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The Village Voice
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Parish Council Chairman's Letter The clocks have gone back, it’s a bit colder and it will be dark soon at an early hour. These things all point to the time of the year when the village gathers to remember our fallen servicemen, from not only the Great War and the Second World War but the many other conflicts we have lost friends, family and loved ones to. It is always a good turnout, a solemn and moving occasion and a credit to our village that we treat the occasion with such good support and with the gravitas the occasion deserves. The whole act of remembrance takes a lot of organisation and those that carry out this task have our full support. Vic Nickson, in particular does a great job and there are many others, including Buchans Landscapes, who always ensure the leaves are cleared, the grass is cut and the whole area looks tidy. Let’s hope for some clement weather and another good turnout by all.
Your Parish Council (PC) is looking at resurrecting a previously abandoned project. A cycle route to Royston. Simon Saggers and John Simpson have taken on this task, to look at the possibilities and to go over some of the old information on the proposal. There are many people that use that busy and dangerous road for access to not only Tesco, but the station and the other shops in Royston. This would be a major project but one that we think would be a worthwhile task and when complete would offer a much safer and pleasant route. When you look at the cycle route on the A10 around the Foxton/Shepreth area, a route not used by that many, it would only appear sensible, that an oft used route, such as our part of the 1198 should be made safer. Any comments, offers of help, ideas on funding, would be gratefully received, so please come along to a PC meeting at any time and offer your services. We also still have a vacancy for another member of the PC.
The Church saga rumbles on and a presentation was given at our last meeting by the Vicar. There followed a lively debate on the pros and cons of the proposed development, with contrary views being put forward. It is not a simple argument as there are church goers who support it and those that do not, those from the village, like myself, who would prefer to see it left as it is and vice versa and those that are ambivalent to the whole thing. A working group was suggested by our District Councillor, Nigel Cathcart, which would be a good idea, to try and reach a decision that many could concur with but so far nothing has materialised and I fear the Church will forge ahead against the wishes of many with the grand plan.
The next big social event in the Village will be the fireworks display, at the school. In the past, the barracks had been the destination of choice for many. Let’s try and make this year a success so that we can have the confidence to move forward for the following years. It would be a shame to see this tradition and enjoyable event fall to the dreaded curse of apathy.
Peter Robinson
Please note the views and opinions expressed in this letter do not necessarily reflect those of the volunteer Editor (Mark Sappol) or the Parish Council.
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BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY TRAVEL NOW - CALL 01763 242 323
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From: Heidi Allen MP — Member of Parliament
for South Cambridgeshire
Even though Parliament’s recess is now over, I am still getting out and about in the constituency.
It was back to school not once, but three times as I paid visits to William Westley Primary, Monkfield Primary and Hills Road Sixth Form College. It was a touch of the familiar at William Westley as the all-important election results for school councillors was due to be announced. It was great to see young children already so engaged in democracy.
An award winner of different sorts was on the timetable next as I visited the Cambridge Evening News Primary School of the Year, Monkfield Primary in Cambourne. It was evident why they had won from the moment I walked through the door. I don’t think I have ever seen children so engaged, from cross curricular working to an entire lesson conducted in Spanish. The teaching at Monkfield truly is first class and all the staff and head should be tremendously proud of what they have achieved at this shining example of a school. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have seen one of South Cambridgeshire’s finest schools in action.
I have extended an invite to the pupils at Monkfield and William Westley to come and visit me in Parliament.
Student politics was as alive and feisty as ever when I attended a Q&A session hosted by Hills road Sixth Form College alongside my city counterpart Daniel Zeichner. It was a chance for some of Cambridgeshire’s best and brightest young adults to quiz Daniel and I on matters from student loans to housing.
On 20 September, I was honoured to be invited as a guest to the Battle of Britain Air Show at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford. I feel so lucky to have this fabulous historical facility in my constituency. Clear skies, 20 Spitfires, need I say more?
The following week I scrubbed up and visited Papworth Hospital just days after its cardiothoracic surgeons were announced as some of the best in the country. During my visit I observed a number of procedures, viewed the hospital’s state-of-the-art Critical Care Lab and met with senior staff from the hospital.
It very quickly became clear to me why local people are so proud of Papworth. I have only one word to describe what I saw, “wow”. When compassion, skill, technology and science come together, you create something very special and I saw that in action.
In September I also met with the board of Addenbrooke’s and spent a day in a GP’s surgery. The staff who make our NHS what it is should be very proud of themselves.
Although the challenges that our NHS face are huge, both operationally and financially I have committed to working with them in partnership to ensure they get the support they need to carry on delivering 1st class services. We are in this together.
Address: 153 St Neots Road, Hardwick, Cambridge, CB23 7QJ
Tel: 01954 212 707 Twitter: @heidiallen75 www.heidisouthcambs.co.uk
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County Council and Local Updates
from County Councillor Adrian Dent
LOCAL ISSUES
Access to the Ski Club via Guise Lane, as of yet no application formally made.
Speeding in a number of places has raised its head again, namely the A1198 through Kneesworth, Whaddon Gap being reiterated and narrowness of the road for farm vehicles.
Speed Control bumps are to be placed in Litlington in the near future on the Bassingbourn Road as I have given my approval on October 6th
Solar Farms cabling on the A1198 is the cause of the recent roadworks, once onto County Farm property the road should be traffic light free.
I have had meetings with the MOD and DIO awaiting designation of use of the Barracks I am advised that the Army are pushing to have a British training base there. Most likely no movement until the new year.
School crossing patrol in Bassingbourn will be in place soon, CCC is waiting on info from cleared person looks like November and they will be in place.
