Tribune 96 West

Village Tribune

Issue 96 – January & February 2016

West Edition

Serving the North Peterborough villages of Ashton, Bainton, Barnack, Castor, Helpston, Pilsgate, Southorpe and Ufford

Helpston Gala is Back!!! Page 53

Village Tribune

email: villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

Village Tribune (West) contacts...

Village Tribune Editor: Tony Henthorn 35 Maxey Road, Helpston PE6 7DP Tel: 07590 750128 villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

Ashton Distributor: Hilary Smith Thatched Cottage, Ashton, hilly. smith@virgin.net Bainton Distributor: Hilary Smith Thatched Cottage, Ashton Barnack Distributor: George Burage Opposite Millstone, Barnack Barnack Editor: Ian Burrows 01780 749554 ianberyl.burrows@btinternet.com Helpston Distributor: Sue Young 1 Arborfield Close Helpston PE6 7DL Tel: 01733 252223 Pilsgate Distributor: Ellie Gompertz Westways, Stamford Road, Pilsgate Southorpe Distributor: Daphne Williams The Old Dairy Barn, Bottom Farm, Main Street.

01780 740511 Ufford Distributor: Frieda Gosling 2 Hillside Close, Ufford PE9 3BW Tel: 01780 740343 Advertising Sales Louise Norris Tel: 07702 594674 E-mail: mypatchsales@ outlook.com Priest in charge Dave Maylor The Rectory, Millstone Lane, Barnack PE9 3ET Tel: 01780 740234 e-mail: dmaylor@btinternet.com

Villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

3

Issue 96 Regulars

Tribune Contacts............................ Page 3 Advertising Rates........................... Page 4 Farming Diary............................... Page 16 Notice Board................................ Page 36 In my Tribland Garden................. Page 37 School Report.............................. Page 52 Letters to the Editor..................... Page 53 Church Services........................... Page 56 Parish Council & area news......... Page 57 Planning Applications................... Page 60 Local Contacts Directory............. Page 63

News & Features Helpston’s got talent...................... Page 2 British Legion lecture..................... Page 4 Safe Local Trades.......................... Page 5 Whatever the weather.................... Page 7 New editor for Barnack.................. Page 8 Castor residents de-lighted............ Page 9 ‘Clare Square’ opened................. Page 10 Mustard Seed update.................. Page 12 Poor broadband speeds.............. Page 13 Maxey path improvement............ Page 14 Glinton Art Group......................... Page 14 On the Edge WI............................ Page 15 Chez Pierre................................... Page 19 Learn to meditate......................... Page 21 Lolham Crossing.......................... Page 21 1016 and all that.......................... Page 22 Eileen raises over £31,000........... Page 27 Wedding feature........................... Page 29 John Clare Cottage...................... Page 39 From little acorns - ...................... Page 40 Reducing household bills ............ Page 41 Must Farm excavations ............... Page 43 Meadows Dental Centre ............. Page 44 Tight Lines ................................... Page 45 Peakirk Fire ................................. Page 47 News from Etton ......................... Page 49 Living on the edge ...................... Page 50 Helpston CAP .............................. Page 55 ‘Clare Square’ opened ................ Page 59 Pause for thought ....................... Page 61

4

Woodgate Barn, 35 Maxey Road, Helpston PE6 7DP

British Legion winter lecture

This year’s illustrated lecture was given in Barnack Village Hall on Monday, December 8th,

by Warrant Officer Alex Leivers of the Princess Mary’s RAF Nursing Service. His subject was Aeromedical Evacuation from Conflict Zones.

Alex traced the evolution of the service from 1918 when the first recorded movement of wounded men took place in Egypt. Stretchers were loaded into the fuselage of a De Havilland DH9 bi-plane for a 15 mile flight to Cairo. During World War II over 300,000 men were moved in De Havilland Dragon Rapides and similar small aircraft. The invasion of Kuwait by Iraq in 1990 led to the first large-scale compulsory call-up of medical reservists since World WarII. A method of rescuing men was developed which entailed bringing the wounded back from the front to a forward medical base by helicopter, the largest being the Chinook. Later, the Merlin with a greater range and sixteen stretcher capacity was used. From hospitals at bases such as Qatar the men would be evacuated to Cyprus in fixed-wing aircraft such as the Hercules, a short take-off and landing plane capable of carrying 75 stretchers. From Cyprus the men would be flown back to Brize Norton and taken to hospital in Birmingham.

Longer range aircraft such as the VC10, Tri-Star and Boeing C17 replaced the Hercules. The Airbus A400M is now the aircraft in use.

The medical teams followed a triage system for flying wounded men back to the UK. Those with serious injuries were brought back within 24 hours, those with less serious injuries within 48 hours and others within 7 days.

Often those with the worst wounds would be rendered unconscious by their injury and then having been anaesthetised would not regain consciousness until they were in their hospital beds in the UK. Cuts in military expenditure have led to the closure of all our military hospitals and so men are treated in NHS hospitals, though many of these, including Peterborough City Hospital, have had their specialist facilities for treating war casualties closed.

On behalf of the fifty members present, Max Sawyer, the Branch Secretary, thanked Warrant Officer Leivers for his very informative talk.

Village Tribune

Save the date...Helpston’s Got Talent!! Keep Saturday 27th February 2016 free. This popular, sell out event will return once again in February. More details to come over the next few months but keep the date free and start planning your acts now!

Helpston WI organised a successful and enjoyable Craft Day on 14th November. Members and visitors were able to learn new skills and choose from a wide choice of craft activities ranging from paper craft and quilling to interesting unusual tree decorations.

Above, June Dobson demonstrates a new idea for Christmas. Ann West

Future Deadlines Issue No Issue Date 97 Mar/April 16 98 May/June 16 99 July/Aug 16 100 Sept/Oct 16 101 Nov/Dec 16 102 Jan/Feb 17

Deadline Distributed 12/02/16 27/02/16 15/04/16 30/04/16 17/06/16 2/07/16 1 2/08/16 27/08/16 14/10/16 29/10/16 18/12/16 2/1/17

Advertising Rates 4,000 copies of the Tribune are distributed free of charge in Ashton, Bainton, Barnack, Helpston, Pilsgate, Southorpe and Ufford (the West edition) and Deeping Gate, Etton, Glinton, Northborough, Maxey and Peakirk(the East edition). Prices below show the cost of going in a single edition or both and are per insertion’. Advertisers booking, and paying for four insertions over the period of 12 months are entitled to 20% discount on these prices.

Sixth Page Quarter Page Third of a Page Half Page Full Page

Single Edition £25 £45 £55 £75 £140

Both Editions £35 £60 £75 £95 £175

Village Tribune

www.villagetribune.org.uk

7

Whatever the weather

BEFORE the days of weather forecasts, country dwellers relied on rhymes and sayings which were passed down through the generations whose crops and livelihood depended on the weather. The thickness of hazel shells and onion skins and an abundance of acorns and red berries all were thought to predict a cold winter rather than being a result of the previous summer’s weather. l A leap year is never a good sheep year: In 1582 the calendar was changed by Pope Gregory X111 because the calendar and the seasons were not synchronised.

It added an extra day in February every 4 years, and for that year only, 10 days were removed from October. Many country people felt that it was tinkering with nature and affected the year`s cycle of crop growing and livestock rearing. Hence fewer lambs would be born in leap years. l Cold is the night when stars shine bright: This 17th century proverb is correct. The stars appear to be brighter because their light does not pass through cloud or moisture in the air. Heavy cloud acts as a blanket and prevents heat loss from the ground. l Frost on the shortest day bodes a bad winter l The wind direction on St Thomas`s Day will stay the same for 6 months: The winter solstice on Dec 21st/22nd, St Thomas`s Day, marks the day when the sun is lowest in the sky and the hours of daylight are shortest. These sayings reflect the persistence of certain weather patterns which we now know depend of the position of the polar jet stream. This is a ribbon of fast

moving air at a height of 30,00039,000 feet, which behaves like a meandering river and can be locked in a certain position for weeks at a time, north or south of the UK. The jet stream is responsible for the succession of depressions and anticyclones which determine our weather. It was discovered because it took longer for trans-Atlantic aircraft to fly west rather than east.

Pilots adjust their flight paths to avoid the jet stream. l A green Christmas means a fat churchyard: Unseasonably mild weather can disrupt the growth cycles of plants and lead to famine the following year. l The north wind doth blow and we shall have snow: A north wind blowing out of the arctic is bitterly cold but the onset of snow depends on the humidity of the air and is most likely when the air is forced to rise along a weather front. The name “front” was given after the lines of battle in the first world war. l When gnats dance in February, the husbandman becomes a beggar. l Better a wolf in the fold than a fine February: Plenty of snow in February kept the crops safely in the ground.

If February was mild the crops could be ruined by a late frost.

A wolf in the flock would mean the loss of several sheep, too mild a winter would ruin an entire harvest.

We know now that global climate systems largely depend on variations in ocean temperatures and El Nino/La Nina oscillations in the Pacific.

They can also produce longterm weather patterns in the year ahead. A recent prediction is for a cold snap in February

2016 so get out your thermals and stockpile some emergency rations.

What would we have to talk about if our weather was predictable? We plod on whatever the weather, and look forward to the first signs of spring.

Frieda Gosling

Coffee morning at Helpston

The October coffee morning was a very busy affair,indeed it stretched into the afternoon, with conducted tours round the Church by Chris Topper and climbs up the tower using a very tight stone spiral staircase to see the workings of the clock.

Roger Franks who has for over 25 years weekly climbed the tower to wind the clock, was at hand to tell about the clock’s history. On top of this, there were delicious cakes and scones to eat and even a barbecue. The next St Botolph’s coffee morning will be held on 28th November.

Eric West

8

Woodgate Barn, 35 Maxey Road, Helpston PE6 7DP

Village Tribune

Trib’ welcomes new Editor for Barnack

I AM your new Barnack Editor, taking over from the indefatigable Zena Coles who moves on to a very demanding job, for which I and all of us offer her our very best wishes for a wonderful but not too exhausting year. I am Ian Burrows. Phone 01780 749554 and e-mail ianberyl.burrows@ btinternet.com. If you have anything that you wish to include in Tribune concerning Barnack then please forward to me.

Two major issues in Barnack are coming to a bit of a head in Barnack, the Muga, and a request for planning permission to build a large housing estate on the edge of the Village outside its envelope.

It is certainly at least 40 years that the Village has wanted to establish a play area for youngsters as well as a sports centre for older children and adults. Over the years the difficulty has always been the problem of identifying a space which could accommodate such an area and that was

acceptable to the community as a whole.

The latest attempt by the Parish Council to establish a multi-purpose play area has foundered on just those difficult questions. Several sites have been identified but all were wanting in one aspect or another, the search will continue.This is fully reported in the Parish Council Report of a Public Meeting held on November 9th.

Freda Goslings article in December’s Tribune was very timely, as Barnack has been identified by a developer for the building of a very large housing estate outside the Village Envelope and on good agricultural land.

The proposed “development” is currently outline and is under active discussion with the Peterborough Planning Department.

There are of course a number of issues to be considered: We are told that the country as a whole needs more houses so the questions surrounding “where are they needed”?

“what sort of house should they be?” and “what sort of impact will they have on both the community in which they are built and on the environment as a whole?”

Then of course are the associated questions of what amenities/facilities/infrastructure etc. with all their ramifications must be added.

These issues are more widely covered in Frieda’s article as are the weaknesses in in current planning consents.

At a very well attended public meeting, the overwhelming majority of residents (well over 90% ) thought that the development was unwanted, not needed, and highly intrusive into a village designated for limited development.

There was only one counter view which was supported by someone with declared interests with the Developer.

It is to be hoped that Peterborough City Council, who attended and organised the meeting go back to the Council Chamber considering the broad issues and not mere arithmetic. All the villages around the City constitute a necklace of pearls and they should be valued for the cultural, historical and amenity values that they offer the whole city. They are an amenity that makes Peterborough an attractive place to live. They should be treasured, not put into cotton wool but carefully and sensitively handled. All people that have an interest in and concern for our country side and our villages should write to the Planning Office in Peterborough, and in particular the residents of Barnack are urged to write to the Planning Department with their views on this particular Development.

Village Tribune

email: villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

9

Castor residents ‘de-lighted’ AFTER calls to improve the street lighting in a residential Castor cul-de-sac, PCC Council Leader and Castor ward Cllr John Holdich and Cabinet Member Cllr Peter Hiller met with residents of St Kyneburgha Close to evaluate the reported problem and discuss a likely resolution.

Peter told the Tribune “as an element of the council’s efficiency programme we’ve replaced thousands of streetlights across the City and rural wards. The new LED lighting has a very different type of beam, much cleaner than the old orange lights and much, much more economical to run, using up to 70% less power. This also has the effect of reducing the ‘light spillage’ making the light emitted more ‘direct’ than the old lamps -

doing what they are supposed to do more effectively (lighting the carriageway). But on very rare occasions, because the light seems less spread, they can subsequently give the impression of being less bright over a greater area.

This was the case with two lights here in Castor, due to the lights’ position and nearby trees. John and I had a site meeting with lighting engineers and instructed the Highways team to replace the heads and improve the light output on the two lights here, and to reposition the angle of the lights. This has now been done and, following a further inspection, I’m pleased to say the situation has measurably improved and the residents tell me they’re ‘de-lighted’ with the solution!”

David Over Peter Moyes has just been given a civic life time civic award for life time achievement.

David Over The Local Plan draft is up for discussion. Please have a look at it and make any comments by February.

Main points are that the village envelopes may change; Helpston and Barnack are seen as ‘medium villages’ and are seen as places for some house building. The other smaller villages will have limited building and some in-filling.

If you have any news, views or comments that you would like to share with other readers, please contact the Tribune editor, Tony Henthorn at: Villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

Helpston Playhouse and Under Fives Christmas Fayre: For the 2nd year running we held our Christmas Fayre. This lovely festive event brought together local businesses selling their handmade products, craft activities run by the pre-school staff, a hair and nail bar and of course lots of fun games for the children to enjoy. With Christmas music playing in the background and the wonderful smell of homemade cakes and cookies, families came in from the rain to spend a couple of hours shopping, eating and having festive fun! Thanks to all who provided tombola and raffle prizes and all those that came to support the event, an amazing £380 was raised for the Playhouse. Alex Meadows

Please mention the Tribune when responding to our advertisers

10

Woodgate Barn, 35 Maxey Road, Helpston PE6 7DP

Cecilia Hammond Just a quick message from Belarus to all the lovely people who contributed so much in the way of toys, toiletries, first aid, sweets etc etc.

We are having a full on charity visit, we have seen several new children and have had some tragic and comedic moments!

The families are so appreciate of all your wonderful donations, so brilliant to know that a child has a special toy and to leave toiletries, toothpaste and toothbrushes. Thank you. We have a Photo Evening report on Jan 11th at Helpston Scout Hut at 8pm to which all are welcome.

