COTTENHAM TYRE & AUTOCENTRE

SERVICING – TYRES – EXHAUSTS

210 HIGH STREET, COTTENHAM Telephone (01954) 250104M.O.T. Work – Body & Paintwork – Welding – Engine Tuning

Batteries – Punctures – Wheel alignment – Autoparts shop‘LET YOUR LOCAL BUSINESS DO THE BUSINESS FOR YOU’

ISSUE NUMBER 50 MARCH/APRIL 1999

The misery and humbug enjoyed bythe disciples of Scrooge are set to con-tinue. The front-page article in thelast edition of the newsletter by thedeparting editors, Miranda andMichael, certainly stimulated aresponse. No fewer than eighteenCottenham residents came forwardto offer editorial assistance for thenewsletter. There is no chance thatthis valuable Cottenham institutionwill fold after such an expression ofsupport. I would like to thank allthose who so kindly offered their ser-vices - your offers of assistance aregreatly appreciated.

As for me, well I guess I was the luckyone - I’ll let you know later! My nameis James Martin, and I moved into thevillage four and a half years ago withmy wife Anne and our two children,Kate and Aidan. We have spent manyyears roaming Britain and Norway fol-lowing my career in the oil industry. Wenever guessed we would live near

Cambridge, let alone that I would workin a building that resembles a large cir-cus marquee (answers on a post card ifyou can identify the location of thebuilding, its architect and the name ofthe company I work for).

I look forward to the continuing sup-port of all the regular and irregular con-tributors to the newsletter. I would alsoappreciate any ideas readers have forarticles, issues you would like raised, orany other items that would add value tothe newsletter. It really is a publicationby the people of Cottenham for the peo-ple of Cottenham.

The letter entitled “The YoungerGeneration” published in the last edi-tion of the newsletter stimulated both aprolific and vigorous response fromCottenham residents. A selection of let-ters appears in this issue. Cars are oftenparked on the road outside the librarydoors and sometimes on the pavement,causing an obstruction to both pedestri-

ans and road users alike on a busy dou-ble bend in a residential area. I amgrateful to Cottenham Library staff, forsending in a copy of an official councilleaflet which is available from thelibrary; I quote: “COTTENHAMLIBRARY CAR PARK - The car parkat the rear of the library is for cus-tomers’ use as well as staff. Please feelfree to park if space is available. Shouldthe car park be full and you have to parkon the street, please consider the resi-dents. In particular, parking on the cor-ner outside the library doors is causinga problem in Margett Street and shouldbe avoided”.

On a lighter and important note, theCottenham newsletter editorial teamwould like to wish Miranda andMichael both success and happiness intheir new life in Ireland. Their contribu-tion to the newsletter in recent monthsis greatly appreciated.

SCROOGE CELEBRATIONSFLOP AS COTTENHAM RALLYS

VILLAGE DIARYMARCH

26th Bus Pass Refunds at Franklin Gardens Community Room. 4:00pm - 6:00pm.

APRIL10th Another Bumper Jumble, Cottenham Village College. 2:00pm.10th Salvation Army Jumble Sale, 10:00am - 11:30am.13th Cambridge Osteoporosis Support Group. Cookery demonstration at Dry

Drayton Village Hall. 2:00pm - 4:00pm.14th WI. ‘Patio Gardening’, a talk by Mr Rodney Tibbs. Franklin Gardens

at 7:30pm.17th Royal British Legion, Cottenham. Toad in the hole, followed by Bingo.18th Yesteryear Road Run. Cottenham Village Green, and Rampton, and

Willingham,.... 09:30am start, returns Cottenham 4:00pm.19th AGM Cottenham Wine and Beer Circle. Wine competition.25th Wildlife Trust. Guided walk around Hayley Wood. Meet at end of Hayley

Lane on the B1046 Longstowe - Little Gransden road at 2:30pm.28th ‘Happy Birthday Mr Cromwell’, a talk by Neville M. Williams with Simon

Bray at Cottenham Village Library. 7:30pm.

MAY1st Fun Run, Cottenham Village College. Registration from 9.00am., race

Starts 10.30am.8th Ladybird Pre-school. Grand Auction of Promises.12th WI. ‘Making Paper Butterflies’, demonstration by Ivy Richards.

Franklin Gardens at 7:30pm.15th Wildlife Trust. Annual ‘Bring & Buy’ plant sale. 6 Cross Keys Court,

Cottenham at 2:15pm.15th Royal British Legion, Cottenham. Ploughman’s Platter, followed by The

Beechcombers.15th Cottenham Primary School PTA, Live Band.

✎ DIARY NOTESCottenham Toy Library -

Thursdays 2.30 - 4.00 - March 18th; April 1st & 15th; May 6th & 20th.

