NENE PARK
STORY!
WINTER WARMER
Restaurant-Style
Pan-Seared Salmon
Glinton Village Christmas Tree Lights Switch-on 2023:
Local People Behind the Camera Mick Child Additional Film Work Because of The Village Tribune A FESTIVE EXTRAVAGANZA
Over 10,000 readers in our North Peterborough villages
Garden Lodge Care Home in Glinton
Three small family run care homes in Peterborough and Market Deeping providing a real home-from-home environment with exceptional care from devoted, trusted carers.
in Peterborough with all en-suite bedrooms. Situated just a few minutes walk from central park where the residents can enjoy the café and watching the world go by.
Garden Lodge: 01733 252 980/07801 273 804 or e-mail: managers@gardenlodgecarehome.co.uk
Florence House: 01733 315 900/07801 273 804 or e-mail: info@careatflorence.co.uk
The Laurels: 07801 273 804 or e-mail: thelaurels@nenevalleycarehomes.co.uk www.gardenlodgecarehome.co.uk
in Glinton is a detached chalet style bungalow with a very attractive and peaceful garden.
in Market Deeping (taken over by us in February) is a beautiful Grade-2 Listed Building within walking distance to Market Deeping town centre.
20
You can get your calendar from the following: Golden Pheasant, Etton, Blue Bell, Maxey, Ruddy Duck, Peakirk, Pack Horse, Northborough, Red Lion, West Deeping, Bluebell, Glinton, Willowbrook Farm & The Granary, Blue Bell, Helpston and the John Clare Cottage.
In a world marred by distressing global conflicts, the headlines have been dominated by heartwrenching news from Israel and Palestine. We join countless others in extending our thoughts and prayers to the families enduring these crises.
Here at the Tribune, we've been steadfast in our support of 'Helping Our Ukrainian Friends' since the invasion of Ukraine last March. Turn to pages 58-59 for an update from Richard Astle on the remarkable humanitarian efforts spanning the past 18 months, including upcoming plans to deliver vital supplies to those caught in the turmoil near Ukraine's borders.
To bolster these efforts, the Tribune proudly presents the 2024 Tribland calendar, a work of art featuring local talent. Each month showcases the beauty of our own community, providing a glimmer of positivity amidst global turmoil. You can purchase your calendar from various locations listed above, and every £7.50 spent contributes to 'Helping Our Ukrainian Friends.'
Contributions: 07590 750128 e: villagetribuneeditor@me.com Social media: /groups/villagetribune Website: www.villagetribune.org.uk
Mick Child, an enduring supporter of the Tribune, has invested countless hours in creating compelling films about this campaign. We urge our readers to explore these videos on the Tribune's Vimeo channel: https://vimeo.com/showcase/10502417
Your support matters, and you can acquire individual copies of the calendar here: https://py.pl/2CLFtW
Thank you for standing with us in support of Ukraine.
Warm regards,
Advertising: Alison Henthorn 07702 640361 e: alisonhenthorn@btinternet.com
Editor - Tony Henthorn
35 Maxey Road, Helpston PE6 7DP
T: 07590 750128 E: villagetribuneeditor@me.com
Advertising Sales - Alison Henthorn T 07702 640361
E: alisonhenthorn@btinternet.com
Holly Cottage, Wittering Road, Barnack PE9 3EY T: 07523 312387 E: mills.mh@gmail.com
Rector Gary Alderson, Rector of Barnack with Ufford, Bainton, Helpston and Wittering
e: gary.aldersonwrites@gmail.com
Reverend Keir Dow 9 Bridges Rector
The Rectory, 11 Lincoln Road, Glinton PE6 7JR
Thatched Cottage, Ashton E: hilly.smith@virgin.net
ETTON Anne Curwen
The Coach House, Rectory Lane, Etton
T: 01733 253357 E: acurwen@hotmail.com
GLINTON Shirley Hodgkinson
30 Websters Close, Glinton T: 01733 252351 E: hodgkinsons@talktalk.net
HELPSTON Clive Marsh
Clive Marsh, 34 Maxey Road, Helpston clive.marsh815@btinternet.com M: 07511 011662
MARHOLM Saqib Farooq
10 Peterborough Road, Castor, PE5 7AX
MAXEY Cllr Peter Hiller
E: Peter.Hiller@peterborough.gov.uk
NORTHBOROUGH Polly Beasley
15 Claypole Drive, Northborough T: 01778 380849 E: polly.beasley@btinternet.com
PEAKIRK Trish Roberts 9 St Pegas Road
PILSGATE Sally Hullock
3 Hillside Close, Ufford sally@sallyhullocktraining.co.uk T: 07795 565658
SOUTHORPE Daphne Williams
The Old Dairy Barn, Main St. T: 01780 740511
UFFORD Sally Hullock
3 Hillside Close, Ufford
sally@sallyhullocktraining.co.uk T: 07795 565658
e views expressed within this magazine do not necessarily re ect those of the Editor. All copy is believed correct at time of print but no responsibility can be taken for errors and/or omissions. No part of this publication and/or website may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without prior written permission of the Publisher. Permission is only deemed valid if approval is in writing. e Village Tribune own all rights to contributions, text and images, unless previously agreed to in writing.
The Ambers in Tribland
5,400 copies of the Tribune are distributed free of charge in Ailsworth, Ashton, Bainton, Barnack, Castor, Deeping Gate, Etton, Glinton, Helpston, Marholm, Maxey, Newborough, Northborough, Peakirk, Pilsgate, Southorpe & Ufford
As Peterborough’s award-wining Safe Local Trades celebrates its 15th anniversary, we would like to say a huge thank you to all our valued customers and members who have helped its growth and success since 2008.
With over 17,700 reviews on our website, Safe Local Trades has more reputable tradespeople in the PE Postcode area than any other national network. Here are some of our members marking the milestone with us.
As well as our work with the trades, we are committed to safeguarding the more vulnerable people in our communities, working alongside
the relevant agencies to offer advice on avoiding rogue traders, reporting doorstep crime and how to get involved with your local neighbourhood watch scheme.
Safe Local Trades has a number of tried and tested reliable tradesmen who can carry out a range of property improvements that can save you money, as well as those who specialise in energy saving solutions for your home or business.
And all of this – and much, much more in the cost-of-living crisis and the pandemic. A sincere and massive thank you once again from the whole team.
By Eileen Le Voi
www.safelocaltrades.com
Chairman: Susie Lucas 01780 740 159 susie.hall34@gmail.com Responsible for: Staffing/HR, Community, Allotments Association, PCC Liaison and Good Neighbours Scheme.
Councillor: Cliff Stanton 01780 749 123 cliffstanton@btinternet.com Responsible for: Nature Recovery Plan project, Village assets, maintenance and website.
Councillor: Michael Perkins 07587 240 607 hawthornfarm@ hotmail.com Responsible for: Internal finances checker.
Councillor: Irene Walsh 07753 203 844 walshirene@yahoo.co.uk Responsible for: Planning, Staffing/HR and Community Liaison and Road Safety. Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer: Jenny Rice 07889 669 550 bainton.ashton.clerk@live.co.uk
Vacancy: Please see website/notice board when applying for this position.
I’m delighted to announce that Steve Watson has joined Etton Parish Council, and he attended his first meeting last month. The other Councillors are Fred Morton, Martin Brook, Andrea Page and me. Our Clerk is Elinor Beesley.
On Sunday 10 September, 25 volunteers contributed a couple of hours, in very hot conditions, to clean the church, polish the brass and silver, mow, strim, weed, clear graves, prepare and paint metal work, renovate the notice board and rationalise our mini library in the telephone box. Thanks to all our volunteers, your work was much appreciated. Afterwards, we enjoyed a simple lunch and a well-earned drink, before the heavens opened!
Our new Vicar, Revd. Keir Dow was licenced at St Peters, Maxey, on 17 September, but he was welcomed to Etton at a Harvest Lunch, at the Coach House, on Sunday 1 October. Thanks to Maggie Warren who provided the most delicious chicken, ham and leek pie and Helen Morton who made a scrumptious apple and blackberry crumble. It was wonderful to see Maurice Wright, Jane King, Kate Hendry and Margaret Green, some of our more senior residents, enjoying a lunch out.
I’m hoping to install our poppy display sometime in October, we have a splendid 206 poppies so far, and I still have some to collect. During the period of the display, if you would like to sponsor a poppy for £5, the name of your loved one
will be read out on 12 November at 10:45am at our Remembrance service. Any money raised will be split between the Royal British legion and Etton church. Please contact me if you are interested 07730 301 404
Starting soon we would like to arrange to have the church open every day until dusk., for visitors and quiet reflection. We are looking for volunteers who might be interested in opening and/or closing the church. We have keys in a safe box at the church. Please contact any of the PCC members to register your interest.
We have two exciting workshops planned in Etton during November and December. Jacqui Barnard has offered to run a Christmas Card making workshop on 6 November,
cost £15 and Wreath making, on 4 December, cost £30. All materials and refreshments will be provided. Full details are on the posters on the Etton notice boards and Facebook page.
On Sunday 5 December at 5pm, we will be switching on the Christmas tree lights and singing a few carols on the village green, All welcome.
Another date for your diary, Saturday 2 December at Sissons Barn, is the Benefice Christmas Concert. Fabulous entertainment, Mulled wine, minced pies raffle, and an Auction of Promises. Last years event was a big success. Tickets £15 available from Andrew Curwen 07836 213 406 or email acurwen@me.com
Etton, St Stephen’s has been chosen to host the Benefice 9 lessons and Carols on Thursday 21 December, at 7pm - All are welcome, for mulled wine, tea/ coffee and shortbread.
Finally, our Christmas Nativity will take place at 5pm on 24 December on the village green.
Cllr Malcolm Spinks, Parish Vice Chair
Maintenance Contractor
Beebys were selected as the preferred option. We are working closely with them to get the schedule of work under way. The council now has a dedicated member to oversee the work and ensure standards are achieved and maintained.
We should like to thank Richard Harding, our previous contractor, for his hard work and dedication to the task.
John Clare Countryside
A meeting was held with representatives from the John Clare Countryside Group and Northborough Parish Council on 1st September 2023 at Northborough Village Hall.
Along with the Peterborough Environmental City Trust (PECT) and Langdyke Countryside Trust to increase biodiversity in the parish, we are working together to create small wetland area which is now home to a variety of aquatic plant species. We are also reviewing several local projects, which include revitalising the hedgerows in the fields within Northborough and a proposal of tree planting and wildlife areas within the village.
Happy Retirement
At the end of August, the Village wished Yogi and Sharon from the
village shop and post office a happy retirement following over 25 years of service to the community at a specially organised event at the newly reopened Packhorse. The pub was, forgive the pun, packed.
Yogi and Sharon have done a lot for their customers over the years, and it is usually done quietly and with no praise and thanks needed. Always cheery, remembering people’s names and that of their families, asking after them if they had been sick or worried about something,
They have been a lifeline to the older customers, delivering shopping to them and more importantly looking out for them, often saying haven’t seen Mr or Mrs so and so lately, hope she or he is ok.
They will be missed very much at the shop but continue to live in the village.
NPC is continuing to improve the burial ground and cemetery following the creation of the green burial area and installation of replacement oak gates. The latest improvements include the installation of two new oak pergolas, one over the bench donated in memory of Robin Sutton and the second over the path connecting the two areas of
the burial ground. Further work is planned including planting to the pergolas and rear boundary. NPC, with the much welcome help of a local resident, is also replacing the wooden bollards to the pumping station green on Church Street.
The Council has also erected a number of temporary local “infosigns” at key historical features within the village. These will be replaced with permanent signs in due course.
If you are a Northborough resident and would like to help with any village enhancement projects or have ideas for future projects, please contact the NPC Clerk or any Northborough Parish Councillor.
Sadly the covered seating area on the Village playing field was vandalised on the evening of 6th of October. The serious matter is being investigated to identify the culprits. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that the roof will be replaced which is a great shame as it provided a shelter and meeting place particularly for young people using the field.
If anyone has any information relating to this incident, please contact any Northborough Parish Councillor.
We are delighted to be back at school with a new interim Headteacher, Mrs. Boucher.
We have been very busy already, introducing our Foundation Stage children to life at school; they have settled beautifully.
This half term, we have fitted in lots of exciting events including a ‘Garden Party’- planting the tubs around school, wearing our clothes inside out to raise mental health awareness, sharing photos of our pets for National Pets Day and researching sisters for Black History Month.
We were thrilled to kick off the term with a visit from a British historical association, The Sealed Knot, who ran a living history day in school for the children before they performed over the weekend on the school field to raise money for the St. Andrew’s church restoration fund. We also had
workshops run by the Cromwell Museum, which taught children about Elizabeth Cromwell, wife of Oliver Cromwell, who lived at the manor house. It was a fantastic day, an amazing opportunity to learn more about our local history, and every child showed great interest and enthusiasm, fully embracing the experience.
Already this term, Year 4 have been to Peterborough museum to find out about the Romans and Year 3 will be heading off to Flag Fen soon. A trip to the Space Centre awaits Year 5.
Our PTFA have been working hard to raise money to build a sensory garden in our beautiful orchard, and we continue staff training to ensure we make the very most of the fantastic learning opportunities our orchard provides.
We have spaces in some of our classes if you would like your child to benefit from the amazing opportunities this friendly village school provides. Please e-mail the office to arrange a visit: office@northborough.peterborough.sch.uk
Northborough remembered Elizabeth Cromwell in true 17th century style on the weekend of 23 & 24 September, when the SOS fund raisers of St Andrew’s Church, invited the Sealed Knot and the Cromwell Museum in Huntingdon, to join them.
Elizabeth “Her Highness the Lady Protectoress”, wife of Oliver Cromwell, lived at Northborough Manor after his death, she died and was buried in the Claypole Chapel of St Andrew’s church, on 19 November 1665.
