I C E N E

B U L L E T I N

www.ickletonvillage.co.uk

FEBRUARY 2004

Editors: David and Monica Lilley

Distribution: Tony Court

All contributions please. Deadline for next Icene Bulletin

12^th February 2004

EDITORIAL

Welcome to our 200^th edition of the ‘Icene’ as editors. Thanks to all our helpers over the years especially our proof readers Rosemary Hayes and Charles and Barbara Cooper who have been with us from day one. Thanks also to the distribution team. Chris Nania, Hilary Rule and Carol Turton actually pre-date our editorship.

We didn’t even have an electric typewriter when we started: we wonder what technology will be available in 200 issues’ time. David and Monica Lilley

PARISH COUNCIL NEWS

Icene’s 200th Edition under David and Monica’s Editorship

It is with great pleasure that we note that Icene has reached a milestone edition under the tender loving care of Monica and David Lilley. We are, as ever, extremely grateful to them for their continuing hard work and dedication to this valuable contribution to the life of our community. Well done and thank you Monica and David.

Refuse Collections during February

Monday 2^nd February – Black wheeled bin

Monday 9^th February – Green wheeled bin and green box

Monday 16^th February – Black wheeled bin

Monday 23^rd February – Green wheeled bin and green box

Skate Park The final work of tidying up around the edges, painting the sides of the ramps and dealing with the mound of soil, will be completed as soon as the weather is dry enough.

Precept The Parish Council considered the level of the precept for the forthcoming financial year 2004/05, and after some deliberation agreed to ask for an increase this year and to request £11,000.00. We have managed to hold the precept at £9,700.00 for the last four years, but now feel it is important to ask for an increase in order that we can plan for such things as continuing improvements to the play area. We are conscious that the level of Council Tax is due to rise and are anxious improvements not to add to the burden on the District Council and thus to village residents, but at the same time we need to plan for benefits to our community.

Jackie Casement – Parish Clerk

DUXFORD AIRSHOW DATES 2004

6^th June, 10^th -11^th July – Flying Legends, 24^th July - Flying Proms, 4^th - 5^th September,

10^th October – Autumn Airshow. Note there is practice on some days before shows.

Graham Igglesden

FROGLETS

Don’t forget Froglets is now at the new time of 9.30 a.m. – 11.30 a.m. on Monday mornings in the Village Hall. Loads of toys for under 4s, including a baby corner, and a great way to meet other parents and carers in the village. New families welcome.

Natalie from Phoenix Trading will be selling her cards, paper etc. on February 2^nd and Helen and Catherine will be selling their handmade cards on February 9^th – 10% of the proceeds go to Froglets, so please support this. We look forward to seeing you. Catherine Kelly

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CHURCH SERVICES Services for February

Sunday 1^st	6.30 p.m. Candle Mass	ICKLETON
Thursday 5^th	12.30 p.m. Holy Communion	HINXTON
Sunday 8^th	8.00 a.m. Holy Communion (BCP)	ICKLETON
	10.00 a.m. Joint Family Eucharist	DUXFORD
	6.30 p.m. Evensong	ICKLETON
Thursday 12^th	12.30 p.m. Holy Communion	HINXTON
Sunday 15^th	9.30 a.m. Parish Eucharist	DUXFORD
	11.00 a.m. Joint Family Eucharist	ICKLETON
	6.30 p.m. Evensong	HINXTON
Thursday 19^th	12.30 p.m. Holy Communion	HINXTON
Sunday 22^nd	9.30 a.m. Parish Eucharist	DUXFORD
	11.00 a.m. Joint Family Service	HINXTON
	with Godly Play
	6.30 p.m. Evensong and Holy Communion	ICKLETON
Ash Wednesday 25th	8.00 p.m. Holy Communion	DUXFORD
	with Imposition of Ashes
Sunday 29^th	10.00 a.m. Service for the beginning of Lent	HINXTON

From a member of the Ministry Team

Journeying

The shepherds have gone back to looking after their sheep. The wise men have returned home, though by another route. We have visited the cradle – we have seen the Christ child. Now Sunday February 1st is the Feast of Candlemass. This is the time when the Church celebrates Christ being taken to the Temple and being recognised as Saviour and Light of the World. Later this month, we shall be in Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, 25th February. During Lent we shall be trying to find out more about Jesus – about who Jesus is and where he is to be found, so we can come to a fuller understanding of the meaning of his sacrifice on the cross for us on Good Friday and his rising in glory on Easter Day.

Like Jesus, we too must journey on. We too must try to grow up in faith. And the journey is never an easy one. Pain and suffering is a mystery, but it is also a time of eternal opportunity. When we know we can’t cope and we turn to God for help, we find God is with us. Jesus told his disciples, ‘I am with you always, until the end of time.’ Jesus was always to be found with those in need. He still is. He accompanies us on our journey and sometimes he carries us on that journey.

