Linton Jazz Orchestra - Blow your own trumpet!
WE have had plenty of lively debate in the Linton News regarding the
introduction of Wheelie Bins, but readers of the recently delivered ‘South Cambs
Magazine’ will have realised that they are coming to Linton, like it or not. If
we read further, we also discover that the day of our rubbish collection is
changing from Thursday to Monday, and this change is happening this week.
Waste collection is now every Monday starting from 4th August until 3rd
November, when the first wheelie bin collection will take place. From November,
waste collection and recycling collection will alternate every week.
Wheelie bins will be delivered to us around two weeks before the first
collection, and large families will be able to obtain another bin (for £25) if
they can ‘satisfactorily demonstrate to the council the need for an extra bin
and/or have a family of six or more’.
The green wheelie bins can be used for grass cuttings, hedge and shrub
trimmings, untreated wood and bark, weeds and flowers, cardboard and yellow
pages and junk mail. The green boxes will continue to be used for aluminium and
steel cans, pet food cans, drinks cans, food tins, newspapers and magazines,
textiles and glass bottles and jars. All other rubbish will go in the black
wheelie bins.
The article also states that bags of rubbish left by the side of the wheelie
bin will not be collected, and bins that are overflowing and with lids not shut
properly will also be left behind due to health and safety regulations.
If you have any queries, the Wheelie Bin Hot Line is open Monday to Saturday,
8am-8pm on 0845 650 0280 Your call will be handled by staff who have been
fully briefed to answer any queries you may have.
There are plenty of dos and don’ts regarding what to put where and when, and
residents are bound to get it wrong sometimes, but the decision has finally been
made.
Councillor Colin Barker, environmental health portfolio holder at South
Cambridgeshire district Council said, "With the pressures on landfill and wider
EU and central government directives we aim to increase the district’s recycling
rate from 18% to around 40% - making it one of the best in the country."
"Resident consultation was held earlier this year to gauge views on the
proposed new scheme. Residents strongly supported increasing the amounts of
recycling and the current scheme has been developed to take on board residents’
views and concerns."
Before the first wheelie bin collection, the Linton News will reproduce a
guide to which bin is to be used for which type of refuse.
The new scheme will help us recycle more, thus reducing landfill and adding
extra revenue from recycling to the local authority’s funds.
Residents may be upset to have this change forced upon them, but at least the
authorities will now collect garden waste and also cardboard can be recycled. A
few years from now we may wonder what all the fuss was about. LNT
Further information is available at www.scambs.gov.uk/wheeledbins or email
wheeledbins@scambs.gov.uk
Linton Jazz Orchestra - Blow your own trumpet!
IF you thought jazz was the kind of music played in darkened cellars,
listened to by men with dodgy haircuts and cravats, tapping their feet and
nodding their heads, then think again. I attended a practice session of Linton
Jazz in mid July, and the music I heard kept me humming all the way back home.
Linton Jazz is a Jazz Orchestra, rather than a Jazz Band, the difference
being they also have clarinets, oboes and flutes. This can cause a few problems
as the music they play has to have parts especially written for these
instruments, but the sound is just stunning. With an age range of 11 to 65, most
of the members are local, but a few come from Cambridge and Newmarket, and they
get together in Linton Social Centre from 3-5pm every 2nd Sunday
I spoke to Band Leader Karen Sanderson (who is a music teacher at Linton
Village College, and also sings and plays the flute) who told me that she
started Linton Jazz in 1998 with Stephen Inglis. They wanted to form a group of
people who could play "Big Band" Jazz, which helps children just starting to
grow confident enough to play to an audience, and fun for both them and the
adults who play just because they love music.
The group is totally self sufficient, and most of their concerts are staged
for other people’s charities, for which they receive a donation. They have a
fund-raising concert for themselves every March, which is usually performed at
Linton Village College, but they are looking for a larger venue as the tickets
are very sought after and there are often just as many people standing as
sitting. Buying music is an expensive business (just one score costs around
£40-50) and they are currently trying to fund the second half of their PA
system. A CD of their last concert is available to buy, and they are hoping to
make a professional CD in the near future.
Linton Jazz currently has about 27 regular members, but would still be
interested to
accommodate trumpet, clarinet or trombone players who are at Grade II standard.
You can contact Karen on % 891708 or Stephen on % 892306 for details.
If you would like to attend their concerts, the next one is in Newmarket in
September for a church roof fund, and then they will be in Thetford Forest in
October for the Flying Doctors’ charity. Next year they have been invited to
perform as part of an International Music Festival in Cambridge, with other
professional Big Bands, including a Jazz Orchestra from Norway.