REFUSE COLLECTIONS - ALTERATIONS FOR EASTER.Good Friday, 2nd April & Friday 9th April - Double collection on Saturday 10th April.

PLEASE SEND IN YOUR DIARY DATES - THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR ENTRIES IN THIS SECTION -

CHARITY AND CHURCH EVENTS ESPECIALLY WELCOME.

LADYBIRD PRE-SCHOOL COTTENHAMHIGH QUALITY-LOW COST CHILDCARE

TELEPHONE (01954) 250891

We provide

• Separate “preparing for school” sessions for children starting school ‘99 • Morning/afternoon sessions from 2 years 9 months

• All day sessions (9 to 3) or lunch sessions from 3 years • Little Ladybirds Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 2 years

• Baby, toddler, parent and carer group on Friday mornings (9-11.30 am)Ladybirds pre-school is situated off Lambs Lane, next to the Primary School, behind the Sports and Social Club.

Please contact us for more details, or drop in to see our purpose-built facilities.

Supervisor: Rosemary Miller BA(Hons) Chairperson: Jenny BowlesRegistered Charity OFSTED APPROVED Member of the Pre-school Learning Alliance

LADYBIRD PRE-SCHOOL

Two exiting events organised byLadybird Pre-school:

One: Stock up on yummy teatimetreats at our Cake Sale on the morningof Saturday 20th March (Stall outsideCo-op) after getting your Toy bar-gains at the Toy Library sale.

Two: Try your hand at our GrandAuction of Promises on the 8th ofMay. All sorts of unusual, excitingand valuable prizes will be availableto the highest bidder, so keep this datefree.

Give us a ring on 01954 - 250891 tofind out more about any of theseevents.

BUMPER JUMBLEAnother Bumper Jumble - in aid of

Cambs Handicapped Group minibusappeal, will take place at CottenhamVillage College on Saturday, April10th at 2pm. There will be lots ofgood jumble, nearly new, books, bric-a-brac etc. Refreshments will beavailable and admission is 20p.

Please contact Vic on 01954 -250383 with offers of help or goods.

ARTICLES, DATESAND ADVERTISMENTS.

Paper copy, PC floppy disk or e-mailsubmissions are all welcome. Pleasecontact me if you have any questions.Dates for the next issue (No. 51)should span end of May, June andJuly.

James

G B Roofing

R.J. CARPENTER, M.I.M.I.

Ralph’s WorkshopUnit 11, Watson’s Yard

CottenhamTel: (01954) 250502

MOTOR VEHICLE SERVICINGAND REPAIRSM.O.T. WORK

Parker DecorPainters and Paperhangers

56 Wilkin Walk For free estimateCottenham please ringCambridgeCB4 8TS Cottenham 251553

THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGIONThe Cottenham and Rampton

Branch of the Royal British Legionis still alive, and still meets at theBranch Headquarters at 121 HighStreet, Cottenham.

Forthcoming Social Events are:

April 17th Toad in the Hole,followed by Bingo.

May 15th Plougmans Platter,followed by The Beechcombers.

For more information about theLegion or bookings for events,please contact Mr Gadbury on01954 - 203427 or Mrs Leach on01954 - 203112.

MILLENNIUM MONEYMillennium Money over the next

two years is enabling us to engagein all sorts of exciting new projects,linking pupils at Cottenham VillageCollege and Over 60’s. Our writingworkshop, held in February,sparked off animated conversations,laughter and pages of written infor-mation when teenagers met seniorcitizens and spent the day togetherexchanging memories, attitudes andcomparing life styles. The finishedpieces of work will be published onthe Internet through Tesco 2000 andin booklet form. The atmosphere ofshared enjoyment and mutual

respect will, we hope, remain withus all for a long while.

The money also encourages youngpeople to use their initiative. Twogirls have run craft workshops forthemselves and their classmates,and have joined with members ofSTRADA (stroke patient club) fortwo afternoons of sugarcraft anddough. The results are attractive,manipulating the materials is thera-peutic and the shared activity isvery enjoyable for all.

If you know of a group of Over60’s who would like to join with

teenagers from the College to plansomething - outing, activity, specialevent - and take advantage of thismoney, please contact Jenny Kaye,Community Office, CottenhamVillage College 01954 - 288944.

SUMMERSCHOOL

We are delighted with the range ofcourse that we are able to offer thisyear for our summer school.

Last year was amazingly success-ful. We had over 200 students whoexperienced a wonderful mixture oflearning and enjoyment.

