HI Courier - December 2010
20
HI Courier The local community newspaper for Histon and Impington December 2010 Issue 16 www.HIcourier.co.uk FREE Census Jobs Remembrance Sunday Flood Risks HI Courier BBC Guided Bus Debate Topping Out Impington Parish Cllr Pene Nudds unveils block reading "Reconstructed in 2010" Celebrations at the recently rebuilt historic Railway Crossing Keeper’s Hut: a project by the community, for the community! St. Andrew's Floods Village Energy
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Histon Impington Courier
Transcript of HI Courier - December 2010
Concerned citizens from Histon,
Impington and all parts of the county
came together at the IVC Sports
Centre on Monday night, 29th
November, to take part in a BBC
Question Time debate about the
Guided Bus. All of the 'players' with
the exception of main contractor
BAM-Nutall were present at the BBC
Radio Cambridgeshire/Look East
recording session. BAM-Nutall cited
legal reasons for why it chose not to
participate. And while the debate
started out as a polite PR exercise it
quickly collapsed when the
assembled audience began asking
probing questions. Boos and cries of
'resign, resign' were heard
throughout the debate. It was clear
that the assembled citizens of the
Cambridgeshire didn't trust either
County officials or the contractors.
One of the key areas of debate was,
of course, the cost overruns. The
County claims the busway is within
1% of it's original budget
projections. Laughter came from the
back of the room. Questions asking
how the County proposed to claw
back millions from the contractor for
cost overruns were sidetracked by
saying it was 'standard procedure' in
the industry. Mike Mason, District
Cllr for Histon and Impington said
that no member of the public
including councillors from the
District Council and Parish Councils
have ever seen a copy of the busway
contract even though it is a public
document with a public company.
Andy Campbell, managing director
of Stagecoach, said if the Guided
Busway was not operational within
six months, Stagecoach would have
to review its committment to the
project.
There was little to cheer
Cambridgeshire citizens who will
likely be left out of pocket for an
expensive and possibly ineffective
transport scheme. The only positive
aspect is, as one audience member
stated, the Busway will make an
excellent cycleway.
Impington Sports Centre Hosts Radio Cambridgeshire and Look East Question Time
HI CourierThe local community newspaper for Histon and Impington
December 2010Issue 16www.HIcourier.co.ukFREE
Census Jobs Remembrance Sunday Flood Risks
HI CourierBBC Guided Bus Debate
A frosty evening on November
26th saw the unveiling of a date stone
marking completion (almost) of
phase 1 of the rebuilding of the
historic railway Crossing Keeper’s
Hut. Construction of the Guided
Busway meant the hut had to be
demolished, so with only 2 weeks’
notice the enviro.volunteers sprung
into action to save it! First they had to
gain permission from Cambridge-
shire County Council and then the
contractors before they could even
begin to think where to relocate it to.
On August 4th 2007, under the
guidance of Project Leader Pene
Nudds, a team of volunteers began
the careful job of dismantling it. They
were against the clock and in just 30
hours they managed it, getting as
many of the bricks, tiles and timbers
as possible safely stacked on pallets
and packed away into a Nuttall's
storage container.
Next a new site needed to be found.
After much deliberation it was agreed
the best location for the Hut would be
in the corner of The Copse -
diagonally across the road from it’s
original location. With the orientation
kept the same as it was originally,
great care was taken to nestle it neatly
into the surrounding woodland
environment. Impington Parish
Council not only agreed with the
choice of site but also accepted taking
on responsibility for it in the long
term. So with initial funds in place
and it's future secure the real task to
rebuild it began with appointment of
local architects, Archangel.
Pene said "Once work started,
interest in the project spread very
quickly. Following an appeal in the HI
Courier, residents from all around the
villages responded with fantastic
offers - donating anything
from old bricks, slates and
sand to old cast iron guttering
or historic information." Also
Steve Haylock and his
brothers amazingly provided
their roofing services for free!
Likewise there was no charge
from CAT Scaffolding with
Carl quickly organizing the
supply of some site fencing"
"Other local tradesmen rose
to the challenge too! Mick
Marshall and Arthur not only did a
fantastic job with the brickwork but
their rates were extremely favourable
too. Matt Salmon helped the
enviro.volunteers by making several
trips with his trailer to collect bricks.
He also donated several bags of
special gritty sand needed to give the
building an authentic old look."
"Throughout the project Mick was
tremendous, always on hand with
help and advice at every stage. From
marking out for Jim Gardiner to do
the groundworks, to overseeing
pouring the foundations, helping with
casting the floor slab and fitting in
with Phil Moodie, the carpenter."
Whilst the professionals were busy,
the enviro.volunteers were beavering
away too; turning the Borley's garage
and garden into a workshop where
they fastidiously restored all the
windows and frames and treated roof
timbers.
Progress so far has been achieved
through the the tremendous
generosity, support and hard work of
many members of the community -
many many thanks to each and every
one of you!
Topping Out
Impington Parish Cllr Pene Nudds unveils block reading "Reconstructed in 2010"
Celebrations at the recently rebuilt historic Railway Crossing Keeper’s Hut:a project by the community, for the community!
MorePhotos on Page 2
SStt.. AAnnddrreeww''ssFFllooooddss
VViillllaaggee EEnneerrggyy
Turn to page 6
2 NEWSDecember 2010 www.HIcourier.co.ukHI Courier InfoThis is your local paper and we need your
help to keep it going. We have many jobs to
do each month and always need help. If you
would like to volunteer please contact us.
News
Please send your news, photos and stories to
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support the HI Courier by advertising with
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Submitting copy/adverts
Submit copy for editorial by email to
[email protected] - advert booking
forms are available on the website at
www.HIcourier.co.uk/help
Delivery
We need volunteers to distribute the paper:
if you are able to deliver papers for us in
your area please contact Elaine Farrell at
07855 314666 or by email to
Deadline for January 2011 Issue
22 December 2010 (published 29th Dec.)
Diary dates 2010
For information about village events, see
www.HIcourier.co.uk/events
Please send us information about your
community events so we can place them on
our calendar and cover them in the HI
Courier. Send to: [email protected]
Contacting Us
Post:
Histon Impington Courier Ltd*
Hollyoak-Middlewhite Building,
St Georges Way
Impington CB24 9AF
Telephone: 07904 876445
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.HIcourier.co.uk
*a not-for-profit company run by volunteers
The HI Courier is a community newspaper
and we encourage you to submit articles and
news. Priority is given to news and ads from
Histon and Impington, then surrounding
areas as space permits. We adhere to the
Code of Practice issued by the Press
Complaints Commission. If you have any
complaints, or comments about how we can
provide better service to the community,
please write to the address above or call
07904 876445. For daily and weekly news
updates please visit our online edition at
www.HIcourier.co.uk
(C) Copyright 2010 by Histon Impington
Courier Ltd. unless otherwise noted.
IMPINGTON PARISH COUNCIL:
Chairman:
D.W. Payne, Impington Lane - 233577
ViceChairman:
B. S. Ing, Woodcock Close - 234291
Members:
H.S. Abdullah, South Road - 235989
N.S. Davies, Dwyer Joyce Cl., Histon - 232514
P.A. Manser, The Crescent - 232263
V. A Kelly, The Crescent - 700660
P. J. Nudds, Clay Close Lane - 237155
G. S Payne, Ambrose Way - 510546
A. Turnbull, Mill Lane - 473478
HISTON PARISH COUNCIL:
Chairman:
I M Parish, Church Street - 234486
Vice-Chairman:
J P Emmines, Kay Hitch Way - 236932
Members:
M C Cleaver, High Street - 232897
N S Davies, Dwyer Joyce Close -232514
J A Diplock, Oates Way - 503048
J J Dover, The Green - 237171
A J Eade, School Hill - 232296
C J Foster, Clay Street - 234156
C L Jones, Station Road - 515031
D. N. Legge, Villa Road, Impington - 233565
I. A. Levitt, Spring Close - 232055
D. V. Marston, Dwyer Joyce Close - 236131
R. S. Plumbly, Pease Way - 236313
E. W. Stonham, Normanton Way - 232345
D. J. Thurman, Pease Way - 237477
CLERKto theCOUNCIL:
Angela Young - 235906
The Parish Office:
Histon & Impington Recreation Ground
New Road
Impington
Cambridge
CB24 9LU
HISTON and IMPINGTON PARISH COUNCILS - CONTACT DETAILS
A recruitment campaign has been launched
for 29,000 Census Collectors.
One of the largest current campaigns in the
UK has begun as recruitment gets underway to
fill over 29,000 temporary part time and full
time vacancies to make the 2011 Census a
success.
The census will take place on 27 March 2011.
