Articles First Election - Chalklands Art project - Pied Piper - St Mary's - Digital Info - Business & College - Parish Council - Historians - Music in a Nutshell - Social Centre on Show - House to House - Treasures at WI - 15 years of the Linton News - Scratching a Living - Business after the Flood - Dogs Do - Stand & Vote - Maundy Music - Jubilee Celebrations - Child Care - Hadstock Pre-School Group - Bowling Back - K-Club - Camera Club - Bush Telegraph - Gardening Club - Country Diary - Anne Fine to visit Ashdon - Mothers Union
IT’S on. Linton Parish Council’s months of hard work to encourage more
residents to stand for the council are being rewarded with its first election
for many years on 2nd May. At least 17 candidates will be standing–see our
election special pages–and it is thought that there will be others who have not
declared their intentions ahead of the official nominations period. This shows
an increased community spirit at a time when many fear a decline in enthusiasm
for running the village and its organisations–and it will give a big push to the
efforts to win quality parish status, which attracts more money and power to
decide local issues. Gill Barker, the Parish Clerk, has been organising the
campaign to get more candidates to stand and she has arranged, with the
enthusiastic help of councillors, a mentoring scheme to help first-time
candidates get into the ways of the council. “I have been very pleased with the
response,” said Ms Barker.
One South Cambs. District Council seat - currently held by John Batchelor for
the Liberal Democrats - also comes up on the same day. The district faces many
issues, not least the growth of the development of the entire area with the
concomitant rise in traffic and demands on the infrastructure like roads,
drainage, schools and medical facilities. South Cambs. council is also
undergoing its biggest changes, with quality of service and costs to council
taxpayers in focus. In the parish, the issues like the High Street and A1307
traffic continue and need fighting to a successful conclusion. Alongside those
efforts, quality parish status will mean that the council can tackle other
problems now taken on by the district or county councils. For example, instead
of residents having to wait for footpath repairs, the parish council would be
able to bid for the work and get them fixed more quickly. It is now important to
have a good turnout at the polls to add to the pressure for quality status. LNT
Councillor John Batchelor (left) and Andy O’Hanlon, South Cambs Arts Development Officer, (second left) with members of Chalklands Residents’ Association Arts Project committee. Back row: June Hall and Maureen Williams; sitting: Joy Button and Jean Whitby; far right Darryl Nantais
CHALKLANDS residents are actively working towards improvements to the visual
aspects of their estate. Efforts made so far by the Residents Association have
been recognised by the District Council, who have cited them as a model for
other estates. Now that all essential housing works are complete or in the
process of completion we have turned our attention to finer details. We are very
proud of the green banks that lie at the entrance to Chalklands and last October
we clubbed together to buy 1500 spring bulbs. The planting was carried out by a
small band of residents and some very much appreciated help was received from a
group of pupils from the Linton Heights Junior School. The Residents Association
is very grateful to Cherry Fisher for coordinating this project.
We are now looking at whether an arts feature sited at the entrance to
Chalklands would further enhance the estate and add to the beauty of our
village. Residents put forward ideas such as redesigning the steps, railing and
lamp that lead up the bank to the bungalows, a carved Chalklands sign and a
water feature.
Artists Darryl Nantais and Maureen Williams, who are themselves Chalklands
residents, prepared illustrations of these ideas and last month an exhibition
was held for residents, members of the parish council and South Cambridgeshire
District Council to give their opinion on whether the Residents Association
should move forward to apply for a grant for this project.
South Cambs Arts Development Unit have offered us 50% of the cost of hosting the
exhibition. The results are yet to be analysed but there was a great deal of
enthusiasm and positive comment from those attending. Maureen Williams
RATS have been reported in four different areas of the village recently. The
SCDC Environmental Health department has been informed.
However, Linton people can assist in the efforts to rid ourselves of these
rodents. Some simple rules: please do not leave cat food out of doors or feed
wild birds on the ground and please do not leave rubbish bags outside until the
morning of collection.
