BBC Local Live: Cambridgeshire on Thursday, 22 June 2016

Summary

Polling stations open around the county for the EU Referendum
Figures show disparity over foster care
Church roof thieves foiled by mud
Updates resume at 08:00 on Friday

Live Reporting

Alex Pope

Goodbye from a soggy Cambridgeshirepublished at 18:00 British Summer Time 23 June 2016
Thanks for joining us for Cambridgeshire's Live page today.
We heard how Cambridgeshire's foster children are two and a half times more likely to be moved from home to home compared to Peterborough's, and how the recent rainy weather thwarted a gang of would-be church lead thieves in Foxton.
We'll be back with a special regional local live feed from 06:00 tomorrow, to bring you all the results from the EU Referendum.
Weather: Thunderstorms should clear overnightpublished at 17:45
Alex Dolan
BBC Look East weather
We're expecting showers and thunderstorms to clear through the night. Minimum temperature: 12C (54F).
Tomorrow starts dry and sunny, before cloud gradually builds. Minimum temperature: 21C (70F).
Grabarz wants to 'jump higher than in the Olympics'published at 17:27 British Summer Time 23 June 2016
Jonathan Park
BBC Look East sport
St Neots high jumper Robbie Grabarz has told me he's "ready to fight for a medal" at the British Championships in Birmingham this weekend.
Image source, Getty Images
The 28-year-old, who won a bronze at the London Olympics but has yet to be confirmed for Rio, said he wants to "jump higher than in the Olympics".
He says he wants to "qualify comfortably for the final" this weekend and then "really compete".
Grabarz ready to reach the Olympic heights againpublished at 17:22 British Summer Time 23 June 2016
Jonathan Park
BBC Look East sport
Four years ago, Cambridgeshire high jumper Robbie Grabarz shot to fame after winning a bronze medal in the high jump at the London Olympics.
Since then, things have been tough, as two years ago he needed knee surgery.
But now he's back in training and this weekend he's taking part in the British Championships in Birmingham.
He needs to finish in the top two places to guarantee his seat on that plane to Rio.
Traditional parade through Cambridge as students graduatepublished at 17:10 British Summer Time 23 June 2016
Maths, music and vet students have been among those graduating from Cambridge University, external today...
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But the heavy rain late this afternoon caused this academic to seek urgent shelter...
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Princess Anne opens St John Ambulance's new Cherry Hinton unitpublished at 16:52 British Summer Time 23 June 2016
St John Ambulance, external in Cambridge had a royal visitor today, when HRH The Princess Royal opened its new Cherry Hinton base.
It will provide a home for its cycle unit.
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Strawberry yields forever (well sort of)published at 16:31 British Summer Time 23 June 2016
Johnny Dee
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire
It could be a case of strawberry yields for the whole of summer in parts of Cambridgeshire, because of the recent rain fall.
Farmer Paddy Ivens, who runs Hill Farm in Peterborough, said this year's crop had been "tremendous" and the recent downpours meant the fruits were "swelling really nicely".
However, he now wants the rain to stop and the weather to warm up so the strawberries can ripen nicely.
Improvements at Addenbrooke's after patients' suggestionspublished at 15:51 British Summer Time 23 June 2016
Mousumi Bakshi
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire
An outpatients helpline, clearer signs, and drinks and snacks trolleys in clinics have been introduced in response to a critical inspection of Addenbrooke's Hospital.
Patients group Healthwatch Cambridgeshire, external suggested the improvements after speaking to around 200 people earlier this year.
Image source, PA
Last year the Care Quality Commission rated Addenbrooke's as "inadequate"; that was recently upgraded to "requires improvement".
Drip drip drop lots of June showers!published at 15:19 British Summer Time 23 June 2016
BBC Weather Watchers
As we've just seen from the weather forecast with Elizabeth Rizzini, sadly even more rain is expected......
So this Weather Watchers photo taken by Alan Payne in Upwell pretty much sums up the current situation......
Image source, Alan Payne/Weather Watcher
Weather update: More 'torrential' rain on the waypublished at 15:00 British Summer Time 23 June 2016
Elizabeth Rizzini
BBC Look East weather
Sorry to bring you some bad news on the weather front... but we've more, a lot more, of the wet stuff on the way before the end of the afternoon.
The Met Office has issued an amber warning of rain, external for the East of England until 23:00.
Travel: Road still blocked in Horseheathpublished at 14:48 British Summer Time 23 June 2016
The A1307 in Horseheath is still partially blocked after an earlier incident.
It was hoped the area would be back to normal, but traffic is now being manually controlled.
