Issue 170 • Friday 31 December 2021 Emailed to over 1,600 local homes
Happy New Year, Queen Edith’s!
The volunteers here at Queen Edith’s News would like to wish you all a happy new year. Do stay safe, continue to look after each other, and support your neighbours and community in the best part of Cambridge!
Shape up in January from home
Cambridge City Council’s Active Lifestyles Team is running a month-long programme of free classes, workshops, talks and events focusing on physical activity, mental wellbeing and healthy eating. Whatever your age or activity level, they tell us you’ll be able to find something to try! Sessions will be hosted on a variety of different virtual platforms including Zoom, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and more. The Healthy You Virtual Festival lasts from 1st to the 31st January 2022. Pre-register here to be sent the programme information including all the relevant booking information for individual sessions.
Wear a face covering in most indoor public places and on public transport
Work from home, if you can
Let fresh air in if you meet indoors. Meeting outdoors is safer
Get tested and self-isolate if required
Recent changes
If you’ve tested positive or have symptoms, you can stop self-isolating after 7 days instead of 10 days if you get 2 negative lateral flow test results on day 6 and 7.
Links and data
Cambridge’s positive COVID-19 test result rate has risen again to 1321 per 100,000 people, as has England as a whole (soaring to 1258). The latest Queen Edith’s figure remains around the city average, at 1325.
There are now some walk-in (no appointment needed) opportunities for booster vaccinations, as well as for first and second vaccinations. Sites include Royal Papworth Hospital here in Queen Edith’s. More details at ‘The Vaccinators’ website here.
Bin collections later for the next four weeks
Green bin collections were suspended from Monday 13 December because of the number of drivers and loaders absent, but they are currently planned to resume on Wednesday 12 January 2022. As is always the case during the festive period, there are alterations to bin collection days now in operation, and this year it will take until Friday 21 January to catch up and get back to normal. Collections will be two or even three working days later until that time. There’s a full list here.
Queen Edith’s News in 2022
This Friday-night email newsletter will continue in 2022. If you have any classes, performances, talks or any other local events which you’d like to publicise, please let us know. Mentions in the email are completely free, and the information will reach over 1,600 local homes. All you have to do is to send the details to us at hello@queen-ediths.info
Queen Edith’s magazine in 2022
Our local magazine will be publishing three editions in 2022, in April, August and December. The non-profit magazine is written by local residents and delivered to over 5,500 homes by a team of over 120 wonderful volunteers. If you’d like to help out in any way (such as writing or administration), just let us know through the email above. If you’re a local business interested in advertising, there are full details here. It really works!
This Week at The Light Cinema
★ Open every day Our multi-screen cinema’s lineup of films this week include A Boy Called Christmas; Clifford the Big Red Dog; Dune; Encanto; Ghostbusters Afterlife; House of Gucci; Spider-Man: No Way Home; Spirit Untamed; The Electrical Life of Louis Wain; The King’s Man; The Matrix: Resurrections; and West Side Story.
This week Cambridge Junction is mainly quiet, but its Christmas Show The Snow Queen is available to watch online. On Thursday (6 January) performances begin again with Carl Barât, best known for being the co-frontman of The Libertines and the frontman and lead guitarist of Dirty Pretty Things.
One.network is the website which shows current and forthcoming road works. You can see the map here.
How to contact our local councillors
The Queen Edith’s Community Forum guide to our local councillors will ensure you contact the right one depending on your problem and the street where you live. Find it here.
Queen Edith’s city councillor Sam Davies writes a weekly email discussing what she’s been doing and what issues have come up in the area. You can add yourself to the circulation of Sam’s free email here. If our other councillors produce anything similar we will also highlight it here.
Queen Edith’s News is produced by the Queen Edith’s magazine team, part of the Queen Edith’s Community Forum, chaired by Sam Davies. Contact Sam by email at hello@queen-ediths.info
Email us at hello@queen-ediths.info if you have any news you’d like to see included, or any updates to the information above.
Issue 169 • Friday 24 December 2021 Emailed to over 1,600 local homes
Happy Christmas!
On behalf of everyone who volunteers their time and support for the Queen Edith’s Community Forum’s activities, our best wishes for a happy Christmas. We asked for suggestions for the best Christmas lights in the area, and not surprisingly, the most-nominated display was the wonderful display at the Cherry Hinton Hall Lodge (above) …but thanks to everyone in the area who’s lit up their streets and lifted everyone’s spirits!
Kidsmas Lights at Wulfstan Way Shops
Cambridge City Council is joining in the light shows by supporting two creative projects to brighten up the city: Winter Brights and Window Wanderland. Winter Brights sees two LED-light displays designed by schoolchildren from Queen Emma and Queen Edith primary schools installed at Kays Chemist and The Coffee House on Wulfstan Way. You can see some photos here.
Wear a face covering in most indoor public places and on public transport
Work from home, if you can
Let fresh air in if you meet indoors. Meeting outdoors is safer
Get tested and self-isolate if required
Recent changes
If you’ve tested positive or have symptoms, you can stop self-isolating after 7 days instead of 10 days if you get 2 negative lateral flow test results on day 6 and 7.
