HI Courier

HI CourierThe local community newspaper for Histon and Impington

October 2010Issue 15www.HIcourier.co.ukFREE

Letters Flood Survey Remembrance Sunday New Local Book

HI CourierWithin two weeks of the

announcement last month over 100

villagers signed up to show their

interest in the HI Courier 'Village

Energy' solar project. On offer is a

substantial 'guaranteed' rate of

return on investment in rooftop solar

energy, or FREE solar panels and

free electricity for the next 25 years.

While newspapers normally report

the news, the HI Courier finds itself

making news as its 'Village Energy'

project not only caught fire in Histon

and Impington but has now spread

to Cambridge, Girton, Rampton,

Cambourne and St Neots with more

enquiries arriving every day. More

than a hand full of interested

companies have also been in contact

wanting to be part of the scheme.

Already £320,000 in financing has

been offered by one company for the

outfitting of solar panels on local

schools. The HI Courier's editor said:

"It's still early days and more offers

are coming in as word of the project

spreads".

In April, the government's 'Feed in

Tariff' came into effect. Anyone

generating electric power by

renewable means is eligible for a

substantial payment based on the

power they generate. For small scale

installations on homes it amounts to

a tax-exempt return on investment of

about 8% guaranteed for 25 years

and indexed to inflation. It's the kind

of deal that has attracted a lot of

interest and investment in these

difficult economic times. That was,

of course, the purpose of the

government scheme. With its legal

commitment to make substantial

cuts in CO2 emissions and ease the

country's dependence on foreign

energy supplies, the government has

also created the beginnings of a new

economic job boom. The HI Courier

understands that several groups are

looking into the building of a solar

panel manufacturing facility to

supply the domestic and export

markets. Could this be the

beginning of a new boom economy

in Cambridgeshire as the world

moves rapidly to sustainable green

energy?

Homes at the Unwin site on Impington will come with solar panels to reduceelectricity costs and CO2 emissions. Solar panels are becoming the 'new black'in stylish modern homes, adding value and making them more desireable asenergy prices increase.Remember, remember, the 6th of NovemberOnce again, the nights are

drawing in, Autumn is approaching

and it will soon be Guy Fawkes

Night. The Histon and Impington

Fireworks Extravaganza will be

held on Saturday 6th November on

the playing fields at Impington

Village College. The Extravaganza

will feature exciting new displays

and promises to be a night to

remember! The show is an

opportunity for families to enjoy

spectacular fireworks at a safe,

local venue, as well as to raise

money for the village schools.

As well as fireworks, there is plenty

to eat and drink, with David

Robinson, local butcher, running

the hog roast and barbecue. The

refreshment stall will be selling

teas, coffees and scrumptious

cakes from Wicked Cakes.

This community event is run jointly

by the Histon and Impington Infant

School Association, the Histon

Junior School PTA, and the Friends

of Impington Village College. The

whole event, including set-up and

firing of the fireworks themselves,

is run entirely by village volunteers

– over 100 people are involved each

year to ensure that the show runs

smoothly. If you would like to help,

please contact Dan Mace at

[email protected]

The show is a great event for

bringing the village together, with

several thousand attending. It is

also a significant fund-raiser for

our three village schools. Over

£12,000 has been raised in the last

3 years. The event could not go

ahead without our sponsors, led by

Tucker Gardner, with support from

the Red Lion, Enterprise rent-a-

car, and A-Plant.

Tickets will be available on the

gate, or you can beat the queues

and pay less by buying your tickets

in advance, either through the

schools, or from Jane's Frames,

Tucker Gardner or David Robinson.

So remember, remember, Saturday

6th November, enjoy a local display

and support the village schools.

Last year's spectacular display (photo by Neil Bedford www.NeilBedford.co.uk)

For related story turn to page 2

Solar Rush Hits Village!End ofan Era

EyewitnessReport Chocolate

2 NEWSOctober 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

[email protected]

Advertising

We need ADVERTISING revenue to cover

the printing costs of the paper - all ‘staff’ are

volunteers working for FREE! Please

support the HI Courier by advertising with

us - prices are very reasonable, from only

£11! E-mail your advertising copy to

[email protected]

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

[email protected]

Deadline for September Issue

22 November 2010 (published 2nd 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

[email protected]

ViceChairman:

B. S. Ing, Woodcock Close - 234291

[email protected]

Members:

H.S. Abdullah, South Road - 235989

[email protected]

N.S. Davies, Dwyer Joyce Cl., Histon - 232514

[email protected]

P.A. Manser, The Crescent - 232263

[email protected]

V. A Kelly, The Crescent - 700660

[email protected]

P. J. Nudds, Clay Close Lane - 237155

[email protected]

G. S Payne, Ambrose Way - 510546

[email protected]

A. Turnbull, Mill Lane - 473478

[email protected]

HISTON PARISH COUNCIL:

Chairman:

I M Parish, Church Street - 234486

[email protected]

Vice-Chairman:

J P Emmines, Kay Hitch Way - 236932

[email protected]

Members:

M C Cleaver, High Street - 232897

[email protected]

N S Davies, Dwyer Joyce Close -232514

[email protected]

J A Diplock, Oates Way - 503048

[email protected]

J J Dover, The Green - 237171

[email protected]

A J Eade, School Hill - 232296

[email protected]

C J Foster, Clay Street - 234156

[email protected]

C L Jones, Station Road - 515031

[email protected]

D. N. Legge, Villa Road, Impington - 233565

[email protected]

I. A. Levitt, Spring Close - 232055

[email protected]

D. V. Marston, Dwyer Joyce Close - 236131

[email protected]

R. S. Plumbly, Pease Way - 236313

[email protected]

E. W. Stonham, Normanton Way - 232345

[email protected]

D. J. Thurman, Pease Way - 237477

[email protected]

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

Deadline for next issue is 22nd November. Please send in your stories,

photos and reports as soon as you can.

Daniel Baker is one of the newest members of

the HI Courier 'Intern Team' - students who

want hands on experience in print and web

media. He will be contributing to the

newspaper by writing articles and taking

photographs at village events. He attended the

sixth form at Impington Village College and

from spending time in Impington and Histon,

he has a feel for village events and knows how

close-knit Impington and Histon are and how

important the HI Courier is to the village.

"I know that a lot goes on the village, from

home businesses to local history groups and

also I keep tabs on Histon Football Club. I will

be tracking their progress and other local

sports news for the HI Courier as well being at

village events such as fêtes and fun days. Also, I

will playing a role in the production of the

newspaper by helping with the website and the

layout," says Daniel.

As a former student at the sixth form here he

will be helping to bring about new links

between the international sixth form and the

HI Courier. Daniel edited the sixth form

magazine last year and will be looking to

attract new interest from sixth formers and

hopefully encourage younger students to join

us.

"Look out for me at future events and I very

much look forward to starting work on the HI

Courier and getting to know the community

better over the coming months," he said.

Student Interns to Gain Experience

Reporter Daniel Baker to cover village eventsPLEASE NOTE:

The Next issue of the HI Courier wil l be our Holiday Edition to be printed on 2 December. Since that's only 6 weeks away

we will not print a separate November Issue.

This wil l also help us to get back to our normal 'first weekend of the month' publishing schedule. We want to keep as close

to that schedule as possible to al low our volunteer distributors to plan their own weekends. They are the unsung heroes

who faithful ly del iver your newspaper every month. Without them the HI Courier could not exist.

We always need people to help out with deliveries. We also need people who can fi l l in occassionally when their regular

distributor is away or unwell .

I f you would l ike to volunteer to help deliver to your own street please contact Elaine Farrel l at 07855 31 4666(phone/Text) or

email : [email protected]

3www.HIcourier.co.ukNEWS October 2010

Histon-based maternity and baby shop, Truly

Bumptious, closed its doors on the 25th of

September after trading in Histon for nearly

two years. Owners Victoria and Jake Ward set

up the business after having their second child

and had their third child just after the shop

opened. Victoria said “We’ve loved running the

shop but can’t afford to keep it open. We’re

looking into other ways to continue selling

slings and nursing wear online and maybe with

a stall at Cambridge market.”

Local mother Louise Allen commented: “We’ll

be very sad to see the shop shut. Having a local

maternity shop that we could pop into & try

things on has been great.”

Local shops and businesses depend on support

from the village for their survival. Many have

been watching their resources dwindle as the

recession continues hoping that the

forthcoming festive holiday season will provide

the extra boost they need to keep their doors

open. We urge all HI Courier readers to

shop first in the village before going

elsewhere. Remember our advertisers make

the HI Courier possible through their loyal

support. Without them we too could not

afford to put out a high quality newspaper

every month.

Truly Bumptious Truly Missed

Over 100 homes owners in the village are

eager to participate in either the Free 'rent-a-

roof' solar panel scheme or the fully FiT

Purchase scheme as we go to press. That

number is expected to double by December 1st.