Some of the tutors will be return-ing this year; others will be freshfaces with new skills and knowl-edge to offer.Leaflets are available at the Village

College and all local libraries; ifyou have friends and relatives livingfurther away who would like acopy, we will be glad to send themone. Contact the Community Office01954 - 288944.

The Oakington Therapy Centre. 12 High Street, Oakington, Cambridge. CB4 5AG

Roger Giddings DO, MRO Richard Starmer-Jones DO, MRO Sally Beazleigh DO, MRO

Gillian Brady BSc Ost. (Hons), MRO Oliver Russell BSc Ost. (Hons), MRO Karen Prince DO, MRO

Joel Jaffey PCH, LCH Tony Sugden MBAc.C Dr Jidong Wu Master Deg. Medicine Sue Bates ITEC David St. Laurent MIPTI ACE AIMLS

We may be able to help you ! Ring and ask on Cambridge (01223) 237459

THE OAKINGTON THERAPY CENTRE

OSTEOPATHY • SPORTS INJURY & REHABILITATION • MASSAGE

ACUPUNCTURE & CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE • HOMŒOPATHY

Windmill Kennels reduce to fit

THE CAMBRIDGE OSTEOPOROSIS SUPPORT GROUP

This Group was formed in 1997 bya lady, who in September 1994, hadcrush fractures of her spine, but hadno knowledge of osteoporosis. Allshe then knew was intense pain dayand night. Eventually she discov-ered the National OsteoporosisSociety and from then on learned tomanage her life. As soon as she wasable, she started to raise money tofund the formation of a local group.She was determined that no one elsewould suffer in ignorance if shecould help it. Having raised £500,she then set about forming a com-mittee but that was harder and tooklonger than raising the money.Finally in February 1997 with thehelp of the National OsteoporosisRegional Co-ordinator the groupwas formed.

We meet every two months at TheVillage Hall, Dry Drayton, whichhas easy access for wheelchairs.Our varied speakers are not only

informative but also amusing andover a cup of tea and a biscuit wemake many friends. Osteoporosiscan attack men and several comealong either in their own right or asa partner. As one in three womenand one in twelve men will getosteoporosis in their lifetime, we aredelighted to see how much moreinformation about this crippling dis-ease is now available.

Although we rely on the NOSHeadquarters for our up to dateinformation we are a local group,and are totally self supporting andrely on voluntary help. Our meet-ings are open to all, not just mem-bers of the NOS. We welcome acontribution of 50 pence towardsexpenses and any small item for ourBring & Buy. Do join us. Pleasecontact Maureen Sharp on 01954 -251217. Forthcoming eventsinclude:

Tuesday 13 April 1999 2.00-4.00pm (Note date due to Easter)Annie Hartwright. Regional NOSCo-ordinator. Cookery demonstra-tion “Naughty but Nice”.

Tuesday 1 June 1999 2.00 -4.00pm Valerie Zarno, qualifiedaromatherapist from Histon.

Tuesday 3 August 1999 2.00-4.00pm Ann Lock, Head ofOccupational Therapy atNewmarket Hospital.

Tuesday 5 October 1999 2.00-4.00pm Rosemary Fitzgerald, mem-ber of the Acupuncture Council.

Tuesday 7 December 1999 2.00-4.00pm Speaker for the meeting tobe confirmed.

Tuesday 1 February 2000 2.00-4.00pm Social Gathering(Provisional-as this year).

R S MEMORIALS

Clements Hardware136 High Street • Cottenham • Tel: 206356

For all your everyday needs;Garden & Timber Products Electrical GoodsPet Foods Paint & D.I.Y.Fishing Tackle & Bait Ironmongery & Tools

and much much more........Come in and see us, we’ll be pleased to help you

COTTENHAM PARISH COUNCILIn the last Newsletter we reported that

the Council was awaiting the comple-tion of the “consultation” process deal-ing with proposed changes to the speedrestrictions in Histon Road. The ParishCouncil’s proposal, based on requestsfrom residents, was that the current 40mph limit at Appletrees should bereduced to 30 mph. Well, it seems thatthe consultation process is now com-plete, and after 21/2 years the decisionis that the speed limits should stay asthey are! It appears that this decision isbased on two contentions:

1) That the only way of ensuring thatmotorists could be made to reducespeed would be by the construction ofphysical restrictions such as those onTwentypence Road, which would beexpensive and potentially cause tail-backs at peak periods, and 2) That the Police claim that the newrestrictions, if imposed simply by newsigns, would be impossible to enforce.

The Council is clearly disappointedwith this conclusion, particularly afterthe time taken to reach it. Copies of theletters from the county Council and thePolice are displayed on the Parishnotice boards. If residents wish tocomment on this decision, would theyplease do so, in writing, either direct tothe County Council (your CountyCouncillor is Peter Stroude) or via theParish Council. By the way, the othertraffic matter, of parking restrictions atthe High Street/Margett Street junctionappears to still be lost in the “blackhole” of consultation.

