Welcome to our August edition. We’ve had some varied topics covered in our past articles but I’m confident we haven’t had one covering a guide to incubating chicken eggs! This has now been rectified as you’ll discover. Eugene explores the debate on digital versus physical and Hazel’s flash fiction contribution is entitled ‘Forever Friends’. Continuing a literary theme, Georgia Rose reviews Judith Barrow’s ‘A Hundred Tiny Threads’, a prequel to the Howarth family saga. There’s another review from Anthony Withers; ‘The British Bloke’ by Geoff Northcott.
Inn Farm Nursery have an interesting piece on how to include ‘loose parts play’ in young children’s development. Canine Corner inform us how to manage puppy biting and Lee has some useful gardening tips for you. Lots more besides as ever – enjoy the summer everyone.
Editor: Julie Tose
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
August Contents
Editor’s Letter
p.4
Monthly heating oil price update: Sponsored by BoilerJuice p.6
Health, Fitness, Beauty & Wellbeing p.8-11
Inn Farm - Loose parts play p.14
Local Memories: Charles William and 15th Hussars p.16-17
Anthony Withers - The British Bloke Decoded by Geoff Norcott p.18
Gardening & Outdoor Section p.22-24
Lee’s Gardening Corner p.22
August – Les Jeux Olympiques p.30
Forever Friends p.32
Beacon Wealth Management - Football Goals, Financial Goals p.33
A guide to incubating chicken eggs p.34-35
Eugene Smith - Let's Get Physical p.36
Canine Corner - How to manage puppy biting p.42
Georgia Rose - A Hundred Tiny Threads p.44
Peter Lane and Partners - Swings and Roundabouts p.48
Just For Kids p.52
Bystander Community p.56-64
The Staughtons with Hail Weston
Church Services p.59
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service p.68
What’s On for Children? p.72
Nurseries, Primary & Secondary Schools p.72-73
Useful and Emergency Numbers p.73
Clubs, Groups & Organisations p.74-75
Mobile Library Times p.75
Business Listings p.76
Monthly heating oil price update: Sponsored by BoilerJuice
Welcome to the first of our monthly heating oil price updates, where we plan to bring you the latest in pricing trends and advice to save you time and money on your heating oil.
Factors Influencing Heating Oil Prices
As many of you will know, heating oil prices are influenced heavily by the underlying price of crude oil, which changes based on global supply and demand. There are other factors such as currency fluctuations, production costs and shipping. Seasonality also plays a part, some may believe it’s cheaper to buy heating oil in the summer when demand is low, this can be true, however if for example crude oil prices are high in summer, that will outweigh the impact of lower seasonal demand. Given the number of variables, it is hard to make a confident prediction as to what prices will do over time.
Current Price Trends
Heating oil prices have been on a downward trend over the past year, however, prices have been rising over the last month.
Still, relative to prices 10 months ago, they remain very good.
Our Recommendations:
• Summer Top-Up
Consider a small summer top-up to hedge against potential price increases as demand rises towards winter. This also allows you to save room for another order if the price drops further.
• Avoid Peak Periods
Always plan ahead, avoid needing fuel at the last minute such as Christmas or during an intense cold snap, you risk overpaying or worse you may run out!
• Payment Plans
Explore our Payment Plan and Connected Service options to spread heating costs over the year.
For more detailed information and to explore our services, visit BoilerJuice.com
Proudly sponsored by BoilerJuice in association with The Village Bystander.
Herniated
Degenerative
Posterior
Sciatica
Spinal
Spinal
Acute
Unisex hairdressers
Open Tues - Sat
Give us a call today on 07733482359
Facebook: @Rosiessalon13
Instagram: rosiessalon13
8 East Perry, PE28 0BT
Anti W rinkle Injection s
Treatments
Eye Treatments
Anti W rinkle Injection s
Dermal Filler
Anti W rinkle Injection s
Dermal Filler
Eye Treatments
Waxing
Eye Treatments
Waxing
Facials
Dermal Filler
Facials
Dermal Filler Waxing
Waxing
Microblading
Microblading
Facials
Facials
Skin Boosters
Skin Boosters
Microblading
Microblading
Brow Lamination
Brow Lamination
Skin Boosters
Skin Boosters
Lash Lifting
Brow Lamination
Lash Lifting
Brow Lamination
(Please
Lash Lifting (Please
(Please
Lash Lifting
Clinic in Riseley
Jackie Ackers
Clinic in Riseley
Jackie Ackers
Clinic in Riseley
Jackie Ackers
Based in Little Staughton, Bedford MK44 2BH
Life can throw some difficult experiences our way, which can leave us feeling overwhelmed and trying our best to find ways of coping or it could be that for no known reason you just haven’t been feeling yourself .Counselling offers a safe and confidential space to start processing the struggles you are experiencing, helping you develop the tools to overcome the barriers you are facing and live life in a more fulfilling way.
Perhaps you have been experiencing some of the following –
• Feeling anxious or struggling with depression
• Trying to cope with loss or past trauma
• Feelings of low self-esteem
• Relationship / workplace difficulties
• Intrusive thoughts
• Family difficulties
• A sense of unhappiness with no understanding of why
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or to book an appointment
Lilystone have been building new homes, extensions, carrying out conversions and breathing the life back into older homes for over 17 years.
Our strength is in tackling complex projects with architectural merit providing a single point of contact service in the private sector to busy professional people with busy family lives, who lack the time to dedicate to their project.
LOCAL MEMORIES: By Penny Young
Charles William and 15th Hussars
The year is 1848 – the pregnant Lucy Kirkham has been packed off to America, with a good financial package. Charles William Kendall has been brought back from the continent, where he had been sent, to keep him out of trouble, presumably, in the company of his uncle, a vicar, whilst my 3 x great grandfather, Nicholas Kendall dealt with the ‘breach of promise case’.
