Latest News
CLT meeeting (Community Land Trust)
The next meeting to discuss the possibility of a Soham CLT will be held at the Pavilion on Wednesday 20th March from 7pm. This follows on from the previous meeting held earlier in the month.
Pavilion Re-refurbishment
The new revised plans for the refurbishment of the Pavilion, on Soham recreation ground, were submitted to Soham Town Council on Monday. If you wish to view the plans please contact the Soham Town Council.
Soham Street Fair 2012
Friday night saw hundreds turn out for the annual Christmas Street Fair and Christmas lights switch on.
The weather kept at bay with no rain or snow, which helped the evenings festivities, although lacking some stalls.
The Street Fair committee would like to thank some of those who took part, they included:
- St Andrews Church
- St Andrews Swimming Pool Association
- St Andrews HSA
- Soham Town Rangers Football Club
- Soham Heritage and Tourism
- Soham Town Forum
- Helen Taylor/Jackie
- Soham Singers
- Soham Town Council for sponsoring the childrens rides
- Robert, Rosemary, Anne, Jeremy, John, John, and Liz
Have a Happy Christmas and we hope you enjoy the lights!
Individual Lives Exhibition

The exhibition is brought to you by:
Soham Heritage and Tourism
and admission is free.
Come along and brighten up a dull January day by finding out about past residents.
See one of the items included in the exhibition:
On show in the Library now.
School swimming Pool - Another Step Closer
After being condemned in 2010, the swimming pool at St Andrew’s School was closed, leaving the town’s primary schools without a pool and forcing pupils to travel into Ely to attend swimming lessons.
In response, the Soham Swimming Pool Association was formed between parents and officials at St Andrew’s and The Weatheralls School to raise funds for a new pool and reduce the increasing cost of transporting the children into the city.
This week, the association revealed it had managed to raise a whopping £153,000 towards the cost of the new pool so far, working tirelessly through 60 fundraising events over the last two years.
There is just a further £23,000 required to meet the costs of the planned pool and the association is appealing to local businesses and individuals to help them over the line before the end of the year.
Police Commissioner Appointed
Conservative Sir Graham Bright was elected Cambridgeshire’s first police and crime commissioner, beating Labour’s Ed Murphy after two rounds of voting.
Sir Graham failed to get an outright majority after the first round of voting, pulling in some 23,731 votes to Murphy’s 17,576, but passed the crucial 50 per cent plus one vote ratio after the second round, where he pulled in 7,909 second choice votes.
Soham Christmas Street Fair

Yes it's nearly here the annual Christmas Street Fair.
Join us on Friday 7th December when we will be switching on Christmas lights too.
The evening will include santa and his grotto, free childrens fairground rides, stalls, games, sweets, trees, Fun Bus, music and more...
This is also your last chance to book a stall. Please contact us to book.
Closing date 24th November: editor@sohamtf.co.uk
Soham Pumpkin Fair - 2012

Some of the very first pictures of this years annual Pumpkin Fair.

The first entry in the baking competition and the first of the vegetables.
Two very large marrows
from two St Andrews Cof E Primary school children aged 7 and 4.
Memorial Facelift

Soham's striking war memorial has recently had a thorough clean by local business man Jeremy Reader of
JK Memorials.
He has been working hard through ever changing weather conditions to bring this centre piece, important to so many on all levels, back to life.
Commons Walks

Join us on the 7th October for this very un-common walk.
Starting at Qua Fen then on to East Fen
Learn some of the unique history and
get some fresh air too!
Starting at 10am from the Qua Common Duck Pond near Holmes Lane.
Please wear the appropriate clothing for a long walk
Soham Lodge Open Days:
Thursday 30 August & Wednesday 5th September 10am - 4pm