The majority of vacancies are for Census
Collectors who contact householders to collect
completed census questionnaires and assist
where required. These roles provide flexibility
around working hours – there is the choice of
working 15, 25 or 37 hours a week, so
individuals can fit the work around their
current commitments.
In addition, there are still vacancies for Census
Coordinators to lead and motivate a team of
approximately 15 field staff and for Special
Enumerators to deliver questionnaires to
organisations such as care homes, hotels,
prisons etc. and help with their completion.
These are great opportunities to earn some
extra cash close to home, as well as helping out
the local community. Information from the
census will be used to make important
decisions around future policies, planning,
services and funding for local communities for
years to come.
For more information, to register your
interest, and to apply go to
www.censusjobs.co.uk
More 'Topping Out' PhotosAbove: Lovely 'Croosing Keeper's Hut' cake made by Ann McCarthy.
Right: A few of the 40 people who were present for the 'Topping Out' ceremony.
Bottom: Impington Parish Council chair Denis Payne presents 'thank you' flowers
to project leader Pene Nuuds.Temporary Census Jobs
3www.HIcourier.co.ukNEWS December 2010St Andrew's Church HallsAs you walk along Histon High Street you
may have noticed that the church halls
opposite Tesco are looking down at heel. If you
spend any time inside the halls, as part of one
of the many groups meeting there, you will be
even more aware of the need to upgrade the
halls and make them fit for 21st century life.
For several years now St Andrew's Church
have been considering the various options
available to us for upgrading the halls. About
two years ago we began to plan in earnest and
established a team of people to take the project
forward. This has progressed steadily to the
point where we now have over £630,000
pledged towards the total cost, of which over
£295,000 has been already donated. We will
eventually need to raise approximately £1.6
million in order to fully complete the work.
Our goal is to create a new centre—to be
named the St Andrew's Centre—that will
benefit not only the church but also a wide
range of suitable community activities in the
villages. We intend to include a café area to be
open to all; a modern, comfortable place to
meet and spend time together and a facility
which the villages would welcome. Many of the
current users of the building are children; the
centre will significantly improve the facilities
available to them. It is also intended to provide
facilities for other groups, such as the elderly,
and services which the church offers such as
money management counselling. We have
aimed to produce a design that meets these
needs, and will provide flexibility to respond to
new demands, whilst retaining the character of
the original school halls and blending in with
other buildings in that part of the village.
We hope to include environmentally friendly
features, such as photovoltaic panels on south
facing roofs and a ground source heat pump.
This will reduce the running costs and carbon
footprint of the building, and is in line with
South Cambridgeshire District Council's
commitment to the promotion of micro-
renewable energy in the district.
What facilities will be available?
The central frontage of the building has been
re-designed to provide a more open and
welcoming entrance and café, with the halls on
each side largely unchanged externally, but
renovated and internally designed to meet a
range of church and community use. We plan
to include the following features in the
refurbished, extended buildings:
• A café, in the centre of the above picture, with
a lounge area, serving hot and cold food
• Two large halls with lots of storage for the
different groups meeting there
• Office space for the church
• An upper room that will provide a
comfortable area for teenagers and young
people
• Small rooms that could be used for meetings
or counselling
• An outside play area
How will we keep everyone up to date with
progress?
There are several ways in which we plan to
keep you up to date with the progress of the
project:
• We are in the process of creating a website
(www.standrewscentre.org.uk) where we will
provide updates on progress and funding,
publicise events and list contact details.
• We will publish updates in the Network
Magazine and in the Histon and Impington
Courier.
• We will also provide information sheets at
intervals in the Library and other local shops
where possible.
If you have any questions or wish to donate to
the project, please do not hesitate to email us at
[email protected] or call the St
Andrew's Church Office on 01223 232255.
Application for Planning Permission
We will shortly be submitting an application
for planning permission. We would very much
value your support and would be delighted if,
during the consultation period, you would
write or email a letter of support to the
Planning Officer at the following address:
Development Control (East Team)
South Cambridgeshire Hall
Cambourne Business Park
Cambourne, Cambridge CB23 6EA
Email: [email protected]
A Stylish Makeover on High Streetby Louise Vincenton behalf of St Andrew's HistonParochial Church Council
Open Morning at the Church Halls!Saturday 11th DecemberThis wil l provide an opportunity for you to come and view the plans, look
around the halls and ask questions. We wil l also be providing
refreshments of a festive nature!
Please do drop in and see us!
Above: St. Andrew's Halls as seen fromHigh Street. A welcome and muchneeded improvement to the community.Inset: Inside the StAC cafeBelow: StAC Overhead Internal View
4 NEWSDecember 2010 www.HIcourier.co.ukParish Council ReportsHISTON PARISH COUNCIL
Histon Parish Council met on Monday 11
October and again on 8 November at St
Audrey’s Close Community Centre. Minutes as
always are available to view on the website, in
Histon Library or from the Parish Office.
Everyone is welcome to attend to listen to the
Council debate, or to raise issues of concern at
the Open Forum at the start of each meeting.
The next meeting is due Monday 13 December
starting at 7.30 p.m.
Recent issues raised:
• Members of the Council met recently with
local management at Etheldred House to
discuss environmental issues raised by residents
including traffic using Winders Lane and the
improvement of the Public Footpath boundary.
Agreed to set up “get together” with residents,
staff and local residents living nearby.
• We are delighted to confirm that the Parish
Council is funding the Christmas lights that
once again be lighting up the Village Green area
over the festive period. Thanks are also due to
the Histon Feast Committee who have arranged
for a Christmas tree and lights to complete the
picture-postcard scene.
• The lease for the car park in the High Street
has at last been signed and responsibility for the
area should soon pass to Histon Parish Council
from the District Council, to safeguard this
facility for the village for the future.
• Histon Parish Council invite any resident who
feels there may be a benefit from an
arrangement for a central pick up point for
unwanted green boxes to contact the office.
The green boxes can of course still be used in
addition to the blue bin for overflow, and will be
emptied by the operators.
• Several meetings have been held regarding
highways issues in the village, including
meetings to try and move forward the
installation of a crossing place at the Co-op,
taking over some additional responsibility for
the war memorial site area from the County
Council and minor changes to parking
arrangements at The Green.
• The road between the Co Op and the Rose &
Crown will be resurfaced on Sunday 5
December.
• The Council will be reviewing its donations at
the December meeting.
IMPINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Impington Parish Council met on 18 October
and again on 16 November at St Andrew’s
Church Hall, Burgoynes Road. As with Histon,
all are welcome to attend to listen to the Council
debate, or to raise issues of concern at the Open
Forum at the start of the meeting. The next
meeting will take place Monday 17 January
2011 at 7.30 p.m.
There are still 3 vacancies on the Council and
any interested resident is urged to contact the
Parish Office to discuss this opportunity to get
more involved in village life. It is an exciting
time to start with all budgets for the year 2011-
2012 set to be confirmed at the January
meeting. The normal level of budget
expenditure is over £100,000 for the year.
Recent issues include:
• The crossing keepers hut first phase has now
been completed, with the Parish Council being
joined by Histon Parish Council in
congratulating Pene Nudds in overseeing the
tremendous voluntary effort and project
management.
• The Council has concerns about drainage
issues surrounding the planning application for
phase 2 of the development off Impington Lane
and has written to South Cambs District
Council accordingly.
• As well as daffodils, a number of wildflower
plugs have been planted around the village by
volunteers and Councillors.
• Council has decided to look into the possible
introduction of a “No Cold Callers” zone.
• The Council has been lucky to have been given
2 fairly mature oak trees which it hopes to
replant on open space in Impington.
• The Council will be reviewing its donations at
the Januarymeeting.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Recent Planning applications received from
SCDC and considered at regular Planning
Committee meetings (Impington Tuesday
evenings and Histon Thursday evenings). All
applications to the Planning Authority are
available to inspect at the parish office and are
also normally available to view on the SCDC
website
HISTON:
S/1001/10/F Mr C Huggins, 2 Orchard Road
– extension (to extend time limit for
implementation).
S/0903/10/F Histon & Impington Infant
School, New School Road – removal of window
and insert new door.
S/1090/10/F Mr G Freeman, 20 Home Close
– replacement garage.
S/1222/10 Mr C Cobley, 43 Park Avenue –
extensions and alterations.
S/1539/10 Dr Sally Harding, Land to the
south of 102, Cottenham Road– Variation of
condition 4 of application ref. S/1318/09F to
allow alternate tree planting scheme to site
frontage.
S/1284/10 Mr Peter Houzego, 5 Symonds
Close – Single storey extension to rear.
