Articles Church Vandalised, Swim For Macmillian Fund, Jubilee Jubilations, Early Deadlines for June, District Council Results, Parish Council, Flower Festival, Save the Children, Tae Kwando Club, Linton Info, Police Report, WI, Apology, Chestnuts Playgroup, Hadstock Fete, Domestic Rabbit, Historians War, Broadband, Sports Centre, Anderson Trust, Fundraising Services, Alzheimers Trust, Heights School, Red Cross, K Club, The Bush Telegraph, Gardeners Linton, Camera Club, Country Diary, Community Education, School Fair, Bowls Club, Free Church,
Letters:- Parenting, Our Thanks, Chemists, Voters Thanks, Dirty Building, Bowls Club Founder,
ST MARY’S Church has been a place of worship in this
village for over 700 years. It is a place where Christians still meet
regularly, and for many in the village and scattered throughout the world, it
provides a solid and visible witness to the baptisms, marriages or burials of
previous generations of family members.
All those responsible for the care of this lovely building have felt strongly
that the church should be kept open so that villagers and visitors should have
access to the church in daylight hours. Many people have visited the church to
look round and to pray quietly, especially in times of distress or need.
Recently, however, our church has suffered several instances of loss or
damage. This has included the theft of a fire extinguisher and the discharge
of another in the church. The wheelchair, which had been kept in church to
assist those who are less mobile, was thrown in the river.
The most distressing incident, however, occurred between 9 and 11am on Tuesday
7th May. A bottle of black ink was deliberately sprinkled on the floor of the
church and over some pews. It was used to damage an open Bible, given by a
church member in memory of relatives, and kept on the lectern. The ink was
also used to write graffiti on a pillar and splashes were found on the font.
The graffiti penetrated into the stone and has proved difficult to remove.
Many people from the church and village worked tirelessly to reopen the church
after the recent flooding and it is so sad that an individual or individuals
cannot respect the meaning this place has for so many in the village and from
further afield.
For many, St Mary’s has been an oasis of peace, calm and prayer in those
difficult times of life. It is a place which will continue to mark the joyful
celebrations of marriage and baptism. We are trying hard to keep the church
open and hope to arrange a rota so that there is always someone present in the
church. We will have to restrict the hours of opening, however, to between
10am and 3pm each day, and even this may not be possible if sufficient ‘church
sitters’ are not available. Please understand, therefore, if the church is
shut when you would like to gain access. If you want to go into the church at
a set hour, telephone one of the key holders (there is a list on the church
door) to check if it will be open.
The work now begins to clean the church and, after discussion at the Parochial
Church Council, to organise the installation of closed circuit television
cameras. The church community feels that the church should be a place that is
open to all and we pray that this will continue to be possible. If you can
help us ensure that the church remains a place of calm reflection, we shall be
most grateful to you.
Glynis Younger
Robert Hunt poised to start his marathon swim
RECENTLY, Robert Hunt, a Year 7 pupil at Linton Village College, took part in
the Swimathon at Impington Sports Centre. He swam 5000 metres in 2 hours 28
minutes and raised over £385 for Macmillan Cancer Relief, a UK charity
supporting people with cancer and their families with specialist information,
treatment and care. Although he had never swum that far before Robert wanted
to help Macmillan because his grandmother recently died from cancer.
The Swimathon is the world’s largest sponsored swim and takes place every year
in 500 swimming pools throughout the UK during one week in March. This year
they are hoping that £2 million will be raised.
Five thousand metres is the distance from Linton to Horseheath but you can
swim in a relay team if you’re not as fit as 11 year old Robert! LNT
THIS month we have a once in a lifetime chance to
celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.
The Parish Council will host an entertainment for the whole village on the
Recreation Ground from 11.30am on Bank Holiday Monday, 3rd June. You are
invited to bring the children and a picnic and enjoy the fun.
There will be two bouncy castles and numerous sports events throughout the
morning. These include: mini hobby horse races for two- seven year olds (all
you need is a decorated broom Ð a prize will be given for the best one),
penalty shoot outs and basket net shoot outs for eight-15 year olds, and a
bowling tournament for 13-17 year olds.
All events are open to both girls and boys. There will be trophies for the
winners.
The entertainment will start with the official ‘opening’ of the Jubilee tree
plantation, followed immediately by the competitions. Stay for your picnic
lunch, meet old friends and make new ones, and watch out for the Wacky Racers
as they stop for a drink at the pavilion just after 1.30pm.
There are still a few Jubilee trees available for sponsorship if anyone would
like to sponsor one. And, if you were born on 3rd June 1952, please let us
know by telephoning the Parish Council office % 891001.
Golden Jubilee coins will be available to all children under 18 living in
Linton. To ensure your child is not omitted please complete the form enclosed
with this issue of the Linton News. Val Urwin
DUE to production difficulties, the July issue of the
Linton News will be produced earlier than usual.
Five of the six pages will be finished by 13th June (the final editorial
deadline) and the last page will be produced on 14th June.
