hi courier - april 2011
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Histon Impington Courier April 2011TRANSCRIPT
HI CourierThe local community newspaper for Histon and Impington
April 2011Issue 20www.HIcourier.co.ukFREE
Rec Gym Opens Feast Parade Change Histon Cricket
HI CourierArts Awards for Villagers
HISTONTennisClub
HIAOP - no, not some strange language
but the initials for Histon & Impington
Action for Older People. It is hoped that in
the future residents will be seeing much more
about this initiative.
Some background first. In March 2010 a small
number of people met to discuss an idea that
had been put forward by Histon Parish
Councillor Neil Davies at a Histon Parish
Council meeting in December 2009. Although
there is good existing support in the two
villages for older people, it was felt there that
there was no central liaison. Willing volunteers
were often duplicating services because they
were unaware of other services being provided;
a much more co-ordinated approach was
needed. It is expected that by 2020 a quarter of
all residents in our villages will be over 65, so it
is crucial for us as a caring community to do as
much as we can to improve the quality of life
for this ever increasing older population.
Since the initial meeting a Forum was held last
Autumn to which various interested parties
were invited so that they could share their
views, concerns and ideas. From the interest
shown at the Forum a group came forward to
pick up on the issues which emerged and so
move the initiative forward. This group is now
known as HIAOP ( Histon & Impington Action
for Older People ) and its chairman is Mavis
Driver. Feedback at the Forum indicated a
strong need for a new role such as a Village
Older People’s Coordinator to promote and
communicate information about services and
activities for older people in our two villages,
and to provide support and start new
initiatives.
It was felt that this coordinator role could help
enhance the quality of life for residents by:
• Hopefully reducing loneliness and isolation
• Improving the take up of existing voluntary
services
• Supporting current voluntary initiatives and
encouraging new ones
• Acting as a catalyst, in due course, to help
increase volunteer numbers and capacity
within the villages
Much preparatory work has been done by
HIAOP in recent months on what has been
described as a ‘ trailblazing ‘ role as there is no
role template elsewhere and Age UK have
shown an interest in learning from our
experiences over the next few months.
It has been decided that the Village Older
People’s Coordinator should be a part time
paid position, and a funding package for an
initial 12 month period has been secured from
a number of local funders including Histon
and Impington Parish Councils, Histon Feast,
Council of Churches, the Porsland Charity and
Histon & Impington Community Minibus
(HICOM). HICOM is a local registered
charity which operates the village community
minibus and provides many existing services
for the elderly such as shopping, doctors runs
and trips out, and has strong links with many
groups in the villages connected with older
residents. The charity has agreed to become
responsible for the management of the
coordinator role, and further work is being
completed before the job role is formally
advertised later in the summer.
This is an exciting initiative for the villages of
Histon and Impington, and if you have any
comments and views please do contact Mavis
Driver on C 232188
New Initiative for Older People
Histon and Impington were well
represented at the March 30th Chairman's
Art Awards Ceremony held jointly by South
Cambs District Council and stART an
independent organisation that is a
partnership between the Council and seven
village collages. Pene Nudds, Huw Jones and
Les Ray received awards for their work in the
village.
Pene Nudds received a Highly Commended
award under the Parish Council Arts Award
for her work with the enviro.volunteers on
saving the Crossing Keeper’s Hut and making
it available for community use. That included
the great event put on in December with
Santa’s Grotto manned by residents in
Victorian costume and the Glo Trail through
the Copse. Pene said: "I, obviously, was
delighted with the award I received. But was
more chuffed with the recognition it gives to
the small but dedicated team of
enviro.volunteers whose support made it all
actually happen both with the rebuilding of
The Crossing Keeper's Hut and the Christmas
Fair & Santa's Grotto."
Huw Jones and Les Ray received an award
under the Rock & Pop section for their work
with 'Histon Un-Plugged' - the village's own
live event for young musicians which has been
running every second Tuesday of the month at
The Boot pub for five years. The award is
recognition of Histon Unplugged's
contribution to the development of musical
opportunities for local youngsters.
The guests and nominees at this highly
professional awards ceremony were treated to
a wonderful evening of entertainment from a
local Folk Group, Dance Squad, All-Age
Choir, ballet school, musical theatre and an
animated screening by a Cinema Club. The
evening was finished off with a brilliant
performance by Steve Lockwood with his
version of “Summertime” on the harmonica.
The next Histon Unplugged will take place at
The Boot, High Street Histon on Tuesday
12th April, starting 8.30pm, when local
songwriter Paul Goodwin will be headlining.
HUWLES RAY
PENE
PreOrderYours Today!(see page 8)
EGGciting23 AprilSt George's Day
2 NEWSApril 2011 www.HIcourier.co.ukHI Courier InfoThis is your local paper and we need your
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Diary dates 2011
For information about village events, see
www.HIcourier.co.uk/events
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will cover them in the HI Courier. Send to:
Contacting Us
Histon Impington Courier Ltd*
Hollyoak-Middlewhite Building,
St Georges Way
Impington CB24 9AF
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(C) Copyright 2011 by Histon Impington
Courier Ltd. unless otherwise noted.
Histon Green March 2011 (Photo by Stephen HarperScott)Village Energy ProjectThe first Sixty-five homes that
signed up for Feed-in-Tariff solar
PV systems should now have three
very good quotes from three
excellent vendors. The difficult part
comes in making a choice. One
thing that is quite certain - there will
be a lot of rooftop installations in
the village very soon.
Meanwhile, the last few days of
cloudless skies gave us a good
opportunity to compare a few
existing PV systems in the village.
We asked Paul Christie and Cedric
Foster for their daily readings
during the sunny spell. Each has a
completely different system -
different panels, different inverters
and different roof orientations.
Paul's is aligned to the SE while
Cedric's is alinged SW. Paul's
installation is rated at 2.1kW while
Cedric's is slightly smaller at 1.8
kW. How did they do? Well each
generated about 5.5 times their
rated output per day. A third
installation oriented due South also
produced the same amount of
power. That's roughly £5 per day
they will be receiving from the
electric company and they saved
another £2.50 or so by using the
power they generated in their own
homes. Needless to say both are
delighted and eagerly await the
coming summer when things
should really hot up generation-
wise.
Here at Village Energy HQ we
continue to work on the Rent-a-roof
scheme. At the moment the goal
posts are being moved and it may
favour individual home owners. As
I have mentioned in past columns
and newsletters, the government
has decided to place restrictions on
very large solar PV arrays in
farmers fields. The Feed-in-Tariff
was originally created to encourage
homeowners to invest in renewable
energy. However, large commercial
enterprises - some foreign owned -
quickly saw the loophole and tried
to muscle in on the deal. If the
government does limit the amount
of money they can make then we
will see a new flow of investor cash
looking to do Rent-a-Roof schemes
with private homeowners.
