Cambourne
Mike Jocelyn is correspondent for Cambourne. Contact him at 3 Kemmann Lane, Great Cambourne, CB3 6AU. Phone: (01954) 203674. Email: mikej@cambourne.org
Cambourne Women's Institute.
Due to sudden illness, the speaker for the WI meeting on August 14th had to cancel at the last moment. However the WI was fortunate in being able to ask one of the members, Janet Paranckevicious, to come to the rescue. She stepped in at short notice to give an very interesting talk about her pilgrimage to Northern Spain with Church groups. She handed round leaflets to illustrate the talk and there were post cards showing the places she visited. Many thanks to Janet for saving the day.
At the next meeting on September 11th one of the Country Park Rangers will be coming to tell us all about the Milton Country Park.
Meetings of the WI are held at 7.30 pm in the Ark every 2nd Thursday in the month. New members and visitors will receive a warm and friendly welcome. If you have recently moved to Cambourne and would like to meet other residents please do come along.
Phone Joan Roe on 200908 or Margaret Jocelyn on 203674 if you would like more information.
Source Mike Jocelyn 20th August 2003
The Children's Holiday Club, which is run by Churches Together in Cambourne, took place in the Ark last Monday to Friday (4th - 8th August) from 1000-12noon & 1.30-3.30 .
48 primary aged children came on board the Millenium Parrot space craft in search of the Miracle Maker at the Ark. They were all counted out and all counted back...and it seems that some even had a good time!
A big thank you is due to Captain Smirk (actually Rev. Pauline Scott) for all the preparation put in before the event and also for the leading every morning & afternoon and not least for the clearing up afterwards.
The following most newly arrived residents of Cambourne were baptised: Isobel Laura Philips of 8 Alder Drive, Oliver Michael Colchester of 4 Maple Close and Joshua Lewis Day of 19 Quidditch Lane. Churches Together pray for their parents Trevor & Julia, Patrick & Paula and Mark & Sally.
Cambourne has seen a number of weddings lately. Our hearty congratulations and best wishes go to Lisa Jenkins & Jason Hindle, to Vanessa Couzens & Jason Callaghan and to Jean Hines & Tim Williams.
Source Mike 13/8/2003
A lively planning meeting was held on 4th August at 7:30 p.m.. It was encouraging to see eight members of the public attending.
The primary application for consideration was for the amended Cambourne Enhanced proposal. In spite of a small reduction in the number of extra houses applied for, the opposition was just as vocal as with the previous application. Members of the public were invited to have their say prior to the planning committee holding their own meeting.
Roger gave a short summary of the history of Cambourne Master Plan and the Cambourne Enhanced variation sought. Residents were urged once again to write to the SCDC Planning Director expressing their dismay at a re-run of the last rejected application. There was anger expressed generally at the timing of the application, just at the start of the school holidays, with some speculation as to the whether deliberate or not.
Members of the public comments were as follows. Stuart emphasised the need to communicate with residents. He thought he could mobilise 10 or more residents to write. Sue suggested a writing group on a particular day. Paul and Mr Halliday commented that there was already an evident increase on the road passing Morrisons and the increase in housing numbers for Upper Cambourne, with the only vehicle outlet being that same road, would lead to overload and misery for all living in the area. Jennifer also highlighted traffic problems in the making. She also thought schooling an issue and bussing of more and more secondary children to Comberton was detrimental to the children and the environment. The removal of a clear green area between Lower and Great Cambourne was also thought to fly in the face of the original three village concept.
In a heated general discussion it was felt that Upper Cambourne would have many social problems associated with the very high densities proposed. The lack of any mass transport system near to Cambourne meant the dual A428 would quickly run out of capacity. It was also felt that the increase in the time taken to complete Cambourne was totally unreasonable.
The public were then asked to observe without comment as the elected committee prepared their formal response to the application. The committee will present their written response shortly.
The only other application was for a flag pole and all present became a little light headed with comments about whether it was to be vertical, horizontal, bent or straight. However no objections were actually lodged and after a final urging to get letter writing the meeting finished at a little after 9:00 p.m.
Source Mike Jocelyn 6/8/2003
AT THE Cambourne Residents' Association AGM, food was kindly provided by South Cambridgeshire District Council via community officer Susannah Harris and many residents attended.Louise stood down this year, and Howard Fall was unanimously elected as the new chairman. Howard is retired so has the time and energy to fulfil his duties. Andy was re-elected Treasurer.
Helen also tendered her resignation after two years of excellent work as secretary, but she agreed to continue until a new secretary can be found.
Louise urged new members to attend the monthly meetings and to give as much help as possible for the furtherance of the community. An encouraging number of people gave a positive response.
Andy said that finances were healthy enough to cushion the funding of the festival, bonfire and other events.
Pat spoke about the Developer Liaison Group (DLG), which interacts with developers to air problems. Extreme concerns were raised about the dangers to children caused by speeding traffic, in spite of 19 miles-per-hour signs. Speeding heavy lorries were particularly criticised. Zebra crossings were requested at strategic points, especially outside the school. It was explained that the roads were not adopted, so the county council was unlikely to put in temporary crossings. Pat will speak to David Chare, project director, at the next DLG meeting.
