The Abingtons and

Hildersham News

www.theabingtons.org.uk December 2013

Photo by Trevor Bunch

Joan Nevin the first to be awarded the Alison Ross Cup at the Abington 10k Run 2013

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Letter from the Editor As we move towards the end of 2013 I would like to record sincere thanks to all those who make the production of the News possible – all the contributors of interesting articles and organisers of events; the speedy proof-readers who sort out my mistakes; Barry Wallman and the team of people who make doorstep deliveries of some 700 copies of this publication and, of course warmest thanks to TWI for printing the News, often to a tight timetable. Please note the earlier copy deadline for the January News so we can complete it before Christmas.

The year has brought imaginative schemes to raise money for the School and Pre-School, and for Great Abington and Hildersham churches, the Abington Institute and Hildersham Village Hall - Burns Night, a Race and Curry Night, the first Abington Under the Sea Ball and Yard Sale, concerts, lectures, fêtes and picnics. Volunteer cooks have provided delicious food for all occasions. The December programme presented in this issue shows these efforts continuing. The Parish Councils have worked hard to improve the village environment and to plan future developments appropriate to our needs. Please, if you have not already done so, comment on the three sites proposed for housing development in the Abingtons (page 13). Our communities are exceptionally fortunate in having so many people willing to give time, ideas and expertise to community projects. So it is sad to have to report the deaths of three exemplars in service to the community, Tony Crampin, Pat Daunt and Brenda Bush (pages 5, 6, 8, 17 ). The churches lead the Christmas celebrations (pages 5, 6, 20). The Advent Concert and carol singing, special Christmas teas and lunch provide festive occasions for all (pages 5, 6, 8, 9, 11). A very Happy Christmas to you.

Valerie Silvey Contents

From the Vicarage, Partridge Group Registers, News from the Pews

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Committee for Abington Housing, Waste disposal at Christmas

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URC services, Poppy Appeal, Pat Daunt Little Abington Parish Council

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Great Abington Parish Council

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Hildersham Focus and Parish Council,

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Abington Lunch, Forget-Me-Not Club Reading Group

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Diary Dates, Special Tea, Wheelie bins, Café, Contacts for classes, Flower workshop, Film Nights, GLAMs

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Scrabble Club, WI, Abington Social Club, Abington Gardening Abington Walking Group, Naturewatch & Pat Daunt, Burns Night 2014

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Ceramics workshop, History Group booklet, PTFA Wish lists, Fire service, Mobile Library

12 Linton Village College, Linton & District Historical Society, Linton Music Society, Hinxton concert

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Articles for the January edition of The Abingtons and Hildersham News should be sent to the Editor by WEDNESDAY 11 December 2013 at news@theabingtons.org.uk Cover photo. Congratulations to Joan Nevin of Little Abington who became the first winner of the Alison Ross Cup, awarded to ‘an indomitable spirit’, at the Abington 2013 10k Run. Joan first ran a marathon when she was fifty and added six half marathons to her tally last year. She says “I am proud to have taken part in all the Abington 10k races and very pleased to have the Cup. It is lovely and a great honour to have it in the inaugural year.”

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From the Vicarage In the Christmas Story, the Annunciation is the moment when the angel Gabriel meets Mary and invites her to bear the Christ-child. This is a poignant moment when Mary has a choice. She could take a different path, or do this task that was hers to do. Here is part of a poem The Annunciation by Denise Levertov.

Aren’t there annunciations of one sort or another in most lives? Some unwillingly undertake great destinies, enact them in sullen pride, uncomprehending. More often those moments when roads of light and storm open from darkness in a man or woman, are turned away from in dread, in a wave of weakness, in despair and with relief. Ordinary lives continue. God does not smite them. But the gates close, the pathway vanishes. …

This was the moment no one speaks of, when she could still refuse. …

A breath unbreathed, Spirit, suspended, waiting. She did not cry, “I cannot, I am not worthy,” nor “I have not the strength.” She did not submit with gritted teeth, raging, coerced. Bravest of all humans, consent illumined her. The room filled with its light, the lily glowed in it, and the iridescent wings.

Consent, courage unparalleled, opened her utterly.

Someone told me recently of the way that a now deceased friend had changed their life. Occasionally, you meet someone and, whether in a moment or over a series of meetings, you find that they draw out of you something you may not have known was there. The seed that is conceived in the meeting takes time to grow. It can be refused, or it can be brought to birth in some way. The person who was talking to me had discovered through our friend a love of learning, went back to study and eventually became a doctor. I read the poem, think of Mary’s annunciation, and the inspiration of friends both living and departed, and I am reminded of a friend I haven’t seen for a while, and it makes me ask whether there are things that I need to do. What about you?

Revd Julie Norris The Christmas Services are printed in the Christmas Card.

The Partridge Group 2014 – Meetings begin again on Wednesday 8 January 2014. Enthusiasts please see the January News for details of the programme.

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From the Registers Funerals The funeral of Tony Crampin was held in Holy Trinity Church, Hildersham on Thursday 14 November 2013. We offer sincere condolences to Muriel, Maria, Richard, Michelle and all friends and family.