Having said thet, we have been
talking to many individuals about
investing their cash in third party
generation - meaning they would
buy and install the PV on your roof
and take the FiT while you get the
free electricity. This is a much more
attractive investment than putting
your money in an ISA. The FiT is
also tax-free and it is indexed to
inflation making it even more
desireable when compared to
meager offerings from our
illustrious banking institutions. I'll
have more to report in due course.
However, if you are thinking about
dumping your ISA account in
favour of a third party FiT
investment call or email me at the
contact details shown below.
Finally there's just room to mention
the Eco-Build show where 1300+
companies exhibited everything
from solar PV to zero-carbon
homes. One of our three vendors,
Beechdale Energy, was there as an
exhibitor. (Sorry, out of space.
More next month.) Contact Ken for
more info at:
EcoBuild trade show where we met 1300 companies involved in renewable energy
One of our vendors Beechdale Energy wasthere exhibiting
3www.HIcourier.co.ukNEWS April 2011
What a way to welcome Spring - a
Circus! Last week saw the arrival in
Homefield Park of the Pinder's Circus
- the country's oldest family run
"human only" (that is no animals)
circus. In all they presented six
performances packed full of family fun
entertainment, including clowns, plate
spinning, magic, juggling and aeriel
acrobatics.
The photos show some of the Pinder
team members, all of whom were
extremely polite and courteous. The
speed with which they set up and
dismantled the Big Top was truly
amazing. Despite doing their last show
at 2pm everything was all packed up,
the site cleared and the last caravan
rolled off the Park at 7:15pm on
Sunday evening.
Speaking with many of the
neighbouring residents the event has
been welcomed by most. This was
despite the short advance notice given,
which was due to the late issue (by
SCDC) of the necessary performance
licence.
Reactions from those who attended
the show has been very enthusiastic -
especially from the children:
"It's brillllliant! "
"Are they going to come again?"
"The last time I went to the circus was
55years ago"
"Nice to see the Park being used for
such a fab event"
"What about some Shakespeare in the
Park please?"
"I remember when there were police
dog display teams here"
Homefield Park is run by the
Recreation Ground Joint Committee
of the Histon and Impington Parish
Councils. Residents will have noticed
that a general programme of
improvements such as tree works and
a revised grass cutting programme
have been undertaken by contractors.
Whilst the enviro.volunteers,
supported by the community pay back
teams, have worked on the creation of
new woodland paths, ivy clearance,
dead hedging and litter picking.
The park is a wonderful resource for
the village and is presently one of it's
best kept secrets. Older residents
(that is those who lived in the village
for sometime) will remember a series
of annual and ad hoc events. More
recently various church youth groups
have met in the park, The Early Years
Learning Centre have held classes and
a wonderful Glow trail event there too,
plus the Guides have planted an Oak
tree to celebrate their centenary.
If you would like to see this or other
similar events in the Park please let
The Parish Councils or HI Courier
know.
Send your email to:
"The last time I went to the circus was 55years ago"
Some of the cast after the show. Top: Acrobat, dog and world's youngest ringmaster, age 8, just back from school.Bottom: Russian Artiste, Ringmaster Mike Lea, and The Happy Clown.
Find the Circus in Homefield Park!
Circus Intent ... A splash of colour to welcome Spring!
4 NEWSApril 2011 www.HIcourier.co.uk
RECREATION GROUND NEWS
The recreation ground is managed by the
Parish Councils via a Joint Management
Committee.
The Community Room in the pavilion is
available for hire for meetings, seminars etc.,
children’s parties and family functions. Also
available for leisure class hire. Kitchen
facilities are included. For further information
and all bookings for facilities at the recreation
ground, please call Lynda Marsh on 01223
232423 or email on [email protected]
The summer season at the Recreation Ground
for tennis, bowls and cricket starts on 27th
April and we are looking forward to seeing the
summer clubs busy and in action most
evenings of the week.
If you are interested in becoming a member of
one of the clubs using the facilities at the
recreation ground contact details are as
follows:
• Histon Bowls Club – Neville Driver
(Secretary), telephone: 861151
• Histon Cricket Club – Simon Byatt
(Secretary), telephone: 07971 787334
• Histon and Impington Croquet Club – Keith
Heywood, telephone: 563487
• Histon Hornets Football Club – Steve
Bradshaw (Chairman), telephone: 562307
• Histon Tennis Club – Vernon Dudley
(Secretary), telephone: 515867
The Clubs are always pleased to welcome new
members.
PARISH COUNCILS
Everyone is very welcome to attend to listen to
the Council debate, or to raise issues of concern
at the Open Forum at the start of each meeting.
HISTON PARISH COUNCIL
Histon Parish Council met on Monday 14
March at St Audrey’s Close Community
Centre. Minutes as always are available to view
on the website, in Histon Library or from the
Parish Office. The next meeting will be held
on Monday 11 April.
Recent issues raised at Council meetings
include:
• South Cambs District Council Enforcement
issues regarding planning permissions in the
village
• Problems with sight lines for vehicles turning
at junction between Church Street and Narrow
Lane
• Light columns left in the middle of the new
County Council cycleway from Histon to
Cottenham, plus concerns over unfinished
surface
• Safety concerns over vehicles accessing
Histon Junior School on The Green
The Council will be looking at a second phase
of improvements at the Brook this year. We
may be looking to set up a working party and
anyone interested in helping out, please let us
know
You may have noted that the public car park in
the High Street at the back of the Florist Shop
has been recently smartened up and new white
lines painted. This is the result of the Parish
Council having taken over responsibility for it
from the District Council at their request. It is
the Parish Council’s intention to keep the cost
of parking here free for as long as possible.
However, it will however depend on the cost of
maintenance and the use residents get out of it.
Apart from paying council tax, the District
Council have spent nothing on this facility for a
good number of years, whereas now the Parish
Council have responsibility. Any maintenance
costs, which includes lighting, will fall directly
on the Parish annual precept. The Parish
Council is committed to providing parking
facilities, regarding these as a necessary part of
maintaining a vibrant shopping economy in the
Village.
IMPINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Impington Parish Council met on Monday 21
March at St Andrews Church Hall, Burgoynes
Road, Impington. The next meeting will be
held on Monday, 18 April.
There are 2 vacancies on the Council and any
interested resident is urged to contact the
Parish Office to discuss this opportunity to get
more involved in village life. This would be a
commitment of only 1 year as the elections for
the Parish are due in May 2012
Issues recently raised at meetings:
• Parish Councillors hope to attend a meeting
to be arranged with representatives from
Stagecoach and the County Council over the
future reliability of the Citi 7 bus. Have you let
us have your comments on the service?
