Introduction
At the beginning of April, South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) handed over the management of the Park to Cambridge Sport Lakes Trust (CSLT). In the first eight months there have been several noticeable improvements; the park Fishing has been taken over by Cambridge Fish Preservation and Angling Society (CFPAS), the cafe has been relaunched as Cafe Diem, and a large range of events has taken place. Read on to find out Mick Woolhouse's first impressions of running the Park, and plans for next year. Kevin McIntyre tell us about the relaunched Cafe Diem. We will invite CFPAS to contribute to the next newsletter, for now you can see their website here. Unfortunately there have been some problems this year, and the Friends have some challenges ahead. The events programme for next year is still to be confirmed, but here are some upcoming events.
Stephen Bennett Chairman of the Friends.
Thoughts from the Cambridge Sport Lakes Trust
Following a successful outcome to the negotiations with SCDC, CSLT were delighted to start operations at Milton Country Park on 1 April 2008. The development of the Park is now a twin goal for us, alongside our ongoing endeavours to build the facilities that make up the Cambridge Sport Lakes. The first six months at MCP have really been about managing the handover from SCDC. There are some 'quick wins' to be secured and we hope that you have started to see some subtle changes around the Park, but many of the processes that we are working on will bear fruit several years from now.
CSLT carried out discussions with a number of interested parties with regards to both of these agreements and we are very pleased to have secured the involvement of both Cafe Diem and Cambridge Fish & Preservation Society Ltd. Both of these organisations have already made a considerable enhancement to the services that are offered at the Park and we look forward to a progressive partnership with all concerned.
At the time of writing we are working on four key threads for the Park;
More details will follow on each of these in due course. The Visitor Centre refurbishment and landscaped play facility are expected to be complete by the spring of 2009, although as with any project of this nature there are hurdles
to be overcome.
We are planning a programme of events for 2009 and would like your views. Please respond to the Have Your Say section at the end of this newsletter.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the Friends and users of Milton Country Park for their support thus far and extend a warm welcome to all in the future.
Mick Woolhouse Cambridge Sport Lakes Trust.
Friends Update
Not surprisingly SCDC choose to mark the handover of the Park to CSLT with a low-key private event. However with support from the Friends, the Rangers and CSLT organised an extremely popular 'summer celebration' event in August. This event was focused on the Park users, with a dog show, children's storytelling, running clinic, arts events, a brass band, and stall from various local groups. We are very grateful to the local groups and businesses which supported this event, and look forward to running it again.
End of the 'summer celebration' event
The Rangers, Trust staff, and Friends worked very hard on the day but have few photographs, so please if you have any photographs from the day please share them, either contact the Rangers or email the Friends.
This year has seen a big change for the Friends of Milton Country Park, with the momentum of the Save Milton Country Park campaign, we have considerably increased the Friends membership; but we need to continue this effort. What has become clear this year is how much support the Park will need. We really need people to get involved; organising events at the park, fund-raising, running projects, and producing newsletters. If you've got ideas, or are interesting in helping the Park please consider becoming more actively involved, we have several places on the Friend's committee. To help you find out more about the Friends and the Trust we are arranging a talk and social meeting in the spring, with a talk from Mick Woolhouse on the Trust's plans, plus a chance to meet the Friends committee.
Upcoming Events
Leave a legacy, plant a family tree
Sunday 7th December, 11am to 4pm: If the Park is special to you, you can leave a lasting legacy within it by planting a tree for your family. We will be planting a mixture of native trees and shrubs in recently coppiced areas. Call
us on 01223 420060 to book a time that day for you to come along and plant your family tree. Minimum donation £5.00 per tree.
Can't make it that day? Call us we may be able to arrange another day.
Malcolm's Milton Meander 2009
Thursday 1st January 2009, New Year's Day, 11am: Shake off those winter blues or Christmas stress by coming along to a walk in the park on the first day of the New Year. Join Malcolm the Senior Ranger for a brisk walk, taking in the sights and sounds and learning a thing or two. Just turn up at the Visitor Centre at 11am.Children, Dogs and Grandparents welcome. £3.00 per person.
Tree Planting in the Community Orchard
Saturday 3rd January 2009, 11 am to 2.30 pm: We are increasing the size of the community orchard this winter come along and plant it. We already have some of the trees sponsored and you can join them, as an individual, a family, a group or company. For £50 you can sponsor a local variety fruit tree in the community orchard. Please call the Rangers on 01223 420060 to talk about sponsoring a tree.
Come a-Wassailing
Saturday 3rd January 2009, 3.30pm: Come and help us celebrate 2009 which we hope will be another good year for the Park by joining us for a traditional blessing of the Park and the Community Orchard. To help the Wassailing along bring with you; anything to make lots of noise with (bells, pots and pans, musical instruments), your own mug for a taste of our traditional toasting drink, a torch and don't forget to wear brightly coloured warm clothing. Meet at the Visitor Centre.
Cafe Diem
One of the improvements we have seen at the Park this year is the relaunch of the Cafe in the Visitor Centre as Cafe Diem. We asked Kevin McIntyre who runs Cafe Diem to give us a brief introduction.
I originally started a small take away cafe, out the back of my brother's
cafe six years ago. Since then I have developed this into five cafes
working alongside leisure trusts and the forestry commission. Other cafes at Cambridge Leisure Park, Bury Leisure Centre and Forestry Commission sites near
Stamford and Cannock.
All our cafes do fresh sandwiches, toasties, panini, soup, ice cream and a full range of coffees made with fairtrade and organic beans. We use only local suppliers and all our disposable cups, bags etc are 100% bio-degradable.
Our first few months have gone well, and I feel once word gets out that the cafe has changed I am sure visitors to the Park will be happy. If people would like to give feedback please call in, or send a message via our website.
Kevin McIntyre Owner of the Cafe Diem
Problems at the Park
There have been set-backs in this first year, the park has been repeatedly vandalised; the theft of metal roofing, break-ins at the Visitor Centre, and setting fire to bins. These are all costing the Trust money and increasing the insurance premiums. If you see anything suspicious around the Park, please do contact the local police. This is especially hurtful now as Milton Country Park is completely dependent on fund raising, and every pound lost to vandalism is money which can't be spent continuing to run the Park.
On the subject of the importance of Park funding, some people are parking outside the gates to avoid paying car parking. If you are a regular visitor you can contact the Rangers to purchase a quarterly car-park badge. All this money goes solely to the Park.
Have your say
Special events at the Park could bring in much needed cash to help meet the gap in funding to run the Park as well as responding to recent feedback from users. Naturally CSLT want to run events which will be well supported, so please help them plan for next year's events by responding now to their 4 questions below.
This questionnaire is now closed - thank you to those who contributed their thoughts.
- What themes interest you most for events at the Park?
Please rank the ideas below in order of your interest from 1 (low) to 7 (high).