Wacky racers tackle the High Street...
Articles Jubilee Races, Late Buses, Jeremy Bray obituary, Parish Council, Camera Club, Studios open, WI Meeting, Human Rights, Wacky Annual Event, K-Club June, Flower Festival - Jubilee Celebrations, (Bouncy fun & Water Pistols Coronation Memories), Skateboarders, Reading Group, Businesses Reopening- (Electrical Shop), No Fencing for Infants, Village Website, Bush Telegraph, Thieves, Biking for Money, Country Diary, Chestnuts Produce Acorns
Letters:- Worth Pointing, Wacky Great Fun, Day to Remember, Our thanks
Wacky racers tackle the High Street...
and they’re still smiling at the ford.
AN estimated £2,000 plus has been raised for two Linton Charities, The Fire
Service (FSNBF) and Chestnut Playgroup, through the antics of the 36 teams (72
runners) entered in the Crown Inn Wacky Races held on Jubilee Bank Holiday
Monday.
The Crown Inn were proud to be the organisers and main sponsor of the event
and promise to make this an annual spectacle that the whole village can join
in with to benefit Linton charities every year.
The race (loosely based on an old-fashioned pram race) took in all the pubs
and clubs of Linton and proved a huge success with over 1,000 spectators
lining the streets to squirt the contestants with water pistols and water and
flour bombs. The Fire Service assisted professionally in the soaking with two
pumps turned on the bedraggled chariots as they negotiated the ford in the
heart of Linton. The High Street was closed for three hours to allow the event
to take place, which gave everyone the freedom to wander freely around the
village without the threat of traffic.
The standard of fancy dress and calibre of the chariots was exceptional - from
an old bath on wheels to converted wheelchairs, wheelbarrows and go-carts ,
all of them barely recognisable such was the extent of modification. The
hilarious start to the event was heralded by the Grand Prix soundtrack and as
they hurtled down the hill to the strains of ‘Wacky Races’ the sight brought
out spectators and supporters from all around the village. Some older
spectators who remember the Coronation were even camped out on the pavement
from midday to ensure they did not miss the celebrations.
There were ice-creams, flags and sideshow stalls for the children and plenty
of photo opportunities for their parents.
‘Team Platoon’, Martin Head and Andy Dodd, won the one mile race in under 10
minutes. The Best Fancy Dress prize went to Simon Pettit and Andy Lines as The
Boulder Brothers. Last past the post were Penelope Pit-Stop and Co (Katie
Wiseman and Jenny Price) who finished in just under an hour, pink PVC hotpants
and crash helmets still intact.
This was an amazing turnout and show of support for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee
and an event that will be talked about for a long time to come in Linton.
If you have photos or anecdotes about the race to share, please contact Louise
Gooden.
Louise Gooden.
When three buses out of five failed to arrive in one week, Tracey Wilson
tackled James Bradley of Stagecoach
IN February 2000, an article in the Linton News (‘Why are we waiting? Misery
on Linton’s buses’) recorded the disgruntlement of regular users of the
service. The service improved for a while after seven new buses were purchased
but since ‘Citi’ buses have appeared it seems rural routes are being
neglected, and buses are missed out with alarming regularity. My own employers
have been understanding, but I wonder how people cope when they are late for
appointments, or cannot pick up their children from school on time.
I recently attended a Bus User’s Surgery held at 10am on a working day, when
most of the bus users were at work, and spoke to James Bradley, who was
brought in to try to sort out Stagecoach’s problems in Cambridge and the
surrounding area. This is what he had to say.
TW: The Government is trying to promote the use of Public Transport. Is there
no fund that can be accessed for extra, sturdier vehicles for longer routes?
JB: There are no Government subsidies available to bus companies to purchase
any types of vehicle.
TW: Whilst waiting for late/non-existent buses, it is annoying to see so many
‘Citi’ buses going past. Why can’t some of these buses be moved temporarily to
the 113 route to pick up the slack?
JB: I appreciate that this must be frustrating to customers. However, we
cannot just pull buses off one service to cover another. We really do have to
put the problems right on the 113 service and then our customers won’t be
frustrated.
TW: Why were the new bus timetables not available until the actual day times
changed?
JB: I can only apologise for this. It is not the way we should treat our
customers and I will make sure that any future service changes are advertised
well in advance.
