YOUR LOCAL INFORMATIVE MONTHLY GUIDE www.bystandermagazines.co.uk
ISSUE 215 January 2024
VILLAGE
BYSTANDER HAPPY NEW YEAR
ANTHONY WITHERS YOUTUBE FIXES IT! 4700 COPIES FREE TO 34 VILLAGES AROUND KIMBOLTON
WILL CHUTER KIMBOLTON SCHOOL HEADMASTER BEACON WEALTH MANAGEMENT CHOOSE, DON'T SETTLE PETER LANE AND PARTNERS A CUNNING PLAN LOCAL MEMORIES THE SINKING OF THE SAN FRANCISCO AND MUCH MORE
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HARD AND SOFT LANDSCAPING • Driveways And Patios • Property Maintenance • Porcelain Patio Specialists • Gardening • Fencing • Tree Surgery • Decking • Lawns -Turfing, Scarifying • Pond Installation And • Power Washing Maintenance • Interior/ Exterior Painting • Carpentry - Pegodas, • 3d Garden Design Orangeries, Raised Beds • Registered Waste Removal Service
FOR SALE: Seasonal Plants
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Happy New Year to all our readers – 2024 has arrived and we have a bonus extra day to boot! Talking of new arrivals, Canine Corner have some useful advice about preparing your dog for a new arrival in the family. Penny’s latest instalment of dramatic family events concerns a possible link with the sinking of an American ship, the San Fransisco, in 1853. We have plenty to interest literary lovers. Anthony Withers offers his musings and Patrick McDonald ponders the merits of AI written novels. Georgia Rose reviews a flash fiction publication by Sarah Brentyn. Look out for the Kimbolton Brownies update and Beacon Wealth Management consider on going strategies to manage your financial health. Inn Farm Day Nursery, as ever, offer some great ideas to help develop our young children. This time there are numerous suggestions on how maths skills can be learned from a range of day-to-day activities. All this and much more besides. Have a great 2024 everyone!
Julie
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, Patrick MacDonald, Anthony Withers
January Contents Editor’s Letter p.4 Health, Fitness, Beauty & Wellbeing p.8-11 Inn Farm - Maths is all around us p.14 Local Memories: The Sinking of the San Francisco p.16-17 Anthony Withers - YouTube fixes it! p.18 Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service p.20 Gardening & Outdoor Section p.22-23 Lee’s Gardening Corner p.22 Patrick MacDonald Would you read a novel written by AI? p.26 Beacon Wealth Management - Choose, Don't Settle p.33 Peter Lane and Partners - A Cunning Plan p.34 Bystander Community p.36-38 The Staughtons with Hail Weston Church Services p.38 Book Review - On the Edge of a Raindrop p.44 WILL CHUTER, Headmaster of Kimbolton School p.48-49 Canine Corner - Preparing your dog for the arrival of a new baby p.50 What’s On for Children? p.52 Nurseries, Primary & Secondary Schools p.52-53 Clubs, Groups & Organisations p.54-55 Mobile Library Times p.55 Business Listings p.56 Useful and Emergency Numbers p.58
www.bystandermagazines.co.uk Printing by Buxton Press 01298 212000
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Howard Galley
Appliance & Satellite Engineer REPAIRS CARRIED OUT TO ALL MAKES OF THE FOLLOWING
Washing machines Tumble dryers Vacuum cleaners Electrical ovens (NOT gas) Dishwashers INSTALLATION OF THE FOLLOWING
Individual room television Multi-room TV installations Satellites PROFESSIONAL SERVICES OFFERED
Electrical Safety Testing (formally known as PAT testing) Electrical Safety Risk Assessment for your business
Mobile 07894 433084 howardgalley@outlook.com www.howardgalley.wordpress.com
I am an appliance and satellite engineer now based in Raunds, Northamptonshire having moved down from South West Scotland to be with my partner. My business started originally in Newcastle Upon Tyne in 2006 where I mainly worked for Age Concern and Anchor Housing repairing appliances and carrying out Electrical Safety Testing and risk assessments (PAT testing) across the North East of England. I was on the Newcastle and Northumberland Trade Register in recognition of the quality of my workmanship and was also the preferred supplier for a number of hotels and businesses in the area. In 2008 I moved to South West Scotland where my business grew at a rapid rate over 14 years, repairing washing machines, tumble dryers and other household appliances as well erecting satellites and installing TV systems to both people’s homes and on holiday parks. I like to look after small businesses in carrying out risk assessments and issuing guidance on electrical safety and can perform a full formal inspection electrical safety test if required. I have over 100 perfect reviews on my Facebook page, Yell, Google and my webpage and will always do my best to look after you.
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Building · Heritage · Environments 6
Groundworks · Extensions
Conservatio
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“We set out over 20 years ago to offer a personal and professional standard that surpassed the home improvement masses, where customer expectation is never met but exceeded. Your local trusted business where every project is taken personally.” - Shane Lee (Managing Director)
Over 20 years experience
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07563 608 344 shane@castleviewconstruction.uk www.castleviewconstruction.uk
Follow the prestigious self build journey of Weston Springs via Instagram!
@selfbuild_weston_springs_ 8 Weston Springs, Newtown, Hail Weston, Cambridgeshire PE19 5JU
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Ashgrove The
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Clinic
Unisex hairdressers Open Tues - Sat Give us a call today on 07733482359 Facebook: @Rosiessalon13 Instagram: rosiessalon13 8 East Perry, PE28 0BT
Our impressive 25-metre Swimming Pool offers a wide variety of Public Swimming sessions and Swimming Lessons throughout the year to Kimbolton School and the local community. What We Offer Public Swimming – Fun, Lane & General Swimming Sessions Private Hires – Local Schools, Clubs, Ad Hoc & Pool Parties Swimming Lessons – Group & Private / 1-to-1 For All Ages Courses – NPLQ, Water Safety, Diving, Water Polo & More... Open Monday to Friday 7:30am-9pm Saturdays 8am – 3pm - Sundays Coming Soon! Find our latest Timetable at www.kimbolton.cambs.sch.uk or on Facebook/KimboltonSchoolSwimmingPool Kimbolton School Swimming Pool Call - 01480 862276 Email – Pool@kimbolton.cambs.sch.uk www.kimbolton.cambs.sch.uk
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AIRCON TOM 07402 745802
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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, MarieͲ 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
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Kimbolton Vets Opening Spring 2024 A new independent vet practice in the heart of the Kimbolton community Visit our website to register your pets and follow our instagram @kimbolton_vets to keep up to date with our progress
18 High Street, Kimbolton www.kimboltonvets.co.uk
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LOCAL MEMORIES: By Penny Young The Sinking of the San Francisco After all the excitement of the shooting and the divorce case, everything seemed to go very quiet. Was that it? No more news on Lucy? I was bereft and so was Wayne (my cousin – mum’s side) in Australia. “Anything from Richard?” (my cousin – dad’s side in USA) – pleaded Wayne. I didn’t like to bother Richard, as I knew he was going through treatment for prostate cancer and had surmised that he had perhaps hit a bad patch. Whilst waiting for Richard to get back to us, Wayne and I had been doing our own delving and we thought we had found Lucy in the ‘Poor House’ – the American equivalent of the workhouse in 1867; coincidentally a Lucy Moore admitted in the same year that Charles William Kendall died in New Zealand. How utterly tragic – Lucy now classed as an ‘idiot’ and unable to do even the most menial tasks, according to the records. Then the death of a Lucy Moore in the asylum a few years later. Oh Lucy – had everything that had happened to her in her life sent her mad? No! Wayne and I should have been a little more patient. Richard was soon back up to speed – he does a lot of charity work for his local church in Cape Cod and had just been busy for a few days – no panic! He checked what we had found and spotted a basic error in our research – the date of birth for ‘this’ Lucy did not match ‘our’ Lucy. Thank goodness, Lucy - still alive - we hoped, but back to the drawing board! Richard then got back into the archives stateside and found references in the library of congress to the singing of one Mrs Lucy Moore. But it was his next discovery that completely blew us away. Googling the names Mrs Lucy Moore (Lucy’s actual name) and