The funeral of Patrick Daunt was held on Friday 15 November at St Mary’s Church, Little Abington. We offer sincere condolences to Jean, William, Caroline, Tom and Francis and all friends and family.

The funeral of Brenda Bush was held on Tuesday 26 November at St Mary’s Church, Great Abington. We offer sincere condolences to Richard, Andrew, Helen and Alison and all friends and family.

News from the Pews IMPORTANT NOTICES Please note that ‘Singing Round the Christmas Tree’ with the GLAMs Choir is on Wednesday 18 December NOT Friday 20. PARKING for the Advent Concert at 7.30pm on the 7 December; if you have difficulty walking, please park your car at the church, otherwise, please park in the High Street, as parking is restricted. As Christmas approaches our church calendar becomes full with events. Please do follow the plans for services on the back page of this magazine. Rainbows will take place in the school hall on Friday 6 December after school. There will be some Christmas treats in store, that’s for sure! Advent Concert – The Advent Concert will take place in Great Abington Church with entertainment from Cambridge Chord Company on Saturday 7 December. Tickets are £10 each. Details on posters. For your comfort, do bring a cushion. The Christingle Service will take place in Little Abington Church at 4pm on Sunday 8 December. Children are welcome to come at 3.30pm to make their Christingles. We invite you to bring a wrapped gift marked with age of child or adult and male or female which will be given as a Christmas gift to someone who is local and less fortunate than we are. These will be put under the tree during the service. The Service of Nine Lessons and Carols will be held in Great Abington Church on Sunday 22 December. The Crib Service for children will take place in Little Abington Church on Christmas Eve at 10.30am. Come early if you wish to rummage through the dressing-up box for those who wish to be a shepherd, angel, or a king. We welcome all ages to this simple service, which enhances simply, the true meaning of Christmas. Midnight Mass will be held in Little Abington Church at 11.30pm Christmas Day Family Communion Service will be held in Great Abington Church at 10.45am. All are welcome to share in the true spirit of Christmas. The Charity for the Month is The Children’s Society - a leading children’s charity in the UK. Your donations raise funds and awareness of children’s poverty and danger.

A Journey into Contemplative Prayer will take place at Rosemary’s house, 55 Church Lane at 7.30pm. This has, however, been postponed from 4 December to 8 January because Rosemary is unwell.

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United Reformed Church, Little Abington

The services in December are as follows: 1 December 10.15am Mr Ben Palmer 8 December 10.15am Mr Peter Sammons 15 December 2.30pm Revd Bruce Waldron and Christmas Carols 22 December 10.15am` Dr Jeffrey Barham 29 December 10.15am Mr David Rose

Christmas Carols We invite you to join us at 2.30pm on 15 December for our Christmas Carols. This is an informal occasion when we enjoy the singing and hear the words of love and hope that Christmas brings. Everyone is welcome. We keep a box of toys for the children to play with. We shall finish with a cup of tea. For further information contact Lynne Riecansky (893 295).

Poppy Appeal 2013 Thank you to everyone who gave so generously to the Poppy Appeal this year. You raised the magnificent sum of £2087 and my thanks go to all the collectors for their hard work and to the local businesses for their support. Especial thanks go to Marilyn Broadhurst and Derek Turnidge for counting all the cash. Kay Harman, Poppy Appeal Organiser, Babraham, Hildersham & Abingtons

Patrick Eldon Daunt 1925 - 2013

Pat finally retired from a distinguished career in education and, with his wife, Jean, came to live in Little Abington. He continued to promote education locally and internationally through, for example, the Bureau for Disabled People and for the UNESCO Inclusive Education in Romania. A voracious reader and keen traveller he loved fine art and was passionate about the environment. His vision led to the creation of Abington Naturewatch reported elsewhere (page 17). His rich education and intellectual rigour rubbed off on all four of his children (William, Caroline, Tom and Francis) all of whom moved into educational careers. Pat’s Christianity was central to his life, influencing his desire for social justice and determination to cultivate good and to change what was wrong. He was acknowledged as wise, deep, thoughtful and holy, and a trusted confidante when needed. St Mary’s Little Abington found in him an active churchwarden, especially in obtaining the splendid Millennium window and acquiring funds for a sound system. Small wonder that he received the SCDC Village Hero Award in 2012.

Balsham Singers Christmas Concert Saturday 21 December 2013 at 7.30pm in Holy Trinity Church Balsham We are singing Part 1 of Handel’s Messiah plus the Hallelujah Chorus, carols by John Rutter and Malcolm Archer and John’s arrangement of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and Santa Baby. There will be a selection of carols for audience participation. Buy tickets in advance for £7 from Balsham Post Office. Tickets will also be available on the night priced £8 with concessions at £7 and £20 for a family ticket. For further information, phone Valerie (890 544).

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Little Abington Parish Council

A Quality Parish Council

Season’s Greetings to all!

Around the village

Sale of Scout camp site: the sale of the former Little Abington Scout camp site to Cambridge International School is in progress. We welcome this outcome, which should enable the site to be preserved as an open space for the benefit of children and young people including the local community. The delay imposed by listing the site as an Asset of Community Value enabled this acceptable solution to be found. We will post an update on the village web-site when we hear more.