However, residents were unwilling to let the matter drop and councillor Daphne Spink committed to speak with the county council and others to resolve the matter. Susannah will also pursue the matter, as will Kate Wood, chief planning officer for Cambourne. Kevan Crane, on behalf of Circle 33, will be active through the Safer Routes to School Group.
Imogen Martineau talked about a national car share scheme with web site www.liftshare.com. It is hoped residents will become involved in the scheme to help reduce traffic into Cambridge.
Cambourne Crier editor Neil Raha asked for volunteers due to the growth of the paper. Laura Clark agreed to become an editor and Neil also asked for people to submit articles, either one offs or regular monthly columns.
Becky Shaw described her arts project and said she will be looking for skills among Cambourne residents, such as scriptwriting, acting, directing, costume, set-building, filming, lighting, graphics and music skills, which will all be needed to build this one-episode epic soap. The first residents' workshop will be called A Game of Consequences, when the first stages of a plot will emerge.
It is hoped the final video will be screened in April 2004.
Peter Wood from Churches Together gave an update on the progress of the church, showing proposed plans and landscaping. A planning application is to be submitted in the near future.
Mike explained the purpose of the Cambourne Community Centre Management Committee, and the progress of the actual building which appears to be behind schedule. It is due to be completed at 1,000 occupied houses. The committee is about to apply for charitable status, which will help in applying for funds for the internal fitting out of the building. A plea was made for any group to forward a request for any special items they may need or think generally useful. It was stressed that the community hall will be for everyone's benefit. Kate Wood informed concerned residents of the sanctions which are available should the consortium fail to honour the commitment to the building on time.
Mike also asked for any contributions to this weekly column in the News.
Roger led a discussion about construction working hours and complaints received and passed on about out or hours working, both early and late. It was decided to ask Kate to look into an 8am start on Saturdays in place of the current 7.30am start.
Kevan Crane answered concerns over teenagers' aggressive behaviour and the suspected use of drugs around the children's play area. Small children were intimidated and at times unable to use the facilities.
A strategy is being developed and will be reported on more fully.
One suggestion was to arrange a special constable to talk to all sections of the community, which will be investigated.
SOURCE CAMBRIDGE EVENING NEWS 11TH JULY 2003
A recent meeting to discuss two art projects held at Cambourne Business Park heard Taslim Martin, the artist creating a public sculpture, describe previous projects with the aid of slides.The proposal for the business park piece is a 10-foot spherical structure created on a geodesic basis, although with a less formal structure.
It is designed to be looked through, with various viewpoints giving different aspects of the work. A detailed computer model will be presented at a later date.
Becky Shaw, artist in residence at Cambourne Business Park and Cambourne, said her project is titled Life Imitating Art: Cambourne's own Soap Opera.
Becky says that the aim of the soap opera project is to "enhance the sense of a business park community using the arts as a catalyst".
Becky would like to invite every Cambourne resident and business park employee to invent their own fictional, TV version of the community of Cambourne.
Initial workshops will build fantasy scripts, moving between every business and important sites in Cambourne. Fictional characters will be created, and any connection to existing characters will remain strictly coincidental. . .
Becky is looking for skilled residents, or people who wish to improve or develop their skills, in the areas of scriptwriting, acting, directing, costume, setbuilding, filming, lighting, graphics and music skills, and she is happy to visit curious individuals and groups to talk more about the project.
SOURCE CAMBRIDGE EVENING NEWS 18TH JULY 2003
THE Cambourne Festival Committee met recently to finalise the programme and events. Various items need to be purchased, ranging from cable tidies to two-way radios. Space Hoppers will also be making another appearance, with the committee purchasing their own this year!Cambourne Arts Group have teamed up with Monkfield Primary School and artists from the Cambridge Centre for Creativity and Imagination to draw up an exciting series of visual arts workshops leading up to the festival.
The workshops will be in the school on July 18/22. The works made will be paraded through the streets to arrive at the festival site to open the day's festivities.
During festival week, tennis workshops for under 8s and over 8s will take place.
Cambridge United will be running Football in the Communityand there will also be a cricket workshop.
On Saturday afternoon will be a Samba Band workshop, with a short performance from those who attend to show off their new found skills. There will also be demonstrations of karate, yoga and by the Ark Dance Group.
Many other Over-20s stalls will be on site showing off the growing range of groups, clubs and societies now operating in the Cambourne villages.
In the evening Arco Iris, the Samba Band and the group Broken Family will perform. A quiz will be held for adults with another for the younger age group.
Full details and a booking form for the workshops will be appearing in the Cambourne Crierin July, with the festival on Saturday, July 26.
* On June 17 an initial consultation meeting was held at Monkfield Medical Practice to gather views and ideas from groups, clubs and organisations in Cambourne about the new Cambourne Library.
This will be part of the county council and health joint-use building on the High Street, due to open in late Summer 2004.
Representatives attended from a good cross-section of groups and some lively discussion and recollection of good and bad experiences took place. The library service gained valuable feedback on preferred environment, facilities, range of resources and staffing.
It is hoped to continue with this process, in order to provide Cambourne with a library which will be fully in tune with the needs of the local community, and that groups who were unable to attend this meeting might come to the next.
* There is rollerskating instruction in Morrisons car park on July 8 from 5-6.30pm.
This activity is free and skates of both kinds will be provided (most sizes). There is no age limit - it's for all of the community, although parents are advised stay with young children.
You can learn from scratch or improve existing ability and fitness. Hats and wrist guards recommended.
