October 2001 Edition of the Linton News
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THE Stop Abington New Town
Action Group has been busy promoting its opposition to the
possible development of a 6,000-house town on Linton’s
western boundary as the Government demand for a new town turns
into a two-horse race between Abington and Oakington – and
South Cambs District Council prepares to make its choice on 4th
October.
At a public meeting at Linton Village College on 17th September
Peter Studdert, Director of Planning, spoke on Cambridge City
Council’s proposals for an eastern expansion of the city.
The plan would be to extend along the Newmarket Road, developing
Marshalls airport site and swallowing-up Teversham and Fulbourn.
Eighteen thousand houses could be accommodated, 10,000 on the
airport site and the remaining 8,000 spread between the existing
villages.
In effect this would bring the built-up edge of the city out to
Marshalls and create two very large villages separated from the
city by "green fingers" and open countryside.
Mr Studdert argued that if this project were allowed to go ahead
it would bring into question the need for a new town that would
be relatively remote from the city.
There are problems with this proposal, just as there are with all
the others, not least the fact that the vast majority of the area
proposed for development is not in the city at all but is part of
South Cambs district.
The district council does not support the Teversham/Fulbourn
proposal as it considers its priority is to protect the integrity
of its 101 villages.
It does support the expansion of the city and has indicated that
the preferred option should be development of carefully selected
sections of the green belt where it would do the least damage to
the important setting of the city.
In this way it would be possible to expand by some 12,000 houses,
allowing a 25% increase in the population of Cambridge.
None of this helps Abington. The Government directive requires a
new town and, realistically, a site will have to be identified
from those that have already been shortlisted. The shortlist was
Oakington, Abington, Waterbeach and Childerley Gate.
Childerley Gate has been withdrawn from consideration by the
landowner and it seems as though the drainage problems associated
with Waterbeach will bring into question the financial viability
of that site. This leaves just two sites.
The favourite is certainly Oakington but you never know the
outcome until the race is run.
When the district council has made its choice on 4th October at a
special meeting of the full council, the decision will be with
Cambridge County Council. We expect to hear the county council’s
view in December.
Now is the time to influence things. Keep up the good work and
keep lobbying the County.
John Batchelor
District Councillor
MORE than 300 villagers from Linton, Hildersham, the Abingtons
and the surrounding area last month enjoyed the first major event
(picture above) to raise funds to fight the Abington new town
proposals, which could see as many as 10,000 homes built between
Linton and Fourwentways.
A hog roast organised by SANT (Stop Abington New Town) was held
on Sunday 16th September at Chilford Hall Vineyard.
The rain promised by the forecasters held off, and everybody had
a great afternoon. Speaking for SANT, Geoff Harvey thanked Sam
Alper of Chilford Hall for providing the venue, and everyone who
had helped to make the event a success.
For more information, visit the SANT website at www.sant-cambs.org.uk
or contact one of the SANT team (after 8pm please!):
Dave Taylor
THE 2001 Linton Fireworks will take place on Saturday 3rd
November, and to make it a success we will need your help.
This will be our 12th Linton firework display. Over the past 11
years we have raised a staggering £49,000, which has been split
between the Infants’ School, Linton Heights Junior School
and Linton Village College, benefiting all the children.
An amazing £6,000 was raised last year alone, and in the last
four years we have had 4,000 people attending each year. This
year we are very kindly supported again by Camgrain who since
1996 have donated £4,000.
The event takes place on the Infants’ School playing field,
with admission from 6.30pm and the bonfire lit at 7.15pm. The
fireworks start soon after, when everyone has gained entry.
As well as the spectacular fireworks, there will be a giant
bonfire, mega BBQ, and side stalls. A feature lacking enthusiasm
in the past is the Guy Competition — let’s see if we
can have a few more entries this year!
Safety is a prime consideration, so please could Linton residents
leave their cars at home to minimise traffic congestion. No
fireworks can be brought into the display for safety reasons
– and this includes sparklers.