S/1444/10 Mr & Mrs Lee, 1 Somerset Road,
– To construct a single storey extension at rear
of dwelling in form of a conservatory, and to
demolish a small timber conservatory.
S/1657/10 Miss Lucas, 14 Cottenham Road –
two storey side and rear extension to household
S/1645/10 Mr K Bowen, 63 Parlour Close –
Single storey rear extension
S/1788/10 Mrs B Benton, 6 West Road –
Single storey rear extension.
S/1851/10 Mr & Mrs Cobley, 36 Park Avenue
– Single storey side, 2 storey rear extensions.
S/1860/10 Mr J Gotobed, 33 Youngman
Avenue – Extension to existing detached garage
to create utility room and toilet.
S/1854/10 Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital,
Endeavour House, Vision Park Chivers Way -
Flexible planning application under Class E
(Part 3) of the GPDO 1995 for use of premises
for Class B1 (business) or Class D1 (non-
residential institution) uses
IMPINGTON:
S/1452/10/ Mr P Edmondson, 20 Mill Road
– Porch, single storey rear extension and two
storey side/rear extension
S/1847/10/ Almaren Plc, Land West of
Merrington Place, Off Impington Lane – 31
dwellings (12 affordable dwellings) and
associated landscaping (including Local Area
for Play and Community Orchard), cycle and
refuse enclosures, car parking, garaging and
internal roadways and footpaths.
S1879/10 Mr J Gordon, 14 College Road –
Two storey side extension and single story rear
extension.
S1915/10 Mr T Fasulo, 4 & 5 New Road –
First floor extension and loft conversion.
S/1967/10 Mr C Carey, 58 Woodcock Close –
Erection of 2m high timber fence.
S/1299/10 The Wendy House Day Nursery
Limited, Farm Office, Manor Farm, Milton
Road – change of use from agricultural farm
office to day nursery (D1 use class).
S/0973/10/F Mrs J Paris, 15 Impington Lane
– Erection of a detached summerhouse in the
back garden.
S/1625/10 Mr T Tucker, 113a Station Road –
Single storey front extension and conversion of
existing garage to form habitable
accommodation.
Joint matters affecting both Parish Councils:
• Both Councils heard more about the new plans
for the St Andrew’s Church Halls in School Hill,
to include a coffee shop provision.
• The Older People’s Forum continues to meet,
with a meeting due for people interested in
becoming involved to take place on 4 January
2011 at 5.15pm at the Recreation Centre.
• The Councils have been meeting for some time
to discuss how they may be joined as a Single
Council to better serve the community.
• Volunteers on the Councils have attended
many outside meetings and training sessions to
keep abreast of current schemes and views.
• Both Councils are continuing to be involved in
discussions about community facilities and
further consultations and investigations have
been agreed as a way forward.
• The District and County Councillors serving
our villages attend Parish Council meetings
regularly to up-date and inform the Councils.
They are willing to take away local concerns to
discuss with the relevant departments, whether
they be perhaps highways matters, drainage,
environmental health or planning.
• County Councillors were also able to outline
the expected timetable for completion of the
cycleway provision locally.
• District Councillors explained there have been
operational difficulties initially with the blue bin
collection, with collections sometimes being
delayed .
• Recreation Ground Committee are due to hold
their half yearly Committee meeting in
November to look at budgets for the coming
year.
• The Councils were delighted that the Girl
Guides have chosen Homefield Park to plant a
tree to commemorate their centenary.
• Both Parish Councils took part in the
Remembrance Day parade, where each
Chairman laid a wreath at the War Memorial for
the fallen of the villages.
• There is a lot of concern over cuts to youth
provision locally following Comprehensive
Spending Review cuts at both County and
District Council.
• Councils note the likely need in future for all
local authorities to publish spending over £500.
• Some time in December essential work on the
culvert between the War Memorial and The
Green would take place.
• Council members joined a tour of drainage
and flood hotspots in the villages.
5www.HIcourier.co.ukNEWS December 2010
Local MP, James Paice, visited Histon on
Friday, 5th November to meet members of
Histon & Impington Climate Change Action
(HICCA). The meeting was one of over 250
lobbies taking place during November across
the country, calling for greater action on
climate change. The lobbies were co-
ordinated by Stop Climate Chaos, a coalition of
environment and development charities,
unions, faith and community groups.
HICCA were pushing for strong measures to be
included in the forthcoming Energy Bill, such
as improving energy efficiency in UK homes
and reducing carbon pollution from power
stations. They also called on the UK to take a
lead at the climate talks in Cancun, Mexico, by
ensuring that more finance is made available
for developing countries, and that the funds
are distributed in a fair and equitable way, so
they can adapt to the effects of climate change,
develop low carbon economies and protect
forests.
After a lively discussion of the issues, the
group presented James Paice MP with a letter
summarising the issues on which his support
was requested.
Steve Waters, Chair of HICCA said, 'It's crucial
that we get a chance to speak in depth to our
MPs and Jim Paice was generous with his time
- but his Government need to put some teeth in
their Energy Bill and step up the pace on
tackling climate change. We at HICCA hope to
make these conversations a regular event'.
Village Residents Lobby MP on Climate Change and Green Economy
Thoughts are turning to Christmas already.
What better way to get into the Christmas
spirit, than to listen to great music and have
the opportunity to join in some of the singing.
Choir 2000 was looking forward to providing a
feast of wonderful music for Advent at the
Histon Baptist Church. However, work to
refurbish the venue has suffered considerable
delays, and there were fears that the two
planned performances would have to be
cancelled at the last minute. But the great news
is that Impington Village College has come up
trumps by making the Gropius Hall available,
despite its own heavy schedule of pre-
Christmas events. Community spirit is alive
and well!
Choir 2000 is therefore able to perform the
Advent Concert on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12
December at 8.00pm at the Gropius Hall at
Impington Village College
The choir, conducted by Peter Britton, will be
joined by young players from Impington
Village College, the Ely Waits with their array
of early instruments, and the Chesterton Youth
Choir under the direction of Roger Bond.
The programme features excerpts from
Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610, the cantata ‘A
Boy Was born’ by Britten, carols by John
Rutter, and traditional carols for all to join in.
Tickets at £10.00 (£8.00 concessions, students
£5.00), including seasonal refreshments, are
available from Jane’s Frames, the Histon
Beauty Studio, members of Choir 2000 and on
the night. Under 16s accompanied by an adult
are admitted free of charge.
IVC SAVES CHOIR 2000 ADVENT CONCERT
St Andrews Stepping Stones committee
members and friends have been busy lately
cleaning, and giving the Church Halls, Histon a
much needed lick of paint. In September the
team dusted and cleaned the halls and in
October the DIY-ers held a painting party and
set to work sprucing up the woodwork and brick
walls in the main playgroup halls. The
bathroom has also been given a welcome facelift
in a fresh aqua shade. The result is a much
cleaner and brighter space for the playgroup
and toddler group children to play in and enjoy.
The mini-makeover comes ahead of a planned
rennovation project for the halls and adjoining
buildings. Co-Chair Angie Wocha is pleased
with the results: "I can’t quite believe I’m
saying it but we had a fun evening, and the
Church Halls look so much better, especially
the toilets – there is now a risk of people
spending too much time in the loos!" The
committee also wishes to thank Travis Perkins
in Cottenham for kindly donating the paint.
To find out more about baby club, toddlers or
playgroup email:
or visit
www.StAndrewsSteppingStones.co.uk
Church Halls MakeOver
6 NEWSDecember 2010 www.HIcourier.co.uk
[Editor's note: You can listen to the debate at
http://bbc.in/guidedbusdebate until 6 Dec-
ember after that try www.hicourier.co.uk ]
Moderating for BBC was Andie Harper.
Sitting from left to right in the photo above
are:
• Graham Hughes, Cambridgeshire County
Council's director of growth and
infrastructure.
• Councillor Roy Pegrum, Cambridgeshire
County Council's cabinet member for growth,
infrastructure and strategic planning.
• John French, an independent expert in
integrated transport solutions.
• Tim Philips from Cast Iron (Cambridge And
St Ives Railway Organisation, which is in
favour of reopening the existing rail line
linking Cambridge and St Ives) .
• Mike Mason, independent district
councillor for Histon and Impington.
In addition, these people we seated in the
front row of the audience and also particpated
in part of the debate:
• Andy Campbell, managing director of
Stagecoach.
• Shona Johnston, former leader of
Cambridgeshire County Council
The busway constructor, BAM Nuttall Ltd
was invited to take part but declined. They
issued a statement which included: "Many of
the issues beyond the alleged defects, and now
surrounding the delivery of this project, involve
complex questions of engineering and legal
analysis. The County Council has made clear
that its view is that legal action is inevitable
(Councillor Roy Pegrum, Hunts Post, 29
September 2010). In such circumstances, it is
not felt appropriate to debate in public issues
which would form part of the legal action the
County Council are describing as inevitable."
