Embedded Files
As of 2021, this website is no longer updated. See all the latest Little Shelford news and events at www.littleshelford.online
Read Little Shelford news before January 2020
New signs for Blennies Patch (Allotments and the Community Orchard)
Blennies Patch is the land owned by the Parish Council at the end of Garden Fields. It is where the Village Allotments are located, and it is also where SCOWP have been developing the community orchard. The uptake of Allotments during lock-down has been significant and the Allotments are blooming at the moment. The work of SCOWP has also continued successfully during the year with additional tree and hedge planting and hay making.
The success of SCOWP has also meant the number of villagers accessing the orchard and Blennies Patch for recreation has sharply increased, including dog walkers. Unfortunately, this has also led to increasing problems with litter and unbagged dog pooh!
As a result the Parish Council will shortly be installing a litter and dog poo bin on the path to the Orchard to encourage walkers of all types (2 legged and four legged) to put their litter in the bin. The Parish Council has also decided at its last meeting that in the Blennies Patch area all dogs should be kept on lead. This is because, the orchard is attracting much more wildlife, including ground nesting birds, there will shortly be horses in the third paddock and the amount of long grass in the paddock makes it difficult for even responsible dog owners to keep track on their dogs’ behaviour. Finally we want to orchard to be a very safe place for families and children and the amount of uncollected dog poo amongst the long grass is a threat to this. We hope villagers and will appreciate the specific reasons for this. As you know dogs, if under control, can be off lead on the Wale Recreation Ground and Bradmere Lane.
Finally, we also wanted to make sure villagers understand that the Allotment area is for allotment holders and their guests only and is not for public access or to be used as a short cut to the Community Orchard. The new signs highlight this including the map below which sets out the public access areas.
Little Shelford Parish Council own and manage Blennies Patch and the Allotments. All enquiries to: LittleShelfordParishClerk@aol.com
Shelford library is now fully open
Great news – Great Shelford Library will revert to its full opening hours with effect from Monday 2nd August. To keep everyone safe, visitor numbers will continue to be limited and Covid-19 safety precautions will remain in place, including the wearing of a face covering.
Little Shelford Cricket Club Update August 2021
U15 side make Regional Championship Final
In our first full season our Juniors are going from strength to strength at all three levels under the watchful eyes and excellent coaching of Ian Reid and Jamie Harrison. In late June both our U13 and U15 teams made it to their respective Cambridgeshire Cup Finals. Our U13 team lost on the last ball of the game while our U15 team won by 32 runs.
The U15’s advanced to the regional finals of the National Championship with a match on Sunday 18th July against City Academy Northamptonshire. Sadly, we lost that match in a closely fought game (Little Shelford CC - Under 15 143 / 7 (20) v Northamptonshire City Cricket Academy - Under 15 150 / 7 (20).
Festival of Cricket – Saturday 11th September 2021
To close the season, we will be holding a festival of cricket on Saturday 11th September, with a Junior Section inter-club 20:20 match starting at 10 am followed by a Senior match for the 1st Team against the LSCC Old Boy’s. The Junior Section match will be playing for a new trophy presented to the club in memory of a former player and long-standing Vice-President of the Club, David Altham, who sadly passed away in February 2021. The trophy and medals will be awarded to the winning team by David’s sister, Jane. We hope to have food and entertainment available all day and weather permitting expect some great cricket and a fun family atmosphere. Please put the date in your diary and we look forward to seeing you at the Festival of Cricket.
Surplus topsoil and aggregate available to Villagers
As a result of the installation of the artificial strip, there is a surplus of quality topsoil, associated turf and aggregate which is currently stored to the rear of the Pavilion on the Wale recreation ground (right-hand side as you look at the Pavilion from the Wale). We are offering this topsoil, turf and some of the aggregate to all Little Shelford residents and LSCC players and their parents for free. Anyone wanting to take some should feel free to collect during a match or contact davidjhjones@btinternet.com, Club Chairman, to discuss access to collect larger amounts.
David JH Jones – Chairman, LSCC
Navigator noise row
A war of words has broken out after the showing of the European Championships football final at the Navigator pub.
The pub received a phone complaint about noise during the evening of the match, which was shown in the outdoor marquee.
The complainant then placed a negative one star review on Google.
Villagers have hit back with their own positive views of the Navigator where the Navigator still has an average score of 4.5 out of 5.
"A friendly, hospitable and community focussed pub," said one.
posted Aug 2 2021
Little Shelford business booms
A marketing agency based in Little Shelford is going from strength to strength despite the Pandemic.Cambridge Creative is based in the former Post Office and shop on Whittlesford Road.The agency is growing quickly and is expecting to double in size to around 30 staff over the next 12 months.“A lot of our work is for the UK leisure sector where there a huge amount of activity at the moment because of the staycation boom,” said Cambridge Creative Head of Digital Robin Barnes. “And we are right in the sweet spot supporting our clients which in turn is driving our growth.”The agency provides websites, print materials, signage, digital marketing campaigns and social media support.The agency is now providing sales and marketing expertise across Cambridge and beyond. A number of local clients from the charity and transport sectors are already on their books – their creations include the forthcoming website for charity It Takes a City and for the South Cambridge waterpark project. Cambridge Creative was originally the marketing arm of Annesley Gandon Solutions, a specialist consultancy and recruitment agency that is also based in Little Shelford. The group of locally based companies, led by businessman Jim Gandon, also includes CGI Pros, a leading digital visualisation company that provides 3d visualisations and fly-throughs specialising in the leisure sector.
Posted June 30 2021
Little Shelford Cricket Club Update July 2021
Soft Ball Cricket for Children (aged 6-10) is now available on Saturday Mornings at 9.30am on the Wale Recreation Ground (July & August)
Softball Cricket for Boys and Girls aged 6 -10 is now available at Little Shelford Cricket Club during July and August 2021. Come and experience the basics of cricket and make new friends in the safe environment of the Wale Recreation Ground under the guidance of LSCC at 9.30am on Saturday mornings. The softball Cricket will be led by Neil Orpwood and Ian Reid. For more information contact Neil (neilorpwood@msn.com or 07866 751651) or Ian (ian.reid620@ntlworld.com).
Success for our Junior Cricket Teams
Our Junior teams started last season, which was obviously much truncated. However, the Junior Section of the club is going from strength to strength under the watchful eyes and excellent coaching of Ian Reid and Jamie Harrison. In June both our U13 and U15 teams made it to their Cup Finals. Our U13 team lost on the last ball of the game while our U15 team won by 32 runs. Congratulations to both teams for making it to the finals!
Sunday 27 June 2021
CITY OF CAMBRIDGE U13 WON BY 3 WICKETS
Little Shelford CC - Under 13 102 / 5 (20) Vs City of Cambridge CC - Under 13 103 / 7 (20)
LITTLE SHELFORD U15 WON BY 32 RUNS
Coton CC - Under 15 119 / 4 (20) Vs Little Shelford CC - Under 15 151 / 2 (20)
Reminder: Surplus topsoil and aggregate available to Village Residents
Many will have noticed that the artificial strip has been installed on the cricket square in the Wale. As a result of the installation, there is a surplus of quality topsoil, associated turf and aggregate which is currently stored to the rear of the Pavilion (right-hand side as you look at the Pavilion from the Wale). We are offering this topsoil, turf and some of the aggregate to all Little Shelford residents and anyone wanting to take some should feel free to bring a wheelbarrow and take as much as they can sensibly use or contact davidjhjones@btinternet.com, Club Chairman, to discuss access to collect larger amounts.
Don't forget all results and fixtures can be found at https://littleshelford.play-cricket.com/home. You can also get regular updates by following us on Twitter @LShelsCricket.
David JH Jones – Chairman, LSCC
Posted June 30 2021
Villager scammed out of £50,000
A Little Shelford man has been scammed out of more than £50,000. John* is now sharing his fraud story so that other people in the village can be extra vigilant.
