Fire-fighter clean up after the Balsham Road fire.
Fire-fighter clean up after the Balsham Road fire.
Linton’s fire engine remained in its garage while vehicles from three
stations attended a house fire in the village last month.
Sally Simmons found out why
FIRE engines from Cambridge, Sawston and Saffron Walden were called out to a
house fire in Balsham Road on Tuesday 12th September. The blaze, which could be
clearly seen from Linton fire station, was quickly brought under control and the
occupants of the house were unhurt. The fire, which started accidentally, was
described as "severe" by Neil Thompson, spokesman for Cambridge fire
service. "An upstairs bedroom was burnt out and other rooms on the first
floor and the loft space were badly damaged." The adjoining property was
also damaged by smoke and the owner had to spend the night of the fire with
relatives.
Linton’s station head, Alan Baker, explained that village firefighters had not
been able to provide a full crew on that day: "Only two crew members were
available and we need three before we can put a vehicle out. If we had had a
full crew, we would probably have been able to control the fire while waiting
for back-up. Ironically, I spent the Wednesday following the fire interviewing
for new firefighters."
Linton currently has 12 volunteer firefighters and Alan Baker is looking for at
least four more. "Night cover is no problem. We need people who can join us
for day cover and that means someone who works in the village, within four
minutes of the station.
"We get called out on average three times a week but we can go for three or
four weeks without a shout, then get nine in one day. We’ve been called out as
far as Audley End, Newmarket, and RAF Brampton as back-up crew.
"You’re working as a team and putting something back into the community.
There’s a lot of heartache and bad news but thankfully most of our work is
enjoyable because you are helping people who can’t help themselves."
Applicants to the fire service must be over 18 and in excellent health. Posts
are open to men and women. Anybody interested in joining the fire service can
contact Alan Baker 893516 or fire service headquarters at Huntingdon 01480
444500. Or just call in to Linton fire station on any Wednesday evening.
LINTON High Street has been devoid of the charismatic figure
of Andy Booth, Crossing Patrol, for some weeks now since his retirement in July.
Apart from missing him on a personal basis, the children at Linton Infants
School are now much more vulnerable on their journeys to and from school. As
yet, nobody has come forward to offer their services for this worthwhile
position.
If this situation continues, the volume of traffic will be reassessed before the
end of October and, it has been said, it will not be deemed necessary to employ
a crossing patrol person. We all know the dangers of negotiating the High
Street, particularly for the younger members of our community, and I would
therefore urge anyone who is at all interested in the position either to call
into the school office or to telephone Andy Swallowe on 01223 717781 as soon as
possible. A job share would be considered.
Head
EXCEPTIONAL rainfall, the petrol crisis and flash flooding
did their best to sabotage public celebrations of the site opening for Linton’s
new social housing project at Chalklands last month.
Local residents, alarmed by muddy torrents of water which surrounded their
properties during a downpour, expressed their concerns for the management of
run-off water on the site. Site contractors explained that the shortage of
petrol during last month’s fuel crisis had meant they were forced to store
topsoil on the site itself rather than move it to a temporary location during
excavation work. However, this was not much comfort to John Franklin, Chairman
of Chalklands Residents’ Association, who slipped on the mud, injuring ribs
and a hip.
Councillor Joan Smith said that Hundred Houses Society, who are building the
houses, had been told of the run-off problems associated with the site.
Residents are now asking for a public meeting to check that the Society has
taken adequate measures to ensure it will not happen again.
The weather still threatened to have its say during the Start on Site
celebrations and fund-raising event for the new scheme on 20th September. The
wind blew but the sun shone on what will probably be the last
strawberries-and-cream of the summer. District and Parish Councillors and local
residents visited the site to hear representatives of the companies involved in
the work outline the principles and plans for the housing scheme. Simon Kime,
Chairman of South Cambs. District Council, Mike Gee, Chairman of the Parish
Council and Mark Freeman, Chairman of Hundred Houses Society released sponsored
balloons. Mark Freeman also presented a cheque for £1,100 to the Parish Council
to help fund a children’s play area on the new development.
Hundred Houses Society is building 19 affordable homes at Chalklands which will
be let only to local people. The development will cost £1.5 million and
comprises two 4-bedroomed houses, four 3-bedroomed houses, eight 2-bedroomed
houses, four 1-bedroomed houses and one disabled family 3-bedroomed bungalow for
Papworth. The land was bought from Christopher Fairey and his family at a
reduced price under South Cambridgeshire’s "exceptions scheme" which
allows for the development of agricultural land on the edge of villages if
affordable housing is provided for local people.
The houses are scheduled for completion in July 2001.
