Grafham Gossip. Grafham All Saints. Mince Pie and Coffee Morning Saturday 3rd December 10 am - 1 pm Grafham Village Hall

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1 December 2011/January Issue 88 Grafham Gossip Issue 89 Deadline: Midnight Thursday 20th January Editors note... Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat... and so is the Grafham Gossip! Twelve pages in this festive issue include: two Letters to the Editors on page 6, a little local history on page 7, a couple of messages from the Neighbourhood Watch Association, what to do if you d like to read the Grafham Gossip online and library opening hours also on page 7, dates for our bin collections over Christmas/ New Year and Spot the difference in the Snowmen on page 8, our regular columns/ notices of things to do and lots more! Start Grafham s Christmas season on 3rd December with a visit to the Mince Pie and Coffee Morning. There s the carol singing tour of the village on the 21st (see page 1) and several special church services (see list right and View from the Pew, page 2). Remember to book early for the Burns Night Supper on 28th January ( See pages 1 and 3.) We wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Editors, editor@grafhamgossip.co.uk Mince Pie and Coffee Morning Saturday 3rd December 10 am - 1 pm Grafham Village Hall Come and enjoy warm mince pies with a choice of coffee or tea and browse the stalls with an accent on Christmas. Seasonal Raffle Affordable fashion jewellery, bags and scarves by "Finishing Touches" Guess the weight of the Christmas cake to win it Cinema voucher for 2 to be won from our Advent Calendar Christmas Table Arrangements to buy or order Festive Fayre, Fashion and Fun Christmas in Grafham is Number One Proceeds to Grafham Church GRAFHAM CHRISTMAS CARDS AVAILABLE NOW Limited Stock of the following designs: All Saints Church, Compilation, Snow Robin, Church Road in Snow 1 Each To place an order or for more information ring Valerie on Save All Saints Association Grafham All Saints 4th Dec (1st Sunday) Family Service 11th Dec (2nd Sunday) No Grafham service but Eucharist at Ellington 18th Dec (3rd Sunday) 4.30 pm Carol Service 24th Dec 4 pm Crib Service 25th Dec Eucharist - 1st Jan (1st Sunday) New Years Day Service 8th Jan (2nd Sunday) No Grafham service but Eucharist at Ellington 15th Jan(3rd Sunday) Eucharist 22nd Jan (4th Sunday) 8.00 Eucharist 29th Jan (5th Sunday) No Grafham service but Group Eucharist at Easton 5th Feb (1st Sunday) Family Service Contacting the clergy: Rector - Fr Jonathan Young The Rectory, Ellington PE 28 0AU Churchwarden - Hazel Powell Carol Singing around Grafham Wednesday 21st December Come and join the SAS to Sing and Celebrate the Christmas Season Carol-singing tour of the village Meet at All Saints Church at 6.30 pm Finish in the village hall about 8 pm with mince pies/mulled wine Collection for the Save All Saints Fund as we go Listen for the bell ringing to announce our arrival near your door Carol song sheets provided (Musicians bring your instruments!) Burns Night Supper Saturday 28th January Grafham Village Hall 7.45pm Ticket only seventy tickets available from 1st December contact Karen Full details are on page 3

2 December 2011/January Issue 88 CONSULTATION ON REVIEW OF THE DECISION TO REMOVE ALL SUBSIDISED BUS SERVICE FUNDING The closing date for responses to the questionnaire is 16:00 on Friday 9th December Cambridgeshire County Council wants to hear your views on changes and reductions being proposed to bus services which are supported by financial contributions from Council funds. This will help us decide on how we implement the financial savings and where possible find local solutions. A questionnaire has been compiled to gather your views and can be accessed at If you would prefer a paper copy of the questionnaire please contact us using one of the following means. By bus.tenders@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or telephone: or by post: Cambridgeshire County Council, CC1301, Castle Court, Shire Hall, Cambridge, CB3 0AP The closing date for responses to the questionnaire is 16:00 on Friday 9th December Passenger Transport Services Cambridgeshire County Council We are concerned that someone may have lost a very affectionate, friendly, young male, ginger kitten. If no one claims him, we will adopt him but our two black cats are older and are not happy having him around. Please contact David or Heather on at 3 Alsyke Close. View from the Pew! Our recent Remembrance Day service, though short, everyone agreed was very special. Thanks to Jill Tyack who led us so empathetically through that familiar wording and the stillness and quietness of the two minutes silence. We were in good voice for our unaccompanied hymn "O God our help in ages past." There followed a happy gathering around coffee and "Trench Cake" a delicacy which is promised to be repeated next year. December is one of the busiest months of the year on everyone's calendar and it is no less so at All Saints. We begin the month, on Saturday 3rd, with our mince pie and coffee morning from 10am - 1 pm in the village hall. For the past two years, this has proved to be a popular occasion. With warm, homemade