July 2019

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5 Buckden Roundabout
July 2019 From Your Councillors
FROM YOUR DISTRICT COUNCILLOR
Round-About -Buckden
It was great to be at the official opening of our new
Buckden Walk and to see so many families involved and
the general enthusiasm, our thanks go out to all those
involved in the planning and detailed work, especially
Terry Hayward, with his long term vision and support for
these projects.
As Councillor I am becoming very involved with Health,
Fitness and Care issues. One Leisure have asked me to
join their development process by becoming a
“Champion” for the Huntingdon One Leisure operation.
Providing a wide range of facilities, from pools to gyms
these really super facilities help all age groups, but sadly
there are some sports, like Squash, Racket Ball and in
some locations, but not all, Bowls, that are losing popu-
larity and the use of the space and facilities is being re-
viewed.
Maybe we should be looking for the sports of the fu-
ture? We have a very wide range of options in our local
area, with the facilities at the Village Hall and the Mari-
na, but do we need to look beyond Football and Cricket,
popular as they are? Do we want an all-weather jogging
track? Should we have more skateboarding or what
about climbing? Some residents have asked for fishing, a
sport that many of our local Scouts take part in.
As I am writing this, the great news about Buckden Pri-
mary Schools’ top rating by Ofsted has just been pub-
lished and again many congratulations to them! They
have invested in many new facilities, and this highlights
the need for a local debate and consensus, what will
these children need in six years time, which our commu-
nity can provide?
If your family has a special interest in a an activity or
sport that is not currently available, then please let me
know.
Hamish Masson
Councillor HDC Buckden Ward
( )
Did you know…?
….In 1871, Buckden had 4 butchers, 2 builders, 6 blacksmiths, 3
basket makers, 3 bakers, 2 carriers, a coachsmith, 7 bootmak-
ers, cordwainers and shoebinders, 6 carpenters, a coal mer-
chant, 2 drapers, 4 dressmakers, a dairywoman, 5 grocers, 2
general dealers, 4 gardeners, a greengrocer, a higgler, 2 lace-
makers, 5 laundresses, 2 maltsters, a miller, 4 pot makers, 2
pedlars, 3 painters, a plumber, a glazier, 2 seamstresses, a sad-
ler, 2 straw bonnet makers, a thatcher, 5 tailors, a wheelwright
plus farmers, bailiffs, shepheds, drovers and labourers on
Buckden’s 11 farms. There were also 13 inns and public hous-
es.
….From medieval times, Buckden had 4 farmed fields; North,
South, West and Mill fields. Three would usually be under culti-
vation while the fourth lay fallow each year. About 2500 acres
were farmed.
….The first national census in 1801 says 869 people lived in
Buckden. The population remained fairly stable until the
1960s, when it increased dramatically. The last national census
in 2011 recorded 2,805 residents.
From Buckden A Short History and Plan, S.B Edgington, 1980
Buckden Friends
We had a lovely holiday in Llandudno. The weather was
fine and Bodnant Gardens were at their splendid best.
We have been asked to organise another holiday for next
year, the 20th holiday.
We have booked a hotel in Blackpool for Monday 11th
May till Friday 15th 2020.
The plan is to use Blackpool as a base and have a day trip
to Liverpool and another to the Lake District.
It would be helpful to know if this holiday would be of
interest. Price around £340 with a £40 supplement for
single rooms. Includes trips etc. Only lunch to pay for.
Single rooms are, as always, limited so it would help if
you could share.
To register your interest please drop a note through our
door 32 Mayfield, Buckden with your name, room re-
quirements and your contact details.
Looking forward to building more memories for Buckden
Friends. All welcome.
Pat & Brian King
01480 811020