JIGSAW
May/June 2023
Incorporating
For a digital copy
scan this QR code
Credit: Jacob King/PA
Wire/PA Images
Cover photo
credit: Chris Jackson
Free Community
Magazine
Special Coronation Edition
2
Magazine
The next issue will be published at the
end of June to cover events in July and
August. Please send any news, events
and adverts to the Editor by 10th June.
Printed copies are available at Jak Hibs,
The Pavilion, the Co-op (on the newspaper stand), Soham Library, and The
Handy Plaice (among others). Each
edition is also published on our website and Facebook. Search Soham
Community Association on Facebook.
www.sohamca.wordpress.com
SCA Membership
Launched in April 2019 the Soham Community Association aims
to bring the people of Soham together to promote a greater
sense of community. Anyone aged 16 or over who lives, works,
or volunteers in the Parish of Soham is (automatically) a member.
Contact us
If you want to add a contribution to
the magazine or you would like to
sponsor us.
We are a free community magazine,
funded by advertisers and run by
volunteers. We try to keep the
information in this magazine as
accurate and up-to-date as possible.
If you spot an error, please let us know.
SCA Contacts
Chair: Ben Ford
Editor: Jenny Fletcher
Distribution Manager: James Wood
Treasurer: Georgia Griffiths
Contents Page
Our Information & Editorial 2 - 3
SCA News/Dementia Action
Week
4 - 5
All in Sound/PosAbility 6 - 7
Community News 8 - 9
East Cambs. District Council/
Soham Town Council/
Lucy Frazer MP
10 - 11
Focus on our Schools 12 - 13
Greater Anglia Station
Adopter/National
Gardening/Schemes
14 - 15
Lloyds Bank 16
Heath Matters 17
What’s On? 19 - 44
Soham Community Group/
Over 60s
19
Soham Pumpkin Fair 20
Sport/Fitness 21
Theatre /Cinema 22 - 27
Library services / clubs 28 - 31
St Andrews Church/ Food
Bank
32 - 35
Soham Brigade/Methodist 36 - 38
Soham Baptist 39
Directory 40 - 43
Soham Coronation Big Lunch
& Concert
Back
Page
3
Welcome to this May/June Edition of Jigsaw, the
twenty fourth issue of our Community Magazine.
Two royal celebrations in as many months!
Congratulations to Viva Arts and Community Group, Soham, who were
thrilled to announce that the new Viva Theatre was officially opened by HRH
The Duke of Edinburgh on 12th April - read more on this story on p22.
And that brings us round to our next big celebration! The Coronation of His Majesty
King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla is a time for celebration across the
nation and the Commonwealth, with a weekend of special events planned.
Saturday 6th May sees The Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey. Sunday 7th May
is The Coronation Big Lunch + The Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle and here in
Soham much planning has been taking place for our own version (see back page for
more details).
Then on Monday 8th May it’s ‘The Big Help Out ‘ - a day for volunteering in your
community. You can find out more about how you can do this in Soham on p8 with
Soham Litter Picking Wombles.
Volunteering can make a real difference in your own life and the lives of those around
you. There are lots of ways to get involved and plenty of organisations
that can help you . Please contact me if you want to know more.
Best wishes, Jenny
Having fulfilled her duties, Hannah had her official
leaving do for church, went off on maternity leave, and
we can now tell you about the resultant ‘bundle of joy’!
Hannah and Simon are delighted to announce the safe
arrival of Samuel John Richardson born at 11:22am
on 22nd March weighing 7lb 11oz.
We are still searching for somebody to fill the role of Secretary
What is expected of the SCA Secretary?
• Schedules meetings
• Helps to prepare and distribute agendas
• Produces and distributes minutes of meetings
• Keeps members informed of what correspondence has been sent out and received
So if you would like to join us or if you have somebody in mind, let us know.
See our contact details on p2
4
SCA News
SCA Public meeting
The next SCA public meeting will take place at Soham Library on Friday 19 May 2023
from 1900 hrs onwards. We don't anticipate this to take longer than 2 hours. Should
you not be able to attend in person please find below the online Teams link below:
https://teams.live.com/meet/9437887315402
Our main focus for this meeting will be ‘Soham - A Dementia Friendly Community‘
and this ties in well with the following article:
Dementia Action Week is Alzheimer's Society's biggest
and longest running awareness campaign. Each year,
they work with individuals and organisations across the
UK to encourage people to act on dementia.
In 2022, the campaign encouraged people who were
concerned that they or someone they know may be
experiencing dementia symptoms to seek further help.
They provided information on memory loss, advice on
talking to the GP, and ways to cope with memory loss.
Throughout the week they saw a 43% average increase in
calls to their dementia support line (0333 150 3456) from
those seeking information and support.
Dementia Action
Week 2023
15-21 May.
Who can help make their community dementia-friendly?
Everyone. From governments and local shops, to book clubs and churches, we all
have a part to play in creating communities where people with dementia feel active,
engaged and valued.
People affected by dementia have the most important role in any dementia-friendly
community. By sharing their experiences and connecting with others, they ensure that
communities keep the needs of people affected by dementia at the heart of everything
they do. (From the Alzheimer’s UK website).
SCA would like to set up a focus group at the Public Meeting. Most of us know somebody living with dementia and how much it impacts the lives of families and friends -
well now we can all do something to help.
If you think you won’t be able to make it to the Public Meeting (in person or by on the
computer by teams), but you are interested in being involved, you can email me, Jenny
at [email protected] and I can give you some more information.
5
The Dementia Clinic is being
provided via Staploe Medical
Centre, by the Alzheimer’s
Society. Telephone appointments
are being offered to patients with
memory problems/dementia or
for Carers. Patients will be able to
speak to a Dementia Adviser for
advice, guidance, support with any
questions or concerns.
Appointments are 45 minutes.
NEXT CLINIC: Monday 19th June
a.m. and 2 monthly thereafter
APPOINTMENTS NEED
TO BE BOOKED.
For further information or to book
an appointment, please contact:
Val Antell (Social Prescribing Link
Worker) at Staploe Medical
Centre on:
01353 624121
A Small Contribution
We now print 1000 copies of ‘Jigsaw’, not enough for every household in Soham,
but we try to target those least likely to access the internet. The paper copy is also
available in local hubs such as the Pavilion, Jak Hibs, Post Office Co-op and Soham
Library. A digital copy is available on our website, Facebook page and is sent out by
email to many people including local groups and businesses.
If you currently receive a paper copy, but would like to be emailed a digital copy,
please get in touch with James, our Distribution Manager at:
If you are willing to make a small financial contribution to help boost funds eg £5
or £6 a year, it would make a real difference to help us continue to fund this
magazine.