Miss Lucy Moore (Lucy’s stage name) – up came some ‘hits’ of a person with the same name/s on board a ship called the San Francisco. At the time of writing, we still have not definitively been able to prove that the person mentioned in the numerous newspaper reports was ‘our Lucy’ – but the story of the sinking of this boat, the American equivalent of our Titanic which sank sixty odd years later, is so fascinating that it is worth telling anyway. The new steamship, The San Francisco was built in New York, in the yard of Mr William H. Webb. She was 280 feet long and weighed 2200 tons. She had a capacity of 750 passengers and when completed, they boasted ‘she would be the finest steamship on the Pacific’. Her hull was remarkable for its immense strength, there would be three decks, two masts and the interior arranged with state rooms above, single open berths in the middle and open steerage berths below. ‘A more exquisitely modelled ship never floated’, they claimed. The ship, which would sail between New York, San Francisco and Panama, set sail from New York on 22nd December 1853, on her maiden voyage to San Francisco. The U.S. Government had chartered the ship for this voyage as a troop ship and had onboard eight companies of the Third Regiment U.S. Artillery. They were heading out for the Mexican-American War 1846-1848. Many of the officers were accompanied by their wives and children and there were numerous other civilians on board. Barely 24 hours into the trip, a terrific gale blew up and continued to increase until it became a hurricane, with very high seas. The San Francisco which had been coping very well initially, saw one huge wave sweep the deck of all her lifeboats, the foremast and all sails, the engines packed 16
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up, the sea then overwhelmed the boat, carrying away the upper saloon, leaving the ship a perfect wreck and leaking badly. Hundreds of passengers were washed overboard, some clinging to the wreckage already bobbing around in the sea, but these were immediately swallowed up by the next mountainous wave, whilst other luckier souls were miraculously picked up by the same wave and swept back onto the boat. Some 150 people had been lost overboard. Those still on board were in a pitiable state and were organising themselves into gangs to assist in trying to stop the leaks and bailing and pumping water out, still as the terrible storm raged. Many further passengers died from exhaustion and exposure. There was also an outbreak of cholera on board and then, as if all this was not enough, many of the soldiers, together with the waiters and bar staff, broke into the food and drink stores, thinking that they were going to drown anyway, gorged themselves on the richest foods and strongest spirits and 60 of them died of these excesses. Three boats who were in the area and could see the stricken San Francisco, then came to her rescue, the bravest probably being the bark, Kilby who saved 100 passengers. It stayed alongside the sinking ship for many days, sending its lifeboats to aid in the disembarkation of passengers. The most senior army officer on board, Colonel Gates, addressed the troops, declaring that he would be the last person to desert the ship and that he hoped the officers and soldiers would follow his example and wait until their names were called. However, the first lifeboat that came alongside saw Colonel Gates and his wife and family members clamber into it and the many witnesses of this act would be called, at a later date, to give evidence at the court of enquiry, which was convened by the President of the United States, to investigate the loss of the boat, the conduct of the officers and men and in particular the behaviour of Colonel Gates. Two other boats also came to the rescue, a British ship - The Three Bells of Glasgow, who rescued 230 passengers and The Antarctic who took 200. The San Francisco finally went to the bottom of the ocean on 6th January 1854. It took a further week for the rescue boats to make land as the seas were still stormy. The Kilby had to be rescued herself, as she began to founder and take on water and another boat, the Lucy Thompson, took on board all of her almost naked, wet, cold and starving passengers. They had lost nearly all their clothes and belongings, everything was drenched; but their second rescue saw them sat down with a warm meal, hot drinks and blankets. It was not until three weeks after the San Francisco had begun to get into trouble that, on 14th January 1854, the American newspapers began to report; “We furnish details of a disaster more
terrible than it has ever fallen to our lot to record”.
What then of ‘our Lucy’? Well – we find four mentions of a Miss Lucy Moore, one amongst the ‘list of people swept from the decks of the San Francisco by the waves’ (Washington district of Columbia). Then three different reports, from three different newspapers – ‘a list of people on board the Kilby – headed by Colonel Gates & Family, including a Miss Lucy Moor’ (no ‘e’) – New York Daily Herald. Then ‘having arrived here from the Lucy Thompson – Miss Lucy Moore’ (Philadelphia Daily Ledger) and finally ‘the following list of people who have been brought here – Miss Lucy Moore’ (White River Standard Indiana). Did Lucy drown? Was Lucy rescued? Is this even ‘our Lucy’? More next time!
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YouTube fixes it! Lately, I’ve become a big fan of YouTube. It can help with any knotty household problem. Battery need replacing on your Toyota key fob? YouTube has the answer. Leaves wilting on your calathea? YouTube experts will help spruce it up in no time. But, you’ll say, isn’t YouTube full of cranks, oddballs, conspiracy theorists and weirdos with a thing about the blonde from Abba? Bear with me, there are some real gems out there. The other day, out of nowhere, original audio broadcasts of My Word!, a panel game that ran on the BBC Light Programme from 1956 until the 1980s, suddenly appeared on my YouTube screen. The programme featured Frank Muir and Denis Norden, responsible for comedy shows like Take it from Here. I realise I have now lost any reader under the age of 65 but as a local historian, I rather like rediscovering buried treasure, and this programme is one. As the title implies, My Word! is a word game and at the start of each show the chairman Jack Longland would give Frank and Denis a wellknown quotation and invite them to concoct a witty, outrageous explanation as to how it came about, ending with an excruciating pun. Meanwhile, the pair’s lady panellists, Dilys Powell (respected film critic) and Anne Scott-James ( celebrated journalist) would explain the true origin of the saying. In one episode, Denis’s quotation was a proverb: ‘The game is not worth the candle.’ His fantasy explanation concerned George Frederick Handel, now a well-established composer in London. (‘Handel was name that opens all doors in fashionable Mayfair.’) But Handel was worried. Tired of a bachelor existence, he was urgently in need of a wife. Enter Sir Tenleigh Knott (you can see where this might be leading). Sir Tenleigh has a daughter Arabella, ‘not pretty by any accepted standards, in fact ugly by any accepted standards.’ She can, however, ‘foot a quadrille whilst speaking perfect Latin.’ Yes, but what does she look like?, enquires Handel. Tenleigh brushes this off: ‘How’s the Messiah going? Finished the Honolulu chorus yet?’ Sir Tenleigh offers to settle an estate on his daughter. ‘The truth was Arabella had a shape you could easily settle an state on.’ In desperation, Handel summons his simple rustic servant Walter (to whom he would later dedicate his Walter Music) and tells him to go and take a look at Arabella. Handel can hardly wait for his servant’s verdict. ‘Was she tall and fair, the vivacious Arabella?, he asks. On his return, Walter ponders how to break the news. The only course, he decides, is to be blunt. ‘Oi be sorry,’ he says, ‘The gay Miss Knott were thick, Handel.’ Groan! The best of the stories are contained in four paperback volumes, long out of print, but probably available on a brilliant site for finding books you enjoyed in the dim distant, Abebooks. I’ll write about this site in a future column. Anthony Withers 01480 861224 aw.staughton@gmail.com 18
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Please contact us for any quality property you are looking to rent or to rent out Family business – please check our reviews on Facebook to see what clients say about our service
Tel 07814 709 320
Info@TopHatProjects.co.uk
Proprietor Jules Sismey Williamson Top Hat Projects, 4 Molesworth Business Estate, Molesworth, Cambridgeshire, PE28 0QG