The lessons are being provided for 8 weeks, with the remaining dates being July 15 and 22 and September 9, 16, 23 and 30, all dependant on the weather. There may also be an indoor venue starting in the autumn just a bus ride away.
There will be a half marathon in Cambourne on October 5.
This event is generously provided by East Region Roller Speed Association with Roller Start, Awards for All, and Morrisons.
Contact instructor Malcolm Chapman on (01438) 721435 or 07947 004192.
* Becky Shaw is the new artist-in-residence at Cambourne Business Park, appointed by Wysing Arts in Bourn. She will be holding workshops, initially for the business park, but later for the residential community. A meeting will take place in the Marketing Suite in the Business Park on July 1 at 6pm.
Source Cambridge Evening News 4th July 2003
AT THE recent meeting of the Cambourne Residents Association, concern was raised about buses turning in Monkfield Lane with danger to children and dumping of material in the country park. This is to be queried with a district council environment officer.Solvent abuse issues are to be discussed at a meeting involving Kevan Crane, Morrisons Supermarket and the Monkfield Medical Practice.
The association donated £30 to the Youth Bus project, and also committed itself to help clubs who will be using the new sports facilities set up their own structure and finances.
Concern was expressed about developer work starting times, which should be 7.30am. There were reports that some started as early as 6.30am, with some lorries even earlier. The Developer Liaison Group was asked to request an 8am start on weekdays and 8.30am on Saturdays and the management liaison committee were asked to place such conditions in future planning application recommendations.
Louise presented a new version of the association's constitution. Following discussion an amended version will be produced for publication in the Cambourne Crierand adoption at the AGM.
The next meeting will be the AGM in the school hall on July 8.
* Monkfield Medical Practice, in collaboration with Morrisons, ran a men's health week with a stand in the supermarket. Over the week shoppers were given advice and took most of the literature provided, and it was felt to be a worthwhile event.
* The recent consultation meeting on Cambourne Library confirmed that the new building is due for completion in the latter part of 2004. The library is being combined with the medical practice and the trading standards office.
source Cambridge Evening News 27/6/03
Cambourne
THE red double-decker Connections Youth Bus has been a regular and familiar sight in Cambourne since its first visit in October, 2000.
On June 9 it made its last journey. To mark the event local residents were invited to join young people, youth workers, officers from South Cambridgeshire District Council and councillors Daphne Spink and Deborah Roberts in games and a barbecue at the meadow in Great Cambourne.
Coun Spink spoke briefly to the assembled group and wished the young people of Cambourne good luck in the future. Local volunteers have set up new youth clubs in Cambourne so that young people have an alternative to the youth bus, which played such an important part in the early development of the villages.
Sue Lester, project manager of the Connections Youth project, thanked the organisations that had helped to fund the bus to come to Cambourne, in particular South Cambridgeshire District Council, Monkfield Medical Practice, Bourn and Caxton parish councils.
She also thanked the volunteers and youth workers who had helped on the bus.
Chris, Sandra, Roger, Emily and Jody were presented with tokens of appreciation for all their hard work.
Susannah Harris, district council community development officer, particularly wishes to thank all those involved for their past, present and future dedication to the improvement of life in the villages of Cambourne.
source Camridge Evening News 20th June 2003
The Scouts returned from a great camp last week-end (24th and 25th of May). Tt was a memorable experience for all.
Frank O'Kelly was involved in setting up the 1st Cambourne Scouts one year ago (16th April) and there are now over 15 Scouts with 5 girls and 11 boys. A Cub pack is to start shortly which we are all looking forward to as there is a great demand for Cubs here in Cambourne. The Scouts will be helping out their younger friends learn all the scouting skills they have picked up over the past year.
The Scouts have 2 planned camps this term. Their first camp was on the 24th and 25th of May at Thetford Forest where they camped over the long holiday weekend. The second camp is scheduled for the 21st of June in Little Abington where the Scouts will complete the tasks required for their campers badge.
Thanks are due to all those who have helped get the 1st Cambourne Scouts started here in Cambourne including Di Wisby our District Commissioner, Nigel Morse Assistant Scout Leader, Ben Yeats Assistant Scout Leader, Alison Farnen Scout Helper, and John and Julie Whitbread (future) Cub Scout Leaders.
Frank can be contacted at 26 Orchard Way, Cambourne, CB3 6BN Tel: 01954 715285.
A planning meeting was held at the Monkfield Medical Practice on Monday 2nd. June to consider planning applications received since the last meeting including:
S/6066-9/00/F/RM A McALPINE Homes Ltd - Caxton Bypass and Access to Cambourne Land North, East And South of the Village of Caxton
Comments made were for routing a footpath to avoid crossing the new road directly but rather to cross via a nearby bridge.
S/6198/03/F LC10 MCA Developments - 30 Dwellings
Approved.
S/6190/03/RM McAlpine Developments Part of Site Gc29 - 62 Dwellings
Comments: This is an amended application. The committee reiterated the concern that the density is grossly in excess of that shown in the Design Guide. The committee look towards future applications at lower densities to redress the balance.
source Camridge Evening News 13th June 2003
Cambourne
AT THE annual management liaison committee meeting, an encouraging number of residents attended together with all nine members and the clerk.
Nick Hammond, from the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Peterborough (www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/bcnp), gave a presentation.