Soham Lodge are now ready to open our new Care Centre with spacious accommodation and nursing care for the elderly. We have 26 en-suite rooms and a variety of communal spaces for socialising, relaxing and activities.
We hope that you will continue to support us as we grow, as fellow professionals we want to ensure that we provide a fully wrap round service to our residents.
Come visit, see what we've done and meet the staff.
We will be having more open days in the future, so if you are unable to join us this time, or would like to be updated on upcoming events, please call the office on 01353 720775 or email info@sohamlodge.co.uk
Park Life
Soham Heritage and Tourism are holding a skate boarding / scooter competition on Saturday 11th August at the skate park on Soham Recreation Ground.
There are two age groups:
Registration begins at 9am and competition at 10am. Each competitor will be judged on a 3 minute freestyle routine, scored and progressed through knockout/playoff rounds. First, second and third will be awarded in each age group.
It costs £2 per person to enter the competition and full safety gear must be worn or you will be refused. Refreshments will also be available to all to purchase.
Everyone welcome.
School Crossing Needed?

Concerns have grown over the safety of children crossing Sand Street to and from school.

Minor accidents have occured involving two children recently with parents and community members becoming increasingly worried over continued safety.
The loss of the afternoon 'lollypop' person and no one wishing to replace them has only added to the problem.
Soham and the Olympic's
On 27th July 2012, Soham will become part of the Olympics Celebrations.
At 3pm a grand parade will escort the symbolic Olympic Touch through the streets of Soham.
The festivities begin at 1pm on Soham Recreation Ground, where all can enjoy the official opening on a giant TV screen.
Other attractions include:
- A climbing wall
- Water Buoyz
- Segways
- Inflatable's
- Bungee Catapult
- Family Challenge
With Live Performances From:
- Soham Majorettes
- KD Theatre Productions
The event concludes with a firework display.
A BBQ, Bar and other catering stalls will also be on site.
Admission is FREE to all
Open Days 18th & 19th May
The first of the Soham Town Forum Open Days took place on 18th and 19th May at Soham Library. Apart from the Forum, other groups and organisations took part.
They included:
- St Andrews Swimming Pool Association
- The Weatheralls Primary School
- Soham Twinning
- Soham Heritage and Tourism
- Soham Books
- Thompsons Farm (Isleham)
Along with three terrific collections of bygone toys, costumes and Soham related items from private collectors.
Children enjoyed getting hands on with items such as Civil War cannon balls and musket shot, Roman and Anglo Saxon finds as well as toys and games from the 19th and 20th century.
Soham Town Forum will be building on this success with more open days and events planned for 2012/13
Soham Flower Beds
Posted By Rosemary Aitchison
We only had two volunteers to help with clearing the flower beds in the rain. They were Charles Warner and Jeremy Reader. As a result it took a long time and John and I had to complete the Downfields bed alone and the Regal lane one the following weekend!
We did much better for volunteers to plant and as a result completed all the planting in all five beds in three hours. The volunteers were Charles Warner, Sue Waters, David Baxter, Anne Pallett, Bernard and Maura Castling and of course my other half. It just goes to show that many hands really do make light work!
Thanks go to them all and to the people who provided bed, breakfast and frost protection for thr plants - Bernard and Maura castling, Charles and Barbara Warner and Ruth and Ray Costello. Altogether we had 64 seed trays of plants to look after so it was a big job!
Anybody interested in helping out with the Flower Beds should contact Rosemary
Fordham Road Development
The plans for 96 new homes on ground formerly used as allotments in Soham were held up again as concerns over landscaping has continued.
At a meeting of ECDC’s planning committee meeting last Wednesday, councillors opted to defer the plans for another month while applicant Hopkins Homes continues to alter the designs.
A spokesman for the authority said that 'councillors opted to defer their decision because of concerns regarding some aspects of the layout, which is to be sited near to existing homes on Fordham Road'. This is the second time the plans have been deferred.
Neighbours of the development sent dozens of letters to planning officials ahead of the meeting but, despite the concerns, officers recommended the plans for approval.
Soham Town Forum - 2 Day Event
Soham Town Forum is having a two day event and we would like you to attend in any capacity you wish.
You may have a table for items, send in leaflets or handouts for visitors, exhibit or just come along for interest. No one is being charged for attending or exhibiting and no one will be charged admission. This is purely for everyone to come and see what groups and information we have to offer from all those participating.
We have booked the back room of the Soham Library on Friday 18th May from 2pm to 4pm and on Saturday 19th May from 9am to 12 noon.
If you wish to attend, have a table or exhibit, please
contact us by 4pm on 7th May.
Fordham Road Cemetery – Clean Up Project

