CLIMATE CHANGE AND SAWTRY . . .

Every day we are assailed with articles about Climate Change. On the television, newspapers, radio, junk mail - anything that can carry a message. They come from a multitude of sources - some rational - some passionate - many with vested interest - many polarized. We are continually asked to switch equipment off, walk to work, stop using the car, wear warmer clothes, wash clothes in lukewarm water and so on. Politicians compete to be the one with the best policy; others (a rapidly shrinking breed) deny that anything unusual is happening at all. Although the rate of Global Warming - the main cause of Climate Change - is a slow, gradual process, what is perhaps not gradual is the change in climatic events. The floods in Gloucestershire this summer - the disaster of New Orleans with hurricane Katrina - are examples of what any of us may have to cope with as close as tomorrow.

I am particularly worried about what might happen in Sawtry - I have been a resident here for 35 years, and I am likely to be here for many years to come. What if Sawtry were to be hit by a severe climatic event in the near future? A flash flood - isolation by blizzard - a hurricane, leaving many homeless and without electricity.

Global Warming, and its effects, is a vast subject. I have tried to keep track, and make sense, of all that has been happening in recent years, and this has led me to my concern for Sawtry. I will be giving a presentation in the Old School Hall on my interpretation of the situation, and what the Sawtry resident should be doing about Climate Change, and what the village can do to protect itself and its people.

Please come along to the Old School Hall on Wednesday 23 January. The talk will start at 19:30 hours, last for about 40 minutes, which should leave plenty of time for questions and discussion.

Larry Curley telephone 830803

SAWTRY'S OWN - VOCAL ACADEMY

Do you already sing, or are you keen to learn? Join us!

We are the chorus for you!  Male voice a cappella singing - there is no sound quite like it!

The Vocal Academy is recruiting. We wish to swell our ranks with any males over 16 who enjoy singing (we are currently nearly 40 singers). It does not matter whether you are an accomplished, fully trained singer, or new to singing. We have proved that many people, with our training, have become very talented singers even though they cannot read music. We provide free CDs to learn from when away from rehearsals. If you can read music, that's a bonus, but is certainly not essential. We have a proven record of success, why not come and try us out, you will not be disappointed. We believe our hobby, singing in four part harmony, should be great fun and base the Vocal Academy around enjoying what we do.

We are very fortunate to be directed by one of the most qualified and respected directors in the UK (Graham Davies – he is also a Sawtry resident). He has directed choruses and quartets to Gold Medal standard who have then represented the UK in the world championships in the USA. He has directed the Vocal Academy to a top 10 chorus position in the UK and last year we won the “Most Improved Chorus in the UK” award coming 9th out of 39 choruses at only our 3 year of entering the annual British Association of Barbershop Singers (BABS) convention competition. This is an outstanding achievement, as some of the contestants have been entering the competition for 20+ years and never got into the top 10.

We are heading for the top. Be part of our success and help make it happen.

Our members come from a wide area including Sawtry, Cambridge, Bedford, Harlow, King's Lynn and many other places. As Sawtry is close to the A1(M) (Junction 15), we are very easy to get to and, may I add, to get on with.

Come along! Hear us and join in! We meet from 8 to 10pm every Wednesday at Sawtry Junior School, Middlefield Road, Sawtry. You will be made very welcome and we will even take you for a drink of your choice and sandwiches after rehearsal in the local club.

Contacts for prospective members or just come along and give us a try.

Ron Moore - Recruitment * 01733 208549

NEWS FROM SAWTRY LIBRARY

We’ve had a busy two months in the library, especially October. We started that month with another round of visits from Sawtry Junior School when we had an enjoyable day with around 90 children coming to the library. This has really encouraged the children to come along and use the library, bringing along their parents and brothers and sisters. It’s so good to see them enjoying choosing and reading books as well as books on CD and tape.

Then, on Saturday 6th October, we had a Customer Appreciation Day and it was good to share drinks and biscuits over conversations about what the library means to those who use it, and hearing suggestions as to any events that people might like to see offered at the library.

On 18th October, the evening entitled ‘Medieval Sawtry’ saw almost 50 people coming along to see the documents and artefacts brought along by the Local Studies Librarian from Huntingdon, and the Record Office, as well as exhibits displayed by Sawtry Local History Society. The Medieval Market Stall at present on loan from Cambridgeshire Museums was greatly admired. This will be on display, along with the cases of archaeological finds from the area, until Christmas. It’s well worth a visit to see this.

Talking of Christmas, all the children’s Christmas books etc that are secreted away during the year are on display. There’s a snowy theme to the displays this year, and judging by the weather lately, this might be quite appropriate!

With the way Christmas falls this year, our opening hours over the Christmas week are slightly easier to remember:
Monday (Christmas Eve) Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the library will be closed, opening as usual on Friday 28th December 2.00-5.00pm and Saturday 29th, 9.00am- noon. Then, the following week, we are closed as usual on the Monday, and closed on Tuesday for New Year’s Day. In the run-up to Christmas, we are open all the usual hours, and although this is a busy time for everyone, why not call in and stock up with some good books/videos/DVDs for when you finally get a moment’s peace?!

Don’t forget the special Christmas Storytime for pre-schoolers on Wednesday 5th December 2.15-2.45pm and our Sawtry Pagers (Adult) Reading Group on 4th December, 4.00-5.00pm and ‘Sawtry Bookworms’ (Children’s) Reading Group on Saturday 8th December 10.15-11.00a.m.

So, hoping to see you sometime soon, and from the Staff at Sawtry Library, we all wish you a very Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year, too!

Library Opening Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 4.00-7.00pm; Wednesday & Friday 2.00-5.00pm; Saturday 9.00-12 noon.
Tel: 0845 045 5225 - Call Centre: you can phone any time 8.00am-8.00pm Mon to Sat for enquiries & renewals. (Automated renewals now 24 hour service)

Libraries’ Website: www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/library

The library also offers Photocopying; Fax sending/receiving; free Internet access & free e-mailing; free use of Microsoft Office. If you wish to use a computer in the library, you can phone and book a PC on the number above - you just need to quote your library card number.