The trust will be managing the woodland areas, greenways, eco-park and lakes. It will have a new area headquarters at the Manor House, with building commencing in July. The Trust hopes to move in April 2004.
A wild spaces manager and a community officer will serve Cambourne using an electric vehicle charged with solar energy and mountain bikes.
The Manor House will have a resource centre and meeting room. Educational projects involving children, young people and ecology groups will be undertaken. The nonfunctional chimneys will be used to house swift boxes, while sheep will graze the ecopark grass area to keep it cropped and to create and maintain the conditions for improving the ecology of the area.
A question was raised that, since the land is to be transferred to the trust, what structure was in place to ensure these worthy obligations are fulfiled? ESL, a private company, has drawn up a document which the developers have agreed to make available, as it was not currently viewable by the public. Hope was expressed that there would be more openness in future.
The present officers of the management liaison committee were unanimously re-elected for this, the final year of the committee's existence. Cambourne will have its own parish council in 2004.
A list of potential traders for the first shops (W1) was given and the developers expressed their intention to build the other shops (W2, W3 and W4) in one go as it will require closing the High Street for a period of time. The temporary area for a farmers market (since Market Square cannot be used due to the freehold being held by Morrisons) will have to be relocated.
In view of parish council creation, Councillor Daphne Spink will provide a list of areas that will become parish responsibilities. In conjunction with the developers, a draft budget will be prepared which will be used to calculate the amount of the precept for Cambourne and give committee members a flavour of what will be expected from the council.
For the first year, maintenance will be provided by the district council.
Some anomalies in the committee's constitution and S106 Agreement need resolution. Councillor Spink will meet with those involved in an attempt to resolve these problems.
The positioning of the Lower Cambourne cricket pavilion, across a road from the cricket square, was again raised and a request for the Design Risk Assessment made. Further representations can be made when the full planning application is presented.
The playing field seeding has not been carried out due to the dry condition of the ground. The nature of the surface for the multi purpose sports area has to be resolved (half astro turf and half macadam or all one surface). A secure temporary structure for equipment was requested and a favourable response given.
It was stressed that all parish council sports facilities must be available for all residents to use. An independent Cambourne Sports Coordination committee was agreed, with Ben Rickard elected chairman, Mark Wilders secretary and Claire Griffiths treasurer. It was stressed that the committee would be required to ensure all residents, and especially the young, were given open access to all community facilities.
Problems with the horse and pedestrian footpath traffic lights on the slip road of the A428 new section were discussed. A suggestion was put forward that the lights should be normally off and activated in amber and red mode when a person requests passage.
Dead tree replacement is to be assessed and a plan put forward in readiness for autumn planting.
The design of the village markers and the selection of an artist were discussed. Mike Jocelyn was appointed the management liaison committee's representative for future meetings on the process.
Others people will be appointed who are residents of the villages. Janice Webster, from Wysing Arts, is the programme director managing the project
Source Cambridge Evening News 7th June 2003
Cambourne
TWO members of the Management Liason Committee, Mike and Roger, attended the the recent Cambourne Enhanced Application.
A petition to reject an increase in homes in Cambourne, signed by 157 residents, and 28 letters of objection helped in the decision.
After lively discussion, the development and conservation control committee voted decisively to give the officers delegated power to refuse the application. This means that, whatever the outcome of looking at certain transport issues, the plan will be refused.
Official minutes of the meeting will be available on the district council's web site (www.scambs.gov.uk) shortly.
* Discussion at the recent Cambourne Residents Association (CRA) meeting centred on the constitution.
It was agreed to abandon the pursuit of charitable status for the CRA. Susannah Harris, community development officer from the district council, attended and agreed with the analysis.
A simple constitutional document is to be prepared by Louise and a vote taken on adoption at the community AGM forum in July. The date of the forum will be set when the a venue is agreed.
The festival events are well under way and sufficient detail will be sent to Mike so he can design the leaflet and tickets for printing and distribution.
Other issues related to youth clubs and the youth bus, hopes and use for an arts grant and concerns over rubbish, vandalism and dog mess.
source Cambridge Evening news 30/5/03
Cambourne
CHILDREN'S music charity Fischy Music will be making a splash in Cambourne on June 17, working with children in the primary school and performing a public concert in the school. Fischy Music was set up in 1998 to "encourage children through the medium of music". Their songs, written by founder Stephen Fischbacher, address issues such as anti-bullying, discrimination, self-esteem and friendship.
* A well attended WI meeting on May 8 enjoyed Angela McCracken's interesting an informative talk about the lives of Elizabeth I, Mary Queen of Scots and their link with Robert Dudley of Leicester. She explained how their early lives affected them, and the way they fulfiled their royal duties.
Earlier, Pam Hume gave details about the summer festival and explained the need for books and jewellery, as well as volunteers to make cakes and man the stalls.
A rota for the day will be drawn up next month ready for the festival on July 26.
The speaker for the meeting on June 12 will be Margaret Howchin, who will discuss Holistic Therapies.
As new residents are always arriving in the village, the WI wish to encourage then to come along, where a warm welcome awaits them.
Call Joan Roe on 200908 or Margaret Jocelyn on 203674.
source Cambridge Evening News 23rd May 2003
Cambourne
AN EASTER egg hunt was held in Cambourne to welcome families into the new affordable homes and find out how the village is growing and developing.
