Yaxley Gazette December 2018

YOUR FREE COMMUNITY MAGAZINE FOR THE YAXLEY AREA

ISSUE 116 DECEMBER 2018

Christmas Dinner

TIMETABLE

Santa’s Annual Christmas Ride Help for those who feel lonely The origins of odd traditions

Festive What’s On Guide

Merry Christmas

Nature Watch Hangover Cures PLUS

l &Farewel s g in t e e r G from Drew   www.yaxleygazette.co.uk

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NEW

SEASONAL FAMILY EXTRAVAGANZA ce!

with a differen

EAST OF ENGLAND ARENA

20 - 30 December

10-day event in Cambridgeshire but with all the tinsel, sleigh bells and mistletoe removed!

Spanning 100,000 sq ft both inside and outside of the East of England Arena in Peterborough, Bah Humbug!

Fest packs more than 40 rides and inflatables into the venue, alongside live music and the chance to meet the stars of PAW Patrol, PJ Masks and Peppa Pig.

Tickets - £20 per session (family ticket for two adults and two children £70). Under 3s go in free.

Sessions run from 12pm-4pm and 5pm-9pm Once you’re through the doors all rides are FREE! (All you need to pay for is your food, drink and optional prize games.

Please note: closed Christmas Day

W I N ! TWO FREE

ENTRY TICKETS

PLUS meet and gree t with a character of your choice.

Visit our Facebook , share and like the page, then comment who yo u would like to mee t and where you sa w this competition.

5 CHANCES TO W

IN!

Final entry 14 Dece mber. Winner anno unced 15 December 2018.

For more information or to book: www.bahhumbugfest.com or follow our Facebook, Twitter or Instagram: @bahhumbugfest 

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welcome

www.yaxleygazette.co.uk

ADVERTISEYOURBUSINESS

in

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£18 PER MONTH

DEADLINE FOR DECEMBER ISSUE

Monday 3 December by 10am Additional copies available from D&A Sanders, The Co-op, Bentley Avenue, The Farmers, Yaxley Library & Farcet Post Office.

Distribution: Adrian Kisby. T: 07592 833464

PUBLIC DEFIBRILLATORS Yaxley Fire Station, Main Street, Yaxley PE7 3LB. Lakeside Healthcare, Landsdowne Road, PE7 3JL. Farcet Post Office, Main Street PE7 3DB. Farcet Primary School, St Mary’s Street, PE7 3AR. Printers, 90A Peterborough Road, Farcet PE7 3BN. Fen View Museum, Peterborough Road, The Old Cemetery, Farcet PE7 3AY. The Farmers, Broadway, Yaxley, PE7 3NT. Holme Village Hall, Short Drove.

Co-op, Bentley Avenue PE7 3ZT. Claypole funeral directors, Main Street PE7 3LZ 18 Ferndale Yaxley PE7 3ZW Duck & Drake Main Street Yaxley PE7 3LY

In this issue

In this month’s issue, we get ready for Christmas with some great ideas for festive nights out in our What’s On guide on page 15 and details of the eagerly awaited Fire Station Christmas ride on page 17.

If you need some assistance with your preparations for Christmas dinner, turn to page 16 for our helpful timetable.

Have you ever wondered where some of our Yuletide traditions originate from?

Find out why we hang out stockings in our article on page 19.

Spare a thought over Christmas for those who might be alone or feeling anxious or depressed. Why not check on an elderly neighbour and anyone who lives alone, it is the season of goodwill after all. There’s a number of organisations who can help on page 11.

When you’re out celebrating or shopping for presents this year, don’t forget to support your local businesses, clubs, venues and local food producers.

Always let us know if you are investing in the local area, it would be great to hear your story.

Merry Christmas everyone!

The Yaxley Gazette is sourced and published independently by local people and is not on the back of any large organisation or society. Any reproduction of this magazine is strictly prohibited without written permission.

Views and opinions written in this magazine may not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. The Yaxley Gazette cannot be held responsible for unsolicited material. All artwork and design is the copyright of its respective owner.

Reproduction of any part of this publication is strictly prohibited unless prior permission is given by the publishers.

Yaxley Hub 5-7  Yaxley Community 9-11  What’s On 13-17  Money Matters 18  History 19  Young Gazette 20-21  Nature Watch 23  Paws for Thought 25  Cheek to Chic26-27  Consumer Advice 28  Handy Numbers 28 Don’t forget to mention to the advertisers that you saw them in the Yaxley Gazette. Without them this publication would not be possible.

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Yaxley Gazette | December 2018 | T: 01733 757342 | E: info@yaxleygazette.co.uk | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk 20/11/2018 12:09

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Yaxley Methodist Chapel Yaxley Methodist Church Waiting for Christmas

Holme and Yaxley Guides and Rangers Holme and Yaxley Guides and Rangers and their leaders and helpers and family members helped with the Scout and Guide Fireworks. The event was a great success, it was certainly busy in the food tent!

Remembrance Sunday - Holme Guides

By Janice Osborn, District Commissioner , Girlguiding Yaxley District I am not sure how much money was raised but it will have been several thousands of pounds which will help to continue works to the Yaxley HQ building. The next phase includes shelving and decorating.

Remembrance Sunday saw all of our Yaxley Units parading. The Rainbows, our youngest members at 5 to 7 years old, marched with their brand new flags, joined by Brownies and Guides. At Holme the Guides and Rangers also took part in the service. All were very smartly turned out and the leaders were very proud of their girls.

Holme Guides helped their leader with a memorial display to honour

one of the WW1 fallen, one of many on the Holme village trail. The various displays were judged and the display received a “highly commended” and earned a giant bar of chocolate!

The “chocolate game” (ask me for details!) was played with gusto at the next meeting!

THANK YOU if you were one of the three ladies who volunteered following my appeal last time. We still need one or two Guide helpers (Tuesday and Wednesday) and extra hands in all age groups are always needed.

Do get in touch if you would like to visit and see what a difference you can make.

HOLME WI for the sailors, blankets for the YMCA, A Water Journey and babies’ and children’s clothes for (or Where Your Poo Goes) Kosovo, Sierra Leone and Chernobyl. It Alison McGuinness, President was an impressive display with some October is members’ night and this beautiful clothes on display, well done is when we encourage our members and a huge thank you to the Knit and who do not sit on the committee to Natter Group. organise our meeting. This year one Saturday 6 October we held our of our members brought along Marcia stall at the Holme 1940s weekend, after and Charlotte from Anglia Water. We a week of wonderful dry and warm were given an interesting talk about weather the day dawned grey, windy how our drinking water is processed and shown a short film. Our taste buds and drizzling. We carried on despite the inclement weather selling our were then tested by sampling different goods and making the most of the day. types of water, some containing salt Please remember, if anyone is or vinegar to see if we could work interested in joining please do come out the right water sample. We were along and see what we are about then told how our waste or ‘poo’ is and what we get up to. We meet on processed, and how it often ends up the first Thursday of every month at on the land as fertiliser. Thankfully, no Holme Village Hall, Short Drove, Holme samples were handed around! It was PE7 3PA at 7.30pm. Please contact a very interesting talk and makes us holmewi2015@gmail.com for further appreciate both clean and wastewater details. processes.

All ladies will receive a warm and Our Knit and Natter Group also put friendly welcome. on display their knitted items with hats Yaxley Gazette | December 2018 | T: 01733 757342 YG DEC.indd 5

Christmas might seem to creep up on us more quickly each year, but before the first Christmas, the world had been waiting a very long time.

From 2 December Advent begins.

Advent means arrival or coming and is the four week period of waiting and preparing for Christmas. Many people have an Advent wreath with a circle of every green plant and four red candles with a white candle in the centre. On Sunday the 2nd, the first candle will be lit. An additional one is lit on each Sunday before Christmas and on Christmas Day the white candle in the centre is lit, representing the birth of Jesus, the light of the world. This can make a beautiful centrepiece on your table.

Come and join us at the Chapel in December and see our advent ring while we are waiting and preparing for Christmas Day. Join the celebrations in the birth of Jesus and find the Joy of Christmas again.

Happy Christmas to you all.

8 December Coffee Morning 10 am.

2 December First Advent Sunday and all Sunday Services 10.30 am.

23 December NativityService 10.30 am.

23 December Carol Service 5 pm.

25 December Christmas Celebration Service 9.30 am.

Minister: Reverend Gareth Baron (01733 314147).

Email: yaxleymc@gmail.com

YAXLEY WI Although Halloween was a little way off we decided to have a talk in keeping with it at our meeting on 11 October.

Our speaker was Mark Egerton who has written a book on the “Haunted History of Huntingdonshire” Mark became interested in the paranormal after an experience when he was 15 and has since visited and stopped overnight at several reportedly haunted houses with varying results.

The talk was very interesting and thought provoking with many lovely illustrations from his book which was also available to buy. Mark spoke of incidents at several local places with each story proceeded by the village sign of the place concerned and we were able to point out the W I emblem attached to many of these, in fact, we were the first to mention this!

St Peter’s Church Christmas! One of the first indications we are nearing the big day is the appearance of lights. Fairy lights on trees, lights outside houses, candles in windows, shopping centre lights. Perhaps this all helps to brighten the darkest time of year in Europe.

When we walk into a room, we can’t do anything until we turn on a light. For many, this time of year can be difficult. Turning on a light reminds them of relatives or friends no longer present, reminds them that their circumstances are poor, money is tight and the future looks bleak, it reminds them of their loneliness. We are told that loneliness is one of the greatest public health challenges of our time. Dark days may lead to depression which artificial light makes no difference to.

The wonderful thing about Jesus Christ is that His coming into the world brings light and hope. How is that? God has shown up. In an unexpected place; a country under military occupation where there was poverty and oppression, through unexpected people; an awkward family situation with Mary and Joseph unmarried, a difficult start; to become refugees as they fled to Egypt because of a tyrannical king.