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Contact Mike grafhamcoins@hotmail.co.uk 01480 811227 07816 850455
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Open fires and chimneys Safety Tips • • • • • • • •
Have the chimney swept professionally before lighting the first fire of winter Don't allow soot or ash to build up Inspect your chimney breast, particularly in the roof space. Make sure it is sound and that sparks or fumes can't escape through cracks or broken bricks Do not overload the grate or appliance, do not bank fires too high and remember to let them burn down well before you retire to bed Check the hearth, floor and furnishings near the fire for hot sparks or embers before you go to bed Use a fire or spark guard to prevent accidental fires and make sure it has the kite mark or conforms to a relevant British / European standard Do not place objects on or over the mantle-piece which may cause you to stand too close to the fire to reach or use them Burn the recommended fuels only - see guidance frequencies below
Regular maintenance requirements of your chimney will depend on the fuel you burn Smokeless coals - at least once a year Wood - up to four times a year Bituminous coal - twice a year Oil - once a year Gas - once a year Ensure you fit a smoke alarm that has the kite mark and conforms to British Standard 5446 (Part 1). Test the smoke alarm at least once a month by pressing the test button and know the life span of your battery - mark your calendar as a reminder to replace it. 20
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Gardening and Outdoor Section: p.22-23 Lee’s Gardening Corner Happy new year, we are now in January, possibly the coldest month - the highlights of the garden this month are tree trunks, coloured stems and twiggy shapes. Although there should be some colour about. This is the month to take stock of the garden, plan for the year ahead. With the garden at its barest, now is perfect for seeing what you need to do and what plants to get. A winters day spent ordering new plants and bulbs is a job well done. Most jobs this month will be maintenance, such as repairing fences, supports, gates etc. Garden tools will benefit from some care, sharpening and oiling mainly. Tidying up sheds and greenhouses are a great job for a sunny but cold day, if you have stored tender plants check them over regularly for any signs of mould or pests. Normal gardening is of course still possible if the weather is fine, weeding and pruning. Vegetable beds can be dug, and planned for the new season, there might still be some vegetables like carrots and parsnips which will happily stay in the ground ready for digging up. Broad bean seeds can be sown now. Winter is the best time for pruning fruit trees, so keep standard and espaliered apples and pears in good shape. Plants for colour and scent at this time of the year include Mahonia, Viburnum, witch hazel. Other flowers are the hellebores, which will be looking great (cut off the leaves to show off the flowers, new ones will then have space to grow). Snowdrops should be on their way up, and there are even some varieties that will be out now.
Lee Munday 22
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We carry out all aspects of tree and hedge works. This includes pruning, crown reductions, removal and felling, stump grinding and planting.
Local Family Operated Business £10m Public Liability Insurance
Call one of our friendly team today
01234 960796 www.edentreespecialists.co.uk
Courteous and Professional Staff Arboricultural Association Approved Contractors
Our accreditations
TPO and Conservation Area Applications
CROWSONS Funeral Directors
A family owned business serving the community for over one hundred years • • • • • •
Caring personal attention Chapels of rest 24 hour service to all areas Flowers and catering available Memorials Advice on Golden Charter pre-payment Schemes OUNDLE (01832) 272269 Barnwell, Oundle Peterborough PE8 5PS
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LOCAL BRICKWORK COMPANY EST. 2013 NEW BUILDS AND EXTENSIONS - GARDEN AND BOUNDARY WALLS REPOINTING WORKS - BRICK REPAIRS - BRICK FEATURE WORK
SAINTS WORK ACROSS CAMBRIDGESHIRE, BEDFORDSHIRE, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE AND NORTHAMPTONSHIRE CONTACT US TO ARRANGE A HOME VISIT / QUOTATION 01480 479355 / 07533 993766 OR EMAIL INFO@SAINTSBRICKWORKLTD.CO.UK FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK 'SAINTS BRICKWORK LTD'
VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.SAINTSLTD.CO.UK
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Would you read a novel written by AI? Most of us would express horror at the thought but AI-written novels are already appearing. According to the Author’s Guild this summer 40 of the top 100 young adult romance books on Kindle were AI-written. Of course, you could argue such books are of a very low standard but as with everything else produced by AI the quality is improving all the time. How long before AI produces novels of a quality to match those of established authors such as Maggie O’Farrell or Sebastian Faulks, or thrillers equal to those produced by say, John Grisham? If you consider that AI learns by ingesting vast amounts of data, scanning the contents of every novel ever produced then arguably, that won’t be very far away. It’s already possible to ask AI to produce writing in the style of John Grisham or even Shakespeare for that matter. At the moment the result may not be that good but can we assume this will always be the case? There was a writers strike for a reason in the States in the TV and film industry. Amazon has already banned authors from producing more than three e-books a day on its Kindle platform precisely because producing AI books is such an easy process. Publishers are also required to label books produced by robots. The argument runs, though, AI will never produce artistic work capable of real depth, a piece of music as profound as the second movement of Beethoven’s Third symphony for example, which has always been one of my personal favourites. Sadly, I don’t believe this. I would love to say otherwise, but I think it’s only a matter of time. So, as an author myself, I feel like an endangered species, which is not a comfortable place to be. I’ve no intention of relying on AI for anything I might write and I can assure you this article is also entirely untainted by Chat-GPT or any of the other bots I might have used. But still, now there is another nagging thought; if I had asked AI to write this would it have been a better article? Patrick MacDonald, author of the The Invitation and Darkness Falling, both of which are available on Amazon. 26
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SELF STORAGE Great Staughton
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HILL HEATING Oil & Gas & LPG Boiler Servicing Installation & Repair System Upgrades Power Flushing Landlords Certificates OFTEC & GAS SAFE REGISTERED Bathroom Design & Installation 11, Windmill Close Ellington Cambs PE28 0AJ Phone 01480890929 07702048115 07517599203 www.hillheating.co.uk
Qualified dog groomers New clients receive 10% off first treatment Based in Little Staughton We welcome any breed of dog big or small, young to elderly, nervous to happy All treatments are one to one basis Set in a stress free environment We can deal with any needs that your dog may require We can provide a local pick up and drop back service We offer: Puppy Introductions Bath & Dry Full Grooms Nail clipping Hand stripping And much more Ring Katie on 07774519694 or Sally on 07768194367
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Regency Funeral Directors
Your Local, Independent, Family Run Funeral Directors
Family run business providing a personal and caring service Chapel of rest Available 24 hours Grave stone and other memorial options Flowers and catering available Advice on funeral packages, bespoke services and pre-paid funerals Beautiful Jaguar hearse and limousine fleet plus all other motorised options Horse drawn services
Contact Us
www.regencyfuneraldirectors.co.uk Tel: 01480 759408 Email: regencyfuneraldirectors@outlook.com 36 Cromwell House, High Street, Kimbolton, Huntingdon, PE28 0HA 28
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Your local, bespoke estate agent
NEW YEAR NEW RESOLUTIONS NEW HOME? Get in touch for your free market appraisal and personal moving plan
01480 597 799
www.carrestates.co.uk
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Happy New Year
OPEN Mon - Sat 6:30am - 9pm Sun 7:30am - 8pm budgens@robinsonkimbolton.co.uk 01480 860582 Thrapston Rd, Kimbolton 30
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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.