With God’s blessing. Tricia Newland

BRITISH RED CROSS

With sufficient notice, i.e. one week, the Red Cross can offer transport to individuals with wheelchairs if required, from the Cambridge area to all parts of the country, at the rate of 40p per mile. When there is no wheelchair aboard, the vehicle takes a driver and five passengers. They are not able to take patients to Cambridge hospitals nor to provide transport within the city.

Contact: Mrs. Oriel Laws tel./ Fax 01480 811099 Mobile 077932 405541.

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THE ICKLETON SOCIETY

Carol Singing On December 22^nd about 30 people composed the group of carol singers touring the village. It was a great group of voices, many carols were sung and the singers enjoyed the occasion. We raised a record £185 for the East Anglia Children’s Hospice. The evening closed with warm drinks and eats at ‘Howeys’.

Thank you to all those who took part and those who made such generous donations.

Boxing Day Walk Despite Monica’s misgivings about lack of advertising of the Boxing Day walk in last month’s Icene, over 30 people, including 2 very small children, assembled at the bottom of Coploe Road on a rather damp day. We walked up the hill, down the other side into Strethall parish, before cutting across fields and returning along Valance Farm tracks, from where a magnificent all-round view of the local area can be seen. Kathy Warren Wilson produced soup, scones and rolls for a large number of the walkers, who were glad to warm up in her kitchen. Many thanks to Kathy and her family for their hospitality and to Robert Drage for permission to walk on Valance Farm land.

Wine and Cheese Party Don’t forget to order your tickets for this event at 7.30 p.m. on 13^th February in the Village Hall. The cost will be £5 per head to cover food and the first glass of wine. There will be an opportunity to look at some of the archives and photographs collated as a result of the grant we received in 2001. Do come and support this event. Tickets can be ordered from Judy Marshall or Jocelyn Flitton.

‘COME HOME 2004’

The Church fete is to be held on the 3^rd July 2004 in the village hall and recreation ground and those of us who grew up in the village in the 40ishes and 50ishes will be getting together to share childhood memories again. We cannot promise a slide down one of Mr. Griggs’ straw stacks; a ride on Gordon Lilley’s donkey; or a race around the lawns of Major Mundy’s Manor, but we can promise some wonderful stories and a very warm welcome. I am afraid we cannot set up a rifle range run by Mr. Broom “All behind the guns sonny if one of my men happen to swing round!” or arrange a story teller as good as Mr. Brett the cobbler and his tales of the old “Fortytwa”.

We have however found someone who can tell us that “The yanks at Hinxton Hall were overpaid, oversexed and over here” and to reply we have an American who served at Hinxton Hall to tell us that “The British were underpaid, undersexed and under Eisenhower!”

We shall be able to join in with the fete and meet many people who we remember from those far off days, and meet some new people who may make the innocent mistake of asking us what the village was like in our younger days and then pay for their interest as we bore them to death with unbelievable feats of daring!

Seriously, it will be great to be back in the village again. There is no need for an invitation, so just turn up. If you let me know you are coming or know of someone you think would like to join us please let me know and I will send further details direct. There will of course be further details in the Icene. Derek Bristow

THE CHESTERFORDS, ICKLETON AND HINXTON W.I.

The first W. I. meeting of the new year got off to an excellent start, with good attendance. Subscriptions were due (now £20). The President Carol Dean welcomed members - wishing us all a Happy New Year. The New Year’s Dinner will be held at the Crown and Thistle Public House on January 30^th. Radwinter Road, Saffron Walden Community Hospital requested our W. I. to make cakes for the patients’ teas for the month of February. This will be an annual event and there were lots of offers.

‘Another Old Ruin’ was the title of Julie Baillie’s talk. Old ruins are obviously one of the loves of Julie’s life, as opposed to husband George who prefers golf. We were taken on a tour with wonderful slides of castles, some known, others not so well known in the U.K. and then on to Turkey, following in the footsteps of St. Paul, finally ending up in Egypt. We had a historical geographical and biblical lecture all in the space of ¾ of an hour. Thank you Julie, we were spellbound. The next meeting will be on February 18^th when Mr. Bendall will describe ‘A Game- keeper’s Year’. Cynthia Rule

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ICKLETON SOCIAL CLUB

Christmas 2003

The Social Club members and guests saw out 2003 with two excellent evenings: the Christmas draw night, with over £250 of raffle prizes, and Christmas Eve.

Thanks to the Committee, their helpers and everyone who made donations of raffle prizes or food for the buffets.

New Year’s Eve

The New Year was celebrated with the ‘Eight till late’ New Year’s Eve Party. Again thanks to everyone who helped to make the evening so enjoyable.

