Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: editor@grafhamgossip.co.uk

April 2019 1 Issue 168

Grafham Gossip Issue 169 Early Deadline: Midnight Thursday 11th April

Contents Church Services / View from the Pew…….…………

Parish News / Parish and County Cllrs details...…….……

Notices / Village Hall Activities / Lent and Easter notice.…

Talking Shop / Twitter Account for Rural Crime Team..

Notices/Shop hours / Bin Collections / Useful Phone Nos..

Bluebells, Gregory Belcher…………………………….……

Woodland Management, Wildlife Trust BCN……….………

Notices………………...………………………………..…

Woodland Management cont / April Lawn Care, Prolawn...

Adverts / Notices / Pub Opening Times…………...……

Lions Safari Walk 40th Aniniversary...……………...…..…

Pump Packs, Carole Baber / Fauna and Flora Society…....

Adverts / Notices ……………….………………...………

Sniffer Bees, David Cudby / Healthwatch…..……………...

Adverts………………………………………...……………

Grace not Gifts, Jason / A14 News..…………………..…

Local Activities / Babysitters…………………………..……

2

3

4

5

6

7

7

8

9

10

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

Editors’ note… Spring is here at last! Don’t you think it’s the most exciting time of year when everything in our gardens and surrounding countryside changes daily as trees and plants come back to life after the winter?

We have several articles about nature this month. On page 7 you will find, ‘Bluebells’ by Gregory Belcher as well as ‘Woodland Management’ by the Wildlife Trust reserves team and voluntary wardens of Brampton Wood. There’s information about the Fauna and Flora Society on page 11 and a piece on ‘Sniffer Bees’ by David Cudby on page 13. Are you concerned about plastics in the environment? If so, on page 11 look out for ‘Pump Packs’ by Carole Baber and on page 8, details of how you can watch ‘The Plastic Ocean,’ a film released in 2017, about the story of ocean plastics.

We have some dates to remember in April so there are plenty of excuses to visit the Grafham Trout in-cluding April Fools Day on 1st, the Grand National on 6th, the Boat Race between Oxford and Cam-bridge Universities is on 7th, St George’s Day is 23rd which is also Shakespeare’s birthday. Lent continues through April finishing on Maundy Thurs-day 18th followed by Good Friday on 19th with Easter Sunday on 21st and Bank Holiday Monday on 22nd.

Please send in your news, views, photos and gossip in good time for May’s early deadline, midnight on Thursday 11th April.

Happy Easter! Editors, editor@grafhamgossip.co.uk

Summary of Events in March and April Thursday 28th March Charity Quiz 7.45pm

at The Grafham Trout See page 8 for details

Thursday 4th April Short Walks 10am every Thursday Meet at Buckden Surgery See page 8 for details

Friday 5th April The Plastic Ocean - a film

7.30pm Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton

See page 8 for details

Friday 26th April a piano recital by Bo Lyu

7.30 Hinchingbrooke Performing Arts Centre

See page 12 for details

Sunday 28th April

10.30am Bluebell Walk at Brampton Wood

2.30pm Portholme Meadow Walk

See pages 8 and 10 for details

Church Services for the month are listed on page 2

including 31st March 10.30am

Mothering Sunday Service at Brampton.

18th April 3.00pm Maundy Thursday

Communion at Grafham and

19th April 10.30am Good Friday Reflection/Meditation at Grafham.

More Lent and Easter Services are included for Bramp-ton, Ellington and Grafham in the notice on page 4

Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: editor@grafhamgossip.co.uk

April 2019 2 Issue 168

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

31st March (5th Sunday) 10.30 Mothering Sunday Service at Brampton

--------------------------------------------------------------

7th April (1st Sunday) 10.30 Family Service - Lay led

18th April (Maundy Thursday) 15.00 Holy Communion led by Mike Bigg

19th April (Good Friday) 10.30 Reflection and Meditation

21st April (Easter Day) 10.30 Holy Communion at Brampton

28th April (4th Sunday) 19.00 Taizé service with music and candles -------------------------------------------------------------

5th May (1st Sunday) 10.30 Family Service - Lay led

Future mid week Holy Communion services are on Thursdays: the next one is 9th May at 10.00

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 rector@stmarym.co.uk 01480 453341 or 07807 118070

Revd Mike Bigg (Curate) mike@eastleightonstone.com 07380 809377

The theme for this year is hobbies and you are very welcome to join the flower arrangers however much

or little experience you have Please contact Jill Tyack:

jilltyack@talktalk.net or 01480 810157

Our first service in March was on Transfiguration Sunday celebrating the occa-sion when Jesus and three of his disciples went up a mountain where they saw Moses and Elijah arrayed in radiant light with Jesus and they heard the voice of God. At our service, a dialogue between Si-mon Peter and an interviewer was related to the con-gregation, to bring alive this special day.

On Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent a small con-gregation received Holy Communion and a cross marked with ashes on our foreheads. This signifies repentance as we approach Jesus' 40 days in the wil-derness.

On Maundy Thursday (18th April,) Mike will lead a Holy Communion service at 3pm. On Good Friday (19th April,) there will be a short act of devotion at 10.30am.

