August 25 Online Edition

Page 1


BEACON

COULD

INN

PENNY

EDUCATION

Letter from the Editor:

August is here, and with it comes a mix of sunshine, showers, and stories. Whether you're lounging in the garden, packing for a last-minute getaway, or simply enjoying a slower pace, we’ve got something for you in this month’s issue. Hazel Wright gives us a witty dose of flash fiction in I Am Resigning, which some of us might relate to a little too well! Inn Farm Nursery shares how they’re supporting independence in the very youngest among us, while Beacon Wealth Management poses an important question - Could your cash be working harder? If your garden’s looking more jungle than oasis, don’t worry Lee has your August to-do list sorted with practical gardening tips. And for a bit of escapism, Georgia Rose brings us a book review of Chick Singer, perfect for that sun-lounger or rainy afternoon.

Enjoy the rest of the summer.

Julie

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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, Sally Gower, Harmonie Richardson, Ross Richardson

August Contents

Editor’s Letter

P.4

Health, Fitness, Beauty & Wellbeing p.7-11

Anthony Withers - Samarkand p.12

Inn Farm - Supporting Independence p.14

Penny Young - Education 1830’s Style p.16-17

Gardening & Outdoor Section p.22-24

Lee’s Gardening Corner p.22

Hazel Wright - I Am Resigning p.32

Beacon Wealth Management - Could Your Cash be Working Harder? p.33

Eugene Smith - Summer of Discontent p.36

Book Review - Chick Singer p.44

Peter Lane and Partners - Persuasion p.48

Sally Gower - International Book Lovers Day p.54

Bystander Community p.56-63

The Staughtons with Hail Weston

Church Services p.58

Dinnerladies p.64-66

A Start of a Robin p.68

What’s On for Children? p.76

Nurseries, Primary & Secondary Schools p.76-77

Useful and Emergency Numbers p.77

Clubs, Groups & Organisations p.78-79

Mobile Library Times p.79

Business Listings p.80

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First, apologies for the typos in last month’s column, unwisely written late at night on deadline day.

Our final port of call on this wondrous exploration of the culture and history of Uzbekistan was to the richest and most powerful of the three Silk Road cities – Samarkand. The city dates back over 2,750 years and is thus one of the oldest in the world. Alexander the Great proclaimed the city ‘more beautiful than I ever imagined.’ Genghis Khan took a less charitable view. He razed the city to the ground in 1220. Salvation came with Uzbekistan’s national hero Amir Timur (Tamerlane) who made Samarkand his capital in 1370.

For lust of knowing what should not be known We take the Golden Road to Samarkand

In terms of the legendary romance of the Silk Roads, James Elroy Flecker has a lot to answer for. The astonishing beauty of the buildings in historic Samarkand has captured imaginations over many centuries before Flecker put pen to paper. The centrepiece of Samarkand is the Registan (it means public square), dominated by three massive and ornately decorated madrassahs which occupy three sides of the square, each dating from a different era and each representing the power and influence of their respective builders. The square was, by the 14th century, the heart of the town, where religious piety rubbed shoulders with secular commerce. It was here that conquerors and philosophers, scientists and traders gathered and exchanged goods, philosophy and scientific ideas during the Islamic golden Age from the 11th to the 15th century. The square was laid out by Ulugh Beg (meaning Great Man) who built the oldest of the madrassahs between 1417 and 1420. He was the first great astronomer of the modern era, cataloguing thousands of stars. (Most of the stars in the night sky have Arabic names, mainly thanks to Ulugh Beg). What remains of his observatory, a section of the sextant, is notable for its ambition.

Arguably the most photographed madrassah is Sher Dor built 1619 – 1636. Unusually for Islamic decorative art, which forbade images of living beings, the portico features two sun gods, two fantastical cats and two imaginary deer. An even more astonishing discovery was the Shah-I Zinda (the Living King) which is a succession of blue and turquoise tiled tombs, one of which contains the remains of Kusam ibn Abbas, cousin of the prophet Mohammed. These splendid tombs all date from the 13th – 15th century.

We can go further back in time in the Afrosiab museum which depicts the glories of the Sogdian empire c300 – 700AD. The resourceful Sogdians were the great traders of the Silk Roads; their influence spread from China, through Central Asia to India. The museum contains astonishing frescoes dating from the 7th century showing the splendours of the Sogdian court.

In the space of 500 words it is impossible to do justice to the history of these three great cities. We haven’t mentioned the 11th century philosopher Ibn Sina (Avicenna) whose writings influenced Western thought. We owe the word "algorithm" to the 9th-century Arab mathematician Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi who developed the technique of performing arithmetical calculations using Hindu – Arabic numerals. And these are just two of the many other influential scientists and scholars who flourished in the Islamic Golden Age.

In short Uzbekistan was a revelation. I wonder if they could be persuaded to erect a statue to James Elroy Flecker?

Anthony Withers aw.staughton@gmail.com

Education 1830’s Style

Penny Young

This is the letter referred to in last month’s story – the one which has taken three pairs of eyes to transcribe, with just a few words still eluding us!

Nicholas (jnr) is my 2 x great grandfather, second child, but importantly first son, so the ‘son and heir’, born in 1825. The William referred to in this letter is the (second) son of the letter writer, born in 1822. It would appear that the two boys, aged 15 and 12 were put on a stage coach from Devon to Cornwall, at the end of term, back then a full day’s journey. It is great to see that 200 years ago – children were having ‘sleepovers’ at their friend’s houses – with instructions –send them home when you’ve had enough – sentiments still expressed today!

Stokeinteignhead, Teignmouth

June 19th, 1837

My dear Kendall

Nicholas and William intend to start on Wednesday morning and I trust will reach Pelyn [Lostwithiel] in safety the same evening. When Mrs Kendall and yourself are tired of the latter, please to send him home.

You have my report of Nick to the month of May. We certainly have been making progress since that time. I adhere to my plan of not letting him know the whole of his lesson before he has taken his chair at my table. I have the satisfaction of knowing that what he does is his own work.

He has advanced from four to eight lines of Delectus (a book of selected passages for learners of Latin or Greek) - simple and easy passages he constructs and parses without any material errors but in which passages are words having various significations, which puzzle his little head and lead him occasionally into strange mistakes. Still, he is certainly beginning to see his way much more clearly.