Advance tickets can be purchased at a slight reduction from the
three schools, Sweet Talk News and Hale and Jacobs in Linton,
Balsham Post Office, Linton Post Office and the farm shop at Hill
Farm, Castle Camps. Full priced tickets will be available at the
gate.
We can use volunteers to help especially between midday and 4pm
on the 3rd . Let us know if you are able to lend a hand.
With the ever-increasing popularity of the event and the constant
need to regard safety as our number one priority we may need to
restrict the amount of material accepted for the bonfire. Any
material can be accepted, at the organiser’s discretion, up
till 12 noon on the day (paper and card only until 10am).
For information please contact: Alan King, 9 Fairfield Way,
Linton, or visit www.linton-fireworks.org.
Alan King
THE refurbishment of Horn Lane continues; the brick work is
about to start. A large branch has fallen off one of the trees on
the recreation ground. This will be referred to the tree warden.
Due to the large amount of media attention we have found another
local craftsman who is willing to mend the clapper stile.
Landscaping has started on the recreation ground but the earth is
being moved and piled up by youths. This will increase costs and
could jeopardise the installation of any new equipment (for
example, skateboard facilities).
The Council agreed that Linton Parish Council is opposed to the
proposal to build 10,000 houses at Abington, and against any
large-scale development between Haverhill and Fourwentways. The
Sub Regional Study can be consulted at www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk.
Option 3a of this document is relevant to Linton.
Council agreed to assist funding for a new 10-week scheme of
activities for senior citizens.
It was reported that youths are again congregating at the
Copperfields estate and causing problems. There is also
considerable speeding in the High Street at nights, which will be
reported to the police. The force has recruited more officers so
the village may now see more of a police presence. Only seven
crimes were reported in August.
The District Councillor reported on a number of road safety
projects including consideration of a right turn into the Granta
filling station and traffic lights at the top of the High Street.
He also reported on the future of bus services and a possible
relocation of Cambridge Bus station, as it is becoming increasing
difficult to drop off and pick up passengers at Drummer Street.
THE London Community Gospel Choir will be at Balsham Parish
Church at 8pm on Saturday 20th October. The dynamic sounds and
rich harmonies of this choir have enthralled and uplifted
audiences all over the world. They have played with top artists
like Elton John and Sting, they’ve performed for Nelson
Mandela, were on the soundtrack of Walt Disney’s The Lion
King and in 1998 were top of the bill at the BBC Proms. Expect a
mesmerising mixture of up-tempo gospel, swing-beat and soulful
arrangements of traditional songs.
Trish Bear
A DANCE will be held at Linton Village College on Saturday 13th
October 2001 in aid of the Marie Curie Cancer Care.
Dancing will be to the Harmony Sound Dance Band from 7.30pm until
11.30pm and tickets are available from Madeline and Mervyn
Mallyon
Madeline Mallyon
AT Linton Community Sports Centre there are many new
activities on a Monday morning for this term, partly funded by
Linton Parish Council. From 9.30 to 10.30am there are badminton,
tennis and short tennis sessions, with one hour costing just £1
per person. From 10.30-11.30am there is line dancing with carpet
bowls available at the same time if you’re feeling a little
less energetic. All of these activities are only £10 for 10
sessions or £1.50 each week. All activities began in the week
commencing 24th September for an initial period of ten weeks.
The Sports Centre is also the venue for aerobics, 10.15 - 11.15am
on Wednesdays (this session is open to mums with babies), 8-9pm
on Tuesdays and two sessions 6.30-7.30pm and 8-9pm on Thursdays.
A new club is starting for junior badminton players aged 10 and
11. This has been subsidised by a grant through South Cambs
District Council. This means that the cost to the juniors every
Friday is only £8 for 10 weeks. All the equipment is new and a
coach is ready and waiting! Sessions run from 4-5pm: do come
along.
Creative dance is an exciting new addition to Saturday mornings
for 4-7 year-olds (9-10am) and 7-11 year olds (10-11am). £25 for
10 weeks.
