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Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected]
August 2019 1 Issue 172
Grafham Gossip Issue 173 Deadline: Midnight Thursday 15th August
Contents Church Services/View from the Pew.……...….…….…
Parish News / Parish and County Cllrs contact details….….
Notices / Village Hall Activities / Babysitters.….……….……
Neighbourhood Plan / Talking Shop………….….……..….
Notices / Shop Hours / Bins / Useful phone nos….………..
Wasps, Gregory Belcher…………...…….……………..……
Adverts / Notices / Pub Opening Hours…….….……….....
Hedgehogs in Grafham, Carol Baber..………...………….
Adverts / Notices / A14 update info ……………..……….
Making Change Happen in Grafham Campaign.…..……....
Beer Festival Thank you…………………………….……….
Notices ……………….……. …………………..…..…...……
Letter - Aerobatics over Grafham / Extinction Rebellion....
Adverts…………...…..…………………………..……..…
Poly-nation, David Cudby…………………….……………..
Local Activities………………………………………………..
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
11
12
13
14
15
16
Editors’ note… The school holidays are here and as
usual we hope for lovely weather. But
whatever the weather, we have some fun
events organised in Grafham during August. They include the
Annual Art Exhibition on 10th and 11th, our first football mara-
thon on 25th, details of both are below. There are several pub
events; a half price Soo Choy accessories night on 7th, Board
Games on 21st and Quiz Night on 29th (pages 12 and 16.)
‘Must reads’ this month include ‘Wasps’ by Gregory Belcher
on page 7, ‘Hedgehogs in Grafham‘ by Carole Baber on page
9 and Gianni’s letter to the editors on page 13.
Please send in your news, views, photos and gossip in good
time for the next deadline, midnight on Thursday 15th August.
Have fun! Editors, [email protected]
Coming soon in September
Macmillan Coffee MorningMacmillan Coffee Morning
Grafham Village Hall
Date and details to follow
Charity Marathon 5 a-side Football in aid of Mental Health UK
Sunday 25th August 7am to 7pm
at Grafham Astro (behind the village hall)
Men, ladies and children over 13 years old are all welcome to come down and play
as long as you want!
Players - Please bring contributions of £10 for
adults and £5 for 13 -17yr olds
Kit - Light shirts (yellow / white) v dark shirts
(red / blue)
Refreshments
Burgers will be on sale 12 to 3pm
The Village Shop open from 10 to 2pm
The Grafham Trout will be open from 1 to 7pm
The Village Hall will be open for facilities
Lookout for more details on the Village Facebook
page nearer to the event
Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected]
August 2019 2 Issue 172
Grafham All Saints Services Every Wednesday morning 09.00 - 09.30 Morning Prayer – a short service open to all. Download the Daily Prayer app from the Church of England website available for iOS and Android to join us in spirit
from home if you wish, but preferably please come along to the service
28th July (4th Sunday) 19.00 Taizé service with music and candles --------------------------------------------------------------
4th August (1st Sunday) 10.30 Family Service - Lay led
25th August (4th Sunday) 10.30 ‘All Together’ with Holy Communion at Ellington
25th August (4th Sunday) 19.00 Taizé service with music and candles
29th August (Thursday) 10.00 Mid week Communion -------------------------------------------------------------
1st September (1st Sunday) 10.30 Family Service - Lay led
Mid week Holy Communion services are on Thursdays at 10.00 roughly once a month.
On Fourth Sundays, an ‘All Together’ Holy Communion Service rotates between the three churches
For more information on church services and other events, visit www.eastleightonstone.com and click on Calendar
Contacting the Clergy Revd Jason Taylor (Rector) Rectory, 15 Church Rd, Brampton PE28 4PF [email protected] 07807 118070
Revd Mike Bigg (Curate) [email protected] 07380 809377
Barbecue at Grafham Water Before and after at Grafham Village Hall area
View from the Pew On our ‘Out of church Sunday’ on 30th June members of the congregation from the three churches per-
formed community good deeds, including litter picking, cleaning windows in the village hall and weeding
around the shop and hall area. In the afternoon by Grafham Water, church members and others met for
a picnic and enjoyed fun and games and delicious food. A lovely day for everyone.
At the Ellington flower festival three participants from Grafham displayed "The Jungle Book" and "The Secret Gar-
den" and compliments were heard on their efforts.
Talking of flowers, more wildflowers have been introduced into the churchyard project: foxgloves, scabious, borage
and cowslips. More perennial wildflowers are potted up ready to be planted but not before the long grass is cut, the
ground scarified and yellow rattle seeds applied to impoverish the strong grass. At our next churchyard meeting on
27th July our ecologist friend Dr Pat Doody is coming along to give us further advice on this next stage. Many hands
will be required with cutting the grass by hand (it's far too long for the mower) using scythes - does anyone have
one? - or by shearing or strimming. As usual we will have delicious cake and coffee at 11am.
At our first Sunday service on 4th August we will unfortunately have no musicians and will therefore have to sing unaccompanied. However, if anyone in the village is confident enough to come and play our electric piano we would
be most grateful. Please contact Hazel (810326) who would be delighted to hear from you.
The rest of the August services are at the top of this page as usual.
Photographs sourced from http://www.eastleightonstone.com To see more photos and the complete write up of
‘Out of Church Sunday’ on 30th June, click on ‘News’ then ‘Out of Church Sunday – What happened,’ Ed
Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected]
August 2019 3 Issue 172
Grafham’s County Councillor Grafham’s District Councillor
Peter Downes
07765 833486
peter.downes@ cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Darren Tysoe 01480 388310 [email protected]
Grove Cottage, Malting Lane, Ellington, PE28 0AA Follow me on Twitter@darrentysoe and twitter.com/darrentysoe Receive my updates on Facebook www.facebook.com/cllrdmtysoe
PARISH NEWS July 2019
Mr Michael Pople of Inhams Way was co-
opted to the Parish Council at the July meet-
ing. Mr Pople was welcomed by the Chair
and the Council is now back to full strength.
