January 2023

17 Buckden Roundabout January 2023 Library and Knot Garden January 2023 Happy New Year! After our Christmas break, your library looks forward to welcoming you back in 2023. We reopen on Tues- day 3 rd January. If you ’ re looking for a rewarding New Years resolution, how about joining and supporting your local library? We issue li- brary cards to all ages, from babies upwards. They are free and give you access not only to a wide range of books in any of our 33 libraries across the county, but also online reading, free internet access, public use computers, a space to work, social activities … and the joy of being part of your local reading com- munity! Warm Spaces Buckden Library is officially a Warm Space this winter – a safe and accessible place where everyone will find a warm and friendly welcome. If you are finding it difficult to heat your home full time, then come and share our heating. There ’ s com- fy seating, always someone to chat to and of course plenty of reading material! Terrific Tuesdays Our Tuesday morning Duplo and games for the under 5s con- tinues between 10am and 1pm in our children ’ s library with the usual selection jigsaws, Orchard games, building blocks and soft toys. Rhymetime is back for the new term starting on Tuesday 10 January at 2.15pm . We are really looking forward to seeing returning regulars and hopefully some new faces too. Rhyme- time is perfect for pre - school aged children, including babies. Rhyming language and songs really help with speech and early reading development. No need to book for either of these sessions - just drop in to meet up with other families. Children need to be accompanied by an adult. Lego Club Our popular Saturday morning Lego sessions continue, this month on 14 and 28 January . Just turn up if you ’ d like to cre- ate – open to all ages, but children under 11 do need to be accompanied by an adult. Knit Lit Do you enjoy knitting and reading? Our Knit Lit book club con- tinues to meet every other Friday from 7pm until 9pm . The next meetings are on 13 and 27 January . New knitters wel- come – just turn up! Age UK drop ins As you know, Caroline from Age UK has been with us once a month offering free information, advice and support for the over 65s and their families. This service is now being provided by the charity P3, but we ’ re pleased to say it ’ s still the lovely Caroline who will be continuing these drop in sessions on the last Tuesday of each month. The next visit will be Tuesday 31 January 10 - 12. No appoint- ment is needed, just pop in for help and guidance on how to continue to live independently. Opening hours: Tuesday: 10am – 1pm, and 2pm – 5pm Thursday: 2 – 5pm Friday: 4 – 7pm Saturday: 10am – 1pm Village Hall, Burberry Road, Buckden Tel: 0345 045 5225 www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/library Knot Garden News The saffron has grown really well in its sun- ny position in front of the wall by the grow- house. If you have visited the garden but missed the saffron you can still see the leaves. They look like crocus leaves growing at the back of the flowerbed where the pears trees have been planted. Saffron was grown commercially in East Anglia around Saffron Waldon in Essex where the soil is light and rich. Saffron Wal- den was first called “ Walden ” , then “ Chipping Walden ” until around 1500 when the saffron trade was at its peak in re- sponse to the demands for yellow dye from the woollen indus- try. Saffron has been mentioned as having been first planted in Walden in the 1300s and in 1514 the name Saffron Walden was formalised in a charter granted by Henry VIII. By 1700s imported saffron had gradually become cheaper than the home grown English saffron and the industry declined by 1790 saffron growing had virtually disappeared from the area. The saffron crocus ( Crocus sativus) is believed to have origi- nated in the Middle East where it thrived in rainy spring weather, followed by hot, dry summers and brief showers be- fore the autumn flowering. The plants flower best in a sunny position and remain dormant through the summer, starting to bud in October. The flowers blossom at dawn and quickly wilt during the day. The flowering season lasts only one to two weeks. The vivid crimson stigma and styles, called threads, are collected by hand and dried. The dried threads are used mainly as a seasoning and colouring agent in food or for fabric. Saffron can be used to dye wool to give a bright, buttery yel- low. The gardeners have been collecting and drying the threads in the hope that there will be enough to make up a dye pot. 1g of saffron is needed to dye 10g of wool but the small weight of dried saffron won ’ t even register on the kitch- en scales so we ’ ll have to wait another season before experi- menting with saffron as a dye. The gardeners are still busy pruning back the vines and other plants around the walks, preparing the garden for winter. The winter clematis is now in flower, their pale heads lighten- ing the dark green foliage. The summer jasmine is confused by the mild autumn and is showing its flowers whilst the rose hips are providing vivid red and orange colour.