The co-op on the Green in Histon are recruiting for these roles
Customer Team Leader to give friendly, welcoming, easy, helpful and thoughtful service every day, often taking ownership for managing the store and handling challenging situations and build your team’s capability through coaching and training, and create an inclusive culture where everyone feels respected, valued and able to speak their mind. Pay: £11.00 per hour + great benefits. Contract: 20 hours per week + regular overtime, permanent, part time. Working pattern: Varied shifts including early mornings (store opening), afternoons, late evenings (store closing) and weekends, to be discussed at interview. Full training given Closing date: 17-01-2023
The Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital in Impington is currently recruiting for multiple roles including these.
Hotel Support Assistant (Housekeeper) to support and maintain high standards of cleanliness throughout the hospital in line with housekeeping and infection control policy and to ensure the team is operating within all established regulations, legislation and Spire policies and procedures including Infection Prevention Control. Apply Before 23/01/2023
Diagnostic Imaging Administrator to greet all patients, ensuring a smooth patient journey throughout, register all patients as they arrive and update information accurately in SAP, the hospital computer system and to answer telephones and respond to queries in a timely manner. Apply Before 06/02/2023
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Bank Maintenance Assistant to maintain the building on a continuous basis ensuring an efficient building maintenance service. Apply Before 06/02/2023
Bank Hotel Support support the Housekeeping and Hotel Services teams and be responsible for the service of food and beverages to patients and visitors. Apply Before 06/02/2023
Bank Medical Records Assistant to contribute to the customer services processes maintaining an efficient medical records system whereby all patient paper records are filed accurately, stored securely and can be easily retrieved and traced and ensure that all patients undergoing treatment at Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital have a medical record folder with the relevant forms and documents filed in the appropriate sections. Apply Before 06/02/2023
Hain Daniels who make sweet spreads and jellies including Hartley’s jams and jellies, Gale’s honey, Rose’s and Robertsons marmalades in the Histon factory, are looking for 10 roles including this.
Customer Executive / Key Account Manager to manage a customer portfolio being accountable for achievement of agreed targets (Sales, Profit, Distribution, NPD launches and Activation) and to build and review annual Customer plans aligned with overall business strategy.
For a professional and personalised service at an affordable price, one that has been trusted for over 30 years – visit Histon Opticians.
Stuart Gibbs opened the first branch of Spectacular Opticians in March, Cambridgeshire. Joined by his brothers, and building on the success of this, branches in Histon, Downham Market, Waterbeach, Newmarket, Chatteris and Ely followed. Together Stuart and Gareth, both Optometrists, and Martin, an Ophthalmologist, have built a thriving family run business with a passion for delivering the highest level of customer care.
Today, Spectacular Opticians continues to be very family orientated. Alongside Stuart, Martin and Gareth, John Attrill, Helen Attrill and David Nash complete the Professional Optometric team. From the dispensers to the reception staff, many of the team have been with the company for a large part of our story so far.
“Dear Mr. Gibbs,
We just have to write in order to tell you that we are so impressed with the service you provide.
We have had the pleasure of meeting and having consultations with all of the ‘Gibbs brothers’ – that is Martin, Stuart & Gareth.
All of you explain everything so clearly, have time for us, and most of all are kind and compassionate. For us, the most important element is that we have total FAITH in all of you and that is not something which we say lightly. Having moved around a lot, we have experienced many opticians and we can tell you with confidence that the customer service that you provide outshines all of them. The ladies on the reception desk and George are warm and welcoming and this makes such a tremendous difference. We felt we had to write because people are so quick to complain in our moden world but we feel that people must also be aware of and receive positive feedback where it is due.
We thank you again for your excellent service.
With our best wishes.
Professor Diane R. Von Helmholtz and Mrs Bryda Von Helmholtz”
*Herman Von Helmholtz was the inventor of the ophthalmoscope in 1851, which is currently the most important instrument of choice possessed by all modern day health care professionals.
After a challenging eighteen months dealing with lockdowns and ever changing rules, children and young people’s groups in Histon and Impington have developed innovative ways of running their activities. Val Robson looks at the great opportunities available.
