Available 20/3/2023 for £1,650pcm, unfurnished.
Ground floor: Entrance hall, sitting room, kitchen/dining room, cloakroom.
First floor: Two double and one single bedroom, bathroom.
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Second floor: Master bedroom with en-suite.
Author: chris
Tree replanting timetable falls behind schedule
New trees that have died alongside the A14 won’t be replaced until autumn 2023 at the earliest, Councillor Ros Hathorn has discovered.
More than 800,000 trees were planted during construction work to improve the A14, which included the widening of the section between Histon & Impington and Milton.
The road upgrade involved the highly controversial loss of woodland and felling of mature trees at junction 32, the ‘green gateway’ to the village, and National Highways promised a ‘two for one’ replacement of felled trees in an attempt to make good the loss. But around 70% of the new trees that they planted have since died, and residents are still waiting for them to make good on their promise.
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There has been no visible progress so far. Ros is challenging National Highways for explanations and a firm commitment to a new timetable. A National Highways spokesperson has apologised, saying: “I fully understand that concerns raised about previous delays and indeed historic timescales not being met must be incredibly frustrating not only for yourselves but to the local residents you represent.”
Time running out
Before work can start National Highways must complete a replanting strategy, aiming to ensure a similar failure rate doesn’t arise again. They have assured Ros that “funding is available to ensure the replanting is a success” and made a commitment to keep her regularly updated on progress.
Further delays are inevitable though. There is currently up to a four-month national wait for certain species of trees; and the annual planting season runs from September to March, meaning that work to replace the dead trees won’t begin until September 2023 at the earliest.
The National Highways spokesperson commented: “If the weather conditions are favourable this might start slightly earlier. We need to be in a position to act quickly and appropriately should conditions allow/change. We also need to plant the right species, in the right areas, at the right time which is a different approach to previous re-planting.”
Ros has written to National Highways saying she is “deeply disappointed” the work has been so slow to get going, and pointed out that Councillors raised these problems with them in the first half of 2022.
The situation is particularly worrying, as National Highways’ contractual responsibility for the trees lasts only 5 years. Effectively delaying by a whole calendar year means less opportunity for further top-up planting if any of the new trees fail to thrive, as their obligation to the community has less time before it expires.
Expert view
Local residents have also been demanding action. Their questions have prompted National Highways to reveal they have no record of how many trees were initially chopped down. They commented: “The ‘two trees planted for every one tree felled’ slogan that was widely used by National Highways is a little hard to stomach with 70 percent failure rates.”
Holiday Inn field before preparation for planting. Photo Dan Mace These residents also point out that the land near the Holiday Inn left as a legacy project for Histon and Impington’s own tree planting by HI Trees was seriously compacted by A14 equipment. They said: “The land given back by National Highways is bare and cracked around the saplings compared to the land immediately adjacent which is green, with other plants around the saplings.”
READ ALSO: Joy as Green Gateway grows again
But their request for National Highways to come back and rectify the situation has been rejected, with National Highways saying: “…this is consistent [with] the rest of scheme where planting into newly topsoiled areas especially on the clay rich soils on this scheme. No further work will take place in this area.”
National Highways have, though committed to listening to “as many local views as realistically possible” as the re-planting project continues. They told Ros they would “welcome further comments from yourself and other Councillors, especially if any of your residents are interested in the strategy”, including preferences for species that are most likely to be successful.
Residents wishing to provide feedback to National Highways should contact Ros Hathorn: ros.hathorn@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Come wake the trees at the Winter Wassail
Histon & Impington Community Orchard (HICOP) invites the community to join them for their Winter Wassail.
Held each year in January or February since shortly after the orchard was first planted in 2013, the tradition of the Wassail goes back several hundred years. Dan Mace, Chair of HICOP, told HI HUB:
“These days we’re used to Christmas festivities starting early; decorations appear in November or even earlier. But go back a few hundred years and Advent from 1st to 24th December was a time of fasting, which ended with 12 days of feasting from 25th December to 5th January. Nowadays by the time we get to Twelfth Night (5th January), Christmas is a distant memory and we’re back into our routines, but traditionally Twelfth Night was the time to Wassail.