At the time of going to press we don't have any musicians to play for us on Easter Day. Therefore it is as yet undecided whether we can offer an act of worship on that day. If this can be ar-

ranged, it will be advertised on the notice board on the green triangle at the junction of Church Road with Breach Road and also on Facebook. However, there will be an Easter Day Holy Communion service at Brampton at 10.30am.

Our flower ladies will have decorated the church for Easter so do pop in to see the flowers, even if you can-not manage to get to a service.

Don't forget that this year, the Mothering Sunday ser-vice on 31st March, will be at St Mary Magdalene, Brampton at 10.30am.

View from the Pew

Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: editor@grafhamgossip.co.uk

April 2019 3 Issue 168

PARISH NEWS March 2019

At the March meeting of the Parish Council, Martin Joyner presented information from a meeting with Cambs County Council Energy Investment Unit staff with reference to the installation of electric car charging points and solar panels at the village hall. Up to £140,000 in grants may be available for development and construction of qualifying bids. Grant schemes make reference to local plans and any links to a council’s intentions to reduce emissions and im-prove energy efficiency.

Kevin Sharpe, on behalf of the Grafham Trout commu-nity pub, presented proposals for a patio to be built to the east of the pub entrance, utilising the waste space beyond the wooden fence. Discussion has been held with the village shop on potential mutual benefits. The camp site has offered to provide their old tables and benches which are being replaced. Kevin is meeting with the A14 integrated delivery team stakeholder lead officer to seek support. Hopefully this will meet with everyone’s approval.

A request was made for a grant of £200 to support the church flower festival, on the basis that the event at-tracts significant numbers of visitors to the village, to the benefit of the shop and other local enterprises. The Council agreed to make this grant.

A question was asked about the state of verges and an update was provided by Cllr Watson who is liaising with the grass cutting contractor with specific reference to road verges on the southern approach to the village.

Cllr Peter Downes has been approached by the man-ager of the Old Manor caravan park, with a complaint regarding overhanging brambles on Church Road. He undertook to forward the relevant email. Cllr Downes gave councillors copies of a document prepared by the County Council entitled “Think Communities”, which

sets out proposals for communities to undertake activity previously done by the CC, but which can longer be funded by the CC. The document does not mention parish councils directly.

There is still a vacancy on the Parish Council and we would welcome any approach for co-option.

Hedge cutting on Brampton Rd - Cllr Watson has spo-ken to the farmer, who is intending to use the oppor-tunity of the pending road closure to allow him to safe-ly cut the hedges whilst no traffic is flowing.

Closure of Brampton Rd - Peter Downes has provided information that the closure is to repair two collapsing culverts at the eastern end of the road, between the Brampton Wood car park and the A1. Access for cy-clists and walkers will apparently be maintained. The Brampton Wood car park may still be accessible from Grafham.

Cllr Harold provided information on a quote received for construction of raised flower beds at either end of Breach Rd and on the traffic island in the centre of the village, amounting to c.£4000, to be integrated into traffic calming measures. There is the caveat that hard features on the central island might not be permissible as they may present a traffic hazard. The Council were happy with the principle of the proposal.

Following a recent request, the addition of football pitch markings on the all-weather court would cost ap-proximately £500. It was agreed to liaise with football teams that hire the all weather facility to seek their views.

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on Tuesday 9

th April at the village hall at 7.30pm.

Margaret Life, Parish Clerk

07780 119311 malife434@gmail.com

Grafham Parish Council You may contact your parish councillors through the parish clerk or directly.

Philip Allingham Chairman 01480 811516 philip_allingham@sky.com David Russell DPRussell@live.co.uk

Ian Gardener Vice Chair 01480 812821 idg@asc-geomatics.co.uk Roy Harold roy.harold5@btinternet.com

Alastair Watson Alwatson.parishcouncil@gmail.com Jo Dunn pink.pony.princess@hotmail.co.uk

Early deadline this month!

Midnight on Thursday 11th April

Send your news, views, photos and gossip to

editor@grafhamgossip.co.uk by midnight on Thurs 11th April

Grafham’s County Councillor Grafham’s District Councillor

Peter Downes

07765 833486

peter.downes@ cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Darren Tysoe 01480 388310 darren.tysoe@huntingdonshire.gov.uk

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

Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: editor@grafhamgossip.co.uk

April 2019 4 Issue 168

Grafham Village Hall

Activities & Classes 2018

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

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

Parish of

East Leightonstone To join the mailing list and receive

the regular newsletter visit

http://www.eastleightonstone.com and click News

Deadline Please send us all your adverts, notices, news, views and gossip ASAP and definitely by midnight on

Thursday 11th April for the May issue Thanks, Ed editor@grafhamgossip.co.uk

Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: editor@grafhamgossip.co.uk

April 2019 5 Issue 168

Twitter account launched for rural crime team

The Cambridgeshire Rural Crime Action Team (RCAT) has launched a new Twitter account in order to better engage with rural communities in the county.

The social network will be used to promote the brilliant work the team does to keep rural areas of Cambridge-shire safe and will enable officers to engage directly with those interested in rural crime.

PC Sam Thompson, from RCAT, said: “The feedback from our rural communities is they want to hear about our successes, updates and advice, however they are not necessarily interested in what’s going on in the more ur-ban areas of the county, just matters which directly affect them as a rural resident or business owner.

