millennium year God’s Promise to us all – Through the Rainbow.
we need your help

Police      Top

LINTON”S new community police officer is committed to tackling the problems of the village – but needs the help of residents.
PC Andy Denzey says in an interview with the Linton News that Linton has fewer crimes than most villages in the area.
But he points out the problem of youths involved in anti-social behaviour and adds: “There are no easy solutions to this kind of behaviour, as often these incidents are witnessed by people who are not willing to provide statements. It is not enough [for people] to merely call the police and think that their involvement is finished.’’
Later in the interview, PC Den-zey says: “I am committed to tackling Linton’s problems … [but] I cannot stress enough that I need the help of the community…and with it I will achieve as much as I know I can.”
Full interview, page 4

Joan Smith holds seat on S Cambs      Top

LIBERAL Democrat Joan Smith held on to her South Cambs District Council seat in the local elections last month, beating Samuel Alper (Conservative) and Philip Holloway (Labour) in the Linton and Hildersham ward. She took two-thirds of the votes in a poll that attracted only a 33% turnout.
The political composition of District Council is now: Conservatives, 20 members; Lib Dems, 15; Independents, 14; Labour, five; and UK Independent Party, one.
The new Chairman is Councillor Simon Kime (Lab), who represents Fen Ditton, Horningsea and Teversham. The new Vice-chairman is Councillor Richard Summer-field (Ind) of Milton.
Readers Write, page 3

Walks Book on sale to boost LA4Y      Top

CONGRATULATIONS to the team that produced Linton Walks. A first class professional presentation. I am sure that many of you will want more copies. There are plenty left but no more free ones!
The Linton News has generously donated the remaining stock of books to Linton Action For Youth (LA4Y) for sale to help our fund-raising effort. We have supplied stocks to outlets in the village.
The book costs £2.50 and is available at Sweet Talk News, Hale & Jacobs, the Post Office and, if you have difficulty finding one, directly from me . Good walking!
Readers Write, page 3

The PARISH COUNCIL      Top

AT THE May meeting, the Council AGM, Mike Gee was elected Chairman for another year and Val Urwin Vice Chair. After 18 years serving on parish charities Dr Attwood is resigning and Mrs L Read was elected to take his place alongside John Linsdell. The Infants school has appointed Mr Jonathan Newman as the new deputy head to start in September, Mrs Mary Gardener and Mrs Lynn Dando have been appointed as governors. The Council was pleased to note that the revised plans for security at the school would be discussed with the Parish Council before being submitted to the District Council; the LEA will now pay for the fencing allowing the allocated money to be spent on other security measures.
The recreation ground has once again been invaded by moles which have been captured and removed. The older equipment on the recreation ground is to be replaced. The Cemetery fee structure is to be reviewed and the waste disposal bin is to be moved to the other gate as soon as hard standing is provided. The Cricket and Football Club licences for use of the recreation ground were renewed.
In the police report eight parking tickets, six fixed penalties and nine vehicle tax irregularities were reported. Thirty-five calls to the police resulted in nine crimes being recorded. Requests for two street lamps were received. One be will be provided by the District Council.
The possibility of putting a cash machine in the Co-op is being looked into. Police measures against youth vandalism are on the agenda for the next police meeting. It was reported that elderly people within the village were worried about security in council houses due to old windows. Dr Cox reported that he had received a grant to restore his cobble yard on the proviso that the public would be allowed to view it. The District Council has requested comments on the use of the Council car park by High Street traders, which clashes with surgery opening hours. Hedges and bushes overhanging the pavement were reported, and letters are to be sent to the offending house owners.
The Parish Council is to look into the possibility of providing a seat on the Paynes Pasture footpath to Rivey Hill, beside the telephone exchange. This will require the landowner’s permission.

