RON Amsden, the founder of the Linton News, has died at the
age of 88 as this month the village newspaper he began enters its 17th
consecutive year of publication.
Ron, pictured here on his retirement from the Linton News in 2001, was
ceaselessly generous with his time and advice for a succession of editors. He
established and maintained rigorous standards of editing and production but was
never proprietorial about the paper he started.
The Linton News is only part of his lasting legacy to the village. He will be
long and deeply missed.
LNT
‘He is, and always will be, the father of the Linton
News’
IT is inevitable that the people who work on the Linton News should associate
Ron principally with the paper he founded, yet his contribution to our community
has been even greater than that.
Last April we celebrated the fifteenth anniversary of the first appearance of
the Linton News with a full page article in which Ron reviewed some of the most
memorable events the paper had recorded. It was his last major contribution to
the paper and his enthusiasm was irrepressible: we could have filled many more
pages with the material he researched. Writing in that issue, Ron Argent, who
joined the Linton News from the start, described how Ron first saw the need for
a local paper, gathered the staff, stood in for them as they came and went,
wrote articles, packed printed copies and delivered them—and not just in the
paper’s early days. Turning a good idea into a lasting and invaluable resource
for a whole community is an extraordinary achievement and it was something that
Ron did more than once.
Ron’s work took him away from his home and country for considerable periods of
time. His expertise was in agriculture, the use of pesticides and crop spraying.
He worked all over the world, in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the
USA.
As if in response to his international professional life, in retirement Ron
turned his energy and determination to very local affairs. He served as a parish
councillor in Hadstock and Linton, taught bell ringing in several local
villages, and was a member of the Linton Village Action Group, which steered the
development of the Cathodeon Centre. He was also a founder member of Granta
Grapevine, and its first president. For many years Ron campaigned indefatigably
for a swimming pool for the village and, when National Lottery funding was
refused, launched the Linton Area Pool Project, with the purpose of building a
pool using local initiative and skills. All the signs are that this scheme too
will be successful but will sadly be a posthumous triumph for Ron.
It was Ron Argent who called Ron ‘the father of the Linton News’ and that is how
he will be remembered by the committee and the network of people associated with
the production and distribution of the paper. Sally Simmons
THE first issue of the Linton News, April 1987. It consisted of one and a half
sheets of newsprint and was typed on a daisy-wheel typewriter and pasted up
manually. Readers with sharp eyes will spot a perennial front page story. A
bound copy of all issues of the Linton News is available at the Library.
A SCHOOL for pupils with special needs is to be built at Linton Village
College in the next couple of years. It will include a small pool. At last this
gives the village a realistic chance of achieving the community swimming pool it
has long wanted. Basically all we need is to persuade the-powers-that-be to make
it larger and allow the community to use it. The Village College and the Sports
Centre would welcome the addition to their available facilities but they will
have neither time nor resources to contribute to it.
So we (LAPP) are restarting our campaign to make it happen under the slogan of
‘Digga Bigga Hole’. First we need the village to reaffirm its wish for a pool in
its replies to the village survey (knowing it is now a practical proposition)
and then to get stuck in to show support by helping with and responding to fund
raising. So volunteers please ring the telephone number below.
The preliminary work has already been done. LAPP, the Linton Action for a Pool
Project, is now a registered charity. Also we have plans for a community pool
well thought out as to design and for economical construction thanks to Ron
Amsden who died recently. This was his last village project into which he had
put much hard work over 30 years. Let’s honour all that he achieved for the
village by finally making his, and our, dream come true. See you at the opening
of the Amsden Pool! For more information. Joan Smith
FROM April, changes will be made in the way allowances, benefits and tax
credits are going to be paid. These changes will be phased in over a two-year
period. There is no need to do anything until you are contacted by the relevant
government agency.
A lot of people are concerned and unclear about this change-over process. Many
people we have spoken to who have already received information are unaware that
they can continue to collect their money from the Post Office with a Post Office
card account, basic bank account or through the personal current account banking
scheme that we already operate.
So if you would like more information or a leaflet about the new direct payments
please call in the Post Office and we will be pleased to help.
Your Post Office: use it, don’t lose it.
Anne Willers
March meeting:
The meeting’s first business was a report from a member of the public on the
"Pavements for people" campaign, the petition that is being handed to the Area
Joint Transport Committee. Another member of the public commented on the obvious
police presence in the village, this was due to a visit by the mobile police
caravan and the appointment of CBO PC David Hall.
A trial run of the Parish Plan took place on 23rd March. There have been
quotations and permissions for street lights in Dodgers Lane, Horseheath Road
and a litter bin at Camping Close.
Proposals for lighting in the church yard have been received and have received
Council support.
Council agreed that it would oppose any development at Haverhill until the
impact on the A1307 has been investigated. The Drop-in centre is experiencing
staffing difficulties.
Council were told of the death of Ron Amsden a chairman of the Parish Council in
the 1980’s and founder of the Linton News.
Due to Linton Parish Council being very active in many new areas it is to take
part in a District Council pilot on housing needs. Council is also giving its
support to broadband initiatives and plans for wheelie bins that will alternate
between use for recyclable and non recyclable waste.
The clerk was requested to inform the County Council of the amount of rubbish on
the A1307 between Linton and Abington.
A meeting between James Paice and around 30 other attendees addressed the
problems surrounding the A1307 problems. An agreement was made to hold a further
meeting on this subject
Council would like to see the sand bags in the High Street removed as they are
beginning to rot and are unsightly.
RECENTLY, one our readers, Mrs Rosemary Cooper, kindly entered the Linton
News in the Village & Community Magazine Awards, sponsored by Cambridge Building
Society. This is an annual competition to find the very best examples of amateur
journalism in Mid-Anglia.
There were over 65 entries received this year, and the sponsors, along with the
Cambridge Evening News, decided to split the awards into two categories, one for
publications with a distribution of over 1000 and the other for less than 1000.
The winners in each category were awarded £500 cash with a plaque and there was
a second prize of £250. Two others in each category were also highly commended.
Gloria Fidler and Tracey Wilson, who serve on the Linton News Committee,
contributing editorial to the paper, as well as proof-reading it, both attended
the awards ceremony on Wednesday 19th March in Over. Sadly, the Linton News was
not the recipient of a prize.
Bob Jackson, chief executive of Cambridge Building Society said, "The quality of
the magazines produced just gets better and better every year, and we would like
to congratulate everyone who took part. They really are doing a great job for
their community"
Tracey Wilson
YOU remember Victor Kyam liking his electric razor so much,
he bought the company? Mandy Honeyman, one of Linton’s new residents, liked the
village website so much, she is becoming editor.