South Cambridgeshire District Council, Cambridge City Council and The Housing Corporation are working with Cambourne Housing Association Consortium (Granta Housing Society, Cambridge Housing Society and Circle 33) to provide attractive, affordable homes.
Events began with an introduction to the Housing Association developments by James Connolly, chief executive of Granta Housing Society. Coun Daphne Spink, leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council and local member for Cambourne, presented a welcome gift to tenants of Granta, and formally opened the Housing Association's Consortium Community Office at Greenhaze Lane, Cambourne.
Nigel Howlett, chief executive of Cambridge Housing Society, gave a presentation about community investment. The three housing associations have combined to employ a community development worker to help foster a socially inclusive environment.
Adrian James, chairman of Granta Housing Society, said: "Tenants are delighted with their new homes. A lot of good things have come from the consortium's investment in this community and I know there will be even more good things to come".
Events concluded with the Cambourne Community Easter egg hunt, officially started by Coun Spink, followed by a community picnic and games on the village green.
If any new tenants or residents have not yet received a welcome pack, produced by the Cambourne Residents' Association, they should contact Mike Jocelyn on (01954) 203674.
source Cambridge Ev News 9th May 2003
Cambourne
AT THE second Cambourne WI AGM, the existing committee was re-elected unopposed.
Margaret Rogers, who recently moved to Cambourne, was welcomed and elected as a new member of the committee.
After business was concluded, Beryl Morris gave an enlightening talk about handcrafted jewellery. She provided a splendid display and members were able to buy various pieces.
The next meeting is on Thursday, May 8 at 7.30pm in the Ark. The speaker will be Angela McCracken on the topic An Earthly Crown. New members are welcomed.
* Kim Masson, one of the London Marathon runners from Cambourne, completed the course in just three hours, 16 minutes and 15 seconds, 147th place in the ladies race.
Kim is busy collecting the promised sponsorship money which is being donated to Lifecraft, a local self-help organisation, which is run by users and ex-users of mental health services. Membership is free, with a 24-hour Lifeline operating on (01223) 521521.
The number during opening hours is (01223) 509179.
Cambourne
THE festival group met recently to review progress.
A 100ft by 40ft marquee, together with dance floor, chairs, round tables and trestle tables, has now been booked.
The marquee is 25 per cent larger than last year to cater for the increasing population.
There will be community stalls with at least one connected with the business park. Thanks to the News, there have already been enquiries for concessions for the catering.
A disco is planned for Friday, July 25 with main events on the Saturday. It is hoped there will be workshops for sports and arts in the week prior.
Responsibility for most of the tasks have been agreed, with Roger Hume keeping an eye on overall coordination, Mike Jocelyn and John Flavill on site management duties, John looking after insurance and the toilet requirements while Mike has hired the marquee and is getting on with obtaining sponsorship to keep the finances in order.
Louise Rowley-Spendlove is to pursue various grant applications. Pam Hume is organising stalls and displays, while Andy Weeks is in charge of sports events. Paul Rowley will organise catering and the beer tent, with Ben Rickard organising other social events. Chris Warwick and Marie Huhtala are doing the publicity.
An encouraging number of residents attended the meeting and will be put to good use in the coming days. As ever, more willing resident helpers are needed.
Full details will appear in the next issue of the Cambourne Crier.
* The Cambourne Book Group met on February 20. Most of those attending felt that the novel chosen, Possession by A S Byatt, was an extremely challenging read, providing meat for a lively and interesting discussion.
The book chosen for March is Falling by Elizabeth Jane Howard.
Meetings are held at Monkfield Medical Practice at 7. 30pm on the third Thursday of each month. They are very informal and new members are made welcome. Just come along or contact Diane Wilson on (01954) 282164 for details.
source Cambridge Eve News
Cambourne
A FESTIVAL 2003 meeting took place in April, where it was announced that a Samba band has been booked to lend some swing to the evening.
They will also run a workshop earlier in the day so everyone can learn the steps before dancing for real. Other Saturday events at the festival, on Saturday, July 26, are being sought. Friday is expected to be a disco with free entry.
The developers have given permission to hold the event in the same Great Cambourne location as last year.
Catering has been largely finalised, with concessions granted for food, ice cream and a bar. Possible sponsors will be sought for donations shortly after Easter. Louise was asked to ensure applications for grants were completed and sent for an early April deadline.
Site equipment has been booked but the most cost effective insurances have yet to be resolved. It may be possible to get the Scouts to camp out over the festival weekend to provide a level of security. A number of walkie talkies will be purchased.
Requests for community and fundraising stalls are coming in. A leaflet, to be inserted in the welcome packs, will be distributed to new residents in June so they are aware of the festival.
The next full meeting is on Wednesday, June 18.
* A further opportunity to view the developer's application for extra housing, known as Cambourne Enhanced, took place on April 5.
A short collective statement opposing the proposed scheme was made by Andrew Lansley MP, county councillor Lister Wilson and district councillor Daphne Spink.
Permission was granted for the full text of their opposition to be published at www.cambourne.org Full details of the proposal are also available on the site.
* An arts exhibition was held in April at the Business Park.
Cambourne Business Park and Cambridge Regional College lecturers, Kevin McGarry and Martha Harris, have been working together to organise the exhibition.