Colonel John Pickering’s, Regiment of Foote, joined us on Friday 22 September. The re-enactors gave Northborough Primary School a day of living history, showing the children how different their lives would have been in the 1600’s. The Cromwell Museum from Huntingdon also joined them and they were entertained with stories and artefacts from the English Civil War. The children were soon marching around the playing field, practising drills and drums and thoroughly enjoying themselves.
On Saturday morning a regimental party gave a salute of drums and colours to Elizabeth in the courtyard of Northborough Manor. The lady wife of the Commanding Officer then received a wreath of remembrance from Stella Joyce, St Andrew’s chief flower arranger. This was carried by the Honour Guard along Church Street and laid on Elizabeth’s tombstone in the church,
under the watchful eye of our new vicar, the Reverend Keir Dow.
Over the rest of the weekend, The Sealed Knot gave us some magnificent displays of warfare with musketry and pikes, as well as a demonstrations of pistol fire which would have been on horseback. Who knew that the saying “X marks the spot” came from firing muskets.
Around the arena the 17th century lookalike tents showed living history, with fascinating information about the food, herbal use, woodcraft, foraging, poaching and many other pursuits of the English Civil War soldiers and their campfollowing wives.
On the Saturday evening it was the turn of the Curator of the Cromwell Museum in Huntingdon, Stuart Orme, to give a fascinating talk to
a full church on, “Mrs Cromwell’s Cookbook: Food, Politics and the Life of Elizabeth Cromwell.” Refreshment and drinks were served, and I am thankful to say these did not include the boiled mutton or eel recipes from the book!
Whilst at the Pack Horse, the Sealed Knot troop also invented a new drink, a shot, called “The Lizzie” in commemoration of the weekend.
It was heart-warming to see so many local people come out to learn about and enjoy some of Northborough’s very own history, as well as enjoying the delicious tea and cakes made by the On the Edge WI and food and drink stands on the field.
We would like to thank everyone who attended the event and those many people who helped to put together such an interesting weekend. With special thanks to Northborough Parish Council who helped sponsor the event and to Northborough Primary School for hosting: Clare Strak – PCC Secretary, St Andrew’s, SOS Co-ordinator and Teresa Scott SOS Fundraiser.
2nd October; Three residents from Castor Lodge Care Home near Peterborough have embarked on a sailing adventure with Peterborough’s Sailability, a local charity based at Ferry Meadows that aims to make sailing more accessible for those with disabilities.
In line with Castor Lodge’s commitment to a personcentred approach, the Wellbeing Team consistently encourages residents to delve into their passions, rekindle old hobbies, or even discover new ones.
The day was marked by joy and laughter as the residents enjoyed the experience of sailing. Under the guidance of Saleability’s trained volunteers, the residents actively participated in steering the boats and embraced the open waters.
“I enjoyed my sailing experience, and the team were very helpful. I got to steer the boat and we didn’t crash!” explained one resident.
Another commented, “In my wheelchair, I always feel different but, when I am sailing, I am free, I am the same as everyone else.”
Val Winter, Wellbeing Coordinator at Castor Lodge, commented.
“Over the past six weeks, we’ve been supporting our residents to go sailing! They have enjoyed this unique experience and we are grateful to the whole team at Sailability for supporting our residents to do this.
Many of our residents have found a new hobby, and plenty have enjoyed reminiscing on their favourite past times. We look forward to coming back next summer.”
If you would like to learn more about life at Castor Lodge, please get in touch with Laura
Senior Customer Relations Manager on laura.mills@countrycourtcare.com or call
The Autumn months are just right for getting artwork out of the folders and into the light of day. I‘d like to tell you about the collection of proof prints that I’m offering up for sale to benefit Cancer Research UK.
My exhibition at the Peterborough Museum and Art Gallery and the earlier show in Northampton has already helped me raise over £3000. Currently the Donations stand at £5800 and I’m hoping it they will continue to grow.
Many of the visitors to the exhibition were students from my art teaching days, from the
Early 70's to the mid noughties and they left some lovely comments in the gallery book, as did many others. It was great to have my work on show in a local Art Gallery.
I am selling my Proof Prints via my Facebook John McGowan Printmakers Page.You can see all of them on my Facebook page.
Proof prints are almost the same as the editioned works but often on less expensive paper. Sometimes they are trials of different colours - check them out via Facebook - the prices start at £5. Message me to reserve one.
Purchasers can collect from my Northborough Studio or have then posted to them.
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/JohnMcGowanPrintmaker/ Fund Raising Page: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/johns-great-big-printmaking-sale
In January of this year I learnt that the editor of the Village Tribune, Tony Henthorn, had been at the helm for 25 years.
by Mick Child
Tony has taken the magazine from being a paper church magazine to becoming an award-winning piece of community journalism. What impresses me most about the Village Tribune is the incredible balance between adverts - a source of income without which the magazine couldn’t survive – and interesting locally focussed articles, the latter feeling the most prominent aspect of the publication. It is important to note at this point the contribution from so many people giving of their time to ensure the magazine’s continued success.
With the anniversary in mind, I approached Tony with an idea for producing a short news style film. Tony soon selflessly turned this idea into me making a short promotional advert for a charity calendar he had in draft. I agreed. Then something else happened! In May, Tony organised a meeting to discuss the filming of the calendar ad with a local fundraiser Richard Astle. The calendar would help raise funds for something called Helping Our Ukrainian Friends. I’d previously skipped past articles on Facebook and in the Village Tribune because I found the subject too stressful and didn’t want to distract myself with reading about it. So much was being reported in the news at the time. I however immediately engaged with the story that Richard articulated to me and our 3-minute promo video suddenly started to grow legs.
I commenced filming in June, meeting lots of people both in the Trib area and a little further afield in Dronfield, a place I was soon to learn
was close to Sheffield. Following further discussions with Richard he agreed to interview key people via video conference in both Poland and Ukraine, who were involved and helping with the delivery of much needed aid. The most fascinating part of this story for me was that a group of Richard’s friends in the UK, were in fact helping a group of his friends either in Ukraine, or otherwise displaced as refugees in Poland. Friends were helping friends!
I completed filming in September with the editing over the line for early October, literally a week before the film premiered at a Christmas appeal launch at the John Clare Primary School in Helpston. I had to wade through in excess of 8.5 hours of footage to create this feature documentary, which is split into two 50-minute episodes. I hasten to add, I also completed a 3-minute calendar ad just before the end of September, so the original project brief was delivered as promised too.
I hope that you might find the time to visit the Village Tribune channel to watch these films and would be interested to hear your thoughts on the subject matter. You can leave comments on the Vimeo page with the film.
by Clair Wordsworth
November is the traditional month of remembrance when tributes are paid to servicemen and women, who’ve died in the line of duty.
Remembrance Day itself (and the tradition of wearing a Remembrance Poppy) dates back to November 1919. By the way, the First World War officially ended on 28 June 1919, with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.
That year, as people observed the first two-minute silence at 11 o’clock, trams glided into stillness, motors were turned off and dray horses brought to a halt. In 2023, over a century later, the modes of
transport may be somewhat different, but the custom of marking the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in remembrance of people who’ve given their lives for our today, is still observed, thanks to a successful campaign for its revival in the 1990s.
The story of British Solider, William Alfred Cumberpatch, however, is not one of tragedy. In 1914, Will joined up alongside many of his work pals from Manfield & Sons (a company making boots and shoes in Northampton) to fight for King and Country overseas. Will is on the far left of the group photo. For the whole of the First World War he served in the Royal Army Medical Corps. Inevitably, he was wounded in battle, but thankfully recovered and eventually returned home to Blighty to marry Elizabeth Emma Harris and raise a family.
The couple had three children: Eileen, Ivan and Mavis. Ivan, who has lived in Tribland since 1960, still recalls his happy childhood in Northampton with ease. He fondly remembers his father’s enthusiasm for photography and
film. In the 1930s and 40s, Will put on regular Saturday afternoon film shows at their home in Cedar Road, near the town’s racecourse. The whole family stopped whatever else they were doing and, curtains were drawn, as they gathered together to watch captivating silent movies of the 1920s, starring the likes of Charlie Chaplin and Laurel & Hardy, alongside Mickey Mouse and Popeye cartoons. These commercial releases were hired from a Northampton film library and arrived on three or four separate reels.
Will Cumberpatch was an adept projectionist and, in this photo, Ivan proudly shows off his father’s Pathescope 200b 9.5mm projector today. One unique feature of its mechanism is: holes moving the film along are located in the middle, between each image, rather than down both sides, as usually seen on rolls of film. The family’s projector has been well used and its lamps were up-dated in the 1980s. Today, however, the Pathescrope’s working days are finally in the past, but it’s still a beloved object! When
and Elizabeth
removed from its case, it instantly evokes happy family times with those, who are fondly remembered, but sadly no longer with us.
As well as showing commercial films at home, Will became an enthusiastic Film Director of his own home movies. His cine-camera was a constant companion on family trips to the seaside and other special occasions. I believe plans are currently being put in place to digitise these fragile home movies. So, very soon, perhaps a new tradition of Saturday film shows can again be started up, years later, in a different Cumberpatch household.
Will’s projector will be on display on the evening of Saturday, 18 November at the Silent Film Night being held in Helpston Scout & Guide Centre (7pm start, 6:30pm doors open). A few tickets (£10 in advance) are still available for the special screening of Arnold Bennett’s 1929 film Piccadilly, set in a glitzy London nightclub. A live music soundtrack of tunes from the era, performed
by The Brief Encounter Duo (multi-instrumentalists Veronica & Chris Perrin), will accompany the on-screen action. To book tickets call 07894448012 (cash) or search Eventbrite (card).
Ivan Cumberpatch is a professional illustrator, who attended Northampton Art School in the 1940s. After a year working in London, he quickly ran northwards again and settled in rural Peterborough. He found employment in the art departments of Frank Perkins and Baker Perkins, before going freelance in 1972, “I think every artist wants to
go freelance if they can,” he says, firmly. Hierarchies can certainly stifle one’s creativity! Also, on 18 November during the day and on the evening before, some of Ivan’s beautiful artwork will be available to view (and buy!) at the Art 4 Ukraine event in Helpston Village Hall. Lucky attendees of that event will have the rare opportunity to own some of Ivan’s coveted bird prints, originally created for Langdyke Trust projects. One image on display, but not for sale, depicts two doves snuggling up together in the branches of a tree in Ivan’s back garden.
We offer local pickup. Courtesy car available (pre-booking required).
Service and repairs to most makes and models up to 7.5 tons. We supply and fit tyres, batteries and exhausts. Our fully qualified staff are trained in electronic diagnostics, air-conditioning servicing, clutches and many other vehicle repairs.
Talking to constituents in our Glinton and Castor ward the conversation often turns to planning and growth issues which might affect where they live.
Cllr Peter Hiller, Glinton and Castor Ward
The more interested residents in our ward are also concerned about the current PCC Local Plan revision, in Castor and Ailsworth particularly regarding the potential for future mass housing in countryside north of the village. As a direct response to the first round of consultations I fully support the Protect Rural Peterborough organisation’s stance, one of opposition should this be proposed, and an extremely well-attended recent local public meeting I was at suggested most of the community’s residents do too.
A now Independent long-standing rural ward councillor, I thought it might be of interest for some in Tribland to reflect I hope a balanced non-partisan view on the 2023 party political conference season in the UK, with housing and infrastructure never far from the debate. From the Green Party's ambitious plans for renters' rights to the Conservative Party's controversial decision regarding HS2, each party
has now set out its vision for the future of housing and major infrastructure in Britain. The Green Party's proposals stand out with a commitment to empower renters, allowing them to demand insulation improvements in their home, backed by a substantial £145 billion investment plan. They also pledged to build 100,000 council homes annually, all meeting the Passivhaus or equivalent standards to tackle the ongoing housing crisis and promote sustainability.
The Liberal Democrats' stance on housing targets remains actually quite divisive within the party. While they promise to build 150,000 social homes and commission ten new garden cities, they are also advocating for increased local involvement in planning processes and a revision of the Land Compensation Act. In a controversial move, the Conservative Party decided to scrap the northern leg of HS2, drawing mixed reactions within their own party as well as beyond. They have also pledged to
redevelop Euston Station with a 10,000-home project. The Conservatives said they will address the nutrient neutrality issue and tackle potential council misuse of the "15-minute cities" concept. The Labour Party's housing agenda is marked by a commitment to build 1.5 million homes over five years. They also plan to bolster planning departments with 300 new officers and re-introduce housing targets, emphasising the continued use of a standard methodology. They plan to make it easier for councils to use right-tobuy funds for new home construction, driving forward delivery.
I felt what was arguably most interesting is what was not said: nobody was talking about ‘use it or lose it’ (land with planning consent already approved) and nobody suggested a fair and equitable society lies solely in the regeneration of city centres. Does this mark a genuine turning point back to long-term, planned growth? I wonder.
With many favourable comments from both exhibitors and visitors. There were over 800 entries from 72 exhibitors, adults and children, from all around the Peterborough area. These filled the large hall and the main corridor of the College as shown in the attached pictures.
The society’s sincere thanks go to Cherry Lane Garden Centres, Black Cat Studios and Nisa local
for their sponsorship. Also to our schedule advertisers and all members, helpers, judges and friends whose continued support ensured we were able to hold “The best show in the region.”
On Friday 17 November our next talk is “The rise of the Micro Pub” by Steve Williams, 7:30pm at Glinton Village Hall. All are welcome!
Tuesday 28 November is our A.G.M. at 7:30pm at Glinton Village Hall. All are welcome so if you are interested in the Society come along and help form our plans for the future.
Another date for your Diary is Friday 2 Dec when we will be holding our Christmas Evening again in the Village Hall, 7:30pm, Hot food & bring your own alcohol.