One of the major tasks of the ParishCouncil is the provision of recreation-

al and sporting facilities. At itsFebruary meeting, the Councilapproved a significant programme ofimprovement to the playing surfaces atthe Recreation Ground. With the activeparticipation of the Sports Clubs them-selves, we hope to secure furtherimprovement projects in the longerterm.

The other main centre of recreationalfacilities is the Village College. Theswimming pool at the College has beena popular amenity for many years.Having been repaired several times,the plastic liner of the pool has finallygiven up the ghost. To replace it maycost up to £4000. Although the mainte-nance of facilities at Village College isnot the direct responsibility of theParish Council, it was decided that,rather than lose this popular facility,we should meet the cost of a replace-ment. The Council has also agreed tocontribute to the funding of another

project, based at the Village College, toprovide a skateboarding track.

Another youth activity that will besupported this year is our local Scouts.They have been working hard raisingfunds to finance their new building andthe Council, always well disposedtowards those who help themselves,will be making a contribution of£5.000 towards their building fund.

While most of the above lookstowards the future, the past must not beforgotten. The village War Memorial isa permanent reminder of the sacrificemade by the families of Cottenham sothat we can all enjoy the freedom to dothe kind of things that are described inthe pages of this Newsletter. It is show-ing the effects of time, and, sadly,occasional vandalism. This year, arefurbishment exercise will repair orreplace damaged stonework andrestore the lettering.

THE TRAVELLERS RESTHOME-COOKED LUNCHES & EVENING MEALS

FRESHLY PREPARED

EVERY WEDNESDAY SPECIAL3-COURSE ‘PIE’ MENU £8.50

TRADITIONAL SUNDAY LUNCH

MENUS AVAILABLE FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONSBUSINESS LUNCHES

SMOKING & NON-SMOKING DINING AREAS

JANE & DAVID WELCOME YOU TOTHE TRAVELLERS REST

CHITTERING (A10 ELY-CAMBRIDGE) • RESERVATIONS (01223) 860751

CAMBRIDGEBUILDING SOCIETY

VACUUM CLEANERSERVICE & REPAIR

Brian Honey, 44 Denny End RoadWaterbeach

Telephone: 01223 861708evenings and week-ends

FREE ESTIMATES

Your Local Agent: Ruth Steventon, 24 Victory WayCottenham, Tel: 01954 200904

JASPER KAY’S BIRD REPORTIt is always interesting that birds

are so active in winter, whereasmany animals hibernate, butterfliesdisappear and many plants lie dor-mant.

On the 9th of January, I took alocal walk and saw 40 differentspecies of bird. It was a beautifulday and almost every possible birdwas out and about. In the followingfew days, I saw several more birds,making a total of over 50 specieswithin the week. These birds includ-ed four different gulls, four differentfinches, three buntings, three titsand two woodpeckers. Here are thehighlights:

Church Lane: Kestrel, bullfinches,long tailed tits.

Long Drove: fieldfares, redwings,mistle thrushes, dunnocks, greenwoodpecker, greemfinch, yellowhammer reed bunting, snipe.

Old West River: tufted duck, cor-morants, linnets, meadow pipets,herons, goldfinches, short earedowl.

Aldreth Causeway Bridge: goldenplovers, curley, pied wagtails, sky-larks.

Rampton Spinney: great spottedwoodpecker, jay.

Other people have reported a king-fisher on Cottenham Lode, and sev-eral sightings of barn owls on LongDrove and near Broad Lane. A

green sandpiper was seen on theriverbank.

Now, as I write this in lateFebruary, there are already signs ofcoming spring. Birds are singing,particularly robins, mistle thrushes,dunnocks and tits; the rooks arebuilding on the Green; and birds areinspecting nest boxes.

Blackcaps, chiffchaffs and ternshave already been seen in EastAnglia, and although some of thesebirds may have over-wintered here,there are clear indications ofwarmer weather to come.

Jasper Kay

BRITISH HEART FOUNDATIONCambridge Colleges and CountryWalk and Fun Day - 20th of June1999.

A great family fun day, startingfrom 10:00am - 12:00 noon with asix mile walk from and returning toCoton Orchard, Coton for a funpacked afternoon.

• Easy six-mile circular route.

• A pleasant country walk with thefinest Cambridge College sights.

• Certificates for each walker prizefor the highest individual fundrais-

er.

• Barbecue from 12:00 noon atCoton Orchard.

• Continuous event programme.