Preliminary questions from Andie Harper:
Q. Will we ever see the Guided Bus running?
Graham Hughes: Yes we certainly will and we
are fairly close to the point at which that will
happen.
Q. Are people going to use it given
Northstowe is just on a piece of paper?
Roy Pegrum: Yes I believe they will use it and
enjoy a fast, reliable, effective ride.
Q. Is there a future for a guided bus on a
concrete roadway?
John French: In the right context a guided
bus can work very well, but there have been
some very good rail schemes as well.
Q. You were advocating rail, has anything in
the intervening years made you change your
mind?
Tim Philips: We were never against bus, we
wanted a combination of bus and rail to get
the best of both worlds. We're seeing the
worst of both worlds with this scheme.
Q. Will the people of Histon and Impington
use the guided bus and welcome it?
Mike Mason: The majority of people are not
happy with the project and it will not serve
Histon or Impington well. We will not get the
state of the art service that was promised in
2003.
QUESTIONS FROM AUDIENCE
Q. Will the Guided Bus encourage car drivers
to switch to buses?
Roy Pegrum: Yes, people will use the busway
if it is as reliable as we expect it to be.
Graham Hughes: We are confident drivers
will chose the guided bus over the A14.
Andy Campbell: With the busway you are not
fighting traffic and that will provide the
reliability you cannot get on the A14.
Q. How much of the cost of this fiasco is
going to fall on the taxpayers of the county?
(applause)
Roy Pegrum: We are projecting we are within
1% of the original £116.6 million budget. I
accept that the contractor has spent more on
the build but that is not our responsibility. The
liability rests solely, subject to legal challenge,
on the contractor.
Tim Philips: What Mr. Pegrum is saying is all
smoke and mirrors. This busway is costing
£160-170 million to build. This scheme is a
massive experiment.
Mike Mason: In the County's own figures the
busway is costing £161 million. In the last
year they have had to borrow £41 million, this
year they are projected to borrow a further
£10.5 million. You don't borrow money for
nothing. If this legal process continues it will
go on for years and the County will have to
continue to borrow to cover the contractors
final costs. No one seems to know how much
this is going to finally cost.I was with the chief
accountant at County Council a few days ago
under the public inspection of accounts rules
and I asked for certain documents but I
haven't been given those documents. So I can
predict it is going to cost the taxpayer a lot of
money.
Q. Do you think a rail project would have
been cheaper?
John French: In South Wales a rail scheme
has certainly exceeding all expectations in
terms of patronage. It difficult to say which
scheme is best - rail or guided bus.
Q. Will there be provision to take bikes on the
Guided Bus?
Andy Campbell: No.
A brief discussion then ensued about the
section between St. Ives and Histon where the
service road is under flood water for several
months a year. The county insists they do not
expect BAM Nutall to solve this problem as
they should before the handover and therefore
the County is planning to do the work
themselves using their own contractors. (and
presumably claw back the costs from BAM
Nutall) .
One of the BBC moderators then asked the
key question:
Q. If this is such a robust contract then it
should have been opened inn February 2009.
If it was a robust contract and you were
having problems with it then the busway
should have been opened in October 2009.
What's robust about a guideway that has been
covered in snow for two seasons now?
Roy Pegrum: The contract we entered into
was subject to a fair and reasonable
relationship between both parties. That
relationship has soured slightly.(laughter)
There has been disagreement about the
design and build specification. Several
aspects of the scheme have not been designed
and built to the spec that we insisted on. The
relationship has broken down because we
insist that we will not accept a liability for the
people of Cambridgeshire.
BBC: BAM Nutall disputes that 100% they
say they have done exactly what they said they
Highlights: BBC Radio Cambridgeshire Debate on the Guided BusContinued from page 1
Cllr Mike Mason: No one has seen the contract!
Andy Campbell (Stagecoach): Not viable withoutNorthstowe
7www.HIcourier.co.ukNEWS December 2010would do and the County Council are changing
the goal posts themselves.
[At this point they went back and forth for
some time without conclusion. Andie Harper
then asked John French if he had ever seen a
contract run over time like this one.]
John French: No. (laughter)
Q. The County changes its mind all the time.
At first it said only one operator, Stagecoach,
would use the busway now it says two will use
it.
Shona Johnson: (many boos from the
audience) We wanted an open system where
any operator could use the busway as long as
they provide a quality service.
[Getting back to the robustness of the
contract] :
Mike Mason: If the contract is so robust why
won't the County Council give me a copy of
the contract when I asked for it? As far as I
know, no member of the public has been
allowed to inspect this contract. It is a public
contract; it is with a public limited company; so
why can't we see it and check all these
statements? (Loud applause from audience)
Q. How can it be claimed that the contract is
robust when all the money has been paid to the
contractor before the work has been completed
to the council's satisfaction? We are in a
situation where lots of money has to be spent
on legal action to recoup that. Wouldn't it have
been better to make staged payments and to
retain the last chunk of money until the work
had been completed. What incentive is there
for BAM Nutall to put anything right? They've
got their money. (Applause from audience)
Roy Pegrum: We are in a 'pay and gain'
contract. Once the contractor has handed over
the busway they have 28 days to complete any
defects. After that we submit invoices to the
contractor to pay the identified costs (laughter
from audience).
Cllr Gymer: I represent Histon and Impington
and I chair the Local Liaison group where local
people can bring their problems. We have not
received any answers for the last two meetings
from either the County or BAM Nutall.
Roy Davis-Chamberlain: "I have in front of
me a reply to an email I sent to a Council officer
in 2008 asking for copies of the minutes under
the freedom of information act for how they
planned each junction. This is part of the
response: "Construction options for junctions
were discussed both informally and at meetings
about junction design, but no record of these
discussions was made. As such there are no
notes, minutes, letters or records of discussions
regarding alternative ways of constructing the
guided busway crossing."
Q. Is there a penalty clause in the contract?
Graham Hughes: The contractor pays about
£450,000 per month in penalties for work that
is late.
Q. Once the busway is running is it going to be
viable?
Tim Philips: The patronage projections have
been extremely optimistic. In 1994 the Council
was toying with the idea of reopening the
railway saying it would be profitable. Nobody
has ever built a guided busway on a soggy Fen
before! It's also built on an old railway line that
takes 2 minutes longer because the guided bus
goes in the wrong direction and doesn't get any
closer to St Ives as it goes along Milton Road.
What we have is the unloved child of a loveless
marriage between the government and the
County Council. No body thought this was a
brilliant idea in its own right, it's a huge
experiment
Andy Campbell: If the busway opens in the
next six months then we are committed to
provide the level of service that we've agreed to.
Yes it will be successful; yes more people will
use it; yes it does take roughly the same time.
It's questionable if it will be viable in the long
term without Northstowe.
Q. Mike Mason, do you think this is a viable
option for the people of Histon and Impington
to get into St Ives?
Mike Mason: No, for the simple reason that
when the original figures were produce
showing 18,500 trips per day they were all
destined for the centre of Cambridge. We have
enough problems with congestion on the Citi 7
services. The guided buses will take the same
route along Histon Road, get stuck in the same
traffic, there will be no better reliability. The
County Council refuse to accept this.
Q. I am David Collins, Impington resident and
a retired consultant in transportation matters. I
travelled just a few hundred yards to get here
tonight but I seemed to have slipped into a
parallel universe because I can't understand
the County Council's position on this project.
They are saying everything is fine, we have a
robust contract, it's all going to go well but it
will depend on what the court's decide. They
say the cycle way cannot be used properly until
they do a further project which they can only
do once they have possession. And now they
are telling us the park and ride won't work well
until they have done yet another project. So
what is the real cost of this project? What is the
way out of the magical world of numbers that
seem to go wrong all the time?
Graham Hughes: We are frustrated and
disappointed that we are where we are. The
ultimate way to resolve those issues is through
the courts. We would rather not go there but
the significant difference between the two
parties means that it is only going to be
resolved in that way. Our focus is to get the
scheme opened as soon as possible and are
convinced that once the buses start running
that's what people will see and benefit from.
Q. What date is the guide busway going to
open?
Roy Pegrum: Good question. I expected it. We
anticipate that BAM Nutall will complete the
busway, subject to our handover process, in the
middle of January. From there we will have
identified any defects that exist and will notify
the contractor of those defects. He will have 28
days to rectify them, or not. Then we can adopt
the busway and we will be adopting an asset
not a liability.
BBC: Bam Nutall are not accepting there are
defects.
Roy Pegrum: We can correct those defects
and that will take up to 12 weeks I would
imagine before we can run.