Cambridgeshire is largely a rural county, there is an appetite for seeing more rural policing This account allows us to engage with the audience who most relate to the work we do.”

You can find the account on Twitter by following @CambsRuralCops and also searching the hashtag #RCAT.

Please note the Twitter account is not a means for reporting crime and will not be monitored 24/7. If you have any information on incidents or need to report a crime please visit:www.cambs.police.uk/report

In an emergency where life is in danger or a crime is in action always dial 999.

Visit https://www.cambs.police.uk/ to find out more about Cambridgeshire Constabulary.

Talking Shop Spring is in the air! The sun is shining and the bulbs are all popping up to remind us that warmer weather is just around the corner. The daylight hours are definitely getting longer which can only be a good thing. We look forward to welcoming the many visitors we are fortu-nate to have to our village and, of course, we are glad to see the re-opening of the Grafham Water Caravan and Motorhome Club site. Primarily, of course, we are here to serve the residents of Grafham and surround-ing villages and we greatly appreciate the wonderful support we have had during the difficult winter months. This time of year brings many things in the calendar to look forward to, so don’t forget Mother’s Day on 31

st

March and Easter Sunday which this year falls on 21st

April. We have Easter eggs priced from £1.75, Crème Eggs and boxes of chocolates. For something a bit different, we have a selection of locally made pure beeswax candles. These would also make excellent teachers’ presents.

Our Easter opening times are:

Good Friday 19th

April 9am – 2pm

Saturday 20th

April 8am – 5pm

Easter Sunday 21st

April 9am – 2pm

Easter Monday 22nd

April 9am – 2pm

Also a reminder to put your clocks forward an hour to British Summer Time before you go to bed on 30

th

March.

Did you know? We have a new bakery supplier, The Bakers Best

from St. Neots. We have an extensive list of prod-ucts we can order from them so keep an eye on our shelves and let’s see what we can tempt you with.

We have a selection of sweet and savoury organic baby food from Ella’s Kitchen. These have no add-ed sugar or salt and no artificial colouring.

We stock a range of gluten free products including biscuits and savoury crackers

Sales of our vegetable and potato bags are going well. These are available to order with deliveries being made to the shop on Wednesdays and Satur-days. The vegetable bags will be a selection of what is currently in season and are supplied by a local farm. Vegetable bags cost £5.00 and a 4kg bag of potatoes is £2.00. Pop in or call us to place your order.

New in A selection of herbs and spices in handy pots for

£1.70 each

American hot dogs jar of 8 ready to eat at £3.00

Have you bought your raffle tickets yet for the giant Easter Egg?

This is in support of the Grafham Water Lions, with a proportion of sales going to the shop. Tickets cost £1.00 each so get yours while you can.

Happy Easter everyone and we look forward to seeing you in the shop. Lynn and Paul

Usual Opening Times

Mon-Fri 8.00 - 6.30

Sat 8.00 - 5.00

Sun 9.00 - 2.00

Tel: 01480 810119

shop@grafhamvillageshop.co.uk www.grafhamvillageshop.co.uk

Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: editor@grafhamgossip.co.uk

April 2019 6 Issue 168

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: Barbara.gowling@huntsdc.gov.uk or tracey.guinea@huntsdc.gov.uk

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: shop@grafhamvillageshop.co.uk

www.grafhamvillageshop.co.uk

See page 5 for shop news and

Easter Opening Hours in ‘Talking Shop’

Has the bin man bin Mam?”

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

Wednesdays Blue bin (recycling) and Black bin (refuse) - alternate weeks

Every other Thursday - Green bin (garden waste)

Buckden Gardeners Association Buckden Gardeners Association meets on the third Tues-day of the month from October to April in Buckden Village Hall. Topics focus on gardening but also in-clude 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

Grafham Oil Syndicate The syndicate continues to grow, keeping more money in the village.

It’s FREE to join and we must keep a bulk order attractive enough to receive a discount, so simply email Simon:

grafhamoil@gmail.com or call 07887 628528

Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: editor@grafhamgossip.co.uk

April 2019 7 Issue 168

Huntingdonshire has very few woods, so the few that remain are precious. Fortunately, Natural England, Woodland Trust and the Wildlife Trust BCN own and manage many of them including some Ancient Woods - woodland that has been in continuous existence since 1600. This article is partly prompted by recent work in Brampton Wood, but applies to any native woodland.

The best way to start is to quote from the latest ‘State of Nature’ report:

“Decreasing forest management has had a substantial negative impact on woodland species. In the middle of the 20th century, 50% of our broadleaved woodland was coppice or shrub, but with the abandonment of traditional management methods, such as coppicing, that figure is now below 1%. Many woodland species rely on open woodland habitats, with access to sunlight, a varied under storey, and the mosaic of different habi-tats produced by the rotation of coppicing throughout a woodland. The targeted reinstatement of coppicing within nature reserves, and through grant schemes, has

been successful in maintaining populations of some species, although many still suffer as a result of the limited and fragmented nature of their habitat.”

Ancient Woods such a Brampton Wood would have been intensively managed for many hundreds of years, including instances of whole areas being clear-felled. Most native broadleaf trees will regrow from the stumps - the roots and ‘stools’ of many of the trees in our woods are much older than the trunks and branches. A tree will often live longer if you keep cutting it down!