TOM Allen’s Millennium Bug shared first prize in its class
at the Linton Gardening Club’s Annual Show last month. Joint prize-winner was
Tarquin Bertram. This year’s show attracted a record number of young
exhibitors. Linton has become such a large village since the Annual Show was
conceived and many events compete for people’s time but there are still those
who enjoy producing beautiful things. Thank goodness the stalwarts continue to
enter although we were delighted to have 18 new exhibitors.
Gardeners show taste and talent, page 3.
WITH your copy of this month’s Linton News, you should
receive a questionnaire about the Pool Project.
If you have failed to receive a copy, please contact the editor.
The PARISH COUNCIL Top of Page
IT was with regret that the Parish Council were told of the resignation of Mr
Mike Ballentine due to family commitments. A replacement will be found by
election if one is called for with in the 14-day period (ending Friday 22nd
September) otherwise by co-option by councillors.
Some young members of the public spoke on improvements to the recreation ground
and to venture playground equipment.
The parish council were informed that the local police officer is now spending
less time in the village. The council agreed to write to the police chief
expressing their disappointment that the last three policeman had all been moved
once the they had established any links with the local community. It was also
agreed to write to The Home Office about local problems. These points were also
brought up at the local police committee meeting.
Suggestions from the library display on single person dwellings have been passed
on to the architects. The security fencing at the infants school is now going
through the legal stages. The council agreed to site two new seats in the
village, on the corner of Balsham Road and Back Road and on the footpath to
Rivey Hill.
An update on options for the Barclays site was given. The unused shop in Bartlow
Road is to become a restaurant.
NINETEEN crimes were reported in Linton during August, two
incidents of common assault and one of harassment, which led to a charge. The
perpetrator was found guilty four days later before Cambridge Magistrates. A
small fire was started at the rear of the Infants School. This is not the first
fire to be started in Linton. Enquiries continue with the CCTV at the school. No
crimes were reported in Hadstock or Bartlow.
At Hildersham a shed was broken into and a red Yamaha Moped, number A362 PAV,
was stolen. We believe it is still in the area.
Sawston, along with all other stations, has experienced some staffing
difficulties, with people leaving and delays in recruitment and training of new
officers. All the Community Beat Officers are to assist in covering the
emergency response calls for 40-60 % of their time. This of course means that
the number of days I am able to make appointments for such things as Parish
Council meetings is now reduced for the foreseeable future. Whilst I am
committed to maintaining a necessary level of contact with these groups, my
first responsibility is to answering emergency calls. I hope you will understand
and support me.
If you are reporting a crime, or suspicious incident you must ring
01223 358966, not my mobile. The mobile is to enable Parish Clerks,
Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators, schools, etc. to get hold of me during work
hours. I also have email, which is governed by the same rules. Do not email a
report of a crime, or a suspicious incident. Andy Denzey Andy.Denzey@cambs.police.uk
Garth Collard remembers Jimmy Carr, who died in August
JIMMY made many friends in and around Linton and everyone was very sad to hear
of his death in August. He is best known to many readers of this paper as our
meticulous weather correspondent, having contributed to 123 issues.
He was born in February 1916 in the Dalston District of London but grew up in
Essex when his parents moved out of the city. The early death of his father
changed the course of Jimmy’s life and he enlisted in the RAF before the
Second World War. When war broke out he was posted to Canada to an Air Training
Scheme organised by the RAF. After the American entry into the war he trained at
San Diego in the operation of Catalina Flying Boats. These were used when he
took part in the allied invasion of Vichy Madagascar.
Returning to England in 1945, he re-trained as a teacher specialising in Rural
Science and Mathematics. He moved to Linton Village College in the early 1960s
from his first post at Goresbrook School in Dagenham. He and Joan lived in
Market Lane and after their retirement moved to Did-Dell Court. They both played
a leading role in village life, with Jimmy involved in organising chess and
sporting activities. To see him play real tennis, lawn tennis, squash and
badminton was a real pleasure. He was a superb performer yet he remained
extremely modest.
At the College everyone who met him was impressed by his ‘old-world
gentlemanly demeanour’, his wicked, dry sense of humour, his cheery smile and
his obvious interest in the welfare of the pupils. Jimmy was always prepared to
devote his free time to extra-curricular activities, especially educational
visits and chess. He wanted to provide outlets for pupils to develop their
talents to the full. I will personally remember him for his enquiring mind, his
real interest in people and their welfare and for his great kindness.
James (Jimmy) Carr, b. February 1916, d. August 2000.
MANI Busch will be running a one-day course on "Self
Awareness through the Arts" for adult learners at Linton Village College
from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 4th November. This course is suitable for anyone
wanting to find out more about their individual creativity and self-development,
parents who feel they have lost touch with their playful side, play leaders and
carers—or anybody wanting a little fun!