Buckden Parish Councillor, Amy Burbidge attended the
public forum to discuss plans for the development of a
cycle path (with the help of A14 funding applied for) to
link Buckden, Brampton and Grafham and with the aim
eventually to extend safe cycling to Hinchingbrooke
School and Huntingdon Station. The route of the pro-
posed path has been suggested to be from Grafham
down the Brampton lane (wibbly-wobbly) to the bend
where a recently cleared pathway is on the right and
which leads to Buckden. Clearly this would require
some definite safety measures for cyclists on the
Brampton Lane which might include a 20-30mph
speed limit, some narrowing/widening of the road in
certain places, a “quiet lane” designation and a good
many signs to mark the lane as such. The Grafham
Council will receive a copy of the full proposals for dis-
cussion before making any decision to agree to the
plan.
Cllr Peter Downes advised that the A14 improvements
are ahead of schedule for completion. This means that
the window of opportunity for road repairs is getting
narrower. It isn’t clear who will be repairing roads dam-
aged by the project or where the legal obligations lie.
You can read Peter’s report in full as appended to the
minutes of the July meeting on the village website
www.grafham.org.uk
Grafham and Ellington Parish Councils have submitted
a joint application to HDC for the designation of the
whole of both parishes as a Neighbourhood Area and
will be preparing a Neighbourhood Plan. You can read
more about this on the village website and by following
this link:
http://consult.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/portal/pp/nps/
genp
There is a consultation on the proposals which will be
open from Monday 8th July to Friday 23
rd August 2019.
The Council hope to be holding a public meeting in
September in the village hall (date to be confirmed). A
leaflet concerning the date and purpose of the meeting
will be delivered to all homes as soon as possible.
Cllr Darren Tysoe’s full report from the District Council
can be read in full as appended to the minutes of the
July meeting on the village website.
Other business discussed included the state of hedges
along Brampton Lane. An update received from Cllr
Watson stated that the farmer was unable to cut the
hedge up to the old railway bridge (on left hand side)
when the road was closed and because of the bird
nesting season he won't be able to cut it until after the
harvest and may require the road to be closed. This
will need to be re-addressed in the Autumn.
Cllr Watson has reported the whole Brampton Road
issue to the HDC stating that the situation between the
old railway bridge and Brampton Wood entrance has
now become particularly dangerous for cyclists and
motorbikes due to the overhanging hedges. This must
surely be part of any road improvement if it is indeed to
become a cycle path!
The issues of HGVs heading down the wibbly wobbly
late at night and then reversing because they can’t make it (complete with reversing sirens blaring) were
discussed by the Council. However, it is difficult to
know how this menace can be addressed. Clearly, the
drivers are unable to read signs, so erecting more of
them is not likely to help. If an HGV watch can take
photos, collect rear and front licence plate numbers,
count the number of axles, get a phone number and/or
name of the operator (quite quickly, obviously) this in-
formation can be passed to the police for action. We
cannot block roads, or narrow them strategically as this
might be a hazard to emergency vehicles and could be
illegal!
The next meeting of the Council is scheduled for 10th
September 2019, at the village hall at 7.30pm. It would be nice to see you there.
Margaret Life, Parish Clerk
07780 119311 [email protected]
Grafham Parish Council You may contact your parish councillors through the parish clerk or directly.
Philip Allingham Chairman 01480 811516 [email protected] David Russell [email protected]
Ian Gardener Vice Chair 01480 812821 [email protected] Roy Harold [email protected]
Alastair Watson [email protected] Jo Dunn [email protected]
Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected]
August 2019 4 Issue 172
Send your news, views, photos and gossip to
Babysitters Bryony 22 yrs 812354 experienced with newborn to 14yrs
Mya 15 yrs 819326 Nicci 17 yrs 811279
Deadline Please send us all your adverts, notices,
news, views and gossip ASAP and definitely by midnight on
Thursday 15th August for the September issue
Thanks, Ed [email protected]
Grafham Village Hall
Activities & Classes 2019
Mondays Line Dancing 7.30pm
Tuesdays Pilates 9.45am
Art Club 1.30pm
Wednesdays Little Fishes (pre-school children)
10.00am
Yoga 6.15 - 7.15pm
Karate 7.30pm
Thursdays Kick Boxing 7.00pm
Saturdays Chinese Martial Arts
10.30am
For enquiries about classes and about booking the hall, please telephone 07711 769911
Read more about village hall activities on page 16
Playtimes Pre-school Ferriman Road, Spaldwick PE28 0TQ
Tel: 01480 890077 www.playtimesplaygroup.co.uk
We offer: Breakfast club 8am - 9am
Preschool 9am- 3pm
Out of school club 3.30pm - 6pm
Parish of
East Leightonstone To join the mailing list and receive
the regular newsletter visit
http://www.eastleightonstone.com and click News
The book stall is a fantastic fund-raiser for our village church, but we‘ve found that we can sell only good quality, clean paperbacks and find it difficult to lift, carry and dispose of other items.
Good quality paperback books in clean condition
We love to receive your paperback books to stock our church bookstall. Please leave them in the
church porch.
Paperback books in
good condition
Thank you for your continued support!
No x
Hardbacks x
Manuals x
Magazines x
Encyclopaedias x
Other items x
Yes
Next date for Churchyard Makeover
The next tidying session is
planned for Saturday July 27th.
Do come along to help out, enjoy
the chat and the
delicious refreshments.