If you have not yet done so, please sign up for

more information by contacting the HI Courier

at 07904 876445 (call or text) or by email at

[email protected]

Those who sign up will get regular progress

reports from the HI Courier's 'Village Energy'

project. It is expected that the first

installations of free solar panels could begin

before the end of this year. Overall, the goal of

the project is to equip at least 500 homes in the

village by the end of 2011. According to one of

the companies being considered to undertake

the installation work: "this would make Histon

and Impington the most energy independent

villages in the UK." The aim of the HI Courier

project is to help villagers sift through the finer

details of the many offers being tabled by a

growing number of companies to avoid

unpleasant surprises later. By uniting as a co-

op or buying group, a better and fairer deal can

be had for all. HI Courier's editor said: "We are

being contacted by village groups throughout

the county asking how they can be part of the

programme. Our response is simple: welcome

aboard. In unity there is strength." The project

also includes local business premises, schools,

churches and government facilities.

The government's incentive scheme which is

causing such a rapid switch to solar electricity

guarantees homeowners and investors big

returns for 25 years. Many see this as a better

pension investment than the usual bank or

share market approach. Those opting for the

free solar panel scheme get free electricity

generated on their own roof!

HI Courier 'Village Energy Project' Update

My name is Kat Cheng, I am 18 and left 6th

Form last summer. As soon as I left, I was

headed for Togo, West Africa to spend the

next 6 weeks of my life on a ship. Mercy

Ships, is a Christian organisation which

provides free healthcare to those in the 3rd

World who have no hope of and little access

to receiving this treatment. My father, Leo, is

an oral and maxilla facial surgeon, who has

volunteered 7 times previously for 2 weeks

each time, so Mercy Ships has been a big part

of our family since 2004. I have been out once

before for 2 weeks, and thoroughly enjoyed it,

but felt I needed more time to serve, a

fortnight wasn’t long enough!

I was volunteering in the Food services

department, so basically in the Galley and

Dining Room, catering for the 450 crew and

200 day volunteers. It was quite a difficult job

at times, with hours from 5.30am to 7.30pm

but it was worth it.You got to see everyone on

a daily basis when they came in for their

meals, and people really appreciate what you

do. Lots of people think the ship is all about

the medical aspect, but there’s so much more

than that! Only 1/3 of the crew are medical

staff, the rest range from receptionists to

teachers, HR to chefs and engineering staff,

the diversity is huge! Not only do the jobs

vary, but there are about 40 different

nationalities too! Including Honduras, India,

UK, France, USA and more! Knowing that

each person plays their part in making the

ship function is really rewarding and allows

everyone to be equal, no matter what their

role is.

On my days off, I was able to see parts of

Togo, including the markets and orphanages.

It was such a life-changing experience, when

you see how they make the best out of

whatever they have, yet people back home

always want more. Just spending time with

the children, playing games, making crafts

and singing songs was enough to see them

smile and their eyes light up. It was amazing

to see how they weren’t reliant on games

consoles or Facebook and that they could

make fun out of what they had. The main

language in Togo is French, as it was once a

French colony. I did French up to GCSE, so I

had a basic understanding, and I could

communicate with the children, which broke

the barrier a little, and made them more

comfortable.

I was also able to accompany the dental team

for a day, and it was incredible seeing the

need in another medical field, and they let me

help assist with some patients. On another

occasion, I joined the Dive team in order to

clean the bottom of the ship, and the vents. It

was different to anything I’ve experienced

before, being very dark and murky, but good

fun all the same

I just feel so privileged to have had this

amazing opportunity to serve alongside my

fellow brothers and sisters, transforming and

impacting as many lives as we can. It shows

that there is always something to do, no

matter how great or small, everyone can make

a difference.

Support Local Business

Vocation Volunteering, Africa style

Kat visiting local orphanage

4 NEWSOctober 2010 www.HIcourier.co.uk

Do you have an

enquiry or comment

to make to your

Parish Council?

If so, email the Clerk

on

[email protected]

or post to:

The Parish Office

Histon & Impington

Recreation Ground

New Road, Impington

Cambridge

CB24 9LU

Parish Council ReportsHISTON PARISH COUNCIL

Histon Parish Council met on Monday 13

September 7.30 p.m. and is next due to meet

on 11 October at St Audrey’s Close

Community Centre. 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

Issues raised:

• A new Community Notice Board is to be sited

on the Village Green

• Council attended the official opening of the

new Mencap residential unit at The Poplars

• Members had concerns over the new

cycleway provision and asked the County

Councillors for Histon and Impington to take

these concerns back to County Council

• Blue bin and green box recycling issues and

difficulties. It was noted that plastic bottle tops

will be accepted in the blue bin

• It was decided to site 2 reconditioned springy

animals on the play area on the Green, pending

upcoming proposals to install new equipment

and landscape

• Following further problems with rodents at

the Green, members of the public are urged to

ensure that ducks are fed on the water, not on

the banks

IMPINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

Impington Parish Council met on 20

September and will meet again on 18 October

at 7.30 p.m. 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

There are now 3 vacancies on the Council

following a recent resignation, and any

interested resident is urged to contact the

Parish Office to discuss this opportunity to get

more involved in village life

Recent issues raised include:

• Council were provided with indicative plans

for the Bishops DIY site in Cambridge Road

and the second phase of development at the

Unwins site in Impington Lane. No planning

applications received as yet

• Work is in hand to commission tree works in

the Coppice

• Members to meet with local PCSO to discuss

anti social behaviour issues at the recreation

ground

• Daffodils will once again be planted round

the village by the enviro.volunteers and Council

representatives

• A young resident had contacted the Youth

Committee to ask for BMX or skateboarding

facilities in Impington

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/1403/10 Mr & Mrs J Carlin, 22 Merton

Road – Part 2 and part single storey side and

rear extensions.

S/1438/10 34 Park Avenue – 2 storey side

and single storey front and rear extensions.

S/1460/10 Etheldred House, Clay Street –

proposed staff accommodation building for

and within the grounds of Etheldred House.

S/1089/10 Ms A Hughes, 30 Home Close –

single storey rear extension.

S/1245/10 Mr I Staniland, 40 Station Road

– alterations, extension and change of use from

shop (use class A1) to dwelling.

S/1289/10 Mrs D Reidy-Vince, 76 Station

Road – side and rear two storey extensions,

small side storey extension, internal alterations

S/1358/10 Mr & Mrs Dixon, 31 Youngman

Avenue – 2 storey side extension and single

storey front extension following demolition of

existing garage.

IMPINGTON:

S/1262/10 Mr J Andrews, 5 Villa Road –

Dwelling – also amended 13 September

(Amended landscape plan; site plan and block

plan amended to show other land in applicants

ownership).

S/1263/10 Dr A S Peck, 28 Mill Lane – 2

storey side extension (following demolition of

existing garage/storage).

Joint matters affecting both Parish Councils:

Parish Councils were invited to an Older

People’s Forum meeting in October.

Councils noted the new speed limit changes

through the village.

A Community Facilities Review Group had

invited both Parish Councils to an informal

meeting.

The Recreation Ground Management

Committee reported on new ventures planned,

including an outdoor gym and perimeter

path.

Councillors from both Councils accompanied

the County Council officer on a walkabout of

the villages looking at highways issues,

including overgrown trees, obscured signs and

street lights, potholes, broken kerbs etc.

The Councils have decided to proceed with

investigations into a Noise Survey ahead of the

decision on the A14 Improvements.

St Andrews Church Histon were sending

representatives to both October meetings to

brief the Council on the latest position with

their Church Halls Refurbishment project.

The Councils said goodbye to their Future Jobs

Fund Scheme Groundsperson, Tom Saunders,

who has completed his 6 months helping to

maintain open spaces round the villages and

assisting with facilities at the Recreation

Ground.

Chelsea Presland, the Future Jobs Fund

Administrative Assistant, is to continue

working with the Councils for a further 6

months term.

Unwin's Development

Councillors accompanied the developer round

the site off Impington Lane last week, which is

to be known as Merrington Place and were

pleased to be invited to see the progress being

made. The inspection included a tour round

one of the 4 bedroomed houses. It is likely that

the first new residents will move in some time

in early December.

A planning application for the second phase is

expected in the near future.


Electronic copiesof every HI Courierare available atwww.hicourier.co.uk

Histon & Impington Royal British

Legion will be holding a

Remembrance Service at the War

Memorial at 9-30 am on Sunday 14th

November, followed by a church

service 10-45am at Salvation Army

Church, Impington Lane.

They will also hold a Service at

HIston & Impington War Memorial

11-00 am Thursday 11th November

2010

- Peter Butler

Secretary

Histon & Impington R.B.L.Branch

RemembranceSundayInvitation

Our Peace Memorial records all those lost in

the Great War. One amongst them was not a

local man but was claimed as one of our own.

Charles Claude Forward was a professional

soldier in the Highland Light Infantry. On

being wounded near Ypres he was sent to a

Cambridge hospital for treatment until

transferred to the Histon Red Cross Hospital at

The Firs for convalescence. Here he met and

fell for Rose Adams.