His translations from English into Latin and from Latin into English are better. His nonsense verses are done very correctly, in fact there is a decided improvement, and I look forward with much hope to the next half year.

We have been working through the Latin he cadences, Syntax, Prosody Propua que and as in Prees. The error with your Boy was the want of a proper foundation. This defect I am now supplying. In fact, I will now take care it shall not exist. He has advanced in his Greek grammar as far as the Passive verbs. Omitting the first line of going over the exceptions and rules of uncommon occurrence in the (an indecipherable Greek Text Book).

By the help of a little book called Greek roots, he applies all the rules as he goes on, so that he will form, without much difficulty, any Greek noun, adjective or active text of the first conjugation.

He is reading the History of England, and I make him parse and spell a section of each lesson.

In Arithmetic he is on simple division

I believe that I have now told you all my tale save and except that he is a very good child. I have given him a holiday task which I trust he will do well. I shall furnish him with sufficient money to pay his way to Pelyn. Thus much for Nick and now let me enquire whether Mr and Mrs Kendall of Pelyn ever intend to honour the Rectory of Stokeinteignhead with their presence?

Many promises have been made – but – It would really give us much pleasure to see you here. Take our united kind regards to yourself and the rest of your family. We hope to see Nick back on the 9th or 10th August.

I am Dear Kendall

Yours Very Truly

C. H. Collyns

& Tuition

Account Kendall 1837

Master’s Chg for Pen & Ink

1836

A rather obsequious letter from Mr Collyns! I very much doubt that my 3 x great grandparents ever made the journey to Stokeinteignhead, despite his invitations! Two years later, Mary-Anne, Nick jnr’s mother would embark on a torrid love affair with a naval officer, 15 years her junior. This set off a “bomb” in the family, the repercussions of which have been felt down the generations. The three sons were abandoned in their various boarding schools, as their father struggled to deal with the aftermath of a very public and scandalous divorce.

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Gardening and Outdoor Section: p.22-24

Lee’s Gardening Corner

Mid summer but unfortunately the evenings are drawing in and will more likely be cooler than July. It is the holiday season and the garden may well look a bit tired now. If it's continued to be windy and dry the ground will be rather hard, but the weeds continue to grow.

Essential jobs for August include clipping hedges and topiary, try not to do this on a very sunny day though. Prune new wisteria growth back to 6in. Cut the flower stems but not the leaves of delphiniums, lupins and poppies, and any other plants whose flowers have finished, including bedding plants, this way there may be a second flush of flowers if the weather is kind enough. Keep picking fruit and veg, ventilate the greenhouse and keep everything well watered, feeding pots of veg and tomatoes once a week. Lawns continue to need cutting and now is a good time to start new grass seed off as the dew in the mornings will help germination. Keep on top of weeds, especially if you are going away.

Other jobs that can be started now are planting spring bulbs. Prune rambling roses after flowering. 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.

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• 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.

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I Am Resigning

Penny had been retired for 18 months now. Penny was a very intelligent woman. In her academic life, she had gained a Master of Arts Degree. In her working life, she had carried out several different roles, but mostly managerial roles, high up the ladder in each organisation she worked in. Penny’s husband, Paul, was six years younger than Penny, so he had decided it would be another five years before he would start to think about retirement.

When Penny first retired, she had been happy to take the lion’s share of the domestic tasks because her husband was still working. She came to look at it as her new working ‘role’. However, as time went by, she began to feel she was nothing but a housewife. She did some voluntary work each work, liked catching up with her friends and enjoyed her solitary hobbies of reading, and writing short stories. However, the balance seemed skewed. The domestic tasks seemed to take up so much of her time and energy, that the ‘fun’ things started to slip off her agenda.

As well as cleaning the house, she did all the washing and ironing. She planned all the meals, shopped for food, and cooked all the meals. She tried to keep their garden looking like a nice place to relax in. She sorted every birthday, and when it came to Christmas everything was down to her. Even holidays were driven by her – deciding when and where to go and doing all the booking of accommodation etc. Penny started to feel resentful and restless.

She tried talking to Paul about how she felt. She needed to do more to use her brain. She was starting to feel worthless, and her world was narrowing. Paul would listen, but his answer was not that he would share anything, just that Penny should ‘do less’. Penny knew that course of action would impact her much more than Paul. Penny liked a tidy, welcoming, ordered home.

One morning, after a very restless night, Penny got up. Instead of getting out the vacuum, she got out a suitcase, and packed it. Then she took out a notebook and pen and wrote:

• The vacuum, duster and polish are in the hall cupboard

• The basket of toilet cleaning things is in the ensuite

• The washing machine and tumble drier are in the utility room

• Cookery books are in the cupboard of the dresser, along with a list of things you may need to get each week

• The birthday list is in the drawer of the dresser, and the list of things to sort at Christmas is in the study.

Thank you for the opportunity to try out this role of housewife and general dogsbody. I have found the role hard, especially with no support, no pay, no leave and no appreciation. I am now submitting my letter of resignation and seeking new pastures.

Penny x

She put the note in the kitchen, picked up her case and walked out the door.

Hazel Wright: hazelwright1801@gmail.com

BEACON WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Your financial future is our priority

Could your cash be working harder?

Cash is essential – but it can sometimes pose as a silent risk depending on how you choose to hold it at different stages of your life. While it’s perfect for having an emergency stash or a short-term fund to reach for, holding too much could end up costing you in the long run.

You wouldn’t leave your car running overnight wasting fuel, yet many let their cash sit idle and lose value without realising. If you have £50,000 earning under 2% interest while inflation is at 3.4%, your money is effectively shrinking. With speculation around interest rates falling and inflation remaining high, this could be a timely opportunity to reassess where your funds are held.

Keeping good habits with cash

Checking how much you have in savings is productive in keeping track of how you hold your cash. Lower-interest savings accounts may still suit your saving and spending habits, depending on your needs. Regular reviews help you see how hard your money is working. This can help you plan more effectively for what next steps could look like, whilst keeping you engaged with your financial goals. Fostering these healthy habits could help you invest part of your savings for long-term growth.

Considering further growth by investing

Investing means putting your money into assets such as stocks, bonds and other vehicles with the goal of growing your wealth over time. Data from Barclays shows there is a 91% chance shares will outperform cash over a 10-year period; and a 70% chance over 2 years. If you saved £10,000 at 2% interest, in 30 years it would grow to about £18,000. But invested at 5%, it could more than double that to over £43,000 (AJ Bell, 2025).