If you’re able to give, please make a cheque payable to
Soham Community Association (mark on the back ‘Jigsaw’)
and send it to: SCA/Jigsaw, c/o Soham Library, 7 Clay Street, CB7 5HJ
or make a bank transfer using these bank details:
Account name: Soham Community Association, (ref. ‘Jigsaw’)
Sort code: 20-16-12 (Barclays Bank), Account no: 13212521
Thank you!
More Funding!
The Grants Team
Cambridgeshire Community Foundation
We are pleased to offer Soham Community Association
a Cultivate Cambs grant of up to £2,000.00 to support
Soham to become a more dementia friendly place to
live; helping people to live well with dementia and for
them and their carers to continue to feel part of their
community. The Communities, Social Mobility and
Inclusion Committee has agreed with the
recommendations of the Cultivate Cambs Selection
Panel and approved this application for funding.
‘Every Little Helps!’
We are delighted to let you know that our application
to the Tesco Community Grants Scheme has been
successful. If anybody shops in Tesco Ely, please
support the Soham Community Association and
Jigsaw Magazine by putting your blue tokens in the
box and vote for us, only until 30th June.
6
All In Sound – Sing! Together
Thank you to our Volunteers!
“When you volunteer, you vote
every day about the kind of
community you want to live in.”
Registered charity All In Sound runs
an inclusive, fun, and friendly
group each week called “Sing!
Together” for those living with
dementia, memory loss and their
carers, in Ely.
The group started in 2018 and has
been meeting ever since. During a
session in March, the group were
delighted to say a special thank you
to the volunteers who enable the
sessions to run each week. From
making tea, and serving coffee,
through to conversations and
welcomes, the group couldn’t run
without them.
Each volunteer was presented with
a special thank you note from the
Chair of All In Sound, Kathryn, who
thanked the volunteers as she spoke with the whole group before the singing began.
Founder and Director of All In Sound, (another!) Kathryn says: “The volunteers play a
vital role in keeping the group running, and I certainly couldn’t do it without them!
New singers are always welcome – no previous experience is needed, and each week
we smile, laugh and sing! People who come to our group report feelings of improved
wellbeing, mental health, and overall health, which is an amazing benefit to coming to
a group such as this.”
The benefits of singing and music for those living with dementia has been greatly highlighted over recent years, and members of this group including the carers describe how
it makes them feel; “We find the singing lifts our spirits and have made many friends in
a similar situation through Sing! Together. It is good to meet up with them each week
to sing, chat, laugh and generally have fun.”
To support the work of All In Sound, you can donate by visiting their website, or you
can contact Kathryn directly on 01353 662022 or email [email protected]
Please visit our website here: www.allinsound.co.uk/
7
Love To Move - Coming Soon!
Thanks to funding from Living Sport, PosAbility
will soon be offering a Love To Move exercise
session in Soham.
Love to Move is a chair-based age and dementia friendly gymnastics
exercise programme, developed by the British Gymnastics Foundation. Specially
designed to get older people moving and functioning better, the programme is proving
particularly beneficial for people living with dementia.
The exercises are gentle, easy to follow and done in time to some of your favourite
music. The movements help to develop coordination, balance, core strength and
flexibility, whilst stimulating your memory. It’s fun and sociable too!
Interested? We are happy to tell you more about PosAbility and Love To Move!
Call us on 07565 598193 or send us an email [email protected]
8
As part of the Coronation
celebrations, communities are being
encouraged to volunteer to make a
difference on Monday 8th May. As
part of this a community litter
picking event is taking place
between 10.30am and 2.30pm,
meeting at the Soham Recreation
Ground arranged by the informal volunteer group
“Soham Litter Picking Wombles”.
Equipment will be available to borrow along with bags
and stickers to leave filled bags at ECDC owned public
litter bins. Volunteers will be encouraged to litter pick
throughout Soham.
Please do come along to the free event, to enjoy
supporting keeping our lovely town
litter free, meet others and be part
of the coronation celebrations.
Everyone attending will be provided a safety guidance overview - we
ask that you wear sturdy footwear,
weather appropriate clothing and
update us with how you got on at
the end of the event.
If you would like further
information, please join the Soham Litter Picking
Wombles on Facebook.
Community News
Tuesday, 9am-11am (term time only),
Child and Family Centre, Pratt Street,
Soham CB7 5BH
This is a free community group which offers an
inclusive space to talk, connect with
others and take time for yourself. There is also a
children’s play area and children are welcome.
We also offer wellbeing support and signposting
if needed. Come after the school run or for a
positive start to your day.
Everyone is welcome!
contact:
8
9
Soham Community Association are
selling Nellie the Tuk Tuk!
She had fun zooming round Soham for a
while as community-fuelled transport
for the town, but sadly the insurance
costs for that type of usage mean this is
no longer possible. So, Nellie is for sale.
With her heritage serving local people,
Soham Community Association are keen
to offer local Community Partners the
opportunity to buy Nellie before she
goes onto the open market. The asking
price is £4000-£5000.
If you are interested to find out more
please contact Ben Ford on:
07871 409158 ASAP.
A huge thank you to our fantastic repairers
at Soham’s 6th Repair Café on Sunday 12th March!
We looked at 19 items, 12 were fully fixed, 2 were
partially fixed or advice given and 5 were taken away
for investigation or repair via other channels (Soham
Mens Shed being one of those): that equates to over
50kg not going into landfill as a result. One item in
particular - a Kitchen Aid food mixer took the entire
session and was worked on by every repairer at
some point - it’s now back up and running.
Thanks also to our refreshments team for providing
cake and hot drinks to repairers and repairees
throughout the session.
We collected over £100 in donations for Soham Community Association and hope to
return again later in the year.
10
Electronic Vehicle Charging Points in Council Car Parks
East Cambridgeshire District Council (E.C.D.C.) has been installing
24 electric vehicle charging points across its district car parks.
The 7kW chargepoint units will be located at Barton Road Car
Park and Newnham Street Car Park in Ely and Clay Street Car Park in Soham. The council
successfully applied to the Office for Zero Emissions for a grant under its On-Street
Residential Chargepoint Scheme. The project is also supported by Connected Kerb, an
electric vehicle infrastructure specialist, and the Energy Saving Trust. Cllr Anna Bailey,
leader of E.C.D.C., said:
“At East Cambridgeshire District Council we are committed to creating a cleaner, greener
East Cambridgeshire and have set ourselves the challenging target to become net
carbon zero by 2040. This is just one of the many actions we are taking to help make
that happen.”
The charging points have been available for public use since the end of March.
News from
You may remember in our last edition, I reported on the fact that E.C.D.C. had
allocated £20,000 from its Market Towns Programme towards a grant scheme that
supported projects in Soham Town Centre. Following on from this report, one of our
reader wrote to me saying:
We have moved to Soham from the south of Greater Manchester and have lived in Soham
for the last two years. One of the first things that struck us on moving here was the
friendliness of almost everybody we encountered walking or cycling into the town and back,
the courtesy of drivers when we were obviously waiting for a lull in the traffic so that we
could safely cross the road.