A variety of arts materials will be used, including paint, clay, sand, movement,
puppetry, imaging and music. No particular expertise or artistic ability is
required.
Places are limited to twelve people, so do not delay in booking your place.
Contact Sue Albrow at LVC 892400.
ANGLIAN Water is now making a charge for water that drains off
your property into their system. If you have your own soak-away you do not have
to pay this charge. The soak-away deals with the water that drains from your
roof. However, Anglian assumes that everyone uses their system and you will be
charged unless you make a claim that you should not pay.
Most properties in Linton have private soak-aways, but you will have to check
your own deeds which should show if you have one. I can confirm that the estate
around Dolphin Close and those properties backing onto it all have private soak-aways.
I have a copy of the original plan showing this.
To claim your exemption from these charges you must phone Anglian on freephone
0800 1693271 and ask them to send you a form.
COME along and check out what you can do at Linton Community
Sports Centre – free of charge! Our Open Day is from 11 am to 3pm on Sunday
29th October. You can play badminton, tennis, five-a-side football, netball,
find out about the clubs that meet at LCSC and have a fitness suite induction.
Phone to book your induction at 11am or 1pm.
There are a number of new activities starting at the Sports Centre in October
and new times for some existing classes. For more information, call
01223 890248. Mark Wilson
Four visitors were welcomed to the September
meeting. Margaret Wingfield is now the Linton W.I. representative for the
Internet. Forthcoming events were announced including a holiday in April 2001 on
the Yorkshire Moors organised by the Cambridgeshire Federation of Women's
Institutes, a visit to the Cortauld Gallery and the Gilbert Silver Collection on
16 November, a cookery demonstration by John Eley, "The Cooking Canon"
at Whittlesford Village Hall on 17 November.
Linda Scoles then gave a very amusing and lively talk entitled "Divided by
a common language." She told us she had come with her family to Suffolk
from the U.S.A. nearly 30 years ago, as her husband was in the American Air
Force. She felt well prepared to understand the language, as she had read many
Catherine Cookson novels! The family had settled in a village near Bury St
Edmunds and taken part fully in village life. She described some very
entertaining incidents that had arisen as soon as they had arrived in this
country, not so much where different words are used for the same thing, but
where misunderstandings and embarrassments are caused because the same word can
have very different meanings!
After a break for tea or coffee, members took part in a quiz arranged by Ann
Simpkin. The winners were the first to produce items read out e.g. a nail file
and a rain hood. The raffles was then drawn.
Next month's meeting takes place on Tuesday, 3 October at 7.30 p.m. at the
Social Centre, Coles Lane, Linton. Quintus Benziger, Director of Music at Great
St Mary's, Cambridge will give a light hearted illustrated history of musical
instruments. All are welcome.
Dear Editor,
Please may I use your columns to inform residents about certain matters which
have been raised with me very frequently lately and are obviously causing a lot
of concern.
The ‘enveloping’ work (i.e. roofs, walls, guttering, etc.) due to take place
on council property in Linton will be completed before the end of the financial
year next March. It will start in October.
The re-tendering process for the replacement of windows and doors with UPVC
double glazed units will be completed by the end of September.
Provided that it is satisfactory, installation will start within a month and the
first homes to be done will be those of elderly residents so as to minimise the
effects of the colder weather.
The delay in both cases has been due to tenders coming in considerably over
budget.
Building materials will be stored on the cleared Linton Hostel site on Back
Road. Will residents of adjoining properties please not be alarmed. No building
will be taking place on that site. It will be used purely for secure storage
while the ‘enveloping’ work is carried out.
Residents in the bed-sits in Flaxfields also should not be worried. Councillors
have indeed decided that the bed-sits should be replaced with more spacious
accommodation in the form of small bungalows but that will not happen for some
time yet and no one will be compelled to leave their home at any time. The
occupiers will be fully consulted at all times. Moreover all their windows and
doors will be properly and fully repaired in the meantime.
Dear Editor,
I would like to publicly say a big thank you to the clerks and members, past and
present, of the Linton Parish Council.
Unfortunately, due to a change of circumstances in my private life which now
disables me from attending the meetings every other Thursday, I have had to
submit my resignation to the Chairman. However, I have found the experience of
being a Parish Councillor, for the past few years, a very rewarding and
enjoyable one. The Council business is run in an ordered fashion but the Chair
has always maintained a light and pleasant atmosphere in which to work.
The Council does a great deal of good for our community and doesn’t let party
politics get in the way. I know from experience that there are times when the
Parish Council comes up against resistance from the District and County councils
who, after all, are supposed to be on the same side as the Parish but sometimes
I failed to understand their reasoning. I hope that most of the Linton
inhabitants appreciate the good work done locally.