Entitled Interior - Exterior, the exhibition presented digital images produced from photographs by Kevin over the last three to four years while cycling around the world. Martha's work depicts secrets of the interiors of buildings scattered around the south east of England. Kevin recently sold one of his digital images at Christies for £400.
Martha said: "This show is a collaborative effort between two Cambridge Regional College Art and Design lecturers to bring art into a public arena.
"We aim to give local people an opportunity to appreciate work that would normally exist in a gallery setting."
Source Cambridge Evening News 18th April 2003
Cambourne
THE Management Liaison Committee (MLC) bi-monthly meeting saw councillor Daphne Spink in the chair and David Chare acting as proxy for the required developer representative.
The two new elected members, Ben Rickard and David McEwan Cox, were welcomed.
Discussion took place on the Canopy issue, the completion estimates for the A428 short dual carriageway at the Cambourne entrance (expected shortly after Easter), cricket pavilion for Lower Cambourne and general road building and resurfacing work.
David McEwan Cox was elected chairman of the allotments committee. The allotments are due to come on stream for the 2004 spring planting season.
A Community Centre Management committee was agreed to set up a trust with charitable status to administer the funds needed to furnish the hall, which is expected in late 2003.
Mike Jocelyn and Chris Lincoln were elected chairman and secretary respectively, with a local resident, chartered accountant Nicholas Sayer, elected as treasurer. Andrew Lansley MP agreed to be a patron to the committee.
Mark Wilders, MLC sports spokesman, commented on the sports provisions yet to be realised. David Chare promised an updated map with the sports areas indicated and Ben Rickard agreed to assist Mark Wilders on sports issues.
Coun Spink said the rewarding of the district and the creation of the Cambourne Parish Council should take place ready for June 2004 elections. It was suggested that the MLC start considering precept issues.
It was hoped that Nick Hammond, from the Wildlife Trust, would address the next meeting on May 27.
* Peter Wood, minister for Churches Together in Cambourne, invited residents to a social get-together in March.
Pauline Scott acted as hostess due to Peter's enforced absence.
It was a great idea for new and established residents to get to know each other and it is hoped this will become a regular event.
Source Cambridge Evening News 11th April 2003
STATUS Property Group and the Marston Hotels chain have officially announced the start of work on the new Cambridge Belfry Hotel.
The four-star hotel is scheduled to open in the summer of 2004, and is likely to create in excess of 100 full and part-time jobs.
The official commencement of works was marked by a turfcutting ceremony on the hotel site involving chiefs from Status Property Group, Marston Hotels and Marriott Construction — a division of Kier Construction – and Coun Daphne Spink, leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council.
Coun Spink said:"I was very pleased to be involved in the turf-cutting ceremony for this new hotel in Cambourne, which represents a new phase in the development of the settlement.
"The hotel will be a boost for Cambourne and the business park, providing a place for visitors to stay, as well as providing a gym and other facilities for Cambourne residents, those from the surrounding area, and hotel guests alike." The 120-bedroom Cambridge Belfry Hotel will have facilities, open to guests and the public, including a restaurant, a brasserie, and a deluxe Ieisure complex with swimming pool, gym, beauty treatment room, spa, sauna, relaxation area and outdoor tennis court.
Marriott Construction is the main contractor. The brick building will be in traditional style and set in landscaped grounds with a lake, intended to create a manor house feel.
An inner courtyard will be accessible from the public rooms.
Marston Hotels recently won both the AA Hotel Group of the Year Award and the Credit to the Industry RAC Award. The website is www.marstonhotels.com
Source Cambridge Ev News 4th April 2003
AT THE March WI meeting, Cambourne resident Margaret Talbot talked about Surface-Textile Art.
The mystery of some of her work was revealed when she explained about water-soluble fabric that dissolves after stitching over it.
The WI annual meeting is on April 10, when Beryl Morris will be bringing and talking about Jewellery. There will also be the opportunity to buy.
* Kim Masson is one of the earliest residents of Cambourne and lives in Monkfield Lane. She started running to help give up smoking - a tactic that seems to have worked, as she has completed the London Marathon and the London to Brighton race of 55 miles since.
She is running in the London Marathon again this year, raising money for Lifecraft, and seeks sponsors.
Lifecraft is a local self-help organisation run by users and ex-users of mental health services. It provides many services including a daily social club for members (Monday to Thursday 400pm- 700pm, Friday to Sunday 100pm- 7.00pm). Membership is free. Phone (opening hours only) 01223 509179. A 24-hour Lifeline number operates on 01223 521521.
Correspondent Mike Jocelyn is happy to pass on all offers of sponsorship (details at the start of the column). An official support form is available from Kim, or Mike can act on her behalf.
Another Cambourne resident, Jon Glover, of Jeavons Lane, is running the marathon and donating his money to Milly's Fund.
¡°I became involved with the charity through our sister company MPS Group International, where Milly's father, Bob Dowler, is a director,¡± said Jon.
If you would like to sponsor him, contact him on (01223) 366003.
* A copy of the management liaison committee constitution can be found on www.cambourne.org, together with the S106 agreement for Cambourne, which many residents have asked to view.
There is also a comment on the S106 by Chris Taylor of the South Cambridgeshire District Council's legal department,
and a statement from the Leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, our local MP and local county councillor
relating to Cambourne Enhanced (the proposal to increase housing by an extra 1,744 dwellings).
