Stanground Gazette February 2017 by Dimension6000

YOUR FREE LOCAL COMMUNITY MAGAZINE FOR THE STANGROUND & CARDEA AREA

FE IS BR SU UA E 3 RY 9 20 17

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your business OUR GUIDE

BUSINESS EXPENSES FOR FREELANCE OR SELF-EMPLOYED

classic cocktails chocolate mousse

HEALTH CHECKS FOR WOMEN 40 YEARS OF NENE VALLEY RAILWAY

experience THE AIR CADETS LOCAL GIGS, EVENTS & CLUBS

RECIPES

 BUY ONE FISH & CHIPS GET SECOND HALF PRICE

Valentine’s Day

THROUGHOUT AUGUST history behind the celebration Every MonThe – Wed Valid with the voucher only

NEWSRECIPESCHARITYEVENTSCHURCHCLUBSHEALTHBEAUTYENVIRONMENTMONEYBUSINESSFOODFEATURESMUSICACHIEVEMENTS NEWSRECIPESCHARITYEVENTSCHURCHCLUBSHEALTHBEAUTYENVIRONMENTMONEYBUSINESSFOOD FEATURESMUSICACHIEVEMENTS Multi award winning Fishtastic ﬁsh and chips

ANN

Y IVERSAR

Fishtastic of Cardea would like to thank Stanground for their continued support and custom

01733 303239 matt@ﬁshtasticfood.co.uk Unit 3, Bellona Drive, Cardea, Peterborough PE2 8GP

OPENING HOUR S Mon to Sat 11.30am - 2pm / 4.30 - 9pm Sun/Bank Holid ay Closed

www.stangroundgazette.co.uk February 2017 stanground gazette

stanground gazette February 2017 www.stangroundgazette.co.uk

IN THIS ISSUE

Valentine's Day Gig Guide

STANGROUND AREA USEFUL NUMBERS Stanground Community Centre 01733 552599 Stanground Library

01733 864302

Stanground Surgery

01733 568569

Peterborough City Hospital

01733 678000

NHS Direct

111

Police (Non-Emergency)

101

Southfields Primary School

01733 562873

Oakdale Primary School

01733 566237

St John’s Primary School

01733 703257

Stanground Academy

01733 821430

Electricity Emergency

0800 783 8838

Anglian Water Leakline

0800 771 881

St Michael’s Church School

01733 306 778

Local Taxi Service

01733 890 400

CONTACT US . . . T: 01733 854357 M: 07736 644553 E: info@stangroundgazette.co.uk Advertising: sales@stangroundgazette.co.uk

/stangroundgazette @stangroundmag

www.stangroundgazette.co.uk

WELCOME Hello and welcome to the February issue of the Stanground Gazette, your local community magazine. As well as all the local news from local groups and churches, 40th birthday celebrations are steaming ahead at Nene Valley Railway. There's details of how you can help Peterborough Association for the Blind by volunteering to support people who struggle with everyday activities and there's a feature on health checks that all women need to know about. Children from the Community Cadets at Southfields Primary School, spent time litter picking in South Street Park, Stanground. Great to see the children taking an active interest in improving their surroundings. As always, thank you for all your comments and pictures. Happy Valentine’s Day, Until next month, Lynsey and the team With thanks, as always, to our contributors and advertisers. Please don’t forget to mention Stanground Gazette when using any of the services advertised in our pages.

Pancake Day

Skin Care

25  Stanground Community 4  Home & Garden 8  Paws for Thought 13  Young Gazette 14  Your Business 16  Food & Drink 18  Health & Beauty 24  What's On 26  Consumer Courier29  Handy Numbers 29

Deadline for next edition: 7 February 2017

Another great publication designed & edited by

Website design & development Social media management Marketing consultation Publications, leaflets & posters Computer maintenance (Apple & PC)

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The Stanground Gazette is sourced & published independently by local residents, not on the back of any large organisation or society. Views and opinions written in this magazine may not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. The Stanground Gazette cannot be held to be responsible for unsolicited material. All artwork and design is the copyright of its respective owner. Reproduction of any part of this publication is strictly prohibited unless prior written consent is given by the publishers.

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stanground community East Anglian Air Ambulance

Only The Brave Only The Brave is a mud obstacle run taking place at Elveden Estate, Norfolk, on 1 and 2 April. Individual and team entries are available. Choose between a 5 or 10 mile run with over 40 obstacles; it will take everything you've got to finish, but we promise it will be worth it! We rely on you, our supporters, to take part and raise money to keep our helicopters in the skies.

#WeAreTheBrave onlythebraveraces.co.uk T: 08450 669999 This is a fundraising event for East Anglian Air Ambulance. Registered charity no. 1083876. Registered address Hangar E, Hambling Close, Norwich Airport, Norwich, NR6 6EG

Cardea Residents' Association Stanground Gazette would like to say a huge 'congratulations' to the Cardea Residents' Association and the CCSA Sports Association for their efforts with the Santa sleigh back in December. Much planning and effort went into this event, with the money raised being presented to the Amazon ward by Andy Ferris and Jason Holt. The money is planned to be used towards funding a mobile sensory unit. This is such a great event that The local residents put together a has been brought to Stanground fantastic Santa route circling Cardea and shows the wonderful and created an amazing Santa community spirit in our area. Well sleigh for all the children to enjoy done to all the team involved. We with the help of Adams Self Drive look forward to seeing you again Hire. next December.

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue VOLUNTEERS WANTED

Looking for something new to do in 2017?

AIR CADETS The Air Cadets are a military organisation funded in part by the RAF, however the Air Cadets are also a national youth organisation.

ur activities cover a wide range of areas – the usual military skills (drill, uniform care, military discipline) plus lots of other activities such as flying, sports, target shooting, adventure training, first aid training, fieldcraft, radio communications, ground flight school, marching bands, leadership and team building, and great fun. Being an air cadet has its own rewards and you will see the benefits of your own efforts by building on your achievements as you progress through the Air Cadets; earning BTECs and Duke of Edinburgh Awards along the way. There are also opportunities to attend UK and overseas camps to further your personal development. Worried about fitting in? Equality is a central part of the Air Cadets’

ethic. The cadet experience is open to everyone, so whatever your nationality, background or ability, whether you're male or female, if you're between 12 (and in Year 8) and 17 years old you can join us. Parade nights are every Monday and Wednesday evening from 18:55 - 21:30. We hold open evenings in March and September every year. You are welcome to come and have a look around the squadron, meet the staff and cadets and learn more about us. Following the open evening, if you wish to join we ask that you, and a parent or guardian, attend on the next parade night to fill in all the necessary paperwork. We look forward to meeting you at an Open Evening!

become a Community Champion Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service is looking for volunteers as CFRS is always seeking people from diverse backgrounds. The in your area to join our successful Community Champion scheme. scheme is run by the charity Community Champions Groundwork on behalf of CFRS. To find out more about the encourage local residents to carry Community Champions scheme, out fire safety checks in their contact Katie Dean on 01480 homes, visit community groups 587140 / 07736 132870 or email and educate about fire safety and escape plans. katie.dean@groundwork.org.uk We will train you, give you a And don’t forget to make a New Year Resolution to test your uniform and provide you with a smoke alarm, and that of your wide range of activities to choose elderly relatives, once a month from, all of which will help to keep our communities safe from the risk by pressing the ‘test’ button on of fire. the device. To find out if you are eligible for a free home fire safety No previous qualifications or specific skills are needed to check please visit our website. For more information on fire safety call 01480 444500. For the latest news, incidents and safety advice, or to contact us, log on to cambsfire.gov.uk. Sign up to email alerts and find us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook. 4

stanground gazette February 2017 www.stangroundgazette.co.uk

Visit our website: www.115atc.org.uk or email us at: 115@aircadets.org 4

stangroundcommunity

Southfields Primary School Children from the Community Cadets at Southfields Primary School, with staff and Councillor Rush, spent time litter picking in South Street Park, Stanground. Three black bin bags of rubbish were collected by the children in a very short time. The children have also been busy planting spring bulbs in tubs at the entrance of the Welfare Office at the school to make the area look more welcoming for parents. You may also have seen the cadets out and about recently in their high vis jackets with local councillors spray painting messages on the pavement encouraging dog owners to pick up after their pets. They lobbied the City Council for a much needed additional Dog Waste Bin. This request was granted and

another bin has been installed on the grass area just outside our school's side entrance. The Community Cadets meet regularly with local councillors to give information on graffiti, broken equipment in the parks, rubbish and general community issues. I am sure that you will agree that these young children are really taking an interest and responsibility in the local area, ensuring that Stanground continues to be a safe and attractive place to live.

40 YEARS

of Nene Valley Railway

Celebrations are steaming ahead

Bag up to £5,000 for local community projects TESCO is inviting local community groups, green space projects and other organisations to apply for their share of a £12MILLION carrier bag charge fund. The supermarket has teamed up with the charity Groundwork on its Bags of Help initiative, which sees the money raised from the 5p bag levy being used to pay for a large number of local projects to improve green spaces in communities. Tesco customers will decide on a monthly basis which groups receive grants of up to £5,000, £2,000 and £1,000 in regions up and down the country.

It’s expected that the new monthly format will see more than 100 projects receiving vital funding across Cambridgeshire every year. Funding will be awarded to projects that use and develop outdoor spaces in ways that will benefit their local community. We’ve already seen local groups, schools and charities benefit and look forward to seeing many more exciting projects come out of this initiative.

Find out more about how to bag your share or nominate a good cause at www.groundwork.org.uk/tesco

On 1 June 2017 the Nene Valley Railway celebrates 40 years since its opening. A single day certainly wasn't going to be enough time in which to celebrate four decades of railway preservation, so members of the railway have put together a remarkable year long programme of events to offer everybody the chance to celebrate with them. The first special event to be confirmed will be held on the 25 & 26 February. This marks the withdrawal from service of the amazing Bulleid designed express passenger locomotives. Two of these massive locomotives will be coming together for the first time. The first is 92 Squadron which is fresh from an extended rebuild at the railway, only gaining its certificate to run in January this year. 92, as it is fondly known, will

be teamed with Sir Keith Park visiting the NVR for the first time ever. The good news for spectators is that fares for this extraordinary happening will be no different from any standard steaming weekend. (Adults £16 seniors (over 60) £13 and Children (3 to 16) £8). The second event to be fully confirmed will be held from the 2 to 4 June. Steam locomotive Royal Scot will be joined by one of the legendary twin engine Deltic diesels: Royal Scots Grey running in disguise as lost loco Ballymoss. Details are still being finalised, but already planned and taking bookings are evening 'fish and chip trains' at £25 per person and opportunities for the public to buy driver experiences on either of the locomotives.

