I have to confess that when the Parish Council first asked me to judge the Best Dressed House for the Jubilee, I did wonder whether there would be anything to judge. At that time interest in the Jubilee was definitely not high on people's priorities and I wasn't sure how the Jubilee celebrations would take off. But I need not have worried. As the weekend approached the first signs started to appear - through the roof of John Shepperson's barn! Then the bunting went up on the corner of Taylor's Lane and by Monday it was clear that a lot of people were taking this particular contest very seriously. So, on a dry, if rather chilly, Monday morning I joined Tim Parish and together we drove around the whole village - and I mean the whole village, even the byways and backways, looking for houses that had been decorated. There were some very impressive entries too. I would like to mention particularly the local businesses which took part - the Post Office and the Doctor's Surgery. Some of the entries were very creative - the woven wall boxes at 3 Wallmans Lane for example and the porch at 1 Taylor's Lane. A number of people had got together with neighbours for a joint approach - 28 and 30 Boxworth End and 107 and 109 Moat Way were two such examples. Carters Way has to take the prize for the greatest number of entrants - a mass of red white and blue greeted us; by the way, I hope that Nigel had a really great 40th birthday!
Members of the Parish Council were ineligible for the award, but I must pay tribute to the way that John Shepperson decorated his house - a real work of art.

All in all I had a great morning looking at all the entries (I hope that Tim did too!) and the standard was very high. However, the one which in my view showed the greatest imagination and was somewhat different in style from most - the red white and blue washing on the line is something I won't forget in a hurry! - was Hawthorns in Gibralter Lane and it is this house which gets the award.

Thank you to all who took part, to Tim for escorting me around and to the Parish Council, for asking me to judge the competition. I hope you all enjoyed decorating your homes as much as I enjoyed judging them.

Shona Johnstone

This will be the fifth year of The David Hodson Memorial Trophy Competition and as in previous years will take place on Swavesey Green. Last year thanks to the support of the local community and businesses we were able to donate £600 to the Asthma Foundation. Please come along and support us again this year. Previous winners of the Competition were:

1998 Willingham Football Club
1999 Over Sports Football Club
2000 Willingham Football Club
2001 Swavesey Institute Football Club

This year the first semi final will be played on Monday 19th August between Swavesey and Cottenham followed by the second semi final on Tuesday 20th August between Over and Willingham. The final will be on Friday 23rd August. All matches will kick off at 6:00 p.m.

We are also pleased to report that a Beaver group is due to begin in the autumn, and that the Scout group is growing. This means that we now have need for an assistant to the Scout leader. If anyone (male or female) has an interest in scouting and would like to consider helping in this way, they can contact the Scout leader, Andy Batey, on 01954 - 789104

Thank you

Janet and Graham Wren would like to thank the following people, who made our daughters (Joanne Wren) wedding to (James Myers) so wonderful, we will have no hesitation in recommending them to our friends.

• Lindas Bridal, Fenstanton, wonderfully helpful
• Sue Cowdrey, extremely beautiful flowers (and many of them)
• Debbie Walker, lovely cake (despite headache)
• Sally Emms of Fen Drayton, for the gorgeous bridesmaids dresses
• Earnie Reeve, photographer (very old friend and photo's are brilliant)
• Mike Unwin, video (what patience)
• Adam Swain, disco (just wanna dance the night away)
• The Party People, fantastic balloons and complete decoration
• Len of New Image got the beautiful stretch limo
• Peter of Swavesey Garage for valeting my car just for the groom)!!
• Michael & Malon, for 'Barley', the Horse and Carriage (only for charity)
• Philip @ The Dolphin Hotel (extremely patient, you can keep your job, I don't want it)
• Rev. Yule for marrying them.

If I have missed anybody, I am sorry but I am at work!! Thank you all.

Despite being invisible to the eye, house dust mites and bugs can cause many problems for households and people that are allergic to them. You are probably unaware of them but they live in mattresses, pillows and carpets.

There a number of steps that can be taken to help restrict the effect dust mites have on your beds and carpets

Beds:

1. Cover the mattresses, pillows and duvets with covers that do not allow the dust mite droppings through.

2. Once a week, wash all your bed linen at 55 degrees C or above. This will kill the mites as opposed to just clean them. (Please check washing instructions before washing at high temperatures Ed.)

3. Vacuum your house with a high filtration cleaner

4. Air the bedroom daily

Carpets:

1. Remove items such as rugs from the area and vacuum thoroughly

2. Wash and clean all that has been in contact with the area

3. Have the rugs/carpets sprayed with specific bugs and dust mite sprays

4. Keep the areas clean, especially from pet hair

Dust mites have been proven to be a major cause of asthma attacks and up to 80% of children suffer with allergies from dust mites.

Safeclean provide a ready made solution to the problems of dust mites with their mattress and pillow anti allergy covers that actually kill off the dust mites in your bed. There are as many as two million dust mites in a bed so anything that can help fight this, must be a benefit.

Safeclean's products have been proven to kill 100% of house dust mites within 8 weeks and to keep working for up to two years. Through, assessments from UK doctors, it was found that 70% of sufferers reported an improvement in their condition.

So don't suffer in silence give your local Safeclean Specialist a call for advice on treatments that could help you, 0800 585 693 or visit the website www.safeclean.co.uk.