Category: News-in-brief

Applicants invited for 2024 Henry Morris Awards
Local students aged 13-19 have until 31 January 2024 to apply for a grant to enable them to travel or complete a special project – either on their own or in small groups.
The Award is named after the late Henry Morris, who developed the idea of the ‘Village College’ and established Impington Village College. Each year the Trust set up in his name supports young people in Cambridgeshire schools to undertake ‘projects with purpose’ that they plan themselves.
Successful applicants will receive an award – normally in the region of £20 to £200 – towards the costs of their activity, and the expectation is that they will generate any shortfall in funding.
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Examples of projects include travelling by train to spend a day at the best skate-park in the country; walking the Norfolk Coastal Path; building a drone; and writing and publishing a children’s book.
For more information see www.henrymorris.org
14/12/2023
Roller hockey’s rising star
IVC’s Erin competing in Spain
Impington school pupil Erin Edwards represented England at roller hockey in the Eurockey Cup, held recently in the Costa Brava, Spain.
The Impington Village College (IVC) year 7 student took part in the Eurockey Fem15 – an all-female category of the tournament – with her club team, Ely & Chesterton United (ECU), playing up from her age group, alongside athletes up to 15 years old. Roller hockey or – rink hockey as it’s sometimes known – is a fast-paced, growing sport played on roller skates with a ball and hockey stick.
Erin has now been invited to travel to Portugal with an England Academy squad in 2024 for training and matches. Commenting on her sporting success, Erin said: “I love playing roller hockey, as it’s fun and fast and pretty much non-stop!”

Visit here for more information on how to take part in roller hockey locally.
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14/12/2023
3g pitch application withdrawn following new objections
ELA Active has withdrawn its planning application for an artificial grass football pitch to be constructed on Impington Village College land between properties on Park Drive and the Spire Cambridge Lea hospital.
During the mandatory consultation which is part of the planning process, 51 objections were raised by the public compared with 19 supportive comments.
Cambridgeshire County Council’s Highways department has recommended that the application is refused in its present format due to concerns about the availability of vehicle and bicycle parking “within a reasonable walking distance” of the proposed pitch, and the potential impact on New Road.
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Further concerns are expressed by South Cambs District Council’s Environment Planning Team, who have raised issues related to lighting and noise. Given those concerns they recommend that the pitch operating hours should be limited to an 8pm finish Monday to Friday, and 6pm Saturdays and Sundays.
Objections raised by the Parish Council echoed those raised by several members of the public, including a “lack of engagement from applicant with residents and local authority” while the plans were being drawn up.
Withdrawing a planning application is a relatively common response to objections and concerns raised by consultees, as it avoids the applicant potentially having their plans refused and having to pay more to present a new application. County Councillor Ros Hathorn commented on social media: “…if you think when you submit the proposal that the objections are reasonable, stepping back and coming up with solutions to those problems is a sensible response.”
14/12/2023
Careers fair to showcase local apprenticeships
Impington Village College will be hosting an Apprenticeships Careers Fair in the run-up to National Apprenticeships Week. Local apprenticeship employers are invited to take part in the fair, which will run from 9am to 3.30pm on 30 January 2024.
The event aims to inspire students from Years 10 -13 about the apprenticeship opportunities available in the region. Led by local youth employment organisation Form the Future, who provide careers support for young people on behalf of the Greater Cambridge Partnership, it will offer insight and advice to encourage the next generation to aspire to the careers of the future.
To find out more, email Catherine Hay at chay@formthefuture.org.uk
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14/12/2023
Have your say on Police funding for 2024/25
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Cambs and Peterborough, Darryl Preston, has launched a short online survey asking for views on police funding for the coming year.
With around half (54%) of Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s funding coming from government and the remaining 46% from the policing part of your council tax, the Commissioner is keen to understand the public’s views. He has announced that if the government announces a final police settlement that is better than anticipated, he’ll review what that means locally to help minimise any additional financial burden on residents. Your responses will help inform his final decision on how much he should raise the policing part of the council tax.
If you would like a hard copy or would prefer to give your views by telephone, please call 0300 333 3456 or email cambs-pcc@cambs.police.uk
The survey will remain open until 5pm on 2 January 2024.