Why did God do this? Simply because He thought we were worth it. What other king would give up His throne in order to show Himself to us in human form, would be prepared to be vulnerable and experience life with all its difficulties in order to be with us, would offer us a relationship with Him so that we might not be alone and would give us life and hope?

Jesus IS “Immanuel” which means God with us. He IS “The LIGHT in the darkness” John 1:5. Christmas is not just a “once upon a time” story. No, it is Jesus breaking into the world to save us! “Christ the Saviour is born!”

We would love for you to join us at St. Peter’s this Christmas to celebrate the birth of Christ our Saviour. With a range of events and services, we hope that you will find community, peace and love amongst our church family, and in Jesus Christ.

God Bless St. Peter’s Church #followthestar www.saintpeters.co.uk/community

We held our AGM at our November meeting and most of the original committee and president were re-elected with Linda Habbin standing down due to other commitments and Pauline Salmon being elected.

After our AGM we held an auction with Phyllis Black endeavouring to get top prices for the edible produce and other lots. With delicious home baking and jams for sale, this always proves a good fundraiser.

At our meeting 0n 13 December meeting we will be having a buffet before being entertained by Steve Nixon, a magician. The meeting will, as usual, be held in the upstairs room at the Lancaster Club, Main Street, Yaxley but will start at the earlier time of 7pm.

| E: info@yaxleygazette.co.uk | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk

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First Team October and November saw a mixed bag of results for Yaxley FC in the EvoStik Southern League Central.

October saw a heavy away defeat at Cambridge City but the lads soon bounced back with a great result at home to Didcot. With 3 home games in the next few weeks, please let’s get behind the team and make your way to In2itive Park to watch the team with your family.

Fixtures for December 1/12 - League - Home - Aylesbury 3pm kick off 8/12 - League - Away - Berkhamsted - 3pm kick off 15/12 - League - Home - North Leigh - 3pm kick off 22/12 - League - Home - Dunstable 3pm kick off Christmas Fixtures 26/12 - League - Away Peterborough Sports - 3pm kick off 29/12 - League - Away - Barton Rovers - 3pm kick off Club Events The Club hosted some fantastic evening events in November including a family bonfire disco and an acoustic band. Both events were really well supported by all the players and their families.

members, preparations are underway, please ask your coaches for more details in December.

Youth Football All the teams are progressing well and looking forward to continuing their development under the Yaxley FC programme.

U6s Under 6s training sessions are held every week on Sunday 9am-10am at In2itive Park. If your child is interested in joining, contact Arron Coulson arron.coulson@yaxleyjfc.co.uk.

U10s Yaxley U10s Blue are progressing well and improving every game. As a new team we were on the look out for sponsorship for kit and training wear and due to the persistence of parents, we secured two sponsors for the season.

HonestJohn.co.uk, a UK Car review site with over 2 million unique users per month, sponsored the match kit.

The boys and girls are pictured above right looking really smart.

And another big thank you to Hereward Carpets, based at Mancetter Square, for sponsoring the training tops to keep the boys looking smart and warm all winter.

Everyone had a fantastic time and a big well done to the club for the organisation.

Mark from Hereward came to In2itive Park and presented the team with their new training tops.

The club is looking to host some Christmas events for all team

A big thank you from us especially now the weather is turning.

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Yaxley Gazette | December 2018 | T: 01733 757342 | E: info@yaxleygazette.co.uk | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk 20/11/2018 12:09

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CAMBRIDGESHIRE FIRE & RESCUE Christmas is approaching! The time of year when we’re enjoying a tipple with friends, cooking up festive feasts for the family and entertaining loved ones. With all the fun to be had it is easy to be distracted when cooking in the kitchen.

CARE NETWORK Make a New Year resolution to connect with YOUR community!

New Year resolutions shouldn’t be so difficult that we give up on them even before the Christmas decorations come down; making small consistent changes can be the key to success.

Many of us use this time of year to reflect on our own selfimprovement, so here’s a thought: by becoming more involved in your community you can help to make it a stronger, better place to live for everyone. Why not try developing your skills and wellbeing through helping or connecting with others?

Care Network is a local charity that puts people at the heart of everything it does. Volunteers offer

practical support and information to help people stay healthy, independent and in touch with their communities.

Do you know an older person or an adult with a disability who needs a little extra help to stay independent at home, is looking to socialise more or wants to find out what support is available locally?

Perhaps you have an idea to set up a local community group but need advice to get it up and running.

Care Network can help, so do just get in touch, we’ll be delighted to hear from you.

Take that first step to a New Year, New You today - it could be the start of something more.

For information on accessing services or volunteering with Care Network take a look at https://care-network.org.uk/ or call 01954 211 919

Sunline Blinds

50 per cent of all fires in the home start in the kitchen and more than half of those are as a result of distraction whilst cooking.

We want to help ensure your festive cheer doesn’t go up in smoke this Christmas by sharing our tips below for safe cooking over the festive season: • Never leave cooking unattended • Do not cook when tired or under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication that makes you drowsy • Regularly clean the grill pan and oven.

Built up fat can easily catch fire • Never leave anything cooking if you leave the house • Do not leave anything flammable on or near the hob – tea towels, oven gloves and even washing baskets can catch fire • Take care when using microwaves.

Fires can start when people put food in too long.

• Oven chips or temperature control deep fat fryers are safer than using a chip pan. If you do use a chip pan, do not fill it more than one third with fat and turn the heat down if the oil starts smoking • Fire can break out in household appliances so you should regularly maintain dishwashers, washing machines and dryers, never leave them on if you go out or go to bed and register your appliances online to ensure you are made aware of any faults or recalls • Have a working smoke alarm on each floor of your home. If it keeps going off when you are cooking it is probably in the wrong location or you may have the wrong type of smoke alarm • Never take the batteries out of your smoke alarm.

If you do have a fire in the house, get out, stay out and dial 999.

firefire@cambsfire.gov.uk / 0800 917 9994.

Follow us on social media or call 01480 444500. www.cambsfire.gov.uk

HOME START Home-Start Cambridgeshire’s aim is for every child to have the best possible start in life.

The charity supports families across the county who are going through difficult times. We are in an exciting period of change and are keen to appoint two Trustees who are passionate about supporting families with young children, keen to make a difference,

creative and who enjoy being part of a team.

Both will be enthusiastic promoters of the charity and will be able to give time and energy to their role. Ideally one of them would have significant experience in HR.

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LAKESIDE HEALTHCARE From Wednesday 7 November we introduced some changes to the times the routine appointment line is open at the surgery. The new times will be from 08:00 to 12:00 and then 13:30 to 17:15.

Outside of these times, you can still get through if it is an emergency. Online bookings for telephone call-backs will also be available during these times. There may be a proportion of people that may only be able to receive a call within a specific time frame, as long as it is stipulated at the time of booking, we will try our utmost to achieve this time frame.

These changes will neither affect the number of appointments that we are able to offer nor our opening times.

There will also be a dedicated prescription line (option 2) that will be open from 08:00 to deal with your enquiries regarding prescriptions as efficiently as possible. Due to national guidance telephone requests for medication are

Changes to Phone Line Message and Times no longer accepted. This is to increase patient safety and reduce drug errors.

Repeat prescriptions can be requested via the repeat prescription form on the right-hand side of your prescription and handing this into reception. You can also order medication via the SystmOnline via website or smartphone application. You can request more information about this from our reception staff.

This change has been introduced to allow us to continue to give same day access and maintain a high level of service to our patients.

You can still continue to contact the surgery as usual, on 01733 240478, but you will hear a new telephone message with our new options.

We hope that these changes will maintain our excellent access, but will also ensure that we can rise to the challenges faced by many parts of the NHS. Thank you for helping us on this journey.

If you would like more information please speak to a member of staff at reception.

Yaxley Gazette | December 2018 | T: 01733 757342 | E: info@yaxleygazette.co.uk | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk YG DEC.indd 7

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Christmas at Yaxley Methodist Church Join the celebration of Christ’s birth this year.

You will be warmly welomed here at the Methodist Church, Yaxley.

(On Main Street, opposite Keepsakes Flower Shop).

Sat 23 December at 10.30am Celebrate the Nativity at our Family Service.

Enjoy tea and mince pies after the Service.

Sunday 23 December at 5.00pm Join in with the singing at our Annual Carol Service

Christmas Day at 9.30am Come and join in the celebration.

The real reason for the season

THE BRITISH LEGION

Guiding you through the process of applying for probate or undertaking a full administration of an estate.

Whichever option you choose, you will get the same dedicated, professional, sympathetic and efficient service.

V&A Legal ltd is authorised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales to undertake non-contentious probate matters.

T: 01733 306467 E: enquiries@vaprobate.co.uk

SOCIAL CLUB A family club which welcomes new members

www.britishlegion.org.uk/join Events throughout December in the members bar and larger hall 25 Dec Christmas Day Bottle Draw 11am- 1pm. Members Bar

9 Dec Karaoke 4-10pm. Members Bar. Non-members £1 14 Dec Party Night 7pm - late. Concert Room.

Tickets on sale. Members £1.

Non-members £2. Children FREE. FREE drink for social members only.

21 Dec Christmas Quiz & Raffle 7pm - late. Members Bar. £25 to winning team. Free to enter (max 4 per team) Non-members £1

21 Dec Boxing Day Family Quiz & Bingo 2- 8pm. Members Bar. All welcome.

31 Dec New Year’s Eve 7pm-late. Dancing to Gary James Disco & Caustic Lights (Live Band) Tickets on sale now.

maass hhrriissttm M Meerrrryy CC

21 Dec Big Bonanza Xmas Raffle 24 Dec Games Night FREE Jukebox & Giant raffle.

7-late. Members Bar. Non-members £1

Registered Charity #219279

Mon–Tues: 12 – 2.30pm & 7 – 11pm Wed–Thurs: 12.30 – 2.30pm & 7 – 11pm Fri–Sun: 12 – 11pm

T: 01733 240 873 | E: club@rblyaxley.co.uk

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Yaxley Gazette | December 2018 | T: 01733 757342 | E: info@yaxleygazette.co.uk | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk 20/11/2018 12:10

yaxleycommunity

nteers

d volu visitors an customers,

Christmas at Yaxley Library

Christmas Activity packs These will be available for children jam-packed with Christmas crafts, goodies and the chance to receive a letter from Father Christmas himself! These are only £1.50 per pack, available at the counter.