Whilst this presents the advantages of investing, it's vital to consider the impact it may have on your own financial situation. Talking to a financial adviser can help you with how to safely invest and experience the potential returns at stake. Moving into investing could be easier than you think. Taking an investing route informed by expert financial advice may make the process more seamless for you.

Seek professional support to help you

If you’re ready to receive support in making your money work harder, getting in touch with one of our qualified experts is a great way to get the ball rolling. With the right financial advice, you can unlock your financial potential and feel more confident about your life decisions whilst doing so.

Speak with our local experts by calling us on 01480 869466 for a free initial, no obligation chat. For more information and useful content, visit www.beaconwm.co.uk.

Price Update

Average heating oil prices in the UK have settled in the early days of July at around 57ppl, cheaper than winter, and the recent peak.

Volatile prices seem to have settled – for now.

Heating oil costs tend to follow the crude oil price, which is impacted by many external factors: global demand, conflicts, supply constraints to name three. June saw volatility as the US action in Iran sparked supply fears. This was reflected in heating oil prices , which rose 20%. They have now settled, but it shows how fast prices can move.

Here's our latest tips and recommendations:

• Prices can change quickly: if you are happy with the price you see and you have room in your tank, topping up can take the pressure off. Remember, you will never time the market right every time.

• Spreading the cost is easier than ever: services like BoilerJuice Connected, monthly balance building and interest-free pay-in-3 are more widespread now – helping you to budget.

For more detailed information and to explore our services, visit BoilerJuice.com proudly sponsored by BoilerJuice in association with The Village Bystander .

Summer of Discontent

As you may have noticed it’s been a bit hot recently. This is definitely due to catastrophic climate change. And we all know that only the most deluded alt-right bigot would deny that climate change is absolutely real and caused exclusively by Western countries, and throwing tomato soup at paintings is a legitimate form of mature protest and in no way the behaviour of sixthformers.

Alternatively, the hot weather may be to do with it being summer. Some of you reading this will adore summer, some may be of my persuasion and find this season a bit of a trial. The cult of summer is everywhere. Take the weather forecast. I’m fed up with being told that hot weather is “glorious”. Objectivity may no longer be a requirement for news reports, but perhaps the weather people could try sticking to the facts. Whilst pointing.

Of course, if you mention that you don’t like summer to one of its proselitysers you’ll get the stock response of “oh, I suppose you’d prefer it if it was snowing, wouldn’t you?”, since these are clearly the only two possible weather options. Or you’ll be accused of being miserable and needing to cheer up, similar to that drunk lady who always seems to be on the same train as me. And what is it I’m missing (summer, not the drunk lady)? It always involves “sitting outside a pub with a cold beer”, which translates as “drinking lager on the world’s most uncomfortable seating”.

I have a theory about summer, which I’ll share with you. You’re welcome. It’s the default favourite season of stupid people. That’s not to say that everyone who likes summer is stupid, but all stupid people love summer. I have a similar theory regarding Las Vegas, but it’s not suitable for a family publication.

The catalogue of summer irritants is thick indeed: hayfever, wasps, those with questionable personal hygiene really coming into their own and so on. Music festivals tend to

dominate the news, especially the horror that is Glastonbury. At this year’s highly expensive happening (and remember, opera and ballet are snobbish because of the ticket prices) the gibbering hordes were treated to earnestly bellowed protests / hate crimes (delete as appropriate) by bands you’ve never heard of. Still, one can’t question the bravery of tackling violent Middle Eastern conflict by throwing a tantrum in a field in Somerset.

That said, when showbiz folk protest it’s always embarrassing, no matter how heartfelt the cause. Think of Marlon Brando’s Oscar rejection, or John Lennon doing just about anything. There’s also the sheer hell of the Edinburgh Fringe, the alternative arts festival where you can see stand ups off the telly doing the same act they’ll be bringing to a town near you in the autumn. At the same ticket prices.

In summary (that should win me Joke of the Fringe), if you love summer, have a great few months. But don’t judge me for preferring other seasons.

Gosh, I’m in a mood this month. Must be the heat.

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Libby, mother of Bridget and Robert, was once the lead singer of a band, Liberty. Something she has never spoken to her children about. When Bridget looks for a new direction for her life and considers going back to college, she meets Dean and is encouraged by him to use Libby’s musical past in her entrance presentation. This she does without her mother’s knowledge, never expecting how extreme Libby’s reaction would be when she finds out.

This is but a smidgen of what goes on in this storyline, but the rest you can find out for yourselves. And you’ll want to because this is a highly entertaining novel that has its roots deep in the music industry of the 1980s, and all the murky characters it spawned back then, right up to the present day.

Wilke writes with authority on the musical aspects of the storyline. Her writing is beautifully intelligent and flows flawlessly as she puts her wonderfully developed characters through their paces. Secrets are revealed and loves lost and found in this compelling novel that will have you wanting to read just one more chapter before you turn out the light.

This is another superb novel by Lorraine Devon Wilke and I need to go and check I’ve read everything she’s produced as I’d hate to have missed one word of her perfectly produced prose. Obviously highly recommended.

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 via www. georgiarosebooks.com.

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Persuasion

Paul Kinally from Peter Lane & Partners in Kimbolton finds that in classic literature there is plenty of sound advice about buying and selling property.

To borrow from Jane Austen, it is a truth universally acknowledged that a buyer in possession of a good mortgage must be in want of a property.

Keen readers of Austen’s work will appreciate that in terms of houses - and marriages - she knew what she was writing about. She understood houses' physical space and their roles as symbols of personal identity.

Today, three hundred years later, it’s likely that she would still describe houses as economic necessities, emotional havens and social arenas. Furthermore, she would no doubt understand clearly that as mortgages in the UK become easier to obtain the current opportunity to purchase a property, particularly for firsttime buyers, is getting better.

Lenders have lowered affordability thresholds, increased income multiples, and revived low-deposit products; interest rates are trending down and new schemes are re-entering the market.

But Austen also understood risk so would no doubt advise caution - especially while economic uncertainty persists. She observed first-hand how a sudden change of fortune could affect status and comfort and knew the financial and emotional burden of downsizing or upsizing. Houses, she might have reminded us, are never just dwellings. They are investments in our futures.