TW: Who checked route timings? Some of the journeys are not achievable.
JB: The timings are tried and tested over a period of days to try and ensure
that sufficient time is given. We will monitor these and if necessary input
more time where necessary to ensure that the timetable is achievable.
TW: You recently acknowledged that there is a problem on the 113 route, but
why is there no communication with passengers? Surely notices in the buses to
let passengers know how you are addressing the problems would help?
JB: I think the customers would rather see the problems solved than posters
saying we are aware of problems. We are looking at them and our efforts have
been concentrated in trying to find a longstanding solution.
TW: Your drivers suffer a lot of abuse from irate passengers when the buses do
not show. Why is there no communication between the drivers and between the
drivers and the depot?
JB: The radio system is old and many vehicles are without radios. We are
looking at new and different systems. Many drivers do help by carrying and
using their own mobile phones, although these must not be used while the
vehicle is in motion.
TW: Why are there no fuel gauges on the buses?
JB: Many bus manufacturers simply do not fit gauges to buses.
TW: The coach from Drummer Street at 15.25 is often full before it gets to
Addenbrookes because there are two double deckers sent to Linton Village
College. Is it necessary for both school time buses to be double deckers?
JB: The loadings from Linton College suggest that we do need to provide double
decker vehicles for school time journeys.
TW: Whom should passengers contact, should the bus be very late or not turn up
at all?
JB: Customers should contact % 01223 423578 with any problems they encounter.
This number should be answered from 5am until midnight seven days per week.
TW: Do you have anything to add regarding the current problems and your plans
to solve them?
JB: I can promise all of our customers that we will continue to try to solve
all of the problems and improve service on the 113 to a level that our
customers deserve.
I am sure the odd letter to Mr Bradley will remind him that we are still
waiting for a decent, reliable service!
THE obituaries in the national press of Jeremy Bray, who died on May 31st
at his home in Horn Lane, Linton, spoke of an important figure in public life.
They described his outstanding academic career, his years as an MP (from
1962-1970 and 1974-97), his time as a minister in the first Wilson government,
and his major contribution to national science policy and the relationship
between government and science over the last 40 years. They also referred to
his rational and honest approach to politics, the very antithesis of modern
spin.
However, those who knew him during his last years after he and wife Elizabeth
had come to live in Linton saw the private figure. In particular, Jeremy Bray,
a Methodist lay preacher for most of his adult life, played an important part
in the life of St Mary’s church. As well as encouraging the development of lay
ministry within the congregation, he sought to widen their understanding of
the great issues of the day. He invited a key figure in the Human Genome
project to speak about this work to the church and hoped to develop these
activities, with a series of discussions about other great issues, such as the
relationship between science, politics and religion. Sadly, these hopes were
frustrated by illness whose onset pre-dated his move to Linton.
Yet Jeremy Bray may have left a lasting monument in Linton. With his awareness
of the importance of science to the everyday world, he was responsible for
interesting Cambridge University in the scientific issues raised by the Linton
flood.
The University has now received national funding for a detailed study of the
Granta river system, which may yet lead to the discovery of ways to prevent
such a flood happening again.
In combining academic study with steps to try and find practical solutions to
problems affecting the lives of real people, this study illustrates Jeremy
Bray’s belief that science and research can make a fundamental difference to
the lives of ordinary people.
Andrew and Lesley Gore
Parish Council’s June meeting
THE meeting started off with a member of the public congratulating the council
on its Golden Jubilee Bank Holiday Celebrations. The events on the recreation
Ground included the official dedication of the Golden Jubilee Trees and
memorial stone followed by various races and games, plus a bouncy castle and a
hamburger stand and cake stall. This was also the reaction of several
parishioners who had written to the Council offering their congratulations.
Council also congratulated the Crown Public House on the successful Wacky
Races.
Reports were given of unsatisfactory grass cutting at various points within
the village, including the cemetery, and that County Council highways
contractors had been spraying weeds in high winds, which had meant that spray
drifted onto peoples’ gardens. This is being investigated.
The two small swings on the venture playground are awaiting renewal.
The Council have been offered a draft lease for Paynes Meadow (at the top of
Chalklands ) for five years. Council rejected this because of the level of
rent in the fourth and fifth years and a time limit on opening times, making
the conditions unworkable.