Both in their thirties they decided to marry

before Charles returned to the front. Their

splendid village wedding (in July 1915) was

recorded for posterity in a newspaper account

by W.F Robinson and a series of photographs

probably taken by Alice Paige.

“....The ceremony was performed at the

Baptist Chapel by the Rev. R. Smith. The

building was crowded with friends, and the

congregation included the entire staff of the

local Red Cross Hospital and many soldier

patients. The bride, who was attended by Miss

Mabel Leet, was given away by her father

(George Adams – platelayer, bird fancier and

railway gate keeper) ...

On leaving the chapel, the newly married

couple had to pass through an arch of

crutches, croquet mallets, and broomsticks and

staves, formed by the wounded friends of the

bridegroom. The wounded warrior and his wife

walked through to the highway, where a big

crowd, cheering lustily, awaited them. On

reaching their carriage they found the horses

had been removed, their places taken by

wounded soldiers, and the bridal pair thus

became the chief object of an amusing and

romantic procession, which was headed by

Bombardier Welsh, a stalwart Canadian, who

carried a long pole, on the top of which was a

flag.

Following ... a band consisting of concertinas,

euphoniums, mouth organs etc. Mr. and Mrs.

Forward’s carriage was preceded by a

perambulator containing two children, under

the care of Pte. H. Scuce ... who was attired as a

nurse. A label ... explained that this

represented the ... couple twenty five years ago.

After the bridal carriage came a

gig ... drawn by a donkey, in

which rode a Darby and Joan

couple. The latter wore a smart

costume and an old bonnet, and

carried a parasol. The Darby was

dressed in his best clothes with

an old fashioned high hat and

top coat. One hand held the

reins, the other tenderly

embraced his “wife”. A card

attached read “Sixty years

after”. Darby and Joan were in

reality two wounded soldiers

named Pte. T. (A?) Leet of the R.H.A. and Pte

J. Hall of the Light Brigade ...

.. . The procession finally halted outside the

house in New School Road, and a speech was

made by Pte. H. Bethune of the R.A.M.C. Field

Ambulance (Canadian Contingent), who was

formerly a barrister in Canada. With marked

solemnity he apologised for the absence of

Lord Kitchener, and said he had been

commissioned to present the bridegroom with

an Iron Cross for his bravery that day. (This

announcement was greeted with roars of

laughter) . Pte. Bethune then wished the couple

a happy and long married life and three hearty

cheers were given...”

Sadly, Sgt. Charles Forward died in Basra

hospital, modern Iraq, sixteen days before the

Armistice was signed in 1918. Mabel Leet’s

brother Bombardier Arthur Leet of the Royal

Horse Artillery died in 1919 as a result of gas

poisoning and is buried in Mill Lane Cemetery.

W.F Robinson, who enlisted shortly after

writing this article, survived the conflict.

EFWPGS 2010

Lest We Forget

Part of Forward wedding entourage1915

Charles and Rose Forward 1915


It was at the end of September when Paul

Siebold step down as a Village postman after

20 years plus service.

I have known Paul for almost 7 years and in

that time he as always delivered my mail with

a friendly smile come rain or shine

Paul is a great guy and a lot of people will

miss him on the post round in Histon.

Over the years Paul has made many friends

from people he met delivering mail, to people

he worked with, one of which included Major

Mike Martin who's life he turned in to the

successful book ' He Who wears Big Boots'

which is still available through the Cambridge

time traveller group on (012230 234720, or

by requesting a copy at Histon Post Office.

On behalf of everyone on his round and

people he as worked with over the last 20 plus

years I would like to wish Paul all the best for

future projects and and say thank you for

being such a top sport and a great postman.

- Fonz Chamberlain

End of an Era

The County Council writes: "We need your

local knowledge of floods large and small to

help us identify flooding `wetspots' around the

county. Your knowledge is crucial to helping

Cambridgeshire County Council and other

public agencies prepare a prioritised list of

areas prone to flooding so that we can plan

management of flood risk as our climate

becomes more uncertain. We are gathering

information from many sources but your

experiences are crucial to helping us create a

complete picture of flooding around the

county."

Many people in our community have been

flooded in the last 10 years - the Parish

Councils have reported that to South

Cambridgeshire District Council, but the

County is now trying to gather detailed,

mapped information.

If you were one of those, or know someone

who was, its important to fill out the County's

survey which can be found at:

http://bit.ly/floodform

There is a public event on Weds Oct 27 at

Cambourne Church Hall 2-8pm. Everyone is

welcome to attend.

County FLOOD Survey

A meeting was held of the Homefield Close

and Hereward Close Residents Group

Impington Cambridge where it was discussed

that dog fouling was still a problem In

Homefield Close, Hereward Close and

Homefield park. Most dog owners do pick up

their dog's poo and dispose of it properly. But

there are a minority who don’t and our main

concern is that disease can be given to adults

and children, also other dogs. Some dog

walkers were very rude when politely asked to

pick it up. We would kindly ask all dog

walkers please pick up your dog's poo and

dispose of it ether in the bins marked for this

or take it home for disposal.

- Geoff Lawrence, Chairperson

Homefield Close and Hereward Close

Residents Group

Dog Fouling

The BIG Issue


At the end of August I was informed of the

death of my elderly sister-in-law in New

Zealand. My godson, wife and two small

children (as yet unmet) had recently moved to

Christchurch, and could provide me with

accommodation, so I decided to make a quick

dash to the antipodes for the funeral and

spend time with family. After a door-to-door

journey of thirty-six hours I was sleeping off

my jetlag the night of my arrival, when I was

woken at 4.35am by a sound resembling an

express train rushing close to the window.

This was immediately followed by the room

gyrating like a demented dancer at a disco,

accompanied with the sounds of creaking,

crashing and jolting as the building writhed

on its foundations. It didn’t take a genius to

deduce that this was a significant earthquake!

The jolting eased slightly so I staggered to the

family, where we all crouched on the floor.

The quake recommenced, and continued for

forty-five seconds. We waited for about half

an hour after the shaking ceased before

venturing downstairs. We were fortunate in

only having two breakages. The house

(modern) was undamaged. Many articles had

been thrown around the floor but were intact.

We filled containers with water, as the

pressure was low, and avoided any

unnecessary use. We were lucky to still have

power, as 80% of Christchurch was without.

By 6am the first news reports were coming

through, and we learned that this was 7.1 on

the Richter Scale, and the whole of

Christchurch was designated a disaster zone.

We ventured out locally just after 6am, to find

many older buildings had lost chimneys -

some crashing through the roof, others

twisted and the sky was visible between the

bricks. Our neighbour’s chimney had a huge

hole in and was extremely unstable, so we

placed garden chairs as a barrier outside to

prevent our windows being damaged by

debris. Later we were to walk down-town to

witness lines of shops open to the elements,

cracked walls, roofs with holes, a few cars

squashed under piles of brick, the town clock

stopped at 4.36am, and fallen masonry

everywhere.

It was a miracle that no one was killed. The

quake struck at the hour everyone was in bed.

Daytime, and it would have been a different

story. I was impressed just how quickly the

emergency plan rolled into action. The Civil

Defence moved in and set up an HQ and

three emergency shelters. Dangerous areas

were fenced off, buildings were inspected by

structural engineers and labelled accordingly,

and demolition started within 48 hours. All

buildings labelled “safe” had to be re-

examined after significant after-shocks. The

centre of the city was closed down and

seemed like a ghost town, and all schools and

churches were temporarily closed. We had to

boil all water for several days as there were

concerns about sewage and water pipes, but

no problems were discovered. One strange

effect was “liquefaction”. A clay layer laid

down 18000 years ago became liquid during

the quake, and started to ooze up through

cracks in the surface – particularly around

drain holes and street lamps. People were

shovelling barrow-loads out of their gardens

in a few places. The after-shocks continued

(almost 400 in the week I was there.) Some

were sizeable jolts, up to 5.1 , some were a

gentle rolling feeling, usually only detected

when sitting or lying down. They felt like

being on top of a jelly with someone gently

moving the supporting plate from side to

side! During the week I attended the funeral.

The church had obvious cracks in the plaster,

but had been certified safe. It was a lovely

service, but the only one where we were

welcomed and then advised what to do in the

case of another earthquake, “At the moment

we have three exits”!

So what did I learn? Mainly that people are a

valuable commodity! Buildings and

possessions are of little value. The great sense

of community, as in The Blitz, was very much

to the fore. In the worst hit area a street

barbeque was held a few days later – a bond

formed by everyone helping each other,

checking on elderly neighbours and helping

to make buildings waterproof where

necessary.

Churches had notices outside “Shaken?

Come in for prayer, coffee and chat”.

I returned home a week later. After-shocks

still continued but life was getting back to

normal. It was certainly an unusual holiday!