Nicholas then set about getting Charles William into the 15th Hussars, a regiment of which was heading out to India – surely this would keep the boy out of mischief! But this grand master plan was to come at quite some cost - £460 pounds five shillings and sixpence (for the uniform and equipment alone) or £67k in today’s money; having already purchased Charles’ commission as a ‘Cornet’ at a cost of £840 or £96k today. Together, this was just one of several huge financial hits, during a five year spell (1843-1848), from which the family finances never really recovered.
Charles William’s journey takes him to Madras in India with Her Majesties (Queen Victoria) 15th Hussars. The voyage on the ship Ellenborough took three months, with them embarking from Gravesend on 20th June 1848, before taking on supplies in Portsmouth on 26th June and finally setting sail from Lands’ End on 29th June. They would arrive in Madras on 23rd September 1848.
Research has led me to the Discovery Museum in Newcastle on Tyne, where much of the archives for this regiment are held. They were thrilled to receive the invoice from Hamburger Rogers & Co, army outfitters of London, who carried the Royal Warrant as suppliers to both Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The museum quickly asked volunteers to transcribe the document, (which I had discovered at the Cornwall Archives), for kitting out Charles William as a ‘Cornet’ in the Queens Own 15th Hussars.
The Discovery Museum directed me to The Royal Army Museum in Chelsea, where I will hope to see a replica of a 15th Hussar in all his uniform and finery – my next planned visit. I am certain that they too will be excited to see this document; surely very few can survive today.
The archivist at the museum told me that the reason why so much of the uniform survives today is because it was purchased by and belonged to the army officers, whereas ordinary soldiers’ uniforms belonged to the regiment and once they were no longer needed, they were burnt or turned into rags.
Many weeks later, the transcribed ‘invoice’ arrived in my inbox, and I will share with you what a 15th Hussar needed to go on campaign. I quickly pinged a copy over to Wayne, my cousin in Australia, who has helped me so much with this amazing story. His reaction – ‘Good grief! They didn’t enlist him as a General did they? No wonder they had to buy their own uniforms; the Country would go broke!’
The invoice reads like an enormous shopping list, which in effect it is, with each item individually priced. It would run to more space than I am allowed here, so I will pick out some of the most fascinating items, with their cost.
One Fine Blue Cloth Regimental full dress Pelisse with rich silk lining & richly trimmed with much Gold Gimp, lace, braid & fur, a massive Gold Gimp chain neck tye (tie). £38/10One Fine Blue cloth full dress Jacket with a rich silk lining, richly trimmed with Gold Gimp and
Braid. £28/10
4 Pr of fine Blue Regimental Overalls with rich Gold lace stripes.
One full dress feather plume in a japanned tin case.
One rich Gilt Mounted full dress Mameluke Sabre.
One woollen bag & japanned tin case for above.
One set Best Cavalry Pistols with Implements & case complete.
9 Pr Best Military leather gloves.
£21/00
£2/20
£8/00
£8/00
£8/80
£2/60
Then, 12 pairs of best white drill trousers, 12 best dress shirts, 2 dozen flannel waistcoats, 12 pairs of best cotton drawers (pants!), 12 pairs best elastic drawers!
6 dozen towels, 12 pairs of sheets and 12 pairs of pillow cases, 2 dozen cambric handkerchiefs and one dozen silk handkerchiefs.
To carry all this – two large strong barrack chests lined with tin. £ 9/00
One large double chest, solid Mahogany drawers in strong cupboard, case painted, with name. One pair large hairbrush in case, two large hair combs, portable boot tree and portable glove tree, two pairs of Wellington Boots.
A ships sofa with mattress, pillow, bolter, blankets, counterpane & matting. A wash stand with fittings, a cabin lamp, a portable cabin chair, portable looking glass, a watering can and footbath. Not forgetting the horse – a best plain saddle and bridle with head collar, girths, brushes, sponges and combs and finally – a large horse blanket.
This is just a fraction of the list, and I am sure Nicholas (Charles William’s father) must have thought it money well spent. He had rescued Charles from marriage to ‘that woman’ – Lucy and had set him on a worthwhile career.
The 15th Hussars had gone out to Bombay in July 1839, this was to be a long posting, with Charles joining them in 1848. There did not seem to be any fighting or wars at the time, but plenty of regimental dinners, with great lists of ‘toasts’ to all and sundry!
In 1850 it was decided to do some trials, testing the capability of troop horses, as well as the relative merits of entire horses (stallions) and geldings for the purposes of war. To this end, the third and last trial involving 200 English dragoons (15th Hussars), one hundred riding stallions and 100 on geldings. They marched upwards of 800 miles from Bangalore to Hyderabad. The stallions and the geldings did their work equally well, but it was decided in favour of the geldings as the best war horses.
After festivities and pageants, they were marched back to base in double quick time, sometimes covering 30 miles a day. Charles William did not take part in the march. He had presumably thought to himself – in today’s parlance – “sod this for a game of soldiers” and had retired from the 15th Hussars by sale of his commission on 14th June 1850.
Did Charles bring home any of the clothing and equipment his father had paid so handsomely for, barely two earlier? I somewhat doubt it. Nicholas was left with a total cost of close on a quarter of a million pounds, in today’s money, to save his son from marriage to Lucy – surely, with hindsight, it would have been better to have let them be together. Lucy went on to forge a good life in USA and Charles ……?
