The Hatley Big Weekend
Friday 24 to Sunday 26 June
We are in planning mode for a Flower Festival across the three days in church, a concert in the evening on Friday 24 and our popular Village Fête on Sunday 26. Would you like to be part of the team putting all these events together? We’d love to have more help! Contact Philippa on 651253 or email her at
Disabled use composting toilet
Planning approval is within grasp, subject to meeting requirements for the Historic Envionemnt Team at Cambridgeshire County Council. A programme of archaeological work may be required as the site of the church lies in an area of high archaeological potential.
St Denis’s Church
Good news! We’ve heard that the lengthy process of transferring the ownership of the church of St Denis in East Hatley from South Cambridgeshire District Council to the Friends of Friendless Churches (FoFC) will be completed shortly.
An event to celebrate this will be announced soon so keep your eye on the notice boards and Hatley website for details.
The FoFC is a registered charity which saves redundant churches and relies extensively on kind local people to act as their eyes and ears. Some have organised themselves into groups of 'local friends' - fundraising for repairs and using the church for occasional and appropriate events. So, thinking caps on for what we want to do in Hatley! More about FoFC at
St Denis’ church in East Hatley dates from 1217. It was substantially restored in 1874 by William Butterfield, the notable 19th century architect, and last used for worship in 1959. As the first phase of improvements, FoFC hopes to install a floor and windows (paid for by a dowry from SCDC and funds raised by people in Hatley, the Parish Council and Gamlingay and Hatley PCC) and, hopefully not too far down the line, restore the inside of the church to something Butterfield would recognise.
There’s plenty about the church of St Denis in the ‘About Hatley’ section of the Hatley website.
Hatley shop and post office
This is closed until 15 Marchfor refurbishment.When it reopens at 9.00 am onTuesday, 15 March, serviceswill include a new post officecounter and much more including theHealth Lottery, Rudi's doggy bakery, Gemma's Gemsand Olga's homemadejewellery plus of course groceriesand greeting cards. Don't forgetthe shop will deliver milk andbread to your doorstep.
Hatley Parish Council
Report from Kim Wilde, Parish Clerk
Community Litter Pick
The community litter pick will be taking place on Sunday 13th March. Please join members of the Parish Council and fellow residents for this annual event to clear the local verges of unsightly litter. All volunteers are to meet outside the village hall at 10.30am. Picking equipment will be provided.
Wheelie Bin stickers
Speed limit stickers were distributed to residents in January for use on the side of their wheelie bins. It is hoped that drivers passing through Hatley will get a strong visual reminder of the 40 mph limit, albeit on a weekly basis. More stickers are available from Hatley’s Post Office or the Parish Clerk, Kim Wilde (tel. 01767 650596 or email ).
Village Co-ordinator Contact for South Cambs Police
Chief Inspector James Sutherland has been exploring opportunities to improve the relationship between the police and the local volunteers who wish to help protect the local community. Please contact the Parish Clerk if you are interested in becoming Hatley’s designated Village Co-ordinator.
Superfast Broadband
Following the public meeting with Connecting Cambridgeshire and BT on Thursday 25th February, we can confirm that Superfast Broadband will be coming to Hatley in March 2017. This will be a fibre broadband service direct to your property, should you choose to subscribe. For further details please visit
Parish Survey Results – Village Play Area
Thank you to all residents who completed the survey regarding the village play area; it was a fantastic response in both the number of surveys completed and in the quality of the feedback and suggestions. Considering that many homes do not use the play area, 86% of residents who responded agreed that there should be an investment in the play area from the precept, supporting the Council’s view that the play area remains an important part of this rural community.
The play area is being replaced following an annual RoSPA inspection which confirmed that the timber framed equipment now has a short lifespan due to deterioration across all structures. The Council intends to replace equipment with steel framed products that will be guaranteed for 25 years. Quotations are being obtained from suppliers.
We would like to establish a Play Area Project Team to shape plans and progress decisions about play equipment. Please contact the Parish Clerk or any member of the Parish Council if you would like to join this team, or have skills and expertise that may help us.