To end, I hope that the projects coming up in the future go well and I know that
good work will continue to be provided for the community.
Mike Ballentine
Dear Editor,
The Trustees of the Charles and Mary Anderson Benefaction will be meeting in
October for an initial discussion as to how to allocate this year’s funds.
It might be worth recalling that last year the Trustees gave £5,000 to the
Infants School, £1,800 to the Cathodeon Library for computers and a ramp to
assist access for disabled persons and £750 for a new Church notice board and
signpost.
If any one has any suggestions as to whom any allocation should be made this
year, would they please contact one of the Trustees.
........are always welcome. Letters can be placed in the Linton News box in the Post Office, given directly to the editor or sent by email. Please remember that all letters must contain the writer’s full name and address, even if this is withheld on publication…..or you can email by clicking on the mail box to the left
ONE
of the visitors was heard to say, ‘What a lot of talent there is in Linton’
and this was richly demonstrated by the variety and quality of the exhibits at
the Gardening Club’s Annual Show on September 9th.
The handicraft section displayed paintings, tapestries, models and a beautiful
covered stool, with an increase in the number of photographs entered. The home
baking and preserves all looked delicious whilst some onions in the vegetable
section were large enough to cause many a tear during peeling.
This year’s September event did not favour flowers so well as the July show in
alternate years, but there were still some very beautiful displays.
Trophies in the adult sections were won by Derek Dimmock, Ron Hatfield, Susan
Anderson, Carol Todd, David Champion, Leslie Allison and Rosemary Harris.
The number of child exhibitors increased this year. The joint trophy winners in
the seven and under class were sisters Charlotte and Jessica Hoskin for their
miniature gardens and flower arrangements, and in the eight to 14 class Peter
Symes-Thompson won for his model trawler, millennium bug and drawing.
We are grateful to the judges who do a difficult and sometimes lengthy task so
well, and to Dr Charles Attwood who presented the trophies. Thanks also to the
Committee and helpers both before and on the day, and to the visitors who
supported us in the afternoon.
1st Derek Dimmock
2nd Susan Anderson
3rd Charlie Harpham
1st Ron Hatfield
2nd Jan Sheppard
3rd Derek Dimmock
1st Susan Anderson
2nd Jan Sheppard
3rd Ros Pink
1st Ron Hatfield
2nd Derek Dimmock
3rd Carol Todd
1st Carol Todd
2nd Vi Harpham
1st David Champion
2nd Lesley
Allison
1) up to and inc. 7
years (
Charlotte Hoskins
( Jessica Hoskins
2) 8 – 14
years
Peter Symes-Thompson
Derek Dimmock
Rosemary Harrison
Lesley Allison
Derek Dimmock
Susan Anderson
Derek Dimmock
Derek Dimmock
Ron Hatfield
Ron Hatfield
In August, Clive Bush went to South Africa to visit LVC’s twin
school and other schools in Soshanguve township
Soshanguve’s STARTLING hints of the third world are all around you in early
morning Pretoria. Against a backdrop of glittering skyscrapers, small groups of
tired people huddle around cooking fires on street corners preparing a meagre
breakfast before hawking themselves as cheap labour to anyone who will buy. They
sleep behind broken fences on waste ground or underneath the stalls at the huge
vegetable market near the zoo. There is an air of dusty desolation about them
that contrasts starkly with the big air-conditioned cars whisking smartly
uniformed white children to their schools.
The third world proper begins as you approach the township. After 25 miles,
Soshanguve materialises around you on the veldt as an electricity substation and
a handful of shacks by the roadside. Gradually the shacks spread until they
cover the whole hillside. As you clear the brow, it spreads out in front of you,
all 100 square miles of it, rolling over one hill after another, a faint stratum
of brown smoke hanging above the countless single storey houses. The highway
bisects the township but as soon as you leave it the roads are red dust, rutted
and pot holed. There are no pavements, road signs, street names or street lamps.
Huge steel tubes 120 feet high tower above the shacks and houses. They each
carry a ring of high powered lamps designed to penetrate the darkness of
nocturnal life. Each one illuminates one square kilometre of township. They look
like eyes Š and there are hundreds of them.
Along the highway and dirt roads, people are selling freshly cooked pap or
fruit. Corrugated roadside shelters advertise ‘hair cutting’, ‘public
phones’. Everywhere the minibus ‘taxis’ roar about loaded beyond capacity
and oblivious to everything but their specific routes. Cars are repaired on the
roadside; a pair of ramps and welding kit advertise the services of the
mechanic.