HOWEVER, the most conspicuous difference between Soham and what was home
for 52 years, was the shocking and shameful state of the roads, pavements and gutters.
People didn't even seem to take a pride in keeping their bit of the pavement clear!
It won't matter what is spent on improving the frontages of individual properties, if the
rest of the environment looks a mess and untended.
Yours faithfully,
A recent incomer to Soham
A meeting for residents to have their say
on anything that concerns our town! Also, a
chance to hear from various organisations
that run groups throughout the year.
Whether you've lived here a long time or you've just moved in, this meeting is for you!
The meeting is hosted by the Town Council at the Walter Gidney Pavilion in the centre
of town. We're looking forward to meeting you!
11
Come and talk to us
INSIDE the library
Are you struggling to cope with the cost of
living crisis?
East Cambridgeshire District Council’s Community
Bus staff can offer residents advice on housing,
welfare benefits, debt and money, energy,
consumer rights, work, family and health.
As well as helping to make sure you are receiving
benefits, grants and government payments you
are entitled to, friendly staff from the Council’s
housing and community advice team can also signpost you to groups offering help and support in
your local community, and offer tips and advice on
how to keep well and stay warm this winter.
From the Office of Lucy Frazer KC MP
Lucy knows from email correspondence with her
constituents that potholes remain a source of
concern and frustration for many road users and
pedestrians, so thought that this update may be
useful.
It is important that our roads are kept in good
condition to ensure the safety of road users,
cyclists and pedestrians. Over the past several
months, the combination of heavy rain and
freezing temperatures has led to several new potholes which I know have caused
concern for many of you.
I am pleased that in the Spring Budget the Chancellor announced that the Government
will place an extra £200 million towards the Potholes Fund. This takes the total pothole
budget for UK local authorities to £700 million in the 2023/24 financial year. The uplift
will mean an additional £4.1 million for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
Although it is the responsibility of Cambridgeshire County Council to repair the highways in my constituency, I have always been happy to report problems on behalf of my
constituents and follow-up with the authority if any issues remain outstanding.
If you have recently noticed any potholes, you can use the Cambridgeshire County
Council Highways Reporting Tool, which you can access
here: www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/travel-roads-and-parking/roads-andpathways/roadworks-and-faults or you can write to me
on [email protected] and I will do what I can to assist.
12
Focus on
our Schools
World Book Day 2023 was enjoyed by all pupils and students
across the Staploe Education Trust.
Pupils from The
Weatheralls Primary
School dressed up
as their favourite book
character and enjoyed
different activities
throughout the day.
Pupils from The Shade Primary
School visited Townsend Manor
and enjoyed reading and biscuits
with the residents.
13
Students at
Soham Village College
enjoyed a visit
by the acclaimed author Simon
James Green.
Soham Village College gets planting
to help the environment!
Students from Soham Village College,
including members of the school’s
Future Group, took part in an
enjoyable and well-attended tree
planting event on Monday 27th
March. With the support and
guidance of Nicola from Wild Burwell,
students were able to plant some
young trees on the school site as part of actions to support the local environment. The
new trees were planted on Beechurst Lawn and are a combination of Bird Cherry,
Downy Birch, Rowan and Blackthorn. Nicola from Wild Burwell said “it was a great
event! The students
were very interested
and enthusiastic”
The Future Group at
Soham Village College
have been keen to
make an active change
and this activity had
been planned and
organised through their
own hard work and
communication with
the local community.
The trees will provide
multiple purposes from
an environmental point
of view including helping with the local carbon cycle and providing habitats for local wildlife. The students
have provided a legacy that future students will have the opportunity to enjoy.
14
Station Adopter Scheme
The ‘Adopt a Station’ scheme enables individuals or groups to adopt their local railway station
and contribute to its use and welfare. (Below is an article from Greater Anglia)
We're delighted that even more railway land was converted into gardens and wildlife areas
last year, thanks to our amazing team of volunteer station adopters across the region. There
are now 61 station gardens in total on our network helping to provide a vital additional habitat for local wildlife and food for pollinators, as well as making the stations more attractive
and welcoming. We'd like to thank our amazing volunteers for the work they are doing to help
make our rail stations more sustainable.
In 2022, volunteers created new areas of garden at Alresford, Battlesbridge, Cressing,
Dullingham, Great Yarmouth, Haddiscoe, Ingatestone, Lingwood, March, Rayleigh, Sheringham, St Margaret’s, Stowmarket, Weeley, and Westerfield.. Each garden provides a vital
additional habitat for local wildlife and food for pollinators, as well as making the stations
more attractive and welcoming, contributing to human wellbeing too. In addition, the
volunteers also cared for flower planters on platforms, hanging baskets and window boxes at
stations across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire and installed bee
refuges, insect houses and bird boxes.
The gardens, some of which have been developed over many years, are becoming havens
for local wildlife populations – with the railway increasingly being recognised by ecologists as
a ‘green corridor’ which provides a sanctuary for many different kinds of flora and fauna.
Greater Anglia station adopters reported a wide range of creatures visiting their stations
including many different types of butterflies as well as bees, slow worms, bats, toads, foxes,
deer and many varieties of birds, recording over 200 different species.
Greater Anglia’s Customer and Community Engagement Manager, Alan Neville, said, “Thanks
to the care and attention of our team of station adopters, we have thousands upon thousands
of plants thriving at our rail stations which helps not only to make them more welcoming, but
are benefiting the environment too. Many of these gardens have been designed to be wildlife
friendly, enhancing biodiversity and providing food, shelter and breeding places for many
different types of wildlife, helping to improve the local environment and helping our stations
to exist more harmoniously with their rural surroundings.”
All of Greater Anglia’s station gardens are pledged to the WildEast movement, which aims to
return 20% of the region back to nature by 2050 to help reverse the shocking decline in the
area’s native wildlife which is suffering badly from habitat loss. Statistics show that, since
1970, many species have suffered including tree sparrows whose numbers have fallen by 85%,
common toads, 68%, nightingales, 93% and hedgehogs whose numbers down from 30million
to just 1 million. WildEast aims to reverse this decline by asking everyone, including farming
estates, industrial estates, housing estates, schools, gardens, allotments and churchyards, to
give whatever land they can back to nature. This can mean planting wildlife friendly areas or
simply leaving the land as space for nature. For more information see WildEast.co.uk/
WePledge.