More details of the Show including the trophy winners and all future events are on the Society Web Site www.glinton horticulturalsociety.org.uk
Cllr Gerry Kirt, Parish Council Chairman 07591 834163 www.glinton-pc.gov.uk
Cllr Gerry Kirt - Chairman - 01733 252839
Cllr RW Randall, Vice Chairman - 01733 253276
Cllr Helen Aylesbury
Cllr DJ Batty - 01733 252749
Cllr CB Bysshe - 01733 253164
Cllr Steve Jackson - 01733 252409
Cllr David Lane - 01733 252593
Cllr Andy Staines - 07412 158885
Cllr Sukhvinder Singh
Cllr Gordon Wright
Mr J Haste - Clerk - 07591 834163
Cllr Rita Joshi-Boparai rita.joshi-boparai@glinton-pc.gov.uk clerk@glinton-pc.gov.uk
The village of Glinton extends a warm invitation to an enchanting evening filled with festive cheer, delightful carols, and the grand illumination of the Christmas tree. The event promises a magical start to the festive season, bringing the community together for a night of joy and celebration.
Date and Venue
Circle the date on your calendar - Thursday, 7th December 2023. This day promises to be etched in memories as a night of merriment and holiday spirit. The event kicks off at 6:45 pm in the picturesque St. Benedict's Churchyard, situated in the heart of Glinton. The cosy atmosphere of the churchyard sets the perfect stage for a night of festivities and togetherness.
The Festive Lineup
The evening begins at 6:45 pm with an invitation for all to join in a heartwarming rendition of festive songs and carols. This joyful singing sets the tone for the magical events that follow. As the clock approaches
6:59 pm, the anticipation builds, and the crowd unites for the grand countdown to the illumination of the magnificent Christmas tree. At the stroke of 7:00 pm, the St. Benedict's Church bells ring out in a symphony of jubilation as the Christmas tree lights are switched on, casting a mesmerising glow that signals the start of the festive season in Glinton. It's a sight to behold and a moment that will warm hearts and fill souls with the true spirit of Christmas.
To add to the delight of the evening, complimentary refreshments will be served inside St. Benedict's Church. Warm up your senses with the comforting embrace of mulled wine and indulge in the sweetness of mince pies, a cherished tradition that adds a taste of warmth and tradition to this joyous event.
The Glinton Parish Council has generously funded this event,
emphasising their commitment to fostering community spirit and creating lasting memories for all. This cherished annual tradition invites everyone, from the youngest to the oldest members of the community, to come together and celebrate the magic of Christmas in Glinton. Join Us and Spread the Cheer! As the day approaches, make sure to mark your presence at the Glinton Village Christmas Tree Lights Switch On 2023. Bring your festive voices, your enthusiasm, and your loved ones to share in the joy and excitement. Let's make this a night to remember–a night of togetherness, music, and the enchantment of the festive season.
Come one, come all, and let's light up Glinton with the magic of Christmas! We can't wait to see you on Thursday, 7th December, for a truly magical start to the festive season.
Funded by Glinton Parish Council
www.glinton-pc.gov.uk
Cllr Gerry Kirt, Parish Council Chairman
In September we were honoured to be awarded Council of the Year 2023 by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Association of Local Councils, in recognition of work and achievements over the past year. A big thank you to Glinton residents who supported us in achieving our goals.
Having had one vacancy on the Parish Council, we recently appointed Liezl Rossouw to the position. Liezl has lived in the village for several years and her three children attend Peakirk cum Glinton Primary School.
GlintonFest certainly brought the village together (reported elsewhere) as did the Great Glinton Garage Grab. The sale was an outstanding success down to many factors: brilliant weather; many sellers; superb refreshments created by Sally and Shirley and her fabulous team, and numerous buyers hungry to nab the bargains. Folks are already looking forward to next year’s event!
Glinton Social Events team has been considering next year’s plans. We have decided to mash together Glinton’s Big Celebration and GlintonFest into one event scheduled for Saturday 1 June 2024. Now known as GlintonFest 24 with D-Day Commemoration, the day will be split into an afternoon of family fun between 1 and 6pm very reminiscent of this year’s Coronation day, then the live music event from 7 until 11pm. Further details will emerge shortly.
I think it’s fair to say that Glinton residents have throughly enjoyed this year’s Coronation, GlintonFest and Garage events, however it is important to understand that all this has
been achieved by a small team of councillors and residents. If folks would like to see further social events we urgently need more residents to come forward and help, not just in the planning but on the day. If interested please make contact via Glinton Social Events fb page or just contact me.
Together with architects David Smith Associates, a working party has been considering the feasibility of upgrading Glinton Village Hall. Having examined a number of potential options we have concluded that overcoming the building’s fundamental shortcomings will be prohibitively expensive, take the hall out of operation for several months and not solve the lack of car parking. Reluctantly we have decided to pursue a more pragmatic phased approach beginning with upgrading the building’s thermal efficiency followed by improving disabled access to the building’s rear and finally revising storage. In the forthcoming village survey we will once again ask whether residents have the appetite and enthusiasm for a new community centre.
Glinton Neighbourhood Plan has proved to be very effective but now it is time for an update. With this in mind a team of councillors and residents is putting together a village questionnaire that will enable the results to feed into the revised version. Hopefully this will be distributed before Christmas.
As we have found a suitable contractor to install the new defibrillators, notice boards and move the best kept village sign, you should see these appear shortly. The new double sided aluminium and enamel village sign has been ordered and has been scheduled for delivery late 2024.
Nene ParkTrust is delighted to announce the full Winter Festival programme and shout about the wonderful partners it will be working with this December,to bring a magical event like no otherto Ferry Meadows.
As visitors arrive at the Winter Festival, they will take a stroll through a beautifully lit woodland, with illuminated willow creatures at every twist and turn, created by Dragon Willow. This will lead onto our enchanted forest where visitors will encounter performers from Eastern School of Performing Arts and an audio visual installation by Syntax Poetry Collective members (Mark Grist, Charley Genever, Lauren Kendrick and Sandy Wardrop) featuring brand-new poems inspired by their favourite forest creatures. Plenty of secrets and magical moments will be woven into the journey, to surprise and delight visitors of all ages.
The trail will lead to a unique travelling cinema provided by The Moving Cinema and supported by Gateway Film Festival, showing the much-loved Christmas classic ‘The Snowman (U)’. Traditional fairground stalls and festive food and drink by Meadow Brown will add to the experience, along with our very own pop-up Christmas shop, perfect for finding unique gifts and treats.
The Winter Festival will be running in Ferry Meadows every day from the 1–24 December, with tickets priced at just £9.50 each (free for carers and under 3’s) with free parking included. Sessions start at 4pm, 5:30pm and 7pm, with
Bookyourtickets now at www.nenepark.org.uk/winter-festival
all ticket proceeds going straight towards the upkeep of our beautiful Park, making this event our largest fundraiser of the year!
GlintonFest 23 was a magnificent smorgasbord of festival vibe delights featuring the cream of local musical talent:
The fabulous acoustic duo Eye2Eye; heart throb and superb musician Tom Stone; the soul and funk legends that are Groove Cartell and headline act High Rollers who set the event alive their musical excellence.
Brilliant weather combined with fun for all the family, superb food and an extremely popular bar all added up to a truly memorable evening for Glinton and the surrounding villages.
If you would like to see more events like this, please join our committee or volunteers via Facebook ‘Glinton Social Events’.
Crown Inn (Stores) just prior to demolition in 2000
During the early part of the 1840s there was a scheme devised to build a railway from Peterborough Station through to Skirbeck Quarter near Boston in what is now Lincolnshire.
The route was to pass through Newborough, Borough Fen and Crowland. The scheme included the provision for stations, warehouses and all associated buildings as necessary. Proposed by Great Northern Railway Company the line was authorised in June 1846 and known as the Lincolnshire Loop Line. However, the route authorised now took a route that went through Peakirk instead of Newborough. In anticipation for the railway line through Newborough it is believed that Phillips Brewery, from Stamford, built the Crown Inn as a hotel to serve the
anticipated railway sometime between 1842 and 1844. The Crown Inn was a large building with and large function room and several bedrooms upstairs. Access to the upstairs was via a rather grand staircase.
The first mention of the Crown Inn being open for business comes from a newspaper article in the Stamford Mercury on 5 May 1845; the article refers to an auction to be held at the Crown Inn, Newborough. It refers to the licensee being Moses Sisson. Moses was the publican until his death on 17 November 1857. What we do
Paul Cooper
know about Moses is that he was a farmer in Newborough before becoming the Landlord of the Crown Inn. We also know he was called for jury service in October 1826 at a trial for the manslaughter of a Mr John Walling Cooke. He is also listed in the 1854 edition of Kelly’s Directory as the Publican at the Crown Inn. Moses retired from the Crown in 1857 due to ill health. It is thought that Moses originated from Thorney. He died on 17 November 1859.
The next landlord was James Darlow who took over sometime in 1861. James was born in 1806 and took over the licence and 15 acres of land. James had previously been the landlord of the Bull Inn, Newborough. During his time at the Bull he had happiness and tragedy. His daughter Hannah married a local labourer Thomas King. Tragedy struck in 1860 when Kane's and Hannah’s son Henry was playing in the brew house. He was swinging in a tub suspended from the ceiling. When he did not turn up for dinner, he was found after a search tangled in the ropes suspended from the ceiling. The ropes had wrapped around his neck and he was strangled. By the time he was found he was quite dead. The inquest which was held at the Bull Inn registered a verdict of accidental death. Soon after this tragedy the family moved to the Crown Inn. They lived at the Crown Inn with their daughter Ann. The next listing as publican was Edward
Townsend. Edward took over as publican when James and Rebecca retired in 1874 and moved to Peterborough. He is listed in Peterborough in the 1881 census as a retired publican. James died on 2 April 1883 and is buried in Paston. Rebecca moved back to Newborough after James died to live with her daughter. Rebecca died in 1904 and is buried with James in Paston. The next record of the landlord at the Crown Inn comes from the Harold and Co Directory of 1876; this shows that Edward had taken over the license from James Darlow before that date. Edward was born in Deeping St James in 1833. Before coming to Newborough Edward was an agricultural labourer. However, by 1871 he had acquired some land in the parish of Newborough and is now listed as a farmer with his wife Jane. Edward started what was to become a twenty year tenancy at the Crown Inn. In addition to being the landlord Edward continued to farm his land. Edward and Jane left Newborough in 1895 to take over the tenancy of the Gordon Arms and farm some land in Orton. Edward died in 1904.
After Edward had moved on to the Gordon Arms the Kettle family took over the running of the pub. This was to start an involvement with the pub that would last for over forty years. James (Billy) Kettle was the local carpenter and undertaker. He married Betsy Anne Wilson, from Bridgehill Road on April 20 1890. Betsy was the daughter William and Lizzie Wilson. Lizzie was left a widow whist Betsy was still young. However, she continued
to farm their land in Bridgehill Road. Betsy was only 16 when she married James. James was the son of James and Mary Kettle from Soke Road. James Snr was also a carpenter. Sadly James Snr also died whilst his son was young. In a sign of the times and the bluntness of the vicar at the time, Rev Howard Mc McCririck, the fathers on the marriage certificate are listed as simply “Dead” instead of deceased. James and Betsy took over the running of the Crown on 4 November 1900. They both ran the pub until James became ill and unable to work. He died on 12 February 1936 aged 66 years. His funeral report stated that James had been a lifelong resident of Newborough; he also claimed
1936. A year later and under the advice of her doctor Betsy decided it was time to retire. After 37 years of being the hostess at the Crown Inn she stepped down and the licence passed to her son George William Kettle in October 1937. Their son James Kettle would continue with the family carpentry and undertaking business. Their daughter Lily is a teacher at Newborough School, a post she has held for the past 17 years. George ran the pub for a further five years until he decided to move on from running the business. The licence was transferred to Harold Waterfall in October 1942. This ended a 42 year association with the Crown Inn by the Kettle family.
The Crown Inn with the Waterfall family approximately late 1940’s
descent from the Helpston poet John Clare. James had suffered an illness for the past 36 years and for the last 12 years he had difficulty in getting about. His funeral was held at Newborough Church. Although now aged 62 Betsy decided to continue as the licensee, therefore the licence was transferred to Betsy in March
The Waterfall family; Harry and his wife Ada obtained the licence from George Kettle in May 1942. Harry, originally from Whaplode Drove married Ada Goodliffe on 12 April 1909. He came to Newborough sometime between 1901 and 1909 when he married Ada. His address at the time of his marriage was Borough Fen. During his life he continued overleaf >>
>> was listed as many professions which included; Agricultural Labourer, horse keeper, road mender, general labourer, small holder and as listed on his military exemption in 1916, when working for Elliott Pilgrim, as a thatcher. Harry and Ada ran the pub until 1955 when Harry died on Monday 19th September 1955. He was aged 69 and had been ill for some time. An interesting point here is that at the same time Harry took over the pub in 1942 his brother-in-law, Harold Goodliffe was the landlord of the Bull Inn just up the road.
Following the death of Harry, his son George took over the license. The Crown had been a very popular venue for a host of activities during its lifetime. It was the regular venue for auctions by a variety of auctioneers, a collecting place for drainage rates, a meeting place for a variety of village organisations and many village fetes were held in the paddock that adjoined the building. The Crown was originally owned and supplied by the Phillips Brewery based in Stamford. Mr L.W.C. Phillips died on 1st July 1951, his son Patrick Edward Phillips took over his father’s place on the board of
directors. Mr Philips son-in-law Mr Edward Randal Chadwick MC also joined the board and later took over as chairman. He was also a sixth generation member of Charrington’s and of Thompsons in Kent. The brothers-in-law sold the company to Northampton Brewery Company (NBC), a company that had also been founded by the Phillips family.