If you have been to one of Linton Jazz’s concerts (they regularly appear at
the Linton Heights Carnival and have recently played to all the Mayors in the
area at Chilford Hall) then you will already know that their jazz music is fun,
and sometimes recognisable as film themes or background music for advertising,
and not just improvisation and syncopated rhythms (whatever they are!) – I’ve
been converted, why not give them a try yourselves?
Tracey Wilson
FIRST returns of the village survey questionnaires point to older residents
being better represented than younger – with the implication that they have been
able to find the time and working families have not.
The danger of this is that the results, which will be fundamental to the way
the village is organised during the next five years, will be skewed towards the
views of older residents.
"It is vitally important that younger people give their views – that they say
what they want from the village,’’ said Judy Rossiter, the project coordinator.
"It is difficult to find the time when you are working and bringing up a
family but the environment in which you live will be affected by the village
plan. Make sure your views are taken into account.’’
The survey team is trying to help busy residents by calling to collect forms.
If you have filled in your form and can deliver it to your collector, please do
so; if you cannot deliver it, keep it and someone will call in the hope of
collecting it – though to make sure, please phone %891383 to say when you will
be available. LNT
COUNCILLORS were concerned to discover there was no time limit on development
plans - having previously gone to great lengths to overcome the perceived time
limit on development plans in Back Road - and have decided to bring this to the
attention of the District Council.
Council were still unhappy with the grass cutting and appearance of the area
around the village sign. If this is not kept to a good standard it is possible
that a volunteer from the village will be found to keep it looking better.
The state of the footpath/cycle path between Linton and Hildersham was raised
again.
The need for litter bins at the Dog & Duck, Camping Close and the A1307 end
of Stanton’s Lane was noted.
Depending on the replies, funding for the village questionnaire may have to
be revisited.
Council agreed to the County Council proposal for parking in the High Street.
Difficulties with the engraving for the Jubilee Rock plaque mean that the
names of sponsors have still not been placed on the stone. Advice is being
sought about engraving a stone slab as an alternative to metal and embedding
that in the stone instead.
A letter of complaint with regard to skateboarding at the Cathodeon Building
has been received and will be addressed under the local by-laws.
It was reported that the village now has a cash machine within the Co-Op.
The situation regarding SCDC waste collection introduction of the wheelie
bins was reported. It was also reported that collection dates are changing to
the Monday of each week commencing 4th August. During September/October the new
wheelie bins will be delivered.
All the relevant information is in the South Cambs Magazine but not many
people have actually read it so a press release is being arranged to highlight
the changes.
A query was raised with regard to the waste that can be recycled. No kitchen
waste (even vegetable peelings) can be accepted at the moment, although this
should be added once the contractor has been granted a licence by the
government.
There were 21 crimes reported in Linton for June.
An apology was given to council with regard to the recent article in the
FOCUS magazine, which stated that the Parish Council had ‘backed’ the proposed
new special needs school at the LVC. It was assumed that the Parish Council had
been consulted on this issue when this was not the case.
Complaints are still being received regarding the 113 bus service.
A recent complaint regarding the 129 bus service was reported where a
passenger stated that the driver had failed to pick them up from Ashdon. The
reply they received was that ‘no-one was ever picked up at Ashdon, so the
drivers operate via Hadstock instead’!
"This is summit else!" John Harding, Bob Hammett, Fiona and Steve
Alexander find a perfect photo opportunity.
LAST month Bob Hammett climbed Mont Blanc in the French Alps to raise money
for MAGPAS for whom he is a Community First Responder in Linton. Bob gives us
his account of the expedition.
"We set out on the 4th July and travelled to Chamonix where we were based for
the climb. After a few days acclimatisation at altitude we set off on our climb
of Mont Blanc at about 9.00 am on the 10th July. We arrived at the first refuge
De Tete Rousse at 3167 metres at 11.30am, had a late breakfast of omelettes and
then set off for the overnight stay at refuge Aig Du Goutter at 3817 metres. The
climb up to the hut had its moments; the people above us were sending down loose
rock and at times the pieces of rock were quite big. If they had hit any body
they would have been knocked off the climb. Everyone had to be very careful of
what was going on around them. We got to the refuge Aig Du Goutter at 3.00pm
where we were to spend the night and we were in bed by 7.30pm! The next morning
we started for the summit at 3.00am. By about 4.15am the sun was beginning to
rise and it was light enough for us to turn off our head torches and continue
our climb in daylight. At 6.30am we arrived at the top of Mont Blanc, a mere
4807 metres high. Having reached our goal we took some pictures and started back
down before the snow softened. It took us until 3.00pm to get back to the valley
floor in Chamonix, by which time we were definitely in need of a good drink to
celebrate our success!"