15
Celebration of 30 years opening for the National
Garden Scheme
Timothy Clark, Netherhall Manor, Soham, was presented with a
plaque in recognition of opening his garden for 30 years on behalf
of the National Garden Scheme. Jenny Marks, Cambridgeshire
County Organiser, said: ‘ We are delighted to show our appreciation of Timothy’s support for
our charity. It is a huge achievement to sustain this for so many years.’
Netherhall Manor is a garden ‘touched with antiquity’ and will appeal to those with an
interest in the history of plant species. Timothy has preserved and nurtured historical
collections of rare species of primroses, daffodils, tulips,
pelargonium, heliotropes and more. Timothy is keen to share
his passion and his knowledge is evident if you are lucky
enough to speak to him on a visit. The garden is open on
7 May, 6 & 13 August. Admission £3. (More details ngs.org.uk.)
The National Garden Scheme is the most significant charitable
funder of nursing and health in the UK. In 2022, £3.2 million
was donated to our beneficiaries including Macmillan Cancer
Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK, Carers Trust, Queens Nurses
Institute and Parkinson’s UK. Cambridgeshire raised £75,000
thanks to the generosity of our volunteers.
If you are interested in opening your garden, or
volunteering, do get in touch with our friendly team
Whatever your commitment, good
adopters need sound support and advice
from the Train Operator. For that reason,
we have produced Station Adoption
Information Pack.
Soham still needs adopting!
Initially, work would involve putting in
some low maintenance plants in 4 planters
and in the roundabout islands, perhaps also
adding bird houses and bug hotels to
attract local wildlife too!
Anyone interested should contact
the editor at:
15
For more information or visit:
www.greateranglia.co.uk/about-us/station-adopter-scheme
16
Mobile Branch
Recreation Ground
(Alternate Fridays
10.30am - 12.30pm)
5 May
19 May
2 June
16 June
30 June
Please be aware there may be times
when routes are not fully operational,
therefore we recommend calling our
mobile branch hotline on 0345 601
6943 before you travel.
17
Please help us to help you - the easiest and fastest way to
ask for help from a GP is with askmyGP. If you are not an
Internet user, please call 01353 624121.
Ely Minor Injury Unit (MIU) Ely Tel: 01353 656675
Princess of Wales Hospital, Lynn Road, Ely, CB6 1DN
Opening hours: 8.30am to 6pm, seven days a week
X-ray services available Mon to Fri from 9am - 5pm and from 1pm - 5pm on Sat & Sun.
People aged 75 or above, or those with a
weakened immune system, can now book
their spring COVID-19 vaccine.
You can book through the NHS App,
by calling 119 or at www.nhs.uk/
CovidVaccination
Staploe Pharmacy 01353 727695
Opening hours:
MONDAY - FRIDAY 8.30am - 7pm
SATURDAY 8.30am - 1pm
Book your Free Health Check
Healthy You Clinic
at
on Mon 22 May 9.30 -4
& Mon 26 June 9.30 - 4
It is an appointment only clinic which can
be booked on 0333 005 0093
18
19
Monday Club
We meet at the Causeway Community Room every Monday
from 10am - 2.30pm. There is always a friendly atmosphere
with tea, coffee & cake. Lunch is also provided for a nominal
charge. Free transport can be provided on request.
Other activities include bus trips, bingo, raffles, dominoes and quizzes. If you are
interested in joining us, please contact Carol. (This is a very popular group, so there is
the possibility that you may have to go on a waiting list!).
Tel. Carol on 01353 727861 or email: [email protected]
June
5th - East Anglian Air Ambulance
12th - To be confirmed
19th - To be confirmed
26th - To be confirmed
July
3rd - 2nd Ladybird Canal Boat
and Dobbies Garden Centre
Trip
Dates may be subject
to change
May
1st - May Day Bank Holiday
NO MEETING
8th - Coronation Afternoon Tea
Party
15th - Keith Clark organist and
singer
22nd -1st Lady Bird Canal Boat
and Dobbies Garden Centre
Trip
29th - Whitsun Bank
Holiday NO MEETING
On 27th March we had an Easter Craft
session at Monday Club and some of
our ladies said: “Can we make Easter
Bonnets please because we have a
competition at Over 60s Club on
Friday?”
Then Yvonne Long sent me this photo
of Over 60s Club on Friday afternoon
31st March, with members wearing
their Easter Bonnets and showing who
won Easter Egg prizes. She says:
“We would welcome new members to
the club.” Anyone wanting to join
should contact Diane Wheeling on
01353 722775 or email:
The Monday Club/Over 60s Club Connection!
20
The fair has been running since 1975 and
is held annually on the last Saturday in
September. Every year we raise money
for local charities, while providing the
community with an enjoyable day out.
This year the Pumpkin Fair falls on Saturday 30th September and our chosen
beneficiaries for 2023 are:
Let’s Join a Club!
We have chosen our theme to match
our beneficiaries:
‘Let’s Join a Club’ - this year we would
like to involve as many Soham clubs at
the fair as possible. So please get in
touch if your club would like a stall, like
to perform in the arena or if you would
just like the opportunity to come along
and promote what you do!
1st Soham Brownies &
Soham Brigade 4th Soham Brownies
Soham Roller
Hockey Club
For those of you who are nurturing sunflower
and pumpkin seedlings, please send us photos
to put on our Instagram and Facebook pages,
but also to send to our sponsors: DT Brown
who would love to know how they are growing!
Update
Please also get in touch if you would like a stall at
the fair or like to advertise in our brochure this year.
Email: [email protected]
www.sohampumpkinfair.co.uk
21
22
Viva Arts and Community Group, Soham, are thrilled
to announce that the new Viva Theatre (the permanent
home to Viva Arts and its activities) had its official
opening on 12th April 2023.
Viva were honoured to have the venue
officially opened by HRH The Duke of
Edinburgh KG GCVO at a lunch time
ceremony attended by 150 guests
including funders, trustees, supporters
and Viva members who presented a
20 min show to a delighted audience.
The biggest cheer, however, came when
His Royal Highness unveiled a plaque
commemorating the occasion. Before
doing so he told the younger members
on stage, “Unveiling a plaque is not the most exciting thing in the world… but I want you
to pretend it is, make some noise!” Everyone obliged with rapturous applause of course.
Dan Schumann, founder of Viva Arts and Community Group, said…
“It was a huge honour for Viva to welcome
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and it was so
special to have him officially open our
wonderful new theatre, which is already
making a huge contribution to the
community. “
In his opening speech Dan mentioned that:
“Viva’s vision was first and foremost about
being a family rooted in its community.
Providing fun and friendship whilst engaging
in the arts and not necessarily about creating professional performers and practitioners
but amazingly every single current West End musical involves a Viva alumnus either on
stage or behind the scenes.”
The Viva Theatre was originally a Mill, and Viva purchased the building in 2018 and
raised over £3 million of funding to appropriately renovate the derelict mill and bring it
back to life for the community. The Viva Theatre was completed in early 2022 and is
now a thriving theatre, arts centre and community facility.