- Sheila Parr, Impington

A Moving ExperienceImpington's Sheila Parr Provides Eyewitness Report from New Zealand Earthquake

Back Issuesof theHI Courierare availableatwww.hicourier.co.uk


A few years ago, New Zealander Ian

McCormack was out diving off the coast of

Mauritius when he was stung by a box

jellyfish. For most people, just one sting from

these creatures is deadly: Ian was stung five

times. He rapidly lost consciousness and was

clinically dead for 15 minutes.

During this time Ian had a personal, dramatic

and utterly life-changing meeting with God.

Invited by New Life Church, Ian is coming to

Histon Baptist Church on Friday 26th

November at 7:30pm to tell his amazing story,

and explain why what he saw and heard in

those dramatic 15 minutes has an impact on

every one of us. Admission is free, so come

along and prepare to have all you know about

death, life, God – and jellyfish – challenged!

[email protected]

Death, Life, God ...and Jellyfish

EVENTSAT THE LEGION

Saturday 16 October

MIKKI JOHNS

Hits from the 60's & 70's.

Saturday 30 October

BILLYG's ROCKIN' REVIVAL

Christmas Eve 7pmBBC Radio Cambridgeshire’s

Johnny DeeFree to members

Guests £2

22-24 Saffron Road, Histon

TEL: 01 223 233447

At our September meeting we had Kate

Lacey demonstrating how she makes her

jewellery. Members were shown what to do

and had a chance to make earrings, necklaces

and bracelets. There were so many choices of

stones etc to chose from and such a good

opportunity to make your own jewellery to

match any particular outfit that you had.

Our next meeting 21st October is The History

Of The American Cemetery by Arthur

Brookes. Meetings are held at the Methodist

Church Hall 7.30 visitors are most welcome.

Malcolm Busby will be holding a Big Tea in aid

of Independent Age. From the 1st October

people throughout the land have been enjoying

a cuppa as part of The Big Tea, and also raising

funds for Independent Age, the charity which

helps to alleviate lonliness and social isolation

amongst people on very low incomes.

On Sunday 31 st October Malcolm Busby from

Histon will be holding a Big Tea from 2.30 to

5.30 pm at Histon Methodist Church High

Street Histon Cambridge CB24 9ES.

Malcolm who until his redundancy early this

year had worked at Milton Country Park for 18

years said "For years, the humble tea has been

bringing people together, giving people the

perfect excuse to sit down with friends and

family and put the world to rights. Its amazing

to think that holding a Big Tea for Independent

Age, such a simple gesture, will be able to

make a real difference to the lives of thousands

of older people throughout the UK."

Malcolm who is now self employed enjoys a

variety of work that includes; wildlife surveys,

gardening, storytelling and something

mysterious. Through his work over the years

he has seen how a cuppa and a chat can bring

people together and help reduce loneliness.

The Big Tea on Sunday the 31 st October will

be open to everyone who wants to pop in for a

cuppa and a slice of cake and through that help

people in need. Malcolm is also planning to tell

some stories to entertain those attending and

although it will be Halloween is not planning

to tell ghost stories, unless asked to.

For further information about this event

contact Malcolm by phone on 01223 233312

or 07551 431801, or email

[email protected].

Get the kettle on ...it's time for the big tea

HICCA's Steve Waters will lead a discussion

about how climate change forms a challenge

to the nature of all our lives and is, in many

ways, a spur to making changes that are

gravely overdue across society. Rather than

discussing the science of climate change,

which he would be the first to admit was not

his specialism, Steve, a playwright and

teacher by day, will talk more about the moral

and even psychological challenges arising

from the issue. How does it affect our

attitudes to consumption, to the natural

world, to social justice, to the way we govern

ourselves? And, what is the point of change

at the local level when change at national and

international level seems so difficult to

achieve?

Steve's plays include 'The Contingency Plan'

from 2009 staged in London and now across

the world, as well as adapted for Radio 3. He

will be speaking at Histon Methodist Church

Hall on 28 October 7:15pm. All Welcome.

ClimateChangeThe Big Issue:

WI Report

The next Impington Music Society concert

is on October 22nd featuring Francis Poole

and her talented violin students. Brackenbury

Room, IVC, 7:30 pm. All Welcome.

IMS Concert


“Matthew’s for quality, Matthew’s for good

service”

Whether you remember Matthew’s shop, as I

do, or you are simply interested in local history,

this book is for you. Written by Impington

resident Judy Wilson, daughter of Bernard

Matthew, the last Managing Director of the

“Cambridge Grocer” Matthew & Son, this well

written and very readable book is full of

detailed information, and fascinating

anecdotes, well supported by a wealth of

photographs and examples of the shop’s

advertisements.

The book is arranged chronologically, from the

foundation of the business, and its

development under each of the Managing

Directors, identifying the factors which

contributed to its success, and explaining the

circumstances which led to the shop’s eventual

closure.

But it is not merely the story of a grocer’s shop,

and the generations of the Matthew family who

established and expanded it with such success,

to become held in such high regard.

We learn of the characters of the managing

directors, their innovations, and business

acumen, their contribution to the wider

community and local charities, their civic

activities, and leisure pursuits, and unusually,

of a female chair of the Board of Directors, the

widow of Arthur, named Maude, who ran the

business, with equal success, until her son

Bernard was old enough to take over.

We can read about the shop itself, how it

functioned, and its pride in the wide range of

goods sold, goods which vividly reflect daily life

in Cambridge and in the University over the

130 years of the shop‘s existence. One chapter

which I particularly enjoyed reading, is devoted

to an in-depth description of just 3 products

selected by the author from those many and

varied goods.

The family and the shop are affectionately

recalled in contributions from members of the

family, former staff, and former customers

(who included notable celebrities) , giving a

real insight into this family run firm, its

commitment to an exemplary personal and

high quality service to its customers, and as

fair employers of a considerable workforce.

The author’s research is meticulous:

significantly, this research was prompted by an

invitation from Anne Whitmore to speak at the

Histon and Impington Village Society, which

was pivotal to the writing of this book.

The story of the “Cambridge Grocer” is

brought very much to life through a rich

tapestry of individuals - family, customers or

staff - the grocery shop and its vast array of

goods, the context of local and social history,

the benefit of valuable personal reminiscences,

and the many accompanying illustrations.

Histon and Impington residents especially will

be interested in the shop’s links with Chivers.

Read about the bakery, the Café - used by town

and gown - and the wine, spirits and tobacco

merchandise. Find out the meaning of “Italian

warehousemen”. Discover the strangest

request fulfilled by the shop, even though, as

the author says, it may be apocryphal!

Judy Wilson’s informative and delightful book

is a fitting tribute to the “Cambridge Grocer”,

and to the achievements of three generations

of her family.

Cambridge Grocer: the story of Matthew’s of

Trinity Street 1832-1962, by Judy Wilson,

OBE. Cambridge, R.A. Wilson, 2010. (ISBN

978-1-874259-02-2)

Copies, price £12.99, can be obtained from

October 19th (publication date) from:

Histon Library, School Hill, Histon

Heffers Books, 20 Trinity Street, Cambridge,

Online using Paypal at:

www.cambridgegrocer.com

By post from the publisher addressed to:

“Cambridge Grocer”, 18 Cambridge Road

Impington, Cambridge CB24 9NU (Cheques

made out to JudyWilson.)

New Book By Village Author Judy Wilson

Judy Wilson is daughter of

Bernard Matthew the firm’s

last Managing Director

“The story is vividly brought to

l ife by personal recollections

of staff, customers and family

members and by the book’s

many il lustrations”.

1 0 NEWSOctober 2010 www.HIcourier.co.uk

Litters and Growling

What to do?

Pet Column:

It's strange how often in veterinary work

certain problems seem to not arise for

months or years then two or more cases of

the same condition will occur together. At the

end of September I had just started a dog on

treatment when a call came in, “My dog has

just eaten a packet of Jaffa Cakes and I'm

worried about the possibility of chocolate

poisoning.”

Animals, particularly dogs, are at risk of

developing serious and possibly fatal

problems when they ingest chocolate. There

are two chemicals responsible for this;

caffeine and theobromine. These are also

found in other related substances such as

cocoa powder, drinking chocolate, coffee in

various forms.

At small doses your pet might only show

vomiting and/or diarrhoea or start drinking

excessively for a few hours. Of more concern

are the effects larger doses of the drugs can

have on the heart and nervous system. The

heart can be caused to beat very fast and

irregularly and this can lead to heart failure.

The dog can become hyperexcitable, develop

seizures, fall into a coma and die.

The big question is “What is a small/large

dose?” This depends on the weight of the dog

and the type of chocolate (or other

substance) ingested. There is no easy rule of

thumb to tell you whether or not your dog is

safe. The best thing to do is to call your

veterinary surgeon as soon as you realise

your pet has eaten chocolate. If possible have

the wrapper in front of you when you call. A

calculation has to be done to work out how

much theobromine and caffeine has been

taken divided by the weight of your dog. Dark

chocolate contains more of the dangerous

chemical than milk or white chocolate.