To find out more, email Jean Baty:
Hunts Community Cancer Network (HCCN) hold a weekly support group
Ellington Holistic Drop In at Ellington Village Hall
Every Tuesday 10am until 2 pm
To find out more contact Annie by phone 01234 709836 or email [email protected]
Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected]
August 2019 5 Issue 172
How would you feel about a major housing development here, possibly doubling the
size of Grafham or Ellington?
The A14 project will bring many benefits when completed, along with
reduced journey time to Cambridge. This could bring our area within comfortable commuting time and it is clearly a desirable area
in which to live.
For more information ahead of the meeting, please email David Russell: [email protected]
At present Huntingdon District Council are required
by government to build at least 1,000 dwellings each
year locally. Their Local Plan does not propose any
significant development in our villages. But, there is a risk that a developer could ride roughshod over
HDC’s planning policy, if they do not meet this target.
This could lead to large-scale development here.
Buckden has recently been victim to several large
and unwelcome developments because HDC were
short of their target.
Currently HDC are closing the gap and nearing their
target. However, the build rate could fall at any time,
possibly due to reasons beyond HDC’s control, and
leave us vulnerable.
The solution is a Neighbourhood Plan
A Neighbourhood Plan defines what we, the resi-
dents, would like and not like to see within our villag-
es. It has the legal power to prevent a developer
from imposing an unwanted housing or industrial de-
velopment within our parishes.
Grafham and Ellington Parish Councils will be deliv-
ering a joint Neighbourhood Plan, with the support of
a small team of residents and assisted by HDC.
A Neighbourhood Plan is primarily concerned with planning. However, it can also include non-planning,
community-led actions which would previously have
been included in a Parish Plan.
You are invited to: A public meeting in Grafham Village Hall on
Friday 6th September at 7:30 pm, where you can
find out more information.
You might also wish to actively support the Neigh-
bourhood Plan Team in ensuring that we evolve life
in our lovely villages the way we would like to see it.
Talking Shop Where did that month go? As I write this I have been
a manager at the shop for a whole month and by the
time you read this I will have been working here for
nearly two months. As the saying goes time flies
when you’re having fun. I am really enjoying my new
role in the shop and it has been a pleasure to get to
know all the new faces. I would also like to give a big
thank you to all my wonderful volunteers who have
supported me in my first month as manager.
If you are interested in volunteering in the shop just
pop in and speak to either Lynn or myself. Volunteer-
ing is a great way to meet new people, learn new
skills and be a part of a very friendly team. You can
volunteer as much or as little as you like and for how-
ever many hours that you have to offer.
Did you know?
In the shop we provide a wide range of eco friendly
products. From soaps to bin bags to even degradable
doggie bags. Why not pop in and have a browse?
Hopefully, as you are reading this the sun is shining
and the temperatures are sizzling. In the shop we
stock a range of ice creams and lollies to help cool
you down. Also, we have a variety of cold drinks to
choose from. Don’t forget to protect yourself from the
sun whilst on holiday or grabbing a quick tan in the
garden. We have a selection sun lotions and creams
at a different SPFs, but if you do get a little burnt we
supply after sun too.
Finally, as many of you may know, the shop is helped
to run by the Grafham Community Shop Committee
who often help managers when needed. There are
currently a few available spots open to join the com-
mittee. They usually meet once a month to discuss
shop finances, stock control, publicity amongst other
things. Being on the committee does not require you
do any extra work if you don’t want to, it can also be
an opportunity to give your opinions on the shop and
any suggestions. If you are interested in joining or
would like any more info please contact Martin Joyner
(Chairman) 07802 257404.
See you in the shop soon, Chloe x
Opening Times
Mon-Fri 8.00 - 6.30
Sat 8.00 - 5.00
Sun 9.00 - 2.00
Bank Holidays 9.00 - 2.00
01480 810119 [email protected] www.grafhamvillageshop.co.uk
Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected]
August 2019 6 Issue 172
Useful Phone Numbers All emergencies 999
Non-emergencies 101
Cambridge Constabulary HQ 01480 456111
Minicom for hard of hearing 01480 422493
Action Fraud 0300 123 2040
Crimestoppers 0800 555111 (anonymous)
To report anti-social behaviour in Grafham 01480 388379 or 387097 or e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
To stop unwanted phone calls 08450 700707
To stop unwanted mail 08457 034599
Power cut Call 105 or 0800 31 63 105 or text POWER and your postcode to 80876
Mon-Fri 8.00 - 6.30
Sat 8.00 - 5.00
Sun 9.00 - 2.00
Bank Holidays 9.00 - 2.00
Grafham Community Shop Opening Times
Tel: 01480 810119
Email: [email protected]
www.grafhamvillageshop.co.uk
See page 5 for shop news in ‘Talking Shop’
RecyclingRecyclingRecycling For an update on
recycling and a reminder of the right
recycling to put in the right bin, go to
www.recap.co.uk
The Highwayman Car Scheme Do you know what it is?
It’s a scheme to help provide transport for people who
are not able to make essential journeys by public
transport or any other means.
A team of volunteer drivers take you to appointments
e.g. the Doctors, Hospital, Dentist alongside
social activities such as
visiting relatives or friends and even shopping.
The scheme is aimed at helping people
to get out and about.
Passengers pay the driver on the day of travel to
contribute towards fuel expenses. This is at a rate of
30p per mile with a minimum charge of £3.00.
To arrange a journey or for more information please
call 07786 520540
If the phone is not manned at the time of your call
leave a message on the answerphone and the
coordinator of the drivers will get back to you.
We are also always looking out for volunteer drivers
so if you want to help your community, give us a call.
We would love to hear from you.