Source Cambridge Evening News 29th March 2003
CAMBOURNE
THE Cambourne WI annual meeting will take place on Thursday, April 10. Beryl Morris will bring along jewellery which she will talk about and there will be an opportunity to purchase items. New and prospective members are welcome.
* The Cambourne Residents’ Association forum meeting on February 7 was taken over with a discussion about on the extra 1,744 houses issue.
Louise was in the chair with a good number of residents in attendance. Roger gave a summary of what Cambourne Enhanced (CE) entailed and discussed other developer/ planning related issues. A discussion on their impact and the village concept followed. A show of hands resulted in a vote of 95 per cent against the idea. People were urged to write to the director of planning at South Cambridgeshire District Council on the subject.
SOURCE CAMBRIDGE EVENING NEWS 21ST MARCH 2003
CAMBOURNE
THE junior and senior football clubs are concerned at the lack of progress on the promised provision of sports facilities. Nik Shelton from the News, at our request, came to Cambourne on March 2 to investigate. A half page article, with picture, was printed in the News on March 4 airing both sides of the argument. The teams are pleased to pass on their thanks to Nik for his excellent article.
* The planning committee met for the first time but without the presence of those with any vested interests.
Applications, which were discussed in open forum, included the trailer compound (for the storage of residents’ touring caravans, trailers, horseboxes etc), housing for a plot adjacent with the access road also feeding the trailer compound, and the proposal to increase the number of dwellings by a further 1,744 – the Cambourne Enhanced proposal. Most discussion was reserved for this proposal and the feeling was generally hostile to the application as presented. The church, however, reported differing views from its membership.
The clerk will forward the responses to the district council’s planning department once checked and agreed by the committee.
SOURCE CAMBRIDGE EVENING NEWS 14TH mARCH 2003
CAMBOURNE
Mike Jocelyn is correspondent for Cambourne. Contact him at 3 Kemmann Lane, Great Cambourne, CB3 6AU. Phone: (01954) 203674. Email: mikej@cambourne.org
THE festival group met recently to review progress.
A 100ft by 40ft marquee, together with dance floor, chairs, round tables and trestle tables, has now been booked.
The marquee is 25 per cent larger than last year to cater for the increasing population.
There will be community stalls with at least one connected with the business park. Thanks to the News, there have already been enquiries for concessions for the catering.
A disco is planned for Friday, July 25 with main events on the Saturday. It is hoped there will be workshops for sports and arts in the week prior.
Responsibility for most of the tasks have been agreed, with Roger Hume keeping an eye on overall coordination, Mike Jocelyn and John Flavill on site management duties, John looking after insurance and the toilet requirements while Mike has hired the marquee and is getting on with obtaining sponsorship to keep the finances in order.
Louise Rowley-Spendlove is to pursue various grant applications. Pam Hume is organising stalls and displays, while Andy Weeks is in charge of sports events. Paul Rowley will organise catering and the beer tent, with Ben Rickard organising other social events. Chris Warwick and Marie Huhtala are doing the publicity.
An encouraging number of residents attended the meeting and will be put to good use in the coming days. As ever, more willing resident helpers are needed.
Full details will appear in the next issue of the Cambourne Crier.
* The Cambourne Book Group met on February 20. Most of those attending felt that the novel chosen, Possession by A S Byatt, was an extremely challenging read, providing meat for a lively and interesting discussion.
The book chosen for March is Falling by Elizabeth Jane Howard.
Meetings are held at Monkfield Medical Practice at 7. 30pm on the third Thursday of each month. They are very informal and new members are made welcome. Just come along or contact Diane Wilson on (01954) 282164 for details.
SOURCE CEN Mar 8th 2003
THE Cambourne Management Liaison Committee (MLC) holds its first regular monthly planning meeting on Monday, March 3 at the Ark at 7. 30pm. The public are invited to attend and a short session will be held at the start of the meeting to hear the views of Cambourne residents.
The main item for discussion is the proposal to build a further 1,744 houses on the site. There will also be consideration of other applications.
The next Open Forum meeting of the Cambourne Residents Association is on Friday, March 7 at 7. 30pm in the Ark, when the Cambourne Enhanced proposal will be aired. All are welcome, especially new residents.
* Ballot papers for the election of two further members of the MLC will be dropping through your letter boxes shortly. A short piece about each candidate will be published in the Cambourne Crier which will be delivered to residents early in March.
* A very interesting and successful Cambourne WI Antiques Road Show took place on February 13.
Barry Stevenson was very intrigued by the varied items brought for him. He gave a very interesting and full talk on each one, which ranged from a recipe book from around 1650 to some 1920s china ornaments.
Many items were dated from Victorian times and had been handed down through families. It was a very enjoyable evening for all.
SOURCE CEN Feb 28th
FOUR candidates are standing for the last two vacancies on the Management Liaison Committee, which means there will be an election by postal ballot.
There will then be seven resident members – the number set until Cambourne Parish Council is formed, hopefully in 2004.
Ballot papers will be posted to each registered resident on February 26 and will need to be returned before March 13 at 5pm. Results will be announced that evening.
The official candidate list is: David M McEwan-Cox, 89 Broad Street; Andrew S McLean, 16 Jeavons Lane; Edward J Pateman, 4 Orchard Way and Benjamin J C Rickard, 62 Jeavons Lane.