"I found the site - www.linton.info - when I was thinking about moving to the
village,’’ she said. "It was great to browse through the archives and once I’d
made the decision and was waiting for the big day, I kept coming back to the
website to try to find out as much as I could about my new home. "The website is
a brilliant resource for everyone living in Linton and for anyone wanting to
visit. It does need to be kept fresh and inviting and that will be my main
objective.’’
Mandy already has a few ideas for new sections: a discussion forum, seasonal
photographs and historical information, to name but three.
But she is particularly keen on developing an online area for younger residents;
one that they run themselves and could include an entertainment guide and a
bulletin board.
The latter idea needs one or two people to take it on and Mandy would like
anyone under 18 who is passionate about the internet, is interested in an extra
curricular project that would look great on a CV and has any ideas for something
like this, to get in touch as soon as possible.
Mandy, who lives in the High Street, has experience of many publications -
including the Independent, Guardian and Economist - as well as extensive
knowledge of computer systems. She can be contacted via e-mail at
editor@linton.info.
John Keeble, who is handing on the editorship, said: "I am delighted that Mandy
is becoming the editor - I think she will be ideal in moving the project on.’’
ABOVE is just one of the many winter scenes of Linton in the snow that we
were sent following January’s heavy snowfall.
Now spring is here have you photographed any spectacular scenes following the
recent spell of sunshine? If so please send them to Mandy at the email address
above and she can add them to the newly planned seasonal photographs section of
the Linton.info website. LNT
THERE was a good turn out for the WI March meeting. Two members of the
Committee will be standing down at the AGM, so new members will be needed.
The recent quiz on proverbs and sayings, which was won by Peter Gaggs, raised
£44 for WI funds.
We were invited to take part in the competition "WI at Work and Play" to be held
at the East of England Show on the 13th-15th June 2003.
Several members had recently enjoyed a visit organised by Miriam Rixon to see
the snowdrops and Winter Walk at Anglesey Abbey. By coincidence, Richard Ayres,
former Head Gardener at Anglesey Abbey had been the guest speaker at the Spring
Federation Lunch held at Haslingfield Village Hall at which several Linton WI
members had been present.
Forthcoming events include the Spring Council Meeting on 28th April (when the
guest speaker will be Don McClean) and a visit to Bletchley Park (in conjunction
with the Historical Society) on 14th June. There will also be an opportunity to
try clay pigeon shooting at Great Wilbraham on 20th May.
Gill Page then gave a summary of information recently received about Cambridge
Federation’s proposal to become a limited company. Members were encouraged to
support these proposals. Members were invited to attend the Group Meeting at
Abington Village Hall. The date has now been revised to 14th May.
The speaker for the evening was Rodney Tibbs who enlightened us in the art of
"Patio Gardening and Gardening in small places", illustrated with his excellent
slides.
The Annual Meeting will take place at 7.30pm on Tuesday 1st April in the Village
Hall. There will be cheese and wine and entertainment by a group of madrigal
singers. All are welcome.
Anne Parry-Smith
TWELVE members of the WI met at Hildersham Village Hall. They were sad to
hear that Mrs Liz Brooker had resigned due to pressure of work. A new member,
Mrs Irene Tuckfield was warmly welcomed. All members of the present committee
are willing to stand again and Mrs Gillian Anderson is willing to join them.
Mrs D McQuillan gave a talk about ‘Essential Oils and Aromatherapy in the Home’.
Mrs McQuillan has worked in this field since 1996 and explained that essential
oils are very powerful substances extracted from plants. It takes 50 roses to
make one drop of rose-oil, which is why the genuine essential oils are so
expensive. Cheap oils are very diluted and probably not genuine. We were given
several handouts with recommendations for oils in different parts of the house.
Refreshments, delicious as always, were made by Mrs Marion Beckett and Mrs Betty
Meeks. Gillian Anderson
Dear Editor,
I whole heartedly agree with Mr Booth (Readers Write, March 2003) about the
Infants School security fencing. Mr Bennett mentions "a small change" in the
fencing is all that he wants. What he proposes is a big change to an expensive
purpose-built fence. There will still be unimpeded access to the Camping Close,
it will just take a few minutes longer. Another point Mr Bennett makes is "a
long standing right of way has been blocked unilaterally without any attempt to
publish details". As far as I remember, this security fencing issue has been
around for years and I believe that all the necessary and correct procedures
were followed to get this important safety feature approved and put in place.
Alan Jones
Dear Editor,
I support Mr Bennett’s suggestion of a narrow footpath along the bottom of the
Infant’s School playground (Readers Write, March), for the general public and
especially for families who approach school from Camping Close, therefore
avoiding the dangers of the High Street.
They are now forced to go through the Churchyard and I much regret the removal
of the historic kissing gate to make this possible. The gap caused is unsightly
and seriously detracts from the appearance of the carefully tended churchyard
and may also encourage cyclists to go at speed through the churchyard to the
inconvenience and probable danger to others.
Susan Anderson
Dear Editor,
Madeline, Sean and Ashley would like to thank everyone for the many letters,
cards, gifts and messages of sympathy at this sad time, also to everyone who
attended Mervyn’s funeral service. Special thanks to Rothgar Paintin, Lesley
Gore, family, friends and neighbours for all their help and support.
Thank you also for all donations, totalling £1,860.00, made to The Marie Curie
Nursing Fund in Mervyn’s memory.
Madeline, Sean & Ashley Mallyon
Dear Editor
I would like to thank all those who made donations in memory of my late husband
Bryan Hill. £280.25 was collected for the MacMillan Nursing Fund and £310.25 for
St. Mary’s Church.
Pauline Hill
Dear Editor,
May I take this opportunity through the kindness of your very welcome and
excellent Linton News to express my deep and sincere thanks to my son, daughter,
all members of my family (far and near) and the many, many friends, not least
the District Nurses, Jacque, Stella and Jack for the many gifts of flowers,
plants, fruit and most of all letters and get well cards which I received whilst
spending five weeks in Addenbrooke’s Hospital,
one week’s rehabilitation at Histon and then back in Addenbrooke’s for a further
eight weeks. I left home on November 13th 2002 and arrived back on 24th February
2003, too late to get into the March edition.
I am pleased to say with the help of a carer I am quickly getting my strength
back. Thank you all for your thoughts, kindness and prayers.
Agnes Smoothy
Dear Editor,
Mr Booth (Readers Write, March 2003) is missing the point of Dr Elphinstone’s
letter (Readers Write, February 2003). There’s no soapbox, there’s no accusation
that a great deal of time and effort is not spent monitoring traffic and
attending meetings. There’s just a genuine concern for something to be done to
calm the traffic in Linton, especially the High Street, to make it safer for the
residents of this village.