Bob’s achievement has raised over £500 but he would also be pleased to
receive any further donations (cheques payable to MAGPAS and sent to 53 Back
Road,)
LINTON rock band My Pet Joey were the judges favourite at the recent Get
Heard competition held at The Junction in Cambridge on 28th May.
The panel of judges were unanimous in their decision that the former LVC
students, who have only performed live on four previous occasions, provided the
best performance on the night.
However, the voting system in place meant that the judging panel’s vote
counted for only 20 percent of the total. The audience vote made up the rest and
it was here that the band suffered defeat. With many of their usual fans staying
at home to revise for A Level exams, My Pet Joey had the smallest gathering of
supporters on the night. Despite this, the band lost by only 2 percent to a very
capable younger trio, Hidden Signal.
The band had been judged on musicianship, originality, stage presence and
crowd reaction, but in the end it was down to the crowd. My Pet Joey claimed 35
percent of the vote, losing to Hidden Signal’s 37 percent.
The Get Heard competition had been organised to promote young unsigned bands
in the age group of 11 to 17 year olds. First prize was the opportunity to play
at The Party on the Piece in Cambridge on12th July.
My Pet Joey had entered the competition using their demo CD entitled
Reluctant Hero EP, so named after a picture that hangs on a wall at Hills Road
College. The CD had been studio recorded as a result of winning first prize in a
previous band competition and was sent in to the Get Heard selection panel.
Being the first band on stage, My Pet Joey opened the competition with their
powerful blend of melodic emo rock and performed a half hour set which included
a clever rendition of Come Together by The Beatles along with several of their
own, well crafted songs.
The band were obviously disappointed at losing, but felt that performing at
The Junction was a great experience.
Junction manager Richard Brown, one of the judges on the night, was impressed
enough with the Linton band to immediately offer them another gig at The
Junction on 19th June.
The members of My Pet Joey are:
Gary Miller - vocals
Jonathan Martin - lead guitar
Oliver Hinkins - rhythm guitar
David Inglis - bass guitar
Alex Tweed - drums
Richard Martin
ANNE Parry Smith welcomed members to the July meeting. Depending upon the
weather, Miriam had arranged a walk from Linton to Chilford Hall for Friday
morning 4th July. Clare and Marjorie were thanked for their display in the
library showcase.
Val Spencer’s garden tea party had been a great success and £103 was raised
towards the new WI cupboard in the Social Centre. Some members had attended the
East of England Show and exhibited craft items, which were on show in the CFWI
tent. Joan Pearman was thanked for organising the outing to Bletchley Park. For
some it was their second visit as there was so much to see and digest. Due to
members’ concern over the wheeled bins’ introduction, Councillor Mrs Joan Smith
had been contacted and hopefully all problems will be met.
Mrs Rosalind Bubb, houseplant consultant, was welcomed. Many of us find it
difficult to keep houseplants healthy but Rosalind tried to dispel these worries
with her five top tips. Many of us over water, place in draughts, re-pot at the
wrong time perhaps in too large a pot or just put the plant in the wrong place
and conditions. Rosalind does home consultations and will be holding evening
classes in the autumn at Hills Road, Cambridge. Whilst refreshments were served,
members were able to buy produce from the trading stall.
This month, on 5th August, the speaker will be Ken Goodwin, the head chef at
Wimpole Hall. All visitors are welcome.
Cynthia Norris
Dear Editor
We would like to make all cat owners in the village aware that someone is
getting pleasure from taking pot shots at cats with an air rifle.
Two weeks ago our cat became unwell and we took him to the vet in the
village. He was a little confused as to what the problem was but after further
investigation he discovered our cat had an air rifle pellet in his bladder. The
pellet had also hit his spine and because it is lead has caused further problems
for our cat. It’s amazing he has survived this, although he has suffered a lot
of pain and discomfort.
Some people don’t like cats, fair enough, but do they really have to harm
them? Maybe it won’t be a cat that gets hit next time, it could be a child.
It is illegal to do this and if you are caught you will be prosecuted. If you
have a gun of any description in your house please keep it locked up and away
from children; even better don’t have one at all.
Name and address supplied
Dear Editor
I would like to say thank you to everyone who supported the Coffee Morning in
aid of Cherryhomes. £263 was raised to help the severely physically disabled.
Judith White
Dear Editor
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who took the
trouble to vote in the local elections and elected me as a Parish
Councillor.
Bob Hammett
Dear Editor
Audrey and Reg would like to thank family and all our friends for the lovely
cards, presents and flowers we received for our Golden Wedding.
Audrey and Reg Law
Dear Editor,
I would like to thank all my kind friends and neighbours for their love and
sympathy during this very sad week. I shall never forget their kindness. Cyril
was loved everywhere and will never be forgotten.