Particularly in woods that are Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the management regime has to be agreed with the Forestry Commission and Natural Eng-land. To maximize biodiversity, woodlands should be managed to include significant proportions of a wide range of conditions, from permanent open areas, young dense growth, dense shady stands of young trees, ma-ture trees with dense undergrowth and over mature large trees, as well as dead trees and fallen rotting trunks throughout. As most woods are even aged and only have small areas of some of these structure types, management is required in various ways such as cop-picing, thinning, cutting rides and glades. Continued on page 9

Woodland Management by Wildlife Trust BCN Reserves Team and Voluntary Wardens

Bluebells Nothing says Britain in spring like the blue carpet of flowers that appear in our woodlands. Also known as Cuckoo’s Boots, Lady’s Nightcap and Witches Thimbles the bluebell can indicate an-cient woodland i.e. a site of woodland for over 400 years. Being a woodland flower is the main reason bluebells flower early, allowing them to capture more light before the trees come into leaf and block most of the energy available. A perennial flower, the bluebell can take between five and seven years to develop from a seed to a bulb capable of producing flowers.

Like many plants the bluebell had many uses. It is this bulb that man has sought to use in the past. In the Bronze Age crushed bluebell bulbs were used to glue the flights to arrows. This stickiness led to bluebell ‘glue’ being used in a number of different ways, varying from bookbinding to starch for the classic Elizabethan ruff. The bulbs also have medicinal properties being both slightly styptic and diuretic, however it is not advisable to attempt to use them because they contain glycosides making them poisonous to humans, dogs, horses and cattle.

Britain has over 50% of the worlds’ population of this flower but this does not make it safe on these shores. Threats from habitat loss, hybridisation and grazing pressure are all having an adverse effect on the UK population. The clear felling of woodland deprive the bluebell of its habitat and it cannot compete with the course grasses that tend to make up the ground flora of

newly planted woodland. The es-cape of the closely related Spanish Bluebell, introduced as a garden plant, has allowed hybridisation, changing both the shape and colour of wild plants. Finally grazing of both the leaves and flower heads by the increasing deer population, particu-larly the introduced Muntjac, mean that otherwise safe populations can shrink if the correct management isn’t carried out.

There are a number of woods managed by the Wildlife Trust that have good bluebell displays particularly the woods around Grafham Water and Brampton Wood. Mid to late April is the best time to visit a bluebell wood. The voluntary wardens at Brampton Wood run bluebell walks, details of which can be found on the Wildlife Trust website. www.wildlifebcn.org

Gregory Belcher Senior Reserves Officer

Wildlife Trust BCN

Photographs by Gregory Belcher

Bedfordshire

Cambridgeshire

Northamptonshire

Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: editor@grafhamgossip.co.uk

April 2019 8 Issue 168

THE ROTARY CLUB OF KIMBOLTON CASTLE

in conjunction with

THE PLASTIC OCEANS FOUNDATION (UK)

presents at the

MANDEVILLE HALL KIMBOLTON

at 7.30pm on 5th April

A PLASTIC OCEAN The global issue of plastics in our environment will

be given the cinematic treatment with the showing

of the multi-award-winning film A Plastic Ocean.

Released in 2017, the film tells the story of ocean

plastics and the effect it is having on fish, birds, ma-

rine mammals and ultimately, us.

The Plastic Oceans Foundation aims to drive be-haviour change through raising awareness and

challenging our modern consumer lifestyle.

The hosted screening, with Dr Geoff Brighty from

the Plastic Oceans Foundation, will be followed by a

panel discussion on the problem, and solutions to

help stop plastic pollution within a generation.

Admission by ticket only from

David Watson email davidwwatson50@gmail.com

phone 01480 890650

or from Joel Weaver

email joel_weaver_37@yahoo.com

or from Kimbolton Flower Shop

(Tickets are free; donations to

The Plastic Foundation are appreciated)

HUNTINGDONSHIRE FAUNA & FLORA SOCIETY

Sunday 28th April 2.30pm

Field Trip to Port Holme Meadow

Leader: Pat Doody

Port Holme Meadow, designated by Natural England as a site of special scientific interest, is a ‘lowland hay meadow’ with a rich history of human use for: hay; sheep and cattle grazing; as a racecourse and as an airfield. It supports a rich flora and is a haven for a number of breeding birds in summer, e.g. Corn Bunting and Skylark which are now absent from much of the more intensively farmed Cambridgeshire landscape. It also supports large populations of ducks, waders and gulls when flooded in winter. The plan is to visit early in the year to see the display of Snake's Head Fritillaries, a great rarity.

Please wear sturdy footwear and appropriate cloth-

ing. Park in the car park next to the Chinese Bridge in

Godmanchester, grid reference TL244705. There is

another car park at grid reference TL244707, a little

further down the road towards Huntingdon.

For more details please contact Sarah Orbell on 01480 383567 or Barry Dickerson on 01480 475689.

For more information about the Society visit www.hffs.org.uk

Also, see the article on page 11.

If you can spare an hour once every few months to help dust and vacuum the church please contact:

editor@grafhamgossip.co.uk

Rotary Club of St Ives Presents

a

Charity quiz at

The Grafham Trout Village Pub

Thursday 28th March 2019 at 7.45pm

For the ‘Quizmaster Cup’ Kindly sponsored by

Wellington Wise Estate Agents

Entry £3 per person: no limit to team size!