• The District Councillors for Histon and
Impington are to investigate the removal of 5
seemingly healthy cherry trees from District
Council owned land at Homefield.
• Members have met with representatives of
the St Andrews Church to exchange views on
the planning application for refurbishment of
the School Halls in Histon.
• The Council heard more from HICOM
(Histon & Impington Community Minibus) on
plans for managing an Older Persons Co-
Ordinator for the villages.
The issue of communications with residents
continued to be an agenda item. If you have
any comment to make that may be useful,
please let us know by letter or email on
The Council received a report on the Mobile
Warden Scheme for Histon and Impington
which currently has a waiting list of clients.
Contact the Parish Office for more details.
The Council heard of plans for an Easter Egg
activity for children at the Crossing Keepers
Hut over the Easter weekend
Joint matters affecting both Parish Councils:
It is hoped that there may be a combined
Annual Parish Meeting for both Histon and
Impington this year. The meeting will be
called some time between 1 March and 1 June.
The Parish Office would be happy to receive
ideas for a speaker.
Allotment rules are being reviewed for
September 2011. To add you name to the
waiting lists please telephone the Parish Office
on 235906
In line with Government recommendations,
both Councils now publish spend of £500 and
over on the website www.hisimp.net
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Recent planning applications received from
SCDC and considered at regular Planning
Committee meetings (Impington Tuesday
evenings and Histon Thursday evenings). All
applications to the Planning Authority are
available to inspect at the parish office and are
also normally available to view on the SCDC
website
HISTON:
Council recommended approval of:
S/0334/11 Mr & Mrs Steel, 36 Home Close –
Two storey side and rear extension
S/0146/11 Mr & Mrs Richard Kidd, 11
Shirley Road – Demolition of existing garage
and two storey side and rear extension with
single storey side extension and re-roofing of
existing rear single storey extension
Council had no recommendation for:
S/0363/11 Mr Richard Woodham, 24
Cottenham Road – Two storey side extension
S/1895/10 Mrs Angela Young, Histon Village
Green – Notice Board. No Comment made
S/0277/11 Mr Mervin Smith, Old Station
Goods Yard, Station Road – Lawful
Development Certificate for existing use of
building and land for general industrial
purposes (Use Class B2) No Comment made
Refusal was recommended for:
S/0415/11 Mrs Lucas, 14 Cottenham Road –
Dwelling
S/0418/11 Simon & Kelly Hall, 50 Orchard
Road – Two storey side extension and single
storey front and rear extensions to existing
house
Plans to be considered at Planning meeting
due 31 March:
S/0398/11 Histon Methodist Church, High
Street - Extensions, alterations and
refurbishment of Histon Methodist Church
IMPINGTON:
Council had no recommendation for:
S/0199/11 Mr Ben Cinque, 8 Mill Road –
Single storey rear extensions of existing house
and demolition of existing garage and erection
of 2 bedroom dwelling
S/0261/11 Mr Andy Efford 9 Cooke Walk –
First Floor extension above garage and
insertion of first floor window to south side
elevation
Refusal was recommended for:
S/0185/11 Mr & Mrs Anthony Jenkins, 94 Mill
Lane – Two storey rear extension and erection
of detached rear office/study
Plans to be considered at Planning meeting
due 29 March:
S/0111/11 Mrs Lynda Marsh, Histon &
Impington Parish Councils, Histon &
Impington Recreation Ground, New Road –
External lighting and pole supports
S/0268/11 Mr Michael Browne, 6 Mill Road
– Conversion of garage into habitable
accommodation
S/0289/11 Highland Glen Estates Ltd, 7
Water Lane – Erection of two detached
dwellings following demolition of existing
dwelling
S/0389/11 Mr Jeremy Walton, Histon
Hornets Football Club, Tea Hut, Histon &
Impington Recreation Ground, New Road –
Permanent siting of Timber Tea Hut
S/0458/11 Mr & Mrs J Andrews, 5 Villa
Road – Dwelling
S/0467/11 Ms Dianne Reeve, Land rear of 37
Cambridge Road – Erection of one 2 bed
dwelling
Plans to be considered at Full Council 18 April:
S/0557/11 Dr & Mrs G Smith, 9 College
Road – single storey front extension, porch,
two storey side extension and single storey rear
extension
S/0574/11 Mr & Mrs Marsh, 53 Woodcock
Close – first floor rear extension
Parish Council Reports
Do you have an
enquiry or comment
to make to your
Parish Council?
If so, email the Clerk
on
or post to:
The Parish Office
Histon & Impington
Recreation Ground
New Road, Impington
Cambridge
CB24 9LU
5www.HIcourier.co.ukNEWS April 2011
April will see the completion of the installation
of two new facility improvements on the village
Recreation Ground after two successful grant
applications in 2010.
The Recreation Ground Committee are keen to
increase the general community usage through
making the entire ground more accessible, and
the provision of a new 800 metre perimeter
path around the bottom of the rec will
encourage this. The path to be laid will be a
visible distance marked path using a distinctive
yellow coloured grass protector surface. The
path will be usable by families using infant
buggies and small children on cycles, people in
wheelchairs as well as walkers and runners
A new outdoor five piece exercise gym is
being installed in April on the grassed area by
the tennis hardcourt. This will be available to
use free of charge and the gym will include the
five items of equipment- a leg press, body
twister, pull- exerciser, space walker and skier.
The attached illustration shows the different
equipment plus information on each.
Guidance on how to use the equipment will be
provided on each piece of equipment, and
there will also be sessions from a specialist
instructor. The first takes place on Monday 2nd
may at 12.15pm, and there will be sessions on
Wednesdays 11, 18 and 25 May between 6 &
7pm. All welcome.
Steve Fallon will open both the gym and path
at midday on Mayday Monday 2nd May after
the Impington 5k Fun Run.
The total cost of the work is £23,000 and this
has been funded from grants from SCDC and
WREN plus community fundraising from
Friends of the Rec.
Recreation Ground Committee Chairman Neil
Davies welcomes the news’ these further
facility improvements will improve accessibility
of the whole ground and provide new
opportunities for fitness. We are pleased that
through the grant funding and the support of
Friends of the Rec these improvements have
come at little cost to the Village Parish
Councils’
There will also be two other new activities
using the path:
* a new weekday evening fitness walking
session with a qualified instructor Sue Burgess
starting on Wednesday 11 May 7-8pm and
continuing Wednesday weekly
* buggyfit taster sessions with Sarah Allen of
Bumpercise and Aquatots on Tuesdays 3 and
10 May 1.30pm to 2.30pm. All welcome,
please download a health warning from
www.bumperciseandaquatots.co.uk, and
Mums have must been cleared to exercise by
their GP
Rec Improvements Open in May
News of a major project to redevelop The
Green Play area was featured in last month’s
HI Courier, and there has been a fantastic
response to a family consultation questionnaire
which was circulated through village schools.