To find out more about Viva, its productions and its activities please visit:
www.viva-group.org.uk
For more information, please contact:
Dan Schumann – 07974 303464 or [email protected]
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DAY TIME EVENT TYPE RATED
Tues 2nd
May 2pm EMPIRE OF LIGHT SILVER SCREENING 15
Thurs 4th
May 7pm VERMEER: THE GREATEST
EXHIBITION EVENT CINEMA 12A
Sat 6th
May 4pm PUSS IN BOOTS: THE LAST
WISH GENERAL CINEMA PG
Sat 6th
May 7pm DUNGEONS & DRAGONS:
HONOR AMONG THIEVES GENERAL CINEMA 12A
Thurs 11th
May 2pm EMPIRE OF LIGHT RELAXED SHOWING 15
Sat 13th
May 4pm THE RAILWAY CHILDREN
RETURN GENERAL CINEMA PG
Sat 13th
May 7pm WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO
WITH IT GENERAL CINEMA 12A
Tues 16th
May 2pm ALLELUJAH SILVER SCREENING 12A
Thurs 18th
May 7pm BEST OF ENEMIES NATIONAL THEATRE
LIVE
Fri 19th
May 7:30pm SONG SUNG BLUE -A
TRIBUTE TO NEIL DIAMOND LIVE MUSIC
Sat 20th
May 4pm MUMMIES GENERAL CINEMA U
Sat 20th
May 7pm JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 GENERAL CINEMA 15
Thurs 1st
June 4pm THE SUPER MARIO BROS.
MOVIE GENERAL CINEMA PG
Thurs 15
June 7pm FLEABAG NATIONAL THEATRE
LIVE
Fri 23rd
June 7:30pm THE LITTLE MISS 60S SHOW –
A TRIBUTE TO THE 60S DIVAS LIVE MUSIC
Fri 30th
June 7:30pm MARK KITTO’S CHINESE
BOXING ONE-MAN SHOW
WHAT’S ON MAY/JUNE
Information correct at time of print - screenings, dates and times subject to change. For the latest
information check and book online at www.viva-group.org.uk or call the box office 01353 722228.
Office Opening Times: Mon- Fri 9.30am-3.30pm . We also have:
•Baby Massage on Thursday’s during term time [email protected]
•Yoga mixed ability starting Tuesday May 9th at 10am [email protected]
•Moo Music (interactive music session for little ones) Thurs 13:10- 13:50 3:50
•Mother and child Yoga, 9.30-10.15- movers and shakers (3-8),10.30-11.15 -movers (moving
babies - 2) [email protected]
•Developing Self Confidence course by wea.org.uk starting 12th May (ring 030 3033464)
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The Membership Fee for 2023/24 is £15.00
(or without Membership each event costs an extra £5.00
and so it's worth joining the club if you plan three trips or more)
We have pick up points in Littleport, Ely and Soham
Theatregoers Club
28
We also have our Happy Baby Hour on a
Tuesday between 10 - 11am, a chance to play with
some toys and chat to other parents in a relaxed
environment.
Welcome to the new look Soham library - pop in and have a look
round, and grab a drink whilst you are there !
After School Games and Colouring Club
Mon 15th May, Mon 12th June
3.30 - 4.30pm
Ages 8 -13 Children must be
accompanied by an adult.
Free
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Engage has now moved
to the 4th Tuesday of
the month
Come along to hear an interesting speaker,
have a cuppa and meet new friends.
Tuesday May 23rd & June 27th 2 - 3.30pm
(a suggested donation of £2 per person for
refreshments and future speakers).
Hire our meeting room for £6.25 an hour
for community groups. Call 0345 045 5225
or email:
1st May 5th June
P3 Information for Older
People Drop-in
Thurs 18th May 10-12
Thurs 15th June 10-12
Soham Trefoil Guild
We meet the last Tuesday of each month
Time: 10.30 a.m-.12.30 p.m.
Venue: Soham Library, 7, Clay Street,
Soham, Cambs. CB7 5HJ
Please come and join us for a morning of
chat, games, and quizzes, craft, guest
speakers and new challenges.
Make new friends and learn new skills
and help us celebrate 80 years of
Trefoil Guild this year.
Just come along, you will be made
most welcome.
Or
Contact: Olive Wilson 01353 722561
BFI Replay - 60
years of screen
stories, digitised
and preserved
for you
Relive, research
and lose yourself
in the past with
thousands of digitised videos and television
programmes - from the 1960s to the 2010s.
From the British Film Institute (B.F.I.),
National Archive and partner U.K. Regions
and Nations Film Archives, BFI Replay is
available only in public libraries.
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Bus Pass due to expire soon?
Help with your bus pass application is now
available from Cambridgeshire Libraries. We
can assist you at Soham library up to 6 weeks
before your bus pass expires. Please call in to
book an appointment. Tel: 0345 045 5225
The mobile library is visiting Soham on the
4th Wednesday every month.
Our route in Soham is as follows:
The Crescent 1.45 - 2pm
Honeysuckle Close 2.50 - 3.10pm
We have a great selection of books for all ages, free NHS
hearing aid batteries and walking stick ferrules. We also sell stamps and have lots of
jigsaw puzzles you can have.
Chattering Classes Reading Group meets at the library on the 1st Thursday
every month at 2.30pm and are looking for new members. Please pop along to one of
the sessions if you are interested in joining the group.
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Kings & Kingdoms
OK, so it’s hardly an original title, given the time of year, but for once, and much to the
astonishment of Jenny Fletcher, Jigsaw’s oh-so-patient editor, I’m sure, I’m submitting
this article ON TIME, and so at another time of year: I’m writing on Easter Monday, with
a passage from John’s Gospel fresh in my mind.
In all the Gospels, Pilate asks Jesus, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’, but only in John
does the question lead to a discussion. There, Jesus and Pilate talk not only of kings, but
also about kingdoms: ‘My kingdom,’ says Jesus, ‘is not of this world.’ Next there’s Pilate’s
exchange with the crowd, riddled with references to kingship, and finally an argument
about the inscription Pilate has put on the cross: ‘Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the
Jews’. The chief priests want to tweak it, but Pilate won’t have it: ‘What I have written, I
have written’. I wonder what he’s thinking as he says those words…
Kingship – whatever the era – provides ample scope for questions and debate.
Our ‘Monarchs through the Ages’ exhibition and flower festival is coming up in church –
the title speaks for itself – and on Wednesday 31 May at 7.30pm Bishop Tim Stevens will
be back with us, recounting the tale of his experience as Bishop of Leicester at the time
Richard III’s skeleton was discovered in a car park in his Diocese! The talk will be even
more gripping than the precis…
And to keep up the excitement, a starter for 10: what links Richard III, the last of the
Plantagenets, to Felix, who, some 1400 years ago, founded a monastery here in Soham?
