March 26 Online Edition by bystandermagazinesltd

Letter from the Editor:

Hello and a warm welcome to our March edition! With spring just around the corner, there’s a sense of renewal and optimism in the air. We’ve packed this edition with inspiring stories and practical advice to help you make the most of the season ahead.

In this edition, we explore how Inn Farm Nursery inspires children to learn through natural resources, embracing heuristic play with everyday items to spark creativity and curiosity.

Beacon Wealth Management focuses on financial planning that values proactivity over perfection. Flexibility matters; now is an ideal time to review your finances.

Ever wondered if your will could be contested? Wilson Browne Solicitors unpick the common questions around will challenges, offering practical advice to help you protect your wishes and keep family harmony intact –or at least give it your best shot!

The property market is also looking brighter, with Paul Kinally from Peter Lane & Partners explaining why there’s reason for optimism in 2026. After years of uncertainty, a gentle rise in house prices is a welcome sign, and it’s good to see some stability returning at last.

For our pet lovers, Canine Corner tackles the important topic of food guarding and avid readers will appreciate Georgia Rose’s review of “The Black Banner”—an ideal choice for those longer evenings.

Here’s to lighter days, fresh starts, and plenty to look forward to. Enjoy the issue!

Julie

This Month’s Contributors:

Lee Munday, Paul Kinally, Penny Young, Tony Larkins, Joanne Cox, Georgia Rose, Hazel Wright, Eugene Smith, Sally Gower, Ross Richardson, Sam Venn

February Contents

Editor’s Letter

P.4

Health, Fitness, Beauty & Wellbeing p.6-10

Inn Farm - Learn Through Natural Resourses p.14

Penny Young - Our Family Memories of the R101 p.16-17

Gardening & Outdoor Section p.22-25

Lee’s Gardening Corner p.22

Cambridgeshire Fire & Rescue p.29 & 80

Hazel Wright - Living Behind the Mask p.32

Beacon Wealth Management - This Is Your Life p.33

Eugene Smith - Remake it So - Part Two p.36

Georgia Rose - The Black Banner p.44

Peter Lane and Partners - Reasons for Optimism in 2026 p.48

Wilson Browne - Could Your Will Be Challenged? By Your Spouse Or Adult Child? p.52

Sally Gower - Fin-tastic Ocean-Dwellers p.54

Bystander Community p.56-71

The Staughtons with Hail Weston Church Services p.58

Canine Corner - Food Guarding p.76

Carry on Cruising p.78

From your Cambridge Correspondent p.84-85

What’s On for Children? p.92

Nurseries, Primary & Secondary Schools p.92-93

Useful and Emergency Numbers p.93

Clubs, Groups & Organisations p.94-95

Mobile Library Times p.95

Business Listings p.96

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So what is Heuristic play, I hear you ask! The word heuristic means helping to find out/discover by trial and error.

Heuristic play is offering a collection of everyday items that will ignite toddler’s natural curiosity and exploration. It encourages them to handle objects and explore them in many different ways, for example: stacking, filling, transporting and gathering.

You can offer your child the opportunity to be curious and explore heuristic play by collecting a variety of natural and household items, for example fir cones, dolly pegs, flower pots, corks, jar lids, cardboard tubes, boxes and lids, curtain rings and shells just to name a few.

Giving children opportunities to explore a variety of objects can build on their concentration levels as well as support their learning and development, for example heuristic play encourages children to practise their fine motor movements and hand-eye co-ordination. It gives them the opportunity to explore different shaped items and begin to have an awareness of size and quantity. It will also open up opportunities for children to talk about what they see and feel, using their imagination and creativity along with their language skills to explore the items further, in their own unique way.

It is important to remember that safety comes first and that all items provided for heuristic play should be of a suitable size for the age of the children and this type of play must be supervised at all times, to ensure your child’s safety.

So why not try gathering a selection of natural and manmade items from around your home and allow your child to explore them, knowing that they will be learning whilst they play.

Joanne Cox, Manager, Inn Farm Private Day Nursery, OFSTED graded OUTSTANDING JUNE 2023

If you have any areas relating to childcare that you would like us to discuss, please email manager@innfarmdaynursery.co.uk or call 07961 291058

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Our Family Memories of the R101

Penny Young

I was particularly keen to attend the first talk of the year at Kimbolton Local History Society, entitled “The Rise and Fall of R101 Airship”given by Nick Cooke. In 2025 the same speaker gave a fascinating talk on Bletchley Park, the former top-secret home to Britains WW2 code breakers. I had visited Bletchley Park several times over the years and read numerous books on the subject and doubted that I would learn anything new – I was in for a big surprise!

Similarly, on the R101 – I thought there was nothing new for me to learn on this topic and again this enthusiastic speaker blew me away!

You see from 1977 – 1980 my late husband and I ran ‘The Bell’ public house at Cotton End, which is situated less than a mile from the huge sheds at Cardington which housed the R100 and R101. When we took over the tenancy of the pub, we inherited a collection of at least a hundred black and white framed photographs of airships, which adorned the walls in both the lounge and public bars. The photos were not just of the two most well-known airships, but I remember pictures of the R32 and R38 and others, thinner, cigar shaped craft. What was most unbelievable were the interior photos of the R101 airship. It really was like looking at a ‘flying cruise liner’. I can recall ornate staircases, a ballroom and dining room, with all the tables laid with the finest place settings. These rooms were inside the balloon itself, not in a capsule hung from the underside of the dirigible. When the speaker showed photographs of a ‘smoking room’, (which I had not seen amongst our many photographs), there was an audible gasp from the room, as we all collectively realised that this was an accident just waiting to happen. Remember, only a matter of inches away was the ‘envelope of gas’ which got the airship airborne, but the gas used was hydrogen, chosen because it was the lightest gas available and inexpensive, but of course highly flammable.

The R101 had undergone a few test flights, before it was deemed ready to go on a proving flight to Karachi, (then in India), on 4th October 1930. 54 people were onboard, including the Secretary of State for Air, Lord Thompson, and other high-ranking officials. Very early into the flight, whilst over Northern France, the airship ran into bad weather and foundered, nose diving into the ground, and bursting into flames on contact, right on the edge of a forest in Beauvais, and all but six people on board were killed.

The accident was a national disaster, and the coffins of all the dead were brought back from northern France, where they rested in state in Westminster Hall, before being brought back to Bedfordshire and a funeral at Cardington, where they were all buried in a mass grave in the cemetery across the road from the church.

The speaker at the talk told us about the creation of ‘Shortstown’, a new village, built to house all the workers employed on the R100 and R101 projects and that it was named after the Shorts

brothers, whose company were building the airships – ‘Shorts Town’ – Shortstown! All these years and it had never occurred to me why it was so named and likewise, when I stopped running my own pub and became an auditor, I used to do the stocktakes at the R.A.W. Club at Shortstown. I did not appreciate then that this stood for the Royal Airship Works Club, which would have been built as an entertainment venue or meeting place for the airship workers, the working mens club of its day, there was no pub in this new village.