Robin Hayden, Cambridge Cycling
Campaign: If you stand at Histon station and
look at all the school children from Orchard
Park going to Impington Village College -
hundreds of school children every single day -
walking or cycling and actively getting to
school reducing the health concerns we have,
that is a great success for the guided cycle way
err busway. (laughter from audience).
Q. Why if the project is going to cost £116
million are we paying BAM Nutall all the extra
money that we then have to get back?
Mike Mason: At the year end 2009, £143
million had been paid out. The County say they
are going to get that back but to be quite
honest, you know and I know that once the
contractor has the money there's going to be a
very long and expensive court case to get some
of that money back. This money is gone, it's
been paid out, everyone of us is paying interest
on the loans to fund that payment. I'm afraid
that is the situation with this type of contract.
Graham Hughes: What Mr. Mason says is
true. If we are right as we believe we are they
will find in our favour and the money will be
returned but it will take a while.
Q. What if the court doesn't find on the
County Council's side?
Graham Hughes: There is of course always a
risk but we've been very careful.
Q What's it going to do to the Council
taxpayer if it's not found in your favour?
Graham Hughes: We are convinced it will
find in our favour.
Q. John French, as an independent consultant,
if someone came to you and asked your
opinion of a guided busway run on a concrete
track what would you say to them?
John French: ahhh, hmmm.
BBC: I think that says it all!
John French: Why sit on a fence. As a concept
it's great. It's not working here. As a transport
consultant, I feel really really bad that
something that could be really really good just
isn't working.
District Cllr Sue Gymer
Shona Johnston, Former Leader ofCambridgeshire County Council
John French, Independent Transport Expert
Graham Hughes
"... no record of thesediscussions was made.As such there are nonotes, minutes, letters
or records..."
"why won't the CountyCouncil give me a copy
of the contract?"
8 NEWSDecember 2010 www.HIcourier.co.ukRemembrance Sunday 2010
9www.HIcourier.co.ukNEWS December 2010A Photo Tribute Photos by Brian Ing
The Royal British Legion salutes the communities of
Histon, Impington, Oakington, Longstanton and Milton –
including business establishments, schools and various
groups, pubs, clubs and any other associations who support
and help us in our yearly collections of funds for the Poppy
Appeal.
The yearly total for and ending at September 2009/10 was
£11009.54, for which we at our local branch are eternally
grateful.
Once again we hopefully look to our army of helpers who
kindly do house to house collections, various other helpers
including, those mentioned above, cadet units, scouts, guides,
cubs, brownies, boy and girls brigade, churches and any other
establishment not mentioned – who all contribute to our
Poppy Appeal.
- Herbie Smart, Poppy Organiser
1 0 NEWSDecember 2010 www.HIcourier.co.uk
Second year Fashion Design students from the
Cambridge School of Art used recycled clothes,
suitcases and plastics to create a collection of
24 innovative, stylish outfits to raise funds for
Impington-based charity Village Outreach
Society. The money raised will fund the
provision of mobile health clinics, access to
clean drinking water and health awareness
education to a southeast Indian tribe of 54
families who live in extreme poverty on a
rubbish dump outside the city of
Pondicherry. They make a living by recycling
and selling materials they find in the city
dump.
The designs were modelled by local girls who
took to the catwalk at The Academy. The event
raised £1800 for the charity.
A number of local entrepreneurs displayed
their work. Histon Guides displayed a
crocheted plastic bag dress. Grace Robinson
showed off a selection of incredible dresses and
accessories made from used tea bags.
Theatrical costume designers, Classworks,
exhibited their creations and appealed for
second-hand clothes. QHere displayed a
collection of bags, purses and phone covers
made from advertising banners. Deanna Tyson
Conceptual Textiles showed a world map made
from recycled materials. Parks Art Group
exhibited carnival costumes.
A 10-minute video telling the story of the
families at the Pondicherry rubbish dump
entitled ‘Wasteville’ can be viewed on
www.villageoutreach.com.
Recycled FashionCharity Auction at Anglia Ruskin UniversityRaised Money for Impington Charity
Narikurava Gypsy Tribe of Pondicherry
Bank Holidays1 0am-Noon
(Normal Fees During These Hours)Camilla EdwardsVeterinary Surgeon
11www.HIcourier.co.ukNEWS December 2010
Half way down Station Road the Brook
flows under the road across to Water Lane
and onwards to Histon Green. Sometime
during the 19th Century a bridge was built. It
came to be known as Christmas Bridge.
Whilst I was doing an audit of the Village
Society archive, I came across research on
the Christmas family, compiled by Wendy
Doyle of the Cambridgeshire Family History
Society. She lives close to Memorial Corner
and was keen to research the history of the
area.
For over one hundred years the Christmas
family lived and worked on the plot bounded
by Memorial Green and Water Lane and
Station Road. Their name in itself suggests
the area as a suitable subject for December’s
article.
Wendy compiled information from censuses
starting 1841 , church registers, land tax
records, trade directories, photographs and
village memories.
Richard Christmas and family lived in a
property now the site of 65, Station Road,
which on the 1806 Enclosure map appears to
be a substantial cottage with one
outbuilding. We have a photograph of the
site taken from Station Road showing a two
storey, pantiled and boarded building. The
top floor appears to be a well lit workshop,
whilst below curtains in windows indicate
habitation.
Richard is recorded as a carpenter with a
wife and two children in the census of 1841 .
By 1851 he appears to be living with his
growing family in one of the terrace of brick
cottages (Collins Buildings later known as
Elm Terrace) erected on the adjacent plot.
One could speculate that he helped build
them for William Collins of Cambridge but
of this there is no evidence. Starting out as a
journeyman carpenter he ended up running a
building firm that built the school at
Hardwick and the Impington School (later a
nursery before being demolished in 1963) on
School Lane. He also provided a bakehouse
service for the village and is recorded as the
joint licensee at the Railway Vue with his
eldest son Merrington during the 1880s.
The bakehouse provided income on a
Sunday. Before most households had ovens
Richard for a small fee would roast the
family joint, which would be collected after
attending church. Death was also popular on
Sunday for then no one could complain that
work needed doing on a coffin.
Wendy goes on to write
‘ . . . Merrington . . . continued as a small
builder . . . and passed the business on to his
son Ted. There was a large yard with a
carpenter’s shop, painter’s shop and sawpit
. . . Ted Christmas was well known in the
travelling community. ’
Several photographs survive showing vardos
(travelling showman caravans) in the yard
awaiting repair and decoration. Ted is
remembered as a particularly talented
painter. The photograph featured in this
article shows Merrington and his son Ted
building a fairground booth.
Merrington was not as successful as his
father and is reported bankrupt in 1889.
However, he rebuilt the business and went on
to work at the site with his son Ted until his
death in 1934.
Wendy continues
‘ . . . They were jobbing builders, carpenters
and undertakers . . . (and) had a close
relationship with fairgrounds . . . Ted was
apparently a colourful character,
remembered by some of the older people in
the village for keeping a magpie in a cage. He
died unmarried in 1948 . . . (and) after the
barns were burnt down in a fire, the old
house at 65, Station Road was condemned as
unfit and demolished in 1967.’
In the 1960s land was taken from both sides
of the site in order to widen the roads
flanking the old Christmas yard. Around
1970 three houses were built, designed by
the architect David Thurlow. In order to
perpetuate the link with this old village
family, one, at 74, Water Lane, was called
Christmas Barn.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to
you all.
EFWWD PGS 2010
Down Your Way:
Ted and Merrington Christmas in their yard building a fairground booth c.1910
Christmas Bridge
At our October meeting we were very
pleased to welcome Arthur Brookes from the
American Cemetery. The history was very
interesting, how the site was given by
Cambridge University as a temporary military
cemetery. The site was later selected as the
only permanent American World War 11
military cemetery in the British Isles.He has
met many family members of the soldiers who
are buried there and we were told of the stories
of what happened to individual soldier's. A
very interesting speaker with inside stories of
one of our local sites that we did not know
about.
In November we celebrated our 83rd birthday.
We all enjoyed our fish and chip supper
supplied by our local shop which was followed
by many different desserts to chose from.
Entertainment was given by The Merrymakers
who sang many familiar songs with humorous
sketches and jokes. A very pleasant evening
was enjoyed by our members.
Our next meeting 16th December, Corsets
Crinolines and Camisoles by Fran Saltmarsh.
Meetings are held at the Methodist Church
Hall 7:30. Visitors are most welcome.
WI Report
1 2 NEWSDecember 2010 www.HIcourier.co.uk
The risk of extreme weather and sudden
flooding is increasing as climate change begins
to take effect. We have certainly had serious
flooding in the village in the past and the
frequency of such events can be expected to
increase substantially in the years ahead.