The answer: kingdoms.
Felix of Burgundy, also known as Felix of Dunwich, was the first bishop of the kingdom
of the East Angles (or so Wikipedia tells me): someone who lived for that other kind of
kingdom – that kingdom ‘not of this world’…
Which brings me to a date for your diaries. Our long-awaited St Felix Fair will finally take
place on Saturday 15th July with stalls (please drop me a line if you’d like one) and Anglo
-Saxon-themed activities, exhibitions and yes, you’ve guessed it, more flowers... More in
the next Jigsaw, but in the meantime, if you’d like to knit a monk (or several) to join the
cloisterfuls that were given to me before the pandemic and which we’ll drop around
town to help publicise it, we’d be so grateful.
Your reward? A (virtual) crown: what else?!
Eleanor
The Revd Eleanor Whalley,
Vicar of Soham, 01353 725948
www.standrews-soham.org.uk
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01353 468626
Ely Foodbank @ Soham
Thursdays 10.30am - 12.00pm
CURRENT SHORTAGES
biscuits*
coffee/tea*
rice*
long life milk*
tinned fruit*
tinned meat
rice pudding*
custard*
jam*
tinned tomatoes*
toilet rolls (pk of 4s)
laundry products
cleaning products
men's deodorant
shower gel
squash (1l)
long life juice
We are especially short of
starred items.
Our foodbank relies on your goodwill and support.
Over 90% of the food distributed by foodbanks
in The Trussell Trust network is donated by the
public – that’s why your food donations are
absolutely vital to our ability to give everyone
referred to us a balanced and nutritious three day
supply of food.
In Soham, you can donate at The Co-op
Opening hours: 07:00-22:00
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Wanted!
A tiny patch of your garden to help young archaeologists this summer
As part of St Andrew’s Church’s ‘In the Footsteps of St Felix’ project, supported by the National
Lottery Heritage Fund, we’ve teamed up with Wessex Archaeology to run two community digs
in Soham. This summer you can help local young people get a real-life taster of what it is like to
be an archaeologist. From digging test pits to identifying artefacts, processing finds to sharing
what’s been found at local events, this project is all about inspiring our young people and
building connections.
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Baptisms:
16th April - Rilah Joan Tiley
Weddings:
29th April - Lucy Howard & Harry Dyer
Funerals:
7th March - Barbara Barber
9th March - Laurie Dowsett
23rd March - Edward Hobbs
24th March - Jen Sells
St Andrew’s Church 200+ Club
Winners for March
are:
Carole Reeve £5
Michael Tickner £10
Winners for April
are:
Kevin Wells. £5
Matthew Fisher £10
We’re looking for local gardens where we can dig 1 metre by 1 metre test pits in June/July 2023
or March 2024. So, if you’ve thought about clearing a spot of your outside space but have been
putting it off, taking part in this could be the answer!
Project Manager, Dr Dave Underhill from Wessex Archaeology explains: Uncovering what life
might have been like for our ancestors helps us understand what shapes our communities today.
Our archaeologists and community engagement specialists leading this very special project can’t
wait to get started. Key to the project’s success will be Soham’s amazing community: kind
people, like you, helping us. We’re looking for several gardens that can be accessed without
going through a house where we can safely carry out our carefully planned excavations. So, this
summer trade your trowel to help give a local student a fascinating new life experience. It’s the
chance to feel like you are featuring in your own special episode of Time Team or Digging for
Britain.
Safeguarding regulations mean that although the young people will be under professional
supervision at all times, you’ll need DBS clearance in order to be part of this project. If you’re
interested in finding out more or would like to offer your garden then please contact Dale
Copley, St Andrew’s Heritage Project Co-ordinator via [email protected] or give me
a call: 01353 725948. The sooner you’re in touch the better!
Thank you in advance for your help. Eleanor (the Vicar)
36
Soham Brigade
The Soham Boys’ Brigade has been part of the history of Soham since it
was formed in 1925. It originally met in a room lent to the group by Mr.
Roger Clark at The Mill (Lion Mills) which was described at the time as
cold and draughty. The first Captain was a school master at Soham
Shade School called Captain Stanley George Thompson. He was known
as being a strict, but fair-minded man. He later became a squadron leader in the RAF in
WW2. He died in 1980. He worked hard raising funds and on the 9th October 1929 the
Soham BB bought its own hall in Paddock Street. The hall cost £550 and was formerly
Cutlacks and Harlocks Brewery. It was described as a spacious and well lighted room
and suitable for the BB, having been renovated to a high standard.
In 1928 he was in Soham on the Recreational Ground, as the Company was being
inspected by the Mayor of Ipswich. The lads were keen on sports and gave a PE display
at the Suffolk Show in Bury St Edmunds in 1929. In the company then, was Jack
Hayhoe, who went onto to be a Justice of the Peace in Newmarket; Jackie Bishop who
made a name for himself in boxing and later was killed in WW2; and Eric Isaacson, who
used to run the local Soham butcher’s shop in Hall Street, Soham. Captain Thompson
was subsequently promoted to Head Teacher at Sawston Falkner School and as soon as
he moved from Soham to Sawston he approached the local church to explain the
benefits of starting a BB company in Sawston. On the 2nd November 1928 the 1st Soham
BB travelled to Sawston and put on a concert and gym display in the Boys School,
Sawston with the proceeds going towards starting a BB company in Sawston. This
indeed happened and the 1st Sawston BB was formed in 1928 based at the then
Sawston Congregational Church (now URC) and is still meeting today.
The Soham BB declined in the 1930s and it is believed closed by the end of the decade.
I do not know what happened to the Hall in Paddock Street except it is now a
residential accommodation. I understand that Mr. Isaacson had over a hundred
pictures of the Soham BB handed to him in 1980 by the nephew of Captain Thompson,
but I have not been able to trace these, so if you know of anyone who has any history
of the 1st Soham BB, please do get in touch with me.
The Soham BB was re-started in the 1980s by Georgina Newell, based at Soham
Methodist Church and remains today as a group of boys and girls (the BB admitted girls
in the 1990s) under the BB motto of “Sure and Steadfast”. Today the group is small and
is led by leaders who travel each week from Sawston to keep the company going.
Sawston in the meantime, now has two BB companies – 1
st and 2nd Sawston (formed
April 2004) with the latter having over 60 members. (I am Captain of the Sawston BB). I
travel to Soham each week along with other Sawston leaders to keep the Soham BB
going, as it would appear there are no local people to Soham willing to do this. I am
really keen to find some local people or a person who would be willing to help with our
work and the amazing children who come each week.