Junior multisports mornings have begun again on Saturdays for all
those 6-10 year olds wanting to try some new sports. The sessions
run from 10.30am-noon, and the fee of £2.50 includes drink and a
snack. Of course there are many other things to do at the Sports
Centre as we are open every weekday evening until 10.30pm and at
weekends 9am-5pm. Lucy Howe
THE search is on for Linton’s own Mobile Village Warden.
Age Concern, the organisation managing the service, has now
advertised the post in local newspapers and they would like to
hear from you. Or perhaps you know of someone who would be ideal
for the post but who may not have seen the advert. Advertising
over the holiday period can have its drawbacks…
The interviews will be held on October 4th and we hope to appoint
soon after that. If you would like more information on the post
or would like to apply to be our Warden, please contact Lynne
Byrne at Age Concern on % 01354 696650. Enid Bald
A NUMBER of weekend and one day workshops are to be held at
Village Colleges in the region.
Saturday 6th October: Basic Food Hygiene; Clay Workshop;
Essential Spanish; Introduction to Computing; Life Drawing;
Neurolinguistic Programming–an introduction; RYA Yachtmaster
Ocean Day 1.
Saturday/Sunday 6th/7th October: Computers for Beginners;
Promoting Adult Learning through Group Work.
Wednesday 10th October: Appointed Persons First Aid Course.
Saturday 13th October: Chair Caning and Upholstery; Chinese Brush
Painting; Family Learning Day; Health Through Nutrition; Portrait
Painting; Photoshop Workshop; Sign Language–an introduction.
Sunday 14th October: Advanced Art Therapy; Life Drawing;
Orchestral Play-In.
Saturday/Sunday 13th/14th October: First Aid for Childcarers.
Wednesday 17th October (19.00-21.30): Reiki–an introduction.
Further information about courses, venues and fees is available
from the village colleges at Bottisham % 811372, Burwell % (01638)
741901, and Linton 892400.
Angela Humphreys
HARVEST HOME AT WI Top
A HARVEST Supper was enjoyed by around 40 members and five
visitors at the September meeting of the Linton WI. All were
welcomed by Miriam Rixon, Vice-President.
Information was given on forthcoming events arranged by Cambridge
Federation of Women’s Institutes including a Pastels Day
School at Haslingfield on 8th November and Storytelling at Coton
on 9th November.
Volunteers were requested to form a team at the Quiz Night at
Cottenham Village College on 12th October. Members were invited
to subscribe to the Federation Newsletter which includes
information on these events.
Then members shared a Harvest Supper. Contributions for the main
course had been provided by members and desserts were produced by
the Committee. There was a great variety of food attractively set
out on two long tables. After the meal, there was a quiz (devised
by Wendy Foster) on local village names with anagrams and cryptic
clues. The evening ended with a raffle.
The next meeting takes place at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 2nd October at
the Social Centre, Coles Lane, Linton. Sue Roberts will give a
talk entitled "Walking the China Wall for Charity." All
are welcome.
Anne Parry-Smith
Dear Editor
I read with interest the stories of the deteriorating clapper
stile in Linton. It certainly seems that a workman who was
expected in February is simply not going to appear. This is a
rare opportunity to preserve a historic artefact and it sounds as
if a volunteer from America is just waiting your (or someone’s)
OK. Why not give it? I’d even donate to the material costs
which certainly can’t be that great.
Please pass this on to persons that might be appropriate to
inform how I feel. Mr Elsey is indeed a gentleman. My belief is
that you would be doing him and yourselves a favour... that’s
a win-win situation. How can you go wrong?
John Altenburger by email
Dear Editor
You kindly published an article in the Linton News this summer
about the Health for Life project expanding into the Linton and
Sawston areas. In the article you publicised the need for a
project worker and volunteers. I thought you would like to know
that as a result of the article we have appointed a lady from
Linton to be the project worker and another lady has offered to
be a volunteer. As we will need plenty more volunteers we shall
no doubt be contacting you again.