Bowlers get ready for great event      Top

ON 12th May we lost to Saffron Walden on all three rinks and the following Friday we reversed the situation by winning on all 3 rinks against Stoke-by-Clare. We were knocked out of the Walter Smith Cup in the first round, but a well-fought game, it was ding-dong at one stage.
In friendly matches we beat Balsham at home (a first for us) 60–56 shots, and Birdbrook, also at home, 81–52 shots.
On Sunday 25th June, a game is being played at home, Arthur Gore’s team versus Derek Dimmock’s, in celebration of Arthur’s 90th birthday. Still some vacancies for players. Room for spectators – should be worth a look; commencing 2.30pm

GP REFERRAL SCHEME BEGINS AT SPORTS CENTRE      Top

  THE GP referral scheme started in January with local doctors referring patients who would benefit from leading a more active lifestyle for prescriptive exercise at the Fitness Centre. It is available to anyone who is currently inactive and would benefit from exercise. The first course began on 9th May.
The scheme has received backing from South Cambs District Council for the specialist equipment required, but not from Linton Parish Council. The sports centre is currently bearing the cost of subsidy in order to run this community scheme, and will re-apply shortly to the Parish Council.
How could the scheme work for you? First of all, make an appointment to see your GP who will complete a referral card. Then contact Linton Community Sports Centre to book your initial assessment.
The scheme runs for ten weeks (two sessions per week) and the sessions are run by a qualified fitness instructor, experienced in working with medical referrals. On completion you will be reassessed and helped to choose a regular activity that you will enjoy, to continue with. Your reassessment should be taken to your doctor to discuss any further course of action.
The initial and final assessments cost £5 each and the course costs £20 for ten sessions or £40 for 20 sessions. These charges areconsiderably lower than the regular Fitness Centre costs.
For more information speak to your GP at Linton Health Centre. Alternatively, you can call Mark Wilson at Linton Community Sports Centre
Readers Write, page 3.

Lynne Potter, fitness instructor, with a client

NSPCC THANKS      Top

WE should like to thank all those who supported the NSPCC Coffee Morning held on 11th May. You helped us to raise the excellent sum of £586 with generous bringing and buying and donations from those unable to come. The money raised will be kept in the Eastern Region to help put a full stop to child abuse.
NSPCC Linton Committee

A BETTER WALK      Top

THE Linton News is grateful to Catriona Ogilvy for pointing out an improvement to the Bartlow walk in the new Linton Walks booklet. She tells us that in fact it is not necessary to walk along the road on the way to the Bartlow Hills as there is a public right of way by the front of Hills Farm running parallel to the Bartlow to Ashdon road. LNT

NOW WE CAN ALL HAVE IT      Top

DEREK Birch’s article in last month’s Linton News will have reassured people who were worried about access to the beautiful new computers in the Cathodeon Centre. Early use of these machines was limited by the conditions of funding, which we received thanks to Derek’s quick thinking after seeing an announcement in SAGA magazine. The result of his excellent initiative is that the village has over £8,000 of modern equipment.
We have now fulfilled our obligations, and want to maximise the use of the machines. We are lucky to have six volunteer tutors who attend the Cathodeon Centre on a rota basis each Tuesday from 7pm to 9 pm, and we will shortly have a membership system giving access to these machines whenever the library is open. The generous co-operation of the library gives us a total of eight modern machines, with printers, speakers and a scanner, each Tuesday.
Membership is now open to anyone not embarrassed to describe themselves as ‘senior’ – a rule of thumb is over 25. This will allow us to work with the large group of people who did not have the chance to learn about computers in school and also with parents who want to keep up with their children. Each meeting starts with a short session to pass on news on the week’s developments – and there is something new almost every week – and then the bulk of the time is ‘hands-on’, either with the help of a tutor or independently. To find out more, come and see us any Tuesday evening. You’ll be very welcome.

SERIOUS RESOLUTIONS FOR THE WI       Top

OUR new President, Wendy Foster, introduced the new Committee and explained which jobs they would be undertaking. An interesting and varied programme has been arranged for the year by Ann Simpkin, and suggestions for next year’s programme were invited from members. Eileen Impey is to be our delegate at the forthcoming Spring Council Meeting. Members were reminded about the Group Meeting to be held at West Wratting on 17^th May.
The main part of the evening was devoted to a discussion of the Resolutions for the Triennial General Meeting to take place in June 2000. Three members had attended a meeting about the Resolutions and each spoke about one Resolution:

1. That benefits continue to be collected at Post Offices after 2002.
2. That children’s hospices should be funded by the Government in accordance with the same principles that hospices for adults are funded.
3. That the treatment of stroke sufferers should be greatly improved so as to achieve a much higher national standard of care.

Following discussion on the Resolutions, a vote was taken on each and members voted in favour, but there were several abstentions for the third Resolution. Our delegate, Jean Goodwin, was asked to consider the discussion on the day, as an amendment was proposed to the third Resolution – that improvements in the care and treatment of stroke sufferers should not be at the expense of other health care.