Well - he went on to live a somewhat peripatetic life and died, destitute, in a remote part of New Zealand 16 years later, aged 39.
mention
when responding to adverts
The British Bloke Decoded by Geoff Norcott
Funny word, bloke. No-one knows exactly its derivation. What we do know is that it is the highest compliment one man can pay to another. That Geoff, he’s a decent bloke, a good bloke, a nice bloke. Only ever used by a man referring to another man. In fifty or so chapters, the comedian Geoff Norcott attempts to describe all the characteristics, from banter to man flu, that distinguish your typical British bloke from the women in his life, in an era when masculinity is usually preceded by the word ‘toxic.’ One of the greatest sentences in the English language, the author claims, is ‘fancy a pint?’, and its close cousin ‘fancy a curry? In the latter establishments, the drinks order is placed as soon as the group of blokes enters the place. ‘Nine Cobras?’ it’s always in question form. Food, or rather family meals, is dealt with in another chapter, this time the important topic of impressing your girlfriend’s family over the Sunday roast. First course: modest amounts of everything. Second course, all the veg but no meat. The third course is the killer and most men opt out, but not top bloke. Off he goes, takes slab of meat, a few veg and a Yorkshire. Job done. The hero of three courses saunters in triumph back to the table and forty minutes later he is comatose on the sofa.
Various heroes of blokedom are featured in the book, including Bob Mortimer, Adrian Chiles, and Freddie Flintoff, hero of the 2005 Ashes. There’s a quote from another hero, Peter Crouch, asked what he would be if he weren’t a footballer. A virgin, he replied. Films like Mary Poppins, Jerry Maguire and Star Wars are co-opted into a narrative suggesting that basically blokes are very often just sentimental romcom aficionados.
There are many nitty-gritty chapters. Why don’t men ever want to put on sun cream? There’s a searing critique of spas because blokes don’t go in for being pampered. ‘You look smart’ is the ideal compliment. Blokes are satisfied with just three hairstyles in a lifetime, not wishing to give the impression that they give a damn about their appearance. Norcott delves deeply into the blue jobs/pink jobs controversy. Putting out the bins is clearly a bloke job whilst wrapping presents, buying and sending cards, organising Christmas (actually, he doesn’t mention this one) are all pink jobs. An hour at the call centre arguing for a reduction in the car insurance is definitely a blue job whereas returning an unwanted item of clothing places it in the pink court. Blokes hate dressing up and will be quite happy to be told that they ‘look smart.’ The reason says Norcott, is that this concentrates everyone’s attention on their wife/partner who has spent hours getting ready. Doctors of course are always to be avoided in blokeology, even when that ingrowing toenail is causing intense discomfort.
The holy trinity of sports for the bloke is of course cricket, football and no, not rugby, but darts and each receives a generous chapter helping to explain their appeal, which often involves large quantities of lager. When Steve ‘Sizemic’ Southern steps out on to the oche, you realise that the nickname is more a comment on his BMI than his darts ability.
The book is an excellent summer read, full of humour and often laugh out loud funny, yet with many pearls of wisdom scattered across its pages. Ideal reading beside the pool in the Med, G & T at hand, a book to take you away for a day or two from a troubled world.
Anthony Withers aw.staughton@gmail.com
Kimbolton School’s Treasure Island production set sail for adventure
Kimbolton School students embarked on a thrilling adventure last week with their captivating production of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale, Treasure Island. With a dynamic cast and crew of 90 students, the performance dazzled a packed-out audience, bringing the swashbuckling action to life on stage over the course of two nights.
From the first word to the final bow, the young performers delivered a lively and engaging rendition of the timeless story. The production transported viewers into a world of daring pirates, hidden treasures, and high-seas adventures, showcasing the incredible talent and hard work of both the cast and the behind-the-scenes crew.
The Lewis Hall was filled with excitement as the audience was taken on a journey alongside Jim Hawkins, Long John Silver, and the rest of the book’s iconic characters. The students' dedication to their roles and seamless execution of the production elements were evident in every scene, earning enthusiastic applause and praise from the audience. A particular highlight was when the cast shone torches to make the stars to create a powerful and moving scene.
Commenting, Head of Drama, Naomi Akielan, said: “A huge well done to the entire cast and everyone behind the scenes for creating this lively production of Treasure Island. It not only entertained, but it also highlighted the importance of teamwork, dedication and the joy of storytelling. The energy and commitment displayed by our students was truly commendable, and it was a joy to see their hard work culminate in such a fantastic performance.”
Kimbolton School, a prestigious independent day and boarding school nestled in the picturesque countryside of Cambridgeshire, offers state-of-the-art facilities and a historic castle within the grounds of its Senior School. Educating around 1100 boys and girls between the ages of four and eighteen, the school is dedicated to helping them achieve academic success and embedding values that ensure they pursue a lifetime of meaningful contribution to society.
For more information about the school’s performing arts programme, please visit: www.kimbolton.cambs.sch.uk/creativearts
Immediate use as soon as cleaned!
Substantial benefit to asthma sufferers! No colour run and No shrinkage! Upholstery Also Cleaned Stop Press!!
Gardening and Outdoor Section: p.22-24
Lee’s Gardening Corner
After an unsettled Spring, with a mixture of all weathers hopefully the garden is looking quite lush and full now.
Essential jobs for August include clipping hedges and topiary, do this on a dull day so that cut leaves do not get scorched. Prune new wisteria growth back to 6in and tie growth to frames. Cut the flower stems but not the leaves of delphiniums, lupins and poppies, and any other plants whose flowers have finished, including bedding plants, if you feed them with something like seaweed extract they should put on another flush of foliage and flowers. Keep picking fruit and veg, ventilate the greenhouse and keep everything well watered, feeding pots of veg and tomatoes once a week. Lawns will need regular cutting. Keep on top of weeds, especially if you are going away.
Prune rambling roses after flowering, and dead head shrub roses, taking them back to a leaf or side shoot, not just snapping the dead heads off, then new growth will appear and possibly new flowers. Take cuttings from shrubs and perennials using a non flowering shoot.