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

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If you're looking for a conveyancing team that combines expertise with a downto-earth approach, our Residential Conveyancing team is here to help—offering all the support you need, when you need it.

International Book Lovers Day

International Book Lovers Day falls on 9th August, so what more excuse do I need to ramble about some excellent books? There’s something magical about taking yourself off to a different world and experiencing the thoughts and imagination of someone else, making you feel something you didn’t quite expect to, but making you grateful all the same. Allow me to excitedly ramble about a few of my recent favourites.

The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden:

Winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2025 and a Cambridge Sapphics choice. This novel about Isabel and Eva pulled at my heartstrings. Set 16 years after the end of WW2, Isabel is stubbornly forging a solitary life in her late mother’s country house, before her brother effectively asks her to babysit his girlfriend for the summer. The initial disdain Isabel feels for Eva is palpable, before all that close proximity to each other turns into something much more meaningful. The twist in this novel is both sharp and heartbreaking. Sexy, moving, heartwrenching. Everything I could want in a book.

There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak:

The novel conjures stories all based on the journey of one single droplet of water, from the River Tigris in ancient Mesopotamia, Arthur in 19th Century London, Narin in 2014 in London, and Zaleekhah also in London, in 2018. I cared so much about each character and felt so invested in each story that still weeks after finishing this I find myself thinking of them. The topics of politics and water pollution are also timely and well described on pages clearly written with passion. A magical book.

Deep Shadow by Nick Sullivan:

I had to throw one in about diving and mystery. A beach read that had me hooked (no fishing line required thank you, leave those fishies alone). Scuba diving professionals Boone and Emily work at a Caribbean dive centre and stumble upon a suspicious submarine, turning a standard dive into the start of an unforgettable adventure.

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles:

You might be familiar with the plot if you’ve seen the series starring Ewan McGregor. After he writes a poem with revolutionary subtext, Russia’s Bolshevik government sentences Count Alexander Rostov to house arrest in a hotel, The Metropol, in 1922. The story is almost entirely set in The Metropol, which immediately feels intimate. A young girl, Nina, joins him while he eats lunch, and through their long friendship he eventually becomes sole guardian of her daughter, Sofia. It’s a powerfully written tale of purpose and change throughout the political landscape of Soviet history in the lead up to WWII.

The Little Wartime Library by Kate Thompson:

If this doesn’t make you fall in love with the power of reading… As the mention of ‘wartime’ would suggest, it is based on the inspiring story of a librarian who created an underground shelter during WW2. It’s another heartstring puller. I laughed, I cried, I raged, I got little lumps in my throat. The characters were so well written, so 3D, it felt like reading about your best friend – I was truly sad to finish this and almost went straight back to the beginning to start it again. Clara and Ruby’s characters will have you eager to read on.

As I write this, The Sundays aptly soundtrack my thoughts. Wild Horses indeed couldn’t drag me away from a good book, whatever the season.

Sally Gower

KEYSOE VILLAGE HALL

BREAKFAST

Saturday September 20th

Saturday October 18th 9am - 11am

MINSTRELS

During the school holidays there will be a single, rotating around each church, Benefice Communion service each Sunday at 10.00am which all are welcome to attend.

If you would like a lift to any service please contact your church warden(s) in the 1st instance

ALL SAINTS, LITTLE STAUGHTON

Sun 3rd 10.00am Benefice Communion

Sun 24th 10.00am Benefice Communion

Sun 31st 6.00pm Benefice Evensong

ST. ANDREW’S, GREAT STAUGHTON

Sun 3rd 8.00am BCP Holy Communion

Sun 10th 10.00am Benefice Communion

Sun 17th 10.00am Benefice Communion

ST. NICOLAS, HAIL WESTON

Sun 31st 10.00am Benefice Communion

What’s on in Kimbolton in August

Friday 1st 10-12.30pm Bytes Cafe. Youth & Community Hall 1.45pm Welcome Club. Mandeville Hall

Saturday 2nd 6 - 8pm Pop Up Wine Bar. Whitchurch Wines

Sunday 3rd

Monday 4th

10-12.30pm Bytes Cafe. Youth & Community Hall 10-12pm Fitness Class. Mandeville Hall

Tuesday 5th 9-11am Baby & Toddler Group. Youth & Community Hall. Check Facebook for updates.

WI. Mandeville Hall

- 4pm Carpet Bowls Club. Mandeville Hall

Wednesday 6th 10-12pm Bridge Club. Mandeville Hall 2-7.30pm Dance Class. Mandeville Hall

Thursday 7th 10-12pm Grief Kind Space. Oliver’s Cafe 12pm Senior Lunch Club

Friday 8th 10-12.30pm Bytes Cafe. Youth & Community Hall

Saturday 9th

Monday 11th 10-12.30pm Bytes Cafe. Youth & Community Hall

Tuesday 12th

Unleash Yoga Flow. Mandeville Hall

- 4pm Carpet Bowls Club. Mandeville Hall

Wednesday 13th 10-12pm Bridge Club. Mandeville Hall 2-7.30pm Dance

Grief Kind Space. Oliver’s Cafe

Friday 15th 10-12.30pm Bytes Cafe. Youth & Community Hall

Saturday 16th

Monday 18th 10-12.30pm Bytes Cafe. Youth & Community Hall 10-12pm Fitness Class. Mandeville Hall

Tuesday 19th 9-11am Baby & Toddler Group. Youth & Community Hall. Check Facebook for updates. 2 - 4pm Carpet Bowls Club. Mandeville Hall Wednesday 20th 10-12pm Bridge Club. Mandeville Hall 2-7.30pm Dance Class. Mandeville Hall

Thursday 21st 10-12pm Grief Kind Space. Oliver’s Cafe

Friday 22nd 10-12.30pm Bytes Cafe. Youth & Community Hall

Saturday 23rd 10 - 2pm Kimbolton & Stonely Parish Council Summer Market. Castle Green.