Children aged 12 to 15 can now get their second vaccine dose if it’s been more than 12 weeks since their first vaccine dose.
Links and data
Cambridge’s positive COVID-19 test result rate has continued to rise dramatically again to 1287 per 100,000 people, as has England as a whole (soaring to 915). The latest Queen Edith’s figure has also risen and is around the city average, at 1260.
‘The Vaccinators on tour’ (Walk-in clinics in Cambridge). Boosters are not being offered on a walk-in basis, but booking is easy.
Lateral Flow Tests can also be picked up at some pharmacies. There’s a list of local ones here but we know many have little or no stock, so please be forgiving – our pharmacies are working so hard for us at the moment.
Cambridge-based data analyst Phil Rodgers has charted the estimated numbers of COVID-19 cases by variant in Cambridge, showing how the ‘Omicron variant’ has dramatically taken over in the last fortnight. Across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough as a whole, last week saw 72,000 vaccinations, the highest ever weekly total, including 16,500 vaccination in just one day. Over 387,000 boosters have been given in the county, which is 70.5% of those currently eligible. Impressively, since the booster push began, over 1,700 people have taken up the offer to have their first dose and over 3,100 have had their second dose.
The ZOE COVID Study team says: “Although the official list only includes three official COVID symptoms (fever, cough, and loss of smell), we know that COVID can cause a huge variety of other symptoms, including a runny nose, sneezing, headache, and sore throat. This is the case for both the Delta and the now-dominant Omicron variants. Some people do not experience any of the classic COVID symptoms and wrongly assume they have a cold when they are actually infected with COVID-19. Knowing the real symptoms of COVID can help you identify when you might be infected so you can avoid spreading it to other people.”
Christmas church services
St James Church on Wulfstan Way has Midnight Mass tonight at 11pm. The Christmas Day service is at 10am.
St John The Evangelist Church on Hills Road has Midnight Mass at 11.30pm. On Christmas Day, Holy Communion is at 8am (spoken) and at 10am (sung, with Nativity play – please book your place here).
Queen Edith Chapel on Wulfstan Way has its Christmas Day service at 10.30am.
Supermarkets
The Marque Co-op is closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day this week, otherwise every day 7am to 10pm as usual. Tesco Express at Cambridge Leisure is closed on Christmas Day but open 9am to 7pm on Boxing Day, otherwise 6am to 11pm. Sainsbury’s Local at Cambridge Leisure is closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, otherwise 7am to 11pm. Perne Road Co-op is closed on Christmas Day but open 10am to 4pm on Boxing Day, otherwise 7am to 10pm. Don’t forget our local independent stores such as those on Wulfstan Way and Cherry Hinton Road.
Bin collections later for the next four weeks
Green bin collections were suspended from Monday 13 December because of the number of drivers and loaders absent, but they are currently planned to resume on Wednesday 12 January 2022. As is always the case during the festive period, there will be alterations to bin collection days from Monday 27 December, but it will take until Friday 21 January to catch up and get back to normal. Collections will be two or even three working days later until that time. There’s a full list here.
A reminder that the Parents, Staff and Friends Association and families at Queen Edith school have created window displays for a winter trail to keep the children busy over the Christmas period. It takes in 21 windows from Scholars Court to Ninewells, and from Cherry Hinton Road down to Worts’ Causeway. There’s a letter with each window display, and together they spell out a festive message – all you have to do is collect them! You can see the map here.
Residents thank local police
RedCross Neighbourhood Watch and Residents Association, with its new Children’s Committee represented by Hope and Penelope, has given a Commendation Award to Cambridgeshire Police for helping create safer streets in their community, one of the busiest thoroughfares in suburban Cambridge. Superintendent Adam Gallop and Chief Inspector Paul Rogerson said: “This means so much to the our team who work so hard, aided by the superb work you are doing to support us.”
Two new wards at Addenbrooke’s
Two newly built wards with a total of 32 beds have opened at Addenbrooke’s. Wards P2 and Q2 are two of five new wards to be built as part of a plan to add 116 beds in total to the Addenbrooke’s site. The first patients to be looked after in the wards are all medically fit for discharge but need some form of community support in place before leaving hospital, which means more beds in the main hospital for people who need more complex and urgent treatment. The wards are located opposite the Rosie Hospital. There’s more here.
This Week at The Light Cinema
★ Open every day except Christmas Day Our multi-screen cinema’s lineup of films this week include A Boy Called Christmas; Clifford the Big Red Dog; Dune; Encanto; Ghostbusters Afterlife; House of Gucci; It’s a Wonderful Life; No Time To Die; Spider-Man: No Way Home; The Electrical Life of Louis Wain; The King’s Man; The Matrix: Resurrections; and West Side Story.
One.network is the website which shows current and forthcoming road works. You can see the map here.
How to contact our local councillors
The Queen Edith’s Community Forum guide to our local councillors will ensure you contact the right one depending on your problem and the street where you live. Find it here.