COUNTY ISSUES – SEPTEMBER 2015
Addenbrooke’s Access Roads The Policy and Regulation Team are currently updating the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for the Addenbrooke’s hospital site. The current TRO which prohibits traffic using the access roads as a rat run was issued in 2010 before all the new roads were named. The Police have requested this is updated with all the road names in the order before they start enforcing it in case of a legal challenge. This was done in September 2015 and police will now be carrying out enforcement for infringements of the order. For more information, contact the Policy & Regulation Team at [email protected]
New style Community SpeedWatch roads safety message signs
Many villages and towns are working with the Police Community Speedwatch. Some villages have taken the opportunity to have permanent signs installed to ensure that drivers are aware that the people in this community take part in Speedwatch. The current signs are based upon the temporary signs and are basic and non- reflective. The officers involved in SpeedWatch felt there was an opportunity to improve the impact of the sign, including adding reflectivity, giving a direct road safety message asking drivers to “SLOW DOWN” and also adding the Police emblem and the logo of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Road Safety Partnership to show that this is supported by the partner organisations.
Villages that have already purchased signs will not be disadvantaged. Modern signs are printed on plastic film so a new one can simply be laid onto the existing sign plates. The new signs design is currently being finalised and will be rolled out over the next few months.
Library Service Transformation – Income Generation
A short term Member Reference Group has been set up to develop new ideas for income generation related to our library services. The first meeting of the Member Reference Group took
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place on 17 September 2015. The group appointed Cllr Barbara Ashwood as Chair and Cllr Zoe Moghadas as Vice Chair. The group will involve the public, Library Friends Groups and staff from across the County in the coming months, before making recommendations to the Highways and Community Infrastructure Committee on commercial aspects of the service.
Care Quality Commission (CQC) Inspection report: Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie Hospitals Following the publication of the CQC inspection report on Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie Hospitals, Children, Families, and Adult services are working with the Trust as a partner organisation to support them in the work to put in place remedial action. The inspection report can be found on the CQC site: www.cqc.org.uk/location/RGT01
Older People Care Ensuring we have sufficient homecare provision for older people and adult social care service users is a key strategic priority. We have already made significant progress in reducing both the waiting list for homecare and the number of delayed discharges from hospital due to shortages in homecare availability but there is further to go. In order to meet the needs of an expanding population with rising needs we are exploring a range of further strategies to both increase the supply of homecare and reduce the demand for this scarce resource.
A new project plan specifically focused on homecare sufficiency has been developed and brings together existing work alongside new ideas. It will also feed into partnership discussion at the Cambridgeshire Executive Partnership Board. The key workstreams are:-
A review of the reablement provision to ensure that it is working with the right people at the right time – and therefore has the greatest impact on helping people live independently. This is in partnership with health colleagues to ensure fit with the whole of the intermediate tier of services;
Exploring the delegation of tasks between health and social providers to reduce the number of visits required to each person;
Joint Workforce Development – with both independent homecare providers and health teams;
Considering how commissioning by outcomes (rather than by time and task) could reduce the demand for and cost of homecare;
Exploring whether developing a County Council-led homecare provision could be viable;
Considering how we can involve homecare providers more proactively in the discharge planning process from hospital;
Developing new approaches in hard to reach areas which are not easily served by the mainstream homecare providers;
Looking to expand the support we provide to help people with incontinence issues – so that infections do not trigger a deterioration of health and rising need for care;
Ensuring our internal arrangements to procure homecare are as efficient as possible, prioritise people who are vulnerable and avoid people waiting for extended periods.
Transforming Lives The Transforming Lives programme is aimed at developing a new approach to social work and social care as well as the processes and systems that support the public and staff. Detail on the strategy is available on the council site: http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/info/20166/working_together/579/delivering_the_care_act/3 Continued ->
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Contact County Councillor Adrian Dent: by ‘phone or email with concerns, requests for information and help: Tel:01763 245669 Email: [email protected]
There are a range of projects managed within this which include:
Changing processes and process development: one aspect to this will deliver the changes in Fairer Contributions agreed by the Adults Committee for April 2016, including efficient financial assessment, an arrangement fee for full cost home care and invoicing top-ups for residential and nursing care.
The Contact Centre project ‘First Contact’ is underway with involvement from key partners. This aims to maximise support that can be given at the initial point of entry and improving customers’ experience.
The Care Markets project is concerned with innovative ways of working with providers to enable growth and development among providers of services.
The Safeguarding project is focusing on two important areas of development:
Introduction of a team of staff with experience of safeguarding adults into the Multi-agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) to strengthen the multi-agency approach and provide a central point for all safeguarding referrals. The posts are currently being advertised internally as secondments with the expectation that the team will be established by December 2015.
The development of safeguarding practice to respond to the national initiative, “Making Safeguarding Personal” that is an expectation in the Department of Health guidance for the Care Act 2014. “Making Safeguarding Personal” puts the person at the centre and supports individualised approaches to investigating safeguarding issues that are proportionate and support the outcomes that the person wants to see from the process.
Cambridgeshire Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA)
STOP Suicide Project The local STOP Suicide pathfinder initiative has received national praise and recognition. The campaign seeks to encourage increased awareness and openness about a subject which is so often hidden. Since the campaign’s launch a year ago, there have been more than 8000 visits to the STOP Suicide website, 36 local employers have signed up to the STOP Suicide Organisational Pledge and there have been more than 600 Personal Pledges. In addition, around 200 people have had Suicide Prevention Training. The local campaign is led by the charities Mind in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Fenland Mind and Lifecraft, supported by local NHS and Public Health teams. The initiative forms part of wider suicide prevention work which is coordinated by the Suicide Prevention Strategy Group, led by local authority public health. The Pledge is a key part of the STOP Suicide campaign and aims to empower individuals and communities to be more aware and open about suicide and reach out to those who may be distressed and in need of support. For more information about the STOP Suicide campaign and to sign the Pledge, please visit www.stopsuicidepledge.org
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Here is the solution to the
Thanksgiving (yes, I am American but
made sure England was one of the
answers) Crossword puzzle found on page 51.
Gobble, Gobble!!!
Go do the puzzle on
page 51 first and then come back here to see how
well you did.
BASSINGBOURN UNITED REFORMED CHURCH South End, Bassingbourn
TEA ROOM
The Tea Room will be open on
Friday 27th
November 12.30 to 4.00pm
Soup and rolls at lunch time
Tea, coffee and cakes served all afternoon.
