April Edition

4700 COPIES

INN FARM NURSERY EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING THIS MONTH IN HISTORY APRIL - A TIME FOR FOOLS

BEACON WEALTH MANAGEMENT TAX REFUNDS

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF ASSISTANT RACEHORSE TRAINER - JACK MORLAND PETER LANE AND PARTNERS TIME TO MOVE AND MUCH MORE

• Driveways And Patios

• Porcelain Patio Specialists

• Fencing

• Decking

• Pond Installation And Maintenance

• Carpentry - Pegodas, Orangeries, Raised Beds

• Property Maintenance

• Interior/ Exterior Painting

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Welcome to the first spring edition of 2024 and I hope you’ve all had an enjoyable Easter. In this month’s Bystander we have a history of the April Fool and its origins. Inn Farm nursery emphasise the importance of our young children’s emotional well-being and we have a day in the life of assistant racecourse trainer Jack Morland. Find out about the new musical director of the Huntingdon Male Voice Choir and Hazel unlocks the truth in her latest flash fiction contribution.

Canine Corner provide tips for choosing a dog trainer or animal behaviourist and Georgia Rose suggests some frameworks for writing book reviews. Penny’s latest foray into her family history attempts to ask the question “What happened to Charles?” and look out for Lee’s new season gardening tips. As ever we have much more besides so enjoy the magazine.

Julie

www.bystandermagazines.co.uk

Editor:

Mobile: 07928 778457 julie@villagebystander.com

This Month’s Contributors:

Lee Munday, Paul Kinally, Penny Young, Tony Larkins, Joanne Cox, Georgia Rose, Anthony Withers, Hazel Wright, Eugene Smith, Jeff Garland

April Contents

Liquids’ p.18

Gardening & Outdoor Section p.22-24

Lee’s Gardening Corner p.22 This month in History – April – A Time

p.30 Unlock The Truth p.32

Beacon Wealth Management - Tax Refunds p.33 A Day in the Life of Assistant Racehorse

– Jack Morland p.34-35 Eugene Smith - Thinking Blues p.36 Georgia Rose p.44

Peter Lane and Partners - Time to Move p.48

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue p.54 Bystander Community p.56-63

The Staughtons with Hail Weston Church Services p.59

Local Choir Singing in Great Staughton Under New Musical Director p.64

Canine Corner - Tips for choosing a dog trainer or behaviourist p.66

for

p.68

p.68-69

p.69

p.72

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LOCAL MEMORIES: By Penny Young

What happened to Charles?

The story of Charles William Kendall and Lucy Kirkham had so far concentrated on what happened to Lucy, following the ‘breach of promise case’ and her banishment to America; all be it with a good financial package from my three times great grandfather, Nicholas Kendall and, it would seem, an arrangement to marry a William Abraham Moore, whom Lucy would have known from her childhood growing up in Bath. Lucy, it might appear, had ‘come good’ following some hairy adventures involving a shooting incident when she was having a fling with two different men, following the breakdown of her marriage; a perilous sea voyage from New York to San Fransisco culminating in the sinking of the paddle steamer, the San Fransisco, on which she was a passenger, and her eventual rescue. Her marriage to Dr James Jefferies, the suitor who had shot his love rival, and her life as this respectable doctor’s wife, a celebrated American Civil War surgeon at a hospital, in the thick of the civil war, between the North and South in Scottsville, Virginia.

What then of Charles William, also an innocent victim of his father’s decision to separate him from his lady love, the Opera singer, Lucy Kirkham? Lucy’s story had an eventual happy ending, but what happened to Charles William?

Whilst Nicholas Kendall was carrying on negotiations between his solicitors and those engaged by George and Lucy Anderson (Queen Victoria’s director of music and pianist, respectively), on behalf of their niece, Lucy Kirkham, in the breach of promise case; Charles William had been taken to France and Belgium by Nicholas’ brother, the Reverend Francis Kendall. It was hoped that the time away would cool Charles William’s ardour. Lengthy correspondence between the two brothers ensued as they tried to put Charles William’s life back on track. Perhaps priorities were wrong, where it seemed that the greater emphasis was on ensuring none of the sordid details of the case reached the newspapers and ruined the chances of Charles William making a good marriage, to a respectable woman.

A commission was purchased for Charles William, and he entered the army as a ‘cornet’ (a rank) in the 15th Hussars in May 1848. The regiment was sent to Bangalore, in Madras, India and Charles William appeared to settle well into army life and served for two years, before selling his commission in late 1850.

I had already discovered Charles William’s death, at the age of just 39 in January 1867 in a place called Orewa, north of Auckland, New Zealand. My cousin Wayne, who lives in Adelaide, Australia had done some digging and delving and discovered that Charles William was living in a place called Rangiaowhia as a ‘squatter’ and he is listed there in the poll registers from 1855 – 1857.

But what was a squatter? Research stalled for a while; however, I was expecting a visit from friends on a long vacation from New Zealand. In the past they had helped me out on research in New Zealand for ancestors on Dad’s side of the family and I hoped they might be able to help me again. Prior to their visit, I googled Te Awamutu (where my friends live in the North Island of New Zealand) and Rangiaowhia, where Charles William was living as a squatter, also in the North Island. Well, as ever with this story, there are coincidences and surprises aplenty.

Te Awamutu is just four kilometres from Rangiaowhia – what are the odds of that? Did my friends know Rangiaowhia? Of course they did, often visiting there on bike rides! They also had their thoughts on Charles William being a ‘squatter’. They said that it had a different meaning to our understanding of the word. He could have been a squatter protecting his interests in prospecting for gold on a piece of land – this was ‘gold rush country’. They also mentioned that there had been ‘land wars’ in the area, but once they got home, they would see what they could find out and get back to me.

Quite some time elapsed and I was beginning to lose hope that we would ever find out what had been going on with Charles. I reminded myself that we were looking into events of nearly 200 years ago, and that perhaps more specialist help was required and sure enough, my friends had come to the same conclusion and pointed me in the direction of their local history society. A researcher duly contacted me and was fascinated by the story of Charles and Lucy. She gave me a little history lesson which helped explain why Charles William might have ended up in New Zealand.

In the mid-19th century rapid colonisation of Australia and New Zealand was happening. The two governments were looking for settlers from the mother country, to increase their population, (that is aside from convicts, in the case of Australia!) and to colonize the two countries. Companies were set up to sell land, which the governments had released to them, with no cognizance to native ownership or even sustainability. Adverts were printed in English newspapers offering land for lease and eventual ownership, with assisted passage thrown into the bargain. This did not pose too many problems in Australia, with the vastness of the country and the native aboriginal population so thinly spread, with no weapons to defend themselves or their land.

In New Zealand, however, it was a different kettle of fish, a much smaller country and here the native Māori were a much more warrior like people, (think the Haka!) and they fought ferociously to keep their land, especially when they got weapons of their own.

In the early 1860’s a new Māori King had been elected and the colonisation was not going as smoothly as the New Zealand government had hoped, so they called in 12000 imperial troops from Britain and from military duties elsewhere in the empire, even recruiting militia from the gold fields of Otago.

In February 1864 Rangiaowhia found itself at the centre of a ferocious battle, where the British forces acted most dishonourably and ignoring a Māori white flag of surrender, captured 180 Māori prisoners of war. The women and children who were in encampment with the men, were sent to Rangiaowhia for safety, but then the British forces overran the village committing terrible atrocities against the civilians.

It does not take too much stretch of the imagination to think that Charles William might possibly have been involved in this action. A trained soldier, living in the area. The New Zealand researcher, who specialises in the land wars, has added Charles William Kendall to his data base and is now scouring the archives to see if Charles was indeed involved in the fighting. But meantime he has found Charles’ name in a number of newspaper reports, none of which bring any credit to the family. More next time.