“I just felt so awful when it happened,” said John. “It was so shocking how easy it can happen that I couldn’t sleep for nights.”
The scam happened in March when John received a text message he believed to be about two shirts he had ordered from the Netherlands and had been waiting for for some time.
The message asked for his 16 digit card number, sort code and 3 digit security code because it said an additional payment of £1.79 was needed before the parcel would be delivered.
He made the payment but then felt it was suspicious so contacted his bank Barclays. They said they thought it was a scam. John was advised to cancel his debit cards. He even moved most of his cash into his deposit account as he thought it would be safer.
After John spoke to the lady at Barclays to cancel his card, she said she would get the fraud department to contact him asap.
The next morning he had a call from "Barclays fraud" on his mobile phone. John thought very good, very efficient calling me to tell me what was going on. Little did he know that the very well spoken gentleman on the other end of the phone was the fraudster.
He became suspicious after a while and called Barclays to be told via automated voice that it may take 45 minutes to answer the call! At the time the fraudster had complete control of his accounts (current and deposit) via his Barclays app. John was even able to see my money disappearing from his accounts but he couldn’t do anything about it. “I was not able to change the course of the events without contact at Barclays,” John recollected.
“I was on the phone throughout the day for 8 hours. Each call to Barclays taking over 45 minutes to get through but, at no stage did I speak to anyone on the fraud team.”
Eventually, Barclays refunded the £50,000 to John five weeks after the incident.
“I can’t believe this happened to me so easily,” said John. “I am a successful business man yet these people were just so convincing.”
· *John is not his real name. We agreed to change his name for the article.
Posted June 1
Dernford reservoir proposals
New proposals have emerged for Dernford reservoir between Little Shelford and Stapleford.
Russell Smith Farms are assessing the potential redevelopment of the former Dernford Quarry at Stapleford to provide a community country park with camping and caravanning facilities.
They are applying for planning permission for a caravan park in conjunction with the Caravan and Motorhome Club. As part of the caravan park, there would be further amenities that would benefit the local community.
This would include water-based activities, a farm shop/ café and a children’s play area.
An outdoor event space is also proposed with various options:
• Competitor camping for sporting events like triathlons and duathlons
• Outdoor cinema
• Food festivals
There will be scope for a variety of ancillary sport and recreation facilities, which could include a bowling green, gym, sauna, tennis courts, all-weather courts (for football), farm shop and associated parking.
This initial consultation will run from Monday 24th May for a six week period until 5th July.
Read more details at the South Cambridge Waterpark website.
Posted May 28 2021
Residents urged to be vigilant as litter problems increase
Posted May 31
Village Weekend Update – Friday 17th to Sunday 19th September
Planning continues by the Little Shelford Entertainments Team to create a friendly and safe Village Weekend where residents of all ages can come together and smile!
Friday night Social Evening
Latest updates include the addition of the “Wondering Yak” street food option for the 18+ social evening on Friday 17th September adding a great variety of Middle Eastern inspired foods (www.wanderingyak.co.uk) to go along with Steak and Honor street food, the Navigator bar and disco.
Scarecrow Competition
To add something a bit different and because Scarecrows make us smile and spread happiness, we want families to start work on their scarecrows at the beginning of September so that they start to appear around the village for two weeks before the village weekend. Create amusing scarecrow scenes and display your scarecrows on your drive or garden where they can be seen by passers-by. Then on Friday 17th September move your scarecrows to the Wale Recreation Ground ready for the scarecrow judging on Saturday, 18th September as part of the Saturday Village Fete.
We are even offering prizes for the best scarecrows! First, second and third placed scarecrows will be awarded a cash prize of £30, £20 and £10.
For further details on the scarecrow competition, contact Christa christajostock@hotmail.com
“Spud in a bucket” and other Village Show Categories now available.
As in our 2019 Village Weekend, the Saturday Village Fete will include a Village Show. The full list of categories and entry form designed to make us laugh and smile can be downloaded now. But to give you a flavour of the possible entries you and the family could start growing or working on right now:
Delicious Blueberry Muffin’s to a standard recipe, most curious shaped vegetable (3 home grown vegetables), red in the face (7 tomatoes), Red Nose (selection of 5 garden berries), Your Beauties (4 Roses), Delight us (4 Dreamy Dahlias), September Surprise flower display (in a vase no taller in total than 60cm), something saucy (a homemade condiment or pickle), a colour photo of wildlife in the village, a black and white or colour photo of something that makes you smile in the village and for Kids, Best poem or rhyme about Lockdown Lunacy, best poem about Summer Holidays, best biscuit decorated most fun design, best picture or painting of a Happy Place and a Smiley Face made using fruit, veg and/or flowers and many more………….
Finally, a new and exciting ‘Spud in a Bucket’ challenge!
Plant one potato in a standard bucket approximately 10 to 15 litres in size, cover with soil. Look after it over the summer and bring the bucket to the Village Show. We will empty out the soil and weigh the contents to see who has grown the most potatoes, please use a standard size bucket and do not forget to put some holes in the bottom!
To keep fully up to date with developments and the start of ticket sales later in June follow us on Instagram (Little.Shelford) [look out for the Village Sign] and regularly check the Village website and Parish Magazine.
Posted May 31
Election results
Brian Milnes and Maria King are the new County Councillors for the Shelfords and Sawston
The Liberal Democrats won the elections on May 6 from what were previously Conservative held seats.
Candidates
(Litter photo - Brie Lury)
We are considering additional bins, signage to encourage the use of bins and other steps and suggestions are welcome.
littleshelfordparishclerk@aol.com
The Parish Council are very grateful to those residents who go to the trouble of cleaning up this litter on an almost daily basis but we would like to try and stop it from happening so let us know if you see anything.
As the evenings get longer and the weather improves we have been facing growing incidents of large quantities of litter in Bradmere Lane and on the Allotments.
We would urge all residents to be vigilant and to report incidents by capturing them by a photograph and reporting to the Parish Council.
Sophi Berridge
Green (1041 votes / 7.35%)
Manas Deb
Conservative (2106 votes / 14.88%)
Brian Milnes - Elected
Liberal Democrats (3518 votes / 24.85%)
Maria King - Elected
Liberal Democrats (3125 votes / 22.08%)
Anand Pillai
Labour (679 votes / 4.80%)
Tracey Draper
Labour (898 votes / 6.34%)
Eleanor Crane
Green (743 votes / 5.25%)
Dale Hargrove
Conservative (2045 votes / 14.45%)
Little Shelford woman becomes High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire
Caroline Bewes from Little Shelford has been installed as High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire, succeeding Brigadier Timothy Seal.
Caroline was officially appointed to the post in a Declaration Ceremony on April 6th attended by the Under Sheriff, Caroline Stenner; Chairman of the Bench, Ian Balmer JP; High Sheriff’s Chaplain, Reverend Simon Scott, and Caroline’s husband Nicholas Bewes. Due to Covid regulations, the Declaration took place in their garden in Little Shelford.
A non-Executive Director of Howard Group, a family-owned leading regional property investor and developer founded by her grandfather, Caroline is also a shareholder of the company, and chairs the Family Council.
Caroline takes a keen interest in the local community and is a trustee of a number of charities including the Howard Foundation, Mrs Jane Cart’s Trust, and the Cambridgeshire Police Shrievalty Trust. She is also a Patron of Viva, an arts and community group in Soham.
Recently appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Caroline will serve as High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire for 2021/22. As High Sheriff, a particular theme for Caroline will be a focus on supporting and enabling young people throughout Cambridgeshire. She will also seek to support the judiciary, the police and the prison services, and looks forward to engaging with the voluntary sector in the county through the Cambridgeshire Community Foundation.
Caroline commented of her appointment: “It’s a real honour to have the opportunity to serve Cambridgeshire in this way. I look forward to supporting and encouraging those involved in crime prevention as well as supporting and enabling young people, especially in these challenging times.”
