The Parish Magazine January 2026
Always a welcome vistor
Covering Coveney, Little Downham, Oxlode, Pymoor, The Droves, Wardy Hill, and Way Head. THE DIGITAL MAGAZINE IS FREE TO ACCESS AT Produced by residents of the p arish es for the resident s of the p arish es .
www.parish-digital.co.uk Published two days before the start of the new month
On behalf of the Parish Magazine commiee, we would like to thank our subscribers, contributors, adver sers and distributors for their work and support during the past year. Without their commitment and support there would not be a magazine. Thank you to everybody involved! As you are aware some major decisions were made towards the end of last year regarding the magazine’s content, availability, pricing, and future. The responsibility for the con nuance of the magazine, which has been in existence, as far as we know, since 1893 , is of paramount importance to the commiee. It must not be allowed to fail. The commiee believes that the magazine should be a vehicle to promote community life in the two parishes and encourage businesses, clubs, and socie es to adver se their aims, facili es, and exper se with the aim that their interests thrive locally. That is why the magazine policy of poli cal and religious neutrality is paramount. An important point to note is that the magazine does not receive any external funding by way of grants. One of our major concerns is that many memebers of the current commiee are “ge-ng on” : a euphemism. It is hoped that the introduc on and development of the digital edi on of the magazine may encourage a younger group of people with special computer and graphics skills in the parish to join the commiee in me. New blood, we hope, will promote fresh and innova ve ideas that will con nue to freshen the look and content of the magazine to reflect modern village life for both younger and older parish residents. Also, a few points to appreciate with the “FlippingBook magazine” it equipped with a search facility, look for the magnifying glass in the top right-hand corner of the screen. Also, if you wish to keep a page or copy of a current magazine for future reference it is possible to download the complete document as a readable PDF computer file. The digital edi on is published on the 28 th day of the month.
A HAPPY NE W YEAR TO YOU ALL! 1
Together with our Cyberhood Watch partner, Avast, we are launching the latest Cybercrime Survey which will help us understand the impact of online crime and scams on our members. There's also the opportunity of winning some very useful M&S vouchers with our prize draw!
Take part now
The findings of the survey will be used to inform the ongoing Cyberhood Watch awareness ini$a$ves and help our Cyberhood Watch Ambassadors. It will also draw a&en$on to important topics which will help everyone protect themselves - and their loved ones - from cyber criminals. The survey will close on Wednesday 31 st December - we'd really love to hear your views and of course, we will load the report onto our website once it is available so you can look for yourself!
Thanks in advance for your support in the fight against cybercrime in the UK.
Message Sent By Sandra Bauer (NWN, Deputy CEO, Head of Policy, Partnerships and Projects, England, and Wales)
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Charlotte Cane MP
Photo: Charlotte Cane MP playing the part of ‘Madam Speaker’ at a recent visit to the 1 st Dullingham and Stetchworth Scouts during UK Parliament Week. The discussions were energetic and good- humoured, with plenty of lively interventions! As we welcome 2026, it’s a pleasure to wish you all a very happy New Year. This moment of renewal always reminds me how fortunate we are to live in such a vibrant and caring part of the country. Across Ely and East Cambridgeshire, our communities show extraordinary kindness and resilience — supporting neighbours, celebrating local life, and stepping up when challenges arise. Whether catching up with residents at winter events or speaking with you on the doorstep, I’m continually encouraged by the ideas and experiences you share with me. In Parliament, I recently led a debate on the long-awaited upgrade to Ely Junction. This is a rail project with clear economic, environmental, and transport benefits: increasing rail capacity,
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reducing delays, and removing tens of thousands of lorry journeys from our roads each year. Although the Autumn Budget again failed to provide funding, Ministers have now agreed to meet with me and key stakeholders. I will continue pressing for the clarity and investment our region deserves. I was also disappointed that the Chancellor again refused to introduce a 5% VAT cut for hospitality. At a recent meeting of my Publicans’ Network — hosted by the brilliant team at the Black Horse in Rampton — landlords shared their concerns about rising costs and the lack of targeted support. Pubs are at the heart of rural life, and I will keep campaigning for policies that allow them to thrive. It was equally valuable to meet local farmers for a festive cuppa, where we discussed issues ranging from the impact of the Family Farm Tax and the closure of the Fruit & Veg Aid Scheme to ensuring farmers receive a fair price from supermarkets. We also talked about improving health outcomes for those working in agriculture and the importance of helping children learn where their food comes from. Our farmers are the backbone of our food security and rural economy, and I’ll keep fighting for fair treatment and meaningful support in Parliament. Engaging with young people has been another highlight this winter — from hosting Student Question Time for local schools, hosted by Soham Village College, to joining the Dullingham and Stetchworth Scouts for lively debates during the recent UK Parliament Week. Their insight and enthusiasm give me great optimism for the future of our democracy.
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Since being elected, I’ve now closed over 10,000 cases where residents have come to me for help or advice. Whether at surgeries, community events, or on the doorstep, I’m always here to listen and support you.
Wishing you all a peaceful start to 2026,
Charlotte.
P.S. This is just a snippet – to keep up with everything I’m doing, sign up to my newsletter at bit.ly/newsfromcharlotte.