It wasn’t just schools that embraced new ways of working during the pandemic – the wonderful leaders of youth and children’s activities stepped up to the challenge and found ways of keeping spirits up and young people connected. Now the ‘in person’ experience is back, they’re looking forward to a new term with plenty of opportunities for more children and young people to join in – and adult volunteers to support them.
Woodcraft Folk have two local groups, Elfins aged 6-9 and Pioneers aged 10-12, who meet weekly in term time for fun and friendship, outdoor activities, crafts and to explore thought-provoking themes. They are part of a national organisation committed to cooperation, care for the environment, promotion of international understanding and world peace, and the rights of children. Managed on a shoestring with sustainability at heart, they are champions of recycling – and therefore have minimal need for fundraising.
Lockdown kept them physically apart, but since the summer they’ve been gathering outside, with some new families joining them. They are now pleased to be meeting on a regular basis again and there a few spaces left for children to join them. They meet on Tuesdays: Elfins in the refurbished Salvation Army Church Hall from 5.45pm to 7.15pm and Pioneers in the Methodist Church Hall, 6pm to 7.30pm. Several sessions are run jointly each term, often with singing and games, campfire cooking or crafts.
There are also camping and residential trips with the wider community of groups in the local area, sometimes to one of Woodcraft Folk’s centres. Some camps are for specific age groups but some are all ages up to 21.
In 2022, Woodcraft Folk are hosting a large international camp with affiliated groups worldwide, called ‘Common Ground’. Preparations are in motion to host a delegation of children from Peru and raising money to get them here.
The Connections Bus Project, having provided youth services for over 25 years in Cambridgeshire, had tough challenges to overcome during the lockdowns. They usually meet in a bus but it soon became clear that social distancing wasn’t going to happen in a two-metre wide space! Instead, local Youth Workers ran weekly ‘detached’ sessions, meeting around 40 young people each week outside Impington Village College and at the Recreation Ground to maintain contact and offer support and guidance. The youth workers were able to be a listening ear to many young people who had concerns about a range of topics during the uncertain times of the pandemic.
Connections Bus Project Youth Van purchased recently to allow Youth Work to continue during the pandemic. Photo: Andrea Cowley
The restrictions prompted action on an idea they had been planning for a while – to purchase a youth van equipped with outdoor activities, games and a hot chocolate maker! They have been able to use this to reconnect face-to-face with young people in all the villages where they run groups.
Now that in-person meetings are back again, Histon Youth Zone meets at the Community Room, Histon & Impington Recreation Ground on Mondays, 3.45-5.15pm. It provides a safe place for young people in years 7-9 to meet and take part in activities such as cooking, games, sports, crafts, team activities. It’s also an opportunity to make new friends and chat with the friendly youth workers. All are welcome and there’s no need to book as it is a drop-in group.
Scouts, Cubs and Beaversprovide activities for girls and boys giving them the opportunity to experience new challenges that enrich their lives, offer adventures and learn new skills that promote independence, leadership and responsibility. The young people work for badges which include getting involved with helping local charities, for example, providing water stations and refreshments for HI Friends at their running events, and helping the British Legion and the Enviro volunteers.
The 1st Histon Scout Group took a very creative approach to their activities through the lockdowns. Socially distanced in-person outdoor activities resumed when allowed, but when they weren’t, Zoom activities included cooking, gardening, code-breaking and virtual escape rooms. Two ‘virtual group camps’ saw over 100 young people sleep outside their normal sleeping place for the night. All the activities were designed so that the rest of the young person’s family could join in with the fun as well.
The Scout Group was delighted to be recognised for, and win an HI Doughnut Award for, their achievements with young people over the lockdown period.
They are now meeting weekly during term time. See their website for full details. There is a waiting list though, so they are keen to recruit more volunteers to expand their efforts. They are actively looking to open a new Beaver section for 6-8 year olds. If you’d like to get involved or help in way at all, email Richard Martin richard@histon-scouts.org.uk
Fun making bubbles at a recent outdoor meeting. Photo: Sue Free
Girlguiding Histon District runs a number of units in Histon, Girton and Oakington for Rainbows, Brownies and Guides for girls aged 5-14. They have wide programme of events and activities, some of which lead to badges and awards. There are many opportunities to try new things and have adventures. As well as weekly meetings there are days out, camps, holidays and sleepovers. They enjoy being involved with community events such as Histon Feast and Open Gardens, and Brownies from Histon helped organise the first Eco Fun Fest in November 2019.
