I'd Rather Be In Deeping March 2021

ISSUE 069 / MARCH 2021

e n i l n O ion Edit

INSIDE

Deeping St Nicholas in FEATURE

The Institute

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images

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Welcome Owls are known to be wise and this one is clearly no exception! With community groups and volunteers continuing to beaver away over this third (and hopefully) final lockdown a wave of hearts on windows is growing into a sea and stories abound in this issue of community groups and individuals who are intent of making life better for others during what has been a very difficult few months. But this isn’t something new in the Deepings; read about the people of Deeping St James who banded together to build the Working Men’s Institute and individuals who centuries ago left a legacy to Deeping St James United Charities which is working to make life better for people today. And the snowdrops in the Priory Churchyard? Well they were planted by 1st DSJ Cubs (Eagles Pack) in 2010 - this is their legacy to cheer you today!

Judy Stevens 3

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Inside Editor: Sub-Editor: Designer: Features Writers:

Judy Stevens Susan Hibbins Gary Curtis at Zerosix Design Judy Stevens, Mel Greville, Michelle Bateman, Ray Pawlett, Alan F Judge, Andy Croyle and Si Fox

07-13 News

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United Charities

14

The Institute

39 Wellbeing

20

Profile: Gordon Crowson

40 Birds

23 Poem

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47 Flowers

27

Found in Deeping for Mother’s Day Mothers, and How to Look After Them

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The Deepings Neighbourhood Plan!

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Deeping St Nicholas in 5 images

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What’s on

29 Interiors 33 Research: Photography: Publisher:

Garden makeover Joy Baxter, Nancy Titman, Ian Baxter and Will Bowell Judy Stevens

Suffolk springs into words!

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Disclaimer. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission of I’d Rather Be In Deeping. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, I’d rather be in Deeping assume no responsibility as to accuracy and shall not be liable for any omissions or any loss, damage or expense incurred by reliance of information in this publication .Advertisers are solely responsible for the content of advertising material.

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NEWS

The big red can bin in Tesco car park and paid for by Rotary, collects cans that can be recycled for use and generate funds for the buillding of hospital helipads! https://helipadsforhospitals.org.uk) Pictured Rotary President Mary Martin

A planter crafted from a pallet found in the West Deeping layby and a wreath from a cycle tyre in the King Street ditch! These

by Nicky Bowling. Any more ingenious uses for discarded items out there?

Hearts and flowers have found their way all over the Deepings this month!

The hearts on the Green School railings with Esme and Luna!

Sisters Holly Workman (15) and Amber DavisBradshaw (17) decided that the best way to defeat home learning blues was to spread some joy around the Deepings! So for the last month they have been busy making Hama bead animals and keyrings and leaving them for people to find while out walking. Since then Facebook has been alive with pictures of their creations with messages of thanks from grateful recipients!

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Making good use of a riverside walk, Lily (5) and Lucy (10) and the Ward family have their litter pickers to the ready!

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NEWS

Rose Lodge Care Home was one of the first in the Deepings to be part if the vaccination roll out when Practice Care Co-ordinators Denise Holden and Helen Greenwood worked hard to vaccinate residents and staff with the Oxford Astra-Zeneca vaccine.

The Fisher Family were just one of over 100 who took part in the Deepings Library Half Term 2 mile Trail of the Deepings.

The Deepings Foodbank and the Exotic Pet Refuge have been the beneficiaries of support from communities in West Deeping and Frognall. West Deeping have been supporting the Deeping Foodbank for some time at the Church Harvest festival and also at Christmas with a donation box in the Church all year round. Collections have been stepped up during the pandemic and currently the aim is to deliver a boot-full of supplies to the Deepings Foodbank at least once a month.The group will collect if necessary. Interested in helping? email janetj1425@gmail.com In Frognall a weekly food collection has been underway to support the Exotic Pet Refuge since October with support from Tallington Farm Shop. A collection bin is outside Disa Cottage on Saturday mornings. Yet more examples of the tough getting going!!

The Deeping Business Support Group are delighted to announce that local business woman Louise Sampson is one of the winners of the Small Business Awards 2020 organised by Lloyds Bank. They supported Louise when she approached them for help in diversifying her business when her salon was closed due to the pandemic. Working with business mentor Emma Lannigan Louise developed the Bijou Box subscription box working in co-operation with other local businesses. “Her go - getting, collaborative attitude of supporting others has really appealed to consumers, making her a very worthy recipient of this award” Gareth Oakley, Managing Director of Business Banking at Lloyds Bank. Help is still available for other businesses in the Deepings - call 07780854119

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A Selfie Scavenger Hunt organised by DYG encouraged young people to get out in the fresh air! Pictures came in from the bridge, a post box etc. Ben Sanford was first to complete the hunt with Rhiannon Peasonall runner up - they both won some Amazon vouchers.

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Hearts springing up all over!

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Andy Cardell (pictured) was appointed as the new Chairman of the Deepings Swimming Club at their delayed AGM. In his annual report to members, Cardell described 2020 as “one of the most challenging years in our 44-year history”, but added: “We have a strong club with great volunteers, supportive parents and, most of all, a fantastic bunch of friendly and talented swimmers.” There were achievements such as at the Lincolnshire County Championships held in January 2020, where the club’s top swimmers came away with 46 medals, seven club records and multiple regional qualifying times across the three weekends of competition. In February, a squad of 27 younger swimmers competed in the Grantham Grand Prix and achieved 64 personal bests across 81 races.

It turns out that actor, Hugh Bonneville has been volunteering at a vaccination centre as are a whole collection of people from the Deepings! Including John Dolan (pictured) Dave and Olwyn Turner, Debbie Woollard, Sarah Bickford, Sarah Devonport, Allison Carrington, Ros Veator, Marion Alexander, Carol Holland and Barry Guy to name just a few! Once again - well done the Deepings!

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NEWS Who would have thought that a maintenance job at The Cross School, Deeping St James, would reveal a floorboard signed by a previous craftsman assigned to a similar maintenance role in 1899? Carpenter Ernest Hare had the foresight to sign the board before nailing it back into place!

The firm of which he was undoubtedly a member was sited at the back of The Imperial Cafe (issue 33) in the Market Place until it finally closed down in 1977. The current leaseholders of the school, Tracy and Simon MacCullum of the Ministry of Dance, took the opportunity to place a time capsule under the floorboards before Phil Mills replaced them. The capsule includes a feature from I’d rather be in Deeping about the Youth Group which has met here for 50 years, along with information pertaining to building owners, DSJ United Charities and pictures, poems and letters submitted by local children. This included these words from Freya: ‘I don’t know what the world will be like when you are reading this, but please enjoy it because you only get to live once.’ The signed floorboard will be framed and placed in The Cross School for all to see.

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The Institute 14

FEATURE

The people of Deeping St James were very proud when the door of the Working Men’s Institute was opened for the first time in the spring of 1885. It had been the dream of George Henry Dean of Welland House, Clerk to the School Board which oversaw the operation of all the schools in the village.

From his viewpoint he could see the benefit of giving the working men the opportunity to become further educated; as education had not become compulsory until 1870, many older men could neither read nor write. But it was the working men of Deeping St James who had given freely of their time and skills to bring the building to life and it was they who fixed the gas light above the door engraved on which were the words The Working Men’s Institute.

George Dean had initially formed a Committee to kick the whole idea off with himself as Secretary, Thomas Chesterfield as Treasurer, and William Jackson, a farmer of Eastgate, and Joseph Cunnington, a distiller of Eastgate, as members. The Revd John George leant reading books and games like draughts etc.

The first meetings were held in the Church schoolroom and initially about ten men attended. Local school teachers were encouraged to come along and to help those who couldn’t read; many learnt to read in this way.

By November 1881 the membership had grown to about 40 and they moved to the Boys’ School. It was clear that they needed their own space and so the fundraising began with bazaars and concerts etc. This was given a boost when on 25th December 1884 Tyghes Charity Trustees granted a 99-year lease for the land and gave permission for the Deeping St James Working Men’s Institute to be built on it!

The project was ideally a building with three good-sized rooms, one for supplying tea and coffee, one for reading and playing draughts and chess, where smoking would

be allowed, and one for reading only where newspapers, periodicals and books would be supplied.