Sometimes, back in the late 1970’s, we would unusually have a quiet Saturday night at our pub, because the R.A.W. Club was putting on entertainment, and our customers would go the mile and half down the road to Shortstown and see a comedian or singer. Despite the fact that the disaster had happened 40 odd years before we came to the village, the memory was clearly deep in our customers’ DNA; they knew people whose grandfathers were on the fateful voyage, or who worked on the airships. One name has come back to me through the mists of time –‘Billy Bell’; I had to check first with google and then message a former customer of the pub, –yes – a William Bell was one of the six people to survive the accident and yes, William Bell was Billy Bell’s father!

My late father was fascinated with the pictures in the pub and would sometimes sit and talk with our regulars, reminiscing about when he saw the airship flying over his village in North Bedfordshire, in preparation for the inaugural flight. He said the airship was so huge that, for the moment it was directly above you, the sky seemed to go dark. We learned at the talk that the R101 could reach speeds of 70 miles per hour, an astounding fact.

Then Dad told us something which was clearly one of his earliest memories. He was born in January 1926 (Dad would have been 100 this year!) In October 1930, aged 4, he was taken by his grandparents to the funeral of those lost in the disaster. They lived in Pertenhall, probably 17 miles from Cardington and Dad said that he could remember all the roads into and out of Bedford, blocked with the cars of people travelling to the funeral.

I got to thinking about the timing, Dad was brought up by his grandparents, after his mother died when he was not quite three years old. His Dad quickly remarried and his stepmother was expecting a baby, (Dad’s half-brother, Bob) who was born on 22nd November, the following month. It is hardly surprising that the grandparents took this lively little boy out of the way, whilst his stepmother was so heavily ‘in the family way’.

My further memories are of being taken to the ‘sheds’ at Cardington, when I was at school in Bedford. It is impossible to describe how absolutely gigantic they are, particularly to a 12-yearold. Indeed, we were told that the length of the shed housing R101 would be the equivalent of 20 double-decker buses being parked nose to tail!

Like my dad, these early memories do stick in one’s mind and two other memorable school trips, one more when I was at school in Bedford, we were taken to the green fields around Bletchley and Stony Stratford and told that this is where a new town called ‘Milton Keynes’ was going to be built.

An earlier trip, whilst I was still at Kimbolton Primary School, we went, by Robinsons coaches, to the area around Grafham and were shown the farmland and a village, which was soon to be flooded to create Grafham Water – I am really showing my age now!

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Old Kimboltonians’ Freemasons Lodge Meeting at Kimbolton Castle

2026 Meeting dates Friday 27 March, Friday 29 May, Friday 16 October & Friday 11 December, all commencing at 6.00 p.m.

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Gardening and Outdoor Section: p.22-25

Lee’s Gardening Corner

Spring will be here soon (21st), but March can be a difficult time for gardeners, and after so much rain last month things will probably still be quite soggy. We have to make the most of what is busy growing and giving us as much colour and scent as possible. You could now start to have a go at the lawn - rake off the moss, feed and mow if required (and it's not too wet). Check on any stored fruit and veg, make sure they are not rotting. If you have dahlia tubers stored check these too, towards the end of the month they can be potted up with compost, still kept somewhere dry and frost free, they will then start to shoot and grow ready to be planted out once the frosts are over. If you have outside vegetable beds these can now be dug over, adding some manure for goodness, broad beans can then be sown outside. Tomatoes will germinate well this month, as long as they can be kept inside (either a warm greenhouse or window sill).

March is the best time to make sure the inside of the greenhouse is clean and tidy. Flower borders can be tidied, dig up perennial weeds and tidy shrubs (cut off dead and diseased branches). Roses, buddleia and dogwoods can be pruned, and any herbaceous perennials that are too big can be lifted, split and replanted (more plants for free). Be aware it is the start of the nesting season so keep a look out for bird activity.

Planting can begin this month as long as frosts aren't forecast, especially any bare root plants such as roses. Summer bulbs (such as gladioli and lilies) can be planted, either in the ground or pots for displaying.

Flowers to look out for and admire this month include Narcissi, Crocus, early Tulips, Magnolia stellata, Primulas and wallflowers.

Lee Munday

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Living Behind the Mask

Ruby was sitting up in bed, phone in hand. Her husband lay beside her, still fast asleep. Ruby was doing her usual early morning scrolling of Facebook. There was a huge part of her that wished she could stop herself doing it - everyone else always seemed to be doing more, having more, navigating life much better than she could.

Fiona was a good example of this. Ruby attended a book club once a month, led by a lovely lady called Gail. Fiona had joined the book club about six months ago. Most people, when they joined the club, came in quietly and felt their way into the group. Fiona had come in with a bang – immaculately dressed and made up, and ready to offer an opinion on everything. She had begun to dominate the group in a loud, invasive way. No one in the group particularly liked her, least of all Ruby, yet Ruby was the one Fiona seemed to always attach herself to.

At the last meeting, Fiona had asked Ruby to meet her for coffee. Ruby really didn’t want to go, but she had always found it difficult to say ‘no’ to people, however busy she was or however much she didn’t want to do something.

The afternoon they met, Ruby said hardly a word. Fiona just talked at her. ‘Does she talk through gills?’ Ruby found herself thinking,’ because she certainly doesn’t stop to breathe’. Fiona explained that the fact she was not married and had no children was entirely her choice. Her career dominated her life, and at least once a month she was jetting off abroad somewhere for a meeting or a conference. She also adored frequent holidays to Italy – in fact there didn’t seem to be a part of Italy she hadn’t visited.

As Fiona droned on, Ruby found herself checking the time. She had two children to collect from Primary school. She would then need to drag them round the supermarket before cooking dinner, listening to the children read and helping them with spellings. Then there would be the washing to sort, uniform to assemble for the next day and – Oh no!!! Wasn’t it World Book Day tomorrow? Didn’t they both need costumes? Ruby’s life couldn’t be more different than Fiona’s. She left Fiona, as she always did, feeling dowdy, under achieving, jealous and unfulfilled.

Ten days later, it was Book Club again. Ruby took a deep breath and walked slowly into the group. She waved at Gail, and looked around the group, waiting to be pounced on by Fiona. She couldn’t see Fiona anywhere. Gail wandered over to Ruby. ‘Where’s Fiona tonight?’ Ruby asked Gail, really hoping Gail would say she couldn’t come tonight. However, Gail’s reply could not have been more unexpected. ‘Fiona is in hospital,’ she said. ‘She attempted to take her own life.’

‘How can that be?’ Ruby stammered. ‘Her life was just perfect’.’ Clearly not as perfect as we all thought,’ Gail replied. ‘I think it’s fair to say she was living behind a mask, and we none of us got to know the real Fiona.’

Ruby could feel tears pricking her eyes, and a sense of guilt in her stomach. At that point, she realised just how lucky she was to have her life, and vowed never again to take people at face value. She would take time to look beyond the mask.

Hazel Wright: hazelwright1801@gmail.com

BEACON WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Your financial future is our priority

by Tony Larkins

Recently I attended a friend's funeral that stood as a testament to the long, happy life he had, full of opportunities embraced and moments fully lived.

While we can’t control everything that happens, we can choose how we respond, what we focus on, and what we pursue. Fear and discomfort are usually temporary; while action, adaptation, and conscious choice shape our destiny.