mince pies to enjoy and fresh coffee to sustain you, it is an opportunity to meet with friends and get into the Christmas spirit. Hopefully you will also find something on the stalls to take your fancy. Next day, Sunday 4th our lay led Family Service will have a special Christmassy feel. We will light our second Advent candle, it being the second Sunday in Advent. Taking the place of the usual talk will be the reading of Christmas poems to delight and amuse. The occasion will Cinnamon Bar and Indian Restaurant Christmas Special Thursday 22nd December 3 course meal (buffet) and a glass of wine for 10.50! also Why not hold your office Christmas party at the Cinnamon? Every Thursday night is Banquet Night for a 3 course meal Enjoy a relaxing coffee or drink in the newly decorated bar area Open 12 to 2 and 5 till 11 (Fridays we open at 3.30) 15% discount for takeaways Please call Shamim on to book a table, order a takeaway or to arrange a function Grafham Oil Syndicate Update We go into 2012 with around 100 members and the word is spreading to neighbouring villages, but we will need more members moving forward so please keep those registrations coming! Remember, it's FREE to join, and in the first 3 deliveries we have kept 2,000 in Grafham! me at grafhamoil262@yahoo.co.uk also mark the beginning of the Posada's journey round the village. An important date for your diary is the Carol Service at 4.30 pm on Sunday 18th December. This candlelit service is a joy and a chance not only to sing those favourite carols but to give thanks for the blessings that Christmas brings to us. The service will be followed by mulled wine and Christmas cake. Our other Christmas services include the Crib Service on Christmas Eve at 4 pm when children will be invited to return those knitted nativity characters back to the stable. Whilst mainly for children, all are welcome to this lively and fun service. A Eucharist will take place on Christmas Day at 11 am led by Bill Gerrard who has kindly presided at this service in the past. We are most grateful to Bill for his help at this busy time. Our New Year's Day Service will be led by Jonathan but as it is at 11 am there is still a chance for a "lie-in" following the previous night's revelries! The January services are as stated on the front page. As there is a fifth Sunday that month, a group Eucharist will be held at Easton on 29th January at 10 am. We wish you all a happy and peaceful Christmas and a healthy new year.

3 December 2011/January Issue 88 A Brilliant Bonfire Night! Save All Saints Burns Night Supper The Grafham Social Committee were delighted with way Bonfire Night went this year! Lots of people said it was the best firework display to date, we sold out of food, which has never happened before and we made a very good profit which means we will be able to it all again next year! (Wonderful in these hard times I'm sure you'll agree). A huge THANKS to all non committee members who helped before the event and on the night! Saturday 28th January 2012 Grafham Village Hall 7.45pm for 8pm Bring your own choice of drink Tartan encouraged An annual sell-out event Music from the pipes to greet and entertain you Piping in and addressing the haggis A traditional Scots three course meal Toasts and entertaining speeches Ticket Seventy tickets only available from 1st December don't delay contact Karen First come first served, tickets secured by payment PARISH NEWS Cambridgeshire Highways have agreed to make some changes to the road signage and road markings in the area of the junction of Church Hill and Church Road. There will be two additional signs on Church Road and the white lines are to be repainted. The Parish Council were slightly disappointed that there was no room for discussion on these issues, but have agreed to accept the works as offered. It is to be hoped that, by the time you are reading this newsletter, the work will be done. However, the Parish Council also agreed that there could be some scope for improvements that do not require Highways intervention and will discuss any suggestions that you care to make. Kimbolton Rotary Club have supplied Grafham with 500 crocus bulbs and these have been planted on the grass verge at the top end of Church Road at the site for the village sign. This is to advertise the charitable works done by Rotary Clubs and a small plaque will be placed to this effect. In an effort to make itself more easily contactable for everyone, the Parish Council now has a link via to all councillors and the clerk on the village website. Please don t forget that there is a public slot before the start of every Parish Council meeting, open to anyone who has something to say to the Council. A Parish Councillor will be attending the County and District Council surgeries which are held at the village hall on the first Saturday of every month. Huntingdonshire District Council has requested that the Parish Council give consideration to making a donation towards the running costs of the CCTV monitoring system in local town centres. The reason we are being asked for funds is that HDC are restricting budgets and cutting voluntary sector budgets. Also, HDC council taxes are capped, but Parish