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Whitchurch Wines
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: Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc—£18.50
BURNS NIGHT BAR Our first venture into whiskey by the glass! To celebrate Burns Night, we will be offering several whiskies by the glass. Pop-in and try a dram before you head home for your haggis, neeps and tatties. For those non-whiskey drinkers out there, we will also be offering wine by the glass! A big thank you to everyone who came to our tastings, our cheese evenings, our pop-up bars, or just used the shop to buy a bottle of wine that was hopefully greatly enjoyed.
Your support is very much appreciated and we hope you have a great New Year.
WHAT’s ON IN JANUARY?
WHEN ARE WE OPEN?
10th Wine Bar Wednesday — Pop-up bar.
Wednesday 12-6pm Except WBW!
25th Burns Night Bar—some interesting Whiskey’s available by the dram!
Thursday 10:30-5pm
30th Cheese Tuesday - British cheeses supplied by Rennet and Rind, matched with wines. Reserve your board now!
Friday 10.30-7pm Saturday 10.30-5pm See Christmas opening times above for the festive period
For more information pop-in and ask, or email jeff@whitchurchwines.co.uk
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A Cunning Plan Estate agents are great problem solvers, but Paul Kinally from Peter Lane & Partners has a few wishes for a little extra help with the property market this New Year. 1. Please give us three million new houses in 2024. Not only that, but millions more to help catch up with where we should be after years of under-development. 2. Please improve the current development and planning laws and procedures that should be far simpler and more fit for purpose. It is crucial we implement a rational, sustainable and achievable house building programme throughout the UK as soon as possible. 3. Please make the property conveyancing procedure suitable for the twentyfirst century. Other countries can complete property sales and purchases in half the time we do. 4. Please may we have a Minister of Housing in the job long enough to learn what a trowel and spirit level are for? Over the past twenty years, we’ve had twenty-two housing ministers – twenty-three if you count the current minister who did the job before for just forty-eight days - hardly enough time for him to find his wellies, hard hat and high vis jacket. 5. Please help lower interest rates to make mortgages more affordable, especially for first time buyers. 6. In 1919 the British Government set out to build “homes fit for heroes”. After the banking crisis, Brexit and the pandemic with its difficult aftermath, please give us a UK government of whatever party with similar vision, ambition and resolve. If you can’t do any of the above, please bring a nice bottle of red…... Happy New Year! 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 34
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Bystander Community
Mandeville Hall T u e s d a y 2 nd J a n u a r y 2 0 2 4 T u e s d a y 6 th F e b r u a r y 2 0 2 4 T u e s d a y 5 th M a r c h 2 0 2 4
7.30pm for 8.00pm Start • Generous cash prizes • Raffle • Refreshments Available Bring a friend and come along and join in the fun All proceeds to the Mandeville Hall Charity Registered Charity No 302646
Huntingdon Grafham Water Lions Club sadly announces the closure of the Club with effect from December 31st 2023. Regrettably membership numbers have reduced to unsustainable levels for us to actively engage in the local community and the age of members plus some health issues have resulted in this decision. The Lions Club has been active in the local area since its inception in 1976 as Grafham Water Lions Club. During this time many thousands of pounds have been raised and donated to local worthy causes as well as supporting Lions International Foundation which provides grants in the UK and around the world when natural disasters strike. The local Club was for many years, known for the organisation of its Annual Safari Walk, a sponsored walk around Grafham Water, which was their main fundraiser, but this has not been restarted since the pandemic. Recently we have passed over responsibility for the Lions Adventure Club, which we ran in conjunction with Grafham Water Centre for 14 years, to them, to continue our commitment to the youth in the villages around the reservoir. Our spectacle and hearing aid recycling service at those locations we currently deal with, will continue. Telephone 0345 833 7516 for information or collections.
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November was a busy month for 1st Kimbolton, as all 4 GirlGuiding sections Rainbows, Brownies, Guides & Rangers - came together on two important occasions. The first was Remembrance Sunday, for which we made and laid a poppy wreath and took part in the Kimbolton Remembrance Parade. Thanks to the generous support of Kimbolton Castle Rotary Club we now have a unit flag for our Rainbows section, which the girls bore with pride. The second was our Christingle Craft Day. The Rainbows & Brownies had a full day of crafts and games, and we closed the day with a Christingle service. The Guides made beautiful craft items to sell at the Kimbolton Christmas Fair, then had a fun film night and sleepover. All in all, a lot of festive fun to get us in the Christmas spirit! For more information or to join us go to girlguiding.org.uk/joinus.
KEYSOE VILLAGE HALL BIG BREAKFAST Saturdays 9th December 20th January 17th February & 16th March 9.00am until last orders 11.00am Full English £7.00 Small English £4.50 Breakfast Bap £3.50 No need to Book just turn up and enjoy
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Services across the Benefice for January. For more information visit www.swhw.co.uk All 10.30am services can be accessed via Zoom: ID 418 4055 563 Passcode: 022067 Morning & Evening Prayer are held on Zoom at 8.30am & 5.30pm respectively on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday Join us at St. Andrew’s church on Friday for an informal bit of fun with your toddlers and pre-schoolers, along with refreshments and chat for the adults. 9.00am 10.30am during school term
ST. ANDREW’S, GREAT STAUGHTON
Sun 7th:
9.00am BCP Holy Communion 10.30am All Age Worship
Sun 14th: 10.30am Parish Communion Sun 21st: 10.30am Parish Communion Sun 28th: 10.30am Parish Communion
Happy New Year
ALL SAINTS, LITTLE STAUGHTON
ST. NICOLAS, HAIL WESTON
Sun 7th:
Wed 5th: 10.00am Morning Prayer
9.00am Parish Communion
Sun 21st: 9.00am Parish Communion
Sun 7th:
3.00pm Plough Sunday
Sun 28th: 4.00pm Benefice Evensong
Sun 14th: 9.00am Parish Communion Sun 21st: 3.00pm Creative Communion
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FRESH LOCAL VEGETABLE BOXES • • • • • • • • • • •
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Stock up on your coal & logs ready for winter
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”
TOP QUALITY FRESH FARM REARED MEAT BACON AND SAUSAGES ROASTING JOINTS FREE LOCAL DELIVERY ON LOGS COAL AND GAS
• • • • • • • • •
National Lottery Electric/Gas Top Ups
OFF LICENSE CIGARETTES CUT FLOWERS PLANTS & SHRUBS POTTING COMPOST RAILWAY SLEEPERS 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 DELIVERIES AVAILABLE T&Cs APPLY DHL CLICK AND COLLECT AVAILABLE CUBIC METRE DPD Phone in advance, pay by card HARDWOOD LOGS open 7 days a week Calor Gas Amazon pick up call for details Coal and returns hub HORSE & PET FOOD SUPERSTORE TOP END VILLAGE STORES Top End Farm, Lt Staughton, Beds Tel/Fax: 01234 376426 TOP QUALITY EQUESTRIAN & ANIMAL SUPERSTORE BULK BAGS OF WILD BIRD FEED HAY IN STOCK OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK PHONE FOR DETAILS, ANY PRODUCT FAST FREE DELIVERY Check out prices on our new website
HAY, STRAW, HAYLAGE ALL MAJOR BRAND HORSE FEED SHAVING + BEDMAX SUPPLEMENTS HORSE CARROTS STABLE MATTING FIELD MATS POST + RAIL ELECTRIC FENCING RODENT BAIT GRASS SEED + FERTILISER
POULTRY FOOD DOG FOOD CAT SMALL ANIMAL FEED & BEDDING WILD BIRD FOOD SUNFLOWER HEARTS, BLACK SUNFLOWERS ROBINS MIX 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”
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Robinson — GARAGE — EST 1927 HAPPY NEW YEAR
MOT - REPAIRS – SERVICING
KEEP YOUR CAR TESTED, SAFE & ROADWORTHY. 01480 860581 cars@robinsonkimbolton.co.uk robinsonkimbolton.co.uk Mon-Fri 0800-1700
MOT, Repairs, Servicing, Tyres, Exhausts, Brakes, Clutches, Computer Diagnosis, Air Conditioning and much more.