All donations will be given to
Bassingbourn URC Church Funds A big thank you to everyone who came to the Tea Room on Friday
25th September and helped to raise £552.00 for MacMillan Cancer Care
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The Royston & District Model Railway Club will be holding its 29th Annual Exhibition at
Bassingbourn Village College on Saturday the 21st November 2015.
The exhibition will be open from 10:30 am until 5 pm.
We hope to have 20 to 25 layouts present with the remainder of the stands being Traders, Demonstrators & Society -based.
Tea, Coffee and light refreshments will be available.
Miniature train rides by members of the Royston & District Model Engineering Society on their outside track (Weather permitting!).
Admission £5.00 per Adult and accompanied children are free.
We intend to run a bus service between Royston Bus & Train Stations
and Bassingbourn Village College on the day.
Please visit our web site www.roystondmrc.co.uk for further/updated information.
Bassingbourn Community Primary School
On the 30th September Seahorse class went on a trip to the Folk
Museum in Cambridge for our topic on toys. We went on a coach. When we got there we were split into two groups. One group went up into the attic to look at some old toys. We had to draw some pictures and say what they were made of. The other group did some activities like sorting new and old toys. After lunch we made some peg dolls. We got some fabric, glue and pens to make them. Before we went home we saw some robots. The first robot walked by winding it up. Finally it was time to go home. We had a fun day and learnt a lot about old toys.
By Adam and Eva
On Friday 9th October, Seahorses held their open class event. We welcomed
more than 30 parents and younger siblings to our classroom and they joined in with our circular weaving. We enjoyed teaching them about our work inspired by the artist Kandinsky, and having their help with our weaving. Thank you all for coming. Mrs Dunlop
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BOOKINGS FOR CHRISTMAS PARTIES / MEALS
ARE NOW TAKING PLACE AT THE HOOPS IN BASSINGBOURN
From 1ST DECEMBER TO 24TH DECEMBER - £24.95
CHRISTMAS DAY - £57.50
(3 COURSE MEAL FOLLOWED BY COFFEE OR TEA AND WARM MINCE PIES)
40% DISCOUNT FOR CHILDREN UNDER 12
PRE-ORDERING IS ESSENTIAL FOR ALL BOOKINGS
THE HOOPS HIGH STREET, BASSINGBOURN, ROYSTON, HERTS SG8 5LF
DOWNLOAD THE MENU AT WWW.THEHOOPSPUB.CO,UK AND RING 01763 244 990 TO BOOK YOUR PARTY OR MEAL
Christmas Market The next village market will be held on
Saturday 12th December at 10:00am in the Parish Church
The markets are great events at which the community comes together and celebrates everything good about living local. There’ll be locally sourced,
grown, made or handcrafted produce, from jewellery, ornaments and candles to pickles, preserves and cakes. Plus Christmas goodies,
decorations and present ideas. The Christmas markets are particularly jolly, with carols ringing out from the village band or local children.
Why not come along and enjoy a cup of tea and a chat with your neighbours, and get into the festive spirit.
If you want to book a pitch, please contact Simon Saggers
on (01763) 243960 or at [email protected]
The quarterly Village Markets are organised by the
Bassingbourn Living Local group and the Parish Church
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Tales from my allotment by
“Farmer Brown’s daughter” — Rebecca Bond
(email me at [email protected])
Three weeks into retirement and it’s still not real. I’m able to go to the allotment whenever I like, although there seems so little time to get everything
done before the weather gets worse. What about the Autumn air and light, isn’t it fantastic? I have NEVER seen the display of orange, red, 100 yellows and copper in the trees so vibrant as this year. Am I seeing the world through some rose-tinted glasses all of a sudden?
Half of my allotment’s looking tatty with the plants that have been so prolific (particularly the runner and French beans, the cucumbers and corn) stopping producing and beginning to die off. I have the brightest yellow / green cucumbers (which is when they’ve gone off i.e. well past their eat-by, let alone sell-by, date) but the chickens love them.
So those beds have been readied for the next round, which is garlic (although I think I could stock a small shop with the garlic from LAST year), shallots and onions. I have a LOT of those in my lean-to, which I’m using, and it’ll be a while before I see any result from these over-wintering ones. The broad beans need to go in too.
I am disowning the OTHER half of my allotment because it looks so DREADFUL. The beds that were weeded have just become overgrown again and it’s jolly hard work digging and re-digging beds. I’m not a great rotovator fan as I think they just chop the weeds up, but at the same time—I’m not THAT BIG A FAN of digging either. I’ve just got to take it one bed at a time … looking at the bigger picture can sometimes be scary.
So, yes, it’s the 3rd week of my ‘not working’, I’m taking it one day/week at a time. Thinking of that bigger picture is scary … what will happen, what will I do, what changes are ahead, will the markets crash, will we have enough money and of course WHEN WILL I DIE? Let’s leave that last one for another day shall we?
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FOXTON’S ART EXHIBITION
Foxton’s award-winning Art Exhibition is held each year in November and is a stylish event with exhibits from many, very talented, local artists. The exhibition is held in large, attractive, modern facilities in the heart of Foxton.
The exhibition has gone from strength to strength, last year the event team were thrilled to raise a record total of over £3,500 for Foxton Primary School.
This year’s exhibition will be held from Friday 13th
November – Sunday 15
th November 2015 and work is presented in a variety of medias including
ceramics, wood, glass and textiles and well as oils, pastels, watercolour, ink, photography and jewellery. There is something to suit all tastes and pockets and all proceeds from the event support Foxton Primary School in exciting ways including the development of visual and performing arts.
The exhibition team looks forward to welcoming all visitors along with the exhibiting artists.