I have been in Linton for 12 years and seen very little, if any, improvement for
the safety of pedestrians in Linton. Twelve years on it is the same High Street
but with more, larger and faster vehicles. As a consequence more vehicles
regularly mount pavements and this presents more risks to safety, especially in
the High Street.
I agree with Mr Booth, there probably are difficulties in finding answers to the
traffic problems. I can also understand Mr Booth’s belief that "as fast as one
idea is suggested it is dismissed by part of the village". But that is exactly
where the Parish Council are going wrong. If Mr Booth or the Parish Council ever
believe that they will find a suitable plan that everyone will agree to, then we
should save all the effort that goes into traffic monitoring and meetings and
just not bother at all. The Parish Council needs to accept that it cannot and
will not please everyone with any plan.
It is the safety of the residents and children of this village that are at
stake. In Dr Elphinstone’s words, "doing nothing is not an option". We can’t
just reject plans because they are not in keeping with the village or spoil
someone’s view, or pinch points do not look safe. It is the safety of residents
we have at stake and safety should be a higher priority than the looks of the
traffic calming measures. With respect to pinch points and how safe they may or
may not have looked, we should trust the County Council engineers, it’s their
job to design these traffic projects.
The Linton News over the years has printed many letters about the traffic
calming measures proposed by the County Council in the early 1990s. The Parish
Council subsequently rejected these. One of the reasons that the Parish Council
gave (in the Linton News) for rejecting the County Council’s proposals then were
"although 75% of these respondents were in favour of the idea of a traffic
calming scheme this cannot be interpreted a meaning that the majority of Linton
residents were in favour of the scheme presented". With this kind of reasoning,
no plan will ever be approved.
In order to get traffic calming measures in Linton, the Parish Council and the
villagers of Linton must face up to several hard facts.
More villagers must respond to plan proposals/questionnaires to allow the Parish
Council to feel that there is support for plans – not voting may as well be a
"no".
The Parish Council should not stop the minority preventing what the majority
(who vote) want.
Trust the traffic engineers to come up with safe solutions – they know what they
are doing, it’s their job.
Alan Jones
Dear Editor,
My father was killed on the A1307 in February. Action needs to be taken. How
many more families need to suffer as we have? Is the money saved by doing
nothing worth the life of my dad?
Please do all you can to get something done.
Jose Rey
Dear Editor,
I would like to express my thanks to everyone who came to the NSPCC coffee
morning and spent so generously. The grand total was £602.20. This will all go
towards the wellbeing of children in the Eastern Region.
Susan Anderson
Dear Editor,
Many thanks to all the people who donated prizes for the Children of Chernobyl
Appeal held at the Social Centre on Saturday 1st March. We were astounded by the
response. At the last count we have raised £400 plus.
We would also like to thank all those that helped on the day. Thank you, it was
a tremendous effort by all.
R Newman J Whitby
Dear Editor,
It was standing room only at the blood donor session on Friday 21st March. Many
thanks to the 168 donors – experienced and new – who queued to give their blood
and equally to those who came, but were unable to wait.
Please continue to support these vitally important sessions.
Susan Anderson
Dear Editor
I am trying to spread the idea of a neighbourhood watch scheme throughout the
village, especially the Heights and the Park Estates. All it needs to start this
scheme off is for someone or some people from any of the roads of these estates
to come to the meeting of Neighbourhood co-ordinators at the Village Hall at
7.30pm on Wednesday 16th April. I or one of the other co-ordinators will give
full details.
Don’t forget, it certainly helps with your household insurance and it will help
to make this village a lot safer. For further details please phone me
Mr L Andy Booth
Dear Editor
May we through the Linton News thank two very special people, Mrs Sheila Salmon
and Mrs Margaret Clark, for all their help and support given to our son Luke and
ourselves over the last two years.
Luke has dyslexia and we first met Sheila and Margaret at a dyslexia support
group meeting held at Margaret’s home.
Both Sheila and Margaret are specialised teachers in dyslexia, and without their
help and dedication we know Luke would not be as happy and confident as he is
today in his new school.
If you have a child who has or may have dyslexia and feel Sheila and Margaret
could help you, they can be contacted Margaret.
Once again, from all of us, thank you both very much.
Davina & Den Smith
2 Rivey Way
Dear Editor
At our recent Evergreen Club meeting the club was officially closed due to lack
of support. Our Secretary resigned and no one wanted to take over the running of
the club.
Dot Pedder
WE would like to thank our readers for the many varied letters we receive
each month. The Readers Write is one of the most read sections of the Linton
News so sending us your letters for publication on this page really is one of
the most effective ways of making your views known on any aspect of village
life.
If you are composing an article or letter for publication in the paper we would
greatly appreciate it if you could add the name of the author and a telephone
number (plus an address if sending in a letter) to the bottom of the text.
LNT
TO those of you who haven’t met me, I’m Pc Dave Hall the replacement for Pc
Andy Denzey as the Community Beat Manager (CBM) for Linton, Balsham, Hildersham,
The Abingtons, Castle and Shudy Camps and Horseheath. Many of you may already be
aware that I have lived in Linton for over 11 years and have children at the
Heights and the Linton Infants School. I have strong contacts with Linton and
hope to gain strong contacts with all the villages I cover. I have been a
serving police officer for 13 years, spending time in CID and as the Sector
Intelligence officer for Sawston Sector (which has 54 villages at the last
count). I am a member of the Cambridgeshire Police search team and spent many
weeks involved in the search for Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham last
summer. I am often called for searches at short notice so am not one for making
firm appointments.
I have previously been the community officer for Buford and surrounding
villages, so the role isn’t strange to me. I have strong opinions on anti-social
behaviour and one of my first jobs after starting the post in early March was to
address the problems in Wheatsheaf Way and Parsonage Way. I worked from 2-10pm
for the first week and have spoken to a number of drivers who meet at these two
locations. We have struck up a deal that means they will not gather at these two
locations. The calls for service from Monday 3rd March until Thursday 6th March
were nil. Police were called twice the following weekend for youths causing a
nuisance at the bus shelter in the High Street and for nuisance driving at The
Grip. I will carry on working late shifts and continue high profile foot patrols
to make sure that people keep to their side of the agreement.