The scheme is supported and advised by
Cambridgeshire County Council
and Care Network Cambridgeshire
Wednesdays Blue bin (recycling) and Black bin (refuse) - alternate weeks
Every other Thursday - Green bin (garden waste)
If you require any further advice or information about waste and recycling services, call 01480 388640 between 8.45am and 5.00pm Monday to Thursday and 8.45am and 4.30pm on Fridays or visit www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk/bins
Has the bin man bin Mam?”
Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected]
August 2019 7 Issue 172
Send your news, views, photos and gossip to: [email protected]
Wasps Renowned as the disturber of picnics, few realise the
value of the wasp to both the ecosystem and to man.
There are around 9000 species of wasp in the UK,
compare that with their relatives the bees (270 species)
and ants (50 species) and the diversity is immediately
apparent. In fact, it is thought that bees and ants
evolved from wasp forebears. Only around 1% of wasp
species are social wasps, the rest being solitary wasps
that either go unnoticed or are mistaken for flies.
The different species of social wasps are very similar,
yellow and black and around 15-20mm long. The only
species that stands out is the Hornet, with its gold and
brown colouring and larger size (around 30mm long,)
the other species only being distinguished by the mark-
ings on the abdomen and face and the antennae col-
our.
The adult wasps require high energy carbohydrates, so
feed on nectar and any other sweet liquids they can
find. This leads to their first benefit for man; they are
pollinators. Recent research suggests that wasps are
as important to pollinating crops as bees. Some plants
have co-evolved with wasps as their sole pollinator, the
tropical fig being a case in point.
The wasp larva on the other hand requires protein and
so is wholly carnivorous. The adult wasps hunt for in-
sect prey that is subdued with their sting and brought
back to the nest. An individual wasp can fly whilst carry-
ing up to 4/5ths its own weight. Once the prey is back at
the colony it is broken down into a pulp which is then
fed to the larvae. As a by product, the larvae excrete a
Photographs © Simon Walker
sweet liquid which in turn is consumed by the adult in-
sects. Estimates suggest that wasps take around
14,000 tonnes of insect prey in the UK alone, and as
most of these are caterpillars, green fly and the like, the
wasp provides very efficient pest control for crops and
gardens.
However they are best known for their sting. Used
against larger creatures in defence, it is a
complex mix of chemicals. Peptides and
enzymes break down cell membranes,
norepinephrine stops the flow of blood at
the sting site and hyaluronidase melts
through other connecting tissue. Also,
unlike bees, they can sting multiple times
as there is no barb on the sting and if one
stings, they all will. The venom also con-
tains an alarm pheromone that alerts all
other wasps in the colony to the attack
and acts as ‘a call to arms’.
Although annoying at times, these insects
are far from pointless and the world would
miss them should they
disappear.
Bedfordshire
Cambridgeshire
Northamptonshire
Gregory Belcher
Senior Reserves Officer
Wildlife Trust BCN
Hornet, working on small nest, Grafham
Hornet, Littless Creek, Grafham
Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected]
August 2019 8 Issue 172
20
The Labour Party in Huntingdon Our next monthly meeting is
Monday 19th August 7.30pm at The Medway Centre
More details on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/
HuntingdonLabourParty/ or via the website:
http://www.huntingdonlabourparty.org.uk
Come along and get involved in helping your neighbours and the community!
Opening Times Mon to Wed - Closed
Thurs - 18:00 - 22:00
Fri - 18:00 - 23:00
Sat - 13:00 - 23:00
Sun - 13:00 - 19:00
Open longer for special occasions
Dogs welcome
Power cut? Text POWER and your postcode to 80876
ukpowernetworks.co.uk/liveupdates
Call us free anytime on 105 or
0800 31 63 105
HUNTINGDON CONSERVATIVE ASSOCIATION (GRAFHAM BRANCH)
SUMMER BBQ You are invited to a Summer BBQ
at Village Farm, Church Road,
Grafham PE28 0BB
on Sunday 1st September
from 12.30 to 4pm
courtesy of Sue and Brian Homewood
Tickets at £15.00 include BBQ, desserts and a first drink Children under 10 half price
RSVP to Paul Knight at 1 Haycraft Close, Grafham, PE28 0GA
or tel 01480 811727 …………………………………………………………………….
I/We would like ..................... tickets for the Grafham Summer BBQ on Sunday 1st September
I enclose a remittance of £..................at £15.00 per ticket (please make cheques payable to HCCA Grafham Branch)
Name.....................................................................................
Tel ........................................................................................
Address.................................................................................
…………………………………………………………………….
To advertise, email:
[email protected] Community notices are free.
Business adverts are priced according to size, payable in advance.
They start at £4.00 for a small box.
The money pays for the printing of the newsletter and any profit is
donated to All Saints, Grafham and its Restoration Fund.
Help!
We are very
short of volunteer tea/coffee
makers for our Little Fishes
Stay + Play Tots Group,
which meets on Wednesday
mornings in the village hall.
If you can spare an hour,
now and then, we would be
most grateful for your help!
Please contact
Hazel 810326
or email:
Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected]
August 2019 9 Issue 172
Hedgehogs in Grafham
When we moved here nearly twenty years ago, hedge-
hogs were a nightly sight on our bed time dog walk, at
least one and often more. In recent years, I do not see
them so regularly.
Although still relatively common and widespread, there
is now considerable evidence for a dramatic decline in,
the UK, in recent years, with around a third of the na-
tional population lost since the millennium. It is difficult
to calculate, but a best estimate for the total hedgehog
population size is that there are probably under a mil-
lion hedgehogs left in the UK, some sources dated
from 2017 suggest 1.5 million. https://ptes.org/get-
informed/facts-figures/hedgehog/
In rural areas, hedgehogs live along woodland edges
and hedgerows, in meadowland and rough pasture.