Calculations can become a little complicated

if the chocolate was a coating on something

else, eg cake or biscuit or the animal has

eaten a mixture of chocolate types.

If your dog has had a potentially dangerous

dose of chocolate, prompt treatment is

essential to give the best chance of a full

recovery without permanent damage to the

heart or nervous system. If seen soon enough

your dog may be made to vomit. A

suspension of activated charcoal may be

given at interval to help absorb the chemicals

(this can cause temporary black staining of

your pet's fur and will colour the stools black

too) . Your dog needs to be monitored

carefully for the development of more serious

symptoms and medical treatment given if

these should arise.

Fortunately I was able to reassure one owner

that her puppy had not ingested enough

chocolate to cause problems and the other

dog responded to treatment for moderate

symptoms and was discharged after 48 hours

none the worse for his experience. Not all

cases of chocolate poisoning end so happily.

Please do your best to keep chocolate and

similar substances out of the reach of pets.

Of course “chocolate” which is produced for

pets is safe.

Chocolate and Caffeine

Should we let her have a litter before she is spayed?

This is a question I am often asked by an owner

considering getting their cat or dog neutered. The

answer is NO! Not unless you really want a litter of

puppies and kittens with all the upheaval that involves

and having to find homes for them all. Your pet will

not “miss” the experience. She will only feel broody if

she undergoes the hormone changes which make her

feel that way. If she is spayed she will not have those

hormone changes and will have no idea what she is

“missing”. Apart from the odd individual, letting a cat

or dog have a litter has no permanent effect on

behaviour. There are far more animals than loving

homes already, especially in this time of recession;

rescue centres are bursting at the seems and many

have long waiting lists.

Another “old wives tale” is that spaying will “spoil

their character”, make them “fat & lazy”. Neutering is

often done at the stage in life when your pet is

maturing from a “teenager” into an adult so they will

often calm down a little any way. It is true they will not

burn off the calories quite so well once their hormones

change, but as long as you realise this and don't feed

them so many calories after spaying there is no need

for them to become overweight. If they do not get fat,

theywill not become a “plodder”.

My dog barks and growls at other dogs when he's

on a lead. I've told him off but it's getting worse. I'm

worried he might bite one of them. What can I do?

Dogs are often more inclined to be aggressive towards

others when they are on a lead as they are “trapped”

and feel more vulnerable. It is a means of defence to

warn other dogs away. It is natural to want to stop this

behaviour but by telling him off your are inadvertently

encouraging him. In his eyes you are a) giving him

attention ie rewarding him for this behaviour and thus

encouraging it and b) making him more worried and

anxious because you are cross and “uptight”. You

probably also hold him on a tight lead which

transmits tension to him. This all result in a cycle of

increasing his anxiety and therefore making him

more not less likely to be aggressive.

As a general rule it is best to completely ignore

unwanted behaviour. This means not talking to him

when he growls and barks at other dogs, not looking

at him and not having a tight lead. As long as the lead

is short enough that if he lunges he won't reach the

other dog you should try to keep it slack. Continue

walking past the other dog as though nothing worthy

of attention is happening. If necessary you can give a

brief tug on the lead to make him come with you but

don't keep the lead tight. Be sure to make a big fuss of

him and praise him if he is relaxed and quiet near

another dog, even for a short time. It will take a while

to retrain him so you need to be patient.

PLEASE NOTE: behaviour problems can be

complicated and if not dealt with correctly can have

tragic consequences. Do not hesitate to seek advice

from a qualified and experienced behaviourist. Your

vet can advise how to contact one.


HI Squad hopes that you have had a great

summer break, as much as we have had. It has

been a great way to start Year 11 at Impington

Village College. During HI Squad’s holidays we

have been all around Europe. Beth went to

Cornwall, Meghan went to Isle Of Wight, Ellie

had a relaxing break in Spain and Nesha went

to Barcelona. The summer holidays were

amazing and seemed to fly past. But now HI

Squad is back and we are ready to face the

tough year ahead of us.

But some good news is in order; we have all

passed our Arts Award! HI Squad is very happy

and we would like to thank Andrea Cramp,

Steve and Janice with helping us with this

achievement.

In this issue, we have two main articles about

‘Hooked Up’ and ‘European Day of Languages’.

Hooked Up was a performance we participated

in towards our final section of the Arts Award.

We did this at The Junction and it was an

amazing experience. European Day of

Languages was on 26th September 2010, which

was also Nesha’s Birthday. It is a celebration of

learning two or more languages. It was also

celebrated at Impington Village College, but for

a week! Impington Village College is a

languages school and we take languages very

seriously because it is one of the main things

that everyone in the world has in common.

Thank you very much for reading our section

and HI Squad are very grateful. If you do have

any ideas or want a certain article to be

published, then do not be shy by contacting:

[email protected]

Hooked Up! ByMeghan Clark

Hello readers! We have not mentioned

anything about Arts Award recently, so I

thought that I would give you the low-down on

what we have been up to!

On 21st June, the Junction arranged an event

called ‘Hooked Up’. At this event, all of the

Bronze Award groups from around

Cambridgeshire were invited to perform in

front of friends, family and teachers. This

performance contributed to the completion of

the Award and every performance group

involved managed to pull off a great show.

Many of the Arts Award groups, who attended

the events, contained students of IVC, so we

were all very proud to see so many members of

our school getting involved. There was a range

of art forms used in the performances, from

dance and media, to circus skills and visual

media. Our Arts Award performance group

was chosen to open the show, so we were all

very anxious, but determined to create an

exciting opening to the event. Our piece was

titled ‘We are the Future’, and we decided to

use dance and visual media to tell a story that

displays today’s youth in a positive light.

When we were initially planning our

performance, we did not really have a fixed

idea on what we wanted to do. But after our

many hours of planning and rehearsals, our

performance turned out to be more successful

than we had initially imagined. The planning

process was a very long one and if we had not

all worked as a team, our performance would

not have been up to scratch. Therefore, Nesha,

Ellie, Beth and I, would like to thank everyone

who got involved, and helped us to create and

organize a unique piece.

We could not have done it without our youth

workers, Andrea, Steve and Adam (who

unfortunately did not see us through the whole

project) . We would also like to thank Lizzi

Franklin, our choreographer, who really helped

us to turn things around, and helped to

maintain a professional standard of

performing. Libby, our graffiti artist, helped

our other artists to create some really

imaginative boards. Finally, we would like to

say a big thank you to Janice, who works for

the Junction, for helping us to arrange the

whole performance and giving us the

opportunity to perform on-stage at the

Junction.

Well done to all of the Impington Arts Award

Group! Including, the artists, the dancers, the

photographers the film artists, the singers and

the circus skills group. Hopefully, we will all

have earned the Bronze certificate and if so, we

can start working towards the Silver Award.

European Day Of Languages ByNesha Saini

On Sunday 26th September 2010, Europe

celebrated European Day Of Languages. 800

million Europeans represented Europe's 47

member states who are encouraged to learn

more languages, at any age, in and out of

school. Being convinced that linguistic

diversity is a tool for achieving greater

intercultural understanding. Also it is a key

element in the rich cultural heritage of our

continent; the Council of Europe’s goal is to

promote the speaking of two or more

languages in the whole of Europe.

As all of HI Squad attends Impington Village

College, we are currently taking a language for

GSCE as Impington is a language school.

Impington Village College is passionate about

languages and even hosted ‘Language Live! ’

This was where schools, including ours, came

together to celebrate this special day. The

students had an eventful day. It started with the

importance of languages and then moved on to

the work of students and stories in a range of

languages. Then after an international lunch,

the students were put in work shops, where

they learnt an introduction to Japanese and

Italian. Some were even taught Caribbean and

Hindi dance.

Languages are very important and very helpful

to know. If in a foreign country and in need of

help, it is wise that you know the countries first

language. Another reason why we should know

more that one language is that it is a great way

of understanding someone’s culture and way of

life. Knowing another language and culture

affords you the unique opportunity of seeing

yourself and your own culture from an outside

perspective.

Learning another language has other effects

on areas of your spirit, such as self-expression,

creativity, lateral thinking, empathy and

negotiating power; as you learn to see things

from different perspectives. There is always the

great boost in your self-esteem that comes

from achieving a goal. The more words you

understand and can use, the more perspectives

you can have. More brain use equals greater

brain power.

Another good reason is that research shows

that knowledge of other languages boosts

students' understanding of languages in

general and enables students to use their native

language more effectively. This applies to

specific language skills as well as overall

linguistic abilities. Foreign language learners

have stronger vocabulary skills in English, a

better understanding of the language, and

improved literacy in general.

Overall, European Day of Languages is not

just for celebrating but it is for people to

understand the need and the opportunities

languages can offer them. Languages are one

of many things that link people together.

Languages beckon and await people who take

the step and let themselves see what is on the

other side of a new language. HI Squad says do

not miss out on life experiences and

possibilities that could be yours

HI SQUAD IVC Student Page


Cambs East Guides organised a County

Camp at Quy Park as part of their Centenary

Celebration. The camp had 6 sub camps and 8

of our Guides joined with Willingham,

Hardwick, Barton, Camborne and Great

Grandsden Guides along with Irean and Doris

from Taiwan to form a sub camp called

MICROSCOPE.