Council precepts are not. HDC are therefore suggesting that Parish and Town Councils contribute towards the costs of CCTV monitoring and raise their precept requests to cover the contributions. The Parish Council decided to decline and suggest that this sort of request might be more appropriately made to large businesses and shops in the town centres. The date of the next meeting of the Parish Council is 13 th December Margaret Life, Parish Clerk margaret_life_grafham@yahoo.co.uk Full minutes can be read on the village web site You may contact your parish councillors through the clerk or directly by using the details below. Philip Allingham Chairman philip_allingham@sky.com Ian Gardener Vice Chair idg@asc-geomatics.co.uk Tracie Lord Tracielorduk@aol.com David King davidking@hawkeyesystems.com Andrew Duckworth andrew.duckworth1@tesco.net Alastair Watson Alastair.watson403@btinternet.com Kevin Sharp kevinsharp@bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk

4 December 2011/January Issue 88 District Councillors Peter Downes and Patricia Jordan are available at the village hall from to on the first Saturday of the month. At other times contact: Peter.Downes@cambridgeshire.gov.uk tel Patricia.Jordan@huntsdc.gov.uk tel NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH A burglary occurred at a property in Inhams Way between November 3 rd and 8 th whilst the occupants were away from their property. There are two messages from the Neighbourhood Watch Association: The darker evenings are here and are a reminder to us all of the need to be extra careful when leaving our homes to ensure that we do not increase the chance of becoming a victim of crime. Timer switches for lights are suggested and encouraged. With Christmas approaching we have been advised not to leave packaging of high value items outside our property in view, as this will alert people to the delivery of new goods and the risk of theft. Postal Scam The trading standards office wish to draw our attention to the following scam: A card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and that you need to contact them on (A premium rate number) DO NOT call this number, as this is a mail scam originating from Belize. If you do call the number and you start to hear a recorded message you will already have been billed 315 for the phone call. If you do receive this card with these details contact the Royal Mail Fraud team on James Snell Jamie2701@aol.com All emergencies 999 Police Control Centre Minicom for hard of hearing Crimestoppers (anonymous) Anti-social behaviour To stop unwanted mail To stop unwanted phone calls To reoprt anti-social behaviour in Grafham / or Barbara.gowling@huntsdc.gov.uk or tracey.guinea@huntsdc.gov.uk Proposed wind farm 21 November 2011 TCI Renewables Limited is pleased to announce that of those who attended its exhibition last week in Southoe, Huntingdonshire and who had expressed a firm opinion of their first thoughts on the scheme, half were in favour of the proposed wind farm. TCIR held an exhibition at Southoe village hall last week, 16th November, of its latest plans for three wind turbines on farmland to the northwest of the village. The exhibition was attended by over 70 local residents. It provided information on wind energy, the revised scheme and included visual representations of how the turbines might look in the local landscape. It allowed those attending to meet the TCIR team, ask questions and give their views. Bruce Hutt, Director, commented, The public exhibition was all about providing information on wind energy generally and on the project specifically. We appreciate that whilst supported by the majority, often silently, wind energy has, usually as a result of preconceived and misinformed ideas, some detractors. It is important that as an industry we provide a means for people to access correct information on all aspects of wind power and indeed the project specifics. At Southoe we received informed and sensible questions, which we were pleased to answer, and were encouraged by the level of support received including many positive comments in favour of the project. TCIR is proposing to make a financial contribution to the community, which could be as much as 15,000 annually. The exact way of providing the benefit will be decided in consultation with the local community and will take account of suggestions received. Danny Maher, Project Developer, said, We received a number of good ideas for the proposed community fund ranging from better facilities for older children, such as zip lines and bike skills areas in the local parks, to improved cycle tracks, more bottle banks, reduced energy costs for local residents and improving access on to the A1 from Southoe. Obviously funds for these facilities can only be provided if the wind farm is up and running, so it is important that the local community continues to support the scheme. Environmental studies are ongoing but TCIR anticipates submitting a planning application early next year. Thank you to everyone who helps to deliver the Grafham Gossip around the village. Send your news, views and gossip to: editor@grafhamgossip.co.uk Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!