Mashers, Scuttlers, and ‘Horrible Gaseous Liquids’

Mashers, I learn from a wonderful new book, were working class dandies, dressed in the finest fashions they could afford, besporting themselves of a Saturday night. They were not to be confused with their feral rivals the Scuttlers (as they were known in Manchester), or Hooligans (London) or Peaky Blinders (Birmingham), who caused trouble on the streets throughout the land. These priceless nuggets of information come from a marvellous, irreverent survey of Britain of 120 years ago: ‘Little Englanders: Britain in the Edwardian era’ by Alwyn Turner ((Profile) is a fascinating account of life in the Edwardian era. From music hall ribaldry to awful crime, taking in the political events of the time, it’s actually one of the most readable histories I have ever read.

Serious topics are covered. The era saw the rise of the Labour Party as it gradually eclipsed the hitherto all-powerful Liberals. The suffragettes (the name was a derisive nickname coined by the Daily Mail. It caught on) mounted a ferocious terrorist campaign threatening violence against politicians and setting fire to public buildings. One of the astounding characters in the book is Horatio Bottomley, demagogue, liar, swindler, MP, purchaser of the Sun newspaper, founder of the Financial Times, whose principal objective in life was to defraud the general public but such was his charm and plausibility, he got away with it. As an MP, he proposed abolishing the duty on ale; better to tax ‘ginger beer and other horribly gaseous liquids’ was his preferred policy. He was a very popular man. Allegedly, he inspired Mr Toad in WindintheWillows .

The book begins with the story of the forty-six year old Sebastian Melmoth, consuming champagne by day and absinthe by night, slowly dying in a squalid hotel in Paris in 1900. A decade earlier he had been the toast of London society, essayist, poet, journalist, legendary wit, his critically acclaimed plays attracted huge audiences. Oscar Wilde’s death was mourned everywhere. He was not the only influential writer: the works of other writers such as HG Wells, George Bernard Shaw, John Galsworthy and Edgar Wallace became household names.

The coming of the motor car was not welcomed by all, as the book explains: speeds of up 2mph were a danger to the public. The music halls, in a chapter entitled Money and Music Hall, were a reflection of the concerns of the general public, most of whom did not have the vote and therefore the right to change things politically. The songs of celebrated music hall divas such as Marie Lloyd were often subversive attacking the government and the ruling elite. And then there was the five-year-old Fat Boy of Peckham who could lift a grown man off the ground ... The book ends with the story of American-born Corrine Turner, a singer and dancer going under the name of Belle Elmore. With her husband she came to London and briefly resumed her music hall career. Her death in California was announced in the variety press. Belle had made a tragic decision. She had married Dr Hawley Harvey Crippen.

A terrific book which should be on all the best-seller lists. A short review like this is pitifully insufficient to describe the immense research that the author undertook which he then miraculously transforms into a fun and wonderfully enjoyable read.

Anthony Withers

aw.staughton@gmail.com

La Cote d’Or Antiques

La Cote d’Or Antiques is a small, boutique antiques shop. A genuine treasure trove, it is full of lots of interesting items. The Proprietor, Marie Helene has been in the business for many decades, so if she does not have it, there is a chance she can find it!

Situated on Kimbolton High Street, access is by appointment only, so please call to book ahead: 01480 861587

Holiday club for children

A wonderful charity run setting based in the beautiful village of Spaldwick and led by the fantastic team at Playtimes in Spaldwick, our holiday club is available for all children from the ages 2–11 years old (children don’t have to attend school/pre-school in Spaldwick).

Children have access to all our indoor and outdoor facilities during the holiday club and can play outside wherever possible. We also run a morning and an afternoon creative activity. We adapt and tailor activities to the season as well as run parties at some of the holiday clubs.

Activities can include:

�� Baking and decorating cakes, biscuits, shortbread, hot cross buns

Arty crafts, e.g. making seasonal decorations, painting mugs, leaf art, pom pom animals, bird feeders, making cards

�� Nature walks, trips to the park ��

Planting flowers �� Bug hunts

�� Slime!

Please note that activities are always child-led and children will not be forced to do an activity if they do not wish to take part. There may also be changes to the activities due to the weather and depending on the numbers and ages of attendees.

£5 per hour (min 3 hours bookable) / £35 for the day (9am–5pm). This includes a morning and an afternoon snack.

A packed lunch and hot tea (served at 4.30pm) can be provided at £1.75 each. We also ask for children to be provided with suitable clothing depending on the weather and season.

Please email playtimesoffice@gmail.com or call 01480 890077 to book a place.

The dates for the remainder of the 2023/24 term are as follows:

• 19–23 February

• 2–15 April

• 28–31 May

• 19 July–2 August

• 19 August–3 September

(Excluding bank holidays)

Whitchurch Wines

Cheese Tuesday

Join us to try some British Cheese, supplied by Rennet and Rind, paired with wines form the shop.

Cheese Tuesdays are held on the last Tuesday of every month, unless otherwise stated.

Please email jeff@whitchurchwines.co.uk to reserve your board.

WHAT’s ON IN MARCH?

8th Wine Bar FRIDAY — Pop-up bar.

14th Wine Tasting Chardonnay and Pinot Noir—a mix of Old World and New.

20th Wine Bar Wednesday - Pop-up bar.

26th Cheese Tuesday

WHO ARE WE?

Your local wine shop. We are a small, family-run business. My father-in-law, David, opens up on a Wednesday, then it is yours truly from Wednesday after 4.30pm until we close the door for the week on Saturday. My wife Heather also helps out and you my even find one of our offspring stacking a shelf or two occasionally!

New In: Chocolates!

It’s official—we are stocking chocolates! Selling them individually, you can buy a couple as a treat for yourself, or a box as a gift for someone special - don’t forget it is Mothers Day soon!

We have a selection of truffles and chocolates available Pop-in and check them out.

WHEN ARE WE OPEN?

Wednesday 12-6pm Except WBW!

Thursday 10:30-5pm

Friday 10.30-7pm

Saturday 10.30-5pm

For more information pop-in and ask, or email jeff@whitchurchwines.co.uk

Gardening and Outdoor Section: p.22-24

Lee’s Gardening Corner

Spring should be out in full force now, with blossom everywhere (hopefully by now things will be drying out!!). Be careful though as the mild April weather can still give way to short, sharp frosts, catching out the new growth and blossom. Don't plant tender bedding plants out too soon for this reason.

Work in the garden speeds up this month, spring clean the borders - keep on top of weeding and hoeing; lawns will probably be getting cut fairly regularly too. Now is a good time to go round with a general fertiliser and sprinkle it all over the soil, either fish, blood and bone or a chicken pellet mix. Evergreen trees and shrubs can be planted and moved now, and general planting of perennials will be fine, keep watered if by some chance we have a long dry spell.

Wait for about 6 weeks before cutting bulb foliage down, this helps restore the bulb for next years growth. Towards the end of the month plant out dahlia tubers and pots of bedding (they can be taken inside if cold weather is forecast). Sow hardy annuals, and if this has already been done the seedlings can be pricked out into larger pots.

Vegetables such as beans, peas, cabbages, sprouts and lettuce can be sown now. Potatoes can be planted, either in beds or pots.

Flowering now are fruit trees, Ribes, roses, pulmonaria, tulips and daffodils.

Lee Munday

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This month in History – April – a time for fools!

Whilst the 1st of April always reminds me of some of the classic April Fools jokes, the most obvious being the great spaghetti harvest of 1957, it did get me thinking about the role of the ‘fool’ in history. Whilst we view a fool as something of an idiot, some in history have been something akin to celebrities, famed for their wit, their talent and their names, if Roland the Farter is anything to go by (apparently, he was a flautist, not that I am disparaging wind players. His major talent was to be able to simultaneously jump, whistle and fart!) It seems extraordinary that toilet humour, as we now know it, was very much alive in 12th century England; indeed, apparently ‘fart humour’, a term I have only recently become acquainted with, is the basis of one of the oldest jokes dating back to 1900BC – the origin of this whiff of information is yet to be verified.