Foxton Art Exhibition , Hardman Road, Foxton, Cambridge, CB22 6RN
Preview Evening Friday 13th November Free entry 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Saturday 14th November 10.30am - 4:00pm General Admission £2.00
(children free)
Sunday 15th November 11:00am - 4:00pm General Admission £2.00
(children free)
www.foxtonart.org
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THE WALKERS PARTNERSHIP
SOLICITORS
DO YOU NEED TO MAKE A WILL OR
REVISE YOUR EXISTING WILL?
If so, please take advantage of our reduced rate wills offer.
Please note that reduced rate wills will be
available every week day from 8.00am until
6.00pm, and on Tuesday evenings until
8.00pm, by appointment only.
Also on the Saturday mornings of 14th and 28th NOVEMBER, again by
appointment only:
Reduced rates are:-
Double Wills - £250.00 plus VAT Single Will - £130.00 plus VAT
HOME VISITS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT NO EXTRA CHARGE WITHIN A 20 MILE RADIUS OF ROYSTON.
For more information please contact:-
1-3 Lower King Street, Royston, Herts SG8 5AJ
Tel: 01763 241121
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“Letters to the Editor”
NOVEMBER BULLETIN FROM CAMBRIDGESHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE FIREWORKS and bonfires can be plenty of fun for all the family to enjoy. The fire service recommends going to an organised firework display instead of holding one at home, however, if you do use fireworks or light a bonfire at home, we would ask residents to take on board our safety advice to ensure it is just their fireworks that go off with a bang:
Keep fireworks in a closed box and always follow the instructions.
Light them at arm’s length using a taper and stand well back.
Never go back to a lit firework.
Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them.
Don't light bonfires in unsuitable weather, particularly in windy conditions.
Don't leave bonfires unattended.
Build bonfires well clear of buildings, fences and hedge.
Never use flammable liquids to start the fire, and never burn dangerous
rubbish such as aerosols, paint, foam furniture, rubber tyres, and batteries. Before you light the bonfire, check that children and animals are not hiding inside and are a safe distance away.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. To find out if you are eligible for a free home fire safety check, call 0800 917 99 94.
PERHAPS A VIEW THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED Do we as a society have a view on the Russian who spends £123m on a house in Mayfair and boards it up? Do we have a view on the Saudi prince and his £7.5m gold plated Ferrari garaged in a security cage under the Savoy? These people can clearly afford to play with millions. Most people will have a view on refurbishment of the parish church. I expect we all have a view that such use/under use of wealth is obscene in a society that is suffering in many areas. So to our church, a community facility or not? Where have these proposals come from? Has there been consultation or a lack of consultation. I read with a concern about proposals on the Parish Church and how it may
spend its own money. Well it is my view that if they have the money they should
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spend it as they wish.
But is there a question on community 'financial' support........now this is a different matter. A real cause for concern perhaps should be the 'men in frocks' at Peterborough who have taken 'a local brief' and almost certainly, unwisely, spent money via Quantity Surveyors, Architects, Engineers and other hangers on who have willingly taken those fees without standing up and asking the question .......can you really afford this work and should you be doing this work at all now? Maybe they have sold the Ferrari to fund the proposals.
Paul Catherall
CHURCH PROPOSALS I wish to offer some observations on the debate concerning these proposals which has generated quite a lot of interest recently. I wish to stress that these observations are made in the spirit of helping a Church which I have known and in which I have worshipped for 45 years.
From my extensive discussions with village residents it is clear that the Church remains important to many people, spiritually and architecturally and they are concerned about what happens to it and this is to be welcomed because the worst response would have been one of indifference and this debate provides an opportunity to re-examine the relationship between the Church and the vil-lage, how both can work together and what expects from each other because for a long time this relationship has not been discussed or questioned.
The Church has a reasonable expectation that it will be supported by the village as a place of worship and that the village will recognise that it is necessary to provide a variety of forms of worship in order to thrive. The village also needs to recognise that the Church needs to be supported in making itself relevant in the modern world. The Church also needs financial support from the village when the structure itself needs attention. Some years ago, the roof required serious repair and the village proved itself generous in providing financial support for this.
The Church, however, needs to recognise that it exists at different levels and not just for those who attend every Sunday. It exists for less regular worshippers, those who attend major festivals, those who attend for family events and those who wish to sit quietly by themselves in the pews to reflect on some personal issue and trouble.
It is these less regular but just as important attendees who are most concerned by these proposals as, from my discussions, they feel that the Church should exist in its traditional form when needed.
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A consensus is, however, starting to emerge, which appears to be a successful solution and that is to give support for the installation of facilities at the back of the Church (Kitchen WC’s and children’s room) and a mezzanine floor, if it can be justified. The balcony seems to serve no very useful purpose nor does moving the font. The redundant platforms at the rear and front of the pews can be easily moved which would provide greatly increased usable space, surely sufficient for almost all purposes. Changing the entrance arrangements and the very intrusive glass screen would seem to represent an over modernisation for no particular benefit. The largest area of concern is the proposal to remove almost all the pews and the pulpit which would completely alter the feel and character of the nave and there is very widespread opposition to this in the village. The argument that the space could be used as a sort of village hall does not seem to carry weight as there are a great variety of buildings in the village which serve this purpose, the Church would be an unsatisfactory village hall substitute as it would still remain a Church and there are many activities which could take place in a village hall which would be incompatible with a Church and besides if it is felt that we needed a designated village hall it could easily be built for the £800,000 which these Church modernisations are estimated to cost. I am also troubled by another matter. Although it needs to be business-like in the way it arranges its finances, the Church is not a business and how it uses its money sends out powerful signals to the wider community. The Victorian Church had a good record of philanthropy, by endowing schools and hospitals and social housing as examples. In the current case, however, there is very little real local social benefit from these proposals and it could be argued that, wherever the money comes from it could be put to much more constructive local social use than rearranging the interior of the Church. It makes very little sense for the Church to spend an enormous amount of money it does not have on a project which few people want and which will not only damage the historic fabric of the Church but also risk causing it considerable reputational damage both locally and also wider afield. If handled wisely by the Church this discussion could actually strengthen the local Church as long as they listen and modify these proposals in line with the consensus indicated above but if they ignore it and only listen to themselves or those close to them then the likely result is a weakened and alienated Church and there would be a very real risk that many in the village would boycott the Church in Bassingbourn and look elsewhere when it comes to worship or traditional family events such as marriages and funerals
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All these adverse consequences can easily be avoided and I am more than happy to help in any way I can. Nigel Cathcart
ANOTHER VIEWPOINT
When Henry VIII nationalised the English arm of the Church (and called it the Church of England) it wouldn't have crossed his mind that hundreds of years later we'd be tearing our hearts out over whether to un-pew or to remain-pewed. I'm sure, though, that he would've thought that we'd lost our senses.