David Hankins Its funny,all those years ago when I went to see the school’s career adviser Mr Trumpington-Bellow he said to me “Hankins (I didn’t know I had a first name until I got married) whatever path you chose in life you will never make a living selling trampolines” and how right he was. My efforts to send my trampoline to a good (or bad) home have failed. Not a sniff.

Village Tribune

‘Clare Square’ officially opened

WHILST all the council press releases have confirmed the proper name of this latest phase of Peterborough’s City centre regeneration to be Green Square, it’s already been dubbed Clare Square, after its main feature, a beautiful granite central feature which celebrates the works of Helpston’s famous son, the poet John Clare. PCC Leader and Glinton councillor John Holdich OBE performed the official ceremony with an address on the 15th December, accompanied by Northborough ward Cllr Peter Hiller, Hampton ward Cllr Nigel North and other guests including Deputy Mayor of the City, local primary schools and representatives from the John Clare Trust.

The granite circle is

surrounded by sustainable hardwood benches engraved with poems written by local schoolchildren, including from the Castor CE Primary School, whose pupils were presented with a certificate by the Deputy Mayor to mark the occasion.

John said: “The city centre works we’ve completed are already encouraging people to spend more time in the City and our programme continues into the New Year. This is good for visitors, businesses and good for the economy.

I think this is a wonderful addition and I’m proud to have been able to declare it officially open for folk to enjoy” Schools that contributed poetry for the benches are Thorpe Primary, Newark Hill Academy and Castor C of E.

Village Tribune

email: villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

33

8410

Unit 1, Woodston Business Centre, Shrewsbury Avenue, Woodston, Peterborough PE2 7EF

11

12

Woodgate Barn, 35 Maxey Road, Helpston PE6 7DP

Village Tribune

Mustard Seed update

HAPPY New Year, everyone!

We hope you are looking forward to what it may bring.

Ours is certainly looking promising so far: a generous donation from Allen and Nesta Ferguson Foundation means that we were able to begin construction on the next phase of the new school building and it should be almost ready for Irene, the head teacher, to move into. She will then be based in the new building where our least experienced staff are, and ideally placed to support those who need it.

As usual, our recent visit had its ups and downs but was mostly positive – and very busy. Geoff was rushing around trying to organise the next section of the building which involved many meetings with architects and contractors, amongst others, and plenty of hassle! He is

a retired Civil Engineer and was very impressed with the workmanship at the new building. He also found time to work with the football team and the boxing club and is pleased with what is happening there.

The one thing Geoff was overjoyed about was his meeting with the Little Sisters of the Poor. We took out some incontinence pads for them, courtesy of the Bahari Rotary Club. Geoff went to visit the home run by the Sisters and was so impressed by the work of these selfless women. When he discovered that their washing machine was not working, he managed to talk the hotel into sending someone to mend it.

Winnie and Flora, our two trustees who are retired nurses, joined me on a shopping trip to town for

equipment for the clinic and to order drugs from the wholesaler. They also visited the Ministry of Health about setting up the clinic. The two women are so proud to have a specific role and they are really getting their teeth into it.

There are a number of things that we had to buy, or prepare, but now we are waiting for a visit from an inspector to verify the suitability of our premises as a clinic. Flora has to go to Nairobi to register it in person. But everything should be ready by February and up and running by the beginning of March. The parents are delighted. A volunteer from the UK will be going out for a month in June; a young nurse who will work with our nurse.

At school, our teachers were joined by staff from two neighbouring schools for training. One of the sessions

Village Tribune

was about using displays in school and the teachers also had the opportunity to create something themselves. They were so proud of their own efforts that they put them up in the staff room. As usual, more than 90% of the parents turned up for the parent’s meeting. It’s great to see their enthusiasm and appreciation of what their children are achieving.

We are so fortunate to know Joshua, our school manager.

He is brilliant; so calm and wise. We would certainly be struggling without his advice.

We interviewed for a new teacher for January. We had three candidates and watched them all teach a half hour lesson: two of the lessons really dragged and I am not sure what the children learnt but the third was lively and exciting, the best I have seen there. Needless to say, this candidate got the job. We put him to work straight away, doing supply until the end of term then starting full-time in January.

We went again to visit the school for the deaf in Mombasa. We went into KG1 to observe for a while, a class with eighteen boys and four girls; all profoundly deaf fourfive year olds. There was no teaching assistant and they were all sitting behind desks. (I am sometimes anxious about our ability to meet the needs of our deaf children, but my doubts disappeared when I saw this.) Our teachers have been invited to the school to observe a lesson so I shall be interested to hear their feedback.

We also accompanied one of our pupils, John, to have hearing aids fitted, thanks to the generous efforts of people in the UK. He’s such a lovely boy, very bright and eager to learn and doing really well in school. He is more profoundly deaf than

our other two pupils and it was doubtful that he would hear anything, even though the aids are very powerful and at almost full volume. So you can imagine our excitement when his mother reported, a few days later, that he had started making ‘broom’ noises when motor bikes and cars go past! Hope is also progressing really well so I am hoping to push her on a little more. It’s a learning curve for all of us but I suspect that she is capable of more than she was currently learning.

Miche Bora School enjoyed a visit from Sonal, a fundraiser who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for us. She got right to the peak (6,000 metres), exhausted but elated, and managed to raise enough money to furnish and resource a classroom for next year, and the head teacher’s office in the new building, plus make a contribution towards the running costs of the clinic – what an achievement! Having seen the school next door first (which was an incredible culture shock for her) she was able to appreciate just how far MSP has come. The older children asked her questions about the climb and she had a great time with our younger pupils, blowing bubbles and giving out sweets and generally enjoying their company (she took this photo).

Afterwards, we took her to see the school furniture being made for us by the charity, Marionist.

The whole experience made her realise what a difference her money would make and she was obviously delighted.

To find out more, please visit www.mustardseedproject.co.uk or, if you would like to make a donation via mobile phone, please text MSPK33 plus £2, £5 or £10 to 70070. Thank you.

Best wishes to you all, from Rita and Geoff.

13

Timothy Rist Anyone in Helpston suffering with a particularly slow broadband at present, or is it my equipment?

Geoffrey Nichol Certain times of the day mine just does not work!

Late afternoon and early evening.

Helen Wheatley Ours has been playing up really badly for the last couple of weeks.

Emily Kendall Ours has been a nightmare for the last couple of weeks too.

Trevor Harvey It’s never been very good, didn’t think it could get worse but it has over the last few weeks.

Timothy Rist I’ve panicked now and ordered a new router as I thought it may be a wifi issue in the house. Just didn’t want to sign up for a new contract with BT with Gigaclear potentially so close?

Fiona Spires Finally got Gigaclear connected (Ufford). It’s worth the wait. So far.. so good - so wonderful to not be rebooting several times a day. Hang on in there.

Jerry Jolly Only 2 devices in our house but broadband seems to be getting slower and slower.

Anything to do with the fact they are shortly going to be able to offer BT infinity (at a higher price, of course)?

Paul Shonfeld BT back again.

This time with specialist engineers Seems that their records didn’t show the tunnel that runs under the railway They have updated and hopefully that means they can lay some fiber.

villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

14

Woodgate Barn, 35 Maxey Road, Helpston PE6 7DP

Village Tribune

‘Stile-less’ improvement for Maxey path

of Way team at the Council it seemed the old gate had been deemed beyond economic repair and the gate opening left as it was. I’ve always preferred our villages’ rural street scenes to be preserved as much as possible and I work closely with our City Council planners and the Conservation team to this end. After discussions with Maxey Parish Councillors I decided a replacement was warranted here, as it’s opposite a similar gate we had refurbished a little while ago and would really enhance this section of West End Road for residents and visitors.

NORTHBOROUGH ward Councillor Peter Hiller “In conversation with the RoW officer we has helped to create an easier access for further decided to replace a stile at the other walkers along a popular Right of Way in Maxey, end of this relatively short section of path with after requests from village residents to reinstate a matching hardwood gate, to make the whole an original gate in West End Road, removed for experience more user-friendly for less ablerefurbishment by the City Council. bodied folk who might struggle climbing over a When contacted by the Tribune Peter told us stile, especially in wet weather” “I recently had a couple of calls for the missing The Tribune understands Peter’s two new gate to be put back after it went for a repair and gates are due to be installed early in the New make-over a while ago. When I asked the Rights Year.

Glinton Art Group In the Tribune area there are a number of small groups meeting every week. These groups provide a valuable service to the communities. One of these groups is The Art Group in Glinton.

Glinton Art Group recently exhibited a number of Remembrance Day poppy paintings in St Benedict’s Church.

These paintings did not detract from the solemnity of the occasion but gave an air of dignity and remembrance in the Church. Numerous positive comments were received from Church goers.

Both the Tuesday and Saturday Art Groups meet regularly in Glinton Village Hall

and would welcome additional members. If you would like to join please contact Sheila Bringeman on 01733 222226 for further information.

During our Art Year, Sheila regularly organises trips out to a variety of different art and craft venues – e.g. Patchings, Near Nottingham and sometimes to Oxford and this year a trip to Cambridge. If the weather is good we try our hand at painting outdoors.

We use different mediums – watercolour, pastels, acrylics, and pencil. At the Village Hall we do not use oils. Despite Sheila’s valiant efforts in the course of the art sessions giving advice and direction to all her protegees, we will never

reach the Constable or Turner standard. We do try – but our efforts will never be displayed in The National Gallery. However our attempts do give us a great deal of personal enjoyment and satisfaction. Painting is a very relaxing hobby and with intermittent exhibitions in St Benedicts Church we hope our efforts are appreciated by others.

Village Tribune

email: villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

15

On the Edge WI – Shimmies, Sushi and Suffragettes

OUR November meeting saw us attempting to channel our inner goddesses’ as one of our members, Dehlia, introduced us to the finer art of Belly Dancing, and some deities proved far more elusive than others.

Donning scarves around our waists we did our very best at figure of eights and shimmies, but it is fair to say that the professionals have nothing to be concerned about. There was however, a good deal of hilarity.

As well as our regular meetings, we also organise a range of courses and events.

So far our ladies have entered a team, and won, the regional WI

quiz. We have also organised a Sushi making course, an outing to see the film Suffragette and our knitting group, Knitty Gritty continues to grow in popularity.

Up and coming extra-curricular activities include an Indian Cookery course in January, theatre trips, and musical events.

To celebrate our first Christmas, On the Edge WI enjoyed a spectacular festive meal and seasonal singalong at our regular meeting venue, the Packhorse in Northborough.

Everyone at the Packhorse has been hugely supportive in getting our group off the ground and we would like to

say a huge thank you to Keith, Sam and Jack.

Our programme for 2016 is almost in place and we are looking forward to our first complete year. For January we are welcoming a representative from the charity MIND to talk to us about mental health and help us become better informed and February will see us introduced to the intriguing world of Reiki.

We are a friendly, youngish group and happy to welcome any ladies who would like to come and see what we do.

The On the Edge WI meet in the Packhorse in Northborough from 7.00pm on the third Monday of the month.

For more information, you can contact Tracy on 07720 327145 or our President, Lorraine on 01733 245865.

R S Stimson

Domestic heating systems, cookers, showers, & bathrooms installed.

Gas appliance servicing, & repair, landlords gas safety certificates issued.

13 Ashburn Close Glinton Peterborough PE6 7LH

Tel/Fax 01733 252418

Mobile 07751446433 Email richardstimson@hotmail.com

16

Woodgate Barn, 35 Maxey Road, Helpston PE6 7DP

Village Tribune

Rosemary’s Farming Diary – January 2016 I THINK this autumn and certainly well into December will be remembered as one of the warmest with no frost one can record.

The sowing of all crops have emerged very quickly even our last sowing of winter wheat following on from the last lift of sugar beet is coming through the ground after less than three weeks, which is quite exceptional when ground temperature normally drops with frost etc. The winter beans which were sown at the end of October have also come through and are showing well in early December.

All crops sown this autumn have had a very good start and look to producing some good results given the right growing conditions throughout their growing period – we have a long way to go before next harvest!

It’s always a relief when all the sugar beet is lifted and delivered to the factory – this year the sugar beet was all into the factory by the 4th December, something I cannot remember having achieved for many years; in fact this could be a record for us, generally a good year for sugar beet with sugars and yields being very acceptable.

The cattle have all settled into their winter housing well, including all the young calves.

We like to feed as much of our own produce grown on the farm as possible with only minerals and a small amount of protein being bought in.

The young stock will spend the winter in sheltered yards with plenty of straw bedding – which in turn is turned into manure when the yards are cleaned out, put into large clamps and spread onto arable fields as organic

matter giving a good fertilizer base on which to add further components as needed for the future cropping of this land.

With the run up to Christmas all outside field work needs to be finished apart from any areas which cannot be completed usually owing to weather conditions but generally speaking we ourselves are well up to date as I think most farmers are in this area.

With having livestock on the farm there is always the daily task of feeding etc. maintenance jobs around the farm and machinery repairs, grain to load and on it goes, thank goodness no frozen water pipes at the moment, but of course this could well change before winter is out.

With only eleven more days before Christmas it’s all hands on to make sure the essentials are in stock and all Christmas orders are booked in and put into place ready for collection.

Likewise the farm has to be up to date with all it needs over the Christmas period – food and bedding for the livestock, fuel for the machinery and fingers crossed nothing breaks down while our supplies are on the Christmas break.

I have been asked my views on the EU referendum; thinking

about it my thoughts have been for some time…should we have ever joined in the first place? but we now find ourselves well and truly in and at the moment I cannot see a sufficient reason for leaving. It’s cost Britain a lot of money and our economy relying on exporting our goods abroad.

Some serious thought needs to be put into this by everyone, not only businesses – we in this country could well be used to flooding the market when it suits other countries when they have surpluses to do just that. So at the moment I personally think we could be better to be ‘in’ instead of ‘out’ of the EU. I think we all need to know a lot more about the finer impact it would have on us in this country before we can make a decision.

I notice we have the smaller birds back in the garden – robins, hedge-sparrow, blue tits etc. which is quite rewarding to see them feeding on insects etc.

I expect they like to come in to more sheltered surroundings with the extra food which they need in the winter.

By the time this edition of The Tribune reaches you Christmas will have been and gone, a New Year dawns, here’s hoping for a happy, healthy and prosperous year ahead.

New Trib’ website - www.villagetribune.org.uk

18

Woodgate Barn, 35 Maxey Road, Helpston PE6 7DP

2016 – Its going to be a great year!

Thank you to all who supported us so well in 2015.

Coming up this year ...

The January Sale – 1st to 10th on our special drinks board.

We have a kitchen refit and cellar work being carried out so please check our opening hours. Details on our facebook page and website.