Queen Edith’s city councillor Sam Davies writes a weekly email discussing what she’s been doing and what issues have come up in the area. You can add yourself to the circulation of Sam’s free email here. If our other councillors produce anything similar we will also highlight it here.
Queen Edith’s News is produced by the Queen Edith’s magazine team, part of the Queen Edith’s Community Forum, chaired by Sam Davies. Contact Sam by email at hello@queen-ediths.info
Email us at hello@queen-ediths.info if you have any news you’d like to see included, or any updates to the information above.
Issue 168 • Friday 17 December 2021 Emailed to over 1,600 local homes
A free and very informal festive meet-up
The Queen Edith’s Community Forum and other local volunteers are hosting a free and very informal outdoor neighbourhood get-together this Sunday afternoon (19 December), from 2.30pm to 4.30 pm. It’s being held at the community garden at Nightingale Recreation Ground, for practical reasons. Everyone of all ages is welcome! Some of the activities we’d hoped for are no longer possible, so it will be even more informal and a bit more DIY. Perhaps if you have a juggling talent, or can gain one by Sunday, you could give it a try? Perhaps we will have a prize for whoever makes the most progress? If you will stay until dusk, why not bring a lantern or torch along with you? The volunteers have decorated the garden for the festive season, and the forecast for Sunday seems good. Just come on down!Check the garden website beforehand.
Winter Trail – spell out the message
The Parents, Staff and Friends Association and families at Queen Edith school have created window displays for a winter trail to keep the children busy over the Christmas period. It takes in 21 windows from Scholars Court to Ninewells, and from Cherry Hinton Road down to Worts’ Causeway. There’s a letter with each window display, and together they spell out a festive message – all you have to do is collect them! You can see the map here.
Christmas Lights of the week
Last week we asked for suggestions of the best Christmas Lights in the area, and there were lots of votes for this wonderful display in Glebe Road. It’s well worth the detour to see, and thanks so much to the owners for brightening up the neighbourhood. Our most-nominated display will be in next week’s edition of this newsletter.
Wear a face covering in most indoor public places and on public transport
Work from home, if you can
Let fresh air in if you meet indoors. Meeting outdoors is safer
Get tested and self-isolate if required
Recent changes
People aged 18 or over can pre-book a booster dose appointment 2 months after their second vaccine dose. You can get your booster dose 3 months after your second vaccine dose.
You need to show your NHS COVID Pass at nightclubs, some venues and large events to show you’re fully vaccinated, have had a negative test result in the last 48 hours, or you have an exemption.
Cambridge’s positive COVID-19 test result rate has continued to rise dramatically again to 852 per 100,000 people, well above England as a whole (rising to 540). Yesterday saw another record number of Cambridge cases. The latest Queen Edith’s figure has soared again this week and is well ahead of both figures figure at 901. Fortunately, hospitalisations remain fairly static.
‘The Vaccinators on tour’ (Walk-in clinics in Cambridge). As of this morning, boosters were not being offered on a walk-in basis, but do check back.
Lateral Flow Tests can also be picked up at some pharmacies. There’s a list of local ones here but we know many have little or no stock, so please be forgiving – our pharmacies are working so hard for us at the moment.
A few people have asked why Cambridge’s vaccination rate is apparently so low. This was discussed back in May by local data blogger Phil Rodgers here. Phil wrote this week: “These numbers are based on wildly inaccurate Cambridge population figures – I’d estimate that the true vaccination rate is closer to 85% first dose, 78% second, 30% third.”
Nightingale Pavilion hasn’t been forgotten
Ian Ross from the City Council reports that they are now finalising the delivery programme for the new Nightingale Recreation Ground pavilion. Ian says: “Works on the levels needed to the connections into the foul sewer mains to ensure the right fall levels are maintained, means that the finished pavilion level will be higher than we anticipated, but not as high off the ground compared to the old the pavilion front foundation. We have also designed out the gas boiler and the pavilion will run off mains electric, solar PV and battery storage, along with having a green sedum roof. There are delays on building materials at present; we expect that to improve in the new year, although it may affect the project delivery timeline.” The team still expects to complete the project during Spring 2022.
Approval for Cancer Research Hospital
The Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital project has now had the first stage of its business case approved. The new seven storey, 26,000m2 space will be situated between Addenbrooke’s and the AstraZeneca building on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, with construction set to begin in 2023. There’s more in the latest newsletter here.
Cambridge Children’s Hospital talk now online
The recent talk by Professor David Rowitch discussing Cambridge Children’s Hospital was unexpectedly brought forward from the date we announced, so some of you may have missed it. Fortunately, the hour-long video, which talks about community input to the project, is now available to watch here.
Restricted services from City Council
The City Council has COVID absences within its Customer Service Centre management team, so it reverting to the delivery model used under lockdown from this Monday (20 December) to maintain a core service for the public. Telephone and email contact will continue as normal, with staff taking calls from home. Urgent and emergency appointments will be scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays only. Christmas hours can be seen here.
