Letters to the Editors
Cooper's Green
Dear Editors,
I and my husband were saddened to read Lisa's letter last month regarding her children being scared off Coopers Green. We have lived in the bungalow opposite the Green for some 35 years, our children and many others would play on the Green, in fact we used to cut a cricket square for them to play on, and in all that time have never had windows broken or any other damage.
We are so lucky to have such a lovely safe and well looked after (by the Parish Council) environment, and feel aggrieved that others wish to restrict access to this public space. We have both noticed that in recent months fewer children have been using the Green. Now we know why.
Dear Editors,
Interestingly worded article in the last crier re Coopers Green. For some reason the wording has led some keen readers to assume I or my close neighbours have objected to kids playing there. All our children have played there and continue, as far as I know, to do so without hindrance, my own included! I would not wish for anyone to think there had been any objection to that continuing. Please also be so kind as to point out that whilst there was considerable local objection to church CLOCK bells, (which had long ceased to ring), being re-installed to "ring like Big Ben across the village" ( Alastair's words at the time), there was a realistic compromise in that they were modified prior to being installed, at my suggestion, to happily ring until 8 in the evening and re start at 7, and that I, for one, happily paid toward that cost at the time. It seems silly to use an old, and resolved, dispute to highlight a personal one, and I assume it had more to do with the wording than the intent. Oh, and to his credit, ( and I am loath to say this) AE did a good job in getting them bells set up. In the end it all worked out well (me thinks)
Dear Editors,
With reference to the letter by Lisa Arksey, we have lived opposite Cooper's Green for many years, our children and grandchildren have all played on the green and still do. We have never had any cause to complain about the children playing there.
We would like to make it quite clear that Joyce Nash and our neighbour Sue Rust are not the ones who have complained to the children. We hope the lady who objects and complains has a change of attitude in the future, as we have found the children who use the green to be full of fun and well-behaved.
The District Council Elections
Dear Editors,
I would like to say a BIG thank you to everyone who voted for me in the Local Elections held on 3rd May 2007. What a fantastic turn out of people voting - 44.4% in Swaffham Prior - which is just fantastic! Whilst I didn't win this time - I was so proud that so many of you were extremely loyal in voting for me and you all gave me so much support and encouragement.
May I also say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who helped - delivering leaflets, delivering our Newsletters, canvassing, displaying Liberal Democrat Signs of all kinds, the people that counted the votes - it was just a tremendous turnout by everyone involved in Liberal Democrats. Canvassing, meeting people face to face in our villages and treating people as people and not just a number meant so much to me and hopefully to the people I spoke with. I met the most amazing people from all walks of life and I can honestly say "being involved"- with so much support was a truly wonderful experience which I would recommend to you all. You are not alone at any time and there is someone there always to help. When I met Alan Alderson last night at the Elections, there was no animosity - just friendly banter. At the end of the day, in our own local elections, there are genuine people who will give it their best shot and do what they can for you.
- Conservatives 438 Alan Alderson
- Liberal Democrats 222 Tina Jost
- Labour 44 Sandra Wilson
Keep Voting - we DO make a difference!
Moveable Feast
Dear Editors,
I would like to thank everyone who took part in this year's Moveable Feast, and in particular to the hosts Pam and Martin, Brenda, Dee and Andrew, Caroline and James, Katrina and David for so generously opening up their homes and providing such wonderful food. The deserts were delicious too, thank you to the cooks, and we made a magnificent £333.15 for Church funds in the process. A good evening all round - if you weren't there this year look out for the date in 2008, not to be missed!
Those Bryologists
Dear Editors,
Many thanks for the copy of The Swaffham Crier with the account of our bryological 'invasion'. In the end we recorded 47 species from the churchyard, more than we have ever recorded in a Cambridgeshire churchyard before - but you do have 2 churches!
Mary Edge
Dear Editors,
I would like to express my thanks for the cards and comforting messages received from Swaffliam Prior friends and former neighbours of Tothill Road on the occasion of my mother's death on 30th April 2007. The efforts of those who made the long journey to attend her funeral in Bolton are especially appreciated.
We lived in the village for over 20 years but it was my mother's wish to one day return to her roots in Lancashire, and despite her failing heath she enjoyed the last 20 months of her life living much nearer to her relatives and old friends. She would proudly show visitors to our new home an aerial photo of Swaffham Prior with our former bungalow, the two churches and other prominent landmarks. This picture does have pride of place on my hallway wall.
Thank you again for your kind thoughts at this time. They are greatly appreciated.