In towns and villages, they make use of gardens and
amenity grassland, as well as other green spaces.
So Grafham provides a mixture of both environments.
Between November and the end of March, when
food is scarce, hedgehogs hibernate to conserve
energy, remaining largely inactive. During the rest
of the year, they are mostly solitary, non-territorial
and nocturnal, moving over areas of 25-125 acres
during the summer, and 1-2km in a single night,
involving many different gardens. https://
www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/pdf/sobh-2018.pdf
They eat worms, beetles, slugs, caterpillars, millipedes
and earwigs. They also eat bird’s eggs and carrion. As
some of you all ready now, they readily eat meaty cat
food or dog food provided by people too!
They breed between April and September, with peak
activity in May and June. Courtship involves lots of
snorting, barging from the female and perseverance
from the male. You may have heard this! Mothers may
desert or eat young if disturbed while nesting. Up to
seven blind, spineless offspring are usually born be-
tween May and August in a nest of leaves and grass.
Pure white spines appear soon after birth and are re-
placed within a few weeks by darker spines that grow
through. The young are weaned at about four weeks
and become independent shortly afterwards. Hoglets
emerge from end of June onwards, are weaned at
around five weeks and independent from then on.
Females can attempt two litters in a year, but rare-
ly rear more than one successfully.
They can live up to 10 years (but this is exceptional).
Over half die within their first year, and average life
expectancy is 2-3 years in the wild.
The hedgehog is legally protected from trapping or
intentional harm, but none of the legislation deals with
the drivers of the decline.
The biggest threat to hedgehogs is thought to be habi-
tat loss, with the change from pastoral farming to ara-
ble crops, and increasing field size with the removal of
hedgerows over the last 30 years. The use of chemi-
cals in gardens and for intensive farming kills the crea-
tures hedgehogs need for food and may also poison
them directly. Many are also killed on the roads.
Here’s where we can help:
These tips come from Hedgehog Street, a national
conservation project which focuses on making gar-
dens hedgehog-friendly. https://
www.hedgehogstreet.org/about-hedgehogs/how-many
-hedgehogs-are-left/ Perhaps you can see some
things that you could do here? A major contribution to
Grafham hedgehog welfare would be to ensure that
they can easily move into and out of your garden and
into neighbouring gardens, creating a joined up envi-
ronment, the way things used to be for them.
I would also like to ask for your help in finding out how
hedgehogs are doing in Grafham by monitoring and
then mapping their presence in as many gardens as
possible. I have made some hedgehog tunnels which I
can lend out, for you to set in your garden for a week
between now and end of October, to find out if you
have hedgehog visitors while you are sleeping.
Hedgehogs in Grafham by Carole Baber continued
at the bottom of page 11
August 2019 10 Issue 172
Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected]
Monday 25th November Thursford Christmas Spectacular
Departing from Huntingdon Bus Station 10.50am
Coach leaves Thursford after the show ends, usually about 5.00pm
Price per person is £60.00 which includes the return coach travel and ticket entry to this spectacular show.
We will be joining a trip already organised by Dews Coaches. Please contact me, ASAP but no later than 10th August.
This is a direct coach from Huntingdon straight to the venue, so you will have to make your own arrange-ments for food. I would advise that Thursford does have the Garden Pavilion restaurant serving home cooked food (such as jackets, casseroles and curries.) They also have three snack cafés serving food and drinks and a fully licensed bar.
For more information or to book please contact me on 07711 012957 or email:
Grafham Oil Syndicate
The syndicate is FREE to join.
We must continue to grow and keep a bulk order attractive enough to receive a discount, so simply email Simon:
[email protected] or call 07887 628528
and help keep more money in the village!
Tina Theodorou in conjunction with
Greatdays Holidays Ltd offers a trip to Valkenburg
in Spring 2020
By Coach and Ferry
Valkenburg City Break
Monday 27th April to
Friday 1st May 2020
4 nights/5 days
Coach and ferry package £470.00 per person (based on two people sharing)
Price includes: ABTA Protection, Return coach hire from Grafham to Valkenburg, four nights bed and breakfast
with a three course evening meal at the 3* Hotel Walram, Valkenburg
For further details and to register your interest, please contact: by email [email protected] or by mobile telephone: 07711 012957
Please note single rooms supplements apply.
Prices are based on a minimum of 30 paying passengers per tour and at an exchange rate of £1 = €1.12. 14 weeks prior to departure we will re-cost the tour elements and apply and surcharge/reduction due to the change in the value of the pound (£) greater or less than 2%. Flights, coach hire, ferries, guides and visitor attractions subject to availability and are not guaranteed.
All coaching subject to confirmation of final itinerary.
These holidays are operated by Greatdays Holidays Ltd whose
booking terms and conditions apply.
Greatdays Holidays Limited are a member of ABTA (Y0380) which means you have the benefit of ABTA’s assistance and Code of Conduct. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking.
We use ABTA’s approved ADR to resolve complaints. Please see www.abta.com
Greatdays Holidays Limited has an ATOL licence (4279) All of our air package tours are protected under this licence.
In the unlikely event of our insolvency, the Civil Aviation Authority will ensure that you are not stranded abroad and will arrange to refund any monies you have paid to us for an advance booking. All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this document are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that every-thing you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed.
Greatdays Holidays Ltd. Registered in England No.1903941. VAT Registration No. 437 5834 25. Registered Office: Chapel House, Borough Road, Altrincham WA15 9RA
Details of the planned road closures, diversions and
latest news can be found on the Highways England
website by clicking here or type
www.highwaysengland.co.uk/A14C2H into your
search engine,
or stay updated by following:
https://twitter.com/a14c2h and
https://en-gb.facebook.com/A14C2H
There is also a dedicated A14 Public Helpline
0800 270 0114
Details of the planned road closures and diversions
are also available on the Grafham village web site
www.grafham.org.uk Ed
A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon Improvement Scheme
To advertise, email: [email protected] Community notices are free.