After School Fun On the 2nd Thursday of every month 3.30 – 4pm, on 13 December. Stories, poems, songs and games! (Aimed at children aged 4 - 8 years old.)

Falling in Love with Reading

Rhymetime

Parents & carers are invited to sign up for this free, friendly and exciting course at Yaxley Library with children aged 3 - 7 years. Discover the joy of telling stories, interacting with your child, bringing words and pictures to life. This course is designed to run over 3 weeks, 1 hour per session and a start date will be confirmed. For more information please speak to a member of staff or phone 0345 045 5225.

Thank you We’d like to say a very big thank you to Christine Crosbie and Pat Coombs, who have worked hard to run our monthly EngAge sessions for several years, we couldn’t have done it without you ladies! They will be volunteering at their final EngAge session with us in December. We would also like to welcome Dawn, our new EngAGe volunteer, who will be facilitating sessions from January.

REGULAR ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN DURING TERM-TIME All events, apart from Lego Club, are free of charge but donations are always appreciated. Parents / carers are required to stay with their children at all times, please.

Storytime This continues as a weekly session, every Tuesday 10.30 – 11.00am with the last one before Christmas on Tuesday 18th December (aimed at children 18 months – 4 years old).

Every Friday 10.30 – 11.00am with the last session before Christmas on Friday 14th December (aimed at babies and toddlers up to 18 months old).

Please note Storytime, Rhymetime & Afterschool Fun are Term-time only.

Lego Club Every Saturday 10am – 11.30am. 50p per child.

The last session before Christmas will be on Saturday 22nd December.

REGULAR EVENTS FOR ADULTS These are all free of charge although donations for refreshments are always appreciated.

EngAge in the Afternoon Wednesday 12 December, 2 pm – 3.30pm. You are invited to join us for our Christmas GetTogether. Please collect a free ticket from the Library.

Scrabble Club Every Monday from 3pm (last session before Christmas on Monday 17 December).

Games Club Every Tuesday from 2pm, with Rummikub and Mahjong on alternate weeks. Dates for Rummikub - 4 and 18 December; Mahjong - 11 December only.

Knit and Natter

Café Club

Meets at the library every Friday 9.30am – 12 noon for coffee, cake and conversation.

Parish council drop-in Sessions take place on the first Tuesday of every month, 9.30am - 12 noon. Your local parish councillor, June Willis, is available to assist with any parish enquiries or concerns you may have.

Huntingdonshire District Council An advisor from the council will continue to be on hand every Tuesday at the Library from 9.30am – 12.30pm and 1 – 5pm, during normal opening hours at the Library.

Blue Badge and Bus Pass applications If you need help with applying for or renewing one of these, we have weekly appointment slots available to assist you with this. Please come in and ask for further details, or call 0345 045 5225.

We always welcome new library members and it’s free to join – just bring ID with your name and address. It only takes a few minutes to get your new library card.

Please do come and talk to us if you have any ideas or suggestions for your library.

Yaxley Library opening times: Monday 3pm – 7pm Tuesday 9.30am – 5.00pm Wednesday Closed Thursday 9.30am – 5.00pm Friday 9.30am – 1.30pm Saturday 9.30am – 1.30pm

Every Thursday from 2pm.

The Library will close on Saturday 22 December at 1.30pm and re-open after the Christmas break on Thursday 3 January 2019 at 9.30am.

Renew/request books: 0345 045 5225 cambridgeshire.gov.uk/library For more information on any of our events please call in at Yaxley Library or phone 0345 045 5225.

Yaxley Gazette | December 2018 | T: 01733 757342 | E: info@yaxleygazette.co.uk | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk

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9 20/11/2018 12:10

Delivery and Potted trees also available

Your Perfect Christmas Tree Make Christmas

SPECIAL

At Peterborough Christmas Trees we're always careful to consider the environment as well as quality

with our fresh, needle retaining, Danish Nordmann fir trees.

Our friendly team will help you choose your tree from our large selection, then trim, net and load it into you car ... it couldn’t be easier!

OPEN FROM SAT 24th NOVEMBER

Find us at the Newly refurbished Gordon Arms, Oundle Road, Peterborough PE2 7DH. Mon-Friday 10am-7pm | Sat 9am-7pm | Sun 9am-5pm *FREE hot drink @The Gordon Arms with every Tree purchased*

T: 07504 205 155

www.peterboroughchristmastrees.co.uk /peterborough.xmas.trees.co.uk 10 YG DEC.indd 10

T

hat's why we continue to use premium grade Danish trees which positively impact their surroundings. To ensure our suppliers come up to scratch, we've visited the farms in Denmark to see the Nordmann Firs being managed sustainably in their indigenous environment as shown on our website.

We've seen first-hand how the trees are thinned & replanted each year, maintaining a constant crop density with no large clearings; this creates a wonderful habitat for the local wildlife all year round.

Remember, a natural tree is carbon-neutral, absorbing carbon dioxide during growth, and unlike the plastic alternatives, it will simply biodegrade at the end of its life, rather than finding its way into a landfill.

We are now in our 8th year of providing you with only the highest quality ' Non-Drop' Danish Nordmann Firs & Potted Norway Spruce in a range of sizes. Our trees are hand pruned each year to ensure they grow to the perfect shape. Over recent years, the Nordmann has risen in popularity due to its fantastic needle retention, uniform shape, wonderful smell and the needles are not sharp, so safe for children too.

We will help you find your perfect tree, trim it to ensure it will continue to take water – keeping it fresh, net it and carry to your car. Just part of our excellent customer service, making your Christmas that bit more special!

For further information www.peterboroughchristmastrees.co.uk or call 07504 205155

Yaxley Gazette | December 2018 | T: 01733 757342 | E: info@yaxleygazette.co.uk | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk 20/11/2018 12:10

artfocu

yaxleycommunity

It’s farewell from us ...

Drew Pontikis

It’s Chriiiiiiiiiiiiistmaaaaaaaas! That special time of year where we combine a celebration of all we’ve achieved over the course of the past year with a feeling of bewilderment that the year has flown by and it doesn’t feel like we’ve achieved anything.

It’s a time where we all hope for a white Christmas but were there to actually be the threat of one all our Christmas plans would be thrown into utter chaos at not being able to travel on the snowclogged roads.

It is a time for writing cards for people you don’t like and for spending time with extended family you can’t stand - for wondering how crappy a gift you can get away with buying for secret Santa, only to find that the person who got you yours managed to find something even more crappy.

We think about the diets we’re going to go on as we smash whole Terrys Chocolate Oranges into our faces, and just for one day a year we lie to our loved ones that actually we do love a

Brussel Sprout every now and then. We go for an after Christmas dinner walk and tell ourselves we should definitely do it more often, knowing full well we said the same thing last year and had given up by 26 December.

AND WORST OF ALL...

Monopoly.

With all of this in mind, I absolutely love Christmas. I love Christmas parties - I love spending a happy few days with friends and family - I love cheese - Christmas is just brilliant. Next year (for a number of reasons) is going to be very different for me, so I’m looking forward to a very merry Christmas.

Hope you all have a great time and try not to worry about overindulging ...we’ll all make up for it by being skint in January!

Only the

lonely

Mind can offer advice and useful contacts for people who struggle with loneliness. Visit www.mind.org.uk or call 0300 123 3393.

The Red Cross and The Co-op have partnered up to tackle loneliness. They’re aiming to ‘provide vital care and support to help reconnect thousands of isolated and lonely people with their communities.’ Call the Red Cross on 0344 871 11 11. www.redcross.org.uk Wavelength provides TVs and radios to people who are on their own and who might struggle to afford them otherwise. Beneficiaries need to be referred, by a friend or housing officer for example.

Call 0800 0182137. https://wavelength.org.uk Community Christmas believes that no one should be on their own at Christmas, so it helps to direct older people to events and groups that can help. Visit communitychristmas.org.uk or call 0844 443 0662. (Editor’s note: At the time of press, there were no events listed on here for the people of Yaxley, so if you are hosting something suitable for this area, please let them know!)

A pet can offer much-needed companionship, but they do take a lot of care. If you’re struggling

Do you remember the old comedians who played the piano badly ... yet you still knew the tune?

It is surely an absolute virtuoso who understands the notes of life with such astute perception and clarity that they can find a different perspective yet we readily recognise the uncanny resemblance to ourselves. From the immediately, and often hum-drum or annoying obvious, each scenario is transformed into the precious gems of a humorous slant.

And to be able to write those words down so that we can all share in that laughter till we cry... Life isn’t quite so stressful after all, and the coronary can wait ... laughter is always the best medicine.

Mel Elliott, Designer, YG Farewell, to the guy who Drew the fine line between insanity and genius, and it is indeed, a ‘fine’ art that can bring out those otherwise hidden ironies and like magic, transform everyday monotony and idiosyncrasies into something funny. Long may we celebrate and appreciate that which highlights our human foolishness and flaws, from which, admittedly, few of us are completely exempt! And it is the empathy in satire that can also make us feel less isolated.

Identifying irony can also affect social change, as being reminded of the ridiculous often engages our conscience to further consider the world around us.

I think I speak for many when I say that Drew’s amusing takes on life each month will be hugely missed!

And it’s farewell from him ...

My boys really enjoy seeing the pictures of daddy wearing funny suits so the Gazette’s been doing a wonderful job!