There was also a report on the 1999 mandates, including the moratorium on GM food. In November 1999, NWFI joined the Five-Year Freeze campaign, which called on the Government to bring in a minimum five-year moratorium on the growing and import of GM foods.

During the break, there was a cake stall. The proceeds are to be divided equally between the Cambridge Federation and Linton WI. The meeting ended in a lively way, with a quiz in several sections, covering many topics and devised by Wendy Foster. Members divided into groups to take part.

Meetings take place on the first Tuesday of every month at 7.30pm at the Social Centre, Coles Lane, Linton. The next meeting will be on June 6^th, at which M^rs Linda Reed will speak on ‘Behind harem walls’. Visitors are welcome at all meetings.

The programme for the year continues with:
4^th July – a social evening with food provided by Sainsburys.
1^st August – a talk on Kentwell Hall.
5^th September – a talk entitled ‘Divided by a common language’.
3^rd October – a light-hearted illustrated history of musical instruments.
7^th November – ‘Personal protection and crime prevention’.
5^th December – Christmas Party.

Townies always criticise us           Top

Dear Editor
In reply to your complainant of my hedge cutting [Hedges ripped apart, despite nests and blossom, May issue], maybe I was a fortnight later than I would have liked due to weather and machine availability. Any of my hedges are cut on an irregular basis (not every year) and are cut in the spring to give wildlife the benefit of shelter and food through the winter.
Also this hedge was encroaching over the road, catching walkers, cyclists and riders and unlike some I do not want big damages litigation by an injured party.
Further maybe the complainant may have noticed only one side of the hedge was cut and it was doubtful if more than one blackbird had started to build a nest!
It may have also gone unnoticed that 15% of my farm is in the MAFF Arable Stewardship pilot scheme devoted solely to wildlife – this is in addition to the 10% Set Aside that is sown with a mixture of bird foods.
Again it is the usual thing that whatever a farmer does he is wrong according to the townies who only look out on a fine day
G R Franklin
Rectory Farm
Hildersham

Fitness was just what the doctor ordered - GP Referral      Top

Dear Editor
On 9th May I joined the Fitness for Health GP Exercise referral scheme at Linton College; residents may be interested to know just what it is like to be taking part. First of all I must say that at 68 it is one of the best things I have ever decided to have a go at.
Lynne Potter who instructed us is a lovely person who makes the classes most enjoyable and encourages us in every way. She carefully monitors everything we do so that there is no risk of straining or hurting ourselves. The nice thing is you don’t even have to wear special clothes, anything comfortable will do.
My friend and I travel from Great Wilbraham each Tuesday and Thursday morning, so Linton residents are very lucky to have this opportunity on their doorstep.
Don’t just think about it, do it! Contact Mark Wilson on ? 890248 for information about future classes. You won’t regret it.

Walks Booklet      Top

Dear Editor
Congratulations to everyone involved in producing Linton Walks. What an excellent booklet, full of information, anecdotes, pictures and maps. It’s a winner.

A Treat for the heart      Top

Dear Editor
I would like to state in your column, the excellent treatment I recently received on my admission to Addenbrookes Hospital, from the time I was collected by the Paramedic, who made me very comfortable in the ambulance, and had all the necessary forms completed on my condition, so that I received immediate attention from the medical staff on arrival, and this was the Easter Bank Holiday Saturday.
The only thing that really worried me was that I was under the impression that I was still ‘Young at Heart’.

Thanks for your support      Top

Dear Editor
May I, through your columns, thank the many residents of Linton and Hildersham who gave me their support during the recent elections. It was most encouraging to know one’s efforts, however limited, are appreciated.
I, and the several people helping me, tried to visit as many people as possible. We treated it as an opportunity to get in touch with matters large and small that were of concern. I am now actively pursuing those which are within the remit of a district councillor and have passed on the others to the relevant authorities.
For those whom we did not manage to visit, please feel free to contact me .
Joan Smith
District Councillor