Among all this are clusters of neat and tidy single storey ‘houses’, small,
compact with well tended patches of grass and small trees. It is a disarming
mixture of apparent chaos and a sense of pride and identity. The township is its
own world to two million people. It has a police force of sorts, social workers,
housing officers and there is a real attempt to impose some order and control
over it. It also has thousands of cardboard, plywood and corrugated tin two-room
hovels with no electricity, no water and no mains sewage. There are no sports
centres, swimming pools, pubs, restaurants, playing fields or youth clubs,
however. Eighty per cent of the workforce is unemployed.
Yet each morning from this crucible of social problems step thousands of clean,
neat and immaculately uniformed children on their way to the schools that will
be the salvation of this troubled country, if there is salvation to be found.
Boepathutse School, the one LVC has worked with for almost three years, looks
disturbingly like a Second World War prison camp; high fences, coils of razor
wire and rows of barrack-like buildings, each with iron grills over the doors
and bars at the windows. Yet one of these doors carries the proud sign ‘Linton
Village Community Laboratory’ and inside I see the results of our modest
involvement; neat benching, water, electricity, posters and pictures on the
walls and a sense of pride and purpose. In almost every other classroom are the
books we have sent, and on the walls signs welcoming me. In the administration
block photos of LVC have pride of place. I feel humbled by all of this and again
so when Sarah Seroka, the Principal tells me that we have transformed the school
through our fund raising and more importantly, our interest and care. Her
message to all at the College and its wider community is one of heartfelt thanks
reaching across those 6,000 miles. We have made a huge difference to hundreds of
lives and I sincerely hope we can go on doing so.
The Link Walk to raise further funds for Boepathutse will take place on Saturday
7th October. Please support anyone you know who is walking. Help us to go on
making that difference.
I HOPE that by now most of you will have seen at least one of
the sculptures that were made in Linton to celebrate the Millennium. The one at
the Cathodeon Community Centre is easily spotted and many thanks are due to
those who helped to make such a striking landmark in the village, especially
Clare Neville, Maureen Katracik and Helen Bonney, all of whom devoted many hours
to the project. A small item about this sculpture, and how it came to be made,
is due to be filmed for Anglia TV’s ‘Day and Night’ regional arts
programme.
We are planning a celebration of the sculptures on Sunday 15th October beginning
at the Community Centre at 2.30pm. Everyone who comes will be given a
celebration pack containing postcards of all four sculptures and a quiz sheet
with questions about each. There will be some light refreshments and a small
reward for all quiz sheets returned complete.
The response from the young people has been very gratifying for all those
involved with the project and we hope they will bring their parents along to see
for themselves what they have achieved; and that the children will want to visit
the other sites in the village and see the whole collection.
The Cambridge Sculpture Workshops are to be congratulated on finding such
delightful and talented tutors to lead the groups and for organising the whole
event so efficiently.
THE Society begins its 2000-2001 season with a virtuoso and
madcap performance by the world-famous Classic Buskers. If you have never heard
Michael Copley play on over 30 instruments, or Ian Moore on the accordion (pink
or yellow), do not miss them now. If you have heard the talented pair before,
you will not need any persuasion to come to Linton Village College on Saturday
21st October.
The concert begins at 8pm. As usual, members and non-members alike are welcome.
For a full brochure of the season’s concerts, and to enquire about membership,
please telephone Jenny Purves
Non-members can now book in advance at Cambridge Arts Theatre Box Office
01223 503333, or obtain tickets at the door.
FREE computer courses for job seekers are being run at Bottisham, Burwell and Linton Village Colleges. If you are unemployed and claiming Jobseeker’s allowance; disabled and claiming incapacity benefits; or in receipt of an invalidity care allowance or widow’s pension you could be eligible for a place on this course. Please telephone % 01223 811372 for more information. Angela Humphreys
THIS year’s Annual Aztecs Football Tournament, now in its
seventh year, was the largest held so far. Teams from all over the region
competed in Mini-Soccer and Colts Tournaments. The whole day was kindly
sponsored by SPECSAVERS OPTICIANS of Cambridge.
The Under 8’s Mini-Soccer final was a nail-biting affair, settled by a single
goal from Mark Chapman-Crisp as Aztecs B beat a superb Ellesmere Eagles side who
had a number of shots stopped on the goal line.
In the Under 9’s final, ETS v Sawston, had to go to penalties after a 1 – 1
draw after extra time with goals from Ashley Water for ETS and Scott Lindsell
for Sawston. ETS triumphed in the shoot-out with Liam Anderson and James Cook
scoring from the spot for a 3 – 1 final score line.
In the Under 10’s, Ellesmere Eagles came up against Aztecs C and Harry Mills’
single goal sealed it for Aztecs in this closely fought match.
In the Under 11 section, Ellesmere again made it to the final against Great
Bradford, but it was just not their day as William Finch took the honours making
it 1 – 0 to Great Bradford.