Cycleways: we continue to push for completion of the cycleway from Babraham to Abington. There is now a plan for an off-road foot- and cycle-way from Whittlesford station to Granta Park next year – for details, please refer to the County Council web-site: http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/transport/projects/a505-path.htm

Notes from Parish Council Meeting on 28th

October

Finance: all is going to plan for the current year, with a small overspend on hire of rooms for extra meetings for the camp site and the Committee for Abington Housing.

Our preliminary budget for next year draws on reserves to limit the increase to 3%.

Better Bus Villages: we have applied to the County Council for a grant for a bus shelter on the north side of the A1307 Cambridge Road. We should know the outcome very soon.

Planning:

S/2153/13/FL: Bourn Bridge Road. Creation of a new access to land there. Recommended approval, with a strong recommendation for provision of screening, such as trees and hedges, for any farm building. Note: we have now seen the planning application for a barn and water tank but have no right of consultation.

S/1838/13/FL: 16 High Street. Two Catslide windows on front roof slope, two roof lights on rear roof and carport to rear. Now approved.

Local Development Plan: we returned our comments. Please remember to return your completed housing site questionnaires – for details, read the notice from the Committee for Abington Housing elsewhere in this magazine (page 13).

Little Abington Parish Council Meetings

Abington Institute, High Street

Next Meeting: Monday 27 January (no meeting in December)

Public participation: Come and have your say – 15 minutes, early in meeting

Peter Brunning (Chairman) tel: 891 960 Email: pc@brunning.org.uk

Genevieve Dalton (Clerk) tel: 893 332 Email: clerk@littleabington.clara.co.uk

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Hildersham Focus

The St Cuthbert Celebration On 24 October Barry Jones led a calligraphy workshop in Hildersham Village Hall to celebrate the work of St Cuthbert. Barry’s own copy of the St Cuthbert Gospel hangs on the North Wall of the church. The age range of the aspiring calligraphers was seven to 70, a challenge for any teacher. It is a testament to Barry’s skill that everyone had a hugely enjoyable afternoon, the time flew by and the end of the session was met by groans. The workshop was followed by a service in the church, recognising the work of all whose skill brought the Bible to the people. Keith Day was presented with a beautiful piece of calligraphy made by Barry in recognition of his appointment as an Authorised Lay Minister and for his great contribution to music across the six parishes. Tony Crampin The village was much saddened last month to hear of the death of Tony Crampin. For years he had been a village stalwart. An architect by profession his invaluable help with the church included early work with Church Cottages and the foundation of the Cambridgeshire Cottage Improvement Society Ltd. His guidance was sought on all manner of problems, from the quinquennial reviews for Holy Trinity to tree management or how best to deal with badgers. He provided major support for the cricket team. Perhaps it was the smaller things, however, that led to us all holding him in such affection – his gentle wit and humour, singing in the choir, the auctions of fruit and vegetables at Harvest celebrations, not forgetting the delicious punch he made at his Christmas party! He will be greatly missed and we extend our deepest sympathies to Muriel and her family. Remembrance Sunday This year the Remembrance Day service for our two parishes (three churches) was held in Holy Trinity. The Abington Scout troop marched up Hildersham High Street with standards flying. Recently it has become difficult for us to forget the horrors depicted by the war poets - Flanders fields, the trenches, the hasty orisons of stuttering rifles and the slow drawing down of blinds. But young subalterns, caked with mud and surrounded by death, can never be expected to have seen the bigger picture, even when they were poets. On Remembrance Sunday we commemorate the courage and sacrifice of those who won our wars and preserved our freedom. The scouts marching proudly through Hildersham to the church on a gloriously sunny autumn morning embodied this superbly and made a splendid sight. ‘It’s Teatime’ will be held from 3pm to 4.30pm on 5 December in Hildersham Village Hall where there will be a sale of handmade Christmas cards and homemade cake. Every year Hildersham children (and adults) make cards or ceramics to sell in aid of a children’s charity. This year’s charity will be Sunflower House in Cottenham. This is a ‘home away from home’ where children recovering from severe illness or accident receive nursing care and therapies between hospital and home. The Sunflowers Care Project was set up three years ago by two nurses who realised that there was no provision for children who need continued care. After much fundraising, Sunflower House opened in October. Village Lunch Christmas Lunch in Hildersham Village Hall, on 12 December, doors open at 12.30pm. Please book your place with Helen Humphrys at h.humphrys@btinternet.com or Jill Heale at edheale@btinternet.com.

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Village Carol Singing will take place on Thursday 19 December starting at Meadowlands at 7.30pm. All are welcome to join the carollers. Christmas services at Holy Trinity The candlelit service of Nine Lessons and Carols will take place at 3pm on Sunday 22 December, followed by mulled wine and mince pies in the church. The Christmas Day Eucharist service will be at 9.15am with activities for children. There will be a service for all six parishes at 10.45am on 29 December at Balsham church. Advance notice of Hildersham Lectures in the New Year at 7.30pm in Holy Trinity Church. Entrance £5. Friday 24 January Cathy Myer: The Poetry Coat – a journey from lullabies to literature Tuesday 25 February Professor Christopher Andrew: Cambridge Spies Friday 28 March Scilla Latham: Former Church Buildings Support Officer for the Diocese of Ely More details will be available in the next issue.