Apologies, I really would have liked to keep going but I’ve recently got a new job which (whilst it has plenty of upsides) involves quite a bit of travel

Christmas can be a particularly difficult time of year if you’re on your own.

And, even if you’re surrounded by friends and family, it’s still possible to feel lonely. However, there are lots of charities that might be able to help ...

By Kate Duggan to look after your pet, The Cinnamon Trust may be able to arrange for a volunteer to help walk your dog or take your pet to the vet. Contact the trust on 01736 757 900. www.cinnamon.org.uk It can be difficult to meet new people. A community class can help to get you talking to others with similar interests. Your local community college will likely have courses in everything from creative writing to flower arranging.

If you’re fit enough, why not consider volunteering? It’s a great way to get out of the house, meet new people and give yourself a sense of purpose. You could volunteer at a local shop, help out at a homeless shelter, or get involved in making your community a greener, cleaner place to live. Visit do-it.org for local opportunities.

It’s worth contacting your GP if you’re struggling with loneliness or feeling depressed. He or she may be able to point you in the direction of organisations that can help.

If you’re not lonely, but you’re worried about an elderly friend or neighbour, the Be a Friend campaign has some great tips about how to support them. www.beafriendtoday.org.uk

It can be difficult if you have a friend or relative who you know is lonely, especially if you’re not able to see them every day. You could try sharing the responsibility with other friends or relations.

Maybe set a day for each person to visit or ring. The charities listed here might also be able to offer you advice.

Yaxley Gazette | December 2018 | T: 01733 757342 | E: info@yaxleygazette.co.uk | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk YG DEC.indd 11

Drew Pontikis

and I have a lot less free time than I used to.

I did enjoy writing for the Gazette so hopefully in the future if things ease a little bit, I’ll be able to come back!

Have a great Christmas everyone. I look forward to reading more from the Gazette in the future!

11 20/11/2018 12:10

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Yaxley Gazette | December 2018 | T: 01733 757342 | E: info@yaxleygazette.co.uk | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk 20/11/2018 12:10

what’son

SEASONAL FAMILY EXTRAVAGANZAce!

A new seasonal family festival with a difference is coming to the East of England this December.

Bah Humbug! Fest is a 10-day event in Cambridgeshire but with all the tinsel, sleigh bells and mistletoe removed!

Spanning 100,000 sq ft both inside and outside of the East of England Arena in Peterborough, Bah Humbug! Fest packs more than 40 rides and inflatables into the venue, alongside live music and the chance to meet the stars of PAW Patrol, PJ Masks and Peppa Pig. John Lowery, from Bah Humbug! Fest, said: “Bah Humbug! Fest grew out of our need to keep the family entertained in December and give people a break from the usual barrage of Christmas music, lights and decorations.

“So, for 10 days leading up to the New Year, families and friends can get together and

with a differen

enjoy themselves with one-ticket offering unlimited access to all our entertainment, without a festive bauble in sight.

“Don’t worry though, we are closed Christmas Day – we’re not complete Scrooges!”

Dean Rees, Business Development Manager for the East of England Arena, said: “A ticket to Bah Humbug! Fest gives guests unlimited goes on the attractions inside, from family fairground favourites like waltzers and bumper cars through to huge 65ft thrill rides.

“Kids can enjoy roller coasters, a selection of inflatable slides, bouncy castles and a giant 200ft inflatable obstacle course; while the younger ones will be able to come along and meet their favourite TV characters and enjoy rides designed just for them.

“What’s more, there’s live music every day from Little Mix Experience, a roller rink, one of the UK’s largest travelling fun houses, plus food vendors and a bar serving alcohol and soft drinks.”

20 - 30 December

Tckets £20 per session, with a family ticket for two adults and two children priced £70, while under 3s go in free.

Sessions run from 12pm-4pm and 5pm-9pm and once you’re through the doors all rides are free, the only thing to pay for is your food, drink and optional prize games.

For more information or to book, visit: www.bahhumbugfest.com, or follow on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram: @bahhumbugfest

YAXLEY

London Road Dental Practice Dr Romeo Young BChD, MSC Ortho, PG Cert Dental Education

CONVENIENCE STORE

WE SELL A BIT OF EVERYTHING!

• CAR / BICYCLE SPARES • REGISTRATION PLATES • PHOTOCOPYING • LAMINATING / FAXING • WATCH STRAPS & BATTERIES • DECORATING • PYREX & NON STICK BAKEWARE • HOUSEHOLD • DYLON • GARDENING • PLUMBING • DIY • SWISH CURTAIN TRACK & ACCESSORIES KEY CUTTING

from £3.75 OPEN: Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.30pm Sat 8.30am-5pm Sun 10am-12noon

5 Malting Square, Broadway Shopping Centre, Yaxley PE7 3JJ

T: 01733 243096

E: yaxleyconveniencestore@btconnect.com

NTISTRY

PRIVATE DE AFFORDABLE  •

Opening hours Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri

9am - 2pm, 3pm - 7pm 9am - 1pm, 2pm - 5pm 9am - 3pm 9am - 1pm, 2pm - 7pm 9am - 2pm

Examination + scale & polish £45 Dental Hygienist services available  • Children under 6 seen free of charge  • Children 6-18 pay an annual registration of £10 (charges may apply)  • Orthodontist  • Cosmetic Dentistry  • Implants  •

81 London Road, Peterborough PE2 9BS - 01733 340005 * Previously owned by Mr Glen who has now retired *

Yaxley Gazette | December 2018 | T: 01733 757342 | E: info@yaxleygazette.co.uk | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk YG DEC.indd 13

13 20/11/2018 12:11

THE

VILLAGE CLUB CLUB MEMBERSHIP

Single £10 Joint £17 OAP £5

REGULAR ACTIVITIES Tues: Mixed Doubles Darts Team & Bingo Wed: Men’s Darts Team �urs: Ladies’ Darts Sun: Steal or No Steal

FUNCTION ROOM FOR HIRE Birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, christenings etc.

(Wakes & charity events, up to 120 guests).

Adult Party £13o (DJ £100) Children’s Party £60 (2 hours & includes DJ, up to 13 yrs old)) UPCOMING FUNCTIONS

Wishing everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Saturday 1 December

Farcet Club Gin Experience Live entertainment from Graham James (The Union Gap. £20. 4 gins & 2 samples)

Saturday 8 December Ady Brownlie

Sunday 9 December

Ed Sheeran tribute with Zak James (1 – 4pm. Members £7, non-members £10)

Saturday 15 December

Members’ Children’s Christmas party 4:30 – 6pm.

Members’ children/grandchildren FREE (Age 1-9)

Monday 24 December Christmas Eve - JLM Karaoke

Monday 31 December

New Year’s Eve - The Contacts (Tom from the East of England Pipe Band will be playing in the New Year) �e Village Club Farcet @FarcetClub Free members Wifi T: 01733 240 184 E: villageclubfarcet@gmail.com 1 Cross Street, Farcet, Peterborough PE7 3DE

The Lancaster Club Function Room & Bar 152 Main Street, Yaxley, PE7 3LB • Large beer garden • FREE members Wifi • Function room hire (up to 70 guests) • Meeting room (up to 12)

MONDAY Quiz Night (open to all) TUESDAY Bingo (open to all) WEDNESDAY Crib League THURSDAY Dominoes League FRIDAY Meat Raffle 7pm SATURDAY Entertainment starting 9pm LAST FRIDAY OF MONTH Golf Society LAST SUNDAY OF MONTH Karaoke Day out to the Lincoln Christmas Market 6 December.

See club notice board for details.

Applications for Club Membership welcome from everybody

T: 01733 240987

E: thelancasterclub2017@gmail.com Search ‘Lancaster Club’ for event updates & changing ales

Charity SpringBall

Sat 9 March 2019

6.30pm - 12.30am Holiday Inn, Thorpe Wood, Peterborough

Drinks on arrival Three course meal Live Music from The Lazoons Ra�e, Casino & Photobooth Evening Dress & Black Tie

Tickets: £45 (tables are of 10) Contact: Jo on 07880 553 233

In aid of Muscular Dystrophy UK and Arthritis Research UK All proceeds raised go to these charities

Sponsored by: HIGH QUALITY FLOORING Vinyls • Carpets • Laminates • Wood • Natural Mattings GREAT PRICES We will beat any written quotation Free, no obligation quotes

14 YG DEC.indd 14

Yaxley Gazette | December 2018 | T: 01733 757342 | E: info@yaxleygazette.co.uk | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk Fri: 9.30am-2.30pm OPEN: Tues to Sat: 9.30am-5pm Thursday till 7pm appointment!

We also open by

A service you can rely on with over 30 years’ experience.

HOME SELECTION SERVICE AVAILABLE

T: 01733 242 358 E: sales@yaxleycarpets.co.uk

The Old Butchers, 156 Main Street, Yaxley (Next to the Fire Station, opposite The Three Horseshoes.)

20/11/2018 12:12

what’son

Sat 1 Dec Farcet Club Gin Experience with Graham James (The Union Gap) Saturday 1st December (£20 per ticket includes 4 glasses of Gin & 2 small samples. The Village Club Farcet.