Over 150 completed questionnaires have been
returned providing almost total support for the
redevelopment of the play area, and there have
many been many constructive comments
made.
Neil Davies who is helping to lead the project
with John Emmines explains further "many
have commented that the redevelopment
needs to blend in with unique location of the
play area, and there has been a really positive
response for volunteers to become involved."
All those interested in becoming part of the
project are invited to a meeting at 8pm on
Wednesday 27 April in the Recreation Ground
Pavilion community room.
If you would like to become involved please
call Neil Davies on C 232514
Bumper Response to Play Area ConsultationThe enviro.volunteers and the guides
are organising a bit of egg-citement on
St.Georges Day, Saturday 23rd Apri l .
Come and join us in a treasure hunt in
The Copse, starting from the Hut. Just
turn up anytime between 1 0:30-1 2:30
(last start at 1 2). Afterwards the
enviro.volunteers wil l be having a BBQ.
EGGcitement 23 April
St Georges Day
6 NEWSApril 2011 www.HIcourier.co.uk
Origins of Histon Feast
The first mention of the Histon Feast was in a
newspaper in June 1861.
The Histon Feast continued in one form or
another during the first and second world
wars, although the Feast Parade was not held
during the late 1940’s nor for some years after.
The Parade was revived in 1972 and is now one
of the highlights of the annual Histon Feast
Week.
The Feast Parade takes place on “Feast
Sunday” which is the first Sunday on or after
St Peters Day. Histon Feast Week overall
commences a day or two before the Parade and
finishes on the following Sunday.
Histon Feast Week 2011 will take place from
Friday 1st July to Sunday 10th July and the
Parade will be held on 3 July at 3pm.
Change of Route for 2011
In order to comply with the requirements of
the Local Authority we have had to make a
slight adjustment to the route this year. In
previous years the Parade has marched from
Clay Street into Cottenham Road past St
Andrew’s Church. This year the Parade will
start off in Clay Street but will march into
Narrow Lane and then turn left into Windmill
Lane and School Hill into the High Street. The
Parade will then turn right at Station Road and
continue all the way to Barclays Bank Vision
Park. At this point the vehicles will go into the
car park at the Bank, while all pedestrians will
collect outside on the right hand side of the
road. This will give the Parade a few minutes
to re-form and then return along the route
ready to disperse in Narrow Lane/Clay Street.
The map gives the route of the Parade for this
year plus details of the road closures and
access routes. Full details can also be found in
our Feast Magazine which will go on sale in
June.
There will be plenty of marshals on duty to
assist everyone and Excel Traffic Management
will ensure the route is properly signed with
road closures and access routes clearly
marked. Please keep all areas free of parked
cars.
Taking Part
If you would like to take part in the Parade,
either on a float, or marching/dancing along
with the procession please contact us on
We would love to make the Feast Parade
bigger and better than ever so please do join in
– the more the merrier! We look forward to
seeing you all, either as participants or as one
of the crowds that watch the Parade, on 3 July
2011 at 3pm.
- Sandra Dunn
Histon Feast Parade Group
Histon Feast Parade Changes
7www.HIcourier.co.ukNEWS April 2011
A lively discussion followed Peter Downes’
presentation on academies in Impington on
Monday 14 March. The Cambridgeshire public
meeting addressed the question "Schools
becoming 'academies' - a good idea ... or not?"
Peter Downes explained how academies differ
from council maintained schools and set out a
clear and factual comparison of risks against
benefits. Peter Downes is the former president
of the Association of School and College
Leaders and nationally recognised as an expert
on schools funding.
The supporters of ‘academies’ say they offer
freedoms from the national curriculum, from
national pay scales, from council ‘control’ and
freedom to set the length of school terms and
days. Peter Downes disagreed saying “these
alleged ‘freedoms’ are illusory and potentially
dangerous”. He went on to say “all schools will
soon have greater freedom to decide their own
curriculum so there’s no need to be an academy
for that”. The meeting was told that academies,
which are allegedly independent schools, are in
practice answerable directly to the Secretary of
State through an Academy Trust, a charitable
company where members are appointed rather
than elected. Academies will take on an
extensive range of additional legal and financial
responsibilities and have to ‘buy in’ services for
the school
The meeting heard about financial incentives
that are being offered to new academies but
where does the extra money come from?
Academies receive their funding directly from
central government. They get more than they
need to buy in the services they are no longer
getting from the Local Authority. This money
comes from two sources: part is clawed back
from that element of funding currently retained
by the Local Authority (with the agreement of
Heads and Governors) to fund provision for
specialised education services that help children
with health or behavioural problems. In
addition, money has been ‘top sliced’ from
Local Authority general budgets, thus reducing
county- wide funding available for other services
provided in Cambridgeshire such as adult social
care or road maintenance. Margaret Eaton,
chair of the Local Government Association and
a Conservative member of the House of Lords,
has commented “Whatever you think of
academies, it cannot be right that other frontline
services suffer so that the government’s
academies programme can flourish.”
So what is the motivation to change? Peter
Downes argues that the drive to academies is
driven by a short-term financial fix. Governors
are faced with making difficult decisions about
whether to go for additional funding at a time
when schools are facing cuts and very real
financial pressure but by doing this, condoning
a development that will improve opportunities
for the most fortunate while reducing services
for those in Cambridgeshire who need it most;
services that support the most vulnerable
children in our schools.
This is the ‘moral choice’ that school governors
are facing.
For further information or to obtain a copy of
the presentation notes please email local
contacts Huw or Christine
Email: [email protected] or
Schools face a ‘moral choice'
On the 18th March 2011 villager Fonz
Chamberlain completed a 12 hour walk around
Cambridge dressed as a bear to raise much
needed funds for Gt. Ormond Street Children
hospital.
Fonz untook the walk on what was his 32nd
birthday because his one birthday wish was to
help sick children at the hosptial get better.
During the day updates where being reported
by the new community news media Cambridge
Scene and the radio station Cambridge 105
(105fm) . Both projects were asking listeners
and followers in the city to report the location
of the bear as he traveled around the city and
did on the spot interviews with Fonz during his
walk.
Also during the day Fonz was approached on
Market Hill by TV Personalty Rory McGrath
who wished him luck for his walk.
