Villagers Deliver!

After almost a year of planning, in July the Histon & Impington Courier hit the streets for the first time. It is written, laid out, printed and delivered by volunteers from the two villages, and we hope you enjoy it and find it useful!

Producing the paper is one thing, but delivering it to more than 3,000 homes and businesses is also no mean feat. We divided and conquered by splitting the village into several zones, and teams responsible for each got the papers out (phew!). 

URGENT! Help Needed!

The Launch Edition of the Histon Impington Courier newspaper will be ready for distribution starting Friday JUly 3rd.  We still need help covering some of the streets and roads.   If you can help please contact distribution@hicourier.co.uk  or call 07906 315926.  Our goal is to have one or two people on each steet deliver newspapers once a month.  

Here are a list of those streets that still need volunteers to deliver the newspaper door to door.

ZONE A
Cooke Road
New Road west of B1049
Pepys Terrace
Pine Court
Chequers Road
Kay Hitch Way
Loves Close
Oak Tree Way
Poplar Road
School Lane

 

ZONE E
Ambrose Way
Drake Way
Mill Lane
Paddock Close
Spring Close
Glebe Way
Orchard Road
Garden Court/Walk
Youngman Close / Avenue

New Road/Impington Lane

Signs have just gone up about a coming closure of New Road and Impington Lane on the 12th July.  read more ...

Premier Foods

We've had an update from Louisa Cook, Environmental Manager for Premier Foods, Histon about their Environmental Permit Application for the factory in Histon which is causing them concern.  read more ...

Health Warning - Heatwave Alert at AMBER (Level 2)

The Met Office and NHS Direct are advising that an Amber Level 2 ‘Heat-Health’ Alert has been issued for the next several days.  Chief Forecaster at the Met Office, Martin Young, added: “Temperatures are likely to build through the first part of this week, with a 60% chance of reaching 33 °C by midweek, before becoming less hot by the weekend”.

The NHS Direct website advises:

• Avoid going out in the hottest part of the day (11am-3pm).
• If you go outside, thickly apply sun cream with a SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15. Children should use a higher SPF sun cream.
• Avoid strenuous outdoor activity, like sport, DIY, or gardening.
• If you go outside, stay in the shade.
• Wear a hat and light, loose-fitting clothes, preferably cotton.
• Close the curtains in rooms that get a lot of sun.
• Take cool showers or baths, and splash yourself several times a day with cold water, particularly your face and the back of your neck.
• Drink regularly even if you do not feel thirsty – water and fruit juice are best.
• Avoid tea, coffee and alcohol as they can cause dehydration.

NHS Choices Advises:

High temperatures can be dangerous, especially for:

• the elderly, 
• the very young, and 
• people with chronic or long-term medical conditions.

In alert level two, you don’t need to take immediate action but if the level of alert is raised, more information will be issued. 

In the meantime, make sure you’re prepared in case the weather stays hot:

• Stay tuned to the weather forecast on the TV or radio. If you’re planning to travel, check the forecast at your destination, too. 
• Plan ahead. Stock up with supplies so you don’t need to go out during extreme heat. Think about what medicines, food and non-alcoholic drinks you’ll need.
• Keep plenty of water to hand and stay in the shade whenever possible.
• Identify the coolest room in the house.

Remember: 

• Enjoy the weather but try to stay cool. Avoid going outside between 11am and 3pm as this is the hottest part of the day. Spend time in the shade and avoid strenuous activity. 
• Help others. Check up on your neighbours, relatives and friends who may be less able to look after themselves (for example, if they have mobility problems). 
• Drink water or fruit juice regularly. Avoid tea, coffee and alcohol. If you do drink alcohol make sure you have lots of water or other non-alcoholic drinks as well. 
• Keep rooms cool by using shade or reflective material external to the glass, or if not possible by closing pale coloured curtains. Metal blinds and dark curtains can make the room hotter.
• Keep the windows closed while the room is cooler than it is outside. If safe, open windows at night when the air is cooler.
• People with heart problems, breathing difficulties or serious illnesses may find their symptoms become worse in hot weather. Make sure you have enough medicines in stock and take extra care to keep cool.

Heat exhaustion can happen to anyone in hot weather and if it isn’t treated it can lead to heatstroke, which can be dangerous and even fatal.

If you or any one else feels unwell, drink water and go somewhere cool to rest. If symptoms such as breathlessness, chest pain, confusion, dizziness, weakness or cramps get worse or don’t go away, seek medical help.

Care homes and hospitals
If you run a care home or hospital, during alert level two you should:

• Monitor indoor temperatures four times a day.
• Prepare cool areas.
• Ensure you have enough staff to help keep residents and patients cool.
• Identify high-risk residents/patients.
• Make sure everyone has access to enough cold water and ice.

 

Contact your doctor, a pharmacist or NHS Direct (0845 4647) if you’re worried about your health during a heatwave, especially if you are taking medication, or have any unusual symptoms.

A14 Junction 37 (Newmarket) to Junction 31 (Girton): Westbound Repair Works

The Parish Council has just received information regarding works on the A14 as follows, from CarillionWSP:  read more ...

Creative look at Creation - The Flower Festival at St. Andrew’s in Histon

 The environment and climate change is on everyone’s agenda right now and St Andrew’s Church in Histon is no exception. Caring for Creation is the theme of this year’s flower festival at St Andrew’s church in Histon. 40 organisations from the villages of Histon and Impington will be preparing displays on anything from recycling to the celebration of Creation.

