Soham On-Line - Local News 2010

Soham Town Council's NEW Skatepark and Extended BMX Track will be unveiled on Saturday 17th July 2010 on the The Recreation Ground, Fountain Lane, Soham between 12.00pm – 4.30pm. The opening ceremony will take place at 1.00pm. Come along and watch the skateboarding demonstration or have a go yourself!

Do you need funding to run a community project? Grants between £250 and £5,000 are available for local community groups and charities that have been active in their communities for at least twelve months, with an average annual income over the last three years of no more than £30,000. Funding can be used to contribute to general running costs, purchase small capital items or fund specific activities. This is the last year of the Grassroots Grants scheme and to ensure all the 2010/2011 funding is allocated and spent within the financial year; we are offering grants to cover costs that are anticipated to be spent by 31st December 2010. The fund guidelines can be downloaded at www.cambscf.org.uk/grant-guidelines.html and applications made online at www.cambscf.org.uk/grant-applications.html. Applications are considered on a monthly basis.

There is significant funding available in the Donarbon Community Fund for the provision, maintenance or improvement of a public park or other general public amenity, or the conservation of a specific species or a specific habitat where it naturally occurs – you can apply to the Donarbon Community Fund for up to £20,000 towards your project. The fund guidelines and expression of interest form can be downloaded at www.cambscf.org.uk/donarbon-fund.html. To be considered at the July 2010 panel, expressions of interest should be submitted by 30th June 2010. To be considered at the October 2010 panel, expressions of interest should be submitted by 30th September 2010.

The Soham Masterplan Vision was approved by East Cambridgeshire District Council at its Full Council Meeting on Tuesday 25th May 2010 as the Council's longer term vision for the future of Soham. The Soham Masterplan Vision sets out bold and ambitious plans for the town's future, which will help to complete its transformation from an expanded village into a welcoming and thriving 21st Century Cambridgeshire Market Town. Click the following link to download the Final Version of the Soham Masterplan Vision Document (Adobe Acrobat .pdf file 5Mb)

Viva Arts & Community Group from Soham has been announced as one of 103 UK volunteering groups to win this year's The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, the MBE for volunteer groups. The prestigious National Honour recognises outstanding contributions made to local communities by groups voluntarily devoting their time for the benefit of others. It sets the national benchmark for excellence in volunteering, with the work of those awarded being judged of the highest standard.

Viva Arts & Community Group has received the Award for its extensive arts and community work with people of all ages in and around Cambridgeshire including running Viva Youth Theatre, Viva Theatre Company, The Viva Centre, The Viva Charity Shop, Viva Mini, Viva Integr8, The Viva Fringe Festival Project and many other community projects. Winners of this year's Award were selected from 341 groups nominated by members of the public who have been helped personally or witnessed the benefits of a group's work in their community. Viva will receive a certificate signed by the Queen and an exclusive commemorative crystal, presented by Her Majesty's representative in Cambridgeshire, the Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire Mr Hugh Duberly CBE at a special ceremony.

Speaking of their success, Viva's Artistic and Managing Director Dan Schumann who also founded Viva in 1997 said: "We are thrilled to have received this pretigious honour for the work we do in the local community. This is a wonderful tribute to all of the people who work so hard for Viva and all our members and supporters - Viva is a very special and unique charity and are very proud of our work and reputation. This award is wonderful boost for us all".

The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service Main Award Committee Chair and former broadcast journalist Martyn Lewis CBE said, "Outstanding volunteer groups across the UK all too often go without recognition for the truly amazing work they do, despite the vital part they play in helping bind our communities together. It's a great pleasure to celebrate the efforts of Viva Arts & Community Group with The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service and help raise awareness of all they do for the benefit of others."

More than 850 groups around the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man have now won The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, over the eight years since it was created by Her Majesty to mark the occasion of her Golden Jubilee in 2002. For details of all this year's Award winners and information on how to nominate a group, visit www.direct.gov.uk/thequeensawardforvoluntaryservice, where a nomination form can be downloaded.

Bright Spark Recruitment are offering a brand new service to local businesses and organisations and are keen to help as many people get back into work as possible. They understand that not everyone is able to work full time or even part time as various things can get in the way, such as:-

For local businesses and organisations that are in need of administrative support, yet prefer not to have temporary staff in-house, Bright Spark Recruitment can now offer a 'Virtual Admin Service', where their fully qualified and experienced team can help out with any requirments needed, whether based at the Bright Spark Recruitment Office or on a remote 'home working' basis.