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'Hundreds of pounds' being lost at charity shop because of shoplifterspublished at 14:45 British Summer Time 23 June 2016
Julia Greenaway
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire
The manager of a Cambridge charity shop has told me they're losing about £600 every month because of shoplifters.
Oxfam, on Mill Road, has put a sign in its window warning that it's "watching you", as on average about £30 worth of items are taken every day.
Manager Mungo Redmond says it's very "disheartening", as he feels like the shop is an "easy target".
Pendleton 'in love' with horseracingpublished at 14:18 British Summer Time 23 June 2016
Nick Fairbairn
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire sport
Victoria Pendleton said she's "in love" with horseracing, after winning a charity race at Newmarket this afternoon.
Image source, Getty Images
"It's so exhilarating, I can't even explain," she said. "I love the company of the horses and how generous and accommodating they can be.
"They're a marvel, a wonder. I'm in love."
Pendleton, who turned to horses after a celebrated cycling career, added: "I'm going to carry on racing and see where it goes.
"It's been such an incredible journey after the last 18 months and I don't feel like stopping any time soon. It's been a joy to be accepted into a new sport."
Villagers come together to try and buy local shoppublished at 13:53 British Summer Time 23 June 2016
Julia Greenaway
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire
Houghton is a typical chocolate box Cambridgeshire village. It has a tea room, antique shop and pub .... but also a massive sense of community spirit.
Just a few months ago, David and Margaret Ebdade, who have run Ye Olde Village Shoppe and Post Office for 18 years, decided they wanted to retire and are putting it up for sale.
About 100 local residents have said they're willing to buy it to keep it open, with most saying they're happy to invest about £200.
They have up until late September to get the funds in place for the sale to go ahead.
Victoria Pendleton wins charity race at Newmarketpublished at 13:30 British Summer Time 23 June 2016
Nick Fairbairn
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire sport
The Olympic cycling gold medalist turned jockey Victoria Pendleton cruised to victory in a charity race at Newmarket this afternoon.
A short while ago she won the one-mile contest on Royal Etiquette.
Pendleton recently hit the headlines by coming fifth in the Foxhunter Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, on Pacha Du Polder.
Image source, Getty Images
Public help dig for anicent wallpublished at 13:23 British Summer Time 23 June 2016
Johnny Dee
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire
School children and members of the public are being asked to get their hands dirty and help dig for an ancient wall in the grounds of Peterborough Cathedral.
Archaeologist Matt Collins explains what work is going on.
Expensive repair bill for church after lead removed from roofpublished at 12:59 British Summer Time 23 June 2016
Helen Burchell
BBC News
St Laurence’s is one of eight churches in the Ely Diocese to be targeted by lead thieves so far this year.
Reverend Angela Melaniphy said although it was fortunate the Foxton church thieves had left without the lead, it would still be very expensive to repair the roof.
Diocese buildings officer Geoffrey Hunter told us: "It would be less of a financial hardship for the Church simply to write cheques to the criminals for the price of the lead, as it costs us 10 times as much to rectify the damage."
Zakuani could be on his way to Northamptonpublished at 12:41 British Summer Time 23 June 2016
Nick Fairbairn
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire sport
Northampton Town are close to agreeing a deal with defender Gabriel Zakuani, following his release by Peterborough United.
The 30-year-old DR Congo international left Posh this summer after making 252 appearances in two spells, having initially joined in 2008.
Image source, Getty Images
Zakuani won promotion out of League One with Posh twice, in 2009 and 2011.
The ex-Leyton Orient and Fulham man was also part of the Stoke side to finish second in the Championship in 2008.
Church roof lead thieves thwarted after getting stuck in the mudpublished at 12:26 British Summer Time 23 June 2016
Helen Burchell
BBC News
Thieves trying to get away with £20,000 of lead from a church roof were left high and dry after their van got firmly stuck in the mud.
The weight of all that lead from St Laurence’s Church in Foxton caused the red Iveco van to sink into the waterlogged graveyard.
They were forced to abandon it, along with the lead, and made off empty-handed. Police are appealing for witnesses.
Travel: Long delays expected in Horseheath areapublished at 12:03 British Summer Time 23 June 2016
BBC Travel
The A1307 in Horseheath is still partially blocked in both directions at the Howard's Lane junction, because of an overturned lorry and temporary traffic lights.
Long delays are expected in the area for the next few hours.