Business adverts are priced according to size, payable in advance.
They start at £4.00 for a small box.
The money pays for the printing of the newsletter and any profit is
donated to All Saints, Grafham and its Restoration Fund.
August 2019 11 Issue 172
Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected]
Dogwood
MAKING CHANGE HAPPEN
IN GRAFHAM
We hope some of you have seen our emails or
Facebook posts, or may even have attended the
meeting on Thursday 11th July.
We are a new group looking to bring about some
lasting changes to make Grafham a greener, more
sustainable community. We believe we can make
a real difference and would love to have you join
us on this exciting campaign.
We’re keen supporters of the forthcoming Neigh-
bourhood Plan that is being worked on by the
Parish Councils here and in Ellington. The detail in
this will inform - and be informed by - the Making
Change Happen in Grafham campaign. We'd en-
courage everyone to support this, as well.
Want to get involved? Visit our website at:
www.grafhamvillage.uk to signup and join the con-
versation.
Unlike a simple email list, members of the group
can engage in back and forth discussions. A bit
like Facebook, but without all the ads and privacy
concerns.
On here you can have your say, comment on
other's ideas and suggestions and really help drive
the direction this campaign will follow. You can do
as much or as little as you feel comfortable with.
We welcome everyone and value their contribu-
tions. There will almost certainly be differences of
opinion. That's life. But let's keep this group a kind
and positive place.
We hope to see lots of you soon, to start to see
what we can all do to improve our community. Oh,
and we’re definitely calling on all the school chil-
dren and young people in the village. We'd love
you to get involved too.
Making Change Happen in Grafham
Chris Bulow, Amanda Toogood
BIG THANK YOU
The Grafham Beer Festival and
the Grafham Trout teams wish to thank everybody
who attended this year’s 8th Grafham Beer Festival
and for helping make it another successful event
We wish to thank all of the very kind people for
supplying raffle prizes which went on to raise over £600
for Friends of Spaldwick School (FOSS)
A special thanks also for the Grafham Parish Council for
funding the inflatable assault course for the children.
See you next year for
the New “Grafham Festival” on 3rd and 4th July 2020
Hedgehogs in Grafham Continued from page 9
Evidence for the visit comes from footprints. A non-toxic ink,
made of charcoal and vegetable oil, is painted either side of
a small dish of dog or cat food and A4 paper is also placed
either side of the food. This is then inserted into the tunnel.
To get to the food, the hedgehog has to walk across the ink
and then exit, with inky paws, over the paper! (As seen in
the photos below)
If you would like to contribute to the survey, email me at
[email protected] and I can show you how to set up
and arrange to collect your results.
If this is successful, I would like to do it each year to track
trends. The Cambridgeshire Mammal Society will be watch-
ing with interest. Carole Baber
August 2019 12 Issue 172
Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected]
Your advert could be here! To advertise, email:
Community notices are free.
Business adverts are priced according
to size, payable in advance. They start
at £4.00 for a small box. The money
pays for the printing of the newsletter
and any profit is donated to All Saints,
Grafham and its Restoration Fund.
Join Our Short Walks
Ideal for people of any age, who would like to get a little fitter
Walks are free, leisurely, lasting
around 30 minutes
Starting from The Surgery,
Buckden
Every Thursday at 10.00am
Come and make new
friends, build up energy and fitness
Walks are led by
Hunts District Council trained walk leaders
Buckden Gardeners Association Buckden Gardeners Association meets on the third Tuesday of the month from October to April in Buckden Village Hall. Topics focus on gardening but also include related subjects such as wild flowers, bees and birds. In the summer months we organise outings to gardens and related areas. All are welcome.
For more information please visit our website www.buckdengardeners.info or just come along.
Rosemary Surridge, Secretary
Have you joined in the parkrun yet?
It’s a free 5km run, jog or walk that
takes place at Hinchingbrooke Country
Park, every Saturday at 9.00am.
Parkrun happens in various other plac-
es all over the country.
You should register with
www.parkrun.org.uk/huntingdon before
your first run and you will get a bar-
code, so that you obtain a registered
time on completing the run.
You can run round the course or walk
or jog or just watch if you prefer, then
you can join everyone for coffee after-
wards if you wish. Huntingdon Parkrun
is organised by volunteers. If you’d like
to volunteer to help email:
You’ll find everything you need to know
at www.parkrun.org.uk/huntingdon
I’ve got about 30 different games but I’m always interested
in playing new ones! Robert
Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected] Opinions expressed in the Grafham Gossip, including past issues, are those of the writer and not the editors.
August 2019 13 Issue 172
EXTINCTION REBELLION HUNTINGDON
We'd like to encourage you to join us in supporting the
new local Extinction Rebellion group. We would love to
see you come along to the next meeting and get in-
volved in this more direct action initiative. For those who
don't already know, XR (Extinction Rebellion) is an in-
ternational apolitical network using non-violent direct
action to persuade governments to act on the Climate
and Ecological Emergency.
We have three demands in the UK:
Tell the truth
Government must tell the truth by declaring a climate
and ecological emergency, working with other institu-
tions to communicate the urgency for change.
Act Now
Government must act now to halt biodiversity loss and
reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.
Beyond Politics
Government must create and be led by the decisions of
a Citizens’ Assembly on climate and ecological justice.
Our next meeting is on Thursday 1st August, 7pm-
8.30pm at St Marys Parish Hall, Huntingdon PE29 3AP.
We are very happy to car-share.