Each candidate has been requested to submit a short piece for the March edition of the Cambourne Crier which will be delivered to all residents at the beginning of the month.
* The deputy manager of Morrisons in Cambourne, Glen Allen, has been appointed manager at the Morrisons in Letchworth. Our congratulations and best wishes go with him.
* On February 9, Churches Together in Cambourne dedicated its first members. There are now 32 names on the roll. Last month twins, Harry and Rorie Dodworth of 15, Swansley Lane, were christened in the Ark.
* Ben Rickard of 62 Jeavons Lane is the new Neighbourhood Watch coordinator for Cambourne. Ben hopes to organise meetings to start new ones in other parts of the village. Contact him on (01954) 715490 (work); (01954) 714228 or 07789 774937.
SOURCE CEN Feb 21st
CAMBOURNE Football Club is holding a disco and buffet at Bourn Village Hall on February 15. Details are available from Trevor Colchester on (01954) 204636. All proceeds will go to the Cambourne Men’s and Junior football teams.
To take the Sunday morning junior football forward additional helpers are needed. No experience is required, just the enthusiasm to turn up at Great Cambourne meadow from 10:30am-noon. Now there are more and more children in Cambourne we need to accommodate their needs as much as possible. Either Andy Weeks on (01954) 205791 or Chris Threadgold on (01954) 715257 will be happy to give you further information.
* Did you know Cambourne has aflourishing Pub Lunch Forum? Aimed at the over 50s, it was set up by Carrie Pemberton a couple of years ago with the intention of promoting contacts and friendships. The group meets on the first Thursday of the month and visits a pub within a 10-mile radius for lunch.
The January meeting was at the White Swan at Conington. A reporter was there to capture the scene for inclusion in the News on January 29. The February meeting was to the Plough at Coton. No worries about lack of transport as lifts can be arranged. There are no membership fees. The only charge is for your meal and drinks. All residents over 50 are very welcome.
If you would like to know more then please call Brian Saunders on (01954) 204644.
* An Allotment Committee is to be set up. There is hope that the nursery planting area will be ready for the spring and that the actual allotment plots will be ready for the following season. Contact Louise on (01954) 203876 for further updates and a progress report.
* Don’t forget to look at the planning application for Cambourne Enhanced at Rogers Garage at weekends. Be informed on what is intended for your villages and use your rights to comment on them.
* Another application just received is for housing in the Crowdene area (close to the Concept Centre). This has implications on the S106 requirement for a trailer compound. The housing will lock in a small area intended for the secure housing of caravans, trailers, horse boxes and the like (since these are not allowed to be parked on your properties). There is thus no possibility to expand the area.
* If anyone thinks they will now, or in the future, want to have parking facilities for caravan, trailer, horse box etc. please email or contact Mike Jocelyn as above.
SOURCE CEN Feb 14th
CAMBOURNE
AT THE recent Management Liaison Committee (MLC) meeting, Coun Spink expressed disappointment at the appalling lack of organisation of the Cambourne Enhanced Public Exhibition – a matter recorded in this column before.
Ian Douglas concurred with the analysis and suggested the exhibition be put on for a second time in a more professional manner and be more widely publicised.
The plans are currently on view at the Concept Centre and on the web site at www.cambourne.org
The MLC was set up as a precursor to full Cambourne Parish Council status, which should happen by 2004.
At present, Great Cambourne resides in the Parish of Bourn, while Lower Cambourne is within the Parish of Caxton. Meetings are held with approximately two-month intervals.
The next committee election is imminent and letters inviting nominations for two more resident members have been sent to all households. If contested, the election will be by postal ballot and the result announced on March 13.
The MLC met at the Ark on January 28. Chairman Daphne Spink, leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council; a representative of the developer’s consortium, Ian Douglas; a Bourn Parish Council representative and the five resident members were present. Kate Wood, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s chief planning officer for Cambourne, also attended. It was encouraging that a number of members of the public also came along.
Minutes (available on the web site www.cambourne.info – as is a list of members of the MLC) of the last meeting were approved.
The contractor is now on site to carry out the resurfacing of the path alongside Monkfield Wood. However, the road resurfacing near Morrisons and the school is awaiting further inspection by the county council. The Morrisons sculpture should be in place by May.
The signs are still on order and it has been decided to wait for better weather before putting up fencing to deter parking outside the school and the adjacent nursery.
A lively discussion took place concerning the S106 legal agreement, which states an allowance of “up to two acres for a compound for the storage of unoccupied domestic touring caravans (not mobile homes), boats, trailers and horse boxes for use by unit end-users by completion of the 300th dwelling”.
There was no satisfactory explanation as to why this provision is not in place, as house occupations currently exceed 850. Most Cambourne properties, if not all, have a covenant prohibiting parking of caravans etc on that property. Therefore, the matter is of great importance.
The developers are proposing to apply for planning permission shortly for a small site, which resident members thought inadequate. Kate Wood suggested the matter be considered at the planning approval stage.
Sadly, a sketch of the proposed community centre and a timetable for it’s completion was unable to be discussed. The constitution of the MLC is such that the absence of the named developer representative (Ian Douglas) or that of the South Cambridgeshire District Council representative (Coun Spink) make any MLC meetings unconstitutional. Coun Spink has undertaken to investigate a solution to the problem.
SOURCE - CAMBRIDGE EVENING NEWS 7TH FEBRUARY 2003