Advert“So what is a Wassail? Well, it’s a time to visit an orchard and sing to the trees to promote a good harvest for the coming year. And there is a tradition to make a noise, a hullaballoo, by banging pots and pans. Of course, cider also plays its part – there is often a toast to the trees and cider is sprinkled over the roots. And where toasts and cider are involved, it’s a time to wish ‘Good Health’ to all participants – in fact Wassail comes from the ancient Norse, ves heill, literally meaning Good Health.
“Bring lanterns and torches to find your way, grab those pots, pans and spoons to bang to make a hullaballoo and wake the trees. Let’s keep the tradition alive this year at the Community Orchard!”
The HICOP Wassail will take place on Saturday 25th February at 5pm at the Community Orchard. Toast masters will make the traditional toast to the trees followed by an opportunity to sing along with The Impingtones in some traditional Wassail songs around the HICOP flaming beacon.
Hot and cold apple juice available. Please take your own mug.
NB: This is an outdoor event and may be postponed in the event of bad weather. In case of change, information will be shared here on HI HUB and also on local social media.
Braving the cold for charity at Cambridge United Sleepout
Sleepover participants raised thousands for the club’s Community Trust and Winter Comfort. Photo: Susannah Smith. A group of Histon and Impington residents joined volunteers sleeping outside overnight at Cambridge United’s Abbey Stadium to raise money for homeless charities.
The sponsored sleepover was to raise funds for two local charities: Winter Comfort, a day centre creating opportunities all year round for homeless individuals or those who are at risk of losing their home; and Cambridge United Community Trust, which uses the power of sport and the Cambridge United FC brand to change lives.
Jackie Constable tries to find a comfortable spot on the concrete floor of the Abbey Stadium stands. Photo: Susannah Smith. Over 100 participants hunkered down on the cold concrete stands at the League One team’s stadium on Friday night, braving the elements to raise almost £31,000 – well over the group’s £25,000 target and an increase on last year’s total.
AdvertHiston resident Susannah Smith, who took part with her mum, Jackie Constable said: “Sleeping out for a night does not even come close to the experiences of a rough sleeper, but we’re happy to do our bit for people in our local area. The night was tough, being woken up by ambulance sirens and trains echoing round the stadium. Vulnerable homeless people live a difficult life and the sleepout experience made me realise this more than ever.”
Chris Gooch, sleepover participant and Histon local, said: “It was a wonderful, very humbling experience for two very worthy causes. Bedding down in the cold on the hard concrete floor puts things in perspective. I’m very proud of what we achieved as a group.”
Volunteers from the Rapid Relief team served tired sleepers a well earned breakfast on Saturday morning at 6.30am. Photo: Susannah Smith. To donate to the United for Cambridge Sleepout 2023 click here.
BBC Award will recognise Local Community Heroes
Vote for people in H&I who make a real difference to people’s lives. Photo: BBC Radio Cambridgeshire Nominations are now open for the BBC Radio Cambridgeshire Make a Difference Awards. This is an opportunity for Histon & Impington residents to name those people in their community who they feel make the greatest and most meaningful contribution to village life.
The local BBC awards recognise ‘ordinary people who make extraordinary efforts in their community’, and they are a chance to say ‘Thank you’ to the people in the villages who love to make life better for others. Nominations close at 11pm on 5 March 2023.
Winners will be selected by a panel of judges, and awards will be given to unsung heroes in categories including Fundraiser, Carer, Neighbour, Volunteer, Bravery and Green.
The Make a Difference Award ceremonies will take place across England from September 2023.