Sat 1 Dec Pat Campbell 9-11:30pm Lancaster Club,152 Main Street Entry free to members guests £1 Sat 8 Dec Martin James Lewis 9-11:30pm Lancaster Club,152 Main Street Entry free to members guests £1 Sat 8 Dec Ady Brownlie The Village Club Farcet Sun 9 Dec Karaoke 4-10 Members Bar - Non member £1 British Legion - Broadway Yaxley Sun 9 Dec Ed Sheerin tribute with Zak James 1-4pm Members £7 non members £10 The Village Club Farcet 14 Dec Party Night 7pm to late Concert Room, tickets on sale now Members £1 includes one free drink Non members £2 Children Free British Legion - Broadway Yaxley Sat 15 Dec Beti Gie 9-11:30pm Lancaster Club,152 Main Street Entry free to members guests £1 20-30 Dec BAH Humbug Fest East of England Arena www.bahhumbugfest.com 21 Dec Christmas Quiz & Raffle 7pm till late Members Bar £25 to winning team, free to enter max 4 per team Non Members £1 British Legion - Broadway Yaxley

Sun 23 Dec Childrens Christmas Party Lancaster Club,152 Main Street See in club for details Mon 24 Dec Christmas Raffle 9-11:30pm Lancaster Club,152 Main Street Entry free to members guests £1 24 Dec Games Night Free jukebox & giant raffle 7pm till late Member Bar, non members £1 British Legion - Broadway Yaxley 24 Dec JLM Karaoke The Village Club Farcet Tues 25 Dec Members Free Drink Open from 11am-1pm, Membershave a free drink on the club Lancaster Club,152 Main Street 25 Dec Christmas Day Bottle Draw 11am-1pm Members Bar British Legion - Broadway Yaxley Wed 26 Dec Karaoke with Aud 5-10pm Lancaster Club,152 Main Street Entry free to members guests £1 26 Dec - Boxing Day Family Quiz & bingo 2-8pm Members Bar all welcome British Legion - Broadway Yaxley Sat 29 Dec An evening with Malcolm 9-11:30pm Lancaster Club,152 Main Street Entry free to members guests £1 Mon 31 Dec - NYE New Years Party with Aud and Stevie B Lancaster Club,152 Main Street Tickets on sale from the club

Mon 31 Dec - NYE New Years Eve - The Contacts Tom from the East of England Pipe band will be playing in the New Year The Village Club, Farcet 31st Dec - NYE Gary James Disco & Live Band 7pm to late. Lice Band: Caustic Lights, Tickets on sale now. British Legion Broadway Yaxley

Looking ahead ...

Sat 9 March Charity Ball For the past 5 years, local residents Joanne Castle and Michelle Carpenter have raised over £13,000 for a number of charities. In 2019 they will be organising another Charity Spring Ball in aid of Arthritis Research UK and Muscular Dystrophy UK; charities close to their hearts and affecting members of their own families. The 2019 Black tie affair will take place at the Holiday Inn Peterborough West on Saturday 9 March starting at 6.30pm.

Once again The Lazoons will be providing the after dinner music to pack out the dance floor, along with a casino and much more entertainment. Tickets are £45 and include a 3-course meal and arrival drink. The event has been kindly sponsored by many local businesses including; Broadway Garage, Catering Equipment Solutions, S & J Quality Services, Seek Buy Properties Overseas, PJG Construction, Stitches to Impress and Yaxley Carpets.

The organisers are now looking for raffle prizes and donations towards the wheelbarrow of wine, if you are a local business and would be able to contribute or if you would like further information or tickets for the event, please contact Joanne Castle on 07880 553233 or find the event on Facebook.

Yaxley Gazette | December 2018 | T: 01733 757342 | E: info@yaxleygazette.co.uk | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk YG DEC.indd 15

15 20/11/2018 12:12

It is probably the biggest meal you will cook all year, and it is all too easy to get completely stressed out. But don’t panic, Our Christmas dinner timetable reduces everything down to manageable chunks

TIMETABL E

Christmas Dinner Early December

Two days before Christmas

Order your turkey or buy a frozen one now.

(See ABC Meats advert below) To work out what size you need, count on serving 450g per person. A frozen turkey will need 4–5 days to thaw. Think about the tabletop decorations if you’re planning something special.

Make cranberry sauce and store in the fridge. For stuffing’s and bread sauce, you will need stale bread. Cut and cube it now and lay it out on a baking tray in a single layer. If possible, wait until Christmas Eve to buy vegetables, salads and fish. If not, buy them now.

One week before Christmas

Christmas Eve morning

Start to defrost the turkey at the back of the fridge. Write your shopping list and purchase all non-perishables (don’t forget pet food from D&A Sanders Pet Store).

Pick up fresh turkey. Do last minute shopping or get it delivered if you are lucky enough to get a slot!

Prepare turkey gravy.

Prepare your chosen pudding and refrigerate. If you’re serving a traditional pudding, make brandy butter and refrigerate.

Buy milk in cartons and freeze in case of emergency.

Christmas day: 0pm lunch to be served at 2:0 7.30am Preheat the oven and prepare the turkey

8.15am Make the bread sauce if you haven’t

already. If you are using a warming oven, put in the required plates and serving dishes.

11:30am Prepare sausage and bacon rolls for cooking. Reheat bread sauce and place it in a jug with butter on top to melt over the surface, and keep warm.

Christmas Eve evening Take the turkey out of the fridge, cover with foil and allow it to come to room temperature. Do the same with the stuffing and butter so that it softens for the morning. With all the newly created space, fill up the fridge with wines and more wine you will need it.

and keep warm.

1:45pm: Put sprouts on to cook and gravy

12:45pm: Make the roast potatoes and prepare saucepans of boiling water for sprouts and any other vegetable.

on to heat. While they are cooking, dish up food into serving dishes and carve the turkey. Check Christmas pudding.

2:00pm: Tuck in and enjoy,

1:15pm: Remove turkey from oven, cover loosely with foil and leave to rest.

Merry Christmas

As easy as FESTIV E 2 Items fr £80 om A 2 Items fr om B 4 Items fr om C

LUXURY £100 2 items from A 3 Items from B 6 Items form C

AVAILABLE TO ORDER NOW

YULETIDE £75 1 Item from A 3 Items from B 4 Items from C

Choose your hamper size Fill your hamper with a choice of great meats

MISTLETOE £60 1 Item from A 2 Items from B 4 Items from C

Pay a £20 deposit & choose a collection date

A

Prepare stuffings. Don’t refrigerate, but leave covered in a cool place. The stuffings should not be too cold when you stuff the turkey. Prepare the vegetables.

Peel potatoes and put in cold water in the fridge.

Prepare other vegetables and store in plastic bags in the fridge. Make Bread sauce. Cover tightly with cling film and store in the fridge. Set the table.

1:30pm: Check bacon rolls, remove

Noon: Start steaming the Christmas pudding if you’re drinking red wine with your meal, you may want to give it time to breathe. Open now. You’ve survived the morning, well done! Pour yourself a glass of bucks fizz or two to celebrate.

Family Christmas Hampers

Boneless Turkey Breast 3kg Boneless Turkey Breast Stuffed with Sage & Onion 3kg Boneless Turkey Breast Stuffed with Sausagemeat 3kg Gammon Leg Joint (½ bone in) 4.5kg

Christmas Eve afternoon

B

Topside of Beef 2kg Brisket of Beef 2kg Loin Pork (rind on) 2.7kg Whole Lamb Leg 1.6kg min ½ Gammon Horsehoe 2.5kg Chicken Fillets 2.6kg Prime Rump Steaks 1kg

SNOWFLAKE £40 1 Item from A 1 Item from B 2 Items from C

C

TAKING CHRISTMAS ORDERS NOW Call in to our shop and see one of our butchers who will be happy to help with your fresh turkey and Christmas meat requirements

DIY Pigs in Blankets 400g Sausagemeat Sleeve (Lincs or plain) 400g Pork Chipolatas (Lincs or plain) 400g Streaky Bacon (2 packs) 225g Pork Pie 1lb Goose or Duck Fat 150g Beef Dripping (2 tubs) 50g

Fengate Store (next to Motorpoint), 12 Sabre Way, Peterborough PE1 5EJ T: 01733 311399 www.abcmeats.co.uk 16 YG DEC.indd 16

Yaxley Gazette | December 2018 | T: 01733 757342 | E: info@yaxleygazette.co.uk | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk 20/11/2018 12:12

what’son

Santa

Annual Christmas Ride

is joining Yaxley Firefighters for the

46th year

Yaxley’s on-call firefighters will be hosting Father Christmas once again to spread some festive cheer throughout the village for the annual Christmas Ride.

Now in its 46th year, festive firefighters will be taking him for a ride around the village over four days, from Monday 10 December until Thursday 13 December.

On each night they aim to begin their journey at 6.30pm. The engine will follow a different route each night, as shown on the map.

Firefighters will walk alongside the engine collecting donations for The Fire Fighters Charity. On Sunday 16 December, crews will be collecting for the charity at Dobbies Garden Centre in Hampton.  For more information follow us on social media or call 01480 444500

www.cambsfire.gov.uk Wishing all of our customers a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. We are open every day through the festive period, including New Year’s Day.

Festive Gift for Yaxley Gazette Readers

SUNDAY SPECIAL BUFFET: 15% DISCOUNT Valid until end of January 2019

See our Christmas menu on our website (angelspice.co.uk) for our Christmas and Boxing Day menus. Christmas and Boxing Day meals are booking only.

Yaxley Gazette | December 2018 | T: 01733 757342 | E: info@yaxleygazette.co.uk | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk YG DEC.indd 17

17 20/11/2018 12:12

moneymatters

by Pete Bird, Bird & Co, Certified Public Accountants

TAX UPDATE We have been reading the reviews of First Tier Tribunal (FTT) decisions on penalties. That vexed question of whether ignorance of the law can ever be a reasonable excuse for a filing failure crops up time and time again in appeals against late filing penalties by HMRC. Conversely, the Self Assessment system seems to entice people into 'DIY' and if HMRC does wish people to self-file then HMRC have to also ensure that there is some way of ensuring that DIY taxpayers stay up to date with changes affecting their particular area of tax. Apparently, only about 8% of taxpayers have ever managed to access their Personal Tax Account. What can be done? Well, this is where communication is important. If you do DIY you need to know how to stay up to date, and that is still your prerogative, not HMRC's. If we were not tax experts we would honestly be lost, there is so much information out there. So, the answer is; subscribe to our free newsletters, but otherwise, why not appoint accountants, like ourselves to help take the headache away?