The Office of High Sheriff is an independent, unpaid and non-political Crown appointment and is the oldest secular office in the country aside from the Crown itself, dating from Saxon times. Today, there are 55 High Sheriffs serving the counties of England and Wales each year.
Cricket update
Plans for the new artificial strip on one part of the Cricket square on the Wale are proceeding well. They hope to do the installation by the end of May. Installation should take only one day and have minimal disruption on access to and use of the Wale by residents. This will help the cricket club develop its youth teams as net practice will be more frequent and less weather dependent. Junior and Senior nets on the Wale will start after Easter and our first home match will be on Sunday 18 April at 1 pm when the 1st XI will play Cambridge St. Giles 2nd XI. We will also be hosting up to 8 Junior County Games this season. For all their fixtures check out: https://littleshelford.play-cricket.com/home
Want to join as a Senior or Junior, contact the Club Chairman, David J H Jones, Home: +44 1223 847213 davidjhjones@btinternet.com
Posted March 31 2021
Village week-end update
The Annual Village Weekend is back on Friday 17th to Sunday 19th September 2021
Following the announcement of the Government unlocking plans in February, they are increasingly confident the Village weekend will go ahead and give us our first Village get together for two years. So, hold the date in your diaries and remember, there is something over the weekend for every age group. To keep fully up to date follow them on Instagram, search on Little.Shelford and look out for the Village Sign and also look regularly at the Village website.
Friday 17th September 7.30 pm – Village Get Together and Dance.
Our first Village get together for two years, with a different feel to encourage maximum attendance. No theme and no fancy dress, a relaxed evening for adults (over 18’s) in the big Marquee on the Wale with dancing, a bar and food available for purchase from well-known local pop-up street vendors Steak & Honor and Waffle & Co. Ticket prices yet to be set but will be kept as low as possible.
Saturday 18th September – 1pm Village Fair and Show plus 5.30 pm Beer Festival.
The Village Fair will have something for every age group including stalls, BBQ, family games, animal exhibition, Body Blast sessions, raffles, bar and nature tours around the Wale. More details of all the events of the afternoon will be released as they are booked.
The Village Show we are looking forward to seeing your photos of local wildlife, as well as lockdown lunacy comedy shots, home grown vegetables of all shapes and sizes and flowers. Categories will be open for old and young alike, from arrangements of flowers, baking triumphs and creative crafts, we hope we will have included a category for everyone to have a go. So, start planting now and get that camera out, and remember it is a Just for Fun Village Show.
In the evening The Navigator will be hosting their Beer Festival with quality local Ales.
Sunday 19th September – Harvest Celebration, History Walk and Picnic.
All Saints Harvest Celebration 11am, all ages welcome, there will be songs and celebration for Harvest in the Marquee and gifts will be collected for Jimmy’s night shelter. Followed by tea, coffee, cake and conversation.
Village History Walk 12 noon starting at the Wale. A 75 minute walk including the Village Pump and All Saints Church and Churchyard. Led by local residents with a history flair!
Picnic from 1pm on the Wale. Bring your picnic, family and friends to a relaxed afternoon in late summer sun!
Our aim for the Village weekend in 2021 is simply to get the Village together safely to have fun after a challenging 18 months. If we do make any surplus, we will be making our primary donations to Shelford School and the “Save the Wale” Recreation Ground fund. So, having fun and supporting local causes.
The weekend committee is now busy planning but there is still time for the Village Community to come up with ideas and suggestions for the weekend. So, if you have thoughts, or comments please e-mail their LSEC secretary, Jo Boyle, joboyle780@gmail.com with your ideas.
The LSCE committee is also very welcoming of new members and also welcome those who want to volunteer to help over the weekend itself, even if you don’t have time to join the committee. Please contact Jo if you would like to contribute in any way.
Ian Beaton, LSEC Chairman March 31 2021
New Arthur Rank Hospice app
'Help at Hand’ app will help Arthur Rank Hospice Charity’s patients access practical support available in their local community.
The new community information app which will help them to access everything from exercise classes to wellbeing support groups, telephone helplines to mental health services.
It is the first time a Hospice has adopted the ’Help at Hand’ app, which functions like a digital directory offering social prescribing. It can be accessed via mobile phone, device or computer and provides a safe, quick and efficient way to signpost Hospice users – patients, family and friends - to the community organisations and groups they need most. The interface is simple to use, with clickable links allowing users to quickly contact organisations by telephone or email, and web addresses which open to provide further details. If someone has favourite services, these can be saved and shared.
The mobile phone app is free and can be downloaded from the App Store on Apple or Play Store on Android devices. An online version can also be reached on Arthur Rank Hospice Charity’s at arhc.org.uk/helpathand. The organisations, charities, groups and services sign-posted from the app, have all been listed by the Charity, building on existing relationships and partnerships established by Hospice colleagues who support patients across the breadth of its services. Posted March 10 2021
Joan Howard
Joan Howard of High Street Little Shelford who lived in the village all her life has died in hospital on March 3. She had a fall and broke her hip. She died a week later.
Joan was born in Little Shelford in 1933. She married Robin Howard from Stapleford and they built their bungalow in the High Street together in 1960.
She loved her garden and her chickens. Joan worked at Spicers paper mill in Sawston.
Joan and Robin were often seen cycling round the village together.
Here is the eulogy from her service.
Posted March 4 2021
Villager publishes her autobiography
Posted Feb 28 2021
Village week-end update
Planning has started for the Little Shelford week-end so start growing and snapping for the Village Show on Saturday 18th September 2021
The dates for the 2021 Village Weekend are Friday September 17th to Sunday 19th September. Following the announcement of the Government unlocking plans in February we are increasingly confident the Village weekend will go ahead. There may be some modifications for Covid-19 but we hope these won’t stop us getting together as a Village for the first time in 20 months
The event will be the traditional three days of activities, including dancing and food on Friday evening, a traditional village fete, village show and family games on Saturday and All Saints Harvest celebration, history walks and other more relaxed activities on Sunday.
Start Planning Your Entries for the Village Show
The village show will on Saturday 18th September will give you chance to show off your lock down projects. We are looking forward to seeing your photos of local wildlife, as well as lockdown lunacy comedy shots, home grown vegetables of all shapes and sizes and flowers. Categories will be open for old and young alike, from arrangements of flowers, baking triumphs and creative crafts, we hope we will have included a category for everyone to have a go.
The Top-Secret theme for the weekend will be announced next month which will feed into the poems and pictures categories and we will have a comprehensive list for all entries available then. What are you waiting for, start planting now and get that camera out, and remember it is a Just for Fun Village Show.
Come and help
The weekend is in the early stages of planning so there is still plenty of time for the Village Community to come up with ideas and suggestions for the weekend. So, if you have thoughts, or comments please e-mail their LSEC secretary, Jo Boyle, joboyle780@gmail.com with your ideas.
The LSCE committee is also very welcoming of new members and also welcome those who want to volunteer to help over the weekend itself, even if you don’t have time to join the committee. Please contact Jo if you would like to contribute in any way.
Ian Beaton, LSEC Chairman
Posted March 1st 2021
David Altham tribute
Joan has donated the books to the Shelford and Stapleford Youth Initiative (SSYI) and she is hoping that if anyone would like one they might make a donation to the work of SSYI.
Copies are available by emailing davidjhjones@btinternet.com if you are interested in a copy.
Together they moved to Uganda to reopen a hospital which they ran for 10 years before returning to England.
Joan, who lives in Bridge Lane, was inspired to write the book during lockdown by her granddaughter. It was originally published just for friends and family.
Villager Joan Church has published her autobiography.The book has ben called "Life's An Adventure." Joan was born and went to school in Jamaica.
She travelled to England on her own aged 16 to train as a nurse where she met and later married her husband Robin who had himself come from Africa to train as a doctor.