Thank you again for helping to get Health for Life ‘off the
ground’ in Linton.
Samara Philpott
Health for Life
KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED FOR EYES
DOWN
Top
Dear Editor
Please can you thank all the people who attended my first Bingo.
It was a most enjoyable evening.
Our next two Bingo sessions will be on Tuesday 30th October and
Tuesday 27th November (look out for posters for details).
Doors open 7pm – eyes down 7.30pm.
Rosie Newman
Dear Editor
Mr Mills, a Granta Grapevine listener from Peterborough, has
asked me to write to you and to say he was very interested to
hear a number of homes are being opened for Bed & Breakfast.
"It was started by the owners of Springfield House in Horn
Lane, Linton. The owner in those days was Mrs Cox. When I bought
my first car she kindly let me put it in her garage which would
be approximately the year of 1934. I married a young lady who
lived at No 2 Horn Lane and we were married for 62 happy years.
Sadly my wife died a few years ago. As Linton is such a beautiful
village I wish them every success in their new project."
Clare Neville
pp. Gilbert Mills
Dear Editor
Flaxfields are going to Thursford on 23rd November to see their spectacular
Christmas Show. If any readers wish to join them please contact me for more
details
Jacquie Wilson
Warden, Flaxfields
Dear Editor
I don’t feel entirely comfortable with the fact that Clive
Bush has used his regular spot in the Linton News to express
political concerns, and more so that you have published it.
With education debated at a national level, his column struck me
as a litany of whinges serving no purpose other than to say look
at me aren’t I marvellous because I struggle through this
terrible ordeal daily, which by publishing would suggest you
support and you give credence to. I don’t know a single
person whose job is without some problems, and I feel certain he
is compensated accordingly and should not exploit his column for
political purposes.
By all accounts the man is very good at his job, and I am not
insensitive to the fact that house values, mine included, have
benefited from the excellence of the school.
I appreciate you must tread a fine line, but to my mind that line
has been crossed. In my opinion if the man had nothing
constructive to say, then he shouldn’t be allowed to pad the
paper with a political agenda - that is the remit of manifestoes,
much better for his column to be skipped that month.
Other than that I thoroughly enjoy the Linton News.
But rather than be villified like the poor women who complained
about the fair, I would rather you take this as a comment about
the paper, and if you wish to publish it I would wish my name and
address to be withheld.
Dear Editor
I organized a coach trip to Yarmouth on 16th August. We left here
at 8.30am and returned home at 8.30pm. It was a glorious day, the
coach company and the driver were brilliant, nothing was too much
trouble.
I would like to thank everyone for supporting me, and I will
definitely do it again next year.
Mrs R Newman
PLEASE note that letters sent by email for publication must
contain the name and full postal address of the writer, even if
these are to be withheld.
AS it approaches one year since my little girl’s
pram was hit by a bus in the High Street, I thought it time to
update you on the progress our High Street safety campaign has
made so far.
I petitioned the South Cambridgeshire Environment and Transport
Area Joint Committee on the 5th December 2000. They acknowledged
the High Street was a problem and the County Highways and
Engineering Department was to look into ways of improving safety
for pedestrians.
The next meeting was in February this year -alas no report from
the Highways Department.
The agenda for the June meeting included a background on Linton’s
traffic problems, all the reasons why little could be done due to
nature of the High Street, etc., and concluded with the usual
"lack of funds" plea. It did go on to say that there
were a number of measures that could be developed to address some
of the concerns expressed by Linton residents. These included:
p extension of parking restrictions
at the Infants School;
p a review of traffic signing,
particularly for heavy vehicles;
p better timing of deliveries to
the Co-op;
p creation of a focal and safe
crossing point near Green Lane.
