Category: News

Bus to provide up-to-date venue for youth services
The first of two new Youth Buses run by The Connections Bus Project is about to start serving communities across the region – but not Histon & Impington.
The charity, which describes itself as a ‘Youth Club on Wheels’, operates 14 drop-in youth clubs each week. The new buses will replace the two aging vehicles that used to serve villages across the county.
With funding support from the National Lottery Community Fund, The Foyles Foundation and Joanies Fund, the refurbished double-decker buses have been fitted out to provide a safe and welcoming space for young people to gather, access support, and participate in various activities.
Features of the buses include comfortable seating areas, dedicated spaces for crafts, tabletop games and puzzles, and up-to-date games consoles and PCs with internet access. There are facilities on board for playing music, phone charging points, a snack bar, outdoor sports equipment and an undercover outdoor area.
New branding and new graphics have given the buses a new look.
Alan Webb, who managed the project to create the new buses, said: “Having gathered feedback from young people who use our services and the staff who work for us, I think we have created a space that will suit everyone.”
Andrea Cowley, Assistant Manager of The Connections Bus Project commented: “We’ve listened to what young people want and need, and we’re confident that we’re offering a service that truly addresses those needs.”
No change in H&I
Although the launch of the new Connections Bus was held at Histon Baptist Church, there are currently no plans for the new bus to be made available to young people in Histon & Impington.
At least until December 2025, the Monday youth clubs are due to continue meeting at the community room in the Pavilion at the New Road Recreation Ground.
Parish Clerk Chelsea O’Brien told HI HUB: “The Recreation Ground is not an ideal venue for a double decker bus to visit, with the height restriction barrier, high levels of parking and a restricted turning space it will be difficult to safely accommodate the bus.”
But the Connections Bus services to the village are currently under review following concerns raised about the value for money offered, and Chelsea continued: “I am sure [the Youth Provision Working Group] will include considering the provision of the youth bus in their overall review of youth provision going forward.”
Commenting on the reasons why their buses don’t serve Histon & Impington, Alan Webb said: “Our youth work in Histon is guided by the contract we have with the Parish Council and their request for services. The youth buses have not visited Histon since 2011.
“It is true that facilities are different on the youth buses but not superior to those at the Pavilion which includes table tennis, cooking, use of the MUGA and more which are not available or possible on the youth buses.
“We are in communication with the Parish Council regarding youth services moving forward and currently are not aware of any changes. We are awaiting a youth plan that they will be revealing in June, I believe.”
01/05/2025
Popular children’s summer holiday club to pause for thought
Holiday Club, the children’s club run by Churches Together in Histon & Impington, will not run this summer – after organisers decided to “pause for reflection”.
The Christian summer club, aimed at primary school-aged children, has been run by staff and volunteers from local churches at the Baptist Church for over a decade, but the group of local church leaders and ministers have issued a statement saying that they feel this is the “right time to pause Holiday Club for summer 2025”.
According to the group, the move is “to give space for reflection, review, and discernment about how to best serve children and families in our community in the years ahead”.
Fun and Games
With sessions themed around Bible stories, Holiday Club has previously welcomed up to 200 children for sessions over five mornings at the start of the summer holidays. Children take part in crafts, sports and activities, singing and drama sessions as well as ‘messy challenges’ – facilitated by volunteer adult leaders and young helpers.
Unlike other, often more expensive, activities offered to children in the school holidays, parents of children attending Holiday Club are only asked for a donation of whatever they can afford towards running costs.
A time of transition
Children’s Worker at Saint Andrew’s, Histon, Tim Blake – who has coordinated and fronted Holiday Club for many years – is stepping down from his role at the church this May, and this has played a part in organisers deciding to put the club on hiatus for the year.
In the Churches Together statement, James Blandford Baker said: “We want to take this opportunity to offer a huge and heartfelt thank you to Tim for his extraordinary commitment and leadership. Holiday Club simply wouldn’t have been the same without him”.
A further factor in the decision to pause is the organisers’ struggle to recruit enough volunteers to run the club safely and sustainably. James said: “We are so grateful to everyone who has contributed to Holiday Club over the years. It has been a beautiful expression of our life together as Churches Together, and we treasure all that it has meant”.