It was with great sadness that we heard of the death of David Altham. David was a long-standing supporter of Little Shelford Cricket Club, both as a player, a team Captain and as a Vice President of the Club. When the club was going through tough times in the 1990’s David’s enthusiasm and commitment helped to bring us through and helped to create the vibrant club we now have so he is remembered very fondly. Neil Orpwood, a key member of LSCC for many years who remembers David well commented: “David was a stalwart of the club from the mid-eighties to the late nineties opening the bowling under the captaincy of Mike Roberts for many seasons. He was an old Etonian who always played in his old school cap and was also well known for his forthright opinions on the opposition's batsmen!”. Angus Topham-Smith, a VP of LSCC, also recalls playing and growing up with David: “I knew David ever since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. We were born and raised in Little Shelford. We played a lot of tennis together and grew up together in the Village. We were at St Faiths from 1955 to 1957, where David was captain of cricket and I was his swashbuckling all-rounder”. Angus added. “He went off to Eton College and I to Fettes College in Edinburgh. David and I played cricket together for Little Shelford for many years. He was a very fine batsman and captain. He was also a talented musician and his piano playing was great, one moment Bee Bumble and The Stingers and then Rachmaninov or Ray Charles! David was also a good golfer and a member at the Gogs for some years. Often difficult to fathom, his own man, but multitalented”.
Many other VP’s and past players have very many happy memories of David and we offer his Sister Jane and Brother Jimmy and the wider family our sincere condolences. The Cricket Club will be looking at some form of commemoration of David’s contribution to LSCC later in the season.
David's sister Jane still lives in the village and the family are great supporters of the Cricket club. Jane and brother Jimmy are also now the last close relatives of the Wale Family in the Village. The Wale Family allowed Little Shelford to play cricket in their grounds from the 1860’s and, of course, subsequently gave the Wale Recreation Ground to the Village where cricket is still played today.
David was also involved in an early fore-runner of the band Pink Floyd.
David JH Jones
Chairman, Little Shelford Cricket Club
Posted Feb 17 2021
Rabbit in a push chair
Join Little Shelford Parish Council for a Socially Distanced Hedgerow Deep Clean.
2pm – 3.30pm Sunday 28th February 2020
With all the hedgerow vegetation having died back for the winter this is a perfect time to deep clean our hedgerows and collect bottles, cans, and other litter. Michael, our Village Man, does a great job of keeping the village tidy every week. But this is our chance to help him out before the spring returns and the hedgerows bloom again.
Meet at the Little Shelford Memorial Hall at 2pm. Finish at the Village Hall at 3.30pm. Bring protective gloves and a bucket. High Visibility jackets and litter bags and pickers will be supplied. Arrangements will be adjusted to make sure the Litter Pick is compliant with Covid-19 restrictions
Questions? Contact David Jones on 847213 or davidjhjones@btinternet.com
Posted Jan 29 2021
helplittleshelford team update
The challenges of the coming lockdown are many but because of the weather and lack of light we are all likely to feel even more isolated. We have a wonderful group of volunteers ready and willing to help you through this period. We know that some of you have found a regular (even daily) phone call to be something to look forward to and a time when you can sort out any problems you may have. We would be very happy to put you in touch with a volunteer who would contact you at regular intervals to have a chat and to see if there is anything you need.
The prescription service (see below) is up and running thanks to Sarah Penn and her team of volunteers - please continue to make use of it.
If you need help getting to somewhere for the Covid-19 vaccine, the helplittleshelford team can certainly help. Do remember that if you are unwell for any other reason, the Health Centre (843661) is open and would much rather you contact them than ignore any health concerns.
Some of you may need someone to go to the post office occasionally to post a parcel or to draw money; again this is something the helplittleshelford team can help with.
If you have any needs or concerns, please feel free to contact your local helplittleshelford volunteer. If you don’t know who they are, you can phone Charles and Caroline (Kingdon) on 01223 842048; someone will always be there to answer your call.
Please contact the group at: helplittleshelford@gmail.com and keep safe!
Prescription collections
The prescription collection service is available for those in the village who are self-isolating and finding that collecting prescriptions is a problem.
Procedure:
· All individuals (or the carer if the person is unwell) should call Boots the Chemist on 01223 843262 to clarify that the prescription is ready for collection.
· Most patients (e.g. all over 60) receive free prescriptions so payment is not an issue.
· If a payment is due, the individual should ring Boots and pay over the phone before requesting the prescription collection. This removes the need to worry about cash/payment/reimbursement.
· Individuals needing items collected need to inform Sarah Penn at sarah@nwpenn.net or 07799 638090 on the day that they know the items will be ready (they will need to give Sarah the name and address of the individual and some idea of what they are collecting – pills, dressings, injections etc.)
· Most people will have their prescriptions sent directly from the Shelford Medical Centre to Boots, but if you require a written prescription to be delivered to Boots our volunteers can do this for you.
· If your prescription is at an alternative local location e.g. Harston Medical Practice or J.T Gregory Pharmacy, collection can be arranged.
Posted Jan 5 2020
Dog Pooh on the Wale: Please clean up
There are reports of a growing amount of dog pooh not being collected by dog owners who use the Wale Recreation Ground.
This is a health hazard for the many young people and children who use the playground and our pitches as well as an unpleasant mess for adults to deal with.
Generally, in the Village we have a good record of dog owners collecting dog pooh and dealing with it appropriately. So, please, do not let your dog poo on the Wale or on our streets and verges without having bags with you and cleaning up and disposing of your bag in the bins located on the Wale and around the village. If you see any irresponsible dog owners doing so, please reprimand them or let us know at the Parish Council.
Your help in keeping the Village clean, safe, and attractive for residents is much appreciated.
David Jones, Parish Councillor
davidjhjones@btinternet.com or 847213
Posted Jan 5 2021
Little Shelford war graves
You may have noticed that a Commonwealth War Graves Commission plaque has appeared on the wall at All Saints Church.
Signage is being erected at every possible graveyard where war dead are buried in an initiative supported by our Rector at All Saints Church, Simon Scott.
The aim of the initiative was to increase awareness of war graves across the UK and to remind the public that they need not travel abroad to find Commonwealth commemorations.
There are 4 official war graves in the All Saints Churchyard, three from World War I and one from World War II. The graves commemorate:
• W A HARVEY, Private, Service Number: 63822, 4th Bn., Royal Fusiliers. Died 28 October 1917, 37 years old
• VERNON HARCOURT De BUTTS POWELL, Major, 53rd Bty. 13th Bde. Canadian Field Artillery. Died 02 January 1918, 31 years old
• DEREK ARTHUR POOLEY, Guardsman, Service Number: 2723861, 3rd Bn. Irish Guards, Died 18 May 1945, 22 years old
• BERIS SELINA FRANCES BURTON-FANNING, Nurse, 1st Eastern General Hospital, Voluntary Aid Detachment, Died 21 October 1916 22 years old
All the graves are marked with standard Commission Portland Stone head stones, exactly as you would see in the long rows at the large War cemeteries in France, except for the grave of Ms Beris Burton-Fanning, which is a beautifully formed cross.
The grave of Ms Burton-Fanning was only added to the official CWGC war dead register on 2nd February 2017 and so her family had provided a memorial at the time of her death in the normal way. Why not take a stroll around the quiet churchyard at All Saints to find the War Graves and reflect on the sacrifices made by these individuals.
Posted Dec 1 2020
HelpLittleShelford update: November 2020
As we approach a month of partial lockdown, we are pleased to say that many of the local volunteers who responded in March continue to support the community and its needs going forward; we currently have plenty of volunteers willing to help as we move into lockdown on November 5th. Every home in the village should have the contact details of a named HLS volunteer. Here is a reminder of the email address for the HLS group in case it has been misplaced:
Anyone in Little Shelford can use this email to communicate any need to the team.