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I am currently trying to get to the end of the first draft of a novel and it is at times like this that I wish I was a writer of flash fiction instead. Flash fiction is the telling of a story in generally less than 1,000 words. There are many variations though, like The Roses Mini Saga Competition I mentioned last month where the word limit is 50. Apparently, Ernest Hemingway was once challenged to write a story in six words and so came up with, “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” It may well lack the word count of many tales but it has a beginning, a middle and an end and does tell a story. Here is a review I wrote for a book by one of my favourite flash fiction writers. If you want to find out more about this type of writing, this is a superb example.
On the Edge of a Raindrop is not a long book but it is a gem glistening with sparkly facets. There is a terrific introduction describing how the molecules in a raindrop cling together to keep the surface tension strong. But what happens on the edge of that raindrop? What happens when the surface breaks? This is what is covered in the stories within this book. The brevity of flash fiction is what makes it so powerful. Every word counts and nothing is wasted.
I read this while travelling recently as I find books like this ideal for times when attention levels are difficult to maintain for any length of time, or when there are constant interruptions. The stories in the first two sections, Mindscapes and Lifelines, are around 100 words long. The third section, called Microbursts, contains stories around 50 words long. And the words are beautiful. They get to the heart of everything concisely, then delve further into the darker parts of our fragile existence. It is hard to write such perfect little stories in so few words, yet still have them mean something and manage to engender feelings in the reader, but Sarah Brentyn does it incredibly well. I highly recommend this wonderfully written book and look forward to reading her other work, Hinting at Shadows. 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. 44
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Are you someone who owns a business or works for a local business? Come and join our monthly ‘more than just networking’ meetings Tilbrook Village Hall 11am -12.30pm - £10 First Wednesday of every month Please call or email to book your place
Three Shires John: 07702 597670 johnhitchin@btinternet.com
Networking 46
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We have been working in your area… WHAT’S YOUR KITCHEN CULTURE? Kitchen Culture Cambridgeshire are your local specialists in designing and installing exceptional bespoke interiors. We believe that your home should reflect your personality and your needs, whether it’s a single room update, or a more in-depth rework. Every room design that we create is bespoke to each customer, their style choices and budget.
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1. A free no-obligation survey and design consultation Call us or book your appointment online so that we can understand your project and see the room.
Our recently extended showroom will help to inspire your dream project and is based just outside the market town of St Neots in Cambridgeshire. With 12 working displays, you can see and feel a real selection of kitchen styles as well as leading appliances and worktop brands and all the exciting bells and whistles your home deserves. We can manage your entire project from concept to installation with our dedicated team. Alternatively, if you have your own team, we offer supply only options.
2. The Design process After a site visit we will draw up floor plans and 3D elevations. You can also wear our VR headset and ‘walk’ through your room! We take a lot of care in the detail to make your dream design a reality.
I would highly recommend Kitchen Culture; Simon and his team design, supplied and fitted our kitchen, meeting all our requirements along the way. Rob KC Customer “Excellent service throughout. I am so pleased we went with Kitchen Culture; Simon listened to what we thought we wanted and made some very helpful observations and suggestions …All the plumbers, electricians and fitters, were very professional and did an excellent job. We now have a tailormade, lovely looking, high quality kitchen that has made optimum use of the space available. M Wayland Showroom opening times: Tuesday - Friday, 9am - 5pm. Saturdays 9-4pm or by appointment.
3. Installation Once you are happy with your layout and the products that you have selected our dedicated and talented team will provide you with an end to end service right through to complete fit and finish of your bespoke solution.
Book an appointment with us: 01480 861822, info@kitchenculturecambridgeshire.co.uk
See our work on Instagram and facebook or visit www.kitchenculturecambridgeshire.co.uk
PERTENHALL ROAD GREAT STAUGHTON CAMBRIDGESHIRE PE19 5BE
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WILL CHUTER, Headmaster of Kimbolton School Appointed 1st September 2023 I wake up at 6am to the pips of the news on the Today programme and reach over with a heavy hand to turn it off quickly. Yes – the news is tough listening at the moment, but I’m hoping not to wake the rest of the family from their slumbers (my wife is Hannah, a physiotherapist and teacher, and we have Aggie, Bea (12-year-old twins) and Teddy, who is 10). I wash, dress, and wish I could say that I skip down the stairs of the Headmaster’s House with light feet, joyfully embracing the day and its many invigorating challenges. But really I yawn and trudge in the dark to the kitchen, to release the hounds. Ruby and Pippi are two working cocker spaniels – one very old and deaf, one young and bouncy. I take the excitable one for a walk around the school fields, hunting squirrels; the older one potters around the garden by herself. I have to make these dark mornings better with music or a podcast, so I’m afraid at these times I am one of those people who walks around in headphones, missing the sounds of nature all around – exactly the sort of behaviour I discourage in our teenagers. My podcasts are predictable: history (especially ancient – I am a Classicist), cricket, leadership, comedy. If I need a surge of energy or courage for something difficult ahead that day, Led Zeppelin III at full volume inspires me to worldchampionship levels of air guitar. Under cover of darkness, no-one can see your inner Jimmy Page. I do actually play the guitar, but rarely make time to do it, so this helps. We return to the house and I feed the dogs, unload the dishwasher to Radio 4, and snatch a moment with the Times online while eating breakfast before the children arrive. Strong black coffee is essential. Radio 2 goes on when the family come in. I see them, give them hugs and kisses and then head off to school on my bike up the High Street (if it’s dry!). It’s a lovely ride and very social: plenty of hellos on the way in. I get to the Castle for about 7.45am, unlock the enormous oak door into the Queen’s Room, open it with my shoulder and set up my computer for the day ahead. I must have the best Head’s office in England: it is a vast room with high ceilings and huge windows that overlook the 1st XI cricket pitch. It has a wonderful partner’s desk in it, which I believe has been written, leant (and probably slept) on by the past four Headmasters of Kimbolton. There are four rather stern Tudor portraits on the wall. I am hoping that they will start talking to each other soon, commenting on my conversations with staff, parents and pupils like those in Professor Dumbledore’s study. More importantly, the room was one of Katharine of Aragon’s during her confinement at Kimbolton, and it is said that she died in it. There are daily moments when I have 48