Wellbeing Walk next Thursday
Nightingale Recreation Ground wellbeing walk leader David tells us: “We will be braving the falling temperatures and risk of a wind chill factor to exercise our legs, hearts and minds at the last wellbeing walk of the year next Thursday (23 December). We connect in the community garden, before a gentle stroll through the park, and thanks to Rebecca’s generosity of festive spirit, will conclude in the polytunnel for something warming.” Come and join in our friendly, inclusive and slower-paced walk. Book your free place here.
If you’re a user of Voi’s electric scooters, look out for any ‘golden wrapped’ ones this month. Voi will donate the unlock fee for all rides completed on these Christmassy e-scooters to Cycling Projects’ Wheels for All centres, which provide cycling tracks and bikes for children and adults with disabilities and differing needs.
Last chance to see
Hills Avenue resident William has let us know that his ‘Mantelpiece Friends’ installation in the Community Room at Rock Road Library is in its final week. Do drop by and take a look! The library is open 9am to 1pm Monday, 9am to 5pm Tuesday and Thursday, 3pm to 6pm Friday, and 10am to 2pm Saturday.
Lunchtime food with no delivery charge
Those working from home unexpectedly and wanting to make up for missing a Christmas lunch can now take advantage of free lunchtime delivery on weekdays from Foodstuff. The company offers delivery riders who receive a living wage, with zero emission deliveries, and food from the likes of Taj Tandoori, Aromi, Bread & Meat, Steak & Honour, The Sea Tree and many other independent Cambridge favourites. See what’s available here.
Order now for New Year as well as Christmas
Cambridge Wine Merchants on Cherry Hinton Road suggests you get your web orders in by Sunday (19 December), for both Christmas and New Year. Remember, this year, Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 December are bank holidays, which means delivery services won’t be picking up packages until Wednesday 29. So if you place an order for New Year after Christmas, it’s leaving a very small window for it to reach you! The shop has a flash sale on, including fizz, and local delivery is free on orders of £50 or more.
Domestic and Commercial Electricians
The DS Electrical team, this week’s featured Queen Edith’s magazine supporters, have been working as electricians in Cambridge for over 20 years and have built a strong reputation for the highest quality workmanship. They work with both domestic and commercial clients and are able to undertake electrical projects from small jobs to building rewiring projects. More information here.
This Week at The Light Cinema
Our multi-screen cinema’s huge lineup of films this week include A Boy Called Christmas; CBeebies Christmas Show 2021 – The Night before Christmas ; Cinderella; Clifford the Big Red Dog; Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch; Dune; Encanto; Ghostbusters Afterlife; Home Alone; House of Gucci; No Time To Die; Paddington; Peter Duncan’s Cinderella; Spider-Man: No Way Home; The Grinch; The Matrix: Resurrections; The Muppet Christmas Carol; West Side Story; and White Christmas.
This week’s lineup at Cambridge Junction includes The Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club; Be Social (Cambridge’s Independent Christmas Market Fair); The Snow Queen; and The Fiver – December
The Queen Edith’s Community Food Hub is open this Saturday at St James Church on Wulfstan Way, from 10.30am to 12noon. The recently-introduced coffee and chat has had to be suspended, so visitors are asked to queue outside once again, but the team hope to providing tea and coffee to those queuing! The Food Hub will not be open on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day, but returns on 8 January.
Making Connections from the Greater Cambridge Partnership – Have your say on greener travel in Greater Cambridge and give your thoughts on our proposals for transforming public transport, cycling and walking and reducing pollution and congestion (until this Monday 20 December). Full information here.
St James Church on Wulfstan Way has this year’s Carol Service at 7pm this Sunday, 19 December, preceded by Holy Communion at 8am and Parish Eucharist at 10am. On Christmas Eve, there’s a Christingle service from 3pm to 5pm, and Midnight Mass at 11pm. The Christmas Day service is at 10am.
St John The Evangelist Church on Hills Road also has its Christmas Carol Service this Sunday, 19 December, at 6pm (booking is required, via the church website). On Christmas Eve there is an under 5s Nativity service and blessing of the Crib at 3pm, and Midnight Mass at 11.30pm. On Christmas Day, Holy Communion is at 8am (spoken) and at 10am (sung, with Nativity play; booking also via website).
Queen Edith Chapel on Wulfstan Way also has a Carol Service on Sunday 19 December, at 5pm, with carols and readings by candle light, congregational singing with masks on, and mulled wine and mince pies afterwards. The church’s Christmas Day service is at 10.30am.
Traffic disruption
One.network is the website which shows current and forthcoming road works. You can see the map here.
How to contact our local councillors
The Queen Edith’s Community Forum guide to our local councillors will ensure you contact the right one depending on your problem and the street where you live. Find it here.
Queen Edith’s city councillor Sam Davies writes a weekly email discussing what she’s been doing and what issues have come up in the area. You can add yourself to the circulation of Sam’s free email here. If our other councillors produce anything similar we will also highlight it here.