Much like the present those were brutal times. As we might recall on the occasion of this sixteenth century take-over the wearing of the tonsure by the priest (representing the crown of thorns) was dismissed as a triviality: great tracts of land came within government ownership, the monasteries after official pillaging were destroyed. The Parish Churches, emasculated, subservient to the state, monopolistic, became the mouth-piece of an all-prying central administration. If nothing else the Tudors were ruthless. The people were suitably cowed.
Church attendance, especially C of E, never seems to have been much to "write home about" until the middle of the nineteenth century when in a sudden rush of social hypocrisy one was persuaded that to be seen to be worshipping was sufficient reason for Victorian pragmatists to install plenty of places for growing families to sit in, hence the many pews. Great cathedrals, particularly, (and Durham Cathedral has been a good example lately - when featured on the "Antique Roadshow") have substituted pews for seats and that seems to work for them: if so, why not for others?
Our village has almost lost contact with the "Morrisian" ideal of community education. Bassingbourn Academy is an excellent school, but, at its heart, it's a long way from being that natural, all-embracing people's college which opened in 1959. Where's the day-by-day opportunity for adults to attend locally, educational, social and cultural events? It's almost gone: some would say, "priced itself out of the market".
The detailed Parish Church building proposals do appear to offer something: an additional venue for the public to go to, and at a reasonable price, where a range of activities might be eventually found, though not at the same time. I'm surprised though that the proposals are able to be easily funded by means of a
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financial arrangement which I didn't understand, but which was put to us at a meeting on 13th September. I'm willing, however, to accept these "smoke and mirror" proposals if they genuinely provide a large and usable extra space in the village.
Skilful builders, masons and carpenters of the past who put their souls into providing a structure of faith also knew that it would have a broader utilitarian value. "Architecture is the silent educator". If they were able to see it now they'd be eager to use modern materials and experiment in form just as they did in that mediaeval period. They'd gain no pleasure seeing a treasured building underused, ossifying, like a fly in amber, decaying (as surely it will), truly a wondrous symbol of the past but sadly not daring to put a foot into the future.
John Bell
PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE VILLAGE CHURCH
The proposed changes to the village church of St Peter and St Paul have caused much debate in the village. There have been opportunities to review the plans and discuss the alterations and the community have made representations and expressed their views on the proposed changes. However, the church leaders in the village do not need permission from the village, the parish council or the local council to implement the changes and can choose to ignore the community should they gain approval to proceed with their plans from the Archdeacon.
The Parish Council meeting last week was well attended and some strong views were aired but, as the Vice Chairman pointed out, any changes that are made to the church fall outside of the planning oversight and remit of our local council. The village is therefore at the mercy of the church and has no ability to influence a proposal to make very substantial changes to the architecture and layout of perhaps the most significant building in the village.
From this consultation process, a disturbing rift is emerging in the village between the 'traditionalist' and the 'modernist' branches of Christianity. The proposed changes to the interior of the church will see the removal of the 'traditional' pews and pulpit, and the creation of a 'modernist' open worship space with chairs and the construction of a gallery and offices across the windows and arches at the rear of the church. The particularly emotive element of these changes is that they are such a radical and final removal of the traditional fabric of the church to make way for a permanently modern way of worship. Included in the plans are a WC and kitchen facilities and for some tidying up of the church which are needed and will not noticeably alter the
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character of the church. What is causing so much controversy though is the irreversible change to the main body of the church.
This division of traditional and modern has raised the question of 'ownership' of the church and thereby the right to make such dramatic changes. It is, naturally, the current churchgoers who are most enthusiastic about the plans and, as was explicitly claimed at the Parish Council meeting last week, "It is the churchgoers who own the church - it is our church and we can make the changes". This angry assumption of ownership is the crux of the problem. The church is not "owned" by the present churchgoers but was built for and has been maintained over centuries for the benefit of the whole village. It is not the property of an exclusive group of worshipers and it is therefore contentious that our vicar of two years and some of the congregation should believe it is in their power to make such drastic changes to the centuries old village church.
We are all, in the village, "owners" of the church and whilst there are many villagers who do not attend church, it should be available to them in its traditional character and form for christenings, weddings, funerals and whenever they should need it. There is great concern that these changes will remove the character of the church and create a 'facility' for a very singular, modernist means of worship. There is even greater concern that the changes to the church are being made to create a centre for people to come from far and wide outside of the village. The current congregation may have the balance in the attendance numbers, but many in the village have commented that this may be because many others feel uncomfortable or excluded or do not wish to practise in the fashion which is currently predominant.
The plans will have been expensive to prepare and a long time in drafting by an architect who specialises in 'Evangelical' architecture - converting traditional churches to evangelical churches. The plans have seemingly not been formulated as a part of a reparation or preservation scheme but as a means of converting the church from an old form of worship to a new one. The village must have a choice in how we worship - traditionalists and modernist evangelists should not be critical of each other, but neither group should attempt to or be allowed to dominate the other.
As we are reminded at christening and funeral services, we are merely passing through this world and we should respect those who came before us and those who will follow us. The village, clergy and trustees are custodians of this church and it is alarming that such an important building could be drastically altered to suit a small representation of the village or an audience from outside the village and from further afield.
The consultation process has prompted many questions which need to be answered for the sake of transparency with the village and to allay suspicion and concern that the plans have been drawn up safe in the knowledge that opposition from the local community will be futile.
