I am sure you have seen some of these posters around the village. However you may not realise that as well as the art exhibition and art events at Fulbourn Manor there are a number of talks that you might find of particular interest.
Tuesday 7 May – 6:30pm to 7:30pm – Trees in a Changing World – Talk in the Marquee by Michael Downs
Wednesday 8 May – 6:30pm to 7:30pm – Therapeutic Horticulture in our environment – Talk in the Marquee by Darwin Nurseries
Thursday 9 May – 6:30pm to 7:30pm – CoFarming Cambridge – sustaining our soil – Talk in the Marquee by Gavin Shelton
Saturday 11 May 1:30pm – Marquee in Fulbourn Manor and then on to St. Vigor’s Church Tower – RETURN OF THE SWIFTS – Fulbourn Swifts Group – presentated by John Willis
Click on the picture above to find out more about Our Patch
Over the past several years concern has continued to grow about the condition of the Cam valley springs, streams and rivers. The development of the Greater Cambridge area over many decades has resulted in increased abstraction of water from the chalk aquifers causing springs to dry, either totally or intermittently, and streams and rivers to have greatly reduced flows or, in some cases, to dry completely. This has had, of course, a significant impact on the natural environment and biodiversity.
Fulbourn has not been immune from these impacts, and Fulbourn Forum, together with others such as the Wilbraham River Protection Society, the Wildlife Trust, and Cam Valley Forum, has been observing and monitoring the condition of our springs and watercourses for some time. We are keen that the Fulbourn and Wilbraham catchment area is not forgotten when proposals for nature recovery are under consideration by the authorities, water companies, and various environmental campaign organisations.
In 2019, I saw the documentary Waterlight: portrait of a chalk stream, about the River Mel which rises in Melbourn, and had thought that it would be good to record the Fulbourn streams and watercourses to alert people to the crisis they are in. Then, during the wet winter of 2020/21, the water table rose and the springs at Fulbourn and Wilbraham started running again after a period of inactivity. I saw the opportunity of filming our chalk streams to show the effect that flowing, clean water has on the environment and to contrast that with the inevitable drying of the watercourses, both in summer and even in winter
I contacted Nigel Kinnings, who helped film and produce Waterlight, and he was able to begin some initial filming almost immediately. While this was underway, together we sketched out a plan for a documentary with ideas of what might be shown and people we could interview to comment on or explain the issues that the film would explore. With his background at BBC Bristol and experience working as a professional cinematographer, Nigel was able to help develop the film’s format, and we continued to film through the seasons to tell the story of our local natural environment and the importance of water. The documentary’s title, Fugolburna: stream frequented by birds, was chosen early on to reference the Anglo Saxon name for Fulbourn which is indicative of a fen-edge, watery location.
Many hours of filming have been skilfully edited by Tim Lloyd-Kinnings to tell that story. The documentary shows how people are working to help improve nature locally, looks back at the changes that have resulted in the loss of water and biodiversity, explores the issue of over-abstraction of water from the chalk aquifer, and the attempts to compensate for this loss by a pumped water augmentation scheme by the Environment Agency, of which Fulbourn and Wilbraham are just part of a wider project covering the Cam, Rhee and Granta catchments. Interviews with local people and experts provide a better understanding of the issues and the factors that impact on them. The documentary has also provided an opportunity to celebrate in film our beautiful Fulbourn Fen Nature Reserve and other parts of the river catchment area, while also highlighting people’s enjoyment of it.
The film is, on one level, a campaigning one, but it also aims to inform and to entertain, including footage of associated community activities such as the Swift Group, nature reserve work parties, and litter picks. But, primarily, I hope that it will inspire motivation and action to maintain, restore, and improve Fulbourn’s aquatic and wider natural environment, bringing them to a healthier and more sustainable state. My thanks go to all those who willingly gave their time and support in the making of the film, to Nigel for his dedication to the project, to Christine Lloyd-Fitt for her invaluable help with the production, and to the Wright’s Clock Land CIO and the Wadlow Wind Farm Community Fund for their financial contributions.
The film’s premiere takes place on 10 May after the Fulbourn Forum AGM. As space is limited, it is necessary to book free tickets online – please see the poster in this issue. You may come for the film only if you do not wish to attend the short AGM. For those who cannot make this date, we hope that further screenings can be arranged if wished.
We look forward to seeing many of you there for both the AGM and the film, or for the film only.
Fugolburna, the Anglo Saxon name for Fulbourn, is a documentary film produced by Fulbourn Forum being a call to protect and restore the area’s iconic chalk streams currently in crisis. It celebrates the beautiful Fulbourn Fen Nature Reserve and beyond, and shows the efforts made by the local community and environment groups and organisations to support nature recovery, and to maintain and improve the health of local ecosystems.
Public Consultation by Cambridgeshire County Council on the introduction of a 20mph speed limit in Fulbourn VillageResponses invited until 8 April 2024
Early in 2023, the Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) invited applications for funding to implement 20mph speed reduction schemes in Cambridgeshire villages, with the aim of improving safety for all, encouraging active travel (walking and cycling), reducing air and noise pollution, and creating a more pleasant, comfortable, and healthy environment for residents.