There is a risk of some articles not appearing in the paper if they are
submitted too near the deadline, because they will be competing for space on
the final page.
Make sure of your slot by getting your article to us as soon as possible. If
you have problems with this, please phone Sally Simmons or John Keeble to work
out what is possible.
Send us accounts and pictures of your family’s Golden Jubilee celebrations. We
would particularly like to hear from older residents, who have memories of the
coronation and the 50 years of the Queen’s reign. LNT
THANK you for your support at the recent District
Council elections. The results for Hildersham and Linton were:
John Batchelor 771
Conservatives 268
Labour 115
Green 37
Turnout was better than last time at 34% but this is still very low and I
would like to see us moving towards a postal vote arrangement which seems to
have increased the vote in the areas it was experimented with this time.
The three main parties on the District Council won two seats and lost one
leaving them all with a net gain of one at the expense of the independents.
The standing of the parties is now:
Conservative 22
Liberal Democrat 16
Independents 11
Labour 6
With no single party or coalition able to command a majority we continue with
an eight member executive cabinet appointed by the groups on a proportional
basis. This is a no change position: the portfolio holders and leader remain
the same. I continue as portfolio holder for Sustainability and Community
Plans.
My main task for the coming year will be to lead the formation of a Local
Strategic Partnership (LSP). As a District Council we spend more than £60
million per year, but most of this spending is obligatory. The amount that we
can directly spend on our own priorities amounts to around £11 million. The
LSP will bring us together with the County, Primary Care, the Police and a
whole range of other service deliverers who have money to spend in our
district. This allows us to influence the priorities of these organisations
and have a say in expenditure of more than £200 million. The objective will be
to focus expenditure on established local needs and bring maximum benefits to
the district.
I am here, first and foremost, to represent you-that will always be my
priority. If you have a problem or a point you want to make, I am here to do
whatever I can to assist. If you need my help please do not hesitate to
contact me. Thank you for re-electing me. I look forward to serving the
community for another year.
John Batchelor john@batchelor23.fsnet.co.uk
Parish Council’s 16th May meeting
TWO new faces were at the 16th May meeting: Mr Alper and Mr Clay have been
elected to the council. The meeting elected Mrs Val Urwin as Chairman for the
second year and appointments to committees, council representatives and
coordinators were made. Names are available from the Parish Clerk.
The Clerk reported to the County Councillor that changes had been made to the
bus timetable but no notices were posted in advance in the village. Changes to
the Tuesday (market day) bus service to Newmarket have also affected
travellers, as it does not return early enough for passengers from Balsham to
get to the Evergreen Club.
This year it is Linton’s turn to have a survey of the conservation area
completed. A request from the Linton flower festival committee for a raffle
prize was rejected, as the Council cannot use funds for prizes. Renewal of the
Cricket Club and Football Club pitch licences was granted.
The Clerk gave an update on activities planned for the Golden Jubilee
celebrations.
The Council agreed to a funding request from the Parentalk Group (now known as
the Family Resource Centre) to be based in the Social Centre.
FINAL plans are now coming together for the 35th
consecutive Flower Festival at St Mary’s: ‘For everything there is a season.’
In addition to the floral arrangements in the church, there will be a range of
activities and entertainment over the weekend, beginning with the Family
Barbecue and Barn Dance on Friday evening at the Infants’ School, and
concluding with the climax of ‘Songs of Praise’ on Sunday evening.
In between, there are several musical events. We shall be welcoming the
popular Friday Folk Group to play during the day on Saturday (!).
On Saturday evening, the Cambridge Chord Company, a highly-acclaimed
award-winning barbershop group, will give a concert with wine and strawberries
in the interval.
We are delighted that the Linton Village College Wind Band will be performing
again in the Church on Sunday afternoon. Details of the full programme are now
available. Do come along and enjoy the events over the weekend there
should be something for everyone! Lesley Gore and Judy Nightingale
THANK you to everyone who donated to Save The
Children during the recent house to house collection and to all those who
helped to collect donations.
A record £1,539 was raised from Linton, Withersfield and Hadstock.
Judith White
Back: Mark Turner, instructor Jason Newton, Ben
Sanderson. Front: Julia Cheshire, Daniel Atherton
ON Sunday 23rd May, four members of the Linton Tae
Kwando Club-Julia Cheshire, Daniel Atherton, Mark Turner and Ben
Sanderson-attended the English Tae Kwando Championships with their instructor,
Jason Newton. The Championships were held at Kettering Leisure Village, and
approximately 2,000 fighters attended from all parts of Great Britain. The
hall was divided into 14 arenas and competitors were allowed to enter two
sections, Patterns and Sparring.
The Patterns came first; competitors with the same belt colour were grouped
together. The Patterns, a series of moves and kicks, were performed
individually and were marked by five judges. The Patterns show balance,
agility, concentration and memory. These were executed brilliantly by Julia,
Daniel and Ben.
The Sparring came after the Patterns were completed. Sparring is between two
people of the same gender, height and weight, but they can be different belt
colours. Points are scored by kicking or punching certain parts of the body.