By March 1885 enough money had been raised to start building and the first cornerstones were laid at a rather grand ceremony: the first stone by Mrs Waterton of Waterton Hall, who carefully laid a time capsule containing a recent copy of the London Times and a list on parchment of those who had been involved and prepared by George Dean in the centre of the stone.

There were three hearty cheers for the mason who had prepared the stone so well and three for the success of the Institute. The other corner was laid by Thomas Chesterfield and several bricks were also placed by some ladies present. There were words of encouragement from George Dean and William Jackson and Mr Waterton not only expressed his zeal for the good work of the Institute but he also placed five guineas on the collection plate handed round by Thomas Chesterfield. In addition a further £2 was collected and then money was raised for tickets to a public tea in the Boys’ School Room.

By Whit Monday 1885 the building was complete. The total cost was £137, the tradesmen of Deeping St James having given their services for free. The farmers utilised their horse and carts to collect supplies for free: if ever a building in Deeping was a labour of love, it is the Institute.

The rooms were well lit and warm and young and old could spend pleasant hours for a penny a week or five shilling honorary subscriptions. The official opening ceremony was conducted by K. Waterton Esq., the meeting after held over the road in the Boys’ School, because of bad weather and large numbers.

In November of the following year the anniversary was celebrated with a tea for members and friends; over 150 sat down. Afterwards there were speeches by committee members Mr Lenton and Mr Sutcliffe and a winter continued >

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FEATURE entertainment with professional singers was announced as a way to reduce the debt on the building of £18.

It wasn’t long until vandalism struck! On 8th February 1888 the Peterborough Express reported that the lamp was taken down and smashed! There was a two guineas reward for information as to who was the offender.

The Parish Council, having been established by an Act of Parliament in 1894, lost no time in applying to use one of the lower rooms as a Parish office and Council Room, for which the Council was prepared to pay £5 per year to include lighting. A specially convened committee meeting was held with Mr Dean presiding and permission was given.

In 1900 the Working Men’s Sick and Dividing Club was established, which provided a safety net before the welfare state.

Men paid in a certain amount each week and then could claim if misfortune fell. There were 40 Institute members to start with, rising to 64 by 1924, each receiving an annual dividend of 17 shillings and four pence.

Monthly lectures were arranged including wood carving etc. and in 1902 when the ceiling required work, members did it themselves rather than incur the expense. 1905 was an auspicious year, when active Deeping St James resident John Boydon joined the Committee as Treasurer and Mr S. Wright as Secretary. It was also decided to light the Institute with gas. The enthusiasm for the Institute showed no sign of abating and when in January 1907 the general meeting of members was held under the Chairmanship of George Dean there was shown to be expenditure against income of ten pounds six shillings and seven pence against eleven pounds seven shillings and one penny, leaving a healthy balance of one pound ten shillings and six pence. There was a very good attendance at the meeting and two new members were elected.

When the Tyghes Charity carried out an audit of the land that they owned, the garden at the back of the Institute was rented by James Merrillion for five shillings a year. There was a building known as the Tool House (now Riceland) rented to Bourne Rural Council for two pounds a 16

Painted to celebrate the centenary of the Parish Council by Derek Abel in 1994 and hangs in The Institute year and the Institute standing on the garden rental, income of which was five shillings a year. At this time all Deepings Charities were to be amalgamated and registered with the Charity Commission. Representatives from the Parish Council who already administered some of the smaller charities were required and W. Smith and J. Perkins stepped forward for the role. Tyghes Charity put forward George Dean and T. Perkins as their representatives, and there was representation from Bourne Rural Council as well. So at a meeting in London Deeping St James United Charities was born.

After this membership of the Institute became more formal. A rule book was issued, there were to be no dirty boots or clothes, no alcohol, books borrowed from the Library must be signed for and kept no longer than three months. In 1909 the usual bread from the Perkins bequest was distributed.

At the annual meeting of the Working Men’s Institute in 1915 there were new elections to office, George Dean having passed away in 1912. Mr Jennings became the Chairman with Vice President, Mr Leaton, Hon Secretary and Treasurer Mr Feneley, Committee Messrs G Chesterfield, J. Crowson, A. Feneley , A. Mayes, H. Quartermaine, H. Taylor and J. Welby. The accounts now showed a deficit of five shillings and six pence.

During these War years the Trustees purchased War Bonds (issued to help the Government raise money to fight the War) and they paid out in 1927.

Revd John George

continued >

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FEATURE In 1920 it was decided to form a Deeping League of Football Clubs and a plea was put out to local villages to join in. The Institute team, Deeping Athletic, were first to register along with Deeping Rovers, Langtoft, Peakirk, Thurlby, Littleworth and Baston. In 1921 Deeping Athletic, with all players being members of the Institute, won the Cup, coming top of the League with 24 points with Deeping Rovers second with 14 points. On 1st May 1921 Deeping Athletic played against the best men of all teams in the League in front of a crowd of 500. Deeping Athletic won 6-4 with Mr Otter as ref and Canon Ashby as commentator. At the end of the match Mr Izitt (Chairman of the League) introduced Mr and Mrs Porter from the Manor House, West Deeping, and Mrs Porter, with a few well-chosen words, handed the Cup to J. Crowson, Captain of Deeping Athletic, to riotous cheering from the crowd. Mr Porter handed medals to the winners, three of the team being Thomas Jibb, John Parker and William Crowson, and to the runners up. After this the two winning teams decided to amalgamate and Deeping Swifts were born.

In December 1930, with J. Waters as Secretary, Mr Lenton as Treasurer and H. Jennings as auditor, the annual share-out of the Working Men’s institute took place. Receipts totalled £119.18s and expenditure was £45.

7s 8d including £39.11s.8d paid out for sick benefits. This left a dividend of 16s.4½d per member.

During the Second World War the large upper room of the Institute became the HQ of the Lincolnshire Red Cross detachment for weekly first-aid lectures given by Dr Douglas. Later the room was used by the Priory Players as a wardrobe for their many costumes. The insurance value of the building in 1949 was £2,300. In November 1954 a request was made to Alderman C Feneley, Secretary of 18

United Charities, by a committee of local residents to convert the Institute into a village hall. This was declined. However, in the following year a part of the Institute was converted into the Deepings and District Voluntary Laundry for the Sick and with some ceremony was opened by the Earl of Ancaster on Wednesday 4th May 1955. The Committee met quarterly with Gordon Crowson in the Chair and in May 1956 R. Cusden, a nominee of Market Deeping Parish Council, was welcomed on board. Mr Scott, who was also co-opted onto the committee at the meeting, handed over a cheque for £84 raised at a whist drive and Alderman Feneley handed over a cheque for £147, a balance of a fund of which he and Mr Towning were Trustees. Treasurer Dr Douglas showed that the Committee had a balance of £250. Thanks were extended to Mr Stephenson for providing the concrete for a new floor and Messrs A. A. Crowson for providing the labour to lay it. It was decided to put aside some money for the purchase of new sheets and a ladies sub-committee was formed to purchase them. One can only assume that over the years with the growth of the launderette and washing machines widely owned the need for the Laundry declined and it was wound up. The sign remained above the door.

In 1994 there were some serious recommendations to demolish the Institute but the cost was deemed to be exorbitant and so United Charities, now the owners of the building, decided instead to totally refurbish the building which had fallen into disrepair. Burmor builders were contracted to complete the work at a sum of £4,100, Home Choose Carpets furnished the building with Sheffield Green hard-wearing carpet at a cost of £1,313 and SJ Blinds fitted the blinds. Two smaller rooms were created upstairs and the meeting room on the ground floor was now accompanied by a fully fitted kitchen and toilets where the old Voluntary Laundry had stood, the sign for which was sadly removed at this time.

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PROFILE FEATURE

Gordon Crowson - man of Deeping Gerald (aka Gordon) Crowson was Deeping St James to his core. He was born in the village in 1903 to stonemason and builder Alfred Arch and Louisa (née Jackson). Both the Crowsons and the Archs were builders and Gordon and his brothers William and Horace went into the firm as well. When business became slack locally William went to work at an aerodrome and older brother Horace joined a Peterborough firm working on a government project near London, working away during the week. The family, which included Gladys (who became a school teacher), were born in Horsegate but later moved to Church Street with their mongrel terrier and pig – it was common for a family to keep a pig in those days.