Choosing progress over perfection

The same can be true when it comes to our finances. Many of us feel pressure to “get it right” and make the perfect decisions, time things well, or follow a rigid plan. But life doesn’t move in straight lines. By now most people have broken their New Years resolutions – if indeed they made any; but you can decide anytime what you want or don’t want and start acting to achieve it. Careers can change, families grow, health and priorities evolve, and the unexpected has a habit of turning up when we least expect it.

Why flexibility matters

That’s why the most resilient financial plans aren’t built around perfection - they’re built around flexibility. This means allowing room to adjust when circumstances change, rather than feeling tied to decisions made years earlier. It’s about having options, not predictions. For some, that might mean ensuring savings are accessible if plans shift. For others, it could involve reviewing long-term goals regularly,

rather than assuming today’s priorities will still fit tomorrow’s life.

Confidence at every stage of life

Across every stage of adulthood, flexibility offers reassurance - the confidence that you can respond, rather than react, when life takes a turn. I know it isn’t easy; my friend lived a remarkably full life, and the same is possible for you. And if part of what you want is financial clarity or confidence, a member of my team can help you think it through. Not to tell you how to live - but to help ensure your money supports the life you want to live.

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

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Monthly Heating Oil Price Update:

Price Update

There’s been a clear rising trend through January as demand for heating oil domestically has forced up prices, particularly for short delivery windows.

What’s moving prices right now?

In the background political uncertainty is keeping crude oil prices higher than they might warrant. The knock-on impact is that kerosene is also hovering higher – and this could stay that way for a while as uncertainty lingers. You might see petrol prices dropping, but since it’s winter and demand is higher, that preventing heating oil going the same way.

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Last month’s cliffhanger saw us about to explore the world of remakes. I’m not looking at sequels as that’s a whole separate subject, which will be covered surprisingly soon. Here we go.

Dawn of the Dead (2004). Those who like proper horror films (as opposed the fans of aseptic anodyne fare such as Scream or Paranormal Activity, now on it’s 87th instalment) were deeply annoyed by Zack Snyder’s temerity in remaking George A Romero’s 1978 classic. Some boycotted it full stop, others viewed it with open but inherently sceptical minds. And it really wasn’t bad. There are a few obvious problems such as running zombies and too many characters, but the film has enough intelligence and verve to stand out from the bloated masses of zombie movies. It boasts a brilliant performance by Jake Weber, and very importantly has affection and respect for the original. When I hear modern directors calling older films “cheesy” the red mist descends, and not just because it’s a supremely irritating word. “Quirky”. There’s another one.

The main problem with the 2004 film is that apart from the mall setting and a few cameos it has very little in common with the original, making you wonder why Snyder didn’t use his obvious talents to make a completely new film.

“Picky bits” – there’s another one.

In 1998 Gus Van Sant took Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho and remade it pretty much shot-for-shot. Why he decided to do this remains a mystery. It’s the sort of project a film student might submit as their final coursework. As a commercial venture it’s even more pointless, adding nothing apart from colour and some buttocks to the original film. Both of which are freely available elsewhere. Bewildering.

“I’m like Marmite me!” – so you think people disliking you is a positive attribute?

Horror and science fiction are remade more often than other genres, usually for reasons involving the words “cash” and “in”. Remakes of Friday 13th, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Robocop were all dismal, but it’s not all bad. 2011’s prequel to The Thing was genuinely good. See, it can be done! And I’m looking at you, Rob Zombie. The 1982 Thing was a remake of 1951’s The Thing From Another World, making a very rare trilogy of excellent films spread over 60 years.

“Hubby”. “Better half”. You disgust me.

2016’s Dad’s Army is without doubt the nadir of remakes. It took an excellent cast (and Bill Nighy) and squandered them on a vulgar, witless, disrespectful and deeply unfunny celluloid tidal wave of excrement. Whereas the TV series (and indeed film) relied on subtlety and characterisation, the attempts at humour here are abysmal. Let’s have Godfrey urinate on another platoon member! Let’s have Fraser moon the enemy! Let’s introduce Mrs Mainwaring for no damned reason whatsoever! I can only talk about this film in short bursts as the risks to my health are too great.

“Holibobs”. “Crimbo”. You are dead to me.

Join me next month for more art fun!

https://eugenesmithwriting.com/

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I bought The Black Banner a while ago now for my niece but accidentally forgot to give it to her for her birthday, mainly because when it arrived I wanted to read it myself.

This is the sort of story I would have luxuriated in as a young tomboy of a teen, when I had time to fill and can remember whole days where I’d shut myself away with a book, lost for hours and taken completely into another world. If only I’d appreciated that luxury at the time! This is one of those books that would have stayed with me, it has stayed with me now even though I’m a little over its target audience age.

Set in 1719, this story tells of a time when pirates plagued the seas, preying on the merchant ships of the Caribbean. Becky Baxter leaves her drunken Ma and the evil Mr Crudder behind in Bristol, cuts her hair, and changes her dress for breeches before calling herself Billy and taking to the seas on the Bonny Marie. She is soon to come across pirates who sail under the black banner, which came before the more traditional skull and crossbones, and as entire crews are condemned to die beneath a cutlass blade unless they swear allegiance to the black banner what is to become of the crew she has sailed with so far?

This tale is written as a series of diary entries in Becky’s journal, which works very well. The writing is tight and graphic, and the story is paced perfectly. Hart has done an excellent job of depicting her characters, and as so often happens in fiction, we are drawn to the pirates, willing for them to survive…and not all of them do. If I were to be really, really picky, there is one reveal which I wish could have been drawn out a little longer, but that’s just a personal thing and took nothing away from the story. I don’t know that much about the history of this time, but as this book was written in association with The Long John Silver Trust, I feel confident in the authenticity of the details.

This is a terrific book for all those who like well-written action and adventure with great characters and an emotionally realistic storyline.

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.

Ways to donate and help SERV Suffolk & Cambridgeshire

Scan our CAF Bank QR Code

TEXT GIVING

To make a donation, it’s easy by SMS with the word BLOODRUNNER to 70085

To donate £5

Alternatively you can opt to give any whole amount Up to £20 for example BLOODRUNNERS20 to 70085

Or visit our Just Giving page

https://www.recycle4charity.co.uk/register/C156781

Do you know a group who would like to know more about what we do? Did you know we do talks and presentations?

If you are interested contact us at info@servsc.org.uk

Registered charity number 1189346

Reasons for Optimism in 2026

Despite a period of change, there are genuine reasons to feel positive about the year ahead. Forecasters expect UK house prices to grow modestly – around 2.5% in 2026 – pointing towards a more stable, gently rising market rather than the sharp swings seen in recent years. A steady environment tends to give both buyers and sellers more confidence to make a move. There is also renewed optimism in the mortgage market. Rates are generally lower than a year ago, product choice has expanded, and stress testing has eased slightly, making affordability less restrictive for many households.

Lenders are actively competing for business, which is good news for both first-time buyers and home movers. First-time buyers, in particular, are seeing more options at higher loan-to-value levels, with products for those with smaller deposits at some of their strongest levels for many years and this, along with continuing innovation from lenders, should help to create vital new routes into homeownership.