Can I just mention a new piece of government legislation that began on 1st
January this year. It is section 59 and 60 of the Police reform Act 2002. It is
there to combat harassment and distress caused by nuisance drivers and cars. If
any inconsiderate or dangerous driving that causes harassment or distress
occurs, a police officer will issue a warning that the offender may have their
car seized. If the offender then commits another offence under the Act, the
officer can seize the vehicle on the spot. This can happen within a twelve month
period of the initial warning. It will then cost the owner a lot of money to get
the car back from the pound. I would ask any resident witnessing such driving to
get the car registration number, if possible a description of the driver and the
time and date of the offence. I can then issue the warning at a later date. The
Act is intended for persistent anti- social behaviour and not general driving
complaints.
If you need to contact me, then watch out--you may bump into me in your village.
I intend to spend more time actually out on the street as opposed to on the
phone or sitting in front of a computer.
Pc 489 Dave Hall
WE hope to welcome many visitors, from Friday 6th June to Sunday 8th June, to
the 36th consecutive Flower Festival held at St Mary’s Church, Linton. This
event brings together people of all ages, from Linton and far beyond, to create
and appreciate the beautiful flower arrangements in our mediaeval parish church.
It is also a great opportunity to take part in the many other activities
(including the famous Teddy Bear Jump from the tower and the Granta Duck Race)
provided over the Flower Festival weekend. This is St Mary’s main fund raising
event for the year. The proceeds go towards the upkeep of the church.
This year our theme is "Count your Blessings", inspired by St Matthew’s account
of Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount. Anyone who feels able to provide an
interpretation of the theme in flowers is welcome to contact Judy Nightingale
for further information. If flower arranging is not your strength, perhaps you
could offer to help in organising one of the other activities? There will be
forms available from the end of April in St Mary’s, and at the Library, listing
the many and varied jobs for which volunteers are needed. Everything needs
support including distribution of posters, stewarding at the church during the
Festival, helping in the restaurant, doing a stint on the car park rota.
Contacts are Judy Nightingale, Lesley Gore and Anne Parry-Smith
We rely on our local shops and businesses for sponsorship of the flower
arrangements each year. Lesley Gore will be holding a coffee morning with bring
and buy, to raise funds for the flowers themselves at 38 Symonds Lane, Linton
from 10.30am-12noon on Saturday, 3rd May. Please do come and support this event
and consider any help you can give to the Festival itself. See
www.st-marys-linton.org for the provisional programme.
Anne Parry-Smith
Photographing floral arrangements, formal or informal, is difficult
enough. Add to that church lighting and there is a real challenge to our
readers.
The Linton News will publish the best flower festival pictures in the July
issue. Deadline for submissions is 23rd June.
LNT
STEVE Chalke, founder of the charity Parentalk, is coming to Linton Village
College on Tuesday 20th May to present an event entitled ‘How to Succeed as a
Parent’.
Steve, TV presenter and popular speaker on parenting and family issues, is a
father to four children.
Since they began, Parentalk events have attracted many thousands of mums and
dads from all over the country and from all kinds of family situations.
Organised by the Family Resource Centre and hosted by the Parentalk team this
event will be a lively mixture of shared stories and laughter, questions and
answers, practical principles and inspiration for making the most of being a mum
or dad.
Tickets are available on Wednesdays from the Family Resource Centre at the
Social Centre or by telephoning Emma For further information, check
out the Parentalk website at
www.parentalk.co.uk
Tracey Russell
THIS annual event gives to the Christian community in Linton and surrounding
areas the opportunity to publicly witness to the faith we hold. Good Friday is
clearly a very significant day in the Christian calendar as we remember the
atoning death of Jesus Christ. Good Friday also gives us the opportunity to look
forward to the victory of Easter morning and to witness to the hope of the
Gospel.
The walk of witness is overseen by Linton Churches Together. This is an
important act of unity and in addition to the public witness of the walk there
also exists an opportunity to pray for ourselves, our community and the wider
world.
This year the walk is to begin outside Linton Free Church (Horn Lane) at
10.35am. It is hoped that those walking may be able to attend a short Good
Friday service led by Rev’d Alex Jacob at Linton Free Church which will begin at
10am.
The walk will stop outside the Dog and Duck and again on the corner of Parsonage
Way before concluding at the green by Linton Heights School. At each of these
stopping points there will be a time of prayer, Bible reading and praise. The
walk will conclude at around 11.30am. Following the walk there will be a special
Good Friday devotional service (12noon-3pm) hosted at St Mary’s, which all are
welcome to share in.
If you require further information about the walk, please contact Alex Jacob
Alex Jacob
ENTRY and sponsorship forms for this year’s Wacky Races are now available
from The Crown Inn. The starting grid is planned for 1pm Sunday 25th May (before
Bank Holiday Monday). Don’t miss out this year as it promises to be even bigger
and better than last year.
Spectators should get there early to view the carts in the ‘Pit Lane’ (McKenzie
and Haywards forecourt) before the event as they are well worth seeing in all
their glory – bring a camera for maximum enjoyment !
Any other Linton businesses/companies who are interested in supporting the event
through sponsorship, please contact Louise at The Crown for further details.
Louise Gooden
The Simpsons put in an appearance at last year’s wacky races
THE Parish Plan project is now well underway. A recent meeting at the Social
Centre was well attended and allowed people to see the questions that are being
proposed and make sure that their particular concerns were being included.
The aim is to compile these questions into a questionnaire that will be
distributed to every home in the village. The answers to these questionnaires
are vital to the future development of the village and will cover many different
aspects of village life, including the ever present High Street and A1307
traffic issues as well as public transport.
LNT
THE social branch of Linton Mobile Warden Scheme held its first event of the
year on the Ides of March, when about 30 people gathered for a soup and roll
lunch.
The guest speaker, village historian Garth Collard, held a lively "Question
Time" on historic Linton. We ranged from the history of my house, built in the
garden of Richmond's – once very smelly, thanks to the tanning pits! – which led
to the story of that house and a previous resident, Dr Palmer, through the
history of the schools, to the way that village history influences current
problems, such as the traffic through the village and the fencing of the
Infants’ School playground. You can rely on Garth to provoke thought, laughter
and controversy, so it is no surprise that we ended with quite a spirited
discussion.
There was a raffle, with prizes donated by the committee, the proceeds helping
to fund events after the Millennium grant has been spent. The table decorations
were lovely - floating Hellebore heads - nobly sacrificed by Jan Sheppard. Many
thanks to Jan, Cynthia, Gill, Hazel and Linda for their sterling work serving
and washing up.
The next outing will be to Huntingdon Garden Leisure Centre (a garden centre,
but with many other shops and attractions) on April 10th, leaving the Social
Centre at 11 am. We are funding the coach only, so bring butties, a picnic or
buy lunch there. Names to Gill on 891001 or Enid . Just let us know
if transport to the Social Centre is needed. All older people are welcome, not
just those involved with the scheme, but anyone who might like to meet a wider
range of people.