Saturday 14th April saw the first of the cemetery clean ups.
The ongoing project, begun by Councilor and Vice Chairman Julie Webb, saw people of all ages arrive ready to begin.
Teams stripped ivy, cut back vegetation, removed litter and cleaned the South Chapel throughout the whole morning. This well received project hopes to keep this area beautiful, tidy and welcoming. Some of the grave markers are now listed and need special care.
The teams were advised of the best ways to achieve results without harm or detriment, leaving the cemetery a better place to visit loved ones.
Jeremy's Virgin London Marathon game
Jeremy from J.K. Memorials Ltd, will be running this year's Virgin London Marathon. Time is quickly approaching, and he's running for
Dreams Come True and a local charity.
Simply predict the finishing time, send it to Jeremy at:
J.K. Memorials
The Granary Workshops
Long Dolver Drove
Hasse Road
Soham
Cambridgeshire
CB7 5UP
Along with your details and he will keep a spreedsheet.
It only costs £2.00 and the lucky winner will receive £50.00 + their £2.00 stake back, simples.
Or simply visit
My Virgin Fundraising Page
Tell everyone in your office and thanks in advance for your support
Jeremy
Free Training For Your Frontline Staff
CP Learning Trust have been involved in the Skills for Life agenda in
the county for over 10 years. We are committed to raising the skills of all adults in the county, and as part of our on-going programme of events and training programmes, we are pleased to offer two workshops to enable staff to recognise and refer clients to Literacy and Numeracy classes.
Skills for Life/Basic Skills Awareness:
One day workshop designed to give an overview of what we mean by basic
skills, how to recognise barriers to learning, identifying basic skills needs and referring to provision - this workshop explodes the myths around the literacy and numeracy needs of this country and helps staff become more
aware of the challenges faced by those with low skills. It also helps
de-bunk the perceived stigma surrounding low skills in literacy and numeracy, and helps staff identify and refer those with needs into provision.
Introduction to Screening and Initial Assessment:
A one day workshops giving you an overview of screening and initial
assessment tools, and the information necessary to make a judgement about what tools would be most suitable for your organisation to use. This is a practical workshop with plenty of opportunities to use the tools, and gain hands on experience.
Please
download and complete the booking form for further details.
Improvements made to the final National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
Welcome improvements have just been made to the document and released today, due to concerns that people have raised.They include:
- The primacy of the plan is confirmed, ensuring that development must be consistent with the plan
- A better definition of sustainable development, based on the 2005 sustainable development strategy
- The insertion of references to the use of brown field land and the need to promote town centres
- Removal of the incendiary default 'yes' to development where there is no plan
- Reference to the ‘intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside', recognising the importance of countryside outside designated areas
- confirmation that existing plans will remain in force while the new NPPF is introduced, and that there will be a one-year transition for the preparation of new plans
The country needs huge effort at a local level to get plans in place that properly reflect the integration of social, economic and environmental goals, and protect places people value.
Soham Tourist Guide

Here is a sneak peek at the new front cover for the forth coming guide.
It will cover as many of the historical buildings, items and land in and around our wonderful town we can. The guide will be produced by the Forum and be free to all, although we will be asking for advertising to help with print costs.
If you wish to advise in the guide please contact the editor via: editor@sohamtf.co.uk by the end of May 2012.
Thank you.
Car Boot Sales
Yes it’s time once again for the Soham Town Forum Car Boot Sales.

