Out Of Reach - Feb / Mar 1977

Parish Council News

Plans have been received by the Council for work undertaken at Dykes End public house, and for a illuminated sign, The Parish Council hopes that any difficulties will be resolved.

Numerous complaints have been received about unnecessary mud left on the road in the centre of the village by local lorries and tractors, would farmers responsible try to avoid

This in the future.

The rates situation in Cambridgeshire is far worse than even pessimistic forecasts. The County Council is certain to demand more cash from the ratepayers as a result of the Government decision to transfer resources from counties like Cambridgeshire to the major urban areas.

One can have some sympathy for this policy, but rural areas, notably Cambridgeshire, have been

Have been specially clobbered.

At the January meeting we discussed preliminary work for organising Reach Fair week, and subject to there being no clashes with other similar events, dates are as follows .

May

15th Sunday Dog Show, Band, 7, 30 pm, Rogation Service

16th Fair Opening at noon by the Mayor of Cambridge

Horse and Tack sale at 2 00 pin

20th Darts Match

21st Clay Pigeon Shoot, Dance

22nd Cycle Race, Band in School. Grand Draw in the evening, prizes

Holiday Voucher to the Value of Fifty Pounds, Whisky, Radio Wine Sherry, ECT

Parish News, The following letter was received by Mr Woollard 2nd Feb 77

Dear Mr Woollard,

Further to our telephone conversation the other day concerning Reach Railway Bridge, I have investigated the situation thorughty and the following facts are worth noting.

From a structural point of view, the Bridge is perfectly capable of carrying up to twice the permitted axle loading, a recent inspection and assessment using the Government criteria has led me to make this definite statement,

The parapets, with the exception of the four pillars, are in a dilapidated condition,

However temporary fencing has removed any immediate danger, there is also an area of the surface on top of the Bridge which is lower than the remainder and this is the possible reason why people on the top of a double decker bus are somewhat alarmed when the bus jolts

I welcome your acceptance of this Yours sincerely B Oldridge

At last years Whist Drive and Christmas Draw, held in the Village Centre, £102 was raised; £51 was sent to Newmarket Journal Hospital Fund and £51 to Addenbrooks Hospital to help with their Christmas Festivities, two letters of acknowledgement has been received from Addenbrooks

Dear Mrs Harrison

I thought you and your members might be interested to know how that part of your marvellous donation you sent to the Hospital was used to rent a colour television over the Christmas period for patients mainly the elderly ones on the male medical ward.

Thank you again for your continued interest in the Hospital

Yours sincerely M F Chaplin General Administrative officer

It stands alone its weathered cheeks lay bare, its face has sunk
Beyond repair
Its strong heart has gone, its done its time, the life blood stopped
Along the line
So let them lay this old bridge to rest, for eighty years it has
Stood the test
Its back once strong is so weak and so, alas now its time for
It to go
But oh no hear our wise council all say, we can’t spend your
Money this way
There are a lot more important things you see, we need the
Money to plant more trees
So you must now beware you councillors one and all, if a
Accident should befall
To our children on their school bus, you will have a lot to
Answer to all of us

I wrote this when the saga of the Bridge was in full swing, it got to the point when the mothers of the village staged a protest about the bridge, but thankfully nothing has happened to the bridge with all the traffic that goes over it, there was a suggestion that the army might remove the bridge as a exercise for the troops, and also make a road round for nothing, I don't know if this was true but it was not took up by the council. At a meeting we had with the Council we were told that the planners of the bridge had made it to take twice the allowed weight, very clever planners who could see that way ahead and the allow for double decker busses and 40 plus ton lorries going over it.

Bill Estall