Although all of the above seemed to be a start (most parents
would agree that staggering deliveries to the Co-op improved
safety drastically, although since the summer this seems to have
fallen by the wayside - or should I say kerbside, as these are
yet again breaking up in the High Street) none of them actually
stopped traffic from driving on the pavements. Further parking
restrictions would not be popular, and the proposed crossing
would have been outside the Waggon and Horses. There was nothing
to prevent pedestrians walking from Green Lane to Mill Lane on
the narrow side which is why they were proposing a safe crossing
in the first place.
Members of our Parish and District Council attended to voice our
dissatisfaction and received support from other members of the
Committee. The Highways Department has been sent off again to
come up with something better. The last meeting was on 17th
September, but once again the High Street was not on the agenda.
Working on the basis that petitions usually take two years to
come to fruition we should be about halfway by now. Till then,
keep your eyes and ears open. If it looks as if it’s going
to hit you, it probably will, so be prepared to flatten yourself
against the wall, jump on steps and press into doorways. If you’re
a regular user of the High Street you should be quite expert at
this by now!
If you experience any situation where you feel your safety is
threatened, fill out a traffic incident report available from the
Post Office, Sweet Talk News, Hale & Jacobs, The Village
Pharmacy or The Parish Council Office in the Social Centre.
Tracey Russell
IF YOU WANT TO LEARN ABOUT COMPUTING JOIN OUR CLUB
Top
THIS month Linton’s help
centre for computer fans is entering its third year since it was
launched as Linton Seniors IT Club.
Since then, it has opened every Tuesday evening to help residents
with everything from very basic computer knowledge to the use of
the internet.
Well over 50 people were registered members by the end of the
second year and many more had already had help in the previous
year. This has included technical problems with their own
computer and advice on purchasing.
The club was set up, originally helped by a Millennium grant, to
coincide with the opening of the Cathodeon Centre and the move of
the Linton branch of the County Library Service to the new site.
The club has a very close relationship with the new library and
members of the club are expected to be members of the library
also.
The club night is Tuesday. This is because it uses the library’s
computers in addition to its own and Tuesday is the only evening
when the library itself is closed. The club hours of opening are
from 7pm to 9pm but problems and tuition are mainly on a one-to-one
basis. There are no lectures and no fixed times within the opened
hours. Neither is it necessary to turn up every week.
People, some quite elderly, have been eagerly chasing up their
interests on the internet after amazingly short periods of
learning.
Moreover, this interest can be followed at any time during
library hours, even using the internet. Thus people who do not
own a computer can have the use of one, entirely without charge.
To clarify the expression IT Club, it means Information
Technology, which as far as the club is concerned means computing!
The volunteer experts who run the club hope that there will be
continued interest by Linton people in at least dropping in on us
one Tuesday and without obligation seeing what goes on. Derek Birch
JANET Annett, of Kingfisher Walk in Linton, has been
awarded a Long Service Award from the Talking Newspaper
Association of the United Kingdom.
Mrs
Annett told the Linton News: "I started working with the
Thames Valley Talking Newspaper in Weybridge, Surrey, in July
1976 after a blind friend introduced me to his talking tape. I
fell in love with the medium."
In late 1989, the Linton News published requests for people to
start a talking newspaper for Linton based on the Linton News.
Janet volunteered and was one of the pioneering team who produced
the Granta Grapevine. The first issue appeared in March 1990.
Janet now works as the magazine’s editor, part of a small
and dedicated team of volunteers who run the Granta Grapevine
today. In January 2000, she became President of the organisation,
taking over from the late Robert Ventress. This month sees the
publication of the talking newspaper’s 140th issue.
Recently the whole Granta Grapevine team attended the Eastern
Region Conference of Talking Newspapers at Coltishall where they
discussed up-to-date information, equipment trends and the
problems within their
region.