If you think you have seen a rat please report it to the Parish Office 891001
or to SCDC Environmental Health dept. direct 01223 443000. Gill Barker
THE Annual Parochial Church Meeting of St Mary’s will be held in the Infants’
School hall at 7.45pm on 11th April. There are two meetings to be held that
evening. In the first anyone resident in the church parish can vote for two
churchwardens. Nominations will be posted on the church door in advance and
nominations can be made at the meeting itself. In the second meeting we shall be
electing members of the parochial church council (PCC), the church’s local
governing body. One third of PCC members ret Under legislation dating back to
the thirteenth century, churchwardens legally own the contents of the church
itself. The freehold of the church and churchyard is vested in the incumbent and
churchwardens jointly. In practice, all decisions regarding the use of the
church and its contents are taken by the PCC. If anyone wants to know more about
how the church is run, or wishes to join the electoral roll, please contact the
current churchwardens David Parry-Smith or Glynis Younger
David Parry-Smith
The new Linton News website is now available on www.linton.info. In addition to current and back issues of the paper, it has a new diary which expands the coverage we give to events and meetings. Village directory sections will be added as we work towards a new directory in electronic and magazine form. We need an additional person to help with this: if you would like to be involved in gathering the information and seeing it published as part of a wider team, please telephone John Keeble or email on jkeeble@clara.net. LNT
THE task at the end of September seemed a formidable one. Here we were about
to embark on a major fundraising drive to support a very significant development
for Linton Village College and suddenly the world was not the positive and
optimistic place it had been a month before. September 11th cast a dark shadow
over all of us and businesses were bracing themselves for some tough times. But
you cannot always choose the time to move things forward and come what may we
needed to persuade companies to sponsor Linton Village College’s bid to become
one of the country’s first Business and Enterprise Specialist Schools. And that
sponsorship had to be to the tune of fifty thousand pounds.
Help and support came from many directions and by Christmas we were making good
progress. In fact by the middle of February the target had been reached. Things
did not stop there however and I am delighted to say that our sponsorship
support is now around eighty thousand pounds. I believe this reflects a genuine
interest from our business partners in what we are trying to do at the College,
as well as the realisation that schools cannot go it alone if they are to keep
pace with the rapid changes happening around them in the business world.
So now, after a great deal of hard work, the mammoth bid has been written and
sent to the Department for Education and Skills and we await their
deliberations. If we are successful in this round, we will receive £100,000 to
add to our sponsorship support and will use this to improve our computer systems
and create a business studies area. The total additional funding will be close
to half a million pounds over the next four years so significant additional
money will also be available for staffing at the College. Some resources will go
to our Primary Schools and some to help small local businesses to develop
further. Pegasus will lead this latter initiative. This additional resourcing
will of course benefit all pupils at the College, not just those with ambitions
in the business world. All along we have been very clear that the skills and
qualities we are seeking to develop in our pupils are those which underpin
education in its widest sense. All our sponsors agree that this is a rare chance
to make a successful school even better.
Our current business partners are: ARM Limited, Granta Park plc, Millennium
Pharmaceuticals Limited, Rodelia, Glanville Projects Limited, The Alper
Charitable Trust, Chilford Hall Limited, Ribo Targets Limited, TWI Limited,
Taylor Vinters Solicitors, NSH Consulting Limited, Carter Jonas Surveyors,
Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union (Learning Fund), The Danwood Group
Limited, ictnet Limited and absolutelyfabulousPR.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank them formally for giving me the
time to explain the vision and then for making the commitment to support us.
Clive Bush
AS you can well imagine from all the reports in the Linton News lately,
elections are at the top of most parish councillors agendas, but beside the
elections business must go on as usual. In public participation, Mr Creedy,
supported by two young lads, gave the council a report on the provision of a
skateboard facility. This will be put on the agenda for one of the April
meetings. The council was congratulated on the new look of the Horn Lane bridge
area. The Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations have got off to a shaky start with
some degree of reluctance to organise any thing. This would seem to be due to
the fact that everyone is wary of what other things may be planned. The Crown
Public House is organising an event; there will be the official opening of the
crescent of trees dedicated to the Golden Jubilee and other events on the
recreation ground including an Aztecs Mini-Colts 5-a-side football event, bowls
competition, and some music. Residents will be asked to bring a picnic. Since
our floods in October obstructions in the river are being reported. A council
member commented on the state of our river walks and gave an update on the state
of the footpath to Kingfisher Walk, repairs to which are being delayed because
of uncertainty over land ownership. One of the baby swings in the adventure
playground is broken. Wicksteed are to repair this. Cutting Leadwell Meadows
this year is going to be a problem due to the wetness of the ground.
The council has received queries about the reopening of the pharmacy, which is
lagging behind other businesses affected by the floods. The Chair reported that
this was due to problems with insurance and a June reopening is planned. A new
seat is to be placed at Copperfields. Dr Bear reported that the County Library
service will overspend by £200,000 this year, which will mean that our own
library hours will be cut. It is hoped that a speed camera will be placed near
the college; the police in our area currently have a mobile version working from
the back of a vehicle. Thirty-eight calls for service were received by the
police during February, and 7 actual crimes were logged.
AT the March meeting of the Historical Society, Mr Bill Wittering brought
along a great variety of glass bottles which he had collected over many years.
The first ones were dug up by his son in a forest in Hampshire although many
more he found in his garden, because years ago there were no rubbish collections
and waste was just dumped in gardens.