On the scheme generally, we have secured funding for the Warden for another year
thanks to Linton Parish, South Cambs District and Cambridge County Councils. We
are now looking for a new name. There are two arms to the current scheme, the
provision of a Warden and the Social Club; we need a name that will cover both
aspects.
So, a name that encompasses both arms, is descriptive or an acronym relevant to
our work is needed – help! Give us a call if inspiration strikes.
Enid Bald
The January snow inspired many to immortalise the beautiful scenery in
photographs
YOU may or may not know that each month during our committee meeting the
Linton News Team nominates a best article of the month. Recently we have been
sent many pictures of the January snow by readers so we have decided to begin a
similar competition for photographs. At the end of the year a favourite picture
and two runners up will be picked from the year’s nominations and the
photographer of the winning picture will be presented with a cheque for £50.
So go on, here’s a good excuse to rummage through old photo albums relieving
memories and to walk round the village with your camera and really pay attention
to all those old buildings that you only gave a passing glance to before.
If you have any photographic masterpieces that accompany an article or be can
placed on our website as part of a Linton archive please send them in either as
prints for scanning (to the usual address - p8) or via email to
LNeditor@linton.info LNT
IN November 2003 Ron Argent resigned as advertising Manager for the Linton
News.
Ron’s involvement with the Linton News began 16 years ago with the birth of the
paper. He was an integral part of the Linton News and will be greatly missed by
the entire team.
According to Ron one of the things he most enjoyed about being involved with the
paper was that it enabled him to "meet all sorts of interesting people
throughout the village".
As a small token of our appreciation and thanks for his many years with the
paper the Linton News team recently presented Ron with a crystal goblet,
specially engraved with the Linton News logo so that can not forget us. Cheers
Ron! LNT
THE unseasonally warm and sunny weather continued this Mother’s Day as
friends and families gathered for the Linton Village College Fun Run. A total of
53 people of all ages (from 4 to 70!) entered the race.
The first 10 people through the finish line were Chris Ritchie (1), Jordon
Kennard (2), Sam Simmons (3), Alexander Westdijk (4), Emma Ritchie (5), William
Simmons (6), Jamie Thomson (7), Rob Hunt (8), Chris Cook (9) and Andy Cook (10).
All proceeds went to the astroturf project. Well done to everyone who took part.
Mark Wilson
FLAXFIELDS has been busy on the money raising front this month.
A total of £100 was raised for Cancer Research by people who came to eat at
their recent all day breakfast event and the Red Nose Day tea raised a healthy
sum of £20. I would like to say a big thank you to all those involved.
This month there will be a jumble sale at 1.30pm on Saturday 26th April at the
Social Centre and all funds raised will go to Flaxfields.
Jacqueline Wilson
THE Young Parent Project is run by Romsey Mill in Cambridge to give advice
and support to teenage parents in the area (they accept referrals from Linton).
On May 7th the Family Resource Centre will be open for collections of unwanted
baby equipment, baby clothes (up to one year), maternity clothes, and baby toys.
If you have anything that you would like to donate please bring it along between
10am and 3pm to the Social Centre.
Much of this unique project relies on fund raising and any goods that are not
needed by the youngsters are sold in their charity shop to help support their
work. So please give generously.
Please ensure all items are in good condition and have instructions where
possible. Unlike many other charity shops, Romsey Mill will accept car seats.
Telephone Tracey if you have large items, so that we can forewarn Romsey Mill of the transport that they will need to bring.
Tracey Russell
A BEER festival featuring more than a dozen real ales from all over the
country is being held over the Bank Holiday on Sunday 4th and Monday 5th May at
The Crown Inn.
A motley collection of traditionally made and poured ales such as Painted Lady
from Nethergate in Clare, Hairy Helmet from Leather Britches Brewery in the Peak
District, Baastaff from the Dent Brewery in Cumbria and Essex Boys Bitter from
Crouch Vale, will all be brought together in one place for the event.
Real ale enthusiasts and anyone else who might enjoy the chance to taste a
number of different authentic brews are invited to The Crown Inn, which will be
open from 12 noon throughout the day on both Sunday and Monday, with musical
entertainment in the evening.
Louise Gooden
Judith on her wedding day in the village last August (can anyone guess the
identity of the ‘shady’ character to the left of the picture?)
THERE are a few new faces at the Linton News this month, Mandy Honeyman, the
new editor of the Linton.info website (see article on page 2), Kate France, who
has kindly taken over from Gill Barker as Distribution Manager and Judith Rouse.
Judith joins the committee as Advertising Manager
The News Team asked Judith whether she would mind sharing a little about her
life in Linton and why she decided to join the Linton News.
Judith moved to Linton 18 years ago with her job in the Civil Service, since
then she has moved around a lot - but only within Linton! In fact Judith has
lived in The Grove, the High Street, and Wheatsheaf Way before moving to Joiners
Road in 2001.
Around 5 years ago Judith left work to look after her two young sons and started
a part-time Open University Masters in Business Administration: "I thought it
would be a good way of preventing my brain from turning into Teletubby
custard!". She is planning to finish the course this year "come hell or high
water" but may be slowed by her habit of volunteering to help local
organisations. "My husband says I’m a serial volunteer but I joined the Linton
News because the paper is very much part of the Linton Community and I enjoy
reading it every month". Judith is also a member of the PSA at Linton Infants
School where both her children attend.
LNT
PUT a step in your Spring and join the 36th Cambridge Oxfam walk. The Walk
will take place on Sunday 18th May, starting and finishing in the grounds of
Wimpole Hall, with ample free parking for cars and a free return bus service
from Cambridge. There is plenty to enjoy before and after your sponsored seven,
14 or 21-mile walk through the beautiful surrounding countryside. While checking
out the routes in March, the Walk team spotted 26 species of birds on the seven
mile route and 39 species of birds on the 14 mile route. For more information or
a registration form, please contact Stephen or Clare on %563388 or email
oxfamwalk@btopenworld.com or log on to the website at
www.oxfam.org.uk/walk.
Helpers on the day are also very important. So if you would prefer to be a
marshal guiding the walkers or a steward based at a checkpoint, please contact
Jerry Carr-Brion on 414954
jcarrbrion@yahoo.co.uk
By taking part as a walker or helper, you can make a real contribution to Oxfam
projects such as those aiming to provide assistance for millions of people in
the world’s poorest countries who are facing economic ruin because of failing
coffee prices. Join us and enjoy a very special day.