 

The festival, which runs from Saturday 4 July to Monday 6 July, once again opens Histon Feast week events. The theme is also carried out for the village shop window display competition with 12 shops taking part.

 

On the Saturday afternoon, cream teas will be served on the Stable Room lawns next to the church and on Saturday evening there will be a concert by the Moonlight Mandolins and The Hot Club of Cambridge in church, following their highly popular musical contributions last year. Tickets are available at the door on the night.

 

Opening times are for the flower festival are Saturday 9.30am – 6pm, Sunday 12noon – 6pm and Monday 10am – 5pm

 

UPDATE (Mon 29 June) IVC Closed by Swine Flu

UPDATE: YR9 Geography trip to Milton Keynes on Tues 30th June is cancelled. — Cambridge Open Studio Launch Event has been Cancelled.

Mild cases of swine flu continue to spread throughout the area.  Impington Village College has been closed until next Tuesday 30 June.  Yesterday, Cambridge University reported 17 new cases.  The parish council website is reporting “Unless you are identified as a ‘close contact’ (in which case you’ll be contacted) medical advice is ‘business as usual’ “.  IVC’s website is reporting “Exams will continue as planned.  However (Year 12 Exams are postponed until Tuesday 30th June).  Year10 Work Experience continues as normal unless students have a work placement at IVC.  The Sports Centre is closed  and Adult Education Classes are cancelled until further notice. “

Robert Campbell, principal at IVC, said in a written statement: “I am very sorry to announce that following the confirmation of two cases of Swine Flu, we have been advised by the health authorities and Local Authority to close for 7 days with immediate effect. I very much realise that this may cause significant inconvenience but hope you understand and appreciate the gravity of the situation. We hope to be able to reschedule the planned trips/visits that were due to take place this week. Following DCSF advice, we will be open on Wednesday for those students taking the GCSE exam. We will hopefully re-open on Tuesday 30 June. In the event of the need to remain closed, we will post a notice on our website and also local radio.”

There is no word on the condition of the affected students, however, it is believed that their condition is not serious.  Virtually all cases of swine flu in the UK have been mild with only one death (due to other complications) out of more than 2700 cases reported nationally. 

Tuesday night health officials confirmed 17 new cases of swine flu among Cambridge University students - bringing the total number of infected on campus to 20.

The symptoms of this swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal flu and include fever, fatigue, lack of appetite, coughing, sore throat, pain in muscles and joints, headache and chills. Some people with swine flu have also reported vomiting and diarrhoea.

The virus is contagious and can spread between people, although it is not known how easily. Transmission of this new flu virus is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu:

• From person to person by coughing or sneezing.
• From touching an object such as a door handle which has virus on it from someone infected with flu.

There is no risk of catching the illness from eating properly handled and cooked pork or pork products. Swine flu viruses are not transmitted by food.

General hygiene can help to reduce transmission of all viruses, including the swine flu virus. This includes:

• Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible
• Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully
• Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to your face or to other people
• Cleaning hard surfaces (such as door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.

If you have recently visited one of the countries or areas where human cases of swine flu have been identified, or been in close contact with someone who has confirmed or suspected swine flu, it is important for you to monitor your health closely for seven days after your visit or contact.

Close contacts are people such as friends and family who have usually been in close and prolonged contact with an individual suffering from an infection. 

These people are thought to be more at risk of catching flu. As swine flu is a respiratory virus that can be spread by coughing and sneezing, close contacts may have been put at risk and are followed up and given antiviral medication as a precautionary measure. 

There is no need for you to isolate yourself from other people as long as you remain well.

If you develop flu-like symptoms, you should stay at home and phone your family doctor or NHS Direct (0845 4647). If a health professional decides that you need to have tests, you should avoid contact with other people as much as possible until you receive the results.

Comprehensive information and advice on swine flu can be found on the HPA website  or at NHS Direct   Or phone NHS Direct (24 hrs)  on 0845 46476.  You can also call 0800 1 513 513 for recorded information.
 
Two practical steps people can take is to make sure they know their NHS number, make arrangements with family or friends for ‘flu friends’.

Everyone registered with the NHS in England has their own unique NHS Number. Your NHS Number is printed on your medical card, given to you when you register with a GP. Each NHS Number is made up of 10 digits, shown like this: 450 557 7104 (this is an example number only). This helps with getting access to any medicines prescribed to people who are diagnosed with swine flu.

Flu friends are neighbours, friends and relatives who can help if you get ill. For example they could collect medicines, good and other supplies.

Swine Flu at IVC

Following a couple of students being diagnosed with swine flu, IVC is following national and local guidance to close for 7 days, planning to re-open on 30th June. Parents and students are, of course, being kept in touch with developments, both via the college's website and local radio.  read more ...

Open Gardens Day - June 14th 2009

Programmes for Open Gardens day on June 14th 2009 are now on sale at Jane’s Frames, Lighthouse Toys and Best-One (the former Impington Post Office). The price has 50p off before the day: £3.50 and £2.50 concessions if bought before June 14th.  Programmes will also be on sale on Saturday mornings May 30th and June 6th outside Barkers and on The Green on Saturday June 13th and Sunday June 14th. More details on www.opengardens.org

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