Charlotte Cane, MP for Ely & East Cambridgeshire charlotte.cane.mp@parliament.uk | 020 7362 1601
Larry the cat has been in residence at Number 10 longer than the last three prime ministers. I think that is something to seriously think about. 5
REMINDER – 2026 SUBSCRIPTIONS
For those of you who would like to continue to receive the printed version, the annual subscription will remain at £10. Payments may be made either by BACS/bank transfer (preferred method as this does not incur bank charges) or cash/cheque. As you will be aware, the Parish Magazine will now be available in a digital format. This will be free of charge so if you want to stop receiving the paper version and move totally to the digital version, there will be no subscription needed. If you decide to do this, please send an email of confirmation to with your address so that we do not chase you for payment. elycats2022@gmail.com
For BACS/Bank Transfer payments , the details are :
Account name: Downham Magazine
Sort Code: 30-98-90
Account number: 17524960
In order to identify your BACS payment, please put your house number (or first 3 letters of your house name if you do not have a number) followed by the last 3 digits of your postcode. Cash or cheque payments should be given to your distributor or can be put through my letterbox at West Fen House, High Road, Little Downham, CB6 2TB. If you have already renewed, or advised us that you would like to move to the digital version, please ignore this reminder.
Linda Hutchinson, Treasurer
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CAMBRIDGESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL News from your local county councillor
Councillor Lorna Dupré lorna@lornadupre.org.uk 07930 337596
Happy New Year to all residents of our Downham villages.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT REORGANISATION The seven councils in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have now submitted four options between them for the reorganisation of local government required by the Government. X
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Option C has not been submitted by any council. Options D and E don’t meet the Government’s criteria, or the previously-agreed view of our area’s council leaders that three councils would be too many to be sustainable. But it’s now a matter of waiting for the Government to announce the shortlist of options on which it will consult in the spring, and its final decision in the summer. BUS SERVICES UPDATE The new bus timetable between Little Downham and Ely is set to start in January. In good news, the new service will be more frequent and will serve the whole length of Lawn Lane in Little Downham. Disappointingly, however, the new timetable as currently advertised won’t serve Tesco in Ely, and the last bus will leave Ely at 4:40PM which won’t meet the needs of Little Downham residents who work in Ely. The Thursday bus from Wardy Hill and Coveney to Ely will no longer operate as a scheduled service, but you can book the same journey using Tiger On Demand. You can book a regular Thursday trip to Ely, or travel on any other day the service operates. You can scan the QR code to download the Tiger On Demand app on the Play Store or App Store.
Alternatively you can visit www.tigerondemand.co.uk or call 01480 595440 and make your booking over the phone. The call centre is open Monday to Saturday from 6:00AM to 7:30PM. I’m working with the Combined Authority in the hope of achieving an arrangement for residents from our villages to be able to book the Tiger on Demand service to Sutton so that they can use the GP service at Priors Field. 8
DENTISTRY IN DECAY County councillors including me recently quizzed local health chiefs about the shortage of NHS dental treatment in our area. The national contract for NHS dentistry, and the workforce to deliver it, are said by dental service providers to be the main factors. They say there are limited financial incentives for preventative care, insufficient funding for complex treatments, and disparities in reimbursement rates between different types of treatments. Being a sole NHS dental provider is no longer seen as a long term sustainable or financially viable option for dentists. There is also no dental school in the East of England to train dentists who might then stay on to practise locally. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough was allocated twelve placements for dentists under a national incentive scheme, with one-off payments of up to £20,000 for working in under-served areas for up to three years However, only four of these twelve posts have been filled. Whatever is being done by the NHS locally to try to improve NHS dental provision, this is ultimately a national problem that needs the Government to put in place national solutions.
REPORTS ONLINE My monthly councillor reports are at www.tinyurl.com/lornasreports
MEET YOUR COUNTY COUNCILLOR I’m hoping to be at •
Coveney coffee (Village Hall), Wednesday 7 January (10:30- 11:30AM) • Little Downham Book Café (Village Hall), Wednesday 7 January (2:00-3:00PM).
Dates and times may change due to diary conflicts. Lorna 9
A Vote Without the Facts: Why Cambridgeshire County Council’s Reorganisation Process Should Concern Us All Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) is no small matter. It will reshape how services are delivered, who makes the big decisions, and how nearly one million residents across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are represented. When done well, it can streamline bureaucracy, save public money, and improve accountability. When done badly it risks long-term consequences for communities who had little say in the process. That is why the events surrounding Cambridgeshire County Council’s recent decision to submit its preferred LGR proposal - known as Option A (which sees East Cambs being placed in a Greater Cambridge Unitary Council) - to the Secretary of State raises serious alarm bells. The most fundamental issue is as astonishing as it is troubling: Councillors were asked to vote on the proposal without ever having seen it. Instead, members were offered a brief officer overview and expected to approve a document that remained entirely out of view until after the vote had taken place.
For a decision that could overhaul the entire structure of local government, such a process is not just inadequate, it is undemocratic.