Full padded gear and mouth shields are worn (compulsorily) by all opponents.
Medals were awarded to the best fighters. Both Mark and Ben achieved Bronze
Awards.
The Championships were very exciting and highly recommended to competitors and
spectators alike.
If you are interested in joining the Linton club, it meets from 6Ð8pm on
Tuesday evening at Linton Sports Centre. Juniors from the age of seven are
welcome. Young people and adults, male or female, any age, any size, are
welcome. Karen Sanderson
THE new Linton information
website is ready for you to use on
www.linton.info.
It has an electronic archive of Linton News issues, a village diary with
events and meetings to the end of the year, links to other sites, the first of
the village directory sections and the first of a planned series of special
reports.
If you want to have your event or meeting included in the diary, please give
details by using the form on the website or contact Andrea Harrison
APRIL was a much better month
for the Linton area than March. There were no domestic burglaries, but a
garage and an outbuilding were entered. An off-road scrambler was stolen from
the garage. I fully expect this to turn up locally. A window was broken in the
High Street. I have been visiting all the occupants of the High Street to see
if they have been subject to any crimes, as I have received information that
there is a lot of unreported crime in the High Street.
Two cars were broken into and a poor attempt was made to steal one. The other
had a tax disc stolen. There have been a few thefts from business premises,
which are all believed to be by staff. A robbery occurred at a local garage
where the offenders, using a stolen car, robbed the cashier of money. The car
was then found burned out near Bartlow. A man from Haverhill has been charged
and is in custody awaiting trial. There has been one case of dangerous
driving, and the offender has been dealt with.
Three local girls were arrested for assault after another girl was beaten up
in Symonds Lane a few weeks ago. This matter is still under investigation.
Hildersham: no crimes, no calls for service. I recommend that everyone move to
Hildersham!
My mobile number is available on request. I have my mobile with me on my rest
days as well as at work, and if I am unavailable there is a messaging service.
If you are reporting an incident or crime, please ring
There was a good turnout from members plus one visitor for the May meeting
and all enjoyed a supper of fish or chicken and chips. Birthday posies were
made and distributed by Marjorie Blackman. Members of the new Committee were
introduced. Eileen Impey then gave a report on the recent Spring Council
meeting. The Cambridge Federation of Women’s Institutes has now found new
premises in Haslingfield which will be rented. The Federation Players, which
include two members, Margaret Clark and Tricia Lewis, have been awarded the
Endeavour Cup for their recent drama production and Margaret Clark received an
award for the best actress. The speaker at the Spring Council meeting was the
cookery writer Zena Skinner, who had talked about her career including some
very amusing experiences in the WRNS.
Forthcoming events were read out, including a visit to the British Museum and
to the London Eye on 26 June. Three members have recently attended a very
enjoyable course at Denman College on the English landscape through history.
New members are invited to attend an evening at Swaffham Prior on 25 June. It
was agreed that Linton WI will be asking for additional bus shelters and seats
in bus shelters to be provided in the village. Members also decided to donate
a tree in the village for the Jubilee.
The main business of the evening was a discussion on the resolutions to be put
forward at the forthcoming Intermediate General Meeting. Eileen Impey had
recently attended a meeting about the resolutions and presented information on
the case for supporting local abattoirs. Clare Neville then spoke on the need
for stricter controls on the import of foodstuffs. Members voted to support
these resolutions. Members were then informed of proposed changes to the
national constitution of the Women’s Institute.
There will be a picnic at Wendy Foster’s garden on 11 June at 7pm preceded by
a village walk led by Clare Neville and starting at 6.15pm from the Crown.
This event will be in place of the usual meeting on the first Tuesday of the
month. Visitors are welcome.
Anne Parry-Smith
Dear Editor,
I read with some amusement The Bush Telegraph (May issue) about parenting as
one of the areas of life we are not prepared for. Although there is no
training, you are watched from start to finish. When you have babies a nurse
checks on their well-being; they go to school and teachers watch over them,
alerting authorities if all is not right.
Nobody can provide all the answers. Having just reached the age when my
parenting should be ending, with the children starting work and going for
driving tests, I have to say that school does not educate children in the
basic art of life.
I have always thought that schools and colleges teach you to be clever but all
the things that hit you as a young adult are missed out. Cleverness does
nothing to help anybody fill in the official forms needed for passports,
driving licences, speeding fines, the basics of owning a car, a house,
insurance (personal, property, car), understanding betting odds. My two
children have just passed their driving test and are hoping to buy a car. They
were unprepared for the fact that it is going to cost them more to put it on
the road than the cost of the car itself, and that I can insure them cheaper
than they can insure themselves. I was always bemused, when I started to
frequent hostelries, why people in the lower education streams (the wrongly
named dunces) at college could count backwards faster than me. They could add
three random numbers between 1 and 180 and subtract them from an obscure
number (101, 301) quicker that I could add them together. But that is the
educational value of darts.