In March, every house in the village received a post card with information on how to contact their nearest street volunteer. If you have lost that card or are new to the village and don’t know who your point of contact is, please email us on the email address above and we can deliver one.
We anticipate that volunteers will continue to run errands such as shopping and posting mail. Some people might still want help getting onto internet apps like Skype or WhatsApp (to communicate with family) or online supermarket shopping sites and banking apps.
Others might just appreciate a regular phone call; being unable to socialise is something few of us is used to, but Little Shelford is a very special community.
The prescription collection service that has been running since the beginning of the March lockdown, with many thanks to Sarah Penn and her team, is available for those in the village who are self-isolating and finding that collecting prescriptions is a problem.
Procedure:
· All individuals (or the carer if the person is unwell) should call Boots the Chemist on 01223 843262 to clarify that the prescription is ready for collection.
· Most patients (e.g. all over 60) receive free prescriptions so payment is not an issue.
· If a payment is due, the individual should ring Boots and pay over the phone before requesting the prescription collection. This removes the need to worry about cash/payment/reimbursement.
· Individuals needing items collected need to inform Sarah Penn at sarah@nwpenn.net or 07799 638090 on the day that they know the items will be ready (they will need to give Sarah the name and address of the individual and some idea of what they are collecting – pills, dressings, injections etc.)
· Most people will have their prescriptions sent directly from the Shelford Medical Centre to Boots, but if you require a written prescription to be delivered to Boots our volunteers can do this for you.
· If your prescription is at an alternative local location e.g. Harston Medical Practice or J.T Gregory Pharmacy, collection can be arranged.
Posted Nov 5 2020
Community orchard update
Can you support the creation of a community orchard for Little Shelford?
There are plans to create a community orchard and wood on Blennie's Patch next to the allotments at the end of Garden Fields.
Whilst they hope to raise some money through grants, organisers Shelford Community Orchard and Woodland Project (SCOWP) need some initial injection of funds to allow the purchase of the fruit trees, their supports and protection and the preparation of the ground for planting.
Their fundraising goal is £2,500 for the first year. They have already raised £500.
Can you consider making a donation towards the project? Any amount you can afford to contribute will make a difference, but £30 would cover the cost of buying and planting a single apple tree or for £50 you could choose a specific tree to sponsor and dedicate it to a loved one and provide a memorial plaque if you wish.
The project is being organised as a sub-committee of the Parish Council and all donations can be made directly to the PC via cheque (identifying SCOWP) or bank transfer.
Read more about Little Shelford's community orchard here.
Mike Darsley
mdgb59@gmail.com
Posted October 21 2020
Otter spotted at the Rec
An otter has been spotted at Little Shelford Recreation Ground.
"I thought the village might be interested to know I saw a beautiful otter in the river about a week ago," said Chris Davey.
"First I saw the sleek head bobbing along. Then he/she obligingly climbed the bank right opposite me so I saw all of it. It re entered the water a few yards down and continued downstream."
Posted Oct 26 2020
Village litter pick
Posted Jan 29 2021
Anyone with any information should contact the Parish Council.
Rubbish has been dumped into Newton Road Little Shelford around Jan 26.
Fly tipping in Newton Road
Now we have Government guidance on leaving lockdown, we are pleased to say we will be starting cricket nets on the Wale in early April 2021 with matches commencing later in April but with appropriate Covid precautions.
A full fixtures list for the 2021 season is available at https://littleshelford.play-cricket.com/home
Our plans to install an artificial cricket strip on one side of the square at the Wale are proceeding, following Parish Council approval, and we hope this will be done by the end of April. This will be of enormous benefit to the club and particularly our Junior Section both for nets and matches. Our Junior section has teams for ages starting with U11’s and if your Children would like to join the LSCC Junior Cricket section you can contact Ian Reid (ian.reid620@ntlworld.com), well known as a successful Cambridge based Junior Coach or Jamie Harrison (jjc.harrison@ntlworld.com), LSCC Player and experienced youth coach.
Finally, the Old Boys Game has been postponed until Saturday 11th September in the hope we can have a festival of cricket on the Wale and open to all. This will include a Junior Section T20 game in the morning when the Junior Teams will play for the first time for the David Altham Memorial Trophy, in honour of David, a long standing LSCC Captain, player and Vice President who passed away recently.
David JH Jones, LSCC Chairman, (davidjhjones@btinternet.com)
Posted March 1st 2021
Cricket club update
Villagers walking around the village during lockdown might have spotted a rabbit being taken for some fresh air in a pushchair.The rabbit is called Murphy. He is pictured with co-owner Erica who lives in Little Shelford.Erica said, ‘We bought the push chair in lockdown in March because we thought it would be fun to get the rabbit out for a walk. He really loves it and people stop in surprise when they see him in it! It’s nice to make people smile!’Posted Feb 22 2021
Little Shelford surgeon to star in TV programme
Little Shelford surgeon Andrew Carrothers will be featured in BBC Two’s ‘Surgeons: At the Edge of Life’ in October.
Andrew will be seen carrying out a unique pelvis and hip operation – called a Harrington Plus - which pushes the boundaries of medical science. Surgeons at the Edge of Life
The Addenbrooke’s hospital consultant surgeon knew from a young age the specialty he wanted to follow.
As a medical student he set his heart on becoming an orthopaedic surgeon, having seen how even routine procedures like hip and knee replacements can transform a patient’s quality of life.
It’s a procedure he has developed with the help of consultant anaesthetist, trusted colleague, and good friend, Ronan O’Leary. There are only 15 patients in the world who have had this operation.
The programme is on BBC 2 on Tuesday October 6. Posted 2/10/2020
Save the date for the Little Shelford week-end
The dates for the 2021 Village Week-end have been announced. It will take place from September 17 to 19th.
The popular village weekend that has been running every year for the last 20 years, built on a tradition that had lapsed in the 1980’s of an annual Village feast that stretches back for centuries.
They had to cancel their events planned for September 2020, but have continued to meet and consider plans for our Village Weekend in 2021. The event will be the traditional three days of activities, including dancing and food on Friday evening, a traditional village fete and family games on Saturday and All Saints Harvest celebration, history walks and other more relaxed activities on Sunday.
You can help them plan 2021 with your suggestions and ideas
The weekend is in the early stages of planning so there is still plenty of time for the Village Community to come up with ideas and suggestions for the weekend. So, if you have thoughts, or comments please e-mail their LSEC secretary, Jo Boyle, joboyle780@gmail.com with your ideas.
The LSCE committee is also very welcoming of new members and also welcome those who want to volunteer to help over the weekend itself, even if you don’t have time to join the committee. Please contact Jo if you would like to contribute in any way.
Ian Beaton, LSEC Chairman
Posted Oct 6 2020
Top cricket coach visits Little Shelford
England Cricket head coach Chris Silverwood visited the Wale to watch his two boys playing in a County Youth Cricket match on 31st August. The Wale is a popular venue for County Youth cricket and we are honoured that of all the grounds they could chose they request to use the Wale because it is safe, well equipped and thanks to the hard work of Neil Orpwood and his team from LSCC also has an excellent Cricket square and tracks. Posted 01/09/20
New booking clerk wanted
Little Shelford pavilion is a busy local facility caters for sports clubs, parties, social groups, classes etc. Due to the retirement of the present booking clerk, we require a person to coordinate the bookings of the pavilion and to ensure that all requested facilities are available for our clients.
A salary is available, commensurate with the likely hours required to satisfactorily carry out the job.
Please reply, either by letter to Maurice Palmer, New Barn, High Street, Little Shelford, CB22 5ES, Tel. No 845387 or by email to ms.palmer@btinternet.com. Posted 01/09.2020
New signs at the Rec
New Wale weatherproof signs have been put up reminding all users of the Wale Recreation Ground that they should enjoy themselves but remember to take their litter home.