Faithful future
Churches Together ministers are planning to host a day of “listening and discernment”, with the help of an outside facilitator to consider the future of Holiday Club.
Organisers believe that this will provide a chance for everyone involved to, “explore together what God might be calling us to in the future — whether that includes Holiday Club in a new form, something different altogether, or a refreshed vision of our shared work with children and families”.
HI HUB will share news of any updates on this, as soon as they become available.
01/05/2025
Summer departure for Impington Village College Principal
Impington Village College (IVC) Principal, Victoria Hearn, is stepping down from her role, and is set to leave the school at the end of the 2024/25 academic year.
Victoria Hearn has been Principal of IVC since 2020, taking over from Ryan Kelsall. Photo: IVC
Ms Hearn, who first joined the school as an Assistant Principal over a decade ago and who has been Principal since 2020, is leaving to take up a new post at Comberton Village College which comes under Cam Academy Trust.
Her move comes shortly after the school received positive feedback from a recent IB Evaluation, as well as an Outstanding Ofsted report. The college, part of the Eastern Learning Alliance, was also recently named ‘UK Comprehensive School of the Year’ by the Sunday Times for 2025.
On her time at IVC, Ms Hearn said: “It has been an absolute privilege to be a part of this truly unique school. I am incredibly proud of all that the leadership team, staff and students have achieved during my time at the College.”
She continued: “The [school’s] achievements belong to our entire College community, and especially the incredible senior leadership team with whom it has been a joy to work during my tenure as Principal.
“Thank you all for your support during my time as a senior leader at the College, and for your enthusiasm and belief in our unique approach to education”.
Ms Hearn will continue as Principal until the end of August. HI HUB will bring news of her successor when available.
READ ALSO: IVC rated ‘outstanding’ in full Ofsted inspection | HI HUB
01/05/2025
Mixed reaction to heavy duty planters near ATM
Specialist planters designed to protect cash machines and stores from ram-raiders have been installed outside Histon Tesco Express. The location is one of 14 “high-risk sites” identified as part of a £100,000 initiative.
Ram raiding is a type of burglary where criminals drive a vehicle into a building, often one with a cash machine, to help them access property or cash to steal. It is said the heavy duty concrete planters can withstand the force of being hit by a vehicle or machinery.
The completed planters at the Cambourne Co-op. Photo: SCDC
Two were installed at the Tesco Express on 11 April, one close to the ATM and another near the car park. But the Council has explained there has been a delay with planting because of heavy rain over the Easter weekend and that the guttering from the Tesco Express building has been leaking into one of the planters.
A South Cambridgeshire District Council spokesperson said the Histon planters will be planted up “asap”, once the repairs to the gutter have been carried out.
She added the same planters have been installed at the Co-op in Cambourne, and are “looking lovely, whilst doing an important job for our rural communities”.
In the meantime, residents have commented on social media about the new Tesco Express planters, with one joking it had become “a water feature” since it was installed. Another described it as “a total eyesore”.
‘Total eyesore’
Another planter has been placed next to the Tesco Express car park. Photo: HI HUB
One resident said: “Tesco roof gutter has been overflowing at that point for ages, so will continue to receive excess water after rainfall until that is fixed. Even if holes [are] drilled to allow drainage for planting, the volunteers’ work to make this nice will be ruined.”
SCDC says the planting and upkeep of the planters will be the responsibility of the Parish Council.
Gutter to be fixed
A Tesco spokesperson said: “We are working to fix the gutter at our Histon Express as quickly as possible, and thank customers for their patience as the work is completed.”
He added the store remains open as usual and that Tesco will provide updates on the works progress.
The £100,000 funding for the project to install heavy duty planters across South Cambridgeshire District Council has been provided by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.
READ MORE: Marking a community’s deep-rooted love for its trees
01/05/2025
New chapter for Histon laboratory
A specialist laboratory service based at Vision Park has acquired another Cambridge-based company for an undisclosed sum.
Source Bioscience is considered an industry leader in the areas of genomic services and histopathology diagnostics. It works with the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, healthcare and academic sectors.