Hildersham Parish Council A Quality Parish Council Report of the Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 12 November 2013 New Parish Councillor Hildersham Parish Council is now up to its full strength of five Councillors, as Darren Long has become a Councillor. Neighbourhood Plan Having received clarification from Linton Parish Council about the likely time involved in creating a neighbourhood plan and the costs to this Council, Councillors agreed that it would work with Linton Parish Council to create a neighbourhood plan. Neighbourhood plans have statutory powers and enable local councils to create a vision for future development, and could give councils greater control over planning on questions of design. The neighbourhood plan can also cover transport, roads, housing and the environment. Community Asset The Council’s application to have the Pear Tree public house listed as an asset of community value has been accepted by the District Council. This status does not guarantee that the building will remain a pub, but it ensures that the local authority can request additional time to enable a community interest group to make a bid. Parish Nurse The Revd Dr Julie Norris received the support of this Council for the proposed Parish Nurse scheme, which will cover six local parishes. The Parish Nurse will be a qualified nurse who will work to fill the gap some people are falling through within the health service. Initially the Parish Nurse will be employed for three years to work three days a week, during which time research will be undertaken to establish the value of the service. Back Road Linton Parish Council did not support the proposal to apply for a weight restriction for Back Road, but this Council does wish to go out to consultation on this option, as it could influence the route taken by traffic for future large scale planning applications.

The next meeting of Hildersham Parish Council will be on Tuesday 14th January 2014 from 8pm at Hildersham Village Hall, High Street, Hildersham.

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Dates for your Diary

Date Venue Abington Institute unless stated Time Page

Mon 2 Elderly Keep Fit French Conversation Abington Gardening Club

10.15am 1.00pm 7.30pm

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Tue 3 Art Group Tea and Christmas Crafts

9.30am 2.00pm

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Wed 4 Yoga course and drop in Dynamic Dance Class Yoga course and drop in

9.30am 3.15pm 7.00pm

11 11 11

Thu 5 Abington Walking Group Hildersham Tea Time – Village Hall

10.00am 3.00pm

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Fri

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Low Impact Aerobics Pilates Rainbows Group – School Hall Film Night – doors open

9.30am 10.45am

6.45pm

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5 11

Sat 7 Scrapbooking Group Abington Pre-school Cake stall – outside Institute

10.00am 10-12

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Mon 9 Elderly Keep Fit French Conversation Abington and Hildersham WI – Old Crown, Girton

10.15am 1.00pm 7.00pm

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Tue 10

Art Group Forget-Me-Not Club – Christmas Tea Party Reading Group –23 South Road, Great Abington

9.30am 2.00pm 7.00pm

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Wed 11 Yoga course and drop in FMNC shopping trip to Morrison’s Dynamic Dance Class Yoga course and drop in

9.30am

3.15pm 7.00pm

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Thur 12 Ceramic painting Village Christmas Lunch – Hildersham Village Hall

4.30pm 12.30pm

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Mon 16 Elderly Keep Fit 10.15am

Tue 17 Art Group Special Christmas Tea - Jeremiah’s Café

9.30am 2.30pm

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Wed 18 Flower Workshop GLAMs choir - outside the Institute

10.00am 7.00pm

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Thur 19 Flower Workshop Hildersham carol singing - Meadowlands

10.00am 7.30pm

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Sat 21 Christmas Breakfast – Jeremiah’s Café Abington Walking Group

10.00am 10.00am

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Wed 25 Christmas Day

Thur 26 Boxing Day Walk 10.00am 17

Sat 28 Rivercare litter pick up 9.30am

For details of contacts please see inside back cover or articles where indicated.

Jennifer Hirsh (tel. 893 352 or email Jennifer@hirsh.com) Jeremiah’s Café – Special Christmas Tea – at 2.30pm, Tuesday 17 December We will be serving sandwiches, sausage rolls, mince pies and a selection of delicious festive cakes. Cost £3.50, Junior School children £2. Please pay at the door. Open to all. Please come and enjoy a break from your Christmas preparations. Sue Toates

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Wheelie bin dates for December 2013

Mon 2 Mon 9 Mon 16 Mon 23 TUE 31 Green/Blue Black Green/Blue Black Green/Blue

Jeremiah’s Café in Abington Village Institute

Opening times in December Tuesday afternoons 2pm to 4pm (3, 17)

3 December Christmas Crafts, including Christmas cards, lanterns, stars 17 December Special Christmas Tea

Thursday lunchtimes 11.30am to 1.30pm (5, 12, 19) Friday mornings 8.45am to 11.15am (6, 13, 20)

Knit & Natter 10am to 11.15am Saturday mornings 10am to 12 noon (7, 14)

Christmas Breakfast Saturday 21 December Café CLOSED from 23 December; Opens 4 January 2014