Glassmaking began 4,500 years ago in Egypt and Rome. Glass was blown into
bottles but there was no method of smoothing the top, so any bottles with rough
tops date before machinery came into use. Flat glass was blown and spun very
fast so it collapsed into a flat discñthe edges were trimmed off into diamond
shapes to make windows. Stained glass originated in France and a village was
established to make the glass for Fountains Abbey. The village, Glasshouses,
still exists.
With the discovery of mineral springs, bottles became more abundant and spring
water is still bottled and sold everywhere. Our nearest spring water source is
at Papworth St Agnes. Numerous devices were used to seal the bottles, including
cork, rubber, marbles and screw tops.
Members were keenly interested in the show, and a warm vote of thanks was given
by Iris Jeffery. Mr and Mrs Creek were thanked for their continuing organisation
and running of the raffle.
The next meeting is on Tuesday 16th April when Mr Wells will tell us about
Hobsonís Conduit. All are welcome.
Joan Pearman
ANNE Page's concert, The Organ in a Nutshell, is a brief guide to organ music
from the 14th century to the present day including the most famous organ pieces
ever (Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor and Widor's Toccata from the 5th
Symphony) as well as many surprises.
Australian-born Anne Page is a virtuoso organist whose career as a soloist has
taken her all over Europe and the USA. She has a wonderfully warm and engaging
performance style and is a favourite with Cambridgeshire audiences.
Anne's exploration travels through the times of the Elizabethans, the masters of
Northern Europe and France to the unparalleled masterpieces of J S Bach. From
the Romantic era we hear Mendelssohn and Brahms before moving through the 20th
century to our own times with pieces by Arvo Pärt and Carl Rütti.
The concert will take place at 8pm on Saturday 20th April at St Maryís Church ,
Linton. Tickets will be available at the door or from Cambridge Arts Theatre Box
Office % 01223 503333. Hugh Wood
COME along to an open morning between 10am and noon on Saturday 20th April,
have a coffee and view the newly refurbished Social Centre (village hall). The
Centre has recently been redecorated and refitted with new tables, chairs and
curtains. We hope to install new windows and to refurbish the floor completely
very soon.
This village hall was built with money raised by a very dedicated number of
villagers who raised funds by holding Whist Drives and Bingo sessions. It is a
credit to everyone involved. The Centre is used by a large number of village
groups such as the Women's Institute, Garden Club, Historical Society, Indoor
Bowls Club, with Whist Drives and Bingo sessions still held regularly. It plays
host to a ladies' aerobics session and to two children's dance classes every
week.
The Centre is available for hire for private parties on Friday evenings and all
day on Saturday with a number of weddings already booked for this year. Drop in
and view the pictures on display showing how the Centre can look when decorated
for a special event. The Management Committee look forward to seeing you on
Saturday 20th April. Gill Barker
EVERY three seconds somewhere in the world, a child dies of hunger and
illness rooted in poverty. Save The Children will be conducting a house to house
collection from 28th April to 4th May. Please give generously.
Thanks to all those who attended the Ceilidh at The Manor in Balsham ñ over £500
was raised.
Judith White
THERE was a large gathering of 50 members and 13 guests, including several
gentlemen, at the Open Meeting held last month.
Tricia Lewis spoke of the excellent visit organised by the Cambridge Federation
of WIs to the Wallace Collection in London, where furniture, paintings and other
treasures were beautifully displayed in a very fine house. We thanked Jean
Goodwin for bringing a large wall hanging from WI House to be displayed during
the evening. In 1988, each WI locally had contributed a panel in needlework
showing their village. Margaret and Brian Wingfield have recently been
researching family history with the help of a course at the WIís residential
Denman College. Their very informative report was read out and they had
obviously enjoyed their visit. Margaret had received a Linton WI Denman Bursary,
awarded by ballot each year.
The remainder of the evening was given over to an antiques ëroad showí. Mr Barry
Stevenson, of Cowlinge, showed an amazing knowledge of the very varied items
brought along by members and guests. He was able to enlighten owners on many
aspects of the items submitted. Intriguing articles included a puzzle jug, glove
stretchers, a portable telescope and a pair of brass shoe horns.
The Annual General Meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Tuesday 2nd April in the
Social Centre. There will be two or three vacancies to be filled on the WI
Committee. Volunteers are welcome to stand.
Anne Parry-Smith
Tracey Russell, the latest Linton News recruit, records an anniversary waltz through 15 years of news with founder Ron Amsden
This was the very first article that the Linton News published. Ron Amsden had moved from Hadstock and joining Linton Parish Council he was shocked to find how little communication there was between the council and the parish and was determined to rectify it. The dilemma of what to do about footways fouled by dogs became the lead story and the debate continued for some issues.