February: Thursday 4th Special themed dinner (3 courses £25) Monday 8th Ladies Pamper Night 7-9.30pm Thursday 18th ‘One Pot Wonder’ Supper (3 courses £18) Look out for our ‘Lunch for Less’ Menu – just £10 for two courses

Village Tribune

Village Tribune

email: villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

19

From the Kitchen of Chez Pierre Poulet à l’estragon de Lorraine AH, ‘allo all you good people in your Tribuneland villages, the winter is now on us and because of this we look to heartier dishes here at Chez Pierre. One such is a recipe originating from many years ago in Neufchâteau a town in the north eastern area of France: Chicken with Tarragon. For so long this has been served in the restaurants here, each having their own little nuance to make it for themselves, non? One such is probably my favourite and is one which we serve here at CP regularly. As a matter of note we were entertained recently at friends’ house and given another version, topped with filo pastry. It was very good certainly and served with asparagus.

My own is more a rustic fare and has to be easy, using the good large free range chicken (either whole cut into 8 pieces or, as I am to normally do, 8 large skin-on boneless thighs) For four guests: chicken as above, olive oil, 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, 2 cups chicken stock, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 4 large oblong shallots (trimmed, peeled, and julienned), 1/3 cup heavy cream, 2 tablespoons tarragon, minced, plus 4 sprigs, 1/2 cup dry white wine Season the chicken with salt and white pepper. Place a heavy bottom sauté pan over medium high heat. When the pan is hot add enough olive oil to form a thin film. Add the chicken skin side down, brown to your liking then quickly remove it to a plate. Add the butter and the shallots to the pan. Sauté the shallots until golden then deglaze the pan with the white wine, letting it reduce to a couple of tablespoons or so. Add the chicken stock, tomato paste and the sprigs of tarragon then place the chicken back into the pan (skin side up) and let the sauce come to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, place a lid on the pan and simmer for about 30 minutes until tender.

When the chicken is tender remove the lid and put the pan under the grill for about 5 minutes to crisp up the skin. Remove the chicken to a warm serving platter. Place the pan over high heat and stir in the cream with the chopped tarragon and heat to thicken and reduce.

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning. Sauce the chicken

and serve with extra sauce on the side.

I will normally present this menu to friends with sides of new or baked gratin dauphinois potatoes, petis pois or courgettes and sliced sautéed baby sweetcorn. My wine choice will be always the Chez Pierre House white, a delightfully fresh Sauvignon Blanc from the south of my country.

To Mrs M at Helpston: The sauce I recommend with your fish will be Mousseline, for your chicken a sauce Choron. I have sent my easy recipes to you by email.

Bon appétite mes amis.

Pierre

askchezpierre@gmail.com

20

Woodgate Barn, 35 Maxey Road, Helpston PE6 7DP

Village Tribune

Village Tribune

email: villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

Learn to meditate for health and wellbeing in the new year FOR thousands of years, people have experienced many benefits from meditation - enjoying increased inner peace and a positive outlook on life. Meditation is also well documented as being an effective tool for combating stress, anxiety and related health issues.

Meditation makes our mind more calm and peaceful. If our mind is peaceful we can free ourselves from worries and anxiety, and so we can begin to experience true happiness. By training in meditation we can gradually learn to stay peaceful all the time, even in the most difficult circumstances.

As we progress, we will experience a calm, spacious feeling in the mind, and many of our usual problems will fall away. Difficult situations will become easier to deal with, we will naturally feel warm and well disposed towards other people, and our relationships will gradually improve.

In January and February, Buddhist nun Gen Nyingpo will guide meditation classes in both Peterborough and

Stamford. Gen Nyingpo is a Buddhist nun based in Peterborough. She has taught meditation internationally for 20 years and has a wealth of experience practicing meditation in modern day life.

Classes in Peterborough are held at the Drolma Buddhist Centre, 260 Dogsthorpe Road, PE1 3PG (Tuesdays 7.008.15pm and Wednesdays 1.002.00pm). Classes in Stamford are held at the Stamford arts Centre (Thursdays 1.00-2.00pm and Fridays 7.00-8.15pm).

Classes cost £6.

For information please see www.meditateinpeterborough. org.uk or tel: 01733 755444

21

David Over (ref Lolham Crossing) Not one car going up the wrong way this lunch time though two got to the signs then turned around. I was there, ready, with my camera!

Alastair Peat I see the barriers have been removed now though it didn’t put off the two I passed earlier today.

Vicki Wolfe I’ve stopped using the crossing - I thought when the new one-way was put in place it’d be safer but it’s worse than ever. It’s a death trap, I’d rather add a few minutes to my journey and get home safe than dare face the idiots travelling the wrong way!

Geoffrey Nichol Trouble is it still looks like a temporary closure which people won’t take seriously until the road markings have been changed.

22

Woodgate Barn, 35 Maxey Road, Helpston PE6 7DP

1016 and all that!!

by Dr Avril Lumley Prior

PEAKIRK’S parish church with its unique dedication in St Pega’s honour is now over a thousand years old. Her millennium will be commemorated by a series of special events, taking place throughout 2016. For my part, I am devoting a trilogy of Trib. articles on ‘The History of the Church in Peakirk’. If you think that this sounds like a rather dry and holier-than-thou subject, then please bear with me.

I assure you that Peakirk 1016 was by no means the tranquil haven that it is today. The church was founded during the reign of the ill-fated and illadvised Æthelræd ‘the Unready’ (‘unræd’ or uncounciled) (9791013; 1014-16) and against a backdrop of murder, intrigue, treason and the abduction of a vulnerable widow-of-substance.

Add heroes and villains, a hint of romance and hoards of rampaging ‘Vikings’ to the mix and we have all the ingredients of a swashbuckling Bernard Cornwell classic – except that this tale is quite true and as far

St Pega’s tall, narrow nave

Village Tribune

as Peakirk is concerned, has a happy ending. Although little of the action actually happened there, it was the scene of some of the excitement. Let the story unfold...

The lost kingdom During the late-tenth and earlyeleventh century, England was at war the Danes and Norwegians as well as with herself. Æthelred II only became king of England because his mother, Ælfrida, had arranged the murder of his elder half-brother, Eadward the Martyr (975-79), whilst on a ‘friendly’ visit to her stronghold at Corfe [Dorset].

At the eleven-year-old Æthelræd’s coronation, Archbishop Dunstan of Canterbury foretold of the many terrors that would befall the nation as the result of his ignoble ascent to the throne. Indeed, Dunstan’s prophecies of doom seemed to come true. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles relate that shortly afterwards there was a fiery eclipse of a ‘super-moon’, followed by ‘Viking’ raids along the Hampshire, Devon, Cornwall and Dorset coasts.

Northumbria and Lincolnshire were next to be hit and to make matters worse, in 986, ‘the great pestilence among cattle (?footand-mouth disease) first came to England’.

Then in 994, Kings Olaf Tryggvesson of Norway and Sweyn Forkbeard of Denmark cruised up the Thames with 94 longships intent on sacking London. However, its citizens defended it so fiercely that the invaders turned their attentions on Essex, Kent and Sussex instead. Æthelræd bought them off with £16,000 and Olaf and Sweyn duly departed promising never to return.

Peakirk: St Pega’s Church But as the saying goes, ‘once you’ve paid the Danegeld, you’ll never get rid of the Danes’.

Although Olaf kept his word, in 997, Sweyn’s ships reappeared in the Severn Estuary and he and his soldiers of fortune carried on looting and burning in the same old style, despite further payments to go away.

To cut a long story short, by 1013, Sweyn controlled all of England and was reluctantly accepted as king. The redundant Æthelræd decamped first to the Isle of Wight and then joined his wife, Emma, at the court of her brother, Duke Robert of Normandy, to whom she had fled with their

Æthelræd, sword at-the-ready (c.1450) (Wikipedia)

Village Tribune

email: villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

children and Abbot Ælfsige of Peterborough (1006-41) at the first sign of trouble.

In 1014, Sweyn died and Æthelræd regained England but his homecoming was far from peaceful. The Danish raids resumed and in 1015, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles record that two of Æthelræd’s leading thegns [ministers], the brothers Sigeferth and Morcar, were murdered at Oxford by Ealdorman Eadric Streona of Mercia, who had ‘lured them into his chamber’. Their lands were appropriated by the king before Eadric could grab them for himself and Sigeferth’s widow, Ealdgyth, was ‘seized’ and taken to Malmesbury. She was liberated by Æthelræd’s, son Eadmund Ætheling, who promptly married her against his father’s wishes.

We cannot tell whether there was a mutual attraction between Eadmund and Ealdgyth, if she merely was expressing her gratitude to her rescuer or if she just relished the prospect of becoming queen but within a year she had provided him with an heir and a spare. It certainly was a strategic match for, according to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles, the couple immediately headed for Mercia to recover Sigeferth’s former territory, known as the ‘Seven Boroughs’ [namely, Stamford, Leicester, Lincoln, Nottingham, Derby, Torksey and possibly York] ‘and all the

Edmund Ironside (c.1450) (Wikipedia)

people submitted to him’.

In the meantime, the treacherous Eadric had stolen 40 of Æthelræd’s ships and joined forces with Sweyn’s son, King Cnut [Canute] of Denmark. Moreover, Wessex, Æthelræd’s very heartland, decided that submission was the better part of valour and gave the raiding-party horses and hostages in exchange for being left alone. Æthelræd died a broken man on 23 April 1016 and was succeeded by his son, who showed such metal in battle that he earned sobriquet, Eadmund Ironside.

Eadmund’s reign was as turbulent as his father’s had been. Following Cnut’s victory at the battle of Ashingdune [Essex], the two kings agreed to divide England between them, Eadmund taking Wessex and Cnut Mercia. After ruling his reduced kingdom for less than seven months, Edmund died on 30 November 1016.

The twelfth-century AngloNorman chroniclers, Henry of Huntingdon and Geoffrey Gaimar, luridly describe his assassination in a London privy, though other historians believe that he succumbed to wounds received at Ashingdune or died from natural causes. His infant sons (possibly twins), Eadmund and Eadward, were dispatched across Europe to Hungary for safe-keeping by the twicewidowed Ealdgyth. Cnut was crowned king of All England on 6 January 1017 and became a reformed character. He promptly married Æthelræd’s widow, Emma (ten years his senior), enthusiastically embraced Christianity and became benefactor of monasteries, sharing Abbot Ælfsige of Peterborough’s fascination for saints’ relics. At last England had a strong leader who was capable of uniting the realm and truly deserving of the title, ‘Cnut the Great’.

23

Old Monastery – ‘New Minster’?

Meanwhile, what was happening in Peakirk?

Unfortunately, for background information we are obliged to consult a late fourteenthcentury false-chronicle composed by a monk now called pseudo-Ingulph, who tried (with considerable success) to pass off his work as the writings of the real-life Abbot Ingulph of Crowland (1086-1109). Pseudo-Ingulph declares that, during King Æthelræd’s reign, there was a religious community at Peakirk, dedicated in the honour of St Pega, who had reputedly settled there several years before her brother, Guthlac the hermit (c.673-714), died at Crowland.

In 1013, ‘the Monastery of St Pega at Peykirk’ was destroyed

by Sweyn’s Danish invaders, together with its estates at Glinton, Northumburtham [Northborough], Makesey [Maxey], Etton, Badyngton [Bainton] and Bernake [Barnack]. Peakirk’s venerable Abbot Baldoc and his monks managed to escape with their lives by boat to Crowland under cover of darkness. When they returned to inspect the damage, poor Baldoc was so distressed that he had an apoplectic seizure, died five days later and was buried beneath the ruins of his church.

Of course, pseudo-Ingulph was writing at least 450 years after the event and may have invented the ‘Monastery of St

*

Cnut the Great (c.1450) (Wikipedia)

24

Woodgate Barn, 35 Maxey Road, Helpston PE6 7DP

as a ploy to claim lands * Pega’ south of the River Welland for

Crowland Abbey, which was only saved on payment of £1,000 marks ‘to the Danes’ and then by bribing Sweyn’s turn-coat ally, Eadric, with monastic lands to keep during his lifetime. Yet, we have evidence that after Æthelræd regained his kingdom in 1014 his thegn, Sigeferth of the Seven Boroughs (died 1015) created a ‘New Minster’ [‘Nouum Monasterium’] at Pegecyrcan, exactly 300 years after Pega purportedly established her fen-edge anchorage on the site of the present ‘Peakirk Hermitage’. Therefore, it is curious that Sigeferth’s church was consecrated, not in St Pega’s name, but in those of the ‘Holy Trinity, Our Lord’s Mother [the Virgin Mary] and All Hallows [Saints]’. Was he unaware of the history of the place, I wonder? Or was he deliberately trying to disassociate St Pega from his brand-new religious house? Better to have the Holy Trinity, the Virgin Mary and ALL the Saints on his side than a single, somewhat-obscure one, even if she had given her name to Peakirk (‘Pega’s church’).

Sigeferth’s foundation charter is now lost. Fortunately, we do have copies of another document, in which Eadmund Ætheling ‘the King’ bestowed upon the ‘New Minster’ oneand-a-half hides of land

Escomb, Durham’s, fortress-like appearance

[approximately 180 acres] in Pegecyrcan (‘Pega’s church’) and three perches (0.01875 acres or 75.29 square metres) in Wealtun (Walton, Peterborough), including ‘fields, pastures, meadows, sluices, a water-toll and a fishery in the marsh’. Like the rector’s glebe, the church’s lands could be leased in exchange for food-rent or labour and tolls levied on river-traffic.

In return, the resident priests would dispense pastoral care to the Peakirk peasantry.

Nevertheless, Eadmund made it crystal-clear that the foremost duties of the clergy were to chant and sing prayers for the redemption of his and his wife’s souls and for that of Ealdgyth’s former husband and founder of the ‘New Minster’, Sigeferth, who had owned the Peakirk and Walton estates ‘in his lifetime’. Finally, perhaps, fearing for their chances in the Afterlife if the pagan Cnut snatched his depleted kingdom and disposed of his Peakirk chantry priests, Eadmund’s charter issues a dire warning.

Anyone who disregarded his decree or despoiled his church would suffer the same fate as the anti-Christs, Judas Iscariot and the High Priests, Annas and Caiaphas, and would be eternally condemned to the fires of Hell.

Past scholars have proposed that Eadmund’s charter of 1016 was compiled to give lands at Peakirk and Walton to the New Minster at Winchester, erected

by Eadward the Elder (899924). However, Winchester’s New Minster was consecrated in the honour of the Holy Trinity, the Virgin Mary and ST PETER rather than Holy Trinity, The Virgin Mary and ALL SAINTS. Furthermore, although the Peakirk/Walton document survives only in the form of three twelfth- and thirteenthcentury copies, all are preserved exclusively in Peterborough Abbey manuscripts, namely

Village Tribune the Liber Niger or Black Book (c.1146), the Register of Robert of Swaffham (c.1250) and the exquisite, white leather-bound ‘pocket’ cartulary, attributed to Prior John of Threckingham (c.1255). If these are exact copies of the original, then Eadmund’s charter contains the earliest known citation of the place-name, Peakirk.