Good shrubs for August are buddleia, cotinus, hydrangeas and lavender. Clematis and honeysuckles will be climbing away. Perennials include hollyhocks, dahlias, phlox and rudbeckia. Beautiful bulbs flowering now are lilies and gladioli. Lee Munday
All aspects of tree surgery and hedge works carried out including: pruning, crown reductions, Felling/dismantling, stump grinding and removal of waste.
City & guilds qualified │ Fully insured Mob: 07745 378268
Email: jdtrees.arb@gmail.com
Childcare for 2–11 year olds
A wonderful charity run setting based in the beautiful village of Spaldwick, and led by a fantastic team, we are pleased to offer:
• 2 to 4 years old: pre-school childcare during term time between 9am to 3pm (lunch available; pre / after school care and holiday time covered by the clubs below). Eligible Government funded places available. Each session is planned and includes play activities that help progress the children’s learning and development in the areas covered by the Early Years Foundation Stage framework.
• 2 to 11 years old: breakfast and after school care (S-Club) for the morning (8am to 9am) and afternoon (3pm to 6pm) for those attending Playtimes Pre-school and Spaldwick Primary School. We offer a relaxed and calm environment where children can enjoy breakfast; and a hot tea in the afternoon. We encourage stimulating but relaxed activities to prepare children for / help them unwind from their school day.
• 2 to 11 years old: holiday club for all (available for all children, they do not need to attend Playtimes Pre-school or Spaldwick Primary School) between 9am to 5pm (lunch and hot tea available; breakfast and afternoon snack included).
We provide indoor and outdoor activities (children are encouraged to play outside wherever possible), including baking, arty crafts, nature walks, bug hunts, seasonal parties, and much more.
For more information, please contact: Email playtimesoffice@gmail.com or call 01480 890077 to book a place. Hours: Mon – Fri: 8am–6pm Playtimes, Ferriman Road, Spaldwick, Huntingdon, PE28 0TQ Charity No. 1032297
“The Biggest and Best Stocked Local Village Store in the Area”
LOCAL FARM REARED BBQ MEATS
CHARCOAL & CALOR GAS ..................................
SUMMER FRUITS
NEW POTATOES
RUNNER BEANS
DELIVERIES AVAILABLE T&Cs APPLY
CLICK AND COLLECT AVAILABLE
Phone in advance, pay by card open 7 days a week
Including Bank Holidays call for details
National Lottery Electric/Gas Top Ups
• OFF LICENSE
• CIGARETTES
• CUT FLOWERS
• PLANTS & SHRUBS
• POTTING COMPOST
• TIMBERS
• HORSE & ANIMAL FEED & BEDDING
• GARDEN FURNITURE
• WOODEN PALLETS
VEG BOXES IN STORE PLENTY OF FRESH FRUIT AND VEG DELIVERED IN STORE DAILY
Collect Plus Fed Ex DHL DPD
HORSE & PET FOOD SUPERSTORE TOP END VILLAGE STORES
TOP QUALITY
HAY IN STOCK
Top End Farm, Lt Staughton, Beds Tel/Fax: 01234 376426
EQUESTRIAN & ANIMAL SUPERSTORE
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
INCLUDING BANK HOLIDAYS
PHONE FOR DETAILS, ANY PRODUCT FAST FREE DELIVERY
Check out prices on our new website
HAY, STRAW, HAYLAGE
ALL MAJOR BRAND HORSE FEED
SHAVING AND BEDMAX, SUPPLEMENTS
HORSE CARROTS STABLE MATTING FIELD MATS
POST + RAIL
ELECTRIC FENCING RODENT BAIT
GRASS SEED + FERTILISER
MICANTHUS BEDDING NOW IN STOCK
POULTRY FOOD
DOG AND CAT FOOD
SMALL ANIMAL FEED & BEDDING WILD BIRD FOOD
SUNFLOWER HEARTS, BLACK SUNFLOWERS ROBINS MIX AND PEANUTS
LAYER’S PELLETS & SMALLHOLDER FEED
DOG CHEWS & TREATS
SHEEP FOOD + LAMBS MILK
FANTASTIC RANGE OF PRODUCTS AT GREAT PRICES “ANY PRODUCT ORDERED IN FOR YOU”
mention Village
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
August – Les Jeux Olympiques.
Although August is a month that has provided many events that are not only of great historical significance, but also changed the course of the known world (not least Christopher Columbus setting sail in 1492 and the dropping of the first atomic on Hiroshima in 1945) it seemed fitting to carry on the French theme of last month and look at the history of an event that will be dominating Paris over the coming month. I am not talking about the aftermath of their political elections, as I am sure many of us have had our fill of political machinations over the past months or indeed years; I am, of course, referring to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Olympics were reintroduced in 1896. The driving force behind this was, fittingly, a Frenchman, Pierre de Coubertin, and they made their modern era debut in Athens, with, according to the IOC, 14 nations attending. The list of events in 1896 was very much based on tradition. Athletics dominated, with cycling, fencing, shooting, swimming and wrestling all featuring. The medal table had a familiar name at the top – the USA – although the host nation fared well, coming second. Fast forward to 2024 and there are some stark changes. The Olympics have a far more global feel to them with around 206 nations expected to compete. These nations will be competing in a host of different events from Beach Volleyball to Canoe Slalom, with the newest addition being Breaking, an urban dance style originating in the US in the 1970s (a full explanation of the rules and scoring is available online). The drive for inclusivity in terms of competitors and events is impressive to see.