First Prize £250 to Charity of winners choice with a case of wine for the team members

Prizes for Charity for top 9 teams

Support our team Help win a prize for a charity of our choice

Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: editor@grafhamgossip.co.uk

April 2019 9 Issue 168

Dogwood

In 2019, ProLawnCare

celebrates 20 years in business!

That’s 20years of improving lawns

Lawn Care actions required in April

Mow lawn at least once per week on a dry day with a sharp blade; leave 1” stem at least

Apply organic spring fertiliser; nutrients will wash through in the winter

Spray weeds in lawn with selective herbicide – dandelions, clover, daisies and broad based weeds are thriiving

Spray patio and drive with our long lasting treatment before the weeds get a hold and become an eye sore; ask us to quote you, as we use stronger products that work and last

Call Deborah, Fiona or Richard on 01480 812393 For a FREE Lawn Care Health Check - “TLC from PLC” go to www.prolawncare.co.uk

Lawn fact: “58 m2 of lawn gives enough oxygen for one person for a day”

Currently in Brampton Wood most of the wood consists of dense shady young stands which is the least valuable for wildlife and so we are aiming for around 10% of a wood to be in a 20 year ‘coppice cycle’ and 50% overall to be managed to create the full range of natural woodland conditions with 50% left to mature to large old trees and deadwood. Coppicing in

Brampton is normally done next to the rides, which gives the added benefit of more light getting to the grasses and wildflow-ers. The edges of the rides support a high biodiversity espe-cially the large proportion of British species that enjoy warm sunny edge habitats. The wide rides in Brampton Wood cer-tainly date back to the 1700s but may well be even older. In the Spring and early Summer listen out for birdsong - most will come from the areas of younger regrowth. Managed woodland supports more invertebrate species including the butterflies that many visitors enjoy. Studies show that neglected wood-land has significantly fewer species than managed woodland.

Some concern is expressed about the loss of big trees in ‘ride-side-coppice’ areas - there are plenty of others left and the lat- est management plans include identifying trees that will be-come future veterans. Ash die-back is having some impact but

many trees seem to have some immunity and the feared devastation has not yet occurred.

In Brampton Wood last year’s work included a contractor removing a large number of the remaining conifers. These trees were mostly non-native and were planted in the early 60s. Because the wood is ancient woodland, the areas will regenerate naturally.

The Wildlife Trust is investigating the possibility of getting some income from the ‘products’ from the conservation management (as done successfully by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust at Bradfield Woods), but the primary aim is improving the ecology; any income will be a much-needed bonus. Hayley Wood is the best local example of a wood that has areas of current hazel coppice.

Join us for the Brampton Wood walks in April and May and also Waresley Wood in June to learn about the man-agement as well as enjoying the wildlife. Photographs by Tim Fryer, Voluntary Warden at Brampton Wood

(Bluebell Walks will take place in Brampton Wood on Sundays 28th April at 10.30am and 5th May at 2.30pm. The Waresley Wood Guided Walk is on Saturday 8th June at 10.30am)

Tree clearing on a ride side coppice plot

A Harvester removing conifers

A clearing created after tree removal

Woodland Management

continued from page 7

Bedfordshire

Cambridgeshire

Northamptonshire

April 2019 10 Issue 168

Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: editor@grafhamgossip.co.uk

20

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:

editor@grafhamgossip.co.uk

Since 1979 Huntingdon Grafham Water Lions Club have held their annual sponsored Safari Walk around Grafham Water.

In the past, the walk has raised over £200,000, benefitting many local charities and worthy causes. This year we are hoping to raise interest from local charities, clubs and individuals, wishing to raise money for their own worthy cause. Walkers retain 90% of the money raised for their cause, and 10% is donated to the Lions Club. The Lions deal with all the organisation required for a successful day. All that participants need do is to ob-tain sponsorship, do the walk and collect the money.

Alongside the walk we will be hold-ing a Car Show giving enthusiasts the opportunity to show off their cherished vehicle at Marlow Car Park Grafham Water.

Everyone taking part can be as-sured that every penny they raise for the Lions will go to the Appeal, as costs for the day are covered by the Lions other fundraising or sponsorship. If you wish to help with these costs you can become one of our sponsors and receive a mention in the event programme.

Any clubs or individuals interested in taking part, either for their own cause or The Lions project, or to help sponsor the event, please contact:

Lion Bernard Dable

01480 810704 or

bernarddable@gmail.com

Lions Clubs work together to help others in their local and global community and further information about the organisation can be found at www.lionsclubs.co

Huntingdon Grafham Water Lions Club Safari 2019

40th Anniversary of Lions Safari Walk

Sunday 12th

May

Spring Walks Sunday 28th April

10.30am Brampton Wood

The Huntingdonshire Local Group of the Wildlife Trust in-vites you to experience some highlights of traditional Eng-lish spring on our traditional bluebell walk at Brampton Wood. This will be led by the Warden, George Cottam, who will show us the rich variety of flora and fauna, focusing on the bluebells.

Please meet at Brampton Wood Car Park, Grafham Road, Brampton at 10.30am. GR TL 184698.