I have to agree with Clive that education does not set you up for the big wide
world: but having children is only one small part of parenting.
Graham Potter
Dear Editor,
We would like through the Linton News to thank everyone who attended my mum’s
90th birthday party and for all the lovely presents and cards. She had a
lovely day and really enjoyed herself.
Doreen, Roy and Sandra Chapman
Dear Editor,
On 24th March I took part in the LVC Fun Run to raise money for St. Mary’s. I
raised £419 from sponsorship, which will contribute to the renovation of the
church. I wish to thank all the people who sponsored me.
Lydia Collings
Dear Editor,
We were concerned to read the letter about the reopening of the pharmacy in
the last issue of the Linton News. We would like to reassure all our patrons
that we are definitely returning to our premises in the High Street and we
look forward to welcoming all our regular customers back.
The pharmaceutical services we will provide on reopening will be
unchanged-except for the better. We will continue with the pick-up service of
prescriptions from the Health Centre as we did before the floods.
Despite the fact that our insurance claim has not been settled, we will reopen
and restock fully to provide a full service with the help our bank. As much as
we would have liked to, we could not provide any pharmaceutical services after
the floods, although we considered many and various ways of doing so. A
Portacabin, for example, would not have had enough shelving space to carry the
full dispensary stock and services provided would have been very much below
par. This would have resulted in a lot of frustration on our part and
dissatisfaction for the customers. Security would also have been a major
problem.
The work that is being carried out in our premises is the removal of internal
walls to make an open plan pharmacy. We are not extending the building in any
way. Other much needed external work will be carried out but this will take
place after we have re-opened.
We deeply regret not being able to give a firm date for the reopening of the
pharmacy. We hoped that everything would be ready by the end of May. As
everybody knows, a lot of villages were flooded at the same time as Linton,
builders have been very busy and their time very stretched. Many flooded
properties are still unoccupied in our village!
We could not have imagined that it would take so long to reopen, that we would
have to endure so much emotional trauma and such financial losses. When we are
ready to reopen there will be notices in the Cambridge and Saffron Walden
papers, the Linton News, the Health Centre and our shop window. In the
meantime, please accept our deepest thanks for your patience and
understanding. We would also like to thank the Health Centre staff and all the
doctors for their kind help and patience.
Deepa & Rajee Bhachoo
The Village Pharmacy
Dear Editor,
Our village has just had the first parish council election for many years. I
imagine that being confronted with a large pink form you may have been
confused.
So I would like to thank all the people who voted for me on election day.
It must have been a daunting task to pick 15 from that long list, but to all
of you who took the time to vote on 2nd May, you have elected your parish
council, who I am sure will do a very good job looking after your interests
around the village.
And thanks go to Gill Barker our parish clerk for all the hard work she has
done so that the village can now claim Quality Parish Council status.
Bob Hammett
Dear Editor,
It worries me every time I cycle down Balsham Road, that door at No 132 High
Street. It really ought to be in the middle, between the two windows. Instead
of watching the traffic I find myself counting the bricks on either side and
mentally moving the door into place. Does anyone else have this problem?
I didn’t notice that door before the bricks were cleaned. I hope it won’t be
long before the house returns to its old comfortable colour.
Kate France
Dear Editor,
While Arthur Gore’s contribution was invaluable to the successful launch of
the Linton Bowls Club, it was the Parish Council that initiated its formation
(May issue, page 1).
In 1993 the Parish Council circulated a questionnaire regarding leisure
provision in the village. The response indicated strong support for the
provision of a swimming pool in the village, and strong support was also given
for the establishment of a bowling green.
As Chairman of the Recreational Facilities Sub-committee I organised a public
meeting on behalf of the Parish Council to confirm support for the Bowling
Green project and a Steering Committee was formed. Arthur Gore was one of the
Committee members and because of his previous experience, when a Greens
Committee was set up he was nominated head. The choice of an artificial green
was entirely due to Arthur’s guidance and previous experience.
As with other members of the village I grieve the loss of a friend, who in his
later years did much to improve the facilities available to the villagers.
Dr Brian D Cox
Parish Councillor
A TECHNICAL error led to two articles published in previous editions of the Linton News being reproduced in the May issue (‘On the buses’ on page 5 and the article about the A1307 on page 6). My thanks to the readers who drew this to my attention and my apologies to everyone for the confusion caused. Sally Simmons
Misty the bar owl, posing with playgroup children
LAST month the children attending
Chestnut Playgroup at the Cathodeon Centre had a special visitor, Misty the
barn owl from Linton Zoo.
Zoo workers Dawn and Andrew brought Misty to the playgroup after the children
had heard the story Owl Babies. The idea is an extension of the ‘story sack’
concept, which the playgroup has been using since local contractor Kevin Meeks
gave a generous donation to the group to support literacy in January.
Story sacks are used to encourage children’s interest in stories and books,
and to develop their reading and listening skills. They contain material
relevant to the story, which enables the children to explore and question
further. In the case of Owl Babies we have cuddly toys of the main owl
characters, a flying owl, a nest, an owls’ toot, some owl feathers and lots of
photographs. However, the children were amazed and thrilled to have Misty
there too. She really brought it to life for them; many had never seen a real
owl so close before.