Scrapbooking Group – We meet one Saturday of every month and welcome you to take a look any time and ask questions. Dynamic Dance Theatre School – Wednesdays from 3.15pm Ballet and modern dance lessons for children from 4 years old at Abington Institute. Contact Esme on 07719 816 548 or esmewatts@hotmail.com for details. Yoga - Wednesdays 9.30am and 7pm at Abington Institute Contact Joan 890 629 or email joanyoga@yahoo.co.uk Low Impact Aerobics – Fridays 9.30-10.30am at Abington Institute Suitable for 50+ or those returning to exercise. Aerobics, toning and stretching. Exercises to raise your heart rate and tone your body, fun and friendly. Pilates – Fridays 10.45-11.45am at Abington Institute. Pilates exercises will help to alleviate back pain, increase core strength, improve posture and flexibility. Please book for 5 weeks for Low Impact Aerobics and Pilates. Contact Disa Bennett on 07798 754 029 or www.zumbaandpilatescambridge.co.uk

Abington Pre-School – Saturday 7 December 10am – 12 noon There will be a cake stall outside the Abington Institute. Christmas Flower Workshop - 10am on 18 and 19 December at Abington Institute There are still places on the extra Christmas Flower Workshop which I am holding on Wednesday 18 December from 10 - 4 pm at the Abington Institute. Please telephone Freda on 01223 891 464 or email fredasflowers@hotmail.co.uk to book your place or for further information. The workshop on Thursday 19 December is now full. Film Night at Abington Institute This month Film Night is on Friday 6 December. Doors open 6.45pm, film starts at 7.00pm. Usual raffle and refreshments. See the poster in the Institute for full details. All welcome. For details of this and all future Film Nights please subscribe to our mailing list using the link at http://www.theabingtons.org.uk or films@theabingtons.org.uk

Dianne Dawson (893 101) GLAMs Choir The GLAMs choir will be singing carols outside the Institute from 7pm on Wednesday 18 December. Please come along and listen, join in and enjoy a mince pie with a glass of mulled wine. (Please note that GLAMs are NOT singing on 20 December as advertised in the church Christmas Fayre booklet).

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Paint your own Christmas Bauble - an exciting workshop for children aged 8+. This will be a fun workshop for children to be held on the Terrace at Abington Institute on Thursday 12 December from 4.30 - 6pm.

Each child will get to paint a ceramic bauble and one other ceramic of their choice. There will be lots of ideas to help you with your designs. To find out more, or to book a place, please email Catherine Orgee at catherineorgee@gmail.com

Aspects of Abington History A miscellany of pieces about the history of the Abingtons and their people

In a series of short articles a new booklet published by the Abington History Group provides fascinating insights into village life in time gone by.

A perfect gift for Christmas for all with an interest in Abington history. On sale now at only £4 a copy

The booklet is already selling well so if you haven’t got one yet order it now. Available from Jennifer Hirsh on 893 352 or email: Jennifer@hirsh.com or from other members of the History Group (Derek Turnidge, Richard Wells, Gaynor Farrant, Tricia Cullimore)

Amazon Wish Lists for the Children’s Classrooms! This Christmas the PTFA is launching an Amazon Wish List for each of the five classes at Great Abington Primary School. On these wish lists the teachers have put a range of items that they need (or just want!) for their classrooms. As government funding for schools has decreased drastically over the past few years, there are no longer resources to pay for items that would have been more easily obtainable in the past.

There are some expensive items on the lists, and many that are quite inexpensive. Please have a look and consider making a gift to the school that will be enjoyed by the students in the New Year, and hopefully many years to come.

To get started, please go to the PTFA page on the school website, and follow the links. http://www.greatabingtonprimaryschool.co.uk/pta.asp With best wishes for the holiday season, Lizzy Gresham (On behalf of the PTFA)

Mobile Library Tuesday 17 December 2013, times as follows.

Little Abington West Field 10.00–10.30am Great Abington North Road 10.40–11.10am Magna Close 11.20am–12.10pm The Shop 12.15–12.35pm Hildersham Church Green 12.45–1.00pm

December Bulletin from Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service It is the time of year when we’re enjoying a tipple with friends, cooking heaps of delicious food and decking the halls. The fire service has these messages to make sure your festive cheer doesn’t go up in smoke:

Kitchens are a fire hotspot, so take care while cooking your Christmas dinner. Never leave cooking unattended and turn off appliances when not in use.

Switch off fairy lights and unplug them before you go to bed or leave the house. Make sure they conform to the British Standard and never overload plug sockets.

Be careful when drinking alcohol while smoking or cooking.

Finally, make sure you have a working smoke alarm which is correctly fitted and works. And NEVER take the batteries out to power presents!

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HAVE YOUR SAY – YOUR VIEWS COUNT Committee for Abington Housing With the last edition of the village news, you should have received a consultation leaflet entitled ‘Meeting local needs for new housing’. When surveys like this happen the response is often very low and that is for a number of reasons. Some people have every intention of responding but don’t do it straight away and then forget to go back to it. Others think that their input isn’t important or it will make no difference to the outcome. Some are too busy to even read the Abingtons and Hildersham News so will not realise they are being consulted. There will be others who have no view or are not interested.

On this occasion we are pleased to report that the consultation is going well and lots of responses have come in already. Unless you are one of those who have no view or are not interested it is important that you complete the response form. If you find delivering your form to one of the Parish Council clerks is difficult or inconvenient you could post it into the letterbox at The Institute or give it to a Parish Councillor.