So now could be just the time to contact us to discuss your next move: Remember, the right advice doesn’t just find a lender. It finds the right lender for you.

Ultimately, the “right time” to move is when the timing is right for you. It is easy to wait for spring, assuming that’s when everyone else will act, but that can also mean more competition for the best homes. Moving sooner, while supply and demand are still re-balancing, can give you an edge as both a buyer and a seller – with more serious interest and less noise in the market.

Talk to Peter Lane & Partners

Every buyer, seller, landlord and tenant is affected differently by changes in the market. If you are wondering what they mean for your own move or investment plans, then a conversation with a local expert can make all the difference.

For friendly, professional advice on your next step, contact Paul Kinally at Peter Lane & Partners.

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.

Could Your Will Be Challenged? By Your Spouse Or Adult Child?

Many people think making a Will is only about choosing who receives their possessions, but it is just as important to ensure you make proper provision for the person closest to you.

By way of an example a second marriage and a desire to ensure your share goes to your children from your first marriage when you die. Your spouse may then be living in a house which partly belongs to your children with insufficient capital to maintain that house or live in the style which they enjoyed during your marriage.

When reasonable financial provision is not made, as above, the law allows that person to bring a claim against your estate, which can be expensive and deeply upsetting at such a difficult time.

If you are unsure what level of provision is appropriate, it is important to obtain specialist guidance. We can help you review your circumstances and prepare a Will that meets your intentions to seek to reduce the risk of future challenge. You may be reading this and feel that the provision left for you in a Will was unreasonable or unfair. The claims referred to above are not limited to spouses or partners but the criteria as to what is reasonable differs

Fin-tastic Ocean-Dwellers

As I read the news that the orange-tinted leader of the free world has rolled back an Obama policy on climate change to reduce the cost of vehicle manufacture, my heart sank. However, it did also remind me of an article I read in early 2018, during the first term of madness across the pond. News outlets reported that since Donald Trump had taken office, there had been a “Trump-Bump” in the number of donations to shark charities after he declared his hatred for them in an interview. Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and the Shark Trust all received noticeable boosts in their incoming donations.

My hope is that there’s a similar outcome this year – that conservation organisations experience a major uptick in the size and frequency of donations. (Although maybe a particular species needs to have been put at risk for this to occur? Hmm, let’s think. Ah, yes, humans.) It’s really just an excuse for me to mention sharks and wax lyrical about a few favourite species because I don’t get to talk enough about sharks in my daily life (travesty, right?), so forgive me for splurging about a favourite topic.

Whale sharks. What’s not to love about these gentle giants? They’re stunning, they move gracefully, and despite having mouths up to 4 feet wide, their teeth are so tiny they actually live off small fish, shrimp and plankton. Pretty much the equivalent of a bear walking up behind you and only being interested in the bag of Jelly Tots in your pocket. They can grow up to 12 metres in length and are the world’s largest fish. I can’t wait to be next to one in the water and admire such a beautiful animal.

Great whites. I love the film (and book) Jaws. The cage dive I did in February 2013 at Gansbaai, South Africa introduced me to the shark world and ever since I’ve been utterly fascinated. They’re incredible creatures, it’s breath-taking watching one breach the surface in search of a meal, and of course they’ll forever be iconic. Probably need more than a bag of Jelly Tots to distract them with though.

Basking sharks. Swimming around all day with your massive gob open to filter plankton. What a life. Sometimes found off the coast of Scotland – another bucket list adventure awaits… Hammerhead sharks. They’re endlessly fascinating and obviously there’s no escaping them with their (almost) 360-degree vision. And they’re impervious to stingray barbs. They’re also prone to swimming in schools (or shivers, if we’re using collective nouns). Basically your slightly nerdylooking bully with a massive entourage.

Greenland sharks. Considering they’re mostly blind and move incredibly slowly, that they’re the oldest species of shark with scientists estimating that some live up to 400-500 years old is rather impressive. As the Guardian noted this year, one researcher quipped that it “looks like it’s already dead”.

Lemon sharks. Let’s finish with one that sounds like a dessert. Simply adorable. The cutest shark fact ever is that in a behaviour known as ‘homing’ or ‘natal philopatry’, females swim back to their own birthplace to give birth to their pups, even after being away for years. Imagine having an in-built sat-nav that good. Props.

So long and thanks for all the fish.

Sally Gower

Bystander Community

HAIL WESTON WILDLIFE AND GARDENING GROUP

Tuesday 3rd March

7.30pm, Hail Weston Village Hall,

A talk by a representative of the Great Fen.

The Great Fen – 25 years of changing the landscape. The Great Fen is a vast fenland landscape between Peterborough and Huntingdon with a dramatic and fascinating history.

Members £1.00 per meeting (annual membership £7.00/year) non members £3.00 per meeting (certain meetings/events may cost more)

Light refreshments will be available for a donation and there will be a Raffle (4-6 prizes) including a garden centre voucher (£25) further information contact: tel_maggs2@225771mgl.co.uk

7-30PM FRIDAY 20TH MARCH

Mandeville Hall

Tuesday 6th January 2026

Tuesday 3rd February 2026 Tuesday 3rd March 2026

A fantasy drama in reverse chronological order, following Chuck ‘s life, the moral being that people shoud not make plans for an uncertain future. BAR, ICECREAMS & FREE POPCORN Tickets £5, £4 + booking fee at www.ticketsource.co.uk/mandevillehall-kimbolton

Or Bytes Café 10 to 12-30pm Mondays and Fridays Or on the door. Information at COMMUNITY CINEMA - The Mandeville Hall, Kimbolton

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

KIMBOLTON COMMUNITY CINEMA AT THE MANDEVILLE HALL

Saturday April 11th. 2:00-4:00pm

Mandeville Hall Kimbolton

Clothes books toys shoes white elephant handbags garden household items and more

Entrance £1 includes free raffle ticket

Tea coffee and homemade cakes £ CASH only sale.

Proceeds to Kimbolton community projects.

are sponsoring the cost of the Hall

Donations can be dropped off at the hall on… Friday from 2:00 to 4:00. Saturday 10:00 to 12:00.

10 to 12-30pm Mondays & Fridays in the Community Hall behind the Mandeville Hall

Bytes Café

Run by the Mandeville Hall for the Community

Coffee, Tea and Cakes Free IT help available with facilities for A4 & A3 copying & laminating

Kimbolton Probus Club

Our Probus luncheon club welcomes retired business or professional men and women from Kimbolton and neighbouring villages.

We meet on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 12:00 for 12:15pm at the Snooty Tavern Great Staughton and enjoy a delicious meal followed by a speaker.

