Fulbourn Forum AGM with Film and Talk
Thursday 7 May, in the large meeting room, Fulbourn Centre, 7.30 to 9.30pm
Free. No need to book.
AGM at 7.30pm followed by a short break for refreshments, before the film commencing at 8.15pm. There will be an opportunity for questions afterwards.
This year the talk entitled ‘Monitoring our Rivers’ will be given by David Lomas of the Wilbraham River Protection Society (WRPS). The WRPS has begun sampling the water from the streams in the Fulbourn/Wilbraham catchment area and testing for a range of pollutants. The talk will begin with a 16 minute film ‘Testing the Waters’ which is about the citizen science work being led by David on behalf of WRPS. Initially 21 sites were selected for analysis. The documentary was filmed and directed by Nigel Kinnings who was responsible for Fulbourn Forum’s ‘Fugolburna‘ film.
After the film, David will further explain the local quality results before covering some of the other cam waterbodies in the Lower Cam area. He will also cover the issue of lack of water in the eastern regions and what actions are or are not being taken, particularly in the light of the significant housing and employment expansion being proposed in the Greater Cambridge area. He will conclude with an explanation of the ongoing coordination of water interest groups in the Cam area.
Fulbourn Windmill CIO
Following on from the removal of the sails, cap and fantail back in November, scaffolding has now been erected around the mill in anticipation of the main restoration work commencing in late spring/early summer. Internal scaffolding has still to be installed to help maintain the integrity of the structure during the works. The main works are now out to tender which will be returned later in March.
If you would like to register your interest in the windmill and be kept informed of progress through Fulbourn Windmill CIO newsletters, please email fulbourn.windmill.cio@gmail.com and ask to be included on the contact list. The new website is now live and can be accessed at:www.fulbournwindmill.org.uk
Fulbourn Fen Nature Reserve
Back in November, we reported on the closure of Ansett’s Wood due to safety concerns. After raising the funding, the felling of many dozens of dead or dying trees together with surgery to damaged trees began in early February and is now well advanced. The main problem has been one of ash dieback, but other trees have also been affected.
The project plan has been scrutinised and approved as necessary by all the relevant authorities, including Natural England, the Forestry Commission, and South Cambs District Council. The woodland will remain closed until further notice while the ground is cleared and made suitable for future planting and some permissive access can be restored. This extensive work enables the Wildlife Trust to make the site safe for the long term.
This will be a considerable change to the woodlands and replanting of many new trees later in 2026 will result in a wildlife and people friendly woodland that will be more resilient to the effects of ongoing climate change. The problems found at Ansett’s Wood are not unique. After an extensive recent survey of their woodlands, the Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs and Northants discovered similar issues affecting many sites.
The Wildlife Trust will be welcoming members of the public to come and help with the new planting planned for the autumn/winter 2026. Fulbourn Forum has been asked to help publicise this work. We will let you know the dates and times as soon as we are notified.
Bid for chalk streams UNESCO Heritage Status
Two members of the Fulbourn Forum committee attended the launch on 19 February of the bid by the South Cambridgeshire MP Pippa Heylings to introduce a Ten Minute Rule Bill in Parliament, calling on the government to nominate the UK’s chalk streams for consideration for UNESCO Natural World Heritage Status.
The launch was held at Stone Bridge, Stow-cum-Quy next to Quy Water. This is the stream fed by the springs and water from the Fulbourn and Wilbraham catchment area, passing through Lode Mill at Anglesey Abbey on its way to the Cam.
Craig Bennett, CEO of The Wildlife Trusts spoke in support. Ten Cambridge area environmental and water campaigners, including David Cottee of Fulbourn Forum, also attended the presentation of the Bill on 25 February in the House of Commons.
Neighbourhood Plan
The completion of the Fulbourn Neighbourhood Plan in 2023 provided an opportunity to bring together into a formal planning orientated document, many of the aspirations and ongoing projects of the village. The FNP proposed that progress on various policies and aspirations should be reviewed annually. Fulbourn Forum provided a report to the Parish Council in 2024 and 2025, and David Nobel has updated the report for 2026 particularly concerning environmental and related projects.
The projects listed include: Village Tree and Woodland Survey and Planting Programme; Herb Beds; Local Water Courses (including Fugolburna film); Capital Park (community engagement); Nature Reserve Extension; CoFarm (community farm project); Swifts (new boxes, monitoring and public awareness); 20mph Speed Zone; Greenway; Windmill Refurbishment Project; Eastern Cambridge Farmers (sustainable farming); Lower Valley Farm Meadows and Woodlands; Litter Picks; Assets of Community Value; Community Orchards; High Street; Parking and Traffic Management; Victorian Gardens; Monitoring of Planning Applications; River Quality Testing.
Fulbourn Forum 