Check out the full list of categories for nominations and vote at: www.bbc.in/makeadifference
Or follow on social media using the hashtag #BBCMakeADifference
Have your say – Parish Council meeting Monday 20th February
Among the items on the agenda of the next Parish Council meeting is a proposal from the HI HUB team for the Parish Council to support the start-up of a new community magazine.
This would be published in print four times a year and delivered to every household. By creating opportunities to advertise, it would aim to support local businesses to connect with residents in the village.
Also on the agenda is a funding request from Histon & Impington Green Spaces that would bring them long-term financial stability; decision-making around King Charles III Coronation celebrations; and collaboration with the village’s schools to support families that are struggling to pay for school dinners.
The meeting takes place on Monday 20th February at the Community Room on the Rec, starting at 7.30pm. All Histon & Impington residents are invited to attend to listen to the debates, and any resident wishing to address Councillors can speak at the meeting.
For full details, see the agenda here.
To speak at the meeting, contact the office to request a slot. Email clerk@hisimp-pc.gov.uk
Commis Chef, Sous Chef – Holiday Inn
LGH who manage the Holiday Inn in Impington are looking for these roles.
Commis Chef to be involved with food preparation work and basic cooking under the guidance and supervision of our chef de parties, you will be rotating through sections such as sauce, vegetables, fish, and butchery. You will have the chance to learn from the senior chefs within our hotel’s kitchen. Closing Date 12/03/2023
Sous Chef to be involved with preparing a variety of dishes with flair, passion, and imagination – including meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, including all marinades and sauces to accompany your dishes. As a senior member of the kitchen brigade, you will play a pivotal part in the development of your chefs. Delivering culinary best practices and sharing your knowledge and experience with the rest of the team. Closing Date 09/03/2023
Snowdrop Walk at Histon Manor raises over £2400
Snowdrops at Histon Manor. Photo: Val Robson More than 500 visitors to Histon Manor last Saturday were treated to carpets of snowdrops and a first glimpse of the new Monet-style bridge recently installed over to the island.
Owners Katherine and Rob Mann had originally offered free tickets to 200 visitors to walk around the grounds in addition to 100 tickets for tea and cake in the main kitchen.
Bridge at Histon Manor. Photo: Val Robson But they were so moved by news of the earthquake in Syria and Turkey that they opened the grounds to all to walk around, in a fundraising effort for disaster relief.
Proceeds from the tea and cake tickets bought prior to the earthquake were allocated to HI Friends, with £577 going to support the Holiday at Home initiative and the Community Play Therapist, who mainly works with children in the village primary schools. Donations on the day, collected in a bucket at the entrance, totalled an astounding £1,842.58, which Katherine and Rob are matching, so £3,685.16 has been transferred to the DEC Earthquake Appeal.
A team of volunteers helped in the grounds and kitchen, and a dozen bakers produced a spread of cakes for the guests. Katherine paid tribute to their efforts, saying: “This event wouldn’t have been possible without the team of volunteers and cake bakers. A huge thank you to all.”
Tea and cake at Histon Manor. Photo: Val Robson She continued: “We cannot thank everyone enough for being so generous. We are so glad that everyone enjoyed the day and the comments about the snowdrops were heart-warming. It has spurred us on to keep working on removing the ivy in these areas so that hopefully even more will come through for next year! A date for next year’s event will be announced in early January 2024.”
QA Lead – Instanda
Instanda, an insurance software provider based on the Vision Park, are recruiting for several roles including this.
QA Lead to provide leadership not just at a scrum team level, but in the QA Team and across multiple areas or projects. The role combines hands-on testing and leadership activities to support and guide testing across multiple teams and/or projects.
Private Banking Assistant – Coutts
Coutts, who have an office in Conqueror House on Vision Park, are looking for this role.
Private Banking Assistant CC2 to support their private bankers, helping them to provide a seamless client experience and act as the second point of contact for clients, making sure that their needs are delivered in an efficient and timely manner. Closes: 27/02/2023