Shortly after King Cnut’s baptism, the absentee Abbot Ælfsige was restored to his monastery at Peterborough and regained control of its lands and liberties (undoubtedly at the twice-crowned Queen Emma’s behest). Peakirk’s ‘New Minster’s’ status probably changed from a ‘chantry’, with clergy praying for the souls of its founder and benefactors, to a parish church with a single priest to administer to the spiritual welfare of the abbot’s tenants. A rental of c.1290 and a will of 1539, confirm beyond all doubt that the Sigeferth’s ‘minster’ occupied the site of present church, whilst taxation records of 1291/2 state that the ‘parish share’, payable to the abbot amounted to £1. 6s. 8d [£1.33].

By then, the triple dedication had been whittled down to just All Hallows, although the ‘Trinity’ and ‘Virgin Mary’ [Lady Chapel] altars remained until the eve of the Dissolution of the Monasteries, in 1539.

Two years later, the church became the responsibility of the Dean and Chapter of Peterborough Cathedral and was reconsecrated in Pega’s honour, leading us to surmise that knowledge of a pre-1016 dedication persisted.

Sigeferth’s ‘Minster’ un masked So, what if anything is left of Sigeferth’s ‘New Minster’? To find out, I recommend that you pay St Pega’s a personal visit.

The original chancel has long since vanished, replaced in the

Village Tribune

email: villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

Peakirk west-wall: outline of Sigeferth’s nave fourteenth-century roughly at the time when the sumptuous murals were painted. The aisles, doorways, bell-cote and buttresses are all post-Conquest but if you dismantle them (in your mind’s-eye), the skeleton of a quintessentially late AngloSaxon nave emerges. You will find further clues to Sigeferth’s church in the exterior west wall. There, you will see the scar of the original-roof line and on the south west-corner massive blocks of typical Anglo-Saxon long-and-short quoins. (Some academic tomes claim that the quoins are in the south-east corner of the nave

but I am unconvinced. Their authors did not benefit from a circumnavigation of the church with Professor David Stocker, a leading authority on historical buildings.)

Sigeferth’s church would have had (and still has) a marked resemblance to an AngloSaxon/medieval hall open to the rafters, with the ‘high-end’ [the lord’s/priest’s domain] where the chancel stands, whilst the nave, with its north and south doors, represents the ‘low end’ where the hoi polloi were accommodated.

The entire structure must have had a fortress-like appearance, reminiscent of St Mary’s nave at Nassington (of similar date) and the late seventh-century St John the Baptist’s at Escomb [County Durham]. Indeed, this stone bastion of faith was a stark contrast to the humble, wattle-and daub hovels of the eleventh-century Pegekirkans.

Once, inside, the congregation’s senses would have been intoxicated by the music, drama, colour, bells and smells. The mysteries of the Latin Mass performed by chanting priests in the incense-laden, shadowfilled nave would have been mesmerising, mystical, magical and quite incomprehensible to the superstitious medieval mind.

25

It is very easy to conjure up images of a scene a thousand years ago, with Ealdgyth betwixt her two husbands, kneeling and praying reverently by the flickering light of beeswax candles at the ‘New Minster’s’ consecration service. In reality, we have is no proof whatsoever that any of them actually did attend the event, although it is feasible that Sigeferth and Ealdgyth were present and/or for the initial ‘turf-cutting’ ceremony prior to the construction of the ‘New Minster’, in 1014/5.

Archaeological evidence strongly suggests that Sigeferth did not raise his church on a ‘green-field’ site but within the early eleventh-century ‘village envelope’. If so, did the ‘New Minster’ have a predecessor, an ‘old minster? Is there any truth in pseudo-Ingulph’s story of Abbot Baldoc’s ‘Monastery of St Pega’? And where was the enigmatic ‘Pegelandæ Cœnobium’ [‘Pega’s land monastery’], identified by generations of antiquarians, including John Leland (c.150352), John Bridges (1666-1724) and Reverend William Stukeley (1687-1765), as centred around ‘Peakirk Hermitage’? Well, that’s in the next instalment. Expect a few surprises!

26

Woodgate Barn, 35 Maxey Road, Helpston PE6 7DP

Village Tribune

Stamford Property Maintenance

All aspects of work undertaken & free quotations Renovations, Tiling, Flooring, Kitchens, Bathrooms, General Repairs, Patios, Fencing, Landscaping

Home: 01733 254190 Mobile 07860 804648

www.stamfordpropertymaintenance.co.uk E: stamfordpm@gmail.com

Village Tribune

email: villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

27

Eileen raises £31,000 locally TEAM ‘Safe Local Trades’ has raised over £6,000 for Age UK Peterborough - a total of over £31,000 since 2009!

Each year, Peterboroughbased Safe Local Trades organise fund-raising events for their chosen charity Age UK Peterborough. This year, they had volunteers getting muddy and wet in the Insane Terrain obstacle course; some hauled themselves out of a plane at 13,000 feet; and many others kept their feet firmly on the ground by taking part in the Great Eastern Run. All events were an overall success and the organiser, Eileen Le Voi, owner of Safe Local Trades, said; “we would like to thank each and every volunteer who took part, and to everyone who sponsored them in their events, all of which helped to raise an amazing £6,045 for this very worthy local charity”.

David Bache, Chief Executive of Age UK Peterborough, said; “once again Eileen and her team

of dedicated volunteers have exceeded our expectations by presenting us with this huge cheque. £6,045 is a huge sum of money and will help us to make a big difference to the quality of life for many older people in Peterborough.

On behalf of the Age UK Peterborough team, I pass on

our most sincere thanks to Eileen and everyone who took part in the events.”

Safe Local Trades have been running annual fundraising events for Age UK Peterborough since 2009 and, since then, have helped to raise over £31,000, which is an amazing achievement.

28

Woodgate Barn, 35 Maxey Road, Helpston PE6 7DP

Rob’s Gardening Services

FREE Quotes All gardening work undertaken

(including pressure washing)

Telephone Rob:

07920 512802 07877 583484

Village Tribune

KIRSTY & ROB’S PLANTS Nursery Address: 1 West End Road, Maxey PE6 9EJ

OPEN EVERY SATURDAY & SUNDAY FROM 10AM - 5PM, MONDAY 10AM-6PM

Large and varied collection of

Shrubs, Perennials, Standard Plants, Bedding and Hanging Baskets New stock delivered weekly

Special Offer: Bring this advert to receive 10% discount on purchases (limited time only)

Village Tribune

email: villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

29

From this day forward

CONGRATULATIONS! Chances are, you are reading this because your big day is on the horizon.

Yet, once the best wishes and initial ‘buzz’ are over, the prospect of how to get everything ‘right’ can be overwhelming, for both bride and groom.

Take heart, you are not alone, and the process need not be daunting at all. With the help of some great planning, you really can enjoy every minute of it!

First things first

Set the date, work out your guest numbers and choose your bridesmaids if you haven’t already. Decide where you want to have your ceremony, establish that the date is free and book your chosen venue.

Buy wedding insurance, to protect your interests in the event of anything unforeseen.

Book your photographer. Once this is all done, you can send out ‘save the date’ cards to all your guests.

Prudent to prioritise

Wishes are one thing, and the budget might be another, but it is wise to begin by prioritising a few key ideas, which you can explore further when you proceed through the rest your planning.

Nevertheless, wallpapering over your initial ideas with trending Pantone colours, Pinterest board snippets, Google images of celebrity weddings and the pages of copious bridal magazines,

*

30

Woodgate Barn, 35 Maxey Road, Helpston PE6 7DP

Village Tribune

lead to a myriad of * could confusion rather than a rainbow

of inspiration.

The Tribune caught up Nina, Louise and Lynsey, all of whom were married recently, each with their own unique ideals, personalities and budgets.

There was a prevailing sense that an individual’s imagination is the key, to ‘do it your own way’, but to look for advice wherever and whenever it might be needed.

Remember, this is your perfect wedding day, nobody else’s.

Checklist

Helpful books on weddings that include planners are not difficult to find, but many good wedding checklists are available online. We liked this one: http://bit.ly/1PfN9oc, as it allows you to build on your original prerequisites, yet decide for yourself the

complexity of your planning.

“Think about what’s important to you and your partner... this helps you agree your budget and work out where to invest. For example we spent lots of money on food/drink and music/ entertainment but very little on my dress and his suit.” Nina

Photography

Factor in plenty of time for photography on the big day.

Wedding photographers aren’t just there for provide a service, they’re one of the most important guests at your wedding on one of the most important days of your lives.

Look at a photographer’s portfolio and see if they capture the way you would like to remember your wedding. It’s advisable to meet prior to the

*

Village Tribune

email: villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

Fabulous Celebrations, Good Food, Real Ales, Great Entertainment

Your unique Marquee Wedding and Party Venue!

Planning a dream wedding, family celebration or corporate party? Our beautiful, spacious, allweather, year-round marquees offer an unique and fun venue for up to 200 guests.

The marquees and private garden are situated next to our Georgian manor house and surrounded by beautiful countryside in the quaint village of Etton and easily accessible from the main towns of Peterborough, Stamford and Market Deeping.

We’re now taking bookings for 2016 and 2017.

Contact us to create your bespoke celebration package – it’s your day and we create it your way!

Stop Press... we can now set up a stylish Tepee alongside the other marquees to make your event even more fun!

‘Like’ us on Facebook for fantastic special offers and entertainment news CAMRA and Cask Marque registered

31

32

Woodgate Barn, 35 Maxey Road, Helpston PE6 7DP

Cupids Wedding Shows The Regions greatest Wedding Shows!!

Over 65 stands, fashion shows, goody bags for first 250 brides, free bridal directory, welcome drink 10.30am- 3.00pm

The East of England Wedding Show

Sunday 21st February Peterborough Arena, East of England Showground, Peterborough

Cupids Spring Wedding Show

Sunday 6th March Springfield’s Exh. Centre, Spalding

Everything you need to plan your special day!

Visit www.cupidsweddingshows.co.uk or tel 07738 912092 for further information!

Weddings at The Bluebell

We can help in all sorts of ways to make your day so memorable. We’re here if you need a venue for an intimate wedding breakfast, groom and ushers breakfast, afternoon tea, or why not hire the entire pub for an evening party? We can also offer a fully staffed outside bar.

Village Tribune

wedding, preferably at the chosen venue, which can help you to discuss the specifics of the location and backgrounds that you would like included.

“I didn’t want a photographer for the whole day, only for the ceremony and after shots, Symply Photography were more than happy to accommodate these wishes, and the photographer was marvellous. We also had a handful of disposable cameras and props and just let everyone take selfies. When they are developed we will have them framed and hung in our hallway, so everyone can see!”

Louise

Dress sense

You are the belle of the ball, but don’t sacrifice timeless elegance for latest trends, especially if the silhouette and style doesn’t suit you. It’s not about how it looks on the

Village Tribune

email: villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

hanger, so you need to try on many dresses as you need to until you are happy with your choice.

“I had an idea of what I wanted, yet ended up coming out with something the opposite! Suzy, at local bridal shop, Blush Bridal, was fantastic; she actually chose my dress for me, it was the 10th dress I tried on and I knew as soon as I put it on that it was right for me!” Louise Ask a friend to take a picture of you in your chosen dress.

You can take this photo with you to your hair stylist to help complete your look.

For the groom, it is about dressing smartly, irrespective of usual attire choices. A threepiece suit, rather than a tuxedo, is often the preferred choice as it gives the added benefit of a smart piece of clothing that will last for many years. Allow plenty of time to choose suit and shoes, as this will avoid

stress and save money.

Bridesmaids are vital at every wedding, not least for their help and support, but also as they add beauty, colour and style to the look of your day. However, bridesmaids all share the same skin tone or body shape, so it can help to go for a variety of styles with a coloured theme.

That way each bridesmaid can choose a style of dress most suitable for her.

Hair and make-up

Whether you are doing your own make-up or getting gorgeous with the help of an expert, it will be a long day, so you need to make sure your look with last. Aim to enhance your usual appearance rather than creating something drastically different. There are some great tips here: http://bit.ly/1EJjq3b. Visit your hair stylist and book an appointment for your trial style.

33

Take with you anything you think will help achieve the look you love and the style of your wedding, including the photo of you in your dress from the fitting. Keep your hair in good condition and regularly trimme, but don’t have your hair cut just before your big day!

Reception and entertainment

Consider the type/s of music you want to provide, table decor, seating plans, lighting and seating plans. Establishing a seating plan can be a tenuous exercise ...who sits with who, and especially dear Aunt Agony on copious wine, but a YouGov survey conducted a few years ago concluded that most guests prefer a seating plan to an unassigned rush for ‘good seats’.

“The reception was the most expensive part of our wedding, but it cost less than

*

34

Woodgate Barn, 35 Maxey Road, Helpston PE6 7DP

Village Tribune better value and more readily available. Remember that arrangements can be used in both the ceremony and in the reception afterwards.

The icing on it

*

some people pay. We went to the Wicked Witch in Ryhall; staff were always helpful and attentive, food was out of this world and the atmosphere was enchanting, it was our first choice and it was perfect.”

Louise “Choose suppliers that you like and trust and then just put faith into them to get one with it... and listen to them. The florist probably knows more about flowers than you do!

This made the process a lot more enjoyable for us - as we weren’t micro-managing lots of people.” Nina

“I turned to social media for help. People recommended local suppliers and services and this made the tasks so much easier and often cheaper too. It all fell into place very easily.’ Lynsey

Flowers

Your flowers enhance any chosen colours and themes, alongside invitations, bridesmaid dresses and reception interiors, and appear in almost all of your formal photographs. Seasonal wedding flowers tend to be

Personal preference, cultural background and trends are likely to influence your wedding cake design and taste. 2016 will apparently be heading towards more bright and bold florals (large statement peonies, roses etc.), organic floral arrangements, laser cut sugared flowers, or the versatility of a painted cake.

From bohemian vibes to luxurious and elegant, visit this link for inspiration: http://bit. ly/1Jzkpnr

Fine print

Finally, make sure you read the fine print on every contract before you sign it, and are aware of cancellation policies and fees.

We wish you all the very best for your special day, which will almost certainly be everything you hoped for and more.

36

Woodgate Barn, 35 Maxey Road, Helpston PE6 7DP

Tribune Notice board...

Friday 15th January 7.30pm Glinton Horticultural Society A presentation by Geoff Hodge: “Winter colour in the garden - Beating the winter blues” in Glinton Village Hall. More details 01733 253591 or visit www. glintonhorticulturalsociety.org.uk

Arts Centre on 01780 763203 or online at www.stamfordartscentre. com

Saturday 16th January 7.30pm Handful of Harmonies sings for Mustard Seed Project Join us at Stamford Arts Centre for a charity fundraising evening of choral entertainment. A varied programme from HoH (plus Youth choir), including African songs.