Wansford Station, Stibbington, Peterborough PE8 6LR T: 01780 784444 www.nvr.org.uk www.stangroundgazette.co.uk February February2017 2017 stanground stanground gazette gazette www.stangroundgazette.co.uk

february feature

THE BARBERS POD

IS NOW OPEN By Kate Duggan

Valentine’s Day Ah Valentine’s Day. Beloved by couples, greeting cards companies and florists the world over. But why do we give gifts and cards on 14 February?

alentine’s Day actually started as a Christian day to worship Saint Valentine, or rather St Valentines as there were several. The main one associated with Valentine’s Day was a priest in Rome, who is believed to have been executed on February 14th, almost two thousand years ago. Some historians believe that his crime was performing the marriage of Christian couples. The emperor at the time, Claudias II, was not a fan of the church and had supposedly forbidden people from marrying. It is said that he thought young men would be less prepared to die in battle if they had a wife at home to mourn them. Instead, he encouraged them to take several lovers. Valentine continued to perform marriage ceremonies in secret, but was discovered and sentenced to death. The story goes that Valentine healed the daughter of one of his jailers, and, on the day of his execution, left her a note, and signed ‘From your Valentine’. How much of this actually happened, we’ll likely never know. St. Valentine’s Day started to be associated with love around the 14th Century, when the idea of romantic love gained popularity. Geoffrey Chaucer referred to Valentine’s Day in The Parliament of Fowls, as a day when birds would meet their mate. 6

A poem by the Duke of Orleans, which he wrote for his wife while imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1415, is believed to be the oldest surviving Valentine’s Day gift. The Duke wrote:

Je suis desja d’amour tanné Ma tres doulce Valentinée (I am already sick of love My very gentle Valentine) However, it wasn’t until many years later that the giving of tokens of love on Valentine’s Day became commonplace. In Victorian times, cards were hand drawn, and hand cut. They would have been quite expensive, so were cherished and many still survive today. While February 14th is the most popular date for St. Valentine’s Day, the Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates it on July 6th. Other cultures and countries have different festivals to celebrate love. Columbia, for example, has Dia de Amor y Amistad (Love and Friendship Day) on September 20th. Unlike Valentine’s Day, Dia de Amor y Amistad isn’t just about romantic love, however. People might invite friends over for dinner, and give small gifts to family members. Whether you’re celebrating with a loved one, heading out with friends, or doing your best to ignore the day altogether, we wish you a happy Valentine’s Day.

stanground gazette February 2017 www.stangroundgazette.co.uk

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stanground churches

Stanground C of E Churches I recently heard a young woman speaking about her faith in God since childhood, a faith that had helped her through some incredibly tough times. But she never went near a church. Then, one day, when she was helping out at the local foodbank, she was in conversation with another helper, telling her about her life. The helper asked, "You are a Christian, why don’t you come to church?’" "Because I have a passionate faith and church doesn’t do passion" came the reply. She agreed to go along one Sunday and discovered that church really does 'do passion', and that in church she had 'come home’. She discovered that she needed these people and they needed her and

she is so happy about it. Here in Stanground there many Christians who don’t come to church for all kinds of reasons. I meet you when I am out and about and I would love to invite you to come to St Michael’s or St John’s (or one of the other churches in the area). You can find us online or give me a ring on 01733 707059. Or, maybe you know someone who attends church and you can ask them. If you are not sure about coming through the door for the first time, we’d be happy to meet you on your first time.

May God bless and keep you, Anne /StangroundCofEChurches

www.stangroundcofechurches.co.uk

Cardea Community Church December 2016 saw the first of Carols at the Pavilion in Cardea. Visitors joined us on both the Sundays (11 and 18 December), with the second one, the week before Christmas, being the more popular. Festive refreshments were served before and after and there was a distinct feeling that Christmas was not far off! The tree in the hall was beautiful and Christmas jumpers rounded off the whole seasonal feel. We sang carols, learned with the children the story of the candy cane (and ate some), and watched video clips to help remind us of the real meaning of Christmas. Finally, we listened to the wonderful truth that is found in the

Bible: that God came to earth as a baby some 2,000 years ago, when Jesus Christ was born. Cardea Community Church meets every Sunday at 10.30am in the community hall at the pavilion to put to one side the humdrums of life and remember again that Jesus is real and can be known personally. Please feel free to join with us if you can!

Stanground Baptist Church Christmas coffee morning raises money for local charities A well attended Christmas coffee morning on 22 December at Stanground Baptist Church added to money raised over the past year for local charities. Visitors enjoyed an array of Christmas goodies, including cranberry and apple sausage rolls, Xmas tree biscuits and a chocolate Rudolf cake; all home-made and very moreish! The coffee morning, run by church members Rachel, Marion, Hayley and David, offers a friendly and relaxed place to enjoy a variety of delicious home-made cakes and savouries, hot drinks and a chance for a chat. It takes place on alternate Thursday mornings from 10-12 am throughout the

year, including school holidays and everyone is welcome, including children. There is no charge for refreshments, but donations can be made, which are divided between the church and local charities. Each year the people attending the coffee morning vote for their favourite charities and this year a total of £333 was divided equally between Peterborough Hospital Neo-natal ICU, Peterborough Street Pastors, Sue Ryder’s Thorpe Hall and Great Ormond Street Hospital, meaning each charity will receive £83! Also a special coffee morning for Macmillan Cancer Care raised an additional £66.

Sharing the message of Jesus ◆ New church, new community ◆ Warm welcome to all

◆ Relaxed, relevant & respectful Now meeting at Cardea Community Sports Pavilion, Bellona Drive, Peterborough PE2 8GP. Sunday mornings at 10.30am

t 07432 130565

e cardeacommunitychurch@outlook.com @CardeaComChurch

/Cardea Community Church

If you are interested in attending this month the dates are 2 & 16 February; please check future dates on the noticeboard outside Stanground Baptist Church on Chapel Street or on their website: stangroundbaptistchurch.org.uk www.stangroundgazette.co.uk February February2017 2017 stanground stanground gazette gazette www.stangroundgazette.co.uk

home & garden Compost

By Rachael Leverton

Home-made compost is a thing of wonder...when all goes well! But too often it goes horribly wrong and instead of rich, sweet, crumbly stuﬀ we end up with a putrefying heap. For a long time I believed making great compost was beyond me. There are so many methods and myths, it all seemed too complicated. Well good news...it isn’t! Compost containers You can’t use: You can make your own. It’s very easy apparently, using old floorboards, posts and wire netting. Unfortunately I am to DIY what elephants are to hang gliding so I opt for ready made bins. Check with your council as many offer cheap bins to encourage recycling. If not, garden centres stock a good variety. Size matters! A container should be 3 ft / 1m square minimum, preferably larger. This allows heat to build up inside the heap which aids the decay process. Position it out of the main line of sight, behind a shed or some tall plants.

Compost materials Fruit and veg scraps Coffee grounds and tea bags Old flowers and bedding plants Garden clippings Annual weeds Crushed egg shells Small animal bedding (e.g. rabbit) Shredded cardboard, including tubes Egg cartons Lawn mowings

Food waste (bread, meat etc.) Cat and dog faeces Evergreen leaves Thick rooted perennial weeds

How to make compost I’ve tried several methods, including my late grandfather’s which involved careful layers of various ingredients and sprinkling on lime at intervals. It worked, but I’m a lazy gardener really and can’t be bothered with all the faff. This is my method, worked out through a combination of trial error (lots of error!) Mix all material together so there is no concentration of any one sort. Firm it all down, moisten it, cover it with some old carpet to keep heat in and prevent evaporation If you start the process now, by autumn you’ll be digging in your very own wonderful compost, dragged from the bottom of your heap. You’ll have done your bit for recycling and best of all...it’s free!

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10 stanground gazette February 2017 www.stangroundgazette.co.uk

home&garden

Top cleaning gadgets from Peterborough and Channel 4's Queen of Clean

The Kärcher

The Vax Cordless Air

The Sconic Scrubber

The Bissell Steamshot

I can't stand seeing marks on glass, especially when the sun is shining. It's really not nice to look at dirty hand marks. I demonstrated this little number on Ideal World a while ago and fell in love with it, so easy to use and it's also great on the shower doors. Dirty windows can be a real nuisance, especially after the winter months when dirt and stains reduce the quality of light within your home. So I would highly recommend that you pick one of these up. The WV5 builds on Kärcher's original window

I love my VAX and literally couldn't live without it. It's so lightweight to use and you can lift off the main part for vacuuming the stairs and hard to reach areas. The fact that it is cordless makes it even better, I now no longer have to look for plug switches and it stops me from constantly bending down. The price is very competitive and it comes with a 5 year guarantee. The Vax Air Cordless has steerable technology and a low recline means that with the

The Sonic Scrubber is amazing and everyone must have one. Just imagine breezing through your cleaning without using any elbow grease... The Sonic Scrubber does all the hard work for you even on the toughest of tasks. The oscillating head moves 10,000 times a minute to make light work of shift grime and with a choice of four cleaning heads, this multipurpose cleaning tool tackles all sorts of household cleaning tasks. From cookers to taps, pots and pans in the kitchen, or tile grout

This little Bissell steamer is fab. The Steam Shot is the first handheld steam cleaner by Bissell. It's especially designed with modern steam cleaning needs in mind and is simple to use on a variety of surfaces. The Bissell Steam Shot portable steam cleaner and the 400ml tank can give up to 10 minutes of

vac design, promising you great looking, streak-free windows with the greatest of ease. Equipped with an extended long-life battery which is inter-changable, you can continue working without stopping to recharge. The unit’s LED display shows the level of battery life, so you’re never caught short. Suitable for use inside and outside the home, the WV5 also simplifies cleaning other glass or mirrored items.