There is some doubt whether the Fair will return next year, following a
break-in during their last visit.
Council are to investigate the feasibility of Wildlife and River Wardens. This
will be discussed further at the July Meeting.
Linton council agreed to support Balsham council in requesting a traffic
restriction order on the Roman Road from the County Council.
Council agreed to assist the Linton Rainbows with a Jubilee outing and to
sponsor a floral arrangement at the Church Flower festival.
The request for funding from Awards For All for skateboard equipment had
failed but South Cambs. has agreed to 50% funding so the funding application
can be resubmitted.
THE June meeting of the Camera Club was an informal presentation of
photographs taken by Mike Crofts and John Keeble.
Mike showed conventional and digital prints that he took at the recent Oxfam
Walk and at the Jubilee Wacky Races event. The photographs caught the spirit
of the day. Prints were chosen for use on the village website,
www.linton.info.
In contrast Mike showed a series of slides taken at Tollesbury and Maldon
during the club’s recent awayday. Mike’s excellent slides captured the early
morning atmosphere of the ships and buildings on the estuary and his Maldon
slides gave an overview of the attraction of the town and the riverside walk.
John’s slides were taken during a religious festival in southern Thailand in
the monsoon season. They portrayed the participation by priests and local
townspeople in the festival and the parade that followed.
Not for the squeamish, some slides showed the level of mutilation which the
priests and others go through in the name of religion to purify themselves,
their families and their community. The slides of the parade captured the
frenzy of the people, the daredevil attitude of the firework squad and their
complete disregard for health and safety at work. The slides are truly unique
and were enjoyed by all.
The next meeting will be at 11am on Sunday 14th July at the Social Centre.
Just turn up.
Alex Todd
SEVERAL artists in the Linton area are opening their studios again this
year in order to exhibit their recent work. They are taking part in Cambridge
Open Studios, when 250 artists throughout the region open their doors for one
weekend or more during July. This is an opportunity to have a look at the
latest work in the studios where it has been created. Visitors come and go
throughout the day between 11am and 6pm and are free to look around at
leisure. All the studios are open free of charge.
Participating artists in our area include:
Neil Gardener, 18 Cambridge Road (behind Cambridge van centre). Studio open
13th-14th, 20th-21st and 27th-28th July. Neil specialises in seascapes and
landscapes and architecture using watercolour and gouache techniques.
Katherine Fairey, The Grip Farm. Studio open 13th-14th and 20th-21st July.
Katherine produces brightly coloured acrylic and mixed media paintings largely
inspired by themes of the sea and landscape.
Susan Jones, 11a Joiners Road. Studio open 6th-7th, 13th-14th and 20th-21st
July. Susan paints interior and exterior landscapes, abstract paintings and
prints using acrylics and mixed media.
Philip Blakeley, 8a The Grip. Studio open 13th-14th and 20th-21st July. Philip
paints people in a context which seeks to express their personality.
Sue Walker, Yew Trees Farmhouse, Linton Road, Hadstock. Studio open 20th-21st
and 27th-28th July. Sue produces colourful abstracts and landscapes inspired
by nature and travel.
Look out for the yellow Cambridge Open Studio flags to help locate the
studios.
LAST month, on a fine though chilly evening, over 20 members, complete with
picnic chairs and baskets, met in the garden of WI President, Wendy Foster.
Before the meal, Clare Neville led a small group on a walk down the High
Street and Horn Lane, pointing out many interesting houses, giving information
about their history and setting them in historical context.
Members later enjoyed looking round Wendy’s garden, which provided such a
pleasant setting for the picnic.
The next meeting takes place at 7.30pm on Tuesday 2nd July in the Social
Centre. The speaker on ‘Pets as therapy’ is Sandra Oliver, who will be
bringing her dog. Visitors are welcome.