A fool’s job, whether termed a jester, troubadour, bard or harlequin, was to entertain. Through a mixture of music, comedy, imbecility or madness, they had license to amuse and poke fun at others. It was a profession that flourished from Egyptian times until well into the eighteenth century; indeed, some would argue it is still very much alive in more modern settings. Think about the silent movies of the early twentieth century where many of the actors on screen display a comic genius that I imagine the ‘fools’ of centuries ago would be proud of. Successful stand-up comics reflect the quick wit and the ability to poke fun at but keep a crowd onside; although they don’t face potential harm if they go too far as one famous fool called Triboulet did by slapping the King of France on the rear and then insulting the Queen, leading him to be sentenced to death. Luckily his quick wit saved him as when the King asked him to choose how he wanted to die, he retorted: “Good Sire, for St Nitouche’s and Saint Pansard’s sake, patrons of insanity, I wish to die from old age.” He was banished and got his wish! That said, in many ways he lives in eternity having been Verdi’s inspiration for the opera Rigoletto.

This quick wit of our historical jesters was something not lost on Shakespeare. His ‘fools’ were usually clever peasants or commoners that used their intelligence and quick thinking to outwit those of greater social standing, something akin to our April Fools perhaps? Hopefully, you will not be outwitted this 1st of April, but if it makes you laugh or even smile, perhaps being ‘fooled’ is not always a bad thing!

Unlock The Truth

Jenny and her daughter Sarah were on their annual break together. Every year, if at all possible, they took themselves off to a nice hotel for a couple of nights. They really enjoyed their time together. It was a time to rest, recharge and catch up.

On the afternoon of their second day, Sarah decided to use the swimming pool, while Jenny planned to walk in the vast grounds. It was an overcast, chilly February day, and Jenny pulled on her coat. Leaving everything in her hotel room, she popped her key in her coat pocket and stepped outside. A cold blast of air made her pull her coat even closer around her and take her gloves from her coat pocket.

The gardens looked beautiful, but at the same time sad and bare in the failing February light. Standing at the top of a steep flight of stone steps, she had a wonderful view of the formal gardens and the landscape beyond. With no breath of wind, the gardens were eerily quiet, and Jenny realised she was the only person out walking. Hardly surprising, really. Most people were staying snug and warm inside the hotel.

Jenny walked down the steps and along a gravel path to the edge of the formal gardens. She stood, drinking in the stunning countryside beyond. Suddenly, she sensed someone was watching her. Looking back to the top of the steps, she saw a man gazing in her direction, shading his eyes to see more clearly. He started walking purposefully down the steps.

Jenny was not usually a nervous person, but in that silent, deserted garden she felt a stirring of unease and the beginnings of an irrational panic. She started walking very quickly along the gravel path. She knew without looking behind her that the man had reached the bottom of the stone steps, as she could hear the crunching of the gravel as he started walking along the path behind her.

Jenny increased her speed, at the same time trying hard not to look as if she was hurrying, but she could hear the man gaining on her. The gravel path led into some woodland and Jenny felt as if she was getting further from the hotel. She desperately hoped that the man would not follow her into the woodland walk, but she could quite clearly hear his feet crunching through the last of the autumn leaves.

Jenny’s heart began to beat faster, and the hairs on her neck rose up. She had lost all sense of direction and started to run, praying the hotel would suddenly appear from the trees. The man behind her also started to run. He began shouting at her, but Jenny could not hear what he was saying.

Suddenly, through the trees, she spotted what looked like staff quarters at the hotel and ran towards them. A fire door stood open and she flung herself through it, almost falling into the arms of a staff member. Relief spread over her, but before she could apologise and explain, the man caught her up. He held out a room key. ‘I’m assuming this has to be yours, since you were the only person walking in the gardens.’ Jenny felt in her pocket – her room key wasn’t there. Jenny took the key and mumbled a thank you, before the man walked away, looking very confused, and clearly wishing he hadn’t bothered.

Hazel Wright: hazelwright1801@gmail.com

A Day in The Life of an Assistant Racehorse Trainer –Jack Morland

My passion for racing started from an early age, with Hedgehunter being the first horse I really remember. His heroics in the 2005 Grand National in the hands of the master jockey Ruby Walsh will always be the memory which got me hooked onto the drug, which is the horse racing world!

However, it wasn’t my original career path. I spent the first few years of my working life, bored out of my mind, behind a desk of an estate agents in Central London. One day I decided to take the leap and get myself a job in racing!

To cut a long story short, I have now been in the racing industry for the past 8 years and have never looked back. The last 4 of these years have been spent as the right-hand man to Ed Dunlop, a Newmarket based trainer with over 1,100 winners to his name. As the title suggests, I will give you a brief glimpse into our day and what it’s like to work in the racing world, which I hope you enjoy!

Mornings start early in a racing yard, with my first alarm sounding its cry at 4.15am. I take a peak out the bedroom window hoping the weather isn’t too dreary, get dressed and head out into the yard. The first job of the day is to feed the horses and check they haven’t picked up any niggles or injuries overnight. For a 90-horse yard like ours this normally takes just shy of 30 minutes with two senior members of staff doing half the yard each.

By this time the clock has ticked just past 5am and its coffee time. I enter the office check my emails and the race cards for the day, going through the form for our runners and seeing what chances we have of a winner on the card!

Then it’s back out into the yard with the riders’ board in hand which tells each of our 20 riders which horses they will be riding and exercising that day. The riders arrive in dribs and drabs from 5.20am onwards. The old timers arrive first as they know the score; if you’re tacked up first, you’re the first to the coffee machine!!

In a racing yard the horses go out in what are known as a “string”. Each string comprises 20 riders at a time and this process is repeated 4 to 5 times a morning until all the horses are exercised. Once Ed Dunlop, the trainer, has come into the yard and we have discussed the exercise routine, runners and any nicks or injuries on the horses, it’s time

for the first string to pull out at 6am sharp.

The next 4 to 5 hours of the morning are spent exercising the horses on Newmarket Heath, which is a hive of activity, with over 2000 horses using the canters daily. Each of our 90 horses is on a specific exercise regime and they will follow this throughout the week, building their fitness up until their targeted race.

If, as usual, everything goes smoothly, all the horses are exercised and fed their lunchtime feed by 11am. The riders and yard staff will then head home. But for me, it’s back to the office to go through the potential entries and runners for the week with Ed. This is a vital process to make sure we are putting each horse in the most suitable race, thereby giving them the best chance of winning.

Lunchtime beckons now, and it’s off to the local BP Garage for a quick sandwich and then to my sofa for a quick nap to recharge the batteries. During the summer this will be a rarity as Ed and I will be up and down the country at various racecourses, saddling the runners and looking after and entertaining the clients. This is the bit I love most about the job as you get to see the joy on the owners faces and see how much it means to them if you get their horses to win.

The evening shift comes around fast and if I’m not at the races I’ll be back in the yard at 3.30pm. We will then go round as a team and check the horses again making sure they haven’t left any food or picked up any niggles whilst exercising that morning. We then go through the riders’ board and match the riders up to the horses which they ride best and do an exercise list for the following morning. Once this process is complete, it’s about 5pm, the horses will then be given their evening feed.

The last pieces of admin are completed, and we will normally be wrapped up and done by 5.30pm! The local pub, The Affleck, then beckons, and I’ll chew the fat with the rest of Newmarket’s assistants before I’m off home with a very early night awaiting me.

I absolutely adore my job and everything about it, for this reason have decided that I will be venturing out on my own this year and training in my own right. It is a big step but with the experience I have gained working with some very talented trainers I feel the time is right to take the next step.

