I was so sorry to hear of the passing of our very good friend Mick Rivers. He was a wonderful man and he was a great friend as well.

I will never forget all that he did for me in helping with Cambridge Charity Fund Raisers

Mick was one of the first anglers to join CCFR and was always keen to make a donation through his beloved Royston Angling club.

I never heard an ill word spoken of him. He was kind, compassionate, and a true gentleman. Sadly there are few people like that in the world today.

We will all miss his sense of humour and words that would echo around the lake.

HELLO MY BOY - THEY WILL NEVER SELL ICE CREAMS DRIVING AT THAT SPEED as an ambulance could be heard in the distance with its sirens blasting out.

AND WHO COULD FORGET THE MICK RIVERS DUCK WARBLER TO START AND END ALL OUR MATCHES

I could never repay all that he did for me and CCFR, but I would at least like to do what little I can and in doing so, honour his memory with the introduction of a new award during our fishing series.

We all extend our sympathy to Mick’s sons Shaun and Simon along with the family and let them know how much we share their pain at this sad time.

In Friendship & Sorrow,
Ian Darler and everybody at Cambridge Charity Fund Raisers

The Rampton Fairies and the children of Rampton would like to thank Ian Darler of Cambridge Charity Fundraisers for his donation of 75 children’s activity sets.  

These have been distributed around the village and we hope they will provide some entertainment during this difficult time.

The Rampton Fairies are a small Committee of village ladies originally formed to raise money for Christmas lights, who now fund raise around the year to grant ‘wishes’ for the village residents.  The money raised from events such as our “Pop Up” Breakfast café and Bingo nights have not only enabled us to light up the village green at Xmas, but also to provide a fortnightly minibus supermarket trip for those without transport, contribute to start-up costs for Rampton Friday Club (the village youth group) and supply, soon to be installed additional facilities at the village hall.  Events to foster a community spirit are held for all ages, especially at Christmas, when the Fairies come into their own

The ‘Fairies’ were instrumental in founding the Rampton CareRing to provide village support during the Coronavirus outbreak.  The Rampton CareRing, which saw a coming together of the villages 77 Committee and the Village Hall Management team now has a core of 41 volunteers who are able to provide support where it is most needed with tasks such as shopping and prescription collecting.  We have also set-up a village milk and newspaper delivery service which we hope we may continue when the crisis has passed.

Unfortunately the Easter egg hunt organised by the 77 Committee for the village had to be postponed, but in true Rampton style the Easter bunny still managed to deliver.

Looking for the Silver lining in these strange times, we as a village are incredibly proud of how everyone, from young to old have pulled together to support one another.  Strengthening what already was an amazing community spirit.
M.M

I would like to congratulate all the ladies and individuals who have worked so hard and contributed towards helping the families isolated and in need of assistance during these very challenging times the fairies have been simply outstanding in working as a group to help so many people within the village of Rampton. 

We are also pleased to have been able to offer the children in the village a small gift and would like to thank the children who have made cards and written letters to CCFR thanking us for the gift.

Ian Darler

Winner of Ian Ling memorial shield for the second year running was Mick Curtis who put in a top performance weighing in 63lb 2oz

Mick Curtis 2019 winner of the Ian Ling memorial shield

Mick Curtis & Gary Chandler 2019 winners of the pair’s championship

Stuart Sellars & Peter Ankin runners up in the 2019 pair’s championship

On the 5th April 2019 there was a meal to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Ian Darler working at Cambridge United. Below are some photos from the evening.  If you went can you spot yourself in one?

Ian is also bringing out a book this summer called Life's a Pitch. If you would like your name to be included in it as a dedication click here to find out more

Have your name in the book Life's a Pitch - A Groundsman Tale by Ian Darler

Last date for publication donation acceptance is midnight Friday 19th April 2019LIFE’S A PITCH By Ian Darler
PUBLICATION DONATION
FAMILY, FRIENDS, ASSOCIATES, SUPPORTERS

For anyone who wishes to be associated with the above publication the publisher has very kindly agreed to allow a limited number of names to be printed in the back of the book.

The agreed donation is £20.00

Please print the name you would like to be printed in the book. To avoid any incorrect spelling please use block capital

If you would like a different name to be included use the contact box

Complete the form below and pay for the dedication click the link here http://www.cambridgefansunited.org/store/p71/Life%27s_a_Pitch_book_Donation.html

You can also download the word document and take it to the CFU outlet before the match against Newport with payment

There will also be copies of the form at CFU outlet in the Main Car Park before the Newport match on Saturday 13th April

Last date of publication donation acceptance is midnight Friday 19th April 2019

The goal of CCFR is to support a variety of charities within the local area in various different ways this year  we supported the 2019 Cambridge United HOF induction evening by sponsoring the inductees awards but what we did not expect was former United legion John Taylor to get up on stage and chip in by setting a question for the audience and charge them £20 a table for the privilege of entering.

John raised £260 from his 5 minute quiz all of which will be donated to the CCFR chosen charity for 2019 which is The Arthur Rank Hospice Charity. 

CCFR would like to thank all the guests and coconuts committee for their support and kind donation.

Hillary the Hedgehog below is about Friday and Saturday 3rd and 4th August 2018

Now having missed the first appearance of the baby hedgehog visiting the gnomes earlier this week I was thinking it may be one of those DMJ -MB wind ups but then seeing the poor little thing twice for myself and then yesterday afternoon having to give it a drink twice within a couple of hours and placing her under the Abbey Arms in the hope the shade would help her, how did I know it was a her? well we will get to that in a minute.

As 4.30pm approached yesterday both Mick and I were knackered having cut the pitch in the full heat of the sun and then sat in the Abbey Arms having a cold drink when we again noticed the baby HH on the gravel and not looking very well, we again gave it a drink and put back in the shade and we then headed off home,

When arriving home I mentioned the HH to the girls which caused a real commotion along the lines of poor thing at which point I said I did not think it would last the night, with that it was upstairs to find a shoe box and back to the Abbey stadium via Tesco for some premium dog food, on arrival at the stadium we pulled up alongside the Abbey Arms and there laid the baby hedgehog again, after lots of RRRRRRRRSSSSSS and poor thing from the girls I picked it up and gave it a drink and then offered it some dog food now remembering it was still a baby understood

it could not use the dinner fork I had taken so used a wooden tea stirrer to feed it and seemed like it had not eaten for days by the way it hoovered up the meat  poor thing was starving and very thirsty. It was clear that it could not survive on its own and that the mother was  not around.

The HH was boxed up and heading home for the evening were it received A&E treatment all night with feeds and waters little and often and this morning was still alive and looking a little better.

The HH has now been transferred to the HH hospital at Shepreth, Willers Mill, the HH was female and named Hillary and weighed in at just 92grams but the staff confirmed she was looking well and expected to make a full
recovery , We made a donation of £50 for its upkeep .

All in the days work of a Head Groundsman as these little guys and girls are so valuable to the gardens and lawns