The dates for 2012 are as follows:
- 7th April
- 5th May
- 2nd June
- 7th July
- 4th August
- 1st September
Pitches are £5 each and all the money raised goes to the Soham Town Form for use within the town and to Soham based charities and organisations. Last year we raised enough money to forward the Soham in Bloom project and gave a generous donation to the St Andrews Swimming Pool fund.
Remember to arrive at 7.30am, on Soham Recreation ground, open until 12noon.
Please join us – all welcome.
Patient Participation Group
Staploe Medical Centre in Soham are setting up a Patient Participation Group to give people the chance to have a say about the services
provided there.
If you are interested, Staploe will email you every now and again to ask you a question or two.
To join the group, you can call Staploe Medical Centre on 01353 624123 and leave your email address with them. Or you can call into the centre and complete a form.
They really need to hear your views!
Book Signing
Haunted Soham – Ghosts, Apparitions and Poltergeist
At long last the Soham Ghost book has arrived. To mark the publication, Elizabeth Johnston, author and founder of Soham Ghost Walks, will be signing 100 copies of the book at Budgens (James Craven & Sons Ltd), in Soham. The signing will take place on Saturday 4th February from 11am. The 46 page book costs £5.95 and is packed with stories relating to Soham's past inhabitants with related history to help bring the stories back to life.
Copies of the book are also available from Chatterbox and Soham Books.
Friends of Soham Cemetery
Volunteers are required to help look after our beloved and historic cemetery. For more information and registering of interest please contact the Soham Town Council at:
or visit the office at the Pavilion during opening hours.
Community/Adult Education
Cambridgeshire C.C., Soham Village College, Soham Town Council and the Soham Town Forum are working together to bring a programme of Community/Adult education courses back to Soham. As a first step we would like to ask you four simple questions:
- Would you like to have Community/adult education courses?
- What courses would you like to see provided?
- Would you attend courses?
- How much would you be prepared to pay?
If you could spare a few minutes to answer and email these questions to: editor@sohamtf.co.uk, by 4pm on Weds 8th February, it would be much appreciated.
Please help us bring back a much needed and missed resource for all.
Future plans – Shade (Industrial Area)
Last weekend saw the unveiling of proposed plans for the development around the shade.
Plans include:
- An Industrial Area
- A Petrol Station
- A Superstore
- Some Open Green Space
The land involved is based between Scampers, the bypass and Barnwell Furniture towards Northfield.
The Forum would love to know what you think?
Please contact us with your comments at: editor@sohamtf.co.uk
Italian Food Market

On 9th December from 7.30am to 5pm, Soham saw its first market in years return for one day.
Simon Faro brought his traditional Italian Food market to Soham’s Market Street to start the day of festivities. It was well received and attended by residents and the local community. A whole range of traditional food was on sale from speciality breads and cheeses to olives and confectionary.
Well down Soham for supporting this venture.
Christmas Lights Switch On 26th Nov 6pm
Chris Burgess, Soham’s Town Person of the Year had the honour of turning on 2011’s Christmas Lights.