At the age of five Gordon was sent to the infants’ school (latterly the scout hut) and can remember sharpening his pencil for use on his slate on the wall at the back of the building. His special friend was Sidney Stevens and as his father worked on the railway they would go

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ink wells from a larger bottle. The day would start with Assembly with a prayer and sometimes a hymn in a big room heated by one small stove: ‘It never got hot I can tell you!’. Playtime was in separate boys’ and girls playgrounds; skipping being a favourite game.

Last session on a Friday was mental arithmetic with Mr Jennings in front of a large blackboard while the other teachers tidied up.

to Peterborough for a wander round every Saturday.

That was when he didn’t go with the carrier, Coton, who had a horse and van and would go into the city to take parcels and run errands for people, Gordon would pay a few coppers for the ride and would meet Sidney at Clumbergate. The boys went on to the Cross School, where the head teacher was strict disciplinarian, Mr Jennings. ‘He was a great believer in the cane,’ remembered Gordon. The school was one big room divided by a partition, the room on the street having been the Workhouse. When it was turned into a school there was a sale and all the utensils and so on were sold. Pupils would wear a Norfolk jacket with a celluloid collar, cold to the touch in the morning.

One pair of shoes had to last and came with hobnail heel plates and toe caps. When they showed signs of wear, the cobbler Spendelow would repair them.

Lunchtime was a two-hour break in the middle of the day when pupils would go home for their main meal.

The ‘lunch children’ from Stowgate would eat their food on the Cross and were allowed inside if it rained.

Gordon was given the job of ink monitor, filling the

Gordon married Hilda Bullimore in 1935 in a ceremony at the Holy Trinity Church in Stroud Green; her parents had lived in Eastgate where she was born. On the death of her parents Hilda had gone to live with her Aunt, and Gordon had met her when she was returned for a holiday at her Uncle Bullimores in Deeping Gate. Hilda, wearing a dress of floral crepe de chine and a navy georgette coat, was given away by her aunt, Miss Bullimore. After a reception at the Strand Palace Hotel the couple left for a motor tour of the East Coast. They returned to Deeping St James to a house built by the family firm, with a front door made from reclaimed timber

PROFILE FEATURE

Gordon Crowson behind the railings

from the deck of HMS Powerful. The door was heard to creak during the first years of their marriage, bringing back ghostly seafaring memories. The couple had one child Timothy (b. 1943) who married Joan Widdop in 1975. The couple lived in the house for their lifetime; Hilda died in 1989 and Gordon four years later.

Gordon proudly remembered receiving his MBE from the Queen; he had been Chairman of the school governors at DSJ County Primary and The Deepings School, a churchwarden at the Priory from 1938-1985, special constable from 1939- 1973, a Parish, District and County Councillor and a Trustee of Deeping St James United Charities. He also served on the East Midlands Joint Industrial Council charged with resolving disputes. He was President of the 49th Scouts & Cubs and of the Pigeon Club – he had been a keen pigeon fancier.

As a result he attended two garden parties at the Palace; on the second occasion the Queen asked Gordon what he was doing now and he replied ‘still working.’ His Last will and Testament was a reflection of his life, remembering his neighbours and the organisations and churches to which he had devoted a life which was truly Deeping St James through and through.

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We’ve got a local courier, I’ve nicknamed him Schwarzenegger, I’m sure that he’s a lovely bloke, but he’s a slippery little beggar!

I could be in my kitchen, fixing up a snack But when I check the hallway there’s a card says ‘I’ll be be back’.

He’s like some sort of ninja, that’s been trained in Japan, But instead of wearing ninja slippers, he drives a transit van!

I’ve stated that there’s a safe place for my parcels to be left, Somewhere warm and waterproof without the chance of theft!

‘Or leave it with a neighbour’, I’ll write on the instructions, But then I’ll have to guess which one, through mind-numbing deductions!

On rare occasion I will find that he’s used some common sense, And my long awaited parcel will be lobbed over my fence.

As he warms up his throwing arm, and makes himself all agile He pointedly ignores the stickers ’this way up’, ‘don’t drop’ and ‘fragile’!

In his defence he’s never broken anything he’s had to chuck, But it’s only time before he runs out this massive chunk of luck!

I’ve recently ordered a leather jacket, of which I’m rather fond, I just thank my lucky stars that I haven’t got a pond!

For if it arrives and I am out, on that fateful day It’ll fly across my garden like an injured bird of prey!

Still, I mustn’t grumble, I get stuff in the end…

Even if it’s bent in half across the sticker ‘Do not bend’!

Si Fox

Visit www.hudsonspetcare.com/shop Call 07999 890866 Email info@hudsonspetcare.com

Si Fox

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FOUND IN DEEPING FOR MOTHER’S DAY

Lilli’s Deluxe Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea. A selection of sandwiches - Cream Cheese and Cucumber, Ham and Tomato, Egg and Cress, Tuna and Mayonnaise, Freshly Baked Scone with Clotted Cream and Strawberry, Preserve, Victoria Cupcake, A slice of Gateaux Opera, Twinnings Tea. Free Handmade Chocolates for the mothers per order. Pick up is Saturday 13th or Sunday 14th from the tearoom, Market Gate, Market Place between 12 and 1pm. You can order these Mother’s Day Afternoon Teas via Facebook Messenger, by calling the Tearoom 07342 781230 during business hours or by popping in the shop! BACS payment is preferred at the time of booking please £17.50 per head

Delicious fudge made

Join a beautiful dream catcher class zoom the week in the Deepings! after Mother’s day. www.riversidebeads.co.uk/product/ beaded-heart-dream-catcher-with-heidi/ The ultimate sweet treat!

We will deliver locallymade - available also in Sams Rycroft Avenue and Delicious fudge in the Deepings!

Local delivery Moor Farm Shop, Newborough. and available Grasmere Deli, https://deepingfudge.co.uk/ Sams & Moor Farm Shop! www.deepingfudge.co.uk Quote FUDGE for 10% off all orders until 31st October https://deepingfudge.co.uk/

Sensational women in business! Some are mothers, some are grandmothers and others are just the mother of their company! ‘The Women In Business Box’ especially for Mother’s Day from the Fig & Fox Co is also the subscription box for March (which just so happens to coincide with International Women’s Day too). This special edition box includes; • Double Chocolate Brownie by Amanda from The Brownie Company, Easton-On-The-Hill • Sticky Toffee Pudding by Claire from Kavanagh’s, Oakham • Hot Chocolate Bomb by Lisa from All About the Cakes, Crowland • Burghley Blend Tea by Karen from InfiniTeas, Stamford • Apricot and Pineapple Jam by Alison from Green Kitchen Preserves hello@thefigandfoxcompany.co.uk +44(0)7592563044 24

What better than a cupcake bouquet from Katie Lou Bakes for Mother’s Day £20 for swirl roses £25 for piped flowers - alternatively a traditional tea cakes box with lemon drizzle loaf, Victoria sponge, bakewell heart, all butter shortbread rounds piped with flowers and meringue kisses - large box £25 small box £15 - orders by 8th March Order by facebook or Insagram or email katieloubakes@gmail.com

A subscription box from Riverside Beads is definitely the gift that keeps on giving! 3 months subscription box for £60 with an option to carry on for £20 per month -https://www. riversidebeads.co.uk/product/riverside-beadbox-3-month-subscription

FOUND IN DEEPING FOR MOTHER’S DAY

Distilled with juniper, fresh orange peel, cocoa powder and real Jaffa cakes, each bottle produced and blended in Kent now available at The Cigar Box, Market Place.

Bijou Box delivers the best beauty and self-care products from independent businesses direct to your door. No matter how many minutes you’ve got spare there will be a product in Bijou Box that can be used, this makes Bijou Box an ideal gift for busy mums.

Bijou Box is a seasonable box and subscription starts at just £39 every 3 months or one off boxes are available for £45.hello@bijoubox.uk www.bijoubox.uk

Help your Mum relax and unwind, and fill her home with a gorgeous scent with one of the fantastic candles from local makers, Freya Aromatics. Mother’s Day candle gifts look fantastic and will mean the world to her. A wide range of scents to choose from and all gifts presented in a stylish gift bag. Also wax melts, room sprays and hand wash & lotions. visit Facebook @ Freya Aromatics.