This takes us to Making VAT Digital (MVD). As far as we can see, if you do not have an accountant assisting you with your VAT you probably have no idea what might happen in April 2019. HMRC have recently sent out details to all VAT registered business, who may not have even read these.

Reasonable excuses not accepted q My tax return was on my yacht, which mysteriously caught fire and everything on it went up in flames w A wasp flew in the window of my car and stung me on my hand which caused me to have an accident and my tax return, which was on the seat beside me, was destroyed e My wife helps me with my tax return, but she suffers from terrible migraines and she developed one on 22 January which lasted till the 1 February which made me late r My dog doesn’t like our postman and he ate my tax return and also every reminder you sent me t My two-year-old son scribbled all over my tax return with his crayons, so I couldn’t send it back in the state it was in y I work for myself and a neighbour who’d lost his tax return borrowed mine to photocopy it, but the photocopier went ballistic and ate it u My husband is a civil servant and categorically assured me that the deadline was the 5 April

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

If you have any tax or business questions, please email Pete Bird of Bird & Co info@birdandco.ltd and if of general interest, we will publish them here.

Certified Public Accountants supporting local businesses with cost-effective accountancy and taxation service for many years.

We specialise in sole traders, partnerships, small limited companies and all types of self-employed businesses, as well as all aspects of accountancy and taxation concentrating on the personal approach.

Speak to Pete any time, for a free initial chat.

T: 01733 248 180 F: 01733 248 190 E: pnbird@birdandco.ltd or info@birdandco.ltd 18 YG DEC.indd 18

www.birdandco.ltd

Yaxley Gazette | December 2018 | T: 01733 757342 | E: info@yaxleygazette.co.uk | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk 20/11/2018 12:12

history

Christmas is all about traditions, but why do we hang stocking s, eat chocolate logs and drink eggnog ... (why would anyone drink eggnog? !)

Why we hang stockings

By Tracey Anderson

and other odd Christmas traditions…

S

tockings – Noddy Holder belting out, ‘Are you hanging up your stocking on the wall?’ is a Christmas tradition in itself.

There’s no official explanation of why we hang socks up for Santa though. It probably derives from a tradition of leaving out hay-filled shoes on December 5, the eve of St. Nicholas’ feast day.

Children would wake to discover that the hay they left for St. Nick’s donkey had been replaced with treats or coins.

Snacks for Santa – Whether it’s milk and a chocolate digestive or sherry and mince pie, when we leave goodies for Father Christmas we’re possibly participating in a tradition that some scholars date back to ancient Norse mythology!

According to legend, Odin had an eight-legged horse named Sleipnir. Kids would leave treats for Sleipnir, hoping that Odin would favour them with gifts in return.

Carolling – You might suppose this is a centuries-old tradition but although the songs go back hundreds of years, visiting neighbours to bid them good luck and good cheer by singing for them didn’t happen until the Victorian era.

Evergreen decorations – Before Christianity people decorated their homes with evergreens in the winter as a reminder that spring would return.

Christians adopted the tradition and decorated evergreen trees with apples to represent the Garden of Eden. The practice really took off when the public learned that Queen Victoria had a decorated Christmas tree as a nod to her German husband’s heritage.

The Yule Log – Yule logs also predate Christianity. As part of winter solstice celebrations, Gaels and Celts burned logs decorated with holly, ivy, and pinecones to cleanse themselves of the past year and welcome the next one. The practice changed over time and eventually edible representations of the log appeared, which is why we eat chocolate logs today!

Eggnog – Surely the most revolting of traditions. However, historians agree that ‘nog’ was probably inspired by a medieval drink called ‘posset’, a milky drink made with eggs, milk, and sometimes figs or sherry. These were all pricey ingredients, so it was a bit of status symbol to offer it to guests. No-one seems to know for sure why

it’s called ‘nog’, but it maybe from the old word ‘noggin’ which was slang for a wooden cup.

Mistletoe - This was associated with fertility and vitality by Celtic Druids because it blossomed even during the most frigid winters. Quite how we got from that kissing under the mistletoe is a mystery, but we do know that it began in the 18th Century and started with guests kissing the hand of their host under the mistletoe, then became progressively more personal over the decades that followed!

Advent calendars - The modern advent calendar, with its little doors containing sweets or small gifts, began with Gerhard Lang in the early 1900s. His inspiration was a calendar that his mother made for him when he was a child, featuring 24 coloured pictures attached to a piece of cardboard.

Christmas Cards – In these days of high postage costs, texts and emails, plus more environmental awareness this tradition may be at risk of dying out. Christmas cards are a surprisingly recent tradition anyway, with the first formal card only hitting shelves in 1843.

Yaxley Gazette | December 2018 | T: 01733 757342 | E: info@yaxleygazette.co.uk | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk YG DEC.indd 19

19 20/11/2018 12:13

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YoungGazette

FOLKSWORTH C OF E PRIMARY T: 01733 240 562 E: office@folksworth.cambs.sch.uk www.folksworthprimaryschool.co.uk FOURFIELDS T: 01733 703 611 E: office@fourfields.cambs.sch.uk www.fourfields.cambs.sch.uk YAXLEY INFANTS T: 01733 240 918 E: office@yaxley.cambs.sch.uk www.yaxley.cambs.sch.uk STRETTON PRE-SCHOOL Main Street site: T: 01733 248048 Fourfields site: 01733 746521 E: stretton.preschool@yahoo.co.uk FARCET C OF E PRIMARY St Marys St, Farcet, Peterborough PE7 3AR 01733 240337 LITTLE ACORNS 208b Broadway, Yaxley, Peterborough PE7 3NT 01733 244000 or (enquiries@littleacorns-daynursery.co.uk WILLIAM DE YAXLEY Lansdowne Rd, Yaxley, Peterborough PE7 3JL 01733 240323

school reports FOURFIELDS

It’s hard to believe that we have already reached the time of year where we are beginning to celebrate Christmas. Our school focus this year is community and we are spending our time together thinking about what that means for all of us.

W

e hope that anybody wanting to get involved with our school community will be interested in some of the exciting Christmas events we are holding in December. We’d love to welcome you so read on to find out more and do please get involved!

We always have plenty to celebrate in our school community and this term has been no different.

We are very proud of Mr Horwood and Mr Heather, who have both been recognised individually for their brilliance! Mr Horwood took one of the Silver Awards at the National Teaching Awards ceremony in London, in the category of ‘Primary School Teacher of the Year.’ A number of us, including his family, attended the ceremony at The Brewery in London which was televised and broadcast as ‘Britain’s Classroom Heroes’ on BBC 2. How exciting! We are also very proud that Mr Heather has reached the final of in the 2018 Happiness Awards for ‘Happiest School Person’ and we look forward to finding out the outcome in the final ceremony in Manchester very soon!

Earlier in the term, four of our Year 6 children took part in the heats of the Cambridgeshire English Challenge, where they competed against other

local schools answering questions which tested their book knowledge and grammar skills amongst other things English related. We are delighted to learn that they have made it through to the finals, which are to take place in Ely Cathedral on the 5 December. Good luck Team Fourfields!

The whole school recently spent some time thinking about World War 1 and the sacrifice that was made by so many. Each year group took part in activities especially planned for the occasion and on Monday 12 November we held our own Service of Remembrance using poetry we had written.

With Christmas coming up and our community focus in mind, our staff team recently discussed an alternative to buying and receiving Christmas gifts for each other. This then extended to gifts from our children and parents. We have asked that we don’t receive any gifts this year and instead, have invited people to donate to our Just Giving Page: (www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ fourfields-primary-school) or click on the link on our Facebook Page to help raise money for CLIC Sargent.

The staff decided that they would rather sacrifice their own gift and

give something to this charity for the amazing work they have done for families of children in our own community and particularly at the moment for one of our own TAs and her son. We are so thankful to so many for getting on board with this idea with us and for showing us what an incredible Family we have in all of the Fourfields community.

Finally – on to our Christmas events! Our Christmas Fayre will take place on 1 December. We hope to see many of our local community popping along to enjoy the wide variety of stalls, all set to get you in the festive mood of course. At 7pm on Friday 7 December, Fourfields will host a ‘Christmas Wreath Making Workshop’, led by Lisa Wiles of Keepsakes in Yaxley. During this evening, expert tuition and all materials will be provided for you to make a stunning Christmas wreath, as well as suitably festive refreshments for you to enjoy.

Everybody is welcome and tickets are available from our school office or Keepsakes, at a cost of £30 per person.

On Monday 17 December, we invite you to come along to our ‘Carols in the Car Park’ event and enjoy a good sing along. We certainly believe in ‘the more the merrier’ and looking forward to seeing you there!

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YoungGazette

YAXLEY INFANT SCHOOL Last year the Friends of Yaxley Infant School raised over £8,000!

Cake bakes, the book shop, Mother’s Day presents and the very successful ‘Family Fun Night’ in the summer were just a few of the events organised by the Friends.

FARCET C OF E PRIMARY We are now settled in to the second half of the autumn term and are looking forward to all of the exciting opportunities we have planned in the lead up to Christmas.

We were very pleased to visit St. Mary’s Church this month for our harvest service. Our Christian ethos is of huge importance to us and it was lovely to see so many parents and carers there to join in with our collective worship. We were very proud of the children as they led the worship with their prayers, poems and readings giving thanks for the harvest.

Our pupils have been very busy both in school and on educational visits. We were very proud of our Year 2 pupils who took part in a multi-skills event at Stanground Academy, participating with other schools from the area. They all did very well, showing perseverance

as well as being commended on their behaviour.

Brunel Class have taken a keen interest this term in books by Joe Todd-Stanton. They emailed him some questions and he very kindly replied. ‘Hi, Brunel class! Really glad you enjoyed my book. I hope it's inspired you to do some writing and drawing of your own.’ The children really enjoyed reading his responses to their questions.