flick of your wrist you are able to manoeuvre around furniture and get underneath tight spaces with ease. The Air Cordless offers two fade-free LithiumLife batteries ensuring you are never without power. Having up to 50 minutes runtime makes cleaning larger areas a breeze. This truly is an amazing machine and I highly recommend you purchase if you're looking for a new vacuum.

and all those fiddly, hard-toreach nooks and crannies in the bathroom, the Scrubber works like a large electric toothbrush, with an oscillating, sonic action that dislodges dirt in no time. Be warned though, with so many uses around the home, you'll find it hard to put down! I use mine daily and once I start I am on a mission! I found this little gem on the Amazon website.

continuous steaming and it's chemical free! Weighing just over 2kg, the Steam Shot is the handy, eco-friendly way to clean around the home. I picked mine up in Tesco a while ago and paid around £40. Money well spent! Go on treat yourself.

www.stangroundgazette.co.uk February 2017 stanground gazette 11 11 www.stangroundgazette.co.uk February 2017 stanground gazette

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Station Bridge Veterinary Surgery OPEN NOW

Paws for thought

The communities of Yaxley, Farcet, Stanground and surrounding areas have a new vet. Station Bridge Veterinary Surgery, Yaxley, is now open. Edward and Emma Jones, who have two young children, had always planned to open a small animal veterinary surgery that could provide a caring and supportive service with a homely atmosphere for pets and their owners. “We have only been open a few weeks and already there has been a really positive response from pet owners,” said Emma. The Station Bridge team all feel that getting your pet used to going to the vet helps when they really do need to go. “Feel free to pop in for a chat and look round if you are going for a walk." Station Bridge Veterinary Surgery is full of fresh ideas including their own Health Plan,

which provides instant savings to clients for their routine treatments as well as discounts on many other purchases. Additionally, if you have a new kitten or puppy, Station Bridge Veterinary Surgery will provide FREE first vaccinations, a discounted neutering, and a half price microchip if you sign up to one of their health plans. Station Bridge Veterinary Surgery have also launched their own brand of pet food, Station Bridge Paws and Claws Café for kittens, puppies and adult cats and dogs. “We wanted to provide our clients’ pets with a quality everyday food that was both nutritious and highly palatable,” said Edward.

Further information and details of the Health Plan, Station Bridge Paws and Claws Café and other offers can be found at stationbridgevets.co.uk or via Facebook. You can also register your pet on line or call them on 01733 615447.

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young gazette Music for Little People Music For Little People celebrated its 20th birthday in 2016! Classes have been running in Yaxley for 12 years now and for the past 8 years the classes have been taught by local mum of two and ex-primary teacher, Louise Wootton. The exceptional curriculum of songs, instrument time, rhythm exploration and music from many

Are you looking for something fun, stimulating and enjoyable that you and your little one can do together whilst meeting new parents? If so, then Music for Little People is just for you! cultural traditions makes the Music For Little People experience unique while developing important speech, listening and motor skills for your child. Classes are split by developmental age from birth to five and follow a familiar structure each week to give children and their grown-ups confidence to

enjoy the music making adventure together! It’s not too late to enroll for the new term. Classes are held at the British Legion Club on Broadway on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for ages 2yrs + and 0-2yrs. Louise also runs classes in Netherton on Mondays and Fridays and Eye on Thursdays. Music For Little People can also provide music for nurseries, preschool parties. “Caitlin attended for approximately 18 months before starting school. She thoroughly enjoyed the group each week, learning new songs and using instruments in a playful way. Louise was always child focused and enthusiastic, bringing the quieter ones out of themselves while still

giving the more vocal ones a voice. My daughter has gone on to join the school choir while in reception, through having gained the confidence in group. Also regularly still groups her dolls and teddies to play 'Music for Little People' singing songs and doing the actions that have stayed with her. Thank you Louise” Claire “We love MFLP. Ben has learnt so much and really enjoys the songs during and after the classes. We've both made great friends and Louise is a fantastic leader - always patient, fun and full of energy!” Alison “MFLP is fab. Jessica loves going as do I. Great songs and actions. Would recommend it to anyone.” “My little ones have loved every minute of these classes” Lisa.

Contact Louise on 01733 241947, 07564292221, through our Facebook page: Music For Little People – Peterborough or email lwootton@musicforlittlepeople.co.uk to book a free trial class. Check out our website: www.musicforlittlepeople.co.uk

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younggazette

Little Acorns

Day Nursery and Montessori School We have had a busy January at Little Acorns. The children have enjoyed getting creative and making winter pictures. We have been using different materials and paints to create the children’s masterpieces. We have also been out in the garden exploring the ice and cold weather. We are hoping for some snow so that we can build a snowman!

The Rose room children are spending more time taking part in Montessori activities, enjoying having some more structured activities in their room. We are looking forward to some parents coming into the nursery for lunch with their child in February. The children will help serve the lunch and show their parents how independent they can be. We are now taking bookings for children to start at Little Acorns Day Nursery and Montessori school in August 2017. For more information please contact us on 01733244000 or email us on littleacorns.daynursery@yahoo.co.uk

NCT Peterborough is looking for volunteers NCT Peterborough is looking for enthusiastic people to join its team of volunteers. NCT is the UK's largest parent charity and each year it supports millions through their first 1000 days of being new parents. There is a wide range of activities that volunteers can help with from making tea at local Bumps and Babies groups or organising NCT Nearly New Sales to becoming a treasurer or newsletter editor. Leanne Fowler, Branch coordinator, NCT, says: “We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers who are passionate about making a difference to parents locally. Volunteering provides an excellent opportunity to use and develop your skills and

experience but most importantly it is a great way of making friends and having fun.” “Helping parents will give you a sense of satisfaction for your efforts - and you’ll gain some useful voluntary work experience to add to your CV.” NCT volunteering is open to all and it welcomes people from different backgrounds. Volunteers do not need to be parents or women to make a difference to local mums and dads.

Find out more at: nct.org.uk Anyone who would like to discuss further can contact Leanne Fowler, Peterborough NCT Branch Co-ordinator, by emailing (coordinator.peterborough@nct.org.uk) www.stangroundgazette.co.uk February 2017 stanground gazette 15

your business Business expenses for freelance or self-employed

he lower your taxable profit the lower your tax bill at the end of the tax year; however, any errors could attract penalties and interest charges so it’s important to get it right. The following list details some of the more common expenses which are allowable by HMRC:

1. Mobile phone costs

In addition to the usual office costs like stationery, postage, internet and line rental, which are all allowable expenses, you can claim some of your mobile phone costs as a business expense, the tricky bit is what proportion to claim as usually you will use your phone for both personal and business use. What you should in theory do is go through one or two bills each year and work out your business use vs personal use – that will be the basis of what % of your total bill to claim as a business expense. A more pragmatic approach that we suggest is that if you use your mobile phone heavily for business

If you’re self-employed or work on a freelance basis, your business will have various running costs. You can deduct some of these costs to reduce your taxable profit as long as they’re allowable expenses.

and just a bit personally then to claim perhaps 80% of the total costs for business would be fair and justifiable. However if you use it quite evenly for business and personally, then we would suggest claiming perhaps 50%. What you need to remember is that you might have to justify this percentage to HMRC in the event of an enquiry, so keep a note of your workings and lean on the side of caution when it comes to what % to claim.

2. Home oﬃce costs

With so many businesses operating from home, it’s important to ensure you have a sufficient home office cost put against your tax return. There are two ways to do this: A simplified HMRC rate of £4/ week, which the HMRC will allow you to put through without any back up, or to apportion the actual home running costs – include costs such as mortgage interest (but not capital repayments), rental charge, gas, electricity, insurance, service charges,

cleaning and council tax and then work out a fair business %. The simplest way of doing this is to firstly work out how many rooms you have in your house, then work out what % of the time you use one of the rooms for business use. Let’s say you use one of your rooms as an office half the time and the other half it’s a guest bedroom and say you have 5 rooms excluding bathrooms, hallways and kitchens. Say the total running costs of your house are £10,000p.a. then it would therefore be justifiable to charge £1,000 per year (50% x 1/5 x £10,000) to the business as rent. Another tip is that you shouldn’t use your office room entirely for business use – keep at least a small element of the room for personal use as this protects you from any potential capital gains tax issues when you come to sell.

and your business destination is allowable. Again you have two ways to do this – the simple flat rate of £0.45/ mile for cars up to 10,000 miles and then £0.25/ mile after 10,000 miles (you must keep a record of the business journeys you are claiming for) or to record the actual running costs of a car or other vehicle including fuel, road tax, insurance, repairs and servicing adjusted for the business proportion of total miles the vehicle is used for. You can choose whichever method gives you the best tax saving.

Non-allowable expenses

Money taken from your business to pay for private purchases is not 3. Travel and vehicle costs an allowable expense and neither All business travel between your is entertaining (client or staff ) ‘Usual place of work’ (which can be even if you spend the entire time your home if you operate from home) talking about work!

If there are any elements that you would like further clarification, speak to Polly at Leep Financial for a free initial chat on 01733 699 033

Join the Team! Often, for blind or partially sighted people, not being able to carry out everyday tasks is just one problem A major issue is that blindness cuts them off from the companionship and support of others. But it doesn’t have to be like that. Peterborough Association for the Blind is a local charity dedicated to providing face to face support for blind people all around the Peterborough area. Our team of volunteers provides everything from a regular friendly chat to help with attending special events and evenings out. You can help too! We’re always keen to add new volunteers, even if you can only help once in a while, when you have the time. Have a no-obligation chat with us now and ﬁnd out more. You’ll be joining a community of people of all ages that not only know they make a real difference but make new friends and have fun too. Contact us: 01733 344 844 info@mypab.org.uk

www.mypab.org.uk/supporting-us/volunteer www.mypab.org.uk/supporting-you/befriending-scheme

16 stanground gazette February 2017 www.stangroundgazette.co.uk

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yourbusiness

The Peterborough Biscuit Business Event When it comes to promoting local business, this event takes the biscuit! Peterborough arena, 8 February 8am - 6pm As an advocate of promoting businesses in and around the local area – we are gearing up to mix business and pleasure in 2017! The city and surrounding area is a hive of fantastic business talent, and a magnet for people looking to work and live in and around Peterborough . Peterborough has long been a ‘go to’ destination for companies and investors either looking to set up a business or expand an existing one, given our excellent road and rail links to major centres around the country. And with this in mind, we are delighted to be supporting and promoting Peterborough Biscuit – a unique event enabling businesses to showcase themselves and their products, as well as providing a fabulous

networking opportunity for the thriving Business Community that operates within a 25 mile radius of Peterborough. This is the area’ s largest business to business event, held on 8 February 2016 from 8am until 6pm – and it’s all under one roof at the Peterborough Arena at the East of England Showground, just off the A1. There will be informative seminars, exciting entertainment and inventive giveaways throughout the day, and a few surprises throughout too. All of this set against a background of food tasting, live music and much more. So, what’s not to love? This is a fantastic opportunity for Peterborough and its businesses and we are confident, along with the event organisers, that it will be a huge success.