During the lockdowns they have met via Zoom and then, when permitted, had outdoor meetings in smaller groups. The programme was adapted to provide activities which could be run safely, and activity packs were often delivered for the girls to do at home with their families.
In-person meetings are now back, with many events planned for the coming year, including camps and holidays for Guides and Brownies. The spring term Brownie and Rainbow Disco is expected to be a highlight as always! Plans have been revived for a District Activity Day at the Girlguiding Activity Centre at Hautbois, Norfolk, as sadly last year’s event had to be cancelled.
New girls are welcome and volunteers are being actively recruited – with hopes to open a second Rainbows unit soon. To register your daughter on the waiting list, or volunteer as an adult, visit the website. For local queries contact histondc@gmail.com
Histon Cricket Club Coltshas many groups for girls and boys aged 5-16 including Under 15, U13, U11 and U9. The very popular and oversubscribed All Stars for 5-8 year olds and Dynamos for 8-10 year olds runs in May. A girls section was launched in 2021 with girls only groups for All Stars, Dynamos and U11.
Their outdoor cricket sessions, which run from April to July, was able to go ahead as usual with cricket being an outdoor and naturally socially distanced sport. Thanks to a grant from the England and Wales Cricket Board, these have included free sessions for girls.
From September to March sessions for 5-10 year olds are held in Impington Village College Sports Hall on Sunday mornings while the 9-16 year olds train at Fenners Indoor Cricket School. For further information email HistonCC@gmail.com or visit the website or Facebook page.
Little Stars room ready for a session. Photo: Tim Blake
Shine and Little Stars, two new groups for under- fives, were introduced by St Andrew’s Histon in April this year. Both groups provide a place of welcome, hospitality and sanctuary, giving parents and carers a chance to meet up and get support from one another and from the Shine and Little Stars team. There are drinks, cakes, singing, stories and other activities as well as plenty of time to chat and get to know others.
Room set up at Saint Andrew’s Centre ready for Shine. Photo: Tim Blake
While the groups are meeting in person now, during their start-up phase in lockdown they ran using an online video each week and delivered craft bags to participating families in the village and beyond.
Both groups run at the Saint Andrew’s Centre. Little Stars, for babies and ‘new movers’ and their parents and carers, is on Tuesdays at 10am. Shine, for under-fives and their parents and carers, is on Fridays at 11am. If extra funds can be secured for staffing, an extra Shine session will open in the future.
EDGE Café and EDGE Sunday offer opportunities for young people in school years 7-13 to get together – and in lockdown they quickly got to grips with meeting online, using Zoom breakout rooms for discussions, the whiteboard feature for games like Pictionary, webcams to play spot the difference and the mute button for silent karaoke!
Now back in-person, EDGE Café is a drop in event again, held at the Saint Andrew’s Café at 3.30pm on Thursdays, where all are welcome to come with friends or to meet new people. It is a space to chat and play games together. They have a range of games on the café tables to choose from and the young people are able to buy a drink and cake, with the café serving until 4.30pm and closing at 5pm. For more information email Claire Cronin at clare@standrewhiston.org or visit the website.
EDGE Sundayruns at 10.45am on Sundays in the Saint Andrew’s Centre. The young people spend time learning from the Bible together. There is usually a game or icebreaker to begin and they then look at a Bible passage on a particular theme and consider a question in discussion groups. These discussion groups are a key part of the EDGE Sunday sessions, creating space to think about how it relates to our lives today and providing opportunities to ask honest questions. EDGE Sunday is currently a bookable session and young people interested in spending some time thinking about the Christian faith and how the teaching from the Bible is relevant today can email Claire Cronin at clare@standrewhiston.org.