National expectations for LGR proposals are crystal clear: decisions should be based on robust evidence, transparent processes, meaningful engagement, and properly informed democratic scrutiny. None of these conditions were met. The County Council’s approach isn’t simply a matter of political disagreement; it represents a departure from the standards of good governance set out in the CIPFA/IFAC framework, which emphasises informed decision-making and 10
openness. Asking elected representatives to endorse an unseen proposal fails these tests by any reasonable measure. But the concerns do not end inside the Council chamber. External partners, including NHS organisations, were asked to endorse Option A without being given the proposal either. Some statutory consultees effectively gave their blessing long before any detailed documents were published. How, then, can public bodies claim to have offered meaningful scrutiny? How can the Government place any weight on such endorsements? And how can those NHS organisations now respond to the upcoming statutory consultation without being pre- determined? The public, too, were left in the dark. The proposal was only published one day before the submission deadline. Residents, parish councils, community groups, and other stakeholders were shut out of the process. This last-minute release made it impossible for communities to understand the detail and offer informed comment, despite the Government’s explicit requirement for transparency and local consent. Equally problematic is the lack of cooperation across local authorities. While six of the seven councils collaborated on Option B, the County Council chose to press ahead with Option A alone. Aside from a shared data set, there was no joint work, despite repeated efforts from other councils to engage constructively. For a process that is meant to demonstrate collaboration and consensus, this is a big red flag. Taken together, these issues raise serious questions about democratic legitimacy. How can a proposal claim to represent local consensus when so many key voices - councillors, partner organisations, parish councils, and the public - were excluded from meaningful involvement? The Government now faces a critical choice: whether to accept a proposal submitted under these circumstances or to insist on the transparency, accountability, and due process that residents deserve and that other proposals took the trouble to comply with. At stake is not simply which model of local government prevails, but whether the process of arriving at that model is one that commands public trust.
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Cambridgeshire residents deserve better than a vote without the facts. They deserve a process that reflects the seriousness of the decision, and one that treats democratic scrutiny as a foundation, not an inconvenience. So why did the administration at the County Council decide to hide the Option A business case from residents and stakeholders? On reading the proposal for Option A, I think the answer becomes clear. Under Option A East Cambridgeshire will fall into the Greater Cambridge Local Plan footprint. This is an area set to take 150,000 new homes on top of the numbers already contained in the Local Plan (up to 77,000). Housing need will be recalculated across the new planning area. Instead of each district demonstrating its own 5-year housing land supply, the new authority will do this across its new geography; it is not only inevitable that the new authority will look to sites in East Cambridgeshire for delivery of large numbers of new homes , it is explicitly stated throughout the County Council’s Option A business case, including stating in relation to housing growth, that to allow Greater Cambridge to prosper the new unitary council must be established on a larger footprint. That new footprint is East Cambridgeshire. The emerging Greater Cambridge Local Plan is already in trouble before it has even been adopted, losing large housing sites that will have to be replaced. Land values and constraints are lower in East Cambridgeshire. Option A would also see local people lose local control of where those homes go – the Government, through the Cambridge Growth Company, will be deciding where the 150,000 new homes will be located.
Contact Me Email: Anna.Bailey@eastcambs.gov.uk Tel: 01353 663 253 Facebook: www.facebook.com/CllrAnnaBailey X: @Annabailey_Ely
Anna Bailey ECDC Councillor, Downham Ward Leader of the Council
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Lile Downham Parish Council – Dec ember Newsleer
The Parish Council hopes everyone had a lovely Christmas and wishes you all the very best for the year ahead.
Recreation Ground Update We’re pleased to share that the Council has applied for a Football Foundation grant to install protective measures along the edge of the field – between the playing field and the car park – to help protect our recreation ground from unauthorised vehicles. A Huge Thank You to Max (MD Arb) A massive thank you goes to Max from MD Arb for his fantastic work cutting back the hedge and flailing the ditches around the orchard. His efforts have made a real difference to the area. There will be more works completed by Max over the winter months as part of our ongoing maintenance plans. Conservation Area Fundraising Success The Parish Council would also like to thank everyone who bought a raffle ticket or attended the recent quiz night in support of the Conservation Area. The evening raised just shy of £1,000! We’re now awaiting confirmation that this amount may be matched £-for-£ by a large corporate company. We hope to share good news very soon, fingers crossed! Thank you once again to all residents for your continued support. Any questions or concerns please email: -
clerk@littledownhamparishcouncil.gov.uk
Mrs Amy Jacklin, PSLCC. - Clerk to Li3le Downham Parish Council (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 9am – 3pm) Tel: 07354468757
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Miss K Hanslip Clerk to Coveney Parish Council 60A Cannon Street, Little Downham CB6 2SS clerk@coveneyparishcouncil.co.uk
Coveney Parish Council - January 2026
Happy New Year to everyone in Coveney, Wardy Hill, Way Head and the surrounding area! We hope your Christmas was cosy, joyful, and filled with good company — and that 2026 has started gently for you.
January always feels like a fresh page for the parish, and the Council wanted to share a little round-up of what's happening and what to look forward to. This is the time of year when we review the parish precept. As always, we're working to balance good village maintenance with keeping the cost as reasonable as possible. Once everything is confirmed, details will be posted. 2026 will bring plenty to focus on. We’re hoping to: Continue with the improvements to the village pond, keep open spaces looking loved following a tender process. We have recently appointed a new groundskeeper for the parish who will be starting work in March and will s tay connected with residents through regular updates . You may have noticed that the speed signs are now working again, thanks to a local resident who is assisting with this. We are receiving regular data summaries to inform any future speed control measures which may be required. Our first Parish Council meeting of the year is Monday 19 th January and everyone is welcome. It's a relaxed way to hear what's going on and to share ideas. It's always lovely to see new faces. As we begin this new year together, we want to say thank you to everyone who helps keep Coveney and Wardy Hill friendly, welcoming, and full of life. Here's to a bright and peaceful 2026 for our whole parish.