I’ll let you know how it goes!!

Thinking Blues

Everyone seems to have an opinion about jazz, especially those who’ve never heard it. The most common trait of the jazz-hater is to dismiss the whole of jazz after hearing just one piece, an act of musical asininity equivalent to believing that a Brotherhood of Man fan would absolutely adore Slipknot. There are multitudinous forms of jazz, and trust me, nobody likes them all. My tastes are primarily for traditional to mainstream jazz, which translates as “the stuff which has a tune”. Jazz snobs - who are as easy to find as their classical counterparts - will deride my preferences, while pretending to like tracks which sound like the band is still tuning up.

Often, what the uninitiated think is jazz turns out to be nothing of the sort. As a general rule, if it’s described as “jazz” by the BBC then it isn’t, the corporation’s responsibility to provide varied music seemingly absolved by wheeling out Jools Holland once a year. They’re not alone, the launch of Jazz FM in the early nineties excited and then instantly disappointed jazz fans by featuring a playlist more suited to a masturbatory smoked-glass Docklands dinner party.

The British jazz scene pretty much started in the fifties, somewhere between Guy Mitchell and Tommy Steele. Jazz became popular, waned a little, and then took off again with the trad boom of the sixties. During a recent trip to New Orleans I spoke with the leader of The Dapper Dandies, who told me that it really surprises him how much more popular proper jazz is in Europe than it is in America.

Unlike most easily burnt-out pop groups, the best of these bands continued to perform until quite recently, although sadly very few of the original British jazz pioneers are still with us. Trombonist Chris Barber refined the Ken Colyer sound, introducing blues numbers and performers. Indeed without Chris the sixties blues boom and subsequent rock explosion may not have happened. Acker Bilk lays claim to being the greatest British jazz clarinetist, something overlooked by the snobs due to his easy-listening hits (and come on, be honest, Stranger on the Shore is a beautiful piece). Humphrey Lyttleton took his band into the mainstream with saxes a-plenty, such a shame that certain types only know him from I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue. Fellow-trumpeter Alex Welsh honoured Louis Armstrong with an authentic yet often thrillingly modern take on Satchmo’s music, and Kenny Ball proved that jazz can, and should be entertaining. I’d very much recommend George Melly’s brilliant autobiography Owning Up for more on this period of British jazz.

Real jazz is still being played in Britain, East Anglia’s Dixie Mix are the natural successors to the Three B’s, and trumpeter Paul Higgs performs an excellent history of jazz show.

Just before the band came on at New Orleans’ Preservation Hall, the American gentleman next to me stated that jazz wasn’t his thing. Forty minutes later he was on his feet, cheering. Give proper jazz a go. You just might like it.

Budgens is all about food. Early morning deliveries, 6 days a week, ensure lots of fresh produce.

Everything is here to create delicious meals from scratch. We also have a great variety of prepared meals.

A wide range of Wines, Beers, Ciders, and Spirits will complement your meal.

We have a Bakery plus Costa Coffee, Fresh Sandwiches & Frozen Foods.

We’re just round the corner. Open long hours, 7 days a week, with car parking.

Local Electrician

For all your Electrical Needs

No Job too Big or Small Domestic or Commercial

Fuse Board Upgrades

Rewires, New Sockets

Oven and Hob Installs or Repairs

Outside Sockets or Garden Lighting Extensions or Refurbishments

New Kitchen Electrics

EV Chargers

Internal Lights

Heating Electrical Faults or new install Professional, Quality and Reliable Service

All Work Guaranteed

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COACHES Robinson 2024 Day Trips

30th May – RHS WISLEY

Adult £54.00 Conc. £52.00 Child £38.00 RHS MEMBERS £35.50

Spend a day basking in the wonder of nature. Wisley is one of the world’s great gardens, packed with horticultural inspiration. Couple that with a Garden Cream Tea (included), you’ve got yourself a cracking day out!

CREAM TEA & ADMISSION INCLUDED

26th July – LORD OF THE DANCE, MK Theatre

A LIFETIME OF STANDING OVATIONS

Adult £75.00 Conc. £73.00 Child £64.00

Witness Michael Flatley’s world renowned Lord of the Dance at Milton Keynes Theatre. We will arrive in MK with plenty of time to grab a bite to eat and browse the shops before the performance at 19:30.

ADMISSION INCLUDED

2nd September – MAMMA MIA

14th August – WELLS-NEXT-THE-SEA**

Adult £28.00 Conc. £26.00 Child £13.00

From the sweeping sandy beach bordered by pinewoods and colourful beach huts; around the bustling harbour where you’ll find children crabbing on the quay opposite the finest fish & chips on the coast; to the pretty leafy green known as ‘The Buttlands’ with its warm & welcoming taverns – Wells is the perfect, family friendly seaside destination.

London’s West End, evening performance

Adult £68.00

Conc. £66.00 Child £52.50

Did you watch ITV’s MAMMA MIA! I Have a Dream? Stevie Doc and Tobias Turley debuted their roles as Sophie and Sky on 29th January. You’ll arrive in London with plenty of time to grab a bite to eat and browse the shops before the performance at 19:30.

ADMISSION INCLUDED

This is just a handful of the trips we have on offer.

For more informa8on and a full overview of our day trips for this year, request a brochure or visit our website: www.robinsonkimbolton.co.uk

To Book, please call 01480-860581

Pick-up points: Kimbolton, Gt Staughton, Eaton Socon, St Neots, Lt Paxton, Buckden, Brampton, HunHngdon (and St Ives – only on trips marked **)

Horse

My level of book reviewing is that independently or small publisher produced books get the review posted on my website. I also put the review on Amazon (or other retail site, if appropriate) as well as Goodreads and BookBub, as long as the book is listed on those sites. Traditionally published books usually get a rating on Goodreads. Life has become too busy to write a review for a book that already has thousands. Goodreads is owned by Amazon anyway so reviews/ratings flow from one to the other.

What do you write in the review? This is what puts most people off from doing them. But with thanks and kind permission of Rosie Amber, fearless leader of the online review team I belong to (https://rosieamber.wordpress.com/ and if you are an author, you can get your book reviewed here), here are some templates that she put together with Terry Tyler that might help.

Template 1

(Insert book title) is set in (Example select; town, or country or a year).

The Book opens with (Example select; a name of a character or an action)

The story is about (Example; the Irish Famine, or the lives of the Tudor kings and queens, or the loves and losses of a vampire etc)

I enjoyed the (Example; witty dialogue, or the historical descriptions of the era, or how realistic the characters were.)

Template 2

Book Title and Author Name

(Name the first main character) example Nicholas is a fallen angel/ a divorcee/ police detective/ a lawyer etc

He/She works/ lives in (name the town, country, place or era)

Name one or two other leading characters. Say a little about them. Say what links all these characters.

What did you like about the book?

What would have made it better?

Who would you recommend the book to?

Template 3

Book Title and Author Name

Genre

Book Setting – time and place

Introduce the main characters

Describe the storyline in general terms (avoid spoilers that give too much away)

How was the book set out? (If this was obvious) For instance alternating chapters from different characters, or chapters from different time periods.

What did you like about the book?

What would have made it better?

What didn’t you enjoy in the book?

Would you read another book by this author?

If this is too much a simple ‘I loved it’ – (or whatever your particular feeling about it might be… gulp) – is better than nothing and if that is still too much a wordless rating will be much appreciated.

Georgia Rose is my pen name and the name I use for everything connected to my writing. You can find me at georgia@georgiarosebooks.com or www.georgiarosebooks.com.

Qualified dog groomers

New clients receive 10% off first treatment

Based in Little Staughton

We welcome any breed of dog big or small, young to elderly, nervous to happy

All treatments are one to one basis

Set in a stress free environment

We can deal with any needs that your dog may require We can provide a local pick up and drop back service

We offer:

Puppy Introductions

Bath & Dry

Full Grooms

Nail

Hand stripping And much more

Ring Katie

Time to Move

Paul Kinally of Peter Lane & Partners looks at the property market this spring, and suggests if you want to move there is no time like the present.