Cash in your Hand      Top

In the wake of the Barclays Bank closure and the Government decision to pay pensions and benefits by bank credits, Joan Smith explains how she has organised an evening to discuss answers to your banking needs
ON Wednesday, 21st June, from 7pm to 9pm, the Cambridge Co-operative Bank is sending three members of staff to the Cathodeon Centre to give advice and information on opening or transferring accounts.
Two members will deal with current accounts and one with business accounts.
They will explain exactly how to open and operate a current account for those who do not have one. Many elderly people are understandably anxious about opening an account if they have never had one. They will be able to ask questions and will not be put under any pressure to open one.
This is to cover those, especially the elderly, who have been warned by the government that the preferred method of payment of pensions and state benefits will, from 2005, be by transfer into bank accounts.
If they choose to open a Co-op account they will be able to continue to go to the Post Office to make withdrawals as they do now.
Many local businesses have said that they have a problem with paying in cash and getting it out now that Barclays has closed. The third member of staff will be able to explain the different business accounts available. To varying degrees they can be operated from a Nominated Post Office. This might offer them the cashing solutions they want as well as supporting our local Post Office.
Forms will also be available for Community Direct Accounts which gives those looking after the finances of village charities and voluntary organisations the convenience of paying in cash at their local Nominated Post Office. Here there is a problem with withdrawing cash but there are ways round this which can be explored via a current account.
These staff are kindly coming in their own time so I hope anyone with queries will make use of this opportunity. The Bank is providing refreshments.
Why only the Co-op Bank? For no other reason than that I have arranged this single-handedly and the Co-op Bank was the most helpful when rung up.

CASH AND THE CO-OP: FOOD FOR THOUGHT Top

IN May, the Co-op Bank sent a representative to all four of the villages which lost their Barclays branches to see if it would be practical to install automated cash machines where there is a Co-op shop.
In our case the representative stated that there was inadequate exterior wall space to site one so it would have to be placed inside. However there was no obvious space there either because there was shelving against most walls. He said he would do his best to think of a solution, but whatever the decision, it would be some time before action would be taken as these installations were planned in advance.
The internal installation of a machine would need no planning permission. People are already making minimum purchases to draw cash, causing a rush on the shop’s cash resources. A machine would ease that. Luckily the shop is open long hours which compensates for the lack of access to cash outside opening hours.
This is not an ideal solution but if anyone can think of something better, please let us know.

New News Member      Top

MY name is Charli and I am 14 . I am in year 9 at Linton Village College. I am becoming the Linton News youth member because I have an interest in journalism and would like to learn about how a paper works. In the future I would like to write articles for the paper, but for now I value the opportunity to get involved in the Linton News and offer my services as a pupil at the College

and Goodbye to a News Member our Linton Village College news member      Top

IT seems strange to be at home during term time for the first time in 11 years since starting school at the age of 5 (apart from being ill, of course).
We year 11s left school on Friday 12th May for official Study Leave. From then we have been able to revise at home or in a supervised room in college, but we actually only need to attend school for exams, in correct school uniform.
Mr Bush had invited us all for coffee and cake at 11.30am that morning, and we could leave the premises from 12.15. He spoke to us all, wishing us well for the exams, which began on Wednesday 17th with French Listening. We were then treated to some entertainment by a variation of a Year 11 band, i.e. Weed + 3 – 1!! playing some well-known hits. These included "I am the Walrus" by the Beatles, before which they presented year head Mr Peter Robins with a ‘beany’ Walrus, and "Smells like Tea and Spirit" by Nirvana, with Mr Bush’s permission. Those playing were Jim Lawrence – acoustic guitar and vocals, Rit Lawrence – base guitar, Gabby Keeble – electric guitar and Simon Jay and Daniel Thompson – both acoustic guitar.
Along with fellow students, I can thoroughly recommend "Weed" who will be only too pleased to fulfil any possible bookings. They provided us with a fitting end to 11 years of torture; sorry – misprint – I mean pure fulfilment!
Ashley Johnson

£1,303 Raised for children      Top

OUR grateful thanks to all Save The Children collectors and donors, whose hard work and generosity raised £1,303.84 in the Linton, Hadstock, and Withersfield part of our widespread area – complete results are not available at the time of going to press. Anna Newton

Local Police      Top

‘I really wish I could walk around every village every day, but there just aren’t enough hours in the day’
‘I am committed to tackling Linton’s problems But I need your help’

PC Andy Denzey in Linton High Street

New community policeman Andy Denzey explains how he sees his new job

How many of you are detailed to deal with this area at times of key need (Fri/Sat evenings)?
We do not want to advertise how many police there are because the criminals would also know.
How does Linton compare with other villages of a similar size?
On the whole, Linton beat has less crime than other beats on the sector.

