January 2023

16 Buckden Roundabout January 2023 Village News Happy New Year to you all! Bookings Update This month, alongside all our lovely regular hirers, we are delighted to have several corporate bookings, a Cat Show (21 st ) and two kids parties. Christmas Opening Times The Hall will be closed from Christmas Eve to 3 rd January 2023. There is a 24 - hour answerphone so any messages left, or emails sent, during this time will be picked up on 3 rd . Pavilion kitchen refurbishment Some of you may have noticed in December the refurbish- ment of the pavilion and installation of a new kitchen, thanks to the Football Association (FA) in cooperation with Howdens Kitchens. The FA is keen to invest in local grass roots clubs and create viable income streams to support these clubs. In the autumn, the FA launched a pilot pro- gramme to build refreshment areas that could serve on match days and other events. We were fortunate that the FA selected Buckden as its first pilot – this was entirely down to Michael Lander as chair of the Buckden Junior Football Club who has established a flourishing and growing franchise over the past five years. Well done Michael! The kitchen is being supplied and installed completely free of charge by Howdens Kitchens which is a great stride for- ward in keeping our buildings modern and up to date. This pilot project will also allow us to bid for additional funding from the FA for pitch maintenance and other related pro- jects. Our grateful thanks to the FA for choosing to invest in Buck- den ’ s football franchise and to Howdens for their excellent work. Please do stop by on match day and have a look! Vandalism We are still experiencing mindless vandalism and anti - social behaviour in the Valley and around the Hall itself. Please respect the Valley ’ s wildlife and refrain from throwing things in the lake and breaking the benches so that others can enjoy this open space. If anyone witnesses vandalism taking place, please report it directly to 101 or online at www.cambs.police.uk. Please report any damage to the Hall Manager on ad- min@buckdenvillagehall.co.uk Pedestrian safety With the weather continuing to get colder, please can eve- ryone take care when walking around the Hall building and the Valley. Jo Harvey, Hall Manager Email: admin@buckdenvillagehall.co.uk Tel: 01480 811101 Please call or email to arrange any face - to - face appoint- ments Office hours: 9am – 2pm Burberry Road, Buckden, Cambridgeshire, PE19 5UY Tel: 01480 811101 www. buckdenvillagehall.co.uk email: admin@buckdenvillagehall.co.uk Our Year 6 children held a Bake Sale after school one after- noon, lots of yummy cakes were sold and funds raised will help equip and further develop our sensory resources, we are hoping to raise enough money to purchase a hammock swing for our Peace Pod and items to enhance our classrooms. One day during the term we had a very active day, as the whole school participated with Skip2Bfit, whereby children played lots of fun games while learning how to skip and then had a chance to buy a skipping rope to carry on their good work at home. We would like to thank Berry World for nomi- nating us as a school to receive the free workshop and for do- nating a large number of skipping ropes to be used for PE les- sons. We welcomed prospective Reception parents into school for an informal information evening in November, it was so nice to welcome new parents in who were able to have an informal chat with our staff and have a look around the school. The evening was very well attended and we look forward to seeing all the new children and parents in September. As a reminder the 15 th January 2023 is the final date for applica- tions for admission to primary school in September 2023. To apply for a place you need to go to https:// www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/schooladmissions The staff, pupils and members of the school family would like to take the opportunity to wish the residents of Buckden a very Happy Christmas and a safe New Year. The school re - opens for the Spring Term on Tuesday 3 rd Janu- ary 2023 . (Continued from page 15)