• Side shows, games and stalls.

Everyone welcome, British HeartFoundation are looking for volun-teers to help. Side shows games,stalls, etc. also welcome.

Please contact Howard Taylor,BHF Representative on 01954 -230644 if you can help of for fur-ther details.

HAPPY BIRTHDAYMY CROMWELL

South CambridgeshireLibraries present: “HappyBirthday My Cromwell” - atalk by Neville M. Williamswith Simon Bray. InCottenham Library at 7:30pmon Wednesday the 28th ofApril 1999. Tickets are £1.50and include wine. There willbe an opportunity to ask ques-tions and to look at Simon’scostume. Call at the Library tocollect tickets, or phone 01954- 273322.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A HAMSTER!I am no ordinary hamster. I origi-

nated from the Syrian Desert, butnow I lead a life of commuting inEngland.

Each weekday morning, I amwoken at approximately 8:30am,and carried a short distance to theCottenham Methodist Church Hall.Here I am transferred into anotherhome (yes, I am a two house ham-ster), for a period of 3 1/2 hours.During this time I can study the“goings-on” of Stepping StonesMontessori.

You know, Maria Montessori wasthe first female Italian doctor. Shedeveloped a unique teachingmethod through observing childrenwith special needs and noticing howthey developed and progressed. Shedevised a set of equipment to stretch

them a little step at a time.Montessori then realised that thismethod could be as successful withany child.

The session begins at 9:15am witha circle and registration time. Aftercircle time, the children select theirown work from the Montessorienvironment. The idea I that thechildren should have a free choiceof any equipment within theMontessori environment, but oncethey have selected the exercise,there is a particular sequence to fol-low. The areas they can choose fromrange from practical life to mathe-matics, geometry to geography, lan-guage to science. There is also anature table, which is where youwill find me - Monty the hamster.

A strong emphasis is placed on

social skills and behaviour, encour-aging the children to respect them-selves, each other and the equip-ment they use. The Directresses aimto build the children’s confidenceand independence in order to pre-pare them for their life ahead. Aftera quiet half-hour (when the childrengo outside to play), they come inagain to end the session withsinging, music or music and move-ment (this can become a little noisy- don’t forget, I am nocturnal). Theyfinally depart at 12:15pm and I startmy commute home, unless I havebeen loaned to one of the childrenfor an evening out.

If you like to come an meet me, orare interested in finding out moreabout the Stepping StonesMontessori, please contact AmandaSandberg on 01954 - 251346.

YESTERYEARROAD RUNSunday 18th AprilA busy 12 months has gone by, and

once again it’s time for theYesteryear Road Run. Come andsee us in Cottenham on this veryimportant fundraising day.

Come and see the parade of vin-tage vehicles, tractors and motorcy-cles. Our route will start fromCottenham at 9:30am, moving on toRampton, Willingham, Over andSwavesey, where we will be stop-ping for lunch at the Trinity Foot(approximately 12:30pm). Here youcan view the vehicles at close quar-ters. We will then continue toLongstanton, Oakington andHiston, returning to Cottenham byapproximately 4:00pm.

There will be stalls, entertainmentand refreshments on the VillageGreens at Histon and Cottenham.

This is the sixth year of theYesteryear Road Run, and each year

it gets bigger. We will again be col-lecting for MAGPAS. Last year weraised £6,500.

This will be a great event for all thefamily, please come and give usyour support. If you need any fur-ther information, or wish to help inany way, please contact FrancesHedger on 01954 - 250965.

TRACTOR

MENINGITIS CHARITIES BENEFITA total of £1800 was raised for the

National Meningitis Trust andMeningitis Research charities in thesecond half of last year. The totalincluded:• £700 from a raffle held duringC.T.W’s pantomime and I wouldlike to thank Clive Borrow, SueBainbridge and Margaret Palmer fortheir help. • £440 from the Jazz Night, ourthanks to Tony and Jean Pearsonand the Band.• £460 from Vic Minter and hiswonderful Christmas light display. Also, thank you to all who eithertook part in these events or sentdonations. Our total raised during1998 was £3250.

Janet and Roger Byard

When at anchor, ‘wives’ were notexpected to rise at the same time asthe sailors. As most females were lesshairy than sailors, the call ‘show a leg’allowed wives to remain in the ham-mock. If no leg was shown and thehammock obviously had an occupantwho was either unwilling or too drunk

NAVAL TRIVIAto get out, it was common practice tocut through the head rope to spill himout.

Old Salt

DISTRICT COUNCIL NOTES.SOUTH CAMBS LOCAL PLAN

The Local Plan, which outlinesplanning policies for SouthCambridgeshire and its individualvillages, has been revised. Theintention is that the Plan should pro-vide the framework for local plan-ning decisions for a number of yearsto come.