Imagine the property market as a clock face. Twelve o’clock is a rampant buyers’ market with lots of property available and buyers playing hardball with offers. Six o’clock is a sellers’ market, with prices rising quickly and purchasers panic buying, often going straight in at asking prices to secure properties. These are times in the market when things are most uncomfortable and precarious. These markets generate gazumping or gazundering, practices that often do more harm than good and are certainly discouraged by experienced estate agents.

Between these market extremes, at three and nine on our clock, is balance. Buyers have more time to make their choices and try reasonable offers. With more property on the market, sellers have more competition and have to price reasonably to attract buyers. More than that, their homes should be in the best possible structural and tastefully decorative condition. Clutter will have to go.

The market this year feels more in balance than it has been for a long time, a rare period when buying and selling property is relatively calmer, easier and less of a lottery. For those thinking of moving this spring, embrace the opportunity that falling interest rates bring more buyers. Sadly, this time of equilibrium will pass. It is the way of the property market. Our advice is if you want to move, now is a wonderfully opportune time to do so.

If you are thinking of moving and would like to discuss any aspect of the process, Paul can be contacted at the Kimbolton Office on 01480 860400 or paul.kinally@peterlane.co.uk

Howard Galley Appliance & Satellite Engineer

I am an appliance and satellite engineer now based in Raunds, Northamptonshire having moved down from South West Scotland to be with my partner.

Washing machines

Tumble dryers

Vacuum cleaners

Electrical ovens (NOT gas)

Dishwashers

INSTALLATION OF THE FOLLOWING Individual

Satellites

My business started originally in Newcastle Upon Tyne in 2006 where I mainly worked for Age Concern and Anchor Housing repairing appliances and carrying out Electrical Safety Testing and risk assessments (PAT testing) across the North East of England. I was on the Newcastle and Northumberland Trade Register in recognition of the quality of my workmanship and was also the preferred supplier for a number of hotels and businesses in the area.

In 2008 I moved to South West Scotland where my business grew at a rapid rate over 14 years, repairing washing machines, tumble dryers and other household appliances as well erecting satellites and installing TV systems to both people’s homes and on holiday parks.

I like to look after small businesses in carrying out risk assessments and issuing guidance on electrical safety and can perform a full formal inspection electrical safety test if required.

I have over 100 perfect reviews on my Facebook page, Yell, Google and my webpage and will always do my best to look after you.

Old Kimboltonians’ Freemasons Lodge

Meeting at Kimbolton Castle

2024 Meeting dates

Friday 15 March

Friday 17 May

Friday 27 September

Friday 13 December

Meetings start at 6.00p.m

All Freemasons welcome as well as enquiries from Alumni plus current and former staff

Contact Martin Wilson Lodge Secretary

Email martinjwilson55@gmail.com

Please

How what3words can help 999 #KnowExactlyWhere

what3words has helped to locate nearly 4,000 incidents since it first started being used by emergency services. It has given every 3m square in the world a unique identifier made of 3 words - making the location of any emergency very easy todescribe and share. For example ///tortoises.swarm.announce will take you to a precise location on Ben Nevis where, in February 2020, a group of hikers were rescued.

To locate, search or navigate to a what3words address, all you need is the free app. Make sure you have it downloaded on your device and know how to use it, to help save time, resource and lives.

Test your smoke alarm!

Did you know that you should test your smoke alarms at least once a month? Or that you should have smoke alarms on every floor of your home? Or that Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service do free home visits to make sure your home is fire safe?

Visit this website for helpful tips and advice: https://firekills.campaign.gov.uk/

Bystander Community

HAIL WESTON WILDLIFE AND GARDENING GROUP

Tuesday April 2nd 7:30pm

Hail Weston Village hall

Diane Jarvis will give us a hanging basket demonstration (with baskets for sale). Diane is a good practical gardener and has run her own gardening business for the last 20 years. Raffle £1.00 per ticket, prizes include a £20.00 garden voucher. Cost £1 for members and £3 for non-members.

(Yearly membership £7)

Tea/Coffee/glass of wine/biscuits will be available at the meeting for a voluntary donation.

This term 1st Kimbolton Rainbows have been working on both the ‘Feel Good’ and ‘First Aid’ parts of the Be Well Theme Award.

We’ve explored the benefits of physical exercise, with an obstacle course, karate tennis, hula hoops and many of our favourite group games; and we monitored the effects of different activities on our heart rate, temperature, and breathing. We’ve also thought about different moods and how they make us feel; and we discussed the importance of laughter and sleep, as well as learning some relaxation techniques through stretching and deep breathing.

Rainbows have also been practicing how to wash their hands properly to reduce the spread of germs. They learned what items are needed in a first aid kit and how they are used. Lastly, they learned how to treat a small cut – and why keeping it clean is an essential step!

We’ve also had many special events and celebrations:

• Winter saw us make our own sock snowmen, as the weather just didn’t deliver this year!

• For Chinese New Year we made dragon masks, held our own dragon parade, then completed a chopsticks challenge, picking up ‘lucky red’ food such as strawberries, grapes & Maltesers.

• On Valentines Day we made heart biscuits – though not many of them made it home!

• Mothers Day inspired us to make paper flowers in home-made vases, and beautiful finger-painted bookmarks.

• And we held a ‘Pot of Gold Party,’ to say goodbye and good luck to our oldest Rainbow as she moved up to Brownies.

Rainbows is a great way for girls to learn important skills whilst having fun and making new friends. We are a friendly group of 4 to 6 year olds who enjoy playing games, singing songs, doing craft and cookery and a whole lot of other fun activities. We meet once a week on Tuesdays from 4:15-5:15pm.

Girlguiding helps all girls know they can do anything. For more information or to join us go to girlguiding.org.uk/joinus.

KEYSOE VILLAGE HALL BIG BREAKFAST

SATURDAY

20TH APRIL

9am – 11am

FULL ENGLISH – £7.00

SMALL ENGLISH - £4.50

TEA & COFFEE INCLUDED

NO NEED TO BOOK JUST TURN UP

St. Mary's Church, Keysoe Cream Tea

12th May 3-5pm.

There will be a Fair Trade stall

Guided Whit Walk around the village starting from St. Mary's Church, Keysoe 25th May 1.45 for prompt 2.00pm start

£5 to include refreshments on return

Miss Franks Jumble Sale

Saturday 6th April

Manderville Hall, Kimbolton

Doors open at 2:00 pm until 4 :00pm

Stalls, bric a brac ,clothing nearly new, Books ,toys.

Refreshments available.

Entrance fee only £1.

Keysoe & Bolnhurst Open Gardens

Saturday 22nd June 2024 2-5pm

Services across the Benefice for April.

All 10.30am services can be accessed via Zoom: ID 418 4055 563 Passcode: 022067

Morning & Evening Prayer are held on Zoom at 8.30am & 5.30pm respectively on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

Join us at St. Andrew’s on Fridays at 9.00am -10.30am during School Term for Friday Fun for pre-school youngsters and their parents and/or carer. Coffee, biscuits & chat for the adults.