Sunday 28th April 2.30pm Portholme Meadow

This is a joint venture with the Hunts Flora and Fauna Soci-ety. Dr. Pat Doody will lead this walk and he will focus on one of Portholme’s specialities, the Snakeshead Fritillary. There are more details in the notice on page 8.

Please meet at Godmanchester Lock TL241704 near the Chinese Bridge in Godmanchester.

Everyone is most welcome to attend these walks. There is no charge but donations are welcome.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Part of the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and

Northamptonshire Registered Charity No: 1000412

Bedfordshire

Cambridgeshire

Northamptonshire

Huntingdonshire Local Group

April 2019 11 Issue 168

Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: editor@grafhamgossip.co.uk

Huntingdonshire Fauna and Flora Society Are you interested in finding out more about the wildlife around Huntingdon and Peterborough? Perhaps you are already sending records to one or more of the online sites such as iRecord or posting plant and animal photographs via a Facebook account or Twitter page. If so, why not join the Huntingdonshire Fauna and Flora Society?

Founded in 1948 the objective of the Society is to promote the study, conservation and recording of wildlife through-out Huntingdonshire and Peterborough.

Membership is open to all with an interest in the wildlife living in our local area. In the summer months specialists in groups of species, which in-clude flowering plants, mammals, fungi, insects and all kinds of other in-vertebrates, visit specific sites. They are joined by enthusiastic amateurs, some with extensive knowledge and others just starting. In 2019 we in-tend to visit sites as far apart as Portholme Meadow (Brampton) and Therfield Heath (near Royston).

Although we set out to record wildlife, the meetings are informal and give an opportunity to learn and contribute to our better understanding of the value of our countryside. Ultimately this contributes to the conservation of

our environment.

In the winter months we have open meetings in the Hinchingbrooke Countryside Centre where illustrated talks on natural history provide additional information. Subjects in 2018/19 range from European butterflies, Paxton Pits Nature Reserve and Phenolo-gy, the study of seasonal rhythms in plant and animal life cycles. There is a small charge for non-members.

Publication of the results of research and survey form an important part of our contribution to the conservation of species and sites. Books describing the distribution of plants throughout our area and the wildlife of Brampton Wood are amongst the more recent. Huntingdonshire Grasslands were the subject of a volume to commemorate the Society’s 60th birthday. Just pub-lished is a book about the orchids of Huntingdonshire and the Soke of Pe-terborough. A book on butterflies is in preparation. Annual reports provide shorter descriptions of other interesting features of wildlife interest.

We have a website, http://www.hffs.org.uk/ which includes details of walks and talks for 2019 and a Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/288750741769891/

If you like what you see come to one of our meetings. If you would like to join us, membership forms are on the web site or contact: Stuart Irons, Hon. Treasurer & Membership Secretary, 4 Appleyard, Stanground, Peterborough, PE2 8JH Tel. 01733 760441 or email: nebria@ntlworld.com Photographs by P Doody

Flowering Rush a plant of river and lake sides

Grizzled Skipper a butterfly of ancient meadows

Pump Packs Do you worry about plastic in the environment, about

the amount and type of packaging on many of the

things that you buy? I do.

David Attenborough has certainly given us all a bit of a

wake up call about plastic recently and many of us want

to help change things.

We have all been made aware of plastic carriers and

great strides have been made there, and progress is

still being made. It is difficult sometimes to spot other

small changes that we can make because we are so

used to, or take for granted, the way things are made or

presented.

Plastic packaging can have its advantages and recently

it has been defended for increasing the shelf life of cu-

cumbers which reduces wastage. It also is used to pro-

tect fruit and vegetables from damage and so reduces

waste; so it can be complicated and there is a balance

to be had. Having said that, there are alternative materi-

als to plastic that may do the job whilst not contributing

to this indestructible form of rubbish.

I would like to make a specific appeal, to reject pump

pack packaging. Pump packs are substantial, bulky

structures, with each one becoming rubbish after the

use of relatively small quantities of product. Think how

many are disposed of every day. Think how much long

lasting and bulky waste is produced.

Pump packs can be attractive and are very convenient

for dispensing liquid products such as hand soaps,

toothpaste, cleaning products and more, but do we real-

ly need them? A bottle or a tube without the pump con-

tains much less plastic and materials that will go

straight into landfill. For something like hand soap, a bar

wrapped in paper, or even plastic produces much less

waste; if the plastic was biodegradable (and it can be if

the manufacturers would choose it) that would be even

better.

Perhaps there is a sacrifice in terms of aesthetics, or

may be not? There maybe a sacrifice in terms of ease

of use? Also may be not. If there is no sacrifice for you,

will you give up pump packs as your contribution to the

reduction of packaging? If it is a sacrifice for you, can

you make the sacrifice, on all products or even just one

now and again?

Carole Baber

April 2019 12 Issue 168

Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: editor@grafhamgossip.co.uk

Tickets: Adults £15 Students £5 (under 25)

www.ticketsource.co.uk/hinchingbrookepac

or 01480 375678 9am to 3pm)

Friday April 26th at 7.30pm Hinchingbrooke Performing Arts Centre

Bo Lyu Born in 1995, Bo Lyu began playing piano at the age of seven and now studies piano with Professor Joanna Mac-Gregor and chamber music with Andrew West at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He was awarded a full schol-arship for his B.Mus degree in September 2014 and he commenced his M.mus degree in September 2018. He has been generously supported by the Help Musicians UK.