They seem to be working well so far but if some visitors forget to take litter and you need to call out the Wale Recreation Ground emergency litter pickers, especially at weekends, call David Jones on 847213 and leave a message and also send a Text message to 07711 063722.
We have 8 volunteers ready and equipped to litter pick at short notice in addition to the regular litter picking done by Michael, our village man, on weekdays. Posted August 10 2020
One of Little Shelford's oldest villagers dies
Pat Harvey, one of Little Shelford's oldest villagers, has died.
She was a great 'villager' - she spent a very happy childhood in Tadlow (a tiny village near Wimpole Hall) and moved to Hauxton's King's Head pub (now Tudor House) with her new husband, Bert, in 1952. Shortly afterwards, they moved to Little Shelford where Bert constructed an eccentric home for their growing family. The Harvey family had already established a market garden in Harston village in the 1930s and a second nursery was developed behind their home in Little Shelford. However, Pat's involvement in the business was minimal as she was busy as a popular teacher of shorthand and typing to adults and children at Cambridge 'Tech' and Melbourn Village College.
Pat was a very creative person, enjoying gardens, painting, needlework - she designed and knitted the most incredible garments which adorned her elegant figure as she cycled around the villages. She loved nothing more than a village event; she had great 'joie de vivre' and a practical ‘getting-on with it’ spirit, bringing a rare eye for the absurdities and fun of life as described in this letter to her daughter from June 1977:
'The evening before Jubilee Day, Little Shelford had its Social Evening, open to all the village and free! We went along not really expecting very much and were surprised to find we had a really marvellous evening. There was a bar with just white wine and Abbot Ale for sale in small plastic tumblers. By the end of the evening we were all very merry!!! Monica, Alan, Gladys, Freddy, Claire, Daddy [Prince Regent pub regulars] and myself were with couples in sets all round the room and music by records and a local folk group who were very good. The ploughman's supper was good too with more than enough butter. We decided that part of the Butter Mountain must have found its way to Shelford!'
There was a little discord between Bert and Pat about where they should finally rest and it was determined that 'whoever went first should decide', hence Pat's funeral will take place at Hauxton Church on July 29th, the hearse will depart from Hauxton village green at 11.00 a.m.
Brenda Purkiss July 17 2020
Caring for our open spaces during the pandemic
During lock down I am sure most villagers have really appreciated the open spaces and paths we have around us. Indeed, I know from talking to many residents that Bradmere Pond, the Allotment area, the Durnford Mill path, the Newton Bridleway and the Obelisk walk have been frequently used and for some residents discovered for the first time, as we have all been staying at home and exercising locally. While our greatest asset of open space, the Wale Recreation Ground, has seen more frequent use than ever in living memory. We have been happy to share these open spaces with the many people who have walked from neighbouring villages and even Cambridge City, to get exercise and explore the South Cambridgeshire countryside.
The Parish Council has been pleased that all these facilities have been well used and enjoyed during the spectacular weather in lock- down. We also thank all residents and visitors for the largely responsible attitude they have shown to social distancing and cleanliness when using our open spaces and paths.
Unfortunately, this much increased use has not been without its problems, particularly as the days have got longer and the weather hotter. I am sad to report there have been minor acts of vandalism on the allotments and two incidents of criminal damage at the Bowls Club on the Wale. We have also faced some severe problems with litter on the Wale which has become particularly popular of late with groups of teenagers and young adults on summers evenings, because of its remoteness and relative isolation.
They come from far and wide to enjoy the open space, play football, drink, smoke and enjoy the surroundings and the sunshine with the knowledge that the Wale’s isolation is likely to leave them undisturbed. This isn’t a problem if they respect their environment, take their litter home with them and don’t indulge in acts of vandalism. I know residents have had conversations with some of these young people, as have I. Generally, they have been co-operative and have listened to appeals to remove litter and to respect the Wale. However, there are still exceptions.
So, we have decided we need to take some additional actions to help preserve and protect the beauty of the Wale and do more to encourage respectful use of our open spaces. The steps we plan are:
(a) Members of the PC have started going down to the Wale mid-evening, particularly in good weather and weekends, to observe what is going on. In some cases, we talk to the young people who are gathering. Our message is that we want them to enjoy the Wale BUT there should be no vandalism and they must take rubbish home. So far, the response has been for the most part remarkably polite and accepting, some teenagers even apologised! We are not policemen but we hope by expressing concern about behaviours some will take notice;
(b) The SSYI Youth Work team will also start calling into the Wale on Summers evenings now that they are aware of the growing volume of the young people from surrounding villages enjoying the space as part of their community work, also promoting the need for respect to be shown and litter collected;
(c) PC members will be attending the Police Commissioners meeting when South Cambridgeshire is on the agenda and request that the Wale is added to the list for occasional visits by the local PCSO’s;
(d) We are investigating placing one or two more bins by the picnic table and playground area;
(e) We have asked Michael, our Village man who does regular litter picking around the village, to do more litter picking on the Wale after good summer evenings and weekends and to make sure the bins by the playground are regularly emptied;
(g) We plan to put up some signage for use in the summer months at strategic points around the Wale with the message "Enjoy the Wale Recreation Ground but Please TAKE YOUR LITTER HOME”.
Finally, a request to Village Residents.
We would like to set up a WhatsApp Group of volunteers who we can call on if an emergency litter pick is needed. We have rubbish bags, litter pickers and gloves issued by the District Council which these volunteers can have. The idea is that if the situation is particularly bad, a villager can let me or other members of the group know. A message will then be sent to the WhatsApp group and ask whoever is available to get down to the Wale, or to another site in the Village, as quickly as possible to do some emergency litter picking. I hope this won’t happen very often and if even 2-3 volunteers are able to show up a lot of litter can be collected very quickly. If you would like to be a volunteer in this WhatsApp group let me know by e-mailing me on davidjhjones@btinternet.com or call me on 847213 and leave a message.
David Jones, Little Shelford Parish Council Posted June 30 2020
Thank you
Last week saw the publication of the 14th and last (?) issue of the Little Shelford community magazine. It is somewhat mind-boggling that that is how long lock-down has been in place. However, it is enterprises like the magazine that bring some colour to what might otherwise have been a monochrome period in our lives.
I want to extend the thanks of the Parish Council and, I’m sure, all villagers, to everyone who has contributed to the magazine over the past three months. There has been so much variety and items of interest every week. It is invidious to pick out individuals but there have been some very regular contributors, such as Christa Jostock, Julie Darsley, David Jones and Neil Orpwood. Each issue has been lovingly produced by Simon Conway-Smith. However, our greatest appreciation is reserved for Libby Ahluwalia. She has been the inspiration and mainspring from the start and has devoted who knows how much time to editing each issue. Thank you Libby!
Andrew Hawthorn
Chair Little Shelford Parish Council
June 29 2020
Little Shelford face masks
"They cost £4 each. I’m not sure if I’m covering costs or not, but I’m enjoying making them and so far have had great feedback!!"
Posted June 9 2020
Vandalism at the allotments
Vandalism has taken place at the allotments off garden Fields.
Mary Palazzo and Geoff Warwick repaired their grandson’s scarecrow last week. But when they went back at the beginning of this week, they found it was in pieces.
"The scarecrow was in the middle of the garlic and onions and these were ruined," said Geoff.
"Someone had obviously stood there and knocked the scarecrow to pieces with a stick. There were footprints in the vegetable rows, cigarette butts, rizla paper. So whoever did it was in a group who stood around and watched the entertainment.
"Not much I can do. I’ve asked around but no one saw anything.
"Anyway, thought it would be worth registering in case this becomes a thing and the allotments become somewhere for kids to have fun during lockdown."
Posted June 19 2020
Thank you
A huge thank you to helplittleshelford and to our wonderful prescriptions team.
