August 2020

17 Buckden Roundabout August 2020 Village News August 2020 WE ’ RE BACK!!!!! Cambridgeshire Libraries partially re - opened hub libraries, St Neots and Huntingdon included, at the beginning of July. If all goes to plan community libraries, including Buckden, will re - open on two days a week from the week beginning 3 rd August. The temporary opening hours will be advertised on Buckden library windows. Initially the service we are able to provide will be limited. Full details are available on Cambridgeshire County Council ’ s website but, in outline, you will be able to: • Request books from the library catalogue using the normal on line reservations service or via Customer Services on 0345 045 5225 • Request a selection of titles based on genre or author, using the form available on line or by calling the num- ber above – this is ideal for those who are not com- fortable or able to browse the on line catalogue and for those wanting a pack of picture books for children • Return items to Buckden library • Book an appointment to use the library computers. Note that this is currently restricted to one 45 minute appointment per day per customer • Make use of the library printing facilities. Note that we can only accept exact cash to pay for this The library will operate a queuing system for readers to col- lect their reserved books which will already have been checked out to you. We cannot currently allow browsing or assist with computer use, and all events and clubs remain suspended. We are also not able to accept book donations at this time. As you might imagine, our processes have had to change a lot to keep everyone safe, so please bear with us while we get to grips with this. But, as always, we will help wherever we can so please ask if you are having difficulty with something. The revised Library @ Home service is still available for those unable to get to a branch, and all our on line services are up and running for you to use too. Summer Reading Challenge! Don ’ t forget that this year the annual Summer Reading Chal- lenge will take place on line – with the help of the Silly Squad. Children and their parents can go to www.sillysquad.org.uk to sign up, meet the Silly Squad characters, and find out how to unlock badges and complete the challenge. We look forward to seeing you again very soon! Village Hall, Burberry Road, Buckden Tel: 0345 045 5225 www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/library By the time you read this, this most strange of academic years will be over. The children who have returned to Preschool as lockdown eases have adapted quickly to a new room layout and routine, which includes a temperature check on arrival and washing their hands thoroughly and regularly (while sing- ing a song to ensure they ’ re staying at the sink long enough!). They have also been collaging rainbows and butterflies in sup- port of the NHS and learning about staying safe. There has been plenty of outside play (our large covered balcony really comes into its own in warm but wet weather!) and the chil- dren have enjoyed using wooden bricks to build castles and houses, and to measure and compare their heights. Throughout this challenging time, both staff and committee have pulled together. The staff are grateful for the strong sup- port they have received from the committee and the com- mittee thank all the staff for their dedication, professionalism and maintaining of morale under difficult circumstances. They particularly want to thank Nicola for taking on the Manager role so successfully at such a difficult time. Many of the pre - schoolers have not returned as yet, and of course this includes those leaving Preschool to move up to big school. While goodbyes and ‘ graduation ’ will be a little differ- ent this year, a socially distanced picnic is being held on Mon- day 13 th July to mark the end of this chapter in our leavers ’ lives. Whether they are able to attend or not, we wish all our leavers and their families the very best of luck for the future. We will miss them all! As the school year comes to an end, our thanks also go to Nisa, who supply our healthy snacks and hold a collection box for us (total to be announced next month); Jo and Des at the village hall, who are always so helpful; and Pauline Coker for her wonderful dance classes, which both staff and children have sorely missed during lockdown. We wish everyone a great summer. Stay safe! Committee enquiries: contact Jo Chillmaid (Chairperson) at buckdenpreschoolchairperson@gmail.com o r on 07393650084. To enrol your child or arrange a visit, contact the Acting Man- ager, Nicola Henge, at the Preschool on 01480 810600 . For more information, visit www.buckdenpreschool.co.uk o r see our Facebook updates at https://www.facebook.com/ www.buckdenpreschool.co.uk/.