And last month, the company announced it had completed the acquisition of Cambridge Clinical Laboratories (CCL) which specialises in clinical healthcare testing. It was said the move will bolster Source Bioscience’s clinical diagnostics portfolio from its state-of-the-art clinical labs in Histon.
CCL staff will relocate to Source Bioscience’s labs at Vision Park, in Histon. Photo: Source Bioscience
‘Extremely pleased’
Jay LeCoque, Chairman and CEO of Source BioScience, said: “We’re extremely pleased to welcome Cambridge Clinical Laboratories into our team here at Source Bioscience. CCL has a longstanding reputation for its expertise in personalised clinical diagnostic services, and as such, represented the ideal opportunity to complete our service offerings.”
CCL staff and equipment will relocate to Source Bioscience’s labs at Vision Park.
Tony Cooke, former CEO and Chief Scientific Officer at CCL, added: “We welcome the opportunity to join forces with Source, which will allow us to bring together the talent and expertise of both companies.”
READ MORE: Church and driving test centre both approved
01/05/2025
IVC football pitch gets the go-ahead
A second all-weather football facility will be available to the Histon & Impington community after South Cambs District Council’s Planning Committee unanimously gave approval for a ‘3g’ football pitch at Impington Village College. The permission includes associated lighting and facilities including a toilet block and a storage container.
Councillors conceded that an informal car park being used by visitors to IVC should have been returned to green space as a condition of the planning application for the Cavendish School, but they have now approved retrospective permission for a formal car park there.
Ryan Kelsall, Deputy CEO of Eastern Learning Alliance, which runs IVC, told HI HUB: “ELA are thrilled that the planning application for the 3G pitch has been approved.
“We firmly believe that the new facility will support the education, health and wellbeing of young people and the community. Furthermore the formalisation of the car park will support traffic and parking management in and around the IVC site.”
More community use
The new pitch will be a further addition to the football facilities available in the village, which already include grass pitches at the Rec and an all-weather pitch constructed during the development of Brook Primary school.
Like the primary school, IVC will be required to make its pitch available to the public. A community use agreement will have to be prepared in consultation with Sport England and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority before the development work can begin.
This will have to cover the pitch, car parking and the toilet block, and include details of pricing policy, hours of use, access by non-educational establishment users, management responsibilities and a mechanism for review.
Cambridgeshire FA, who are supporting the development, have identified at least 38 local football teams – including from Histon Hornets and Milton Colts – that would benefit from the use of the pitch for both training and matches.
Continuing liaison
The IVC football project has proved controversial from the start, with an earlier planning application being withdrawn after the impact of the scheme on local residents was recognised.
As the new plans for sports facilities at IVC were developed – including netball courts and associated floodlights – a Community Liaison Group involving IVC, residents, Councillors and other stakeholders formed to address concerns. These include the management of traffic and parking on and around the site, and landscaping to screen the residential homes there from the expected increase in activity there.
The planning committee has recommended that liaison between IVC and residents continues, to ensure the impact of the traffic management plan is monitored. Ryan Kelsall has endorsed the importance of this group.
He said: “We are keen to build on recent work to ensure collaboration through the residents group led by the Parish, County and District Councillors. We are therefore pleased that The Planning Committee has formally recognised this group by designating it an ‘informative’ group for this project.”
Ros Hathorn, County Councillor for Histon & Impington, is also hopeful that the group has the potential to be effective at protecting residents’ interests. She told HI HUB: “The facilitation of a liaison group… has led to open discussion and has already delivered a commitment to a number of agreed improvements namely an application for double yellow lines and radical changes to youth football parking behaviours.
“There are future verbal commitments for more compromise and review of planning conditions in response to residents’ concerns.
“We have a planning system which is supportive of development and growth. It is almost impossible to stop development even when some people find it upsetting. By bringing people together in the same room we can find practical solutions, understand core concerns and find ways to make things better.
“We cannot stop development but through collaboration and a rigorous Neighbourhood Plan we can make sure development is as good as possible, particularly for site neighbours.”