Queen Edith’s News is produced by the Queen Edith’s magazine team, part of the Queen Edith’s Community Forum, chaired by Sam Davies. Contact Sam by email at hello@queen-ediths.info
Email us at hello@queen-ediths.info if you have any news you’d like to see included, or any updates to the information above.
Issue 167 • Friday 10 December 2021 Emailed to over 1,600 local homes
It’s Local Plan response weekend
We hope you’ve read about the Greater Cambridge Local Plan in the new Queen Edith’s magazine. This weekend appears to be the only chance we have left to comment on the initial proposals, so please do. It can take as little as 5 minutes. At least then if things get demolished or built over the next 10 years which you don’t agree with, you can say you tried. We realise that reading the whole plan is going to be too much for most people, so we’ve created some ‘mini guides’ which will allow you to pick up the basics of what’s being proposed, and have your say with a click. Our guides are listed here, but maybe one of these will interest you?
There will be no green bin collections after Monday (13 December) until mid-January. However, if you had one scheduled for this last week and it was not collected, leave the bin out and it will be emptied by Tuesday (14 December). During the suspension, please store garden waste in your green bin or in your garden until collections resume. If necessary, you can take it to the household recycling centres at Milton or Thriplow. For this period only, put food waste in your black bin.More information here.
Food hub coffee and chat suspended
The Queen Edith’s Community Food Hub team tell us that because of concerns over the recent COVID-19 surge, the recently-introduced coffee and chat is having to be suspended. Visitors are asked to queue outside once again, so please keep yourself warm. The ‘holiday event’ tomorrow (11 December) is still taking place, and the team will be providing tea, coffee and cake to those queuing!
Seen some lovely Christmas Lights?
We’d love to feature some of the best Christmas Lights in the area here in Queen Edith’s News, so if you’ve seen some (or have some!) that you think everyone should enjoy, please let us know – and even better if you can add a photo! Email your suggestion to us at hello@queen-ediths.info
NHS volunteering being ramped up again
The NHS has reopened recruitment for approximately 10,000 paid and 40,000 volunteer roles across the country, to join existing vaccine teams. The roles available are all flexible and range from vaccinators (paid and volunteer) and registered healthcare professionals to healthcare support workers, administrators and steward volunteers. Further details on the roles can be found here. All roles provide full training with appropriate supervision.
Latest Coronavirus news
Official government advice has changed again in response to the risks of the COVID-19 ‘Omicron variant’.
Wear a face covering in indoor public places and on public transport
Get tested and self-isolate if required
Work from home, if you can
Get vaccinated
Let fresh airin if you meet indoors. Meeting outdoors is safer
Recent changes
From 15 December you’ll need to show your NHS COVID Pass at nightclubs, some venues and large events to show you’re fully vaccinated, have had a negative test result in the last 48 hours, or that you have an exemption.
If you’re a contact of someone who may have been infected with the Omicron variant, you must self-isolate for 10 days, regardless of your age, vaccination status or any negative test results.
People aged 40 and over can now pre-book a booster vaccine just 2 months after their second dose. Book your booster vaccination appointment online or find a walk-in clinic (see below). The NHS will contact you when you are eligible to book your booster dose.
Links and data
Cambridge’s positive COVID-19 test result rate has continued to rise dramatically again to 640 per 100,000 people, well above England as a whole (rising to 501). The latest Queen Edith’s figure has soared again this week and is well ahead of both figures figure at 826.
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has issues a ‘How To Stay Well This Winter’ guide on its website. It’s basic stuff that we should all be familiar with.
Phone-based talks for older people
COPE, the region’s older people’s organisation, has a new series of its successful weekly telephone-based discussion groups lined up for the new year. To join in, all you need is a telephone. Read more about the new series here.
Live music and movement for pre-schoolers
Shake, Rattle & Roll is a group of mums who love playing music together and run live sessions for pre-schoolers, and they’re coming to Queen Edith Chapel on Wulfstan Way, monthly, in the new year. Find out more here.
Greenlands shows how to co-operate
The Neighbourhood Watch in Greenlands, the road between Red Cross Lane and Ninewells, reports that it has had a major success in co-ordinating a response to the many local issues caused by its location as a route through to the Biomedical Campus. Although there are only 32 homes, there are some 12 different agents managing them, but all have now signed up to a Code of Practice with everyone co-operating to work towards the same goals for the good of all. It’s a great model and a good example of another positive community initiative.
Carol concert at magnificent St John’s Chapel
Maggie’s, the cancer support centre at Addenbrooke’s, has its annual carol concert this Sunday (12 December, 3pm to 5pm) and it’s a rare chance for any of us to experience the surroundings of the city’s most magnificent college chapels, St John’s. Carols will be performed by Serenata, with readings by Maggie’s volunteers and visitors. Tickets are available here.
Catch up with the Climate Panel
If you missed the Climate Panel at St John’s on 3 December, a recording is now available online. There were keynote speeches by Dr Jo Depledge (specialist in climate negotiations), Robin Greenwood (former international director, Christian Aid), and Michael Grubb (Professor of Energy and Climate Change at UCL). Watch it here.