Like most voluntary groups, the Chestnut Playgroup relies heavily on
fundraising and sponsorship, and the committee and staff would like to say a
big thank you to Kevin Meeks and the Zoo for their support.
Chestnut Playgroup operates every weekday in the Cathodeon Centre, offering
pre-school education for two-five year olds. It is run by a parent/management
committee and boasts a team of trained and dedicated staff. The playgroup is
currently looking for a play assistant to join the team, two mornings per week
during term time.
If you are interested in finding out more, contact telephone Josephine
Paterson (Chairperson) or email her on
Josephine@mjsquare.com.
Josephine Paterson
THIS year Hadstock is holding its annual
village fete on Saturday 15th June. Hadstock is one of the smallest villages
in Essex and yet we manage to have one of the biggest fêtes. Most of the
village gets involved one way or another and visitors from far and wide are
attracted to the beautiful village green setting.
This year we are again holding a very traditional fête with colourful stalls
and sideshows arranged on the village green and adjacent areas. There will be
a tug-of-war contest, pony rides, tombolas, games, refreshments and much more.
Hadstock Silver Band will provide a musical background to the afternoon and
the King’s Head will be open all day. The fête will start at 2pm with a
biplane aerobatics display.
Do come along and join us. Rick Albrow
SEVERAL people had told me about a
domestic rabbit in St Mary’s churchyard. Reliable witnesses say that it has
been living among the gravestones for a couple of months. No one knows where
it goes at night but it seems perfectly healthy. Armed with the Linton News
camera, I set off in search of the poor lost creature with my two-year-old
daughter.
She spotted it within minutes and with squeals of delight chased it to the
opposite side of the church.
After much stalking I managed to take a photo, which appears on the Linton
News website. Perhaps this will help reunite rabbit and owner. Everybody say ‘aahh’.
Tracey Russel
At the last meeting of the Historical Society before the
summer break, Mr Garth Collard spoke of Linton and the surrounding districts
achievements during the 1st World War, with many slides of local
people and tales of heroism and dedication.
Many meetings were held all over the county to encourage men to enlist and
join up - all on a voluntary basis - at 1s.- per day, 1s..2d for a wife and 2d
for children - but SAFA made up this money to £1. per week. There were no
uniforms at first, some men provided their own old uniforms from other wars,
and slept under canvas to start with. Fire-arms were in short supply, but
eventually Regiments were formed and sent off to the front.
Slides were shown of the first of the volunteers leaving Linton and other
interesting photos taken during the war. There were pictures of the memorials
in the various villages with their dedications. Linton’s Roll of Honour
somehow disappeared before 1915.
Mr Collard has achieved through many hours of research, a great number of
folios listing all the men serving in the forces from our area, including
their regiments, where they served, whether they were taken prisoner, survived
the war or were killed, with the places where they fell and where their
memorials are.
Linton provided help through the scouts and Red Cross, providing parcels to
send to prisoner of war camps in Germany and Belgium and housing prisoners of
war in what is now Symonds House. War wounded returned and were nursed in the
bigger houses in Linton A local ‘Dad’s Army’ was formed and drilled with
rifles and bayonets in the school - there was also a machine gun in Linton.
Women began to help with jobs previously carried out by the men - the Land
Army was formed during the 1st World War. Prisoners of War also worked on the
land and some prisoners never returned home.
Details of battles and numbers of men enlisted, wounded and lost can all be
found in many of the books Garth had on show. He was warmly thanked by Clare
Neville.
The next meeting is the Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 17th September, but
all are reminded of the proposed outing to Sutton Hoo the following day, 18th
September. Please send bookings to or ask for details from Pat Genochio, 44
Finchams Close, Linton as soon as possible. We hope for good support - this is
a site well worth visiting and it would be disappointing to have to cancel for
lack of numbers. We welcome anyone at all interested to join us. JMP.
Does your business or organization in Linton benefit from using the
Internet? Do you find the current speed of connection too slow to be really
useful? Do you wish that you could make greater use of Internet? Are you
interested in harnessing the power of new technology? If these questions
interest you, please read on.
The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) are currently putting together
an Action Plan to develop and encourage the use of Broadband Internet and
Services with the East Anglia community.
Broadband" is a concept which includes all the technologies which will allow a
major advance in communications, enabling fast and permanently on line
internet connections, transmission of DVD quality video on demand and live
videoconferencing with high definition graphics. Conventional wisdom believes
that the provision of such services will be essential to economic growth,
especially in encouraging e commerce. Broadband networks are provided by fibre
optic cable, copper wire, wireless or satellite.
The Government have set a challenging goal for the UK: to have the most
extensive and competitive broadband market in the G7 by 2005.
The importance of Broadband according to EEDA is
The potential economic, social and environmental benefits are huge for
businesses, the environment and the region’s urban and rural communities.