The Village Voice
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There is considerable discomfort about a long term plan to make the church an evangelical centre, converting a village church to a facility designed for many outside our community. Aside from anger about the destruction of the architecture and character of our historic church and the divisions that these changes are causing in our community, there is also concern about the funding for the project and that such advanced plans could have been drawn up without a degree of knowledge about from where the monies for the project will come. Coupled with this is a growing belief that the funding bodies for the changes will not be focused on renovating a village church but will be for the promotion of a particular form of Christianity. These concerns have been compounded by the "God will provide" answer to questions on funding. The degree of consultation and transparency with the village has been limited and late, and the plans seem to be supported and driven by a very small group of people with vested interests in the project rather than as a collaboration with the village.
Where the village can and should be concerned is in the wider impact these changes will have on the village or in the promises of benefits that will accrue to the village if the changes go ahead. The question of parking for a larger visiting congregation has to be addressed in much more detail than the answer that has been presented so far, which is simply that there has always been a problem with parking. There has been much talk of a community space for holding pop concerts, streaming television productions, showing films and watching sporting events. Whilst these may be attractive offerings for the community, the village has already received over £2m of Lottery funding for community facilities for just that purpose. As a neighbour to the church, I would want to understand that suitable licenses and permissions would be sought.
Perhaps the feature which has attracted the most criticism is the cost of the project and the apparent indulgence of spending over £800,000 unnecessarily converting a village church at a time when the Church of England is waging war on poverty and there is an ongoing rise in the number of families relying on food banks. We must be satisfied that the church actually needs to be so radically altered or whether a smaller amount of money could be better spent fixing the roof and pillars, installing a WC and kitchen facilities, upgrading the heating and making safe the plinths which have become a trip hazard since the front pews were removed some years ago. It will be interesting to see if the same 'donors' to the church would still be willing to fund these improvements in the absence of a grander scheme.
Modernisation and change are crucial to our survival as a society, and so is respect for our past, our heritage, our traditions and tolerance of other beliefs. The plans for the church seem to have upset this balance and threaten to drive a wedge through the village community.
Mr and Mrs J Bedford
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CHANGES TO OUR PARISH CHURCH I am a confirmed member of the Church of England and an ex-member of Bassingbourn PCC. My comments and suggestions below are those I would make if I were still a PCC member.
I have studied the recent proposals for alterations to the nave of the church and approve of many including the construction of rooms for vestry, pastoral purposes, childrens’ areas, toilet and kitchen facilities, and that this construction could include a first floor area.
My concerns are:-
1. The ladder to the bell tower is dangerous and proper safe access should be incorporated into the building design.
2. I would suggest wooden stairs to the upper area rather than stone. Stone is unforgiving and expensive.
3. Any toilets should be soundproofed.
4. Large glazed areas are dangerous for those with impaired vision (and of course children). This needs careful thought.
5. It is my opinion that the balcony viewing area is unnecessary and may also present dangers. I would vote for only meeting rooms of varying sizes on the first floor.
6. I agree that the various platforms in the nave are a trip hazard and should be removed. However, I am against the removal of the Victorian pews. I think it is unfair to describe them as ‘bog standard’. They are still antiques and add to the traditional feel of our church. They are also purpose built in that they allow worshippers to kneel, have a shelf which doubles as place for bibles etc and an elbow rest during prayer. They are also robust, and provide the solidity required for those who (like me) need to lever themselves up from a kneeling position. Loose chairs would fail in these aspects. Surely we could manage to provide seat pads and kneeling pads for those who would find them helpful.
7. Once the platforms between the round for rood screen and the front row of pews are removed there should be enough room for ‘worship in the round’ for those who want it.
8. Relaying the floor and putting in underfloor heating may cause more problems than benefits. Once the digging starts there may be engineering problems re undermining the building structure itself, not to mention the chance that archaeologists may descend and turn the project into a lengthy nightmare. Putting the church out of use for a long period is surely undesirable.
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10. Removing the pulpit? Please don’t, some of us like to see the face of the person preaching.
11. Moving the font? It would be a shame to lose the traditional symbolism of welcoming a new church member at the door of the church.
This is an open letter to Bassingbourn
Parochial Church Council from Helen Rees
ABOUT BASSINGBOURN-CUM-KNEESWORTH WI
‘Variety is the spice of life’ Bassingbourn-cum-Kneesworth WI must think, because here is what I have enjoyed over the past few months: a glimpse into the lives of Medieval Women; whose concerns were much like the woman of today - husbands, children and their jobs.
Then I have had an outing to Scotsdale’s Nursery for a talk about the newest as well as the more common plants to use in an herbaceous border, followed by cream tea.
At another meeting, a speaker illustrated how important it was to understand about income and inheritance tax, power of attorney, making a will and care in later life and equally important, in an ‘Understanding the Cistern’ talk by a lady plumber, members handling plumbing ’parts’ and looking at illustrated plans of how we obtain mains water, how our hot water system works, central heating and drainage. Solutions to preventing blockages, pipes freezing and stop cock problems were all explained and member’s queries answered.
I have heard about what comprehensive help the charity ’Help the Heroes’ extends to the many ex-service men, women and their families. I have learned about the straw hat industry and made a straw plait - a step to making my own straw hat perhaps? There was a memorable tour of Simon Saggers local small holding and next month I shall learn about all that was involved if I had had an invitation to ‘Dine with the Georgians’.
Most meetings are open to the general public, who can be sure of a warm welcome and light refreshments. Meetings are advertised on notice boards throughout the village and the ‘Village Voice’. They are on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 pm at the Knutsford Road Community Centre.
Currently the WI is conducting a national campaign to persuade people of all ages to become organ donors. Forms are available at the Limes Community Centre, High Street or can be obtained by ringing 01763 242418.
Hazel Lord - WI Member
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Looking for somewhere to catch up with friends
and have a chat over a cuppa?