PC Denzey will be writing in the Linton News on topic issues and giving advice, including crime prevention tips

YOUTHFUL MISTRESS OF SIGHT AND SOUND      Top

Tracey Wilson meets Catherine Rice, who is keeping Cambridgeshire informed

WOULDNíT it be great to have a job in TV? But if that werenít possible, the next best thing would be to work on the radio. Catherine Rice, who has lived in Linton for several years, has managed to combine the two, and is doing a job that she has wanted to do since she was a teenager.
Catherine has always been interested in music and sound, so once she had left school, she took a three-year degree course at Anglia Polytechnic University in Music and Audio Engineering. Her first work experience was with Anglia Television in Norwich, following the sound crew around for two weeks, but this led to a job at Radio Northampton, driving the sound desk.
When her partnerís job brought him to the Cambridgeshire area, Catherine transferred to Radio Cambridgeshire, and has been working there full time ever since.
Catherine begins a typical day appearing with Ronnie Barber on his show from 9.30 to 12.30, every weekday. The show is aimed at an average age group of 40, and follows the format of music and chat. The show develops as it goes along, reacting to what the listeners throw in ñ you never know whatís going to happen next. If you want to contribute to the programme by making any on-air comments on the dayís subjects, or if you have a consumer query, then phone ?0645 252000 to be included.

Catherine Rice

If you have ever wondered who picks the music for radio shows, look no further. The Head of Music at Radio Cambridgeshire is our own Miss Rice, and she selects the tracks that we hear from 5am to 7pm.
Once the mid-morning show has finished at 12.30, Catherine gets out and about in the local area, taping interviews for inclusion in a show the following day. Lately she has had a Childrenís Corner, which normally airs on a Thursday afternoon at 1.20pm. Catherine has been interviewing primary school children on several different subjects. She is hoping to be meeting pupils from Linton Heights Junior School during the second week in June. Listen in to hear what gems your children mzight have come up with!
Interviews for other programmes have included her Behind the Bikesheds series, talking to visiting celebrities about their schooldays. Famous names who have shared their secrets with Catherine are Dickie Bird (cricket umpire), John Major (ex-Prime Minister), Lloyd Honeyghan (boxer), John Kettley and Jim Bacon (weathermen) and Julian Wilson (racing commentator).
Then there is the TV work that takes up Catherineís evenings. Her job is to set up the remote control cameras for the Close Up from Cambridge section of BBCís Look East, and to operate the sound desk during transmission. This ensures that new presenters Jonathan Samuels and Fiona Mills look and sound their best.
She also sets up the studios for visiting guests who use them to film live segments for other programmes. These have included Kate Adie (news correspondent), Paul Burrell (butler to Diana, Princess of Wales), Prunella Scales (best known for Fawlty Towers) and Christopher Biggins (who needs no introduction!)
And now she is venturing into Video Editing, which involves amalgamating pictures and sound to make an artistic and pleasing film clip (leaving the bloops and bleeps for Terry Woganís ëAuntieís Bloomersí show).
Unfortunately, her name does not appear on the screen after the Close Up programme, due to lack of time and space for any credits, but I am sure it wonít be long before we see the name ëCatherine Riceí after other mainstream TV programmes. At only 27, this extremely pleasant and talented lady has a very bright future.

DIRECTIONS PLUS      Top

DIRECTIONS Plus, which offers free information and advice for disabled adults and children, older people and carers on anything from benefits to social care to transport to leisure, has changed the time and place of its drop-in consultation sessions in Linton. They will now take place at the Health Centre from 10am to noon on the last Friday of every month.
This service is managed by disabled people and is supported financially by the local health service, social services and the District Council.
Linton is the first village to have an out-reach service to save people having to make their way into Cambridge with all the difficulties of finding transport and parking. It is an experiment which is barely financially viable. As usual with these arrangements it is a case of ìuse it or lose it!
Is there anyone out there who is disabled but could offer their services as treasurer to the management committee? If so, please contact Directions Plus and volunteer.
The contact numbers are: Adviceline ? 01223 569600; Text phone ? 01223 569601; fax ? 01223 506470; website www.directions-plusp.org.

