September 2021

5 Buckden Roundabout September 2021 From your councillor From Your District Councillor Hello everyone and I do hope you are all enjoying some kind of Staycation or some kind of escape from our very controlled lifestyle! The Valley Regeneration Project is going well, and there is use- ful collaboration between HDC and BPC and BVHT about how to sort out a very major project for our community. Thanks to BPC for their huge and helpful input. Below is a very long list of recent projects and initiatives that will actually be useful to our community. Community and the Environment Have a look at https://view.pagetiger.com/emission - possible/2021 and you will see an imaginative plan on how to use local and regional resources to better effect. Project Gigabit This is a new £5 Billion fund, to promote Broadband Connectiv- ity and Telecoms Connectivity infrastructure to level up and reach premises to provide next generation connectivity. Google it and see if you can get funding. Ofcom Broad Band Checker Check this out. If your current connection is not running at 10 mbits/sec, you may be eligible for a USO, aka Broadband Uni- versal Service Obligation, which may give you a free Ofcom Advice for a Business Pack, Business Starter Pack, and Compen- sation! GBVS UK Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme—another useful scheme that may help small business in Buckden. This is a Grant Contri- bution scheme to pay towards upgrading business Broadband to a higher speed and capable connection. Innovate UK You need to listen up to this, this is a new scheme to provide grant funding for innovations and new loans plus expert sup- port and advice, so get on line. Moving up Small SME Example of how to make a big example. From Anne Marie Trevellyan, Energy Minister: “ At the end of last week I visited Caribe Coffee, north of Morpeth, with my Energy Minister hat on to learn more about the efforts they are taking to improve their sustainability. I think there is sometimes a perception that only large companies are able to make sweeping changes to improve their sustainability, but Caribe shows how much of a difference can be made on a smaller scale. Caribe Coffee is a family run business started by Wilmer and Elle Car- camo in Fairmoor. They are supporters of the Together For Our Planet (TFOP) small business campaign, and have joined the Race to Zero. It was great to hear from them about the steps they have already taken, such as ensuring that all their farmers use environmentally sensitive farming. In the future, they are also aiming to use completely home composta- ble and biodegradable packaging rather than recyclable packaging they currently use. Other steps they have taken include: • Switching to a 100% renewable energy provider. • Offering refill coffee to their local customers with their click and collect shop to reduce packaging. • Adding a tips section to their check out that raises funds that go directly to the farmers and their families. These funds pro- vide equipment to improve farming practices. • Donating to the WWF for every Christmas gift pack bought. • Setting up a bird feeding station at the roastery. You can find out more about the Together for our Planet resources for businesses at https://tinyurl.com/yhfqplo2 .“ Have a lovely Summer and best wishes to you all. Hamish Masson Councillor, Buckden Ward, Huntingdon District Council FRIENDS IN DEED Friends in Deed is a group of volunteers who offer help and support to residents of Buckden. There are times in our lives when we could all do with a little extra support or companion- ship whatever our age or circumstances. Need someone to talk to? - it is not easy to ask for help, but why struggle when there are people happy to listen and to help? When we keep things to ourselves and struggle on, things can feel overwhelming and a little bit of help can make all the difference. Whilst visiting is limited for our volunteers at the moment, we can easily provide a friendly voice and ear over the phone. This is a free service and can be either a one - off chat or regu- lar chats. If you do want someone to talk to, please call our co - ordinator, Angie, on 07810 006598 and she will make the arrangements. Need a lift to an appointment? Our team of volunteer drivers are able to provide transport for vaccination / hospital / den- tal / hair appointments etc when family, friends or public transport is not an option. There are fixed fees for this service. Please email our transport co - ordinator peter.mount@btconnect.com or call 07914 669967 and leave your name, number, address and details of your appointment (date, time, location). Please do give us 48 hours notice if possible; 24 hours notice as an minimum and we shall do our best to meet your needs. We have contacted Ken Billington, our new County Councillor, to invite him to communicate with his constituents by writing a monthly article for the Roundabout, as our District Councillors and previous County Councillors have done, but we have had no response from him.