If you would like to attend as an exhibitor at Peterborough Biscuit, or pop along as a visitor throughout the day, more details are available by emailing info@peterboroughbiscuit.co.uk, by calling 01733 351345 or visiting the website peterboroughbiscuit.co.uk

Land that job!

Network - Many people find jobs through people they know rather than traditional job adverts. Talk to family, friends and other people you know and ask if they are aware of any vacancies.

knock backs when looking for work. Don't take it personally if you are rejected or don't even get a response. It’s probably not because of anything you have done wrong.

Attract employers - Get potential employers to come to you. Post your CV online with various agencies and you could save yourself a lot of time and effort job hunting.

Find hidden vacancies - Many jobs are landed before they are advertised but you need to act quickly. Look into internal recruitment and get friends to tune into their own company grapevines. It’s a good way of getting your foot in the door early.

Think positive - We all get a few

YOUR LOCAL PETERBOROUGH JOB SEARCH Jobdex are a Peterborough based recruitment site that specialises in delivering all recruitment solutions to business clients and jobseekers alike. Jobdex are an exciting new online recruitment business based in Peterborough, created with the aim to help local job seekers ﬁnd their perfect career. Not only do we look out for the job seekers of Peterborough, but we’re also there for the city’s employers.Up load your CV today or join our website. Job Categories • Banking • Catering • Construction • Consultant • Ofﬁce • Professional • Retail • Services • Teaching

APPLY NOW www.jobdex.co.uk

By Sarah Davey

Knowing how to go about getting a job can be tricky if you have limited experience in the job market, but here are five tips which will increase your chances of gaining employment.

Target companies - Look at the organisations which might make a good employer and concentrate on them. This may mean you only look at the big employers in your area or it might mean that you look into one sector but nationwide.

1000s of local Peterborough based jobs at your ﬁngertips. Looking for a new employment? Then Jobdex can help you today.

Serviced Offices Conference & Meeting Rooms Virtual Offices

3 for 2 on all Conference & Meeting Rooms booked before 30th June 2017 Conveniently located close to Peterborough’s city centre and train station. High Quality Flexible Meeting Space available in full or half day bookings in a layout to suit your meeting needs.  Free onsite parking  Full AV  Complimentary tea & coffee  All-inclusive pricing packages  6-60 delegate rooms available

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T 01733 857600 E info@pinnaclehouse.co.uk www.pinnaclehouse.co.uk

www.stangroundgazette.co.uk February 2017 stanground gazette 17

food & drink How are those new year resolutions going? Gone along to any of the pub quiz nights yet? It is tempting when it's cold to stay at home but your local pub needs your support more than ever in these 'drier' months.

February

LOCALGIGGUIDE The Heron 28 Jan - Devil's Mojo 4 Feb -Sounds of Our Streets 18 Feb - Stone Pony 25 Feb - The Unknown 4 Mar - Stealer

The Swiss Cottage 27 Jan - Children of The Revolution 28 Jan - 3rd Stone from the Sun 3 Feb – Retrolux 4 Feb – Cutting Loose 10 Feb – The Expletives 11 Feb – Riff Raff 17 Feb – Ramshackle Serenade & Dizzy Miss Lizzys 24 Feb – Fired Up 25 Feb – The Motivators

Derrin Nauendorf Charters - 4 Feb

Charters 22 Jan - Charters Sunday Session presents The Palmy Uke Band 3pm 27 Jan - Easyer Said 10:30pm 28 Jan - Black Jack 10:30pm 29 Jan - Charters Sunday Session presents Jimmy Doherty 3pm & Vinyl Night 8pm 4 Feb - Blues on the Boat – Derrin Nauendorf 10:30pm 5 Feb – Sunday Session Bon & Justin 3pm 11 Feb - Sunday Sessions CJ Hatt 3pm 13 Feb - What the thunder said 17 Feb - Vinyl Night 8pm 18 Feb - Flashback Photograph 10:30pm 19 Feb - Sunday Sessions Paul Lake 3pm 20 Feb - Charters Open Mic 8pm 24 Feb - The Expletives 10:30pm 25 Feb - The High Rollers 10:30pm 26 Feb - Sunday Sessions Lexie Green

OLD R

We have a fantastic month of live music planned, so come and see some of our very talented locals. My friends in the Dizzy Miss Lizzys have teamed up with Ramshackle Serenade for an evening of fantastic music to sing and dance along to (Friday 17th). Also as February is the month of love and, of course, Valentines Day (Tuesday 14th), treat your partner or get out and meet some talent!

The Heron Meri says that they have had an awesome year! All 4 of The Heron's pool teams have done well throughout the year. The darts team are climbing the ranks and she says that they couldn't be prouder. They are planning a ladies' darts team this year, so if you are interested please pop in. The Stanground Women's Institute meets in The Heron's back room once a month, with the first meeting of 2017 held on 18 January. Meri says they are incredibly proud to sponsor Stanground Sports FC and look forward to continuing to do so this year.

EFER

ENCE

Their quiz on Tuesday evenings at 8pm is going from strength to strength, and their function room is available to hire for private parties. Meri wishes to thank all of her customers for their support during 2016 and is looking forward to seeing them in 2017. She says "Let's make it THE year for the good old local pub."

The Fenman The Fenman now has a sign outside looking for people to run the pub – any takers?

The Swiss Cottage I have been in contact with Ange who runs this busy pub and she has given me the low down on the live music that they have booked in – please see the guide (left). I popped into the pub - it was bustling and seemed to be popular with pool players – as a tournament was in full swing.

Charters Charters has a weekly quiz every Thursday from 8pm. It has free entry with a £20 bar tab for the winning team.

by Roz Wright

If you have any pub news, please send to: roz@stangroundgazette.co.uk. Find us on Facebook and join in!

SUNDAY BUFFET From £5.95 per person 12 noon – 10pm COCKTAIL BAR Indulge in an endless selection of unique and exotic cocktails in our cocktail lounge and patio garden

WEDNESDAY BANQUET Choice of any starter, main dish, rice, bread and a side to share £11.95

Indian restaurant & cocktail bar serving traditional Indian home cooking and legendary Desi street food

HOME DELIVERY Free home delivery service on all orders over £12 within a 6 mile radius of Yaxley

www.bollywoodtiger.co.uk info@bollywoodtiger.co.uk 124 Main Street, Yaxley, PE7 3LP 01733 246 519 18 stanground gazette February 2017 www.stangroundgazette.co.uk

food&drink

Tasty celebration

Peterborough’s popular Chinese restaurant, the Beijing Rendezvous, is currently celebrating its second anniversary as a buffet style, allyou-can-eat restaurant after 25 years as a traditional eatery

usiness Manager Mac, and his wife Carol, decided to make the transition after canvassing both their eat-in and take-out customers. Mac had noticed the lifestyle of customers was changing, giving them less time for lengthy meals, so he switched to a self-serve buffet service offering over 50 alternating starters, main course and dessert dishes. Now customers can serve themselves quickly with no waiting for meals to be prepared. Eat in, as much as you want, for less than £10, or take out a large box of your own choice for under a fiver. Mac, originally from Hong Kong, came to the UK 30 years ago. His Cantonese trained head chef, Peter, has over 40 years’ experience.

The Beijing Rendezvous can seat up to 100 covers, has a full drinks licence and is readily available for corporate and business customer lunches or dinners. “I carried out a marketing survey with my clientele just over two years ago and realised that customers don’t have two or three hours to spend in a restaurant waiting patiently for each course. Their work and home life has impinged on their free time. So it was then I decided that what was required was a dedicated allyou-can-eat Chinese buffet-style restaurant, eat-in or take-out, and the whole concept has proved very successful”, explained Mac. “We only use the freshest ingredients when preparing our meals. For instance, our sesame

prawn toast contains 100% pure prawns unlike some places which substitute chicken for prawns, or other cheaper ingredients. Our favourite dishes are vegetable spring rolls, satay chicken, vegetable samosas, spare ribs, sweet and sour chicken balls, grilled meat dumplings, mussels in black bean sauce, crispy seaweed and crispy prawn crackers. “I suppose our signature dishes are Szechuan prawns, beef in black bean sauce and our spare ribs in fruity sauce. Our secret way of preparing and cooking this last dish makes the ribs full of flavour and so tender the meat just falls off the bone. We only use the best quality and freshest prawns made with our own special Szechuan sauce”, he added.

Mac also celebrates the Chinese New Year with his customers. It starts on 28 January and goes through to 15 February. 2017 will be the year of the Rooster, which is the tenth in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac signs and represents the epitome of fidelity and punctuality. For ancestors who had no alarm clocks, the crowing was significant, as it could awaken people to get up and start to work. All customers who eat in the restaurant on the Chinese New Year are given a lucky red envelope containing a small gift.

The Beijing Rendezvous can be found at 59 Napier Place, Orton Wistow, Peterborough PE2 6XN, near Lynchwood Business Park, and there is plenty of free parking. View the Beijing Rendezvous website at http://beijing.sbom.co.uk like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/beijingrendezvous or speak to Mac directly on 01733 234 450.

Monday: 7.30pm

St Michael’s Cof E Primary School, Cardea For more information, call Kirsty on

01733 688627 or 07581 407037

Thursday: 5.30pm and 7.30pm Friday: 9.30am

Stanground Community Centre, Whittlesey Road For more information, call Elaine on

01733 346699 or 07729 689552

www.stangroundgazette.co.uk February 2017 stanground gazette 19

food&drink Try our own beef and lamb, local pork, homemade sausages and other lovely produce.