It was due to the Phillips Brewery merger that George considered that the pub was chosen for closure and it closed its doors to drinkers soon after George took over as the landlord. However, that was not to be the end of the Crown name. As George describes; He and his sister Dorothy had lived in the village all of their lives. In order to continue their contact with the local people George purchased the Crown building and the paddock from the brewery soon after it closed as a pub. Dorothy set up a shop in the room that was formally the pub “Smoke Room”. In the meantime George continued to farm as a smallholder with his plots of land around the village. As time went by and Dorothy was less able to look after the shop herself George stepped back from his farming and concentrated more on helping Dorothy in the shop. The shop, known as Crown Stores stayed open until the late 1990’s. Dorothy passed away in 1987, but George continued to keep the shop open until his health failed him in the late 1990’s. George sold the land and building for development in 1999. Waterfall Gardens was built on the site of the former pub and paddock. George moved into a bungalow which was built on his former yard. By this time his eyesight was failing, however, his mind was as sharp as ever. I had
many conversations with him where he was able to describe village life with remarkable clarity. George died on 24th February 2004. On his gravestone in Newborough churchyard is the inscription; “Gone but not forgotten” How very true.
The picture above is of the farm yard buildings behind the Crown Inn where George stored his farming equipment. The approximate location today would be on the site of No 3A, entrance to Waterfall Gardens and No.5 Soke Road. My thanks go to the family of the late Peter Goodale for the picture.
My thanks go to Vanessa Goodliffe and her cousin Nina who kindly let me have some pictures of the Crown and information on the Waterfall family. On the subject of old Newborough Pictures, I am searching for old pictures of the village. I have had a database designed for them to become a resource for the village. A catalogue of; how the village was through its history and how it is changing through time. I am appealing for anyone who has any old pictures from the village to please contact me and allow me to scan them for the catalogue. It is not a personal collection as I want it to be a resource available to anyone in the future. You can contact me by email on; cooper56@btinternet.com
The next issue will be the final instalment in the Newborough Pubs series with the Plough Inn.
The Parish Council currently have a few allotments available to rent at the site on Peterborough Road, Newborough. If you are interested in growing your own or have any questions surrounding renting a plot, please contact the Clerk.
The Neighbourhood Plan steering group are interested in recruiting more community members to drive the process forward. If you would like to get involved or would like to know more, please contact the Clerk.
Check out the parish council website for further information at: www.newboroughandboroughfenpc.org.uk
Newborough and Borough Fen Parish Council wish you all a happy and healthy Christmas and New Year for 2024!
The dream of a Pre-School Playgroup for Newborough became a reality in September 1968 by a group of dedicated local women.
The group; Brenda Kettle, Elizabeth Rea, Judy Jakes, Rita Wooley and Bebe Stewart put a lot of hard work into getting the venture off the ground. The old Newborough Village Hall was the venue for the venture. The aim of the playgroup was to offer high quality pre-school education and development. The pre-school also
offered the opportunity for mothers to pursue other activities whilst their children were being looked after through high quality child care. Much of the funding for the group through the years has come through fundraising. From activities such as; jumble Sales, Christmas Fayres, Music Nights, Horse Racing Nights and many more over the years. You name it, they have done it. Some of the first items purchased in 1968 were some small red plastic chairs. They are still in use today some 55 years later. It can be assured that for some of the children attending the Pre-School Playgroup today that their parents and maybe even some grandparents had sat in those very same chairs. The playgroup now operates in the new Newborough Village Hall. Between the times that the old hall was demolished and the new hall was built and opened the playgroup still operated. For this period the children were taken
by coach to Northborough Village Hall on some days and to Eye Community Centre on others. Although some of the original founder members of staff are still living in the village they have all retired. The current manager; Debbie Gunns has been working with the playgroup for 23 years and plans, along with her dedicated staff, to continue for many more to come.
The 55 years celebration was held on Saturday 15th September 2023 at Newborough Village Hall. The hall was open for the afternoon for anyone to visit and share memories. There were an abundance of photographs for the past 55 years to bring back a flood of memories for many who attended. Many stories of years gone by were shared. The afternoon’s activities included the cutting of a birthday cake specially made for the occasion.
Newborough Pre-School Playgroup is regularly inspected by ofsted and they are constantly rated as “Good.”
Opening times are as follows: Mon/Thu: 9am–1pm, Tue/Wed/Fri: 9am–2.30pm For more information please contact e-mail: newboroughpreschool@outlook.com or mobile: 07423 519 890 or visit our website at www.newboroughpreschool.org
Bryan Cole, Chairman of Newborough and Borough Fen Parish Council
So, the weather has finally turned to more seasonal norms for the time of year which means that shorter days or put another way, longer nights are now with us.
However, the work of the Parish Council continues to ensure we do all we can for the community.
We have a few events coming up that although not unique, are rare. At the Parish Council meeting on the 2 November, we had planned for a presentation from the local police with an opportunity for residents to ask questions and raise any concerns. However, as I write this update the police have yet to confirm attendance so this may have to be moved to a future meeting – this might not make the posting of the Village Tribune magazine in time but may make the online addition - either way please check the agenda when published to make sure that this has not been changed.
Something I have wanted to put in place for a long time has been a training session in how to use the four defibrillators located around the village and wider area. Whilst the design of the defibrillators are designed
for easy use without the need for any training, a lot of people have said they would feel far more comfortable if an overview could be given. As a result, then Parish Council has arranged for a one-off training session to be put in place on 20 January for a 1:15pm start.
This is open to all the community so if you are able, please try and come along. I should be very clear though that should you urgently need to use one of the defibrillators then please do so. They are easy to use with very clear step by step instructions. No training is required but the training session will help us be more comfortable and familiar with the equipment should it be needed.
The Parish Council has a small team of councillors who carry out monthly checks on the defibrillators to ensure they are in working order. So if you see somebody accessing the cabinets please don’t think it is necessarily an emergency.
Our first Crown Garden community working group will be meeting on the 28 October (weather permitting) to start work tidying the area. Well done to all involved.
Finally, the Parish Council will be putting the Christmas Tree up in Crown Garden on the 1 December with an official “turning on of the lights ceremony”. Currently planned for 6pm – fingers crossed that the weather is kind.
Finally (again!), I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year for 2024.
The Community Heartbeat Trust will be Offering Free Training DEFIBRILLATORS ARE LOCATED AT:
For all residents, paid for by Newborough and Borough Fen parish council, outlining how to correctly use the village defibrillators. Defibrillators are currently located and the village hall on Guntons Road, outside the pharmacy on School Lane and within the bus shelter at Milking Nook.
The training will take place on Saturday 20 January in the Village Hall, Guntons Road, Newborough, PE6 7RT for a 1:15pm start.
• Chemist – School Road
• Outside ‘Mandairs’
• Village Hall – Guntons Road
• Corner shop –Guntons Road/Fenside Drive
• Werrington Bridge Road
bus shelter near Law’s Close
All are easily accessible on the outside of the buildings.
If you would like to attend register your interest with the Clerk: clerk@newboroughandboroughfen-pc.gov.uk
The well-established Maxey Classic Car & Bike Show, now in it’s 21st year, returned to their new venue at Willow Brook Farm and had their biggest and most profitable show ever.
With over 600 cars showing and 59 motorcycles & scooters the show was a resounding success. Following last year’s last minute re-shuffle of venues from our Maxey site to Willow Brook Farm the show, organised by the Maxey Charity Club, returned to the fabulous venue and what a result it was!
We had the most cars showing ever and will have raised £6,000 to go to local charities/ deserving causes. Our slogan is “If you drive it or ride it and love it then show it” this was certainly the case for both familiar faces and new faces this year.
“Undoubtedly, the weather played a big part in bringing out the enthusiasts but we are all really pleased with the result. We wouldn’t be able to stage the event without the help of our sponsors and the team of volunteers who helped us with the set-up and on the day. A huge thank you to them all!“ said Chairman Matt Thompson
With the cereal harvest completed for another year (albeit a rather long one) finishing on 7 September after helping a neighbour out for a couple of days.
The weather held with very little drying in store needed with such varied weather during the harvest period we were able to keep up with minimal tillage, with just a small acreage having to be ploughed, farmyard manure, along with digest application was incorporated into our seed beds which is very important with less bagged fertilizer needed each year, helping the environment; very little straw was chopped, we ourselves need a certain amount for our cattle for the winter, the local pig farm too; the oat straw goes to the livery people and the rest has gone to the digester which comes back to the farm. Added to this we have managed to take three cuts of grass for silage for winter feed for the cattle. I can’t remember so many operations going on in such a short time.
As I write these notes on 28 September we have basically a small area left to plough for next year’s sugar beet crop which we still prefer to do and most hedges are being trimmed. The land contracted for potato growing has been min-tilled after lifting having been completed tonight, using enormous machines with the latest technology has allowed the operation to be reduced in time and tonight they will be moving to another area.
We grow our wheat, barley and oat seed and the seed cleaners have been in to clean so much seed ready for us to start sowing by the end of this month. The sugar beet factories opened at the beginning of September but sugar levels are low, they need to be higher to be profitable with growing
and haulage costs being much increased, we are hoping they may improve so we can make a start on lifting soon, we shall be commencing our first lift sometime in October.
The weather forecast for the next week is much of the same, strong gale force winds, sunshine and showers, could be thunderstorms midweek. I think we are all praying for a good October, more settled weather is the order of the day, possibly stretching into November which will shorten those long dreary winter days. We like to keep the cattle out as long as possible, weather permitting, they are fed out on the grass but once in their winter housing it’s a lot longer job before we start outside work, so if we can get most of the sowing completed before they come in it’s a bonus.
All staff engaged in the cereal harvest have worked extremely long hours with the baling machines keeping close up to the combine harvester, as have the staff engaged in carting the bales, it has been great team work and it has paid dividends.
As we move further on this year and deeper into autumn the weather is still as unpredictable as ever. I can’t quite believe it but looking back the other day at some old diaries in the office, Willow Brook Farm Shop has been open for 20 years! So we are celebrating with a week of birthday celebrations starting on 14 November. We also have a Christmas special offer as part of the celebrations running throughout the month of October, so don’t hang around… please ask for more details when you come into the shop.
Although it has been a very changeable and rather challenging at times this year everyone has worked hard and adapted to the ever changing requirements in all areas of the business - the farm, farm shop and The Granary, this is general in most businesses, it’s what I call the digital age, where the younger generation understand it and can use it to the advantage of what is needed in either business or personal needs. I can see that this is where everything is heading. Every day something new comes along. People in the workforce are being replaced by robots/computers/Apps and will continue to be as we see more digital work encompass the workplace i.e GP surgeries, bank branches
closing down, the way we order our food at restaurants. I think it will be the only way the younger generation will be able to keep up with the fast moving pace of this era, in fact it will probably go down in history as one of the biggest changes we have ever seen.
The countryside is changing its appearance – with trees, shrubs and wild hedgerows all giving that rustic dying colour that autumn brings, the same goes for the gardens, I watch the season change with every one bringing its own spectacular appearance. There’s a lot of berries on the trees and shrubs this year – countryside folklore says if there’s a plentiful supply of berries we could be in for a hard winter, some of these old beliefs do quite often happenwe shall have to wait and see.
Eat-in or Take-away
Farmhouse Breakfasts
Hearty Roasts and Stews
Home-made Soups and Light Lunches
Festive Treats of Roast Lunches, Sandwiches and Afternoon Tea
Dog Friendly Venue
Seasonal Gift Vouchers
Licensed Venue
Available for Private Hire, Meetings and Functions
Free Customer Parking for Winter Walking at Castor Hanglands, Swaddywell Nature Reserve and Southy Woods
Having moved to Peterborough some 30 years ago Neil joined the Territorial Army (Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers) was promoted to the rank of Corporal and honoured with a long service medal. He moved to Castor in 2002 and is still very active in supporting the local and wider communities in Peterborough through his extensive voluntary work.
So Neil, what brought you to Castor?
I relocated from Orton Golday to Castor after meeting my now wife who has lived here all her life. We love our rural community, its values and have been very happy here. Where were you born and raised?
I was born and grew up in the small village of Upwell in Norfolk a beautiful village on the border between Norfolk and Cambridgeshire.
What do you do as a career and what else keeps you busy?
I trained as an electrical engineer for five years at the Norfolk College of Arts and Technology and, after moving to Peterborough, started work at the Oundle based electrical contractors which I now own. After serving with the Territorial Army I joined Castor Parish Council in 2013 and subsequently became Chair in 2015, a position I still hold today.
A significant element of my PC role is to be the Peterborough Parish Councils’ Co-Opted representative on a number of Peterborough City Council’s Scrutiny Committees.
Our highlighted Village Person for this issue is a man. Councillor Neil Boyce, whose passion is community service, not just in his home village of Castor but also the wider Glinton and Castor ward and rural Peterborough area.
Whilst actively engaged on the Adults and Health Scrutiny Committee I had the idea of setting up a Good Neighbours Scheme for Castor, supporting the elderly and vulnerable residents in the parish. With the subsequent support of Castor Parish Council and our neighbouring Parish Council in Ailsworth, the Good Neighbours Scheme was born. Our organisation then achieved charitable status and I’m very proud that we now provide support across 14 Parishes within our rural communities and the wider Peterborough area.
I was also very humbled to receive a Peterborough City Council Civic Award for Community Involvement in 2021 and again in 2023 on behalf of Good Neighbours Rural Peterborough!
What make you happy?
Spending time with my family and grandchildren, also by seeing the changes in resident lives by the support offered by Good Neighbours Rural Peterborough and the personal feeling of satisfaction I get by giving back to the communities of Peterborough through my voluntary work. I do encourage folk to consider any actions they can take, however small, to make where we live better places. What make you angry?
Fly tipping particularly, the perpetrators of such behaviour are a scourge of society in our City’s urban and rural communities. The clearance cost to taxpayers is alarming but fortunately in our Glinton and Castor ward Cllr Peter Hiller is very effective in getting it cleared swiftly.
Whilst playing on the beach as a child in Great Yarmouth I was knocked over by a large dog. It turned out the runaway St Bernard was none other than Schnorbitz, owned by famous TV comedian Bernie Winters. Following the incident Bernie offered my parents free tickets to his show, which my parents loved. I was unable to go as it was past my bedtime, or that’s what my parents told me. Hobbies?