Vera Watts
Dear Editor
Through the Linton News I would like to express my appreciation of the
generosity of the many people who attended the coffee morning held at Kenwood
Gardens on 26th June in support of Alzheimer’s Research Trust.
My thanks also to the loyal helpers who manned the various stalls. Together
with donations, a total of over £500 was raised.
Joan D Pollock
Dear Editor
I was most interested in D. Pearson’s letter in your July edition. It would
seem that small wheelie bins will be available, which will be most helpful to
elderly folk who live alone. I trust we shall be told where to ask for the small
bins.
Meanwhile, what is to become of the many old dustbins that will be
superfluous? Will they be recycled? And will they bring in a little money for
the village? I was brought up on the Waste Not Want Not principle.
Mrs J M Hodgson
Dear Editor
I would like to ask readers of the Linton News were you near the junction of
Balsham Road and the High Street between 12.00 noon and 12.30pm on Sunday 20th
July? If yes, did you see the dark green Ford Fiesta pull out of Balsham Road in
front of my motorcycle? If you did, please would you telephone me on % 892919 in
the evenings? I would be very grateful for your help.
Richard Price
Dear Editor
Can any of your readers tell me if it is legal to permanently park an empty
horse-box in a narrow village lane?
F B Powell
THIS year’s Wacky Races event organised and sponsored by The Crown Inn, has
raised another whacking amount for charity for the second year running.
Over £2,200 will be split between Linton 1st Scout Group and the Cystic
Fibrosis Charity, just beating last year’s total.
The event will be staged again next year, when it is hoped that even more
wacky racers from all parts of the community will enter into the fun.
Everyone at The Crown Inn would like to thank those involved - spectators and
competitors alike, for making it such a great Linton spectacle.
See you all next year!
Louise Gooden
These are just a few of the many photos that we have of this years Wacky Races.
If you have any photos (of any Linton event) that you would like to add to
the website please send them to LNeditor@linton.info. LNT
AFTER nine successful years Manor Farm Nursery School in Hildersham will be
closing.
We have many wonderful memories of the more than 200 children that we have
had the privilege to care for and teach and we would like to thank all the
parents for their faithful support and encouragement over the years.
Alison Burns & Beryl Mercer
Just a few of the many children that have been cared for at Manor Farm
over the years
FORTUNATELY Friday, 13th didn’t live up to it’s reputation when Felicity and
John Wilson hosted a wine tasting in aid of Save The Children at The Mill House.
Everyone was able to enjoy a perfect summer evening in the garden and to taste
12 wines selected by Peter Foukes and Felicity. £668 was raised for the charity.
The next event for Save The Children will be a "Musical Souffle" performed by
The Cambridge Voices, directed by Ian de Massini at 7pm on Sunday 21st September
in St. Andrews Church, West Wratting. So come and enjoy Victorian Partsongs,
Madrigals, Folksongs, Spirituals, Gospel Songs and Popular songs from the 1930s
to the 60s. Tickets (to include a glass of wine or fruit juice and canapés) from
Jean Motley on 01638 507559.
Judith White
THE gestation of a zebra is around 12-13 months so it is difficult to predict
the due date of birth. Jeany has been waddling around in a very large state for
several months now and we have all been eagerly awaiting the arrival of her
foal.
Finally, on Tuesday 22nd July 2003 the foal was born.
At 8.50am we noticed Jeany looking anxious; she was lying down in a quiet
spot at the top of the paddock; within a few minutes a leg and head had
appeared. By 9.15am the foal had been born and had taken her first steps. All of
this was watched by our team of very excited keepers.
Rarely is such an event observed as most births take place at night with no
assistance from us. It was a truly wonderful and amazing sight!
The Grevy’s Zebra is the largest of the zebra; the most noticeable difference
is its large ears. Grevy’s are found only in a small isolated area of East
Africa where their numbers are rapidly declining due to competition for grazing
with domestic livestock, wars, especially in Somalia, and hunting for their
beautiful hide.
Conservationists have predicted that if the numbers continue to decline at
the current rate this beautiful animal could become extinct in the wild within
50 years.
A global captive breeding programme is very successful and could already
provide animals for re-introduction should this become necessary and when
possible.
Kim Simmons
LAST month the Linton News reported news of a ‘guess the photo’ competition
that is being run by Linton Infants School PSA. The challenge is to try and
identify the location of 75 different pictures taken around the village.
The picture below is apparently posing something of a challenge... But
someone out there must know where it is!
The winner will get £75 cash and there is also a prize for the fastest
correct entry.
The quiz is on sale for £2.50 in the village newsagents and the winner will
be drawn from a hat full of the correct entries in September. Give it a go.
You’ll be surprised at what you have never noticed before.