OPEN: Wed to Sat, 9am – 5pm

T: 01733 810229 www.moorfarmshop.com Moor Farm, Decoy Road, Newborough PE6 7QD

Kurryz

Indian Restaurant & Takeaway Service

Traditional Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine with a modern twist.

Authentic traditional Indian menu served Mon - Sun.

LIVE Lounge Event Friday 10 February FREE welcome drink. Cocktails also being served at the bar area. £19.95 per person for a set menu.

NEW Sunday Evening Buffet Nights Includes starter, main, rice and naan. Adults £9.95 Children £5.95 (under 12).

SPECIAL Tues & Thurs Banquet Nights Any starter, any one main course, share a side dish, vegetables, rice or naan. £9.95 (Eat in only).

Big screen • Free wifi • Bar area • Free parking

BOOKINGS 01733 245666 (after 5pm). Text 07889 707999 (daytime) 2 Stewartby Avenue, Hampton Vale Peterborough PE7 8ND

HOME DELIVERY WITHIN A 4 MILE RADIUS

Percentage of profits goes to an orphanage in Bangladeshi. NGO registered.

Party hire • Large bookings • Special kids’ dishes Corporate catering • Cocktails and mocktails

www.kurryz.co.uk

20 stanground gazette February 2017 www.stangroundgazette.co.uk

10% OFF TAKEAWAY COLLECTIONS

food&drink

EAT IN OR TAKEAWAY CAFÉ MEAL DEALS

FREE DELIVERY ON ORDERS OVER £12

Opening hours Sunday – Thursday 11.00am – 2.30pm & 5.00pm – 10.30pm Friday and Saturday 11.00am – 2.30pm & 5.00pm – 11.00 pm

Find us on Facebook

3 columbus Road, Off London Road, Hempsted, Peterborough, PE7 0LD www.wokandeat.com

Bitter sweet chocolate mousse

Impress your valentine and indulge your Valentine's sweet tooth with this rich easy to make chocolate dessert.

Ingredients

4 large egg yolks 1/4 cup sugar Pinch of salt 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate 3/4 cup of double cream 2 x Strawberry’s 1 x Cadburys flake

Method

 Finely chop the chocolate; then whisk together on the hob the yolks, sugar, and salt until sugar has dissolved and mixture is warm to the touch. Off heat, quickly whisk in chopped chocolate until melted and cocoa until smooth (mixture will be thick). Cool to room temperature.  In a medium bowl, whip the cream until soft peaks form. Whisk half of whipped cream into room-temperature chocolate mixture. Gently fold in remaining whipped cream. Divide mousse among four serving dishes or cocktail glasses for an added touch Chill for at least 2 hours in the fridge  Remove mousse from refrigerator 15 minutes before serving. Garnish with Cadburys flake broken up and a strawberry half. www.stangroundgazette.co.uk February 2017 stanground gazette 21

food&drink

Remember, fresh ingredien ts are the key to giving your cocktails tha t extra kick!

Pancake Day By Susan Brookes-Morris

This year Pancake Day is Tuesday 28 February

ore traditionally known as Shrove Tuesday, this is the Christian feast day before Ash Wednesday, which is the start of Lent. Lent is a time of sacrifice, so Pancake Day historically was the perfect time to use up ingredients such as eggs and fats which are intrinsic to pancakes. Historically Christians went to Church on Shrove Tuesday to seek absolution, otherwise known as shriving for their sins. So Shrove is taken from the word Shrive.

reason in Olney, racers must be local housewives or men dressed as such and wear an apron and a hat or scarf. During the 415 yard race they have to toss their hot pancake at least three times and the winner has to serve their pancake to the bell ringer and be kissed by him. Other variations of the race include the one held at Westminster School, where the cook tosses a huge pancake over a five metre bar in the playground and boys try to catch the largest

Classic Cocktails Bloody Mary

You will need: Ice cubes, 50ml (double shot) chilled vodka, 125ml chilled tomato juice, ½ fresh lemon (juice only), 1tsp of Worcester sauce, 2-3 drops of Tabasco sauce, a pinch of salt and ground pepper. How to make: 1) Grab a tall glass and fill around 1/3 of it with ice cubes. 2) Add the double shot of vodka. 3) Add the tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcester sauce and Tabasco sauce. 4) Stir well while adding salt and pepper. 5) Serve with a stick of celery - chewing after each sip will enhance the flavour!

Daiquiri

You will need: 50ml (double shot) white rum, 35ml fresh lime juice, 20ml sugar syrup, 1 lime wedge, cocktail shaker.

A bell would ring to call people to confession and this became known as the Pancake or Shriven Bell. The date of Shrove Tuesday varies because it occurs 47 days before Easter Sunday which also alters year on year based on cycles of the moon. In the UK there are various traditions associated with this day in addition to the eating of pancakes. These include: Pancake Races: - One of the most famous races takes place in Olney in Buckinghamshire where is it believed the idea of the contest originated. It is said to be based on the story of a local woman who whilst she was making pancakes, heard the Shriven Bell and ran to church still wearing her apron and tossing her pancake in a frying pan to prevent it from burning. For this

piece in order to get a cash prize from the Dean. From the twelfth century onwards, Shrove Tuesday Football Games were played out in the streets and often referred to as mob football. Nowadays only a few games take place as highways legislation has prohibited playing football on the road since 1835. In Scarborough on Shrove Tuesday, it is customary for a large skipping rope to be in place and for up to ten people to be skipping at a time. In some other countries, this date is known as Mardi Gras and is marked by carnivals. These are still linked to the concept of celebrating the last day of ‘fat eating’ or ‘gorging’ before the commencement of Lent. The French translation of Mardi Gras is Fat Tuesday.

22 stanground gazette February 2017 www.stangroundgazette.co.uk

How to make: 1) Pour the white rum, lime juice and sugar syrup into the cocktail shaker. 2) To mix well, shake the cocktail shaker vigorously for around 20-30 seconds. 3) Strain the mix into a martini glass and serve with the lime wedge on the rim of the glass.

Mojito

You will need: Crushed ice cubes, 50ml (double shot) white rum, a splash of soda water, 2 ½ teaspoons granulated sugar, 1 lime (juice only) 6 fresh mint leaves, 1 mint sprig. How to make: 1) Add the lime juice into the glass. 2) Add the sugar and stir until it dissolves in the lime juice. 3) Add the mint leaves (but don't stir at this point)! 4) Fill 1/3 of the glass with the crushed ice cubes. 5) Stir until the mint leaves start to break. 6) Add the white rum and mix in with the ice. 7) Top up with soda water and serve with a mint sprig on top.

Cosmopolitan

You will need: 50ml (double shot) chilled vodka, 15ml Cointreau, 15ml cranberry juice, 15ml pink grapefruit juice, 15ml lime juice, twist of orange peel (to garnish), cocktail shaker. How to make: 1) Pour the ice, vodka, Cointreau, cranberry juice, pink grapefruit juice, lime juice into the cocktail shaker. 2) To mix well, shake the cocktail shaker vigorously for around 20-30 seconds. 3) Strain the mix into a martini glass. 4) Hold the twist of orange peel over the glass and using a match, warm it for around 20 seconds until it flames. 5) While still flaming, place the orange peel into the glass to garnish. 6) Serve.

Manhattan

You will need: Ice cubes, 50ml (double shot) bourbon (or rye whiskey), 25ml sweet red vermouth, a dash of angostura bitters, 1 maraschino cherry. How to make: 1) Pour the ice, bourbon, sweet red vermouth and angostura bitters into a mixing glass and stir well. 2) Strain the mix into a martini glass and garnish with a maraschino cherry. 3) Serve.

Margarita

You will need: Ice cubes, 35ml tequila, 20ml Cointreau, 35ml fresh lime juice, 1 lime wedge, salt, cocktail shaker. How to make: 1) Pour the ice, tequila, Cointreau and lime juice into the cocktail shaker. 2) To mix well, shake the cocktail shaker vigorously for around 20-30 seconds. 3) Dampen the rim of a martini glass with water and then sprinkle with salt. 4) Strain the cocktail mix into the glass and serve with the lime wedge on the rim of the glass.

Mortgages made easy Putting the customer first with access to all the mortgage products available Paul McVey 07841 519461 Purchases, Remortgages, Buy to Lets

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Chartered accountants, business and tax advisors with years of experience helping people like you

Accounts Company tax VAT

Payroll Book keeping Year ends

Personal tax Planning Tax advice

Come and talk to us – your ﬁrst meeting is free T: 0844 8806383 E: enquiries@vigargroup.com

by Pete Bird, Bird & Co Certified Public Accountants

Money Matters

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

Spam alert: don’t fall for fake HMRC tax refund emails

We have received quite a number of our clients ringing us saying they have received an email from HMRC stating they are due a refund, is this correct?. May we remind clients and readers that HMRC tax refund scam emails are doing the rounds again? Even though it is a standard phishing scam, many taxpayers do fall for it. The worst part is that such emails often contain HMRC’s logo and official style reference which can make it difficult for the individual to detect the fraudulent activity. To save yourself from fraud, please keep in mind the following points: • Have we or your own accountant advised you that you are due a tax refund; • HMRC will never contact you via an email or a text message about anything confidential. They will correspond on the phone or by post; • HMRC will never ask you to disclose sensitive or personal information on email or text, such as your bank or credit/debit card details, or your pin number; • The language used in email spams is frequently poor. If you read them carefully, they are often easy to spot; • Do not visit the website contained within the email. For more details, go to the HMRC website page at https://www.gov.uk and type “tackling phishing emails” in the search box. An HMRC report states that it prevented 8 million malicious emails from reaching customers between April 2015 and March 2016. Let’s hope we all can make a difference at our level by staying alert. If you receive a suspicious message by email or text, please report it to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk

Making tax digital update

We have also received a few enquiries from client’s regarding Making Tax Digital. Over the last summer HMRC published six consultation documents on MTD that set out detailed plans on how HMRC propose to fundamentally change the method by which taxpayers, particularly the self-employed and landlords, send information to HMRC. This will in effect be the end of the tax return as we know it, we will be advising our clients accordingly and full details will be published here when they are fully known.