Anne Parry-Smith
Dear Editor,
We hear a lot about ‘rights’ these days. Human rights, rights of men, rights
of women, rights of children, animal rights, etc. We are all too familiar with
this poignant subject. People seem to know their ‘rights’ and quite rightly
so, after all access to such information needs to be a basic right! However,
few people ever mention the responsibilities that come with these rights. We
have the right to drive up and down the High Street but we are required to act
responsibly in respect of the narrow footpaths. We have the right to take our
beers down by the river, but we need to take responsibility for the empties
too. We can barely imagine the appalling pain suffered by some small creatures
as their cellular structures break down in alcoholic vapours stuck inside
empty beer tins and bottles carelessly discarded, or the innocent bird, dog or
walker gashing their ankles on such detritus.
Oh well! Just a thought! And isn’t it nice to have the right to express our
thoughts in the Linton News?
Darryl Nantais
Dear Editor,
In reply to the letter last month from Kate France about the facade of No 132
High Street (‘The lost comfort of old dirt’), I have no problem with the
asymmetry of the door as this can add interest where uniformity is sometimes
uninspiring. However, I do feel that the contrasting bricks around the door
and windows have not been improved by the black paint on some of their mortar.
It may be some time before this dulls down to a comfortable shade.
No doubt the new occupiers will be surprised by this interest in their home. I
do hope that they will be very happy in it.
Name and address supplied
Dear Editor
I would like through the Linton News to express a ‘big thank you’ to all the
organisers and competitors of the ‘Wacky Races’ held on Jubilee Day.
They had all gone to such trouble with their modes of transport and costumes
and took their ‘soakings’ in such good part and in doing so gave us, the
onlookers, a great deal of amusement. It was such fun and reminded some of us
when the village got together for the Carnivals.
Please do it again - we all need laughter in this day and age.
Clare Neville
Dear Editor,
I think that a big vote of thanks should go to the Linton Parish Council, to
everyone at The Crown and The Dog and Duck and to all participants in the
various events, for bringing such a sparkle to the village on Jubilee Monday.
It’s nice to think that in years to come there’ll be such special local
memories of what nationally has been a memorable weekend.
Iris Jeffery
Dear Editor
We are still feeling completely overwhelmed at the turnout and incredible
support for the Wacky Races event we organised to help commemorate the Golden
Jubilee. I have been in the village for eight years now and I don’t think I
have ever seen so many people of all ages out on the street enjoying
themselves. It was a fantastic display of community spirit and reminded me why
I choose to live in such a thriving village. What a response!
As well as the competitors, who made the most magnificent efforts with their
‘chariots’ and fancy dress, there were a number of others behind the scenes
who helped enormously. Thanks go to Alec and Ann Lavery for their
organisational skills, Highwood Florist for the winners’ wreaths, McKenzie &
Hayward for the use of their forecourt, Area Scaffolding, Andy Webb for the
sound system, and especially to PC Andy Denzey for policing the event and
helping to keep the road clear. We’d also like to thank all our loyal and
hardworking members of staff who all gave a lot of their time to ensure the
event went smoothly.
Such has been the response that we are now planning to make this an annual
event to benefit Linton-based charities every year. We have been pledged in
excess of £2000 this year and hope to present a cheque to Chestnuts Playgroup
and the Fire Service in July. Anyone who still has sponsorship money to hand
in please bring it to The Crown or send a cheque as soon as possible.
Thank you to everybody who helped make this such a memorable event.
Louise and Joel
The Crown
Dear Editor,
May I through your paper, thank all the good people for their good wishes,
cards and gifts on my birthday last week. I really did enjoy it and their
presence made it so much more enjoyable. So a big thank you to you all.
Win Swift
Dear Editor
We would like to thank everyone who came along and supported us on our Charity
Walk. We raised £180 and £250 was given as a donation.
£51 was collected in coins which was given to sponsor a tree. It was a lovely
evening and enjoyed by all who came along. Hope to see you all again next
year.
Daphne Brazier
2nd Linton Brownies
THE winners of the K-Club June monthly draw: 1st (£50) Catherine Powell (No. 199); 2nd (£25) Hazel Lunan (No. 352); 3rd (£10) Sarah Harrison (No. 137).