We are all looking forward to Christmas at Farcet and have a number of events planned including our Christmas Fayre on the 14 December 3.30 – 4.30pm.

You are very welcome to join us for some festive fun.

WILLIAM DE YAXLEY At William de Yaxley CE Academy, the act of Remembrance is always a very special and respectful time in our school, and this year has been no exception.

The children have all been involved in creating our poppy display (which has been on show in the front entrance), and the Worship Council led a beautiful act of remembrance for the whole school today. We are always proud of our children, but during this time they have all excelled, with their considerate and thoughtful behaviour, whilst we paid our own tribute to those who have served and given their lives, so that we may continue to live in a peaceful and caring society. Days like today help us to put many other things completely into perspective and be truly grateful for what we have.

LITTLE ACORNS We would like to wish all of our families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Thank you for all of your support over the past year and we look forward to seeing you and welcoming all our new families in the New Year.

The build-up to Christmas is always a very exciting time; the children are enjoying Christmas crafts, singing Christmas songs and talking lots about Santa coming soon! The preschool children have been practising their Christmas songs ready to perform in front of their families for the annual Christmas concert.

We have limited spaces left to start with us this school year; we are now booking places for September 2019.

If you would like to come and have a look around or are interested in a space please contact the nursery on 01733 244000 or (enquiries@ littleacorns-daynursery.co.uk)

The fundraising is vital to the school in the current economic climate and we have been able to fund trips, leavers’ parties and a new sound system with this money. Thank you to all the Friends members for your continued support.

Earlier this month our McMillian Coffee morning raised £107 pounds for this worthwhile charity. It was lovely to see so many parents/carers come along to the event. At YIS parents/carers have an open invite to come along to the coffee mornings on the first Wednesday of each month to meet staff, our link Family Worker and just meet new people and have a chat.

In other news, we have been pleased to see our new Reception children settle well into school life.

This time of year always proves to be the hardest time for Reception teachers as they support all the new pupils with the huge change of starting school. The Reception children have now started coming to assembly and it has been lovely to see them make the first steps in their school education.

In October children also dressed up for our Roald Dahl day. The day was a great success and all the children (and adults) fully embraced the day. It was an opportunity to remember the great children’s author and remind the children of the beauty of books.

Yaxley Gazette | December 2018 | T: 01733 757342 | E: info@yaxleygazette.co.uk | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk YG DEC.indd 21

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Yaxley Gazette | December 2018 | T: 01733 757342 | E: info@yaxleygazette.co.uk | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk 20/11/2018 12:13

naturewatch

Tom Farmer

By the meteorological calendar, winter commences on 1 Decem ber. Astronomically the start dat by the 23.5 degree tilt of the Ear e, governed th’s rotational axis in relation to its orbit around the sun, is 21 De According to our clothing retailers cember. , however,

we’ve been in the winter season since July, and there’s been no shortage of ‘Jingle Bells’ since the end of October.

Perhaps the single redeeming feature of the rise of ‘Halloween’ celebrations (which I’ve never quite understood) could be providing a firm buffer to the mince pies and chocolate reindeer that have been steadily advancing earl ier in the calendar each year?

However you look at it, now we’r e in December, winter is here.

And nowhere is this more apparen t than when in the larder (does anyone have a larder any more?). Gone are the autumna l apples, artichokes, and pumpkins (though of course

some apples will keep well for som e months), and enter the Brussels sprouts now at their best after a good frost (is this just a myth; local veg guru Andrew Burgess will set us straight).

“Hooray” for clementines, satsuma s, and tangerines too, which are deliciou s this month evoking memories of childhood Christmases past, and if you’re from the pos h end of the village, you may be welcoming langoustine and queen scallops back in seas on at the fishmongers On the farm, we’ll have delivere d our last batch of lamb and pork, and we’ll be making our Christmas preparat ions. As well as welcoming our American rela tives to experience a ‘real, English Christm as’, we’ll

be preparing for our now tradition al ‘Outdoor Nativity’ which we’re holding this year on Sunday 23 December at 5.30pm (post code PE7 3TR) with a ‘semi-dramatic’ retelling of the birth of Jesus. There’s the pos sibility of a real donkey, there will certainly be real sheep playing the part of ‘the sheep’, and we may be able to persuade some real she pherds from neighbouring farms to repr ise their role.

Or at the very least there’ll be som e people in dressing gowns with tea tow els on their heads. I’m hoping after all that there’ll be hot chocolate, mulled wine, and a min ce pie or three in the church. It could be lots of fun. You really should come along too!

While you’re shopping for Christm as gifts this year, why not celebrate local food producers at the same time. [Relatives look awa y now!] I’m probably going to be sourcing most of my gifts from the Rutland Smokehouse.

After a chance meeting at Melton Mowbray Mar ket when I was buying sheep recently, I’m hooked !

Wherever you are, and howeve r you’re celebrating, may I wish you a very Merry Christmas!  /FarmerTomUK)  @Farmer_To m_UK

Winter care for

MINI-BEASTS

In the past December was a time of year when bugs were scarce to find; needing to dig up logs and stones to find much invertebrate life but the times they are a changing as generally warmer temperatures mean it is even likely that bees will be active throughout the majority of the month.

A month not traditionally associated with the bursting blooms that belong to the following spring. These warmer winter days may be good for barbecues, hot tubs and outdoor furniture sales but they place our bugs under great duress as food is scarce and hibernation not possible. This means stored energy from summer and autumn are expended at a far faster rate leaving many to literally starve.

Ensuring that gardens have year round flowering is not just great for our own enjoyment it is now all but essential for the survival of our vital mini-beasts. Bulbs play an essential roll from January onwards with snowdrops, aconites and crocus bridging the gap before spring arrives and there is probably just enough time to plant some of these early in December to help over the

remaining winter. Winter jasmine produces a fine yellow display of simple flowers over the winter and Viburnum tinus is another popular flower for pollinators in December.

Also, remember just like birds garden mini-beasts require water so try to ensure that even when things are frozen there is a small amount of water on tap in a bird bath or saucer.

Yaxley Gazette | December 2018 | T: 01733 757342 | E: info@yaxleygazette.co.uk | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk YG DEC.indd 23

23 20/11/2018 12:14

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Yaxley Gazette | December 2018 | T: 01733 757342 | E: info@yaxleygazette.co.uk | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk 20/11/2018 12:14

pawsforthought

Make it a FUN Christmas

DOGS TRUST PROMOTION

It’s the most wonderful time of the year for many, but the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas can be a sensory overload for your dog.

To find your nearest dog school and take your first step towards making the most of your relationship with your four-legged friend now visit www.dogstrustdogschool.org.uk

Want to help make Christmas fun for your whole family – four-legged friends included? There are some simple things you can do to help ensure the festive period runs as smoothly as possible for your dog.

Whilst you and your family are munching on turkey and all the trimmings, why not give your dog their usual dinner, but make it fun by making your own food game? When you’re recycling keep anything that is safe for your dog to use – think kibble hidden within scrunched up newspaper inside cardboard boxes, or empty plastic bottles (lids removed!) with kibble inside. Remember to supervise in case your dog needs help!

For more tips and advice visit Dogs Trust Dog School, a national network of experienced trainers providing fun, educational courses for all dog owners based on up-to-date scientific research.

Using reward-based training methods, we teach the key skills your dog needs to thrive in everyday situations.

From calmly greeting unexpected visitors to resisting tasty temptations and coping with a more crowded-than-usual household, our expert knowledge will help Christmas become a walk in the park for you and your dog. Courses are five weeks long, with a free introductory session.

Keeping pets safe through the festivities Here are the top reasons for emergency vet visits over the festive period, and how to avoid them.

Vomiting and diarrhoea

Chocolate

Soft tissue trauma

Often a result of Rover helping himself to Christmas goodies; one year my brother’s beagle helped himself to our entire cheeseboard, with predictable gastro-intestinal consequences!

But sometimes it’s a result of him being fed too many treats or rich food. Ask visitors to refrain from feeding your pets unless they have permission, and keep all festive food out of reach!

Dark chocolate is poisonous to dogs so seek advice immediately if you suspect that’s what he’s eaten.

Dogs and cats can be stepped on, have things dropped on them, or be hit by cars while running around on the drive as visitors arrive. If Grandma trips over your Chihuahua BOTH might end up in casualty so keep an eye on pets at all times.

Lacerations or bites When family members or guests bring their pet, bear in mind your dog or cat will see this as an intrusion into their territory, and some animals are very territorial indeed. Don’t leave unfamiliar animals alone together, even if they seem to be tolerating each other. In severe cases enmity separate rooms might be in order.

If a guest brings a dog and your kids own a treasured hamster or guinea pig keep the small furry being well out of danger; preferably put the cage on a high shelf.

Foreign body ingestion The beagle who ate the cheeseboard ate the cheese AND most of the board ...

Some pets will eat anything.

Christmas baubles, lights tinsel and small toys. Ask guests not to leave things on the floor and keep a watchful eye on Rover. If he’s quietly in a corner chewing something, check it’s not Grandma’s spectacles, or false teeth!

By Tom Hancock

Yaxley Gazette | December 2018 | T: 01733 757342 | E: info@yaxleygazette.co.uk | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk YG DEC.indd 25

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without breaking the yolk, add a splash of Worcestershire sauce and swallow whole. Even watching him drink it was enough to send me and my lurching stomach running for the bathroom.

Personally I have always found that if I’ve overdone the celebrations at a party then drinking a large glass of water before I turn in for the night really helps. In the morning I drink more water with a recommended dose of paracetamol. If your stomach is a bit sensitive you can try an antacid to calm it down, then if possible go back to bed.

When you are ready to eat something try a banana. They are easily digestible and help to replace lost minerals, though many people do swear by a fry-up. Possibly the saltiness and protein-rich foods (bacon, eggs and beans) help there.