The camp was officially opened by the County

Commissioner and President during ‘A Mad

Hatters Tea Party’ (with some amazing

costumes).

The daily activities were divided into 5 zones

LOOK AROUND (environment), LOOK

INTO (arts, crafts and performance), LOOK

@ ME (relaxing & pampering), LOOK WIDE

(traditions of Guiding) and LOOK OUT

(adventurous activities) . Girls spent days at

Mepal doing water sports, at Bassingbourn,

skiing, and at Bottisham, swimming, dancing,

trash band and gym. Conservation and

orienteering took place at Milton Country Park

and camping skills and 1950’s Guiding were

learnt at the Jarman Centre in Newmarket.

On site there were crafts, pamper sessions and

learning about water and its uses around the

world. Not to mention the ‘Spider Mountain’

which was loved by children of all ages. A

‘Ready Steady Cook’ competition took place

during the week – which Microscope won. Well

done girls!

Evening activities included a Night Incident

Hike around Lode, a camp fire, film show,

disco, Ceilidh and the Grande Finale on Friday

with each sub camp taking park. Others

showed some of the skills they had learnt

during the week.

It was fantastic how all the girls got to know

one another and formed friendships with girls

from other units.

We would like to thank everyone in Cambs

East who helped to make this such a

memorable experience and a great way to

remember the ‘Centenary’.

LOOK 2010

The HOMEFIELD CLOSE AND HEREWARD

CLOSE Residents Group is looking for a

voluntary secretary to replace the secretary who

is retiring after many years service. The duties

include taking the minutes of the meetings which

are held every two months.

Must also have computer access, reasonable

English grammar and a sense of humour. Oh ...

and want to help in communication between

residents and their Councils, (District and

Parish) Please help us if you can . Contact

number 01223 500644

- Geoff Lawrence

chairperson

Needed: Voluntary Secretary

1 3www.HIcourier.co.ukNEWS October 2010

MillionhairsMobile Hairdressing

Competitive Prices

Discount for Senior Citizens

Over 20 yrs Experience

Contact Michelle01 954 2011 36

or07788 480239

This year Girlguiding is celebrating its

‘Centenary’. As part of the celebrations a

National Camp was held at Hereward House

near Leeds. On Wednesday 4th August

Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Senior Section,

Leaders and Trefoil Guild Members from all

over the country were able to attend an

extremely well organised day called

“FUSION”

There were over 20 performance areas

scattered over the estate and no matter which

way you turned there was something else to

see or do. Workshops to join in on- balloon

modelling and circus skills to name a few. A

tree cosy was knitted for one of the estate

trees! Adventure play grounds, Geopods with

lots of hands on activities. They even managed

to import a beach (shame it wasn’t really

beach weather! )

At the end of the day everyone assembled in

front of the house for the Grand Finale. For

this everyone had been asked to bring a piece

of pink material. After Mexican waves and

dance routines with everyone waving their

‘pink material’. Two hugh balls appeared to

rise from behind the crowds and travel forward

through the sea of people, suspended from

these balls were gymnastic performers.

The group of Guides and Leaders from Cambs

East travelled to ‘FUSION’ by mini bus,

leaving I.V.C. at 7.30am and not arriving back

until 9pm. A very long day. But it was well

worth it! To experience this ‘never to be

forgotten once in a life time day’!

FUSION

14 NEWSOctober 2010 www.HIcourier.co.ukLETTERS:

Really nice to see the Geocaching article in

the HI Courier. Helena and I started caching

last year and have to say we’re hooked. Some

of the places it has taken us we would never

have found. It’s a great way to discover new

cities as well; we walked 30+ miles in 4 days

around Edinburgh earlier in the year caching.

We’ve cached in 4 countries in total now

including Canada.

If you get a chance, do the Histon History one

from the village green by the Spice Family. It

was our first and it’s a lovely one. I’ve also

setup one starting very close by there called A

Giant Micro, it’s a good one for a village

character.

We go under the name TottyAndFatbloke so

you’ll see we’ve put out 14 caches in and

around the village. Most are premium member

only as we have seen a number go missing

regularly when all and sundry can find them

using their phones. As soon as you can’t get

the coordinates without joining, the caches

stay where they are. We must have about 10

people a week find one or more of them and

it’s lovely to see their comments on the web

site.

Our nearest cache is the one by the War

Memorial. This weekend should see us find

our 1100th cache.

- Totty And Fatbloke, Histon

I was extremely irritated by Peter Goddard's

letter in the September HI Courier. Mr

Goddard seems not to be aware that the only

drivers whose status is affected by the change

in speed limit south of the pond are those of us

who, when appropriate to do so, might choose

to drive safely and considerately at speeds

between 30 and 40mph - not likely at rush

hour, but perfectly possible on some stretches

through the village if the visibility and hazard

conditions are favourable. Any driver who puts

Mr Goddard in danger, or who fails to take

account of the hazards presented by the bends,

junctions and entrances he mentions is

committing a rather more serious offence than

speeding, regardless of what the speed limit is.

I don't care about taking an extra 27 seconds

to get through the village, but for the sake of

driving standards, safety and the credibility of

traffic regulations, I hope the north of the

village is not dumbed down by the gross over-

simplification of an unnecessarily low speed

limit, and we can instead remember that

consideration for those around you,

particularly those more vulnerable than you in

your crash-protected box, is a far, far more

important concern when you're behind the

wheel than what your speedo says compared to

some numbers on a stick by the side of the

road.

- Gavin Deane, Impington

Anglia Ruskin University School of Art is

hosting a recycled fashion show to raise money

for Impington based charity, Village Outreach

Society. The charity is providing a vaccine and

health programme to improve the lives of the

Narikurava Tribe in S. India, who survive by

scavenging off the city dump for recyclable

items.

The 2nd year design students have created

new outfits using recycled mterials which will be

auctioned off during the evening. The show

takes place on Thursday 28th October in The

Academy, ARU Campus, East Road, Cambridge

from 7-10pm. Tickets are £3.

There are also display and information stalls

at the event, including an amazing carrier bag

crocheted dress and accessories made by Histon

Guides, some interesting recycled outfits made

for the Arbury Carnival, a collection of very

unusual outfits made from T-bags, unique

handbags from advertising banners and

theatrical costumes made from donated

clothing. Don't miss out on this exciting event -

call Audrie Reed on 575197 to get your ticket.

Recycled Fashion Show

HI Courier supporter 'Green Heat' has

helped to save nearly 400,000 tonnes of carbon

dioxide and make substantial reductions to fuel

bills since their launch in 1990. To celebrate

they are having a celebration at the Pavilion,

Girton Recreation Ground from 11.30am to

2.30pm on Saturday 30th October 2010.

There will be displays on many energy saving

technologies including: Condensing Boilers;

Heating Controls; Heat Pumps and Solar

Panels

Find out which technology is suitable for your

home with a Green Home Energy Audit (Only

available from Green Heat), Information and

advice on Feed In Tariffs, Renewable Heat

Incentives and boiler grants for the over 60’s

plus free gifts & birthday cake. For more

information: 01223 277278 or

www.greenheat.uk.com

20 Year Anniversary Celebration

GeoCaching

Speed Limit

1 5www.HIcourier.co.ukNEWS October 2010

Last issue we told you a little of the work of

the Mercy Ships organisation and in particular

the work of the Cheng family from Histon.

Many of you wanted to know more and the

presentation given by Leo Cheng at Histon

Methodist Church last week was very well

attended with standing room only. Those of

you who were unable to go can read here the

amazing stories of some of the patients who

have been helped by the selfless crew on board

Africa Mercy.

Many people in poorer parts of the world suffer

not only from the effects of their health

problems but from the lack of education and

superstition relating to their trouble. A

common and relatively straightforward

procedure is the correction of cleft lip and

palate. I was horrified to discover that some

babies are considered to have a “devil” in them

causing their birth defect and are left exposed

outside to die or even buried alive in a special

ceremony. Some of the lucky babies who make

it to the ship are badly malnourished as they

cannot feed properly – some of the milk passes

through the defect in their palate and emerges

through their nose. They have to be built up

before they are fit to withstand the anaesthetic

and surgery: to operate on them straight away

would be a death sentence. The Africa Mercy

nutritionists have developed a special milk

fortified with the local meringa plant which can

be tube fed. It turns pathetically skinny infants

into bouncing babies in a very short space of

time. This further emphasises the importance

of the whole team of skilled professionals

which Mercy Ships provides, not just the

surgeon. Older children need to have speech

therapy following the repair as they speak with

a nasal voice which is difficult to understand.

Kokou is in many ways typical of the patient

who has a benign jaw tumour to be removed.