AFTER ten no doubt exhausting years as rector
of five parishes, the Rev Julian Thomson and his wife have left
Linton. After holidaying in Spain, they will return to a cottage
in the village of Great Massingham in Norfolk. On their last
Sunday, 9th
September, St Mary’s
Church was filled with people from Bartlow, Shudy Camps, Castle
Camps and Horseheath, as well as Linton. In an account of their
leaving published in a recent service sheet, Brenda and Julian
Thomson wrote that they were swept through the day "on a
cloud of thanksgiving and joy… During long winter evenings
we shall be inwardly heated by the memories of September 9th.
"We both hope and pray that you find a team rector who will
help you move forward and fulfil both your visions and needs, as
well as their own. In the vacancy time we wish you every
blessing, and thank you for ten very happy years." LNT
WHO to contact while there is no priest at St Mary’s:
Team Vicar: the Rev Barbara McNamara:
Pastoral Matters, e.g. sick visiting or other needs: Team
Vicar or Lesley Gore
Baptisms: Team Vicar or Judy Nightingale
Marriages: Team Vicar or the Ven. Alan Clarkson
Any other matters: Team Vicar or churchwardens David Parry-Smith
and Glynis Younger
PROPOSAL in last month’s Linton news for a camera
club drew a response from half a dozen amateur photographers
interested in a wide variety of aspects, from digital to black
and white. If you are interested, please contact John Keeble or
email jkeeble @clara.net John Keeble
THE Annual General Meeting of Linton Historical
Society was held on 17th September. A packed hall was welcomed by
Garth Collard, the Chairman, who proceeded with the business of
the AGM as swiftly as possible.
The existing officers were unanimously re-elected – Garth
Collard as Chairman, Pat Genochio as Secretary and Frank
Appleyard as treasurer.
The publication of Ruth Newbury’s second edition of her book
of references to Linton from local newspapers during the 19th century has been completed.
An edition of this will now be available in the local library
together with her first edition covering earlier years.
Ruth was presented with a bound copy of the book, with the
Society’s thanks.
After the business, Garth produced a slide quiz of pictures of
Linton taken by Alex Todd, some of which were easily
recognisable, others produced much discussion as to their
whereabouts.
The evening ended with a social get-together over wine and
nibbles.
The next meeting takes place on 16th October when Alan Stripp will speak on ‘How Hitler’s
Spies helped Britain, not Germany’. All are welcome. Joan Pearman
SINCE the success of the opening
exhibition in July, the Darryl Nantais Gallery has moved on to
show work mainly by local artists. Works by Katherine Fairey,
Susan Jones, Philip Blakely, Sue Walker, Neil Gardner, Maureen
Williams, Sam Suckling, Gary Theobold, Katherine Childs,
Chris Pink, Nuala O’Connor, Joanna Bingham, Desmond Clover,
Anne Laybourn-Popham and Catriona Ogilvy are on display.
A number of celebrated artists from further afield, such as
Jackie Jones, renowned for her equine studies and Petra
Hughes, well-known for her aquatint and woodblock paintings, are
also showing at the gallery.
We are already making preparations for a grand Christmas
exhibition and some discussions have taken place regarding a
Linton Arts Festival. Anyone wishing to become involved would be
welcome to contact the gallery in readiness for a meeting to take
the idea closer to fruition.
We are thrilled by the local patronage and we feel that
the creation of the gallery has sent out an exciting and
positive note for business in Linton. Our workshop
is already busy designing and making picture and mirror frames as
well as restoring antique frames and paintings for our
clients.
Vistors are welcome to relax and browse at
the display of pottery, sculpture and paintings on show. Its a
great place for Linton people to bring their visiting family and
friends, especially at the weekend. Darryl Nantais
LINTON and District Branch of Save the Children and Cambridge
African Association are holding an African Sunsplash, an evening
of African dancing, drumming and food, from 7.30pm onwards at the
Social Centre, Coles Lane, Linton on Saturday 13th October. Craft
items will be on display and various articles from Africa will be
auctioned.