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to stop and wonder at my working environment. What a privilege to be working in a room once inhabited by a Queen of England! What a joy for us all to be in this beautiful building at the heart of this stunning estate. Aggie, Bea and Teddy are all at school here and there can’t be many better places to grow up. Each day is different at Kimbolton – one of the reasons I love it. When you are right in the middle of a community of nearly 1500 people, the variables are staggering. So, generally, if it might happen, it probably will! Typically, though, my day will be a variation on the theme of running meetings, talking to children, staff, prospective families, and parents, teaching PSHE, leading Assemblies, and attending school events. It is exciting that I play many roles as a Head – teacher, counsellor, planner, arbiter, problem-solver, decision-maker, supporter, speaker, leader – and I find that I am learning something new and testing myself in some way every hour. The chance to influence the workings of a school, and so the personal development and fulfilment of so many children and adults, is a genuinely rare honour and I relish it. The best bits of the school day are being out and about, chatting with children and staff, taking the temperature of the place, picking up bits of news or problems, and being there for people. Email is a curse, but I am fortunate to have a spectacularly good PA, Jane, who manages them (and me) superbly. And lunch is always a treat! On Saturdays I enjoy watching sports matches all day and talking to the players’ parents on the touchlines – another great way of finding out what people think and what we could do better as a school. I leave the office at around 6pm and try to get home quickly to see the family and catch up on their news. I will probably make some very ineffective attempt to direct homework (apparently being Headmaster has no traction here) and then help Hannah put them to bed before doing some more of my own work downstairs. Two to three nights a week I will be at a school event, whether a play, a concert, a parents’ evening, a dinner or a meeting. These are great and mercifully save me from tapping away at a keyboard past 9pm. Hannah, thankfully, does not enjoy my company enough to complain that we don’t see much of each other in term time! She is brilliant: patient, funny, kind, and has put up for a long time with this funny life of ours. Generally, Morpheus arrives by 11pm, after some reading, which I love but never have enough time for in the term. Currently on the go are Tom Holland, Primo Levi and (sometimes) WH Auden. They help me disconnect from the day and drift off happily. Please mention Village Bystander when responding to adverts
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Canine Corner - Preparing your dog for the arrival of a new baby When a new baby arrives, life changes for everyone in the household, including the family dog……. Before your baby arrives: • •
• • •
Vary your routine so that your dog gets used to being walked and fed at different times of the day. When a baby arrives, routines change and may be different day to day so it will help if your dog does not expect things at the same time each day. Get your dog used to being separate from you, behind a baby gate with a stuffed kong. If your dog currently has constant access to you, it will come as a shock if he gets shut out of a room when you have guests or when baby is on the floor. This could lead to behaviour problems, so get him used to it for short periods each day. Familiarise your dog with baby equipment such as pushchairs and noisy baby toys, especially if he is easily worried. Get him used to baby noises and crying sounds from the internet- play them quietly to begin with and pair them with some tasty treats. Establish basic training- especially drop, leave, stay and come as these will be useful once the baby arrives. Once your baby is here you won’t have much time for training! Work on specific behaviour problems before the baby arrives. Practise walking your dog with the pushchair. Reward him with treats and praise for walking nicely.
When your baby arrives: • • •
•
Bring worn baby clothes home from the hospital for sniffing. On the day your baby comes home, make sure your dog has had a walk in the morning so he's nice and calm. Your dog will be curious. Never tell your dog off for wanting to sniff your baby, you want him to associate the baby with positive emotions. Allow him to sniff, with lots of praise for being gentle. Be vigilant without being nervous- dogs pick up on anxiety. Many dogs have never met a new baby and it may take a few days for your dog to get used to the new family member. If you are concerned by your dog’s behaviour, ensure your baby's safety and contact a qualified behaviourist for advice. Ensure your dog has adequate physical and mental stimulation and some undivided attention each day. Include them in family activities such as walking with the buggy.
•
Never leave your dog and your baby unsupervised, even for a second. If you leave the room, call the dog to come with you or pick the baby up. Don’t leave the Moses basket where the dog could accidentally knock it down.
•
A crawling baby can be unnerving for a dog and can move surprisingly quickly across the room towards a dog in its bed. When your baby starts to move around, ensure your dog has a safe place that it can retreat to where it will be undisturbed. Most problems between dogs and babies develop as a result of parents not noticing signs of anxiety in the dog and expecting the dog to put up with far too much.
Laura Travis BSc (Hons) PG Dip CABC - Clinical Animal Behaviourist 50
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RURAL PROPERTY &
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www.taylorlandlimited.co.uk 01234 269437 info@taylorlandlimited.co.uk Taylor Land, Taylor House, Roman Gate, Saxon Way, Great Denham, Bedford, MK40 4FU
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Baby and Toddler Activities Grafham Little Fishes, Stay and Play Session for 0 to 4year olds All welcome on Wednesdays 10.00 to 11.20, term time only, in Grafham Village Hall. Just turn up for free play time, followed by a short bible story, action songs and simple craft. For more details, contact Jane Rowley 01480 890986 littlefishes@eastleightonstone.com Family Fun Friday St Andrew's Church, Great Staughton, 9.00am - 10.30am term time only. Tea, coffee, playtime, story time, singing. Contact Sylvia - 01480 812022 for more details. St Neots Toy Library - Mon to Thurs 8.45am - 4.30pm, Fridays 8.45am-1.00pm. At The Butterfly Children’s Centre, next to Winhills School and The Eatons Children’s Centre next to Bushmead School. Telephone Lyanne 01480 358350/Jaci 01480 358340. Rhyme time - rhymes and stories for babies and toddlers aged 0 - 2 years. St Neots library. 