HATTIES COFFEE SHOP
Baguettes Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate
Sandwiches Milkshakes
Baps Homemade Cakes and Biscuits
Panini’s Cream Teas
Jacket Potatoes Homemade Soup Takeaway service available, small parties catered for, student meal deals
47 High Street (next to the Spar)
07732 380 464
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Bassingbourn Village College
Education News from Bassingbourn Village College
Compiled by Ann Lynn, [email protected]
Cambridge-based business coach John Hicks from Spectacles Training and Coaching Ltd visited Bassingbourn Village College to run a student workshop on Monday. The Life Skills workshop was aimed at senior students in years 10 and 11 and focused on managing stress, improving confidence, money management, talking to others and interview tips.
John initially visited the College during the careers carousel at the end of the summer term and made such an impact on the students that he was invited back to give others the opportunity to benefit from the advice and motivation he gives.
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Bassingbourn Village College has linked up with the University of Cambridge’s Department of Engineering to offer students an insight into the very latest engineering developments. University students from the Department’s outreach team will spend time working on special projects with the Bassingbourn pupils. The first initiative will be the formation of a Robotics Club which will run each week in the College’s Science department.
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Dressing Loud for Charity
The Village College was a sea of neon colours as students and staff dressed
LOUD for the Make Some Noise non-uniform charity day on 8th October.
Students each paid £1 for the privilege of not wearing uniform and a bake sale was held during morning break – raising over £550 which will go specifically to local children’s charities.
Staff from Heart Cambridge radio station came out to interview some of the students who were then featured in the station’s broadcasts throughout the day. For Drivetime presenter Gareth Wesley it was a step back in time as he was a pupil at BVC during the 1990s.
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Football Success
Bassingbourn Village College is very proud of Year 8 footballers Louis Chadwick and Max Crane who have been selected to represent Cambridge and
Gareth is pictured (centre, back) with some of the pupils
he met during his visit.
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District Schools Football. They have both been chosen in this season's squad as two of the best 25 players in our district from hundreds of trialists.
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Open Events
Hundreds of prospective parents and students attended the Open Evening at Bassingbourn Village College. The school was buzzing with showcase activities in all departments – from interactive language games to the very latest in sewing machine technology in the Textiles department. Our 3D printer was in action in Science whilst the English classrooms were decked out in handmade masks decorated by students studying Shakespeare.
The school’s musicians showcased their talents in various unexpected spots throughout the school prior to the Principal’s address when Mr Duncan Cooper proudly talked parents through the school’s exceptional exam results this summer. Year 11 student George Karabetsos also spoke to parents from a student’s viewpoint, emphasising the friendliness of BVC as well as the excellent working relationship between students and staff.
Parents were also given the opportunity to follow up the evening with a morning visit to the school earlier this week with Open Morning events on Tuesday and Wednesday. The school still has a small number of vacancies students in years 7, 8 and 9 – if you would like further information please call the school on 01763 242344.
Year 11 students George Karabetsos and Ellen Jenkins welcome Open Evening visitors with Principal Duncan Cooper.
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Royston Choral Society ‘Such culture close to home!’
Royston Choral Society brings Brahms ‘A German Requiem’
to Royston Parish Church Saturday 21st November 7.30 pm
Under its BBC Awards-winning new conductor, Andrew O’Brien, Royston Choral Society’s Autumn Concert features Brahms’ hauntingly beautiful ‘A German Requiem’.
Rather than use the conventional Roman Catholic Latin text, Brahms set out to compose ‘a’ requiem in German. With the emphasis on comforting the living, he selected texts from the German Lutheran Bible. So be prepared to be surprised!
Royston Choral Society will perform the rarely heard version for two pianos which was meticulously fashioned by the composer for performance in London July 1871. The choir will be supported by two outstanding soloists from London, soprano Eli Rolfe Johnson and baritone Laurence Williams as well as choristers from Heath Mount School – BBC Choir of the year 2012!
Tickets £12 (Concession £9, School students £1) available from choir members, Royston Library or at the door.
Future Dates:
Christmas Concert Saturday December 19th / Next Open Rehearsal Tuesday January 12th
For further information about the choir see www.roystonchoralsoc.org.uk or email Heather Howard (Chair) at [email protected]
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S/2101/15/VC
Variation of condition 2 of application S/1979/14/FL to
introduce pitched roof within central projection to west
elevation
Land adjacent to 2 Poplar Farm Close, Bassingbourn Cum
Kneesworth, Cambs, SG8 5NA
S/0963/15/FL
Conversion of existing loft space and erection of a second
storey extension to the rear
51 High Street, Bassingbourn Cum Kneesworth, Cambs,
SG8 5LD
S/1008/15/LB Internal Alterations 60, South End, Bassingbourn
Cum Kneesworth, Camb, SG8 5NL
S/0838/15/FL Demolition of existing barn and erection of new studio / annexe
The Grange, Old North Road, Bassingbourn Cum Kneesworth,
Cambs, SG8 5JG
S/0647/15/LD
Lawful Development Certificate for a Dormer Window and the
Insertion of a Flue.
26, The Tanyard, Bassingbourn cum Kneesworth, Cambs,
SG8 5NH
Bassingbourn-cum-Kneesworth Approved Planning Application Decisions (28 September 2015 - 23 October 2015)
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Bassingbourn Parish Church News The Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul, Bassingbourn:
As we move into November, most of us will have noticed the beginning of the annual Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and many of you will be gathered round the War Memorial just before 1045 on Sunday the 8th and I hope you may also be coming to the service that follows in Church. I have been taking these services for over 30 years now and it is a sobering thought that, in that time, a whole new generation has grown up. The annual Act of Remembrance is a good way for the community to come together, remembering with thankfulness those who in their time made sacrifices in the causes of peace and the overcoming of evil. It’s also a chance to open up the minds of younger people to appreciate that the freedoms we enjoy – and seek for others - are won and maintained at a cost, and most especially so by those who serve in the Armed Forces. I look forward to seeing many of you there.