Bo graduated from the Shenyang Conservatory of Music. While studying in China, he was invited to perform in the closing ceremony of the Beijing International Music Festi-val, the 60th anniversary concert for the Shenyang Con-servatory of Music and Franz Liszt’s 200th anniversary memorial concert in Shanghai.

He has participated in masterclasses with many great pia-nists and was given a Yamaha Scholarship and Liaoning

Provincial Government Scholarship while at the high school.

Tina Theodorou in conjunction with Greatdays Holidays Ltd offers trips to

Barcelona in Autumn 2019 & Valkenburg in Spring 2020

By Air Barcelona City Break

Friday 11th to Monday 14th October 2019

3 nights/4 days

Guideline Air Package £595.00 per person (based on two people sharing)

Price includes: ATOL Protection/ Re-

turn transfers from Grafham to London

Luton / Easyjet return flights London

Luton to Barcelona / Coach transfers

from Barcelona Airport to hotel and

return / 3 nights bed and breakfast at a

3* hotel in central Barcelona

By Coach and Ferry

Valkenburg City Break

Monday 27th April to Friday 1st May 2020

4 nights/5days

Coach and ferry package £470.00 per person (based on two people sharing)

Price includes: ABTA Protection/ Return coach hire from Grafham to Valkenburg/ 4 nights bed and breakfast with a 3 course evening meal at the 3* Hotel Walram, Valkenburg

For further details and to register your interest, please contact: by email tina.theodorou@tiscali.co.uk or by mobile telephone: 07711 012957

Please note single rooms supplements apply for both tours

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. See www.abta.com

Greatdays Holidays Limited has an ATOL licence (4279) and all of our air package tours are protected under this licence.

In the unlikely event of our insol-vency, 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 everything you booked (flights, hotels and other ser-vices) is listed on it.

Greatdays Holidays Ltd. Registered in England No.1903941. VAT Registration No. 437 5834 25. Registered Office: Chapel House Borough Road Altrincham WA15 9RA

April 2019 13 Issue 168

Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: editor@grafhamgossip.co.uk

Sniffer Bees About 15 years ago, before I became a beekeeper, I had a role in the Region’s Life Sciences Community. This gave me access to the Biotechnology and Biolog-ical Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), funded re-search establishments. On one memorable visit to Rothamsted Research I was shown a project exploring the use of honeybees as detectors of volatile chemi-cals. My clear memories of that visit include the ques-tions that went through my mind on first seeing the colony of bees housed inside a laboratory building, contained in a fine plastic mesh ‘tent’ with a pipe lead-ing to the outside.

How can you employ wild creatures that are both fragile and dangerous (stingers)?

How can one train a primitive animal to do anything useful?

Is this practical? Is this cruel?

Why use honeybees for this work when we already have sniffer dogs?

Once I saw the purpose made cassette in which the trained bees were mounted I was more in-trigued. How did these cassettes complete with complex electronics ever get designed and made?

My knowledge of chemistry made it easy for me to grasp the idea that volatile chemicals such as those present in explosives and drugs might be detectable by bees whose physiology, behaviour and very exist-ence depends upon their ability to detect tiny amounts of volatile substances given off by flowers.

New device uses sniffer bees to detect explosives - Published 6 April 2011

The unassuming honeybees have a hidden talent — an even keener sense of smell than anyone first ex-pected — which could make them one of the U.K.’s most ruthless and worst-feared weapons against ter-rorism; researchers developed a portable handheld

sensor that holds thirty-six trained bees gently re-strained in six cassettes inside the device; each is taught to recognize a particular odour and associate that smell with a food reward; the researchers have already trained their honeybees to detect a wide varie-ty of explosive compounds and mixtures, including Semtex, C4, PE4, TNT, DMNB, gunpowder, and hy-drogen peroxide

The device they finally came up with astonished secu-rity experts, both for its radical approach and for its levels of accuracy.

“Our sensor integrated live honeybees as the main component,” said lead researcher Mathilde Briens. “For a long time people really wouldn’t believe that this was serious work and, even now, many people are amazed by what we’re doing - we usually get a few smiles and often some raised eyebrows.”

“We see the bee more like a tool in the machine ra-ther than an insect,” said Briens. “Combining biology and engineering together like this makes the system far more reliable. For instance, we know there are a lot of issues with sniffer dogs because of their relation-ship with the dog handler. If you use some engineer-ing instead, it makes the human factor disappear.” Honeybees are ideal detectors because they are inex-pensive, widely available, and can be trained within minutes. They also have extremely low limits of detec-tion, with trace vapours being picked up in parts per trillion levels, comparable to the accuracy of a sniff-er dog. They have also been successful in training their bees to detect hydrogen peroxide, which is one of the compounds known to be used in home-made explosives.

David Cudby

Source: HomelandSecurityNewswire http://www.homelandsecuritynewswire.com/new-device-uses-sniffer-bees-detect-explosives

For more information on sniffer bees visit: https://www.soci.org/chemistry-and-industry/cni-data/2012/9/sniffer-bees

What would you do to improve health services in Cambridgeshire? The NHS is developing a local plan and needs your help.