ALL SAINTS, LITTLE STAUGHTON

Sun 7th 9.00am Parish Communion

Sun 21st 9.00am Parish Communion

ST. ANDREW’S, GREAT STAUGHTON

Sun 7th 8.00am BCP Holy Communion

10.30am All Age Worship

Sun 14th 10.30am Parish Communion followed by APCM

Sun 21st 10.30am Parish Communion

Sun 28th 10.30am Parish Communion

ST. NICOLAS, HAIL WESTON

Wed 3rd 10.00am Morning Prayer

Sun 7th 10.30am Morning Praise followed by APCM

Sun 14th 9.00am Parish Communion

Sun 21st 3.00pm Creative Communion

Sun 28th 9.00am Parish Communion

Funds raised to support the operation of St Andrew’s church and the Huntingdon Male Voice Choir St Andrew’s church, Great Staughton PE19 5BB

Local choir singing in Great Staughton under new Musical Director

Huntingdon Male Voices, the performing name of Huntingdon Male Voice Choir, is now in its 62 nd year. Over the years the Choir has had some notable successes and high points, including providing the pre-match entertainment for rugby finals at Twickenham and Wembley. We often perform at fund-raising events for local good causes, and each year we also select a dedicated charity to support.

After the Choir’s 60th Anniversary Concert in November 2022, our Musical Director (MD) of 28 years Peter Davies, retired. Recruiting a new MD took time but we are pleased and exceptionally fortunate to be able to announce that we have now appointed Leanne Singh-Levett. Leanne has an impressive professional career in music including with the Royal College of Music, the English National Opera and Opera North. The Choir’s first concert under her direction was held in November with a near capacity audience. Their next concert will take place on Friday 19th April at 7.30pm in St Andrew’s Church, Great Staughton.

The Choir is always seeking new members, and anyone interested in joining can either check out the “Joining” page on the Choir website (hmvc.org.uk) or just turn up at a rehearsal. The Choir rehearses at 7:30 pm each Thursday evening at St Mary’s Parish Hall, Huntingdon (opposite the bus station). There are no formal auditions; all you may need to do is sing a few notes to the MD to determine which of the four choir parts will suit you best. You are welcome to come along for a week or two to see if HMVC is for you.

Photography by Ben Durrant

Canine Corner - Tips for choosing a dog trainer or behaviourist

Choosing the right person to help with your dog is incredibly important. The industry is currently unregulated and anyone can set themselves up as a dog trainer or even a behaviourist. Using the wrong training methods or misinterpreting a behaviour problem can result in the breakdown of the relationship you have with your dog as well as potentially making the problem worse. Consider the following points when doing your research….

1. Do you need a dog trainer or a behaviourist? They are not the same! A dog trainer can help you to teach your dog new things and work on obedience. They may show you how to train your dog to prevent problems from occurring or they may work on existing training issues such as pulling on the lead. Dog trainers often run puppy classes and will give advice on puppy training, socialisation, toilet training and how to give your puppy the best start in life. They may also offer one to one sessions to work on training issues such as recall. A behaviourist works with dogs who have behaviour problems such as aggression towards people or dogs, fears and phobias, separation anxiety or problems around passing traffic or bikes. A good behaviourist will always work on veterinary referral. To confuse things slightly, some behaviourists also run training classes for puppies or adult dogs.

2. What training methods do they use? Only consider working with a trainer or behaviourist that uses positive, reward based training methods and has a good understanding of learning theory. Please do not subject your dog to any methods that cause fear, intimidation or try to suppress behaviour. These include water sprays, prong collars, shock or spray collars, rattle cans, pinning a dog down or other dominance or ‘rank reduction’ techniques. These are unnecessary, outdated and have significant welfare implications.

3. Qualifications. Check that their qualifications are as a result of assessment of competence, not just attendance on a course. A behaviourist should ideally have a level 6 qualification (degree or equivalent) or higher. There is currently no minimum level of qualification for a dog trainer, but many dog trainers are extremely well qualified.

4. Insurance- it goes without saying that they should be fully insured for the work they do.

5. Continuing Professional Development. A good dog trainer or behaviourist will keep their knowledge up to date by undertaking regular CPD.

6. Avoid anyone who promises a quick fix. There are no magic wands or silver bullets when it comes to changing a dog’s behaviour. It requires hard work, patience and commitment from the owner. A good trainer or behaviourist will support you through the process.

7. Experience and specialisms. If your dog has a particular problem, don’t be afraid to ask if the trainer or behaviourist has previous experience with that problem. If they don’t, they should be happy to refer you to someone who can help.

8. Happy customers. Ask other dog owners if they can recommend a trainer or behaviourist that they have had a good experience with. Your vet may also be able to give recommendations.

Laura Travis BSc (Hons) PG Dip CABC - Clinical Animal Behaviourist

Baby and Toddler Activities

Grafham Little Fishes, Stay and Play Session for 0 to 4year olds

All welcome on Wednesdays 10.00 to 11.20, term time only, in Grafham Village Hall. Just turn up for free play time, followed by a short bible story, action songs and simple craft. For more details, contact Jane Rowley 01480 890986 littlefishes@eastleightonstone.com

Family Fun Friday St Andrew's Church, Great Staughton, 9.00am - 10.30am term time only. Tea, coffee, playtime, story time, singing. Contact Sylvia - 01480 812022 for more details.

St Neots Toy Library - Mon to Thurs 8.45am - 4.30pm, Fridays 8.45am-1.00pm. At The Butterfly Children’s Centre, next to Winhills School and The Eatons Children’s Centre next to Bushmead School. Telephone Lyanne 01480 358350/Jaci 01480 358340.

Rhyme time - rhymes and stories for babies and toddlers aged 0 - 2 years. St Neots library. 2 sessions 10am & 11.15am

term time only on alternate Fridays

Baby Gym classes

Promoting tummy time, sensory stimulation and adult two baby bonding bonding., Classes operate term time only, Friday mornings : 10.30am - 11.15am, Open sessions, no booking required., £5 per session, pay as you go (Cash only)., Operates at Huntingdon Gymnastic Club, Mayfield Road, Huntingdon, PE29 1UL, Run by Beccy Chapman Bsc WAHpc, Like Us on Facebook to keep updated, search: ‘baby gym 8-weeks to walking’

Riseley All Saints Church Junior Jivers - music and movement session followed by stay and play every Thursday at 930am term time only - Contact: Samantha Toseland Tel: 07880 700894

Young People’s and Children’s Organisations

Guides, Brownies and Rainbows

Kimbolton Guides, Brownies & Rainbows Esther Crook on 07713 165935 esthercrook1@gmail.com

Gt Staughton Guides Lindy Bornman, email fgsguides@gmail.com

Upper Dean Brownies & Rainbows, Karen Jones: email: div.nbeds@bedsguiding.org.uk

Little Staughton Guides, Little Staughton Brownies

Scouts, Cubs, Beavers

1st Kimbolton Scout Group, Contact: Jenny Hassell - 07541 196834

1st Brington Scout Group, Contact: Tim Collins - 07881 821649

Dance/Performing Arts

Linda Allen School of Dance – Ballet, tap and modern jazz from 3+ years - Spaldwick and Kimbolton

Ladies ballet and tap in Kimbolton, 01480 861332, lindaallendance@btinternet.com www.lindaallendance.com

Stageworks Studios, St Neots. Dance, drama and singing classes for ages 3+. 01480 223331

Motion Dance Academy, Hinchinginbrooke Shcool, Huntingdon - 07887 932294, Miss Mollie www.motiondanceacademy.co.uk missmollie@motiondanceacademy.co.uk

01480 219518

07802 826798 www.innfarmdaynursery.co.uk

Keysoe Playgroup – Keysoe Village Hall, MK44 2JE, Thursdays 9.30-11.30, £2 per family, healthy snacks, hot drinks, biscuits and craft activity included. Lovely friendly group with lots of toys for your little ones. Come and join us. Term time only. Kymbrook

01234 376100 www.kymbrookpreschool.co.uk

01480 890077 www.playtimesplaygroup.co.uk

01234 378880 www.puddleducksnurserypre

01480 860743

Primary

Brington

Great Staughton Primary Academy 01480 860324 www.greatstaughton.cambs. sch.uk

Kimbolton Primary Academy, Newtown, Kimbolton 01480 860743 www.kimboltonprimary academy.cambs.sch.uk