When we first realised that the pandemic was soon to be a reality and that the lockdown might leave many vulnerable, a group of villagers came together to form helplittleshelford. They have worked quietly, thoughtfully and lovingly to support people in the community – whatever their needs. These have ranged from shopping and running errands to ensuring adequate supplies of gin!
What we have heard from so many is that by just knowing that there was someone at hand in case of need, worries have been allayed and the sense of isolation diminished, so thank you to each of the 37 individuals who are responsible for a group of people in the village.
Then there are the three prescription collectors and deliverers: Isabella Martin, Thomas Hawthorne and Dane Skogstad, ably coordinated by Sarah Penn. To date the team has collected well over 100 prescriptions, and there has not been a weekday when someone hasn’t had a delivery Thank you for this magnificent service!
Don’t forget that you can email helplittleshelford@gmail.com with any requests.
Posted June 9 2020
Shelford School needs your support
Could you buy some books for Shelford School?
Their normal fundraising efforts and events have been hard hit by the COVID outbreak so they are finding new ways to raise money. The school library is in desperate need of new books so they’ve started an Amazon Wishlist so that parents, relatives and anyone who wants to buy a book to donate to the school can do so easily.
There’s no obligation to buy from Amazon but if you do the books are sent straight to the school so it’s very low effort.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/2WSDF7L9G47UW?ref_=wl_share -
Hannah Mohamad
PTA Chair
Posted July 1 2020
Fun week-end cancelled
The Little Shelford Fun Week-end has been cancelled.
It was due to take place from September 11 to 13. But because of the uncertainties caused by the COVID19 outbreak, organisers have decided to press the pause button.
The fun week-end will be back stronger next year on either September 4 or 18.
Posted May 27 2020
Netflix series that started life in Little Shelford
Little Shelford writer Sarah Vaughan’s thriller Anatomy of a Scandal is being turned into a Netflix mini-series.
The six part series will be filmed in the UK, with Sarah being the executive Producer.
According to Variety Magazine, It will be scripted by David E Kelley (Big Little Lies, Ally McBeal and husband of Michelle Pfieffer) and Melissa James Gibson (House of Cards), produced by the hugely talented Bruna Papandrea and Liza Chasin, and directed by a third incredible woman, SJ Clarkson (Succession; Collateral; Love, Nina, Jessica Jones.)
Covid19 is delaying the filming.
Read more about Sarah Vaughan here.
Posted May 26 2020
Online success emerges from the lockdown
A Little Shelford family have used the lockdown to create a successful online business.
The Happy Hoop Co. was created during the midst of the worldwide lockdown by Rosie Cameron and her 4 daughters who live in the High Street.
"The girls and I have always found it hard to find good quality fashion earrings at affordable prices and one day during lockdown we found an old box of beads and started playing around with them," said Rosie.
"We realised that we were creating nice designs and ones that we would all want to buy. It kind of grew from there.. we have done it all ourselves from designing, sourcing the materials making them, taking photos and creating website ... so it has kept us busy... everyone has a different strength to bring to the table too which helps."
"We got creative and worked hard to design a variety of different styles reflecting our own individual tastes in jewellery. We hope our collection offers something for everyone and for every occasion."
Visit the Happy Hoop website here or see their earrings on Instagram at thehappyhoopco
Camping Close update
Residents of Church Street, and anyone who has looked over the fence in Whittlesford Road, will have seen that changes are taking place in Camping Close.
For many years it was grazed by horses, but recently we decided that it was in need of rest and recovery, so the animals were withdrawn, and the grass was simply cut twice a year.
We then thought that the area would be enhanced by the addition of some trees. The first to be planted was a fastigiate hornbeam, a gift from Jane to Jimmy, but we began in earnest in early Spring 2019, when we put in a ‘copse pack’ from The Woodland Trust, a mixture of rowan, silver birch and wild cherry.
They made a slow start, being hampered by the long drought last summer, and one or two have died, but the survivors are now more
comfortable and making progress. Mike and Theresa from Church Street added a select variety of whitebeam and an equally special hawthorn.
Jane and Jimmy had picked up seedlings from here and there, some of them self-set in our gardens, and these enabled us to add oak, walnut, field maple, and more hornbeam. This year we obtained three sweet chestnuts and three small-leaved limes from Habitat Aid. Many thanks to Peter Owen, otherwise known as the ‘tree god’, and to Neil Orpwood for all their help with the planting.
It is not our intention to convert the whole of the Close into woodland. We may add a few more trees –a copper beech is a leading candidate for inclusion - but these will join the existing cluster in the middle of the field. A substantial area at each end will be kept clear, to preserve valued views and maintain the open feel of the site. Buttercups are spreading, and with luck other wild flowers will become established. From time to time horses may be allowed back.
Temporary electric fencing has been set up at the High Street end to make provision for horses whose owners are unable to look after them during the Covid crisis.
Sharp eyes will have noticed the bee hives, and perhaps will have seen Ross Lilley, the bee keeper, in his bee suit.
From time to time we receive approaches from would-be developers. The area is protected by so many planning restrictions that they would have no hope of success. We reject all such communications at once.
Jimmy Altham, David Altham and Jane Lagesse
*A longer version of this article first appeared in the Little Shelford community magazine.
Posted May 5 2020.
Special emergency fund for Little Shelford
Little Shelford Parish Council have linked up with John Huntingdon’s Charity (JHC) based in Sawston to enable residents of the village to access information, advice and guidance in these difficult times.
The Parish Council has made a donation to JHC that can be used to provide direct help for villagers severely impacted by the effects of Covid-19.
The charity has a small team of experienced Support Workers who can help with benefits, housing, debt and grants.
If you are struggling, please give JHC a call on 01223 492492 or e mail them at office@johnhuntingdon.org.uk and they will do their best to help, alternatively call or text Support Worker Sarva, directly on her mobile 07492 873549. You can also contact JHC through Facebook, by just liking John Huntingdon’s Charity.
The JHC office is manned Monday to Friday, but on slightly reduced hours, so please leave a message on the answering machine if no-one answers, and they will get back to you as soon as they can.
If you are able to make a personal donation it would be very welcome. You can call JHC on 01223 492492 or email them at office@johnhuntingdon.org.uk . They will be able to claim Gift Aid if you supply the relevant information. Make sure you make it clear that the donation is for Little Shelford and the funds will be ring-fenced for Village use.
Alternatively, you can send a cheque (made out to “John Huntingdon’s Charity”) to JHC, 189 High Street, Sawston CB22 5HJ. Make sure you write “Little Shelford” on the back of the cheque and request a gift-aid claim form if you need one.
Posted April 15 2020
Little Shelford pantomime
Usually, at this time of year we would be advertising auditions for Little Shelford Pantomime. Obviously, we cannot hold auditions but hope, by the autumn we may have reached a position where rehearsals can start. To this end, we have collectively decided to take everyone who was in the cast or chorus of ‘The Little Mermaid’ last year unless they don’t wish to take part or are moving on to 6th form college. We know last year’s cast, know their talents and know what they are capable of so this seems a good compromise. We usually take new children (usually from years 5 – 7) into the chorus and would hope to audition these younger ones later in the year and will advertise an audition date when the situation is clearer.
The good news is that Libby is keen to start writing the script while ‘confined to barracks’. She has chosen ‘Babes in the wood’ as the pantomime theme although this may include anything! We are in touch with last year’s cast but if any younger children know they would like to audition, let me know (coppendales@btinternet.com; 842498) and I, in turn, will let them know the audition date when it is chosen.
Sarah Coppendale Posted April 15 2020
Little Shelford history project
As a community, we are so fortunate to have the Fanny Wale resource giving us a snapshot of our village in the early twentieth century. I thought that now could be an excellent time to harvest information about our village from the end of the Fanny Wale record 1919 to now.
The aim is to create a permanent community resource for the future, hopefully, to understand better our community identity and preserve our collective and personal memories, which form a unique and irreplaceable part of our heritage.