Dates to remember - February 2017

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

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

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

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

Smiths Funeral Directors Ian & Ruth Smith & Naomi Meadows Dip.FD

01733 34 74 74 Local independent family business ensuring personal care & guidance • Offering a full range of funerals at very competitive prices. • Pre-paid funeral plans are available. • 24 hour service Ample parking and easy access for the disabled.

smithsfuneraldirectors@btconnect.com

www.smithsfuneraldirectors.co.uk

Church View House, 75 High Street, Fletton, Peterborough PE2 8DT

1 February 2017 Due date for Corporation tax for companies with an accounting period ended 30 April 2016. 7 February 2017 Due date for filing and payment of VAT for the period ended 31 December 2016, unless you submit a paper return then the date is 31 January 2017. 28 February 2017 Ensure any tax that was due by 31 January 2017 is paid as you will incur a 5% surcharge plus interest on amounts unpaid after 28 February 2017. Monthly dates: 19th of the month: Due date for postal payments of PAYE, NIC and CIS deductions and on-line filing deadline for CIS300 monthly return to HMRC. 22nd of the month: Due date for electronic payments of PAYE, NIC and CIS deductions to HMRC. Certified Public Accountants supporting local businesses with cost-effective accountancy and taxation service for many years.

We specialise in sole traders, partnerships, small limited companies and all types of self-employed businesses, as well as all aspects of accountancy and taxation concentrating on the personal approach. Speak to Pete any time, for a free initial chat. T: 01733 248 180 F: 01733 248 190 E: pnbird@birdandco.ltd or info@birdandco.ltd

www.birdandco.ltd

www.stangroundgazette.co.uk February 2017 stanground gazette 23

health & beauty

 Local family dentist  Dentures  Implant referrals accepted

Yoga is an ancient form of exercise that focuses on strength, flexibility and breathing to boost physical and mental wellbeing. Yoga classes are held in Stanground but by perfecting a few poses Yoga can also be done in the comfort of your own home. Yoga improves health, improves your flexibility, builds muscle strength and perfects your posture.

•Fully qualified foot health professional •Thickened and fungal conditions •Specialising in the diabetic and neurovascular patient •Home visits or surgery •Dressing and padding •Verruca treatments •Ingrown toe nails •Blister treatment •Nail Clippings •Athletes foot

a g o Y

Other physical benefits include: • Improved respiration, energy and vitality • Maintaining a balanced metabolism • Weight reduction • Cardio and circulatory health • Improved athletic performance • Protection from injury

 Guided implant surgery available – less pain, more smile  0% finance available  Clear braces for adults - straight teeth for 6 months  Smile makeover with veneers, Emax crowns  Hygienist available  Botox and Dermal Fillers  Teeth whitening

www.whittleseydental.com Mon: 8.30am – 5pm | Tues: 11.30am – 7pm Wed: 8.30am – 5pm | Thurs: 8.30am – 5pm | Fri: 8.30am – 4pm

 01733 202 587  enquiries@whittleseydental.com Whittlesey Dental Care, 1a Blunts Lane, Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire PE7 1AH

Pilates

FRESECULAR

A NEUROV MENT ASSESS NEW FOR ALL * S PATIENT

Thomas Romeo MCFHP-MAFHP DIP FH t: 01733 380162 or 07522 541462 E: tomfootcareclinic@outlook.com Fully insured and CRB Checked *£21 clinic bookings or £26 home visits

RAMSEY MOBILE FOOT CLINIC • Corns • Callus • Diabetic Foot care • Fungal Nails • Ingrown Toe Nails • Toenail and finger cutting Qualified foot health professional offering the following treatments in the Huntingdonshire, Peterborough and Fenland areas. Proprietor Hilary O’Hagan MCFHP MAFHP

To arrange an appointment in the comfort of your own home please call: t. 01487 208917 m. 07526 131480 e: hilarypalfreman@gmail.com 24 stanground gazette February 2017 www.stangroundgazette.co.uk

Tues 7.45 - 8.45pm

Yoga COMBINING CHALLENGING FITNESS CLASSES WITH A MODERN MARTIAL ARTS VIBE Fresh and interesting fitness classes in a social environment, that will push you to your limits whilst still retaining that all-important FEEL-GOOD FACTOR! JAMIE JOHANNES 01733 462330 or 07534108840 jamie@inspiredfitness.biz http://ma-xercise.co.uk/ www.facebook.com/inspiredmaxercise

Weds 7 - 8pm

Mummy & Me (Pilates) Thurs 10.30 - 11.30am

6 wk course. £30 For all abilities.

To book, contact Kirsty

07801 974702 kirstyfordham@gmail.com Cardea Sports Pavilion, Stanground PE2 8GP

Sophie’sScissors MOBILE HAIR STYLIST • Friendly and professional, unisex hairdressing for all ages in the comfort of your own home • Hair style tutorials • Specialising in wedding hair MAS W FOR CHRIST BOOKING NO

Sophie Thackery

M: 07943 358663 T: 01733 649781 Hampton, Peterborough

health&beauty

Baby, it’s cold outside With temperatures outside plummeting and the central heating on full whack, now is the time that you need to nurture your skin.

e are the Beauty Boyz local Cardea residents who have a real passion for keeping our skin and bodies healthy throughout the winter. We use the right skin care, eat well and exercise in the hope of maintaining a full and active long life. This month we are focusing on the face. Our first top tip is to ensure that you are exfoliating, this removes older dead skin cells so that your skin can soak up moisture more easily. Our gentle exfoliator contains fossilised marine algae which exfoliates without scratching and is packed full of aloe vera to condition and guard your skins vital moisture levels.

The Beau ty

As tempting as it may be you should really avoid hot showers and opt to wash in luke warm water instead and always use a cream based cleanser that will lift impurities and make up without stripping the skin of its natural oils. We recommend the 180 face wash which contains a unique blend of sesame and soybean oils – rich emollients which prevent moisture loss and help maintain your skins natural moisture barrier. Winter skincare is just about as much as what you put into your body as what you put on your body and it’s really important to stay hydrated and also eat clean, broccoli is a particularly

boosted with skin enhancing ingredients. One area of focus is your eyes as the skin around your eyes is so delicate and particularly vulnerable in winter months. It’s vital that you use a good quality eye cream to keep this area super hydrated. With a nourishing blend of natural emollients including shea butter and kukui oil which improve skin suppleness help retain moisture our Intensive Eye Complex keeps those dark circles at bay. For maximum effect ensure that you apply skincare products

Boyz

to damp skin to help lock in the moisture. Whilst getting out of the shower on a cold night and applying all over body creams might seem like a chore it’s a must if you want to maintain your skin ready to bare all in summer! The most important thing to remember is that your skin is your biggest organ so you really need to take care of it, from both the outside in and the inside out. People will stare, make it worth their while!

For more information on skincare and well-being and our range of products and services including product showcases and individual treatments visit our Facebook page Facebook.com/beautyboyzuk/ or email us at thebeautyboyz@aol.co.uk

Health checks all women should know about This got me thinking, and reading. What sort of medical checks should we be considering in our 40s and beyond? Midlife MOT The NHS Health Check Programme is a free screening open to anyone aged 40 to 74. It targets the top seven causes of preventable death: high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, cholesterol, poor diet, physical inactivity and alcohol consumption – all the things that are more likely to cause us to become ill as we age and / or die prematurely. You’ll be asked about your lifestyle and family medical history, and have some blood tests. It was this blood test which showed up my own high cholesterol levels.

Cervical smear Cervical cancer is most common in women between the ages of 3035 but a fifth of cervical cancer cases occurred in women over the age of 65 so it is vital to have regular smear tests. You should have one every three years between 25-49, and every five years after that. A smear involves taking a small sample from the neck of the womb,

A routine blood test last year picked up the fact that I had very high cholesterol. I am 48, healthy, have a low body mass index, eat very little meat, no dairy, and I exercise several times per week, so it had never occurred to me to have my cholesterol levels checked. It turns out I have hypercholesterolaemia – my body makes too much cholesterol, and now I have to take medication to control it so I reduce my risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease in later life. By Louise Addison. called the cervix, to check for any abnormal cells that might lead to cervical cancer. Almost all cervical cancer is caused by the HPV virus, which is initially contracted by sexual activity. It may lay dormant for years before it starts to cause cancerous cells on your cervix. If you have bleeding between periods or after sex you should see your GP.

Mammogram Breast awareness is very important at any age, because breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK and affects one in eight women. A mammogram is an x-ray of both breasts to look for any changes that might suggest cancer. Depending on where you live you will be called for your first mammogram between the ages of 47 and 53. Regular self-checking is incredibly important too. Familiarise yourself with your family history if you can. If you notice any changes to your own breast tissue, such as irregular lumps, bumps, or skin dimpling, book an appointment to discuss it with your GP. Eye examination Most healthy people should

have an eye examination biannually. But if one of your parents has or had glaucoma, or macular degeneration, or you have certain underlying medical conditions such as thyroid dysfunction or diabetes, or you are aged 70+ attending annually is more sensible. An eye examination can pick up early signs of eye disease, as well as discover whether you need spectacles. Glaucoma and wet macular degeneration in particular have a much better prognosis if picked up in the earliest stages.

Bowel checks Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK yet accounts for the second highest number of deaths, so it’s essential to have regular tests. A test involves submitting a specimen of your stool for analysis through a postal self test kit. The test can detect tiny amounts of blood in the stool which may indicate cancer or precancerous polyps. Polyps can be removed before they go on to cause any harm. Everyone aged 60 to 74 is sent a free home test kit every two years from the NHS, but you can take the test if you are

younger than this and it’s a good idea if you have a family history of bowel cancer. You can buy a testing kit from good pharmacies.

Bone density check The menopause can seriously affect bone health. Once we’re over 50 we are at risk of osteoporosis because a drop in oestrogen for a prolonged period can cause a loss in bone mass. If you have a family history of osteoporosis, are a heavy drinker or smoker, have rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn’s Disease then it is important to have your bone density assessed. Low radiation X-rays are used to take pictures of your spine and hips while you are lying down. You can also request a ‘bone turnover’ test. This is a urine test which detects whether you’re losing bone mass. If you are you may need calcium or vitamin D supplements. Remember, prevention is better than cure. Most test results will simply give you peace of mind but if a problem is picked up, treatment is more effective the earlier an issue is identified. Take charge of your health in 2017.

www.stangroundgazette.co.uk February 2017 stanground gazette 25

what's on

Call 01733 854357 or 07736 644553 FERRY MEADOWS

Nene Park Trust hosts a range of events for visitors all year round. Here’s what’s happening in the park in January and February.