READ ALSO: Council recommends approval of IVC sports plans but neighbours fear problems ahead and Council to debate plans for IVC sports facilities and Renewed IVC sports applications spark neighbours’ fury and 3g pitch application withdrawn following new objections and Residents concerns drive objections to 3g pitch proposals and Plans progress for artificial grass pitch at IVC and 3g pitch “provides more public benefit than harm” say planners
10/04/2025
Barkers Bakery ousted from Histon shop
Notices have appeared in the window of Barkers Bakery on Histon High Street stating the landlord has now seized the property and the locks have been changed.
A ‘Notice of Forfeiture’ was posted in the window by Iridium Enforcement earlier this week. It means landlord James Howarth & Co. Ltd is taking action to end the lease and regain possession of the property because the tenant has breached the terms of that lease.
The notice says: “No unauthorised persons are permitted entry unless with prior consent and knowledge from the landlord” and points out that “it is a criminal offence to break an entry in this property”.
A second notice gives the tenant until 15 April to recover any belongings that belong to them, else the landlord or managing agent may “dispose of them as seen fit”.
HI HUB has made multiple attempts to contact Barkers Bakery HQ, including calls to four Barkers Bakery branches that went unanswered. The former Cottenham High Street branch has been taken over by another bakery business.
Safety concerns
The closure of the bakery comes after food operators stocking the bakery’s products received an “urgent food safety alert” last month from South Cambridgeshire District Council.
The letter advised businesses to remove goods supplied to them from Barkers Bakery HQ in Cottenham because of “serious hygiene issues at their premises”. They were also warned “failure to take appropriate action may pose a risk to public health”.
The Council’s Waste and Environment team later extended their alert to Kings Cliffe Bakery products as well because this second brand was also operating from the same facility in Cottenham.
Change of ownership
Barkers Bakery was a family business established in 1950, but family members and others resigned their directorships two years ago in April 2023. Another director, Karen Lewis, was appointed to continue the business.
A new director was appointed on 21 March 2025 and this week the company’s registered office changed from the bakery’s Histon branch to an address in Liverpool. GTGUK Services, described as a “financial intermediation” company and also headed by Karen Lewis, was registered as “a person with significant control” on 8 April.
‘Very sad news’
Since the Histon branch’s closure, customers have taken to social media, upset that the High Street has lost another established business. One described it as “very sad news” and many sent their thoughts to the staff who worked there.
They added: “I have been having Barker’s bread for the last 68 years. Certainly will be missed in the Village and feel very sorry for all the staff who have lost their jobs at a difficult time.”
Another said: “What a shame, best bacon rolls around this area.”
READ MORE: ‘Urgent food safety’ alert issued for Barkers Bakery
10/04/2025
Cracking colouring competition creates Easter ‘egg-citement’
A recent move into more prominent and accessible new premises is enabling Histon High Street property lawyers, Hayward Moon, to expand their connections within the local community.
Just before Christmas last year, the firm reached out to nearby Brook Primary School to donate surplus files and other office supplies no longer needed due to their relocation and, from this, came the inspiration for an Easter colouring competition.
Conveyancing assistant Megan Johnson told HI HUB: “We felt this competition would be a great way to support the children’s wellbeing. It was initially solely with Brook Primary School. But following its success, we hope to get involved with other local schools too later in the year.”
Entries received were of such a high standard that Hayward Moon were unable to settle on a Top 3 and so an additional 4th prize was added.
Prizewinners
1st Place – Bea year 2, class 2RD
Hayward Moon’s Karen Wilson and Megan Johnson rear left and right. With Bea (front right) 1st prize and Hayley 2nd prize winner. All permissions given.
2nd Place – Hayley year 3, class 3IH
3rd Place Benjamin Year 2, class 2RB
4th Place Naomi Year 1, class 1JR
First place winner Bea was awarded a Vue cinema voucher and a large Easter egg. Second, third and fourth prizes were each gifted a medium egg and a small egg was given to all entries taking part as “they were all incredible”, Megan revealed.
Sharing their joy, first place prize winner Bea said: “I really enjoy drawing I like bright colours and flowers, it took me two hours. Yummy, wow I can’t wait to go to the cinema.” And Hayley told us, “mine took me two days, I stuck gems on mine.”
10/04/2025
More Sunday buses – but fewer to Cambridge North
Changes to the Sunday Busway timetable will see buses run every 15 minutes from Impington to Cambridge City Centre, but there will be cuts to services to Cambridge North station.