OUT-OF-SCHOOL CLUB OPENS      Top

THE Linton Out-of-School Club has finally opened at the Cathodeon Centre. The after-school sessions have already proved popular with both the children and their parents.
The Club has been set up as the result of a substantial lottery grant and the extremely hard work of a dedicated committee. I would like to thank all of those involved, especially Club Treasurer Susan Glover and Alison Omand-Lewis, our Chairperson.
Both Susan and Alison, along with Becky Hoskin, Committee member and Ceri Smith joint Coordinator, have been involved with the purchasing of equipment and toys and the general arrangements.
I would like to thank the Parish Council for the lease of the Club rooms and for its help.
The Club co-ordinators*** and ***** are now planning fun sessions for the holidays along with their team of enthusiastic playworkers; Delia Salmons, Val Sisman and Maggie Gardner.

JAZZ UP THE VILLAGE COLLEGE      Top

THE Linton Arts Forum will be hosting the Tim Whitehead Quartet on Saturday10th June at Linton Village College. The performance will be based on the Quartetís new album, Personal Standards.
The Quartet frequently plays at Ronnie Scottís, the South Bank, and for BBC Radio and has extensively toured the UK . The performance starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are available at £2, £3.50 and £5, ? 892400, ? 891383, the Jazz Club and Sweet Talk News. There will be a beer and wine bar, the proceeds from which will augment the Jazz Clubís instrument fund.

HADSTOCK FETE      Top

A PRIVILEGE granted by Royal Charter, Hadstock Fair was held on St Botolphís Day from Saxon times until 1872. When the Rev J R Holmes became Rector in 1949, the church needed a great deal of restoration and an annual church Fête was started as a fund-raiser. Because of the history of St Botolphís Fair, it was decided that the Fête should take place on the nearest Saturday to St Botolphís Day.
This year the fête will be held on Saturday 17th June, starting at 2pm. It will be opened by Matthew Pinsent, Olympic, world, European and national gold medal winner. The main attractions will be an aerobatic display by David Barrell, a display of birds of prey, a mini traction engine running you up to the village hall for tea, a display of childrenís dancing from Ashdon School and a small auction. The tug-of-war is between teams from Linton, Ashdon and Little Walden, as well as Hadstock. There will be a small craft fair and during the afternoon the Hadstock Silver Band will entertain everyone. All this in addition to the usual stalls, games, raffles, rides, burgers, etc.
If you have any books, toys, or bric-a-brac that you would like to donate to the Fête, please take them to 41 High Street  behind the bakery  or ring and we will arrange to pick things up.

K-CLUB WINNERS      Top

THE result of the May K-Club monthly draw: 1st (£50) Louise Gooden (No. 064), 2nd (£25) Ms J A Ahringer (No. 092), 3rd (£10) Wendy Morrison (No. 401).

The Bush Telegraph      Top

TESTING times are here again. The GCSE examinations are now in full swing; Year 9 SAT’s have just finished; Year 9 NFER tests took place last week and all year groups will have had their annual exams by the end of June. That’s over six and a half school weeks of solid testing which translates into 125,400 pupil hours for a school like LVC! ‘Voluntary’ national tests are being introduced for Years 7 and 8, up to now relatively test free zones. This can amount to enormous pressure on children, particularly when you add the constant reminders about what a hard, competitive and cut throat world it is out there. Now add the general belief among those in government that many schools don’t quite cut the mustard, that the pupil day should be longer, that there are too many holidays and you begin to wonder when we will actually abolish childhood.
If you consider children’s television, particularly the adverts, magazines targeted at young people, or some of the computer ‘games’ that many very young children appear addicted to, you could be forgiven for believing that we sold childhood to big business years ago. One poor 14 year old girl said of a sex education lesson recently (not at LVC incidentally), ‘Why do they have to force all this on us – they tell us much more than we want or need to know.’ A cry from the heart, but wise up young lady; we tell you because the law says so, because that’s how to stop teenage pregnancies, control the spread of HIV and because you have a right to know, whether you want to or not!
What remains so impressive is that young people take it all. They absorb each new initiative, resign themselves to yet more testing, steer their way through the maze of propaganda that the media hurl at them in order to get their money, and still shine as bright, creative, caring, honest and positive young people. At least the vast majority of them do. But how we condemn the few who don’t. For them we reserve our adult opprobrium and quickly fall into the error of blaming ‘youth’ in general for the failings of the few.