Ewen Kellar
PARENTS and carers of young children will be glad to know that some of the
toddler activities in Linton are continuing through the Summer Holiday period
this year.
Little Acorns mother-and-toddler group will be running as usual every
Thursday morning from 10-11.30am at the Social Centre, and extends its age range
to 0-5 years during the school holidays.
The Linton Granta Summer Playgroup (held at the Youth Centre) will be running
10-12noon on the last three Wednesdays of August (13th, 20th, 27th). This also
caters for children from 0-5 years.
Both groups provide age-appropriate toys and activities, and an opportunity
for carers to meet and chat. There is a small fee, which covers refreshments and
art materials.
The Library Storytime will also continue throughout the summer. This is held
every Tuesday at 2-2.30pm, and is aimed at 0-5 year olds.
The sessions include rhymes, stories and a related art activity. There is no
charge, and it is a great way to make books and reading fun.
Hilary Crooks
THE registered charity, CAMTAD (Campaign for Tackling Acquired Deafness),
which was set up by Dorothy Parry MBE in 1978, is 25 years old this year. Over
the years CAMTAD’s dedicated volunteers have been able to help thousands of
hearing impaired people in Cambridgeshire.
One of the most successful of CAMTAD’s many services are the monthly Hearing
Help sessions that are dotted around the county. These sessions provide
information, advice, NHS hearing aid maintenance and battery exchange. This
saves the hospital’s audiology department a lot of time and saves their patients
the expense and bother of getting to the hospital for routine help.
In celebration of 25 years serving the hearing impaired in Cambridgeshire,
and the dedication of their many marvellous volunteers, CAMTAD is organising a
major exhibition of the services and facilities for the hearing impaired.
The ‘Hear This’ exhibition will take place at St Andrew the Great, St
Andrew’s Street, Cambridge (adjacent to Lion Yard Shopping Centre) from 11th to
16th August.
There will be something to interest all the family, including a museum of old
hearing aids; a selection of books from the library about deafness, tinnitus and
related subjects; a range of equipment from the RNID; mobile phones for deaf
people; Typetalk; a continuous
Hearing Help session for the duration of the exhibition; local clubs and
services; hearing dogs will be present and there will be a demonstration of how
they work, and much more.
The exhibition will be open from 2-6.30pm on Monday 11th August, 10am-6.30pm
Tuesday 12th August to Friday 15th August and 10am to 4pm on Saturday 16th
August.
Please come along and join us, we look forward to seeing you!
Avril Dring
HAVE you had your say yet on how the village should be organised in the next
five years? If not, time is running out.
The village survey, launched a month ago, is in its final stages. Completed
questionnaires are being returned before they are analysed by an outside
company.
The results will provide data on what residents feel about such controversial
issues as a High Street one-way system, moving the Infants’ School to another
site, litter and whether the village should expand. Your answers will be used to
draw up a village plan for the next five years.
"If you miss having your say because you have not returned your survey
questionnaire, you will have lost the chance to influence the village’s future,"
said Judy Rossiter, the project’s coordinator. "It really is a case of ‘choose
it or lose it’."
The survey is Linton’s biggest exercise in grass roots democracy: it is an
independent community project free of any authority or commercial body. The
resulting village plan will be very powerful because, under government
regulations, it must be taken into account by parish, district and county
councils whenever decisions are made on changes and developments.
Response to the survey - which involved scores of local people in producing and
distributing it - has been good but patchy, with returned forms suggesting that
older generations have responded more than younger at this stage.
Are you one of those who have not yet got around to filling in the questionnaire
and returning it to your collector? If so, please do it now!
"It is a busy time of the year, with some people on holiday and others just
enjoying the beautiful weather," said Dr Rossiter. "But finding the time is
worthwhile.
"Looked at another way, when the village’s issues are being tackled with plans
based on the survey results, will you be happy about not making your views count
in the survey analysis?
"If you haven’t returned your completed questionnaire yet, please do so. We will
be delighted to receive it."
If you do not still have your copy of the survey questionnaire, telephone
%891383 and a copy will be delivered to you. LNT
Time traveller and Camera Club guest June Keeble gives members some
tough competition with pictures of alchemist
Dr Roger (Ron Hall)
IT may be 2003 but the Camera Club’s trip to Kentwell Hall stepped back in time
to 1553, during the reign of Henry VIII. And what a step back in time it was.
The hall and surroundings were transformed into a fully functioning Tudor Manor,
complete with lords and ladies, together with the multitude of staff and
merchants who all in some way were required to keep them in comfort as their
wealth dictated.
Within the grounds we photographed the pottery and bronze foundry, basket
makers, woodmen, and a yeoman’s family, before wandering through to see the
stables, complete with attendant ostlers and passing wenches, archery practice,
and bead making. The entire activity recreated a day in the life of those who
lived and worked for the Lord of the Manor.