14/12/2023
Histon man denies murder
Cambridge Crown Court. Photo: Liz Hill
A plea hearing at Cambridge Crown Court on 11 December heard Histon man, Robert Hammond, plead not guilty to murdering his wife. The body of Sian Hammond was discovered at their house in Primes Corner on 30 October this year.
Mr Hammond remains in custody ahead of his trial which is scheduled for June 2024.
Read Also: /news-in-brief/murder-charge-brought-following-histon-womans-death/
14/12/2023
Open Gardens may not open, say organisers
Organisers of the village’s biennial Open Gardens are putting out an urgent appeal for potential garden hosts to step forward right now to avoid the 2024 event being cancelled.
The event is scheduled for Sunday 16 June and they need to know at the latest by 16 December if any local gardener is thinking of taking part, as preparations have to begin immediately after Christmas to get all the arrangements in place.
Committee member Denise Walker said: “Open Gardens is a hugely popular event in the village, but we need more residents with gardens to sign up now to take part. As any visitor to previous events will tell you, it doesn’t matter how big or small your garden is, visitors love to see a wide range of garden sizes and styles, to get inspiration for their own gardens.
“If your garden is simply a work in progress, then that doesn’t matter either. It certainly doesn’t need to be immaculate.”
Anyone potentially interested in taking part in the event should contact info@opengardens.org by 16 December.
READ ALSO: Blooming marvellous result for Open Gardens as fundraising records smashed and Gardens needed for Open Gardens 2024
07/12/2023
Have your say on GP services
Residents are being asked to give feedback on their GP service experience in a survey being conducted on behalf of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT).
The survey, which was launched on 1 November and runs until 17 December, asks respondents to answer 18 questions. The results will be used anonymously to help CPFT shape the future of local services to meet the needs of residents.
Questions ask for views on topics including receptionists triaging needs, preferences on ways to book appointments and expectations when making urgent and non-urgent GP appointments.
The survey also seeks to determine the next port of call for patients who are unable to make an immediate appointment, whether respondents try again, give up, use NHS 111, use local pharmacy services, attend a minor injuries unit – or use A&E departments.
To have your views on local GP services heard, fill out the survey by 17 December.
07/12/2023
Primary schools win big at district cross country competition
Wimpole Estate. Photo: alasdair massie on VisualHunt.com
Park and Brook Primary schools each came top out of 21 competing schools at the South Cambs School Sport Partnership Big Schools Cross Country competition at Wimpole Estate on 29 November.
The annual event saw over 1,000 participants run the 1-mile track that looped out around the estate. Over the course of eight races Brook Primary School were able to retain the title of Year 5/6 Team Winners by an incredible 150-point margin, while for Park Primary School the Year 3/4 team competition was a much closer call.
Despite it being only the second year that Park Primary School took part, they came out on top of the highest five scorers to receive the winners shield. Brook Primary also came third in the Year 3/4 team competition.
Partnership manager Claire McDonnell said: “There were lots of incredible performances but for me the highlight was listening to the children cheering on their team mates as they went through the start area and again at the finish line in front of the house. Lots of them told us how they felt really happy, proud of themselves and pleased to represent their school.”
07/12/2023
Life is good – but not for everyone, survey reveals
Photo: Mark Seton on VisualHunt.com
Cambridgeshire County Council’s first annual countywide ‘quality of life’ survey has found that although happiness and health scored highly, loneliness in the county is much higher than the national average.
Histon & Impington residents were among the 5,500 residents who took part in the survey, and South Cambridgeshire came out as the district with the most positive scores in eight of ten areas rated in the study. These included happiness, health, Cambridgeshire as a place to raise children, and ‘feeling connected to the local community’ – which was defined as the community within a 15-minute walk of home.
Countywide, over 70% of residents said they feel happy, safe and have a sense of belonging, but the picture, especially among younger residents, wasn’t as rosy across the board.
48% of respondents said they do not trust the County Council and 56% do not think it delivers value for money – though 46% said they did not know what services the Council offers.
Younger people, renters, disabled residents and those from ethnic minorities reported more negative views and experiences. Loneliness was especially an issue for those in the 18-25 bracket, who also reported more struggles with their mental health.
The survey will be repeated yearly so that the impact of changes in council decisions and policies can be measured. It will also show where its financial resources need to be focussed and enable funds to be reallocated if there are changes in residents’ responses.
Given the Council’s budget gap for 2024/25, improving residents’ experiences will be more challenging than was previously expected.
07/12/2023