My main hobby really is the volunteering work I do but I enjoy motor sport too and have had the opportunity to be a team member of the Pit Crew at several exciting ASCAR races.
Most famous person you’ve met?
This may sound strange but the most famous person I have met is my Grandfather Ron Boyce. He was such an influence in my life, through his time in the Army during the 2nd World War, his subsequent work ethic and sense of community spirit. His lasting effect on my life is a legacy I hold very dear today.
Most Treasured things you’ve owned?
I am so very lucky that the three Items I most treasure I still have - being my qualifications as an electrician, my Territorial Army long service medal and my Grandfather’s WW2 medals. Sun seeker or Staycation?
My wife and I enjoy cruises around far-flung places but we also enjoy this country, as it has so much offer. We recently travelled the North Coast 500 road trip around Scotland, the scenery was breathtaking and the whisky wasn’t bad either!
by Anne Lees
Autumn has arrived, and Nature is preparing to rest throughout the colder months – if global warming will allow it!
The Amblers have experienced a topsy-turvy summer weather-wise on Fridays, occasionally having to reschedule walks due to extreme daytime temperatures or, alternatively, having to wear waterproofs (only light showers, thankfully). More recently, just as we were expecting to need an extra layer, our climate has surprised us again by raising the temperatures once more. But you know us by now – whatever the weather, we just love to get out and enjoy the beauty of Tribland.
As anyone in the group will tell you, I am usually to be found bringing up the rear, as I stop so frequently to take photos of the landscape or things I spot by the wayside. When I recently saw the following quote from ‘October’ by John Clare, it really resonated with me:
‘Nature now spreads around, in dreary hue,
A pall to cover all that summer knew;
Yet, in the poet’s solitary way, Some pleasing objects for his praise delay;
Something that makes him pause and turn again,
As every trifle will his eye detain…’
It’s true. A slight movement may catch my eye, a sudden flash of a contrasting colour, or a change in habitat which could indicate something new to be seen; any of these can make me ‘pause and turn again’. Serendipity can play a part as well – the right place at the right time – plus, some of my best insect shots were of flower heads, until I zoomed in later and discovered the insect’s presence.
We recently had a very pleasant stroll in Southey Woods – a favourite of ours, due to the broad avenue between the majestic and varied trees which, when the sun is out, is flooded with warmth and brightness. On this particular day, the sun was highlighting the foliage beautifully, causing us to lift our heads frequently. The clouds were sailing along overhead, but we did not feel any breezes, sheltered as we were, between the trees. A squirrel dashed across the path ahead and, further along, a herd of deer in procession followed their usual route, albeit a little more urgently due to our presence. Plant seed heads were evident, with ‘old man’s beard’ in frothy abundance, and the swaying grasses backlit and glowing. The leaf colours were just starting to change and the occasional bright red splashes, along with hawthorn and rosehip berries, added something jewellike to contrast with the various shades of green from deciduous and fir trees. The smell from the
latter was all around; that lovely, earthy, pine scent unlike anything else in nature. There was still the occasional wildflower to be seen – scabious, self-heal, teasel, ragwort and pink clover – with bees being attracted to the knapweed in particular. Red Admirals and dragonflies also attended. Magical. However, not all of our enjoyment comes from the outdoors: we also had a very interesting visit to St John the Baptist Church in Barnack a few weeks ago. We learned about several historic features, and characters, from one of our members who is knowledgeable on such things, and were able to look at many details we may not otherwise have noticed. To mention a few: an ancient stone
carving – ‘Christ in Majesty’; a unique font; beautiful stained glass windows, some testament to the tragic deaths of young sons in the Argles family, and some which incorporate William Morrisstyle leaf patterns; spectacular mosaics behind the altar with glowing golden backgrounds; an unusually domed porch; and a decorated coffin in the churchyard, featuring a reclining palm tree. It is well worth a visit! So, as the year begins its journey towards its end, the Amblers want to say: Don’t be put off from getting out and about due to Nature’s pall in autumn. If you are prepared to look, despite the arrival of dreary hues there are still lots of trifles to detain your eyes. (Not to mention Christmas lights soon…) Enjoy!
We amble on Friday mornings in various Trib’land locations and you are welcome to join us. If you would like to come along, or offer to show us around your locality, text the Amblers on 07714 021 131 for more information, or PM me on the Village Tribune Facebook page. We look forward to meeting you.
Alastair Peat, Vice Chair, Helpston Parish Council
www.helpstonparishcouncil.org
We must apologise for the radio silence in recent Tribune Publications. To make up for this we have lots to report below.
Helpstonbury 2023
The 17 of June saw our community come together to “Celebrate the best of Helpston”. It was estimated that over 1,200 came and enjoyed the inaugural Helpstonbury event. The Parish Council underlined its support for this through significant funding to facilitate the celebration. We would also like to thank the local companies who sponsored the event to ensure it could be as good as it was.
Unprecedented work by many of the village groups including the Friends Of John Clare School, the Church, The HelCATs, The Village Hall Committee and the Preschool, plus the Cubs,Scouts, Guides, Brownies and Rainbows created a day not to forget. A phenomenal sum of money was raised across all the village organisations, in excess of £13,000 going directly to benefit village groups. Thanks to all involved.
Helpstonbury 2024 –
Save the date – 22 June 2024
With the huge success this year, the 22 June has been booked for our 2024 celebration. This is set to be another incredible day. The Parish Council is once again investing in this and encourages anyone who wishes to be more involved to contact the Helpstonbury team. Organised by the community, for the community results in a
spectacular event for family and friends of all ages.
This covers the 2 sites between West Street and Broadwheel Road. Your Parish Council continues to keep up communications with BDW and their representatives, however there is nothing further to report since they withdrew their application earlier in the year. The outline planning application for 20 houses off West Street has also received many comments from concerned residents. The Parish Council would like to thank all those who have expressed their views on this. It underlines the incredible sense of care for the community in which we live. This could go before the planning committee before Christmas.
The Parish Council has been driving discussions with the City Council Highways department in an attempt to have works undertaken on the pathway to Glinton. Many of the children from the village use this as their way to and from school. Over the years the path surface has become overgrown making it significantly narrower than the tarmac actually is. Our pressure generated some action earlier in the summer to start the maintenance, however the Parish Council are now seeking a more structured plan from Highways to ensure the safety of our children.
If you would like to further underline your feelings on this, or report and concerns or incidents, then the City Council Highways can be contacted at –01733 747 474.
The Parish Council are part of the Barnack Ward discussion group that is seeking to create a common rural strategy for speed limits through and between the villages. One of the Ward Group’s proposals is to have 20mph limits within all villages and reduced speeds between them. This will be a very contentious topic and we would welcome your feedback on how you feel about speed limits/ traffic calming or other measures to limit the speeds through the villages. The City Council are not an enforcement body, like the Police, so can only seek to manage traffic flow through various other measures.
To seek to assist this in the shorter term, the Parish Council have instructed the City to invest the available Section 106 contribution in more prominent signage as you are entering the village through the white gated entrance structures. These will hold the village and speed signage in a more prominent position.
The village is lucky enough to have 9 benches for weary walkers to rest and enjoy the view. One
of these on Broadwheel Road, at Peartree Lane, has recently been replaced by the family of Noel Ingram in his memory, with our thanks. The HelCATS have kindly offered to have a working group in 2024 to refurbish the benches throughout the village to ensure there is always a place to sit and chat. If you feel that there are other places which would benefit from a bench placement then please get in touch with your councillors.
A Full Team of Councillors representing Helpston
With the departure of Councillor Newitt earlier in the year, we are pleased to announce that Arthur Cross has been co-opted to the Parish Council through to the elections next year. Arthur has been a great support over recent months with planning matters around LP42. He will be a great asset to the village in his new role.
There was a large enthusiastic audience in the church on the 21 September 2023 to listen to Clair Wordsworth’s presentation about the forgotten wartime bandleader Ivy Benson.
Most of the audience did not know of Ivy’s story and how she really was an instigator of ‘Girl Power’ long before the Spice Girls. She entertained Allied Troops in War Zones whilst battling inequality back home!
The presentation included archive material, photographic evidence and Clair’s entertaining and informative narrative to highlight this very talented female band leader born in 1913 in Leeds, who was appearing in Working Mens’ Clubs at the age of eight as Baby Benson.
Ivy Benson’s Band continued to play after the War and the ever-changing line-up continued to entertain into the 1980s. Ivy died in Clacton-on-Sea in 1993.
It was a very enjoyable evening and concluded with a Q & A session. Ivy’s Second World War efforts link nicely with our latest project ‘Helpston’s Home Front’ and we have a wealth of information to share with you in St Botolph’s Church on 11 November 2023 between 1–4pm, please do come along and see our exhibition. Entrance is free. Look out for posters around the village, on the community Facebook page, and on the Helpston Local History Group website. It is not too late to let us know if you have anything linked to Helpston’s Home Front effort, contact us (email below) if you have anything you could contribute or let us scan.
Your Parish Council works hard behind the scenes to represent the community as has been seen with the above actions and initiatives. Monthly meetings are open to all village residents and we welcome input so we can continue to keep Helpston the community we all wish to live in.
Please consider becoming a member of Helpston Local History Group. Membership is £12 per annum for single membership and £18 per annum for a couple in the same household. Website: www.helpstonhistory.org.uk E: helpstonhistory@gmail.com
Class IV (cars & light vans)
Class V & Class VII (vans up to 3500kg) Courtesy car available For all mechanical, MOT preparations,
Morag Sweeney, Helpston Lead Volunteer, morag.sweeney@yahoo.com
Leaders within Girlguiding have great fun and develop lasting friendships. extra special as it was the first one to be awarded in Helpston. Many congratulations Megan you worked so hard and really deserve your special award.
It is really special when one of our young members like Megan Chapman, not only achieves but exceeds their own expectations. By completing all the Skill Builders, Unit Meeting Activities, Interest Badges and elements she was awarded her Brownie Gold Award. This is the highest award girls can achieve in Brownies and this one was
We currently have vacancies for Leaders in Rainbows (girls 5–7) and Guides (girls 10–14). If you or someone you know would like to join us and experience
the fun, friendships and sense of achievement when young girls in your care realise their full potential please do get in touch. No experience is necessary as full training and support are available. We have girls on our waiting lists that we cannot offer places to due to lack of leaders. Please do give it some thought.
Members of Helpston’s long-running Knit & Natter Group have been busy over recent months.
Parish Council Clerk: Syd Smith
E: helpstonpc@hotmail.co.uk
Chair: Joe Dobson
T: 01733 252 192
E: councilmessages@btinternet.com
Vice Chair: Ali Peat
T: 07399 532 266
E: alastair@alfrescolandscaping.co.uk
Councillor: Alastair Bradley
T: 07941 570 653
E: alastairbradley@hotmail.com
Councillor: Andy Ratnett
T: 07798 651 872
E: andy@ratnett.co.uk
They’ve knitted over a thousand poppies which will be displayed around the village on Remembrance Day.
The group meets regularly at Helpston Village Hall on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 2-4pm. All crafters are welcome to just turn up and contribute £1.50 each towards
room hire and tea and biscuits. The friendly sessions are always well attended, where people either work individually on their own craft projects while catching up on local gossip, or combine their efforts to create impressive village displays at key times of year, such as Remembrance Day and Christmas.
www.helpstonparishcouncil.org
Councillor: David Dykes
T: 07515 288 606
E: david.dykes@btopenworld.com
Councillor: Eric Sieker
T: 07464 092 273
Councillor: Gill Jolly
T: 07713 329 141
E: ghaigh6d@hotmail.com
Councillor: Arthur Cross
T: 01733 252 291
E: arthurcross@vivaldi.net
Councillor: Rosemary Morton
T: 01733 252 243
E: g.morton526@btinternet.com
Henry Clark, Chairman
www.peakirkvillage.co.uk
Parish councillors Emma Crowson, SallyAnn Jackson, Kam Sisodia and Henry Clark went walkabout with the PCC Biodiversity Team of Rowan Rumball and Fran Payne on 25 September.
What is biodiversity? It is about the range of living species in an area, including plants, animals, bacteria and fungi. Biodiversity loss is happening because of land use change, exploitation of wildlife (through fishing, logging and hunting), pollution and our influence on climate. This has been recognised as a threat to the survival of the planet and the human population. The UK Government has created new law in the Environment Act 2021 that requires developments to generate a
For all Peakrik news, minutes and agendas visit: www.peakirkvillage.co.uk
Chairman: Henry Clark – Tel: 01733 253 203
Sally Jackson – Tel: 01733 253 483
Emma Crowson – Tel: 01733 252 200
David Fovargue – Tel: 01733 254 227
Anne Tuley – Tel: 01733 254 114
Sarah Smith – Tel: 07588 055 553
Kamal Sisodia – Tel: 07958 053 439
Clerk: Angela Hankins – Tel: 01733 253 397, Email: clerk@peakirk-pc.gov.uk
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) of 10%.
This means that developers must include a credible proposal to meet the BNG target of 10%. This can be achieved in a number of ways with on-site biodiversity gain being preferred. If that is not possible, local biodiversity gain can be used. This gives local landowners an opportunity to get paid for converting low biodiversity land into speciesrich biodiversity land.
In Peakirk, the NW corner of St Pega’s and Thorney Roads has been planted with a diverse range of plants and provides a habitat for a variety of insects. There are several fields that have very low biodiversity and would be good candidates for creating BNG units. The community orchard on the
allotments, whilst not as tidy as some would like, is a good example of a species-rich piece of land.
Anybody interested in creating BNG units for sale to developers should contact Rowan Rumball by email at rowan.rumball@ peterborough.gov.uk. More information can be seen at www.gov.uk/government/ collections/biodiversity-net-gain
BNG was due to come into force in November but the implementation has been put back to next year. This is disappointing but it gives developers, land managers and planning authorities more time to get it right.