Cameras were clicking away furiously but discreetly as cooks were dishing up a
feast for the Lord and Lady of the Manor and their guests. Everything was
prepared and cooked in the kitchen, as it was in Tudor times, some of which
looked really excellent. The smells as the servants rushed the food through to
the Great Hall were really quite appetizing. On the other hand, a couple of the
dishes, including a roasted boar’s head, did not take the fancy of everyone.
First reports of photographic results suggest a wealth of excellent pictures,
rich in unusual scenes and beautiful lighting, as the 200 or so very authentic
Tudors wandered around the estate on their daily business.
One, alchemist Dr Roger, was club friend Ron Hall: he (like everyone else) could
not get out of character but, all the same, welcomed us in his best Tudorese and
told us a great deal about the time.
It really was a great day out, and we ended it by switching not only times but
also countries to dine together at the Linton Tandoori.
The day before the Kentwell Hall awayday last month, club members did well in
the Gardening Club’s photographic section. There were a good number of entries
and the judge commented that the standard throughout was very high. Three Camera
Club members got first prizes – Mike Crofts, Ron Pitkin and John Keeble.
Hopefully, the August photographic outing will be to a farm for the late stages
of the harvest.
The club meets on the second Sunday of the month and everyone is welcome,
whatever the photographic interest, media or level. For more information, please
phone %894948 or email. Jan Shambrook
LINTON’S own lottery will soon be entering its 6th year and now is the time
to think about joining if you are not already a member. The K-Club was launched
in 1998 to raise funds for Linton Action for Youth, or LA4Y as it is better
known. It began with 329 members and by last year numbers had stabilised at 332
- it has raised £9,200 so far, but this year we would like to expand the club to
around the 400 mark to increase its fund-raising potential.
It costs £12 for a year’s membership, which runs from October 1st to September
30th, with over a half of the total ‘take’ going towards prize money. Indeed,
this year’s star prizes will amount to no less than £1,150, to be drawn in
September - look out for local publicity announcing where this will be held. You
should find a K-Club application form in this copy of the Linton News, but they
can also be obtained from either of the village newsagents or the Post Office.
Failing that, ring me on the number below or email me, and I’ll ensure you get
as many as you need.
Please help us to build on the success of this fundraising initiative. The
cause, if you didn’t already know, is the maintenance of local facilities for
youth activities, particularly the Drop-In on Linton recreation ground. The
K-Club will make an important contribution towards its running costs and the
professional help that is required to maximise its effectiveness.
So don’t delay, fill in your application form now and send it to me at 7 The
Grove (%890220 or email Peter@peterdixon.freeserve.co.uk)
and I’ll make out your personal membership card for the new K-Club year to 30th
September 2004 – all for just £12. Peter Dixon
ON 28th June Friends of LVC held the Summer Wine Tasting. It was an excellent
evening and Justin Waples of Hedley Wright Wine Merchants Limited, gave a
humorous and informative talk about wines from Australia, Chile, France, Germany
and Italy. He certainly knew his stuff and all who attended have learnt a little
about how to ‘taste’ a wine and what glass to drink it from – it is amazing what
a difference the shape of the glass will make to the flavour. After the wine
tasting, nine in all plus an excellent sherry (surprisingly everyone was
relatively sober), we ‘mopped up’ with some very welcome French bread and tasty
cheese.
During refreshments we drew the winners of the Summer Draw. Congratulations to
all the lucky winners and also thank you to all those who donated prizes.
The new lighting system for the hall is going ahead at a cost of approximately
£7,000, and will be installed during the summer holiday. The Friends have agreed
to fund this project in instalments spread over two/three years: the first one
of £3,000 to be paid this year and subsequent payments to be made from future
fund raising events. This is very much appreciated by the College.
On 20th September we are having a Disco, from 8pm to midnight, at which we hope
to welcome any new parents of year seven children and maybe see some ‘old faces’
from years gone by. The Disco will be by Nitelife and with any tickets bought
prior to the event you will be able to request your favourite tracks, which we
will endeavour to play during the evening. Requests will be played for those who
want to send a message to a special someone or for those who just want to hear
their favourite tune. Have a lovely summer and we hope to see you in September.
Jane Neal
WILL we have enough food? Suppose no one turns up? Suppose too many turn up?
All worrying questions for the Friends of St. Mary’s as they prepare for a new
fund raising venture designed for the whole family. Brunch! An English breakfast
served in the Chalklands Community Centre on Saturday 6th September 10.30am to
1pm. Tickets on the door or in advance
Margaret Clark
ACTIVITIES and Care for the Elderly - ACE – is now a registered charity. This
has taken quite some work. We hope our new status will help to raise funds for
the Warden and to enable us to continue the social activities.