Several villagers under the guidance of
Impington Parish Councillor Denis Payne and
South Cambs District Councillor Mike Mason
have undertaken to explore ways of limiting
damage and financial losses for village
residents. They are known as the 'Flood Task
Group'.
The first order of business was to look at the
past history of flooding and then look at the
network of drains that criss-cross the village
and carry runoff safely around populated areas.
Mike Mason conducted a tour of the village
drain network and explained how important
those innocuous looking drainage ditches are.
Some were perfectly maintained while others
were seriously overgrown.
One of the main concerns is the culvert that
runs from the War Memorial to the Village
Green. This huge pipe carries a significant
amount of runoff under the B1049 at Water
Lane. In times past this road was regularly
flooded during rainy periods - hence the name
'Water Lane'. The culvert has eliminated most
problems but Mike Mason explained that it
was seriously silted. Best estimates are that it
is at least 50% filled with mud and other debris.
Denis Payne announced that the County and
District would begin clearing it sometime in
December. The operation would take several
days and involve one or more divers with
proper breathing equipment. Large tanker
lories will carry away the silt to a special 'de-
watering' facility and then onto a safe land fill
site. Under current laws the sludge is
considered toxic waste. This operation is
expected to take 2-3 days.
While the flood risk map shown opposite
comes from the Environment Agency and is
based on historic data there are other areas
within the village not shown on the map that
can experience significant amounts of standing
water during heavy rains.
One of the problems with development within
populated areas is the amount of surface area
that is used in ways that prevents water from
soaking into the ground. Buildings, roads,
pavement, and tarmaced driveways all remove
ground that would normally reduce water
buildup. Extreme care is taken whenever a
planning application is received at either
council but the effects of new builds can't be
known with perfect accuracy until a large
flooding event occurs.
One of the purposes of the residents 'Flood
Task Group' is to explore ways to mitigate the
risks of flooding. Homeowners in flood prone
areas of the village can use sandbags and water
barriers to prevent minor flooding from
entering their homes. Special plates can be
affixed to air bricks in building walls to prevent
water entry. Questions arise such as: Should
we buy and distribute sacks and sand to make
sandbags? Where should they be kept? Should
there be one or more volunteer flood wardens
appointed for each flood prone street? And
there are dozens of other considerations
having to do with village health and safety.
This is a much larger task that originally
anticipated and there is a need for many more
volunteers to join the group. If you can help, if
you have time to volunteer, or if you have
special skills or equipment that would be of use
in a flood, please come forward. You can leave
your contact details with the Village clerk on
01223 235906 or you can contact the HI
Courier at 07904 876445.
Please help! It's just a matter of time.
FLOOD RISKSPreparing for the inevitable
Environment Agency Flood Risk map. Note the location of the drain under Water Lane shown in red.
Start of the culvert at the War Memorial
Drain blocked by fallen leaves on private land Top, middle: Spring 1978 photos of flooding atVillage Green.Bottom: Spring 1978 flooding at Glebe Way
Join the Flood TaskGroup
Volunteer your time!Call Parish Clerk
235906
1 3www.HIcourier.co.ukNEWS December 2010
For those who don’t know the Histon Country
Market is a co-operative of small local producers
selling homemade products. Homemade and
high quality - working to strict Trading
Standard and Food Hygiene laws, everything is
packed, labelled and fully traceable – not only is
the producers name on the label but he or she
will most likely be on hand to ask if you have any
questions! You really couldn’t get closer than
this! We offer a big range of cakes and
savouries, local eggs and honey. Although the
fresh produce we had in abundance in the
summer is in short supply, now there are lots of
delicious chutneys, jams and apple juice –
preserving all that lovely summer goodness!
This month may we tempt you with some
delicious home made Christmas treats - mince
pies and Christmas cakes and of course we
really love to hear what you want and are happy
to take orders, for something extra special - we
can make gluten-free or dairy-free versions of
most cakes and savouries. To be sure of getting
your favourites a regular order is recommended.
Local free-range turkeys are now available – but
pre-ordering is essential for these!
We provide a Hamper service – send a friend a
box of local goodies – you choose the contents
and we will deliver it. This is available from
other Country Markets too and as there are over
400 across the country hampers can be
delivered almost anywhere!
This month we have a super range of bird boxes
and feeders, locally made from recycled wood
they make great gifts for anyone who loves
wildlife.
There are also some very special Christmas
decorations and cards, jewellery and how about
re-usable fabric crackers to fill with your own
gifts?
Why not pop in on Friday and have a coffee or
tea and see what you think.
We are open every Friday from 9.00 to 11.30
am at the Methodist Church hall, High Street.
(unfortunately we will be closed on December
3rd)
And here’s a nice easy recipe with a winter
flavour (but no mincemeat!) – we sell a good
range of homemade marmalade, just use your
favourite one.
Seville orange marmalade cake
225g self raising flour
50g butter or margarine
1 tablespoon golden syrup
50g sugar (soft brown sugar is nice)
3 tablespoons marmalade
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 egg
200ml milk
Melt the butter, marmalade and golden syrup
together but do not boil. Sift the flour together
with the baking powder into a large bowl. Add
the sugar. Stir in the syrup mixture, then the
beaten egg, followed by the milk. Mix well and
pour into a lined loaf tin or 8” round tin.
Bake at 180 C for about 25 minutes (test with a
skewer)
Melt 1 tablespoon ofmarmalade
Remove from oven, cool in the tin for 5 minutes
and then pour over the melted marmalade.
Histon Country Market
14 NEWSDecember 2010 www.HIcourier.co.ukLETTERS:
Mercy Ships
I am writing to congratulate you on your
recent articles on the magnificent work done
on the Mercy Ships. The accounts of the
father and daughter (Leo and Kat Cheng)
both working in their own ways for this charity
were inspirational and I commend you for
publishing them. When so much news by its
nature is negative, it is uplifting to hear of
good work done by youngsters that might
encourage others, and by experienced
practitioners who are prepared to put
something back into the world for
philanthropic and humanitarian reasons.
News like this makes for good and satisfying
reading and shows not only the quality of your
newspaper but your wisdom in selecting such
material. I look forward to hearing more of a
similar nature and any such other pieces on
this forward thinking family.
- S. Harbottle (Mrs)
Don’t forget the many things that are
available in your library. As well as borrowing
books, you can hire DVDs, CDs, and talking
books. You can read the newspaper, borrow
jigsaws, join a reading group, and attend the
Library Club/Storytime/Rhymetime –
depending on your age! You can use the
computers for email and internet, and explore
Your Library Online. The things you can do on
the internet are endless – research your family
history, book a holiday, study online, job and/or
house hunt, check bus timetables, use ebay...
Come on down to your local library and see for
yourself what you can do.
Turn Back Time Display 1st-19th December.
This major BBC series charts the changing face
of the British high street over the course of a
century. How has Histon High Street changed
over the years? If you have any old
photographs, advertisements, sketches,
newspapers, or any other memorabilia, please
share it with us - put it on our display for
everyone to see. Or do you have a special
memory of Histon High Street? Write it down
and we’ll display that too.
Storytime and Rhymetime continue on
alternate Tuesdays 2.30-3.00 term time only.
The final Rhymetime this year is on 7th
December 2010, starting again on January 11th
2011. The last Storytime this year is on 14th
December 2010, and then 18th January 2011.
For a list of future dates call into the library,
phone the contact centre, or check the website.
The Library Club takes place on the first
Wednesday of the month at 2pm. Tea/coffee
and biscuits are provided, and we have a
different speaker each month. On 5th January
2011 Fonz Chamberlain, The Cambridge Time
Traveller, will chill us with tales of Haunted
Cambridge. On 2nd February 2011 Thomas
Pugh from the Digital Switchover Help Scheme
will talk us through everything we need to know
about the Digital Switchover, including
equipment, installation and aftercare. The
Digital Switchover takes place in
Cambridgeshire between March and November
2011. Are you ready for it?
Christmas closing: For the first time ever,
Cambridgeshire Libraries will be closing
between Christmas and New Year. Histon
Library will close at 1pm on Friday 24th
December and not reopen until Tuesday
January 4th at 10am. So please make sure you
stock up for Christmas and the New Year.