Something Sweet from Market Gate Deli, 2 Market Gate, Market Deeping. The Market Gate Deli is now selling chocolates to go with the wide range of sweet goodness they sell from Hambleton Bakery. Why not treat Mum with a beautiful box of Chocolates? And don’t forget the Market Gate Deli is also selling cards.

All you need for Mother’s Day - Sams Rycroft Avenue, DSJ

mmm what to buy Mum for Mother’s Day? A new mug? A new mug handmade in Deeping www.hopscotchpottery.com 25

SAMS Premier & Post Office Sams Premier & Post Office I would firstly like to thank all the staff at Sam’s for there dedication, providing the highest service to our customers in the Post Office & Shop.

The Post Office services have been in huge demand since lockdown and with further bank closures. This has now peaked since the closure of Market Deeping Post office in January.

We strive to provide a safe and secure service in such times and thank you for your co-operation.

Shop times: Mon-Sat 7am-8pm Sun- 8am -8pm Post office: Mon- Fri 9am-6pm Sat 9am-1pm

At Sam’s we continue to work with local suppliers and have welcomed Bowlers Brewery to our selection, brewed in Deeping Gate. We also stock Drynks non alcoholic crafted drinks backed

by Dragons Den! Deeping fudge continues to be successful along with fresh daily deliveries of bread and cakes from Peterborough Continental Bakery. Not to forget Grassmere Farms and Hawkins Gingerbread.

Keep in touch via our ever-growing facebook page ‘SAMS Premier & Post office’

The Cigar Box on the Market Place is a compact, boutique-style establishment literally stocked from floor to ceiling and is owned by the knowledgeable and friendly Howard Callow.

Treat your Mum to a gift hamper packed with thoughtful presents & edible delights

Vine House Farm Deeping St Nicholas, PE11 3DG 01775 630208 Open 7 Days

A bespoke, handmade, wall-to-wall humidor is home to a classic collection of Cuban cigars. Complimenting this is a matching cabinet stocked with an array of unusual spirits including whiskies from around the world, brandies, rums and liqueurs. Specially selected botanical gins and vodkas add to this fascinating range which suits every pocket.

This lovely little shop is the place to go for that special something or a tantalising treat.

5 Market Place, Market Deeping PE6 8EA www.thecigarbox.uk Tel: 01778 343430 26

Mother’s Day Hampers Now Available in the Farm Shop

For more information call Surinder Mob: 07936 018 464

Mothers, and How to Look After Them

By Alan F. Judge ‘She kisses my boo-boos, she braids my hair.

My Mother is beyond compare. We love you mothers everywhere.’

I’m sure you’ll recognise that little quotation made by Agnes who, together with her sisters Margot and Edith, was adopted by Felonious Gru for felonious purposes. Her first attempt was spoken despondently but then, after Lucy Wilde married Gru and becomes their new Mum, with much more liveliness. What do you mean, you never watched Despicable Me? Your education must be sadly lacking.

Anyway, depending on which part of the world in which you are domiciled, Mother’s’ Day has either already loomed back in February (Norway), is looming right now (the fourth Sunday in Lent – us), or is still to loom on any day up until 22 December (Indonesia.) Note the use of the double apostrophe. This is my invention and designed to show that either one mother or several can be celebrated.

When did we first celebrate ‘Mother’s’ Day’ or ‘Mothering Sunday’? Well, Mums were celebrated way back in Ancient Greece and Rome as well as by early Christians when it was also a celebration of the Mother Church and the Virgin Mary, but the modern variant was ‘invented’ by the Americans – who else – and first celebrated in 1908. Anita Jarvis is credited with creating the ‘Mother’s Day International Association’ in the USA. In spite of my own ‘apostrophisation,’ of the word, Jarvis decreed that it should be ‘singular possessive’ so families could honour their own Mums and not everybody else’s. An attempt to institute a ‘Mother-InLaw’s Day’ (the use of the apostrophe here is debatable) was rejected by the US Congress, and quite right too.

Of course, not all Mums were perfect. George Washington’s Mum was, by all accounts, a terrible moaner and, much to George’s disappointment, an admirer of King George III. What about Mary Anne Cotton, who murdered eleven of her thirteen children, her four husbands, two lovers and two others with arsenic, all for insurance money? These are those she is known to have killed, but she may have disposed of others as well before Scotland Yard finally caught up with her. She was hanged on 24 March 1873.

Molly Peerless, my mother, 55 Tooting Bec Gardens, 1937 Don’t forget, Gru had a Mum as well, Marlena Gru (alias Julie Andrews) whose conversations normally went along the lines of, ‘eeh’, ‘meh’ or ‘ergh’, but I’m sure she loved sons Felonious and Dru Gru equally as well as all her adoptive grandchildren.

So, if you’re lucky enough to still have a Mum, do give her lots of love, cuddles and plenty of choccies, even if all she can say is ‘eeh’, ‘meh’ or ‘ergh’, can’t play the piano and crunches the gears on your car.

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01778 218 269

Stove installation and care www.facebook.com/BlackCabStudio Fortnightly garden maintenance, all aspects of gardening undertaken from February to December.

Give us a buzz on 07859096477

58 High St., Market Deeping info@dtstoves.co.uk

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Please call us to make an appointment

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18/04/2019 12:41

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28

INTERIORS

Spent more time than enough in your living room? Looking for some spruce-up inspiration?

Hayley and partner Gary decided to add a little drama to their living space!

We have lived in Maxey for almost six years now, first renting the house and then we were lucky enough to be able to buy it (yes, no moving on moving day – it was fabulous!). The house was built around 1990 and from the outside it looks quite inconspicuous, but actually it’s really quirky! When you enter it’s like a Tardis, with its rooms on different levels and a view right through the house out into the garden. It really did tick all of the boxes for us: log burner, large garage (for carpenter Gary’s workshop), enclosed garden, great dog walks, and the pub is less than 80 metres away – WINNER! It had been a rental for about six years, so whilst in really good order, the walls were magnolia and the carpets were equally as beige, really not our style, so we couldn’t wait to put our stamp on it. Renovations started upstairs, turning a five-

continued >

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INTERIORS bedroom house into four doubles all with en-suites, and then the downstairs overhaul started in late 2019. Always ambitious, we tackled four rooms at once: dining room, lounge, hallway and down stairs loo… We said farewell to the 80s artexed ceilings (a momentous day). We got rid of the very impractical, almost white, carpets and we started to transform our house into our home. I love bringing drama to a room, and whilst most people are looking to have bright and light rooms, I wanted something dark and cosy and it really is the perfect room for snuggling up in the evenings with the log burner on. Throughout lockdown we had a push to finish the room and the end results, I am sure you will agree, look amazing – we love it! As a therapist, I started to see my clients in the lounge last summer, when restrictions were lifted, instead of my office, as we could social distance better in there, and they loved the relaxed feel of the room. We have one more room to do, the kitchen, and we started the rip-out on 3rd January. We decided to use this lockdown to finally finish our six-year project… And then, I am sure we will start all over again!

Walls: Organic Woodland by Valspar Curtains: Fabric: Lee Mill Fabrics Peacocks & Flowers https://www.leemillfabrics.co.uk/printed-velvet---curtains-soft-furnishingsfabric--peacocks--flowers-6914-p.asp?_=&variantid=6915&gclid=EAIaIQob ChMIt-2tpYPM7gIVl7PtCh1NBgWZEAQYASABEgK8BfD_BwE Maker: Made by Beck Sofas: Barnsbury Furniture, Soham Carpet: Charcoal https://www.onlinecarpets.co.uk/carpets.html Fitted by Chris Meadows https://www.facebook.com/accmflooring/ Lampshade: KPLP Designs Plants: https://www.bloomingartificial.co.uk/artificial-plants 30

Candle and Room Spray from a selection by Freya Aromatics

Put the spring back into your step

31

GARDEN MAKEOVER

DIY SOS Deeping Style by Michelle Bateman Back In April 2019 The Deepings Round Table were made aware of a local family desperate to make their garden a safe and usable place for their disabled son.

Connor is nearly 16 now, and has complex disabilities, which means he is wheelchair-bound, and has to be Peg Fed. The family care for him themselves, and have to be careful that he does not shake about and cause further injury to his brain. Sadly the garden was not accessible to Connor; the family would have to lift the chair precariously over the doorsteps to get him outside. The grass and concrete were not smooth enough to allow Connor safe time in the garden.