Brief summary of results
Total responses / 50 (48 paper / 2 verbal)Households that use the play area / 27 out of 50
Households approving an increase in the precept to help finance the equipment purchases and installation / 43 out of 50
Most popular play equipment based on number of votes
Junior Swings / 25Slide / 22
Junior Play Tower / 19
Climbing Frame / 18
Seesaw / 14
Toddler Swings / 13
Climbing Net / 13
Seating / 13
Roundabout / 10
Tyre Swing / 10
Balance Beams / 10
The Parish Council aims to replace the junior swings in the next few months so that they can be enjoyed by children this summer. Grant funding will be sought for all purchases and as such it is expected that the overall project will be completed in phases over the next 2-3 years, with the aim of acquiring the majority of the items listed above.
Cambridgeshire County Council’s Local Highway Improvement Initiative 2016/17
In November 2015 the Parish Council submitted an application seeking funding to help purchase and install the Parish Council’s preferred traffic calming solution, the moveable speeding signs. We have been notified this week that the application was unsuccessful and that we are in fourth position on the project reserves list within the South Cambs District. The Parish Council will discuss the outcome of the application and possible next steps at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Parish Council on Tuesday 17th May 2016.
South Cambs Magazine Distribution
Cllr Bridget Smith has raised concerns with South Cambs District Council regarding the delivery of South Cambs Magazine as there have been inconsistencies in its distribution. If you have not received the Spring issue of the magazine by 14th March please contact Smart Distribution ( or 0800 6444 011).
BikeBus Explorer
Having failed to attract an increasing number of riders, which was essential for the continuation of this service, the last day of operation for the BikeBus Explorer will be 27th March 2016.
Hatley Parish Council Election Day - Thursday 5th May 2016
Have you ever thought about becoming a local councillor? Are you interested in helping to shape your local community? Parish Councils need active and committed people who can help generate ideas, make decisions and support services or facilities which generally benefit the residents of Hatley.
If you are elected to the Parish Council you will be expected to:
- attend and participate at parish council meetings
- consider, in advance of the meeting, the agenda and any related documents
- raise matters to be duly considered and decided at council meetings
- represent the council externally
- represent the interests of the whole community
- take part in meetings and consider all the relevant facts and issues on matters which require a decision, including the views of others expressed at the meeting.
If you are interested in becoming a Councillor please contact the Parish Clerk for more information. Councillor training is provided. Candidate Nomination Packs are available from South Cambridgeshire District Council or your Parish Clerk. The deadline for nominations of candidates is 4pm on Thursday 7th April 2016.
Voting will only take place for Parish Council members if the seats are contested by more than 5 candidates. The elected members will hold the post for two years as local council elections are due to take place again in May 2018 across all of South Cambridgeshire.
South Cambridgeshire District Council Elections - Thursday 5th May 2016
The Polling Station at Hatley Village Hall will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 5th May. If you have any questions about voting in the May elections, or need to register to vote, or apply for voting by post or by proxy, you can contact South Cambs Election Team on 03450 455214 or email . Frequently asked questions and other useful information can be found online via and
Electoral Review of South Cambridgeshire District Council
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has formally commenced an electoral review of South Cambridgeshire District Council. It is possible that Hatley will be newly aligned with smaller parishes to the South East, breaking ties with our larger neighbour, Gamlingay. The Parish Council has responded to the review requesting that the existing link with Gamlingay is maintained. Thank you to residents who took the time to respond to the Commission with your views. We will know the outcome of the first phase of the consultation in May. At that time the second phase will begin and we will be invited to comment on the Commission’s draft proposals for warding arrangements in South Cambs. This will be publicised via the Hatley website ( the notice boards and will also be discussed at the AGM in May. In the meantime you can find out more via
Electoral Review of Cambridgeshire County Council
The Local Government Boundary Commission has completed its review of Cambridgeshire County Council. The report and an interactive map of the final recommendations are available via The division will comprise Abington Pigotts, Arrington, Barrington, Croydon, Gamlingay, Guilden Morden, Hatley, Litlington, Orwell, Shingay-cum-Wendy, Steeple Morden, Tadlow and Wimpole parishes.
Annual Parish Meeting and Annual General Meeting
The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Tuesday 17th May at 7.00pm in the Village Hall. This will be immediately followed by the Annual General Meeting of the Parish Council. The agendas will be published on the village notice boards and the website one week ahead. of the meeting. We hope you can all join us!