Subscriptions 2004

Membership subscriptions are now due.

Membership cost £5.00 per year for adults. £2.50 for senior citizens and junior members. With the very low prices of beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks on sale, members can easily recover their subscription costs in a few evenings.

A.G.M.

This year’s A.G.M. is on Friday 30^th January at 8.15 p.m. Please come along and voice your opinions. This is also an opportunity to volunteer for committee membership or to help out behind the bar. Social Club Committee

ICKLETON NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

I have received no reports of any incidents in the village since the last Bulletin. However, there has been activity in neighbouring villages.

In Duxford the Bowls Club pavillion was burgled, wheelie bins have been stolen and vehicle number plates have been removed. In Hinxton an outhouse was broken into and a horse trailer has been stolen. Of the eleven burglaries in our area five were via forced windows, two were forced front doors, one was a side door, one was a patio door and one a distraction burglary. In Sawston three men offered to clean a garden, one came to the back door and asked for payment. The householder was then distracted by a second man at the front door. The third man was in a van and when they had gone, the householder discovered his wallet had been taken. As it happened, and unknown to the offenders, the son who was upstairs felt uncomfortable about the workmen and took a note of the van registration number. Neighbours also gave descriptions. Subsequently three males were arrested, two of whom have been charged with distraction burglary.

Descriptions and registration numbers of cars not normally seen in the area, as well as descriptions of strangers who are acting suspiciously - i.e. trying rear garden gates - may never be needed for the investigation of burglaries, but something, even something seemingly trivial, would be a starting point for the police.

Remember, whilst you are answering the front door, make sure the back door is secure.

The Sawston incident mentioned above could well happen here. Tony Court

OVER SIXTIES

Our Christmas lunch was held on December 17^th.

Mrs. Fordham came with her helpers and we had a lovely lunch, which I am sure was enjoyed by all. The tables were all laid up with crackers etc. and two lovely arrangements kindly done as usual by Vera Reed.There was a glass of sherry beforehand and wine for lunch, kindly given by Mr. Bert Pickett. We also had our usual donation from Mr. Jim Ball (in memory of his wife) for which we thank him very much. As we start another year, we seem to get smaller in number. If anyone would care to come along and join us, they are welcome.

I wish you all a very happy and peaceful New Year, and thank you very much for the plant and chocolates. Ruby Lilley

THANK YOU

Poppy and John Carder, formerly of 12 Birds Close, Ickleton, would like to thank all of their friends who so kindly sent cards and gifts on the occasion of their Golden Wedding Anniversary in December. Your good wishes and kind thoughts were greatly appreciated.

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IN MEMORIAM

Keith Patrick FOUND was born in Lewisham on 26^th July 1935. He grew up in Great Stukely, Huntingdon. Keith moved to Bolton in 1969 to be with close friends and to look for work, that was where I met him.

We were married on 15^th May 1971 and later moved to Frogge Street, Ickleton to continue our married life. We were blessed with 3 wonderful sons: Christopher, Gavin and Craig (Sadly Gavin died at 5 months old).

Keith worked at Ciba-Geigy for 7 years. We then ran a very successful newspaper business for several years, which enabled us to meet and forge many wonderful lasting friendships with local people. Next came Keith’s painting and decorating business, which kept him extremely busy and in demand. Following this, and up until his untimely departure he worked at the Sanger Centre at Hinxton.

Keith had many hobbies. In his youth he was quite an athlete: he was a good middle-long distance runner, and a very nifty table tennis player. He liked to compete in cycle races. However, he also had a deep passion for fishing (or was it sleeping)! He would take part in competitions or merely an afternoon relaxing on the riverbank. This hobby went hand in hand with his love of camping, especially when the campsite also had a fishing lake. Keith had been captain of the Ickleton darts team, he had also served on the committee of the Ickleton Social Club, and had been club secretary of the Sawston Enterprises Football Club. As this proves and as we all know, Keith could not purely spectate – he had to be involved.

We moved from Frogge Street to Brookhampton Cottage following Keith’s car accident and we lived there for 6 years. We moved in 1994 and have lived here very happily ever since.

Keith was a dedicated family man, honest, kindhearted and hardworking.

Sadly, Keith died on 9^th December 2003. He will be greatly missed but never ever forgotten.

We wish to say a sincere thank you to family, friends and neighbours for their cards, letters

and support during our recent sad loss. Thank you for your donations for ‘East Anglian

Children’s Hospice’, in Keith’s memory. Finally, a special thank you to the Skeates family for

their professional and personal support and to Julie Baillie for taking the funeral service at the Cremetorium and to all the people who came to the service. Kathy, Chris and Craig Found

HEALTH and WELLBEING EVENT

In aid of St. Peter’s Church, Duxford

How good do you feel? Have you ever wanted to try alternative therapies, new ideas or even just pamper yourself, but never had the courage or thought it too expensive?

