November 2024

20 Buckden Roundabout November 2024 Village News Calling all retired or semi - retired residents! The Social Time Hub runs on Fridays 10am – 12pm. These Hubs are aimed at retired and semi - retired people where there will be exercise sessions with the chance to catch up over a cup of tea, plus workshops, social activities and festive meals. Come and join in every Friday 10am – 12pm in the Millard Suite. The sessions are funded by Pe- terborough United Foundation and in association with Cam- bridgeshire County Council and EFT Trust. We also have RightStart 1 classes on Wednesday mornings and Rightstart 3 classes on Thursday mornings which are chair - based exercise classes. For more information on any of these sessions please email Jo at admin@buckdenvillagehall.co.uk or call 811101. NHS Blood Donor Session We have the NHS Blood Donor Team back in on 8 th Novem- ber. Blood stocks are apparently critically low in the NHS. Three blood donations are needed every minute to handle emergencies, childbirth and critical treatments and it ’ s great to be able to offer our blood without having to travel very far! New Trustees – we need you! The Trust is now a limited liability charity managed by a board of 12 Trustees. We currently have vacancies for two new Trustees. If you would like learn more about joining the Trust as a Trustee please email admin@buckdenvillagehall.co.uk We are working on a number of interesting projects including improving our car- bon footprint, transitioning to net zero and enhancing our grounds, as well as stepping up our marketing strategy. The Valley Following the torrential rains in September, water levels in the Valley have risen again. This is only due to the rain and run - off from the Hall roof which drains into the Valley. We are in discussions with Cambridgeshire County Council ’ s Flood Control team to determine if there is a blockage in the stream between Morris Close and Weir Close which used to feed the Valley. The weir will also be repaired in due course which will help retain the water levels. Grant Applications We are delighted to confirm that the Trust has been suc- cessful in applying for the Green Business Improvement grant. The £15,000 will fund the energy - saving measures of LED lighting and roof insulation which will help the Hall building to improve its sustainability and energy efficiency. Huntingdonshire District Council is also offering grants to improve biodiversity in local areas. Our application was successful in moving to the second - round review with a sur- vey completed on site in July. We are awaiting the results of that survey so that we can apply for specific project funding. How all of you can help Buckden Village Hall to help main- tain the Hall and Valley Legacies and Donations It costs over £6,000 per month just to keep the Hall open (salaries, utility costs, insurance, business rates, repairs, maintenance). We are completely self - funding and there- fore rely on our loyal hirers and donations from the Parish Council as well as regularly applying for charity grant fund- ing. One little - known way of supporting the Village Hall Trust is leaving a legacy or donation, as the Trust is a registered charity. In the past four years, we have received very gener- ous donations and legacies. The Trustees earmark specific projects for these funds and do not use it for regular oper- ating expenses so that we honour the legacy. If you are interested in more details, please contact the office. Buying online to help maintain the Hall and Valley Everyone can help to raise money for the Trust while simply shopping online and it doesn ’ t cost a penny! 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 challenging time. Contact: 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