My sermon on the 8th will be on the text: ‘Love one another…..’ taken from St John’s Gospel, Chapter 13, verse 34. It may sound easy enough, obvious even, but to truly love one another is a hard calling. To love someone truly is to want the best for them, even at cost to oneself or one’s own interests. We all want to do it, we all strive, for the most part, to live up to it, but it isn’t easy, in practice, to do it all the time and in all circumstances.
Of course, we Christians believe that the life and ministry of Jesus is the pattern for how to live a life of love and service to others.
This is what we explore, week by week in our Sunday worship and the other mid-week activities that the parish church sponsors. Come and visit us, our services are open to, and for, all. That is our ministry, our service to you, the people of the parish.
Services this month:
November 1st:
11:00 Holy Communion
16:00 Thanksgiving Memorial Service
November 8th:
09:30 Bassingbourn Cemetery War Graves, Act of Remembrance
10:45 Bassingbourn War Memorial, Act of Remembrance,
Followed by Remembrance Service in the Parish Church
November 15th:
11:00, Holy Communion
November 22nd:
11:00, Morning Praise
November 29th:
09:30 Joint Service at Whaddon, Holy Communion
Stephen Brooker Licensed Lay Minister
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Bassingbourn Sports Centre
Bassingbourn Village College – Sports Centre – a community facility The notice board in the Sports Centre is full of sporting activity opportunities for all ages and is accessible from 17:00 – 22:00 Monday – Thursday and 17:00 – 21:00 Friday for anyone who would like to find out more information.
Current 2015/2016 price list is:
Astro turf £27.00 per hour
Sports Hall £28.00 per hour for 4 badminton courts/whole area or £7.00 per hour for one badminton court
Table Tennis £7.00 per hour up to 4 tables
Dance Studio £10.00 per hour
Hire a Village College classroom for £10.00 per hour
Availability is by pre-booking with Barbara Isherwood on 01763 242344 Ext.225 and payment in advance by cheque or cash. Booking is between the hours of 7:30am and 3pm each week day. Please note that for school holiday hire of courts, you will need to pre-book before the holidays begin to ensure a space is available. Users of the sports centre are expected to put up their nets and take them down again.
CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES THAT TAKE PLACE AT THE SPORTS CENTRE
Bassingbourn Judo Club – contact Geoff Klein 01763 247592 Bassingbourn Youth Football Club – contact www.byfc.org.uk or 01763 853148
Bassingbourn Karate Club – contact www.kstsk.co.uk or 07866374674
Clubbercize – contact Helen Reader 07779857745
DanceMatters – contact Naomi 07957103093
Korean Tang Soo Do martial arts – contact [email protected]
Morden Magpies F.C. – contact www.mordenmagpies.co.uk
Back to the Fitness – contact [email protected]
Table Tennis – contact [email protected] or 01763 245372
Spaces available from September 2015 are - Astro Turf - Monday 21:00, Friday 17:00-21:00
Sports Hall – Spaces available each week day. Please ring to find out what times.
Dance Studio with full length mirror and barre – Spaces available each week day. Please ring to find out which times are available.
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DEPUTY“DISTRIBUTION ORGANISER” NOW NEEDED!
We have now have a new Village Voice “Distribution Organiser” Chris Hull who is currently
being trained by Richard Place.
Now we need a Deputy to fill in occasionally should illness or holiday cause the Distribution Organiser to miss a month.
I do hope someone would step
forward to join the team for a good cause.
If interested, please email me on [email protected]
or ring Chris Hull on 01763 245459
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Enjoy this month’s Thanksgiving (yes, I am American) Crossword puzzle. Answers are on page 15. ENJOY!!
“Happy Thanksgiving”
from The Editor
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The VILLAGE DIARY
Tuesday 3 November
19:15
Parish Council Cemetery, Planning and Finance & General Purposes Committee meetings at The Limes,
High Street
Saturday 7 November
18:00 for 19:00
Bassingbourn Fireworks Night at the School Playing Fields
Tuesday 10 November
19:30
W.I. Meeting at Knutsford Road Community Centre Dining with the Georgians by Fiona Lucraft
Open Meeting - male and female guests welcome
Friday 13 November
19:30 for 20:00
Quiz Night at the Book Café
Saturday 21 November
10:30-17:00
Royston & District Model Railway Club Exhibition at Bassingbourn Village College
Tuesday 24 November
19:30 Parish Council and Planning Committee meetings
at The Limes, High Street
Tuesday 1 December
19:15
Parish Council Cemetery, Planning and Finance & General Purposes Committee meetings at The Limes,
High Street
Saturday 5 December
18:00 Village Christmas Celebration at the Village Green
Tuesday 8 December
19:30
W.I. Meeting at Knutsford Road Community Centre Christmas Entertainment by Pulsatillas
Open Meeting - male and female guests welcome
Saturday 12 December
10:00 Christmas Market in the Parish Church
Wednesday 16 December
19:30 Parish Council Recreation Ground Committee
meeting at the Chapel Room, South End
About The Village Voice
The Village Voice is an independent newsletter for Bassingbourn-cum-Kneesworth funded by the Parish Council and from advertising income. Published ten times a year, it is created, edited, distributed and delivered to approximately 1,350 households entirely by local volunteers. All local content is considered for inclusion.
Fund-raising, not-for-profit notices and adverts are printed free-of-charge. Commercial adverts are very low cost.
Advertising Enquiries - Please email: [email protected]
Editorial Deadline - required by the 15th of the month prior to issue publication.
Postal Address: The Walled House, 1 Playles Yard, Bassingbourn, Herts, SG8 5XW
The content included and the views expressed does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the volunteer Editor (Mark Sappol) or the Parish Council.
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THE HERON BOOK
GROUP
Ever wanted to join a book
club but thought it might be
too high brow? Then the Heron
Book Club is for you.
We read a wide range of
selected books, from historical
to modern day, sci-fi to
autobiographies.
Widen your horizons
and join us.
We meet monthly and
there are no fees.
Call Hazel Lord on 242418 for
details of the next meeting.
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