Monday 25th 10-12.30pm Bytes Cafe. Youth & Community Hall 10-12pm Fitness Class. Mandeville Hall

Tuesday 26th 2 - 4pm Carpet Bowls Club. Mandeville Hall

- 8pm Pop Up Wine Bar. Whitchurch Wines

Unleash Yoga Flow. Mandeville Hall

Wednesday 27th 10-12pm Bridge Club. Mandeville Hall 2-7.30pm Dance Class. Mandeville Hall 7.30-9.30pm Unleash Yoga Flow. Mandeville Hall

Thursday 28th 10-12pm Grief Kind Space. Oliver’s Cafe 12pm Senior Lunch Club 7pm Parish Council Meeting. Youth & Community Hall

Friday 29th 10-12.30pm Bytes Cafe. Youth & Community Hall

Saturday 30th 6 - 8pm Pop Up Wine Bar. Whitchurch Wines

Sunday 31st

Dinnerladies

There are some television shows that simply exist, flickering across screens for a limited time, offering fleeting amusement before fading into the vast archive of broadcast history. There are then shows, that embed themselves deeper, becoming a comforting presence, a shared language, a source of genuine warmth and laughter that can be returned to again and again; for me, that show is Victoria Wood’s dinnerladies.

In the landscape of late 1990s and early 2000s, dinnerladies might not have possessed the immediate, raucous edge of Men Behaving Badly or the groundbreaking fly-on-the-wall realism of The Royle Family, yet, it carved out a unique space, offering a microcosm of life lived in the fluorescent-lit, gravy-scented world of a factory canteen in industrial Manchester.

My connection to dinnerladies is deeply personal. It arrived during a specific period in my life, a time of transition and uncertainty. Its gentle rhythm and nonsense characters, its sharp, witty observations about the mundane, felt like a warm, familiar blanket. My Mum worked in a canteen at the time, and her stories, resonated with that of Victoria Wood’s make believe world.

There was a comforting authenticity to the interactions; a recognition of small talk, and underlying currents of human connection, that permeate everyday working life. At the heart of dinnerladies, was of course Victoria Wood herself, playing Bren Furlong.

Now (and I say this with the utmost respect and affection for the Gargantuan talent that she was), she wasn't (in my humble opinion), the greatest actress in the traditional sense. She wasn't a chameleon who disappeared into roles and you were always aware you were watching Victoria Wood, but I firmly believe she knew this. It was part of her charm, her appeal, she was inherently watchable, because she was her.

Where Victoria Wood truly excelled and where she was a towering figure in British comedy, was as a writer, and this is where dinnerladies shines brightest. It was a testament to her incredible skill that she assembled a cast of phenomenal actors, and gifted them with the best lines her typewriter had presented.

Think about it; whilst Bren had her moments of quiet wit and understated reactions, the laughout-loud, quotable gems were so often delivered by the likes of Julie Walters as the monstrous (but hilarious) Petula. Thelma Barlow as the prudish and easily scandalised Dolly, Anne Reid as the perpetually downtrodden Jean, and Celia Imrie as the effortlessly sarcastic Philippa; Victoria Wood, the writer, understood the strengths of her ensemble and played to them magnificently.

She was happy to let others take the comedic spotlight and this wasn't an ego-driven star vehicle, it was a truly ensemble piece, and that collaborative spirit, orchestrated by Wood's writing.

It’s a fascinating contrast to some of the other sitcoms of the era, where the central star was often the sole, or primary, source of humour. In Absolutely Fabulous, whilst the supporting

cast was brilliant, the comedic engine was unequivocally Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley; in Men Behaving Badly, Martin Clunes and Neil Morrissey were the undeniable focus; even in The Vicar of Dibley, Dawn French was the clear gravitational centre; dinnerladies, however, felt different.

The humour was more distributed and more democratic. Each character, no matter how seemingly minor, had their moments to land a punchline or deliver a line that would stay with you.

This generosity extended beyond just individual lines. Victoria Wood had an almost unparalleled ability to orchestrate scenes where multiple conversations were happening simultaneously, each revealing character and advancing different (often unrelated) plot points, yet somehow coalescing into a harmonious, often hilarious scene; it was a masterclass in dialogue writing and comedic timing.

Consider a typical scene in the canteen; Bren asks if anyone has seen a film on ‘telly’ with Dirk Bogarde which then links to Dolly and Jean discussing a film about frozen sperm in a freezer with the classic line “she should have cleared her freezer out more often”. Meanwhile, Stan the Caretaker might wander through with a seemingly non-sequitur comment about plumbing or the weather.

It wasn't just noise, it was carefully constructed chaos that mirrored the reality of a busy workplace. People talk over each other, conversations fragment and intertwine, and important moments can be buried within the everyday hum and Victoria captured this beautifully. It required incredibly precise writing and brilliant performances from the cast to make it work, and they pulled it off flawlessly.

This multi-layered approach to dialogue was a refreshing change from the more traditional sitcom format where scenes often focused on a single conversation or comedic set-up. It gave dinnerladies a sense of depth and realism that belied its studio audience and traditional sitcom structure.

The Royle Family achieved its realism through naturalistic dialogue and single-camera filming, dinnerladies found a different path, using rapid-fire, overlapping dialogue within a more conventional format to create a similar sense of ‘lived’ experience.

Whilst shows like Friends (hugely popular in the UK at the time) relied on snappy one-liners and often isolated comedic scenarios, dinnerladies built its humour from the ground up, out of the shared history and intertwined lives of its characters. The jokes often landed, not just because they were well-written, but because they came from a place of deep understanding of who these people were.

Take Dolly and Jean, for example; their entire dynamic was built on years of shared history, petty grievances, and underlying affection. Their conversations, often circling back on an old argument or recurring annoyances, these were constant sources of comedy, but also felt

incredibly real. Their bickering was never truly malicious; it was the comfortable sparring of old friends. This level of character development and relational depth wasn't always present in sitcoms that prioritised quick gags over sustained character arcs.

Similarly, the slow-burning romance between Bren and Tony was handled with a tenderness and awkwardness that felt far more nuanced than many sitcom relationships of the time.

Their conversations were often filled with unspoken feelings and hesitant gestures and they were all conveyed through subtle dialogue and performance. It was a storyline that unfolded gradually, rewarding viewers who were invested in the characters' journeys, and tied up nicely in the last episode by a carefully constructed story Arc by Wood.

Even the more comedic characters, like Petula, had layers. Whilst she was undoubtedly a caricature of a certain type of difficult mother, Julie Walters imbued her with enough humanity (albeit often buried deep) to prevent her from becoming a one-dimensional ‘villain’. Her interactions with Bren, were often painful to watch, but also contained moments of dark humour that only a writer of Wood's calibre could craft.