In the Colts section, the Under 11 final was between Newmarket and Young Flyers.
In a hard fought game, Newmarket triumphed 2 – 1 with goals from Luke
Thurborne and Danny Garthrop. Young Flyers’ scorer was Mitchell Pasizuyk.
The Under 12 final saw an on-form Comberton side beat Haverhill 3 – 0. Both
teams put on a superb performance.
The Under 13 final went to extra time as Priory Parkside and Balsham Boys fought
for glory. Goals from Thomas Cody and Charlie Summit gave Priory a well-deserved
victory.
Barry Brewer, Aztecs Chairman, said, "It has been a great day’s football,
and we feel that all the players did their clubs proud. We would like to thank
all the players for putting on a tremendous show."
The Aztecs JFC Funday is a major fund-raising event for the club. Alongside the
football were side-shows and a car boot sale, all of which will have raised
funds for the club. As the largest Junior Football Club in the County, running
some 18 teams, this is vital to Aztecs to provide equipment and facilities. The
final tally has not been made known at the time of writing, but it is hoped to
be in excess of £2,000.
In addition to our main sponsor, SPECSAVERS of Cambridge, many local businesses
supported the event, and there were many volunteers who worked tirelessly to
make this a success.
Aztecs would like to thank everyone who played their part and all the clubs who came to compete.
THE Parish Council knows that a number of nearby residents are concerned for the future of the former Barclays Bank premises, and has written to them setting out the Parish Council’s position. In a nutshell:
* Because of changes in national and local planning rules over the last six years, these premises have to remain in commercial use.
* Anyone
buying from Barclays could run a shop or a financial or professional business
without having to apply for plannning permission the existing planning
permission covers all those types of business.
* In
the same way, any purchaser could operate a cash dispenser without having to
apply for planning permission as long as it’s no bigger than Barclays’ old
machine. The Council appreciates the cash machine affected the neighbours and we
hope that if anyone did put a cash dispenser back they would take the residents’
worries seriously.
* The
Parish Council is not trying to push for any particular business to move into
the premises. Apart from anything else, the Parish Council has no power to do
so, and it would obviously be wrong for the Council to try and favour one
business over another.
* In
principle it would be useful to have more than one cash dispenser in the
village. As well as spreading the load, the more people go out of Linton for
money, the less they shop in Linton. The Parish Council knows that the trade of
nearby shopkeepers has been affected by the bank’s closing, and we believe
residents would be very concerned
at the prospect of more shops closing.
The Parish Council is committed to maintaining Linton as a living
community, not just a dormitory for Cambridge. Obviously the character of the
High Street, as the commercial heart of Linton, has always been different from
the rest of the village. At the same time, changes in the way businesses trade
longer opening hours, Sunday trading, larger delivery vehicles and extra
facilities have affected the High Street and its residents. As always the Parish
Council has to try to advance the best interests of Linton whilst trying to
minimise the effect of changes on particular residents. And the restrictions of
the plannning system do mean that the Council often has to work with one hand
tied behind its back.
Any reader who would like to read the full report setting out the
current position can get a copy from the Parish Office.
THE
Linton Seniors IT Club has now resumed meeting after the summer break. The club
is open to all Linton and district adults who are interested in computers and
getting to use information technology.
The club’s aims are: to teach those who know litte or nothing about computers
enough to get started; to help people sort out problems with their own
computers; to show people of all ages how to use the club and library computers;
to give advice about acquiring their own machine; to help with technical
problems, sometimes by a home visit.
The club is open every Tuesday evening from 7pm to 9 pm. You do not have
to come every week. You do not have to stay for the whole evening. Everything is
free and easy. You can become a member by simply turning up, enrolling and
collecting a membership card. This helps library staff to check your identity
and give you access to the computers during library hours.
Those who are feeling left behind by IT could do worse than to drop in and see
what goes on. If you feel nervous about it, bring a friend. Above all do not
think it is all too clever for you. If you can get cash from a cash
machine you can soon use a computer. The club does not teach you how to do
office work, letters, accounts, etc. It enables you to have fun in looking all
sorts of things up, sending e-mails, etc. and perhaps learn enough to do your
own personal letters. Once you gain confidence, you can teach yourself a lot.
Then if you get stuck, the club is there to help.
For further information, phone Graham Potter (893226). Gill Barker, the
Parish Clerk, (891001) will also give you general information.
THE PTA committee of the
Meadow School, Balsham, are once again holding their very popular annual Craft
Fair on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th October. The Craft Fair is in
its ninth year and is now an established local event.
As usual there will be approximately 40 stalls displaying a wide range of top
quality crafts ranging from jewellery, ceramics, watercolour and pastel
paintings, wooden toys, hats, mohair knitwear, sweets and lots, lots more. In
addition, there will be puppet shows for the children on Saturday. With
lots of gift ideas and something for everyone, this is an ideal opportunity to
get some early shopping done and avoid that last minute Christmas rush!