Admission will be by ticket only, available from Anna Newton
or Judith White
Save the Children Fund is active throughout Africa. About 300,000
people have been displaced since renewed flooding in Mozambique
began earlier this year. SCF has provided the basic needs of
shelter, blankets, cooking utensils and chlorination kits. They
are looking at ways of providing education to evacuated children
and distributing seeds and tools to farmers whose crops have been
destroyed.
In Uganda about 1.7 million children have lost one or both
parents to AIDS. SCF has set up Sunday groups where children can
go to enjoy themselves, but also to learn about HIV/AIDS and how
they can protect themselves.
In Angola many children have been separated from their families
by civil war. SCF is working to trace family members and re-unite
them.
The CAA provides resources for a school in Africa and organises
conferences and workshops on environmental and development issues
looking at appropriate strategies for systemic changes which
bring about a sustainable development. Judith White
Wide Anglian skies over the autumn stubble
Local farmer Charles Fairey harvesting wheat Photo: Suki Klair
SUSPENSE over. We finally came fourth in the Steeple Bumpstead
League, Division 2: not bad out of a league of ten teams. In
friendly matches we beat Haverhill Town at home, lost to Balsham
away, and won against Little Shelford at home. In total we had
notched up eight wins out of 17 matches with one last match on 18th
September.
Club finals were played on 16th September. Derek Dimmock (President)
beat Eric Garden (winner for the last four years) 21–18. It
was "ding dong" throughout: on the last end Eric was
holding 3 shots, which would have given him game, when Derek with
his last bowl replaced one of Eric’s with his own to give
him the match. Winners of the mixed pairs were Roberta Adolph and
Vic Harris. Their opponents Betty Meeks and Bryan Beavis were so
unlucky. On the 17th end they were holding 4 when Vic Harris with
his last bowl took the jack and turned the tables by scoring 4,
so they went from +4 to –4, a difference to them of 8 shots
and that was the end.
Cups were presented with runners up receiving mementoes.
Please watch the notice board for a number of forthcoming events,
including Christmas and New Year functions.
And now an appeal. The ladies do a wonderful job on refreshments.
The men look after the green. Recently Frank Bunn, greenkeeper,
turned up one Wednesday morning to find himself alone. It is
impossible for one man to operate the cleaner. Will all those
able-bodied men available in the daytime please offer themselves
for this duty once a fortnight? If we got enough volunteers, it
could be even less. If you can offer help, please give Frank a
ring on
Arthur Gore
THE dreadful events of 11th September are still
etched in our memories as we move into a world which has changed.
The memory of that day is somehow fixed by what we all saw time
after time on our television screens or heard on the radio. We
gave it almost continuous coverage regardless of who might be
watching. In the US, a different approach was taken. The most
horrific images were only shown later in the evening when most
children would not be watching. Schools and parents were told to
give time to discuss the events so that children would be
informed but not traumatised. These were very sensible approaches
and necessary for those so close to the event. America does tend
to wear its heart on its sleeve of course and here we are not so
good at talking about such things. I have spent time discussing
the events with pupils, though, and what emerges is I think, very
heartening. There was a kind of bewilderment that scenes normally
reserved for disaster movies were happening in real life and the
usual confused stories about the reasons. Conspicuously absent
though was a gung-ho, aggressive ‘let’s get them’
response. The concern from both boys and girls was for those who
died and those who grieved. On the day of mourning we spent those
quiet minutes reflecting on what had taken place and there was an
understanding that the gesture was somehow very important. This
was summed up for me by one girl’s description of the
silence as ‘taking the pain.’
The overwhelming message coming from our young people was utter
condemnation of the attack and those who perpetrated it. This was
matched by a desire that they should be found and punished. But
what was said to me time and time again was that this punishment
should not involve the loss of more innocent lives; for our
children, a common humanity means more than the rhetoric of war.
In this I believe, lies hope for us all.
Clive Bush, Principal
A SERIES of fitness classes is being run in
Linton, at the Village College, suitable for all ages and levels
of fitness. Body conditioning and aerobics classes take place
every Tuesday, 8-9pm and Step classes are held every Thursday, 8-9pm.