' I can proudly say I'm the first Cambridge
historian to walk around Cambridge for 12
hours dressed as a bear' Fonz jokes after the
walk ' I had a wonderful birthday and got so
much support from people around me, but the
highlight was when Rory McGrath wished me
luck because this gave me a real big boost'
You can find out the total of the walk, or make
a donation yourself by going to
www.justgiving.com/fonzbirthdaywish
Fonz would also like to thank Histon Village
Fryer, Histon Post Office, The Junior School,
Daisy Chain, Cambridge Scene, Cambridge
105, Time Traveller Media Group and
Lighthouse Toys for their support
Walk gets support from TV starRory McGrath greets Fonz Chamberlain
The Friends of the Rec held their annual
Ceilidh at IVC on March 26th with up to a
hundred enthusiastic dancers to the music and
calling of Parsons Nose.
Jane Rush, Chair of the Friends, commented
that, "We are known for organising events
which people enjoy and this was another such.
the money raised goes toward equipment,
facilities and support for the recreation
ground. last year we had a big push to raise
money for the new play area and one of our
targets this year is to help establish an
equipment replacement fund so that we do not
find ourselves having to make such a big effort
again."
The next Friends' event is the Fun Run on the
morning of May 2nd before the official opening
at noon of the new outdoor exercise area and
the perimeter path on the Rec.
A DoSiDo amongst Friends
8 NEWSApril 2011 www.HIcourier.co.ukPHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORIES OF HISTON AND IMPINGTONH&I RESIDENT ORDER FORMPrePublication Price Only £8.99including free local delivery!
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Cambridge CB24 9 JT TO ARRIVE BY Saturday 1 4th May 2011 .
2 1/2 Cheers for the Cycle / footpath on Butt
Lane. What a shame that it runs out!
It was great to see the work going on to make a
pathway along Butt Lane I see so many cyclists
with no lights at night along there and the
speed of traffic and the narrowness of the road
make the pathway very welcome. When I saw
the contractors packing up after reaching the
storage site I decided to ask one of them what
was happening. "That's it mate" he said "we're
not taking it any further" "The owners of the
storage site are supposed to do the rest as part
of their planning permission". Is that correct?
and when will it be done?
My partner who is Dutch was looking forward
to the sort of cycle provision they have in the
Netherlands and being able to cycle to work.
As it is, cyclists and pedestrians still have to
'dice with death' for a significant stretch of the
road.
- Chris Lowdon
Impington
LETTERCycleway to Milton
The cycleway stops at the Impington parish
boundary. The remaining quarter mile to the
Milton Park & Ride is funded separately by
Section 106 money from the new Business
Park at Meres Way. We understand that SCDC
is ultimately responsible but we have not yet
been able to confirm that. It is unclear
whether the developer has already paid for
these improvements.
One complication is the question of the safety
of the footbridge over the A10 for students
travelling to IVC and whether school bus
services will be cut once the cycleway os
completed. That could increase road traffic at
IVC.
We will keep readers posted on developments.
- Editor
WHAT WE HEAR:
9www.HIcourier.co.ukNEWS April 2011
Impington Mill Garden will be open for the
National Gardens Scheme (the “Yellow Book”)
on Sat 8th and Sun 9th May from 2:00pm to
7:00pm. We will also be open for the Village
Open Gardens in June, but May is one of our
favourite seasons for the garden, with lots of
tulips, bluebells, cowslips, cow parsley and
apple blossom.
The NGS give over £2M each year to a range
of charities, of which Macmillan Nurses and
Marie Curie Nursing Care are the major ones –
see: www.bit.ly/impington-ngs
Entry will be £3 per person, children under 16
free. There will be guided tours of the Mill for
£2, and teas will be available, with wine after
6:00pm, also as an optional extra.
The following weekend is the National Mills
Weekend, when we will open Sat 14th and Sun
15th from 10:00am to 16:00pm. Donations
will also go to the NGS.
Impington Mill Garden Open DayHave you ever visited Impington Farmers’
Market? If you have you probably still go
regularly and buy your favourite local foods,
and this year we celebrate our sixth year of
being at the College.
Once you have visited a market you can’t help
to be impressed by the range of traders selling
their own produce, the quality is superb and
price are no dearer than the equivalent product
in your local supermarket. At our market at
Impington we have beef grazed on the backs in
Cambridge, free range eggs, ducks and
chickens from Cottenham, bread from
Cambridge, pies from Newmarket, vegetables
from Willingham and so much more
including the freshest fish you can buy which
comes directly from Lowestoft that morning.
In all there are around 20 stalls and samples
are always available for you to try.
Refreshments are served throughout the
morning, and we always have a few gift stalls
to browse over in the prom. We hope you will
visit us sometime soon on the every third
Saturday each month 9:30 until 12:30. There
is always free parking available. See our
website for full details at
www.farmersfayres.co.uk
6th Year for Farmers Market!
Histon Country Market is full of Springtime
delights. The choice on offer is getting bigger
all the time: look out for delicious sourdough
bread and onion rolls, baked here in Histon or
sausage rolls made with local (sorry they are
foreigners from Girton!) outdoor rare breed
pork, not to mention the Honey that’s so local,
the bees that made it will probably have been
busy in your garden! - you can’t get more local
than this.
The tea and coffee is very popular and now
homemade cakes are available by the slice
although some people can’t resist buying a
whole one to take home.
Those who come early have been snapping up
early rhubarb and spring greens. However,
fresh produce is in short supply at the moment.
New producers are being encouraged to join
the co-operative – any gardener who has spare
vegetables, fruit or plants and just a little time
can come along and find out more.
And although you’re encouraged to visit the
market and buy the produce – we couldn’t
resist sharing one lovely seasonal recipe with
you!
This would be perfect after your Easter roast
lamb: Almond Rhubarb
For the base:
12oz fresh rhubarb and 2 – 3oz caster sugar
For the top:
2 free range eggs, 4 oz butter, 4 oz caster sugar
4oz ground almonds, half teasp vanilla extract,
a little milk.
Wash & trim the rhubarb, put in a lidded pan
with a tablespoon of water and 2 to 3 oz caster
sugar (very young fresh stems will need less
sugar and less cooking time than thicker, older
stems) Cook until soft and pour into a wide
ceramic dish, an 8” diameter, deep flan dish
would work.
Make the topping: beat the sugar and butter
together until light & fluffy, beat in the eggs
and vanilla. Fold in the almonds, adding a little
milk to make a soft “dropping” consistency.
Spread this mixture over the rhubarb and bake
for 20 minutes until the sponge is light brown
and just cooked – if you like you can take it out
a little early and it will have a lovely “gooey”
middle.
This is best served warm, with cream, custard
or icecream.
Histon Country Market (Fridays at Methodist Hall, Histon)
1 0 NEWSApril 2011 www.HIcourier.co.ukPet Column:
An estimated 2 million rabbits are kept as
pets in the UK. Many of these are
unfortunately kept in less than ideal
conditions, mostly because owners are
unaware that what they are doing is wrong.