Bright Spark Recruitment hope you agree that this is a fantastic way to get administrative support as well as backlogs cleared in an efficient and cost-effective way. You will also be doing your bit to assist in helping to get the local community working! Examples of the areas they can assist you with are as follows:-

If you would like more information on Bright Spark Recruitment's 'Virtual Admin/Support Service', please don't hesitate to contact either Danielle or Emma using the contact details below:-

The world's most popular Search Engine, Google, have recently completed a Street View of Soham as part of Google Maps, click on the image above and take a virtual tour of the town.

The 57th Soham Carnival & Heavy Horse Show 2010 will take place on the Recreation Ground, Fountain Lane, Soham on Bank Holiday Monday 31st May 2010 from 9.00am until 5.00pm.

The Heavy Horse Show starts at 9.00am until 1.00pm with Prizegiving & Grand Parade of Horse Show Winners from 12.00pm until 1.00pm. The Carnival Parade of Decorated Vehicles will start at Townsend at 1.00pm and enter the Recreation Ground at about 1.45pm for judging.

The main attraction this year is The Tom Longton Sheepdog Display with two performances in the main arena. There will also be the Vintage & Classic Vehicle Show (Including Cars, Motorbikes, Vans, Lorries & Tractors), Live Music & DJ's, Performances by The Glenmoriston Pipe Band and Soham Fenlander Majorette Troupe, Peter Leadbeater Chainsaw Carver, Children’s Entertainment, Fun Fair, Mini Landrovers, Circus Workshops, The Raptor Foundation Static Birds of Prey Display, Licensed Beer Tent, Food Stalls & Refreshments, Stalls from Local Tradesmen, Charities & Organisations, Punch & Judy Show, Bygones Display & Much, Much More

Admission is Priced: Adults £3.50, Concessions £2.50 & Children (16 & Under) 50p.
Proceeds from the Carnival with go to Local Voluntary Groups, Clubs & Organisations based in Soham

Brighten & colour the streets of Soham with a Carnival Parade Float at this years Soham Carnival & Heavy Horse Show 2010. There is no set theme for the parade. Local schools, clubs & businesses in the surrounding area are most welcome to enter. There will be prize money and trophies to be won in a number of categories, such as: Best Club Float, Best School Float, Best Newcomer Float, Best Youth Organisation Float, Best Business Float and Best Float of the Day, all non prize winning entries will receive £25. For more information on how to enter or for help in finding transportation and a trailer please Telephone: 01353 624493 or alternatively E-Mail: carnival@soham.org.uk .

To nominate an unsung hero who you think deserves to be 'Soham Townsperson of the Year 2010' please Telephone 01353 624493 or E-Mail: carnival@soham.org.uk your name, postal address, telephone number and/or e-mail address and the person you would like to nominate and why you think they deserve to win.

Soham Benevolent Association, the organisers of Soham Carnival & Heavy Horse are currently looking for sponsorship for its popular Heavy Horse Show. The event costs around £2,000 to stage, but sponsorship could be as little as £100 to sponsor a class. If your business would like to help, there will be an opportunity to place an advertising banner or company logo on the main show ground as well as having your company listed as an official sponsor on all the showground posters and programmes which are distributed freely to everyone on the day. If your business would be willing to help, please Telephone: 01353 624493 or alternatively E-Mail: carnival@soham.org.uk with your company details and the amount you would like to sponsor.

Entry forms for the Carnival Princess Competion will soon be available in the Newmarket Journal. Entries must be able to attend the Carnival on the day and will lead the Carnival parade.

The United Kingdom Parliament

South East Cambridgeshire

Candidates

Candidate Name	Political Party
Daniel Bell Jonathan Chatfield John Cowan Andy Monk James Paice Simon Sedgwick-Jell Geoffrey Woollard	Christian Peoples Alliance Liberal Democrat Labour UKIP Conservative Green Independent

Polling Stations

Soham North Ward

LF1 LF2 LH1

Polling Station
(Open between 7.00am & 10.00pm)

Soham Town Rangers Football Club
Julius Martin Lane, Soham,
Cambridgeshire, CB7 5DE

Soham South Ward

LG1 LG2 LJ1

Polling Station
(Open between 7.00am & 10.00pm)

The Walter Gidney Pavilion
Recreation Ground, Fountain Lane,
Soham, Cambridgeshire, CB7 5ED

The Cherry Tree Public House
Cherry Tree Car Park, Fordham Road,
Soham, Cambridgeshire, CB7 5AH

The Mission Hall
High Street, Wicken,
Cambridgeshire, CB7 5XR

Soham Town Bowls Club will be holding an Open Day on Saturday 24th April 2010 at the Bowls Green in Fountain Lane. Come along any time between 10.30am and 5.00pm and have a go at bowls. Both men and women and all ages welcome as we play both ladies and mens teams in various local competitions. A fun way to keep fit and enjoy the social game of bowls. There is a pleasant clubhouse with a bar where playing and social members are welcome to enjoy some leisure time in good company. So please do come along and meet some old friends and make some new ones too! All you need is a pair of flat shoes, everything else will be provided and club members will be on hand to give you some top tips. If you want any further information please contact Mrs Helen Fordham on Tel: 01353 721768 or alternatively Mrs Jenny Aspland via E-Mail: jenny.aspland@btinternet.com

Find out more about voting in UK elections, including registering to vote, eligibility and the different ways you can vote, click on the logo above.

