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Covering: St Neots’ Postal area of PE19

PAMPER YOURSELF at our Monthly Coffee morning on 2nd September 2017

11.30am to 1.30pm

at the St Mary’s Parish Church hall in the heart of St Neots

Crystal Therapy Various crystals and minerals are

placed on or around a fully clothed person to induce deep relaxation,

release stress and pain, and promote energy balance within the

physical and subtle bodies

a

Reiki A treatment that feels like a

wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki

treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects

that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and wellbeing

Our SINGING GROUP’s next meeting will be on

Monday evening at 7pm on 25th September 2017. This is free to join and optional to join our Choir.

This month we will also be discussing the future of

this group – a case of use it or lose it.

Held at the Tesco Community Room. Just come along

and enjoy singing with others and making new friends with the same interest.

No charge. Join us – singing for fun makes you feel good.

Not a member – you are still welcome come along to our coffee morning or singing

group and learn about the benefits of TimeBanking.

What’s next? The next few months see the start of permanent work, which includes:

• excavating the borrow pits, which provides some of the material needed to build the scheme • continuing work on the 750m River Great Ouse viaduct (see illustration above) • continuing archaeological excavations; findings will be presented to the local community once finished • building new bridges • continuing to divert utility services (such as gas, water, broadband) which sit within the scheme boundary • creating new ecology habitats for wildlife To allow this work to take place we will be using the following traffic management:

• overnight closures on the A1 between Alconbury and Buckden, for further preparation and bridge work • overnight closures on both the A428 and A14 to allow preparation work to continue • continuing installation of narrow lanes on the A14, between Dry Drayton and Swavesey

Stay up-to-date by using the ‘roadworks planner’ on line at www.highways.gov.uk/A14C2H

Why this scheme is needed

The existing A14 trunk road between Cambridge and Huntingdon is well known for congestion and delays:

• almost 85,000 vehicles use this stretch of the A14 every day; a lot more than we originally designed for • around quarter of this is heavy goods vehicles – well above national average for this type of road

Aims The proposals for the A14 will: relieve traffic congestion, unlock local economic growth, enhance national economic growth, connect communities, improve the environment, improve safety and reduce driver stress, improve the environment in Huntingdon, create a positive legacy for the region.

Environmental Impact Looking after the environment is an important part of our work and we will be running a number of forums to help us maintain close working relationships with environmental organisations. Updates on environmental work will also be shared at our other forums. We’ve already surveyed the environment around the proposed route so we can assess how the scheme might affect wildlife and make sure the scheme complies with legislation protecting wildlife. These surveys influence the scheme design – for example, where we place underpasses so mammals can pass safely under the new road.

Protected species Protected species included along the proposed route are: Cetti’s warblers and Grasshopper warblers, Great Crested newts, bats, badgers and breeding birds such as swifts and sparrows. In addition to new landscaping, plants and trees, 18 areas will be created specifically for this wildlife.

Cyclists, horse riders and pedestrians We listened carefully to the views of those impacted by the scheme during consultation and, as a result, the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement scheme includes a variety of provisions for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians. These include: 32 new crossings, over 18 miles of new cycle and walking routes, including a 7.5 mile provision for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians from Fenstanton to the north of Cambridge, two dedicated non-motorised user bridges – one at Swavesey for pedestrians and cyclists and the other at Bar Hill, suitable for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians, ten new controlled crossings and 6 reinstated public right of way links

One of the scheme objectives is to leave a positive legacy in the local area, and we are currently working closely with local councils to investigate additional projects that we may be able to support.

THE A14 CAMBRIDGE TO

HUNTINGDON IMPROVEMENT SCHEME

If you need help for whatever reason - JUST ASK!

St Neots TimeBank is a friendly community of members

just waiting to help others PLUS

The benefits of joining our community are: * Meet new people and make new friends

* Timebanking reduces isolation and improves confidence * Use and develop your knowledge, skills and experience

* Access new activities * Be rewarded for your contribution to the neighbourhood

* Have an extra pair of hands available in times of need * A contact number to stop you feeling alone.

* Everyone’s time is equal * No money needed other than for materials.

* You offer to help only when you can and if you can * Swap hours you earn for Spice Time Credits (STC’s)

* Exchange STC’s for access to multitudes of venues in GB

* There’s no pressure to help but we love you to ASK

Most of us believe “You don’t get anything for nothing” But it cost nothing to get Spice Time Vouchers,

Instead, just for helping in your community In the last three years over 35,000 hours of volunteer time has been given by more than 1500 individuals in over 70 organisations and teams. 49% of members have not regularly volunteered previously. They are a brilliant community activity. These are the recorded results across England and Wales.