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Miss K Hanslip Clerk to Coveney Parish Council 60A Cannon Street, Little Downham CB6 2SS clerk@coveneyparishcouncil.co.uk
Monday 19th January 2026
Monday 16th February 2026
Monday 16th March 2026
Monday 13th April 2026 - Annual Parish Meeting
Monday 20th April 2026
Monday 18th May 2026
Monday 15th June 2026
Monday 20th July 2026
August - No meeting
Monday 21st September 2026
Monday 19th October 2026
Monday 16th November 2026
Monday 21st December 2026
Meengs are at 7.30pm, Coveney Village Hall
All meengs are open to the public, please do turn up if you are interested.
Minutes and agendas are available on the website: -
www.coveneyparishcouncil.co.uk
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Little Downham Book Café
Our opening hours are Wednesdays 12:30-4:30pm -Everyone is welcome! Homemade cakes and refreshments as well as library services are available, we are in the small room in the village hall. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported us during 2025 and we hope that you will con nue to pop in for refreshments including homemade cake and a chat during 2026! Also, a massive thank you to all our volunteers who help to run the sessions and to the Book Café commi(ee, the Parish Council and Feoffees for enabling the Book café to con nue. Review of 2025 – We have had a busy and successful year in 2025, with increasing numbers vising during sessions and introducing new opportunies. During 2025, we have run monthly sociable cra sessions very successfully on the first Wed of each month, the group has kni"ed/crocheted 8” squares for blankets for hospitals and kni"ed some gilets to send to Ukraine as well as bringing along their own projects. The squares and gilets are on-going : please see the digital magazine to see enlarged photographs in colour.
In addion, we have welcomed Busy Fingers staff and children once a month and organised several different interesng events. Jason from Barclays has visited to present on scam awareness and Digital Wings, an educaonal tool available to all. Philip from P3 visited in November to provide free drop-in advice for independent living for over 65’s – Since autumn, Margaret and Lorna have also hosted several very enjoyable a er-school kni/ng/crocheng sessions, ( the children learn to crochet so quickly ) and a Christmas cra s session for children 3:30-4:30 pm with some fabulous Christmas decoraons made on 10 th December.
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Please see below for events being hosted soon and please feel free to suggest things that you would be interested in. Recently, we have purchased a jigsaw mat and will have a jigsaw available at some sessions. Dates for your Calendar Wed 7 th January 1:30-3 pm – kni/ng, crocheng and cra session, first Wed of the month. Everyone welcome. Wed 21 st January 2pm-3:30pm – Philip from P3 – drop-in session for independent living advice. Wed 21 st January 3:30 -4:30 pm A er School Kni/ng /Crochet/Cra for children. We are planning to have some Chinese New Year decoraons as well as the crocheng etc. from accessing a “Blue Badge” or grab rails to organising home visits to help with form filling for allowances, or signposng other services. Earlier in the year we also had a ‘cuppa with a cop’ session to enable residents to meet our local community police. Lorna Dupré our county council l or, also visits once a month, showing interest in our community and listens to any local concerns. We are also delighted that The Firs, Li"le Downham is donang cakes made by their chef fortnightly to our sessions – thanks so much for this support. Wed 11 th March – Older drivers course 65+ run by Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue – please sign up to a*end. communitysafetypromo,on@cambsfire.gov.uk.
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Brickmaking in Little Downham
On the corner of Lawn Lane and California is a boggy gateway access to a grass field. This was the site of a brickworks, clearly shown on a map of 1885. This was accompanied by the Brickmakers Arms pub and Brickkiln Farm.
Brick making was brought to Britain by the Romans, but fell into decline after their departure and it was not unusual for bricks to be reused from rundown buildings or excavations. The earliest known post-Roman bricks date from the early-thirteenth century, when Flemish bricks were imported. The quality of British brick making rose to an adequate level and the numbers of imported bricks declined. However, it was not until the early-fifteenth century when a large number of Flemish and Dutch craftsmen came to settle in England that the quality of English bricks increased. During this period, all brickmakers travelled to the construction site to make bricks from the local clays.