After the severe flooding of Linton in 1967, improvements were made to the
River Cam. Experts said Linton would never be flooded again. But in June 1987,
the parrot aviary at Linton zoo was devastated by flooding – £3,000 had to be
urgently raised to rebuild it. July’s front-page story details the grim tale of
the wall of mud that engulfed the area and closed with a quote from zoo owner
Len Simmons “We had another rough night last night. We turned out at 3am when we
heard the rain start again. Having suffered so desperately we cannot even sleep
through a June shower.” As a result of this and subsequent articles the paper
managed to raise £1191.70 for the Linton Zoo Disaster Fund.
The August edition lists all the reasons why we continued to be flooded – a
story still continuing in the November 2001 issue.
Many will remember this front-page story from April as ‘Linton’s bank raid’. The cleaner of Barclays Bank was tied and held captive early on 16th March. Fortunately when the manager arrived he escaped to raise the alarm. Police sealed off the area. When eventually they forced an entry the cleaner was found to be the sole occupant and the safes had not been tampered with. It was later realised that around £100 was missing. The presumption was that the raiders had made their escape during the few minutes it took for the police to arrive.
The LN investigated the possible threat of invasion after a low flying army helicopter terrified half the village in July. It seems the pilot happened to be over Linton when he noticed an accident on the (as it was then known) A604. He stopped and hovered whilst contacting the police to see if anyone needed lifting to hospital. As this proved unnecessary his flight continued.
This was November’s headline. Having seen a small paragraph in The Times
stating that a Greek urn, 2,000 years old, had been discovered in Hadstock
churchyard, Ron Amsden’s curiosity was aroused.
On visiting the Saffron Walden Museum, where it was on display, he discovered
that the object was actually 5,000 years old and not a Greek urn at all. Lynn
Morrison, Conservation Officer told him that it was carved out of solid marble
on an island in the Aegean sea back in the Bronze Age.
Dick Fisher, whilst working for HJ Paintin in 1991, had unearthed the vessel. He
was opening the tombstone of the artist Michael Ayrton for the interment of
Ayrton’s wife. As Ayrton was known to be interested in Aegean culture it seems
obvious that it was by his agency that it had reached Hadstock churchyard.
A common theme over the 15 years of the Linton News has been a concern over
anti-social behaviour, vandalism and the perceived threat of young people
congregating on the streets. Unfortunately, apart from expressing concern and
blaming the police, little practical action was taken until the Safer Linton
Initiative was launched around 1995. Their professional approach led to a proper
survey of concerns in the community, to an outreach project that talked to the
youngsters on the streets to find out what they wanted and to the forming of
Linton Action For Youth. A great example of partnership working that has since
been held up as an example to others. With the active support of the police,
Linton Parish Council, Safer Linton Initiative, Linton Village College and
Community Education LA4Y got off the ground, thus providing the one thing the
youngsters asked for: a warm, safe, no hassle place for them to go and meet
their friends. The Drop-In initially was open one or two nights at the weekend
at the Social Centre and the church Pavilion.
The Drop-In Centre opened on the recreation ground in December 1999, another
example of community cooperation. Ciba contributed the modular building and
except for £4,500 that came from the District Council the whole £23,000 cost was
raised in under six months from within our own community.
LA4Y has come a long way from a project with the simple aim of getting kids off
the streets, to an organisation that is delivering the bulk of the youth support
and complementing many other community services that would not otherwise be
available locally. It is recognised as an example of good practice and is
expected to expand further as new community initiatives are piloted. Linton
Action For Youth is more than just a Drop-In; it is providing a whole range of
services. (Review supplied by John Batchelor.)
Another continuing feature of the paper is the fight for a swimming pool in Linton. After the fund was nearly abandoned altogether in September 1993 a questionnaire was delivered with each LN, checking that the village still supported the original idea of a community pool. Now charity status has been acquired the pool committee is up and running once more. Getting stuck into the fundraising will begin in earnest this summer –£2 million is the figure that needs to be raised to ensure its success. If you want to get involved further please contact Tracey Wilson
During the past 15 years, the Linton News has played a very strong role in
running and developing our village and community.
At one level, it reports the news – but at another, it enables everyone to put
forward ideas, proposals, comments and reasonably worded criticisms.
In addition, it has circulated many detailed questionnaires to ascertain
residents’ views on specific subjects and some of these have led to projects.
Would you like to find out more about the articles mentioned above? The first
10 years are bound and held in the library on the desk that overlooks the play
area. The last five years are held at the Parish Council Office in Coles Lane,
ready for binding. These can be made available to you by contacting the Parish
Clerk on 891001. The last two years are available on the internet –
www.linton.info.