These include:
There is a great need to stimulate the demand for Broadband Services over
and above this that can be used with conventional modem dial up access or
ISDN, which are currently the only affordable types of access available in the
village. Currently BT and cable providers like NTL are not able at this time
to provide an estimated date when Broadband access might be available in
Linton,
As part of the EEDA Action Plan, there are a number of proposed initiatives to
promote Broadband usage in East Anglia. One of these initiatives is the Wired
Up Community Competition.
The competition will be launched by a Specific Committee constituted for this
purpose and the prize for the winning communities will be a substantial
contribution to the provision of broadband services to that community. A
community will win by producing a plan that best demonstrates:
There will be three categories for participants (dependent on population), with a winner in each:
The aims of the competition will be:
The competition will take place in two rounds. In the first round,
communities can submit relatively unstructured, informal entries – the aim
here is to generate a widespread and educated enthusiasm for Broadband. Those
entries, which demonstrate the greatest degree of enthusiasm, together with
support from a wide range within the community, will be those that win in the
first round.
I am interested in setting up a working group from a wide cross cross-section
of the community including those from public organisations, private
enterprises, education and community groups, who would be interested in
pursuing a collaborative partnership to discuss the feasibility of a
competition entry and develop ideas to put forward
I am keen to hear from anyone with a view on their organizations requirements,
a general interest in promoting Linton’s capabilities or anyone with just a
general interest in new technology. Anyone interested can contact me on
(01223) 890067 or by Email
Adrian.Winckles@computer.org
Further details can be found on the EEDA website
http://www.eeda.org.uk
BASKETBALL for nine-15 year olds on Fridays, 5-6pm
will be starting on Friday 14th June. There will be a nominal cost for all
those attending, but the first session will be free.
Any adults who would like to play basketball are welcome later on Friday
evenings, 6-8pm. Again the first session is free. The club is open to anyone
of any standard, and we would appreciate any help from those who may just want
to referee, or score; everybody is welcome.
Play Tennis Days will be happening again at the Sports Centre this summer on
Saturday and Sunday 15th and 16th June. Courts will be available free of
charge from 9am to 5pm on both days, on a first come first served basis.
Racquets and balls are available to borrow, and are also free.
We are interested in starting a tennis club at the Sports Centre. Many of our
members have expressed an interest in tennis, so we would like to offer tennis
on Mondays 9-10.30am and 6-8pm to those who are interested in playing, or
starting up a new club. There will be a charge for each session, and tennis
will only be available at those times. Please call and leave your name,
telephone number and the time that you want to play. Tell us what standard you
are and we can arrange a game. We would be grateful for volunteer opponents to
be on hand during some or all of the sessions to help people have a game!
Aerobics is still running on Monday mornings, 9.30-10.30am. We would like to
see more people attending. Some of our attendees are new mums who bring their
babies and leave them on the side in their carriers, or prams; please feel
free to bring yours along!
Saturday mornings are still busy. We have dance classes 9.15-10am for
three-six year olds and 10-11am for seven-12 year olds. Phone to reserve your
place: there are still some left. Funclub is on every Saturday during term
time, 10-12 noon (there is a charge). Just turn up!
Fuller information about costs, times and training is available on request. If
you are interested in any of the above activities, or would like to know more
about what Linton Community Sports Centre can offer you, then call Lucy Howe
or Mark Wilson on % 890248. Mark Wilson
THE Trustees of the Benefaction met in February.
Although there was a fall in income it was decided to allocate as many funds
as possible to those applicants covered by the Trust Deed which was drawn up
in accordance with Professor Anderson’s wishes.
Approximately £4,500 was distributed. The beneficiaries included Linton
Rainbows, Granta Grapevine, Church Pavilion Appeal, VIP Club, Christian Youth
Group, and the Mobile Village Warden Scheme. The Trustees will meet again
later this year to plan the next distribution.
Michael Holden
IF you are fundraising and would like a slide show
and social/travel talk to help your cause, we can offer you a number of
possibilities. There are no charges or expenses: you keep what you raise.
Options include the fabulous Angkor Wat (with sections on the local community,
including dance and craft schools); Living with Bombs (where the Vietnam War
era unexploded bomb problems are so intense that unmarked minefields do not
even make the statistics); Arizona: medicine wheels and canyon life with the
‘people of the blue green waters’; spectacular temples and fascinating travels
in Laos and/or Thailand; a strange and compelling Chinese vegetarian festival
where participants drive spikes through their faces; monsoons and monks in
southern Thailand, and Myan Mexico.
John and June Keeble email jkeeble@clara.net
THIS year marks the 10th anniversary of the
Alzheimer’s Research Trust, founded in Linton in 1992 with a donation of
£20,000. This year expenditure on research into Alzheimer’s Disease will
exceed £2 million, making it a major medical research charity in the UK.