Giving food, especially treats, is a way of
showing affection so often the most loved
bunnies are the worse affected. Rabbit
Awareness Week is an annual event aimed at
educating owners about their rabbit's needs
and how to meet them.
Rabbits in the wild eat mainly grass and
other fibrous herbage. Their digestive system
is designed to get all the nutrients they
require from this type of food. A rabbit's
teeth grow 2-3mm per week throughout its
life. If they are not offered enough roughage
to chew, the teeth become overgrown and
can cut into the sensitive parts of the mouth.
They then need to have their teeth rasped
down by a veterinary surgeon, often under
general anaesthetic. Rabbits process their
food twice in different parts of their
intestines. After the first digestion sticky
pellets called caecotrophs are passed which
the rabbit then eats. This occurs mainly
overnight so most owners miss this. The
caecotrophs then pass into a different part of
the digestive tract so the remaining nutrients
can be extracted. By using two different
digestive processes rabbits are able to get all
the nutrients they require from this relatively
“poor quality” food.
If rabbits are not fed sufficient fibre they can
develop a variety of health problems as well
as overgrown teeth. Too much dry
concentrate food makes them prone to
obesity, a very common issue with pet
rabbits. As well as risking the sorts of
problems people suffer from an overweight
rabbit cannot reach round to re-eat its
caecotrophs so misses out on vital nutrients.
The sticky caecotrophs adhere to the rabbits
bottom, making it very sore and
uncomfortable and putting them at risk of fly
strike. Insufficient dietary fibre can also
result in diarrhoea, making the “dirty
bottom” problem worse. Some owners have
to wash their rabbit's bottom once or twice a
day.
The correct diet is also of importance to a
rabbit's behaviour and emotional well-being.
In the wild a rabbit spends most of its waking
hours foraging for grass, eating and being on
the look-out for predators. They need to be
mentally alert to survive. In a hutch, run or
house a rabbit fed mainly on concentrate can
meet its nutritional needs in a short space of
time. Without spending a long time finding
food or chewing hard fibre it becomes easily
bored and unhappy and often bad behaviour
such as pulling fur or aggression are the
result.
The best type of dry food to offer your rabbit
is a reputable all-in-one high fibre pellet.
Most rabbits will select their favourite pieces
from a “muesli” diet and leave the ones they
are not so keen on so they do not get a
balance. With the pellet diets each pellet is
completely balanced and the high fibre
encourages chewing to keep teeth worn to
the correct height and a healthy digestion.
Keeping rabbits as house pets is becoming
increasingly popular. They can be trained to
use a litter tray and certainly benefit form
the increased mental stimulation of being
inside with the family. They can form strong
attachments to people and can be very
entertaining to watch. Do keep cables out of
reach – they cannot resist chewing them! It
should be remembered that all rabbits need
to spend some time outdoors. Like us they
need vitamin D from sunlight to help
prevent osteoporosis.
RABBIT AWARENESSWEEKFREE Rabbit Health Check
with a nurse during theentire month of May!
Q. Which diseases should my rabbit be
vaccinated against?
Rabbits should be vaccinated against
myxomatosis. As this is spread by fleas and flying
insects all rabbits are at risk, even those indoors.
They do not need to have direct contact with an
infected to catch the virus. Vaccination should be
carried out every six months in a rural area such
as ours where there is myxomatosis in the wild
population.
Viral Haemorrhagic Diarrhoea is the other
infection rabbits should be protected against with
an annual vaccination.
Q. My dog sometimes catches rabbits suffering
from myxomatosis. Will he get ill?
Thankfully no. Myxomatosis only affect rabbits.
Do rabbits need to be wormed?
Rabbits can become infested with intestinal
worms. However, they are at greater risk from a
protozoal infection which lives in the soil called
Encephalitizoan cuniculi. This can cause damage
to the kidneys and nervous system and can be
fatal. A nine day course of worming treatment
every six months will help to prevent this nasty
and common infection as well as treating any
worms.
How can I prevent fly strike?
Any dirty areas or wounds on your rabbit will
attract flies to lay their eggs. When the maggots
hatch they eat the rabbit. It is very important that
a rabbit is checked twice a day by an adult in
warm weather. A healthy high fibre diet will
reduce the risk of diarrhoea and also prevent
obesity so the rabbit can keep itself clean. There
are also preparations which will repel or kill flies
which can be applied to your rabbit. Call us at
Hollyoak Vets for advice, or book a FREE
consultation with one of our nurses during the
entire month of May. Telephone: 01223 232111
Rabbit Awareness Week 23rd 29th May 2011
11www.HIcourier.co.ukNEWS April 2011
Towards the end of the 18th century the
agricultural revolution (leading to more food
but less employment) caused a rising
population to migrate to cities. Poverty
increased as did crime as did the prison
population. With Captain Cook’s discovery of
the extent of the Antipodes the Government
looked to secure the continent as a British
colony. The overloaded penal system became a
cheap source of labour to be used to construct
the new settlements of Australia. By the 1830s,
HM Government had also realised that the
forced emigration of petty criminals (especially
those who were skilled and literate) was an
excellent method of colonising distant
Australia. In some cases wives and children
were given leave to accompany the convict into
exile. On landing the convict was signed over
on licence to the spouse for the duration of the
sentence. Their new life in a new land had
begun.
As far as we know, only twenty two year old
Smith Lucas fell afoul of the convict
transportation policy in Histon. In 1838 he was
convicted of the theft of wheat and a brass pot
from a house in Waterbeach and subsequently
sentenced to seven years transportation. Unlike
many, village records appear to show that that
Smith Lucas managed to return after serving
his sentence. Thirty five years ago, Aubrey
Mansfield, whilst constructing a family tree,
discovered that our felon fathered a son three
years before his sentence was due to end! Mr.
Mansfield sought out Ken Oates and together
they unearthed a remarkable story of village
loyalty.
On conviction young Smith Lucas was taken to
Cambridge County Prison. The gaol records his
behaviour as ‘indifferent ‘. Since he’d left his
eighteen year old pregnant wife and two
children to face destitution one can understand
him being angry and difficult. Within days he
was transferred to the hulk ‘Leviathan’ (one of
the fleet commanded by Nelson at the Battle of
the Nile 1798).
Smith’s fellow villagers were also appalled at
his sentence. Leaders of the community banded
together and with the aid of James Hunt, a
Cambridge solicitor, they sent a petition to the
young Queen Victoria, appealing for a pardon
to be granted.