2 sessions 10am & 11.15am term time only on alternate Fridays Baby Gym classes Promoting tummy time, sensory stimulation and adult two baby bonding bonding., Classes operate term time only, Friday mornings : 10.30am - 11.15am, Open sessions, no booking required., £5 per session, pay as you go (Cash only)., Operates at Huntingdon Gymnastic Club, Mayfield Road, Huntingdon, PE29 1UL, Run by Beccy Chapman Bsc WAHpc, Like Us on Facebook to keep updated, search: ‘baby gym 8-weeks to walking’ Riseley All Saints Church Junior Jivers - music and movement session followed by stay and play every Thursday at 930am term time only - Contact: Samantha Toseland Tel: 07880 700894 Young People’s and Children’s Organisations Guides, Brownies and Rainbows Kimbolton Guides, Brownies & Rainbows Esther Crook on 07713 165935 esthercrook1@gmail.com Gt Staughton Guides Lindy Bornman, email fgsguides@gmail.com Upper Dean Brownies & Rainbows, Karen Jones: email: div.nbeds@bedsguiding.org.uk Little Staughton Guides, Little Staughton Brownies Scouts, Cubs, Beavers 1st Kimbolton Scout Group, Contact: Jenny Hassell - 07541 196834 1st Brington Scout Group, Contact: Tim Collins - 07881 821649 Dance/Performing Arts Linda Allen School of Dance – Ballet, tap and modern jazz from 3+ years - Spaldwick and Kimbolton Ladies ballet and tap in Kimbolton, 01480 861332, lindaallendance@btinternet.com www.lindaallendance.com Stageworks Studios, St Neots. Dance, drama and singing classes for ages 3+. 01480 223331 Motion Dance Academy, Hinchinginbrooke Shcool, Huntingdon - 07887 932294, Miss Mollie www.motiondanceacademy.co.uk missmollie@motiondanceacademy.co.uk 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
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Riseley Rascals, Riseley Village Hall (Term Time Only) St. Leonards Day Care, Brington
07986 313037 9:30- 11am Tuesday morning 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
Hunt & Coombs solicitors
Legal Services
for you and your business Contact us for advice on: ı Wills, trusts & probate ı Tax advice & succession planning ı Lasting Powers of Attorney ı Family law & divorce
St Neots 01480 702207 ST NEOTS
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ı Residential property ı Dispute resolution ı Professional negligence ı Business & commercial law
Oundle 01832 273506 HUNTINGDON
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Clubs, Groups and Organisations Great Staughton Village Hub Details on the Great Staughton and Perry Facebook page Kimbolton Senior Citizens lunch club (Thurs, 12noon) Mandeville Hall, Buckley/Hellett 01480 861540/860735 St Neots and District U3A Sheila Crook 01480 399816 Catworth Women’s Group Barbara Cawdell 01832 710404 Catworth Quilters Group Pam Wardle 01832 710324 Ellington Neighbourhood Watch Rick Wilcox 01480 890902 Gt Staughton Horticultural Society Mike Keeble 01480 860855 Grafham & Ellington Art Group Jackie Woods, 01480 890279 Whist Drives, Ellington Steve Sherratt , 01480 891418 Gt Staughton Playing Field & Pavilion Bob Jewell 01480 861259 Neighbourhood Watch Gt Staughton Frank Backhouse, 01480 861167 Kimbolton Flower Club Carol Grundy 01832 710339 Kimbolton Local History Society Nora Butler 01480 861007 Save the Children Fund Nora Butler 01480 861007 Hargrave Investment Club Rick 07905 211919 or Sue 07818 050034 Kimbolton Parish Council Lionel Thatcher 01480 861877 Bell Ringing (Kimbolton Church) Mary Foster 01480 861594 Kimbolton Fire Station - recruitment Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service 01480 444500 Little Staughton Parish Clerk Mary Jordan 01234 376383 email lspcclerk1@gmail.com. Pertenhall & Swineshead Parish Clark Diane Robins, 07786 656088 clerk@pertenhallandswineshead-pc.gov.uk Bolnhurst & Keysoe Parish Council Clerk Samantha Langley 07977 828153 Stow Longa Village Community - social events Christine Hayes 01480 860519 Christine.Hayes@StowLonga.org.uk Churchwarden, All Saints’ Church Pauline Swinden 01480 509043 Tilbrook Village Newsletter www.tilbrookvillage.life Tilbrook Amenites Committee Chairman, Stephen Birch, chairman tilbrookvillagelife@gmail.com Tilbrook Parish Council Clerk Lionel Thatcher, 01480860055 Kimbolton WI Anne Beszant 01480 860672 Ellington WI Jan Sherratt 01480 891418 Gt Staughton WI Ruth Easom, rutheasom@gmail.com Pertenhall WI Alison Gladstone 01933 563064 Perry WI perrywigroup@gmail.com Kimbolton & district Royal British Legion David Henrick 01480 896556 Kimbolton Castle Rotary Club Chris Davies 01234 376542 Ellington Village Club Sue Rice (Chairperson) 01480 896139 The Villages Gardening Club Jan Roche 01832 710561 janetroche0@gmail.comKimbolton Hunts Phil Orchestra & Chorus info@huntsphil.org.uk, choir@huntsphil.org.uk orchestra@huntsphil.org.uk North Beds Ramblers Margaret Sawyer northbedswalks@gmail.com, www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walk ing/ramblers-groups/north-bedfordshire-group Village Halls Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton, bookings Stan Rhodes, 07367 783886 Village Hall, Catworth, bookings www.catworthvillagehall.co.uk Village Hall, Ellington Anita Dowdall 01480 891821 Village Hall, Gt Staughton, bookings Vicki Goldsmith 01480 860005 Village Hall, Hail Weston Dawn Isaac 01480 477003 Village Hall, Keysoe Janet Browning 01234 376577 bookings@keysoevillagehall.co.uk Village Hall, Keyston, bookings Chrissy Faulkner, 07714 080837 Village Hall, Little Staughton Kevin and Maria Foskett, 01234 376260 Village Hall, Old Weston oldwestonvillagehall@gmail.com
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Village Hall, Pertenhall, bookings Village Hall, Tilbrook Village Hall, Yelden
Paul Sheard paulsheard@aol.com 01480 861457 Erica Jago, 07903 987445, bookings.tilbrookvillage@gmail.com www.tilbrookvillage.life 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 Tennis Club, Kimbolton Roy Butler, 01480 861007 Tennis Club, Gt Staughton Nicole Yates, 01480 860616 Badminton Club (Kimbolton) Shirley Osborne 860198/Jill Strand 861508 Cricket Club, Kimbolton Mark Field, 07769 159496 Cricket Club, Little Staughton Adrian Thrasher 07834 602086 Carpet Bowls, Catworth Marge Baker, 01832 710145 Carpet Bowls, Kimbolton Angela Fox, 01480 861264 Carpet Bowls, Gt. Staughton Anthony Withers, 01480 861224. Carpet Bowls, Spaldwick Andrew Vickers, 01480 891201 Carpet Bowls, Ellington Beryl North, 01480 471146 Carpet Bowls, Colmworth Brenda Bol, 01234 376685 Catworth Playing Field Mary Matthews, 07717 246107 PE28 Kickboxing, Grafham Village Hall Mark James, 01480 819478 Little Staughton keep fit Chris Clarke, 07739184942 Great Staughton Golf Society Derek Fitzgibbon, 01480 861234 Grafham Tang Sou Dao Club Steven Treadaway 01480 812433, info@cambstangsoudao.co.uk Pilates - Riseley Caroline Eames - 07535 296836 strengththroughmovement01@gmail.com Shotokan Karate club Brampton Memorial Hall Sharnbrook and Colworth RUFC Head Coach – Jim Wigfield – 07771 575450, 2014/15 Captain – David Day – 07860335228 Yoga Classes, Little Staughton, Hail Weston, Linda Tongue 01480 350345, Brampton, Catworth & Godmanchester 07733343702, lindatongue@yahoo.co.uk
Mobile Library Service 0345 045 5225 for enquiries / renewals
2nd Wednesday of the Month (R. H10) - 10th January Diddington : Manor Farm 9.30am to 9.50am Southoe : The Church 10.05am to 10.25am Spaldwick : High Street 10.45am to 11.05am Stow Longa : The Green 11.15am to 11.45am Catworth : Station Road Midday to 12.30pm Covington : Cross Street 1.45pm to 2.15pm Kimbolton : Stow Road (Newtown) 2.30pm to 3.45pm Kimbolton : Castle Gardens 3.50pm to 4.30pm
4th Tuesday of the Month (R. H23) - 23rd January Bythorn : School Lane 10.00am to 10.20am Molesworth : Phone Box 10.25am to 11.00am Brington : Church Lane 11.10am to 11.35am Old Weston : Village Hall 11.45am to 12.20pm Leighton Bromswold : The Avenue 12.30pm to 1.00pm
4th Wednesday of the Month (R. H24) - 24th January 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.