This is your chance to create a new you! Come to the United Reformed Church on Saturday 7^th February between 1pm and 5pm, when you will be able to sample such therapies as reflexology, aromatherapy, pilates, acupuncture, foot massage and yoga. There will also be the opportunity to try a new look as well as spray tanning.

The cost of the afternoon is £5, £4 if paid in advance and £3 for concessions.

If you are interested, would like further information or would like a ticket please contact Tricia Burt on ' 01223 573550.

THE CHESTERFORDS PRE-SCHOOL

We are a popular village pre-school based at the Chesterfords Community Centre. Session times are 9.15am - 12.15 pm Monday to Friday. Chesterfords Pre-school offers a relaxed, fun and caring atmosphere taking children from 2 ½ years to school age. If you would like any more information, or a prospectus, please contact Ann Surridge, Supervisor, (Pre-school hours only) or please call in between 10 am and 11 am during term time.

WELCOME TO……Peter and Jemima Hoskins and…..…...

Michael and Sarah Hopkins of Shamba,)

CONGRATULATIONS TO….. Peggy Richardson who will be 80 on the 28^th February.

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BROADBAND

In December the Parish Council announced that it was taking steps to make Broadband available to Ickleton. Since then, as Ickleton shares its telephone exchange with Great Chesterford, we have been having discussions with Great Chesterford Parish Council who were well advanced in their negotiations over Broadband. I am now happy to be able to tell you that we are close to the point when Broadband will be accessible to the village.

Perhaps I should remind you what Broadband is. Broadband Internet is a generic name given to the technologies that allow a computer user to connect to the internet at high speed. It is an ‘always-on’, fast, reliable internet service which allows access to services, when you want and how you want, at a fixed monthly price. Broadband can transmit or download information approximately 10 times as fast as the fastest telephone modem. You can do everything you need to do online more quickly and more easily with Broadband. In addition it doesn’t block the phone line, so you can still make and receive calls even whilst browsing the internet.

Great Chesterford explored a number of different options, but once BT set a trigger level for the exchange, it became clear that BT offered the best and most immediate option. By the time Icene is published, it is likely that enough residents of the Great Chesterford exchange area (which includes Ickleton) will have registered to trigger BT’s conversion of the exchange to allow Broadband. So, in effect, Ickleton are piggybacking on the initiative taken by Great Chesterford.

Anyone interested in Broadband is encouraged to register at www.thechesterfords.com. (We will have a direct link from our website). Registering is not a commitment to buying Broadband but is vital in demonstrating to BT sufficient levels of interest. You can register all phone numbers, i.e. if you have a business and domestic line then you can register both. If you also enter your BT account number that will speed up the subsequent verification process carried out by BT. I would encourage you to register as soon as possible as registrants will be dealt with on a first come first served basis. The cost of Broadband will depend on your Internet Service Provider. Typical prices start from around £20 per month.

Inevitably, there will be a lot of questions. If you need any further information, please contact Andrew Shepperd (andrew@shepperd.freeserve.co.uk) or me (jwsmacdonald@freeuk.com) and we will try and help you. If there is sufficient demand, when the availability of Broadband has been confirmed, an open morning may be arranged at Great Chesterford Community Centre where experts will be on hand to answer your questions. This will be announced nearer the time.

James Macdonald

SCOTLAND HOLIDAY – 25^th APRIL 2004

We have a few places left on our trip to Blairgowrie leaving on Sunday 25^th April returning on Sunday 3^rd May. The cost is £330 per person. Unfortunately we do not have any single rooms left but we do have a choice of double or twin rooms. If you are interested could you get in touch with us a.s.a.p. Please contact Mr.Keith or Mrs.Christine English or at

christine.english@ntlworld.com. All bookings will be on a first come first served basis. We look forward to hearing from you! Keith English

ICKLETON DIARY

February 2^nd	Mobile Library
4^th	Ickleton Theatre Group Cabaret 7.00 p.m. Village Hall
4^th	Chesterford and District Gardening Society Meeting 8.00 p.m.
	Chapel, Carmel Street, Gt. Chesterford
	Speaker Mr. Paul Heavens ‘Auriculars’
7^th	Health and Wellbeing Event 1.00 p.m. – 5.00 p.m. Duxford URC
13^th	IPS Wine and Cheese Party 7.30 p.m. Village Hall
16^th	Mobile Library
18^th	Parish Council Meeting 7.30 p.m. Village Hall
18^th	W.I. Meeting 7.45 p.m. Great Chesterford Community Centre
May 8^th	Parkinson’s Sale Village Hall
July 3^rd	Church Fete

PUBLISHED BY ICKLETON PARISH COUNCIL