37
Recently five young people – 3 from
Soham and 2 from Sawston achieved
their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh
Award and the photo shows this
being awarded by the Soham Town
Mayor in March 2023.
Soham and Sawston B#B work
together on many activities including
canoeing, archery, camps and D of E.
We also share use of the two minibuses that Sawston BB owns. It is a
collaboration between the two
groups to help each other. Our activities today include crafts, games, cooking, trips to
Ely Cathedral, First Aid and art. We have a simple uniform of a polo and fleece and the
programme is often determined by the young people themselves. We receive wonderful support and encouragement from everyone at Soham Methodist Church and give
thanks for the support from both Rev Colin Watkins (before he retired) and Ken
Brown. If you can help, please contact me.
Paul Whitmell Email: [email protected] 07721 300194
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40
Organisation name:
Lead contact name:
Lead contact job/role title:
Phone:
Email:
Address (if appropriate):
Facebook/Twitter/other:
Brief Description of the organisation (10-25
words):
Volunteering opportunities (“We’re looking
for…”):
Monday - Friday 10am - 4pm Saturdays 10am - 3pm Closed on Sundays
Find us on Facebook @jakhibssoham
Directory of Local Organisations
1st Soham Brownies
Valerie Watts Tel 01353 688436
Age UK
Dee Potter, Volunteer Organiser
01354 691898
www.ageuk.org.uk/
cambridgeshireandpeterborough
www.facebook.com/AgeUKCAP
Alzheimer’s Society
01954 250322
www.alzheimers.org.uk
www.facebook.com/AlzheimersSocietyEastAnglia
Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading dementia
charity. We provide information and support,
improve care, fund research, and create lasting
change for people affected by dementia.
Breatheasy
Secretary: Fiona 01353 649633
We meet monthly on the 3rd Tuesday, 2-4pm
at Ely Beet Club, Lynn Road, Ely CB6 1DD
A get together for anyone with breathing
problems with a Carer/Friend.
Cam Sight -Soham Support Group
Maria Langford 01223 420033.
2nd Thurs of month, 10am-12 noon
The Causeway Community Room, CB7 5BD
Soham Community Association Directory Form
41
CDA Hearing Help
www.cambridgeshirehearinghelp.org.uk
01223 416141 or Text: 07852 699196
CDA Hearing Help meets at Soham Library to
support people living with hearing loss.
1st Monday of the month, 10am-12 noon
Child & Family Centre - Soham
Pratt Street, Soham, CB7 5BH
01353 727188
www.facebook.com/
EastCambsChildandFamilyCentres
Let’s Get Moving Cambridgeshire
Sophie Edwards, Physical Activity Locality
Coordinator, ECDC, The Grange, Nutholt Lane,
Ely, CB7 4EE 01353 616348
www.letsgetmovingcambridgeshire.co.uk
www.facebook.com/LetsGetMovingEastCambs
This Public Health funded project is a free advice
and support service for everybody, whatever your
age or ability, to become more active.
Mothers’ Union Jan Frost 01638 721274
Phoenix Club
Sheila Abbott Chairman:01353 721280
Meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month,
9.30 -11.30 Causeway Community Room.
We have a speaker, raffle, tea or coffee for £3.
PosAbility
Lead Contact: Sarah Bellow 07565 598193
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: www.facebook.com/posability.org
Website: www.posability.org
Exercise sessions for people living with long term
health conditions. Sessions start with group exercises; individual or small group exercises also available
followed by refreshments, quizzes and social time.
Our friendly qualified instructors will support you
to make the most of your ability, whether you are a
stroke survivor, living with MS, Parkinson's or other
condition. Wheelchair users and anyone who wants
to improve their mobility are very welcome.
We are Positive About Your Ability!
Where: Find us in The Pavilion, Fountain Lane, Soham, CB7 5PL. (We can be found in Histon on Mondays, Ely on Thursdays and Littleport on Fridays)
When: Every Wednesday 10am - 12 noon
and 12.30pm - 2.30pm
Cost: £8 for a weekly two hour session
Volunteer Opportunities: We have a wide
variety of opportunities, from assisting our clients
at the exercise sessions, helping at an event, to
fundraising for PosAbility. We would love to hear
from you!
Royal British Legion (Soham Branch)
Mike Donoghue, Branch Chairman 07522 450289
Treasurer 07522450290
Secretary 07749 654439
Branch email: sohamrbl@outlook .com
www.facebook.com/SohamRoyalBriitishLegion
The Royal British Legion is the UK's leading Armed
Forces charity. You can be part of promoting and
raising awareness and help us to engage with
people in need of company or help from legion
resources.
St Andrew's Church, Soham
Revd. Eleanor Whalley, Vicar 01353 725948
www.standrews-soham.org.uk
www.facebook.com/StAndrewsSoham/
Soham Baptist Church
Colin Stringer 01353 624255
Soham Bowls Club, Fountain Lane.
Geoff Fisher, Secretary: 01353 721316
Outdoor Season from late April
to early September.
Soham Brigade
Paul Whitmell 07721-300194
Every Wednesday in term time at Soham
Methodist Church Hall, Berrycroft Lane
from 7pm to 8.15pm. A youth group for both
boys and girls in school year 4 to 13. Activities
include The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme,
archery, canoeing, cooking, art, residentials,
learning about the Christian faith and most
of all fun!
Soham Coffee Morning Club
Diane Wheeling: Secretary 01353-722775
Geared toward the older community, we meet
Tuesday morning at The Pavilion between 9am
and 11 am. Tea, Coffee and biscuit. Come and
chat somewhere warm and friendly. Yearly
subscription £1.00, weekly charge £1.00 + 50p
for raffle ticket. Members may bring a small
prize to go in the raffle.
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Soham Community Archive
www.soham.ccan.co.uk
Administrators: Ann Roberts & Mary Burnside
Soham Community Archive is member of the
Cambs Community Archives Network (CCAN).
It is a searchable online digital archive of photographs and documents relating to Soham people,
places and events over the years. Contributions,
comments and queries can be submitted
following the instructions on our home page.
Soham Gardening Club
Kay Flack, Secretary 01353 723155
1st Tuesday of the month from Mar to Dec
in the Fountain Conservatory 7.30pm.
Soham Heritage and Tourism
Charles Warner, Chairman
www.sohamhtg.co.uk
We have a range of projects to preserve and
celebrate the rich history of Soham. Members
help us at our numerous events, educational
aspects, displays and research of all types.
Soham Knit and Knatter
Carol Weyman 01353 360289
We meet every Thursday afternoon 1.30 -4pm at
Soham Town Rangers Football Club. We always
have a variety of projects on the go or you can bring
your own knitting or crocheting, sometimes we
Knatter more than we knit! £2.50 for the afternoon
plus £1 for tea or coffee and biscuits.