The revised or ‘Review’ Plan hasnow been placed ‘on deposit’. Thismeans that anyone can view it andmake representations about its pro-posals if they wish to do so. Copiesare available at all public libraries,and district councillors can also pro-vide details.

For Cottenham, the Plan proposesno changes to the existing develop-ment framework, including the twolarge sites currently being devel-oped for housing off Beech Roadand Denmark Road. This means thatthe Council is not proposing anyextra large-scale new developmentin Cottenham for the foreseeablefuture.

If you want to make representa-tions about the Plan - either to sup-port it, or to make objections to anyaspect of it - you have to get them tothe Planning Director at SouthCambridgeshire Hall, 9-11 Hills

Road, Cambridge, CB2 1PB bynoon on Monday the 29th of March,1999. Forms for making representa-tions can be obtained from thePlanning Department at SouthCambs. Hall.

Rex Collinson.

DISTRICTCOUNCILLOR’S

‘SURGERIES’.Councillor Rex Collinson will be

continuing his monthly surgeries onthe 3rd Friday of each monthbetween 5:30 - 6:30pm in theCommunal Room at FranklinGardens. He also holds a surgery onthe first Friday of each monthbetween 6:00 - 6:30pm in RamptonVillage Hall, although there will notbe a surgery there on the first Fridayin April - as this will be GoodFriday.

At all other times, CouncillorCollinson is happy to be contactedat home - 20 Rampton Road,Cottenham, Tel: 251377.

Surgeries are not held during themonth of August, but CouncillorCollinson can still usually be con-tacted at home.

COTTENHAMBELLRINGERS’

MAYDAY APPEALThe bellringers of All Saints’ are

planning a sponsored quarter peal inaid of The Children’s Society. Thisis part of a national appeal andinvolves three quarters of an hour’scontinuous ringing by a band of sixpeople on Saturday 1st of May. Wethink we can do it - and the moresponsorship we have, the harder itwill be to fail!

If you’d like to be a sponsor ormake a donation, please contactTower Secretary, Heather Wilkin(251424), or Tower Captain, SimonWilson (251105) before 1st of May.Please help us to help TheChildren’s Society.

THE COTTENHAMEXTRAVAGANZA IIYes it’s true, an action packed fam-

ily fun day is returning. When? - Ihear you cry, Saturday the 22nd ofJuly 20001 I know it’s a long wayoff, but all good events take a lot ofplanning. The Charities we will beraising money for time are: MAG-PAS, The District Nurses, and localCottenham causes. Because theevent will be held in the year 2000,we wanted some of the money tostay in the village, and this is whereyou come in. Do you know of aworthy ‘Cottenham cause’ i.e. char-ity, organisation, club etc. thatwould benefit from such an event?If you do, please let us know. If youdon’t contact us, we cannot help!

Alternatively, perhaps you’d like tohelp us organise or run this villageevent, as I am sure you can appreci-ate, it takes many pairs of hands!Watch this space for more details ofthis action packed family fun day.

Please send you nominations to: C.Impey, Cottenham Causes, TheCharity Gala Group, 123 CoolidgeGardens, Cottenham, or call 01954 -202797.

HIGHGATE FARM REDUCE EXISTING ADREMOVE XMAS TURKEYS

❖

J.W. Rogers❖

General Work · Garden MaintenanceRotavating & Fencing

❖

Telephone:01223 232298

❖

Miller Associates

P A D SDecorating ServiceAll aspects undertaken including

small repairs

❦Tel Cottenham 251366

SARAH JANE

TOPS DRIVING SCHOOL

B & C Motors

Not just for Christmas. . .• Gift ideas and decorations from original artwork to

patchwork quilts, soft toys to hand-painted ceramics

• Traditional construction of our furniture means we give a

lifetime guarantee

• Solid oak, ash, beech, maple, cherry and more

• Choice of finishes and colour matching service

or New Year. . .• SALE ends 31st January

• Up to 50% discount

• Extensive own collection of furniture in large showrooms

• 0% finance subject to status, written details available on request

• Items made to order

. . .furniture for life

105 HIGH STREET, COTTENHAM, CAMBRIDGE CB4 8SDTELEPHONE: 01954 250122

www.farmhousefurniture.uksw.com

FARMHOUSE FURNITURELOGO

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SWIMMINGIS FOR ALL

Do you look forward to the longwarm summer days and a dailyswim with friends in our outdoorpool at Cottenham Village College?Or the family barbecues with waterfun in the cool of the evening?