Kymbrook Primary School, Kimbolton Road, Keysoe. 01234 376266 www.kymbrookprimary.uk

Spaldwick Primary School 01480 890371 www.spaldwickschool.org.uk

Ernulf Academy, Barford Road, St Neots, Cambs. 01480 374748 www.astreaernulf.org

Hinchingbrooke School, Huntingdon, PE29 3BN, 01480 375700 www.hinchingbrookeschool.net

Kimbolton School, Kimbolton 01480 860505 www.kimbolton.cambs.sch.uk

Longsands Academy, St Neots, Cambs. PE19 1LQ 01480 353535 www.astrea-longsands.org

USEFUL

Clubs, Groups and Organisations

Great Staughton Village Hub

Kimbolton Senior Citizens lunch club

Catworth Women’s Group

Catworth Quilters Group

Ellington Neighbourhood Watch

Gt Staughton Horticultural Society

Grafham & Ellington Art Group

Whist Drives, Ellington

Gt Staughton Playing Field & Pavilion

Neighbourhood Watch Gt Staughton

Kimbolton Flower Club

Kimbolton Local History Society

Save the Children Fund

Hargrave Investment Club

Kimbolton Parish Council

Bell Ringing (Kimbolton Church)

Kimbolton Fire Station - recruitment

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service

Little Staughton Parish Clerk

Pertenhall & Swineshead Parish Clark

Bolnhurst & Keysoe Parish Council Clerk

Stow Longa Village Community - social events

Churchwarden, All Saints’ Church

Tilbrook Village Newsletter

Tilbrook Amenites Committee

Tilbrook Parish Council Clerk

Kimbolton WI

Ellington WI

Gt Staughton WI

Pertenhall WI

Details on the Great Staughton and Perry Facebook page

01480 861540/860735 (Thurs, 12noon) Mandeville Hall

Barbara Cawdell 01832 710404

Pam Wardle 01832 710324

Rick Wilcox 01480 890902

Mike Keeble 01480 860855

Jackie Woods, 01480 890279

Steve Sherratt , 01480 891418

Bob Jewell 01480 861259

Frank Backhouse, 01480 861167

Carol Grundy 01832 710339

Nora Butler 01480 861007

Nora Butler 01480 861007

Rick 07905 211919 or Sue 07818 050034

Lionel Thatcher 01480 861877

Mary Foster 01480 861594

01480 444500

Mary Jordan 01234 376383 email lspcclerk1@gmail.com.

Diane Robins, 07786 656088 clerk@pertenhallandswineshead-pc.gov.uk

Samantha Langley 07977 828153

Christine Hayes 01480 860519

Christine.Hayes@StowLonga.org.uk

Pauline Swinden 01480 509043

www.tilbrookvillage.life

Chairman, Stephen Birch, chairman tilbrookvillagelife@gmail.com

Lionel Thatcher, 01480860055

Anne Beszant 01480 860672

Jan Sherratt 01480 891418

Ruth Easom, rutheasom@gmail.com

Alison Gladstone 01933 563064

Perry WI perrywigroup@gmail.com

Kimbolton & district Royal British Legion

Kimbolton Castle Rotary Club

Ellington Village Club

David Henrick 01480 896556

Chris Davies 01234 376542

Sue Rice (Chairperson) 01480 896139

The Villages Gardening Club Jan Roche 01832 710561 janetroche0@gmail.comKimbolton

Hunts Phil Orchestra & Chorus

North Beds Ramblers

Village Halls

Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton, bookings

info@huntsphil.org.uk, choir@huntsphil.org.uk orchestra@huntsphil.org.uk

Margaret Sawyer northbedswalks@gmail.com, www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walk ing/ramblers-groups/north-bedfordshire-group

Stan Rhodes, 07367 783886

Village Hall, Catworth, bookings www.catworthvillagehall.co.uk

Village Hall, Ellington

Village Hall, Gt Staughton, bookings

Anita Dowdall 01480 891821

Vicki Goldsmith 01480 860005

Village Hall, Hail Weston Liz Bacon / bookingshwvh@gmail.com.

Village Hall, Keysoe

Village Hall, Keyston, bookings

Village Hall, Little Staughton

Janet Browning 01234 376577 bookings@keysoevillagehall.co.uk

Chrissy Faulkner, 07714 080837

Kevin and Maria Foskett, 01234 376260

Village Hall, Melchbourne Bookings Julia Koball, juliakoball@hotmail.co.uk 07941 245 639

Village Hall, Molesworth 07922 738818 Email:enquiries@molesworthvillagehall.co.uk www.molesworthvillagehall.co.uk

Village Hall, Pertenhall, bookings

Paul Sheard paulsheard@aol.com 01480 861457

Village Hall, Tilbrook Erica Jago, 07903 987445, bookings.tilbrookvillage@gmail.com

www.tilbrookvillage.life

Village Hall, Yelden 07539 662544, yeldenvillagehall@gmail.com

Grafham Nature Reserve & Watch Group The Wildlife Trust 01480 811075

North Beds Young Farmers’ northbedsyfcmembership@gmail.com

FB: North Beds Young Farmers

Instagram: @northbedsyfc Twitter: @northbedsyfc

Grafham Water Sailing Club 01480 810478

Huntingdon Grafham Water Lions Club Lion Bernard Dable 01480 810704, 07969 207227

Wildlife Trust Brampton Wood

George Cottam Volunteer Warden, 01480 450809;

Wildlife Trust Huntingdonshire Local Group Pat Doody Chair, 01480 392706. Eve talks Brampton Memorial Centre 7.30pm, 2nd Wednesday Sept - March. Guided walks in the summer.

Grafham Wildlife & Conservation Group Sam Malt 01480810844 day/01480811654 eve

Village Sports

Badminton Club (Kimbolton)

Catworth Playing Field

Shirley Osborne 860198/Jill Strand 861508

Mary Matthews, 07717 246107

Cricket Club, Kimbolton Mark Field, 07769 159496

Cricket Club, Little Staughton

Carpet Bowls, Catworth

Carpet Bowls, Kimbolton

Carpet Bowls, Gt. Staughton

Adrian Thrasher 07834 602086

Marge Baker, 01832 710145

Angela Fox, 01480 861264

Anthony Withers, 01480 861224. Carpet Bowls, Spaldwick

Carpet Bowls, Ellington

Table Tennis Club - Melchbourne

Tennis Club, Kimbolton

Tennis Club, Gt Staughton

Grafham Tang Sou Dao Club

Great Staughton Golf Society

Little Staughton keep fit

MVH Pilates - Melchbourne

MVH Tai Chi - Melchbourne

PE28 Kickboxing, Grafham Village Hall

Pilates - Riseley

Andrew Vickers, 01480 891201

Beryl North, 01480 471146

Peter Wilkinson peteathillands@gmail.com, 07792 056 157

Roy Butler, 01480 861007

Nicole Yates, 01480 860616

Steven Treadaway 01480 812433, info@cambstangsoudao.co.uk

Derek Fitzgibbon, 01480 861234

Chris Clarke, 07739184942

Penny Hales penny@tightassets.co.uk

Rob Poyton simplyflow@outlook.com

Mark James, 01480 819478

Caroline Eames - 07535 296836

strengththroughmovement01@gmail.com

Yoga Classes, Little Staughton, Hail Weston, Linda Tongue 01480 350345, Brampton, Catworth & Godmanchester 07733343702, lindatongue@yahoo.co.uk