Details of events will be posted on the noticeboard by the Village Hall, www.peakirkvillage.co.uk and facebook - www.facebook. com/groups/peakirkvillage/
From ancient times, it was customary to sit by the fire on winter nights and tell stories. Some of which, like Beowulf and the legends of King Arthur and Old Shuck, passed from oral tradition into literature. Greg and I continued this tradition by composing our own tales, together and individually but invariably involving the supernatural. Here is one of them:
Walderam Hall, 1947 (Greg’s collection)
By Dr Avril Lumley Prior
One bright, still afternoon in late autumn, I decided to take Bing, my rough collie, on a circular route up the PeakirkGlinton footpath, down along North Fen Road, Maxey Cut and back along Deeping Road. We tarried too long, Bing hobnobbing with other dogs and I gossiping with their owners. The day was changing for a white mist was hovering above the fields. Then, suddenly, a fusillade of fireworks shattered the silence. And Bing bolted . . . He high-tailed it down the embankment, across Deeping Road and eastwards along a track. I followed as fast as my wellies could carry me until we reached the railway line. Thankfully, there were no trains coming as Bing charged across into the gathering gloom. As I clambered over the metal gate,
I fell headfirst onto the path. As I scrambled to my feet, darkness was descending and I noticed a light moving directly ahead of me, too bright to be a will o’ the wisp, a methane flare. Wild fancies crept into my mind as I remembered tales of ‘lantern men’ who lured travellers from lonely roads into the mire with false lights to rob and even murder them.
I was relieved to see that this ‘lantern man’ was merely a lad of about seven or eight with a shaggy mutt at his heels. He was clad in knee-length breeches, loose-fitting grey shirt, waistcoat and a woollen cap. All had seen better days, were threadbare in places, mud-splattered and mildewed. There was something of a bygone age, nay another world, about him and he seemed old way beyond his
years. Nonetheless, Bing greeted both boy and dog like long-lost friends, which made me feel more at ease. The boy doffed his cap.
“I’m sorry if I startled you. I’m Ned White and this is Swift.”
A grin lit up his face, freckled and eerily pale in the lantern’s glow. “What brings you here, tonight?”
“Bing was spooked by a firework and ran down the track. And you?”
“We’re heading for Grandmother’s house at Wal’ram over yonder."
He pointed towards the Follies River. To my astonishment, instead of a brooding twilight fenscape, I espied a stone farmhouse with a thatched roof, which I immediately recognised from old photographs as Walderam Hall, built on the
site of a hostelry for medieval pilgrims travelling to the shrines at Crowland and Walsingham. But how could this be, since the building was demolished 70 years ago? Yet, there it stood, with a lamp burning in a ground floor window and a brazier in the yard. Moreover, the place was a hive of activity. A barge was moored on the river bank. Men and boys were off-loading sacks and placing them on the backs of sturdy, piebald ponies. It was quite surreal.
I gasped and rubbed my eyes in astonishment. As if he could read my thoughts, Ned explained.
“There has been a house here for over 700 years. When my father and Uncle Phil were children, it was almost a ruin. Lord Fitzwilliam rebuilt it and raised the rent. But, no one could make an honest living here after the bridge to Deeping was built and the ferry stopped running. Besides, the land is prone to flooding. Instead of farming, my family became ‘tea dealers’ to make ends meet. It is brought here by lighters from Spalding and sold in the villages for a fraction of the price that folk would pay in shops. We make money and everybody is happy.”
It sounded like smuggling to me and I rather tactlessly said that I hoped that he wasn’t involved. He shrugged his shoulders and wistfully replied.
“A few years ago, Swift fell in the river and I jumped in after him. The current carried us downstream and a boat hit me. I was badly hurt so I can’t do heavy work now, I’m only a lookout, I wave my lantern if anyone approaches.
Hall’s so-called ‘pack-horse’ bridge
If I’m challenged, I say that I’m walking from Peakirk to see my Grandma.”
“Is she a ‘tea dealer’ too?”
“Of course, she plans everything and my uncle merely carries out her instructions.”
Ned smiled. “She’s canny, is my Gran. One night, when the Excisemen arrived unexpectedly, she sat on a sack of tea, covering it with her skirt and told them that she couldn’t move because of her bad back. They apologised for disturbing her and left. Would you like to meet her?”
Well, Walderam Hall and its chequered past have always fascinated me. I couldn’t refuse the chance to explore it and chat to its feisty eighteenthcentury tenant. We followed him and Swift into the farmyard. The broad-shouldered man leading the string of ponies completely ignored us.
Likewise, the two stern-looking bull mastiffs, on guard duty.
Bing gave them a wide berth, though Swift barged past them undeterred. All four of us seemed to be invisible. The date, 1707, was carved on the lintel of the doorway, which opened onto a warm and welcoming kitchen. The table was laden with plates of bread, scones, cheese, bowls of jam and the remains of a leg of mutton. Bing whined in anticipation, whilst Swift reached up and helped himself to the joint. At once, both dogs began a tug-of-war over it, making Ned roar with laughter. Huddled next to an inglenook was a frail old lady, her hair hidden beneath a linen bonnet. When she spotted Ned, her wrinkled face melted into a smile. Then, the piercing blue eyes that belied her age, alighted on me and she rubbed her bony hands together almost gleefully. “Ah! Ned, you’ve brought me another of your friends!”
>> She indicated that I should sit on the wooden settle opposite. I apologised profusely for my dishevelled appearance.
throbbing and both of us were enveloped in the mist emitting from the Maxey Cut. Eventually, I hauled myself over the metal
“Tea?” She inquired. “Ned, be a good lad and fetch our guest some bread and cheese. Or would she prefer freshly baked scones and jam? No one leaves Wal’ram hungry.”
I ate and drank heartily and had never tasted tea so refreshing, bread so soft or cheese so scrumptious. Ned and his grandmother watched me intently but took no refreshment themselves. Afterwards, much to my embarrassment and their amusement, I suddenly began to feel quite drowsy.
“You take a nap, deary. All our visitors do.” The old lady whispered, offering me a rug and cushion. As I drifted into oblivion, I wondered if I had been drugged. The ‘lantern men’, in a different guise . . .
I was awoken by a freight train thundering by too close for comfort. I found myself lying face-down on the grass with Bing nuzzling me. My head was
He wagged his tail, looked around and barked. He too remembered our encounter with a boy and his dog on the way to Walderam Hall . . .
NB: By the mid-1700s, an estimated 75% of tea drunk in Britain was contraband. Until the hefty tax was repealed in 1784, the commodity was ‘imported’ from the Low Countries, who bought it cheaply from the British East India Company. Such was the nation’s addiction, that there was even a market for secondhand tea leaves, retrieved from teapots by servants.
Ned [Edward] White (1735-42) was born in Peakirk to Edward and Jane White and lived in or on the site of Greg’s cottage, in Rectory Lane. He was buried
gate from which I had fallen headlong into history, and found our way home in the twilight without any further mishaps. When I related our adventures to Greg, he clearly thought that I had invented a ghostly tale for Halloween! But, Bing, dozing in front of the woodburner, stirred when I mentioned Swift by name.
in Peakirk churchyard on 5 March 1742, cause of death unrecorded. Of his four siblings, only Elizabeth reached adulthood. She married Henry Smith of Walderam Hall and died there in 1813, aged 80. Was the Hall a centre for smuggling? Who knows? But it was certainly in an ideal spot.
This
issue I am creating quite one of our most simple dishes, but nevertheless hugely rewarding in terms of presentation style and flavour.
Our former family restaurant in Ascot served this as a consistent menu staple, selling well throughout summer and winter seasons and enjoyed as much by the rich and famous clientele as by mere mortals like you and me.
One diner my grandfather remembered well was the glamourous wife of the famous French singer and actor Charles Aznavour, who would order ahead when she was in London for some event or other. She kept a property nearby to stay when she was visiting and would often eat at the restaurant, always reserving the same discretely
For four:
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil;
½ teaspoon salt;
freshly ground black pepper;
4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets, 1½ inch thick (we remove the skin, but it's fine to leave it on if you like)
So, you see very simple to prepare and cook but do be so careful not to overcook. If asked, I pair with our recommended house white - a lightly chilled Côtes de Gascogne from South West France.
placed table. She was often accompanied by her friend the celebrity Danny La Rue, who once owned the Swan Hotel and Restaurant in Streatley on Thames on the opposite side of the river from George Michael’s home.
This elegant lady would always have the salmon here as it was cooked “à la perfection” as she frequently told Maurice, our house chef at the time. For you though, dear reader, a dish to serve to family and friends, accompanied by asparagus perhaps or petit pois and Pommes Anna style layered potatoes. Delightful.
Season the salmon with the salt and a few grinds of pepper.
Heat the oil in a heavy nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat until hot and shimmering. Cook the salmon, without moving, skin side up, until golden and crisp, about 4 minutes.
Carefully flip the fillets and reduce the heat to medium. Continue cooking until done to your liking, 4 to 5 minutes more.
Transfer to a platter and serve.
Clair Wordsworth
Peterborough Foodbank gratefully received a large amount of donations as part of the Harvest Festival celebrations across Tribland.
Its shelves are however getting bare again now and, with Christmas on the horizon, your help is needed more than ever!
Everyday people across the UK go hungry, for a variety of reasons, ranging from redundancy to an unexpected bill arriving. Anyone can find themselves at crisis point and a simple box of food can ease a difficult situation. Evidence suggests foodbanks help to prevent crime, housing loss, family
breakdown and mental health problems, by also linking clients with other agencies.
How to donate to Peterborough Foodbank: Non-perishable, in-date food is urgently needed. The current cost of living crisis means many people, who used to donate items regularly now feel unable to do so. A typical food parcel will include: breakfast cereals, soup, pasta, rice, pasta sauce, tinned beans, sugar, biscuits, snacks, toiletries, tea or coffee and tinned meat, tinned vegetables and tinned fruit. Please drop of any of these items to the collection box in your nearest church.
How does someone become a recipient of a food box? First, they’ll need to be referred to the voucher scheme by a local agency. Peterborough Foodbank
partners with a wide range of care professionals (doctors, health visitors, social workers and police) to identify people in crisis and issues them with a voucher, which can be redeemed for three days’ worth of food.
Foodbank volunteers meet clients over a warm drink or free hot meal and connect clients with other agencies able to help with longerterm problems.
Also, anyone in financial crisis can call 0808 208 2138 (open Mondy to Friday 9am-5pm) to talk confidentially with a Citizens Advice adviser. Your call is free. Other useful information include: www.peterborough.foodbank.org.uk www.trusselltrust.org
Retired Brotherhoods Director, Peter Browse, started playing his beloved trombone when he was a child, after hearing a Tommy Dorsey record.
Nine decades later, it’s still his favourite hobby! At 4pm on Saturday, 2nd December, along with other members of The Rusty Players musical ensemble, Peter
will be performing a free concert of carols and popular classics at St Peter’s Church, Oundle. There’s no need to book tickets, simply turn up to enjoy the wonderful
music in a lovely setting. Born in London in 1926, the same year as Queen Elizabeth II, Peter Browse moved to Peterborough in 1970 and, arrived in Tribland in 1976.
Perhaps wisely, at some point he’d opted to keep music in the background and, instead, pursue, what would turn out to be a very successful career in engineering.
As Director of Production at Brotherhoods, Peter was in charge of 2000 employees, during its heyday when it used to be referred to as, “the workshop of the world.” By the way, Brotherhoods is still going (manufacturing steam turbines and combined heat-power solutions) but on a smaller scale. The site where Peter was based off-Lincoln Road is now a retail park, home to big chains like: M&S, Tapi Carpets, Hobbycraft & Morrisons.
The Rusty Players of Oundle is a 50-piece ensemble of amateur musicians. It was formed after a chance remark, in 2009, by author, Alexander McCall Smith. Besides being a celebrated writer, McCall Smith has achieved recognition for his Really Terrible Orchestra often billed as “the cream of Edinburgh’s musically disadvantaged”. The relaxed ethos of playing for friends, family and a few strangers, between frequent breaks for refreshment, really appealed to Oundle resident Chris Gill. So, he quickly rescued his clarinet from the loft and set about finding likeminded amateur musicians.
The age range of ‘RPO’ members (not to be confused with players in
the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Orchestra) runs from 20 years to over 90. Most started playing instruments in their childhood or teens, before work forced them to take a break from playing. Others have taken up their first instrument late in life. Yet, all appreciate being part of an ensemble rather than just practising on their own. ‘RPO’ rehearsals take place at Oundle Primary School - every other Monday evening (term time only). The free concert schedule includes a: Christmas concert in a local church, Spring concert in a village hall and Summer concert in Oundle School Chapel.
Peter Browse decided to join the ‘RPO’ after he passed on the longheld baton of running (from 19962015) The Soke Big Band. That specialist jazz and swing ensemble has since been disbanded.
Tommy Dorsey, Bill Watrous and Roy Williams are musicians who’ve particularly inspired him.
Additionally, Peter is a good carpenter, keen gardener and, still making regular use of a life-time membership of the Youth Hostel Association purchased in 1946!
Last month, as part of the Heritage Open Day Scheme, The Stamford Mercury Archive Trust – www.smarchive.org.uk - opened its air-conditioned rooms, where temperatures are kept at 17 degrees Celsius or below! (So, remember to take a cardy along with you!).
The Stamford Mercury is a cultural gem, important both locally and nationally. Its archive, housed near the River Welland on Cherry Holt Road, is very nearly a comprehensive record of the country’s, “oldest continuously published newspaper.” The
Stamford Post was started up in 1710 and, two years later, became the Mercury. Berrow’s Worcester Journal was around before this, but hasn’t enjoyed a continuous run ever since.
In 2005, Heritage Lottery Funding enabled a five-year conservation
programme to be carried out. Now, every known copy of The Stamford Mercury is on microfilm, searchable via the British Newspaper Archive www. britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk (available to access at home, as
Family run business with 34 years’ experience of o ering clients unique and practical designs to complement your lifestyle
Helpston based
Micro pub. No music, no fruit machine, no sports, no fizzy terrible lager!