If you didn’t get a copy, or can no longer locate the one you had, then there are various ways to get another one. You can pick up a copy of the leaflet in the Institute Café or by contacting Bernie Talbot or you can print one by accessing it on the village website www.theabingtons.org.uk where you will find it under both the GAPC and LAPC document sections.

The closing date for consultation responses is Monday 16 December so don’t miss out on making your views known as they WILL count. The results of this consultation will be fed into the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan-making process. They will greatly influence the future of our village so do not lose the chance to have your say. Give your view on each of the three questions and add a comment if you wish.

Our thanks go to all those who have already completed and returned their form. The outcome of the consultation will not be known by the next News deadline but a full report will be included in the edition that comes out at the end of January so watch this space.

Watch your waste, not your waist this Christmas (from SCDC) It’s not only our waistlines that gain weight at Christmas, festive bins are the heaviest and fattest of the year, with an extra 750,000 tonnes of waste in England alone compared to the rest of the year. That’s an increase of around 30 per cent and is generally made up of food waste, glass bottles, packaging and gift wrap. To make it as easy and convenient as possible for you to recycle and compost your festive waste, here are a few tips: Blue Bin - Most packaging can be placed in the blue bin, including;

Glass bottles and jars

Tins and cans

Cardboard (large pieces can be flattened and placed next to your blue bin for collection)

Greeting cards Gift wrap (all types)

Plastic pots, tubs, trays Plastic packaging Plastic film (all types as long as clean) If your blue bin is full, extra recycling can be placed out for collection in a cardboard box or returnable container. Paper Caddy

Newspapers Magazines

Leaflets Greeting card envelopes Green Bin

All food waste (cooked or raw)

Real Christmas trees (only when cut up and placed inside the bin) If you follow these simple steps, your black bin should remain practically empty with only non recyclable and non compostable items, such as polystyrene and nappies. We wish all our residents a very merry and very green Christmas and New Year!

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Great Abington Parish Council An Active Council

First responder service In this scheme people can volunteer to be trained to help in emergencies before the arrival of an ambulance. We now have three people almost ready to do this and two more who hope to complete the training at a later date. The purchasing of the necessary equipment is being made, paid for by both Little and Great Abington. However, it would be useful to have one or two further volunteers. No previous medical knowledge is needed and you would only be called to patients within eight minutes drive from your home. The amount of time you agree to do this is entirely up to you. If you would like to know more you can contact Gaynor Farrant (892 871) or by e-mail at gaynorfarrant198@btinternet.com Pocket Park Unfortunately the Parish Council is unable to proceed with the plans for creating a pocket park behind the church at the moment. There is some doubt about the current ownership of the land which, it seems, will not be resolved in the immediate future. Our thanks go to Steve Livsley and all others who were ready to clear the ground in preparation for planting. Disposal of dog waste on the recreation ground There have been several instances of dog waste being placed in the general litter bins on the recreation ground. This makes an unpleasant job for the volunteers who regularly empty the bins, as they have to remove the bags and put them in the red bins provided specifically for dog waste, and emptied by a waste collection firm, paid for by the recreation ground committee. So please only put dog waste in the red bins. Cars on the green in Magna Close It has been reported to the council that cars have been driven across the green in Magna Close late at night. Not only is this an annoyance to residents who want to sleep, but it will reduce the grass to a mud bath. For years this area has been used by village children for safe playing without this kind of problem, and it would be a pity if current residents were to prevent this. The council recommends that if this happens again, people should phone the police on 101 and, if possible, write down the registration numbers of the cars involved. Planning Application discussed by the Parish Council S/2143/13/FL – 26 Magna Close – single storey rear extension replacing conservatory – recommended approval. Application approved by SCDC S/1914/13/FL – 145 High Street – single storey extension replacing garage

Great Abington Parish Council Meetings Abington Village Institute

Planning meetings: Usually on Mondays, as required, at 6.45pm. See notice board for dates or contact the Parish Clerk. Next Parish Council Meeting – Monday 20 January 2014 at 7.30pm. There will be an opportunity for parishioners to raise matters of concern or interest with the council early in the meeting.

Bernie Talbot (Chairman) tel. 892 647 Agenda and minutes posted on GAPC notice board or available from the Parish Clerk.

Sally Smith: news (891 384); Paula Harper (Clerk): harper802@btinternet.com (892 000)

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Abington Lunch

We wish everybody a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Thank you for your support throughout the year

Our next lunch will be on Thursday 23 January 2014

More details will be in the January News.

Forget-Me-Not Club As you see we have a full programme this month, this comes with grateful thanks to various people and companies within our community who wish to include the club in their Christmas celebrations. Throughout the year a collection of ladies join a rota to bake cakes once a year for the clubs fortnightly ‘Afternoon Tea’. This is sincerely appreciated by all the club members who look forward to the enjoyment of eating ‘home baked’ cakes. If you are currently on the rota and are unable to participate in 2014 or, alternatively, if you would like to join the rota, please contact Gill Talbot on 892 410. Your help for this important and essential club in the community would be really appreciated. Bakers are reimbursed with £5. Our grateful thanks to you all. Tuesday 3 December – Christmas crafts at tea time in Jeremiah’s Café. Friday 6 Dec – Important Notice - Christmas Lunch event at TWI cancelled due to extensive building work being carried out. Monday 9 Dec – Coffee and Carols at Linton Village College. Tuesday 10 Dec – Annual Christmas Tea Party 2pm prompt start. Members only. Wednesday 11 Dec – Morrison’s Shopping Trip – Contact Marion (893 006) Friday 13 Dec – An invitation to ‘Christmas Afternoon Tea’ at Cambridge International School. 2.15pm Lifts to be arranged.

