19^th March 2017

Dear All,

We were on Street Pastors duty last night – hence the delay in this offering. It was a very lively night with at least four violent incidents. The first arose when two inebriated girls attacked two adults for no discernible reason and left them bleeding heavily. They were patched up by our folk in “Nightlite” then one of their friends went looking for the perpetrators and had to be restrained by the police. Next we were called to M&S doorway where a rough sleeper had been attacked by one of his “mates!”. He had slammed his head into the floor then kicked him – again under the influence. We took him to the cafe (Nightlite) and they patched him up but he was sent to Addenbrooke’s to check for concussion.

We were not directly involved in the third incident but were in the vicinity when eight police cars and ambulances screeched up included an “Armed Response Unit”. It seemed like overreaction as there had been a fight outside one of the night clubs and a girl had been hit and her boyfriend intervened and two guys had been knocked out. Seeing police with guns was a bit alarming! Finally near finishing time (4am) a gang of large coloured lads were falling out with each other with much shouting and pushing and shoving but the police were quickly on the spot. In between we had picked up over 120 bottles (to prevent them being used as weapons), swept up some broken glass, distributed numerous pairs of flip flops and bottles of water and stood up a few fallen bikes. At least when you are busy the time goes more quickly!

We still haven’t got the car back. Marshalls got round to diagnosing the problem on Wednesday and decided that it needed a new set of injectors. As this would be expensive they said that as it had been purchased and serviced by them they would consult Peugeot about getting the bill reduced as “a goodwill offering”. This was eventually agreed – they will pay for the parts and we have to pay labour. However the parts have to be ordered – so watch this space! We have been very grateful to borrow Merv,s ancient Peugeot 307.

After swimming on Monday I had a trip to the clinic to have some blood samples taken (for a medical MOT) then to the dentist as I lost a chunk of tooth. This hopefully will be patched tomorrow. At lunchtime (prepared by Kate) the chapel “Events Committee” met here to plan forthcoming activities.

Tuesday was the last session of “Just Vegetating” covering “Oriental Vegetables”. The class presented us with a £100 John Lewis voucher which was very touching.

I had another Garden Club talk on Wednesday evening at Benington near Stevenage. My Sat Nav was in my car and I had forgotten how much you rely on it finding villages in the middle of nowhere in the dark.

The Thursday walk started at Arkesden south of Saffron Walden and took in Clavering. It was much drier underfoot than recent weeks and very pleasant with spring springing up everywhere.

Arkesden

Break

“Biographies” ended with “Beethoven” presented by a rather vague ex music teacher. She wanted to use Power point but did not know how so I put it together for her and acted as projectionist. Unfortunately she changed the order of pictures so it was quite a game keeping up with her. After we had an end of term lunch in “Cote Brasserie”. Friday was also my birthday – thanks to all who sent cards and presents – greatly appreciated. In the evening 12 of us had a meal at “The Old Crown” in Girton.

We started yesterday with Street Pastors training on “Homelessness” and “Community”. The first session was very good taken by an ex homeless man who has been heavily involved with “Jimmy’s” access centre. This caters for 24 people (and 2 dogs!) every night and tries to process inmates onwards to hostels, move on houses or council accommodation. There are actually 300 hostel places in Cambridge which largely explains why it is a popular spot for the homeless and perhaps why homelessness in Cambridge has increased by 100% in the last year. A recent development is “Street life tourism” where people having been travelling from London, put on tatty clothes, beg all day then change and go back home! Evidently in Cambridge the going rate for begging income is £12 an hour!

The garden is springing to life  and I have sown beetroot, salad onions and lettuce this week. Our apricot tree is covered with more bloom than ever before. – no late frosts please!

 

Apricot Blossom

Love

Mike & Kate