Mobile Library Service 0345 045 5225 for enquiries / renewals

2nd Wednesday of the Month (R. H10) - 10th April

Diddington : Manor Farm 9.30am to 9.50am

Southoe : The Church 10.05am to 10.25am

Spaldwick : High Street 10.45am to 11.05am

Stow Longa : The Green 11.15am to 11.45am

Catworth : Station Road Midday to 12.30pm

Covington : Cross Street 1.45pm to 2.15pm

Kimbolton : Stow Road (Newtown) 2.30pm to 3.45pm

Kimbolton : Castle Gardens 3.50pm to 4.30pm

4th Tuesday of the Month (R. H23) - 23rd April

Bythorn : School Lane 10.00am to 10.20am

Molesworth : Phone Box 10.25am to 11.00am

Brington : Church Lane 11.10am to 11.35am

Old Weston : Village Hall 11.45am to 12.20pm

Leighton Bromswold : The Avenue 12.30pm to 1.00pm

4th Wednesday of the Month (R. H24) - 24th April

Ellington : Mermaid Pub 9.30 to 10.00am

Grafham : Breach Road 10.10am to 10.35am

Perry : Chichester Way 10.45am to 11.40am

Hail Weston : Orchard Close 12.00pm to 12.20pm

Great Staughton : The Causeway 1.30pm to 2.00pm

Kimbolton : Stow Road (Newtown) 2.15pm to 3.45pm

Kimbolton : Castle Gardens 3.50pm to 4.30pm

Cambridgeshire Libraries’ Doorstep Service is a free home library service delivered monthly by volunteers to readers with health or mobility difficulties. To find out more about becoming a local volunteer or service user: email volunteers@cambridgeshire.gov.uk www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/library

Disclaimer: Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of material in this publication, the publisher/editor can accept no responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributors in either editorial or advertising content.

Listings of Businesses in Our Area

Architects/Planning/Drawings

PJP Architects, 07801 054648, p.31

Art, Framing, Artists, Crafts, Ceramics, Gallery, Hobbies

Croft Tools, 01480 810734, p.41

Engraved By Elle, www.engravedbyelle.co.uk, p.50

Grafham Coins, 01480 811227, p.41

La Cote D'or Antiques, 01480 861587, p.20

The Framery Ltd, 01480 860086, p.41

Building Services/Home Maintenance/Garage Doors

Cambridge Sunblinds, 01223 904107 p.27

Castle View Construction, 07563 608344, p.6-7

GAP Home Improvements, 07935 002610, p.40

Garolla Roller Shutter Doors, 01480 630081, p.51

Lilystone, 01933 461374 p.73

R&D Maskey, 01234 825015, p.11

Saints Brickwork Ltd, 01480 479355, p.29

Taylor Stilton, 01480 860047, p.13

The Home Handyman, 01480 861898, p.37

Business Networking

Three Shires Networking, 07788 558964, p.46

Computer/IT Services/Marketing/Proofreading

Arlo Creative, 07747 185291, p.73

iEdit, 01480 860519 p.27

Newport Bookkeeping Services, 07519 352933, p.41

Oxygen IT, 01480 390395, p.67

Silver Websites, 07340 234555, p.27

Social Beans, 07808 020554, p.52

Domestic Services

Andrew Blair, Carpet Cleaning, 07867 499792, p.31

Home ‘n’ Dry, Carpet Cleaning, 01487 840310, p.24

Howard Galley Satellite engineer, 07894 433084, p.49

Education/Tuition

Inn Farm Private Day Nursery, 07802 826798, p.15

One to One Tuition, 07803 504631, p.5

Playtimes Spaldwick, 01480 890077 p.20

Electrical Services

Aircon Tom, 07402 745802, p.12

DAC Services, 01234 709347, p.2

Selec Solar, 01480 400607, p.47

Spaldwick Electrical, 07446 965998, p.41

Estate Agents/Letting Agents/Property

Bletsoes, 01832 732188

Carr Estate Agents, 01832 778800, p.55

Peter Lane & Partners, 01480 860400, p.76

Top Hat Projects, 07814 709320, p.51

Financial Advisers & Financial Services

Beacon Wealth Management, 01480 869466, p.33

Funeral Directors

Crowsons, 01832 272269, p.45

Regency Funeral Directors, 01480 759408, p.43

Gardening/Landscaping/Design/Tree Care/Logs/Repairs

Eden Tree Specialists, 01234 960796, p.24

Manor Farm, 07849 528684, p.24

Roots & Newts, 01234 871896, p.3

Urban and Rural, 01480 476808, p.23

General Stores/Farm Shops/Shopping Events

Budgens, 01480 860582, p.38-39

Top End Stores, 01234 376426, p.25

Whitchurch Wines, jeff@whitchurchwines.co.uk p.21

Health/Treatments/Beauty/Wellbeing/Counselling/ Fitness

Becs Bradley Coaching, 07979 286472, p.11

Henry Davies personal Trainer, 07747 466459, p.9

J Aesthetics & Beauty, 07717 410261, p.11

Jill Dighton, 07925 852985, p.9

Kimbolton Swimming Pool, 01480 862276, p.9

Love yourself Beautiful, 07565 459602, p.10

Rosie’s Salon, 07733 482359, p.9

The Ashgrove Clinic, 01933 469043 p.8

The Nest at 53, 07778 024564, p.10

Kitchens

Kitchen Culture, 01480 861822, p.13

Music, Theatre, Singing, Entertainment

Carol John, 01234 708029, p.31

Pets/Petcare Services /Equine/Training

Houghton Horse Transport, 07825 269531, p.54

Kimbolton Vets, www.kimboltonvets.co.uk, p.37

Penhazy Parlour, 07774 519694, p.45

Top End Stores (Animal Feed), 01234 376426, p.25

Plumbers & Heating Engineer

Anglia Oil Tanks, 01638 662955, p.63

DAC Services, 01234 709347, p.2

Hill Heating, 01480 890929, p.31

Hydroflow, 07917 176375, p.31

Pubs/Restaurants/Cafes/Catering

Phaf Kimbolton, 07300 296926, p.52

The Pheasant Keyston, 01832 710303 p.28

The Wheatsheaf Perry, 01480 810253, p.74-75

Solicitors/Legal/Probate Services

Hunt & Coombs Solicitors, 01480 702207, p.45

Storage

Jonathan, 07753 638948, p.51

Vehicle Services/Vehicle Care/Vehicle Sales/Transport

Robinsons Garage, 01480 860581, p.19

Robinsons Coaches Day Trips, 01480 860581, p.42

Wedding Services

Styled by Lulabelles,tasha@styledbylulabelles.co.uk, p.11

UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT

WEEKLY DEALS

PIE TUESDAY

Choice of 3 weekly changing homemade pies served with mash or chips, seasonal veg & gravy

+ pint of Fosters, medium glass of house wine or soft drink £16.95

LUNCH OFFER

Let’s do Lunch!

2 courses £14.95

3 courses £17.95

Mon - Friday 12 pm - 5 pm

FISH FRY DAY

Fish & chips

Traditional chip shop platter

Market boat fresh sh specials

Traditional sh & chips take-away £10.00

STEAK THURSDAY

Steak, fries, sides, sauce, salad

+ pint of Fosters, medium glass of house wine or soft drink

Ribeye £17.95 Fillet £18.95

The Wheatsheaf – West Perry, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE28 0BX

Email: hello@wheatsheaf-perry.co.uk - Phone: 01480 810253

WHAT’S ON AT THE WHEATSHEAF

NEW MENU LAUNCH

Friday 1st March

Pop in to try our brand new dishes, freshly prepared on-site from fresh, ethically sourced, British ingredients!

New kitchen hours

Food served - 12 pm - 9.30 pm - 7 days a week

Breakfast now served from 9 am - 12 pm on Saturday & Sunday

Mother’s Day

Sunday 10th March

2 course menu £23.50 – 3 course menu £28.50

Free gift for all Mums with pre-booked tables!

Saturday 30th March

Join us for our spectacular tribute nights!

Fantastic 3-course dinner included Dinner from 7 pm – Music starts at 8.30 pm – £35 per person

BOOK YOUR TABLE HERE!

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