September 2024

22 Buckden Roundabout September 2024 Village News What a Marvellous Summer Reading Challenge! This year ’ s Reading Challenge (Marvellous Makers) is coming to an end, and what a great year it ’ s been! We ’ ve had a bump- er number of children signing up to take part and lots of en- thusiastic readers sharing their favourite books with us. If your kids have not quite finished their reading and collected all their stickers, there ’ s still a few weeks to get this done, so just call in to see us. Alongside the challenge our twice weekly craft sessions have been very popular too. We have created a rock snake, made decoupage keepsake boxes and beautiful woven decorations, designed our ideal village, and engineered all types of floating craft. The library has been bursting with creativity! So now is a good time for some thank yous – we ’ d like to thank Buckden Parish Council for their very generous financial sup- port; Buckden Preschool for lending their tuff tray to make our indoor lake, and aprons for our messier crafts; all those who donated rocks, wool, floating corks and pots, and so much more; and last, but by no means least, the wonderful team of library volunteers who donate so much of their time to help run these events, and throughout the year. A huge library thank you to everyone. Terrific Tuesdays Our morning Duplo and games for the under 5s continues be- tween 10am and 1pm every Tuesday in our children ’ s library with the usual selection jigsaws, Orchard games, building blocks and soft toys. Meet up with other families in this re- laxed drop in session. Then, in the afternoon, rhymetime is back every Tuesday dur- ing term time at 2.15pm from 10 September . Ideal for babies to 4 year olds – lots of rhymes, songs, short stories and fun. Super Saturdays Our large collection of Lego and Duplo (all ages) is available every Saturday, along with a selection of traditional family board games (over 3s only) between 10am and 12.30pm. There is no need to book and no charge for any of these chil- dren ’ s activities – children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Engage in the afternoon There are still a few places left for our Engage talk on Monday 21 October at 2pm, The Pathfinding Force of Bomber Com- mand during WW2. This is the second part of a two - part talk for adults by James Blackwood, detailing the problems faced by Bomber Command during WWII. Also covering the for- mation of the Path Finding Force and their arrival in Cam- bridgeshire. This talk will be of interest even if you missed part one. Booking essential at Buckden Library, by email StNeots.Referral@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or calling 0345 045 5225. This is another free of charge event, but donations are always welcome. Refreshments will be served afterwards. Over 65s support drop in Jeni from P3 will be here every fourth Tuesday of the month offering free information, advice and support for the over 65s and their families. The next visit is on 24 September from 10am until 12. No appointment 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 W.I. What a great day our members had in August when 19 ladies plus Myrtle, a beautiful black Labrador in training as a “ hearing ” dog, took to the water aboard the Ladybird boat. The Ladybird Boat Trust was set up in 2013, is wheelchair accessible and accommodates up to 20 passengers with a large cabin complete with kitchen and wheelchair accessible toilet facilities. The trained crew are all volunteers and undertake trips from April to October. Trips can be 1 - 5 hours duration and it ’ s possible to get off the boat for a picnic or have food delivered. The weather had been glorious up until the day of our trip but with a light drizzle and a slightly overcast sky we cast off from Hartford Mari- na and began a gentle 2 hour cruise along the Ouse down to Godman- chester and back. Along the way we spotted several herons, ducks, swans with their teenage cygnets and a lot of Canada geese. Near the Mill flats in God- manchester a herd of cows were at the water ’ s edge drinking - one wonders if any ever fall in and, if so, how do they get out! Some mem- bers out on the foredeck had come armed with binoculars and were able to spot a variety of different fauna and flora. During our trip members were served a variety of tasty sandwiches and a selection of small cakes all washed down with a choice of soft drinks ( thank you, Rosey!). On our return journey to Hartford the skies brightened up and the sun came out just in time to say goodbye to John and his crew and to thank them for a really lovely afternoon, one which our members thoroughly enjoyed. Our next meeting will be on September 3rd in the Village hall when members will be talking about their travels. Visitors are always very welcome to attend and for further infor- mation please contact Emma Spencer - 07960018412 or Gill Baker - 079052114336