Following this are the following dates: Tuesday 13th
August, Thursday 29th August, Tuesday 10th Septem-
ber
We have also managed to arrange some local NVDA
(Non Violent Direct Action) training for Saturday 14th
September. This will most likely be 10am-3pm but we
are just firming this up. This will give us time to grow
numbers ahead of the training and will also be in plenty
of time for the planned national protest on 7th October.
If you know you can’t make this date, we'd strongly rec-
ommend attending another session nearby. XR Peter-
borough are holding one on August 10th.
If you have not already done so (and are on Facebook)
you can join our private group at:
https://www.facebook.com/roups/350306489020516/?
source_id=410552132870051
Chris Bulow, Amanda Toogood
Letters to the Editors Dear Editor… Aerobatics over Grafham I am sure most Grafham residents
are used to the sound of light aircraft
flying over and around the village,
especially during the Summer
months. I also assume most of us,
myself included, are tolerant of these
aircraft even when conducting aerobatics over the area,
but occasionally one or two pilots do seem to carry out
manoeuvres quite close, or indeed, over the village
which can get a little irritating with the constant fall and
rise of the engine drone.
Such an episode occurred a couple of weeks ago with
one such aircraft which gradually ‘crept’ closer and
closer until, at one point, it was directly over the vil-
lage. Eventually, my ‘grumpy’ side got the better of me,
so I contacted Peterborough airport to ask if they could
do anything about it. Sure enough, and about five
minutes later, the aircraft departed. Some time later,
the chief flying instructor rang to explain that it was one
of his students undertaking an aerobatic rehearsal and
he apologised.
I told him no apology was required, but he was quite
insistent that such incidents should not occur and that
such flights must not fly over conurbations however
small. It seems that aerobatic aircraft are restricted to
flying either over Brampton Woods or over Grafham
Water itself, though the manoeuvres they carry out can
result in them creeping closer to built up areas.
The instructor was also keen to ensure that such inci-
dents aren’t repeated and he made it clear that people
shouldn’t hesitate to contact the airport if aircraft are
spotted carrying out aerobatics over the village again.
I have to say I was impressed with the response to my
grumble and thought other residents of Grafham may
want to be aware of the issue for future reference. If
anyone else has this problem or concern then they
should ring Peterborough Airport on 01487 834161.
Gianni Zamo
What are your news, views and comments? E-mail: [email protected] if you’d like your letter published in ‘Letters to the Editors.’ Please supply your name and address/email ad-dress but tell us if you’d prefer us not to print it in the Grafham Gossip. Thanks , Ed
If you’d like to write a ‘one-off’ article
or a regular feature for the Grafham Gossip,
send it by email to [email protected]
August 2019 14 Issue 172
Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected]
GRAFHAM WATER (NEXT TO THE VISITOR CENTRE)
WIDE RANGE AT LOW PRICES
OPEN WEDNESDAY- SUNDAY 09.00-17.30 TEL:01480 819730
FREE PARKING & FREE DELIVERY
PET & WILD BIRD FOOD
www.petfoodsdirect2u.co.uk
Free back door, when ordered with 5 or more windows
For a free, no obligation quotation please contact your local representative Jon Goodchild on 07825 238240 or email
WINDOWS DOORS ROOFLINE
CONSERVATORIES
GARDEN ROOMS FLAT ROOFS
www.gaphomeimprovements.co.uk
Grafham Plumbing and Heating Ltd
Oftec registered technician
High efficiency condensing boilers fitted
Oil tanks fitted complete with bases
All boilers serviced
All plumbing undertaken
Vaporising appliances fitted and serviced
Service and maintenance plans available Professional, friendly and reliable
01480 812590
07799 640476
Paul's Private Hire and Chauffeur Service Van Diemens Way, Grafham,
Huntingdon, Cambs. PE28 0GB
Tel. 01480 811594 Mobile 07795 296281 Email [email protected]
Travel in style via Mercedes cars to your destinations
JEZ ASHCROFT LTD All your decorating needs including:
Coving, Internal Decorating
Drylining & Plastering
FREE ESTIMATES
Please Call
Tel: 01480 812461 Mobile: 07708031493
Kevin Hutchinson • Reliable Local Carpenter and Joiner
• All carpentry work undertaken
• Fitted kitchens, new doors, wood flooring and much more
• No job too small
Tel: 01480 811863/07889 414274
BSM BSM Driving Instructor DSA Approved, Pass Plus Registered Living locally in Grafham
Call John Sisseman for details
Tel. 07806 941675
Cinnamon Bar and Indian Restaurant Open 7 days a week 5pm to 10.30pm Also lunch time if pre-booked for 5 or more people
Call 01480 812211/811316 Thursday Night is 'Banquet Night'
1 starter, 1 main, 1 side.
Any rice or any nan £13.50 King prawn or duck £1.50 extra
http://cinnamonhuntingdon.co.uk/
August 2019 15 Issue 172
Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected]
Poly-nation
When writing about beekeeping I occasionally like to say something about technology. Well this month my son
introduced me to a Microsoft, iPhone app called Translator. It is available for Windows computers too. My thoughts
on this were reinforced a few days ago while listening to Radio 4, where there was an item about the much re-
duced student interest in languages in school. Now, make no mistake my language skills are very limited so what
follows is purely due to the clever app, nothing to do with me as a linguist. I am not proficient enough to include the
various accents on the foreign words so my list is an approximation. Those of you who are familiar with any of the
languages that I have chosen to include are free to send me comments if I or the app has made errors.