Tickets £7.50 adults, £6 concessions (OAP/under16) available from SAC 01780 763203

Wednesday 10th February 12.30pm Ash Wednesday Communion and Ashing.

St Andrew’s Northborough All Welcome

Saturday 16th January Dementia Resource Centre Open Day We are trying to reach carers that are either working or unavailable Monday to Fridays. To give them the opportunity to see the support we are able to offer at the Dementia Resource Centre 24th - 30th January Breakfast week Join us for a ‘Breakfast Special’ during Breakfast week - at Willowbrook Farm.

Saturday 30th January 7.00pm Burns Night Supper Helpston Village Hall. £15pp to inc two course supper and first drink Dust off your kilt and come and help us “address the haggis!”

Tickets available from Tammy Tushingham 253770 or Caryn Thompson 252232 Saturday 30th January 8.00pm English Music for Strings The Ballroom, Stamford Arts Centre with The Stamford Chamber Orchestra. Tickets for all concerts £12.50/ £10.50/£5.00 from Stamford

Sunday 7th February 9-11am St Pega’s Cafe brunch Help us celebrate Peakirk’s Millennium

Friday 19th February 7.30pm Glinton Horticultural Society A presentation by Chris Andrews (RSPB): “Back garden beasts” in Glinton Village Hall. More details 01733 253591 or visit www. glintonhorticulturalsociety.org.uk Sunday 6th March 10.30am Mothering Sunday at Northborough Come and join us for All-Age Praise Everyone is Welcome!

Saturday 12th March 7.30pm A Musical Miscellany The Stamford Concert Singers.

At St. Andrew’s Northborough Tickets £7:50 to include glass of wine and refreshments.

Proceeds to St. A’s Church Polly 01778 380849 We are looking for families to host a Chernobyl Child. It is great fun and so rewarding! We are a registered charity who brings children from the areas contaminated by Chernobyl in Belarus to stay with local families to breath clean air and to eat food free from the Chernobyl radiation which is so damaging to health. It doesn’t matter if you work as we have an activity scheme every weekday from 8/9am to 4 or 5pm with ‘after school care’. The children come from families who are really struggling and the families are so grateful to us. The

Village Tribune children really are lovely kids. No one in the charity is paid and we all give of our talents and efforts for the of joy of seeing happy faces. If you would like to know more, please private message me. The dates for 2016 are 25th June to 23rd July. Thank you Cecilia

Dementia Awareness

Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Resource Centre for Peterborough is opening its doors on Saturday 16th January 2016 to give free advice to anyone with questions about dementia.

Staff will be on hand from 10am – 1pm to offer information, support and advice. The Alzheimer’s Society team are particularly keen to welcome carers who are unable to access our services during normal office hours; anyone who would like to know more about dementia and would like to find out about the services provided at the Dementia Resource Centre.

Kevin Bowyer, Alzheimer’s Society Services Manager for Peterborough, said: “We really hope that people can come along to our Open Day to find out about the services we provide for people affected by dementia. Two thirds of people with dementia live in the community yet far too many people with the condition are left feeling isolated and lonely and unable to access vital services.

The Dementia Resource Centre is a one-stop service for advice, information and support, ensuring people living with dementia and their carers in Peterborough are able to get the help they need in everyday life.

If would like any further information regarding the open day please call the Dementia Resource Centre on 01733 893853.

villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

Village Tribune

email: villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

37

In my Tribland garden A HAPPY NEW YEAR to all Tribland gardeners, I hope that you have all recovered from the Christmas festivities and are ready to start on the gardening tasks for 2016. January is a busy time, if you have a glasshouse it is now that you need to clean all the pots, propagators and seed trays ready for the coming season.

Glasshouses will need to be washed down with sterilising solution and any damage will require attention. Once these jobs are completed the more interesting work of seed sowing can begin.

The first seed sowing in my glasshouse is always the sweet peas, I have found over the years that early January is the best time to start them off. Plants grown on from this time do not get too leggy and they produce a good crop of flowers from early to mid-June.

The use of a heated propagator will ensure reliable germination and will give the young plants a good start.

Following on from the sweet peas the early bedding plants

will be sown in late January/ early February, antirrhinum, French and African marigolds, lobelia, pansies, petunias, etc.

You could also try geraniums and fibrous rooted begonias, although I prefer to grow these from plug plants, these are readily available from your local garden centre or by mail order later in the spring This is also the time to sow a few early vegetable seeds, tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers, if you have a heated glasshouse to accommodate the young plants in the early spring. Early peas and brassica seeds can also be sown, a busy time indeed. Cleanliness of seed trays propagators pots, etc. is essential if damping off is to be prevented. The use of good quality seed compost is also required for a successful result.

As we move into February the early spring flowers, aconites, snowdrops and crocus will be flowering and the shoots of narcissus, hyacinths and tulips will be showing.

Promising much colour for our

February will see the early spring flowers in bloom

Start your sweet peas in January gardens in the early spring and signalling the end of the dark and cold days.

2014 has, on the whole, been a very good year for the gardens. Many crops matured earlier than normal and vegetables were abundant.

The mild and damp autumnal weather has allowed some of the more delicate plants to remain in flower. I have gazanias and geraniums still in flower in early December.

If you have still to complete your autumn digging, try to complete it before the snow arrives. This will allow the winter frosts to break down the rough clods of soil ready to be raked into a fine tilth later in the spring. A little and often is the best approach to heavy digging, this way will reduce the risk of you getting back ache.

As I walk around the villages I am pleased to see the winter flowering jasmine in bloom, always a welcome splash of colour at this time of year.

The late winter/early spring is a good time to visit Anglesea Abbey to see the snowdrops.

Even though the days are short and cold there are plenty of jobs that can still be done, so enjoy your gardening.

38

Woodgate Barn, 35 Maxey Road, Helpston PE6 7DP

Village Tribune

Delfield Motors M.O.T. Testing Station Class IV (cars, light vans) Class VII (vans up to 3500kg)

For all mechanical, MoT preparations, accident & insurance body repairs

Courtesy car available ALL work guaranteed

Peterborough 01733 252599 Peakirk, Peterborough PE6 7NT Established since 1972

Village Tribune

email: villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

39

John Clare Cottage News

IT HAS been a busy year at the Cottage. Since the last issue of the Tribune we have had 2 major events.

We were very honoured to hold a wedding reception for Beth and Dave Bearman, following their wedding service in St Botolph’s on Nov 28th.

They and their guests came to the Cottage for cake, mince pies and mulled wine. They then went on to Barnack for the evening reception. Beth and Dave are stalwart supporters of the Acoustic Café, hence their request to hold part of their reception at the Cottage.

Another supporter of the Acoustic Café is Sara Hawkes and we had an excellent Jazz evening with Sara accompanied

by Ivan Garford on keyboard.

We are now planning for 2016.

We have a full programme of artists coming to exhibit their works in the Cottage Café.

The Acoustic Café evenings will continue, with the next one being on January 21st.

There is new music event on Saturday 6th February. A Lighter Shade of Blues will

be performing in the Cottage starting at 8pm, entry by tickets which are £5 each and available from the Cottage. A Lighter Shade of Blues consist of Rev Dave Maylor on guitar and vocals, Doug Chapman on Harmonica, Brian Evans Ogden on double bass and Michael Permarker on guitar and vocals.

Do come along and support a local group.

The Pantaloons, outdoor

theatre group, will be coming back to perform in the Cottage gardens. In June it will be Gullivers Travels and in August they will perform the Canterbury Tales.

The Open Crafts day, which was a great success in 2015, will be held in 2016 on August 6th. Full details of these and other events at the Cottage will on our website www. clarecottage.org.

On December 15th Janet and David Dykes attended an opening ceremony for the official opening of Peterborough’s Green Square in Long Causeway with Deputy Mayor Cllr Nazim Khan MBE and Glinton Cllr and PCC Leader John Holdich OBE. Also invited were teachers and pupils from Castor CE, Thorpe and Newark Hill Primary Schools, representatives from the Queensgate Shopping Centre and Joanne Plews from Eurovia contractors. John gave an opening address from the granite circle, which celebrates the work of Helpston poet John Clare. Poetry inscriptions were also from local schools.

New Trib’ website - www.villagetribune.org.uk

40

Woodgate Barn, 35 Maxey Road, Helpston PE6 7DP

Village Tribune

Janice Caress Kirby The blot on our landscape on my walk today.

If you have any news, views or comments that you would like to share with other readers, please contact the Tribune editor, Tony Henthorn at: Villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

Glinton Parish Council has once again used funds to plant an oak tree to replace a dead specimen in the recreation ground. Councillors Gerry Kirt, Bob Randall and Pete Skinner braved the rain to carry out the planting. On examination of dead tree it was discovered the plastic bag covering the root ball had not been removed! Left to right - Councillors Gerry Kirt, Bob Randall and Pete Skinner

Village Tribune

email: villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

41

Switch over, switch off and you could save hundreds of pounds IT’S that time of year when many of us vow to tighten our belts and save some money – not least to balance out the cost of Christmas.

You might look to spend less on your weekly shop or decide to eat out less often… but have you thought about reducing your household bills?

It could be worth looking at what you’re paying for your gas and electricity, for example. A lot of people in the area already have, and on average, dual fuel pay monthly customers are saving more than £230 a year.

How? By switching to a fair and competitive tariff for this area – Peterborough Energy.

Peterborough Energy is a partnership between awardwinning provider OVO Energy and Peterborough City Council.

It’s exclusively for residents of Peterborough and the surrounding villages within the City Council boundaries.

Those signing up include Leader of the City Council and Glinton resident, Councillor John Holdich, who saved an estimated £450 by switching to Peterborough Energy. As a British Gas customer Cllr Holdich had not switched providers for several years, and was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was.

Cllr Holdich said: “You hear a lot about switching energy providers and it’s tempting to keep putting it off, thinking it will be a long and complicated process. But I was able to switch in just a couple of minutes and was especially

Cllr John Holdich and Anna Lewis, Partnerships Coordinator at Ovo Energy pleased to save such a considerable amount.”

So far, more than 1,000 people have switched to Peterborough Energy so, accumulatively, our residents have pocketed £237,000.

Even if you have switched before, you could stand to make savings. Paulina, from Glinton, switched last autumn and still expects to save £180.

Paulina has switched regularly in the past but found that she could save even more with Peterborough Energy.

She said: “The process was very simple, one of the best switching experiences I’ve had. I’m impressed that I could still save despite switching regularly. I was also able to set

up monthly reminders to submit meter readings which means I keep my bills accurate.”

Once you’ve made the switch, the savings don’t stop there.

There are plenty of other ways to reduce those energy bills further.

For example, did you know that adding cavity wall insulation to your home can reduce your energy bill by around £115 a year? And double glazing saves £135 a year on heating compared with single glazed windows?

To find out how much you could save visit www. peterboroughenergy.co.uk or call 0800 408 6706 (pay monthly) or 0800 408 6710 (pre-payment).

New Trib’ website - www.villagetribune.org.uk

42

Woodgate Barn, 35 Maxey Road, Helpston PE6 7DP

Chiropody at

Northborough

Dental Surgery

Cool Heating Heating and Plumbing

ACS & CITB Mains & LPG Gas Prompt, Reliable Service 24 Hour Emergency Response Office: 01733 254849 Mobile 07966 209568

197001

10% discount to customers when you mention that you have seen this advert in the Village Tribune

Village Tribune

Village Tribune

email: villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

43

Must Farm excavation treasures

I WAS LUCKY enough to recently be one of a group of Cllrs invited to see the Must Farm archaeological excavations alongside the Hanson (London) Brick works just outside Stanground.

Tribland parents might want to enquire at their children’s schools about them visiting, as whilst we were there, several ‘invited’ groups were being shown around this marvellous site.

It was in the summer of 1999 that decaying timbers were discovered protruding out of the southern face of the old quarry pit here, and subsequent investigations in 2004 and 2006 revealed the site to be later Bronze Age

(1300-800BC) comprising a succession of large timber structures spanning an ancient watercourse.

Due to Hanson’s generosity, the team from Cambridge University have now uncovered a wonderful ancient encampment and the preservation of all manner of things including finely woven textiles made of plant fibres, glass beads, bronze tools and implements, and whole pots replete with ‘vitrified’ food, and on one occasion, a wooden spatula still stirring its contents.

In one fell swoop it appears an entire prehistoric ‘household’ was plummeted to the bottom of the stream where it was safely encapsulated in

layers of organic mud. And there it remained, undisturbed, for almost 3,000 years.

Peter Hiller

44

Woodgate Barn, 35 Maxey Road, Helpston PE6 7DP

Village Tribune

The Mystery of Comfortable Dentistry Solved Five reasons you will love Meadows Dental Care

l We offer services that cater to anxious patients! l Our dentists and support staff are experienced and very friendly. l We provide care using gentle, up-to-date techniques and the finest materials. l We can handle the dental needs of your whole family. l Our team is committed to continued education and training.

Most people want to take care of their teeth so that they may enjoy a beautiful, pain-free smile. However, the British Dental Health Foundation reports that at least 20 percent of those who have seen a dentist actually fear further care. What this statistic tells us at Meadows Dental Care is that we have a real opportunity to change our patients’ perspective about dental care. With every visit, every treatment, we seek to do just that by listening to our patients and responding to their needs for outstanding, painless dental care.

If you would like to improve or maintain your oral health, or enhance your smile, visiting Meadows Dental Care in Helpston is the right choice. Here, you will find a compassionate, extensively trained team with whom you can work with to achieve your smile and oral health goals.

Our team is committed to excellent patient care, gentle, pain-free dental treatments, and gorgeous, healthy smiles. Treatment plans are tailored to each individual, and care is performed with respect, integrity, and kindness so that the entire experience is positive and results long-lasting.

Patients of all ages are welcomed at Meadows Dental Care; we have the expertise and equipment to address a wide variety of dental problems. From our extensive menu of services, you will find what you are looking for when you want the best care for your smile.

Are you ready to experience dentistry that actually leaves you feeling better about your smile – and your dentist? Contact Meadow Dental Care at 01733 711019 to schedule your visit.

Village Tribune

email: villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

Tight Lines... with Mark Williams

Mark Williams takes drastic measures to break his barbel ‘duck’ and travels north to where men are men, and rivers are rivers There’s a world of difference between our local, lazy rivers which wander through the landscape and the mighty Trent.

The Trent is huge and powerful, quick to flood and, for some miles inland, influenced by the tide. But it’s just an hour up the road and, crucially, is stuffed with quality fishing.

Regular readers will, by now, have almost given up on my barbel fishing ability. I don’t blame them; a barbel ‘drought’ of more than 30 years has proven hard to fix on the Nene.