The Brownies’ magnificent Coronation coach
THE theme ‘To everything there is a season’ gave great scope for ideas at the Flower Festival at St Mary’s last month, from the skilfully managed arrangement depicting the foot and mouth funeral pyres to ingenious depictions of the village before and after October’s floods. The Guides’ and Brownies’ stunning tableaux of the Jubilee celebrations in the South Porch brought smiles of delight, while the touching personal tribute to Pat Maddison brought tears to the eyes. Several regular exhibitors were unable to take part this year but arrangements came from Haverhill (including a stunning High Altar piece) and the younger generation were strongly represented by the playgroups, Sunday School and Linton Action for Youth. More pictures can be seen on the Linton News website. LNT
an extra on the web site
THANKS to everyone for joining the Parish Council Jubilee celebrations on
the recreation ground and making it a day to remember. We began by gathering
around the Jubilee Trees, each one boasting a golden bow, and cheered when
children helped remove the golden cover from the commemorative stone. The
cheering continued as the children joined in the various sports activities.
The younger children hopped, skipped, jumped in sacks or ran with an egg and
spoon to the finishing line. The finale was the hobby horse races. What a
magnificent set of hobby horses we had lined up at the starting line. It was
neck and neck most of the course and although there has to be a winner all the
children did really well and should be congratulated.
The older children put their football, basketball and bowling skills to the
test with the winners having to fight off a lot of stiff competition.
Those not feeling energetic gathered in groups to enjoy their picnics and the
tasty burgers and hotdogs expertly cooked by Peter Dixon and Judy Rossiter.
Our thanks go to Kay Storey for sewing the ribbon bows and golden shroud,
Julie Stock for organising the younger children’s races with Kay and to Ian
Storey for organising the football.
Here are the results of the sporting events. Winners and runners up all
received a special cup.
2-7 year old races: skipping/hopping: Jack Turner; bean bag obstacle: Amy
Pleasant; sack race: James Paterson; egg & spoon: Rebecca Prevost; hobby
horse: 2-4 year old Abi Dixon; 5-7 year old Jack Turner; best dressed hobby
horse: 2-4 year old Kieran Donnolly; 5-7 year old Sam Clayton; bowling
competition: girls’ winner Natasha Taylor, runner-up Joanna Howe; boys’ winner
Fuad Musallam, runner-up Callum Jacobs; 8-11 penalty shoot out: winner Luke
Kinsey, runner-up Samuel Simmons; 12-15 penalty shoot out: winner Luke Crzoska,
runner-up David Stock; basketball shoot out: girls’ winner Joanna Howe,
runner-up Natasha Taylor; boys’ winner Callum Jacobs, runner-up Dan Jacobs.
If you have not ordered golden jubilee coins for any child under 17 please
fill in the form which was delivered with the June issue of the Linton News or
contact the Parish clerk on % 891001. Val Urwin
8-11 penalty shoot out winner Luke Kinsey receives his cup from Val
Urwin
BOUNCY FUN AND WATER PISTOLS AT THE READY
THE rain held off and as Linton turned out in full for the Jubilee
celebrations, it was clear that some had been preparing for the day well in
advance. From the children’s hobby horses to the Wacky Racers’ chariots, the
village was a lively spectacle of colour and noise. Here are some memories of
the day captured by local photographers. Many more can be seen on
www.linton.info. From the top: Judy Rossiter preparing hamburgers
and hotdogs (photograph by Peter Dixon); Vikings Neil Harmer and James Dobson
attack the High Street (Linton News). Joe George and Sam Prior as Trotters
Independent Traders (Linton News); cooling off the racers at the ford (Mike
Crofts); residents enjoying the Rhugarve Gardens and Crossways garden party
(Mike Crofts); LNT
Young hobby horse racers, ready for the off
WERE you one of the parents hastily looking for a broom handle to decorate for
the hobby horse competition, or did you have your hands full repeatedly
filling up their water pistols to squirt at the Wacky Racers? Here’s what some
younger villagers thought of the Jubilee fun.
‘I had a really good time on the bouncy castle but I didn’t like it when
the fireman’s hose drenched me.’
Charlotte Cornell Jones (age 6)
‘I was next to my dad on the bridge while he soaked everybody. That was fun
to watch especially as I didn’t get wet.’
Elise Fletcher
‘I felt special because I won a cup for the best dressed hobby horse.’
Sam Clayton (age 6)
‘I really enjoyed the scone that I bought from the Guides stall.’
Jessica West (age 10)
‘I liked everything about that day at the park.’