Interested?? Contact either: -

Steve Jacklin, Social Secretary

01480 860805

Mary Foster, Chairman 01480 861594

KEYSOE VILLAGE HALL

BIG BREAKFAST

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21ST

SATURDAY MARCH 21ST

SATURDAY APRIL 18TH

9am - 11am

Full English - £8.50 Small English - £5.00

Tea & coffee included

No need to Book JUST TURN UP

Services in bold italics are also broadcast via Zoom:

meeting ID: 380915 8110 Passcode: 90Mn1s

In addition to the above on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday there is Morning Prayer at 8.30am and Evening Prayer at 5.30pm via Zoom

meeting ID: 460073 8580 Passcode: wJ94Sa

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

ALL SAINTS, LITTLE STAUGHTON

Sun 1st: 9.00am Parish Communion

Sun 15th: 9.00am Mothering Sunday Parish Communion

Sun 29th: 10.00am Palm Sunday Benefice Communion

ST. ANDREW’S, GREAT STAUGHTON

Sun 1st: 10.30am All Age Worship

Sun 8th: 10.30am Parish Communion

Sun 15th: 10.30am Mothering Sunday Parish Communion

Sun 22nd: 10.30am Parish Communion

Tue 31st 7.00pm Compline

ST. NICOLAS, HAIL WESTON

Sun 1st: 10.30am Morning Praise

Sun 9th: 9.00am Parish Communion

Sun 15th: 3.00pm Creative Communion

Sun 22nd: 9.00am Parish Communion

Sun 29th: 4.00pm Evensong

Mon 30th: 7.00pm Compline

Hunters Way

Kimbolton 01480 860205

HIV testing is quick, conÞdential and an important part of looking after your sexual health. Many people with HIV do not have symptoms, so testing is the only way to know your status.

Free testing options are available, including home testing and local services, making it easier than ever to get checked. Prevention, early diagnosis and effective treatment mean people with HIV can live long, healthy lives.

Order a free HIV test: https://ow.ly/ xGi350Y8L7v

Learn about HIV Prevention England and prevention support: https://ow.ly/ 9W2A50Y8L7x

Read about antibody and antigen tests: https://ow.ly/J9Pa50Y8L7I

Get information about HIV and AIDS: https:// ow.ly/ 412N50Y8L7z

Sunday 1st

Monday 2nd

What’s on in

Kimbolton

in March

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

Tuesday 3rd 9-11am Baby & Toddler Group. Youth & Community Hall

1-4pm Kimbolton Castle public open day 3pm Kim Jam. New Sun Inn

2.30pm WI. AGM. A Rhyme a Line by Pauline Swinden. Mandeville Hall 6-7.30pm Cubs. Scout Hut

2-4pm Carpet Bowls. Mandeville Hall 4.15 - 5.15pm Rainbows. Scout Hut 5.30 - 6.45pm Brownies. Scout Hut

Girlguides. Scout Hut. Check website for times: www.girlguiding.org.uk 7.30pm Bingo. Mandeville Hall

Wednesday 4th 10-12pm Bridge Club. Mandeville Hall 2-7.30pm Dance Class. Mandeville Hall 7.30-9.30pm Unleash Yoga Flow. Mandeville Hall

Thursday 5th 12pm Senior Lunch Club 2-7.30pm Dance Class. Mandeville Hall 4.30-5.45pm Beavers. Scout Hut

Friday 6th 10-12.30pm Bytes Cafe. Youth & Community Hall

Wines Monday 9th

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

Tuesday 10th 9-11am Baby & Toddler Group. Youth & Community Hall 2-4pm Carpet Bowls. Mandeville Hall 4.15 - 5.15pm Rainbows. Scout Hut 5.30 - 6.45pm Brownies. Scout Hut

Thursday 12th

Friday 13th 10-12.30pm Bytes Cafe. Youth & Community Hall

Saturday 14th

Monday 16th 10-12.30pm Bytes Cafe. Youth & Community Hall

Tuesday 17th 9-11am Baby & Toddler Group. Youth & Community Hall 2-4pm Carpet Bowls. Mandeville Hall 4.15 - 5.15pm Rainbows. Scout Hut 5.30 - 6.45pm Brownies. Scout Hut

Wednesday 18th 10-12pm Bridge Club. Mandeville Hall 12pm Kimbolton Probus Club. Commonwealth Wr Graves Commission, speaker Stewart McGeoch. Snooty Tavern, Gt. Staughton

Thursday 19th 12pm Senior Lunch Club 2-7.30pm Dance Class. Mandeville Hall 4.30-5.45pm Beavers. Scout Hut

Cubs. Scout Hut

Girlguides. Scout Hut. Check

Girlguides. Scout Hut. Check website for times: www.girlguiding.org.uk

Unleash Yoga Flow. Mandeville Hall

Friday 20th 10-12.30pm Bytes Cafe. Youth & Community Hall 7pm Community Cinema. The Life of Chuck. Mandeville Hall

Saturday 21st 10-1pm Village Halls Week Open Day at the Mandeville Hall. Tea/coﬀee & cakes available. 6-8pm Pop Up Wine Bar. Whitchurch Wines

Monday 23rd 10-12.30pm Bytes Cafe. Youth & Community Hall 10-12pm Fitness Class. Mandeville Hall 6-7.30pm Cubs. Scout Hut

Tuesday 24th 9-11am Baby & Toddler Group. Youth & Community Hall 2-4pm Carpet Bowls. Mandeville Hall 4.15 - 5.15pm Rainbows. Scout Hut 5.30 - 6.45pm Brownies. Scout Hut

Girlguides. Scout Hut. Check website for times: www.girlguiding.org.uk

Wednesday 25th 10-12pm Bridge Club. Mandeville Hall 7.30-9.30pm Unleash Yoga Flow. Mandeville Hall

Thursday 26th

Friday 27th 10-12.30pm Bytes Cafe. Youth & Community Hall

12pm Senior Lunch Club 2-7.30pm Dance Class. Mandeville Hall 4.30-5.45pm Beavers. Scout Hut 7pm Parish Council Meeting. Youth & Community Hall

Monday 30th 10-12.30pm Bytes Cafe. Youth & Community Hall 10-12pm Fitness Class. Mandeville Hall 6-7.30pm Cubs. Scout Hut

Tuesday 31st 9-11am Baby & Toddler Group. Youth & Community Hall

2-4pm Carpet Bowls. Mandeville Hall

4.15 - 5.15pm Rainbows. Scout Hut 5.30 - 6.45pm Brownies. Scout Hut

Girlguides. Scout Hut. Check website for times: www.girlguiding.org.uk

Please mention Village Bystander when responding to

At the end of 2025 we had a terrific visit to Kimbolton Fire Station. After the Rainbows’ and Brownies’ visits the Guides and Rangers (10-18 years old) tried on firefighters’ uniform, took turns aiming the hose, dragged human-size dummies to safety and looked at each other through thermal imaging cameras. They faced some tricky questions and challenges about how to start – and more importantly stop! – fires.

Despite being interrupted by a genuine call-out we all had a really fun evening.

A really big thank you to Kimbolton Fire Station and Firefighters Elle, Lou and Stuart for hosting our marathon series of visits over a whole evening. It was a really fun and informative evening and you may just have recruited the firefighters of the future!

Visit to Kimbolton Fire Station

Your Community Car Scheme is for anyone who needs to make essential journeys e.g. for medical appointments, shopping and social meetings/wellbeing events. , where no suitable public transport exists.

Imagine you have to get to an appointment, you do not have access to a vehicle or public transport so how are you going to get there? Our volunteer drivers can help, they offfer more than just a lift - they are friendly, reliable and DBS checked so our clients know they are in safe hands.