Parts of the road will be closed at night in both directions as final resurfacing work is carried out in preparation for a full reopening.
The Greater Cambridge Partnership is predicting that the Histon Road into Cambridge will be fully reopened to all traffic by mid-October.
Since June 2020 the B1049 has been closed to Cambridge-bound motor vehicles while work has been ongoing to improve cycling, walking and public transport journeys along the route beyond Kings Hedges Road.
Although the southern section of Histon Road from the Windsor Road junction to Huntingdon Road has already reopened to two-way traffic, the northern section around the Gilbert Road junction and up to the Kings Hedges Road junction is unfinished. A final set of overnight road closures will be needed to complete the work there.
From now until 20th September the road will be closed in both directions in the evenings and overnight between 8pm and 6am on the short stretch between the Windsor Road junction and Gilbert Road junction.
Then next week will see the closure of the whole road between the Gilbert Road junction and Kings Hedges Road. From 20th September to 8th October, traffic signs will divert motorists via the A14, Milton Road and Victoria Road between 8pm and 6am. The road will remain open to pedestrians and cycles in both directions, though traffic managers may ask cyclists to dismount and walk along pavements in the sections where active resurfacing is taking place.
The overnight closures will also affect the Citi 8 and Busway B bus routes. Stagecoach has announced that the Citi 8 will be changing its route after 8pm and passengers from Cambridge are being advised to use the bus stop at the Westbrook Centre on Milton Road for travel to Impington and Histon.
Firs House Surgery has fallen victim to the nationwide lorry driver shortage, which has led to deliveries by one of the largest flu vaccine suppliers in the UK being delayed.
As a result, efforts to offer flu jabs all over-50s and vulnerable adults in the village in preparation for a predicted winter influenza spike have suffered a temporary setback. Plans for a team of local volunteers to support surgery staff on vaccination days have also had to be revised.
The comprehensive vaccination campaign has now been pushed back from a start date of 18th September to 2nd October for adults, though the vaccination schedule for eligible children has not been affected.
Rescheduling
The surgery explained the challenge they have faced: “We have had to cancel over 1,000 booked appointments and reschedule new dates. This time-consuming work has now been completed and all patients who had booked an appointment with us have been booked into a new appointment.”
The patients who had already been given appointments will receive a text or a letter confirming a new date and time. If those aren’t convenient, they can contact the surgery to re-book. If they no longer need an appointment, they can call to cancel.
The surgery explained: “Unfortunately, due to the work involved in rescheduling our flu campaign, we no longer have the capacity to individually contact the remaining eligible patients inviting them to book in, and therefore[we] invite all eligible patients to contact the surgery and book an appointment now.”
The adult groups eligible for the flu vaccine are:
everyone aged 50 years and over
those aged 6 months to under 50 years in clinical risk groups
pregnant women
long-stay care home residents
frontline health and social care staff
close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
The new vaccination dates for the Histon surgery are Saturday and Sunday 2nd/3rd October, and Saturdays 9th October, 30th October and 6th November.
Anyone who previously had an adult appointment on 18th/19th September, 25th September or 16th October has been rescheduled and should have already received a text or letter confirming a new date.
Children first
Firs House’s child flu vaccines have not been affected by the supply problems and the first child flu vaccine clinics will be taking place this weekend on Saturday and Sunday 18th/19th September. After that, weekday appointments will be available in Cottenham in October.
Parents of children aged 2-3 years, or aged 2-17 with underlying health conditions, are being urged to book an appointment if they haven’t been contacted already. Children aged 4-15 years (reception to year 11) will receive their vaccine via the School Immunisations Team.
Covid boosters next
Although the government has this week announced a booster vaccination programme for Covid, how involved local surgeries will be in administering the programme is not yet known and Firs House is awaiting further guidance.
What they do know so far is that clinical trials have found giving the Covid booster and the flu vaccine together is safe, and that the booster will be given in the same order of cohorts as the first jabs, with care home residents and front-line health carers and workers being vaccinated first. While they await further guidance they will be pressing ahead to give flu vaccines to patients without delay, to offer maximum protection as soon as possible.
For contact details and additional information, please visit the practice website, here.
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