In the developed world it would probably have

been picked up when very small at a routine

dental check up and removed during a simple

procedure taking no more than half an hour. In

Togo Kokou had lived with his tumour slowly

growing for seven years, gradually changing

the shape of his face, making it increasingly

difficult to eat and making him an outcast,

kicked out of home because of his “demon”. X-

rays revealed the extent of the massive tumour.

It took hours to remove it and to replace his

diseased lower jaw with a special plate made

from titanium. The tumour weighed around

one and a half pounds/750g. The mouth is a

contaminated site containing large numbers of

bacteria. It is vital to the success of such

procedures

that infection is treated and patients are taught

good oral hygiene. Several months later, once

all infection is gone, it is necessary to perform

a second procedure to cover the titanium plate

with a protective strip of muscle to prevent it

gradually wearing through the skin. Some

patients are either unable to return for their

follow-up appointment or do not realise the

importance of it and don't go because they are

feeling fine. It looks very strange to see a

photograph of someone with a titanium lower

jaw attached which is not covered by skin. It

takes longer to sort this out as, with the plate

exposed, infection is again a problem. It may

seem a little strange to us that a patient would

not turn up for the second procedure but we

should remember how many hospital

appointments in this country are not kept

when our hospitals are so easy for most of us to

get to. How many more of us would miss

appointments if they were for six months later

in a neighbouring country and we had to go on

foot?

One type of tragic story I found particularly

heartbreaking was of mothers with tumours

who had lost their children, taken away from

them by relatives worried that the children

would “catch” their mother's “demon”. One

such woman is Colette. She had a tumour

which had been growing out of her nostril for

six months. Colette's own mother had taken

away her three children because of this. The

mass protruding from Colette's nose was just

the tip of the iceberg. A scan revealed that the

tumour arose from the upper jaw and extended

up and back to the base of the skull as well as

growing forward to emerge from her nostril.

After the operation Colette was reunited with

her children. It is a joy to compare the “before”

and “after” pictures of Colette; it is not only

the change to her appearance which shows –

as she holds her young son and you see the

light back in her eyes you realise that it is her

whole life which has been transformed.

One particularly interesting case is Lawson

who was a player for Ghana's national football

team. Comparing his situation with the

medical services available to our own national

footballers leaves me lost for words. Lawson

developed a “devil” growing from his upper

jaw. This was a benign tumour which would

have been spotted when quite small in this

country and removed with a minor operation.

Unfortunately for Lawson he was in Ghana.

His tumour grew to an enormous size,

dramatically distorting what had previously

been a handsome face. He had lost his job and

family and friends had abandoned him as they

were frightened of him and his “devil”. He

was unable to eat food and would have slowly

suffocated if he hadn't made it to Mercy Ships.

The tumour took a team of three surgeons

eight hours to remove and to reconstruct his

upper jaw. Six months later he returned for

Leo to close a channel between his mouth and

nose. I'm sure everyone who saw the smile on

his new face thought it was worth all the effort.

MERCY SHIPS – THE PATIENTS by Paula Dean

Kokou before surgery with 7 years of jaw growth Kokou overjoyed days after surgery

Colette Before. "Possessed by a demon" Colette After. Reunited with her baby son. You can see the joy in her eyes

BEFOREGhanaian footballer Lawson after his operation. Inset shows him before the operation.

www.mercyships.org.uk


Early in February this year, the church wall was

damaged, it is believed, by a lorry which did not

properly negotiate the bends in Burgoynes Road

around St Andrews church, Impington: it may look like

a race track but as we know too many also use it as

such.

As the wall is in a conservation area and needed to be

rebuilt to the same standard as the historic builders

achieved when the wall was refurbished a few years

ago, this has taken a long time to agree, organise and

achieve. During September the work was successfully

done and the wall is back looking as if nothing had

happened.

The two photographs show the wall soon after the

accident and as it is now.

Before

AfterSt AndrewsWall Repaired


The Patient Participation Group (PPG) was set

up to provide a link between the surgery and its

patients. It was formed to enable the practice

to better understand its patients and provide

better healthcare through communication and

access to surgery facilities. The group has

input into the way the practice runs and the

services it provides. We:

• Ensure patients have a chance to raise

questions on local health issues.

• Learn more about the resources available in

the community.

• Provide a means for patients to make positive

suggestions about their practice and their

health care.

• Encourage health education activities.

• Act as the surgery patient representative

group to attempt to influence the local

provision of health and social care.

• Contribute views and ideas for the purpose of

future healthcare service provision within the

practice.

• Monitor patient satisfaction surveys at the

surgery and contribute to the monitoring and

evaluation of performance and other targets

set by the practice.

• Establish and maintain a regular exchange of

information between patients and staff.

With all the changes that are expected to take

place over the coming months and years, now

is a very exciting time to become involved.

If you have any views, ideas or comments, the

PPG would welcome your contribution.

Should you wish to become a member of your

local PPG we meet at 6.15pm on the first

Tuesday of every other month at the Firs

House Surgery. Our next meeting will be held

on the 2nd November 2010.

Please contact Sheila Fulton on 01954 252186

for any further information, or call the surgery

direct.

Patient Participation Group Opening All the GatesOpening All the Gates – a legacy of the

Gateway Gardens Trust - is a partnership

project between the National Trust, the

Historic Houses Association, the Royal

Horticultural Society and the Association of

Gardens Trusts. Supported by English

Heritage, it aims to encourage access and new

audiences for historic gardens and to ensure

that the widest possible cross-section of the

community is able to discover and enjoy these

special places. Historic gardens are an

essential part of Britain’s heritage. Evidence

shows that they play a vital part in the

wellbeing of the nation, contributing to

people’s physical and mental health, happiness

and quality of life. They are inspiring places for

learning, provide spaces for people to come

together, enjoy relaxing environments and take

important time out.

Opening all the Gates is holding a seminaron 9th

December 2010 at Anglesey Abbey. If you work

in gardens and the historic environment you can

expect:

• expert advice on how to engage with schools

and community groups

• the development of ideas and partnerships that

could see new audiences visiting your setting.

If you work in the wider community you can

expect:

• expert advice on how to engage garden

managers and owners in a way that will support

your work.

• an opportunity to find out more about some of

the exciting and innovative practice in the

heritage sector.

These seminars are FREE for everyone

interested in widening access to historic gardens.

They will explore what gardens can bring to

communities and how involving people supports

the gardens themselves. However, places are

limited so please book your place as soon as

possible. For further information contact Adam

Clarke, Project Manager 0116 2830363 ~

[email protected] ~

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/angleseyabbey

Open Gardens in Histon and Impington

are now featured in the National Open

Gardens online directory. This is a brand

new initiative that aims to list all Open

Gardens events in the UK. The site is

searchable by town, area, date, etc. It will be

a very useful resource for those travelling

who’d like to enjoy Open Gardens events

further afield. The link to the National

Directory is on the bottom left of our Open

Gardens website www.opengardens.org

We have a few Open Gardens postcards left

for sale. These were all taken by visitors to

the Histon and Impington Open Gardens

and are printed professionally with the

photographer and garden details on the

reverse. They are 30p each or four for £1 .

They are very handy for writing notes or as a

souvenir of the previous Open Gardens

events. If you are interested in purchasing

any, contact us at [email protected] or

tel. 233728. All proceeds are split between

the four Open Gardens’ charities: Histon

Feast, EACH, Emmaus UK and Voluntary

Service Overseas.

- Val Robson

Open Gardens join Nat'l Directory

1 8 SPORTOctober 2010 www.HIcourier.co.uk

The summer league tennis season has come

to an end with mixed results for the Club’s

teams. Unlike last year when no team was

relegated, Men’s 3, Ladies 2 and Mixed 2 all

face relegation after disappointing results.

On the positive side Mixed 1 finished top of

Division 3 with 4 wins in the 5 matches

played. Congratulations to Jane Rush, Jane

Fidler and Matt Cordell, who played in all

matches, and to Jim Wocha, who missed just

one. Division 2 will be tough next season, but

one which the team will be sure to relish.

The remaining 4 teams all retained their

league status. Men’s 1 stayed in Division 3

with 3 wins and a draw out of 7 matches

played. Men’s 2 narrowly missed out on

promotion from Division 6 for the second

consecutive year after winning 5 of the 7

matches. Ladies 1 finished third in Division 4.

Mixed 3 had 2 wins in Division 7, which was

enough to stay put.

Once again the Club entered boy’s teams in

the County U16 and U13 leagues. Unlike the

senior leagues, these matches involve each boy

playing a singles and then teaming up to play a

doubles match. The U16 team did extremely

well to win one of its 3 matches in Division 1.

Although the U13 team was less successful in

Division 2, all players enjoyed the matches

and welcomed the experience of playing in a

match situation.

Although the grass season finishes at the end

of September, the Club enters Men’s, Ladies

and Veterans teams in Winter Leagues. It also

continues playing on the hard courts on the

Recreation Ground during the winter. So all

are welcome.