THISTLE DRIVE CRAFT WORKSHOPS

Beginner's Photography

Make a Bird Box

Friday 3 February 1.30 – 3.30pm, Ferry Meadows Country Park Join Ranger Ashley Wheal for a beginner's course. If you have a camera then bring it along for some tips on how to get the best from it.

Monday 20 February, 10.30am – 12.00pm & 1.30 – 3.00pm, Ferry Meadows Country Park Come and make a bird box with the team at Ferry Meadows to take home with you and provide a home for the birds in your garden. All materials and tools provided.

Cost: FREE, £2 suggested donation. Booking essential.

FRIDAY CRAFT DAYS 10am – 12pm

Through the Eyes of an Artist A Walk with a Difference

Needle Felting

Tuesday 7 February 10.00am – 12.30pm, Ferry Meadows Country Park Join Artist in Residence, Charron Pugsley-Hill, on a seasonal walk. Finish at Lakeside Kitchen & Bar for a hot drink, cake & a short creative session. This is not about being able to draw but about gaining confidence with colour and your creative side.

Fri 27 Jan

Lavender Hearts Fri 3 Feb

Keepsake Boxes Fri 10 Feb

Open Craft Fri 17 Feb

Cost: £5. Booking essential.

TEA IN A MONTH OF SUNDAYS

Art Workshop

We are opening once a month on a Sunday to bring you the very latest in Art and Craft therapy Workshops. These shall be on the last Sunday of each month. They are open to all, however some are only for adults ( this is stated) as the equipment used is not suitable for children.

Felt a Flower Workshop (adults only) Sun 29 Jan 1.30 – 4pm

Altered Art Sun 26 Feb 1.30 – 4pm All workshops are bookable in advance (this is not applicable for the open craft sessions) as places are limited. The cost varies for each workshop, further details for each workshop can be found in the events page.

March and District Annual Model Railway Exhibition Saturday 4 March 2017 10.00am – 4.30pm Westwood Community Junior School, Maple Grove, March, Cambridgeshire PE15 8JT Trade 7 Free Parking, Refreshments, Demonstrations, Club Stand, Pricing: adults £4.00, children £2.00, family £11.00 March & District Model Railway Club, The Rookswood Club Ltd, 27 West End, March, Cambs PE15 8DP www.mdmrc.co.uk

Line Dancing

FREE

Beginners class 6.15 – 8pm First two 2 FREE classes free! Intermediate class 8 – 10pm ON TASTER SESSI TASTER 5th & 12th Nov Sociable group with regular events SESSIONS 6.15 – 7.00pm

£4 per week Every Wednesday Stanground Community Centre (nr Aldi)

For further info call Ron: 07554 008221 26 26 stanground stanground gazette gazette February February 2017 2017 www.stangroundgazette.co.uk www.stangroundgazette.co.uk

Cost: £5. Booking essential.

Wild Wednesday Wednesday 22 February 10:00 - 2:00pm, Ferry Meadows Country Park Children and adults are welcome to come and join in some seasonal and wild crafts. Cost: FREE, £2 suggested donation.

Charming Worms Friday 24 February 10.30am – 12.00pm & 1.30 – 3.00pm, Ferry Meadows Country Park Come along to find out more about these amazing creatures and to have a go at charming them to the surface. Then make a wormery to take home with you.

Sunday 12 February 10.00am – 4.00pm, Ferry Meadows Country Park Create a beautiful wall hanging using a variety of mixed media including Cost: £3. Booking essential. vintage fabric and natural materials with local artist, Tilly. This full day workshop Kite Making includes hot drinks and lunch at the Saturday 25 February Ferry Meadows café. 10.30am – 12.00pm & 1.30 – 3.00pm, Cost: £40 includes lunch and Ferry Meadows Country Park refreshments. Booking essential. Let's go fly a kite, but first we have to Half Term Trail make them. Join us in making and decorating your very own kite. Monday 18 February – Sunday 26 February, 10:00am – 2:30pm, Ferry Meadows Country Park Collect a trail sheet from the Visitor Centre then hunt for clues as you walk around Ferry Meadows. Return to the Visitor Centre to claim your prize. Cost: £0.50.

01733 234 193 visitor.services@neneparktrust.org.uk

Cost: £3. Booking essential.

Persephone's Bed - Winter Saturday 25 February 11.30am – 2.30pm, Ferry Meadows Country Park Artist in Residence Charron PugsleyHill will be presenting the second in a series of four seasonally themed beds in the Park. Visitors are welcome to lie in the bed and enjoy the surroundings. Cost: FREE

what'son

your week at-a-glance StangroundClubs&Classes Monday MUSIC FOR LITTLE PEOPLE 9.45-10.45am for 2yrs+. 10.45am-1.30pm for 0-2 yrs. St. Andrews Church, Netherton. T: 01733 241947 www.musicforlittlepeople.co.uk LITTLE ANGELS PARENT & TODDLERS 10-11.30am (Term time only) T: 07715 083938 CUBS 6:30-8pm (8-10½yrs) Scout Hut, Thistle Drive. T: 01733 561479 LINE DANCE CLASSES Beginners: 6.30-7.30pm. Intermediates: 7.309.30pm (not BH). Stanground Community Centre. Ann Young T: 07950 253730 E: annyoung23@hotmail.com SLIMMING WORLD St Michael’s School, Cardea. 7.30pm. T: 07581 407037 PILATES 6 - 7.15pm with Helen Trill. Ashwood Chiropractic, Stanground. Booking essential. T: 07771 928231 to visit http://bubblingspringclinic.co.uk CUB SCOUTS 6.30 - 8pm boys/girls, 8 – 10.5 years. 5C CAMERA AND CAMERAPHONE CLUB 8.00 - 9.30pm at South Grove Community Centre, Grove Street, Woodston, PE2 9AG. Your first visit is free. Kelvin T: 07434 315795

Tuesday MUSIC FOR LITTLE PEOPLE British Legion, Yaxley. T: 01733 241947 www.musicforlittlepeople.co.uk THE TREBLE-TWENTY CLUB Church Hall, Mace Road. 2pm. Scrabble, dominoes, triominoes, etc. Refreshments available. All welcome. FAMILY HISTORY SESSION 1st & 3rd Friday of the month. Stanground Library T: 01733 864302 WALKING FOR HEALTH 11am at Sue Ryder Café, Whittlsey Road. David T: 01733 340039 FOOD BANK 12:30 - 2pm Stanground Baptist Church, Chapel St. PILATES 7.45 – 845pm. Call Kirsty 07801 974702

Wednesday MUSIC FOR LITTLE PEOPLE British Legion, Yaxley. T: 01733 241947 www.musicforlittlepeople.co.uk

BINGO Rowing Community Centre, 2pm. All welcome. BEAVER SCOUTS 5.15 to 6.45pm. boys/girls, 6 – 8 years. LINE DANCING Beginners 6.15-8pm. Intermediate 8-10pm. £4pw at Stanground Community Centre. Ron T: 07554 008221 EXPLORER SCOUTS 7.30 to 9pm. boys/girls, 6 – 8 years.

Friday YOUTH CLUB 7-9pm at St Michaels School, Cardea. MUSIC FOR LITTLE PEOPLE 9.45-10.45am for 2yrs+ 10.45-11.30am for 0-2 yrs. St. Andrews Church, Netherton. T: 01733 241947 www.musicforlittlepeople.co.uk CUBS 6-7.30pm (8-10½yrs) Scout Hut, Thistle Drive. T: 01733 561479

YOGA 7 – 8pm, for more information call Kirsty 07801 974702

Thursday TRADITIONAL JUDO 5pm – 6.30pm age 5 upwards. Mixed abilities’ Southfields community Centre, term time only. Call Mr Willerton on 07947908157 for more information MUSIC FOR LITTLE PEOPLE 9:45-10:45 for 2yrs+. 10:45-11:30 for 0-2 yrs. Manor Farm Community Centre, Eye. T: 01733 241947 www.musicforlittlepeople.co.uk PARENTS, CARERS AND COMMUNITY COFFEE MORNING Fortnightly at Stanground Baptist Church, 10am-12pm. Homemade cakes & biscuits with Fairtrade tea & coffee. All ages welcome. Takings donated to charity. rachhowes@icloud.com COMPUTER CLASSES 10.30am-12pm. For complete beginners. Stanground Library. T: 01733 864302 SCOUTS 7.30-9pm (10½-14yrs) Scout Hut, Thistle Drive. T: 01733 561479 STANGROUND LIBRARY READING GROUP Now on second Thursday of every month. 10am. Stanground Library, Southfields Drive. T: 01733 864302 SLIMMING WORLD Stanground Community Centre, Whittlesey Road. 5.30pm and 7.30pm. T: 07729 689552 SCOUTS 7.15 to 8.45pm. boys/girls, 10½ to 14 years. TAI CHI AND QIGONG 7.30pm. Ashwood Chiropractic, Stanground. Booking essential, please call Helen T: 07771 928231 www.bubblingspringclinic.co.uk PILATES MUMMY AND ME

10.30 to 11.30 (suitable for all levels), for more information call Kirsty 07801 974702

ACTION ON HEARING LOSS BEFRIENDING CLUB Free help, information & refreshments. Make new friends. 11am-12.30pm. 2nd & 4th Friday of the month at The Mobility Aids Centre, 88 South St., Stanground PE2 8EZ. TOTSTOP BABY AND TODDLER GROUP (Term time only) 9.45-11.30am at Stanground Baptist Church, Chapel Street. £1 per family; drink and snack included. Jane T: 01733 310411 SLIMMING WORLD Meet at the Stanground Community Centre, Whittlesey Road. 9.30am. T: 07729 689552 NEWBORNS TO CRAWLING 10.15am - 11.30am St Michael’s School, Cardea. Group runs all year round except bank holidays. CUB SCOUTS 6 – 7.30pm. boys/girls, 8 – 10½ years