Round Table Chairman Simon Bateman went to have a look, and agreed that it was definitely something that they could help with. Further conversations with the late John Lavery of The Rotary Club led to the first combined charity project for the two groups. This was a great foundation to start the Feed Deepings Group when the Pandemic hit.

The work, sadly due to the Pandemic, did not begin until the summer of 2020, but when a grant was obtained from the National Lottery to assist the project, it was all ready to go.

The garden was set for a complete renovation, and Steve Thompson set about digging out the area, and taking the waste away to recycle, where possible.

CESL provide the new sub base, to create a good solid foundation.

At weekends, members of The Rotary Club, The Deepings Lions, and The Round Table turned out to help, with wheelbarrows at the ready, moving the topsoil into the garden, ready for the turf to be laid.

Bacon butties and tea helped them all along.

Beautiful slabs from Indi Stone were laid, creating a smooth pathway for Connor to get to every part of the garden. This led down to a pergola and raised flower beds, the wood supplied and discounted from Andrews at Spalding.

Ketton Cement kindly donated bags of cement for the laying of the slabs, and Mick George Ltd supplied two cement mixers of ready-mixed concrete, for the parking area. Again, this needed to be smooth and large enough to put the family’s motability car on, for ease to get Connor and his chair safely into the vehicles.

New turf brought some colour into the garden, and in the spring Round Table will return and plant some plants and flowers chosen for their appeal to the senses in the raised beds. And some ramps will be built from the back door out, so Connor can get outside, without the need to be carried.

New gates complete the garden, and add security for the family when they are in the garden.

The combined team work, from all the local Charities involved with the garden, has been humbling to see: the time given to shift muck, or phone to source good deals, or a donation to help secure essentials, has been overwhelming, and is something that The Round Table would like to see continue.

We all hope that when the weather improves, and the flowers are planted, that Connor and his family can really make the most of the improved place they have to spend some quality time together. And the charities of The Deepings can be proud to say that they helped to make that dream a reality, for this local family.

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Are you, or do you know someone who is in financial need at present?

If you live in Deeping St James or Frognall,Deeping St James United Charities may be able to help.

Our office is open if you think we can help, please telephone*, write, or e-mail (no visits at present).

Areyou, you,orordodoyouyouknow know someone in financial at pres Are someone whowho is inisfinancial needneed at present? *Please leave a message if not answered personally and we will get back to you.

Anything that you say will be treated in confidence and we exist to help the parishioners of Deeping St James and Frognall so please, if you need help, contact us.

Email: dsjunitedcharities@btconnect.com Tel: 01778 344707 The food bank is now only contactable by phone and all food is delivered.

Please contact 07516 717346.

The Institute, 36 Church Street, Deeping St James, PE6 8HD

The Institute, 36 Church Street, Deeping St James, PE6 8HD

UNITED CHARITES

Deeping St James United Charities - a charity for all seasons You may wonder what a new washing machine and a 16th-century Deeping St James gentleman have in common?.They are linked down the years by the overriding desire and foresight to leave a bequest for the benefit of others in the future. In this case the gentleman was Robert Tyghe (who lent his name to Tyghes Close). His charitable bequest was made with Richard Auborn to disperse rents from their land and properties to repair highways, bridges and causeways and as directed by six inhabitants to bestow charitable deeds of alms in the parish of Deeping St James – and this is the link to the washing machine given to a resident in need in 2021.

Under normal circumstances, when it is possible to go into the Priory Church, you can see a fairly dark and nondescript notice board bearing the names of benefactors and donations belonging to the people of Deeping St James.These include the aforementioned Robert Tyghe whose legacy was land and premises

Prior to the pandemic instant gratification and buy now pay later was the order of the day but now, when life is on a more precarious footing, there has been a shift towards looking to the future and to examining our legacy .For example, just this month when the floorboards of the Cross School were taken up for renovation, a time capsule was left behind giving an insight into life in Deeping St James in the 21st century. continued >

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UNITED CHARITES

to the value of about £40 a year; Susanna Brewton, the wife of Revd. Topham who gave £50 to be laid out in land, the profits to go to twelve widows on St Thomas’ Day for ever; William Swan, who gave three acres and one rood of land the profits of which were to go to the poor at Candlemas and at the discretion of Robert Tyghes Trustees; William Stretton, who gave an acre of land; Robert and his son Samuel Sharpe who gave two acres the profits of which were to be given in bread by the Church Wardens and the Overseers of the poor on St Thomas’ Day; and Thomas Bunning who gave three roods of land, the profits to be disseminated in the same way. A separate plaque over the church door tells of John Perkins, a merchant of Market Deeping responsible for the building of The Granary, but born in Deeping St James who, on his death in 1879, left £400 to the Trustees of Tyghes Charity Estates to be invested in public funds. He directed that one part of the yearly interest was be paid to Stamford Hospital and another to Peterborough Hospital to enable the Trustees to nominate patients to these institutions.

These gifts cannot be underestimated in an age without the benefit of the Welfare State and the National Health Service, where sanitary arrangements were of the most basic and the success of the harvest (or not) was of paramount importance – these legacies would have had a transformational effect on the lives of residents of Deeping St James and Frognall. And they still continue to do so – not more than in these years of the Covid pandemic.

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In 1908 the original Charities were merged and now operate as Deeping St James United Charities and the Tyghe Educational Foundation was integrated in 2020.

Funds are administered by ten Trustees who meet regularly under guidelines laid down by the Charities Commission. Relief in Need and Relief in Sickness is still offered to residents who in times of crisis turn to the charity for help with their day-to-day living costs, for the provision of new household equipment in the event of a breakdown and help is also given via local schools with uniform, music lessons and some school trips. When unexpected costs arise in hospital care, attending appointments locally and at a distance, DSJ United Charities have stepped in to help and where enabling equipment is needed, not available elsewhere, the Charities can again help, often working locally with the Deepings Men’s Group.

UNITED CHARITES

With a growing population, never before has the community needed more help. The Priory Church Hall, in normal circumstances well used by a number of popular community groups, was supported when refurbishment was needed and recently help was given to protect the ancient oak tree in the car park.

United Charities, with the Parish Council, have acted together to provide funds to protect the tree with railings not dissimilar to those that were taken down for the war effort in the 1939-45 War. Both the Age Concern and the Scouts minibuses were funded by a large contribution from the Charities. Help has been provided for the Rebuild the Signal Box Group, for equipment at Jimmy D’s and Little Linchfield, and books for the Deeping School Library.

It has been said that when the going gets tough the tough get going and United Charities have a tradition of supporting local need in these times. In the Second World War the upper room of the Institute became the HQ of the 60th Lincolnshire Red Cross detachment – leaving behind their practice skeleton in a wooden cupboard! Certainly during this Pandemic United Charities have again. been on hand not only to provide for individuals and families who have fallen into need because of a loss in income but also to support those that have helped others; namely the Feed Deeping Group, the Deeping Business Support Group, the group behind the Deepingathon and Age Concern in their supply of an uplifting cream

tea to members! There is support for the local Food Bank on an ongoing basis and as the months roll on the help continues to be there as society gradually creaks back into a new normal.

St Thomas’s Day, traditionally an occasion when a bucket of coal and a loaf of bread was given to destitute Widows of the Parish, is still marked by United Charities when a small cash grant is offered to residents of pensionable age who are in need.

Book grants are offered to students (18-25 years) towards the cost of their studies for three years, and this also applies to those who are undertaking a vocational qualification.

Since 2008 fortnightly surgeries from Citizens Advice for residents of Deeping St James have been funded by United Charities. Since the beginning of the first Lockdown these sessions have been held virtually, and in recognition of the help that the group have given to 50 residents over this time a grant of £1000 was made to the organisation.

United Charities have an office in an upstairs room at the Institute next to one which has been rented to the Parish Council since 1896, but groups are able to meet at the Institute for free, or for very little, such as First Responders, U3A, the Allotment Society and WI among others. With ambitious plans to convert the Cross School into a multi-use community hub the role of Deeping St James United Charities in the 21st century is as much a critical part of the community in Deeping St James as it ever was.

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Springtime - The Time of Regeneration and Renewal

WELLBEING

Says Ray Pawlett of Ki-Ways Business in Bourne In a series of features Ray Pwlett looks at the progression of the year and how it alters the way we feel physically, emotionally and spiritually.