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The earliest reference that I can find to the brickyard is a map of 1810 which shows a kiln in the general area, and the outline of the brickyard is visible in the field markings. The enclosure map of 1844 shows just the topmost end of the brickyard with a lane called Brick Kiln Close approximately where
Orchard Estate is now, and the land was owned by Mary Martin, the widow of William Martin. In the 1851 census Mary lived at Horse Pond Hill, which was then the name of the green where the village sign is. There are many bricklayers in the parish records throughout the years and a few brickmakers. The first brickmaker to appear is Edward Veal when his daughter Susanna was baptised in 1816. In 1851 there were two brickmakers recorded in the census. Thomas Woolston from Bedfordshire, who married a Little Downham girl and lived in West Fen. Nathanial Thurston was a journeyman brickmaker from Norwich living in Lawn Lane. In 1864 George Frost, brickmaker, married Mary Cornwell. George’s father, Henry, was also a brickmaker. The brickworks is shown on the 1900 Ordnance Survey map but by 1925 it is no longer marked as a brickyard. There are suggestions that this site may be developed for housing. Its future remains to be seen. Robin Pearl
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Little Downham Good Companions
"Don't ever promise more than you can deliver, but always deliver more than you promise." "It is true that integrity alone won't make you a leader, but without integrity you will never be one." "People may doubt what you say, but they will believe what you do." "You are what you do, not what you say you'll do." huge thank you to everyone who donated the prizes. This was a lovely end to 2025. We now look forward to 2026. Our first meeting will be our AGM on 8 th January at the Village Hall 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. This is when we renew our membership which remains at £10 each for the year. Please come along and join our club. You will be made most welcome. Please contact Maureen Doggett: - 01353 699949 or 07757439170 or e-mail maureendoggett@btinternet.com On December 5 th we enjoyed our Christmas Lunch at the Anchor, Little Downham. A delicious meal was served and Christmas cracker jokes caused much laughter. We also had a very special visitor to give out our Christmas cards. Father Christmas, who took time out of his very busy schedule to come to see us. He said he had heard what a happy group of people we were, so really wanted to meet us. He was not disappointed. We had a free Christmas raffle with food hampers, fruit basket, bottles of wine, Pimms and Prosecco, Christmas socks, chocolates and two homemade Christmas cakes. A
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From 4 th December 2025, the exisng Acon Fraud support will be replaced by our new Report Fraud service.
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Cable theft in Cambridgeshire
Thieves are continuing to target underground cables in our area and it’s causing serious disruption to communities. The latest incident happened overnight on Monday in Abbots Ripton, where thieves attempted to steal around 400 metres of underground cable.
But their plans didn’t go as expected – the vehicle they were using ended up in a ditch! It’s now been seized and found to have been stolen from elsewhere in the county in October. Cable theft is not just a crime, it can leave homes and businesses without power, phones and internet and cost thousands to repair. If you see anything suspicious, people working on cables late at night, unusual activity near roadside boxes, or vehicles parked in rural areas, please call us immediately on 999 if a crime is in progress, or 101 to report information. You can also report anonymously to Crimestoppers, on 0800 555111. Kind regards
Message sent by
Tara Dundon - (Police, Senior Communications Officer) 26
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Addenbrooke’s Hospital
Some of you may know that I have been a regular visitor at Addenbrooke’s over the last couple of years. Denice thinks we should have a loyalty card! Somewhere near the main concourse is a plaque commemora ng the charitable gi! in the will of Dr John Addenbrooke (1680-1719), which led to the founda on of the hospital. I was intrigued to find that there was very li.le about Dr Addenbrooke in the usual online sources, so I delved a li.le deeper. Addenbrooke was a fellow of St Catharine’s College in Cambridge. I was lucky enough to contact Dr Colin Higgins at the College who has been researching the life of John Addenbrooke and has wri.en an ar cle for the College Magazine. He kindly allowed me to use extracts from his ar cle here. John Addenbrooke should be seen not just as a medical man but a scholar with a wide range of interests, par cularly in the organisa on and systems of the natural world, which places him firmly in the tradi on of what we now know as the Age of Enlightenment. He was a contemporary of be.er-known figures such as Locke, Newton, and Voltaire. He le! a substan al library and a medical cabinet (which at first glance resembles a desk) to St Catharine’s College. The 184 volumes in the library cover a huge range of subjects. In addi on to many medical disciplines (anatomy, surgery, pharmacology, toxicology and more) Addenbrooke’s other interests appear: for example, he owned a mid-sixteenth-century Vene an copy of the works of Sophocles in an Oxford binding, a two-volume edi on of Holinshed’s Chronicles (the source for many of Shakespeare’s history plays) and a copy of Newton’s Op cks . There are volumes of Ancient Greek poetry and La n rhetoric, and a copy of the first book on probability theory.
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The medical cabinet, similarly, contains a wide range of objects: five drawers hold botanical specimens, four contain minerals, one houses animal products, and several more store fossils and ethnographic objects. Many of these objects were collected when Addenbrooke (with a group of amateur naturalists and physicians) explored the countryside around Cambridge, from the gravel pits of Cherry Hinton to the Gogmagog Hills and Grantchester Meadows. There are also some (very unusual for the me) artefacts from Melanesia in the Pacific. Why did Addenbrooke amass these collec ons? Like his contemporary Hans Sloane (1660–1753), whose vast collec on of 71,000 items provided the material to found the Bri sh Museum, Addenbrooke seemed to believe that gathering and classifying could itself be a learning process, and that ordering the world, whether through books or objects, offered a pathway to understanding it. Addenbrooke bequeathed £4,067 2s. 1¼d. (equivalent to almost £800,000 today), for establishing a ‘small physical hospital for poor people’ in Cambridge. When I first lived in Cambridge in the 1970s, the Hospital was on Trumpington Street, almost opposite the Fitzwilliam Museum, in the building which is now the Judge Business School. (Brown’s restaurant is where the Outpa ents Department used to be, I believe.) By this me, however, construc on had already begun at the ‘New Addenbrooke’s Hospital’ (as it was then known) and some departments and services were already opera ng at the new site. This is now the heart of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, where the Rosie Maternity Hospital and the Royal Papworth Hospital are situated, plus many offices and laboratories where biomedical research and development are carried out. In a few years a Cancer Hospital and a Children’s Hospital will also be built.