“To The Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty
The humble petition of the undersigned
farmers, tradesmen and others resident in the
County of Cambridge
Therewith: That your Majesty’s humble
petitioners have learned that at the General
Quarter Sessions of the Peace held in and for
the County of Cambridgeshire on Friday the
sixth day of July 1838 before Henry John
Adriane Esq. Chairman and others your
Majesty’s Justices of the Peace in the county of
Cambridge, Smith Lucas late of Histon in the
said County of Cambridgeshire, labourer age 22
years was tried and convicted of larceny and
was sentenced to be transported for the term of
seven years ...That your Majesty’s humble
petitioners beg to approach your Majesty with
humble prayers that you Majesty will be
graciously pleased to exercise your Majesty’s
Royal Prerogative of a Mercy in favour of the
said Smith Lucas in such a manner as to your
Majesty may deem meet and just.
That your Majesty’s humble petitioners have
known said Smith Lucas for the number of
years opposite to the names on your Majesty’s
petition and they have found and understood
and believed him to have be a man of
irreproachable and honest life and conduct up
to the time of the commission of the said
offence of which he has been convicted. That
the said Smith Lucas has a wife (in the state of
pregnancy) and two small children who must be
left destitute and without means of support if
the said Smith Lucas should be sent out of the
Count(r)y.
Your humble petitioners therefore warmly
beseech and pray that your Majesty would be
graciously pleased to extend towards the said
Smith Lucas your Royal Clemency and Mercy
in such a manner as your Majesty may seem
meet and just.”
The letter and petition were duly sent.
(End ofPartOne)
EFW,AM,KO,PGS,
Cambridgeshire Collection 2011
The Fate of Smith Lucas – Convicted FelonPart One
County Prison 18021916 demolished 1931
The hulk the Leviathon at Portsmouth in 1828
Choir 2000 invite you to take part in a
Choral Day on Saturday 21 May at the Histon
Baptist Church, when Andrew Parnell, an
experienced choral and orchestral conductor
will teach the singers the skills to sing and
enjoy Verdi’s powerful Requiem.
Enrolment opens at 9.30pm, and the first
session, which is for choir only, lasts from
10.00am until 12.45pm. There is a lunch break
until the second session at 2.15pm, when the
choir will be joined by the orchestra and
soloists. There will be a tea-break from 3.45pm
till 4.15pm. The final session is a performance
of the whole work, ending soon after 5.30pm,
to which an audience is invited free of charge.
The Enrolment Fee is £12.00 for the day
(under 18s free)
We are able to offer computer generated voice-
enhanced rehearsal tracks that can be
downloaded in the form of MIDI files.
Instructions are on: www.bit.ly/midi-tracks
In previous years the hog-roast lunch at the
Red Lion has been very successful, and we
have arranged another one this time (there are
vegetarian options). But you are welcome to
make your own arrangements, or bring a
packed lunch if you prefer. Drinks and biscuits
will be available throughout the day.
If you would like to take part in the Choral Day
on 21 May, please contact 01223 561635 or
Choir 2000 c/o Louise Rushworth, 13
Impington Lane, Impington, CB24 9LT as
soon as possible. You can download an
application form from www.choir2000.org.
If you would just like to listen to the
performance, come to the Histon Baptist
Church at 4.00pm on Saturday 21 May.
Come and Sing!!
Verdi
1 2 NEWSApril 2011 www.HIcourier.co.uk
Do you have a 1 /2 day to spare once a
month to help with the Histon and
Impington Community MiniBus?
We need drivers to help take the older
people in Histon and Impington
shopping in and around the vil lage.
Ful l training given.
I f you can help please ring
Sue Hil l 01 223 232838
or emails.hi l [email protected]
Community MiniBusNeeds You!
1 3www.HIcourier.co.ukNEWS April 2011
LETTERS:
For Small and Home Businesses:
Electronic copies of every HI Courierare available at www.hicourier.co.ukPlus, subscribe to our daily emailfor the latest village newsBelly Dance Fit and Raqs Sharqi at
Chesterton Sport Centre - give it a go!
Come and experience the exuberance and
sensuality of a Belly Dance Fit class. Get
contemporary, enjoyable, and effective all
body work out, while getting acquainted with
traditional Middle Eastern Dance
movements. This dance form celebrates
timeless femininity regardless of age, shape
or cultural background. This class is
designed specifically for the 50+ and women
only.
Join Aurora the qualified and experienced
teacher at Chesterton Sport Centre, Gilbert
Road, Cambridge on Friday's 12-1pm, at a
great fee of only £3.50 pay as you go. For up
to date information please call Aurora on
01223 359862 or Claire on 01487 849912.
50+ Belly Dance
photo by DavidDennisPhotos.com
14 NEWSApril 2011 www.HIcourier.co.uk
Our our Annual meeting reports were submitted by
the president, secretary and treasurer recalling the
opportunity of joining in with many other WI's in the
county on visits to London, Saffron Walden, Donarbon
recycling centre. The opportunity to learn new crafts,
lunches with interesting speakers, entertainment by the
federation players to name but a few throughout the
year. Of course also joining in with village activities and
many interesting speakers at our meetings.
After electing Josie Hilton for president for another
year members enjoyed a 5 round quiz with delicious
refreshments.
Our next meeting is 21st April and the meeting is
organized by members. We meet in the Methodist
church hall at 7.30 visitors are most welcome
WI REPORT: Annual General Meeting FREE!!!Subscribe to theHI CourierDigital Edition atwww.hicourier.co.ukto receivevillage news by email
1 5www.HIcourier.co.ukSPORT April 2011
For some tennis members the evening of
Wednesday 27 April cannot come quickly
enough. It is then that the four very good grass
courts at the Histon and Impington Recreation
Ground can be used for the first time. Those
hardy members, who have played throughout
the winter in order not to totally seize up, will
welcome the softer cushioning impact of the
grass. If you haven’t played on the grass, why
not give them a try by coming along to a Club
evening session each Wednesday from 27 April
anytime after 6 pm. A Committee Member or
volunteer will be present each week to organise
the session and to welcome new members.
Apart from the grass courts, Club Members
have use of a hard court and an all-weather
astro turf court during the months of October
to April.
New and existing members and players of
whatever standard are welcome.
The Club offers:
Adult and junior coaching on Saturdays and
Thursdays respectively. The former will be split
into two separate five week courses. Further
details of coaching can be obtained from either
Sheila Strachan (C 574047) or Jane Rush (C
232959).
Social events, including a free cheese and wine
evening on Wednesday 15 June starting at
around 8 pm.
Regular Club social tournaments. Many of
these are held on Sunday afternoons and are
played in a very friendly fashion. They are open
to all senior members. Details are posted in the
Club Room. Apart from playing tennis, the
other requirement is to drink a lot of tea and to
consume cakes. Some find this easier than the
tennis.