We are busy preparing for the ‘99season with our special times foradults, families and lane swimming;in addition to the general sessions.BUT we do need some more super-

visors to maintain this full pro-gramme, and would welcome newvolunteers. Please contact GeoffRedhead at the Village College on01954 - 288944. Come to meet us atour AGM on Wednesday the 14th ofApril at 7:30pm.

FEN REEVESUPDATE

A resounding success once againfor the Christmas tree shreddingday, 200+ trees were placed in thetrailers provided, for shredding asmulch in the woodland. Thanks toall of you who supported thisadventure, and perhaps the millen-nium will bring a future increasewith this now yearly event.

The committee is very pleased toadvise that we have recentlyreceived 2 donations. The first wasfrom PI Research who are based offTwenty Pence Road, for a newbench seat and towards the cost ofour replacement signboard (the pre-vious signboard was vandalised).The second was from Anglian

Water, for general work within thewoodland. A big thank you to boththese companies for their kind sup-port.

If you are a company Director orwork for a company that may beinterested in supporting our workwith either donations or practicalhelp, please contact AndrewSnelson on 01954 - 200138.

Diary Date:

Christmas Shredding Day, 9thJanuary 2000 - yes, 2000!

FOR NEXT ISSUE

25th APRIL

Deadline

ADVERTISING RATES

Current rates are:Size A - £17.50Size B - £30.00

(discount of 10% for six insertions prepaid)

Artwork, if required, is chargedseparately, minimum £5.00,

depending on the amount of workinvolved. Quotations are available

on request.

Contact Peter Robertson on01954 200080

LETTERSto the Editors

Letters for publication may be sent tothe Editor, and should include the nameand address of the sender, although thismay be omitted from publication ifrequested. Please keep correspondenceshort and topical. Please note that theEditor may use his discretion regardingpublication, and his decision is final.The views expressed by correspondentsand other contributors are their ownand are not necessarily shared by theEditor.

THE YOUNGER GENERATION

Dear Editor,Further to your letter about the

“younger generation” in Issue 49:since when have library books beenmore important than the safety of ababy in a pram? Surely in hind-sight, the car driver needed educat-ing, not the person pushing thepram.J. Beaumont

Dear Editor,Oh dear oh dear! I have just

received your excellent publicationthrough my letterbox, and I readyour “letters to the editor” sectionwith interest.

A letter from “name and addresssupplied” on the subject of theyounger generation has at last gotme reaching for my keyboard. Ifind her remarks quite astonishingregarding the young lady with thepushchair. Although I do agree therewas no reason whatsoever to beabusive, does she really think thatshe is entitled to park on a footpathand make people “ walk around hercar”? Would she feel any remorse ifthe young lady concerned, not leastthe child, where knocked down bythe driver?

I suppose it is possible that she infact lives in Cottenham. So has shelike so many others of today lost theuse of her legs and is unable to walklike normal people?If she is an invalid, then I am sorryfor her. With regard to where sheshould park, I suggest that she parksher car in her own driveway and, forthe sake of her health, walks to thelibrary.

Yes, we do have abusive, unpleas-ant and selfish people in Cottenham,but may I say that it is not only theyounger generation who qualify, butmany car drivers who think they areentitled to park anywhere withoutconsideration of others.

Name and address supplied.

Dear Editor,In reply to the letter in Issue 49 re:

“the insolence of young people”,we, as three older Cottenham resi-dents, are ashamed of the attitude ofthe elderly person. We would haveexpected them to park in the carpark provided at the rear of thelibrary, instead of illegally parkingon the pavement at the front.

This person had the audacity tocomplain about a young person’sso-called insolence. The young ladyhad every right to complain,because of the dangerous situationin which she had been placed, hav-ing to risk the life of her child bypushing her pram along the road ona double bend.

We ourselves push our mother in awheelchair and would have beenequally “insolent” faced with thesame situation. Or would that havebeen acceptable, because we areolder? Also, does this person everconsider the problems blind peoplehave while walking on pavements?

Names and addresses supplied.

Dear Editor,I refer to the front page of the pre-

vious edition of the CottenhamNewsletter, referring to the“Disciples of Scrooge” in the vil-lage celebrating the demise of thevillage newsletter.

I find it distasteful that the depart-ing editors saw fit to leave on sucha sour note - the later paragraphs onthe page go some way to compen-sate for this misjudgement, but thearticle regarding the parking at theLibrary brings the reader up shortagain. I read this piece in utteramazement, and came to the conclu-sion that it must be a spoof, intro-duced as a parting shot. If there real-ly is someone in the village who hascontributed this unpleasant piece of

writing, then I am very sorry foreither him or her.