Our volunteers use their own cars to provide transport. It is helpful for us to know at the time of booking if a wheelchair (we can only take foldable wheelchairs where clients can self-transfer to and from the car), walker or an assistance dog needs to be transported and if you require any assistance getting in and out of the car. We would also appreciate as much notice as possible, ideally 5 days although we understand this is not always possible.

There is a charge of 45 pence per mile for the journey, based upon mileage travelled by the driver plus a booking fee of £2 per journey to cover HVC running costs. This is payable in cash to the driver at the end of the journey. A minimum fee of £2 will apply for short journeys of 5 miles or less plus the £2 booking fee.

Our St Neots office is open from 10 - 12 Monday to Thursday - 01480 476047 - to book your journey you can call during office hours or leave us a message on the answer phone and someone will get back to you as soon as possible. More information can be found on our website: https://huntsvc.org.uk

We look forward to hearing from you!

COMING SOON!

COMING SOON TO KIMBOLTON CASTLE 3RD & 4TH MAY 2026 • 10AM - 4:30PM FUN, ADVENTURE & HISTORY FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

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

Slash your energy bills

Low maintenance long Warranty

Local Installer you can trust

Ongoing Local support

MCS and TrustMark Registered

Energy Efficient A+++

Can provide whole house heating

Oil/Storage Heater replacement

Cool in the summer

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

Food Guarding

‘How to teach your dog to guard his food……..’ Yes you read that correctly, I am going to tell you how to teach your dog to guard his food. All you need to do is this- at every meal time, fill up his bowl and give it to him. Wait until he starts eating and take the bowl away again. Alternatively, you could get him a really nice chew, maybe a pigs ear. Give it to him and when he starts to chew, take it away from him and give it back a few times. Many of you will be reading this is horror, but I have lost count of the number of food guarding dogs I have worked with whose owners have told me “We heard you should be able to take their food away from them so we’ve done this since he was a puppy”. This is a common misconception. In fact the fastest way to teach your dog to guard his food is to keep taking it away from him. Of course, there are some dogs out there that are not particularly motivated by food and may not be affected by having their bowl taken away, but for many dogs this is highly likely to make them more defensive around food. Sometimes owners will hear their dog growl and decide that they should take their food away more often to ‘cure’ the problem, when in fact this makes the problem worse. If someone tried to steal your dinner from your plate at every meal, I’m pretty sure it would make you a bit defensive.

So, how do you teach your dog not to guard his food? The simple answer is to leave him alone when he is eating. Feed him in a quiet area and leave him to finish his meal in peace. If you have a puppy and you want to prevent food guarding from the start, occasionally walk past when he is eating and quietly drop some tasty treats in and around his bowl, then walk away. This will teach him to associate people walking towards his bowl with the appearance of yummy things, rather than having something taken away.

It is important to note that it is natural for dogs to be more possessive of food that is of higher value to them. A dog is far more likely to guard a pig’s ear than a boring bowl of kibble. So leave your dog alone when he is chomping on his favourite chew and if you have children, make sure they know not to bother your dog when he is eating.

Occasionally, some dogs will develop more serious food guarding behaviour- even if their owners have never taken their food away. There is some evidence that the tendency to guard food may be inherited. In this case it is even more important to manage the environment in which your dog eats- busy kitchens aren’t an ideal place to feed your food guarder. Feed them in a quiet room behind a closed door and make sure all family members (especially children) know not to enter when the dog is having his meal. If food guarding is becoming a problem in your household, please contact an ABTC registered behaviourist for help and advice.

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

Carry on Cruising

Carry On Cruising (1962) wasn’t just the “next one in the series,” it marked a turning point for the franchise as it was the very first of the Carry Ons in Technicolor. I remember watching this film as a child, and first observing the (Carry On) family faces for the first time in colour. It just felt like magic; those cold blustery days where I couldn’t go and play outside, but instead watch my favorite films in colour!

Aboard the luxury cruise liner, THE S.S. Happy Wanderer, Captain Wellington Crowther (Sid James) is at the helm. He has been tasked with managing a troublesome crew and an even more troublesome group of passengers on what promises to be anything but a smooth voyage.

The film captures that unique blend of British holiday spirit with that sprinkling of utter chaos that the Carry On Team deliver so well. The joy of it comes from watching the crew, desperately trying to maintain a facade of order, whilst everything around them descends into the usual pandemonium you would expect from this series. It’s a riot of mistaken identities, romantic misunderstandings, and physical comedy, all playing out against the backdrop of glittering ocean waters.

The Carry On Team by this point, felt like an old family; Sid James as Captain Crowther, struggling to maintain control, often thwarted by his own crew. Kenneth Williams as the ‘snobbish’ First Officer Marjoribanks, whose refined sensibilities are constantly offended by the antics around him. Here his clipped tones and exaggerated reactions are a highlight, a perfect example of how Kenny is starting to evolve. Kenneth Connor joins us again this time as Dr Arthur Binn, and Liz Fraser is back as Glad Trimble (make of that what you will), a young girl looking for romance on the high seas.

Innuendos are present here, but are often subtle and have been woven into the fabric of the main storyline. What truly makes this film memorable for me, is the sheer hilarity of putting these characters, that would not normally meet in real life, onto a ship. The cramped quarters and the forced proximity make every misunderstanding and physical gag feel more immediate and impactful. The colour also adds a new dimension, making the costumes, the ship's interiors, and even the ‘exotic’ locations feel more alive than ever before.

Carry On Cruising is a reminder of how these films could transport me and anyone watching. They offered a delightful escape into a world where everyday troubles were replaced by chaos. It’s a vibrant, boisterous entry from the Carry On canon is one that always manages to put a smile on my face and make me long for a bit of high-seas hilarity. Carry on Cruising Captain!

Ross Richardson

ALWAYS WANTED TO TRY GOLF?

Choice of two courses

Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons:

Course 1: 6pm - 7pm

Thursday 9 April th

Thursday 16 April th

Thursday 23 April rd

Thursday 7 May th

Thursday 14 May th

Course 2: 3.30pm – 4.30pm

Saturday 11 April th

Saturday 18 April th

Saturday 25 April th

Saturday 9 May th

Saturday 16 May th

JUNIORS

Junior lessons are on Saturday afternoons: 2pm – 3pm

Saturday 11 April th

Saturday 18 April th

Saturday 25 April th

Saturday 9 May th Saturday 16 May th

Caring for the elderly and vulnerable

Keeping elderly and vulnerable residents safe

If you or anyone you know has difficulty hearing, seeing or moving about, you need to take extra care when dealing with fire risks.

Remember, we can provide a free home fire safety check for those who are most vulnerable in our community, which includes the elderly and those who are disabled.

How can you help to prevent accidents?

If you have an elderly relative, friend or neighbour who you think might be vulnerable to fire hazards or burning or scalding themselves, help them to stay safe by encouraging them to take the following precautions:

• If they smoke, warn them about the dangers of smoking in bed and encourage them to smoke outside.

• A fireguard should be fitted.

• If they use electric blankets - make sure they are using them correctly and they are checked regularly. When cooking suggest they use the rear hot plates/hobs on a cooker and that they turn the pan handles away from the front of the cooker.

