July 2023

16 Buckden Roundabout July 2023 Village News Bookings This month we have several corporate bookings and four private functions as well as all our regular hirers. We have unfortunately had to say goodbye to the Zumba class and also the Play and Stay sessions. We now have some availability in the main Hall on a Friday morning for a new exercise class. Broken Glass There was a lot of broken glass on the basketball court and on the bench by the pavilion recently. This was cleaned up as soon as it was reported so if anyone sees any broken glass around the Hall or on the field please let us know so we can remove it. We don ’ t want any paws or knees to be injured. Buckfest Buckfest, which is organised by the Buckfest Committee with Buckden Village Club, takes place on the playing field on Saturday 22 nd July. Please note they will start to fence off the playing field a day or so before the event. The Hall will be closed on the Friday 21 st , Saturday 22 nd and Sunday 23 rd July. The Valley A few people have commented on the algae bloom in the Valley which has worsened since the spring. The algae bloom is the result of the ecosystem of the shallow water which allows sunlight to penetrate to the bottom. The wa- ter warms quickly and the sun aggravates the growth of the algae. A steady current of water helps alleviate the condi- tion, but as the stream feeding the Valley has dried up, the water is stagnant which encourages the bloom. As we re- cently added fish to the water, we are concerned that the algae will compete for oxygen. We have purchased a treatment that we will be applying, but the process will not result in an immediate improve- ment, so please have patience. The Valley really needs an aerator, but we need, as always, to raise funding for that. On the positive, the recently planted hedges on the zig zag path are flourishing. Greenwillows Associates, our contrac- tors, visited last month to water the hedge and replace a few plants which had died. They will return a few more times over the summer to ensure the hedge thrives. Vandalism Just a reminder, if anyone witnesses vandalism taking place around the Valley, Hall building or playing field, please re- port 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 Fundraising to support the Village Hall The Village Hall is a completely self - funding charity. We are totally reliant on our room hire and fundraising to support our operations. Every little amount helps us to keep the doors open and finance the constant improvements and maintenance required to keep the Hall and the grounds safe and pleasant to use. If you would like to help, without donating anything at all, please think of BVHT as your charity of choice while doing your online shopping … How all of you can help Buckden Village Hall when buying online 1. Go to www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/ buckdenvillagehall 2. Sign up for free 3. Get shopping! It doesn ’ t cost you anything more the online shops make the donations and are collected by easy- fundraising and automatically sent to us! There are no catches or hidden charges, and Buckden Vil- lage Hall Trust will be extremely grateful for your donations, especially at this difficult time. If you shop using Amazon. You can shop and donate to the Village Hall by using www.smile.amazon.co.uk just follow the instructions and then amazon will make a small donation to the trust for everything you buy. Shopping using the smile URL is just the same as using the normal amazon website. Don ’ t forget to select Buckden Recreation Ground and Village Hall Trust as your nominated charity. Jo Harvey, Hall Manager Email: admin@buckdenvillagehall.co.uk Tel: 01480 811101 Please call or email to arrange any appointments Office hours: 9am – 2pm Burberry Road, Buckden, Cambridgeshire, PE19 5UY Tel: 01480 811101 www. buckdenvillagehall.co.uk email: admin@buckdenvillagehall.co.uk Buckden Friends After a very successful trip to the Isle of Wight we are now filling up a coach to go to Warner's Gunton Hall near Lowestoft. October 30th to November 3rd. We have 2 twin rooms left. Cost approx. £300 according to numbers. Contact me if interested Pat King patking@writeme.com 01480811020 07981 727603