The highly regarded street cleaner has won the award for three years running and was also presented with his trophy, on the night, which he is now entitled to keep.
Our thanks go to the lighting committee who put up the lights which have been extended this year from Red Lion Square through to Churchgate Street. Enough money was raised to put in these extra lights as well as those along the church yard. I think we can all agree at how wonderful they look.
Budgens To Receive Award From James Paice
James Graven & Sons (Budgens), are delighted that the Rt Hon James Paice MP,
Minister for agriculture will be coming to their Soham store on Friday 25th November at 9am to present them with their
certificate for being a finalist in the:
Parliamentary Best Small Shop Competition 2011
Soham Christmas Lights – Switch on Celebration
Soham Christmas Street Fair – Friday 9th December
Italian Food Market – from 8.30am
Begin the festivities of the day by visiting the Italian Food Market being held in Market Street, Soham.
Everything you could ever want from olives and speciality breads to pasta and cheeses.
Come along and enjoy Soham’s first market in years!!!!
Invitations are now going out to any club, charity, organisation or group who want to have a stall at our ever popular Street Fair.
The stalls places are
FREE and you will need to supply your own tables.
If you would like to reserve a place please
contact the editor by 26th November please.
The Soham Town Council have very kindly paid for the childrens rides again this year, so all under 10 can ride for free.
There will be hot food, sweets, gifts, trees and Father Christmas in the church, so please come along and support this fantastic annual event.
NO TRADE STALLS.
Set up from 5.30pm and official opening at 6pm.
The event closes at 8pm
All Welcome
Soham Village College Performing Arts Centre

The 3rd of November saw the official opening of the new Soham Village College Performing Arts Centre.

Guests were entertained by various groups of talented musicians, actors, singers and dancers from the school.
A tour of the new building was made after a buffet lunch.
The Centre was opened by Dan Schumann, producer and ex Village College pupil along with Dr Carin Taylor, Principle of the College.
The Centre is hoped to become a major part of the arts within the College and wider Community.
Meet Your councillor Event

Councillors Tony Parramint, James Palmer and Rosemary Aitchison met with residents of Soham at the event held on 5th October
at the Walter Gidney Pavilion.
The evening included a formal question and answer session, Chaired by Elizabeth Johnston, followed by a
personal meet and greet. Everyone was treated to free refreshments, baked by Soham Town Forum and Soham Town Council
members as well as exhibitions of Soham related items from The Soham Museum and a private collector.

Our thanks go to our three councillors, K & S Bussingham and C & B Warner for their personal efforts in
bringing the exhibitions together.
Last but by no means least a personal thank you all those who joined us for the evening
Viva Coffee Shop
Hurrrrahhhhhh!
The new Viva Coffee Shop is open.
So now you can both browse and take a few minutes to sit back and enjoy a drink or snack.
Windmill Open Day

Last Sunday saw a steady stream of people
visit the Downfields Windmill in Soham. The event was hosted by the owner, Mr Kite and ably supported by the Soham Heritage and
Historic Building Preservation Trust, Soham Museum and others. Displays, stalls and refreshments added to a fantastic and unique day for all.
Allotment Thefts
The Soham Town Council have been informed of a large number of significant thefts from local allotments throughout the town.
As well as items from owners sheds, there has also been a disturbing increase in the removal of crops, including rows of potatoes and beans.
Allotment holders and local residents have been asked to be extra vigilant. The Town Council are also considering the offering of rewards to
anyone who can supply information on the perportraitors. This is yet to be decided.
Jak Hibs Opens In The High Street

What a refreshing change to see someone opening a new shop along Soham's High Street, rather than one closing.
Jacky Hibbet has taken the brave step to open her shop, selling, toys, stationery, household goods & craft items. The shop is located at number 11,
which used to house the Viva Charity shop, whilst Viva was being refurbished.
Please show your support and visit, so we may maintain a business and our High Street.
Read our interview with Jacky
here.
Soham Town Forum - Car Boot Sales
This year saw the first of our car boot sales, orgainsed to help raise money for the Forum and Soham charities. Growing each month and going
from strength to strength we are delighted to say that we have organised more for 2012, due to popularity. So pencil in the following dates:
Dates remaining for 2011
Dates for 2012
- 7th April
- 5th May
- 2nd June
- 7th July
- 4th August
- 1st September
Pitches are only £5 each and each sale starts at 7.30am and finishes at 12noon.
Please do not arrive before 7am for set up.
Weatherall's Expansion
Soham residents are to be given the chance to have their say over plans to expand the Weatheralls Primary School.
Cambridgeshire County Council is planning to extend the school by 210 places to meet demand. An exhibition is being held, at the school, on
Wednesday 6th July from 2.30pm to 8pm.
Comments on the proposal will be invited before, the county council applies for formal planning permission in September.
Soham Town Forum Online Magazine
The latest issue of the online magazine is now available for
May - June 2011
Criminal Damage