Please continue your generous support by attending a coffee morning from
10.30am to 12 noon on Thursday 27th June at the home of Joan Pollock, 2
Kenwood Gardens, Linton. Entrance £1 to include coffee and biscuits. Joan D
Pollock
Lower school pupils conduct an experiment in absorption
THIS academic year is the Year of Science and all the pupils at Linton Heights
have been enjoying some exciting scientific events and experiences throughout
the year organised by Tanya Love, the Heights Science co-ordinator and head of
Lower School.
The whole school took part in the ‘National Giant Jump’. A school-made
seismometer was placed crucially in the centre of the playground around which
all pupils leapt up and down for one minute. Was there any earth movement?
Yes! Well, a little. The pupils concluded that there would have to be a large
increase of pupils for a more convincing result.
Earlier in the school year, an astronomer brought a fast moving and
mind-boggling Space Show to Years 5 and 6. He brought slides and photos of
planets, craters and the moon. Space rocks and parts of meteors were handed
round and he enthralled the pupils with stories from various parts of the
world, about meteors crashing into the earth’s surface and people’s homes. The
show culminated with various experiments including blowing up a comet.
In March, as part of National Science Week, the whole school appreciated an
afternoon performance of ‘Light-years from Sticksville’. This production,
performed by the Quantum Theatre for Science, explored the topic of light. It
was an action-packed show investigating refraction, the formation of shadows
and how light behaves.
Audience participation was encouraged throughout, including turning Ms Lucy
Bryant, one of our Year 3/4 teachers, into Britney Spears. Ms Spears continues
to teach at the Heights and is looking forward to teaching her Year 3 class in
September.
The ‘Seek Science’ lecture team from Cambridge University is a frequent
visitor to the Heights as well as an organiser of lectures in Cambridge for
local schools.
The Upper School took part in one lecture entitled ‘How Hot is Cold’. At the
school the team have spent time devising and leading practical lessons in
absorption and electricity.
Science Week also gave pupils the opportunity to enter two competitions; the
first to design a Time Machine and the second a written project based on a
famous scientist. Congratulations to the winners: Graham Beck for his Time
Machine and Gemma Brooker for her Scientist Project.
These are just some of the science-based events enjoyed this year at the
Heights. Has it inspired some future scientists of tomorrow? It has certainly
given our pupils at the Heights a variety of scientific questions to make them
think, thanks to Mrs Love and the rest of the staff at the Heights.
Jane Bowen
THE door-to-door collection raised £885.00 for the
British Red Cross Fund.
Many thanks to all who contributed and to the village collectors. Alex Todd
WINNERS of the May K Club monthly draw: 1st (£50) Jane Bowen (No. 097); 2nd (£25) Miss F A Woodhead (No. 089); 3rd (£10) Sue Saunders (No. 349).
IT’s one of those quiet Monday mornings; hazy
sunshine, birds singing and the distant hum of a tractor mowing the cricket
pitch. We get these quiet Mondays regularly, once every year in fact;
something to be treasured. Year 11 left on Friday after an exuberant, noisy
celebration of what has been for most a tremendously successful five years.
They cheered, sang, danced and applauded their teachers and tutors with
genuine, heartfelt appreciation. What they did not do was spoil the event with
the silly, unpleasant behaviour that often mars such occasions around the
country. It’s another of our not so quaint English tendencies, to take
something positive and good and deny those qualities by making a mess,
disturbing others or humiliating people. Think about stag nights, or some
football matches. Well done to our young people whose only noisy public
activity was when a group of 20 or so walked to College from Balsham (I know,
I wouldn’t have agreed to it either, but the ‘walking bus’ made it safely and
in good spirits). Year 10 are also not with us for the next two weeks. They
are sampling working life in a wide range of businesses throughout the area.
We are very grateful to those companies who take on our pupils for the work
experience fortnight which is always seen as highly informative and valuable.
The notion of enriching the school experience is an important one which is why
we run our Activities Week each May. This year involves residential excursions
to France and Iceland, day trips to France and various parts of the UK and a
varied programme of activities here at the College. We look forward to
everyone having a safe and enjoyable time.
Finally, the College has suffered a setback with the Specialist School
application. The Department for Education and Skills were surprised by the
number of schools nationally who applied for the enhanced funding and the
budget was limited. This may well mean that less highly achieving schools,
particularly those in inner city areas, have taken priority in this first
round. We have received detailed feedback however, much of which is positive
and we are now considering the necessary changes to the bid before
resubmitting in the second round in October.
Clive Bush, Principal
DESPITE the chilly wind, a considerable number of
villagers turned up to buy at the Garden Club’s plant and produce sale last
month, and we were again indebted to John and Susan Anderson for the use of
their garage and garden. Unfortunately the weather didn’t encourage too much
lingering and many were glad of the hot coffee on offer.
Thank you to everyone who donated goods or helped on the day and to those who
supported the sale. We hope the purchased plants will continue to flourish and
if anyone needs further advice, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
The profits from the sale will go towards staging the annual show on 14th
September which we hope will attract plenty of entries. Here is a reminder of
the categories for the photo competition: a local village scene or feature,
pets, water, a single plant stem with our without flowers, a humorous photo.