Up to eight real ales on tap at any given time, direct from the barrel. 20+ traditional ciders, nice wines (no rubbish!) and genuine German lager bier. A choice of Belgian beers and some quality spirits.
You can order your takeaway from any of our neighbouring establishments and eat in the pub. Weíll even provide proper plates, serviettes and cutlery (we wonít actually spoon the food into your mouth but you get the idea)
OPEN TIMES
Wed 3ñ9pm, Thur 3ñ9pm, Fri 3ñ10pm, Sat 3ñ10pm, Sun 3ñ7pm
Mon/Tues: Available for private functions, plotting of revolutions or respectful shenanigans.
Cheese Club: Last Wednesday in the month bring cheese to share!
Weíre 2 years old! Party Weekend: 9 & 10 Dec
Dark Beer Festival: 13 Dec until we run out! 10 dark ales to worry the soul.
Tim: Sunday 17 Dec, 4pm
Tim from the Ouse valley Singles Club will entertain you. Donít be offended but prepare to be offended.
Open Christmas Day: 12ñ3pm
Open NYE: 12ñ7pm
Closed 1 Jan and Re-open on Friday 12th
Look out for our Belgian Beer Fest Next Year. For up-to-date info: /thirstygiraffedeeping
>> a subscription service). Also, if you know the date you’re looking for, it may be possible to look at hard copies of the original newspaper in the archive. It’s free to use, by appointment, for personal research (charges are made for commercial use).
Wife Selling was popular in the 1800s, apparently, when divorce wasn’t easily available to members of the working classes. In 1859, the real story of a local man who’d, “sold his wife at Pinchbeck for a half guinea and delivered her up to the purchaser in a halter,
When examining shelves in the archive, the changing size of the newspaper over the centuries is the main thing that really stands out. At the start of the Victorian era, for instance, the Mercury was enormous by today’s standard! Newspapers had been gradually getting bigger since the introduction of the 1712 Stamp Act – this imposed a tax at a rate of one penny per sheet. Wiley newspaper owners realized they could print more news on bigger sheets of paper and pay the same amount of tax. It was finally was abolished in 1855.
A book by David Newton and Martin Smith was published in 1999 and is a fascinating read, entitled: Stamford Mercury Three Centuries of Newspaper Publishing. It traces the history of the newspaper from its inception through to the modern tabloid we know today. Over the centuries, its pages have reported the Jacobian uprisings, American War of Independence, French Revolution and upheavals of two world wars. Bizarre local practices, such as Wife Selling, have also been covered!
confessed he, loved her dearly, and shed abundance of tears parting with her,” inspire a storyline in Thomas Hardy’s novel, The Mayor of Casterbridge. Other Mercury reports contained tales of colourful historical figures, from Dick Turpin (highwayman) and John Clare (local poet) to the newspaper’s owners themselves, who weren’t above fighting duels on occasion, but you’ll have to read the book for the gory details.
In 1785, Richard Newcomb bought the prestigious newspaper and, the Newcomb family retained a controlling interest for 150 years.
Zita Florence Todd-Newcomb was the last Newcomb family owner. She was supposedly “in charge” from 1901 to 1929, but led an extravagant and glamorous lifestyle and was only interested in the profits from it. Eventually, her lavish lifestyle absorbed almost all of the Mercury’s assets. It was sold to Sir Arthur Wheeler, Owner of the Leicester Mail, in 1929 for £16,525. He took an active interest and immediately increased the emphasis on photography.
Today the newspaper and its Archive are entirely separate entities, but based in the same building. Every year, the Archive receives a new batch of editions to conserve and there’s enough shelf space left to fit in another fifty years’ worth of newspapers. Local volunteers carry out the day-to-day work of The Stamford Mercury Archive Trust such as, compiling an inventory, answering enquires & undertaking simple conservation.
New volunteers are always welcome, for more details, please e-mail enquries@smarchive.org.uk
The Helping Our Ukrainian Friends team held an event at John Clare School on 12 October to mark 18 months of their work, supporting refugee and front-line communities in Poland and Ukraine.
Attended by over 80 local people, including local MP Shailesh Vara and Peterborough City Councillors, the event was designed to provide a summary of work to date and outline plans for the next delivery to Ukraine. It was also the premiere of a new two-part film about the project, directed by Trib-land filmmaker, Mick Child.
Members of the project team summarised its work so far. Since March 2022, when the team made the first delivery of medical supplies for the Kyiv Heart Institute, they have now:
Raised over £185,000 from individual and corporate donors.
Delivered over 40 tonnes of food, camping stoves, battery packs, torniquets and clothing to communities across the front line.
Delivered 2 tonnes of general medical supplies, such as bandages, sutures, surgical gowns and gloves directly to the Kyiv Heart Institute.
Purchased specialist medical equipment for the Kyiv Heart Institute, particularly 15 heart valves and over 600 sutures for use in heart surgery
Purchased flak jackets and helmets to protect humanitarian aid workers who are helping get our donations to front line communities.
Supported three summer camps in Poland for refugee children and for families who have lost a husband/father in the war.
Provided financial support for a humanitarian aid team for six months (April – September 2023), providing funds to purchase fuel and additional supplies, such as bread and electrical equipment to be delivered to front line communities.
Delivered nearly 2,000 Gift Boxes for Ukrainian children.
Supplied 37 generators at the height of the energy crisis in December 2022.
Supported a charity for those with hearing difficulties in Odesa, supplying hearing aid batteries, battery packs, generators and torches.
Supported individual refugee families in Poland and in Ukraine with food and medical supplies. Members of the team, Bob Bennett, Morag Sweeney and Neil Hammond spoke about their own work for the project, whether helping load up boxes at The Granary Café, driving out to Rivne in Ukraine or volunteering at the summer camps. For everyone involved it has been an emotional experience, but also one that helps us all feel we are making a difference, however small.
Next Steps –
Delivery Number Twelve
Sadly, the need to help our Ukrainian Friends is as acute as it has ever been. With winter approaching, the war and suffering continues unabated. During the
meeting on 12 October, we heard directly, by Zoom, from Galya in Kyiv and Jack in Kharkiv, about the devastation across towns and villages in eastern and southern Ukraine. There is an urgent need for food and such practical tools as chain saws to help cut wood for fuel as temperatures drop, gas stoves and battery powered lights.
The team is now appealing for donations of food, vitamin tablets, aspirin, sanitary products, battery packs and camping stoves. It is also collecting Gift Boxes for Ukrainian children. We have already delivered 2,000 of these for Christmas 2022 and Easter 2023 and would like to do the same for Christmas 2023. Video of these being given out can be seen on the project’s You Tube channel - https://youtube. com/playlist?list=PLy0QCmIALT CV8v1PT0oyqsgc-cbaZgar6 Our Ukrainian friends have made very clear how important these boxes are – sending a message of hope and support nearly 2000 miles across a continent.
There are Donation Points at:
The Bluebell, Helpston
The Bluebell, Maxey
Golden Pheasant, Etton
Granary Café, Willow Brook Farm
All Saints Church, Peterborough
St Botolph’s Church, Helpston
All Saints Church, Stamford
Churches at Baston, Langtoft and Thurlby
The team will set off for Ukraine on Thursday 23 November and hopes to have enough donations for a convoy of three vans and two ambulances. The ambulances have been very recently donated by Peterborough company, Ambu Kare. The convoy will drive first to Glwice in southern Poland, where we will unload the vans and transfer into Polish lorries, before crossing the border into Ukraine and driving to Rivne and then on to Kyiv (arriving on 28 November), with the ambulances, which will then be transferred to front line medical units.
Fund-raising Tribune Calendar and Art for Ukraine
All of this costs money! We are actively fund-raising to cover the
costs of getting the ambulances to Kyiv (fuel, insurance, ferries, hotels on the way etc), and will use any surplus to buy additional chain saws, tourniquets, camping stoves, battery packs and vitamins. We are also delighted that the Tribune continues to be one of our main supporters. Thanks to editor Tony Henthorn, the Tribune is offering readers a wonderful calendar for 2024, designed with works by local artists. Sponsored by local companies to cover the costs of production, all proceeds from the sale of the calendars will go to the project.
And on 17–18 November, Helpston resident and artist,
Will Thompson, is organising the second Art for Ukraine exhibition in Helpston Village Hall. Last year, this event raised £2,500 to buy generators for a community café in Kyiv. Everyone welcome!
Film
Mick Child’s wonderful documentary film, charting the work of the team both in England and in Poland and Ukraine can be viewed on this link. A huge thank you to Mick for all the effort he has put into making this. www.vimeo.com/ showcase/10685311
Helping Our Ukrainian Friends is above all a community project. Ordinary people coming together to do what they can to help those in need in a far away country. It is a great testimony to the generosity of the communities of Trib-land (and others in Dronfield and Sheffield who have been part of the project form the outset). A huge thank you to everyone who has made it happen – whether by knitting a scarf, donating food or money, making a gift box, packing up the vans, or driving to Poland and back! Thank you! Richard Astle, 07885 252 571, richard@athene-communications.co.uk
/HelpingUkrainesSurgeons
You’ve always been unique and managed well on your own. Now it’s time to be your own boss. Transworld Business Advisors help people just like you realise their dreams of business ownership. With a wide range of choice available, there’s NO BETTER TIME TO INVEST IN AN EXCITING FUTURE! OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE NOW!
MOBILE CATERING AND CORPORATE HOSPITALITY BUSINESS
This business can provide a wide range of foods for all kind of events. A small snapshot of possibilities are hog roasts, BBQs, breakfasts, weddings, special events and corporate hospitality. The business is long standing business and has earned a great reputation.
The sale includes a fully equipped high-grade commercial kitchen unit, mobile catering trailer, ice cream cart, popcorn cart and wide range of other utilities and accessories (hog roasters, cookery equipment, crockery, cutlery, etc.). The business comes with a healthy order book and the owner is also willing to work with the new owner to achieve an orderly transition.
Asking Price: £120,000
RESPECTED PIZZA TAKEAWAY IN BUSTLING TOWN
Mr. Pizza is a well recognized and respected take away in the heart of bustling Deeping St. James. Although specializing in Pizza, the restaurant also offers other favourites such as burgers, pasta, waffles, milkshakes etc. It is fully equipped and requires no updating so is a great opportunity for anyone wanting to “take a slice” of the local fast food market.
Asking Price: £80,000
HIGHLY PROFITABLE & THRIVING HAIR SALON
This established and busy hair salon is located in a popular town on the outskirts of Peterborough. It is set up with 8 styling chairs and 3 combined high-end backwash & massage chairs. The salon benefits from a long lease and the building may be available by separate negotiation with the landlord. The current owner is not involved in day-to-day operations and hence a hands-on owner/operator will enhance profitability further. The business is a turn-key solution and no further investment is needed to operate the salon from day 1.
Asking Price: £99,000
RIVERFRONT PETROL STATION PLUS ACCOMMODATION
Freehold cottage/convenience store/post office/petrol station/ riverfront with moorings. Main Road Garage is located in Brothertoft on the scenic banks of the river Witham about 4 miles northwest of Boston, Lincolnshire. Revenue is derived from the convenience store, Post Office, petrol station (with red diesel services), a small chandlery with various products for boaters, boat moorings, pump out services and letting out a one-bedroom flat located over the store. Along with the sale comes a 3-bedroom cottage-style owner’s accommodation, with views over the River Witham.
Asking Price: £475,000 + Stock
For further information prospective buyers are encouraged to contact Eric Siecker at Transworld Business Advisors of Peterborough on
t: 07464 092 273 | e: esiecker@tworlduk.com
CASA - Castor and Ailsworth Society of Art Mondays, 10am Cedar Centre, Church Walk, Castor
£3 a meeting + £15 annual membership. A friendly open group that follows our own agenda, but help and inspire each other. We also have some evening demonstrations and weekend workshops. For more information contact diana.rjjones @gmail.com
The Arts Society Peterborough’s Monthly Talk 9 November 2023, Doors Open 10.15am
The Fleet, PE2 4DL
‘The State of British Crafts ‘ by Dr Jonathan Foyle (As seen on BBC2 ‘Climbing Great Buildings’). Jonathan explores how craftspeople transform their raw materials and how they see the prospects of their hand-crafted tradition in an industrialised world of mass production. Starting with a coffee and a chat, the talk lasts an hour, just come along and enjoy your first talk free, so why not come and join us? All are welcome. For more information and details of how to join the society www.the-arts-society-peterborough.org.uk
Celebrate Nature! Exhibition
Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 November, 11am–4pm Torpel Manor Field Nature Reserve, Helpston PE6 7DU (by junction of West Street and Langley Bush Road)
Art exhibition celebrating the work of Langdyke Countryside Trust and our local wildlife, landscape and heritage. Lots to see including Kathryn and Sarah's recent cyanotype and natural dyeing experiments! Cards, photographs and handmade treasures will be available to purchase, with 10% of sales donated to Langdyke. By Langdyke Countryside Trust’s Artists In Residence, Sarah Lambert and Kathryn Parsons.
Castor, Ailsworth and District Gardeners Society
Italian Evening
Friday 17 November
Castor Village Hall
Three-course meal with wine, Entertainment and Dancing. £35per person. Tickets from Peter Huckle: 07719 547 684
Seed Swap, Cuppa and Cake
Saturday 20 January 2024, 2–5pm Cedar Centre, Castor Free entry.
Castor and Ailsworth WI
Tuesday 21 November 7pm
Castor Village Hall
A special open meeting with Twinings Tea. All welcome at our meetings on the 3rd Tuesday each month. Coming soon December: Christmas Party, January: An Author of Crime Fiction, February: A craft evening. For more information contact diana.rjjones@gmail.com
West Deeping Heritage
Tuesday 21 November, 2pm
Molecey Mill, Stamford Road, West Deeping
The date is the same, but please note a change - of topic, presenters, time and venue - from previously published details! The topic is "Re-discovering the Stamford Canal" and the presenters are Graham Magee and Maggie Ashcroft. What better venue than Molecey Mill? This was one of the places that the boatmen would have stopped off to load and unload their lighters on the route between Deeping and Stamford. Everyone is welcome, but as numbers are limited to space in the Greenhouse, please let Maggie know you would like to come. Email: wdheritage@ hotmail.co.uk or Txt/Phone: 07808 585 189. Admission at the door £3, including light refreshments.