Vandals have wrecked the adiZone play area, opened by Tim Henman just two and a half months go. The Olympic themed play area based on the
Barley Fields estate in Soham, has sustained heavy damage ranging from: broken signs, scorch marks on the rubber safety surface and metal spikes
left uncovered when the canopy above was removed. Lewd graffiti has also been scrawled on the tennis wall making the whole area unsuitable for
any type of play to continue.
One local resident said, “They are the first to complain that they haven't got anything to do and yet they do something like this. It's crazy.”
The adiZone was paid for with 106 money and includes a climbing wall, basketball court, tennis wall and outdoor gym equipment.
It was the sixth adiZone to be built in the east of England and only the second in east Cambridgeshire, which makes this criminal activity all the more shameful.
£4.2Million Fire Service Cuts?

Fire stations in Soham, Ely and Burwell could face losing staff and equipment following an announcement that Cambridgeshire
Fire and Rescue must make cuts. One of the money saving proposals put forward includes removing a fire engine from stations in
Soham and Ely and the only fire engine from Burwell. However the Fire Brigade Union in Cambridgeshire has criticised the proposals.
East Cambs Will Be Attending Forum Meeting

At our next meeting on 28th July a representative from East Cambs District Council will attend Soham Town Forum to give a
presentation on the new governments
'sustainable communities' strategy.
This means that unlike the previous
government, communities will have greater power and input into what is built and established within their towns.
As part of a wider scheme on the right infrastructure and amenities being in place before expansion if any.
This is a great opportunity to meet and discuss what you want to see for Soham's and your future.
Free Viva Theatre Performance

The Viva Theatre Company are performing
'The Ark' by Helen Griffin at the Haverhill Drama Festival on the 10th June, and they have decided to perform an entirely
free preview at The Brook, Soham at 8pm on Thursday 9th June.
The play which won awards and acclaim when first performed in the 1990s, is a bitter sweet one act performance starring three
well known local actresses, Lesley Wook, Kirsten Green, and Esther Hiller.
The story is set in the aftermath of a funeral and shows the ups and downs of a mother and two adult daughters after the man
of the house has died. Exploring issues of loss, regret and the nature of human companionship, this play does so in a manner that will bring both smiles and tears.
Tickets are entirely free, If you are interested in attending please call us on 01353 722228
Tim Henman Opens The Addizone Site - 25th February 2011

Tim Henman came along for the official opening of the newly built Addizone Site
on the Kingfisher Drive Estate.
He was greeted there by some of the local children and councillors as he viewed the equipment, which was supplied as part of the
2012 Olympic funding for local councils
SVC Are District U16 Boys' Hockey Champions

The boys played extremely well and had to work harder than usual having only 10 players.
After a tense opening ten minutes, Soham finally found their passing game and began to exert a great deal of pressure on the Impington defence.
This led to Soham's first goal being scored by Miguel Goncalves after a mix up in the Impington goal area.
After half time Soham managed to withstand the Impington attacks and extended their lead by a great finish by Euan Gilmour in Year 8 from a penalty corner.
Final result: Soham 2 - 0 Impington.
Kieran Brady Joins Flanders Racing Team

Young cyclist Kieran Brady can hardly believe how far he has come in such a short space of time.
The 16-year-old cyclist, from Soham, only started the sport two years ago, but he has already been snapped up by the junior
Flanders Racing Team which is a feed to top Belgian side, ASFRA Racing Team.
He is the youngest of six British junior riders to be named in the squad and secured his spot on the basis of some impressive
performances last year and his undoubted potential.
Read more here...