20% discount on trees and shrubs
The City Council’s Cambridge Canopy Project has partnered with Ashridge Nurseries to provide a 20% discount to Cambridge residents for trees and hardy shrubs until the end of February, as an approach to help incentivise and facilitate more tree planting on privately owned land in the city. Just order your trees or shrubs online and quote the discount code to get the saving. More details here.
A new name in Italian cuisine
Il Sorriso is the new name for the restaurant on Hills Road which encompasses the old Gattuso’s and the site of the former Alimentum restaurant. The restaurant’s Facebook page is here and it’s open midday to 10pm, every day except Monday. Deliveries can also be ordered through Just Eat and Deliveroo.
Anyone in Normanhurst?
Delivery of Queen Edith’s magazine is just about complete, and thanks to our army of over 100 volunteers for their fantastic efforts. However, the one place none of our deliverers has been able to access is Normanhurst, on Cherry Hinton Road. If any reader lives there and would be happy to take a bundle and distribute them to the letterboxes, please email Chris Rand at hello@queen-ediths.info
This week’s featured Queen Edith’s magazine supporters are our local chiropody/podiatry specialists – The Beechwood Practice at 41 Hills Road (call 01223 315541) or Celia Kenney (07939 227195) for home appointments. Treatments include corn and callus reduction; nail conditions; ingrowing toenails; fungal infections and athletes foot; hyperhidrosis and verruce/warts.
This Week at The Light Cinema
Our multi-screen cinema’s huge lineup of films this week include A Boy Called Christmas; Boxing Day; Cinderella; Clifford; Die Hard; Don’t Look Up; Dune; Elf; Encanto; Eternals; Ghostbusters: Afterlife; Gremlins; House of Gucci; How The Grinch Stole Christmas; Love Actually; No Time To Die; Peter Duncan’s Cinderella; Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City; ROH: Tosca; Spider-Man: No Way Home; Sword Art Online The Movie; The Boss Baby: Family Business; Tosca; and West Side Story.
This week’s lineup at Cambridge Junction includes Cavetown; Dr Feelgood; Ezio; Maternal Journal Cambridge – Launch; Salon: Consent; Sing-A-Long-A Muppet Christmas Carol (Sold Out); The Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club; and The Snow Queen.
The Queen Edith’s Community Food Hub returns this Saturday at St James Church on Wulfstan Way, from 10.30am to 12noon. It’s a special Christmas-themed morning, with thanks to the many people who have contributed toiletries to add to the food normally on offer. The recently-introduced coffee and chat has had to be suspended, so visitors are asked to queue outside once again, but the team will be providing tea, coffee and cake to those queuing!
Greater Cambridge Local Plan First Proposals from Greater Cambridge Shared Planning – see item at the top of this newsletter (open until Monday 13 December). Full information here.
Making Connections from the Greater Cambridge Partnership – Have your say on greener travel in Greater Cambridge and give your thoughts on our proposals for transforming public transport, cycling and walking and reducing pollution and congestion (until Monday 20 December). Full information here.
St James Church on Wulfstan Way has announced details of its Christmas Services. On Sunday 19 December there’s Holy Communion at 8am, Parish Eucharist at 10am and this year’s Carol Service at 7pm. On Christmas Eve, there’s a Christingle service from 3pm to 5pm, and Midnight Mass at 11pm. The Christmas Day service is at 10am.
St John The Evangelist Church on Hills Road has its Christingle service this Sunday (12 December) at 4pm. Its Christmas Carol Service is on Sunday 19 December at 6pm (booking is required, via the church website). On Christmas Eve there is an under 5s Nativity service and blessing of the Crib at 3pm, and Midnight Mass at 11.30pm. On Christmas Day, Holy Communion is at 8am (spoken) and at 10am (sung, with Nativity play; booking also via website).
Traffic disruption
One.network is the website which shows current and forthcoming road works. You can see the map here.
How to contact our local councillors
The Queen Edith’s Community Forum guide to our local councillors will ensure you contact the right one depending on your problem and the street where you live. Find it here.
Queen Edith’s city councillor Sam Davies writes a weekly email discussing what she’s been doing and what issues have come up in the area. You can add yourself to the circulation of Sam’s free email here. If our other councillors produce anything similar we will also highlight it here.
Queen Edith’s News is produced by the Queen Edith’s magazine team, part of the Queen Edith’s Community Forum, chaired by Sam Davies. Contact Sam by email at hello@queen-ediths.info
Email us at hello@queen-ediths.info if you have any news you’d like to see included, or any updates to the information above.
Issue 166 • Friday 3 December 2021 Emailed to over 1,600 local homes
Local Plan featured in Queen Edith’s magazine
As we mentioned last week, the Greater Cambridge Local Plan is the focus of the new Queen Edith’s magazine, which should be coming through your door in the next few days. It’s really important for everyone to read about this and respond, as the very future of this area depends on what ends up in the plan. The proposals include the twice the amount of house-building in the Cambridge area over the next 20 years as we’ve seen in the last 20, and locally, a large expansion of the Biomedical Campus to surround the Ninewells estate. The main article, What’s the Plan?, can be read online, and it links to guides explaining how to make your views known.