Currently, three buses an hour leave St Ives Park & Ride after 9am on Sundays, routed via Histon to Cambridge City. Two of these are on ‘B’ routes past Cambridge North station.
From Sunday 20 April, the frequency and capacity from St Ives will be increased, with four buses per hour into the city. Three of these will be on ‘A’ routes via Orchard Park, but the number of buses on the ‘B’ route will be reduced to one per hour.
The new timetable will apply to Sunday buses during the day, but not early mornings or evenings. A Stagecoach East spokesperson told HI HUB: “…when coming out of Cambridge New Square the extra services will start at 10.36am and finish at 6.31pm.”
As the changes will take place over the Easter weekend, when Sunday services apply on the public holidays, the current timetable will run on Good Friday, but the new timetable will be in place on both Easter Sunday and Monday.
Congestion changes
Other Busway changes coming into service from 20 April are being made to give more time to allow for traffic congestion in Cambridge.
Service B will see minor timetable updates at peak times and Service A will travel to St Ives via Park Terrace instead of Gonville Place.
Ross Barton, Operations Director at Stagecoach East, is calling for more action to tackle congestion. He said: “We only ever make changes to our timetables after considering every option, but the fact is that congestion in and out of Cambridge means that our buses just cannot meet the times set on existing timetables.
“We know what an important artery the Busway is for people needing to travel into Cambridge, so I would call on everyone concerned with our local roads to continue to work together to avoid delays.
“We live and operate in a dynamic, forward-looking city, and the Busway is an essential part of that, so we need to make sure that buses are able to get through.”
To check the Busway timetable see the Stagecoach website
10/04/2025
HI Trees ‘mulch-o-meter’ returns for Tree Care day
The ‘mulch-o-meter’ is back and ready for action in time for the second Community Tree Care Day on Saturday 26 April.
2024’s mulch-o-meter set to return for 2025. Photo Dan Mace.
From 10am-3pm in the Chivers field near the Holiday Inn and B1049, local residents and their family and friends, as well as groups of people from local clubs, churches, committees and businesses, are encouraged to join in this community effort to stop the 1,400 young trees planted on that site being choked by weeds. Last year the ‘mulch o’meter’ logged 671 trees that were cared for and this year the team hope to do even better.
Community care
Talking to HI HUB, HI Trees volunteer Dan Mace said: “Next time you’re driving, cycling or walking along the B1049 towards the A14, take a look at the newly planted woods in the field between the road and the Holiday Inn. (Although, if you’re driving, please do focus on the road ahead!)
This year’s giant mulch pile! Mulch donated by Tates Trees. Photo Dan Mace.
“1400 trees were planted in 2021 and 2022, and they’re doing pretty well. Some are now several metres tall. This is partly thanks to the love and attention that the community has given them, both when the trees were originally planted, and at the first ever HI Trees Care Day in April last year. On that day we had about 100 people turn up to weed the trees, mulch around them and help give them the best start possible. This year, we want to do even better. The mulch-o-meter will be back, and we have an even bigger pile of mulch to spread around the trees.
“And finally… we need to name this area. If you have any suggestions, the HI Trees team wants to hear them. We can’t keep calling it ‘the Woods between the B1049 and the Holiday Inn’ forever!”
What/when/where?
When: Saturday 26 April 10am – 3pm. Go along for as long or as little as you like. Even 10 minutes will help!
Where: Chivers’ field next to Holiday Inn, first right off the A14 (please note that note there’s no parking on site).
What: Give our young trees the best chance of thriving – we will show you how on the day. Some equipment will be provided, and if you can, please bring your gloves, spades, trowels, wheelbarrows, buckets, a drink. Please watch out for rabbit holes on the field; the ground is uneven, so please wear suitable shoes.
Who: Everyone welcome including children under the supervision of their adult companions.
Community Tree Care Day 2024. Photo Dan Mace.
Add your name suggestions on HI Trees Facebook group or email Dan Mace on dan.r.mace@gmail.com
For more information please see the event listing on HI HUB What’s On.
READ ALSO: HI Ttrees introduce the mulch-o-meter for community tree care day and HI Trees survey reveals highly encouraging survival rate
10/04/2025