Clare Wilson
LAST years fireworks’ display may be remembered by those of you who attended
as an extremely soggy but spectacular event. Well you may be pleased to know
that by turning up to enjoy the evening despite the weather, you have helped
raise money to provide facilities for school children in the village.
The 2002 display raised a grand total of £2340.00, which will be evenly
distributed between Linton’s three schools. Barclays bank were major sponsors of
the event and contributed £1166.00 towards the total. The cheque for the total
amount raised was recently presented by Barclays to representatives of the
schools’ PTA’s.
The display involves a lot of work by the committee and once again last year’s
event was truly one to remember so we would like to thank you for your support.
We look forward to seeing you all at this year’s event!
Bob Hammett
A grand sum - left to right Alan King, Kim Davidson, Peter Cottage of
Barclays, Alison Colison, Peter Thomas, Mandy Crawley, Ian Blackman, Trish
Hartley of Barclays (main picture).
Trish Hartley of Barclays, Alison Colison, Kim Davidson, Mandy Crawley, Peter
Cottage of Barclays (small picture).
GARTH Collard will lead a history tour of Church Lane in aid of Save The
Children on Saturday 26th April. There will be tea at The Old Guildhall with
cakes and tarts made from 16th century recipes and you will be able to listen to
16th century readings. Assemble at the top of Church Lane at 2.15 pm for a 2.30
pm start.
Please support this cause to help children in this country and abroad both at
this event and during the house to house collection from 27th April – 3rd May.
Tickets from Judith White .
Judith White
LINTON Granta football club first team sponsored by The Crown, Linton are
through to the final of the William Cockell Memorial Cup and are just one match
away from bringing home the cup.
The cup final at 10.30 am on the 5th May is between Linton Granta and Fulbourn
Institute and to add a highlight to the game it will be played at Cambridge City
Football Club.
All support is welcomed.
Graham Potter
AS can be seen from the articles above and on page 2, we have recently
acquired a few new members at the Linton News team. Sadly however, an editorial
member of the team, Tracey Russell has decided to withdraw from the Linton News
due to other commitments. She will be greatly missed and we would like to thank
her for all her hard work during her time with the paper.
As part of the editorial team, Tracey researched and reported many stories for
the Linton News. One of her first assignments upon joining was to interview Ron
Amsden on his instrumental role as founder of the paper.
Tracey’s departure leaves us with a gap in the editorial side of the team. Would
you be interested in filling that gap?
There are many different aspects to any editorial role in the Linton News. You
could be a ‘Roving Reporter’ keeping your eyes and ears open to the many and
varied daily goings on in the village. Or maybe you would be interested in
learning how to use a desktop publishing system to help compile and edit the
paper each month.
We are also looking for a deliverer’s deliverer; someone to distribute the
bundles of Linton New to the volunteers who actually put the paper through your
door.
For this a vehicle is essential as the bundles are quite heavy. We have been
told that Alan Norton, out present deliverer can no longer do this important
job, and we are grateful for his many years of service.
We would also be interested in hearing from any young people who would like to
contribute as this age group is not currently well- represented in the paper.
Don’t hesitate, just come and see how we put the paper together - you may like
it enough to stay.
Joining the Linton News is a very rewarding way to get involved in the life of
the village. If you are interested in becoming part of the team please contact
Hazel Olway.
LNT
ST MARY’S Church in Linton is once again playing host to a Linton Music
Society concert. Its atmosphere and acoustics will be perfect for the
performance that is to be given by the acclaimed harpist Emma Ramsdale and
soprano Catherine Harper.
Their polished but informal concerts, both together and in their separate
careers, have led to solo recitals on Classic FM, a debut at the Wigmore Hall
and television work, as well as many other performances at home and abroad.
Their recital includes some well-loved music with works by Purcell and Parry as
well as a selection of English, Irish and Greek folk songs. The concert takes
place at 8 pm on Saturday 12th April.
Members and non-members are very welcome. Tickets are available on the door or
in advance through the Cambridge Arts Box Office on 503333. Any queries to Hugh
Wood.
Hugh Wood
MONDAY 3rd of March saw the Linton Granta Playgroup and Toddlers’ inaugural
pub quiz held at The Dog and Duck in Linton. The pub was packed with 10 teams
and the Dog’s regulars for one of the highlights of the fund raising year! We
raised £136, which will all be spent at Playgroup and Toddlers to purchase new
equipment and craft materials. Thanks to Tracy and Bob and their regulars for
allowing us to hold this charity event there, it was great fun and we will be
hoping to hold another one again later in the year.
The children have also been busy fund raising, filling a raisin box with as many
different objects as possible and being sponsored to do so.
Over £300 was raised and the winner was Elliot Murray who managed to squeeze an
impressive total of 95 items into his raisin box!
All the money raised will go on our continuing refurbishment of the Toddler and
Playgroup rooms. Watch out for our Open Day in June so you can see all our hard
work.
Jane Laverock
SEVERAL people have expressed the view that the South Cambs Magazine is a
waste of tax payers’ money. We hope you will find the following facts of
interest.
Advertising largely funds the magazine. Designing and printing the magazine for
South Cambridgeshire’s 55,000 residents costs £10,000 per issue. However, over
£7,000 was raised in advertising revenue from the latest issue. Design and print
therefore cost £3,000, which amounts to 5p per resident. It is hoped that the
magazine will eventually become self-financing.
The delivery costs are in addition to this, but South Cambs. employs its own
team of staff and residents and the cost is therefore far less than the post
office or an agency. In addition, delivery can be guaranteed and funds are kept
within South Cambridge-shire’s means.
Before deciding to produce the magazine four times a year the Council consulted
a representative section of the population on how they preferred to receive
information. The feedback was a request for a door-to-door publication,
appearing more frequently than the original bi-annual publication.
Central government has also stated that local authority magazines are the most
cost-effective means of communicating to all residents.
So far feedback strongly suggests a very large number of residents find the
magazine informative and interesting.
The environmental information calendar you all received with the last issue of
South Cambs Magazine in January cost 17p per item. The aim was to give residents
essential information on how the district council and residents can work
together to create a better environment while saving energy and money. There are
targets to reach from the government and members thought a calendar would
combine educational material with something that was useful.
Anybody who would like to discuss this further or make suggestions on content or
improvements should contact our Communications Manager, Sally Carroll on 01223
443262 or by email,
sally.carroll@scambs.gov.uk
Cllr Joan Smith and Cllr John Batchelor
SOUTH Cambs District Council has decided to submit a funding bid on behalf of
its local communities for the provision of a broadband internet service.
The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) is running a competition for such
funding, under the title ‘Connecting Communities’. A number of local communities
within South Cambridgeshire are considering entering this competition on their
own behalf, but they have welcomed the Council’s approach which envisages a
service which would reach all of the villages.