Equally, I believe that the Editor’sdecision is final on letters submittedfor publication - this might wellhave been a case for a rejection.And, of course, there is a perfectlygood car park at the rear of theLibrary building. I rest my case.

Name and address supplied.

SITUATIONSVACANT

Dear Editor,We have over the past couple of

months been in the process of buy-ing a house in the village. Yournewsletter has been very usefulwhile we have been sorting every-thing out. It has helped with num-bers and information.

I am now available for part-timework and was wondering whetherany opportunities exist in andaround the village? I have typingexperience and would relish face-to-face contact with clients, possi-bly as a receptionist.

Alison Kitching Tel: 01954 203116

EDITOR: James Martin, 22 Margett Street, Cottenham, Tel: 251113e-mail: jmartin@cambridge.scr.slb.com

BUSINESS MANAGER Peter Robertson& DISTRIBUTION: 30 Lyles Road, Cottenham, Tel: 200080

PRINTED BY: TARGET LITHO, Broad Lane, Cottenham, Tel: 251189 Fax: 252080

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERSPolice...................................................Dave Sayward, Community Beat Officer.................................. 01223 358966

Central Control. .........................................................................01480 456111Doctors................................................ Dr. Julie Gould, 188 High Street..........................................................250079

Dr. M. Grande, 42 Telegraph Street.....................................................251180Community Nurses.............................. Answerphone or between 1.00 - 2.00 pm........................................... 251071Cottenham CareCar.............................Co-ordinator, 9.00 am - 6.00 pm......................................................... 251837Cottenham Day Centre........................Mrs. M. Gilbey, 45 Victory Way............................................................251802Cottenham Helpline............................. Co-ordinator, Monday/Friday (12.00 - 2.00 pm).................................. 201590

Wednesdays (12.00 - 2.00 pm)........................................................... 250937Salvation Army.....................................Major Colin Hobson, 15 Pelham Close............................................... 250524Dentist..................................................Mr. Faber, Old Telephone Exchange, 40 Margett Street..................... 251696Chemist................................................R. Macbeth, 222 High Street............................................................... 250556Chiropodist...........................................J.R. Kain, 13 Pelham Close.................................................................251143Osteopath............................................ R.J. Giddings, 12 High Street, Oakington................................ 01223 237459Veterinary Surgeon..............................R. Hughes-Parry, 66 High Street......................................................... 252122Schools................................................Cottenham Village College and Community Office..............................288944

County Primary, Lambs Lane.............................................................. 250227Pre-School...........................................Lady birds Pre-School, Recreation Ground.........................................250891Out of School Club............................................................................................................................................201661Council Offices.................................... South Cambs. District Council..................................................01223 443000

Cambridgeshire County Council............................................... 01223 717111Parish Council..................................... Clerk - P.J. Sanderson, 37 Broad Lane.............................................. 250836District Councillor.................................Rex Collinson, 20 Rampton Road....................................................... 251377

Tim Wotherspoon, 135 High Street......................................................252108County Councillor.................................Peter Stroude, Home Farm, Longstanton, CB4 5BT................01954 780008 British Red Cross.................................Cambridge Office......................................................................01223 354434Citizens Advice.................................... CAB, 72/74 Newmarket Road, Cambridge...............................01223 353875Social Services.................................... Etheldred House, Histon...........................................................01223 235105NSPCC................................................ Cottenham Area Team, Peterborough...................................... 01733 558245RSPCA................................................ Area Number, Peterborough.....................................................01733 270046Samaritans...........................................Cambridge Centre.....................................................................01223 364455Railway Station....................................Cambridge, Passenger Enquiries...............................................0345 484950Taxi...................................................... Histon Cars...............................................................................01223 515515Library..................................................Margett Street...................................................................................... 273322Library Doorstep Service.....................Hilary Firth.................................................................................01223 718358Parish Church......................................The Rev’d. Ian Friars, The Rectory, 6 High Street.............................. 250454Baptist Church..................................... The Rev’d Paul Lane, The Manse, 3 Goode Close............................ 252378Methodist Church................................ The Rev’d Helen Gardner, Wesley House, 250 High Street............... 250242

ROBIN HUGHES-PARRY & ASSOCIATESVeterinary Surgeons

66 High Street, Cottenham, CambridgeFull health care and advice for

PETS, EQUINE & FARM LIVESTOCKReception Hours: Mon, Wed, Fri 8.30 - 12 noon

Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 4.30 - 7.00 pm. Saturdays 8.30 - 11.00 am(Consultations by appointment - Visits by arrangement)

Stockists of Hills Science Diets, Iams & Eukanuba PetfoodsMain Surgery: 34 High Street, Longstanton Tel: 01954 780027

01954252122

24 HourEmergency

Service

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