A working group was formed including Fulbourn Forum, interested villagers, and two parish councillors. We asked for your thoughts on the idea of a 20mph limit and the response was overwhelmingly in favour, with many writing about their experiences and reasons for wanting to see a reduction in the speed of vehicles in the village. Fulbourn’s schools were also approached for comment, where the same strong support was received. All this support formed part of the formal application made in April 2023 to CCC, which included comprehensive evidence of speeding and accidents over several years. In September 2023 we learnt that our application was one of 20 successful applications from a total list of more than 70 villages that had submitted a proposal for funding from that year’s ring-fenced project finance.
A detailed scheme has now been prepared by the CCC and this is out for public consultation until 8 April 2024.
The CCC wants to hear your views. It is important that, if you would like to see the speed reduction implemented, you write to the CCC to confirm your support.
Full information on how to view the project details and drawings, and to submit your response, is given below.
The proposed scheme will provide a 20mph limit throughout the village commencing at or near to where the current 30mph limit begins. A 30mph or 40mph relatively short ‘buffer zone’ is provided prior to the 20mph limit to achieve a smoother transition between the national speed limit of 60mph and the lower limits within the village. This affects Shelford Road, Cambridge Road, Hinton Road, Teversham Road, Wilbraham Road and Balsham Road.
The scheme involves no speed bumps, just the occasional small round ‘reminder’ sign fixed to existing posts or street lights.
These proposals will complement the already approved Fulbourn to Cambridge Greenway which includes a 20mph limit to Fulbourn Old Drift, part of Hinton Road, Cow Lane, and Apthorpe Street up to the High Street. In addition, the existing speed bumps in Shelford Road, recently installed at the request of the Parish Council, already effectively reduce the speed in that area to well below the maximum 30mph speed limit.
Fulbourn’s three primary schools and two nursery schools are very keen to ensure a safer environment for their children going to and from the schools, particularly those on foot, bicycle or scooter. With an additional 313 homes now under construction to the west of the village, there will, in time, be significantly more children using the roads and pavements to access the schools and the recreation ground, most of which is to the east of the village. With many areas of the village having a pavement on one side of the road only, there is often the need to cross the road at some point, the safety of which, for both young and old, is improved by slower vehicle speeds.
But slower vehicle speeds will also benefit the whole village – drivers, cyclists and pedestrians alike. A recent serious accident at the Balsham Road/Home End junction, on 12 March, was attended by police and ambulances, with both the vehicles involved having to be removed by crane. Your support to help reduce such occurrences will be much appreciated.
You can view the details of the proposals and submit comments by using this link:
Can you help? Volunteers needed this Saturday, 2 December, to help plant a new hedgerow habitat on a conservation farm here in Fulbourn parish. The event is run by a farmer-led collaborative group, called East Cambridge Farmers, who are involved with multiple issues including sustainable farming practices, biodiversity improvement, and aim to promote a greater understanding of farming within the community. The East Cambridge Farmers group is facilitated by the Wildlife Trust BCN, along with support from Natural Cambridgeshire, Cambridge Nature Network, and other local organisations. Ed Wombwell, who heads up the new ‘Farm Cluster’, has sent the event details below. Over the coming years, he is hoping to engage more with the village, host farm walks, educational events, hands-on days, and connect people with the countryside and food.
Hedge Planting on Farm Please join us to help plant a new hedgerow habitat on a conservation farm in Fulbourn. We have 4500 new hedge plants to go in to create a new 800m length and we need your help! No experience necessary as all instruction and training will be provided by experienced conservationists, just a positive can-do attitude required. Along with planting the hedge there will be an opportunity for a farm tour and open discussions on sustainable and regenerative agriculture. A warming Jacket Potato (grown in the same field as the new hedge) will also be provided for a snack. Many thanks to the East Cambridge Farmers, Wildlife Trust BCN, Cambridge PPF, Cambridge City Council & Cambridge Water for supporting this event.
Date: Saturday 2nd December Time: 10:00 start Where: New Shardelowes Farm, Balsham Road, Fulbourn, Cambridge. CB21 5DA Directions: Just off Balsham Road towards the A11 (Fulbourn side). Coming from Fulbourn, we are the next entrance after ‘The Ark’ pet supplies store. Parking available on farm. Extra Info: Please dress for the weather, wellies or spare boots recommended. All tools provided but do feel free to bring your favourite spade if desired. Under 18’s very much welcomed but must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Basic welfare facilities are available on-site but away from the work area. Unfortunately not suitable for limited mobility users at this time. Booking: Please do let us know in advance if you are intending to participate to help us better manage resources. email – Helen.Bailey@wildlifebcn.org / edwardwombwell@gmail.com call/text – 07872 418282 / 07517 040406
Click on the picture below to download your own copy of the Newsletter, including details of the stalls at the next community market; news about the Lower Farm project; pictures of the Apple Pressing day; and a discussion of the community herb beds.
Thank you to everyone who came to help this year! It was lovely to have the apple pressing back as community activity and we had lots of apples and lots of volunteers.
We made 122 bottles of apple juice, as a reward for volunteers and to sell at the community market. Yum!
If you helped out but didn’t sign up for your ‘thank you’ bottle, just let us know.
Fulbourn Forum 