Richard Maxey.
PS If you’re keen to support the work of Addenbrooke’s, please visit h ps://act4addenbrookes.org.uk/donate/
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Downham Parish Conservation Group January 2026 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For many people, January is a depressing month. It follows the jollity of Christmas and the bright lights reflected in the faces of lots of happy children. But for me, I find it a hopeful time, knowing that the days are getting longer and warmer days are just around the corner. Yes, I know that there is a greater likelihood of bad weather, rain sleet or snow, but the general trend will be positive. So, once we have said goodbye to the excesses of the festive period and blown away the cobwebs, we w i ll all resolve to get fitter and start to think about doing some walking. As a dog walker, it’s an all-year-round, mostly pleasurable experience of course, but for many others it’s a chance to grab a lung-full of fresh air and reacquaint oneself with nature. That is one of the reasons why I so appreciate our nature reserve, as it transforms from the doldrums of winter into the promises of Spring. All the grasses, trees and plant life are geared up for a winter rest period, and now is the time that they kick-start their annual cycle. Temperatures and ground conditions are less important than daylight hours to the flora, 30
as it’s the latter that triggers the switch-on of metabolism and their genetic footprint. All the animals that hibernate, whether partially o r fully, will begin to stir on the warmest of days, and some may even start to venture out, gathering up the cached food supplies that were judiciously hidden away in the Autumn. I’ve followed the personal lives of the Moorhen in Martyns Pond (by the bird-hide) and during my last visit in December, two adults were still busy feeding and fussing, as only Moorhen can. One of the tick boxes on my ‘is everything ok?’ checklist is written against this lovely little wader. The number of chicks (a) produced and (b) surviving is also a big factor. Ironically, if four survive it probably means we have fewer predators, but if none survive, we have too many! Two chicks are my happy medium I guess, but we must wait to see what we get. Often, the woodland walk will be dripping and damp, not ideal for most creatures, or us for that matter. But one interesting, often overlooked, part of the walk is down on the ground or living happily on the side of trees. Mosses and lichens are fascinating in their own way. Look on the north-facing sides of branches or the base of trees for some of the best examples. You may have to get down on your knees of course! Our more common resident birds, the Goldfinch and Chaffinch, will be busy building themselves up by picking the seeds from teasel and similar dead looking ‘weeds’, of which there are plenty on the reserve. They will be planning their nest-sites and weighing up the local talent before starting their courting phase. The general feel is that life is starting to, well, come to life once more. Often late in January, the snowdrop will shoot, with flowers appearing in abundance. The best place to see them is at the bottom of Pingle Wood. Another reason for my optimism about this month, is that wonderful satellite we call the moon. One of the names for January’s full moon is the ‘old’ moon. It’s never ‘blue’ by the way, that term describes a month when there are two full moons!
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We take it for granted as it completes it’s 29.5-day orbit of the Earth. It’s either there, as a crescent, half or full moon or it’s not. I do prefer it when it is visible, especially on those crisp clear nights when the air is pure and light is reflected to such a degree that it almost seems like daylight. Our moon is the fifth largest ‘moon’ in our whole solar system. – Not a lot of people know that, as Eric would say. Although we always see the same side of the moon, it’s nice to speculate as to what is on the other side. Some think that the Russians, Chinese or even the USA have secret military bases there, where they get up to all sorts of shenanigans. Me? I’m more inclined to think that an alien species resides there, perhaps green, lizard-like creatures that are building up their forces for a pre- emptive strike on this wonderful place we call Earth (imagination, eh?). Well, the moon’s gravitational effects on us have a b e aring on our wildlife, especially in terms of migratory species travelling across the globe. It also appears to influence our own moods and behaviours, so I guess that it must also affect the animal kingdom in the same way. Tidal effects on our oceans allow the planet to keep in balance, even if this sometimes goes a bit wrong. I hope that you agree – I wouldn’t be without it! F inally, at the time of writing, the minutes of the December meeting have not yet been released, but anything significant will be well- publicised, I’m sure. Do keep an eye on our Facebook Group pages (search Little Downham Conservation Group) if you are able. I f you haven’t posted anything on there recently, make it a resolution to do so!
Best regards,
Best regards, Tony
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SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
The Ely and Newmarket Methodist Circuit would appreciate your help. We would like to get in contact, if possible, with the family of Edith Mabel Barker . Edith has been laid to rest at Coveney Methodist Chapel Burial Ground. Anyone who can give us a contact for a family member, please email elyandnewmarket@gmail.com or telephone 07894 400425.