Weekly organised Club evening play on
Tuesdays and Wednesdays. On alternative
weeks, and subject to league matches, Tuesday
evenings from 6 pm are designated for Men’s
and Ladies doubles. These evenings have
become very popular.
Saturday and Sunday afternoon Club sessions
from 2pm. A volunteer Member will be present
each Saturday through May and June to
organise the play.
Junior evening play on Thursdays from 4 pm
and possibly matches for juniors, who wish to
play. Matches will be subject to assistance
being received from parents, who are willing to
attend.
The chance to enter the Club ballot for
Wimbledon tickets. A draw takes place early in
May, to meet the Lawn Tennis Association’s
deadlines. Details will be posted in the Club
Room.
Very reasonable fees for adults, students,
juniors and families. For the 2011/12 season
these will be £60 per adult, £25 per full time
student, £15 per Junior and £130 for a family,
comprising two adults living at the same
address plus children (under 17 or under 19 if
in full time education on 1 May 2011).
Mens, ladies and mixed league matches for
those interested in competitive play. Home
matches are played on the grass on Monday
and Friday evenings and occasionally on
Tuesday evenings (to avoid bank holidays) and
Saturday mornings. The fixtures and details of
captains are posted in the Club Room, if
anyone is interested in playing in matches.
Captains are always keen to hear from new
talent.
There is a dedicated club room in the pavilion,
and tennis balls provided at no extra charge.
For more information please visit the Club’s
website at www.histontennisclub.co.uk, or
email [email protected]. We aspire
to keep this up to date with news of the Club.
Why not take a look?
So dust down that Dunlop Maxply racket (a
Club Member will even re-string it for a small
fee), come along to see what the Club offers or
just turn up at one of the sessions at the
Recreation Ground from 27 April. There is
likely to be present a Club Member, who will be
happy to help you. You will be made very
welcome.
Histon Tennis Club welcomes new members
Histon Cricket Club will be running teams this
season in the under 11, under 12, under 13 and
under 14 age groups.
The outdoor net sessions take place at Histon
Recreation ground and begin in mid April on
the following evenings.
• U11s Wednesday 5.15 – 6.30 (first
session Wednesday 27th April)
• U12s Tuesday 6.15 – 7.30 (first session
Tuesday 26th April)
• U13s Wednesday 6.30 – 7.45 (first
session Wednesday 27th April)
• U14s Monday 6.30 – 7.45 (first session
Monday 25th April)
Net sessions for the three adult teams will be
held every Thursday from 6pm onwards. There
will be a subscription of £20 for the year as
well as match fee of £12 per game for adults
and £6 per game for all those under 16 or in
full time education.
The subscription fee is £35 per member and
covers all matches and practice nights for the
season. Subscriptions will be collected when
the outdoor sessions begin in April.
For more details please contact:
• Under 11 - Joe Uttridge – 07771787695
• Under 12 - David Green - 07774017649
• Under 13 – Simon Andrews - 07561348707
• Under 14 – Martin Wilde - 07952635518
( martin.wilde@ntlworld )
For general enquires regarding Histon Cricket
Club please contact Joe Uttridge on the details
above.
Histon Cricket Club ScheduleInterested in Playing Cricket? 'Farm for the Future' is a world acclaimed
film showing how a few small British farmers
are leading us into a new world of Health,
Wealth and Leisure. Our current farm
practices are based on necrotic (dead soil)
techniques where substantial amounts of
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herbicides are required to produce food.
Future British farms will produce over 5
times as much using none of those chemicals
and require far less time and money while
maintaining a healthy and sustainable
natural environment.
This film is one of the most hopeful glimpses
into the future of this small island that you
will ever see. Don't miss it. 11 th of May.
Venue TBA. Seating is limited please call or
write to book your place. Contact Paul
Christie, HI Film Club, 07764 897530 or
Film Club Special
1 6 April 2011 www.HIcourier.co.ukHI Courier SPORTThe defeat at Gateshead finally confirms we
are relegated and thereby lose our place in
the top flight of Non League Football. The
past three seasons at this pinnacle has been a
great experience and an enormous challenge
to all involved as our Village team has
punched above it's weight and played the
role of 'David' in numerous battles against
the 'Goliaths' of former Football League
Clubs including the likes of Oxford United,
York City, Torquay United, Grimsby
Town,Wrexham, Luton Town, Southport,
Darlington, Mansfield Town and closer to
home Cambridge United.
The mere arrival of such teams at the Glass
World Stadium, and staging the games was,
in itself, a massive achievement for the part-
time, volunteer-backed outfit we are. The
fact that in the event many teams left empty
handed, we featured in the Conference Play
Offs and in the FA Cup beat Swindon Town
and Leeds United, the latter on live national
tv, was a real testimony to all concerned, . .
players, management, sponsors, helpers,
supporters and the local community. In the
process we did manage to put Histon onto
the football map, Betting Shop fixture lists
and Sky Sports Soccer Saturday.
So now we face the prospect of playing at a
lower level. We need to appreciate it is still a
very good level of football and we need to be
pragmatic and adjust to operating as a club
at a more realistic and sustainable level.
Down we may be but we are certainly not out
as the spirit at the club, which has
undoubtedly taken a bashing in our recent
troubled times, is showing signs of recovery
with David Livermore at the helm, as was
reflected in our recent home game against
Forest Green Rovers
-George Allen, alongside Marcus Cole, was a
Stutes mascot just a few days after being an
England mascot at Wembley
-Castle School was the Guard of Honour,
wearing their new strip with pride
-Local Postie Graham announced his recent
50/50 Draw Winnings of £150 was being
donated back to Val and HFC to support the
Sponsored Walk
-William Taylor had a really special day and
picked Omer as his 'Star Stute'
-Sporting Stretham's Birthday Boy Kieran
chose Ad has his 'Man of the Match'
The final countdown to our season sees us
welcome Play Off candidates AFC
Wimbledon on Saturday April 16th ko 3pm
and Luton Town Monday April 25th ko 3pm
as well as our Sponsored Walk Fund-Raising
afternoon on Sunday April 17th between
2pm and 6pm. This afternoon, which also
features a local Pubs 'Tug of War', several
sideshows and competitions plus Paul Neon
and the Saints 60's band live between 3pm
and 4pm.
Everyone is welcome to all these events as we
look to the future and try to dispell any
gloom with a Glass World glow of optimism.
- Graham Eales
Histon FC
Stutes down but not out as they look to sustainable futureRELEGATION CONFIRMED
George Allen alongside Marcus Cole
Castle School was the Guard of Honour
Postie Graham's great gesture Special day for William Taylor Ad chosen as "Man of the Match"
The Local Community Newspaper for Histon and Impington