It’s true, it Works!!!! St Neots members have only exchanged 85 hours for Spice Time Credits, out of a total of 5,500 hours of help given. Many of you have hours just sitting on the Data Base, maybe you are saving them for when you may need help yourself, but if not why not exchange them for a ticket to an activity or entertainment – swimming, a visit to St Pauls or the Tower of London, even a study course, a falconry, or treat the children at crafty monkeys. Email me for the booklet of local places or maybe another area you will be visiting soon.

Last month’s Coffee Morning – ‘A feel of summer’

was enjoyed by many of all ages Strawberries

and Cream certainly

brought a smile to a

lot of faces. Plus

homemade cakes and

scones and to drink

Smoothies, tea or

coffee.

Added to meeting

old friends and

making new ones

made it a time to remember for everyone. A BIG thank you to the Team for

helping to organise yet another successful Coffee morning.

Come along to our Members Evening 4th September 2017 Tescos Community room at 7pm till 9pm Do you need help with your computer?

To understand it better or does it have a fault. Just bring it along for an expert to check

it out - correct the problem or advise on how it can be corrected.

Need help or understanding of your mobile phone

Or Learn how to Knit? or Crochet?

Or just come along for the companionship.

Meet the coordinator and learn more

about TimeBanking Then Join us

Come along to our monthly

‘NEW FRIEND’s’ group. It’s good to chat and be with friends.

Meet old friends and make new Friends at the

Priory Centre Cloisters.

This month’s meeting is a week later than usual

22nd September – 2pm till 3.30pm Plus great coffee at the Priory.,

Please, tell your friends and neighbours. Everyone could benefit in some way or another, and everyone is welcome to join the TimeBank. There’s just a simple

registration form and no fee to pay

ANOTHER DATE FOR YOUR DIARY St Neots TimeBank will be holding an evening to bring you up to date on the current Fraud and viruses to

avoid on 4th October 2017 at Tescos Community Room at 7pm.

Make sure your family stay protected by: • using different passwords for each account - creating them

from three random words to make them memorable • staying up to date on new scams at -

www.actionfraud.police.uk and www.cyberaware.gov.uk • Report fraud - 0300 123 2040 or

www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud • Make sure that the updates you receive are relevant & useful; you can also help protect your family and friends

by encouraging them to also register at www.actionfraudalert.co.uk.

One unwanted item is another’s dream! Donations continue… Clear out a cupboard your shed or loft

even a room - to modernize or make more space – with the

things you are about to throw away…. consider can I make

someone happy…. could I donate and let someone else enjoy it?

It also makes you feel good that you have cleared the clutter

and helped someone else. Email or phone

time.volunteers@outlook.com or 07590909057

It’s never too early to book Xmas Dinner! ‘The Three Horseshoes’ in Graveley. Booked for 10th December 2017 12.30pm for 1pm

start. Cost for members will be £15 per person (£20 non-members – if there are any spare

seats). Book early, as numbers are limited to 32 people. If transport is needed, we can arrange

that too, although we will need to know well in advance.

If you are unemployed and seeking work, then hours earned by

volunteering with TimeBank can be counted as Job seeking hours with

the DWP.

EMBRACE is a free support service that is designed to help older people in Huntingdonshire to

remain living independently. This service can support people to manage in their own home, to remain independent and access services within the community. Embrace can also help with problems around the home such as installation

of grab rails or other changes for those who are having difficulties. If you or somebody you know, who’s over 65 years of age, would benefit from additional support to live independently, please contact Embrace: 01480 428562 or email embrace@luminus.org.uk.

Tell Healthwatch about your

bad and good experiences with

the NHS – hospitals and General

Practices - or tell us, and we will pass on your comments.

‘Wings for Life’ is a not-for-profit spinal cord research foundation. Their mission is to find a cure for spinal cord injury.

They fund world-class scientific research and clinical trials around the

globe aimed at healing the injured spinal cord. Donations welcome.

‘A week in the TimeBank’ – we ’ve had a variation of jobs;

We have made an elderly lady feel less lonely and assured her help is on hand.

Fitted a lamp Trimmed a very high hedge

Repaired a tap Given professional advice on garden design

Cut back a flowering bush with had become intrusive Repaired a computer

Helped a young lady who had an injury that prevented her sorting her flat out

Cut down an elder bush that was behind a shed. Put up a roller blind.

Plus: 10 Spice credits exchanged to be used for Swimming at One Leisure at no cost.

Please Like our TimeBank Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/timebankstneots https://twitter.com/StNeotsTimeBank

www.stneotstimebank.org.uk Phone 07590909057 or

email:time.volunteers@outlook.com

If you wish to exchange hours for Spice Credits, then phone the coordinator

See our website for other organisations

that have helped us over the years