For a schedule, please contact Alex Todd
Gloria Fidler
A PRESENTATION slide show was given at the Camera
Club’s May meeting by Keith Papworth, chief photographer for the Cavendish
Laboratory in Cambridge. Mr Papworth, a keen hill walker, showed his expertise
with the camera with a breathtaking selection of photographs of the Lake
District through the seasons of the year. He finished by showing club members
the cameras he uses in his chosen profession.
Mike Crofts, who also works at the Cavendish Laboratory, kindly arranged for
Mr Papworth to visit the club.
The club meets at 11am on the second Sunday of the month at the Social Centre.
The next meeting will be on 9th June and everyone is welcome. Just turn up or
contact in advance. Dave Stone
Illustrated by Maureen Williams
AT 15 minutes to five on the morning of 4th May I was awoken by the thud of my
own heartbeat. At the same time there began the most almighty Linton dawn
chorus, ensuring I remained awake. It reached its crescendo by 6am, then
played like an old engine worn into its stroke, ringing out a repetitive
mélange of whistles, squeaks and clicks. However, amidst this orchestral
warm-up, one clearly heard a piece truly identifiable as the first few bars of
a popular tune. So accurate were the notes that my partner soon began
whistling the same without realising where the suggestion had come from. You
would know the tune if you heard it. I finally spotted the little musician:
our old drunken friend, turdus merula, the blackbird again.
I found myself thinking, ‘If only I could see Linton through the eyes of a
rook for a day.’ Come with me, take a leap of the imagination, don some
feathers and indulge yourself on a journey as we descend from the old water
tower over fields of chrome yellow oilseed rape (which of course in rook-sight
may not be quite yellow). See the cuckoo lift and wing its way towards Borley
wood. It twists, sways and glides like an ice skater to gather speed. There
below us bellowing little white clouds on Balsham Road is Edward George’s
steam engine, huffing, puffing and whistling under the control of Edward’s
magical hands.
Spreading our wings we ride the warm air currents before hitting cool ones
taking us down to Leadwell Meadows and the weir. There stands a grey heron on
one leg, as unperturbed as a sculpture while petro-chemical machines roar over
the bridge a few feet away.
Following the Granta we come to the mill ford. Lush green grasses cover the
banks and ducks’ heads bob up and down by the well-worn riverside pathway,
already cracked and crazed after only a few days of dry weather. The river
water sparkles with reflections from the yellow wagtails that flit from side
to side. At the wooden footbridge we swoop over St Mary’s churchyard. It’s
worth perching here to see in brilliant disguise a domesticated rabbit whose
markings ironically resemble the patterns of the lichen found on the
headstones. Lichens reveal a great deal about our weather and environment.
Their presence reads like a diary on air pollution. Some industrial areas are
now lichen deserts known as a ‘zone zero’. Only since the 1920s has the
concept of lichen zones been taken seriously.
Well! We have dallied here long enough. Summer has arrived. I must brush my
beak (I mean teeth), put down my quills and get off to work!
COMMUNITY Education at Linton Village College has
organised some one-hour taster courses at the Social Centre on Saturday 15th
June.
There will be an opportunity to try your hand at Working in Clay, learning
some Essential Spanish, and practising Shiatsu Massage.
Three separate hourly sessions of all three courses will run from 10am to
1.30pm, with up to 10 people each time. There will also be a chance to try out
the BBC Webwise taster on computers.
Information and advice about careers and learning opportunities in the area
will be available and if you would like to find out how to improve your
English and Maths skills, we can help you with that too.
Refreshments will be served all morning, and you can lunch at the Flower
Festival later.
Do take advantage of this free opportunity funded by the Learning and Skills
Council, co-ordinated by the Cambridgeshire Learning Partnership, and
organised by your local Village College. To book a place phone Sue Albrow %
892400.
THE Linton Infants’ School Summer Fair will be held
on Saturday 22nd June. There will be an adult bouncy castle, children’s boat
races, face painting (for all ages!) and many more events. We hope to see you
all there for a great family day of fun.
Linton Infants PSA
OUR annual President v. Captain team game commencing
at 2.30pm on Sunday 16th June will, this year, be known as The Arthur Gore
Memorial Match.
It is hoped all members will put their names down to play in this very special
event. Everyone will be welcome, especially those who knew Arthur. Tea will be
available at about 4.30pm.
Derek Dimmock
THERE has been a great variety of activities over the
past few weeks at the Church. Highlights have included a concert by the
musician Paul Poulton, and a Sunday morning service led by a youth drama team
called ‘Arrows of Fire’.
The Church also hosted the United Churches Christian Aid service in which we
were all challenged to consider key issues about justice, poverty and world
trade.
In the near future many of our young people, as part of the ongoing youth
programme, will be attending a major youth festival ‘Rave in the Nave’ hosted
by Ely Cathedral on Friday 28th June.
If you would like any further information about the youth festival or about
worship at the Church, please contact the Church Minister, Rev’d Alex Jacob.