The Craft Fair is open each day from 10.30am to 4.30pm. With ample free parking
and excellent refreshments available all day, it is well worth a visit. Don’t
miss it!
THE top prize of £800
in the second grand K-Club draw held on 24th September in aid of the Drop-In
Centre was won by Mrs Joyce Roberts. The winning ticket number was 202.
The second prize of £350 was won by E Petter (No. 351) and the third prize of
£150 went to Jane Bowen (No. 97).
The results of the September K-Club
monthly draw were: 1st (£50) Mr C J Griffiths (No. 024); 2nd (£25) Liz
Taylor (No. 366); 3rd (£10) Mr J H Forbes (No. 120).
WHEN I tell friends that
I am a member of the Linton Area Pool Project Steering Committee, the response
is often: ‘But wasn’t that abandoned when the National Lottery wouldn’t
give it any money?’ Let’s try to eliminate any confusion that may exist in
people’s minds:
*
An earlier attempt to get lottery
funding for a swimming pool in Linton was unsuccessful.
*
The Linton Area Pool Project is a wholly new plan, which owes its origins
and its inspiration to the remarkable Ron Amsden.
*
Like the earlier plan, the proposed pool will be in the
grounds of the Village College (which is being, as usual, enormously
supportive).
*
The pool will be run as a charitable trust, however Š formally
independent from the College Š and the necessary preliminaries for the
formation of that trust are under way.
*
The Steering Committee consists of the following members (an asterisk indicates
a member who will also be a trustee once the trust is established): Ron Amsden*,
Lynda Askew*, John Harvey-Barnes*, Bill Penfold*, Tim Richardson, Judy Rossiter,
Chris Scarles*, Joan Smith*, Mark Wilson, Tracey Wilson. There’s a great deal
of work ahead, however, and we would welcome new members with open arms!
*
The plans for the pool are exciting and, without unnecessary extravagance, will
incorporate the best aspects of modern pool design. The pool will be available
for everybody, of whatever age or physical condition, at a reasonable price, and
entry will only be restricted during certain school hours.
What next? First, information. Please respond to
the attached questionnaire (additional reponse addresses to those on the
questionnaire are given below). Next, money. We need to raise a lot of money,
and we hope you will help us to raise it in a way which you will enjoy. We will
try the lottery again Š you are allowed to and it would be madness not to Š
but when we do that we will need to provide solid evidence that we have the
community behind us: that it wants a pool, and that it is prepared to help to
raise money for a pool. That’s the next step!
If you find the addresses to which you are asked to return your questionnaire
inconvenient, then please use any of the following: quest@linton-news.com.
I KNOW Tony, David and the others had a bit of a bad time of it in September, what with most of the population actually telling them straight that something needs to be done about fuel costs, etc. and as always, far be it from me to add to their woes, but what exactly are we to make of that sudden outburst on the Friday before the lorry drivers flexed their muscles and stole the headlines? You may have missed it in all the excitement but the PM had a bit of a rant and dragged up some out-of-date clichés about comprehensive schools, mixed ability teaching and grey uniformity. Well I suppose we have to look kindly on an ex-public school boy who knows no better, but wouldn’t you have thought that his Education Secretary or even one of his ‘advisers’ might have pointed out that he was talking more or less complete nonsense? Of course there is a small number of schools where things are not going well, just as there are less effective institutions in every walk of life, but the vast majority of ‘comprehensive’ schools live up to their name as some of the most diverse, varied and flexible organisations in the country. Rather than matching Blair’s ‘one-size-fits-all’ description, these are places where individuals and groups are catered for by ever more ingenious approaches to timetabling and school organisation, in spite of the deluge of initiatives that have been poured upon them. Pause to think for a moment: in this country we have foundation schools, community schools, real community schools, denominational schools, sports colleges, arts colleges, technology colleges, city technology colleges, and soon we will have city academies too. The vast majority of these schools, like LVC, do not select on entry yet they all cater for the spectrum of children they receive by using complex assessment procedures and setting arrangements. LVC is an interesting case in point. As a foundation community college (a real one), we draw children from a wide area and the average ability level is fractionally above the national average. By the time children reach the end of year nine they have leapt well ahead of the national average and by the time they leave us their average attainment is on a par with the top15 per cent of the UK school population. Does the PM think we achieve this exponential success by grey uniformity and a one-size-fits-all mentality? What a shame he can’t actually come to see for himself! Clive Bush, Principal
LINTON’S fireworks have become a traditional event on the
village calendar. This will be the eleventh year, and the first display of the
new millennium. Last year there was a record attendance of over 4000 people. The
organisers would like to see even more!