Julie Smith - Administrator Ely and Newmarket Circuit Ely Methodist Church Office 13-15, Chapel Street, Ely CB6 1AD Tel ephone : - 07894 400425
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A new threat to Android mobile telephones
Albiriox is a new family of Android banking malware that gives aackers live remote control over infected phones, leng them quietly drain bank and crypto accounts during real sessions. Researchers have analysed a new Android malware family called Albiriox which is showing signs of developing rapidly and already has strong capabili es. Albiriox is sold as Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS), meaning entry-level cybercriminals can simply rent access and launch their own fraud campaigns. It was first observed in September 2025 when aackers started a limited recruitment phase. Albiriox is an Android Remote Access Trojan (RAT) and banking Trojan built for on-device fraud, where criminals perform transac ons directly on the vic m’s phone instead of just stealing passwords. It has a structured architecture with loaders, command modules, and control panels tailored to financial apps and cryptocurrency services worldwide. In one early campaign, Albiriox targeted Austria. But unlike older mobile malware that focused on a single bank or country, Albiriox already targets hundreds of banking, fintech, payment, and crypto
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apps across mul ple regions. Its internal applica on-monitoring database included more than 400 applica ons. Since it’s a MaaS service, aackers can distribute Albiriox in any way they like. The usual methods are through fake apps and social engineering, o0en via smishing or links that impersonate legi mate brands or app stores. In at least one campaign, vic ms were lured with a bogus retailer app that mimicked a Google Play download page to trick them into installing a malicious dropper. The first app vic ms see is usually just a loader that downloads and installs the main Albiriox payload a0er gaining extra permissions. To stay under the radar, the malware uses obfusca on and cryp ng services to make detec on harder for security products. What makes Albiriox stand out? Albiriox combines several advanced capabili es that work together to give aackers almost the same control over your phone as if they were holding it in their hands: Live remote control : The malware streams the device screen to the aacker, who can tap, swipe, type, and navigate in real me. On-device fraud tools: Criminals can open your banking or crypto apps, start transfers, and approve them using your own device and session. Accessibility abuse: It misuses Android Accessibility Services to automate clicks, read on-screen content, and bypass some security prompts. Overlay a acks (under ac ve development): It can show fake login or verifica on screens on top of real apps to harvest creden als and codes, with templates that are being refined. Black-screen masking: The malware can show a black or fake screen while the aacker operates in the background, hiding fraud from the user. The live remote control is hidden by this masking, so vic ms don’t no ce anything going on.
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Because the fraud happens on the vic m’s own device and session, criminals can o0en bypass mul -factor authen ca on and device- fingerprin ng checks. How to stay safe If you no ce strange behaviour on your device or spot apps with generic names that include “u lity,” “security,” “retailer,” or “investment” that you don’t remember installing from the official Play Store, run a full system scan with a trusted Android an -malware solu on.
But preven on is beer:
Only install apps from official app stores whenever possible and avoid installing apps promoted in links in SMS, email, or messaging apps. Before installing finance-related or retailer apps, verify the developer’s name, number of downloads, and user reviews rather than trus ng a single promo onal link. Protect your devices. Use an up-to-date real- me an -malware solu on like Malwarebytes for Android, which already detects this malware. Scru nize permissions. Does an app really need the permissions it’s reques ng to do the job you want it to do? Especially if it asks for accessibility, SMS, or camera access. Keep Android, Google Play services, and all banking or crypto apps up to date so you get the latest security fixes. Enable mul -factor authen ca on on banking and crypto services, and prefer app-based or hardware-based codes over SMS where possible. And if possible, set up account alerts for new payees, large transfers, or logins from new devices. IOCs (See explana'on below) The following file hashes are detected by Malwarebytes under the listed detec on names: b6bae028ce6b0eff784de1c5e766ee33 detected as Android/Trojan.Agent.ACR3A2DCCDFH18 61b59eb41c0ae7fc94f800812860b22a detected as 36
Android/Trojan.Dropper.ACR9B7ECE83D1 f09b82182a5935a27566cdb570ce668f detected as Android/Trojan.Banker.ACRD716BEE9D2 f5b501e3d766f3024eb532893acc8c6c detected as Android/Trojan.Agent.ACRFE97438AC5
Malwarebytes doesn’t just report on phone security we provide it Cybersecurity risks should never spread beyond a headline. Keep threats off your mobile devices by downloading Malwarebytes for iOS, and Malwarebytes for Android today.
Ar cle by Pieter Arntz | December 1, 2025
An IOC, or Indicator of Compromise, is forensic evidence of a poten'al cyber-a ack on a network or system. These are digital "breadcrumbs" that signal a breach has occurred and can include things like unusual network traffic, malicious file hashes, or suspicious file changes. IOCs are crucial for cybersecurity professionals to detect, respond to, and prevent future incidents Editor’s note The ar'cle above, was originally published by Malwarebytes. Although it may be considered as an advertorial its content was considered important enough to share with all subscribers who have an Android mobile telephone. NOTE: - All underlined text in this ar cle are hyperlinks which may be
directly in the digital magazine.