Soham Masterplan Vision - Public Consultation

East Cambridgeshire District Council is in the final stages of preparing a Masterplan for the town of Soham. The Soham Masterplan Vision has been developed over the past 18 months including two previous public consultation events on issues and options.

The Masterplan is now in draft form and is subject to a final six-week consultation period to obtain people's views. The consultation period will run from the 17th February 2010 until 31st March 2010. For more information and to view the lastest version please click the following link Soham Masterplan Vision

We need someone with basic admin skills (such as filing, letter writing, typing, photocopying, postage) to help out in our busy, friendly office at the Viva Centre on Churchgate Street in Soham.

Please apply in writing to: Martha Waterhouse (Projects Co-ordinator), The Viva Centre, 7 Churchgate Street, Soham, Cambridgeshire, CB7 5DS or Telephone 01353 722228 for further details. Applications Deadline - Monday 22nd March 2010.

Children’s Centres are places where parents and carers of children under five years old can receive information and advice about support, services and activities. There are two Children’s Centres in Soham, located at The Weatheralls Primary School and St. Andrews CE Primary School. Services and activities will be delivered at the centres in Soham but also in all of the surrounding villages including Fordham, Kennett, Wicken, Isleham, Chippenham and Snailwell. Activities that are currently running are as follows:-

Play Sessions
Speech & Language Drop-ins & Courses
Dads’ Groups
Young Parents’ Groups
Family Fun Days
Other Services & Activities

Visit www.cambridgeshirechildrenscentres.org.uk or call 07827 230891 for further details and information. It is planned to have regular informal get-togethers for parents and carers who would like to be involved in the development of the children’s centres. If you would like to come, please contact Mary Barnes, Children’s Centre Manager on 07827 230891, E-Mail mary.barnes@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or alternatively pop into the centre during opening hours:- Monday to Friday from 1.00pm - 4.00pm.

Want to communicate with your local Neighbourhood Policing Team???
Do you want to know what is happening in your local area???
Would you like to receive regular crime and community information that is local to you???

E-Cops is an E-Mail scheme from Cambridgeshire Constabulary for your community. Cambridgeshire Constabulary is extending its successful E-Cops scheme to cover the Soham area. Your local Neighbourhood Policing Team would like to inform you what is happening in your area. E-Cops gives us an opportunity to do just that and gives you an opportunity to communicate with us.

When you sign up you will receive an E-Mail confirming that you have joined E-Cops. From then on you will be sent regular E-Mails from your local Police Officer. You will be able to respond to these e-mails with information and feedback.

CCTV has been involved in partnership working for some time, but one of the most important partners we need to work with are members of the public. It is generally agreed that the most effective way of tackling crime, anti-social behaviour and terrorism is through a vigilant public who report suspicious activity. Members of the public, who see something wrong within an area covered by CCTV, will be able to contact the CCTV Control Room in Cambridge directly by texting 62288.

All messages will be acknowledged and CCTV Control Room Operators will prioritise the messages received and then carry out follow up action.

A couple of points to remember: always call the Police first to report a crime on 999 when life is in danger, a serious offence is in progress, a suspect is at the scene, there is danger of violence or damage to persons or property or there is a serious road accident.
0845 456 4564 should be used to contact the Police in all other cases, only then text the CCTV Control Room.

The text to CCTV should include the location (Street/Town) and what is going on e.g. 'High Street, Soham, Fight'.
Text messages to 62288 cost 12p on Vodafone and 10p on other mobile networks.

Giving up smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health, and the benefits will start to show very quickly. Smokers who want to kick the habit can now get access to NHS services by contacting their local GP surgery in East Cambridgeshire & Fenland Primary Care Trust, or by calling the new ‘Quit Smoking’ Freephone Number - 0800 1690169. For the first time, all 17 GP surgeries within the local Primary Care Trust area now provide advice and support to any patient who wants to give up smoking through trained smoking cessation counsellors. If you are a smoker why not contact your local surgery to find out more, or call the helpline on 0800 1690169. Alternatively please call: Claire Mead, Healthy Lifestyles Co-ordinator on: 01353 654208. For further information about the Healthy Living East Cambridgeshire (HLEC) initiative please contact Kate Nichols on 01353 616349 or alternatively E-Mail: .

LOCAL NEWS 2010

Soham Masterplan Vision - Public Consultation