At the Club’s principal tennis and social

event, the mixed handicap Dilley Cup, Jane

Rush and Ashley Grimmer won their third

title in 4 years. A record turn out of 42 players

ensured a very successful day.

In the singles events Jim Wocha defeated

Matt Cordell 6-4 in a very competitive Men’s

final, whilst Jane Fidler came out on top in the

Ladies competition.

New Members may join at any time during

the year. Details can be found on the Club’s

web site at www.histontennisclub.co.uk.

Tennis Season draws to close

Sunday 11th July was a momentous day.

Spain won their first ever World Cup, Mark

Webber squeezed out Lewis Hamilton to win

the British F1 GP, and 726 eager young

participants arrived on the Histon and

Impington Recreation Ground to contest this

year’s Histon Hornets 5-a-side football

tournament.

Weeks of planning came together as 98 teams

of youngsters aged 7-14 battled for the well

respected title of Histon Hornets tournament

champions. As well as providing an

opportunity for children to play competitive

football, the tournament also encourages

good sportsmanship in young players through

the Jonathan Norman Fairplay Competition

which runs in parallel to the main football

competition. In the Fairplay competition, the

referees award Fairplay points for each match.

Points are awarded for teams who show

respect to match officials and their decisions,

encourage each other, and show positive

behaviour. The referees take into account the

players, coaches and supporters and enjoy

using these extra powers to the full!

The Hornets committee had, as usual,

planned the whole day down to the finest

detail, such as ensuring that there would be

enough car parking as well as food – yet again

providing the finest barbeque fare. The only

thing that could not be planned was of course

the English summer weather, but this year we

were obliged with a warm sunny day.

Histon Hornets Tournament 2010

1 9www.HIcourier.co.ukSPORT October 2010

Around 7,000 Cambridgeshire children

took part in “Space Hop” this year’s national

summer reading challenge in libraries.

Every child who joined was challenged to read

at least 6 books during the school summer

holiday. Over 4,000 children completed the

challenge and received medals and certificates

at special presentation ceremonies.

For children who completed the challenge at

Histon, Cottenham, Bar Hill and Willingham

libraries, there is an added bonus. Thanks to

the generosity of Histon Football Club, each

child has received a free entry voucher for

themselves and one adult to attend Histon FC’s

home game against Altrincham on Sat 9th

October.

In addition, 11 lucky children have been

selected to be mascots on the day.

Children’s Services Manager for

Cambridgeshire Libraries, Richard Young

said: “This is the fourth year running that

Histon FC has supported the reading challenge

with this very generous offer. The children and

their parents are always made very welcome by

the club and for the lucky mascots, it really is a

day to remember. It is fantastic that the club

works so well with the local community and

supports libraries and reading for pleasure.”

Space Hop Reading ChallengeThe newest Histon Hornets Under 10s girls

team kicked off their season at Chatteris and

despite a brave performance lost the game 5 –1

against a side who had played matches before.

However in their first home match on Saturday

25th September Histon secured their first

point of the season in a thrilling four all draw

with Ramsey. In a match with plenty of goal

mouth action at both ends Histon took an early

two goal lead through Chloe Kigura. The away

side immediately responded pulling two goals

back, and took the lead soon after half time.

Histon fought back with a goal from Natalie

Munden, only for Ramsey to take the lead

again. With less than a minute to go Chloe

Kigura equalised with her hat trick and

deservedly took the player of the match award.

All the players played their part in an

entertaining game played in front of over 50

spectators.

The new Under 10s team was formed in the

summer after taster sessions started last May

for the girls with the help of two local IVC

school girls Amber Gaylor who plays for

Arsenal Under 16s and Abi Davies who has

played for the Hornets for the last five years.

Neil Davies who organised the taster sessions

explains: "its great news that the four girls who

started back in May have now been joined by 9

more players over the summer, and that the

new team has been formed with Martin Crook

as the manager".

The new team are pictured before their first

home match in their new kit which has been

sponsored by M & M Heating and Histon

Hornets.

It is intended to arrange new football activity

sessions on the Rec for girls in the present

years 3 and 4 , if anyone is interested please

contact Neil Davies tel C 232514 and it is

hoped that some friendly matches can also be

arranged later in the season.

GIRLS FOOTBALL TEAM KICKS OFF

On Monday 4th October the 1st Histon Junior

Boys Brigade ran a marathon .

Well, actually each of them ran a one mile

circuit round the village, but since there were

more then 26 of them, that counts as a

marathon! In fact, several lads ran more than

one circuit, so we actually did more than a

marathon!

Impressive, eh?

Most impressive of all, each of the boys was

sponsored for running this distance, with the

money raised (we’re still counting it!) going to

the charity Help for Heroes.

In their weekly sessions, the boys had learned

that Ryan Seary - a lad who had previously been

in the Boys Brigade here, and who still lives in

the village - had gone to serve as a soldier in

Afghanistan, and had lost an arm and a leg due

to a roadside bomb. Inspired by his story, the

boys were keen to do what they could to help

soldiers like Ryan, and so the sponsorship

money they have raised will help to rehabilitate

wounded soldiers when they return to England.

But the story doesn’t end there. At the end of

October one of the Boys Brigade leaders,

Andrew Zarkos-Smith, will be running a

marathon in Athens to raise money for the same

cause.

This time he’ll be doing all 26 miles on his

own….

For more information, and to donate to this

great cause, please go to:

www.athensmarathon.co.uk

Histon Boys Go The Distance For A Local HeroHiston Feast Presentation Evening takes place

on Tuesday 19th October at 7pm in the Stable

Rooms at St Andrew's Church, Histon.

Successful applicants will explain their

projects. Representatives from the two parish

councils, Open Gardens and local businesses

will also attend. "It is always a most enjoyable

evening celebrating the distribution of the

funds that were raised during Feast Week,"

said Sandra Dunn, chair of Histon Feast 2010.

Histon Feast 2010 Presentation Evening

20 October 2010 www.HIcourier.co.ukHI Courier SPORT

The Local Community Newspaper for Histon and Impington

After struggling somewhat for a few weeks

and losing 5 games in a row in the process,

what a fantastic 7 days of football we have just

experienced.

After a well-deserved point away at highly-

placed Fleetwood Town on Saturday we carried

on where we had left off up north with a fine

victory over Southport on Tuesday night at the

Glass World and then rounded the week off in

fine style with a convincing 3-0 victory over

Altrincham Town on Saturday.

So after gaining 8 points from our first 12

games, during this most welcome week we

secured 7 more points from only 3 games.

Whilst we are still languishing at the wrong

end of the table and in the relegation zone, and

no-one more aware of this than feet- on -the-

ground Manager David Livermore, everyone

involved in the Club has been really heartened

by this recent upturn in our performances.

New Manager David Livermore was delighted

with the performance against Altrincham

"What really pleased me was that our

performance was so disciplined and

professional" adding "We scored three very

good goals and could have had more to keep

things going well. We still have plenty to do as

a team, but we are on the right road and our

confidence is building match by match."

David is also very appreciative of the efforts of

Stutes supporters. The youngsters behind the

goal on Tuesday night really got behind the

lads and in Saturday's programme David

likened their impact to that which had helped

the European Ryder Cup team at Celtic Manor.

This growing Rec End Crew was influential

again on Saturday.

All local students in full-time Education at

University, Further Education Colleges,

Language Colleges, and 6th Form Colleges

can gain admission to the Glass World

Stadium for Histon's Blue Square Premier

League games for only £3.

David has also acknowledged the local fans

who are sponsoring players and the Histon

Posties had their photo taken at the Altrincham

game with Callum Stewart the player they are

sponsoring. Histon Hornets also announced at

the game that they will kindly be sponsoring

Lee Smith and Lee Wooton.

Coming up soon is a Fans' Forum on Tuesday

Oct 19th at 7-45pm. This is a chance to meet

up with Manager David Livermore, Assistant

Brian Page and some of the new players at the

Glass World Stadium. This Forum of Two

Halves, On the Pitch and Offthe Pitch will also

give fans the chance to find out how they can

help the Club in this current challenging time

The Income Generation Group inspired by

season ticket holder Phil Biggs has boosted

Club Funds by some £30,000 since the group

came into being just before the start of the

season. Membership of this group is open to

anyone but there are so many other ways the

club can be helped and all of these will be

outlined at the Fans Forum. All Stutes

Supporters are urged to get along to the Glass

World for this Forum.

The day after the Fans Forum, Wednesday

20th, and just a few days before we begin our

FA Cup campaign, the actual FA Cup will be in

our patch at Histon and Impington Junior

School during the day when there is a special

coaching session. In the evening at the Isaac

Newton Public House on Castle Street in

Cambridge there will be an EON FA Cup

Special Pub Night involving Cambridge United

and Histon. Again all fans are welcome.

Finally remember, remember the 25th

November is when Bath City visit the Glass

World Stadium in a game televised by Premier

Sport. Further details to follow but for now

please note in your diary that Thursday Night

is Bath Night on November 25th.

- Graham Eales

Histon FC

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