5 December 2011/January Issue 88 GRAFHAM VILLAGE HALL has a Public Entertainments Licence for music, dancing, performing arts and can accommodate 92 guests seated in rows or 150 at a dance/disco - an ideal venue for children's and family parties. There is a playing field for sports activities and the hall has small changing rooms with shower facilities. Contacts: Pat or Alan Watson Grafham Social Committee invites you to Coffee Mornings at 10.30am on Wednesday, 14th December at Pat Watson s 10 Field Close and on Wednesday 11th January at Jane Stewart s, 2 Van Diemen s Way. These are informal social occasion for residents of the village. Please come along for a cup of coffee and a chat. Grafham Church Flower Club We are available to decorate the church for weddings and other church occasions. Floral arrangements for:- pedestal, altar, font, windowsills, pew ends, pillars. Please contact Hazel Powell on for details and quotes. If anyone in the village has foliage in their garden that they would be willing to donate for church decoration for festivals, please let us know, we would be very grateful. Do you enjoy reading? Come along and join us for informal Social evenings. There is no book club in December. The January meeting is a meal at The Snooty Tavern, Staughton. We are always looking for new members. For more information please contact Tina on Wanted! Do you have any unwanted books? Grafham All Saints Church is looking to re-stock the book-stall in the church porch and would be pleased to accept donations of books; preferably in good condition. Please leave in the church porch. Many thanks! The Parish Council Agenda is available to view in advance of the Parish Council meetings. Visit Click on Parish Council Agenda, in the main menu and then Latest Agenda. The Mobile Library No Visit in December route H24 visits Breach Road, Grafham on the 4th Wednesday of every month from to (There is no visit in December; the next visit is 25th January 2012) For renewals or enquiries call or visit cgisirsi/x/web/0/29/491/x/3 Please read the notice on page 9 which gives details of all library opening hours over Christmas and New Year. YOUR COUNTRYSIDE NEEDS YOU Regional winners of the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers Green Award 2006 & 2007 Ellington and Grafham W.I. Join the growing team! We meet on the first Tuesday in the month. For details ring: Sue or Ann your news, views and gossip to Join Grafham Wildlife and Conservation Group Call Sam Malt on daytime evenings editor@grafhamgossip.co.uk Open from 7.30am Breakfast club 2 ½ -11yrs Playgroup 2½ - 5 yrs Mucky Pups (parent /toddlers) For details tel: Babysitters Danielle 20yrs Kate 17yrs - babysitting course Livvy 14yrs - babysitting course Kirsty 18yrs - babysitting course Georgie 14yrs - babysitting course Harriet 16yrs Emma 17yrs Caroline 16yrs - works at after school club Holly 16yrs baby sitting and first aid courses Olivia 20yrs -Grade B GCSE Child Development Felicity 22yrs -Grade B GCSE Child Development Marie-Claire 17yrs - GCSE Child Development Bryony 17yrs experienced with newborn -14yr olds Amie 22yrs day or evening at short notice

6 December 2011/January Issue 88 Letters to the Editors After hearing the long awaited 'Grafham' sign was up, over the past week I have been looking out for it on my way too and from work. Eventually it was pointed out to me yesterday. No wonder I didn't see it; a black sign against dark trees on dark mornings and evenings plus at what a strange angle! The design is extremely good and shows what Grafham is all about, so well done to the designer, but the positioning is completely wrong! Or am I jumping the gun? Perhaps it's not finished and is waiting to be painted and perhaps it's not actually in its final position and is waiting to be placed on the planned roundabout at the end of Church Road? Tricia Bedford Congratulations to all who organised and ran the display! It was a fantastic display with great refreshments and atmosphere. Well done to all for the hard work in making the event a great success. Here's to next year. Dave Anthony Do you have any views or comments on village life? gossip@grafhamvillage.org.uk and we ll publish them in Letters to the Editors. Please supply your name but tell us if you d prefer us not to print it in the Grafham Gossip. Thanks! Trading Standards a spotlight on energy We all want to do our bit to save energy around the home - to be green and to save money. However, at Cambridgeshire County Council s Trading Standards Service we have seen an increase in queries from residents about