Dorothy Rees

We are proud to announce the opening of a brand new care home in Deeping St James.

Braeburn Lodge is a purpose-built care home, offering residential and nursing care, as well as expert care for people living with dementia. Nursing care • Residential care • Dementia care • Respite care

Activities programme • Delicious and nutritious menus

- Clean and reliable service - All types of stoves & fires swept - Certificates issued - Member of the

Guild of Master Sweeps

18 Priestgate, Peterborough PE1 1JN

Telephone: 01733 865880

For peace of mind when you are away from your house, home or property...

• Local family business providing a professional, discrete and personal service for when you are away

• We make scheduled visits to your empty property to ensure all is well in your absence, whether for a day or a year

• Management of emergency situations such as burglary, squatters, power loss, burst water pipes or storm damage etc (Call out of and liaison with police, insurance/ utility companies and tradesmen)

• Attractive range of additional services • Only DBS/CRB checked family members employed • Fully insured with a range of testimonials • We cover Deepings, Stamford, Bourne,

Werrington and all areas in between

T: 01778 343179 | M: 07595 166810 W: www.deepingshomemindingservice.co.uk E: dandjg35@hotmail.co.uk

Whitley Way, Northfields Industrial Estate, Market Deeping Tel: 01778 347973 Open Mon-Fri 8am - 5.30, Sat 8am - Midday

o TYRES o EXHAUSTS o BATTERIES o REPAIRS o MOT’S From £35 (APPOINTMENT ONLY) o BRAKE PADS & BRAKE DISCS 4 4 4 4 4 4

MoT & INTERIM SERVICE FROM

Not so widely known is that the family harboured a famous children’s book illustrator in their fold. With the pen name Dorothy Rees, Edith was born in the Stamford Hill area of London in 1891, just as the Victoria era was coming to a close. She was a young woman during the First World War and in December 1916 she married George Vergette of Towngate House at St Michael and All Angels Church in Southfields, Wandsworth.

Already a budding artist, the country air fuelled the muse of this iconic illustrator and soon her lovable cherubic-style depictions of children were dancing over the pages of much-loved story books. Dorothy clearly had an eye to the commercial appeal of her books, Nursery Rhymes with Sauc (e)y endings were traditional rhymes adapted to include references to HP Sauce. The ABC Stories were published by Geographica in 1916 and in 1929 the Hull Mail recommended people ‘to buy for your children the “Forget me Knot Book of Nursery Rhymes” illustrated by E. Dorothy Rees’. In 1930 when Dean & Sons first published Enid Blyton’s book ‘Jolly Days’, it was Dorothy Rees who provided the cover illustration. She also designed picture cut-out books and in 1933 two were published: ‘My Book of Dolls Ready to Dress’ and ‘My Model Village to Cut Out’.

When George died in 1936, Dorothy remained a widow for many years until in 1946 she married Eric Thacker. The couple set up home in Epping and it was here that Dorothy died in 1967. continued >

Her younger sister Gladys was also an illustrator, working in watercolours. She studied at the Chelsea School of Art where she later became a teacher. She often combined her painting with illustrative work and she was commissioned to do work for the London Underground. Although married to John P. Teasdale in 1927 she often signed her work using her maiden name. Living in Ryhall, she exhibited widely throughout the UK, including at the Royal Academy, and she often had her own shows in this county, mainly at the Arts Centre in Stamford.

Dorothy was a prolific artist but she still found time to raise a family. Son Nicholas was born in 1923. Inheriting his mother’s artist talent, he became a well-known ceramicist and had his work exhibited in art galleries and museums in Britain, Europe and in the USA. His studies at the Chelsea School of Art were interrupted for five years when he served in the RAF during the Second World War. He married in the UK and then left these shores for the USA where he was Professor of Art & Design at Illinois University from 1960-74, when sadly he died from cancer aged just fifty.

Her eldest son, Bob worked on the farm with Mike Vergette, having been wounded during the Second World War; he had served first with a commissioned rank with the Mounted Artillery preparing for a campaign in Norway but was wounded while serving with the Royal Artillery in the Mediterranean and had transferred to the Parachute Regiment. A skilled horseman he was a successful steeple chase rider and followed the Cottesmore and Fitzwilliam hounds. But his hobby was art, and he specialised in wood sculpture. Before his premature death following a fall from his horse at the age of 33 in 1952, several examples of his work were exhibited in Peterborough.

With over 200 activities on offer and half a million members (including 60,000 girls), Scouting offers everyday adventure to young people (6 – 25) and adult volunteers (18+). www.scouts.org.uk

We have two thriving groups with over 150 young people enjoying a wide variety of Scouting activities. We rely on adult volunteers to keep the sections operating and are currently seeking adult support to help run the sections, but as importantly we are looking for adults with administrative, marketing and managerial skills to help with fund raising, marketing the group and practical skills to manage the premises as well as managerial skills to oversee the group executive. To find out more please contact Greg Cejer, District Chair, by email at this address greg@ greggthebuilder.plus.com. No matter how much time you have and whether you want to work directly with our young people or help with fundraising etc we would welcome you to join us and find you a role.

Ever fancied yourself as Doctor Dolittle? Now’s your chance! The animals and birds cared for at the Exotic Pet Refuge have to be fed and cleaned every day of the year. A tall order! So no wonder there is a cry for additional volunteer help. Training is given and there is no need to feed any animal that you would rather not. Call 01778 345923 For many years the Deepings and villages had enjoyed car transport to hospital or health appointments organised by the Patient Participation Service at cost price for users. They are now looking to replace their Volunteer Co-ordinator when the current one retires in March. You will need to be computer literate and relish the opportunity to retain this valuable service from your own home. Please call 579000 for more information. The Round Table has hit the headlines in the Deepings by raising an amazing £1901 for Children in Need, whilst dressed as Super heroes! This is our best year yet. Although helping in the community is part of what we do, be it financially or giving our time to support on local projects, the Round Table is about men aged between 18 and 45 getting together every other Monday to make new friends and have fun.

A normal evening with the Table (if there is such a thing) includes activities such as: Hover crafting, Zorb football, gliding, rock climbing, archery, wheelchair basketball, sailing, the list goes on and all finished off with a meal and a beer.

Fancy doing something different with your Monday nights? Then get in touch. Call Jason on 07718 604040

The Deepings Food Bank continues to provide a real safety net for those in crisis. Volunteers are always welcome for a variety of tasks. Call Graham Thompson for details 01778 341089. The club has been in existence for over 35 years and provides the opportunity for older residents of the Deepings to meet together, on a monthly basis, at Exeter Close, Deeping St James. Our secretary will be leaving us in the New Year and we are looking for a volunteer to join our team. If you could help please contact either our Chair Gerd Lindfors - Windsor 01778 347662 or our treasurer Carol Precey 01778 342189

The Credit Union’s aim is to provide the people of Lincolnshire with a safe community owned financial co-operative, offering an easy way to save and with access to affordable loans and budgeting support. We are looking for volunteers to help us spread the word…. If you are interested please leave a message on our mobile 07518776950 and one of our current volunteers will give you a call.

LIVES First Responders are specially trained volunteers who are often the first on the scene when someone is ill and has dialled 999. Their job is to be with the patient until the ambulance and paramedics arrive. Lives always needs volunteers and full training is given.

Interested? for more information please contact Helen Bembridge on 01778 344330 Deeping St James United Charities