And in addition...
The Linton News, held in community ownership by the parish council, has been
growing to offer more to the community.
More pages have allowed it to give more space to village organisations and
residents – it is always there to spread the word and amplify the choice of
local people.
This issue contains a joint venture with the Parish Council to explain the
issues involved in the forthcoming elections and give candidates a chance to put
forward their views.
Past projects have included a high-quality booklet containing details and maps
for local walks which, with the help of grants, was distributed free throughout
our area.
FIFTEEN years ago, the first issue of the Linton News arrived at all the homes
in Linton. Soon after Ron Amsden (above) moved from Hadstock to Linton he
decided that the village needed a newspaper carrying information about local
events and activities. So he sent out a circular letter inviting anybody who was
in any way interested in helping his idea to become reality to attend a meeting
at his house. This was very badly attended; I think only seven people turned up.
I was one of them, and now I’m the only one left who was in at the beginning.
It so happened that one of the seven, Brian Milne, had had some editorial
experience, so he was promptly chosen to be our first Editor. Unfortunately
after a while, he left Linton, so Ron Amsden did the job until we found somebody
else.
This happened a number of times. Editors came and went and Ron filled the
breach. In fact Ron did anything that needed doing. He wrote articles, recruited
deliverers, often he took the proofs to be printed and collected the printed
sheets, which led to the next job of collating the sheets which were in separate
boxes. They had then to be counted and put into bags for the deliverers. As you
might expect, Ron had a delivery round himself.
Our first issue consisted of one and a half sheets of newsprint. We couldn’t
afford any more, and compared with the current issue it looks a very primitive
affair. But the paper grew. The second issue had two whole sheets and now we
have grown to a regular three sheets.
The larger the paper gets the more work is needed to produce it, and this,
together with the passing of the years, makes heavy demands on anybody deeply
involved. Eventually, Ron Amsden decided to retire, the strain was getting too
great, and he could never be other than deeply involved.
He stopped coming to our regular meetings some time ago so we don’t see much of
him now, but he is, and always will be, The Father of the Linton News.
YOU can make a big difference as part of the Linton News. Organisations in
desperate need can be helped, such as Helping Hands which may have closed
without an appeal in the paper; and news and views can be passed on to draw our
community together. If you would like to find out more, please contact the
editor, Sally Simmons.
PUBLICATIONS evolve or they become irrelevant to the communities they serve –
and the Linton News is no exception to that rule.
The future is more challenging than ever, with the village changing at the same
time as media technology.
But the central core remains the same: volunteers from the community making
available a means of communication to the whole community.
Our plans for the newspaper include evolving the design to strengthen
promotional support for village events and organisations, and the gradual
updating of the technology we use to produce the paper.
The paper is now offered on the internet and that is already undergoing a
redesign as part of the paper’s major electronic expansion.
We have purchased the new international name of www.linton.info and, from this
month, that will be the site for the Linton News plus a new Diary giving much
more information about village events with the specific aim of helping to
promote them locally and, when linked, through tourism, council and commercial
sites.
The next stage will be the gradual build up of directory information and, as
soon as we can find someone to undertake the work, offer a free internet link
through the site (users will still have to pay their phone charges at local call
rate).
A strong emphasis of the site will be the encouragement of volunteers to help
run the village and its organisations.
This links with another major project: the production of a new village directory
to be delivered free to everyone who receives the Linton News.
This plan is ambitious: a full-colour A4, magazine-style directory listing what
we need to know about our area – from sport to transport, from shop opening
times to local councillors. Finance for the project is already coming in – our
problem is to find enough people to work on it.
The Linton News has come a long way from an A4 sheet to today’s ‘electronic
office’ production and internet. But some things never change: it is still a
community venture that relies on volunteers to plan, produce and deliver it.
Maureen Williams, illustrator of the Linton Country Diary, talks about her work as a glass engraver
MY
roots are well and truly in Linton soil. I was born here and my sister Pauline
has managed to trace our family in Linton back to the 1700s. In fact it was my
sister who started me glass engraving. About 22 years ago she gave me a simple
engraving tool and said ëI thought you would be good at ití. At the time it was
difficult to find anything about this art form. There were not many engravers of
glass around and very little written about it. So it was very much a case of
exploring this medium for myself. It is much easier now to obtain tools made for
the engraver. Engravers had to experiment and adapt tools made for other
professions such as dentists drills. In recent years the Guild of Glass
Engravers has done much to promote the work of engravers.