Helpston Church Coffee Morning
Saturday 25 November, 10am–12pm
Helpston Church
All Welcome for Coffee Cake Chat and Raffle for a hamper, in the Church! Happy Christmas to all our customers and see you and some new faces in 2024.
St Andrew’s Christmas Fair
Saturday 25 November, 2.30–4.30pm
Northborough Village Hall
Stalls, games, gifts, raffle, cakes and of course time for Tea and Chat. All Welcome.
Pop Up Stall
Saturday 9 December, 10.30am–12.30pm
Outside Northborough Village Shop
A Pop up stall selling cakes and Christmas goodies. All proceeds to St Andrew's church.
Christmas Fayre
Saturday 2 December, 3.30pm
Newborough Village Hall
Refreshments on sale, stalls and activities. Afterwards singing around Christmas tree.
December Christmas Bingo
Friday 8 December, 7pm
Newborough Village Hall
Eyes down! Raffle and refreshments served during interval.
Wednesday 27 December, Two Showings, 3pm & 7pm at Castor and Ailsworth Village Hall. £10 per adult and £8 per child. We are excited to be hosting community theatre a er the sell-out of last year’s performances of Alice in Winterland. Tickets on sale now: www.ticketsource.co.uk/castor-and-ailsworth
Remembrance Sunday Lunch 12 November
Pack Horse in Northborough Free lunch to all men and women who have served or are currently serving in the Armed Forces. Contact Lesley Newit, e-mail: mail@northboroughpub.co.uk or WhatsApp: 07457 405 672 for more details.
Christmas Lunch Takeaway from the Pack Horse Northborough. Traditional turkey meal with stuffing, pigs in blankets, roasties, vegies (including sprouts!). Followed by traditional Christmas pudding and brandy sauce. This festive box also includes cracker, napkin and a chocolate novelty. Price £39.95pp. Contact, e-mail: mail@northboroughpub.co.uk or WhatsApp: 07457 405 672 to reserve. For more details check out our website: www.northboroughpub.co.uk
Festive Bottomless Brunch at the Golden Pheasant, Etton – plentiful grazing boards, dishes can be adapted for vegetarian or vegan requirements – unlimited Prosecco during your 90 minute booking!. Traditional 3-course Christmas menu £31.95pp. If you’re planning a party night, choose a Friday as entertainment is provided throughout December in the bar (from 8.30pm).
Mrs Willatt, Deputy of Peakirk-cumGlinton school welcomes Rev Keir on behalf of the school community.
Rev Keir with the Bishop and Churchwardens of the Benefice
On 17 September we welcomed Rev Keir Dow as our new Vicar of the Nine Bridges Benefice (the churches of Glinton, Peakirk, Northborough, Etton and Maxey).
It was lovely to see so many people from across the Benefice and Rev Keir’s family and friends in St Peter’s church, Maxey for the service and afterwards in Glinton school.
Hon Assistant Bishop Jonathan Meyrick conducted the Institution and the Archdeacon
of Oakham Ven Alison Booker installed Rev Keir and led him to his Stall. Mrs Anne Curwen welcomed Rev Keir on behalf of the Benefice, Mrs Helen Willatt welcomed him on behalf of the schools in the Benefice and Mr Malcolm Spinks did so on behalf of our Parish Councils.
Tucked away at the back of every issue, you’ll find the Service Schedules for churches linked to the two benefices within The Village Tribune distribution area: St Stephen (Etton), St Peter (Maxey), St Benedict (Glinton), St Pega (Peakirk), St Andrew (Northborough), St John (Barnack), St Mary (Bainton) & St Botolph (Helpston).
**** For half of the churches listed above, Bob Quinn
Clair Wordsworth
studiously compiles the service schedule and he’s been doing so for years. His dedication is to be commended, not least because he keeps the Editor up-to-date with any changes in personnel, right up to the day of print! So, alongside the date, time, location and type of service on offer each Sunday in churches across the benefice, Bob provides the name of the person due to lead it too. Brilliant! ****
Our congregations are looking forward to a new chapter in the life of our churches with the ministry of Rev Keir. You are welcome to join him – and us – at any of our services or events. We look forward to seeing you.
Yet, flick to the back page and, it’s immediately clear, the same level of detail sadly isn’t available for services at churches in our other Tribland benefice. Perhaps this could change in 2024?
In “The Impossible Planet”, David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor utters the immortal words “this will be the best Christmas Walford’s ever had!”
On Sunday 5 November at 4:30pm in St Mary’s Bainton, there will be a service to remember those we have loved who have died. A chance for lighting candles, and holding our precious memories before God.
If you would like your loved ones’ names read out, please enter them in the book in St Mary’s before the day.
Revd. Gary Alderson
A reference to the disasters that befall the Eastenders on Christmas Day every year, apparently without fail.
25 December is just a day, just a waymarker on the earth’s annual spin around the sun. People don’t stop being born because it’s Christmas – Isaac Newton and Shane MacGowan, for example. People don’t stop dying because of it – Eartha Kitt died on Christmas Day, having previously made the hit, “Santa Baby”. Wars don’t even normally stop for a football game on Christmas Day.
One person who had only a 1 in 365.25 chance of being born on Christmas Day is, of course, Jesus Christ. There are all sorts of theories about why 25 December is marked as his Nativity – the ones relating to Roman and Pagan gods being almost entirely made up in the 19th and 20th centuries.
But we choose to mark Jesus’s birthday then. And then we choose to put whatever importance onto it we want. It has to be the “best Christmas Tribland’s ever had” – or Luton, or Leicester, or choose your place of choice. The hope is always there – the turkey
will be cooked properly this year. Aunt Edna won’t start singing songs from the shows. Uncle Fred (born 1953) won’t keep telling us about how we won the War. The kids will put their phones down and play charades. (Does anybody still play charades?)
But then it doesn’t snow. Or too much snow. Or the TV is terrible. Or the traffic on the A1 means dinner is three hours late. And we resolve that next year will definitely be the best Christmas we ever have.
I believe there is something deep in us that knows there is something better that is promised. And we know in practice that it’s never fulfilled in our lifetimes. Thomas Hardy poked fun at our lack of progress in his poem, “Christmas: 1924”:
'“Peace upon earth!” was said. We sing it.
And pay a million priests to bring it.
After two thousand years of mass, We’ve got as far as poison gas.'
Though it’s a bit rough expecting priests to bring peace on our own, Hardy’s words still sound appropriate as I write this, with Ukraine defending itself against Russia while the Israeli defence forces look for revenge on Hamas. And once again the Holy Land is the place where the nations of the earth gather for battle, and not the place of a silent night.
Peace here and now is not what Jesus offered. He told us there would be wars and rumours of wars. But they would not be the end. So we can expect failure, wars, chaos – these are the times through which we all live. But outside the end of history, when all wars cease, we are promised a new heaven, a new earth –and a new “us” as well.
The Christmas events in our churches are many and various. Or, if you just want to sit quietly, away from the noise and rush, in a still place – Barnack, Bainton, Helpston, and Ufford churches are open for you to come into all day. So it won’t be perfect, but in quiet moments you may be able to hear the angels sing.
Ailsworth Parish Council
Joan Pickett (Chairman) 01733 380457
Bainton Church
Reverend Gary Alderson 07503 975588
Bainton & Ashton Parish Council
Clerk Jenny Rice................bainton.ashton.clerk@live.co.uk
Barnack Church (St John the Baptist)
Gary Alderson, Rector .................................. 07503 975588
Barnack Coffee Stop
Carol Pickering ............................................. 01780 740438
Barnack Community Association
Sally Hullock 07795 565658
Barnack Cricket Club
William Armitage, Chairman 01780 740749
Barnack Home from Home Club
Niamh Holman................................hfhbarnack@gmail.com
Barnack Men’s Breakfast
Mike Mills....................................................... 01780 740285
Barnack Messy Church
Julie Stanton 01780 749123
Bowls Clubs
John Broadbelt 01780 740133
Glinton Bowls: Jeff Bell 01733 252395
Helpston Carpet Bowls Les Cunnington ..... 07857 835955
Botolph’s Barn
Kate Hinchliff ................................................ 07745 116621
British Legion
Max Sawyer 01780 765507
Bus & Train Services
Delaine Bus Services 01778 422866
Stagecoach 01733 207860
Train Services ................................................ 0845 7484950
Castor & Ailsworth Cricket Club
Secretary - Josh Weaver .............................. 07712 707353
...............................................................j_weaver@live.co.uk
Castor, Ailsworth and District Gardeners' Society
Chairman - David Edwards 07881098742 .y1dnemaffit@gmail.com
Secretary - Christine Murrell.........cadgsociety@gmail.com
Cubs, Brownies, Guides, Scouts & Rainbows
General Guiding Queries
Helpston Brownies, Morag Sweeney .......... 07801 357701
Helpston Guides, Lindsay Roberts............... 07399 589333
........................................................................ 07778 707952
Helpston Rainbows, Lindsay Roberts 07399 589333
General Scouting Queries
Martin Hall 07778 707952
Helpston Beavers, Alison Cook 07437 909735
Helpston Cubs, James Metheram 07399 252033
Helpston Scouts, Mark Crookes............ 07808 633018
Deeping Gate Parish Council
Clerk...............................clerk@deepinggate-pc.gov.uk
Doctors
Deeping Practice (Main line) 01778 579000
Deeping Practice (Appnts.) 01778 579001
Glinton Surgery 01733 252246
Etton Church (St Stephen’s)
Churchwarden: Anne Curwen .............. 01733 253357
Etton Parish Council
Clerk: Emma Tajar 01733 234542
Fenland Clarion Cycling Club
Rides Secretart: Ian Todd 07548 885748
Glinton Friendship Club
Pam Kounougakis 01733 252018
Glinton Church (St Benedict’s)
Churchwarden: Veronica Smith.............01733 252019
Glinton Parish Council
Mr J Haste - Clerk 07591 834163
Helpston Church (St Botolph’s)
Rector: Gary Alderson 07503 975588
Helpston Helcats
Phil Roberts.............................................07925 720195
Helpston Parish Council
Clerk: Sydney Smith .............................. 01733 252903
Horticultural Societies
John Best - Glinton 01778 342115
Debbie Martin - Barnack Show 01780 740048
Kirsty Scott - Peakirk 01733 253952
Hospital
Peterborough City Hospital .................. 01733 678000
Langdyke Countryside Trust
Richard Astle .......................................... 01733 252376
Maxey Church (St Peter’s)
Churchwarden: Mandy Loveder 01778 343100
Neighbourhood Watch
Maxey Neighbourhood Watch
Dick Wilkins ............................................ 01778 348368
Bainton & Ashton Cliff Stanton ............01780 749123
Newborough Parish Council
Bryan Cole - Chair.................................. 07554 210824
Newborough Good Neighbours -
Cate .............................................. 07735 810139
Newborough Pre-school Playgroup
Debbie 07423 519890
Newborough Indoor Carpet Bowls –
Brenda Vessey .......................................07941 308148
Northborough Church (St Andrew’s)
Clare Strak, PCC Secretary
Jane Knott, Church warden 01778 345101
Polly Beasley, Church warden ...............01778 380849
Northborough Parish Council
Elinor Beesley...............clerk@northborough-pc.gov.uk
Peakirk Church (St Pegas)
Churchwarden: Sheila Lever..................01733 252416
Churchwarden: Pauline Cooke 01733 253116
Peakirk Parish Council
Clerk: Angela Hankins ........................... 01733 253397
Peterborough City Council
Peterborough City Council 01733 747474
Police and Emergencies
Police - emergency calls .......................999
Less urgent crimes ................................101
Power Failure 0800 7838838
Samaritans ................................... Freephone 116 123
Pre-School & After-School Clubs
Helpston Playhouse pre-school
Lucy Garwood 01733 253243
Helpston Before & After School Club
Roz Sowinski...........................................01733 253243
Peakirk Tots
Emma Thornton 07876 822173
Little Lambs Toddler Group, Barnack
Julie Stanton...........................................01780 749123
Sunflower Seed Pre-School, Northborough
Kirsty Wislawski 01733 253685
The Owls’ Nest, Amy Quarizzo .............01733 252361
Schools & Education
Arthur Mellows Village College 01733 252235
John Clare Primary 01733 252332
Barnack C of E Primary ......................... 01780 740265
Peakirk-cum-Glinton Primary School .... 01733 252361
Northborough Primary 01733 252204
Peterborough Adult Learning 01733 761361
Tennis Clubs
Helpston Tennis Club ............................ 07714 780573
Ufford Church Enquiries
Peter and Sally Hudson 01780 740475
Village Halls
Barnack Village Hall Bookings
Sally Hullock 07795 565658
Glinton Village Hall Bookings
Sue Lane .................................................07923 475966
Glinton Whist, Joyce Heathcote 01733 253790
Helpston Village Hall, Caryn Thompson 01733 252232
Maxey Village Hall, Jacqui Barnard .....07902 536476
Northborough Village Hall:
Sharron Lonsdale............sharron.lonsdale@gmail.com
Peakirk Village Hall (Bookings) 07938 386226
Ufford Village Hall
Fiona Spire (Bookings) 07795 111319
Village Tribune Editor, Tony Henthorn ........................... 07590 750128
Ward Councillors
Barnack David Over 07920 160053
Glinton & Castor Peter Hiller 07920 160487
Women’s Institute (WI)
Northborough WI
Tracy Thomas (Secretary) 07720 327145
Youth Clubs
Barnack Youth Club, Colin Morgan 07850 366528
Maxey Youth Club: Tina Lapinskis 01778 347280