cold callers selling energy saving schemes, particularly loft insulation and solar energy, so below we offer some advice to help you. Solar Energy Before you start it s worth taking a look at the information provided by the Energy Saving Trust on or speaking to an advisor on For supplier/installer information, the Microgeneration Certification Scheme can provide a list of members online or by calling Membership is not compulsory, but you will need to use a member if you plan to use the Feed-in Tariff scheme (a governmentbacked initiative paying you for the electricity you generate). Obtain three quotes to ensure the price and projected savings are competitive and realistic. Arrange a technical survey, rather than a sales visit, so the quote is accurate, and ensure all quotes are in writing, detailing what s included. Once you ve chosen your installer read the contract carefully and ensure their claims about savings and maintenance costs are included before signing so that you have evidence of what you were told. Remember! If you sign an agreement at home for solar energy, you should be given 7 days to cancel. If you need advice on this, ring Consumer Direct on Loft and cavity insulation When it comes to insulation, the Energy Saving Trust can provide information on grants and offers that can help you cover the cost of it. They can also provide a list of installers. It is advisable to use a member of the National Insulation Association, the Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency or the British Board of Agreement, ideally who has signed up to a professional code of practice and provides a 25 year guarantee. Reducing your energy bills Start by checking with your current gas and electricity supplier that you are on their best rate. Then compare the prices of other suppliers in case you can get it cheaper switching supplier could save you around 237 a year if you haven t changed before. You can compare prices on Consumer Focus s weekly pricing factsheets at or by contacting Consumer Direct on for a paper copy. Also, most suppliers offer cheaper tariffs for vulnerable customers, so it is worth enquiring about these social tariffs if you are over 60, are on means tested benefits or are on low income. In addition, your District Council could offer you advice on how to reduce the amount of energy you use in your home by offering a home visit, or you can get tips by calling the Energy Saving Trust. Support if you are struggling to pay your energy bills If you are struggling to keep on top of energy bills, seek help from your local Citizens Advice Bureau, either in person or on the phone on Finally, if you feel that you have been mis-sold any product or service energy or otherwise - or have any other kind of consumer issue, contact our partner Consumer for advice. Direct

7 December 2011/January Issue 88 Bert Prior s Little Shop In Ellington Sam Malt Bert Prior owned a little village shop in Ellington called the Cottage. It was just one room run by Bert and his wife, but it catered for most of the village needs. The main road, then the 604, ran through Ellington at that time so the shop had a passing trade. Bert also visited other villages with his van, as a mobile shop and would buy and sell most things. Bert was said to be an easy going well liked man. Read the Grafham Gossip online To read the Grafham Gossip as soon as possible after it is published: Visit the village web site Click on Subscribe in the main menu on the left of the screen. Follow the short instructions asking for your name and address. You will receive an asking you to confirm your subscription. Reply to this and you ll receive an every month enabling you to read the Grafham Gossip on line, usually just before the end of the month previous to its delivery around the village. If you have any problems please editor@grafhamgossip.co.uk and we ll fill in the details and confirm your subscription for you. Christmas and New Year Library Opening Times Saturday 24th December All libraries will close at 1pm. Sunday 25th to Tuesday 27th December 2011 inclusive, all libraries are closed. Wednesday 28th to Saturday 31st December 2011 inclusive, all libraries are closed except Central Library, Cambridge which is open from 9am-5pm. Sunday 1st to Monday 2nd January All libraries are closed. From Tuesday 3rd January 2012, libraries will be open as usual. Do you have any events to advertise? the details to diary@grafhamgossip.co.uk and copy to editor@grafhamgossip.co.uk We ll print them in the Grafham Gossip and add them to the Village Diary on the web site.