With kind regards
Jessie Flack
Dear Editors,
Many of your knew our mum Jessie who for many years lived at Mill Hill, Swaffham Prior. During the years she worked at the Primary School serving dinners and later on she worked as a home help cycling to Burwell most days to look after all the old folk.
Mum and dad lived in Swaftham Prior for over 60 years. They started their married life living at the bottom of Rogers Road in the house where Clare and Tom Nubolt now live. They then moved to Mill Hill where they stayed until dad died in 2000 and mum moved to the bungalows at Swaffham Bulbeck. In 2002 she moved to a nursing home at Sawston where she remained until she passed away on I 1 th April.
I am sure many of you will remember seeing mum and dad walk around the village most afternoons - they were inseparable and this was their daily exercise. They were well known in Swaffham Prior, dad spending most lunch times with his mates in the Red Lion where there is a caricature of him along with all the other old gentlemen who used to sit and play dominoes during the day. Mum was usually riding her cycle around the village visiting her friends or going to the village shop (when we had one).
As a family we would like, through the Crier, to thank all those friends who attended her funeral at the Free Church, Swaffham Bulbeck on Monday 30th April. It was a lovely service and it was nice to see so many friendly faces. May we also thank Ruth for playing the organ, Jean and Cecil Nash for the kindness they showed us and to Brian Mizon for taking the service. We are most grateful to these people for making the day very special to us. The sun was shining and it was a most beautiful day as well as a most memorable service. Thank you all.
DON'T DITCH OUR LODES!
Dear Editors,
Some 30 years ago, a hugely successful campaign was being waged under the above slogan. The Cambridgeshire Lodes, ancient canals of probable Roman origin, were threatened by the then authorities. Folk from far and wide rallied round to save these important historic and recreational features and, with the staunch support of such as County Councillor Mrs Margaret Shaw, County Councillor Mr Robert James, the Rt. Hon. Francis Pym, M.P., and Mr Ted Blackwell of Burwell, the decision was made to maintain and to preserve The Lodes. Such is the situation today: The Lodes have been maintained and preserved.
But documents have come to me indicating that The Environment Agency has commissioned a 'scoping report' costing some £200,000 and that it is looking critically at The Lodes, a possibility again being that of converting all or some of them into ditches. It appears that the old slogan is just as relevant now as it was in the 1970s.
A new factor is The National Trust's plans to buy up and partially to flood some 10,000 acres of rich fen land and it appears that the Trust is supportive of 'lowering' some of The Lodes. Lowering is much the same as ditching. Fortunately, the Swaffham Internal Drainage Board is on record as unanimously supporting The Lodes being maintained in their current form.
However, the Philistines could still be triumphant if their opponents are inactive. Many fine friends of The Lodes are no longer with us. I am 30 years older and cannot do what I could. So, this is a call to arms for our younger and more civilised allies - 'Don't Ditch Our Lodes!'
Crier Features
Dear Editors,
Most disappointed not to see in the last issue the articles, letters or features from those who tell others what not to write. Where are their preferred subjects, then - surely they can set the standard by contributing what should go in instead?
At the very least, they can do something useful and offer to guest-edit the next issue. They can have no end of fun generating copy from around and about the village. Go for it, you guys.
PS. Ophir Catling's bicycle statistics sound pretty unlikely, adding up to 234,000 stolen in Cambridge every year. That's enough to keep an entire national cycle industry in business, and would involve huge deliveries of new ones daily, not to mention the truckloads of stolen goods departing simultaneously. Is that what's keeping the traffic so congested?
Trick or Treat
Dear Editors,
Although this event seems along time away, I would like to make the following
suggestion:
The children in the village love "Trick or Treating" and I feel that the Crier can play its part it making this event better for those who participate and even for those who do not.
I believe it would be useful if households who are happy to be called upon could display "a luminous centre page pullout" supplied in the September & October issues of the Crier and/or put their address on a list issued in the Crier stating that they are happy to be called upon.
By doing this, those who have invested heavily in goodies get the callers and those whose names are not on the "call-by" list can take it easy and won't get annoyed.
What do you think?
Worth a try or a complete waste of time.
Eds Note: We'd happily publish a list, if one could be collated. People who welcome callers often have a pumpkin or a candle in the window. Perhaps we could offer this alternative KEEP AWAY notice? It would nicely compliment all those no-smoking ones we have to stick up, and the Village Hall must have some to spare BECAUSE: - THE PUMPKINS ARE BACK Some years ago Pumpkins were thrown off the Autumn Show's list of exhibits. They are making a return at this year's show on September 15th. The class is to be the Largest Pumpkin. This early announcement is so that people can sow the seeds now.