Soham Library
Debbie Price, East Cambridgeshire Area
Library Manager. 7 Clay St, Soham CB7 5HJ
www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/libraries
www.facebook.com/SohamLibrary
Soham Men's Shed
07900 128923
www.facebook.com/soham.mensshed.7
robertchippett
Open on Tuesday as well as Thursday from 10.00am
until mid afternoon. The Soham Shed is a member
of the UK Men's Shed Assn (UKMSA)
Soham Methodist Church
Rev Catherine Dixon 01353 662426
Soham Museum
www.sohammuseum.co.uk
Mailing address only c/o 14 Churchgate Street
Soham, Ely, CB7 5DS
Soham Museum is a living history museum
currently working towards premises. It has a
busy outreach programme and a collection of
over 4,000 items of local and social interest, held
in trust for the people of Soham. We run an active
research programme, publish books, organise
displays, events and talks of local historical interest
and hold coffee mornings at Soham Library 1st Sat
of the month.
Soham Pumpkin Fair
(Fair held on the last Saturday in September)
Jenny Fletcher, Secretary 01353 688367
www.sohampumpkinfair.co.uk
Soham On-Line
Chris Scurrah www.soham.org (Established 1999).
The official website for the town of Soham
Soham Over 60s Club
Diane Wheeling, Secretary 01353 722775
Meet every Friday (except bank holidays) at
The Pavilion, 2.00-3.45pm Bingo, quizzes,
speakers, outings and musical entertainment.
Yearly subscription £5, weekly charge £2 for
raffle & refreshments
Soham Staploe Rotary Club
Iain Sutherland - Secretary.
A global organisation of like-minded individuals
who volunteer their services to support both
local and international challenges. This support
can be either generating funds to support local
charities and organisations or facilitating
community events. We also try and help
global Rotary initiatives, for example,
Polio eradication worldwide. Guests would be
most welcome to come along and join
our evening meetings held regularly in The
Cherry Tree in Soham. We would also be
interested in any organisation to come along
and tell us about themselves - maybe your local
Rotary Club could help your organisation. For
contact details and information on our
forthcoming activities, please visit our
website www.sohamstaploerotaryorg.uk
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Soham Town Council
Clerk Marilyn Strand 01353 723472
Office Opening Hours: Mon to Fri 9am – 1pm
PO Box 21, The Walter Gidney Pavilion,
Fountain Lane, CB7 5PL
www.soham-tc.gov.uk
Soham Town Forum
www.facebook.com/Soham Town Forum
Owns and ‘runs’ the seven town signs placed
throughout Soham from Townsend to Downfields
Soham Village College
Sand Street, Soham, CB7 5AA
01353 724104
www.sohamvc.org.uk
www.facebook.com/SohamVC
Tea, Toast and Chat
Tuesday 9-11 (term-time only)
Child and Family Centre, Pratt St.
Soham, CB7 5BH
Michelle Grogan 07706 045603
Community Equality Practitioner &
Volunteer Coordinator.
www.cambridgeacornproject.org.uk
michelle.grogan@cambridgeacornproject.
org.uk
This is a free community group which offers an inclusive and informal safe space to talk, connect with
others and take time for yourself - there is also a
children’s play area and children are welcome. We
also offer wellbeing support and signposting if needed. Come after the school run or for a positive start
to your day.
Theatregoers Club
Sandra Butler 07887 240483
www.elytheatregoers.co.uk
Annual Membership is £15.00
Pick up points in Ely, Soham and Littleport
The Library Presents
Nathan Jones, Co-ordinator
01223 706720
www.facebook.com/thelibrarypresents
Thrift Community Land Trust for Soham
www.thriftsoham.org.uk
www.facebook.com/SohamThriftCLT
The Thrift Community Land Trust for Soham
aims to support local communities to develop
affordable housing and other community
assets which will help sustain those communities
now and into the future. It acts as a steward
for any assets developed which means that
any income from schemes will be reinvested
directly back into the community ensuring that
the homes and facilities are provided for the
long term. Contact: [email protected]
or tel. Rosemary on 01353 720177
VIVA!
Bev Cruxon-Lewis, Charity Operations and
Theatre Co-ordinator 01353 722228
www.viva-group.org.uk
Viva is a place for creativity, inclusivity, ambition,
excellence, fun and great entertainment!
Voluntary and Community Action for East
Cambridgeshire (VCAEC) www.vcaec.org.uk
follow us on Twitter or Facebook using @vcaec
VCAEC are the Volunteer Centre for East Cambs.
Contact us to advertise your volunteering roles or
we can help you find the ideal volunteering
opportunity on 01353 666556 or
email: [email protected]
VCAEC also run the East Cambs Social Car
Scheme, providing travel for those unable to use
conventional transport. Contact 01353 666553
VCAEC are the Council for Voluntary Service (CVS)
for East Cambs and can assist agencies with
funding, information and guidance.
Contact 01353 666166 or email: [email protected]
VCAEC run the Helping Hands Gardening
scheme. Providing basic gardening assistance to
those unable to tend to their gardens. Contact
01353 666556 or email: [email protected].
Women’s Institute (WI)
www.thewi.org.uk
The WI provides women with educational
opportunities and the chance to build new skills,
to take part in a wide variety of activities and to
campaign on issues that matter to them and their
communities.
Twilight Tuesday WI - Soham:
www.facebook.com/twilighttuesdaywi
Meet on 2nd Tuesday of the month at Soham
Town Rangers Football Club, Julius Martin Lane,
We are welcoming new members and
speakers, so please get in touch.
44
Soham
Coronation Big Lunch
& Concert
Sunday 7th May 12.30
Bring your own Picnic
Funfair
Inflatable Castle, Playcentre & Slide
Kiddies Convoy
Big & Mini Ferris Wheel
Bungee Trampoline
Football Shootout
Hook-a-duck
Food & Drink Stalls
Silver Oak Coffee
Cornercopia Cakes, Pimms & Prosecco
Sabros -Burgers
Cook’s Nest- Greek Food
Verrecchia- Crepes & Ice Cream
Handy Plaice - Fish & chips
Donuts, Sweets & Candy Floss
Showtime Café German Sausages
TIMETABLE OF EVENTS
12:35 - OPENING SPEECH BY DEPUTY
LIEUTENANT OF CAMBRIDGESHIRE,
SUE FREESTONE
Followed by Fancy dress competition/
colouring competition prize giving
ARENA PERFORMANCES FROM 13:15 BY
Viva
Boss Elite
KD Theatre
4D Dance
LATER ON STAGE FROM ABOUT 15:30
Im ‘n’ ‘Er
Tzarina
Michael Antony + guests,
Faith & Trace
THEN ON OUR BIG SCREEN
Windsor Castle Concert
from 20:00 hrs onwards
FREE ENTRY
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