www.parish-digital.co.uk
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The Sky At Night
Happy New Year everybody. Here is a brief description of what you should be able to see in the sky during January: Jupiter will dominate the night sky as it is at its closest to us this month. It will be visible all night long within Gemini. By just using binoculars you should be able to make out Jupiter’s four largest moons. Saturn will be on show in the early evening south-western sky during the first half of the month. It will be on the borders of Pisces and Aquarius and set around 22:00. Neptune will be within Pisces just above Saturn. It will also set at 22:00 but you will need binoculars or a small telescope to see it. Uranus will be an evening planet within Taurus just below the Pleiades and will sink below the horizon at 04:00. You should be able to spot it with binoculars. Mercury , Venus, and Mars will be too close to the Sun to be properly visible during January. The Moon will have visits from: Jupiter on 3rd at 22:01, Pollux on 4th at 03:28, Regulus on 6th at 16:20, Spica on 12th at 23:50, Antares on 14th at 19:28, Saturn on 23rd at 12:31, Pleiades on 27th at 21:07, Jupiter again on 31st at 02:31 and Pollux on 31st at 13:45. The Full Moon is on the 3rd and the New Moon is on 18th. The peak of the Quadrantid meteor shower is on 3rd/4th which is the same date as the New Moon so it will be difficult to spot them this year. Most meteor showers are caused by Earth moving through the debris left by comets but it is not really known what the parent comet for this shower is. Remember that you may catch sight of meteors a few days either side of the peak. Comet 24P/Schaumasse will be at its closest to us on 4th and will be buzzing between the constellations of Virgo and Bootes during the month. Depending on when you look out, in the northern sky you should be able to see the following constellations: Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Draco, Cepheus, Cassiopeia, Andromeda, Bootes, Pegasus, Cygnus and Hercules. To the south you should see Aries, Hydra, Cancer, Gemini, Taurus, Leo, and Orion. Perseus will be almost directly overhead. Pisces will be over to the west with Virgo to the east.
Carry on stargazing.
The Stargazer
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Well Happy New Year to you all!
If you are anything like me, with the New Year comes a new diet. However, I am pleased to say that I had a bit of a head start as last year I lost a bit of weight so I don't wobble as much as I used to. I am hoping that I will be pleasantly surprised when I do eventually see what damage I have done over the fes vi es. I am also hoping that my new granddaughter has arrived and I have had a few cuddles and that her big sister Rosie will be a great help to her Mum and Dad. Last year I lost a couple of good friends so I am hoping for a happier year ahead, they have both been in my thoughts over the Christmas period as are family members whom I wish with all my heart were s ll with us. I o%en wonder what my Granny, Grandad or late great Uncle Dave would say if he could see our wonderful new family members. I am sure they would love them as much as we do, li(le Emilia is becoming a proper li(le lady who a(ended her first disco just before Christmas. When she got home she told her Mum and Dad it was the best night of her life! Li(le Rosie, who we take to preschool in Witchford on a Friday is so excited to see us, un l the school gates get into her sight then she's off, no kisses , nothing. Finally, there's dear li(le Alfie who is so laid back and easy and hopefully the new baby girl who I am sure I will be telling you about real soon will be just as deligh2ul.
I feel truly blessed.
Take care of each other.
Love Lucy x
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LITTLE DOWNHAM DAY CENTRE HOLME LANE, LITTLE DOWNHAM
Do you fancy a nice day out with tea and chat and a lovely cooked lunch and games in the afternoon? The Day Centre has a vacancy if you are a senior and live in Little Downham or Pymoor. We meet on Mondays from 10.30 am to 3.00 pm. Transport can be arranged if need be. Cost £5.00 Contact Yvonne 01353 862495
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O n the 18 th of November the ladies of the Little Downham W.I. had a visit from Angela and Rod, the owners, managers, and producers of Boxworth Botanicals.
Angela and Rod have been producing and selling these botanicals products for over twenty years.
Angela introduced the products, one at the time, telling us what they were used for and how they were made. She is a very good speaker and detailed the items very clearly. Angela and Rod had brought with them many of the products and the ladies were able to purchase them if so wished. We were also given a list with details and prices of the products; in case we would like to contact Boxworth Botanicals at a later date. Afterwards we toasted our 20 Years in being Little Downham W.I. with fizz and chocolates, as well as tea, coffee, and cakes baked by Viv and Jill, many thanks.
“He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.” - Socrates . “The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.” - Socrates . 41
LITTLE DOWNHAM VILLAGE HALL
REGULAR MEETINGS
Main Hall
Legs, Bums & Tums - 6:30 pm - 7:15 pm. Lucy Jenkins - 0796 226 1699. Parish Council - 2 nd Monday Forever Active - 10am - 11am. Strength & balance. Forever Active Refit – 11.15 am- 12.15pm . 07432 480105. Monday each month . 8:00 pm - 10.00 pm.
Tuesday
NHS - 9:00 am - 1:00 pm.
Wednesday Pilates - 10:45 am -11:45 am . Stephanie - 07793 815720. Holly Cottage - 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm . Pauline - 01353 661297. Jazzercise - 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm . Abby Deacon.
Thursday
& 3rd Thursday . Pauline - 01353 661297 . Thursday . Maureen - 01353 699949 .
Holly Cottage - 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm 1 st
Good Companions - 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm. 2 nd
Carpet Bowls - 7.30 pm - 9:30 pm . Linda - 01353 699625 .
Friday
NHS - 8:30 am - 4:00 pm. Bingo - First Friday each month. Doors open 7 pm - Eyes down 8 pm Saturday Star Struck (Term time) 10:30 am - 12:30 pm / Becky - 07799 604209
Sunday
Bingo - 7.30 pm . Mark - 07935 944692 .
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