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Listings of Businesses in Our Area Architects/Planning/Drawings PJP Architects, 07801 054648, p.19 Art, Framing, Artists, Crafts, Ceramics, Gallery, Hobbies Engraved By Elle, www.engravedbyelle.co.uk, p.21 Grafham Coins, 01480 811227, p.19 La Cote D'or Antiques, 01480 861587, p.12 The Framery Ltd, 01480 860086, p.21 Boutiques Blue Blancmange, 07970 666258 Building Services/Home Maintenance/Garage Doors Castle Veiw Construction, 07563 608344, p.6-7 Donna the Tiler, 07712 431337, p.35 GAP Home Improvements, 07935 002610, p.57 Castleview Construction, 07563 608344, p.6-7 Garolla Roller Shutter Doors, 01480 630081, p.13 Harper and Day Carpentry, 07854 765020, p.35 R&D Maskey, 01234 825015, p.45 Saints Brickwork Ltd, 01480 479355, p.24 Taylor Stilton, 01480 860047, p.45 The Home Handyman, 01480 861898, p.21 Business Networking Three Shires Networking, 07788 558964, p.46 Computer/IT Services/Marketing Arlo Creative, 07747 185291, p.39 Oxygen IT, 01480 390395, p.12 Silver Websites, 07340 234555, p.40 Social Beans, 07808 020554, p.40 Domestic Services Andrew Blair, Carpet Cleaning, 07867 499792, p.19 Home ‘n’ Dry, Carpet Cleaning, 01487 840310, p.58 Howard Galley Satellite engineer, 07894 433084, p.5 Russell Chamberlain Chimney Sweep, 07875 288087, p.27 Education/Tuition Inn Farm Private Day Nursery, 07802 826798, p.15 One to One Tuition, 07803 504631, p.59 Electrical Services Aircon Tom, 07402 745802, p.11 DAC Services, 01234 709347, p.2 Selec Solar, 01480 400607, p.25 Spaldwick Electrical, 07446 965998, p.58 Estate Agents/Letting Agents/Property Bletsoes, 01832 732188, p.27 Carr Estate Agents, 01832 778800, p.29 Peter Lane & Partners, 01480 860400, p.60 Top Hat Projects, 07814 709320, p.19
Funeral Directors Crowsons, 01832 272269, p.23 Regency Funeral Directors, 01480 759408, p.28 Gardening/Landscaping/Design/Tree Care/Logs/Repairs Eden Tree Specialists, 01234 960796, p.23 Manor Farm, 07849 528684, p.23 Roots & Newts, 01234 871896, p.3 Urban and Rural, 01480 476808 General Stores/Farm Shops/Shopping Events Budgens, 01480 860582, p.30-31 Top End Stores, 01234 376426, p.41 Whitchurch Wines, jeff@whitchurchwines.co.uk p.51 Health/Treatments/Beauty/Wellbeing/Counselling/ Fitness Henry Davies personal Trainer, 07747 466459, p.9 Jill Dighton, 07925 852985, p.9 Kimbolton Swimming Pool, 01480 862276, p.9 Love Yourself Beautiful, 07565 459602, p.10 Rosie’s Salon, 07733 482359, p.9 The Ashgrove Clinic, 01933 469043 p.8 The Nest at 53, 07778 024564, p.10 Kitchens Kitchen Culture, 01480 861822, p.47 Music, Theatre, Singing, Entertainment Carol John, 01234 708029, p.35 Pets/Petcare Services /Equine/Training Kimbolton Vets, www.kimboltonvets.co.uk, p.13 Penhazy Parlour, 07774 519694, p.27 Top End Stores (Animal Feed), 01234 376426, p.41 Plumbers & Heating Engineer Anglia Oil Tanks, 01638 662955, p.42 DAC Services, 01234 709347, p.2 Hill Heating, 01480 890929, p.27 Hydroflow, 07917 176375, p.35 Solicitors/Legal/Probate Services Hunt & Coombs Solicitors, 01480 702207, p.53 Storage Jonathan, 07753 638948, p.27 Vehicle Services/Vehicle Care/Vehicle Sales/Transport Robinsons Garage, 01480 860581, p.43 Wedding Services Styled by Lulabelles,tasha@styledbylulabelles.co.uk,
Financial Advisers & Financial Services Beacon Wealth Management, 01480 869466, p.33
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To advertise in Village Bystander please call Julie on 07928 778457
.Windows .Composite Doors .Bi-folding, Patio & French Doors .Orangeries & Garden Rooms .Warm, Flat & Replacement Roofs .Roofline .Porches & Canopies
Warm Roofs & Conservatories
Personal new build design service or thermal efficient refurbishments.
Follow on Facebook to win a free composite door!
To book a free consultation in the comfort of your own home or at our Roxton showsite, contact Alex Watts today!
07935 002 610 Roxton Garden Centre, Bedford Road, Roxton, MK44 3DY 01480 219 004 | www.gaphomeimprovements.co.uk
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Spaldwick Electrical
Local Electrician Jason Pope
For all your Electrical Needs No Job too Big or Small Domestic or Commercial Fuse Board Upgrades Rewires, New Sockets Oven and Hob Installs or Repairs Outside Sockets or Garden Lighting Extensions or Refurbishments New Kitchen Electrics EV Chargers Internal Lights Heating Electrical Faults or new install Professional, Quality and Reliable Service All Work Guaranteed Fully Insured, Experienced and Qualified Highly Recommended Locally
A Deep Down DRY Clean For your Carpets & Rugs Immediate use as soon as cleaned! Substantial benefit to asthma sufferers! No colour run and No shrinkage! Upholstery Also Cleaned
Stop Press!!
Contact Jason Now to arrange a Free Quotation
leather upholstery now Cleaned
01480 400607
Call Bryan on: 01790 763040 Or: 07766 576381
office@spaldwickelectrical.co.uk www.spaldwickelectrical.co.uk www.facebook.com/SpaldwickElectrical
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 Bedford Hinchingbrooke, Huntingdon
01223 245151 01234 355122 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 58
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
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ONE 2 ONE TUTOR
John Tose One2One Tutor @DirectLearning1 For further information • MATHS TUITION or to discuss your • ONLINE ONE TO ONE TEACHING own or your child’s educational needs, • KEY STAGE 2,3,4 please contact: John Tose 07803504631 jtose@sky.com
• GCSE AND FUNCTIONAL SKILLS • ENTRANCE EXAM PREPARATION
LEARNING THROUGH • ADULT STUDENTS WELCOME ENJOYMENT • REGULAR ASSESSMENT Please mention Village Bystander when responding to adverts
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Brand New Semi-Detached Home. One of Just Two, Superbly Positioned with South-Facing Garden. Around 1,500 Square Feet of Outstanding Accommodation Arranged over Three Floors. Spacious Lounge with Double Doors Opening onto South-Facing Garden. Stunning Kitchen/Breakfast/Dining Room with Comprehensive Range of Quality Cabinets and Appliances. Principal Bedroom and En Suite with Twin Basins, Shower and WC. Three further Bedrooms, Family Bathroom and Guest Cloakroom. High Specification including Oak Internal Porcelanosa Tiling. TelDoors, 01480 860400 ECO Air-Source Heating/Underfloor Heating. kimbolton@peterlane.co.uk Generous Plot with Extensive Off-Road Parking. Conveniently Located for Local School and Facilities and Access to Major Call Now to Arrange a Viewing or your Free Road and Rail Links.
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New Year, New Home! Spaldwick Guide Price £495,000
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Tel 01480 860400 kimbolton@peterlane.co.uk Tel 01480 860400 Tel 01480 860400 Call Now to Arrange a Viewing or your Free Valuation kimbolton@peterlane.co.uk kimbolton@peterlane.co.uk