SUPPORT PROGRESS OF  LOCAL CHARITY       Top

BASED in Linton, the Alzheimer’s Research Trust was inaugurated in 1992 and in 1994 the present headquarters site in Great Shelford was acquired. The progress of the Trust has been astonishing to the extent that it now funds a research group in Cambridge and is supporting a network of eleven Alzheimer’s research centres of excellence at Universities throughout England and Wales.
A coffee morning and bring and buy sale is being held from 10.30am to 12 noon on Thursday 29th June at 2 Kenwood Gardens, Linton, entrance £1. Please continue the generous support given by the people of Linton over the eight years since the inception of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust so that the quite remarkable progress of this local charity can be maintained.

BUS PASS refund      Top

IF you have purchased a Bus Pass from SCDC at either £16 or £5.50, then you are eligible to reclaim an extra £3 of this back. This money can be collected from the Social Centre in Coles Lane, at the end of the Evergreen Club meeting, at approximately 4pm, on Monday 5th June. If you cannot get to this event, then it can be reclaimed from the Parish Council office during normal office opening hours % 891001.

LINTON COUNTRY DIARY by Olwen Williams Saturday 20th May 2000 Illustrated by Maureen Williams      Top

HARES were once fairly common in the fields above Hildersham, but has anyone seen them recently? Most of the summer bird migrants have now been seen or heard. On 8th May I saw my first pair of swifts and the next day orange tip and blue butterflies were on the wing and the cuckoo calling. On 14th in wonderful warm sunny weather, a turtle dove was calling at Fowlmere, also lots of reed/sedge warblers.
Ilistrated by Maureen Williams
Today I took two small nephews on an excursion along the Devil’s Ditch, near Burwell. This early defensive dyke stretches from near Newmarket to the fenland by Reach. It consists of an impressive ditch and bank, running for several miles across the fields and maintaining a typical chalk flora. I was drawn down to child level almost immediately, admiring the ants in the car park and a pair of mating beetles, black and orange and tail to tail. Ramshorn snails aloft in the grass, the corkscrew-like tendril of a vetch, a “thin fly”, a pair of broken egg shells along the path, a big brown spider carrying an egg sack behind her and finally another beetle - this time a red one - all provided entertainment and discussion.
There was a fine show of wild flowers: cowslips, milk-wort, dog roses, salad burnet, mouse-ear hawkweed and sainfoin. Glaucous sedge and quaking grass were there, both typical of chalk grassland. In places, the dyke is seriously overgrown with hawthorn and other shrubs, including dogwood and buckthorn, with its bunches of green, star-like flowers, and here we heard yellow hammers and warblers. Meanwhile in the nearby field were a pair of lapwings calling to a single youngster. We played the usual childhood games: making squeaky noises with a piece of grass held between the fingers; holding a buttercup under the chin to see who liked butter; creating owl hoots by blowing into cupped hands and best of all, attaching goosegrass to someone else’s clothing. So many names for goosegrass hint at its stickiness: cleavers, Sticky Willy, kisses, Claggy Meggies, sweethearts. Children, like dogs, run back and forth, covering twice the ground necessary for progress! Periodically, like dogs, they flop in the grass and rest to recover.

TALKING IN THE LIBRARY     Top

TO celebrate 150 years of public libraries, the Friends of Linton Library and Cambridgeshire Libraries have arranged an illustrated talk entitled ‘Victorian Linton in Cambridgeshire,’ to take place in the Community Room in the Cathodeon Centre on 29th June at 8pm. Tickets are available from the library and the Friends, price £3, to include a glass of wine. The talk will be given by Chris Jakes, the Senior Librarian for the Cambridgeshire Collection, housed in the Central Library in Cambridge.
There is an excellent display cabinet, generously donated by the Linton WI, in the entrance to the library. This is available for use by clubs and organisations in our village. If you would like to make use of it, please approach a member of the library staff who will be able to make a booking for you.
Linda Pearson Library Supervisor

LOTS OF BLOOD     Top

MANY thanks to the 150 donors who gave blood on 19th May, it was particularly good to have 13 new donors and I hope they will come again and bring friends.
The session now runs from 11am to 7pm and I should welcome any comments on the new timing to hand on to the authorities.

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