Nathan Banks (age 5)
Tracey Russell
JUNE 2nd 1953 was declared a national holiday - hurrah, a day off school
and a chance to see the Coronation on television. Our next-door-but-one
neighbours, whom I thought must be very rich, had one of those new-fangled
gadgets. They kindly invited the near neighbours to share in this momentous
occasion and a lot of people crammed into their small front room. The curtains
were drawn as this was necessary for viewing in those days and the very tiny
screen was enhanced by an additional magnifying screen.
The excitement had been building up for weeks with much singing of patriotic
songs and the drawing of union flags, always making sure that they were the
right way up! Our school teachers had encouraged us to put information and our
thoughts about the coming event into a scrap book (later called ‘doing a
project’!). I was particularly proud of a 3D cut-out model of the state coach
which my father came across and contributed to my effort.
All school children received a book about the Coronation and a commemorative
mug. My sister, who was at High School, had been given one which was a
different shape from mine and I thought hers was much more interesting. We had
heard the day before that Everest had been climbed by John Hunt’s team
members, Edmund Hillary and sherpa Tensing. This seemed to me such a
wonderfully patriotic achievement, innocently believing that it had in fact
happened on that day and blissfully unaware of the spin government advisors
were capable of even then.
So there we were at the eagerly awaited time, listening to the adults making
disappointed comments about the rain, but I thought it was all wonderful even
though the picture was in black and white and I really couldn’t see things
very clearly. I remember being surprised that it didn’t go on all day and soon
we were standing for the national anthem.
There were still other events to anticipate, and in contrast to that rainy day
I remember a children’s tea party which took place in a friend’s garden in
brilliant sunshine. It was surprising what a good spread our mothers managed
even though many treats were still rationed: or were we just easily impressed?
Gloria Fidler
Local skateboarders look to the future
FOLLOWING a meeting with the Parish Council in April, we are pleased to report
that South Cambs District Council have agreed to fund 50% of the proposed cost
of a skateboarding facility in Linton. An application for Sport England
funding will be made on 17th July.
A skateboarding facility has been the dream of a number of enthusiastic
teenagers for over three years and this funding success is a tribute to their
perseverance.
We would like to express sincere thanks to the local business community who
have generously offered financial support. The fund now stands at well over
£500.
Plans are being drawn up to site a ramp for beginners and expert users close
to the Drop-In Centre on the recreation ground. Orientation, location and
design are being given special consideration to minimise impact on local
residents.
Many residents will benefit indirectly from the project, with the prospect of
safer roads and pavements in the village.
Support has been given by PC Andy Denzey, Community Education Officer Colin
Thomas, Linton Sports Centre manager Mark Wilson and manager of the Drop-In
Centre Liz Govier, together with a number of local residents.
Queries relating to this project should be addressed to the project
coordinator, John Creedy, or Gill Barker, clerk to the Parish Council %
891001.
John Creedy
john.creedy@btinternet.com
THE next meeting of the reading group will take place at 7.15pm on
Wednesday 3rd July in the Library.
Members choose a book from a list drawn up at each meeting. If you are
interested, there are copies of this month’s books behind the counter at the
Library. The four books are: Waterland by Graham Swift, Around the World in 80
Days by Jules Verne, Emma by Jane Austen and Down Under by Bill Bryson.
For further details contact Linda Pearson.
THE Village Pharmacy, closed since October’s floods, is to reopen on 22nd
July.
Deepa Bhachoo, Linton’s pharmacist, told the Linton News: ‘The High Street is
buzzing with a lot of activity and positiveness, quite a contrast to the
despondency we felt only a few months ago. Closure of the pharmacy has caused
frustration to the customers and us alike. We look forward to seeing
properties in the High Street reoccupied and life returning to normality once
more. See you all soon.’ LNT
BY the time you read this, we hope that the electrical shop will be back in
business. It seems a very long time since the village was devastated by
floods, but since then there has been an enormous amount of work done to the
various properties affected, especially in the last two months. It has been a
very long, and at times frustrating, business, but we are very glad to be
nearing the end of it. We would like to thank Colin Watkins and all the other
local craftsmen who have worked so hard to make the reopening possible. We
would also like to thank the village and the Parish Council for their support
and patience.
We look forward to seeing you again, now the shop and workshop are open.