Both classes are held in the school gym.
Instruction is given by an RSA qualified instructor. Remember to
consult your doctor if new to exercising. Wear comfortable
clothing, training shoes and bring a bottle of water. Telephone %
01763 208404 for more information.
Kate Weber
"EXCUSE me, can you tell me the way to
Chalklands?" a motorist asked as she stopped me one evening.
I thought her a bit daft considering we were standing at the
Chalklands entrance until I looked up and realized the sign was
missing. Actually fourteen in total have been stolen or defaced
in Linton. Fortunately the emergency services have a good
knowledge of the Linton district, unlike visitors, couriers and
possibly new postmen.
Rumour has it that there is a competition for the highest number
obtained by a person/gang. I was going to suggest that now may be
the time to declare a winner and have a street name amnesty; this
however is not necessary as the signs are going to be replaced in
the very near future at a cost likely to run into thousands of
pounds.
So, if your son or daughter has a stack of street signs
underneath their bed, you may like to recover from them the
additional cost that will be added on to your community charge
next year to pay for the replacements.
Tracey Russell
THE result of the September K-Club monthly draw:
1st (£50) J. Harpur (No. 083); 2nd (£25) Mrs R. Petter (No. 224);
3rd (£10) Terry Bear (No. 173).
Tuesday 18th September 2001
Illustrated by Maureen Williams
ONE of the main problems about going anywhere at this time of
year is deciding what to wear. We should have put a bit more
thought into our clothing when we set out for our walk to Catley
Park early last month. Once we’d manoeuvred the boys into
suitable shoes, we started, my husband sensibly wrapped up to the
ears in a fleece, the boys in T shirts and I with the backpack
for warmth. The thing I regretted most as we went on were the
earrings which whipped painfully against my chin as the wind got
up. It never entered my mind to take them off.
When you are walking with children, you have to be prepared for
every stone to be a potential fossil and every stick to become a
precious treasure that will have to come home with you. You also
have to give up hope of seeing anything interesting, as the noise
level of boys is an effective early warning system to all forms
of wildlife. I frequently glimpse interesting things on these
walks but they’re either disappearing quickly or form part
of the enormous range of things to which I cannot put a name.
Luckily, the early part of this walk passes directly behind the
zoo, and there was nowhere for the zebras to hide. I did see some
fleeing pheasants and partridges and I was able to identify
accurately the amazing birds of prey that our younger son drew my
attention to as a formation of three fighters flying out of
Duxford.
We went to Catley Park for blackberries and collected a kilo or
so to bring home, eating almost as much on the spot. It was
sheltered and warm around the buildings but there is a certain
melancholy about the place, even on the sunniest day. However,
there were signs that it is not always so. The boys were
fascinated by a small curtained cabin near the pond, that was
definitely not there on our last visit and which I identified
confidently as the remains of a portable lavatory.
Even from this modest rise, the view over the fields towards the
Abingtons in one direction and Hadstock in the other is
impressive. A huge amount of open land surrounds Linton and it is
sobering to consider how much of it would disappear for good if
the current proposals for development along the A1307 were
accepted. Bearing this in mind, we walked over to Chilford Hall
on Sunday 16th, for the Hog Roast organised by SANT (Stop
Abington New Town). The rain held off and the sun came out and
Linton, viewed from Rivey Hill, looked almost isolated in the
surrounding farmland. We returned through the vineyards and I was
struck once again by the peculiarities of our village which we
take so much in our stride: African animals at one end, grapes at
the other, both managing to thrive in a confusing climate.
Olwen Williams is away
THE Friends of St Mary’s are holding two
events in October. The first is an anthology of verse and some
song on the theme "Tell Me the Truth About Love". This
will be in the church at 7.30pm on Saturday 6th October.
There will be a book sale at the Guildhall, 4 Church Lane, on
Saturday 20th October from 9.30am to 12 noon. Books may be taken
to the Guildhall after 28th September.
Bruce Conochie
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