• Ensure that hot water bottles they use are of good quality and do not show signs of wear.

• Kettles shouldn't be overfilled as boiling water could spill and scald.

• As a safety precaution, they should use coiled kettle flexes or a cordless kettles which are either sprout-filling or jug shaped.

• Tea and coffee making facilities shouldn't be too far from the living area so hot liquids don't have to be carried far.

• Propose they fit a thermostatic mixing valve which regulates bath water outlet temperature and reduces the risk of severe scalding.

Most importantly, advise them to book a home fire safety check so smoke alarms can be fitted if necessary and also any other potential fire hazards can be spotted.

www.cambsfire.gov.uk

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This month I highlight Clare College – Cambridge’s secondoldest college, which celebrates its Septcentenary (700th Anniversary) this year. But first, I here are a couple of things to look out for in Cambridge in March 2026:

Sunday 8 March sees the Cambridge Half Marathon take over the city, with 15,000 runners expected to take part in an event that sold out in record time last year. The picturesque route runs through several colleges, loops out to Grantchester, and returns to the city to finish on Midsummer Common.

The Cambridge Festival, a large city-wide celebration of science and ideas organised by the University of Cambridge, begins on 16 March and runs through to 2 April. Its programme includes talks, exhibitions, walks and family events taking place across the city.

Clare College, founded in 1326, is the second-oldest college of the University of Cambridge and is widely known for its historic architecture and its proximity to King’s College Chapel. Originally established as University Hall, it was refounded in 1338 as Clare Hall following a major endowment from Lady Elizabeth de Clare, a granddaughter of Edward I. The college adopted its current name, Clare College, in 1856.

The nineteenth century was also remarkable for Clare in one unusual respect: owing to two exceptionally long-serving Masters (the head of the college carries the title “Master”), the Mastership changed only once between the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 and the First Battle of Ypres a century later. In 1966, Clare founded a new postgraduate college, Clare Hall, which continues today as an independent institution.

Clare occupies a prominent position along the River Cam and adjacent to King’s College Chapel; the vista of Clare and King’s must rank amongst the most photographed scenes in the country. Old Court, with its elegant stone façades

and immaculate lawns, reflects the college’s medieval origins, while across the seventeenth century Clare Bridge, and thence over Queen’s Road, the 1920s Memorial Court provides additional accommodation. Built as a tribute to the 199 Clare men who lost their lives in the First World War, Memorial Court is a striking and contemplative part of the estate.

Music holds a distinguished place in college life. The internationally acclaimed Clare College Choir, shaped through the directorships of John Rutter, Timothy Brown and, more recently, Graham Ross, is celebrated for its recordings and performances around the world.

Clare became co-educational in 1972, one of the first three former men’s colleges to admit women, alongside Churchill and King’s. Notable alumni include Sir David Attenborough, Sir Roger Norrington, the Oxford martyr Hugh Latimer, Nobel laureates Sir Tim Hunt and James Watson, and journalist Gillian Tett.

Clare’s striking Old Court has been undergoing major refurbishment for much of the past decade. Once completed, it will again stand among the most beautiful courts in Cambridge.

Sam Venn

cambridgecorrespondent.bystander@proton.me

La Cote d’Or Antiques

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

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

T H R E E S H I R E S N E T W O R K I N G

C O N N E C T , L E A R N , A N D S H A R E !

D i s c o v e r l o c a l b u s i n e s s e s a n d

s h a r e i d e a s

G e t a d v i c e a n d s o l u t i o n s t o

m o v e f o r w a r d .

B u i l d f r i e n d s h i p s a n d l a s t i n g

c o n n e c t i o n s .

S h a p e t h e g r o u p ’ s f u t u r e w i t h

y o u r i n p u t .

E n j o y i n s p i r i n g t a l k s a n d f r e s h

p e r s p e c t i v e s .

S h a r e c h a l l e n g e s i n a s a f e ,

s u p p o r t i v e s p a c e

S h o w c a s e y o u r b u s i n e s s a n d

c o n n e c t f a c e - t o - f a c e .

T e a , c o f f e e & b i s c u i t s i n c l u d e d !

o m e a n d j o i n o u r m o n t h l y

" m o r e t h a n j u s t

n e t w o r k i n g " m e e t i n g s !

We m e e t o n t h e f i r s t

We d n e s d a y o f e v e r y m o n t h

a t K i m b o l t o n C a s t l e

1 0 : 4 5 a m - 1 p m

C o n t a c t U s :

e l e a n o r @ s h r e w d p r . c o . u k

j o h n h i t c h i n @ b t i n t e r n e t . c o m

0 7 7 0 2 5 9 7 6 7 0

w w w . t h r e e s h i r e s n e t w o r k i n g . c o . u k

Please mention Village Bystander when responding to adverts

The Bereavement Journey

starting soon: 6th July 2026

Are you grieving the loss of a loved one?

You’re warmly invited to join The Bereavement Journey – a series of gentle, structured sessions offering space to reflect, share, and find support.

Venue: Kimbolton School (by kind permission of the Headmaster)

Date: Starting 6th July 2026, 1830–2100 Cost: Free of charge

Places: Limited availability for this first series.

To express interest or ask questions, please contact Clare Firby at: bereavementjourney@leightonstonechurches.org

Topics include: Attachment, separation and loss

The pain and responses of grief • Anger and guilt

Coping with others’ reactions • Delayed and suppressed grief

Adjusting to change • Moving forward healthily

Faith questions – a Christian perspective (optional)

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

At Golden Community, we believe in a holistic approach to community services, recognising that true well-being encompasses more than just physical health.

Our Holistic Support Services include:

Individualised Personalised Approach

Health Monitoring (BP, Blood Tests, Weight Checks)

Befriending and Activity Home Visits

Dementia respite for carers at home

Social Visits (including shopping and outings)

Emotional Wellbeing Support

Administrative Support

Palliative and End of Life Services

specialising in coordinating end of life care and a nurse/carer sitter service.

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 kymvalleyguidingdistrict@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

Emma Mumford 07881 621260 1st Brington Scout Group

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

Saqhib Ali, 07386 904950

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

Kimbolton Bridge Clubs

Kimbolton Probus Club

Nora Butler 01480 861007

Jo Russel 01480 276075

Mary Foster 01480 861594

David Henrick 01480 896556

Chris Davies 01234 376542

Mandeville Hall, Wednesdays, John Figgures 07944 155576

Steve Jacklin 01480 860805 / Mary Foster 01480861594

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

Whist Drives, Ellington

WI Groups

Kimbolton WI

Ellington WI

Gt Staughton WI

Pertenhall WI

Lionel Thatcher, 01480860055

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 245639

Village Hall, Molesworth

Village Hall, Pertenhall, bookings

Village Hall, Tilbrook

07922 738818 Email:enquiries@molesworthvillagehall.co.uk www.molesworthvillagehall.co.uk

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

Grafham Nature Reserve & Watch Group

Sarah Cardwell - clerk@spaldwickparishcouncil.org.uk

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 Huntingdonshire Local Group

Pat Doody Chair, 01480 392706. Eve talks Brampton Memorial Centre

7.30pm, 2nd Wednesday Sept - March. Guided walks in the summer. Grafham Wildlife & Conservation Group Sam Malt 01480810844 day/01480811654 eve

Village Sports

Badminton Club (Kimbolton)

Catworth Playing Field

Shirley Osborne 860198/Jill Strand 861508

Mary Matthews, 07717 246107 Cricket Club, Kimbolton

Mark Field, 07769 159496 Cricket Club, Little Staughton

Carpet Bowls, Catworth

Carpet Bowls, Kimbolton

Carpet Bowls, Gt. Staughton

Adrian Thrasher 07834 602086

Marge Baker, 01832 710145

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

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

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 Chelveston Village Hall - Chair Exercise Lisa, 07867 204128, lisaatfitness5@gmail.com Class for Older Adults - Thursday 11am

Mobile Library Service 0345 045 5225 for enquiries / renewals

2nd Wednesday of the Month (R. H10) - 11th March

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) - 24th March

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) - 25th March

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.