The setting of the canteen itself was also crucial to the show's success and contributed to its unique feel. Unlike the aspirational settings of shows like Absolutely Fabulous or the domestic confines of The Royle Family, the canteen was a transient space, a workplace that brought together a disparate group of people who might not otherwise socialise. This provided a natural stage for encounters, conflicts, and moments of unexpected camaraderie.

The mundane reality of the canteen, the chipped mugs, the questionable food, the endless washing up, all served as a grounding force for the more heightened comedic elements. It was a reminder that even in the most ordinary of settings, extraordinary human dramas can unfold.

In conclusion; dinnerladies holds a special place in my heart not just as a funny sitcom, but as a beautifully observed and generously written portrayal of everyday life. Victoria Wood, with her self-aware approach to acting and her unparalleled talent as a writer, created a world filled with flawed, lovable characters whose conversations, often overlapping and seemingly chaotic, revealed profound truths about human connection, resilience, and the enduring power of a good cuppa and a sympathetic ear.

It might not have been the loudest or the flashiest sitcom of its era, but for me, its warmth, its wit, and its genuine affection for its characters make it a true classic. It's a show I return to whenever I need a reminder that even in the most ordinary of places, there's always more than just gravy; it was, and remains, a small masterpiece of its time.

Ross Richardson

• DAILY FARM FRESH VEG

• VEG BOXES

• FREE RANGE EGGS

• 25KG POTATOES

• CALOR GAS

• COALS, LOGS, KINDLING

• HOUSEHOLD ESSENTIALS

• NEWSPAPERS

• FARM REARED MEAT

• SEASONAL OFFERS

• POTTING COMPOST

Stock up on your coal & logs

CUBIC METRE

HARDWOOD LOGS

Calor Gas

Coal

TOP END VILLAGE STORES

TOP END FARM

Little Staughton, Beds

Tel 01234 376426

Email topendfarm@btconnect.com www.topendfarm.co.uk

“The Biggest and Best Stocked Local Village Store in the Area”

OPEN ALL BANK HOLIDAYS

COMPOST, TOPSOIL, SEED COMPOST AND FARMYARD MANURE

BBQ MEATS, SALADS

AND POTATOES

DELIVERIES AVAILABLE T&Cs APPLY

CLICK AND COLLECT AVAILABLE

Phone in advance, pay by card open 7 days a week call for details

National Lottery Electric/Gas Top Ups

• OFF LICENSE

• CIGARETTES

• CUT FLOWERS

• PLANTS & SHRUBS

• POTTING COMPOST

• 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

AMAZON HUB YODEL INPOST UPS

Royal mail 24hr and 48hr tracked

HORSE & PET FOOD SUPERSTORE TOP END VILLAGE STORES

TOP QUALITY

HAY AND STRAW IN STOCK

Top End Farm, Lt Staughton, Beds, MK44 2BY Tel/Fax: 01234 376426

EQUESTRIAN & ANIMAL SUPERSTORE

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

PHONE FOR DETAILS, ANY PRODUCT FAST FREE DELIVERY

Check out prices on our new website

HAY, STRAW, HAYLAGE

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ALL MAJOR BRAND HORSE FEED SHAVINGS AND BEDMAX

SUPPLEMENTS

HORSE CARROTS

STABLE MATTING

FIELD MATS

POST AND RAIL

ELECTRIC FENCING, RODENT BAIT GRASS SEED AND FERTILISER

BULK BAGS OF WILD BIRD FEED

POULTRY FOOD

DOG AND CAT FOOD

SMALL ANIMAL FEED & BEDDING WILD BIRD FOOD

SUNFLOWER HEARTS

BLACK SUNFLOWERS ROBINS MIX

PEANUTS

LAYERS PELLETS AND SMALLHOLDER FEED

DOG CHEWS AND TREATS

SHEEP FOOD AND LAMBS MILK

FANTASTIC RANGE OF PRODUCTS AT GREAT PRICES “ANY PRODUCT ORDERED IN FOR YOU”

mention Village Bystander when responding

A start of a Robin

We’re sorry that you have passed away, Your soul has come out to play,

The beautiful raindrops from the sky, A beautiful Robin has arrived,

Red chest shining bright of day, I wonder if you would come and play,

The Robin who flew round my door, Has a great smile as he sits on the floor,

The Robin who I once knew, Is grandad looking at you.

Harmonie Richardson

This is a poem about my Grandad

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.

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Refcom and FGAS Registered

Air Conditioning Domestic Electrical

Fuse Box Upgrades

Lights replaced

Electrical Certificates EICR

All electrical work undertaken

Part P Registered

Daikin 5kw EMURA in black
Myenergi Zappi 7kw EV Charger

Children's 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

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: Emma Mumford 07881 621260 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, info@LindaAllenDance.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.

Kymbrook Pre-School, Kimbolton Road, Keysoe 01234 376100 www.kymbrookpreschool.co.uk

Playtimes Pre-School & Out of School Club, Spaldwick 01480 890077 www.playtimesplaygroup.co.uk

Puddeducks Nursery & Pre-school, Colmworth 01234 378880 www.puddleducksnurserypre school.co.uk

Puddleducks Pre-School, Kimbolton 01480 860743

Riseley Rascals, Riseley Village Hall (Term Time Only) 07986 313037 9:30- 11am Tuesday morning

St. Leonards Day Care, Brington 01832 710020

Primary & Secondary Schools

Brington C of E Primary School 01832 710383

Crosshall Infant School Academy Trust, St Neots 01480 475980 www.crosshallinfant.co.uk

Crosshall Junior School Academy Trust, St Neots 01480 475972 www.crosshalljunior.co.uk

Eileen Wade Primary School, Upper Dean 01234 708260 www.ewmeschools.org.uk/ eileen-wade/

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

Riseley Primary School 01234 708218 www.riseleyschool.co.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 & EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Doctors at Kimbolton 01480 860205

Doctors at Gt. Staughton 01480 860770

Doctors at Sharnbrook 01234 781392

NHS Direct 111

NHS Cambridgeshire 01223 884 008

Patient Advice & Liason Service 01733 673 405 (PALS)

Cambs & Peterborough

Patient Advice & Liason Service 01234 795814 (PALS)

Bedfordshire

Hospitals

Addenbrookes, Cambridge 01223 245151

Bedford 01234 355122

Hinchingbrooke, Huntingdon 01480 416416

Cambridgshire Fire and Rescue 01480 444500

Non Emergency Police Line 101

Councillors

Cllr Ian Gardener - CCC Alconbury & Kimbolton Division ian.gardener@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Cllr Jonathan Gray - HDC Kimbolton ward jonathan.gray@huntingdonshiredc.org.uk