The committee would like to wish all Forget-Me-Not Club members a Very Happy and Peaceful Christmas and look forward to seeing you all again in the New Year.

Anne Hall (Chair 892 275)

Reading Group

We all enjoyed a dynamic discussion and range of opinion at last month’s meeting.

10 December 7.00 pm

Christmas meeting Please bring a childhood favourite

23, South Rd Great Abington

14 January My Animals and other family Clare Balding

4, Lewis Crescent Great Abington

11 February December Elizabeth Hartley

3, Church Lane Little Abington

Please remember to confirm your acceptance for the December meeting to Alison Johnson on 891 735. Note the earlier starting time.

Diana Wingfield

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Scrabble Club There will be no Scrabble Club in December. Our next meeting will be at 7pm on Tuesday 28 January in the Institute. New members very welcome.

Sheena Fraser

Abington and Hildersham Women’s Institute Oriel Laws from the British Red Cross spoke at our November meeting about their services in this area. Oriel is the local co-ordinator of the volunteer drivers who provide door-to-door transport for medical appointments and essential daily needs. They normally ask for a contribution to costs, based on mileage used, but no-one will be refused a service because they cannot pay. The service aims to:

improve your independence offer a trained volunteer escort, who, if required, will stay with you throughout

your journey enable you to keep appointments safely and efficiently provide freedom of travel for people with mobility problems.

One of our members, Gaynor Farrant, is also a volunteer for the Red Cross and is happy to help anyone who needs to borrow special equipment from the Red Cross centre in Coldhams Lane, Cambridge. Our Bring and Buy Stall was very well supported and all proceeds were donated to the Red Cross. Future meetings: 9 December - Christmas Party meal at The Old Crown, Girton, 7 for 7.15pm. 13 January - Happy New Year! And a talk on the History of Copenhagen China at 7.30pm at the Abington Institute. Visitors and new members welcome.

Marilyn Broadhurst (893 214)

Abington Social Club Darts results and fixtures On Tuesday 22 October the teams played the first round for the Webb Trophy. This is a knock-out competition. Unfortunately Abington A team lost to the King’s Head, Hadstock. Abington B team fared better by beating the Wagon and Horses, Linton so they go through to the second round.

Tuesday 29 October Abington A team lost 1-7 to Wagon and Horses, Linton Abington B team drew 4-4 with the Old Red Lion, Horseheath Tuesday 7 November Abington A team lost 1-7 to the Plough, Chesterford Abington B team won 6-2 against the King’s Head, Hadstock

As ASC have two teams they now play every Tuesday. Maureen Davies (892 368)

Abington Gardening Club On Monday 2 December there will be a Christmas raffle in aid of the East Anglian Air Ambulance. The speaker will be Peter Jackson giving a talk entitled ‘Wall and Climbing Plants’. Everybody welcome.

Kay Harman, Secretary (891 730, harman@onetel.net)

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Abington Walking Group Our November walks took us to Teversham and Fulbourn via Cherry Hinton. The next walks are on Thursday 5th and Saturday 21st and our usual Boxing Day walk to blow off the cobwebs and recover from the festive over-indulgencies! We now have all the dates of our 2014 walks. If you would like a list of these please let us know. For further information contact Robin Harman (891 730, harman@onetel.net) or George Woodley (891 169, georgewoodley@talktalk.net). Photo by Genevieve Dalton

Wishing all our walkers a Happy Christmas and a healthy, prosperous and good walking 2014.

Abington Naturewatch – Pat Daunt’s inspiration

Pat Daunt, who sadly passed away in early November, had long held aspirations to set up a Naturewatch Group in the village. He was a passionate and very experienced botanist who had been studying the flora of the area for a long time. The opportunity came when the Abington Parish Plan in 2003 called for an Action Plan and this included Environmental Projects. Pat described his ideas for a village Naturewatch Group and signed up 30 people who were interested in joining.

Since then the group has become established and is thriving due to Pat’s hard work and commitment. It is led by a project team who are principally the recorders of flora, birds, insects, mammals, amphibians and Rivercare. The group publishes a professional annual report, The Record, summarising the season’s observations and distributed to members and other county environmental groups.

Pat’s main interest, in flora, involved many outings, much enjoyed by members, recording species in the Abington villages. All this time, and until his death, he was generating and adding to a Flora Abingtonia, no mean achievement for a small village like ours. I printed a few copies of it in 2009 and, in time, this will be updated with all Pat’s records since then. He was very keen on teaching others about botany and the classification of plants and his winter teach-ins were much appreciated by members as were his walks in the village looking at plants in diverse

habitats. He retired from the leadership of Naturewatch in 2011 and the group presented him with a glass engraving of one of our favourite local wild plants, and a book entitled ‘Wildflower Wonders of the World’. Pat, you will be sadly missed, but we will carry on your good work.