8 December 2011/January Issue 88 Spot the difference! Bin Collection over Christmas and New Year Grey - Tuesday 27 th December Blue - Saturday 31st December Green - Tuesday 3 rd January

9 December 2011/January Issue 88 Grafham Cricket Club The playing season, seemingly long over, it only remained to finally top and tail the cricketing year with Grafham s Annual Dinner. This year it was held in the Wheatsheaf in Perry, on November 11 th ; where Lisa, the landlady provided tasty cricket sized roast dinners with seasonal vegetables, followed by a delicious selection of desserts; supported by the wines, lagers and beers of choice. Grafham has had a successful cricketing year, finishing third in Division 2; nine points behind the team that finished second. Speeches were made reminiscing over the years memorable and not so memorable moments; with hearty thanks going to the non playing members of the club whose support make possible home match days. The evening was completed by the awards listed below. Some of the awards are based on personal performance, while others are awarded by the votes of the Club members. Best Batsman Best Bowler Best Fielder Most Improved Player Player s Player Club Member of the Year Chris Brown who scored 212 runs at an average of runs per innings Chris Brown who bowled 66.8 overs: 12 maidens: 217 runs for 25 wickets Gareth Knowles Josh Owen Chris Brown Chris Dighton Grafham Cricket Club would like to wish all readers of the Grafham Gossip, A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Chris Dighton: - Club Chairman View from the Phew! A huge Thank you to all the congregation who have welcomed both myself and my husband Gordon into the church over the last year. Our Wedding Day, on 17 th September this year, was a truly wonderful event made even better by the organisation of everyone around us. A special Thank you to Hazel, Jill and the rest of the flower club ladies for decorating the church with the spectacular flower arrangements. Thank you to Peter Grafham Community Allotment and Gardening Association The committee meets for about an hour on the first Tuesday of every month at 7.30 in the Cinnamon restaurant. We are looking for new members, so please get in touch if you are interested in joining the committee. If you d like to add your name to the list of people wishing to rent allotments, please Melissa Davis GCAGA@hotmail.co.uk for agreeing to play the church organ on our special day. And finally, Thank you to Jonathan. You put us both at ease on the day, and have spent a great deal of time over the last year getting to know us. You have all welcomed us with open arms and even though we had a few raindrops, it was a memorable, lovely day which we ll never forget. Alison and Gordon

10 December 2011/January Issue 88 JJ WINDOW CLEANERS TRADITIONAL WINDOW CLEANING - NO WATER FED POLES DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL GUTTERS, UPVC FASCIA AND SOFFIT BOARDS CLEANED MASTER TRADESMAN PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE CRANFIELD WAY, BUCKDEN, CAMBS PE19 5TJ Why pay when you don t have to? Each month at Trading Standards we receive enquiries about things people have paid for that they could have got for free. In this article, we give advice on where you may be able to save unnecessary expense. Warranties and Guarantees When you buy goods, whether on their own (like a washing machine) or as part of a larger piece of work (such as a new bathroom installation), by law those goods must be of satisfactory quality and be fit for their purpose. They must be of a standard that a person would expect, bearing in mind the price paid, and be free from minor defects, be as described, and last a reasonable length of time for a product of that type. So if, for instance, the normal life of a washing machine is 5 years and yours stops working after two years due to a defect, you may be able to claim for a repair or replacement from the business you bought it from. This is the case regardless of whether you bought a warranty or guarantee. So consider carefully whether a warranty gives you anything extra. Claiming from your debit card or credit card If you are in dispute with a trader, instead of taking them to court, find out whether your bank may be able to help you. If you paid for something on a debit card and there turns out to be problems with the purchase, many banks offer a chargeback scheme where they refund you. Furthermore, if you pay for something worth over 100 and pay for at least some of it on your credit card, the credit card company is equally as responsible as the business that breaks its contract with you. So, if your holiday isn t as it was described, if your new dining table arrives damaged, or if your new TV breaks down soon after purchase, you can insist that your credit card provider helps you if the shop won t. This is even the case if you have paid off the amount you put on your credit card. Personal Protection Insurance We have received a number of reports about companies offering to claim compensation for the mis-selling of personal protection insurance on residents behalf, whether in relation to a loan, mortgage or credit card. This is actually something you can do yourself. The Financial Ombudsman has produced a leaflet which is available on on how to make the complaint yourself. If you don t have access to the internet, you can contact the Financial Ombudsman for advice over the telephone on European Health Insurance cards Even though some companies sell them, you can actually obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) free of charge which entitles you to medical treatment that becomes necessary, at a reduced cost or sometimes free, when visiting a country in the European Union, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein. This is limited to treatment provided under the state scheme and you will need to produce your EHIC card. Visit to find out more and apply. Legal advice There are many sources of free legal advice available to residents. Trading Standards, in partnership with Consumer Direct, offers advice to residents on issues with businesses. Visit to see how we can help you or call us on The Citizens Advice Bureaux offer advice on a wide range of issues including debt, benefits, employment, housing and family issues. Visit or call Also, many people can get free legal advice under their home insurance policies; check yours to see if you can get assistance.