My work is mainly drill engraved with diamond coated burs and carborundum. It is
usually surface or shallow intaglio engraved. Glass can create a magical effect
when it is engraved beyond the surface. The areas engraved more deeply can
appear to be in relief. This is intaglio engraving which is the opposite to
cameo engraving.
Ninety percent of commissions I receive include lettering as they are usually
ordered for special presentations and corporate awards. I make a few sketches to
decide on the best style and size of lettering to complement the piece of glass.
It is very important to consider the shape of the glass whilst you are creating
the design. I have been told on many occasions that my pieces have been
presented by or to famous people. Unfortunately, I am rarely able to obtain a
photograph of the occasion. If I am asked about what I am working on at the
moment I usually have to be a bit vague in my response. It wouldn't be
appropriate for me to discuss details of a surprise presentation or the winner
of an award before the winner has been announced.
Although I specialise in engraved glass my artistic skills lead me to many and
varied interesting commissions. Many examples of my work can be seen around
Linton, including the Darryl Nanta's Gallery sign, the Friends of St Mary's logo
and of course the Linton News Country Diary illustrations.
My designing first starts in my sketch pad. When I have made a few sketches and
arrive at a design I am happy with, I make a copy of my design and send it to a
client for their approval. I engrave free hand. As one cannot rub out or paint
over errors, it is always best first to mark out the basic shape of the design
with a china graph pencil. Whilst it may be possible simply to trace your design
on to a flat piece of glass this is not possible on a round or bulbous piece.
It is essential to wear a face mask to prevent breathing the glass dust and
goggles to protect the eyes in case the worst happens. I have only had one piece
of glass break whilst working on it. It gave out a loud popping sound and the
glass shot out in different directions. It left me holding one small piece of
glass and feeling slightly shaky. Luckily, this is very rare.
Most of my clients come directly to me but I am looking forward to working with
the Darryl Nanta's Gallery which takes orders for my work.
As with all artists, it is difficult to make a living from my work. I am very
grateful that I have a husband that brings in a regular wage. This takes the
pressure off me but for an artist who relies totally on his or her income it can
be a financial seesaw.
It doesní' have to be expensive for any one to take up engraving as a hobby. It
is easy to get some basic equipment for under £100. Some very good engraving
tools can be purchased for under £600. But to run as a business the outlay is
considerably more. I carry a large range of glassware and we all know how
expensive lead crystal can be.
LOCAL businesses affected by last October's flood are getting back on their
feet. The Dog & Duck reopened on 28th February and the Darryl Nanta's Gallery
reopened with a new exhibition on 16th March.
At Tournants, the electrical shop, refurbishment work has now started. The shop
should be opening in the late spring.
Our pharmacist Deepa Bhachoo tells us that her insurance company has finally
given the go ahead for refurbishment. Work is scheduled to begin on 25th March
and it is hoped that the pharmacy will be back in operation by early June.
Efforts to open a temporary pharmacy have been made but due to delays this is
now not a viable option in the short term. The Health Centre is trying its best
to supply prescriptions where it can but does not have the resources or space to
be able to help all Linton residents since this would require a 50% increase in
staff workload.
We all hope that building work progresses smoothly and the pharmacy and
electrical shops open on schedule. Further update in the next issue.
Linton News Team
DOGS' DO, OWNERS DON'T Top of Page
Dear Editor
There seems to be a small minority of residents in the village who are unaware
of the penalties of allowing their dogs to foul the footpaths. I cannot believe
they are unable to read the warning notices posted in the village or fail to see
the dog waste bins placed in prominent places in the village.
For one week recently, a dog was allowed to foul in Market Lane every day and no
attempt was made to remove the offending mess. Today, Saturday 16th March, four
people had allowed their dogs to foul the grass in the meadow (recreation
ground) and made no attempt to clean up.
As a dog owner I resent the bad name which all dog owners will be given because
a few are irresponsible and anti-social.
Pamela Kenyon
Dear Editor
May I remind all those who are eligible to vote for the parish council that we
are rapidly approaching the nominations and election period. We are now one of
the largest parishes in South Cambs. and I would like to see us go back to the
procedure where we have enough nominations to need an election.
As a previous member, Vice-Chairman and Chairman of the parish council, I would
ask you to consider whether you are interested in the possibility of being
associated with the well-being of our village, and if you have the time to
participate in these activities.
John W. Franklin
THE Cambridge String Players will present a very attractive programme of
music under their new Musical Director, Leon Lovett at 7.30pm on 13th April in
the Church. The concert will include Bach's Double Violin Concerto and
Tchaikovsky's Serenade for strings.