Saturday COFFEE MORNING 1st Saturday of each month. Church Hall, Mace Road, Friendly & informal. All welcome. SATURDAY SPORTS CLUB 3 -7 years Stanground Academy 10–11am. Please contact Scott for more information. T: 07790 016886

Sunday ST JOHN’S, CHURCH OF ENGLAND PE2 8HF 9.30am Holy Communion Service ST MICHAEL’S, MACE ROAD, CHURCH OF ENGLAND, PE2 8RQ 11.15am Family friendly worship with children’s activities. CARDEA COMMUNITY CHURCH Meet every Sunday at 10.30am. Cardea Pavilion. Everyone welcome. STANGROUND BAPTIST CHURCH 10.15am service and Junior Church at Stanground Baptist Church (11am Café-Church family service on the 1st Sunday of the month)

Promote your local group or event! E: info@stangroundgazette.co.uk www.stangroundgazette.co.uk www.stangroundgazette.co.uk February February2017 2017 stanground stanground gazette gazette 27 27

carport

FREE winter health checks Call: 01733 685 855 Holme Road, Yaxley PE7 3NA

Excel Auto Care

It can be dangerously tempting to skip servicing your car, especially at this expensive time of year. However, doing so could mean much larger repair bills if something goes wrong Even if your car has just had an MOT, this is only designed to ensure your car passes basic, legal safety standards. Servicing makes sure that everything is working to the best of its ability and that you get no preventable nasty surprises! If you go on ignoring those squeaky brakes or knocking noises it will prove much more expensive in the future. Excel Auto Care, service cars to the highest standards with checks carried out exceeding those of a main dealer – and at a much more reasonable cost. Only high

quality parts are used and we can fit manufacturer’s genuine parts if you prefer. Included in our Full Service, along with changing the oil and all the servicing parts, we also:  Remove all wheels, check brakes and adjust if necessary, clean brake drums.  Check all suspension components and bushes.  Check tyres and tread depth.  Check all fluid levels, strengths and contents and adjust accordingly.  Courtesy car wash  Courtesy transport to home or work

Your local, honest and friendly garage

Customer drop off service MOTs £39 Servicing £80 Tyres £30 Brakes £30 Clutches £180 Air conditioning £40 Cambelts £120 Call now to book your FREE vehicle health check 01733 685855 • admin@excelautocare.net • www.excelautocare.net

Saturday Sports Clubs 3–7 yrs 10-11am at Stanground Academy Monday Pre School Sports club 2-4yrs 1-2pm at Woodston Belsize Community Centre Holiday clubs, other classes and venues available Please see our website for details.

Contact Scott 07790 016886 www.keysportscoaching.co.uk

Your local taxi service For the best prices on airport transfers and the best prices locally call us today.

8 Seater

Pre-Bookings & Accounts Welcome. Private Hire Only. All cards excepted.

WHITE KNIGHT Cars Ltd prices available on application.

- Airport Travel Specialists -

T: 01733 890400 www.whiteknightcars.co.uk 28 stanground gazette February 2017 www.stangroundgazette.co.uk

consumer courier

handynumbers

by Eileen Le Voi

Get your house in order and don’t fall foul of property turn oﬀs if you are selling your home in 2017. The start of a new year is often when people re-start their thoughts about moving home. But if you are in the process of getting your house sale-ready, it may be worth thinking about some dos and don’ts when it comes to attracting sellers.

According to a recent survey, which details the 10 biggest issues preventing sellers from getting the asking price when selling their homes, bad smells top the list for homebuyers. Inspired Wallpaper asked 1,500 people what the most likely issues are that would put them off buying a house when viewing a property and 36 per cent said this was the biggest reason. Behind unpleasant smells on the list were bad layouts and DIY disasters, with outdated fixtures and fittings and clutter close behind. In addition 13 per cent named garish décor as their biggest turn-off. And in 7th position on the list is mould, followed by lack of

character and a disappointing garden. The research highlights just how important it is to present your home without these irritations because they could result in lower bids for the property and possibly cost the homeowner a sale. So, if you are looking to sell your home in the near future, and your home is in need of some TLC, call in the professionals to ensure you have the best possible chance of attaining the asking price for your property. To source reputable traders for all your DIY, home and garden maintenance jobs, go to www.safelocaltrades.com or call 0800 014 1832.

Safe Local Trades can recommend trusted and reliable tradespeople across a wide range of areas – all of which come with a customer seal of approval. Go to www.safelocaltrades.com or telephone 01733 530019 www.stangroundgazette.co.uk February 2017 stanground gazette 29

handynumbers AIRPORT TRANSFERS

ELECTRICIANS

Door to Destination... Airport, seaport & executive travel throughout the UK. Stanground based, family business.

Luxury 6 passenger Air Conditioned Vehicle. Airport & Seaport Transfers. Private Hire.

T: 01733 895986 M: 07704 273205 M: 07912 493030

www.brianhire.co.uk

Contact: Stewart Tel: 01733 341749 Mob: 07982 242834 E-mail: allensairports@gmail.com www.allensairporttravel.co.uk

BUILDING SERVICES

GARDENING / FENCING

WE’LL SAVE YOU A SPACE CALL 0773 66 44 55 3

&SONS SAM

TREE & GARDEN SPECIALIST

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

Peterborough based FREE estimates & advice

www.samsongardenwork.co.uk

CLEANING SERVICES

We clean

so you don’t have to! • • • • •

Residential & commercial property Fully insured & DBS checked Tenancy & builders cleans Regular & contract cleans One off & deep cleans

Call or text 07518 400936 / 01733 302912

www.360cs.co.uk

DynamicProfessionalCleaningServices Prices from £10 per hour

T: 01733 689 205 M: 07552 662 920

Professional pre-tenant and post-tenant cleaning, call for prices Professional carpet cleaning first room £30 then £15 a room Domestic cleaning from £10 per hour Professional oven cleaning from £40

OVEN CLEANING

CHIROPODIST/PODIATRIST

linilsic C t o n Fo g toena Sticultttiong InsgSrkoiwniinnfecOtritohnostics

Nail s & corn ed heels PE7 3RP Callu cas Crack , Stilton Verru h Street

rt 55 No

Derek Vickers L.S.CH, L.CH, M.CH.S

Appts: 01733 240609/242449

DECORATORS

Ellis Decor

Exterior & interior work FREE Painting & wallpapering. QUOTES Friendly professional service.

Keith Ellis T: 01733 760 096 M: 07956 462 904 E: decoratorinator@yahoo.co.uk 30 stanground gazette February 2017 www.stangroundgazette.co.uk

Fe n

JIM POLLARD FENCING

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T: 01733 305 156 M: 07946 231 806 Free no obligation quotes • Conservatory Cleaning • Fascias and Soffit Cleaning MW Cleaning offer a mobile service with a host of specialists • Driveways, Patios & Decking equipment to get those hard to • Solar Panel & Gutter Cleaning reach, hard to clean jobs done • Traditional Window Cleaning • Pure Water Method Window Cleaning outside your home. Free no obligation quote info@mwcleaning.co.uk 07827 258782 or 01733 741069 www.mwcleaning.co.uk

jimpollardfencing@outlook.com

HOME IMPROVEMENT

handynumbers PROPERTY, PLUMBING & HEATING

IRONING

Unbeatable Prices For a free estimate and a quality service please contact Allbright first. Fitted Kitchens - Fitted Bathrooms - Plastering - Bricklaying - Decking - Fencing Carpentry - Concreting - Garage Conversions - Extensions - Loft conversions TEL: 01733 767 935 / MOB: 0779 375 1610 EMAIL: adgi.allbright@gmail.com www.allbrightpropertymaintenance.co.uk

HOME IMPROVEMENT

WEBSITE DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT

Website design & development Social media management Marketing consultation Publications, leaflets & posters Computer maintenance (Apple & PC) Insta

HILL SERVICES

Property maintenance Window cleaning/Fascia Gutter cleaning/Repairs Gardening/Fencing Decorating interior/Exterior Roofing repairs Local family run business

w.hillservices74@outlook.com

M: 07870 454474 T: 01733 311661

PROPERTY, PLUMBING & HEATING

Dimension DESIGN FOR LIFE T: 01733 772095 www.dimension6000.com WINDOW SERVICES

DOUBLE GLAZING REPAIR • Misted up sealed units • Doors dropped • Broken handles etc

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

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Mark Wade 07736 970 451 / Simon Wade 07841 141 953 • Sales, Service and Installation of all boilers • • Over 25 years experience • 24 Hour emergency call out • Registered Office: 35 Main Street, Yaxley, Peterborough PE7 3LZ

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T: 01733 247334 M: 07517 560720 | LOCAL RESIDENT CONSERVATORIES AND CAR PORTS • Made to measure conservatories • Car ports to suit your pocket • Probably the best value for money in the area

T: 01733 247334 M: 07517 560720 | LOCAL RESIDENT www.stangroundgazette.co.uk www.stangroundgazette.co.uk February February2017 2017 stanground gazette 31

UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Number 1 Pasta Chef of The Year Peter Puntrello

Mesquite Chicken

The Italian

Julienne Chicken strips soaked in a smokey Mesquite stock, with bacon, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, sweet red onion, ranch dressing & Italian seasoning.

Wine cured Milano salami, pepperoni, capicola, honey roasted ham, mozzarella, lettuce, tomato, sweet red onion, black olives, Italian vinaigrette & seasonings.

B.L.T.

The Traditional

Bacon, Mozzarella cheese, lettuce, tomato, sweet red onion, ranch dressing & Italian seasonings.

Tender roast beef, whole turkey breast, honey roasted ham, Cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, sweet red onion, black olives, ranch dressing & Italian seasonings.

Xpress Club

Tuna Melt

Honey roasted ham, whole turkey breast, bacon, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, sweet red onion, Sub Xpress red dressing and Italian seasonings.

Dolphin friendly tuna mixed to our own special recipe, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, sweet red onion, Italian vinaigrette dressing & Italian seasonings.

Come in and try the best pasta dishes in Peterborough. Not only is the pasta amazing and healthy, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s made using the finest ingredients, all GM free and nothing is processed. All prepared in store by our very own Italian Pasta Chef of the year.

01733 892211

32 stanground gazette February 2017 www.stangroundgazette.co.uk

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