Of course, it is not the first time the Olympics have been held in Paris. In 1900 the games were also held there and for those that love the Olympics, they will be pleased to hear that these games lasted 5 months, more in line with the original 776BC Games, which lasted 6 months. These Games were the first and only time, until COVID intervened, that the Summer Olympics were held in a leap year, and they consisted of some interesting events. There was Ballooning, no doubt a nod to the Montgolfier brothers, and the 200m Swimming Obstacle Race, a personal favourite; sadly, both of these were one-offs, along with underwater swimming! Oddly, that quintessentially English sport Croquet also made its only appearance at these Games. No doubt the French will be hoping that the results of the 2024 Games reflect those of 1900; they won the most gold, silver and bronze placings (medals were not a thing then!) Sadly, for them, they also fielded 72% of the athletes! Lastly, the pigeon population of Paris will be pleased to hear that the use of live targets in the shooting events was abandoned after its first and only use in 1900! There is little doubt that the Olympics have evolved over the 128 years since they were reintroduced, not only in a sporting sense but in what they stand for. They not only offer a chance for many to showcase their exceptional talents, but they also have the power to unite people and countries; it is hard to forget the atmosphere of joy and unity that London 2012 brought to this country. I am sure Paris 2024 will not disappoint and I, for one, look forward to understanding the inner workings of Breaking!
Forever Friends
Rob and Gill had been good friends since school. They had gone to the same university and now lived in the same village. Everyone who knew Rob and Gill had assumed they would become a couple, but they both went on to marry other people.
However, Rob and Gill remained the best of friends, and five days a week – Monday to Friday –they shared a ritual. Early in the morning, before work, Gill would walk her dog, Rusty, to Rob’s house. Rob and his dog, Poppy, would join them, and they would all walk together round the beautiful lake in the village. The whole walk took about 45 minutes, and Rob and Gill would use the time to chat and laugh about anything and everything. They walked in all weathers and at all times of year. The only days they missed were if one or other of them were away from the village.
This particular Monday morning, Gill and Rusty arrived at Rob’s house to find Rob waiting for them outside, but no sign of Poppy. Rob explained that Poppy had been sick in the night and still seemed a bit unwell, so he had left her to rest. ‘I didn’t want to miss our walk, though’. He grinned at Gill and they set off.
It felt odd to Gill that Poppy wasn’t with them, but more than that, Rob seemed to be acting strangely. He spent the whole walk reminiscing about the times he and Gill had shared – school days, university days and their walks. They had shared a great deal, and most of their times together had been filled with joy and fun. Rob and Gill had always shared a sense of humour, and would find things funny that no-one else did. They also knew each other so well, that they would often finish each other’s sentences. Yet today, Rob seemed somehow sad and thoughtful, almost distant.
When they arrived back at Gill’s house, Rob looked deep into Gill’s eyes. ‘I have always loved you, Gill’, he said, ‘and I always will. Look after yourself, be happy and live your life to the full.’ With that, he blew her a kiss and walked away. For a few minutes Gill watched him go, confused and concerned about his unusual behaviour.
With her mind still full of what had just happened, Gill walked back into her house, with Rusty. She was very surprised to see her husband sitting at their kitchen table with Liz, Rob’s wife. Liz looked up as Gill walked in, and Gill could tell she had been crying. All manner of thoughts rushed across Gill’s mind as she tried to make sense of what was going on, but nothing could prepare her for what was about to unfold.
‘You still did the walk then?’ Liz asked. ‘I tried to catch you before you set off’.
‘Yes, we did’, Gill replied. ‘It seemed funny without Poppy, though, and Rob seemed a bit out of sorts too – a bit sad and distant.’
Liz stared at Gill. Confusion and horror flitted across her face. She leapt up from the table and faced Gill. Liz was shaking violently and her face was ashen. ‘What are you talking about?’ Liz whispered. ‘Rob died suddenly yesterday afternoon. I came to tell you.’
Hazel Wright: hazelwright1801@gmail.com
Eggitorial
A guide to incubating chicken eggs
3 weeks ago I somewhat foolishly decided summer has finally arrived, it must be time to fire up the incubator!
As they say, there are many ways to cook an egg and everyone will have their preferred way to incubate but I like to dry hatch. This means I will run it at relative humidity until day 18 (lockdown) when I will then increase to 80% humidity to help the chicks hatch. Too much humidity early on can drown the chicks, I learnt this the hard way and dry hatching has been by far the most successful for me. Chicken eggs take approx. 21 days to hatch, so on day 7 I will candle the eggs (shine a bright light under) to check fertility and remove any blanks. I will repeat this on day 14 and I will be able to see healthy chicks swimming around and also any than have quit developing. I will do a final check at day 18, when I will lock the incubator down and in theory, will not open it again until they have all safely hatched. What’s the saying about best laid plans…
This hatch started off quite badly when I noticed on day 6, a bad smell emanating from the incubator. I tried to remove the offending rotten egg but it literally exploded in my hands. This meant I had to take all the eggs out and thoroughly disinfect the incubator to try to stop bacteria spreading. Of the 28 eggs I put in, 6 were not fertile, 1 was rotten. By day 14, 7 more had quit. Had they been contaminated?
By day 18, one egg had already pipped (pecked through the shell) and popped out with alarming haste some 2 hrs later. 1 down, 13 to go…
For the next 36 hrs there was distinct lull in proceedings until on the evening of day 20 they started coming thick and fast throughout the night. 11 down, 3 to go…
Day 21, 3 large brown eggs to go, all from the same hen, one pipped at the wrong end early in the morning and didn’t really progress throughout the day. The other two pipped early afternoon
and one hatched swiftly but unfortunately his yolk sac was partially outside of his little body. This resulted in the other chicks pecking at him, and so to save him from an agonising death and give him a chance, I broke the golden rule of not opening the incubator, to remove the older chicks and put them in the brooder. The cooler rush of air can potentially cause issues with the eggs still to hatch, but fortunately the other one hatched unaided soon after. 13 down, 1 to go…
Late evening, I decided it was time to intervene with the last one. It hadn’t progressed from pipping and the membrane around the hole was dried out and the chick was clearly tiring. It’s very risky to help a chick out of its shell and is only done as a last resort to save it. The potential for it to bleed out as you unpeel it is great. The blood vessels close down naturally if it hatches on its own, so great care must be taken. Fortunately all went well and I put him back in the incubator to recover.