Toiletries needed for the Community Food Hub
The Queen Edith’s Community Food Hub will be holding a Christmas special event on 11 December, and is putting out an appeal for toiletries, which can be dropped off next Friday (10 December) between 2.30pm and 4pm at the front of St James’ Church in Wulfstan Way. The team would particularly like products such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, hand sanitiser, toothpaste, shower gel, razors, feminine hygiene products, deodorant and body lotion. Can you put something aside and bring it down?
Christmas Tree and Lights on Wulfstan Way
There will once again be a Christmas Tree and lights on Wulfstan Way this year, thanks to donations to the Queen Edith’s Community Forum. These will be installed by Cambridge City Council in the next few days. In addition, ‘Winter Brights’ will see two LED-light displays designed by schoolchildren from Queen Emma and Queen Edith primary schools installed in local shops, a ‘Kidsmas’ display that will complement the Christmas tree and other festive displays around Queen Edith’s ward. Kays Chemist and The Coffee House on Wulfstan Way have generously supported the project by hosting lights throughout the period.
Anna Smith is new City Council Leader
Our congratulation to Councillor Anna Smith from our neighbouring ward of Coleridge, who has been appointed as the new leader of Cambridge City Council. Anna takes over from Lewis Herbert, who is stepping down after more than seven years in the role. There’s a full interview with Anna Smith in the Cambridge Independent.
Watch the GCP discuss transport issues locally
The council area committee meeting last Monday included a presentation by the Greater Cambridge Partnership on the much talked-about Making Connections plan for transport in Greater Cambridge. There’s an 8-minute talk, followed by 10 minutes of questions from councillors and the public. The link to the broadcast can be found here – it can be watched in your web browser and no sign-in is required. Scroll to 20 mins into the meeting.
Latest Coronavirus news
Official government advice remains that “Coronavirus remains a serious health risk. You should stay cautious to help protect yourself and others.”
Let fresh air in if you meet indoors. Meeting outdoors is safer
You must wear a face covering in shops and on all public transport
Get tested and self-isolate if required
If you haven’t already, get vaccinated
Recent changes
You must wear a face covering in shops and on public transport. Face coverings should be worn in communal areas of universities, colleges and schools by staff, visitors and pupils or students in year 7 and above.
People aged 40 to 49 can now get a booster vaccine 6 months after their second dose. Book your vaccination appointment online or find a walk-in clinic. The NHS will contact you when you are eligible to book your booster dose.
Links and data
Cambridge’s positive COVID-19 test result rate has continued to rise dramatically again to 532 per 100,000 people, well above England as a whole (rising slightly to 438). The latest Queen Edith’s figure has doubled this week and is ahead of the overall city figure at 576.
Arthur Rank Hospice Charity is asking the local community for its support with its annual Christmas Tree collection scheme in January. Drivers and vans are needed to collect trees; over £54,000 was raised last year! A video illustrating what is involved when you volunteer as a tree collector can be found on the Hospice Charity’s YouTube channel here. There’s more about the whole initiative here.
Find out about Dementia Friends
A free online Dementia Friends session is being held by Care UK and Heathlands House Care Home, next Thursday (9 December) at 2pm. Meet Angela Hodge, Dementia Champion at Care UK, to understand how to live well with dementia and become a dementia friend so you can help support your local community. For more information and joining instructions, please email tanya.jackson-turner@careuk.com.
Create a unique winter wreath
Wandlebury has a Winter Wreath Making event on Sunday (5 December). Create a unique winter wreath with fresh foraged foliage and other natural resources. There are 90 minute workshops for the whole family with warming refreshments to get your creativity flowing. More details here.
Cambridge Folk Festival tickets going on sale
After a two-year break, the UK’s top folk festival is back for 2022 in Cherry Hinton Hall Park. The organisers promise to reveal “a whole boatload of exciting names” at the same time tickets go on sale, next Tuesday (7 December). There’ll be full details here.
Cambridge Children’s Hospital – A Whole New Way
The new Cambridge Children’s Hospital will integrate physical and mental healthcare to benefit children and young people locally and globally. On Tuesday 14 December, there’s a chance to hear all about it from Professor David Rowitch, Head of Department of Paediatrics and Academic Lead for the Hospital. This event is part of the ‘CBC on Virtual Tour’ series. To find out more and get your Zoom or YouTube link, click here.
This is Hope, aged 9, who is chair of the first ever RedCross Areas Residents Association Children’s Committee, which was set up with six other local young people from 5 to 15 years old. One of the members of this new committee, Penelope, started helping out on her doorstep litter picking and dropping crafts to families during lockdown when she was 5! Who knows what they can achieve together?
AGM for patients’ group
The Patients Group at Queen Edith Medical Practice will be holding its Annual General Meeting on Thursday 9 December at 3pm, online. All patients registered at the practice may attend the meeting – please contact the Chair by e-mail at ppg@alanwilliams.org.uk for details.