After a fairly awkward winter for most people, we are heading forward into springtime. How does that make you feel? Are you looking forward to the new cycle of life or would you prefer to be curled up in front of Netflix?

I am guessing that the majority of readers can’t wait to get out there and get on with things. At the first sign of spring, the garden centres have a job keeping up with demand; people get out on their bikes, go bird watching or whatever! It’s just about getting out and doing something!

Even if the weather is a bit rough – which it still can be! – it feels different and lighter than when we get bad weather in the middle of winter.

According to the ancient Taoists and other traditional According to traditional medicine, the most important organ that we can look after in the springtime is our liver. This will support us making the changes and adapting to the new season of growth.

knowledge systems, this is because the Energy of the season is changing. Wintery Energy is a time to rest and build up our spiritual reserves. Springtime is about regenerating and renewing. It is the morning of the year.

If you failed at New Year resolutions like losing weight, drinking less or giving up smoking perhaps you were simply doing it too early! It is much easier to make healthy changes in the springtime than it is in the winter, just as it is easier to get out and exercise in the spring.

Supporting the liver is easy! No need for expensive programmes. Here are some really easy steps that you can really make a difference if you do at least three of them daily:• Eat lighter – less red meat and more leafy green vegetables • Eat fresher – cut down on the preserved foods and TV dinners • Get some exercise – it doesn’t matter what it is as long as you enjoy it!

• Get some fresh air! Always good advice!

• Plan a new project – something that you have always wanted to do. Planning is easy in the springtime.

• Laugh! Have fun! Be a little lighter in your own spirits.

The disturbing emotion for the liver is anger – so watch out for this. If you find yourself getting angry

with people or even the news then perhaps your liver energy needs a little support. The simple advice would be to lighten up! Take it in every way possible – lose a little weight, eat a little less, think kind thoughts.

You will soon make friends with the transformational power that takes the dead and dormant feeling of winter and through natural alchemy gives you the magic of springtime!

Finally, if you are one of the people who would prefer to be curled up in front of Netflix, don’t worry!

Don’t put pressure on yourself. Remember that some flowers take a lot longer to open than others.

Ki-Ways is all about healing for the body, mind and spirit using things like Tai Chi, Shiatsu healing and meditation amongst others. www.ki-ways.com, find Ki-Ways on Facebook or ring 07413 620344, if you would like to find out more.

39

BIRDS

A lockdown love...

Things that go ‘tsweep’ and ‘chirp’ in the night Words and Pictures by William Bowell

I love the change in the seasons, dear reader. I love how each one brings a whole new landscape with it. And I particularly like the new bird life each time of year brings.

As I write this in late February, the first spring migrates have started retuning to our shores. The warm southerly airflow has brought a wave of unusually early Sand Martins (Cambridgeshire’s earliest were at Ferry Meadows, for example) and I dare say the first Swallow will be seen this weekend...

Common Scoters are a seaduck which normally only gets recorded around here after a foggy night... until now.

Last year, during the first lockdown I was inherently aware of new arrivals to our local scenery during the spring, as I am every year. But being stuck at home, with warm weather and there only being so much Netflix one can endure of an evening, resulted in a new dimension being added to my wildlife ‘experience’.

I have always been semi-conscious of the nocturnal migration that some birds do.

It’s a bit of an unknown wonder. Do they follow the stars? Use the earth’s magnetic pull from each poll? Or do they just know which way to go?

It’s fascinating, for sure, but bar the tseeping from overhead migrating Redwings in late autumn or the odd Whimbrel twittering over in the summer, I had barely given a thought to the fact that I could experience birds on migration in the darkness of night. But then came 2018.

At the time I was living in a small village in the Fens, between Holbeach and Spalding and only a stone’s throw away from where the mighty Welland meets the Wash. One early spring evening, I saw someone on social media reporting that it was all kicking off above their Derbyshire garden with Common Scoters crossing from the Atlantic to the North Sea under the cover of night.

May as well stand outside, thought I, and shortly after heard a flock of birds flying over, the call of which I had never heard before. A quick check online– Common Scoters! Wow! A coastal duck over my house, inland (albeit it just). Numerous evenings stood outside afterwards were rewarded with coastal waders and more ducks flying over but I felt my proximity to the Wash was definitely the reason for my success.

Fast forward to spring last year, How often do you see a Moorhen fly? Never? Well they I had moved back to Deeping probably fly over your house frequently.

St James and lockdown was in full swing. Birders are stuck indoors or local, en masse; cue the mass discovery of nocturnal migration (or ‘nocmig’ as it has become known) and our ability to witness it, audibly, anywhere.

True water birds, such as Coots and Moorhens; birds you never seen fly in the day at any height, were soon heard on multiple nights over our garden and the calls were slightly different to what you usually hear when they are on water.

Presumably these were just locals, flying around or perhaps just making short migration hops at night. Another species, related to the Moorhen and Coot, the Water Rail also flew over the house a couple of times – their squeals are very distinctive and unlike the former, they called exactly the same as when you hear them from deep within a reed-bed! Other familiar water birds, such as Gadwall, Teal and Mallard also made appearances (invisibly, you understand).

Distinctive with their ‘kluuit’ call, Green Sandpiper is a common migrant through our local ditches and gravel pits The beautiful Teal are frequent night time flyers. but not recorded over towns so often!

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A couple of pals of mine in Peterborough and Helpston were also partaking in this nocturnal look out. The excitement between us over the discovery of all these new water birds flying over our

BIRDS

houses in the night built and regular phone calls saying ‘I’ve got a ... flying over’ probably drove our respective partners mad... if we were ever indoors to see them that is!

Other birds also flew over that night– I heard an Oystercatcher, which could easily have just been a local breeder but a flock of Curlews picked up by Hugh again in Helpston also set a course for my garden! What a revelation! During the rest of the spring and indeed the summer, I would often sit outside after dark for an The excitement peaked in early April, with news hour or so and listen. Sometimes nothing flew over but other times I reaching us that once again that marine duck, would score a Green Sandpiper or a Dunlin- wader which was living Common Scoter, had started their migration from Every Autumn I hear hundreds of Redwings returning nowhere near its habitat. I would never record from our property the Seven Estuary to the Wash. Finally one evening, from north at night without the revelation of ‘nocmig’. It really has transformed my my friend Hugh called me to say he had a flock of enjoyment of wildlife from my garden.

Common Scoters flying over and they were heading my way!

And back to the present day. It’s 12°C outside, balmy for February and promises to be a The chances of them really heading exactly in my direction seemed pretty slim. still evening... I wonder what will fly over Deeping tonight?

The distance between Helpston and the Deepings isn’t exactly tiny and there are plenty of houses in both villages that the birds could have flown over and they Will works at Grasmere Farm in Deeping St James (with a butcher’s and deli in Market could have even changed course! But to my absolute joy and surprise, I strained Gate, Market Deeping) but in his spare time enjoys wildlife watching locally and my ears to the south west and there I heard the pipping calls of a flock of Common across the country. He is also a keen photographer. Many of his images can be found at Scoters! http://justwildimages.blogspot.co.uk/

The Warehouse, 74 Station Rd, Deeping St James PE6 8RQ Tel: 01778 342665

General Pet supplies and speciality Wild bird food Visit us for the greatest selection of dry dog foods in the Area. All at the cheapest prices

Many other brands available, ring and ask!

Cat food and treats, dog treats and chews, rabbit and guinea pig food and bedding Chicken layers and growers pellets, chick crumb, parrot, parakeet, budgie, canary etc Finest selection of straight and blended seeds for garden birds Fatballs, suet products, feeders, nestboxes and lots more. All at the best prices in the area 41

New Farm Shop & Tea Room opening soon!

Follow us on social media!

01733810229 – moorfarmshop.com – moorfarmmeats@hotmail.com Moor Farm Shop, Decoy Road, Newborough, Peterborough, PE6 7QD Selling home grown, free range beef and lamb alongside local pork and free range chicken. Lots more local produce available too.

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Image: Jim Thody

TRAVEL

Suffolk springs into words!

Novelists Erica James and Isabelle Broom who appear via zoom for the Deeping Literary Festival Valentines & Mothers Day events both live in the county - learn more about the allure of Suffolk with Natasha Copland Famed for its big skies, Suffolk boasts 50 miles of heritage coastline dotted with wonderful seaside towns offering opportunities to spot and photograph wildlife.