So 13 healthy chicks transferred into the brooder, and one poorly fella still in the incubator. Over the next couple of days he did reabsorb the remaining yolk and the umbilical tissue dried up and fell off, but it was obvious he had also suffered a prolapse. One last attempt to push the prolapse back in, and at the time of writing he is back in the incubator but it sadly doesn’t look good. All in all, a very successful hatch considering.
Free range chicken and duck eggs for sale at the gate: 3 Dillington, Gt Staughton PE19 5DH
Let's Get Physical
Forget politics, the current hot debate is physical vs digital media. In plain English, this is whether you prefer actual books (hardback or paperback) or Kindle editions (other reading devices are available). CDs or Spotify (other streaming services are available). DVDs or Netflix (other, oh you get the idea).
It’s important to remember that this is a personal choice, something which seems to elude those who equate possessions with “clutter”. Your house, your rules (unless you live with your parents, in which case straighten up and fly right buster). What you choose to have, or not to have in your house is your decision, and visitors should respect that. This also applies to use of coasters, and not sitting on my ottoman when there are plenty of actual seats available.
With books it often comes down to space. While it’s true that many who identify as “voracious readers” are anything but, even paperbacks can take up a lot of space. That said, I do wonder what the anti-book types actually do with all this saved space. Practice Wonder Woman spinning? I fully appreciate the space-saving argument when it comes to travel, although not necessarily for commuting, as a book and a reading device aren’t that different in size. And while the digital books are often cheap, the devices aren’t, which does rob one of the joy inherent in hurling a book across the room in anger. To be fair, I’ve done this a lot less often than some of the rubbish I’ve read deserves, so my apologies to the late Richard Franklin. But as I said, it’s your choice, what you get on with. That said, if you arrange your books by spine colour, you’re an imbecile.
Streaming is the present and future for films and TV shows, so I’m told. Decent internet bandwidth aside (something so common in rural areas), what are the advantages of physical copies? Firstly, you’re not at the mercy of the service providers. I was enjoying Scrubs for free (well, once I’d paid the monthly fee) a few years ago, then overnight I had to pay for it. Frustrating. More insidiously, as is sadly and continuously proven, films and shows can be removed (or cancelled, if you want to be emotive), depending on how loudly outraged parties are shouting (very loudly, normally).
Another problem with digital films is that less mainstream titles won’t be available (interestingly something which isn’t an issue with digital books), and the same applies to music. Asking your Alexa etc to play jazz, for example, will get you some very unspecific (and generally appalling) results. And incidentally, why don’t more people say “please”? This is how the Cybermen started.
The absence of physical media has diminished one of life’s great pleasures, namely inspecting someone’s books and CDs when visiting their house. True fact, nobody likes anyone else’s music collection. If 20% of your tastes coincide, that's remarkable and you’ll become firm friends. Anything 40% and above, you should get married. Immediately. Eugene Smith
https://eugenesmithwriting.com
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.
Canine Corner - How to manage puppy biting
It is normal for all puppies to bite, mouth and chew. Puppies explore using their mouths in the same way a toddler explores using their hands. It is a crucial part of the development process, allowing puppies to learn to control how hard they bite (this is known as bite inhibition). This starts when a puppy is still with its mother and littermates. They bite each other (and their mum) in play and when a bite is too hard, the other puppy will react and the game will temporarily stop. If a puppy bites their mum too hard, she will gently correct them and she will become progressively less tolerant of play biting as the puppies get older. Your puppy may try to play with you as they would with their littermates. Gently teach them that it is not acceptable to bite human skin or clothes, and show them what they can bite instead.
1. Don’t bite this, bite THIS!!
Have lots of toys lying around so that there is always one close to grab. If your puppy gets a bit bitey, pick up a toy and encourage them to bite that instead. Give your puppy lots of verbal praise when they have the toy in their mouth and make the game really fun. Have a variety of toys- some fluffy, some squeaky, some hard, some chewy- find out which type of toy your puppy prefers.
2. Ouch that hurt!
Your puppy’s teeth will occasionally touch your skin when they are playing with their toy, this is something that will occur less often as they develop control of their mouth. If your puppy bites you hard, you need to give them a signal that you have been hurt. Choose a word to signal this, such as ‘uh oh’. This is not a punishment and you should not say it in a way that scares them. If your puppy bites you, say “uh oh” and stop play for a few seconds. Be consistent and also ensure all family members follow the same rules. Your puppy will learn that biting you makes the fun stop, but the game continues as long as they are biting the toy.
3. Time out to calm down
Just like children, puppies can become over tired or over excited and this can make their biting worse. They can sometimes get into a jumping and biting frenzy and they will find it very hard to control themselves when in this state. This is when they need some time out to calm down. Putting them in their crate or pen with a chew or food stuffed kong will prevent them from rehearsing the unwanted biting behaviour and give them the opportunity to have a rest if needed. This is not a punishment, they should enjoy being in their crate with a treat. Try to notice when your puppy is becoming over-tired or over excited and take action before they start biting.
4. No rough and tumble or wrestling!
It is important not to wrestle with your puppy as this is teaching them that it’s ok to bite you. All games should involve toys for the puppy to bite instead.
5. No punishment
Punishing your puppy, either verbally or physically, will cause anxiety and could lead to the behaviour becoming worse.
5. Mental stimulation
If your puppy is biting excessively, it may be that they are bored and have learned to get your attention through biting. Bored puppies can become very frustrated and need an outlet for their energy. Make sure your puppy has plenty of opportunity to play with you, do short training sessions, walk in different places so they are exposed to different sights and sounds, scatter feed treats in the garden, use lickimats, snufflemats, stuffed kongs and activity feeders to keep them occupied.