John, Lorna & Andre Tournant
WHEN OFSTED inspected the Infants’ School four years ago, inspectors were
appalled at the open aspect of the site. Although it is delightful, the
children’s safety has to be a priority. Since then the fence has been a
regular item at governors’ meetings. Planning permission was granted in Autumn
2001, but there are unresolved legal issues regarding access rights across the
playground. The school is not involved in the legal debates, but the site is
not secure and the school continues to suffer vandalism and littering during
evenings and weekends.
On a more exciting note, we were delighted to learn that the school has won a
School Achievement Award. The Minister of State for School Standards said that
it was for substantially improved results between 1998 and 2001. The award
takes the form of a small financial bonus for members of staff employed in the
2000/2001 school year. It is good to have the hard work of all the staff
acknowledged in this way.
The whole school celebrated the Queen’s Jubilee with a picnic before half
term. Everyone was invited to wear red, white and blue and Miss Greenhalgh,
the Headteacher, amused the children by arriving dressed as the Queen!
Sue Mudge
THE Linton village website, www.linton.info, now offers a wider range of
information and photographs for your use and enjoyment. There is a search
facility if you want to pull together all the information on any subject and
the site is growing all the time.
The website is split into four sections at the moment.
Village Diary: This section covers the entire year and is updated regularly as
more material comes in. You can search it for events - or for dates, if you
are organising your own event and do not want a clash. If you want to add your
event to the diary (which is also printed monthly in the Linton News in a
shorter version), just call Andrea Harrison on email from the diary web page.
It is worth having a chat with Andrea because we can now offer more options
for promoting your event at no cost to you.
In the diary section, you will also find the first version of a venues page
which will eventually list all the places you can use and the information you
will need.
Linton News: Each issue of the Linton News goes on the web and the old issues
are archived. The archive, covering more than two years, is valuable for
background information on whatever interests you in the village.
In this section, there is also an In Full section, where we publish articles
in full after the paper has edited them for space reasons. We can also use
additional photographs in this section and link to other sites. Last month’s
In Full and Linton News articles on broadband web links have drawn together a
group of people in the village with this need and may lead to cooperation in
finding an answer. What could it do for you?
Village directory: The first of the village directory sections has gone live -
Open Hours, which shows the times for shops and offices, including the library
and the parish council office. Sport and education are expected to be next.
Special reports: There are many interesting aspects that can be covered by
reports and photographs prepared for the website - subjects that need a little
length, colour photos and maybe website links. The first of these can be seen
now: pictures from last autumn’s floods (use Search to get all the reports
too), the Oxfam Walk and, just put on, Jubilee celebrations and the Flower
Festival. This is open to all: call John Keeble if you have a project in mind.
In addition: we are developing a village links page, with helpful contacts and
information on ways of getting people into your club or organisation - and
sites on any subject being run by local people (at the moment, they include
radio telescopes and wine, pictures of local villages, on the road in South
East Asia and local art). Get yours on now so that we can all admire and use
it.
Don’t forget that you can contact the website editor and the editor of the
Linton News through the website. We welcome your comments about the web pages
and your suggestions for new sections and links, and improvements to the
appearance and contents of pages. John Keeble
It has not been a good year for teaching Religious Studies. These days the
subject encompasses much more than it did when I was at school. We explore
comparative religions, we cover ethics and morality, nationalism and
patriotism, we look at justice, human rights, equality, racism, and all the
things that make us human; all this within an understanding of the moral codes
that underpin most religions.
As we know, September presented some appalling challenges, another war was
waged in Afghanistan and violence continued in the Middle East. At home racism
reared its head in Oldham and Burnley and M Le Pen did his best to destabilise
France. Through all this pupils must continue to be led to an understanding of
events that goes beyond the headlines, one that offers insight into the
struggles facing humans all over the world. They must be shown that this will
soon be their world and what they think and do will have a profound effect on
the future they in turn create for their children: a pretty formidable task.