It holds plenty of big barbel

but none seemed to have my name on them. So maybe I can be forgiven for venturing out of Tribland to lay my hands on one.

The opportunity came out of the blue. A business contact and I idly chatting when he revealed he’s a member of a rather exclusive fishing club with rights to one of the best stretches of the mighty Trent, from which double-figure barbel are almost commonplace. Then an invitation which was simply too good to turn down.

So I asked the boss for the day off. I’m self-employed so, naturally enough, he said yes.

Then a quick hop up the A1 at dawn to join my friend on a stretch not far upstream of Newark. I had been warned to pack big rods and hefty

45

swimfeeders, but the scale of the challenge became apparent as I stood on the bank under a leaden sky, looking across 120 metres of water.

The Trent has so many fish in such a huge expanse of water, few have seen a hook.

Refinement is not required, so I tackled up with a 2oz feeder loaded with maggots and a three-foot hooklink of 8lb fluorcarbon tied to a size 14 forged carbon hook. The recommended bait was a bunch of maggots.

“Cast right up the far bank,” my guide suggested. But my relatively puny reels and a barbel rod powerful enough for any Nene fishing were not up to snuff. I swapped to a 2 1/2lb test curve carp rod, fished beachcaster style, pointing skywards, and got some better casts in. And bites were quick to come.

Bites count for nothing if you can’t connect, and I struggled to hook the hungry fish until, about an hour in, the rod hooped to a powerful fish and I silently prayed it would not be a chub or carp. It was quite a long wait to find out, the fish plunging deep in the strong current and kiting left and right but, five minutes later, the net went under a 6lb barbel which broke my ‘duck.’

It wasn’t a remarkable fish, and beaten hollow by two my friend caught, but the event reminded me that I paid Rutland Water 16 visits before I caught my first trout, then caught a limit bag of eight on the next two visits. Somehow, I felt I’d ‘broken the seal’ and now a winter of barbel fishing beckons on the Nene. That modest barbel meant a lot to me.

46

Woodgate Barn, 35 Maxey Road, Helpston PE6 7DP

Village Tribune

Village Tribune

email: villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

Fire at Wildfowl Trust site

47

Peter Hiller At the official opening of Peterborough’s Green Square in Long Causeway with Deputy Mayor Cllr Nazim Khan MBE and Glinton Cllr and PCC Leader John Holdich OBE. Also invited were teachers and pupils from Castor CE, Thorpe and Newark Hill Primary Schools, representatives from the John Clare Trust, Queensgate Shopping Centre and Joanne Plews from Eurovia contractors. John gave an opening address from the granite circle, which celebrates the work of Helpston poet John Clare.

Poetry inscriptions were also from local schools.

At about 7.00pm on Saturday 18th December, the Fire Service and Police were called out to the former wildfowl trust site in Peakirk dealing with a fire in the visitors centre.

The centre was closed in December 2001 after being managed by the East of England Agricultural Society from 1991. It was making a loss and sold. It is now privately owned.

PAUL TEE

A Professional Decorating Service. High Quality Workmanship Commercial, Domestic, Interior and Exterior. Insurance work welcome too. Est. 1981

Tel: 01733 891772 Mob: 07980 863414

A member of the Guild of Mastercraftsmen

New Trib’ website - www.villagetribune.org.uk

48

Woodgate Barn, 35 Maxey Road, Helpston PE6 7DP

Village Tribune

01780 728012 oven.smart@yahoo.co.uk

WE ARE A LOCALLY RUN BUSINESS CLEANING:

MAFFIT Construction Ltd New Build, Renovations, Refurbishments Repairs and Maintenance, Insurance

Experienced in working on traditional brick, stone and listed buildings 59 Garton End Road, Peterborough, Cambs, PE1 4EW Tel: 01733 897990 Mob: 07810520801 clive@maffitconstruction.co.uk

KAREN BUTLER ADI

Ovens l Aga’s l Ranges l Grills l Hobs l Extractors l BBQs l Microwaves l

VACUUM CHIMNEY SWEEP Colin Knight

Driving Standards Agency Approved Driving Instructor Small Car, Patient Lady Instructor

colinandsue603@hotmail.co.uk Telephone: 01778 345002 Mobile: 07884 057047 Vacuum & Power Sweeping Fully Insured Appointments to Suit Customer Open Fires & Wood Burners

Please feel free to call or text and have a chat about learning to drive

Book early and get your chimney swept before winter sets in

07703 597145 01733 896413

Village Tribune

email: villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

News from Etton

ON SUNDAY 15th November Maxwell James Cross and Leo William Frank Cross were baptized at Etton Church. A group of over 50 family and friends witnessed the brothers being bathed and welcomed into the Church family.

Work continues at Etton High meadow with Langdyke Trust volunteers to prune and improve the fruit trees. As soon as there is a sufficient dry patch, Graham is hoping plough the area for the allotments.

Next autumn, the plan is to arrange an Apple Day so that villagers can collect their apples

and bring them to be pressed for cider making. But that is a long way off!

You may also have noticed that our resident builder, Kevin, has been busy destroying and rebuilding the village sign. All that is missing is the final Etton memorial stone inset that will hold the brass plaques. I think you will agree that he has done a splendid job. Although Kevin was able to use some of the existing stone, the rest has come from Joan Otley. When asked whether the stone could be used she said, “My mother would be very pleased and I

49

think it is a lovely idea.� Many thanks Joan.

Sunday 6th December was the day the Etton Christmas tree lights were switched on. Thanks to Graham Smitheringale and Gary for putting up the tree in strong winds and to Pat for doing the lights, Paul for leading the singing in the rain!

Also thanks to George at the Golden Pheasant for hosting the post-switch-on refreshments of mulled wine and mince pies and to the Parish Council for paying for it. Finally, thanks to Les and Jackie at Pond cottage for allowing us to use their electricity yet again.

In May 2016 it will be 100 years since John George Ellis died at Vimy ridge during WW1.

I would like to get a group together to organize a suitable commemoration and also to research more about the three from Etton who lost their livesJohn George Ellis, Robert Smith and William Alfred Burns. I have some information. Are you interested in history and would you like to be involved?? Let me know and I will arrange a kick off meeting.

Something else for 2016,,, an Etton village Fete? Happy New Year. Anne Curwen 01733 253357

villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

50

Woodgate Barn, 35 Maxey Road, Helpston PE6 7DP

Village Tribune

Living on the edge

In 2016 Peakirk will be celebrating 1,000 years of living on the Fen edge. By Sally Jackson

Peakirk is a small rural village of 450 residents in the Welland Valley, 5 miles to the north east of Peterborough. It is currently part of Peterborough City Council Local Authority, but historically it was part of the ‘Soke of Peterborough’ an administrative district of Northamptonshire, created in 1889 which was traditionally associated with the City and Diocese of Peterborough.

It covered about 30 parishes in the north eastern corner of the county from Kings Cliffe to Crowland1 and was merged with Huntingdonshire in 1965.

This area has also been called the Liberty of Peterborough or the Nassaburgh Hundred, There is considerable archaeological evidence to confirm that the area around the present village of Peakirk, has been continuously inhabited for about 4000 years.

Like the nearby parishes of Helpston, Northborough, Maxey, Etton and Glinton, Peakirk is located on the Fen edge.

The Roman excavated Carr Dyke, which roughly follows the 5metre contour, is immediately to the north and east of the settlement. It was an important Roman watercourse. It may also have formed the boundary between land held by the Iceni tribe led by Boudicca in the east and a Roman Estate

Peakirk from the air looking west across the Peterborough to Spalding railway line. Photo provided by Nick Jackson centred on Castor in the west.

It is reputed that St.Pega, virgin sister to St Guthalc of Crowland, who gave her name to Peakirk, lived here, (the nearest area of permanently dry land to Crowland), as an anchoress in the early 8th century and the current Hermitage chapel is thought to be on the original site of her cell. It comprises a 13th Century chancel and a 19th Century nave.

The earliest documented settlement in Peakirk was recorded 1,000 years ago, by the granting of a charter

by King Edmund II, Edmund

Village Tribune

email: villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

Ironside, to the church in 1016.

Draining the land around Peakirk had been a priority since the establishment of the monasteries, but in 1539 the Dissolution of the Monasteries caused the neglect of the channels which take away the flood water resulting in a general flooding of ‘The Great Level’, which remained the case until the 1630s when Dutch drainage engineer, Cornelius Vermuyden, was commissioned to plan the drainage of Deeping Fen. In 1653, using Scottish and Dutch prisoners of War, the River Welland from Deeping St James to Spalding was widened and deepened to reinforce the North Level [the north part of the Great Level] and reclaim land for agriculture. By 1700 the land was again flooded as the drains and sluices were not properly maintained and local commissioners were appointed to improve and maintain the main roads and commons and drain the fen marshes to win new agricultural land. They were

greatly helped by the advent of the windmill and horsemill pumps The Inclosure Act of 1809 made it possible to enclose the open fields and common land around Peakirk including Long Meadow and Moor.

The allotment of land to individuals was recorded on the Inclosure map of 1819. The landscape changed as paths or baulks between open fields were re-routed and the open landscape was replaced by hedges and hedgerow trees surrounding small fields.

The Industrial Revolution brought steam power to the area in 1820, which made possible the excavation of deeper drains, such as South Drain and North Drain. These could be cut and mechanically maintained, finally leading to the reliable draining of the fenland.

However, until the mid-19th Century, Peakirk remained a relatively isolated, small, rural agricultural settlement. This changed with the coming of the

51

railway between Peterborough and Spalding in 1848. A few miles up the road Borough Fen Decoy, the oldest remaining Duck Decoy, was kept profitable by supplying ducks, wigeon and teal to the London markets by train, opening up the land for agriculture and commerce which meant more people and more houses.

In 1831 there were 55 people in employment, 39 of which were farmers or labourers. In 1881 there were 124 people in employment in Peakirk, 27 of which worked in agriculture.

Modern day Peakirk is largely a commuter village with a large proportion of 4 and 5 bed houses and easy access to Peterborough station which is 50 minutes from Kings Cross.

However, its character as a small rural village, separate from other local villages like Glinton 700 yards to the west and the urban area of Werrington about ½ a mile to the south, may be under threat in the future as pressure for new houses grows.

Helpston Playhouse and Under Fives Family Bingo: On Sunday 22nd November we held our first Family Bingo afternoon at Helpston Village Hall. This sell out event raised an impressive £400 which all goes to the Playhouse for new resources and equipment. With eyes down, the hall went (almost!) quiet for the start of the first round.

Prizes were awarded for each full house, a popular tombola sold out, a raffle was held and cakes and drinks were available to purchase throughout the event. Everyone commented on what a fantastic afternoon they had and it was truly wonderful to see so many families coming together for a fun afternoon of entertainment. We definitely hope to make this an annual event! Alex Meadows

52

Woodgate Barn, 35 Maxey Road, Helpston PE6 7DP

Village Tribune

School Report

News from John Clare School

Santa threatens strike! John Clare Primary School children avert catastrophe! This year’s Christmas play was an entertaining look at what might happen if Santa were to watch “Supernanny”. The Elves showed Santa children to be proud of, and normal delivery service was resumed without recourse to arbitration!

The last week of term also saw the extended school family gather for a carol service in St. Botolph’s church, followed by musical entertainment back at school from the ukulele group, violinists, percussion, pianists and a wide range of Christmas songs were enjoyed by all.

Early December saw the school hall turned into an Arctic experience, when Torpel class organised the annual Christmas Fayre. This was chosen to tie in with their topic this term, in which they learned about the geography, climate and wildlife of Polar regions. Over £500.00

was raised; to be split between the World Wildlife Fund and financing new play equipment for the dual-use field.

Our football team took part in a competition run by Posh, and played with great spirit and resilience. Mid November saw the hockey team competing in round 2 of the Sainsbury’s School Games hockey tournament. As runners-up for the Peterborough region, our team are through to the regionals in St. Ives.

As part of their topic work on Egypt, Broadwheel class spent a day exploring the artefacts at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge.

To complete their work on pets, Woodgate class visited Pets At Home in Peterborough.

They were able to handle a number of animals including a corn snake, rabbits, rats and guinea pigs. To add to the excitement, they travelled into Peterborough on the regular Delaine service bus!

As always, our children embraced the ethos of Children

in Need day with enthusiasm, dressing up as superheroes.

Thanks to a generous donation of 120 donuts by Morrison’s supermarket in Stamford, the children enjoyed decorating (and eating!) donuts.

The Government recently introduced a brand new curriculum for all Primary schools in England. As part of this, they have also changed the way children’s learning is assessed. To help parents understand these changes, the teachers organised an information evening. This set out to clarify the impact of the new assessment at John Clare school. Many parents attended this beneficial event.

As we write, the children and teachers are starting a well-earned Christmas rest.

Whilst they are on holiday a new mobile classroom will take up residence in a corner of the playground. School are planning to use this space for a range of creative activities such as art and drama.

Perhaps Gigaclear need to have a chat with their contractors, who are currently in the process of digging up our villages. On the left, obviously a ‘sensible option’, trying to cause as little disruption to the line of the footpath as possible. On the right, well - probably a Friday and the contractors wanted to get done and away for the weekend? No wonder my wife is ‘concerned’ about the impact on our nice new drive once they (eventually) get to our end of the village!

Village Tribune

email: villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

Letters to the Editor

53

All views and comments made in this section are those of the individual contributors and are not necessarily shared by the Editor or any other persons associated with the production of the Tribune

Helpston’s Inaugural Village Weekend...

Dear Editor, Never a village to sit on its laurels, the two committees of The Helpston Gala and The Helpston Open Gardens have joined forces and next summer will be combining their two events to launch the ‘Helpston Village Weekend’.

On Saturday 11th June 2016, the Helpston Gala will take place with all the lovely favourites such as the BBQ, the Plant Stall, the Tombola and the Dog Show plus several new attractions. Then, on Sunday 12th June Helpston will open its’ gardens for the third time - allowing people to take a peek behind the walls and hedges into some of the most beautiful and unexpected gardens in the area.

Whether belonging to a small cottage garden or a grand Rectory there is sure to be something for everyone.

The combining of the two events came about initially out of necessity than choice. The Helpston Gala, after having been an annual Church run event for over 40 years simply ran out of steam and failed to make an appearance in 2015 - much to the shock and dismay of the villagers and committee. Not wishing to repeat the experience, the Gala committee looked to galvanise the event and the suggestion of joining forces with the Open Gardens was born.

Rev Dave Maylor said “Both committees were delighted with the idea and feel it is just what is needed. We have often found ourselves duplicating roles and workloads at these two events and this way we are making much better use of everyone’s time and expertise.”

It is also hoped that, if sufficient volunteers can be found, there will be a village BBQ on the evening of Saturday 11th June, utilising the Gala BBQ and taking advantage of the closure of Church Road. However, these things always require helpers so if you would like to volunteer to help make the evening event happen then please contact Tammy Tushingham on tammy. tushingham@btinternet.com or 07734 544578.