The task is to collect information from the deeds of our houses from 1919 (or whenever they were built) to now.
If you would be interested in dusting down your deeds and sharing please send your information to gailpi@mac.com and I will collate it.
From a GDPR point of view, all the information gathered will already be in the public domain. The archive's purpose is for public interest, and the right to be forgotten is available to anyone.
Gail Pilkington
Posted April 7 2020
Choose your activities carefully warning
In the current UK COVID-19 climate, routine orthopaedic trauma care is being stretched to its limits. Andrew Carrothers, who lives in Little Shelford has demonstrated the necessary Personal Protection Equipment for an orthopaedic surgeon and their surgical team, prior to surgery, making the process more complex and the operation more taxing for all involved.
"This is a key reason to reduce trauma to hospitals as surgery is by no means guaranteed, surgical times will be extended and cases will have to be carefully prioritised," said Andrew
"So choose your exercises and activities carefully in the coming weeks to avoid any kind of serious injury to help yourself and Protect the NHS during these difficult times.”
Posted April 15 2020
Prescriptions service for the housebound, elderly and vulnerable
A new prescription service has been created for housebound, elderly and vulnerable people in Little Shelford. Here is a note from organiser Charles Kingdon and the Help Little Shelford group.
"We realise that some people who are self-isolating in the village are finding that collecting prescriptions is a problem. We have had a fruitful talk with Richard Searle, the Manager of Boots, Great Shelford. They are struggling with a significant backlog (some 1500 prescriptions!) and are grateful for our approach to help streamline the process where possible. Sarah Penn has generously agreed to coordinate the effort along with 3 willing and able young people who will collect the medicines from Boots on two days each (Sarah will oversee this.)
Procedures:
· All individuals (or the carer if the person is unwell) should call Boots the Chemist on 01223 843262 to clarify that the prescription will be ready for collection the following day. (NB For the next few days, they will be focusing on urgent requests only.)
· Most patients (e.g. all over 60) receive free prescriptions, so payment is not an issue.
· If a payment is due, they suggest the individual should ring Boots and pay over the phone before requesting the prescription. This removes our need to worry about cash/payment/reimbursement.
· Boots will batch the prescriptions for our volunteer to collect from the side door between 1:00 and 2:00pm (their lunch hour). This will eliminate any need to queue.
Suggested procedure.
· Individuals needing items collected need to inform Sarah Penn at sarah@nwpenn.net or 07799 638090 by 11:00 on the day that they know the items will be ready (they will need to give Sarah the name and address of the individual and some idea of what they are collecting – pills, dressings, injections etc.).
· Sarah will email a list of requests to the appropriate volunteer, who will go to the chemist between 1:00 and 2:00pm to avoid needing to queue. The volunteer will return to the village and deliver the items to the relevant household.
Most people will have their prescriptions sent directly from the Shelford Medical Centre to Boots, but if you require a written prescription to be delivered to Boots our volunteers can do this for you – again let Sarah know.
There will be a rota of the three volunteers to cover each day – 2 days each a week; Sarah will coordinate days with the volunteers. We have Dane Skogstad, Isabella Martin and Thomas Hawthorne, who are willing and able to help.
With best wishes,
helplittleshelford
The email addresses of the three volunteers are as follows:
Dane Skogstad: daneskogstad036@gmail.com (07932 886876)
Thomas Hawthorn: thomas.hawthorn@bradmere.co.uk (07580 836756)
Isabella Martin: isabellamartin2310@gmail.com (07857 125055)
Posted April 7 2020
A sewer in Church Street near the Memorial Hall has been blocked three time in three months.
"Since we moved here at the end of October, e have experienced poor drainage, " said Anthony Drake.
"Anglian Water have attended on Nov 18, Dec 12 and Jan 27.
"Each time they reported that the cause of the blockage was large lumps of fat in the pipe near the Memorial Hll which were very difficult to shift." Posted Feb 20
Council tax rise
The Parish Council's share of Little Shelford's council tax bills will go up by 3.7% from April.
The Council decided at its meeting on Jan 27 that it plans to raise £30,300 from the council tax. The precept is £1300.00 higher for 2020/21 than the previous year.
The precept will give a Band D equivalent for 2020/21 of £79.24. This is an increase of £2.88 or 3.77% above the Band D equivalent charge in 2019/20.
Parish Council Chair Andrew Hawthorn explained that this was the largest rise for six of seven years.
Posted Jan 28 2020
Parish Council January headlines
The decisions and actions of the January Parish Council meeting included;
Broad proposals for a community orchard at Blennie's Patch, next to the allotments, at the top of Garden Fields were given the thumbs up.(See separate story)
A proposed Village Design Guide which will help protect the character of Little Shelford, written by Neil Ruffles and Collette Patterson, was agreed in principle by the Parish Council. Maps and photos will now be added before the draft guide is shared with he wider village.
Adobe InDesign – can you help? A team in the village has developed the text and collated the photos for the Village Design Guide. This will guide developers on what is acceptable in our village. What they need now is help to turn it into a professional looking document – can you help with Adobe InDesign? Please email littleshelfordparishclerk@aol.com
The village needs someone to head up Little Shelford's Neighbour Watch Scheme now that Fiona James has decided to stand down. A rep is also needed for Whittlesford Road.
A village litter pick will go ahead on March 1st led by David Jones
The Council is supporting a village street party on Friday May 8th on Church Street.
Grants totalling £1,250 were given to Shelford and Stapleford Youth initiative, the Little Shelford Wildlife group and the Shelford Twinning Association. The full minutes of the meeting will be published here. Posted Jan 28 2020
Little Shelford Housing Needs Survey
Can you and your family find somewhere to live in the village that meets your needs? Would you like to move but can’t find suitable housing?
Little Shelford Parish Council think that there may be gaps in housing provision, particularly for the young and those looking to downsize. The council has commissioned an external organisation, ACRE, to undertake a survey of housing need to establish whether this is the case.
It is a long time since such a survey was last undertaken. The Parish Plan in 2010 highlighted that there is too little low cost housing that allows young people to stay in the village. The Parish Council also hears that there is a shortage of suitable accommodation for people who want to downsize when they are older. The Council thinks it is time to look at these needs more closely.
The survey will produce a report that:
• profiles the housing requirement (the gap between provision and need) in the village
• shows the need for affordable housing from people who have a local connection.
The Parish Council also want to gauge the level of support, amongst all villagers, for development of some new affordable housing. Even if you don’t have any direct need, you can show your view on this by answering a couple of questions and returning the form.
A separate survey form should be completed for each potential new household. Please contact Cambridgeshire ACRE (details overleaf) if you require additional survey forms. They can send forms to family members living away from Little Shelford who would like to live here and contribute to the survey. The survey can also be completed online - http://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/LittleShelford by Jan 31st.
Andrew Hawthorn
Chairman, Little Shelford Parish Council Updated Jan15 2020
Great Shelford planning and planning applications
Great Shelford community groups
"Then I made some for family, and people started asking if I could make some, so I thought I’d try and cover my costs as I was going a bit mad with fabrics at this stage, and so started an Instagram page @little_shelford_masks and advertised on the Shelford’s Covid site on Facebook.
"I make them to order, so there is a bit of a wait, and they can be ordered via a personal message on Messenger or email : ruthshah@me.com
"They are lined with Egyptian cotton and are washable and reusable.
"I saw something on the One Show about making masks, so thought I’d have a go at making some for my colleagues at the Cambridgeshire Care Home to have something to wear on public transport etc. I found some fun fabrics and they loved them. As I’m not working at the moment it was a great way to still connect with them and feel part of the team.
Villager Ruth Shah is making face masks to help meet the significant demand caused by the COVID19 epidemic.
"It started out as a bit of a project as I’ve had a sewing machine for ages and hadn’t really mastered how to use it," said Ruth, who lives in Manor Road.
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