Home of horse racing, Constable country, medieval towns and many historic sites, inland Suffolk also has much to offer. Foodies will adore Suffolk’s excellent produce, gourmet restaurants and pubs.

See/Do: • Giggle at the naughty water clock on the pier in the otherwise classy seaside town of Southwold. Beer and gin fans will enjoy touring Southwold’s world-famous Adnams brewery and distillery. Visit the lighthouse and stroll along the pretty beach-hut lined promenade.

• Hope for a bite at the self-appointed capital of crabbing at Walberswick and enjoy the village’s peaceful beaches, nature reserve and views of nearby Southwold.

• Spot some of the UK’s rarest wildlife at RSPB Minsmere.

• Browse the independent shops and art galleries of the traditional seaside town of Aldeburgh.

• Wander around Snape Maltings, a collection of redeveloped Victorian industrial

buildings housing independent shops, eateries, galleries, music venues and surrounded by an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

• Dare to look down from the wall walk of Ed Sheeran’s ‘Castle on the Hill’ at Framlingham, a 12th-century fortress conserved by English Image: Jamie Overland Heritage.

• Marvel at the archaeological finds of Sutton Hoo, recently the subject of a Netflix film.

• Delve into 15th-century history when wool made Suffolk one of the richest continued > 43

Image: Erica Christopher

TRAVEL places in the country. Explore the wool town of Lavenham, named ‘England’s Best-Preserved Medieval Village’.

• Admire the scenery at National Trust Flatford Mill, where sites depicted in The Hay Wain by John Constable are unchanged to this day. Hire a boat to enjoy the stunning views.

Eat/ Drink: Pop into the wee beachside fish huts to pick up a pot of fresh seafood. Hot salted fish and chips taste excellent enjoyed straight from the wrapper on one of Suffolk’s many lovely beaches. Treat yourself to an indulgent afternoon tea at the Swan Southwold, with a glass of Adnams fizz.

Image: Erica Christopher

For a local fish supper head to Pinney’s of Orford where the oysters come from their own beds and they smoke their own fish, a restaurant simple in décor but big in fresh flavour.

Watch the sun go down over the river whilst enjoying pub classics and fresh seafood at the Michelin guide-recommended Ramsholt Arms.

Stay:

Just a few minutes from the beach, The Swan at Southwold offers beautifully styled historic accommodation and fabulous food plus a free bottle of Adnams gin for every guest! Rooms from £190. https://theswansouthwold.co.uk.

For an inland stay, The Swan Hotel and Spa at Lavenham showcases the town’s medieval charms with wood-beamed bedrooms combined with contemporary comforts and a modern British restaurant. Rooms from £125. https://theswanatlavenham.co.uk. Can’t decide on an inland or a coastal stay? Rent a cottage in Woodbridge and make the most of both.

Note: Please do check Covid restrictions in advance of your visit.

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To speak to Natasha about a trip pop an email to natasha@yourtrip. world and for more information about Your Trip Travel Concierge go to www.yourtrip.world

Image: Erica Christopher

Lavenham

Hot food from the kitchen of the Bluebell at Helpston Each SaturdayVALENTINE’S 5-7pm DINNER & Sunday 12-2pm Looking for a show-stopping meal this Valentine’s Day?

We all need a treat so take a look at what our Chef, Dan’s has put together just for you: A complete and delicious, easy to cook meal for two This recipe (with instructions) will take 30 minutes to cook,

Celebrate Mothers Day time to set the table and open a bottle 🥂🥂🥂🥂 ! giving you enough Sunday 14th March with In your bag: Main special course - Individual our MenuBeef Wellington or Vegetarian Roasted Beetroot Wellington Dauphinoise potatoes, cooked and chilled Tenderstem broccoli, cooked and chilled Baby carrots, cooked and chilled Cafe Paris butter TOde START: MAIN COURSE: Red wine gravy PRAWN COCKTAIL SALMON RISOTTO

Prawns with romaine lettuce Sweet chilli salmon fillet on a bed of to Rose finish on a sweet note - choose from risotto with sun andThen Marie sauce lemon and fennel Rich chocolate torte with orange creme fraiche, or kissed tomatoes SOUP Mango tart tatin with coconut and lime Chantilly cream Dan’s home-cooked pea ROAST BEEF and ham soup Roast potatoes, of £45 forselection 2 vegetables, Yorkshire pudding Extras: Bottle of Prosecco £9.95 and rich gravy Hand tied posy of seasonal flowers £15

ROAST CHICKEN Chicken breast with roast potatoes, selection of vegetables, Yorkshire pudding and rich gravy LAMB ROAST Slow cooked shoulder of lamb with roast potatoes, selection of vegetables, Yorkshire pudding and rich gravy

TART TATIN Goats cheese and vegetables tart tatin with roasted root vegetables DESSERT: Vanilla Cheesecake with fresh fruit Rich Chocolate Torte with orange sauce Sticky Toffee pudding, fudge sauce

(makes a lovely centre piece for the dining table) Book early to avoid disappointment email hello@bluebellhelpston.co.uk for booking form

Two courses for £16.50 Three courses £18.50 The Bluebell Inn

The Bluebell Inn, Helpston PE6 7ED Helpston PE6 7ED 01733 252394 01733 252394 07766 616961 bluebellhelpston.co.uk 07766 616961 bluebellhelpston.co.uk

Handmade crafts by Sandra Bossis Welcome to the world with handmade teethers and a whole zooful of handcrafted animals in cotton yarn from Sandra Bossis

tel:07419 356118 email:Sandrabossis@outlook.com

Secure your property with style!

Garage Doors

New, Repairs & Servicing for all types, inc. Roller & Sectional.

Blinds

Made to Measure, Roller, Venetian, Vertical, Roman & Vision.

Automate existing doors

Insect Screens

Lets air & light in, keeps the insects out.

Compact design, internally/externally fitted.

Professional, friendly & personal service No obligation Free quotations

Shutters

Domestic & Commercial, full height or cafe style, various colours.

Call: 07709 337647 www.garagedoorandshutterservices.co.uk

28 Cowslip Drive, Deeping St James, Peterborough PE6 8TE

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FLOWERS

Celebrate the changing of the seasons and bring a little piece of spring indoors Just a simple bunch of cheery daffodils can be paired with some seasonal finds to create a little bit of happiness in your home.

Gather some simple vessels such as old jars, bottles or jugs and spend a few quiet moments arranging spring flowers with some twigs, catkins and emerging blossom. Maybe pot some primroses into old teacups or Tete a Tete into recycling painted tins topped with a little moss.

Group your little pieces of spring altogether (I always like to think of it as a ‘spring nature table’) or dot them around the house to enjoy by your bedside, on the kitchen table or your desk so that you can appreciate a snippet of nature throughout your day.

My spring wreaths are a great way of welcoming spring and now available to order. Or why not make your own with my DIY spring wreath kit.

Mother’s Day posies and bouquets are also available to order. www.the-wild-garden.co.uk/ 47

Increase your kerb appeal!

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Choose a resin driveway to suit you. Resin driveways are a long lasting and easy to maintain option to transform the front of your home and improve the overall aesthetic of your property. Whether you are looking for something subtle or eye catching, we are confident you will find one that fits your requirements and compliments your home. Our resin driveways are available in a variety of colours.

A resin driveway is the eco-friendly alternative thanks to the non toxic materials. The finished product is also naturally draining, meaning no more puddles from heavy rainfall.

Benefits of Resin Driveways Durable Low maintenance Eco-friendly

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Resistant to abrasion, Many colours slipping, indentation available and ignition

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01775 888 336

Success for the Deepings Neighbourhood Plan!

Over four years of hard work by volunteers has succeeded in the creation of a new, detailed Neighbourhood Plan that will now sit alongside the District Council’s own Local Plan to ensure all planning applications conform to our locally devised policies.

The Deepings Neighbourhood Plan (DNP) has recently been submitted to SKDC and formally examined by an Independent Examiner. The Plan clearly sets out the ambitious Vision that will now guide the future development of Market Deeping and Deeping St. James to 2036 through the construction of five core Objectives and sixteen local Policies.

The Plan has been prepared through extensive local consultation and the team would like to express their sincere thanks to everyone who has contributed in any way to its preparation.