How would you make it easier for people to look after their own health and wellbeing? Fill in this survey from Healthwatch and have your say on local services. In particular, Healthwatch wants to hear your ideas about:

Making it easier for people to access support closer to home and via tech-nology.

Doing more to help people stay well.

Providing better support for people with cancer, mental health conditions, heart and lung diseases, and other long-term conditions.

Providing better support for people as they get older and experience condi-tions such as dementia.

Share your ideas

Your local NHS needs to hear from you about what it should do to make care better for your community.

Feedback online at https://www.healthwatch.co.uk/what-would-you-do Call your local Healthwatch on 0330 355 1285 or text 0752 0635 176 or visit www.healthwatchcambridgeshire.co.uk

You can also share the survey on Facebook, on your profile or on any page or group that you belong.

April 2019 14 Issue 168

Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: editor@grafhamgossip.co.uk

Paul's Private Hire and Chauffeur Service Van Diemens Way, Grafham,

Huntingdon, Cambs. PE28 0GB

Tel. 01480 811594 Mobile 07795 296281 Email paul.blanchard439@btinternet.com

Travel in style via Mercedes cars to your destinations

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

jon@gaphomeimprovements.co.uk

WINDOWS DOORS ROOFLINE

CONSERVATORIES

GARDEN ROOMS FLAT ROOFS

www.gaphomeimprovements.co.uk

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

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

clintthomas_morgan@icloud.com

01480 812590

07799 640476

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/

April 2019 15 Issue 168

Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: editor@grafhamgossip.co.uk

The 750M long River Great Ouse Viaduct is now structurally complete. A time-lapse video of the construction

can be found on the Highways England website in Latest News or by clicking on the picture below.

Details of the planned road

closures, diversions and latest

news can be found by visiting:

www.highways.gov.uk/

A14C2H

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

Grace not Gifts I don’t know about you but my life experience to date

has taught me that life is a mixture of good times, aver-

age times and bad times. In his letter to the church at

Thessalonica, St. Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to:

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all cir-

cumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Je-

sus.

Giving thanks in all circumstances and rejoicing always

is pretty easy when life is good, it’s more difficult when

things are just OK although I can sometimes manage

that too but when things are going horribly, I find it al-

most impossible. How am I supposed to rejoice when

someone dear to me has died or when someone that

really matters to me is having a tough time? Am I sup-

posed to thank God for sickness and injury? And what

about the myriad disappointments life throws at us?

Surely I am not supposed to be grateful for those as

well?

Paul was just an ordinary bloke who had an extraordi-

nary encounter with Jesus. He had more than his fair

share of trouble and difficulty and yet he writes that it is

God’s will for us that we should rejoice in all circum-

stances. Surely Paul wasn’t rejoicing when he was

shipwrecked or imprisoned for following Christ? Well,

apparently he was able to rejoice even in the most ad-

verse circumstances and he seems to think that we

should as well.

Recently I was reading a book and I read something

that made me stop in my tracks. The author was en-

couraging his readers to rejoice not

in gifts but in grace. What he means

by this is that gifts are tangible, im-

permanent things we encounter

along the way; we often take gifts for

granted and are miserable when

they are absent. Examples of gifts

could include freedom of speech,

democracy, good health, family and friends, a good

job, money, our homes and the fact that we generally

have enough to eat and drink.

All of the things I have listed, and other things like

them, are gifts from God to us. Most of us have en-

joyed these gifts in varying degrees from birth. When

we have plenty of them we are happy and thankful to

God and when we have less than we think we ought to,

we pray earnestly to Him to help us out.

For Christians the real gift is the grace of God through

salvation. We are assured that our names are written

in God’s book of life and that we will one day see Him

face to face. Whatever our circumstances this is some-

thing that can never be taken away from us and it

should be more than sufficient cause to rejoice and

praise God. Locating our happiness in gifts, as we so

often do, is folly because happiness comes and goes

but the grace of God is constant and unwavering.

When we learn this truth we may find that we can in

fact rejoice in all circumstances.

Jason

(Contact details for Jason can be found on page 2. Ed)

Send your news, views, photos and gossip to editor@grafhamgossip.co.uk

Website: www.grafham.org.uk E-mail: editor@grafhamgossip.co.uk Opinions expressed in the Grafham Gossip, including past issues, are those of the writer and not the editors.

April 2019 16 Issue 168

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: sammalt@btinternet.com

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 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

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 - 24th April

For renewals/ enquiries call 0345 045 5225 or click here

Babysitters Bryony 22 yrs 812354 experienced with newborn to 14yrs

Mya 15 yrs 819326 Nicci 17 yrs 811279

.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 programme is varied and interesting with

speakers or events every month.

April A ventriloquist

If you would like more information please contact:

Sue 01480 896139 normanrice@btinternet.com or Ann 01480 891192 nigel.bentley@btinternet.com

Grafham Little Fishes Toddler and Baby stay and play session

All Welcome

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:

editor@grafhamgossip.co.uk if you can help.

See also the notice on page 10

Coffee Morning Grafham Social Committee invites you to

Coffee Mornings at 10.30am on the third

Wednesday of the month:

17th April - Pat Watson, 26 Inhams Way

This is an informal social occasion for

residents of the village. Please come along

for a cup of coffee and a chat.