All of the Staff at Histon Library wish you a
very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
For more information on any of the above, call
0345 045 5225 or check the website at
www.cambridgshire.gov.uk/library
Library News
Are you a former pupil of Histon & Impington
Infant School? The Cambridge Time Traveller
Group is looking for former pupils interested
in sharing their memories for a new audio
production. The group hopes to produce an
audio disc full of past pupil’s memories and
money raised from sales will donated to the
school. This is the first of many audio
productions in the village being put together
by the Cambridge Time Traveller group after
we kindly received funding from the Histon
Feast. If you have memories, or would like to
get involved with any of our other projects
contact us on (01223) 234720 or email
Full details available on our website at:
www.cambridgetimetraveller.com
InfantSchoolPupil?1957Photo: Marilyn Hulyer/Cambridge Time Traveller Group archive
1 5www.HIcourier.co.ukNEWS December 2010
EVENTSAT THE LEGIONFriday 17 December
'Rocking Revival' - disco featuring DJ Steve
Line from BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.
Christmas Eve
Johnny Dee - another escapee from
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.
Members free, guests £2.
New Years Eve
Take2 + 60's disco.
Tickets £10,
now on sale from the club.
22-24 Saffron Road, Histon
TEL: 01 223 233447
Guy Fawkes night this year was marked in
Histon and Impington with a spectacular
display of pyrotechnics on the playing fields of
Impington Village College.
The show is very much a village event,
organised and run by volunteers from our
villages. This year the comperes were two
talented students from Impington Village
College, the tuck shop and drink stall was run
by the Junior School PTA, ably assisted by
Pristine Foods and the hog roast and BBQ
were provided by David Robinson, our village
butcher. Even the setting up and firing of the
display itself was done by a dedicated team of
local volunteers who are mostly parents with
children in the village schools.
A crowd of 2,500 people made their way down
to the playing fields at IVC....that is getting on
for a third of the village gathered together for
this annual spectacular! The show was started
by three lucky children, one from each of our
three schools, who, after the countdown,
pushed the big red button to start the show.
This year, the fireworks were better than ever,
with spectacular shells, rockets and ground
effects, together with whistle, bangs and
hisses, all carefully planned in conjunction
with our fireworks supplier. The show ended
with a stunning series of effects, including the
now famous Extravaganza Fireballs.
Of course, the show could not go ahead
without the support of local businesses. These
include the lead sponsor, Tucker Gardner
Estate Agents, and also the Red Lion in Histon.
The organisers also gratefully acknowledge the
help and support of Enterprise Rent-a-Car,
Pristine Foods, David Robinson, A-plant
Lighting, Essex Pyrotechnics, the Air Training
Corps, 2524 (Oakington) Squadron, the
British Red Cross, Jane’s Frames and of course
the over 100 volunteers who make the evening
run safely and smoothly, and who turn out to
return the playing fields to a immaculate
condition the day after the show.
As well as being an opportunity for families to
enjoy a spectacular fireworks display at a safe,
local venue, the show was also a great financial
success, with the proceeds of over £3,500
being shared between the three village schools.
The event will return next year, on Saturday 5
November, 2011.
Fireworks Extravaganza 2010
William Evans from the Infant School, Patrick Huntington from the Junior School and Jessica Fretwellfrom Impington Village College push the big red button to start the show.
Photo by David Berry Photo by David Berry
Stepping Stones Play and Toddler group invite
you to a Coffee Morning, Monday 6th
December 9.30 – 12.00noon at St Andrew’s
Church Halls, Histon
All welcome for Coffee, Cake & Chat! Plus: ·
PHOENIX CARDS · CUPCAKE SOCKS ·
WIN A LUXURYHAMPER!
December 10th: Songs and Christmas fun -
Mince pies served. January 14th: King John
Orchestra. Recitals by groups of instrumental-
ists. January 28th: Bass warblers (bassoon
quartet) and Whiteacre Clarinets. Bracken-
bury Room at Impington Village College,
7.30pm. Cost £5 for visitors, children £1.
Stepping Stones
Impington MusicalSociety
1 6 NEWSDecember 2010 www.HIcourier.co.uk
Histon Feast Committee held its annual
Presentation Evening on Tuesday 19th
October at the Stable Rooms at St Andrew’s
Church. The evening was well attended and
included representatives from the
organisations that had successfully bid for
funds from the monies raised during Feast
Week. Local dignitaries and invited guests also
joined the Feast Committee to celebrate its
achievements this year.
Sandra Dunn, Chair, emphasised the
importance of carrying on the tradition of
Feast Week and encouraging new members to
join the Feast Committee in order to ensure
that this would happen. Feast 2010 had been
particularly successful and over £10,000 had
been raised. Cheques were presented to
organisations for a variety of projects including
money towards photographic equipment for
the ATC and archery starter sets for Histon
Scouts. Funds were also distributed to: H & I
Car Club, Enviro Group, St Andrews Stepping
Stones, H & I Diamond Jubilee Group,
Cambridge Time Travellers, Histon Hornets,
2524 Oakington ATC, Histon Rangers, Histon
District Guiding and ongoing projects at
Holiday at Homes, Magpas, Mobile Warden
Scheme, and H & Impington Community Mini
Bus Fund. Details at www.histon-feast.co.uk
- Sandra Dunn
Feast Presentation Evening
Many of you that live in the villages of
Histon and Impington will be aware of Histon
Feast Week and the celebrations that take place
in the first week of July. Histon Feast Parade is,
of course, the main focus of the week followed
by numerous events held throughout the week
including a variety of sporting and musical
events, activities for the young and
entertainment for the elderly members of the
community. There is also the Feast Market
with over 40 stalls on Histon Green and the
Fun Run on the last Saturday of Feast Week.
All these events generate an enormous amount
of interest in the community and are well
attended by adults and young people. The main
aims of the Feast Committee are to encourage
community participation and to raise funds for
local organisations. Funding is given to groups
such as Scouts, Guides and Play Groups. We
also fund the community minibus, Magpas and
Holiday at Home.
In order for the events to happen the Feast
Committee meets throughout the year.
However, we are having trouble finding people
to come on to the Feast Committee and help us
to coordinate all our events. If we don’t get
enough people to join us at our AGM in
February we shall have to cancel Feast Week
which means there will not be a Feast Parade,
Market, Fun Run or any other event in July
2011.
We would particularly like to encourage young
people with families to join us. You are the
people who benefit the most from our events
and the funds that we raise. If Feast Week does
not take place in 2011 there will not be any
funds to distribute to organisations or to
maintain the minibus, etc.
Please consider joining our Committee. Check
out our web site – www.histon-feast.co.uk or e-
mail me on [email protected]
- Sandra Dunn
Chair, Histon Feast Committee
Urgent Appeal from Feast Committee
17www.HIcourier.co.ukNEWS December 2010
It's been only 7 days and the week has been
one of the snowiest in recent memory. But,
The Foster's new solar photovoltaic (PV)
panels are generating electricity even under
cloudy skies. Their new 1.8 kW Solar PV array
is generating electricity above the predicted
valuesfor this time of year. Of course, most
electricity will be generated during summer
months. The Foster's can expect their roof to
generate over 1500 kWh of electricity annually.
Under the government mandated Feed-in-
Tariff they will earn £620 for the power they
generate. They'll also receive another £20-25
as an export fee for electricity sent to the grid.
If they are able to use all of that electricity
themselves they could be saving another £150-
200 - bringing their total to between £690 and
£845. That amount will increase annually with
inflation and it is tax free.
The photos tell the story. Because of inclement
weather, this installation took 2 days. There
are ten 180 watt PV panels in the Foster's roof
array made by BP. Scaffolding is erected a day
or two before installation is to begin. The Solar
crew has their own qualified and experienced
roofer who first installs the roof mounting
brackets directly into the house structure.
Where needed extra waterproofing is provided.
Then rails are attached to the brackets and the
individual panels are locked into place. The
thin wire from the panel array is fed through
the roof to an inverter in the loft. The inverter
takes the direct current (DC) generated by the
panels and converts it into AC mains power
that is synchronised to the national grid. A
feed cable is run down to a cut-off switch,
generation meter, and then into the house
consumer unit. At that point the electricity
supply from the Solar PV array and the
national grid merge into one. Power from the
roof first supplies the Foster's home and any
surplus is exported to the national grid for
others to use. If there is insufficient power
from the roof, the national grid makes up the
difference. It's all automatic and very simple.
The generation meter records how many
kilowatt hours have been generated and
reports that to the electric company who then
send cheques to the Foster's.
Cedric Foster can be see in one of the photos
holding a portable monitor which tells him
exactly how much his solar PV is generating at
any given time. It also displays a graph of
power generating for the day, and also how
much has been generated for the last 31 days.
That monitor is a nice feature because unlike
other electricity generation equipment these
panels make no noise, and require no regular
maintenance. They just sit on your roof and
make electricity - earning silent money as they
operate.
The Foster's system was installed by long time
friend Terry Mann. Terry owns Mann
Electrical and has recently ventured into solar
PV installations with his new company
SolarMerge.