Puppy biting and mouthing generally improves as they get older and most owners notice an improvement once their puppy has finished teething at around 7-8 months of age.
I have already read the books that make up the Howarth Family Saga Series which I thought were excellent, so I was delighted when I came across this prequel, which was written after the trilogy. You might think it was completed as an after-thought. A ploy by the author to produce yet another story using the same set of characters. But you couldn’t be more wrong. A Hundred Tiny Threads is a richly woven tapestry with each thread pulling together to create the founding of a family. The research has been methodically done, the story tightly plotted but you as the reader see none of the work that has gone into this because you are carried away on a story so realistic you could be standing on those same streets alongside characters real enough to touch.
Winifred Duffy is a young woman dominated by her mother and made to work in the family grocery shop. Her first glimpse of a life beyond her own comes in the form of a friend, Honora, and her brother, Conal. Winifred is soon drawn into the suffrage movement, and closer to Conal. However, when she finds herself alone, she has no option but to return home and face the difficult choices in front of her.
Bill Howarth falls for Winifred after meeting her in town and is determined to marry her, but he has already had a difficult start in life and bad choices make his dream a distant one. The Great War means he is then sent to fight and what he witnesses is beyond what most of us can even begin to imagine.
Beautifully written, this author does not hold back in showing the, at times, shocking brutalities of life and in places, this is a tough read. Certainly, knowing what we know by the end of the story made me uncomfortable about the outcome, but it definitely lays a fabulous foundation for the rest of the series. Or it can simply be read as a superb standalone.
I can’t recommend this series highly enough but start here. Start with the prequel, you won’t be disappointed.
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.
AT REGENCY FUNERAL DIRECTORS
KIMBOLTON FOR DELICIOUS CAKE AND HOT DRINKS ON SATURDAY 31ST AUGUST FROM 10AM UNTIL 1PM
CAKE DONATIONS WELCOME
Fun With Santa Oy Lapland holidays
Stay in our cozy log cabin in Äkäslompolo, Ylläs, Finland. We can also arrange your full itinerary from the moment you land in Lapland till the moment you leave. Searching for Santa, Huskies, Reindeer Safaris, Snowmobile Safaris and much more.
For more information please contact: Jane Phone: 01480 812598
Email: jane@funwithsanta.co.uk
Swings and Roundabouts
Paul Kinally of Peter Lane & Partners in Kimbolton notices a marked difference between the real world and TV.
As we sit open-mouthed at scenes from Buying London, the latest television property show, we are graphically reminded that houses are subjective. Some viewers will find the homes of the rich and famous a source of awe and fascination, while others will bring the matter of taste very much into question. But in property there is something for everyone.
The type of firm portrayed in the TV show differs from most estate agencies up and down the country. So do the sales team in Buying London: are they to be admired or reviled? One thing is for sure, most of their talk is about themselves, securing the property and then selling it for a hefty commission. But our estate agents know that the most critical component in a property transaction is not the agent or the property but the client.
Estate agency isn’t about flogging units of residence; it is about carefully matching a seller with a buyer and steering a mutually acceptable agreement through choppy waters to a satisfactory conclusion. Estate agency is about moving people by taking the long view. As such it’s about making people happy, not making a quick killing.
Local estate agency is a world apart from the almost fantasy-like glitz and glamour of Buying London, much like a travelling fair is from Disneyland. But all professional estate agents know the actual property world is far more about swings and roundabouts than fantasy.
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
Book an end of season sweep –your chimney & liner will benefit from clean drying over the summer.
Valuation, collection and auction of individual items, through to complete property and commercial clearances. SALE ENTRIES INVITED
Friday, Saturday & Monday between 8.30am and 5pm
Whitchurch Wines
THIS MONTH’s TASTING - Portugal 25th July @ 7pm
We are joined this month by Charlie Croft from Haywood Bros to take us through the still wines of Koepke from the Dourothere may be a couple of ports as well! It should be a great tasting and there are limited places available.
Tickets will be £30. To reserve yours, please email jeff@whitchurchwines.shop
WHAT’s on in July?
4th Pop-Up Wine Bar, 6pm-8pm.
18th - Pop-Up Wine Bar, 6pm-8pm.
25th Portuguese Tasting, ticketed.
27th Pop-Up Wine Bar, 5,30pm-7pm
30th Cheese Tuesday 7.30pm (Spaces limited). For enquiries, email jeff@whitchurchwines.shop
21 High St, Kimbolton.
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:
Finca Museum Rose, delicious, and Alpha Zeta Garganega.
Why not try one of our pop-ups this month? We are doing two on Thursdays and one on a Saturday. Wines are available by the glass or the bottle and we try to offer at least one bubbles, a couple of whites and reds, and a glass of pink in the summer (?) months!
If you want any more information, please get in touch.
For more information pop-in and ask, or email jeff@whitchurchwines.co.uk
Bystander Community
Annual Show, Saturday 24th Aug at the village hall. Classes include vegetables, flowers, cookery, handicrafts and photography. For schedules, entry forms or queries email: Hort.soc@btinternet.com Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th August 10.00 am – 4.00 pm
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.