Cllr Stephen Cawley - HDC Ellington Ward stephen.cawley@huntingdonshiredc.org.uk

AA Emergency Breakdown 0800 887766

Alcoholics Anonymous 0800 9177650

Carers Direct 0808 802 0202

Childline 0800 1111

Citizens Advice 03444 111 444

Electricity Emergency 105

Floodline 0345 988 1188

Gas Emergency 0800 111 999

National Debt Line 0808 808 4000

National Rail Enquiries 0333 202 2222

NSPCC 0800 800 500

Parentline 0800 800 2222

RAC Emergency Breakdown 0800 828282

RSPCA 0300 1234 999

Samaritans 116 123

UK Missing Persons Unit 0800 234 6034

Victim Support 0808 168 9111

Please mention Village Bystander when responding to adverts

Clubs, Groups and Organisations

Bolnhurst & Keysoe Parish Council Clerk

Buckworth Cricket Club Social Club

Samantha Langley 07977 828153

http://buckworthcricketclub.co.uk/

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service 01480 444500

Catworth Women’s Group

Catworth Quilters Group

Ellington Neighbourhood Watch

Ellington Village Club

Grafham & Ellington Art Group

Great Staughton Village Hub

Gt Staughton Horticultural Society

Gt Staughton Playing Field & Pavilion

Hargrave Investment Club

Barbara Cawdell 01832 710404

Pam Wardle 01832 710324

Rick Wilcox 01480 890902

Sue Rice (Chairperson) 01480 896139

Jackie Woods, 01480 890279

Details on the Great Staughton and Perry Facebook page

Emma Mumford 07881 621260

Bob Jewell 01480 861259

Rick 07905 211919 or Sue 07818 050034

Kimbolton Senior Citizens lunch club 01480 861540/860735 (Thurs, 12noon) Mandeville Hall

Kimbolton Local History Society

Kimbolton & Stonely Parish Council

Kimbolton Church - Bell Ringing

Kimbolton & district Royal British Legion

Kimbolton Castle Rotary Club

Nora Butler 01480 861007

Jo Russel 01480 276075

Mary Foster 01480 861594

David Henrick 01480 896556

Chris Davies 01234 376542

Little Staughton Parish Clerk clerk@littlestaughtonparishcouncil.gov.com, 07729 960264

Neighbourhood Watch Gt Staughton

North Beds Ramblers

Pertenhall & Swineshead Parish Clark

Save the Children Fund

Stow Longa Village Community - social events

The Villages Gardening Club

The Stables Christian Centre

Frank Backhouse, 01480 861167

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

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

Nora Butler 01480 861007

Christine Hayes 01480 860519 Christine.Hayes@StowLonga.org.uk

Jan Roche 01832 710561 janetroche0@gmail.com

Sean Watkiss, 01234 376237 work-based training to small groups of vulnerable adults.

Tilbrook Village Newsletter www.tilbrookvillage.life

Tilbrook Amenites Committee Chairman, Stephen Birch, chairman tilbrookvillagelife@gmail.com

Tilbrook Parish Council Clerk

Lionel Thatcher, 01480860055 Whist Drives, Ellington

WI Groups

Kimbolton WI

Ellington WI

Gt Staughton WI

Pertenhall WI

Steve Sherratt , 01480 891418

Anne Beszant 01480 860672

Jan Sherratt 01480 891418

Ruth Easom, rutheasom@gmail.com

Glennis Bird, Tel: 01933 314275, glennis.bird@hotmail.co.uk

Perry WI perrywigroup@gmail.com

Village Halls

Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton

bookings: Stan Rhodes, 07367 783886

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

Village Hall, Dean and Shelton (Dalton Hall, U. Dean) www.daltonhalldean.org

Village Hall, Ellington

Village Hall, Gt Staughton, bookings

Village Hall, Hail Weston

Village Hall, Keysoe

Village Hall, Keyston, bookings

Village Hall, Little Staughton

Village Hall, Melchbourne

Anita Dowdall 01480 891821

Vicki Goldsmith 01480 860005

Liz Bacon / bookingshwvh@gmail.com.

Janet Browning 01234 376577 bookings@keysoevillagehall.co.uk

Chrissy Faulkner, 07714 080837

Kevin and Maria Foskett, 01234 376260

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

Village Hall, Tilbrook

Paul Sheard paulsheard@aol.com 01480 861457

Erica Jago, 07903 987445, bookings.tilbrookvillage@gmail.com www.tilbrookvillage.life

Village Hall, Yelden 07539 662544, yeldenvillagehall@gmail.com Spaldwick Community Room

Sarah Cardwell - clerk@spaldwickparishcouncil.org.uk

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

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

Adrian Thrasher 07834 602086 Carpet Bowls, Catworth

Carpet Bowls, Kimbolton

Carpet Bowls, Gt. Staughton

Marge Baker, 01832 710145

Mary Foster, 01480 861594

Anthony Withers, 01480 861224. Carpet Bowls, Spaldwick

Carpet Bowls, Ellington

Table Tennis Club - Melchbourne

Andrew Vickers, 01480 891201

Janet Stewart 01480 533482 janetstewart725@gmail.com

Peter Wilkinson peteathillands@gmail.com, 07792 056 157 Tennis Club, Kimbolton

Alison Owen, 07767 202958 Tennis Club, Gt Staughton

Chair Based Strength And Balance Class

Grafham Tang Sou Dao Club

Great Staughton Golf Society

MVH Pilates - Melchbourne

MVH Tai Chi - Melchbourne

Nicole Yates, 01480 860616

Kimbolton Scout Hut, Thursdays 11:00-12:00pm, Lauren Watt, 01480 388111

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

Derek Fitzgibbon, 01480 861234

Penny Hales penny@tightassets.co.uk

Rob Poyton simplyflow@outlook.com PE28 Kickboxing, Grafham Village Hall

Mark James, 01480 819478

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) - 13th 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) - 26th 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) - 27th 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:

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.