Tammy Tushingham

Justice and Peace...

Dear Editor, The Justice and Peace Group has been meeting every Wednesday at 6-30 PM in Bainton Church. From January this will change.

The time has proved too early for working people who commute, so the starting time will change to 8-00 PM. For logistical reasons this is too late for a meeting in Bainton Church, so in future the group will meet at Bainton Farmhouse in Meadowgate (off Tallington Road), Bainton. This is my home.

The meetings consist mainly of discussion centered in particular on religious persecution in our own time, and run for about one hour.

They will take place not weekly but fortnightly on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month, beginning on Wednesday 13th January.

Items for discussion need not necessarily be religious.

Everyone is welcome. Feel free to call me on 01780 740216 if you would like further details.

Anyone who would like to focus on the topic, whether alone or in small groups during the day will find relevant material in Bainton Church on the shelf beside the North door.

John Tanner

Horse-sense...

Dear Editor, We Helpston horse riders are lucky.

We have miles of scenic bridle paths within clip-clopping distance. In an ideal world we would stick to these only and leave traffic to flow uninterrupted. However, due to where livery yards are situated in relation to the bridle paths, we must use roads to access them.

I kit myself and my horse out in hi-viz attire and I am conscious to thank all drivers that pass us wide and slow. Fortunately, most motorists in the area are kind and considerate.

But there’s always a handful that go against the grain. As a village resident, you would be aware that the area is well-populated with horses. If you pass through on your commute,

Letters to the Editor: villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

*

54

Woodgate Barn, 35 Maxey Road, Helpston PE6 7DP

Village Tribune

Goalposts moved (yet again)...

Dear Editor, What’s happened to Gigaclear in Helpston?

We should have gone on line by December!

Some one posted the gang which was working in Helpston has been laid off. They have not started on Glinton or Maxey roads. Geoffrey Nichol

*

you’ll be aware that Helpston is a village in the countryside and countryside tends to mean horses, thus it shouldn’t be a surprise to see them on the road.

Drivers: signalling at you to slow down, move out or stop isn’ me being rude. It’s me trying to ensure the safety of all us all - me and my horse and you, your passengers and vehicle. Revving your engine at the bossy horse lady that asked you to slow down won’t help. Swearing at me won’ get us out of your way any quicker. Be aware when speeding around blind corners. If you’re towing a rattlyclunky trailer, would it hurt to briefly stop until we’ve passed?

Riders: wear hi-viz and be thankful for courteous road-users - consider how you give the rest of us a bad name when you don’t.

I’m one of the particularly lucky Helpston horse riders. My horse is road-savvy. Just because you pass us at speed and don’t get a reaction doesn’t mean you can do it to all horses. One move like this can undo months of work with a nervous horse or rider. You might be in a rush to get to wherever you’re going but it’ll take much longer if you have to deal with a horse on your bonnet and a distraught owner.

Regards Daisy (and Ella)

Village Tribune

email: villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

55

Helpston Community Action Plan (CAP) The purpose of this document is to provide a progress report against initiatives adopted by Helpston Parish Council within Helpston’s Community Action Plan (CAP). Helpston Parish Council consulted on and adopted this action plan some time ago. We rely on this plan to “claw back” Section 106 money from the City Council.

I’ll try to explain...

Section 106 money is the money that any developer (building just one house or perhaps 34 houses) has to set aside for the “infrastructure needs” of the local “community”. Unfortunately, the “community” for Section 106 money can be the wider areas of Peterborough, not just Helpston. To get that Section 106 money the village has to have evidence of a “need” or a “project”. We have to use

the published Community Action Plan as evidence to the City Council of that need. We constantly update it and review it.

These progress reviews typically take place four times a year in February, May, September and December; and an agenda item is included in our normal Parish Council Meeting for that month. At each review we discuss:l Our progress against planned activities l Any new activities to be agreed and added l Assignment of owners to activities l Any other actions needed against each initiative We are using this issue of The Tribune today to ask members of the public to come forward with additional ideas for incorporation in the CAP. To find out more about getting

involved or to put forward suggestions for future activities or projects please contact:l Any of your local Parish Councillors – names and contact details are posted on the Parish Notice Board, situated at the Village Shop. l Our internet site: www. helpston.net l E-mail: helpstonpc@hotmail. co.uk We would be delighted to hear from you, and welcome your input and involvement.

And, hopefully life will soon get simpler because the Section 106 levy is being dropped in favour of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). This money will be set aside and then allocated in full to the Parish from which it originates, so we won’t have to go through the “claw back” negotiations mentioned above.

56

Woodgate Barn, 35 Maxey Road, Helpston PE6 7DP

January 2016 Sunday 3rd January

9.00am Parish Communion

with Children’s Church

Barnack (DM) 10.45am All Age Praise

Helpston (DM) 4.30pm BCP Evensong

Bainton (DM)

Sunday 10th January

Bainton (DM) No other services in the Benefice

February 2016 Sunday 7th February

9.00am Parish Communion

with Children’s Church

Barnack (DM) 10.45am All Age Praise

Helpston (DM) 4.30pm BCP Evensong

Bainton (DM)

Village Tribune Sabbatical 2016

Occasionally in the Church of England they allow clergy a few months off for study/holiday etc.

In 2001 I had a Sabbatical. I will be having another one in 2016.

I will take about three months off. What will I do? Well, a month of study, a month visiting and working in Kenya, as an old friend, Rev Liverson Mkongo is made Bishop in the Diocese of Taita Taveta. I also plan to have an extended holiday of about 4 weeks, probably in Sri Lanka.

Whilst I am away there will be other ministers taking all the services (though many of them will be united benefice services) and on hand to ‘look after the flock. More details to follow in the next edition.

Rev Dave Maylor

9.00am Parish Communion

Bainton (DM) 9.00am Parish Communion

with Children’s Sunday 14th February Church 9.00am Parish Communion

Barnack (CM)

Bainton (DM) 10.45am Parish Communion 9.00am Parish Communion

with Children’s

with Children’s Church Church

Helpston (DM)

Barnack (CM) 10.45am Parish Communion

with Children’s Sunday 17th January 9.00am Parish Communion Church

Helpston (DM)

with Children’s Bainton St Mary’s, Church Church Lane, Bainton PE9 3AF

Barnack (DM) Sunday 21st February 10.45am All Age Communion Barnack St John the Baptist, 10.00am Benefice

Helpston (DM) Main Street, Barnack PE9 3DN Confirmation 4.30pm BCP Evensong Helpston St Botolph, Church

Service with Bishop

Bainton

Donald at St St., Helpston PE6 7DT

Botolph’s Church, Wittering All Saints Church, Helpston Church Road, Wittering, Sunday 24th January Peterborough. PE8 6AF 9.00am Parish Communion

Bainton (CV) Sunday 28th February 10.45am Parish Communion 9.00am Parish Communion 8.30am – Prayer Breakfast

with Children’s

Bainton (CV) in Botolph’s Barn every 1st Church 10.45am Parish Communion

Helpston (CS) Saturday of the month

with Children’s 10.30am Barnack Church will Church

be joining the

Helpston (CS)

Community Church Funerals 11.00am All Age Praise

in worship at Judith Dunscombe

Barnack (DM)

Barnack School 04/12/2015 6.00pm Alternative Service

Hall (Week of Prayer

Helpston (DM)

for Christianity St Botolph’s - Helpston Unity) Church invites everyone to 6.00pm Alternative Service the regular monthly Coffee CS Canon Smart,

Barnack (DM)

Church addresses

Sunday 31st January

10.00am Benefice

Communion Service

at St Mary’s Church

CV Canon Venables, DM Dave Maylor, LE Linda Elliot, MH Mark Hotchkin

Mornings held in the Church from 10am until 12 noon.

The next ones are on: Saturday 30th January and Saturday 27th February.

Village Tribune Barnack & Pilsagte PC Summary of a Meeting of Barnack Parish Council held in The Village Hall, Barnack, on 14.12.15.

1) Outstanding Items. a) A1 dangerous junction at Barnack Drift. It was agreed to convene a meeting with the Highways Agency to discuss this matter on site. b) Gigaclear. It was agreed to ask a Gigaclear representative to attend a future Parish Council meeting to explain exactly what is going on with installations and connections. c) Vehicles parked on pavements, road junctions and inappropriately. Since posting notices appealing for drivers to park more reasonably, there has been some improvement. It was agreed to collect evidence of inappropriate parking for publication.

2) Correspondence. a) Pre-School appeal for funds.

It was agreed to respond by explaining that no further donations from the Patrick Aidan Fogarty Deceased Will Trust will be made to Parish Councils. However, the Council has been informed by Buckles Solicitors that Local Groups and Organisations may apply. It was agreed to pass this information on to the Pre-School and Community Association.

3) Planning. a) 15/00009/SCREEN, Land to the West of Uffington Road.

It was noted that: i) A letter from the Parish Council detailing objections to the proposed development was sent to the City Council Planning Department on 07/12/15 and receipt was confirmed on 07/12/15. ii) A further letter stating our case, was sent Shailesh Vara,

email: villagetribuneeditor@mac.com Member of Parliament for North West Cambridgeshire on 07/12/15 and in response, his office contacted the Parish Council on 07/12/15. iii) Shailesh Vara is visiting Barnack to discuss the proposed development at 10.30am on 21 December. All local residents are welcome to attend the meeting. Venue - in the farmyard opposite houses on Bainton Road at PE9 3DT. (Where Wellieboots.com and Barnack Country Clothing used to be) It was agreed to: iv) Publicise availability of Council’s letters of objection and post them on the Council website and Facebook page v) Send letter to City Council planning department requesting a survey for common lizard, as this species had been present on the adjacent Paynes Field site. vi) Send a press release to local parish council, local newspapers, radio and television stations, publicising the meeting of 21 December and highlighting the villages’ opposition to the proposed development. Post same on notice boards and website. b) 15/01612/CTR, New Inn House, Stamford Road, Tree works. Permitted. Noted. c) 15/01918/HHFUL, 1 Allerton Close, Extension to House. No objections.

4) Village Matters - for the Clerk to address issues raised by Councillors. a) Stone Wall adjacent to Whitman Close – ivy needs clearing. b) Street light on Owen Close is not working. c) No exit sign at entrance to Owen Close needs to be made more obvious.

5) Other Items a) Parish Action Plan. Plan has been printed and is being

57

delivered to all homes. b) Village Hall Post Box: To approve purchase of Letter Plate at £32.50 and Installation for £120 Agreed. c) Barnack & Pilsgate Directory.

It was agreed to print 200 copies of the revised booklet at a cost of £106.75. Copies will be made available for people to

Bainton and Ashton PC

Chairman, Graham Fletcher 01780 740034 Vice Chairman, Richard Harris 01780 740886 Councillor, Nicola Clough 01780 740043 Councillor, Wendy Jackson 01780 749154 Councillor, Helen Watts 07719 134858 Clerk Catherine Franks, 01780 765984

Barnack PC Chairman, Harry Brassey 01780 740115 Vice Chairman, Councillor, Margaret Palmer 01780 740988 Councillor, Phil Broughton 01780 740379 Councillor, Ivor Crowson 01780 740430 Councillor, David Laycock 01780 740267 Councillor, Eddie Barker 01780 740427 Councillor, Martin Bloom 01780 740966 Clerk Robin Morrison 07944 054546 barnackparishcouncil@ outlook.com

Ufford PC Chairman, Keith Lievesley 01780 740679 Councillor, Marian Browne 01780 740062 Councillor, Frieda Gosling 01780 740343 Councillor, Peter Grist 01780 740973 Clerk Catherine Franks, 01780 765984 uffordparishclerk@live.co.uk

58

Woodgate Barn, 35 Maxey Road, Helpston PE6 7DP

pick up at the Post Office, The Acres Community Centre and The Millstone Inn. The text will also be posted on the website. d) New Seat outside Church Gate (west) as item 4, Forum.

You may read the full Minutes at: www.barnackparishcouncil. org, by visiting notice boards outside the Post Office, Village Hall, Pilsgate Bus Stop & the Limes or contacting the Clerk on: 07944 054546 or: barnackparishcouncil@outlook. com We now have aFacebook page – Barnack Village – why not visit and post your news and views?

Bainton & Ashton PC The most recent meeting of the council was held on 3 November and included agreement of the council’s budget for 2016/17.

• Speedwatch volunteers reported no major change in the volume or speed of traffic.

However the northbound closure of King Street continues to be ignored and since the meeting there has been a headon collision. Work continues with the Police and City Council to enforce the restriction properly.

• The recent leaf-fall has now been dealt with by Bainton’s regular contractor and we are working with landowners and Peterborough City Council to have overgrowth removed from signs and footpaths.

• Gigaclear superfast broadband was expected to ‘go live’ close to the end of November.

• Projects: l The council agreed to purchase a defibrillator from Community Heartbeat Trust which provides good value for money and full installation, maintenance and training.

Since the meeting we are delighted to hear that we have permission to install the equipment at the Bainton Reading Room on Barnack Road. l A petanque pitch will be laid out on a spare plot at Bainton Allotments. Initially on grass, councillors hope this will become a popular and permanent fixture. l The village website has gone live! Why not take a look at www. baintonandashtonlocalcouncil. org.uk Full minutes can be found on village notice boards and any comments can be sent to the Parish Clerk by email to bainton.ashton.clerk@live.co.uk.

The next meeting will be held in Bainton Reading Room on Tuesday 5 January 2016 at 7.30pm when we look forward to welcoming Superintendent Melanie Dales, Chief of Peterborough Police, who will update councillors and residents on the latest in local policing and crime prevention.

Ufford PC The latest meetings were held on 10 November and 8 December, focusing mainly on planning: In November, two substantial new planning applications made by residents were considered, for extensions and refurbishment at properties in the north of the village conservation area. Council members raised substantial objections to plans at The Old Stables, however plans for Ermine House met with approval, other than a request to change the finish material. The application for Ermine house has since been permitted by the planning department. Councillors also

Village Tribune noted the recent decision by Peterborough City Council to refuse approval for plans to install a solar panel array at Ufford Farm.

In December councillors discussed and submitted objections to an outline planning application for new housing development at Barnack.

Ongoing concerns continue to be discussed about the length of time being taken

by Peterborough to enforce planning conditions and over other planning issues.

Still on planning but looking at the future, the council has had early discussions about the forthcoming consultation on a new Peterborough Local Plan alongside options for developing a Neighbourhood Plan. This led in December to representatives from Peakirk and Castor & Ailsworth parishes bringing the benefit of their experience of neighbourhood planning to the Ufford meeting.

Councillors also contributed to the Castor & Ailsworth consultation which is well underway. A working party is being established to look at neighbourhood planning on behalf of all the Barnack Ward parishes and Ufford councillors agreed to follow the consensus that emerges from that work.