On the following day, Mr Peter Wright, CVO, of the Royal Almoners Office will
give a talk in the Church at 3.30pm, followed by refreshments, when Maundy coins
can be seen and Mr Wright will be available for questions. Royal Maundy is one
of the most interesting of ancient ceremonies, still maintained today when the
Queen presents Maundy money to elderly senior citizens on the day before Good
Friday. All proceeds from these events will go towards maintenance of the Church
building.
Margaret Clark and Bruce Conochie
THE Parish Council has agreed to plant 20 trees in a crescent shape on the
west end of the Recreation Ground to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee. The choice
of species will reflect a 'golden' theme. Individual groups will be asked if
they wish to sponsor a tree and have individual plaques attached for posterity.
The Girl Guides and Garden Club are among local associations that have already
indicated that they will do so. To sponsor your own tree contact Gill Barker at
the Parish Office on 891001.
An Opening Ceremony will take place on the Jubilee Bank Holiday Monday. There
will be a number of other events for children to participate in, and families
will be asked to bring a picnic and stay and enjoy all the events. The Pavilion
will be open for refreshments.
The Crown Public House is organising a fund raising Chariot Race through the
village, which will also go via the Recreation ground and it is hoped to finish
the afternoon with the prize giving. All children who attend the celebrations
will get a commemorative medal. Further details and a full itinerary will follow
in the May edition of the Linton News. LNT
ARE you looking for local childcare for your children aged between 0 and 14?
Would you like information about childminders in Linton, about a local
pre-school, day nursery, out-of-school club or holiday scheme?
Do you need advice about choosing childcare, information about free early
education for three and four year olds or help with calculating Working Families
Tax Credit? Are you interested in a career in childcare?
The Care and Education Partnership can help! The Partnership aims to support and
develop high quality services across Cambridgeshire for children, young people
and their families. It supports child-minders, pre-schools, day nurseries and
out-of-school clubs in Linton with Development Worker visits; access to
specialist support; help with expansion, quality assurance and much more. To
find out more about the work of the Partnership, you can ring the Partnership
Childcare Advisers on 01954 273372.
Opportunity Links has details of jobs and training opportunities for people
interested in working in childcare. You can contact Opportunity Links by
telephoning 0800 29 89 121, by e-mailing info@opp-links.org.uk or by logging
onto www.oppor-tunity-links.org.uk.
Victoria Little
THANKS to funding from Hadstock Parish Council a group of mothers have
started a mother and toddler group within the village, enabling pre-school
babies/toddlers and their mums/carers to meet. The group provides an informal
environment with crafts, free play, stories and songs in which to have fun and
relax. There is also an enclosed garden for the summer months!
The group meets weekly on Thursday afternoons from 1.45 to 3.45pm in the village
hall (next to the church), and welcome newcomers from around and about.
For more information contact Kay Elston
THE Green has now been completely re-laid after the floods and we are open
for business. We are very grateful to Gill Barker for dealing with the Insurance
Claim so efficiently.
The Subscription evening will be held from 6.30pm till 8.30pm on Wednesday 17th
April in the Pavilion, when we hope to see all existing and prospective members.
Derek Dimmock
THE result of the March K-Club monthly draw: 1st (£50) Kate France (No. 147); 2nd (£25) Pam Richardson (No. 418); 3rd (£10) Alison Ballentine (No. 306).
LINTON Camera Club members met on March 10th and slides were presented by
John Keeble and Jim Goodall. Johnís pictures concentrated on life amongst
unexploded bombs and minefields taken during at visit to South East Asia. Jim
showed some beautiful images, mainly of scenery in the Lake District.
The group meets again at the unearthly hour of 5.30am on Sunday April 14th for a
trip to the Essex coast around Tollesbury and Maldon to capture the morning
light or possibly pneumonia. The Club meets on the second Sunday in the month
from 11am to 1pm, usually in the Social Centre. For further information please
contact John Keeble e-mail
jkeeble@clara.net.