Over the past few weeks the independent external examiner, Andrew Ashcroft, has visited the Deepings, studied the submitted Plan, considered all the supporting documents, and held a Public Hearing.

The examiner’s conclusion is: “The Plan includes a range of policies and seeks to bring forward positive and sustainable development in the neighbourhood area. There is a very clear focus on safeguarding its local character and consolidating its existing retail and community facilities. It includes a series of heritage and design policies. It also proposes a series of local green spaces. In the round the Plan has successfully identified a range of issues where it can add value to the strategic context already provided by the adopted development plan.”

“The Plan has been underpinned by community support and engagement. It is clear that all sections of the community have been actively engaged in its preparation.”

“Subject to a series of recommended modifications set out in this report I have concluded that The Deepings Neighbourhood Plan meets all the necessary legal requirements and should proceed to referendum.”

The Deepings Neighbourhood Plan Group comprises

elected Councillors from Market Deeping Town and Deeping St. James Parish working collaboratively with specialist Advisors. All are delighted with the successful outcome and with the very positive comments the examiner makes throughout his report: “Section 5 comments about the Plan’s Vision and Objectives. It is well-constructed. It describes how the Vision and the Objectives of the Plan were developed.

Its key strength is the way in which the objectives directly stem from the Vision. The Plan identifies five overarching objectives as follows • A good home for everyone; • A prosperous and sustainable economy; • A distinctive local character; • A green, clean and safe environment; • Sustainable transport options for everyone.

The detailed Heritage and Character Assessment research that was undertaken as part of the background to the plan has provided us all with a much greater understanding of our local history and heritage.

Building on this foundation work, the Deepings Neighbourhood Plan focuses on the future and contains several innovations that enhance the scope of the regional SKDC Local Plan and provide protection for important places and services. Of particular importance for the Deepings is agreement for: • The expansion and improved protection of the town centre retail and commercial area. As well as safeguarding the five other local retail, business and service centres.

• The protection of Millfield Road (MD) and Back Lane (DSJ) as quieter ‘Green Lanes’ • Identification of seven key large open spaces as ‘Local Green Spaces’ and safeguarding them from potential future development

• Identification of thirty-six smaller open spaces as ‘Important Open Spaces’ and safeguarding them from development • Protection for twenty-four key local community facilities to prevent unwanted closure or change of use • Recommended guidelines for car parking arrangements on new housing developments • The designations of six ‘Important Gateways’ to improve the welcome to the neighbourhood • Promotion of a new park for the area as part of the housing expansion to the west of Linchfield Road • Keeping Frognall as a distinctive settlement by preserving a stretch of countryside between Frognall and Deeping St James • Developing twenty-three key improvement projects arising from the DNP consultations

Next steps The team has now agreed and incorporated all the examiner’s modifications into the Plan. Our Local Planning Authority, SKDC, has completely accepted this Plan, and will now publish it on their website to take it forward to a Referendum. The Referendum would normally be held in a few weeks’ time, though with the current pandemic situation, the current government information is that it could possibly be held with the local elections in May. Once the Plan has been successfully adopted, it must be made part of SKDC’s development plan. However in the meantime it carries significant weight as a ‘Referendum Ready Plan’ when planning applications are being considered. There will be ongoing information about the Referendum date and process.

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Deeping St Nicholas in 5 images by Andy Croyle The Big Skies The flat landscape lends itself to splendid views of the Big Skies; visitors are amazed that they can see the sun rise above the horizon then sink below it, all from the same spot and on the same day. Seventy-five years ago this sky would have been full of bombers flying to and from their bases all over the county; nowadays their modern counterparts use the skies over the village as a practice area and on some days the landscape echoes to the roar of their jet engines and afterburners as they perform their manoeuvres in the sky.

Saint Nicholas’ Parish Church Dating back to 1846 when the parish was formed, the stone-built church is a conspicuous landmark along the main road, and is grade 2 listed. Used – Covid-19 permitting – for a variety of purposes as well as religious services, the church hosts a children’s play group, whist drives, bell ringing, Parish Council meetings, craft fairs and fun days to name but a handful. The church is open to visitors every day and is regarded by many as the centre of the community.

The churchyard is also host to the village war memorial, where tribute is paid annually – Covid-19 permitting again – to those fallen in conflict.

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The wind turbines Love them or hate them, you can’t ignore them! Dominating the skyline for miles around since their installation in 2006 are the eight wind turbines north of the village. Fifty-nine metres from the ground to the hub with blades 42 metres long, these feed silently-produced green energy into the National Grid, and on a typical December day these would produce over 150,000 kWh, whilst running at a little over 40% load. They also benefit the village through the Wind Turbine Trust, contributing to a variety of community projects including the village’s much-loved primary school.

The level crossing Many road users going from Spalding to the Deepings or back will have groaned at the sight of the red lights flashing: ‘Why does it always happen to me!’ and this will be their lasting memory of the journey. After some teething problems when signalling on the Loop Line was upgraded to release capacity on the East Coast Main Line, the barriers are down for two or three minutes, three or four times an hour at most. The adjacent Littleworth station closed to passengers in 1961 but there is a group campaigning for it to be reopened since the village has expanded, and to save the signal box, made redundant by the signalling upgrade.

The agriculture Very much a farming community, Deeping St Nicholas and the surrounding area is home to many farms, predominantly arable. The area is host to a variety of seasonal cereal and vegetable crops, and in spring fields of flowers delight the eye. One of the less common crops is the sunflowers of Vine House Farm, whose seeds are destined to end up in bird feeders in all corners of the UK. Other crops include potatoes, destined for well-known brands’ factories and hence dinner tables and fast food restaurants across the UK, and sugar beet, on its way to regional processing plants. Lincolnshire truly feeds the nation!

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what’s on World Poetry Day March 21st will be celebrated at the Deepings Library with some surprise verse! Will you be one of the lucky ones to find a piece of purple prose on your walk that day? Keep an eye out for it!

Creative Writing with Tim Wilson - Online Online Course - Thurs 4-6pm, Online Zoom adult workshops Unleash your inner writer or hone your writing skills with these workshops!

When: Thursdays 4-6pm 18, 25 March, 1 April. No session 8 April.

15, 22, 29 April.

Where: Online - Zoom What: 6 session creative writing course Tickets: £30 for the course Book: https://www.stamfordartscentre. com/bookevent/creative-writing-withtim-wilson-online/361802

Treat your Mum (or yourself) to an afternoon of romantic chat and travel with award winning novelist Isabelle Broom on Mother’s Day March 14th.

After twelve years as Books Editor with Heat magazine, Isabelle Broom now writes contemporary romantic fiction with a sense of adventure and an evocative sense of place from Sri Lanka to Jersey. This promises to be an entertaining event filled with laughter and romance. Have your questions ready!

Via Zoom tickets are available on www. stamfordartscentre.com. Booking is essential.

Mothers Day

Sunday 15th March

A brand-new adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s dazzling novel. (recorded theatre) In a profile pic-obsessed, filter-fixated world where online and reality blur, influencer Dorian Gray makes a deal. For his social star never to fade. For the perfect self he broadcasts to the world to always remain.

But as his mental health starts to decline, as corruption and murderous depravity start to creep into his world, the true and horrific cost of his deal will soon need to be met. Cast: Fionn Whitehead as Dorian Gray,Alfred Enoch as Harry (Lord Henry) Wooton,Emma McDonald as Sybil Vane, Russell Tovey as Basil Hallwar,Joanna Lumley as Lady Narborough, Featuring Stephen Fry as The Interviewer Tues 16th March - Wed 31st March Once you have purchased your ticket you will receive a booking confirmation including your screening link. This link will be active on the date you have booked to view The Picture of Dorian Gray and will expire after 48 hours. £12 includes a digital programme. Age guidance: 16+ Content warning: The Picture of Dorian Gray includes strong language and contains scenes of self-harm, suicide, death and mental illness which some viewers may find upsetting.

Access: All screenings will be fully captioned. To book: www.pictureofdoriangray.com/?ref=6

2.45 pm for a piano prelude played by Will Fowler. 3.00pm Novelist, adventurer and journalist

Isabelle Broom

Zoom Session Tickets free - booking essential

For tickets visit wwwstamfordartscentre.com 52

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Oakwood Property Management Oakwood House, High Street, Market Deeping, Peterborough PE6 8ED www.oakwoodfinancialservices.co.uk 01778 341 658