The event began in 1989 and was organised then by the Infants School PTA with
the Friends of Linton Heights, as a safe celebration for the whole village. From
the first it has been an outstanding success, and is now run by a committee
formed by the parents’ associations of all three of the village schools and
friends. It has gained a reputation for being a fun and above all safe way of
celebrating Guy Fawkes night. Emergency Services are always close to hand, and
many local organisations are drafted in to assist in the smooth running of the
event.
Proceeds from the Linton Fireworks are divided equally between the three village
schools, who contribute equally to the up-front funding. Ticket prices have been
frozen at £7 for a family ticket and £2.50 for single tickets when purchased
in advance. (£8 and £3 when purchased at the event.) So make sure you have it
in your diaries: 6.30pm Saturday 4th November.
Monday 18th September 2000 Illustrated by Maureen Williams
AS
the year wheels into autumn, the nights draw in, summer migrants depart and
vegetation dies back. Natural life adjusts to the change in season. Some plants,
many insects and spiders start life in spring, reproduce and die before the
winter. Over-wintering residents shut down a little, building up reserves for
the colder weather to come, while the lucky ones make for warmer climates.
In times past, Homo sapiens did much the same. But this week, Britain plunged into crisis. How dependent we have become on fuel! The threat of being unable to get to the shops or office for a few days and we talk about ‘panic’. Surely all households have enough food in store for a couple of weeks, can make some bread and do without milk for a few days? Is it not possible to walk between villages and cycle into Cambridge from Linton (though not particularly pleasant with lorries thundering past)? Have we completely lost the skills of country folk?
What was it all about? Tax on petrol? Overall levels of taxation? Rising costs of farming and hauling goods about the world? A government out of touch with the electorate? All of those, but little was said about the original reason for a specific increase in tax on fossil fuel, namely to reduce the impact of rising carbon dioxide levels. So, while there was a crisis, we actually thought about the reason for making a journey and wondered if there was an alternative. But will that last for a week after petrol supplies are restored? I doubt it! I would guess that journeys will be as frequent as before, with the usual excuses for not walking. It is, after all, dark in the evenings, colder, sometimes raining, shopping is heavy and anyway, we are in a hurry. But perhaps we could try to remember the week when there was no petrol and the strategies we found to cope with the ‘crisis’. If we are busy or in a hurry, not going somewhere is a good way of making extra time.
Tracey Wilson has been on another virtual visit to Linton, North Dakota
RECENTLY, the population of the area of Linton, ND, practically
doubled for one weekend, when a new community was established on the edge of
Emmons County. This community was called ‘Vetterville’ and consisted of over
1,300 relatives who had gathered together to pay tribute to Valentine and
Franciska Vetter, who homesteaded there 100 years ago. There were around 75
campers, numerous tents, and even a tepee, plus a large tent for dancing and
other entertainment.
There were demonstrations of rope making, and washing (in the old way with
home-made soap), tap dancing, a fashion show featuring family wedding dresses,
karaoke, and even a petting zoo for the younger family members. Mass was
celebrated during the weekend festivities.
Valentine Vetter was born in Selz, Russia in 1840, and Franciska Hoffart was
born in 1844. They married in 1864 and travelled from Russia to America in 1888
with seven children. They are buried in the cemetery that was attached to the
church built on land they had donated – the church was burnt down and never
replaced, but the cemetery is still kept very well.
Valentina and Franciska Vetter had 59 grandchildren, and the oldest surviving
granddaughter, Magdalene Gross, aged 98, was on hand for the three-day reunion.
The original Vetter farmstead is occupied by Dan and Marie Vetter, and
great-grandchildren, Ben and Delphine. A total of 48 children have been born on
the farm. They plan to tear down the original home built by Valentina and
Franciska, and replace it in the autumn.
AVOID the hassle of Christmas shopping in towns: come to the Save The Children Coffee Morning and Sale of Christmas cards and gifts at The Old Guildhall, 4 Church Lane, Linton from 10am – 12noon on Saturday 11th November.
CLUB Competition results: pairs final (President’s Cup), John
Harpur and Jean Runham beat Derek Dimmock and June Bradford 25-16 (21 ends);
singles final (Fairey Cup), Derek Dimmock beat Roy Tarver 2l-14 (first to reach
score of 2l).
In the final two matches of the Steeple Bumpstead league we scored eight points
on each game and finished sixth in the Second Division.
We had Sutton (from near Ely) to play a friendly game on 27th August, the only
other carpet green in the county and the result was a win for three rinks each
team. They were very happy to have the experience of playing here.
John Harpur and Derek Dimmock won the top rink prize in a recent League
invitation match at Quendon.