Mike Crofts
WR have a thing about testing in this country. We somehow feel that nothing has much validity unless we can test it and compare it with others. Sometimes of course
this is a laudable practice and I would be the first to argue the importance of measuring success at key milestones in a child’s life. I do wonder if we have become a touch obsessed, however, when I read about the proposals to add star grades to the national tests taken by eleven year olds. These we are told will help ‘discriminate between the exceptional and the merely excellent’. Yes, that is what the minister said: ‘merely’ excellent. Time was when excellent meant the best, but then ‘satisfactory’ meant meeting the required standard. Now no one wants to be satisfactory and even excellent does not seem to be much good! A few years ago a certain Education Secretary said of the primary school league tables, that he was looking forward to the time when significantly more than half the children attained above the average mark. Think about that for a second. When we allow our use of language to become so sloppy, we create confusion where we should be thinking clearly. We see that confusion now with the tendency to judge children and schools only by what we can test. Some schools in difficult circumstances already sacrifice their beliefs on the altar of the school league tables. For them, Ofsted, LEAs and sometimes parents drive this inexorably. Education and schools are about much more than this. How do you measure the support a group of children give to a bereaved friend, or the sensitivity and passion shown by fifty teenagers singing the Lachrymosa from Mozart’s Requiem, or the continuing commitment to raising funds in ever more imaginative ways for our friends in Soshanguve, South Africa? All these are real examples from just two days here at LVC and each day brings more. The potential of young people far exceeds our capability to test them and we must never lose sight of the fact that such measurements of success are only snapshots of what it is to be a growing, developing and learning human being. Clive Bush, PrincipalAT the March meeting of the Garden Club we were confronted with
an array of pruning tools and Richard Gant explained the specific use of each
one and how to choose and maintain them. We were surprised to learn that in Mr
Gant’s experience as head gardener at Madingley Hall, it is not the chain saw
which is responsible for most accidents but the small pruning saw. We learned
the method used and correct time of year to prune the most popular shrubs and
questions were asked and tales told of disasters and successes.
After the break we saw slides of the Botanic Gardens and Madingley, including
views of the 60m long Hazel Nut Walk, in existence since 1849 and described as
"a plant cathedral". Scaffolding is required to enable pruning of this 4m high
living structure every two years and its pruned stems are turned into baskets at
craft courses, or used as supports.
Mrs Alison Davies will speak on "The Drama of Northern Italian Gardens" at this
month’s meeting. Recent speakers have been pleased to address a good crowd, so
do please join us again.
Gloria Fidler
I recently followed up the kind invitation to visit the garden
of Rosemary and Colin behind Chapter & Verse in the High Street. The story
begins one morning in February and revolves around a very old apple tree with
boughs propped like a pirate with crutch underarm by an equally old post. In the
cosy courtyard the tree continues a fruitful life and defies death by protection
from severe weather conditions with help from some caring green fingers. To give
you some idea of the ethereal location, there are ancient flint walls near the
tree in question, creating a little sun trap where a magnificent pair of kiwi
plants also grow. This is interesting in itself but the report I received was
that more than four-and-twenty blackbirds had gathered not in a pie but to
perform stunts that amused all who witnessed their antics and bemused the
resident cat. Instead of the usual territorial fracas one expects from
blackbirds, these chaps (and I say chaps because I didn’t see a single female)
were passive and accommodating. None of that cocky "This is my plot", it was
more a case of "I love my neighbour". There was billing and singing in
discordant tones as if mimicking mobile phones in groups and lines that edged
and toppled like a scene from a New Year’s celebration. The drunken bunch fell
willy- nilly off branch tips seemingly without a care in the world. Yes, it’s
all reminiscent of the activities of another species common to Linton!
When I arrived I found ten already inebriated legless feathered fools flapping
about with wings outstretched, no doubt to steady themselves as they attempted
to gather in the tree. With territorial issues apparently resolved or even
forgotten, the birds shared courteously the last portions from the rotting
fallers. Now I understand that cider contains between 3 and 9 per cent ethanol,
commonly known as alcohol. I never got the chance to have the fermenting fruit
analysed but I presume the birds’ consumption of it was responsible for their
unusual behaviour!
Blackbirds, turdus merula, are surprisingly ingenious and adaptable which might
explain their breeding success. During the time span of an hour I once observed
one learn to fish from a weir . Head turned, one eye to the water and one eye as
a lookout. A swift hop and a duck would scoop the fry with ease. This Turdus
merula turned part-time kingfisher returned twelve times to pick out minnows
from the Little Stour to feed its young, though you may suspect as I did that
only one bird was the beneficiary of this new found skill. That bird would have
been one we are waiting to hear from any day now.
Until next time, listen out for that early cuckoo from Borley Wood!
ANNE Fine, children’s laureate, is coming to Ashdon Village Hall
on Saturday 11th May at the invitation of Ashdon Primary School PTA.
Anne Fine is a distinguished writer for boys and girls of all ages, with over
forty books to her credit. She is twice winner of the Carnegie Medal, Britain’s
most coveted children’s literature award and has won many other awards.
For more information contact Mrs L. Smith , email lorraine.z.smith@talk21.com,
or the Saffron Walden Tourist Information Centre.
THE Mothers’ Union is holding the summer nearly new children’s
clothes and baby equipment sale from 11.30am to 12.30pm on Saturday 4th May at
the Social Centre. The vendor receives 75% of the selling price; 25% goes to
Mothers’ Union projects in this country and overseas. There will be lots of good
quality clothing at low prices so do come and buy. Offers of help are welcome
too!
For more information, please contact Sue Mudge