Jennifer Hirsh

The Abington Burns Night Save the date Friday 24 January 2014. Details to follow in the January News.

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News from Linton Village College The autumn term has brought a number of charity events to the LVC calendar.

On the last day prior to half-term, the whole school dressed up to trek the 10km sponsored walk to raise money on behalf of the LVC Friends. 10km is actually a reasonable distance to hike for many modern teenagers who are not always as used to walking as we think they should be, but I was once more impressed by the speed at which they moved and the positive spirit with which they approached the event as a whole. We raised in excess of £6000 for the school hall and we now have enough money to pay for the new sound systems, the refurbishment of walls and floors and replacement curtains. An improved school hall will benefit the whole of our community in many ways since it has year-round use as a venue for concerts and presentations.

Another tradition that has grown in the last few years at the school has been to hold a ‘Children in Need’ Bake Off event. It is always very popular with students and ends with a bake sale in support of the charity.

These two events are additions to more long-standing commitments to the ever popular OAP Coffee and Carols, hosted by our Year 9 students, and the end of term Charities Fair.

As you can see we are always very keen for our students to think of the needs of others and to put real effort into their charitable ventures. The Christmas Charities Fair is an excellent example of this: the students have to work in their Houses to create popular ‘stalls’, and then they have to be enterprising in their marketing and promotion to make as many sales as they possibly can. They compete to be the House that raises the most money that morning. All of the proceeds go to the charities that our students nominate. We sometimes feel that we live in a world in which the only question that anyone asks is ‘What’s in it for me?’ That is never a question that I expect any student at LVC to be asking. Caroline Derbyshire

Linton and District Historical Society - 17 December at 1pm, Hildersham Church The talk for December, is a very special treat indeed, and please note the change of time. It is an afternoon visit to Holy Trinity Church, Hildersham. This church was at the centre of the High Gothic Victorian Revival in the 1870s and is one of the most decorated and unique churches in East Anglia. It has a chancel full of beautiful Victorian murals and every window is filled with brightly coloured stained glass; this is a visit not to be missed. Do come and hear this excellent talk, where you will be guided from the Ice Age, through early Saxon times right up to the dawn of the 20th Century with church historian and local expert Andrew Westwood-Bate. There will be the

Christmas raffle and refreshments. All are very welcome.

Linton Music Society Prime Brass promise a lively and entertaining programme at 7.30pm on Saturday 7 December in Linton Parish Church. Linton Youth Music will re-tell a ‘Living Nativity Story’ through words and music. A child-friendly event mingling with the story tellers during an outside walk which starts at 4.45pm from Linton Parish Church on Sunday 15 December.

Tickets at the door or in advance from Sweet Talk News 77 High Street Linton (tel. 893 480).

The Friends of Hinxton Church invite you to a Christmas Concert given by ‘In Voco

Parentis’ in Hinxton Church at 6pm on Saturday 14 December. The programme will include traditional carols such as the Coventry Carol, ‘What Sweeter Music’ by John Rutter, Infant Holy and Gaudete, as well as lighter Christmas music such as ‘Baby, it’s cold outside’, and Jingle Bells. Rubato Recorders will also play a few pieces. There will be mulled wine and mince pies during the interval. The church will be decorated for Christmas and looking bright and welcoming after its major renovation. Tickets £8 for adults and £5 for under-15s and available from me, by phone – (01799) 530360 or email: virginiamwalker@btinternet.com

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Church Services for December 2013

DATE Gt. Abington

Lt. Abington

Hildersham

Readings

1 December

Advent Sunday

10.45am Communion

9.15am

Communion

Isaiah 2. 1-5

Matthew 24. 36-44

8 December

Advent II

8.00am

Communion

4.00pm

Christingle

10.45am All Praise Isaiah 11. 1-10 Matthew 3. 1-12

15 December

Advent III

10.45am Communion

9.15am

Communion

Isaiah 35. 1-10

Matthew 11. 2-11

22 December

Advent IV

6.30pm

Carol Service

3.00pm

Carol Service

Isaiah 7. 10-16 Matthew 1. 18-25

24 December

Christmas Eve

10.30am

Crib Service

11.30pm

Communion

Titus 2. 11-14 Luke 2. 1-16

25 December

Christmas Day

10.45am

Family Communion

9.15am

Family Communion

Isaiah 9. 2-7 John 1. 1-14

29 December

Christmas I

10.45am United Service in Balsham

10.45am United Service in Balsham

10.45am United Service in Balsham

Isaiah 63. 7-9 Matthew 2. 13-23

Church Flower Rota

Great Abington Little Abington Hildersham

1st Dec Advent Mrs Broadhurst Advent

8th Dec. Advent Mrs Broadhurst Advent

15th Dec. Advent Mrs Broadhurst Advent

22nd Dec. All help please All help please All help please

29th Dec - Mrs Miles/Fordham -

Churchwardens

Hildersham Keith Day Fourwinds, Linton Road, Hildersham 891 527

Cathy Myer Woodside, Hildersham 892 848

Great Abington Janet Stanley Abington Park Farm, Great Abington 892 110

Vacancy

Little Abington Vacancy

Vacancy