AmEx £5 savings are back
The American Express Shop Small programme is back. Use an AmEx card to pay at a range of local businesses over the next two weeks and get £5 back when you spend £15 or more. Use the offer up to five times overall. Local participating businesses include DH Thomas, Essentialz, Double Seven, Go Glass, Cambridge Wine Merchants, Cambridge Re-Use, Wulfstan Way General Convenience Store, the Queen Edith Pub, Khangs, New Winfield and The Coffee House. More details here.
Christmas holiday scheme for kids
The Cambridgeshire Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) Programme offers free holiday scheme places or family experiences to primary and secondary school aged children and young people who are eligible for free school meals due to a low income. On 20 and 21 December the programme features a creative workshop, lunch and Christmas Show activity at Cambridge Junction, based around The Snow Queen show. To book, get a unique booking code here and then email cat.moore@nie-theatre.com to secure your place.
Become a governor at Long Road
Long Road Sixth Form College is looking to recruit new board members. If you can use your professional skills and expertise to make a real difference to the lives of young people/students, they would love to hear from you. More here.
10% discount at top local Estate Agency
It’s great to have an estate agency back supporting Queen Edith’s magazine, and in Hockeys, we have one of the very best. Until next April, Hockeys is offering a substantial 10% off its standard selling fees for Queen Edith’s residents, so if you’re selling a property, do turn to them first for their free market appraisal. More information here.
Art classes in the spring
A variety of watercolour workshops and weekly classes are being run by Denise Schoenberg at St John’s Church, Hills Road, and a new season starts in January. There are a variety of themes: painting fresh flowers, colourful old doorways, textured old boats and a day workshop for complete beginners. Learn traditional and experimental watercolour techniques with local watercolour enthusiasts. More information here.
An evening of cello music at St John’s
A reminder that cellist Georgia Morse will be performing Bach, Bloch, Vaughan Williams and Cassadó in a free performance tomorrow evening (4 December) at St John’s Church on Hills Road. All are welcome, and refreshments are included too! Just come along for a 7pm start.
This Week at The Light Cinema
Our multi-screen cinema’s films this week include A Boy Called Christmas; Andre Rieu: Christmas with Andre 2021; Blue Bayou; Boxing Day; CBeebies Christmas Show 2021 – The Night before Christmas; Clifford the Big Red Dog; Dune; Encanto; Eternals; Frozen PG; Ghostbusters Afterlife; House of Gucci; King Richard; No Time To Die; Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City; ROH: The Nutcracker; Ron’s Gone Wrong; Silent Night; Spencer; The Boss Baby: Family Business; The Matrix; and The Nutcracker
This week’s lineup at Cambridge Junction includes Amy Wadge; Björn Again; Jesterlarf Comedy Club: December; Kimberley Rew’s Marvellous Music; New Routes: Cambridge & Walker & Clare Hayes Trio; The Snow Queen; and Uprizing: Roots To Rave
The Queen Edith’s Community Food Hub is not open this Saturday as St James Church prepares for its Christmas Market (see poster above). A big thank you goes out to the Taj restaurant on Cherry Hinton Road, which made a large donation to the Food Hub last week. Congratulations to the Taj for being named in the country’s top 100 restaurants at this week’s British Curry Awards.
Open Consultations
Greater Cambridge Local Plan First Proposals from Greater Cambridge Shared Planning – “Tell us what you think today. Explore the Plan, view the map, answer our quick questionnaire, or comment on the detail – it’s up to you” (open until Monday 13 December). Full information here.
Making Connections from the Greater Cambridge Partnership – Have your say on greener travel in Greater Cambridge and give your thoughts on our proposals for transforming public transport, cycling and walking and reducing pollution and congestion (until Monday 20 December). Full information here.
Cambridgeshire County Council is gathering residents’ views on the future direction of spending as the authority sets its budget for next year, and its key priorities for the years afterward – as well as understanding views on any changes to council tax. This Business Planning Survey is for residents, despite the title (until Friday 10 December). More details here.
St James Church on Wulfstan Way has announced details of its Christmas Services. On Sunday 19 December there’s Holy Communion at 8am, Parish Eucharist at 10am and this year’s Carol Service at 7pm. On Christmas Eve, there’s a Christingle service from 3pm to 5pm, and Midnight Mass at 11pm. The Christmas Day service is at 10am.
Traffic disruption
One.network is the website which shows current and forthcoming road works. You can see the map here.
How to contact our local councillors
The Queen Edith’s Community Forum guide to our local councillors will ensure you contact the right one depending on your problem and the street where you live. Find it here.
Queen Edith’s city councillor Sam Davies writes a weekly email discussing what she’s been doing and what issues have come up in the area. You can add yourself to the circulation of Sam’s free email here. If our other councillors produce anything similar we will also highlight it here.
Queen Edith’s News is produced by the Queen Edith’s magazine team, part of the Queen Edith’s Community Forum, chaired by Sam Davies. Contact Sam by email at hello@queen-ediths.info
Email us at hello@queen-ediths.info if you have any news you’d like to see included, or any updates to the information above.
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Chris Rand