The Scandinavian equivalent is pickles and fish but I suspect you really do have to be Swedish to entertain that notion.

The only way to completely avoid a hangover is to avoid alcohol. But most of us like a drink at Christmas so the best advice is to drink in moderation, don’t mix drinks (wine or beer, not both), and alternate alcoholic tipples with soft drinks. That way you’ll enjoy the morning after as well as the night before.

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Yaxley Gazette | December 2018 | T: 01733 757342 | E: info@yaxleygazette.co.uk | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk 20/11/2018 12:15

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Yaxley Gazette | December 2018 | T: 01733 757342 | E: info@yaxleygazette.co.uk | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk YG DEC.indd 27

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Bowls – Yaxley Broadway Bowls Club 01733 241967 Yaxley Bowling club bowling green and clubhouse is located behind Farmers Carvery Broadway, Yaxley. www.yaxleybowls.co.uk Table Tennis Club – Vic 01733 764980 Public hall, Thursdays 7 – 10p. Email Ian Pratt, ianoratt@talktalk.net Yaxley FC 01733 244928 www.pitchero.com/clubs/yaxleyfootballclub Yaxley Methodist Chapel 01733 314147 Reverend Gareth Baron – Main Street Reverend Gordon Limbrick 01733 243170 revgordonlimbrick@gmail.com Yaxley Amateur Players Youth Section 01487 832131 akrills@btinternet.com ST B’s Hall 07919 053140 bookings@saintbs.co.uk Defibs 07534 195326 glsaunders@hotmail.co.uk Pet Nutrition Adviser 01733 753055 David Sanders LCGI MinstLM If you would like to add your number to the useful numbers list please email info@yaxleygazette.co.uk

‘Tis the season to be jolly – but as we prepare for the season of goodwill, not everyone shares the Christmas spirit.

With many of us starting the Christmas shopping earlier, there is a fair chance that many of our shop purchases and online orders are beginning to pile up.

So, with gifts galore adding to the decorations, tree, food and drink - December is a time when many of us let our guard down, among the excitement leading up to the big day.

For opportunist thieves, visible presents under the tree, open car boots full of shopping while loads are being taken into the house and even the possibility of an unlocked garage are rich pickings which can turn your Christmas from being Merry into Miserable!

Equally, flaws in home security while out and about visiting friends and family are a beacon to thieves – so always remember to check your alarm and never leave doors, windows or garages unlocked.

Some tips for a safe and happy festive season:  Don’t leave presents in full view – either in the home or in the back seat of the car.  Shorter days mean longer time for thieves to be in operation – always lock your car and front door when entering your home.  Keep a light on indoors and outdoors if you are out visiting friends or family.  It may be an idea to fit some motion detector security lighting – it won’t just be carol singers who come calling.  Keep your personal data safe – and securely dispose of receipts.  If you are expecting parcels or deliveries whilst you are away from home, try and arrange for them to be delivered to an alternative address instead of them being hidden by the bins!  If buying bikes and / or electronic equipment for Christmas – mark them with your postcode  If using outdoor festive lighting, ensure cables aren’t passed through windows, leaving enough gap for burglars to make use of.  Away over Christmas – plan ahead. If you’re going away at Christmas be sure to cancel any newspaper or milk subscriptions.

Arrange for a neighbour to park on the driveway to help create the impression someone is home. Do not to leave descriptive telephone answering machine messages like “we’re away skiing for the Christmas holidays” or post your plans on social media.

For any home security improvements, we have locksmiths, alarm and CCTV installers, electricians and many other traders who can help. Visit www.safelocaltrades.com or call free on 0800 014 1832

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FOR A FREE SURVEY CALL  info@4ever.green  www.4evergreen.com  07505 991882 / 07572 443329

BLOCK PAVING

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STYLE

Family run local business with 30 years’ experience

HOME IMPROVEMENTS After Before

Block paving  Slabs  Patios  Fencing Building work  FREE QUOTES 01733 247137 / 07879881315 www.styleimprovements.com

BOILER SERVICING & INSTALLATION

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M U M g Ltd I n i t a PT nd He

Olumbing a P

Up to 10 year guarantee* on all CDi, Si, i System & Ri boilers when purchased as part of the system solution package.

Office 01733 241 398

Mark Wade 07736 970 451 / Simon Wade 07841 141 953

• Sales, Service and Installation of all boilers • • Over 25 years experience • WHICH Trusted Traders • Registered Office: 35 Main Street, Yaxley, Peterborough PE7 3LZ

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*On every new boiler installation

Yaxley Gazette | December 2018 | T: 01733 757342 | E: info@yaxleygazette.co.uk | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk YG DEC.indd 29

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Advertise in Handy Numbers from just £18 a month Call 01733 757342 or 07949 456045

HANDY NUMBERS  A NUMBER FOR EVERYTHING  HANDY NUMBERS  A NUMBER FOR DECORATORS

BUILDERS

ELECTRICIANS

Advertise in Handy Numbers from just £18 a month Call 01733 757342 or 07949 456045

Rake&Point Building Landscaping Custom sheds House Re-pointing Call 07802 644124

CARPET CLEANING

G.P.G Carpet Cleaning Carpets & upholstery need a deep clean? Free no obligation quotation

T. 07525 246919 CLEANING/IRONING SERVICES

FENCING AND GARDENING

Garden & Home

Maintenance

Hedge & grass cutting Weeding Patio, driveway & gutter cleaning.

No job too small or too large.

Free no obligation quotes. 

T: 07484 706779

DECORATORS

Ellis Decor

Exterior & interior work; FREE painting & wallpapering etc.

QUOTES Friendly professional service.

Keith Ellis T: 01733 760 096 M: 07956 462 904 E: decoratorinator@yahoo.co.uk

Greenleaf

Hill Services Painting & Decorating Interior and exterior FREE quotes Call or email Wayne

T: 01733 311661 T: 07870 454474 E: w.hillservices74@outlook.com

G.P.G Painter & Decorator

Make the most of your rooms in your home Free no obligation quote

• Lawn maintenance • Tree surgery • Turfing • Fencing • Landscaping • All types of gardening • Free estimates Office: 01733 689 205 Mobile: 07444 175 824 Email: greenleafcare@outlook.com Local resident 20 Haddon Way, Farcet, Peterborough PE7 3BA

T. 07525 246919 30 YG DEC.indd 30

Yaxley Gazette | December 2018 | T: 01733 757342 | E: info@yaxleygazette.co.uk | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk 20/11/2018 12:16

MBER FOR EVERYTHING  HANDY NUMBERS  A NUMBER FOR EVERYTHING  HANDY NU FENCING AND GARDENING

&SONS SAM

TREE & GARDEN SPECIALIST Peterborough based FREE estimates & advice

PLUMBING & HEATING

 Seasoned logs available.  All types of trees expertly felled, topped & pruned.  Hedges & shrubbery trimmed & shaped.  All general garden work undertaken.  Renovating topsoil turf supplied & laid.

www.samsongardenwork.co.uk

T: 01733 689 205 M: 07552 662 920 GENERAL SERVICES

PODIATRISTS/CHIROPODISTS/FOOT HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Stilton Foot Clinic

55 North Street, Stilton PE7 3RP

t:01733 240609 m:07773 995599 www.stiltonfootclinic.weebly.com

@stiltonfootclinic1

Lacuna Specialised Fungal Nail treatment FREE CONSULTATION Nail cutting Ingrowing toenails Callus & corns Skin infections Derek Vickers Sara Dunleavy Verrucas Cracked heels Orthotics L.S.CH, L.CH, M.CH.S MCFHP, MAFHP

REMOVALS

ROOFING

Hawkspeed Removals The flexible and affordable choice!

Visit www.hawkspeedhaulage.com e: hawkspeedhaulage@gmail.com Or Call Ritchie t: 07737 196 511

MOTORING

MOT • SERVICING • DIAGNOSTIC • REPAIRS

ROOFING

Your RELIABLE affordable AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE is here

07984 648575 01733 248442

Askews Lane, Yaxley PE7 3LA www.mphautomotive.co.uk

OVEN CLEANING

10% DISCOUNT OFF YOUR BILL IS YOUR ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ON?

FREE computer diagnostic check

with this advert* *Terms and conditions apply

PLASTERING

A.B ARDEN – PLASTERING SERVICES • Boarding • Dry Lining • Patch repair • Re-skims • Stud work • Building Alterations • Screeding • Coving • Floor & Wall Tiling EXTERIOR COATINGS • Sand & cement renders • K-rend • Weber renders Competitive rates, no obligation quotes.

No job too big or small. e: aaronardenplastering@hotmail.com m: 07936 577 018

T C PLASTERING All plastering work undertaken free quotes no job too small Tony Coyle - Plasterer 15 Violet Way, Yaxley PE7 3EX 01733 759180 or 07516 432641 tonycoyle2012@hotmail.co.uk

We will beat any genuine like for like quote

PRESENT THIS ADVERT TO RECEIVE

OLIVER YOUNG PLASTERING TEL: 07801 474 900

ALL TYPES OF PLASTERING WORK UNDERTAKEN

• Traditional felt roofing • Facias • Repairs • Guttering • Re-pointing • Tiled roofing

Yaxley Based 01733 851632 07842 184995

WINDOWS & DOORS

DOUBLE GLAZING REPAIR • Misted up sealed units • Doors dropped • Broken handles etc NO CALL- OUT CHARGE... just solid, sound advice on how to solve the problem.

T: 01733 248319 M: 07517 560720 | LOCAL RESIDENT

Yaxley Gazette | December 2018 | T: 01733 757342 | E: info@yaxleygazette.co.uk | www.yaxleygazette.co.uk YG DEC.indd 31

Advertise in Handy Numbers from just £18 a month Call 01733 757342 or 07949 456045

Local • Reliable • Experienced One-o� pieces, full house removals & long distance transportation.

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