Please mention Village Bystander 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

Boutiques

Blue Blancmange, 07970 666258 p.49

Art, Gifts, Framing, Crafts, Ceramics, Hobbies

David Osborne Motorbike Spares, 07979 500900, p.55

Engraved by Elle, p.10

Grafham Coins, 01480 811227, p.39

La Cote D'or Antiques, 01480 861587, p.86

The Framery Ltd, 01480 860086, p.45

Building Services/Home Maintenance/Garage Doors

CB Building, 07583 938006 p.11

D C Wilks Double Glazing, 07769 591468, p.12

Garolla Garage Doors, 01480 630081, p.12

R&D Maskey, 01234 825015, p.97

Still & Sons, 01480 869042, p.75

Taylor Stilton, 01480 860047, p.45

Business Networking

Three Shires Networking, 07788 558964, p.87

Care Professionals

Golden Community, 01480 759840, p.91

Computer/IT Services/Marketing/Proofreading/HR

iEdit, 01480 860519 p.83

Newport Bookkeeping Services, 07519 352933, p.41

Oxygen IT, 01480 390395, p.72

S H Consultancy, 07734 652239, p.41

Silver Websites, 07340 234555, p.86

Social Beans, 07808 020554, p.72

Domestic Services

C Major Change, 07584 279228, p.90

Home ‘n’ Dry, Carpet Cleaning, 01487 840310, p.83

Sweeping Tom Ltd, 07990 561874, p.90

The Home Sorter, 07535 143497 p.81

Education/Tuition

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

One to One Tuition, 07803 504631, p.21

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.26

LCS Energy, 01480 470064, p.77

Selec Solar, 01480 400607, p.73

Estate Agents/Letting Agents/Property

Carr Estate Agents, 01480 597799, p.47

Peter Lane & Partners, 01480 860400, p.84

Simpsons Property Experts, 01480 589584 p.37

Top Hat Projects, 07814 709320, p.31

Financial Advisers & Financial Services

Beacon Wealth Management, 01480 869466, p.33

Funeral Directors

Crowsons, 01832 272269, p.71

Regency Funeral Directors, 01480 759408, p.34

Gardening/Landscaping/Tree Care/Logs/Flowers

Adam Woodbine, 07901 555640, p.26

Alex Abbs Gardener, 07399 445052, P.24

Eden Tree Specialists, 01234 960796, p.23

Handy Herberts, 01933 715936 p.25

JD Tree Surgery, 07745 378268, p.25

Manor Farm, 07849 528684, p.24

SJS Landscapes, 07876 763440, p.22

General Stores/Farm Shops/Wine Shops

Budgens, 01480 860582, p.50-51

Grafham Village Store, 01480 810119, p.20

Top End Stores, 01234 376426, p.98

Health/Treatments/Beauty/Wellbeing/Counselling/ Fitness/Sport

Clare Silk Life Coach, clare@claresilk.com, p.9

Close Health and Beauty, 07729 381085

Courtyard Beauty, 07922 678843 p.9

Creative Hair Looks, 07764 336697, p.6

Fulcrum Health, www.fulcrumhealth.com, p.8

Georgia Darnell Physiotherapy, 07730 597984, p.10

Jill Dighton, 07925 852985, p.9

Kimbolton Swimming Pool, 01480 862276 p.8

Rosie’s Salon, 07733 482359, p.9

St Neots Golf Club, 01480 472363 p.79

The Nest at 53, 07778 024564, p.6

Kitchens

Kitchen Culture, 01480 861822, p.31

The Kitchen Magician, 01480 477200 p.29

Music, Theatre, Singing, Entertainment

Carol John, 01234 708029, p.39

James Thomas, 07971 403856, p.74

Pets/Petcare Services /Equine/Training

Fresh Coat Dog Grooming, 07359 272545, p.41

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

Top End Stores (Animal Feed), 01234 376426, p.98

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.39

Hydroflow, 07917 176375, p.31

LCA Maintenance Services Ltd, 01234 266220, p.3

Pubs/Restaurants/Cafes/Catering

Avalon Bakehouse, 07860 410075 p.82

Phaf Kimbolton, 07300 296926, p.47

The Broadway, 01480 782200, p.38

The Elm, 01487 773585, p.18

The Flying Foodie natasha@flyingfoodie.co.uk, p.28

The Pheasant, 01832 710303, p.30

The Wheatsheaf Perry, 01480 810253, p.42-43

Solicitors

Wilson Browne Solicitors, 0800 0886004, p.53

Storage

Jonathan, 07753 638948, p.55

Travel

Fun with Santa, 01480 812598, p.11

Valeting

CB AutoGlow, 07956 449182, p.99

Vehicle Services/Vehicle Care/Vehicle Sales/Transport

Robinsons Garage, 01480 860581, p.27

mention

Top End Village Stores

Village Store | Animal Feed | Campsite

Top qualit y season fruit and vegetables (locally sourced where possible) HAYLAGE FROM £7.45 PER BALE

For all your needs

• 10kg and 25kg sacks of potatoes

• Butchers meats in stock

• Locally produced beers, ciders and coffee

• Local honey, pickles and preserves

• Fresh daily milk, bread & eggs

• Plenty of compost, topsoil, bark and farmyard manure

• General grocery store and off licence

• Lottery and Scratchcards

Supporting small businesses and local farmers. Hay, straw and haylage

• Stationary, greeting cards and gifts

• Cold and flu medicines

• Calor gas, logs, coal and kindling and bulk logs available for collection and delivery

• Collect + service, DHL, DPD, Fedex, UPS, Inpost and Royal mail 24hr and 48hr tracked

• Mobile phone, gas and electric top ups

• Delivery available

• All major credit cards accepted

Fruit and vegetable boxes avaliable

For all your pet needs

• Chicken feed, bedding and supplements

• Horse feed, bedding and supplements

• Cat, dog and small animal feeds

• All stock and smallholder feeds

• Wild Bird Feed

Top End Farm, Little Staughton, Bedfordshire MK44 2BY 01234 376426 | topendfarm@btconnect.com www.topendfarm.co.uk Free delivery T and C’s apply

SHAVINGS DOWN IN PRICE £10.50 PER BALE PRICE DROP

OPENING TIMES Mon-Fri 7am-5:30pm Sat 8am-5pm Sun 9am-3pm

•