Full minutes of meetings and councillor contact details can be found on village notice boards and the website www. uffordparishcouncil.org.uk or by contacting the Parish Clerk at uffordparishclerk@live.co.uk.

The next meeting will be held in Ufford Village Hall on Tuesday 12 December at 7.30pm when we will welcome Chief Inspector Robin Sissons of the Safer Peterborough Partnership to update councillors and residents on local policing and crime prevention.

Village Tribune

email: villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

We will always remember Remembering our local soldiers

OVER the course of the next four years, the centenaries of the deaths in the First World War of the fifty-four men from Barnack, Pilsgate, Southorpe, Bainton, Ashton, Helpston and Ufford, will be marked by this In Memoriam notice in the Tribune.

These men either came from or worked in the villages, or had close connections with the district. Britain declared war on Germany on 4th August

1914 and by December of that year ninety two local men had enlisted.

Private Fred Hibbins 9th Battalion East Surrey Regiment was killed on 26th February 1916, aged 22. He was the son of Robert and Elizabeth Hibbins of Southorpe. He is buried at Brandhoek Military Cemetery near Ypres. His battalion had disembarked at Boulogne on 1st September 1915.

The Stamford Mercury carried the following report of his death; Another Barnack schoolboy has fallen in France

Readers will recall we are going to remember the fallen of the First World War, who have a connection to our villages, near the centenary of their deaths.

From the records available to us in Helpston, we believe the village’s respite from losses was ended on January 29th 1916, with the death of Ordinary Seaman Stephen James Bloodworth R.N (SS/6214) aged 18 years. He is remembered with honour in Dover (St. James’s) Cemetery.

Stephan’s ship was H.M.S. Viking. According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s records, he was “the son of Charles William and Susannah Bloodworth, of 28, Green Lane, Millfield, Peterborough, Northants. Native of Helpston, Peterborough”. However other information, including his Service Record says he was born in Peterborough on June 26th 1897 and it was his Mother Suzanne living at West End Helpston who was notified of his death. He had 7 siblings - one of whom we will unfortunately hear about soon. He was employed as a labourer at the Paper Mills

before joining the Navy, where he only spent 7 months before his death.

I am grateful to the KSH History Forum - South-East History Boards website for the following information: “HMS Viking, launched in 1909, was a Tribal class destroyer that differed from her sisters in that she had six funnels - the only Royal Navy destroyer ever to have this configuration.

As part of the 6th Destroyer Flotilla, she was operating in the English Channel on the morning of 29th January 1916 when she entered an area near the Colbart Light Vessel that was known, by the French, to be a dangerous area containing a German minefield.

Unfortunately the ship’s charts didn’t carry any such notation, and at 11.15am HMS Viking struck a submerged, moored mine.

While attempts by the crew to examine the ship and make it safe were ongoing, a number of small explosions caused by the burning oil in No.s 3 and 4 war tanks occurred, possibly caused by shells and other explosives on the upper deck firing, and finally there was a massive detonation

59

– Fred Hibbins of the East Surrey Regt. His chum, Bob Wild, has written stating that on Feb.26 shrapnel from the same shell wounded himself and killed Fred. Before the war they were fellow-apprentices with Mr. S.Taylor, butcher.

Much sympathy is felt for Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hibbins of Southorpe. (Bob Wild survived the war. Stephen Taylor and his wife Mary Ann ran the butcher’s shop in the Square in Barnack.

Robert Hibbins farmed in Southorpe).

from the after magazine and guncotton store. Heavy damage was suffered, and in these explosions and the aftermath nine of the officers and crew lost their lives. (A tenth victim died later while undergoing treatment at Deal Infirmary). Two of the bodies, Sub Lt Tennyson and what was presumed to be that of the Captain’s Steward, Burgess, were recovered from the wreckage on Sunday evening. On the Monday, three more bodies were found and removed. Ordinary Seaman Stephen Bloodworth was identified but the other two, Leading Stoker Miller and Able Seaman Charles Crockford, were unrecognisable and the identities were only tentatively arrived at due to the positions of the bodies”.

The website contains further information about the Enquiry which took place under Admiralty Instructions for those of you who would like to know about one small tragic incident in the immensity of the Great War.

Kate Hinchliff Tel: 01733 253192 Email: kate@rhinchliff.plus.com

60

Woodgate Barn, 35 Maxey Road, Helpston PE6 7DP

Village Tribune

Planning applications made in our villages...

Barnack Construction of three dwellings at Replacement of front door at Jasper Cottage Main Street Decided Outline planning permission for up to 80 residential dwellings (including up to 30% affordable housing), introduction of structural planting and landscaping, informal open space and children’s play area, surface water flood mitigation and attenuation, vehicular access from Uffington Road and associated ancillary works. All matters to be reserved with the exception of the main site access at land to the West of Uffington Road

Awaiting Decision Ground floor rear and first floor side extension, new detached double garage and insulated render to front elevation, and altered vehicular access at 1 Allerton Close

Awaiting Decision

Deeping Gate

at 3 The Nook

Decided

Construction of agricultural building land adjacent to Stamford Stone Company Ltd Stamford Road Decided Construction of 34 dwellings land to the West of Woodland Lea Decided

Maxey Internal works and alterations and installation of rooflight at Nunton House Maxey Road Decided Demolition of existing bungalow and construction of 1½ storey house at 1A School Lane

Awaiting Decision Replacement of boundary fence with 1800mm high stone wall at 20 West End Road Decided

Demolition of existing cottage and construction of replacement threebed dwelling at 57 Riverside Single storey rear extension

Decided Distance from original rear wall 7.75m Height 3.9m (2.5m to eaves) Rear dormer extension at 103 at 65B High Street Riverside Decided

Awaiting Decision 1 x detached chalet bungalow and detached double garage Resubmission at land to the rear of 43 Riverside Decided

Erection of 2x two storey dwellings with garaging and repositioned access at 37 West End Road

Awaiting Decision

Construction of a 2 storey 3 bed dwelling at 1 Riverside

Awaiting Decision

Replace two existing single storey garage walls (one side wall and one end). Lower the height of the roof and erect stone pillars either side of the existing garage doors at Chapel Cottage 25 Castle End Road Decided

Helpston Timber garden shed - retrospective

Pilsgate

Two storey side and first floor rear extensions at 93 Glinton Road Replacement shed at Cricket

Decided Pavilion Burghley Park, Stamford Road Awaiting Decision Replace 17 windows with traditional flush casements at 2 Heath Road Decided

Southorpe

Non-material amendment to planning application 14/01156/FUL - Conversion of courtyard barns into a single dwelling with a new glass link at Stud Farm Main Street

Awaiting Decision

Ufford Partial demolition of existing single storey side extension, two storey side extension and single storey rear extension. New external insulation, rendered, to front and rear elevations; external insulation to front gable with stone outer leaf. Detached garage to front with alterations to front driveway at Hightrees 2 Walcot Road Decided Replacement of 4 windows to south elevation at Hill Top Cottage Main Street Decided Construction of ground floor front extension and first floor side extension; erection of new detached double garage with store; alterations to the ground floor front elevation fenestration; and extension/realignment of driveway and creation of additional vehicular access at The Old Stable Main Street

Awaiting Decision Single storey and first floor rear extensions at Ermine House Main Street Awaiting Decision Replacement balustrade at Ufford Hall Main Street Awaiting Decision

Village Tribune

email: villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

Pause for thought

So, what happens next?

As you read this, do you still have your Christmas decorations up? Are you waiting until Epiphany, the 12th day of Christmas? Or have you already moved on?

As I write this, the climate talks taking place on global warming in Paris are just coming to an end. Hopefully an agreement will be reached and then signed. By the time you read this, the attention of the world’s media will have moved on. In a way, that’s a shame, because what is done in the future to implement any agreements made in Paris is of far more importance.

Also, as I write this, I am preparing for Christmas celebrations – a time to remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus. Many extra people will come to Carol Services and Crib Services, boosting our congregations. But what happens next?

In Luke’s Gospel, at the end of the nativity events that he reports, Luke says “And the child grew and became strong;

he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.” Then when Jesus was 12, Luke reports another incident, ending with “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”

This is where Mark begins his Gospel – Jesus in his early 30’s beginning his three years of public ministry. You see, it’s great to celebrate the birth of Jesus and picture him as a baby – but what happens next is more important. He grew up – and so must our picture of him.

Most of the gospels are about those three adult years, and a large proportion of each Gospel is about the week leading to his death and resurrection.

The full significance of the birth of Jesus, remembered at Christmas, can only be appreciated when we look at what happened next.

There is always an opportunity to look at what happened next – by joining us at church at other times of the year…..

Also, you might like to ask me about the Christianity Explored courses we run from time to time. There is one starting in Helpston in the first week in January. It lasts about 7 weeks and examines Mark’s Gospel – the shortest Gospel and one that only looks at Jesus’ adult life. Do call me if you want to investigate what happened next.

May I wish you a peaceful and blessed New Year.

Rev Dave Maylor

61

David Over Flowers up in Ufford!

Helpston Flower House Class of Christmas 2015 at Helpston village hall. Seven stunning door wreaths created.

Cecilia Hammond Mature baby sitter wanted. I am looking for someone to do occasional evening baby sitting. £10 per hour. It would normally involve being a companion to my ten year old daughter then supervising her bedtime routine. Once in bed she normally settles pretty well.

Please private message me if you think you might be able to help.

Many thanks, Cecilia Jay Callaghan Loving the new Tribune website!!!

JT Fencing - Northborough

All types of fencing supplied and fixed. FREE estimates and advice. Phone

07711 726834 (days) 01733 253438 (evenings)

62

Woodgate Barn, 35 Maxey Road, Helpston PE6 7DP

Village Tribune

Based in Helpston

Village Tribune

email: villagetribuneeditor@mac.com

63

The Village Tribune Directory

Mike Sandeman Richard Hardy John Wreford Graham Fletcher Richard Harris Nicola Clough Wendy Jackson Helen Watts Catherine Franks Julie Stanton Phil Collins Neil Fowkes John Ward David Laycock Roy Chowings Ted Murray Elaine Ward Debbie Martin Jill Unsworth Harry Brassey Margaret Palmer Eddie Barker Phil Broughton Ivor Crowson David Laycock Martin Bloom Robin Morrison David Over Adrienne Collins Kerrie Garner Rachel Wright Kate Hinchliff Max Sawyer

Tony Henthorn Cecilia Hammond

AMVC Head Bainton Church Churchwarden Bainton Church Churchwarden Bainton Parish Council Chair Bainton Parish Council Vice Chair Bainton Parish Council Bainton Parish Council Bainton Parish Council Bainton Parish Council Clerk Barnack Baptist Church Barnack Bowls Club Barnack C of E Primary School Barnack Church Churchwarden Barnack Church Churchwarden Barnack Community Association Barnack Community Choir Barnack Darby & Joan Club Barnack Horticultural Show Barnack Methodist News Chairman Barnack Parish Council Vice Chair Barnack Parish Council Barnack Parish Council Barnack Parish Council Barnack Parish Council Barnack Parish Council Barnack Parish Council Clerk - Barnack Parish Council Barnack Ward Councillor Barnack Village Hall Bookings Barnack Youth Club Benefice Administrator Botolph’s Barn - Helpston British Legion Citizens Advice Deepings Practice (main line) (Appointments only) Delaine Bus Services Editor Tribune Friends of Chernobyl’s Children Glinton Surgery

On 14th December 2015, Year 5 and 6 students from Peakirkcum-Glinton Primary School strolled down to the recreation ground to remember the centenary of Joseph Harrison death, the third Glinton casualty in the Great War and the oldest at 37 years. Private Joseph Hastings Harrison lived in Glinton where he was married with five children.

As part of the 7th Battalion of the Northamptonshire Regiment he was taken prisoner during the battle of Loos in September 1915.

On the 14th December 1915 his wife received notification that he

01733 252235 01780 740505 01780 740362 01780 740034 01780 740886 01780 740043 01780 749154 07719 134858 01780 765984 01780 749123 01780 740124 01780 740265 01780 740016 01780 740267 01780 740755 01780 740114 01780 756012 01780 740048 01780 740456 01780 740115 01780 740988 01780 740427 01780 740379 01780 740430 01780 740267 01780 740966 07944 054546 01733 755939 01780 740124 01780 740118 07425 144998 01733 253192 01780 765507 0870 1264024 01778 579000 01778 579001 01778 422866 07590 750128 07779 264591 01733 252246

Morag Sweeney Carol Jones David Packer Sarah Owen Joe Dobson Sydney Smith Rosemary Morton Kirsty Prouse Roz Sowinski

Margaret Brown Nick Drewett Caryn Thompson Pat Jackson June Dobson Rachel Simmons Richard Astle Mary Gowers

Karen Dunn Craig Kendall Maureen Meade John Holdich OBE

Lorraine Moore (PCSO)

Dave Maylor Al Good

Susan Jarman Keith Lievesley Marian Browne Frieda Gosling Peter Grist Catherine Franks

had died in a German hospital and had been buried in Cologne Southern cemetery, Germany.

After a brief introduction by Peter Skinner and a description of Joseph Harrison’s’s life, his regimental details and the events surrounding his death, Year 6 pupils Harriet Martin and William Gidney came forwards to remotely ignite the rocket.

After a few moments smoke appeared from the base of the rocket then after a loud whoosh came a tremendous explosion that reverberated around the recreation ground.

Helpston Brownies Helpston Church Treasurer Helpston Lawn Tennis Club Helpston Cub Scouts Helpston Parish Council (Chair) Helpston Parish Council (Clerk) Helpston Parish Council (Vice) Helpston Playhouse pre-school Helpston Playhouse Before and After School Club Helpston Rainbows Helpston Scouts Helpston Village Hall Bookings Helpston WI (President) Helpston WI (Secretary) John Clare Primary Head Langdyke Countryside Trust Lay Pastoral Minister, St. Mary’s Church, Bainton Little Lambs P’cum G’ Primary Head Peterborough Adult Learning Peterborough City Council Peterborough City Council Peterborough City Hospital Police - emergency calls Less urgent crimes Power Failure Priest in Charge Rotary Club Samaritans Train Services Ufford Art Society Ufford Parish Council Chairman Ufford Parish Council Ufford Parish Council Ufford Parish Council Ufford Parish Council Clerk

01733 252088 01733 252096 07766 600694 01733 897065 01733 252192 01733 252903 01733 252243 01733 253243 01733 253243 01733 685806 01778 348107 01733 252232 01733 252227 01733 252192 01733 252332 01733 252376

01780 740097 01780 749198 01733 252361 01733 761361 01733 253078 01733 747474 01733 678000 999 101 0800 7838838 01780 740234 01733 252064 08457 909090 0845 748 4950 01780 740104 01780 740679 01780 740062 01780 740343 01780 740973 01780 765984