ALL SAINTS, LITTLE STAUGHTON
Sun 18th 9.00am Benefice Communion
ST. ANDREW’S, GREAT STAUGHTON
Sun 4th 8.00am BCP Holy Communion
Sun 11th 10.30am Benefice Communion
Sun 25th 10.30am Benefice Communion
ST. NICOLAS, HAIL WESTON
Sun 4th 10.30am Benefice Communion
What’s on in Kimbolton in August
Thursday 1st 11-12pm Fitness Class. Scout Hut 12pm Senior Lunch Club
2-7.30pm Dance Class. Mandeville Hall 4.30-5.45pm Beavers. Scout Hut
7-8.30pm Scouts. Scout Hut
Friday 2nd
10-12.30pm Bytes Cafe. Youth & Community Hall
Saturday 3rd 6-8pm Pop Up Wine Bar. Whitchurch Wines
Monday 5th 10-12.30pm Bytes Cafe. Youth & Community Hall 2.30pm WI. Mandeville Hall 6-7.30pm Cubs. Scout Hut
Tuesday 6th
4.15 - 5.15pm Rainbows. Scout Hut 5.30 - 6.45pm Brownies. Scout Hut 7- 8.30pm Guides. Scout Hut
Wednesday 7th 10-12pm Bridge Club. Mandeville Hall 2-7.30pm Dance Class. Mandeville Hall
Thursday 8th 11-12pm Fitness Class. Scout Hut 12pm Senior Lunch Club
2-7.30pm Dance Class. Mandeville Hall 4.30-5.45pm Beavers. Scout Hut
Friday 9th 10-12.30pm Bytes Cafe. Youth & Community Hall
Monday 12th 10-12.30pm Bytes Cafe. Youth & Community Hall
Tuesday 13th
6-7.30pm Cubs. Scout Hut
4.15 - 5.15pm Rainbows. Scout Hut 5.30 - 6.45pm Brownies. Scout Hut 7- 8.30pm Guides. Scout Hut
Wednesday 14th 10-12pm Bridge Club. Mandeville Hall 2-7.30pm Dance Class. Mandeville Hall 6-8pm Pop Up Wine Bar. Whitchurch Wines
Thursday 15th 11-12pm Fitness Class. Scout Hut 12pm Senior Lunch Club 2-7.30pm Dance Class. Mandeville Hall 4.30-5.45pm Beavers. Scout Hut
Friday 16th 10-12.30pm Bytes Cafe. Youth & Community Hall
7-8.30pm Scouts. Scout Hut 8pm Producer Profile. Whitchurch Wines (Ticketed)
Monday 19th 10-12.30pm Bytes Cafe. Youth & Community Hall 6-7.30pm Cubs. Scout Hut
Tuesday 20th
4.15 - 5.15pm Rainbows. Scout Hut 5.30 - 6.45pm Brownies. Scout Hut
Wednesday 21st 10-12pm Bridge Club. Mandeville Hall 2-7.30pm Dance Class. Mandeville Hall
Thursday 22nd 11-12pm Fitness Class. Scout Hut 12pm Senior Lunch Club 2-7.30pm Dance Class. Mandeville Hall 4.30-5.45pm Beavers. Scout Hut
Fri 23rd 10-12.30pm Bytes Cafe. Youth & Community Hall
Saturday 24th 10 - 2pm Parish Council Street Market, Castle Green, Kimbolton
7 - 8.30pm Guides. Scout Hut
7-8.30pm Scouts. Scout Hut
Monday 26th 10-12.30pm Bytes Cafe. Youth & Community Hall 6-7.30pm Cubs. Scout Hut
Tuesday 27th
4.15 - 5.15pm Rainbows. Scout Hut 5.30 - 6.45pm Brownies. Scout Hut
Wednesday 28th 10-12pm Bridge Club. Mandeville Hall 2-7.30pm Dance Class. Mandeville Hall
Thursday 29th 11-12pm Fitness Class. Scout Hut 12pm Senior Lunch Club 2-7.30pm Dance Class. Mandeville Hall 4.30-5.45pm Beavers. Scout Hut
7-8.30pm Scouts. Scout Hut 7pm Parish Council Meeting. Y & Community Hall
10-12.30pm Bytes Cafe. Youth & Community Hall
Saturday 31st 5.30-7pm Pop Up Wine Bar. Whitchurch Wines
The guides have had a great summer term! They had a fun trip to Wicksteed Park during half term. They’ve also been learning how to correctly lay a fire out of chocolate! They then put the theory into practice when they learned how to chop wood safely (thanks to 1st Kimbolton Scouts) before then using the wood to cook on an open fire. Some guides were then inspired to work on their backwoods cooking badge.
Over the summer, some of the Guides will be attending a festival-style camp at our county centre in Norfolk. With everything from pamper zones to a neon disco, it is going to be a Glastonbury just for Guides!
News Just in! One of our older guides has been selected to represent the county on an international trip to Norway next year.
In Girlguiding we help all girls know they can do anything. For more information or to join us go to girlguiding.org.uk/joinus.
Grave
Flowers
Advice
Beautiful
Horse
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service is looking to recruit more on-call firefighters to help serve local communities across the county.
CFRS is looking for men and women from all backgrounds to become on-call firefighters and provide emergency cover from either their home or their workplace.
On-call firefighters are a vital part of our Service and community. They respond to a wide range of incidents, from fighting fires, attending road traffic collisions, animal rescues to supporting other emergency services. In addition to responding to emergency incidents, our on-call firefighters support their communities by providing information and advice on a range of community safety topics.
They receive an annual wage to reflect the time they commit to being available plus additional payments for attending incidents and drill nights (one evening a week for two hours).
It’s a hugely rewarding role, and we hope to encourage members of the community from all backgrounds to get in touch and find out more about becoming an on-call firefighter.
Visit www.cambsfire.gov.uk/oncall for more information.
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/
It only takes one accident to start a fire. Fire kills. Let’s prevent it.
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. 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
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
Nurseries, Playgroups, Pre-Schools & Kids Clubs
Crosshall Nursery School 01480 475980
Crosshall Kids Club 01480 219518 Inn Farm Priv. Day Nursery 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.
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
Andrew Vickers, 01480 891201
Beryl North, 01480 471146
Peter Wilkinson peteathillands@gmail.com, 07792 056 157 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
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 PE28 Kickboxing, Grafham Village Hall
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) - 14th August
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) - 27th August
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) - 28th August
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:
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.
