December 2014

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Seasonal Greetings
The Buckden Parish Councillors and staff would like to send our best wishes to all residents of Buckden, Didding-
ton and Stirtloe for a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2015.
By the time you read this edition of Roundabout, the Christmas lights will be glowing in the High St and at Hunts
End. The Parish Council would like to thank Buckden4Business for all their efforts in organising the activities that
accompany the ‘Switching on of the lights ‘celebrations.
Use your library!
Cambridgeshire County Council is again being forced to look at ways of saving money and their current discus-
sions are around street lighting, gritting and libraries. Whilst we are awaiting details of their deliberations, the Par-
ish Council is working on preparing a response. Many residents will know that our library has been threatened
before and we have worked hard to keep it. The best way to ensure that Buckden maintains its library is for resi-
dents to use it as much as possible. So why not pop in and see the range of services that our library can pro-
vide?
If you do visit the library, you will know that volunteers are important to its smooth working. If you would like to
work in the library as a volunteer, please leave your details with Ann in the library.
Pavements
Members of the Parish Council recently carried out a survey of the condition of pavements and paths within the
village. Many paths are in a poor condition and will need remedial work quite soon. We will obviously prioritise the
worst cases and press the County Council to make repairs as soon as possible. A contributory factor to their
poor condition is the driving and parking of vehicles on pavements. We would respectfully remind you that
driving on the pavement is illegal and that parking on pavements causes severe problems for legitimate pavement
users particularly our most vulnerable residents in buggies and wheel-chairs, for whom a detour onto the road
could be extremely hazardous.
Street Lighting Faults
The new telephone number for reporting problems with street lighting is 0800 7838 247. Calls are free of charge.
St Neots Museum
The Parish Council makes an annual grant to St Neots Museum and, as a consequence, residents are allowed in
free of charge. The World War 1 commemorations have brought a renewed interest in our history and you will
find some fascinating displays at the museum. So why not plan a trip, but please remember to take proof of resi-
dency.
Joint purchasing of energy
The recently published Village Plan discusses the idea of joint purchase of energy. If you would like to join others
in such a scheme, please contact the Clerk at the address below and we will put you all in touch with each other.
Any questions or comments on this report can be addressed to the Parish Clerk John Chase, Clerk to Buckden
Parish Council, Buckden Village Hall, Burberry Road, Buckden PE19 5UY, Telephone (01480) 819407, Email
Do not forget our website at
The monthly meeting of the Parish Council, including a 15 minute Public Forum will be held on Tuesday
9th December 2014 starting at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. Members of the public are welcome to attend and
raise any Buckden related issues.
If required, the Parish Council’s Planning Committee will meet on Tuesday 9th and Tuesday 23rd Decem-
ber starting 7pm. Agendas for the meetings are posted on the Parish Council notice boards not later than the
Saturday preceding the meeting