Councillor David Bard, portfolio holder for Information and Customer Services,
commented: "The provision of broadband internet to the more remote parts of our
district is becoming increasingly important. Many of our residents need this
service because they work or run businesses from home. At the moment the service
can be accessed by less than half of the population."
If successful with its bid, the Council will invite suppliers to submit tenders
to install and run the network. It is likely that some of the EEDA funding would
be used to subsidise the installation costs to early users of the service.
Potential users of the service are encouraged to register on the EEDA
competition website
www.demandbroadband.com/bbb-register/home.asp
The Council is pulling together a group of village representatives to support
the application and the subsequent project. Those who are interested in such a
role should email the Council at
janet.kell@scambs.gov.uk
For further information please contact Malcolm Wylie, assistant director (ICT)
at South Cambridgeshire District Council on 443100, malcolm.wylie@scambs.gov.uk
or Sally Carroll, Communications Manager at South Cambridge District Council on
443262 you can also email,
sally.carroll@scambs.gov.uk
What is broadband?
Computers generally connect to the internet using a telephone line along which
data is sent and received. The capacity is limited by the amount of data that
can be transmitted along the line at any one time. This can make accessing the
internet a slow process. Complex web pages with pictures and animations take a
long time to appear and e-mails with large attachments are slow to load. Viewing
video clips or listening to music is also difficult as transmission delays break
the continuity and make it appear stilted.
Broadband provides a high bandwidth connection which is considerably faster as
it uses advanced technology to send data eight to ten times faster, or more.
Equally importantly, it is always ‘on’ so you don’t need to dial up every time
you want access.
There is a large variety of benefits for individuals, for the community and for
businesses including: learning online, working from home, downloading music and
movies, listening to digital radio, playing interactive games, unlimited access
for a flat-rate fee, free phoneline for calls. It can be an invaluable resource
for the community, providing improved IT links for schools, business and
residents, and it is a proven added attraction for people moving to the
community. As far as businesses are concerned, broadband gives ease of
networking between offices, teleworking for staff, improved working from home,
video-conferencing, access to international markets and communication at a
predictable cost. SCDC
Morris men dance in the spring. (Photograph by Camera Club member Roger
Lapwood)
THE Camera Club’s March meeting at the Social Centre on Sunday 9th featured
members’ six favourite prints or slides. Photos ranged from UK scenes in the
Lake District and Wales, ‘Awaydays’ at Maldon and Wicken Fen, to scenes in
Spain, Crete and the Pacific islands. New recruit Roger Lapwood brought
excellent digital prints taken in early March including Morris Men outside the
Dog and Duck.
The next photographic away day meeting on Sunday 13th April will be a visit to
Clare Priory and the village of Long Melford, with its many interesting
buildings. Leisurely start at Coles Lane car park at 8.45am.
Other pencilled-in meetings are to Duxford aerospace museum on 11th May and on
13th July the club’s Annual Partners’ Away day - this year at Kentwell Hall for
the Great Annual Recreation of Tudor Life. On 12th October is the Hereford
Photographic Festival. This can be either a long day or an easy, enjoyable
weekend.
The group is using a good mix of media – slide, print and digital and new
members are welcome with any format. For further information contact John Keeble
email jkeeble@clara.net
Mike Crofts
WE hope residents will be pleased that Linton’s long-standing wish for a
green waste collection is soon to be granted (starting in the autumn). Via
countywide consultation it finally got through to the powers that be that Linton
was not alone in its wish. Green waste collection has become part of the agreed
inter-authority County Waste Strategy. Now we are pleased to report that South
Cambs has received nearly £2 million from central government to bring it in.
However there is a time limit on how soon the money has to be spent so matters
will be moving within the year. The collection is planned to be by wheelie bin
with green waste one week (in a green bin) and other waste (in a black bin) the
next. The present green box collection for cans, bottles and fabric will remain
fortnightly .
Before everyone gets upset and uptight about wheelie bins in inappropriate sites
and for certain residents who anticipate difficulties, please wait and see the
detailed proposals. Much advice is being taken from other largely rural
authorities who have met and dealt successfully with nearly every objection you
could think of! South Cambs intends to bring in a scheme which benefits from all
this experience. There will be properly thought out alternatives where necessary
and much individual help from the officers in solving problems. Information
leaflets will start going out in June/July and the scheme will start rolling out
from September.
Knowing how ‘green’ members of this community are, you will be pleased to learn
that we expect our recycling rate to go up from its present 18% to at least 40%.
In other authorities with such schemes rates are between 30 and 50% so maybe we
shall do even better with everyone’s active co-operation.
Cllr Joan Smith and Cllr John Batchelor
A FAIR Trade Evening, including a fashion show, will be held from 7.30pm on
Tuesday 29th April at the Methodist Church, Castle Street, Saffron Walden.
As well as our usual stock of foods and stationery there will be some craft
goods for sale and Traidcraft clothes to view and order. These will also be
available between 1.30 and 3pm on Wednesday 30th April at the Rock Café, Social
Centre, Linton and from 7.30 to 9pm at 1 The Furrells, Linton and 9.30-12 noon
on Friday 2nd May at The Old Post Office, Burrough Green (opposite the Primary
School). For further details please contact news
Jean Wheeler
AT the Historical Society Meeting on Tuesday 18th March, Mr Ashley Cooper, a
farmer from Gestingthorpe near Sudbury, gave an enlightened talk about ‘Rural
Life as it Was’, and the progress of various aspects of the countryside, with
illustrations of local scenes over the ages.
Methods of farming and the development of farming implements were explained,
which led to the practice of plant breeding for better crops with increased
yield and profit for the farmers. The employment of many men, women and children
in the cultivation and harvesting of the crops was steadily superseded by the
manufacture of modern machinery, and the use of horsepower steadily declined.
Life as a farm labourer was very hard and long, without the benefit of hot baths
at the end of the day. The school summer holiday was planned to cover the
harvest period so that children were free to help in the fields.
Mr Cooper covered a wide range of subjects, from the use of burnt lime in
buildings, the growing of herbs for medicinal purposes, the bringing of water to
villages – running water was introduced to Linton in 1936, as opposed to the
1950s for many areas. The varying local names for different aspects of
cultivation was touched on, as were the wild flowers and orchids which grew in
the area around his farm. Mr Cooper was thanked by Clare Neville.
Pat Genochio announced that there will be a guided walk with Garth Collard on
the history of Church Lane at 2.15pm on Saturday, 26th April with tea at The
Guildhall afterwards. Tickets in aid of Save The Children are available from
Judith White,
The next meeting is on Tuesday 15th April, when Mike Petty will talk about
Cambridgeshire engravings. All are welcome.