English Afrikaans Czech Danish Dutch
Apiary Apiary Medonosnych Apiary Imkerij
Beekeeper Byeboer Vcelar Biavler Imker
Beehive Byekorf Ulu Beehive Bijenkorf
Foraging Miere Past Fouragering Foerageren
Honey Heuning Zlato Honning Honing
Honeybee Heuningby Vcela Honningbien Honingbij
Pollen Stuifmeel Pyl Pollen Pollen
Pollination Bestuiwing Opylovani Bestovning Bestuiving
Queen Koningin Kralovna Dronning Koningin
Swarm Swarm Roj Svaerm Zwerm
Wax Was Vosk Voks Wax
Worker bee Werker bee Vcelka delnice Arbejder bi Werhnemer bee
Happy beekeeping Gelukkig
byeboerdery Stastne vcelarstvi Lykkelig biavi Gelukkige bijenteelt
English Estonian Finnish French German Italian Slovenian Welsh
Apiary Mesila Apiary Rucher Bienenhaus Apiario Cebelnjak Gwenithfaen
Beekeeper Mesinik Beekeeper Apiculteur Imker Apicoltore Cebelar Gwenynwr
Beehive Mesitaru Beehive Ruche Bienenstock Alveare Panj Cwch gwenyn
Foraging Korjealadena Juurikasvit Alimenta-
tion Futtersuche Foraggiamento
Iskanja hrane
Fforio
Honey Mesi Hunaja Miel Honig Miele Medu Mel
Honeybee Meemesilaste Mehilainen Abeille Biene Ape Cebel Gwenyn mel
Pollen Oietolm Siitepolya Pollen Pollen Polline Poleda Paill
Pollination Tolmeldamise Polytys Pollinisa-
tion Bestaubung Impollinazione Oprasevanje Peillio
Queen Queen Queen Reine Konigin Regina Kraljica Frenhines
Swarm Sulem Parvi Essaim Schwarm Sciame Roj Swarm
Wax Vaha Vaha Cire Wachs Cera Vosek Cwyr
Worker bee Tootaja me-
silane Tyon tekija mehilainen
Abeille de travailleur
Worker-bee Ape operaia Delavka cebelica
Gwenynen y gwethiwr
Happy beekeeping
Head mesin-dus
Onnellinen mehilais
hoito
Apiculture heureuse
Gluckliche imkerei
Apicoltura felice Srecno ce-belarstvo
Cadw gwenyn hapus
And finally for the inter-galactic beekeepers, English Klingon
Queen Tlhaw’DlyuS
Sting ‘aw’
Wax Vaj meQll’bogh
Happy beekeeping Quch beekeeping
David Cudby
Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: [email protected] Opinions expressed in the Grafham Gossip, including past issues, are those of the writer and not the editors.
August 2019 16 Issue 172
Printed by Easiprint 01733 602302
Grafham Wildlife and Conservation Group Regional winners of the BTCV Green Award 2006 & 2007 invite you to carry out woodland conservation
Call Sam Malt: 01480 811654 / 07849 082870
or email: [email protected] www.gwcg.btck.co.uk/
Across the Churches Bible Study We are a small group meeting twice a month (Tuesdays 7.30pm) for Bible study, prayer and fellowship. We come from different churches and are always happy to welcome new members.
For more information, please contact Rob or Jean Clark 01480 890033.
Grafham Church Flower Club We are available to decorate the church for weddings and other church occasions.
Floral arrangements for: pedestal, altar, font, windowsills, pew ends, pillars.
Please contact Hazel Powell on
01480 810326 for details and quotes.
If anyone in the village has foliage in their garden that they would be willing to donate for church decoration for festivals, please let us know, we would be very grateful.
The Mobile Library Route H24 visits Breach Road, Grafham on the 4th Wednesday of every month from 10.40 to 11.00. Next visits - 28th August
For renewals/ enquiries call 0345 045 5225 or click here
.Come and join the
GRAFHAM LINE DANCERS Beginners are welcome
Monday evenings in the Village Hall
7.30 – 9.00pm
For more information ring Julia 01480 811613 or Text Penny 07986 509481
Ellington and Grafham WI
meets on the first Tuesday of the month in Ellington village hall. Membership is £41 per annum but you are most welcome to come as a visitor. The pro-gramme is varied and interesting with speakers or events every month. August 80th anniversary garden party from 6pm. For the address of the venue any other information please contact:
Sue 01480 896139 [email protected] or Ann 01480 891192 [email protected]
Grafham Little Fishes Toddler and Baby stay and play session
All Welcome Beginning 4th September
Wednesdays 10.00 to 11.20 term time only Grafham Village Hall
Free play time followed by a short bible story, action songs and simple craft.
Just turn up on the day
Little Fishes is very short of helpers to make tea/coffee. Please contact Hazel 810326 or email: [email protected] if you can help.
See also the notice on page 8
Coffee Morning Grafham Social Committee invites you to
Coffee Mornings at 10.30am on the third
Wednesday of the month:
21st August - Debbie Russell, 18 Church Rd
This is an informal social occasion for
residents of the village. Please come along
for a cup of coffee and a chat.
GRAFHAM VILLAGE HALL has a Public Entertainments Licence for music, dancing, performing arts and can accommodate 92 guests seated in rows or 150 at a dance/disco - an ideal venue for children's and family parties. There is a playing field for sports activities and the hall has small changing rooms with shower facilities.
For details or to book, tel: 07711 769911
Grafham and Ellington Art GroupGrafham and Ellington Art GroupGrafham and Ellington Art Group http://grafhamandellingtonart.weebly.com/ Grafham Village Hall, Every Tuesday 1.30-4pm Calling all who want to meet and paint with like minded people on a regular basis.
Beginners and those with more skills are all very welcome.
Cost: About £2 to cover hall hire/refreshments. Come along with your paints and equipment!
Please ring me for more details.
Jackie Woods 01480 890279
Quiz night Last Thursday of every month
Starting at 8pm
Teams of 4, £1 entry per person