We have not been lucky with the weather for social events. The coach trip to
Hyde Hall RHS Garden on Thursday 3rd July was marred by rain, but the
conversation on the coach was warm and lively. We were also cheered by the
route, which was very scenic, through some of the prettier Essex villages.
Whilst we were eating lunch in the Barn, the weather was kinder, giving us a dry
afternoon to explore the gardens. The Dry Garden is now well established (but
dry was perhaps not the word for that day!)
The rose gardens were impressive, particularly the rambling roses, which grew on
garlanding ropes fixed between posts with damask roses beneath, and up steel
obelisks. The herbaceous garden gave us ideas for our own plots and plants with
an interesting array of containers (who donated that pair of boots?), which gave
amusement as well as inspiration. We took the motorway back, and true to form
there was another deluge.
Our next ACE social event is a coach trip to Anglesey Abbey, on Thursday August
21st, leaving the Social Centre at 11am. Call Gill or Dawn on 891001 to book
places; the coach is free. It is National Trust, so if you are a member, please
bring your card.
I know this is very advance notice, but we are now booking for the Christmas
Gala Matinee at Thursford on 23rd November. This is a very popular event, as
anyone who has been will know. Linda Read worked a little magic and has tickets
– how does she do it? We will subsidise the coach, but there will be a charge
for this one.
Many thanks to the ladies of the committee who organise these events; your work
is much appreciated.
If only you could organise the weather...
Enid Bald
ON Sunday 7th September there will be a fun day at Linton Village College.
Starting at 9.30am this all day event will include our annual football
tournament with more than 25 teams from the surrounding area playing. There will
also be sideshows and refreshments available.
This is a really good spectacle and a real village event and all are welcome to
come along and support our children.
For more details or tickets please telephone Peter Belsom
Max Penfold
AN Extraordinary General Meeting of the Linton & District Helping Hands will
be held on Wednesday 3rd September at 7.30pm at 89 Bartlow Road.
The main business to be transacted will be the appointment of a new Chairman and
reports from the Treasurer and the Co-ordinator. Any nominations for the office
of Chairman should be sent to me (89 Bartlow Road, Linton, CB1 6LY) before the
meeting. Bruce Conochie
THE waiting is finally over and I am delighted to say that the College has
been successful in its bid for Specialist School Status. What this means is that
around half a million pounds of additional funding will come our way over the
next four years allowing several things to happen. Firstly, we will use the
capital grant and our sponsorship money to build a new business studies suite
within the Technology block. This will allow us to simulate a business office
environment and have space for seminars and visits from members of the business
community. We will also be buying over sixty wireless networked laptops for use
all around the College. Other areas of the College such as Maths and Engineering
will also see some improvements to rooms. New positions of responsibility have
also been created, some of them in our local primary schools and these will be
filled by Christmas. Our business sponsors have met and are now all clear about
their support roles within the new applied GCSE courses and the College in
general. We intend to launch our new status early next term and parents will be
invited to join staff, students and sponsors in an event which will outline our
next steps and answer any questions which emerge. We will also allow ourselves a
small celebration!
Recently I was given a very special opportunity to further my own professional
development and that of a group of nine other Headteachers. I was asked to lead
the group of Heads, drawn from schools all over the UK, going to New Zealand as
part of an International Leadership Programme devised and funded by the British
Council, National College for School Leadership and the Department for Education
and Skills. We spent a week in secondary schools exploring leadership issues at
all levels and then during week two, worked with NZ Headteachers in the
University of Waikato Education Leadership Centre. In between these two
intensive weeks was a weekend of sightseeing and exploration of what is still a
sparsely populated and very beautiful country.
Finally, a very busy year and long term came to an end and I am delighted to say
the College continued to achieve very highly both academically and in sport and
the arts. Some examples of these successes were the record breaking KS3 SAT
results, a string of county championship victories, most recently in cricket,
and the superb work on display at the Creative Achievements Evening. Of equal
importance though is the continued hard work and achievement of those subject
areas without such a public profile and indeed of everyone who has contributed
to College life this year. Now we all need a rest!