mention Village

when responding to adverts

Accountancy

Listings of Businesses in Our Area

Land Family Business, 01480 445490, p.19

Auctioneers/Valuers

W H Peacock, 01480 474 550, p.19

Architects/Planning/Drawings

PJP Architects, 07801 054648, p.39

Art, Dressmaking, Framing, Crafts, Ceramics, Hobbies

David Osborne Motorbike Spares, 07979 500900, p.55

Grafham Coins, 01480 811227, p.11

Jamie Poole - Art Classes, 07899 676769, p.21

La Cote D'or Antiques, 01480 861587

The Framery Ltd, 01480 860086, p.39

Building Services/Home Maintenance/Garage Doors

Ablewood. 07740 435801, p.45

GAP Home Improvements, 07935 002610, p.37

Garolla Garage Doors, 01480 630081, p.21

R&D Maskey, 01234 825015, p.81

Still & Sons, 01480 869042, p.75

Taylor Stilton, 01480 860047, p.45

The Home Handyman, 01480 861898, p.39

Business Networking

Three Shires Networking, 07788 558964, p.38

Computer/IT Services/Marketing/Proofreading/HR

iEdit, 01480 860519 p.68

LR Marketing, 07539 756963, p.68

Newport Bookkeeping Services, 07519 352933, p.26

Oxygen IT, 01480 390395, p.72

Silver Websites, 07340 234555, p.25

Social Beans, 07808 020554, p.72

Social Media Management, 01480 769002, p.29

Domestic Services

C Major Change, 07584 279228, p.24

Home ‘n’ Dry, Carpet Cleaning, 01487 840310, p.68

Sweeping Tom Ltd, 07990 561874, p.81

The Home Sorter, 07535 143497 p.55

Education/Tuition

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

One to One Tuition, 07803 504631, p.5

Playtimes Spaldwick, 01480 890077, p.26

Electrical Services/Solar/Alarms

Aircon Tom, 07402 745802, p.70

DAC Services, 01234 709347, p.2

Domelec, 07912 092985 p.74

LCS Energy, 01480 470064, p.69

Selec Solar, 01480 400607, p.73

Estate Agents/Letting Agents/Property

Bletsoes, 01832 732188, p.45

Carr Estate Agents, 01480 597799, p.47

Peter Lane & Partners, 01480 860400, p.84

Top Hat Projects, 07814 709320, p.31

Financial Advisers & Financial Services

Beacon Wealth Management, 01480 869466, p.33

Funeral Directors

Crowsons, 01832 272269, p.25

Regency Funeral Directors, 01480 759408, p.41

Gardening/Landscaping/Tree Care/Logs/Flowers

Eden Tree Specialists, 01234 960796, p.23

JAD Professional Garden Services, 07508 519213, p.22

JD Tree Surgery, 07745 378268, p.24

Manor Farm, 07849 528684, p.22

General Stores/Farm Shops/Wine Shops

Budgens, 01480 860582, p.42-43

Grafham Village Store, 01480 810119, p.20

Handpicked Wine Box, www.handpickedwinebox.com, p.51

Top End Stores, 01234 376426, p.67

Whitchurch Wines, jeff@whitchurchwines.co.uk p.71

Health/Treatments/Beauty/Wellbeing/Counselling/ Fitness

Close Health and Beauty, 07729 381085 p.10

Courtyard Beauty, 07922 678843 p.9

Enkindle Success, 07752 502036 p.10

Jill Dighton, 07925 852985, p.11

Kimbolton Swimming Pool, 01480 862276 p.8

Rosie’s Salon, 07733 482359, p.9

The Nest at 53, 07778 024564, p.9

Kitchens

Kitchen Culture, 01480 861822, p.31

The Kitchen Magician, 01480 477200 p.29

Music, Theatre, Singing, Entertainment

Carol John, 01234 708029, p.39

Pets/Petcare Services /Equine/Training

Rebecca's Dog Grooming, 07397 534570, p.45

Top End Stores (Animal Feed), 01234 376426, p.67

Pest Control

Pest Gone, 07955 156397, p.11

Plumbers/Heating Engineer/Oil/Tanks

Anglia Oil Tanks, 01638 662955, p.13

Boiler Juice, www.boilerjuice.com, p.35

DAC Services, 01234 709347, p.2

Hill Heating, 01480 890929, p.21

Hydroflow, 07917 176375, p.31

LCA Maintenance Services Ltd, 01234 266220, p.3

Pubs/Restaurants/Cafes/Catering

Cinnamon Indian Rest & Takeaway, 01480 811316 p.6

Narls Equisite In-Home Dining, 07723 372537, p.71

Phaf Kimbolton, 07300 296926, p.47

The Caribbean Barn, thecaribbeanbarn@gmail.com, p.7

The Elm, 01487 773585, p.18

The Flying Foodie natasha@flyingfoodie.co.uk, p.49

The Pheasant, 01832 710303, p.30

The Wheatsheaf Perry, 01480 810253, p.82-83

Solicitors

Wilson Browne Solicitors, 0800 0886004, p.53

Storage

Jonathan, 07753 638948, p.55

Travel

Fun with Santa, 01480 812598, p.25

Once In A Lifetime Holidays, 07961 884183, p.74

Vehicle Services/Vehicle Care/Vehicle Sales/Transport

Robinsons Garage, 01480 860581, p.27

Sweeping Tom Ltd

Book an end of season sweep –your chimney & liner will benefit from clean drying over the summer. Full sweeping services availablelocal, reliable, fully qualified & insured Chimney Sweep. Covering Peterborough—Cambridge and surrounding areas. Contact Thomas on 07990 561874 or email sweepingtomltd@gmail.com

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 glas s

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

70 To advertise in Village Bystander please call Julie on 07928 778457

3 RD May: Diamond Night – A Celebration of Neil Diamond 24 TH May: All Shook Up – An Elvis Presley Tribute Night 28 TH June: Mad for Madness – A Tribute to the Nutty Boys

30 TH August: Too Funky – A Tribute to George Michael

from 7 PM – Music starts at 8:30 PM £35 per person

• Characterful thatched and pantiled

• Wonderfully cosy accommodation with fine attractive

• Sitting room with inglenook recess, separate dining/breakfast room with quarry tiled floor.

• Rustic kitchen with light oak cabinets and French doors opening onto the garden.

• Two bedrooms and well-appointed bathroom.

• Spacious and practical utility/storage room.

• Delightful cottage garden with summerhouse and off-road parking.

• Oil-fired central heating.

• Peaceful village environment yet convenient for access to major road and rail links.

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