Five ways to make Christmas special

36 Take time to sit back and relive childhood memories, write down the stories behind the baubles that you bring out year after year and reflect on times long gone as Betty Mates in her poem ‘Grandmothers Rug’ does so well.....’In front of the fender, made bright by the fire, A close woven carpet was laid, the much patterned surface I used to admire, And the myriad hues there displayed.... Strange pictures I saw in that coloured domain Of cherry and opal and blue; Where orange met green, and a silvery grain, Like a river went rippling through. An emerald field by a tower of gold, And a dwarf with a funny red nose. A big blue-green parrot, two hundred years old, And a Japanese man with bare toes... Injuns in feathers, all painted and brown. A kangeroo playng a drum, Those gorgeous big lollipops Gran bought in town, A giant and little Tom Thumb.’ For a full copy please email judy.stevens1@btopenworld.com

Town, village and river walk (2.3 miles, 3.6km, 90 mins) 1) Start at Market Deeping Town Hall, go east along High Street. 2) Cross over to Riverside Park and continue east. 3) Leave the main road by bearing right on to Bridge Street. The

River Welland, with its lock, High Locks, comes in to view. 4) Cross over the footbridge. 5) Once on the south bank, turn right to follow the footpath in a westerly direction. Continue past the cottages to open fields on your left and the river on your right. 6) Cross two fields.

If livestock is grazing, please take care. Cross a stile to a narrow alley (mind the tree roots!) that ends on the Market Deeping to

Peterborough B road. 7) Turn right to return to the Market Place and its selection of hostelries for some well-earned refreshments! Visit Peterborough Cathedral for an uplifting service in one of the most beautiful Norman Cathedrals in Europe. Christmas Eve: 4.00pm Service of Readings and Carols, 8.00pm Carols Now! with the Salvation Army Band, 11.30pm Midnight Eucharist Christmas Day: 8.00am Holy Communion, 10.00am Matins, 11.00 am Cathedral Eucharist, 3.30pm Festival Evensong and Procession. www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk

As traditional in Deeping as turkey and all the trimmings is the 1st Deeping St James Scouts group Christmas post. Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, Leaders, along with family members provide the service while raising much needed funds. Twelve post boxes are located at The Deepings Practice, Tesco, Spar in Godsey Lane, Deeping News, Market Deeping Post Office, Deepings Community Centre, Marvilles, Mo newsagent , Old Bakery DSJ, Sams and the Iron Horse and Lillis Tea Room, Market Gate. Sort dates are 5, 12 and 16 December. Cards are stamped prior to sorting into piles for young people to take and deliver and at only 30p per card this is not only a great way to save money but to support young people locally as well.

If Lapland seems a little too far away to go and see Santa Claus then Pigeons Farm in Thorney will be the place to go and have Breakfast with Santa, weekends of December 12/13 and 19/20. A magical morning with full English breakfast, Christmas Crackers, Mince Pies and then Santa and his helpers arrive to meet the children and give them a pre- Christmas gift - rounded off with a visit to the farm. On 10th and 17th Christmas Tea with Santa and his elves is served with a present for the little ones - a whole different take on the Christmas grotto! Must be pre-booked. Details on www. pigeonsfarm.co.uk