SolarMerge is one of several companies that
will be participating in the HI Courier's 'Village
Energy' project. By joining together as a
community and contracting in bulk Village
Energy can bring prices down to a more
reasonable level. Village Energy is also
working to provide a Rent-a-Roof scheme
where solarPV panels are installed at no cost
giving a homeowner free electricity during
daylight hours. More Village Energy test
installations are planned for December and it is
expected that weather permitting large
numbers of discounted installations can begin
in January 2011. Village Energy's objective is
to equip 500 Solar PV homes in the village by
the middle of 2011. That would make it the
single largest village solar project in the
country by a wide margin. Ken Doyle, HI
Courier Editor said: "Five hundred
installations is not a dream but an absolute
necessity. Climate change and peak oil are
upon us and we must start using renewable
forms of energy if we are to continue our
comfortable lifestyles in the village."
Want More Information? Join HI Courier's 'Vil lage Energy' project for discounted Solar PV instal lations
or for FREE Rent-A-Roof Solar Electrcity. Email : [email protected] or telephone 07904 876445 to
be put on the l ist of interested parties, or to ask questions about solar PV on your home.
Solar PowerAppearing on roofs all over the village!
TOP: Cedric Foster holds his solar monitor. The Foster Home with new PV on the roof. Meter readings showhow much power is generated on the roof. Inverter being installed in the loft. Mounting brackets are fixedsecurely to the roof structure then sealed with torchon felt. The panels are thenlocked onto rails. Bottom Left:generation meter (centre) records power from the roof and tells electric company how much they must pay thehomeowner!
1 8 NEWSDecember 2010 www.HIcourier.co.uk
On Thursday 4th November, the ‘3rd Histon
Guides’ met in Homefield Park armed with
torches, glow sticks, spades, loppers and
hammers where we planted an Oak Tree to
mark the Girl Guiding Centenary.
The girls did all the work for planting the tree,
they cleared the area of overgrowth, after
removing the Oak from its pot they carefully
separated its roots to help the tree to flourish,
once they had dug a deep enough hole the tree
was planted and heeled in. Next the girls
erected the wooden frame, tightening the bolts
and hammering it into the ground, to protect
our tree. The tree was watered in and mulch
was added to protect the tree from drying out.
Whilst the tree was being planted other girls
enjoyed their time exploring the park in the
dark.
After our tree was planted we marched into a
traditional Guiding Horseshoe and six girls
made their Promise and were enrolled beside
the Oak. We then sang our ‘Tree Song’.
We are hoping to watch this Oak Tree grow
and become a feature of Homefield Park ready
for the Girlguiding Bi-Centenary!
Centenary Tree
1 9www.HIcourier.co.ukNEWS December 2010
Histon and Impington Council of Churches invite you to a
Messy Church Christmas Event on Saturday 18th December
3.00-5.00 at Histon Baptist Church. Activities for all the family
including Christmas crafts, celebration and food.
Messy Church is a fun time for families, a chance to relax and
be creative TOGETHER, and an opportunity to think about the
things that matter to us and to God.
Everyone's welcome and there are no age limits! Further
information from Gill Day 720733 or [email protected]
Messy Church Christmas I Drink Therefore I Am?Drop in sessions for 0 - 5 years will be held every Monday from
9.30 – 11.30 during term time at The Salvation Army Hall,
Impington Lane. £2.00 per 1st child & 50p per sibling.
Christmas Bazaar, Saturday 4th December 2010, 10am -
11.30am. Salvation Army Hall, Impington Lane. £2.00 per
child (includes visit to Santa in his grotto). Craft activities for
children 50p per go. Stalls include Phoenix cards, cakes,
jewellery etc
CHRISTMAS QUIZ NIGHT. Friday 10th December 2010.
Entry from 7.45 p.m. £3 per person includes Mince Pies (up to
six people per team). Licensed bar – bring your own nibbles.
Raffle with great prizes! Phone to book your table on
C.235157. Royal British Legion, Saffron Road, Histon
Big Issues 9 Dec - Reflections on 21st century attitudes to
alcohol from a Methodist perspective. Mrs Catherine Dixon is
the landlady of the Champion of the Thames pub in King Street
in Cambridge. She is also a Methodist local preacher. Her
occupation runs contrary to traditional Methodist practice yet
places her an ideal situation for mission and witness. Catherine
will be speaking on this potentially controversial subject on 9
Dec at the Histon Methodist Church Hall.
Coffee from 7pm, talk 7.30pm.
To Book Your Space,
take TWO business cards,
your contact details, and a
cheque for £100 made out to
"HI Courier" and post to:
HICourier
Hollyoak-Middlewhite Barn
StGeorge’sWay
Impington CB24 9AF
More info in the HELP section atwww.HICourier.co.uk
Ladybirds Activities
For Small and Home Businesses:
20 December 2010 www.HIcourier.co.ukHI Courier SPORT
The Local Community Newspaper for Histon and Impington
As Histon FC approaches the half-way mark
of the season we are slightly behind Manager
David Livermore's survival target of a point a
game. David thinks 19 points will ensure the
Stutes extend their stay in the Blue Square Bet
Premier.
Some will claim mere survival is a somewhat
limited ambition but with all the recent
changes at the Glass World and the lack of
resources and experienced players most
football followers readily acknowledge in this
context survival would be a massive
achievement in David Livermore's first
managerial role. Week in, week out our David
takes on the Non Leagues Goliaths of the likes
of York City, Wrexham, Luton Town, Barrow,
Grimsby Town and Cambridge United.
There have been some very encouraging signs
at the Glass World Stadium in the first half of
the season, on and off the pitch and these
include:
• The impressive and inspiring performances
from the core of experienced players like Erkan
Okay, Antonio Murray and Omer Rizza allied
to the growing maturity of key players like
Lanre Oyebanjo, Lee Smith and Joe Welch
which all helps to bring out the best of the
youngsters getting their first taste of this level
of football.
• The success of the Income Generation
Groups efforts under the stewardship of Philip
Biggs who in a few months have boosted club
funds in excess of £40,000.
• Sponsorship continues to flow on Match
Days from a combination of established
friends like David Robinson at the
Kidderminster Harrier’s game and newcomers
like EMG Ford for the Bath City TV game.
Incidentally on Match Sponsorship what a
great idea it was of Bill Parker to encourage all
the residents of Lowson Close to get involved
in the Wrexham game and what a good
afternoon they all experienced.
Our new partnership with DW Sports Fitness
is a very exciting one and provides us with
some much needed training and fitness
facilities whist our tried and trusted
partnership with our good friend and
neighbour Cambridgeshire FA goes from
strength to strength as reflected in our recent
Bath City game which the CFA and new Chief
Executive Chris Pringle used to showcase
several initiatives which benefit football
throughout Cambridgeshire.
The profit from the annual FA Community
Shield is distributed via all football clubs to
charities and we were very pleased to announce
at the Bath game that we are able to support
Cam Trust, a highly worthy and deserving local
cause, with a boost to their funds of £2000
There are some important games coming up
soon so as we extend season's greetings to all
our friends and followers in the local
community can we also appeal to anyone who
has yet to 'Get Along to the Glass World' for a
live game on your doorstep to think about
coming to any of the following games
Sat Dec 4th v Fleetwood Town KO 3pm
Sat Dec 11th v Bath City FA Trophy KO 3pm
Sun Dec 26th v Cambridge United KO 3pm
( All Ticket Game)
Mon Jan 3rd v Grimsby Town KO 3pm
Sat Jan 8th v York City KO 3pm
We look forward to giving you a warm
welcome.
Mid Season Report from HFC by Graham Eales
David Robinson's man of Match v KidderminsterHarriers was Zac MillsLawson Close Man of Match v Wrexham was Femi
Monday & Tuesday
20th/21st December
Impington Village College
10-3pm £10 a day*
This camp is run in cooperation with Histon
Cricket Club and subject to a sufficient number
of participants.
Please contact Joe Uttridge email:
[email protected] or call 07771 787695 to
book or for further details.
* Free to children from single parent families
or those eligible for free school meals.
Cricket CampFor School Years 47 Boys & Girls During the month of December you should see a large number of
tanker lorries parked on Water Lane and some unusual activities
taking place. The County and District Councils will be working to
clean out the large drainage pipe that runs underneath Water Lane
on the B1049. This culvert connects the main drain at the War
Memorial to the Village Green. One or more divers will be sent into
the drainage pipe with suction dredges to remove years of
accumulated silt. The operation should last only a few days however
it may cause some minor traffic delays. This work is absolutely
essential to help control flooding in Histon and Impington. If you
have questions, call Parish Council office at 235906.
Important Notice!