Clive Bush, Principal
THIS year’s Thurlow Fayre takes place from 1-4pm on Sunday 7th September and combines traditional countryside pursuits, like fly casting and clay shooting, with more modern activities, like a bungee run and bouncy assault course. While some of the main events, including the gun dog and falconry displays, are professional performances, the fayre organisers are hoping to generate some keen audience participation in support of the tug-of-war teams, each pulling for a cash prize for a chosen village cause. The schoolchildren of the village will be demonstrating maypole dancing, while the Milton Morris Men will also be entertaining the crowds. Car booters will be eager to come along from 11am to enjoy the popular quality car boot sale as well as the bouncy castle, assault course and refreshments (including a licensed bar and BBQ). Fun for the whole family will include puppet shows and a giant walkabout puppet, face painting, crockery smashing, buzzosaurus, train rides, toddler rides, bubbles, Doc Spinoff with his crazy bicycles and circus tricks and more. Surf to www.thurlowfayre.org.uk for full details. Suzanne White
Illustrated by Maureen Williams
THIS time of year some Lintonian cats seem to go on a killing spree. Our
adorable, favourite feline friends kill and maim more creatures each year than
all the fox-hunts put together. I usually end up with a house full of little
traumatised and punctured patients. Some survive, some don’t, for the extreme
summer heat causes many baby birds to become quickly exhausted and vulnerable to
cat-attack, especially during flight training, so keep an eye out!
This month I intended to discuss the sudden emergence of flocks of
cabbage-white, but whilst whiling away some rare holiday summer days gazing at
the remaining and fantastic bloom of an orange lily, I noticed a hoverfly. With
wings like those of an old English Electric Lightning it touched down on the
petal of a nearby lavateria. Here before me was yet another fascinating mimic
like the beautiful bee-orchid I investigated last month. The hover-fly Syrphus
ribesii, which may to the untrained eye be mistaken for a wasp, has no sting,
and from my own observations they are somewhat more agile. The busy but un-buzzy
fly loves frequenting umbels such as parsley and fennel. Other hover-flies like
the Drone-Fly Eristalis tenaxdo indeed imitate bees, yet what is more intriguing
is their lava, known as the ‘rat-tailed maggot’. This mucky little monster has a
tendency to live in muddy, grubby places breathing via a telescopic snorkel
believed in the past to be its tail, hence its name. Whilst on the subject of
tails, local walkers have undoubtedly noticed over the last few years a certain
Lintonius Lapinsarus or Rectory Rabbit hopping around St Mary’s Church yard
successfully avoiding dog and fox. Its survival is probably due in part at least
to its enchanting presence and charming colouration, perfectly suited as a
disguise amongst the lichen-mottled gravestones.
Having observed the rabbit’s flirtatious nature earlier this year with wild
counterparts along the banks of the Granta the inevitable has happened, (as it
does with rabbits) and consequently several more of these white, grey and brown
darlings abound our village. One has already migrated south to The Water Mill
where the owners have lovingly created their garden as a private wildlife
sanctuary. Another hops merrily around the nearby school and others dart between
bush and tree here and there. Thankfully this first generation blend of bunny
does not appear to be a keen burrower yet it can run at a phenomenal pace. It is
not yet known if the high speed flashing white tail can induce fits if observed
for long periods, but one thing is certain! It has joined the ranks of Linton’s
successful breeders, along with ourselves and the woodpeckers, magpies,
kingfishers, voles and crayfish. I suggest we allow the rabbit to run its
course. Oh well! I have some serious sunbathing to do before the rain and storms
sweep in from the Atlantic; with one eye on my black and white cat and the
mind’s eye on the colourful season of blackberry pie and all good things from
the harvest. Until next month!
Derek Dimmock receiving one of his cups from Charles Attwood (photo: Ron
Pitkin).
A RECORD number of entries and plenty of visitors kept us busy all day at the
Club’s annual show on 12th July and we’re certainly not grumbling about that.
The displays of vegetables, fruit and flowers were works of art and many of
these were produced by our long-standing contributor Derek Dimmock who won seven
cups in total.
In the flower arranging section there was a category called "Dare to be
Different" and Jan Sheppard produced a most unusual display of clematis entwined
around tall stems of iris, for which she won best overall arrangement.
The judge for the baking and preserves left a delightful message noting that
there are lot of excellent cooks in Linton and the produce was definitely good
enough to eat!
Abundant Linton talent was also on display in the handicraft section, in which
Peaky Carver won one in each section (baking and handicraft).
Junior entrants excelled themselves this year and the judge had a difficult time
deciding on the best vegetable bug in a wondrous display of interesting
creatures.
Daniel and Mollie Gibbs shared the winner’s cup in the seven and under class for
their miniature gardens, photos, crafts, painting and a bug, and Kate Symes-Thompson
had the most points in the eight-14 section with a lifelike marzipan model of a
cat and mouse, craftwork, a bug and a miniature garden.
We would like to thank everyone who transported, erected, dismantled, cooked,
served, cleared up, added up, got writer’s cramp, displayed, judged and visited.
It was particularly nice to have Charles Attwood, a former president of the
club, to present the prizes. Next season starts with the AGM on 14th October
Gloria Fidler