Sometimes things do come right, though, and in the unlikeliest of ways. Not so
long ago much of football was also gloomy; on a different scale of course but
still pretty depressing. Many in our national team were less than inspiring,
over indulged playboys who thought they could do no wrong. Similarly, some
supporters put their country to shame through their appalling behaviour. There
was nothing there that a Religious Studies teacher, searching for examples of
the best of the human spirit, like optimism, fortitude, an open hearted
embracing of others for a common cause, could build on. How things have
changed. We may or may not still be ‘in’ when you read this but we can look
back and be pleased with what we have done. Our players have stood out as
young, positive role models. Our supporters, more multi-racial than they have
ever been, have behaved superbly well and a sense of the global village and
the human family has pervaded our TV screens and newspapers. We have shown the
early morning matches on big screens here at LVC and we’ve all celebrated
together.
A couple of children summed it up for me when they said, ‘We don’t really like
football Mr Bush but thanks for putting this on, it felt really good to be
part of it.’ Nicely put, but honestly, football – who’d have thought it! Clive
Bush, Principal
THIEVES are on the rampage with local tradesmen their targets. In the early hours of Friday 14th June, several vans containing work tools and equipment were broken into in Linton . For Kevin Meeks it is the third time he has had to replace all his tools—the last theft happened less than six weeks previously. Kevin’s Discovery Land Rover only just escaped being taken after Kevin, alerted by his dog growling, shouted at the culprits and went after them. Kevin has featured in two Linton News articles recently for his generosity to both our local playgroups, so it is a pity that his third appearance is not on the same positive note . We hope the police will be able to track down these unscrupulous thieves. Tracey Russell
TWO young people, Claire Fisher and Chloe Green, who attend the Drop In
Centre on a regular basis, are working towards their Bronze Youth Achievement
Award. As part of one of their challenges (a Community Challenge which is made
up of several parts) they decided to help organise a sponsored bike ride and
the money they raised from it they have decided will be donated to Symonds
House in Linton.
The bike ride took place on 28th March and was about 12 miles. Both Claire and
Chloe have not ridden a bike for a while and both of them did very well, not
only to help organise it, but to complete it too.
Jim Kimber & Bev Reynolds
Illustrated by Maureen Williams
I SAT on the grass with my picnic and felt the banks of the Granta tremble
with royal celebrations. I thought how bower birds are renowned for their
artistic endeavours, often creating decorative avenues and archways using
twigs, stones, flowers and other colourful objects. The satin bower even makes
paint from fruit, daubing the mixture with a leaf upon their creations. The
bower bird is not a native of Linton but I was fortunate to observe another
species with similar attributes. They are perhaps one of the most amazing and
adaptable mammals on the planet. Periodically they gather at locations
prepared years ahead by an advance party, arriving in their hundreds to feed
and drink. Some boast incredible thirst, often consuming several pints of
liquid during one day. I witnessed how basic yet remarkably complex activities
preceded a variety of jubilant displays and courtship rituals, with most of
the mammals adorned with brightly coloured materials. Many of these social
bipeds finally dispersed before the next sunrise although I noted that some
dispersed as pseudo-quadropeds.
Similar to the bower bird these mammals had decorated an area of the village
recreation grounds with a crescent of attractive small trees (river birch,
aspen and golden ash) and a large beautiful stone. It is believed this rare
and fascinating display celebrated 50 years’ reign by the queen of the colony.
One aspect still baffles me. Some adults were putting their young into large
bags and encouraging them to struggle their way awkwardly towards the stone.
Does the stone hold infinite wisdom or was this a mammalian re-enactment of
their time in the womb?
It was wonderful to watch such strange and elaborate activities but all this
energetic rumbling plays havoc with the fish in the Granta. Fish have
something called a lateral line, a collection of mechanoreceptive patches or
neuromasts that runs laterally down the length of their bodies, beneath which
is a sensory organ believed to alert the fish to potential predators or water
turbulence. It seems the monarchy truly permeates the very fabric of life in
England, and remember, the diamond jubilee is now less than ten years away.
Now there’s a subject!
FROM 11th July, Chestnuts Playgroup will be starting a new mother and
toddler group, which will be run in addition to the normal playgroup sessions,
Little Acorns will take place at the Linton Social Centre. Sessions for
children from birth to 18 months will be run from 10-11.30 every Thursday
morning. Older brother and sisters are also welcome to attend.
There will be various activities for the babies/children and coffee or tea for
the parents.
We will be arranging for outside speakers to come in every few weeks, to cover
a range of topics from weaning to nail care! No prior booking is needed for
Little Acorns. We hope you will just drop in. Sarah Bowie