September 2022

15 Buckden Roundabout September 2022 Village News Bookings This month we have a kid ’ s party, a Christening, a Cricket Club quiz night and a Quilting Event among our regular hir- ers. Quilting Event On Saturday 24 th and Sunday 25 th September, 10am – 4pm Cromwell Quilters will be showcasing their inspirational dis- play of what can be achieved with a needle, thread and some fabric! Not just quilts but wall hangings, textile crea- tions and more! Admission is £3 (under 16’ s free) cash and cards accepted. All proceeds will be going to local Hunting- donshire charities. For more information, please email cromwellquilters@gmail.com or call Pamela on 07980 608576. See advert on page 23. New Love To Move sessions Love To Move sessions, run by the One Leisure Active Life- styles team who also run the popular Right Start classes, are an age and dementia friendly seated gymnastics programme which is transforming the lives of people living with demen- tia. The classes are suitable for people wanting to exercise for the first time or those returning to exercise after a medi- cal condition. These sessions will be weekly and start on Wednesday 7 th September 2pm – 3pm in the main Hall. For more details please see the HDC article on page 10 or call Danielle on 01480 388111. Valley update If you are a regular user/visitor of the Valley, you will have seen that the Valley, like all of Cambridgeshire, is suffering from the worst drought since 1976/1935/ever (take your pick of dates). Local farmers say that we have only had 32mm or so of rain since the New Year. The stream feed into the lake has consequently dried up which has caused the lake to lose its gentle cleansing current, and the hot sunny weather has sparked an outbreak of algae bloom. There is little we can do about this that doesn ’ t cost quite a bit of money – installing an aerator and/or a floating island are the main solutions, and we are in discussion with both our contractors and the Environment Agency. We are look- ing to organise a GoFundMe page to solicit donations for this project – details on page 14. The new plantings on the water ’ s edges are thriving and made a lovely show this summer. The new silt bank on the north - eastern side of the lake by the zig - zag path has finally dried out and the new plants have rooted and stabilised the bank. The dog paddling area has become an established watering and swim spot for the resident dogs, much to our delight. We want to do more with the area under the trees on the south side of the path and are in discussions with the Parish Council to install some outdoor exercise equipment (modest ones, so don ’ t get too excited!). More news in next month ’ s edition. The zig - zag path and bed by the weir also needs planting, and we are applying to various charities to raise money for this. Anyone interested in volunteering to help with either designing the path area or working on fund - raising, please contact us (contact details are below). The steep banks around the south side of the lake continue to be problematic. The area has been planted (November) and then hydroseeded (April) but nothing has survived the drought. The coir matting was originally installed to protect the plants over the winter but is now becoming tatty and tired (although it is still holding the bank together). More challenging is the virulent regrowth of the brambles. Rich- ard Salmon has been a valiant volunteer all summer treating the brambles but we need a longer - term solution. We will be discussing this with our contractors with a view to treating and replanting in the autumn when the drought hopefully breaks. More news in the Autumn. CCTV There are CCTV cameras situated all around the Hall build- ing with clear vision on all doorways. Booking the Hall for functions Booking the Hall for a family celebration couldn ’ t be easier and residents of Buckden are given discounted rates. Simp- ly call or email to discuss your ideas. The Hall looks so lovely when it ’ s decorated for an event. Whether it ’ s a birthday, wedding reception, anniversary, retirement or christening, the Hall could be the place for you! Within the past few weeks, we have had a 75 th birthday party and a 90 th birth- day party held in the main Hall. The Hall is transformed when the marquee is pulled out: (Continued on page 17) Burberry Road, Buckden, Cambridgeshire, PE19 5UY Tel: 01480 811101 www. buckdenvillagehall.co.uk email: admin@buckdenvillagehall.co.uk