Please note that at the moment there is a reserve list for the Bletchley Park
outing. Would all those who applied please ensure their payments reach Joan
Pearman, 17 Brinkman Road, CB1 6XF, as soon as possible.
Joan Pearman
THE winners of March’s K-Club monthly draw:
1st (£50) Mrs J. Head (No. 069);
2nd (£25) Mr. J. Pelling (No. 328);
3rd (£10) Mrs. M. Horner (No. 250)
THESE are difficult times and as is the case with most things the College
community tends to magnify and focus the issues we face. This is as it should be
of course, because any school that tries to pretend the events of the world
outside are none of its concern is creating a problem for itself. Young people
often receive a bad press; adults tend to think things have somehow got worse
than when they were young. Memory can be a good filter.
I have, however, been quietly amazed over the last two weeks by the depth of
thought and extent of deeply felt views about the war in Iraq. Not all LVC
students oppose it, indeed most freely admit they do not really know what to
think and those who do oppose it seem to have considered the fact carefully
before rushing to conclusions. As in life there is also a small group who don’t
much care either way.
It is not so long ago that the newspapers were full of dire warnings about a
de-sensitized generation brought up on violent video and computer games that
could not be entrusted with the future of the planet. Nothing is further from
the truth. I believe the young people at LVC with its long tradition of
supporting those in need in this country or abroad, are more socially and
morally aware than previous generations have been. We have seen this replicated
in schools across the country, after all you can’t include a compulsory subject
called Citizenship into the school curriculum and expect its recipients not to
take seriously their responsibilities as future citizens.
This does not mean of course that we can condone the kind of demonstrations seen
in some schools. The flaunting of the vital rules that all organisations need to
function properly and safely must not be condoned, but we do have to recognise
that to many people young enough not to remember the first Gulf War, what is
happening now is deeply confusing and troubling. That is why we must keep
talking about these things in schools and in our families and in so doing, try
to encourage a greater understanding of the daunting issues that face our world.
Notwithstanding the current crisis, we are still global citizens. C R Bush,
Principal
I DON’T think any of us realised how much work and planning is involved in
the maintenance of something which we take for granted. Woodland is just here,
isn’t it, but no, we learned from Ray Symmonds last month the fascinating cycle
which evolves from the regular coppicing of trees on ancient sites.
Mr Symmons, who is the collections manager for the University Museum of Zoology
working mostly in Hayley Wood in Bedfordshire, described the management of
woodland as "gardening for weeds".
Today’s woodland evolved as the world warmed after the ice age through conifers,
then birch, to the present lime, oak, ash and hazel. At times this land has been
cleared for the use of man but it soon reverts to woodland if agriculture is
abandoned.
Dutch elm disease, regarded as a major disaster by many at the time, actually
saved Hayley Wood as the elms were becoming invasive, threatening the survival
of the wild flowers which spring up as soon as smaller trees are coppiced.
Wild deer, however, are a real threat to these tasty morsels and must be fenced
out, which is an expensive and labour intensive operation. So, a walk in the
woods for us becomes a pleasurable experience as a result of this clever
management.
This month Alan Moores will give an illustrated talk entitled "An Introduction
to Alpine and Rock Gardens", and the May outing will be to a private garden in
Harlton.
Meanwhile, we hope the local photographers are thinking of entries for the photo
section at the Gardening Club’s annual show in July.
Gloria Fidler
Illustrated by Maureen Williams
I REALLY once thought our entire world was fundamentally sane with only the
odd small pocket of insanity. A questioning four year old then, I realised our
nation was still grieving its losses after yet another war, and this apparently
excused strange behaviour.
By six, all was not as it first appeared, and old knowledge on all things bright
and beautiful was up for re-assessment. The debate of self awareness and
philosophy of Rene Descartes ‘Cogito ergo sum’ was the flavour of my generation.
One grey bearded gentleman with an urge to walk the walk was a certain milestone
inspector. No longer hunting Rommel in the desert, he pointed out the mobbing of
a bright yellow canary by a flock of starlings and two rooks in a local spinney.
My older brother demonstrated his genetic traits of a hunter by successfully
spearing his first pike in the Little Ouse, presenting the fish for cooking that
evening to my mother. Moments later I was sent on a secret mission to purchase a
large piece of cod. Meanwhile, the ponging pike’s body of questionable source,
was removed and fed to the caged rook halfway down the garden, with just the
head of the pike, lightly battered to match the cod. To this day my brother, now
pushing sixty, still revels in the memory of the taste of his first fresh pike.
I wonder, does cod taste like pike to him or pike like cod? Either way I still
suspect my brothers hand hewn willow spear entered the lifeless corpse of a once
great predator with pure innocence.
That same evening, one stupefied over-fed rook was beheaded by a very old rat
that usually gorged itself on our chickens eggs. The remaining feathered body
being too large to be dragged down his hole was used the following evening as a
rat-trap enticement, hence the killer met its maker. A series of tragic events,
little white lies and deceptions that began with a spear, yet I still had the
usual bread and jam for tea.
Dr Cox and his wife have no doubt invested in some herbal sleep remedy recently,
having been plagued by their aptly named ‘Suicide Sid’. The SS turned out to be
a chaffinch Fringilla coelebs, that rattles on windows with such force you would
expect either the pane or the bird’s vertebrae to shatter. Well, so far the
glass remains unbroken, but the bird refuses to stop. The wing mirrors on my own
car sustained a prolonged Chaff’-attack in the High Street.
My daughter Geraldine remarked whilst watching a thrush attacking our garden
mirror, "It seems they don’t have trouble with their reflections in water" .
One extremely thoughtful resident puts paper bags over their car wing mirrors as
a preventative measure. It is said that all these finchly antics are nothing
more than a display of territorial defence.
You see we are back to war again. Why do these sophisticated and beautiful
creatures lack the ability to grasp the concept of their own reflections?
Chaffinches build amazing nests, usually in trees, fur-lined and often disguised
by an outer layer of lichen. Perhaps a level of self-awareness is a wonderful
gift, yet it all revolves around survival and the amazing trial of a gene. Tap,
tap, tap. Mrs Cox reports there now appear to be ‘Sons of Sid’.
You know, our village is really quite special. Where else would you come across
a pair of Peach Faced Lovebirds perched on an ancient garden wall harmoniously
stroking each others necks like a double mime act whilst church bells ring?
I felt the lump in my throat and tear in my eye quickly disperse as I remembered
to be a mere observer of all things bright and beautiful, including the price of
peace, cod and oil.