11 December 2011/January Issue 88 ANGELS Christmas Trees Frances Knight Delicious home cooking for every occasion parties, buffets, dinner parties, christenings, weddings and funerals Tel: Mob: Sue Maisfield (Barrett & Coe/Huntingdon) Wedding & Portrait Photographer Living Locally in Grafham Telephone: Your advert could be here! Infested with Wasps, Ants, Fleas, Rats or Mice? Please call III Shires Pest Control or for discrete service in an unmarked vehicle BPCA Qualified FSB member 24 years experience Fully insured A local business within 2 miles of Grafham 3ft 8ft larger available subject to order TOP QUALITY BRITISH GROWN TREES CHEAPER THAN MOST GARDEN CENTRES AND DIY STORES Evergreen door, table and grave decorations, freshly made by us using our own greenery HTA National garden vouchers, the perfect gift Suppliers of Kimbolton High Street and Church trees ELLINGTON THORPE NURSERIES Open 10am - 5pm Friday to Monday during December info@etnurseries.co.uk Situated between Ellington and Grafham PE28 We are closed from 25th Dec until 18th Feb but if you need compost etc just ring as we ll be around Traditional Motor Repairs by a Traditional Motor Engineer repairs servicing MOT preparation quality work realistic pricing no VAT! S.M. Motors Malt Acre Church Road Grafham Huntingdon PE28 0BB (day) (evening) Also, seasoned firewood Handmade bird boxes Bespoke blacksmithing - gates, weathervanes, etc PET & WILD BIRD FOOD NOW OPEN AT GRAFHAM WATER (NEXT TO THE VISITOR CENTRE) WIDE RANGE AT LOW PRICES OPEN WEDNESDAY-SUNDAY TEL: FREE DELIVERY ON ALL ORDERS Your advert could be here! gossip@grafhamvillage.org.uk

12 December 2011/January Issue 88 JEZ ASHCROFT Coving & Artexing Any Pattern Plastering & Decorating FREE ESTIMATES Tel: home mob: BSM Driving Instructor DSA Approved, Pass Plus Registered Living locally in Grafham Call John Sisseman for details Tel Paul's Private Hire and Chauffeur Service Van Diemens Way, Grafham, Huntingdon, Cambs. PE28 0GB Tel Mobile Travel in style via Mercedes cars to your destinations Your advert could be here! BSM Days of Buckden Traditional Family Butcher Open 6 days a week Tel Arabesque Complementary & Alternative Therapies Locally based in Grafham Deadline Date The next Grafham Gossip deadline date is midnight on Thursday: 20th January To advertise us: editor@grafhamgossip.co.uk Community notices are free; business adverts are priced according to size, payable in advance. They start at 3.00 per advert, 50p of which goes to the Restoration Fund of All Saints, Grafham AROMATHERAPY SWEDISH MASSAGE REFLEXOLOGY 25% off your first treatment For details call Elizabeth Diploma in Complementary & Alternative Therapies Purchases, re-mortgages, buy to let, life cover, critical illness cover, health insurance, unemployment cover, buildings and contents insurance FIX OR TRACK? IT WON T COST YOU A PENNY FOR MY ADVICE BUT COULD SAVE YOU THOUSANDS! Tel: Mob: mark@jdms.co.uk FREE independent advice in the privacy of your own home CATWORTH FINE FOODS Purveyors of Quality Fine Foods open 6 days a week 41a High Street, Catworth Minx nails now available Claire Long or Beauty Treatments from the comfort of your own home Grafham Plumbing and Heating Services Clint Thomas-Morgan Oftec trained and registered technician New high efficiency condensing boilers fitted New bunded oil tanks fitted, including concrete bases Disposal of old tanks Boiler service (standard or condensing) Improve your central heating system now - save money in the future All work guaranteed - 24hr call-out Professional, friendly and reliable info@grafhamplumbingandheating.co.uk Views outlined in the Grafham Gossip, including past issues, are not necessarily ours. Printed by Easiprint